Waiting


Waiting is always difficult, but it is especially difficult when the final result is so important.

As the hours drew on, Neal made his escape on the pretext of taking his own walk to clear his head and stretch stiff muscles. Jones let him go with the notice that the anklet was set to trigger an alert if he left the premises of the hospital, but he wasn't planning on running. His goal was the privacy to make a phone call.

Dialing Beckman, Neal wasn't surprised when she answered his call, but he wasn't so sure how she'd receive his request.

At first, she was sleepy and didn't seem thrilled to learn that he'd awoken her for a personal issue, but when he said that it was Peter, her attitude changed. She listened as he described what had happened, what condition Peter was in, and the lack of creative expert care the hospital had on staff. "I wouldn't bother you if this wasn't important," he had added in his defense.

"I'm quite aware of your tendency to be creative and dramatic in protecting your friends." Beckman had confirmed with a frown as if the statement had brought unwanted memories of trouble to mind.

"It's not just that. We found out some months ago that Peter is my brother. He's the only biological family I've ever known, and although he insisted on the test being redone because he doesn't want to be brothers, I can't let him die when I know there is someone out there who might be able to prevent it." Neal admitted to the secret he'd been keeping. In fact, he was surprised the general hadn't picked up on the change in his files. Perhaps she hadn't been paying attention since he was on loan and not directly under her command?

To his surprise, her head snapped up and he had her complete attention. "You and agent Burke are brothers? Is it a complete biological match or just paternal?"

That was an odd question, Neal frowned as he answered, "Both maternal and paternal matches, we're full-blooded brothers. Is there an issue, general?"

Trying to regain her composure, she seemed unsettled but worked to mask it. "No, there isn't an issue. I assume you would like the doctors Woodcomb to be called in to assist in Burke's care?" She redirected the topic back to its point of origin.

"Yes, they're the only people I know with the intelligence and heart to pull him through this. He doesn't need someone who is going to go by textbook scenarios alone; he needs someone capable of thinking outside the box to give him the best care." Neal knew it sounded a bit ridiculous to some, but he also knew that medicine wasn't just about a basic line of scientific reasoning. Sometimes, sometimes it took something more to pull off the impossible and although some of that was beyond control, the extra element of something beyond the observable, what could only be explained as Godly intervention, he wanted to give his brother every advantage he could.

"I'll see what I can do," the general's face was uncharacteristically softer than he'd ever seen before as she signed off with only a momentary pause where she seemed to be observing him. It was strange behavior, but perhaps there was something to her history that he was unaware of, a personal parallel? Still, that didn't explain her direct line of questioning and why she didn't question their paternal markers.

Unable to find an answer, Neal decided to store it away as something to keep in mind, but as something that wasn't important to waste energy on. The general wouldn't give him enough information to put the pieces together, and he didn't contact her much anymore except a periodic check in every few months so he wouldn't have much opportunity to even try.

Pausing in front of a large floor to ceiling window in a side hallway, he took some time to stand and watch the first rays of the sun penetrate the horizon setting a faint glow onto the low hanging clouds. Despite the doctor's prediction, Peter was making it through the night.

Thinking, he was relieved that at least there was that for being brothers, they had a shared tendency to survive against the odds. Fortunately, Peter didn't have his penchant for getting into as much trouble though. It was bad enough to have to go through this once; Neal didn't want to be facing life and death scenarios on a regular basis. It would be too stressful, too painful to consider.

Remaining away to watch the sunrise, Neal hoped it was further proof that Peter was going to make it. Each minute the sun climbed and his phone didn't ring was another indication that his brother remained alive against the odds.

Hearing his phone ring once the light was spread across the ground, Neal lifted it and nervously checked the caller ID. It was the general so he was able to release some of the tension and answer.

"They're at the airport waiting to board the next Red Eye to New York. They'll be there by lunch. Agent Frost is watching Clara and will be along later in the day. I suggest you leave the hospital by then if you want to retain your distance from the Bartowski family. Most of them are heading your way." Beckman gave him the general update before also advising of the impending challenge. She was aware of his reasons to retain a distance from the family on a professional level. Bryce Larkin was dead to the world at large. Only she and a few other agents connected to his loan assignment were aware of his continued existence. He wasn't even sure how much information Agent Winters had on his past, and the man was his handler for this operation.

Thanking her for whatever strings she'd managed to pull in order to make the arrangements with both hospitals while also persuading the doctors to spend an indeterminable amount of time away from their home, Neal was grateful for the favor.

"This isn't a favor to you; let's just say I owe it to your parents." Then Beckman gave him the usual abrupt disconnect as the line went silent without any further explanation.

It was interesting to think Beckman knew something about his parentage. Their files were sealed, how could she possibly know anything? Adding it to the mystery, Neal watched the sunrise for a few more minutes before turning back towards the hallway where he'd spent most of the night. He intended to get a lift home and remain there for the duration of Peter's hospital stay.

When he arrived back to the seats, he found Diana asleep as she leaned against Jones' shoulder while he had his head leaned back against the wall and slowly falling towards Diana's head.

Pulling out his phone, Neal decided to snap a picture to commemorate the moment and realized that knowing Ellie and Devon were on their way seemed to have cheered him up. It was a testament to how much he trusted the hearts and minds of that family that he was no longer quite as worried about his brother.

After a few moments, Jones's head bumped Diana's jolting him awake which in turn woke her up.

Wiping his eyes, Jones was tired after the long day and an almost sleepless night. "How is he?"

"The same, but he made it through the night," Neal answered leaving them to assume that was what had him more relaxed.

"What did you do?" Diana questioned as she took in his expression.

"I didn't steal, forge or con so I'd have to say nothing," Neal deflected. He had made a phone call, but he didn't want the doctors' arrival to be traced to him.

"Maybe nothing criminal, but that' isn't what I was asking. You're not happy, but you look like something's taken a weight off of your shoulders so there has to be something." Diana commented as she stretched and tried to rub some kinks out of her neck.

"Can't I just be being glad Peter made it through the night?" Neal questioned. Why did people always have to think he'd done something?

Neither agent questioned him further, but he could tell that they were adding information to discuss with Peter when he woke up. His brother would be counting on them to watch him and update him later on what he'd missed while in the coma.

Checking on Elizabeth, they were able to get her to take a break which left them the opportunity to briefly see Peter before heading home for some rest. A few hours of sleep and the agents needed to be in the office for the paperwork and processing.

Taking his turn again, Neal didn't bother sitting down. He wasn't staying long so he just stood by Peter's side. "You've made it through the night which is a good start. However, from experience, I know you've got a long way to go before you'll be back in the office bossing anyone around. All I can say is listen to your doctors and take care of yourself. Do that, and you'll be fine." Tapping the bed as he thought, he decided to squeeze his brother's hand again before turning and leaving.

When Jones was ready, Neal was waiting in the chairs and was glad to go. Although there was still time before the doctors were expected, he didn't want to get detained and preferred to be safely home by the time they arrived.

Neal wasn't expected in the office for a few days so he knew that would complicate his intent to avoid Peter, but it was worth it to save his brother's life.


Arriving at the loft, Neal sat down at the dining room table and pulled out his laptop. Loading up his screen, he went to work hacking the hospital in regards to his brother's file. When he finished, he had a link on his phone and computer set for alerts to come through for minor changes be they positive or negative while setting up text alerts for specific changes to easily monitor his brother's condition.

With the task done, he sent a message to Mozzie knowing he might want to visit the suit himself while also asking for updates after any visit as the agent would be able to add to the data updates with a more personal context.

Having done what he could, Neal changed into sleep clothes before dropping into bed. He'd stayed up all night before, but adding in the emotional context and he was exhausted.


After waking up early in the afternoon, Neal had dressed and was moving around the kitchen space preparing a meal when he heard a pentameter knock on his door. Calling for Mozzie to enter, Neal wasn't surprised to glance up to find the man already entering of his own volition.

"How is Peter?" He asked before the smaller man could open his mouth to share.

"He's improving, at least a little. The doctors Woodcomb have reevaluated his treatment plan and they are trying some new procedures. Fortunately, it's already improved his statistics a little bit and they hope to have him awake by the end of the week." Mozzie stated as he walked over to where Neal was standing.

Breathing a little easier, Neal was glad to know it had been a right call to bring the doctors in. Peter's previous doctors had only managed to stagnate his condition's decline while predicting that he'd be lucky to live through the night. Now, he was not only improving, but they estimated that he could wake up in only a few days if he responded to the treatment well. It was a total reversal!

"What has everyone puzzled though is why some strings were pulled to get these doctors flown in. They aren't local, they're from Illinois, but the Doctor Devon Woodcomb looks more like a surfer dude from California if you ask me." Mozzie commented while watching him in general.

He was probably looking for a reaction to confirm some theory, but Neal wasn't giving in. Instead, he put his focus on cooking and used the memory of Beckman's words to channel a puzzled expression of his own. "Did the FBI call something in, maybe Hughes has heard of these doctors? We don't know all the people he, Jones, Diana, or even Elizabeth has met or heard of."

"Uh-huh, and I don't know all of the people you know or have heard of either. However, I do know that it was Beckman who ultimately made the request, and you are the only other person I know who links from Burke to Beckman. You don't have to spill, but at least let me know if you are the person behind it and not some unknown." Mozzie looked up at him with a straight and serious expression.

Sighing, Neal hung his head before smiling lightly as he looked back up at his handler. "Not much gets past you, does it?"

"No, now stop digressing. Did you make the call or do I need to be on the lookout for someone else?" Mozzie wasn't taking the distraction.

"Yes, I was treated by Devon once when an operation nearly went off of the rail. His wife has also crossed my path in the past. I know they're the kind of doctors Peter needs, the type to think outside of the box and with their hearts which increases his odds of surviving this. After he made it through the night I called Beckman this morning and she made the arrangements." He should have made the call earlier, but he was distracted by the shock and emotions resulting from the event. It wasn't a good sign of his abilities as a spy, but this was also personal in a way he wasn't accustomed to dealing with.

"I have one more thing I need to address. You and Peter have been having trouble for a few months now and I know you've refused to talk to anyone about it. But, I need to know if this is going to help you work through this or if it's going to make your difficulties worse. If I have to, I will pull the plug on this operation and bench you until you get things in order." It was one of those rare situations where Mozzie was more Agent Winters than his cover.

Giving it consideration as he cooked, Neal knew Winters wouldn't need an immediate answer, but he would need one soon. The agents were friends so this was about his safety and the stability of the operation.

Continuing to mull it over, he sat down with his food and gave it consideration. How did he feel about Peter? There was still the pain of his rejection and he was wary about letting the man get close to him for fear of him turning on him as a criminal again, but Peter had just taken a bullet in his place which made it hard to keep an emotional distance. "Really, I don't know. Peter is still unconscious and I don't know what was going through his head. "

Nodding his head, Winters weighed his own decision. "I'll slow the operation down for two weeks. This way we can still have information to report, but it will give you time to get your head back in the game."

Feeling lighter, Neal hadn't realized how much stress he'd been under to balance everything. "Thanks, I don't want to be benched, but this is totally new so I don't know how to handle it."

"Do you need to talk hypothetically?" Winters went back into Mozzie mode and he was a listening friend. Grabbing a glass, he made himself comfortable.

"Maybe I should, at least part of it." Neal went on to tell Mozzie about Peter treating him like he was nothing but a criminal and he felt like they'd gone from becoming friends to suddenly dropping back to being a cop and con. "There is more to it which is what makes his behavior so much more painful, but I don't want to talk about that yet, with anybody."

"Has he treated you like you were nothing more than a con since, and what is his normal treatment of you?" Mozzie made him think about the bigger picture which was something he'd been too afraid to address.

Sitting back, he started sharing stories of various interactions beginning back in their chase up to the point where Peter leaped in front of him to take the bullet in his place. As he talked, he realized that Peter didn't generally treat him like he was only a criminal. Sure, he had his moments when he zeroed in on that, but most of the time he treated him like another member of the team. However, it was those moments that made him uncomfortable as he couldn't predict them and they were always a blow below the belt.

Talking to Mozzie had helped him work through some of his frustrations. Considering that Peter was the only biological family he'd ever known, maybe he should at least let him back to an arms distance. Sure, he wasn't going to risk letting him get too close, but giving a bit shouldn't hurt.


After a few days, Hughes wanted Neal where he could monitor him so he was allowed back to work on desk duty.

Sitting at his desk, he felt a text buzz on his phone in his pocket. Pulling it out, he checked the message seeing that it was an alert from his hack into the hospital. Smiling slightly, he was glad to see the news. Peter had woken up. It hadn't been for long, but he was still in there and they'd get their friend back once he recovered.

A few minutes later, Hughes had gotten the notice because he stepped out onto the landing and called the team to attention. "Peter woke up. He's back to sleep, but he's out of the coma."

There were mass sighs of relief and cheers as the team smiled happily. Peter had woken up and everyone could relax knowing he'd be okay.

Slowly, the initial reactions quieted, but the soft smiles that lingered were a testament to how much Peter mattered to these people.

Ducking his head, Neal was also glad Peter was recovering but seeing the faces reminded him how much the team really needed the man. It echoed through his mind again, why didn't Peter leave him to take the bullet?


Thank you, everyone, for reading, leaving kudos, commenting/reviewing, and choosing to favorite :D

Alrighty, a general update is that our house has sold and I'm at the new place now. Although I should be able to resume normal posting, I'm still working on getting things settled and then I'll have to go job hunting again here sometime... that will be interesting.