Chapter 2: Phoenix

It had been three weeks but he finally made it. Neal sat on the passenger side of an old rusted white pickup truck. The driver, Dick McRae was slightly older than Neal with patches of white hair.

"So what's a guy like you want to go to Phoenix for this time of year," said the driver.

"Change of venue," Neal said to Dick not really feeling all that much for small talk.

The two had been silent for most of the way, nearly seventy miles at least. The last three though Dick had became chatty.

"Guess we all need that sometimes," said Dick.

"I guess."

"You running from something or toward something?"

"Does it really matter?"

"Just trying to get a feel for ya man that's all. I could've left you back there you know."

"Then why did you pick me up?"

Dick shrugged, "I was in the same place not too long ago. Some older fellow stopped and gave me a lift. Son of a bitch ended up changing my life for the better. I know they always say never get in cars with strangers and all that crap but they're not all bad."

Neal nodded and decided to answer the guys question since he was being straight with him.

"I'm running toward something, sort of. It's complicated."

"Ah a woman, say no more I get it."

"I didn't say-,"

"You didn't have to man when you use the word 'complicated' it means one of two things either life's a bitch or there's a chick involved, sometimes it's both."

Dick pulled his truck into a parking lot. He looked at the building and was hesitant.

"You sure this is where you want me to drop you off?"

"Yeah I'm sure," Neal said grabbing his bag from the back seat.

He had done his research. There was only one federal prison in Arizona, the only minimum security prison so this had to be it unless August had lied to him; if he had then he was really screwed.

Neal made his way to the entrance lobby. Inside there were a few offices to the right, a guard desk to the left and in front were some metal detectors which gave way to some metal doors.

Loretta looked up from her files as she saw Neal. He wasn't exactly in the best shape, not having shaven for a few days.

"Can I help you?" Loretta asked.

Neal walked over to her and placed a hand on the outside part of the counter.

"Maybe, I'm looking for someone, I was told she'd be here."

"Come back later, visiting hours are in an hour."

"No I'm not here to visit. I just want to make sure she's here."

"I can't release that information unless it's to family."

Neal sighed, "I'm her husband," he said hesitantly.

Loretta looked up at Neal. He could tell she wasn't buying it.

"I have the papers to prove it," said Neal reaching into his back pocket.

"That won't be necessary," she said to him, "Name of the person?"

"Swan," said Neal. "Emma Swan."

Loretta looked over her listing.

"She's here."

"Thanks that's all I needed to know."

"You want to leave a message, a name or something?"

"No, she doesn't need to know I was here."

Loretta wanted to speak out and ask Neal if he wanted to know about his child but she held back knowing it wasn't her place to say anything.

Neal walked outside and looked up. The heat from the sun was burning. He closed his eyes satisfied that he had found her. He wasn't sure how long he would be in Phoenix, maybe eleven months maybe more.

Though August had claimed to be Emma's guardian angel, Neal knew in his heart that the job had just been transferred. He would look out for her in his own way while not interfering with her life or her destiny. He would keep his distance for now. Knowing she was here was enough for him for the time being. He would wait until August sent the postcard, however long that may be.

Neal didn't have a plan exactly except that it would involve staying in Phoenix. He would do what he and Emma had said, he would give up the Bonnie and Clyde act and settle down, get a job, anything he could do to prove to Emma some day that he could change, he could better himself. Not that Emma had ever asked him for that. She had loved him unconditionally with no strings. It didn't matter to her if they lived in a car or a hotel. She didn't care that he couldn't give her more than just the promise of one more day together. The love she had for him was real and that had always been enough.

It wasn't enough now though and so he had to do better, he could do better and he would.