Peter stared at the computer screen; at the tiny red dot that signaled Neal's tracking anklet. He'd been at the same spot for nearly an hour and after a few phone calls Peter had discovered it was a tavern about three miles away.
Peter figured he'd give Neal another hour and if he didn't leave, the agent would fetch him. After talking to the funeral director Peter had learned that James claimed the body three days ago; enough time to be anywhere, though that didn't stop Peter from calling the bureau and having them work the new lead.
As much as Peter disliked Neal's father; and given the chance Peter would put him away for life, he didn't think James would do this to his own son.
There had to be another reason...Peter shook his head. For Neal's sake he hoped this was more than a form of revenge.
Peter was bored; he wasn't going to sit alone in a hotel room doing nothing. He closed his laptop, grabbed the car keys and headed out.
Peter drove towards the bar through streets that mirrored the conditions of the neighborhood. Even though Peter knew nothing about the city, it was obvious this was the poorer section with rundown and abandoned homes and buildings. He slammed on the brakes as a dog ran in front of him, followed by a young child.
A few minutes later he found himself in front of the bar. He turned the car off and got out, his eyes taking in the sad sight of another building that once had better days. One side was completely covered in graffiti and the front door was partially off its hinges. Pulled to one side was a gate and Peter assumed that's how they kept looters out when the bar was closed, assuming they closed.
Peter walked in and stopped, allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkened room. There were several patrons sitting at the bar and they all turned to stare at the stranger who had invaded their territory.
The agent ignored them and walked past as he spied his partner with a pool stick, taking aim at a ball.
"Neal" Peter whispered, ignoring the ex-con's competitor. "Neal, let's go."
Neal ignored him but the other guy didn't.
"He's busy. And he's not going anywhere until I win my money back."
Peter groaned as he stared up.
"Neal, I'm not kidding. Give him his money back so we can get out of here."
Peter reached for the stick but he was grabbed first.
"You don't seem to want to live, do you?"
Neal glanced over. "Peter, go. I'm a little busy at the moment."
"So am I" Peter countered as he tried to get the goon to release him.
"He said he was busy." Peter was shoved backwards, landing against someone else who took the opportunity to land a punch. Peter went down with a thud.
"That's it" he said as he stood, ignoring the pain. "You are under arrest for striking a federal agent..." he reached for his badge and all hell broke loose.
Peter took a sip of water, gargled and spit it out, noting it was finally devoid of blood. He wiggled his jaw and opened his mouth, checking for any loose teeth. Satisfied that he came out of the fight, mostly unscathed, he washed his face and exited the bathroom.
"Put that back on" he ordered, seeing the ice pack lying next to Neal. The ex-con was sprawled out on the bed, already sporting a nasty black eye.
"Pull your shirt up."
"Peter, I didn't know."
"Shut up." Peter sat on the edge and lifted Neal's shirt. He pressed lightly on the darkened area and Neal hissed.
"You said it didn't hurt."
"I lied." Neal moved away from Peter's touch.
"You'll get that checked out tomorrow once we get home."
"Tomorrow?" Neal sat up. "Peter you said I had a week..."
Peter stood. "I assumed you wanted to go back...you don't? Do you have more bars you want to visit? Neal what were you doing there? Couldn't you find a better neighborhood?"
"I grew up in that neighborhood" Neal spit out. "Not all of us grew up in posh surroundings." Neal stood with a slight groan and walked to the bathroom.
"You know, the next time I'm in a bar brawl I want to be drunk first." Peter said loudly as the bathroom door slammed shut.
A few minutes later Neal returned looking rather pale. He grabbed the ice pack and settled in the lone chair, refusing to meet Peter's gaze.
Peter sat on the bed, keeping his focus on Neal, watching for any signs that his friend was in too much pain.
"Peter, why do you think he did it?"
Peter shrugged.
"I needed to do this..."
"Why Neal?" Peter questioned. "Why was this so important?"
"She was my mother" Neal said simply.
"A mother you haven't seen in years" Peter countered as he leaned back against the wall, eyes still on his friend.
Neal closed his eyes as he fidgeted in the chair, trying to get comfortable.
"Neal you were a child. Anything that happened wasn't your fault."
"No, it wasn't" Neal admitted as he played with the ice pack. "And I didn't mean what I said earlier. I know you didn't grow up with a lot of money."
"But I had two parents" Peter put forth with a weary smile. "I'm sorry Neal. I know how rough it must have been."
"You don't know half of it" Neal quietly said as he stood and paced a couple of steps.
"Neal, I'm listening if you want to talk."
Neal stopped and glanced at Peter.
"Peter, I'll talk if you indulge in my idea."
"And that... is?" Peter asked hesitantly.
"A road trip home with stops along the way. Peter, for once in my life I want to do something normal. What do you think?"
"The tickets are paid for" Peter casually remarked. "It cost more money to get a flight tomorrow..."
"Peter, I can't go home. Not yet. And I can't stay here." Neal paused for a breath. "Peter, for a few days can you just be my friend?"
It was rare that Peter heard such emotion in Neal's voice. Ever a con, there were few times that Neal couldn't keep that mask in place. This was one of those times.
Peter didn't know what to do and he stared at Neal until finally the younger man turned away; though Peter didn't miss that look of despair in Neal's eyes.
For reasons Peter didn't understand and maybe never would Neal needed to do this.
"OK Neal" Peter finally said, finding his voice. "I'll go make some phone calls and you figure out where we're going." He waited but Neal didn't say anything so Peter left.
It took Peter nearly two hours and several phone calls to finally get the ok; and he wasn't sure it was an ok...more like make sure he doesn't get into any trouble along the way. Peter missed Hughes but it sounded like his old boss was enjoying retirement and had no plans to return to the bureau.
When he returned he found Neal stretched out on the bed pouring over a map.
"Where'd you get that?" Peter asked as he sat on the edge.
"Gift shop" Neal answered." They sell everything down there."
Peter noticed the lines on the map; it seemed Neal already had their trip mapped out.
"Neal, what's the game plan?"
Neal glanced sideways. "We got the ok?"
"We did."
"Thank you" Neal whispered with a small sigh of relief, returning his focus to the map.
"So, where are we going?" Peter asked again when Neal grew quiet.
"I thought we drive north and head up to Chicago."
"OK" Peter agreed evenly. "What are we going to do there?"
"Really Peter?" Neal chuckled. "They have a great art museum..."
"Neal, is that a good idea?"
Neal sat up...a little too fast and he grimaced in pain. Peter noticed but kept quiet.
"Peter, I'm not going to get myself or you in trouble. I'm going to be a tourist, plain and simple."
Peter nodded. "What else?"
Neal showed the agent the notepad he was writing on. "There's a Cub game tomorrow night that I already bought tickets for..." He paused, watching Peter's reaction. "I assumed you'd want to go."
Peter smiled. "Never been to Wrigley Field" he admitted. "Go on."
"We'll get a hotel downtown and take the EL to the game..."
"The EL?"
"Their train" Neal answered.
"You don't take the subway here" Peter countered with a hint of amusement. "Am I going to recognize you for the next week?"
"Maybe this isn't a good idea." Neal tossed the map aside and stood.
"Neal..." Peter grabbed his arm. "I'm sorry, I need to get used to this...to you."
Neal shook himself free. "You want to know the real me, for one week you'll get it. Be careful what you wish for. You may not like who I am."
"Or I may like you better." Peter said, trying to lighten the mood. "Neal, I know you who are, ok?"
"Do you?"
"Yes, I do." Peter held his hands up. "Let's get back to the trip. What else do you have planned?"
Neal reached for the note pad and handed it to Peter.
"I figure we'd spend two nights in Chicago and then move on."
Peter nodded. "Planetarium sounds like fun." He looked over the list. "Where do we go after Chicago?"
Neal shrugged. "I was thinking we could stop in Cleveland but..."
"They have the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."
"Seriously?" Neal stared at him.
"Come on Neal. Buddy Holly. The Big Bopper. Elvis."
Neal rolled his eyes. "OK, one night in Cleveland. I'm sure there's a museum or two there."
"And then?"
Neal shrugged. "We'll figure it out as we go if that's ok?"
"It is. Can we spend the last night in Ithaca before heading home?"
Neal eyed him suspiciously. "Why there?"
"You can meet my parents." Peter shrugged. "They know about you so I'm sure they'd finally like to meet you."
Neal nodded. "There is something I need to do in the morning before we leave."
"There are two things you need to do" Peter stated. "I checked downstairs and there's a walk in clinic a block away..."
"Peter, I'm fine."
"We'll let the doctor decide that." Peter held his finger up. "Don't argue."
"Whatever" Neal mumbled. "I need to go out and buy some shorts and t-shirts. And then we'll have a discussion about the tracking anklet."
"No way... No discussion. It stays on."
"Discussion Peter. That's all I'm asking for. Listen to me and if you say no afterwards, I'll live with it."
"I'm saying no now" Peter said as he followed Neal out the door.