"Rosie."

Max's voice held a slight tone of worry to it as he gripped her upper arms, his warm eyes searching within hers for answers.

"I shouldn't have called you..." Rosie mumbled quietly, "You don't want to be here..."

"Yes I do." Max replied, "Look Rosie, there's things we need to discuss but here and now isn't the place. I'll go to the cafe." He suggested as he noticed her questioning look, "Come down when you're ready."

Rosie nodded mutely before he turned and walked powerfully away down the long corridors of the hospital. He looked as handsome as ever she noted. His short hair was gelled into it's usual style and his shirt was only loosely buttoned up. He walked with a confidence only a barman could ever have, his shoulders swinging loosely from side to side as he strode away.

Ten minutes later, Dup was taking Danny to Robert and Liv was sat with Alice. Yes, she felt bad abandoning Alice and palming her off onto Liv but she had to do this. She couldn't exactly leave Max hanging around for ages. Her legs felt like jelly beneath her as she walked slowly down to the cafe in the main area of the hospital. She felt her breath leave her as she spotted him reading a newspaper, a can of lemonade sat in front of him with a pink straw hanging out of it. She smirked slightly, she always used to give him pink straws to annoy him - her way of challenging his masculinity. She sighed before continuing to walk forward... this was it.

(x)

"He's free to go home." The doctor smiled at Danny, "As are you. I've listed all his medication and dosages."

"Thanks." Danny mumbled as he rocked Robert quietly. He could barely take his eyes off his son to shake the doctors hand. He couldn't believe how close he had come to losing him and how close he was to losing his mother. He kissed Robert's forehead softly as the doctor walked away - Danny could see Alice so much in his son, it seemed more so than before.

"You want to go back up to Alice man?" Dup asked breaking Danny's thoughts. He nodded, placing Robert in his carrier before allowing Dup to pick the carrier up. Danny sighed as he got his crutches forcing himself up. "She'll be alright you know."

"I hope so Dup." Danny replied as they slowly sauntered along the corridor towards the lift. "I need her."

"She's a strong woman." Dup assured him, "She loves you all far too much to leave you behind."

"All we did was argue." Danny whispered quietly, "If I'd just gone to England, just gone and met her at the Airport or maybe even listened to her for once. I pushed her away to Mara and now look where she is. This is my fault Dup."

"It's no-one's fault but Ed's..."

"No Dup. It's mine. I'm the reason she was there."

"Danny, man, you can't keep blaming yourself for this. You were there earlier yourself..."

"We made up." Danny mumbled, "When we..." he stopped as the horrific images entered his mind, "Never mind."

"Danny?" Dup pestered,

"I said never mind!" Danny spat harshly as images filled his mind once more.

"Chill..." Dup breathed. What on earth was up with Danny?

(x)

Liv sat looking at Alice as she lay in her slumber wondering when her step-mother would wake up. She had so much she wanted to say to her, so much she wanted to do with her. Alice had been so supportive of everything she did and had amazed Liv with how she never brought up their rocky start - more often than not she pretended it hadn't happened and was never the person to bring it up.

It seemed unfair. Unfair that Alice was once again at the centre of all the pain. She'd not had it easy for a long time and now she was lying here motionless with no idea about what was going on. Liv sighed; maybe she should have pushed Danny to go to England and be with Alice - at least they'd both be ok and not in hospital. She'd been too selfish though along with the rest of the family to let Danny go and be with her. She'd played her own part in getting him to stop here and so in getting Alice here.

"I'm sorry..." Liv whispered as she took Alice's hand, running her thumb over the top of her soft hands. "Please get better." Liv whispered, her voice cracking slightly, "I need you. I want to... I want you to come shopping with me. We don't go often enough yet we always have such fun. But more than shopping and girly chats, Alice I want you to be with me through all the big events in my life - getting married, having my first child. I want you to be with me, helping me choose my dress, giving me advice on how to survive the sleepless nights. Please Alice... please fight." Liv cried, wiping her eyes as she finished her small speech. She wasn't always forward with her emotions but she felt she had to tell Alice this. She'd never really told Alice how much she loved her or how grateful she was for Alice's love.

At that moment, Danny stumbled through the door, Dup behind him with Robert in the carrier. He smiled at Liv softly, making his way over and settling in a chair before pulling her into his arms. Dup, feeling somewhat awkward, put a sleeping Robert down next to Danny before making a swift exit. Danny and Olivia needed a father-daughter moment and he didn't want to intrude on that.

"She shouldn't be here Danny..."

"I know sweetheart." Danny murmured, kissing the top of her head gently.

"If we'd all just let you go..."

"Don't blame yourself love." Danny murmured before both lapsed into silence. It was Danny who eventually broke it. "She loves you, you know."

"I love her too, I wish I'd told her." Liv replied, "If she gets better, I'm going to make sure she knows..."

"She knows already." Danny smiled, "I told her only people you love get to see your infamous drunken singing..."

Liv laughed before her eyes fell to Robert who was sleeping soundly, "How's he?" She asked quietly.

"He's good, ready to go home. I just came up to say my farewell to Alice. I don't want to leave her but I'm needed at Leopards Den. Robert needs to get home." Danny replied, "I'm worried about him - he'll miss her."

"He'll be ok, I'll help you."

"Thanks - I'll come back here tomorrow." Danny smiled, "Would you take Robert outside a minute? I just want a minute with her."

"Sure." Liv smiled, squeezing Alice's hand, "See you soon Alice."

As Liv walked away Danny sighed, turning to look at his wife, his head close to hers as he told her all the things he wished he'd told her before.

A/N - Sorry for not updating at all recently - been so busy! x