Zoe paused outside the ED entrance, all the reasons why not to return to work flooding her thoughts. She'd have to face her friends, her colleagues, Max, force a smile, talk to patients about their coughs and colds as though they were important, as though they mattered. Everything in her was screaming for her to turn around but before she could, Charlie appeared next to her, his hand resting on the small of her back.

"Come on." He said, nudging her gently. "If you can wear heels after having twenty three stitches in your leg, you can face that lot." She smiled at him gratefully, glancing down at her shoes before taking a deep breath. Nodding at Charlie, she pushed through the swing doors. Despite her apprehension, coming back to the ED was like coming home and she found comfort in it. With Charlie close behind her, she made her way over to reception and signed in, chatting briefly to Noel who, to his credit, didn't show any shock he felt about her early return. She headed off as quickly as she could in the direction of cubicles - she knew she'd have to see Connie but the sooner she got stuck in the easier the day would be.

Two patients later and Zoe was beginning to get back into the flow of the ED. It was by no means a normal day - although people were respecting her decision to return to work, they were treating her as though she was made of china. The only people who weren't were Charlie and Connie, who had told her she wasn't allowed in resus on pain of death, hugged her and then carried on as normal. The hug had surprised her, but Zoe was incredibly grateful to the other woman and had reevaluated her perception of her slightly.

"Zoe!" She smiled to herself at the voice, turning round only to be pulled into a hug by a concerned Rita. She'd become close to the nurse recently and as she squeezed her back, she felt tears spring to her eyes. Hastily, she wiped them away but Rita as good as shoved her towards the staff room, pouring them both a cup of tea. Zoe gave a watery smile in thanks and took a sip, composing herself.

"Sorry." She slipped off her shoes, wincing - the gash on her leg, despite being beautifully stitched, was not quite up to a day of running around in heels.

"You don't need to apologise. Ever." Rita replied, and Zoe smiled at how passionate the younger woman was about everything. "How are you doing?"

"Fine. How's it been here?" Zoe appreciated Rita's concern, but it really wasn't something she felt like talking about. She didn't know if she'd ever want to talk about it, even with Charlie. Even with Max. Rita smiled, giving a tiny nod of acceptance to Zoe's unspoken plea to avoid the subject.

"Weird without you. You've not missed much though, apart from Max punching this guy who was-" Zoe spun round, colour drained from her face and Rita trailed off.

"Max punched someone?" Her voice was shaking and Rita couldn't tell if she was angry, distressed or both. Laying a comforting, if slightly wary hand on Zoe's knee, Rita continued.

"Yeah, this guy was arrested in here for harassing a woman, she ended getting hit by a car to avoid him, and Max just went for him." Zoe stood up, setting down her mug and running a frantic hand through her hair. "Zoe?" Rita stared after her as she disappeared from the room, completely at a loss as to what had happened.

Zoe practically ran outside, ignoring the puzzled looks from patients and colleagues. She frantically looked around, desperately trying to find Max, although she had no idea what she was going to say to him. This was exactly what she'd been scared of - that Max would do something stupid, that they would have to discuss what had happened instead of just ignoring as she'd hoped to. Finally, she caught sight of him, lounging against the wall, smoking like there was no tomorrow. The sight was so familiar that she momentarily forgot everything that had happened and just stood, watching him. She shook herself and glanced down, only now noticing that she'd left her shoes with Rita in the staff room. Heaving a sigh of frustration, she looked back up, only to find herself face to face with Max. The pair stared at each other, both afraid of what the other might say. It was Max who broke first, his outstretched arm hastily removed as Zoe flinched at his touch.

"Zoe." His voice was so full of emotion, so full of love that she forgot to be angry with him, forgot that yesterday she hadn't even been able to say his name and just raised a trembling hand to her mouth, stifling a sob. He pulled her towards him and she rested her head on his chest, ignoring her freezing feet and the fact that they were in the middle of the car park.

"God I've missed you." She didn't realise just how much until she said it, looping her arms round his neck and gazing up at his face through a teary haze. Max didn't say anything but took her hand and led her behind a nearby ambulance. When they reached it he cupped her face in his hands, wiping away a stray tear with his thumb before kissing her. After a moment of panic at the sudden intimacy, Zoe relaxed into him and they stayed there, kissing and holding each other for what seemed like eternity. When they eventually broke apart Max rested his forehead against hers, a smile dancing across his lips.

"You had me worried for a minute." He was still the Max she adored, but something about him was older, more mature. "Are you okay?" She looked up at him, toying with the back of his collar as she thought.

"No. But I will be."

Hope you enjoyed it! I thought Zoe deserved some fluff given everything that's happened to her. I'm not sure whether to carry on or not so any thoughts would be much appreciated! Please R&R, it makes my day x