A/N: Can you believe it's anniversary time again you guys! 3 Birthday's strong and still kicking ass!
Just the thought excites me so lets get to it!
Chapter Sixty-Two
"So what are you going to do?" Sarah questioned as she placed her sandwich down.
"I don't know yet." Nate shrugged as he fiddled with the straw in his cup.
Somehow she had managed to convince him to join her for lunch.
"Well what are you thinking?" She was quickly learning that it took quite a bit of prying to get anything out of him.
"If it's really for the best." His own turkey club went untouched as his mind whirled with thoughts.
"I know he'd never go willingly so if he does get transferred it's because I'm sending him away."
"Well it's not like you're locking him up and throwing away the key; it'd be for his own good. He can't stay in the hospital forever and none of us really know how to help him anymore." She knew he was feeling guilty, she wasn't the biggest fan of the idea either, but it didn't change the fact that it was a good idea.
"I could barely get him to take his meds... and that was after an hour of fighting." He worried if Eliot wouldn't be a hindrance to himself.
"That's what I'm saying," Sarah paused with a fry midway to her mouth. "He's too stubborn for any of us to handle. They were telling me the other day how he's probably going to have trouble eating since he hasn't been doing it properly in so long."
"Torlyn thinks he's going to associate food with being sick?" Nate dropped the sandwich back on his plate; he'd just decided to eat it too.
"Yup, he wants him to see a nutritionist to make sure he doesn't just decide to stop eating altogether. That's another reason why he should probably go. It'd be a lot easier for everyone if the therapist could just go to Eliot's room and sit with him instead of you having to drag El to the guys office." She could tell you right now, knocking him out and dragging him would be the only way you got Eliot to a shrinks office.
"Eliot going to therapy." Nate shook his head in bemusement as he lifted his drink.
"I know." Sarah laughed. "Funny thing is, by the end of this he wont be the only one needing it."
"You can say that again." No one living with him could currently claim mental stability, that was for sure.
"Hey, did that surgeon Cowell talk to you?" A past conversation suddenly came to mind.
"No, I haven't spoken with him in some time now. Why?" Nate stopped just short of getting actual food in his mouth.
"He was talking about the possibility of removing Eliot's gallbladder, but I told him it wasn't happening unless it was an emergency." Nobody was shouting life or death so she wasn't giving the okay to remove one of her brother's organs.
"Torlyn said it's full of lead, he's probably thinking Eliot will have a better chance of recovery if he takes the whole thing out." He shrugged as finally he took a bite.
"Do you think they should take it out?" She couldn't tell what way he felt about it.
"He's already had two serious procedures and four surgeries this year. So unless it's strictly necessary I'm not approving anymore. He can get up and do that himself." Eliot did not like people doing things to him without permission so he already had enough to explain.
"Right," She really didn't like making decisions on Eliot's behalf. "He's supposed to get his first lead level done today and I'm hoping it's dropping. They said the quicker it does the better his chances are at getting up and staying up." That was 90% of the reason why she had agreed to the Chelation therapy.
"He will when he's good and ready and not a second before then." He had given up on thinking differently because Eliot was just that side of it.
"That's because he's a stubborn jerk." Even as she insulted him she spoke fondly.
"Something like that." Nate agreed as he turned actual attention to his food.
"That's why he should go." She spoke sincerely as a serious gaze fell on Nate.
With a sigh Nate leaned back in his chair; he'd lost his appetite. "I know, I'm going to look into places."
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"It's the library." Hardison spoke absently as he continued typing.
"What's the library?" Parker asked as she placed a plate, complete with pizza pouch, next to him.
"The computer they used, it was in the Boston library." He couldn't believe it.
Who did so much back tracking and erasing to cover up a public place?
"But don't you need a library card to use the computers?" Parker wondered as she sat across from him with some tuna salad.
"Why didn't I think of that!" He didn't bother thanking Parker as he went digging for a name.
"You traced this guy back to a library in Boston?" The way Hardison had been talking about him it was hard to believe he could be found sitting next to the college kid too broke to afford a printer and the grandpa who had just learned what social media was. "I thought you said he was a mastermind."
"He is, he's..." Hardison paused in confusion at the name that appeared. "Nathan Ford?"
"Nate!" Parker exclaimed in surprise. "Nate double crossed us!"
"Or," Hardison suggested as her eyes darkened. "Somebody used his name when they signed up for the card."
"Good"
"How is that good?" He was back to square one unless the library had one awesome surveillance system.
"Because now I don't have to hurt him." The creepy smile and bugged out eyes didn't bother him as much as the death grip she held her fork in.
"Nice to know Parker."
Her smile simply grew as she snatched herself up a cracker.
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"What's going on here?" Nate interrupted Sarah as he looked down the hall toward the nurses huddled by a door.
"God, let it be his neighbor." She felt bad for saying it even as they walked toward her brother's room.
"It doesn't look like it's going to be so." He just knew that they were huddled in Eliot's entryway and it had a pit growing in his stomach.
"Damn" Sarah breathed in fear seconds before they reached the others and Nate asked, "What's happening?"
"His heart rate spiked." Julie began as she continued staring into the room where there were yet others. "While we were monitoring for signs of continued elevation though his breathing went shallow and ragid. They're trying to get it under control now."
"Let me through." He didn't bother with asking as he squeezed his way past.
"Nate" Torlyn barely acknowledged as he kept an eye on a monitor while holding an oxygen mask to Eliot's face.
"What's wrong?" Nate once more asked as he looked over to the respiratory therapist who was obviously waiting for word that his ventilator would be needed.
"We're struggling to get a pattern back into his breathing." Even as it was said his oxygen level was adjusted.
"Why does he look like he's about to hyperventilate?" Sarah asked worriedly as she finally made it into the room and got a good look at her brother's heaving chest.
"Because he very well may be doing just that." Sean answered as he turned to the respiratory therapist. "Prepare to intubate." He wasn't going to risk brain damage when they had come so far without.
"Isn't there anything else you can do?" Sarah questioned hopefully, putting a tube down Eliot's throat was definitely a step in the wrong direction.
"If he was awake, yes, but it's kind of hard to calm an unconscious man." The first nurse they had spoken with, stated rudely.
"Julie!" Torlyn reprimanded before turning to Sarah. "If there was a better option I'd be first to take it, but for now this is the only one that's presenting itself."
"Look," The RT, Zach, broke into the conversation. "His pulpatations are calming, he's finding a rhythm."
"What's changed?" Sean questioned as he took another look at the heart monitor.
"I guess you can calm an unconscious man." Sarah sneered at Julie as she pointed out where Nate was speaking softly into Eliot's ear.
"Saturation's up to 92%" Zach announced as he made sure the pulse oxometer was on his patient's finger properly.
"We're down to 143 bpm." Julie announced.
"94% saturation," Zach declared as he moved back to his respirator. "that's a steady climb which means my jobs done here."
"138 bpm and dropping." Julie spoke once more as Zach and his machine rolled right out the door.
"That's still like 60 higher than normal." Sarah exclaimed as she watched Torlyn watching the screen.
Her brother's heart was obviously racing.
"132 and calming" An ease slipped back into her voice with that.
"BP's solid" Torlyn spoke with a relieved smirk as he turned to them. "Julie, make sure the lab doesn't use this as an excuse to visit one less room this evening."
"Yes Sir" She spoke absently as she moved to make her exit.
"Nate" Sarah turned her attention back to where he was still crouched next to Eliot, whispering something too soft to hear. "You okay over there?"
"Fine" Nate offered a bit gruffly as he cleared his throat to adjust to the volume change. "We're fine."
"Care to explain?" Torlyn asked absently as he watched green numbers decline to 125. "It sure seems you have more of the answers."
A long assessing look was performed on two people he only sometimes trusted before he hesitantly declared, "He's a veteran... and sometimes he goes back there."
"Why wasn't I informed of this?" That changed his absolute view of some things.
"Because it's not a problem." Nate used the bed for balance to stand; his knees were always first to reveal his age.
"Is this why he doesn't sleep regularly?" If so it was indeed a problem.
"He sleeps fine, he just needs to be reminded of where he is sometimes." Nate spoke dismissively as he pulled a chair over to the bed.
"Has he ever been diagnosed with P-"
"He hasn't," Nate cut off sharply. "And he won't be because it isn't a problem. It doesn't affect his daily life and I won't have someone trying to unfoundedly place that stigma on his shoulders."
"So," Nate sounded almost angry and to her Torlyn wasn't looking much better off. "Is he going to be alright?"
"Judging by what I've seen it seems like his anxiety levels simply climbed too high." His gaze didn't turn from Nate as he spoke to Sarah.
"So he had a panic attack?" That didn't sound right. Eliot didn't panic.
"I'd say so, but that isn't a subconscious response which means," He was almost excited to say it but Nate beat him to it. "To some extent he's conscious."
"He's waking up!" Her day had suddenly brightened ten fold which was saying something since it was still wet and dreary.
"Now don't get too excited. This isn't like some movie." Sean warned. "He wont be walking and talking by tomorrow; it'll take time."
"He can take as much as he needs." Sarah all but swore. She didn't care if it took one day or ten as long as she got her brother back.
"Make sure you let him know that, talk to him; after all he seems to be listening." He gestured his head over to where Nate was once more whispering.
"If that's what it takes I will sit here and talk to him until he's begging me himself to shut up."
"That's the spirit." Torlyn smirked as he checked to see 119 bpm; it seemed like he'd be back to average within the hour. Now just as long as he didn't drop below it. "I've got to get going but I'll be back first thing tomorrow to go over those results with you." Without pause he moved to adjust the level of oxygen Spencer was getting.
"Does he still need that?" Sarah didn't hesitate in asking.
"Until he reaches a 96% saturation I'd prefer to leave it."
"Alright then?" Sarah feigned understanding as he moved to the exit. "See you later."
The room grew quiet as the door shut and she watched Nate grasp her brother's hand in a more intimate way. "Alright," She couldn't bring herself to quietly stand by like some common gawker. "What's with all the sweet talk?"
Nate smiled over to her with a sly, "Don't you wish you knew."
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"You're still sleeping!" Parker exclaimed as the door was opened.
"Yeah Soph, I didn't take you for the kind of woman to sleep past noon." But there she stood in her bathrobe with eyes nearly drooping.
"Have you any idea what time I got in this morning?" Sophie defended as she turned toward her living area.
"Didn't you say you were only going to be there for part of the night?" He distinctly remembered her saying something to that extent.
"Well yesterday they decided to teach me about this lovely little thing called overtime." She all but groaned, ladies did not groan, as she sunk into her couch.
"Sounds rough" Hardison sympathized as Parker took a seat across from her.
"Trust me, it is." Sophie spoke honestly as she pulled her fingers through her hair in an attempt to comb it to the side; surely she looked a mess.
"Sure," Parker dismissed carelessly. "Now we need your help."
"With?" Parker's bluntness no longer fazed her.
"Hardison ran out of ideas so we need you to help us find Nate so he can come up with more."
"Hey! I did not run ou-"
"That's what this is all about?" Sophie cut him off as she spoke out in disbelief. "You woke me up for Nate!"
"I'm starting to worry about him." Hardison confined seriously.
"He's at the bloody hospital Alec!" Where she knew for fact he had gotten his sleep.
"He's with El?" He didn't believe it.
"When I last checked in, yes, he was with Eliot." According to her clock that had been over nine hours ago.
"Well then lets go." Parker urged Hardison: he had been so desperate to find the man after all.
"Are you coming Sophie?" Hardison asked as he was pulled from his seat by Parker.
"No thank you." She fully planned on using the day's somber tone to her advantage.
"But don't you have a shift to start getting ready for?" He had to sink his heels into the carpet to stop Parker from dragging him right out the door.
"Lets just say," Sophie gracefully dropped her head on the back of the couch as she closed her eyes with intent. "the shine is starting to fade."
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"I bet if she brought the kids by you'd be up real quick." For two hours straight Nate had been talking but he wasn't ready to quit just yet. "They'd probably con you into doing their homework before the visit was even over." And if that wasn't something he'd love to see. "Imagine the fit Sarah would pitch over that." Ironically enough he almost could. "Come on babe," He squeezed Eliot's hand in renewed faith. "Open those eyes and let me look at them for a little while." He had witnessed a few slight movements but none of them seemed to be purposeful. "Not that there not nice and all but two weeks of looking at the back of your eyelids and I'm getting tired of 'em." Coaxing was easy when the alternative was waiting. "Look, I'll even make it easy for you... you don't have to open them both. It doesn't even have to be all the way. Just slit one a little bit." He didn't dare blink as he waited for Eliot to do just that. "I dare you."
"I don't think he gambles."
The interruption was taken in stride as he said, "Of course he does Parker, we all do."
"You can say that again." Hardison spoke sternly as he shut the door behind himself.
"I take it you're upset with me."
Hardison's gaze was as hard as his words. "Upset? Naw, what gave you that idea! It's not like you disappeared or anything! And we ain't got nobody after us!"
"Hardison"
"No Nate! In the very least you could have picked up a phone! Instead you got me over here wondering if your ass wasn't kidnapped by the Russians!" He spoke with a passion that was purely fearful anger.
"Are you done now?" He'd take the glare and crossed arms as a yes. "I was going to call but I figured my news would be better delivered in person."
"What news?" Hardison couldn't help the curiosity that had him breaking his silence.
"We don't have to worry anymore. I took care of it." And if he wasn't happy to say they had one less problem.
"What did you do?" The question was shocking for the sole fact that Parker had voiced it.
"Why do you assume I did something?" He lowered his voice in hopes that they'd do the same. The last thing he needed was their shouting upsetting Eliot once more.
"Because we know you." Hardison stressed. "So what did you do?"
"I had a pleasant conversation with the guy." Nate shrugged.
"No really, what did you do?" He didn't believe it.
"There was no threat, it was a false alarm, we're good to go." His family was his problem and it wasn't their business.
"Then why couldn't Hardison find anything?" Her prodding had nothing to do with trust, it was about being kept out of the loop.
"Yeah man, if it's so much of nothing why are they dug so deep?" Hardison propped himself by the window.
"Only the best for the best." And there was no doubt in his mind that his father was one of the best.
"So you didn't make any shady deals with the devil?" It seemed too good to be true.
"Not even with the Russians." He smirked as a grin fell over Hardison's face and Parker said, "Good!" It was nice to know that through it all they still trusted him on some level.
"What's with the mask?" Parker asked as she climbed on the bed. It had most definitely not been there the day before.
"Just a precaution" Nate lied without a second thought. He'd respect Eliot by keeping as much private as possible.
"For?" Hardison asked as he took the seat on the opposite side of the bed.
"When he wakes up." It was as good a reason as any.
"They think he's getting up?" That had Hardison leaning forward as if to get a better grasp.
"I told you he's been moving." Parker spoke proudly; things would be better in no time.
"He's definitely listening." Nate added. There was no doubt in his mind that Eliot was as aware of the situation as he could currently be.
"Alright then," Hardison decided to have a little fun and lighten the mood. "I bet him an undisclosed item"
"Valued at atleast 20 grand" Nate laughed at Parker's little add on.
With a raised eyebrow in Parker's direction he continued, "That he won't be up in three days."
"Now that's cheating." Nate declared.
"How is that cheating!" He hadn't rigged anything.
"You bet with the odds!" Who did that?
"Well, with 20 grand on the line I wasn't going against 'em!" Geeze. If he felt so strongly about it why didn't he just get in on the bet.
"That's the whole point of gambling!" He was all about beating the odds.
"look"
"To lose your money!"
"look"
"No, to build the pot in-"
"LOOK!" Parker's shout broke through their arguing.
"What Parker?" Both gazes were set on where she was sitting on the bottom of the bed.
They followed a pointed finger as she announced with a bright smile, "He won!"
"He won" Hardison spoke in disbelief as he stared at the man before him.
"You can say that again." Nate's words were almost hollow and he didn't dare to blink.
Not until disoriented blue eyes met up with his own. Then it was all he could do to insure himself that he was actually seeing this. It was true and it had something in his chest loosening as he realized... He had won too.
E/N: Well? What'd you think? Did I do good? I tried so hard to squeeze in some of those lovey moments (we're so often missing) seeing as this is a special (milestone) chapter. Thanks for reading! And for those of you who have been around through the thick and thin, patiently reading (and in some cases re-reading) another special thanks to you! You've given life to what was supposed to be a simple present and I love you all for it.