None of them dared to speak, all of their eyes were trained on Neal. The fear that their friend would stop breathing at any minute was hanging heavily between them and the sounds of the city being alive at night surrounded them like a cocoon.

"Neal, please. Be strong. You did so well, you're my partner now. I'm going to kill Keller, he's going to pay..." Peter whispered more to himself than the con in front of him. He was on his knees, pressing his suit jacket to the wound in Neal's side. El had crouched down next to Neal's head, one hand lying lightly on his hairline, absentmindedly stroking his curls whilst looking into his slack face.

"Peter, he looks so young! Are you sure he was in his early 20s when you first arrested him? He's just a kid. Look!" El's eyes were tearing up. Peter knew that she was fond of Neal and had fallen for his charms. In a maternal way. Which now clearly surfaced.

"Honey, he's going to be okay. I promise. Jones, where's that ambulance?"

"Agents just radioed that it's almost here. Was stopped at the arrest-site down the road, but they are letting it through." Jones was standing near the curb, looking out for the ambulance.

"Pt'r." A faint voice breathed.

Peter's head whipped around. Neal had regained consciousness. But just barely.

It was beyond him, but there was a faint smile on the young man's face. Peter smiled back. "Hey, buddy. Help is almost here."

"'s okay. 'M fine. Got you here." He blinked almost happily up at Peter and El, the blue of his eyes so vibrant in the streetlight, it gave the two of them hope he would pull through.

"'M glad you're safe, El. 's all 'm fault."

"No, Neal it's okay. You saved me. Neal... look at me. Neal!"

But Neal's eyes closed slowly on their own accord and his head rolled heavily towards El, who took his face in both her hands, shaking him. "Neal!"

"Hun, stop. It's okay. He'll be okay."

The sound of sirens was coming closer and an ambulance pulled up the side of the street, several medics running towards them.

Peter felt like he was wading through a heavy mist. He pulled El towards him, into a tight embrace while they watched their friend being tended to.

"Pulse stable, stats look fine. Lost a lot of blood though. Puncture wound to the side. Transfusion to be administered on the way to the hospital. Let's go."

"You're friend was lucky. He should be fine."

Peter, El and Jones all let out a breath they did not knew they were holding. Utterly relieved.