"Where the hell have you been? There's been a major incident with Dr Knight and Dr Hardy" his eyes bore into Zoe's as he spoke. "Do you care about this department at all or is it just a joke to you? You were no where to be found. I am appalled by your recent behaviour Dr Hanna and I am beginning to think you're not cut out for clinical lead."

By this time, she'd switched off completely. She could hear his voice but she couldn't make out what he was saying. His voice droned on and on for what seemed like forever and all Zoe could think about was Nick; the person she was when he was around - happy, carefree, everything she wanted to be. She realised how much she's missed having him around, not just as a lover, but as a friend, someone to talk to, at any time. Zoe never wanted children, but with Rosie being around, and seeing how good of a dad Nick was, her mind was changing fast. Maybe she could cope, Nick would be there to help, she wouldn't be alone. He'd been through it once, he'd know what to do, how things worked.

"Zoe!" came the shout from Guy, only a meter away from her, "you're not listening! It's as if you really don't care anymore."

A few seconds later, Zoe had gathered her thoughts and finally decided to speak, "I'm going away...taking a break."

"What?!"

"A couple of weeks. I'm sure you can manage without me, like you said 'I don't care anymore' apparently." She grabbed her coat and bag and walked purposefully towards the exit, stopping only at the door to take one last look at her surroundings, the place she'd once loved so much. Loved until she had to run it. Zoe walked around the corner and lit a cigarette before sending Nick a 'see you at home' text.

X

As she sat down on the sofa, glass of wine in hand, she realised she meant what she said, she needed a break, and that's what she intended to do; take a break, go on holiday, anything but work. She pulled the laptop over and sat it on her stomach as she lay drinking wine. She searched holiday destinations, nothing looked good enough, she didn't want the 'perfect family break' she just wanted time out.

Sipping her wine, she started smiling to herself remembering the last few years of her life, all the partying she'd done, getting so drunk she couldn't remember her name, let alone the guy in her bed. She thought of all the memories, the smiles and laughs along with the heartache; her strained relationship with Nick, Nick's tumour, Yvonne - seeing Nick so heartbroke when she died - having to comfort him, that strong, "emotionless" Nick Jordan. As she closed her eyes she felt his warm embrace around her, remembering that night he left for Michigan. "Thank you.." she whispered, to herself.

"What for?" he was quiet, his voice soft.

"This place" she pressed her lips together as a single tear rolled down her cheek. It was so clear in her mind, as if it had happened just yesterday. Zoe couldn't believe he was actually leaving, the ED was his home, his baby. She never thought he'd leave, ever.

"Zo..?" Nick whispered as he wiped her cheek with the pad of his thumb.

Zoe jumped, spilling wine all over herself. "Bloody hell Nick!" she laughed and shook her head, "don't sneak up on me."

He looked at her confused, "baby, you were talking to me..." he laughed at her blank expression, "Zo..what's all this about you leaving?"

"It's not permanent" she defended herself. "I just think I need a break. Time to myself...ourselves, if you want to come with me?"

"Where? What about Rosie..school?"

"Liverpool" she nodded, smiling. "I'm going to visit my family and just 'chill'..as the kids say these days, in my hometown. Rosie can come too. She's six Nick, it's not like she has exams or anything. She won't be behind."

He nodded slowly "okay...so when are you planning all this for?"

"I booked us all train tickets for tomorrow, around lunch time; me, you and Rosie. Surprise my parents" she smiled at the thought "my mum always wanted to meet you. And now, she can."

"You seem excited babe. I thought you didn't get on with your parents..." he quizzed. She'd always said she hated spending time with them, them and her sister, so Zoe actually wanting to go and see them, and being happy about going seeing them, this was strange.

"I don't get on with my so called father" Zoe shook her head, shuddering at the thought. "But he won't be there..mums left him" she smiled, muttering under her breath "finally!"

"Right...we're going tomorrow then?" Nick continued after Zoe nodded in response. "We'll need to pack then, won't we."

"Already done it. Well...some things of mine, anyway."

"It'll take you a fortnight to pack the rest, knowing you." Nick winked at her, his signature move, making her giggle like a 'naughty' school girl as he chased her upstairs.

Sorry I've not updated for a while - back at college and works piling up already :L Please R&R let me know what you think :)

Gemma x