Chapter Six

Sitting on a small stool in front of an easel that he'd set up in the middle of the room Neal worked on the details of his forgery of Monet's 'Au Crepuscule'. Needing a break Neal took his attention from the painting and watched Peter standing by the closed patio doors staring out at the light drizzle that was coming down. Neal glanced at the time and sighed, it had been about three hours since Peter had last moved other than occasionally shifting his weight. After discussing the plan for the con and touching on the general strategy against the Market Peter had fallen into a contemplative silence. He had engaged in a little further chatter afterward, but as the day passed Neal had to work harder and harder to get him to converse until eventually Peter just reverted into simple yes and no answers. Neal had taken the hint and stopped trying to force Peter into conversation. Once the rain had started even though it barely darkened the sky Peter had become lost in watching the weather.

It certainly wasn't the first time Neal had witnessed him turn inward on his thoughts to the point of being motionless, but it worried him more now. Back when he'd first met Peter he had thought it was just a normal part of being Animula, but now that he had learned that Peter's basic nature was human the long zoning out periods felt more like a damaged coping mechanism. Neal had quickly learned that Animula didn't learn human behaviors, they were taught Animula ones at great personal cost to their true instincts, but most humans didn't bother thinking about the distinction.

Neal assumed that it was the idea of facing Cheng again that was currently weighing on Peter's mind and he certainly couldn't blame him for that. Neal saw his point in the strategy and even agreed with it, but it was still going to be a difficult and dangerous encounter for them both. He also somewhat regretted mentioning the Animula children, it was the second time in a short spans of time that the idea that for every Animula there was a human family that they'd come from had come up and Peter hadn't reacted well to the thought either time.

Peter had at the least confirmed that he couldn't remember ever caring about anyone or anything until the day he'd started the transition from boy to man and developed the gold glint in his eyes. As human as Peter was at times there was still clearly something different about him and the others at a young age, but that appeared to change with age. Mozzie's experience with Ethan furthered the idea that when Animula turned gold it had a profound impact on their personalities and emotions, something the Market had spent over a hundred years learning to suppress. All in all Peter may not have grown up missing his parents, but once he'd gotten woken up to the concept of emotion it had become an absence he'd grown sharply aware of.

Neal suddenly realized that considering Peter's age there was absolutely no reason not to believe that one if not both of his parents were still alive. Mozzie had found their names, he'd probably found a lot more than that as well. Recalling back to just two nights ago that felt more like two years ago Neal remembered that he had mentioned that he had a lot more information during his hunt for the name. Neal hadn't had a chance to really talk with Mozzie and for his part Mozzie was avoiding coming around.

Still by the window Peter continued to stare at the sparse droplets running down the glass, he didn't seem upset or even unhappy, in fact his neutral expression was completely unreadable. Neal tried to remind himself that he couldn't expect Peter to recover from a lifetime of habits and training in just a month, but it still felt like a step backwards to have him standing like a sentry at the window. Not sure how best to help Peter right now Neal just let him think through things on his own.

Turning back to the painting Neal compared the area he was working on to the picture of the original and worked on warming up the color. He had originally planed to use the work in the upcoming game, he hadn't wanted to reuse the Degas just to show other gamers that he wasn't a one trick pony when it came to finding something special to bring to the table. However it had never even occurred to him until Peter had brought it up that Peter himself was the logical choice to place in the kitty. Now working on the painting just for the enjoyment of it Neal focused his wandering thoughts on the art.

As the overcast day started to lose light due to the setting sun there was a sudden and harsh knock at the door. Startled by the interruption Neal ended up streaking a bit too much red into the sunset he was working on. With his own nerves on edge he expected Peter to have been alarmed as well, but he had simply turned away from the window to go answer the door. Being closer to the door and knowing it had to be Mozzie Neal held his hand up to stop Peter and got up to answer it himself.

Peter clearly knew who it was as well, Neal could tell by the way he narrowed his eyes and tilted his head up slightly as he pulled his shoulders back. Around other humans, Neal included at times, Peter kept his shoulders back to look alert but at the same time brought his head down somewhat awkwardly to try and hide his above average height. With Mozzie however he always went for a more threatening pose, even from the first moments they had met. As terrified as he was of humans there was just something about Mozzie that caused him to go on the offensive as opposed to his usual defensive mode.

Praying that no one picked a fight but understanding if one broke out Neal opened the door. Neal wasn't sure what to expect when he opened the door but it certainly wasn't to have an over exuberant yellow Labrador bound into his apartment, pausing only long enough to violently shake the water off his coat in a cold muddy spray before charging across the room with his nails clattering across the antique hardwood floor.

"Mozzie, what the hel…"

"Satchmo!" Peter cried happily.

Peter knelt down as Satchmo barreled into him at full speed. Satchmo nearly knocked Peter off balance as he jumped up and put his paw up on Peter's shoulders to give him a better vantage point with which to lick Peter's face. With his tail wagging so violently he was having trouble keep his back legs underneath him Satchmo whined and yipped in excitement. Putting his arms around the wet animal Peter gave the loyal lab a warm hug. Absolutely beside himself Satchmo brought his paws down off Peter's shoulders but continued to dance in front of his and rub his mud stained fur against his once lost pack member.

"Okay, okay, calm down." Peter chuckled as he ruffled Satchmo scruff. "Take it easy, Satch."

Trying his hardest to contain himself Satchmo laid down across Peter lap, unable to hold still he whined and continued to wiggle ecstatically.

"Yes, I know, I'm missed you too." Peter assured.

"I take it you two know each other." Neal chuckled.

"We do." Peter smiled.

"Sorry about the mess." Mozzie apologized to Neal.

"It's fine." Neal said honestly. "I'm going to get you two a towel."

Mozzie gave Peter a nervous look as Neal left to get something to dry his new guest off with, but bringing the dog had proven to be a perfect solution to easing tensions. With Satchmo slightly calmer Peter closed his eyes and with a bright smile he held the soggy dog closer. Satchmo nuzzled under Peter's chin happily. Mozzie dared to actually step into the apartment and close the door. He walked up to where Neal had been painting but stopped there. Peter looked up at Mozzie with a conflicted expression. Mozzie had completely invaded what little privacy Peter had, but at the same time he was also now responsible for two reunions. Satchmo seemed to pick up on Peter's warring emotions and beat his tail heavy against the floor to let him know that the strange man had his approval for bringing everyone together again. Satchmo didn't care how things were made right, as long as they were right.

"Elizabeth says he's been absolutely uncontrollable since she came home from seeing you." Mozzie broke the silence. "She felt it was cruel to not let him say hello as well."

"How is..." Peter paused his question, not sure if he wanted an answer. "How is she doing?"

"She's doing amazing considering the circumstance."

Peter nodded, accepting the fairly vague answer. He knew all too well that despite the joy of being reunited there was still a lot of hardship and heartache that went along with it. Peter shifted forward so that he could get off his knees to just sit on the floor with Satchmo. Mozzie visibly tensed at the move. Peter noticed Mozzie's continued discomfort with him but didn't say anything, he had a feeling that Mozzie's uneasy now had less to do with the fact that he was Animula and more to do with the fact that he knew he was on thin ice hanging around Elizabeth. Just like the reunion Peter was very divided on how he felt about Mozzie visiting his wife. He hated that the human was free to do so when he wasn't, but at the same time he knew Elizabeth needed the company.

Neal returned with a towel and offered it to Peter. He had left the pair alone intentionally to give Peter a chance to deal with Mozzie without an audience. He hadn't really thought that Peter would hold a grudge but he had every right to snarl at Mozzie if he wanted to. However listening in it also didn't surprise him that his main concern was Elizabeth. Peter gratefully took the towel and wrapped Satchmo up in it. Enjoying the rub down Satchmo's toothy jaw split open as his tongue lolled out.

"How did you manage to get so muddy, have you forgotten how to use sidewalks while I was gone?" Peter teased Satchmo.

Satchmo responded with another heavy wag as he snuggled into the towel.

"Enjoy that towel, Satchmo, it's Egyptian Cotton." Neal noted.

"You need new towels anyway." Mozzie said dismissively. "Peter, can you look after Satchmo while I borrow Neal for a few hours?"

"Borrow me?" Neal asked suspiciously. "Why are you borrowing me?"

"Because you haven't seen the outside of your apartment for more than a few hours in over a month."

"'Mozzie..." Neal growled.

"He's right, Neal." Peter interrupted. "You should go out, I'm not at death's door anymore, you don't have to watch me 24/7. Go. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"I've got Satchmo, he's always been great company."

"See?" Mozzie smiled. "Peter will be fine. Let's go."

Neal still hesitated but he had to admit that he was feeling a little cooped up lately. He just hated leaving Peter behind knowing that he must be even more frustrated with being a prisoner of the apartment. Peter encouraged him again to leave and Mozzie gave him a look that told him that he actually wanted something specific and wasn't just trying to be social. Neal nodded and headed towards his walk in closet to get changed out of his paint stained clothes.

"Wear something black." Mozzie suggested casually.

With his suspicions that Mozzie had criminal intent Neal rolled his eyes and headed off to get changed without asking for further clarification. Peter waited a moment before he flashed a suspicious look at Mozzie.

"What?"

"Nothing, just...please don't get him arrested."

"Don't worry about it." Mozzie shrugged. "Neal can take care of himself. The Feds have been after him for over well over a decade."

"That doesn't make me feel any better."

"Trust me, there isn't an Agent out there that's even close to being good enough to catch Neal."