Alter Ego 4
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Neal looked back briefly to see smoke and debris billowing after him. In his mind's eye he saw the plane exploding. Someone was dragging him away, pulling him along the alleyway towards the sounds of traffic. He was in shock, memories flooding back to him slowly filling the void that had been there only moments ago. He didn't notice much of his surroundings as he let himself be pulled along.
Neal barely noticed the honk of a car horn as he felt someone grasp his arm and shake him gently as he was pulled out of the way.
"Hey, come on!" It was Sam. Neal nodded absently as the man pulled him out of the street and across to the other end.
(Wait a second!)
El sighed frustratedly as they parked along the street to get out of the traffic detoured by the fire. Peter looked upset as he stepped out of the vehicle and glanced up the street. Black smoke could be seen rising up above the buildings. El stayed in the car calling to her husband.
"Peter get back inside! I'm sure he wasn't..." Peter nodded without really paying attention, his eyes watching the smoke in the distance and the people milling around. The agent gave a sigh starting to slip back into the car when he perked up.
"Michael?" He saw a man running past him, then stop a few yards away. Peter closed the car door and started after the figure till he was able to reach out and touch them on the shoulder. The man turned around looking surprised.
"Burke? What are..." Michael suddenly had a very odd look on his face, starting to edge away before Peter grasped his arm tightly.
"Michael, what are you doing here?" Peter looked behind the man at the fire and then back again. Michael looked pale suddenly.
"I... I had no idea it was your case they gave me. I'm sorry." Peter blinked at the man unsure of what he was talking about then narrowing his eyes at the other agent.
"You took Neal? Why?" He grabbed the man by both arms looking like he might wring his neck right then and there. He heard El's voice behind him out of breath.
"Peter, what's going on?" She was staring at the other man curiously, face worried at her husband's sudden change to anger. Peter didn't turn around, his face staring at Michael's with controlled rage. The other agent pulled away but stayed within a few feet, his face turning to see the fire down the street.
"Burke, my brother was in that building with your con." Peter looked livid but he nodded and pointed back at the car.
"Get in." His tone didn't leave much room for Michael to shake his head at so they moved back to the vehicle, El getting in the passenger seat this time, Michael in the back. Peter pulled the car back out into traffic. If he wasn't awake before, he was now. Peter rubbed at his eyes off and on as he gripped the steering wheel like a driver at a demolition derby. He looked tense.
"Burke..." Peter turned briefly, his glare shutting the man up. El looked at her husband then back at the man confused but said nothing. The traffic was getting worse as it was detoured from the fire ahead. Peter took a side street around to get closer to the actual incident.
"Burke... I didn't do this. Someone else got involved." Peter looked into the rear-view mirror at the man, brown eyes narrowing.
"Who else was involved?" Michael gulped as he was pinned by that look.
"Michael! Who ELSE was involved?!" Peter turned around, looking like he was ready to jump into the back seat when El grabbed his arm and screamed.
"Peter, watch out!!!" He turned, hitting the brake hard as two people ran out of an alleyway in front of his car. He felt his pulse racing as the car jerked to a stop barely a foot or so from the pedestrians. Peter glanced up as Michael spoke from the back.
"Sam?" Michael was pointing to the pedestrians they nearly hit who were rushing across to the right and onto the sidewalk. Peter gawked.
"Neal? Neal!" Peter pulled the car over, took off his seat-belt and jumped out the car. Michael was a few steps behind him as they ran across the street and followed the two fleeing figures.
"Neal!" Peter was shouting but with the sirens nearby, traffic mess and people the young man didn't hear him. Michael was shouting too. They made their way up the street till Michael grasped Peter's arm and pointed.
"Crap... They found your con." Peter looked as a black sedan cruised up the street towards Neal and Sam.
"Friends of yours?" Michael nodded reluctantly.
"Look, they threatened to kill my brother when I found out who Caffrey really was. That's why I was headed this way. Truce?" Peter nodded after a moment and they shook.
"Let's hurry."
(Means to an end)
Neal barely noticed the car that almost hit him as Sam dragged him across the street. They ducked onto the sidewalk and blended into the crowd. Neal noticed a black sedan creeping along the street towards them. He pulled Sam into a nearby alleyway but the car sped up to pursue. Neal pulled Sam along this time as the vehicle started to close in.
"NEAL!" He paused a moment thinking he was hearing things. Peter? He didn't have time to turn as the black sedan came in for the kill. Neal saw his only opportunity for escape as a small side alley came up. He pushed Sam into the space meaning to follow but his little pause had cost him. The car clipped him and he flipped up onto the hood of the vehicle and rolled off to the left into a pile of trashcans. Neal thought he heard some shots ring out as the car sped up down the alley then braked some yards ahead.
"Neal!" He heard approaching footsteps and turned his head to see Sam across the alleyway looking petrified. Neal saw Michael, the man who had shot him, run up to Sam and grab the man by the arm. Michael was holding a gun. Neal wanted to get up and help Sam but his body refused to move. He was surprised to see the two men hugging. It looked like Michael was relieve to see his brother. Something had changed.
"Sam, I'm sorry." Neal could just make out the words Michael said as he noticed a figure crouched down beside him. He felt someone touch his shoulder gently. He looked up and saw a familiar face.
"Peter? I'm not dreaming am I?" He saw Peter shake his head and smile as broadly as he'd ever seen him smile.
"Good..." Neal felt himself smiling back up before his face went slack and his eyes started to roll back into his head. Peter shook him gently, his expression worried.
"Neal? Neal wake up!" Peter tried to wake the young man up when he noticed a little red dot hovering over Neal's forehead. He turned to see the black sedan still braked a few yards ahead and someone pointing a high powered rifle at them. Peter didn't have time to move or anything to hide behind. They were sitting ducks.
"Peter get down!" Michael stepped out of the side alley, his pistol raised and ready. He pointed it at the man with the rifle who just stared at him blankly from behind a pair of shiny sunglasses. Peter pulled himself and Neal behind one of the trashcans as he held himself protectively over his unconscious partner.
"I'm not going to do this anymore!" Michael's voice carried across the alleyway. Sam started to peek out despite his frightened look but Michael hissed at him to stay back.
"Put the rifle down!" Michael kept calling at the man but the red dot now hovered over the back of Peter's head.
"Peter!" Michael turned briefly at the sound of Elizabeth Burke calling from behind them. She was at the mouth of the alley with what looked like Jones and a few other agents. Peter peered up from where he lay on the ground protecting Neal, his face tense.
It all happened so fast.
Jones and the other agents came running up the alleyway towards them, guns ready. Michael turned back, gun cocked as he saw the man with the rifle start to shoot.
Peter ducked flat against the ground with Neal protected beneath him waiting for the kill shot to come. He heard it and flinched but didn't feel any pain. He turned and saw Michael was standing over him, gun still raised, but he seemed to be shaking ever so slightly. He heard another report as Michael's gun went off. Peter turned and saw the rifleman still staring blankly at them but then slump over to the ground. As if someone had cut a rope, Michael suddenly collapsed to the alley floor. The sound of car tires squealing off into the distance was heard as the black sedan took off without the dead shooter.
"Michael?" Sam had run out finally and knelt beside his brother nudging him.
"Wake up... Michael!" Peter sat up, Neal's head leaning against his shoulder limply. He tried to look and see how Michael was but the agent wasn't moving, eyes opened only part way and staring. Peter looked up as Jones approached and made a motion towards Neal. Peter just sighed in frustration.
"Neal's unconscious. He was hit by the sedan." Jones nodded looking over at Michael and Sam.
"An ambulance should be on its way. What happened here? I didn't realize OPR was involved." Peter started to tell him about Sam calling him to pick up Neal and the fire and how he saw Michael on the street. Neal and Sam showed up followed by the mysterious black sedan.
"If Hughes wasn't livid about the Fowler thing... He will be about this. How is he?" Peter looked saddened as he glanced over at Michael. Sam had finally looked up from his brother, his hands covered in blood. He looked like he was going to be sick.
"I don't... he's not moving!" Jones moved over and felt for a pulse and breath. Michael moved slightly for the first time, breath sounding somewhat wet. He coughed and blood came out on the pavement. His eyes stared directly at Peter Burke.
"Peter... I'm sorry. Tell Neal..." Michael coughed again and more blood came up. Sam turned pale and moved away from the scene to throw up in a nearby trashcan. Jones put a jacket over the hurt agent, trying to make him more comfortable. He looked at Peter with a shake of his head.
"It's ok, Michael. I think you're about even." Michael stared up at Peter and smiled faintly.
"Been a while... seeing you... Academy days." Michael coughed again, more blood coming up and Peter looked worried at his friend but tried to smile regardless.
"Yeah. We'll have to catch up. Hey, I think I hear the ambulance, Michael. Hold on." Michael nodded faintly, his eyes starting to close, body shuddering ever so slightly. Sam had returned and was holding his brother's hand.
The ambulance made its way up the alley and stopped only a few feet away before the EMTs swarmed out and started to check Neal and Michael.
"We're losing him. Defrib!" Peter watched helplessly as they worked not only on Neal but on Michael. Neal was doing ok but Michael seemed to be losing the fight. Peter made his way over and grasped the other agent's hand and leaned over to whisper.
"I forgive you, Michael. Stay with us." He thought he felt a squeeze back but they pulled him away to work on the agent. Neal was already in the ambulance, an IV in his left arm, head wrapped in gauze and right arm in a sling. His chest moved up and down as he breathed a wheezy raspy breath. Neal was going to make it. Peter patted the young man on the head gently, speaking to him softly before they made him leave the vehicle.
"Ok, he's stable. Let's get him in the back!" Peter moved away as they pushed Michael along side Neal and the doors closed. Peter just stared, El hugging him as the ambulance moved away back down the alley. He leaned his head against her shoulder and looked like he might just cry. Jones and the other agents had put their arms away and were investigating the dead shooter. Another ambulance showed up to take care of the body. Sam continued to kneel in the alleyway, face pale. Peter turned when the man started to speak.
"Michael... is he going to be ok?" Sam looked devastated. Peter held out a hand and pulled the man to his feet.
"We'll give you a ride to the hospital. Ok?" Sam was in shock but he nodded slightly and let them lead him out of the alley after Peter let Jones know they were going. One of the agents accompanied them as they exited onto the street.
(Alls well that ends well...)
Neal woke up feeling like a train had run him over. He had slept for about 4 days before he finally woke up groggy and somewhat at peace with himself. He had been dreaming about when he had been kidnapped by Wilkes. It had been scary but he had made it through and in the end he had managed to repay a debt. Maybe his karma wasn't as good as it should be but he had done good. Even Peter had said so which meant it had to be true.
"How are you feeling?" A sleepy voice spoke from the right as Neal slowly turned his head and glanced over at the source. It was Peter. The agent leaned back against the sofa. His face looked tired, eyes pinkish. Neal tried to nod but winced. He hadn't hurt his neck in a major way but they had put him in a small brace to keep it still.
"I've felt better. How's... Sam?" Peter stood up from the sofa and stretched, walking over and taking a seat at the chair beside the bed.
"He's worrying about Michael. Man took a bullet for us." Neal blinked glancing at his friend curiously.
"We're talking about the same man who tried to kill me?" Peter nodded but he saw that Neal's expression had darkened a bit though his eyes betrayed a hint of curiosity.
"Why would he take a bullet for me? He blamed me for all the ills of the world." His voice sounded sullen, a flush coming to his face as he stared up at the ceiling. What had he done to deserve the trust of someone who found him unworthy to live just hours before? Neal sighed.
"Michael realized what he did was wrong. They tricked him into it. He didn't know you were with me." Neal shook his head, his face furrowed in a deep frown.
"So if he had known you were my partner, things would have been different? Why would that make him hesitate?" The young man sounded angry if not annoyed. Peter patted him gently on the arm.
"We were at the academy together. He's always been an idealist like me. Two people from the same mold only he had more of a reason to be there. We were both looking to fight the good fight but he had a major stake. His father had been duped by the kinds of white collar criminals we were going to be putting away. Michael was scarred. His father took his own life because of what happened." Neal looked at his friend in disbelief, his face paling.
"He said I didn't deserve to live. Now I understand why. I..." Neal felt his eyes grow moist at the thought of everything Michael and Sam must have gone through after their father's death. The hatred Michael had to have allowed to simmer and grow throughout his life till someone had given him Neal as an outlet for his anger. It was the blind fury of a young man who had lost his father and never forgave those who had lead him to his death that had caused Michael to go after Neal. Someone had chosen to exploit the man's weakness and use it to get rid of him.
"Neal... I'm sorry. I didn't want to tell you but you needed to know why." Peter sighed and leaned back tiredly in the chair as Neal mulled what he had learned. After what seemed a long uncomfortable silence, Neal grasped at his friend's hand.
"How is he? Michael?" Neal's blue eyes showed concern, the anger he had felt a slight glimmer now. Peter shook his head.
"I don't know. He's still in ICU last I checked. Sam has been by his side the whole week." Neal sighed.
"You hadn't seen him in a while?" Peter shook his head, rubbing at his eyes. The agent looked exhausted.
"No. Mostly why I was surprised he was around when I went looking for you." He would have said more but the door to the room opened and El peeked in. She carried what appeared to be bags with take-out and some cups of coffee. She clucked her tongue at Peter then looked up and smiled happily surprised at Neal.
"You're awake!" She hurried over, placing the bags and coffee on the table by the sofa before she gave the young man a quick but gentle hug. Neal smiled back.
"Yeah. Peter's been catching me up on things." He made a little move to stretch a bit and winced. His body was still pretty sore from everything that had happened. Atleast he was conscious of who he was again and was back among friends. El smiled sweetly at him.
"Well, he's going to have to finish talking to you after he eats and sleeps a bit. Come over here Peter." Neal saw Peter roll his eyes slightly but nod obediently as he rose out of the chair.
"My wife speaks, and I obey. Oh, coffee!" Peter looked a little lively as he saw the cup and reached for it. He slumped down onto the sofa and sipped at the brew with half opened eyes. El was sitting beside him, brushing at his hair. She stood up after a moment and made her way to Neal's bedside.
"Sam told me to tell you, Thanks. Said you rescued him from a burning building?" Neal flushed a bit, blue eyes staring at the ceiling. He felt a hand take hold of his chin and gently move his head down till his eyes met hers.
"Don't be shy about it. He was very appreciative. Says he told Michael and that's what changed his whole attitude about you." Neal blinked and nodded, her hand letting go as she kissed him lightly on the forehead. He blushed this time.
"Now did you need anything before I make Mr Grumpy here sleep?" Neal looked at her then at Peter who seemed be drinking coffee in his sleep.
"No, I think I'm good. Just tell Mr Grumpy he's about to drop that cup into his lap." El turned around to see her husband slumping to the side, coffee cup slipping out of his hand. She grabbed it just in time and laid it on the table. El pushed a cushion under Peter's head and lay him down across the sofa. He looked rather peaceful.
"He hasn't slept much if any since you went missing." Neal glanced over at his friend and smiled slightly.
"Well, even when I didn't know who I was, he was in my head like my own personal Jimminy Cricket." El turned and smiled back.
"Really? You should tell him that sometime." Neal shook his head.
"No way. I'll never hear the end of him asking if I've followed my conscience today." El was about to answer back when a familiar voice piped out:
"Just don't give a little whistle unless you mean it." They both blinked looking down at Peter who promptly started to snore softly.
(The End)