21.

Neal Caffrey stood before his full length mirror and smiled...he was back! Showered, shaved, hair combed, suit, tie...but he realized he had no place to go. He chuckled to himself, and then went to have a glass of wine. Just as he finished pouring, Mozzie knocked and walked it.

"Hello, Neal..." he smiled broadly, "you look great!"

"Yeah, I feel great!" He sat with Mozzie, and thought: just over 24 hours ago, he was lying on a bed in prison, now he was back at his old apartment...but not for long. He and Mozzie were going to fly out of New York, legally, tomorrow morning. They were heading to Cape Verde, where the next stage of their lives would begin.

"Wine?" Neal asked as he poured another glass for Mozzie.

"Yes..." when they both had their glasses, Neal proposed a toast,

"To freedom...with no regrets"

Mozzie took a note pad from his pocket. Neal's eyes lit up.

"Moz...You found out something?"

"Well, it's not much, but my extensive connections have gotten information on a certain European entrepreneur who has been talking about making a deal to receive 5 priceless gold coins…"

"Dammit! She did it after all...she sucked us in to help her, and may sell them privately..." he sipped, and then looked at Moz, grinning,

"She's good, Moz...Really good..."

But every time Neal had a thought about Angela, good or bad, his heart broke a little more.

"Neal, it'll take time, but just try to let this go. It's over, we were had, it happens...but we have a good future ahead now...if you keep trying to find her, it's like you can't move on"

"Mozzie, I can't move on. Oh, I can go through the motions, but always, in here..." he pointed to his heart, "is a pain that won't go away...I love her, Moz..."

Mozzie took a deep breath, "okay my friend..."

"Any information on who had me released?" Neal asked.

"Dead end...nothing..."

"Well, by tomorrow night we will be in Cape Verde, sipping Caipirina..."

"Yes we will Mon frère...let's go for a walk through our town one last time before we leave..."

"Yeah, lets..."

Angela sat in the coffee shop at the corner of Neal's apartment at a window seat. She sipped her coffee and watched the passersby. She knew Neal was released, and needed to see him one last time. Just as the thought passed through her mind, she saw him and Mozzie walking down the street. Her heart jumped...tears welled in her eyes.

She took in every detail. He looked wonderful. Dark suit, that ever present fedora. He walked jauntily with his hands stuffed in his pants pocket. He and Mozzie were talking, and suddenly she saw Neal throw his head back and laugh. He was as handsome as ever...

God, she loved him so much. She was sick with the thought of living life without him, but he deserved to live his life a free unencumbered man, and she caused him too much pain. The two men were across the street from the coffee shop now, and as they passed, she covered her mouth with one hand to stifle her sob.