In the following two weeks, Dean Fulton had ended his marriage and moved in with Embry. She insisted on her place because she had spent so much time making it her own. Max was away for the day and New Amsterdam was in chaos.

Embry was in her office preparing for a C-Section when Peter walked in and slumped down in the chair across from her. "Something bothering you?" she asked, "Is that fact that we're still running around in shadows because you won't let us go public? Eventually people are going to figure out I'm pregnant and that will raise some questions about my personal life."

Peter shook his head, not in a joking mood at all, "Max is apparently gone for the day and there's a nursing strike which he apparently gave his blessing for. Dr. Reynolds is doing expensive surgery for free even though I told him not to. Is this how Max runs this place?"

"You know Max puts people and patients above the bottom line," she began as she stood and walked around her desk to take a seat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, "You just need to let things go. Something else is bothering you? Is it about the page I missed while I was in a delivery?'

Peter nodded, his face taking on an even darker grimace, "Did you know about Max's cancer?"

"He's my best friend," she answered simply, "Of course I knew. I would have told you but it wasn't my place."

"He's in the ICU," he added watching shock wash over Embry's body, "He collapsed and he was without oxygen for six or seven minutes. Do you want me to take you to him?"

"I can't," she replied, "Not yet, anyway. I have a C-Section in twenty minutes. But I'll go as soon as I'm out and give the rest of my day to someone else. There are perks to being department head. And here I was hoping you were in here to see if I had any needs now that I'm thirteen weeks along," she lightened the subject.

He couldn't help but let out a laugh, "Even if you were naked, I am too exhausted from being Max for a day to take advantage of it." His words gave her a wicked idea and a great way to get her mind off Max for a minute.

Embry ran her hand from his shoulder, down his chest, until it rested between his legs where a bulge had risen. "I don't know," she whispered, "It would seem you're not as tired as you say," she moved her hand back and forth over him while listening to his breathing shift.

"You're not playing fair," he stated, attempting to resist.

"You know life isn't fair," she whispered in reply before running her tongue along his earlobe feeling a twitch where her hand rested.

Peter lifted her from his lap and stood before moving her to the sofa where he laid her back on it, placing his lips to hers hungrily.

She started working on his belt when a page went off overhead, "Dr. Costa, the OR is ready for you."

Embry let out a sigh as she pulled back from his kiss and locked eyes. He groaned frustratedly while he moved off of her to let her up.

"You know, you started this," he gestured to his erection, still wearing a smile because of the guilty look on her face. He loved playing with her.

"I promise to take care of you later," she uttered, her voice low, "But for now, I have babies to deliver. Will you meet me by the OR in an hour so you can take me to Max?"

He smirked while nodding, "Somehow you made it even worse," he left her office, holding the door so she could follow him out.

By the time Embry finished her surgery, Max was awake. Peter was at the OR as he'd promised and he led her to the ICU where the rest of the department heads were gathered around his bed.

"Max, how are you feeling?" Embry asked, "You're not supposed to worry us like that," she teased.

"My apologies," he tried to laugh but his voice was hoarse. "I'm glad you're all here because I think it's time for me to step down until I get through this. I'm so sorry I didn't tell all of you."

"Nonsense Max," Helen began, "This hospital needs you and you thrive here. We will all help you in any way we can to allow you to kick cancer's ass and work."

The rest of the room agreed. Even Peter.

"Max, I wasn't so sure about you when you started here," Peter began, "But you have done amazing things for this hospital and everyone here respects you. New Amsterdam would suffer a great loss without you here."

Max was about to protest but Embry stopped him, "I'll be your temporary medical director. I know I wasn't sure, but I'd rather have you here even if that means I might have to attend a few boring meetings. You can't give up."

Max looked at Georgia, "They're right. I want to tell you to quit because you're sick. But I can't because you need this place just as much as it needs you. I'm on their side," she spoke, surprising Max and the others.

Max took a deep breath, "Then I guess we're doing this."