331 Back home, across the hall

Between the visitors and checkups, Liz and Max didn't have much time for themselves.

Other than family members (Quentin and Brianna included), even Foxy and Rhonda visited.

Nathan announced that he will temporarily un-retire, and act as the CEO of the Alpha group until Max recuperates.

On Tuesday afternoon, Liz said that Max is stable and that he can leave the hospital.

Max didn't want to delay. "Let's go."

"Promise that you will stay in bed and take it easy." Liz demanded.

Max smiled. "I promise to rest."

Liz was exasperated when she heard Max wiggling out of that promise, but she will stay with him and make sure he heals properly.

…

"You know, Max… I think that you should buy yourself a wheelchair and keep it in the storage for the next time." Liz teased Max when they exited the elevator on the 31st floor of their apartment building.

Max had no response to this, but he had something else on his mind. "Liz, can we go to my apartment?"

"Sure. Do you want to get something from there?"

"No. I mean… can we stay in my apartment?"

Liz paused. "Is something wrong with mine?"

"Nothing is wrong but… I believe that your insecurity is partially because I invaded your life while not letting you into mine. I practically moved into your apartment, I went to your work numerous times, and when we go together, we mostly use your car. I was thinking that it can be helpful if I share what's mine with you."

Liz didn't think about this before, but she saw that it's important to Max. What can go wrong? If she does not like it, she will go across the hall. Her apartment is not going anywhere. "OK."

Max smiled, happy that she accepted. "I will make space in my closet for your things…"

"I will do it." Liz cut him off. "You can sit and tell me what to do. I need you to rest."

"Yes, Dr. Williams…" Max said in an official tone.

By evening, Liz got groceries and transferred a few necessities to Max's apartment from hers. Max told her to treat his apartment like hers and to relax but for Liz, it was all new and slightly uncomfortable.

Liz was checking Max's condition every few hours and Max didn't object. He knew that she is worried.

After dinner, Max thought that it's time. He can't delay this talk. "I want to tell you about Irene…"

Liz frowned. "Is it necessary?"

"I don't want to talk about her, but… She is here and we can't ignore her. Please…"

Liz was not willing, but she sat next to Max on the sofa.

Liz didn't want to talk about Irene, but there was one point… "How can you say that you treated all those women like you are getting back at Irene? She didn't sleep with you once and tell you to scram."

Max exhaled. "I was talking about giving them hope that there is something between us and then taking it away. Irene didn't sleep with me at all."

Liz blinked. "What? I thought that the two of you dated for years. All the way into college…"

"Yes. And I told you that I treated her with respect. My almost first time was in a cheap hotel which accepts cash, with a woman about ten years older than I am. She said that she will teach me things so that I can impress my girlfriend. And it was only $100. I did it because my pals told me how experience is important, and that Irene will laugh at me if I have no idea what to do, and that as long as I don't go all the way it's not considered cheating. I never got a chance to show the skills I learned that night. Well, not to Irene."

Liz was processing what Max said. There was a time when Max would appreciate a girl to the point of dating her for years without touching her. Liz wondered, what would she do if she knew Max at that time and if she was his girlfriend? Would she take him for granted like Irene? Or would she recognize that he is cherishing her?

Liz pressed her lips into a line. She wanted to know if Max still has feelings for Irene, but she was afraid to ask because if he says that there is even a spec of affection left, her doubt will resurface, and she can't allow that to happen because she decided to trust him. Can she trust him?

"What are you thinking?"

Max's question pulled Liz out of her stupor.

"Nothing." She lied. "I am just absorbing what you said."

Liz believes that her poker face is good, but Max can see through her.

"Elizabeth… I told you all this because I want you to understand how Irene does not compare to you. She never had my body, and as much as I believed that I was in love with her, when I met you I realized how powerful love is and what I felt for her was not it. From the moment my eyes landed on you, my brain short-circuited and refused to work… my instincts took over and the only thing on my mind was to get close to you. I was fighting it at first, but that was a losing battle. You are the only woman who ever made my heart race to the point of pushing me to the verge of fainting. My stomach gets jittery when you enter the room, and your touch is electrifying. You are amazing inside and out and if I need to pick one word to describe you, that would be: perfect. My only wish is for you to understand that you are a necessity for me to be sane, and please do not think that any woman can change the way I feel because my heart is set on you. I will never do anything to jeopardize what we have. I need you, Liz, more than air."

Liz felt like mush because all her insides melted from the sweetness of his words.

"Oh, Max…" Liz sighed and hugged him.

Max hissed.

"Sorry, sorry…" Liz said quickly while releasing her hold. "I forgot that you are hurt. Are you OK?"

Max smiled. "With you by my side, I am more than OK. I still want you to hug me, just not so hard."

"OK…" Liz inched closer carefully.

"It seems that there will be no sex for some time…" Max grumbled.

Liz ignored his comment. "Let me know if I'm squeezing too much."

Max hummed in agreement and wrapped his arms around Liz.

"Max?" Liz whispered.

"Hm?"

"Thank you for telling me about Irene."

"Thank you for listening."

"I'm sorry I didn't listen before your accident. If I did, you would not drink and…"

"Shh…" Max interrupted her. "Let's not talk about that night. Everything is fine now."

They held each other in silence and their scents mixed and their worlds were at peace.

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