So this is my first Casualty fic and also my first multi-chapter fic too. It's predominantly a Zax fic but with a dash of some other pairings too such as Connie/Jacob and Rita/Iain. Not sure how this is going to turn out but I hope to be updating at least every week but it could easily be more often. Once I return to school, I will be able to have a proper timetable.

I am always open to feedback, especially constructive criticism as that is what helps me to make my writing better. So if you've enjoyed this first chapter, hated it, loved it or loathed it, please leave a review to let me know. It may only take you a minute but it could help my writing for a very long time.

Any ideas, let me know by review or private message and I'll be sure to include them.

Thanks for reading, means he world to me!

Araliae x


Chapter 1 – Meet and Greet

Zoe Hanna drove along the path in between the trees, listening to the gravel crunching beneath the wheels. She could already smell the pine trees surrounding her and she had only been in the woods for five minutes. Coming to a fork in the road, she veered off to the left, following the directions the Sat Nav was barking at her.

"You have reached your destination." It spoke in a sing song robot voice and Zoe couldn't help but grin at the sight. The five cabins were standing in a large ring in front of her with the activity centre standing proud in the middle. Sunlight poured through the gaps in the leaves above, basking the entire scene in a warm evening glow. She quickly parked her car round the back and walked up to the activity centre. As always, she was wearing a pair of killer heels and she silently scolded herself as she slowly sank into the gravel with each step. Just as she was nearing the door, she stumbled backwards and felt two strong arms catching her before she fell. The stranger gently lifted her back onto her feet and Zoe turned to face him (she was almost sure it was a man).

The man in question (for he was, indeed, a man) had unruly brown hair and piercing green eyes. He was obviously reasonably young and Zoe took an instant liking to him, though she would never admit it.

"Heels? Really? It's a children's holiday camp not a work meeting." His words were laced with playful teasing, not malicious or mean in the slightest and yet Zoe would, usually, roll her eyes and mutter in response to such comments. Today, though, her good mood just couldn't be spoiled and so she let him off.

"I realised that the moment I got here, having heels as your trademark is not a good idea at all." They both laughed for a moment, Zoe simply enjoying the happiness of it all. She was so excited for the experience.

"Max Walker." The man spoke after a pause of comfortable silence where they both took in the place around them. He held his hand out somewhat awkwardly in what appeared to be a handshake, of sorts. Zoe fought to suppress a giggle as she watched his hand hang in the air.

"Zoe Hanna." She replied, shaking his hand and smiling up at him.

"Well Zoe Hanna, shall we?" Max held his arm out to her and she took it with a grateful smile, making her way to the door feeling a lot more confident than she had before. Max even held the door for her and she felt herself blush slightly at the gesture which only amused him more.

When the two finally made it inside they were astounded by the size of the place. It was one huge hall split into different sections; one for arts and crafts, one for team building and many more. There was also around 20 people in the middle of the room, chatting idly to each other. As the two latecomers entered, a stern looking brunette at the back of the hall stood on some sort of stage and gathered everyone's attention.

"Hello everyone, my name is Connie Beauchamp and I am the Camp Leader here at Holby City Summer Camp. We aim to give children who live in Holby the chance for them to get away and explore the wilderness in an exciting five day course. You have been asked to come today, three days before the course starts, so that we can begin some team building and training exercises first." There were nods from many members of the crowd and many sideways glances to check out new co-workers.

"Here at camp we have roles for each member of our staff which I trust you all know as I sent you them and what they entail through email. There is, however, the small matter of Cabin Leaders. There are five cabins here in HCSC that compete against each other throughout the week. Each cabin has a leader and a deputy that also stay in the cabins with the children to oversee any pastoral issues and check every child is having fun. I've put up a list on the notice board over there of all the cabin leaders so I'll leave you to check the list and mingle this evening before we start the activities tomorrow." Connie smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes, and stepped down from the stage.

Max and Zoe were still standing at the back of the hall, arm in arm, unnoticed by the crowd in front of them. Max leaned down to whisper in Zoe's ear.

"Shall we check the boards, m'lady?" The teasing note in his voice was back and Zoe dug him in the ribs lightly.

"Come on then." She sighed in mock defeat and the two wandered over to the board, both reluctant to release each other's arms but not quite understanding why. As they drew closer, Zoe found herself hoping to be in a cabin with Max and was trying to find a reason for her feelings. She ended up settling on the fact that he was pretty handsome and she just wouldn't mind having him around.

"Would you look at that?" Max said, snapping Zoe out of her thoughts. She followed Max's gaze and scanned the noticeboard. Her eyes rested on one spot in particular.

'Squirrel Cabin Leader – Zoe Hanna'

Smiling to herself, she searched for the name of her deputy.

'Squirrel Cabin Deputy – Max Walker'

Her smile grew into a large grin as she looked back at Max who mirrored her expression. They stood like that for a few moments before Zoe spoke, excitement dripping from every word.

"I suppose we'll be seeing a lot of each other then, Mr Walker." If it was even possible, his grin became wider than ever.

"Right you are Mrs Hanna." He replied, but Zoe began laughing as he spoke. His grinning face suddenly turned into a puzzled one. "What did I say?"

"Mrs? I'm not married!" Zoe said between laughs and Max smirked inwardly.

"Oh sorry, I just thought…well it doesn't matter." Max trailed off and didn't finish his sentence. Zoe smiled reassuringly.

"Don't worry about it, I'm going to go meet our co-workers, coming?" Zoe asked happily and Max nodded, grateful that his slip was ignored. Upon noticing that they still had their arms linked, both swiftly separated awkwardly and walked over to the crowd rather quickly.

They approached a small group of four first and a bubbly young girl, Robyn, instantly noticed and befriended the two newcomers to the group. She took it upon herself to make the introductions.

"This is Charlie," Robyn pointed to an older man with a kind, gentle face who waved slightly at the mention of his name. "Tess," she gestured to a mature woman who Zoe instantly took a liking to as her eyes sparkled when she smiled. "And this is Lofty!" Robyn said and the man next to her nodded shyly, though he looked friendly enough.

Just then, Connie returned to the stage and explained that those without a cabin must follow her to the staff cabin but others who manage children's cabins may stay in those for the night. Everyone filed out the door and headed for their accommodation. Max and Zoe found the Squirrel Cabin took ages to find the squirrel cabin as they went the wrong way from the activity centre but neither minded too much. When they finally arrived, Max used the key he'd been given to unlock the door.

"Well, this is nicer than I expected." Max said in a tone that may or may not have been sarcastic. Zoe entered next and groaned. It was dark, dusty and, in her view, completely disgusting. The beds were all bunk beds and, though there seemed to be another section for the adults she didn't expect much from it.

"It's a dump, Max" she stated bluntly causing a laugh from him.

"Yeah, I know. Maybe our bit will be better?" Max sounded skeptical.

"Let's see, shall we Mr Walker?" Zoe replied in a flirty tone though she inwardly scolded herself for being too forward. Max merely smirked at her.

"As you wish, Miss Hanna." Max replied, striding over to the door that sectioned off their part of the cabin and opening it with a flourish. Zoe giggled and stepped inside. One bed. There was only one bed. It may have been large but that didn't make it any better. She glanced over at Max and could tell he was thinking the same.

"I'll call that Connie woman." Zoe said quickly resulting in a brief, awkward nod from Max. Zoe got out her phone and let out a small gasp when she saw the time. Midnight. She showed Max and he sighed.

"I wouldn't dare call that scary woman at this time of night but you can if you like." Max shuddered at the thought of the formidable Mrs Beauchamp.

"Good point. I guess we'll have to make do." Zoe smiled slightly. Though she could tell she liked Max, sharing a bed a few hours after meeting him was not something she particularly wanted to do. Max shared a small smile and gestured to the bathroom.

"Ladies first." Zoe wandered into the bathroom and changed into a blue t-shirt and pink shorts, her chosen pyjamas for the night. She cleaned her face of makeup, brushed her hair before finally pulling on her comfy slippers and exiting the bathroom. Max was lying on the bed on his phone but looked up as he heard the door click open. Zoe could have sworn she heard him mutter something but she waved that thought away.

"Took you long enough." There he was, teasing her once again.

"I'm a woman, deal with it." She huffed but he could tell she was joking too. Max budged over a let Zoe clamber into bed. A silence fell over them as they both lay there, the atmosphere a little awkward once again.

"I'm just going to use the bathroom." Max said quickly and Zoe nodded hurriedly. As he left the room, she found herself smiling, going over the day that she'd had and her random conversations with Max when they were trying to find the cabin. Just as she'd thought of the perfect teasing remark to make when he came out of the bathroom, her eyes began to close and she drifted off to a fitful sleep.


Hope you enjoyed! It's a bit slow to start, maybe, but I promise it gets better! Also, let me know if this chapter is too short or long and I'll listen!

Araliae x