Unintended Consequences

DISCLAIMER: White Collar belongs to Jeff Eastin and USA Network.

A/N: Honestly there is Neal/Peter banter coming, obviously they have a bunch of things to work out, but I just haven't gotten to that point yet.

Chapter 11

Frank stooped down to remove the ski mask from the face of the man Peter shot and heard the gasp and looked up to see Peter turning as white as a sheet.

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Peter quickly came to the horrific conclusion that not only had Neal betrayed him, but it was very obvious that Peter had just betrayed Neal.

"I shot him. I shot Neal. How could I?"

Peter didn't realize he had said this out loud until Frank started laughing. It sounded more like an evil cackle to Peter who was beginning to realize what Frank had meant earlier about destroying his career.

"Let him go, Neal needs a hospital."

"Would this be Neal the consultant, Neal the friend, Neal the partner or Neal the traitor who turned Fed and then betrayed you? He'll never be one of you, you know. After this he'll never want to be one of you - not after you shot your own partner/consultant/friend/traitor - however you choose to refer to him. It doesn't really matter I guess; he'll never trust you again. As for you, now that you know he forged a painting, just last night actually, how can you ever trust him? You just never know what he might forge next. Of course, if he dies he won't be able to. Hmm. Which would you prefer? That might be a tough one. Don't worry though, you'll have plenty of time to think about it. So would this be justice or revenge? Are you sure they're mutually exclusive? It could be justice for him betraying you. I mean, he obviously had it coming since he forged the painting, but perhaps you wanted revenge for all the little stupid stunts he's pulled that gets you in trouble with your boss?"

Frank had a smile on his lips as he made the last comment, reveling in the thought that finally he had taken down his smug brother-in-law and all of talk of justice instead of revenge. Trust the system seemed to be Peter's motto, but now the system would fail him and finally Frank would have his version of justice which he was sure his brother-in-law would classify as revenge. Frank was sure there would be plenty of time for Peter to re-evaluate his position on the subject once he was jobless and humiliated.

Peter glared at Frank with a look of absolute hatred, but it didn't seem to faze Frank.

"Come on, Peter. You weren't so naïve as to think that Neal was really reformed, were you? He is the best you know, hands down…no competition. You should have seen the adrenaline rush he had. I could tell he was thrilled to be back in the game."

"You're sick Frank; really sick. You need help."

Frank just laughed.

"I'm sick? You're the one who hired the criminal. Now look what he's gone and done. Why do you have sympathy for him and not me? How are we so different?"

"You're completely different. Caffrey wants to change. You don't."

"Me? Go soft? Work for the Feds? Ha. NEVER! Do you know why I hate your guts Peter?"

"I can't imagine since most people think I'm a likeable guy."

"It's because of your devotion to the principles of justice even when you're life is in danger. Always a holier-than-thou by-the-book FBI Agent. Your sister thought she wanted more, but the bond was apparently too strong. I couldn't change her. I know she loved me, she really did. I had good intentions when we got married. I bought her everything a woman could possibly want, but then she discovered you joined the FBI, such a noble profession. Every time your name made it in the paper she cut out the article. She didn't think I knew. Did you honey? Once a hero, always a hero, right? She just never had to the guts to call you and tell you she'd been wrong about you. She betrayed me, even after all the jobs we pulled together, she still looked up to you. You, not me. I'm her husband. I'm the one she should look up to."

"Is that what this is all about? You're ditching her as a wife and want me to pay you off because she followed my career? That's ridiculous; you really are sick. As for your intentions, Karl Marx said 'the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.' You have to do better than that in a marriage to make it work, Frank. It takes a lot of work, not just good intentions. Do you think Elle and I always agree on everything? It takes work, hard work to resolve the issues between you. If you love one another you want to make the other person happy. You want to do what is best for them and in return you will benefit as a result. Violence is not the answer."

Frank's face had turned beet red in anger. How dare Peter lecture him! He turned his gun away from Peter and trained it on Grace.

"I changed my mind. I want you to shoot your brother or he watches you die."

Frank looked over at Peter without moving the gun from Grace.

"What becomes of all your justice and revenge talk now Peter? Who's gonna save you now? I can assure you this is both justice and revenge. I think I like this better. You'll be dead and your image will suffer as they'll probably never find the answers to all of their questions."

Frank turned his attention back to Grace.

"I'm waiting Grace. You or him. You've made this choice before haven't you? Last time you chose me. Who will you choose this time?"

Grace had the gun pointed at Peter with tears streaming down her cheeks. She knew there was no way Peter could save her this time. She had treated him terribly. He must really hate her and now Frank was forcing her to choose who she loved more. She couldn't even bear to look her brother in the eye.

"Grace."

Peter's voice shook her out of her reverie.

"Grace. Look at me. I forgive you and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything."

"There's nothing to be sorry for. You were right. It's my fault. This is all my fault."

"Touching, really. Make up your mind Grace. It's him or me."

Grace looked over at her husband, seeing him in a completely new light. She had never seen the look of hatred on his face before. She was certain it had been there, but since it had never been directed at her before she hadn't paid any attention.

Grace was trying to concentrate on Peter's face through her tears. She didn't see the hatred that she expected there, only brotherly love. She had a gun pointed at him and still he looked like he had already forgiven her for what she was about to do. How could he possibly still care after all these years? How could Frank force her to do this? How could she possibly have loved this monster who was forcing her to take a life while threatening her own? Love was truly blind. She had known for quite a while that Frank was not in love with her anymore, but she had refused to accept it pretending that everything was fine. She had accepted early on that Frank had never wanted children and was just content to be at his side. There was always an adventure or quick getaway; not the lifestyle for a family. She had always thought Frank would be enough. She realized now that her heart's deepest desire was to be loved unconditionally, something Frank would never be able to do. Seeing the look on Peter's face, she knew that above all else he wanted what was best for her. He did love her unconditionally. Why couldn't more men be like him? Why couldn't she have realized this years ago? She had rejected him far too long; maybe she could make up for it just a little. He had always tried to protect her; maybe it was time for a little sister to return the favor.

She heard her husband's voice, gravelly and threatening; not the tone that he used to whisper sweet nothings in her ear with. How had she been so blind?

"Shoot now, Grace or he watches you die."

"I'm older and wiser this time Frank. It's always a battle between good and evil, isn't it? This time you're not winning!"

Tears blurred Grace's vision as her finger tightened on the trigger. Somewhere, far away it seemed, she heard someone yelling.

"Freeze, FBI!"

Her finger already in motion, she turned and squeezed the trigger of her brother's gun sending a bullet out of its chamber and point blank into her husband's chest. Frank's eyes opened in surprise. He didn't say a word, but his finger squeezed the trigger on his gun as he fell, the bullet's trajectory closing in on Grace's original target.