Chapter 18:

Everyone crowded around Max and Zoe making sure that they were okay.

"Honestly, I'm fine." She said but Tess shot her a look to say that she wanted the truth.

"I promise. I've got a few things to collect from my office, and then I just want to go home. Thank you Max." She said looking down at the floor before walking away to the ED.

"You're going to need that seen to." Charlie said as he looked at Max's hand.

"Okay, you lot go back in and enjoy your night. I agree with Zoe, I too just want to go home" He said causing Robyn to glare at him.

"After I've had this seen to." Max replied as Robyn thankfully nodded at him.

Max walked past Zoe's office and it was evident that she had been crying. He cautiously knocked on the door.

"Come in." Zoe's voice said as she quickly wiped the tears from her face. He quickly entered her office closing the door behind him. He walked into the middle of Zoe's office and just looked at her.

"How are you?" He asked

"I've been better." She replied and he just smiled at her and went to walk towards the door to leave her in peace.

"How are you?" She asked throwing the question back at him

"Well I too have been better." He replied showing Zoe the state of his hand. Zoe let out a small gasp.

"Come here." She said pulling out a small suture kit from her office draw.

"I keep one to hand now that I know how clumsy you are." She said before taking his hand and cleaning the wound.

A couple of minutes had passed in which both Zoe and Max had remained completely silent both not sure of what to say to each other.

"There, all done." She said packing away the equipment.

"I knew there were perks to having a Clinical lead as a girl- I mean friend." He quickly corrected himself.

"We're just friends then?" Zoe asked as she winked at Max which caused him to smile.

"With benefits of course." He said as he walked back towards the door causing Zoe to laugh.

"Max, thank you for today. I really don't know what I'd do without you."

"Yeah, no worries." He said as he opened the door.

"Max." Zoe repeated and this time he turned around to face her.

"I like you a lot too." She replied with a smile on her face but she failed to hold in her emotions this time and a tear rolled down her cheek. Max had never seen her cry before so he slammed the door shut and rushed towards her.

"Come here you." He said pulling her in to a tight hug and to his surprise she returned the hug.

"I'm so sorry Max" Zoe managed to say between sobs.

"I know. I'm sorry too." He said still holding Zoe tight and this time never wanting to let her go. The pair stood in the office for a while hugging and not saying any words because they both knew what each other were thinking.

Thank you all for the R&R. Casualty was amazing last night and the next few chapters will involve last night's episode and next week's episode because I would like to write about the helicopter crash before they air it. Please R&R I enjoy reading every review. Thank you all for sticking with this .