Just want to tell mac-and-cheese417 that yes their zombie minions do indeed work. OH! And good news! They didn't eat me! Tried yes, but luckily I just watched Zombieland so everything was taken care of ;) Anyway, thanks to their help here's chapter 4…oh and I think that since zombies helped me write this chapter it's perfectly reasonable that there's some Neal whumpage in here (is that a warning? Why yes, yes it is)
Neal Caffery smiled humorlessly as Peter absentmindedly suggested that he had a man crush on Badeni. Admire? It would be hard not to admire the most successful-but-never-before-caught-by-the-authorities conman. But man-crush? Not on a murderer. Neal glanced up briefly from under the rim of his fedora. Badeni's face light up in recognition and potential opportunities. Damn. He had been really hoping to remain unnoticed.
"Peter," Neal asked abruptly, interrupting Peter's question which Neal knew he probably wouldn't want to answer anyway, "Do you trust me?" The convict was acutely aware of how long Peter hesitated before nodding uncertainly. He sighed to himself. Hopefully, he wouldn't have to be in any life-or-death situations that would resort on their bond of trust because Neal knew that the federal agents were not going to take the next events in a positive light.
"Caffrey!" Badeni called gleefully as he moved closer to Neal. Part of the ex-conman wondered how much of Badeni's tone was an act, probably most of it. They didn't exactly leave on the best of terms. "Have to say didn't expect to see you here of all places." Lie number one Neal thought, knowing that if Badeni didn't know about his FBI work release, he'd probably be the only one. "In the Louvre sure, the FBI headquarters no." Great. Let the FBI think that there's going to be a theft at the Louvre and I'll be apart of it.
"Hey, Badeni," he said cheerfully, striving to match Badeni's tone, as he returned the hug. Great show of affection. It probably looked like Badeni actually missed him. The convict felt the Austrian tense at the mention of his name. Oh yeah, the FBI didn't know his name. Terrible mistake on my part. I suppose I can probably forgive myself though… "Long time, no see." Neal casually glanced at the FBI agents all huddled on the floor. Agent Clark had a strange mix of triumphant smugness and angry betrayal on his face. Peter, Hughes, and the majority of the agents just looked confused. Oh wait no, Neal thought. More and more of the agents are starting to look like I just murdered their firstborn. All right, Badeni is doing an excellent job of alienating me from the Feds. Good for him.
"Come on," Badeni said as he companionably threw an arm over the Neal's shoulder. "You must simply be dying to catch up with your old friends."
"Course," Neal nodded. The conman tried to ignore the instant angry murmurings of the FBI agents as he was led out of the room.
"Quiet them down," Badeni said conversationally as they passed one of his gunmen. The gunman nodded shortly and shot a few rounds in the air. The FBI agents went instantly silent.
"Hey! This is not social hour!" the gunman shouted in a voice that was probably supposed to be intimidating, but only succeeded in being whiney. Badeni should at least get a half-threatening one to scare the FBI. Neal noticed that Badeni halted after the double doors swung shut behind them. He studied Badeni who was annoyingly stoic.
"So, what's new with you?" Neal asked casually, worried that Badeni would do something Badeni-like now that they were away from the prying eyes of the FBI.
"Hmm…vhat's new vith me?" Badeni wondered out loud. "Let's see…" The Austrian slammed Neal into a wall. Neal's head ricocheted off the wall. "How about the betrayal of a certain crew member?" Badeni hissed. He banged Neal into the wall again for emphasis. "A betrayal that cost me over 10 million dollars and a night of entertainment?"
"Now, Badeni," Neal scolded lightly, ignoring the warm trickle of blood that was making its way down to his favorite jacket. Neal reassured himself that June probably knew a trick to get bloodstains out of clothing before refocusing on Badeni, "that's not new." The Austrian's swift knee to Neal's gut caused the ex-conman to involuntarily groan as he sunk to the ground.
"You always vere a smart-ass," Badeni said regretfully. "Too bad you never learned to control you tongue...then again…teaching people manners vas always a favorite pastime of mine." Neal looked up at him sharply, really hoping he was misunderstanding the Austrian. A small explosion pain in Neal's chest, courtesy of Badeni's foot, caused him to bite his tongue to keep from giving away any reaction. Okay, no misunderstanding…glad we're on the same page. The Austrian's foot arced down and roughly kicked the conman in the shoulder. Neal toppled back to the ground as he attempted to fend off Badeni, which wasn't really working. Neal felt big hands grip his shirt and slammed him against the wall. Neal reflexively kicked and was satisfied by an unexpected 'oof.'
There was a pause. Neal locked eyes with Badeni. He mentally swore as he noticed the familiar look of anger take over. Way to go, Neal! Tick off your already mad assaulter. Always do the smart thing, don't you? The big hands that grasped him moments before released him. Neal attempted to catch himself when fire erupted in his shoulder. Neal gasped as he quickly blinked back tears. The pain grew steadily worse as Badeni wrenched Neal's arm even higher up his back. Neal groaned.
He felt Badeni's hot breath as the Austrian whispered in his ear. "You know I don't like being hit."
"Not that you're being a hypocrite or anything," Neal gasped, completely failing at sounding normal. He tried to take deep breathes and calm his nerves, but his shoulder's constant throbbing wouldn't let him. He could practically hear Badeni smirk. The Austrian twisted Neal's arm impossibly higher before abruptly letting go. The conman crumpled on the floor, gasping. Holy shit that hurt! Neal tried to stand back up, but hastily stopped after his hurt shoulder strained in protest. He settled for leaning against the wall instead.
"Oh Neal," Badeni said almost sweetly. Neal glanced up at him, fruitlessly trying to regain some composure. "You don't think ve're done, do you?" A boot colliding into Neal's kidney gave him no time to answer.
~O~
Thomas Holdings paced in his interrogation room, passed caring that his FBI interrogators would know that their interrogation technique worked. That had to be the reason that he was being left alone in the tiny room. An interrogation technique to make him think that everyone forgot about him, that he was alone in this world, that he didn't matter. Quite clever really…
Tommy's eyes swept over the interrogation room. Was it just him or were the walls closing in? God damn claustrophobia. Tommy wiped some sweat from his brow as he attempted to clear his tightening throat. He waited until he was positive that his throat wouldn't squeak before he addressed the FBI agents.
"I have to use the bathroom," Tommy told the mirror. The mirror looked back at him blankly. Tommy continued staring back expectantly until a few minutes passed. All right…that was getting him nowhere. He gave a mental shrug as he pulled a paperclip out of his boot. It's not like I didn't warn them. Well, I didn't. Not really, but it's not like they don't already know I'm a criminal, he reasoned as he started to pick the lock on the door, mentally laughing at the Bureau's stupidity at having a pick-able lock on the criminal's side of a door in an interrogation room. Holdings gave a quick turn of the paper clip, waiting to hear the lock click open, but the door refused to budge. He glared at the lock. I suppose the Bureau isn't as stupid as I hoped, Tommy thought glumly.
He was still glaring at the door when he saw the handle turn. Holdings quickly stepped away from the door, mentally preparing himself for a lecture that was probably suppose to make him feel guilty about…something.
The door flew open as masked men came into the interrogation room. What the…
"Tommy!" one of the masked men shouted happily. "It's about time we found you. Do you have any idea how many interrogation rooms there are?"
"Don!" Tommy greeted, relieved to recognize his friend's voice. "You could've been a bit faster about your rescue, but I suppose it's better late than never."
"You were the one who forgot one of the first lessons he learned and used his own credit card," a crisp British voice behind Don reminded.
"But Hank! You know how difficult is for some people to exercise common sense while the FBI is after them!" Don said in mock anger. Tommy glared at both of them.
"Don't we have to leave or something?" Tommy asked. "You know, so the FBI doesn't catchall of us."
"Well, actually there's no rush," said the last masked man, who Tommy instantly recognized as Steve. "You see, Badeni kind of has the agents…hostage."
Tommy blinked at Steve in shock. "What? Has he lost his mind?!"
"Tommy," Don said warningly, the thrill of rescuing a crew member steadily wearing off. "You know Badeni call the shots."
"Yeah, but not when his shots are suicidal!" Tommy shouted.
"It's not-"
"It is too suicidal, Don," Tommy interrupted. "How the hell do you think this is going to end? You have the FBI as hostages. I really don't know any other way to spell it out for you."
"Badeni's plan, not mine."
"Oh, alright then, I guess that means you don't have to think about the complete—!"
"Tommy," Hank interrupted a little crossly. "Would you rather still be getting cross examined by the FBI? Stop complaining." Tommy glared at Hank. Hank raised an eyebrow. Tommy looked grudgingly away.
"Fine," Tommy conceded with ill grace, "but we're leaving now, right?"
"Not exactly…" Steve began nervously as Tommy turned to glare at him, "You weren't the main motivating factor behind us breaking into the FBI."
Tommy blinked. Then why did they break in exactly…? "Just an added bonus, I suppose?" Tommy asked bitterly, not understanding how Badeni couldn't care one way or the other about a trusted crew member being held captive by the FBI. Tommy ignored all the pitying looks as he glanced out the hall. "So, are we just going to stand here and chat all day or what?" Hank gave Tommy a resigned look before gesturing for Tommy to follow him.
"Badeni would get you out eventually, you know," Don said, trying, but failing, to defuse the tension.
Tommy snorted. "Before or after I got on parole?"
"They didn't have that much on you," Steve said.
"Really? How do you know?"
"Tommy," Steve sighed, "I'm a computer hacker. It's my job to know." Tommy nodded in agreement as they turned the corner.
"Oh my god…"
Huh. Well I really wasn't planning on stopping here, but it seemed like a good place to so…yeah…
Not really happy w/ how this chapter turned out but maybe at least you liked it.
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