Chapter 2

AN: I rewrote the end of the first chapter because I had meant for Neal and Mozzie to have a conversation about where to stop first. And, since, like I said June was sort of left out when the show did their one year jump thing, I wanted to make sure she found out first.

Things had not been the same for June since Neal had passed. She rattled around in that hung house all lone these days. So, to combat the loneliness she started making more trips to see her kids and grandkids. She volunteered more. Anything to get her out and away from the feeling she sometimes got. She still loved her home. But, part of it was changed. Part of her was changed, having known Neal, and his death left a huge hole in her life.

She had not always thought he was dead. I mean, this as Neal we were talking about. And soon, one year turned into two, then three…. She had gotten her favorite wine in the mail from France a few years ago. But, she had friends and a few of Bryon's old connections lived in France. So, it was not unusual for her to receive such packages in the mail. But, despite it all even now, a small part of her still held out hope that he had, indeed, pulled the biggest con of his life.

Carletta hurried to the door when she heard the bell. Senora June rarely got visitors who didn't call first to make sure she was home. It was sometimes hard to catch June there between her visits to her family and her volunteer/charity functions.

Carletta was very surprised to see the visitors. She couldn't help but stare at the second man to enter the foyer. "Dios Mio!" She repeated as she opened the door wide enough to allow them both entrance.

Mozzie went on in to the living room as Neal explained to Carletta, in Spanish, what they were going to do. Carletta agreed readily. She had liked Neal and was glad that he was back.

"Mozzie, it's been a long time?" June said as she embraced her old friend.

"Yes, June. It has been a very long time." Mozzie said. June had not really changed a great deal in appearance. She was as elegant and as full of life as ever. "But I was under the impression you were living it up overseas."

"I was, until last night." Mozzie admitted. "But, we had to come home. It had just been too long."

June caught it. "We? Who's We?"

"We got a little homesick and…."

June smiled. "He did it! Neal did it! He pulled off the biggest con!" She looked at Mozzie. "I'm right. I always kind of felt like…."

June stopped talking and just stared for a moment as Neal walked into the living room from the foyer.

"Hello, June." Neal said.

June looked at him. He had aged a little. But it only added to his appearance, it made him even more handsome. He had gotten tiny crow's feet around his eyes. He had creases at the corners of his mouth. And a few gray hairs had sprouted in that thick dark mane. They hugged for a long moment before letting go.

"It is you." June said, stepping back to look at him. "It really is you. She said, still finding it unbelievable.

"I'm home." The ex-con said.

"For good?" June asked.

Neal sighed. "It depends."

"Your contract wouldn't, it couldn't still be in effect." June stated. "And, even if it was, you can't prosecute a dead man."

June excused herself and went to a desk she had in the corner of the living room. She pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Neal.

"Right when…after it happened. I just…I couldn't believe it. I got Peter to pull some strings to get it. I just…that made it more real." June explained.

Neal nodded. His hand was even shaking a little. He was holding his own death certificate. He hadn't expected to feel so affected by it. "I'm so sorry we had to keep you out of the loop. It was…we couldn't take a chance on anybody accidently saying anything. Plus, everybody else who had to be involved was paid for their silence." He paused. "How did you know about my contract?"

"Oh, I was up there, just checking things out, cleaning out the fridge, making the bed. And I found it in the wall safe by the bed." June said. "And, I understand about that. I'm…I just couldn't help but feel like you didn't trust me, for just half a second."

"I am so sorry, June." Neal stated, hugging her again.

Nobody said anything for a few moments.

"So, where are you going to stay while you're here?" June asked.

"I don't know. I had such a great place when I lived here. It's…I know I won't find any place that good." Neal said, grinning.

June smiled. "I hear that that place might still be available."

Neal chuckled. "Is that right?"

"The landlord's a tough old broad, I hear. But, she might be talked into it." June said.

"Thank you, June."

"I'm just glad to have you and Mozzie back." June replied. "Oh, what did Peter and El have to say?"

"We…I haven't seen them yet. I hope he understood my message. I…."

"So, it was you who sent me that bottle." June said as she walked over to a cupboard and pulled out a bottle. She handed it Neal and he looked it over. It was the same one. He had marked the bottles.

Neal smiled and handed the bottle back.

"Something kept telling me to save it." June said, looking at the bottle fondly. "You have no idea how many times I wanted to crack it open and…take a drink in your memory." She said. "I rattled around in this big old house, trying to get used to the silence again. I never quite did. So, I started taking trips to see friends and relatives. I volunteered more, anything to get me out of here. I love this house, but…."

Neal felt bad. He hated that June had to go through all that.

June read his expression. "It's okay now, Neal. You're back. And I can help you with Peter and El. They are coming over for this evening, for diner. I'll try to prepare them a little. I'll tell them we…I have invited a couple extra guests."

"That would be great, June. Thank you." Neal said as he and Mozzie hugged her again.

"Go get your things from the hotel, Neal." June said. "Mozzie, do you…?"

Mozzie shook his head. He liked hotel living. He was going to enjoy it for a while longer. "I'll be staying at the hotel."

June nodded. She then looked at the clock. She had things to do. She had to inform the chef of the additions. And she had to figure out how she was going to tell the Burkes about her other guests.

TBC