Just a small piece of the puzzle, more to come soon.
"Sophie, I'm fine. I'm not going to drink myself to death!"
"I know," she retorts, "because I'm going to sit here and guilt you until you go to bed." Nate starts to protest but she cuts him off, "I saw your face back there. I know what you were thinking."
"Oh, really? Then please, elaborate. What was my face telling you?"
"You were thinking, 'My god! We just got the band back together and now we're going to be down one again.' And, don't worry, I'm not offended. I know full well that Parker would be a hell of a lot harder to replace than I was," Sophie continues despite Nate's head shaking.
"I didn't replace you! You called Tara, not me."
"And, I hate to kick you when you're down-"
"Could have fooled me."
"-but if that girl doesn't wake up-"
"Sophie..."
"-you'll be down two, not one." She takes the glass out of his hand to make sure she has his full attention. "And, as much as you tried to hide it, underneath all that trivial muck, Parker is like a daughter to you. Seeing her in a hospital-"
"Enough!" Nate interrupts. "Yes, alright? I'm worried about Parker! It's eating me up. Of course, I want to drink! I mean, what if she..." he can't even say it. "I want to drink a lot."
"There. Don't you feel better?" She receives only a scathing look in response. "Want to watch a movie?"
"Two?"
"As many as you like, darling." Sophie, feeling satisfied, moves to the couch and switches on the TV.
"No, before- you said we'd be down two, not one." She nods, still flipping through the channels. "So, Parker and..." Nate prompts, easing onto the couch beside her.
"Hardison."
"What?" He asks in high pitched shock.
"Didn't you see him today? Poor boy's in love," she says landing on an old black and white movie. "He won't budge until she wakes up."
"What?" This time his voice takes on a darker tone.
"Aw, you're protective. That's so cute," she gushes.
"What?"
"She'll be alright, Papa Bear." She pats his arm as he sulks. "Parker's stronger than all of us." She stares at the screen for a few moments to recover her composure. "So, popcorn?"