A/N Well this is it. I have had so much fun writing it and I wish it didn't have to be over but all good things must come to an end. I have some more ideas for stories floating around in my head, though, so it's not all bad.

When Neal woke up three hours later he felt much better. He was less sore and felt much more rested. When he opened his eyes he saw that Peter was leaning against the wall asleep. As Neal watched Peter stirred and woke up.

"Hey" Neal said as he smiled up at Peter.

"Hey buddy. You look like you're feeling better." Peter said smiling back.

"Yeah I am. I finally feel like I can stay awake longer than five minutes and I'm actually hungry."

Just then his stomach growled and they both chuckled at the sound.

"I'll go see about getting you something to eat ok?"

Peter slid Neal out of his lap and over onto the bed then stood up and put on his shoes.

"Thanks Peter" Neal said.

Peter patted Neal on the shoulder then left the room.

He returned a short time later followed by a nurse carrying a tray of food. She placed it on the table and positioned it in front of Neal. Then she adjusted the bed and helped Neal sit up.

"Thanks" Neal flashed her a smile then started on the broth the nurse had brought. After the nurse had left Neal glanced at Peter then reached over and grabbed the cup of jell-o off his tray.

"You want my jell-o?" Neal asked as he held out the cup and spoon to Peter.

Neal was pretty sure Peter hadn't eaten much since he'd been here.

"Sure thanks" Peter said as he took the jell-o. He sat down in the chair by Neal's bed and the two ate in companionable silence.

)()()(

Neal continued to improve over the next two days.

He had finally convinced Peter to go home at night. He would have liked Peter to be there but he knew the older man wasn't getting enough sleep in the hospital chair. So Peter would go home when visiting hours were over then be back in Neal's room as soon as visiting hours started again. El and June visited as often as they could and Mozzie called and offered his "get well soon" wishes but didn't visit. Neal was ok with that. He knew how much the con hated hospitals. Besides he had Peter to keep him company.

"So when are you going back to work?" Neal asked Peter as the agent sat beside his bed while the two watched TV.

"I'm playing it by ear," Peter answered honestly. "Hughes is giving me all the time I need. So until you kick me out I'm going to be right here taking care of my little brother."

Neal gave Peter a genuine dazzling smile and Peter couldn't help but smile back. "Thanks" Neal said. "That means a lot Peter."

Peter gave Neal a smile and a pat on the shoulder then the two turned back to the TV.

)()()(

Dr. Taylor had been in to check on Neal several times a day every day since the young man woke up. Four days after Neal's fever broke Dr. Taylor came into Neal's room just as Neal and Peter started yet another discussion of their hobbies.

"I just don't get the fascination with sports, Peter" Neal said.

"Just like I don't get the fascination with art or sitting and listening to classical music" Peter replied.

Before Neal could unleash a witty comeback they noticed Dr. Taylor standing in the doorway smiling and shaking his head at the two. He had heard this and other similar discussions several times during the past few days.

"Hey doc" Neal called. "What's up?"

Dr. Taylor stepped the rest of the way into the room. "I just came to tell you we will be releasing you tomorrow."

"Really?" Neal asked in excitement. He was starting to get tired of being in the hospital.

"Yes. You're completely over the infection and your lungs are healing nicely. You will still need to rest and take it easy for a little while but you don't need to stay in the hospital." Dr. Taylor explained.

"Great! Thanks doc. For everything" Neal said.

"You're welcome" he said and turned to go.

Peter got up and followed the doctor outside into the hallway.

"Dr. Taylor, I just wanted to thank you for taking such good care of Neal." Peter said holding out his hand.

Dr. Taylor shook it and said, "You're welcome. I'm just glad everything turned out alright. It's always terrible to loose a patient but it's even worse to see the families torn apart and I can tell you and your wife care a great deal about Neal."

Peter smiled at the doctor. "Yeah we do."

Peter thanked him again then they said their goodbyes and Peter returned to Neal's room. They sat in silence for a moment before Peter spoke.

"Neal there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

Neal looked at him curiously, "Sure Peter what is it."

"Dr. Taylor said that your respiratory infection was most likely caused by trauma or bacteria that got in your lungs. He also said that inhaling water could have done it. So I was wondering, when we fell trough the ice did you inhale any water?" Peter asked.

Neal looked down at his hands resting in his lap, "Maybe" he mumbled.

Peter put a hand on Neal's shoulder. "Neal look at me," he said gently.

Neal slowly raised his eyes to meet Peter's.

"Tell me" Peter said.

"It was while you were unconscious," Neal began. "I was treading water because none of the ice would hold me up. I was getting tired and my clothes were dragging me down. I was so cold I couldn't feel my arms and legs and it was getting harder to stay afloat. It happened so fast. I slipped under the surface before I even knew it. It was so cold and the shock was so much that I sucked in a breath without even thinking but I surfaced a second later and coughed it all out. It was no big deal" Neal said quietly. "And afterward I didn't really think anything about it. Please don't be mad," Neal said as he looked down at his hands again. He knew how much Peter hated it when he didn't tell him important things.

Peter stood and pulled the young man into an embrace. "Thank you" he whispered in the young man's ear. He stepped back but kept his hands on Neal's shoulders and looked him in the eye. Neal had a surprised and confused look on his face. This was not how he had expected Peter to react. "I wish you would have said something sooner that way you wouldn't have had to go through this but you weren't purposely trying to hide it. You saved my life," Peter explained. "And almost lost yours in the process. How could I be mad at you?" he asked honestly.

Neal wasn't sure what to say to that so he just smiled at him.

Peter smiled back then reached up and ruffled the younger man's hair before stepping back. "I'm going to run over to June's and get you some clothes for tomorrow." Peter said.

Neal perked up at the mention of clothes. "Get me one of my suites and my hat," he said.

Peter gave him a pointed look that said, No way am I doing that.

Neal knew exactly what that look meant. "Aw come on Peter," Neal whined.

"No Neal I am not bringing you a suite to wear out of the hospital," he answered. "I will bring you jeans and a tee shirt and you will like it." he stated matter-of-fact.

Neal started sulking. Peter just chuckled and walked out of the room.

)()()(

(The Next Day)

When Peter entered the room Neal was dressed and sitting on the side of the bed. He looked up when Peter entered.

"Hey" Neal said.

"Hey. El and June are taking care of the paperwork. You ready to go?" Peter asked.

"You bet I'm ready. I've only been talking about going home since I got here" Neal said with a smile as he stood up.

Peter smiled back. "Everything's set and El has the guest room ready for you."

"Peter you don't have to do that. I can go ho-"

Peter held up a hand cutting him off. He walked forward and put his hands on Neal's shoulders.

He looked him in the eye and said, "Neal, we already decided that you will stay with us while you finish recovering." He continued when he saw the uncertainty in Neal's eyes. The young man was still afraid of imposing. "You are my partner and my friend. But more importantly you are family. This is what family does."

A smile spread over Neal's face.

"Thanks" he said earnestly.

The two men embraced briefly before Peter stepped beside Neal and put an arm around the younger man's shoulders.

"Let's go home" he said.

Neal smiled and put an arm around Peter's shoulders. "Yeah let's go home." he said his smile growing wider.

Then the two brothers walked out the door to join their family waiting outside.

The End