Disclaimer: I do not own Leverage and never will.

A/N: Well a huge thanks for everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter. Also I want to warn those who don't take death well that there is a character death in this chapter. Also I would like to dedicate this chapter to anyone who has ever lost someone close to them because I know how it feels to lose someone you love so much.

Eliot looked down at his watch and saw there was only an hour and half left for Nate. He sighed and took a huge swig of his beer wanting more than anything for time to just stop even if was for only a few more hours. He never told anyone but Nate was like a father to him and he wasn't ready to lose his father but when is someone ever ready for something like that. He was about to say something to Sophie when his phone buzzed, sheer terror coursed through his body knowing who it had to be. He pulled his phone out and read the text message, 'You guys should probably get up here.' He looked up to find Sophie and Hardison looking at him silently asking him if it was Parker who texted him. "She said we should get up there, but I don't know anything other than that."

They nodded, all of them standing up to head up to headquarters wishing it was under better circumstances.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Parker was staring at Nate who was currently breathing a little heavier than normal and she knew it had to be because of the pain he had to be feeling. She just continued doing what she was earlier, running her fingers through his hair whispering random things to him trying to comfort him as best as she could, "I texted Eliot that they could come up so I'm sure they'll be here soon so…you…." , but she couldn't finish her sentence.

"Thank you Parker," Nate told her squeezing her hand. The past couple of hours had been hell, but he was just grateful she was there with him; she gave him something to focus on other than the pain. He didn't know how much longer he had but could sense it wasn't going to be too much longer and that both scared him and calmed him for some reason maybe it was because then the team could then start to move on and he also wouldn't feel this pain anymore. He heard the door open downstairs then heard them coming up the stairs heading to his room.

"Hey man how are you feeling other than like shit?" Eliot asked in greeting as he went over to lean against his dresser.

"Ha. Good other than all the pain but Parker's helped a lot by keeping my mind off of it," he told him, "So what were you guys up to?"

"Well you know us Nate. Just chillin' at our booth talking about our favorite cons and stuff like that," Hardison answered hoping he bought it that way they could keep the job they were planning for the future a secret.

Sophie couldn't believe how bad Nate did look; he looked extremely warn out and drained with his hair sopping wet with a constant look of pain on his face. She felt terrible that while she was downstairs with the boys having a halfway decent time he's been up here suffering; she felt incredibly guilty but knew if she told him he'd just tell her she was being stupid for feeling like that. She then looked at Parker who hasn't taken her eyes off of Nate since they've walked in and who could blame her; she also looked warn out but also terribly heartbroken at having to lose her husband after just a day of marriage. Nate then cried out in pain; it felt as though his body was being torn apart and set on fire it burned so bad. Parker could only grip his hand tighter to comfort him wishing she could do more but knew it wasn't possible. Everyone in the room felt the same way wishing they could switch places or find something to cure him or at least something to take the pain away.

Nate felt horrible yet had a sense that soon everything was going to be okay but wasn't ready to go just yet because he wanted to say his goodbyes to the rest of the team first so he fought against the pain and with Parker's help he was able to sit up a little bit so he could look at everyone. Sophie was sitting in the chair looking at him and Parker, with a sadness he hated to see in her eyes, Eliot was still leaning against his dresser staring into space probably extremely uncomfortable with the whole situation, and Hardison was also leaning on the dresser looking at the ground sighing heavily every once in awhile. "Uh guys…I just want to say thank you…Thank you so much for putting up with my crazy ways and ideas and for trusting me….Also thank you for doing what you guys do and for helping those who need it and I only hope you continue to take on jobs because there will always be people in need and I know without a doubt that you can do this without me."

"Of course Nate and thank you for being our leader and keeping us together through all the harder times," Sophie said on the brink of tears.

He smiled at that, "Sophie you have helped me through a lot and pushed me to pursue my feelings for Parker, which I will never be able to thank you for enough. I'm glad I've gotten to work on the same side as you because you are an amazing grifter who also has an amazing heart. I know after I'm gone you'll be able to lead the team to even more successful jobs not only because I trust you to do so but because of how skilled you are and because of how much they trust you also."

Sophie wanted to respond but just couldn't so instead she got up going over to the side of the bed giving him a hug and whispering, "Thank you Nate, I'm going to miss you so much."

He nodded as she headed back over to the chair to sit down proud that he trusted her enough to be able to lead the team after he was gone.

"Hardison," at that the hacker shot his head up looking at him wondering what he had to say, "What can I say except you always kept the team morale up and always knew how to make me laugh and annoy me. But you also got us through so many tough calls and I know you'll continue to do so. Don't feel bad or guilty about not finding a cure because obviously it was just my time. You are definitely the best at what you do and I'm honored I got to work with you because you've shown me that you don't always have to take everything so serious and for that I thank you."

"Wish I could find something funny to say so I could give you one last laugh but I just can't. And I'm proud to call you my friend man cause without you I'd still be hacking for the wrong reasons," Hardison managed to get out before he got too choked up to talk. He too went over to give Nate a hug and went back to stand against the dresser deep in thought about what Nate told him and the con they were going to pull against Blackpool because he needed something to look forward to.

Nate then looked over towards the hitter who was now looking at him waiting for him to talk, "Eliot you've saved me from a few tight situations and I knew I could always count on you to be there even if you were incredibly mad at me. Also I know you'll take care of the team when I'm gone, which takes a lot of worry off of me. I've also these past couple of years found myself thinking of you as a son to me and how proud of you of what you have accomplished. You may act tough and mostly you are but I've also seen the side of you that's also caring and sweet especially towards the kids we've helped and I know that if you ever become a father that you'll be a great one."

Eliot didn't cry but God he was close after what Nate just revealed to him, "Thanks man and well just thanks." He walked over to Nate giving him a hug, "You were always like a father to me."

"I want you to take care of Parker okay because she's going to need you the most," Nate returned.

"Of course," he told him as he pulled away with a couple of tears in his eyes as the reality that he will be losing his father soon finally hit him.

"I also want everyone in this room to know that I think of you guys like my family and I love each and every single one of you."

"We love you just as much Nate," Sophie managed knowing that Hardison and Eliot wouldn't be able to get anything out at the present moment. She looked back at Nate, who looked as though he were about to say something else but another wave of pain must have hit him hard because he just closed his eyes and began breathing heavy again.

Parker then took over comforting him again and had him lay back down. She was going to say something to him when she realized that he looked as though he wasn't quite in this world; his eyes although open weren't focused on anything in the room, instead they had this far away look to them as though he could see something they couldn't. Fear gripped her as she knew he was even closer to death and was completely and utterly not ready to let go of him; she was hoping he was fighting to stay longer just so she could feel his warm skin and see his chest rise and fall, all signs he was still alive and hasn't left her yet. She then heard him say something but couldn't quite make it out so leaned closer trying to hear him, "What is it Nate?"

He held his hand out as if reaching for someone, "Sam," he smiled as he saw his son in front him looking at him with a smile on his face.

Sophie looked up, "What did he say?"

"He said Sam," Parker whispered, "He must see him or something."

Everyone else in the room went towards the bed so they could be next to Nate and also so they could comfort Parker when the time came.

Nate smiled as he saw his son waiting for him; he wanted to hug him so bad and began to feel such peace come over him and wanted nothing more than to let go of all the pain but something drew him back; a woman's voice, he knew that voice and was finally shaken back into semi-consciousness, "Parker?"

"I'm here Nate….I'm here."

He then reached up touching her face, "I…I…..love you."

Parker gasped out, "I love you," before she felt his hand fall from her face. She quickly looked at his chest which was no longer rising meaning only one thing…., "No Nate. Nate please no. Please come back you can't leave me…please I need you. I need you Nate." She cried out shaking him trying to get him to come back to her to tell her he was still alive but he didn't move; he just laid there lifeless. She couldn't take it; she hugged him to her crying, sobbing wanting her husband back. He couldn't be dead he just couldn't; how did he expect her to live her life without him?

Sophie began crying and felt Hardison reach over bringing her into a comforting embrace, "Shhh. It's alright Sophie; he's with Sam where he needs to be." He just held her as she continued to cry and couldn't help but cry himself because like Eliot he just lost his father.

Eliot couldn't believe he was gone just like that. He looked at Parker his heart breaking seeing her crying whispering for him to come back that all she wanted was just one more kiss or hug from him. He crawled in bed beside her and slowly pulled her away from Nate knowing she needed someone to hug her back. He held her in his arms slowly rocking her back and forth trying to comfort her the best he knew how a few tears sliding down his cheeks at losing the best man he ever knew and someone who will never be replaced in his heart but he knew that where Nate was he wasn't in pain anymore and knew he was looking down on them waiting for the day where they would all see each other again.

Parker didn't know who grabbed her but didn't care because they were holding her, tight, and she just wanted to cry as she felt as though her whole world was just shattered into a billion pieces with absolutely no hope whatsoever of being put back together, at least not in the right order. She just lost her friend, her husband, her soul mate, the person who always knew what to do to make her feel better and the person she would never be able to see smile or hear laugh again at least not for a long time and never again while she was alive.

Hardison thought it would be best to leave the room so he led Sophie out and down to the couch leaving her with the promise he'd be back soon and went back upstairs to tell Eliot it would be best to take Parker downstairs and away from all of this. Eliot nodded his head, then picked Parker up cradling her against him and began to head downstairs.

Parker realized what was happening and began to try to fight him not to leave, "No please just let me stay a little longer. Please."

"I'd love to sweetie but just trust me this is what's best. You have to let go Parker; it's what he wants," Eliot told her struggling to keep a hold of her so he wouldn't drop her; finally after a few minutes of convincing her that this was for the best he arrived downstairs heading over to the chair sitting down with her still in his arms crying and holding onto him as if she were afraid she was going to lose him as well, "Don't worry Parker I'm not leaving anytime soon I promise", he whispered to her which must have reassured her because she loosened her grip just a little. He looked over towards the couch and saw Hardison comforting Sophie who was finally starting to calm down but still crying. He knew it was going to be hard and take awhile but he knew that as long as they had each other, like they do now, that they would all eventually be okay. "Bye Nate and I know you're going to watch over us," he said glancing upwards feeling a sense of calm come over him as soon as he said that.

A/N: Well sorry for all the hopefuls out there who were wishing for a miracle but don't worry this isn't quite over yet, although it shouldn't be too much longer (two chapters). Please review and tell me what you guys think.