(Chapter 7)

Neal led the frightened Elizabeth Burke out the adjacent room, peering around as he managed to hide the fact she was tied by staying close to her. He had taken the rag off her mouth, holding the gun to her out of sight as he maneuvered his hostage down the hall away from the agent outside his room and to a nearby elevator.

"Where did you park?" His voice was less than gentle as he hissed the question at her. El shuddered slightly unsure what was going to happen to her.

"3rd level garage. I-18. Neal... don't do this." She pleaded with him but he just gripped her wrists tighter in his hand making her wince some as the elevator dinged, doors opening soon after. He pushed her inside, pressing the button for their floor.

"Don't... push me!" He hissed at her as the doors shut. She saw that his eyes were dilated so his eyes looked black rather than blue. She noticed the sheen of sweat on his skin, his eyes shiny with some odd excitement she didn't understand. It scared her to see him like this, knowing this wasn't the Neal Caffrey she had come to know. She watched him curiously despite her fear, her blue eyes meeting his when his attention was drawn back.

"This is Peter's fault. Blame your husband for all of this, Elizabeth." Neal's voice had turned cold, his hand tapping nervously on the elevator's metal wall. She saw him pull out his phone, text someone before glancing up at her curiously, the elevator finally dinging as it stopped and the doors opened.

"Come on..." He grasped her arm tightly in his hand and yanked her outside with him, walking through the parking garage towards the slot she'd told him. She shuffled her feet some but not much as he flaunted the gun again. It only took a few minutes and they were standing at the Taurus. Neal held her tight as he used his free hand to type in the keypad on the door.

"Lucky thing Peter never changes his codes. So easy to break. Get in!" He pushed her in through the driver's side, El sliding in to the passenger side as he slid in after her, locking the doors. He reached under the dash and smiled as he drew up a key.

"So predictable..." He smirked, dropping the gun onto his lap as he started the car. El flinched when he reached across to her and pulled on her seat-belt. She blinked in surprise noticing he didn't pull his own on. Neal put the car into gear and they were off. She watched him, unsure what to think, his body shaking ever so slightly with tremors. Neal looked pale, his skin ashen, eyes still fully dilated. She saw him reach across to the glove box, pulling out a pair of sunglasses. He pushed them onto his face as they pulled out into the afternoon sun. She watched his body tense noticeably at the change in light but he kept driving, doing nothing that would make them stick out.

Several minutes passed. Neal pulled the car over to a nearby street curb and parked. There was an alley on her side of the car. El looked at him unsure of what was going on.

"Neal?" She saw his cheek twitch ever so slightly beneath the sunglasses but he didn't turn to face her as he sat stiffly in the seat. El suddenly felt angry, shifting as well as she could with her arms bound behind her within the seat-belt.

"Fine... don't talk to me! Do whatever it is you're going to do but know this... Peter will find you, Neal." She was tired, upset and suddenly frightened as he turned and faced her again. She couldn't see behind those tinted lenses but something had changed. Neal had tensed, the muscles in his neck taut. He swallowed hard opening his mouth to speak.

"I know he'll find me..." He spoke softly, menacingly almost. El stared at him unsure of his intentions as he reached for the glove box again pulling out a pocket knife of Peter's. Neal popped the blade holding it close to her waist. Suddenly she felt the seat-belt button pushed and released. He turned her roughly around towards the door, cutting her hands free. El felt him pull back, the sound of the knife closing as she turned. The doors unlocking startling her.

"Neal?" She couldn't find the words to say anything else. He was quiet, staring ahead. El stared at the door uncertain if she should open it.

"Go into the alley. Don't look back." His tone was emotionless. El blinked about to open her mouth but nodded, exiting the vehicle. She closed the door and started into the alley way uncertainly. The sound of her heels echoed off the walls as she took slow deliberate steps. She'd only walked a few yards when a figure stepped out ahead, startling her.

"Mozzie?" El felt a sudden relief, curiosity making her wonder what had brought the little guy here. She watched him shift nervously, his glance staring beyond her where Neal was in their car.

"Hurry! He said there wouldn't be much time." Mozz sounded rushed, grasping her arm as he pulled her further into the alley. El made a quick look back despite everything, watching as Neal looked towards her briefly with those sunglasses before pulling back out into traffic and disappearing.

()()()

Peter paced after watching the rest of the surveillance tapes. He finally sat and re-watched the tape of El and Neal in the elevator. His wife looked terrified, Neal far from his normal self, finger tapping away. Peter sighed, finally turning the sound down. He just watched the young man tapping his fingers when it hit him. He replayed the scene zooming in on the younger man's hand.

D-A-N-T-E

Neal was tapping out a name but what did the little guy have to do with all of this? Peter walked outside, motioning for Jones and Diana to join him.

"Look... he just tapped out a name: Dante. It's a clue! Some one's manipulating him and he needs help. Jones, tell Hughes I'm going to seek out Mozzie and keep an eye out for Neal and my wife. Diana, see what you can find on the drug they gave him. Get Dr. Jacobs to help."

()()()

Peter started out of the hospital, raising his hand to hail a cab when he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the number. It wasn't one he recognize but he picked up.

"Burke..." He heard an intake of breath and then a familiar voice.

"Peter? IS it really you?" He started as he realized who was speaking.

"El? You're ok? Where are you?" Peter was relieved moving to a small bench to sit as he listened to his wife. He was smiling, happy to know she was doing well.

"Peter... Neal's in trouble. I'm with Mozzie at June's." She sounded a little worried, her tone frightened. Peter nodded at the cell, seeing a cab pull up finally. He rose to enter it.

"I'm headed your way. Hold on, El. I love you." Peter heard a soft sigh.

"I love you too, Peter. Don't hang up yet! Mozzie wants to say something." He heard movement and soft voices, one sounded like June's then someone else.

"Suit... Neal told me send you a message while he was able to." Mozzie's voice sounded conspiratorial, Peter nodding as he slid into the cab and gave June's address.

"I know what happened. Thanks for rescuing my wife. What's the message?" Peter sat back in the cab, trying to relax as he waited for Mozz to speak.

"Don't look for him." Mozzie's voice cracked slightly, Peter sitting up as he heard the message. Neal was going to sacrifice himself?

"Mozz... do you know where he is? Tell me!" He was desperate now but he heard a frustrated sigh.

"No. He's already left your car in a public place to be picked up at your leisure and if I'm not mistaken he no longer has his anklet. You cut it off when you were rescued. He dumped his phone. He's gone ghost on all of us, Suit. Whatever they gave him was pretty potent and the new dose will probably kill him." Mozzie's voice sounded pretty glum. Peter wiped at his face with his free hand looking up as the cab slowed down.

"I'm just pulling up to June's. We'll discuss this in person." Peter waited for the cab to park, paid and exited. He looked both ways before sprinting across the street towards a large brown stone. He barely reached up to knock when June answered.

"Peter... It's good to see you. El is upstairs with Mozzie." She smiled at him in a knowing manner, hugging him briefly as he hugged her back and walked towards the stairs. Peter started up when he saw a door open above and a shadow fill the entrance. He heard soft footfalls and glanced up to see Elizabeth standing there. It was as if planned, they ran to each other and El pulled her arms around him tightly.

"Peter! I was worried about you when I saw Neal. I'm glad you safe!" She clung to him, kissing him on the lips. He reciprocated, glad his wife was safe after everything. They finally paused their reunion long enough to walk upstairs, arms around each other. Peter kept an arm around his wife's waist as they entered Neal's rooms. He heard typing, finding Mozzie at the table on his laptop. El clung to Peter as they moved to the table and sat down. The little guy didn't turn around.

"Suit... Glad you could make it. I have some information for you." Mozzie finally sat up a bit straighter, turning to face Peter. The agent moved closer, his hand holding his wife's as he peered over Mozz's shoulder and looked at the laptop screen.

"Friscinetti... I found the formula for that drug but Neal doesn't have but a few days. He was messed up when he called me and since he ghosted... no clue where he's at." Mozzie looked over his glasses at the agent, pointing at his screen as Peter nodded and read the contents. His expression turned grim.

"No wonder it took Neal so long to withdrawal on this junk!" He spat angrily, looking over the potent cocktail again. Among the many elements used in the serum Friscinetti's men had given Neal was dextromethorphan, dimethyltryptamine and codeine not to mention a nasty concoction of street drugs. He cursed silently to himself, standing up straight and sighing. El gently massaged his shoulders but the tension was more than anyone could ease away. He started to feel stressed, his memory of the session earlier with the psychiatrist coming back to him.

He had been relieving the worst of his torture under Friscinetti while under hypnosis. Now he was stressed again and his control was slipping. He had failed Neal, the young man out there on the streets somewhere in danger if not near dying.

He turned to look around himself when he heard the mobster's voice clucking sarcastically in his head. El gently touched his cheek but he didn't seem aware of her as he flash-backed.

You think you're safe from me? When you least expect it, I'll be there, Agent Burke. Your little haven will become a hellish pit of fear. Still think I haven't gotten into your head?

Peter felt his heart racing as panic washed over him. He felt his body shudder in memory of almost drowning. The lashes to his back. He wanted to run, to fight, his anger and rage at being trapped against his will finally taking a toll.

You can't get away, Burke. I'll be right beside you...

Someone touched his shoulder and Peter grabbed their wrist in his hand tightly, pulling their arm back behind them.

You haven't the courage or strength to resist.

Peter's heart raced and he was about to strike the figure with his other hand when someone held it tight and he felt himself snapping from the nightmare.

"Peter! Peter, stop!"

He heard the familiar voice yelling at him but it took a moment for it to sink in as another voice joined it.

"Suit! Wake up already! He's having some kind of episode..."

Peter looked around him and saw he was holding El's arm taut behind her, her blue eyes wide with fear. He blinked trying to piece together what he was seeing when he found Mozzie holding onto his other hand with both of his. He felt his hand hold on his wife loosen as the tension left his body and he collapsed to his knees. Peter felt his vision start to gray around the sides, his body starting to go into shock.

"Peter... Honey. Peter... you're ok. Mozzie, call June!" El's voice broke through his haze and he looked up at her before feeling himself start to pass out. She helped to ease him to the floor, caressing his hair and face as she spoke softly to him.

"It's ok, Peter. We'll get through this." El's voice eased him into a calm place and he passed out.

()()()

Neal stumbled through the streets of New York, his mind lost in the haze of whatever drug Friscinetti's man had given him. He wrapped his arms around himself, the cool night air getting to him as he kept going, feeling as if he had to get away from something or someone.

The world looked alien to him, strange thoughts and feelings rushing through his brain at a million miles an hour as they threatened to steal his sanity. He shivered finally ducking into the stoop of an abandoned building and sitting down. Neal was exhausted, fighting the urge to do things he never would have thought of before. He felt the cold metal of the gun still tucked into the back of his jeans under his tee. He had come close to using it on Elizabeth if not himself after the fact. Neal didn't want to hurt anyone but the drug was changing him and altering his personality as it ate away at his very soul it seemed. He could still feel it burning through his veins hours after the injection.

He looked at where the IV had been and saw a nasty looking bruise and something like a small rash at the injection site. His arm itched and he found himself scratching at the site despite himself. Neal curled up against the wall, eyes drooping as he watched people pass him by. He was about to close his eyes when he felt a hand on his shoulder, looking up to see a figure standing there.

"So this is where you went. We've been waiting for you, Caffrey." The man's voice was vaguely familiar but he was too tired to figure out who or from where. He just nodded without a thought, the man helping him to his feet. He was aware of another figure helping to hold him up as the two men eased him away from the stoop and maneuvered him towards a waiting car. They helped him inside and he leaned against the door frame without moving, eyes taking in a bit of the interior as he started to pass out.

"Not yet, Caffrey. We need to give you your medicine." He felt the door he was leaning on open, one of the men slipping inside, closing the door. He stared at the man a moment before slumping against him. He was too tired to move but the man nudged him, holding him up in a sitting position as the man who had spoken continued.

"You want more of this, don't you?" The man held up a syringe filled with a vile yellow liquid. Neal felt a tinge of fear, stiffening slightly but he was held in place between the two men, watching a finger tap at the needle.

"This version is just a bit different though. Hold him tight!"

Neal could only watch helplessly as the man stuck the needle into his arm and injected more of the drug into his system. It didn't burn this time but he felt another feeling: euphoria, his heart racing slightly as his pulse quickened. He trembled and struggled but the man held him fast. Finally the euphoria turned to a sleepy feeling as his eyes rolled back into his head. Someone patted him on the shoulder.

"When you wake up, you'll only remember what you need to." The man's voice continued past that point but Neal's consciousness had already faded to black.

()()()

Neal remained unconscious, his mind still feeling guilty for what he had done to Elizabeth. His guilt laced his dreams and memories as he lay trapped there. His mind went back nearly a month when he had finally been able to rescue his friend.

Nearly three weeks had passed since Peter's kidnapping. Neal had healed from the crack to his head but was otherwise occupied in finding his friend. Mozzie had managed to scope out the warehouse they had found near Long Island. It looked like Peter was there but Neal still had the problem of trying to get there when it was out of his radius. He had talked to Hughes after much consideration and let him know what he had found. The older agent listened to what he had to say, looking a bit grimmer than he had hoped.

"I'm sorry Caffrey. We can't just get a search warrant based off unofficial intel. I know that's not what you wanted to hear, it's not what I wanted to hear. I think you have something there but on paper the company looks legit and in all respects is legit. I'm sorry. I'll do what I can to get surveillance on the premises but at this point, considering the source, nobody will give us a search warrant for this." Hughes sounded tired if not frustrated.

It had been too long since Peter's disappearance and no news on whether or not the agent was alive or dead. Neal thought about Elizabeth all alone in the house she shared with Peter. She had Satchmo, and an agent was staying with her but when he would visit, she was always a bit distance, her blue eyes watery with tears. He never knew what to say thinking about his own experience with Kate. What could he say? He didn't want to have to say anything. Peter should be here with her if anyone was to be here. Why hadn't they taken him instead?

Neal gave a sigh, his brow furrowing. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Hughes standing beside him.

"I know you're worried about him. I am too. We can only hope that the people holding him, if it is Friscinetti will let him go soon or..." He paused not wanting to say the inevitable. Neal stood up and glared at no one in particular. He was angry with the situation. He wanted to go get his friend but he was bound by duty under his contract with the FBI and his anklet. Still he had a greater duty to his friend that superseded everything else. He had to help Elizabeth and Peter.

They both looked up as the phone rang. Neal slowly turned to leave the office as Hughes sighed and waved him off. He started to close the door behind him but not before he heard something interesting.

"Who is this? This better not be a prank!" Hughes sounded upset, Neal turning back and peering inside. He saw the agent motion him back into the room and hold up a hand for silence.

"Demands? Are you saying you have our agent and he's alive? I want to hear Burke's voice. Give me proof you have my agent." Hughes was trying not to bark but his voice carried and Neal felt a presence behind him turning to see Diana. She put a gentle hand on his shoulder and listened intently as Hughes continued to talk, making a motion at her to track the call. She nodded without a word as she disappeared back downstairs. Neal remained standing in the doorway, listening to the conversation.

Hughes was silent suddenly, his face paling some then he barked again.

"Hello? Hello? Dammit! Tell me we got a trace on that call, Diana?" Hughes had stood up and walked over to the door, pushing gently past Neal and yelling across the office. Diana shrugged helplessly, Jones doing the same as Neal continued to watch the scene.

Peter was alive?

He felt a weight start to lift if only a little. He didn't want to hope too much but he had to in this case. He wanted it to be real. Hughes turned back to him as Diana handed him a report of what they did manage to find.

"Caffrey, seems you may have been right about that warehouse. I'm sorry about regulations but I think now that we have confirmation we can arrange for a tour of the place. Be here promptly at 9 am tomorrow. Jones! Make an appointment for us to tour the Cordoba Cardio Complex warehouse tomorrow morning. Don't take no for an answer!"

()()()

Neal paced his apartment, unable to relax. He wanted to go to the warehouse now but had to wait till the morning. By then Peter could have been moved and it wouldn't matter if his captors had kept him alive. If they were spooked by the Feds, Peter might never be found.

He continued to pace the floor until a knock broke the silence and his thoughts. Neal paused, walking over to listen.

"June?"

He heard silence and then a quiet but familiar voice.

"It's Elizabeth. May I come in?"

Neal blinked, unlocking the door and opening it to see Elizabeth Burke standing there. She sniffled a bit, her eyes pink from lack of sleep and crying, he thought. El tried to put up a good front but without Peter around she felt lost and when he had visited with her, she would do her best to ask him about the investigation. She guessed he was doing his own research but until today, there had been on confirmations. Now that Hughes had made it official, he hoped it wouldn't cause any problems. Friscinetti's men had made contact but had not finished making their demands.

"El... come in. Everything ok?" He noticed the agent below when he peered down the stairs. June looked up at him indicating they were ok to be alone. She started to chat up the agent below as Neal closed the door and El made her way around the room, roaming out onto the terrace at some point. She made her way to the edge and glanced over. She seemed to be avoiding something but he wasn't sure what.

"Neal... Hughes told me they called today. Peter's captors." She didn't turn around as she spoke, her back to him as she continued to stare out across the city probably wondering where in this mass of glass and metal Peter was being held. He had been doing much of that himself lately. He ran a hand through his hair and move beside her, leaning on the wall and looking at her with a quick nod.

"Yes... they hung up before they could make any demands. I think they knew Hughes had a trace." He wasn't sure what else to say but she had already held up a hand as she saw him trying to speak again.

"Actually, they called back after you left. Hughes just contacted me. That's why I'm here. They're demanding 5 million for his return." Her voice choked not just on the fact of the ransom but knowing Peter was alive and possibly well. She trembled slightly, her sniffles getting more evident as Neal pulled her into a light hug and let her cry. He didn't know what to do. They had finally made demands now, after so many weeks of worry and dread and what could he do? He wondered if anything could be liquidated quickly enough to help his friend without implicating him although at this point he didn't care. Peter had to be rescued.

El pulled herself away from him after a moment, wiping at her eyes.

"Hughes... he said they want me to bring the cash. He's going to see what they can do about raising the money and if they can bring the price down. What if..." She started to shake as she cried yet again, Neal leading her back inside to the sofa and sitting her down. He found a throw and wrapped it around her as he walked to the kitchenette and poured them both a glass of wine before coming back. She took the glass but stared at it a while before finally taking a sip.

"They can't let you do that! I'll tell Hughes to let me take your place." He stopped there before he could say: in case they take you too.

He wanted to keep her safe, pulling out his phone to call Hughes and ask for details when it rang. He glanced down at the number and pushed it to his ear.

"Neal... They moved the Suit! I'm following but it looks like they moved him to that building on your end of the map. I think it's time to put our plan into action if you're up to it." Mozzie's voice was excited, Neal nodding without saying a word. He was lost in thought as the words hit him.

"Neal? You there?"

Neal blinked, distracted by thoughts of rescuing his friend. At least now they knew Peter was alive. Should he tell Elizabeth? He saw her looking at the glass of wine and then him. He tried to fake a confident smile but wasn't feeling it.

"Yeah... come by later. We'll discuss it." Neal hung up the phone and pushed it back into his pocket. He felt a hand on his shoulder startling him back to the here and now. El was looking at him.

"Was that Mozzie?" She asked him as if knowing something was up but what could he tell her till he knew for certain.

"Yeah." He left it at that, smiling at her as he held her hand.

"Let me call Hughes and tell him I'll take your place with the exchange. When is it supposed to take place?"

()()()

It was a few hours later when Elizabeth had finally gone and Mozzie showed up. The little guy was all worked up and he looked a bit nervous as he walked inside and locked the door behind him.

"I don't think they know I was tailing them but never know. I was a bit freaked out. Friscinetti's men aren't the nicest looking. Anywho... I have intel. They left something there, I suspect it was the Suit and then all but two of the men left so he's guarded and they had some big guns." Mozzie's voice cracked on the last part, Neal feeling none too confident with the intel.

"Thanks, Mozz. I'm glad you're safe. Can you run point for me across the street tomorrow. They're supposed to have me take the ransom in a few days time but I guess they moved him for the tour tomorrow. After the tour, I'll meet you at the other building. If I can get Peter... that's all I need to do." He sounded far more confident than he felt, Mozz glancing at him with a curious look.

"So how did El take the news?" He looked concerned, Neal frowning a bit.

"She seemed happy enough. I know when I heard Hughes on the phone I was just happy to hear Peter was still alive. It's been almost a month!" He got up and started to pace again, Mozzie frowning.

"I'm surprised it took Friscinetti so long to ask for a ransom. Do you find any of this suspicious? He's never let any one loose before... well let me rephrase that: Those he has let loose weren't the same again. One cop killed his partner and another... I won't even tell you what happened!" His eyes were wide at the thought of whatever he wasn't saying, the tone worrying Neal. His gut was telling him something was wrong but he had to do what he could to save Peter and bring him home if it meant taking a ransom or sneaking in and getting him.

"I don't care. Peter's alive and we're going to make sure he stays that way. Mozz, let me see those plans for the building."