Chapter 23

Nate was still breathing when they reached the hospital, he was still holding his own. The EMT's unloaded him telling the doctors his stats as they wheeled him into the ER. Sophie hurried after them but was stopped at the doors. She looked through the glass and watched as the doctors worked removing Nate's clothes to be able to deal with the leg injury as well. She could see things were not going well, the machines were screaming out alarms and the doctors were putting all kinds of tubes and pipes into Nate. Then there was a long incessant sound invading her ears. She realised it was the heart machine telling them that Nate's heart had stopped. The doctors called for the paddles and she watched as Nate's body jerked from the flow of electricity. After the fourth time the heart monitors indicated that they had a rhythm back, it was erratic but it was there. Then they were moving Nate and Sophie moved from the doors to let them through. A nurse was holding a bag over his mouth feeding him oxygen and the doctor was shouting out orders as they went. It was only a few meters before they passed through the next set of doors telling Sophie she would have to wait in the waiting room until the doctor came to see her. Then they were gone. It was silent. She could not see him anymore. Turning slowly she walked to the chairs lined up along the wall and sat down feeling completely numb.

It was about five minutes later when the rest of the team flew into the hospital to find Sophie still sitting quietly staring at the doors behind which Nate had vanished.

"Sophie." Eliot said going to the woman and sinking to his haunches in front of her. "Sophie?" He said again his heart sinking as he looked into her eyes.

"Where is Nate, is he…" Parker asked approaching Sophie and not able to get the word "dead" out of her mouth.

"No. They, they lost him but got him back. They have taken him to surgery." Sophie told them all. "This is all my fault." She said looking up at her family. "If I hadn't insisted on taking this case, if I had not underestimated the mark, if…"

"We do a dangerous job Sophie. It's nobody's fault." Eliot said emphatically. If it was anybody's fault it was Nate's. He should have been here. He should have been making the plans that always, always kept them safe. He should never have left. He should never have come back. He should never have got involved. Eliot's mind was racing moving between anger, despair and cold fear.

Sophie looked up at Eliot and then let her eyes settle on Parker. She was covered with Nate's blood from when she had thrown herself over his body to protect him. Sophie was still not sure where that last bullet had gone but it had not hit Nate or Parker.

"Hardison, take Parker to clean up and change." Sophie instructed the Hacker and seeing the rebellion in his and the Thief's eyes shook her head. "He is going to be in surgery a long time and you need to get out of that shirt." Sophie said softly.

Parker looked at her and pouted but allowed Hardison to lead her way and out to the car. She was lost. Nate was hurt. He could die and she was completely lost in a world of hurt, fear and sadness. For a moment she thought she should never have let this happen. She should have never joined this crew. She should have walked away. Then she felt Hardison's gentle hands guiding her into the car constantly talking to her, comforting her, telling her it was going to be ok. She knew he was just as lost, but his concern was for her. She needed them. She needed them all, they were her family and that was all there was too it and Nate was going to be ok, just like Hardison said she thought to herself. She allowed the Hacker to get her into the car and drive off towards their home.

Back in the waiting room Eliot and Sophie sat silently each engrossed in their own thoughts. Eliot berating himself for not being able to stop the gut shot he had seen Nate take, the one that could kill him and Sophie berating herself for everything. They did not even hear Bonano approach them.

"Sophie." Bonano said softly bringing both of them out of their reverie. Bonano looked at both of them and the fact that Eliot had not even been aware of his presence sent a sliver of fear down his spine, was Nate dead?

"Patrick." Eliot said rising and taking his hand before Sophie could answer. "He's in surgery." He answered the cop's unasked question.

"Well then there is hope." Bonano said.

"Hope." Sophie said softly tears welling in her eyes.

"Yes Sophie, where there is life there is hope." Bonano said seeing the great sadness and grief in the woman's eyes. Seeing the dread of what was to come. "Anyway, I just came to tell you that Trevor is in custody and will be taken to a maximum facility in the next few hours. We got our mole and he is not getting away again."

"Horse and barn door." Sophie said sadly brining Bonano's eyes to her. It was true. Nate had given him Trevor, a rock solid case. He had let the man go and now this was happening.

"I'm sorry Sophie." He mumbled and then turned leaving the two alone to wait for the verdict on Nate.

"It wasn't his fault either you know." Eliot told her.

"I know Eliot, I just…" Sophie almost sobbed desperately still trying to hold herself together.

"It's ok, well talk to him after." Eliot said softly. Then he sat down next to her taking her hand as they sat and waited further in silence.

Parker and Hardison returned after a half hour and took their seats for the long vigil. Nobody spoke. They did not even notice the commotion that was happening in the ER when other patients were brought in. They were completely absorbed by the door behind which they had taken Nate.