Here's the next morning and a bit of the news breaking in Bluebell. I am trying to make Zoe and Wade a little more mature than the show has made them, I think they have it in them. I'm also not big on silly melodrama. I think they'll have some really issues come up without silly overblown things. Let me know what you think.

Thanks for the lovely reviews. They're spurring me on!

Disclaimer: I do not own Hart of Dixie, I just think the characters are more than they're getting credit for being at the moment. ;-)

Chapter 6:

Zoe woke up the next morning to the sun coming through the window. She was still snuggled into Wade's chest and she could tell by the rhythm of his breath that he was asleep. She thought about the night before and how she had ended up staying with him. She never had a date like that. She'd let her guard down with him, and in the clear morning light she did not any regret because he had let her in too. She could not get over the way he just got her and how good it made her feel. She felt more relaxed in her own skin somehow and less alone. Her grandfather was the only other person that had understood her and that was obviously very different.

She thought about the first time she met Wade. She had definitely thought he was attractive, that hot make out session in his car was clear evidence of that. But her general preconceived notions about Bluebell and everyone who lived there had led her to think he was just a good old boy with generic beer breath. She squeezed her eyes shut at how stuck up and quick to peg people she had been when she arrived. She knew Bluebell had changed her and she wasn't unhappy that it had. She thought about what the Chief of Surgery in New York said to her when she didn't get the fellowship and how right he'd been. She started to wonder if she still wanted the same things that other Zoe Hart had. Bluebell had shown her what her life could be beyond her singular ambition.

She moved her hand over his shoulders and then became distracted by Wade's chest. It was really hard not to be. It was still golden brown and there was only a slight trial of light blond hair. She stopped herself from following it down to the band of his gym shorts but could stop herself from trailing her hands over his pecks.

He began to stir and she knew he was waking up. She stopped what she was doing immediately and slowly turned up to his face. His eyes were still heavy and blinking as he woke, but his smile was full blown. "Mmmm, no need to stop that on my account. I don't mind."

He began to tilt his head down to kiss her but she jolted back and pulled the sheet over her mouth. "Morning breath!" she said embarrassed.

Wade chuckled and tugged the sheet away from her mouth. "I don't think a little mornin' breath ever hurt no one." He said as he pulled her in for a toe tingling kiss.

She had to agree with him and gave into it quickly. Her arms moved up his and over his back. She discovered his skin felt incredible and enjoyed not having his pesky t-shirt in the way. He rolled on top of her and deepened the kiss, taking his time to fully enjoy the pleasure of waking up with Zoe Hart. She liked the weight of him on top of her and tried to pull him closer. His hands moved down the t-shirt of his that she was wearing and he slid his hands under it and felt the skin along her waist. She didn't stop him, instead running her hands down his lower back. His thumbs slowly moved over her stomach and it was becoming harder to ignore the voice in his head telling him to stop. He pulled back reluctantly and she caught her breath. Her brown eyes were wide and he stared deep into them. "Whoa," he let out in a low groan before he gathered himself. "'Mornin'"

Her face was flushed. "Good morning" She said before taking her hands up to his face and kissing him again slowly. She pulled back.

He slowly rolled off of her letting out a deep breath, "Mercy."

She stayed lying on her back and let her breathing regulate. "It's really hard to keep my hands to myself around you." She laughed.

He rolled on to his side towards her. "I know what you mean, Doc." He mumbled before dipping in for another short kiss.

He rolled her on to her side and pulled her back against him till she was snug against him. She took his hand and weaved her fingers into his. This seemed like a safer way to go. "So you got any big plans today?" he asked her.

"Nope, it's Saturday and Brick's on call this weekend."

"Well, Lavon's gone till tomorrow. Wanna head up to his kitchen and I'll make you breakfast? I'm afraid all my good intentions won't do me no good if we stay here."

"Yeah plus I'm starving." She said as she pulled away from him and started to get out of bed.

He watched her stretch her arms over her head and run her hand through her hair to pull it out of her face. She walked over to a laundry basket with clean clothes and pulled out another of his t-shirts. He couldn't help liking the way she looked in his t-shirt and boxers. "I'm going to get dressed" she said to him over her shoulder as she walked towards the bathroom.

She came out a few minutes later wearing the new T-shirt of his that she found. He face was fresh and he hair pulled into a ponytail. Wade was dressed and handing her a cup of coffee as he passed her on his way to clean up in the bathroom.

She took the cup and walked out on the porch. She looked out to the pond and saw the table and lights were still there from her first date. Then she looked at the carriage house. It was strange but it felt like years since she had lived there. A lot had changed in the months since she moved into Harley's old place.

Wade came out his face freshly washed and shaven. "Ready?"

They walked up to Lavon's and saw the Navigator was gone. He opened the kitchen door for her. She had become accustomed to the way men did that here, but had to admit she liked it even more when Wade did it for her.

She plopped down on one of the island chairs with her coffee while he went straight to the business of making breakfast. "What d'ya feel like? I can cook up some French toast and bacon?"

"Mmm…that sounds great."

Wade pulled the eggs, milk and bacon from the fridge. He was taken by how normal this felt, but he didn't dwell on it and got busy making French toast.

Zoe looked at the island and saw a pad with a list written out on it. She picked it up. It had a bunch of items on it he must have been planning for the Rammer Jammer. Update menu, new jukebox music, strip and refinish floor started the list and more items followed. She smiled and thought about what he'd said the night before. She was glad he was buying the place, whether she was part of it or not.

"So how are you making out on this list?" She waved the pad at him.

He looked over at her. "Uhh, pretty good. I got a new menu in mind. Shelly is designin' it and I'm givin' the cooks the once over on the recipes. I ordered the music for the jukebox, but I'm keepin' some of what's on there." He smiled as he said it. "'Can't get rid of some – the regulars like to play 'em."

She smiled knowing he was talking about Harley's song and probably a few others. Then he continued.

"But I haven't gotten over to see Shady and picked up the sander, sealer and finish to do the floors. The place is closed for the week so I can get a bunch done before the big shin-dig next Saturday. I'd planned to do the floors today, but I had a better offer." He chuckled over the griddle where he was flipping the toast.

Zoe didn't want to get in the way of his plans for the Rammer Jammer. It was too important. "You should do it. I don't want to get in the way of what you've got to do for your big re-opening."

Wade's smile faded a little. He'd been looking forward to spending the day with her, hell to be honest, the whole weekend if she'd be willing.

"I'll help, if you want." She finished.

He looked over at her with narrowed eyes and a skeptical look. "It's hard to picture you usin' a sander or polishin' a bar."

Zoe threw the towel that had been sitting on the island at him. "That may have been true of the old Zoe Hart you knew, but I'll have you know I did the floors at Harley's place last month with some help from Shady. He still appreciated what I did for Caleb."

He looked at her slightly bowled over. "Really?"

"Yes sir. Turns out my attention to detail and superior eye-hand coordination make me pretty darn good with an edger. You'd be a fool to turn me down."

Wade let out a whoop. "Well then, how can I turn done such talented help?"

She cocked her side, "That's what I'm sayin'!"

He laughed as he put a plate in front of her and the syrup on the island before grabbing his own. She dug in and couldn't help the small moan that escaped her. "God, that's good."

Wade wagged his eyebrows at her. "Girl, you keep makin' sounds like that and I'll come up with whole bunch of things to do to you."

Zoe looked down blushed a little. "Perv." She said quietly and then smiled thinking how she'd enjoy that.

She looked at him again and he wagged his eyebrows again, then started to laugh.

After the finished breakfast, Zoe cleaned up the dishes and Wade finished his coffee.

"So Zoe, I figure if people see me dropping you off and then you headin' over to the Jammer when it's closed it might get folks to talkin'. You ready to go public with us?"

She glanced over her shoulder from the sink and saw he was biting his lower lip. She turned back to the dishes and couldn't help the grin that escaped. "I am if you are."

He rolled his tongue over his lower lip then and grinned. "Well alright then. Let's get goin'" he said as he walked by her and lightly smacked her butt. She shook her head and giggled under her breath.

The practice was closed so there was no one to see him drop her off. She changed into the clothes she'd worn when she refinished Harley's floors and headed out towards the Rammer Jammer. She saw Shady when she passed the hardware store and he eyed her curiously. "Whatcha up to Doc? Your floors are lookin' mighty good and Wade already rented the sanders."

"Oh just being neighborly, Shady" She said coyly as she walked by.

The three old ladies watched her walk down towards the Rammer Jammer. "Huh, now ain't that somethin'. Dr. Hart looks like she is headed towards the Rammer Jammer in some 'get handy' clothes and Wade Kinsella just picked up all that stuff from Shady. Hmmm…" one of the ladies began.

"Maybe they gone kissed and made up." The other said.

The first one gave the other a look, "Well that boy better not mess it up again - makin' bets and what not."

The other nodded. "MmmHmmm."

Zoe walked into the restaurant/bar and saw George there talking to Wade. She stopped, but decided she'd told Wade she was ready to go public if he was. "Hey George." She said walking over towards them.

George turned around and looked at her a little stunned. He first got over the fact that she was standing in the Rammer Jammer and then took in her appearance. "Well hey Zoe. What are you doin' here."

"I told Wade I actually have mad sanding skills." She said

"George, honey, are you stayin' to help Wade or…." Lemon walked in but was stopped in her tracks by the site of Zoe. "Uh Zoe Hart, what are you doin' here?"

Zoe looked up at Wade. He was biting his lip and rubbing the back of his neck again. "You see," Zoe started and then she grabbed Wade's hand. "Wade and I sort of worked things out."

Wade looked down at her and smiled appreciatively. Lemon and George nodded blankly - both of them speechless. "Well" George said looking at Lemon and then back at Wade and Zoe. "We're happy for ya'."

Lemon snapped out of her fog and grabbed Zoe's hand dragging her to the Ladies' Room. "Zoe, I've gotta go to the Ladies, why don't you come with me."

Zoe looked back helplessly at the two men, but the just laughed and shook their heads knowing they were helpless to stop Lemon.

Once in the Ladies' Room Lemon pounced. She put her hands on Zoe's shoulders and looked at her with an expression that said she was determined to get every detail. "So?"

Zoe let out a breath and started telling Lemon about finding Wade in her exam room instead of Lavon. Lemon put up her hand to stop her and pulled out her cell phone. "'Might as well save you the trouble of tellin' this twice. I know Annabeth is at the bakery. She can be here in two minutes."

Lemon called AnnaBeth and told her to get to the Rammer Jammer quickly and meet her in the Ladies. There was scoop she needed to know.

Meanwhile George slapped Wade's shoulder good naturedly. "So, you and Zoe, huh? It's about time you got off your butt."

Wade laughed and grabbed two beers from behind the bar. "Yeah, I figured I needed to man up and stop hopin' I'd accidentally run into her and she'd forgiven me."

Wade handed a beer to George which he accepted. George motioned towards the Ladies' Room. "You know they're gonna be a while in there. Lemon's not gonna let her out until she's satisfied Zoe's given her every detail."

Just then Annabeth came rushing in, waved at George and Wade and made her way to the Ladies' Room. George looked at Wade, who was clearly in agony knowing AnnaBeth had joined Lemon in ringing everything out of Zoe, and couldn't help but laugh.

"Well at least this'll make it easier. Lemon and AnnaBeth will get the rest o' the town up to date pretty quick and save tellin' more people."

George shook his head and smiled at Wade. "Oh I don't think you're off the hook there, buddy. Now that Lemon and AnnaBeth are Zoe's friends, they won't break the girl code."

Wade leaned against the bar and took a big drink of beer. "Aw come on now."

George sat at the bar then and started drinking his beer. He patted Wade on the shoulder. "You know, you should go see your Granddaddy and tell him all your news. He's gonna be real happy for you, Wade."

Wade looked over and nodded. "Yeah, I already told him about buyin' this place and the courses I was takin', but I wanna take Zoe over to meet him. I think I've told each of 'em about the other."

George looked at his friend with a little surprise. "You told Zoe about your Grandparents?"

Wade took another drink of his beer and nodded. "Took and showed her their ole place yesterday afternoon."

George pursed his lips and nodded slightly, but didn't say anything else. He knew he was probably the only person Wade had taken out there since his grandma passed. Taking Zoe out there was no small deal.

After waiting a while longer, George and Wade started the work of refinishing the floors. Wade couldn't waste more of the day waiting for Zoe's 'mad sanding skills', as she put it, and wondering what they were talking about what making him a little anxious.

So thoughts? Comments?

I'm planning some good Zoe/Wade moments in the next chapter. Stay tuned.