Hey there! I had fun writing this one, too, but I have to admit the story is not really moving forward and I'll try to change that. Furthermore I tried to read the whole story once more and recognized all the mistakes and bad expressions over the time! UPDATE: I'll just try to fix a few, as best as I can, in the next couple of weeks. I just can't stand some of them, can't believe you could! :D Thank's a lot, for reading and all your kind words! I really mean it.


On his way home, Peter was still fuming. The boy didn't trust him. Not after all they went through.

But why?

He felt helpless, could feel the weakness in his bones again. How could he rescue that kid? Was it even possible?

His heart was racing and he had to stop his car for a short moment. Peter closed his eyes, tried to calm himself down.

The phrases Neal used were running through his mind. What did he mean when he said "even here"?

When he finally reached his home, he stayed in his car for a few more minutes, admiring his cosy looking, warm home, with dim lights shining inside. He knew his beloved wife would wait inside, with something delicious to eat and a hug he could melt in. And unwillingly his thoughts went back to the prison and to the young, far too skinny boy, who had to survive in that violent environment and his heart ached.

He needed a family. He needed someone to guide him. But what he obviously did not need was more pain and suffer.

Peter knew what to do, he grabbed his phone, dialling Hughes number.


Only 15 hours later, he drove back to the prison, in a much better mood now. He reached the main gates and went right through to Mr. Finnigan.

"Welcome back, Agent Burke!", the warden said drily, looking not amused.

"Mr. Finnigan. I'm just here to inform you that Mr. Caffrey won't be your burden for much longer. He will be working as a consultant for my agency and will be in my custody. It will take a few days to take care of everything. What I want from you is that you'll take care of Mr. Caffrey as best as you can till then."

The warden tried to protest, but Peter raised his hand to stop him.

"I mean it, Mr. Finnigan. I want you to make sure he's eating and sleeping properly, and I warn you, don't let anyone harm him anymore until I'll get him out of here. And I assume he had seen a doctor?"

The warden sighted. "Actually he is right now!" He stared at him with his cold, dark brown eyes, then grinned half-heartedly. "What makes him so special, Agent Burke? I suppose you've got a weakness for young pretty boys?", he said, sounding very greasy.

Peter clenched his fists, felt utterly disgusted even by the thought. "Stop that shit. I warn you, Mr. Finnigan. If anything goes wrong, and I mean it, you won't ever be happy in your life again.", he said quietly through gritted teeth. "And I definitely won't waste any more time with you. Let me see Mr. Caffrey now.", he demanded in a firm voice.


A guard guided him to the prison infirmary. Peter felt a strange mixture of triumph and anger, that stupid warden could Neal cause a lot of trouble while he would have to stay here.

He followed the young guard, deep in thoughts, when he could suddenly hear loud yelling behind one of the iron doors. Peter instantly recognized Neals voice. He hurried and waited impatiently until the guard opened the door and let him in.

An elderly man and a young woman, both wearing white smocks, tried to hold down a struggling Neal in his bed. The boy kicked and screamed in desperation, while the woman tried to sooth him with her calm voice.

"Leave me alone… Don't touch me! … I don't need this!", Neal cried out, tried to free himself, while the man and woman tried to fixate his wrist.

Peter went through the room in the kid's eyesight.

"Caffrey!", he said, more sternly as intended.

Neal abruptly fell silent and stared at him, his eyes unsteady, breathing heavily.

"Peter?", he asked warily, obviously not believing his eyes.

"Yes, I'm here. It's all right! It WILL be all right!", the agent said calmly.

The older man looked at him, questioningly. "Who are you? Leave the room, no visitors allowed.", he bellowed brusquely.

Peter pulled out his badge. "My name is Agent Peter Burke. I have every right to be here. Leave him alone now! Both of you.", he demanded.

The woman willingly took a step back, watching him with big eyes, while the doctor's look became even angrier.

"Well, MY name is Dr. Taylor, and I'm responsible in here. This young man is behaving like a toddler. I got the job to examine and treat him and he doesn't let anyone get near him. He even tried to harm me by kicking me in my crotch.", the doctor said unruly, still pushing Neals wrist down as best as he could.

Peter had to hide a grin, no time for that. He could see that Neal was on the verge of a new outbreak, he eyed him frantically, his body rigid. Peter went next to the boy, opposite of the doctor and sought his gaze. Neal breathed heavily, obviously fighting against himself not to lose his temper again.

"You'll stop fighting if he lets go of you, right?", Peter aksked him calmly.

Neal returned his gaze now, total exhaustion visible in his expression. He turned his head, closed his eyes and nodded resignedly. They doctor watched them both, looking irritated.

"This is a risk I won't take. Not without tying him!", he said sternly.

Neal took a sharp breath, opened his eyes and gave Peter a pleading look.

"I'll be responsible. He will be in my custody anyway in few days.", he announced, ignoring Neals questioning look. "So, just leave him alone for now. I'll talk to him and will come to you later."

The doctor threw him a disapproving glance, but reluctantly let the boy's wrist go.

"I'll come back, young man. And you better behave nicely then. This is a prison, not a kindergarten… I'll wait for you in my office next door, Agent Burke."


When the door closed behind the doctor and the nurse, Neal visibly relaxed within seconds and rubbed his wrists. He closed his eyes again.

"Thanks Peter", he mumbled tiredly.

Peter took a chair to sit down next to the boy.

"What was this all about? Like a toddler, huh?", he asked gingerly, throwing him a half-heartedly grin.

Neal hesitated, then he turned to face the agent.

"You're not a human being in prison, Peter. You're just an inmate. And they touch you as much as they want, do whatever they want with you and you can't do anything. That's all right I suppose, it's part of your punishment, to lose human rights I mean, but I'm sorry, I just couldn't bear it today. I told them I don't need a medical. I'm fine! But they didn't listen.", he replied quietly, his gaze blank and tired.

He turned his head again, staring at the opposite wall. Peter rubbed his face in desperation.

"You're NOT fine, Caffrey. Could you please just stop saying that? Listen kid, it was ME who told them to examine you."

Neal spun around, betrayal and anger all over his face. Peter raised his hands, ignoring the boy's flinch.

"I'm fed up, kid, just fed up. I want to HELP, but you won't let me.", he shook his head in frustration, stood up and went to the barred windows. He could see a handful of boys twice Neal's size in orange jumpsuits work the lawn.

They both remained quiet for a moment. With a heavy sight, Peter turned around, meeting the boys gaze who was watching him intensely. Before Peter could say anything, Neal began to talk.

"I wish … I wish you'd just go, Peter. It's not that I'm not appreciating what you're doing… I do, more than you could ever imagine. I still can't understand… just… why?"

Peter tried to say something, but Neal stopped him with a weak show of his hand.

"Please, don't. It doesn't really matter. I just want you and all the others to leave me alone, Peter. I'm not worth it."

Peter tried to interrupt again, but Neal straightened up on the examination table now, an angry fire in his eyes.

"I mean it, Peter. I don't know whether I'm your… welfare project or whatever. But I'm quitting this, right now. I may have no rights inside this facility - and I know, I deserve it, you don't have to say- and I'm well aware that you have a lot of power over me, too. But as long as I have any right to decide, I just want you to leave. Live your life with your precious wife and just forget about me."

He stared at Peter in rage, almost shouting the last few words, breathing heavily again, his face white as a sheet. Peter stood still, stunned for a moment.

"Please lay down, Neal. Try to calm down.", he answered quietly.

"Is that an order?", the boy asked, still looking almost hostile.

"No, it's not. But… please!", Peter replied.

Neal hesitated for a moment but let himself slowly sink back then. The Agent could see his hands trembling slightly and the kid avoided his gaze. Peter sat down next to him. The silence felt heavy and unpleasant. Slowly, very slowly, Peter put his hand on Neal's arm. The kid flinched a little, but otherwise did nothing to reject him.

"Look at me, kid.", the agent said calmly.

No reaction.

"Please!", he added.

Neal reluctantly turned and met his gaze. Peter could see tears of frustration in his eyes.

"What is this all about, Neal?", he asked urgently.

"I just want to be left alone!", the kid whimpered, sounding much less convincing now.

"Cut the crap, kid!", Peter answered sternly.

Neal kicked his head back and howled, his face contorted with anger.

"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE, for god's sake Peter!", he screamed, freed his arm and suddenly stood up on the other side of the doctor's table.

He turned to face the agent, leaning his back against the wall next to the window.

"I wish you would just go. I can't stand this any longer.", he said, almost inaudible and slowly slid down the wall in a sitting position, positioning his head between his legs.

Peter cautiously came closer and sat down beside him, leaving him some space and just waited.

"It's not what you want, what you REALLY want, me going I mean, is it?", he said quietly after a few seconds.

The boy lifted his head a little, an awful mixture of exhaustion and desperation in his young face, tears silently streaming down his cheeks.

"No.", he finally admitted.

Peter felt utterly relieved.

"So…what is all this about?", he asked gently.

Another pause.

"I…like I said, I'm not worth all the trouble. No one close to me is safe, Peter. I don't want to put you, or Elisabeth or even someone on your team in danger."

He stared at the floor in front of him with blank eyes.

"Everyone around me gets hurt, Peter. I don't want that anymore. I can handle myself and I'll make sure no one will ever be in danger again... because of me."

He turned to face him, appearing uneasy again.

"You still think the whole thing with Keller was your fault, don't you?", Peter said slowly.

Neal reluctantly nodded slightly.

"Did you know all these things would happen like they did?", the Agent asked.

The boy hesitated again, then shook his head.

"See? Seriously, Neal. I am the adult, and I am the FBI agent and you are just a child. It WASN'T your fault AT ALL that he shot me. And YOU, by the way. MY safety is not your responsibility."

Neal didn't look convinced.

"It wasn't just that.", he replied gravely. "And ... I'm not "just a child"", he then added and threw him a little smile.

Peter shook his head and grinned.

"You know what? Let's talk about all these things when you're back with us."

Neal frowned. "When I'm…what?", he asked stunned now.

"When you're back in the Burkes mansion, kiddo. You'll be in my custody again, working for the FBI for the time being.", he watched Neal backing away a little.

"No…", he started, but Peter interrupted him.

"Stop telling me you want me to leave, Neal. It won't work, not ever. You need someone to help you and it appears I AM that someone, so you better come to terms with it!"

He hesitated, then slowly raised his hands to touch the kids shoulder. Neal watched his movement, then raised his gaze to meet the agents eyes.

"Peter, you don't understand! Even though Keller has what he wants now, he won't stop chasing me. I…I may know a few things he doesn't want me to spread and he has got an open bill with me. Please Peter! Don't do that. You have to considerate Elizabeth, too.", he clenched his fist, his look full of despair.

Peter smiled reassuringly at him.

"We will take care of Keller, Neal, I promise. And like you said, I've got a LOT of power over you and it is my decision. So, you don't have to worry anymore, because I decided to take responsibility for yourself, with all dangers connected to the duty. And I won't ever let someone hurt you or my wife again!", he promised.

Neal didn't move. Once again Peter recognized how thin he was. He slowly raised his hand, Neal watching him uneasy. Peter smiled and briefly ruffled the boy's hair. To his utter astonishment, the kid didn't back away this time, but turned a little and then slowly lay his head on the agent's shoulder.

Careful not to scare him, he took his arm around the boy's shoulder and pulled him closer. Neal stiffened a little, but let it happen and just leaned heavily against his side.

They both sat quietly for a few minutes. Peter could feel the warmth of the body beside him and listened to the slowing breath. He ruffled the boy's hair again and silently said:

"Everything is going to be alright, kiddo, I promise!".

Neal nodded slowly, obviously still not convinced, but Peter felt he had finally reached him somehow. He pulled himself out of the agent's hug and grinned uncertain.

"Will I have to wear that stupid anklet again?"

Peter chuckled.

"Well, yes, that's part of the deal.", he admitted.

Neal shrugged, his smile vanished and he stared at his hands.

"You're sure, Peter?", he then asked, looked him straight in the eyes. "I mean, REALLY sure?"

Peter smiled. "I am, Neal. I promise I won't let you down!"

Neal nodded again, ran his fingers through his hair.

"As you may have recognized by now, I have some kind of a trust issue.", he admitted, grinning slightly.

Peter chuckled again. "Well, yes, I've already noticed. But I'll try to change that as best as I can, kiddo. You just have to hold on a few more day, until I have sorted everything out."

They could both hear voices outside of the door now. Peter watched Neal, whose body tensed again, fear in his face.

"It's all right, Neal. I insist that he takes a look at you, but I'll stay inside the room. Do you think you can manage that?", he asked gently.

"Do I have a choice?", Neal asked resigned.

Peter hesitated, he felt he had to give him some sort of power over himself back. He sought the kid's gaze.

"Well, yes. If you really don't want him to, we'll see a doctor as soon as you're out of here. But I would prefer it happened now."

Neal looked at him, surprised. He fought with himself.

"You'll stay, right?", he said reluctantly.

Peter nodded, smiling at him.

"All right then, I guess.", Neal replied reluctantly. He turned in his direction again. "Thank you, Peter. For letting me decide. I really appreciate that.", he said shyly.

Peter smiled warmly.

He tried to get up, but suddenly felt his weakness again. Neal pulled himself up, offered him a hand. Peter recognized with some satisfaction that he was willingly touching him now. He grabbed the hand and Neal helped him stand with much more strength then expected. They both stood awkwardly in front of each other, Neal eying him uneasy again.

Peter gently touched his shoulder.

"Don't worry, it will be done in a few minutes. And I'll be right next to you." Neal nodded again.

"So, you better lay down and I'll go get that demigod in white."

Neal took a deep breath and obeyed without another word. When the doctor came back, he eyed Neal suspiciously.

"Like I said, young man, you better behave yourself. Another try to harm anybody in this room and I'll tie you to the bed.", he said sternly.

Neal's gaze wandered from him to Peter, before he nodded solemnly.

"I won't, I promise.", he said in a quiet voice.

The doctor began examining him, while Peter sat down in a chair behind him. He took his blood pressure.

"Pretty low, kid. And you're far to skinny. You're not eating properly, are you?".

Neal avoided his gaze, just shrugged. The doctor shook his head.

"Take off your shirt!", he demanded rudely.

Neal put his arm protectively in front of his chest, shook his head.

"What did I say about not behaving like a five-year-old, young man?", the doctor groaned.

Peter stood up, came closer and stayed on the other side, opposite the older man.

"Come on Neal, it's all right. I'll help."

Neal closed his eyes, then gave up, lowered his arms and let Peter pull his shirt over his head. He avoided both man's gazes now, just stared on a spot in front of him. His whole body was covered once more in bruises and small cuts.

But that wasn't what left both men next to him with their mouths open. Across the boy's chest, there was the word "traitor" scratched deep in his flesh. It looked red an angry on Neal's white skin and looked partly infected.

No one said a word, they didn't move an inch, until Neal tried to grab his shirt, which was still in Peter's hand, but he refused it.

"Who did that?", the agent asked.

Neal just went rigid again, shook his head slightly.

The doctor regained his composure.

"Don't even try, Agent Burke. It's not worth it. They're not talking about each other in here. Lean back, young man!", he demanded rudely and tried to push Neal's shoulder, but stopped when he saw the boy flinching again.

He shook his head. "Well, that's a hell of a jitterbug. Will you lean back now?", he said once more and Neal reluctantly obeyed.

While the doctor treated his chest with an antiseptic ointment and took a blood sample, Neal laid perfectly still.

His gaze met Peter's once in a while, who threw him a reassuring smile, but Neal could also see the angriness and desperation in his eyes. It only confirmed what he already knew. He himself made life hell for everyone around him and he would no longer allow it.