AN: Hey everyone! Here's another chapter that I've had in my head. Sorry if it's confusing it's supposed to flow between Peter and Neal, where one interaction stops from Neal's POV, it picks up again from Peter's POV. I know there are some pieces that probably don't make any sense. I'm still working out how to actually transfer this from my head to here! I also want to carry this story on as long as I can so trying not to give too much away at once, just trying to keep people interested until I figure out how to appeal to readers as fanfic author.

I may be able to get another chapter up tonight (3 in one day!), but we'll see how that goes.

Keller will be back in upcoming chapters and there's more story from Neal's POV in upcoming chapters too!

Disclaimer: I do not own White Collar


It was as though the temperature had dropped 20 degrees. Peter felt like someone had knocked the wind right out of him. His mind was racing a million miles a minute, his ability to react logically gone, and his usual calm demeanor was nowhere to be found. In their place, came the questions, anxiety, and the worst of the emotions…the fear.

"Who is this?" Peter demanded, feeling his blood start to boil. "What have you done to Neal?"

"Relax," the voice responded. "I'll tell you where he is and frankly, it hurts my feelings that you don't remember me."

Keller. "Tell me where he is right now!"

"Dock number 3, you'll find Caffrey at dock number 3. You're in luck Agent Burke, I'm in a generous mood today, and you'll even get to hear from Caffrey himself soon. I believe you law men call that proof of life."

"Why are you doing this?" Peter was still so angry and now he was a bit confused. In all his years at the FBI, he had never heard of a case where the hostage was given back without any strings attached. He was sure that Keller had something else in mind.

"Think of it as a warning Agent Burke. You didn't follow the rules and now Caffrey is paying the price."


Neal felt numb, but it was almost comfortable without any pain. It didn't last long; that feeling vanished just as quickly as it had appeared.

His eyes snapped open, darting left and right unaware of his current surroundings. As he drew in a breath his chest was racked with short raspy coughs. With every cough came a merciless pain in his torso. Neal knew he was in trouble. He didn't know if his ribs were bruised, cracked, or broken, he just knew they had to be one of the three. It must have been pure adrenaline that willed Neal to his feet. Once upright, he swayed and took some time to steady himself.

I'm fine, everything's fine.

Neal was trying to find a way to reassure himself, because even though he still wasn't fully aware of his surroundings and his memory was a bit fuzzy as to how he had gotten into his current predicament, he had a feeling that he was in trouble. He weaved and wobbled as he tried to walk, gripping anything within reach that he could use to steady himself. Now that he had figured out that he could walk, he knew he needed to find some kind of shelter and get help.

Peter. Call Peter and El. No, I can't go to them, what if I put them in more danger?

Neal's subconscious was imprinted with the Burke's. He wanted to get to them, to warn them, and to protect them.

No, I can't go to them, what if I put them in more danger?

Once steady on his feet, Neal felt a cell phone in his coat pocket. He pulled out the phone, but realized that it wasn't his. Someone must have put it in his pocket while he was unconscious. He hit the "Call" button hoping to talk to whoever it was that left him for dead.

"Caffrey, it's so nice to hear from you. How have you been lately?"

"K…Kel…ler?" Neal hadn't realized just how cold he was and how much his teeth were chattering.

"Hold that thought, there's someone that wants to talk to you, you'll hear again from me soon Caffrey, you can be sure of that."

With that, Keller disconnected their call. Neal's head was starting to spin and he almost gave into unconsciousness when he heard a familiar voice.

"Caffrey? Caffrey! Are you there?"

"P…P…Peter?"

"Yeah Neal it's me, are you all right? We're leaving soon to come and get you, so stay where you are."

"No…not safe, sta…stay away." Neal stuttered out as he ended the call.

Dropping the phone in the snow, Neal wasn't sure how much longer he could keep moving. The night was quiet and still, all except for the wind. Every time the wind blew, Neal's entire body shivered and he knew he needed to get out of the cold soon. He slowly trudged through the snow, not sure where he was heading. All he know was that he had to keep his distance from those he cared about; Peter, El, June, even Mozzie. He wasn't going to put them in danger knowing that Keller was still in town. Using all the strength he could muster, Neal continued through the snowy night, unaware of the small blood trail he was leaving behind.


"Caffrey? Neal!" Peter screamed into the phone hoping his CI was still on the other end. No answer. Feeling his heart racing and his adrenaline pumping, Peter had to take a few deep breaths to calm himself down. He wasn't going to be any good to Neal if he gave himself a heart attack. Now that he had confirmation that Neal was still alive, it was time to go get him.

Peter rushed into Hughes' office wanting to inform him of the situation.

"Sir, we have a major problem."

"What is it Peter?" Hughes asked, the urgency clearly written all over his agent's face.

"It's Keller, he's back sir and he's gone after Neal. He tampered with his anklet and then called my office directly to inform me that Neal is in trouble. I was able to speak to Caffrey and verify proof of life."

Reese Hughes sat at his desk absorbing all of this information in before responding. He had known and been friends with Peter and El for years. Peter was an agent that he had great respect for, trusting in his decisions, supporting him, and holding him in the highest regard as both and agent and a leader. No, he didn't question Peter, it was Neal Caffrey. Yes, it was true that Neal had aided the FBI in many cases over the past two years, but Hughes always seemed to keep the reformed con man at arm's length, never fully trusting him.

"You're sure that it's Keller and that Caffrey is in danger?"

"Yes sir, positive."

"All right then Burke, do whatever you have to in order to catch Keller and bring Caffrey back safely."


It wasn't long until Peter, Diana, and Jones were on their way to find Neal. Peter knew that he had to call El to tell her that he would once again, be late coming home and inform her on the situation with Neal. He dreaded making that call. He didn't want to worry her. Unfortunately, he had no choice.

"You're going to be late aren't you?" El asked, already knowing the answer. Before he even had time to respond, El cut him off. "Well, just get home when you can and tell Neal that he's invited over for dinner on Friday."

"El, Neal's in trouble," Peter said as calm as possible.

"What? Where is he? Is he ok?" The panic in El's voice was becoming apparent.

"Keller got to him, but he's alive, I talked to him, and we're on our way to get him now."

"Going to get him? Peter, he's not out somewhere in the cold is he?"

"Keller told me they left him by the docks and we're almost there now."

"Left him there?" El almost shrieked. "Peter it's barely above freezing outside! Promise me that you're going to find him and that he'll be ok."

"I promise I'll find him" Peter replied trying to somehow reassure his wife.

El knew that if Peter was going to get Neal, everything would be ok.

"Boss, over here!"

Peter rushed over to Diana, hoping she had found Neal when they reached the docks. Instead she handed him the frozen cell phone. No sign on Neal. Peter started off again to look around when Diana called for his attention again.

"Boss, you need to see this."

With her eyes planted on the ground in front of her, Peter slowly saw what she was staring at. The wind had blown the topmost layer of snow and beneath the FBI agents could see a faded red blood stain that had not quite mixed with the snow beneath it. Upon closer inspection, they were able to see the general direction Neal must have went, but the stopped not far from where it had started. Neal was out in the cold hurt and alone.

Peter cursed at Neal to himself under his breath. He had told him to stay put! But he's Neal, and he doesn't listen. They had to find him and the sooner the better


AN: Please R&R! I've got a general Idea of where I want this story to go, but I'd love to hear suggestions if people are willing to share