NOTE: Sorry for the longer wait...I have this job thing I have to do in the real world. Sigh.

Chapter Ten

"Get out of my office."

Peter wanted nothing more than leave Renner's office, but he was having trouble getting back to his feet. Peter had been working alone in Elizabeth's office while she was at a meeting when Renner had summoned him. Trying to collect his thoughts after Renner had triggered his collar Peter couldn't even remember what had caused him to use it. Something about a bad stock pick on one of the hedge funds that he had made. As his short term memory started to return Peter recalled telling Renner that he couldn't be expected to pick correctly every time.

"Are you talking back to me?" Renner snarled.

"No, I..."

"Pareo."

Peter jerked back with a gasp at hearing the trigger phrase, but it didn't help. The collar gave off the high pitched tone that in and of itself was enough to turn Peter's stomach. Peter ground his teeth together to ensure that he wouldn't cry out when the collar went off a second later. He couldn't keep himself from being dropped to the floor but he could deny Renner the satisfaction of hearing him in pain. Peter had no idea how the collar actually worked, it wasn't like an electric shock, it was more like someone pouring molten silver down his spine. Slowly regaining control after the painful psychic lash Peter forced himself back to his feet.

This was the fifth time in a month that Renner had found some excuse to set off his collar. As time had passed Renner had become less and less tolerant of the fact that Peter and Elizabeth's accounts were out performing his own. He couldn't reasonably separate him from Elizabeth since they worked so well together and were increasing profits. However he could be petty about and try to make Peter's life miserable. As long as Renner didn't make a move to sell him Peter didn't care what he did.

Walking back to the safety of Elizabeth's office Peter had to keep one hand on the hallway wall to steady himself. He passed by a few of the human employees, most of them ignored him completely, one gave him a sympathetic look but didn't speak to him. Completing the seemingly endless journey Peter stumbling into Elizabeth's office. He was horrified to find that she had returned early. She was already visibly upset that she had come back to find him gone.

Looking up and seeing that Peter's face was completely drained of color told her exactly what had happened and her eyes instantly brightened with tears. Seeing her reaction was more painful than the actual collar, he couldn't stand to see her so frightened for him. She rushed up to him, but she stopped just short of actually touching him. She knew that even the slightest contact would be painful for at least the next hour. Anger suddenly cast a dark shadow over Elizabeth's beautiful face and she headed towards the door.

"Elizabeth? Where are you going?"

"To talk to Renner, maybe to kill him. I can't turn my back for thirty seconds these days without him coming after you. It has to stop."

"Elizabeth, no, please...you'll just make it worse."

"He can't do this to you."

"Yes, he can, and so can Neal."

"Who?"

Peter jolted out of his nightmare in a cold sweat just as his past memories had started to mix with his current fears. Pushing thoughts of the past to the side Peter tried to go back to sleep but it didn't take him long to decide that sleep was impossible. Closing his eyes just allowed him to focus on both the physical pain of the lacerations and the emotions that had been brought back to the surface by mentioning Elizabeth to Neal. Sitting up and swinging his legs over the edge of the bed Peter suddenly became dizzy. He could feel the heat radiating off his skin from fever and infection. Looking down at the red and raise tattoo that he now wore.

"'More personal freedoms than you're used to.'" Peter repeated Neal's words to himself. "Yeah...right."

Peter reached over his shoulder and slipped his hand under his night shirt to gingerly touched the thin film that covered his injuries. Cheng had applied a clear synthetic skin bandage over the cuts to prevent them from bleeding and tipping Neal off to the fact that he was actively being cheated. Peter hadn't thought that it would work, with the exception of Elizabeth he had never been purchased without being stripped down first to ensure he was sound. However Neal had been so drunk and taken so off guard that he was going home with an Animula that he never questioned Peter's health or past.

"Idiot." Peter growled.

Peter had left the film on not only because he thought it would help heal the wounds but also so that he could hide the painful cuts from Neal. Neal hadn't shown very good consistency so far, one moment trying to be more dominant then just as quickly giving in. It was clear that he had no clue how to punish his new acquisition even if he came to the decision that he wanted to. He had remarked that he wasn't 'the Master type', but Peter feared what would happen if Neal knew that all it would take to send him into agony would be a gentle touch across his ruined shoulders. He wasn't going to risk giving the inexperienced owner a weapon to use against him. He had healed from injuries like this on his own before and he could do it again.

After an hour of sitting on the edge of the bed Peter was starting to feel noticeably worse. The damage to his back made it feel like his skin was on fire and his fever was getting to a point where it was making him nauseous. Getting to his feet Peter headed into the adjoining bathroom. flicking on the lights he blinked for a moment to adjust to the light. Turing the shower on to lukewarm he peeling off his sweat soaked clothes. Stepping into the shower he put his palms against the tile to steady himself as he let the water slip down his back in an attempt to break his fever.

It didn't take long for the synthetic skin to star peeling free causing the water at his feet to swirl red with blood. The bandaging had been protecting the cuts from the air, but at the same time it seemed to have sealed in the infection as well. Peter growled in pain as he leaned forward and allowed the water spray to clean the film and blood away. He'd need to wear a darker colored jacket for the next few days to hide any additional bleeding. He figured that within a few weeks it would just be another set of scars.

Stepping out of the shower Peter dripped water and blood onto the floor as he carefully tried to towel off without making things worse. Looking up at the bathroom mirror Peter caught sight of his reflection. Seeing the metallic glint in his dark eyes suddenly filled Peter with blinding rage. Snarling at himself he threw his fist into the glass and cracked a spiderweb pattern into it. Instantly regretting his reaction he stared at the damage and sighed.

"And you wonder why humans are afraid of you." Peter muttered bitterly.

Not really concerned about the broken mirror at the moment Peter went back out into the room and pulled on a new set of pajama pants. He picked up another t-shirt but decided against it, fearful that by morning it would be stuck to the open wounds. Sitting back down on the edge of the bed to keep from falling Peter rested his elbows on his lap. The shower had cooled his skin somewhat, but it hadn't done anything for the deeper issue and it didn't take long for the heat to start bothering him again. Getting back to his feet Peter crept over to the door and quietly opened it. Across the way there was no light coming out from under Neal's door, it was well past midnight and he was most likely asleep.

"Don't even think about it, Peter." He muttered to himself. "His short friend already has him on high alert for getting murdered in his sleep. Get caught breaking in and you'll be back in a collar by morning."

Peter thought that he had talked himself out of his insane plan, but he found himself stepping across the hall anyway. Barefoot Peter was able to move almost completely silently as he reached out and tested the door knob. He fully expected it to be locked, but it wasn't. Opening the door to Neal's apartment he peered cautiously inside. The artificial lights of New York streamed in through the large glass doors that lead to the patio and splashed a silver light over everything.

Neal was sleeping soundly in the large bed that took up the corner of the open designed apartment. Peter stepped into the apartment and closed the door behind himself. His heart was pounding against his ribs as he stayed motionless for a moment. He had no idea how heavy or light a sleeper Neal was and to be caught now would be disastrous. When Neal remained locked in a peaceful sleep Peter continued to make his way slowly across the apartment.

Getting to the walk in closet he closed the door and headed into the bathroom and closed that door as well. There was a small night light in the bathroom but it wasn't going to be enough. Closing his eyes Peter flicked on the light. He blinked in the bright light and then held his breath to hear if Neal was stirring. Feeling that he was still safe Peter opened the medicine cabinet and looked through it. It didn't take him long to find what he was looking for. Taking down a bottle of aspirin Peter carefully removed a small handful of the pills and slipped them into the pants of his pajamas. Looking under the sink he found a bottle of hydrogen peroxide which he also stole.

Turning off the light again Peter waited for his eyes to adjust before leaving with the bottle of peroxide in hand. He made his way slowly back towards the front door. When he reached the kitchen he stepped on a spot in the wooden floor that creaked loudly in protest. Peter froze but the damage was done as he heard Neal gasp slightly as he was woken. Peter's fever heated blood turned to ice as he stood perfectly motionless. He prayed that Neal didn't bother opening his eyes.

"Peter?" Neal asked still sounding half a sleep. "Is that you?"

"Yes, Master Neal." Peter admitted knowing he'd been caught.

"Just 'Neal'." He corrected casually. "What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry, I..." Peter tried to think of an excuse. "I was thirsty."

"Okay." Neal responded sleepily.

Peter was shocked by how easily Neal accepted his reason for invading his apartment. Neal certainly didn't act like someone who was worried about being murdered in his sleep. Even Peter had to admit that he'd come up with a fairly piss poor explanation for being here and he wouldn't have blamed Neal for a second for being angry or frightened. Instead Neal just rolled over and put his back to Peter to go back to sleep. Peter turned on the tap to cover up his transparent lie.

"Don't drink out of the sink." Neal warned.

"I'm sorry, Mast..."

"Just 'Neal'." He corrected again. "The building pipes are over a hundred years old, it tastes like metal." Neal continued with a yawn. "There's bottled water in the fridge, take one of those."

"Thank you." Peter said sincerely.

"We'll get a fridge for your side tomorrow." Neal nestled down in the covers. "Good night, Peter."

"Good night...Neal."