Important Note: Wondo who has been writing some short stories to go along with this story has written a piece with Mozzie and Peter that I love so much that I want to use it as a chapter! I just couldn't see writing Mozzie/Peter interaction any better so I thought 'why rewrite it if someone's already done it for me?'. Heehee. Hugs!

To find it and her other stories search for 'Animula' and you'll find it and her. It's already up, so you can read it after this one and it will fit in with the time line. I believe she is posting them all together under one story with the short stories as chapters, the one that goes with this is 'Rent-a-Sitter'.

Chapter Twenty-nine

Locked in a nightmare Peter fought to make sense of his surroundings using the disjointed logic that came in dreams. Laying on his back under an impossibly bright light that made it difficult to keep his eyes open for very long he only caught glimpses of a near by steel table that was dripping in blood. Panicked Peter tried to escaped only to find himself unable to move, it wasn't that he was being held down, it was just that his muscles didn't seem to take any of his commands.

The blinding light was interrupted by someone standing over him and casting a shadow. Able to more freely look around without the sourceless light burning him Peter stared in horror at the bloody table. Sitting in metal dishes in congealing pools of blood were a variety of organs that Peter instinctively knew belonged to him. Not questioning why the theft hadn't released him to death Peter just struggled harder to move. He froze again when the figure that had blocked the light moved again.

"Stay away from me!" Peter snarled. "Don't touch me!"

With his eyes adjusting to the light Peter was finally able to recognize Taylor. He relaxed slightly until the vet reached out and carded a blood soaked hand into Peter's hair. Far from his usual comforting touch Taylor gripped down on his hair painfully and forced his head back while pressing down on Peter's chest with his free hand. Peter cried out as his imagination tormented him with the idea that Taylor was literally tearing his heart out. There wasn't any real pain, just the concept of it as Taylor tore mercilessly at him.

Prize in hand Taylor released Peter to take a closer look at it. The heart in his grasp wasn't beating which gave Peter the impression that he had survived its removal because it had never worked properly to begin with. Taylor shook the motionless organ in his hand a few times like it was a malfunctioning toy before holding it up to his ear. He paused for second as he listened for a heartbeat. Peter just stared at him terror as Taylor pulled the heart away from his ear and look at with mild disappointment.

"Must be broken." Taylor shrugged. "Oh well, it wasn't worth much anyway."

Taylor casually tossed the gory heart into a small trash can on the floor. Not understanding how he could still be panting for breath Peter weld his eyes shut, fearful of whatever was next to come. When he opened them again Neal was standing next to Taylor with a vacant look in his blue eyes. Taylor reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of money that became covered in the blood that was on his hands. Undisturbed by the blood Neal took the money and leafed through the stained bills before tucking them into his inner breast pocket and turning away.

"N...Neal?"

"I'm sorry, Peter," Neal replied sadly "but how else did you think this was going to end?"

Peter woke with a painful jerk with his heart racing in its proper place in his chest. Disturbed by the vidid dream it took a moment to separate it from reality. He was relieved to find himself still in Neal's apartment. Any where was better than the Market, but he was starting to genuinely appreciate being here. Even if it didn't last it was nice to have the chance to rest and not be constantly on his guard for the needs of a demanding Master. Feeling as though he'd gotten more than enough sleep for the moment Peter planted his palms into the bed and pushed himself up. Unlike before Peter managed to sit up on his own this time and he wasn't struck with the sickening nausea that usually accompanied the change in position.

Getting to his feet with far less difficulty than usual Peter walked over to the kitchen table where Neal was engaged in a game of chess with no one. After careful consideration Neal moved one of the black knights before spinning the board around so that he was playing the white side. Neal looked up and smiled at Peter. When Peter remained standing Neal gestured at the seat across the table from himself to invite Peter to sit down. Peter felt he'd be more comfortable standing, but not in a mood to argue he sat down, leaning forward to avoid the back of the chair. Peter looked over the half completed game that Neal was playing. He knew the basics of the game and the names of the pieces, but he didn't know enough about chess to know which side of Neal's personality was wining at the moment.

"Do you play?" Neal asked.

"No."

"Would you like to learn?"

"I...uh...I don't really play games." Peter replied hesitantly.

"Chess isn't a game, it's a test of wit and strategy. A war of minds."

"You want me to spare with you?"

"You've got a long way to go before you're truly back on your feet, learning chess will give you something to do. It would also be nice to have someone other than myself or Mozzie to play for a change, Mozzie cheats and I already know all of my own moves."

"If you insist." Peter sighed.

"I don't insist, just a suggestion." Neal smiled. "I've got some books on chess you can read for a start. It has a heavy base in math, you're good with numbers."

"I'm familiar with them."

Neal chuckled. Peter had to admit that it was nice to be around someone who laughed easily. Elizabeth had always been quick to smile and laugh. Every time she had made any sound of mirth it had never failed to instantly lighten his own mood. Neal didn't have quite the same effect on him, but it still helped to put Peter at ease around him. Peter had noticed that there was something about Neal's general presence that encouraged him to let his guard down. He had already told the human far more than he'd told anyone other than Elizabeth. Peter suspected that Neal had that same talent when it came to dealing with others of his own kind as well. A non threatening aura would be a valuable asset in any good con. He made you want to believe him, even though you knew you shouldn't.

Neal looked back down at the board and studied it for a moment. Watching Neal trying to outsmart himself was an interesting display. Neal reached out and lightly put his hand on the bishop while he contemplated using it before suddenly deciding on moving the rook instead. Looking genuinely pleased with himself for the move he spun the board around again and then rolled his eyes in disgust.

"Amateur," Neal mocked himself "I can get out of that trap in three moves and be at checkmate in five."

Peter wasn't really sure how to respond so he just kept quiet.

"Don't worry," Neal smiled again "I don't usually talk to myself when I play like this."

"I don't understand, if you already know the outcome of the game why do you bother playing?"

"Just something to do." Neal shrugged. "We all know the inevitable outcome of life and yet we play that game."

Peter fell silent once more. He had been wondering with increasing frequency lately about why he was fighting so hard to keep alive, keep playing the game. The easy answer was that death was an end and that something, even something unpleasant, was better than nothing. He also still desperately wanted to ensure that Elizabeth created a new life for herself, even though not being able to be a part of it was a painful thought. Before he could think too much about it Neal cleared away the unfinished chess game and got to his feet causing Peter to automatically do the same.

"I'm sorry, you didn't need to get up." Neal said quickly.

"It's just a habit. One strongly reinforced by Master Cheng. If I wasn't on my feet within seconds of him entering a room..." Peter trailed off, not really wanting to recount the consequences and noting once again that he was telling Neal things he wouldn't have shared with anyone.

"Okay, as long as you don't feel obligated. Seems like a silly rule for you to have to get up every time someone else does."

"In my experience humans will also stand when someone more important steps into the room or when they stand to signify the end of an interaction. When the CEOs visit even my sternest Masters would scramble to get out of their chairs quickly to show respect."

"That's true." Neal agreed. "Now that you mention it I'm a little surprised that Animula aren't taught to kneel rather than stand."

"There is an extensive list of circumstances where the standard and expectation for an Animula is to kneel."

"Let's try to avoid any of that. It was bad enough seeing you on your knees when you misinterpreted my name."

"There were a few times when we first met that it would have been appropriate for me to kneel. However I didn't think I'd have the strength to get back up again, so I took the risk that you wouldn't know any better."

"And you were right." Neal noted. "I'm pleased to see you've been playing to my weakness this whole time."

"If you had acquired me traditionally I would never have dared."

"I doubt the Market would have sold you to me. I'm willing to bet they have to be very careful with who they sell to, ensure that all the 'Masters' have the same ideologies."

"I don't know how it works, but most of my Masters have had the same basic characteristics."

"Rich and ruthless?"

Peter nodded.

"Amazing how often those two qualities coincide." Neal noted. "All the more reason that I don't feel guilty when I steal from them."

"Do you ever feel guilty?" Peter asked without thinking. "I...I'm sorry, you don't ha..."

"It's okay, it's a fair question." Neal assured. "When it comes to stealing, no, I've never felt any guilt or remorse. I certainly don't feel the slightest bit guilty for having stolen you from Cheng."

"You didn't steal me, he gave me to you in hopes that I would be a burden to you."

"Either way his loss has been our gain."

"...agreed."