Chapter 26

"Nate." Sophie said looking down at him as he watched the three of them leave.

"It's ok Sophie." Nate said turning his eyes toward her. "I will be fine."

"You don't know that Nate." She replied tears welling in her eyes.

"Sophie." Nate said softly taking her hand in his. "I, I need to tell you something." He said taking a deep breath. Sophie said nothing she just looked down at him and he could see the love, the concern and the fear in her eyes. "I need you. I love you Sophie, more than you will ever know. It took being away from you for these last six months for me to realise just how much I…I need you…love you."

Sophie stared at him the tears flowing freely now. He had said it, he had finally told her that he loved her. Now. Here when he could be dead in the next few hours. She was happy, sad, confused and angry at the same time. Did the man have to wait until it was almost too late, when she could not rejoice in his revelation? No he had to tell her now, now she may lose him.

"I, I just thought I should say that in case…"

"Don't you dare Nathan Ford! Don't you even contemplate it!" Sophie said softly. "You will not die during this operation do you understand me. You can't just tell me something like that and then, and then leave me."

They were both silent just staring at each other and then Nate sat up and pulled her too him kissing her like she was his last lifeline, like he had on the Maltese Falcon all those months ago. Sophie at first did not respond and then wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back, deepening the kiss and pulling him in tight to her. Then they just held on to each other until the door opened and the nurse walked in.

"Oh sorry." She said apologetically as the two pulled away from each other.

"No, no it's fine." Nate said sitting back but keeping his eyes on Sophie.

"Ok, I just need you to complete these consent forms please." Nate took the forms and completed them as the nurse was busy doing her checks. He hesitated slightly before signing one of them but then did so handing the forms back to the nurse. "Thank you, I will be back in a few minutes to take you down for the MRI."

"Thank you, can you give me ten minutes, I just need to speak to my family." Nate asked. She nodded then left the room.

Sophie and Nate watched the nurse leave and then Sophie stepped back up to the bed and took Nate's hand in her. "I love you too you stupid man." She said softly leaning and placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

"I would like to speak to Eliot alone." Nate said softly. Sophie looked at him and realised exactly why, she was not hurt that he did not want to do this with her, she understood. She nodded and kissed his forehead before moving out the room to call Eliot.

"Eliot." Nate said as his Hitter stepped into the room.

"Nate."

"If something happens. I mean if." Nate was not sure how to broach the subject. "My medical proxy is with a man named Jonathan Jones. He is an old friend and my lawyer and holds all my information. Also, I have signed a DNR."

Eliot's eyes widened. Nate did not want them to put him on any machines should something go wrong. He wanted them to let him die and not even try to resuscitate or intubate if he went into respiratory arrest.

"Eliot. You are a good man. I trust you implicitly, I always have, since the beginning of this." Nate said softly. "I trust you to take care of them if I do not come out on the other side of this."

"Nate."

"No Eliot. I was a fool. I walked away from you, from Sophie, from the team. That was my mistake and it nearly cost you all dearly. I know you are angry with me. I understand that. I also know that you would lay down your life for them. Now I am trusting you to make sure they make it through if something does happen that you will take care of them."

"You have my word." Eliot said simply. He would. He had no doubt that no matter what happened this family would stay together. But he also knew what Nate was talking about, it was not about keeping them together, it was about keeping them safe. Making sure they all got through him leaving, and this time permanently. Eliot swallowed hard as he looked down at the Mastermind who was holding out his hand to him.

"I think." Nate said taking Eliot's hand. "I would have been very proud of Sam if he had turned out like you Eliot." He smiled. Eliot just stared at the man fighting back tears he could feel as emotions welled up in him at those words. He simply nodded though showing none of the emotion he was feeling. "Now I think you should let the others in because it won't be long."

Eliot let go of Nate's hand and walked to the door, looking back at Nate as he reached it. The Mastermind was lying back his eyes closed. This was taking a toll on the man emotionally and that was the last thing he needed. As soon as he opened the door the three waiting just outside walked in and straight up to the Mastermind's bed.

"Parker, Hardison." Nate said smiling at the two youngest members of the team.

"Don't die." Parker suddenly blurted out. She had sad eyes and a pout that Nate had not seen since the day she revealed all about her brother.

"I won't Parker." Nate said. He wanted to add that he promised but did not want to make promises he could not keep that would not be fair to her and he had learned that lesson with Sam. Then unexpectedly Parker flung herself at Nate and pulled him into a hug.

"Promise?" Parker said softly.

"I promise." Nate said despite himself. He hated to see any of them in pain, any kind of pain and Parker was just so vulnerable. "I promise I will try." Nate added and he would. He would never willingly leave them again.

"Mr Ford." The nurse interrupted them. "We have to go now." She said as the rest of the team of medical staff entered.

Nate looked at her and nodded understanding. Then he held his hand out to Hardison who took it bending in to Nate as he pulled him closer.

"Take care of yourself. Take care of her" he said his eyes moving to Parker. Thank you Hardison, thank you for always keeping my confidences, thank you for everything." He whispered to the man.

"Mr Ford." The nurse repeated as they started to move the bed.

"Yes. Ok guys see you in a little while." He said letting Hardison go.

"We'll be here Nate." Eliot told him.

The three of them walked out after the bed with Sophie. They could only walk with Nate for a short distance before they got to the elevator that would take him down to the theatres.

"I love you Nathan Ford." Sophie said squeezing his hand. It felt so good to her to say that out loud, finally. "Don't leave me now ok."

"I won't ever leave again Sophie. Not willingly." he whispered feeling her soft lips on his forehead as he raised her hand kissing it gently.

Then the elevator arrived and Nate was taken away. Sophie turned to the others emotion plain on her face. Eliot walked up to her and took her arm leading her to the waiting room chairs. There was still a chance that the doctor was wrong, that there was no bleed and then Nate would be back in his room in a hour and they would all be fine, but Eliot was sure that the doctor was sure that there was one and then, well then Nate may never return to his room.