Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.
"P-P-Peter?"
"Neal? Where are you?" Peter asked worriedly, automatically checking the signal from Neal's ankle tracker.
"M-M-Merry Christmas," Neal sounded exhausted and almost confused. Peter let out a soft sigh, never remembering a time when Neal sounded so vulnerable.
"Where are you?" Peter asked again, sounding firmer. There was a blank silence penetrated only by Neal's raspy breaths, and then a click and nothing more.
"Dammit" he swore, knowing Neal had hung up. Since Neal was only allowed to go in a two-mile radius of June's house, Peter knew he hadn't gone far.
"June? Is Neal there?" Peter asked over his phone.
"No. Why?" June asked, concern lacing her tone.
"He just called, but it's probably nothing. Anyway, Merry Christmas" Peter hung up and walked into the kitchen.
"What's wrong hon?" Elizabeth asked, noting the worried look on Peter's face.
"It's Neal. He was supposed to be having dinner with June, but she said he's not there. And he just called me."
"Maybe he just went out to get a last-minute present" El suggested, "don't worry."
"Still, I'm going to go look for him. I'll be back in time for dinner. I promise" Peter grabbed his jacket and hurriedly kissed El on the cheek. She shook her head, bemusedly watching Peter stride out of the kitchen.
Peter was cruising around June's neighborhood when he noticed a crumpled heap in the front of an alleyway. He never would have seen it except for the flashing neon 'Merry Christmas' illuminating the huddled figure. He slowly got out of the car, pausing for a moment with his hand on the door, squinting and trying to see if the form was Neal.
"Neal?" Peter asked, crouching down and gently rolling Neal over. The pallor of Neal's face and the fact that Neal was only wearing a thin cotton t-shirt and pants with no jacket, frightened him.
"Neal!" Peter lightly slapped Neal's cheek; finally eliciting a slight response as Neal's remarkably blue eyes fluttered open.
"Merry Christmas…" Neal smiled weakly.
"What the hell are you doing? Are you drunk?" snapped Peter, angry quickly overpowering his concern.
"I-I-I'm sorry. How's El?"
"Don't change the subject. What are you doing?" Peter had already taken off his coat and wrapped it around the ex-con's slim and shivering frame.
"I don't know…June wasn't home when I got back and I wanted to call you…" Neal looked away, an embarrassed flush coloring his cheeks.
"You're coming home with me."
Neal was too exhausted and cold to argue. He stumbled as he leaned against Peter and slid into the passenger seat.
"El…we have a guest" Peter murmured, as he practically carried Neal into the house.