Let Your Heart Hold Fast

Chapter 32

Neal's hospital stay was exhausting for everyone. The vascular specialist that had done his surgery was worried about the circulation in Neal's leg post-surgery, and because of that, the nurses had to frequently check Neal's leg, making sure that it was warm and had good pulses. Neal grew extremely cranky after the first day of these frequent checks.

One afternoon, Neal was alone in his room while Elizabeth went to the cafeteria to get some coffee. Peter had left that morning to help with the investigation of the kidnapping and shooting, promising that he would be back as soon as he could. Neal was watching his favorite movie again and wasn't happy when the nurse came in to check his leg. To the nurse's surprise, Neal decided he had had enough of these checks and refused to let her near him.

"Neal, I have to check your leg, dear." The nurse explained as patiently as she could.

"It's okay, Miss Nurse. I can feel all my toes and my foot is warm." Neal explained.

"If you don't mind, Neal, I need to check it for myself." The nurse tried to pull the blanket down to look at his foot, but Neal held on desperately to the blanket.

"I'm watching a movie," Neal grumbled. "And you're making me miss my favorite part."

To Neal's disappointment, the young nurse took his TV remote and turned off the television. "Hey! I was watching that!" Neal cried.

"And you can watch it again as soon as I check your leg, Neal."

Just as Neal was about to argue again, Peter walked through the door, immediately feeling the tension in the air. "What's going on?" he asked the nurse. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine, Mr. Burke. At least, I think it is. Neal won't let me check his leg."

Peter's brow furrowed at the nurse's words. "What do you mean he won't let you? Neal? You know she needs to check the leg, bud."

"My leg's okay, Peter. I told her it was, but she won't listen to me. And she turned off the TV and I was watching it," he said indignantly.

Peter turned to the nurse and gave her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, it seems like someone's a little cranky today," he said. Turning back to Neal, he continued. "Listen up, Neal. The nurse needs to look at your leg right now and there will be no more refusing her, okay? She's just doing her job and we need to keep a close eye on that leg. Now, let go of the blanket and let her take a look."

Neal slowly let go of the blanket and looked away, not wanting to see the bulky bandages on his leg. Once the nurse had checked everything out, she left the room and Neal was left with an unhappy looking Peter. Without saying anything, Neal grabbed the TV remote and turned the television back on. Peter stepped forward and took the remote out of his hands, though, turning the television back off.

"I wanna watch my movie," Neal cried, thinking these recent events completely unfair.

"I think maybe you need to take a nap, kiddo," Peter answered. "You're awfully cranky."

"I'm not tired!" Neal argued, but Peter wasn't buying it.

"Neal, we've already talked about this once before, remember? You had a very serious injury to your leg and the doctor says we need to keep a really close eye on it. These nurses are trained to do just that and it's not up to you whether or not they look at your leg. Are we clear, little man?"

Neal nodded, but still had an unhappy, grumpy look on his face. "Do I really have to take a nap, daddy? I'm not tired at all." Unfortunately for Neal, his words were punctuated with a big yawn, which did nothing to convince Peter that he wasn't tired.

"I think a nap is just what you need, bud, but maybe after the nap I'll see if I can spring you from this room and we can go for a little walk outside. How does that sound?"

"Yay," Neal yelled, obviously happy with that idea. "Can we get ice cream? Please?"

"I think that's just what the doctor ordered, bud." Peter helped Neal snuggle down into his bed and wasn't surprised when the kid's gentle breathing filled the room.

Fifteen minutes after Neal had fallen asleep, a harried looking Elizabeth came back into the room, obviously surprised to see her husband there.

"Peter! You're already back? I figured you'd be gone most of the day."

"There wasn't much for me to do, El. I already gave my statement earlier, so it was mostly just going over a few things again. Bennett has been processed and is awaiting his indictment hearing. He's being indicted on counts of kidnapping, child endangerment, accessory to attempted murder and several other charges. With any luck, he'll be put away for a long time."

"Well, I'm glad you're back and Neal will be, too, once he wakes up."

"He was awake when I came in and he was giving the nurse a hard time," Peter said. "He was acting like a cranky toddler, so I made him take a nap. He wasn't too happy about it, either."

"That's not like him to be mean to the nurses. He loves all of them." Elizabeth looked at the sleeping boy with concern.

"I think he's just tired of having his leg looked at so often. And he was trying to watch that damn movie again."

Elizabeth laughed at her husband. "That's his favorite movie at the moment, hon. It's not his fault that you hate it."

"Of all the movies, why does it have to be that one?!" Peter growled. "It's like he knows how much I hate it and just wants to drive me crazy."

"Peter Burke! Really! He's five and he's not that devious."

Peter shared a guilty grin with his wife. "He may only be five, but he's the smartest five year old I've ever seen, El. I wouldn't put anything past him, especially deviousness."

Elizabeth's answer to Peter's words was a resounding slap on the shoulder. "That's our son you're talking about, mister."

Almost two hours later, Neal woke up to find Elizabeth reading a book in the chair next to his bed and Peter watching a game on his television. As soon as he moved, Elizabeth put her book down and stood up.

"Hi, sweetie. Do you feel better after your nap?"

"Hi, mommy," Neal said in a quiet voice. He sent a guilty look over at Peter, wondering if he had told Elizabeth what Neal had done to the nurse. Neal felt guilty once he had thought about it. He really did like all the nurses and the thought of making them mad made him feel sad. He would have to make sure he apologized when he saw her again.

"Are you hungry, Neal? It's almost dinner time, but I have a few snacks in my bag for you."

Neal watched as Elizabeth opened up her big bag and brought out a few of his favorite snacks. She held out several different kinds and told him to pick one and seconds later, he was gobbling down a snack bowl full of pretzels. Once he was done with his snack, he looked over at Peter.

"Okay, daddy…..I'm ready to go now."

Elizabeth looked at her husband in confusion. "Go where?" she asked.

Neal looked at her with excitement shining in his eyes. "We're gonna go for a walk!"

"Wait a minute, kiddo. I still have to clear it with the nurses, but I'm sure it will be fine. Give me just a minute."

Peter walked out the door and over to the nurses station. After talking with one of the nurses, he returned to the room with a wheelchair. "Here you go, buddy," he said. "I'm busting you out of here for a little while."

Neal squealed in excitement and tried to get out of bed. "Whoa! Hold on, Neal. Let me help you, okay? The doctor doesn't wanting you walking on that leg yet."

Peter stepped over and gently picked Neal up, making sure not to jostle his leg at all. Elizabeth made sure his IV tubing didn't get pulled on or tangled up as Peter sat Neal down in the wheelchair. Once he was seated, they placed a pillow for him to rest his leg on and then covered him with a blanket. Neal could hardly contain his excitement at finally getting to leave the hospital room. It had only been a few days, but to an energetic little boy it had seemed like an eternity.

Peter and Elizabeth wheeled Neal up and down the halls, stopping to look at a wall of paintings that were done by some of the patients and then at a huge aquarium that took up most of one side of a waiting room. Neal paid more attention to the paintings than anything else, it seemed.

Neal begged Peter to take him outside for a few minutes to see the big Christmas tree that was just outside the front entrance, but before Peter would agree, he went to grab another blanket. Just as they went through the open door, Neal cried out again in excitement.

"Pierre! It's me, Neal!"

Peter and Elizabeth were both cautiously aware when an older man stopped right in front of them and leaned down to hug Neal. Peter moved closer to his son, not sure if the man could be trusted. Neal continued to talk excitedly to the man, though, causing Peter to relax the tiniest of bits.

"Pierre, this is my Lizbef and my Peter. Remember? I told you about them. Remember?" Neal asked excitedly.

"Of course, I remember, mon petit. How could I ever forget your Peter and Elizabeth?! I am so happy you found them again."

"Peter found me, Pierre. He always finds me!"

Peter stepped forward and introduced himself to the man. He knew that Edward Bennett's chef was named Pierre, but he hadn't recognized the man. He felt better once he realized who the man was, because he had read Pierre's statement to the FBI and had learned that the man was new to the Bennett household and held no loyalty to Edward Bennett.

After a few minutes of standing out in the cold, Neal started shivering and Elizabeth suggested that they go back inside. Once inside, they learned that Pierre was there to visit with Camille, who had been the one that had recommended him for the job with Bennett. Peter and Elizabeth hadn't had the chance to tell Neal about Camille and so far the boy hadn't remembered that she had been shot. Once Neal heard Camille's name, though, he remembered what had happened to her and he was filled with anxiety.

"I saw her!" He cried. "I saw her get shot! Is she okay? Where is she? Can I see her?"

Elizabeth knelt down next to Neal and rubbed his tear-stained cheek. "Sweetie, she's here in the hospital and she's very sick. You can't see her right now, okay?"

"I need to see her, Lizbef! I need to tell her I love her! What if she doesn't know that?"

"Calm down, sweetie, okay? I'm sure she knows that already, baby. That's why she was trying to help you." Elizabeth's heart broke at the sight of Neal's tears. She didn't know Camille, but she would be forever grateful to the woman and thankful for the fact that Neal had someone in that house that cared for him and looked out for him.

Pierre knelt in front of Neal, too, and grabbed his hand. "Don't fret, Neal. I'll make sure to tell Camille what you said and I'm sure that she would love to see you as soon as she can. Now, I'd better get up there to see her before visiting hours are over. I'll see you soon, mon petit."

Once Pierre was gone, Elizabeth decided that it was time to get Neal back to his room. Neal argued that he didn't want to go back, but one look from his mother made him stop arguing. Back in the room, Peter lifted Neal back out of the chair and back into the bed, marveling at how small the boy actually was. Neal was almost six, but he could still pass for a four year old, not that Peter would ever tell him that.

Once he was settled in bed, he looked up expectantly at Peter. "I'm ready for my ice cream now," he said, matter of factly.

That evening, they spent several hours playing Go Fish and Candyland, and just enjoying their time together. When visiting hours were almost over, Mozzie slipped through the door and Neal screamed in happiness.

"Mozzie! You're here!

"Of course, I'm here, mon frère. Where else would I be on a night such as this?"

Peter could tell that the man was pleased to get such a reception from his little friend.

"Well, Neal, I see you still have all of your faculties. They must not have gotten to you yet." Mozzie looked nervously at the door, as if he expected men in biohazard suits to crash through the door and take him away.

"What are you talking about, Mozzie. I don't have any faculties. Do I, mommy?" Neal looked at Elizabeth in confusion, before turning back to his friend.

Peter cleared his throat loudly and threw a serious look at Mozzie. "Oh, never mind, Neal. Just forget what I said. Why don't we play a game of cards? Do you know how to play Texas Hold 'Em?" Mozzie pulled a chair over to the other side of Neal's bed and started dealing out the cards.

"Mozzie?" Elizabeth interrupted. "I think maybe a different game would be more age appropriate, don't you?"

"I think Neal is smart enough to understand the complexities of such a game, Mrs. Suit," Mozzie answered.

Neal piped up, too. "I am, mommy. I'm the smartest one in my class and I know all about plexities."

"That's not the point I was trying to make, Mozzie," Elizabeth said gently. "How about a game that doesn't involve betting?"

"The boy has to learn sooner or later, Mrs. Suit."

"Well, I would prefer it to be much later then, Mozzie," Elizabeth said more forcefully.

This time Mozzie took the hint. "I changed my mind, Neal. I think I'll teach you a game called Slap Jack instead."

Minutes later, the little hospital room was filled with the sound of Neal's infectious laughter as he beat Mozzie game after game. Apparently, he was really good at finding those Jacks.

The next morning, Neal woke up to find Peter and Elizabeth talking to his doctor. Neal really liked his doctor, mostly because the man didn't talk to him like he was a baby. He listened as Dr. Garrison described the plan for Neal's recuperation. Neal didn't like the sound of some of the things the man was saying. He really just wanted to go home and see Satchmo. And open all of his presents.

Once the doctor had checked his leg and said goodbye, one of the nurses brought in his breakfast. Neal eyed the plate of hospital food with obvious disdain. Elizabeth immediately noticed his reluctance to eat and stepped up to the bed.

"You need to eat your breakfast, sweetie, okay? It's going to be a long day and you need to fortify yourself."

"I don't like this, Lizbef. The eggs are all slimy and the milk is warm," Neal whined.

"Why don't you at least eat your toast and drink the juice, okay? I'll go see if I can find you some fresh fruit."

Elizabeth gave Neal a quick peck on the cheek and left the room on a mission. Peter looked at the eggs and had to agree with Neal…. They really did look slimy. He watched as Neal slowly ate his toast and drank some of his juice, but it was obvious the boy wasn't enjoying it. After a few minutes, Neal put down the toast and rested back on his pillow.

"Peter? I'm not hungry anymore."

Peter removed the tray from Neal's table, leaving the orange juice next to his water. He looked at the small boy, noticing how pale he looked. "Are you feeling okay, buddy?"

"Yeah, I'm just tired and it's hot in here, Peter."

Peter walked over to the thermostat and turned it down a bit. "Why don't you go back to sleep for a little bit, bud? When you wake up, I'm sure you'll feel better."

Without another word, Neal scooted down in his bed and went to sleep.

By the time Elizabeth made it back to the room, her arms filled with fresh fruit and pastries, Neal was sound asleep. "What's going on?" she asked. "He barely ate anything, Peter."

"He said he wasn't hungry and that he was tired, El. I thought it would be a good idea for him to get some rest. I'm sure he'll eat when he wakes up."

Elizabeth placed everything on the counter and grabbed her bag. "I'm going to go freshen up a bit, hon. I'll be back shortly."

Peter sat down in a chair by Neal's bed and started reading the newspaper. He wasn't surprised to see that Edward Bennett's apparent resurrection and the subsequent kidnapping/shootout had made the front page of the newspaper. He was surprised, however, to see that somehow a reporter had snapped a picture of Neal being wheeled out of the house on a stretcher by the paramedics. You could barely make out Neal's face, but it was obvious that the patient on the stretcher was a small child.

As Peter continued to read the various articles on the events of that day and of Bennett's past, he hadn't realized that Neal was moaning in his sleep. It wasn't until Neal started screaming out in terror that Peter finally realized that something was wrong. Jumping out of his chair, he ran over to Neal, who by this time was screaming as if someone was murdering him.

"No, please, leave me alone! I'm sorry. Please!"

Neal's eyes were open, but he wasn't focusing on anything in the room. Instead, he looked as if he was seeing something entirely different. Peter tried to soothe him, but Neal acted like he didn't even know Peter was right there with him. Peter's heart was racing as he watched the poor boy entrenched in his nightmare.

"Neal, I'm right here. You're okay, buddy. You're okay."

Neal suddenly sat straight up and threw himself towards the end of the bed, scrambling as fast as he could as if he were trying to escape something. The whole time this was happening he was sobbing. Peter just managed to catch the boy, but not before he banged his leg on the side rail of the bed. Figuring the pain of that would wake the boy up, Peter was surprised when Neal continued to scream. By this time, Peter had no idea what to do. He held on tightly to Neal and continued to whisper soothing words in his ear, but Neal didn't hear him.

Eventually, Neal's screams turned into hoarse words and Peter could make sense of some of it. At one point, Neal was calling for Camille and at another point he was begging for Edward not to hit him. Peter's heart broke at these words, but it completely shattered when Neal started calling out his name.

"Peter, help! Peter, where are you?" Neal's hoarse voice cried.

Peter held on tighter to his son. "I'm right here, Neal. Daddy's right here. Daddy's here." With these words, miraculously, Neal stopped screaming and crying. Looking around, his eyes quickly locked on Peter, who was still clutching him to his chest.

"Daddy?" Neal said in a tiny voice.

"I'm right here, buddy. You're okay. Daddy's here."

With those words, Neal collapsed against Peter, his sobs wrenching through his whole body. "Don't leave me, Daddy. Please!" Neal cried.

"I'm right here, Neal. I'll always be right here."

Author's note: A little bit of fluff with a little bit of angst to balance it all out. I aim to please all of my lovely readers, lol.

So, what did you all think of the chapter? Was there enough fluff for you? Too much angst?

The majority of the readers that reviewed the last chapter thought that Neal calling Peter and Elizabeth daddy and mommy was a natural thing. I thought so, too, so I'm glad to know it wasn't too soon or too weird. In this chapter, Neal goes back and forth between calling them both, which I felt appropriate. I feel like he would probably vacillate for a while, that it wouldn't be something he would do all the time, at least for a little bit. You can definitely see the difference, though, depending on his emotional state.

I can't believe the amazing response to the last chapter. You guys are so awesome. I'm looking forward to seeing who will be my 500th reviewer, which just happens to be the first reviewer of this chapter. The game is on, y'all. Thanks for reading.