Chapter Sixty-six

"That…wasn't so bad."

Staring at the fog covered mirror Neal tried and failed to believe his own lie. Grateful to have it over with and to be clean Neal reached out to swipe some of the condensation off the mirror to see if he could attempt to tame his damp hair. Clearing a space in the mirror Neal jolted in terrified shock at the sight of Jake standing directly behind him in the reflection with a dangerous gleam in his dark eyes. Whipping around with his hands held up offensively Neal knit his brow in confusion when he discovered he was alone. Shaking his head to clear it only resulted in making him dizzy.

"Maybe I should let the doctors take a look at me." Neal sighed heavily.

Ignoring the brief hallucination Neal pulled his fingers of his right hand through his hair a few times and decided it was good enough. Not daring to look in the mirror again Neal picked up the clean scrub shirt that Mozzie had gotten for him. Getting into the shirt was a bit of a struggle since his left shoulder still didn't want to cooperate. It wasn't all that painful but during his fight with Danisko there had been a brief flash of pain and after that he simply couldn't lift his arm more than about half way.

Choosing to also ignore what was likely a rotator cuff injury Neal stepped back out into the CCU room. While waiting for Neal Mozzie had laid down on the couch and had quickly fallen asleep. Smiling Neal walked over to the bed and pulled the blanket off to cover Mozzie. Searching around for a clock Neal noted that it was only just past ten pm, but the stresses of the day had taken their toll on his friend. Neal was just about to check to see if Peter was out of surgery when Jones opened the privacy curtain that was over the sliding glass door. Neal hated the way his appearance caused his heart to race, but he couldn't help the automatic reaction.

"Caffrey," Jones said quietly "Peter is settled in next door, he'd like to see you."

Even though he could have replied vocally Neal just nodded. He took one last look down at himself to make sure there weren't any large blood stains on his fresh clothes. Satisfied that he was presentable Neal hurried over to see Peter. He'd had a painful knot in his stomach since he had been forced to carry on down the tunnel alone that had grown tighter with every passing hour. He hadn't really been able to enjoy any of his freedom yet or even really process the idea that their nightmare was over. Even learning that Peter had been found had only eased his anxiety just enough to allow him to finally drop from exhaustion.

Hurrying out of the room Neal hoped to be able to start feeling like everything was going to be okay once he had real confirmation that he hadn't made it out alone. Once in the dimly lit hall Neal paused when he noticed one of the doctors watching him from behind the circular nursing station desk. He knew the professional only wanted to help but he didn't like the man's look of clinical disapproval at his patient running around when he should be resting. Silently promising that he would submit to medical attention after seeing Peter Neal stepped next door.

Letting himself into the room through the privacy curtain Neal smiled at the scene. Peter was doing a better job following doctor's orders by being in bed with the head up so that he was more sitting up than laying down. Having just been through one of the longest days of her life, emotionally speaking, Elizabeth was curled up on the couch sleeping just like Mozzie was next door. Not having noticed Neal yet Peter was lovingly watching Elizabeth sleep with an outright enraptured serene gaze. Neal envied Peter's ability to seemingly believe that all was right in the world now that they were out while Neal himself still felt the horror of their captivity nipping at his heels. Able to find at least some temporary release now that he was sure Peter was safe Neal breathed a literal sigh of relief.

Showing he wasn't without his own mental scars Peter jerked at the sound with a sharp painful gasp. Before Neal could apologize for startling him Peter turned to look at him and his face lit up with a bright smile. Peter reached out with a shaky hand to encourage Neal to step closer. Accepting the invitation Neal smiled warmly as he stepped forward and took Peter's hand. Peter pulled Neal in closer, bringing his free hand up he gently cradled the side of Neal's face. Finding comfort in the contact Neal carefully put his hand on Peter's chest over his heart. Peter smiled even brighter, his dark eyes glittering from a mixture of relief and joy. Enjoying the moment of peace Neal closed his eyes as the persistent pain in his stomach finally abated. Worried he might pass out again Neal opened his eyes again and looked down at Peter who was staring up at him with lopsided grin.

"I'm so proud of you, Neal." Peter said softly.

"Si vales, valeo." Neal replied sincerely.

"I could not have been that strong without you."

Neal smiled with a slight flush. Peter noticed the blush and he laughed before drawing Neal closer in to kiss his forehead. Neal chuckled finding the mirthful noise was louder than his actual voice at the moment. Finally releasing Neal Peter tilted his head back and made an almost purring noise of contentment. Neal put the back of his hand against Peter's forehead to make sure he wasn't delirious from fever, but his skin felt normal. Still smiling Peter took a deep breath and repeated the sound.

"Peter what are you on?" Neal asked only half jokingly.

"Morphine drip." Peter motioned his head towards the pump connected to his IV. "It's a little strong to be honest, but I forgot to tell them to unhook it."

"Peter, you do know you have to press the little button in order for that to do anything, right?"

"What?" Peter opened his eyes looked around until he saw the cord with a button in the sheets next to him. "Oh. I guess it's just 'rescue high' mixed with a little post anesthesia. Getting out of the Labyrinth, being reunited with Elizabeth, knowing you're safe…I don't think I'm capable of pain right now."

Neal smiled sadly wishing his own rescue afterglow had lasted the way Peter's was. For a brief moment when the two subway workers had pulled him out of the pit he'd been trapped in he'd been elated, but it had quickly dissolved into fear that they wouldn't get to Peter in time. Seeing Neal's expression Peter's own mood sobered. Neal tried to fake a more convincing smile but only made matters worse as Peter saw right through it. Increasingly concerned Peter struggled to sit up a little straighter, grimacing in pain with the movement despite his words a few seconds prior.

"Neal…"

"I'm fine." Neal interrupted. "Or at the very least I will be. I'm still a little jittery, but now that you're here that will pass. I'll be okay."

"I don't think it's going to be as simple as that, Neal. After everything you've been through…well, I know I wouldn't just bounce back from that."

"What are you talking about? You've just been through exactly what I have."

"No, Neal, that's not true." Peter said seriously. "We shared a common trauma, but Jake didn't single me out every chance he got to torture me the way he did with you."

"Jake didn't tor…"

"Neal, stop right there." Peter said with an angry edge to his voice all of a sudden. "Don't defend him, don't minimize his crimes against you. I should have fought harder to keep you from him."

"Peter, you did everything you could."

"It wasn't enough." Peter growled bitterly. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I should have done more, I should have done more before any of this started, we never should have been taken in the first place. It's my job to keep us safe in the field and I failed, I missed something. We got those cards and now we are forever going to wear that emblem because I didn't…"

"Peter, enough." Neal interrupted. "It's not your fault."

Peter nodded slightly but he didn't look convinced. Giving in to a moment of weakness Peter closed his eyes and let tears slip down his cheek. Feeling guilty for having crashed Peter's mood so completely Neal took his hand and gave it a supportive squeeze. Peter squeeze back and his smile did returned even if though it held an air of sorrow now. Neal put his free hand back over Peter's heart to silently assure him that he was forgiven. Nodding in grateful acknowledgment Peter relaxed again. Neal didn't even think twice about how much they were both still using touch to calm one another or even the fact that around Peter he was using his voice almost normally again. Peter looked over at Elizabeth which further settled him before he turned back to Neal with a conflicted expression knitting his brow.

"I know Jake is mentally unstable, and I know he's a victim." Peter whispered. "But I don't forgive him for what he did to you, what he did to us. I can't."

"I'm not sure I can either." Neal admitted.

Peter looked up at Neal in a mixture of surprise and concern at the confession.

"He did try to murder me."

"But he also saved my life." Peter sighed.

"I want to just hate him, but I still find myself feeling sorry for him."

"He didn't have to be so cruel, he admitted to me that he enjoyed it, worse he told me he knew what he was doing to you was wrong."

"I know." Neal shivered at the memory of how Jake used to playfully torment him. "Is he here in the hospital or did the FBI just arrest him?"

"Neither." Peter shook his head sadly. "He…he ran."

"What? Why?"

"Honestly I think because he was convinced I was going to die and that he was going to get blamed for it."

"He wants to see the sky but I can't even handle a bathroom light. We have to find him, he isn't going to make it on his own. He can't possibly have anywhere to go or anyone to turn to."

"If he's smart he knows he can turn to me. All he has to do is call the FBI."

"But they'll arrest him."

"I'm sorry, Neal, there is no happy ending here for Jake. No matter how you look at it he is a murderer." Peter said heavily. "At best he'll be institutionalized for life in a high security mental ward, at worst he'll be gunned down by FBI when he resists arrest."

"I worry that Jake might think the latter is actually the best case scenario."

"Maybe, but I need you to do something for me."

"Anything."

"Don't worry about Jake, let the FBI take care of him. I need you to focus on you."

"I'm fine, Peter. Really."

"You can't know that yet, I don't even know if I'm okay yet."

"What?"

"The dust has to settle before you can see the damage and it could be weeks, even months, before that actually happens." Peter said solemnly. "Just promise me you won't fall into old habits and keep secrets from me."

"I promise."

"Good, because I'm not your handler anymore, Neal, and I'm going to need you just as much as you are going to need me."

"I don't think I ever thought I'd hear you say that." Neal teased.

"Neither did I, but the Labyrinth has changed...everything." Peter paused before smiling ruefully. "As close as we have been for the past few years I never really knew how to classify our relationship before, but now I do."

"Friends?"

"Family."