Author's Note: A very short scene following on from Saturday night's episode. It may or may not fit in with the next episode but I thought I would share it anyway.
"I feel like I've made it sound worse than it actually is." Alicia said, panic rising. She started to leave. "I really shouldn't have said anything."
"No no no, Alicia I..." Bea began to protest but before she could finish her sentence, Alicia was out the door like a shot. Bea was in complete shock. She knew that Alicia had not been herself for weeks and had quickly realised over recent days that it was something to do with Eddie but never, never in a million years did she suspect it was anything like this. When Alicia had told her, suddenly everything fell into place and made sense - the not wanting to sleep in her own bed, the practically drinking herself to sleep every night and the mood swings, particularly when she was around him. It all made sense now but Bea wished so much that it did not have to. She wiped the tears from her own eyes, realising that she had to be strong for her friend, got up, collected her bag from her locker and followed quickly after Alicia.
Alicia crossed the road, though could barely see to do so from the tears blurring her vision. She had to get home, get away from the hospital, away from her colleagues and most of all, away from the whole sorry mess.
"Alicia!" She heard a voice call behind her. It was Bea. "Alicia, stop, please!" She wanted to carry on, she wanted to run but something in that moment stopped her. Something in Bea's voice - the pleading, the desperation, perhaps but something made Alicia stop and turn around. Bea finally caught up with her, and paused for a moment to catch her breath before speaking. "Alicia just...just wait a minute. I know that...that you're scared and that you're in shock but this isn't something you can just gloss over. Just because you know him doesn't make what he did okay." She told her desperately, fully expecting Alicia to continue walking away and this time, she would get the message, this time she would let her go as there was no use in pursuing her. It would only wind her up further and she needed time to calm down as best she could whilst carrying such a heavy burden. Bea was, however, surprised when Alicia remained rooted to the spot.
"It...no, no, I'm sorry." Alicia tried to speak but could not get the words out.
"Go on." Bea encouraged. "I'm listening, remember?" Alicia gave a watery, half-hearted smile, breaking eye contact as she attempted to speak once again.
"It happened weeks ago. It doesn't matter anymore. It's not...it can't be...what you said." She could not say it. She just could not say that word.
"What does it matter when it happened?" Bea argued. "You told him to stop and he didn't and anyway, the fact that it's still affecting you and upsetting you says it all, don't you think?" She put a gentle hand on Alicia's shoulder. Alicia's attempt at pretending all was well once again crumbled for the second time in the space of twenty minutes as the tears spilled from her eyes and heavy sobs shook her entire body. Bea hugged her close. "You've tried to deal with this all on your own and be strong about it for too long." She told her. "But you don't have to do it alone anymore. I'm here for you."