He was already in his pj's when someone knocked on his door. He groaned but stood up from his couch and walked toward the door to open to whomever was disturbing him this late. In his hurry he walked on shards of glass barefoot and hissed, stepping out of the dangerous area instantly. He crossed the distance separating him from the outcast on his toes and opened the door.

He tensed; of all the people, it had to be Liz Ortecho this night.

"What are you doing here? It's late" he asked without further ado.

"We have to talk" she said coldly.

"Come back tomorrow, please. I'm not in the mood right now"

"Well, you know what? I don't care! I have things to say, so you'll hear me out" She sounded furious and he thought the sooner she emptied her bag, the sooner she'll leave. "Whatever, come inside" he gave up and opened the door wide. She walked quickly toward the couch but stopped when she saw red on the floor.

"What is it?" she asked, a line drawing on her forehead.

"Blood" he stated matter of factly, without moving from his spot next to the door.

"I know it's blood, Max. I'm a doctor." Max shrugged "what do you want me to say, Liz? I'm tired" Liz brows furrowed.

"Max, just tell me what happened!" Max couldn't take it anymore. His day, hell his week has been awful; his brother wanted to kill him, his sister was almost there and work wasn't better: he couldn't solve a murder case, so corpses were still found daily… So, he burst.

"I just had the worst week of my life. I know you can't understand since you all think I'm a robot but I'm not, I feel everything: I feel victims families sadness, anger, I feel the hatred my brother has for me, the disappointment I am for my sister. And you have no right to come to my house this late to reprehend me. I might have had feelings for you my whole life but you can't use it, you can't use me, okay. I'm so tired, just let me be, okay? Please" Max was almost crying at the end and Liz endemor changed radically from angry to worried. She felt guilty for breaking into his house like this, intending to put the blame on him and make him a less than nothing while he tired himself everyday (and probably every night) to protect others. And she saw him now; she saw the lines on his forehead, the 3 days stubble and the tiredness in his eyes. His body was at 2 minutes from crashing on the ground and he was looking like he would fall apart. So she forgot why she was here in the first place; now she was here to take care of him. He deserved it after all.

"I'm sorry, Max. I'll let you alone I promise. But come sit down first". He breathed out, reassured, and walked slowly toward her, hissing every now and then. Liz eyes widened "Max! Is this your blood?" He looked at her, sheepish.

"Yeah.I didn't have time to clean up the glass splinters and then I forgot it was there and… I stepped on it" "Oh no… show me" He sighed and showed her the plant of his foot. "Ouch" she said, sympathetically.

"Do you have something to clean it up?" "The first aid kit is in the cupboard above the fridge" "Right. I'll be right back" He closed his eyes and massaged them, head bowed.

"Lie against the couch and put your feet on my thighs, it'll be more practical that way"

"I can do it, you know. You can go home" "Bullshit, hurry up, comply" she smiled tentatively and he obliged.

"No stitches needed but you will definitely feel it, sorry"

"Of course" Max groaned. She patched him up in silence, Max wasn't up for small talk and she didn't push him.

"That's it. Go to sleep, please. You look like death." he snorted

"Thanks, ma'am. I sure appreciate the compliment". She stared at him

"I'm serious Max."

"I know, I will".

"Right, good boy" she patted his shoulder then went out and drove home. Max didn't have the time to move to his bed before he fell asleep.

The End