(Chapter 7)
Elizabeth heard noises as someone came into the room she was kept in. She saw the man for the first time as he walked over quickly and jerked her head up to look at him, his hand holding her chin firmly. She glared at him, his expression cold and unfeeling the way she had imagined. There was nothing here that reminded her of Neal, even though Peter had described him as the "anti-Caffrey." He was truly the opposite.
"A strong woman. I can see why the Fed married you if you're glaring at me when I have a gun in hand." Keller's voice was smug as he cocked the gun and held it before her now widening blue eyes. El was trembling despite her anger at the situation.
"I guess you'd like to know what happened to your husband and his pet convict..." Keller was smiling darkly, the gun pointed at her forehead dangerously.
"Don't take it personally... Mrs. Burke. You'll be seeing your husband again." Keller's finger was on the trigger when her eyes widened further at a figure behind him. There was a loud sliding metal sound and Keller froze.
"Don't take it personally but you're going to prison. Put the gun down..." Keller turned his head to see Diana smiling at him dangerously, an assault rifle in her hands and 10 agents with guns behind her. Keller gulped with a grim smile on his face as he uncocked his pistol and turned back to El who was smiling despite the gag over her lips. Keller held up his hands as he dropped the gun and other agents came to cuff him and pull him away. Diana smiled as she crouched over Elizabeth Burke and untied her boss' wife, pulling the tape gently from her mouth. El looked relieved as she spit out the rags and rose slowly with Diana's help.
"Elizabeth? What are you doing here?" Diana seemed surprised, El looking up at the agent tiredly. She was happy to be untied, smiling at her husband's colleague.
"Thank you Diana. Did you find Peter and Neal yet?" She felt her legs strained from sitting for an extended period, her arms numb from having been bound for so long. Diana helped her walk out of the room and down the hallway.
"Jones says they found both Peter and Neal. But how did you end up here? We were all under the impression you were out of town on business." Diana's expression was curious but she held back asking more. El was outwardly calm but inside she was worried, wanting to break down and cry but she needed to know Peter was safe. She didn't want to think he was anything but safe. Diana seemed to know what she was thinking, a comforting arm around her as they walked down the hallway and finally outside into the cool evening air. The agent maneuvered her towards a waiting ambulance, a paramedic wrapping a blanket around El as they looked over her bruises and possible injuries. She happened to peer inside the ambulance seeing a figure laying there.
"Peter?" El noticed the figure of her husband laying prone inside the ambulance, climbing up with some assistance as she grasped her husband's hand. He didn't move, Peter's face pale and shiny with sweat. She felt his forehead as she gently caressed his hair and worried over him, forgetting about her own ordeal a moment. His skin was cool, forehead slightly warmer with fever.
"Peter... I'm ok. Please wake up. How is he?" She had turned to the paramedic who looked at her with a grim smile.
"He's lost a lot of blood but he should be ok. We already have him on a drip. You can ride with him to the hospital." The paramedic offered her a bottle of water which she took gladly, her mouth dry from being captive for over 36 hours. She leaned across her husband, head on his chest listening to his heart beating, feeling the soft rise and fall as he breathed in and out quietly. He was really here and he was alive.
"Peter..." She was hugging him when she heard a commotion outside and saw another gurney being pushed towards another ambulance. The person on the stretcher looked thin and wan, a respirator on their face. Her eyes strained a moment to see who it was when she gasped.
"Neal?" She had only a quick look before the ambulance doors shut and she felt the vehicle start to move. She stood up just enough to watch as they carried Neal to the other ambulance and pulled him inside. Her heart was breaking as she worried about her husband's partner and friend. She felt someone squeeze her hand and looked to see Peter moving ever so slightly, his hand grasping hers gently.
"Peter honey... can you hear me?" She was waiting for him to respond but his eyes just moved ever so slightly before his grip relaxed around hers.
()()()
Neal was dreaming.
"Peter, I'm so glad you're home. How was work?" Elizabeth was talking as Peter walked into their home. Neal blinked as he watched the situation, his friends kissing and hugging a moment before walking into the kitchen.
"Work was quiet. Same old white collar crimes. Lots of mortgage fraud so nothing exciting. How was your catering gig today?" Peter sounded calmer than usual, his manner relaxed as Neal continued to watch from afar it seemed. El was smiling.
"It was wonderful. I catered for that woman we met at Reese's party a while back. Her name is June. She had a charity ball for her committee. It was a great job. She says she wants to hire me for the rest of her committee functions. Very sweet older woman." El sounded happy but Neal was confused as she described June as something other than his landlady. El should know that...
"Really? Where does she live?" Peter was reaching for a cookie from a nearby canister markedsweets. El slapped his hand playfully.
"You're like a little kid. Riverside drive... the ritzy side. She's a widower with a very lovely granddaughter who's going to art school and another one who likes sports. They were there at the party visiting. She offered me a coffee she buys from Rome. A very nice Italian roast..." El walked over to the coffee maker and poured out a cup, Peter sniffing it curiously before he drank it.
"That is some nice coffee. I may have to learn to make coffee just for this." He hugged her and smiled, Peter's manner calmer than Neal remembered. There was a knock on the door as he watched El go back to the front of the house and peer out the peep hole smiling.
"Your partner's here, honey!" El looked happy, Neal wondering who was at the door when he saw a different person, not himself standing there. It was an older man closer to Peter's age smiling at them.
"Hey Robert." Peter shook hands with the guy and they seemed pretty buddy buddy. El shook the man's hand before excusing herself back to the kitchen a moment. They were chatting when he caught a bit of conversation as they sat and talked on the sofa. El brought them both some coffee.
"It's a shame about that Caffrey arrest. I'm sorry you had to go through that." Robert, whoever he was sounded rather unhappy about something to do with Neal. All he could do was watch and listen, the dream progressing without his participation. Peter looked upset, running a hand through his hair tiredly.
"Yeah... He wasn't a bad kid really but he should have had a better chance at getting out. No family but his girlfriend and it was hard to watch her when she heard the news. He only had 6 more months too." Peter honestly looked upset but there was something else... Neal tried to figure out what it was as the dream continued.
"You chased him for three years didn't you? Nobody else was able to figure him out like you. You got close?" Robert was patting Peter on the shoulder who just shrugged sadly.
"I guess I admired his tenacity but you can't really say that about someone you're chasing can you? Not like I knew him but he didn't seem like the kind of person who should have... well maybe now I'm just being silly. He was a con but he didn't deserved what he got. Who did it?" Peter's voice sounded concerned but in a more limited manner rather than the familiar fatherly or brotherly tone he had gotten used to. Robert shrugged.
"Tony Gamboli. Says they had something going on with the kid and he was asked to take care of it. He's going to get life for this. They have him in isolation now but that's a whole other story. I came to tell you some good news. Evie and I are about to be parents!" Robert's face looked excited as did Peter's. They were talking excitedly now, the subject of Neal Caffrey's death fading into the background as El came in and she got excited about the news.
Neal watched the dream sadly, realizing had he never been put into Peter's custody perhaps Peter would have had a partner like Robert. Someone normal who could be more than just a tool or asset used when needed. More than just a hassle to take care of and watch. The dream was fading into darkness and Neal felt himself dissolving along with it. Maybe it was better he never met Peter...
Ne..al...
Someone was talking to him but he was fading into the darkness, a sound like the metronome Keller had fading with him, the beating sound ticking slower and slower before it stopped. He thought he heard a faint gasp of some one's last breath and then silence.
()()()
Peter woke up slowly, body aching as he looked around the drab white room of the hospital. He saw a few small bouquets of flowers scattered neatly around the space with cards and a balloon or two. He noted the IVs sticking out of his arm and the soft beeping of the machines around him as he tried to remember where he was and why.
Neal...
He sat up but fell back almost immediately, his body too weak to stay sitting when he tried. He glanced down at his shoulder and saw it had been properly bandaged but still ached and burned painfully. Peter looked around the room again for some sign of his partner when he heard the door opening off to his left, eyes turning to see who was entering.
"Yes, I understand. I'll let you know how he is. Not a problem. Thanks June." Elizabeth's voice was soft and quiet as she spoke on the cell and turned pausing as she saw Peter staring back at her. She nearly dropped the phone, just having enough sense to turn it off and push it into her pocket as she walked quickly to his side and hugged him.
"Hey honey, you're awake." She pulled the chair up and sat, holding his hand in hers as he smiled back at her.
"Yeah, I... How long have I been here?" He was looking at her, his brown eyes full of worry and concern as his memory slowly came back. She had been kidnapped as had he and Neal. Elizabeth looked like nothing had happened, only a few light bruises on her face but she appeared calm, collected he thought. Her blue eyes looked up into his and he could see the hidden fear there, his heart breaking as he held her hand in his.
"Three days. They said you lost a lot of blood so they had to give you some plasma and hydrate you again. I was so worried when I saw you at the scene." She stood and curled up against him as much as she could without getting onto the bed with him. Peter held her tight, both of them like that till they heard a cough and saw a doctor had walked in.
"Mr and Mrs Burke?" She was smiling softly, blue scrubs under a white lab coat as she walked closer. They both nodded to her and she smiled a bit more.
"My name is Dr. Soto. I just came to let you know you should be able to leave here in another couple of days, Mr. Burke. You're doing much better than when we brought you in. How are you feeling today?" The doctor took his wrist in her hand and started to take his pulse. Peter shrugged, wincing slightly since his shoulder hurt.
"Sore but better I guess. I was wondering about my partner. I'm guessing he was brought in here too." Peter was patient as the doctor continued her checkup, her hand going up to the stethoscope around her neck and using it to check his breathing. She smiled but looked a bit confused.
"Partner? Who else was brought in? I know your wife came in with you but I don't remember anyone else." The doctor continued to look confused.
"Neal Caffrey. He was with me at the scene. Young guy, skinny, dark hair... blue eyes." Peter felt sick suddenly as he hoped what might have happened didn't. The young man had looked so pale and still at the scene. He couldn't... Elizabeth squeezed his hand in hers and whispered something.
"She doesn't know about Neal... He's down the hall, Peter. He's... still unconscious." She kept her voice calm and collected but he knew she was just as worried. He gave a nod, relief washing over him.
"Ok... so I can go home in a couple of days then? Any chance I can visit Neal?" Peter was trying to sit up, El helping him with the pillows and gently raising the angle of the bed. The doctor nodded at them.
"I'll arrange for someone to bring a wheelchair in for you to visit your friend. I do recall hearing another patient came in but he's with Dr. Langley. I'll ask how he's doing if you like." She smiled at them both as her exam came to a close and she left the room. El sat down beside him again as he stared silently at the ceiling. He kept seeing Neal laying on the floor beside him, blue eyes staring glassily upwards. He only looked down when he felt El kiss him on the cheek.
"Honey, he's going to be ok. They have him on a respirator because of... well, he was having problems breathing. They say he should be good once he wakes up. They just had to be sure his throat healed first." She was touching his own neck gently, her eyes looking at something he couldn't see.
"I guess there's bruising. My memory's a bit fuzzy about stuff. They didn't hurt you did they? Keller? I... I wasn't sure what I would do if he had." Peter was holding her close to him and kissing her on the lips. El smiled back.
"I was drugged half the time so I don't remember much. When I finally woke up I just acted out of it so they would leave me alone. He was the one who knew Neal... the one you said was the opposite of him. I remember you said he tricked Neal into making a wine bottle. Why did he come after us?" She didn't sound scared so much as curious. That was El. She got angry first and scared later. He shook his head unsure of what he should tell her but he knew she would find out eventually.
"Keller wanted revenge on Neal sending him to jail. Guess that included me and you. He..." He paused unsure how to tell her what he had thought about doing although he never would have. He could never take another life if he could help it but the thought had crossed his mind when he felt her life was in danger. His wife and love of his life. How could he have lived without her?
"It's ok, Peter. I... I think I know what happened. I heard part of what he said to someone on a cell. I'm glad you didn't let him push you." She hugged him tighter and they just stayed like that till a nurse showed up with a wheelchair, gingerly removing the IVs and monitors from Peter's body as they helped him into the chair.
"Your friend is just down the hall. Drs Langley and Soto said it was ok to let you have a brief visit. He's not awake yet but he's been responding off and on to people talking to him." She smiled at them as she rolled Peter down the hall, Elizabeth at his side holding his hand. They arrived at a nearby corridor, the nurse opening up a room on the corner and pushing the wheelchair inside.
Peter felt his heart jump into his throat when he saw Neal's unconscious form laying deathly still on the bed. He had several IVs, monitors and tubes connected to him, a respirator covering his mouth. Tubes were in his nose and mouth, the young man's face pale, eyes shut but fluttering lightly. Peter made to stand but the nurse gently pushed him back down.
"No you're still under doctor's orders to sit still. I'll be right back." She looked at El who nodded before the nurse left them alone. As soon as she'd left, Peter rose up slowly and started to walk towards his partner's bedside. El was near him holding him up.
"Honey, you should be sitting still. You heard what the nurse said." She was saying it but he could tell she wasn't going to tattle for once. They had gone through too much and Neal was like family. He nodded at her as she helped him to stand, his hand reaching to grasp Neal's.
"Neal... it's Peter. El's here too." They both just stood there and looked down at him, his face almost angelic he thought. The man had a way of tugging at people's sympathies. He sighed, taking a seat next to the bed on the chair, his hand still holding Neal's. He had been certain the young man was dead when he saw him at the warehouse. Neal's blue eyes had stared upwards blindly but here he was, fighting for his life in the hospital. Peter's expression turned dark, thoughts of strangling Keller coming to mind. He hoped they'd put him away in isolation, never to see the light of day. He was fuming inwardly when he felt it.
"Neal? Hey... he squeezed my hand!" Peter turned to see El smiling at him as he felt another squeeze and they watched Neal's eyes start to flutter more, lips quivering ever so slightly around the air tube. Suddenly two blue eyes were staring dully upwards, moving around the room before they settled on Peter and El.
"Don't try to talk. Hey buddy... Welcome back." Peter kept talking to him, El pushing the nurse call button quickly before taking Neal's other hand and smiling down at him. They heard a kind of gurgling sound and Neal's eyes blinked a few times. Peter nodded.
"Don't speak. Blink twice for yes and once for no, ok?" Peter watched the young man blink twice then stop. Peter nodded, turning as the nurse came in and saw Peter out of the chair. She scowled a bit but stopped when she saw that Neal's eyes were open.
"He's awake? Let me call Dr. Langley." She quickly forgot about Peter being up and about as she used a nearby phone. When she was done she walked over and took Neal's wrist in her own and took his pulse, listened to his chest with her stethoscope and checked a few other things before smiling.
"I think now that he's awake we might be able to get rid of these tubes. Dr. Langley should be here shortly." The nurse gave Peter a glance of disapproval for standing up but her expression softened considering the circumstances and she left without saying anything. Peter continued to hold Neal's hand, the young man squeezing off and on till he realized it was a coded message and he started to try and translate. He chuckled despite himself, El looking at him curiously.
"Sorry, Neal was telling me he's glad you're ok." Peter felt more squeezes and was quietly mouthing out the letters as he translated and sighed, his eyes getting watery. El noted Neal's movements with his hand and her husband's reaction.
"What's wrong?" El looked worried but Neal shook his head ever so slightly as Peter shook his own head.
"Nothing... he was just expressing how happy he was to see us both doing well." Peter was holding back the truth but he could always tell her later. It was too emotional for him to deal with at the moment. Neal glanced at him and they had a silent understanding. El nodded without asking anything else about it.
"Neal, they said they may be taking those tubes out of you soon. Are you thirsty or anything?" She was gently caressing his hair as he very subtly nodded his head, shifting his weight some. He looked like he was still pretty tired, the gurgling sound coming on and off but when the nurse finally returned, she said it was a normal sound. Dr. Langley showed up a few minutes after, the wizened looking older man smiling gently.
"I guess he finally decided to wake up. He's been with us but he hadn't opened his eyes. Such pretty blue eyes too. Reminds me of my grand son's." The doctor sounded like everyone's favorite grandparent, his expression friendly and kind. He made a motion to the nurse who removed the respirator and started to gently peel off the tape that held the tubing in Neal's nose and mouth.
"I was waiting for him to be conscious before we did this. He's able to breath on his own but we had to be sure he would have no complications considering what happened. His windpipe was fairly swollen and bruised so we had to be safe till he could tell us what was wrong." The doctor had finished pulling on some gloves as the nurse finished with the tape. He was still smiling gently, Peter moving aside but Neal grasped his hand tighter.
"Neal, I have to move aside for the doctor." Peter stood with El's help and moved to the opposite side of the bed but but heard a little tapping on the bars of the bed. It was Neal trying to speak. Peter started to say what was going on when the doctor nodded.
"It's ok. I'm an old HAM. Your name is Neal?" Dr. Langley was addressing Neal directly, the younger man nodding ever so slightly, mouth moving a bit around the tubing. The doctor padded him on the shoulder and smiled.
"You can call me Aaron. Just tap out SOS if you feel discomfort ok? We'll go slow. Ready nurse?"
Peter and El watched as the doctor and nurse very slowly pulled the tubing from Neal's mouth and then nose. Neal only tapped out SOS once, the gurgling sound getting louder at some point before it turned into a wheezy rasping sound and the tubing was free and Neal looked less like something out of a sci-fi movie and more human again. Everyone let out a relieved sigh, Neal coughing weakly before it grew stronger and the doctor took his stethoscope and listened to his lungs.
"Everything sounds fine. Did you want something to drink? I'm sure that throat of yours is a bit dry. Nurse bring him some ice chips and water." The doctor stayed as the nurse left, his attention to El and Peter suddenly as he moved over and talked quietly to them.
"I guess you're his family? He's very lucky. We lost him twice before getting him here but he fought hard. He should be out of here in a few days, three tops. We just had to be sure his throat healed and his leg. The bullet went clean through so he shouldn't have any major damage. It didn't hurt his muscle badly and no ligaments or tendons were hit. He's going to be on crutches for a bit but it will heal." He held a hand out to them and smiled.
"Thank you, doctor." Peter shook the man's hand, El doing the same as she clung to her husband. The doctor seemed to notice their slight unease despite all the good news.
"I heard this was a delicate incident. I'm glad you all came through it healthy. Let me know if you have any other questions." The doctor smiled again at them again before leaving the room, the nurse returning a few minutes after with the ice chips and water. El excused herself for some coffee although she looked a bit nervous at leaving Peter's side. He kissed her and hugged her reassuring her he'd still be here. He didn't want her to leave his sight after what happened but he had to be strong and they were safe now with Keller behind bars. He watched her leave the room trying his best not to panic. He sat back beside Neal's bed as the nurse helped the younger man sit up and fluffed his pillows. She gave him the cup with ice and he was slowly eating bits of it as his blue eyes watched his partner. The nurse left them alone after a moment, Peter turning when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Neal?" The young man blinked his eyes twice then started tapping on his shoulder gently in Morse code again.
"I'm ok. I guess I'm a bit paranoid to let her out of my sight after what happened. I don't want to lose her again." Peter's face turned to look at the door expectantly. Neal squeezed on his shoulder again ever so gently but enough to get attention. The young man coughed a bit, his breath coming out a bit louder as he apparently tried to speak.
"P... P... " He sighed tapping on the bar again beside the bed.
I-W-A-N-T-E-D-T-O-A-S-K...
He stopped tapping, his eyes closing a moment as if he were thinking of what to say then he started tapping again.
D-O-Y-O-U-E-V-E-R-R-E-G-R-E-T...
Peter stopped him right there and shook his head, his eyes watery but he was smiling.
"Don't even ask it. It wasn't your fault what happened. I... when I saw you hanging there in the warehouse, I thought you were dead. I knew what you had done and I wanted to... If I'd had the strength I don't think Keller would have made it to prison." Peter's voice was dark and menacing, his voice coming out angry but it was more than that. He had felt helpless at not being to help his friend or his wife. He stood and started to pace the room as Neal watched quietly. At some point he heard another loud gasp of breath and turned to see Neal trying to speak again.
"Pe...et..er..." Neal looked a bit out of breath trying to speak but he was still trying when he moved back to stop him but the younger man shook his head. He sighed and then tried once more.
"Peet...er..." He kept trying to say something else but didn't have the breath for it apparently. Neal sighed frustratedly and started to tap again on the guard rail.
I-M-S-O-R-R-Y
He was looking up at him with those bright blue eyes, both glittering with tears and asking for forgiveness. Peter just sighed back and mussed his hair when he moved back to the chair.
"Nothing to be sorry about. I already told you, not your fault." He tried to sound calm, his nerves still making him antsy when El hadn't returned yet. He got up and paced again, Neal watching him and knowing what it was as he tapped again.
"Yeah... I know. She's probably ok. I just... I'm going to go see where she is." Peter felt silly but considering what happened he had more than enough reason to be nervous. He limped over to the door and started opening it when he heard voices outside.
"Yes he just woke up. I'm glad you decided to come by for a visit. The doctor was in with us earlier. They pulled all the tubes out..." Peter sighed with relief, turning as he quietly let the door fall closed again. Neal was looking at him with a curious glance.
"She's outside talking to June. I never thought I'd be one to wonder where my wife was but now I know how those people feel." He walked back over and sat down, Neal putting his hand on Peter's and smiling understandingly.
K-A-T-E
He tapped only those four letters out, his face looking at his friend with more understanding that he knew. Peter nodded.
"I guess you would know. I'm... sorry I couldn't help more. I..." This time Neal reached up and made a gesture for him to stop as he tried to speak again.
"N... No..." Neal was shaking his head at him, his eyes looking at the agent without blame. He smiled back.
"Thanks... I... we can talk about it when you get your voice back." He leaned back in the chair tiredly as Neal nodded and they both waited for June and El to join them.
()()()
A week passed. Both Neal and Peter were out of the hospital and on leave till the investigation into what happened with Keller was over. Hughes was talking to the higher ups about Peter's situation and how he had handled it alone. Neal wasn't in trouble but kept away since he was close to the situation and still recuperating with his hurt leg. His voice was slowly coming back. He had opted to go home instead of staying with the Burkes as requested by Peter and El. He felt he would be better off alone in his apartment and he didn't want to impose on them. They had their own demons to battle as did he.
Neal moped around his apartment, crutches used when he wanted to pace but it wasn't the same with the pain in his thigh where Keller had shot him. June was usually home and would bring him his food or if she had to go out she would have the housekeeper do it. He appreciated not having to go downstairs but he missed going out and he had to be on the crutches at least another month before the doctor would approve him walking without them. His muscle had to heal. He sighed boredly, Mozzie coming to keep him company when he could during his recuperation.
"Still on the crutches? How much longer?" Mozz plopped down on the couch and looked at his friend pacing around like a caged tiger. Neal barely paused to look at his friend, the cabin fever driving him nuts. At least he had the terrace to go outside but he wanted more.
"Another two weeks. It seems like I just sleep and eat. I'm going to lose my edge at this point or my sanity." He finally maneuvered over to the sofa and plopped down next to Mozz, lifting his leg up to elevate it on the coffee table. They heard a knock not too long after, a groan of frustration as Neal started to pull himself up but Mozzie held up a hand and walked over to the door instead.
"Friend or Foe?" Mozz yelled, Neal rolling his eyes as he reconsidered standing up. A familiar voice answered.
"Fed! Let me in Mozz." Peter's voice answered from the other side. Mozz turned to look at Neal who nodded and the little guy opened the door a crack and peered out.
"Fed wasn't an option, Suit. Don't you know that?" He was being mildly serious, Peter smirking as he pushed the door open a bit. Mozzie kept standing in the way.
"Uhm, you going to let me in or do I need a search warrant?" Peter saw Mozzie's face smirk, eyes rolling as he finally moved aside and let the agent inside. Peter turned the corner and saw Neal sitting on the couch and smiled with a small wave.
"You look relaxed. How's the leg doing?" He made his way over, motioning for Neal to stay seated as he plopped down beside him. Neal nodded his head in greeting but said nothing. Peter's expression was confused till Neal finally answered.
"Sorry, just thinking about something. It's good. Two more weeks the doctor said and I can get rid of the crutches. No physical therapy necessary." He was going to say more when Mozzie walked over and smirked.
"Except all the pacing he's been doing. I think that qualifies as exercise. He's been making me jumpy every time I visit. June says it sounds like an army filing about with all the noise." He smiled slightly, Neal giving him a little frown and Peter nodding.
"It's ok. I've broken a leg before. Not fun having to stay indoors. I've been dealing with my own isolation. Hughes said I should be back to work soon. They're still working out the details of what happened. They wanted you to give a statement." His voice trailed off a bit, expression darkening. Neal looked at him, blue eyes questioning as the agent stood up nervously.
"Anyhow... Maybe I should go. El's at home alone. I told her I wouldn't be gone long..." Again his voice trailed off in a very uncharacteristic manner. Peter seemed rather tense about something and Neal knew what but with Mozz around it was hard to talk.
"Mozz... could you ask June to give you some sandwiches to bring up?" He was making a motion at him to amscray the little guy about to argue when he figured it out and nodded somewhat reluctantly.
"I'll take my time so you can alktay as uchmay as you antway." Mozz left the room, closing the door behind him. Peter was still standing a few minutes after the little guy left, his expression uncomfortable if anything. Neal finally yanked on the agent's hand, Peter nodding as he sat back down again.
"Sorry, I... Hughes knows what was going on. He understands why I did what I did but he had to report it and the higher ups are all over it now trying to figure out if I'm still reliable. Keller really screwed things up. I don't know what's going to happen. I'm on administrative leave till they're convinced otherwise." He rubbed at his face tiredly, one hand combing through his hair.
"They think maybe... maybe this whole CI thing was a mistake. They're reconsidering your assignment because of Keller and the mess with OPR. El's a nervous wreck and has been working from home lately. I've been following her around because of what happened. Things aren't good... I didn't want to tell you this but we agreed to no secrets and this was important. Hughes thinks he might be able to get you reassigned but with the threats from your past associates, not sure how that's going to work out. The higher ups aren't feeling very generous." Peter's voice cracked slightly, his usually strong demeanor breaking under the stress. Neal was quiet, unsure what to say after he'd heard everything.
Peter stood after a few minutes, the silence more than evident. Neal was still trying to figure out how to react.
"Peter... there has to be something we can do! I don't blame you for anything. You tried to protect me. I'll tell them that. You put up a front to make sure that Keller didn't hurt El. You did everything you could to NOT follow through with his threats. They can't bench you after all you've done!" Neal started to stand up but Peter pushed him back down gently.
"I don't know that your word would be enough... or any body's word at this point. Hughes said they have another week to confer but needed your input. He suspects they just want a reason to end this program but he's sure he can keep you on with us if they would just listen to the facts and look at the end result." Peter started to walk away, Neal pushing himself to his feet and hobbling after him, his hand touching the agent's arm.
"Peter... I won't say anything incriminating but I understand why you're nervous. You think they won't take my word because of my past. They'll think I'm just trying to stay out of prison by saying good things. Well... they're right about that just not in the sense they're thinking." He watched Peter turn and look at him.
"It's not about staying out of prison anymore. I like working with you. I like visiting with El and staying here with June. I'll go back to prison if I have to but..." He paused unable to say what he wanted to, Peter's eyes looking a bit watery. The agent nodded with a smile.
"Neal, you shouldn't have to go back. You belong here. You're part of my team. Hughes knows that but we have to convince the highers up. That's going to be hard." He rubbed at the back of his neck, his face tense with anxiety.
"I'd better head back. El's alone like I said. Still too soon for both of us to be apart for very long. I'd invite you for dinner but I know you're not supposed to walk on the leg." Peter's manner was apologetic, Neal shaking his head back.
"Well you could always come over here. We can eat on the terrace."