By The Way

Chapter 4

I fell asleep on my bed with the covers wrapped around me. If I closed my eyes tight enough, I could almost pretend that I wasn't in imminent danger.

I woke up at 6:00 the next morning to see my friend sitting at the foot of my bed.

"G'morning, Alex," I mumbled.

"How are you holding up, Natalie?" She asked, alluding to my fight with Neal yesterday.

I faked a smile. She just gave me a look of disapproval. I shuffled around my apartment as I got ready for my new job.

"How much did you tell him?"

"Not much, but I had to be honest with him, Alex. You know that he can see right through me. He is my brother after all," I reasoned.

She handed me a bottle of water and pushed me out the door.

I was walking to Neal's place when I felt and arm around my shoulder. I tried to duck out from underneath, but his grip was strong.

"Let me go, Keller," I forced through gritted teeth.

"I thought we were on a first name basis, Natalie," he crooned.

"Leave. Me. Alone. I mean it," I hissed.

He laughed and replied, "I wish I could, really, I do. But the thing is, I need you to do a job for me."

I sighed as he explained what he needed from me.

"Where do you want the meet to be?" I asked.

"I'll find you. It'll probably be at your place," he informed me.

He dropped his arm from my shoulder and faded into the shadows as I approached Neal's building.

"I'm almost ready," he called as I sat down at the table.

I snuck over to his dresser and stole a hat, setting snugly on my head.

"Hey, what happened?" Neal questioned.

I shrugged. He stared at me intensely, almost as though he thought that he could read my mind if he tried hard enough. I did not doubt that he could manage it. My older brother could do anything he put his mind to.

Finally, I took a breath. I was about to tell him what had happened when Peter knocked on the door. I laughed as Neal rolled his eyes.

"Did I miss something?" Peter asked, looking between us.

Neal and I both just shook our heads. We went out to Peter's car where I was forced to sit by myself in the back. I used it to my advantage by eavesdropping but also thinking.

"I may not live to see our glory," I hummed under my breath, "but I will gladly join the fight." I looked around out the window of the car. "Kate where are you?"

Almost as if I had summoned her, I saw Kate out my window. She was being led down the street by a man with reddish hair. I wanted to tell Neal, but I knew that Peter wasn't supposed to know about the search. Her dark hair disappeared around a corner and down an alley. I strained my eyes for another glimpse, but I could only see the image of her being pushed around by some FED. At least, I was pretty sure he was a FED. The image was engraved in my brain.

I followed the boys into the Bureau and up to the conference room, flashing a Caffrey grin at Jones. He smiled back at me and trailed behind to the conference room.

"Any ideas on who this could be?" Peter asks, scanning the room.

I raised my hand, an idea forming.

"Yes, Natalie."

"I don't know who that is," I pointed to the screen, "but would it not be more beneficial to find who is pulling the strings?"

"What makes you think that this wasn't her idea?" Diana questioned.

"Because we have this photo," Neal joined in, "If she was in control, she wouldn't have let herself get caught by a camera. Right, Nat?"

"Yeah. I was looking over the video, and I realized that our lovely friend, Aventail, looks in the direction of the camera without looking directly at it. The camera can see her face, but she doesn't make a point of showing off that she wants to be seen."

"Well, why not?" Jones wondered aloud.

"Because," I reasoned, "if the boss finds out that she wanted to get caught, she would be dead."

My voice shook, so I clamped my teeth together. Neal shot me a look of concern that turned into one of worry when the realization dawned on him. The others just watched me curiously. I was determined to stay calm because I knew that if I wasn't careful, Peter might figure out that it was me on that video. That would be an issue.

"Natalie, can I talk to you?" Peter called after dismissing everyone else.

I turned around slowly and put on my innocent face. Neal set a hand on my shoulder in a reassuring matter; I unconsciously grabbed it with my own hand. He pulled it away slowly. I stepped towards Agent Burke, apprehensively.

"How do you know things like that, Natalie?" He questioned gently.

I lowered my eyes before looking up at him from beneath my lashes, "It's just strategic planning."

"I just wanted to make sure that you weren't caught up in crimes and such," he lectured.

"Thank you for your concern, Agent Burke, but I'm okay," I insisted before turning and stepping out of the room.

"Natalie," He called one last time. I turned around, "Please call me Peter."

I smiled and nodded my understanding.