Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews on my first chapter. I feel like this one is much more sort of filler and building up to other things. Please feel free to leave a review and let me know what you think/what you'd like to happen. Criticism is definitely accepted!

Zoe walked along the hospital corridor, her head bowed and deep in thought after a particularly difficult case had been transferred to ITU. It wasn't likely that they'd make it but she knew that she'd done all she could. It still left her feeling exhausted and demoralised. All she wanted was to see Max and have him comfort her. She was silently judging herself for her reliance on him when a hand reached out and grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her down another corridor. The grip was familiar and she smiled.

Max double checked no one was looking before kissing her gently on the lips.

"Please tell me you've got a packet of cigarettes in your pocket" was her response.

"I was just pleased to see you!" was his cheeky response. "Come on."

He guided her out towards the exit and their usual smoking spot.

As they smoked not a word was spoken, Zoe, leaning against him, was happy to just enjoy the moment and not think too much about it.

"Are you coming over tonight?" she asked as they were heading back to work.

"Yeah, could do. 8.30ish?"

"Sounds perfect, Dylan is cooking tonight, I'll get him to make extra."

"This sounds a bit like meeting the family" Max grimaced as he headed to collect his next patient.

"Zoe, I need a word about the patient in cubicle 4." Zoe hadn't noticed Connie approaching her.

"Mr Samuels? He's a frequent flyer and there's probably nothing wrong with him but I have run all the routine bloods just in case and will encourage him to see his GP in future."

"Right, it's just while you were out for some fresh air, [she clears her throat] he started complaining of chest pains. His BP and obs seemed fine but I've ordered an ECG."

"Thanks Connie."

"Do you always take your breaks with the porters?" Connie enquired as they walked towards cubicles.

"No, just Max." Smiling to herself Zoe headed to check on the infamous Mr Samuels. Connie also had a smile on her face and not the smirk that may have been expected of her. She'd noticed a positive change in one of her top consultants recently and she had wondered if maybe she had a new man in her life. Connie wasn't one to get involved in hospital gossip or take an active interest in her colleagues personal lives but if this relationship was contributing to the smooth running of her department she was definitely not going to stand in its way.

"I'm home!" Zoe called to Dylan as she arrived back at the house boat. It was already 8pm. Her and Dylan's shift had ended at 7pm but she'd been waiting to get a patient transferred to psych.

"Your wine is in the fridge, I thought white would go better with tonight's dinner."

"You're quite the domestic God aren't you?" she teased.

On opening the fridge she noticed a 6-pack of lager on the shelf and concern crept across her face.

"Dylan, is everything alright?"

"Yes, why do you ask?" he didn't even look up from examining the food simmering away in the saucepan.

"just the beer, I wasn't sure if maybe you were struggling."

"I just thought if Maxwell was joining us he may prefer beer..."

Zoe smiled to herself, the two most important men in her life getting along.