He was sitting in the car with Diana, still handcuffed. How much more could he lose? He'd already lost the one woman he cared for more than anything. He'd lost the one treasure that he'd believed would help them find their happiness. He'd lost his one chance to question the only person who might have the answers to ease this overwhelming sadness. And, he'd lost the trust of the one person who'd gone to bat for him over and over and over again. Peter had told him he was in on whatever Neal was working. He was there that horrible day when Neal's dreams went up in flames. His was the voice of reason, cautioning, cajoling, and pleading with Neal to make the right choices. It was also the voice, laced with disappointment, that ordered Neal's present circumstances.
Diana had let Neal stew. Now, pulling into the FBI garage, she turned to the conman who had managed to manipulate his way into all their lives. She dangled the key in front of his face, breaking the reverie. "He didn't say you had to go back in the building like this."
Sheepishly he answered, "But I deserve to."
"We don't always get what we deserve," and she pulled his hands around and released the cuffs. Neal rubbed his wrists, still unsure of his next step.
Diana punched his shoulder, hard. "Don't ever do anything that stupid again, Neal. Next time, it might not be us."
He nodded and eased out of the car, waiting for the female Fed to join him. He grabbed her arm, "Thank you, Diana."
She shook her head, "Save it and start working on something glib to tell him." And she pointed towards Peter who was ushering Fowler into the elevator.
Neal locked eyes with the suit who managed to capture him, repeatedly; who seemed to be in Neal's head. And, with that thought came the realization that Neal didn't need to say anything. He nodded, in a show of defeat and respect, and gave his pseudo-partner a smile. Peter read it for what it was: apology, contrition and an olive branch.
"I'm not holding this elevator all day," was Peter's smiling answer.
Diana and Neal slipped in just as the doors closed. At the very least, Neal knew he was on the right path back to redemption.