Zoe flew out the ED, her shoes clattering on the pavement and almost tripping her up. Past patients, past colleagues she ran, ignoring cries of concern or irritation as she bumped into those who got in her way, her mind focussed purely on getting out of there. Not until she reached the safety of her car did she slow down, threw herself into the driver's seat and tossed her bag onto the passenger seat. Leaning her head against folded arms against the wheel, she began to cry. This had been coming since she had left the office, but she hadn't wanted to let anyone see, holding it all in until she reached a safe place. In fact, this had been coming for a good few days, but she hadn't wanted to let herself acknowledge it, let alone let anyone else witness it. If felt almost good to let the tears flow, washing away the stinging pain that had held her eyes each time she had tried to hold it back before.

Hitting her head gently against her arms, her fists clenched into tight fists of anger and frustration, Zoe groaned softly. She wasn't just irritated, she was furious. She had been so naïve to think that this wasn't the real explanation, to think that there wasn't something behind it. For days she had blamed herself, torn herself to shreds inside, thinking that it had been her fault. She sat up straight quickly. She wasn't going to anymore. Wiping her tear-streaked cheeks with the sleeve of her jacket, she turned the key in the ignition and began to drive. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, she would be back to set this right.

Tonight, though, she was going consume a dangerous amount of alcohol and forget all about it.

...

The sunlight was streaming through the windows: she had forgotten to close the curtains last night in her drunken stupor. Rolling over, she caught a face full of light and grimaced, bringing her hand up to shade her face. Squinting, she turned back away. Momentarily, she forgot what had happened, her foggy brain trying to sort through the events of the day before. But it all slotted into place with sudden and all-too-vivid clarity. Groaning, she pulled the covers over her head, wanting to sink into the bed and back into sleep-filled ignorance, but the part of her brain that had been filled with rage yesterday was now calling her out of bed and into a state of purposeful revenge. Revenge. That was what she wanted.

...

Mrs Beauchamp sat at her desk, looking at the woman sat across from her. Although the crisp suit and the heavy perfume were evidence of an effort to tidy herself, the bags under her eyes were all too clearly from a night of alcohol, something that no amount of make-up could disguise.

"Zoe, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, please, Connie. Don't insult my intelligence. We both know what you've done."

Connie said nothing, just stared at Zoe right in the eyes, who was getting riled by her rival's refusal to say anything.

"How the fuck did you think you were going to get away with it? You thought I'd just sit back and take it? Let you ruin my career, my life? I'd have thought you'd have had more sense than that!"

Connie leant back, not breaking eye contact.

"I can't believe you're not even defending yourself! Do you understand what it is that you've done? You've lied to everyone, Connie!"

"So what are you going to do about it? Run to Guy?"

Zoe let out a shout of laughter, "'Run to Guy?' That's more your style, isn't it?"

Connie looked down. "Zoe, if you make this public, it's not going to end well. I know you think you're the innocent little victim here, but I know what you did. And I can tell everyone."

Zoe shrugged, though she looked shaken. "You think I care? Do what you fucking want, I'm getting justice, Connie." She stood and walked out, slamming the door angrily.

Zoe strode out the ED, her feet following the same path as yesterday. But it was a different woman who walked it now, with a different purpose. Yesterday, she had been shocked. No, more than shocked, she had been astonished, overwhelmed, furious. But now she was determined, her anger was contained and fashioned into a steely point and her aim was clear. She was going to see this out. She would get her revenge.

I haven't done a fic like this before, so not sure how it's going to turn out, but bear with... Reviews would be much appreciated :)