Author's Note: Hi again. I'm updating twice in the same week. I know, it's like a miracle, right?

First, I want to thank every one of you who reviewed. I wish some of you had accounts so I could make my "thank you"s more personal, but I guess this will have to do.

First, Mollie, you are as sweet as ever, and I always look forward to your reviews. I like that you quoted me. I do that too, when I review and something really gets to me. It's good because it is specific, and it makes me feel like you like my story as much as I like the stories of the people I quote in reviews. So, thank you for that.

Lola, I've done that too. I totally get it, and I so am flattered that you did it for this story.

Sam, what you said about me making it as special as in the show really touched me. Thank you.

Nina88, thank you so much! You're review was long and detailed, two things I love. I am glad you appreciate the effort. Thank you for that. I never found George exactly boring, but I have heard that and I can sort of see where you're coming from. I'm glad you think I made him interesting, so long as he is still accurate. And yes, Lavon and Lemon rock. I really want them to get back together, especially after the Halloween episode. I was surprised to find no youtube videos or fanfictions for them since it aired. I thought somebody would do something, but I guess we're all just too caught up in Zade. I still cannot believe Lavon would date AnnaBeth, even it is was fake dating. You never, ever date an ex's best friend, or a best friend's ex. AnnaBeth did not know any better because she does not know about Lemon and Lavon, but he knows there best friends. He should have known better. One of the best lines in that episode is where Lemon yells out that she's switching to gin. Sorry, got sidetracked. Back to your review. Thank you for what you said about how I write; it means a lot. I'm sorry if you think Zoe is a little inaccurate. She's going to be a little different because she does not remember who she is, but the more she remembers, the more her she should become. I get what you are saying about Lemon and Wade. That would be great, but it would not really work for this particular story; maybe in a different one. Just thank you so much for all the sweet things you said and all the time, effort, and detail you obviously put into it. I really appreciate it.

MissyBlue, thank you so much. I almost missed yours because it is under the reviews for chapter one, but I got it. I like the phrase, "pretty darn perfect." It's cute. Thank you. Yeah, it is sort of a different dynamic having her chase him for once. That was a little difficult, because I wanted it to be believable, and I did not want her to be too un-Zoe, but she's also more vulnerable with the amnesia, which puts her in a very different situation. I disagree with you on the Zeorge thing, but you have a right to your opinion.

Wow, that was a lot. I hope I got everybody, or at least, everybody without an account that can get a personal response. I was hoping that somebody would comment on the Magnolia thing, because I want to know what you guys think about that, but even without that, you guys are awesome.

Last time, I forgot to put one more thing about the Halloween episode. Who else was sure that George (or at least somebody) was going to find that video of Zoe and Wade? I kept thinking George was going to see it and find out about them that way. Maybe they didn't do it because it's to formula. I've noticed the writers tend to go against formula. Anyway, I still think, or at least sort of hope they do something with it later.

This chapter was a lot of fun to write. Some of it was preplanned, other stuff just came out, but I really enjoyed writing it and I hope you really enjoy reading it. Longer Author's Note after. (Yes, I know this one was long, but you know what I mean).

Chapter Sixteen

Lemon laid in bed, her mind racing. Wade and Zoe? How was it even possible? It seemed so bizarre. Zoe had always loved George, and Wade, well … he was Wade. Except that he wasn't, or hadn't been. Not the Wade she grew up with anyway. He had grown up a lot over the past few years. Ever since Zoe came to town. She never connected the times before, but now … she needed to talk to somebody. She wouldn't tell what Zoe told her of course, but she could still ask questions.

"Honey?" she said, gently kicking her husband under the covers.

"Hm." He grumbled, clearly half asleep. She kicked him harder; he grumbled and rolled over. She kicked him again, as hard as she could. True, he used to be a football player, but one mistake a lot of male athletes make is then tend to focus more on toning their upper body with push-ups and weights, and they neglect the legs. Women tend to focus more on the legs, and Lemon knew she could really wallop if she wanted to, "Ow! What was that for?"

"I want to talk."

"So you need to kick me."

"You were asleep, and I know what a heavy sleeper you are." She just said it as though explaining. She did not sound at all apologetic … which was one of the things he loved about her.

He smiled a little, but wiped it from his face quickly so she wouldn't see. Then he sighed and sat up, "Okay. I'm up. What do you want to talk about?"

"Well, see, the thing is, I want to talk about Wade," Lavon nodded, unsurprised, "and Zoe."

His eyes widened. He had not been expecting that, "Uh, Lavon Hayes needs for you to run that by him again."

"It's just, you're her best friend, and the three of you shared a kitchen and sort of a house for years." Lavon nodded, trying to catch up, "So, if anybody would know if Wade or Zoe had feelings for each other, it would be you."

"Why are you asking this?"

"I was just wonderin'." Lemon said as casually as she could.

Lavon eyed her skeptically, "You were just wonderin'?"

She sighed, "Look, I can't tell you, all right?"

"Why not?" he sounded hurt.

"Because I promised somebody I wouldn't."

He examined her for a minute, trying to read her. He guessed she must have talked to either Zoe or Wade, so he wouldn't push the subject, but he did not want to betray and confidences either.

"Okay. I can respect that."

Lemon smiled, relieved, "So?"

"Well, I don't want to go violating any confidences either."

"But I'm you're wife!"

"You just said-"

"Look, um, did you ever promise you wouldn't share anything about all this with me?"

"Well, not technically, but-"

"Then its okay then. No verbal agreement, you're home free."

"Lemon. I think I know what people wouldn't want me to share, whether they made me promise not to or not."

"But I'm your wife, and if you didn't promise, then you can tell me."

"How about we try and get more specific with this conversation? That way, I can judge what I should share on a point by point basis."

Lemon thought for a minute. It made sense. "Okay."

"So?"

"Give me a minute. I need to gather my thoughts." Lavon reached for the blanket, but lemon slapped his hand away, "No goin' back to sleep, just give me a minute. Time me if you like."

Lavon smiled, and then looked over at the clock.

Okay, what did she know? She knew Zoe had some sort of feelings for Wade, though she was confused because of the amnesia. She could not reveal that to Lavon though, that was a confidence. Wade, however, was another story. He could have just said what he said because he was passing out and loopy, but Lemon sort of doubted it.

"Does Wade have feelings for Zoe?"

"You're gonna need to be more specific. I can't answer a question that blatant."

Lemon shook her head, "What does Wade feel about Zoe?"

"That's the same question, you just moved the words around."

"Lavon!"

"Fine, fine." He thought for a minute about how to answer, "Wade definitely cares about Zoe. He was definitely her friend before she was his."

"I never thought you were one of those politicians who used doubletalk." She said huffily.

"Just 'cause I choose not to use it, doesn't mean I don't know how."

Lemon sighed, "Did Wade and Zoe ever sleep together." Lavon shook his head, "Did he ever try?"

Lavon laughed, "From the second she moved here. Well, you know how Wade was back then. And Zoe was a challenge. She said no, which was definitely new territory for him."

Lemon nodded, "How did he act around her?"

"Kind of like a ten-year-old with a crush. Doin' the equivalent of pigtail pullin' and stealin' her pudding cups."

"So he bullied her?"

"Teased her, for the most part. Still, he was a good friend to her, which eventually she came to appreciate. He helped her out a lot those early days, and she really needed it. You know, I remember a gorgeous yet slightly misguided woman spearheading a campaign to run her out of town." Lemon slapped him lightly, "I said gorgeous."

"Which is why I'm lettin' you off with a slap." He laughed, "Did you ever suspect he might have feelings for her back then?"

"I am goin' to abstain from that question."

"Come on! Look, you don't have to tell me anything he has told you over the years, just tell me what you saw, what you observed, what you noticed. It's your opinion. You got a right to share it with your wife."

"I thought wives hate hearin' their husbands opinion." Lavon said jokingly. Lemon slapped him again. "All right. All right. Although I have to say, if we all cave so easily, men are doomed." She laughed, "All right, it is Lavon Hayes' opinion, not somethin' he been told, his opinion, that Wade has some pretty strong feelings for Zoe Hart, and that he has for a long time now."

"Do you think he's in love with her?" Lavon looked at her surprised, "What?"

"It's just a pretty big jump." Lemon nodded, and was surprisingly silent. It occurred to Lavon that she was waiting for an answer. Oh, what the hell. He'd gone this far, might as well throw the whole thing in. "I'm pretty sure that Wade has been fallin' in love with Zoe since maybe a month into meetin' her. Oh, I don't think he knew it at first; it was a slow awakenin'. At first, I think it was just about gettin' her in bed, but as he got to know her … by the time of her first Planksgivin', he was lost. No way to rescue him. The boy was in love for the first time in his life, and it was with the one girl he couldn't get, which was ironically what drew him to her in the first place."

"And he never told her?"

"I think he was scared to. He's never cared about someone like that before. Admittin' it to himself, comin' to terms with it, took some time. And then, there was George."

"Wade didn't think he could compete." It was a statement, not a question. Lemon knew Wade well enough to know that he would never think he could get somebody like Zoe Hart if he was competing against George. She remembered years ago, when George's father had been in the hospital, and she had watched Zoe comforting George in the hospital room. She had still been with George then, and she knew Zoe wanted him, and watching that had scared her so much, and hurt her. Wade had been standing next to her, but she had not really looked at him. She had been pretty caught up in the turmoil she was feeling. She was pretty sure he had been watching too though; she had seen him through her peripheral vision for a moment or so, and now the fact that he was watching, the look of anguish she vaguely remembered on his face took on a whole new meaning.

"Do you think she likes him?"

"I honestly don't know. I mean, I think they could be pretty great together, but they could also be like vinegar and bakin' soda. Either way, she'd have to see it first, and with George in the picture …"

Lemon nodded, "Okay, you can go back to sleep."

"Thank you."

"G?"

"Nope. Sorry." Zoe said, drawing another arm, "you don't start figuring this out soon, you will be responsible for the death of a very, very nice stick figure."

Wade laughed, "Well, what makes him so nice? Personally, I think he had it comin'." Zoe smiled "Hey, thanks for comin' in again."

"Of course."

"No, really. I mean it. Havin' you here … you cannot imagine what that means to me."

They locked eyes. He was looking at her that way again. Maybe this was the moment to bring it up. He had, after all, given her the perfect segue, "Wade-"

"Wade." They both turned. It was George. He was carrying a basket, probably filled with snacks and reading material, "Oh, sorry. I'll come back later."

"No. No, its okay." Zoe said, standing. "I was just … going to go get something to eat. You can take my seat." It was lame, and she knew it. She felt strange, almost guilty, like George had caught her cheating on him or something, which was ridiculous, because she and Wade hadn't been doing anything, and even if they had been, her and George weren't exactly together. Not that she didn't care about George. The very fact that she felt guilty was proof that she was looking at him differently now.

The room is dark, and there are colorful lights dancing everywhere. It's like a dream, and lord knows its one I've had before. I just never knew it could be this amazing. There is a soft crooning in the background, but I can't make out the words. I just sway to the music, getting lost in George Tuckers eyes. Being in his arms feels so right, like this is where I've been heading my whole life.

"I should have known that we would have so much in common." His words are gentle, his voice mesmerizing. And he looks at me in a way nobody has ever looked at me before, in a way I have always wanted him to look at me. I have to remind myself not to do something stupid, like seem too excited. I will not ruin this moment. "Zoe Hart, from the first day I picked you up by the side of the road, you have gotten to me." It's like a dream. A part of me is terrified that it is a dream. Well, if it is, then I hope I'm in a coma, because I never want to wake up from this world. A world with no Lemon, or Brick, or Bluebell. It's just George and me.

"It's been a great night." I say, trying to sound happy, but not too happy. I think my voice may have come off a little dreamy, but the whole night has such a hazy feel to it. Its like we stepped out of time, and nobody and nothing can touch us here in New Orleans. "Do you have anything left on your list that you want to do?"

"You know, I've done everything on my list. Except one." he leans forward, and I can't breathe. I'm terrified of waking up. But I don't. Our lips meet, and we're kissing. George Tucker is kissing me! I don't even no how to describe what I'm feeling. It's a million times more amazing then I thought it would be. It's like flying. It's freeing. It's the best kiss I've had in a long time, maybe ever. Nothing else exists. I can't even form thoughts. I'm just floating here in this perfect moment with George.

I had no clue how I had ended up in his car. One second I'm moping roadside, glaring at him, next, I'm in his lap. Literally. Well, first, I'm in the seat next to him, and then I'm kissing him, or he's kissing me. I'm honestly not sure which. And I have to say, after years with a guy who was as proper and reserved as me, its, shall we say, interesting making out with this guy. His kisses are rough, completely uninhibited, which is not something I'm used to. It's not too hard to adjust though. I don't know if it is because I'm so drunk, or him, but there's something very … animal about it. Its instinctual or something. I mean, I've never been the girl who does this. Who makes out with some guy she hasn't known for twenty-four hours? What was his name again? Wade? God, I'm making out with him, and I barely know his name!

Part of my mind is thinking this, but most of it is just frazzled. Kisses and cheep alcohol can do that to a person. It was full on animal. No feelings, no familiarity, no caring, just passion. Raw, pure passion. I felt his hand cupping my cheek, and the contact makes me burn, but in a good way. Then, his hands drop, and as I claw at his shoulders like a crazed jungle cat, he starts to take off my sweater. And I let him. I need this. Plain, simple sex. My life sucks, and I want to forget it. I want to forget messing up in Bluebell, and causing an accident, and George being engaged. I want to forget getting dumped and not getting the fellowship. I want to forget my parents' lack of support. I want to forget how lately, I always seem to screw up; how my life has become one huge mess. We're both out of breath, and huffing and puffing, but neither of us stops. We don't break contact. I just want to stay lost in this heat, this passion. I want to keep feeling his hot breath and well-toned body. He leans forward, pushing me backward. And then I hear something.

It's his car horn, and its playing "Dixie". God, I'm making out with a guy whose car horn plays "Dixie". Even worse, it played it because sat on the horn. The spell is broken. My senses are back, and all I can think is, 'what the hell am I doing?' I pull back from him, huffing for breath, "There it is, rock bottom." I say, still out of breath, and wishing I were anywhere but here. He looks up at me with a look I can only describe as fascination, as though he's an explorer and I'm some rare creature he just came across for the first time. He pushes the hair out of my face, "I just played "Dixie" with my butt." His smirk seems to fall slightly. It's barely noticeable and only for a second. Maybe I imagined it. "This never happened. You hear me."

"My lips are sealed, doc." He says in that annoying accent of his. God! What was I thinking! And somehow he's already caught his breath while I'm still struggling for mine. What the hell is that about? I crawl over him and tell him to let me out. The door unlocks, and I practically fall out of the truck. A perfect ending to a perfect day.

Wow. That was random. She had no clue why those two memories had just popped up like that. What triggered them? She thought back. She had been thinking about her feelings for George, sort of wondering what they were, and then, bam, memory, followed closely by another completely unrelated one. They were very, very different memories. Since they second one had nothing to do with George, the first one must have somehow triggered it. She takes a minute to think it through, analyze it, and then she figures it out. She knows what they both have in common. First kisses.

Apparently, while her and Wade had never been a couple, they had shared a steamy make-out session shortly after meeting each other. She tried to run through each memory in her head. First, George. They had been is New Orleans? She would have to ask him about that later. It seemed like they were both running from something. The memory had a definite star-crossed lovers vibe. She'd had memories of George before, of her and George, but this had been different. She had felt the memory, like she was there. She remembered what she had been feeling. How woozy she had felt standing close to him. How happy she had been that he was looking at her like that. And that kiss. She touched her lips, remembering the feel of it, the taste. Ever since she found out about George, she had been trying to figure out how she felt about him; doing things that she thought might help her remember, like dancing at his place, and going on a date. The dance at his place had been nice, the date, awkward and unfinished, but that kiss … they hadn't just been involved. They'd been in love. Or at least, she had been in love with him. She remembered aching for him. She remembered how it had felt lying awake nights thinking about him. She remembered loving him.

Then, there was Wade. That memory had been very, very different, not to mention intense. The George memory had been filled with love and excitement. It was about anticipation of finally getting what she'd been waiting for. It had been gentle and magical. The Wade memory, however, was nothing like that. It had been all passion, inhibitions lowered. It was an, 'I want you now,' moment. The kind that her mom always had with random men. Wait, her mom. Okay, new memory. Great, she remembered her mom being a slut. Well, it was something. A part of her wondered if it would be easier to just never remember the bad stuff, but no, she needed to know everything. That was just who she was.

She thought about the Wade in her memory. He was so … different. The Wade she knew was sweet and overprotective. He teased, but at the end of the day, she knew she could trust him. The Wade in her memory was clearly just looking for whatever piece of ass came his way. Not that she had not liked kissing him in the memory. Well, her brain hadn't, but her body had. She had a feeling that in that memory, she hadn't had sex in a long time. She had felt so … hungry.

"Zoe!" she heard a voice call from behind. She hadn't realized she had stopped walking, "Hey, listen, I didn't mean to interrupt your time with Wade. Really."

She turned to him, and it was like looking at him for the first time. He smiled at her, and it was adorable. And she felt her knees get weak. It was a familiar feeling. George Tucker smiles and her knees get weak. She saw something in his eyes, an innate goodness, something gentle. She saw awkwardness, and fear, and so much love. Then, his smile fell, and he was hugging her. She hadn't even realized she was crying. God, how did it all get screwed up? Because she felt safe here, in his arms. It felt right. She may not remember the details, or all they went through, but she remembered loving George Tucker, and she felt those feelings coming back, bubbling up inside of her. These feelings weren't things she had created because she thought she was supposed to; they were real. But then there was Wade, and those feelings were real too. And she was confused, and scared, and she just wanted to run and hide from all of it. For the first time since waking up with no memory, she almost wished she remembered less than she did.

"Sh. It's okay. He's all right." George thought she was crying about Wade. It would make sense. She would let him believe that. After all, she couldn't tell him why she was really crying, and even if she could, she couldn't really talk right now. So she let him think it was about Wade. In a way, it was.

"I feel horrible. Just horrible."

Lemon shook her head. Oh that husband of hers, "Don't. You're the mayor. You've got a lot of responsibilities. We already took off on vacation, and then you had to help Zoe, and there was the fire, and now Wade. These things keep comin' up, maybe they're not goin' to stop for a while, but you have a job and a responsibility, and Wade would not want you to shirk that responsibility."

"But-"

"If we were still waiting to hear, it'd be different. But we know he's gonna be fine. And he'll have plenty of visitors to keep him company. Now you go on ahead. I'll head in later, pass on your best wishes." Lavon nodded and grumbled a little, "Now don't mope. Here's your lunch." She handed him a basket.

"I'm not going off to kindergarten, you know?"

"You're actin' like it." she said teasingly, "Now kiss me goodbye."

Lavon smiled, "Yes mam."

He put the basket down and kissed his wife, and activity he never got tired of.

"Ew, gross. Do y'all have to do that this early." Lemon turned around at her sister's whiny voice.

"If it bothers you so much, you don't have to stay here."

"Wh – You're kickin' me out?"

"No, of course not. All I'm sayin' is you are a guest, and if you choose to stay here, you have to deal with us bein' married."

Magnolia grabbed a sat down at the kitchen island after grabbing muffin, some butter, and a knife. "You can be married all you want, I just don't want to see you gettin' all gross with each other."

"You've seen and done things way more inappropriate than what you just walked in on."

"It's not the inappropriate I mind, it's the cutesy, lovey-dovey stuff." She said, cutting her muffing in half and spreading the butter on it.

Lemon rolled her eyes, then turned back to Lavon, "Well, good luck at your meeting." Then she got an evil look in her eye, and in her cutest voice said, "I'll miss you so much today Mayor Hayes. "

Lavon laughed, seeing what she was doing. It was a little immature, but he was smart enough to play along, "Not as much as I'll miss you, buttercup." He had never called her that before, and normally it would get him a sour look, but not right then.

"I'll miss you more than all the sweet tea I ever drank."

"I'll miss you more than all the votes I ever got."

Magnolia made a gagging noise.

"I'll miss you more than all the money daddy spent on our weddin'."

"I'll miss you more than all the money I spent on the plantation."

Magnolia got up, "God! You two are disgusting. I'll see if Rose can give me a ride to the hospital." She dumped her muffin in the trash, and left.

Lavon and Lemon burst out laughing.

"That was kind of cruel," Lavon said, although he did not look all that remorseful.

"I have every right to kiss my husband in our home without being interrupted. Besides, she's my sister. If I can't drive her up a wall, who can."

Lavon chuckled, "Well, I really do gotta go now unless I want to be late. Goodbye kiss?" Lemon kissed him and he headed out the door.

Lemon started cleaning up after Magnolia; she had left a bunch of crumbs on the table. It was like years ago, cleaning up Magnolia's messes, big and small. Still, she loved her. She had basically been Magnolia's stand-in-mom since the girl was in diapers. Diapers. And babies and baby powder and cooing. She dropped the rag she had been using to wipe the table and collapsed in tears on one of the chairs. Why couldn't she get pregnant? What had she done wrong? Why?

She sat there crying until the phone rang. Then she got up, wiped her eyes, and picked up the receiver, "Hello. Hayes residence."

"Lemon?" said the voice on the other end. It sounded sadder than her own, and while it had been a while, she had recognized it instantly.

"Lily? Sweetheart, are you all right?"

She heard a sniff at the other end, "I'm sorry, I just didn't know who else to call-"

"Don't be ridiculous, you can always call here. What's wrong?"

"It's … its mom."

"Hey."

Wade looked up at her and smiled. She looked so awkward standing there, like she felt out of place. He didn't know why, but he was glad she was back. Talking to George had been fun, granted, not talking-to-Zoe fun, but fun. Then George had left. That had been over two hours ago. He had begun to wonder if he was getting any more visitors, "Hey."

"Sorry about before."

He nodded, "No, I get it."

"I mean, I thought you and George would want … I don't know. My mind is kind of frazzled."

Wade laughed, "So, business as usual." She smiled, "So, uh, how's that goin', you and George?" He tried his best to sound like he didn't care. He noticed her face fall, "Look, it's none of my business-"

"No, its not that, its just … things with George are … complicated."

Wade nodded, "Okay. Sorry for bringing it up."

"It's okay. I was kind of thinking about it anyway." She was quiet. He wished he knew what was going on with her, but she didn't seem to want to talk. He tried not to let it bother him that she was thinking about her and George when he was in the hospital. Just like old times.

"Where'd you go before anyway?"

"Well, I was going to get food, but then … I just kind of needed to clear my head." She looked a little distracted for a minute, and then shook her head, as if trying to literally shake thoughts out, "Come on, let's get back to hangman." She said, picking up the paper.

"Well, how about a hint?" she shook her head. "Okay, um, S?"

"Yep."

"So what's it now?" she held it up for him.

I - _-_o-s-s-i-b-_e

"Impossible." He said, "Easy."

"Correct." She drew something on the paper.

"What the hell is that?"

"You saved his life. He's very grateful."

Wade laughed, "You are a terrible artist, doc."

"Hey, it's a stick figure. Its not supposed to be like Rembrandt."

"So, why impossible?"

"I don't know. I just had it stuck in my head, so I figured, why not?"

"You had a word stuck in your head."

"No, the song. It's by-"

"Mans Zelmerlow. Yeah. I know it."

He knew it well. And he knew where she knew it from, because it was the same place he knew it from.

"You owe me something Dr. Hart." I say from behind her. I'm nervous as hell.

She turns at the sound of my voice, and smiles confused, "What?" she asks, taking the straw out of her mouth. She was drinking some red froufrou drink.

"Last Christmas, you told me I could buy you a drink. Well, it's Christmas time again, and I still ain't gotten to buy you one. You know, you're not supposed to break a Christmas promise doc. That how people end up with coal."

She laughs and brushes the hair from her face. It was filled with fake snow, some of which flutters to the floor. "Well, as you can see, I already have a drink."

I put on my best mock-offense face. "You can't rain check me two years in a row. Its bad manners, or whatever."

She laughs again, that beautiful laugh of hers, and I'm the one making it come out of her mouth. I give her my most charming smile, hoping she'll cave.

"Tell, you what. Instead of a drink, how about a dance? Would that pay off my debt?"

"A dance?" Not what I expected, but not bad either. Scary, but not bad.

"We are at a Christmas party. Everybody's dancing."

"Well, I'll have to check with the Christmas promise high council, see if they'll go for it."

I start to walk away, "Where are you going?"

"I just told you."

"No, seriously."

"I'll be right back." I say, smirking at her.

"Tom, I'd kinda like to make a request."

I scroll through my iPod. I'm kind of embarrassed I even have this song, but what can I say, I kind of related to it.

"That's not a Christmas song." Tom says. Shit.

"I know. But, can't you just mix it up a little. People are probably tired of all the same old Christmas songs."

"This is a Christmas party." Yeah, I know. And Zoe Hart is over there in a sexy red dress with fake snow in her hair waiting to dance with me at said Christmas party.

"Look, Tom, here's twenty bucks, all right. Now just do me this on favor, please."

He sighs, "All right. But you should donate that money instead of trying to bribe me. There's a collection jar over there."

"Consider it done." I say with a smile.

"There you are." Zoe says. She actually seems happy to see me.

"Here I am. You ready for that dance?" she nods.

"Shelley, can you hold this for me?"

"You goin' to dance with Wade?" she asks in her nosy way. Zoe nods, and Shelley smiles, "Then I'd be more than happy to." I shoot her a warning look that she pretends not to see.

I lead Zoe out to the dance floor, and suddenly, I freeze. I mean, I'm a good dancer, but this is Zoe we're talking about. I can't remember where to put my hands.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I just, uh…" I try to laugh it off to make it less embarrassing.

"Here." She grabs my hand and puts it on her waist. She feels so tiny and fragile in my arms. Of course, I know better. She may be tiny, but she is in no way fragile. If anybody is even slightly fragile here tonight, it's me. She fits perfectly in y arm, like she was meant to be there, like that spot was made just for her, and god crafted my arm a certain way because he knew one day I'd be holding a girl this size, and he knew how important it was that she fit. I like the feeling, knowing that she fits there, and I pull her in a little closer. Then I remember, and take her other hand in mine. It's so tiny and delicate. It's smooth and pink, and fits perfectly in my palm. "There you go." She says, noticing that I've found my footing. She places her other hand on my should, and I think of the last time it was there, pawing at me that first night. If you had told me then I would end up here, I never would have believed you.

I smile at her and then we're dancing. I try to catch her eyes, get her to look into mine, maintain eye contact, but she looks around and her eyes land on the speakers, "This isn't a Christmas song." She says confused.

"Guess somebody made a request." I say subtly, "Good choice too."

She looks at me, "You know this song?"

Okay, so apparently subtle is too subtle. But if I'm honest, I'm not really brave enough to be any bolder. At least not right now. Hell, if Tucker weren't out of town, they would be dancing the night away, or just at home, cuddled up in front of a fireplace with hot chocolate being nauseating. But he is out of town, which means that for the first time in a long time, Zoe Hart is going stag.

She's looking at me, and I remember she asked me a question, "Sure," I say, shrugging, as though it doesn't matter, " 'Impossible' by Mars Zelmerlow. Decent tune. Nice tempo. Good lyrics."

Realization dawns on her face, "That's right, you play guitar."

"You forgot that." I say in mock offense.

"Well, in my defense I've never really heard you play."

I pull her in a little closer, as subtly as I can, and look down at her, catching her eyes, "Guess we'll have to correct that then."

She smiles up at me, "Guess so." She says it quietly, almost suggestively, like maybe she feels like we're having a moment. Then I lose her eyes. She's still looking at me, but our eyes aren't locked anymore.

"So what's it about?" she asks, her tone returned to normal.

"Hm?"

"The song. What's it about?"

I take a deep breath. Here goes nothing, "Well, it's about this guy whose crazy in love with this girl, but she's with somebody else. He missed his chance to tell her how he feels, and he's kickin' himself 'cause … 'cause he knows he'll never be happy with somebody else. And he wants to turn back the clock and start over, but he knows he can't."

"It's impossible."

"Exactly."

She smiles, but its doesn't quite reach her eyes, "That's really sad."

"That's one way of looking at it."

"How would you look at it?"

"Torturous, I guess. And the worst part is, he knows it's his own fault. He did it to himself. He was too scared to put himself out there and tell her he's in love with her."

"Scared of what?"

"Her not lovin' him back."

She nods, like she understands. Maybe she does. She's been in love too.

"So, does he get the girl in the end?"

"Song doesn't say. Guess the ending hasn't happened yet."

"Who knew you could be such a romantic." She says with a laugh.

"There's a lot more to me than you think."

She nods, "I know. You're not who I thought you were." Our eyes lock again, and for a moment, I forget that she's with Tucker, and that he'll be home from his parents in a few days. I forget that she has no clue how I feel, even though I keep trying to spell it out for her, like tonight. It's just her and me in this moment, and the look in her eyes gives me a little hope. That maybe she could see me. That maybe she could want me.

"Zoe?" I whisper, afraid talking too loud will ruin the moment.

"Hm?"

"I gotta tell you somethin'. " She sort of nods, not breaking eye contact. "You're like no girl I've ever met." Her eyes widen slightly, and I swallow hard, "I, uh-"

Suddenly, the room is filled with Rudolph The Rednose Freakin' Reindeer in full surround sound. The moment's ruined. Our eyes are no longer locked, and the connection is broken.

Zoe steps out of my grasp. "Thanks for the dance Wade. It was nice."

"Any time doc. Any time." I watch her walk away. That was the first time I ever danced with Zoe Hart, and I had a feeling that it would, unfortunately, be the last.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just, I have certain … associations with that song."

"Oh. Sorry."

She looked down guiltily, "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." She said, unconvincingly. Wade gave her a skeptical look, "I just … I guess I feel like I just keep making things worse for you."

"Hey, don't ever think that. Okay? Promise me you won't. Because, you know what? You are the best thing in my life, and you have been for a very long time. Okay, and havin' you around, it can only ever make stuff better. Even if you sat on my oxygen or somethin', it be worth it, havin' you here."

She smiled. It was a strange sort of smile. He could tell she was happy with what he said, but she also seemed sort of uncomfortable.

"Promise?" She nodded, "Not good enough doc. I want to hear it."

"Okay, I promise."

"You promise …"

She puts her hands up in surrender, "I promise to never think that I just keep making things worse for you ever again."

He smiles, "Now, was that so hard?"

Author's Note: Okay, so first off, please, please don't hate me for the George stuff. She did agree to marry him, she was in love with them, and if she does not remember and come to terms with those feelings, nothing she has with Wade can ever be real.

Second, I loved, loved, loved writing the Lemon/Lavon scenes. I think they have such a great dynamic. Let me know what you think.

Third, I know we were supposed to see Fredrick Dean and Rose and the hospital today, and do not worry, we will, there just was not room in this chapter for it.

Fourth, about that song, well, I was looking for one that would sort of fit what Wade was feeling, because, in case it was not obvious, he was kind of trying to use the song to tell her something he couldn't. I had heard the song "Impossible" in a Wade/Zoe video on youtube. If you are looking for it, its not called "Impossible," it's called, "Can't Make You Mine" which is a line from the chorus. I would put the link, but whenever I try to do that, this website deletes it. Anyway, it's a very pretty song. I considered a couple of others that would have also fit, but I have already written the bit about Wade not getting that it was a song title, and that would only work if it was one word. Seriously, check it out. Pay attention to the lyrics.

Well, that's it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review and let me know.