Chapter 2

(Midmorning in New York City)

Neal was running an errand for Peter when he ran into an 'old friend'…Rico.

"Rico," acknowledged Neal warily, it was never a good thing to be with Rico, he was likely to go off like a time bomb and bring Neal nothing but grief.

"Caffrey, I heard you were out and working with the Feds…how could you stoop so low?" he asked as he stared at Neal.

"Well, it got me out of prison and living better…and anyhow I'm reformed now," replied Neal as he considered how to get past Rico without upsetting him. They hadn't left on the past of terms…something about Rico's fondness for violence and Neal's dislike for it.

"I just got out myself, only I did it the old fashioned way and escaped during a doctor's visit. I need your help Neal," he said as he moved closer.

"My help? Now you don't understand, part of my terms is not to do anything illegal, like I feel you are planning, or I will be sent back and I've grown accustomed to showering by myself and sleeping on a soft mattress," argued Neal.

"You have no choice, unless you want me to visit Mozzie…again," threatened Rico.

Neal blanched at the thought of the first time Rico had used Mozzie as a means to an end. He had wanted Neal to help him steal something and Neal had refused emphatically until Rico decided that if he hurt Mozzie and threatened to do worse Neal would agree, which is exactly what happened. Neal refused until Rico kidnapped and had Mozzie beaten and then dropped Mozzie off where he knew Neal would find him with a note telling him the next time would be worse if he didn't help. Neal didn't want a repeat performance and quickly agreed.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked defeated.

"Not much, just get me into the Forensic division of the FBI. You work there, so you must know all of the shortcuts into getting in there without being noticed," Rico said with a smile.

"Rico…if they catch me I'll be back before the ink is dried on the order," argued Neal. "That's like walking into the lion's den."

"Neal you will just have to choose…will it be you safe and sound or Mozzie who I will kill if you don't help," replied Rico dangerously.

Neal really didn't have a chose; he couldn't let anything happened to the man who helped him when he was a teen and was like a father to him, one that cared more for him then his own father, so he nodded his head defeatedly and let the way back to the Bureau.

As he walked Neal tried to think of any way to save Mozzie and himself from Rico. He needed to get Rico back in prison and away from him and his loved ones but until he actually arrived at the entrance he hadn't a clue on how to achieve it…that is until Lt. Ruiz showed up and recognized Rico and shouted, "FREEZE!"

Neal froze on the spot until Ruiz said, "This will send you back Caffrey, associating with an escapee," after that it was a free for all as Neal turned and ran followed closely by Rico as he turned and fired repeatedly at Ruiz…it was then that Tony happened by as he heard the commotion and went to investigate.

"Neal!"

"Tony!...Run!" shouted Neal as he recognized the agent and wanted to keep him safe; unfortunately Ruiz only saw Tony's arrival as another criminal come to help and started shooting at him as well. Tony reacted without thinking and drew his gun and shot back, causing Ruiz to hit the ground. It was in the struggle to get away that Tony's ID was inadvertently jostled from his pocket and fell to the pavement.

The trio ran until a van came to a screeching stop beside them and Rico pushed Caffrey and then Tony in it before jumping in himself. "Get us out of here!" he gasped at the driver and the van speeded away as the FBI agents ran up. They were able to take down the license tag number before it got too far and issue a BOLO on it.

Burke had joined the pursuit as they fled the scene and saw the ID and picking it up recognized who DiNozzo was and quickly called Gibbs to report what had occurred. He knew only what Ruiz had said and it didn't sound good for either Caffrey or DiNozzo. He was hoping that the security tapes would give him a clue to what had really happened before any more damage could occur.

Rico had his driver take them to a deserted part of town. Once there he motioned for Tony and Neal to get out. With a gun pointed at them they had no other resource but to do as they were ordered.

Rico lost little time in confronting Tony, "Who are you?"

As Tony reached into his breast pocket for his ID and not finding it said,

I'm a friend of Neal's and when I saw him in trouble with bullets flying in his direction went to his aid…my name is Tony DiNozzo." He knew he had to give his rightful name for if they searched him his drivers' license would say the same.

His answer satisfied Rico but he demanded Tony's gun, and with three guns pointed at him Tony reluctantly turned over his Sig.

Rico then turned to Neal and demanded, "Who was that guy that spoiled our heist?"

"Agent Ruiz with the Violent Crimes division of the FBI," replied Neal truthfully. "He has never liked me and recognizing you must have assumed that I was with you and now they are after me as well. If I'm caught they will surely send me back to prison….thanks a lot."

Rico only shrugged his shoulders. He really didn't care all that much what his little caper would cost Caffrey. To him he was only a way to get what he wanted. "You'll no use to me know," he muttered as he looked at Neal when something caught his eye and he suddenly pulled up Neal's trouser leg on his left side revealing the monitoring anklet.

"What's this? Are they monitoring your whereabouts?"

Neal nodded," that was part of the conditions of my parole to the FBI and judging from the distance we have travelled I'm far out of my two mile radius…they are probably on to me now," he added with a smirk.

Rico suddenly slugged Neal knocking him to the pavement as his goons kept a gun on Tony keeping him from interfering. He pulled a knife and with one quick motion cut the anklet from Neal's ankle. "Now they will think you are a fugitive; you'll be looking over your shoulder once again…'bye Caffrey," Rico said as he and his friends got into their van and drove away.

Tony went over and helped Neal up and hearing the sound of sirens heading in their direction took off at the run. They would get away from here and then consider their options and what to do next.

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