It just seemed like a fresh slate was in order for these two. Wade starts to get his act together now, and Zoe will open the door...a little. Hope you enjoy. Please read and review.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hart of Dixie.

Chapter 2:

For the next couple of months Zoe stayed clear of Wade. She didn't step foot in the Rammer Jammer, invited Lavon over instead of going to the plantation. Wade kept trying to set up an accidental run-in but failed miserably. It was starting to feel like the rest of the town was in cahoots with her. He'd show up any town event and she would have just left. What worse is all he would hear is how great she was doing. She was becoming more a part of Bluebell each day. It seemed the news of what happened the night of the Sweetie Pie dance had made Zoe a more sympathetic figure in Bluebell's eyes. She was still a fish out of water, but people seemed to be warming up to that. Hell, even Lemon was openly admitting the she wasn't that bad.

He needed to talk to Zoe. Not being able to see her only left him with replaying the night of his huge screw up over and over in his head. What he would have said and done differently, what things could be like if he had said and done those things. He was driven to distraction. Joelle had dropped him and he hadn't picked up any girls since. People in town were still given him the crooked eye, as if to say "Aww boy, you done her wrong." It was making him nuts.

Wade came into Lavon's kitchen one morning and said as much to the mayor. Lavon sat and listened to him ramble on about his situation for a good fifteen minutes before he finally put his hands up to make it stop.

"Look Wade, I told you. Zoe said she was taking time to figure out who she was and what she wanted. She wants space. She ain't out with any other guys or paintin' the town red. She's trying to be a good country doctor, takin' weekend trips down the Gulf and workin' hard to be part of this town. She's volunteerin' at the library, helpin' out at the senior center, stuff like that. You need to stop thinkin' it's all about you." Lavon smirked at Wade before he finished his thought. "'Cuz she may be avoidin' you, but that's only a part of what she's doin'."

"Gee thanks, Lavon. That's one great pep talk. Use that one in the huddle?" Wade said as he plunked himself down in the easy chair in Lavon's TV room. "I tell you I'm going nuts and that's what you got to offer."

"Hey man, I told you what Zoe said. Thinkin' about what she said to you made her realize that she had to talk different to people. You should feel kinda good about that." Lavon said.

"Yeah, and then you told me that she said what I did was awful and hurt her. What exactly am I supposed to feel good about?" Wade answered sarcastically.

"Well, you got Zoe to thinkin' and now she's really comin' into her own and actually seems happier." Lavon reasoned.

"Yeah, happier not talkin' to me." Wade grumbled.

"Now wait a second," Lavon said. "I did not say she was happier not talkin' to you. I said she's happier with herself. Those are two different things."

Wade looked at him as if to say, what's the difference.

"Wade, maybe you should try what Zoe is doin'. All you do is slide from one thing to another. Where do you wanna be in ten years? You still wanna be livin' in my gate house and bartendin' at the Rammer Jammer? You want another shot with Zoe, get yourself together. How do you expect her to take you seriously when you don't?"

"Aww, come on Lavon. Not this again. What do you think I should be doin'? Going to law school and being like George? I'm a good bartender and I like seeing all the people. Ain't my fault that my chosen profession pays crap."

"Why don't you buy the place? Old man Tate has been asking you to take it off his hands for over a year."

"And pay him in what, bottle caps? Besides I don't know nothin' about ownin' no business."

"Now Wade Kinsella, that's a load of bull and you know it. You basically run that place now. You do the inventory; schedule the staff and everything else. What more is there to know? And if it's about the money, I'd loan it to you." Lavon cleared out all of Wade's excuses in one fell swoop.

Wade shook his head. "I can't take your money."

"It's a LOAN, dummy. We can draw up papers if you want. Besides it's a good investment. It's the only bar in town."

Wade's eyes narrowed as he thought about it. If Lavon would loan him the money, and it would be a loan, it might work. He knew enough of how much the place took in and what its overhead was. There was some room over above that for him to payback Lavon and still get by himself. It'd be a little tight till he paid Lavon back, but he could manage. Wade looked at him. "Are you serious about this?"

"Lavon Hayes does not joke about business." The mayor answered.

"Well, alright. If it's a loan – I'll pay you back." Wade said.

Lavon pulled Wade out of the chair and began slapping his back. "This is great. We'll go to George's office tomorrow and get the papers drawn up. You know, once you buy the place you should have an event at the Jammer. Let people know it's under new management. I think people will want to support you."

Wade grimaced. "You think Zoe would come?"

"She might. You might have to do some good ole fashion wooing though. This whole trying to accidentally, on purpose run into her thing is kinda lame."

Wade thought about it and nodded. Then he pulled out his cell phone and called George.

Zoe was sitting at the bakery with a piece of pie and a coffee. She had a little time before she had to get back to the practice after leaving the senior center. She was surprised by how much she enjoyed her time there with Bluebell's seniors. They were so fascinating with their stories. There was a lady, Ella that was 102 and still sharp as a tack. Zoe had sat with her today and heard about when woman first got the right to vote from a first person account.

Over the past couple of months, Zoe spent a lot of time in the practice and her relationship with Brick had improved somewhat. The situation with Wade seemed to strike something with Brick and Zoe found he was actually a pretty decent guy. She had gotten her number of patients up to about 40 percent and a few were even from Brick throwing some her way. She was even more surprised to find she liked family medicine. She had seen some patients more than once with different ailments and enjoyed the relationship and knowledge that came with being a g.p. Zoe had always been so driven to be a cardiothoracic surgeon like her father, but was starting to wonder if she was really Harley's daughter by more than blood.

When she wasn't at the practice or volunteering, she spent time with a group on friends she was developing. Annabeth came back out of hiding when the news of Zoe's Sweetie Pie nightmare reached her. Lemon seemed to thaw a bit as well with time. Whether it was feeling Zoe had been done wrong, or Zoe herself making an effort to be less acerbic she couldn't be sure. But the most surprising development of the past couple of months was that Lemon Breeland was actually nice and fun. Zoe saw more of the side of her that put together the prank with George and Wade.

Just as Zoe was thinking about the belles, they walked in the bakery. "Hi Agnes, can I get a slice of your huckleberry pie?" Lemon asked as she came in.

Annabeth saw Zoe and walked over to see her. "Hey girl, how are you?"

"Good. I had an hour between the senior center and my next appointment so I thought what better than pie!"

"I couldn't agree more." Lemon said sitting down next to Zoe. "Although I may not be sayin' that when I can't fit into my weddin' dress."

Annabeth joined them with a piece of her own. "So Zoe, did you hear Wade is buyin' the Rammer Jammer? He's takin' a business class at the community college and I think I even saw him in a new shirt."

Lemon looked at her with a death glare. "Annabeth, why on earth would we need to talk about Wade Kinsella?"

Zoe looked stunned. She hadn't talked to anyone about Wade since had the conversation with Lavon the night she moved into the apartment over the practice.

Annabeth looked abashed. "I'm sorry. It's just that Wade spent over a month borderline stalkin' Zoe hopin' to run into her. And now all of a sudden he's taking college courses, cleaning himself up and buying a business. I thought he might be tryin' to impress you."

"It's very romantic Annabeth, but I don't think Wade would do all of this for me." Zoe put her hand over Annabeth's.

"Well, he hasn't takin' any girls home since Joelle dumped him. I think he still has feelin's for ya, Zoe." Annabeth was an incurable romantic.

Zoe put up her index finger to stop Annabeth. "Not falling for that again."

Lemon chimed in then. "He's planning a big shin-dig next month to celebrate. We won't go if you want to do a girl's night instead."

Zoe put on her brave face. "No, don't be silly. You should go. I'm sure knowing Wade it will be a great party. Just stay away from the body shots."

They all laughed at that. Zoe stayed with the two of them until it was time for her to get back for her next appointment. Lavon was coming in for a physical.

Lavon walked into the office and greeted Addie. Zoe wasn't back, but Addie showed him to an exam room where he could wait for her. After she closed the door, Lavon opened the window. Wade was waiting in the bushes and Lavon pulled him in.

"Now listen, don't make me regret this. You hear me, Wade?" Lavon was a sucker for a big romantic gesture, but he didn't want Wade messing with Zoe again.

Wade brushed his green button down dress shirt and wiped some of the brush off his khakis. He showed Lavon the wild flower bouquet he had brought with him as proof. "Look Lavon, I am not gonna to blow this and say somethin' stupid. I promise. Now get."

Lavon smiled at him and slid out the open window. "Good luck, Wade."

Zoe came into the office and saw Addie sitting at the reception. "Lavon's already here. I put him in exam room one."

"Great. Thanks Addie. I brought this for you." She handed Addie the slice lemon meringue from Agnes'.

"Oooh, my favorite! Thanks Zoe." Addie rubbed her hands together in excitement.

Zoe was laughing and looking at Addie when she opened the door to the exam room so she didn't notice who was standing there until the door was closed. When she did she dropped Lavon's chart. "Wade?"

"Listen Zoe, I needed to talk to you and I was afraid if you knew it was me you wouldn't see me. Please give me a minute to talk to you."

She noticed the flowers in his hand and how nicely he was dressed. His hair was combed back and his green eyes pleaded with her. Seeing him made her more aware of how much she had missed him. She picked up the chart and put it on the counter. "Okay," was all she said.

Wade walked slowly towards her and handed her the flowers. "These are for you."

She took the flowers and looked at them. They were really pretty. "Thank you."

"I screwed up Doc. I'm so sorry about what I said. I'm not very good at havin' feelins' for someone and I was scared you were gonna drop me. I thought if I pushed you away that I'd be better off. I figured out pretty quick that wasn't true. I know you got no reason to believe me and if you tell me you to leave you alone, I'll hate it, but I will." Wade slowly walked closer to Zoe. He lightly touched her hand. "But I'm kinda hopin' you'll let me take you out on a date."

Zoe was stunned. Her mind was spinning a little from it all. She wasn't sure what she was feeling or if she should trust him. It was that thought that came out of her mouth first.

"How do I know this isn't just another prank?" Zoe asked.

"Because I swear to you, I'm not jokin'." Wade said. "Will it help if I ask again? I'd really like to take you out on a real first date."

She couldn't say no, but she couldn't say yes either. She missed Wade and knew now that she really did like him, but putting herself was not something she had ever been good at. She was even more afraid after what he said the last time anything like this came up. Since she couldn't say yes or no, she opted for the in between.

"I'm not sure." She said.

Wade knew he couldn't push too hard. He'd earned that answer, but he wasn't giving up either.

"Well, what if I come by and pick you up for dinner around 7pm. If you feel like goin', we'll go. If not… well, then I'll do whatever you want."

He waited what felt like an eternity, but she finally said. "Okay."

Wade smiled at her then and nodded his head to her before heading back towards the window. "Okay then. I'll see you at 7."

He slid the window up and started to pull himself through.

"What are you doing?" Zoe asked.

"I figure we don't need Addie seein' me leavin' your office instead of Lavon." Wade smiled. "Oh, and don't be mad at Lavon. I wouldn't leave him alone until he agreed to this." He smiled again and then slid out the window.

Zoe stood there while Lavon came back through the window. She laughed and shook her head. "Why Mayor Hayes, is that mayoral behavior?"

"Lavon Hayes would do anything to help his constituents." He smiled and bowed slightly towards her. "So watcha gonna do, Zoe?"

"I'm not sure." She said as she sat on the exam table, still holding the flowers. She brought them to her face and smelled. "He brought flowers."

"Yeah, he was pretty adamant about doin' everything by the book."

"What do you think I should do, Lavon?" She asked.

"What do you WANT to do? What is your heart sayin', not your head?" Lavon asked.

"I've missed him… a lot. I really want to go but I don't want to get hurt." Zoe figured there was no sense hiding it now, especially to Lavon.

"Well, if you want to go then you should go. Seems to me being afraid of getting' hurt is kinda silly since you're already hurtin'. Seems like given it a shot may make that hurt go away." Lavon had a strange ability for being wise in an unexpected way.

Zoe thought about what he said and slowly nodded. "You're right."

Then she stood up and got a needle and a urine sample cup from the drawer. Lavon scrunched his eyes at her. "What are you doin' girl?"

"Well, you came in for physical. If I don't have lab samples for Addie she'll be suspicious." Zoe smiled. She may not be mad at Lavon, but she wasn't letting off the hook completely.

"Fine" he said as he rolled up his sleeve. "No good deed goes unpunished."

So next chapter is the big date. What do y'all think?