A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I do not own Leverage.
When they arrived to Sophie's hospital room she was still asleep. The nurse informed them she should wake up in about an hour. Audrey sat on one side of her mother's bed holding her hand while Nate sat on the other side. Parker and Hardison both sat on the chairs against the wall and Eliot stood by the door. They all remained silent waiting for Sophie to wake up. An hour later Sophie finally stirred.
Sophie could feel that someone was holding her hand and she knew right away that it was her daughter. She could also feel someone watching her intently and she knew that had to be Nate. When Sophie opened her eyes it took her a few moments to take in her surrounds and a moment of panic hit her.
''Audrey?''
''Yes. I am right here. Everything is okay. We are all right here.''
Sophie was finally able to focus on her daughter's face. And then she was able to focus on the other people in the room. She locked eyes with Nate.
''Sophie, how are you feeling? Do you want us to call a doctor? What do you remember?''
''Mmm…. I feel sore…tired….''
''Okay. Eliot…'' Before Nate could finish his sentence Eliot was already out the door in search of a doctor. The next moment Eliot returned followed by the doctor.
''Can everyone please leave while I exam Ms. Devereaux.''
They all left and waited in the hall. Twenties minutes later the doctor emerged from the room and approached Audrey.
''You are Ms. Devereaux's daughter, correct?''
''Yes… Yes I am''
''Your mother seems doing well. Everything looks normal. She is just going to be tired for the next few days because of the blood transfusion so she will be in and out of conscience for the next few days. Now visiting hours are just about over so I can't allow all of you to be in there at once with Ms. Devereaux. You are allowed to stay of course but I am afraid that everyone else has to leave for the night.''
''Okay…''
Audrey then waved Nate over.
''Is it okay if he stays as well?''
The doctor looked at Nate for a moment before answering.
''Okay, that will be fine but no one else.''
''Yes of course. Thank you doctor.''
The doctor nodded and then walked away.
''Oh Nate, I am sorry. I should have asked if you wanted to stay…I just assumed.''
''It's okay. I was planning on staying no matter what the doctor said.''
Audrey just smiled at Nate and then they joined the others and they went back inside the room. For the next two weeks Audrey and Nate remained day and night at the hospital with Sophie while Eliot, Parker and Hardison would come every day to visit. With each day Sophie got better and better and at times she tried to get Audrey and Nate to leave the hospital to go and get some rest but they both refused to leave. A few days ago the doctor announced that Sophie would be allowed to leave the hospital on the weekend but Sophie would need to come back in for a checkup and it would be about seven weeks until Sophie was one hundred percent. The day before Sophie could leave the hospital Nate was left alone in the room with Sophie while Audrey joined the others in the cafeteria.
''Soph… Sophie I have been thinking… that if it is okay with you and Audrey that you both should move in with me…until you got better. I could help take care of you….if that's okay.''
Sophie couldn't help the big smile that came upon her face because of how nervous Nate was asking. He was adorable. Sophie took Nate's hand into her own and then looked into his eyes.
''Yes, Nate I think that would be okay. I think that it's a good idea. We can talk to Audrey about it but I am sure she will be fine with it.''
''Fine with what?''
Sophie and Nate both looked toward the door where Audrey followed by the rest of team were coming into the room.
''Well Nate thought it would be a good idea if you and I moved into his place and help you take care of me. Would that be okay?''
Audrey looked at her mother then at Nate and noticed that they were holding hands and she couldn't help the smile that escaped from her lips.
''Of course that would be okay.''
The next day when Sophie was released the team moved her and Audrey into Nate's apartment. Nate and Eliot helped Sophie into the apartment. Once they had Sophie settled in her room Audrey, Eliot, Parker and Hardison all went to move in Audrey's stuff. Nate however remained with Sophie, he wouldn't allow Sophie out of his eye sight and he wouldn't allow her to do anything on her own.
''If I would have know that it took getting shot to get you to become this attentive I would have gotten shot sooner.''
''That is not funny Sophie.''
''I know. I know. I am not used to all the attention you are giving me, I kind of like it. But Nate you need to stop coddling me so much. I need to be able to do things on my own.''
''I know. I will try my best to give you your independence but I can't make any promises. You were shot Sophie! We almost lost you… I almost lost you.''
Sophie made Nate look her in the eyes and took his face in her hands.
''Nate I am okay. Everything is going to be fine. I am right here and I do not plan on going anywhere any time soon.''
Nate just stared into Sophie's eyes and he couldn't help the tears that escaped from his eyes. Sophie tried to wipe the tears away from Nate's eyes. They stayed like that for a few moments just looking into each other's eyes.
''Mum?... Oh I am sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt.''
Nate tried to hide his face from Audrey while Sophie looked at her daughter.
''It is fine my darling daughter. Are you all moved in?''
Audrey looked at Nate for a moment, she knew that he had been crying. Then she looked back at her mother.
''Yes I am.''
''That's good.''
Then Nate got up.
''I am going to go check on the others and give you two a few moments alone but if you need just shout.''
After Nate left Audrey took the seat that Nate was just on and her mother knew her daughter wanted to ask her something.
''Audrey, is everything okay?''
''Yes… it's just… is it okay if I hug you? I don't know if it would hurt you.''
Sophie just simply smiled at her daughter and held her arms open.
''Of course you can give me a hug. I would love one! You wouldn't hurt me at all.''
Audrey went into her mother's open arms and gave her a hug. Then Audrey sat back in her chair and grabbed her mother's hand.
''I love you so much Audrey. I am proud of you. You have been wonderful through this entire ordeal. You are strong, you are certainly your mother's daughter.''
''I love you too…. I love you Mum. I am so sorry that I didn't say it to you sooner.''
''Oh my darling, it's okay. All that matters now is that you know I love you and I know that you love me.''