THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH! The reviews are all great! xD I'd like to thank a few of you personally so don't be surprised if I mention your names in the next chapter~!
(; Thanks for sticking around and reading the story!

Peter Burke had no clue what was going on. Why would Neal betray him? Peter shook his head in disbelief. He and Neal had become friends...Or so he'd thought. Idiot. He thought Neal had changed. He trusted Neal, although he'd never told the con man. He was such a fool, everything that Neal had ever told him or done for him had been a set up! Months of working together and now this was what Neal did? He was supposed to be Peter's friend.

"It's all here." Neal stated with a smile on his face.

He was actually smiling! How could Neal do this? The ex-con man had wormed his way into his heart. That was how. Peter had trusted him and now he was paying for it. He'd never see Elizabeth again...Neal may not be violent, but Peter was sure Neal had something planned that would keep him from ever getting a chance in law enforcement and possibly turn his wife against him. If it was one thing Peter had learned throughout his relationship with the younger man it was this: DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE NEAL CAFFREY.

Never trust a criminal, idiot!

Neal wagged the large, black duffel bag in front of the thug.

Peter briefly thought that was a stupid move to pull. He'd seen this man with his gun and he wasn't hesitant.
His jailor took a step forward, reacing out, but something happened. Neal didn't move. He pulled the bag back and away from 'Doug'. Then he spoke. Something was off with his usually smooth voice.

"You do remember the deal don't you? You let Peter walk out of here."

Peter stared. Blinked. Stared again and suddenly it clicked. Neal was buying him out of this-from his own personal stash, no doubt. Peter's mouth would have dropped if not for the tape.

So Neal wasn't there for revenge? Then what-

"If I came- no anklet, no cops and nothing up my sleeve. You let him walk away in exchange for the money..." Neal stopped for just an instant. His eyes moved to Peter.

"And me."

Neal only stared at him sadly as Peter was hit head on with the shock. The realization smacked him across the face. "NO! Neal you can't!" Peter screamed. The gag blocked everything so he started struggling against the ties around his wrists. Neal's face only looked sadder. There was nothing Peter could do.

His partner turned back to Doug. "I'm well aware of our agreement. Caffrey." Doug spoke for the first time in the entire meeting. He said Neal's name like it was poisonous. "Untie him..." Neal didn't move for a second. "GO!" Doug yelled.

Immediately Neal threw the bag back over his shoulder and strode over to Peter. He looked like he was on top of the world. No matter what Peter did he would not be able to stop Caffrey from doing this. But he continued struggling, ignoring the pain in his wrists.

When Neal knelt down beside him and reached out Peter moved, shaking his head at his consultant almost defiantly. Neal grabbed his wrists forcefully and untied Peter's ankles in three seconds. Neal wasn't about to let Peter escape and do something stared Peter in the eye. Peter could see the sadness there. And worse. Resignation. No. Never resignation! That was reserved for when someone knew they were going to...Neal didn't bet on getting out of here safely.

"What's a worthless criminal compared to a good man?" He asked.

Neal had only untied his legs, which felt like lead from lack of use. They bled through his black socks from being tied and chafing against his shoes. He didn't think he'd ever make Caffrey wear that damned anklet ever again if he got out of here.

Neal WOULD get out, he told himself.

"Neal, you make a difference too! Don't do this!"
Neal ignored his muffled attempts at speech, casting an angry look at Doug and hoisting Peter up. He dragged him to the staircase doorway and threw open the door.

Peter felt Neal press something tiny and cold in his hands, but couldn't twist to see it. Not while Doug was watching.

Neal shoved Peter into the darkness of the stairwell. Just as Peter scooted around to look at his friend Neal began to close the door. He was smiling! Actually smiling! How- why would Neal smile?

"I'm sorry Peter."
Suddenly Peter was surrounded in pitch black darkness. He knew he couldn't get back through that door when heard a small 'click'.

Damn it Neal!

As quickly as he could Peter brought his aching arms around and down his back, lifting each leg in turn as he lay on his back to bring his hands in front of his body. Peter shoved the object Neal had given him in his pants pocket. He needed to get help. Rolling into a sitting position, he stood up and started running. He had to help Neal. Peter was racing down steps two at a time, tearing the duct tape off his face with his bound hands. How could he be so ignorant? Neal was his friend. He should have known better! Neal wasn't just a criminal anymore- he was Peter's best friend and Neal hadn't betrayed him. Peter had betrayed Neal.

If Neal got hurt...

He was full-on sprinting now.
He was free of the building and halfway through the parking lot when a porsch screeched around the corner and stopped in front of him. Alex was in the driver's seat.

"Where's Neal!" She shouted. Concern covered her features. He didn't answer. Peter grabbed the small pocket knife at his belt and flipped it to Neal's friend. She glared at him, but cut the ties around his wrist in one fluid motion.
Con Artists.

"Now where's my con artist?" She shouted in hysteria. Alex leaned out the window in a rush, hair blowing in the breeze.

"Probably stalling so I can get my ass outta here- you have a gun?" Peter demanded. He was in a hurry, rubbing his free wrists. If he didn't get to Neal before-
"He told me to get you out no matter what..." Alex was obviously debating which was more important, Neal's orders to her or Neal's life. It was pretty clear to Peter. He grabbed her by the shoulders.

"ALEX! I need a gun!"
Immediately she forced her door open and slammed it in a huff. "Neal...always getting in trouble." she grumbled. Even through her grumbling she moved for her trunk in a flash and thrust the trunk upward. She moved like a cat. Fast and graceful. The young woman pulled out at 45 and tossed it to Peter. Impressive... He quickly redirected his thoughts. Who knew what was happening to his partner right now?

As he ran past, Peter reached in her driver's side window and snatcher Alex's cell. He dialed Jones and shouted something in the phone as he ran toward the building at top speed. He hung up without waiting for a reply to his information and threw the phone in his pocket with whatever Neal had given him. He'd look at it later.

The porsch screeched away. Alex obviously didn't need to cops on her right now.

As Peter's foot crossed the shadow of the doorway he heard it.
A gun shot echoed in the empty space.

OHHHH yes...I are evil! xD
Okay so I guess we're stuck with Peter for now since Neal's kinda unconcious huh?