I do not own "Hart of Dixie"

The Gumbo Scenes

Wade couldn't help but over hear the conversation between Lavon and Zoe as he carried the destroyed package to the rightful owner.

"…just let me beat Brick. Com' on." Zoe begged. Wade didn't have to see her face to know that she was giving Lavon puppy eyes.

"Hey, Doc. I uh, found this package, well what's left of it, on your stoop." Wade said as he placed it in front of Zoe.

"It's my gumbo!" Zoe cried out. "Look at this! I'm gonna sue that stupid over night carrier." She said as she examined the remains of the box.

Wade couldn't help but laugh. "Well, you might have to sue the Mayor's alligator. I saw his slithering away one happy reptile." Wade explained before taking a sip of his beer.

"Burt Reynolds ate my gumbo!"

"You cannot blame the gatar." Lavon said calmly. "Besides, keeps me for having to disqualify you."

Wade chuckled. "Hey, listen. My Uncle Moe's got a pretty kick ass gumbo recipe if you want my help I'm wi-" Wade started to say, but Zoe cut him off.

"I don't need your help Wade, ok? Last time I got your help, I also got this." She said as she held up her bandaged hand.

Wade didn't say anything. He still felt bad for causing her get bitten by the snake. A poisonous one at that.

Lavon glanced at Wade to make sure he wasn't going to say anything before speaking up. "What are you gonna do now?"

"I have no choice." Zoe stood up. "I'll have Emeril email me his recipe and I'll make my own gumbo." She said as she started towards the door.

"Do you even know how to cook?" Lavon asked.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

Wade took a step forward. "Uh… because we don't think you can cook." He said, stating the very obvious.

Zoe glared at them as the two men began to laugh. "I'm gonna figure it out, ok? Come hell or high water, I'm gonna become a respected part of this…" She paused in the middle of her little speech, trying to come up with a suitable word. "… Extremely charming community." She finally said when she realized that the guys thought she was going to say some unpleasant things about Bluebell. She then left them standing in the kitchen as she made her way back to her little place, hoping to get the recipe and hoping she was able to make it.

Wade was leaning against the sink, watching Zoe furiously put ingredients into the gumbo pot.

"I did it. I saved that man's arm and his life! I had to stand there and watch as he took all the credit for it." Zoe angrily said, telling about what happened in the farmer's market.

"Sucks." Lavon agreed. He saw what Zoe had picked up to add to the gumbo and he quickly stopped her. "That's not salt, that's cleanser." Wade couldn't help but snicker as Lavon motioned for her to hand it over to him. "You're not the only one saving lives here." Lavon said as he sat back down.

"I've been up all night cooking this stuff." Zoe explained. "I can't even see straight." She stirred the gumbo for a moment before asking, "What did I even do to make Brick hate me so much?"

"It's not you, sweetheart, it's him. He's an arrogant son of a bitch. He always have been." Lavon answered.

"One thing, I can bet with those little shorts you have on, the entire town's gonna think he's a hero by now." Wade said, jumping into the conversation.

Zoe didn't say anything, just stirred. After a moment, she finally spoke up. "You know what, screw George."

"George?" Wade repeated, thoroughly confused. Hadn't they been talking about Brick?

"I'm gonna set everyone straight. I'm gonna march into that cook off and I am gonna tell everyone what a phony Brick really is."

"No, you're not. You want people in this town think you are one of them- you are gonna go to the cook off, put your game face on, suck it up and mix in with the community." Lavon said.

"Fine, you're right." Zoe said, sounding similar to a little kid being told what to do. She then looked hopeful. "Maybe I can still win the gumbo contest. Will you try it?" She asked.

Lavon glanced back at Wade and then leaned forward to take a taste. He was quiet for a moment before saying, "Well, a moral victory is good too."

Wade burst out laughing. He knew she wouldn't have been able to make gumbo.

"Aw man! Do you have a garbage disposal?" She asked.

"No, wait! Wait a minute, hang on!" Lavon said as he reached for the pot. He grabbed it and ran outside. "Burt Reynolds! Breakfast time!"

Wade knew he shouldn't get involved in the feud between Zoe and Brick, but he was getting tired of listening to everyone say what a hero Brick was. At the very least, Zoe deserved some of the credit. But for some reason, she wasn't even trying to correct anyone about the whole thing. He was pretty sure he knew the reason, but Wade wanted to be sure. He finally got a chance to bring it up to Zoe when she sat down at the bar.

"Are you not telling the truth to protect George Tucker for some reason? Because if you were, that would be real stupid." Wade said in a stern tone. He didn't want her to know that he cared if she succeeded or not in Bluebell.

"For the last time, I do not need your advice, help or you Alabama loving. Just give me more water, ok?"

"Yep." Was all Wade said. He didn't tell her that he spent most of the night making his Uncle Moe's gumbo and entered it under her name. She had made it very clear that she didn't need his help. But he had felt bad for getting her bitten by the snake and she was trying hard to get the people to like her. He knew a little outside help wouldn't hurt. Just as long as she didn't know it was from him.

As the cook off went on, it was announced that Brick had won first place again. And though there hadn't been a big announcement, Wade saw the second place medal around her neck. He was making his rounds around the Rammer Jammer when he walked pass Zoe and Lavon and over heard their conversation.

"…you made my gumbo. Thank you, you are a good friend." Zoe said.

"Uh… what are you talking about?" Lavon started to say. Wade knew he had to interrupt them before one of them figured out what he had done.

"Gees Lavon," He said as he leaned on the Mayor's shoulder. "Cheating for a girl. Where have your Mayoral ethics gone?"

"Wade, can't you ever just let us have a nice moment?" Zoe asked, sounding tired.

"Sorry." Wade said. As he walked away, he couldn't help but smile. Mission completed.

Or so he thought. Later that day, Wade was playing a video game while Lavon washed the gumbo pot.

"What I don't get how you did it."

Wade didn't even look away from the T.V. "Did what?"

"Boy, you must have been cooking all night. Your Uncle Moe would be proud of you."

"Don't know what you've been drinking Lavon. You're acting crazy as all get out." Wade said, not revealing a thing.

"Uh huh. I know what I know. You did Zoe a solid." At that point, Wade had died in the game and he lowered the controller. Lavon continued to talk. "Ah, you're a good guy."

"I don't know what ya talking about, Mr. Mayor." Wade stood up. "But, uh, Zoe Hart, she doesn't need my help. You could just ask her yourself." And with that, he left towards his place.

As Lavon watched him leave, he couldn't help but smile. He could tell that Wade like Zoe. He just hope those two wouldn't be too stubborn to admit it.

Another chapter done and I think I used up most of the Wade/Zoe scenes from "Gumbo and Glory". If you all can think of a scene that I didn't do, feel free to mention it.

Ok, normally I do not beg for reviews, but I am getting so little feed back on this story that I am confused. So, please leave a review of some sort. I would like to know what the reader is thinking.

Anyway, happy reading!