Chapter 1

It had been quite for the last three weeks. They had not taken another job and each member of the team was off on their own, Hardison had gone to visit his Nana, Parker was somewhere, nobody quite knew where, although Nate presumed off stealing something or the other. Eliot was having a 'boys' vacation at some fishing lodge with his service buddy's and Sophie was vacationing with Tara. Nate had elected to spend the time at home in Portland. It was three weeks since he had buried his father and he had moved the team to Portland. Sophie had not wanted to go but Nate had told her he needed time to think, time to get things straight in his head. Eventually they had all agreed to meet back at Nate's new home and Leverage's new HQ in four weeks and then they would decide what to do from there. Three weeks went quickly, three peaceful harmonious weeks that Nate spent making his plans. He had big plans, as he had alluded to Sophie at the dam, big plans for himself and the team.

On the Monday of the fourth week, everything changed. Nate was busy reviewing some client files in preparation for the teams return when his cell phone rang.

"Nathan Ford?" the voice on the other side of the phone asked almost hesitantly.

"Yes…" Nate replied his senses on high alert as he felt his stomach tighten as if he knew something was not right.

"Mr. Ford, my name is Dr. Chris Prichard of Mercy General Hospital in Los Angeles. Do you know a Margret Collins?"

"Maggie…yes…she is my wife…ex-wife…has something happened?" Nate replied quickly fear biting at him.

"Yes Mr. Ford, I am afraid Mrs. Collins was in an automobile accident and has sustained some serious injuries. Would you be able to come to the hospital?"

"Yes…yes of course…I will be there as soon as I can…how bad is it?" Nate responded urgency and fear filling his voice.

"I'm afraid it is very bad Mr. Ford. You are listed as her next of kin and her medical proxy. Mr. Ford you need to get here as soon as possible." The doctor responded automatically, with little to no emotion in his voice.

"Fine…I am leaving now, I should be there within the next few hours, I will catch the first flight out." Nate said knowing that the doctor was not going to give him any further details over the phone. At least it was not the morgue or the police phoning. Maggie was still alive, obviously in bad shape, but still alive.

"Very well Mr. Ford we will be expecting you. You can ask for me at reception when you arrive."

"Very well, thank you Doctor." Nate said as he was moving into his room to start collecting his clothes that he would need for the trip. He dialed the number of the airport as soon as he had ended the call with the hospital and arranged the earliest flight to LA he could get. It left in two hours so he stuffed his clothes into a bag and almost ran out of the house. His mind was spinning; he replayed the conversation with the doctor over in his head. He was Maggie's medical proxy…if they wanted him there for that reason well it could only mean…he shook his head at the thought that suddenly sprung into his head. No, he was not going allow himself to go there. He thought briefly about contacting the rest of the team, but decided against it for now. He would go to the hospital and see what the situation was. Then he would let them know.

As Nate sat in his seat on the plane taking him to LA he took a sip of his drink and wondered why, why this had to keep happening to him…had he offended the Gods in some way. Where they punishing him for something he did or did not do? He shook his head ruefully and ordered another drink from the passing steward then sat back in his seat and stared blankly out of the window, trying to shut out all the terrible scenarios that were playing through his mind.

Hope you enjoy my new story…I am sorry it took so long to post but I have been away in Kenya…please review and let me know what you guys think, they are really appreciated as always.