Chapter Fifty-four

"No turning back now…they are both going to die down here anyway."

Staring at himself in the bathroom mirror Jake worked to rationalize his actions by convincing himself that Peter and Neal's inevitable deaths might as well do some good for someone. At the time when he'd made the deal with York Jake had truly believed that he was doing what was best. He wasn't used to caring about what happened to anyone else around him and at first he had been elated that he'd found a way to see the sky. However he had quickly come to regret his betrayal and what it would mean for Neal and Peter. Now that it was time to take Neal to a fight he had only had a slim chance of surviving Jake was finding the bitter taste of guilt was tainting his desire to see the sun.

Jake had tried distancing himself from the pair over the past few days, but it wasn't making this moment any easier. When Neal had come to him looking to deal with York he had almost confessed to what he had done. He had stopped himself simply because Neal knowing his future wasn't going to change it. He deeply envied the loyalty Peter and Neal had shown one another. He'd never seen anything like it, even as they were nearing death they still hadn't turned on each other. Not a believer in true altruism Jake had always assumed any displays of self sacrifice were just superficial and had some deeper ulterior motive. However, Peter and Neal had both proven themselves exceptions to that rule.

"And now I'm going to take advantage of that for personal gain..."

With a heavy heart Jake stepped out into front room that he'd called 'home' for what felt like his entire life. The gray stone and dank air had seeped all the warmth out of what memories he'd had of his life before the Labyrinth, not that he had many good memories to start with. Picking up a nearly empty bottle of tequila off the table Jake drained what was left. Tilting his head back to get the last drop Jake found himself staring up at the concrete ceiling that had loomed over him for years. Filled with a sudden rage he violently threw the bottle into the corner with an animal cry of agonized madness. Curling his lip over his teeth as he panted for breath Jake hardened his resolve to claw his way out of the tomb he'd been imprisoned in no matter the cost.

"You should have just let me kill you, Neal." Jake spat. "Danisko will not be as gentle as I was. I tried to help you."

Having successfully deluded himself into blaming Neal's continued survival for their current situation Jake stalked out into the halls. Coming to the door he unlocked it and threw it open without knocking. Startled Neal looked up from his place in the corner with a fearful look at first, but he visibly relaxed when he saw Jake. Neal's trust in him only served to feed Jake's misdirected anger. On the blanket in front of Neal Peter was locked in sleep from a fever that Neal was trying in vain to break with a wet cloth. Jake glared down at the pair as Neal put down the filthy rag and carefully worked to get to his feet without waking his dying friend.

"He has to come with us." Jake said coldly.

"What? He can't. You promised me he wouldn't have to fight."

"I promised you he wouldn't be in the ring." Jake corrected. "Burke! Wake up!"

Jerking awake at the sound of his name Peter scrambled to his feet with surprising speed. He set himself ready to fight before he'd even had a chance to orient himself to the threat. When Neal got up Peter nearly took a swing at him as his adrenaline and illness triggered his offensive instincts. Neal held up his hands submissively and Peter instantly stood down. Jake ground his teeth in envious irritation at how quickly and easily they read one another.

"I'm sorry." Peter apologized.

"It's okay." Neal smiled.

"Enough!" Jake snarled. "Let's go."

"Jake?" Peter asked concerned. "Jake, what's wrong?"

"No!" Jake barked. "No talking! Come with me now or I swear I will murder you both where you stand!"

Neal had stepped up to Peter's side when Jake had first raised his voice and now he turned to Peter to check to see what their next move should be. Breathing heavily as sweat rolled off his skin Peter took half a step forward to let Neal know he would take lead on the situation. Feeling increasingly isolated from the close knit pair Jake's resentment rose even though he knew he was the one pushing them away.

"Jake, I know this is hard, but I don't blame you for taking us to the ring. You know that right? We don't have to be en…"

"Stop! You don't care about me, you just want to make sure that I'll take care of Caffrey after you're dead."

"I want to help you too."

"Then don't make me kill you." Jake said seriously.

"Jake," Neal spoke up "I'll come with you, but…"

"This isn't a debate, Caffrey."

"Why are you calling me that? What's happened? I thought we were…"

"You were wrong." Jake interrupted before Neal could finish. "Are you two coming with me or do we end this here and now in blood?"

Once again Neal glanced at Peter for direction in the face of Jake's violent mood swing even though Neal had already pulled his shoulders back in preparation to fight he wasn't about to without Peter's approval. Jake found himself almost hoping that Peter would decide to dig his heels in and that he would have an excuse to kill them before getting a chance to betray them. However Peter sensed Jake's willingness to spill blood and kept the peace by nodding slightly in agreement to follow him to the ring. Accepting Peter's decision Neal relaxed slightly as he backed down.

Jake turned around quickly to avoid letting the pair see the tears that suddenly stung his eyes. He found it surprisingly painful to see them so united against him, particularly knowing that if he just confessed to what he had done that they would probably try to problem solve with him. However there was no solution at this point. Feeling it more cruel to forewarn Peter that he was about to have to gun someone down Jake kept to his original plan. Walking briskly towards the elevator Jake didn't look back, he knew they were following him even though they were being quiet.

Once in the hall leading to the ring Jake's stomach twisted painfully at the sound of the boisterous crowd. He could remember a time when the racket used to excite him, being in control of the ring matches used to be the only real escape he had from the monotony of the Labyrinth below. Now he found himself resenting the heartless crowd for participating in the macabre show. Without them enjoying the spectacle and throwing money into it York would never have even bothered to set up the underground gladiatorial world.

Helpless to stop what he had started Jake hung his head as he stepped through the archway that lead to the ring holding area. Ignoring the two new guards that were standing on either side of the room Jake went directly to the cage door only to find the old key lock that he used to be in charge of had been switched out with an automatic system. Knitting his brow he looked to one of the guards.

"Looks like you just lost your job to a machine." The guard smirked.

"You know I almost killed the last guy who stood where you are now?" Jake growled. "Open this before I make an attempt on your life too."

The guard looked like he was going to take Jake up on the challenge but when the other guy shook his head in warning he simply reached in his pocket and pressed the remote. More than just a new lock the whole door was set up on a mechanism now that slid open the barred gate. Jake still hadn't found the courage to look at Peter and Neal, and now was no exception. He just stepped to the side and motioned with his head for them to step inside. Although the pair took the cue without argument Jake could feel them staring at him in hopes of getting some answers. Even once the door closed behind them Jake couldn't bring his eyes up and just stared at the floor.

"Neal, this match is yours."

"So we're back on a first name basis?" Neal asked in a anxiously joking tone. "Anything I should know about my opponent?"

"Don't let him get a hold of you."

"Jake…" Peter started.

Peter was distracted by the opening of the gate into the ring and the crowd getting louder. Knowing Peter was going to panic when he caught sight of Danisko Jake retreated back out into the hallway. The rest of the fight was out of his hands anyway. Leaning against the wall Jake closed his eyes and swallowed the bile that was stinging the back of his throat. A pit opened up in his stomach as the bell that signified the start of the fight rang out. Just as he predicted Peter cried out in alarm and protest as he learned just how out classed Neal was. Peter was sent into a sickly coughing fit that sounded like it might manage to put him out his misery before the fight could get too gory, however once he recovered he became fully focused on trying to shout out warnings and instructions to Neal.

"Left! Damn it, Neal, watch your left!"

The reaction of the crowd told Jake that Neal hadn't successfully protected his left despite Peter's best efforts at coaching. Sliding down the cold wet wall Jake sat down and pulled his knees up to his chest as the unbalanced fight raged on. Finally unable to hold back his tears Jake cross his arms over his knees and hide his face as he listened to Neal losing the fight.

"You really have gone soft, Jake."

Jake jerked his head up at the sound of York's voice. Stunned to see York Jake just stared up at him. Jake had expected one of the guards to have the gun, it never occurred to him that York would be the one to hand to to him.

"I thought I'd watch this one 'ring side'." York chuckled. "Cheer up, Jake, if Burke performs well you'll get to see the sky."

Too heartbroken by the sounds of Peter's increasing desperation as Danisko tortured Neal Jake couldn't find any joy in the prospect of York making good on his promise. York didn't waste any more time on Jake as he went to taunt Peter with the chance to save Neal using lethal force. Hiding his face in his arms again Jake hoped that Peter decided that vengeance was more important than friendship and that he would use that one bullet on York. Knowing that would never happen Jake waited to hear the shot kill Danisko.

Jake's anxiety rose when he heard the bell go off signaling the end of the fight without hearing a shot. Peter was shouting about the fight being over, but apparently Danisko was breaking the rules and continuing to beat on Neal. Jake wondered if York had promised Danisko a large sum of money to carry the fight past the bell. It was perfect for York, with the match over he had every right to let Peter put Danisko down.

"Let him go!"

Peter's forceful command was instantly followed by the crack of his weapon. For the first time the every present noise of the crowd fell deathly silent. Jake hugged his knees to his chest and shivered as he waited to hear if Peter had been in time or if Neal was already lost.

"I told you that eventually you'd kill for me, Agent Burke." York leered.

"I didn't do it for you."

York's only reply was a mocking laughter that filled Jake with a blinding rage. When York stepped back out into the hallway Jake briefly considered attacking him. However once he was looking up at the living demon that had tormented him for most of his life Jake lost all of his courage. Cowering submissively at York's feet Jake weld his eyes shut in terror.

"Congratulation, Jake." York smiled. "It's going to be raining tomorrow morning, but by afternoon it should be beautiful. I will come get you for your reward. You still want to see the sky don't you?"

"Yes, Sir." Jake lied.

All Jake wanted right now was for York and his men to leave. He had known from the start that York would make good on his promise. He also knew that as soon as he saw the sky York would have him killed. This set up was the last useful thing Jake had to offer him. York would see it as a matter of principle to get rid of him now. Feeling more miserable by the second Jake wished he hadn't given up on Peter and Neal just for a brief glance at the sky. Even if they never made it out sharing in their friendship would have been better than a glimpse at a cold expanse of blue. He could see that now, but it was too late.

The moment York left Jake scrambled to his feet and rushed into the next room to see if Neal was still alive. Peter was still locked in the small cell with Neal in his arms. As limp as he was it was impossible for Jake to tell if he was dead or just unconscious. Jake rushed up to the bars as Peter's knees gave out on him. Landing hard on his knees Peter still managed to keep Neal against his chest. With his strength fading fast Peter poured all his concentration into simply keeping Neal up off the ground.

"Open the door!" Jake ordered.

Looking disinterested the guard reached into his pocket and pressed the button again. Jake immediately went to put his fingers against Neal's throat to check his pulse. Jake was surprised to find Neal's heart was still beating strong and at a relatively calm pace considering what he'd just been through. Neal was unconscious, however he had fared surprising well against Danikso. Audibly wheezing for breath Peter looked close to passing out as the fight had taken a toll on him from just being forced to watch. Jake tried to take Neal from him to help, however holding Neal tighter Peter shook his head stubbornly, not willing to give him up.

"Peter…"

Shaking his head again Peter shifted his weight and tried to get to his feet. Jake was about to help him up when he noticed the gun laying forgotten on the concrete floor. Glancing over his shoulder to see if the guards were paying attention Jake took a chance and grabbed the weapon. It had been forever since he'd held a gun but as a teenager he had been obsessed with them. The government issue was a large powerful weapon that was designed for both easy use and maintenance. Opening the heavy Glock Jake found what he was looking for before clicking the slide back into place and leaving the gun where he'd found it.

Peter was still struggling to get to his feet, determined to get Neal back to safety if it was the last thing he did. Knowing it was pointless to try and wrestle Neal away from him Jake stood behind Peter and helped him up by lifting him up by the waist. Once up Jake slipped in by his side and helped him back towards their room.

Jake wasn't sure how they managed to make it all the way back, but they did. Peter carefully laid Neal down on the blanket and using the wet cloth that Neal had been using he started to try and get the blood off Neal's face. Neal opened his eyes and looked up at Peter and smiled before closing them again. Rather than passing out he seemed to just drift off to sleep. Jake edged a bit closer and knelt down next to Peter. He wouldn't have blamed him if he attacked him but instead Peter just looked at him wearily.

"Did you know?" Peter asked without any discernible emotion.

"Yes." Jake confessed. "Peter…I am so sor…"

"Thank you." Peter interrupted in a hollow whisper.

"Wh...what?"

"Thank you for not telling me before hand." Peter clarified. "I still would have done it...but it would have been harder if I'd known. It would have been...different."

"I know."

"I promised Neal I would help him fight to the last breath…" Peter sighed heavily "but I don't know if I can go much further. Jake, please, I need you to take care of Neal when I..."

"Don't give up just yet." Jake interrupted.

Jake reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of metal about three inches long with a short tab at the end that gave it an 'L' shape. Peter furrowed his brow as he reached out and took the object and turned it over in his hand. They would need to shave it down a bit, but it was already nearly perfect.

"This is the firing pin out of my Glock."

"No it isn't…it's the second half of a lock pick set."