He felt his eyes flutter, trying to open them, he wasn't able to focus. The sound of alarms going off in his ear is what finally made him open his eyes. Trying to look around, he felt heavy hands push him back down towards the bed. Now in a panic-trying to cough, there was something nagging in noise running down the back of his throat, he was still looking wildly around the room with panic filled eyes. He could hear someone yelling, barking orders. The alarms that were going off, were now starting to hurt his head when he finally turned his head towards the door. Not sure if he was actually seeing her or if it was just a dream; he stretched his arm out trying to see if he could actually touch her.

"Mrs. Burke!...Mrs. Burke!" Finally snapping herself out of her daze... "Get in here; see if you can calm him down before he has strokes out!"

Elizabeth raced to Peter's side; she took his hand after she finally realized he was reaching for her.

Soon as she took his hand, she took her free hand and was softly brushing her fingers through his hair, whispering in his ear. Soon as she spoke, he felt his self being pulled back down. But this time, knowing she was there with him, he didn't fight it, and he just let his self-drift back asleep.

As Peter was calming down, a nurse came in, injecting something in his to IV, Elizabeth didn't really notice, she was too fixed on Peter, still whispering in his ear. "Shh, its ok honey, I'm right here..."

Dr. Myers stood back, talking with his nurses, while Elizabeth saying her sweet whispers in Peter's ear...

"Mrs. Burke?..." Finally picking up her gaze from Peter.

"Is he ok?'

"Well... I think so...I'm thinking he had a panic attack...these meds should wear off in a few hours... (Smiling...) In a couple of hours, I think it might be best if you're the one who tries to wake him...I'll be back to check on you guys then..."

Not moving, not even to pull up a chair, she stood there, pulling herself in close as she could, still holding his hand tightly, brushing his hair...

"Honey? Honey...Peter...wake up...can you open your eyes and look at me..."

After what felt like a life time, she finally felt him flinch and a momentary jump in his vitals as his monitors were beginning to beep a little louder. It wasn't long before a nurse came in; she stood there on the other side of Peter's bed, watching his monitors, Elizabeth looked up her.

"Keep talking...but if he starting going off like before, I'm going to put him back down...just keep talking, let's see if you get him awake."

Looking back down, she saw his drug glazed eyes looking up at her - it was one of the sweetest sites she has ever looked at.

0O0O0O0O0O

For the next couple of days, she was only able to look into his brown eyes for brief moments, but they were the sweetest moments.

Everyone one gathered back in the waiting room with her, when Doctor Lush finally decided to go back in and remove the final bullet. Compared to the other surgeries, this one was extremely fast. The doctor was only gone for 4 fours, before he came back to talk with her.

"Everything looked great. There was some swelling, totally expected, I didn't see any damage... It looked like the bullet just came to rest, he's lucky, I'm going to leave him in recovery a couple more hours, then when we get him back to ICU, I'll have a nurse come back and get you..."

"Thank you doctor."

Sitting in the that waiting room, for the first time in days, everyone found themselves smiling and laughing a bit, as they all told stories on Peter...

When she was finally able to go back to ICU to see him, Jones, Diana and Hughes left for the office, Neal still stood close. She tried to get him to go back with her, but Neal still refused; he just wanted to wait where he was.

Several days later, Peter was finally able to get his own room; he was now able to stay awake for 30 minutes to hour at a time before he found himself completely whipped out.

He had a slow train of visitors. Elizabeth started to notice his stress level rise; he kept asking if everyone was alright even asking about Neal. She knew he was getting better, when he finally starting bitching about the nurses, who would come in and wake him up just to see how he was feeling.

Another two and half weeks, Peter was finally doing well enough to go home. He didn't even pay attention as Doctor Myers was giving him strict instructions, explaining that he will home bound for the next couple months, and have a follow up visit each week for a while.

Riding in the car was harder that he expected, Elizabeth was helping him out of the car when Peter looked over and noticed that Neal was standing at the foot of their front steps with Satch...

Neal thought that Peter actually looked a little pissed to see him.

Elisabeth must have thought the same thing when she whispered at him

"Go easy on him... he thinks this is all his fault..." looking sideways at Elle

"What?"

"He was there the whole time at the hospital, almost every time I came out for a break I would find him in the waiting room, Honey... I don't think he was able to handle the idea that you were hurt... (Finally able to stand up straight as she shut the car door.) I think this whole time, he saw you as this invincible big brother he was looking up to...(giving him a quick kiss...) now I'm going to go park the car, I'll be right back..."

Taking every bit of strength he had, walking up to the steps... "Neal..."

Seeing him for the first time... Neal felt stick to his stomach... Peter was thin, to thin, he was still a little ashy, and it wasn't hard to see how weak he was...

"Look at you..."
"Yeah, they said it was going to be slow... (Looking down at Satch who was clearly very happy to see him) HEY BUDDY!."

They were both oddly standing there, trying to not look at one another. Peter knew Neal felt guilty, but he wasn't good at opening up and telling him it was ok, after all there was a small part of Peter that wanted Neal to feel bad, Neal didn't listen to, never does and this time he could have lost Elle.

With the help of Elle, and grunting as he set down on the couch, Peter was out soon as he set down.

Neal was still standing oddly by the kitchen, Elizabeth could tell he wanted to talk to Peter, he just didn't know how.

"You know Neal; I think he was more upset that you didn't visit him- then what happen at the bank."

With glossy eyes "I wanted to, I...I just couldn't...what would I have said?"

Smiling "How about ...Peter...I'm here for you."

"Hmmm….. here Elizabeth, let me help you with that..."

A couple of hours later, Peter woke to a smell drifting from the kitchen. This perked him up a little; he was so tired of crappy food from the hospital. Neal and Elizabeth were talking quietly at the kitchen table. Neal glazed over, watching Peter slowly and painfully getting up. Neal felt his guilt thicken. Neal tried to think how many times he has caused them grief.

After watching Peter eats less than a cup of his soup, Neal decided now would be the time to have a talk. Elizabeth was in the kitchen, cleaning up, re-reading the doctors' orders.

"Peter...I think it may be best if you just release me and send me back to do my remaining time."

Peter was shocked; he turned his head to the side, trying to understand why Neal was asking for this.

"You want me to send you back? Why?"

"Well, I was just thinking. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been almost killed, Elizabeth wouldn't have been kidnapped. Look at how much trouble I've because you guys."

"Neal..."

Neal cuts him off.

"Peter how many times have I tried to do things my way, only ending up getting someone hurt or putting you, Elle, Mozzie, June and even ...Kate... in a situation you shouldn't have been in... but you were because of me."

"Neal...Because I need you Neal...your good,"

"Peter, you don't need my help to have a 94 % case closure."

The both set there a few minutes; Elizabeth was standing in the kitchen- hoping one of them would speak up.

"Neal, the bank wasn't your fault...TRUE, should have listened to me...that was stupid on so many level pulling that fire alarm... But when I saw him grab Elle. I...I... panicked... what happen to me was my fault; I made that choice to start shooting back. I didn't care what happen to me, I was only thinking of Elle. I should have slowed down and thought..." Elizabeth came up behind Peter putting her arms around his neck and resting her head on his shoulder..."Honey...maybe you should go and rest."

Reaching up and touch her arm. "Ok, that actually sounds nice to sleep in my own bed for a change. Getting up slowly from the kitchen table

"Neal, I don't want you to go back, but it's your choice. You have people out here who need you and care about you..."

With Elizabeth by his side, helping him make his way to the stairs.

Neal jumped up-walking closely by Elizabeth side, she pause at the bottom of the stairs as Peter was making his first painful step, Neal reached over-gave Elizabeth a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Elizabeth call me if he needs anything...Thank you Peter...I'll check on you later."

"Good night Neal"

"See ya Neal."

"You think he'll stay?"

"Honey. You're the only reason he's stayed this long... (Rubbing his back as he makes his way up stairs.) I don't think he'll go anywhere."

For the first time in weeks, lying next to Peter as he was starting to drift. Elizabeth was trying to decide if she should give him his present.

"What's this?"

"Well, the other day, we had our first picture taken..."

(Looking at sonogram with tears filling his eyes) "Oh honey, I'm so sorry I wasn't there with you, but for now on..."

She cuts him off " Honey, I need you more than you realize...I need you here with us (taking his hand and placing it on her small baby bump...honey... please never do something that stupid again..."

"Elle, I'm so sorry for what you went through on this..."

Sniffling, trying to wipe her eyes and clear her throat... "Besides, next time we have to decide if we want to know what we're having."

Giving her his cutest half smile, quickly drifting asleep, "hmm...It doesn't matter, were in trouble regardless what we have..."
"WHY would say that?"

"Because between Mozzie and Neal, even June... this kid will be able to pick the lock on their bedroom door and sneak out by the time its 2...I'll probably have to order another gps tracker just to know where he...or she's at..."

Kissing him on the cheek with a little giggle. "I'm sure your right.