NOTE: Long chapter is long...and was very difficult to write. ;)


Chapter Twelve

"Peter? I know I've brought this up like a dozen times today, but are you okay?"

"Fine."

"Are you sure?"

Peter nodded vacantly. Neal still wasn't convinced and feared that the day out in the city had been far more stressful than he had let on to. Peter had become progressively quieter as the day had worn on to the point where he now only spoke when asked a direct question and tended to respond with just a word or two. They had gone to four other businesses after the first one and out of the five men in total that Neal had talked to four of them were interested in his offer. Neal had never worked on a con of quite this size and scope before but so far things were working out well. However if these trips out into the city were going to make Peter miserable he was going to have to think of a different tactic.

"I'm sorry if today was too much for you. We'll take tomorrow off, I need to do some research on a space for rent for this shindig anyway and I can do that online. I didn't want to bother with that if I was just going to get turned down today, but all in all today was a success thanks to you. I would never have even gotten the time of day from them without you, in fact they probably would have just called security."

Neal smiled at Peter hoping that he'd smile back but since he hadn't been asked a question he didn't have any reaction at all. Neal sighed heavily, he was starting to understand the 'souless' label a bit better now and he didn't like it. It was the first full day they had spent together and Neal was still having his doubts on what was normal for Peter. Yesterday, even just this morning, Peter had seemed to have a lot more fight in him, now he was practically listless. Neal wondered if there was anyone he could ask to find out if Peter's quick shallow breathing was normal for Animula, he kept insisting that he was fine, but it looked painful and exhausting.

Standing the middle of the apartment Peter just stared blankly at the floor. His jaw line looked tense as though he was grinding his teeth, but Neal couldn't be sure. He waited a moment to see if Peter would say anything, but he just stood like a living statue. It was actually more the behavior that Neal had been originally expecting to see from the beginning. Staring at nothing Peter gave the impression of being made of soulless flesh just waiting to be offered a direction to move in. Seeing Peter being more submissive made Neal miss the more feisty side of him that he'd displayed before.

"I'm going to get changed, feel free to do so as well, and then we can order some dinner." Neal said. "Anything you want. You keep saying you're not hungry, but I really think you need to eat something."

Peter nodded slightly, but he didn't offer any opinion on what they should order. Neal decided he'd try giving Peter some options after getting changed to see if anything piqued his interest. Neal took off his hat and Peter instantly stepped forward and held his hand out for it.

"No, Peter, you don't have to do that here." Neal said as he held on tighter to the hat. "I thought I made it clear that was all just for show. I don't expect or even want you to be my butler or anything when we're at home. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master Halde...Caffrey."

"'Neal'."

Peter furrowed his brow slightly before nodding. Neal was starting to seriously doubt that Peter could handle a dual lifestyle of being treated like Animula one moment and human the next. He had taken it for granted when Peter had accept the tattoo that he knew what he was getting into. Neal realized now that he probably should have explained everything out more carefully. Unsure of what to do about it right now Neal headed off to the walk in closet to change into something more casual. He had little hope that Peter would go off and do the same, at the same time he didn't want to make it an order and defeat the purpose of giving him a choice.

Tossing the hat down on the small hassock in the closet Neal changed out of the suit into a pair of khakis and a plain white shirt. Picking the hat back up he went to put it away and noticed some wear and tear on the black hat band. He didn't think much of it, he just worked the damaged band off before he put the hat away. With the ruined band in hand Neal stepped back out into the main room. When Neal returned Peter looked up at him and his eyes widened as he took a quick step back with his hands held up slightly. Trying to think of what Peter would be most interested in for dinner Neal didn't notice the sudden fear in Peter's stance. Neal casually tossed the band on the kitchen table, he'd see if he could mend it later.

"Is there anything in particular you like to eat? I've got take-out menu..."

Neal trailed off as he looked up at Peter. The Animula was staring at Neal with a look of abject horror suddenly painted across his face. Taking another step back Peter's knee buckled and almost gave way completely. Concerned Neal took a step closer but stopped when Peter began trembling. Peter glanced at the kitchen table and then back to Neal. The fear in his gold stained eyes vanished and was instantly replaced with a murderous glare.

"Peter?" Neal asked nervously.

"No..." Peter whispered.

"No?" Neal repeated. "'No' what?"

"I won't be collared again." Peter snarled as he panted for each breath. "Never again."

"Collared?" Neal asked confused. "I don't have any intention of..."

Neal was cut off as Peter launched towards him in a clumsy attack. Startled by the sudden aggression Neal barely managed to step out of Peter's path. Unable to stop Peter continued forward until he slammed into the kitchen counter. Almost falling to his knees he gripped a hold of the counter to help keep himself on his feet. Breathing heavily he fought bitterly to keep standing. With a terrifying roar of pain and frustration he blindly lashed out at the glassware the was on the counter sending it shattering to the floor. Unsure of what to do Neal took a few steps back and put his hand up in more of a sign of peace rather than in self defense.

"Peter, please, calm down. What..."

Neal instantly realized that the last thing he should have done was say something that sounded like an order, it just enraged Peter further. Pushing himself away from the counter Peter turned around and stumbled towards Neal with murderous rage burning in his golden eyes. He only made it a few steps before he had to stop and widen his stance to keep from losing his balance. Neal had been about to run, but Peter was quickly looking less like a threat and more like he was about to collapse. Sweat rolled down his skin and his previously intense glare lost all of its focus. Shaking violently Peter was barely managing to stay standing.

"I loved her...I still do...I always will..." Peter rambled as he stared sightlessly at the floor. "You can't take that from me..."

"Peter..."

"Why...why was she the only one...who ever saw me?" Peter asked mournfully. His eyes regained some focus he looked up at Neal. "Why can't you see me? Please...just see me."

"I...I'm sorry, I don't understand." Neal stuttered with his heart racing. "I can see you."

"No..." Peter shook his head as he staggered a step back "you don't."

When Peter's knees finally failed him it was instinct for Neal to step forward to catch him. Neal managed to keep Peter standing by wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling him in close. Peter reached up and put his hand against Neal's chest to try and push him away as he arched back. Neal was shocked by the heat that was radiating off of Peter skin. Losing the struggle to stay conscious Peter's eyes rolled back to white as he relaxed completely.

Unable to support Peter's dead weight the best Neal could do was help guide him down to the floor. Having been placed on his back Peter jerked awake with a painful gasp. He looked up fearfully at Neal briefly before he passed out once again. Feeling shaky Neal sat down on the floor next to him. With a terrifying realization Neal brought his hands up and slowly turned them over to reveal the fact that his palms were covered in blood.

"What..."

Staring at the gory stain Neal didn't even understand it at first. Getting to his knees Neal slipped his hand under Peter's shoulder and rolled him onto his side. Just as Neal feared the floor was already sticky with blood. The dark color of Peter's jacket did a good job hiding the stain, but now that Neal was paying attention he could see that the material was shiny and wet.

Grabbing the back of the collar on Peter's jacket and pulled on it to look down his back. Neal's breath hissed over his teeth at the sight, the once white dress shirt was soaked through with crimson. Neal yanked at Peter's tie to loosen it, finding his hands too shaky to undo the top button he grabbed either side of the shirt collar and yanked at it to snap the button off. He pulled back the top of Peter's shirt collar to peel the cotton away from his skin and looked inside at the diagonal lacerations that marred Peter's shoulders. With his skin covered in blood it was hard to tell exactly how much damage there was but it looked to be extensive.

"What did Cheng do to you?" Neal lamented. "...what have I done?"

Not wanting to leave Peter laying on the floor Neal tried to lift him up but couldn't figure out a good way to do it. Neal was powerful enough to handle Peter's weight if he had to lift the same amount on a barbell or a box, it was the awkwardness that came along with moving limp body that prevented him from getting very far. Leaving Peter's side for a moment Neal rushed into the bathroom and retrieved a washcloth that he soaked in cold water. Returning with the cold cloth he pressed it against Peter's forehead in hopes of waking him. Helping Peter stay on his side Neal ran the cooling cloth over Peter's face. When he transferred the cloth to the back of Peter's neck he woke with a strangled gasp of panic.

"It's okay, Peter, I'm not going to hurt you, I swear."

In his pain and fever induced delirium Peter was in no state to listen even if he was willing to believe Neal. He tried to push Neal away and when that didn't work he started struggling to get to his feet instead. Since getting up was exactly what Neal wanted him to do he went to help. Peter was halfway to his knees and when Neal took his arm to help him. Peter jerked away violently and landed hard on his shoulder with a breathless cry of pain.

"Peter..."

"Get away from me!" Peter roared.

"I just want to help."

"I don't need your help!" Peter spat bitterly.

Determined to prove his point Peter started the labor intensive task of getting back up on his hands and knees. Neal let him get as far on his own as he could, but once he got to his knees with his palms against the floor he was stuck. Neal risked slipping in under Peter's arm to help him stand. Peter growled and snarled at Neal in disgust but he allowed Neal to support him as they both got to their feet. Peter started walking towards the door to go back to his side of the house but Neal steered him towards the near by bed instead.

Neal sat Peter down on the edge of the bed, needing to keep his hand on his shoulder to keep him from falling over. Peter didn't protest help with getting his jacket off but when Neal went to do the same with his shirt Peter shoved him away with a surprising amount of strength. Pitching forward Peter went into a violent fit of dry heaving. Neal waited for Peter to regain control of his stomach before he stepped back up to him and guided him to lay down. Nearing passing out again Peter allowed Neal to help him lay on his side on the bed. Peter tried to pull his feet away from Neal as he took off his shoes but he was fading fast. Shivering from pain and infection Peter rolled over onto his stomach and gripped the edge of the bed tightly as he fought to stay awake.

With a glazed look in his eyes Peter focused on just taking his next breath. It took effort to fill his lungs but then he would just relax and allow the weight of his chest push the air back out with a heavy rasp. Seeing him fight for breath Neal reached down to remove Peter's tie. When Neal's hand brushed his throat Peter jerked violently and stared up at Neal in pure terror.

"Easy..." Neal tried to sooth.

"Please...please don't collar me." Peter begged weakly. "I...I can't go through it again..."

"I'm not going to collar you, I promise. You're safe here."

Peter's expression of fear turned to a mournful defeat at hearing Neal say 'safe' before he mercifully passed out. Neal watched him for a tense moment, fearful that he might die at any moment. Once unconscious and freed from pain Peter's breath slowly began to return to a normal rhythm. Neal swallowed against a sandpaper throat as he realized how dry his mouth had become. Going over to the kitchen sink Neal turned on the tap and drank directly from it ignoring the slight metallic taste. Noticing the blood he'd transferred onto the fixture Neal washed his hands and used a dish rag to clean up the rest. Feeling somewhat in a daze from everything that had just happened Neal dragged one of the dinning table chairs over to the bed.

Sitting down he took a moment to try and calm his painful stomach. Neal pressed his fingertips against Peter's throat and discovered that even passed out his heart was racing. He wasn't sure what he was going to do. He couldn't take Peter to a hospital, they wouldn't treat him they would just tell him to take him to Market, but that wasn't an option. Even if the Market didn't have Neal arrested they would certainly take Peter away and if he lived he'd just get sold to someone else who would probably end up killing him. Fishing into his pocket for his cell phone Neal called the only number he could think of.

"How's your new pet?" Mozzie answered the phone sourly.

"Mozzie, I...I need help..."