casualtyfics111: Thank you. I think they had a really good friendship, and Gem actually told her that she was the only friend she had. I do love a good brother/sister scene as well. Thanks for your review.

Scarlett: Thank you! That's a good idea, I'll keep that in mind. Lots of Lily and Connie in this chapter.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Lily felt as if things had been different since her recent session with Helen. By different, she meant that Iain had been quiet and withdrawn.

"How are you feeling this morning?" He asked, as Lily attempted to tie up the shoelaces on her trainers.

She was having one of her bad days again, meaning that even the simpliest tasks became difficult. This involved tying her shoes, brushing her hair, and remembering to eat.

She didn't answer.

"Okay," Iain sighed, when usually he'd give her a hug and a kiss before deciding to brush her hair for her. "Well, you um...You're coming into work today, right?"

Lily nodded.

"Sure," Iain said, watching as Lily struggled with her laces. "What's wrong anyway? You can talk to me, Lily."

"Just feeling a bit flat," Lily answered, stopping to run a hand through her hair. "Can you help me?"

Iain nodded with a small sigh and crouched down in front of her to tie them up. It was unusual for Lily to ask for help, so he was pleased. It showed progress, and the fact that she was beginning to talk to him more showed that she trusted him.

"It's probably because Louise is due back today," Lily whispered.

"So soon?" Iain coughed, his eyes on her trainers.

"It's gone quick," Lily told him.

"Yeah it has," Iain sighed, patting the side of her left leg. "All done. I'll make breakfast, yeah?"

Louise scowled to herself as she strolled through the car park of the ED. It felt good to be back but she wasn't at all happy about being suspended in the first place. In her opinion, she hadn't done anything.

She stopped outside for a second and took a glance at the massive pile of cardboard boxes that had been stacked by the entrance. It looked as if someone was having a clear out.

"Hi Louise," Alicia was the first to greet her, as she made her way inside. "It's good to see you. How was your break?"

"Terrible," Louise scoffed. "Seeing as I was suspended." She sighed and shook her head, before whispering, "sorry. I shouldn't be taking it out on you."

"It's alright," Alicia whispered back. "I assume that Mrs Beauchamp will want to have a word with you."

"Probably," Louise sighed. "Can't say I'm looking for that. How's the great and wonderful Ice Mouse been anyway?"

"Don't speak about Lily like that," Alicia pleaded, shaking her head at the nurse. "She can't help the fact that she isn't talking. She's been through a lot."

"Whatever," Louise mumbled, rolling her eyes. "Listen. I'm going to go and have my chat with Connie, and then I'm going to pop out for a cigarette before my shift."

"But you don't spoke," Alicia stated, as she gave Louise a puzzling look.

"I just need something to calm myself down," Louise whispered, and walked off in the other direction.

"We are going to do some reading," Connie said, as she and Lily sat in the board room. It seemed to be their regular spot, mainly because it was private and only used for meetings, and Lily often felt safe in there. "Have you brought your book with you?"

Lily set her new copy of 'Alice in Wonderland' on the table in front of them.

"I thought it'd be nicer to bring your own copy," Connie said. "Can you remember where we left it?"

Lily had a feeling. It was just as Alice was about to meet Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee. She couldn't believe how much she'd actually read to be honest, sure it had been over a period of weeks but it was still a lot. She opened the book and found the correct page.

"Okay," Connie whispered. "Are we going to try it without the music today?"

Lily shook her head. The thought of speaking to Connie without the earphones terrified her.

"Lily, please." Connie sounded as if she was getting impatient. "You're not going to get anywhere otherwise."

There was silence, as Connie waited for Lily to say something.

"Fine. Why don't we leave the reading for today?" Connie asked, closing the book and pushing it to one side. "Why did you tell Helen that you wanted to kill yourself?" Lily shifted uncomfortably in her chair, fiddling anxiously with the sleeves of her jacket. "Is that really how you feel?" Connie then asked.

Nothing.

"Lily, talk to me!" Connie raised her voice. "Right now, I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you and I feel like I'm talking to Lassie. You've spoken to me before, Lily. I'm just worried."

"I don't know," Lily whispered, scratching at her arms under the table. "I just feel like it sometimes."

"Do we need to put you on a higher dosage of medication?" Connie asked. "At the moment, you are on a very small dosage. Not only that, but those kind mainly treat anxiety and not depression."

"I'm not depressed," Lily argued.

"It wouldn't surprise me," Connie said. "And I'm sorry but if you're having suicidal thoughts, then I would rather look at prescribing you with an antidepressant."

"I'm a doctor myself, you know?" Lily muttered under her breath.

Lily shrugged her shoulders. Connie was about to open her mouth to speak again, when the loud sound of the fire alarm echoed throughout the entire ED. Lily jumped, looking up at the ceiling with a petrified look on her face.

"Great," Connie muttered sarcastically, and stood up from her chair. "Get yourself to the fire assembly point, please. I'm going to go and check what's going on."

Lily stayed where she was, trembling, as Connie swiftly left the room.

"Charlie!" She shouted, hurrying through the busy crowd of screaming staff and patients. "What's going on? What's happened?"

"There's a fire in reception," Charlie informed her. "We're calling for help, but right now we need to get everybody out. Just make sure that people stay clear of reception."

"What caused it?" Connie asked him.

"I have no idea," Charlie sighed. "Just make sure that everybody gets out safely, and watch out for the quiet ones as usual. Where's Lily?"

"She's fine, she's safe," Connie said. "I told her to go to the assembly point."

"You didn't take her yourself?" Charlie asked, his eyes widening as he moved to let some people past. "Just keep walking!" He shouted after them. "Do not stop to collect any belongings!"

"Lily is more than capable, Charlie," Connie said, folding her arms across her chest. "She's not stupid."

"She's vulnerable, Connie," Charlie reminded her. "And extremely anxious. How do you know if she's left the building or not?"

Hearing those words made her regret leaving Lily alone in the board room. She should have taken her outside herself.

"Okay, fine," Connie gave in. "Take care of everyone out here, and let Iain know that I'm taking care of Lily. He'll be worrying otherwise. I'll go back to the board room and see if she's still there."

"Look after yourself as well," Charlie said. "Fire spreads quickly, and we can't afford to lose anyone."

"I'll be fine Charlie," Connie said. "I promise."

She ran back to the board room, as fast as she could in her heels. She half hoped that Lily was still there, so she could score her towards the nearest exit and make sure that she got out safely. Lily was a grown woman, she was bright, and she'd been a doctor at the ED for years. Charlie had been right though, she was in a vulnerable state at the moment and she needed looking after.

"Lily, come with me!" She called, pushing open the door to the board room.

Lily was gone.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I hope you all enjoyed the Autumn trailer tonight. Let me know what you think x