(Chapter 10)
Mozzie was surprised to show up at the Suit's home and find Satchmo laying on the back stoop. He hadn't expected to find the yellow lab outside without El or Peter but that only made him realize something must be wrong. He quietly approached the sleeping dog who suddenly twitched and yawned as Satch became aware of him. Languid puppy eyes looked up at him cautiously then closed again as Mozzie drew nearer and gently petted the dog. The animal whimpered slightly before those eyes looked back up at him and Mozzie just couldn't walk away.
"Fine... but you owe me, mutt."
He saw the dog blink up at him, licking at his hand a bit as Mozzie felt both a disgust and comfort from the act. He was a germ-a-phobe most definitely but the dog was sweet enough and he wanted to help. He pulled out his cell as he continued to pet the animal and phoned Peter's cell but got the Suit's voice mail. He dialed the Burkes' home phone which he heard plainly from behind the door. He got their answering machine which he could hear beeping inside. Nobody was home. He thought about El's phone but remembered she was out at an event. The Suit would have been home alone. Mozzie sighed as he called a number he hoped to never call again.
"Jones, FBI."
Mozzie looked at the dog then sighed and answered.
"Junior Suit... I have news but most of all, I think you may want to come visit your boss' home. I found his dog in the backyard."
He heard movement on the other side and then the sound of a door closing.
"Mozzie? Uhm, what are you doing at Peter's home? Is he there?"
The con shook his head but he hadn't gone inside yet.
"I don't know. I came to visit and found Satchmo outside by the backdoor. I think you should come here and fast. I have a bad feeling."
He heard a confirmation from the agent before they hung up and he sat there with the dog. Satchmo yawned again, sitting up after a moment and seeming a bit more alert but wobbly.
"Junior Suit will be here soon. Hopefully everything's ok but let me get you something to eat, ok?"
The dog seemed to perk up at that but with a growling sound that made him nervous. Satchmo never growled.
"Did someone feed you something bad, Satchmo?"
The dog cocked his head at him curiously which made Mozzie wonder about something as he asked his next question. He obviously had no problems talking to the mutt.
"Was Neal here?"
At the sound of his friend's name, Satchmo whined then growled a little confirming Mozzie's suspicions. Neal's alter ego had showed up and done something. Maybe he should break in and see. He petted the dog on the head and stood.
"Thanks for the info, Satch."
()()()
Peter had sensed his body slow down, heart beating down to a mere beat, his breath nil if anything. Someone was talking to him, shaking him but he couldn't respond.
Honey... wake up.
Peter... come on, wake up.
He was suddenly sitting up on the sofa at home, El by his side as he looked around and tried to remember something.
"El? I thought... weren't you at a party?"
She nodded smiling at him.
"You're dreaming, silly. Of course I'm at the party. You need to remember what happened."
He nodded as she hugged him and he leaned against her, El's fingers gently brushing at his hair. It relaxed him as they sat on the sofa in their home and tried to think. She was always the sensible one and helped him to think.
"I don't remember anything. You went to the party, I took a nap. I was watching TV. Did you come back early?"
She shook her head, pointing at the stairs.
"Peter, you need to remember what happened. It's important."
Her voice sounded different to him but he couldn't explain how as he nodded obediently and stood, going up the stairs. Suddenly he had a flash of memory. Peter was calling for Satchmo but didn't find the lab in their home. He was about to go downstairs when...
"El, I... remember."
He looked around as he walked back down the stairs and found his wife missing. He walked around the kitchen but she was gone.
"El? Honey?"
Maybe she went outside? He checked the front door first but the car was still there. He went back in as he closed it and checked the back door. He was opening it up when a flash of light blinded him and he shrunk back, eyes squinting.
Peter felt a pain in his head, coughing as air rushed back into his lungs and his body came back to consciousness. He was one big ache, his arm he'd had in the sling laying at his side loosely while the other was across his chest moving up and down with each inhalation as he fought to draw air into his lungs. He had been choking, the air thin. It was dark and someone had been talking to him. He tried to think as his eyes finally focused and he realized he was staring blankly upwards, blurry blue and white above him. Peter's brown eyes finally focused on the scenery above and he realized it was a projected view of sky with clouds on the ceiling above. Why was he looking at a false sky. He wasn't in a planetarium.
"El?"
He had been talking to his wife last he recalled and then... no he had been dreaming he was talking to her, a voice distracting him as he heard something about "ashes to ashes... dust to dust." Why did that sound familiar? Peter pushed himself up to a semi-sitting position, the voice playing in the background as he remembered something about a pine box and Neal. Neal... He was supposed to be looking for him and then...
He pushed himself up to his feet, wobbling some as he looked and saw the box he had been in now lowered into the table he was leaning against. The control panel at the far side was on and operating without anyone there as he stumbled towards it and saw there was an indicator marked empty where air supply was. Dammit!
"Neal?"
He didn't see the young man anywhere but knew where he might be as he found the override button and heard the casket start to rise up till it sat on the table. How long had he been out? He'd been in the same box and then... he didn't remember anything as he tried to think back, his body and chest still aching from the memory. He saw a splatter of blood where the IV had been in his arm in the box. Neal had put him there but it wasn't Neal who had done it. The young man wouldn't hurt him but this other persona, Nick had. He waited as the box unlocked and he popped it open seeing the still but serene form of his friend inside.
"No... Neal, wake up! Come on buddy."
He slapped his friend's face gently, trying to rouse the young man as he heard a low groan and finally a wheeze. He pulled the young man up, removing the IV and holding him in his arms tightly as he placed the con on the floor and continued to try and wake him.
"Come on, Neal. Wake up! Let me know you're there."
He was remembering something now, a faint memory of someone talking to him but he had thought it a dream. Neal had been talking to him, not Nick, but he couldn't respond and had passed out. Now Neal needed him, at least he hoped his friend had come out of this in one piece. He couldn't understand how Neal had gotten into the casket but he knew why. Neal started to rouse, eyes fluttering open to look at him before they closed, the young man's body relaxed and limp. Peter felt a strong pulse and shallow breath indicating Neal was indeed alive. Exhaustion fell over him as he felt the adrenaline rush that had allowed him to react starting to recede. They needed help but his cell wasn't on him. He looked around the room and noted a phone in the far left corner. Peter left Neal on the floor as comfortably as he could before crawling towards the phone. He reached up and pulled the receiver down, dialing a familiar number.
"Jones..."
()()()
The agent didn't know what to think when Mozzie had called him. He said he was at his Peter's home and the dog had been found outside. For one thing, Satchmo was an inside dog. He that much. Secondly, something had to be up if Mozzie was calling him at all. Jones would definitely to look into it, assuring Neal's friend as he hung up and tried Peter's cell. He got the voice mail so he tried their home phone. Same thing. Jones was feeling antsy now but he wasn't sure he should be calling Elizabeth just yet, Peter home resting from his recently injuries and she out at an event she was catering. Maybe he could wait a bit longer, go and check out their residence... His cell rang again, an unfamiliar number.
"Jones..."
He heard heavy breathing at first then a familiar but raspy voice.
"Clin... ton. It's Peter. We're... we... need help."
His eyes widened realizing who was calling as he immediately tried to trace the number, writing it down and plugging it into the computer.
"Boss? Hey... take it easy and talk slow. Where are you?"
His eyes went to the PC screen and waited for the program to find the source of the number. It was rushing through several sequences before beeping a confirmation. They had not been able to get hold of the owner for the building they had thought Neal had been taken to only a few days earlier so no search warrant had been given. Now they had proof of his if not Peter's being there, the number matching the building across from the one they had been monitoring as he made a motion to Diana and waved her over.
"Sorens...sonsss... lab. Tunn... nnels."
Jones nodded as he tried to keep his boss alert and on the line. Diana walked over when she saw his frantic look. He covered the phone a moment as Peter spoke, telling Diana what was going on as she started to prepare for what needed to be done.
"Go talk to Hughes. We need that search warrant."
He saw her nod back as he kept talking to Peter on the line.
"We'll be there soon, Peter. Is Neal with you?"
He heard a raspy cough and then movement and breath before an answer.
"Yeah... he's hurt... too. Send... a... bus."
Jones nodded as he looked up at Hughes' office and watched Diana talking to him. The senior agent was nodding his head in agreement at her, eyes meeting Clinton's for a moment before he was on the phone and obviously getting them that warrant. Diana left, the sound of Reese yelling in his usual manner heard briefly as she came back down and stood beside him.
"He's talking to a judge about the warrant. How is Peter?"
He shrugged, listening to the raspy breath as his boss spoke to him.
"Not that great. Go check out the Burke residence. Find out where Elizabeth is if you have to but don't... don't contact her till we've found Peter and Neal. I'll take some agents with me once Hughes has the warrant. Mozzie is there."
She winced at that tidbit but nodded knowing it was all to help Peter and Neal. Diana headed out with another couple of agents in tow as Jones stayed on the line with their boss.
()()()
Diana reached the Burke home and found the front door locked. She told one agent to wait there while she went around the back with the other one and found Mozzie sitting by the backdoor with Satchmo. Oddly enough she found him chatting with the mutt which in fact didn't surprise her all that much. The little guy was weird enough.
"I'm sure the Suit and his wife will get you that ball you wa... Lady Suit! Uhm, hi?"
He was looking up at her kind of surprised she thought despite his strange conversation with the Burkes' yellow lab. She rolled her eyes and nodded, pointing at the back door.
"Is it open or have you been sitting here waiting for us?"
Mozzie stood up, brushing at his pants as he shrugged at her.
"I figured it was safer to wait for the Feds this once. I think someone drugged Satchmo."
She looked at him curiously, her lips mouthing the word "who" with a query as he shrugged again. Diana sighed nodding at him as she tried the back door and found it unlocked. She had her gun out and ready as she motioned for the other agent to cover her, Mozzie standing outside with Satchmo next to him watching curiously. They rushed inside, Mozzie peering from his spot on the back patio as Agent Barrigan entered her boss' home and the two agents split up looking across the downstairs, kitchen and then upstairs. They opened up the front door letting in the other agent as Diana yelled "clear!" She saw Mozzie peeking inside the backdoor curiously as Satchmo moved inside of his own accord and the little con joined him.
"There's blood here... but Jones knows where Peter is so I don't think we need forensics running all over the place."
Diana was in charge, getting the other agents to follow her lead and check for clues as to who had taken Peter. She glanced at the little guy, remembering that Jones mentioned he had news for them.
"Jones said you had something to tell him. What was it?"
She saw him shrink back a little, obviously intimidated by her tough manner but still trying to act his annoying self to hide it.
"I might have some information on that robbery you think Neal did."
Diana blinked back and nodded, holding up a hand to him to wait a moment while she answered her cell. She blinked giving a confirmation to the caller before hanging up.
"Mozzie, I need you to tell me what you know about the robbery. They just found Peter and Neal."
Mozzie looked relieved at that news as Diana moved him to the dining table and sat him down, waiting for him to talk. He coughed nervously till Satchmo walked over and lay his head on the con's lap. That seemed to relax him.
"Fine, Lady Suit but this is just because it helps Neal."
Diana watched him dig in the ratty messenger bag around his chest, pulling out his laptop to her annoyance but then putting it aside to draw out some papers that seemed to be photos which he lay before her.
"Proof positive it wasn't Neal who hurt that guard."
She looked at him with a curious glance as she drew the pictures towards her and gave them a good look. Diana's eyes widened and then blinked several times as she realized what the images said. She called Jones back after taking some quick snaps and forwarding them to him.
"Jones, yeah... St. Mary's? I'll call his wife. Yes..."
She paused listening before saying more.
"Ok. I just sent you some pictures. They're proof positive Neal was an unwitting bystander at the robbery. Yes. I'll be there soon as I call Elizabeth. No problem."
She hung up and sighed with a sense of relief. They had been worried about Neal for Peter's sake. If he had been guilty of that robbery, their boss might not have the clout to keep him out of prison. He had been found with one piece of evidence but that had been circumstantial at best. He wasn't in his right mind when it happened so they could say someone planted it there. She learned from the best since working with Caffrey. Mozzie was watching her quietly for once as she looked up at him.
"Thank you Mozz. Neal and Peter are at St. Mary's if you want to go visit."
She saw his expression change slightly at the sound of going to a hospital but he simply nodded as he stood and petted Satch briefly.
"I think... I might let June know first. Thank you, Diana."
She blinked as he used her name but just took it as it was before watching him leave out the back door. Satchmo followed as far as the threshold then stopped, watching Mozzie leave as Diana reached down to pet the dog on the head.
"He's an odd one but good. Now, you're coming with me till we have your owner's back home. Ok?"
()()()
Peter had passed out, phone at his ear. He didn't wake up till someone gently nudged him and he found Jones crouched beside him.
"Clinton?"
The agent nodded, pointing back at Neal as two EMTs placed him on a stretcher and two more were coming in towards them. He felt a bit confused at his colleague's presence but smiled tiredly.
"Yeah, we got the search warrant. Didn't know how to get in here at first but Neal showed me how to pick a lock or two. How are you feeling?"
He didn't know how to respond, a numbness having fallen over him from the pain he felt. He was just too exhausted to do more than shrug as the agent nodded back understanding.
"It's ok. We'll get you to the hospital. Diana's headed to your house. Mozzie called from there."
Peter perked up remembering he couldn't find his dog.
"Satch?"
Jones smiled with a comforting pat to his arm.
"He's just fine. Mozzie found him napping in the back. Someone gave him some drugged kibble apparently. Said he was doing just fine. Once Diana calls in we can let her know where you're at so she can go get Elizabeth."
Peter nodded as the other two EMTs approached and he was gently lifted onto the stretcher. He groaned a bit, body one big ache from his original injuries and the fall down the stairs. He didn't blame Neal for that. He hadn't done it consciously but he did have his doubts about the anger Nick had expressed against him. There must be some truth to it if only a little. His thoughts wandered to the half beaten guard at the jewelry store and he let out a sigh which worried Jones.
"I'm fine. Just worrying about Neal. This isn't going to be a walk in the park for him."
Jones nodded as he pulled out his phone and called Diana. Peter listened as the agent told her what had happened. The call was brief as he let her know about the news Mozzie wanted to share and then told her to let Elizabeth know where they were taking Peter and Neal. He hung up as they reached the ambulance.
"I'll meet you there, Peter. I need to call Hughes and let him know how things went."
Peter gave a small nod before leaning back and relaxing as much as he could on the gurney. Neal was beside him on another stretcher, eyes shut firmly. There was stress there despite his relaxed manner. The younger man always looked like a little boy when he was sleeping, face slightly flushed, lips parted as if he were going to speak but still and peaceful despite the tightness around his eyes. There were so many implications still possible even though Neal had not been conscious of his actions. He had kidnapped a Federal agent and tried to kill him, or at least his alter ego had tried. Peter was still wrapping his mind around that one and the robbery. Neal had hit that man hard, his fingerprints at the scene. There was no denying that robbery or crime. He would have to serve time for it and that might mean the end of their partnership. Neal wouldn't be coming out any time soon. It wouldn't be life but battery and his already tenuous parole with Peter and the Bureau didn't help anything. He wouldn't be able to protect the con, friend or not.
()()()
Elizabeth was getting annoyed with her host. His peculiarities were aggravating her despite the tight smile she wore that indicated she might soon tell him where he could shove all his requests. Her cell rang as she excused herself from another of his tirades and went to take the call.
"Burke Premier Events... Who?"
The party was loud so she moved out into the hallway and away from the music as she tried to hear what was being said.
"Diana? Is something wrong?"
She listened, eyes widening as she heard that they had Satchmo in their custody and Peter was at the hospital. She wanted to panic but stayed as calm as she could, nodding stiffly at the cell.
"You're driving up? I'll be right there. Let me grab my purse."
Elizabeth turned to see her client there, Mr. Blanchard. He was holding up a large mirror that was now cracked into several pieces. He looked upset.
"Mrs. Burke... someone broke this on the East side of the room. It's bad luck! My party is sure to be ruined!"
She couldn't stand him anymore, nodding without really listening as she went to get her purse and talked to her assistant about going. Blanchard overheard despite the loud music.
"Leave? You can't leave! There has to be a total of 150 people in the room. With you gone it's... it's an odd number! I can't have any odd numbers. It's bad luck! I paid you good money for a party of my choosing and you aren't giving me..."
She put a hand up to him, making him stop as El calmed enough not to cuss the man out.
"My husband is in the hospital, Feng Shui is a joke, and you need to stop being so damn anal! Enjoy the music and the food. That's why everyone else is here!"
She sighed heavily, grabbing up her purse and waving bye to Yvonne as she left hurriedly. Diana was already outside pulling up as she ran to the dark blue sedan. The agent noticed her harried expression.
"Mr. Feng Shui get on your nerves?"
El blinked then realized Peter must have told her what happened, or Jones. She sighed giving a tired nod of her head.
"A mirror broke of all things and he said if I left it was going to leave him with an odd number which was bad luck. I told him tough I have more important things to deal with and left."
She was uncertain what had happened to her husband. Diana hadn't told her any specifics. He was supposed to be home resting so how had he gotten hurt? Diana must have read her mind.
"Peter's doing well. Jones said he was a little banged up but otherwise ok. He found Neal."
El was relieved at the news and excited they found Neal as well. She leaned back in the seat and tried to relax, worry eating at her but Diana said her husband was ok. She knew she wouldn't lie to her as she felt a comforting hand on her arm.
"He'll be ok. Your husband is a strong man."
El nodded comforted some by Diana's words. They'd been through worse but Peter had always come through stronger than before. This time he'd found Neal and hopefully the young man would be ok. She noticed Diana hadn't said anything more about Neal, much of what was going on with him lately quietly whispered between her husband and his colleagues. She knew he had been confused about some things but that was it. El would ask Peter when she saw him. He would tell her the truth.
()()()
Peter was only slightly conscious, the pain making him slip in and out of exhausted sleep. He thought he heard someone speaking quietly near him despite the noise of the ambulance. His eyes opened and turned to look to his right where Neal lay in an adjacent stretcher murmuring quietly.
"... sorry... forgive... me."
Neal's face looked tight with pain if not anguish of some kind. He wondered what his friend was dreaming about when those blue eyes suddenly popped open and stared around the inside of the ambulance. Neal looked confused if not a little like a deer about to take flight till their eyes met and the young man seemed more surprised than anything. There were no words between them but Peter thought he could read his friend well enough as those blue eyes blinked twice then slowly closed again. The tightness seemed to lighten up a bit after that, Neal's lips parting slightly as he smiled before relaxing back into unconsciousness. Peter sat up as best he could, reaching across the small space as he grasped Neal's hand in his own. His friend's hand was warm but limp in his grasp as he squeezed it gently. He continued to hold Neal's hand till they reached the hospital and were separated as the medics took them to different parts of the ER. Peter watched the figure of his partner disappear around the corner as he was ushered into a curtained area where nurses and doctors were waiting to check on him. The orderlies lifted him up with a wince to a bed, poking at him, checking pulse, respiration, asking what hurt, if he was allergic to anything till his head spun. He was glad to see Jones peek in around the corner, badge flashing so he was allowed access.
It seemed like forever till they had confirmed he had a minor concussion from the fall down the stairs (not related to his previous injury) and that his arm that had hurt before was slightly dislocated. They managed to push it back into place as they put it back into a more secure and comfortable sling than he had worn before. Small cuts and bruises were tended to before they left him alone with the doctor who told him he was ok to go home. Once the doctor had left, Jones walked over to talk to him.
"Hey boss. I have some good news for you."
Peter perked up, sitting up as best he could as his agent walked over.
"Diana's picking up your wife and bringing her here but that's not the news I'm talking about. Here, look for yourself."
Jones handed his cell to him, Peter doing his best to hold the device one handed and also slide through and enlarge the pics. Clinton helped as he felt surprise color his face.
"He didn't do it? Neal, didn't do it!"
Peter heard a shush from other residents in the ward before apologizing and speaking quieter.
"He's innocent. Jones, how did you find this out?"
The agent drew closer, a roll of his eyes indicating it was from an interesting source.
"Neal's little friend. He called me and said he had news. Diana went to see what was up. He was at your house with Satchmo. Someone drugged your dog. Do you remember who took you?"
Peter shuttered his emotions. He knew very well who took him but he wasn't ready to say yet. Nick had done enough damage trying to destroy what little peace Neal had and get rid of the agent. Until he could determine how his partner was, he would keep this to himself.
"They pushed me down the stairs and I was knocked out. Can't remember enough to finger anyone."
Jones nodded obviously believing the lie as Peter felt relief and anxiety from it. Prevarication was not his strong suit but for now he had to protect his friend till he knew what was up. He decided to change the subject.
"Any news on Christophe and Alex?"
The junior agent's face paled some.
"Hughes wanted me to wait and tell you. It was... sudden."
There was a chill to the words that made Peter want to know even more. He gripped his agent's arm as a silent plea till Jones gave in.
"Christophe's dead. Alex had to leave and when she did he went crazy. He grabbed a gun and... one of the hospital guards shot him. It shouldn't have been fatal but they think the shock from what Sorenson did to him stressed him enough his heart stopped. We have her in protective custody for now. Hughes didn't want us to say anything till he knew you were better and Neal was safe."
Peter nodded as he worried about his friend. Would Neal react the same way? His conditioning had been over a shorter period of time but Sorenson had seemed to get into the younger man's psyche quickly. Peter only had brief memories of his time in that contraption, his strength of will keeping him from giving in. He had to think positive. Neal was strong willed. He would pull through. Peter was sure of it.
"Thanks... Jones."
He had paused, a familiar face drawing his attention to the entrance of the ER. Elizabeth stood there looking somewhat anxious. Jones moved away as she neared, excusing himself to go talk with Diana who still hovered near the door. Peter could tell his wife looked nervous, although he wuld bet on worried and upset if anything. She didn't say a word at first, hugging and kissing him gently, eyes falling on his bruises he couldn't see and the sling that was once again around his arm.
"Peter..."
She seems unable to say much more as he held her with his good arm and kisses her back. They stay that way a while before he answers her.
"Doctor said I'm fine. Just banged up a bit. I just need to sign the papers and then I can go home. I was waiting... to hear about Neal."
Peter watched the expression on her face relax some but still a worry crept in when he mentioned his charge, friend and partner. She seemed to sense what he was thinking.
"Did Neal do this?"
She kept her voice low, both looking side-long at the agents they considered friends. He wanted to lie but finally nodded. He heard El's breath catch at the revelation.
"It wasn't him, El. You know that. He's not..."
He wasn't sure he was convincing but she nodded, smiling a tight smile as if they were discussing the weather or something.
"I know or you wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be here. I'll get that paperwork for you to sign. I'm glad you're ok, hon."
She hugged him gently before standing up again and moving to catch a passing nurse who took her outside from his view. He felt badly for her most of all. Neal was their friend and they both trusted him but Sorenson had defiled that trust with his meddling. Was their friend going to be whole when he woke up? Christophe didn't survive what little therapy he'd been given even with Alex's help but he had been brainwashed for years. Did time matter when they weren't sure what had happened? Peter had an idea what the young man had endured having been in that box. He hated thinking about it, most of it a fuzzy memory he hoped would stay away as he sat up with a groan, Diana and Jones coming over to sit with him.
"Boss... how are you feeling?"
Diana looked relieved to see him as he nodded at her.
"I'm fine. Any news on Neal yet? Nobody's come back to tell me anything."
Both agents shrugged as Jones went to look for a nurse or doctor, Diana staying with Peter.
"Mozzie proved useful, odd as he is. You won't believe what I caught him doing when I reached your house."
Peter wondered if he wanted to know motioning with his good hand to just tell him.
"He was chatting with Satchmo."
He blinked back as she nodded with a roll of her eyes. Mozzie talking to Satchmo. This was definitely not normal but he could tell she had more to say as he resisted a barb.
"The weird thing is, I think your dog was communicating back."
Peter wiped at his face with his one good hand smiling slightly before he chuckled. Maybe it was just the stress but he found it funny despite everything, leaning back and trying to think of Satch and Mozzie and what they'd talk about. It wasn't something he had thought of but it wasn't far from what the little guy was capable of. Diana was giving him an odd look when Jones came back with a doctor.
"Agents... I understand you were wondering about your colleague?"
Peter sat up as Diana turned to face the doctor. They both nodded, hoping for good news as the doctor frowned slightly.
"Your friend is actually in good health but for some reason he's not waking. The MRI and other tests are showing significant activity in his brain that doesn't make much sense unless he's epileptic or otherwise seizing which he isn't. Does he have a history of seizures or epilepsy?"
Peter frowned at the news but shook his head.
"No, he's always been in excellent health. There's a delicate issue associated with my partner if I could talk to you privately doctor?"
Diana and Jones left them alone as Peter sat up more and the doctor took a seat beside him.
"I understand you work with the Bureau, Agent..."
Peter nodded.
"Peter Burke. Neal Caffrey is my consultant and partner. He was taken prisoner recently and possibly brainwashed. I know it sounds fantastic but the person who did the programming is dead and the other victim died due to stress related to long term results of the same programming. Could that explain his MRI?"
He saw the look of incredibility on the doctor's face then a kind of nod and serious glance. The man wasn't laughing which surprised him.
"I think I understand what you're saying, Agent Burke. Is there a specific reaction your partner had to this programming? Something he could be fighting... symptoms? I've worked with psychiatrists in the past so I understand the delicacy of the situation."
Peter was relieved the man was willing to listen as he told him a bare bones version so as to not give too much info away. When he was done the doctor rubbed at his chin and nodded.
"I see... so, he thought he was someone else. Two personalities where he wasn't split in the past. Interesting. This person must have had considerable knowledge to do what he did and have it last with so little time being involved. Let me talk to a friend or two who deals with these cases. I'll be delicate."
Peter thanked the doctor as he left, nodding to Jones, Diana and then El as she walked back and sat beside him.
"Why was the doctor here, honey?"
She looked worried as he calmed her with a smile and kiss.
"We were discussing Neal's condition. He might know how to help."
El nodded as she looked at Jones and Diana a moment, both agents moving closer.
"I signed all the papers to get you out. Diana, can you give us a ride home?"
The agent nodded as both she and Jones helped Peter off the bed and down the hallway. He wanted to go see Neal but the doctor had insisted he wait till the next day when they were more certain of his condition. He glanced back briefly at the ER before they took off to the lobby and headed home.
()()()
Neal had fallen into a dark place he couldn't escape from. He didn't want to. In his mind he deserved to be there for what Nick had done to his friends and if he was there, Nick couldn't escape back out. The other him was tucked away scared of the darkness and being pushed into the back corners of Neal's mind as no more than a piece of him he had to have. Still, the con didn't want to deal with such knowledge as he had of what he was capable of with Nick out and about. He had killed Peter, his one and only friend and the person who tried their best to keep him from ruining his life. Peter may not always trust him but he cared and if he was gone...
"I'm sorry Peter. Forgive... me..."
He was begging for his friend to be ok. He'd seen him die in that box, Nick's fault so he had throw himself inside hoping to end everything and especially rid himself and the world of Nick forever. He'd killed someone which he'd never done and it was Nick's fault. The memory came back so vividly, breath coming hard when he finally woke, eyes looking around at blurriness. Noise like they were in a vehicle and the hint of motion made him wonder where he was as his eyes turned and saw two brown ones staring back.
Peter?
He wanted to speak but something held him back. Peter was alive, the agent staring at him with worry and concern that made his guilt at what Nick had done deeper than before. Still Peter was safe. Neal felt a little better, relaxing into unconsciousness, eyes rolling back as they closed and he passed out.
I... won't stay... in the darkness, Neal.
You can't... make me. I will... come back out... in... the light.
Neal found himself standing in a prison interrogation room with Nick staring back at him as he sat at a metal table in an orange jumpsuit. His other self was glaring back at him looking like he could kill with a stare as he sat there cuffed like a prisoner. Neal sat opposite him in one of his usual suits. He felt the animosity like heat off a stove top. Nick was pissed at him.
You can't be trusted, Nick. You tried to kill my friends and you made me hurt someone. I can't let you control me. If I have to stay asleep forever I will to keep you here. I'll sacrifice myself to keep you from hurting anyone else.
Nick smiled back at him coldly, chains clinking some as he moved, that dark icy blueness of his eyes staring back like a mirror of himself. Neal was nothing like him, two sides of a coin that couldn't live without the other but only if one complimented the other, Neal being the dominate one if his friends were to be safe. Nick growled.
Such a sucker. Killing yourself for that agent and his wife. You think he really cares if you die or not? You are only a tool and once you leave this earth, he'll just find another con to take your place. He doesn't trust you and he never will, Neal. You dying will make his life easier. You were nothing but trouble to him. I wasn't the one who let Keller take him or allowed Fowler to bug his home and arrest Elizabeth. That was all you, Neal.
Neal felt warmth as his cheeks flushed red with anger. He wanted to reach across the table and kill that part of him that made him feel this way. He wasn't a killer and he didn't hurt people but his anger was overcoming him. Nick laughed.
That's it, Neal. Let it all out. You're not really mad at what I did. You're mad about his treatment of you. Peter doesn't trust you like you want him to and that makes you angry. Come on... let me unleash myself on the world. Don't rein me in this time.
Neal almost believed his other half but a part of him knew it was wrong. Peter may not trust him but he cared. Elizabeth cared. He couldn't hurt them. He stood up and moved away from the figure smiling cruelly at him as he felt the room grow stifling. Suddenly he let out a yell, collapsing to the floor of the interrogation room. The guard didn't react, standing at attention still as if nothing were wrong as Neal continued to yell out his frustration as the room began to fade away. Nick was frowning, the guard taking him back to his cell.
I'll be waiting, Neal. Biding my time...
The dream faded to darkness and suddenly Neal was staring up at a sterile white ceiling. His thoughts were still back in the dream, wondering why he was lying on the floor of the prison interrogation room when he heard voices, eyes turning languidly to the left where a door sat some feet away. He noticed it was slightly ajar.
"The doctor is just waiting for him to wake up. Yes... I'm going to stay here a while, El. Finish your meeting and I'll see you in a few."
Neal recognized the voice, wondering how and why as he slowly realized he was laying in a hospital bed. His eyes moved around the room till he knew for certain he was in a hospital room and Peter Burke was entering.
"Neal?"
The agent looked right at him, a surprised expression on his face. Neal wasn't sure what to say. Hadn't he tried to kill him and yet Peter looked worried about him. His guilt started to grow as he turned his face away in shame. He felt a hand on his shoulder, a gentle but firm squeeze turning him back towards the agent. Those honest brown eyes he'd come to trust stared back at him with nothing but concern.
"Why did you do it, Neal?"
The question was so sudden, the agent's voice just so that Neal didn't know how to answer. He wanted to run, a panic at trying to explain making his heart race when Peter spoke again.
"I didn't blame you for anything. I understand... but why put yourself in that box when you pulled me out. Just tell me what you were thinking."
There was a kind of anger there but no blame. Neal was confused by Peter's reaction but his panic subsided as he realized what it was his friend was asking. Could he really answer him? Would he understand why?
"I... thought it would be best. If I left then he couldn't..."
His throat felt dry and tight as he tried to speak, partially from his time unconscious and partially from emotion. His voice choked some as Peter nodded back, moving over to the sink as he grabbed a disposable cup, filled it with water and walked back. Neal took the cup as Peter offered it up, sipping at it until his throat felt better.
"Now, tell me why you thought I'd just let you book it without saying good-bye?"
oOoOoOo
Author's Note: Sorry for the long delay. Things got in the way, started writing another story for something on LJ that's WC related. Can't show that other story yet till the admins say it's ok but still working on it. This story is probably ending on the next chapter. Just didn't want to have this be extraordinarily long since it's already hitting 7k in words. Thanks for your patience!