A/N: see ch1 for all disclaimers and please review. (please? with sugar and pretty sprinkles on it?)

"-rne."

Evan was pulled from a dreamless sleep by his earpiece. "Hmm?" he mumbled, still half-asleep.

"Doctor Pierce wants to see you in the infirmary."

At hearing Kevin's name Evan bolted out of bed and grabbed the nearest clothes while saying, "I'm there." Pausing only to quickly put on his pants, he exited into the hallway barefoot and ran towards the infirmary.

His feet slapping the cold metal floor Evan rounded the last corner and sprinted down the straight away towards the infirmary doors. Skidding to a stop inside, he saw that Pierce was waiting for him.

"Is she all right?" Evan asked breathless.

Kevin nodded, "For the moment."

He didn't like the answer, even though it meant that things had gone well the second time around. There seemed to be more to it and Evan was almost afraid to find out, but he had to know. "What else?"

"She's lost a lot of blood-"

"Yeah I know, you already told me." Lorne said, cutting Pierce off and wanting something more than what he already knew.

"That was before we had to go in a second time." Kevin held up a hand to silence Lorne so he could finish. "Everything went fine, but she went into shock from losing that much blood and our blood bank's almost tapped out because of yesterday-"

"Is she going to be fine?" Evan interrupted. He didn't want the explanations, he just wanted to know if Max was going to be fine or not.

"Depends on the next few hours, but she was in good health before this and I'm sure that she'll pull through."

Evan ran a hand through his hair, not sure if he should be worried or relieved. "Can I see Max?"

Kevin shook his head, "Not at the moment; she's still out. Why don't you come back in a few hours when she's up?"

Evan knew that it was an order phrased as a question and, as much as he didn't want to leave, he knew that he'd better. Then he wouldn't have to think about how Carson would never be in his office again, be there when someone was hurt, or be there if…when Max delivered. Nodding, Evan turned around and made his way out of the infirmary.

To keyed up to go back to sleep, after going back and pulling on some boots, Evan glanced at his watch and saw that it was midnight. Making his way towards the cafeteria he somehow knew that someone would've made sure the coffee was kept fresh. Walking in, Lorne saw that he was in luck; a fresh pot had just finished brewing. Pouring himself a cup, he made his way towards a table and sat down.

"So is the table more comfortable than your bed?"

Evan sat up and ran a hand over his face, realizing that he had fallen asleep. Looking at Lydia, who was sitting across from his with an amused look on her face, he replied, "Actually it is; less lumpy than a bed."

"Uhuh." Lydia looked unconvinced. "Can I ask why you decided to bunk down in the cafeteria? Get into a fight with Max?"

Lorne shook his head, "No, I'm waiting for her wake up. She's in the infirmary."

"Oh." Lydia felt horrible for asking; she had a habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and she could see that she had done it just now. "I'm sorry," she stammered out. "I didn't mean to-"

"Don't be." Evan said, taking sip from his cup of coffee and grimacing at the taste; it had gone cold. "Pierce says she'll be fine."

"That's good."

"Yeah." Lorne noticed a streak of soot across her face and wondered if she had been helping Rodney and the others with damage assessment. "Everything going ok?"

Lydia shrugged, "I guess, there's still a lot to do and…not enough people to help."

Evan smiled at the comment. "Business as usual then?"

"Yeah I guess so."

He stood and said, "I'll see you later?"

"Yeah…I'll stop by if I get a free moment."

"Max'd like that." Evan then strode out of the cafeteria, no destination in mind. Glancing out a window he saw that the view in front of him, the towers with its lights gleaming against the pitch black of the sky, would make a great painting. Stopping, he realized that in all the hustle and bustle of the day he'd never gone back for his painting supplies, although he could understand why. It had just simply slipped his mind in the fact that he had other things, more important things, to worry about.

"Well, now is as good a time as any." He thought to himself, changing direction and heading towards the other side of the city. Once he arrived there he made his way towards the balcony and stood in front of the glass. Staring at the easel and canvas he remembered that if he had never of asked for that extra half-hour then Max wouldn't be in the infirmary at the moment.

Had he not asked for that time, they would've been on their way to the mainland to enjoy the end of a nice relaxing day. Granted they might of had to return, but Evan couldn't let go of the fact that Max being injured was all his fault.

He wasn't sure how long he stood there, but eventually he realized that the sky was beginning to lighten. Sighing, Lorne turned away from the view and made his way towards the stairs.

He couldn't take it down, not now.