***I am not dragging this out anymore. The next chapter is final, hope you will follow and have a nice day
Neal had noticed it too. Peter's happiness was evident but there was a sense of concern as well, which could only mean that there was something on his mind, and Neal was not going to like it. He stroke Angie's hair back and left her with Daisy.
"What is it, Peter?"
Peter smiled sadly, "an opportunity to catch the impossible".
"Who?"
"Pink Panthers"
Neal's jaw dropped, "the painting was for the Pink Panthers?"
"We found plenty more at his place."
"What do you want me to do?"
"It is an undercover operation."
Neal glanced back at the room Angie was in, "It will be too dangerous for them, won't it?"
"If they find out, they might try to use them"
"They will kill them. The pink panthers don't kill you for betrayal. They make you wish that they had. They will come after all of you, Peter."
"You need to make sure that they don't figure it out then".
"What should I tell her?"
"The truth"
"I promised her she wouldn't lose me"
"It is our only chance"
"I want something in return"
"What?"
Neal looked back at Peter's astonished face, "I want something in return."
"Exactly, what do you want?"
"An ironclad deal"
"Neal..."
"I want my freedom, Peter. I give you the pink panthers, and you give me my freedom"
Peter sighed, "I don't know if I can get that done, Neal. You have become an important asset, and they won't let you go. You already ran once."
"I have done more than just run, Peter. I have been a part of every one of your biggest case."
"And what will happen once you are on the street?"
"You don't really think that I will return to my old life after everything we have been through"
"I know you still get the thrill of it, and your job at FBI keeps that under control"
"I am smart enough to find another passion"
"Are you?"
Neal smiled, "Peter, I want my freedom. I want Angie to have all of me without this attachment to the FBI!"
Peter nodded, "fine. I will get it done. But what are you going to tell Angie?"
"The truth. I can't see her until this is completely over"
"Will she wait for you?"
"She has so far"
Peter exhaled in frustration, "I am sorry, Neal".
"If I get my freedom, it will be worth it".
The light was too strong. She shut her eyes again and kept them close until she felt ready confront the light again. Everything was white at first, and then colours began to appear with voices. She turned her head to the side and met the worried expression of Neal.
"Hey strangers", she whispered weakly.
"Hey" he leaned down to kiss her.
"What happened?"
"You crashed a car into a wall"
"How bad was it?"
"The car is completely destroyed but the wall seems to be holding".
"Stupid wall", Angie smiled.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"I feel like I've crashed into wall"
Neal laughed briefly and then caressed her gently. She closed her eyes and open them again, "Are you going to tell me what is bothering you?"
"I don't care about anything else right now"
"Neal, come on. What is going on?"
He sighed and smiled, "I have an assignment."
"And?"
"It is dangerous"
"Isn't it always?"
"I can't see you"
"What?"
"I can't see while I am doing this"
"What is this about exactly?"
"I have to go undercover, and I can't let them find out about you."
"How long will it take?"
"I don't know"
"Neal, you are not an agent. You are not suppose to do their jobs"
"Angie, I have to do this."
"Neal..."
Neal grabbed her hand and continued, "Just trust me. This is important. If I get this done, it could mean everything for us"
"What does that even mean?"
"I will come back to you, the second it is over."
Her eyes began to water as she pulled herself back from him, "What if you never come back?"
"I will"
"If something happens to you..."
"I will always come back to you"
"I love you, Neal", Angie answered defeated by her own love.
He leaned down to kiss her again, "I love you, Angie".