Unexpected

Part 1: Resonating

As if the tough days of COVID sweeping through the Dam were not enough to take the safe and comforting feeling of the hospital away from Max: walking in on Helen and Cassian in a full make out session certainly blew up what remained of Max's sanctuary.

Standing there staring in pure shock, dismay, and confusion: Max couldn't possibly find the strength to move.

The way they both looked at him.

Their coy and guiltless eyes piercing his- was more than he could bear.

That whole encounter left him feeling like a wounded animal under Helen's gaze and witnessing them dance later that night after Helen called him on his bullshit- that stung him deep.

Laying in his bed a week after that disaster, Max searches his mind for some kind of answer and reasoning. Why was Helen so upset with him? So he didn't tell her about Alice...so what? He was only trying to protect her feelings and their friendship.

He certainly didn't mean to have a fling or sorts with Alice.

He certainly didn't intend on moving forward at that point in time either.

Yet he had.

He had slept with her.

He had hid her from Helen.

He had swept her under the rug.

But now Alice has risen to the surface again and there is no hiding her existence from Sharpe.

Why Cassian though?

In Max's eyes he is an excellent surgeon, but not a very good team player. It makes him sick. It turns his stomach how carelessly he can bypass people who need help and only step in when something peaks his interest.

He's not the only one any more- however.

Helen Sharpe has slowly begun to follow Cassian's footsteps in becoming lackadaisical and aloof.

He noticed just the other day that she has dropped quite a few patients with no real reason behind it. She has put up a wall between him and her and for what?

These are the things that keep him up at night.

"Papa!" And that. It has been a few days since Max has brought Luna home and she still wants very little to do with him.

She acts as if Max is just some random man.

She acts as if she doesn't remember him or all the things he's done for her.

All the FaceTimes.

All the nights of sitting on his phone just watching her play with her toys.

She wants little to do with him and in his heart, he just feels as if all the people he truly cares for are just done with him and wish to leave.

"Hey, Luna. Hi baby." Max goes to pick her up and yet the child moves away from him- as she has become accustomed to doing.

"No! Papa!"

"Luna, Papa is not here. Dada is here." He reaches again and she squeals horrifically and smacks her hands in a frustrated fit.

He did not think this would be the result of sending Luna away to be safe.

He did not think she would reject his love when he finally brought her home.

Yet she does.

"Come on, we can get breakfast." He says and yet the child remains in her spot, stubbornly wishing her grandfather was around to tend to her needs. "Please, Luna...please."