WORKABLE
Written for Elrhiarhodan's prompt fest.
For fifteen years of his life, he watched his mother waste away; lose herself in a haze of alcohol, delusions and broken dreams. When Danny Brooks finally discovered the truth about his father, he swore he would never make the same mistakes. He packed his stuff, caught the first bus out of St. Louis and eventually remade himself into Neal Caffrey, but that determination not to waste his life looking into the past had stuck with him. Dreams were nice, but sometimes, it was simply better to be pragmatic.
As their plane lands on Cape Verde and he for the first time sees the place that will become his new home for an indefinite future, Neal reminds himself of that promise and tells himself not to look back.
He still has Mozzie and he's grateful for that. He also has his freedom, his mind and enough money to pay Dobbs and live comfortably for the rest of his life. He has worked with less before.
They get a house. It has a pool, and Neal spends his days between swimming and painting. He spends half a day wandering around the local market, and then cooks an elaborate dish and it feels – nice. Mozzie finds him a lacking partner when it comes to Parcheesi, but they play cards too and Neal thinks he will get used to this eventually. He meets Maya, who is fun, smart and beautiful and makes him work for her affection. He befriends Hector and buys a hat.
He still thinks of New York far more than he should. In the end, Neal lets some of the veiled sadness become a part of James Maine's identity; drops a few hints here and there, just enough to satisfy everyone's curiosity because it's safer that way. Mozzie is there for him every step of the way.
There is an ever-present ache in his chest, but Neal knows that eventually they will pass. He paints and laughs, he allows himself to fall head over heals for Maya, he ignores every urge to reach out to June, Sara or worst of all, Peter.
James Maine has a friend and a white picket fence on a non-extradition island. He's had worse odds before.
He's content, he's fine, he's perfectly happy…
o - o - o
Until Peter pulls him in a hug and tells him he will bring him home.
o - o - o
Eighteen months later, Nicolas Dupuis stares at his own reflection in the mirror; bloodshot eyes, new wrinkles, a hint of grey in his hair. With some effort, he eases the strained muscles of his face. A well-practiced smile, a chuckle even; he fixes his tie and tells himself he doesn't feel quite so broken anymore, that it will pass, that…
It's for the best. He chose this. Peter and El are safe. Mozzie, June, Elizabeth's baby… safe, and he's free. He can work with that.
With one last smile, Neal puts on his accursed hat and walks into the Paris streets.