Chapter 2. Talking
Mike was sleeping on his bed! Neal could hardly believe it was true. His brother had found him. To some extent Neal could understand his grandmother for keeping the postcards from Mike, but mostly he just couldn't understand it. She must have thought that it was a good idea at the time, and maybe she had just kept on doing it after that. Maybe she was planning on telling Mike about it later, but by then Mike had started to resent Neal so much that he wouldn't listen. At the same time it felt incredible good that Mike hadn't known about the letters. He hadn't just ignored them, and refused to answer, he hadn't gotten them at all. That was sad, but better than the other alternative.
Now he just wished that Mike would wake up so that they could talk. He wanted to know everything about Mike's life. He looked good and healthy. Maybe not yesterday evening, but that had probably been one of the worst nights in Mike's life. For Neal it was leaning more towards the best. Sure he was incredible sad about hearing that Grammy was dead. He had really loved her. But she had somehow, probably without realizing it spent much more attention on Mike than on him. But Mike had needed her more. After all he had only been 11 when their parents died. Neal could still remember how much Mike had cried the first night after they had died. He was wet the bed as well. Neal had been the one to take care of the soiled sheets as Grammy took Mike to her own bed. Neal had cried himself to sleep alone that night. Grammy had apologized the next day and hugged him tightly and he had cried some more then.
He looked over at Mike and smiled. He should just let him sleep, right?
He placed a call to Peter's answering machine at the office, explaining that he would take a sick day. Hopefully Peter wouldn't come over and check up on him. Because he didn't really know how he would explain Mike if he came over now, and saw a strange man sleeping in his bed. He would probably have to tell Peter about Mike now though. He thought a bit about how that conversation would go.
"By the way Peter, I have a brother." Peter would certainly be shocked. But at the same time Neal wanted Peter to meet Mike. Peter would like him for sure. He liked smart.
After a while he got up and prepared breakfast as quietly as he could, but Mike didn't stir.
Neal was sitting at the table reading when he heard movements from the bed. He looked over and saw that Mike was twisting at the bed. He seemed to still be sleeping though. Neal jerked a bit in surprise when Mike suddenly flew up and looked around widely. He flinched a bit as well as he saw Neal.
"You okay?" Neal carefully asked.
Mike couldn't stop staring at him. He wasn't dreaming anymore. Right? However he didn't answer, barely aware he had been asked a question.
"Nightmare?" Neal asked then, and he just nodded. Neal looked at him with sympathy.
"What time is it?" He asked instead and Neal answered.
"Shit…" Mike groaned and fell back against the bed. "Harvey is going to kill me." He mumbled. But he couldn't go to work. Besides Harvey had told him to go home yesterday. He would deal with work later. He got out of bed and sat down in front of Neal. They looked at each other.
"I can't believe you are here." Neal said.
"Me neither." Mike said.
A silence spread between them. "So…" Neal eventually started. "I made breakfast. Let's eat outside." He said, and they did.
"I can't believe you live here! This place is amazing." Mike exclaimed after admiring the view. "Who was that lady that let me in last night?"
"That's June, she is my landlady."
"She seemed nice."
"She is amazing."
Mike sat down. "So, tell me about yourself! I only know what I read at the postcards. You seem to have had a good life though."
"Yeah, it's been okay." Neal agreed. He wasn't sure if Mike had made the connections yet.
"Okay! You have been to Europe and South America, Asia! I have barely left the New York area."
Neal smiled at him. This was the Mike he remembered from before. Excited and happy. "You should go sometimes." Was all he said. Mike looked closely at him. He could see that Neal was hesitant about something. He straightened up and drank his coffee, which tasted amazing.
"So, what happened four years ago?" He asked and saw that Neal tensed a bit. "You stopped writing four years ago." He searched his memory. "You wrote that honest versions of our father were looking for you. I didn't know what that meant." He stopped, looked at Neal and raised his eyebrows. "The police?"
Neal nodded once. Here it comes. "Well, actually it was the FBI."
"What?"
"Look Mike, after I left I started making some different choices, which ultimately led me to a situation where the FBI thought of me as an interesting person."
"You mean you committed crimes?" Mike asked.
"Allegedly." Neal nodded.
"Hmm… I bet the FBI didn't think so. Did you go to prison?"
"Yes I did Mike."
"For four years?"
"Yes."
"Wow…" Mike watched him closely. "Are you okay?" He then asked.
Neal just smiled at him. Also the Mike he remembered. "Yes I'm fine. But I escaped though and I would have gotten for more years. Or I did."
"What? You escaped prison!? Are you crazy? Are you on the run now?"
"No, I'm on a work release. I work for the FBI now."
"What?"
Neal lifted up his leg and pulled his pants up and showed Mike the anklet. He leaned forward and examined it closely. "I wear this at all times, and I have a two mile radius."
"Oh." Mike poked a bit at the anklet. "Isn't uncomfortable?"
"Yeah, a bit. But it beats prison."
"I bet." Mike contemplated this for a second. His brother had been to prison for committing crimes, it was hard to take in. Sure Neal had always had a tendency for breaking the rules, if not at least bend them, which had made him and Grammy clash sometimes.
"Did you say that you work for the FBI now?"
"Yeah, I work at the White collar division, I help them solve cases."
"Cool."
"Yeah I guess it is pretty cool." Neal smiled. It seemed like Mike just accepted the whole thing. "How about you Mike, I know nothing about you." He said. It was true. Mike had only been a boy the last time he saw him, but the person sitting in front of him was a man.
Mike seemed to hesitate, which he also did. He suddenly didn't feel comfortable with telling Neal about his life and the fact that he was a fraud. When they were younger Neal had always been going on about how smart he was and that he would do great later in life. He hadn't really done that.
"I work at a law firm." He said lamely.
"Oh, you do! That's great Mike. So you are a lawyer then?" Neal didn't understand Mike's expression. He could tell that something was bothering Mike. He wasn't looking at him. He couldn't understand why, because to Neal it sounded excellent. His brother was a lawyer.
"I am an associate and I work for a guy named Harvey Spector." He said.
"That's really great Mike. I knew you would succeed."
Mike didn't know what to say. It felt wrong to not tell Neal the truth, but on the other hand Neal sounded so happy so he didn't want to disappoint him. He wanted Neal to be as proud of him as he sounded right now. He shrugged his shoulders.
Neal looked questioningly at his brother. Something was up. "So what have you been doing all these years? Where did you study?" He asked.
Mike decided then. He wasn't going to lie to his own brother. All the people he already was lying to was enough.
"I didn't." He said.
"What? Then how…?" Neal paused and looked at him.
"I'm working without a law degree. Apparently something runs in our family."
Neal smirked. "Allegedly."
Mike smiled back. "Sure." He then proceeded with telling Neal the whole story about how he got kicked out of college, what happened after that, and then how he got to be employed at Pearson Hardman.
"That's a pretty amazing story." Neal said when he was done. It really was, Neal thought. He was saddened by the undertones of Mike's story. He hadn't had it easy. Neal also didn't feel good about the fact that Mike had gotten to be the one responsible to take care of their grandmother. He just wished that things would have turned out differently. But at least things were about to change now.
"Not better than yours." Mike protested to Neal's claim. Mike wanted to know more about Neal's adventures and he was happy to tell them. The subject moved over to Kate after that, and to Peter and what happened when he got caught.
"I'm so sorry." Mike said when he was told about Kate's fate. "You must really miss her."
"I do. You must miss Grandma Ellen."
Mike paled at that and closed his eyes. "Oh god. I had almost forgotten. How could I? It was only yesterday. I can't believe she is gone."
Neal could see that he got something empty in his eyes. Mike was right, it had only been a day. So much must be going on in Mike's head right now.
"I…I should go." Mike said. "I have to prepare for the funeral and everything."
"Let me help you." Neal said. It was the least he could do for Ellen. He could stand by Mike now. He regretted deeply that he hadn't been able to talk to her one more time.
"You'd do that?" Mike interrupted Neal's thoughts.
"Of course."
Unfortunately it turned out that Neal couldn't help that much since Mike's apartment and the funeral home was outside his radius. The biggest problem however was that so was the church. Neal felt crushed when Mike asked him about it.
"But you will be able to make it to the church right?"
"It's is also outside my radius. I'm so sorry Mike…"
"So what are you saying?" Mike suddenly felt angry. "After all this time you won't even go to her funeral? If you want to help me. Be there."
"Mike I wish I could…"
"The one thing I really could use your support? You left! You were gone for years and years when I needed you, and now you are not going to do this either?! She is your grandmother too!"
Neal took a few steps back. "Mike… I'm sorry."
"I don't want your apologies. They are no use to me."
"Don't you think I want to be there? Of course I do! I loved her. It kills me that I wasn't able to see her again."
Mike wiped his face clear of the angry tears that had tried to appear. He tried to calm himself down.
"Yeah. Sure. Sorry."
"I'll be there." Neal found himself saying.
"How?" Mike glanced down at Neal's leg.
"I'll find a way. I'll come. I'll be there."
Mike smiled and believed him.
They hugged each other when Mike had to leave and made promises about talking soon. Mike was walking down the stairs feeling lighter in heart then in a long time, even though the task he was now set up to do.
Neal watched Mike leave with a smile on his face. He just couldn't believe this when he closed the door. Mike was in his life again. He had family, real family that wanted him. Mike wanted him in his life, said he needed him. It was something Neal hadn't had in a long time. He had longed for it and had sort of found it in Peter. But that wasn't the same thing. Peter always had to make some stupid remark about him being a criminal or something. To that Neal would reply with a joke of his own even though he wished that Peter would just stop. He knew that Peter cared for him, things were just a bit complicated.
He wondered what Peter would think of all this. If he found out he would probably be happy for him that he had a brother and that they were in touch again. He wasn't sure about how Peter would feel about the fact that Neal hadn't told him about Mike, and also what he would think about the fact that Neal had abandoned his family. Neal was ashamed of it. He didn't want to reveal that part about himself for anyone, because it was stuck deep in him. The guilt. Mike's words said in anger confirmed them. Mike had really thought he had abandoned them, him. That Neal didn't want anything to do with him anymore. He could understand Ellen to some extent for keeping the postcards from Mike, but on the other hand he couldn't help but feel angry at her for doing that. But it was all in the past now, and Ellen was dead. He was going to go to her funeral with Mike. Nothing could stop him from that.
Now the problem was how to get there without getting in too much trouble. Suddenly he had gotten a lot more motivated to keep himself out of trouble. Mike, of course was the reason. He couldn't get himself thrown back into prison now or run for that matter. He had to be there for Mike now. He wanted that more than anything. He hadn't really had that before. A person that wanted him there. He wasn't sure of course that Mike really needed him that much, after all Mike had basically been on his own for a long time now. Hopefully he wanted to get to know Neal though. Because Neal wanted nothing more than getting to know his younger brother again.
He thought about that he probably would have to tell Peter about Mike, at this moment he didn't see any other way to get permission to go to the funeral. But he would try to get to go in some other way. He wasn't sure if he wanted to let Peter know about Mike at this moment. What if Peter started to look into Mike and found out about his secret? After all it was not really legal to practice law without a real degree. If Peter found out Mike could get in trouble. He couldn't be the cause of that.
Mike managed to take care of all the necessary tasks for the funeral pretty quickly. It was hard and sometimes he just felt like he wanted to burst into tears.
His mind was a mess. At the same time as he missed his grandma like crazy he couldn't stop thinking about Neal and the fact that he had found him. They had been texting some. He kept Neal in the loop about the funeral and Neal offered his support the best he could. Mike was so grateful and something in him lifted up every time his phone beeped.
To keep himself distracted he went to work. It didn't go so well. He was restless and frustrated and didn't really wanted to talk to people, but he didn't want to be alone at home either. In the end he snapped at Rachel and yelled at Harvey which got him sent him home. Mike couldn't help but feel disappointed at Harvey, he just sent him home didn't ask what was wrong or anything. He kind of wished he would, but that didn't happen.
The funeral was two days later. Rachel was came and got him in the morning. He almost overslept. That would have been terrible. When he got to the church he looked around for Neal but couldn't see him. Where was he? He had said that he would be there. He had really believed that he would come. He felt tears threaten in his eyes. He looked at his phone but had no texts. He gripped it hard in his hand. Neal knew it was now, why wasn't he here then? Mike didn't want to call him and ask. But he really wanted Neal there. It all would be so much easier then. He also wanted Neal there for Grammy's sake. She would really have liked it if the two of them were there. After all she had wanted to tell Mike about Neal. He was sure about that. But he had been stupid and stubborn and had refused. Mike just wanted someone there for him as well. Sure Rachel was there, but that was basically all.
Rachel stroked his back and tried to encourage him. She wanted him to give a speech, but he wanted to wait for Neal. He could still show up! It was set to start in a few minutes.
Neal had tried. He had brought it up with Peter already the next day after he had seen Mike, just casually asking if he could take a trip outside his radius for about an hour. Peter just glanced up at him for a moment before he looked back at the papers in front of him.
After Mike had texted him the time and date for the funeral he had tried again.
"Peter, can I ask you something?" He started and Peter looked at him. They were on their way back to the office in the car.
"Sure."
"I have an errand to run outside my radius. It's really important. You can have someone escort me or something, it will only take an hour or so."
"This again Neal. I thought you were kidding before. Of course I can't approve that."
Neal did his best not to flinch. He had just said no without hesitation. "It's nothing illegal Peter. I promise."
"Oh you do, do you. Your radius is there for a reason Neal."
"Just as there is a reason I need to go outside it. I would really appreciate it you did this for me Peter." He tried.
"I don't think so Neal. That's the end of this. Come on, what do you think about the interview today?"
Neal just turned away from him. Peter didn't even ask him why he needed to leave his radius. He would try again later. He needed a new approach. He would get Peter to let him go in one way or the other. The truth was going to be his last option.
"Peter, if I can find someone to take me, will you let me leave?" He asked a while later.
"Neal, what's this about? I have already said no."
"Yeah you have! Without given me a change to explain."
"Well, please do that then."
Neal glared at him. "It's for a funeral." He reluctantly said.
"Yeah, right." Peter didn't believe him at all.
"It is!"
"Neal, if it is one of your criminal friends…"
"It's not!"
"Neal, this is low even for you. I don't know what games you are playing here, but I can't just let you out of your radius just like that."
"Then you can come with me. You can wait outside."
"I have better things to do than sit in my car with you go do something shady."
"I told you it's a funeral."
Peter shook his head at him. "Neal the answer is no. This conversation is over."
Neal rolled his eyes in anger and went for the door. Damn Peter.
"Neal, don't you try anything. I'm keeping my eyes on you."
Neal closed the door with force, ignoring the look from a passing agent. He couldn't believe Peter. He had told him that he needed to go for a funeral, but he didn't care. He needed to cool down a bit before he tried again. He had decided that he needed Peter's permission. He wasn't going to cut his anklet. It would be bad. Now he couldn't exactly slip out of it somehow either, because he had told Peter the time he needed to go. He didn't get another change that day to ask Peter, or more like beg Peter now.
Mike had texted him and asked if he really was coming, and he had answered yes, of course he would. He might have to go with truth now. The funeral was today. This was it. He thought when he knocked on Peter's door. Peter nodded at him and he stepped in and sat down in front of the older man who had his fate in his hands.
"You got something?" He asked.
"No I don't." he hurried to continue before Peter would start complaining. "It's something else."
"Let me guess." Peter sighed. "You have a secret meeting that you absolutely need to go today?"
"Yes I do. I made someone a promise to be there."
"It looks like you will break that promise." Peter looked down again.
"No! I'm not!" Neal almost yelled, before he got himself under control. "I can't break that promise Peter." He said calmer. "It's my grandmother's funeral." He then said.
"Come on Neal, you don't have a grandmother."
"Not anymore I don't."
Peter looked at him now and for a moment Neal was sure that he believed him.
"Neal, what's gotten into you?"
"The funeral will take about an hour, the church is outside my radius. Peter, this is really important to me. I'm telling you the truth right now."
They locked eyes for a moment. Neal swallowed hard. What if Peter didn't believe him? He needed to leave pretty soon, and he wanted to change before the funeral. He thought of how Mike had looked at him when he had told him that he was coming. He got cold inside at the thought of not coming. He couldn't let that happen.
"Neal, I'm not going to approve of this." Peter stayed then, and Neal felt tears threaten. No, no, no.
"I'm serious Peter. I need to go." He tried.
"Neal. I have already said no. If you try to con your way to that meeting I'll through you back…"
"I promised my brother." He then said. Whatever. This had not been the plan at all, but here he was. This was his last option. The truth. "I need to go Peter." He repeated. Peter stared at him with a slightly open mouth.
"Your brother?"
Neal nodded.
"You have a brother now?"
Neal nodded again.
"You have a secret brother that you never have mentioned before, like your supposed grandmother."
"I do."
"You realize how this sounds right?"
"It's the truth, Peter. I'm not lying to you about this."
"You have a brother and a grandmother."
"I have a brother, our grandmother raised him and she died a few days ago. Her funeral is today and I told Mike that I would be there with him."
"Mike." Peter was still staring at him, as if he tried to decide what to think. Neal sighed. He had to tell Peter everything. After all Peter cared for him, right?
"I left them after I turned 18. It was the last time I saw them." He couldn't look at Peter anymore. "I was young and I felt like I couldn't stay anymore. Mike spent all this time thinking that I wanted nothing to do with him. I sent him postcards Peter, a lot of them, sometimes every week. But he didn't receive them. But when he cleaned out our grandmother's things he found them. He came to see me."
Peter's eyes narrowed. "Your sick day?" He asked and Neal nodded.
"I need to be there for him. He is all alone now. I can't let him…" He had tears in his eyes now. He stopped talking when Peter held up a hand.
"When does it start?"
Mike's leg was bouncing up and down. He couldn't stop. He didn't take his eyes from the door. Any time now. He had ignored the looks the priest had given him. He still thought Neal would come. He would. He had said so.
And then! The door carefully opened and Neal was there. Mike got up from his chair and just hugged Neal, surprising him, but he returned the hug of course.
Peter had been a bit taken back in the car on their way over to the church.
"I can't believe you have a brother." He would say.
"I would like to meet him, this brother of yours."
Neal managed to convince him to wait with that. "You would like him though. He is smart."
"Well, if he is anything like you…"
Peter agreed to wait in the car. He had only gotten a few steps inside then Mike was there and hugging him tight. "Thank you." He whispered.
It was a nice funeral. Mike did hold his speech. Neal met his eyes and smiled sadly. It was strange for Neal to walk up to the coffin and say his goodbyes to their grandmother. But he had already decided to forgive her. She must had her reasons.
Mike was also satisfied with the service. Grammy would have liked it.
Neal walked up to him after he had said goodbye to Rachel. She had to leave for the office.
"You okay?" Neal asked and Mike just shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know. How was he supposed to be now?
"You want to come over to my place tonight?" Neal asked then. "I kind of have to go."
"Yeah, okay. I can do that." Mike agreed. "You have to work? How did you manage to get here anyway?"
"That's why I have to go. Peter is waiting in the car outside for me."
"He is here?"
"Yeah. I told him about you. He kind of thought I had something going on, so I had to tell him."
Mike nodded. "Tell him thanks from me." He smiled.
They said goodbye after that, and Neal went back to Peter.
"How did it go?" Peter asked.
"It was nice. Mike says thank you."
Peter smiled a little and nodded. "I'm sorry for your loss Neal." He said. "I didn't tell you that before."
"Thank you Peter."
Another chapter for you. I hope you liked it! Thank you so much for reading and for the reviews!
