NOTE: I have decided to expand on this but it will be random stand alone chapters that jump around in time…hopefully not confusing anyone.


Peter used his key and called out to his partner as he entered Neal's apartment.

"Not here suit" said the unmistakable voice of Neal's quirky friend. Peter neared Mozzie and eyed the chess set on the table.

"How's he doing?" Peter asked as he studied the game board.

"Better." Mozzie shrugged. "He can find the right move but he doesn't see the whole board and he can't foresee my moves ahead of time." Mozzie chuckled. "Beating him doesn't have the same excitement as it used to."

Peter nodded in agreement. Neal was so much better but too many times there were reminders that he wasn't the same and he may never be.

"Where is he?"

"June needed his help. They'll be back soon."

Peter grabbed a beer out of the fridge and sat down at the table. He was never a chess player but it said a lot that Neal was still able to grasp the game.

"Suit, do you think he's ready?"

"He has to be" Peter answered. "The doctors say he is and that's good enough for the Marshalls."

"And if he can't handle it? What then?" Mozzie didn't have to elaborate. It was the thought on all of their minds since the accident.

"He's not going back to jail" Peter said as he placed the beer can down.

"How can you be so sure? Short of hiding Neal…" Mozzie paused as he saw the look Peter gave him. "You're willing to risk your freedom to keep Neal out of jail?"

Peter remained silent as he looked away, knowing some things were better left unsaid. He had thought about this often and he knew he would do anything to keep Neal out of prison. As Neal was, Peter didn't believe he could last a week without having a breakdown, he wasn't mentally strong yet and the other prisoners would sense that immediately.

"Mozzie, we don't have to think about that right now. He can do the job and that's all we need to worry about."

The door opened and the man in question walked in.

"Peter, what are you doing here?"

Peter stood. "I thought we could get some ice cream…"

"I'm not hungry." Neal glanced from Peter to Mozzie, arms crossed defiantly. "Peter, what's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong." Peter sighed as he neared his partner. "When we talked earlier, I didn't think you understood the importance of tomorrow so I thought we should talk about it more."

Neal looked at Mozzie. "Moz, tell him we have to finish the game."

"No." Mozzie stood, shaking his head. He had learned soon after the accident to trust Peter's judgment where Neal was concerned. "Neal, we can finish the game tomorrow. Go get some ice cream, ok?" Mozzie sneaked out before Neal could put up much of a protest.

"Let's go." Peter gently pushed Neal towards the door. "If you're not hungry, you can watch me eat."


As Peter predicted Neal couldn't turn down the ice cream once it was placed before him. It was his favorite food after he woke up and it was something Peter could use as a reward after a taxing day. Peter quietly ate his scoop of mint chocolate chip while watching Neal devour his hot fudge sundae.

"Neal", Peter said as he pushed his empty dish to the side, "are you nervous about tomorrow?"

"Maybe" Neal admitted as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"What are you nervous about? You've been working at home for the past month, and it won't be any different."

"Yes it will."

"Neal, you can do it." Neal glanced downward at his left hand and quickly tucked his thumb in, hoping Peter didn't notice.

"Neal, please don't." Peter watched him struggle with his emotions and not for the first time, wondered how Neal was going to handle a high stressed job.

"Use your coping skills" Peter gently said.

Neal looked at him, desperately trying to hold the tears in. "I'm trying to imagine you in your underwear" he said with a weary smile.

Peter laughed. "You're watching way too much TV." But he was pleased to see Neal quickly calm down and regain his composure.

"Peter, we both know what will happen. I can't do something and I get frustrated and I start crying and then you get angry…"

"I don't get angry."

"Yes you do."

"I don't" Peter insisted.

"You do."

"Fine." Peter took a deep breath. "Maybe I do but it's not at you. It's at the situation and the fact that I can't help you."

"But you do and you have been since the accident and you'll figure out a way to help me at work. Peter, I can't go back to jail can I?"

"No, you can't." Peter lied. "I won't let you" he added with as much conviction as he could muster. "Neal, you'll do fine at work and you're right, I'll figure out a way to help you. I promise." That seemed to satisfy Neal for the moment and he quietly finished his sundae.

"Peter." Neal glanced at his friend.

"Yeah?"

"Sometimes I wish my memory was gone and I couldn't remember how I was."

"Neal, you're still you… trust me on that. Are you finished?"

Neal nodded.

"OK, let's get out of here."


Elizabeth walked downstairs and found her husband sitting at the kitchen table, nursing a glass of water.

"Peter, its 2am. Why are you up?" She really didn't need an answer as she had listened to her husband toss and turn all night, mumbling about Neal.

"Sorry I woke you" Peter said as he glanced upward. "I still don't think Neal gets it."

"Peter, he gets it. Telling him over and over that he can't cry on the job is just going to make him more worried and more upset." Elizabeth sat and gently took her husband's hand.

"Peter, he's not as different as you think he is. I know things are more difficult but he still has the same likes and dislikes and he's still smart and we both know how much you like smart."

Peter sighed. "But he gets upset so easily…I thought he'd get better by now."

"He is getting better. Peter the doctors said it could take a year and it's only been five months. Think about when he first woke up…"

"I'd rather not" Peter quickly put forth.

"Peter, give him a safe word, just like we have. He can use it if he needs to and you'll get him out of the situation."

Peter smiled. "You're a smart woman. Now I know why I married you." They stood together and headed upstairs.