Disclaimer: I do not own Leverage.
A/N: Well the responses weren't as bad as I thought they may be and thank you to those who reviewed. Sorry this took a little longer to post than the others but I've been kind of busy here these past few days but I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Parker tilted her head up to she could look at Nate, who was just staring straight ahead obviously with something on his mind, "Do you think we should call everyone else?"
Nate shook his head slightly to clear it and looked down at her not really wanting to explain his situation again but knowing he would eventually have to, "Yeah I suppose so."
Parker stood up walking over to the phone and took a deep breath hoping she would be able to say what she needed to without crying again and began to call the rest of the team.
Nate got up motioning to her he was going to get dressed for the day being he was still in his boxers and, even though they were comfortable, he didn't want to deliver his news in only his boxers because he highly doubted the team would appreciate it. He was just finishing up when his wife came in to do the same, "Is everyone coming then?"
"Yeah they all said they would be here soon, but I didn't tell them anything. Just that we had something important to say," she informed him while getting dressed for the day.
Nate nodded his head as he walked over to Parker wrapping his arms around her tightly never wanting to release her. He leaned down to give her a kiss which she gladly accepted trying not to think about how tomorrow he wouldn't be able to do this simple yet loving gesture. Nate ended the kiss noticing she was crying again and reached up to wipe her tears away wishing there was something he could do or say because it broke his heart to see her like this. They stood there embracing each other for a few minutes longer before they were interrupted by a knock at the door downstairs.
"At least they knocked this time," Nate commented as they went downstairs to let whoever was at the door in.
"Hey guys. What's wrong because Parker didn't sound quite happy over the phone?" Sophie asked slightly worried at being called to headquarters at six in the morning.
"We'll tell you once Hardison and Eliot get here Soph and thanks for coming in this early," Nate told her sincerely not having to wait long for the other two to arrive.
"So what's this all about cause personally I didn't get much sleep so this better be important," Hardison complained as he plopped down onto the sofa next to Sophie who just rolled her eyes.
Nate glanced at Parker who looked as though she was about to hurt Hardison for his comment but he reached out placing his hand on her arm and just shook his head telling her not to worry. She gave a sigh and went to sit on the chair waiting for Nate to tell everyone the horrifying news.
Nate walked to his usual spot when giving information about a job trying to figure out how he was going to explain this to them, "Um I just want to say thank you for coming in so early cause I know you guys probably had a late night last night-"
"It looks like you did too boss," Eliot interjected smirking at Nate hinting towards what he and Parker undoubtedly did last night.
"Ah yeah well all of my late night wasn't because of what you think," Nate smiled, "Um this is going to sound weird and unbelievable but Blackpool contacted me last night. I taped the whole thing so instead of me telling you, I'll just show you." He then pointed the remote at the TVs playing the recording of his talk with Blackpool not really wanting to hear it again. By the time it was done everyone had the same look on their face as he and Parker did; disbelief.
Eliot was the first to break the silence, "One I'm sorry about my previous comment and two what are we going to do to get this bastard back?"
"Yeah I'm sorry too Nate," Hardison apologized feeling terrible about what he said when he arrived.
"What are we going to do? Nothing," Nate informed them.
"What? You must be joking Nate. We can't just sit around and not get him back," Sophie declared clearly upset at his decision.
"There's no point Sophie. You heard the man, he's going to die too."
"Yeah but he may live for another ten years before he dies or he may not even have cancer Nate," Eliot told him, "Just let Hardison track him down and I'll take care of the rest."
"No. Guys our team isn't about revenge; it's about justice and I don't want you guys stooping to his level because of what he did. I know you're angry but what's done is done and I want you guys to promise me that you aren't going to go after Blackpool," Nate said seriously.
"But Nate-"
"No buts Sophie. Just please promise me."
"Fine Nate we promise," Sophie told him speaking for everyone else on the team as well.
"Thank you."
"Um not to be mean or rude or anything man but when did that dude inject you again?" Hardison asked wanting to know how long Nate had left.
"I have fourteen hours left," he answered knowing what he truly wanted to know as another shot of pain went through him causing him to stumble over to the chair for support so he didn't end up on the floor like last time.
Parker quickly stood up and helped him into the chair hating Blackpool for what he did. "Do you need anything?"
He shook his head no trying to fight through the pain wondering how it could get worse than this.
"We should take you to the hospital man. I'm sure they could do something about the pain," Eliot said knowing somewhat what Nate was going through.
"No I'm fine. I don't want to spend my last day stuck in a hospital hooked up to machines that aren't going to do a damn thing."
Everyone remained silent after that; all of them with different thoughts running through their minds. Sophie thinking how unfair this was for Nate and Parker who just basically started their lives together only to have it torn apart, Hardison on his laptop searching everywhere he could to try to desperately find a cure that may be locked away somewhere, Eliot plotting how he was going to deal with Blackpool for ruining his family, Parker looking back on all the great times they had together wishing they could make even more, and Nate thinking how incredibly lucky he truly was to be a part of such an amazing group of people who genuinely cared for him.
"Dammit!" Hardison yelled out after yet another dead end to his search.
Nate looked over at him wondering what on earth he was up to, "Um you okay Hardison?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. I'm trying to find a cure by searching through all the hospitals, research facilities, and military databases to see if they have anything. I even Googled that poison hoping to find some crazy witchdoctor's home remedy man. Nothing. There's absolutely nothing," Hardison said disappointed that what he did best just wasn't going to cut it this time.
"Well thanks for trying Hardison and I know if there was a cure out there you would be the one to find it," he told him gratefully.
"We should all go do something. Get this whole ordeal out of our minds for a little while because it's better than sitting around here being totally depressed. I mean yes this is a depressing time but that doesn't mean we have to let it totally envelope us because that's probably what Blackpool wants," Sophie suddenly stated knowing she would just go crazy if she sat there any longer in total silence.
"The man's in pain Sophie, what do expect him to do? He can't very well go out and, I don't know, sky dive," Hardison said still upset about not being able to find some sort of cure.
"Well I didn't say it had to be something that intense. We could go bowling or play pool or just go somewhere so we can just hang out and have a few laughs to lighten our mood a little."
When Sophie first mentioned going somewhere Nate really didn't think he'd feel up to it, but she was right, they needed to do something so they could quit depressing themselves with the same thought running through their minds. "I agree. So anyone up for a fun competitive little game of bowling?"
Hardison looked at him as though he were slightly insane, Parker shrugged her shoulders willing to do anything right about now, Eliot gave a look that said he really didn't bowl but would anyway, and Sophie smiled up at Nate glad that he was willing to give something a try.
"Alright then I'll take all of your various looks as a yes. Let's go," he told them as he went over to the counter grabbing his things and headed for the door waiting for everyone else who were slowly heading over to the door, "Well come on I don't have all day."
"That's not particularly funny," Parker told him as she headed out the door.
"Yeah not the best choice of words," Nate responded as he closed the door behind him following everyone else downstairs actually looking forward to be doing something other than staying at his house.
A/N: Sorry it's so short compared to the previous few chapters but thought this was a good place to start and I'll try to have another chapter up soon. Please review and I hope you enjoyed it.
