A/N Ah chapter 4 sorry it took so long I had a bit of trouble writing it and writer's block attacked like the plague, anyway I hope you at least enjoy it. Contains minor spoilers for the episode 'Need to Know' of season 2
Chapter 4
Anna sighed softly as she finished up the shadowing on a picture of her dog Sam. She'd drawn the German Shepherd with ear's pricked and what she thought was an inquisitive look on his face.
She missed the big ball of fur who was currently staying with Clare. Having raised the dog from a puppy he'd grown very protective of her; he'd been out back when Joe's guy had attacked her and Clare. Still, it was his insistent barking that had caused the neighbor to notice something was wrong, as Sam was normally very quiet.
Anna set her sketch book aside. The talk with Agent Burke had drained her and she felt a tiredness that was more than physical. A more deep-set weariness that had settled into her heart.
"...Neal and June both have a right to know if they will be in danger."
She groaned, burying her face in her hands, dreading the moment when she'd have to tell two more people about her predicament, two people who she was going to be living with for who know's how long. She wasn't even sure she fully trusted Neal, June yes but Neal?
Anna sighed running her hands through her hair.
She really missed Sam. The dog was a solid comfort in her chaotic world. Swinging her feet onto the floor she reached for her phone on the beside table.
She'd have to settle with some comfort food instead.
*WC*
Neal stepped out of the cab glad to be home. He paid the driver, and started towards the house just as a car with Polly's Pizza imprinted on its passenger side door pulled up. He paused as he headed up the steps, watching as a guy got out, retrieved a pizza from the back seat, and headed towards him.
"Hey man, I've got a pizza here for an Anna Stone?" The guy said reading off a piece of paper.
"Uh yeah, she lives here." Neal said just as the door opened behind him. Anna appeared then, walking quickly up to them.
"Anna Stone?" The guy said.
"That's me." She said handing the guy some cash."Keep the change." She added accepting the box.
Neal smirked at her as the guy drove away."Pizza?"
She shrugged."Tough day." Then started towards the open door.
"So are you gonna share?" He asked, smirk back in place as he trailed after her.
"I don't think you'll care much for my choice of toppings." She said as he closed the door behind them. He gave her a look.
"What? Anchovies?"
She pulled a face."Eww no, nothing like that."
"Can't be any worse." He said as they stopped at the foot of the stairs.
She hesitated then opened the box.
"Pickles?" Neal cocked an eyebrow at her.
She shrugged closing it."Don't ask."
She was wearing long sleeves again, and Neal wondered if Diana had finished getting her file before they'd gone after Kohlby.
He shrugged putting his hand's in his pockets."I might be willing to try a slice, I had a pretty tough day too."
Anna started to smile then seemed to stop, glancing up the stairs. She suddenly looked very reluctant.
Neal tried not to frown as he realized what he had just done. Given the wrong impression. It wasn't like he didn't find her attractive, he just wasn't wanting to start anything, especially so soon after Kate...
Still that didn't mean he didn't want to get to know her, as a friend.
He toned down his smile a little, hoping to seem more friendly than, well...Which if he had to admit, wasn't exactly easy, for him that is. This was gonna be a little awkward.
"Nothing serious." He added, and she looked up at him a bit sharply.
After a moment, understanding entered her violet eyes, and her smile returned if a bit small.
"Sure, ok."
*WC*
"He put a gun to your head?" Anna said looking a little shocked. She was already on her second slice.
Neal had at least tried it with the pickles, and a moment after taking his first bite, Anna had laughed telling him she wouldn't be offended if he wanted to take them off.
He took another bite of his pizza pickles still on-it wasn't bad, it was in its own little medium-and took a sip of some cheap red wine that he had failed to touch since Peter brought it over day's ago.
Weirdly enough, it didn't taste bad with the pizza.
Anna had declined any wine, settling instead for a Dr. Pepper she'd gotten from the downstairs kitchen.
Neal shrugged as he swallowed. "Not the first time I had a gun pointed at me." He said.
Another few things he noted about her-for Neal was an observer of people-she sat on the edge of her chair, and never once sat back in it. She was a little more relaxed, more rested, her violet eyes bright, and yet...there was something else about her demeanor that he couldn't quite put his finger on.
"Sound's like a fun job." She said with a smirk, taking a sip from her soda.
"Well, it has it's up's and down's." Neal returned the smirk, trying not to think about the bruise that was starting to develop on his right temple from the muzzle of the gun.
"I'll say, you get to make legal con's."
He chuckled. "Yeah something like that."
There was a moment of silence, nothing awkward, as they both took sips from their respective drinks.
"So," Neal said setting down his glass."you sketch."
Anna faked a groan of irritation."I had to let that slip." She grumbled, but was smiling slightly.
"That bad huh?"
"Oh no I-" She stopped upon seeing the satisfied smile on his face."Not funny." She grumbled narrowing her eye's but they still held a twinkle of amusment."It's just, something I do in my free time, nothing serious."
"So, do you keep a book?" He inquired.
"Yes, but you don't get to see it." She replied with a smile.
Neal chuckled. "It can't be that bad." He said.
She shrugged. "You'll never know." A mischievous glint joined the amusement in her eyes. He bit back a laugh, but couldn't keep the smile off his face.
Suddenly there was a knock on his door. Neal stood giving her an 'Im sorry I've gotta get this' look as he approached the it.
"Moz." Neal said with some surprise. He hadn't expected the man to come by.
Mozzie entered the room looking a little ruffled around the edges."Neal we need to talk-" He stopped upon seeing Anna sitting at the table. She gave him a look as if to say, 'what?'.
"Uh what is she doing here?" Mozzie asked taking a step back as if he expected her to come at him with another umbrella.
"Relax Moz, we were just talking." Neal said a little amused by his friends discomfort.
"Oh really." Mozzie eyed her and she met his gaze without flinching. To Neal it looked like she was trying not to laugh."You don't work for the Suit do you?"
"Moz-" Neal started to chastise but Anna interrupted.
"It's ok Neal, think I'm gonna turn in." She stood and Mozzie took a further step back as she passed him. "And no I do not work with or for Agent Burke, if that was who you were referring to." She said smirking.
"Thanks for the pizza." Neal said.
"I don't mind sharing." She replied giving him a half-smile before leaving.
Once the door was closed-Mozzie watching her every move-the little man looked over at him.
"Was that a date?" He inquired bluntly.
Neal gave him a look and replied flatly "No." nearly rolling his eyes. He was not ready for a relationship, the thought of moving on from Kate still sent a pang sharply through his heart.
As if sensing that he'd been a little to harsh and had hit a soft spot, Mozzie changed the subject.
"Well I suppose you're wondering why I'm here."
"It is kinda late Moz." Neal said eyeing the man.
"Yes well, I've got some more intel on the music box that I felt couldn't wait."
They spent the next two hours talking about the box, and new theories upon its whereabouts, all thought's of dating fully vanishing from Neal's mind.
*WC*
"Morning."
Peter looked up at the sound of Neal's voice as the younger man entered his office.
Neal gave him a look. "You look exhausted." He commented.
"Oh, I don't sleep well when Elizabeth's out-of-town." Peter said with a heavy sigh.
"Well if her company keeps taking off the way it is," Neal said removing his hat."You can retire early and become a house husband."
"Because when you look at me you see soap operas and housework." There was a pause as they both took sips from their coffee.
"So, you get anything on Anna yesterday?" Neal asked suddenly, catching Peter slightly off guard. He considered for a moment how much he should tell the ex-con.
Leaning back in his chair, he nodded.
"I did."
Neal waited expectantly for an answer. When Peter didn't continue he frowned."What is it?"
"She obviously hasn't told you yet." Peter sighed closing the file he'd been reading. "She told me she would, guess she hasn't got around to it yet." Or hasn't racked up the courage to. Peter equated it to stress and fear, she'd probably been advised by her lawyer and the police not to say anything. The fact that she'd told him more than likely put a toll on her and now having to tell Neal and June? She couldn't be taking it well.
"Is she in danger?" Neal asked.
"For the moment, no, but her situation is, complicated." Peter eyed Neal as he spoke, wondering how Annabelle Stone had managed to effectively wriggle her way into both their lives. Neal seemed the most concerned about her well-being, and he wondered...no, no it was too soon after Kate's death, Neal couldn't have moved on so quickly, of that Peter was certain.
"Complicated?" Neal questioned, obviously fishing for more.
"Yes," Peter gave him a look."You're not getting much more out of me Neal, you'll just have to be patient she'll tell you when she's ready."
Neal nodded, but Peter knew him, it was obvious he still wanted answers. He'd just have to distract him, luckily, they had a possible case.
"In the mean time," Peter picked up a remote switching on the tv in his office."We've got a new case."
As they discussed Gary Jennings-the potentially corrupt politician-Peter couldn't help but notice the slightly distracted look in Neal's eyes.
He had a feeling that Anna was going to be playing a bigger role in all thing's Caffrey in the coming weeks or maybe even months.
*WC*
Anna absent-mindedly flipped through the pages of her sketch book, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her shoulders. She looked up, once more admiring the New York skyline.
She'd spent most of the day relaxing, having gone out a little earlier to do some shoping-something June insisted she do-even though she had little money.
She sighed wondering if she should get a job. She felt bad enough not being able to pay June any rent, after all she hadn't seen the woman in years and she'd taken her right in without a second thought.
The older woman didn't know much about her predicament, all Anna had told her was that she was having serious problems with her ex. She didn't doubt that June suspected the severity of her situation, which was probably why she'd said yes.
Re-positioning herself in her seat, she began to lightly sketch the skyline. There was a long moment of relaxing silence, broken suddenly by a familiar voice.
"What are you doing here?"
She nearly fell out of her chair, pencil and sketch pad flying, cursing as a spasm clawed at her back. She glared back at Mozzie.
"Must you sneak around?" She snapped.
"I wasn't 'sneaking around'," Mozzie replied approaching her, using air quotes.
"Well congratulations you still managed to scare the crap out of me." She growled, awkwardly rubbing at her back.
"Yes, it's my new goal in life I assure you." Mozzie said flatly.
She glared at him again. "What are you doing here?"
"I just asked you that question." He said with clear irritation.
"I live here." She supressed the surprise that her own words brought on, thankfully Mozzie didn't seem to notice. But it still looked like she'd managed to ruffle his metaphorical feathers.
"Oh right June's new 'temporary' tenant...what'd you say your name was?"
Anna straightened as the spasm started to ease, holding back a wince. "I didn't." She growled eyeing her sketch pad and pencil. She wasn't sure she wanted to risk another spasm, this one had thankfully been small.
Mozzie narrowed his eyes. "It's Anna right? Why are you even here?"
"Oh, that's none of your business." She growled. If there was one person she was not going to tell about her predicament, it was Mozzie.
Mozzie continued to scrutinize her with narrowed eyes and she continued to return it with a glare. The little man was not even close to intimidating an answer out of her.
"Mozz?"
The sudden appearance of Neal had both of them jumping, luckily Anna's back decided it would not protest the movement to harshly this time.
Neal looked from Mozzie to her and back again, as if trying to piece together the odd situation.
"I found her lurking in your room." Mozzie said.
Anna snorted rolling her eyes. "Oh yes, I've been busy pilfering through your things for the past two hours, not worried at all that I might get caught. In fact, I was planing on just jumping off the terrace with the parachute I have conveniently strapped to my back."
This time Mozzie rolled his eyes. "Oh please, this place isn't nearly tall enough to-"
Neal smirked interrupting. "I'll be sure to check if anything's missing." Stepping forward he retrieved Anna's sketch pad and pencil. "Yours?" He asked holding them out to her.
"Yes, it seems like I'm gaining the propensity to drop things," She took back her things, quickly flipping her sketch pad closed. "luckily, it wasn't one of June's dishes this time."
"I see you guy's are getting along." Neal commented. Anna could practically taste the amused sarcasm.
"Swimmingly." Mozzie grumbled and Anna couldn't help but cock an amused eyebrow at his choice of word.
Neal chuckled. "Come on Mozz, she can come out here when ever she wants."
Anna made sure to give Mozzie a smug look at the proclamation. He just glared back.
"Well, maybe she could give us some privacy now, I'd like to discuss some things." Mozzie gripped.
Anna supressed her laughter. Though Mozzie was turning out to be a pain in the neck-or back apprently-she couldn't help but find the odd little man funny. "Of course," She said deciding not to risk any further spasms just to get away from him."everyone's intitled to their privacy." She smirked at Neal as she stood and he smiled, back humor in his eyes.
They all made their way back inside, leaving the door open. Mozzie seemed to be pretending that she'd already left and settled himself behind a small desk, grabbing a paper and pen.
"You are welcome out there any time." Neal said as if to reassure her.
Anna smiled. "I know." She opened the door. "Have a nice private chat." She said loud enough for Mozzie to hear and smirked when his shoulders stiffened slightly.
Her gaze returned to Neal's for a moment and the look she saw there nearly made her pause. He looked, concerned?
She managed to get the door closed without much pause.
What had Agent Burke told him? How much had he told him?
Anna frowned as she made her way back to her room.
And here she thought she'd be able to relax at June's.
*WC*
Neal stared at the door for a moment after Anna had left, curiosity gnawing away at him.
What was she in to? And why did he care so much?
He knew why, ever since's Kate's death he didn't want to see anyone else he knew get hurt, even if he hadn't known them for very long.
An image of the burning remains of the plane flashed through his mind's eye, and he felt his heart quicken.
"You figure out why she's here?"
Mozzie's voice broke through his reverie and he blinked turning to look over at him. It took him a moment to process what had just been said, and shake off the slight rise in his emotions.
"Uh, no, no Peter wouldn't tell me." He started to pace, absent-mindedly grabbing an orange from the bowl on the table. "He did say it was complicated though, and that she would tell me eventually."
"Eventually?" Mozzie looked up from the paper he was writing on."You want me to see what I can find out? Because with her 'eventually' might mean never."
Neal contemplated saying yes, but honestly he liked Anna, he didn't want to see her hurt if she found out he'd been snooping around about her.
"Just because you don't like her doesn't mean she isn't a nice person Mozz." He said managing a smirk. His heart was starting to return to its normal rhythm as the conversation went on.
Mozzie gave him a look."It isn't that I don't like her," Neal snorted and Mozzie glared at him but continued. "I just find her presence, disruptive."
Neal shook his head his smile genuine now."Right."
Mozzie gave him a look, then went back to writing.
Neal tossed the orange into the air thoughts starting to wander again.
Maybe if he asked her, she'd tell him...something told him that wouldn't work though. When Peter had confronted her about the stolen Monet she'd told him her reasons for coming here were private, and she'd seemed very adamant about it. But then she'd went and told Peter anyway...maybe-
"Did you confront the suit about the pictures?"
Neal paused in his pacing, looking over at his friend once again having to process what had just been said.
"Uh, yeah I did." He replied slowly, trying to re-gather his thoughts on the change of subject. "He said it was a misunderstanding."
"Oh, right. So was the Bay of Pigs." Mozzie replied.
Neal smirked still toying with the orange.
"So you think he's looking into who killed Kate in his off hours, I suppose that's a good thing."
Neal nodded absently eyeing the orange in his hand.
"You sure you don't want me to look into her?"
Neal frowned looking over at him.
"Anna, it's just you seem distracted-"
"No, no I don't." Neal interrupted.
Mozzie eyed him for a moment, then nodded once.
If Neal was distracted by anything, it wasn't Annabelle Stone.
"I want to know what he's found." He muttered, the mention of Kate's death pretty much derailed all thoughts of Anna and as the conversation continued, that situation was placed on the back burner of his mind. A lot of things were now days.
He had to find out who killed Kate...
A/N Gah, I'm not sure if I like this chapter, hope it didn't disappoint. In the next one, Anna will tell Neal and June her story, please stick around. Review's are always encouraging ;)
P.S. Also, I'm still looking for a beta! Please PM me if you are interested!
