SORRY ABOUT THE WAIT. I GOT A LOT GOING ON RIGHT NOW, AND IM NOT SURE HOW TO DEAL WITH IT, BUT ANYWAYS DON'T WANT TO BORE YOU WITH MY PERSONAL PROBLEMS, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT I MAKE TIME TWICE A WEEK TO FOCUS ON THIS …HERES THE NEXT CHAPTER HOPE YOU LIKE.

I only have a second to realize that Carlos was up and pointing a gun aimed at my heart, before I'm violently shoved to the ground. I hear the gun go off, and I see Neal collapse.

"NEAL" I scream, hoping that my eyes were just trying to deceive me, as I look at Neal on the ground, blood pouring from his unmoving body.

"Again, not what I had planned, but it works." I hear Carlos say and turn to see a grin pasted on his face. I feel nothing but rage as I look up at him. Carlos starts to point the gun at me again, this time nothing in his way to stop him…but me. I push myself up and lunge at him.

I ignore the sharp pain I feel rip through my left shoulder as I tackle Carlos to the ground. I'm straddling him to keep him from going anywhere. And I start to punch him, and the rage inside me wont let me stop. I punch him a few times then grab his hair and start to bash his head into the ground, then I go back to punching him.

I'm so consumed by rage I didn't hear Peter yelling at me to stop. I feel myself getting ripped from Carlos, as I roughly try to get free to get back to the bastard that hurt my brother. I step on my captors foot and reel my elbow back and catch him in the face. I go back to attacking Carlos' unmoving bloodied body the moment that I was set free.

Again I am torn away, but this time I hear Peters voice. "He's dead Bryce, he's dead. He cant hurt Neal anymore, he's gone." he says trying to comfort me and help me calm down.

Then I remember that he shot Neal. I push Peter off and run to Neal.

I check for a pulse, and fear takes over when I don't feel one "Peter, he's not breathing." I say as I look up at him. Even though my vision started to blur from my tears, I could still see the fear etched in Peters eyes "He's not breathing, Peter. Help me, please." I say as the EMTs come in and push me out of the way to get to Neal.

Peter helps me up and wont let go of me because he sees how scared I am of losing Neal, and I know he feels the same.

I see the ME's trying to get my brother to breathe and a memory floods my mind.

Flashback

A 10 year old Bryce and Neal are out playing by the lake not to far from their house that was kind of hidden by several trees. They were playing tag, running around and hiding trying to not get caught by the other. It was Neal's turn. He went looking for Bryce and went to the lakes edge.

He found Bryce lying down on the ground, half in the water and half out. He wasn't moving.

"Bryce" Neal screams and runs up to Bryce. He shakes him trying to get him to wake up

"Bryce, wake up, please" Neal cries out, tears flooding down his cheek.

All of a sudden Bryce sits up with a smile on his face "April fools" Neal just looks at him shocked and throws himself at his brother, clutching him tightly and crying. After a moment he pulls back and punches Bryce in the arm.

"Ow, what was that for" Neal glares at him with a tear stricken face.

"That wasn't funny. I though I lost you. Never EVER do that to me again" Bryce seeing how upset Neal was, just nods his head.

"I promise. I'm sorry, it was just a joke. I'm not going anywhere ok" Neal nods his head and hugs his brother again.

"He B."

"Yea" Bryce replies. Neal gets up and starts running in the opposite direction shouting "You're it" Bryce smiles brightly and goes to chase after him

End of flashback

I need him to jump up and tell me this is a joke. I need this to be payback for doing it to him. I just need this to not be happening.

After several moments of them working on Neal they finally speak up "We got a pulse, lets get him in the ambulance." relief floods through me.

"Bryce you've been shot, why didn't you say anything." I look down at my shoulder and see blood soaking my T-shirt. I was so enraged I didn't even hear the gun go off. If it wasn't for Peter I wouldn't even know that I got shot until later. "I need an EM.." he goes to say before I interrupt him

"No, I'm fine, I don't need it." he looks at me unbelievingly

"Yes you do. Do you not see the bullet hole in your shoulder."

"Neal needs them more than me. I'll go to the hospital with him and get checked out there, but right now, their attention needs to be on him. Please." Peter looks at me intensely for a moment before he nods his head

At the hospital

I'm pacing the halls, waiting on news on Bryce or Neal.

"Peter" I turn to see El coming down the halls towards me, with Mozzie in tow. When she gets to me she wraps me in a hug. I love her hugs, so warm and full of love and comfort. They always make me feel a little better.

I pull away slightly to look at her beautiful face.

"Oh my gosh, what happened, are you ok? Did that guy that hurt Neal do this?" she asks, lightly touching the bruise that was forming around my eye.

"Ah no, that was Bryce." she looks shocked

"Why would Bryce hit you?" I stroke her cheek

"He didn't know it was me." I say, and her expression goes to confused

"I don't understand. How would he not know it's you?" I hadn't told Elizabeth about Neal yet. When I called her, it was to tell her we found him and that we were at the hospital. I wanted to tell her in person, because I know she will be devastated and start to worry, and I want to be there for her.

"Carlos shot Neal, and Bry.." I didn't get to finish when El cut in

"Oh no. Is he going to be ok. He's going to be ok, right" I started to answer when Mozzie spoke up

"Of course he's going to be alright. This is Neal we are talking about. Go on and tell her suit. Tell her that Neal is going to be fine" I look down at Mozzie with sadness in my eyes.

"I wish I could" tears started to fill Elizabeth's eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean. You wish you could. Neal is going to be fine. You'll see, he's going to be fine, he has to be" El unwrapped from me and went to embrace Mozzie, and he clung to her.

A moment later a Doctor came up to us "Are you the family of Bryce"

"Bryce. He got hurt to" EL said looking at me, I just nod my head and turn my attention back to the Doctor.

"We had to send him into surgery when he arrived"

"He's ok isn't he" I asked worry laced in my voice.

"Yes, Bryce is fine. He's in surgery now to remove the bullet. The bullet missed anything vital. A half inch over and I would be giving you not so good news. He's very lucky. He'll be out of surgery soon, and you can see him them"

"What about Neal, he's fine to, right" Mozzie spoke up

"I am not Neal's Doctor. I only know that he went straight to surgery and is in critical condition. I'm sorry I don't have more for you." the doctor said to us before walking away.

"I can't lose him" I turn to see Mozzie close to breaking at the realization that Neal might not be ok.

"Like you said, he'll be fine" I said, not sure if I was trying to convince him or myself. Just like Mozzie, I can't lose him either, and the thought that I could terrifies me.

After Bryce gets out of surgery the doctor takes me to his room. El had gone to get us some coffee, and Mozzie had went with her. To keep her company and show support. I'll never forget how great he was towards her. I'll always be grateful to him for that.

When I get there he's sitting up and his arm is in a sling. "How are you feeling Bryce" I ask him, and he shrugs as he looks up at me

"This isn't the first time I've been shot. So I'm fine. How's Neal" he asks worriedly

"We don't know yet. He's still in surgery and the doctors aren't telling us anything" I say ignoring the fact that he's been shot before, at least for now.

"Stupid doctors. Do they get pleasure out of our suffering. I bet they love to make us wait, squirming in our chairs waiting on news that can either heal us or break us, and they know they are the only ones that can give us either one in that moment" I let out a little chuckle at his rant, and he smiles a little to. And then his expression turns to sorrow.

"I can't lose him, Peter. I don't know if I'll survive" I look at Bryce sadly. So many people wouldn't be the same if Neal didn't make it. My team, June, Mozzie, Elizabeth, Bryce, Me.

"He'll make it Bryce" again saying it to convince myself

"And if he doesn't. What am I supposed to do then" he replies. Out of all the times I've seen Bryce, I've never seen him look so broken before.

"You'll have us. We'll all help each other through it" He looks at me confused

"You don't even know me Peter. Ever since I came into your life, I made it more complicated. Neal's mad at you for lying to him, because I had you lie to him. You guys wouldn't be fighting right now if it wasn't for…" not wanting him to go on thinking this was his fault I interrupt.

"Stop it Bryce. This isn't your fault. I chose to lie to Neal. You didn't make me do it. And Neal made my life more complicated also, when he came in it; but I'm glad that he's in it nonetheless. And I'm glad that you are to. I'm here for you Bryce and so is El and Mozzie. You are not alone." I say, trying to get him to see that he has people here who care about him

"But I should be. I ruined Neal's life, and Chucks. It would only be a matter of time before I destroyed yours to"

"Don't talk like that. I don't know this Chuck person so I wont speak for him. But I know that I can speak for Neal when I say that he doesn't think that you ruined his life. He needs you Bryce, just like you need him. And Neal's tough, he can pull through this. So lets not give up hope just yet. Ok."

"You're right. Thanks" I smile at him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I'm going to go see if the doctors will tell us anything now. You going to be ok?" he nods his head. And I go to leave.

BPOV

Memories of me and Neal growing up, fills my mind. It hurts remembering all the good times, not knowing if there will be anymore in the future, hoping that's not all I'll have left of Neal. I don't want to have just a memory of my brother. I want to make more memories, this cant be how it ends.

"You must be the lovely Bryce I have been hearing about" I get pulled out of my thoughts to see Peters wife leaning against the door jam.

"And you must be Peters beautiful Wife Elizabeth" I say in response. She gives me a little smile and makes her way over to the bed.

"How are you holding up" she asks concerned

"I'm fine" she laughs

"You and Neal are a lot alike. With the whole not wanting to let people in part" I sigh, I guess it couldn't hurt to open up to her, at least a little bit.

"My brother got tortured and shot, and it's my fault. How do you think I'm doing" I say, not meaning for it to come out so harsh, but when I look up at her, she doesn't look phased by my little out burst.

"You shouldn't blame yourself Bryce, because it isn't your fault" anger fills me

"Then who's fault is it, if not mine" I asked desperately

"You could always blame the guy that went after Neal. That's a good place to start" sorrow takes place of the anger. I reply not liking how broken I sounded

"But Carlos wouldn't have even went after Neal if it wasn't for…" she interrupts, not letting me finish

"For what, the fact that he looks like you. That's not your fault." I look at her for a moment and I know she's right. She is one amazing lady. Peter is a very lucky guy.

"You're right. I know you're right, thanks" she smiles, a real smile this time.

"I know I am, and you're welcome"

A week and a half later

I walk inside to see Peter putting his jacket on. "On your way to the hospital"

"Yeah, just want to see how Neal's progressing"

I nod my head "How's Bryce handling all this"

"The same as before. He just sits in Neal's room, he only leaves to clean up and eat something, and that's only because Mozzie makes him. He's trying to hold it together, but I'm afraid that if Neal doesn't wake up, that Bryce wont be able to survive it" I look at him sadly, knowing that he's right.

BPOV

It has been a week and 4 days, and Neal still hasn't woken up. The doctors don't understand why. They repaired the damage that was done from the bullet, they cant think of any reason why he shouldn't wake up, except that maybe he just doesn't want to. If that's the case, then not only is Neal here because of me, but he wont wake up because he hates me. Because I betrayed him.

I was heading towards Neal's room when I see Sarah standing in the hallway.

"What are you doing here Sarah" I say as I reach her

"Just wanted to see if there was any progress with Neal" she looks at me, and I can see the genuine concern in her eyes "and I wanted to see if you were all right" I thought about saying I'm fine, like I do with everyone else, but Sarah isn't everyone else.

"I trying to hang in there. It just hurts seeing him so banged up, and not knowing if he's going to wake up" I answer truthfully

"Bryce, I know that you're going through a lot right now, and that this isn't the time, but about the whole chuck thing" I cut her off

"It's ok Sarah. I will admit, that it hurt a little at first, but I can understand. Chuck's amazing, and he would be great for you. I love you Sarah, and I want you to be happy. If I have to watch you with another man, then I'm glad it's Chuck" I say to her calmly, and she smiles faintly.

"Thanks Bryce, that means a lot, but it could never work between us. He's the intersect, and it's my job to protect him. I cant do that job if I get emotionally involved" I smile at her and brush some of her hair behind her ear, and caress her cheek before I drop my hand back down to my side.

"Sarah, you and I both know that you don't think of Chuck as just the intersect, and you're already emotionally involved. You are the only one making it so that you guys wont work." I can see the struggle in her eyes. The thought of letting someone in terrifying her.

"It's going to be ok Sarah. You'll let him in when you're ready, and when you do, you'll be happier than you have ever been" I say and she looks at me not sure if she's ready to believe that but smiles anyways.

"Thanks Bryce. Let me know if anything changes with Neal, ok" I nod my head and she gives me a hug, being careful not to put to much pressure against my left shoulder.

After we let go I watch her leave, hoping that one day she'll get her happy ending, knowing full well that she definitely deserves it. After see turns the corner and is out of site, I go to Neal's room.

I lean up against the door jam, just staring at him. Hoping that today will be the day that he opens his eyes.

I push off of the wall and walk up to Neal's bed. I grab a hold of his hand and just look at him. How could this happen, how could I let this happen.

"Please wake up Neal. I need you. I've made a lot of mistakes concerning you, and I want, no I need the chance to fix them. And if you don't wake up, then I cant do that. So please, please wake up." I cant help but clutch onto his hand like its my life support .

"I was wrong to want to keep me being alive from you. I thought that I was doing what was right, and I knew I was wrong when Peter talked to me, but I never really understood how wrong I was until right now. The thought of losing you, I don't know what I would have done if it was me who lost you and not the other way around. Living for months thinking that you were dead, I don't know if I would have survived. You were always the stronger one." I say as my eyes start to water.

"You always said that we took care of each other, but the truth is that it was mostly just you." I sob out

"Bryce, he's going to be ok. Neal's tough, he'll pull through this" I don't bother to look back at Peter, I just continue to stare at Neal.

"What if he doesn't huh, what if I lose the only person that I have left that matters to me" I growl out

"You shouldn't think like that" Peter says. I hear him move a little closer, but not to close.

"This is my fault, he wouldn't be in here dying right now, if it wasn't for me" I snap back

"We've been over this before Bryce. You didn't know that this was going to happen, you cant blame yourself for this, and Neal wouldn't want you to either"

"Well since you seem to know everything, tell me how I'm not supposed to feel like this is all my fault. My brother is lying here, fighting for his life, because he looks like me, because someone that I pissed off wanted me dead and thought he was me" I shout.

"I was born first, so technically you're the one that looks like me" Neal says in a raspy voice that's barley audible.

I look down at my brother as he slowly opens his eyes, shocked that he's finally awake. I hear Peter come rushing to the other side of the bed, not believing it either, but still happy that he's finally back with us.

"You're awake, how do you feel, are you in any pain" I ask in a rush

"I could use some water, my throat feels like its on fire" his voice hoarse, and I go get him a cup of water on the side table.

"Take slow sips" I say as I help him drink it

"Having a tube down your throat for a couple of days can do that to you" Peter says with a smile

"So can screaming and being chocked to the point of death" I flinch, causing Neal to look guilty for bringing it up.

"You scared the crap out of me Neal. Don't ever do that again" I say, trying to keep the harshness out of my voice

"I'll try not to" he says with a smirk.

"What the hell were you thinking Neal, jumping in front of that bullet for me" I bark out

"I was thinking that I didn't want to lose my brother again" he answered painfully

"For months I had to learn to deal with the fact that you weren't going to be there anymore. And when I was in that room, tied up and in pain, knowing that I was probably going to die down there. You have no idea how much it tore me up inside to think that I just got you back, and all I did was yell at you. I thought that I was never going to get the chance to tell you that I love you. I was angry that you lied to me, but in that moment when he had the gun to my head and I knew I was about to die, I was more angry at me for not hugging you and being more thankful that you weren't really gone" his voice straining at the end from talking to much after his voice still hasn't had proper time to heal. "I'm sorry that I scared you, but I wasn't going to let you die" he frowned

"I understand, but I don't want you to choose you dieing over me" I say

"You know that's not going to happen. You would take the bullet for me if you could. So how can you ask me to not do the same" he says looking at me, daring me to say anything else about it. I just nod my head.

"It's really good to see you awake. I'm going to go get the doctor" Peter says, as the tension leaves his body knowing that Neal was going to be ok.

NPOV

My whole body was in pain. Aching from the hell that I went through. But the physical pain wasn't the worst of it.

"Are you ok, Neal" Bryce looks at me with worry.

"No B, I'm not" I say as I inhale a shaky breath

"What's wrong, are you in pain. Peter will be back with the doc…" I shake my head, but regret it instantly.

"No, that's not it" I say swallowing hard, hoping that the pain in my head will go away.

"Then what" Bryce asks

"I made a mistake" he looked at me confused "I over reacted, when I should have just been grateful that you were alive" his eyes widen slightly

"Neal, that's not true" he said trying to reassure me

"Please let me finish" He looks at me for a moment and nods his head for me to continue

"When I was down there, I had no doubt that you and Peter would find me. But as time went on, I regrettably say that I was starting to think that you guys may not make it. When the thought that you guys might be to late entered my head, all I could think was that I was never going to get the chance to let you know that I forgive you. That you would have thought that I died hating you, and that terrified me more than anything" I continue, looking at the stunned expression on his face

"I know you didn't mean to hurt me, so I need you to know that I forgive you. Now I need you to forgive me"

"There's nothing to forgive Neal. You didn't do anything wrong. You were right to react the way you did." he explained

"Maybe, maybe not, but I still need you to forgive me…if you can" he places his right hand on my head, softly brushing my hair

"Of course I can forgive you Neal. You're my brother and I need" I smile up at him. Happy that I have my brother back.

I take a good look at him, and see that he has bags under his eyes. He no doubt hasn't slept since I've been here. Then I look at his arm and see its in a sling, not believing that I missed it before.

"Bryce, what the hell happened to your arm"

MADE THIS CHAPTER LONGER, SINCE YOU GUYS HAD TO WAIT. HOPE YOU LIKE. WOULD LOVE SOME FEEDBACK…LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK…SORRY IF THERE ARE A LOT OF MISTAKES, I STAYED UP A WHILE SO I COULD GET THIS DONE FOR YOU GUYS