Hello again! The next installment for you all.


I walked through town square, sporting a change of clothes and a new face of make-up, I was expecting to see the glares from all the towns' people but to my surprise I was getting waves and smiles. I knew Bluebell was crazy! I smiled at Dash who was waltzing up towards me.

"Hi Dash," I said carefully.

"Just wanted to let you know a room is now available," He smiled at me.

"That's great Dash, but I'm leaving tonight remember?" I reminded him of my departure.

He nodded at me and moved onto his next victim. I had three important things to do on my list today and that was clear the air with Wade, get that stupid reference letter from Brick and to say a proper good-bye.

I headed up the stairs towards the practice; I was starting to get nervous by the minute. I had overnighted the forms two months ago and I hadn't had a single reply. As I walked into the practice I couldn't help but notice the influx of patients in the waiting room. It was a Tuesday morning and the regulars were in like Shula Whittaker and a few other Bluebellians. I walked into Brick's office; officially the practice wasn't open which meant I had a few minutes to spare with Breeland.

"Brick, can I talk to you?" I asked quietly as I opened the door.

"Oh well look who it is, Dr New York," he answered me back sarcastically.

"I'm sorry about not saying goodbye, and look at this way, you now have the practice to yourself if you could just sign those papers I sent to you…"

He looked up at me, it was only then I noticed the bags under his eyes and that his hair had seem to be even greyer. He punched the desk. "No I will not sign those papers Dr Hart, I need you here." He pleaded.

I stood their shocked. I never dreamt that the day would come where Brick was begging for me to stay. "Brick-"he cut me off.

"You have that fellowship in New York and you want to be a cardiothoracic surgeon just like your father but Bluebell needs you, I need you." He sighed as he sat back down again.

It was then when I noticed the signs, Brick was suffering, and he couldn't look after the demands of Bluebell by himself. My heart broke a little, who would've thought Brick Breeland, the doctor who tried to buy me out, the doc who sabotaged my patient income and the very doctor who annoyed to my wits end was begging for my help. I couldn't let him down, maybe the Zoe pre Bluebell could've but not Zoe 2.0.

"Brick, leave it with me and I'll sort something out." I stood up and left the practice.

It was half an hour until I had to leave for the airport. I had managed to say a proper good-bye to most of the residents except one and it was one I was dreading.

I knocked on the door of the gatehouse, I could hear frantic running and things clattering before a shirtless Wade answered the door.

"Am I interrupting anything?" I questioned.

"No, No do you want to come in?" he asked.

I walked into the house and paced on the spot. "It was a mistake Wade, sleeping with you was a mistake, I have a boyfriend." I said shakily.

"Doc, I know your more into books and stuff but do you realise soccer has a goalie and you can still score a goal," he smirked at me.

I opened my mouth to retort something back, but I just couldn't think of anything. "Doc, seriously, you're like a song that I can't get out of my head. And I knew the minute you walked back into town I had a chance of getting you back, and correct me if I'm wrong but I knew you felt the same last night,"

I ran my hand over my face in defeat. He had a point, he was something that I couldn't just get out my head but last night was just sex right? "Wade, I don't know what to say, you know you're my kryptonite, but last night was just sex and nothing more, I did something horrible that I myself didn't think I was capable of doing," I said, I could feel the tears brimming my eyes, but I wouldn't let them surface. Well not yet. I stood up from the lounge and walked away, why was life in Bluebell always hard?

Two Days Later:

In the past two days I hadn't even let myself be anything but busy; I couldn't look at Joel the same after what I had done. I felt terrible but I couldn't tell him, it'd break his heart. I had told him that I had to work a double shift today but in reality I only had the one shift and found myself my supposed second shift in my other apartment.

As well as avoiding Joel, I had been researching more and more into finding a way for me to achieve my dream as a surgeon but to also help Brick with the practice, I wish it was as simple as living in New York and Bluebell part time.

I looked at my watch, if I left now I would be home in time to see Joel before he headed off to work, it was either now or never, and I had to tell him about my infidelity didn't I?

I walked into his apartment, I could see the remnants of his breakfast lying on the kitchen sink, I smiled to myself, it was one of the many things I'd had fallen in love with him.

"Joel" I yelled out.

"In the bedroom," he screamed back at me.

I sat on the bed, and watched him intently. "So what's going on, I feel like I haven't seen you since you got back,"

I bowed my head. "Yeah, about that. You wouldn't believe me but Brick wants me to go back to Bluebell and resume my position…" I finished slowly.

His whole demeanour changed from relaxed to rigid. "Well did he know that he's trying to win a lost cause?" He laughed slightly.

"Well that's the thing, I was looking into it, because technically the practice is still half mine but I can finish half my fellowship here and just do a general cardio fellowship at Mobile and what's even better is at the end of both fellowships I can be a practicing surgeon but also a GP, so it seems pretty cool you know…"

He was now staring at me intently. "Zoe, this isn't what you want, you said it yourself Bluebell was a rest stop along the way to reality." He said as he sat next to me. "Plus it's not like I can just up and move,"

"But Joel you're a writer, you can write from anywhere, plus it's just a plane ride away from New York…"

He looked at me considering his options. "Well if it's really what you want than, we can do it."

I went to retort back, but when I realised he was actually giving in to my wishes I closed my mouth. Sometimes it was good, he always gave into me but I couldn't help but miss the arguments with Wade, he always put me in my place. But he's the past and I should probably focus on Joel. I smiled back at him. "You'd really do that for me?"

"I'd live in Australia, if that meant I could be with you." He looked up at me with a dopey smile on his face. I felt a pang of guilt settle in my stomach, he was willing to live on the side of the world with me but I couldn't even stay faithful. "So how was Bluebell? Must have been a great trip if you want to move back so soon."

"Yeah it was good, nothing much happened." I lied. It killed me to lie to him but lying to him was better than the cold hard truth.

"Brick, is that you?" I asked into the phone.

"Why are you ringing me at the ungodly hour Ms Hart?" Brick replied.

"Make sure the dust is gone in my office, because I'm coming back!" I squealed excitedly.

"What? Are you throwing your dream away for me?" His voice sounded a lot more alert now.

I sighed. "Technically I'm not, but I managed to work out an arrangement with my fellowship, I have to finish half of this fellowship which is two months away and then I can continue with a cardio fellowship at Mobile whilst working at the practice!" I replied with glee, happy with the outcome.

"That's just great! I'm so thankful you're coming home."

With a few more pleasantries exchanged I ended the call. It was the first time in a while that I could feel my life was going places although something was bound to happen to spoil it.


Next:

- Zoe tells Joel the truth.

- Zoe finds out some shocking news.