Disclaimer: I do not own Leverage nor am I making any money off of this.

Pairing: Nate/Parker

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed and also thank you to everyone who has favorite my story because, to me, that's just as inspiring as a review, and I hope you enjoy Chapter 4.

"Wow Nate this place is really nice," Parker commented as she looked around the restaurant taking it all in.

"Well I thought we might as well do it up big tonight," Nate smiled as he looked across the table at Parker who looked as though she was a little in awe of the place.

"It's just so….so…..shiny?" she stated not being able to come up with a proper word for the fancy little restaurant. Nate just laughed at her description and nodded his head in agreement because he could definitely see why she described it as so. "How did you even find this place?"

"Okay you caught me. I didn't totally plan everything by myself, I had Hardison Google some nearby restaurants and got the opinions of Eliot and Sophie on which one to take you to and the only one they both chose was this place," Nate told her.

"Well I like it," Parker smiled at him softly wondering how she got as lucky as to have Nathan Ford in her life because so far she's had nothing but bad luck and continuous let downs. She will admit that it took her quite awhile to let herself believe and trust that he wouldn't just disappear like every other good thing that's happened to her, but he knew that she'd need time and granted her all the time that it would take and was constantly there for her reinforcing that he would indeed always will be there.

"What are thinking about over there?" Nate asked bringing Parker out of her thoughts.

"Huh, what? Oh uh nothing really just how great it is to be with you, here tonight."

"You sure? Nothing's bothering you? Because if you would rather go somewhere else," Nate offered a little worried about her.

"Oh no no no. Everything's fine; I was just remembering when we first got together and how considerate and understanding you were of me," Parker told him honestly because she didn't want him worrying over her when there was absolutely no need whatsoever for it.

"God I was so nervous when I asked you out. I totally botched it; definitely not my finest or smoothest moment ever," Nate laughed as he remembered the day they got together.

"Haha. Yeah you spit it out all so fast that I didn't even have time to recognize what you asked me until you apologized and that you should have known I didn't feel the same way," Parker laughed.

Nate shook his head still embarrassed at the way he delivered his question; he was a con man for crying out loud he could talk his way out of anything yet he couldn't ask one simple little question with a little bit of dignity and courage. Nate was about to comment until he saw their waiter approaching the table, "Good evening. Are you two ready to place an order or should I come back in a few minutes?"

Nate looked over at Parker who nodded that she was ready to order. "Yeah we're ready to order I think," he stated to the waiter.

"Okay what does the lady want?"

"Um I guess I'll have the Fettuccine with Grilled Shrimp."

"Fine choice. And for you sir?"

"I'll have the Ribeye, medium well, with the baked potato. Thanks."

"Alright. Is there anything else you two need?"

"Nope that should do it," Nate told the waiter.

"Okay," he replied bowing then turned around to go place their order with the chef.

"I hope it doesn't take too long cause I'm about to starve. Sophie is terrible to shop with; she could spend and hours looking for a dress but couldn't even spend ten minutes in a drive-thru so I could get something to eat," Parker complained.

"That's Sophie for you," Nate replied as he felt the ring in his pocket remembering his plan and suddenly got that nervous feeling all over again. 'God I better not mess this up because I definitely need to redeem myself.'

Parker looked over at Nate a little curiously; he looked as though he was in another world altogether which could only mean one thing, "So what are you scheming over there? And don't give me that look. You had your 'I'm thinking of a plan' face on. Not what is it?"

"Uh nothing. Nothing don't worry about it," Nate told her with a smile but she just gave him a look saying 'That's not going to fly'. "I'll tell you later; I promise."

"You better, and don't think I'm going to forget because I never forget," she reminded him, "So what else do you have in store for us tonight?"

"Well you're just going to have to wait and see," he told her as he noticed a couple get up heading to the dance floor, "I know we aren't really the dancing type but do you want to dance?"

Parker looked as though she was weighing the pros and cons about dancing with him then replied, "Sure why not?"

Nate grabbed her hand leading her to the dance floor and pulled her gently up against him as they began to slowly dance to the calming music. He could stay like this forever with her in his arms neither of them having a care in the world; just letting go being with each other. He could remember the exact day he realized he loved her and what a wonderful moment it was; sure he didn't think he would ever act on his feelings because he never thought she would or could feel the same way towards him but he didn't care because he loved her and even though she may not have loved him he was still able to be near her which would have been enough for him. Sure it would have hurt to see her fall for someone else but he would have supported her anyway making sure he would always be there for her knowing that that is what she truly needed in life just to be accepted and wanted after all the pain she had been through and he was going to make sure that he was the one to supply her with the things she needed even if he was always just going to be a friend, but luck finally turned in his favor after so many years of his own pain and misery and he got to be more than just a friend that she needed; he was the one she fell for and God how much he loved that.

"Nate? Naaate. Hellooooo, Earth to Mr. Ford," Parker asked waving her hand in front of his face which successfully brought him back from wherever he just was.

"Sorry. Just thinking. What did you ask?"

"Pretty in depth. And I didn't ask anything, I was trying to inform you that our food just arrived," she told him beginning to worry a little at how distracted he seemed to be tonight.

"Oh um well I guess we should go eat then before it gets cold."

"Yeah sure," Parker said a little upset even though she didn't really have a logical reason to be.

"I'm sorry again Parker. I was just thinking about some things that I promise I will tell you after we leave the restaurant," Nate apologized hoping she wasn't too upset about him spacing out again.

She relaxed a little now that she knew he was going to tell her what was going on with him, "It's fine. I just worry is all because, like me, you tend to try to hide what's bothering you."

"Well I promise to always tell you," he told her honestly.

"Good. Now let's eat before I die of starvation!"

"Yeah we don't want that," Nate replied as he began eating his potato which was really rather delicious and the steak just melted in his mouth like butter; this place was definitely worth the price you paid. "So how is your meal?"

"Awesome. Yours?"

"Absolutely amazing," he answered with a smile.

"How is everything? Delicious I hope," the waiter asked as they were finishing up.

"Everything was absolutely wonderful. And we're ready for the check," Nate informed him wanting to leave so he could take Parker to the next place on their date.

"Yes sir. I'll be right back."

"Are you sure you don't want me to pay for mine?" Parker asked as the waiter walked away.

"I'm sure. Everything's on me tonight. Are you enjoying yourself?" Nate asked a little worried that she was completely bored out of her mind because he knew how easily bored she could get.

"Of course, I mean it is different than what I'm used to doing on a Friday night but I enjoy different every once in awhile," she smiled at him.

"Well I'm glad."

"Your check sir. And we hope you will return."

"Oh I'm sure we will. Thank you," Nate said turning to Parker, "Well are you ready?"

"Yep. I can't wait to see where you're leading us next," she said getting up to head to the front to pay excited for what Nate has to tell her.

"Well that was a nice dinner, not too badly priced but definitely still a special occasion sort of place," Nate commented as they were walking arm in arm down the sidewalk in the opposite direction of the parking lot.

"Yeah it was good, but um Nate where are we going? You do realize that this leads down to the lake right?" Parker decided to inform him a little confused on their destination.

"You'll see," he told her mysteriously as they continued down to the lake. They began to cross the bridge that went across the smallest part of the water, and just as they were halfway over Nate led them to the side so they could look out over the water with the full moon reflecting into it.

"Wow. It's beautiful," Parker commented as she leaned up against him as he put his arm around her shoulders. They stayed like that for quite some time gazing out over the water enjoying being in each other's company and the peacefulness that the lake seemed to be emanating.

'Here goes nothing I suppose,' Nate thought to himself as he tried to think of how to begin his proposal.

He turned Parker towards him and looked into her eyes seeing a slight question there. "I want to tell you something," Nate began.

"Is it about what you were thinking at the restaurant?"

"Yeah," he replied nervously then took a huge breath to steady himself so he could get this right, "Parker I love you beyond what words and feelings can ever even begin to express. I wish I could show you just how much I do love you because you deserve at least that and even though I can try, and I will try, I will never be able to show you how much I do care and love you. You are everything to me. You make me laugh when I don't think I will or can sometimes. You're there for me without me ever having to ask because you know when I need you. You put up with me when I'm being a jerk which I know isn't easy yet you still do and I don't think I'll ever know why. You are my best friend and always will be. And most importantly you love me with all your heart and you don't know how happy that makes me," he declared as he got down on one knee pulling out his mother's ring and grabbed her hand in his, "Parker I love you and I will until the day I die and beyond even that. If soul mates are real then I believe I'm one of the luckiest people alive because I know I've found mine. Will you please make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

Parker was shocked. She had no idea that Nate was planning to ask for her hand in marriage. Shocked definitely was the word, but ecstatic, proud, a feeling of being wanted, and so many others also described what she was feeling. How could she ever have gotten this lucky she would never know. She was absolutely speechless; she wanted to yell "YES! Yes of course I'll marry you," but her brain couldn't make the connection to her mouth to tell him so she just stood there surprised.

Nate was a little worried that she hasn't answered him and by the look on her face she definitely didn't see this coming. He hoped that he didn't scare her off and make her feel uncomfortable. He didn't quite know what to do but he stood up pulling her into a hug, "It's okay. You don't have to answer right now and I'm sorry if I've scared you at all. I probably should have waited a little longer but once I saw the ring I knew I wanted to ask you tonight," he told her softly. He then felt something wet on his neck and knew she had to be crying; he pulled back a bit and realized she was crying. He lifted his hand to wipe away her tears wanting to know what she was feeling.

"I..I love you too Nate," she began glad her mouth finally figured out how to work again. She began to hug him again just wanting to feel his embrace and warmth. She then whispered in his ear, "Yes. My answer is yes. I would love to marry you."

Nate pulled back with a huge smile on his face causing her to break out into a smile of her own. He then leaned down giving her a soft a kiss as he slipped the ring onto her finger. "I love you and I can't wait until I can call you my wife."

Parker then had a brilliant idea pop into her head, "Why wait?"

"Huh? What are talking about?" he asked slightly confused.

"Why should you have to wait to call me your wife when we can get married now. Let's not wait another minute. Let's get married now."

"Right now? Tonight?"

"Why not? I love you, you love me and we want to be together. Call up the team and tell them to meet us at a church or wherever it is that people get married," she declared with such passion and energy that he realized she actually did want to get married tonight.

"You don't want to like plan your dream wedding?" he asked receiving a look that clearly said 'Do I look like the type of girl that spent her days dreaming about her wedding'. "Uh yeah okay let's get married tonight. I know a preacher who owes me a pretty big favor and I'm sure I can persuade him to marry us. You call Sophie, and I'll call Hardison and Eliot."

"Great," Parker exclaimed already pulling out her phone asking Nate where it was exactly they were going to be getting married. "Hey Sophie I need you to be at 248 West Elm Street in twenty minutes. Yes I know that's a church. I'll explain when you get there. Sophie just be there and quit asking questions."

Nate called the preacher, who agreed to marry them, and Hardison, who said he'd be there, on their way back to his car and began to call Eliot on the way to the church asking him to go by headquarters to pick up his grandparent's wedding bands ignoring his many questions. 'Wow I'm about to marry Parker within the next hour,' he thought on their way to the church causing a huge smile to appear on his face. 'Tonight is positively a good night.'

A/N: End of Ch. 4. I thought about adding the wedding in this chapter but I am completely tired so I thought here was a good place to stop. Well please review and I should have the next chapter written in a few days. :)