1.
Paris, France
Neal Caffrey never wanted to hear the name Rachel Turner again. Certainly not now, and certainly not to hear she broke out of maximum security. The only place Neal thought she would never leave.
As he processed the ramifications instantly, his face grew hot. He looked over at Angela.
"What did you say?"
"I asked who is Rachel Turner."
Neal looked over at Mozzie, then leaned over and took Angela's hand.
"She's someone who I got involved with in a case. She turned out to be a dangerous, manipulative psychopath. She poisoned Mozzie, killed an FBI agent and a con named Hagen…"
As Neal continued with his story, Angela realized he'd had a romantic involvement with this woman. She didn't know what to feel at the moment, so she just listened.
"They caught her and placed her in a maximum security psyche ward. We all thought that was the end, right Moz?"
"Right." Was all Mozzie said.
"To hear she's out there someplace is a little unsettling." Neal stood up and paced around.
"Neal? What are the chances she will try to find you?" Angela asked.
Neal looked at Mozzie. They both knew Rachel Turner was dangerous, and obsessed with Neal. But Neal wanted the time to explain things to Angela privately; Mozzie sensed that and they both just shrugged their shoulders.
"Well then, let's not get hysterical. How about we all get some lunch?"
Angela stood up carrying Nosh. Neal and Mozzie followed her.
At the small street café, they sat eating quietly. Each one with their own thoughts.
Angela suspected this was not an easy pill to digest for either man. Like it or not, they were fearful, and that bothered her immensely. After lunch, Mozzie took off for a walk with Nosh. Angela and Neal were finally alone.
"Neal, remember our agreement? No secrets? No lies?"
"Yes, of course. This is awkward, so here goes. When I met Rebecca, I knew her as Rebecca before she was found out to be Rachel; anyway, I was scheming to rob an old book from a museum she was working at. We decided we could work together; she wanted this same book. One thing led to another, we were intimate a few times. Then I found out she was a psycho, and wouldn't let me go. The last time we were together she held a pistol to my head."
"Did you love her, Neal?"
Neal looked into Angela's eyes. He never knew love until he met this woman in front of him so,
"No. I thought it was love, but until I met you, I have never really been in love."
Angela put her hand on his and smiled.
"I feel the same way, Neal. So, together we can conquer anything and anyone. Do you think we are in any danger?"
"It's hard to say. What I would like to do is get you to Rhode Island with your family. What safer place would that be?"
"I'm tired of running, Neal. Back and forth, here and there. What kind of life is that?"
"For right now, it's the safest one."
"Okay. Let's say we go back to America and hide out…for how long?"
"What's the alternative, Ange? Keep looking over our shoulders?"
"Your alternative is to bring this person to you on your terms…if she's out there and wants to get to you, let's bring it on. And you're right…the safest place is at my Uncle Vito's"
"You serious?"
"Yes; and do you want to know what would bring a crazy obsessed woman out in the open?"
Neal laughed.
"I'm afraid to ask…are you thinking like a crazy obsessed woman?"
"Of course" Angela took Neal's hand in hers.
"Neal Caffrey? Would you marry me?"