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Chapter Twelve

Peter watched as the officer unceremoniously hoisted Neal up from the ground, Sara was being held back by another officer while she was kicking and screaming. He saw his partner's face twist in pain as his arms were wrenched behind him. If the officer hadn't been holding him up, Peter knew Neal would have collapsed to the ground. The uniformed man slapped Neal across the face rousing him back from the unconscious, and led him back towards the cruisers. Neal's body was trembling uncontrollably, and his legs barely staying underneath him as they walked. Sara was still kicking and screaming as the other officer dragged her along behind Neal, and Peter could hear her cursing as they got closer; despite the situation, it made him smile.

"What are you smiling for?" The Lieutenant standing with Peter sneered.

"You're going to want to be a long way from here when my team gets here and takes those cuffs off of her." Peter returned. Sara looked like she wanted to claw the man's eyes out, and Peter had half a mind to let her.

"No talking." The Lieutenant warned them, as the officers dropped Sara and Neal down on the ground next to Peter. Peter eased himself down next to Neal, wedging his partner between himself and Sara; Neal looked like he could pass out again at any moment. All they could do now was wait, and hope that Diana and Jones got here soon.

The Lieutenant was busy talking to the other two officers, when he suddenly went running towards the entrance. Peter hoped it was his team arriving, but he couldn't see anything in the waning light, from where they sat.

"You OK, Neal?" Peter is whispered over to his partner.

"mmm...fine..." Neal nodded his head painfully, as he let his body slump forward slightly. "go... home now... Peter..."

"Soon, buddy. Real soon." Peter flicked a worried glance over to Sara, her face showed her concern as well, but she appeared to be otherwise alright.

"Get them up." Peter stood up when he heard the Lieutenant call over to a nearby officer, and caught sight of him walking towards them, Diana walking along beside him. The lieutenant reached over, using his key to unlock Peter's cuffs.

"Don't you touch him." Sara hissed as the Lieutenant reached for Neal.

"I've got it." Peter gently eased himself in between the Lieutenant and Neal taking the handcuff key from the man, and leaned down to free his partner, while Diana un-cuffed Sara. Neal let out a moan as the tension was released from his arm, and Sara instinctively pulled him to her protectivly, all the while glaring at the Lieutenant.

"Don't go anywhere. You and me, we're going to have a little talk." Peter grabbed the Lieutenant's sleeve to keep him from leaving, before turning to Diana. "Call him an ambulance."

"It's on its way. It'll be here in a few minutes." Peter didn't wait for an explanation, he'd ask how she'd known that later, and he dragged the Lieutenant off to find a place to chat.

Neal watched Peter walk away, only briefly flicking his eyes up to Diana, before closing them, trying to will the pain away. He could hear Sara whisper something into his ear, but he didn't pay close attention. He was having enough trouble staying conscious, although he wasn't trembling as hard now that his arm wasn't pulled behind his back anymore. He let himself slump down against her, concentrating on her familiar comforting scent.

"When did you say the ambulance would be here?" Sara turned her attention to Diana, who was still standing guard above them.

"I think it's here. Hang on." Diana waited until Sara nodded approvingly, and then disappeared around the other side of the car.

After Peter was done venting his frustrations to the Lieutenant, he sent the chastised man off to coordinate with the fire department. He was relieved to find that the ambulance had arrived, and the paramedics already had Neal on a gurney, ready to load him and head for the hospital. Sara was still at his side, watching over him, his hand still firmly enclosed in hers. Neal pulled free as Peter approached, pulling the oxygen mask from his face.

"Peter..."

"Nope, you put that back on. We'll talk when I get to the hospital." Peter reached over, and placed the oxygen mask back in position, carefully smoothing Neal's hair away from the wound over his eye. He saw anxiety creep into Neal's eyes at the statement. "Sara's going with you. I need to stay here for a little while."

Peter nodded to the EMTs and watched as they loaded Neal into the ambulance before turning to Sara.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of him." Sara patted Peter on the arm.

"Like you did the other night? I don't think he's up to it." Peter teased, and was glad to see a slight smile on her face, as Sara climbed into the back of the ambulance.

"Where are you headed?" Peter asked the driver.

"We go to St. Mary's from here."

"Alright, thanks." Peter smiled, knowing Neal would be in good hands there.

.*~*~*~*~*.

Peter slowly walked down the familiar pale yellow hallways that made up the first floor of St. Mary's hospital, and headed for the elevators. Sara had called him earlier, and told him that Neal was being admitted over night, and had given him the room number. As he entered the elevator, he shifted the brown paper bag he was carrying, and placed the large duffel bag on the floor at his feet so he could push the button for the third floor. It had been past nine by the time he had finished at the crime scene, and dropped in to check on his wife, but Elizabeth had not been able to get away from the event she was overseeing. She had however, packed them a dinner; the aroma wafting out of the bag was making his stomach growl. The elevator chimed to let him know he had arrived at his floor, and he picked up the duffel bag of clothes he had picked up for Neal and Sara, and headed for Neal's room. His worry started melting away as he approached the room; the door was open, and there was laughter coming from inside.

The laughter stopped as he walked into the room, three sets of eyes watched him as he put the bags he was carrying down. Sara sat in a chair pulled up to the far side Neal's bed; she had showered, and was dressed in pink hospital scrubs. Doctor Matthews was standing leaning on the edge of the bed. Peter smiled at the sight of the young doctor, his presence was comforting; the young surgeon had more than once saved Neal's life, and Peter was glad to have him here once again.

"You better have clothes in one of those bags." Sara started crossing the room towards him, and he pointed to the duffel bag sitting in the chair. She grabbed it, and headed for the bathroom.

"Evan." Peter acknowledged the doctor. "Thanks again."

"Hey, no problem." The surgeon was dressed in slacks, collared shirt and a white lab coat. He look more rested and relaxed than Peter could remember seeing him in a long time.

"There's enough food in there if you would like some." Peter pointed to the bag as he moved towards the bed. He let his eyes run down his partner. Neal's color had returned to his face, and there was a sparkle once again in his brilliant blue eyes. Peter imagined that he had had a shower as well, since there was no trace of soot or ash anywhere on him. His left arm was held closely to his chest in a sling, an oxygen tube under his nose, and an IV in his right arm, but otherwise he looked fine.

"Have you found out about Ms. Bennett?" Neal asked, his tone slightly lowered.

"No, not yet." Peter shook his head. "You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Neal shrugged, the smell of the food was enticing. "So, what did Elizabeth pack for dinner?"

"I don't know." Peter laughed. "But she said you'd like it."