Hi all! I don't even know if anyone will come back and read this! It's been 3 years without an update and I apologize to anyone that does return. Life has been very hectic the last few years.

But I started rewatching HoD, introducing it to my fiancé and I reread this story. I felt I needed to finish it for me and everyone else!

Again, I apologize for the delay and I hope some of you are still interested.

"Zoe." Wade knocked on the carriage house door the next morning. She didn't show up at breakfast and she was nowhere in town. He knocked again. "Come on Zoe, open up." He called. He waited a minute and when there was no answer he turned the door knob. "Zoe?" he asked walking into the bedroom. He looked around at the empty room. He noticed her suitcases were gone and then saw the broken picture frame on the floor. He walked over towards it and saw her phone on the ground. He squatted down and picked it up. "What happened here?" he asked himself. He stood up and walked over to the coffee table where the shoebox full of pictures was. He flicked through and noticed a few were missing. He searched the house and took notice that where ever she went, she didn't bother to clear out the bathroom, her toothbrush and curling iron were still sitting on the sink. "This isn't good." He left the house and walked over to Lavons.

"Hey Wade, find Zoe?" he asked

"Um, I think she left. Her clothes and suitcases are gone. But I'm confused because this was on the ground next to that flower picture all busted up.

"Like she threw it?"

"Yeah, that's my guess. But why? Why would she leave? She told me she was thinking of extending her trip yesterday."

"Did something happen?" Lavon asked curiously. "She's engaged right?"

"How'd you know?" Wade asked

"She had a ring Man. How could you get mixed up with an engaged woman?"

"It wasn't like that I told you."

"Well yeah but I didn't believe you. You never have an actual friend come to visit. Where did you even meet her?"

"At the airport when I was coming home from visiting Jesse last month."

"Wait? You only met her a little over a month ago? And she just decided to come visit. You sure you ain't sleepin with her?"

"I'm positive." He said and then looked down.

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Well we kissed last night." He told him.

"So you spooked her. Good job."

"No, she kissed me. I think something else is up."

"Why?"

"Because she left her phone and she threw it."

"Well she did cheat on her fiancé."

"I don't think so. She didn't seem all that into him."

Lavon glared at him. "Whatever man. It was only a vacation anyway, why is it such a big deal?"

"It wasn't just a vacation. Not entirely." He mumbled.

"Wade what is going on?"

He sighed. "If I tell you, you promise you won't tell a soul."

"Yeah, of course. What is going on?"

"She's Harley's Zoe."

Lavon's jaw dropped. "No?"

"Yeah."

"Are you sure? She's not just looking for money?"

"It's Bluebell Lavon. No one knows about Harley Wilkes and his money except me, you and George. And you shouldn't even know except you walked in on George and me talking about the will."

"Did she ask a lot of questions? About Harley? About his will?"

"Never Lavon. She didn't even know she was his daughter until I told her." He yelled.

"Alright, I'm sorry. No need to get upset. So, you think something is wrong besides you kissing her and her being engaged?"

"Yes, she threw her phone, she wasn't a violent person."

"Have you checked her phone?"

"No, I didn't want to invade her privacy."

"She left it, it's fair game." He snatched it away from him and pressed the home button. "Password protected, damn." He sighed

Wade took it back. "Let me see." He typed in a few numbers and it clicked.

"How'd you know?"

"She was a simple girl. Figured I'd try her birthday." He shrugged and started tapping the screen. Lavon moved to the opposite side of the island and looked over Wade's shoulder.

"What are you going to find in her pictures?"

"I don't know. A picture of her fiancé. I'm curious."

"Ok." He shook his head. "Jealous is a better word."

"Shut up." He smacked Lavon in the stomach and continued to scroll. "This must be him. He looks like a tool and they don't look happy." He looked at the picture on the screen of Zoe and Julian at a fancy business dinner. "She actually looks miserable."

Lavon shrugged. "Maybe it was just that they're at a business dinner? I know I hate those."

Wade glared at him and then looked back at the phone, scrolling through the rest of the pictures. "That's the only one of him. Don't girls take pictures of them and their fiancé like twenty times a day?"

"Usually, I know AB's facebook is full of pictures of her and George and they're only dating." He laughed

"Exactly." He nodded and moved onto her messages. "Ah, he's the first one here." He tapped on his name and started to read. "Uh, Lavon." He said hesitantly.

"What?" Lavon looked back at the phone. "Is that what I think it says?" he asked

"If you're not home by tomorrow, you're gonna pay." Wade read and scrolled. "I swear you better answer your phone bitch."

"Maybe it's some kind of foreplay?" Lavon suggested

Again Wade glared at him and then clicked out and into her voicemail. He clicked on the first one and listened.

"Bitch I swear to god if you don't answer this phone I'm going to find you and you never like when that happens." It went to the next one. "Oh Zoe, if you think running late for a business dinner is bad, you have no idea how much you'll owe for running away." Again, it went to another. "If you don't get your ass back in this city, you're going to be so sorry. You won't be able to show your face for a week, if you're lucky."

The phone fell to the counter and Wade was white as a ghost, he couldn't move. "Dude, what did they say?" Lavon asked. Wade still didn't move. "Wade?" he waved his hand across his face. Lavon picked up the phone and held it to his ear. "Naw, naw, naw." He said sadly.

"He's gonna kill her." Wade finally spoke. "I should have known."

"Known what? How could you have?" Lavon asked

"Hey guys. Ready for the game?" George walked into the kitchen with a six-pack of beer.

"I think no." Lavon told him.

"What's wrong?" he asked

"Zoe, she's gone." Wade said quietly.

"Gone? I thought she was leaving in a couple days?"

"Well her abusive fiancé got the better of her." He snapped

"Abusive fiancé? I thought you were with her?" he asked

"No." he yelled. "She was just a friend but now she's gone back to this guy and he's probably going to kill her."

"How do we know?" George asked

"Messages and voicemails." Lavon told him and picked up her phone.

George tapped the screen and held the phone to his ear. "What's his name?" he asked after listening.

"Julian, why does it matter?"

"Julian what?"

"I don't know, check her contacts. His name isn't relevant."

"Yeah it is." George scrolled through the phone. "I knew it, I knew I knew that voice. Julian Peterson. My firm in New York handled a case against him while I was there."

"Was it for murder?" Wade asked

"No, but it was a domestic abuse case."

"And he's not in jail why?" Wade asked

"It was reduced to a misdemeanor and he only had to serve a year. That was three years ago."

"That's bullshit. He beats women, he should be in there for life." Wade said angrily slamming his fist on the counter.

"I know, we tried to extend his sentence but he has a great lawyer."

"You never said how you should have known." Lavon looked at Wade

He sighed. "She had marks, the first day she was here I saw a really nasty cut on her shoulder that was all bruised and I swear her eye was black and blue too. She would flinch every time I would touch her shoulder or whatever. And the first night, we passed out on the couch and she had the nightmare. She was screaming about how she was sorry and she wouldn't do it again, something about owing him something, which he said in one of those voicemails. I'm such an idiot."

"No you're not Man, don't blame yourself."

"But I have to do something, she can't live like that. You heard him, he's going to hurt her."

"But what can you do?" Lavon asked

"I have to go up there, I have to save her."

"You don't even know where she is. New York is huge."

"I don't care, I'll find her. I'll do whatever it takes."

"You're gonna take him on?" George asked

"Yeah, I don't care. She doesn't deserve this. If she had just stayed here, none of this would have ever happened."

"She was too scared not to go back." Lavon put his hand on his shoulder

"Not now, back then."

Lavon sighed. "You can't play what if."

"Then when?" George asked

"Harley Wilkes is her father." Wade told him.

"She's that Zoe?" he asked in shock

"Yeah she is and she belongs in Bluebell. Give me the phone." He snatched it from George and started going through it.

"What are you looking for?" he asked

"Anything that will give me her address."

"Try Julian's contact info." Lavon suggested

"Negative. Not even a picture."

"How about in her notes?" George said

"No, just a shopping list and a list of songs to buy."

"Oh check her maps. Recent addresses?" Lavon said eagerly.

Wade scrolled through the recent destinations. "Nothing, dammit." He ran his hand through his hair and continued to tap the screen. "Got it." he yelled and jumped up from the stool.

"How?" "Where?" the guys yelled.

"Her email, girl loves her shoes. Got the shipping address."

"Good idea man." George slapped his shoulder. "You sure you want to do this?"

"Hell yeah, I have to for her and Harley."

"And you?" Lavon asked

"This has nothing to do with me."

"What are you going to do if he answers the door?"

"I don't know, beat the living shit out of him?"

They both smiled at their friend. "You want us to come with you?" Lavon offered.

"No, I got this." He nodded confidently. "She's coming back and she's staying this time."

"I'm proud of you." Lavon smiled

"Thanks and thanks for the help and understanding."

"Listen, if you do run into him, you can threaten to call the cops. A second charge will not be adjusted down to a misdemeanor."

Wade nodded. "Ok, I'll remember that. I need to go find a flight and get out of here."

"I'll drive you. I don't want you driving like this." Lavon said

"Ok, thanks man. Oh and Tuck, don't mention the whole Harley's daughter to anyone."

"Don't worry I won't, I promise. Just go get her and bring her back. Hopefully she'll be ok."

Wade nodded. "I hope."

Wade ran into Lavon's office and booked the next flight out to New York. Luckily it was leaving that evening. He packed a small bag and they were off to the airport. As he was boarding the plane his heart started pounding. What if he was too late? What if she's not even there? She could be in the hospital or worse. He pushed those thoughts out of his mind as the plane took off. He prayed that he would make it in time and that she would be okay.

"Attention passengers. We are going to have to make an emergency stop in Baltimore due to heavy rains and lighting all along the east coast. We apologize for the inconvenience and will get you all up and running again as soon as possible."

"Shit." Wade grunted and punched his open palm.

They landed safely and Wade grabbed his one bag, running off the plane. He ran to the desk. "When will we be up again?" he asked

"We are not sure Sir, the storm is bad and they have grounded all flights."

"Is there a rental car place?"

"Yes, once you get to the main lobby just follow the signs." She pointed to the right. "That way."

"Thank you." He said and took off running in the direction she told him.

He finally made it to the rental car area and stood on the short line.

"Next." The attendant called.

"Hi, I need a car, any car, I don't care what it is."

"Ok sir, slow down. Where are you headed?"

"New York City. How long of a drive is that?"

"About four hours. But with this storm, I'd say six." She answered

He looked at his phone. "Almost midnight." He sighed. "Whatever, I need a car."

"Alright Sir, no problem. I just need your ID and a major credit card." Wade handed his stuff over. "Will you be returning the car back here?"

"Um no, probably not."

"New York?"

He thought for a minute. "Alabama. Mobile Regional."

"You got it. Ok you're all set." She handed him the bill and he signed. "Safe Travels."

"Thank you." He nodded in her direction and took the keys.

Once he found the car he got in and set the address in his phone's GPS to guide him to New York. He started on his way and seven hours later he was pulling up to the building. He rolled down the passenger window and waved to doorman over. "Where can I park?" he asked

"Hello Sir." Frank smiled at him. "The nearest garage is two blocks down and to the left."

"Uh, how much for you to keep it here?" he asked

"My job. Sorry Sir."

"Fine, I'll be back."

Frank tipped his hat and Wade drove down the block. Fifteen minutes later Wade was jogging up to the building.

"Welcome back." Frank smiled "What can I help you with?"

"I need to get in there." He pointed to the door.

"You don't live here." He said

"No I don't, but I know someone who does and it's a life or death situation. I need to get to her."

"Her? Her who? I know everyone in there."

"Zoe, Zoe Hart."

"You're here for Zoe?" he asked with concern in his voice.

"Yes, you sound concerned about that."

"Go ahead. Seventh floor, apartment 14. If you run into trouble at the desk tell them Frank authorized you."

"Thank you Frank, thank you very much." Wade ran into the building and towards the elevator.

"Excuse me, you don't live here." The man behind the desk called to him.

"Don't these people get visitors?" he said to himself. "Frank said I could come in." he told the guy.

The guy looked at Wade and then down towards Frank who tipped his hat. "Alright, go ahead,"

He went in the elevator and pressed the button for the seventh floor. When the doors opened again he ran down the hall and stopped at number 14. He started banging on the door. He heard some faint mumbles and then locks clicking. The door opened slowly and he inhaled sharply.

"Holy shit Zoe."

Please review and let me know if I should continue!