(Chapter 3)

Elizabeth was worried, uncertain what to think as she waited for news from her husband about the incident with Neal (he had gone to see something with the case) and about the con himself. Mozzie had been gone for some time now and finally she heard a familiar tapping on the back door and saw the little guy there through the curtain before she opened it up.

"Mozz...?"

It was obvious he hadn't found the young man, looking upset as well as worried as he shook his head.

"He's not answering his cell either. I have a bad feeling about this..."

El would have said something in reply but the phone rang, picking it up as she saw who was calling.

"Hun? What? No he... he's still missing. Neal didn't pick up on his phone. I haven't tried but Mozzie said he called. All the doors are locked. We're ok here. Yes... See you soon, hun."

She saw her face in the mirror by the shelf. She looked afraid and she was as she wondered where Neal was. It had already been a good hour and the young man was outside, alone and who knew where with who knows what. Someone had already tried to kill him once. What was to stop them from doing it again and without the anklet, they had no clue where he was. She went into the kitchen and started making coffee, starting up the machine before she opened up the fridge and pulled some ingredients out. Mozzie was suddenly near her, hand on her arm.

"El..."

He was just as upset as she was, Satchmo in the corner watching them curiously as she nodded and sighed.

"I'm... I need to get dinner ready. It won't make itself."

Mozzie nodded at her words, removing his jacket as he washed his hands in the sink and pulled on an extra apron.

"Let me help."

()()()

Peter read the file, opening it up and finding something he didn't expect to see. The outside cover read "Agent Eric Carson" but the inside was more informative.

"That's Carson? Reese... this isn't the man I talked to. The man's been dead for a year? He's conning us both and knew exactly who to become and what to say..."

He was angry, standing up and pacing a moment before a firm hand touched his shoulder and made him stop. Reese was there looking at him curiously.

"I didn't know the man myself but yes, he's been dead for just over a year. What does this have to do with Caffrey almost being mowed down by a car? Is there something you're not telling me, Peter?"

Reese didn't know about Neal being in WitSec and he wasn't sure he was at liberty to tell at this point. Neal had told him in confidence and it might change so many things.

"No sir... I'm just wondering why this man was approaching my partner. It doesn't make sense... Thank you for the file sir."

Reese was giving him that look that he was being irrational but nodded with an understanding air.

"Don't get too involved, Burke. You're already on suspension. Don't make it a demotion or worse."

Peter nodded, gathering up the information and looking at the papers one more time. Carson... the real Carson was dead, the man who had talked to him a fraud. His gut had told him something was wrong and now he knew why but not the reasons behind it. He had mentioned Neal's past but not gone into specifics. Obviously the man had been fishing for info and Peter had not provided it so he had gone to the source, Neal and tried to con him but so far his partner... Neal had been safe but he could be anywhere now.

"Where is Caffrey now, Peter?"

The question he was dreading had just been asked. Peter didn't want to lie but the truth was far worse.

"At my home recuperating. I'll let him know. Can I take this with me?"

The agent nodded, shooing him out of his office with a wary look that made him realize Reese knew he was leaving something out but wasn't going to ask what. They trusted each other enough to know Peter would never do anything to destroy his career although he was getting close while helping Neal with his past.

"Thank you sir."

()()()

Traffic was heavier on the way home. It was nearly 6 when he left, an accident causing further delay as he heard his phone ring and pushed it to the dash to answer.

"Burke..."

There was a moment of quiet and then a familiar voice that made him sit up straight.

"Peter? I'm... I know you told me to stay at your house but... Ellen's in the hospital. I went to visit her."

Neal's voice sounded so plaintive even for himself. It was like a little boy calling instead of his partner. All facades were gone and only Neal Caffrey spoke to him plain as day. He felt a weight off his shoulders as he smiled in relief and nodded to the dash.

"Neal? What hospital? I'm already in the car..."

He took down the information, Neal's voice far less like the con he usually dealt with. His friend was an open book at the moment.

"Thanks... I just realized I didn't have the anklet on and knew you'd be worried. I'm sorry."

Peter shook his head for once believing his friend when he apologized. There was definitely no hidden agendas.

"I'll be right there. I'll call El and Mozzie to let them know you're ok."

()()()

It took 45 minutes with traffic to make it to the hospital. El had wanted to come as had Mozzie but he insisted they stay at home and let him take care of it. With the fake Carson out there, there was no way of knowing what could happen and while they were in the house locked up tight, his wife and the con were safe. Neal was in a hospital which explained why he didn't pick up his cell but not why he was there as the agent parked in visitor parking and practically ran into the ER looking around for his friend and seeing a familiar dark head of hair off to the right.

"Neal!"

The head turned and it was his partner, Peter approaching as a few people looked at them then went back to waiting. Neal looked tired, a haggard look to his face that had nothing to do with his injuries as he wrapped a friendly arm around him and they went to a nearby empty set of seats and sat.

"What happened?"

He could see something was wrong but Neal looked far from able to speak about it, swallowing hard before he glanced up with sad blue eyes that spoke volumes.

"Ellen's ok. She had an accident on the stairs. Just a minor concussion. She was lucky."

Peter was confused but glad to know that Ms. Parker was ok but not certain how Neal knew all of this if she had been put back in WitSec early. He waited, comforting his friend when a man with the typical undercover suit ensemble showed, giving them both a once over and looking mainly at Neal. The young man nodded, looking at Peter as the man motioned for them to follow without a word. The agent was confused but Neal just gave him a look to go with him, both men following the other Marshall down a hallway and through a secure door before they were ushered into a room. On the bed was Ellen Parker, eyes open and looking at them both in surprise but more at Peter than Neal.

"Nice to see you again, Agent Burke. Neal finally called you. I told him he should before someone got the wrong idea. I would get up but as you can see I'm a bit under the weather."

She was calm despite everything, shooing the Marshall out who nodded with a reluctant glance between them all before he left them alone. Ellen sighed.

"Never a dull moment with those nice young men... so, I heard there was some excitement on your end too. Neal thinks my accident was anything but. What do you think, Peter?"

The agent noticed Neal looking at him but mostly sitting at Ellen's side, her hand in his. She had a small brace on one wrist, obviously having sprained it. Someone had gotten rid of her to get to Neal. She had been out of the picture long enough to fool them both that she may have been extracted early.

"I have my doubts. Do you remember anything that might prove it wasn't a legitimate accident?"

She looked at him curiously then at Neal before finally answering.

"Nothing much with the drummer in my head. I stepped outside to work on my small planter and suddenly found myself here. Something tripped me but I couldn't say what. A neighbor found me luckily, a man having come to my rescue she said before he vanished. Nothing suspicious there."

The hint of sarcasm almost passed him by but he realized she was talking about her rescuer. Neal nodded without anyone saying anything. Peter nodded back, pulling Neal aside to talk to him quietly.

"I already asked. Same description... She knows about what happened. I told her about our encounter and my accident."

Peter gave a nod and whispered.

"Agent Carson?"

The con nodded, looking at his tone curiously as he spoke even quieter for only their ears.

"Agent Carson is dead... (Neal gave him a shocked look) not like that. He's been dead for a year. The man we've talked to, he's a fraud, Neal. I need to know what in your past would cause someone to come after you? Does this have to do with your father and why you were in WitSec?"

Neal looked shocked if anything, turning to see Ellen watching them with curious eyes. He didn't want to lie to her but something stunk here. He moved away from the agent and went to talk to her quietly, the woman shaking her head some before Neal walked back over.

"She doesn't know anything. The man isn't someone she recognized but she knew him when I described the agent. Said it was the same man only... he called himself something different when he was helping her. The neighbor asked his name and he told her it was Cooper. No first name."

Peter nodded, both men moving back towards Ellen as he felt guilty excluding her.

"Ms. Parker..."

She held up a hand, shushing him automatically without a word.

"Ellen... call me Ellen, Peter."

He nodded, looking at Neal who just smiled slightly as the agent went less formal.

"Ellen... I'm guessing Neal told you what happened yesterday?"

She nodded, Neal helping her sit up when it was obvious she was trying to do that. Peter noticed how close they were like mother and son. She meant a lot to his friend and he hoped to help protect her and him both.

"Yes. I would have told him not to come if I'd known. The Marshal's very nearly arrested him trying to get into my room. He's always been the impulsive type."

Neal blushed slightly, Ellen holding the young man's hand in her own.

"I'm guessing you never did find out who did it? It was the same then... Neal, sit down. There's something you need to know. Something... I need to tell you."

Peter wondered if he should stay or go but she looked at him, her eyes telling him to remain in the room as the agent nodded back at her without a word. Neal looked concerned, his eyes only on Ellen.

"Since it's happened again, I have to include the good agent here. If he's going to help, you both need to know what happened before we went into WitSec. I'll leave out anything that's... private."

Neal looked worried but obviously unconcerned she would reveal too much as she squeezed his hand and started to talk.

()()()

Elizabeth was worrying but for the moment Mozzie was distracting her with tales of conspiracy while they played Gin, Satchmo in the corner on his pillow watching the two with an oblivious doggy look. It had been several hours since Peter had called to let them know that Neal was ok and where he was. There had been few details only enough they knew the young man was ok, at the hospital but nothing more. Obviously her husband was trying to be careful, El telling Mozzie who immediately went bug eyed at the mention of a hospital until she told him Neal was fine. They ate dinner and put the rest up for later, eventually playing cards when they couldn't find a movie to watch. Mostly they were too wired to concentrate on much until the sound of a car outside caught their attention, Satch getting up and trotting over to the door expectantly. El noticed, going to look through the curtains and seeing their car outside. Peter was home!

"Everything ok?"

Mozzie looked ready to run out the back door but was obviously waiting for approval and El to follow. She nodded when she saw another figure exit the vehicle with her husband. It was Neal.

"Yes, everything's just fine, Mozzie. Come and see."

The little guy looked dubious, putting down his cards and moving closer to peek out the window. El watched him blink and stare, relaxing noticeably as she went to open up the door and greet Peter and Neal.

"Hey... everything ok?"

She had gone down the stairs, wrapping an arm around Peter as Neal walked around the car under the agent's supervision, El noticing the tension there but not between the two men. There was something else going on, her lips brushing her husband's ear and whispering.

"What's wrong?"

Peter shook his head, kissing her back as the three walked back into the house, Neal looking a bit shell shocked if anything.

()()()

Neal didn't know what to think, Ellen had been secretive but now she had finally told him something solid. For once he was glad Peter was there, the man his support when he left the room in shock, the Marshals looking surprised when Peter went after him.

"Neal?"

He glanced up to see Mozzie looking at him, the door to the guest room open as he nodded without really realizing it, the little guy coming in as he closed the door, sitting beside him on the bed.

"Bad news?"

It didn't register at first what his friend said but he nodded before he looked up and nodded again.

"Deja vu actually. This has all happened before only..."

Mozzie moved in closer, Neal standing up despite his ankle and pacing a moment before he stopped and shook his head again. Mozzie looked anxious if not curious.

"Only what, Neal?"

He looked around the room, something bothering him he couldn't quite pinpoint. The dream he'd had only told him so much.

"I had a dream... a memory of sorts. I haven't... haven't told anyone yet. I was 2 and my parents were arguing. I heard my dad's voice and... he was upset. My mom was angry with him. I'd been hurt. She told him he needed to back off of a case before someone else got hurt."

Neal sat back down, his ankle throbbing a bit as he reached down to rub at the still bruised but bandaged area.

"This happened before? What did Ellen say?"

Neal wondered how he knew but then Mozzie knew a lot of things.

"Someone hurt her. She was in the hospital with a concussion and sprained wrist. A man matching Agent Carson was there at the scene. Peter is going to call in the neighbor as a witness tomorrow. Whoever this man is, he's not an agent and he put Ellen away long enough to try to convince me to run. Mozzie, someone is after me because of my father and I don't know why."

He put his face in his hands, something he normally would never do but he was at the end of his rope for once. His past was a mystery and whatever his father had done, whatever case he had been working was the cause of it. It made him wonder if he was a danger to his friends now that he knew they had gone after Ellen to get to him. He seemed to have a target on his back. Mozzie put a hand on his shoulder, giving him his best attempt at comfort as he gazed up at his friend.

"You're not alone, Neal. Draw a picture of the guy. Let me put some feelers out. Let the Suit help."

Neal nodded but that wasn't all that was bothering him.

"If he went after Ellen... She was just a means to an end. They were after me, Mozz. What if..."

He paused uncertain what to say but Mozzie seemed to understand.

"I'll keep a lookout for El and the Suit if you want. They will probably have the Jr and Lady Suit on patrol too but if it bothers you that much, let him know. Peter... will understand."

()()()

Peter had let Neal go inside, the younger man turning down a meal to go upstairs alone. Mozzie had followed up later when their conversation although light had turned into nothing more than a shell to hide what they really wanted to discuss. He couldn't tell his wife about what Ellen had said or what he knew. It was too big and it was best the fewer who knew it. If anything, Neal could tell Mozz if he felt it was necessary but for now they were keeping it low key while he tried to figure out the best means to follow through. He had already called Hughes to give him a heads up.

"Let me put the anklet on him. Much as I hate to do it, it's our only means of keeping an eye on Neal if something happens."

El nodded at his words as he saw Mozzie come back down, eying the tracker in his hands with curious yet wary eyes.

"Talk to him, Suit."

The little guy said nothing else, the words quiet for only their ears as the con left with only a small nod to El. She looked at Peter curiously but he just gave her a "We'll talk later" look before heading upstairs. The door to the guest room was closed, Peter raising a hand to knock when a voice called out.

"Come in Peter..."

Mozzie must have said something or he heard the footsteps. Either way Peter felt awkward opening up the door, seeing his friend sitting on the bed looking unhappy and fearful. He closed the door, putting the anklet behind him temporarily as he moved closer and sat down on the bed beside Neal. He put his free arm around the con, his friend and partner, the man leaning against him tiredly to his surprise.

"There must be something..."

Neal spoke softly, Peter almost not hearing the words until the young man sat up and looked at him with angry blue eyes. He wasn't angry at him but at whoever was behind this. Ellen was hurt and he had almost been killed. Someone was trying to hurt the young man and get something or rid of something. He wasn't sure what at this point and apparently Neal wasn't either.

"You're safe here, Neal. Hughes already said he could put you under protective custody if necessary. The Marshals have Ellen safe in the hospital. It will be ok..."

He put his free hand on Neal's arm, the other one still wrapped around him protectively. The young man nodded, pulling aside and handing Peter something he had almost forgotten about. There was a slight smirk on the young man's face at Peter's blush. It was the anklet.

"I think this should probably be back on. My ankle's better."

Peter was uncertain now but he knew it was for the best as did Neal apparently. He had been uneasy the few hours that he didn't know where his friend was and when he'd been ok... his heart had gone back into his chest. Neal picked his leg up onto the bed, Peter standing up to properly fit the item so it was secure but wouldn't be easily removed. It clicked with a beep back into place and both men seemed to let out an uneasy but relieved breath. There was a shared chuckle, Neal smiling at him although his uncertainty remained. Someone was out to get him but for now, they were ok.

"Hate to say it but I feel better now."

Peter smirked back, seeing the con looking down at the encumbrance almost wistfully.

"Really? Can I quote you on that?"

Neal rolled his eyes back with his own smirk.

"I'll plead the 5th if you try... so, El..."

It was obvious if they could get to Ellen they could get to his wife. Peter nodded.

"Well short of taking her to work with me, having Mozzie stick around with you both, I'm probably going to have a detail watch the house. It will be ok. Don't worry."

Neal nodded back but he could tell the young man had shutters down, hiding some of his emotions. With what he must be feeling, Peter shocked at what he had heard from Ellen, he had to keep an eye and ear out for his friend. Impulsiveness might make him do things he would never do otherwise. He patted Neal on the back, slightly mussing his hair to his partner's chagrin as he stood and made his way to the door.

"Come on. El was going to warm something up for us. I think a good meal will help."

Peter saw the no etched in Neal's expression but then a sigh as he nodded and gave a more characteristic smile.

"Fine... I guess I am a bit hungry."

()()()

The meal helped he guessed but all Neal could think of was Ellen in the hospital. She could have been killed. The Marshals obviously couldn't take care of her and visiting with him was putting her in more danger. She seemed reluctant to talk about what happened in their past, his father's fate and where his mother was. Obviously there was danger, something he would normally run from but this was personal. His family, those close to him were his worry. He didn't care what happened to him if he could know why. What had caused them to all go into WitSec so many years ago. What was the dark secret even Ellen seemed unable to find but her friend Sam could?

"Neal... did you want some coffee?"

El was hovering near him, Peter off to his left as he shook his head and stood, smiling at her despite everything.

"I'm good. I'm going to retire early. Thank you for the dinner, El. It was delicious. Peter..."

He just nodded at the agent, his friend understanding as he hobbled upstairs disappearing into the hallway but pausing to listen a moment.

"Peter, hun... what's going on? Why is Neal upset? Ellen is alright isn't she?"

He expected her to ask Peter about things, his ears burning in anticipation of what he knew about his partner and friend. The man never lied to his wife so he would tell her everything.

"She's fine, El. He's just worrying about her. She slipped outside on the steps, nothing more. I'm sorry we worried you. We don't have any other clues but agents will be around just in case someone tries something else with Neal. Are you going to be working from home this week?"

Neal was surprised. Peter had lied to El and she believed him from the sounds of it. Much as he hated to say it, it didn't make him feel better that the agent had lied although he was relieved in some ways. They were open but for now it was best El knew nothing since she wasn't the target. He hoped nobody else would be since only he and Ellen were involved. Neal sighed, quietly making his way to the bathroom and washing up before he went back to the guest room and changed into sleep pants and a tee, slipping into the bed and laying there staring up at the ceiling deep in thought. This had happened before. Someone had tried to kill him when he was 2. His mother and father had been there from what she had said in the hospital but that's it. There had been no ID on the car or hit and run driver. Still, someone must have seen who. His mother had been upset in his dream, angry with his father who was calm but still concerned. It was all he had at the moment but still very little as he rubbed distractedly at the light scar behind his ear he only now knew about.

()()()

Neal was playing, sitting in the grass playing with a pad of paper scribbling what he saw in crayon. He liked drawing, a pretty tree in the front yard catching his attention because it was bright green on top with a bird's nest. His eyes were paying attention to the baby birds up top when something else caught his eye, something shiny on their side of the street just inside the curb. He could hear his mother in the background talking to someone, her voice droning without any discernible words. He turned a moment to see his mother looking out the window at him and smiling distractedly before going back to her call. His attention was back on the shiny object across the street now, his little legs holding him up as he toddled towards the sidewalk. He wasn't supposed to go into the street but it was on the curb, not the actual street he thought as his 2 year old mind saw how the sun shone on the item. He wondered what it was, a rainbow of colors sparkling off of it in the afternoon sun as he neared.

Neal moved closer and the item moved, jumping slightly as the colors danced off of it in the sun's rays and it started moving into the street. He was too hypnotized by the pretty colors to think of anything but following the pretty object. He was outside the gate and stepping off the curb into the street, the boy awed by the sparkling item when he heard the rushing sound and turned to see what it was.

"NEEEEEEAAAAL!"

The little boy heard his mother scream his name as he stopped, item forgotten and saw the car coming at him faster than he could comprehend. His mother and father even Aunt Ellen had told him not to go into the street but here he was. He froze only minor comprehension of what was about to happen running through his mind before he stepped back, the car rushing past but the boy fell, clipping his head against a parked car bumper and started crying. Something bad had happened he thought but he wasn't sure what other than feeling pain behind his ear where he'd hit his head, scrapes on his elbows and some red where he'd cut himself.

"Neal!"

Someone was holding him, a man there someone he didn't recognize, their face blurry as another person ran up and he saw his mother. She looked different, more lively than he remembered and scared. The man holding him held him gently, securely where he felt safe but his attention was elsewhere, watching the speeding car moving away out of sight.

"Give him to me, James... how could you! You only had to watch him a moment while I was on the phone with my mother..."

She was yelling at the man, Neal feeling himself taken into her arms, the soft scent of perfume in the air that he only just recognized...

"I only turned for two seconds, Angela. Angela!"

They were arguing now, Neal bouncing in his mother's arms as his head lay across her shoulder looking back at the fuzzy face and figure of his father behind them. He saw a hint of blue eyes, dark hair and then...

"Neal... Neal... wake up... Neal!"

His eyes popped open, the con feeling a kind of disappointment and confusion all at once. He had seen his father, the man's face starting to come into focus when he'd been waken. Peter hovered over him, lamp still on as he realized he had fallen asleep staring up at the ceiling. The dream was still clear in his head as he blinked at his friend and nodded.

"I'm awake, Peter... why did you wake me up?"

His voice was testy but it was more due to not finding out what his father looked like from his faint memory than anything else. It was silly to be upset with his friend for this but something made him scowl at the agent who seemed to be confused by his behavior.

"You were talking in your sleep, Neal. I came to make sure you were ok and saw you struggling. Nightmare?"

Neal wasn't sure what to say, only Mozzie knowing about the dreams but it was obvious Peter knew something was up from the conversation with Ellen. He nodded but didn't intend on saying much more.

"Thought so... Did you want to talk about it?"

Peter was trying to be helpful but the last thing Neal wanted was to discuss his past when he didn't know what was truth himself.

"No. I don't remember much. You woke me up and it went away. Sorry..."

He watched his friend nod and look at him curious but take his word for it.

"Ok... if you want to talk, let me know. Night."

()()()

Peter woke up early the next morning, ready to go to work and find out a bit more about what was going to happen with the investigation with Neal's near miss. He still had to iron things out with a protection detail as he said goodbye to El, hugging and kissing his wife before moving out to the vehicle. He was distracted as he slipped into the Taurus, mind on Neal's nightmares and who this "Carson" person was when he sensed movement behind him.

"You're a nosy man, Agent Burke..."

It was Carson, gloved hands wrapping something around his neck as Peter struggled, finding a zip tie tightening as he reached back to loosen the plastic noose when he felt his hands grabbed. His wrists were zip tied to the headrest of the driver's seat, the agent struggling to get loose as a rag was pressed to his nose.

"I'm sorry it had to be this way but you don't know what I've gone through to find him. He'll soon be out of your hands."

Peter smelled something sickly sweet, consciousness starting to fade as the man left the rag beside him and slipped out of the vehicle. The door closed quietly, the agent following the man as "Carson" moved around to his front door, two more men joining him all of them masked as they walked up to his home and entered. Peter couldn't get free, the scent of the chloroform filling the car from the damp rag beside him as he slumped back against the seat and passed out.

()()()

Elizabeth was happy, kissing her husband goodbye for the morning. It was earlier than usual since he had to go take care of things related to Neal and what was going on. She wished they would tell her more but it must be important and dangerous if Peter wouldn't tell her anything but she was patient. She sighed, going to the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee as she let Satch outside into the backyard. Neal was still sleeping as she turned, the front door opening. Peter must have forgotten something.

"Hun? What did you for..."

Two masked men were standing there, El shocked for a moment into silence as she tried to think straight. The backdoor was still partially open so Satchmo could come back in as she moved towards it, dropping the coffee cup in her panic. The door opened and another masked man was there, her screams silenced before they could leave her lips as they covered her mouth and held her securely. Something in the man's glove made her sleepy, the sickly sweet smell filling her nostrils until she slumped in his grasp, only just conscious. They carried her back inside, her eyes seeing a yellow form outside on the patio. Satchmo was still, laying on the ground as if sleeping, something in her wanting to cry out hoping the dog was ok as she was pushed into one of the dining room chairs, They pulled her arms back behind her and she heard an odd zipper type sound as she was bound with something hard and plastic, slumping in the chair as they pushed a rag into her mouth and walked away.

Peter...

She wanted her husband, flashbacks to when she had been kidnapped coming back to her as well as the fear of being taken again. What were they going to do to her? El was drugged enough she was trapped without any means to help herself as her eyes moved sluggishly around the room, the men whispering quietly as two went upstairs and she suddenly realized who they were after: Neal.

()()()

Neal was asleep, not deeply but his dreams were making him struggle some as he remembered the near miss with the car. He was having the dream again, seeing the man behind him as his mother took him away. He saw the blue eyes... dark wavy hair with a hint of gray and something like a scar along the edge of their cheek. He could almost see the face... almost when a sound make him rouse from his dream. His eyes were still shut, a sense of someone looking at him evident as he sighed, wiping at his face, eyes still shut.

"Peter... don't you ever knock?"

His eyes opened up and he found himself staring up into the face of three masked men. Neal had no time to react, a pillow pressed over his face, arms held at his side as he struggled, cries and breath extinguished as finally he slumped back against the bed, barely conscious as the pillow was taken away and someone cuffed him.

"You are too valuable to be left in the hands of the FBI, Mr. Caffrey. (Take him.)"

The man spoke and he knew who it was, a face coming to mind.

"Ca... ar... son..."

The name slipped from his lips as the masked figure blinked back at him, a cold smile there as something was pressed to his face. The sickly sweet scent made him cough, Neal unable to resist its effects as he slipped into the darkness and passed out.

()()()

Peter felt a slap to his face, gentle but firm enough to wake him up that he could make out a blurry figure hovering over him. Voices were talking, motion of more people moving around the agent disoriented and trying to figure out why he was laying across the front seat of his car, the voice talking to him suddenly familiar but the ache in his head making him feel hung over.

"Peter... hey boss, what happened? Boss?"

He felt nauseated, slipping drunkenly out of the car and throwing up on the asphalt as he collapsed to his knees, a gentle but firm hand holding on to him. Jones kept talking to him, occasionally talking to some other figures he just realized were surrounding the area. There were flashing lights of cruisers and other vehicles and a slight pain to his wrists as he looked to see they were bruised and cut from the zip ties. Suddenly everything came back to him, eyes moving to his house where more agents were rushing in and out.

"E... El... Jones... where's... where is my wife?"

Peter had a bad feeling, his memory spotty but something important was there. He had to remember as his junior agent helped him to his feet, handing him a tissue to wipe his mouth.

"She's fine, Peter. Elizabeth is sleeping on the sofa right now."

He was confused, uncertain what the agent meant as he was led towards the house and they went inside. Everything looked the same except for drag marks on the floorboards he didn't recognize having been there before. Satchmo was sleeping on his pillow but he looked more lethargic than usual, something wrong with the scene he couldn't quite place his finger on. Then he saw El on the sofa, pulling away from Jones to check on his wife. She looked peaceful, eyes shut, face calm but obvious bruises and some small cuts where she too had been bound. Peter stroked at her hair gently, kissing her cheek and sensing her twitch as he did so. Slowly she woke up and stared up with bleary blue eyes that looked more black than blue at the moment from the drugs in her system.

"Hu... Hun? Did they call you from work?"

She didn't know he had been knocked out too, turning to look at Jones as he nodded.

"Yeah, Jones came with me when you didn't answer the phone. I was worried."

El nodded, sitting up with a groan which he knew all too well at the moment with his own chloroform headache, hugging him. They were like that a few minutes before Jones coughed and said they needed to get her statement, another agent coming to do that as Peter was pulled aside.

"Peter, what was that all about?"

He shrugged, looking back and smiling at his wife as comforting as he could. His sleeves were pulled down enough she hadn't noticed his own bruises so that was something. He could explain later.

"One less thing for her to worry about... You wanted to talk?"

The agent nodded at him, pulling him towards the stairs as they headed up. Suddenly realization fell over him, taking the steps a bit faster as they went to the guest room and found it empty, signs of a struggle evident.

"Neal... Carson must have taken him. Dammit!"

He turned, more curses on his lips as Jones nodded at him curious what was going on.

"Carson? What's going on here, boss? Hughes sent me over to find you when you didn't show for work. Does this have to do with whoever tried to run Caffrey over the other day?"

Peter nodded, faint memories of a face hovering over his and then that smell of chloroform. He moved over towards the door, taking Jones with him and upstairs to the attic. There were no agents there as they sat and he told him what he knew.

"I only just found out that the agent the other day wasn't a real agent. I guess Hughes didn't tell you yet. I don't know who he is but he was there when Ellen was hurt. I can't say too much more but he took Neal. I saw him. He told me that he was too valuable for the FBI to have. I need to talk to Hughes and let him know what's up..."

Jones nodded, looking concerned as he realized what was going on.

"So this has to do with his friend in WitSec? Do you know why she was in, Peter?"

He shook his head, Neal hadn't had a clue what was in his past. Ellen had only told them that someone had tried to kill him as a kid as a warning to his father. His mother had been terrified and not long after their world had fallen apart, his father in jail for murder and his family put into WitSec.

"No. Neal didn't know either but someone thinks he does. We need to find out who this Carson person is and find out fast. I..."

He was dizzy suddenly, Jones catching him before he could fall as they headed back to the first floor.

"You need to rest boss. We'll take care of this."

Peter nodded, both men getting back to the first floor where Elizabeth was now sitting up and looking a bit better. She had a cup of water and a bottle of aspirin as he approached her and sat on the sofa, Jones coming back after a moment with a glass of water for him.

"You might need this boss."

El looked between them both curiously, a blush to Peter's cheeks as he nodded and took two aspirin himself. Jones made a look at him before moving off to coordinate the team investigating, El still looking confused as she wrapped an arm around him and he faced her again.

"Something wrong... I can feel it. Peter, what's happened?"

The ache in his head wasn't leaving but the fact he lied was making him more sick. He hugged her back, his lips on hers a moment before pulling away to reply.

"Neal... he was taken. I know who but we don't know where. Also... I lied to you honey. I'm sorry. I didn't want you to worry but I was knocked out too. Jones found us when I didn't show up for work..."

She blinked at him then sighed and nodded.

"I suspected as much. Your eyes are far more black than brown at the moment. I'm guessing mine are the same?"

She wasn't mad at him, some relief there as he nodded back, both still hugging the other. He was panicked still, some memory of her last kidnapping and his own haunting him until she kissed his cheek and he realized she was safe. He could see something of his own worry there in her own eyes.

"I guess we'll be staying at a safe house? I should go pack..."

She didn't move, El looking at him then at their dog in the corner just starting to wake up. These men had invaded their home, drugged them and kidnapped Neal. It wasn't Neal's fault what was in his family's past but it seemed danger followed the young man wherever he went.

"It's not his fault, Peter. You know that. I've talked to Ellen. She's afraid of something but she hides it well. You'll find him. I know you will."

She gave him a kiss, hugging him a moment before rising on unsteady legs and starting upstairs. After a moment he followed, passing the empty guest room now filled with forensics searching for clues. His wife was ok and so was he but what about Neal? What did they want with him that they had tried not only to kill him but kidnap him?

"Hun?"

El was looking at him from the bedroom as he walked over and they slowly started packing.

oOoOoOo

Author's Note: Exciting chapter, lots of stuff stuffed into it and Neal's been taken. It makes you wonder what they want with him. Why was he taken now and almost killed two times before? More to come!