Here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoy xx

Please review xx

A/N- thank you to Lolly for the Connie/Zoe idea and thank you to 'imjustafan_girl' (off Instagram) for the waking up with a shock part xx

Katie xx

'A pool of blood had accumulated beside her body, she lay there on the road. Lifeless. Cold. Dead. The crying from Max filled the air around her. The rest of them merged into the background. Shocked, crying, helpless. She was freezing. Her hand fitted into Max's. Him gripping tightly.'

Zoe woke up with a jolt. Her breathing heavy, and laboured. "It's okay, it's not real" she reassured herself. The pain in her abdomen was being to become unbearable at this point, the sudden movement when she woke caused her to put pressure on the wound. Robyn and Tess were still out for the count, but it was 1am and Zoe was now awake and there was no way she'd be able to sleep now; her mind was dancing and thoughts were flying at her from all directions.

Unbeknown to Zoe, Connie too lay awake, she'd been disturbed by Zoe's sudden waking. These past few months had been a strain on the department too, with Zoe off sick, Max not much use and already worrying. Everyone was worried about Zoe. Connie included.

Zoe raised her head slightly and looked around to see if anyone else was awake. She then sat herself up and put her feet carefully on the ground being careful not to hurt her stomach again, before proceeding into the kitchen for a glass of water and some paracetamol. Connie saw Zoe get up and she too walked into the kitchen just behind Zoe.

Zoe turned round to see Connie staring before her.

"Oh!"

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you."

"No it's okay I didn't realise anyone else was awake."

"Well I am, how come your not asleep."

"Too much to think about, and I had another one of those dreams, and when I woke up I pulled on my stitches."

"Oh, is you stomach okay? How are you sure you coping?"

"Me yeah I'm fine, dandy in fact!"

"Zoe! No time for jokes. But seriously if there's anything you want to take about, nows the time."

Zoe took a breath before sitting down on one of the kitchen chairs. Connie followed suit and sat down opposite.

"The problem is really I don't know where to begin."

"Well start where you feel comfortable and we can build on that."

"Ever since the accident I hate to close my eyes because ever time I do I'm back there, lying on the ground but only in my head I'm not breathing, my body is lifeless and my skin deathly pale. Max sits by my side, holding my ice block hand, tears rolling down his cheeks. And then everyone else is a blur in the background, all clinging to each other, crying. It seems so real and every time I wake up I have to remind myself that it's not real, it's just a nightmare and that I really did survive. But some days I take more convincing than others. This is not the sort of life I planned for myself Connie. I need to feel normal again, but I can to don't know how. Maybe it would have been better if I died, then I wouldn't have to put up with this now."

"Don't you dare say that! That's no way to think. Look at me. Zoe Hanna you're stronger than this, don't let it defeat you. Don't listen to the demons inside your head, be grateful for the life you still have and for the people in it. Think about Max. Would he have copped of you'd not made it? I don't think he would have. He managed to keep it together for you! Be the loves you. You couldn't have given that up. Just keep going things will improve. You'll heal and so with the the memories. The scars will always be there but with time they'll begin to fade and maybe one day you'll be able to leave this all in the past. Live for today and tomorrow not for yesterday. Yesterday can't be undone but tomorrow can be changed."

Zoe sat her head resting in her hands, tears silently cascading down her face. Connie stood up and pulled Zoe to her feet, hugging her tightly. Before whispering into her ear.

"He loves you Zoe, never forget that."

She wiped the tears from Zoe's cheeks and the two women went back into the living room, it was 6am. They both fell asleep within seconds of their head making contact with the pillow.

The day after the night before soon dawned and after grabbing what could only be described as a 'nap' Connie and the others left at 7am as they had to been in work later that day and need to sleep. So after that Zoe had retired upstairs.

Max had returned home at 10am and had left Zoe to sleep. It was now 4pm, max walked into their room with a tray of food.

"Zoe."

"Ugh."

"I've brought you breakfast."

"Max it's 4pm." She said glancing sleepily at the clock."we really need to clarify what you call breakfast."

"Oh shhh. Just eat. How was your night?"

"Brilliant thank you, I take it you had something to do with it."

"Well I couldn't dare say."

"Oh well, is this food made for sharing."

"Well I was hoping you'd say that."

"So you want some?"

"Yeah."

Max got into the bed next to Zoe. They both are before max lead Zoe into the bathroom.

They both got into the shower. There was a lot of giggling and it took three times as long as it should have to shower. They finally got out and headed back into their room.

"We are going out for dinner, so if you wan to dress up then your welcome to."

"Oh max. I've not left the house since coming home. I don't know if I'm ready."

"Zoe it will be okay I'll be there and if it gets too much we can always come home."

"Promise?"

"I promise. Now let's get ready."

As soon as they were both ready max drove them to the restaurant around the corner. Zoe was still not up to waking too much.

"Reservation under walker."

"Right this way."

They were seated and then ordered.

After they'd eaten max could see Zoe becoming increasingly anxious.

"Shall we go home."

"Please."

"It's okay, it will get better I promise."

"I hope so, I can live like this."

Max paid the bill and took Zoe home tucking her straight into bed, before climbing in himself.

Zoe fell asleep but memories of that day still played in her nightmares.

Please review. There'll be more soon xx