Chapter 3
AN: Thanks, everybody, for the response. And this chapter is a lot longer. I didn't realize how short the second chapter actually was until I posted it, that's why you're getting two chapters today. I, most likely, will not post everyday. But I will try for every couple days. Enjoy!
"Neal!" Peter said, engulfing Neal in a huge hug, mindless of Neal's appearance. "Where have you been, Kid? We all thought you were dead."
The reaction surprised Neal, but he returned the hug. The questions puzzled him. He stepped back. And he was feeling uncomfortable, even though he somehow felt like he knew the man. "You're Peter Burke?"
Peter nodded. He realized when he looked into Neal's eyes that there was a spark of recognition.
"Yeah, Neal. I'm Agent Peter Burke. You're Neal Caffrey. You work here. You're my Confidential Informant, my C.I. We're partners."
Neal shook his head and began to back away. It was too much information coming at him too fast. He had been living on the street, running cons, picking pockets to survive when he worked for the FBI? Something was very, very wrong here.
Neal turned to leave. "This is a mistake. I…I shouldn't have come here."
Peter didn't want to scare the Neal. It was obvious Neal was suffering from amnesia. And Peter didn't want to 'rush' him. He didn't want to scare Neal into running. He knew if Neal got out those doors it would be way too easy for him to blend into the sidewalk traffic. Peter would never find him again.
"Neal…." Peter said, starting to approach him again.
Neal began to back towards the door. He was suddenly very unsure of the bright idea he had had. "My name is Matthew." He paused. "I need to go." Neal then turned to run out the door.
Jones and Diana entered the building. They were returning from lunch and were confused by the scene in the lobby of the building. But they recognized Neal.
"Neal!" Diana said, unable to keep the surprise out of her voice. She had seen Peter signal them to be quiet and to not draw attention to themselves. But, at that point, she had not realized who was causing all the commotion.
Jones moved to block his path. "It's okay, Neal. It's Jones. You know me. We work together."
Neal looked at Jones, and backed away, still assessing his options. He knew, now, he would not make it out of the building. He couldn't fight. He had seen their weapons.
The man Peter, Diana and Jones were looking at was far removed from the Neal Caffrey they knew. This man was trapped and he knew it. He looked scared and unsure of himself. Two things Neal would never let the world see, no matter what.
"Neal…." Peter started.
"I'm not Neal! I don't know any Neal!" Neal insisted. "My name is Matthew."
Peter started again. "You…you came to see me." He paused. "Why?"
Neal shook his head. "I just keep…your name kept popping into my head. And…."
"You know me, Ne…." Peter stopped himself. "You know me. We've been partners, friends, for a long time. You…we thought we had lost you when the building fell." Peter paused. He felt himself getting a little emotional. "I looked for you…for hours. I…I didn't give up. They made me leave. The building was unstable. They wouldn't let me back in, again."
"I do remember fire." Neal replied. The man standing in front of him seemed to be apologizing to him. He didn't understand why.
Peter nodded. "Yes, there was an explosion. The…we got separated. I came out thinking you were already out. I went back in but…."
"I kept hearing voices."
Peter nodded. "We were calling for you, Diana, Jones and I."
Neal just looked at each of them.
"You needed my help." Peter implored. "That's why you came. That's why you're here." Peter said, he tried, again, to approach Neal.
"I don't…." Neal said struggling. "I don't know. I just…I needed to talk to you."
"Let me help you." Peter pleaded.
"I want to go home." Neal replied.
Peter hesitated before he asked, unsure of the answer he would get. "Where is home?"
"It's a big gray house with a lot of stairs." Neal replied.
Peter smiled. He was thrilled Neal was remembering his apartment, June's house. Peter fought the urge to hug Neal again, fearing it would scare him.
"I can help you with that. I can get you home." Peter said as he guided Neal over to the bench and both he and Peter sat down.
TBC
