(Chapter 3)
Neal could barely breathe; his chest tight and hurting. He could hear Elizabeth on the other end of the cell talking to him, her voice turning into an indistinct buzzing in his ears as he felt unconsciousness sweep over him.
"NEAL!"
He perked up again if only a little. El sounded angry making him wonder what he did wrong.
"I'm sorry, El. Please don't be mad." He wasn't sure what he was apologizing for actually, his brain fuzzy. He heard her speak again.
"You need to stay awake, Neal. Please. Say your ABCs..." She sounded a bit uncertain but he didn't seem to comprehend much, taking it all in as gospel. He felt himself nod.
"Ok... A... B... C..." He started going through the alphabet slowly, his voice slurring ever so slightly. He paused around M as if he had forgotten the next letter.
"NEAL... N... keep going..." El's voice was firm making him remember a teacher with a similar tone he'd had in elementary. She had been very strict and liked to smack kids on the back of the head if you were sassy. He thought he felt that slap, waking up slightly and nodding again.
"Yes... N... O... P..." He kept going slowly, finally making it to Z. He heard a thankful sigh on the other side.
"Neal... 1 x 1 is..." She was doing multiplication now. He was good at math, feeling like he had reverted back to grade school, his brain turning to mush except when he concentrated on her voice.
"One..." He answered, voice still slightly slurring.
"2 x 2 is..."
()()()
El did what she could to keep him talking. She even started asking him about various artists, Mozzie pulling out a book on the shelf and pointing things out for her to ask. Neal proved to be fairly accurate with his answers with the occasional verbal prod to wake him up. Meanwhile, Jones finally showed up, listening to El's strange conversation and looking at Mozz curiously.
"What's going on, Peter?" He whispered to his boss, the agent frowning a bit.
"Neal... they're distracting him into staying awake. He's not doing well. He's been slurring some so I think the air is already starting to thin out. I don't know what kind of space he's in, Clinton." Peter had an anguished look on his face, pulling on his jacket and motioning for El and Mozz to follow.
"You're both coming along. Talk to him on the phone and I'll drive."
()()()
It took about 20 minutes to arrive at the site, Hughes already there along with an angry looking foreman. Peter recognized the smug bastard, his voice booming as he yelled at Reese. Jones walked up along with Peter who pulled his boss aside a moment leaving Jones and some other agents that had apparently come with Hughes to talk with the foreman.
"Peter, what took you so long? I expected you to be here already!" Hughes didn't really sound angry, most of it frustration he thought at dealing with the construction crew here.
"Neal... he's on the cell." He pointed towards the Taurus where El sat with the door open, her face looking up and nodding sadly as she continued to talk into the phone. Hughes nodded.
"He's awake? How does he sound?" Hughes started walking that way, Peter following. Mozzie was in the car behind El, looking nervous as both agents headed towards the vehicle. He looked like he might run. El looked up at them, a quizzical look at Peter.
"Mind if I talk to him, Elizabeth?" Hughes spoke kindly, taking the cell from her and holding it up.
"Caffrey... it's Hughes." His voice was it's usual curt manner.
"Hughes? I didn't do it... I swear!" Neal's voice was barely audible, slurring slightly and sounding petulant like a little boy. Hughes blinked, looking over at Peter and handing the phone back to El with a nod.
"Dammit... he doesn't sound good at all. I already have a crew ready and we're trying to get these idiots to help us clear the debris but the foreman is arguing they can't do anything till the dust settles. I told him hell, our man's in there!"
Peter couldn't help but smile ever so slightly, Hughes nodding with his own smile.
"I'm ready to dig him out with my bare hands if that helps."
()()()
It took another 20 minutes before a herd of earth moving equipment showed and the FBI started moving out to clear the area. They had a general idea where Neal might be under the rubble. The foreman stood aside allowing the Feds to do their thing, Peter noting the smug look on the man's face. Something bothered him about it but all he was thinking about at the moment was getting Neal out of the ground. As they stood aside for the rescue crew, a limo pulled up just outside the site. A man dressed in blue jeans and a white linen shirt slipped out of the vehicle and walked in like he owned the place. Peter nudged Jones, Hughes walking over. The man noticed Peter first, smiling in a falsely kind manner.
"Agent Burke. So nice to see you again." The man's tone was facetious as he glanced down his nose at him. Hughes stepped closer, his smile wide, an expression Peter and Jones had learned to avoid.
"Mr. Farrold, I wanted to thank you for cooperating considering the circumstances." Hughes kept his voice even but Peter could see that vein pulsing in his boss' neck. He didn't trust the man any more than the rest of them. Farrold nodded stiffly, by all appearances cooperating with them.
"I'm glad to be of help. If someone is trapped beneath the rubble, I'd like to know how they got there. I wouldn't want the responsibility of knowing I didn't help the FBI find their man." He seemed to emphasize that last part making Peter's eyes narrow. Farrold just smiled stiffly at him, his hazel eyes flashing with some hidden agenda.
"If you need any more assistance, please feel free to contact me. I just stopped by to make sure everything was satisfactory." He saw the nod from Hughes, giving Peter a quick knowing glance before turning with a slight nod of his head and leaving. They all watched the man enter his limo and leave, the tension in the air obvious. Hughes turned to Peter, patting him gently on the shoulder.
"Let's go find Caffrey."
()()()
Peter was on the sidelines watching the rescue and construction crews clearing out the rubble. They were all taking turns talking to Neal and trying their best to keep him conscious. Mozzie even walked out with them, his nervousness tenfold from the amount of Feds around. He mumbled slightly to himself but seemed to calm some when he realized why they were there. He knew they were trying to help Neal.
"Neal? It's Peter..." He waited for a reply, the silence there again.
"NEAL?" He spoke loudly, waiting for a reply and relaxing once he heard a weak cough on the other end.
"Pe..." The young man wasn't able to finish his sentence but he was trying at least.
"We're digging you out. They've already dug out a good story of debris. They're getting closer. Just hang on. Ok?" He thought he heard Neal reply, imagining the young man's face nodding. Peter tried not to imagine what his partner must be going through down there. He felt El's arms around him as she leaned against him.
"O...k..." Neal's voice was starting to sound a bit staticy. Peter wondering what that meant.
"Neal?" He heard a beeping in the background looking at Mozzie's phone but it wasn't his making that noise.
"Neal... is your phone beeping? Neal?"
()()()
Neal felt the tightness in his chest growing with each breath. It was getting harder for him to talk much less breathe. He was having flashbacks to the vault when he passed out looking for the kill switch. He tried not to think about it concentrating on talking to Peter, El and Mozzie. They were trying their best to keep him calm and awake even if he was feeling a bit unsure why. His mind was feeling a bit hazy, partially from being drugged and chloroformed and partially from the pain he felt. It was all he could do to remain alert, shifting his weight as he felt his limbs falling asleep again.
"Neal... is your phone beeping? Neal?" Peter was talking to him but the sound was staticy, quieter. He shook his head a bit but it wasn't him. That's when he noticed the beeping sound. It was soft but it was there and he peered down at the cell display. The battery indicator was down to barely one bar.
"Peter... I only have... one bar left." He gave a little cough, gazing at the battery indicator with a bit of fear. Once the cell died he'd be bathed in darkness and silence again. He shivered at the thought.
"Neal... if the phone... we're coming to get you. Ok? Just hold on." Peter's voice sounded calm despite the worry he knew his friend was feeling. He smiled, leaning his head on one shoulder tiredly.
"Ok... I trust you, Peter. I..." the phone suddenly went dead, the light fading to black. Neal could still see a kind of 'after image' of the glow even as the darkness returned. His heart started to race ever so slightly, his chest feeling tighter as he felt panic set in. His pulse started to rise as he heard as well as felt the rock shifting around him like some gigantic beast. Some of the rock pressed up to him from the safe opening, his little bit of room closing him in further. Neal started to feel more claustrophobic, feeling around the small space blindly as his anxiety rose.
"Peter? PETER!" He screamed his voice loud in the small space. He beat on the side of the safe in the darkness, panic filling his tired mind and body till he couldn't move anymore. He slumped; knees pulled tightly to his chest and closed his eyes. He felt himself shiver from exhaustion, body feeling colder than it ever had.
"Peter..." his voice trailed off weakly as he started to pass out. He could feel the rock shifting around him, the safe moving slightly. He paid no attention, his eyes shut tightly. He felt his body relax, a sense of unnatural calm overcoming him as he fell into unconsciousness.
()()()
Someone was nudging him. Neal rolled over, giving a sleepy sound of protest but the nudging continued. He opened his eyes and looked up to see a set of blue eyes looking back at him under long dark lashes and hair. He blinked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he sat up.
"Kate?" Neal looked around seeing for the first time where he was. She smiled at him, her hands gently grasping his.
"Hey sleepy head. Aren't you going to be late for work?" Her voice was facetious, eyes flashing playfully at him as she lowered her face to his and kissed him. It felt real… Neal pulling her closer and kissing her back.
"Work? Uhm…" He tried to remember what kind of job he would be getting up for, his mind a blank. She laughed in a light manner, poking him in the shoulder.
"Your new job at the museum. You told me you were working in the gift shop." She kissed him again, rolling out of bed as he looked at her in surprise. Kate was wearing one of his shirts, the hem barely covering her legs, sleeves a bit too big on her and rolled up. He smiled forgetting everything and followed her, grabbing her around the waist.
"Work can wait a few minutes. Let's go get something from that little café down the road." He saw her nod as they walked over to the bathroom.
()()()
Neal looked down at his watch; it was a quarter till 9. He had a feeling he needed to be at the museum by then. Something told him it was important he be there. Kate looked at him with a knowing glance, reaching over to kiss him.
"Bring me back a souvenir?" She winked at him, Neal nodding as he hugged and kissed her back.
Neal watched her turn the corner and wave, walking back to their loft before he hailed a cab and slipped inside.
"The MoMA." Neal saw the cabbie nod, the vehicle moving back into traffic. He leaned back in the seat and stared out at the scenery as it passed. He started slightly as something buzzed in his pocket. Neal reached in and pulled out his cell, pushing it to his ear.
"Was wondering when you were getting up. Been calling you all morning. Kate there?" Mozzie's voice sounded a slight bit irritated, Neal shaking his head.
"No. She walked home. We had breakfast at that café around the corner and I'm headed your way. Need a lift?" Neal leaned back a bit more, a sleepy yawn escaping.
"I'm good. Actually… There's been a slight change of plans; mostly why I'm calling. I broke my arm so I'm out. It's just you and Axel now. Sorry, Neal." Mozzie's nasally voice sounded disappointed if nothing else. Neal nodded.
"What happened, Mozz? We really needed you on this. I don't know that I trust this Axel guy to have my back." Neal was sitting up now, a frown on his handsome face. He heard Mozz moving around on the other side.
"Not my fault. Idiot in a car hit me. I'm getting paid handsomely for not pursuing the case. Possibility more in the future if you know what I mean." Mozzie sounded happy despite everything. He had a way of finding money like nobody else.
"I'm glad you're ok. So how long till the cast comes off? Maybe I'll walk over and sign it when I get done with this." Neal smirked to himself feeling the vehicle slowing down and seeing the MoMA across the street.
"Sounds like a plan, Neal. Break a leg… well you know what I mean." Mozz sounded as positive as he could. He never liked missing a good heist but it was unavoidable this time. Neal sighed and nodded.
"Just get better. I'll see you later."
()()()
Neal walked into the Museum of Modern Art, smiling with his usual charm at the female docents at the front. They were all young women, two of them blushing and giggling like school girls when he passed. This might be easier than he thought. He kept walking till he made it to the gift shop and entered, a tall young man with dirty blond hair and green eyes looking up at him curiously.
"You're late." The young man hissed loud enough for Neal to hear. He pretended to be looking at a set of notepads with famous art prints on the front.
"How much are these? My girlfriend might like one." He smiled brightly at the other man who was obviously stocking the shop for business.
"Four dollars but I suggest you get her the Mona Lisa one. Everyone finds her smile enigmatic." The young man grinned despite his earlier warning, digging into a box and pulling out a notepad with Mona Lisa on it, handing it to Neal.
"I'll key it up for you." The clerk started towards the counter and cash register, Neal following. He had already pocketed what was hidden in the notepad, pushing it onto the counter.
"I think I may come back for this. I wanted to check out the exhibits first. Can you hold this for me?" He saw the clerk nod.
"Thanks."
()()()
At least Axel had come through. He had passed him the key and now Neal just had to do his part. It would have been easier if Mozzie was here but he would have to worry about that later.
Neal casually strolled through the exhibits till he found the place he needed to be. He waited till the docents and guard passed then slipped into the small alcove and pushed the key into the hidden slot. The wall popped open revealing a passage into the back of the museum. He smiled to himself and disappeared inside.
"You took long enough!" The voice startled him a moment before he returned to his façade of calm and frowned at the figure. It was Axel.
"So where is it?" Axel sounded anxious, Neal making a calming motion as he opened up his jacket and pulled out an envelope and handed it over. Axel opened it up and smiled.
"Some of your best work I think. We'll need a few more copies if you think you can handle it?" The man sounded happy, Neal smiling.
"I can handle it. Just get me the cash you promised. Kate's nervous since the last job. I want to take her somewhere away from here. New York's getting a bit too confining." Neal ran his hand through his hair, combing it back and feeling a slight flutter of nervousness in his stomach.
"You'll get your cash. He'll be happy with your work. Now, go back around here till you see a green door and exit. No cameras there either. No one should be the wiser." They shook hands briefly, Neal following Axel's directions and exiting the museum soon after. He had done it… he had actually forged the bond and passed it. He and Kate would have their money and be out of this city… out of this state and on their way to another life, another country even. He felt excited, hailing a cab and slipping inside.
()()()
Neal's first stop was at Central Park. He wandered a few paths till he found the bench he was looking for. A small mousy looking man with glasses and what could only called vintage chic, sat there throwing crumbs to the birds with one hand, the other in a hard white cast. Neal sat opposite him, giving a little yawn, speaking through the side of his mouth.
He leaned back, legs crossed casually as he looked up at the trees overhead, relaxed. Mozzie smiled slightly, still looking ahead and throwing crumbs, a group of pigeons gathering. People walked by the bench, watching Mozzie and the birds more than Neal.
"Bonds are a good thing to have between people." He said it quietly, continuing to throw out crumbs as they sat there. Finally, Mozzie wiped off his hands and stood up, walking past a small grove of trees. Neal stood up not too soon after and went around the other way and they met up.
"How's the arm?" Neal looked at Mozzie's cast, his face obviously worried. He noticed the bandage on his friend's forehead and some other minor bruises and scratches.
"Nothing a little cash can't cure. I told you, it's taken care of." Mozzie sounded confident despite the slightly pained look when he moved his arm. Neal nodded, pulling out a pen. Mozzie looked up at him.
"Hey, I promised. What do you want me to draw, write…"