Neal was waiting for Peter, to arrive He knew what would happen there was really no choice. He had run, cut his anklet and took off. he knew Peter couldn't really blame him. But with Kramer in prison, it was time to face the final outcome of the situation. He stood looking at the city beyond the window of the office building where he was hiding. His hopes and dreams were over. He stood sadly looking out at what should have been his home. He had left Mozzie peacefully sleeping off a bottle of Dom, in the villa the little man had managed to secure for them. He knew that really he didn't expect to remain free after all Kramer had brought up interest in all his past crimes. There was no real hope of freedom any more and he didn't want to live in hiding So he had returned to New York before a new fugetive hunter took up where the other had left off. He stood looking out at the city. His vision blurred, as he stood there. He saw the team arriving to take him and stood unable to think of anything else. He sighed and went to meet them. Peter at the lead was surprised when the door opened and Neal came out. The others held weapons ready, but Neal waited making no move to run.
Then He came down and after a short conversation with Peter he was cuffed. " They have what they want now Peter they broke us up. Maybe now they'll let you alone."
It was then that Neal saw the blip on Peter's chest He broke from The two agents holding him. and knocked Peter out of the line of fire but was hit by the two bullets himself. one of the swat team had fired on them and Peter was shocked to see Neal laying there. his body shuddered as he struggled to breathe.
"Neal?"
No answer came as Neal, lay there looking up at the sky. Peter lowered his head. He had nothing he could say His C.I. lay With Emt's and Others crowding around him. as he lay gasping on the pavement. Peter turned to see a man on the building to his right being cuffed by his two newest agents Riley and Sheridan. who had tried to get to him before the attack. Pat looked very much like she wanted to kill the sharp shooter, only Sheridan's calm reassurances kept her rage in check.
Neal was taken to an taken away. Pat stood there rage held in check by the need to get at who ever was behind him. Peter's cell phone rang as he noted that Kim was quietly calming Pat, Who was growling and tense. He answered.
"Burke," He began.
"Agent Burke, I'm sure you are wondering what the hell just happened, But This was not an attempt to kill you it's an attempt to rescue Neal. You and I both know that this incident was all designed to seperate you both. We will take good care of him and return him soon."
The voice on the phone didn't sound like they intended harm toward anyone it sounded like some one sympathetic to the situation. Peter asked.
"So you set Neal up to look like a hero it won't make any difference to his fate He ran. There's nothing that can change that. You just got him injured for nothing. He cut his anklet and he ran."
"From some one using his past record as justification for enslaving him. The voice said. He had a choice that was offered to him and he chose to save you over the less noble instincts of a criminal. I think that says a lot about how he has changed even if the law wanted to they Really would have to reexamine the facts. Caffrey returned the second Kramer was arrested, and you have such a hold on him that he would give his life for you. Such loyalty could never have been gained by Kramer. Let us see just how this plays out."
the voice had hung up. Near by a limo drove on and later was next to an ambulance the driver turned going not to the hopsital but to a huge modern building. at the Hospital Peter is told no ambulance arrived. He turned to Diana.
"Oh my god they've taken him!"
"What? Who?" Diana Asked
"I was called by some one who claimed to be responsible for the shooting, he said Neal had been offered a choice and he chose to save me." Peter replied.
Diana looked shocked as they stood there. Peter realized what this person was saying to him. "Neal's life was ruined. He had surrendered."
Peter said as he thought about the situation. "He said They have what they wanted. Maybe they'll leave you alone now. " Diana recalled.
"Who has him now and what's going to happen to him?"
Peter asked. They went back to the office to report the kidnapping Kramer was there smugly grinning, talking to agent Rowe, watching the Team coming in without Neal.
"I told you he wouldn't have Caffrey with him when he came back."
Peter started to say something But Rowe stopped him "Maybe that's because of what my man on the scene saw. Caffrey was shot by a guy who's being questioned even as we speak. I'll find out what happened and who ordered it to happen then everyone will know.
