After re-watching, re-analyzing, and reading other peoples points of view I finally decided my position on this. I don't own Leverage.

Looking Out For You

They had just finished up with the hockey job and headed back to their own apartments. It was a little cold in Nate and Sophie apartment from the Portland weather. Nate suggested they watch a movie together. Sophie agreed quickly, already thinking about being curled up next to him. She put on a pair on her dark blue sweatpants and Nates Boston Bruins hockey sweatshirt. Nate smiled a little when he saw the sweatshirt she had picked. He put on his own pair of sweatpants and one of her sweatshirts that was so overly big it fit him. Sophie mirrored his smile.

"What movie do you want to watch?" Nate asked once they got downstairs.

"Whatever's fine."

He put in a comedy and then sat down on the couch. Sophie laid down and rested her head in his lap. She put her hand on his thigh and pulled her legs in close to her body. Nate smiled down at her and rested his hand on her hip.

"You know, Vlad approves of you," Sophie said quietly after a long while of silence. The movie wasn't really interesting her. She couldn't help but repeat the previous events of the day. All she could think about was how she felt when Vlad asked her if she liked Nate.

He reached a hand up and stroked her hair. "And how do you feel about that?"

"Mmm...it's nice...it makes me feel good. Did you like him?"

"He irked me a little bit near the end because he didn't get that the con was not going well and how serious it was. But overall I liked him."

She rolled over her back so she could look up at him. "I'm glad. He likes you too you know."

Nate laughed a little. He pushed her up a little bit and leaned down to kiss her. "If I didn't know better I'd say that he has a bit of a crush on you."

"Vlad? No. He's sweet but no."

"Mm, no I think he has a small one."

She rolled her eyes and kissed him again. "Doesn't every man?" Sophie ran her hand through his short hair and smiled at him.

"Probably. I know you only have eyes for me though."

She smiled sweetly at him. "There's only you," she echoed quietly but strongly. She sat up and moved so she was sitting in his lap. He slipped his shirt under her (actually his) sweatshirt and kissed her slowly. She pressed a hand to the side of his face as she leaned in even more.

Nate broke away to breathe. "So, where's the Stanley Cup?"

She chuckled, initiating another kiss. "I don't remember," She murmured with a mischievous smile. "You know what I do remember though?"

"Hm?"

"You having the upper hand on Vlad."

He looked at her, blinking when he looked in her eyes, and then looking away. She raised her eyebrows in slight accusation. "Okay...maybe a little bit. I just...I, um..."

"You what? You enjoyed controlling him and making him a little angry?"

"Just a little bit."

"Why?" She asked, although her tone wasn't accusing just curious.

"Because...I-I just wanted to get something out of him."

"What else? There's something else you're not telling me."

"Well he just called you his rose or something and referred to you as 'my Sophie' and It bothered me because-"

"Nate." She cut him off.

He took a deep breath, furrowing his eyebrows for a brief second. "Hm?"

"He wasn't being romantic, Nate. He was being protective. We've always been close...he's just looking out for me," She shrugged, a small smile on her face.

"Oh."

She laughed a little, brushing the back of her knuckles across his cheek. "S'alright, dear. You just misread the situation."

"It still was kind of funny to make him angry though. Especially his face when I told him to open the door."

She smiled a little. "Yeah, I guess it was kind of funny." Nate smiled and kissed her, soon growing into a thing of it's own. He had a feeling how the rest of this night was going to go.