NOTE: Hey guys, I'm still alive and working on this story (Actually I am very close to finishing it!). This is just a super busy time of year. hugs!
Chapter Ninety-five
"…understood."
Neal held his breath as Jake dropped the cell phone and crushed it with his shoe. He knew it had been a risk to use the awkward wording with Peter on the phone. What he hadn't expected was for Jake to catch on so quickly that Peter knew something was off and to call them both out on it. Neal didn't doubt Jake's threat to take him down with him if he so much as smelled the FBI. Jake's desire to make a human connection was just a calm surface to the deep violent currents that washed through his veins. Having satisfied some of his destructive cravings by breaking the phone Jake glared up at Neal. Neal automatically put his hands up in a sign of peace and Jake smiled ruefully.
"There was zero chance that Peter wasn't going to pick up on me being here was there?" Jake chuckled. "I shouldn't have made you call him."
"He would have been just as suspicious if I hadn't called."
"Good point. Alright, we have to get out of here. I'm sure half the FBI hostage negotiation team is on the way."
"Likely." Neal agreed.
"I'm a little surprised you're not trying to stall."
"Let's just say I trust myself to get me out of this alive more than I trust them to get me out."
"Wise." Jake nodded. "You know just how crazy I am and they don't."
"Something like that."
"Okay, then let's go." Jake nodded towards the door. "Just an FYI if you run away from me I will go up to the nearest living thing and kill it and I won't stop until someone stops me."
Neal's blood ran cold at the casual tone that Jake delivered the macabre threat. Jake smiled brightly as if he had been kidding but Neal suspected that he was deadly serious. Nodding his understanding Neal scratched his plan to make a break for it the second they were out on the street. He knew he could easily and quickly out pace Jake but it hadn't occurred to him that Jake would just find someone who didn't know to run to take out his betrayal on. With nothing to lose Jake was more dangerous and less stable than ever before and he had already been at the extreme end of both of those spectrums before this.
It was a beautiful morning outside that appeared to hurt Jake's eyes as he squinted and instantly searched for a shadier path to take. Heading north at a brisk pace it didn't take long before Jake was noticeably laboring for breath. Growling in frustration Jake kept up his quick walk even as he wrapped one arm over his stomach. Neal had first just assumed that Jake just wanted put some distance between them and the arriving FBI but after a few turns it became clear that Jake had a destination in mind. Coming to a somewhat private street Neal stopped. Jake carried on for a few paces before noticing that Neal wasn't on his heels any more.
"Neal, come on. We're almost there."
"You're not seriously heading straight for Walker, are you?"
"Of course I am." Jake rolled his eyes. "What else would I be doing?"
"Do you even have a plan?"
"Once we get there, you get me in the building, and then I kill York."
"Do you think I'm magic? I can't just 'get you into the building'. I don't even know what it looks like let alone any of the security details. Plus I'm sure he knows you're coming. We won't get ten feet inside."
"Then what good are you?" Jake asked seriously. "You're the slyest bastard I've seen come through the Labyrinth in all my time down there, if you can find a way out of the Labyrinth you can find a way into York's building."
"Maybe, but I need time, I need information."
"Those are two things I don't have."
"Jake, please…"
"If you say 'come with me to the FBI' I swear I'm going to beat you senseless. You don't even trust them to negotiate with me, what makes you think they can make any of this right?"
"Your testimo…"
"My testimony?" Jake replied incredulously. "The crazed murderer with no past? Sure, I bet I can sway any jury."
"I bet more people would be sympathetic to your story than you think."
The sorrowful expression that flirted across Jake's face gave Neal momentary hope that he was getting through to him. However Jake shook his head and snatched Neal's wrist in an attempt to drag him along to their destination. Neal easily twisted out of Jake's grip and took a step back. Despite the fact that they'd been stopped for a few minutes Jake was still breathing heavily and sweating.
"Neal…" Jake growled dangerously.
"Jake, you are barely on your feet. What makes you think you could kill York even if I somehow got you close to him?"
"Trust me I can get it done."
"How about you trust me and we take a moment to think of a plan and maybe take care of that wound of yours?"
"The wound doesn't matter."
"Of course it doe…oh, wait, you're on a suicide mission right now aren't you? You're not dragging me into this for my help, you just don't want to charge in blindly after York alone."
"I need your help, Neal, like you said we won't get more than ten feet inside."
"You're not even going to make it to the building at this rate."
"Fine." Jake sighed heavily. "There's an abandoned subway station on the far side of Park."
"I have a better idea. I have a 'safe house' it's not too far from here."
"Peter will…"
"Peter doesn't know about this." Neal corrected. "I set it up to be safe from him in case I had to run and couldn't immediately make it out of the city."
"You two are so weird."
"We've had our complications." Neal agreed.
Jake managed a sad smile before he grimaced in pain. The longer they were out the greater the toll it was taking on his failing health. Taking the lead Neal guided Jake through the city towards one of the more run down neighborhoods. By the time they came to the ally that lead to the safe house Jake was barely on his feet. Neal had the thought that if he bull rushed Jake now he'd likely be able to take him down and restrain him. Showing how weak he was Jake reached out and put his palm against the graffitied wall to support himself as he bowed his head. When he let out a small whimper of pain Neal found he couldn't bring himself to attack him.
"Let me help you up stairs."
"Thank you."
Jake peacefully let Neal put his shoulder under his arm to help support him as they up the outside stairs and into the building. When Neal had set up the small apartment he had planed for the idea that he might be injured when on the run and had chosen a location that had an elevator even if it hadn't seen an inspector in several decades. The 'penthouse suit' wasn't exactly four or even two stars but it had everything needed to hide out for several months if need. Neal tried to guide Jake over to the bed but he insisted on going over to the couch. Sitting down with a cry of pain Jake leaned against the back of the couch and tilted his head back.
Heading into the bathroom Neal collected his first aid kit and brought it into the front room. Jake had already switched positions and had pitched forward supporting his weight on his elbows that were propped up on his knees. Hearing Neal Jake looked over at him nervously. Jake was almost child like in his avoidance of medical treatment but Neal could understand never having been a fan of it himself.
Sitting down next to him Neal gave Jake a moment to build up his courage. Last time it had taken both Neal and Peter to practically wrestle Jake's shirt off of him to try and treat the festering brand, this time although it took him a while Jake pulled his shirt off willingly. Neal's breath hissed across his teeth at not just the site of the infection but the scent. The odor of rot and decay instantly drew Neal's memory back to the Labyrinth as he found himself momentarily paralyzed.
Jake shifted uncomfortably causing Neal to snap out of his daze. Sorting through the kit Neal selected a few things and started the messy task of cleaning the poorly treated brand. Jake refused to look down at first but he did remain still while Neal worked. Eventually he glanced down and once he did he just stared at the scaring mark.
"He's going to do it again." Jake whispered in terror. "The city is riddled with underground networks, he may wait a few years…but he craves the power too much not to set another Labyrinth up."
"The FBI is watching him like a hawk."
"You worked for the FBI and correct me if I'm wrong but that didn't really stop your criminal exploits, did it? How much closer do you think they can watch York?"
Neal didn't answer knowing that Jake had a point in both cases.
"They can't watch him forever, Neal. If I don't stop him someone else is going to end up just like me. Hell, I bet if I crawled back to him he'd take me back."
Neal stopped what he was doing and furrowed his brow thoughtfully. Looking defeated it took Jake a minute to notice that Neal had gone silent.
"Neal?"
"…I have a plan."
