(Chapter 9)

Peter woke up to the faint sound of voices. One of them sounded like his wife, the agent doing his best to wake up and see if she was ok. He wanted to see her so much but now the other voice was speaking and El was silent. His body ached all over as he started to come to and yet he felt paralyzed as if he couldn't move, his muscles refusing to respond as he fought for consciousness.

He'll be ok, El. You heard what the doctor said. Peter will be alright.

The voice sounded familiar but he couldn't think of who as his attention became distracted by someone sniffling. It was Elizabeth. He wanted to hold her and tell her he was ok. Peter wanted to see her face and hug her tightly.

I know. I know. It's been a week since...

She paused sniffling, her crying muffled slightly as if she were pressed against someone. Peter was still trying to figure things out, understand what was being said as he finally found himself staring up at a while blurry ceiling. He closed his eyes when it was too much too soon, a low groan coming from his throat. The crying seemed to pause, a gasp from both people making him open his eyes again to see what had happened. Two blurry forms were hovering over him, the beeping of some machine starting to rise shrilly as he tried to focus on them.

"Peter? Hun... shush... calm down. Everything's ok. Call the doctor."

He noticed she turned to the other figure who nodded and turned towards the door, exiting the room with a reluctant glance backward before they disappeared. Elizabeth's face began to come to him but still remained a bit fuzzy despite everything. She was holding him close as possible, gently kissing his forehead and caressing his hair, the beeping starting to lower until it was a bit more rhythmic and slow.

"E... El?"

She shushed him, continuing to hold him as the door opened again and he saw the figure come back. He recognized them now, wondering how he hadn't known their voice as Peter started to feel sleepy again. Another figure was with them, a white coat indicating they were a doctor as he started to feel the darkness sweeping across his vision.

"Mr. Burke... I'm Dr. Sanji, how are you feeling?"

Peter heard the voice, squinting to get a look at the man's face. Everything was still a bit out of focus as he opened his mouth to answer.

"Tired... Where... am I?"

Flashes of memory came back to him, the kidnapping, poisoning and then... The monitor beeped again as he started to remember everything. Neal had come back for him and...

"Peter... hun, calm down. What's wrong with him, doctor?"

El's voice was worrying about him as he twitched slightly, memories hitting him like a huge weight as he recalled what had happened. His eyes moved to the man behind the doctor, their eyes meeting as the figure's face came into focus. There was a hint of blue just before he passed out again.

()()()

The FBI building had shaken, some minor damage on the lower levels but mostly the impact was buffered by the strength of the old foundation and former storm / bomb shelter. It had been a miracle that they had been able to remove the device, squeezing the left hand (largely wetted with baby oil) through the cuff and then loosening the watch strap enough to do the same. They still had the one cuff on Caffrey's right wrist that when jiggled seemed to bring the timer to life. They were down to 30 seconds on the clock and 5 minutes before the 4 hours he had been given were up.

"We're cutting it close but I know you've been there before, Caffrey. Think you can run fast enough when I take this off?"

Neal realized Jacobs was looking out for him as he nodded, that antsy feeling coming over him. They'd spent the last hour trying to figure things out and they were down to the final minutes. The clock was ticking away as they spoke. They bathed his hand, wrist and part of his arm in baby oil, getting it slicked up for the move ahead. He licked at his lips and psyched himself up. They only had to run a few yards to the blast panels and duck behind them. The agent was in the padded suit and at worse would be protected from the impact but Neal didn't have that option. They couldn't risk adding a kevlar vest over an already unstable bomb vest. It would take dexterity as they pulled loose the cuff, threw the vest up over his head and aside, then made a run for it with Jacob's help.

"I'm ready."

There were only 2 more minutes and then it would explode anyway. Neal had one hand on the vest, ready to throw it up over his head while the agent was preparing to pull the cuff from his wrist. They had to time it just right.

"On my mark, Caffrey. 1... 2... THREE!"

It felt like his skin was being sandpapered despite the oil as the cuff scraped at him. Neal quickly picked up the vest over his head and removed it. They heard the low beep of the timer but it was faster, the numbers counting down more quickly as Neal felt himself grabbed up and pushed ahead of the suited agent. They were almost at the panel, Jones' head peeking out from one end as he waved for them to hurry.

There was heat and it felt like the very air was sucked out of his lungs as he was thrown forward against the metal blast plates, another heavier form falling on top of him and holding him down. He couldn't catch his breath, the heat was smothering him more than the figure that protected him. Flames seemed to engulf them, his arm hair singed and a feeling like he was out at the beach at the height of noon making him keep his eyes shut to protect them. The air was hot as hell, a roar like an angry monster deafening him and then slowly the storm seemed to pass and the worst part of the explosion seemed to die down. He still had issues breathing, the air still too warm to breathe properly. He couldn't speak, turning his head around enough to peek up at Jacobs. The agent didn't move or respond to his slight movement making him think that the man had been knocked out.

"J... Ja... Jac... Jacobs..."

He called out raspily but a coughing fit erupted as his lungs reacted to the heat in the air and debris. Having the bomb squad agent's weight on him didn't help much, the kevlar suit adding enough heft to keep him in place underneath the unresponsive agent.

"Caffrey... you ok?"

He heard Jones talking to him and nodded although he wasn't sure the agent saw him as he heard people moving around.

"Jacobs? Man down! Let's get our men out of here. Someone call a paramedic! Hold on Caffrey..."

Neal felt faint, the lack of oxygen and the weight making him tired. He felt like he'd just been through the roast cycle of an oven in a mitt. His eyes were closing, body relaxing as he started to pass out. He had the faint sense of weight lifted off of him as he slumped heavily against the warm cement and fell unconscious.

He had a dream, someone was shaking him and a familiar voice talking to him in the darkness. Their tone was familiar as he tried his best to acknowledge them and wake up, a gasp erupting from his lips as he started to come to.

Breathe...

Neal's eyes popped open, gazing around curiously at the blurry room around him until finally he closed them again and tried to relax. His arm hurt as he opened them again to see why and saw an IV stuck in it. He wasn't in a hospital as the room started to focus and he realized it was the infirmary on the 4th floor. One cabinet was cracked slightly, possibly from the blast while he noticed the shades were drawn tight leaving the room dimly lit manner from a single lamp in the corner. A groan erupted from him as he moved to look around and saw he wasn't alone. Jacobs was in the opposite end on another cot asleep from what he could see. He was about to sit up, another low grunt coming from him as the pain hit him and he fell back against the cot he was on. The sound of a door opening caught his attention as light from outside washed in and blinded him temporarily before a figure could be seen.

"Neal?"

It was Elizabeth Burke, her figure more a silhouette at the moment as his eyes adjusted to the new source of light. She closed the door as she moved towards him and pulled up a nearby chair. She sat beside him quietly, her hand holding his.

"You're still here?"

He was surprised she wasn't with Peter but a look crossed her face briefly that made him think it wasn't her choice to make at the moment.

"Safety reasons. Hughes... they're looking for that man who did this to you. The one who took you in the first place. Peter's safe. How are you feeling?"

El was trying to comfort him and he thought possibly distract herself from worrying about her husband by doing so. A sense of guilt washed over him despite knowing she did care for him. Even after his decision to stay he sometimes felt he didn't deserve any of this. This was his new family, his home but his past still interfered with that happiness and it hurt him to think he was involving others in that danger.

"Neal, this wasn't your fault. I don't blame you. Nobody blames you. Remember that."

She gently leaned over and kissed him on the forehead where it was bandage, hugging him slightly as he tried to accept her words as truth but found he wasn't believing them.

"Thanks, El."

He couldn't find any other words to say, closing his eyes and trying to think for a moment what to do when he heard a sad quiet sigh from her. She missed Peter and he had to make things right. Neal had gotten everyone he cared about involved and now he had to end it.

()()()

A month passed since the incident and kidnapping. Jaren seemed to have moved on, no sign of him on the radar. Diana and Jones were better from their illness as was Peter, only the occasional bout of feeling under the weather but the doctor had put him on a temporary diet to help that until his system had recovered properly. He was only slightly unhappy with his salads and light sandwiches (not deviled ham) that Elizabeth packed for him each evening before work but he would survive. The diet was only for a short time. Meanwhile, Neal seemed distant, something in his manner reminding Peter of when he had mentioned that Fowler had been involved with Kate's death. He was worrying about his friend's well-being, glancing down from his office as he finished up his chicken salad sandwich and small salad from his lunch bag. There was an apple at the bottom of the bag and he wasn't in the mood for it as he pocketed in his jacket and left the office. Neal was sitting brooding over the computer screen, something taking up his attention as the agent approached.

"Neal?"

His partner hadn't noticed him approach, eyes suddenly looking up at him awkwardly before the screen was minimized faster than he could see what was on it. There was a privacy screen over it so he had only gotten a hint of the information that it was a search but nothing more or what the topic was.

"Peter... I have that information you wanted."

The younger man was pulling out a folder as if nothing odd was going on as Peter tried to figure out what his friend was up to.

"Thanks. I... noticed you hadn't left to eat so I brought you this."

He pulled the shiny red apple from his pocket, holding it out as his partner blinked and pulled on his best smile. Something was up if Neal had to act happy about a piece of fruit. The con took it as he continued smiling way too much about something so small.

"Thank you, Peter. I guess... I got caught up in this case of Mortgage Fraud and monopoly I forgot to eat."

Neal polished the apple on his shirt sleeve before taking a bite and then laying it on top of his desk. He seemed to be waiting for something as Peter took the file and nodded.

"Understandable... I was thinking of coffee at the end of the block..."

Peter barely got those words out when he saw the shutters behind that false mask of calm close even tighter.

"I'd love to Peter but didn't the doctor say you couldn't have any coffee for a few more weeks?"

Normally Neal didn't bring stuff up like that unless he was trying to get some leverage and it seemed the consultant was looking to push his friend away although Peter wasn't sure why. The agent nodded back as he realized he wasn't going to get much out of his friend at the moment.

"Right... El's already mad I sneaked some at home. Maybe next time..."

Neal nodded back at him then turned his attention to some file, something from the current case as if he were dismissing the agent by not looking at him anymore. Normally this would annoy the agent but he had to act the part of not realizing what was going on if he was going to get to the bottom of it. Neal looked up briefly as he started to walk away.

"Thanks Peter!"

The con held up the apple, taking a 2nd bite and smiling at him briefly before putting to back down to pretend to read the file. Peter moved back to his office, out of sight when he saw Neal go back to the monitor and whatever he was searching for. He knew something was up as he sat at his desk and dialed up a certain number on his phone.

"Reggie... Peter. I have a request. Nothing too big but it's important. Thanks."

()()()

Neal had gotten through the month ok but guilt still ate at him over what had happened to his partner and friend. Peter deserved better and Elizabeth deserved to have her husband safe and at home for dinner if possible. Neal wanted to be sure that would happen and that maybe one person would pay for hurting his friends. Mozzie had gotten over the worse of it but was scarcely seen but for a few times after the fact to be sure he was ok. Apparently he was paranoid about being near him and the Feds after what had happened that Mozz was hiding out which made him feel worse.

Neal wasn't much into revenge but this one time, he wanted to make sure at least one of the people after him would never come back again. Maybe revenge wasn't the way as Peter quoted but Neal was angry. It would get back at the man who had hurt them.

"Neal?"

He glanced up to see Peter standing there, glad he had the privacy screen on his monitor as he shut the window down to something from work and glanced up innocently. The agent didn't need to know the details of what he was up to for now if ever. Honesty was between them but this was a private matter for his eyes only. He saw an opportunity to find Jaren and finish the business between them and he intended on doing just that.

"Peter... I have that information you wanted."

He was redirecting as best he could and so far Peter seemed to be falling for it but there was a hint of curiosity there. The agent was looking at his screen but he had minimized it quickly enough to keep what he was looking for secret. It was innocuous enough that even if Peter looked into the information it wasn't going to bring much more than a dead end. Only Neal knew what he was really searching for. To anyone else, it would look like research for case files but he wasn't going to give anyone the chance, not even Peter to figure it out if he could help it. This was his own private business and he refused to even let Mozzie help.

The agent seemed worried about him, concerned maybe as he handed him an apple while mentioning the fact he hadn't eaten. He felt a quiet twinge from his stomach but he could eat later. Still... the apple looked pretty good as he pretended to be happy about it. Neal didn't want to lie to his friend but to do what he had to do, lying unfortunately was required. This was his own fight and he was going to take care of it his way for once.

Peter finally left him but with a disappointed if not still curious air about him. Neal knew that his partner probably suspected he was up to something but was too much his friend to ask him now. Maybe later when they were alone but he was going to avoid that question by taking a taxi home. He could leave when Peter was distracted by something in the office and disappear to his own destination. It would be easy.

Neal sighed, looking back at the partially eaten apple and taking it in hand as he at at it with a calm manner. He was hungrier than he liked to admit and that coffee run would have been nice but he had to be coy much as he hated to lie. Everyone would understand. He believed that as he felt himself deluding himself into thinking this was right. Neal had to protect his friends... his family. Jaren was going to pay for what he had done.

()()()

Peter watched Neal all afternoon, Diana coming in just before 5 to talk to him about something. It was brief but he watched Neal throughout the conversation, his 2nd noticing his preoccupation.

"He's up to something. I don't think... well I think he still feels guilt over what happened. It wasn't his fault what Jaren did but Neal still feels like it's his fault. I can see it."

Diana nodded, glancing back at their consultant and colleague. It was obvious she was still getting over the worse of what her and Jones had been through but didn't hold anything against their friend. She had discussed it in length with him and both agreed they were going to intervene at some point. They were worried about Neal's recent secrecy and his refusal to talk. Elizabeth had mentioned she had spoken with Neal about it as best she knew how but still felt he was feeling guilt over what had happened. She had tried to reach Mozzie to discuss it with him but the little guy wasn't answering her calls.

"He'll be ok boss. Just be there for him. That's all we can do. Did you ask him about going out to that new coffee shop again? You know he wanted to go before all of this."

The shop had opened the day before they're kidnapping but they had been unable to go due to the case. Now that they had the time, Neal was distant and seemed less than enthused about his usual fare. Peter had to talk to him, his attention turning from his CI back to the agent before him.

"I'll talk to him when I take him home. El wants him over for dinner. Good way to get the point across."

Diana smiled slyly at his comment, leaning back in the chair with a nod.

"Pounce him into submission with your wife's cooking? I think that will do it. He hasn't been eating from what I can see but sometimes I catch him with the freebies in the interrogation area. I just don't understand why he can't ask for help after everything."

She seemed truly worried as he nodded back, his mind going back to before the incident when they had been so open with one another. Neal had been nothing but honest and now... what was he up to? Without Mozzie around he knew it wasn't the usual con but something personal. Diana stood up, smoothing her slacks as she did and reaching over to pat him on the shoulder.

"He'll be ok. I'll kick his butt for you if he keeps moping."

Peter laughed at that, Diana smiling brightly.

"See, you're smiling again. Just stick with him, boss. Neal will see everything's ok."

Peter nodded at her words as he stood to walk her out and his eyes caught the empty desk by the door. Neal had slipped out when they were talking, his jacket gone which meant only one thing. He moved back inside, grabbed up his own stuff, threw on his jacket and headed for the elevator. The doors opened and he was inside, watching the other one which was already on the 18th floor. Neal had gotten ahead of him and he had to know why.

()()()

Neal waited until they were no longer paying attention to him. He could tell they were comfortable, Peter's face out of view and Diana leaning back in the chair set for guests in his partner's office. He calmly shut down his PC, grabbed up his stuff and set out on his task. Jaren had a meeting today with a seller of a very rare statue only he didn't know the sale was as setup.

He smiled to himself, pushing the button for the elevator, entering as the doors opened within a minute and he pushed the down button. Diana was just leaving as he stepped inside but they hadn't noticed he was gone yet. He still had a few minutes head start. That made him smile as he leaned back against the wall, a frown quickly curling his lips downward as he felt that awful guilt eating at him again. Why was he lying and playing this game. Jaren was technically gone but he had opened up the game again. Neal had made the first move and was starting to think better of his plans. Revenge wasn't the way to go, he knew that all too well but something made him want to take the first move. Get rid of one person who might come after his friends. He had to pick up one item and he knew exactly where to get it without anyone the wiser. His heart raced, throat growing tight at the thought but this was for a good reason. Neal kept telling himself that hoping he would believe it as the doors to the elevator rang and opened onto the lobby level. He nodded to the guard and receptionist before strolling out into the still bright early evening of New York. He walked half a block before he caught a taxi and slipped inside.

Neal sighed, leaning back in the seat as he waited to head to his destination. It was an old meeting place for him and Mozzie. The little guy had been hiding out since everything happened and he didn't understand why. He did but it hurt not having his friend there to talk to. Elizabeth was a good ear to bend so was Jones but Mozzie was different. He sighed again, feeling the cab slow as he reached in and handed a wad of cash to the driver and exited. He hadn't been to this place in a while but knew the item was there. Mozzie had told him it was but he hadn't been able to get here when he was upset with Fowler or he would have. It was only for emergencies but he wasn't by nature one who dealt with these sorts of items. The place wasn't upscale but old, in the heart of a heritage area which made it easier to hide things. He'd been here a few times with Kate to hide out back before things changed. It was one of the few stashes so close to him here in NYC. He had to be careful.

There was a small line of people going in and out of the building, an old brownstone with the sign "Historical Landmark" on the wall. He wasn't interested in the actual nature of the history as he snuck in past the distracted docent with two non-English speaking tourists as he made his way casually upstairs with two other tourists. They went off to the left while he headed to the right and into the last room on the left. He closed the door before moving over to the bureau and opening up the bottom drawer. He pulled it out completely, reaching into the back of the empty space and pulling out a small package. He pocketed it, replacing the drawer and leaving the room. Neal exited the building through the back door and a side street, walking towards the meeting place he had with Jaren. Nobody was following him as he turned to corner at the end and headed into a small park. There was a little voice... ok a loud voice that sounded much like Peter yelling at him about Justice versus Revenge and how he was being a bull headed moron at the moment. Neal hesitated a moment but then he saw Jaren with two of his goons off in the distance and his eyes narrowed. He moved closer behind a bush to see what they were doing.

"Caught him hanging around."

Neal couldn't see who they were talking about, a lamppost in the way as he craned his head to see what they were up to. Jaren was smiling coldly, something he recognized from when the man held all the cards.

"Interesting. Why would a Fed be here of all places? This was a private meeting. Are you wired? Who sent you?"

The con turned to see who it was they were talking to when he recognized the suit, shoes and finally the face. Peter Burke.

"I'm as surprised as you, Morrison. I was just out for a walk."

Peter sounded tired, Neal noticing a bit of blood on the agent's lips. He looked roughed up a bit as he started to realized what happened. Much as he had wanted to stop this, he had unwillingly drawn his friend to follow him and now Jaren had Peter again. This was not turning out the way he wanted.

"A walk... interesting. I had a mystery offer for a long lost Da Vinci. You had nothing to do with that? Are you wired?"

There was a sound like someone being punched and he saw Peter slump as he glanced around the bush and post again to see his friend held up by the two goons. The agent looked like he wouldn't last too much longer as Neal moved to do what he had to.

"Go put him in the trunk. There aren't any witnesses around here. I think our agent came to talk in private. Missing his dead con I suppose."

Jaren laughed, dismissing the goons as they dragged Peter off to Neal's dismay. Morrison was alone now as he finally drew up his courage and stepped out. The man laughed without turning as he answered.

"Figured he had back up. What kind of an agent are... YOU!"

Neal felt a smile curl his lips but the man was looking at him with fear now, something he never expected to see from Jaren. Neal had the upper hand.

"You're not going to hurt my friends anymore, Jaren. You won't be hurting anyone ever again."

oOoOoOo

Author's Note: Uh oh! What's Neal up to and Peter's in danger again. Wait for the NEXT exciting chapter!