Fragile Things (Drabble One)
Special Agent Peter Burke sat in the hospital’s waiting room. His hands folded tight together and his forehead resting against them. Various FBI agents milled around along with some of the Marshalls that were working on the case. His knee bounced as he looked at the clock. Time was moving too slow.
He fucking hated waiting. He could have been home right now with his wife curled up next to him.
He hated stupidity. Especially the idiots that were stupid enough to shoot themselves in the foot.
Then, he heard the skidding of sneakers across the floor. He looked up and saw the lithe form of Emrys Smith through the glass. He was dressed in his usual jeans and t-shirt. His hair was even more messed up than normal.
“Emrys?”
Emrys turned: eyes red-rimmed and bloodshot.
“Peter,” he whispered, “I-I saw the news. And I knew that Neal was there. I…I…”
“Emrys! Calm down!” demanded Peter softly. He knew he should have made Neal call his boyfriend. Next time he was forcing the damn thing to his ear.
The agents were watching them: some openly, others were trying to be courteous. All were eavesdropping.
Vultures.
Luckily at that moment, the coffee had arrived saving Peter from all this emotional stuff.
“Emrys?” asked Neal with a confused expression on his face as he carried everyone’s coffee with Diana. There was a tiny white bandage where he got a small cut. Jones took the coffee as Emrys launched himself at his boyfriend.
“Neal! Oh thank the gods,” cried the younger man as he simultaneously checked his boyfriend over and hugged him.
“Of course I’m fine,” said the conman still confused.
“I heard someone got shot. And I thought it was you. Gods Neal! Why didn’t you call me?!”
“I-I didn’t think to?” said Neal tentatively. It was a rare sight to see Neal Caffrey act so bashful.
Peter watched the couple bemused. The suspect would be in surgery for a couple more hours but at least he would have a floorshow. And Neal is going to learn why it is always a good thing to have a series of code words with your partner as well as having a cell phone near your person at all times.