I own Jamie, but none of the other characters...-sigh-
Jamie couldn't believe that she'd walked out on Neal like that, but for some reason, Neal not telling her the truth had gotten her really worked up. She leaned against the building and took her phone out.
"Elizabeth Burke."
"Hi, uh Elizabeth, its Jamie."
"Oh hi Jamie, what's up?"
"Are you busy right now? I...Neal and I had a fight and I...I need someone to talk to...I totally understand if-"
"Oh honey come right over! You can talk all you want."
Jamie sighed, "Thank you, I'll see you soon."
When Elizabeth got off the phone, Peter looked at her quizzically.
El sighed, "Jamie and Neal just had a fight. She needs someone to talk to."
Peter stood up, "I need to see if Neal's okay."
"Peter, he isn't a child."
"El, I know, but today was...today was the anniversary of Kate's death. Why Neal was stupid enough to let Jamie leave is beyond me, but I need to find out."
"Oh poor Neal, do you think Jamie knows?"
"She knows about Kate but I doubt she knows what today is. Jamie wouldn't leave Neal if she knew."
El nodded, "You're right, go check on Neal."
Peter nodded and grabbed his jacket, kissing his wife briefly on the way out. When Peter reached Neal's place it had begun to rain lightly as June ushered him inside. When Peter walked into Neal's apartment he found him sitting against the wall with a glass of wine that he would periodically refill with the wine bottle next to him.
"Why'd you shut her out Neal? You worked so hard to let her in and now you shut her out." Peter dropped into a crouch, "No matter how long I chase you, how much I work with you, I still don't get you Neal."
Neal looked at Peter and Peter saw the kid he'd seen the last time he'd found him with a wine bottle. The kid who had lost the girl he loved.
"Do you really love her Neal?"
"I don't know. Yes? No? I'm not sure. All I'm sure of is that she makes me happy all the time. No one else has ever made me happy all the time, sometimes yes, but never every single second of every day. Not even..."
"Then why'd you shut her out Neal? Why?"
"I'm scared I'm going to loose her Peter, I'm so scared. I'm afraid that if I open up to her totally, let her know my flaws, my mistakes, I'll loose her like..."
Peter rubbed Neal's shoulder, "Don't worry buddy, you won't loose her."
Jamie arrived at the Burke home slightly damp and worried about Neal, she couldn't believe she'd left, Neal had seemed off...he'd had a panic attack for god's sake! Jamie bit her lip and rang the bell.
Elizabeth came to the door, "Oh honey, come on in!"
Jamie sighed and walked in, "I'm sorry to impose on you like this, but...I needed someone to talk to."
El smiled, "Its fine, I know what its like to want to talk to someone about everything but not be able to."
After they had sat down with coffee, Jamie relayed the night's events to El.
When she was done Jamie asked, "Do you know anything that could've cause Neal to act like this? I'm worried about him..."
El sighed and put her cup down, "Jamie, do you know what a year ago today was?"
Jamie thought for a second and then realization spread across her face, "Today's the day Kate died isn't it? I can't believe I didn't put the clues together sooner! Oh poor Neal, and I walked out on him...El I'm so sorry I really have to go."
El nodded, "I understand, give Neal my best."
Jamie hugged Elizabeth, "Thank you for letting me talk, your home is beautiful by the way."
El smiled, "Thank you, good luck with Neal."
"Thanks!" Jamie called on her way out the door.
Jamie reached June's just as Peter was leaving.
"Peter...how is he?"
Peter sighed, "He's been better."
Jamie groaned, "I can't believe I was so stupid..."
"Hey, just go in there and make it better. Jamie, everything will be fine.
Jamie nodded and headed inside. She stopped in the doorway of Neal's apartment.
"Peter if you came back to tell me that I already lost Jamie, and you lied. Its okay, I already guessed that."
"Neal, you didn't lose me." Neal looked up and when he saw Jamie, to his horror, his eyes filled up with tears.
Jamie walked over as Neal reached for the wine bottle, but Jamie stopped him.
"I don't think so, you have to work in the morning."
Neal didn't protest, he found himself suddenly swimming in green, "Y-you're really back?"
Jamie sat against the wall and took his hand, "Of course I'm back, Neal. I couldn't stay away." She put her head on his shoulder, "I'm sorry I left, but Neal, when something like this is bothering you, you need to tell me.
Neal sighed, "I know, but fully opening up to you, tell you everything that was going on in my head, w-would make it real and that would make it easier for me to l-loose you..."
Jamie gasped and looked up at Neal, "Neal...I'm not going anywhere, I pro-"
"Don't promise, promises made in my world are never kept."
Jamie closed her eyes, "Oh Neal..." Biting her lip she said, "Neal, tell me your story."
Neal sighed and nodded.
AN: Okay guys so I need your help, I want to have Neal's past in the next chapter, but I also want to be as accurate as possible. If you have facts from the show about his past -I know we don't know much...but there's a little to work with!- or anything to help with his past, that would be great. I want to make it as fan-accurate as possible, and with your help, I can. So please review and put in anything you know/think about his past! Thank you so much!