Chapter 4

Peter just stared at June realizing that she was right, Neal probably would never want to see or talk to him again. He sighed and started to leave. He turned and looked back when He realized that El was not with him.

June seemed to read his mind. "El will tell you what you need to know." She finished, looking at El, letting the young woman know that her anger was directed at her husband, not at her.

June really needed El's company. She managed to hold onto her emotions until Peter left the hospital. June then gave the young woman a huge hug. The older woman allowed the dam to break and the tears flowed down her cheeks.

El stepped back for a moment. Part of her wanted to leave and be with her husband. But she also knew that he would probably head back to the office and work. She knew Peter well enough to know that he was feeling especially horrible right now. But, she also knew him well enough to know that he would not want to talk about t it, not yet. El watched him go.

"Neal…he's, he's gonna be alright." El said. She felt her own tears flowing. Her heart ached when she thought about all that Neal had gone through. She wondered if he thought he was going to die right there on the floor of the prison.

After many long hours of surgery, Neal was finally wheeled out and put into the surgical ICU. His entire body seemed to be covered with either bandages or bruises. His face was bruised and his right eye was swollen shut. He was on a ventilator and had various other tubes in his body, all to make sure that his body continued to function as it should. But, unfortunately, over the course of the many hours of surgery, Neal had lapsed into a coma. And nobody knew if he would be strong enough to pull himself out of it.

El and June went into the room together. The Marshal, Dean Jensen, who was guarding Neal, knew Peter and had met Elizabeth before. He had even talked with Neal on a couple of different occasion and had come to like the young conman. So, he had no problem letting El and June in. His heart went out to Neal. And he had heard that patients recover quicker if they know they have somebody with them, even if it can only be for a few moments at a time.

El's hands shook as she tried to find a place that she could touch him that was not covered with either bruises or bandages. She finally just touched his head running her fingers through his hair. And she knew, almost immediately that it was having an effect on him, relaxing him. His pulse seemed to slow just a little as she spoke to him.

"Hi, Sweetheart, it's Elizabeth. You're in the hospital right now. You were hurt pretty badly, Sweetie. But you're gonna be okay." She knew Neal could not answer him. But she hoped that he could, at least, hear her and feel her fingers in his hair. She used her other hand to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"El's right, you know, Darlin'." Jun stated. "You're gonna be fine. You're gonna come back to us, Neal. We love you. I love you. And I'll be here, right here, Darlin', for as long as I can be." June paused. "They're telling us we have to leave now, so that you can rest. But, as soon as I can, I'm coming back. They have our numbers, Darlin. If you need anything…just get better, Baby. Please wake up…please." She pleaded, tears in her eyes.

WC WC WC WC WC

Peter was bombarded with questions as soon as he got back to the office. Diana and Jones had told the others in the office what they had found out. But none of them had been able to go to the hospital yet, of course. So they had no idea how bad off Caffrey really was or how good or bad he looked. But, Peter could not tell them that information either. He had been kicked out of the waiting room by June. Well, he had left. He hadn't really been kicked out. But, the lady had been correct. Peter had sent Neal back to prison with a target on his back. The agent had no delusions as to what prison life would be like for the young conman. And, god help him, part of him thought that Neal deserved whatever bad treatment he got in prison.

Peter shook his head. He had never wished this on Neal. He could barely keep his phone to his ear as he heard El describe what she had seen in his hospital room. It hurt, it was like an aching physical pain. But, he forced himself to listen, as another strong emotion came to the forefront. Peter had two people, two targets, in his sights: the guard who made the video and the agent who ratted Neal out.

Peter was not sure how June had found out that particular piece of information. It had not been mentioned by the news media. He could only guess that June had called the bureau and somebody let it slip. The agency was usually tight-lipped about things like that, it just created a public-relations nightmare that the agency did not need. But, that being said, Peter was going to find out who the idiot agent , or the prison officer,was who intentionally put Neal's life in danger and rip him a new one.

Peter had been careful what he had told the prison officials when he arranged for Neal to be returned to Riker's. The agents knew that the higher ups would know a great deal about Neal and his past with the FBI. But, that is usually where such information stopped. The officials never revealed that information to guards, and absolutely never to inmates. The prison higher ups knew that some of the guards empathized with the inmates, and they would do as Neal's guard had and try to 'eliminate' snitches.

Peter had no delusions. He knew that whatever he did to find out, whatever he did to help prosecute, the person or persons who leaked the information, it would not help him to heal his relationship with Neal. He was not sure that the conman would ever forgive him. And, if the agent was honest with himself, he was not sure he deserved forgiveness.

TBC

ENE NOTES: To all my fellow SPN fans, I just loved the irony of giving the name 'Dean Jensen' to a U.S. Marshal. (hee, hee) I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I am not sure how I am ending this, or how many more chapters there will be. But, I do appreciate you all for coming along for the ride. Thanks, as always, for reading, reviewing and alerting. JL