I want to thank everyone for the reviews and for the alerts.

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Peter was getting worried about Neal, he hadn't seen him in over two hours. He was on his way back to the Sheriff's office, when he saw a black jeep pass him. Neal was halfway standing in the backseat, tied to the bars. He was also gagged.

Peter watched as the jeep parked in front of the Sheriff's office and he jogged over. A young woman got out of the jeep and pulled a knife from a sheath on her belt, then she cut the ropes that bound Neal to the jeep.

"Peter." Neal said, after removing the gag, grateful to see the older man. He jumped out of the jeep and stood beside Peter. "That woman in insane."

"And damn proud of it." Charlie said.

"What's going on?" Peter asked.

"I was wondering the same thing." Sheriff Hoist said, as he exited the building. "Charlie, why on earth did you have a man tied to your jeep?"

"Because he broke into my house."

"He what?" Peter asked, glaring at Neal. Neal was starting to think that he may be safer with Charlie.

"Let's carry this inside." The sheriff said, leading the way back into the building.

"I knew hog tying a man was the only way you could get one." Tony said, as they entered the office.

"Bite me." The young woman said.

"Enough you two." Hoist said. "Now what happened?" He looked at his daughter.

"That sack of horse dung came to my office and said he wanted to see Will, said it was important. I told his to take a hike. Then I went home and saw him in my barn."

"Neal." Peter hissed.

"She used to date Tobin." Neal defended his actions, even though he knew it wouldn't do any good. He was in deep trouble. "They still talk."

"I already know that." Peter said.

"Are you Agent Burke?" Charlie asked him.

"Yes I am."

"So Caffrey was telling the truth about Will stealing that painting?"

"Yes."

"That does not give him the excuse to break into my home. If he was honest with me from the get go, none of this would have happened. He only told me about working with the FBI after I had him tied to my jeep. I got tied of listening to him, so I gagged him." Then she turned to her Dad. "I want to press charges."

"I am asking you not too." Peter said. "What Neal did was wrong, and I assure you he will answer for it."

"I am sorry." Neal said. "I was only trying to find Tobin."

"Charlie." Her Dad said. "Pressing charges is your choice. But I am also asking you not too, I get the impression that Peter here won't let him get away with it."

"Fine." She sighed. Then she turned to Neal and said in a low voice. "Next time I will shoot your sorry carcass and then drag you into my bedroom so I can claim self defense. Am I clear?"

"Crystal." Neal gulped.

"Good."

"Charlie." Hoist said. "If you are done scaring Caffrey, there's something we need to discuss."

"I'm done." She said, turning to her Dad. "What's up?"

"Agent Burke and Caffrey need you to lead them to Tobin's cabin in the morning."

"Okay. How early?"

"As early as possible." Peter said.

"Meet me at my place at six, that horse dung knows the way."

"I prefer to be called Neal." Neal said, flashing his most charming smile.

"And I prefer to slap that stupid smile off of your face, but since Daddy's here, I can't."

"Charlotte." Randy said sternly.

"Do either of you know how to ride a horse?" She asked.

"Yes." Both said at the same time.

"I'll have everything you need packed and waiting for you. It's about a two hour ride on horse, then about an hour hike."

"Thank you." Peter said.

"No sweat."

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Peter and Neal walked into a two story house a few minutes later. They were greeted by an older woman with silver hair.

"You must be Agent Burke and Mr. Caffrey." She smiled. "I am Bell Tinsel, welcome."

"Thank you." Peter said.

"Randy told me to expect you, I have two room ready. Free of charge of course."

"That is very kind of you." Peter said. "But we can't ask you to do that."

"Nonsense." She smiled. "I wouldn't dream of charging you when you are trying to fight crime, end of discussion."

"We appreciate it, Ma'am." Peter smiled.

"Yes." Neal said. "Thank you very much."

"My pleasure, I will show you to your rooms."

She lead them upstairs and showed them two room, that shared an adjoining bathroom. Miss Bell told them that supper would be ready in half an hour, then she left.

"Mind telling me what you were thinking?" Peter asked Neal, his voice stern.

"I had probable cause to….." Neal started, but the glare Peter gave him shut him up.

"I told you not to follow any leads by yourself." Peter said. "But you did anyway. Then you broke into someone's house."

"I know I screwed up." Neal admitted, slumping his shoulders. "But I was only trying to help speed the case along."

"I can't let this go unpunished." Peter said, his anger replaced with sadness. He hated punishing Neal, but thought it was necessary at times. It was the only way he had of making sure the younger man stayed out of trouble.

"Please not now, Peter." Neal said. "Everyone will hear, and I have to ride a horse in the morning."

"Alright." Peter said. "Your punishment can wait."

"Thanks."

"Let's get washed up for dinner, I'm starving."

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The next morning, Peter parked his car in front of Charlie's house. The young woman was sitting on the porch steps, drinking a cup of coffee.

"Good morning Charlie." Peter greeted, as him and Neal walked over.

"Good morning Sunshine." Neal said, once again flashing a charming smile. He was determined to win the woman over, no one could resist his charm for long.

"Morning, Agent Burke." She said, standing up. "Horse dung."

"It's Peter."

"And Neal." Neal said. "My name is Neal."

"You boys aren't exactly dressed for a trip to the woods." She said, eyeing their attire.

"We weren't expecting to be spending the night, or going into the woods." Peter explained.

"I've got four older brothers." She said. "They all keep some clothes here, I know you can find some that will fit you."

"Thank you." Peter said. "More suitable clothes sounds great."

"What type of clothes?" Neal asked warily. Charlie was wearing western style boots, blue jeans, a wide leather belt with a large belt buckle, a black tee-shirt, and a Stetson hat. He feared her brothers dressed like her.

"Clothes that make you look like a cartoon." She said, opening the front door and motioning for them to enter. "Where did you get that ridiculous hat?"

The two men entered the house and Charlie followed.

"I like this hat." Neal said, taking it off, then flipping it back on.

"You would." She said, leading them into a laundry room. She nodded towards a tall basket that was full of clothes. "Help yourself. I'll be in the living room."

She left and Peter started going through the clothes. He quickly found a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt. "Find you some." He said, as he started to change.

"Jeans is not my style."

"Just do it." Peter said.

Neal sighed and then started rummaging through the clothes. He too found a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt that fit.

"Here you go." Charlie said, handing them each a pair of sneakers. "These should fit."

They put them on.

"Now you look like you belong here and not in New York." She said.

They head a car outside and doors shutting.

"Larry, Moe, and Curly are here." She said, grabbing two back packs from the couch and tossing them to the two men. Peter's was blue, and Neal's was pink.

"Pink?" He asked.

"Sorry." She said, trying not to smile. "All I had. My cousin left it here." Then she picked up a green one. "I put some bottle water, energy bars, first aid kit, stuff like that in there." She picked up three walkie talkies off of a table and handed each man one, then clicked one to her belt. "Cell phones don't work out there; these are our only lines of communication." She handed each man a large hunting knife in a sheath, and a thermos of coffee. Then they walked outside.

The three deputies were leading horses out of a horse trailer attached to a large pick up truck. The horses were already saddled.

"That's only five horses." Neal said.

"Wow." Charlie said, sounding impressed. "You can count, good boy." Then she gave out a loud whistle and a large black horse galloped over to them.

"Let's move out." She said, placing a foot in the stirrup and mounting the animal.

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TBC I will post again as soon as possible.