He stood at the door of the cabin. This was stupid. He ought turn back. Hayward was NOT to be trusted. But.. but...
Zach raised his fist again, closed his eyes, and knocked.
He knew that despite being a malicious, untrustworthy, greedy, selfish SOB, Hayward was the one to go to for the sort of help he needed. He was desperate. Very desperate. All his strong exterior had crumbled. All his common sense was gone. He'd lost Maureen, He'd been unable to rekindle anything when he found her again as Maria, and he was unable to break down the final wall with Kendall, despite his best efforts. He just couldn't get the nerve. He was sure he'd ruin it and mess up her life, as he did with Maria. His confidence was gone. He'd sunk pretty low to come to this place for help, but despite his normally cool exterior, he felt he was crumbling inside. He HAD to do something. Even this. Even confide in Hayward. He drew a breath. Kendall was worth the risk.
Surely there was something Hayward could whip up that would give Zach the strength and judgement he needed to make Kendall fall in love with him. Something that would give him all the right moves. Something that would take away the emotional wall between them.
The door opened, and David looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"What do you want?"
"Hayward!" said Zach with mock cheerfulness. "I think I might have something you need."
"I seriously doubt that, " said David sourly, starting to slam the door.
Zach grabbed it before it shut all the way. "I have business with you, Hayward," he said, stepping in.
David rolled his eyes,walked over to his scotch decanter, and poured himself a drink. He did not offer any to Zach.
"How would you like to stop mopping floors?"
"I'm listening," said David.
Zach moved over to the scotch decanter and poured himself one. "I can pull the right strings to get you your MD license back, to get you back in the hospital." He shrugged, "Can't get the community service revoked, but I can get it moved back to the clinic."
"And why would do you this for me? What's your price?"
"This is a delicate matter. It must be kept in strictest confidence" said Zach. He tried to maintain that slight smile, the direct look in the enemies eyes that so often served him by unnerving his opponent. But the armor was crumbling, he could feel it. He was desperate for Kendall- desperate not to mess this one up. So desperate he'd make a deal with a man he hated more than almost any other. So desperate all his nerve and sense was vanishing...
David saw the cracks, and his eyes danced with amusement as they met Zach's unblinking. "Go on."
"I can make your life hell if you screw this up, Hayward." he said a little too quickly.
David started to shrug, and seemed to think better of it as the gleam in his eye brightened. "I'm aware of that. And I don't want anymore trouble than I already have."
"But you do want your MD back."
"Definitely. If you have a suggestion that may be mutually beneficial, spit it out."
Zach drew a breath. It was all or nothing now...