Zoe was due to be discharged tomorrow, assuming all things went to plan. She was going out of her mind with boredom - although Max was with her every minute he could spare, and the other ED members made frequent visits, she couldn't wait to get back to work. There was a certain amount of apprehension; Connie had taken over as Clinical Lead, and despite the two having talked the decision over and moved past any lingering tensions, it would be strange being just a doctor again.

Lost in her thoughts, Zoe barely registered someone appearing at the window - Charlie had kicked up such a fuss about loyalty and looking after one's own that she'd been moved to a private room. It wasn't until they spoke that she noticed them at all.

"Hiya stranger."

Zoe looked up at the familiar voice, grinning as she saw the figure slouching against the doorframe of her room.

"When the hell did you get here?" She laughed as Jay whipped out a massive bouquet of flowers and swept her into a huge hug. "Ow! Watch the ribs." She smiled as he let go immediately, concern etched across his features.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry." He flopped into the seat normally occupied by Max, handing the flowers to a nurse with a wink. "Ruth says she's really sorry she couldn't come, and that she hopes you're doing okay." He ran a hand through his ridiculous mess of curls, looking exactly as he had always done.

"How is she?" Zoe had grown closer to Ruth since the younger doctor had left, something Jay insisted was all his doing.

"She's good, yeah. Her due date's not for a few weeks but she's bloody huge." Jay grinned before leaning forward. "More to the point, how are you?"

"Physically, or gossip wise?" Zoe raised an eyebrow at Jay's protestations of innocence - she'd known him too long.

"Physically, obviously! Although if there is anything I should know..." He trailed off, looking at her expectantly.

"Well I'm being discharged tomorrow, thank god." She paused, laughter in her eyes. "But other, than that, nothing much to report."

"Dr. Hanna, are you seriously telling me there's no scandal going on? No affair, no court hearing, nothing?" Jay took the cup of tea from the nurse with a smile before turning back to Zoe. "Who are you, and what have you done with Zoe?"

Just as Zoe was about to reply, Max burst through the door.

"Can I hide in here? Robyn's on the warpath, I-" he came to a halt abruptly as he caught sight of Jay, who was looking between Zoe and Max as though Christmas had come early.

"Well well Dr. Hanna." He looked at her, eyes wide with delight.

"Shut up you." Zoe slapped him lightly on the arm before turning to Max. "Why is she on the warpath?"

"Doesn't matter." Max mumbled in reply, his gaze fixed on Jay.

"I'm Jay." Jay had stood up and was holding his hand out to Max, who shook it slowly.

"I'm Max." He looked between the two again. "Am I interrupting?"

"Max, don't be stupid, sit down." Zoe spoke up, gesturing to the end of her bed. "Jay and I used to work together, we're old friends." She could feel Jay scrutinising the exchange, trying to figure out what the situation. Turning to him, she grinned. "And you can close your mouth, you're catching flies. Max is a porter here." She felt Max shift at the bottom of the bed and glanced at him guiltily, not quite sure why she couldn't tell Jay what was really going on.

"Yeah. I just came to check you were okay which, obviously you are." Max stood up, nodding in Jay's direction while keeping his eyes fixed on Zoe.

"Max-" Zoe stretched out a hand, biting her lip nervously.

"I should get back. Robyn and all that. Nice meeting you, Jay." With a final look at Zoe, Max left the room, leaving it somewhat awkwardly silent.

"For a porter, he seems awfully attached." Jay observed, his teasing tone contradicting the comforting hand resting on Zoe's arm. Zoe didn't reply, her gaze following Max as he walked away. Jay patted her arm and stood up. "I've got to start heading back, it took me hours to get here and angry pregnant Ruth is not fun. Get better soon yeah?" Zoe nodded, finally looking back at Jay.

"Yes sir. Say hi to Ruth for me." She pulled him down into a hug, ignoring for a moment her bruised ribs. They stayed there for a minute, each wrapped up in thoughts from past and recent events. Jay was the first to pull away, wiping away a rogue tear. Aside from Charlie, Zoe was what he had missed most since leaving holby, and returning to see her so broken both physically and mentally had hit him hard.

"Tell him. Whatever it is, tell him." He pressed a kiss to her forehead before slowly retreating, pushing down the rising sense of guilt at leaving her in the middle of whatever was going on.

Sorry it's taken me so long to update! Hope you all enjoyed Jay's brief return - I love him too much not to put him in! How perfect were those 44 seconds last night of cute Zax?! R&R please y'all x