"Nick, I don't think I can do this" Zoe fretted as Nick pulled into the ever familiar hospital car park, her hand gripped his thigh in a vice like grip as she fretted about the impending confrontation.

Nick pulled the handbrake on as he parked up and turned to look a her "of course you can" he smiled, reassuringly squeezing her hand and raising it to his lips to kiss her knuckles. No one knew that Zoe was back in the country, no one had even known she'd gone, but now she was back; not that she'd officially quit her job but now she'd have to plead with Connie to get it back after walking out. He pushed open his car door, and stepped out to meet Zoe at the other side.

They both noted the looks and double takes as the strolled into resus hand in hand.

"Where the hell have you been?" Charlie asked, astounded as he saw the couple walk into the department looking ever so calm.

Zoe looked at the ground as Charlie approached them, squeezing Nicks hand tightly and becoming interested in a spot on the floor next to Nicks immaculate Armani shoes. "Michigan" she mumbled feeling like a child on the naughty step.

"You can't just leave like that, we needed you here, and you told no one you were leaving" Charlie's admonished her shaking his head.

"You know what, Charlie" Zoe replied, feeling her steely nerve coming back "I didn't feel needed, how do you think it feels having Connie's sly comments about not being able to keep a department or having everyone else giving me the cold shoulder because of other things I'd done, I needed a break so I took one" she felt Nick squeeze her hand as the sound of heels clicking along the corridor approached; that sound used to signify she was coming, her kingdom, her domain but now it was all Mrs Beauchamp.

"You've got a nerve" she hissed as Zoe came into her eye line "where the hell have you been for the last month?!" She asked, her voice in a high pitched growl; she'd been left a doctor down for the last month but with no knowledge of her whereabouts she couldn't employ a new doctor in her job.

"I've been getting my life together, Connie, I needed a break." Zoe held her head high as she spoke, meeting Connies glare head on "I went to the only person I could trust" she told her, nodding her head to Nick, who's hand was still firmly gripped in hers.

Connie hadn't taken notice of who'd been stood next to Zoe, she did a double take as she lifted her hear to meet Nicks eyes. "Nick?" Connie questioned in surprise, she had no idea Nick and Zoe even knew each other, or were close, as their demeanour suggested. He looked good, she noted; his finely tailored suit and expensive shoes, the shiny Rolex and embossed cuff links.

"Hello, Connie" Nick replied, nodding his head in acknowledgment to the renowned surgeon. "Nice to see you" he smiled politely "anyway, we're here on business" he spoke to the clinical lead side of her, the one who would want to run the nest department in the country, with the best doctors she could at her side. "Can we talk?" He gestured to the office which had once been his, then Zoe's and now her arch nemesis'.

.

Zoe and Nick sat together, rather awkwardly in their ex office. It had changed considerably in the four weeks since Zoe had left; the extra desk had been removed and Connie had taken hers, the pictures of Sharice were now replaced with an unfamiliar child she assumed was Connie's daughter. There were no shoes or spare dresses littering the office anymore but neatly filed admin and a pair of trainers in the corner.

"I'm going to be blunt here, Connie" Zoe spoke up "I need my job back"

"Bu-" Connie tried to but in.

"Look before you say anything, I'm sorry for walking out but I couldn't take in anymore . If I hadn't left, I would have endangered someone's life and I think we both know that isn't what this department needed"

Connie nodded her head, conceding "I think we can come to an arrangement Zoe. I don't want to be your enemy, I just didn't want to see this department run into the ground" Connie told her, shaking her head "I assume you'll be available to start tomorrow?"

"Of course" Zoe nodded "thanks Connie" and with a slight smile Nick and Zoe left hand in hand with Connie's narrowing eyes following them.