(Chapter 2)

Peter sat on his sofa, Satchmo sleeping on his doggy pillow while the agent browsed a small box of files. He had his attention torn between his phone where he was researching a few things online, his laptop where he was typing notes off and on and the TV on ESPN where a basketball game was currently playing. His brown eyes flicked fluidly between each thing, attention on all of them at the same time and keeping track until his phone buzzed, breaking his concentration a bit as he glanced down to see who was calling on Saturday.

"You know it's your day off right?"

He was teasing but the voice on the other end sounded a bit pouty even for his partner, Elizabeth walking up to him, her arms holding a large basket of laundry. She made a silent motion asking who was on the phone. He mouthed silently back: Neal. She smiled and nodded, about to walk to the kitchen with her laundry basket when they heard a knock on the door. Peter heard it echo over the phone.

"Yes, Peter... but do you?"

Peter stood up and smirked, looking through the curtain of the door to see Neal standing there in blue jeans and a comfortable blue polo shirt smiling with a little wave back. El peeked around and waved as the agent hung up the cell and opened up the door.

"To what do we owe this visit, Neal?"

He was looking at his partner curiously, Neal smiling way more than he should and not be guilty of something. The younger man shrugged continuing to smile broadly.

"Nothing at all. Just thought... well with all those mortgage fraud cases we should be out and about doing something. Enjoying the Spring air... watching a game."

He pulled something out of his pocket as they closed the door and handed it to Peter who glanced down and blinked.

"How the heck did you get these? They're real?"

Neal smiled even more broadly with a nod of his head.

"Get ready. It's in 2 hours. We need to leave soon."

Neal looked happy but Peter still had the feeling something was up as El walked over, basket placed on a nearby chair as she greeted their guest.

"Hi, Neal. What brings you... are those real?"

El had seen what Peter was holding, smiling now and glancing surprised up at Neal.

"How... you were trying to get tickets for that weren't you hun? Neal, this is fantastic. You must know someone."

She was more excited than Peter felt but he still had that feeling Neal was trying to hide something as he handed the tickets back and smiled.

"Ok... I guess if you really want me to go, I can. These are real, right? I don't want to find out they're forgeries."

El slapped Peter on the arm slightly as if to admonish him but then gazed up at Neal with a hopeful glance. The younger man blushed but it was more embarrassment and surprise than anything.

"They're real... if you don't want me to go with you..."

Neal looked a bit hurt , the expression genuine as he handed the tickets to the agent and seemed ready to leave. Suddenly Peter felt like a heel, his cheeks flushing as he realized he'd hurt Neal's feelings. He gently touched his friend's shoulder and gave a chagrined look.

"I do... want to go to the game. Give me a minute."

()()()

It was barely 10 minutes later that Peter was downstairs and ready, dressed in jeans, his team's jersey, baseball cap and sneakers. Neal and El were sitting on the sofa talking quietly, looking up as he came back ready for the game. El rose and approached him, her voice low for him.

"Be nice... and have fun."

She gave him a quick kiss, hugging him slightly as Peter did the same back and smiled with a nod.

"I will unless this is some kind of elaborate plot to..."

He trailed off when El gave him that chiding look. It was obvious Neal was doing this for a reason but it was probably a good reason if he let the young man talk to him. El was always right as he nodded and left towards the door.

"You boys have fun and catch a foul ball for me!"

()()()

It was a pretty good afternoon. Peter had to admit he had fun and Neal never tried to ease him into anything other than normal conversation which made him think... maybe his friend just wanted to hang out.

When it felt like they'd had one beer or hot dog too many, they sat and watched the game without more than the occasional look or cheer. Neal even did the wave with him when it came around, the normally fastidious con man like a big kid. Maybe they had a lot more in common than Peter thought. It was a shame when the game finally ended and they sat there waiting for their chance to ease out of the aisle. He poked Neal who turned and looked at him distracted by the people walking by.

"So, what is it you wanted to talk to me about? I think I'm softened up enough now."

He saw the look on Neal's face turn from uncertainty to a grin.

"Nothing actually. Freddy... had these tickets and offered them up since he knew I had a friend who liked baseball."

Peter narrowed his gaze watching the con smile brightly as if to hide something.

"Hmmm... ok. I believe you. But if you did have something to talk about, right now would be a good time, Neal. I'm a good listener."

They stood and walked as their turn came to leave, easing out of the aisle to the walkway and following the rest of the crowd out. It was going to take a while but Neal poked him, leading him over to a door that looked like it wasn't for fans. Peter didn't know why he followed but they entered the door (which was conveniently unlocked) and an unmarked back hallway that looked way too official for them.

"Neal... we probably shouldn't be back here. Where are we?"

Peter heard his voice echo despite the whispered tone, Neal just smiling.

"Trust me, Peter. I know where we are. This way."

They went along the nondescript tunnel until they reached a door and exited to sunlight and the parking lot. They were ahead of the crowd by the looks of it, the Taurus just within view. Peter blinked at the magic of it all and smiled broadly.

"Nice shortcut. Catch..."

He tossed the keys to Neal who blinked back surprised.

"Are you sure you want me to drive? I think we're both a bit tipsy."

Peter shrugged.

"You only had one beer... and I don't want you messing up this ball I caught. Jose hit it. It's mine."

()()()

After they took off, Peter called El and they picked up some Thai for dinner, Neal invited to join them as they parked at the Burke home. The weather was getting gloomy as they ran inside just as the rain started down in buckets.

"That came out of nowhere. Honey, has Satchmo gone out?"

Neal was shaking out his coat just outside their door, removing his wet shoes as he left them by the entrance and padded inside with socked feet. Peter had already removed his sneakers and jacket, both soaked slightly but they were all cozy inside now. El smiled at them as she nodded.

"Luckily I walked him just before you got here. Wow... that's a dark sky outside and the storm sounds pretty bad. Check the weather, hun."

She was already in the kitchen with the food, Neal helping her as Peter turned on the TV and changed it to the weather station. He whistled as the information flashed in red and white across the screen. This was going to be a bad storm.

"I think... Neal, you're going to be staying here tonight. They're already closing the highways in anticipation of flooding."

Peter was glancing out the window, the panes rattling with the wind and rain as it hit the side of the house. The lights flickered as Elizabeth quickly pulled out a box of matches the lit a few candles around the first floor just in case. Neal was helping set up the table as Peter got up to assist his wife with the candles by going downstairs to pull out an LED lantern and some flashlights.

()()()

They ended up having a very nice pleasant almost picnic-like dinner on the floor, Satchmo behaving enough as he sat on his pillow quietly. The storm raged outside, the three of them talking about this and that, laughing and having fun as they finished up the last of the Thai food and started to clean up. The power had gone out just after they started eating, Neal getting the idea they should act like they were camping out which surprised Peter. He was certain the young man had never camped out in his life but it was more pleasant than he thought as they enjoyed the darkness lit by candles and an electric lantern, ignoring the storm. Once they had cleaned up, they sat back down on the picnic blanket and chatted a while until there were yawns all the way around and Peter decided it was time to get ready for bed. El went up with a flashlight to fix up the guest room for Neal while the two men quietly checked the first floor and made sure everything was secured and locked. They turned off all the electric candles and put out any real ones that were still burning before going upstairs.

"I think I still have a bag of your clothes here from the last time you stayed. El might have them in the guest room closet. That way you're comfortable. Here..."

He handed Neal the lantern, pulling out a small mag light and smiling as they reached the top of the stairs and he saw El coming out of the extra bedroom.

"All ready for you, Neal. There are some clothes in the closet from last time if you want to change. Did you boys put all the candles out?"

They nodded to her as she smiled, hugging Neal briefly and then hugging Peter as they started for their room.

"Good-night, Neal."

The younger man smiled and nodded, stifling a yawn.

"Night El... Peter."

Peter watched his friend close the door as he wrapped an arm around his wife and they went into their bedroom, El leaning on him sleepily as they closed the door.

"I called June. She said the power's out over there too. She has Mozzie with her so she's safe. Good thing you both got here when you did, hun."

She reached up and kissed him, the dim light of the candles in the room making her face look almost ethereal in the half-light. Peter smiled as he leaned into the kiss and they slipped into bed. He was already in a pair of sweats and a tee, El in her yoga pants and a comfortable tee of her own. He was happy thinking of the fun time he spent with Neal at the ballpark and now being home with his wife. It all seemed so perfect...

Wake up Fed...

Peter sat up, looking around the darkened bedroom uncertain what he had heard as El pulled him back down to sleep.

"Hun?"

He had heard a voice, not a familiar one but he knew it from someplace recent. A chill washed over him but he shrugged it off, laying back down to hold his wife in his arms.

I said... WAKE UP!

Peter opened his eyes, the room suddenly darker than it had been and his wife missing. He couldn't feel anything at first until a kick drew him further up into consciousness and slowly his vision returned as his eyes opened up completely and he saw a blurry form hanging over him.

"Ah... the keeper awakens. Good. Your partner here is still sleeping off his injuries but you're the one I need right now."

The agent wasn't sure what was going on. He had been home in bed with his wife and now... Where was he? Was he dreaming? Was this some kind of nightmare? Another kick to his side made him glance up, nausea threatening but he held back as he sat up with a groan and stared at the figure before him. They were familiar but he wasn't sure how until it hit him...

"Morri...son."

Now he knew why, eyes glancing around in sudden desperation until he saw what he needed to see. A figure with dark brown hair lay not too much farther from him, unmoving. They were both laying on the gravel outside an abandoned warehouse, bits of weeds popping up here and there as Peter tried to think how they'd come to be here. Several men surrounded them but Morrison was evident, crouched near him with a dark smile on his face.

"You remembered. Good. Wake him up. You both have a job to do... understand? Your team is depending on you, Agent Burke."

oOoOoOo

Author's Note: Looks like they were dreaming. What does Morrison want and what does it have to do with Neal and Peter? The next chapter might explain...