Sorry for keeping you waiting so long.

Enjoy the chapter, though it's short. The next one is coming soon

„So what did the doctor tell you exactly?" Neal asked carefully. "When he talked to you in private?"

They have left the hospital half an hour ago and they have just arrived at Peter's and El's home. Neal had been quiet until now.

"Nothing you have to worry about. Your slippers are in the cupboard." Peter answered as Neal took of his shoes.

"Thanks." Neal smiled. That boy always smiled. Peter sighed. PTSD. Neal might most likely suffer from PTSD. At least that told him Neal's doctor. He had advised Peter to be careful and sensitive around Neal. Neal was a con and a criminal; he smiled at every occasion; he messed with the heads of many people but he was also a broken boy. Though Peter couldn't know when Neal was acting. Hell, Neal had impersonated Peter's nephew for months. How could he believe anything the boy did or said ever again?

"So where is El?" Neal asked. His tone was still somehow still careful like he was scared. Was he scared?, Peter wondered. Or did he just want Peter to think that he is scared?

"She is at work. She will come home late. Important client. You are stuck with me. That's a problem?"

"Sure not. I… just… you know…" Neal stopped.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Peter sighed. There was an awkward silence.

"So what do you want to do? Eat something?"

"Thanks, but no thanks. I had a nice breakfast."

"Sure." Peter wasn't sure about that. As far as he remembered Neal barely touched anything for breakfast.

"So..? You want to watch TV or something? I think your favorite TV show will start in a few minutes. How was it called again? That comedy with the scientists? We can watch it together. You know I thought it was funny, too. I will order some pizza first. You don't have to eat if you don't like to. But I am pretty hungry."

"Yeah, you can do that. But I think I will pass, Peter. I guess I will go up and read something. Is my room… I mean… you know what I mean… still my room?"

"Yeah, El left everything as it was."

Neal nodded and disappeared into the first floor.

Peter sighed. What should he do about Neal? He had no idea who that boy was. The only thing he knew for a fact was that he was kind of a con man. Peter took out his mobile phone and opened an app he just got the day before. Peter could check Neal's location at any time now. Neal hadn't complained about the GPS tracker. But Peter knew that Neal was hurt by Peter's distrust. How was Peter supposed to make Neal trust him if he couldn't trust the teenager?

-WC-WC-

Neal sat quietly in his room. He looked at his tracking anklet. Neal somehow felt like he deserved it. He had done a lot of awful things. Making El and Peter believe that he was their nephew… He didn't belong here. Peter should have brought him to prison. That's where he belonged. Well, he wouldn't spend a lot of time there. Adler would break him out or bribe a few judges. He would be back at forging art in no time. But that's where Neal belonged. That's who he was. He wasn't Nick Burke. He didn't deserve to be here at Peter's house.

Neal had thought about running. But he was a coward. He wasn't sure if he could pull it off now. He didn't want to be on the run. He was just wanted to… forget. He closed his eyes and tried to think about something positive. But Neal wasn't sure any which memories were real and which not.

"Neal, sweetie? Are you alright." A gentle voice asked him. Neal opened his eyes and saw Elizabeth. Neal wanted to jump up and hug her but instead he just glared at her. She looked concerned. Was she concerned about him being at their home? Did she finally realize who he was? Nothing but a criminal? But she called him 'sweetie', didn't she? Maybe he imagined it.

For a few more seconds Neal was lost in thought. Then he remembered to smile.

"Yeah, sure. Everything is fine. I feel fine. How are you doing? Working late, huh?"

-WC-WC-

El had talked with Neal for over twenty minutes the same evening he came back from the hospital. Then Neal went to sleep early. But something felt wrong. Neal had been weird. El knew that Neal wasn't Nick and she didn't actually know who Neal was but she could still tell that something was off. She tried to talk to Peter but he didn't seem interested. The only thing Peter was concerned about was if Neal going to run. He checked on Neal three times before he finally went to bed.