A/N: You don't want to skip this chapter. I think it is loving and informative. Keep me going, review and follow!

CHAPTER 10 My Alabama Girl

W- Rose got your message. Rammer Jammer after school

R – Sure 3:15

I listened to her voicemail again, hitting pause and rewind, pause rewind.

"We have linked the photos to IP addresses. It's not making any sense. Call me"

Here, I had a fifteen year old, acting as secret agent like she was Keifer Sutherland in 24. Had I put Rose in danger? Who did she mean by we? Who else was now in on this?

The day seemed to creep by as I was preoccupied with Rose. I had half of a wall painted before I realized the bedroom wall was supposed to be gray and I had painted it green, which was the bathroom color. I crept down the wall and an unnerving feeling came over me.

Zoe yelled " Wade, are you in there?"

I hopped up, grabbing my paint roller.

"Yeah, what do you think about the green in here?"

"Wow, that really is a beautiful color Lemon picked. It does look fantastic in here. Why did you try it?"

Open, honest

"Just messin around. But let me know because I will need more green if we are doing the bedroom."

"It's so inviting. I love the idea of bringing the outdoors in, like Joanna always says."

"Yeah, that is what I was thinking."

We may be close to finding out who took the pictures.

"Why don't you put down the paint roller and let's do something fun. We only have a few more days before we have to get back to work full time."

"Alright Doc, your wish is my command."

"Well, I saw some four wheelers at your dad's house one day when we took a walk to the back of the property. They were in a medium sized shed. I have never been on one before."

"Oh, thank God, I thought you were going to ask me to go orange pickin. Alright go change your clothes, we are going to get dirty so old tennis shoes, no LOU E BEE TONS, although that does sound pretty sexy."

"Reign it in cowboy. I will be back in a few. I definitely like the green. You have a great eye for this Wade."

I nodded, wondering why I had lied about it. The therapist was right. I have come home and let circumstances interfere. I told myself I didn't know anything yet. I will tell her when I know something. Did she ask me to find the person or persons who took the photos? Now, my memory evaded me.

XXXXXXX

We drove the car to the back of the property, in the distance was our worn down shed. It housed our four wheelers, wheelbarrow and some tools you didn't want to haul back and forth from the barn.

"This is going to be fun."

"Put your helmet on. I don't want you falling off and hitting your head. Giving you a reason to forget about me altogether." I chuckled.

"I could never forget about the man who saved my life."

"Oh Doc, you are giving me too much credit. You have saved me."

"Well let's agree that we saved each other from a lifetime of being lonely."

She had her hair in two low ponytails that glided over her shoulders on top of her white tshirt , her mother had given her as a joke. I placed the helmet on her and tightened it. "You are an Alabama Girl now, my Alabama girl." She looked so damn sexy, I dove into her mouth. She was sitting on the four wheeler, legs over each side. We were all alone but out in the open. I threw my leg over but facing her. I couldn't get enough of her. The sun was producing shiny strands of auburn lighting through her hair. Her body was warm. I held her face in my hands, bringing her face to me with urgency.

Before my mind had caught up with the other part of me, we were both stripped down to our under garments. I had turned the engine on, providing an erotic vibration and she was humming on top of me. "Wade this feels so good."

"You don't have to tell me." The kisses were so long and deep, moans escaping both of us. Our bodies were roaring.

"I want you Zoe."

She stood and put one leg close to the other and let me push her zebra striped panties down to the ground. I stood and did the same with my boxers. We resumed our position on the purring vehicle.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes"

"I want our first time to be a first for both of us, Zoe."

"I love you Wade."

Up and down , my hands pressing into her back , helping her achieve the rhythm. Just as our bodies were quivering with excitement my groans were getting louder. The kitty stopped purring and our noises were echoing in the afternoon sun.

I laid her down on my clothes and I made love to the only woman I will ever love.

We stared at what was now a partly sunny sky. Enjoying the moment. Letting our hearts rest.

"I hope you still love me, our first time probably should have been in a bed."

"Wade, it was perfect. It was genuine. It was amazing. You were so raw, I could feel your emotions, I could feel how much you love me. For me, that was the feeling I have been searching for."

"I love you Zoe, my Alabama girl."

She hopped up after a few sweet kisses. "I hope we have some gas for these. I really did want to go four wheeling."

I dressed and went into the shed, found the gasoline tanks and filled the blue one back up. We rode together on the blue one at first so she could hold me and get the feel of it. Then we switched and she drove with me on back. Then I jumped to the red four wheeler and we rode through the 6-8 inch deep creek. The trees casting shadows on her body as she drove through the winding water. I loved snobby Zoe but this Zoe , I can make a life with.

I hadn't prayed since New York but found myself praying internally.

Dear God, thank you for giving me the strength to chase my dream girl. For giving the strength that she needs me to have to try and erase her pain. All I want to do is make her happy and love her. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

We rode back up, put everything away except the gas tank. I was going to take it to town and fill it up. Hopefully there will be more rides in our future. We went to my place and took showers. I had errands to run after I dropped her off at the practice to get her schedule from Brick.

XXXXXXX

Rose and I sat at a high top table in the corner.

"Wade, it is so weird, one of these we traced back to Mobile, looks like it came from an office on Meridian St."

"Do we know anyone that works on that street? That was rhetorical Rose."

"The one came from an IP address registered in New York City. Wade? Did you hear me?"

Wade's facial expression had gone completely blank.

"Wade , do you know who or why someone would do this to Zoe?"

"No, but don't go asking her about the photos or anything. Just give me the information. I can figure out the Mobile one I think. Can you get me a specific building in New York or narrow it down?"

"I am sorry Wade, we are just kids that are good at tech but we aren't the FBI or nothing. Plus, I am not getting arrested. I have to get into an Ivy League school where there are real boys with feelings and want to be romantic."

"Rose, sometimes we are hiding in plain sight."

"Yeah You and Zoe are a dream couple. It gives me hope"

It's not bad to have some tension in your relationship. It's that spark that will make you fight to stay together because nothing else compares. I bring out her softer side and she is the only one I have ever wanted to be romantic with. Rose, not that I want to have the birds and bees talk with you, but there is a difference and boys at your age, well their mind isn't in the romantic stage. It's phyisiology. Take your time and wait for the right guy."

"Thanks Wade. Everyone has always known you are the nicest and most outgoing guy in Bluebell, but I am glad I get to see the 'in love' Wade.

I smiled and tucked my head down a bit, knowing she was right. I want to be romantic when it comes to Zoe Hart. Not that It meant I was not still the wisecracking, sex crazed guy that I am. The difference being, I was a one woman man.

XXXXXXX

I copied the information to my notes in my phone. I thought about people Zoe knew in Mobile. Some of the doctors that she has worked with on patient cases. No one was really coming to mind. Then the football team came in with their mascot Bo, the pig. Ummm.

Judson

I searched his name on the internet and sure enough. He is listed as a partner in the Mobile Veterinary Clinic at 1455 Meridian Street. I couldn't be positive but that had to be more than a coincidence. I would go home and talk to Zoe about it. See if she knows anyone else in Mobile.

The New York IP address was going to be harder. I did not know where to begin. It could literally be anyone, or could it? It has to be someone that knows she moved to Bluebell a little less than a year ago. Someone that is still in New York. That narrows it down to about 5.9 million people.

"Hey Doc, you ready for that ride home?"

"Yeah, let me get a few things."

She fell back on bed in the gatehouse. "I am so tired. Living in bluebell is exhausting."

"What do you mean, we laid around this morning and ate breakfast, went four wheeling and went to work for an half hour."

"I think you left something out Cowboy. I haven't had sex in two years and I can promise you I have never had that kind of sex, the kind I have always wanted to have, fun spontaneous but filled with love. I need a nap."

"A nap sounds great. Then we have to talk about a couple of things ."

"That sounds serious."

"Come on girl, squeeze into me, that's good."

She woke up first and started running her fingers through my hair.

"Hey, how long did we sleep?"

"Two hours."

"Wow, I didn't think I was that tired. I guess I am out of practice."

We both laughed. "Is it bad that makes me feel good?" Zoe asked rhetorically.

I wasn't sure what to do with my newly found information. But I felt the need to share it with her if she wanted to know.

"Doc, do you want to know who took those pictures of you, of us? I mean would it make you feel better or worse?"

"Maybe both, why do you know who?"

"Maybe, not 100% but I have some information. And it might be clearer if we talked about it. I don't want to ruin all of the progress we have made by not being honest."

"Ok, well I want to know so I can deal with it."

"You mean 'we', right?"

"Yes of course."

"One of the email addresses that sent a picture was sent from Mobile. Do you know anyone in Mobile or have dated anyone in Mobile other than Judson?"

"No, but surely Judson wouldn't, why would he? He is so soft spoken and sweet"

"He slept with your best friend, Zoe" To say I was frustrated would be an understatement. I inhaled slowly to keep my emotions at bay.

"A friend traced it to Meridian St and Judson's clinic is on that street. The 'why' is easy Doc, we were into each other and even though we couldn't admit it back then. He was obsessed with you. You hurt his ego, stood him up once and was late the other time because of me and then left with me."

"What should we do with this information?"

"I don't know yet. But Doc, he didn't send all of them, just a one by yourself and one of you kissing George."

"So I have two looney bins stalking me? That is just freakin' great."

"Remember we are in this together."

"I am calling Judson and asking him to meet me at my house."

"No, Zoe, that is not a good idea."

"You will be with me."

"Zoe, I think we should go to him and have the element of surprise. Please baby, someone that would take photos without permission and send them to be published is crazy. It's not like Dash would be paying for them."

"You're right."

"We will get Lavon to ask him to come see Burt Reynolds tonight."

Call Lavon and let him know the plan.

XXXXXX

We stayed in the office until Judson arrived.

"Hey Lavon, what seems to be the problem with Burt?"

"Uh, I just thought it was time for a check up."

I don't really do check ups, I thought something was wrong."

Wade and I turned the corner. Judson's face lit up at first when he saw me and then fell when he realized Wade was with me.

"Judson, we need to talk."

"Zoe, there is nothing to talk about. You and Wade obviously got each other, which is what I knew you wanted."

"I am going to ask you one time, did you take these photos of me and send them to Dash?"

Wade's arm tightened around me. Lavon stood close to Judson. He wasn't going to be able to run off. He ran his fingers over his nose and mouth and pulled his hand out into the air, palm up.

"Yeah, I did."

"You mother fu." Zoe covered my mouth. "I have this Wade."

"Why?"

"I was in love with you."

"Why now, it has been months since Valentine's Day and may I remind you that you are the one that told me that I should be with Wade. Even I didn't know I should be with Wade then."

"Wade knew."

"Well, that is true but not relevant right now."

"I wrote a poem about you and it was published in the New Yorker a couple of months ago. A friend of yours got in touch with me and asked me to take some pictures, that he and Gigi were making a video for you. When I took these, I thought you were going to end up with George. It was all over town that he wanted you. I was a few houses down, treating the Miller's dog and when I came out, I saw you two kissing so I snapped the picture. He told me to send it to the blog. I thought it was going to be a "your life" video. A congratulations on getting the fellowship or something and the story would be told through The Blawker."

"You wrote a poem about me?" Wade glanced at me, looking somewhat angry. "when was it published? Wade look it up"

"March 31st"

Wade found it and read through it before he showed it to me. His body becoming rigid and turning red.

"Jesus Vet Boy, how do you put her full name in here? You make it sound like she is sleeping around. You don't know what she has"

"Wade ENOUGH" yelled Zoe.

The two of us frozen looking at each other. Realizing our code word had been used in a way we never expected. Silence invaded the room. Wade reached out for me and I turned my back. He gently rubbed my arms from the back and whispered "I'm sorry."

"It's fine. It's between us and only us" I whispered back.

"I know baby, I can control myself. I promise." He leaned down and kissed me on the cheek. "Just know I have your back. I think we have some more questions for Judson. Let's get this over with."

I dipped my head in agreement.

"Zoe, I am sorry. I didn't know it was going to be used like that." Judson said, seeming genuine.

"I believe you Judson. Can you tell me who asked you to take the pictures?"

"A surgeon friend of yours. Dr. Stringer."

The glass of water I was holding crashed to the floor. Broken glass, everywhere. The last thing I remember is falling backwards into Wade's arms. I woke up with all three men over top of me. Wade pleading with Judson to do something.

"She just passed out Wade, she will be fine."

"Hey baby, I am here."

"Big Z, what do you need?"

"Umm, I need for Wade to take me home." Wade picked me up in his arms .

"If we have anymore questions, we will call you. You better answer and don't tell a single soul about this." Wade said sternly. "Let's get you home baby."

XXXXXXX

"Baby, is Stringer who raped you?" She nodded as she burrowed her head into the crook of my arm.

"Yeah, I am not sure why I never said his name. He is one of five people that knew what happened."

"Who else did you tell? I thought it was just us and the therapist."

"Your dad. He loves me you know."

"Yes baby, he does. Just like me, from the moment he met you."

"We need to talk to George and see if I can file rape charges."

"whoa, no not George. Anyway, I already looked it up, when we were in New York. The statute of limitations is six years. You said it has been eight."

"Yeah, it has. What are we going to do?"

"I will tell you, I am going to New York tomorrow and I am kicking his ass. His surgeon hands won't be able to walk into another operating room when I am done with him."

"No, no you're not. Wade you have given me the strength to go on. I think we publicly shame him. Stalker. We are going to talk with George tomorrow"

"It's your call." I texted George and made an appt for 10am.

XXXXXXXX

"George, I know this is awkward but I know you are a good guy. We have been friends for too long to let this destroy our friendship."

"Yeah man, we are fine. What can I do for you two? Marriage prenup?"

"Why would we need a prenup?" asked Zoe.

George glanced at me and then ducked his head into some other paperwork.

"Probably thinks I like you for your money." She laughed. I moved the conversation along.

"George, you know those photos in the Blawker?"

"Yeah"

"I have a stalker George and I want to know what I can do. I know who it is. I talked to Judson."

"Judson is your stalker?"

"Yes and no."

"Zoe, stop talking in riddles and walk me through this. Believe me I was not happy seeing my photo with you and then yours with Wade. The whole town knew you chose him."

Zoe and I told George everything except the rape. Just the guy was a creep when she did her shadowing.

"Ok so we have a witness, Judson, who he asked to take the pics and have an email to prove it correct?"

"Yes" Well I think since you know he reads Dash's blog to get info on you. We use that. You name him on the blog. Then we can sap a restraining order on him."

"Thanks George. We will have Judson send you his communications with the stalker."

"Hey Wade, can I talk to you for a second?"

"I will wait outside." Zoe said.

"What's up?"

"I just wanted to apologize. You do deserve a girl like Zoe. You are a good friend to pretty much everyone. I just couldn't believe you would give up your former way of life."

"Tucker, I knew she was the one for me, the first week she was here. Started getting those sweaty palms, nervous stomach and the heartbeat felt like it was at a Prince concert. Never happened to me before. I always was willing to give up that lifestyle, if the right person came along."

"I wish you guys luck, I really do."

"Thanks Tucker. I am glad we can all be friends."