Chapter Text
She was worn out. Fizzled. Like every spare ounce of energy she possessed had suddenly jumped ship and abandoned her and all that was left was this empty, floating vessel. Staring out over the Manhattan skyline.
She dropped her head into her hands and laughed. A slightly hysterical, sardonic laugh. Because…how did she even get here?
She heard the door creak and didn’t even have to turn around to know who it was. He didn’t say anything, just idled up next to her, resting his arms against the ledge.
After a few minutes of quiet — longer than she’d expected actually — Max gave way to his instincts.
“Can I help? You’ve seemed…distracted.” He searched her face for some hidden truth but when she gave nothing away, he returned his gaze to the streets below.
She shook her head, not trusting herself to tell him the full story. They were…different now…more guarded with each other. But she missed him (them) and she knew if she let him push…she’d eventually give in. So she turned to head back inside. Self preservation at its best.
“Wait…please.” Max reached for her hand and pulled her back to face him. “Burden me.”
Damn him. Her eyes drifted skyward, doing her best to keep emotions at bay. “Max…I don’t have the energy to do this. It’s just…family business.”
Max had that look on his face - the one that said he wasn’t really prepared to accept the brush off. “Does this have something to do with a brother?”
Helen’s eyes snapped to meet his - fire a little too close to the surface. “Where did you hear that?”
Max just shrugged, his gentle expression never wavering. “This is a hospital…walls talk. Did something happen? I didn’t even know you had a brother?”
“Half-brother, actually. And I don’t…not anymore.” Her gaze was glued to his. Waiting for him to back down. He didn’t.
So she gave in and turned back toward the wall. She wasn’t going to escape this. Maybe she didn’t even want to…after all she did come up to the roof.
So she told him about Mina. About her fractured family. About her fears inviting Mina here and how she couldn’t possibly raise a 16 year old girl that she’s never even met.
And for once he didn’t try to fix it or solve it. He just listened until every last bit spilled out. And when she was finished, he squeezed her hand - the one neither had realized he’d never released - and gave her a reassuring grin. A grin that kind of made her want to punch him in the face or kiss him or maybe just toss him over the ledge.
“It may not seem like it right now, but you can do this. You are the strongest, coolest…doctor…I know. Who wouldn’t love to be part of your family?” They both knew how loaded that statement was and in this moment chose to ignore it.
Helen just smiled and gave his hand another squeeze.
“Thanks, Max.”
She turned toward the roof door and he slowly followed behind her.