Neal miserably curled up on the chair. His head was pounding sickeningly and he was already wishing he had never taken this job. He didn't think he could fake his way out of this one. The agents had taken him back to FBI headquarters and locked him in this office.
Neal looked up with a soft groan as someone knocked on the door.
"Thought you might be hungry" a dark-skinned young woman stood at the door, holding a sandwich and a bottle of water.
"Thanks" Neal cursed himself mentally, hating to sound so weak. He ate the sandwich in about three enormous bites. Then he wished he hadn't done that.
Neal didn't have the strength to hold back the nausea, and he retched on the floor. Groaning, he huddled on the floor, too tired to do much else. He sighed and finally let his eyelids drift closed as he succumbed to sleep.
"Agent Burke?" Diana asked. Peter glanced up, Diana immediately catching his attention.
"What?" He didn't think he'd ever seen his probie look so nervous.
"It's Caffrey. I don't think he's doing so well."
"He's a con and a forger, it's probably just acting" Peter said dismissively.
"Then he should be getting an Oscar for this performance."
"That bad?"
Diana nodded in response and Peter sighed heavily, standing up and followed Diana. When they got to the room where Neal was being kept, all he could see was a hunched form on the floor. Peter felt a twinge of guilt; he should've noticed noticed Neal was sick.
He pushed past Diana and knelt next to Neal's still form. Peter gently rested a hand on Neal's sweaty forehead; even with his medical inexperience, he could tell Neal had a fever.
"Burke?" Diana's voice snapped him back.
"He needs to get to a hospital" Peter responded, his eyes never leaving Neal's pale face.
"I'll drive," Diana offered, as she strode out of the office.
"C'mon Caffrey, wake up. Open your eyes."
Neal feebly pushed away the hands shaking him. Finally cracking his eyes open, he saw the FBI guy kneeling next to him. His first response was to struggle, but apparently the man had been expecting this. He pinned Neal's arms against his sides, holding Neal close until he relaxed.
Peter gently slid his arms under a barely conscious Neal and lifted him up, noting with concern how lightweight the con was.
He glanced down to see Neal's head loll against his shoulder and the kid let out an involuntary whimper.
Me: Wow, huge thanks to everybody who's reviewed! It really makes my day to see all of the encouraging comments! I am so glad people are enjoying this!