NOTE: I have done a painting for this story. To see it you'll have to head over to my live journal. If you just search for Animula you'll find me Tigeress79. Or note me/comment me for a link (you'll have to remove the spaces).

Chapter Thirty-six

Just after Peter left for the night Neal stretched out on the couch and stared out the patio doors at the city lights. He was exhausted despite having mostly just lounged around the apartment with Peter all day. Thinking about it he realized that he'd barely stepped out of his apartment since Peter moved in. At first he didn't trust leaving Peter alone, now he mostly felt guilty for leaving him behind. Peter was still too weak to be walking around the city, but he was getting better fast and eventually they were going to have to deal with the dynamics of being out in public together. Treating Peter as a friend or even just as an equal would be out of the question with others around, eventually it would lead to someone questioning Neal's ownership and when it proved to be forged things wouldn't end well for either of them.

"It will be a risk every time we step outside," Neal sighed "but the same time I can't imagine he's going to be happy locked up in here for the rest of his life."

Until very recently it hadn't really looked like the 'rest of Peter's life' was going to be a long enough time frame for him to get bored or feel trapped. Neal wasn't used to thinking very far ahead in his own life, and he certainly wasn't used to having to worry about anyone's needs outside his own. Even with Kate she had always been so independent that he had always just felt lucky that she chose to spend some of her time with him. She had never really needed him, she hadn't even asked for help on the con that had eventually gotten her killed.

"I still haven't decided if I could have saved you…or if we'd both be dead."

Agitated from thinking about Kate Neal got up off the couch and went into the kitchen to get a glass of wine. Leaning his back against the counter Neal sipped at the strong Chateau Latour 98. Looking at the table his eyes fell on his laptop. It hadn't escaped Neal's notice that Peter had kept glancing at the computer that Mozzie had brought for him all night. He had looked like a well beaten dog that was tempted to steal a steak off the table but couldn't quite find the courage to act. Neal suspected that Peter had stayed on this side of the house until his usual hour just to keep from looking like he was too eager to escape to the privacy of his own room with the device. Even when he had gone to leave he had nervously asked permission one last time before taking it.

Wine in hand Neal walked up to his own computer and flipped it open. Mozzie had hid the software that connected his screen to Peter's in several layers of folders, the last one being password protected before getting to the program itself that was also password protected. Neal got to the point where he was looking at the icon that would run the program, which looked like an ordinary document and not an executable program. Neal stared at the icon for a while before closing all of the tabs that it had taken to get there before and the laptop itself.

"You want him to trust you, you have to trust him first." Neal reminded himself. "Whoever has the most power has to take the first step."

Over the years Neal had had plenty of times in his life that he'd had to put his mostly blind faith in someone he didn't know as well as he should. In just about every case if he was the one who was at a disadvantage at the start of the partnership and he took the first chance at trust he ended up getting burned in the end. It only ever really worked out to put his trust in someone who needed him more than he needed them. The real trick was figuring out if you held more cards when no one was showing their hand until it was time to put it on the table.

Keller had been his most prime example of him underestimating his leverage in a business venture. Keller had done such a good job at pretending to have a broken wing when they'd first met that Neal hadn't even realized that he was dealing with a killer until it was too late. Neal still wasn't exactly sure why Keller hadn't killed him too after he'd shot the third man in their group. Neal's best guess was that Keller thought more than a step ahead and had figured that Neal could still be useful in the future.

Neal still worried about Keller from time to time. He didn't know where he was was these days, but now and then Neal would think he saw him in a crowd or a crime would occur in the city that held Keller's hallmarks. With Keller it had been practically impossible to tell who held more power, with Peter it was absolutely black and white. The highest card he had to play was turning Neal into the FBI, which would only serve to instantaneously land him back at the Market.

"If he didn't hand Cheng over to the authorities he's certainly not plotting against me."

Confident that Peter wasn't using the laptop against him Neal resolved not to breach his privacy to see what it was Peter was doing. Going back to the kitchen to get a refill on his wine Neal was distracted by his phone ringing. Pulling it out of his pocket he furrowed his brow as he recognized the number.

"How did you get this number?" Neal demanded rather than greeted.

'I used your phone to call mine while you were passed out on the floor.' Taylor replied calmly. 'If you really want to keep your number a secret you should password protect your phone.'

"I suppose I should be grateful that you called rather than just arrived on my doorstep and chloroformed me."

'Chloroform isn't nearly as effective as the movies would have you believe.' Taylor chuckled.

"What do you want?" Neal rolled his eyes.

'I want to know how Peter's doing.'

"He's fine, the wounds are finally starting to close." Neal reported. "He still spikes a fever now and then but it always breaks quickly and he doesn't become delirious like he did before."

'Good, the second antibiotic must be doing the trick. How's his emotional state?'

"Better now that you're not here." Neal snarled. "He barely talked to me for three days after your little stunt."

'Are you two talking now?'

"That honestly isn't any of your business." Neal said coldly. "I will call you if I need anything, but don't wait by the phone."

'You're angry with me.' Taylor noted pointlessly.

"That comes as a surprise?"

'Not really, but this is for something more than just drugging you, or even for tricking Peter into talking to me. Did Peter tell you how he first met me?'

"He thinks you saved his life, but you just pulled him from the waters long enough for him to catch his breath before you tossed him back into stormy seas to drown."

'I shouldn't have left him at the Market to be resold. I was young, I didn't know any better. The Market didn't just brainwash Peter into thinking Animula aren't worthy of mercy, they trained me to believe Animula were little more than breathing calculators. I had to break a mindset that had been reinforced by years of working with Animula that were everything my teachers told me they'd be.'

"You do realize you're just pissing me off more, right?" Neal snarled. "Don't you dare equate your training at the Market to what they did to Peter."

'I just want you to realize that not everyone has had the privilege of having Peter be the first Animula they've met.' Taylor said calmly. 'Besides, remind me how you treated him at first? As I recall you almost killed him by forcing him around the city to further your own interests without taking any real amount of time to learn anything about your new responsibility as a Master or even making sure he got the simplest of health checks after he'd been handed over to you by a known criminal.'

"I…"

'Did it really never occur to you that Cheng wanted to get rid of Peter for a reason? You admit to being black out drunk…you didn't find it the least bit suspicious that Cheng just handed over your 'winnings' anyway?'

"You're right." Neal sighed in defeat. "I should have known something was wrong from the start."

'We all make mistakes, the important thing here is that we both learned from them.'

"I just wish Peter didn't have to suffer for the mistakes made by the humans around him." Neal sighed, losing some of his previous anger.

'The worst mistakes are the ones that others end up paying for.' Taylor agreed sadly. 'I'm still glad Peter found yo…'

Neal's attention was yanked away from the conversation when he heard Peter's door open and shut. The door into Neal's apartment was shut for the night, but before he could go over to open it for Peter he heard the distinct sound of footsteps going down the stairs.

'Neal?' Taylor asked concerned.

"I have to go."

Hanging up on the vet Neal rushed to the door. Beyond not understanding why Peter would leave he wasn't even sure if Peter was healthy enough to make it to the bottom of the stairs without collapsing. Despite turning the corner as far as healing went he still fatigued easily and often still got dizzy just with standing. Getting to the bottom of the stairs Neal found that Peter had not only made it down the stairs, but was already outside.

Peter had left the large front door open about a foot and Neal could see that Peter hadn't made it much further than the landing of the front steps. Not wanting Peter to feel like he was being chased Neal stayed just inside the door way and watched to see what he would do. If Peter had somewhere to go Neal had no issue with letting him leave, but he would rather help Peter get there. Even at night there was a high risk of him being spotted by someone. Any average citizen would call 911 if they saw an Animula roaming the streets unaccompanied at this hour.

If Peter had a destination in mind he wasn't in a hurry to try to get there. Sitting down on the step of the landing he raked his hands through his hair a few times. His shoulders were heaving heavily as he panted for breath. Listening to him Neal got the impression that his labored breath was more the sound one made when trying to recover from crying rather than from over exertion. Eventually Peter bowed his head with a sorrowful sigh. Unsure of what to do Neal just stood awkwardly in the shadows of the door way. Neal stepped back when Peter shifted his weight, not wanting to get caught spying on him.

"I know you're there, Neal."

"There's no sneaking up on you, is there?"

"Not really." Peter replied quietly.

Neal felt guilty for having intruding on the private moment, however now that he had been caught he stepped outside. He walked down the four steps onto the short landing, but kept some distance between them, still not sure if he was really welcome to join Peter or not. Peter didn't look back at him he just shifted his weight uncomfortably again.

"…want to talk about it?" Neal asked gently.

"I wasn't trying to run away."

"I didn't think that you were." Neal lied.

"I just needed some fresh air." Peter continued to explain himself.

"Do you want to be alone?"

"No." Peter answered quickly, still not looking up at Neal. "I mean…you don't have to go if you don't want to, but it's late so if you want to go to bed…not that I'm trying to tell you what to do…"

Neal sighed sadly at Peter's obvious agitation as he rambled. Sitting on the step with his elbows rested on his knees Peter started rocking back and forth slightly as he rubbed compulsively at his sleeve over his tattoos. Neal had told Taylor that Peter was doing better emotionally and at the time he'd believed it, but watching him now Peter looked like he was nearing psychosis. Neal hated seeing him like this, and started to wonder if he had what it took to even begin to help him.

Hoping he was doing the right thing Neal sat down next to Peter close enough so that their shoulders touched. Peter had responded well to being given distance before, but Neal sensed that his desire to be left alone had chanced recently. Neal was pleased to see that the contact had the desired effect as Peter stopped his pointless rocking. Peter still hadn't looked at him, but after a moment he did stop rubbing at his arm. Although he still seemed tense across the shoulders he didn't appear to be near a nervous break down anymore. Neal didn't know if he had actually made Peter feel better of if he was just hiding his symptoms because there was a human around now.

Deciding that every other time he'd opened his mouth he'd said something that upset Peter further Neal just kept Peter company and waited for him to speak first. After a few minutes Peter truly seemed to calm as he took a deep breath and dropped his shoulders slightly. Neal smiled when Peter briefly leaned harder into his shoulder in a silent show of appreciation for the support. It was the first time that Peter had been the one to initiate more contact, even if it was just a quick change in pressure. Neal had always used words, and mostly lies, to try and affect those around him, but he found it even more rewarding to be able to cause a positive change without saying anything.

Neal watched Peter as he stared down at the marble of stairs beneath his bare feet with a vacant expression. Neal wanted to ask him what had driven him to brave the stairs and expose himself to a possible conflict with someone out for a late night walk, but he didn't want to force Peter into a conversation he wasn't ready or willing to have. When Peter finally turned to look at Neal the golden rings in his eyes caught the harsh street light causing a glowing reflection like a cat's eyes at night. Neal couldn't hide his surprised reaction to the eerie effect as he jolted slightly.

"Sorry." Peter broke the comfortable silence as he quickly turned away and closed his eyes.

"It's okay, I just didn't know your eyes caught the light like that at night."

"The light has to be just right. I'm sorry, I know it's disconcerting."

"Peter, stop, you never have to apologize just for looking at me."

Peter bowed his head slightly, his eyes still closed. Neal didn't understand what he had said wrong this time.

"Peter?"

"Nothing?"

"Really?" Neal asked skeptically.

"...the first time I was collared was because I looked my Master in the eyes one too many times."

"What? Making eye contact is a collarable offense?" Neal asked in disgust.

"It was a little more complicated than that, but not by much. I tried everything to make him happy, nothing worked. He tortured me for a month before giving up on me."

Neal's blood ran cold at hearing a brief piece of Peter's past. Just mentioning the collar was causing Peter to pant for breath. Considering how hard Peter had tried to do everything Neal had asked of him at first he couldn't imagine how accommodating Peter had striven to be when he was younger. Neal's anger at Peter's former Master suddenly gave him an idea.

"Who was it?" Neal asked.

"What?"

"This Master, who was he? We should invite him to the party, take him down a notch or two with the others."

"Neal that was almost thirty years ago. Allens wasn't young back then, he's probably dead by now."

"Oh, well then in that case: good riddance."

Peter gave Neal a questioning look causing his eyes to flash again.

"What?" Neal smiled. "Allens was scum, the world is better without him. The world would probably be a better place without *any* of your former Masters."

Neal had thought the comment would elicit a smile from Peter, but instead he instantly turned away. It was difficult to tell in the stark shadows caused by the street light but Neal could have sworn Peter's eyes had brightened with tears in the split second before he'd hidden them. Peter reached up and rubbed the back of his hand against his face as though just scratching at an itch. Avoiding eye contact again he seemed to have become lost in his own thoughts again.

Neal suddenly remembered one Master or rather a Mistress that Peter had spoken well of, and it wasn't until this moment that Neal even realized that Peter had referred to her by her first name when Neal had basically forced him to tell him who the code underlined by the scar belonged to. During his first delusional attack Peter had mentioned loving someone, Neal had dismissed it at the time, having been far more concerned with the fact that Peter was near death. Now he was starting to think that Peter hadn't had a traditional relationship with his former Mistress.

"Peter…"

"This con you're planning," Peter interrupted as he focused back on Neal with no signs of his brief brush with tears "do you really think it will work?"

"It's a masterpiece, don't worry about it. You've already done more than enough, I'm not going to ask you to…"

"I want in."

"In?" Neal repeated surprised. "Really? I mean, not that I'm complaining, but can I ask why?"

"If you're serious about not being my Master..."

"I am."

"Then I need to be able to support myself some way. You probably don't keep your money long enough or in any kind of legal workable form that I could earn you much through investment management."

"I don't really do 'investments'." Neal chuckled. "I like to keep my assets more liquid."

"I still don't approve of what you're doing, but…" Peter trailed off, not sure how to finish the thought.

"Peter, everyone on the guest list are criminals in their own right. Were just stealing from each other, we do it all the time. It's like a game, one I plan to win."

"One that is likely to get one or both of us killed if you don't." Peter added.

"All part of the thrill." Neal chuckled. "Have you ever had money of your own?"

"No." Peter replied heavily.

"When we pull this off you will have more of it than you'll know what to do with, literally."

The way Peter narrowed his eyes thoughtfully gave Neal the impression that maybe Peter already knew exactly what he would do with that kind of money. Neal's first thought was that Peter would try and use the money to some how buy himself from him, a gesture that he might have to accept if it would help Peter feel free.

"I only have one concern." Neal said. "If you really want to help you're going to have to play the part of Animula and I'm going to have to play Master again."

"I don't have to play the part, I am Animula. You on the other hand are going to have to get better at playing Master in public or we are both going to be in serious trouble."

"I just want to make sure that you understand, and that you feel you can handle being treated like a slave again. I don't want you growing to resent me for anything said or done in public."

"I won't. I promise."

"Okay, if you're sure this is what you want then you're in, 50/50…well percentages get confusing with Mozzie in as well, but there will be plenty for everyone. Partners then?"

Neal smiled and held out his hand for Peter to shake. It made Neal a little nervous that Peter hesitated to seal the deal with a simple hand shake, but then he realized that Peter just wanted to make sure no one was watching the unusual transaction. Assured that they still had the scene to themselves Peter made a point of making eye contact before firmly shaking Neal's hand. Neal had no problem with the eye contact, in fact he felt it was an encouraging sign. Peter had a spark of determination in his golden eyes that Neal hadn't seen in him since Peter had been leaned over him trying to murder him.

"Cheng and the others are never going to see this coming." Neal smiled, excited to have Peter on board even if he didn't fully know his motivations. "This is going to work."

"I…I do have a request." Peter said cautiously.

"Already?" Neal teased. "What is it?"

"I want to add someone to the guest list."

"Of course. Who do you have in mind?"

"Joseph Renner."