This chapter was so much fun to write as it includes some great fatherly Peter scenes ;) I don't want to give many spoilers before you read, but some comments on the last couple of chapters: I made up all of the streets mentioned in the get away, and I made up the marina and airport. I forgot to mention that in the previous chapters... But enjoy reading this chapter!
"Hey Neal," Peter spoke softly. Feelings of love and relief swelled up inside Peter and threatened to release out of his eyes, but the strong man cleared his throat and fought back the emotion. Peter's hand took hold of the boy's hand, just in case Neal's glassy eyes prevented him from seeing his friend. At least, that's what he told himself, but it was really that the kid's life and warmth encouraged Peter.
"Can't go swimming," Neal said in a tiny weak voice; still just as smooth as always though. The boy drugged on pain medicine slipped a smile to his face as he looked at the man who always had his back.
Peter's eyes twinkled with amusement as Neal has once again, without fail, put up a façade like everything was fine. His mask was so flawless. "What do you mean? It's October, of course you aren't going swimming," he replied to the delirious youth.
"Nah, I can't swim anymore," Neal said as if that cleared everything up. "There's a hole in me now, I won't float anymore." Peter couldn't help but give a chuckle at the lack of sense his C.I was making. After the final tests had been conducted, the doctor reported that Neal was fine to return home in Peter's custody. As a side effect of the pain medication, the boy would be a little out of it for a couple hours until the meds wore off. After the drugs left his system, simple pain relievers like Advil or Aleve should be administered.
Peter helped the nurse shift Caffrey from the wheel chair into the passenger's seat of the Peter's car. The ride home was sure to be interesting with a loopy teenager; it was like the young man had gotten his wisdom teeth removed and Peter was privileged to play the father enjoying the silly antics of his son. A sly thought ran through the fed's mind, "Neal, are there any crimes you've committed that I don't know about?" Peter's question was meant more as a curious joke rather than an interrogation; besides, Neal was impaired so nothing could be used against him.
Neal flashed a million dollar grin, "I definitely did not steal your wallet." Peter's mouth twisted in shame as he realized that he could feel an emptiness in his pocket. He nonchalantly held out his left hand while keeping his right one on the steering wheel as he drove. Neal playfully placed the stolen wallet into the older man's hand. The blue eyed boy jabbered on, "Peter, have you ever played Sly Cooper?" Neal's head gently rolled against the seat's headrest. Out of the corner of his eye Peter could see the kid fidgeting and had to stifle a laugh.
"No, what is Sly Cooper? Is it a con?" The fatherly figure mused playing along.
"No, yes… no, it's a charming video game about a raccoon thief," Neal's babbling made him seem so young and innocent. "I played it when I was little, I took a lot from Sly Cooper; he was like the giving tree." Peter couldn't quite make out Neal's cryptic words and figured it was just the drugs speaking. "Jorgen didn't know…" the boy muttered barely audible, Peter wasn't even sure what he had said. But all of the sudden Neal started throwing his head back into the seat over and over again. It would bounce back and forth and Neal hummed along.
Protectively, Peter reached a hand over and cradled the back of the boy's head while holding it firmly in place, "Stop that Neal, you're going to hurt yourself!" He wondered what was going on in the intelligent kid's head. Maybe the medicine had coaxed Neal's high IQ into taking a vacation. But that notion quickly flew out of Peter's head as Neal began to recite something.
"The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep. But Peter, I don't have many promises to keep, the ones I love leave me to weep. And now here I am to count my sheep, but yet I still cannot fall asleep." Neal's eyes were closed, and the mood had become much more somber. Concern filled Peter's heart; the first part of Neal's speech was a poem by Robert Frost he knew, but the last part was from Neal's own heart. It sounded so depressing. "Peter, I'm cold," the quiet voice spoke as expectant blue orbs rested on Peter. It was a plea for help.
Peter looked toward Neal with a pained expression on his face, "As soon as we get home I'm sure El wouldn't mind swaddling you with blankets." His heart ached and he longed to comfort Neal who was suddenly being open with his feelings. No doubt it was the drug's doing, but still. The agent wondered what had triggered Neal's dismal thoughts; was he suddenly reliving Ellen's death? Or maybe the moment when Neal's father had betrayed him? Regretfully though, Peter didn't seize the chance. Instead he switched the conversation to something more positive in order to raise both of their spirits, "Neal I just want you to know, I was really proud of you today. Despite the plans changing, we caught the bad guys and you made it out okay, even if you took a bullet to your chest." Thinking about the near tragedy brought the mood down again. "Neal, you were so lucky. The bullet just barely missed your heart," Peter said gently.
Surprisingly Neal gave a harsh laugh, "I wasn't lucky silly, I don't have a heart."
Peter opened the passenger door and just stood for a moment staring at the boy who had passed out on the drive home. He didn't have a heart; how could such an innocent sleeping face not have a heart? Elizabeth certainly loved that young man, and sometimes, Peter thought that maybe he did too. He would certainly like to think that El and he held a special place in Neal's heart.
Snapping out of his train of thought, Peter bent down into the car and placed a hand cupped around Neal's cheek. Normally he would've shaken the kid's shoulder's to wake him up, but seeing how he had a severe wound in his chest, Peter decided against it. "Neal, we're here," the older man spoke delicately yet firmly enough in order to wake the sleeping consultant. But Neal barely even stirred. Peter tried again this time lightly tapping the boy's check, "Come on kid, wake up." Still Caffrey didn't regain consciousness. Peter let out a sigh; the independent eighteen year old was going to kill him for what he was about to do. He reached and unclasped Neal's seat belt, wrapped an arm around the boys back, and scooped his other arm beneath Neal's legs. With a slight struggle, Peter hoisted Neal up and out of the car and the boy unknowingly leaned into Peter resting his head on the man's chest. Peter thought his wife would love to have a picture of this.
With help from El, Peter managed to make it into the house and lay Neal gingerly on the sofa. Although the con man was out like a rock; he probably wouldn't have woken up if Peter just simply dropped him on the floor. Elizabeth brought blankets and tucked them around Neal as if he were a small child. She sat on the edge of the coach with a compassionate expression in her cerulean eyes as she ran her hand through Neal's wavy brown locks. "Oh Neal, what did you get yourself into?"
"Don't worry Hon, he's gonna be fine. Chances are, he will be ready to resume work tomorrow," Peter reassured in a light hearted tone. He gathered his wife up in his arms and gave her a kiss on the forehead before dropping down to plant one on her lips. The beautiful woman responded with wrapping her arms around the strong frame of her husband.
Later that night a groggy Neal had awoken to the delicious smell of Elizabeth cooking dinner: seared salmon over pasta with a lemon butter sauce and sundried tomatoes. Using the young man's exquisite taste as leverage, Peter figured the home cooked meal might persuade the stubborn teen to stay with the Burkes for a week while he recovered. There was much debate over whether or not Neal would be a burden; El insisted he would be a blessing. At last Neal reluctantly agreed.
The following morning, Peter had left Neal in Elizabeth's care but not before he could set out strict ground rules: no strenuous activity, no stealing, no leaving, no tricks, just resting. When Peter arrived in the office he had confidence that the kid would obey and stay out of trouble, but the lead agent had made a very grave assumption. He had made the assumption that Neal needed to be present in order to cause trouble; however, this was not at all the case. All too soon, Jones and Diana pulled their boss into the conference room in order to discuss the newest case. Immediately upon looking at the details Peter groaned and shook his head.
Okay so yes, Sly Cooper is really a video game if you've never heard of it. It's such a good game and it seems to fit a young Neal perfectly. I will be using it in the next couple of chapters, but how I will be using it shall not be spoiled. I don't own Sly Cooper... Please review and I hope you liked the chapter!