The Ice-Queen

Here is the next chapter, thank you for all the reviews, I really enjoy reading them, please carry on leaving them, and suggesting anything you would like to see. I wrote an extra long chapter for today (well for my standards) so I hope you like it!

Issy xx

Zoe and Max were completely unpacked, and both enjoying coming home from work together. They had a mini routine, where in the morning, Zoe would drop off Max a few roads away from the ED and then after work, she would pick Max up at the same place.

They were both really happy, everyone noticed Zoe being happier, she was always nice to everyone, and seemed to be in a permanently good mood. Max was also really happy, everyone just assumed that it was because of his mystery girlfriend. No one even thought that the mystery girlfriend could be Zoe. Well nobody except Lily. Lily was bright, she was also observant, and always noticed things like this. She had had her suspicions all along, Zoe was always chatting to Max, and Max was always flirting with Zoe, and then, mysteriously, when Zoe left, Max was like a lost puppy.

And then, when she came back, Max seemed to always be interested in her. Recently, they had both moved out at the same time, so it all made sense, although she wasn't really bothered about it, she wasn't a gossip,unlike Louise, she could keep a secret, she hadn't even proved it. If she was asked, she wouldn't lie, but she wouldn't just go out and tell everyone. She kept herself to herself, that was all that mattered.

That evening, Zoe had had a tough day, and when she went to pick up max, he could tell by the expression on her face that she wasn't really up to their usual games at night.

'Tough day?' Max asked

'You could say that, two deaths, but we did our best' Zoe replied

'We?'

'I had to work with Connie today, another thing to cope with, she's in moods at the moment, sad and angry, mainly. I think it's because of Grace. Anyway, we didn't have any arguments, but you know what it's like, working with the ice queen, always a challenge.'

'You always cope, and you always will Zoe, you're a great doctor' Max, as usual, knew what to say.

When they got home, they both decided, it would be a very good idea to make use of the hot tub outside, and as usual, seeing as Zoe never liked to wear swimsuits, they went skinny dipping. It was dark, so no one would be looking out their windows, and if they did, it wouldn't matter, because the houses were so far apart!

They were just getting ready for bed when they heard a knock on the door, which they thought was weird, because the gates were coded. Zoe went down to open the door and was surprised at who was there.

'Connie? What are you doing here?' Connie was standing outside, tears pouring down her face, make up smudged, and her hair a mess. She must have been freezing, her knuckles were turning blue and she wasn't wearing a coat.

'Never mind, just come in.' Zoe ushered her inside and sat her in the sofa in the living area of the kitchen. She went over to the kettle, filled it, and put it on. Max walked into the room, and was shocked to see Connie there. Connie's reflection was almost identical to Max's. Zoe walked over and noticed them staring at each other.

'Max, would you mind leaving us for a few minutes?' Zoe asked Max

'Yeah, sure' Max replied, looking at Connie with sympathy.

Max left the room and Connie raised her eyebrows

'Him? Of all people, Max?'

'Yes, I love him with all my heart, anyway, it's not about me, it's about you. Why are you here Connie? And the other question is how? You don't have my Adress, or code to the gates!'

'Well first of all, your Adress was easy, you leave a sticky note on your desk, I know we don't share an office any more, but I had to come to talk to you about that course earlier today. And the code is easy, it's the code we used for the office when we shared, I've changed it now, but it used to be the same as the gate codes: 3131.
And I'm here, because' Connie took a deep breath before resuming 'I miss Grace, with all my heart, it's lonely in the house without her, and to get away from it, I've just been drinking it all away. And I know that's wrong. I couldn't stop myself, so I came to you. You've not always been the nicest to me, but I know, deep down, we can become friends. And you have such a good bond with Grace, you know? Please, can I stay? I can't go back home' after saying all this, Connie started to cry again, and Zoe felt for the woman.

'Of course you can stay! We have lots of room. Let me get you a hot drink, I find the best thing in situations like this is actually hot chocolate!' Zoe smiled and got up. She walked over to the kettle, and started to make some hot chocolate. When it was ready, Zoe popped some mini marshmallows on the top and handed one to Connie, who thanked her.

Zoe walked out of the room, and went upstairs to their room, and told Max that Connie was going to stay for the night. Max nodded, he knew Connie was having a tough time, and he wanted her to be OK, she was a good clinical lead, and the department would probably start to crumble without her on good form.

They walked downstairs, Zoe holding some towels and pyjamas for Connie, seeing as she hadn't brought anything with her. She then led Connie to the bedroom she would be staying in, and then left Connie to have a shower. It was weird, seeing the ice queen being so normal all of a sudden!