"Guys, Beca's been rushed into hospital." Amy announced to the group as she came off the phone to Chloe. Hushed swear words were heard round the room.

"What's happened?" Aubrey asked her friend, rushing to her feet.

"She didn't say much but she's been beaten up and is out of it" Amy said looking at Aubrey.

"Fuck. Are they ok?" Aubrey enquired about the three of them.

"She didn't sound good. I could hear Stacie in the background talking to the paramedics. It didn't sound positive from what I could hear." Aubrey got out her phone and dialled Chloe's number, it immediately went to voicemail, she tried Stacie's, which just rang out.

"I can't get through to them. Christ, we have got to find out what hospital she's been taken to." Aubrey said rubbing her head.

"There's not a lot we can do though." Cynthia-Rose said from the other side of the room.

"But they are our friends, we need to be there for them." Aubrey answered. They all quietly agreed.

*~*~*

Stacie offered the two police constables a drink, which they declined.

"Can you talk us through what happened?" One female asked as Stacie motioned for them to sit down at the dining table. Stacie started recalling the events up until her and Chloe found her.

"Chloe was telling me, there's a guy up there with her, at first I didn't believe her, Beca would never even look at another guy or girl, but Chloe was so wound up I knew she couldn't be lying. I knew straight away something wasn't right, and I started to panic, especially when I couldn't get into the flat. That's when we heard a male shouting from inside." Stacie trailed off as a tear fell.

"What happened when you finally gained entry?" The male officer questioned.

"We ran straight in here, to find him kicking the shit out of her." They looked at her questioningly. "Sorry, he, Jesse. Jesse Swanson. He's Beca's ex boyfriend." They scribbled something down on their notepads, and nodded for her to continue. "She was curled up, blood surrounding her, and her skirt was around her waist." More note jotting. "Chloe then hit Jesse to get him to stop hurting Beca. As soon as Jesse had moved, I went over to her. I'm not being disgusting but I noticed semen on her legs."

"Is it possible they could have had sex?" The police asked gently.

"No. No. No, she wouldn't do that. She wouldn't consensually have sex with him. I know her. I think he raped her." Stacie said matter of factly.

"Miss, you do realise that is a very strong allegation?" The female responded.

"I know, but you didn't see her on arrival. You didn't see him. He had an evil look in his eyes. She wouldn't have done that, she's not like that. If it was consensual why was her skirt still around her waist?" She asked fighting their corner.

"Well this is what we need to get to the bottom of. We need to carry out some thorough investigations and interview Miss Beale, the medics, Mr Swanson and Miss Mitchell when she's awake, so we can gain all the facts." The policeman took his turn.

"When did they split up? Was Miss Mitchell in contact with Mr Swanson after the split?" The policewoman enquired.

"They broke up about one and a half, months ago. No, no contact. He dumped her, he just cut her out of his life, even though she was a mess for a while, she was very good in not contacting him, she's very disciplined with stuff like that. Then she met Chloe. But we both saw Jesse in a restaurant one morning and he gave her some abuse, calling her a slag and stuff like that, but apart from that she hasn't mentioned him, she's completely loved up with Chloe. Until a few weeks ago when she found out she was pregnant with his baby and had to get back in contact with him" Stacie informed them.

"Do you know where her mobile phone is?" Came the next question.

"Um" Stacie scanned the room. "Oh, I think that's hers on the sofa, there." She pointed across the living area. The male walked over to it and popped it into a transparent bag.

"We will need to go through the phone to see if there was any contact on either part." Stacie nodded accepting this.

"Well Miss, thank you for your help. We will be in contact and may need to speak with you again. If you remember any more information that may help us, please do not hesitate to contact us." The policewoman said handing Stacie a card with her direct numbers on.

The three of them stood up and Stacie showed them out. Closing the door behind them she let out a sigh. Tears filled her eyes as she went to grab her stuff and head over to the hospital.

She called Chloe and left her a voicemail asking her to let her know where they were. Just as she finished leaving the message, Aubrey started calling.

"Hello." Stacie said deadpan.

"Stace, it's me, Aubrey" she said a bit more cheery than she thought was necessary.

"Yeah"

"Are you ok? Where are you?" she questioned, a hint of worry being heard in her words.

"Well, my best friend has been rushed to hospital, because some tosser has beaten and raped her. So yeah, I'm absolutely great, thanks, for asking." Stacie answered with all the sarcasm she could muster.

"Raped? Fuck..." she echoed. "Where are you? I'm coming to meet you." she said determinedly.

"Don't bother. You haven't been around when I've needed a friend, you only care about bein with Bumper, so what's changed now?" Stacie walked out of the door, shutting it the best she could behind her, and started making her way down the flights of stairs.

"I deserve that, I'm sorry, I'm a complete dick for the way I've treated you. Just please let me be there for you now, you are one of my closest friends". Not much of an apology but whatever she said wouldn't appease her right now.

"Fine. Meet me at New Cross Hospital. I'll be there in about 20 minutes." She told her quickly, as she headed outside and to the car park where her Mini was situated.

"Ok, see you in a minute. Drive carefully." She hung up the phone and put the key in the ignition, and sped off towards the hospital.

Upon arrival Stacie managed to find an empty space and reversed into it. She clambered out of her car, she looked at her phone, Chloe had text her.

1 New Message
Chloe
On Kingfisher ward, D6. They have taken her down for some tests. I'm in rest area, call me when you're here. x

She pressed the Call option and waited for Chloe to answer.

"I'm here. I've parked on West car park." Stacie quickly told her as she crossed the road heading towards the nearest entrance.

"Ok I'm coming to meet you." Chloe said.

She stood outside the entrance and suddenly saw a familiar tall dark haired figure heading towards her. Donald reached her and pulled her in for a hug. At first she tried to resist the embrace but he kept his arms fixed around her, she fell into his cuddle.

"Oh. What are you doing here?" Chloe's accent sounded quite confused. Stacie and Donald broke apart and faced Chloe.

"I'm here for my friends and to support Stace." Donald replied simply and quietly. Chloe almost scoffed but let it slide.

"Right, come on then." Chloe motioned for the two of them to follow her.

"So what's the latest?" Stacie asked asked, quickening her step to keep up with Chloe's long strides.

"They hooked her up to oxygen in the ambulance, rushed her through to have scans and xrays and they have told me they are running tests on other things, but wouldn't tell me what." she informed her.

"Ok" Stacie replied simply. Words just completely failing them all.

They finally reached the rest area which had a few rows of the most uncomfortable looking chairs and a small portable TV up in a corner on the far wall. Chloe and Stacie sat down, Donald hovered.

"Coffee?" He asked kindly.

They both accepted and off he went in pursuit of the hot drink.

"Chloe. What do you think?" Stacie asked her, neither of them daring to take their eyes off the TV.

"I don't know" she replied letting out a sigh. "Do you really think he raped her?" she asked.

"Yes." Chloe side glanced at her. "I know what I saw on her legs. But when we got there she was just focusing on kicking her stomach. He didn't want her to have the baby; that was obvious. But the other injuries I saw which make me convinced he did." She mulled over this information for a few moments. "How can you be convinced? I mean, there was no forced entry into the flat, he was clearly let into the apartment."

"Chloe, I know ok?" Stacie said a bit agitated. "I know it can look dodgy. But I know she wouldn't. And I know he would."

"But how do you know that 100 percent?" she asked again.

"Chloe, just believe me when I say, I know." Stacie looked down at the ground.

"Stace? What are you saying?" Chloe turned to face her.

"I.. I.. I know what he's capable of." She answered so quiet she almost didn't hear.

Chloe was about to press for more information, but Donald came through to door carefully balancing three cups of brown liquid.

"It doesn't look the best, but hopefully it tastes ok," Doanld said as he lay the cups on the table in front of them both.

"Thanks" Chloe said appreciatively, part nodding to him. Donald nodded back. This meant they both realised how important it was for us to stick together right now.