Author's Note: I don't know that a second part was necessary or wanted but at least it's out of my head now.

X X X

I awoke with a start. It took me a full three seconds to realize the chemical spill ordeal at the hospital the day before was very real. It was not some sick dream. The whole thing happened, the good the bad and the ugly.

The day started with me being irrationally pissy and frustrated, and I didn't know then why. My prayer beads were the only thing to give me comfort, but I was also overly protective of them. Irrationally, again. I didn't want anyone to know and I didn't know why.

My bad mood moved to anger when I realized Max had gone off by himself again to save the hospital. The anger was quickly replaced with fear, then terror, hopelessness, more fear, devastating disappointment, utter elation and finally back to fear and anger again, all in one day. I was emotionally drained. Physically I was exhausted, still had a few chemical burns myself here and there, mostly on my feet.

I had gotten home to find Mina waiting with food. Food she made herself. What was one more shock for the day? The concern on her face made me think perhaps we were making progress after all, but when she threw herself into my arms for a tight hug, I knew we'd be ok. It was a huge step forward and I was ecstatic to wrap up my day on that note.

Over a wonderful dinner I gave Mina the short version of events. She didn't ask too many questions, just let me ramble. But there was a glint in her eye whenever I spoke of Max. I didn't tell her about the huge step forward I took with him, but somehow I got the feeling my niece knew. Her goofy smile every time I mentioned his name was perhaps a reflection of my own.

Mina had cleaned up and ushered me off to bed with a glass of wine still in my hand. I was so grateful for her. It was nice to be taken care of for once. I threw my clothes on the bathroom floor, not even caring about them. It was not like me to leave anything on the floor but I was so tired. I drained the last of my wine and crawled into bed. I had even debated whether to read a little bit to wind down.

And then Max texted me. It was just a short and simple thing, but sent my heart to the moon all over again. It just read "Sweet Dreams" with a red heart emoji. I had nodded off staring at my phone.

So it was a new day. It felt different. I felt different. But there was a dark cloud hanging over everything. Max was about to take on the most important battle of his life: custody of his daughter. Even if things hadn't changed between us, even without the 180 turn I wasn't about to let him fight this alone. That child meant the world to him and he meant the world to me. I couldn't bear to witness a bad outcome.

I got up, showered and got ready for the day. I put my Dr. Helen game face on. I didn't know if she would be needed or not, at least today anyway. I was in the kitchen getting coffee and breakfast when Mina came out. She looked surprised.

"You're going to work?" she asked, confusion clouding her features.

"Of course," I smiled. "I wasn't the one in mortal danger."

"You should take at least a day off," Mina insisted. "We can hang out."

My heart sank a little. For once my niece actually wanted to spend time with me and I was about to rush off to save Max again. I gave Mina a quick hug.

"I'll come home early," I said with what I hoped was a reassuring smile. "I'll only work a half day."

That seemed to be a good enough answer. She beamed at me and poured herself a cup of coffee too.

X X X

I breezed through the halls of New Amsterdam. I had work to do. The first stop was my office. I checked voicemails and scanned through an inbox full of emails. Fortunately there was nothing earth-shattering that couldn't wait. I had only one thing on my mind. I grabbed my white coat and headed out the door.

I assumed Max would be in his office, prepping with a lawyer in some way. At least that's what I would be doing. I reached his office and gave a light knock on the closed door. Suddenly I was very nervous. I opened it slowly to find him pacing the length of the room. He was in a dress shirt and slacks, no scrubs today. He looked over to see who entered his domain. Some of the fear and the worry and the pain etched across his features melted away, just a little, when he saw me. I tried to throw him a beaming smile.

"When did they release you?" I asked. What a stupid question.

"Late last night," Max replied. "I texted you on my way home."

Yes, the text. This was all so new and different.

"Thank you for that," I nodded. I was suddenly uncomfortable and didn't know what to say. Max smiled at me, waiting for me to say something else. "I'm sorry. I'm so used to hiding."

Max let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Oh god, I thought I was the only one."

I shook my head and allowed a chuckle. "Definitely not. This is going to take some getting used to..."

He reached out a hand and I took it. He pulled me closer, into the circle of his arms. "I'm looking forward to it."

I felt like a giddy schoolgirl, the way my heart soared at such a small gesture. I wanted to kiss him, right then and there. But we had work to do. We had to get our Miss Luna back. This was neither the time nor place for a budding new romance.

"So what happens today?" I asked. I had every intention of taking a few steps away but my hands ran absently across his chest of their own accord.

Max sighed again, this time out of frustration. "I don't know exactly. I have a preliminary hearing but I'm not at all sure what to expect. I just want my baby girl."

"Do you need anything from me?" I don't know what I could possibly do, I wasn't a lawyer.

He bent down and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. "This is enough for now. You have always had a calming effect on me. You've always centered me."

"Don't I know it," I mumbled. "Not that I'm complaining, but this is still weird to me. This new us."

"There will be so much more new us as soon as I get Luna back."

I looked up at him and smiled. "I know." I leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. It wasn't full of passion, not yet. But it lingered, a promise of what was to come. I broke free from his grasp and walked back to the door.

"You need to focus on Luna right now," I said. "Good luck at the hearing and call me if you need anything."

"I'll probably call you even if I don't," Max replied. There was a fiery determination in his eyes.

I gave him one last smile before I slipped out of his office.

X X X

Author's Notes: Maybe it's too subtle but I'm not sure how else Helen could help in this instance other than keeping Max on track, as usual. But Season 3 has been Max's struggle to figure out what he wants vs what he needs. Helen will help him figure out how to be there for those who need him. That's my hot take anyway.