Peter tried to sit and wait patiently outside of Neal's room, but he was in a hurry. His clearance had been pulled and he wasn't being allowed to return even in medical situations. Peter couldn't believe that in just a few hours everything had gotten ten times worse, and he was ready to work around the clock until all this was over. Peter couldn't stand being in the chair anymore. He got up and paced the hallway trying not to hit the ugly, gray colored walls. In his heart he hoped Neal was getting better. How could he possible walk out of the prison if Neal was still really sick? While pacing Peter thought about Hughes calling him with the crappy news. It was only about 20 minutes after leaving the warden's office that he had gotten the call from Hughes. Peter couldn't believe how bad his luck was running at the moment. He had waited so long to be able to get into the prison, only to be given his walking papers a few hours later. If this wasn't bad enough, it was a gloating Fowler who called Hughes about rescinding his clearance. The warden had called Fowler directly, complaining, wanting some action taken immediately to get him out. How did the warden even know Fowler personally? Fowler was getting more dangerous by the minute and needed to be dealt with. Peter stopped in front of Neal's room and wished Dr. Stacy would hurry up. He didn't want to have to leave Neal without checking on him first. Peter rubbed his throbbing head. He really wanted three Tylenol and his brain to stop haunting him. His brain kept telling him over and over that Neal was being set up and this case was bogus. He even wondered if Fowler made a dirty deal with the warden and Blaine to make sure Neal never got a chance to leave the prison?

Dr. Stacy finally walked out of Neal's room after what seemed liked an eternity. Peter watched her stop and make some notes in Neal's chart before coming to talk to him. He couldn't help but continue to check his watch for the time, knowing he was cutting it close. Hughes had told him to get out quickly, or he may end up suffering more consequences then just his rescinded clearance. He still couldn't believe in just a few minutes he was going to have to leave Neal behind in this corrupt dirt pit. Peter had only one small comfort left. Supposedly an undercover agent was still being sent in to watch over Neal. Hughes told Peter he wasn't about to let all this go down without a fight. Neal technically worked for him, and he wasn't going to leave one of his own in a no win situation. Peter appreciated this since it had taken a long time to convince Hughes that Neal was an asset to their department. As much as the situation stunk, an undercover agent was better than nothing. Peter watched Dr. Stacy finally walking towards him and she was smiling. He took this as a very good sign that Neal was getting better and breathed deeply. He didn't think he had really breathed at all since Neal got sick.

Dr. Stacy was actually happy to see Agent Burke standing in the hallway near Neal's room. She had watched him pace nervously back and forth for awhile and was hoping to give him some good news. "The procedure went fine and Neal actually behaved." Stacy smiled at Agent Burke trying to crack a joke, but he didn't look happy even with the good news. "Neal's x-rays are clean, he has no fever, and his stomach pain is better. He should be well in a few days, but I am going to keep him in the clinic until at least Wednesday. I will give him some medicine after that to keep his stomach issues from returning. He should be able to return to his cell with no more problems. I am out of the medicine I need for him right now, but I am getting a new shipment in tomorrow. Unfortunately our medical supplies have been disappearing like crazy lately. I keep telling myself its because so many prisoners have been getting sick, especially on the other prison doctor's shift." Stacy herself knew something funny was going on, but didn't know what to do about the situation. She had always thought that her partner doctor at the prison was odd, but lately she was also suspecting he was a crook .

Stacy told Burke a little more about Neal's improving condition. As she talked she realized Agent Burke didn't look happy. This really bothered Stacy since he seemed to be so worried before. Horrible thoughts started to float through Stacy's head. A lot of crazy, sick people came into the prison with ulterior motives. Maybe Peter Burke had an ulterior motive. Maybe he didn't want Neal better and was hoping Neal was getting worse. How could she possibly let him back into Neal's room if he didn't really care about Neal? For some reason she actually was concerned. Quickly she tried to think of what to do, because he was getting restless. He wanted to see Neal and she couldn't stall anymore. "Alright Agent Burke, what gives? I thought you would be happy about Neal being better, but you just seem more upset. Do you really care about Neal, or are you just another sicko?" She put her hands on her hips and wanted some information. "I just got him feeling better, so don't go in that room if you plan on hurting him. He may be a criminal, but he is still a person. I have seen too many other feds treat the prisoners in here like crap. It gets tiring to watch." Stacy watched Peter just staring at her.

Dr. Stacy totally caught Peter off guard. He was amazed that she was actually concerned about Neal, considering she didn't really know him. He didn't trust anyone, but for some reason he wanted to trust Stacy. He needed someone to look after Neal on the inside. Being a doctor she actually had a position of power and maybe could. He stared down at Dr. Stacy and hoped he was right. "What I am going to tell you is confidential and can't be shared. I am only telling you because I have read your file and you seem to be one of the only ones around here not crooked. You aren't crooked are you?" Peter thought Stacy would seem surprised when he asked her that, but she didn't appear to be. She just shook her head no at the question. "Neal is a con, but there is more to the story. He shouldn't be in here, and he normally works with me. After today I won't be able to come back into the prison anymore. I really need someone else who could watch after Neal for me." Peter glared at Stacy.

Stacy just smiled. She knew all along there was more to these two then how they were portraying themselves. Still, she hadn't planned on watching out for anyone. The only person she had every watched out for was herself. That is why she liked working in a prison. Usually, no one asked anything from her. Still, she was starting to like these two, especially Neal. He rubbed her the wrong way at first, but he had gotten nicer towards her when he realized she was just trying to help him. Neal being a con who turned fed made everything more clear to Stacy. More than ever she wanted to know what made Neal Caffrey tick behind his big blue eyes. "I don't know Agent Burke if I can help you in this situation. I don't know Neal, he's only my patient. I think he may be a little more relaxed around me now, but only because he needed someone when he felt so badly. He may not want me watching his back in this type of situation." She kept her eyes on Peter trying to decide what made him tick. Did he always go around trusting strangers in bad situations?

Peter glanced at his watch again and knew he had to leave. He had to make Stacy understand his position quickly. "Neal isn't going to have any choice in this matter, and he needs help. There are bad people in this prison and you may be one of the only ones who can help me get him out alive." Peter started walking into Neal's room followed by Stacy. She stopped at the doorway, so he had to stop too. He went ahead and stole a glance at Neal trying to sleep in the bed. He was happy Neal wasn't screaming in pain anymore and looked at little better. Neal still looked black and blue from being beaten up, but Peter knew Neal would heal quickly from that. He was just happy that Neal didn't have a bowel obstruction.

Neal heard Peter's voice and opened his eyes. He saw Peter standing in the doorway and had never been so happy to see his keeper. He promised himself if he got out of this one alive, he would try and be a better partner to Peter. Neal tried to adjust his position, but he was so worn out he couldn't move. He felt a lot better than he had in days, but his intestines and bottom felt like raw meat. He didn't even complain about the areas where he had gotten beaten up, because those two areas were still so painful. He had refused strong pain killers from Stacy and was just taking Tylenol. He didn't want to take anything that would leave him open to being attacked again. Neal saw Stacy and Peter talking in the doorway really seriously and his curiosity was peaked. Unfortunately, he was too weak to try and involve himself in the conversation and he really just wanted Peter's company.

Stacy finished listening to Peter and her blood was boiling. She hated corrupt people, especially her boss. She knew the warden was scum from the first day she had started at the prison, but her hands were always tied. She could have gone to the authorities many times about his cruelty, but it was made clear that no one ever betrayed him. If he ever found out about her helping Burke and Caffrey he would punish her for sure. That is why she couldn't believe she was going to do it. "Alright Agent Burke, I will try and help you and Neal. You have to agree to one condition. I want protection from the warden after all of this. I don't want to be getting into my car one day and it suddenly explodes. That is not how I want to die!" Stacy felt goose bumps on her skin.

Peter wondered why Stacy would suddenly bring up cars exploding. He realized that maybe she had experienced a lot more than she was letting on. He felt himself smiling at Stacy, happy his hunch about her seemed right. He also agreed to her condition. She would be protected no matter what happened after all of this.

Peter gave Stacy some last minute instructions and finally was able to go talk to Neal. He was happy Neal was already awake because he didn't have much more time to waste. "So I hear your feeling much better." Peter grabbed the same chair he had sat in before and pulled it next to Neal's bed again. He noticed that Neal was still pale, but didn't look like death. Still, he was concerned about him being so still and quiet. "Hey you are still acting like your in pain. Dr. Stacy told me you were better?"

Neal stared at Peter trying to think of what to say. Peter looked tired and Neal didn't want him to continue worrying. He was afraid Peter would pull him off the case before he got a chance to find out who broke into his cell. "I am still sore, but better. Don't worry about me, I will be fine. I just want to find out who creamed me in my cell." He tried to seem perkier, but it was a very bad attempt. He also realized that Peter was just staring at him with anger in his face. "Okay Peter what's wrong with you?" Peter didn't say anything and Neal got the point loud and clear that something was really wrong. "I might be under the weather, but I can handle anything you throw at me. I am sure I have been through worse before." Neal started to actually get worried. All he wanted was some down time to get better. He really didn't think he had been through worse, even during his prison sentence before.

"I hope you feel that way after I fill you in on the last few hours." Peter told Neal what had gone down. As he talked he watched Neal slowly go from feeling better to boiling. He continued because Neal needed to know everything. "I'm not allowed back here under any circumstances. If anything else medically happens El would have to come and take care of you. You are on your own, except for your friendly, strange lawyer. You aren't even allowed to know the identity of the undercover agent." Peter tried to wait for Neal's response, but he couldn't. He had to leave and couldn't linger. He started to get up, but Neal grabbed his arm and stopped him. Peter had to put his hand on Neal's arm and move it. It made him feel bad, but he had to leave. "I've got to go Neal, or Hughes will have my head, and the Warden will have my ass." Peter started walking away.

Neal took his hand back and watched Peter trying to walk out. He was already embarrassed at how emotional he had been earlier, so he didn't say much. He normally made it a policy to not discuss, or show emotions with anyone. Emotions left him too wide open to be hurt, Kate was the last straw. He did want some quick questions answered before Peter left. "Does Mozzy know about all of this craziness?" He knew he was going to need Mozzy's help if he couldn't have Peter's.

Peter turned around and answered Neal. "Yeah, arrangements have been made. Dr. Stacy and Mozzy know what's going on. You don't really know Dr. Stacy, but she's okay. Try to stay safe and hopefully I'll see you soon. Everyone will keep me informed." All this was killing Peter. He didn't want to leave Neal lying there. He wanted to take him home to El and his house. El was awesome at taking care of people and Neal needed some real care. Peter tried his best to get tough, and become emotionless as he reached the hallway. He got as far as the water fountain before angrily having to turn back. Peter ran to Neal's beside one last time, and smiled at his sad partner. He then leaned over and hugged him tightly. They didn't even have to say anything, it was all understood. Peter knew to think objectively about the case he was going to have to let Neal go mentally as well as physically. Running back out the door, he knew it would be weeks before he saw Neal again.