•Night Angel•

CHAPTER LXXI - I'M LEAVING

16th August 2009. 11:48. Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. Paris, FR.

Third Person POV

Sophia's surgery had been scheduled for 12:00pm in the evening. The nurses were finishing her preparation and decided to give her the last 12 minutes to relax and talk to her relatives.

As they exited the door, everyone in the waiting room stood up from their seats and walked to the nurses.

-You can see her now, but one by one. Don't make her nervous before the procedure.- One of the nurses with her thick french accent said and all the people in the room nodded.

Everyone turned to look at each other and with their eyes they spoke the unsaid question. Who was going in first?.

-You go in first, Nick, she is going to want to see you.- Madame A said and all the presents nodded, but Nick scoffed.

-No, the first person she wants to see is her brother, but he is late, so I will step in.- He said as he made his way through the door.

Sophia was looking out of the window when the door of her room opened and a bald head peaked through it, a face with the familiar eye-patch and a tall body covered in black clothing stepped in. Sophia smiled as she saw her uncle walk through the door.

-Last time I saw you in a hospital bed, you were dying. Now you are giving away your kidney for someone else.- Nick said as he stepped closer. -You seem to like hospital beds.- At this Sophia laughed and shook her head.

-Oh no, not really. At least this time it was willingly.- Sophia said and she could see the corners of Nick's mouth lifting a little.

As he walked through the room, he stood beside Sophia's bed. He looked at her and suddenly he was taken back to the time when she was a little girl running around S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters, playing spy. He would never admit this to anyone, nor let anyone see this side of him, the side that was soft. No matter how deep it was.

-You seem thoughtful. Even more worried about this than I am.- Sophia said with a breathy laugh as she looked at her uncle.

Nick shook his head and looked at her intently in the eye.

-This will and urge you have to save people... It just amazes me everyday.- Nick said as he looked at his niece, who just shrugged with a smile. -You are forbidden to die, you hear me?.- Nick said as he pointed his index finger at Sophia.

She let out a breathy laugh and shook her head slightly.

-Not an option.- She said with a smile. Nick nodded and gave her hand a light squeeze.

-I'll see you when you get out.- Nick said and Sophia nodded. -By the way, Phil sends his greetings and says to call him as soon as you're better.- Nick said, opening the door.

-I will, thank you.- Sophia said and saw him leave.

Just as she was turning back to the window, another person came into the room. As soon as she saw the light brown hair, she smiled.

-Knock knock.- Clint said as he stepped in.

-It's surprising that it takes me going into surgery for you to come visit me all the way here.- Sophia said as her best friend walked closer to her bed.

-Yeah, well, you don't exactly live in Brooklyn at the moment. You are on the other side of the world.-Clint said as he stood beside her.

There was something Clint had always admired about Sophia, which was that she was willing to do anything and everything to save or help the people she loves. No matter what it was, not even if it included sacrificing herself or a part of her.