Author's Note: Hi again. I know it's been a while, but I hope this chapter makes up for it. It was a lot of fun to write. Thank you so much for all your reviews. I like the ones that say nice things, but I love the ones that are specific and give feedback. I am so grateful to you all for reading this story and sticking with it. I hope to keep it going for a while, because I love writing it. Now by the end of this chapter, a certain character will be in a fix, and while I have some ideas about what may happen to them, I do appreciate suggestions. Some of you are probably smarter than me anyway.

I considered breaking this chapter up, but decided against it. I hope that was the right decision.

To some up, I hope you like this chapter, and I anxiously await you're feedback. Enjoy! Have a nice day.

Chapter Twelve

Wade kept pacing back and forth. He wanted to check on how Zoe was, but he knew that doing so would add one more log on the whole complicated fire. He really missed simple sometimes. He could remember a time when girls were nothing but sex-partners. A couple nights and that was it. Simple. But ever since Zoe…

He looked out his window and noticed a cab had pulled up to the main-house. That was odd. Cabs were not exactly usual for Bluebell. He decided to head over and see what was going on.

The house was silent when he came in. he was a little surprised at how it looked; you could barely tell there had been a fire. Of course, the kitchen was a different story, but he wasn't in the kitchen. At first he thought maybe nobody was there, but no. Lemon was pacing back and forth, as Zoe sat awkwardly on the couch next to … was that Magnolia? It had been a little over a year since Wade had seen her. College had clearly been good to her. Why, if he were a little younger, and it was a world without Zoe … But he knew anything beyond a mere musing was sick. Still, he was curious as to what she was doin' here.

"Well, if it isn't Lemon junior. What you doin' home?"

All faces turned to him. Zoe looked relieved that somebody wad finally talking, Lemon seemed distracted, and Magnolia's face lit up a little. What was it with nineteen-year-olds having crushes on him?

"I just needed a place to crash. I'm takin' a little time off."

Lemon shook her head, "You can't just … just drop out without even telin'-"

"Will you relax," Magnolia said, cutting her off, "I ain't dropped out. I'm just takin' some time off is all."

"Does daddy even know?"

"I left him a message from the cab." She said, shrugging nonchalantly.

Lemon shook her head, frustrated, "Well, looks like I interrupted somethin'. I'll just …" Wade trailed off. He was about to leave when he saw the look in Zoe's eyes. She was desperate for an excuse to get out of there.

"Doc, uh, since you're here, could you maybe give me a hand with somethin'?"

Zoe smiled at him gratefully, nodded, and followed him out of the house, "Thank you." she said.

"No problem." Wade responded shrugging. He headed back to his place, and she followed after him. He stopped walking, "You know, I didn't actually need help, I was just-"

"Yeah, I know." She said.

"So …" he made random motions, unsure of how to say what he was trying to, but she seemed to get the message.

"Oh. Sorry. It's just," she nit her lip, "Look, I was supposed to hang out with Lemon, but now that's not happening. Everybody wants me to rest and relax, but if I have to spend one more second relaxing in that carriage house, I'm going to maim somebody." She huffed in frustration.

Wade cracked a smile, "All right, I guess you can hang out."

She followed him into the gatehouse, "So, listen. I never got to thank you, for getting me out of the fire."

Wade shrugged, "I just dragged you out after the fact. You're the one who put it out."

"And started it."

Wade chuckled, and rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, I wasn't plannin on mentioning that."

She chuckled, "You're always saving me. From fainting spells, awkward situations, and stupid decisions."

"Stupid decisions?" he looked at her questioningly.

Zoe blushed, "Well, that day when I, you know, came onto you."

He grimaced, "Oh. Right."

"You stopped me because you knew I would regret doing something once I found out George and I were-"

"Right." he said cutting her off. He did not want to hear her thoughts on what her and George were.

"Anyway, I wish I could thank you somehow. It's not so easy; I don't know much about you."

"Sure you do doc."

Zoe shook her head, "Amnesia, remember."

"I remember, but you're smart, and you been 'round me for a while now. You've figured some stuff out."

Zoe nodded, "Yeah. I guess I have. I've probably spent more time with you than anybody."

"Maybe. But, that's all gonna change now I guess." Zoe looked at him, confused, "I just mean, now that you know 'bout George, y'all'll probably be hanging out a lot more."

"Maybe. But, that doesn't mean we can't still hang out." Wade sighed. She really was going to kill him one of these days. "Hey, I just remembered, I had a dream about you." Wade looked up. This, he had to hear. "I mean, well, it wasn't exactly a dream. I was asleep, but it was, at least, I think it was a memory." Wade winced. He knew he was an ass in probably 75% of her memories of him, "We were hanging out, watching some old war movie, talking about how we didn't hang out as much anymore since George and I started going out."

Wade nodded. That wasn't so bad. He remembered that night. It was before they had gotten engaged, when there had still been hope, even if it was miniscule.

"You had a class." She said, and then looked up at him, questioningly.

"Oh, yeah, I uh, take night classes."

"Really? What are you studying?" she didn't seem shocked or judgmental, just curious.

"Business." He said, "I've been thinkin' of openin' up a place, but the whole money, runnin' it stuff, that ain't exactly my strong suit. Plus, people're more likely to trust you with a space if you got a degree."

Zoe nodded, "Your own place. So what, a bar?" he looked at her surprised, "You said you were a bartender, or that you used to be."

Wade smiled. He had only mentioned it once, and he could not help being touched that she remembered, "Well, that was the original plan. First, I worked up to manager at the Rammer Jammer … that's where I work now. Then I thought about my own bar, but the options with that are kinda limited, ya know. Don't get me wrong, I make a kick-ass cocktail, and there ain't a man this side of Alabama who knows more about what mixes well and what don't."

Zoe chuckled, "Well, aren't we modest."

Wade smirked, then continued, "It's great, but I got lots of other skills, kitchen wise. I got some old family recipes, everything from gumbo to pickled onions. I know my way around a kitchen, and while I don't see myself in one of those fancy New York restaurants a' yours, I think I got somethin' more to bring to the table that alcohol."

"So … you want to open a restaurant?" Again, she wasn't judging, just clarifying.

Wade shook his head, "I'm not sure exactly. Maybe. I mean, whatever I open'll have a bar, but I think I'd like to put in a full menu. Bluebell only has one restaurant. A little variety might be nice; spice things up for people."

Zoe nodded, "So, you're the cook, and I'm the fire-starter. No wonder we never dated. I'd try to impress you by cooking and burn the house down."

Wade chuckled, "Believe me, that ain't the reason we never dated."

"So, what was it?"

He knew she was not trying to cause trouble. She was not going to repeat her embarrassing moment; she seemed genuinely curious. That didn't make it any easier though.

"Uh," he rubbed the back of his neck, "I guess we just, I don't know, didn't have anything in common. Our priorities were different, and what we look for in a, ya know, someone we date, well, we want different things." Mostly it was bullshit, and he knew it. She may have thought those things, but he hadn't. They may not have had as much in common as her and George, but they had some common interests. And maybe she hadn't been interested in dating somebody like him, but he sure as hell had been interested in dating somebody like her. Actually, somebody like her never would have cut it; he needed the genuine article. Still, what's past is past, even if it wasn't past to her.

"So, you still work at this hammer place now."

"Rammer Jammer."

"Right." Zoe said dismissively. He missed that; how she would treat those sorts of things as insignificant little tidbits that her smart medical brain needn't be clouded up with. "How come I haven't been there?"

"Uh, last I heard, you weren't exactly keen to be in a public setting"

"Keen?"

He chuckled, "Plus, you know, it's a bar, which means alcohol, and I recall you sayin' you wanted to abstain 'til you got you're head fill up with all those useless medical facts again."

"It's more the personal than medical facts that concerns me. But I don't have to drink. Did I spend a lot of time there?"

"You … used to be a frequent customer, yeah." Before you got engaged, he amended mentally.

"Okay. Then let's go."

"I don't-"

"Come on, Wade. I'm supposed to be surrounded by familiar things and places. Plus, I want to see this place."

"It ain't really open this time a day."

"Great. Then we'll have the whole place to ourselves." Wade still looked skeptical, "I could go by myself, but I might not have some trouble finding it. But hey, if you're cool with that …" she started to leave.

"Wait." Zoe stopped and smiled triumphantly, "All right. I'll show you where it is. Last thing we need is for you to get yourself into another scrape you can't get out of by yourself."

"Hey! I resent that. After all, I put out the fire."

"Yeah, but didn't you also start it." Zoe slapped him playfully and he chuckled, "You'd need me anyway. Even if you found the place, you wouldn't be able to get in without keys, considerin' it's closed now."

Zoe laughed, "Unless I have some hidden talent for lock picking."

"Don't know where you could've picked that one up, doc. "

Rose knocked on the door to the main house, "Zoe!" Some serious action had to be taken. Zoe was going on a date with George from what she heard, and Wade had done absolutely nothing to stop it.

Lavon opened the door, "Hey there Rose. What brings you over to the Mayor's corridors?"

Rose smiled. She had always liked Lavon; he had always been nice to her. Still, she was getting a little impatient, "I'm lookin' for Zoe. I checked the carriage house, but she's not there, so I figured she was probably here."

"Is that Rose I hear?"

Rose's eyes widened. The voice of a nightmare from her past was coming from inside the house. She prayed it was just somebody similar.

No such luck. Magnolia Breeland, in all her lacy, blonde glory came to the door. Her wardrobe had altered, as was to be expected when somebody goes off to college, but she was still wearing that fake, condescending smile the Rose loathed, "Rose! It's great to see you. You look great; you're so tall and skinny, and don't worry I'm sure those breasts of yours will come along. Some girls are just slow bloomers."

Rose rolled her eyes, "Hi Magnolia. How's college?"

"Oh, it's great."

"Then why did you leave it?" Rose asked through clenched teeth.

"You always were so funny." Magnolia said, "It really proves that thing about pretty girls, you know, how they were never funny 'cause they never had to be. Well, at least you got somethin' goin' for you."

"For all you know, I have plenty goin' for me."

Magnolia laughed, "Yeah, 'cause livin' here is a great way to start a life. And by the look of those tits, I doubt you have guys linin' up any more'n when I left. Of course, some girls are just more comfortable moonin' after guys who'll never notice them in a million years."

"Have I mentioned how glad I am that you're back in town?" Rose asked sarcastically.

"Oh, that is so sweet."

"Well, this is it: tables, chairs, bar, barstools, etc…"

"Where's the kitchen?"

"I think you've proven you can't be trusted in a kitchen."

"How will I learn if I don't practice?" Wade just gave her a condescending look, "Fine, I'll find it myself." She said, pushing past him. He shook his head.

"Aha!" he heard her call. He followed her voice into the kitchen, "I can't be that inept if I can locate the kitchen this fast." She said smugly.

Wade chuckled, "Yes, you are an expert at locating kitchens, just not usin' 'em."

Zoe rolled her eyes and hmphed. "So, where do I start?"

"In another room."

"Wade! Come on, I want to learn to cook something decent. Now, you can either help me or get out of the way."

"Well, the second choice sounds safer." She looked at him, exasperated, "Would you really make an attempt without me there, if I refuse to help? After what happened at Lavon's?"

"Maybe." She said, though she was not totally convincing.

"You're not that stupid." Wade said with a laugh.

They were interrupted by the phone ringing, "Rammer Jammer. Wade speaking. Lemon? Whoa, hey, slow down. What happened? Are you sure? I wasn't implyin' … look, Lemon, just, just stay there. Okay? Okay?" Wade hung up, letting out an exasperated, "Yeesh."

"So, I take it that was Lemon?"

Wade nodded, "She doesn't seem to get that if you want somebody to respond, you gotta stop talkin' for two seconds. I could barely get a word in."

Zoe nodded, "What did she want?"

"Oh, there's some problem with Magnolia, and she thinks I can help. I still think like a teenager, and nineteen-year-old girls seem to respond positively to my charm … a quality Lemon does not posses."

Wade started to leave, but Zoe blocked the door, "What are you doin'?"

"I want to learn how to cook."

"Right now!"

"No. But you have to go, urgently apparently, and I'm not letting you go until you promise to teach me."

Wade rolled his eyes, and acted exasperated, but his smile gave him away. Zoe Hart had always frustrated him, but the way she did it was unique to her, so he could not help but miss it, enjoy it a little when it happened, "All right doc. You let me go, I promise I will teach you how to make something."

"What?"

"We need to decide that right now?"

"I'm not risking you weaseling out of this by using some toasting or spreading butter technicality. I want to learn to really cook."

"Okay. Geez. No weaselin'. Can I go now?" Zoe stepped aside, "Thank you."

He tossed her the keys on his way out, "Lock up when you leave."

"You trust me alone in here."

"The only place I don't trust you is in the kitchen." He said with a smirk. Zoe rolled her eyes.

Rose was marching away from the main house, swearing under her breath when she ran into Wade.

"Hey kid. What's got you goin' off like a sailor?"

"She's back." Rose said, the hatred plain in her voice.

"Who?"

"That blonde tramp."

"Magnolia, you mean? Yeah, I heard. Well, actually I saw, earlier."

Rose scowled, "What happened to her getting' her hide outta this, as she called it, 'backwards, hick-town and startin' a life worth livin'? She was certainly enthusiastic when she left."

"Well, she has family. She's got a right to visit."

"Yeah, but it ain't a holiday. What if she's back for good?"

"Don't you think it's time to let old grudges die?"

"Maybe. Hey, by the way, you spoken to Todd Gainey Jr. lately?"

"Point taken. But, ya know, just because I'm immature, doesn't mean you need to be."

"I don't know, you've grown up a lot over the past few years."

Wade shook his head, "Well, I got to go find your adversary. Seems she took Lemon's car and drove off somewhere."

"God! You know, she is just as irresponsible now as she was when we were kids." Rose shook her head, "Lord knows what Fredrick Dean sees in her."

Wade looked at her, "I think you mean, saw."

Rose shook her head, "No, trust me it's sees. He never got over he. She broke his heart, and he hasn't been out with a girl since. That is some serious pinin'. It's a little pathetic if you ask me, but, whatever." She shrugged.

"Well, it's an interesting theory, but there is a flaw in your logic." Rose looked at him, questioningly, "Fredrick Dean broke up with Magnolia."

Rose chuckled, "No he didn't. She ended things with him years ago."

"Not what I heard."

"And how would you know. I was fifteen back then, and so was Magnolia. What, you spent all you're nights investigating high school drama?"

"There was nothin' good on TV."

"Wade! Be serious."

Wade chuckled, "Look, I could be wrong, but that's how I heard it. You want to know, you should go to the source."

"Why would I do that? It's not like it matters now."

"You sure about that?"

"Wade!" Lemon yelled. She had come running out of the main house when she saw him, and saw that he wasn't coming in, "What are you doin'? Don't you know what the word emergency means?"

Wade sighed, "Don't worry, Lemon, I'm on the case."

Rose rolled her eyes. Why were all the Breeland's such drama queens?

When he finally tracked Magnolia down, it was nearly one in the morning. She was in a bar and drunk out of her mind; a fact Wade that made sure the bartender was aware of. One she passed out, it was not hard for Wade to get her home. After that, he checked back at the Rammer Jammer. The place was locked, so he figured Zoe must have left. That was fair; it was pretty late, or early, depending on your point of view.

Zoe woke up extremely nervous. It was Friday, A.K.A., date with George day. She and Lemon had never made it to the store due to the impromptu visit from her sister, so Zoe was unprepared both emotionally, and wardrobe-wise. She had a right to be nervous. In her memory, this was not only her first date with George, but also her first date ever. And she was over thirty. She had no clue what to do. If her experience with Wade proved anything, it was that Zoe was very ignorant and inept when it came to the romance department. She could not help but wonder if that was the amnesia, or her.

She decided she would go to Lemon for some predate talk, and something nice to wear. Apparently, Lemon and George used to be a couple, so she probably knew what sort of clothes he would like.

Lemon heard the knock. She had been sleeping, icepack placed on her head. She had what she liked to call a Magnolia hangover.

"What?" she said hostilely as she opened the door.

"Hey. Sorry, did I wake you?" said a very timid Zoe.

Lemon put on a slightly fake smile, "No. Sorry about that. It has just been a rough twenty-four hours. I didn't know it was you."

Zoe smiled, "How is all that, with your sister, I mean?"

Lemon slumped back on her bed and groaned, "I really, really, don't want to talk about my sister."

"Well, if you need a distraction, you are in luck. We never made it out yesterday, so I have nothing to wear tonight."

Lemon shot up, smiling giddily. There was nothing she liked better than a project, "That's right. The big first date is tonight."

Zoe nodded, "Yeah, and I'm completely terrified."

"Why? George is already crazy about you."

"But I have no memory of dating! Ever! I have no clue how to act or dress."

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, you were never great at that stuff anyway."

"Thanks." Zoe said sarcastically.

"However," Lemon said plaintively, "You and George have always had a natural chemistry, even when you were tryin' not to."

"Was that when you were dating him?"

Shocked, Lemon asked, "How did you-?"

"I had a memory when I was in the hospital. You know, after the fire. George and I were talking, and it came up that you two had history. I asked Lavon if you and George were ever a couple and he confirmed it." There was an awkward silence for a minute, then Zoe cleared her throat awkwardly and said, "Anyway, I was hoping I could raid your closet."

Lemon smiled and nodded.

Zoe tried on a few things Lemon recommended, but none of them seemed like her. Finally, Lemon sat back on the bed and left Zoe to peruse the closet herself.

"Hey, I just remembered. You never told me who that guy was."

"What guy?" Zoe called from the closet.

"The one you kissed that night. I was so caught up in my own faux-pas, I totally forgot to ask." Zoe was silent, "So, who was it?"

"Oh, It doesn't matter. I mean, now that I know about George…" Zoe trailed off. That was a lie, and she knew it. It did matter. Even knowing what she knew now, she couldn't just shut her feelings off; feelings don't work that way. She wanted to shut them off, since he obviously did not feel that way about her. Sometimes it seemed like he did, the way he'd look at her, or the way he always seemed to give in when she wanted anything … well, almost anything. But now she knew she must have been reading it wrong. He had made his feelings very clear. He liked her as a friend, nothing more. And what she was feeling was probably just that transference stuff he had mentioned. Except, was it? It didn't feel like that. It felt real. She was not exactly sure what she was feeling, it was not love, or lust, although lust was clearly a factor, but it was something. It was strong, and it was real, and it felt like more than just something medical.

Of course, she knew she should not be thinking about Wade just before going out with George. Damn Lemon for bringing him up! She liked George. She was attracted to him; their dance had proved that. They had a real chemistry, and a nice dynamic. She had not known to look for it before, but now she saw it. And that memory had been so … nice. It had felt comfortable and familiar. She had felt all warm snuggled up next to him on the couch. It had felt like home; a feeling she had not felt for a while now. The her in her memory had been totally content, and completely enamored with the guy next to her. She could tell. She tried to access those feelings now, but while she could find nice feelings for George in her, that sense of right, of home, she couldn't find it. She knew it had to be here. She remembered feeling it with him. She just couldn't remember why. I suppose it disproves the whole love at first sight theory … or would it be second sight.

"Zoe!" Lemon yelled, snapping Zoe out of her thoughts.

"Sorry what?"

"I said, you seemed awful upset for something that doesn't matter."

Zoe blushed, glad Lemon could not see her from the closet, "I just meant … I guess it mattered, before. But now, well, things are different."

"Then why won't you tell me who it was? I'm dyin' to know." Lemon said dramatically.

"I told him I wouldn't." There was a pause, but Zoe could tell Lemon was going to start in with the questions again, so she headed her off, "I think he was a little embarrassed by the whole thing. I mean, I'm in a relationship, and I'm kissing him. I don't know it's wrong, but he does. He doesn't want to hurt my feelings, but it's the only way to stop me from doing something I would regret. I put him in a really awkward position, and I think he just wants to forget about it."

"Okay. Fair enough."

Zoe stepped out of the closet and checked herself out in the mirror. She had tried on a few things in there, but even without a closet, she could tell they were all wrong. This, however, was perfect.

"What do you think?" Zoe asked, more to be polite then because she valued Lemon's fashion expertise. For some reason, Lemon burst out crying.

"You promised." Zoe said stubbornly as Lemon twirled around in the dress.

"I know, but it's just so … so …"

"Different?" Zoe offered. Lemon nodded, "Wasn't that the point? You said you would get whatever dress I picked out so long as it fit and didn't light up. And, F.Y.I., I have never bought, nor worn a dress that lit up."

"But it doesn't feel a thing like me." Lemon said, examining herself again in the dressing room mirror.

Zoe sighed, "Lemon, do you want to go to New York with me?" Lemon nodded, opened her mouth, but Zoe cut her off, "And do you want to go to the party my mother is throwing for my birthday?"

"You're my best friend. I would never miss-"

"And do you want to fit in like a regular New Yorker?" Lemon didn't answer, "Because you were the one who said you didn't want to stick out like a sore thumb. You said that if I had to have my party up north, since you would never miss it, you wanted to do it right, and look the part of a true New Yorker."

"When I said that-"

"Lemon! Look, it doesn't matter to me. You're accent will give away something, I'm not ashamed of Bluebell, and lord knows Wade isn't going to pretend he knows a thing about New York. But you said this is what you wanted. I said you had to be sure, because I did not want to spend an hour arguing with you in a dressing room, and listening to you second-guess yourself during my birthday. So I am going to ask again, and then we are either buying it, or leaving without it. Now, Answer. Do you want get the New York looking dress, yes, or no?" After a pause, followed by a death glare from Zoe, Lemon nodded.

They went to check out.

Lemon had worn the dress, and it had actually felt nice. She did not feel like she was faking, or denying her heritage; she acted no different then she always did. But it was a nice dress, and it was a nice change.

After the party, Lemon gave the dress to Zoe; she knew she would never wear it again. But after Zoe and George had gotten engaged, Zoe could tell that Lemon was feeling a little sad. Her friend was getting married, she was married, it would be easy to lose track of each other.

Zoe had wrapped up the dress and given it back to Lemon as a gift. She had said, "No matter what happens, we'll always have the dressing room."

Lemon had laughed, and they had spent the night talking and laughing. It had been one of the best nights of Lemon's life.

Now, Lemon felt Zoe's arms around her. She was not sure when Zoe had started hugging her, but she was grateful for it. She really needed her friend right now, the one who had promised that they would never grow apart. So much was happening, her possible infertility, and Magnolia's surprise appearance, to mention a few.

Zoe shushed her and rocked her. She whispered that it would be okay and other small words of comfort. She did not ask about it after letting Lemon go. Somehow, she knew that talking about it would not help, that it might even make it worse. No, the hug was enough. In fact, it had been just what Lemon needed.

When George came to the door, Zoe felt butterflies in her stomach. He was all dressed up, and just for her. He smiled at her and handed her flowers. They were lovely, and Zoe sniffed them and plopped them in a vase. Then, they headed out.

The drive was awkward; both of them were nervous out of their minds. George knew he had to make Zoe fall in love with him again, but he wasn't sure how. Zoe was afraid of screwing things up.

"So, uh, I hear Lemon's sister's in town."

Zoe nodded, "Yeah. She arrived the other day. Invited herself in, dropped her bags on the porch, and just sort of expected somebody to bring them in for her."

George chuckled, "That sounds like Magnolia."

Zoe smiled, "Yeah, I guess you would no her pretty well."

"What do you mean?"

"Can you pull over?"

"Why?"

"Because the last time I brought this up in a car, there was surprise and swerving and a near accident."

George nodded and pulled over, "So?"

"Okay, well, what I meant was that you would know Magnolia pretty well because you and Lemon used to be involved. I know that now. I had a dream where we were talking and I was jealous I guess, of your history or something. I asked Lavon about it, and he confirmed; that was when the near accident happened."

George nodded, "Okay. So, um, how do you feel about it?"

"Happy, that I remembered something. A little confused, but what else is new. Kind of surprised that we're all still friends after you two split and we got together."

George got back on the road, "Well, it wasn't easy, but some things are worth it. You and Lemon, well, that's a weird relationship. She never actually told me what it was that made her stop hating you, but … As for Lemon and I, well, her and I've known each other our whole lives. Even though we're not in love anymore, we still love each other, just not the same way we used to. It would just be weird, not bein' in each other's lives."

Zoe nodded, "Wow, you guys grew up together. So, I broke up a lifelong relationship. Wow."

"Hey, now, don't do that to yourself. It wasn't like that. It was … complicated."

"Care to elaborate."

"Maybe we should wait until we get there. This is some heavy conversation, and we don't want to use it all up."

Zoe nodded, "Okay. So where are we going?"

George smiled, "It's a surprise."

Wade was on babysitting duty. Not fun. Besides, Magnolia was nineteen. Okay, he did not really blame Lemon for not trusting her after that stunt she pulled last night, but still …

"Okay, Magnolia. I know you don't want to be watched like some child, so I ain't gonna treat you like one."

"I can't believe you brought me to a bar!" Magnolia says excitedly.

"It's not a bar. It's a restaurant … with a bar."

"Which we are sittin' at. You tryin to get me drunk?" she asked flirtatiously.

Wade rolled his eyes. Oh lord. "The exact opposite actually. You're nineteen, and in college. You're underage, but I'm not naïve enough to think that means you won't be drinkin'. So, I'm goin' to teach you to drink responsibly, hold your liquor, develop some self-control."

"And what would you know about any of that?"

"I'll have you know I hold the record in Bluebell for bein' able to chug the most without gettin' too drunk to stand."

"Fiiiiine." Magnolia said, "Let's get this over with."

Wade smirked.

"Reservations for Tucker." George said to the maître d'. He ha put a lot of thought into what he and Zoe should do. He wanted it to be special, but he did not want to overwhelm her. Some of their best dates had been meals, at a restaurant or a diner. They had been dining when they clicked on the night of the infamous crossbow fiasco. They had been having dinner at his place the first time he said I love you. They had been eating takeout together the first time they had sex. A lot of their best memories involved food. And he wanted this to be a good memory.

They had been to the restaurant before. It was nice, but not to fancy. More important, it was familiar. Hopefully, the setting would help Zoe remember some things about their dating life. They had always liked coming here. She used to say it reminded her of this place in New York that she had been banned from for pulling a Meg Ryan while ordering one to many times. There was a waiter who used to flirt with her. George would get jealous and defensive, and she would laugh at him, tell him he had nothing to worry about.

"I apologize, but it seems you are a little early, Mr. Tucker. The other table is still finishing up, but feel free to wait at the bar or in our sitting area."

George nodded, "What do you think? Bar or sitting area?"

Zoe considered. On the one hand, she wasn't planning to drink, but being alone in a sitting area without so much as a napkin to play with seemed very awkward. Yes, they would be alone when they ate, but there would be things to eat and glasses to clank. Yes, Zoe had been comfortable being alone with George before, but this was different. They were dating now. It was nerve-wracking and awkward.

"Bar, definitely bar."

George laughed at her emphaticness. He and Zoe had always felt comfortable together, but when thing got a little awkward, she had never been good at hiding how uncomfortable she was. He found that cute; he always had. They were headed towards the bar when George heard a familiar, though slightly slurred, laugh.

"Is that Magnolia?"

They both looked in the direction the noise was coming from and started to follow it.

"Isn't she underage? What is she doing at the bar of a restaurant?" Zoe asked,

"Nothing good, I'd wager." George gave Zoe an apologetic look, "Like you said, she's underage, and she's always been a bit of a rebel. We should check and make sure she's okay, maybe call Lemon, depending on what we find when we find her. I'm really sorry that-"

Zoe put her hand up cutting him off, "It's fine. You're right; it's the right thing to do. Besides, the night is young. How long can wrangling a drunk nineteen-year-old really take?"

She smiled at him, and he smiled back gratefully.

"Now, this is a trick I learned when I was younger. Suppose you're at a party, and you don't want to get drunk, but you don't want anyone callin' you lame or goody-two-shoes or anythin'. So, you fill half your glass with beer, and half with water. It looks like you got a full mug, and nobody could tell by lookin' at it that it's all watered down, but it won't get you so drunk. Then, you fill the next cup with just beer, no water, but by this time, people'd expect you to be a little tipsy seein' as how they think you drank large glass of beer. So, tipsy people are clumsy. You slosh the thing around and let a lot spill out, and it looks like you've downed two mugs a beer when you ain't even had a full one."

"What if I wanna get drunk?"

Wade sighed, "You wanna get hung-over? You want to feel that headache each mornin'? You want to do stupid things that you can't take back? You want to flunk all you're classes? Trust me sweetheart, at the end of the day, it's the sober girl who ends up happy."

"I'm a Breeland. We don't do happy. Manic maybe, but not happy."

"You're sister's pretty happy."

"Please. Lemon doesn't know how to be happy. She's never been any fun, and just 'cause she's married don't mean that's changed."

"Nice to see all that time away has been so good for your relationship with her."

Magnolia laughed, "She was a bitch when I left, and she still is. What, I'm supposed to be blind to it now?"

"You kids are pickin' up that language way too early." Okay, so Magnolia wasn't a kid exactly, but when you watch somebody grow up after you've already grown, you tend to always look at that person as a kid.

"I'm not a kid Wade. I grew up a lot out in the big bad world. Learned a few good lessons." Magnolia started to scoot closer to him, "Got some experience. Kinda like all those girls you used to parade around with." She leaned in close, "When was the last time you were with someone as young and supple as me?" she whispered.

Wade shot up out of the chair and Magnolia, who had been leaning so close to him, fell sideways on his chair and started to giggle.

"Listen, Magnolia, I think you're gettin' a little tipsy-"

"I know what I'm sayin'. I've always liked you Wade." She stood up and started to walk towards him, "I promise I'll be gentle, that is, unless you like things a little more … aggressive. Because believe me Wade, I can do aggressive."

"Oh, I believe you, but listen-"

"Magnolia!" Wade heard George call. Shit! What was he doing here?

Wade did not have to wonder long, George walked up behind Magnolia, and Zoe followed suit. Well, that answers that question.

"What's goin' on here?"

Wade realized what the situation must look like, with Magnolia standing close to him, her shirt partially unbuttoned. Shit. When had she done that?

"Listen, I know what this looks like, but-"

"What are you two doin' here? Magnolia, you're nineteen. You already snuck off to a bar once since comin' home."

"I didn't sneak off." Magnolia said angrily, "Wade brought me here, to drink and have a good time."

George's eyes widened, and he looked at Wade. So did Zoe. Shit. Shit. Shit.

"That's not exactly true. See Lemon asked me to watch her, make sure she didn't sneak off-"

"And you brought her here?" George asked, his voice rising a little.

"I figured she was less likely to sneak off if she was somewhere she wanted to be. At least here, I can keep an eye on her."

"Yeah, 'cause you were doin' such a good job of that!"

"I was talkin' to her. She needs someone to listen, and lord knows she's not gonna open up to Lemon."

"That didn't look like talkin'. Man, Wade, I thought you were done with all that skirt chasin'. And even if you decided you weren't … Lemon's sister?" George was yelling now.

"Well thanks for the vote of confidence. A guy's been basically celibate for over a year now, but you see him in a compromising situation, and you automatically assume the worst."

"Uh, guys,"

"And for the record, nothin' was happenin'. Okay, Magnolia may have come on to me a little, but I would never have taken her up on it, not even if she were sober."

"Guys."

"Do you really think I would sleep with a slightly drunk nineteen-year-old who I've known since she was practically in diapers and is the younger sister of someone who I not only consider a friend, but am also scared to death of at times? Because if you do, you're an idiot!"

"Guys!" Wade and George turned to Zoe, "I hate to interrupt the shouting match which, by the way, appears to have attracted an audience, but I thought you might be interested to know that the slightly drunk nineteen-year-old you are arguing about is no longer here."

Both men looked around them, "Where'd she go?"

"How the hell should I know? You two were going at it, and I noticed she was gone."

"Shit!" Wade swore under his breath.

"Okay. Let's not panic." George said, trying to calm down.

"Yes, because an inebriated teenager wandering around on her own is nothing to get worked up about." Zoe said sarcastically.

"We just need to spread out and look for her."

Zoe nodded, "Okay, so, do we split up, or what?"

"Well, you don't." Wade said. She and George both looked at him, "She has no memory of ever bein' in this area, or in Mobile at all, exceptin' the hospital. We already have one missin' girl. We don't need two."

"Okay, um, I'll check the perimeter and fan out." They both nodded, "Wade, I'm bettin' you know where the bars and places a nineteen-year-old would go for a good time are. Why don't you check those?"

Wade nodded.

"What about me?"

"You should probably go with Wade, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

"Hey!"

"Sorry. I'm sorry, I'm just …"

"George was right, we need to keep calm. Wade, where are you parked."

"I'll walk you."

"You two got cellphones on you?" they both nodded, "Good. Anybody finds her, we call each other right away."

They nodded again, and headed out.

They had been driving silently and not looking at each other for about two minutes, but it felt like way longer.

"So," Zoe started, "What exactly were you doing there with Magnolia?"

"Babysittin'." Wade said. His voice was agitated, and while Zoe knew his agitation was not directed at her, it still stung.

"Well, remind me never to hire you if I have kids."

Wade smirked, but it was a smirk devoid of all humor.

"And I can guess what you an' Tucker were doin' there." Wade said. He didn't look at her.

"Yeah, I was going to be our first date … you know … sort of."

For some reason, she felt sort of guilty telling him. It was insane. They were not together, and never had been. He had made it perfectly clear that he did not see her that way. Still …

When she and George had come upon him and Magnolia, and first she had been confused, and while she would never admit it, slightly jealous. Then, when Wade had looked at her, noticed her there, she had avoided his gaze. It felt very … awkward to say the least. She felt odd, bumping into him while she was on a date with someone else.

Wade nodded "How'd it go?" Zoe burst out laughing, and then Wade did too. When they finally calmed down, Wade amended, "I mean, before everything went to hell."

"It was fine, I guess. I was so incredibly nervous, it was like I couldn't breathe."

"Well, it's supposed to feel that way doc." There was a weird edge to his voice, and Zoe got the impression it did not have to do with Magnolia.

She decided to change the topic. There was something that had been nagging at her since they had left the restaurant, and this seemed as good a time as any to bring it up.

Zoe nodded, "Hey, I have a question."

"Shoot."

"That day that I … well, came onto you, you said you'd sleep with anything with boobs, but in there, George said he thought you didn't do that sort of thing anymore, and you said you had been celibate for over a year."

"That ain't actually a question, doc." Wade said, chuckling nervously.

"I guess I'm just curious. I feel like I'm missing something."

Wade nodded, "Well, yeah. You're missin' a lot of things."

"It's just-"

"Look, I kinda gotta concentrate on the road right now, scan every piece of dirt for an insane teenager, and your jabberin' on ain't exactly helpin' "

Zoe nodded. She was quiet, obliging Wade, but she had a very strong suspicion that he did not want her quiet for the reason he said. He kept doing this, hiding things, confusing her. Why did he have to be so … Wade?