A/N: Hi all! Apologies for the slight delay. Life is crazy right now, but I swear I'm on it! Haha. Thanks again for the continued interest and reviews in this story. We're in the final stretch with about 4-5 more chapters left after this one :)

WPOV

"Mr. Kinsella," a woman's voice asked, interrupting us and causing us to both pull back quickly. Zoe had a slightly dazed look in her eyes and I'm sure I had a similar expression. I looked up, finding a nurse I'd never seen before standing a few feet away from us. "Your father's awake. He's asking for you."

Dammit. "Sure, I'll be right over."

She smiled and nodded. "I'll let him know."

After she was a good fifty feet away I turned and looked at Zoe. She was sitting with her knees still bent and her head tilted back against the wall.

"Hey," I said, causing her to lift her head and look at me. "Hey," she returned, sighing.

I wanted to kiss her again. Just fucking crash my lips against hers and not stop til I couldn't breathe. But I think we both knew the moment had passed. And what was there to say about it? We had a moment but then it got destroyed so... let's stick our tongues in each others' mouths for real this time, okay? I highly doubted that would go over well.

"Do you want to come check on your patient?"

She shook her head. "I'm going to sit here for a minute then head over to the waiting room to see everyone. I haven't really had a chance to catch up much since I got here."

I stood up, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yea, I'll see you out there then."

"Sounds good," she said, looking up at me.

I headed down the sterile halls until I got to my dad's room. I could hear the TV on, but he was staring at the foot of the bed and didn't look up til I pulled open the door. "Hey dad," I greeted, mustering up a smile. For as much of a pain as he could be, I was really glad he was going to be okay. "How ya feeling?"

"Not bad. The nurses have me on some pain meds, but they're not as good as a bottle of Johnny Walker," he chuckled. I shook my head, smirking as I pulled a chair up beside him.

"Where's Zoe?"

"Oh, she went to go chat up people from town. Catch up and stuff."

"Sounds like she missed everyone."

I nodded. "Yea, I guess."

"Even you," he said, with a knowing look.

"Maybe," I shrugged. Who knew what was going through that girl's head.

"That wasn't a question."

"Well it should be. I have no clue what she thinks anymore."

"Then you're not as smart as I thought you were. Damn son, it's plain as day that she still cares about you. You think she'd come down for me if you and I weren't related."

"Yea," I told him. "I do."

He laughed a little, coughing then wincing.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked, leaning forward. He waved me off and nodded. "Yea, sorry, you're hilarious when you're self deprecating."

"What?"

"She came down for you more than me. If you hadn't been my son, no one would have called her. It would be just another town drunk in the hospital."

"Don't say that dad." Even if it was partially true.

"I mean it. I know what I am, I know who I am. And that's okay, because I'm glad she still cares about you this much. You're a lucky man. A woman like that doesn't come around very often."

"You're forgetting I fucked it up."

"Must not have been that bad if she dropped everything to come down here."

"Oh, it was bad," I reinforced just as someone knocked on the door and Zoe's dad walked in.

ZPOV

Wade and I had almost kissed. He'd been so close I could smell the peppermint of his gum. We'd been so close to kissing that we could have done it, even with the nurse calling for Wade.

But we didn't. And I didn't know how I felt about it. It would have been great to kiss him again, no question. But what would that have meant? I was still going back to New York, and we were still in this weird limbo where as exes we were trying (or at least I was) to still get over the breakup, while being friendly under the pain.

It was just a weird situation all around.

A few minutes after Wade left, I moved from the hallway back to the waiting room to see everyone. Over the span of a few hours Dash asked million questions about New York, Shula told me she wanted me to visit Bluebell before I left, and even Brick pulled me aside.

"I just wanted to thank you for coming down," he said quietly.

I nodded. "Thanks for giving me a call."

He gave me a smile that made me think he was holding something back. "Brick?"

"I've started thinking... now mind you this won't happen for a long, long time, but what's going to happen when I decide to retire? Lemon isn't a doctor, and Magnolia isn't interested in school at all, much less any type of science."

What would happen to it? I shrugged. "Like you said, that's not for a long time. Let's wait to figure that out until the time comes."

He nodded. "Alright, I just thought you should be aware that there will be a day when I'd like to play golf all day instead of putting on a white coat."

"Sorry, am I interrupting?" George asked as he approached us.

"No, not at all," Brick said, stepping to the side. "Thanks again Zoe," he said, stepping around me.

"Hey," George grinned. "I haven't really had a chance to say hello," he laughed. "You're like a celebrity around here."

I laughed. "Yep, they call me the Beyonce of Alabama."

He laughed and nodded. "You know, I think I've heard that."

George, for everything we'd been through, was a great guy down to his core. "So how've you been?"

"Good... well, all right." He paused. "Can I buy you a coffee at the cafeteria?"

"Sure," I shrugged.

I got pulled into a conversation with a few ladies from town while George went to tell Lemon where he was headed. Unfortunately I forgot how much certain people from town could talk, and what I thought would be a fifteen minute catch-up turned into over an hour.

It was well into late afternoon when we finally headed for the hospital cafe. Just as he had offered earlier, George grabbed us two coffees while I found us a table.

"So why have things just been all right?" I picked up, as he sat down.

"Things are just different now between Lemon and I. I never understood why people went from being over the moon happy before getting married and then became miserable months after their nuptials."

"And now you get it?"

He took a deep breath and a sip from his cup. "Lemon and I..." He paused again. "We're not exactly doing great."

I was confused. They'd been so happy when I left. "What happened?"

"I don't think I ever really dealt with the whole her and Lavon thing," he started. "And I think I probably should have before we got married."

"Why?"

"Because about a month ago, I kissed Annabelle."

"You did what now?" I asked, stunned. What. The. Fuck.

"Listen it wasn't exactly my proudest moment, but I think what's worse is I don't really regret it either."

"Are you like, into Annabelle?" This was blowing my mind. And poor Lavon! How could he have not said anything to me in any of our email exchanges?

"No, no, no," he clarified, shaking his head. "And it was like the quickest kiss known to man. She even smacked me after. But I don't regret it because I kinda feel like that makes us all even. Lemon had a thing with Lavon, one of my best friends, so I kissed one of hers."

I puffed out a laugh. "Have you suddenly regressed to an elementary school kid?" I asked rhetorically.

"Listen, I know it sounds ridiculous and immature, but I really feel like it got me over the hump that was holding Lemon and I back."

"Isn't Lemon pissed?"

"You know Lemon. She's angry, but she gets it, which makes her angrier. So she's smiling as steam comes out of her ears." He drank more of his coffee and I tried to take a few sips of mine. Why couldn't any hospital make a decent cup of coffee?

"So things aren't better?"

"They're just tense right now. Lemon and I decided to start going to marriage counseling – after a lot of arguments about it. We have our first session next week."

If anyone needed a therapist it was definitely Lemon Breeland.

"So," he began, letting out another breath. "Enough about me. How's New York?"

"It's good," I smiled. "It's different, after being in Bluebell. But it's good."

He laughed and nodded. "Did you go through culture shock?"

I nodded. "Something like that."

"What about work? Is the fellowship what you thought it'd be?"

"Yes and no," I told him honestly. "It took awhile to get back into the swing of the constant long hours, and actually being in the OR. But after the first couple weeks it was like I never left."

"You're beaming," he stated with a chuckle. "I'd say you made the right call."

I might have been beaming if I'd stayed, I wanted to tell him, but I refrained. "Yea, I like my job."

"And what about everything with Wade?"

I froze for a split second. "What do you mean?"

"Have you guys talked since you've been up there?"

I shook my head. "We didn't talk until I got here yesterday."

He nodded a little. "I get it. How has it been seeing him again?"

"Hard," I admitted. "But not hard in the way I thought it would be."

"What do you mean?"

I tried to think before spewing out too much word vomit. "I mean, it's hard not because I'm angry – I mean in some ways I still am I guess, but I wasn't expecting to just hurt so much, yanno?"

"Not really," he laughed a little.

"I guess I just expected to be in this furious rage mode when I saw him. But I haven't been, at least not really. It's been more of this... heartbreak feeling. Like when you see someone you used to love or care about, right after they dump you and there's nothing you can do but feel... hurt. Like every part of you wants to run to them but you know it won't make any difference because what's done is done."

George offered up a sad grin, lifting his cup and speaking before taking a sip. "So you still love him."

I couldn't tell if it was a question or a statement, and before I could answer I heard Wade's voice echo behind me.

"Hey doc – your dad says he needs to talk to you."

WPOV

I interrupted them before either of them could say any more. I'd seen them a few seconds earlier but at overhearing Zoe explain how she was feeling – all that she hadn't said to me – I paused and waited. I don't know what I was waiting for, maybe it was to hear she still loved me, or maybe it was to see if she had moved on. Either way, when George asked if she still loved me, I realized I wasn't ready for the answer. Hearing she did would have just added more complications to an already messy situation, and hearing she didn't... I just wasn't ready to process the pain all over again.

At hearing my voice, George looked up and over at me, and Zoe twisted around. She was blushing, but I played it off as if I hadn't heard a peep.

"Great," she started. "I'll see you later," she said turning to look at George as she stood, taking her coffee cup with her.

I walked with her back to my dad's room. "Do you think everything's okay?" I asked, trying to break the awkward silence between us.

She nodded, turning to glance at me and offer up a smile. "Yea, I'm sure it's fine. If it wasn't, either he or one of the nurses would have paged me instead of asking you to find me."

"That's a relief then."

"So how is Earl?"

I laughed. "He's Earl. We've been watching Judge Judy."

She nodded, laughing quietly. "That must have been entertaining."

"Yep. Earl's a real legal-know how apparently. He seems to think he knows what's best for everyone before the first commercial break." She laughed as I opened the door to my dad's room where our dads were sitting silently staring at the TV.

"Zoe," her dad said, jumping up out of his chair. Had he and my dad been quiet this whole time?

"Hey dad," she greeted, then turned to Earl. "Hey Earl."

He smiled. "Hi Zoe."

"Zoe, could I have a word with you outside?" Her dad asked. She nodded, and I noticed that he didn't grab my dad's chart. That had to be a sign that nothing was wrong... right?"

I sat back down with Earl and we watched TV just like he and Dr. Hart had – in total silence. The evening news was on, but I don't think either of us were paying much attention to it.

My eyes kept roaming over to the door. I could see Zoe and her dad talking outside. Well, her dad doing most of the talking and her just nodding. When I looked over at Earl, he was rubbing his hands, which had gotten a little shaky. "You okay dad?"

He looked up and nodded. "Yea, it's just been awhile since I've gone more than a few days without alcohol. My body doesn't know what to do with itself," he said, laughing darkly.

I put a hand over his jittery ones and nodded. "You'll get through this."

"I hope so son. I really want to, this time." And for the first time ever, I believed him.

After our quick father/son moment, we turned our attention back on the TV, channel surfing and pausing to make fun of a commercial here and there.

Zoe popped back in a few minutes later, smiling. "Hey Earl. How ya doin?"

"Good, great... grand." He grinned.

"Glad to know the painkillers are working," she teased. She looked at some of the monitors that were beeping, then reached for his chart. "Are you comfortable? Do you need anything?"

"A beer wouldn't hurt," he laughed. "Or some bourbon."

"Afraid they don't sell either of those in the cafeteria," she replied, putting the chart in its place at the foot of the bed.

"Then, I'm just fine." He reached for the remote, turning off the TV. "Your dad mentioned he was leaving tomorrow. Are you heading out too?"

What now? She couldn't leave yet, I mean... he just had the operation. And whatever I said or did to deny it, selfishly, I wasn't ready to say goodbye to her yet (again).

"No," she answered, looking from him to me. I tried not to show that her response calmed me down, but thank God. "I'm staying a couple extra days." Our eyes locked for a few seconds before she blinked rapidly and looked back at my dad. "Typically any post-surgery issues arise in the first 72 hours, so I'll be here until then, just to make sure you're okay before you can head home."

"So I'll be seeing you tomorrow?"

"Bright eyed and bushy tailed," she grinned, mimicking his words from the night before. He laughed, stifling it a bit, probably to make sure he didn't hurt himself again.

"Well if you're all set here, I'm going to take off for the evening. But press that red button," she instructed motioning to the pen-like device by his nightstand, "and someone will rush in here."

"Got it doc. I'll see ya in the morning."

"Sounds good. Good night guys," she smiled, heading for the door.

I waited a few minutes before getting up and telling my dad I'd be right back. I jogged towards the exit just in time to see her push through a set of double doors, out of her scrubs and back into her normal clothes.

"Hey," I said, moving towards her.

"Hey Wade." She looked a little confused.

"I uh, was just wondering if you wanted a ride back?"

She laughed and shook her head. "It's not too late, so I think I'm okay. But thank you."

"Do you mind if I walk you back then? The streets aren't exactly well lit, and with your dad gone I need to keep an eye on the person in charge of Earl's well-being," I said, trying to joke about it. This girl had me six kinds of nervous, and I just hoped it didn't come across as awkward or creepy.

Fortunately she laughed again. "Sure. We could both probably use the air after spending all day in here."

I nodded and we walked out, following the not-quite-clear path towards the main road where her hotel was located.

"So, I know how George is, how ninety-five percent of the town is, and I know about Earl... so how about you?" She asked, turning to look up at me after spending the first couple minutes completely quiet.

"Me? I'm good."

"The bar?"

"The bar is going pretty well. We're working on the bones of it now. I'm hoping we'll have it open before the end of the year."

"That's awesome Wade," she beamed. God I loved that smile.

"Yea, there was a rough patch for a bit, but things are working out."

"Rough patch?" She asked, stopping in her tracks and causing me to do the same.

Crap. I should have kept my mouth fucking shut. "Yea. After you went to New York, I... well, let's just say I didn't handle it well."

"You didn't?"

"I kinda... turned into a previous version of myself," I confessed. "I'm not proud of it, but it was about a month of me being... me."

"Drinking?" She asked, looking up at me as she started to walk again.

I nodded.

"Meatball?" She laughed. I could tell she was trying to lighten the mood.

I grinned and nodded. "Yea, a lot of Meatball."

I heard her take a sharp inhale. "Heather?"

"Denise," I corrected, looking down at the ground. I had no idea why I was telling her this. I guess part of me still felt like I had cheated on her with Denise, even though we had split by then; another piece just felt guilty to lying to her about everything that caused us to break up in the first place.

"Denise and Heather?"

"No. Just Denise. And she was... she was only so I could try to forget and move on."

"Did it work?"

I looked up at her. Her face was unreadable, which rattled me more than anything. "Not at all, not even a little." I said, puffing out a dry laugh.

"So why didn't you try again? The old Wade would have kept trying right?" Her tone wasn't malicious, and she was right – the old Wade would have kept going, hopping from bed to bed til whatever feelings had been there, were nothing more than a blurry haze.

We approached the hotel entrance and I followed her to a bench just outside the building. We sat down, less than a foot apart before I answered her. "I guess I figured that I couldn't do the same things that I would normally do after a break up, to get over you."

"Why not?"

I turned, and laughed, shaking my head. "C'mon you know why."

She shrugged and I felt the nerves bubbling up. She was playing dumb, she had to be. "Because I knew I couldn't get over the only girl I've ever been in love with, the same way I get over random girls I date for a few weeks."

She smiled a little. The kind that knocked the wind out of me. It was shy but confident, mysterious yet completely girl-next-door.

"What about you?"

"What about me?" She asked, leaning back on the bench and laying her hands in her lap.

"How has it been being back home?"

She was quiet for a second and I briefly wondered if she was choosing what to divulge. "It's been kinda crazy, honestly."

"Really? I thought you missed all the chaos."

"I did too," she agreed. "It was just an adjustment. I mean I was used to seeing three to five patients a day – at most, in Bluebell. Suddenly I was throw back into a hospital environment giving at least five surgical consults a day, and assisting two to three surgeries a day." She laughed a little. "It was also hard getting used to working 16 hour shifts."

"But things are getting better?"

She nodded. "Yea. And my mom's happy, of course."

"How is Candice?" I chuckled. Her mom was one interesting lady – and not necessarily in the best of ways.

"Oh you know, she's her own breed of parent," she grinned. "I'm still living at home. I've been spending so much time at the hospital I kind of gave up finding my own place. At least by living at home I don't have to worry about rent or cockroaches."

"That must be hard for your social life though. I can't picture your mom as a real hands off type of parent – even though you're an adult." It wasn't that obvious I was trying to see if she had a new guy, was it?

"You would be right," she acknowledged. "But it hasn't been so bad. Most of my friends are still in the city."

"And with guys too, I guess." Okay now I was officially the weird ex-boyfriend.

She bit her lip and shrugged. "Working the hours I do, and with everything that happened between us, it hasn't really been on the forefront of my mind."

Thank God!

"But I did go on a date the other night."

Nevermind, no thanking anyone.

"That's cool," I tried to play off.

"He's a writer," she added. Could she not see that I didn't care? "We kissed. Once."

I leaned back, trying not to picture all the ways I wanted to pummel this writer guy. I knew I had no right to feel the way I did, considering everything I'd put her through, but logic didn't really seem to matter right then.

"That is pretty typical for a date."

She shrugged, looking at me. "But I'm not sure I'm ready to go on any more dates – at least not yet."

I grinned, looking at her. She laughed, shaking her head. "What?"

"Why aren't you ready?" I half teased. She'd just had me in a corner, and I felt vindicated having her in one.

She blushed. "C'mon you know," she mimicked.

I shrugged, copying her response.

She shot me that coy smile again and I almost took her then and there. The electricity between us was undeniable. And for the second time that day, I leaned forward. This time I put my hand on the side of her neck and felt her inch closer. Her hand moved up to my chest and over my heart. There was no hiding how nervous I was, how much I wanted this. My heart was practically jumping out of my chest like a cartoon character.

I wasn't sure if it was her or I that moved first. But despite the slow pull, we didn't kiss. I saw her shut her eyes and I closed mine as our foreheads leaned against each others'.

In my head I was apologizing. For everything, all over again. I was apologizing for being the world's biggest idiot. For pushing her to leave; for not thinking we could make it through anything. I wanted to kiss her and make things better between us. I wanted to hold her and wake up next to her. I wanted it all back. But I knew that was impossible.

After a few minutes I felt her pull back and I opened my eyes.

"I should go in," she murmured, nudging her head towards the hotel.

"Yea, I should go check on Earl. Make sure he hasn't conned a nurse into bringing him alcohol." We both stood up and I walked with her to the sliding doors.

"Hey Zoe?" I asked, looking from the ground up to her.

"Hm?"

"You know how sorry I am, right? For all of it."

She flashed a small smile and nodded. "I know."

"Okay, well... I'll see you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow Wade."