The crowd around them stood open mouthed.
"Zoe? What's going on?" Rita asked.
"What does it look like?" Zoe laughed.
"But you're... And Max is..." Rita was struggling to find the right words.
"It's not a problem for us, it shouldn't be for anyone else." Zoe said.
"Oh no, that's not what I meant, it's not a problem, just a bit of a er, surprise! Permission to stop digging?!" Rita asked.
"Granted. We know it's not conventional but what's life without breaking the rules?" Zoe asked.
"Well Max, high fives all round mate, you're definitely punching above your weight!" Cal joked.
"Oh I'm more than aware of that but I think we'll be ok, you're ok with slumming it aren't you babe?" Max laughed looking at Zoe.
"Definitely, everyone needs to drop their standards at some point!" Zoe winked.
This was exactly why they worked so well together, they knew the relationship would raise eyebrows and yet neither of them cared, they wanted to be with each other, nothing could stand in their way.
"Well Zoe, I can't pretend I'm not disappointed but you know where I am when it all goes wrong!" Cal said with a grin.
"Thanks Cal, now run along little boy, I'm sure a hot blonde patient with your name all over her." Zoe said and Cal left the room before she'd finished the sentence.
"Wow, impressive." Max said to his girlfriend. "There is no hot blonde is there?"
"I may have got confused..." Zoe replied.
"That went well. At least we're out in the open now." Max said.
"I'm sure we won't be gossip for long. Listen, how about I cook for us tonight?" Zoe asked.
"You?! Cook?! Really?! You do have takeaway menus right?!" Max amazed.
Zoe punched him gently.
"You take that back Walker or you'll be dining alone!"
"I'm just surprised that all, you don't seem the cooking type." Max said.
"I'm not. Worth a go through eh?"
"Look forward to it! When you having a break? I'll join you?" Max asked.
Zoe looked at her watch, "probably no time soon, I won't get one before lunch I don't think. Just meet for lunch instead? Your treat?"
"You work too hard. Ok, I'll see you at 12.30?"
"It's my first day back! I can't start slacking already!" Zoe told him.
"See you later yeah?"
Zoe headed back to her office whilst Max went off to X-ray.
"So, you and Hanna then?! Is it love?!" The unmistakable voice asked.
"Honey. News travels fast. And yes. And it's Zoe!" Max laughed.
"I sensed it this morning, you had an aura." Honey told him.
"Really? I've got to go." Max said.
"You look good together!" Honey called after him.
Max allowed himself to smile. He thought so too.
"Zoe?! What's this I hear about you and Max?!" Tess asked as they ran into each other.
Zoe laughed. "Wow, there's nothing like good news travels fast."
"It is good news isn't it?" Tess asked.
"Yeah of course it is, sorry Tess just having a manic day!" Zoe said.
"You are happy though aren't you?" Tess asked her friend.
"I really am Tess. Happier than I've ever been. He just makes me so relaxed, it's weird." Zoe told her.
"It's lovely to see you so happy, you deserve it."
"Thank you Tess. I just hope nothing comes between us." Zoe sighed.
"The age gap?" Tess asked.
Zoe nodded. "And the job status."
"If you're meant to be, nothing will come between you, and if it does, you work through it. Life's too short to worry Zoe, especially at 40!" Tess laughed.
Zoe laughed. "Thanks Tess, you're right as always."
Max checked the time, he could fit in a quick cigarette before lunch. He went outside and lit up. He took a picture with the caption 'missing you!' and sent it to Zoe.
He couldn't help smiling, he felt like the luckiest guy alive, there was no doubt Zoe was the one, he loved her more than he'd ever loved Laura, this was something far more.
He finished the cigarette and started to walk back inside, his phone beeped, as he began to read the message, he didn't see the drunk driver who hit him and ran over his legs before crashing through the doors of the ED.