A/N Thank you soooo much for your reviews! I really enjoyed reading them. It means a lot to me and I still can't believe so many of you are still reading!
So now, we get closer to the end. I thhink there is just one chapter left now.
Enjoy reading and please let me know what you think about this chapter.
Thanks again ;)

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The first thing El was aware of was the darkness. Black, soothing and almost pleasing.

It was then, that she realised that in a matter of fact she was trapped here and she began to panic.

She felt something tight in her throat, that made it hard to breathe. She couldn't move. Couldn't talk.

She remembered being in a bright room. Remembered Keller, Neal, the gun and the pain. It was all about that stupid treasure, Peter had told her about. Peter. She couldn't leave him alone now. He needed her. She needed him. She had to get out of here, but how? She didn't even know where she was, yet.

All she could see were those pictures, flashing before her eyes. Keller's frantic expression as he pointed the gun at her. Neal tackling him. Neal with the knife in his side and his agonized expression. The blood stains on the floor. So much blood. The pain in her stomach. Pain? She couldn't feel any pain right now. Was that a good or a bad sign? Was she dead already?
No, that just couldn't be it!
With all her remaining strength she forced herself to open her eyes. She groaned under the effort. First, nothing happened. It just drained her, but then, after a few failed tries, she managed to crack open one eye a bit.

Bright, white light blinded her. Then, she saw a man bent over her. Her vision was still blurred, but she knew who the man was in an instant. It had to be Keller.

El desperately tried to catch her breath, but she couldn't. Something in her throat prevented it. She started coughing, which in fact sounded more like a death rattle. Now, she could feel the pain again. A burning and agonizing pain. It almost felt like her stomach was on fire.

El winced as the man grabbed for her shoulder and pinned her down again. At first she panicked and tried to struggle, but then a calming voice reached her ear. It was soothing and she noticed that the grip on her shoulder was more gentle than tight. She knew that voice, but right now she couldn't relate it. She felt herself calming down by the sound of the familiar voice. The pressure on her throat was removed and finally she was able to draw in a deep breath. Her stomach still ached as she did so, but it was more important to breathe now. El could hear other voices now, which she didn't remembered. She felt hands touching her, but it didn't matter as long as there was still this warm hand on her shoulder. She blinked a few times. Finally she could focus on the face above her. Her vision sharpened. The man wasn't Keller.

"Peter." Her voice was barely more than a weak whisper, but she knew that her husband had understood her, because a wide smile spread across his face. There were tears in his eyes as he toughed her cheek lightly with his other hand.

"El."

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The effect of the painkillers faded slowly. Neal could feel the pain in his side again. Not to mention his head, which was pounding angrily at every step he took. So he decided not to move.

At least they allowed him a little fresh air. A few hours on the yard of the prison. Better than nothing. He sat down on a bench which was attached to the floor. He closed his eyes and started to pitch the bridge of his nose to alleviate the throbbing pain in his head. It didn't work.

He still didn't know weather El had woken up yet, but Jones had promised to tell him and Neal believed him. At least he had much time to think about everything. Very much time if El won't wake up. He pushed the thought away. She would wake up. He would work through the trust issues with Peter and he would go back to his old life again. He just needed to hold on, just as Jones told him. Everything would be alright again.

It was just that moment as he heard approaching steps. Neal sighted. Hopefully it wouldn't be some guy he and Peter caught earlier. He really wasn't looking for any trouble right now.

Neal took a deep breath before opening his eyes. As he did, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. He knew the man who stood in front of him. He knew him very well and he knew that this evil smirk couldn't mean anything good.

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"Yes, I couldn't believe it either, but she's awake and the doctor's said she will be ok. She has to stay in hospital for a few more days for observation, but she's fine." Peter's voice was still a little shaky, but the tension had vanished from his face, leaving nothing but happiness.

"That's wonderful Peter. I can't tell…I'm so relived." Peter heard Diana's voice on the other end of the line.

"I think we all are. Listen I gotta go. Just wanted you to know she's ok."

After saying goodbye to Diana, Peter hung up and put the phone back in his pocket. He walked back to El's room. As he saw her sitting upright in her bed, waiting for him, his smile got even brighter.

"How are you holding up, honey?" He asked as he sat down on the chair next to her.

"Actually I'm really fine. A little dizzy maybe, but I suppose it's because of the painkillers they gave me." She smiled weakly. Still, she looked very pale and exhausted, but it was no surprise after all she'd been through.

"How is Neal?"

El's question caught Peter by surprise. His smile vanished as he looked up into the concerned face of his wife.

"He's fine." He said a bit to fast.

El frowned. She could always tell when he was lying to her. So she could now. Her concern turned into fear as she asked again.

"Peter, how is he?"

"Seriously, he's fine."

Peter couldn't help it. He didn't know what else to say. Actually the only thing he knew about Neal's condition was, that he was still alive and back in prison by now. Diana had updated him after he had woken up. It were just a few short sentences, actually. Diana had known, that he was still worried about El and she didn't want to burden him with Rice's investigation and Neal. Peter was grateful for that, but now as he looked into those concerned eyes of his wife, he wished, he had more to tell her.

"He's back in prison." Peter almost felt guilty as he said it. Even though he didn't know why. It wasn't his fault after all.

"What? Why? Didn't he tell you? It wasn't his fault! Mozzy took the treasure. He just tried to make it right again."

"He told me, but it's not my investigation anymore. Rice took over and she…"

"Since when do you care about that?" he was cut of by El "It's because you're trying to avoid Neal. But sooner or later you have to talk to him, honey."

El's voice was calm and soothing. Peter felt her warm hand on his and had to bit his lip as he looked into her honest eyes. He didn't know what he had done without her. She knew him better than he knew himself.

"But…El, it's just…I don't know what to think anymore. He betrayed me, again. He stole the Degas, hid the treasure from me…"

"Peter, you just think about all the mistakes he made in his life. About all the things he'd done wrong in the past. I know you like it if you can count on something, but Neal really tried. He told me that Mozzy wanted to go away with him, but Neal didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay here. Yes, he stole the Degas and didn't tell you about this treasure, but he did it not only for himself, but to protect Mozzy, his friend. Just as he protected me and wanted to protect you. You have to look past these mistakes to see the greater meaning. He didn't deserve prison after all he did. You know that, Peter. He risked his life to save mine. He didn't let us down. He always had your back. It's difficult, I know. But please, try to understand. For me, because I owe him and I promised him that we'll work this out together."

Peter's eyes were locked on the floor as he let El's words sink in. She was right, like always. Neal always had his back and he could count on him when it matters. Maybe he really had to look past the mistakes to see Neal's real face. He remembered Neal saying 'Give him time, Peter. People don't chance over night." He was right. 'But they do change.' He heard his own voice in his head. Maybe Neal had changed and he was just too boneheaded to see it.

He felt El squeeze his hand gently and he looked up again to see her crooked smile.

"I know it's difficult. But we survived. We are still here and we have to work this out. Together."

Peter smiled weakly again. She was right. There was nothing they couldn't do, as long as she was here, by his side.

"Love you hon." His voice wasn't more than a whisper as he kissed her gently to the forehead.

"I love you, too."

It was a perfect moment until the ringing of Peter's phone interrupted the silence.

It was Diana again.

"Yeah Diana, what's up?"

"It's about Keller Peter." Peter's head jerked up by the sound of the name.

"What is it?"

"Rice arrested him."

Peter furrowed his brow in confusion. That was good, wasn't it? He couldn't understand why Diana sounded that concerned.

"She didn't tell us about it. I was a few hours ago. They brought Keller to prison."

"Neal!" Peter managed to get out as he jumped to his feet.

"Yes Peter, we know Keller. He wants revenge. He's gonna kill Caffrey if we don't get there in time. Jones and I are on our way, but we are stuck in traffic. The prison is not far from the hospital…"

"I'm on my way!" Peter cut her off and ended the call.

"It's Neal." He just answered to El's worried look. Then he rushed out the door.

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A/N2: Didn't see that coming, did you? xD