Day 100. Another milestone in the transplant journey and the day most doctors used as the barometer for going home. Neal wasn't at that point but Peter couldn't complain. Neal had been outpatient for nearly two weeks and overall feeling pretty good. They had finally gotten rid of the BK virus and with that, five less pills a day. Most important, his three month biopsy had come back one hundred percent donor cells.

He still wasn't eating a lot but he was maintaining his weight and getting enough calories that they no longer talked about the night feeds. He still weighed far less than before the transplant but they figured once his appetite was back the pounds would come.

At times Peter actually saw signs of the Neal he knew before this all started. They were too few and far between but after watching Neal go through this journey, he would celebrate the small victories that would crop up on the gloomiest of days.

They had planned on celebrating the day with a huge dinner but it would only be the three of them; June was out of town and Mozzie had a self-diagnosed case of the bubonic plague.

So Elizabeth was back at the apartment cooking and Peter was doing what Neal had requested; driving around town while Neal quietly stared out the window.

But Peter wasn't driving randomly and he wondered how long it would take for Neal to figure it out.

"Why are we driving towards the office?"

Not long at all Peter silently mused knowing Neal was watching him.

"We're not going to the office" Peter remarked and left it at that.

"So why are we going in that direction?"

Sighing Peter turned the corner and pulled over. "The office made something for you...for us...so we're meeting Diana and Jones at the park. Just for a few minutes..."

"No." Neal reached for the door and jumped out. Peter met him in no time. "Neal, get back in the car. Now."

"I don't want to see anyone." Neal batted away Peter's hand, swaying in the process.

"Take it easy." He grabbed Neal by the shoulders and gently pushed him back in. Peter knelt down, keeping a hand on Neal's arm.

"Neal, you look fine and they both know what you've been through. They just want to see you for a few minutes."

"Is that why you made me get dressed?"

Peter shrugged. Neal was wearing a newly bought pair of jeans, a sweatshirt and a jacket. And with the always present cap, he looked the best he had since the transplant started.

"I was just sick of seeing you in pajamas" Peter countered with a sly smile. "What do you say?"

Neal glanced away briefly. "Do we leave when I want to?"

Peter nodded.

"Fine. " Neal pulled his legs into the car.

"Thank you" Peter said as he drove away, eager to see his team.

Neal sat quietly listening to them chat, angry that Peter had insisted he wear his mask.

It was awkward at first, though they all tried to hide it behind pleasantries and small talk. But then the conversation turned to the current case and Peter was back in his element, animated and excited as Jones and Diana briefed him.

It was a cool and breezy day and Neal shivered slightly when the wind picked up.

"Are you cold?" Of course Peter noticed.

"I'm fine."

"You sure?" Peter started to take his jacket off.

"Peter" Neal warned. The conversation stopped.

Peter stared at his partner for a few minutes before putting his jacket back on.

"Boss, when are you coming back to work?" Diana asked, taking the focus off of Neal.

"As soon as I get released to come home" Neal answered for him.

Peter's eyes narrowed and he took a calming breath. "They'll do an immune study at six months" Peter explained. "Depending on what it shows, they may lift some of Neal's restrictions." Peter briefly glanced at Neal. "As for me, we really haven't discussed that yet. But it sounds like Neal is ready to get rid of me."

Neal stood with an exaggerated huff and walked off.

"Peter, is he ok?"

Peter shrugged as he watched Neal settle himself behind a tree.

"It's my fault" the agent admitted. "I didn't tell him about today and I don't think he was ready for you to see him."

"He doesn't look as bad as I expected" Jones put forth. "How is he really doing?"

"Compared to a few a weeks ago, he's doing great" Peter answered with a weary smile. "But every day is a struggle. We spend two hours every morning at the table while Neal takes his medication." Peter chuckled. "Half the pills make you nauseous and if he throws up, we have to start all over."

Peter glanced towards the tree to ensure himself that Neal didn't run off. Not that he had the strength to get far.

"Eating is another issue. Nothing tastes right and he really has to force himself to eat. Elizabeth has been experimenting with different spices and she's found some that Neal actually likes." He shrugged. "When I agreed to the deal, this wasn't something I ever fathomed we'd be going through together."

"Sounds rough" Diane quietly remarked. "Have you thought about coming back to work part time?"

"Honestly yes" Peter admitted. "But contrary to what you've just witnessed Neal doesn't feel well enough to be left alone." He shrugged. "Maybe when he gains some strength. I don't know." Peter rubbed his face.

"Anything we can do to help?" Peter glanced at Diana with a shake of his head. "Just concentrate on work. Thanks for this." He picked up the DVD they gave him.

"It's just in good fun" Jones warned as he stood. "Should we?" He pointed towards Neal.

"No. I'll call if anything changes." He watched them walk away and then approached Neal.

"Are you ok?" Peter knelt down in front of his partner. "I'm sorry I didn't warn you ahead of time" he added when Neal looked away. "Ready to go back?"

"Can we walk around a little?" Neal asked as he took Peter's hand and the agent hauled him to his feet.

"Are you up to it?"

"I think so. Do I need my mask?"

Peter shook his head no. Away from crowds it wasn't necessary and Neal stuffed it in his jacket pocket.

They didn't walk very far or fast as Neal shuffled along like an old man and after a block Peter steered them back to the car.

"I feel so old" Neal mumbled as he settled in the passenger seat. He eyed the DVD that Peter tossed in his lap. "What do you think is on it?" he asked holding it up.

"No clue. Guess we'll watch tonight and find out." Peter pulled out and then turned on some soft music. As he figured, Neal lasted less than five minutes before falling asleep.

"This isn't how we planned tonight" Elizabeth said as she snuggled next to her husband. Neal had slept since they returned from the park and Peter had worried, checking Neal's forehead frequently to see if he was running a fever.

"I don't think today was a good idea" Peter remarked as he watched Neal, curled up on the chair and snoring softly.

"He's just worn out from the fresh air. He'll be fine later." Elizabeth glanced at the clock and then scooted away from Peter. "I need to get going" she said as she picked up the paper plates and tossed them in the garbage. Peter followed.

"Thanks for dinner hon." He held her tight. "Maybe in a few weeks we'll be home for good" he said wistfully as Elizabeth put the leftovers in the fridge. "Make sure he eats tonight."

"I will." Peter held up his hand.

"Call me when you get home." She nodded, and kissed him once more before leaving.

It was just past midnight as they watched the DVD; a collection of good wishes and congratulations and a few bad imitations of both of them.

"I think Blake did a good you" Peter said, chuckling.

"And Diana was perfect as you" Neal countered. "Hands on hips and glaring..." Neal smiled as he finished up his dinner.

"This was good. Remind me to call Elizabeth tomorrow to thank her."

Peter didn't respond as he started the DVD up again and stared longingly at his team and the job he missed more than he was willing to admit.

"Peter, I meant what I said earlier. You've given up enough of your life for me. Once I can leave here, you should go back to work."

Peter glanced his way. "I think it's too early to be talking about this."

"I don't. Peter I'll be ok and I can call you if I need you. Besides, I'm sure I can get Mozzie to keep me company during the day."

"And that's supposed to ease my mind?" Peter rolled his eyes, thinking of the influence Mozzie could have over Neal.

"Maybe I can go back part time" Peter suggested as he closed up the laptop. "You'll need to come back here once a week..."

"Can't cut the cord, can you?"

Peter laughed as he stood. "Come on. Down the pills so we can go to sleep."

"I'm not tired..."

"OK, take them so I can go to sleep." Peter laid out the six nightly pills and poured a glass of water.

Neal grumbled as he sat down and picked up the first one, staring at it. "They should cover these in chocolate."

"Stop stalling."

Neal popped the first one in his mouth and took a long swig of water. This was the worst one and he took a couple of deep breaths, trying to keep the pill down.

"Are you ok?"

"I hate this" Neal muttered as he rested his head on his forearm and waited for his stomach to settle or the pill to come up, not caring which came first. He felt Peter's hand on his head and he sighed, grateful that Peter was there.

Ten minutes passed and finally Neal lifted his head. "I'm ok" he whispered and then took the rest. There were fewer pills at night so the routine was faster, though never easy on either of them.

Peter took out the pie that Elizabeth had baked. "Do you want a little piece before bed?"
Neal nodded so Peter cut off two small slivers and handed one to his partner.

"This is good" Neal said with his mouth full as the pie quickly got rid of the medicine taste. They finished up the pie and headed to bed, with Neal still complaining that he wasn't tired.

The nights were the worse. Neal stared up at the ceiling, unable to sleep or get his mind to turn off. He thought about the transplant, everything that had taken place in the past three months and...No matter how much he tried, he couldn't think past the present.

Finally he got up and walked into the living room. He found his laptop.

"Can't sleep?"

"Sorry if I woke you."

"You didn't." Peter turned the small lamp on. "What's wrong?"

Neal shrugged his shoulders.

"Neal, talk to me." Peter sat up and grabbed his robe. "Do you feel ok?"

Neal settled in the chair with his legs drawn up, resting his chin against his knees. "I'm fine" Neal answered to ease Peter's mind. "I just couldn't sleep and I was thinking too much. Can we watch TV?" he asked suddenly as he grabbed the remote off of the table.

"Neal." Peter got up and snatched the remote away. "You can watch after you talk to me. What were you thinking about?" Peter quickly pushed the bed back in and tossed the cushions on turning his bed back into a sofa.

It didn't take long for Neal to saunter over and sit down next to the agent. Peter hid his smile as waited.

"I have trouble seeing my future" Neal admitted as he tightly crossed his arms against his chest.

"Cold?"

Neal nodded and didn't complain when Peter draped a blanket over him.

"Do you remember when you didn't think you'd leave the hospital?

Neal nodded again.

"And you did. Neal I know it's a cliché but one day at a time is apropos here. You get better; you finish your sentence and then the rest..." Peter shrugged. "You become a free man and you decide your own future."

"You make it sound so simple."

"Because it is" Peter remarked as he turned the TV on, flipping until he found an old sitcom.

"Lay down." Peter stood and waited for Neal to stretch out on the sofa. He grabbed a pillow and blanket and settled himself in the recliner.

"Peter."

"Yeah?"

"I still think you should go back to work but the nights..."

"You won't be alone. I promise. Now go to sleep."

"Night Peter." Neal turned over and drifted off to sleep with the voices of Lucy and Ethel in the background.

Peter tossed a few time in the chair, trying in vain to get comfortable, longing for the comforts of his own bed. Once he knew Neal was asleep he turned the TV off and closed his eyes.