(Chapter 7)
Jones showed up and Diana a few minutes after. Peter went upstairs to answer the door once he made Neal comfortable. Satchmo stayed by the young man's side, head gently laying against the consultant's chest. Neal slept quietly, breath a bit ragged but otherwise he seemed good.
"Jones... Diana... Come in." He tried to be as gracious as he could, his hair mussed and face a bit haggard from his ordeal. He opened the door letting them in and saw Diana and Jones look at him and the darkened home. He shone the flashlight around.
"Sorry, someone turned the power off. I need to find the fuse box." His voice sounded sleepy.
"Boss, you ok?" Diana sounded worried, reaching up to touch a small cut on his forehead. He saw the blood on her finger and reached up to touch it gingerly.
"I'm ok considering. It's the others I'm worried about." He saw the look on her face and Jones'.
"Others? Someone else is here? Isn't El out of town?" Jones asked when he nodded.
"And thankfully so..." He lead them into the main room closing the door and locking it. He lead the way with the flashlight shining it on the body around the corner. He heard them both gasp.
"I guess this is one of the others? Wait... isn't that one of Argheny's men? Louie something..." Jones was looking down with a pale glance, covering his mouth as he bent over to check the body. Diana looked just as shaken up.
"Louie Anthony. One of Argheny's right hand men. But he's dead. Peter... what the heck happened here?" She had turned her eyes from the dead man to her boss. Peter shrugged slightly.
"Let's get the power back on and I'll try to explain." He said with a tired sigh, Jones nodding.
"Where's the fuse box, Peter?" Jones asked, Peter pointing as he led the way.
"Kitchen, inside the wall by the laundry room." Jones nodded as they walked into the homey kitchen Peter lending the light to the agent as he stood with Diana in the dark.
"You're sure you're ok, Boss?" Diana moving over to help him as he sagged against the wall but he shrugged the agent off.
"I told you, I'm fine. I shouldn't be but... Someone rescued me." The lights came on after a moment, Jones smiling slightly as he came around the corner again.
"Let there be light." Jones looked at them, Peter nodding and pointing at the basement door.
"Basement. More surprises." His voice was grim as he led the way down. He limped down the stairs, hearing gasps as they saw what he avoided.
"The other bad guy. Don't know his name." Peter passed the body, eyes averted. Diana stopped and checked the body closing their man's eyes.
"Looks like a wild animal got to him..." Her voice trailed off as she heard a low growl. Peter crouched beside the huge yellow lab and petted him.
"Calm down, Satch." Peter sat beside the dog and Neal, slumping tiredly against the wall. Diana hurried over and crouched beside her boss, the huge yellow lab and Neal. She let the dog sniff her before she checked Neal.
"What happened, Peter? Why the mystery?" She put her hand on Satch when he whined, petting him.
"I can't explain. Has to do with what happened before. The wolf people." He shrugged tiredly. She was looking at them both worriedly.
"You both need a doctor Peter. I'll call for a bus." She reached for her phone but he shook his head.
"I'm fine. Just need some rest. Neal... just a flesh wound. Can't chance taking him in. Keep this quiet." He was fading away, exhaustion overcoming him till he was shaken awake.
"Peter... we can't keep two dead bodies quiet! I have to call that in if nothing else. We'll figure something out." Diana and Jones looked between themselves and then Peter. He finally nodded.
()()()
The official story was Argheny sent hit men on Agent Burke. He defended himself, the dog attacked one of the men, that one falling down the stairs breaking his neck. The other died on impact fighting with Neal in the dark when the consultant showed up unexpectedly. The homicides were justified as self-defense, both men lucky to be alive.
The unofficial story... only four people knew the truth, two the whole truth. Satchmo couldn't tell what happened. The lab had bruised ribs according to the paramedics. They had wrapped the dog in gauze until he could be seen by a vet but otherwise seemed unharmed from the kick by Argheny's goon. The dog whined and watched Neal as the young man lay sleeping on the sofa, a blanket draped over him. Peter sat back in his recliner and closed his eyes. He sported a bandage on his forehead where Diana had insisted he get the paramedics to dress his wound. Peter was just glad El was out of town till tomorrow. He could clean up a bit now that forensics had finished taking their pictures and evidence.
"Peter?" The voice was tiny, just audible enough to be heard. He opened his eyes to find Neal looking up at him. He wore just his undershirt and suit pants, the paramedics having removed his blazer and button-up to check his injury. Peter sat up and nodded.
"Hey. How are you feeling?" Peter moved over to the sofa and sat beside the young man. Neal looked confused if not a bit frightened. How much did he remember of what happened?
"Why am I here? I don't... remember much." Those blue eyes squinted as if trying to recall a memory but a part of his expression seemed haunted by the thoughts he couldn't remember. Peter patted him on the shoulder gently.
"Just rest for now. We can discuss it when you're feeling better." Peter tried to get him to relax but Neal looked at him oddly, body tensing. He sat up, eyes glittering in the soft light of the lamp. Satchmo sat up and looked between the two men.
"Something happened. Peter, tell me what happened." He sounded desperate, his face paling, eyes glancing out through the curtained window where the moon shone brightly above. Peter watched the young man's body tense more. Satchmo suddenly stood up on all fours and growled ever so slightly, backing away.
"Neal..." His gut feeling was telling him something was wrong and apparently the lab picked up on it too. Jones was still outside talking to NYPD on the street while Diana was looking in the backyard where the forced entry had taken place. They were alone for the most part. Satchmo growled a bit more, his attention on Neal who was still turned away towards the window.
"Neal..." Peter reached to touch the young man's arm when Neal turned and he backed off.
Neal's eyes were the way he had seen them at the courtyard with the scarred man. They were an almost silvery blue with very small pupils, his lips curled back revealing his teeth. He looked feral and wild like some kind of animal. Satchmo seemed more nervous by the moment as if threatened. Peter wasn't sure how but the dog knew something was wrong.
"Neal... It's Peter. Hey..." He was trying to be relaxed, the young man just staring at him with those oddly cold eyes. He hadn't made a noise yet but his eyes slowly moved away from Peter towards the growling Satchmo. Peter turned to look at his dog and wondered what to do. He was afraid to move much less interfere after what he'd seen at the courtyard that day. Neal continued to just look between the two without a sound.
"Neal... he's dead. Remember. The scarred man is gone. He can't come for you anymore. You and Alex are free. You can forget." He hoped his words got through, his eyes looking around hoping that everyone stayed outside a while longer for him to take care of the situation. Neal's eyes moved to study him, head cocking to one side inquisitively. He saw the young man's lips curl back and growl low, the sound making Satchmo quiet before the young man let out a strange wolf-like howl. Peter watched a bit unnerved as Neal howled a moment before his eyes seemed to normalize and he slumped forward against the agent.
"Neal?" He nudge the young man as he carefully lay him back across the sofa. Satchmo seemed to have calmed down, Peter looking at the mutt as he pulled the blanket back up around the sleeping man.
"What did he tell you, Satch? Hmmm?" He watched the dog look at him curiously before padding away to his own bed to lie down. Peter smirked.
"Figures..." He turned his attention back to Neal, looking up as Jones walked in through the front door.
"Hey boss. Everything ok? I thought I heard something odd." The agent looked over at the sleeping dog in the corner, Peter shrugging.
"Just Satch being his goofy self. What's up?" He remained by Neal's side his hand brushing gently at the young man's hair. Jones yawned and stretched moving over.
"They have enough from the two hit men to help us grab Argheny. He may have wanted to avoid you finding out about his operations but he's going away for attempted murder now. He can't pin this on anyone else this time." Jones looked happy but his smile was grim.
"Good. Thanks Jones." Peter didn't say much else, weariness making him slump against the back of the couch as he continued to sit beside Neal, brushing at the young man's hair. Diana walked in as his eyes closed and he felt himself falling asleep. He could just hear the two agents talking as he passed out.
()()()
Peter woke up early the next morning, stretching the kink out of his neck from sleeping upright on the sofa. Someone had put a blanket on him as he turned and found Jones asleep on the recliner. The room was dimly lit with one lamp in the corner as he sat up. He moved to push himself up and realized the sofa was empty. He noticed Neal missing, standing up immediately. He saw Jones shift in his sleep but stay asleep. Peter thought about waking up the agent but instead quietly moved towards the stairs when he heard a soft creak upstairs.
The agent quietly made his way up the staircase pausing to look around the upper hallway before he noticed the light under the bathroom door. He was just about to approach when he saw the light go out and the door start to open. A sleepy looking figure hobbled out of the bathroom, their hair tousled as it hung over their face. The figure turned and saw Peter, pausing a moment.
"Neal?" Peter whispered, the younger man nodding with a tense movement of his head. He looked older for some reason as if the last few months had taken something from him. Peter felt his heart wrench at the thought.
"Hey, let's find you something a bit more comfortable to wear." Peter took Neal's arm and led him into the bedroom and sat him on the bed.
"I think I have some old sweats you can borrow till we get you home." The agent went to digging through his wardrobe till he pulled out a truly well worn set of sweats along with an even more aged tee that read "Yankees." He walked over and handed them to the younger man, Neal looking at them and the agent before he nodded.
"Thanks." His voice was quiet, somewhat distant as Peter nodded back and left him to change. He waited outside in the hallway patiently before he realized several minutes had passed. Peter knocked quietly on the door before he walked in and found Neal curled up on the comforter asleep. He had changed into the clothes, his own neatly folded on the end of the bed. Peter found a throw on a nearby chair, lay it over the young man before he took the clothes with him.
When Peter made it downstairs again, Jones was up and looking a bit worried. He calmed down when he saw his boss hold up a hand for quiet.
"Where's Caffrey? I guess I fell asleep. Some guard I am." Jones yawned afterwards, his manner apologetic. Peter just smiled.
"It's ok. It was a long night for all of us. He's asleep upstairs. I just brought his clothes down to put in the laundry room. I need to call June and let her know where he is. Maybe she can bring some clothes over." He kept his voice soft as he walked over to the kitchen followed by Jones. While Peter put the clothes in the hamper, Jones got to work making coffee.
"So when is Elizabeth supposed to come home, boss? I can help you clean up if you like." He sounded sincere as he poured the coffee grounds into the filter and closed it up. Peter leaned back on the counter and nodded.
"Thanks. The worse of it is already done." He shuddered at the thought of the two dead hit men. He'd seen dead bodies before but the idea of how they'd died just frightened him. Jones seemed to pick up on his vibe and nod.
"Don't worry Peter. It will work out." He sounded pretty positive but it didn't make Peter feel any better. He knew what really happened. Jones and Diana only saw the tip of the iceberg. El and June had seen bits of what scared Peter but he knew the truth and it terrified him. He might be able to talk to Mozzie; he had given him the file on what the scarred man and his group had done to Neal and Alex. It had been mostly hearsay and rumor but the information in the file was more than enough to tell Peter what hellish conversion the young cons had been through.
"Let me know when the coffee is ready, Jones." He saw the agent nod as he left the kitchen and went back into the den. He needed to take Satchmo to the vet soon as it opened up. It was nearly 6 am now when he looked at the clock. He quietly made his way upstairs wanting to wash up a bit and maybe change clothes. He was still in the same polo shirt and jeans he'd been wearing when Argheny's men had broken in and jumped him. He'd been upstairs when they broke in, just getting off the phone with El when Peter had heard the sound.
He opened up the bedroom door forgetting his partner was in there.
"Who's there?"
The voice startled him at first then he noticed Neal sitting up on the edge of the bed wiping at his eyes sleepily. He looked better.
"Just me. Feeling any better? I was just going to get some clean clothes. Elizabeth comes back today. Figured I'd get cleaned up. Jones' is making coffee." Peter walked over to his closet and pulled a polo and casual slacks out, laying them on a nearby chair. He felt Neal watching him, turning to see the younger man up.
"Coffee. June doesn't know I'm here. I should call." He looked for his pants finding them missing.
"I put your stuff in the hamper downstairs." Peter said as the young man nodded. Neal noticed his cell on the nightstand as he looked at the clock.
"Hmmm... maybe I'll call later. Not sure she's up this early." He had barely said that when his phone rang. He blinked as did Peter and answered.
"Mozz? Hey... uhm yeah. I'm ok. Long story." He looked at Peter a moment then turned, crossing the room to the door and exiting out into the hall. He heard the bathroom door close. Peter grabbed up his clothes, laid them neatly on the bed before grabbing up a robe and his slippers. A few minutes later Neal came back, his face a bit red in embarrassment.
"What's up?" Peter glanced at him curiously, the younger man shrugging.
"Mozz. Said he had been looking for me. June had been worrying. He's going to bring some stuff for me." He stopped blushing, sitting on the edge of the bed a moment, phone in hand. Neal looked a bit tense still.
"Go get some coffee. I'm going to wash up and then you can have the bathroom." He patted the young man on the shoulder as he left the room.
()()()
Neal remembered very little of what had happened after he had jumped the wall into the backyard behind the Burkes'. He could just recall noticing the broken lock on the back door and light from the basement windows, the thin 12 x 6 frosted panels showing a hint of movement. He had quietly crept into the darkened house, all the lights out but a small light over the kitchen sink and the hint of light from beneath the basement door. He heard a low growl in the corner of the den, turning in the darkness to see two eyes glowing eerily back at him.
"Satch... hey Satch." He whispered, hearing a low quiet whine as the dog moved nearer. He held his hand out and the dog licked it. He could just hear voices from below.
"Hey boy, where's Peter? Huh?" He barely petted the dog, the large lab whining again only this time in pain. Neal figured he had to make things even, moving into the kitchen and pulling a fuse out of the box. All the lights went out. He heard the men below curse as he moved back towards Satchmo.
Neal continued to pet the dog gently, trying to figure out what to do to help Peter when he heard a low growl from the dog and then heard the creak of the stairs. Someone was coming up from the basement! He had to hide but the more he heard Satchmo's growls, the more something seemed to take over him. Neal crouched down by the dog, lowering himself to his hands and knees.
Bad... Hurt...
He could just decipher what Satch was saying, his mind remembering the wolves and how he'd learned by necessity to speak with them. He could just make out what the yellow lab was saying, crouching in the shadows as the dog hid behind the bookcase. Neal wasn't afraid. He could take on any prey. His mind started to change, thoughts converting from man to wolf.
The young man watched as the basement door opened and he saw metal gleam in the dim light from the windows.
"Who's there?" A voice called out cautiously. He heard the man walking forward, steps quietly creaking on the floorboards as he approached Neal and the dog. Satchmo whined quietly, the man honing in on the sound.
"Stupid mutt! I'll teach you to jump my friend." Neal heard the gun cocked, the figure trying a light switch that didn't work. He moved forward a bit more, slowly.
"Where are you, mutt? I have a treat for you." The man laughed coldly, moving closer to Neal's hiding place. Satch whined again unfortunately drawing the man towards him where he hid behind the bookshelf.
"Ah, there you are boy. Now just stay still..." The man was pointing the gun at the large dog when he froze, another growl behind him. He was shaking, turning his head but not turning fast enough as something large jumped him, the gun flung from his fingers. He didn't even get to scream as the dark form threw him hard on the floor, his neck cracking as strong hands wrapped around him and he struggled to get free. The man slumped dead on the floor, a whine from Satchmo and growl as he moved further into his hiding place.
Neal just dropped the man, moving stealthily towards the open basement door as he started down the darkened stairs.
()()()
The memory hit him hard, Neal curled up on the bedroom floor when Peter came back. He was rocking himself back and forth, eyes staring blankly ahead.
How...
His thought stop there. He just couldn't figure out how he had killed two men with his bare hands. He had never killed for the scarred man but now... What had changed? What had made him so violent? Even Satchmo had been afraid of him. He had become a monster.
"Neal? Hey... Neal, look at me." Peter's voice spoke in the background but he just kept rocking back and forth in shock.
"Neal! Look at me!" Peter sounded angry with him. Had he done something wrong? Did he hate him? He had to know what happened. Neal wanted to flee. The need to run was growing in him again. If Peter was angry with him he couldn't deal with it.
"I'm sorry, Peter. Forgive me..." Neal jerked up to his feet, pushing his friend aside and running out the room and down the stairs. He thought he heard footsteps behind him and voices but he ducked out of the house through the backyard. He was about to vault the fence when something stopped him.
"Neal! Come back! Please!"
Peter was calling to him. Pleading. Neal turned after a moment to stare at the agent. They just stared at the other a moment, Neal finally falling down to a crouch and leaning back against the wall.
His memory told him Peter had seen it... seen him as he had been last night. He could see his friend afraid of him but remaining there, talking to him calmly. The agent didn't flinch although he had seen the terror in his eyes knowing what had happened. What HE had done.
"Why Peter..." He said quietly as he eyed the ground below him. Two familiar feet drew closer and slowly Peter crouched down to his level.
"Why what, Neal? Tell me. Quit running away!" He saw those brown eyes look at him with honesty. His cheeks flushed in response.
"You saw me. You were there. Why didn't you run? Even Satchmo was afraid." Neal averted his eyes but Peter grasped his chin in one hand and made him look up.
"Why do you think?" Peter stood, holding his hand out to him. Neal took a moment before he put his hand in the agent's and stood. Peter put an arm around him in a brotherly manner, mussing his hair.
"We'll work this out. I promise, Neal. Now... go clean up. Ok?" Peter let go as they approached the back door, Jones peeking out when he heard all the commotion.
"Something I miss?" Jones was looking at the two but Peter just shook his head.
"A minor misunderstanding. What's up?" He could tell the agent was keen on something. Jones made a little arch of his brow.
"We have a guest." The agent looked at Neal who peered over Jones' shoulder to see Mozzie in the doorway. The little guy looked nervous as usual. Peter smiled.
"Hey Mozz. I'll let you two talk." He gave Neal a gentle squeeze on the shoulder before he let the two talk, joining Jones in the kitchen. Neal looked at his friend noting the overnight bag over his arm. Mozz handed it over.
"June sent this." Mozzie seemed uncertain what to say for once, his usual brusque manner rather coy. Neal nodded a thanks and walked over to the sofa to sit, Mozzie joining him.
"Tired. I'm surprised you haven't said I look like Hell." Neal smirked, running a hand through his tousled hair. Mozzie shrugged.
"I thought I should lie for once. You look like you could use a good lie. A happy one at that." He just gave a quick smile that evaporated almost immediately. Neal chuckled, tension leaving his body as he did.
"Thanks. Happy would be good."
()()()
Neal went upstairs, showered and dressed while Peter, Jones and even Mozzie helped to clean up the mess in the house before Elizabeth was scheduled to come. Once the house was reasonably back to normal, Peter and Neal went to the vet while Jones stayed to watch the house and Mozzie did his usual disappearing trick.
Ended up Satchmo wasn't hurt badly. One rib had a hairline fracture but would heal quickly the vet thought. They'd keep the dog overnight for observation. Peter and Neal petted the dog before they left, heading back the agent's home. He had to call a locksmith on the way to get the back door fixed. Luckily it was only the lock and not the door that had been messed up. It was 2 pm when they had everything fixed and for the moment everyone acted like nothing bad had happened. Peter even let Neal help him with the washing machine to wash his clothes and a few other things in the hamper. Jones left once the lock had been fixed, Peter telling him to go home and rest. He would have to deal with the paperwork and Hughes once he got a chance.
It had been a long 15 or so hours since everything had happened. Peter collapsed on the sofa, leaning back and closing his eyes. He felt Neal plopped down on the other end, a sound of feet hitting the coffee table.
"Feet off, Caffrey." Peter said without opening his eyes. He heard a sigh and movement, opening his eyes to see Neal obeying him. He smiled, glancing at the younger man.
"I wanted to thank you, Neal. If you hadn't come to visit... I can't even begin to imagine." He wiped tiredly at his eyes, a worried look on his face. He still had to tell his wife what happened when she came home. He couldn't lie to her about what had occurred even if he didn't want to worry her. He gave a deep sigh, a hand touching his arm.
"It'll be ok, Peter. I think I can deal with this a little better now. I'm just..." He paused, Neal obviously confused and haunted by the events.
"I'm glad I was there. I'm glad you're ok." Neal was looking at him, blue eyes glittering with unspoken emotions. Peter nodded.
"I'm still trying to figure out how to explain this to El. I can't lie about it. She's bound to figure out what happen at some point. It's not like hiding a simple stain or turning the cushion over because I dropped something on it." Peter ran a hand through his hair and sat up. Neal nodded, one brow arching in query.
"You turn over the cushions to hide stains?" Neal stood up and flipped a cushion randomly over. Peter laughed.
"It was an expression. Still, I can't keep this from her considering the circumstances." He was thinking about the two dead hit men in his home. He could never forget that even leaving out the details as to how it happened. Neal nodded, his manner turning rather quiet.
"I guess you'll have to tell her everything?" He didn't look at Peter but the agent shook his head.
"No... I'll just tell her the basic stuff. The 'official' word. We can work out the other stuff on our own. Our little secret." He mussed Neal's hair, the younger man smiling in relief. He still looked a bit tense but he seemed happier to know it was under wraps for now.
"Thanks. I... I just want to get it over with. Get rid of it all." He was talking about the beast, the thing he had been stricken with. His curse. Peter squeezed his shoulder.
oOoOoOo
Author's Note: Thanks for all the comments. I really appreciate it. This story has taken on a life of its own but all good things must end. Next chapter SHOULD be the last. The roller coaster ride is ending soon. Make sure you stay under the safety bar till the ride stops. Don't want you getting whiplash. ;)