* There have been alot of Peter fics after the mid-season finale, and I can see why! But, I'd decided I'd change it up and add a guilty Neal fic. So here it is! READ AND REVIEW!
"Peter..."
This was all Neal could manage to say as he entered the Burke's living room to see tables turned over, a mess of spaghetti sauce in the kitchen and Elizabeth gone.
He couldn't even begin to describe the guilt he felt, knowing El was taken by the man he could've stopped, just the other day. Almost as bad was seeing Peter's face, terrified, distraught and... oh god... no... he was crying. Neal had never seen Peter cry before, and knowing it was partially his fault hurt even more.
Diana patted Peter's shoulder reassuringly, telling him they'd track down Keller, and that El would be alright.
"Peter, I'm so sorry." Neal managed to say, approaching him.
Neal wished that Peter was scream at him, hit him, hell he could shoot him in the head, anything would be better than seeing Peter like this, and knowing that El was gone.
But Peter couldn't find it in himself to be angry.
"They took her, Neal. They took, El." He choked, tears rolling down his normally stoic face.
Neal placed his hand on his shoulder and said softly, "I know Keller, Peter, he wouldn't take her with him if he was gonna hurt her. He wants-" Neal stopped, knowing what he wanted was the treasure, "He's not gonna hurt her."
Peter sat down on the couch and sank his face into his hands, shaking with years of suppressed tears.
"I love her so much! I can't lose her!" He sobbed.
It was at this moment that something in Neal snapped. Maybe it was the guilt, maybe it was seeing Peter so distraught, or maybe it was just that Keller would go so far as too kidnap El, but he bolted for the front door and was running down the street.
A drizzle was beginning, but Neal could hardly care.
"KELLER!" He screamed angrily, "YOU'LL PAY FOR TAKING HER YOU SON OF A BITCH.
But he knew Keller was long gone. It was this realization that caused Neal to sink to his knees, gripping his hair in anger and allowing a tear to run down his face.
He was close to breaking completely when he remembered Peter. He couldn't break down now, Peter needed him. He'd caused this, partially, he had to fix it. And he had to help Peter get through it.
Neal stood up, brushed a hand through his hand, and returned to Peter's living room. He sat down next to his friend, and watched guiltily as Peter cried. And cried.
