Disclaimer: I still don't freaking own Leverage, however the way the second season is going, this is the first time that's okay!
A/N: Okay, I know you hate me for not updating, but I've had major writer's block with this chapter because nothing that I played out in my head was working for me! But now I think that I have something that should work. So, my dedications, to my peeps, Macie, Joe, Tenae, Jason, Meg and Chris! You guys rule! Love you all! This one though, you guys can all thank Jason for getting on my freaking case to get the rest of this posted by Friday and work on the sequel. Yes, you heard me, sequel!
Chapter 6: Recovery and Reconciliation
Nate began to surface from the haze of drugs that had clouded his mind for the past…who knew how long. It felt like he'd been hit by a train in the chest and then run over by a bus about fifty times. Moaning, he opened his eyes and blinked rapidly at the bright lights and white walls. After a minute his vision adjusted and he was able to take in the sight around him.
It was a hospital room and Parker lay in the bed to his right. Hardison was passed out in the chair next to her. Eliot was leaning against the wall over by the door, watching Nate.
"How ya feelin' boss?" the hitter asked, shoving off the wall and walking over.
"Oh, fantastic," Nate rasped. Eliot grabbed a glass of water from the rolling table, stuck a straw in it and held it up to Nate's mouth, allowing the man to take a drink. "Is everyone okay?"
"Well, you and crazy are going to have to stay in the hospital for a few more days, but there shouldn't be any lasting damage." Nate nodded and closed his eyes, sighing. "You might want to tell her you're awake."
"Parker needs her rest, Eliot," Nate said, opening his eyes again.
"I'm not talking about Parker, I'm talkin' about her," Eliot said, nodding to the opposite side of the bed. Nate turned his head and his eyes widened in disbelief.
Sophie was sitting in a chair, her head resting on the mattress, her hand wrapped loosely around his as she slept. "It thought…"
"Nate, she was really there. And she hasn't left your side since we got here."
"Which was?" Nate asked, looking to the hitter.
"Three days. She's been a nervous wreck."
Nate saw Eliot's worn leather jacket draped over her shoulders. Her hair was messed up and her brow, even in sleep, was creased with worry. He reached up and ran his fingers through her hair, brushing it away from her face. She sighted in her sleep and slowly her eyes fluttered open.
Sophie sat up, blinking groggily before looking around the room. She saw Eliot first, but when she saw him grin and nod at Nate, she turned her gaze to their leader. When she saw that his eyes were open she blinked slowly, making Nate chuckle. The next second she was launching herself at him.
"Careful Soph," Nate gasped.
She pulled back and kissed him. "Don't ever scare me like that again," she said, all but growling at him. "I leave you alone for three months and what do you do? You get captured, tortured within an inch of your life, shot and almost die…"
"I got sober," Nate said calmly.
Sophie's rant was cut short at his words as she looked at him, mouth gaping open and hands in midgesture. "You what?" she asked.
"I quit drinking Sophie. Your little plan worked," Nate repeated, shooting her a slight grin.
She sat there on the edge of the bed, staring at him and suddenly he wasn't sure whether she was going to kiss him again or hit him. That's when he saw her starting to tear up. "Soph, Sophie, it's okay," Nate said quietly, ignoring the pain as he sat up and gathered her into his arms and lay back, the grifter cradled against his chest. "I thought that news would make you happy, not make you cry," he whispered jokingly. His hands stroked her hair as he tried to calm her.
"I am happy to hear that, but you almost died Nate, you and Parker. If I had been there…"
"They would have gotten you too most likely. And then we'd still be in that cell if we weren't dead already. For once Sophie, my getting shot is not your fault."
She laughed at that and Nate kissed the top of her head. "There's something I want to ask you Soph, but I don't know if now is the time or place," he said.
"Oh, go ahead, it's okay."
"Really, it can wait."
"Nate…"
"Will you marry me?"
There was a silent pause, a snort of laughter from the hitter who was now on the other side of the room and then, "I thought you'd never ask."
Nate grinned madly as he gave Sophie the biggest hug he could before crushing his lips against hers. The leader expected Eliot to protest, but when he glanced over after pulling away from Sophie, he saw the hitter perched on the edge of Parker's bed, watching her. He's probably been going crazy, Nate thought as Sophie settled against him, slowly starting to drift off again. After all, Hadeon was after Eliot and Nate and Parker had been caught in the crossfire. Eliot was most likely blaming himself to some extent. Nate would have to talk to him later.
"Where would you like to go on our honeymoon?" he asked the grifter in his arms softly, knowing she wasn't far from sleep.
"'M not sure," she murmured.
"Prague?" he asked, grinning.
"Prague's nice…" was followed by a yawn.
"Tuscany?"
"Tuscany has always been good to us…" Eyelids fluttering and closing.
"I could take you to Damascus," Nate said, gently playing with her hair.
"That sounds fun…" Her voice trailed off and her breathing slowed.
"Or we could always go to Paris," he whispered in her ear.
"Not Paris!" she exclaimed, eyes flying open and sitting up to stare at Nate, who now looked terrified. Hardison jumped, waking up and falling out of his chair and Eliot burst out laughing. All the commotion almost made them miss the soft voice.
"Oh shiny tomato…"
"PARKER!" they all exclaimed. The team was back together.
