"I remember it," Kenny repeated, recalling the way he had kissed her that night, and how he had trembled as he held her. How scared he was when he told her everything he had felt because part of him was absolutely terrified that she wouldn't feel the same way.
Max nodded, not trusting her voice in that instant, and by the way he looked at her she could tell that he was remembering how they had come together.
"You looked so beautiful in that red dress," he said softly. "Even when you slapped me."
"I don't think I ever did apologize for that," Max replied quietly. "Even though you did deserve it."
"Did I?" Kenny asked, glad to have a glimpse of his life back, and he took it as a good sign that something was coming back to him. "I want to know it all."
"It'll come back," Max said a lot more confidentially then she felt. "It has too."
"Why?"
"We've been through to much for it not too," Max replied quietly, almost afraid to tell him that she loved him. Even if he remembered that one night, she wasn't sure if he felt the same way about her, and she didn't want to have to put him in that position.
"Tell me about that," he said gesturing to her stomach. "How did it happen?"
Max grinned despite her mood. "Do I have to tell you were babies come from?"
Kenny tried to picture what sex with Max would be like, and if was anything like that kiss on Thanksgiving, or making out with her on that night that he could recall, he had to think that it would pretty damn good. Looking at the beautiful woman in front of him, he was curious to see how she would react if he touched her. Slowly he reached out and took her hand in his. Squeezing gently, Kenny realized how badly he wanted to kiss her then. She was his wife after all, and they had to have done all this stuff before.
"I know where babies come from," Kenny replied not taking his eyes off of her. "Did we plan on it?"
"Oh it was kind of a shock," Max replied surprised that he had reached out for her. "For both of us. It still is somewhat."
"Max, I," he faltered, not knowing how to say what he was thinking. "I hate this not knowing, and I can tell by looking at you... I don't know if I've ever told you this before... I wanted this with you."
Max smiled at him, and squeezed his hand back. "I know. You've made that perfectly clear to me for awhile now."
"I know this is hurting you," he said softly. "You don't have to pretend."
She nodded, feeling slightly choked up at his honesty. "These hormones are getting the best of me, Kenny. We've had our ups and downs in the last few years, and selfishly it does hurt that you don't remember our life. I know there are things that I would rather forget, but they're part of us."
"Us," he repeated, and decided that the word sounded right when talking about him and Max. They had always been an us. "Max?"
"Kenny?"
He tugged on her hand, and she leaned in closer to him. He studied her for minute, just drinking her in. Cupping her face in his hands, he just had to kiss her. She nodded slightly, and let him pull her in. His lips brushed against hers softly at first, almost tentatively, and Max couldn't help but feel a tingle rushing down her spine. Kenny ran his hands through her long hair, and couldn't believe that he was sitting in a hospital making out with this gorgeous creature that happened to be his pregnant wife. Wrapping his arms more tightly around her he deepened the kiss, and felt Max tremble against him.
"Whoa! What's going on in here?" Jill exclaimed, seeing Kenny all wrapped around Max. She did her best to suppress a smile at the picture of the pregnant woman and amnesiac man necking in here. "You, lie down. You're still recovering from a gunshot wound. And you should be gone by now, visiting hours were over hours ago and I don't like the thought of you driving around late at night in your condition."
"Yes Mom," Max said dryly, as they pried themselves reluctantly apart. She caught Kenny's wondrous expression as he pulled away, and there was something else there. They way he was looking at her, it almost felt familiar.
"Sorry Jill, my fault," Kenny admitted. "I just wanted to...Well she is my wife."
Jill caught the glance between them, and couldn't help feel glad that they were connecting on some level. "Yes she is, and she should be home from now. And you need to rest."
"Okay, okay," Max agreed. "I'm going."
"Hey, hold up for a second," Kenny said, reaching out for her again. He grasped her hand between his, and just looked at her for a minute. "Max."
"I know," she said softly, searching for recognition in his eyes. "Ssh, get some rest, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah," he agreed, letting go of her. "Tomorrow."
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Jen couldn't believe her horrendous luck to be locked back up in the Rome Wisconsin Sheriff Station. I should have killed that bitch right away, she thought, but at least I got a shot of at that husband of hers. Jen vaguely remembered Max's scream, and tackling her down to the floor. She could hardly believe that she did that, without regard to her own safety, and Jen privately scoffed at the other women's heroic acts. She knew that she would have easily shot the other two men, as well as Max if she hadn't tackled her. Cursing the woman once more for foiling her revenge plot, Jen knew that she had to get her out of the picture at some point because no one got the best of Dr. Jennifer Davis.
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Jimmy paused outside the door to Kenny's room, and after the other day of spilling the news about his marriage to Max, Jimmy wasn't to sure what to say to the younger man. According to Jill, the news was devastating to Kenny, in fact he seemed rather pleased about it. It warmed Jimmy's heart to know that Kenny had those feelings towards Max all those years ago. He felt hopeful that even if all of Kenny's memories didn't return to him that he and Max would still work it out. Knocking on the door, as he came in he forced himself to be cheerful.
"How you feeling?" Jimmy asked in way of greeting. "Jill going to spring you anytime soon?"
Kenny shrugged. "Don't know. A little sore, but otherwise fine. At least physically."
"These things take time."
"Do they? It's like a big blank nothing," Kenny lamented. "Bits and pieces that don't make much sense come and go, but nothing solid, except for one night."
"What night?" Jimmy asked curious to see what stood out so vividly that it would come back to him when everything wouldn't.
Kenny paused, not sure if he should really tell his boss this. "Ah, the night Max and me decided to give this a shot."
"Well, it's a step in the right direction," Jimmy replied. "And if that came back, everything else should follow. Don't push it."
"How can't I? I've got a pregnant wife who doesn't need the added stress of this," Kenny said flatly. "And I want to remember, not just for me, for her, and our kid. Max deserves more then this."
"Do you love her?" Jimmy asked bluntly, not being able to stop the words from coming out.
Kenny paused at Jimmy's question, and was shocked that he would get so personal. "I... That's never been a problem, I've always been in love with her. Telling her was the problem."
"She knows," Jimmy said. "And she feels the same way. Let her know, Kenny, Max tries so hard to stay strong but she has a soft center that does bruise."
Kenny nodded as thoughts danced around the edge of his consciousness.
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Max grabbed her coat, and caught sight of her reflection in the mirror before throwing it on. Pausing for a second, she straightened her sleeveless blue wrap around shirt over her bump. She had to grin when looking down at it, and she couldn't help feeling a little giddy about prospective motherhood. She didn't even mind the extra weight, and she knew that it served a greater purpose in the end. Shrugging her jacket on she threw open the door and jumped back in surprise.
"Kimberly! Uh, hi," Max said lamely, not knowing what to say to the young woman. "What are you doing here?"
"I just," Kim stammered. "I know you must hate me, but I wanted to... I don't know. Apologize, I never meant for any of this to happen."
Max sighed, and beckoned her inside. "I don't hate you Kimberly. Part of me wants to, but a bigger part wants to understand why now? It wasn't just me you hurt, Kenny was devastated and I know Pete felt awful. Not to mention your parents."
"Everyone has someone," Kim said softly." But me. Kenny always treated me like an adult, and everyone that I've dated recently... I just feel alone."
"I know that feeling," Max replied honestly. "Kim, you're a lovely young woman, and when you meet the right guy, he'll be lucky. Loneliness sucks believe me, but you're only 22 years old. Don't settle for anyone just yet."
"I think I need some professional help."
"You're talking to the wrong person about therapy," Max said sarcastically. "I've had two therapists who like to murder people. I'm not going to be the spokesperson on therapy anytime soon, although I'm sure there are some reputable psychiatrists out there somewhere."
"Maybe I'll go find one," Kim said. "Is Kenny going to be alright? I heard that he's lost some of his memory."
"I hope so," Max said, still feeling a little wary of Kimberly's concern. "Your Mom is hopeful that it'll come back, and he get bits and pieces occasionally."
"That's good," Kim said quickly. "I'd like to go visit, but I understand if you don't want me too."
"I'll make you a deal. Go talk things out with your parents, and we'll see," Max said. "I don't know what is going to happen the whole memory loss, but once I know for sure, we'll see."
"Okay," Kim agreed. "And, Max, thank you for at least listening to me."
"If I've learned one thing recently, it's that forgiveness goes along way," Max replied. "I keep thinking of Jen and all her anger, and Gina, and if they could have just let go of it... this all might not have happened."
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Max paused by Kenny's hospital room door when she heard the voices inside. Not one to snoop, she smiled to herself, she paused to listen to Kenny and Jimmy chat for a few minutes. Besides she didn't want to interrupt their visit.
"I can't believe it," Kenny said.
"Stranger things have happened," Jimmy replied dryly. "We both know that."
Kenny shook his head in amazement, and even though he knew what Jimmy was talking about, it still seemed as completely out there as it did before.
"What are you doing?" Jill whispered to Max, sneaking up behind her.
Max jumped back in surprised, and smiled sheepishly at her friend. "Me? I didn't want to disrupt them."
"Eavesdropping," Jill added.
"Somewhat," Max agreed. "Anything new to tell me?"
"That's what I'm getting at," Jill replied, gesturing towards the door. "Care to come with me?"
"Oh, sure," Max replied, torn on her decision to tell Jill about Kim's visit earlier, but with all that both Jimmy and Jill had done for them of late Max felt like she owed to her. "Can you spare a minute though? I've got to tell you something."
"Alright," Jill said, noting Max's sudden nervousness.
Max hesitantly related her and Kimberly's earlier conversation, and her apprehensiveness about Kim's sudden turnaround.
"We'll talk to her when she's ready," Jill conceded. "It's been hard on Jimmy though... he feels a little guilty because some of the things she said hit home."
"It's not his fault," Max replied truthfully. "This whole situation... everything is screwed up."
"It'll get better," Jill replied, "Hopefully. You ready to go in?"
Jimmy and Kenny both turned to look at their respective spouses, and Max had to pause at Kenny's expression when he looked at her. It seemed like he was looking at her for the first time, and she didn't miss the small smile on Jimmy's mouth either.
"What's going on?" she asked sounding deliberately causal.
Kenny paused to study her for second. "Not much. We were talking about past cases and stuff."
"Past cases," Max asked, catching the look that passed between the two men. "Really? How far past?"
"How Wambaugh and Littleton went to the Supreme Court," Kenny said, just wanting to see her reaction as a huge chunk, about a year and half of his life returned to him, "And some bussing issues."
Max turned to Jimmy, who was watching her with a wide grin and he nodded to confirm as she turned back to Kenny. "You remember all that?"
"We're going for a walk," Jill interrupted, dragging Jimmy to his feet. "I'll be back soon."
"Yeah," Kenny replied, as Max shook her head in disbelief. "I remember you...making love to you that night... falling more in love with you everyday after that then I ever thought possible. I didn't tell Jimmy that part though."
"Oh, Kenny," Max whispered.
"Just holding you,," he paused before looking back at her. "Then it ended."
"Yeah it did," Max said. "For awhile."
"You," he trailed off as he remembered his reaction to her dye job. "We were looking for excuses... You looked like a different person as a blond."
"I felt like a different person," Max said. "Turning 30 freaked me out, although it doesn't sound so bad know that I'm 31."
"It's strange," Kenny repeated. "I wanted you back the minute I broke up with you... it took us so long to get back together..."
"What got us back together? What else do you remember?" Max managed to choke out, not sure how he would react to her shooting, and Max didn't want him to have to relive the trauma of her rape.
"You were mayor," he asked. "You?"
"You don't need any qualifications in this town to be mayor, look at the track record," Max said wryly.
"I thought I lost you then," Kenny replied. "I thought you would die without knowing how I still felt."
"I always knew how you felt," Max said softly. "You remember all of that?"
Kenny nodded, as their reconciliation came back to him, and he wanted to pull her in his arms again and tell her how much he loved her. "Max, I remember it, up to the point when you got out of the hospital, then it was something about a new murderer, and it gets blurry again."
"Don't force it," Max blurted out, knowing how much it was going to hurt him to know about those four deaths and her rape, and she knew that he would have to know sometime, but he already looked overwhelmed by the incoming information so far. "I can't believe that it all came back to you. God, Kenny... This is wonderful."
"Max, what is the rest?" he asked cautiously. "Jimmy didn't want me to think about it too much either. It can't be all bad, after all we did get married in that time. And these last few months seems to be very interesting."
"Oh they have been," Max said dryly, watching him closely. "We just don't want you to strain yourself."
Kenny sat up slightly, as Jill and Jimmy stood in the doorway. Max watched his shocked expression turn to anger, and she knew that he was remembering Danny Shreve, the murders and her rape.
"That bastard," he said so quietly, that Max couldn't really make it out. He looked up at her then and she had to step back at the anger in his eyes.
"Ssh, calm down. It happened a few years ago, it's all fine now," Max said quickly.
"Fine? He raped you," Kenny said shocked to know that she had been through something so awful and not told him. "And you let me talk about how happy I was for you to be married to him and having his baby? Max, how couldn't you tell me that?"
"Because you were just shot," Max replied, trying to stay calm. "And you didn't remember anything that happened in the last five years, much less that. You didn't remember our life together, much less that. It made sense to you that it was his, and I didn't want to add anything to make this whole situation worse!"
"Asshole," he spat, as Jill and Jimmy hurriedly came back into the room.
"He most certainly was," Jill agreed. "But as Max said, it was all over years ago, and I want to know how your memories are progressing."
He ignored her. "You're alright? Honey?"
She nodded. "I'm fine, Kenny really. He's locked up, and he's going to stay that way."
He stared at her for an instant, as if checking to see if you really was.
"Okay, that was enough excitement for the moment," Jill interjected in the silence not wanting to talk about those few months that much either. "They're not anyone's favorite topic."
Kenny watched the three of them warily, and he knew that he needed to talk about. Looking at his beautiful, pregnant, radiant, wife, he didn't want to bring any more sadness into her life at the moment, but he needed to know what had happened to her. It killed him to know that someone had hurt her and he hadn't done anything to stop it. Looking at her strained expression, he decided to table the issue for the moment.
Max studied him as he came to grip with what happened, and she didn't know what to say. More then anything she wanted to just take him into her arms and tell him that everything was alright, but he looked like he was going to explode if anyone came to close to him.
"Fine," he agreed flatly, as Max sat tentatively on the edge of the bed. Ignoring Jimmy and Jill's presence for a moment, she took his hand in hers. He looked up at her and wanted to stay angry, but Kenny couldn't manage to while looking at her.
"It's the past," Max said softly. "Granted is sucks, but we moved on from it. If you want to talk about it we will, but not right now."
"You don't want to," he asked noting her reluctant expression.
"It's not my favorite subject," Max agreed, the thought of Danny enough to make her sick to her stomach.
Jill was tried for a third time to get their attention. "As the medical professional in the room, I've got to ask a few questions."
"What? Oh, okay," Max said as if realizing they were there for the first time. Kenny and her hands intertwined, and she knew that she wasn't going anywhere at that moment.
"Not to push a touchy subject, what is the last thing you remember?"
Glancing up at Max, he responded. "Taking Max to the hospital, then nothing."
"That's a lot of progress," Jill said encouragingly. "I know it's rough, but with this all coming back I believe that you'll recover most of the rest."
"The rest," Kenny asked numbly, not sure if he wanted to know everything else anymore. He looked up at Max, and smiled encouragingly at him. He still couldn't believe that the bastard had actually raped her. Jill prattled on about his tests, and he listened halfway because most of his attention was focused on Max. Squeezing her hand, he vowed to never let anything like that happen to her again.
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Kim hesitated outside the house she grew up in before ringing the doorbell. Deep down she wanted to make things right with her parents, but she didn't want to get into another fight with them. She thought of what Max had said about forgiveness, and she hoped that everyone could forgive her for what she had done in the last few months. Even if Kenny had no recollection of it, she wanted to make it up to the others. Raising her hand, she pressed the bell in.
"Kimberly," Jimmy said slowly, not knowing how to react to his eldest child.
"Hi Dad," she said quietly. "Can I come in?"
"It's your home too," Jimmy said flatly. "I'm surprised you want to be here."
"I wanted to talk to you and Mom, if you'd listen to me," Kim said, "Please."
"That's fine," Jimmy replied. "Come in. Jill, can you come out here for a minute?"
If Jill was surprised to see her, it didn't show to much. "Kimberly. How's school going?"
"I've had better semesters before," she replied before blurting out, "Mom, Dad, I'm so sorry for what I put you through. I felt so alone up at school, and I just wanted someone to love me. Even Carter Pike has a girlfriend."
"That isn't a good excuse," Jimmy replied, feeling badly that his daughter had hurt so much and they didn't know. "And we're not the ones that you own an apology to."
"I talked to Max this morning, and I'll talk to Kenny if he remembers it."
"How about Pete? The man can't look me in the eye."
"Pete," Kim said thoughtfully, thinking of the young deputy and how cute he was. "I can talk to him too, if he wants to listen."
"Do you want to stay for dinner?" Jill asked, knowing how glad Jimmy was to have his daughter back in the house.
Kim nodded, and the three went back to the kitchen.