Two Harts can Make a Home.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of this.

Ethan Hart had never been so thankful for air conditioning.

As he loosened his tie slightly and looked around the crisp white walls of the office, he was still surprised that one of the top surgeons in America had gone to live in Alabama. The door opened and said surgeon walked in the door.

"Ah Dr. Hart, thank you for coming," he said and they shook hands. The next hour was filled with questions and theories about a new type of heart surgery that was being practised.

Ethan went through it with him and when they were finally done, Ethan blurted out, "I have to ask, why did you come and live in Alabama? Wouldn't your work be better in New York?"

The doctor looked slightly taken aback but replied, "To be honest, I always wanted to move back here. The country had always had a special place in my heart. Haven't you ever spent time in small towns?"

Ethan shook his head and the doctor said, "I may work here in the city but I drive in everyday from a small town nearby. You should really stop by in one on your way home."

Ethan thought about this. Small towns? Zoe lived in a small town now. How far exactly was this Bluebell from the city?

Next day

It was the next day and Ethan, after cancelling the meetings in New York, had taken a car to the town of Bluebell. It was exactly what he thought it would look like.

All old buildings and family owned businesses. Not a chain fast food restaurant or high price mall in sight. Even the doctor's practice was a converted house. How did Zoe work here? It was only after driving around the town square with the AC cranked up to the max, did Ethan realise that there were hardly any people around. It was like a ghost town and any people he did see were hurrying around as if to go somewhere.

Ethan slowed the car and pulled up beside a young woman and a man who were locking up a shop. "Excuse me?" he asked, "But can you tell me where everybody is?"

The man leaned down to the open window and said, "It's the big baseball game today! Bluebell verses Thornbush. Everyone's out at the diamond."

Ethan nodded and the two hurried off. It took him a few more minutes to find the baseball field but when he did, he parked the car and got out. There was a big crowd there and Ethan had trouble finding a seat.

Eventually he sat down on the last seat in the bleachers on what he assumed was the Bluebell side. The dug out near him on his left was filled with teenage boys in blue baseball uniforms and Ethan did a double take when one of them took off his hat and Ethan saw that it was Tyler.

Tyler and another boy were standing on the ground in front of the dugout with a girl, whose glasses were nearly stained from the blue makeup on her cheeks that supported her town.

And then, walking up the Tyler, Zoe appeared with a medical bag at her side. She smiled at them and even some of the boys in the dugout waved to her. She had her hair up in a ponytail and was wearing shorts with a plaid shirt and a white tank top. He had never seen her so...happy. She was relaxed and smiling.

Ethan felt a smile of his own tug at his lips when a blonde man walked up to the group. He threw an arm around Zoe and she turned her head to smile at him. It was a full blown, mega watt smile.

Ethan got a good look at this guy. He was tall, blonde, obviously charming if that grin was anything to look at. But...he was looking at her, like she was the most beautiful thing on the planet. The plaid shirt had no sleeves and he was absentmindedly stroking her arm.

A small protective part of Ethan flared up but it was soon forgotten when Zoe placed the medical bag on the ground and pulled out a bottle of sun block.

Tyler's two friends saw this and quickly hid behind Tyler, who at this point had his back to Zoe. He frowned at them and turned around, only to have Zoe try and put sun block on his face. He dodged away and Zoe frowned, saying something about not getting sun burn. The blonde man reached out and quickly pinned Tyler's arms by his side. With a playful smile, Zoe smeared the sun block on Tyler's face. The blonde man let him go and laughed when Tyler tried to rub some off the sticky cream. But even though he was grumbling, Tyler had a smile on his face.

"They're a cute group aren't they?" Ethan turned to see a blonde woman sitting beside him. Her hair was perfect, as well as her makeup and Ethan replied, "I'm sorry?"

The woman gestured towards the three standing outside the dugout. "Dr. Hart, her cousin and Wade. The first two moved here a while back from New York and Wade owns the bar in town. They're very cute together."

Ethan nodded and the woman said, "Although I suppose we should call her Dr. Wilkes now."

Ethan turned back to her with a frown and asked, "She...she changed her name?"

The woman nodded, "Oh yes. Wilkes was her father's name. He was a doctor here in town and just wonderful."

Ethan turned back to Zoe. Had he even any right to be angry? He hadn't been there for her for years and it took her marching into his office to even get them to talk. She had every right to stop trying with him. But...he still wasn't ready. He still couldn't look at her and not see Harley Wilkes. Apparently for this town though, that was a good thing.

Ethan stood up and looked around at the crowd again. It was a hot day, without a cloud in sky. Thankfully there was a gentle breeze blowing through, even though the inhabitants of Bluebell seemed used to heat. The bleachers were filled with people, who were waving banners and eating hot dogs or popcorn. Zoe was looking through her bag, making sure she had everything for the game, while Wade was tossing the ball for Tyler to catch in his mitt as a warm up. It was a beautiful day, in a welcoming town and even he felt like staying a bit longer. But he turned around and walked away, silently thanking this place for healing the woman he had hurt.

Meanwhile

"Wade?" Both Tyler and Wade turned around to see Zoe kneeling by her bag.

"I think I left the ice packs in the car. Would you go get them? They should be in the cooler."

Wade nodded and, after tossing the ball to Tyler again, he jogged off the field and to the parking lot. He made his way to his car and, after opening the back door, he pulled out the blue cooler. What he didn't see was the bottle of Water that Tyler had left on top of the cooler on the drive to the game. It fell off and rolled away from Wade, who shut the door to the car and went after it.

Before he could get to it, an older man picked it up. He hesitated but handed it back to Wade. Wade grinned and replied, "Thanks. I haven't seen you around before; are you here for the game?"

The man glanced back at the field but shook his head and replied, "No, I was just...checking on someone. But I have to catch a flight."

The man hesitated again and asked, "You seem to know the players though."

Wade nodded, "Oh ya, in a small town like this, how can you not? I help them out from time to time."

The man nodded and said, "Your girlfriend is the doctor for the game?"

Wade nodded again and said with a smile, "She sure is. Her cousin is playing and it's his first big game, so she offered."

The man smiled slightly and said, "Well, you sure are a lucky man. Make sure you look after her."

With that the man walked off and got back into his car. Wade stood there for a moment and then strolled back to the field. After putting the cooler in the shade of the dugout, he walked over to Zoe.

"Hey," he said as he kneeled down beside her, "Your dad was here." Zoe's eyes grew wide and she looked around widely but Wade put a hand on her back and said, "He just left."

Zoe stared at her boyfriend and asked, "What was he doing here?"

"Maybe he wanted to see how you were doing? He didn't say he was your father but I've seen pictures. I didn't let on that I knew who he was but..."

"But what?" Zoe asked, placing a hand on his knee. Wade smiled slightly and replied, "He told me that I was a very lucky man. And to look after you."

Zoe sighed slightly and a small smile came to her face. They both stood up and looked over at Tyler, who was standing in the dugout.

"He did actually put some sun block on right?" Zoe asked and Wade replied, "Don't worry Doc, he did; all of the players have some on." Zoe nodded at this and turned to pick up her bag.

Over at the dugout, Tyler and Matt had taken their seats with the other players. Matt had one foot up on the bench and was tightening the laces on his shoes when Tyler asked, "Ok, so why is everyone calling this the big game? I thought it was just a friendly between neighbouring towns?"

"It is," Matt said, "But Thornbush and Bluebell have tried to beat each other in every sport since they were founded. They're our biggest rivals."

Just then two Thornbush players, in yellow uniforms, walked past. One of them looked into the dugout and called, "Hi Matt!" Matt looked at him and replied, "Hey Rick!" The Thornbush players walked off and Matt looked over at Tyler, who had the most confused look on his face.

Matt laughed and said, "I've known Rick since we were kids; our mom's are best friends."

Tyler still looked confused. "But you just said-."

"Tyler," his friend said, "We may be seriously competitive on the field but all the players know we've got to leave it there." He adjusted his hat and said, "Rick is one of my best friends; but I'm still going to kick his ass."

With that the coach called the players together to start the game.

Later

The game ended with a Bluebell victory and everyone, including people from Thornbush, made their way to the Rammer Jammer. The room was packed and Tyler was juggling his time between his friends and helping Wade, Zoe and Shelly with the serving. He was behind the bar, pouring out fruit drinks for Matt, Rose and a few other players from both teams.

Zoe walked up to him and asked, "Hey everyone. Are you all having a good time?"

The teenagers nodded and Wade appeared at her side. "Just to let you know though," he said, "None of you are getting any beer."

There was a ripple of laughter through the group and Zoe elbowed Wade in the stomach slightly. "What?" he asked, "That's what I would be thinking if my friend was behind the bar."

"You're impossible, do you know that," Zoe asked him with a grin as she strolled down the bar.

"That's why you love me so much!" Wade called after her as he went to check on other customers.

"You're so lucky do you know that, Tyler," one of the Thornbush players said.

"Huh?" Tyler said as he handed over another glass.

"They get involved with your baseball, they're funny and not to embarrassing. You have the coolest parents ever."

Matt and Rose looked at Tyler who was still. Then he smiled and said, "Yes, they are pretty great." That grin did not fall off his face for the rest of the night.

Next week

That Monday, Tyler was at school and during lunch, he found himself standing by Matt's locker as his friend searched frankly through his things. Tyler frowned down at the objects that were thrown around the hallway floor.

"You do know that you're going to have to put all these things back in your locker right?" he asked as Matt threw another book out of his locker.

"I am not worried about that right now!" Matt said, "What concerns me is that fact that I can't find my Math homework!"

"Are you sure it's not in your bag?" he asked and Matt paused long enough to say, "Of course not! I don't put it in my bag; I stuff it in my pocket and then I throw it in here when I get to school."

Tyler nodded, "Of course you do; it's a wonder you lost it."

Before Matt could respond to his sarcasm, Rose appeared round the corner, trying to hit the fact that she had been crying.

Tyler frowned at this and said, "Rose? Are you alright?"

Her eyes were bright and red but she nodded her head and replied, "I'm fine." Matt and Tyler looked at each other and Tyler stepped towards her.

Pulling her into a hug, Tyler let her rest her head against his chest. "Rose," he mumbled to her, not moving, "What happened?"

Rose moved her face so that the side of her head was resting against his t-shirt. "I was just talking to Fredrick Dean," she mumbled, "I didn't tell you guys but...we were supposed to go on a date on Friday. I got ready to meet him at the gazebo but he didn't come."

Tyler's arms constricted at the thought of Rose being stood up so Rose rambled. "So I went to talk to him a few minutes ago and he was with his friends. He apologised and asked me out again this Friday. The problem is I heard his friend talking as I walked away and..."

"Rose, what did they say?" Tyler said and she replied, "It sounded like they were making a game of it. Fredrick Dean will ask me out again and again and he will stand me up again and again because I'm desperate little Rose with nothing better to do!"

Matt sighed at this and placed a hand on her shoulder. "He's an idiot Rose; at least now you know." Rose nodded but looked at Tyler, who was silent.

"Tyler? Are you ok?"

Tyler dropped his arms and replied, "I will be." With that he marched down the hallway, his fists clenched by his sides. Matt and Rose exchanged glances before hurrying after him. Fredrick wasn't too far away; just around the corner.

"Dean!" Tyler called, and Fredrick turned around with the rest of his group.

Tyler reached him and asked, "So you think hurting people's feelings funny? Is that entertaining for you?"

Fredrick glanced around at his friends but it was clear that they were letting him handle this one. Matt and Rose reached Tyler and stood by him; not really thinking the odds were in Fredrick's favour. Tyler had a few inches on him and clearly had more muscle then him. Plus, Tyler was pissed off.

Fredrick smirked and replied, "Look, it was just a joke; if she takes it too seriously then it's not my fault."

"You are such an asshole! You think just because Magnolia Breeland pays a little attention to you, that you the big on campus? What is wrong with you?" Tyler asked, and Matt placed a hand on his arm to try and calm him down.

Fredrick was getting nervous at this point but he didn't back down. "What do you know about me? You're just nobody who breezed into this town a few months ago and think you own the place! Just like your cousin!"

Tyler took a step forward but Matt held onto his arm. "Tyler, seriously! You don't want to do this!" Matt said and Tyler turned to him.

Suddenly Matt's eyes grew wide and Rose screamed, "Tyler!" Tyler turned around and a second later, Fredrick's fist smashed into his face. Tyler's head snapped to the side but he only moved slightly.

Turning back to Fredrick, Tyler moved his jaw slightly and Fredrick was starting to panic when he realised that the punch hadn't made that much of an impact.

"Now you're going to get your ass kicked," Tyler said but he lunged at him.

Matt was quick; he grabbed Tyler's t-shirt and pulled him back. He grabbed Tyler's arms and said, "No! This is a bad idea! Calm down, Ty! You need to calm down."

Fredrick had retreated to his group while Rose stood in front of Tyler, who was still fuming. "Please, Tyler! I don't want you to get in trouble, please."

Tyler took a calming breath and relaxed. Matt let go of him slowly and together the three of them walked away. "I'm sorry, guys," he said, "I just can't believe what an ass he is."

Rose nodded but looked at his jaw. "Its fine; but we really need to get you to the nurse." "That punch will barely leave a mark," Matt said but Rose just marched them to the nurse's office.

It was only a few minutes later that Wade walked into the same office. He looked at the nurse and said, "Thanks for the call Jane."

Nurse Jane nodded towards Tyler, who was sitting on the bed with an ice pack to his face, and she said, "It's like you never left this place."

Wade grinned and walked over to Tyler. "Hey," Wade said, "I met Matt and Rose outside; they told me what happened."

As he moved the ice pack to check Tyler's jaw, the teenager said, "I really wanted to punch him back. Not only for what he said about CZ but also what he did to Rose."

Wade nodded and put the ice pack back. "I know you did; but I'm glad Matt stopped you. We are so close to getting custody that we need to be on our best behaviour."

Tyler nodded and then Wade said, "Plus, anyone can punch another guy over a girl; but walking away with your dignity and the girl? Now that sounds much better, right?"

Tyler grinned and nodded.

At George's office

George slammed the phone down on his desk in anger. With an angry sigh, he ran a hand through his hair as Lemon hurried in the door.

"George? What's wrong? What happened?" she asked him in concern.

George looked at her with worried eyes and replied, "We have a problem; I've got to talk to Zoe and Wade."