(Chapter 12)

Peter woke up when they nudged him as the helicopter landed on the roof of the hospital. He was groggy still, his body finally giving in after the short burst of adrenaline he'd had to go back into the icy water after Neal. It could also be the after effects of whatever drug Jankov had given him but for now he just let them lead him to a gurney and strap him in as he watched them lower Neal to the ground and hurry them both inside from the cold. It was still windy and foggy with some rain but the staff kept them covered up and protected as they entered the building and headed down. They put them in separate elevator due to space, Peter wanting to be with his friend but too tired to fight the medics as he watched the young man disappear into the other car. The ride down seemed to be the longest yet till he heard the ding and they arrived at the ER, Neal was just being wheeled in ahead of him to another room.

"Agent Burke, stare up at the light and follow it with your eyes, ok?"

Peter squinted up at the light but did as he was told. He heard them speaking around him as the test ended and he closed his eyes. Someone grasped his wrist in their hand gently, taking his pulse he guessed as another person placed something cold and metallic against his chest he knew had to be a stethoscope. He just went with it, eyes shut as he tried to relax.

"All his vitals seem good but his temperature's a bit low. Let's get him under some blankets and on an IV stat!"

The voices faded away as his mind went back to that day when he thought he'd lost his partner for good.

Peter stood with his gun pointed at the masked man who had turned at the sound of his voice. They hadn't expected him obviously. He watched Neal kick the guy hard, head butting him as the gun fell aside and he ran towards the front of the boat, unable to move past the masked man to reach Peter. The masked figure started for the railing when Neal tripped him up, diving at him as they struggled on the ship's railing before falling overboard to the waiting speed boat below. The memory changed when Peter made a dive for it and just barely fell to edge of the other boat, slipping down into the craft and hitting his shoulder hard. He heard the cocking of a gun and looked up at one of the crew holding a gun on him as Neal and the other man struggled.

"Looks like we get to shoot the Fed after all. Conners said it would just be his pet con."

He felt anger rise up in him, hearing the name of the man who'd led them into this. Conners had used them to pursue his criminal pursuits, Peter letting his anger get the better of him as he rose up and shot, the gunman falling aside with a groan of pain as Neal and the masked man paused and turned to see Peter holding his gun up at the crooks.

"You're all under arrest! You have the right to remain silent... you are entitled to an attorney..."

He would have gone on but for a quiet popping sound, Peter looking down to see a red stain through his beige jacket. He saw the look on Neal's face as he gazed up from his fight, struggling to free himself of the masked man to help him. Several men jumped the con and held him back, a cry coming from Neal's lips as Peter collapsed to the floor of the boat, the masked man who'd held Neal smiling down at him.

"Looks like we'll get rid of both of you after all. Tie them up and throw them both overboard!"

Peter saw the tragic look on Neal's face as someone clocked the young man across the back of the head and he slumped, men tying him up as the agent watched helplessly, his body shuddering from the pain of the chest wound. It was getting hard to breath, someone looming over him as the man in the mask crouched there. They took his chin in their masked hand and turned his face upwards.

"Should have let your little pet go, Fed. Now you're both going to die."

The man chuckled darkly as the nightmare slowly faded to darkness and someone called out to him.

Peter... Peter wake up. Hon?

He slowly opened his eyes and found himself staring up into two blue ones, dark hair framing a face he couldn't have found more lovely or comforting.

"El?"

His voice cracked as he sat up with a wince and looked around. He was in a curtained space hooked up to monitors and one IV. Elizabeth sat beside him in a small chair, her hands holding his protectively.

"Hey... lay back down. Doctor wants you to rest a bit before they can release you. Said you were a bit dehydrated and your temperature's a little low. Did you want something to drink? He said if you woke up I could give you some water."

He nodded tiredly, head slumping back to the pillow as she reached behind for a bottled water and opened it up.

"Drink slowly ok?"

Peter sipped the water hungrily till the bottle was nearly empty, his wife helping him sit up to drink as he continued to lay there. She looked tired if not a bit pink in the eye from crying. He didn't like worrying her as he reached up to hug and kiss her.

"Someone missed me. I missed you too, hon."

He smiled up at her and nodded.

"More than you would have believed, hon. Where's Neal? Is he ok?"

She nodded, closing up the bottle again and placing it on the floor by the chair.

"His wound was superficial for a gun shot. They gave him a small transfusion since he lost a bit of blood but said he should be out either tomorrow or the next day. He's pretty exhausted and was running a fever when they brought him in. They have him in a room so once you are cleared to leave we can visit."

She brushed gently at his hair as he nodded and touched her cheek. He had never missed his wife so much as when he thought he might never see her again. El seemed to sense his worry and hugged him as she lay her head on his shoulder from the chair.

"You're safe and he's back for good Peter. We'll have to help him decide what to do once you're both healthy again."

She kissed him on the lips and he smiled up at her as he reciprocated and they hugged. Someone suddenly pulled the curtain aside startling them both.

"Ah... sorry, didn't realize this was the R-rated section of the ER. I'll come back."

Mozzie's voice broke the mood, Peter glancing up at the sight of the little guy they hadn't seen since shortly after Neal's disappearance. Elizabeth seemed surprised as well, both smiling at the little guy as she got up and gently grasped his arm.

"Mozz... It's been a long time."

She grabbed him in a slight hug when he finally turned to acknowledge her. Peter was surprised the little guy actually hugged her back although his nervousness about hospitals was in full swing. They pulled apart and he watched as the con was looking around uncertainly, Mozz's eyes finally meeting Peter's.

"So... Suit. Glad to see you're in one piece. Where is Neal?"

Give it to Mozz to not pussyfoot around the matter. Peter sat up with El's help and smiled.

"In a room from what I heard sleeping. He was unconscious when I came in. He's had a hard time of it. You should go visit with him."

Mozzie nodded, El turning to him as another figure walked up.

"June! I guess you convinced him to come. Neal's in room 217. We're going up as soon as the doctor says Peter's ok to leave. They're monitoring his temp and fluids."

Neal's landlady nodded, coming into the small space to talk to them a moment.

"I'm glad you're doing better, Peter. Hopefully all this business is over and taken care of?"

She seemed to be asking him something but he just nodded.

"Yeah, dead and buried to say the least. I think this will keep Conners from using any kind of 'loophole' to say he really didn't kill Neal. He's going away for a long time."

June was more than familiar with case, having gone to the trial as support for El when Peter had to testify. It had been hard on everyone including Mozzie who had vanished till recently. The little guy moved closer and looked at him curiously.

"So you knew about Conner's involvement? I only just found out a few weeks ago. I was keeping it to myself till I could get more details but it looks like you finished the job, Suit."

He seemed impressed, grasping at his messenger bag around his body like a security blanket. Peter smiled.

"Jankov or Lynkos told me everything just before he died."

He left out the near shooting part for now. He could tell El later when they were alone and things had settled down, but for now, he was back and so was Neal. Where things stood with the young man they'd find out soon enough. Mozzie nodded at the names.

"That was the captain of the smuggling ship. I had his name. His alias was Lynkos but his real name was Alexandre Baltizar Jankov. He used to be a surgeon in the Baltic region till he was accused of playing God with his patients and asking for favors from them to perform surgeries and give medicine. He corrupted a lot of innocents and killed more from what I read."

El's face looked pale at the thought of someone doing such horrible things to innocent patients. June didn't look happy at all as Peter made a 'cut it' sign to which Mozzie finally stopped despite himself. When it came to knowing something, the con liked to go all the way in telling his story but this was too much right now.

"Can you fax a copy of that to me, Mozz. I think you know my number."

He winked at the little guy who shook his head.

"I'll get you a hard copy. You're not getting my new numbers that easily, Suit."

Peter sighed in a bemused manner, nodding as the little guy turned to leave and June saw him looking back at her.

"I think I should go with him. I'll be back soon."

June hugged them both before following the anxious con out of sight. El closed the curtain again, hugging her husband to her.

"We're alone again."

Peter said it with a low husky sound, El looking up at him funny.

"Not here... but I will kiss you."

Peter frowned in mock disappointment as they kissed and he mumbled.

"You look thirsty."

She laughed, slapping his arm playfully.

"No but you still look pale. More water, hon?"

()()()

It seemed like days before his eyes opened, maybe hours but it couldn't have been that long as he followed the voice, swimming up through the cold darkness. He was flashing back to seeing Peter as he freed him and stayed below, drowning. Neal felt like he was hyperventilating, the sound of an alarm buzzing nearby as someone spoke excitedly, a hand gently grasping at his own as another brushed at his hair. There was an answering voice, another he recognized. They were both speaking to him and each other, worried tones to their voices until slowly the alarms started to quiet as he relaxed. Another set of hands took his other hand in theirs and he knew who they were as he had known the first speaker. Finally he felt his eyes open and he could see brightness, closing them again.

"Bright."

He heard his voice say hoarsely as people moved around him and he heard a clicking of something and sensed the light had become dimmer from beneath his closed eyelids. He tried to open his eyes again and saw two blurry forms before him on either side both slowly focusing into a set of brown and blue eyes respectively.

"Peter? El?"

His voice was a bit hoarse as he coughed and tried to sit up, wincing as his shoulder ached and they gently tried to hold him down. He heard a door open and turned to look beyond Peter to see someone in scrubs enter the room.

"He's awake. I saw the alarms went off."

The doctor smiled at them as he moved closer and looked at the clipboard for Neal a moment before putting it back at the end of the bed and doing some preliminary checks.

"How are you feeling, Mr. Caffrey? You and your friend here were very lucky to come out of this with little injury. I think you can go home tomorrow if this fever goes down by then. You're doing very well with your wound and it's healing quite well."

Neal smiled up at the doctor seeing his look echoed in the faces of his friends, that look of relief.

"Thanks doc. Sure I can't go home today? Would be nice."

The doctor winked and shook his head.

"Sorry, you only just woke up and we need to monitor your fever. It's still pretty high. Once you get back into the 90s which should be soon, you can be released. Ok? Just rest up. You'll be home soon enough."

He nodded upwards, slumping back into the mattress tiredly. He turned to see El lean over and kiss him on the forehead.

"Yes, you're still too warm, young man. I'll get you some water if that's ok, doctor?"

The physician nodded as he spoke with them about this and that before finally leaving them. Elizabeth handed Peter the cup of water leaving after a bit to get some ice chips for Neal and coffee for the rest of them. As the door quietly clicked closed, Peter helped Neal sip from the cup before giving a little sigh that made the younger man look at him.

"Something wrong Peter? Don't think I haven't noticed the looks between you and Elizabeth."

Peter didn't know how to broach the topic and obviously El had left for legitimate reasons along with the understanding they'd come to that HE would tell Neal what was up. Peter had only been released from the hospital the day before and Neal had still been unconscious when they'd visited. The doctor had said the young man was doing fine except for the fever from ingesting too much water and the cold temps. The doctor was surprised neither of them were suffering from more than minor exposure to the elements considering the length of time they were there and their dunk in the icy water.

"Neal... I was talking to Hughes about a position for you in the FBI as a consultant. You would have to go through some training but I think it would be a good opportunity. It would help pay for a place of your own although June offered to let you stay with her till you get your feet under you again."

This wasn't coming out the way he thought or the way they'd discussed it. El would not be happy with him and he could see the walls coming up just a little behind Neal's eyes. Peter silently cursed at himself standing up and moving away as he paced a bit. After a moment of trying to come to a conclusion about what to say, he heard a cough and turned to see Neal sitting up a bit.

"You don't seem very happy about this, Peter. If you want me to leave, I would understand. There's no obligation anymore from what I understand. Our agreement is over."

Neal's voice sounded a bit uncertain, lacking emotion as if he wasn't ready to show what cards he held. Peter shook his head, moving back over and sitting beside the con.

"El's going to kill me for messing this up... I want you to stay, Neal. I just don't want to push you if you'd rather leave. I'd understand. I had this all straight in my head last night but now it's just... well you know how I am with this kind of stuff."

Peter ran a hand through his hair, a chagrined look on his face as he saw Neal relax some but still keep those walls that he had become more than familiar with up and fortified.

"Yeah... I guess I haven't really thought about things under the circumstances. Lynkos made it pretty clear I wasn't going to get away but I did. I'm not certain what to think anymore."

He left it at that, a sort of light tension between them. Peter didn't know what to do to ease it but there was a kind of unspoken truce to act natural as the door opened up and Elizabeth returned. She carried three cups, one of which tinkled with ice. They were too quiet so maybe she suspected something as she handed a coffee to Peter and the ice chips to Neal.

"Neal, you're going to stay with us once you're out but June said you're welcomed back when you're ready."

El was looking at her husband curiously, his face slightly red but she noticed the same kind of nervous look from Neal.

"You know you're always welcomed with us. Besides, I could use an extra palette to test my sample dishes with. I pay well."

She was giving him her best smile, Neal finally smiling a bit less tensely.

"Thanks... really I mean it. I just need some time to think about everything."

She nodded, kissing him gently on the forehead as she brushed his hair from his face. Peter smiled from his side of the bed but she just turned and smirked at him slightly.

"I guess your little talk fizzled?"

Peter shrugged helplessly, Neal smiling between them at the scene.

"I tried but you know I'm bad at this stuff. I did let him know about the job and staying with us or June. Think about it. I'm not going to let up till we get an answer."

Neal nodded at the agent everyone relaxed again for the most part. He gave a tired little yawn as El took the cup of ice from him and put it on the nightstand.

"Rest Neal. We'll pick you up once they say you're good to go."

He gave a little tired nod of his head as Peter mussed his hair, then patted his shoulder gently before they both started out the door.

"Call me if you need anything."

Peter was smiling at him as he left the room and turned to his wife. She had her hands on her hips with a look he knew all too well.

"I did tell him everything... hon. Dear?"

He pulled her close to him and she nodded with a curious smile.

"I know but that agent in you is hard to control. He has no bedside manner. He's going to scare Neal away."

She tweaked his nose and he blinked back with a sly look.

"Well Agent Burke is off the clock and Peter Burke is officially here. I already talked to Hughes last night about things. He says they are willing to accommodate a position for Neal due to his service with us in the past. It's not a common thing so he had to pull a few favors and strings but it looks like a go."

She smiled back, kissing his lips.

"Well that's good news if he takes the job. Neal still seems a bit uncertain of how things stand. It's understandable considering what happened and his experience. Take it easy with him, Peter."

oOoOoOo

Author's Note: Is FF having issues again? Here's another chapter. Still trying to think how to end this. LOL Hardest part when there's so much I could keep writing on plus the fact I have an idea for a great AU story. Mum's the word for now. :P