Bite Sized Bits of Fic

Elizabeth wakes to find Peter awake, still in bed, Neal curled around him like he's a lifeline.

Someone has to state the obvious, so she does. "He had a nightmare."

"Yeah."

"I almost liked it better when he was waking us up in the middle of the night."

"Yeah. Hon, could you get a band aid, and some antiseptic?"

El raises both eyebrows.

Peter holds up Neal's hand. There's a little dried blood on the middle finger, and teeth marks are still apparent.

"So that's how he's doing it."

"Yeah."

El ducks into the bathroom for the first aid kit. When she comes out, Peter looks like he's choking on some words.

"Spit it out," she says, without ceremony.

"This is the first time he's turned to me. He usually turns to you. Why didn't he turn to you?"

El smiles sadly. "That's not a question I can answer, Hon."

"You're saying I should ask him?"

"I'm saying I can't answer it. Neal fast asleep?"

"Like a baby. I checked. The whole floppy arm thing."

El smiles and starts cleaning up the wound.

Neal doesn't wake up. Good. He needs the rest.