Chapter 35
Sorry for the late update. I was rushing around tryin to get things done for halloween. =/
"What was goin' on last night with the gunfire and police?" Sarah asked the group curiously after the doctor left.
"Apparently," Nate began. "Another group of armed men showed up and started taking out Rafael's men. Not sure why, but shortly after, the police got an anonymous tip that there were several shots heard fired."
"I wonder how that happened," Sarah chuckled, looking at Hardison.
"It remains a mystery," Eliot replied sarcastically, giving her hand a kiss.
XxxxxxxxxX
X-rays taken the next day showed that Sarah's lungs were fine and if she followed the doctor's orders, would heal with no lasting damage. She still had to stay in the hospital for a few more days though, so the team came up with a routine so she would have constant company during the day.
"Eliot, go," she stated yet again in a firm voice. "You can't stay here 24/7. Go get something to eat, take a shower, rest, workout, whatever. I'll be fine. Alec will keep me company."
Eliot raised his eyebrow looking over at Hardison and then back at her as if to say that was the problem. Hardison caught the look.
"Hey! I'm insulted. She'll be just fine with me. We're gonna get some horde violence goin' on," he smiled gesturing to the laptops he was setting up.
"How are you even getting a good enough signal in here?" Eliot asked in disbelief.
Hardison gave Eliot his own raised eyebrow look.
"Never mind, don't wanna know." He looked down at Sarah, "I won't be gone long," he promised.
She smiled at him. "I'll see you tonight for dinner."
He gave her a lingering kiss before walking out.
"Okay mama. You ready to kick some alliance butt?" Hardison asked with a smile as he rolled over the bed table that held her laptop.
"Bring it," she replied with a smile.
XxxxxxxxxX
The next two days continued the same way. If she wasn't playing WOW with Hardison, she was talkin with Sophie or watching TV with Cam and Parker. Eliot always stayed the night, but then she would kick him out a few hours during the day to get fresh air or spend time with Cam. She wondered why she hadn't seen Nate, but figured she'd find out later.
"Mama, he was awesome! All those games that you say you can't win? He beat 'em and won me some stuffed animals!" Cam exclaimed excitedly, talking about the carnival Eliot had taken him to.
"Did he now?" she replied with an amused chuckle.
Sarah spent the next few hours smiling happily as she watched Cam and Parker talk excitedly about the cartoons they watched. At some point Krista came in and removed the IV stating it wasn't needed anymore.
When Eliot came in that evening, he noticed that Sarah looked uncomfortable. When the team left after dinner and Cam's bedtime story, he brought it up.
"What's wrong?" he asked her.
"What do you mean?" she answered in confusion.
"Something's botherin' you."
She sighed, "I wanna take a shower really bad. I haven't had a proper one since I got here. My hair itches and it needs a good scrub."
He nodded. "Be right back," he said and disappeared out the door.
He was back a moment later, a nurse in tow.
"Evening Sarah," the nurse said with a smile.
"Hi Marta."
"Eliot says that you would like to take a shower," she said looking at him with a bashful smile. Sarah saw this and shook her head.
"Yes please. I think if I have help and sit in the shower, I'll be fine."
"Okay, let me take the wires for the monitors off and place a waterproof bandage over your stitches, then you can."
"I'll set up the chair in the shower, do you need help?" Marta asked as she finished applying the bandage.
"Nah, I got her covered," Eliot replied with a grin.
The poor girl turned a nice shade of pink and hurried off to the bathroom. Sarah chuckled and shook her head again.
"What?" Eliot asked innocently.
"Don't what me mister. All the nurses on this floor are wrapped around your finger," she said laughing. "I know for a fact that they don't need to check on me as often as they do," she finished with a chuckle.
"Too bad for them I'm taken," he answered playfully kissing her nose.
Marta came out of the bathroom. "If you need any pain medication, let me know. I'll be back later to re-wrap your ribs before you sleep."
After she left, Eliot turned to Sarah. "Come on sweetheart, let's get you clean."
He wrapped his arm under her shoulders, then slowly helped her stand up. She sucked in a breath at the pain, but that just made it worse.
"This is gonna be harder than I thought," she hissed through gritted teeth.
"No it won't," he answered as he put his other arm under her knees and gently lifted her up into his arms.
Once in the bathroom, he started the water while she removed the hospital gown. Slowly, she lowered herself onto the seat right under the spray of hot water. The shower wasn't big enough for the both of them, so he stood outside of it with the door open to help her.
"Oh God this feels so good," she moaned as the water poured over her.
Eliot's pants tightened as the sound escaped her mouth, but knowing it wasn't the time, poured shampoo into his hand and started to massage it into her hair.
"You did this for me once, figured I'd return the favor," he said with a grin as she all but purred in pleasure.
After finishing her hair, he proceeded to wash every inch of her and by the time he was finished, she was completely relaxed and content. Once he had helped her dry off and brushed her hair; much to her delight, he surprised her with a nightgown that was a favorite of hers.
"Sophie thought you might be more comfortable if you had your own clothes," Eliot said answering her questioning look.
"I'll have to thank her," she responded as Eliot helped her put it on.
He carried her back to the bed and helped her get as comfortable as possible.
"You're spoilin' me," she smiled with a sleepy yawn.
"That's the plan," he responded with a cheeky grin, then leaned over for a kiss.
He had planned for it to be quick but it wasn't. He could have lost her. She felt it as well, realizing how close she had come to leaving him and Cameron behind. She slowly raised her hand to the back of his neck to pull him closer, deepening the kiss. He braced himself on the side of the bed with his hand as they poured all the relief and love they felt into the kiss.
"Sorry to interrupt," choked out an embarrassed voice.
Sarah and Eliot broke apart to see Marta standing at the door with fresh bandages.
"Don't worry about it," Sarah assured her as Eliot chuckled softly.
Marta redressed her stitches and re wrapped her ribs quickly and gently. She attached the leads for the monitor and turned to leave.
"Doctor Laurie will be in to see you in the morning. Have a good night," she said with a smile before she left.
"Will you read to me?" Sarah asked.
"Sure," he replied with a smile.
He grabbed a book he had brought earlier, settled into the chair next to the bed and began to read.
Sarah was asleep before he finished the page.
XxxxxxxxxX
Eliot woke up a few hours later to shuffling. Whoever it was, they were trying to be quiet, so he knew it wasn't the nurse. Opening his eyes slowly to let them adjust to the dim light from the hallway, he saw two people, one clearly smaller than the other…he also recognized them.
"What the hell Parker?" he hissed angrily as she closed the door to the room.
"It's not her fault daddy, I wanted mama," Cam answered guiltily from her side.
Eliot sighed and helped him up to lay beside his mom then looked at Parker. "You…me…hallway…now," he said as he walked out leaving the door partly open.
Sarah woke up to her son trying to get comfortable next to her. "Baby?" she whispered groggily. "What are you doin' here?"
"I had a nightmare," he admitted. "Aunt Parker snuck me in here."
She had wondered when all of this would finally show signs of affecting him. "What was the nightmare about?"
"That grandpa took us again and I never saw you again," he sniffed against her.
"But you know that can't happen right? Grandpa's gone."
"I know," he replied in a small voice.
She pulled him closer and covered him with the sheet as Eliot and Parker walked back in. She could tell Eliot was upset. Parker looked exasperated.
"It's okay Parker. I understand why you brought him," Sarah said softly. "Though maybe next time instead of breakin' and enterin', a phone call might work?" Sarah finished with a smile.
Parker smiled and nodded, then left. Eliot leaned over to kiss them both and went to lay back down on the couch grumbling faintly about reckless thieves.
XxxxxxxxxX
When Sarah woke up, she was surprised to see Nate sitting in the bedside chair, reading a newspaper and sipping coffee.
"Mornin' Nate," she said groggily as she pushed the button on the bed to bring it to a reclining position.
"Good morning Sarah," he responded with a faint smile as he set the newspaper down.
"Where's Eliot and Cam?"
"I told them I'd watch over you while they went out for breakfast. I wanted to talk to you."
"About what?"
"I'm afraid my bad judgment lead you to being here."
"What are you talkin' about Nate?" she asked confused.
He told her how he had postponed her rescue in the hopes of taking Rafael down as well. He also told her what had happened in the hotel room afterward.
"Nate…there's no way you can know what might or might not of happened if you came sooner." He tried to speak but she held up her hand. "The point is that you came for us."
"I was still a jackass," he finished apologetically.
She reached out her hand and he took it in his, squeezing it affectionately.
"I still mean what I said when I first met you. I respect you Nate. And I'm happy you consider me part of your family because Cam and I feel the same way about you guys."
I was a little tired when I edited this, but I was determined since I made you guys wait an extra day. So if it seems a little sloppy, I'm sorry. Remember to review. =)