The sound of the crashing waves and brief muffles of a females voice echoed through Alec's ears as he stood on the sand with his hands dug deep into his pockets, one clenching his phone the other his keys. A constant ache tore across his chest. His eyes closed and reopened slowly but continuously as he breathed deeply in through is nose and out through his mouth. "Sir.. are you even listening to me?" Ellie raised her voice a little as she looked at him. "Hm? Yes, got it.." Alec gave a quick nod, he hadn't a clue what Ellie had just said and desperately hoped she wouldn't question him on it. "Right.." she rolled her eyes knowing damn well he hadn't taken anything that she said in.

Ellie had chose to stand her grounds and continue in an environment and job she loved doing, despite the recent findings with her husband, soon to be ex-husband. She wasn't going to let him ruin her career, not only that she had two children to look after, feed and cloth. The money had to come from somewhere. She had got her sister back on her feet too, she was now her nephew's babysitter for the time being.

"We should head back to the station, and inform SOCO about what we have found" Ellie muttered, her eyes were fixed on Alec as she spoke. "Don't want people to start talking now do we eh? Although it wouldn't be that bad in Brian's case, rumor goes round about you and I and he hears, that will get him off my back" She trailed off. Alec snapped out of his thoughts once again "We are not spreading rumors like that, that.. that's just wrong, no offense and all.." Alec replied before he began to walk across the sand and off the beach, Ellie followed on behind. Alec had somehow convinced the team to allow him back to work on light duties only of course given his condition.

Reaching the path again, Alec groaned quietly, the slightest of walks ended up being so much pressure on his heart now and despite being nagged by Ellie and his Doctors near enough every day to go ahead with the surgery he hadn't, yet. Not wanting to admit it, Alec was scared, scared he wouldn't make it through the surgery which there was a high chance he wouldn't. He couldn't bare his daughter (finally) trying to contact him one day to find out he had died, the thought of it made him feel sick. "Sir? Are you okay?" Ellie asked quickly as she caught up with him. Noticing his face being paler she gulped. "Mhm, i'm fine" It was always Alec's reply, she gave a soft sigh after mouthing his exact words as he said them, they both then proceeded back to the police station, Alec at a steady pace.