(Chapter 4)

Elizabeth was afraid, thrown into the back of a dark van, windows painted over with black paint so she didn't know where she was being taken to. The men still had their masks on which made them that much more frightening. She also didn't understand "why" they had taken her but she figured it had to be convenience. El was worrying about Peter. He had tried to keep things calm without being the hero and they had left him in the back room tied up with their leader. She stared at him now, something about his manner brutish and cold as if he had no regard for human life. Thug was the only word she could think of and it made her shiver thinking what he might have done to Peter.

"Where… are you taking me?"

She was being braver than she felt but El wasn't going to be a victim even in dire circumstances. She had never considered herself anything but a strong individual, able to conquer anything even this she hoped. Her arms were bound behind her tight enough the twine bit into her skin as she waited for an answer. Finally the one that had stayed behind laughed, staring right at her and smiled through the mask. It wasn't a nice smile and she felt nothing but ice flowing through her as he did so.

"Talkative… not something I like but I'll bite. You're our ransom to insure certain things get done, Ms. Masters."

He grinned coldly back at her as she balked, uncertain how he knew her name. El had to be brave despite herself as she recovered and glared back at him.

"You know my name… what's yours? What is it you want?"

The last question made her nervous because the man was looking at her in more than just a cold way but then he paused, the smile softening a bit before he turned and called out to the driver.

"Make sure he knows we're coming. And send that note to the gallery first thing in the morning."

He turned back and smiled again, still looking the predator as she pressed back only a bit where she sat. He made her nervous and he knew it, those bright white teeth making her think of fangs on a tiger.

"You'll find out soon enough, Ms. Masters. For now, just relax. Enjoy the ride and hope our mutual friend does what he's told."

()()()

Neal didn't sleep but then he also didn't go back to his apartment. When the ambulance arrived and the paramedics looked Peter over, they found he was in a deep unconsciousness. The gash was still bleeding ever so slightly as they cleaned the wound and put a bandage over it all the time asking Nick what had happened. He acted the concerned co-worker who had found his fellow employee in the gallery late after what appeared to be a break in. The police showed up and he felt his heartbeat quicken but he had to play the game out even if he was concerned with what happened to the accountant. Suzanne and Joe didn't know what was going on but he would have to call them and Mr. London despite everything. This wasn't the way it was supposed to be. Everything felt wrong and yet…

"Mr. Halden… thank you for your cooperation. Please call us if you remember anything else."

The officer in charge was giving him a card, Neal took it gladly and pushed it into his pocket, watching the ambulance begin to take off. He wanted to go along but he wasn't family or a friend. There was really no reason for him to like Peter Burke but he did feel guilty for getting the man in this mess and what may have happened to Elizabeth Masters. He wasn't certain Wilkes had taken her but she was missing. Neal tried to call her, hoping for the best when a quiet buzzing sound caught his attention. The cops were still looking around in the back when he followed the sound to the front lobby and found the source of it. A small black tote lay behind one of the entrance exhibits. He opened it up to reveal a buzzing phone and his name on the screen. Dammit! This was Elizabeth's purse. Neal could only assume now that Wilkes must have taken her. Why else would her purse be there. He wiped the surface down where he'd touched it, took the phone and left. The officer had said he was free to go and right now he just wanted away from here. At the very worse he could go see Mozzie but he kept his phone handy waiting for a call from the one person he dreaded: Vincent Adler.

()()()

"Not your problem, Neal. Don't sweat it. They're just marks… we can't get involved with someone we're cheating."

Mozzie was calm, too calm for what he'd told him. The con was drinking a small glass of red wine but his zen moment was driving Neal to distraction. He stood up and paced, glaring at his friend in anger as he finally let go.

"This is your fault, Mozzie! You should have told me about Wilkes! Kate would be alive… Elizabeth would be safe and Peter wouldn't have been hurt!"

He moved towards the little con man who cowered back away from his anger and shivered, the glass falling from his hand and shattering on the concrete floor of Friday, his current hideaway. Neal was glad for the other con's help and assistance but this was too much. He didn't want to hurt anyone. That wasn't his intention. Mozzie was too irresponsible, the bespectacled con glancing up at him and shaking.

"Neal… come on… I… I… I can't change what happened. I didn't…"

Mozzie's voice shook and Neal just closed in, hands on either side of his friend's head trapping him there. His blue eyes sparkled angrily and he hissed his words with venom.

"You don't think… you're selfish and… Peter doesn't deserve this! Elizabeth and he are supposed to be together. He's supposed to be chasing me not…"

The words felt odd in his throat and for the first time everything seemed more like a dream than reality. Neal moved back and Mozzie quickly scooted away out of reach, his face pale, eyes wide with anxiety.

"You don't make any sense, Neal. This is what you wanted wasn't it? No more Agent Burke… He's not an agent. He's an accountant. Deal with it. This is your dream not mine…"

Mozzie's voice sounded odd, it wasn't the man he knew and that's when he noticed the odd little oil lamp in the background. It was shiny metal, like Aladdin's magic lamp and glowing a deep venomous magenta. Now he remembered that it was sitting on June's dining table in his room. He had made a curse upon it, angry as he rubbed the surface of the lamp till it shone and the lamp had glowed a violent shade of purple.

"This is a dream… You're not Mozzie, are you?"

The thing that looked like Mozzie suddenly smiled but it was a cruel, cold grin with too many teeth. The little con's eyes matched the same shade as the lamp's flame.

"No… but you did wish upon my lamp and I have given you want you asked. You have two more wishes but… use them wisely sahib. You may not like what you receive."

It smiled at him, bringing shivers up and down Neal's spine. This was a dream. This wasn't real… He could end it all now.

"I wish…"

()()()

Peter woke up in the hospital achy and tired, his head throbbing to a beat he only thought was possibly in a heavy metal concert or by Gene Krupa. He tried to sit up but found one hand held tightly by someone, the accountant turning to find Nick Halden sitting in the seat beside his bed. The younger man was sleeping, head nodding up and down slightly but he was definitely not awake as Peter made a slight motion to wake him up and blue eyes met him.

"I must have dozed off. How are you feeling?"

Nick sounded exhausted as he looked, slight bags under those pretty blue eyes he knew the ladies at the gallery liked. He'd seen how Nick charmed customers and staff alike and in a way it bothered him. He wasn't jealous but something about the manner was just so… fake. A pretense he guessed and one of his many pet peeves.

"Why am I in the hospital? Where's…"

Suddenly he remembered something, his eyes widening as Peter sat up straight, too quickly in fact that he felt nauseated. Nick seemed to understand as he grabbed up a nearby wastebasket and Peter threw up into it. When he was done he thanked him, anxious to find out if what he remembered was true.

"Elizabeth… is she ok? He took her..."

Peter was desperate to know what happened, gripping Nick's hand in his tightly and waiting for answers. The younger man didn't pull away but he looked pale and wan, a guilty look on his face.

"I don't know. It's only 6 AM but they haven't left any messages yet. I already let the rest of the staff know and Mr. London. I'm…"

There was genuine grief in his voice and Peter believed him although inside he wanted to punch that pretty face and smash it against the nearest wall. Peter was angry, some part of him overly protective of Elizabeth despite their short acquaintance. There was something about her he felt was familiar as if they'd spent more time together than the couple of weeks he'd been on the job. He felt something similar towards this young man, not wanting to assume too much but finding himself wanting to help him, guilty or not.

"You were going to steal those statues… weren't you. That's why they were in the back. Joe wasn't taking pictures or restoring them. Elizabeth was protecting you. But why? I don't…"

There was something in those words that both frustrated and made him want to sigh in resignation. He felt married to El, the nickname fitting as he tried to figure out the odd feelings and figure out how they were connected to the current events and Nick. He was missing some element but his gut told him he could trust this person as those blue eyes widened then a head nod confirmed his suspicions. So he had been right…

"I never meant for any of this to happen, Peter. I swear…"

Nick was closing his eyes, a childish look upon his face like a kid hiding from the truth. Peter was too tired to fight but something made him reach across and grab the younger man's hand, blue eyes meeting his.

"You know… who did this? Tell me everything."

Peter wasn't being kind so much as patient. He had learned on his job he could get more out of people if he was friendly and when that didn't work he made sure they were aptly repaid for cheating and lying. Right now he had to trust his gut that Nick would help him and Elizabeth. He watched the other man nod without pulling out of his grip.

"I can't tell you who but I can help find Elizabeth. Trust me?"

The question hung in the air and Peter as much as he wanted to throttle the con could do little more than nod back, letting go of his hand before laying back tiredly against the hospital bed. The monitor had remained steady despite his anger or maybe it was the concussion he'd received keeping him calm. When he was able he would call Jones and let him know what was up. He could get the agent to keep an eye on Nick and make sure they found Ms. Masters safe. The man who'd attacked them wasn't one to be trifled with and he doubted they'd be squeamish about killing one innocent woman or a con man who had betrayed them. He wasn't worried about Nick's safety so much as Elizabeth's.

"I'll… be in touch. Here…"

Peter looked, watching Nick leave a small note card on the bedside table as he got up and started to walk away. He paused at the door a moment, never glancing back as if he might speak then exiting without a word. Peter couldn't say he knew the kid well enough but something about his manner made Nick seem much older than he really was as if he'd had a hard life. In the greater scheme of things, that made little difference but it looked like he might be willing to do something good. That was left to be seen. He picked up the card and glanced at the neat handwriting. It simply read: Nick Halden - 5554657.

Peter sat up and pulling himself from the bed. There was a phone next to the door but he had to disconnect himself from the monitors, dragging the IV with him as he tottered towards it barefoot on the cool tiles of the floor.

"Jones… Yeah… I'm fine… I think. Can you bring me a change of clothes… Thanks. I was right about Halden. Yeah… you know the place? Good. I might have some more information. Thanks."

He hung up the phone, looking guiltily at the door as it opened up and a nurse peeked in. She didn't look happy about his being up, looking between him on the phone and the empty bed full of loose monitoring wires.

"Mr. Burke… you have to rest."

She pointed at the bed, helping him stumble back towards it as he lay back on the mattress and she hooked him to the various machines once me. There was a soft smile on her face, something that made him relax that he wasn't in trouble. He'd never been good at being sick or cooped up.

"So who was it you had to call that was so important?"

She hadn't asked him about how he felt yet or was working up to it. Her hand gently touched his wrist, feeling his pulse and then smiling.

"I think you'll be ok. Your pulse and heart rate seem normal and you were able to walk to and from the phone practically on your own. How's the head feel?"

Her voice was kind and he nodded back, settling into the bed again reluctantly.

"A friend. He's bringing me some necessities. How much longer do I have to stay here? My head… feels alright."

He was lying just a bit but he did feel better if only because he was determined to get out there and find Elizabeth. Nick might have said he'd help but there was still a bit of distrust there. The man had lied to them all and allowed "thugs" to attack him and take someone he had come to care about. He wasn't going to sit still and deal with it.

"I'm sure it does but now that you're awake we have a few tests the doctor will want to run. Just be patient. I'll let him know you're awake."

She tucked him in, fluffing his pillows before moving to leave the room. Before she did, she brought him a glass of water.

"My name is Sara Ellis. Call me if you need anything."

He nodded at her, smiling despite his impatience to leave. How much time had passed and how much did Elizabeth have? Had the man left the ransom note as promised? Did Mr. London know? These questions whirled around in his brain as he lay back in bed and did his best not to sneak out of the hospital before he was well enough to do what he needed to. Jones would be here soon and then he'd have help. He just had to be patient.

()()()

Neal was scared, a part of him feeling this whole scenario was hinky. It didn't matter what he thought but Elizabeth's safety was paramount as he continued out into the hospital parking lot.

"It takes a worried man to sing a worried song…"

He paused, looking back to see Mozzie standing there casually as he could with a hint of trepidation. The little guy hated hospitals so he could understand why the wide eyed expression.

"Quoting Guthrie? I didn't think you liked country music, Mozz."

He was trying to make light of the situation but it was hard knowing he had made such a huge mistake as underestimating Adler and Wilkes. Mozzie poked him when there was an adequate silence between them, motioning to a taxi nearby.

"My chariot. It's a little known fact that Woody was a voice of the people and the quote was easily accessible for a moment like this. How's the Suit? I saw a picture of him on their company website. He's apparently the top CPA in the county."

Mozzie was doing his usual Rainman act, quoting facts and being clinically literal which was how he worked. He had his usual well worn messenger bag around him, holding it like a child.

"He's ok, thankfully. Wilkes didn't kill him but they're going to pass along some ransom information soon. That's all I know. Adler still hasn't called me…"

Neal was worried, his thoughts going to what happened to Kate and the thought of that also happening to Elizabeth. She was a genuinely kind person and didn't deserve getting involved in his problems. If it was the last thing he'd do, Adler would pay. Neal had been waiting for an opportunity to run once he'd been certain the gallery was safe but now he had to figure out what course of action to take.

"I know you wish something different would happen. You can still do that."

Mozzie's voice sounded odd but he was too distracted by his own anger at himself and the situation to really pay attention.

"Mozz… remember that bond I forged?"

He looked at his friend as they settled into the cab and their eyes met. The little guy understood, nodding.

"Sure, we put it in the safe. Are you planning something with it?"

Mozzie seemed to be cueing in his thoughts, Neal nodding with a not so friendly grin.

"Greed. Adler needs assets and if he thinks that bond will work out for him maybe… maybe it will pay for El's freedom."

He had to think positive, Greed the reason for everything and his own problems. This would be the perfect distraction. Mozzie smiled back.

"We never did use the bonds. They were your best work. Are you certain you want to give them up for a mark? They could fund so many heists…"

Mozzie was going off on a tangent that Neal didn't even want to consider. This was important and he had to keep them on the right track.

"She didn't ask for this. Nobody was supposed to get hurt and I owe her this much. Just… drive me to the safe. We can worry about the consequences later."

He was determined now, his mind set on helping Elizabeth's safety. This felt right. He thought about the song Mozzie had been singing, finishing the lyrics in his mind.

I'm worried now but I won't be worried long!

()()()

Adler wasn't happy. He paced a room of his luxuriously hidden apt, glancing over at the pretty woman sitting only a few feet away with a cuff around her ankle. It was attached to the chair she sat in, a heavy wooden piece he'd acquired from selling off some of his ill gotten assets. She was glaring at him then at the floor after some point, avoiding all contact with him or speech. A formerly hot cup of coffee was not sitting cooling before her, untouched along with a half a sandwich and a glass of water. She looked annoyed if anything but he saw the tension in her shoulders which indicated this was just a ruse to hide her real fear.

"Ms. Masters…"

He addressed her politely but she only just turned and look at him with that same glaring look. The woman was feisty, unafraid or at least brave enough to act it. He liked that.

"I'm sorry that my associate frightened you. He doesn't know his own strength sometimes. You really should eat. I can have my chef make you something a bit more to your liking."

It wasn't his habit of scaring or killing off women although Kate had been one of the exceptions. He had to teach his protege a lesson in humility and if he had to repeat it, Vincent was sure he could do it again. Wilkes' men had sent the note, carefully worded to London's gallery. He knew Jeremy was headed back early because of the incident and he hoped Nick would get the gist. Ms. Masters was a lovely woman and he would hate to hurt her… But he was a business man first off and this was "business."

"Let me go home. Please… I won't tell anyone what happened or where they took me."

She was obviously acting the helpless victim, playing to his sympathies but he wouldn't fall for it. Adler was smarter than that.

"Not until I get what I came for. Your boss will make sure that happens as will… well, that doesn't matter at the moment. I'm sure they will get the importance of my ransom note."

He walked towards her, her blue eyes widening some but she remained sitting. It must be hard for her to pretend to not be scared when she was obviously terrified. He smiled at the thought…

"I'll have one of my men move your cuff to a more accessible chain. You'll have full reign of his room but just so you know, the windows are bricked over and the door is solid steel. I'll have them bring you dinner at 6."

He bowed to her insincerely, cheeks flushing in response back to him with anger and uncertainty. It was understandable but she was just another pawn in his attempts to gain access to wealth for his master plan. Nick had almost ruined that plan but now he was so close…

Adler left the room, the door clanging loudly behind him and sealing his hostage safely inside. He didn't like loose ends and she was only one of many he meant to stomp out once he had everything he needed.

()()()

Elizabeth looked down at the ankle cuff unhappy as it chafed her leg but it was better than the alternative. She'd heard enough from the men talking when they brought her in to figure out what was going on. She'd only been here a few hours but this other man seemed the real person in charge. The hired guns would whisper outside the door as it opened and closed and the more she heard, the more she realized she might be in more trouble than expected. They talked of a treasure and something that sounded like a "music box" that was the key to everything. She grabbed the knife off the table, a plastic one and used it to gently rub between the cuff and her leg. The chair was heavy, a sturdy wooden number that he must of thought she would just give up trying to drag it along with her if she were to escape. Elizabeth wasn't a weakling and she was worried about Peter. Was he hurt or even alive? She couldn't think about the last part without getting upset so El wiped at her eyes and glanced down at the chain that attached the cuff to the chair. A smile made her face light up almost mischievously, the knife in her hand a tool she could use. She pushed it into the lining of her shirt sleeve, standing up and giving the chair a great heave until it fell over with a resounding thud. El froze, listening but as much as she knew they could be observing her, she'd seen no cameras and the door and walls were solid. She grinned in relief, looking at the chain and where it was attached as she began her work on the large screw holding it all in place with the plastic knife. It was only 3 PM but someone might be in soon. She had to hurry, her eyes and ears alert.

()()()

Neal was nervous when Wilkes showed up to take him to Adler, hands out to take what he was offering the former tycoon. Neal shook his head. He didn't trust the man as he crossed his arms over his chest in defiance.

"I only talk to Vincent."

He was adamant, the thug nodding at him toothily. Something about his smile seemed off and it wasn't until he felt the sting of a taser on the back of his neck did he know why. The huge man was crouching over him now, shaking his head at him.

"You're playing with the big boys now, kid. You aren't calling the shots anymore. Take him…"

Wilkes turned and spoke to other figures, blurry ones that were moving closer and grabbing him by the arms. It wasn't long before they pushed a rag to his face, a sickly sweet smell overcoming him and he passed out.

Neal didn't come to immediately, eyes trying to focus on the room he was in and the bed he found himself laying upon. There were footsteps nearby and he sat up, regretting the action as he fell back against the bed again and gave a low groan. Someone walked over to him, footsteps nearing and then sat beside him on the bed, a hand gently brushing the hair from his face.

"Nick? Hey… take it easy. Deep breaths."

Her voice was gentle and his eyes glanced up at a blurry form with blue eyes and dark hair. For a moment he thought it might be Kate until his vision cleared and Elizabeth Masters appeared before him. He frowned slightly, unhappy at the memory of his dead girlfriend and the guilt of getting another person trapped in the same boat as he was.

"Elizabeth… where?"

He was still a bit off, unfocused as he tried to overcome the taser shock and chloroform. How long had he been here and did Mozzie know where he'd gone? His mind was funny on the details, uncertain what he had been up to. This wasn't the gallery. El just soothed him, shushing him quietly and smoothing his hair, a wet rag on his forehead.

"I guess they decided to take you too. You've been out a few hours. It's already past 11 pm."

She shifted slightly and he heard a rattling sound as she did so, his eyes moving downwards to see a shackle on her right ankle. He looked over at his own legs on the bed and saw he was also cuffed on the left ankle, a sigh escaping his lips. Adler thought of everything. She read his mind or something close to it.

"No worries…"

She smiled coyly, pulling a see through plastic knife from her sleeve and using it on her manacle a moment. He couldn't quite see what she was doing but it looked like she was unscrewing something. After what seemed the longest five minutes, he heard her say "tada" and remove the manacle. He grinned, her smile contagious.

"It's only temporary. There's no way out that I can see but maybe… we can find a way together. How's the head?"

She moved over to a nearby table and grabbed up a glass of water, passing it to him as he slowly sat up. He thanked her.

"Woozy but I'll live. Just so you know… Peter's ok. Thankfully he just had a bump on the head. He's worried about you. I thought you should know."

He felt his conscience getting the better of him, not yet admitting this was his fault but letting her know that Peter was ok. She looked relieved, relaxing a bit and giving him a hug he treasured. He didn't want to disappoint her. Of all the people he'd met at the gallery, she'd been his one real friend and someone he felt he could call such under other circumstances. That thought just made him feel more guilty.

"Are you feeling ok, Nick? Your cheeks are flushing. Here…"

She gently held his chin, dabbing his face with the cool wet rag. It reminded him of being home sick as a kid, her manner gentle and in a way motherly. He lay back again, closing his eyes and trying to feel less sick. After a moment she lay the rag on his forehead, something tugging at his ankle he opened up his eyes and saw she was working on his manacle.

"I'm no escape artist but you'd think with all his resources they'd have gotten better cuffs."

She was kidding, making the situation less nerve wracking and he loved her for it. El was cool under pressure and this felt right. His mind knew he was supposed to know her and Peter and… although the situation felt wrong, the people were right. That much he sensed. He listened out for the door, a heavy steel frame that was probably impenetrable. There was no lock on the inside, blue eyes roaming the room until he spotted a way out. He smiled. Right about then he felt the weight on his left ankle loosen and another "tada" come from her.

"We're both free. Now for a way out. I think we can break a leg off that chair and use it to beat our way out."

She was being partially facetious but he shook his head, removing the rag from his face and putting it aside.

"Up there…"

He pointed at a spot that was painted over and covered by wallpaper. It looked to be a vent and possibly big enough for them to crawl out through. El blinked, waiting for him to stand as she helped him then let go as he tottered over to the far wall and made a motion for her to hand him the knife. He made a few surgically precise cuts and voila… there was the hidden vent. She smiled back.

"Good eye. I've been here all day and never saw it."

She was calm despite their need to escape and quickly. He used the handle of the knife to loosen the screws. It took a few minutes but they were finally close to freedom. The cover came off easily, Neal taking a peek inside to see it was an old concrete duct and large enough for both of them to squeeze through. He made a flourish.

"Ladies first…"

He watched as she climbed inside the dark duct only glancing back when he made a quick run back to the bed. He was fixing up the sheets and pillows in a way that made it look like people were there. He pushed the cuffs underneath to complete the illusion before joining her again. He pulled the panel back, wallpaper attached and straightened it up enough that hopefully they wouldn't notice the cut right away.

"Let's go… that way."

He pointed which way and she followed, Neal hoping this led to the outside. It was their only way to freedom at this point.

()()()

Author's Note: Neal's trapped with El but seems she's pretty good at escaping herself. Hopefully they'll get away safely. So, is this exciting enough AU for you yet? ;)