Alright, this is the last chapter! I have to say, I think I might have enjoyed writing this story the most out of all of mine. I couldn't have done it without you guys' support and encouragement! Thank you so much!

An hour and twelve minutes since Neal had been whisked off to surgery, Chase showed up again. The previously absent man sat down next to Mozzie in the corner of the busy waiting room, but didn't utter a word for a few ticks of the clock. "How's your friend?" he eventually ventured, his voice just as surprisingly kind than it had been before.

"In surgery," Mozzie replied tersely, his nerves making him poor company.

Chase nodded, then leaned back, apparently ready to wait for Mozzie to strike up a conversation or for news on Neal, whichever came first.

Mozzie knew that Chase deserved some form of gratitude for helping them so much, so he took a deep breath and prepared himself to speak nicely.

"Thank you - for, you know, bringing us here. Not a lot of people would do that, especially without gaining something in return," Mozzie said with the least amount of awkwardness he could manage when it came to voicing his gratefulness, his hands moving as he spoke.

Chase nodded. "I'm just glad I could help," he said, then another silence fell over them, one that Mozzie knew he had to break again, even though he'd much rather sit quietly as they waited.

"So, about what happened out there..." Mozzie started, not exactly sure how to ask this man to lie for them. While he may not have actually seen Neal shoot Ape Arms, having heard a gunshot in the distance and then Mozzie and Neal suddenly being free from their captors left little room for the imagination.

"Don't worry, I didn't say anything about what might have happened to the rebels. As far as anyone's concerned, they're all still alive," Chase reassured him quietly, a slight smile on his war-worn face. Mozzie was actually surprised when he didn't wink conspiratorially.

Mozzie nodded thoughtfully, both happy and surprised that he didn't need to convince - or possibly bribe even though that hadn't worked before - Chase to lie. "Good, that's good," he said, then they waited for news about Neal in surprisingly compatible quietude.

The long-waited news came to them four hours later in the form of a large male nurse that was brusque and to the point - just how Mozzie liked it. The hulking fellow informed the unlikely pair that Neal was out of surgery, all went well and they were able to see him.

It was such an immense relief that Neal was alright Mozzie didn't even ask to be taken to Neal, Chase having to voice it for him. Mozzie wasn't surprised that Chase tagged along after getting Mozzie moving since he'd already pegged him as a man to see things through. Neal would appreciate that.

Neal was still asleep when they entered, but the burly nurse that escorted them said that he had woken up twice already while in recovery - no doubt charming everyone in sight all the while - and should be coming around again soon.

Once the aid left, Mozzie took a good look at Neal, assessing his condition from his wavy-haired head to his journey-worn, blanket-covered toes.

Mozzie wasn't sure if Neal looked worse or better than he'd had before surgery. He appeared to be more pale and gaunt than before, but he also seemed more relaxed and at ease, which was a nice change from the stress and pain Mozzie had witnessed previously.

Neal also had a lot more wires and tubes hooked up to him than he'd had in the emergency room, like he was some sort of robot in dire need of a charge and all of these things were powering him back up.

That thought made Mozzie worry about everything that they could have done to Neal while he was deep in the bowels of the hospital, drugged and unable to resist their mad scientist-like plans. But he told himself that even if they had the technology to turn Neal into a badass cyborg - and that technology was out there, Mozzie knew - to do their bidding, they didn't have the time to do so.

Even so, Mozzie would bust him out and they'd use Neal's new abilities to help in their future endeavors. If Neal became part robot, Mozzie would be there to deal with the aftermath and make sure Neal reaped the benefits of his new powers.

The arm that had been operated on was in a sling once again, to support both the mending shoulder and re-broken arm. The gunshot wound, more of a flesh wound than anything, was wrapped up with a new, clean bandage.

With the long list of injuries staring Mozzie in the face, he had to reassure himself that Neal was going to be just fine, with a considerable amount of time and truckloads of patience, but they'd get there.

Once Mozzie finished cataloging Neal's injuries, he realized that he might actually have to start a conversation with Chase to pass the time until Neal decided that it was time to come back to the land of the living. Fortunately, it didn't take that long for Neal to come to.

Bleary blue eyes peeked at the pair of visitors from under dark lashes for a moment before sliding close again. "Neal?" Mozzie questioned as he hopped up from the seat had reluctantly perched himself on, thankful that he didn't have to try to start an awkward conversation with Chase.

Dark eyelashes fluttered and soon Neal's crystal eyes opened to scan the room and its occupants. Chase had come up to stand on the other side of the bed, back farther than Mozzie, who might have been a bit too close.

Neal squinted up at Mozzie, his eyes becoming clearer by the second. He tilted his head as he seemed to consider something. "Am I dying?" he asked so calmly that it took a moment for the words to sink in, startling Mozzie.

"What? No!" he said, appalled by the mere thought.

"Then why do you look so worried?" Neal questioned as he examined Mozzie's face intently.

"I'm not worried!" Mozzie denied, shifting uncomfortably.

"Methinks thou dost protest too much," Chase muttered quietly enough for only Mozzie to hear, apparently a fan of Shakespeare and his often depressing tales.

Mozzie shot Chase a glare over his thick-rimmed glasses, then brought his attention back to Neal. "You know I don't like hospitals," Mozzie said, admitting to his worries as much as he could.

Neal nodded knowingly, far too smart and able to read people for his own good. It was great for a con, but wasn't all that much fun when Neal could see right through him, even while doped up on the good stuff.

"So, am I going to be able to get out of here soon? I don't think we should stick around much longer than we already have," Neal said as he pulled himself into a sitting position, Mozzie situating the pillows behind him better as he did. Apparently, he was already ready to bolt. Mozzie understood his position in not wanting to stick around, but he also didn't think he was ready to leave quite yet.

Before Mozzie could say that Neal needed time to rest and not to worry, Chase spoke up. "I agree with the kid," Chase said, causing Neal to scowl at him for calling him a kid. He never liked that, but Mozzie always found his annoyance amusing.

Chase took a step closer to the bed, his expression turning sober. "The Myanmar people have a saying - 'even if the truth is buried for centuries, it will eventually come out and thrive.' It would be wise if you two left this country soon and never came back," Chase recommended with a seriousness that made Mozzie more nervous. They would be in hot water if anyone started asking the wrong - or perhaps right - questions.

Neal seemed to become slightly anxious as well, which was not something that Mozzie wanted. "They also say 'beware of a man's shadow and a bees sting'," Mozzie added to ease the tension, always ready with a wise quote.

"What is that even supposed to mean?" Neal asked, his expression more confused than Mozzie had seen it in a while. It was kind of funny to see him so stumped.

"It is not for me to tell, but you to find out," Mozzie answered sagely, bowing his head slightly.

"In other words, you have no idea," Neal deduced with a sideways smirk.

"That's not true," Mozzie said, insulted by what Neal assumed.

"Then what does it mean?" Neal challenged, eager to catch Mozzie in his fib.

"It's important for you to find out yourself," Mozzie reiterated.

"So I can tell you?" Neal guessed with a sideways, knowing smirk that was a bit too cocky. That kid really did have him pegged.

"No comment," Mozzie muttered, then turned to Chase, who'd been watching them like one would a tennis match, clearly entertained by their witty banter.

After shaking his head amusingly, Chase patted Neal lightly on his uninjured forearm, which was less awkward than Mozzie expected it to be. "I should go. There are some people that need my attention and I shouldn't keep them waiting any longer," Chase said with a wry smile. Mozzie assumed that he was speaking of the others that were at the settlement. He had a bit of a mess to clean up because of the rebels.

"Thank you, Chase," Neal said sincerely.

Chase just nodded to them and took his leave. Mozzie had to admit, he wasn't that bad of a guy.

"So when are we busting out of here, then?" Neal asked once the door closed behind Chase. The kid really never could hold still for long.

Mozzie had a plan forming already - something to with a door jamb, a minor diversion, an appropriately-sized melon and some pillows. Maybe a recording device of their voices playing as well... Neal would probably call it crazy, but Mozzie just wouldn't share all of the details with him just yet.

"Do not worry about those silly little details, my friend. Just focus on healing. I did bring something that might help you along in your recovery..." Mozzie said, then picked up the backpack he'd brought with him - the same one they had carried through the jungle. He pulled out a bottle of sparkling grape juice and brandished it with an extra bit of flare towards Neal, who smiled brightly and laughed, throwing his head back slightly in the way he did when he found something especially amusing.

"Wow, where did you even get that?" he asked as he sat up more, eyes shining with that endless curiosity he had.

"A master may teach his student, but does not reveal every trick up his sleves," Mozzie said wisely. Truth was, Mozzie had traded the champagne he'd brought to celebrate stealing the rubies that they never did end up getting with a nurse for it. If Neal couldn't drink alcohol for a while because of the drugs he would have to take for a while, then Mozzie didn't really see a point of keeping it around.

"Fair enough," Neal allowed, still smiling that joyous smile.

Mozzie grabbed two paper cups from a nearby cupboard and poured some sparkling grape juice into each one. "It may not be champagne, but it's the quality of the company that you drink with that truly matters," he said sincerely as he handed a cup to Neal.

"I might just quote you on that someday," Neal said with a dazzling smile, then lifted his cup to Mozzie's.

Mozzie held his cup in the air. "To the next crazy adventure, may there always be another," he toasted, touching his cup to Neal's.

"Here, here," Neal said, then both men took a sip, enjoying the flavor of the carbonated grape juice as if it was the finest of wines.

All adventures have to come to an end eventually, even the crazy and unpredictable ones that Neal and Mozzie always seemed to be a part of. As long as everything turned out okay, then Mozzie was alright with not ending up with the treasure they had set out to appropriate. He mourned for their loss briefly, but it was nothing compared to how he would have felt if something truly terrible had happened to Neal. There'd always be another adventure to gain more priceless treasures anyway.

They'd bust out of the hospital and head back to America soon, but for now, they were content on just drinking a non-alcoholic beverage and enjoying each other's company, until the next crazy adventure.

The End

The two quotes that Chase and Mozzie said are from 'What Happens In Burma' (season 2, episode 12.) Neal had to have heard them from somewhere, right?

Thanks for sticking with me through this story! Your reviews made me smile! :-)