Save Me If You Can

Save Me If You Can Chapter 4

Disclaimer:  All rights belong to USA Network, the mighty-mighty Jeff Easton and Warrior George.  I get nothing buy joy for doing this, please don't take that from me!  Here's Chapter 4!

BURKE HOME

Peter waited, his trained eyes observing the reactions and perceiving the thoughts of those closest to him, gathered in his living room. He identified with their sorrow at his truncated account of Neal's nightmarish journey, giving them a small luxury of time to let it all sink in.

Some held their breath in fear while others breathed deeply in disgust. Some let slip silent tears while others indulged in brief fantasies of vengeance on behalf of the person who connected all of them together. Peter had needed space and time himself after Neal had told him the entire story the night before. He had left Neal, who sat quietly on his mattress staring at his trembling hands, for a few minutes to step out into the hall and let pent up emotions and unshed tears have their way with him. A fist to the wall had left a deep crack in the ancient plaster, but the satisfaction it gave Peter was all too brief. With time and space to absorb, question, and come to terms with the ominous facts, he was able to come up with the foundation a plan to save his friend. But he knew he couldn't do it alone.

June dabbed away free flowing tears with a delicate lace handkerchief, and offered a second, perfectly pressed one to Sara, which she gratefully accepted. Jones stood and turned his back to everyone, not wanting to share what was written on his grieving face. Diana sat with a hand over her mouth, shaking her head ever so slightly. "Unbelievable," she whispered, along with a few choice expletives in reference to Linus Hauser and all the ways she would bring him pain in retribution.

Mozzie simply stared vacantly at the floor. He had no philosophical quotes or comical quips to offer to diffuse the tension in the room. He grieved at the thought that if Neal had not dared reach out to Peter the night before, he may well have lost his greatest friend and confidant. He moved only to pull off his John Lennon-esque glasses and wearily hold his head.

Elizabeth rose and went to her husband, drawn to him always whether in misery or joy. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly. Peter buried his face in her soft dark hair, grateful for the loving distraction and wanting to never let her go.

"So, what's the next step?" Jones asked, finally breaking the stark silence. "Do we go all 'Intervention' on Neal?"

Elizabeth pulled away so that Peter could answer, but she remained close at his side.

"That won't be necessary," said Peter. "Neal wants to be clean. That's why he called me. Only..."

"Only what?" Mozzie asked.

"He refuses to go to a hospital."

Mozzie nodded self-righteously. "An understandable and wise decision."

"No," said Peter, frowning. "Not understandable, not wise! He needs medical supervision."

Elizabeth put a hand on Peter's shoulder. "There's got to be something we can do, hon."

"El, I want to help Neal, too. But he's adamant about the way he wants to do this. I'm afraid if I push the hospital idea further, or try something else, he'll bolt. We'll lose him, and he'll keep using until..."

Sara rose, a hand on her chest as if she could hardly breathe. "Then let's just do as he asks, Peter.  Why don't we do as he asks?"

"If you knew where he was, you'd understand. It's a dive. A rat trap. It's not the kind of place that's conducive to Neal's health. It's in a rough area. The entire apartment is smaller than this room. There's a mattress on the floor, and not much else."