Eight hours had passed since then.

Neal's condition hadn't changed and he had slept most of the time. He hadn't moved much in the last four hours and even when Peter tried to wake him in order to give him the pills, he had been unsuccessful. Although he looked much more peaceful and less paler. Anyway, Peter had failed to administer the medicine and get Neal to drink. Even El hadn't succeed, so she and her husband decided let it go for the moment. Right now, Neal slept peacefully and it seemed that he had no pain so far. But the final outcome was still pending. Therefore, the couple hoped that Dr. Gillian would offer them good news at her next visit.

The doorbell could ring any moment.

Elizabeth and Peter sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee. They were tense.

They didn't talk to each other. Not because they were mad at each other. And not because they still were concerned about Neal. Mainly because they were so tired. Neal was a good man. That was not the point. And he was seriously ill and therefore very dependent on El and Peter. But now he seemed doing better and the normalcy slowly returned. The more they felt now, how much strength it had taken for both of them, to look out for Neal Caffrey. It had cost them a great toll. For this reason, they were hoping that Dr. Gillian would provide them positive results. So all would be normal again. And that El and Peter were able to sleep one night in their own bed. Together.

The television was playing quietly in the background, to provide some variety at least. It helped a little, because the atmosphere was relaxed. But it took more to create a smile on Peter's and El's faces again.

Peter stared eagerly at the steaming coffee cup in his hand and watched as the bubbles burst one after another. Elizabeth had supported her head on her hand and had the same look like Peter.

After another minute, El suddenly sighted frustrated.

"Honey. If you continue to act like this, I'll be sick, too." Peter looked at his wife. He was tired.

"I'm sorry," El apologized, then closed her blue eyes and shook her head exhausted.

"Don't worry, honey. Drink your coffee, before it turns cold."

Peter nodded, and a smile appeared on his face. Frankly, he wasn't in the mood for coffee. He just wished that the day would end soon. He wanted to sleep through the entire night. Speaking of time...

With a sideways glance at the kitchen clock, he saw that it was after eleven pm. The doctor should have been there a long time ago. El sighed and sat up in her chair.

"I'll go and check how our con-man is doing. Can you keep an eye on the door?" She got up and slowly approached her husband and ran a hand through his hair before she went upstairs. Peter leaned back in the loving touch and closed his eyes, sighing.

"Mhm. Yes, hon."

Just as Elizabeth had reached the third step, the doorbell rang. Satchmo pricked-eared watched the door and sat up expectantly.

"Ah, she's finally here," El smiled weakly. Peter looked at her and stood up.

After Peter had opened the door, he was confronted with Dr. Gillian. Ones again. The tall blonde woman was wearing her hair open and also had the same scarf on like she had on her first visit. In one hand she carried the medical bag and an umbrella in the other.

"Good evening, Mr. Burke." She smiled kindly at the agent. Peter nodded and took a step back invitingly. "How's our patient?" She asked. This time her question was addressed to Elizabeth, who was standing at the top of the stairs. As before, Dr. Gillian gave Peter her scarf and in addition to that the wet umbrella.

"Should we take a look? Ulg, the weather is quiet nasty this evening, isn't it?"

"Yeah, we should. And yeah well, a little rain won't hurt," El replied.

Peter watched the scene between Gillian and Elizabeth, and couldn't believe that this happened to him once again. He put the umbrella on the radiator and hung the scarf to the coat rack. After that he hastily followed them upstairs to the guest room.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gillian had already taken care of the infusion. The infusion bottle was empty. Overall, the doctor had administered 1 liter. She put a hand on Neal's forehead and realized that his temperature had fallen a couple degrees. Nodding, she registered the fact. Then Dr. Gillian went to the foot of the bed and took her bag. El and Peter waited in silence on the prognosis.

Smiling, the doctor looked down at the young man. Some color had appeared on Neal's face during his sleep. His eyelids were still swollen though and his hair hung disheveled and heavy over his forehead. "Hmm, he looks a bit better," the blonde woman said softly. Peter and El nodded relieved. Despite everything, the man still looked pale and thin. "I will listen to his heartbeat and perform a couple of tests just like the last time. Like taking his blood pressure and his temperature. It appears that the injection has worked well. I think he will soon be better." The doctor smiled at the two and began to search for the instruments she had in her medical kit. When she looked up, a pair of blue eyes glanced at her.

"Oh, good evening, Mr. Caffrey. I see you are awake. How do you feel?" the blonde woman asked and took out her stethoscope from the bag. "Good evening...Eliza-," Neal started sleepy. But the man could tell right away that something was wrong. There were no hands that caressed his hair. And no feeling of warmth, or comfort. That was weird. Neal took some time to let his eyes wander around and was surprised when he saw the blonde doctor. Stiff with terror at the sight of the bag and the woman who was unknown to him, he remained motionless. Peter saw the fear in Neal's' eyes and stepped a little closer to the bed so that Neal could see him.

"It's okay, Neal. This is Dr. Gillian. Do you remember? She wants to do a few tests to see if you're feeling better. Like the last time." The blonde woman laughed and looked amused at the young man who got paler by the second.

And Neal nodded.

"I know. I can still remember the last time...," the young man said quietly, even though everyone thought he had forgotten the last visit. But he remembered everything. Among other things, that he had received an injection. And the fact that he was connected to an infusion wasn't comforting him at all.

"You don't have to worry, Mr. Caffrey. I won't give you another shot." The blonde woman smiled and hung the stethoscope around her neck. Neal looked at her. Then he looked at the IV pole. His shallow breathing resulting from his panic, relaxed. His big blue eyes glimpsed on Elizabeth, who looked at him tenderly. Peter tapped with his shoe on the floor as he cleared his throat.

"Maybe you should explain what you're doing next. He seems to be a little nervous." When Neal heard these phrases and the giggles of the doctor, he felt his cheeks blush. "No, it's OK, Peter. I was just confused earlier. Go ahead, Dr. Gillian."

With his perfect Caffrey smile he wanted to convince the others, but to his surprise, Dr. Gillian nodded and exchanged amused glances with Peter and Elizabeth, who also both smiled. Neal was uncertain. Since when was his charm no longer effective? Why were they laughing at him? With the realization that he probably made a bad figure, Neal hung his shoulders.

"Well, Mr. Caffrey. Please sit up straight." Neal nodded kindly. With narrowed eyes, he tried to elbow his upper body. With difficulty he managed to rise from the mattress and was a bit scared. His body was so stiff and weak from too much sleep and the disease itself. Nevertheless, he finally sat upright, his legs hanging over the edge of the bed and he looked at Peter seriously. Peter looked back at him with a pitying smile. Every color in Neal's' face was gone when he first sat upright in a long time. He needed all his energy to not faint. And apparently this has been registered. One hand on his chest stabilized his position and for that he was grateful. It took a while for the dancing points in front of Neal's eyes to vanish.

"Can you take off your shirt?" the doctor asked a little softer now. Neal nodded. But his confidence began to wane, as he felt his shoulders began to tremble with the effort. He was miserable when he felt the hand of Dr. Gillian on his back. Neal sighed deeply and unconsciously began to tug at his shirt. It was not long until Neal noticed that he began to gasp and wheeze of this action. And it was only a matter of time before El would intervene with helping. Whether he liked it or not, this had to be done.

"Not to worry, Mr. Caffrey. What you are experiencing is completely normal. Your body has gone through a lot. And you don't have to be ashamed of anything." Doctor Gillian smiled at him and Neal was stunned by the sudden sympathy. His mouth was open slightly as he realized that probably a bit of his old charm still seemed to work. With this thought, he straightened his back.

El gulped at the sight of Neal's bare chest. Considering the short time the young man had lost some weight. His ribs were clearly visible, even though Neal has always been very slim, it was time that he ate something again, soon. With one hand she stroked his back and held him upright while the doctor brought her stethoscope in place. At the same time she sat down beside him on the bed.

"Then let's listen to the heart and lungs."

El saw Neal nod.

Doctor Gillian didn't hesitate to put the cold stethoscope on Neal's warm skin. Neal twitched briefly as he felt the cold metal and bit his lip in frustration.

At this time there was dead silence in the room. Neal stared straight ahead, while El's eyes sought those of her husband. Peter looked alternately worried between her and Neal. Despite his pale face and his thin body, he seemed to do better. His bright eyes were almost completely back. And his senses seemed more strongly alerted once again. In addition, he was no longer writhed in pain.

"Breathe in…good. And out…excellent. That sounds good. Your heart is fine. It's all okay," the doctor said with satisfaction.

"Perfect," Neal muttered, clearing his throat immediately. The doctor frowned.

"Do you have a sore throat?"

Neal shook his head. But before he could say anything, the woman put a wooden spatula into his mouth. "Say Aahhh." Neal blinked perplexed with his eyes, but did as he was told.

"Aaaaah."

"Okay. Your throat is a little sore. But that is probably caused by the constant vomiting," the doctor said introverted. Neal wanted to say that he had difficulty in swallowing, but he got no chance and gave up.

Test after test came. The doctor seemed satisfied with Neal's condition. That was good news. But as Neal thought the tests were over, Dr. Gillian had another surprise for him in store.

"Okay. And now to the most important examination, Mr. Caffrey. I want you to lay back comfortably. And Mrs. Burke? Would you be so kind to make some space?"

El blinked and stood up next to her husband while they automatically searched for the hands of each other.

Doctor Gillian pressed one hand gently on the abdomen of Neal. With the other hand, she knocked on the back of the hand. Neal could feel the vibrations and it was not pleasant. Especially not in the stomach. He looked at the doctor gravely, when she touched a certain area. A low cry escaped his lips and his hands clutched convulsively on the blanket. This was a clear indication that the infection had not completely subsided yet. But significantly reduced.

"That hurt, right?"

Neal was shaking his head to answer "No", but he decided not to lie. So he nodded slowly.

El and Peter exchanged glances with each other and the doctor began to stow her instruments back in the bag. And that meant that the doctor's visit came to an end.

"And?" Peter asked finally and wanted to know the result of the examination. He looked at Dr. Gillian expectantly.

"And what?" Retorted the doctor, a strange grin on her face. It almost seemed that she wanted to bring up Peter again. Elizabeth had noticed this and sighed.

"And? Is everything okay with Neal? asked Elizabeth, a slight annoyance audible in her tone. Dr. Gillian finally lifted her shoulders and smiled contentedly.

"Mr. Caffrey is doing fine. The worst is behind us. But his body has to regain his strength. It takes at least a week before he will be fully recovered. Give him some soup with easily digestible ingredients. Nothing that would upset his intestines. No coffee. And let him sleep if he wants to. That will do him some good."

El looked at Peter and then nodded towards Neal, who was sleepily lying on the bed.

Dr. Gillian was led out of the room by El and Peter listened as they went downstairs. When he was alone with Neal, Peter let out a deep sigh. At the moment he needed some time to process the instructions of the doctor. Peter shook his head and looked toward the bed.

"So. No coffee. You heard that, Caffrey?" Peter grinned.

He knew that Neal would have a problem with that instruction. But Peter got no answer. Below, he heard the doctor with Elizabeth. Satchmo barked alerted one time when the door was opened by Elizabeth. Until now, the faithful dog had been down there and eyed the visitor critically. Peter grinned as he thought of the face Satmcho had pulled as Dr. Gillian had gone upstairs for the first visit. Peter was startled in his thoughts by a faint whimpering and turned to the bed, where Neal was trying to get up. Peter laughed at him and grabbed the shirt.

"You should put the shirt on, before you catch a cold." Neal sighed wearily. With one hand Peter reached for Neal's arm to help him sit up. He was shocked by the lack of resistance when he pulled the shirt over Neal. Neal looked at him with glassy eyes and suddenly began to giggle. Peter frowned.

"What?"

"Nothing. You know, it's been a very long time since anyone has done something like this for me."

"What? Helping you to dress? Neal...that happened not so long ago, as you might think." Neal looked at him quizzically. He tried to understand Peter's words, but eventually he had to give up and shrugged. Peter sat down beside him on the bed and placed a hand on his knee.

"Last night. You ran a high fever. And El and I had to cool you." He didn't look to the left side, so he didn't see how the young man blushed. Neal lay back on the mattress and put an arm over his eyes to cover his shame.

"Oooohhh...right...," Neal groaned weakly. "Thanks for reminding me..."

Peter bowed his head to hide his smile as he leaned his elbows on his knees and silently shook his head.

For a while neither spoke.

The silence was finally broken by the growling stomach of Neal. Peter looked at him and saw the frustrated look of Neal, who suddenly rubbed his belly.

"You okay?" Peter asked his CI. Neal shook his head as he still rubbed his belly and sighed. His face was greenish.

"Not since nurse Ratched tortured my stomach again," Neal answered. He sounded so young while saying it. And even though Neal was really sick and didn't simulate, Peter couldn't resist teasing him.

"Oh, cowboy up, Neal. The worst is over, buddy." He grinned at him. Neal shot a dirty look back. But when he wanted to respond, the door opened again. Elizabeth waited in the doorway, smiling broadly, a tray with a cup of tea and a bowl with steaming soup.

"Well, Neal. On the advice of Dr. Gillian. You need something in your stomach before you take these antibiotics." She picked up a plastic box with a daily ration of pills and shook it. That was enough for Neal to drop back to whining.

"No, no, no soup. I-I cannot eat now, really," Neal whined weakly.

El and Peter smiled slightly. After everything that had happened to them this weekend, they could justifiably claim that Neal had behaved like a little spoiled child. But it was a bit of their own fault, too.

"And when can I go home? I miss my own soft bed and the beautiful view and June and Moz," Neal whimpered in a lying position. Meanwhile, Peter took the pills from his wife and put them on the bedside table. With a grin, he looked at his wife and began to stir the soup, so that it cooled a bit. El grabbed a chair and pushed it close to the bed.

"Neal. If you don't eat up the soup, Peter and I will have to force you." Neal sighed and sat up with difficulty. As he staggered a little, Peter stretched out his hand, but the young man had found the balance quickly.

"Okay. Then give me the bowl," Neal sighed monotonous. And then he began to eat slowly.
It was quiet for a long time, while El and Peter didn't let him out of sight. Neal in turn gave his best and ate the soup spoon for spoon. After he had enough, he reached for the tea and took a sip. Immediately he tasted the sweet honey in it. He blinked and looked surprised at Elizabeth. She smiled.

"For your sore throat."

She watched him intensely while he was drinking his tea and she could see his eyes were getting glassy. It was not long until his eyelids were getting heavier and heavier. So it was time for Peter to give him the pills before Neal would finally fell asleep. The young man was weak and not fully recovered. But he was on the right way to get healthy again.

Peter pushed the sleeping Neal carefully back on the mattress and placed his head very gently on the pillow. El was at his side to put the blanket over Neal. Then she gave Peter a soft kiss before she took the tray and left the room. When she went downstairs, Peter tried to drape the blanket carefully around Neal. Neal sighed contentedly, his head turned to one side and he muttered something in his sleep.

"P'tr...you w-will a-always… b-be my hero..."

THE END

AN: The End. That's it. Now there are only a few days left for the beginning of the next season of White Collar! :D... but anyway..

I'm so glad Melles had translated this for me. Again I say. But it was fun, right?

I hope you liked it all and have a nice weekend! "het ga je goed!"

X

Josi