"Hey El." said Neal. He had just finished changing into clean clothes when El knocked on the door. He had tried to comfortably get seated on the bed, though he had given up on actual comfortable and had settled for not being in active pain. "See, now I really feel bad. I swear I could have gotten it all myself...somehow."
"I am sure you would have, sweetie." said El, sitting down the tray and trying not to laugh imagining some of the stunts Neal might have tried. She couldn't help, but imagine it would likely have something to do with a tie. "You do know Peter and I really don't mind helping you, right? We wouldn't have you here if we didn't want you here, Neal."
"I am pretty sure Dr Rogers orders essentially required me to be with someone." said Neal. "But I mean I feel like a burden here, especially with everything that happened. I tried to talk Peter into letting me go back to June's."
"Neal, trust me that both of us wanted you to come here when you got released from the hospital." said El, finding herself sounding more stern. "And yes the doctor wanted someone with you, but I think we all know you got released a little early and we could have simply had you stay at the hospital longer. So please stop feeling bad about being here, okay?"
"Fine, El." said Neal, forfeiting for the time being. "Thanks for bringing this up though." He pauses for a moment. "I have a feeling I kept you two up last night too and I am sorry for that as well."
"We'll survive and it's not been my first sleepless night." said El, sitting on the edge of the bed. She decides not to put it on Neal the guilt that Peter had stayed up most of the night to make sure Neal was okay.
"Oh yeah, that was because of me two." said Neal, eating a small bite of cereal. "Again I'm sorry."
"All the nights weren't because of you. Peter's always had a habit of working late and losing track of time and that's not counting stake-outs." said El, laughing a little. "I've just gotten used to it, though I admit I don't sleep as well when he's not home." She hopes adding the last bit might help Neal trust her a little more.
"I have to say, you two are the best couple." said Neal. El gets up and starts to leave. "Hey El?"
"Yeah?" said El, turning around.
"I want you to know what happened, but I don't want to talk about it." said Neal, being honest. "I know the whole thing was taped. Tell Peter I said to let you see it if and when he can. Just do me a favor and don't use it to feel sorry for me, okay?"
"Neal, I don't want you to feel forced into anything." said El. "And I'm not sure I can promise the second, but I can try not to show it if you want me to see it."
"I really do want you to know, El, if you think you can handle it." said Neal. "Send Peter up and I'll tell him if he doesn't believe you."
"Will do. Eat your breakfast and just relax. One of us will get the tray later. I also brought up a pain pill as well." said El. "Just yell if you need anything or if you want to come downstairs as Peter should help you." She leaves, shutting the door and leaning against it a moment. With a deep breath, she walks down the stairs to tell Peter what Neal had said, hoping she would be able to sit through it as the curiosity in her always got the better of her.