Neal tried to pretend nothing had happened. It was easy when he was taking a shower, easy when he was getting dressed. But not so easy when he looked in the mirror as he brushed his teeth. He looked like hell. His eyes were bloodshot, his face was pale. He shook his head, not looking back at the mirror after he rinsed his mouth. Going downstairs made it even more apparent that he couldn't act like everything was normal. The table was set for breakfast, a third plate set where there were normally only two. El smiled at him.

"Hey, Neal. How are you?" Her concern was only thinly veiled.

"I'm…I'm alright. Where's Peter?"

"He's still upstairs." She paused for a moment, letting Neal take a plate of pancakes and set it on the table for her. "Neal, you aren't thinking of going in to work today, are you?" He sighed.

"I was, but that tone tells me you think otherwise."

"I just- I worry, that's all. It's what women do. Especially women who are married to FBI agents. Its dangerous work, Neal. If you're off your game a little, you could get hurt. And you know that's the last thing we want."

"I know. Thanks, El." He kissed her on the cheek. "But I have to go in. I'm not going to feel any better sitting here than I will sitting there. I just need to forget, ok?"

"This isn't something that needs to be forgotten, Neal. No one expects you to do that. You've been hurt, and you need time to heal. If you don't give that to yourself…"

"I'll be fine, El. I've taken care of myself for a long time."

"But you've always had Kate. She was always there, wasn't she?" She brushed his hair off his forehead. "But now she's gone. And she wouldn't want you to be doing this to yourself."

Maybe it was the pity; he'd about had it with the pity, especially after the nightmare fiasco last night. Or maybe it was that she brought up Kate. Or maybe that she did that thing with his hair that Kate did when she was trying to calm him down. But it was probably all of it; at least that's what he figured as he yanked himself away from El's touch.

"You don't know Kate! You don't know what she wants!" He was surprised when his voice came out as loud as it did. El didn't make down, though.

"No, you're right. I didn't know Kate that well. But I do think I know what she wants. Because if she loved you, she wouldn't want you to be this hurt. She would want you to heal. She would want you to be happy. It's what every lover wants, Neal." This time, Neal knew what set him off. It was that silly little word, 'if'. 'If' Kate loved him. Of course she had, hadn't she?

"Just shut the hell up! It's none of your business!" He turned to storm out, but a very familiar pair of arms grabbed him.

"You are not going anywhere. And you are never, under any circumstance, to speak to my wife like that ever again. Do I make myself clear?"Peter sounded particularly menacing that morning. Neal didn't respond. "I said, Do I make myself clear?"

"Peter, please, It's my-"

"El. Stop." Peter tightened his grip on Neal. "Well, Neal?"

"…yea. Crystal, Peter."

"Good. " He let him go suddenly, pushing him away a little. There was an awkward silence as the three looked from one to another. Finally, El spoke.

"Well…we wouldn't want breakfast to get cold." She suggested. Peter nodded and moved to follow her to the breakfast table.

"You two eat, I'm going…to take a walk."

"Neal." Peter's voice was full of warning.

"Just a walk, Peter. It's not like you won't know exactly where I am anyways." He looked down pointedly at the leg with the tracking device. He left without another word.

"Peter, I'm so sorry, this is all my-"

"No. Shh, no it's not. He's going through a rough patch, but that's no excuse to act like that. He-"

"No, Peter, it is my fault. I brought up Kate. I know I shouldn't have, but I don't want him to go over work himself. He could get hurt. He could get you hurt."

"It's gonna take a lot more that Neal Caffrey to get me hurt, El. Just relax. Everything's gonna be fine. I'll go talk to him. We'll deal with this like men deal with everything." She smirked as he looked down to hide his own growing smile.

"I have a feeling cheap beer and junk TV isn't going to work for Neal, honey. Though they may get the rest of your men through whatever their wives put them through. This is serious. He lost the love of his life, Peter."

"She probably didn't even love him, El."

"Well, let him think she did. Breaking his heart twice isn't going to make anything better. He's already lost her once."

"I know, I know."

"No, you don't know, that's why I always have to tell you." She chuckled, squeezing his hand.

"Alright." He checked his watch. "Well, if I'm going to find Neal and make it to work on time, I better get going." She stood also, walking him to the door.

"Honey, just be careful with him" She advised as she straightened his tie. "He's really upset."

"I know. I will be. I love you." He kissed her, holding her close.

"I love you too. Have a good day at work, sweetie. And tell Neal I'm sorry about this morning."

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, it took Peter exactly seven minutes to find Neal. It would have taken five had it not been for the traffic. Neal was sitting on a park bench, looking in the direction of the flower garden, but Peter doubted that's what he was looking at. He shuffled his feet loudly as he approached, just to make sure Neal would hear him. 'Rule Eight: Approach slowly, with caution. Do not threaten or corner.' He sat down next to Neal, leaving ample space between the two of them. It was a testament to Neal's weariness that Peter caught the sideways glances as Neal checked to see who it was. Usually, it seemed Neal didn't have to look to know who was close to him.

Peter cleared his throat, looking at Neal, who continued to stare at the flowers. He searched for something to say. 'Rule Nine: For the love of God, do not talk about the weather.'

"So…You alright, after this morning?" Neal looked over at him.

"Look, I'm sorry I snapped at El like that, Peter." He seemed to sink lower into the bench.

"Well, you can make it up to me by letting me get to work on time."

"Really?" Neal grinned.

"What else am I suppose to do with you?"

"Well, I was hoping it didn't involve handcuffs or guns."

"Hmmm… Unfortunately, it does involve guns. Sort of. Hughes called about a case he wants us to work."

"Peter, I don't do guns. I don't like them. I'm a forgery guy."

"And an art theft guy, which is what this case is."

"Art theft with guns? How tactless." He muttered, as eager as Peter to forget the morning's transgressions.

"I thought you might think that. C'mon, get in the car and I'll tell you what I know while we're on our way."

AN: Thanks for all the great review, guys! Keep 'em coming! Also, if anyone has any CONSTRUCTIVE criticism on my writing style I'd love to hear it. I'm currently working on an original piece and am trying to get some opinions on my technique in this forum.