(Chapter 2)

Peter spent most of his free time looking for Neal. Elizabeth began to worry about him when he didn't sleep. He just made phone calls and typed away on his laptop using what information he had to locate Neal. Peter was half-dozing, poised over the laptop when she walked into the living room. She gently pushed him to a more comfortable position, throwing a blanket over him. Suddenly, his cell rang and Elizabeth picked it up as her husband lay slumped on the sofa.

"Hughes? Hey." She walked a few feet away so as not to wake her husband. Her voice was soft.

"He's sleeping, finally. I think he wore himself out. Peter's spent all his free time looking for Neal." She listened and nodded, walking over and gently nudging her husband.

"Peter... Peter wake up." She watched her husband move slightly then finally open his eyes and look up at her blearily.

"Hughes is on the phone." El handed him the cell and sat beside him, gently caressing his hair. Peter smiled at her sleepily, pushing the cell to his ear.

"Reese, what's going on?" He sounded less than awake, yawning slightly as he listened to his boss. His eyes widened, Peter practically jumping to his feet.

"They did? Where? Ok, I'll be right there. Thanks!" Peter stood a little shakily as he pushed his shoes on. Elizabeth looked at him as she stood and turned him around towards her.

"And where do you think you're going?" He turned and blinked at her, his eyes a bit glassy from lack of sleep.

"They found Neal. He's at the hospital. I'm going to go see him." Peter walked over to the door and grabbed up his jacket and keys. Elizabeth coughed, blocking the doorway. He looked at her curiously, Peter too tired to comprehend much.

"You're not going anywhere till you shower, shave and change those clothes. And then I'm driving. Ok?" She took his jacket and keys, turning him around and pushing him upstairs. Peter didn't protest for once although he really wanted to just see his friend. El pushed him into the bathroom, hugging and kissing him.

"Take a shower and I'll set some clothes out." She closed the door and he heard her footsteps echo down the hallway.

()()()

Peter took a hot shower. Big mistake. The water relaxed him so much he practically fell asleep standing up, only waking when El wondered what was taking him so long. Peter finished washing up and turned the water to a chillier temp to wake himself up before he stumbled out. He threw on his bathrobe and looked in the steamed up mirror, wiping it with a hand towel. He got himself shaved and looking a bit more like himself before he left the bathroom and padded over to their bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed sleepily, yawning and stretching. Elizabeth hugged and kissed him.

"You sure you don't want to rest up first, Peter? You don't look so good." She sounded worried but he shook his head.

"I'm tired but I need to see Neal. I want to be sure he has someone there for him." He stood and started to pull on his clothes in a fumbling manner till he finally finished dressing, El walking him downstairs. She handed him his jacket and grabbed her own.

"Let me drive." She pushed him ahead of her out the door and locked up.

()()()

Neal looked bad. He was bruised and battered but the doctors and nurses said nothing vital had been damaged or broken. The young man was connected to several IVs, his body dealing with a slight bit of dehydration if not neglect from laying in one position for several days. The physicians had found a high amount of sodium pentathol in his system along with several other drugs used to keep people calm. They were sure the chemicals would pass out of his system in a few days without any damage. There were ugly chaff marks on his arm where it was evident he had been strapped in. Peter wanted to cry, Elizabeth looking about the same but helping him cope as they stood there and looked down at their friend.

Peter sat in the chair by Neal's bedside and grasped his friend's hand in his. He noted the bruise and chaff marks around the young man's wrist and felt anger rising in him. OPR had kidnapped him using his name to trick the young man into going with those agents. The phone records showed his phone had not sent the message but it had been redirected through his cell service which had been hacked. If he ever found out who did this...

"Peter, you need to rest. I left our information with the nurse and doctor so they can contact us. Ok?" She walked over and hugged him gently, placing a hand on Neal's shoulder as she bent down to kiss him on the forehead.

"Neal, I hope you can hear us. It's Elizabeth. Peter's worried about you. We'll be back to see you soon." She gently caressed the young man's hair, brushing a few strands from his face.

"Come on, Peter. You need to rest."

()()()

Peter didn't wake up till nearly 1 am, finding himself in bed, but Elizabeth wasn't there. He slipped out of bed, pulling on his robe and left the bedroom as he headed downstairs. The living room was dimly lit by one lamp and the TV. Peter found his wife curled up on the couch, a throw wrapped around her and a cup of coffee, now cold on the table. He could smell coffee in the kitchen meaning she'd left the coffee maker on. He bent over and kissed her cheek gently, Elizabeth rousing. She looked up at him with soft blue eyes smiling.

"I didn't wake you did I?" She sat up and he shook his head, sitting beside her.

"No, I woke up and you were missing." He hugged her close and she leaned into him, nestling against his chest.

"I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about Neal. How could anyone do that to him?" She sounded angry, Peter turning her face to look at his.

"I don't know. I'm going to find out which part of OPR did this. They took him from us by deceit and I intend to do something about it." Peter hugged her close, both of them snuggling there a bit before she gently pulled away.

"I smell the coffee machine. I think I left it on. Did you want any before I turn it off?" She picked up her cup of cold coffee, watching him shake his head. She nodded with a slight smile, walking over to the kitchen and disappearing inside. She returned a few minutes later with two glasses of water, handing one to Peter as she sat beside him and leaned her head against his shoulder. Peter put his arm around her and they just sat there in silence, trying not to think of anything but Neal's fast recovery.

()()()

It was at least three more days before Neal showed any signs of consciousness. He didn't stay awake for long periods but the nurses and physician were able to get some idea how well he would be when he did finally wake up. They checked his eyes and vitals to be sure there was nothing wrong or any side-effects from the drugs but so far he was healing as expected. Peter and Elizabeth went to see him everyday, June visiting when she was able. She brought him some clothes for when he woke up along with a few other items he might find convenient and familiar.

Peter stayed in the room as much as he could hoping to see his friend wake up. Neal remained asleep for the most part, his eyes moving beneath closed eyelids. He sighed hoping the young man was dreaming something good, talking to him as much as he could to let him know how much he was missed. Neal weakly grasped at his hand but otherwise he moved very little, his face pale and slightly flushed as he remained unconscious. It took another three days before Neal finally woke up.

Peter had fallen asleep on the sofa in the hospital room. He woke up when he felt a shadow standing over him. Neal was standing there, blue eyes glassy and blankly staring down at him. Peter rubbed at his eyes and blinked, sitting up.

"Neal? What are you doing out of bed." Peter stood, reaching to grasp his friend's arm when the young man moved noticeably away from him. He paused noticing the expression on Neal's face: fear. Peter couldn't understand it, moving back. It must be a side-effect of the drugs. Neal looked at him as if he was going to hit him, one arm up near his face but Peter just held his hands up as inoffensively as he could. He saw Neal move away from him as he moved forward to lead him back to his bed.

"Neal, you need to rest." He grasped the young man's arm and felt Neal stiffen noticeably his eyes widening in terror. Neal collapsed to the floor and curled up crying.

"Please... don't hurt me! No more!" He was yelling now, Peter unsure what to do as he realized Neal wouldn't let him help. He went to the bed side and pushed the nurse call button. A nurse showed up almost immediately looking at the scene and Peter curiously.

"I woke up to found him standing over me and then he started to panic." Peter looked absolutely helpless about the situation, the nurse nodding and gently touching the young man on the shoulder. Neal twitched instinctively, looking up to see the nurse there, his eyes moving to look at Peter with absolute fear. Peter frowned sadly. The nurse helped Neal back to bed and started to hook up all the IVs and monitors again.

"It's ok, Mr. Caffrey." She turned to Peter who looked shocked and surprised, her face kind but professional.

"He may just be confused, it happens when they wake up from these sorts of experiences. Can you please wait outside?" She looked towards the door, Peter nodding reluctantly, his eyes watching Neal recoil from him as the nurse continued to hook up IVs and monitors, settling the young man down. Peter walked out of the room his mind trying to wrap itself around what had just happened. He sighed, sitting on the nearest seat in the hall. He looked up as he heard footsteps and saw El approaching him. She hugged and kissed him as she sat beside him noticing his expression.

"What's happened, Peter? Is Neal ok?" She sounded a bit panicky but he calmed her down and tried to smile.

"He's fine. He's awake." He said it in a less than excited manner which got her curious. She pulled his face towards hers.

"Peter, what's the matter? If he's doing well, why do you sound so sullen?" She caught the look in his eyes but wasn't sure what it meant. He turned and stood, pacing a bit before pausing and looking back at her.

"I woke up from napping on the sofa and he was just looking at me. I stood and reached to help him back to bed and he acted like I had hit him." He looked upset, pacing again then turning and sitting back down. Elizabeth understood.

"He's probably just confused. We don't know what they did to him." She saw him turn and he shook his head.

"It was more than that. He was afraid of me. He collapsed and curled up into a ball, covering his face as if I was going to beat him!" Peter's voice cracked with emotion, his eyes watering slightly.

"I can't understand why he would be afraid of me. The nurse told me to leave, he was that upset." Peter leaned back in the seat, running a hand through his hair in frustration. Elizabeth blinked, kissing him on the forehead.

"Let me go see him. Maybe I can find out what's up. Ok?" She saw him nod, his eyes closed. Elizabeth patted him on the arm before she stood and walked towards the room. She knocked softly before entering. The nurse was still settling Neal down, the young man looking like he had seen a ghost, face pale, eyes wide and terrified. He turned with a jumpiness El had never known him to have as she entered the room. The nurse turned and frowned slightly.

"I'm sorry, but we're not allowing visitors at the moment." Her voice was kind with only a slight edge of mistrust. El nodded.

"I was just curious how he was. My husband told me what happened. I hope you're feeling better Neal." She turned to leave.

"El?" It was Neal's voice calling her. She turned back and he was staring at her with a little bit calmer expression. His manner almost seemed apologetic.

"Tell Peter I'm sorry. I don't know why I panicked." He was still shaking. She smiled back at him before leaving again.

She stepped out into the hallway and leaned on the wall. Neal was afraid, something she'd never seen except during the incident a few months back. El sighed, walking over to Peter who had apparently fallen asleep. She nudged him softly. He snorted awake and sat up, noticing her expression.

"You're right. Something is wrong. I've never seen him look so frightened of anything. He told me to tell you he's sorry." Peter blinked at her words but nodded.

()()()

Neal had been having a horrible nightmare. There were three of them, their faces a blur. They hit him continually, never giving him any rest despite his muffled cries of protest. Finally it ended and one of them had held his nose, the air flow blocked. He struggled till they stopped and laughed at him quietly. Neal could do little but lay there, tied to the gurney helpless. Then he woke up and found himself in this hospital room. He was hooked up to machines and found himself reasonably cleaned up, bruises and pain still evident. Neal pulled the IVs and other monitors off of him, easing himself out of the bed. He turned and saw someone sleeping on the sofa in the room. He walked over and saw it was Peter. He felt secure his friend had come to see him as he stood there, staring at the sleeping figure.

Suddenly Peter woke up and looked up at him. He was smiling, although sleepily. Neal was about to speak when Peter stood and suddenly this feeling of dread overcame him. He saw the figures coming at him, about to hit him again. Neal moved back, seeing the look on his friend's face. Peter tried to approach him slowly, wanting to help him back into bed but the impression of those figures beating him came vividly to him again. He collapsed to the floor, curling up in a protective ball. He was crying, afraid.

"Please... don't hurt me! No more!" Neal found himself yelling, feeling them hit him in his mind's eye. He was afraid. Terrified!

Neal thought back to that moment feeling badly that the nurse sent Peter away. He wanted to talk to Peter but something had made him feel fear at his friend's presence. Elizabeth had come in afterward and tried to visit but for the nurse. The nurse was protecting him although he felt badly for making her think Peter had done anything to him. He hadn't. El had looked worried at him as he made his apology to her for Peter. He would have to talk Peter again later. He sighed to himself and leaned back in the bed. He felt exhausted, his ribs and stomach still sore even after the 6 days or so they nurse and physician had said he slept. He had seen the ugly bruises on his chest and abdomen, wearing a tee June had left for him to hide the injuries. He looked at his arms and winced, vague memories of being strapped down coming back to him. He had been secured to that gurney without relief for several days. He knew that much, shivering at the thought.

Another day passed, Neal wishing Peter would come back. He still thought of everything that had happened just over a week ago and wishing he had someone to talk to. He was feeling isolated, a guard outside courtesy of the Bureau, Hughes and Peter. He wanted to go home, forget everything.

"Mr. Caffrey, you have a visitor." Neal blinked, drawn from his thoughts back to reality. He looked up to see a man in a dark suit who looked fairly official. He didn't recognize the man but there was something oddly familiar about him. He tried to think what it was made him think he knew this man. The nurse exited the room leaving them alone, the man standing in the entrance a moment before walking forward. The man wasn't all that memorable, dark hair, hazel eyes and a fairly normal face with no remarkable features and yet he felt familiar to Neal. The man pulled the chair out and sat beside the bed without speaking, those hazel eyes just looking at Neal, sizing him up he thought.

"You must be with the bureau. I can't think of anyone else in a suit that would come to visit me like this." Neal was trying to be funny but the man seemed to take his comment as gospel nodding at him in an official manner. He blinked at the man unsure how to react.

"Hughes called me in as a special favor. That's how we ended up finding you. My name is Alistair Gordon. I work with OPR." Neal just stared at the man, the word OPR making him stiffen with suspicion immediately. How could he know this person wasn't here to take him away again. He had only been told a little bit of what had happened. Neal watched the man's expression turn to that of curiosity.

"I know you aren't very trusting of the Bureau much less OPR. I don't blame you with all that's happened." He took a cell phone from his pocket and dialed a number.

"Reese, it's Alistair. I'm visiting with your consultant. Yes, Caffrey. He's awake and wants to talk to you." Agent Gordon passed the cell over to Neal who took it after a moment, his face still full of suspicion as he pushed it to his ear. He spoke as clearly as he could.

"Hughes?" He waited till he heard the gruff voice of Peter's boss.

"Caffrey, how are you doing? I guess good if you're talking on the cell." Hughes had paused. Neal spoke quietly.

"I'm feeling better, sir. Thanks for looking for me. I know Peter was worried." His voice remained quiet despite himself. Hughes answered in his usual tone only more friendly.

"I guess Gordon called because he told you he was from OPR. He's a friend and I trust him. I wouldn't have sent him to see you otherwise. Just tell him what you can to catch the agents in charge of this." Hughes sounded genuine enough, Neal nodding at the phone.

"I will, sir. Thank you." He handed the phone back to Agent Gordon, the man speaking as it reached his ear.

"Not a problem Reese. Yes, I will. Say hi to your wife for me. Yes Rita says hi back. Bye." The agent hung up the cell and pushed it into his pocket, his smiled professional if nothing else as he looked at the young man. Neal seemed a bit more comfortable but his guard was still up and ready. Gordon continued to look him up and down.

"So, are you comfortable talking to me now, Mr. Caffrey?" He was smiling although it seemed the man was making an effort to do so, his manner professional more than anything. Neal nodded ever so slightly but kept his arms crossed over his chest to express his continued skepticism. Gordon nodded holding out a hand. Neal was reluctant to shake but he took the man's hand. He felt a little prick on his finger and something flashed in his mind. He blinked as the memory hit him, his mind blanking a moment as he slumped back against the bed and twitched slightly, eyes rolling back. He felt a hand on his shoulder as someone shook him.

"Mr. Caffrey?" Neal couldn't respond, the seizure taking over as he shuddered in the bed, hands holding him down gently. After a moment he was vaguely aware of nurses and doctors there, checking his vitals as the machines beeped and reacted to his fit. He just lay trapped there unable to do much but deal with the situation as it happened, trapped without words. Someone pushed something into his mouth, it held his tongue down and it kept his teeth from trying to grind into one another. People talked around him their voices nothing but soft buzzing sounds, his vision but a blur as if he were looking through opaque glass. He continued that way for who knows how long before he lost consciousness.