It's A Small World After All

It took a moment for Max to recognize the boy rubbing Tam's shoulder. However he didn't make a fuss about seeing this jerkass from the ice cream shop here. For one, he wasn't being a jerkass at the moment. Tam was in turmoil and the last thing Max was gonna do was make things awkward. So he just shrugged and nodded. "Yeah, you guys can all head back to Serenity's. Veronica is the best surgeon I know, and I say that from experience." It was then that he lifted up his shirt to show and faded scar running down a portion of his right side. "She patched me up good back when she was a field medic."

Veronica shrugged. "I just do my job." She shrugged again, almost acting nervous due to Max's comment.

Tam stood up. "Yeah... we can go..." She looked to Serenity. "Thanks for letting me stay..." She looked to Kent. "Can... can he stay too?" Even at this moment she wanted to keep Kent away from his father, and for some reason she felt more at ease with him around.

As everyone said their goodbyes Max and Veronica went out of earshot from everyone else and the head surgeon just looked to him.

"It took a kid getting shot for you to call me?" Veronica said with a grin.

"I've been busy..." Max shrugged. "And you're a surgeon, you were definitely busy."

"You know a girl could think you were avoiding them..."

"Not avoiding, just not able to find the time..."

Veronica sighed. "You could text me more often, you know. We are friends."

"Yeah... sorry."

She shook her head. "It's okay. I know you've been in a weird place since the book got published. I'm just hoping you're okay."

"I am. I am never bored with Kevin over there." He looked to Kevin and Bonnie in her cute sweater.

"He seems like quite a character." Veronica chuckled.

"Hey," Max looked back to her, a serious look on his face. "Thanks for helping this kid."

"No need to thank me, it's my job." Veronica said with a nod.

"Still. I appreciate it."

"If you want to make up, how about coming over to my place for dinner?" Veronica suddenly said.

Max nodded. "Sounds nice. Let me know when you have time."

"I... yeah, I will." Veronica looked surprised by herself.

Max then went to Kevin. "We should go." Once they bid goodnight to everyone he and Kevin headed to Max's house. Max felt a sense of relief to be home for once and looked to Kevin. "Wanna order food or just head to bed? It's quite late but I don't feel tired."