This one is a little darker than my usual stories, but I hope you enjoy it all the same. Please review, the more people review the more I post :)

Also of note- I'm not up to date with Casualty, all I know about the most recent episode is what a lovely person told me on tumblr, so please excuse any plot differences.

...

Two weeks. Two weeks since he'd asked Zoe for a divorce and he'd barely seen her. Suddenly it was Zoe avoiding him and not the other way around. Max was considering this when he found Zoe alone in the staffroom staring out the window. Perhaps now was the time to bring it up again.

As Max stepped forward, he began to notice that her body was shaking slightly. "Zoe?" His voice came out so quietly he wasn't sure she'd hear, but she turned around all the same and he saw tears in her eyes.

When Zoe saw Max she just shook her head, turning back to the window as her tears began to fall. She couldn't talk to him because she yearned for comfort he wouldn't offer, and she knew it would just upset her more.

Max stood with his arms hanging by his sides, unsure what to do. He was considering going to find Charlie or Rita, maybe even Dylan, but when he heard a soft sob come from Zoe he stopped thinking and stepped forward, pulling Zoe into his arms.

As he held Zoe tightly, he could feel the sobs racking her body as she buried her face in his chest, her hands gripping his polo shirt tightly. He wasn't sure how long they stood there, but when the sobs became so much that he could hear Zoe struggling to catch her breath, Max began rubbing her back. "Shh. It's ok. Calm down."

Slowly, Zoe's breathing began to even. When he felt her muscles beginning to relax, Max finally stepped back.

Zoe kept her eyes on the floor, aware of both what had just happened and what her face must look like. She was surprised when Max reached out and brushed some tears gently from her cheek.

"Go and wash your face and I'll get you a coffee."

Not willing to speak or look at him, lest she begin crying again, Zoe nodded and walked away.

…

Max was walking towards Zoe's office a short time later when he saw her walking slowly ahead of him. He realised suddenly how tired she looked and it made his heart ache. He shouldn't love her, but he couldn't stop.

…

Zoe looked up when Max entered her office and she managed to give him a slight smile, though it didn't reach her eyes.

Max approached her desk and put down both a coffee and a chocolate bar.

"Thank you." Zoe offered hoarsely.

Max nodded, glancing towards the door as he pushed his hands deep into his pockets. "What happened?"

As Zoe opened her mouth to reply, Connie entered the room. "It's like bedlam out there, why are you in here?!" She barked at Max.

He glanced at Zoe once more before offering a mumbled apology. Rushing out, he bumped into Rita who watched with a frown as he half ran down the corridor like he was scared he'd be called back.

…

"Robyn." Max stopped next to her as she pulled her bag out from her locker.

"What?"

"…Did something happen in resus today?" He asked hesitantly

"Something happens in resus every day, Max."

Sighing, max folded his arms. "Well, what happened in there today?"

Robyn pulled her bag on and rolled her eyes. "Just leave it, Max. She's not worth it."

"Just tell me what happened!" Max snapped.

"…A pregnant woman came in. She asked Dr Hanna to save the baby, but both mother and child ended up dying and the husband was understandably upset with the lovely doctor."

…

Max hesitated outside Zoe's office. Through the window he could see her looking down at paperwork with a pen poised in her hand, but she hadn't written a thing since he'd been watching.

Taking a deep breath, Max took another couple of steps so that he stood in the doorway. "…Zoe?"

She glanced up, surprised to see Max once more. "Does someone need me?"

"Ah, no. It's still quiet. I was wondering if…there's a few of us going…I thought maybe you could do with a glass of wine."

"Oh." It was all Zoe could manage, unsure exactly what Max was saying.

Motioning over his shoulder, Max tried again. "A few of us are going to the pub, and I thought maybe you'd like to come with us."

Zoe hesitated before she replied. "Ok. I'll just get my things and meet you…you all there."

Max nodded, glancing at Zoe's pale face once more before he turned on is heel and headed towards the pub, unsure whether he was doing the right thing for either of them.