What If I

Part 2: What If I

Sitting in her office like every other day, Helen types on her computer a few comments on the carcinoma she found in one of her patients, when Lauren Bloom comes into the room fuming. She shuts the door rather hard and Helen sits back, a bit agitated at the unnecessary aggressiveness of her friend.

"Do you mind? That was a bit excessive, don't you think?" Helen says irritated and Lauren paces the floor even more angered than Helen.

"Sorry. It's fucking Reynolds. I made a call that Max probably would have made himself- and Reynolds is up in arms over it and acting like a huge asshole." Sitting back in her chair, Helen closes her laptop and watches her friend pace the carpet. "I mean, would I normally ignore a DNR? No! But the circumstances were different. The woman wanted to see her grandchild- she was so close to being a grandma and even if it would have only been for five minutes that moment would have meant so much to a dying woman and her daughter. Reynolds is just a stick in the mud who doesn't know how to break the rules to actually care for a patient."

"Lauren, a DNR is very important. Granted, I understand why you did what you did, but your lucky that woman and her daughter aren't suing you."

"Go ahead- take all my money. Take all my titles and diplomas and accolades and just get over it. I would be much happier being sued and giving up everything so one patient can have a intimate moment- even if it doesn't last for long." Lauren stops pacing and sits on Helen's couch. "Reynolds is a big baby who hasn't grasped what Max is trying to do for patients. He's rewriting the game and Reynolds can't comprehend how to catch up."

"Max is very influential, but Reynolds also knows that one of these days when we go full Max- we might not get back up from it. So he plays it safe- can you blame him? These days people will sue you for giving them too hot of a hot coffee that they spilled on themselves." Getting Up, Helen goes to the front of her desk and sits in the edge of it.

"I guess you're right. But it just ticks me off how much he thinks he's above everyone. Ever since he proposed to Evie and she said yes- he's gotten a bigger head than before. Which, mind you, wouldn't have happened if I didn't set him up with her." Lauren acts almighty and Helen gives her a serious face.

"So you can blame yourself for that one. Men are just odd creatures. For instance, Max decided last night- inspired by a Palliative patient- that we should explore our...thing." She watches Lauren's eyes dilate as she feasts on this new information.

"Really...oh that is very interesting." Lauren crosses her one leg over the other and leans farther back into the couch. "So...are you two exploring?"

"I agreed to one date tonight- just dinner, nothing else." Helen seems a bit frustrated as she tells Lauren this.

"A date is good. What's the problem?"

"I think he's only doing this because I brought up our thing and he's bored and looking for something to do."

"Why do you say that?"

"He texted me that our date is at his apartment tonight at 8:30 and that I should dress casually." Lauren's whole face pales and she feels sorry for her friend. Then Helen sees the gears turning and Lauren perks back up.

"Helen, do you realize that if you have a date at a man's home- there is no peering eyes or interruptions- and that if one thing leads to another- you are close to a bedroom." Lauren raises her eyebrows up and down suggestively and Helen shakes her head.

"No it's not like that. I've been to Max's apartment several times. Trust me, he's not interested."

"You don't think Max would sleep with you? I mean, exploring relationships and things is often done in the bedroom. Just because he never tried it before, doesn't mean that it isn't in his intentions to do it tonight. Max hasn't dated since Georgia and he most likely hasn't had sex since Luna was conceived- so why couldn't it be a possibility?" She makes a very great point. Helen stoops in her position on her desk and thinks about it.