Peter smiled as he walked back into the hospital, thinking about Hamelin sleeping off tranquilizers in a holding cell, about Kevin Grant in his car, about his team working around the clock to find evidence to bring down Dennison.…he nodded at Diana quietly when he entered the room.

"How's he doing?"

"He was pretty talkative earlier." She said blandly

"Really? Should have known you knew sign language." She nodded with a little shrug

"He's still Neal…" she looked up at him and shook her head "The way you looked earlier when everyone asked how he was… I thought… but he's still the same old Caffrey. He'll be back at work in no time." Peter stiffened, his smile slipping…

"Yeah in no time…" but he couldn't keep the worry out of his voice… three days and his legs had been so still.

"Ok, boss what's wrong… you have that look again. If you're not worried about brain damage…" Peter swallowed, nodding quietly

"Diana… they haven't said anything for sure yet" he could see her waiting for the rest of it…

"But?" she prompted when he hesitated… Peter took a deep breath

"The bullet was lodged in his spine." Her face blanched, he knew she was picturing the rough movement as they lifted Neal from the water… the way the agents had lay him so quickly on the dock…allowing his body to fold loosely however his limbs fell…

"You mean he's…D*** it!" she hesitated "Boss does he know?"

"I think he's probably noticed… but I don't think anyone has talked to him about it… he's been weak… and drugged and…the doctor isn't certain what to expect yet." Diana stood up… looked at the sleeping man then back at Peter… her hands clenched in fists at her side.

"Was the damage done by the bullet… or by the way he was…" she shook her head "he was using his legs before he went off the dock… when he lunged at Hamelin." Diana took a shuttering breath

"We did it." Peter said quietly "the way I moved him when I swam… the way we pulled him back onto the dock."

"He was dying boss" she said softly "no one was thinking of spinal injuries because getting his heart beating was more important!" her voice rose slightly as she justified

"I know… I know we did what needed to be done but," he sighed "I just hope Neal agrees." She nodded sharply

"He will." She reassured him, but when she glanced at the sleeping young man her shoulders drooped a little "I need some coffee boss… you want some?'

"Thanks." He leaned back against the wall and sighed, rolling his shoulders… It was a relief to share his worry with someone.

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"How was he?" Jones finally managed to ask after watching her glare at her coffee for ten minutes. He was pretty sure he didn't want to hear the answer. The way she stormed out just a minute after Peter's arrival said far more than he wanted to know, but he had to ask. Diana looked up, sighed and returned her gaze to her cup.

"He's still Caffrey." She finally told the coffee softly. He sat down in the chair beside her, waiting.

"That's good." He said into the uncomfortable silence

"D*** IT!" she surged to her feet so suddenly Jones jerked back instinctively. She threw the paper cup at the trash can violently.

"Do I want to know what's wrong?" he asked her pacing form. She stopped… her furious gaze twisted.

"Just be glad you took William to the car before we pulled him out. At least you know it's not your fault."

"You think you hurt him?" he stared at her in disbelief. "From what I heard…"

"Yeah…"Diana sighed and settled in beside him. "Peter pushed him up and everyone grabbed him… he was like a wet blanket… like he had nothing left inside. I had his right arm Davis had his left when we pulled him up. His head just flopped between us until someone got his shoulders. We didn't even think about hurting him… just heaved him up and dropped him on the dock." She stood up again unable to contain the nervous energy but she turned and met her friend's eyes "his back was broken, Jones… the bullet…"

"Oh G**" he shook his head sadly "how bad? Just his legs or his arms too?"

"Just his legs… but he's Caffrey… movement is who he is… and now…" she sank into the seat again staring at her hands for several seconds "No one has told him yet."

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The morning light spilling through the window woke him…just moments before Dr. Wilson stepped inside for the morning exam, with a smile for Peter. With a nod at the physician he excused himself to find breakfast.

When he returned an hour later he was surprised to find his friend free of the breathing apparatus, propped up slightly in the bed, a mask in place of the tube. A wobbly smile greeted him from behind the device, before it was pushed aside by Neal's determined hand.

"Hey." The voice was smaller than usual, a rough whisper really but the look in Neal's eyes made the older man smile.

"Hey" he chuckled then "but while it's good to hear your voice." The kid has no idea how good. He thought, roughly pushing aside the picture of his friend pale and lifeless on the dock that assaulted his mind. "You probably should keep that on" Neal shook his head

"I'm … good… for a… minute."

"Only a minute… ok?" he tried for stern, but it was just so good to hear the kid's voice…

"Ok" Neal grinned weakly.

"I had an interesting encounter last night."

"Oh…?"

"I got in my car and found you sitting in my passenger seat."

"Peter…" his smile broadened. "Hal…lucina…tions? If I… knew you… would… miss me… that much" his words came in gasps but his eyes sparkled with amusement.

"You're funny…"he shook his head, suppressing a laugh "you'll be pleased to know if I doubted the existence of your double… I don't anymore."

"Good… to know" Neal grew serious "he was… in your… car?"

"He was."

"Do you… think… he's a… threat?" The worry that tinted the words made Peter smile

"Relax Neal, he didn't threaten me. I think he's on our side. He did save your life." Neal seemed to consider that. "He and Amelia were… close." Neal's eyes widened in clarity.

"Obvi…ously" He whispered as they both thought of William. For a moment only his raspy breathing filled the silence.

"Put the mask back on Neal…" as usual the young man ignored him. His fingers toyed with the blanket instead.

"What… did he… want?"

"The memory card."

"Did …you… give it… to him?"

"No I haven't exactly been carrying it on me" Peter said lightly before his expression shifted to serious, "but I will…it was intended for him." Neal nodded

"And… Will?"

"He's probably the kid's father Neal."

"True." The younger man fell quiet… the small conversation was clearly taxing him

"Rest Neal…"he patted his friend's shoulder "I'll take care of him." Neal nodded allowing his head to droop against the pillow.

"When you… meet with… him… again… tell him… I… want to… meet him…" he managed as he drifted off. The older man quietly replaced the mask.

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"The park is beautiful this time of year." The small man muttered as he sat down on the adjoining bench.

"It really is" Peter spoke thoughtfully.

"You are supposed to say, 'the apple blossoms in particular."

"But they aren't… it's too early for apple blossoms"

"That is the point… it's a code. To confirm your identity."

"Haversham you know who I am." He couldn't keep the exasperation from his voice.

"You could be an impostor."

"Then I would have been an impostor when you called and I agreed to meet with you."

"That's ridiculous, I recognized your voice and cadence."

"And now you have my voice and my face."

"I think a little caution is in order… considering the circumstances. These people are clearly ruthless. Now what about the apple blossoms?"

"Mozzie." He ran his hand over his face "I assume you had a reason for meeting me, besides discussing nonexistent apple blossoms."

"I did, of course." His tone was offended "you did ask me to look into a Kevin Grant as I recall."

"I did." Even though he no longer thought the young man was a threat… the more he knew the better. "What did you find?"

"Mr. Grant was an exceptional student in college… his professors remember him well."

"I imagine he would be hard to forget"

"Brilliant mind." He shook his head "smart mouth… and distinctive blue eyes. They all remember him quite clearly."

"Sounds familiar" Peter smiled and Mozzie hesitated, gulping nervously.

"How is he?"

"Better. Off the ventilator…he still has a long way to go but he's still Neal… I'll let my people know if you want to visit..." The small man nodded sharply then abruptly pulled off his glasses, cleaning them vigorously.

"I might consider another trip into the germ incubator to see for myself he is recovering appropriately."

"I'm sure he'll be glad to see you." Another sharp nod as he replaced his glasses "Now you were saying about Grant?"

"His military files are of course sealed, but I have found evidence he was involved in so called military intelligence… as if there is such a thing."

"Interesting."

"He never got close to anyone he worked with it appears." Except Amelia Woodbridge the agent thought.

"I assume you know his parents are dead… were you aware it was a car accident…"

"I was."

"His father died in-route to the hospital… internal bleeding. His mother lingered for four and a half months. She suffered a severe head injury. She remained unresponsive until her demise… Kevin's first act when he turned eighteen was to take her off life support."

"I see." He tried not to imagine how hard that must have been.

"Yes, well… he still owns their home in Delaware and has their long time cleaning lady keep the place in shape."

"Now that is interesting." Peter frowned at him "Why do you think he does that?"

"Sentimentality? Secret stash? Clandestine meetings with aliens?" Mozzie's wave encompassing "Her name is Regina Johnson. I suggest you ask her."

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Gripping the small hand in hers Elizabeth walked past the nurse's station as though she had every right to be there. Will technically wasn't supposed to be here but last night had been rough… the little boy needed to see for himself his friend was still alive. Approaching the room she slowed. A glimpse through the door revealed three nurses around the bed. Her stomach twisted… was something wrong… something happened. Then one of the women, a plump motherly woman with dark hair greying slightly around the edges broke off from the group and walked toward her.

"Is Neal ok?" the words were out before she could stop them.

"As ok as he can be at the moment." the woman smiled at her kindly. Her eyes dropped to Will for a moment her expression thoughtful. "We are prepping him for surgery this morning"

"Why? Did something happen?" Peter had been so hopeful the other night that he was going to be alright… and last night he said…

"No" the nurse smiled ruefully "I didn't mean to worry you… now that he is stable the surgeon wants to place the skin grafts on his arms and legs."

"Oh" she took a deep breath. "Do you think it would be possible for us to see him… just for a moment? Will has been begging to see him." the woman looked them over slowly, let her gaze settle on the boy's big blue eyes and sighed.

"Technically I'm not supposed to allow children under twelve in… but just for a few minutes."

"Thank you." Elizabeth forced herself to breathe calmly… it was time to face her friend and hope he didn't see though her to… didn't see how thoughtless she had been.

"Just so you know, honey" the nurse said "he's already been given a mild sedative… he's sleepy… probably not entirely coherent."

Elizabeth bit her tongue but if she was honest she was relieved, knowing that made it easier to step into the room. Easier but not easy. The nurses were gone now… the room empty except for the young man, who opened his eyes and blinked lazily at her when the door clicked shut behind her. Lifting Will into her arms she forced her feet to move forward.

"Hi Neal? How are you?" the words sounded hollow in her ears, but they earned her a sleepy smile. His hand fumbled at the mask over his face for a moment before he managed to push it away.

"I'm… fine." She had to blink away sudden tears. His blue eyes studied her a bit closer "are you… ok?" she was spared the need to answer when the toddler in her arms suddenly squirmed and cried out.

"Eal!"

"Hi… Will." Elizabeth noticed the way he tried to shift… to look more awake… stronger when he spoke to the boy. "Have you… been good?"

"Un-huh." The child nodded against her shoulder, his thumb finding his mouth nervously. She understood his nervousness… the man still looked like a science experiment gone wrong. All the tubes running in and out were probably terrifying for the little boy, Elizabeth thought… maybe this really was a bad idea. Then suddenly Will's other hand reached out as he lunged for Neal. She barely caught him before he fell.

"No William you can't-."

"It's … ok…" Neal opened his arms "a hug …can't hurt." he murmured smiling wearily. Elizabeth eyed him doubtfully before gingerly placing the small boy on the bed, carefully trying to avoid all of the attachments that surrounded the young man.

"Be very gentle Will." She instructed "he still has a lot of owies, and you don't want to hurt him."

"I know." The toddler said adamantly before folding into his friend's arms and laying his dark head against Neal's thin shoulder. Wrapping his little arms around the man's neck, he clung desperately. Neal awkwardly patted the tiny shoulder for a minute, muttering soothing words quietly, before his hand slid away and he dropped abruptly off to sleep.

"I'm sorry," the motherly nurse said gently as she entered a few minutes later the surgeon is ready for him now." Elizabeth tried to gently extract a content and sleepy William without pulling on anything she shouldn't.

"Come on baby… Neal needs to sleep now." She said but he shook his head and tightened his hold on his friend's neck. "We'll come back to see him again soon. I promise." She said quietly as she pulled him away. The movement woke the young man long enough for him to offer one last drowsy smile before dropping back to sleep. As the nurse moved in to replace the plastic mask, his face suddenly twisted with pain and fear, his dreams clearly less than pleasant.

Turning his head fitfully he murmured "No… Won't tell you… boss's name" the woman bending over him looked up sadly. She must have seen the horror that shot through Elizabeth written on her face

"It's ok, he's alright" the nurse said helpfully "Nightmares are to be expected considering…"

With William cradled in her arms, Elizabeth fled.