Walking a thin line was never Neal's strong point. It was only after he got arrested and Kate disappeared that Neal began to work in the black and white. It was hard for him, he didn't exactly like following the rules.

After Kate died, though Neal didn't see the point anymore. But you couldn't just up and leave the FBI with no forewarning. There had to be some prep involved. Which was what Neal had Mozzie doing for the past seven weeks.

Finally, however, he was ready. He had money and he had papers and he had a new identity.

And with no goodbye, with nothing more than a folded flower, Neal walked away from everything that hadn't been him.