New York

She sighed as she finally got a chance to sit down. All day she was running non stop from this venue to that venue, trying to keep her client from freaking out. She's not sure why she agreed to plan a wedding. Next time she'll tell her cousin no. Right, like she could say that to her relative.

Elizabeth reached for the TV remote. Turning it to the entertainment channel. Well if she has to say late at the office then she's going to watch her favorite channel..for background noise. She smirked at her rationalization.

She pulled out the 3 dozen binders that belong to the Switzer wedding. El shook her head, it was going to be a long night. She rummaged around for her cell phone, hit speed dial one.

"Hey Hon"

She smiled as she heard her husband answer the phone.

"Hey Peter"

She sighed heavily over the phone.

"El?"

"It's nothing really. It's just going to be another long night. Don't expect me till very late." she said. It was her husband's turn to sigh. Once upon a time it was Peter who came home late. Usually with Neal tagging along. They must have both been thinking the same thing for she could hear Peter sigh at the same time.

"I miss him too hon." she said into the silence. It's been almost a month since Neal ran and it was like missing a limb. He was part of them and always will be. El kept catching herself dialing his number when she needed his expertise with wine or wanting to share the excitement of a new art show and when she realized she could no longer do that she felt like crying. But she couldn't. she had to be strong one here. Peter won't admit how deeply he misses his best friend. She resolved to be there for him when he truly realized that Neal was gone for good.

She hung up after saying good bye, eyed her work warily before she reached the first pile of brochure of services and contact number of the venue's they had toured, gathered her notes and got to work.

Peter sat at the kitchen counter staring absentmindedly at the stove. His thoughts on Neal. He really did miss him. When the deal was first made he didn't think he would get a friend out of it. He just wanted to save Neal. Yes he knows how that sounds but after three years chasing Neal, he knew the young conman inside and out. At least he had thought so, but the mess with the treasure and Keller made him doubt that Neal could ever change. But over time they were slowly becoming friends again and Peter was just beginning to trust him again.

Then Kramer happened and yes he was the one to bring in Kramer but he thought it was the best thing to do at the time. he hadn't realized how ruthless and embittered his mentor had become. Is that what he had to look forward to? embittered. Cold. Hard.

No, no way was he going to end up that way. He'd quit before that happened. As long as he had Elizabeth to come home to, to have her balance him ot, he would be ok. He realized that he also needed to know that Neal is alright, safe, alive and still in his life. Maybe not physically but knowing he's out there comforts him. It's not the same as having him here, where Peter can keep an eye on him. Not just that but to have him here, it makes life bearable. Makes Peter a better man.

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Ohio

The last remaining thug yanked on Neal's taped hands, forcing him to stumble after him, still too dazed to protest. They made their way through the chaos of honking drivers and a few good samaritans who tried to stop them from leaving the area but then backed off as soon as the thug pulled out a gun.

They made it to the slew of trees that lined the freeway. He was pulled to a stop just inside the perimeter.

"Take off your shoes"

Neal blinked. Shoes? The thug kicked the con in the knee. Neal went down with a small cry. His shoes were painfully pulled from his reef. He was then yanked up to his bare feet and shoved forward. nil stumbled ahead nearly falling several times as he painfully stepped on twigs and rocks.

Neal had to focus here, had to shove thoughts of his brother to the back of his mind if he was to survive this. It was hard to do as the image of the semi hitting the SUV kept flashing across his mind. He forced his mind to tunnel vision till only the ground was visible and concentrated on dodging as many rocks and twigs and is that? dodging other gross things that littered the ground.

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New York

Elizabeth Burke smiled with relief. She finally got everything in order for the presentation tomorrow with the bride and groom to finalize the venue. She reached to gather close the three binders of Venues, briefly lode up at the TV and froze. She grabbed the remote to turn the volume up.

She watched horrified as the scene of the wreak played over and over. She had to squint but she'd recognize that body frame anywhere. She squealed when the semi slammed into the SUV narrowly missing Neal.

"OH MY GOD" She whispered. She grabbed her cell, waited impatiently for her husband to pick up. She kept her yes glued to the TV. Saw Neal dragged across the freeway and off into the tress. The picture was grainy and she realized someone had filmed it with the camera on a cell phone.

For a moment she was too enthralled with the footage on the TV to realize that Peter had answered the phone. His constant yelling of her name shook her attention back to the phone.

"Quick Peter, turn on the news." She said. She waited for a moment before she heard an intake of breath. "Are you seeing this? Peter that's Neal!" She wished she was at home now so that she could be there for him.

"Hon, what are you going to do?" she asked. There's a chance that he may not be able to do anything. He's not really apart of the team anymore. He's still on a three month probation after the extent of his involvement in the events that led to Neal running. He is not allowed in the field. He'd been regulated to 'errand boy' and filing.

"Peter be ready, i'm heading home. Should take 30 mins." She spoke calmly. She didn't give him time to answer before closing her cell phone. She grabbed her stuff and hurried out the door.

When she reached home she found Peter on the couch, staring off into space till she placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Hey Hon." she spoke softly. Then gave a little shake when he didn't respond.

"Peter"

He started, looked up at her. When did she get here? the thought ran through his befuddled mind. He couldn't get the image of Neal on that freeway out of his mind.

"Huh?" he finally replied.

El looked at him then around him. Without answering she ran up the stairs, grabbed a suitcase, filled it with enough clothes for a week before returning to the living room. She took Peter by the arm and gently shoved him toward the door and into the car. She pulled away from their house. After driving awhile Peter finally pulled out of his thoughts and turned toward his wife.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"Well, to go and get Neal of course."

tbc

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