Neal was sitting in the back of the ambulance, a shock blanket wrapped around his shoulders. Staring straight ahead. After relentlessly trying to reach the burning plane, having to be dragged away by Peter, Neal just shut down. He just stared into space and didn't talk. He moved when told to, but apart from that he wasn't really reacting to a lot.

After speaking to the EMTs, firefighters and the police, they all told him that it was a good idea to move Neal away from the scene. Peter decided to take him back to his home.

He nudged Neal on the shoulder and in response he merely turned his head in Peter's direction, still not saying anything.

Peter hauled him to his feet and walked him too where he had parked his car. He waited for Neal to slowly get into the car.

The car ride back was silent. Neal was still staring into space, not moving or speaking.

Peter pulled into his spot and waited for Neal to get out. As soon as they entered, Elizabeth, having been informed of the situation, was by their sides in a flash, asking if they were okay. Peter gave her a quick reassurance before setting him in the guest bedroom.

He shut the door and turned back to his wife.

"Is he okay?" She began in a hushed voice/

"I don't know he's hasn't spoken and he's barely moving."

"Welll, I mean, who can blame him?"

"I don't know what to do, I mean I don't know what I was expecting, but definitely not this. I mean I expected him to be angry, or upset, not just... nothing."

"Maybe you should go talk to him."

"I don't know, I mean-"

"Go talk to him."

Peter sighed, but accepted his wife's request and went into the guest room.

Neal was where he left him. Sitting at the foot of the bed, staring at the wall.

Unsure what to do, Peter hesitantly joined Neal and sat with him at the edge of the bed.

"Neal, can you just talk, please?"

Still no answer.

"Neal, I dont't know what to do. Can you tell me?"

Again. Nothing.

"Neal, I'm sorry about Kate-"

At the mention of Kate's name, Neal flinched and turned his head.

"Peter, where's Kate?" Neal earnestly asked.

"Neal-" Peter began, but was cut off.

"Wait, what time is it? I have to get on the plane."

"Neal, you don't remember?"

"Remember what?"

Peter sighed heavily. "With Kate, and the plane."

"What?"

"The explosion."

"But that wasn't real, she's fine, I need to get my plane now." Neal looked slightly flustered, as if questioning whether the explosion had really happened but began standing up.

"Neal, you know that it happened. Just sit down." Peter said, grabbing his wrist .

"No, no, it never happened, I just need to get on the plane and see Kate and then we can go and it never happened." Neal said, his voice reaching a dangerously high pitch, slightly wobbling.

"Neal, just sit down, we can talk about this." Peter said, still gripping his wrist, beginning to pull him in slightly closer.

"No, no, Peter, she can't be dead, just let me get on the plane." Neal desperately tried to squirm out of his grip.

"Neal, Neal, I'm sorry." Peter said, now reaching out with his other hand, grabbing Neal's other wrist.

"No, no, it's not true." Neal said, tears slightly welling up in his eyes, now more urgently trying to get out of Peter's hands.

"Neal, listen, I'm sorry but just calm down." Peter said, pulling Neal closer to his chest.

Neal still desperately tried to shift out of his hold. Peter just brought him closer and closer before letting go off both of his wrists but encircling Neal in an embrace.

Neal was still tried to squirm and buck out of his arms, but Peter held him firmly and gently shhhed Neal.

Eventually Neal stopped struggling, his muscles relaxed and he melted into Peter's arms.

"She's not coming back, is she?"

Peter hated how broken Neal sounded and didn't say anything. Peter felt his shirt start to get wet. Neal was sobbing into his shirt, mumbling an incoherent string of words, Peter gently shhhed him and slowly rocked him back and forth.

They stayed like that for a while, and eventually Neal's long, harsh sobs, quietened down to a few silent tears.

Neal pulled away, embarrassed.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

"Don't apologise. You should try to get some rest." Peter got up to leave but was stopped by Neal's hand gripping his wrist.

"Stay?" Neal softly spoke.

Peter just nodded and let Neal lie down, his head resting on Peter's leg. Peter dimmed the lights and waited for Neal's breathing to even out.

He looked down at Neal's sleeping face, the tear tracks still prominent, his eyes red from all the crying.

He promised to help get Neal through this, no matter how long it took.