Peter leaned against the kitchen counter, his arms wrapped around El's waist as she cradled her head against her husband's shoulder. "It's going to be okay El. We'll find them. The boys have done this plenty of times in the past and they always turn up safe and sound."

"Yeah but eventually their good luck is going to run out, and I'm so worried about Neal. If he hasn't been taking something for his throat, he's likely to be quite sick by now."

"He's with Mozzie and the big guy won't let anything happen to him. If he's concerned, he'll get help. I'm certain of that. Peter took his wife's hand and led her out to the dining room. "Come on, come and sit down and I'll make us both a coffee before I have to head back to..." Peter stopped talking, stopped walking and El all but ran into the back of him. Both Burke's were momentarily speechless upon seeing a familiar figure sitting at the dining table. A messy mop of light brown hair, a bright orange shirt with peanut butter all over the collar and one pair of old-fashion black frame glasses with a set of nervous eyes staring out through the thick tinted lenses. Familiar alright! One of their wayward moppets had returned!

"Mozzie!" Peter and El snapped themselves out of their initial shock and wrapped their boy in a great three person bear hug.

"Mozzie, are you okay sweetie?" El was running her hands over his limbs checking for broken bones and any other serious ailments.

"Yes thank you Elizabeth. I'm fine but Neal is not doing so well."

"Where is he?" Peter's tone was a mixture of relief, concern, anger and panic.

"I'll take you."

-W-C-

Mozzie gave the secret knock for the second time, but still, no answer. "Neal, it's Moz. Let me in please!"

"Stand aside." Peter nudged the kid out of the way before stepping back and slamming his foot into the solid wooden door. The kick had the desired effect. The door flung open and El and Peter stepped quickly through, making their way immediately to the motionless figure lying curled up on the mattress pushed up against the far wall.

"Neal!...Neal sweetie?" El gently shook the little boy's shoulder. She could feel heat radiating through his shirt. "Peter, he's burning up!" El sat down on the mattress and pulled Neal up till he was cradled in her lap.

Peter looked around the shed and grabbed the bottled water lying amongst a pile of takeaway containers. He shot Mozzie a glare but the older boy was not daring to look in the agent's direction. Peter sat down beside El and held the water up to the youngster's parched lips. "Neal, have a sip buddy." He tilted the bottle 'til the water began to dribble down the little boy's chin, moistening the area around his mouth as it went. Neal opened his eyes, "Daddy…awn't you puposed ta be at werk?" El spun to look at Peter, did Neal just called her husband, Daddy?

"I think the little man is a bit delirious. He's dehydrated and we have to cool him down." As he was explaining, Peter lifted Neal's shirt up and over his head and poured some of the water from the bottle onto the soft cotton material. He dabbed the soggy shirt over Neal's head and shoulders before the little boy finally came around completely and pulled away from the chill. "Pweter nooooo!" Neal began to cry.

"It's okay sweetie. Peter is only trying to cool your body down. It's way too hot."

"Snot hot Wizzybif. I'm fweeing." Neal reached out for the blanket and tried to wrap it around his body but El held back his arm.

"I'm sorry sweetie, but if we don't cool you down now, you're going to end up in hospital and that won't be very nice for any of us."

Peter continued to sponge down the little boy's arms and face. "You're doing great champ. Just a little more okay?… Mozzie?"

"Yes sir?"

"Pass me that bottle please." Peter indicated the panadol bottle sitting on the floor between the pizza box and the soda bottle. Mozzie passed it over and quickly stepped back. Peter examined it carefully before turning back to the older boy. "Where did you get this and have you given any to Neal?"

Mozzie balked, but only for a second. "I stole it from the pharmacy on Leon Terrace this morning. I tried to give him 2oz about three hours ago but he threw it straight back up again."

Satisfied with the answer, Peter poured out another 2oz and held the cup to Neal's lips. "Listen carefully, young man, I want you to take a little sip of this then I'm going to give you a sip of water." Neal began to shake his head but Peter put a quick stop to the objection. "No, no stalling, no arguing, just do it or they'll be consequences, understand?"

Neal nodded, pressed the measuring cup against his lips and followed Peter's directions. Soon, the cup was emptied, its contents swallowed without the earlier disaster of it coming straight back up again. "Good boy." Peter looked around. "Right, Mozzie, get Sunny, everything else stays. You don't need any of this. You boys have a home to go to, with a real bed." Peter reached down and hoisted the little boy onto his shoulder.

"Noooo Pweter, I don't want ta lib wif the Conna's, I want ta lib wif you."

Both Peter and El turned together and frowned at Mozzie who was standing quietly by the door. The nine year old gulped, the glares from his 'parents' confirming what he already knew - he was in a whole world of trouble.