Author's Note: Short, the plot should be picking up soon after this. Up until now its just been kind of fun flirty, mixed with a tad drama. I hope you like this, though. As always, I apologize for grammar it's mine mistake.

Chances are:

Chapter Nine

Zoe walked away, and it had been easier than she thought. She was so eager to see wade, now that the weight of the decision no longer weighed on her mind. She picked up the speed in her heels and headed home.

She pounded on the door and was in shock to see Tansy answering the door with a sharp glare, "Well look who the cat dragged in, the woman who just ripped out poor Wade's heart." She had her arms crossed and was tapping her heels, "You got some nerve showing up here."

"I don't understand what's going," She shook her head in disbelief, "Where's Wade?"

"I don't see why that matters, didn't you make your choice." She tried to push her way through the lithe blond. The woman was usually really nice, but she knew that her and Wade held a lot of history, so something have been wrong. She hoped the two were not getting back together. No way, that thought disappeared. Wade was in love with her, not Tansy anymore, if he ever was.

"What choice are you talking about?"

"You know what choice missy." Tansy sighed, " Look Zoe I get it, George's a nice guy but did you have to trample over poor Wade's heart like that."

"What are you talking about!" Just as she said that the subject of the argument peered over Tansy's shoulder.

"Wade." She stared at him. He looked exhausted, his hair was a mess and not the sexy bed hair way, his eyes had deep bags, it looked as he had been up all night.

"I don't wanna talk doc." He said firmly from behind.

"Well tough mister, because I do. I don't understand what is going on here. I was coming to ask you if you wanted to go on another date this weekend?"

"Unbelievable," Tansy stated flinging her arms, "You! Can't be serious."

"No I wouldn't go on a date with you now!" Wade shouted.

"Why would you be even asking that?" the blond woman inquired tapping her foot with one hand on her hip.

"Wade I know your more man than to hide behind a woman." Zoe stated, "Though in fairness I get why, Tansy is...You're kind of scary when your mad."

"Well that's why you shouldn't make me mad, missy."

"What is with the hollering," They all turned they heads to see the mayor coming out in pain or long PJs, he was not too pleased to been awoken to an argument.

"I don't know," Zoe replied looking at her friend for help, "Wade won't talk to me."

"I'll talk to you," Wade began, "to tell you to shove off." He yelled.

"No, no, no, no, now not this again." Lavon shook his head in dismay, "Ever time you two get a second of going again one of you messes it up. So who done it this time?" He looked between the two.

"Zoe was caught kissing George Tucker," Tansy explained arms crossed and she shook herself with a self-righteousness attitude.

"What? No, no," Lavon exclaimed, he turned around seeing it in her face, "Why would you do that?"

"I didn't," the doc insisted taken aback.

"I saw you, how can you deny something that as bright as the headlights on a backwoods road." Wade shook his head in disbelief.

"Because he kissed me." She replied defensively.

"What?" the former player was still in shock, "George Tucker did what!? He knows you are in a relationship right?"

"Yes...I mean think so...I don't know..." she shook her head, "but I thought I was in a relationship." She gazed at Wade for answers.

"Well you apparently didn't set the parameters too well." Wade stated.

"Tansy I think we need to let these two sort things out." He gently coasted the blond down the steps. She looked back with hesitation.

"Maybe, but..."

"It's alright, I got some notebooks and some of my famous Gumbo, girl."

"Well when you put it like that." She watched the two staring at each other and turned back to give him a smile. "We'll be right across the way, it's not like they are gonna be able to kill each other." Tansy reluctantly followed, with that Wade tried slamming the door, but Zoe put her foot down, literally.

"OW, ow," She cried.

"Ah sorry doc," he looked sheepish for a moment but then he realized he was still mad at her. "you shouldn't put your foot were it don't belong."

"And the rest of the town should keep its mouth shut, but that's not going to happen. Wade come on, let me explain." She tried to pry her lithe body through the door.

"I get it, he kissed you, but I need some time to figure things out."

"I don't think you do get it," She shook her head, "I really did choose you."

"What do you mean?" He wondered holding the door but no longer trying to close it.

"I told George that... maybe things weren't clear to him before, but they are now. I don't understand why you are so upset that you wouldn't let me explain things, you idiot." The last two words were said fondly.

He pushed the door completely open, "I don't know, maybe its because I saw the girl I'm kind well...you know...anyhow kissing the guy she once said she loved. And I bet your still in love with him."

"I don't know," She replied honestly. She shrugged her shoulders, "but I really want to see where this is going, Wade. I really do care for you. Feelings, don't disappear over night, but I did chose you, okay."

"I know," He sighed and shook his head, "I believe you, just give me a night to get my thoughts together." She wrapped her arms around herself, he brought his hand out but pulled back the urge to hold her. He lightly patted her on the shoulder.

"See you later doc."

"Okay," she turned away.

Wade served another drink and wiped the counter again. The smoky area, was an odd comfort to him, but it really was a place that he belonged to, though today it did not see like he was feeling it, since he could not keep his mind off one thing: Zoe Hart.

"You been wiping that same place for thirty minutes hon." Sheila pointed out with her finger, assisting her in the matter. He gazed up.

"Well darling, just want to keep the establishment at its best."

She shook her head with disbelief and put a hand on her hip. "I never thought I see the day."

"What?"

"That you would be so in love with someone you can't even focus. I knew you had it bad, but never thought that it would last this long or go deeper than a creek after a rain fall."

"I'm fine." She stared at him, as he wiped the same spot again.

"Well, I know the Doc,cheated on you but there are plenty of other fine ladies out there."

"She didn't cheat on me. He kissed her."

"Somehow I don't see George Tucker doing that." She shook her head, saddened.

"But I did." Wade looked up to see George come in from behind and Sheila covered her mouth. This would be news by time his shift was over.

"Well, are you trying to be a good old boy now." Wade snarled. "Showing up and all what, you think I'm going to care that you are admitting to what you have done."

"Yes I do." George admitted sitting across from him, "I know you are unsure about Zoe and as much as I think she deserves better..." He sighed.

"You think you're better." Wade flung the rag down and stared George down.

"It's not about being better, and it does not matter anymore. She chose you."

"I know." He replied as he relaxed.

"Then what's the problem?" Sheila asked, always having to put a couple dollars worth in, instead of just two cents.

"Wade, if you love Zoe don't blow your chances with her, because she might not be available the next time you mess up." George stated. "And I'm not even talking about me, you know... she probably could go back to New York anytime, she wants."

Wade just nodded. "Yeah." And the thought of her leaving and never come back, well he could not let that happen.

-8-

Zoe flipped flopped in her covers. The heat tonight was unbearable, though she have to admit it was more than the heat. The rustling noises outside were not helping either. They were stranger than normal, she gotten used to most of the night creatures at Bluebell. Not that the weird cooing bothered her much. She was too lost in her thoughts. She hoped Lavon could talk some sense into Wade. Though, she understood why he reacted the way he did, still why couldn't the idiot see that she chose him. "Why does he have to be such a jerk! And why do I care so much." She tugged at her hair.

"Coo," She heard it again. This time she was sure that was not a bird. "Ca, ca, ca."

"What's going on?" She asked as she tried to grab a lamp, but managed to get caught up by a cord. "I don't need this anyway. I'm a New Yorker." She sit aside, but grabbed her cell phone just in case. This was Bluebell, really there was not anything to be afraid. Yet she still shivered a bit as she stepped out.

Suddenly, she felt a splash of cold water all over her face. "What's going on?" She looked over to see Rose and a couple of other girls in front of her.

"Oh Zoe, sorry, we thought you were one of the Summer Magnolias."

"What are you guys doing, and why do I smell like." She sniffed her self as she gave a face of disgust, "Like a sweaty pig."

"Well, we got some water at Mr. Trevor's pond. HE raises pigs," Rose stated.

"Yep," one of the other girls chimed in, "It was supposed to be for the Summer Magnolias though."

"You guys missed big time." Zoe tried to shake off the stink and water. Another girl stepped out dressed in a over the top southern bell dress.

"What is going on here?"

The girl froze. "What are you doing Margery, we got to get that flag before..." Magnolia looked up.

"Miss Hart, you look so lovely," She laid it on as thick as possible, but the doctor just gave her a stern look.

"What are you guys doing?" Zoe wondered just as a door came flying open with Wade in a pair of boxer shorts. She tried to look tough so she could get answers, but found herself just as flustered as the other girls. "Wade, get some clothes on!"

"Are you..." He looked over and saw the girls standing there. He smiled brightly at them, but really he was just uncomfortable as Zoe. Though, he did take slight glee in her being so uptight about it.

"Excuse me, for trying to be a knight in shinning armor."

"You certainly are shining like an Alabama moon." One of the girls stated, as another smacked her lightly.

"Just get some clothes on." He disappeared with a wink. "Ugh!"

"I thought you two were doing okay?" Rose wondered.

"Wait, that's right you are dating him!" One of the girls exclaimed with glee as she clapped her hands together, "Oh what's he like?" She swayed to side to side.

"Uh..." She shook her head, "Would somebody explain what is going on here!"

"Well," Rose began, "It's Bluebell's annual secret scavenger hunt, the team that wins gets a few dinner with the mayor and a 500 gift card for any store of their choice."

"Oh, and what's water got to do with it?"

"Well, as long as you don't do anything dangerous, and stay with in the rules, you can sabotage the other teams. It's part of the game, plus we just wanted to see what Magnolia looked like without her perfect curls."

"That's never going to happen!" the blond yelled.

"And your parents are okay with this." There was an exchange of frightful faces. "So I take it, no is the answer, you guys need to go home now both I call them."

"You don't know our parents," one girl cried.

"I don't have to this is Bluebell, one call and everyone will know." They quickly scattered and Wade came out laughing.

"What do you find so funny!" She growled at him, "I'm surprised you're even talking to me."

"Well doc, it just kind of cute to see you still get flustered like a teen." HE made his way closer to her.

"Wade, what are you doing? You needed time to think."

"And I have." He stepped back and waved a hand in front of his face, "don't take this the wrong way doc, but you need a shower."

"I know, but that's not important. Did you talk to Lavon?"

"Why do you think I need Lavon's help?"

"Because I always do."

"Do you think he ever gets tired of us." He grinned at her.

"He is pretty vocal about it," She rolled her eyes, "You should know I'm usually not this easy."

"Oh I know, doc, but I'm tired of chasing a fox around a rabbit hole."

"What does that even mean?" She laughed.

"It means I'm tired of chasing after you and ready to be with you...well after you shower of course." She smacked his shoulder lightly.

"Whatever, I won't be inviting you to join me now." She teased.

"Now doc, don't be so hasty," he watched as she disappeared back into her house. They both smiled as they went into opposite directions, retreating for the night, knowing they would not be alone tomorrow.