Severed Ties

AN: I HAD to do something with the NCIS Season 9 Finale-Season 10 premiere, I just couldn't help myself. I hope you guys enjoy. And thanks, in advance, for all your support. Also, I just want to say. I am addressing a S9-S10 event, but that doesn't mean I am putting a chronological order on anything. I am just concentrating on the event itself. I hope that makes sense to you all. Also, I don't know the time of day the explosion occurred, but I am saying in the morning just so that White Collar can watch it unfold on TV at work. Enjoy!

Neal was standing, staring at the TV in the conference room when Peter returned from his morning meeting. Peter and several other agents walked into the room.

"Neal, turn off the TV." Peter commanded.

Neal couldn't tear his eyes away from the screen. "There's been an explosion at NCIS, the Naval Yard in D.C." He then looked at Peter. "I keep calling Tony. It's going to voicemail."

It took Peter a second to realize who he was talking about and the gravity of the situation. The other agents realized too, what was happening. They had all met Agents Gibbs and DiNozzo.

"Neal, I…" Peter started, reading his partner's worry.

Neal shook his head. "I know…there's nothing we can do. I'm sure the D.C. FBI is on the scene." Neal sat down and sighed. Neal pulled out his phone and looked at it. He was tempted to try the number again.

"How did you find out?" Peter asked. They didn't usually watch the TV at work. It was used for visual aids more than anything.

"June called. She wasn't sure where Tony worked. She just remembered he worked for NCIS." Neal explained.

Peter and Neal, along with the rest of the White Collar Division continued to work through the morning. And the case was a good one, a Monet and a Rembrandt stolen from a Manhattan socialite's private collection. The prospect of those paintings loose, usually gave Neal a big thrill. He could actually get to touch the works of a couple great masters. But he couldn't enjoy that prospect now. He was too worried about his friends. Neither could the rest of the division, they were all on edge, waiting for word.

The television was kept on in the conference room all day, which was really unusual. And Neal found himself in there more often than not. He finally gave in and took his case files in. He settled down at the table and tried to work while he listened to the unfolding developments. But his mind and his thoughts kept drifting. He found himself rereading paragraphs multiple times and having no idea what they said. He was soon joined by Peter.

Peter knew the bond between Agent Anthony DiNozzo and his C.I. He still marveled at the closeness and deep respect they had for one another. He was just now beginning to understand it. He still admired Anthony's ability to just accept Neal, warts and all. Peter was grateful for Tony's influence, and glad Neal had others in his life he respected.

"Neal?" Peter said as he sat down at the table beside Neal.

Neal just shook his head. He had tried at least 6 more times since he had gotten the news. He also had gotten a call from June. She had told Neal she would try for him so that he could concentrate on work. She would call him as soon as she heard anything from Tony. But by mid-morning she had tried several times, with no success. She told Neal she would continue to try.

El had also called Peter several times that morning. She knew Peter would call when he got news. But she was working from home that day, and she had made the mistake of turning on the news, now she couldn't get away from it. She knew she was bugging Peter, but at the same time her heart went out to Neal. She could only imagine what he was going through, not knowing if Tony was even alive or not. Unlike Neal, on the infamous day of disaster in New York City, she and Peter had been together. Peter had taken a rare day off and they had been going out of town to visit Peter's parents. They never made it. All flights had been cancelled. But, at least, they each knew the other was safe.

By lunch time most of the White Collar Division was 'working' in the conference room. They all wanted to know what was going on in D.C. and were eager for news.

"That's Agent Gibbs, isn't it!?" Agent Chris Harlow asked, staring at the TV screen.

That got the room's attention and everyone focused on TV screen. They all saw a gray-haired man leave the building and walk to one of several ambulances parked in front of the building.

Neal nodded. "Yeah, that's him! But I don't see Tony." He said as he concentrated on the screen.

"There's Abby!" Peter said when he finally saw who Gibbs was heading towards. A woman dressed in Gothic attire. She was sitting on the tailgate of the ambulance, being treated.

The reporters on the scene were telling death tolls, which seemed rise every time they were reported. A reporter made the mistake of trying to speak to Gibbs. He just glared and walked on.

"And there's Director Vance." Peter replied as he watched Gibbs and Vance exchange a few words before each went their own way.

Neal still had not seen Tony, and it was making him anxious. "But…I…I still don't see Tony." Neal replied. "I haven't seen Tim or Ziva either. And where are Jimmy and Ducky?"

"Jimmy and Ducky are probably helping the injured." Peter said, staring at the hole where the reporter was saying that the car that carried the bomb had sat.

It was surreal. The whole thing, and it made them all realize, that despite their best security efforts, all federal agencies had their vulnerabilities.

"Tim, Ziva, and Tony are all probably helping people get out of the building. I…." Pter replied.

Neal shook his head. "The rescuers just said the building wasn't structurally sound. If they're not outside, then…."

A couple of hours later Neal went into Peter's office and collapsed into his accustomed seat. Peter followed a few moments later.

"I…I just can't listen to that anymore. I…." Neal shook his head. "I needed a break."

Peter nodded and sat down behind his desk. "You can take the rest of the day off." He looked around the office. "It's not like we're getting much done here anyway."

Neal shook his head again. "June would be hovering over me. She…she means well. But, I…I just think I would rather be here."

"Neal…" Peter said, to get Neal's attention. "...he's fine. He's…you said he has more lives than an ally cat. Even knowing him the short time that I have, I can see that. He's okay, Neal."

Neal nodded, again. But he didn't look convinced.

"We'll just sit in here and work for a while. If they see anything, somebody will be in here to get us." Peter replied.

Neal nodded and they worked in silence for an hour. Neal was finally able to concentrate a little better NOT sitting in front of the TV.

Peter stopped working for a moment and looked at his partner, his friend. He could see the worry on Neal's face. He could see it in his posture. It concerned him. Neal, to his memory, had never really looked worried, about anything. It just reinforced, for Peter, how important Tony and their friendship, kinship was to Neal.

Neal felt eyes on him and looked up.

"I've never seen you like this." Peter stated.

"I'm concentrating on the case, Peter." Neal replied. "I do actually do that, a lot."

"You know that that is not what I mean. And stop deflecting."

Neal closed the file and put it on Peter's desk. "Tony's family, really the only family I have. He's the only family that…that matters. It…he's known me the longest. You're read my file. You know. I…plus what I've told you. I just…I…he's it."

Neal stood and started to pace. "And if I could be, I would be on a plane right now…bound for D.C."

Peter stood up. "Come on."

Neal looked at him confused. "Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you home to pack. We'll stop by my house. I'll speak to El and pack a few things." Peter said, grabbing his coat. "I'll make the reservations in the car."

"What? Peter!" Neal said. "Hughes…what about…?"

"White Collar can do without us for a few days, and Hughes will understand." Peter replied, answering his questions.

Neal followed Peter downstairs and out of the building. "Why…why are you doing this?"

Peter stopped walking. He turned and faced Neal. "Because El is my family, the most important person in my life. I…on 9-11 when the…when the planes hit…we were together. I knew she was okay. She knew I was okay. I…don't know what I would have done had I not known. I just…I won't deny you knowing your family is okay. And if it means we have to go to D.C. to find out. Then we board a plane to D.C."

Neal was speechless; the only thing he could do was nod. They proceeded out of the building. They were on a plane about two hours later, headed towards D.C.

They arrived at the Naval Yard in D.C. to a scene of ordered chaos. The forensic team had finished gathering its evidence hours ago. Marines were now guarding the front of the building as a construction crews and a few rescuers were still hauling away debris and retrieving bodies and body parts. Peter and Neal stayed out of the way, off to the side, marveling at how anyone survived the devastation and looking for any familiar faces.

Jimmy Palmer had been down in autopsy for hours. He had autopsied…well he was not sure how many of his co-workers he had autopsied. He had lost count. He was now going home to catch a couple of hours of sleep and check in with Dr. Mallard. The explosion, Ducky's heart attack, and the abrupt change in wedding plans had him exhausted in more ways than one. He was more grateful than he could say to Director Vance for calling in ME's from sister agencies to help him. Palmer took of his glasses and ran his hand over his face and through his hair as he left the building. He was more than ready to leave the nightmare behind, at least, for a few hours.

"Jimmy." Neal called.

Jimmy looked around at the sound of his name. He soon spotted Neal and Peter. Jimmy looked at the both in surprise.

"Neal! Agent Burke! You two weren't in the building when…." Jimmy asked, very surprised to see them.

Peter shook his head.

"We…we've been watching it on TV. We're here…I've been trying to get in touch with Tony and…." Neal explained.

Jimmy nodded. "Tony was released from the hospital a couple of hours ago. I'm guessing he and Gibbs are together. Tim was treated and released. Ziva and Abby just had a few scratches. Gibbs…well, I don't think anything would dare to hurt Gibbs."

"What was…you said Tony was in the hospital. He's…." Neal asked a little panicked.

Jimmy smiled and shook his head. "Tony is okay. He and Ziva were trapped in an elevator for a few hours. Tony's lungs…they had to check him out because he was exposed to the smoke for so long. He breathed in a lot of dust, too. He's probably over at Gibbs' house."

Neal and Peter paused, waiting for Jimmy to continue.

"Tim was in the bullpen near the windows. He got a piece of glass in his side. Luckily the piece of glass was small, and the wound wasn't deep." Jimmy paused and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was so tired. "Gibbs and Abby were in the lab. They were able to get away from the windows down there. So, like I said, just cuts and bruises." Jimmy paused. "I was supposed to get married this weekend." Jimmy replied wearily. "Can I pick 'em or what? Then Dr. Mallard has a heart attack and…."

Tony had told Neal that Jimmy was getting married. He had not made the connection about the timing until now. "Ducky…what!?"

"We were in Florida. Dr. Mallard had come down early. Gibbs, Tony and the rest were supposed to join us as soon as the case was over. Then…then this happened, Gibbs called Dr. Mallard and told him, and…I found him on the beach. They got him to a hospital in time and saved his life. But when I heard about what was happening here. I…I had to come back home. Brianna, my fiancé, told me she understood, so here I am. Dr. Mallard encouraged me to come back, also. He will be back home as soon as he is well enough to travel."

"Ducky…he's going to recover. He's gonna be okay, right?" Neal asked.

Jimmy nodded. "He'll have a little time away from work. But his doctors think he can return."

Neal and Peter nodded. There was so much to take in that they both felt a little overwhelmed. Jimmy then excused himself and went on his way.

Peter called a cab. "What was that about Tony's lungs?" He asked as he and Neal waited.

"There was a biological terrorist attack here a few years ago." Neal explained. "Tony opened an envelope that contained Y. Pestis."

Peter just looked at Neal. He had no idea what Y. Pestis was.

"It contained the Plague; Pneumonic Plague to be exact, except it was genetically altered." Neal stated.

"The plague…genetically altered…!? What?" Peter asked, astounded.

Neal nodded. "It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie. But it was all true. Tony breathed in the powder. He got extremely sick. He almost died. The stuff was resistant to antibiotics. They did find something that worked. But there were still problems. And as a result, Tony's lungs were scarred. After what he went through, how he looked. I just…." Neal shook his head. "Now, anytime Tony has any respiratory issues, at all, anything. He has to be checked out. And he despises going to the doctor. He hates it with a passion." Neal replied.

"Sounds like somebody else I know." Peter replied smiling. "How do you know all that? How did you get to see him?"

"I may have been Dr. Thomas Johnson for a day or two at Bethesda Naval Hospital." Neal explained.

Peter just looked at Neal.

"What? I had to see him." Neal stated. "And, just so you know, I got close to being busted by Brad Pitt."

Peter just looked at Neal.

Neal smiled, understanding his confusion. "A doctor, not the actor, he's Tony's pulmonologist."

About twenty minutes later, Peter and Neal were at Gibbs' front door. Peter knocked on the door but found it moved when he did. He opened the door slightly and looked in, not wanting to step in, uninvited. He didn't see anyone. He then pushed the door open a little wider. He called Gibbs' and Tony's names, waiting for an answer.

Tony came out of the back bedroom at the sound of his name. He stopped in his tracks when he saw the visitors. He smiled broadly at the sight of his adopted brother.

"Hey, Kid." Tony said as the two of them embraced.

"Hey, big brother." Neal replied, very happy to finally see that his family was okay.

THE END

END NOTES: I wrote this on Christmas Day, so you're just going to have to like a sweet little happy ending.

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