Unintended Consequences

Disclaimer: White Collar is owned by Jeff Eastin and USA Network.

A/N: Incredibly busy week, not so good for creative juices or time management, but hopefully it's still good. Maybe one more chapter left after this, maybe two. We'll see. Thanks for staying with me!

Do you know if Grace is still in holding at FBI headquarters, or was she transferred to NYPD?"

Peter's agent senses may have been slower than normal, but he didn't miss the rapid paling of Neal's face.

"Peter…there's something you should know."

Chapter 22

"What's going on, Neal? What haven't you told me?"

"I think we should talk about this in the car. Why don't you call Jones first and explain the situation."

"What are you hiding from me, Neal?"

"I'm not hiding anything. Look, I'm going to tell you, just not here. Let's get to the car. It can't be much further. Besides, you don't look so good. Call Jones."

"From the looks of things, whatever you're hiding from me isn't going to make me feel any better anyway."

Neal declined to respond, but was grateful when he saw Peter's Taurus parked just a few feet ahead. He pressed the button to unlock the door and opened the passenger door for Peter as Peter sank into the passenger seat; grateful to be off his feet. Neal walked around to the driver's door and slipped behind the wheel. He slipped the key into the ignition, but didn't start the car. Neal looked over at Peter who looked like he could fall asleep right there. Neal decided to stall and see if Peter would fall asleep so that he didn't have to break the bad news to him just yet.

"Have you eaten anything today, Peter? You might feel better if we get you some food or coffee."

"Do you remember what happened the last time we went for breakfast and coffee?"

"I never said breakfast, I specifically said food, and I really think you need at least coffee."

"Stop stalling, Neal. We're in the car now. I'm sitting down, so you can tell me whatever it is that you want to tell me."

"I don't want to tell you anything, Peter."

"Enough already, what happened?"

"What happened to what?"

"WHAT HAPPENED TO GRACE?"

"You really need to calm down, Peter, the stress isn't going to make you feel any better. Just breathe. Breathe in, breathe out."

Peter completely ignored him, a low growl emitting from his throat.

"Neal. NOW."

"You never listen to me."

"You're being ridiculous."

"Have you taken a deep breath in or out? No, I didn't think so. You take a deep breath in and out and then once you're calmer I'll tell you, but I'm just warning you, I really don't think you want to know."

"Why don't you let me be the judge of that."

"Suit yourself."

Neal chuckled, wishing Mozzie was here to hear his "suit" reference, although Peter was definitely not laughing, but rather looking at him with a stony expression on his face.

"What happened, Neal?"

Neal just sighed. He guessed it was now or never as he looked over at Peter, not wanting to miss the reaction Neal was sure was coming.

"Sniper."

"WHAT?"

Neal continued to look at Peter with a carefully controlled expression and shrugged his shoulders.

"I told you you didn't want to know."

"Is she alive?"

"As far as I know."

"How do you know?"

"Jones told me."

Peter stayed seated in the passenger seat, but put his face down and pinched his nose with his left hand, trying to deal with this new information.

"Peter?"

Peter looked up at Neal ready to tell him to leave him alone, but there was a look in Neal's eyes that said there was something more going on.

"Since I'm the bearer of bad news anyway, Peter, I figured I should just throw this in there as well."

"What now?"

"Someone really was after Elle."

"What?"

"When Mozzie went back to get me the copy of Vermeer's painting, someone snuck in. Mozzie attacked him with a vase. I would assume it was probably the bouquet of flowers on the table because that would be the closest thing to grab. Mozzie knocked him out and called me. I called Jones and told him to get to your place. I assume Jones arrested him, so you'll have to get any further details from him."

"Was Elle there? Did Mozzie keep her safe?"

"Peter, honestly, I don't know. Jones said Elle was with Diana at the hospital after Grace had been shot, but I don't know which one. I don't know how Elle got there or if she was at all hurt. I just don't know."

Neal did look sorry, but Peter wasn't sure that it mattered as he rubbed his temples with the palms of his hands as if he could make the headache go away.

"Could this day get any worse?"

Peter hadn't realized he had said it out loud until he saw Neal shrug his shoulders.

"I hope not, Peter. I really hope not. Look, call Jones; tell him the situation. I'm sure he knows where Diana, Elle and Grace are."

Peter and Neal walked into the Mount Sinai Medical Center and up to Grace's room. The agent outside the door was expecting them and opened the door for them to enter. Inside, Elle heard the door open and immediately walked toward it. She saw her husband walk through the door and threw herself into his arms.

"Peter, I'm so glad you're safe. I was really worried about you."

"I'm okay, honey. I'm just really tired."

Elle let go and led Peter over to Grace's bed where she was still sleeping. Diana moved away letting Peter and Elle standing near the bed railing.

"I'll be just outside if you need me."

"Thanks, Diana, for everything." Elle gave Diana a smile as she let herself out of the room and Elle turned back to Peter. "Grace will be fine. The doctor said it could have been much worse."

"Thank God for small favors at least."

"Why don't you sit down for a few minutes, honey. You look like you could use a break."

Elle let go of Peter's hand as Peter sat down in the chair that Elle had been sitting in just a few minutes earlier. Elle moved away from the bed, stepped closer to Neal and gave him a hug. She leaned over to whisper in his ear so that Peter wouldn't hear.

"What happened? Where did you go? Peter went out to bring you your coat and you never came back! I didn't know what happened! Then Diana called and said I was still in danger. I've been here ever since."

Neal looked completely uncomfortable. He didn't want to lie to Elle, but he thought that Peter should be the one to explain to Elle what had happened. He didn't really want to have this conversation in front of Peter, so he took Elle's hand and pulled her to the far side of the room, hoping that Peter wouldn't be able to hear.

"I am so sorry about that Elle, it was completely my fault. I should have called. I…I'm sorry I didn't, but Peter's okay now. He just needs some sleep."

"Yeah, I noticed."

"Oh, and he hasn't had much to each, so you might want to get him something from the cafeteria."

"What have you two been up to?"

Neal couldn't help but feel guilty, and he was sure he wasn't fooling Elle.

"I think Peter should be the one to tell you, but you shouldn't worry. The painting was found and there are three guys in jail, so you should be safe. They will know you don't have the painting anymore."

Elle looked relieved and looked over at where her husband was sitting down near Grace's bed. She looked again and couldn't believe what she was seeing. She quietly walked toward Peter noticing his head leaning against the metal railing, his eyes closed and snoring softly.

"You weren't kidding about Peter needing sleep." Elle smiled and then turned and looked at Neal as he walked over to the bed noticing how peaceful both Grace and Peter looked as they both slept.

"Neal, why don't you help me get some food from the cafeteria. Probably just some sandwiches so that we can have something when Peter wakes up and is starving."

"Your wish is my command."

"Neal, I'm still getting the feeling that something isn't right here. There's nothing to feel guilty about."

Neal wouldn't meet Elle's eyes, so she put a hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes.

"I don't know what happened, Neal, but I'm glad you're here; you and Peter. I was worried about both of you."

Neal didn't want to start a conversation about this while they were still in the room so he moved to the door in hopes that he could distract her from asking further questions.

"Let me get the door for you."

Neal opened the door to Grace's hospital room and motioned for Elle to go out before him. Diana was talking to the agent stationed outside the door when Neal and Elle came out. Neal walked over while Elle stopped just outside the door.

"Is this really necessary, Diana? Are Elle and Grace still in danger?"

"Planning something I should be aware of, Caffrey?"

"I didn't mean it like that. I'm grateful that you're here, but if there are several guys in custody, are you afraid there might be more?"

"No, not really, but we didn't want to leave until Peter gave the all clear."

"That might be a while, he's in there sleeping. Elle and I are going down to the cafeteria to grab a bite, did you need anything?"

"Could you grab me a Diet Coke?"

"Sure. No problem."

Neal turned to the other agent.

"I'm sorry. I don't remember your name. Did you need anything from the cafeteria?"

"I'm good, Mr. Caffrey, but thanks for asking. My name is David, by the way." The agent extended his hand to Neal. "Nice to meet you."

Neal gave the agent one of his signature smiles and returned the handshake. "And you as well. Keep up the good work. We'll be back soon."

Grace opened her eyes her vision slightly blurry. She saw something off to her right, but was confused at first to what it might be. She blinked a few times and realized that it looked like a person sitting by the bed with their head down. Grace tried to remember what happened and why she was in what looked to be a hospital room. Her brain was still very fuzzy and she couldn't remember what had happened. She saw the person move and then saw two brown eyes staring at her and wasn't sure what to think.

"Grace. I'm so glad you're awake. I was worried about you."

Grace wasn't sure why this person would be worried and was trying to remember who this was or why they might be here, but she was too tired to put a whole lot of effort into thinking, so she said the first thing that came to her mind.

"Who are you?"