Peter continues to watch his best friend as he sleeps. No that is wrong, Neal is more than his best friend; he is more like a little brother.

"Listen to me and you had better listen good. We removed your tracker; so you need to snap out of it. June, Mozzie and El need you to get better. I need you to get better. You have to snap out of this; I won't accept anything less from you." Peter begs.

Neal doesn't open his eyes. He continues to act as if he hadn't heard.

"Neal, I know you can hear me. Look at me." Peter demands.

Neal finally looks at him.

"Good. Feel anything different?" Peter asks.

Neal doesn't answer; whatever it is that is different; he doesn't care. He is past caring about anything.

"I removed your tracker." Peter started.

"For how long; till I am out of here, till I go back to prison." Neal responds, his voice still monotone.

"As long as you follow the rules we set for you; for the rest of your sentence. You were released on a work release program; but Hughes changed it to parole. Like any parole it can be reversed; but as long as you do what you are supposed to do and stay away from unauthorized cons their shouldn't be a problem." Peter explains

"What rules?"

"Once your deemed well enough to leave here; you will stay with El and I. If not out with either one of us; you are back at my place by 9. If on occasion, you want to stay out later; we can discuss it. And you will continue to be my CI. Does this sound okay to you?"

"You do not need to change up your life on account of me."

"Neal; we want too. El is already getting the room ready for you; she can't wait for you to come. Besides it is not permanent; just for the next few months. June and Mozzie is bringing over the necessities so that you will have them. They also promise to join us for dinner at least once a week until you go home."

Neal stares at Peter taking in everything he said; but reality sets in. There is always a catch and nobody really gives something for nothing; at least not where he is concerned. He met Mozzie after he conned a conner on a street corner. Mozzie had only wanted him to execute a huge con on Vincent Addler. A con that left him with nothing; but a girlfriend, who had broken up with him when he needed her the most. She was the only reason he had survived being locked up; he looked forward to every visit and hated to see her go. She also wanted something in return; she believed he had the music box and she wanted it. The FBI uses his skills and knowledge to close their crimes. How many times has life been put in danger to close a case.

"So what is my radius now; your house and that is it."

"No radius at all. You want to go to the art galleries after work; go as long as you're home by nine or whatever time I decide that day. You want to stay out until 10 or 11 and we don't work the next day; then you ask me and most likely I will say yes. As long as you are not making a habit out of it."

"Peter, this isn't necessary."

"Neal, I think it is. This past week, seeing you so depressed was killing me too. I was so afraid to leave you; afraid that when I come back, you wouldn't be here."

"Where would I go?"

Peter looks at his friend and shakes his head.

"Neal, you were wasting away with this depression. The doctors weren't sure that they could save your life. That this depression may just end up killing you. Please get better and come home." Peter begs.

"When will I get to go back to work?"

"Your psychiatrist, Melinda Johnson will decide when you can go back. When your health starts improving, you can come home with me." Peter answers.

3 days pass

Neal is eating some; but mostly he picks at his food. He smiles some; but mostly he is still down.

Melinda sees Peter comes for his visit with Neal. June was there earlier; she left when Melinda started their therapy session.

"How is Neal?" Peter asks.

"We just finished his therapy session and I have decided that he can leave."

"Now? He doesn't seem to be getting better." Peter asks in confusion.

"I know it doesn't look like it; but he is getting better. Depression doesn't cure itself over night. It is a slow and tedious process. But he is getting better. However, he will have good days and bad days." Melinda explains as she leaves to talk to Neal's doctor about releasing him.

Peter walks into Neal's room. He is sitting on his bed staring at his hands.

"Melinda told me you can go home today."

Neal shrugs. Peter can't believe that this is being considers at getting better. El will go a long way in helping Neal.

Peter drives carefully home with Neal sitting beside him. Neal is looking out the window. Peter had tried to get Neal to talk to him, but he won't respond. The hospital releases him on a bad day; what is wrong with this picture.