Maria held onto Liz, hugging her back and trying to keep her emotions under control so that she wouldn't accidentally make Liz and Max feel what she was and had been feeling.
"It's okay," she said, shaking her head. "I'm just so glad you're okay. We need to start making you wear a bullet proof vest under your clothes, woman."
This was the second time a bullet had almost robbed her of her best friend.
She looked at Max and managed to give him a smile. "Thank you. I didn't even know you were here, too, but I am so glad you are."