This fanfic has received the most reviews than any other of my stories by far. And with all those reviews, I can't properly thank each and every one of you. But I can give you all one big THANK YOU!!! Thanks so much for all the compliments and encouragement and for all the hits.
Congrats to all you Fedora-wearers out there. We'll bring the fad back. Then we really can get jackets. WC jackets with fedoras. That's a movement I want to be a part of.
Well, after that cliffy, I'm sure you want to get back to the story. Go on.
An Escape to Forget
Chapter 3:
The footsteps came closer; the sharp clicking of heels. A woman would be easy to confine. But Peter never did like fighting a woman.
Closer; closer.
Peter held his breath; his own pounding heart resounding painfully in his ears and nearly drowning out the sound of the advancing adversary.
A female came into view and Peter froze.
The woman walked straight past the hallway Peter and Neal hid in; not once looking in their direction. Peter stayed absolutely still until he heard the woman open a door and disappear into one of the rooms. When no other sound presented itself, Peter released the breath he had been holding in a heavy sigh of pure relief.
He relaxed visibly as he turned back to Neal in time to see the ex-con slip to the side. The dark-haired man's head hit Peter's chest as Neal slumped against him tiredly. And – out of exceeding joy and relief for not being spotted – Peter placed his hand on Neal's head comfortingly.
"We're ok," he said aloud, a thankful smile flickering on his lips. He patted Neal's head and then slid his hand down onto Neal's shoulder to ease the man into a sitting position.
Neal groaned irritably at being disturbed from his rest.
"Come on, Neal," Peter insisted. "It's clear. We can keep going."
He stood and started to pull Neal up.
Suddenly, Neal tore his arm out of Peter's grip. Peter looked down at him quizzically.
"I can't," Neal whimpered. "No more."
Gasping loudly, Neal leaned heavily against the wall; his eyes closed tightly. With growing concern, Peter knelt beside him.
"We can't stop now, Neal. We've already wasted too much time. We have to keep going," Peter explained in an urgent whisper. He tentatively replaced his hand around Neal's arm.
Neal violently jerked his arm free of Peter's hand and then went limp. "Just go," he ordered weakly. "Leave me here and get out while you still can."
"Neal, we're almost out. Hang in a little longer," Peter encouraged insistently.
"I can't," Neal repeated in a rustic voice, his demeanor dissipating into defeat. "I can barely see, let alone walk."
Neal turned his head to face the agent and Peter swallowed at the sight of those vacant eyes. What kind of sedative had they given him?
Peter inhaled bravely and straightened stubbornly. "Now you listen to me Caffrey," he snapped in a forceful hiss, forcing Neal to focus on him. "I came all this way to get you. Hell, I had to flirt in front of my own wife! There's no way in hell I'm going to leave you here after everything I had to go through."
Before Neal could protest, Peter lunged forward and tossed Neal over his shoulder. Then he stood – wincing slightly from the weight – and reentered the stairwell.
Carefully, but with a faster pace, he started down the steps. Neal bounced on his shoulder, his legs held in place by the agent's strong arm and his hands swinging freely as his head bumped against the agent's back.
Peter passed another floor before Neal spoke.
"You aren't going to leave me are you?" he repeated, mostly likely because he had already forgotten that he had previously asked that question.
"I already told you that I wouldn't," Peter sniffed; watching only his feet as he took one step and then another.
"I don't know what I'd do if you left," Neal continued groggily as if he hadn't heard Peter. "After Kate left, I felt like my world just ended."
Peter paused in surprise. Neal didn't usually talk about Kate so freely. But then, Neal also didn't go around saying how much he trusted Peter. That sedative sure is a trip.
"But when you took me in, you showed me that I was still needed; that I could still help people," Neal continued dreamily. "And I don't know what I'd do if that all went away. I don't know what I'd do if you left."
Peter started forward again; his eyes downcast and intent but his mind registering every word Neal said.
"First Kate, and then you…" Neal said sadly as if he had already lost Peter. "I don't think I'd be able to go on."
Peter stopped abruptly. "Let's get one thing straight," he said strictly. "I will never leave you. You got that? Partners don't leave their partner. That's just how it works. You're going to be stuck with me for a long time to come so just shut up about all this 'leaving' crap."
Huffing with exasperation, Peter started moving again and stomped down the stairs. Neal made no response.
Then: "Hey, Peter. Check it out. I'm an airplane."
Neal extended his arms and made airplane noises like a child. His tilted his arms up and down and even flapped them; pretending that he was flying.
Peter just shook his head. A sad smile crept over his lips.
Perhaps it was just the sedative talking. Neal probably wouldn't remember what he said or what was said back in return. He'd probably forget all about declaring his trust in Peter and all about Peter's speech of not abandoning him.
But maybe that was for the best. Maybe.
"Ugh… Peter," Neal groaned, his airplane game over. Peter felt two shaking hands grip the back of his shirt. "I don't feel so good."
"Don't you get sick," Peter ordered firmly. "Not while I'm carrying you."
At last, Peter's feet touched down at ground level. They were almost out. Now just to get through the final level.
_._._._._._._
Sorry Sherlock fans and hopeful guessers. It wasn't Mozzie. He does show up later though. And a fight wouldn't have worked out for the context that followed that scene. I hope you still like the outcome that did happen.
Making Neal act like an airplane was fun and I laughed out loud when writing it. Singing can't have all the fun.
One more chapter to go. A longer missing scene than usual but still good according to everyone's input. Keep up the good work guys. I might just post the chapter early.
Stay tuned for the final installment,
Hobey-Ho