Author's Note: This one's a little rough around the edges but I really wanted to post something so here it is! Just a little scene that popped into my head one day. The title is actually a prompt word for one of those alphabetical challenges... haven't decided yet if I'll do more or not...

Disclaimer: White Collar is most definately not mine... one can dream though, right?

Alive

"Neal," Peter groaned, sagging down the wall, eyes closing briefly in pain.

"Peter," Neal said, dropping the smoking gun and hurrying to his partner's side.

"I'm okay," Peter gasped, rubbing at his chest as Neal's shaking hands yanked at the buttons on his shirt.

"You wore your vest," Neal said, sagging in relief and Peter smiled weakly.

"Didn't think it'd be that easy to get rid of me, did you?"

Slowly Neal shook his head. "He shot you, Peter. He shot you and I… I…"

A wild chuckle escaped Neal as his eyes darted from the discarded gun to the body a few feet away.

"I killed him," Neal whispered, horror in his wide blue gaze.

With effort Peter pushed himself up. "Look at me, Neal," he said firmly.

Neal stared at the body.

"Neal. Look at me."

Slowly, as though in a daze, Neal turned his head, meeting the agent's gaze.

"You saved my life, Neal," Peter said quietly. "He would have realized I had a vest and his next shot would have been my head. I would be dead if you hadn't shot back. You understand?"

"I didn't even think about it," Neal murmured, his gaze drifting back to the body. "You went down and I didn't think, I just shot him. I don't even remember grabbing the gun."

"You reacted. You did good, Neal," Peter insisted.

Distantly there were sirens.

Their backup was coming. Peter almost snorted. They would have found two corpses if not for Neal.

Neal nodded, something in his gaze clearing, focusing on Peter again. "You're alive," he said, relieved.

"Thanks to you," Peter said sincerely. "Knew you'd have my back."

Neal grinned then and as the sirens grew closer Peter knew his friend would be okay.

"Haven't regretted it yet, partner," the ex-con said, still grinning and Peter felt his own lips quirk in response.

Caffrey would be just fine.