Hey, Guys(: Here's Chapter Eleven. Enjoy! Review, please, I love those things...
Title :: Neal's Secret - Chapter Eleven
Disclaimer :: I don't own the boys, just play.
Summary :: Trust is questioned between Peter and Neal when someone Neal knew gets brought up. Neal's trying his hardest to hide something, Peter just has to try harder to figure out what it is.
Author's Note :: By the way! I forgot to mention this - This won't be slash, unless someone really really wants an alternate ending or scene or whatever, be it Mozzie/Neal or Peter/Neal - message me.
A couple of hours later and Peter was tense in the uncomfortable hospital chair beside Neal's bed.
After news had run through the 'Underworld' of Roy's arrest and Neal's rescue, Sam had gone under the radar.
And now, those machines were taunting him. Each beep became more irritating, but then they would calm him. Those beeps meant that Neal was still alive, still here. That's what mattered.
The team was working double speed and Peter trusted that they would find Russo in time. Neal's well-being was his first priority at the moment. Almost compulsively, Peter was checking his cellphone, looking for updates - looking for the go ahead to take down Sam. He wanted to be here - well not want, because none of this should have happened, but, he wanted Neal to wake up to someone he knew.
Diana had sent him the information they had on who they had arrested when they found Neal. Roy Calinsenzzo - another name that would stick to Peter's memory. The suspect had a long record, close in comparison to Sam's. Roy had been in and out of several prisons, managing to stay under the radar from his parole officer for the last few months. A few years ago he was charged with assault of a police officer which landed him some time in a cell, but had gotten out early due to 'good behavior' - or - he was a fantastic, manipulating liar and got the courts to fall for his good-boy act and wriggled his way out of the system - Peter's thoughts were leaning towards the latter - something that wouldn't happen again, not under Peter's watch.
A mumble from the hospital bed beside him got the Agent to sit at the edge of his chair, leaning closer to his friend. Neal eyes were closed, tighter than before as if he had tried opening them and things were too bright in the room.
"Peter..." Neal's voice was rough, causing Peter to reach for the glass of water and stand bedside. "Hey buddy." Peter greeted with an attempted smile. He held the cup to Neal's lips and the con generously took a gulp. The empty plastic cup was tossed into the trash and Peter turned back to Neal. His hands were rubbing at his eyes, pushing himself up to sit straight. He let out a whimper, stopping his attempt and falling back into the mattress. Peter winced for him, knowing he was in pain.
"What..." Neal didn't know which question to ask first.
"I told you we'd get you."
Blue eyes finally looked up, dazed and unguarded, Peter noticed every confused emotion passing through the con's mind as they played out across those colors. "Neal-"
"I know, I know." Neal immediately cut him off. "Sam-" Peter tried again. "Is still out there." Neal finished for him and the Agent's heart faltered. Neal noticed the apologetic look crossing his friend's face and he felt guilty, then scared, then guilty again, then scared again. The con looked away, sitting up slightly and repressing the protests of his muscles.
"We'll get him." It was a threat, and a promise, and Peter couldn't quite tell if he was promising that to himself, or Neal.
"Can I go home?" Neal asked after a few silent moments. "I'll check with-"
"No, Peter, please. I just want to go home." Neal's voice was pleading and Peter nodded.
"Okay, okay. We'll go home."
-x-
After signing Neal out AMA - only a small argument with the doctor and getting a prescription for pain - and helping the kid back into the house, Peter watched as an immensely worried June ran up to greet him. She explained she got on the first plane back from her trip last night, the second she caught wind of what was going on. Neal gave her a lopsided smile, thanking her and looking more exhausted than before. She hurried into the kitchen, calling that she would be up with snacks in a few moments.
Neal made it up two stairs before pain had set in and Peter came up beside him and slowly guided him up the rest. Neal sighed, eyes closed, content to be back in his own home as Peter shut the door of the loft.
The con fell to the couch, silencing the noise of protest that almost fell from his lips. Peter sat near him, reading the surprised looks of pain with ease and handing him the small pain tablet and a cup of water.
"Thanks for bringing me home." Neal said. Peter gave him a soft smile, a welcome. June came knocking at the door, a small plate of simple foods in her hand as she walked in. She set the plate on the table infront of them before looking at Neal. "I'll be right downstairs." She said. They nodded. "Thank you." Neal said and Peter gave her a smile.
Neither were very hungry and that smile faded after a few moments after June left and the Agent looked at the floor, thinking, before meeting eyes with Neal once again. His lips parted, words on his lips but an inability to speak.
"Questions." Neal commented, reading Peter's mind and looking down at his hands with nervousness. "Yeah." Peter sighed, he was good at questioning, his record proved that, and knew the things he had to ask and talk about during this situation - if this was a different case with a different...victim, under different circumstances.
"Tell me what you can." Peter said, leaning against the cushions and keeping his eyes locked on the man infront of him.
Neal's eyes stayed down, unable to look at Peter, with shame written all over him. Peter waited silently.
"He found me in the park. I don't know how. He...he just showed up. But..." Neal's gaze shifted to closer to his feet, not wanting to share the thoughts he had in that car ride with Peter. "I fell asleep in the car. When I woke up I was in bed, and he came in and..." Neal's voice trailed off, eyebrows furrowing.
"How long?" Peter asked with understanding, not wanting to, but having to.
"A long time..." Neal wiped at the corner of his eye quickly, dark hair falling over his face. "God, Peter I was...terrified..."
Peter hurt. His heart, his chest, everything, as he watched Neal do his best not to cry.
"And Roy...?"
Neal's body twitched slightly again. "I don't have a clue..." Neal admitted. "He had uhm..." He swallowed. "Paid...Sam. Atleast, that's what I heard..." His voice got softer, shame rising back up again.
Peter stared at him blankly, slightly shocked. Neal didn't even want to look at him, knowing the list of expressions he'd see - guilt, pity, sorrow - things he didn't want to see.
The Agent quickly changed his looks, resting a hand on Neal's shoulder. "What happened?"
After a shaky breath and a hand through his hair, "He climbed ontop of me. I pushed at him. I...I was scared..." Peter could tell everything was replaying in his head when he fell silent, squeezing his shoulder to get him to relax. "I didn't...I didn't know what to do. So...I..hit him. A few times." Neal's hands rubbed at eachother. Peter gave a faint smile. "You did a number on him, kid."
"I...I can still feel his hands. Both of theirs...they're just..."
It was silent for a little while. He tried to hide a sob as the first tear fell but Peter caught it.
The hand on his shoulder turned into a hug. At first the con was tense, body reacting to touch, but after the hand on his back was moving in circles he fell against the source of comfort.
"It's okay." Peter reassured, waiting the the tears to stop before letting Neal go and looking at him. His eyes were pinkish, cheeks puffy, but he wiped at his face. "Thanks." He mumbled. Peter squeezed his shoulder again.
They both jumped when the door to Neal's loft swung open, someone running in. They both turned to see Mozzie, who froze once eyes were on him. He looked as if he wanted to say something.
Peter glanced between the criminals. They're eyes were shifting around one another, silent conversation between understanding minds and he quickly realized that his presence was stopping them from their conversation.
"I should go check up with the team." Peter said, standing. Neal looked up at him and Mozzie side-stepped out of his path. "Call me Neal, if you need anything." He said and Neal nodded. "I will."
"Take care of him." The Agent whispered as he past Mozzie. The shorter man gave him a quick nod and it was silent until the door closed.
Mozzie's gaze was locked on Neal and blue eyes met his. "Moz-" He couldn't even finish before he got almost got a lapful of the other man. It was a tight hug, and Neal returned it. Mozzie didn't want to say anything, didn't want to know anything.
"Welcome home."
Neal smiled, the hug got tighter.
He was released after Mozzie had managed to gain control of himself. He sat back against the couch, not looking at Neal after the sudden outburst. Hugging didn't often happen between them, but he had been...worried.
Mozzie glanced at him, nodded once, and then looked around again. "I think we have a puzzle to finish." He said quickly, getting up and heading to the table. Neal shook his head slightly, a small playful laugh in his chest. "I'm going to shower first." Neal followed him in the direction and Mozzie pulled out a seat. "Okay."
Neal took a few more steps before pausing and turning around. "Moz?" Eyes looked up at him expectantly. Neal stepped forward, hugging him again. "Thanks." It was an appreciation for a lot of things - being concerned, not asking questions, and always being his support system for well...everything since they met, whether it was a crazy scheme or a bad day. Mozzie hugged back, the same thank you.
After a moment they let go of eachother and Neal headed to his shower as Mozzie took his seat.
-x-
There's Chapter Eleven(: It's 9:20 so I'm going to go do a little bit my Literature homework and finished up some more make-up work from the days I missed school and, you know what, I'll have Chapter Twelve up later tonight since I think you guys deserve it. I'll get that one written tonight too. So, yeah(: Review please! I hope you guys enjoyed it!