Here's the last chapter. Even though I was absent for 2 years, this is the only one I had not written before life got in the way. So I quickly wrote this, and hopefully I will get on to the next story. I tried to wrap it up quick.

I hope you are well and safe where ever you are, it looks like I'll have lots of time to write in the lockdown. FFx

Chapter 30

"We at the New York White Collar division would like to announce that a few months ago, a team of our agents successfully took down an underground operation which was headed by one Mr Carl Walters. Said Walters has been known, over the years, to participate in numerous crimes, varying in degree of violence. He recruited men from different backgrounds, had them work for him, before killing them, to avoid having people who would recognise him. In recent events, two FBI personnel and a civilian were held by one of these groups, in an attempt to divert FBI attention while they carried out another plan. This plan did not get completed. Our people are now home and recovering well. We ask for no more questions regarding this matter. We now want to state to the public, the case of Carl Walters is now closed."

oOo

With the four men dead, Hughes couldn't see how he could justify keeping the investigation going. As far as the higher ups were concerned, it was case closed. And if he was being honest – he felt that way too. In its own way, justice had been found, the men wouldn't be coming back. Walters was keeping taps of Neal's place, and now that threat was gone. He was probably going to use the pictures of June's the way he used the last ones. Each time Hughes thought of them, his blood ran cold. His people had been in danger and he couldn't help them. It will haunt him forever. Closure was dawning, Peter was back to work, Neal coming back today. Hughes tried to stay out of their business, but he was keeping tabs on them. The process back to normality was long, but Hughes could see the end in sight, the therapy helping and the knowledge that they weren't in any danger aided this.

oOo

It was time, he was ready, the months behind him seemed so far and so close at the same time. He had finally been signed off by the doctor as being fit to come back to work. He was ready.

The ride up in the elevator was tense, he made a conscious effort to slow his breathing down, slow his heart. He wanted this, to be back and in the action. He wanted to be ok again. This was how he did it.

The ping of the doors was loud, he had closed his eyes and snapped them open as the noise was unexpected. As the doors opened he didn't hesitate, instead he put one foot in front of the other, towards the glass office doors.

As he entered the open plan room, silence fell. He stopped, eyes falling on the many FBI agents in front of him, landing on Peter last, standing with Hughes in his office. The two men noticed the drop in volume and looked over, both breaking out in a smile, striding to the door.

Then slowly, the clapping started. Slowly but built up speed quickly. Soon everyone in the room was cheering his return, Peter and Hughes included. Neal smiled, raising his hand to silence them as he walked to his desk and sat down. As people slowly went back to what they were doing, Neal breathed out.

He was back.