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Author: Lia Walker

Characters: Neal, Peter, Mozzie, Elizabeth, Jones, Lauren, June, and mentions of others.

Category: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Family, and Friendship.

Rating: Teen for Language and Slash.

Spoilers: For all episodes aired through now, spoilers are possible though this is AU.

Summary: After an accident Neal and Peter must recover with the help of their friends and family. It would've been so much easier if Neal hadn't tried to be selfless. Slash/AU. No mature scenes.

Disclaimer: *Sigh* Why must they always need me to remind myself that I don't own them? But if Neal were to be for sale then perhaps….

Author's Note: This is my first White Collar fan fiction story and it is Slash and AU. In this story it takes place 6 months after Neal and Peter make the deal and Elizabeth has bowed gracefully out of her marriage with Peter as she realizes how happy Neal made him. They all remain strong friends.

"Jesus Neal" Peter muttered as he sat in the cold unforgiving chair at Neal's bedside, his hand was wrapped tightly around Neal's own.

June was also in the room, sitting on the other side of the bed gently stroking Neal's face. The ICU had a strict two visitor policy so Jones, Diana, and Elizabeth all waited in the waiting room.

June looked to Peter "There's not much more I can do tonight, I'm going to head home so someone else can have a visit but you be sure to tell Neal that I'll be back to visit tomorrow okay?"

Peter nodded and gave her a small smile "Thank you June, for everything."

It was because of June that Neal had a private room in the ICU. It'd been a little over 5 hours since the accident; Peter's own injuries were minor enough for him to have been discharged.

Neal wasn't so lucky.

A broken ankle, dislocated shoulder, three cracked ribs were amongst the minor injuries. The most worrying injury had been the one to stop Neal's heart: the cardiac contusion.

"What is it?" Peter had asked the doctor when he was finally allowed to enter the room.

"In laymen's terms it's a bruised heart. The type of injury can vary in seriousness but is usually caused by a blow to the chest like Neal received in the accident." The Doctor told him.

Peter paled "Does this mean that Neal is going to have permanent heart damage?"

"Not at all" the doctor began "so long as he avoids strenuous activity for the next 4 to 6 weeks and avoids getting upset or overwhelmed the problem will take care of itself. The initial impact of the dash sent the heart into an abnormal rhythm when it was thrust forward in such a violent motion, the rhythm was abnormal and the already straining lungs were forced towards his chest cavity further because of the broken ribs which resulted in the cardiac arrest in the ambulance." Peter had nodded and the doctor had left the room.

Peter began talking to Neal after June had left "I'm so sorry Neal, I should've been paying attention to the signs. How withdrawn you've been lately…it's all my fault. I-I guess we can tell people I just…don't want you to go back to jail it would kill me." Peter pulled his head out of his hands and looked at him.

Neal groaned and Peter realized that he had been listening to him the entire time "Neal?" he questioned as he tightened his grip on his hand. Neal's panicked eyes flew to the doorway and Peter quickly turned around. "D-director he began. How long have you been…" he trailed off as the director began to speak.

"Long enough." he said as he walked further into the room.

Peter immediately remembered what the doctor had said as he heard Neal's heart monitor speed up. "Neal relax please" Peter plead as he turned around to Neal who nodded his head as he fought to calm himself down.

"There is no reason to be upset for either of you." The director said "Do you think I'm blind? It's my job to know my men inside and out and as far as I'm concerned you two are a fine pair. I have to get going now that I'm down two of my best men there is lots of paperwork to be done. I don't want to see you back at the office for a minimum of two months Neal and the same goes for you Peter. Desk duty when you do come back for a little while." He left the room.

Peter turned to Neal to find him with an open mouth "Wow" Neal mouthed.

"I guess so." Peter nodded in silent agreement.

A short doctor opened the curtain a moment later with his back to them "Right in here ladies and gentlemen" was spoken in an obviously fake German accent. Diana, Jones, and Elizabeth all filtered in through the curtain that was being held open by the 'doctor'.

Peter looked confused as he had been lectured on the two visitor policy but the doctor spoke up "This pretty woman is second visitor" he motioned towards Elle—"these two are law enforcement so they can stay as long as they like."

The doctor was now standing near the bed facing away from Neal but Neal carefully reached over and grabbed the 'doctors' hand. "Hey Mozz." He rasped and the 'doctor' turned quickly towards him.

"I know not of this Mozzie figure but you have a goodnight and get better" the doctor waved to everyone before leaning over Neal "…I don't like being here anymore than you my friend." Mozzie whispered into Neal's ear as he gave him a small hug.

Peter just shook his head as Mozzie strolled off.

Diana and Jones both noticed Peter and Neal's enclosed hands. Peter noticed them both looking and shrugged his shoulders "What can I say?"

Diana looked at Jones for a moment before kissing him in front of everyone "I won't tell if you won't she promised" laughing.

"Director approves of our relationship though." Neal rasped with amusement gleaming in his eyes.

"Feels good to finally say it out loud." Peter nodded in agreement.

The road to recovery would not be short or easy. There would be more obstacles to overcome and difficult cases to crack but as long as Neal and Peter had each other and their friends it was nothing short of possible.

Cheesy I know but hey it's been 2 years I'm just glad to have finished it! Reviews = LOVE!