New Year, New Start

A/N

Based on the Zax kiss in the Christmas trailer.

Reviews welcome,

Laura xxx

It was New Year's Day.

Zoe Hanna made her way into work. She was tired, having not had much sleep the night before- many fireworks and New Year's Eve parties had kept her awake.

She spotted Max out of the corner of her eye, chatting up a brunette in a yellow top. As she watched, he kissed the woman.

"What's she got that I haven't?!" Big Mac, who was also watching the spectacle, complained.

"Personality, looks, youth?" Noel suggested.

Mac frowned at his friend. "Hmm. Zoe won't be best pleased- although I think that something's gone on between those two."

Zoe made her way into the ED before they realised that she was watching.

All day, her mind was on her husband. She hadn't expected jealousy to stir in the pit of her stomach when she saw Max flirting with someone else, as he used to with her.

Ever since their conversation when Matilda was in the ED, they hadn't seen each other to speak to. Zoe had been on holiday to try and escape for a while- but of course, she couldn't escape her thoughts.

"Zoe?" Asked Louise.

"Mm hm?" Asked the doctor.

"Max tripped and grazed his forehead, could you patch him up please? I'm with Ethan so I can't." Said the nurse.

"Yeah, that's fine." The other female smiled.

"I'm in so much pain." Max groaned, walking into the cubicle.

"I'm sure that you'll live." Zoe murmured, standing in front of him as he sat on the bed. "Did you hit your head? Any concussion?"

"No, I don't think so." He replied.

Zoe nodded. "Okay, your cut looks nasty." She pulled on a pair of gloves and examined the wound. "It will probably need stitches."

" Will they hurt?"

"Only a little bit, I'm sure that you can deal with that." The female teased.

"I don't want to be long, I'm meant to be going to the pub with someone." Max admitted.

Zoe nodded. "Well, that's none of my business now." She mumbled, preparing to clean Max's cut.

"Ow!" Max protested when Zoe pressed a cotton pad to his head.

"Oh stop it, I'm only cleaning your wound! You wouldn't want to be late for your date now, would you?

"How did you know that?" Max asked.

"I-I saw the two of you together this morning..." Zoe admitted, dipping her head.

"Oh Zoe."

Zoe finished cleaning the wound and stepped back. "It's okay," she said, trying to hold back tears. "I can see that you've moved on, I should do that too, really..."

Max caught her hand and held it in his own. "You what?"

"I still love you, Max. You've no idea how much it hurt to see you flirting with someone else like you used to with me." Said his wife, gazing at him.

"Zoe..." Max sighed. "Me kissing Jessica, that's her name, was my way of trying to move on... I haven't either. I still love you too."

"Oh Max, I'm sorry... For everything."

"I forgive you, Spiderman.". He smiled softly, using her old nickname.

Zoe grinned, and before she knew what was happening, Max stood up. Both paused for a moment before stepping closer together, Zoe wrapping her arms around Max and giving a cheeky grin, and brushing her lips against his. Max smiled against her lips before kissing her back.

"I love you." Zoe said breathlessly a few minutes later, resting her forehead against his.

He looked into her eyes. "Ditto. I have a question."

"Okay... " Zoe giggled.

"Where's your wedding ring? It's just that I want to start again. New year, new start... For us."

"It's at home... I'd like that, and I agree. Let's make a fresh start." Zoe agreed. The weight that had been on her shoulders for months had been lifted- finally, she was going to be happy with her husband.