Chapter Five

"Peter…" Neal whispered urgently. "Peter, wake up."

Neal looked down at Peter who was using his lap as a pillow as he shivered in his sleep but didn't wake. They had discovered that the far back corner from the door was up against some kind of heat source so they were currently huddled up against the back wall. It wasn't a perfect solution as the concrete on this end was only a few degrees warmer from the rest of the room, but it was better than nothing. They had decided that they needed to take turns sleeping and had set up a watch. After Sawyer had given up on breaking down the door they had both taken turns getting a little rest although neither one of them found they could really sleep. During what they had assumed was the day they had taken a few more cautious exploration of the tunnel systems, but nothing useful had come of it and they had ended up back where they'd started. The subway above had slowed down a few hours ago signifying their new night, but Peter had only been asleep for about an hour when Neal had heard something that he felt was worth waking him for.

"Peter..." Neal repeated a little louder as he reached down to gently pushed against Peter's shoulder to get a response.

When Neal touched his shoulder Peter jerked awake with his breath hissing sharply across his teeth. He snapped his eyes open but instantly weld them shut as he ground his teeth together with a growl of pain. Bringing his hand up he gingerly touched the area around the fresh brand before opening his eyes again. Neal watched as Peter took a split second to figure out his surroundings and accept them. Neal had had the same reaction the last time he'd woken as well, their situation was surreal enough that every time they woke back into it there was a moment where it felt like it must have just been a nightmare. Although it only took a glance around at the dank water-stained rough concrete walls to crush that moment of hope.

"Neal, wha…" Peter stopped when he heard voices outside.

"Jake, Sawyer says he wants a shot at those two."

"Yeah, well Sawyer can blow me," a deep voice called back "he knows the rules."

Neal had originally just heard the footsteps at the end of the hall, now that it was clear that they were being approached Peter quickly sat up. Neal got to his feet and helped Peter do the same. Once they were both up Neal found he regretted moving so quickly as his vision suddenly darkened around the edges, leaning back against the wall he closed his eyes and ground his teeth against a powerful wave a nausea. His stomach growled audibly as it protested the continued lack of fuel. Neal wasn't sure when he last ate, but he was guessing that it was pushing the forty hour mark. Bring the back of his hand against his mouth he did his best to quell a quick spell of dry heaving.

Neal could hear Peter breathing heavily and assumed that he was having similar issues. Luckily the drop in blood pressure didn't last long and by the time they heard a key grating in the lock they were both ready to face the intruder. When the muscular man that Neal had to assume was Jake stepped into the room Peter automatically positioned himself in front of Neal and reached up into his jacket. Peter put his hand back down when he was reminded that he didn't have his weapon but he still stood his ground. Neal appreciated Peter's protective sentiment but he doubted that there was much Peter could do against Jake without his gun. Unlike the filthy clothing that Sawyer had been wearing Jake was much cleaner, but he had all the characteristics of someone who'd been in more than one fight in his life. Jake looked Neal and Peter over with a slight furrow between his brow before he just shrugged.

"Showtime, Boys." Jake said with a tight lipped smile. "Jackets off, button downs off, you can keep the undershirts if you're shy but they will likely just get ripped."

Neither of the men made a move to comply with the strange request. Jake rolled his eyes slightly and reached back to pull a collapsible baton out of the back of his belt. Neal and Peter both tensed as Jake snapped the heavy metal rod open to its full length and took a menacing step closer. Neal noticed Peter widen his stance in preparation for a fight that he'd be destined to lose even with Neal's help. He admired Peter's valor but Neal was afraid that violence wasn't going to be a solution.

"It's Jake, right?" Neal asked in an attempt to start a dialogue.

"Jake Tulie to be exact." Jake offered Neal before looking to Peter. "And before you go telling me you're a Federal Agent, trust me, I know. That's not going to help you or your friend down here, if anything it's a serious disadvantage. Now let's go."

"The FBI isn't going to just give up on finding either one of us." Peter said anyway. "Help us and I can guarantee you protection from both York and prosecution."

"I believe you." Jake nodded. "But I'm not interested. Now if you have a million or so in cash we can talk."

"I have that." Neal offered helpfully. "Or at least I can easily get it."

"Nice try."

"I'm serious."

"Trust me, he is." Peter added even though he knew it wasn't going to help.

"Enough. You two can either cooperate and possibly live to see tomorrow or I can bash your rib cages in right now and you can drown in your own blood. The choice is yours." Jake growled as he raised the baton menacingly. "Honestly it's less work for me in the long run to just beat you both to death right now."

"So…why don't you?" Neal asked warily.

"I'm very tempted, but the pay is better if I don't." Jake said coldly. "Jackets and shirts off, now. Come on, Agent, we both know it's protocol not to antagonize your kidnapper."

Before Peter could reply Sawyer and two of his men suddenly appeared in the doorway. Sawyer looked over the scene with a smug grin.

"Hey, Jake." Sawyer greeted. "You need some help in here?"

"Maybe." Jake replied before turning his attention back to Peter. "Would you rather just deal with me or should I let Sawyer settle this for us? I hear you two have a history. It's your call, Agent."

Truly out numbered Peter raised his hands slightly in surrender before he turned to Neal and nodded to him. At this point Neal agreed with Peter's decision to play along, Jake may have been bluffing about killing them, but he probably wouldn't have any issue with letting Sawyer land a few good hits to facilitate things. Taking off their dark sport suit jackets and already torn dress shirts they dropped them on the floor in the corner in hopes of being able to retrieve them later for what little protection against the damp they provided.

Feeling his brand soaking more blood through his undershirt as he moved Neal glanced over at the same sickly yellow and red stain on Peter's shirt. He had done his best to keep Peter's shirt from sticking to the wound while he was sleeping, but the injury was still weeping and was currently clung to the fabric. Sawyer and his friends made noises of mock sympathy at seeing the bloody marks. Jake seemed to just want to get things moving and once the pair had followed his orders he tossed a large white zip tie to Neal. Assuming that Jake wanted him to put it on he started to gingerly wrap it around his bruised and cut wrists.

"Not you," Jake corrected "Burke, and behind the back, then step away and face the wall."

Neal flashed Peter an apologetic look that Peter silently accepted before turning around and putting his hands behind his back. Neal slipped his fingers in between Peter's wrists so that he could make it appear like he had secured the zip tie tightly but still leave Peter room to escape. For his part Peter kept his hands in tight fists so that when he relaxed he'd have additional room to slip through. Peter flinched in exaggerated pain as Neal pretended to jerk the restraint tight. Neal stepped a few feet away and faced the wall placing his hands behind his back knowing that he was just going to be ordered to do so anyway. Jake handed another tie off to one of the men with Sawyer. Neal bit down on his bottom lip to keep quiet as the man clamped the sharp plastic tie around his already abused wrists. Jake had clearly done this before and was cautious about approaching his captives which was going to work against them. He didn't seem to be one to make mistakes easily, a fact that was illustrated when he turned to Sawyer.

"Go tighten that." Jake ordered motioning towards Peter with his baton.

"Gladly."

Peter pulled his shoulders back as Sawyer approached him to emphasize his slight height advantage but the subtle move did little to intimidate the thug. Sawyer forced Peter to turn around and shoved him against the wall before grabbing the free end of the zip tie and yanking on it hard enough to draw blood. Peter had the opportunity to throw his head back and possibly break Sawyer's nose, but knowing that would only lead to a losing battle Peter passively accepted Sawyer's rough treatment. Not really needing an excuse to attack Sawyer used his purchase on the zip tie to jerk Peter away from the wall before slamming him back into it with more force than before. Peter managed to keep his face from hitting the wall but he cried out sharply as his injured chest took the brunt of the force.

"Get off him!" Neal spat as he tore himself away from the man who had secured his wrists in an aggressive move towards Sawyer.

"Neal, no!" Peter warned.

"Sawyer!" Jake barked in almost the exact same tone. "You want to spend a month in solitary?"

To Neal's surprise Sawyer put his hands up in surrender and backed away from Peter. He was still trying to understand what Sawyer's role was down here, he was allowed to move around freely and even helped with Jake's agenda, but at the same time Jake was quick to treat him like a prisoner. The way Sawyer respected Jake's threat meant that it wasn't an empty one. Jake was currently outnumbered by Sawyer and his two friends, but he still held all the power. Neal just couldn't figure out why.

Neal stepped over to stand next to Peter keeping a wary eye on Sawyer. Breathing heavily as fresh blood brightened the stain over his heart Peter turned away from the wall to face his tormentors. He kept his attention on Sawyer and Jake as well but pressed his shoulder against Neal's to show that he appreciated him trying to help even if it had been a stupidly dangerous move. Jake noticed the brief interaction between the two and flashed them a smile that made Neal's blood run cold.

"York was right, you two are entertaining. Let's go."

"Go where?" Peter demanded.

"To earn your keep."

Jake didn't explain further. He turned to Sawyer and his men and ordered them to leave. Sawyer looked Neal and Peter over one last time before he winked at them and wished them luck. Neal took notice when Sawyer reached into his filthy shirt and pulled out a small key that he was wearing on a sturdy chain around his neck as he turned to leave. Getting the key wouldn't be as important as just learning what lock it went to and Neal made a mental note to mention it to Peter the next time they were alone. Once Sawyer and his followers were gone Jake turned back to Neal and Peter, stepping to the side of the door he motioned with his baton for them to step out into the hall. Neal stayed motionless when Peter hesitated to follow Jake's directive. There was no telling what Jake was leading them to and it might be better to make a stand here instead of following Jake to a possibly worse fate. Suddenly losing what little patience he had left Jake stalked over toward them with his eyes set on Neal with an angry intensity.

"Wait…" Peter said quickly as he tried to put himself between Jake and Neal.

Coming up on the pair fast Jake skillfully swung the baton with a flick of his wrist and landed a solid strike to the side of Peter's knee which instantly collapsed it out from underneath him forcing him to kneel. Neal tried to pull back as Jake lashed out at him but he was already up against the wall. Jake tangled his hand in Neal's hair and used the purchase to jerk him close before throwing him in the direction of the open door. With his hands pinned behind his back Neal lost his balance as he was forced forward and he crashed to the floor with a breathless cry as he landed hard on his side.

"Neal!"

Jake took another swing at Peter as he tried to get up forcing him to drop all the way to the floor to avoid getting struck against the temple. With Peter back on the floor even after missing him Jake landed another strike to his upper leg to keep him down before turning on Neal. As Neal was trying to get back to his feet Jake kicked him in the stomach with a breathtaking amount of force. While Neal struggled to catch his breath Jake put his foot against his shoulder and shoved him over onto his back. Neal tried to sit up to get out of the vulnerable position but Jake pinned him back down by stepping on his chest. With the heel of his shoe digging into Neal's ribs Jake threatened to press the ball of his foot against the brand to keep him still. Jake kept Neal down as he looked back to Peter.

"Keep pushing me, Burke, and Caffrey is going to pay for it with his hide! I will strip him down, string him up, and spend the next week slowly removing his skin with a belt sander and a blow torch!"

Neal's heart pounded against his chest as his imagination couldn't help but paint him a vivid picture of the gruesome fate Jake was threatening him with. The oddly specific threat gave him the impression that he wasn't exaggerating. With the absolute upper hand Jake stepped down harder on Neal's chest in an effort to drive home his point. Panting for breath Neal didn't give him the satisfaction of crying out, but it was still obvious that he was in pain.

"I'm sorry." Peter said desperately. "Please, stop..."

"If you want to save Caffrey's skin in every sense of the word I suggest you start following orders. Understood?"

"Understood."