"Okay, let's take five everyone" the director announced.
Sophie went to sat on one of the theatre chairs. In the last six weeks she had been rehearsing for a play: A Midsummer Night's Dream. She had been cast for the role of Hermia and she was finding the all experience quite enjoyable. It was a small theatre and a small production, but they had potential, or at least that's what she believed.
Nate had been quite understanding with her rehearsing schedule. He knew it was something she wanted to do and that fulfilled her. If they finished late, he would often go and pick her up and the would spend the night at his place since it was closer to the theatre. If fact, she was sure he was going to pick her up even that evening.
Their relationship was progressing well. Even though they would see each other nearly every day, they never had fights except for the occasional arguing but they would soon make up. She would stay at his place when Sam was there and the three of them had really bonded. Yes, she was feel good about all this stable relationship thing.
She took her mobile out of the purse. It had been on silence and she noticed three missed calls from and unfamiliar number.
"Strange" she muttered. She dial the number back curious to see who was looking for her.
"Hello?" a familiar voice answered.
"Who is this?"
"Oh Sophie, I've finally found you" a woman's voice sighed exasperated.
"Maggie?" she asked curiously. "Has something happened?"
"It's Nate" she said and for a moment her heart stopped. "He was shot and the hospital still has me as his emergency contact…" she went on, but Sophie had stopped listening to her after the word shot.
"Is he…" she gulped. She couldn't get the words out as tears started forming in her eyes.
"What? Oh ,oh … don't worry. He's alive!" she soon clarified. "He is in surgery right now."
Sophie gathered up her things. "Which hospital?" she asked frenetically.
"UCLA Medical Center"
"I'll be right there" Sophie was making her way to the exit.
"Hey, where are you going?" the director shouted out at her. "We're not finished."
"My boyfriend is in hospital. I have to leave" she didn't wait for an answer and just took off.
It had been the longest twenty minutes' drive of her life. She had finally reached the hospital and saw Maggie at the ER entrance.
"How is he?" she rushed to her
"Calm down" she smiled "He is still in surgery but the doctors said it looks good. One bullet had it his right shoulder and it was a through and through. The other one is in his abdomen but the don't think it made a lot of damage."
"He was shot twice?" they entered the building and went to the trauma's waiting room. "How did it happen?"
"I've managed to speak to one of his colleague. He said Nate was investigating something in the black market and apparently he interrupted a band gathering. Well, let's just say bullets started flying"
She nodded. "Thank you for calling me"
"I got your number from Nate's phone. I was sure he would have wanted you to be here"
"Where's Sam?" she looked around.
"He is with at a friend's house. I haven't told him what happened just that his dad got hurt." Maggie pointed at a man in the distant.
"Oh look, that's Sterling. He's the one who told me what happened"
Sophie turned around and she opened her eyes wide. Sterling definitely didn't have to see her there. "Excuse me" she quickly got up. "I need to go to the bathroom" and ran away.
"Who was that?" Sterling asked Maggie once he had reached her.
"That's Nate's girlfriend." Maggie replied smirking.
"Nate has a girlfriend?" he exclaimed shocked. "Since when?"
"Oh for some months now. About six"
"Really?" he raised his eyebrow. "I wonder how he managed to keep this a secret." But in his mind he was already thinking why his colleague kept this woman hidden and why did she leave so soon. He got a text message on his phone. "Well, looks like the boss needs me." He turned towards the blonde. "Tell Nate to get his ass back at the office as fast as he can. He wouldn't want to leave all the fun just for us" he smirked.
Maggie shook her head, she really didn't know what to make of him. He was an attractive man, but at times, okay most times, he sounded like a total bastard.
Sophie saw Sterling leaving and after a minute went back to sit next to Maggie. "Did I miss something?"
"Only Sterling being annoying as usual"
Just then the doctor approached them. "Mrs. Ford"
"Oh no, we're divorced, I go by my maiden name now. Miss. Collins. This" she indicated Sophie "is Nate's girlfriend"
"How is he doctor?"
"The surgery went well. The bullet in his shoulder didn't make any damage. He will need to be careful not to use that arm for a while. The bullet pierced his spleen, but we've managed to repair it. Our only concerned was the blood lost and maybe some infection. He's going to stay in the hospital for at least a week to make sure there aren't any complications."
"When can we see him?" Sophie needed to make sure that he was okay. She needed to see it with her own eyes.
"He is still coming out from the anesthesia, give it another 30/40 minutes. A nurse will then show where to go. I'll come and check on him tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Doctor" Sophie smiled at him. She sighed relieved. He was out of surgery, everything was going to be better now.
"I never had to worry about this when I was married to him. This is the first time he got shot. Surprisingly since his line of work is not exactly safe."
"Yeah" she agreed with a distant look. She got shot once in the back. Not a pleasant experience.
"Look, since you're here I was thinking about leaving since I really need to go and pick Sam."
"Sure, no problem. I'll just go grab something from the cafeteria while waiting."
"Call me if something happens, if not tell that thick headed of man that I'll come and visit him tomorrow morning and we can decided what to tell Sam"
Sophie chuckled. "Okay, I'll try to make him rest"
"Good luck with that" she laughed back. "See you later"
Sophie went to buy a black coffee from the hospital cafeteria . She knew she would needed to stay up the night. She was patiently looking at the clock. The minutes seemed to pass so slowly. Finally she made her way to the waiting room. After ten minutes a nurse came towards her.
"Are you here for Nathan Ford?" she asked her, her eyes searching for the blond woman she saw before.
"Yes, may I see him?" Sophie got up eagerly.
The nurse didn't look convinced, apparently Ford chart needed to be updated.
"Sure, follow me"
She laid her to a private room, in the upper floor. "Since his vitals are good, they've transferred him from ICU. He is in a sterilized private room to avoid possible infections. You need to sterilized your hands before entering." She nodded to a bottle of hand sanitizer.
From the small window in the door, Sophie could see that Nate was awake and trying to move the various wires around.
The nurse frowned at him. "I can see he is a not going to be a very cooperative patient."
Sophie smiled knowingly. "You have no idea."
"Well, I'll leave 15 minutes of privacy then I'll come and check his vitals for the last time before he needs his sleep. I'll recommend you not to spend the night here. Hopefully he'll be sleeping most of the time. You can come back in the morning"
Sophie didn't really think she could leave the hospital. If she couldn't stay in Nate's room she was going to find somewhere else. "Thanks" She slowly opened the door.
"Hey" Nate weakly waved at her with a smile.
"Hey" she smiled back. Then tears started running again and she began sobbing.
"Oh no, please don't cry." He said groggily. He cautiously lifted his left arm and motion her to come closer.
She quickly walked to him and took his hand in hers. "I can't help it. I'm so glad you're okay. When Maggie told me you had been shot, I think my heart stopped." She ran her other hand through his untamed hair as they tangled in his curls.
"Maggie called you?"
"Yeah, she's listed as your next of kin and find my number on your phone. She said that she's going to come and see you tomorrow morning so you can discuss what to tell Sam"
He slowly nodded. "Okay" he closed his eyes. He was clearly in pain.
"How are you feeling?" she sat on the edge of the bed being careful at the wires and tubes that were helping him.
"Like I have been shot twice" he chuckled a bit but then started coughing.
Sophie grabbed a glass of water sitting on the bedside table and brought it to his lips. She watched him take small slow sips.
"Thanks" he leaned back down on the bed.
"Please tell me you didn't go there all alone or that at least you had a gun yourself"
"I think I hit a couple of them, I just forgot to duck" he smirked.
"This is not funny Nate. You could have been easily killed" she scolded him a bit angrily. She was so more worried than anything.
"But I'm here, no need to play the if game, Sophie" he caressed her hand in his.
"Just…" she sighed. "Just promise you'll be more careful from now on"
"I promise" he told her calmly. "Now, can I have a kiss?" he smiled.
She smirked rolling her eyes. "I don't think you deserve it. Plus, he nurse said we have to be careful for infection I may pass you some germs or something…"
He gently pulled her towards him. "I'll gracefully accept your germs" he whispered against her lips.
Sophie kissed him passionately. She brought her hands to his face and held him there. She needed to feel him alive. She then cut the kiss short knowing he needed to oxygen to keep staying alive.
The nurse knocked at the door and came in. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's time"
Sophie nodded and got up from the bed. Nate took her hand in his again. "You behave for this lovely nurse and I'll come back in the morning"
"Are you going to your place?" he sleepily asked.
"No, I'll probably stay at yours and bringing you some things."
"Thanks" she could tell he was having problems keeping his eyes open.
"Good night" she planted a soft kiss on his forehead.
"Love you" he whispered before succumbing to the sleep.
She smiled softly. "Love you too"
A/N What do you think? Will Nate behave during his recovery? thanks for reading and your lovely reviews. I appreciate them :)