Take A Chance On Me

Chapter 14

'Honey, you should get home and get some rest.' Drool was running down Nancy's face as she was slumped over the hospital chair.

'Baby, I'm not leaving here until you're leaving. Besides, I need a break from the case,' Nancy smirked and slowly got up from her chair and made her way to the hospital bed. 'You know, you freaked me out a little back there.' Nancy snuggled into Frank's body. Frank wrapped a strong arm around his girlfriend's body and brought her in tight. He kissed her lightly on the head and as she snuggled in even more.

'I'm going to be fine. I'll even let you stay here for a little longer then go have a shower and get some proper sleep. You've hardly got any ever since Joe and I arrived.' The couple chuckled between themselves. The strawberry blonde women started tracing her finger along her boyfriend's torso.

'You know you're probably right but i want to spend a little more time with you before I go. This is the longest time we've been together since you came.' They both looked into each other's eyes and smiled.

A little while later a faint snore could be heard travelling outside. Joe lent against the doorframe as he watched the couple in their slumber. He had bought chocolates for his older bro. Frank had awaken slightly and saw Joe watching them mouthing hi to him.

'How are you feeling?' Joe slowly walked over next to the bed slightly squeezing Frank's shoulder.

'You know, could be better but I'm with my girlfriend and my brother. What more could I ask for?' They both smiled at each. Joe scrunched his face a little and Frank noticed the sudden change. 'What's up?'

'Do you remember when you almost drowned?' Joe asked quietly.

'Which time?' Both of them chuckled slightly. Both the men knew that the amount of times they had either been shot at or drowned or concussed was astronomical.

'Do you think I can lay next to you again? You really scared me back there.' Frank nodded and shifted himself and Nancy slightly to make room for Joe.

'She's out like a flashlight. None of us have had much sleep since we got here.' Frank whispered as Joe laid next to his older brother and fell asleep. It was comfort for the both of them to feel the warmth from each other knowing that the other is alive. Slowly, Frank fell asleep with the two most important people beside him.

After a little while, Laura and Carson come into Frank's hospital room. Seeing their kids asleep on the bed, they both smiled.

'I don't know how they all fell asleep on that tiny bed but I'm glad they're finally getting some sleep. This past week has been hectic for all of us,' Carson's low voice luckily not waking the trio up.

'We'll bring Fenton when they're awake. It'll be a nice little surprise for them. They've earned it.' They turned and left the sleeping trio.

A few hours later, Nancy slowly awoke. She could hear the low rumble of the T.V in the background. The first thing she noticed was Joe sitting across the chair watching the game. When she looked up she could see Frank watching along with his brother. It was a nice moment and she didn't want to disturb it.

'Morning sleepy head,' Frank whispered low enough that Joe couldn't hear.

'How did you know I was awake?' Nancy smiled slightly looking up at him. The colour was back in his face and his usual smile slapped back on there as well.

'You know I've woken up next to you enough times to know when you're awake.' They both looked at each other with a small gleam in their eyes. 'You know, I kind of miss Egypt. That case is probably what lead us to this moment.'

Nancy could feel Frank's abs through his hospital gown. He had really buffed out since then. Definitely more toned and definitely had got a tan since then. In a way, the case in Egypt really changed who they were back then and it created who they are today.

Frank had come to terms with his feelings for her; how much he had cared for her and how much she reminded him of home whenever she was around. With Nancy it was almost the same. She had come to terms that she didn't care for Ned the way she cared for Frank. Like the time she had forgotten their anniversary while she jet off to Iceland or when her and Ned had broken up while she was in Germany; Nancy was more impressed with the Hardy's willingness to get the pair back together.

In this moment, Nancy knew that all she wanted was Frank. To live out the rest of her life with Frank and have Joe come around on the whim and eat all their food and watch movies and binge watch a new tv series whenever they weren't on a case together. She turned to look at Joe who had grabbed a bag of chips and was currently shovelling them in his mouth.

'You know, play-offs are coming up. Are you guys interested in going? I might swing Chet and Biff a message, they might want to if you don't want to.' Joe kept spitting out chips as the couple looked on in disgust. 'What?' Joe questioned as he laughed.

'My handsome boys and beautiful daughter-in-law!' Fenton's husky voice filled the room.

'DAD!'

'FENTON!'

Those who could jumped on their feet and hugged the elder Hardy. He was still slightly pale but the glimmer in his eyes were back, his smile was laying sluggishly across his face and his fatherly arms spread wide for all to join. Frank slowly got up, trying not to twist or turn for his wound to either open up or damage himself even more.

'Frank, honey, stay in bed. Don't hurt yourself more than you need to.' Nancy ran to his side.

'Baby it's ok. I want to hug Dad. I should be ok, don't worry about me.' He smiled lightly as they met joined eyes. She nodded and helped him walk over to his father embracing him with enough passion that he knocked his father back slightly in his wheelchair.

'I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry,' Frank kept whispering in Fenton's ear. 

'Son, it's ok. It's not your fault Frank,' at this point Frank had broken down into Fenton's shoulder. Everything around him had faded away as Frank just sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. He didn't realise how much he was holding back until now. Wanting to keep a strong face in front of Nancy and Joe, it was only now seeing his father in a wheelchair it finally hit him. 

Hours had passed when finally everyone had gone home. Nancy closed the door behind her. Laura and Joe decided to stay in a hotel closer to the hospital. She was alone for the first time in a long time. First time since Frank had come over a week ago. First time since breaking up with Ned.

In the moment, all Nancy could do was cry.