Bonnie Sveen Fan, it was horrible for Alicia and I don't think she got any support in the original episode - Lily and Connie were both furious with her and I don't think anyone else spoke to her. No wonder the poor girl left! I wasn't really a fan of Alicia, but I felt so sorry for her. Thank you for your review.

Tanith Panic, I wish this had happened too. Lily and Alicia were both so damaged by what happened. Lily is still suffering the effects of it all and Alicia has changed into a completely different person. I think kindness from Lily will always be genuine, but she really needs encouragement to show it. Thank you for your review.

Lily wasn't sure how long they'd been sitting there. Perhaps only a couple of minutes. Alicia was sobbing as she held on to Lily. Lily stroked Alicia's hair and kept telling Alicia she was there. It didn't seem to be helping, but Alicia hadn't pushed her away and that was probably a god sign.

There was a knock at the door, followed by Ethan's muffled voiced. "Lily?"

"One moment," called Lily, and turned to Ethan. "It is Ethan. I must go and speak to him."

Alicia nodded, sniffling.

Lily patted her arm awkwardly and went to open the door.

"Hey, sweetheart. Here: you'd better take this before I forget," said Ethan, handing her the key. "And here's the bag. Is there anything else I can do? Would Alicia like a cup of tea, do you think? And would you like one too?"

Lily considered. "I am not thirsty, but I think that would be a good idea for Alicia. Thank you, Ethan."

Ethan smiled and reached for Lily's hand. "I'll see you in a few minutes. You're doing really well and I'm very proud of you."

"Thank you," whispered Lily emotionally. She shut the door behind him and returned to Alicia, who was still crying. "Ethan has gone to get you some tea, but if you would like to have your shower first, that is fine. You should do whatever you need to do at your own pace." Lily sat beside Alicia and opened her bag. "I think I have everything you will need in here." She took out a spare pair of scrubs and a towel and put them on the heater to warm up. She placed a brush and her make-up bag on the floor and handed Alicia some tissues.

"Thank you," whispered Alicia shakily as she wiped her eyes and nose. Then her breathing quickened and she started shaking. "Oh God, Lily, I'm bleeding!"

Lily bent close to her. "I don't think…." She dabbed at the blood on Alicia's face with another tissue. "No, it is not your blood. It is the patient's blood. You must have touched your face with your hands. Don't worry."

"Oh, Lily, it was so awful. So awful!" Alicia burst into tears again.

Lily hesitated, then wrapped her arms around her. "I know, but it is over now. If you would like to tell me about it, now or in the future, then you can do that. If you would prefer to focus on something else, that is fine too."

Alicia cuddled closer to Lily. Other than Ethan, she was the only person ever to have done that. Once she'd got over the surprise, Lily discovered that when she could be completely certain her comfort was welcome, she was not nearly as afraid of giving it.

"A man drove up in a car and he was covered in blood," sniffled Alicia. "There was a girl with him. I tried to help him, but then another car arrived. The man got out. He had a weapon. I think a crowbar. He tried to attack the man who was bleeding." She shuddered in Lily's arms.

"It is over now," said Lily as soothingly as she could. "You are safe now, Alicia. You are with me. But please keep talking as much as you need to."

"Iain told me to take the man away and treat him, but they were blocking my way to the ED. I didn't know what to do, so I took him into the back of a van. I don't even know why! There were ambulances. Why didn't I take him into an ambulance?"

"Your priority was to keep the patient safe," said Lily. "I expect the van seemed like the safest place at the time. Your patient's life was in danger and I don't imagine you knew at that stage that he would need a needle thoracotomy. You were in physical danger and you had to think quickly. You did not freeze. You took the patient to a place of relative safety and treated him. That was the correct thing to do. I think you did well, Alicia. I would not say that if it was not true."

Alicia cried for a bit longer, then she sat up and started to dry her tears. "Thank you, Lily. Thank you for listening and being kind."

"You're welcome, Alicia. I am your mentor," said Lily. "There are times when I have to be tough on you. But now is not one of those times."

Ethan returned a few minutes later with Alicia's tea. "Um, Charlie was wondering where you both are."

"What did you tell him?" said Lily.

"That you were involved in the incident and couldn't be spared at present," said Ethan. "I hope you don't mind, but I've taken over Leo's treatment."

Lily looked at him anxiously. "I am grateful, Ethan, but I don't want you to overwork yourself. You work so hard already and you have to help Cal with Matilda too…"

"Oh, no, I'm fine," said Ethan, smiling at her. "I can easily take on one more patient."

"Thank you," said Lily gratefully. She took Alicia her the tea. "Here you are, Alicia. Be careful: it's hot." She returned to Ethan and spoke in a whisper. "I truly am grateful, Ethan. I do not wish to be remiss in my duties, but I can't possibly leave Alicia now." She returned to her normal voice. "Has there been any word on Josh?"

"Not yet," said Ethan. "A search is being made and Charlie has informed the police, but it doesn't seem likely that he was caught up in the… incident."

"That is good to know," said Lily. "Did you hear that, Alicia?"

"Yes," said Alicia shakily. "Thank you, Ethan."

Ethan smiled at her. It was so different from the smiles he gave Lily. "You're welcome, Alicia. I'm sorry you've had such a tough time."

Alicia managed a tremulous smile in return.

"And Leo?" said Lily. "How is he?"

"I did a scan and it looks like there's some free fluid in the abdomen," said Ethan. "I'm concerned about internal bleeding, so I've called for a paediatric surgeon to assess him."

"Thank you, Ethan," said Lily. "That is a great help and I'm sure your presence is very reassuring for the family."

Ethan smiled and leaned forward to kiss her.

Lily kissed him back. "I will see you soon. I love you."

Ethan's face lit up."I love you too."

Alicia finished changing into the pair of scrubs Lily had warmed up on the radiator. Lily was wearing her other spare pair – although the black top and trousers she was wearing looked immaculate, Lily imagined they were covered in blood and not very hygienic.

"Thank you, Lily," Alicia said softly. "I'll wash them and bring them back tomorrow."

"No, please don't think about that now," said Lily. She handed Alicia her hairbrush and make-up bag. "You are welcome to use anything you would like to use."

"Thanks," whispered Alicia. She tried to brush her hair, but her hand was shaking. "I… I can't do it."

"Come here and I will do it for you," said Lily.

She began to brush Alicia's hair briskly. The F2 flinched but said nothing.

"I am sorry. Was that too rough?" Lily tried with more gentle strokes. "I have never tried brushing another person's hair before."

"You're doing fine," whispered Alicia.

Lily was nervous at first, but gradually, she felt herself relaxing.

She'd always wanted to do something like this. It had always been one of her dreams. She'd thought how wonderful it would be to stay up all night, doing each other's hair and giving each other makeovers. Talking about attractive men and the latest medical advances. Alternating between romantic films and demonstrations of emergency procedures. It sounded like heaven to Lily.

Unfortunately, she'd never had the opportunity.

But perhaps, if she didn't mess up with Alicia again, the opportunity would come.

Lily had just finished applying blusher to Alicia's pale cheeks when the door burst open, crashing back against the wall.

Connie stood there. "What on earth do you think you're doing?"

Alicia's eyes widened with fear and she shrank closer to Lily.

"Right. Both of you. In my office. Now!" Connie turned and left.

"Oh no!" wailed Alicia.

"It will be all right," said Lily with a confidence she didn't feel. She quickly stuffed her make-up and Alicia's dirty clothes into her bag and picked up Alicia's mug. "Ready?"

Alicia looked as though she'd never been less ready for anything.

"I'm sorry. That was a stupid thing to say. But it will be okay. I will be with you." Lily put her free arm around Alicia and hurried her towards Connie's office.

"Um, Lily?" said a voice from behind them.

Lily turned to see Lofty. "We are going to Mrs Beauchamp's office."

"I just wanted to say I found Josh and took him back to his mum," said Lofty. "He's fine physically. Emotionally, he's struggling a bit with Leo getting all the attention, but I think his mum gets that now so he should be fine."

"Thank you, Lofty," said Lily, and Alicia smiled faintly before echoing the words.

Lofty smiled. "You're welcome." He stood aside as Lily steered Alicia towards Connie's office.

"Sit down, Alicia," said Lily as they entered. "Try not to worry. Mrs Beauchamp is strict but fair."

"I'm really, really scared," admitted Alicia, tears coming to her eyes again.

"That's natural," said Lily. "And I will be honest: it will not be easy." She hesitantly took Alicia's hand in hers. "But I will not leave you."