(Chapter 8)

Peter finished eating the little bit of food he was able to stomach, his appetite lighter than it should with all the worry he had over his friend. He had called Reese and told him about what was going on, borrowing Diana and Jones to help with the operation. Kramer was also headed their way, his stomach churning at that news. Peter wasn't ready to see his former mentor yet after the conversation they'd had. He wasn't afraid of getting in trouble but what he might do to the man. He answered his phone as it buzzed again, expecting it was Jones or Diana heading to his home. He hadn't been able to contact El yet to let her know what was up as he finalized the equipment and warrant needed through the Bureau to get Caffrey. Mozzie was texting him off and on wondering why he hadn't shown up yet but he could only do so much as he tried to make it all official and still get there to help his friend.

"Burke..."

There was a moment before the person spoke.

"It's Stan. I... heard what happened with Caffrey. How can I help?"

()()()

Peter met up with Jones and Diana who showed up at his home around 6:00 PM. He wasn't sure how much time they had as he answered Mozzie through texts that he would be there soon. Jones had a warrant to extract Neal although Peter still wasn't sure WHERE they were going to find the con the way Mozzie was going on. Maybe it wasn't as bad as he thought as he heard his phone buzz again and saw a new message.

Stan: Headed for Jersey. Will meet you at the site in last text.

He smiled despite everything wondering what it was that made this random agent want to help Caffrey. The con seemed to have that effect on people but maybe that was a good thing considering.

"Boss... We have a plane flying us to the site. We need to go now."

Diana was looking at him curiously, Jones filling up a thermos of coffee he'd fixed up and Peter grabbing some snacks for them. He wasn't sure what they were going to find. He hoped Mozzie was exaggerating and Neal was just hiding out somewhere but the idea of jackhammers and cement... it made him feel uneasy. He nodded back.

"Ready. I just... been trying to call Elizabeth but not sure what to tell her. I'm supposed to be resting from the gunshot wound. Let me leave her a note."

Peter quickly scribbled a note and pasted it where his wife would see it before taking Satchmo on his lead.

"June said she would watch him for us. I'll meet you at the airport."

The two agents nodded back as they split up and Peter locked up. Satchmo whined at him as he put the lab in the back seat and looked up at him curiously.

"He'll be ok, boy. Everything will be ok."

()()()

June was happy to hear that Neal might be back with them soon. She had been glad to help by watching Satchmo if it meant her tenant would be back with her. It was obvious she had missed him as they spoke quickly and he headed on his way to meet his colleagues. He felt his phone buzz, picking it up on the dash as he pulled the car into traffic.

"Stan: I'm landing in Jersey. Will see you at the site."

The computer voice sounded strange as it quoted the message. Peter quickly sent back his own reply before making more calls. He called Diana and Jones to let them know he was headed their way as he rushed through evening traffic towards the airport. It took him 20 minutes before he parked and started through the hanger towards the plane. His phone buzzed again as he quickly answered it.

"Hun... I got your note. Where are you?"

He had only mentioned he would be out but not how long or really where. Peter had left it simple, hoping to tell his wife in person after they had picked up Neal.

"I'm going to Jersey... Neal's there and Mozzie called me to help bring him back. I don't have any specifics but we're flying over now."

He heard her breath hitch slightly obviously excited but worried about the young man.

"Neal's in New Jersey? I don't understand. Did he run again? Who are you flying with?"

She was pacing, her heels clicking on their floor as he listened to her a moment before answering.

"Diana and Clinton. We'll be back soon. We're just going to pick up Neal. I'm sure it's not going to take too long. I'll call you when I get there. Satchmo is with June if you want to pick him up. I wasn't certain when you were going to be home."

He was nearly to the plane, Diana peeking out at him as she waved him over, Jones sitting behind her. He picked up the pace despite the weakness he still felt from his recent injuries. Peter was supposed to be taking it easy but nothing was ever easy when it came to Neal. He was just glad to be getting his friend and partner back and out of Kramer's hands.

"Be careful dear and tell Neal... I can't wait to see him again. See you soon hun."

He heard her blow a kiss to him and he smiled, doing the same back as he heard her sigh softly on the other end.

"See you soon, hun."

()()()

It took just over an hour to get to Jersey, the small jet quick but not so gentle as it landed. There was a storm blowing in buffeting them all the way in although it was mostly wind and cold right now. Stan was at the airport waiting for them as was Mozzie, the little guy looking nervous.

"Neal doesn't have much time, Suit... I've already let D.C. Suit here know what's at stake."

Mozzie was talking about Stan, the agent looking just as serious as if he had seen something horrible. Peter's gut wrenched more as he nodded and turned to Agent Efran.

"I don't know what you heard... but this is far worse than I could have imagined Agent Burke. If you need something against Kramer, I'm all in but for now, we need to hurry up and get Caffrey out."

Peter heard what Stan told him and wondered what it was he meant as they headed through the hanger and to a waiting SUV. They threw what they had in the back and slipped inside, Mozzie the driver.

"He's not doing so well, Suit."

Mozzie's tone was dark, depressed which wasn't like him at all even with all his panic and paranoia. He sat in the front with the little guy, everyone else in the backseat as Stan moved forward and passed Peter his phone. There was a picture on the screen.

"He's not joking, Peter."

He looked down at the image and felt his heart wrench, a pain in his chest only the most horrible of things could initiate. Peter must have given a little gasp as he glanced at the screen, a hand touching his shoulder gently as Diana leaned forward.

"Boss?"

Peter was looking at a scrapyard only where the crusher would be was a huge block of cement inside and the faint outline of a car along the sides of it. Someone had sealed the car up so that there was no escaping. He couldn't think as he hesitantly handed the phone back and felt Diana take it. She gave a gasp as did Jones, everyone suddenly very quiet. This was not going to be an easy rescue.

()()()

Reese called him as they turned into the scrapyard. It had been nearly 4 hours now since he'd heard about Neal's supposed escape and found out he was actually in danger. Now he knew the extent of it, Stan telling him what little he knew about Angus Morgan. The man was not a saint and was currently back in his cell. The fact Kramer would have trusted Morgan's word over Caffrey's made it all the more curious. Angus was a killer although it was more alleged than anything. He had been incarcerated on counterfeiting and racketeering but was a useful contact to Kramer from what Diana had dug up for him with Stan's help.

"We're here, Suits. I have a few teamster buddies helping out. They brought the heavy equipment. I hope you have the warrant?"

Jones coughed, nodding to the little guy as they headed from the parking spot just inside the scrapyard towards a now semi-darkened interior. It was after sunset so the heaps of metal and cars were kind of spooky, light up ahead as they turned the corner of the metallic maze and found themselves among several large scary men, teamster types who glanced back at them ominously. Mozzie walked towards them as if it were nothing, smiling and laughing with them as the others watched in fascination.

"Terry... these are the Suits I was telling you about. How is he?"

Terry was a big Italian looking guy, tall and solidly built with a thick head of dark hair which matched his almost black brown eyes. He was near Mozzie's age, Peter guessed, as they moved closer to the group. He took the lead and held out his hand to the man and his team, a group of varied looking tough looking guys of several types and creeds. Terry shook it vigorously with a strong grip and smile.

"I think he's ok but he's not moving much. You're lucky I was able to borrow that infared scope from my other site. Boss won't miss it right now but I have to have it back by 8 AM. Who are you?"

Terry was looking at the agent now, Mozzie beside them as Peter smiled back with his own iron grip. He saw the bigger man grimace a little but more in respect than anything.

"Burke, FBI but I'm here for my friend so you can call me Peter. He hasn't moved? Can I see this scope you're talking about, Terry?"

Peter saw the man nod, waving him over through the other men to the huge block of cement. There were ladders going up to the top where a large box sat with huge sensors on the end. It was like a big EKG only the screen was showing something different than you'd expect. It was an X-Ray type image, faint because of the cement but enough to notice a warm spot in the shape of a person in what seemed to be a car. Peter felt his heart sink, his gut wrenching as he went back down and tried not to be sick. Someone was in there and supposedly... supposedly it was Neal Caffrey.

"I can call him..."

Mozzie had sidled up to him as Peter nodded, watching the little guy dial a number and wait. It took a few minutes before the call was picked up, everyone hearing a very tired weak sounding Neal Caffrey responding with a distracted tone. How was he alive after two days in that block of cement? How much more air did he have? Peter watched as two more teamster looking guys showed with drills, the agent talking to Neal while they bore holes into the exposed side of the block hopefully giving him some much needed air. Their conversation wasn't much, Neal telling Peter to leave him there but how could he after the younger man tried to help him? He'd gladly get fired to expose what he had found out. Stan had already given him enough fuel to use against Kramer and the footage hidden away was only the tip of the iceberg.

"Talk to him Mozzie... I need to take this call."

His personal cell was ringing and it looked to be Reese. He hoped it was good news.

"Are you with Caffrey, Burke?"

Hughes' voice was professional which meant he was with someone. He could hear voices in the background and one sounded like Kramer. Anger filled him but he held back.

"He's here sir... but... but someone put him in a huge cement coffin. I have it on good authority this was the work of the Irish Mob. Tell Kramer his other C.I. might not be working for him much longer if Caffrey doesn't survive this. I'll make sure Morgan gets the death penalty."

There was silence on the other side a moment, the squeak of an office chair and then quiet voices again before Hughes spoke again.

"Kramer finally confessed to me and Atkins about what happened. Caffrey is coming back to New York, Peter. Whatever you need, call me."

Peter felt relieved to hear that as he nodded back to the cell and saw curious looks from everyone.

"Thank you Reese. I appreciate that. I just hope we can get him out of this. I think... we have everything. I'll call you when he's free."

()()()

It took 5 more hours before they had cracked open a big enough chunk of the cement to bore through and pull out a pale looking Neal Caffrey, the young man only just conscious as they carried him out. Peter threw his jacket over him, cradling his head against his shoulder. Neal looked skinnier than he remembered, bags under his eyes and a look that would haunt him for months to come. The con shifted slightly, lips parched and a smell to him from days trapped in a small space. Peter didn't mind, knowing his friend was alive as he grabbed a bottle of water from one of the crew and gently urged the young man to drink. It took some coaxing but Neal finally grabbed at the bottle, guzzling down the cool liquid like it was going out of style. Once the bottle was empty, his friend relaxed some, licking at his lips as blue eyes finally fluttered open and stared up at him curiously.

"Peter?"

He nodded back as the young man spoke, gently stroking his hair as Neal smiled up at him before passing back out again. Jones had already called paramedics and they saw the flashing lights coming up towards them, Diana waving them in. Peter didn't take note of anything much but Neal, continuing to gently caress the young man's hair which calmed himself and he hoped Neal. The paramedics gently lifted his friend onto a gurney, checking pulse, respiration and hooking him up to a few monitors as they took blood pressure and other vital signs. Peter followed, allowed to go inside as he waved to Diana, Jones and Stan. Mozzie moved towards them before the doors shut and gave him a stern look.

"Take care of him Suit."

Peter nodded before the doors were finally closed and they took off. The agent held one of Neal's hands in his own, gently squeezing it as he hoped for some response. Caffrey had been talking earlier but now he had fallen into an exhausted slumber, the EMTs assuring him that the young man was ok. There seemed to be little damage to the con besides a slight gash along the hairline, some minor bruising around his wrists and two days without food or water. Neal had been lucky. All they could hope for was justice on his behalf and so far it seemed to be likely if Kramer had admitted wrong.

He was lost in his thoughts, remembering the young man talking to him so despondently when he had been unconscious only some weeks ago. Neal had taken a chance to come see him and comfort his wife but where had Peter been when he needed him now? His heart sank thinking how Kramer had taken advantage of his friend for a case but that was over. Neal would come back to them even if he just worked with Diana and Jones from now on. He could visit with him if he was suspended. Peter could fall back on his accounting degree if he had to, his cover before had proven that fact as he felt a squeeze back, his thoughts returning to the present. Blue eyes glanced up at him through half open lids.

"Neal?"

The young man just stared up, glassy blue marbles seemingly unaware until they blinked back and he felt that squeeze again.

"Not... your fault... Peter."

It was as if Neal had read his thoughts, the agent wanting to respond but seeing that cocky smile shining up at him before those eyes rolled back and closed, the face relaxing until only a hint of smile remained. Neal had fallen back to sleep, the soft rise and fall of his chest evident as Peter gently mussed the young man's hair and sighed.

"Or yours... Neal... or yours."

()()()

Neal slept for a week, his body healing but waking up only a little off and on but not long enough for anyone to talk to him. The doctor said it was the side-effects of his malnutrition and the thin air. Once his body healed he would wake up for a longer period of time but for now he needed rest.

Peter visited everyday but one... Reese calling him to talk to the commutation board again. They were re-commencing the hearing in light of new evidence which meant they were privy to the footage of himself helping out with the treasure. He didn't want to think about it as he prepared for the meeting, his fear making him think he might be going to prison. Would Neal be placed back in prison for his mistake?

"Hun... let me help you with that tie. (It will be ok...)"

Elizabeth was hugging him as she reached around and helped straighten up the tie he'd been trying to put on for the past 20 minutes. His mind was back in the hospital with his friend and worried how he was going to support them if he was let go from the Bureau. He had heard very little from Reese other than he had told his story to the higher ups and now the board wanted to talk to him again. It would be a combination of Neal's Commutation interrogators and OPR. They were both interested in what had been brought before them and the words of Kramer, all of which he only knew that Philip had confessed to something but not exactly what.

"Thanks... hun. I'm sorry."

Peter felt anything but confident but he was determined to right all the wrongs he had a part of. He would pay for his part in Neal being taken to D.C. and anything else he was guilty of. El's hand gently took his chin and turned it towards him as they kissed and she waggled a finger at him.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Peter. You did what was right for good reason as did Neal. If they can't see that... we'll get by, hun."

He smiled as best he could back, meeting her own soft smile as they heard a knock at the door and El went to answer it. Peter was just pulling on his coat when he saw Hughes there.

"Sir? I thought..."

The man held his hand up, Reese nodding with a smile to Elizabeth.

"I told them I'd bring you myself. Damn Atkins and his Marshals. You're not a criminal. They have guard on Caffrey at the hospital but I told them I was leaving Jones there as our go-between."

Peter nodded, hugging his wife one more time before following the old agent out of the house.

"I wish I could be there..."

El's voice was quiet but she kept smiling confidently for him, squeezing his hand before Reese made a comment they needed to go. Peter nodded with his own smile, uncertain what his future was going to be or Neal's once this hearing was over.

"I'll call you once this is over, hun."

()()()

They were staring at him, some staring at the folders on the desk before them and others looking dubious he thought or maybe it was his imagination. He was being judged at the very least.

"Agent Burke..."

It was the same woman who had interviewed him the day that he thought Neal should be free. It seemed only yesterday but already a year had passed since Kramer's crooked maneuver and now he was here again on both of their behalf.

"Yes, Ma'am..."

She glanced up at him from the papers before her before looking back down and frowning ever so slightly.

"Agent Kramer told you that he had a reason for taking your consultant, Neal Caffrey, away from you. Is that correct?"

The woman's voice as clinical at best, cold even but he swallowed and nodded, answering firmly.

"Yes. He did."

He was playing this polite, hoping for a win as the woman shuffled through her notes then seemed to find what it was she wanted. Her light green eyes gazed at him curiously before speaking again.

"What was the reason Agent Kramer gave you for wanting to take Neal Caffrey away from you, Agent Burke?"

Peter frowned, his memory delving deep into emotion but he had to hold that part back and be as impartial as he could.

"He thought that I might be unduly influenced by Mr. Caffrey. That my consultant was using me as a mark and would ruin my career at the Bureau if I continued to allow him to be not just my consultant but an equal partner."

He left out the part about Kramer's own C.I. disappointing him unless they asked. Peter was being careful but honest. He had learned that game from Neal all too well. Maybe the young man had influenced him but it had made him a much better person and agent in some ways. He saw more to right and wrong than black and white. There were gray areas and sometimes you had to go into that realm to have justice versus what Kramer had attempted with Neal. He heard a cough and realized they were looking at him, a new agent, A gray haired 50ish man with spectacles breaking in now.

"So Agent Kramer believed that you were friends with your consultant? Is this true, Agent Burke?"

Peter didn't hesitate, a smile playing on his lips as he nodded.

"Yes. Neal Caffrey and I are friends and partners. I am not ashamed to say so."

The man glanced over his glasses at the agent before another board member, one he recognized from OPR spoke up.

"So you've become friends with your consultant despite his past? What does your wife think of this?"

The man paused, holding up a hand as one of the other members leaned over and showed him a file and some notes. The OPR agent read it, listening to something the person said as Peter waited and watched. The man coughed and nodded, turning back to him.

"It seems that your wife was interviewed as a witness for Neal Caffrey's character. She said that... 'When it counts' Mr. Caffrey could be trusted in your opinion. Is this true, Agent Burke?"

He remembered talking to his wife after the fact about what she had said, how El thought she had flubbed but had believed she did the right thing in saying what she did about Neal. He smiled at the thought, wanting to laugh almost because his wife had been so adamant Neal have a chance at freedom when he had still been uncertain what it was he himself would say at the hearing. He looked up and nodded at the dubious faces before him.

"Yes. He's had my back when the going gets tough and I his. We work very well together."

He saw a curious look from the main female interrogator as if she were wondering about his words. She broke in and took the next question.

"I noticed Agent Burke you said: That you work well together. Many of your colleagues and Mr. Caffrey said the same thing. It would seem that by all accounts Mr. Caffrey has changed. Perhaps, you have influenced him in some way to become a better person."

It was more a rhetorical question, Peter uncertain what she was going to draw a conclusion to as her manner turned a bit more brusque and she looked between the others before speaking again.

"We've been debating Mr. Caffrey's influence on you as well as your apparent influence on him. Looking at the Bureau records and case closure rate for your department, I would think it correct to say that you have both complimented each other in a manner conducive to effectively close cases quickly and proactively. Agent Hughes said that he was happy with the results and means by which the cases were closed."

She paused, shuffling through papers until another one she needed came up as she spoke again.

"In reference to this, we believe that Neal Caffrey should be allowed to continue his remaining time with the Bureau at the White Collar department. All in favor?"

He watched as all the hands went up even the men from OPR although they looked more reluctant than the others. Peter felt relief wash over him as he thought maybe the worse part was over.

"Agent Burke, there is still one more manner of business before us to attend to. Agent Mehan, will you show the video?"

Peter felt his heart sink, a feeling that he might be the one in trouble now as he turned and saw the small monitor he'd been ignoring off to his right turned on. There for all to see what him and a fuzzy Mozzie (how did he always end up getting away from everything?) talking to NYPD and pretending to be National Guardsmen. He swallowed hard, doing his best not to sweat it out as everyone watched the video then turned back as the film ended and looked between each other. There was quiet deliberation as the agent waited to hear what he fate would be. He was prepared for the worse.

"Agent Kramer admits to having this film in his possession and using it to coerce Mr. Caffrey into going with him as his consultant to D.C. Agent Hughes confirms this story as does Agent Atkins of OPR."

She paused, more quiet whispering amongst them as Peter waited to know what his future was. Neal's was safe but now his own was in jeopardy. He did his best not to show that he was nervous or uncertain as he listened and watched.

"After much deliberation, consideration of circumstances and the testimony of Agent Hughes, Atkins and Kramer..."

His heart was beating so loudly, filling his ears he wasn't sure he would hear what they said much more if they could hear it as he sat there trying to act as nonchalant and responsive as possible.

"... are hereby found innocent of any charges related to the evidence of this video. It is evidently the attempt of Agent Kramer or one of his staff to incriminate an agent of the highest caliber in a crime. The video was found to be fraudulent and possibly photoshopped. Agent Burke, you are free to go."

()()()

Neal was standing in the office back in D.C. his eyes staring out across the view from his window, the Potomac river in sight with the Washington Memorial in the distance. His eyes looked down at the anklet on his left leg with an almost wistful glance, footsteps and a cough drawing his attention back towards the entrance. The door was open and a man stood there, brown hair, brown eyes and a very obvious grayish Brooke Bros suit with matching dark brown shoes. A suit as Mozzie would say.

"You have everything?"

The man glanced at him curiously, standing just outside the doorway as Neal finally nodded back, grabbing up a small portfolio from the desk and walking back towards the exit. He paused, glancing at the hint of what was once a card slide, the imprint of glue still on the frame of the entrance. Peter looked at him with those honest brown eyes as if to ask him something when Neal went forward, no beep as he exited or alarm when they started down the hallway. His pace went from hesitant to side by side with the agent as they approached the elevators at the end of the corridor. The doors chimed before opening, Neal glancing at his friend and partner and nodded.

"I have everything I need... right here."

(THE END!)

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Author's Note: Please remain seated while the roller coaster comes to a complete stop. Seriously though, thanks again for reading. I hope you liked the way this ended up. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for future stories. I have some ideas but not sure which one will come next.