Neal and Peter stand across the street watching Abigail cuffed and being hauled into the back of an FBI vehicle. Neal turns to his handler and cautiously asks, "Am I going in the back of one of those too?"
No sooner had the words left his mouth, Neal felt himself being dragged by the arm unceremoniously down the street.
"Where are we going?" Neal asked even though he really wasn't sure that he wanted to know.
Peter's answer came in a very stern and fatherly voice that Neal was not sure he had ever heard directed at him. "We are going somewhere so that I can avoid you being taken away in the same manner as your friend!"
As he was dragged along the streets of Manhattan, he noticed that they didn't seem to be headed in the direction of the office, his house or Peters so he was really getting curious. "Pet.." He was cut off by Peter's hand going up in the universal stop sign.
"Don't Speak!" Was the command that was directed at Neal and he didn't like the tone of it. He wasn't dumb enough to disobey this direct order though since Peter seemed pretty mad!
Although he felt like they had been walking forever, since Peter had a death grip on his forearm, it really was only a few blocks. He was very surprised when they stopped. He was being pulled into what looked to be some kind of underground club. They entered and walked down a hallway to a black curtain. When they reached the curtain there was a staircase that led downstairs to a basement level. They went down the stairs and into another hallway and walked up to a window. Neal was getting an uneasy feeling about this place.
Peter stopped at the window and lightly tapped. "Hey Joe, You in here?" Peter called out.
Neal was able to glance in a bit and was shocked at scared at what he saw. There were ropes and paddles and whips and handcuffs and all sorts of other kinky paraphernalia. "Peter, what are we doing here? What kind of place is this!" Neal shouted. He was becoming really nervous. He didn't know what kind of stuff Peter was into but this was certainly not his cup of tea.
Peter could see the fear on his young partners face and wanted to ease his mind but he figured he would wait a bit and let him stew a bit. A little fear never hurt anyone and after today Peter planned that anytime Neal did something he shouldn't, he would be feeling some fear, and with good reason.
"Hey Peter, so glad you are here. Really never thought I'd see you here again!" Joe giggled. "What can I do for you, we are not open yet."
"I know Joe, I would not have come if you were. Has everything been under control now?" It had been several years since Peter and his team helped the owner of this BDSM club when he had some problems with patrons who were expecting more than the club offered. At first they thought the club was hiding illegal activities but soon learned that they were completely above board and were having real trouble with some undesirable members of a local group of holier than thou people who disapproved of what went on here. Truth be told, they were so set on closing places like this down that they were doing some serious law breaking. Even though this was not his thing he forged a sort of friendship with the owner realizing that he liked him very much. Just so happened that they didn't have the same 'hobbies'. They had met a few times after that and found that they had a lot in common. He always told Peter he should come by with his wife but that was just not something that they were into.
"Yeah, it's been going great. Haven't had any trouble recently. How has everything going with you?" Joe replied.
"Can't say the same! I have lots of trouble and its right here behind me! Joe, meet my CI Neal Caffrey."
"Hi, nice to meet you Mr. Caffrey." Joe said in a very friendly voice.
Neal didn't feel quite so friendly but he turned on his conman charm and smile and answered politely. "You too! How do you know Peter?"
Peter huffed. "Don't worry about that right now. Joe, I need to use your back room and would like to borrow a nice wood paddle."
Neal's face blanched and his eyes opened wide with fear."Paddle, Whaaaaa.. what do you need that for?"
Peter ignored Neal and looked over to Joe who pressed the buzzer to let them in. As he pulled Neal in the door, Joe handed Peter the paddle and gave a sad look in Neal's direction. "Don't worry Joe I won't kill him in your club."
Joe giggled again. "Didn't think you would but doesn't mean I don't feel a bit bad for him. Most people who come through this door do it upon their own free will." I'm going to go get a coffee and give you some privacy." And with that, he walked out the door. He felt a bit uneasy but he trusted the FBI man so he figured he wouldn't do anything against the law.