Author's Note(s): I only own Saphira. Do NOT use her without my permission. Thank you for reading!

Chapter Two: Things Have Changed

Saphira sat in the restaurant, messing with the stray lock of hair that fell from the bun. In the two hours Neal had to be gone, she had gone for an interview. It went smoothly on her part so it wasn't a waste of time. Lucky for her, Neal decided to call right after she was let go. Said man was a few minutes late, the waiter already receiving drink orders. Glancing at his left wrist, the watch there glittered slightly. "I'm sorry... I'm suppose to be meeting a friend here. Have you seen her?"

Laughing slightly, she turned to the handsome male. An infectious grin was on his lips, hat pressed to his chest. Mirth brightened the crystal clarity of his eyes. Pursuing her lips, she looked away. "I may have. What does your friend look like?" Saphira asked, feigning indifference and interest. Neal sat down across from her, setting the hat on the table. Leaning forward, he met her eyes.

Neal was amazed to see that she was still the same, after all these years. "She has beautiful, platinum hair that makes ivory jealous. Her eyes reflect the radiance of a pure sapphire, and her skin looks like pearls. Ring any bells?" He delivered the compliment with a questionable air, eyebrow cocking up. Red flushed into those pale cheeks as his reward, head turning away.

"That may ring a bell..." she mumbled, embarrassed and flattered. He never failed to make a woman like him at the first impression. Even now, it continues to work on her. "Neal, have you ever thought about, I don't know... Not trying to flatter me? We're friends so I think there is no need." He chuckled, nodding in agreement. "How have things been?" Leaning forward, she grasped his hand.

He squeezed the appendage lightly, scooting his chair forward. "Things have been... hectic," he admitted, shrugging his shoulders lightly. Sadness darkened the expansive blue, mouth turning down at the corners. His skin turned pale, bringing out the black lashes. His pupils dilated as his pulse quickened. Saphira squeezed his hand hard, bringing him back from that explosive moment. Grabbing the white napkin, she dabbed at the sweat that formed on his brow. "Kate..." Neal couldn't finish the sentence, eyes closing the world out.

Saphira frowned, hating the sight of him like this. "I know... Mozzie told me. He actually was the one who convinced me to come back to New York." It was the truth, no matter how morbid it was. Blue eyes opened in shock, confusion floating up between the grief. "We grew up together so I had to come back." The waiter came up to them, setting down the red wine. It was his favorite and he quickly took a small sip. Saphira ordered, glancing at the quiet male before placing his in. Once the waiter left, Neal spoke up.

"So Mozzie called... And here I thought you just wanted to see me," he joked, giving a half-hearted smile. Giving a smile back, she shook her head lightly. "Enough of why you came back. I'm happy to see you... How have you been doing?" She never did answer that question back in the office. And since then, he has noticed a few things. Her hips and breasts were bigger so either she was putting on weight, which was unlikely, or she had a child. There was no ring on her finger, a glance down at the hand holding his proved that. Saphira had been a very conservative woman, not even letting him kiss her the one time she was drunk.

Letting go of his hand, she drew the glass and folded her other arm beneath her bust. "Dancing, painting... And taking care of my twins," she stated casually before sipping the bitter liquid. The after taste as slightly tangy on her tongue. A bread basket was set down and she grabbed a piece. Neal had taken this time to process her words, a bewildered look on her face. To answer the unspoken question, she said, "Yes, twins. They are now five years old, Cain and Abel." Pulling out the Razr, she showed him the two boys. Cain was sitting on the swing, holding the chain tightly as Abel wrapped his arms around the smaller's neck. He had a big grin, green eyes, and dirty blonde hair. The other took after his mother, pale in everything but the expressive blue eyes. A small smile was on his lips as they stood for the picture.

"I... never expected it. Congratulations," Neal stated, finally finding his voice. Grabbing the wine glass, he drained half of the liquid. Sitting back, he tried to gather everything. First, Kate dies then Mozzie sends Saphira to cheer him up. Now she has not one, but two kids! The woman across from him swirled the liquid in her own glass, eyes downcast. "How'd that happen?" he asked lightly. She set down her glass, still looking down.

Saphira debated on what to tell him. Pushing a stray lock of hair from her face, she nibbled on the bread. "Well... After I left New York, I traveled around a bit. Then I met a family. You could say they were on a road trip." She smiled warmly at the thought, a light coming into her eyes. "The older brother, his name was Dean. After a year, I found myself in love and that was that. Cain and Abel were born nine months later." While Neal may have been her childhood friend, he knew nothing about her demon hunting. And more than anything, she wanted to keep it that way. He had enough bad things in his life. "But I had to leave him because there was no hope of settling down. My boys need a stable home."

Neal knew that all too well. Shaking his head, he laughed lightly. "I'd like to meet them. Hopefully they're not trouble makers like their mother," he joked, grasping her hand again. Saphira gasped playfully, pressing a hand to her open mouth. Chuckling, he grasped her hand again. "It is really good to see you..." The clouds around his heart lightened up with her smile. Growing up, he always found her to be beautiful. And now in her prime, she was gorgeous. Back then, he was always too chicken to actually ask her out. Now, maybe things were different. Adjusting his seat, he moved back when the waiter came back with their food. Light conversation passed between the two as the sun started setting in the background.

During the entire meal, Neal couldn't help but notice every little detail that had changed about her. His heart still ached for Kate. Yet Saphira was still special to him. Checking her watch, she laughed a little. "Neal, it's been wonderful catching up with you." Leaning over, she hugged him tightly. "I've got to go. My mother is going to be dropping the boys off soon. Give me your phone," she demanded, holding her own out. Smiling, he switched phones with her and input his number as she did the same. Giving it back, they both stood up.

"You need me to walk you home?" he asked, stepping towards her. Grabbing his arm, she nodded. Lucky for Neal, her apartment was just near the boundary of his tether. The walk there was comfortable and quiet, the two just enjoying each other's company. Glancing up at the building, she sighed lightly. "This is me. Neal, you better keep in contact with me. Or I will be bugging you," she joked, nudging him lightly. Laughing, he nodded.

"Don't worry. I'll be around." Leaning down, he placed his lips against her smooth cheek. The skin heated up under them before he pulled back. Saphira muttered out a goodbye before heading into the building. Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest, causing her to question whether or not she should've come back. The last thing she needed right now was to fall in love.

Author's Note: So... This is my next chapter. Sorry if it's not up to par. Just still kinda laying some things out for the plot. The next chapter is when we really get into the plot. It will have the story line of White Collar BUT I do have some of my own... mysteries for our sexy conman. Review please!