"I can't believe you would do that!"

She couldn't. She really couldn't and it made absolutely no sense. This was Nathan Ford she was talking about. He was an absolute bastard, controlling and constantly putting his nose in other people's business without minding any of his own. It made sense that he would do something as stupidly evil as this. He didn't trust her, couldn't. But the sting of his actions didn't make that knowledge any more palatable.

"You had Eliot follow me!" She screamed.

She hated the tears that were in her eyes. They always seemed to develop when the mastermind was being a particularly large pain. It didn't help that she felt betrayed and embarrassed. She was sloshing back those drinks just as swiftly as he would. She was constantly complaining about his drinking habits and now he finally could return the favor. He caught her and that wasn't exactly something she wanted to know.

"You went to a bar, Sophie," Nate howled. Of course he wouldn't let her free even if he could. "You only just got out of the hospital. Did you honestly think I was going to let you go alone?"

She slapped him. It was the only reply she had left. Of course she didn't expect him to just let her go free but she also didn't expect him to delegate. She expected him to follow her like a lost puppy, because that seemed to be all he was willing to do. She expected him to yell at her and make a show of himself and prove he still cared. She expected him to fight her tooth and nail in everything and act as though this was the absolute worst thing in the world to do.

She expected her bloody husband to be there for her!

She couldn't stop the tears after that. It wasn't fair. He didn't know who he was. She shouldn't keep expecting the annoying man in green robes to come after her and do his best to safe her from herself. But she didn't know what else to do. She used to know. She used to be able to drive Nate Ford into any tree she so desired. Now she couldn't remember the magical spell Sophie used against him. This man wasn't exactly someone she could predict anymore.

"I just wanted a moment to myself," she whispered. "Please, just go away."

The hurt registered seconds later. She could tell simply by the way his face fell. His eyes went wide with boyish fear. Then the mask appeared. It took away the pain and replaced it with anger. His blue eyes dulled and his frown turned into a snarl. His hands folded into fists, fists that shook with his anger.

"Out!" He yelled.

Parker and Hardison didn't even pause in their efforts to escape. The hacker just grabbed the thief's tiny wrist and pulled her away from danger. The hitter was a little less eager to leave. He gave the mastermind a very pointed glare. It was a warning. No harm was allowed to befall Sophie Devereaux as long as he could help it. Nate didn't even meet his eyes though so he gave a verbal warning and left.

The façade fell the moment they were gone. Nate's anger just peeled away. His shoulders fell to the ground. His eyes aged decades. His face looked so old, so care-worn. She couldn't help the impulse. Her thumbs were working away the worry-lines before she even realized what was going on.

"You bastard," she cursed.

He smiled at that. She loved it when he smiled. He took away so many years when he smiled. His eyes even had a glow about them. She was constantly arrested by the idea of disappearing into that bright glow. It often filled her heart with hope when he smiled. She could almost pretend the world was a magnificent place, one where she belonged and deserved to be happy.

"Let me help you," he begged.

She wanted to allow it. She was even willing to agree to his demands. But she was so scared. She couldn't tell him the truth, about what was truly bothering her. She couldn't take the chance of him… remembering. The pain of the truth was the very thing crushing her. It would absolutely break her heart to watch him go through the same thing.

But he already was. She could see what her tiny trip to the hospital had done. There were gray hairs that hadn't been there before. Wrinkles had formed at the corner of his eyes, that didn't belong. She could practically hear the years of his life ticked away during all of that emotional stress. His worry wasn't good for his liver any more than his drinking. She couldn't exactly lie to him completely, not if she wanted to keep this man alive.

So it was time to act like a grown-up. She took a deep breath. Close her eyes and tried to ignore the hands pulling her closer. She just focused on the only truth she could give, the one that wouldn't kill him.

"I just wanted it to go away," she said.

His face fell and his arms pulled her by the waist towards him. He was getting that glint in his eye, the one that always made her worry more. It was the glint that meant dark things would happen. His head wouldn't be quite in the con. He'd start thinking about winning more than the client. But this wasn't some con he could just magically fix with fifteen extra plans. This was her. He was never very good at the emotional aspects, especially at losing them.

"What were you trying to drink away?" He asked.

She was stunned speechless. Her Robin was still in there. This was proof, the only proof she truly needed. He was sacrificing himself for her. Nate never did that. He was constantly trying to keep in every little piece of him he could. He was too afraid to allow anyone to rescue him, but he was trying to give her something. Asking her what, that was his way of saying he was willing to make a sacrifice.

"Memories," she replied vaguely.

He just nodded his head. His arms pulled her closer. She was already sitting on his lap now. His right arm had somehow snuck up and was supporting her head against his shoulder. He was even rocking back gently. All of that fire had dispersed from his soul too quickly. He was keeping himself contained for her.

"I… I…" he was stuttering. She could hear the emotion in his voice. If she had her head on straight, she'd be able to stop him and force him to slow. Now, she could barely understand her own thoughts. She couldn't stop him even if she wanted to.

"When Sam was first diagnosed," he said and that sent a pang of guilt down her chest because he didn't know about their children. He swallowed and continued. "I thought about ending it right then and there. My insurance would have covered the medical expenses. Maggie and Sam would have only benefitted from it. I… I almost…"

He took a deep breath and pulled her closer. It was almost as though he was afraid what this would do to her. Or maybe it was the guilt that he didn't do it. He was trying to identify with her, help her in some way. He'd changed so much in such a small amount of time.

"I didn't," he whimpered, "but it was because of the policy. I looked at it. If I committed suicide, they wouldn't have gotten anything. It would have all been for nothing."

"What did you do then?" She asked.

She hated herself immediately afterwards. She knew exactly what he did. He got reckless. In fact, that was the very thing that forced them apart the first time around. He tried to engage her into a gun fight and she refused to allow him to. He yelled at her. She considered killing him until she remembered he had a son. He never told her the truth, not until it was already too late. She still couldn't believe he told her instead of Maggie.

"And went looking for you," he whispered. His head fell into her chest and he squeezed her tighter still. His body shook and she could almost swear he was crying. She tried to return the squeeze but his head popped up. His teary blue eyes bored into his with such intensity; it took her breath away. "And you gave me everything I needed and more."

"What?"

She didn't understand this. She couldn't. She remembered what happened. She was pulling off a perfectly magnificent con. He stormed in there and 'blew her cover.' She angrily yelled at him in the safety of his hotel room. The shout match began and ended with the both of them in each other's arms. She'd almost kissed him then. He actually didn't even bother to try and stop it. She had to remind him about his family in order for space to happen. The guns had somehow changed meaning during the fight.

"We almost kissed," he said, "Do you remember? I was trying to con you into shooting me and you figured it out. Before I could realize my plan was ruined you were in my arms promising me everything and I… I almost cheated, Sophie."

"But you didn't," she shook her head, "You would never cheat."

"Is that why I told you what happened to Sam instead of Maggie?"

She turned towards him then, completely aghast. That smart bastard. He knew what he was doing. His big blue eyes were shining with hope and she had to squash her anger. He wasn't doing it to be a bastard. He was genuinely concerned, desperate. He was actually trying to help her the only way he knew how.

"I think it was easier, Nate," she sighed, "I think you told me because I wasn't Maggie. It wasn't because you could trust me, though I think that was the moment when that started to happen between us. It was because I wasn't your… I wasn't your… I wasn't Sam's mother."

She placed her head back on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She couldn't understand what was so difficult. In this world it was the truth. She wasn't his wife. She'd spent over twenty-eight years believing he wasn't her husband. She should have been used to the idea of it. It shouldn't hurt so much now that she knew the truth. But it did and that was part of the problem.

She needed Robin.

"Alright," he groaned, "I can do that."

He twisted her against him, forcing her to open her eyes and meet his. His nose brushed against hers and his hand fell to her cheek gently. Their foreheads were brushing and their lips were barely apart. He still knew how to take her breath away.

"I can let you tell someone else," he said, "Just name it. Tell me who you want to talk to. Whatever you want to do, just name it! I'll do anything, I promise."

Then he pulled her into his shoulder. He held her close, his lips against her ear. He was cradling her, rocking back and forth and acting exactly like he did back when they were married and living in the Enchanted Forest. He was doing the impossible and she couldn't comprehend what to do next.

"I can't lose you, Soph," he whispered.

She finally let the tears fall. She was safe in his arms. She always would be and it made absolutely no sense how that could be. But he loved her still. He loved her enough to give away pieces of himself. She had to meet him halfway. She just wasn't sure how to do it. So she took a deep breath and let it go.

"I'll go see Archie in the morning," she sighed, "If you think it'll help."

"No more drinking," he demanded softly. She pulled away and he met her gaze for gaze. "I'll stop too if that's what you want. But I can't keep pretending I'm okay with Eliot following you instead. I can't even stand the idea that he went with you tonight. Please, Soph, promise me you'll stop and start taking your pills."

She rolled her eyes but nodded. He nodded too, pulling her closer again. He couldn't stop doing that. The moment they arrived back in their room, his arms couldn't leave her alone. Whether it be her wrist or her waist, his hands never left. It was almost as though he was afraid to let go. Maybe he thought touching her would keep her still.

"Nate," she croaked.

He bowed his head but refused to pull away. It was the subtlest of clues. It was also proving her new theory correct. He couldn't let go. He was too afraid of what would happen if he did.

"What happened?" She asked, "After you left. What did I do?"

He released a laugh. It was hollow and full of heartache. His nose was suddenly nuzzling into her neck. This time she felt the hot tears falling from his eyes. The stickiness on her skin only proved what she'd feared all along. He did blame himself for leaving her.

"We're not quite sure," he said, "but from what I've gathered, you had a panic attack. You screamed and then went on a smashing spree. By the time I got back you were already gone. You'd escaped through the tree. You were heading to Mr. Gold's."

"Why was I going to Mr. Gold's?" She asked; surprise was the only emotion she could identify at the moment.

"I don't know," he shook his head, "I've been asking myself that same question for the past four days."

She closed her eyes and groaned. Of course, that was what was bothering him. He thought the answer was there. He was probably right too. In the fifteen years she'd known Nathan Ford, he'd never been wrong. Robin on the other hand, was only wrong once. He trusted his brother and nearly lost her. Now, they lost something else entirely.

"I'm sorry," she whimpered.

He tried to kiss her then. It was an innocent action. He wasn't trying to do her any harm. He was only trying to bring her comfort. But she pushed him away anyway. She couldn't let it happen. She couldn't take that chance.

"No," she said. She pulled him close and gave him the biggest hug she could muster under such despair. She even burrowed her face into his shoulder. "I can't, Nate."

"Okay," he replied. His arms had already snaked around her. He was squeezing her impossibly tighter too. But her message had been carried. He wouldn't kiss her. He would wait until she was ready. But she would never be ready.

Not while there was the possibility for True Love's Kiss to work.

%%%%%%%%%%%

Nate hated leaving. He felt like a traitor, giving her that powder. She wanted to share one last nightcap. She promised him she would stop drinking after and he didn't have to follow her in that promise. Then they clinked their glasses together. He felt so guilty; watching those big, brown eyes slowly close. He knew he didn't imagine the hurt in them. She knew what he did. She couldn't not know.

"How is she?" Eliot asked. Of course, it was only natural. The hitter would be the one to demand news of the grifter. He was on super-protective-mode.

"Sleeping," he replied.

He might have been a little too gruff in his delivery but he didn't care. Sophie was in trouble. That was the only thing going through his mind. He could practically feel his veins popping at the very thought of it.

"You drugged her?" Parker growled.

Her expression wasn't very happy. Hardison's wasn't either. They both had their arms crossed against their chests. The hacker even looked intimidating. His height and her glare spoke volumes about what they thought of his plan. He wouldn't even be surprised if Eliot was helping them successfully plan his death and disappearance.

"Had to, Parker," he groaned, "She wouldn't have slept if I didn't. She needs her rest."

"She needs him to be a pure asshole too," Eliot remarked.

Nate turned to him in surprise. Apparently the hitter was on his side. That spoke volumes about the situation. If Eliot was supporting him, Hardison and Parker would too. It was rare when the hitter actually agreed with Nate. When he did it was usually with a regretful tone. Parker and Hardison often sided with Sophie and stood with her during their fights. It would often be when Eliot's came in that Sophie would become most explosive. The grifter would sway the hitter her way. He was loyal, but his loyalties were to Parker and Hardison first. That's how Sophie won every battle.

"So what did you discover at Gold's?" Nate asked.

"Nothing," Hardison growled, "The man's better protected than the U.S. Government and Russia. Hell, we should be getting tips from him on how to disappear."

"His store was just as empty," Parker hissed, "There was nothing there Sophie would be after. No priceless art, no pretty jewelry, no secret maps proving that Sophie is the Last Unicorn."

Eliot turned to the thief in surprise. She just shrugged her shoulders and stared back at him. The mastermind rolled his eyes and glared at the hacker. Of course that man would do this. He would try to distract Parker and end up creating yet another conspiracy theory in her head. And the hitter would completely support the idea because Parker's knowledge of the world was only great up to thief knowledge. Anything outside of thief world was a pure mystery.

"I didn't even think of that," Eliot replied.

"Eliot, don't encourage her," Nate growled, "Parker, unicorns aren't real." The thief gasped in hurt surprise. The hacker even started to argue with the mastermind but he held up his hand to stop the argument. They didn't have time for that either. "We've got more important stuff to worry about right now. Whatever triggered Sophie's attack was planned. I don't know why but I'm dead positive Gold had something to do with it."

"We don't have any proof," Hardison said.

"And if we did," Eliot sighed, "how can you be so sure this was planned? Why would Gold want Sophie to have an attack when he, and the rest of the town, knew we were leaving? What could be gained from that?"

"Maybe he didn't want her to leave," Parker called. Then she narrowed her blue eyes at Nate and hissed. "Because she's the last unicorn and he's the guy in charge of protecting her. The guardian guy!"

"Mama, Nate would be her guardian," Hardison shrugged, "come on, if you're going to make up a theory at least have the decency to have it make sense."

"Oh, because I'm the one with theories that don't make sense Mr. Big Brother's watching us and bored to tears," Parker replied.

"Enough!" Nate felt the headache coming on. He couldn't take an argument on top of it. Sophie needed him to focus. She needed all of them. "I got her to agree to see the shrink."

"What?" Hardison and Parker shouted in scorned unison.

"No way, Man," Eliot growled, "I don't trust that guy. You didn't hear them! They were conspiring against us!"

"Dude everybody is conspiring against us according to you," Hardison growled.

Eliot opened his mouth to reply but Nate grabbed his shoulder. He silently commanded Hardison to be quiet and then held up his finger for Parker to understand. He turned back towards the hitter and shook him. He was silently questioning the conversation.

"They were discussing Sophie," Eliot shrugged, "Apparently Nolan thought the shrink was trying to prod her for information. The shrink told him no but then gave me his card. Something's going on, Nate and I'm dead positive they know what it is."

The mastermind nodded. There was no reason to doubt his hitter's words. The man was paranoid for a very wonderful reason. His hearing was well-intact out of pure necessity. If he said they were discussing Sophie, it was only proving his fears correct. They were aware of more than what they were leading on. And the whole town was in on it. How else could anyone describe the amount of people trying to invade the hospital the moment Sophie arrived?

"Nolan knows something," he finally agreed, "He's not the only one. Regina has been avoiding her sister like the plague. Whatever Sophie said to her the night she visited, it was enough to scare her away. Even Gold seems to be treating us all with an extra helping of stealth and avoidance."

"There's only one person who might be willing to help us," Eliot replied.

"Jefferson," Nate nodded, "apparently he's now our ally. Eliot, your job is to get him here however you can. Nolan seems to have the same plan if Hardison's bugs mean anything. Volunteer your services. Parker, you and Henry seem to be getting along. Needle him for information."

"Nate, he's a kid," Hardison sighed.

"He's the only thing we have that can get us to help Sophie!" Nate growled. He could feel his blood rising at the hacker's words. The guilt was a constant on his conscious but there was nothing he could do. They needed the information and the boy was the only way to get it. "I don't care. Hardison, research the shrink and make certain he's good enough to take care of Sophie."

"And what exactly are you going to do?" Hardison asked. He was puffing with bad vibes. He even looked on the verge of punching the mastermind's lights out. Nate actually welcomed the idea.

"I'm talking to Gold," he said, "Now out. I need to check on Sophie."

The hacker left, but reluctantly. Parker had to tug him away from his steady glare. It wasn't exactly unusual. Hardison hated using kids for cons. He and Parker both actually, but certain sacrifices had to be made. If they were going to be thieves in a relationship, then they would have to learn that. Real life wasn't kind to everyone. They couldn't be either.

"Nate," the hitter called. Apparently still there despite everything. The concern was bouncing off of him in waves.

"Eliot," Nate replied childishly. His patience was growing short. He was too lost in concern and fear and every other emotion that came with it. Plus he had the added benefit of Sam's memory running through his head. He didn't have the energy to be nice at the moment.

"You should get some sleep," Eliot said, "You're no help if she's worrying about you more than taking care of herself."

Nate smiled despite himself. This was why these thieves had become his friends. They knew exactly what to say to bring him back to Earth, the present specifically. He clapped the hitter on the shoulder and nodded in thanks. Then he dared to scrounge up his own little joke.

"I have a feeling Sophie wouldn't know what to do with herself if she didn't worry about me," he winked.

The hitter laughed and nodded in agreement. He turned towards his room still laughing. It wasn't much. Neither man really felt like anything was worth laughing about. But they needed something to release the stress and that seemed to work. But the mastermind's hand was now stuck to the door handle to his room.

He couldn't help feeling as though his world was about to end. The tension burning in his bones as he finally opened the door; it was awful. He hadn't felt this worried since Sam died. Even then this wasn't the torture he experienced. He didn't mind being away from Sam. It wasn't a physical ache. It was a necessity to save his son's life somehow, someway. Now it was different.

He stared at the grifter's sleeping form and felt guilty. It was similar to how he felt coming home to Maggie after that night. He'd come to Sophie, begging her to shoot him. Well, he begged her to steal something from IYS and he would volunteer to chase her. He had it all planned.

She would be in the process of selling the piece. He would interrupt the interaction and she would shoot him during the skirmish. She yelled at him, screamed like never before. It was the moment he realized what their chasing had become. He cared about her and she cared for him. He found himself agreeing with her point and needling her just to see that fire within rage. He was the one who pulled her into his arms then.

He wanted to kiss her, something that had been a constant before. He wanted to do more though. He wanted to take her to bed and lose himself in her. It was such a new feeling; he nearly screamed. But her lips had never looked so delicious. He moved closer, every intention of cheating on his mind. She pushed him away, saved him from himself.

Now she was the one who needed saving. He wasn't used to this. He wasn't the white knight anymore. He wanted to be. He'd always dreamed about being her white knight. Sometimes he wasn't even wearing white. Once, while he was still married to Maggie and before Sam's disease even came to be, he dreamed of wearing green robes and racing towards a castle on a red-brown steed. He wasn't even surprised when it was Sophie he was rescuing. Instead the world just felt right, like she was where he belonged.

"Soph," he whispered.

He was at her side in an instant. His hand was moving up and down her arm of its own accord. He was counting her breaths and nearly hollered at it. He was going mad. That was the only explanation he had. He was absolutely torn apart and he knew why.

He couldn't save her and it was killing him.

"I'm here," he promised.

He climbed into the bed and pulled her against him. He needed to feel her breathing. He doubted he would ever be relieved now. Her breathing wasn't quite right. It was normal, but different. It was as though she was a different person. The tears though, those were expected. So he wiped them away and planted a gentle kiss to her forehead. She was comforted for the moment. That was enough.

"I'm here."