White Collar: The Nightingale

Chapter Sixteen

"Okay, Neal, just hang on...everything's going to be okay."

Peter knew that Neal couldn't hear him and was saying the words out loud more to calm himself than to reassure the unconscious Caffrey. Reaching for his cell phone in his sash Peter was horrified to discover that he'd lost it somewhere between leaving Diana and finding Neal. Peter swore under his breath, he didn't want to just leave Neal here while he went for help, but he didn't have any choice.

"I'm sorry, Neal, I'll be back. I promise."

Peter's heart nearly failed him when Neal jerked awake with a violent gasp. Shivering hard enough to make his teeth chatter Neal fought to sit up. Afraid that he was going to injure himself Peter gently held him down. Crying out in panic Neal grabbed Peter's wrist and stared up at him with terror sparkling in his sapphire eyes.

"Neal, it's okay, it's me."

"Pe...Peter?"

Neal didn't look like he trusted what he was seeing. Peter forced a reassuring smile even though he knew they were far from out of danger. Neal shivered again as he tried to orient himself. Peter pulled off his silk kimono jacket and draped it over his friend, but the thin garment did very little against the cold. Neal relaxed visible even though he winched in pain as another shiver racked his body.

"Ho...how did you find me?"

"Satchmo helped."

"Good dog." Neal smiled weakly and closed his eyes.

Satchmo wagged hesitantly.

"Neal, stay with me." Peter said with concern. "Open your eyes, you have to stay awake."

Neal nodded, but it still took him a moment to pry his eyes open. Testing out his ability to move Neal weld his eyes shut and clenched his teeth against a wave of nauseating pain that managed to penetrate through the hypothermia. Feeling helpless Peter gently ran his hand through Neal's hair as though calming a child after a nightmare.

"Neal, I need you to stay here while I get help."

"No." Neal shook his head as he started to try and get up. "No, you can't leave me here."

"I will be right back." Peter assured.

"No."

"Neal..."

"Help me up...I can do this."

Neal made it clear that he was going to kill himself trying to follow Peter before letting him leave him here alone. Peter knew it was a terrible idea to haul Neal to his feet, but he didn't see any other choice. Despite laboring for each breath and growling in pain Neal was already halfway to being on his hands and knees.

"Wait, where is the injury?"

"Left side," Neal panted "just above my hip."

"Gun shot?"

"Through and through." Neal confirmed.

"Okay, I need to slip in on your right side, I'm going to have to put my hand over the wound. It is going to start bleeding like it was fresh when you get to your feet."

"They teach you this at the Academy?" Neal teased.

"Yes."

Neal managed a genuine smile. Peter circled around to Neal's right and helped Neal bring his right arm up over his shoulders. Taking a firm grip on Neal's wrist Peter brought his free hand over Neal's back and ran his hand down Neal's side. Neal cried out breathlessly when Peter found the devastating injury.

"I'm sorry." Peter apologized.

"Do whatever you need to." Neal growled in pain. "I trust you."

"Take a deep breath, we'll stand on three."

Neal nodded and took a deep breath as instructed.

"One...two...three..."

Peter pressed his fingers flat against the exit wound which allowed him to wrap his hand around Neal's side and push his palm against the entrance wound to keep bleeding to a minimum. Using all his strength Peter stood up and hauled Neal up along with him as he clamped down on the holes in Neal's side. Neal roared at the top of his lungs in a combination of pain and determination as he was forced to his feet.

Neal seemed steady standing for about a second before he nearly collapsed. Peter tightened his grip on Neal's wrist and use his purchase on his hip to draw him closer to help support his weight. Peter was shocked by how cold Neal's skin was. Although trembling Neal took a deep breath and managed to find his balance once more with Peter's help. Peter gave Neal a moment to just get used to standing before asking to move on.

"Ready?" Peter asked.

Neal just nodded and started moving blindly forward. Peter had the feeling that Neal would have just walked in a straight line forever if he hadn't pulled him towards the right to start their way back to the car. Neal did well getting down the slope towards the creek, but once they were by the water he was severely short of breath. Peter stood still and waited for Neal to be ready to cross the creek. Neal bowed his head for a moment and caught his breath.

"Peter...why are you barefoot?"

"A small Japanese woman took my shoes."

"Yeah," Neal nodded thoughtfully "same here actually."

Peter was impressed by Neal's ability to continue on their journey. He knew that there couldn't be much more than sheer will keeping him moving. Under his hand Peter could feel Neal's blood slipping through his fingers. Neal whimpered as Peter pressed harder against the wound, but he didn't pull away or complain. He seemed to get a little stronger as the effort heated him up slightly.

"All those years I was chasing after you I always did admire your ability to keep running." Peter admitted.

"I was too busy running to admire your determination to find me...I'm much more appreciative of it now."

The pair shared a chuckle, although Neal instantly regretted it. Satchmo circled them as they made their way through the forest. When they were forced to take a break leaning against a tree Satchmo took off in the direction of Diana and the car.

"Go get help, Lassie." Neal muttered. "Timmy fell down the well...and got shot."

"This probably hasn't helped your attitude towards guns."

"I hate guns...have I ever mentioned that before?"

"Once or twice."

Peter was reassured by Neal's light and somewhat cheerful tone. Neal silently requested that they continue. By the time they got to the original spot where the cell phone had been dropped Diana was running towards them being lead by Satchmo.

"Neal!" Diana exclaimed.

"Hello." Neal greeted warmly.

"Diana, go back to the car and turn the heater on high." Peter ordered.

"I'm freezing." Neal explained unnecessarily.

Diana looked like she wanted to ask more questions, but she turned around and raced back towards the Ford Explorer. Neal and Peter followed at a much slower pace needing to take frequent breaks to allow Neal to catch his breath as his heart and lungs worked desperately against the lowering tide of his blood. Peter was drenched in sweat by the time they were in sight of the SUV.

Opening the door to the large backseat Diana had Satchmo jump in first and get into the far back which he did gladly. She got in next and knelt on the seat to offer her hands to Neal to help him into the vehicle. It took almost as much effort to get into the car as it had to walk to it. Peter kept his grip on Neal's side as best he could as he joined him in the back.

Diana opened the door behind her and backed out once she got the two of them inside. Peter sat down with one leg stretched out on the seat and his back against the door so that he could keep his hand on Neal's side when he laid down. With his shoulders against Peter's stomach Neal rested his head against Peter's chest. Neal settled in and sighed in what almost sounded like contentment.

"I never thought I'd be warm again." Neal said.

"The nearest hospital is forty-five minutes away," Diana announced as she turned the Explorer around. "I'll have us there in twenty."

"We're going to die." Neal muttered.

"You're doing just fine." Peter assured.

"I meant all three of us, in a pile of twisted metal."

"I am an excellent driver." Diana said defensively.

With the Ford's emergency lights flashing Diana got them onto the highway in record time. Neal had fallen silent once the car was in motion. With each bump in the road he growled and panted in renewed pain. Reaching the limit of his endurance he started dry heaving, making the blood loss worse. Peter gently rubbed his free hand against Neal's stomach in a desperate attempt to calm Neal's nausea. Neal concentrated on taking everything one breath at a time and was able to stop retching. Peter was forcing himself to remain calm as he felt Neal's blood soaking them both. He wasn't sure just how much more blood Neal could afford to lose.

"Peter?" Neal asked quietly.

"Yes?"

"Did you think I had run?"

"I did."

"Clearly there's nowhere I can hide that you won't find me." Neal chuckled weakly.

"I think I've threatened you with that fact before. I hope this proves it to you."

"It does." Neal smiled sadly. "Thank yo..."

Neal suddenly convulsed sickeningly. Peter tried to hold the wound tighter, but the blood continued to pool. The warmer Neal became the harder his heart was able to beat, causing him to bleed out faster. Neal struggled to keep his eyes open, fearing what might happen if he closed them. Finding it difficult to breath Neal instinctively started trying to sit up. Peter brought his hand up to Neal's chest and held him closer to stop him. Neal stopped struggling reached up and put his hand over Peter's. Despite the heat in the car his hand was ice cold.

"We're almost at the hospital, stay with me."

"Peter...tha" Neal panted as his breath became increasingly shallow "thank you...for giving me a second...second chance."

"Neal..."

"I never deserved it..."

Neal became terrifyingly relaxed as he finally passed out. Peter's hand ached from keeping pressure on Neal's side, but he gripped down harder to try and stop the bleeding. Reaching up Peter pressed his hand against Neal's throat. Under Peter's hand Neal's heart was racing in an impossible rhythm as he began succumb to hemorrhagic shock. Peter closed his eyes as tears slipped down his face.

"Keep fighting, Neal. You don't just deserve another chance...you've earned it."