Chapter Seventy
Waking without opening his eyes Peter worked to convince himself that when he did open them that he wasn't going to see concrete. He told himself the memories of their rescue and time in the hospital were too real and coherent to have been a dream, but sitting on the floor with his back in the corner and Neal laying against him it was hard to ignore the nagging fear that they were still underground. Still trying to find the courage to confirm his surroundings Peter shivered as the linoleum floor offered just as little heat as concrete.
Having only really been half awake Peter was jolted to full attention by someone approaching. Lashing out blindly Peter caught the intruder by the wrist and he gripped down. The feminine pitch to the surprised yelp that followed his attack caused Peter to instantly release his captive and recoil from her. The brief altercation woke Neal in a ready to fight state but Peter trapped him against his chest to make sure he didn't make the same mistake he did. Neal panicked from the restraint at first but quickly relaxed as he figured out what had happened. With a sickening pit in his stomach Peter looked up at Elizabeth who was rubbing at her wrist. The Agent guarding the door had entered the room on full alert but stood down when Peter waved him away.
"Elizabeth, I am so sorry." Peter apologized.
"It was my fault." Elizabeth smiled sadly. "I was told not to wake you, but I thought I could slip a blanket over you."
"Did I hurt you?"
"No." Elizabeth lied. "I was just startled."
"I'm sorry," Neal added "I shouldn't have made Peter sleep on the floor."
Peter was about to point out to Neal that he hadn't been the one who wanted to spend the night on the floor but was stopped when Neal leaned forward and revealed a large blood stain down his back.
"Neal, careful, you're bleeding."
Getting to his feet Neal awkwardly tried to inspect the source of the bleeding. Elizabeth offered to help and Peter was pleased to see that Neal didn't hesitate to accept. Elizabeth lifted up the edge of Neal's shirt and revealed dried blood on his skin but no obvious source.
"Neal, I don't think it's you. I think it's Peter." Elizabeth said before she turned her attention to the door. "Agent Ryans, can you get the doctor?"
"On it. Ma'am." Agent Ryans called back.
Still sitting on the floor Peter lifted up his shirt and looked down at the large dressing on his ribs from the surgery that was soaked through with blood. Just like Neal he'd become too used to being in pain to have noticed something was wrong. Feeling vulnerable being alone on the floor Peter struggled to get to his feet, needing Neal's help to actually get up. Once up Peter held his hand out to Elizabeth in further apology. Smiling warmly Elizabeth put her hand in his as she looked nervously at the large blood stain down the front of his scrubs.
"Are you okay?" Neal asked concerned.
"I probably really shouldn't be sitting on the floor so soon after surgery." Peter admitted.
"No," Dr. Azarov's voice broke in from the door "you really shouldn't."
"I think it looks worse than it is." Peter said.
"I'll be the judge of that." Dr. Azarov smiled. "Back to bed, Agent, let's take a look."
Peter silently asked Elizabeth to stay with Neal as he stepped over and sat down on the edge of the bed. He had noticed Neal backing up against the wall when Azarov had entered the room. Peter hoped that if Neal saw him trust the doctor that he might be more easily convinced into letting her take a look at him. They couldn't call Liam in every time Neal needed medical treatment.
Peter managed to pull off the bloodied shirt despite the flare in pain it caused his ribs. Peter looked up sharply as Elizabeth suddenly gasped. Having turned away Elizabeth sought to hide her renewed tears. Neal offered her a comforting embrace that she gratefully accepted. Peter flashed Neal a confused look causing Neal to flick his eyes down to Peter's brand as an explanation. It hadn't occurred to Peter that Elizabeth hadn't seen his brand yet. Worried about the effect it had on her Peter reached up and rubbed at the pattern York had burned into his chest.
"You don't have to wear that mark forever, Agent." Dr. Azarov said sympathetically. "Once you're both medically stable I know a very good plastic surgeon who could remove them."
Peter nodded at the offer, but he wasn't sure if that was something he really wanted or not. If the brand continued to upset Elizabeth every time she saw it he would absolutely do anything to erase it. However at the same time it almost felt like a part of him now and covering up the physical evidence wasn't going to change what happened. Looking back to Neal Peter couldn't help but think that it was also part of their stronger bond, a reminder of what they had survived with one another's help. Peter was so lost in thought over the mark that he barely noticed Azarov changing the messy bandage.
"Okay, you were right," Azarov admitted "it looked worse than it was, but please be careful with this wound for a while. The plates are strong but they can still be broken free of the bone and it will be harder to fix a second time."
"I'll be more careful." Peter agreed.
"Good." Azarov smiled. "Do you think you could introduce me to your friend? Maybe put in a good word for me?"
"Neal," Peter spoke up "this is Dr. Azarov, she's very good."
"Hello, Doctor." Neal greeted politely.
"Good morning, Mr. Caffrey." Dr. Azarov replied as she turned to face him. "I don't suppose I could take a quick look at your side?"
"Uh…"
"Neal," Elizabeth said sweetly as she took a step back "please. It will make me feel better to know you're okay."
Neal chuckled and nodded as he found it was far harder to turn down a request from Elizabeth than Peter. Peter smiled knowingly having succumb to Elizabeth's persuasiveness on many occasions. Neal peacefully allowed Azarov to approach, doing far better now that infection wasn't causing Jake to whisper in his ear. He didn't look exactly happy with the medical inspection particularly when Azarov had to change the bandage over his lanced side, but he quietly accepted it. Seeing generally how Neal moved Azarov narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him.
"The wound looks surprisingly good, but do you have any other issues?"
Neal shook his head. Peter wanted to point out to the doctor that the way Neal kept falling silent was an 'issue', but for now he was just happy that Neal was letting the doctor look at him. Azarov didn't look very convinced by Neal's response and took a step back to give him some room.
"Can you lift your left arm for me, Mr. Caffrey?" Azarov asked.
Sighing in defeat Neal lifted his arm as far as he could. He had a little better range of motion than a few days ago, but it was still limited.
"I'm guessing you have a bit of a rotator cuff tear, a steroid injection would likely help." Azarov said. "If we do that now you have a good chance of avoiding surgery later. Can I have someone from ortho come up and do that?"
Neal looked like he was about to say 'no' but Elizabeth gave him a gentle nudge and he conceded. Azarov wasted no time in taking advantage of Neal' sudden compliance and also managed to get a blood sample for testing. Thanking both of her patients Azarov announced she was going to be back shortly with something to eat. Peter was surprised to find he actually was hungry and he hoped that Neal felt the same.
"Where's Mozzie?" Neal asked once Azarov had left.
"The neighbors were having some trouble with Satchmo and he was kind enough to go check on him." Elizabeth said. "I feel awful, he must feel completely abandoned. He never stopped looking for you, Peter."
"That's because he's my good boy." Peter said proudly.
"He's going to be ecstatic to see you." Elizabeth smiled.
"When can we go home?" Neal asked anxiously.
"Not until you're eating better." Azarov replied as she returned with tray of easily digested options including two plastic cups with an unnaturally pink liquid. "The pink stuff is really what I'd like you to try first. It's a protein drink and I know you aren't fond of those, but this one strawberry sorbet that's not milk based so I was hoping it might be a good exception."
"Thank you. We'll try it." Peter assured.
Azarov left the tray on the small table before opening up one of the closets and pulling out a fresh set of scrub tops to replace the bloodied ones. Peter thanked Azarov again hoping that Neal would do the same, but once again he'd gone quiet. Peter sighed, before all of this one of his greatest struggles in life was keeping Neal from talking, particularly when there was an attractive woman present. It was worrisome to watch him being so powerfully introverted.
Deciding to be grateful that Neal was at least comfortable around Elizabeth Peter pulled on a new shirt. Neal had a little trouble with getting in and out of his his shirt from his injury but he accepted a helping hand from Elizabeth and managed. Peter picked up the hot pink drink and sniffed at it. When it didn't bring back any memories of the Labyrinth the way the vanilla flavor did Peter gave it a try.
"Well?" Neal asked.
"I've had worse." Peter replied honestly.
"You've had cat food." Neal pointed out.
"And this is marginally better." Peter replied as he held out the other glass to Neal.
"That's fair." Neal chuckled as he tried the pink drink like it was a fine wine.
"Well?"
"I've had better."
"You've had a doughnut that cost five thousand dollars." Peter pointed out.
"And this is marginally worse." Neal teased.
Peter smiled, his spirits greatly improved by the tiny amount of banter. Even if Neal's levity was a facade for Elizabeth's sake it was a vast improvement that he was at least making the effort to act like himself again. Enjoying a moment without conflict they both managed to finish the artificial tasting drink. Peter was contemplating trying something that actually required chewing when he and Neal were both visibly startled by Elizabeth's cell phone ringing.
"I'm sorry," Elizabeth apologized "it's probably Mozzie."
Peter worried that Satchmo had torn apart half the house looking for his lost pack mates by now. It was hard to blame the loyal animal for being so distraught since he couldn't possibly understand what had become of his humans. Elizabeth brought out her phone and a range of distressing emotions quickly clouded her features before she shut off the ringer and put the phone back in her purse without answering it.
"Elizabeth?" Peter asked. "What's wrong?"
"I don't think I can tell you." Elizabeth said sadly.
"Is that Walker calling you?" Neal asked alarmed.
"No." Elizabeth shook her head.
"But it's something related to him?" Peter asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth replied quietly.
"Then you're right, we can't talk about it."
"Peter," Neal admonished. "You can't ser…"
"Neal, enough." Peter interrupted.
"Peter, I'm sorry." Elizabeth said sounding miserable. "I never should have let hi…"
"You haven't done anything wrong." Peter said firmly. "We are going to figure all of this out, and if this 'Walker' is guilty there is no way you could have known."
"Peter's right." Neal added sympathetically. "It would have made perfect sense for Walker to talk to you, he has the perfect cover."
"What?" Peter asked shocked. "Neal, what did you just say?"
"What?" Neal said feigning innocents after realizing his mistake.
"What cover? You said you didn't know the circumstances. How has that changed?"
"Peter, calm down…"
"It was Mozzie wasn't it?" Peter accused.
"Peter…"
"Neal, it is *pointless* for you to try and lie about this," Peter snarled "it isn't going to help our case one bit!"
"Of course it will."
"No. The question here isn't going to be if I can identify Walker, it's going to be if a jury believes me or if they think I'm just making it up to protect the FBI from his lawsuit or if I'm doing it out of some deranged revenge for him approaching Elizabeth. Having you point your finger at him as well won't help."
"Peter…"
"If a jury doesn't believe me, they are never going to believe you."
Peter regretted his word the moment he said them as Neal's expression quickly degraded from shocked hurt into an sullen angry bitterness.
"Neal, I'm sorry, I…"
"It's fine, Peter." Neal said coldly. "I understand. You're a Federal Agent, I'm just a criminal."
"Neal, no, I just meant…"
Peter was interrupted as Hughes suddenly announced himself outside the door. Peter wanted to fix the damage he had just done but Neal found his voice around others as he told Hughes he could come in. Hughes stepped inside followed closely by a well built blonde haired man that Peter recognized as Agent Walsh from Violent Crimes. Walsh had a black binder tucked under his arm that Peter guessed was a photo line up. Neal went over to the couch, sitting down heavily he stared vacantly at the floor. Elizabeth put her hand over Peter's supportively. Knowing why Agent Walsh was here Peter decided to focus on him for now.
"Peter?" Hughes asked sensing the tension in the room.
"Good morning, Sir." Peter greeted professionally.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better. Please tell me Liam is earning a Meritorious Achievement Medal for everything he's done for Neal and I."
"The paperwork is already in and sure to be approved." Hughes assured.
"Thank you." Peter turned to the other Agent. "Hello again, Agent Walsh."
"You remember me?" Walsh asked surprised.
"I do. I consulted you on the Machlis case."
"That was seven years ago." Walsh smiled.
"Peter never forgets a face." Elizabeth noted.
"I certainly hope that's true." Walsh nodded. "As I'm sure you've already guessed I'm here to go over some photos with you, Agent Burke. Is now a good time?"
"As good as it's going to get."
"Okay, good, we really do need to move quickly on all this." Walsh turned to Elizabeth with a guilty look. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Burke, I'm going to have to ask you to step outside for this. Agent Hughes just to make sure everything is on the up and up you should go to."
Peter squeezed Elizabeth's hand before releasing her. She looked over concerned at Neal but didn't say anything. Peter knew she must feel guilty for somewhat starting the argument but it wasn't her fault. Hughes escorted Elizabeth out into the hall. Peter's stomach twisted as Walsh turned his attention on Neal.
"Mr. Caffrey," Walsh addressed Neal respectfully "I don't think anyone has officially asked you if you can identify your kidnapper. So I am officially asking you now."
Peter held his breath praying that Neal would make the right decision. As much as Peter knew it was going to be difficult to find peace if York went free he wasn't sure he would be able to forgive Neal if he lied now. Avoiding eye contact with either man Neal dragged his right hand though his hair as his left still refused to lift up high enough to mirror the action. Despite everything Peter had said Neal seemed to still deeply believe that his forged testimony could help sway a jury.
"Mr. Caffrey?" Walsh prompted. "Did you ever see your captor?"
"…no."
Peter breathed an audible sigh of relief. Knowing he was no longer welcome in the room and not wanting to stay anyway Neal got to his feet and headed directly for the door.
"Neal," Peter said warmly "thank you."
Neal glanced back at Peter with his angry frustration still painted across his battered face. He looked like he wanted to say something but he kept it to himself, without any further word he left. Peter sighed, he was relieved that Neal hadn't gone along with his plan but he worried that the conflict had still done a great deal of harm. Agent Walsh gave Peter a moment before stepping closer to the bed.
"I'm sorry, Agent Burke, I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you both. We all want justice here and I'm sure it frustrates Caffrey to not be able to help."
"Do you have anything on Walker?" Peter asked.
"Not yet." Walsh said as he held out the book to Peter.
Walsh reached into his pocket and brought out a small recorder that he clicked on and recorded his own name, the date, time, and Peter's name and title. Taking the book Peter started to leaf through the twelve men they had chosen to hide Walker among. All the men were of the right age as York and all of he same general build with slight variations on his hair color. However when Peter turned to the sixth page he didn't have to go any further. Nothing about the bright painted on smile that the man in the photo wore could hide the coldness in his eyes. The fact that York was in this book at all proved that it was indeed Walker. Part of Peter had been hoping that he wouldn't be here to spare Elizabeth the pain of having let him into their home. On the other hand now they knew what they were dealing with. Peter tapped on the page and looked up at Walsh.
"That's him. Number six."
"Are you sure?" Agent Walsh asked as per protocol. "Do you want to look at the others?"
"No. Six."
"Thank you, Agent Burke." Agent Walsh smiled as he clicked the tape recorder off. "This is still going to be an uphill battle, but at least with this we will breeze through the preliminary hearing and we will go to trial."
"You were good on the Machlis case, I trust you with mine."
"We aren't going to rest until we get this guy. The real challenge if we go to court on just your testimony is going to be convincing a jury that the FBI can be trusted in a political environment where public opinion of the Bureau isn't exactly at its highest." Agent Walsh admitted. "People love to find conspiracy in everything these days particularly when it comes to government. Walker's lawyer are going to try an paint him as a victim of an Agency looking to avoid embarrassment by placing blame."
"No." Peter said confidently. "He's a predator, just like every other dangerous animal he won't be able to hide what he is once he's dragged out of the shadows and into the light."
"True." Walsh nodded but didn't look all that convinced. "I wish Caffrey had seen something, at least we could have played the 'independent third party' card. Although I should just be grateful that Walker screwed up enough to let you see him."
"He assumed I was already dead."
"I like criminals who underestimate us, they're easier to catch."
Peter nodded in agreement. He was not looking forward to the trial or facing York/Walker again, but he was prepare to keep fighting. Walsh reached back out to turn the tape recorder back on to ask some more questions but he was stopped when there was a commotion outside the room. Peter was already getting to his feet when Agent Ryans peeked in the room.
"Agent Burke, we need your help next door. Caffrey is trying to sign out AMA."
"What? He can't just leave."
"I know, but…maybe you'd better tell him?"
Peter's stomach twisted painfully, Neal was already upset with him and it wasn't going to help to be telling him that he wasn't free to leave. Stepping out into the hall Peter blinked painfully at the slightly brighter light out in the rest of the CCU. Inviting himself into Neal's room Peter found him pacing restless and panting heavily for breath in the grip of a panic attack. Glancing over at Peter Neal shook his head like a temperamental child.
"Neal…"
"Peter, no, I…I have to get out of here." Neal said breathlessly as he continued to pace. "I did what you asked, I'm trusting the system, but I can't stay here any longer. I have to get out, I want to go home."
"Neal, it's not that simple." Peter said carefully.
"The doctor's can't keep me here."
"True, but…"
"I'm not going to get better here, I can't keep sleeping on the floor with you, it isn't good for either of us. I can't stand the walls any long, I've been inside for too long. I'm leaving."
"You can't go, Neal. You're acting delusional again."
"I'm not delusional, I'm just tired of being held prisoner!"
"Give me forty-eight hours. Please." Peter bargained. "Stay with me here for two more days and I'll get everything sorted out, I promise."
"Sorted out?" Neal questioned. "What are you talking about?"
"Just trust me."
"I'm sorry, I'm going." Neal insisted. "They can't hold me here."
"Neal…"
"It's my health, Peter, it's my decision."
"It is absolutely your right to sign out of here medically and stop treatment," Peter hesitated before continuing knowing how devastating his next words were going to be "but there's no point because the FBI is still not going to let you leave."
"What? Why not?"
"…because you don't have your anklet."
