Peter froze, Neal looked so tiny on the bed. His face was hard to see, because of the oxygen mask. He shuffled in and pulled a chair close to his bed. Peter carefully took Neal's limp hand and tried not to cry. What had Neal done to deserve this? Yeah, he was a criminal, but he wasn't a bad person. He actually cared about people, he doesn't deserve this. The tears finally spilled and Peter rested his head on Neal's hand.

"Don't leave me Neal." Peter repeated it over and over until El placed a hand on his back. He looked up at her. "This is my fault." Peter looked back to Neal and then kept his eyes on the floor. "If I had gone in earlier, Neal would be fine right now."

"Peter, this no one's fault, but the man who shot Neal."

"No, El, somehow the man knew who Neal was. We should have been more careful." Peter looked at Neal again, guilt rolling through his body. He suddenly felt sick looking at how weak Neal seemed. Peter stood and rushed out of the room, El followed. Everyone took their turn with Neal and slowly the crowd of people left. Many left crying. Mozzie was the only one who hadn't gone in.

"Moz it's your turn." Mozzie turned tear filled eyes to El.

"I can't." El placed a gentle hand on his back. "If he does...I don't want this to be the last memory I have of him."

"If it is his time, then you will regret not getting to say your final goodbye." Mozzie looked into Elizabeth's eyes and nodded. He stood slowly, shaking with emotion. He walked to Neal's room and slowly pushed the door open. He sat in the seat next to Neal.

"If you were awake I would quote someone and you would answer with who's quote it was. But Neal, I don't have a quote for you right now. All I have is my best friend close to death and all my emotions. You can't go. I've never had a friend like you. You are a person that I can't just walk away from. I can't leave New York and disappear, because I can't leave you Neal. So fight. I don't want this to be goodbye." Mozzie wiped the tears from his eyes and stood. He glanced at Neal one last time and walked out. He walked past El on his way out and ran off to deal with his emotions by himself.

El glanced at Peter. He was silent and had his emotions masked behind his stone face. El knew that her husband was hurting, she was hurting too. After some convincing, Peter found himself sitting alone in Neal's room. He stared blankly at Neal's limp, nearly lifeless body.

"Neal...where do I begin." Peter swallowed hard, trying to swallow his emotions. "You have always been a pain the ass. But somehow, you grew on me. What started out as a chore to be your handler, turned into a friendship. Looking back now, I hadn't realized it until now. Neal you are my best friend." Peter wiped the tears from his eyes. "You have so much to live for. You need to fight Neal. I need you to fight." Peter fell silent and whispered his last part. "I need you, Neal." Peter whispered into Neal's ear. "Fight, Neal. Don't give up." Peter sat back down and watched the slow rise an fall of Neal's chest.

Peter woke to sunlight. He opened his eyes and realized that he had fallen asleep. He lifted his head off the edge of Neal's bed and stretched. He glanced at Neal a his frown deepened. Neal hadn't changed throughout the night. He still remained still and lifeless. Peter sank back into the chair and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The door opened and El walked in with coffee.

"Any change?" Peter shook his head no and accepted a cup of coffee. El sat down in the chair across from Peter. She reached for Neal's hand and grasped it carefully. "He made it through the night, that's a good sign." Peter nodded.

Days passed slowly and Peter never left Neal's side, other than to shower and change. El came and went, but spent most of her time at the hospital. The room slowly filled with flowers, balloons, and stuffed animals. The room smelled amazing, with the flowers. Peter stood and stretched. He couldn't focus on the paperwork he had. He walked to the window and watched as cars went on their way and people hustled around on the street. Peter sighed.

"P'tr..." Peter spun around and his eyes widened when they met Neal's sky blue orbs.

"Neal!" Peter rushed to the bed side and grasped his hand. He smiled as Neal's wrapped around his own. "Hey buddy." Neal smiled weakly. His eyes roamed the room.

"Are these all for me?" He said slowly. Peter nodded.

"Apparently you are pretty popular." Neal looked at Peter.

"How long have I been out?"

"2 weeks." Neal's eyes grew wide. "You lost a lot of blood. But you are healing nicely. It was touch and go in the beginning. The doctor told us to say our goodbyes." Peter let his eyes fall to the floor and then back to Neal. "But you pulled through." Peter smiled at Neal. Neal let the news sink in. He turned to Peter.

"Right before...I was shot. My life actually flashed before my eyes." Neal met Peter's eyes. "I thought I was going to die. But I wasn't afraid, like I thought I would." Neal down at the blanket covering him and started playing with a thread on it. "I almost let go...Kate was there. She wanted me to come to her...but then I heard you, and you were asking me to stay. So I fought." Neal glanced up and saw a smile grow on Peter's face.

"I'm glad you fought. This whole thing made me realize, that your more than just a partner. You're my friend, Neal, my best friend." Neal lit up.

"You're my best friend Peter."

El walked to Neal's room. Today she was going to convince Peter to spend a night at home and sleep in a abed rather than a hospital chair. She went to grab the handle when she heard voices. She pushed it open and nearly dropped everything in her hands as she met Neal's blue eyes. She rushed forward and set everything in a chair. She rushed to Neal's side and gave him a gentle hug. She turned to Peter.

"Why didn't you tell me he was awake?"

"He just woke up." Neal smiled up at El.

"What did I miss?"

"Not much, sweetie." She ruffled his hair. Neal smiled, he might miss Kate, but he was needed here. He had a family here. He had Peter here. The only man that really understood Neal and accepted him.

FIN