Accident Prone

Tuesday

Isaac is standing in front of the door of the VIP room and looking inside at unmoving Liz and Max who is sitting next to her hospital bed.

Isaac exhaled a shaky breath while a tornado of emotions raged inside him as he remembered the last few days.

It was Saturday night, and Isaac was enjoying dinner with Foxy when Max called him and said that Elizabeth was shot and that they are on their way back from South America.

Panic swelled inside Isaac. South America? What were they doing there? And how come Liz got shot?

Before Isaac could ask any questions, Max put some doctor on the phone who explained that they gave Liz a transfusion and they stopped the bleeding; however, she is unconscious with a bullet in her shoulder and there is a potential for nerve damage.

Isaac dropped everything and met with them in Miami, where he used his connections to ensure that Liz gets operated on as soon as possible in the best possible environment.

There is no way he will let someone else work on Liz if there is a potential for permanent damage.

On the way to Miami, Foxy held Isaac's hand as he envisioned a thousand ways to torture Max and punish him for being reckless and endangering Elizabeth, but when he saw how broken Max was, Isaac was unable to say a word.

After the surgery, Isaac arranged for Liz to be transported to New York in one of his company's jets which is specialized for medical treatments and it has all the equipment to conduct a surgery. Foxy, Hunter, Mia, and Max came to New York with Liz.

Before they left Miami, Dr. Thomas apologized to Isaac, saying that it's all her fault, but Isaac knows Liz.

"Don't blame yourself, Dr. Thomas…", Isaac responded. "My daughter always had a need to fix the wrongs and to help people in need. That is what makes her Elizabeth."

Isaac's words brought tears to Dr. Thomas's eyes and she wanted to come with them to New York as well, but Isaac told her that there is no need.

"After a long time in South America, I'm sure there are some people missing you. You should go to them. When there are changes with Liz's condition, we will let you know."

Dr. Thomas nodded in agreement. There is no one missing her, because she does not have a family, but she understood that Isaac is telling her to stay away. Dr. Thomas didn't want to impose because she felt guilty as-is. Dr. Thomas stayed in Miami to catch her next flight because she refused Max's offer to use his private jet. They did a lot for her already, and she hoped that Liz makes a full recovery soon.

Since Sunday evening, Liz is unconscious in the VIP room under the care of the best medical workers that Williams Medical corp. can provide. And they have the best people.

Max refused to leave Liz's side, feeling guilty for not stopping her from going… guilty for being careless and allowing Liz to get shot. And no words from Isaac could fix that.

It's not that Isaac tried to comfort Max because it is their fault, not just Max and Liz but all four of them who went to play heroes. But it could have been worse. At least they are all alive and Liz will wake up soon. Hopefully.

Isaac let out a long sigh and turned away from the door, walking down the hallway.

In the VIP room…

Max leaned his forehead on the bed and held Liz's hand in his while fighting the exhaustion that was weighing on his every cell. Since Saturday he didn't sleep. On a few occasions, he dozed off, only to wake up with a start after a nightmare that Liz is gone. And every time Max looked at Liz unmoving on the bed, attached to the machines, Max realized that the nightmare is real. Why isn't she waking up? He wants to see her dark eyes gazing at him and to confirm that she is fine. She must be fine.

Max gave Liz's hand a gentle squeeze every few seconds, without losing hope that she will return the squeeze, at least a little bit.

Isaac said that Liz's life is not in danger and that she will wake up, but it's hard to stay positive when this is happening.

Max never felt this strong about anyone. What would he do if she died? If that stray bullet hit a bit higher, it would go to her head and no surgery would fix that. He was supposed to protect her and instead of doing that, he ended up escorting her into danger where she got hurt.

Liz felt someone holding onto her hand. She heard the familiar sound of a heart rate monitor and opened her eyes with difficulty.

"Max?", Liz called in a whisper before her sight focused enough to realize where she is, and that Max is by her side.

Two blinks later, she noticed the hospital room and that Max is gently squeezing her hand occasionally. Images flashed in her mind of their jungle adventure and how she got shot. The last thing she remembers is Max's eyes full of worry directed at her.

"Max?", she called again and this time his head snapped up, revealing his handsome face that had dark circles around his eyes and a stubble that was at least two-three days old which told her that she was out for a few days. Max looked exhausted and her heart cracked.

"Hey…", Liz said softly.

Max's eyes widened. "You are awake!" He licked his lips nervously and his hold on her arm intensified. "Oh, Liz… you are awake…"

Liz heard the desperation in his voice. "Yes, I'm awake. Sorry to worry you."

"Let me call Isaac…" Max fumbled with his phone. He was elated that Liz is awake, and he wanted to hug her, but he knew that is not a good idea because of her shoulder. First thing, Isaac needs to confirm that she is fine.

"He is coming…", Max told Liz when he ended the short call.

"What did I miss?", Liz asked.

"You had surgery in Miami, and we are in New York now. Mia is at the airport, waiting for Brianna, Rina, Ashton, Olivia, and Mike. My parents were here on Sunday and yesterday they returned to Seattle with Hunter and Foxy. Dr. Thomas is safe at her home.", Max gave her a short version. "Isaac called Chairman Lee, so he is aware that you are hospitalized."

Liz was touched that so many people are concerned about her, and she was ashamed that they are all inconvenienced because she went to do something that was way over her head. 

At the same time, Liz thought what would happen if that bullet went for someone else instead of her. Would she be able to live with the weight that because of her insistence one of her friends got hurt? Or what if Max was the one who got shot? What if he was killed? Liz's sight blurred from the tears that pooled in her eyes and she pushed herself into a seated position.

"Careful, your shoulder…", Max said while getting up to help her. He stopped talking when Liz hugged him. Her right arm was stiff, but her left one wrapped around him beautifully.

"I'm so sorry, Max…", Liz said with a shaky voice.

Max exhaled most of his stress with one slow breath that was stuck in his chest since Saturday. Liz is awake and in his embrace and that is all that matters.

"Shh…", Max shushed her. "There is nothing for you to be sorry about. We are all fine. And you will be good as new in no time, and you got to save Dr. Thomas."

"It could have been so much worse."

"But it didn't.", Max whispered and kissed her temple. "Don't forget that you gave the idea for us to go, but everyone involved was a willing participant. And it ended well. Your arm will be fine soon, and all this will become a heroic story for our grandkids."

Liz looked up at Max and blinked tears out of her eyes as her cheeks warmed. He spoke about their grandkids. She wanted to ask him what is wrong with her arm, but at that moment, it didn't matter.

Liz inched closer and kissed him on the lips. "I love you, Max."

He smiled. "And I love you back."

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