(Chapter 2)

Peter got a call back from Hughes, the agent talking to his boss and giving him the details of the situation as he knew them. They talked for a few minutes before coming to the conclusion they would have to seek a lower conviction for Sergislev when they negotiated with the mobster but the murder of the agent was non-negotiable. Someone would have to pay for that. Hughes approved whatever they had to do to get Caffrey back, Peter relieved but feeling a bit stressed at having to bail the con's butt out of a dangerous situation again. He hung up the cell and pushed it back into his pocket with a frustrated sigh. If there had been a way to have Neal not be here, he would have done so but they had to have him nearby for the signal on the two-way. He was the only one they knew had good enough hearing to figure out how to open up the lock tone code they had recorded for the warehouse. They would have sent him back to the office if not home but they hadn't had the man power to spare anyone at the time so Caffrey had been left with Jones to monitor back in the van. Peter regretted not sending Neal home now.

"Boss... you ok?" Diana's voice broke through his thoughts as he turned and nodded vaguely but he knew he wasn't fooling her. She put a gentle hand on his shoulder and smiled.

"He's a tough kid and smart. He's probably got the Russian's eating out of his hands. Remember the adoption plot? You guy's played pretty well with the Ruskies." Diana was trying to comfort him but it wasn't helping. Neal had been dragged away from the scene so no way to know how the young man was. Had he been shot as well? Peter combed a hand through his hair worriedly and sighed again.

"Yeah... he is pretty savvy I suppose. Ok... I need to talk to Sergislev. Do we have a line to him yet? Any idea where the anklet says Neal is, Jones?" Peter was talking to the air now into the two-way. He heard a little crackle of movement then a reply.

"He appears to be right over you guys. It shows his anklet as near you but since you can't see him, I'm guessing it's the floor above. You said you were on the second? He could be up at the roof. Our spies said Sergislev had an office in this building but no body's found signs of it yet." Jones spoke distractedly, the sound of papers or something shuffling near him.

"Yeah... he has an office on the level just below the roof. Third floor." Jones went quiet again after that, Peter nodding.

"Thanks Jones." Peter found a spot to sit, the shooting having stopped for the moment while they waited to talk to Sergislev. There was at least silence to think but he almost missed the noise as a distraction but the cease fire was welcomed. Diana walked over after a few minutes with a phone, a large Russian man not too far from her with his hands up to show he wasn't there to hurt anyone. Diana as well as the rest of the crew were watching him closely.

"He says his name is Yakov and his boss sent you this phone to talk so everything is secure and fair. Speed dial 5 will get you Sergislev. He's staying to be sure we don't try anything but he is unarmed." Diana had her gun holstered but was keeping an eye on the guy as were a couple of other agents. Yakov was quiet, standing with his arms crossed along the side as Peter took the phone, nodded at the man and dialed the number.

The phone rang a moment before a click indicated someone had picked up.

"I assume I am speaking to the man in charge? Agent Burke was it? My name is Alexandre Sergislev. I believe we have someone in common we need to discuss." The man's voice was thick with a dialect of Russian Peter hadn't heard before. Sergislev had a good grasp of English so the accent wasn't distracting, Peter's ear for speech good. He nodded at the phone.

"Yes, this is Agent Burke. You have one of my men. Is he well?" Peter was trying to play nice if only a little before he threw in the threat of punishment for Zucker's murder. The mobster was a few steps ahead.

"I apologize for your man's death. It was an unfortunate... accident. Your civilian friend here, he's very intriguing. I am willing to make an exchange for better terms for the actions of myself and my men as well as a cease fire. What do you say, Agent Burke?"

()()()

"I see. You remain quiet and strong like a rock. Perhaps I should try and break you like such?" Sergislev's voice was suddenly cold and menacing, Neal's eyes widening slightly as the man continued to hold his chin captive in his strong fingers. Then as suddenly the man's expression turned to a kind of grin, a low chuckle escaping his throat. Neal felt confusion but kept up his ruse of not being afraid till the man let go and smiled curiously at him.

"Untie him." The henchmen holding him blinked till Sergislev's eyes flashed at them brightly and Neal felt a suddenly flurry of movement as the men holding him were trying to cut him free and quickly. He noticed a slight satisfaction to Sergislev's expression as if he were happy they listened to him without question. Neal was confused when he noticed another expression on the mobster's face, sadness. It was only a brief glimmer in the man's cool blue eyes before it faded, his own shutters in place.

Neal felt the zip ties removed, a tingling in his arms as his blood started to flow again to limbs that had been numbed from an uncomfortable position. He rubbed at his wrists and arms gingerly, straightening his suit and clothes out of habit more than anything. He was feeling shaky, fearful but had to remain cool and collected to these men, especially Sergislev. The Russian was watching him as were the men so Neal continued to act as calm as he could, looking up when another man walked into the room. It was the man who had tried to hit him before. He glanced with surprise at Neal being free before his attention quickly returned to the older mobster and he spoke quietly. Neal could hear nothing of what they said, standing by the other henchmen who stood at the ready, eyes watching him attentively. Sergislev waved the man off after a moment, turning back towards Neal as he walked towards him. The mobster put an arm around Neal as if they were old friends as he started walking, Neal following without choice. The man held him securely but seemed to be actually holding him in a more friendly manner than expected.

"You remind me much of myself at your age. Wide-eyed and innocent I was... well maybe I was never truly innocent. I had run many cons by my early maturity. College age I guess you would say here. I learned on the streets to survive and to get what I needed to live. I made many powerful friends and enemies." Sergislev continued to hold Neal in the friendly almost brotherly hold, something Peter had done a few times but not for so long. Obviously the mobster was trying to keep him close for reasons other than friendship. Neal simply kept his eyes on the man, noting the two henchmen following on either side protectively with guns at their sides.

"I had a lovely girl.. Mirishka. I still miss her but that's what happens when you, how do you say 'live by the gun?' An enemy... rival killed her when I was to run with her and leave the mob. We could have had a good life but he ruined me and I... he is no longer and this is what resulted." Sergislev made a wide sweeping gesture with his other hand around at the men and building.

"The essence of Alexandre Sergislev... an abandoned warehouse and fifty men. Blood and violence from not letting justice do what would be done. That is my legacy." He paused briefly as he gave Neal an almost fatherly glance.

"I know a little of your past, Mr. Caffrey. Do you not think it strange I am so kind?" Neal was looking into those icy blue orbs and seeing that glimmer of sadness again. The man was hurting from past losses. Neal felt a kind of pity for the man which his mind in Mozzie's voice told him was merely Stockholm Syndrome creeping in from being afraid of what could happen. No it was more than that... the man was very much like him or what he could be in a few years. Who's to say he wouldn't stray back to what he was if he was released from his work with the FBI or something happened to Peter. Neal didn't want to think that way but it was a possibility. He saw a smiled on Sergislev's lips.

"I see those clockworks in your mind's eye. They are thinking about what I say and wondering how to stop such a thing from happening to you. Don't worry, Caffrey. With me you are safe. My word is my honor." The man spoke without hesitation which meant he was being honest, his other hand reaching across to shake with Neal. He took it and smiled back at the man wondering why he was doing it but when in Rome... besides, the man had a reason obviously for telling him all of this. If he waited long enough he could probably hear it. He wondered what they had negotiated for his release and if Peter was the one who was coming to get him. He tensed up thinking about the look on Peter's face when he had seen him in the warehouse. The anger and disappointment had been all too evident.

"What's wrong, Caffrey? You are tense from me?" The man seemed genuinely worried, Neal shaking his head. He could be honest back but it was still a strange peace he had with this man he only knew for the past hour or so.

"My friend, I wasn't supposed to be here. He was angry but..." He paused thinking about things, watching the mobster's blue eyes looking down at him like an uncle or such. It was odd how comfortable the man made him feel. Sergislev nodded.

"I see. You were worried about him. He is like what, brother to you? I understand your tension. He was angry when you showed because he was worried for you. It is how family is. I have no more family even with these men." He had lowered his tone, waving the two henchmen off although Neal only noticed now they had lagged behind several feet.

"These men are only here because I pay them. They are not loyal as you and your friend are loyal to another. I miss... well, it is something that is expected when you join mob. Come along, Caffrey. Your friend will come for you soon and you will go home." Sergislev was grinning now, bright white teeth showing through his thin lips. Neal found himself smiling back although it was bittersweet. Zucker was dead because of him and Peter... he was still going to be angry regardless of his being safe. He sighed inwardly, the mobster taking him over to the edge of the building as he let go and glanced over the landscape. Neal thought the man looked rather kingly, this rooftop a tower of his castle he was using to look out over his kingdom.

"I am tired of this life but it is only life I know. I cannot leave it unless merciful death takes me to her bosom. It is how you say an ironic circumstance." He laughed mirthlessly, blue eyes turning back to look at the younger man with an almost envious glance.

"You are lucky to have such a chance with your friend. It is as if you are reborn to have a new life outside that of which you were born. Take it while it is there. Such chances should not be taken lightly." Sergislev's glance looked over and beyond Neal, the young man turning to see Peter, Diana and another agent standing there. He felt a warmth at seeing his friend and although Peter's expression was grim, he caught a glimmer of relief in the agent's eyes.

"Sergislev... you said you would turn over the man who killed our agent in exchange for a lighter sentence and my man's freedom." Peter took a few steps forward, the two henchmen reaching for their guns but Sergislev stopped them.

"Let him come forward. Yes... I know who shot your man. He admitted it to me and again, I am sorry." He called out to one of the henchmen who blinked but nodded with little hesitation as they ran off past Diana and the other agent. Peter continued his approach till he was nearly half-way, his brown eyes on Neal.

"Are you ok?" He emphasized the last part and Neal nodded. Peter seemed to relax even more after that obviously wanting to come closer but knowing at the moment they had to hold back. There was a commotion at the stairs, everyone turning to hear what it was. Diana and the other agent turned to face the angry voice that was carrying towards them. She looked ready to grab her gun as a man pushed passed the henchman who came and stormed up onto the rooftops. His eyes were green as emeralds as Neal recognized the man as the one who had originally called him a name in Russian. He was yelling loudly, his accent barely understandable in his anger.

(You sell out your own people to these mongrels for what? You are not the leader I thought you were!)

The man was angry, his arms waving around him like so many buzzing bees as he continued to rant and curse. Diana looked confused as did the agent and Peter. Neal was just getting enough to know this was not a good sign. The man wasn;t stable. He felt Sergislev wrap a hand around his arm and pull him back towards him and the roof's edge slowly. Peter seemed to notice the movement but saw the mobster was showing a solid front.

(Iosif... you killed a man who was not in our fight. I told you not to act rashly but you did not listen. Now you will be punished as I should have done long ago. No more chances.)

Neal listened to the conversation, as much as he could translate in his head and turned his eyes to Peter worriedly. The agent picked up on the emotion realizing something was going down. He turned and gave a look at Diana who picked up on the signal and nodded imperceptibly.

"I am tired of your weakness! I should have killed him when I could..." Iosif pulled out a gun and pointed it at Neal before anyone could react. There were two quick reports.

Neal saw the flash from the barrel, smoke rising up from the dark metal of the pistol. He felt the hand hold from Sergislev tighten as he was pulled around behind the man. He saw the mobster twitch but his face remained firm, a red stain evident as a small spot appeared on his chest and started to fill out on his tan shirt. Neal felt shock, unsure what to do but wanting to help this man who had saved him. He saw those blue eyes turn to him and smile softly. The man said something to him in a hoarse whisper that he barely caught before stumbling back over the edge and starting to fall. Neal was too shocked to react, still trying to find sanity in the situation.

Peter was yelling something, another shot fired and Neal turned to see Iosif had fallen, Diana or someone having shot him. The two henchmen stayed their ground but dropped their weapons when they saw what happened to their boss, too shocked to react to their associate's obvious treachery. Diana and the other agent quickly cuffed them, Peter running towards Neal as if in slow motion. He couldn't understand why the agent looked so frantic till he felt the pull.

Neal turned to see that Sergislev had not let go when he was shot, his hand still firmly griping Neal's arm. He tried to pull away but the man's hold was tight, Neal being pulled over with the shot mobster towards the ground three stories below. He saw Peter try to reach out towards him but it was too late as he felt nothing but air beneath him and sailed downwards, Peter's anguished expression floating above him from the rooftop.

()()()

Peter ran forward hoping to catch Neal when he saw that the mobster was falling, his hand still holding onto the young man's tightly. He was panicking as he thought what was about to happen, flying as fast as he could towards his friend and partner. He saw the shocked look as Neal turned to see what was happening but it was too late. Neal went flying over the side just as Peter managed to get close, their fingers missing by inches.

He looked over the edge at the young man sailing into the void towards the ground three stories below. He heard a sickening crunch as Neal landed on top of Sergislev's already still form, the mobster having broken his fall as they hit the brush below. Peter was already looking for a way down seeing a rickety fire escape and quickly heading towards it. Someone touched his shoulder and he shrugged it off but they grasped at him again.

"Peter! Be careful..." Diana's voice was soft but understanding as he headed down the creaking metal staircase towards the ground below and the scene he wanted to avoid. It seemed to take forever but he finally made it down and slid down the last ladder before he was able to kneel by his friend and check him.

"Neal... Neal wake up!" He was gently slapping the young man's face, listless blue eyes staring back up at him without moving. He felt Neal's neck and found a weak pulse after a moment. The con was alive by some miracle but his arm was still held tightly, almost protectively by the mobster beneath him. Peter brushed a hair from the young man's face, blue eyes slowly following his hand till they met with his and then closed. Peter felt for a pulse again and breath finding Neal was still alive.

"MAN DOWN! I NEED A MEDIC!" He was screaming into the two-way, his voice just short of panicked as he checked Sergislev and found that the mobster was also alive by some odd miracle. He gently removed the hand from Neal's arm and slowly felt the tension release from the mobster's body, his own blue eyes opening a moment and looking at the agent.

"Thank you... I don't know why you did it but... Thank you." Peter spoke softly just for him, the mobster blinking at him a moment before those eyes closed. Peter checked the man's vitals again finding he was also still alive. He sighed in relief holding up his hands as two of Sergislev's men showed up. They looked at him and the scene then put their guns down and held up their own hands as they approached and made a motion as if they were going to help. Apparently they had been aware of the situation too, Peter nodding as he gently moved Neal aside and saw two of his men including Mandow show up to help. It was kind of like a weird sort of Glasnost while everyone worked to get both Neal and the mobster to the waiting ambulances as they arrived.

Diana came up with the two henchmen from before having uncuffed them due to the ceasefire. They were looking confused at the situation, two other agents carrying the dead Iosif under a sheet towards a waiting coroner's truck. Peter followed Neal's stretcher his hand holding his partner's tightly. Diana took his car keys to take his car back for him, Peter going in the ambulance with Neal.

"Hang on Neal. I'm here."

The young man was rigged up on a back board, neck and head in supports just in case but so far they couldn't see that anything was obviously broken. The bushes below and Sergislev had broken his fall for the most part but that couldn't be said for the Russian. He had multiple injuries from having taken the brunt of the fall in addition to his being shot in the chest. Peter didn't think he would ever feel for a mobster but the man had protected Neal for some reason and that was enough for him to hope that maybe somehow the man would live. Perhaps that wasn't the best wish but if only for what he had done for Neal, it was worth thinking.

"Neal?" He thought he felt a slight squeeze on his hand, noticing a slight movement as the younger man's thin fingers wrapped gingerly around his own.

"I'm right here. You're going to be ok. Just stay with me." He thought he caught a slight head nod despite all the supports keeping Neal still. Peter sighed as he continued to hold his partner's hand and wait for them to reach the hospital.