There's the next one :). I'm really grateful for all of you who keep on reading. It's such an honour that you spend your time with my writings. Thank you so much! And once again a special thank you to Dobby, my most loyal companion! :) What I want to explain is: I've been working with troubled and abused kids for a few years and I know that they open up quite slowly (sometimes they never do) and they often need a lot of patience and time to trust anyone and I think my experiences reflect in my writings, it's a slow process. And: I know I promised this a long time ago, but now it's about time that El and Neal get to meet each other, don't you think? Have fun. :)
After Neal calmed down a bit, he gingerly sat up and remained quiet. Peter could still feel his body shaking next to him and heard his rattling cough again. Neal hung his head and wrapped his arms tightly around his knees. Peter gave him a sidelong glance. He felt insecure and helpless. If only El was here! She would know exactly what to do.
He sighed and slowly got up. "Come on, buddy, let's go back. I suppose hell is going on up there and I better take care of it before the whole NYPD is on their way." He said gently and held out his hand to help the boy up. Neal winced at the unexpected movement, but then raised his eyes and took Peter's offered hand reluctantly. Again, the Agent noticed, how light the boy was, far too light. Neal hung his head again and they both walked quietly back to the elevator, side by side.
"I'm sorry, Peter.", Neal said softly, without looking up and all his exhaustion and despair lay in these few words. The Agent looked at him and didn't know how to reply, so they both remained quiet. He couldn't just overlook what happened but felt that he wasn't willing to give up his recent plans, either and it wasn't the right time for another lecture.
When they entered the second floor, Peter immediately knew he was right, there was pure chaos. The officer ran headless from room to room and all the staff members seemed alerted, too. Peter guided Neal through the corridor and saw the officer pause at their sight.
"I… I just… I was only gone for a minute and I checked on him before, I swear Agent Burke!", he stuttered desperately.
Before Peter had the chance to answer, Neal raised his head and said in a firm voice. "He's right, Peter. I conned him deliberately and it really wasn't his fault." He looked directly at the officer. "I'm sorry that I caused you trouble, sir."
The officer was looking at him, obviously as stunned as Peter felt. This boy managed to stay polite in any situation, no matter how hopeless it seemed to him. Peter shook his head and guided him back in his room.
"Stay here for a minute, I'll be back soon. And DON'T move. Understand?". Neal nodded dejectedly.
After that Peter went out again to stop the cavalry and to calm the officer and staff down. He felt as exhausted as the kid looked after all that happened. When he finally entered Neal's room again, he found him sitting on the edge of his bed. Peter took a chair and leaned back, sighting. The boy avoided looking at him again and they both waited in silence for a few minutes.
"You know, Caffrey, I really don't know what's going on in you, I just don't get it. I repeat myself by saying: You need to talk to me! I told you, I'll find you, wherever you go, so PLEASE make it easier for both of us and start talking and stop doing such stupid things. Running is not a solution. I don't think it was just the thought of juvie, was it?". No reply, no movement, nothing.
Peter felt a surge of frustration. "All right, this is not taking us anywhere. I won't leave you alone in here again, I tell you that. So, they have to release you tonight if possible. I'll clarify that." He stood up to leave the room.
The boy jerked his head up, his eyes wide in shock. "No, please don't!", he begged silently, sounding very powerless. Peter realized that the boy assumed to go to juvie right now and sat down again.
"It's ok, Caffrey, calm down. You won't go to juvie... at least not yet. I'll take you home. It will give you the chance to recover and we will have plenty of time to talk.", he said soothingly.
"You… what?", the boy's facial expression changed from deep fear to total confusion in a split second and Peter felt the urge to chuckle. "But... you're sure Peter? I mean I am a … what about your wife?", he asked, still looking very bewildered.
Now Peter couldn't stop himself from laughing. "She's looking forward to meet you in real life, buddy. I mean, you've been part of our marriage for over three years now, so I guess it's about time!". Neal looked down ashamed. "Aww, come on kid. It's fine. She's preparing your room right now.", he said gently but could still see the incredulity in Neal's gaze. "All right, I'll be back with the doctor in a few minutes. Try to relax!"
After that, he left the room, the contrite looking officer still sitting in front of his room and took care of the boy's discharge from the hospital. He phoned Agent Jones, too, to organize a proper tracking anklet as soon as possible. Before the two of them left, Neal got his splint to support his damaged knee and they both listened to the doctor's advices regarding his several injuries.
In the end she looked at Neal, a serious expression on her face. "And Neal, you have to EAT, do you understand? You haven't had a proper meal today and that won't help to improve your general constitution." She tried to touch his arm, but Neal pulled it away and she accepted his refusal. "Take good care, kid. Inner scars need some time to heal, but they will if you let them. Please remember that!", she said and said good-bye. Neal focused on the floor again.
Peter stood up. "Ready to go, Caffrey?"
Neal slowly slid from his bed and nodded a little uneasy. Peter removed the handcuffs from the bed rail and Neal willingly stretched out his wrists. Peter hesitated for a moment. "I don't think we need them, do we?". Neal looked surprised again and reluctantly shook his head. Peter packed them away.
"I mean, it's not like they're going to stop you from doing stupid things anyway, is it?", he said chuckling again.
Neal managed a crooked grin and shrugged. "Not really!", he admitted. On their way out of the hospital, Neal made no attempt to run but walked quietly beside Peter. When they reached his car, Neal looked at it and smiled slightly.
"You know what, Peter? I never thought you'd drive a Taurus."
"Why not? It's a safe and reliable car.", Peter felt the tension in himself ease a little.
"May be, but it just has no style at all.", Neal replied dryly and slid on the passenger's seat. Peter laughed and started driving. They stayed quiet for a while and Neal looked out of his window again, coughing from time to time.
"Why?", he said suddenly.
"Why what?", Peter replied.
Neal turned around to face him. "Why… are you taking me home? Why do you even care? After all I've done. You know, I'm a troublemaker, I'll always be. I think I have proven this sufficiently. Me locked up in juvie would be a lot easier for you." He lowered his eyes again.
"I don't think you'll remain a troublemaker, Caffrey. Being a criminal is not a fate, it's a decision. And I really think you're able to change your life, if that's what you want. But it's hard work and you need a strong attitude. And people to help you!"
Neal looked out of his window again. "It's not always that easy, Peter. There isn't just black and white, you know. There are many shades of grey between.", he sounded very tired and a lot older than he was.
"Peter…", Neal spoke hesitantly. "I know you're disappointed. But… I'd like you to call me Neal again. Please. I mean, I'm about to… enter your private home, I think it's appropriate, don't you?". He smiled a little wider now.
"All right, Caffrey.", Peter teased him and Neal laughed.
When they reached Peter's driveway, he could see the nervousness in Neal's expression.
"No need to be scared, Neal. My wife won't eat you up. Actually she's the nicest person you could ever imagine! You'll see."
Neal nodded gratefully, but when they were both standing at the front door, Peter could see the boy's hands trembling. He resisted the urge to lay a hand on the boy's shoulder. Even though he allowed Peter to hug him a few hours ago, he knew he had to respect the kid's boundaries if possible and he certainly didn't want to be touched if it wasn't necessary.
They entered the hallway and could hear noises coming from the living-room.
"Hon?", Peter shouted.
Neal looked around cautiously and followed Peter when he walked towards the laughter. Agent Jones was sitting on Peter's couch next to El, they both had a cup of tea in their hands. Neal looked at them, a little overwhelmed.
His wife stood up. "Ahh, there you are.", she said, stood up and hurried to welcome their guest.
"You must be Neal. It's a pleasure to meet you, love.", she said and gently touched his shoulder.
Peter smiled. She was well aware that Neal wouldn't like to be hugged, what she would normally do in such a situation, not yet. As always, she knew instinctively what to do and Peter could already see Neal relax a bit.
"Thank you very much, Mrs. Burke, I'm honoured.", the boy replied.
"Please call me Elizabeth, or El if you like. I mean, it feels like I've known you forever. You've been part of our life for a couple of years now. And I've heard that you already know very well about us, too.", she winked at him. Neal blushed a little and grinned.
Peter could see the little boy in him again. He still couldn't believe everything that had happened. The formerly unknown conman which he had chased for three years, was standing in his living-room, chatting to his wife and blushing like a little kid, which he was. He slightly shook his head. When Jones stood up, Neal spun around and focused on him, the tension back in his whole body.
"Nice to see you again, Caffrey.", Jones said casually and handed Peter a black, solid locking anklet.
Neal looked from him to Peter. "What is this all about?", he said suspiciously.
"It's all right, Neal. Calm down and sit on the sofa please. I'll explain then!". Neal hesitated. He felt the eyes of the three adults on him. After a moment, he reluctantly did like Peter said and sat down. Peter was standing in front of him.
"This", he began and showed him the anklet. "Is a tracking anklet. You'll wear it as long as you're with us. That's our condition for making this possible. I'll always know where you are and I'm the only one who has the key for this thing. You'll have a two miles radius and as soon as you cross the line and aren't with me, I'll come and get you and there will be no mercy anymore. And even a brilliant conman like you won't outsmart this devise. So, please don't even try it. It's for your own safety and we just can't risk another escape of you. And please stop telling me you won't try. I'm sorry, but my trust in you vanished on this point."
Neal looked at the device, a tired and resigned expression on his face. "Do I have a choice?", he asked softly.
"No… I mean yes, you have. It's this or juvie. What do you prefer?", Peter said sternly.
Neal didn't bother to answer and pulled his pants up with a small sight. Peter nodded satisfied and opened the device. He knelt to wrap it around Neal's ankle.
The boy looked with reluctance in his face, bis brows raised. "I see, it's just another form of prison."
El joined him on the sofa and said, with a warm smile on her face: "But a prison with fantastic food, a cosy bed and people who take good care of you, isn't that something?"
