A/N: Since the dawn of time I've always wanted to write a Zoke fiction. I've seen Revenge of the Island and All Stars twice and I remember how I felt seeing my favourite guy and favourite girl fall in love and form ultimate relationship goals. And that's how this idea was born. A nice, fluffy romance story with all the frills I've had this idea for almost 3 years but was never sure where I wanted to go with it but now I think I'll give it a go so tell me what you think as I go. First I'd like to claim that I do not (and have never) owned any of the titles from the 'Total Drama' series, I'm just a long time fan from the start who still really enjoys the show, all credit goes to the creators, my Fanfiction is just that, a Fanfiction. This fic takes place after All Stars, Zoey and Mike are fresh out of high school and this is basically a romantic slice of life!

And with all that out the way, I am KennboKenn and welcome to my first story on this account. I hope you enjoy guys~

Chapter One: Blizzard

"Hey, Dad!" Zoe called out in a sing song voice as she stepped in from the freezing street and into the warm house. "You wouldn't believe how cold it was today!" She closed the front door behind her, breathing out a sigh of relief as warm air washed over her shivering skin. She kicked off her boots, wet with snow and let her small purple backpack, that she took to work, slide down to the crook of her left arm before placing it on the ground with a soft thump.

"Hey, kiddo!" Zoe's Dad called back from the kitchen as she shrugged off her yellow heavy jacket and placed it on a hook. "Absolutely freezing! Must've been a good day for customers though! Wanting a coffee and all that to warm em up!"

Since finishing high school, Zoey had started work at one of the indie, hole-in-a-wall cafes down the road. In a way, her deciding to work there had saved the place as it had faced permanent shut down over lack of staff, and as soon as Zoey had heard the news she had signed up immediately. It's not that she needed the money or anything, having won All Stars, but Zoey hadn't been able to face the notion of one of her favourite high school hang out spots shutting down.

Even though he couldn't see her, Zoey shook her head with a low laugh. "Alas, today of all days the heating didn't work in the cafe. Michaela and I swear it was colder in the shop than outside!"

"Alas indeed!" Her Dad called back, his voice accompanied by the scraping sounds of a vegetable peeler at work. "Come into the kitchen when you're done, honey! Maybe we can practise our inside voices!"

"Okay, Dad!" Zoey chuckled, picking her backpack up off the floor.

"I SAID OUR INSIDE VOICES!" Came her Dad's booming voice.

"OKAY, DAD!" Now Zoey was really laughing. Work wasn't all that great sometimes but it was wonderful knowing she would always come home to Dad.

Zoey walked down the short length of the hallway that lead into the kitchen and was immediately greeted with a toothy smile from her Dad. He worked over a stove, tossing freshly peeled vegetables into an already sizzling pot. To his left was a green chopping board, a sharp silver cooking knife laid across the top in front of a large pile of various vegetable skins. The oven timer ticked cosily behind him, the oven light on inside and casting an orange shadow over freshly cleaned oven racks. The oven was preheated and ready to cook.

"Ooooo!" Zoey sang, slinking to her Dad's side and peering over his shoulder. She breathed in the smell of celery, onions, carrots and potatoes. "Lemme guess," she hummed, leaning in to peck her Dad on the cheek. "Tonight's definitely a soup night."

He chuckled, kissing her on the forehead without taking his eyes away from his work. "You know me far too well. How was your day, honey? Aside from the blizzard in the cafe?"

Zoey started to launch into one of her many work stories, putting her backpack down on the kitchen bench. "Michaela's been working the 9 to 5 too so we've been hanging out and getting to know each other. She's actually really cool, she's studying maths at college, you'd really like her, Dad." Zoe reached behind her back, untying her apron with clumsy hands. "She brought burritos from this new place down the road for lunch today and they were really good, their salsa is actually amazing, and it's not too spicy." She tugged the knot free, letting the apron hang off her aching shoulders messily. "No one our age really works the 9 to 5, not even on holidays, so it's nice to have some company!"

Her Dad's brow furrowed as he set to work on cutting up and washing some cabbage leaves under the tap. "You know sweetie, you shouldn't be working so many hours. You're still so young, I don't expect you to work. You're never too old to still be getting your allowance, I wouldn't mind."

"Dad," Zoe laughed. "I'm 18!"

"Still," her Dad reasoned with a chuckle, tossing a fist of cabbage into the pot. "I don't want you to tire yourself out, it's a tough world, honey. Stay a kid a little while longer if you can." He lifted a container of chicken stock, opened the tab with his thumb and poured it's entire contents into the pot. "You know, it's a good thing you have this little holiday with your boyfriend coming up. You need a break and he's a nice boy. When you get back you can ask for better hours."

Zoey automatically blushed, her cheeks glowing a bright pink. Even before she processed his words, hearing the word boyfriend roll of her Dad's tongue was enough to send her heart racing. It wasn't that her Dad had never been cool with the idea of her having a boyfriend, he'd always been cool with it, welcomed it even, but considering that Mike was her first boyfriend and her romantic life had previously been non-existent, hearing him talk about those kind of things was still relatively new to her.

Boyfriend.

Mike.

And then realization hit Zoey like a truck and she felt a surge of warmth blossom in her chest.

She was so exhausted from work but she couldn't believe she had almost forgot!

Especially not after anticipating hearing Mike's voice again all day.

Zoey's eyes found the clock hanging above the oven and she felt her breath catch in her chest. "And speaking of better," she trilled, barely able to contain her excitement. "it's about to get a whole lot better-er!"

Her Dad stirred the vegetables and stock in the pot and raised a knowing eyebrow. "Better-er?" He echoed. "You got somewhere to be?" He teased with a grin.

Zoe giggled, running her fingers through her red hair. "Mike wanted to call me today, we're gonna go over the pick-up and talk about what we're gonna get up to at his! There's this really nice cafe downtown that makes organic cake and stuff and he's gonna take me there but that's pretty much all we've got planned so far!" Zoey was babbling on as she always did when she was thrilled, but she didn't care. Mike was waiting for her to call just upstairs and she hadn't talked to him since yesterday afternoon.

"Sounds right up your alley." Said her Dad with an encouraging smile and, noting her urgency, held out a granola bar. "Don't want you falling asleep on him during your important deliberation." He winked. "Dinner will be in 30, kiddo."

Zoey took the bar immediately, unwrapping it hungrily. She stuffed the plastic into her swaying apron pocket and took an eager bite. She raced for the staircase, chewing as quickly as she could without choking. "Call me when dinner's ready!" she gargled between a mouthful of granola, her foot already on the third step.

"Is drop off at the airport still at 2 in the afternoon for Monday?" Her Dad asked from behind her.

"Yep!" Came Zoey's muffled voice. "And he'll pick me up at 7 and it's about an hour's drive to get back to Mike's so I should arrive just in time for dinner." She hopped from one foot to the other, ready to run to the study.

"Mike doesn't live in the city?" Her Dad mused more to himself than to Zoey.

"Not quite," she answered anyway. "But he's told me it's only a 20 minute drive from where he lives."

He glanced at Zoey's impatient feet out the corner of his eye and smiled. "And you'll call me as soon as you get there?"

"Yes, Dad!" Zoey nodded rapidly, her hands gripping the wooden staircase railing, ready to propel herself to the telephone.

"And you'll tell Mike's family my soup reigns supreme?"

"Dad!"

Her Dad gave a short bark of laughter. "Alright, alright! I won't keep ya, sweetie, go talk to your man."

Zoey laughed but felt her skin prickle with electricity.

Her man, she swore she'd never get use to it.

"See ya in half an hour!" Zoey called back, already at the top of the stairs.

"Have fun!" Came her Dad's voice from the kitchen.

Zoey opened the study door, which stood adjacent to her bedroom down the opposite end of the tiny upstairs hallway with a trembling hand. She had spoken to him less than 24 hours ago but today was different. Today she was yet another day closer to seeing Mike and there was still so much to talk to him about and still so much to prepare. So far they'd planned 3 weeks together but not much else, and Zoey would have to get a move on if she wanted to have her Dad let her go with ease.

Zoey's hand was already on the phone that sat above a disregarded and forgotten study desk that was covered haphazardly in old bills and bank letters. The study itself really wasn't that much, it wasn't the shining beacon of the house but Zoey liked it for its character. Comprising of a fading, cushioned desk chair, a messy desk and an ancient bookshelf covered in thick folders that were stuffed with hand written notes from her Dad's college days. The study was cosy and Zoey liked to come up here to read sometimes.

Zoey kicked out the desk chair with a clumsy foot and sat in it stiffly, pulling the phone from the wall and typing in Mike's number with rapid fingers. In her urgency she had to hang up and dial his number a second time after she rang the wrong number and an old man demanded to know why his pizza was late as she apologised profusely. Whether it was her nerves or the fact that the old guy who just wanted his pizza already kind of reminded her of one of Mike's old personalities Chester, Zoey found herself giggling as she punched in the last digit of Mike's number and listened to it ring twice.

She was still giggling when he picked up, her hand cupped over her mouth.

"Hello?" Came Mike's voice hesitantly and Zoey felt her heart skip a beat.

"Mike!" She squeaked excitedly, cradling the phone to her face. "Two more days!"

On the other end of the phone in Vancouver, a happy blush spread across Mike's face. He smiled into the phone, feeling as if his face might split from the goofy grin on his face, his fingers trembling against the phone.

"Two more days!" Mike echoed, hardly believing it himself.

Two more days until he had Zoey back in his arms like it was meant to be.

Two more days until he could properly introduce her to his Mom and show her around his home town.

Two more days until he could actually hug her and finally have his girlfriend all to himself.

He held a hand over his pounding heart. "Geez, Zoe, it's been ages! I can't believe I'm actually going to be seeing you! I've missed you so much, I can't wait to see you again, Zoey!"

And he really meant it.

Some days it has felt like a lifetime, but all in all a year had gone quickly, but the time apart had been unbearable.

He wasn't sure if he'd said it enough to her or even had the chance to say it to her at all, but Zoey was the best thing that had ever happened to him, she was the best thing in his life. And he'd have plenty of time to tell her that when she arrived in Vancouver.

Zoey.

With him in Vancouver.

In two short days.

Mike swore he was going to go into cardiac arrest.

"You're so sweet!" Zoey cooed, her voice like honey. Zoey had Mike's favourite voice in the whole world. "And it's gonna be so great! I haven't been to Vancouver in years!" She chirped dreamily. "There's gonna be so much to see and we can totally go shopping and go out and eat and go to the movies and you can be my tour guide!" Zoey paused and Mike could almost hear her blush through the phone. "Sorry! I'm just really excited and I prattle on sometimes!" Zoey gushed. "Like, we can do all that if it's okay with you!"

Mike found himself laughing. Spending time with Zoey was all he planned to do. "I'd be honoured!" Zoey had no idea how cute she could be and in all honesty, doing all those things with Zoey sounded wonderful. Mike had been itching to make up the lost time. "I'm gonna show you all the best places in Vancouver, only the best for you, Zoey!" He finished with a chuckle.

"And I can finally make a good impression on your Mom!" Zoey sighed but a tone of amusement coloured her voice.

"You mean after they played your commando montage over and over again at the Total Drama after party?" Mike teased coyly.

"That was a one off!" Zoey sputtered. "And I did it for you!" She gasped. "What if she thinks I'm an animal or something?"

Mike couldn't help but laugh at that one. Commando Zoey was scary and you didn't want to be caught on her bad side, but Mike knew Zoey's suspicions were far from the truth. "She already loves you!" He insisted. "All she does is talk about you here! Between the two of us I'm sure we drive Dad mad!"

"Awwwww!" Zoey cooed and Mike felt his heart race in his chest. "You talk about me to your family?"

"O-Of course!" He stuttered, his mind suddenly blank. Only Zoey could do this to him. "And speaking of parents," he said, trying to regain his footing. "Is your Dad still cool with us hanging out?"

"He knows your Mom and he knows you, he's met you face to face."

"Only the once at the Total Drama after party." Mike pointed out.

"That darn Total Drama after party." Zoey whistled. "Honestly who came out of that without being completely humiliated?" Zoey propped an elbow on the desk, resting her chin in her hand. "You guys seemed to get along pretty great though, he really likes you, Mike."

"Likes me or thinks I'm still Mal?" Mike asked miserably.

Zoey sighed, she knew how much Mal ate him up. "Mal was apart of you, you weren't Mal. You've always been Mike."

A pause passed between them. The truth was that at one stage Mike had thought he was Mal and that Mal had been the original personality. He shuddered at the memory, of how horrific it had felt to question if the one personality that had sought to hurt Zoey had been his true self.

"And besides, Mike," Zoe pressed on gently. "Your personalities are gone, remember? No more Manitoba or Svetlana, Chester or Vito. No Mal."

Mike nodded. "Right." He whispered. And that was the truth. No other personalities had bothered him since the day of the All Stars finale when all of his personalities had come together to defeat Mal. And as strange as it was to finally have a quiet head for the first time in his life, Mike had found his time as just Mike surprisingly lonely. But still, Zoey was right.

No more personalities.

No more Mal.

Just Mike.

Suddenly realising his silence he finally in a wobbly voice asked, "He really likes me?"

Zoey's heart melted like butter. "Why wouldn't he like you? He thinks you're perfect. I think you're perfect."

She thought he was perfect.

Perfect.

Not Mal or Chester or Svetlana or Vito or Manitoba.

Him.

"You-" Mike started but then paused, licking his lips. "Perfect?" he croaked.

Zoey took in a deep breath, mustering all the courage she could. "You are perfect." She breathed as steadily as she could.

Mike felt his breath catch in his throat.

No one had ever thought he was perfect before. Too many other elements of what made up Mike had deemed him the opposite of perfect to everyone around him. He had been too flawed, too different.

"Multiple personalities usually scared people off." Mike heard himself say. For most of his young life his other selves had scared people off, people just didn't know how to deal with it, with him and the other versions of him. He'd been lonely.

"It didn't scare me off." Mike shivered at the sound of her voice. He'd never heard her sound like this before. She'd sounded caring and kind before but now she sounded so different.

So loving.

What did he do to deserve her?

"True." Said Mike softly. "I'm so glad, I really am." And he didn't really know what else to say. He could never convey how he felt for her in words.

Zoey felt her stomach drop at the sadness in his voice. Mike didn't give himself enough credit, he couldn't help who he was, and even though so much had changed between her meeting him and becoming his girlfriend, Zoey had never loved Mike any less for who he was.

"Personalities or not, Mike, I still love you for you." As soon as the words left her lips Zoey's heart thudded painfully in her chest.

That was only the third time she'd told him she loved him.

And all of the sudden she became aware of the piercing silence, only broken by the sound of a distant, muffled voice on Mike's end calling his name. She almost felt Mike jump through the phone.

Mike yelled something back at the voice but his own voice sounded muffled and distorted and kind of flustered, which in turn made Zoey blush. She guessed he had covered the speaking part of the phone with his hand.

"I gotta go, Zoey." Came Mike's voice suddenly, but his voice sounded strained and he sounded like he didn't want to hang up. She didn't want to either, even if she was seeing him in just two days. "We can chat a little tomorrow and maybe before you get on the plane on Monday."

"Sure thing." Said Zoey but she was unable to hide the tones of disappointment that riddled her voice.

She'd just told him she loved him and she wanted to tell him more.

So much more.

"Hey," Mike soothed. "It's not that long away. I mean, we've made it this far, right?" He encouraged softly. "What's two more days?"

"Two more days without you." Zoey muttered into the phone. Zoey had known people who had been in long distance relationships before who had always found the loyalty side of it the hardest to deal with. But it wasn't the loyalty side that was hard for Zoey, she could never dream of being with anyone but Mike, but it was the not seeing each other for a whole year that she had struggled with the most.

She missed him so much, and two days couldn't come quick enough.

"Call me when your free first thing tomorrow." Mike offered, his voice gentle.

"Sure thing." Zoe replied, trying not to sound too deflated.

"Two more days."

"Two more days."

"And Zoey?"

"Yeah?"

His voice had taken on a deeper and more serious tone and Zoey felt her arms break out in goose bumps.

"I love you too."

A soft click signalled that the call had ended.

Only the third time he had told her he loved her.

Zoey felt her fingertips dart to her slightly parted lips, her heart galloping in her chest that all of the sudden felt impossibly tight.

If he had been here with her when he said that, right then and there, she would've kissed the absolute breath out of him.

The very notion made Zoey blush, but the reality was that in two days she was probably going to be doing just that and that thought made her, what?

Unbelievably happy?

Zoey slumped back into the desk chair, her face impossibly hot, her body impossibly hot.

If she had been exhausted before the call she didn't know what she was now, times whatever it had been by one hundred.

"Zoey?" Came Zoey's Dad's voice again but this time from behind the very slightly ajar study door making Zoey jump out of her skin.

Zoey slammed the phone back on the wall, rushing to her feet. "D-Down in a- OW!"

Her knee crashed into the underneath of the desk, producing an ear shattering THUD.

"AH!" She whimpered, jumping on one leg and clutching it with both hands.

Zoey's Dad's head appeared through the gap in the door. "You alright, sweetie?" he asked with a hint of concern.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, Dad!" Zoey hissed between clenched teeth, massaging her throbbing skin tenderly.

"You wanna come down? Soup's ready."

"Yes please." Zoey sighed in defeat, hobbling out the door and down the hallway, but unable to vanquish the happy, rapid drumming of her heart that beat only for Mike and unable to shake the feeling that these winter holidays might just be the best one yet.

A/N: And scene! So as you can see it's more about Mike and Zoe's relationship after the show and their families than Total Drama itself and the other contestants (not ruling out appearances from the other guys though). Zoe and Mike's families are also Ocs because I don't know if it was ever covered in the show. I am also not Canadian in any way, shape or form and never had the pleasure of going so excuse some minor nods to that which I'm sure is in there somewhere Thank you to everyone who read this story so far (very, very much appreciated), it's really nice to be getting my work out there again! This story's been a long time coming, I used to plan and think about it on holidays and still sometimes think about it on my commute in the morning. If ya wanna see more, review, because that's also the only way I'll know! A thousand thanks and hopefully I'll see you next time on the next chapter of Total...Drama... Blizzard ~