Neal jerked awake, a scream lodged in his throat. His panicked blue eyes darted around until they settled on a sleeping FBI agent.
"P'ter" he choked, desperate for Peter to wake up.
"Neal…what is it?" Peter slowly blinked his eyes open.
"W-w-what…?" Neal gasped.
"Hey, hey you're okay. Just relax. I need a doctor!" Peter yelled the last statement, hoping that someone out in the hallway (namely Jones or Diana) would hear him. Neal leaned into Peter's chest, trembling fingers grasping at Peter's shirt.
Jones and Diana burst into the hospital room with a doctor.
"Boss, what's wrong?" Diana asked worriedly.
"It's Neal. Something's wrong" Peter gestures helplessly as the doctor quickly pulled an oxygen mask from Neal's bedside and secured it over Neal's face. Peter turned and watched, feeling helpless, as Neal frantically tried to pull at the mask. Peter moved forwards next to Neal and comforted him, gently pulling his hands away from the oxygen mask and rubbing between his shoulder blades in order to calm down the teen. The doctor came over with a small syringe and fiddled with Neal's IV, injecting the sedative.
Neal's terrified blue eyes found Peter's calm brown ones and he visibly relaxed.
"Neal…can you tell me what happened?" Peter asked calmly.
"Just a nightmare" Neal replied, a faint blush spreading over his otherwise colorless cheeks.
"What was it about?" Diana queried, coming to stand behind Peter.
"Nothing" Neal's blush deepened and he looked away from the two questioning agents.
"Burke?" Jones had stepped out to take a call and now he held his phone out to Peter.
"Hello?"
"Peter, what happened? I got a call and they said you were in the hospital. Are you okay? Did you get into an accident?" came Elizabeth's frantic voice into Peter's ear.
"Hon, I'm fine. It was nothing-"
"What do you mean it was nothing?! Why did the FBI call and say you were in the hospital?!" El was practically shrieking.
"El, I finally arrested Neal Caffrey and-" Peter got cut off again.
"So why did they say you were in the hospital?"
"Hon, I'm in the hospital with Caffrey because he needed an escort. He was shot by the NYPD" Peter patiently explained.
"Thank God. Are you coming home for dinner tonight?" Now that one of her main concerns was taken care of, Elizabeth voiced her second worry.
"I'm not sure yet. Is it those tasty little chickens?"
"Cornish hens. And, yes it is. So be home!" El said huffily.
"I'll try. Love you, hon" Peter smiled.
"Love you too."
"Caffrey's asleep" Diana came out.
"Good…good. Diana, do you think you or Jones could stay here overnight? It's just that El wants me home for dinner and…"
"Sure boss, no problem."
Peter sighed happily. He was just sitting down to dinner with his wife and his dog at his feet.
El placed two steaming plates on the table, "hon, I'll be right back. I'll just get the wine."
As El went into the kitchen, the phone rang.
"Peter!" she called from the kitchen.
"Hello?" Peter said, praying that this call wouldn't take long. He really did like those little chickens.
"Boss. It's Diana."
"What's wrong?" Peter asked suspiciously.
"It's Caffrey. He's on the roof and threatening to jump."
"That doesn't sound like Neal" Peter replied, a feeling of dread settling in his belly.
"Boss, I think you should come over here. He's been talking about Kate Moreau."
"Diana-" Peter sighed.
"I'm just saying…"
Peter slammed the door of the Taurus and stared up at the illuminated roof of the hospital. He could just see a silhouette against the night sky and groaned.
Diana met him at the front door.
"This way, boss."
"I thought Caffrey was asleep."
"He was. The doctor was sure about the amount of sedative he gave him. Caffrey was supposed to be asleep until the morning" Diana said coolly.
Peter just looked at her.
"He must have pulled out the IV as soon as we left and not gotten a full dose. Jones and I were outside the room, so Neal must have gotten out of the window."
They reached the roof and Peter saw about twenty agents and a few doctors all aimlessly milling around and studiously avoiding the lone figure at the very edge of the roof.
"Have you tried talking him down?" Peter asked.
"Yes. He ignored us and only threatened to jump" Jones came up to Diana and Peter.
"Alright. I want all of these agents gone."
"Gone?" both agents echoed incredulously.
"Yeah. Caffrey's not coming down, not with everyone standing here."
Peter stood and watched as Diana and Jones effectively cleared everyone except for Peter and Neal off the roof in a matter of minutes.
"Neal" Peter said softly, tentatively walking forward until he was only a few yards from the teen.
"Peter," Neal turned.
"Why? This isn't something you'd do."
Neal only looked at Peter, his eyes shining with tears. Peter took another step towards Neal, grateful when Neal didn't move.
"Do you really want to?" Peter gestured to the edge of the roof, "do you really think it'll bring back Kate?"
Neal stared at Peter in shock.
"You thought I didn't know about Kate Moreau?" Peter almost wanted to grin, because for once he had bested Neal Caffrey. Neal sank to the ground, his head buried in his hands. Peter took this opportunity to walk the remaining distance to Neal.
He placed a hesitant hand on Neal's shaking shoulder.
"Neal…I-I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
Peter slid his arm around Neal and pulled the kid closer. He rubbed Neal's back, listening to the ragged sobs that shook the teenager's body. The agent lost track of how long he stayed in the slightly uncomfortable position with Neal huddled against his chest. Eventually Neal's breathing evened out and his head lolled loosely against Peter's shoulder. Peter stood up, careful not to jostle Neal as he gathered the now unconscious forger in his arms.
A/N: I am sorry for such a delayed post! Life has been hectic, but I hope you enjoy this chapter! I appreciate any thoughts on my stories!