Chapter 24

Neal narrowed his eyes at Mozzie, "what are you talking about?"

"When you were together, I went by the coffee show one day. Somebody needed to protect you from you." Mozzie said, waving his hands in the air when Neal looked at questioning.

Mozzie continued,"I might have said a few things which could indicate that she was playing you, and she just smiled and said that if anyone was playing anyone, it was you"

"She said that"

"She wasn't accusing you. She was just saying that next time I saw you together, I should notice the way you she looked at you, and the way you looked her. And tell her, who was more in love. You fell in love with her because you thought she was different. You saw a woman adopt a child from the street. She was a mystery... but she loves you for who you are. You are happy with her because she will never judge you but she is not your type. She is not innocent like Kate. She does not have the wit of Sarah or the allure of Alex."

"Mozzie, you are ridiculous."

"I am not kidding, Neal. She knows that she loves you more. She can see it but she stayed because you needed her. She told me how both Peter and I were trapping you in this image of a con artist instead of seeing that you were just man who made choices and were living the consequences. She said that you wanted to be happy and you wanted to love and to be loved. She makes you happy, and Neal, being who were, I know how rare people like her are."

"What are you trying to say, Mozzie?"

"Doesn't she deserve someone who can love her just as much as she loved?"

"Let me get this clear, you want me to break up with her?"

"I didn't say that. I just thought... she was moving on. She could have found someone."

Mozzie put his glass down, "We accept the love we think we deserve, and I don't think Angie knows she deserves better."

When Mozzie left that night, Neal did not sleep. If it had not been for the case, He would continued to be restless but it was more important to concentrate on the case, which was finally opening up for them. Diana found the first clue.

"It was a three man heist, including the security guard, who happens to be a computer engineer that got the job two months before the heist."

"We probably missed him while focusing on Shaw" Neal said

"You might have caught him if you were not distracted", Peter smiled

"Are you done?" Neal replied bemused.

"Nowhere near, but it will do for now"

"Luckily, he doesn't know we are on to him so he is still working there", Diana smiled.

Neal felt a sense of peace this night, In spite of Mozzie he knew one thing. There was very little in this world which he cared about more than Angie and Daisy. The rest of world rush to him but Angie was a pillar. He had just entered June's house when he heard voices from the living room. Angie and Daisy were sitting on the couch with a cup of tea and cookies. They didn't noticed him until he took another step in, and then they greeted him with smile.

"June invited us over", Angie explained before he could ask.

He smiled, "I will be down in a moment".

Neal walked up the stair but he felt Angie's eyes following him. He knew that he was not hiding his mood very well. He took off his jacket, the tie and the hat before he went down again. By this time Daisy was sitting alone in the living room, watching cartoon while Angie was in the kitchen with June. He sat down with Daisy, who slowly moved closer to him. She put her head on his shoulder without a word, and he put an arm around her. Suddenly, he was quite happy have Daisy there and it felt as if he could not relax without her.

"I should have called you", Angie was putting the dishes in the dishwasher when Neal joined her in the kitchen.

"No, you shouldn't have." He said, kissing her on the cheek.

"Come on, Neal. You can tell me if you need some time for yourself. I won't mind" She turned around and looked him in the eyes. "Rough day?"

"Long day, but I think that it will be worth it. Soon, Shaw's killer will be found."

"Sticking to you promise, huh?"

"It wasn't easy. Since it turned into a murder case, Peter had to play bull with another agent." Neal took her hand in his.

"What is Daisy doing?"

"She is watching Edward Scissorhands."

"Edward Scissorhands is on? I used to love that movie. I thought it was so sweet and romantic. While every other girl was crying about Titanic, I only wanted to Scissorhand"

"Seriously?"

"I never really liked the whole poor rich girl and romantic poor guy storyline. Also, This you see that ending? There was plenty of room on that door for both of them. It wasn't love; it was homicide."

Neal laughed but then he just gazed at her for a while. "You are wrong", he told her gently but suddenly.

"No seriously, watch the movie again."

He turned her around and looked her in the eyes, "not about that". He brushed her hair back, "How can you think that I don't love you as much you love me?"

Angie narrowed her eyes, "what are you..." She stopped, realizing that those were the exact same words she had told Mozzie some time ago. "He told you?" Angie took a step back.

"He was worried about you"

Angie looked away, "Neal, I don't want to discuss this"

He grabbed her again and held her tightly, "too bad, because I do."

"Neal, stop"

"No. Not this time. You can't just go around and think that I don't love you."

"I never said that"

"Angie, I don't just need you. I want you."

"Neal, you don't understand"

"I don't need to understand, you do" He pulled her closer.

"I never meant to..."

"What? accuse me of playing you?"

"I didn't mean that..."

"Yes, you did. Angie, you always keep these things inside you, and then you just disappear when thing get tough."

"That is not fair..."

"Tell me about it"

"Neal, ..."

"Why would you even think that? What did I do? Why, Angie?"

"Neal..."

"Tell me"

"Stop", she pleaded.

"I need to know..."

"Neal"

"Tell me!"

"Because I need to believe it!" she yelled and pushed him back.