I wrote three stories for each of the last three episodes of Season 2 out of order but will be posting them in order.

Starting with this: a sneak peek from "Payback."

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What Partners Do

I knew something was wrong the moment Lang started to back out the back door. I found it odd that he had decided to run now, after talking on the phone, instead of earlier when Peter and I were preoccupied with looking around his studio. I knew something was wrong the moment Lang disappeared out the door and started running.

A feeling of dread that I couldn't quite understand ached in my chest as Peter commanded me to stay and then took off after Lang. I assured him I would with a wave and watched as he too disappeared through the back door.

As soon as Peter had rounded the corner, I was already moving, pushing past the front door of the studio and rushing around the corner. I had decided to rely on my gut feeling. It never proved Peter wrong so I was willing to listen to it too.

Besides, no way was I going to leave Peter to chase Lang on his own. I had made that mistake many times before: chasing a target only to find myself in a deserted alley with a gun being pointed at me.

But Peter had always been there in time. He didn't stand around and wait for me to come trotting into view with our target in handcuffs. No, he followed me. And I damned sure was going to do the same. He was my partner and I sure as hell was going to watch his back. The way he always did for me.

Because that's what partners do.

I dodged around the front of the building and started running along its side through an alley. I still had a while to go until I reached the back of the studio. I was sure Peter had nearly reached the back by now, having cut through the middle of the building. I hoped Lang wouldn't put up a fight and I prayed that he didn't have a gun.

The thought made my heart skip a beat as a cold sweat, not the result of my run, dampened my forehead and prickled along the back of my neck. The feeling of dread increased and made my stomach churn uncomfortably.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong and I was still a good minute away from Peter.

I clenched my jaw and forced my legs to go faster. Even if my gut feeling was wrong; even if nothing bad was going to happen; even if I would round that corner to find Peter smiling with his triumphant smirk as he locked the handcuffs securely around Lang's wrists, I wanted to be there, just in case. Because if something bad did happen, I wanted to be at Peter's side.

I hesitated, slowing my pace, as the corner of the building loomed closer.

But what if my presence only escalated the severity of a bad situation? I had no protective gear, no gun. I would be of no use to Peter. I would be a liability that he would have to protect as well as himself if Lang did have a gun. And if Lang used my defenselessness and Peter's protectiveness of me to his advantage, then I would only be worsening the situation.

Deciding it was better to take the chance than risk the consequences if I didn't, I jumped around the corner and froze, my breath catching in my throat; my heart dropping to my feet; making my legs quiver on its way down.

They had Peter at gunpoint.

At that moment, I didn't care. About anything. I didn't care that I had no bullet proof armor and that, if the man holding the gun at Peter's head decided to turn it against me, I would be dead before I hit the ground. I didn't care that I didn't have a gun. I was willing to use my fists and feet if I needed to. I didn't care.

All that mattered was the man who lost his gun, dropped his cell phone, and was pushed towards a waiting van.

All that mattered was Peter.

Something bad had happened. And I wanted nothing more than to be at Peter's side and protect him from those that threatened him. Because that's what he always did for me. And that's what partners do.

"Peter!" I yelled as I bolted towards him, willing my legs to go faster and the distance between him and me to get shorter.

Peter stopped and I watched as he looked at me. A mixture of emotions crossed his face.

First, I saw surprise. He hadn't expected me to follow him. He was probably hoping that I had indeed stayed inside where it was safe.

Next, I saw apology. He was sorry he had been captured. He was sorry that I had to witness it. Damn saint. He had nothing to apologize for.

I felt angry at his own selflessness. Anger was good. Anger motivated me to go faster.

But then, I saw the fear in his eyes. He was scared. Peter the Invincible, was scared. And that only increased my own fears. Peter was being taken from me. I was being left behind. And there was nothing he nor I could do about it.

Suddenly, our contact broke as a black cloth bag was pulled over his head and he was shoved into the van. I wasn't going to make it. The van drove away, tires screeching.

I didn't make it. Peter was gone.

Panting, I slowed to a stop and realized his phone was ringing. I tore my eyes away from the departing van and picked it up. I answered timidly.

Keller answered back.

Renewed anger mixed with a crippling fear that made my heart pound and my legs shake.

Keller had taken Peter from me. And I damned well was going to do everything I could to follow my partner. I was going to get my partner back at whatever cost. Because that's what partners do.

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I know, a bit different from my usually comedy found in POP, but I saw a lot happening in this scene and wanted to write about what I thought Neal was thinking. Plus, it's the perfect basis for the "I got your back" genre.

And, as promised, a riddle for your solving pleasure. I'll start off with an easy one since this is the first riddle of this compilation.

If you are not familiar with my riddles, the rules and conduct are simple:

I post a riddle at the end of every story and you tell me your answer in a review. At the beginning of my next drabble, I will announce the answer (and all answers I find logically plausible) as well as all the winners who answered correctly.

My only rule is that you don't cheat. I want you to put some thought into it and don't be afraid to be wrong.

So here is your riddle.

**What has a head, a tail, is brown, but has no legs?**

Good luck my readers.

Hobey-Ho

(Disclaimer: italicized words and the characters used come from the show and, thus, belong to the creators. Everything else is mine.)