10 DAYS AFTER THE BLAST

Peter sat in Neal's hospital room, staring at his inert form. It was almost exactly like a week and a half ago, but this time Mozzie sat across from him and Neal's ears were wrapped in a bandage that circled his head awkwardly.

There was silence for a while, except for the beeping of Neal's heart rate monitor. Finally Peter spoke.

"He's gonna be ok, right?"

Mozzie looked up sharply.

"I mean, I hope he gets his hearing back, I really, really do. But… in case he doesn't…"

"I should be asking you this, Suit," Mozzie said. "One of the things Neal was worried about was his release. Would the FBI still keep around a consultant if he's deaf? Because not being able to hear doesn't make prison much easier, especially for a known informant."

"What? No! No, of course Neal wouldn't go back to prison. God, Mozzie, he shouldn't have had to worry about that when he can't hear anything. You should have told me. Or gotten Neal to tell me, at least."

The silence returned, and this time it was a bit uncomfortable. It lasted for quite a few minutes before Peter broke it again. "Thank you, Mozzie," he muttered quietly. "You were a great friend to him, you helped him in ways I could never have done."

"Whatever happens when he wakes up," Mozzie said, "we'll figure it out. Neal will be fine, even if he can't hear."

Peter nodded, and again they waited, keeping time in the beeps of the heart rate monitor, just waiting for Neal to wake up.