Disclaimer: don't own anything except for the made up chars, Peppe again thanks and there is mention of sex in this chapter but nothing graphic so still stays at T hope you enjoy
Chapter 3: Bonded
Neal slowly grabbed Peter's hand and climbed over the rock. "Well it is a very long story that I think should be saved for when we take a break but I will tell you that it deals with my brother," Neal said as he let Peter put his arm around him to lead him higher up the trail. Peter looked at the younger man and tried to think how long the story could be. "Well it is a long walk before we get to the spot so you might as well start talking," he remarked. Nodding his head Neal decided that starting from the beginning would be best.
"When I was seventeen my brother decided he wanted to leave home after a fight with our father, so he ran away and made his way through Europe and Asia before he settled in Russia; for months we didn't know where he was or if he was even still alive. Now you know him as Nicolai but his name is actually Nicolas. After two years I couldn't take the pressure of school and my father pushing me to take on what would have been Nick's responsibilities during cons that my father had set up. So I skipped school and just ran off, after a year I made my way around the country before I found my way to New York," Neal said as they stopped to take a break.
Peter sat down on a rock and got ready for the story to finish; Neal sat across from Peter and pulled one leg up before continuing his story. "When I first got to New York I was pretty green I didn't know my way around and I looked liked since I was new to the game I knew that would work in my favor. I walked around the city a couple hours and I managed to find a cheap apartment after a while. Once I had a new home I walked around the city a few days later looking for something to do… that's when I saw a card game at the park I walked over and watched for a few minutes before playing for some big bucks That was when I conned the man out of his money and met Mozzie at the same time," Neal said with a smile. Peter smirked as he leaned back against a tree trunk before standing up and helping Neal stand. "So want to continue your story?" Peter asked.
Walking up the trail as it led them higher above the cabin Neal got ready to finish his story. "Well after conning Mozzie and the other man out of the money I went home. It was soon afterwards that Mozzie hunted me down and asked that we become partners. It was then that he saw and was impressed with the forged bonds I had drying on the table. After a while he told me about the long con against one of the most powerful men in the city at the time," Neal said as he stepped over a log.
"Long con, who was it against anyway?" Peter asked as he stepped over the same log. Neal looked back for a moment at Peter and bit his lip for a second as he thought "Vincent Adler…the man who made me into the man you know now…well now right now but before everything that has happened," Neal said as he stepped on a twig that snapped loudly.
Freezing for a moment Peter reached forward and grabbed Neal by the elbow "Wait… Vincent Adler….Vincent Adler the man who ran the Ponzi scheme that took a hundred and fifty million from his clients," Peter remarked. Neal nodded "He also took most of my money as well…even though he conned me I did meet Kate because of him, and I also met Alex while working for him only when she tried to con him and I tipped him off," Neal remarked as he turned away. Not wanting to push it Peter didn't push the topic as they kept walking.
After a long walk Peter sat on the large log that overlooked the valley to the east "It's a breathtaking view of everything," Neal sat on a small rock and put his head against Peter's knee. "Yeah it is I thought if you sat here long enough you would feel better and it would inspire you to paint actual paintings that aren't forgeries. It would be nice to see your take on this view and how you would paint it," Peter remarked as he watched Neal scan the view and learn every curve of the hills and every leaf on the trees. Sitting quietly he waited for Neal to speak first; the younger man looked around more before looked over his shoulder.
"I guess I should finish the story, let me back track a bit first, before Adler took everyone's money he ran the business like a respectable one, as the street kid I pretended to be he took me under his wing and showed me the ropes and I believed that he was who he said he was. Both Kate and I invested our money into the business that was the wrong idea, after that we ran various cons all over the city which you know now, but not then," Neal said with a small chuckle as he brushed his hair out of his eyes before he continued. "After a while I brought up the music box, right away Kate said no… in the end I went by myself… well not really by myself I was working with Alex," Neal said as he rubbed the back of his head a bit.
Peter was intrigued as the story continued he sat back to listen. "I take it that it didn't go well since you didn't make it out with box and you were forced to steal it later," Peter remarked as he ruffled Neal's hair. "Yeah there was a problem, Alex ended up in a French hospital and I barely got out… I never told anyone this but I had some help at the last minute from Nicolai, I was running down a street and he grabbed me and pulled me down an alley and he helped me get out of the city. I didn't find out 'til later that my mom called him and told him where I was," Neal laughed uneasily since he didn't want to look weak in front of Peter.
Laughing softly Peter covered his mouth. "You should have been more careful, now that I know that big story why don't you explain why Dante hated you for so long? Peter asked making Neal laugh and put his head back. "Oh that was a buildup of childhood torture and the fact that I stole a painting from a museum and just before he arrested me I left the country and went to New York where you arrested me and you know the rest of the story," Neal remarked as he looked back at the view.
An hour Peter stood up and helped Neal to his feet and held him close as they walked back down the hill. Neal smiled as they came out of the woods by the house. "Dinner is going to take a while so I should get started on that," Neal remarked as he dug the food out of the fridge. Peter walked over to the couch and grabbed the now dry sponge off the floor and walked it back to the sink. "That has been on the floor all day just throw it away and we'll get another one from under the sink," Neal remarked as he pulled the chicken and peppers out of the fridge. Peter threw out the old sponge and went back to the couch and watched as Neal busied himself in the kitchen.
When dinner was ready Peter sat up on the couch he watched as Neal set the table "It smells good, then again it should since you spent an hour cooking, so what is it anyway?" Peter asked as he moved to the table and sat down. "It's chicken with red pepper strips and cheese. It's simple and good with any wine… or beer… if you want to ruin the taste," Neal said feigning sadness as he looked the wine selection that Peter brought for him. Peter resisted the urge to role his eyes as he stood up and took the wine bottle Neal was holding. "Wine sounds good with a dinner like this, you serve and I'll pour," he said as he dug the corkscrew out of the box and uncorked the bottle as dinner was served.
Neal smiled at the meal and the wine "Here's to a great vacation and to a life we consider normal," Neal toasted as he held his wine glass up Peter nodded and clinked his glass with Neal's. As they ate Neal kept chuckling softly. "Have you looked over at the sink yet?" Neal asked with a smile. Not wanting to look over Peter decided to change the subject "So what are your plans for Thanksgiving? El and I decided to just lie around and do nothing all day and eat some turkey sandwiches," Peter said with a smile.
"I don't know yet, since I'm tethered to a two mile radius maybe I'll just walk around all day I haven't planned that far ahead yet," Neal lied as he finished his dinner and began to work on his wine while Peter cleared the table. "All that walking took a lot out of me I think I'm going to call it an early night," Neal yawned as he finished off his glass and left it on the table before rising and making his way to the staircase that lead to the master bedroom.
Peter collected the last of the dishes and began to wash them, once he was finished washing and drying the dishes Peter put them away and looked around to make sure he didn't miss anything; afterwards he checked the locks before heading up the stairs. Upon entering the master bedroom Peter noticed that Neal's clothes were littering the floor, but before he was about to speak Peter noticed that Neal was sound asleep with all the blankets pulled around him like a cocoon. Peter covered his mouth to stifle his laugh at how innocent Neal looked; pulling his own shirt off Peter dropped the shirt on the chest at the end of the bed. Once he was in his pajamas Peter grabbed the edge of the blankets and began to tug them away from Neal.
Groaning a bit Neal struggled to keep the blankets wrapped around him, Peter gave one final tug that made him slip and fall back so he was sitting on the floor and with the force of the tug he pulled Neal right off the bed and into his lap. Neal opened his eyes and sat up. "You could have just asked," He remarked as he pushed the blankets off and put them around Peter to keep him close, "and with both our phones are off; and we're now all alone," Neal said flirting with a smile before leaning in to kiss Peter.
Just as their lips touched Peter pulled back. "The floor is cold even with the blanket," Peter remarked. Neal sighed and sat up "I guess you're right, but it's your fault we ended up on the floor in the first place," Neal remarked as he got up and threw the blankets back on the bed before crawling under it quickly to stay warm. Moving under the blankets Peter barely got comfortable before Neal latched onto him for warmth. "I thought you were tired?" Peter asked as he tried to give himself some space. Neal pretended to pout, "I was but then I realized that I'm not actually that tired. I guess it was just a little fluke from such a filling meal but you being here have given me a second wind," Neal remarked with a purr.
"You know Neal I've always assumed that sex with you is like a con, a lot of little parts equaling up to the big score." Neal sat up and smirked "Oh really, well the first time I met you in front of the bank I thought you weren't bad looking and even though you were FBI I decided to stroke my ego and meet you face to face. The first thought went through my mind was how dangerous and exciting it would be to sleep with you," Peter felt a wide smile fall on his lips. Neal smiled his famous charming smile before pulling Peter into a kiss. Holding onto Peter tightly Neal squeaked in surprised when Peter bit his neck. "I'm not a chew toy you know…" Neal remarked as he tried not to moan at the feeling.
Peter growled at the comment and pulled Neal closer to his body, neither man noticed the fiery red sunset reflecting off the snow that had begun to fall in large clumps and stick to the ground. The younger man bit his lip when felt like laughing due to his ticklish ribs. Not wanting to be tickled Neal used all his strength he managed to flip Peter over and sit on his lap. Leaning forward Neal crossed his arms over Peter's chest to keep him pinned to the bed. "You're my prisoner now, to bad I don't have handcuffs…but in this position I don't think I really need them," Neal remarked with a purr as he put his head down on his arms.
Clearing his throat a bit Peter waited 'til Neal's guard was down before he flipped Neal back over and pinned him down against the bed, Neal didn't waste time pulling Peter into a kiss. Pulling away Peter smirked "I'm so glad there are no neighbors for at least a mile I really don't want to explain the noise level to the locals," he remarked with a smirk. "So you think I'm a screamer…you'll have to work hard to prove it, and since you chased me for years I know you can do it," Neal said in a challenging tone as he smirked.
Neal purred as the afterglow of sex slowly began to wear off as he nuzzled against Peter's chest and fell asleep. Peter didn't mind that Neal was so clingy after sex. I never knew that Neal was so sensitive behind his ear, Peter thought as he rubbed Neal's shoulder softly. Closing his eyes Peter kissed Neal's forehead softly. It was at that moment he realized that loving Neal would be a full time job in of itself; Neal at times was like an overly expensive house cat that craved attention, fine wine and the occasional treat of art.
"Sleep well Neal," Peter whispered softly as he rested his chin on the top of Neal's head as he looked out the window at the falling snow before falling asleep as well. Somehow this feels right even if no one else sees is that way, it took almost losing him to realize that he is so important to me. Peter thought as his mind drifted away from him.
Peter woke before the sun even rose into the sky; he could see the sky turning from the rich royal blue to pale robin's egg. Looking down at the other man in his arms he worked quickly to slip Neal's tangled arms and legs off of him. He tucked the blankets back around his lover to keep him warm and asleep while his breakfast was being prepared. Creeping across the room Peter grabbed his warm robe avoiding the creaking floorboards as he snuck down the stairs to the kitchen. Bustling around as quietly as he could Peter grabbed everything he needed and began to work on Neal's and his own breakfast.
Fifty minutes later Peter had a large tray with two plates covered with buttermilk pancakes, powdered sugar French toast, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and two glasses of orange juice. Balancing the tray with ease Peter carried upstairs, and when he walked around the corner he smiled when he saw Neal sitting up in bed. "Breakfast in bed after great sex maybe I did make the right choice and get into the con artist game," Neal remarked as he let Peter put the tray down in front of him. Reaching out Neal grabbed a piece of French toast and smiled as he ate it quickly and smiled as Peter sat beside him. "I thought you deserved a filling breakfast, and it snowed last night…" Peter said as he turned his phone back on and put on the night stand but as he grabbed as a strip of bacon and started to lift it to his mouth his phone rang.
Grabbing his phone in his free hand Peter opened it "Oh good morning sir," Peter said as he listened to his boss and not wanting to go hungry Peter started to lift the bacon to his mouth only to have Neal reached over and divert the strip of bacon to his own mouth and quickly devoured it, but he held onto Peter's hand as the other man talked on the phone. Peter looked at his empty hand before looking at Neal with a 'how dare you steal my bacon' look. "Yes I'm still here sir, no we're just eating breakfast…since it snowed last night I will have to check to see if we can leave," Peter remarked as he watched Neal closely as he saw the other man smirk. Neal lowered his gaze before he pulled Peter's hand close and he started to lick the pads of Peter's fingers. It was Peter's turn to make a strange noise, clearing his throat quickly to cover the noise he made he looked at Neal and watched as he continued to lick his fingers clean.
Peter pulled away and got up from the bed and put his slippers on before he walked out onto the deck. Neal looked back at his breakfast and picked at it until all the toast was gone leaving his mouth was covered in powdered sugar which he soon licked clean. Neal then got out of bed and walked out onto the deck and put his arms around Peter's waist and held him close. "I'm gonna have to call you back sir after I've assessed how deep the snow is after breakfast." Peter said as he tried to rush his boss off the phone. When he was cleared to leave the conversation Peter quickly hung up the phone when he felt Neal's hand slip into his robe and up his chest.
"Don't get too frisky we need to talk…Jordan was found late yesterday night and after two hour specialized questioning, as the Russians put it, he's being returned to the States and he agreed to give a statement on his connections and how he got his drugs. Hughes pulled some strings and Jordan is being delivered to us to be questioned and if we play our cards right we can get the DEA off your case," Peter remarked. Neal nodded his head against Peter's shoulder blade. "I see, that means we have to head home and be there to clear up any lies he might tell. I know you planned for a whole week up here but if I can close this horrible chapter of my life then I'm all for it and we can come back up here another time for another trip…why don't you finish eating while I take a shower," Neal said as he pulled away and walked toward the bathroom.
Turning around Peter watched Neal walk across the room toward the bathroom wearing nothing but his boxers, groaning softly at Neal's actions he made his way over to the bed and picked at the cooling pancakes and what was left of the bacon and sausage. When he was done he quickly made his way downstairs to avoid seeing Neal in nothing but a towel. As he made his way down the basement stairs he glanced out the window at the fresh snow and opened the back door that led to the yard. "Only a couple inches… we can make it through this," Peter remarked as he turned around and went back inside and up to the master bedroom.
Going over to where Neal kept his duffel bag he grabbed it and tossed it at the bed, when it hit the bed it spilled on the floor. Moving quickly he started to pick everything up before Neal got out of the shower. As he picked everything up he grabbed a pair of wool socks off the floor, giving the socks a squeeze he heard something crinkle inside. Peter felt curiosity get the better of him as he reached into the sock and pulled a large wad of cash out of the sock. He checked to make sure the money was real before counting it. When he was done he gripped the money and walked into the bathroom just as Neal was stepping out of the shower a towel around his waist.
"You missed a really nice shower," Neal remarked with a smile, but the smile faded when he saw the look on Peter's face. "Care to explain why you have five hundred dollars in sequential twenties hidden in your socks?" Peter asked as he walked closer to Neal. Not missing a beat Neal reached forward and grabbed the money and tightened his hand around the cash. "How dare you go through my things, and I don't have to explain anything to you…"Neal huffed as he walked out of the bathroom and went to find some fresh clothes.
Not wanting to let the anger fester for too long Peter followed Neal and put his arms around him "Calm down Kitten, I'm sorry for reacting…I just thought you might have agreed to go on this trip just to run away…from the FBI… from me…it scared me for a moment," Peter said as he held Neal close. "Kitten...is that supposed to be a nickname for me? Well you need one as well, mmm how about Muffin," Neal remarked with a smirk as he pulled away and walked over to his bag and grabbed a black tee shirt and a pair of jeans. "So care to explain what you were doing digging in my bag?" Neal asked as he dropped his towel and began to dress.
Peter turned away to give Neal some privacy "I threw your bag toward the bed and it spilled open and when I was picking your things up quickly before you got out and I found the money. Curiosity got the better of me and I looked in your socks… you have every right to be mad," Peter said as turned back around and found Neal dressed. "You should know that curiosity killed the cat Peter, why do you think I nearly died," Neal said solemnly.
Before Peter could stop himself he blurted out the one question he had wanted to ask for the last two minutes. "Are the bills real?" he asked pointing to the wad of cash in Neal's hand. "Of course it's real unless you want to search my apartment for a printing press I think it's still in the closet and there still might be some stolen paper and toner under the bathroom sink next to the shampoo," Neal remarked coolly in reaction to Peter jumping to the conclusion that just because he was a con he printed fake money. Moving away from Peter the younger man shoved the money back into his bag before zipping it up and putting it aside. Neal then grabbed the empty tray and walked to the stairs.
"We're not done talking come back here," Peter called as he followed the other man down the stairs and into the kitchen area. Neal kept his back to his friend and lover "No we're done talking Agent Burke…" Neal bit as he started to clean off the remaining food off the plates and started to wash them. Right away Peter knew Neal was mad at him, the younger man hadn't called him Agent Burke since he was arrested… it was always Peter even during his trial. Sitting down at the kitchen table Peter put his head down whole he tried to figure out how to make it up to Neal for jumping the gun and accusing him of counterfeiting.
Neal smiled when he saw that Peter had made coffee and going over to the coffee pot he poured two cups of coffee before putting one in front of Peter as he put a hand on Peter's shoulder and watched as he sat up "I'm sorry… do you forgive me?" Neal asked hoping that they could put the water under the bridge. Peter smiled and nodded "Your forgiven Neal, now can you forgive me for jumping to conclusions?" Peter asked as he picked the coffee cup. Neal leaned over and gave Peter a quick kiss before grabbing his own cup of the Italian roast coffee that June had given them for the trip. "You're forgiven, and thank you for the breakfast it was lovely Muffin," Neal remarked with a smirk as he sipped his coffee.
Putting his cup down Peter looked across the table. "Once we're done we should pack up the food, and your art supplies and our bags and try to beat the traffic so that way we can get that whole meeting done with," Peter remarked as he finished up his coffee. Neal looked at his coffee and sighed softly "The agents from the DEA will be there won't they… the ones that worked with Jack?" Neal asked softly his hands shaking a bit in fear.
Peter put his cup down and reached across the table and took Neal's hands up and kissed them softly, "I will be sitting right next you and you don't have to answer anything you don't want to, but after Jordan gives his statement the DEA will have to accept that you are innocent and all charges will be dropped I'm sure of it," Peter remarked softly as he slowly released Neal's hands and stood up. "You finish packing down here I'm going to go and change," he added as he went upstairs to dress.
Smiling softly Neal moved around the kitchen and packed the food into the large box before he moved over to his art supplies and began to put them all in one large pile to be brought down to the car.
Once the car was packed Peter opened the garage door and pulled out of the garage on the snow covered driveway. Neal sketched as he watched everything go by. He smiled when looked up and found Peter watching him as they were at a stop sign "What?" he asked as he tried to figure out why the other man was watching him. "Nothing… I felt like looking," he remarked as he pulled away from the stop sign and turned south toward the highway. Neal smiled and put his head back against the headrest. As they traveled out of the mountains the snow was less and less.
"Tonight you can drop me off at June's that way you can have a little time with Elizabeth, I don't want to be the third wheel all the time," Neal remarked as he started to fiddle with the radio. Peter reached forward and stopped Neal from hitting the channel button, "Leave this on for a minute I want to know the scores," he said listening to the recap of the sports news. As they moved farther down the state Neal found watching the scenery boring, as he shifted in his seat until he was comfortable his head supported by the seatbelt.
Peter turned the radio down when he saw Neal was resting and when he realized he needed a pit stop he looked for a gas station and pulled into the first one he saw. He decided to leave Neal sleeping since he wouldn't be long. Locking the door behind him Peter went into the shop and looked at everything as he made his way to the bathroom. When he returned to the car he found Neal still asleep in the front seat.
Continuing on the trip soon the country gave way to the larger towns, after two hours Peter began to fight the city traffic. When they finally arrived at the FBI parking Neal was wide awake and mentally preparing himself to face Jordan again. "I can do this…" Neal said trying to reassure himself as they walked away from the car and into the FBI building. Peter flashed his badge at the front desk as they went through security.
The elevator ride seemed to take less time than normal and when the doors chimed open Neal walked out of the elevator first and walked toward Hughes's office.
"Burke…Caffrey good timing Wilson is going to be up here in two minutes, but before he gets here I just want to say that no matter what we're going to clear you Caffrey," Hughes remarked as he tried to take away any fear Neal had.
Soon the tell tale sound of the elevator chimed and Hughes walked between Peter and Neal, turning around both men looked at the unshaven prisoner who looked like he had been through hell his lip was still swollen and his cheek heavily bruised. The agent transporting the prisoner walked out of the elevator his hair slicked back and wearing a black leather jacket and dark pants.
Hughes stood in the middle of his agent and the consultant. "I'm Reese Hughes, and you are?" The young agent removed his leather gloves before putting them away, "Right… I am Nikolaĭ Kaffri Special agent of the Federal Security Service of Russia," the agent said giving Hughes a small salute.
Neal and Peter looked at each other before looking at Nicolai "No way…" they both said simultaneously.