Reactions

When we arrived at the hospital there was a flurry of activity as the four of us were swept off into examination rooms while the other three waited for us in the waiting room.

The doctor assigned to me checked me over and took stock of my injuries. Then he stitched and patched everything up until I felt like I had lost a fight with a porcupine. When my obvious injuries were taken care of he took some blood for tests and did some basic checks to make sure there wasn't going to be any internal problems. Finally, I was released with a clean bill of health and allowed to join the other agents in the waiting room.

As I walked into the waiting room, I watched every head in the place glance to see who was exiting the back hallway. Jack and Don gave me nods of acknowledgement while Peter glanced at me briefly before answering his phone. Returning the nods, I took the seat acrossed from them and waited.

Peter paced on the phone off to the side of the space while Don and Jack made light conversation for a few minutes before returning to silence. When Peter came back over, he took his seat and asked me how I was like the others had before telling us what his call was about.

"They've finished checking out the van. There was a box placed on the side of the van which was used as jump point close enough to the computers for hacking the FBI database. When the investigators moved out to the likely point of origin for the attack…" He shuddered briefly. "They found a jammer strong enough to block all communication for several blocks placed next to a truck. Opening the truck they found a custom made gun designed after machine guns with the capacity to shoot armor piercing rounds big enough to shred the van."

Don rubbed his face with his hands in a combination of anxiety and anger. "This is going to be another one of those secrets we have to keep. My dad would have a heart attack if he knew Charlie had been in that or that we had basically faced a firing squad. Its days like this that keep him up at night afraid the next case might take us both out."

Jack was leaned forwards facing the floor. "I know what you mean. Sue's parents are very protective of her. If anything ever happened to her on my watch I think her mom would eat me alive… that is not even mentioning how upset the team would be."

Since Peter was remaining silent I decided to ask him how he was doing. "How are you doing Peter?"

Startled, he glanced up at me. "Huh. How am I doing? You're the one who was in that thing when it happened."

Clarifying, I asked him again. "I mean 'how are you doing' just like the question sounds. You just found the van shredded into holey Swiss cheese, feared your partner had likely been killed in such an attack, and then discovered that you don't even know who he is after everything that you have been through."

"Oh. I think those pictures of the van are going to haunt my nightmares for a few weeks and make me think differently about ever sitting in one again. Neal said he was arranging a meeting for me to be 'in the know' so I guess I'll find out who he actually is soon enough. Perhaps that will help me deal with the pictures running through my head. Although I know he's alright, I can't get the pictures out." He looked up at me and I could see the fear in his eyes but he kept himself under control despite it all.

In my peripheral, I saw Jack and Don shuddering as well but none of them were emotionally out of control. It was obvious they were extremely concerned even though they weren't crying or throwing tempers. I marveled at their control and found myself respecting them more than I had before learning about their partners.

"What's wrong?" We all jumped as none of us had heard Charlie approach.

Before anyone could think of an answer, Don was up and hugging Charlie again and pelting him with questions. "How are you? What did the doctor say?"

To relieve his brother's anxiety, Charlie gave him the papers to physically look over while trying to reassure him that he was okay. It took a few minutes but Don was reassured enough to let Charlie sit down. Peter had slid over a seat to make room for Charlie next to his brother and Jack threw in his relief at seeing the kid alright.

I knew that the question was somewhere on all of our minds and Charlie knew the answer. "Hey Charlie." He looked at me surprised as I had never really talked to him before. "When he was hiding us, you said you know who Neal actually is. Can you tell us anything while we wait?"

Suddenly he had Don and Peter's full attention.

Charlie got a look on his face as he tried to determine what to say. "Yeah, I have met him before and know of him. I consulted on some operations he was involved with so I have technically worked with him as himself twice."

He paused for a moment while he tried to get together some ideas as to what to say. Don directed him with some questions of his own. "Is he someone we can trust? What is he like as himself?"

"Well, he is one of the most trusted agents in the country. His actions in the field have made him a living legend and his heroism has protected a great deal. I don't know much about him outside of the field, but he is known to be stubbornly determined when he wants to be and very protective of those he cares about. Other than that, I either don't know or can't say." He shrugged to back his unwillingness to talk further.

It was enough. Don wasn't so worried about Neal being a threat to his little brother while Peter sat back and mulled over the vague description.

Trying to understand as best I could the best person to talk to was Peter. "Does that sound like the Neal Caffrey you know Peter?"

My sudden chattiness wasn't something that they were accustomed to but they took it in stride. "Yes and no. Neal is stubborn, protective, he has a legendary knack for the impossible, you can trust him when it counts, and he isn't above being a hero, especially for a damsel in distress. Still, as much as that can be made to fit him his being a heroic agent is going to take some getting used to."

This time we heard the door as Sue entered the room and caught the group's attention. Jack was up waving her over to us as soon as he saw it was her at the door. When she got closer he moved to meet her and asked if she was alright. She said that she was okay but going to be a little sore as she sat down. In response he signed some things to her and they carried on a conversation in silence for a few minutes.

Watching them was rather interesting. I couldn't hear a thing and yet I could see his worry for her and her gratitude in every facial expression and gesture. Suddenly, I got the impression that these two would be dating if there weren't agency rules against it.

When they had ended their personal conversation the group picked up some general talk. With the majority of our group sitting together it was inevitable that we talked about what had happened. No one got too detailed, but we all told a little bit of our own perspectives.

Eventually, Neal was released and caught up to us in the waiting room. When he walked over to us he handed is papers to Peter. "See, nothing that a few stitches and bandages wouldn't cover and time won't heal."

Peter inquired, "Then why did it take you so long?"

Neal shrugged. "I just had more to stitch and bandage I guess. Those guys weren't playing nice but there is no permanent damage done. Don't worry Peter, I really am fine."

With our group reunited we picked up and headed back out to the SUV Peter had borrowed to transport us all.

While we were walking Neal asked Charlie. "What did you tell them?"At Charlie's look he clarified. "I know you didn't tell them much but you would have said enough of nothing in particular to ease your brother's concerns so I would like to know what you said so I can try to be prepared for their reactions."

Nodding in understanding, Charlie answered. "I told them that you were trustworthy, a legend, heroic, and that I understand you to be very stubborn and protective."

"Hmm, it can be interesting what rumors have spread when you hear things about yourself."

Charlie looked angrily at him. "Don't try to put it off as being rumors. My sources are the agency directors themselves so they have direct access to your files to avoid rumor."

Neal gave him a dirty look that said he didn't want them to know that much.

Shrugging again, Charlie said "What? I didn't say anything particular and all of it was true."

Sighing, Neal gave him a world weary look. "You meant well Charlie but it is only going to make it harder for them to treat me like a con. My whole cover often relies on how others perceive me so I need to keep up appearances."

Peter threw in, "Oh I can threaten to throw you back into prison more often, check your tracking data more to ensure you're not off pulling missions, and keep you loaded down with enough mortgage frauds that you won't be giving me a heart attack like that again anytime soon!"

This had all of the other agents who witnesses the van shuddering. Seeing their reactions I remembered talking to them about what they had found.

When they had tried to contact us but were unable to get through, they raced back to help with their hearts in their throats. Arriving at the van, they were terrified to see it looking like Swiss cheese with so many holes it was a wonder that it hadn't blown up. As they approached it, each one of them was trying not to picture the mutilated bodies that might be inside, but when they opened the doors, they were greeted with a mess of destroyed gear and blood sprinkled everywhere. Their horror grew as they followed the blood trail away to where it was in puddles behind the cement wall from where we hid. After that they had no idea if we were alive, captured, or dead somewhere, but it was obvious that we were injured. Desperate, they moved to search the surrounding area in the hopes of finding us hidden somewhere while backup came to help clear the scene. As time passed, their search continued to come up empty causing their panic to grow. What had become of us?

After they had rehashed those memories at the hospital, they tried to thank me for protecting their partners. Honestly, I had to tell them that I was pretty much useless. The credit went to Charlie and Neal for fighting the cyber attack, Sue for picking up on what was being said to give us warning, and Neal for fighting off all of the attackers to protect us.

Realizing what the situation had put Peter through, Neal looked apologetic. "I'm sorry Peter. You'll probably be happy to stick me behind a desk for a while, but I'm a field agent so don't expect to keep me there forever. My… I want to say real boss but you are also my real boss, so I guess my other boss with the FBI has agreed to fill you in on what I am doing here while my agency boss will allow me to tell you some of who I really am. Congratulations, you're being promoted to being my official partner as Caffrey and as myself." Neal grinned at him trying to distract him with hints and clues to make him curios while not telling him too much in our presence.

"That isn't working Neal. I'm still not happy to hear that you not only went off on your own, but you refused to let us help you while you were severely outnumber." Peter was in boss role and reprimanded Neal.

"I was in less danger than the three of you coming after us because I'm armed with more than I can talk about. Once I can tell you about what the Intersect is, as I am one so you'll have to know, then I promise not to go off doing 'stupid things' without at least being able to give you an explanation of why. Does that help?" He widened his eyes expressively. I imagined he was using one of his conman techniques to try and win Peter over.

The more clues Neal shared the more Peter relaxed, but it was obvious he wasn't going to calm down quickly. "That had better be a very in-depth explanation with some serious warnings as to what to expect in the future." He laid down his demands.

"As in depth as it is safe to share and as much warning as I can provide." Neal held his hand up in the scouts honor sign.

"That is getting better." Peter offered an olive branch.

Thank you everybody for reading, reviewing/commenting, following, and leaving kudos :D I love reading about how much you all are enjoying my stories and occasionally enjoy checking the stats to see the growing number of readers. Although I write for the fun of it, it is nice to know that it is appreciated :)