The part of Duncan is temporarily being understudied.
*** 45 minutes later***
Duncan pulls up in front Zoe's hotel and stops his car. Joe: You don't need to wait, Mac. I'll call a cab to get home. Joe says as he reaches for the door lever. Duncan: You sure? Duncan asks looking over at his friend. Duncan: Because I don't mind. Joe: No. Thanks. You're a good friend. Joe says with a smile and gets out of the T-bird. He closes the door and pats the roof to let Duncan know he can leave and he watches as the car pulls away from the curb then he walks into the hotel lobby and heads for the elevators. Joe rides the elevator to Zoe's floor, gets off and walks to her door. Feeling butterflies in his stomach, Joe knocks on Zoe's door. Zoe looks up hearing a knock on the door. After a moment she slides from her bed and pulls a robe on and makes her way to the door. Zoe pulls open the door and blinks in surprise. Zoe: Joe! What are you doing here? I... I called you, didn't I? To say I couldn't make it tonight? Joe: Yes. And then you hung up on me so I thought I would stop by to find out what's up? Did I do something wrong? Joe asks looking Zoe over. Zoe: What? Zoe gasps in surprise. Zoe: No! Joe: Have you been working out? Joe asks after observing her appearance. Zoe: No. I- Zoe cuts herself out, and closes her eyes briefly. Zoe: Excuse me. Zoe says turning and fleeing back into hotel room, leaving Joe at the open door. Joe is surprised by Zoe suddenly turning and running off. He hesitates a second then follows her inside, closing the door behind him. Joe: Zoe? Are you alright? Joe asks concerned. He takes a couple of steps away from the door. Zoe hears Joe but is unable to answer as she kneels next to the toilet and empties her stomach. Joe can't help but hear what is going on in the bathroom and he moves a few steps closer to the bathroom. Joe: Zoe? Zoe: Sorry, I'll be out in a minute. Zoe says, before throwing up again. Joe asks as he gets to the bathroom door and sees Zoe kneeling before the "porcelain god" and moves into the bathroom. He takes a hand towel off of the towel rack and dampens it with cold water then walks over. bends down and places the cold rag against Zoe's forehead. Zoe: Thank you. Zoe murmurs still over the toilet. Joe 's free hand is gently resting on Zoe's back and he becomes aware of the heat radiating through Zoe's robe. Joe: Have you been feeling like this since last Tuesday night?
Joe asks softly. Zoe: No. Just this morning. Joe: How long have you been running a fever? Zoe says softly, reaching for the glass of water she's been keeping on the floor next to the toilet to wash the taste away. Joe asks, concerned. Zoe: Just this morning. Zoe says after swishing and spitting into the toilet. Joe: Have you seen a doctor? Joe asks as he puts the towel under the cold water again and rings it out. Zoe: Oh, yeah. Joe places the cold towel against her forehead again. Zoe sighs slowly getting to her feet and flushing the toilet. Then turning she exits the bathroom, and goes only so far as the bed, right next to the bathroom door. Zoe: Thank you. Zoe murmurs softly. Joe follows Zoe to the bed and sits down next to her, taking the damp towel from her and using it to gently wipe her face then folding it and placing it on her forehead. Joe: What did he say? Joe asks softly. Zoe: That its to be expected. Joe frowns. Zoe says with a sigh, knowing where this conversation is headed. A direction she had hoped never to go with Joe. Joe: Expected with what? Joe asks and quirks one eyebrow. Zoe: With my treatments. Zoe says sighing again. Joe looks into Zoe's eyes. Joe: Treatments for what? Joe asks, frowning. Zoe sighs. Zoe: Joe, I'm so sorry, I... I had hoped... hoped, didn't want, this to come out but... Zoe trails off not quite sure how to continue. Joe takes hold of her hand and gently caresses it while he looks into her eyes. Joe: I want to know. Joe says softly...his voice almost a whisper. Zoe: Remember the doctor I met with, the day you and I met? Zoe asks. Joe: Yes. Joe says nodding. Zoe: He is the reason I came to Seacouver, or rather, his clinical trial is. Zoe says slowly and haltingly. Zoe: My doctor's back east told me about the trial. It's for terminal patients only. It's designed to improve quality of time left. Zoe says after a minutes hesitation. Joe closes his eyes for a few seconds and takes in a deep breath. Joe: Why didn't you tell me? Joe asks as he opens his eyes and lets out the breath. Zoe: I didn't want your pity. Zoe says. Zoe: I didn't want you to think less of me. I... I love the look in your eyes when you look at me Joe. I didn't want to lose that. Zoe murmurs looking down at her hands, which lay in her lap. Joe places his fingers under her chin and lifts her face so she is looking at him and he looks at her lovingly. Joe: I could never think less of you, Zoe Kellogg. Joe says softly. Zoe: Even knowing I only have six... maybe nine months left to live? Zoe questions. Joe 's heart feels as though someone has jabbed a red hot poker into it and it is all he can do to keep from reacting to Zoe's shocking revelation. But, having had to inform many a Watcher's family that they had been injured or died in the "line of duty" and therefore having gotten used to hiding his true feelings...Joe picks up one of Zoe's hands and kisses her fingers. Joe: Even though. Zoe closes her eyes. Zoe: I don't deserve you. Zoe whispers. Joe: I guess this means we shouldn't waste anymore time. Joe says looking into her eyes and smiles. Zoe: I wouldn't exactly say we've been wasting time. Zoe says with a smile looking at Joe. Joe reaches into his coat pocket and removes the black velvet ring box. He lets go of Zoe's hand and opens the box and turns it to face her. Joe: Will you, Zoe Kellogg, do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Joe Dawson? Joe asks and watches her face closely for her reaction. Zoe: You... You... Zoe stutters her eyes going from the ring to Joe's face and back again, shock evident on her face. Zoe: I... Yes! Joe is afraid to clarify what he has heard her say for fear that that would give her time to rethink her answer and change it so...instead...he removes the ring from the box, separates the wedding ring from the engagement ring and slips the engagement ring on Zoe's left ring finger. Joe: Zoe Kellogg....I love you. Joe says looking into her eyes. Zoe: I love you too, Joseph Dawson. Zoe says smiling up at Joe. Joe places his fingers under Zoe's chin, leans forward and places a soft, gentle kiss on her lips. Zoe closes her eyes and relaxes into Joe. Comforted by his very presence. Joe ends the kiss with two small pecks on the lips then sits back and places his hand on her forehead to feel her temperature. Joe: When was the last time you ate anything? Joe asks softly. Zoe: Won't stay down. Zoe says with a shrug to indicate it didn't matter. Joe: I didn't ask you that. I asked when was the last time? Joe says firmly but he is still smiling lovingly at her. Zoe: This morning. Just before I went to my treatment. Zoe shrugs. Joe: How much of a fight am I going to get if I get you some chicken broth...just the broth? Joe asks with a grin. Zoe: None. I'm willing to try but... Zoe shrugs. Zoe: We'll see. Joe stands up and pulls the blanket up over her. Joe: Then I will be right back. Joe says and heads for the door. Joe goes down to the restaurant in the lobby and orders some hot broth to take back up to Zoe. He also buys some bags of chamomile tea and peppermint tea to help settle her stomach. To be continued