Chapter 1: Forged Bonds
Neal reached into his pocket and pulled out a key, he placed the key in the lock and turned it. The lock clicked open. Neal turned the door handle and pushed the door open. "Peter, I'm back… did you miss me?" Neal asked as he walked into the cabin.
Peter looked at the ex con and rolled his eyes "You were only gone for ten minutes that wasn't long enough for someone to be missed." He remarked as he got up from the table he was sitting at with the rest of the team.
The group had been holed up in the cabin for three days on a tip that something big was going to go down. Tensions were growing in the confined space. Neal's boredom had started to get on Peter's nerves. The senior agent had snapped at Neal over tapping his pen or walking around the room, even taking a nap. Neal was his responsibility and even though he was needed incase authenticity was questioned the ex con was driving the agents crazy.
"All right lets all take another break" Peter said as he got up from his chair and stretched his back cracked. He pointed at Neal and waved him over with a finger. Neal gave a small smirk as he followed his handler back outside with a small saunter.
When they were alone Peter turned around to look at the FBI's pet con, a title Neal wasn't fond of. Peter on the other hand enjoyed the way Neal would bristle at the name. "We've been working for days on a tip that doesn't seem to be going anywhere. We've got orders to go back to the city if nothing happens soon" Peter said with a sigh. Reaching out Neal grabbed Peter's tie and gave it a tug till they were almost nose to nose "Neal let me go… before the others see this"
Neal gave a loud sigh "I really thought this would pan out" he replied leaning against the wall of the cabin and letting go of Peter's tie. Giving a pout Neal looked at his partner "Look I thought the source of the information was credible. I'll be more careful next time." Neal added with another pout hoping to win his partner over.
Peter knew that look all too well it was the same look that had convinced him of looking into the tip that had them currently sitting in a cabin in the small town in upstate New York. "No, I fell for that once before but not this time. We're working and there will be no actions that can get in the way" he said with an authoritative tone.
Lauren walked outside and looked at the two men by the side of the cabin being a woman she could sense the tension between her boss and the con, it wasn't normal work tension it was rawer. "Hey boss you drew the short straw to go get take out this time" she said handing the car keys over and going back inside.
Giving a loud sigh Peter looked at the younger man who had given up his pout for something more seductive. "You stay here, and if you move from the yard I swear you're going regret it" he said. Neal's smirk only grew wider "That sounds very tempting, but I'll hold off on finding out what the punishment would be for another time. I promise I won't take a step over the property line for anything." Neal said raising his hands in defense.
Nodding his head a bit Peter headed for the black sedan and got in he watched Neal walk back into the cabin before he took off into town. It wasn't a very long ride to get to town from the rented cabin.
After he waited at the only Chinese food place in town for forty minutes Peter drove back to the cabin when he got there Neal was outside waiting for him. As he parked the car Neal moved from his spot and helped Peter bring the food inside.
"Anything happen?" He asked the two agents watching the monitor of the cabin next door. Lauren and Jones shook their heads. "Nothing, this was a bust we might as well start packing up" Jones said removing his headphones.
Neal finished unpacking the bag he brought in "We still have some time, let's not call it quits just yet. I mean you do want to catch this guy don't you?" he asked as he grabbed one of the containers and a pair of chopsticks. "This is rice; does anyone have the sweet and sour chicken?" Neal asked as he started to root through the other bag that Peter was holding.
Peter put the bag down and grabbed the chicken and handed it to Neal "Here… Jones, Cruz you two grab your food I'll watch the monitors with Neal for a while."Peter said as he took over one of the chairs. Neal parked himself in the other chair; he ate quietly as he watched the suspected fence walking around the yard.
"He's waiting for someone to show up he's anxious, look how he paces around." Neal remarked as he stirred the noodles around the container. Peter looked at his partner "Quit playing with your food and eat" he said moving his chair a bit closer to Neal.
"Get a room" Lauren called. Neal looked behind him when he realized that the other agent was talking to the television in the other room. Peter glanced at the con before looking back at the screen. "Well we found out who he's been waiting for." He said pointing toward the screen with his fork.
Neal looked and saw the other two agents come in. Neal watched as the fence led a small group of men into the house. "We need eyes in the house, and I know how to get a glimpse in that house." Neal said as he got up from the chair. "I need one of the take out bags and the phone books from the other room" Neal said as he started to walk around.
Jones watched as Neal rushed around the cabin quickly gathering everything together. "So you're going to impersonate a delivery man?" Peter asked with a smirk. Neal looked at himself "What, should I be dressed differently?" Neal asked looking at his clothes.
Lauren chuckled "You look more con artist than a delivery man, but we can fix that" she said leaving the room and coming back in with a large band tee shirt and a pair of jeans. "Now change" she said throwing the clothes into Neal's arms.
Neal felt his cheeks heat up a bit before he left the room and changed clothes. When he returned he fidgeted a bit. "These pants are a bit tight and why a band shirt?" he asked running his hand through his hair.
"It's almost perfect" Lauren said walking over and mussing up Neal's hair before she handed him a stick of gum. Peter bit his lip as he watched Neal leave the cabin with the false take out and get into the car and driving off.
"All right there's Neal" Jones said as the con walked up to the front door and knocked. "He actually looks the part." Lauren remarked with a chuckle.
Neal waited as the front door opened "Hi, I got your delivery from Peking Chinese… you ordered the duck and the beef" Neal said as he chewed the gum between words.
The man who opened the door looked at Neal "We didn't order any take out, now get lost" he said as pulled a gun. Knowing not to push his luck Neal looked at the receipt on the bag "Oh my mistake, I got the numbers wrong. Sorry about that" Neal said leaving quickly before things turned bad. When he got back to the cabin he was staying in he let out the breath he was holding.
Peter was outside waiting for Neal to get out of the car "Your nuts you know that, you could have been shot. Haven't you pulled enough stupid stunts in the last year and a half?"Peter asked.
The ex con smirked as he walked back inside with Peter hot on his tail. "Damn it Neal don't act so calm." Peter said as he grabbed Neal by the arm and pulled him into the back bedroom. Neal sat on the bed silently as Peter reprimanded him for being wreckless.
An hour passed before Neal was able to speak again "Peter I caught a glimpse of the paintings there are seven of them and from a distance they look real but I'll need a closer look." Neal said lying back on the bed.
Peter sighed "Change your clothes and get some rest I have some phone calls to make" he said as he unlocked the door and went out to the living room.
Neal chuckled as he went to his private room to change, when he was back in his own clothes he walked back out to where the others were. As he was walking down the hallway it dawned on him that he had seen the paintings once before. "Peter… I think we have a problem…" he said realizing where he had seen those paintings.
"What's wrong?" Peter asked slowly getting up from the chair he was sitting in, the tone Neal used worried him. "Those paintings are ones you've seen too, the hallway in my parent's home" he said taking a seat. Lauren and Jones looked at each other "I thought you said your parents were in France?" Lauren asked as she saw Neal pale a bit. "They were… at least I thought they were. Peter if my parents are around then I just messed all this up." Neal said running his hands through his hair.
Jones walked by the windows and looked out for any passing cars "You're talking about the same man that kidnapped Peter and broke your wrist?" Jones asked both Neal and Peter nodded at the same time.
"It doesn't matter anyway they're all gone they hightailed it out of that place as soon as Neal left. They're in the wind with those paintings." Lauren said pointing to the monitors showing an empty driveway. Peter sighed "All right lets pack it all up, we'll leave in the morning." He said getting up from the chair he was sitting in.
Lauren and Jones both sighed and began to break down the equipment and put them away. Peter walked over to Neal and looked him over. "You going to be all right?" he asked quietly. Neal gave a small smile "Yeah I'm fine, I'm going to turn in early" he said giving a false yawn before walking back into his room.
Neal couldn't sleep when he was sure everyone else was asleep he went outside and sat on the back stairs the cool air making him shiver.
"I thought I heard someone walking around" Peter remarked as he put a blanket over Neal's shoulders and sat down beside his pet con. "Are you still having the nightmares?" he asked putting his arm around Neal. The silver moonlight lit the yard up with a haunting beauty. Neal loved the moonlight it made everything in the world seem magical.
The crickets chirped loudly in the night, Neal pulled the blanket closer to his body. "Yeah, but they aren't as bad as they were a year ago. I talked to doctor Young and I still have the nightmares. I can't get on a plane without worrying about if it's going to be blown up. I've been looking over my shoulder more than Moz." Neal remarked letting his head find Peter's shoulder for comfort.
Peter kept his arm around Neal and rubbed his arm softly "Everything will be fine Neal" he whispered softly. Neal smiled "The view out here is wonderful" Peter said pulling the younger man closer. "Thanks you know I try hard to look my best" Neal said in a joking tone. Peter rolled his eyes. "You're very funny now you should get inside and get some slee…" Peter was cut off by a pair of warm lips.
When he managed to pull away Peter sighed "I knew if I told you not to it would only be a matter of time before you did it" he said looking at the ex con. Neal only smiled and moved closer for warmth. "You liked it anyway…you can't deny it, I'm going back inside maybe now I can sleep… then again you have the biggest bed here we could share again." Neal offered as he tried to worm his way into an invitation.
After a few minutes of saying no Peter realized it was pointless Neal would sneak in anyway. "Fine but you make one little noise and I kick you out" he said as he got back up and crept inside with Neal to his room. The younger man crawled into bed and got comfortable, in a matter of seconds he was out like a light.
Peter chuckled and locked the bedroom door I had a feeling all he needed to do was talk about his problems…now he'll sleep through the night. Peter thought as he got into bed and pulled the blankets up.
Neal rolled over and snuggled up against Peter, he liked the feeling of having Peter close to him.
By late afternoon the next day the three FBI agents and one consultant had arrived back in the city. After returning the equipment and writing up their reports they were allowed to leave. Peter wanted to get home to Elizabeth and enjoy the next day off.
"Burke a word before you go?" Hughes asked looking past Peter and locking eyes with Neal. When Reese learned that the ex con working as a consultant in his division was the son of the man he chased for years he decided to watch Neal even closer than before.
Neal knew that Hughes didn't just not like him there was downright hate that came off him, the older agent would watch him every chance he got waiting for him to do something. "Peter I'll just wait at my desk for you" Neal said parking himself in his chair.
Peter walked up into Hughes's office and stood there as his boss sat down. "I hope you're keeping a close eye on him. Now that we know who he's connected to I want him monitored even closer." Hughes said
"Neal is not like that he wants nothing to do with his father so there is nothing to worry about and I have been keeping a closer eye on him sir. Now I have to be going Elizabeth is waiting and I still have to bring Neal home" Peter said as he got the green light to leave. The young con jumped up and followed behind Peter as they left the building "So what are you doing on your day off tomorrow?" Neal asked as he put his hands in his pockets.
"Probably just unwind and relax what about you?" he asked looking at the con. Neal smiled "I'm going to a wine tasting and while I'm there I might steal a few priceless works of art…kidding" Neal said as they left the office.
Peter followed behind Neal till they got to his car. After a short ride Neal sighed "I forgot how short this ride was" Neal said in a soft voice. Peter looked at the ex con before swooping in and capturing Neal's lips. Neal's blue eyes closed till he realized he need air, he knew if he had been standing up his knees would have given out. Pulling away Neal gave a small smile, when he climbed out of the car he smacked his head on the frame.
"I didn't know I could make the great Neal Caffrey turn into this" Peter said chuckling. Neal rubbed his head before talking "Only you could do this to me. I'll see you Thursday morning" he said closing the door. Neal stood outside and watched Peter drive off. Neal walked inside thinking of how he could innocently flirt with Peter and make sure no one else noticed it.
The sun had started to go down, Neal sat out on the terrace as he watched the moon slowly grow brighter, that night he knew his nightmares would be back and there was no one there to hold him. After going back inside and putting a warm jacket on Neal went back out and sat on one of the lounge chairs and looked at the moon. The cool air of the night mixed with the warmth of the jacket and lulled Neal into a sleepy haze.
Neal woke from another nightmare he shivered when he realized how cold it got, walking into his apartment he stripped out of his day clothes and put his warmest sweatpants on and climbed under the warm blankets of his bed. Sleep overtook Neal again once he was warm in bed his dreams for once had decided not to be cruel.