A/N Thanks for your reviews and support.

Boxfin: thanks for your review, my friend. So glad you enjoy it!

Neal's POV

Mozzie was hiding with them behind a set of boxes. He had zip-tied the men that Nela had shot hands together. Like good conman they had not come into the mission unprepared for it to go sideways. One would think that with all the time Matt spent with them he would have learned by now. On a job be ready for it to go absolutely sideways.

It was why he worked in small groups rather than large scale operations. The more people in on the operation the more likely it was going to go wrong. Whether it was as an agent or as a thief it remained true.

Working with Peter and his team was the biggest he allowed himself to go to. They were professionals just like he used to be. Still, it made him nervous whenever they had to work together. It was less that he didnt trust them and more that he didnt trust his luck. He had come to care about them and that made all the difference in the world.

Turning his attention to Kramer he shrugged off his jacket, "Agent Kramer I want you to listen to me closely," that had the man's focus entirely on him, "You are going to stay close to Mozzie here. He will lead you safely to the exit the best he can. This jacket is lined with kevlar. While it won't protect you completely it is better than nothing. I have to find Orion."

Kramer grabbed his upper arm to stop Neal. He asked in a low voice, "Why are you helping me, Mr. Caffery? You have no love for me after I almost got you thrown back in jail. So why?"

"Peter," Neal answered honestly, "If something were to happen to you it would hurt him. It might not seem like it in your eyes but I do care a good deal about my handler. He is my friend and one of the few people to believe in me. Believe that I could be more than just a conman."

His arm was hesitantly released a moment later. Kramer with some difficulty shrugged the jacket on.

For a moment he seemed as if he was going to follow Mozzie. At the last second, he turned and said, "The door on the far side hidden behind those boxes. I saw a man be dragged back there. If hes still alive then he would be back there. Caffery, I don't like and likely never will. For Peter, however, I will put that aside. Just as he is important to you. You are important to him. Come back from this alive."

Surprise and disbelief warred within Neal. The last thing he ever expected was for Kramer to accept him. Maybe people could change even at his age. In response to Kramer's words, Neal raised his chin and disappeared into the shadows.

Using the techniques he learned as a child he slipped past Wilkes men. Those he was close to he took out and dragged them into the shadows. A sharp blow to the back of the neck rendered them unconscious. Neal did take the time to check for extra magazines.

There was no telling what waited for him in the back room. He found two extra magazines which would have to be enough. Taking out any more people would be a risk. There was no guarantee that he could stop them without killing him. The last thing Neal wanted was there to be more blood on his hands.

When he found the door Kramer had pointed out he loaded a round into the chamber of his Glock. If it was Wilkes or one of the Ring inside they would not hesitate to kill him. He had to be prepared for whatever was on the other side. He was without a jacket and there was little if any chance of him surviving another death.

Opening the door slightly he glanced in. The room was dark the only light inside was coming from a window. He could see a bound and bloodied Orion tied to a chair. Someone had done a real number on the man. They were looking for information on something.

Neal couldn't see anyone within the room. That set off every alarm bell within his body. There was no way someone like Wilkes would leave Orion unguarded. He was an arrogant bastard but everything was too well planned out. There had to be some kind of trap waiting for him.

Neal bent to a knee checking the doorframe for sensors or a tripwire. He frowned when there was nothing that he could see. Cautiously he entered and still finding the room without threats he approached Orion.

Neal frowned at the sheer amount of damage that had been done. There were deep lacerations to his chest. The edges showed that it was done with a serrated blade. They would scar but as long as they were treated they would heal.

Orion appeared to have a dislocated right shoulder. His left leg appeared to be broken in at least two places. It was going to make moving the other difficult and painful.

Orion's hands were zip-tied to the chair. Neal holstered his Glock for the moment. Then with his knife, Neal cut the man free. He barely caught the other as the man slumped forward.

Orion slurred making it obvious he had a concussion, "Above you."

There was only half a second to react by falling back. He cradled Orion close so as not to injure the elder further. A sword went through the air where his head had been a moment before. Rolling he laid Orion down and redrew his sidearm.

What he saw sent shivers down his spine as he stood. A man in an orange and black kevlar uniform. His mask was made of high-grade metal it too was orange and black. Deathstroke the Terminator had been hired.

There was little doubt in his mind that he had caused the wounds to Orion. Deathstroke was a skilled assassin but would also be called for torture for information.

Deathstroke commented looking him up and down, "You must be Neal Caffery. Or do you go by Bryce Larkin? You've been a thorn in my employer's side for a while now."

Wilkes certainly wasnt playing around. To pay for Deathstroke meant having significant financial backing.

Frowning he considered the room. The chair was made of strong iron and would not break easily. His gun wouldn't be much use against Deathstroke. The mercenary's armor would prevent it from hitting him. It would simply be a waste of bullets.

In the back of his mind, he felt the Intersect react to his emotions. His hand twitched when images flashed before him. A feeling of knowing came with the images. Then came the nausea of the use of the Intersect.

The sword came towards him in what appeared to be slow motion. Neal moved to the side of it and grabbed the wrist. He tried to break the elbow but Deathstroke moved with the movement. Then the assassin kicked him just above his hip.

Excruciating resounded through his body. Neal gasped as he was forced to let go of the wrist. If it had been on his other side he would have been fine. His right side would always be tender to strikes.

The sword came back towards him. This time Neal wasnt fast enough to completely get out of the way. He felt it slice open his cheek almost completely down to his jaw. It was a deep wound but not life-threatening.

If he was alone he would fight to his full ability. With Orion there that was impossible. Neal wouldn't put it past Deathstroke to take Orion hostage. It would be the fastest way to get Neal to stand down.

Neal continued to ducked and dodged around the blade. He was careful to keep himself between the blade and Orion however. Even if it meant taking a few blows to push the assassin back a few steps.

In one of his attempts to bring Deathstroke to the ground, he was stopped before there was a single step back. A blade cut through his pant's leg cutting straight to the bone.

Neal's leg buckled and promptly gave out from under his. This sent the dark-haired man crashing to the ground. The sword was then thrust under his chin. Refusing to cower Neal glared at the man.