Hello everyone.
Thank you so much for reading my fic.
Thank you Icylighning, PastOneonta for your awesome reviews.
...
''We home, Dad?'' he asked and Peter's heart stopped.
"What did you just say?'' Peter rechecked, his heart beating erratically. His hand still on the handle of the door, poised to open it.
Neal's sleep was now away and he was more alert. He twisted his face in confusion. What did he say that gotten Agent Burke so wound up?
"Um.. I don't really remember, Agent Burke. I was still sleepy so I must have blabbered something nonsense. Please don't pay attention to me." He tried to pacify the agent.
Peter's heart constricted. Neal had called him 'Dad' in his sleep ridden mind and now he couldn't remember. ''It is okay, kiddo. Let's go. El must be waiting.'' He finally got out of the Taurus and quickly came around to meet Neal.
He opened Neal's side of the door and helped him out of the car. "Come on, kiddo."
Neal stared at the house that was a few steps in front of him. It felt strangely familiar to be here. It felt as if he was here a zillion times, in fact it gave him a sense of 'home'. Weird! He thought.
''hey, buddy. What are you staring at? Come on." Peter said. He flung his arm around Neal's shoulder. The latter tensed a bit but relaxed after a few seconds. He didn't know why but the agent's proximity was giving him the comfort that he couldn't understand.
El opened the door just as they reached the door steps. She had a big smile covered on her face. She hugged her husband and gave a little peck on his lips. ''Hey, hon."
''Hey, hon!'' Peter hugged her back.
They were both excited and nervous about this whole thing with Neal. they broke apart and El immediately took Neal in her arms. She hugged him so warmly that Neal automatically returned the hug with the same fervour.
His eyes started burning. He untangled himself from El and quickly wiped away the unshed tears. What was happening here? Why was he always turning into a mush in front of these people?
El smiled and blinked furiously to wipe away her tears as well. ''Come on, sweetie, I have made your favourite. Those Cornish hens. I am sure you must be starving. Come.''
She led Neal into the kitchen and made him sit in his usual place. The familiar sense of belonging once again hit Neal and once again he wanted nothing but to get answers to his unsolved questions.
The lunch went by smoothly. Peter and El did most of the talking while Neal silently ate his food. He was taking in all the information that he could get but so far nothing was out of ordinary. Peter mostly talked about his work and El mostly talked about some upcoming event that she was planning.
After lunch, the kitchen was cleaned by all three of them. Neal was adamant on helping. He really didn't want to be a burden to the couple. He didn't know how long he would have to stay there with them. Least he could do was help them wherever possible.
After that, all were seated in the living area. Neal was squished between El and Peter. It seemed that they didn't want to leave him alone even for a minute. The sense of déjà vu was ever present there for Neal. it was like he had lived these moments before in his life.
"Um.. so how long do I have to stay with you, Agent Burke?" Neal asked once he decided he was in better position. He was squished between the Burkes and finding a comfortable position was next to impossible.
"As soon as we find out your Dad, you can leave, buddy. Till then you are under our care." Peter replied promptly without any hint of hesitation.
"So, unless and until you find him, what am I suppose to do here? Stay here like your kid? Go to school, eat lunch, dinner with you guys, watch TV shows together like families do?" Neal asked sarcastically with a smile.
El coughed a little while Peter imitated her. Neal was actually their kid and was doing all the things that families do together. But how were they going to explain that to Neal.
"Sweetie, you are like our kid. You are most welcome to do all the things that you just mentioned." She stroked Neal's hair lovingly.
Neal sat there stunned by this reaction of Mrs. Burke. He thought his question would irritate the couple but this couple proves him wrong always.
Peter got up from his place and went to the drawer and opened it, pulling out a small box out of it.
''First things first, buddy. Here's something for you." He handed over the box to Neal who took it with curious look on his face.
Neal quickly unwrapped the gift wrapper and saw that it was a cell phone. His heart started thumping loudly. This was like Peter was handing him what he wanted most in golden platter. Now he could call Mozzie. Now he could finally get his answers. He schooled his excitement and pretended to be least bothered by the cell phone.
"What is this for?" he asked.
Peter laughed. "You definitely need a phone on you, kid. Without one you will become handicap. Plus, we also will know about where you are in case you are gone somewhere out."
Neal already had a phone but he seemed to have lost it in that dreadful warehouse where that awful incident had taken place. Peter knew he was taking a big risk by giving the cell to Neal but he was never going to let the kid out of his sight, so there was no need to fear that the kid was going to misuse the cell.
"Oh" was all the kid replied but Peter was not fooled. He could see a hundred thoughts running in Neal's mind.
"Neal, sweetie, you must be tired. Why don't you go to your Winter Wonderland and have some rest?" El suggested.
"My Winter Wonderland?'' Neal asked curiously. What the heck was that? And where?
Both Peter and El shared a look that confused Neal even more. It was Peter who chose to answer Neal's question.
"It's the name the room that we have given. It was specially decorated by El with winter theme in mind so she named it Winter Wonderland. Only special people are allowed to stay in there, kiddo!
"Okay!" Neal simply rolled his eyes. Nothing was making sense with this couple but Neal decided to just go along with whatever games they were playing right now. Once they were out of his sight, he would call Mozzie and get the hell out of here.
El got up and guided him to the said Winter Wonderland. On entering the room, Neal was once again hit by the strong sense of familiarity but he just couldn't remember anything.
...
He slept the remaining day and came down only to have dinner with the Burkes. He wasn't hungry but El wouldn't let him be. Later Peter had suggested they watch some sports channel but Neal was tired and his head was also throbbing in tune with his heartbeat. He excused himself and climbed upstairs and went back to his room.
As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was dead to the world. He slept peacefully for almost 3 hours but then was jerked awake because of a nightmare.
He was completely drenched in sweat even though it was a winter season. He tried to close his eyes and recall his nightmare but he just couldn't. he could only remember that his dad, James was there in the nightmare.
He picked up his cell that was lying on the side table to check on the time. It was almost 4 in the morning. Mozzie would be awake now. Even if he wasn't, Neal decided that he would wake his friend up and tell him to meet.
He quickly dialled his eccentric friend's number. Mozzie picked up the call on the 2nd ring.
"Who is this?"
''Hey, Moz, it's me!" Neal spoke as soon as he heard his friend's voice. He felt so relieved to hear Mozzíe's voice.
''Neal? It that you? Mon frere!" Mozzie asked doubtfully through the phone.
''Of course, Moz, it's me. Don't you recognise my voice?" Neal asked in return.
"Yes, I do recognise your voice, Neal, but why are you calling from this new number? What happened to your other number?"
Neal assumed that his friend was talking about the number he had before the trip to the hospital, the one his dad had given, so he replied, "I lost my phone, Moz, but listen, that's not important. I need to meet with you. Where can we meet?"
"Sure, we can meet, Neal! Tell, Mrs. Suit that she must prepare my favourite when I come over, alright!"
''Mrs. Suit? Who are you talking about, Moz? Are you talking about Mrs. Burke? How do you know her? How did you know I am living with them?
''Neal, come on, it's me! Of course, I will know what is going on in your life. I will be there tomorrow morning." Leaving the cryptic message for Neal, Mozzie disconnected the call.
Neal was beyond confused with this. What was happening? He was going to become crazy if he didn't remember things quickly. So many new questions cropped up now that he finally spoke to his friend. How did Mozzie know everything?
Neal could hardly wait for tomorrow so that he could meet Mozzie in person and ask him these questions and get all the answers.
...
Next Day
Neal came down after being freshly showered. He was wearing a dark blue shirt and a pair of jeans. The weather was chilly but he was not in the mood to wear a jacket. He wanted to feel the chill.
El was busy preparing the pancakes in the kitchen. The aroma was making Neal hungrier than usual. He just wanted to dig in to the breakfast but he didn't have the courage to do so. Peter was already seated at the dining table. He was solving crossword puzzle on it while munching on his cereal.
Neal coughed a bit to gather their attention. Both Peter and El flashed their sunny smiles which made Neal smile in return.
El placed a plate full of pancakes on the table with a glass of hot chocolate and smiled, ''Come on, baby, you must be hungry."
"You don't tell" Neal laughed. He quickly sat down and began gobbling his breakfast.
"Whoa! Relax, buddy. The food is not going to disappear." Peter admonished him.
"Sorry." Neal stopped and started eating slowly.
Suddenly the door bell rang.
Peter looked at El inquisitively. "You expecting anybody, hon?"
"No." El replied. She went to answer the door and after a few seconds she was back with Mozzie.
Neal spluttered the hot chocolate that he was drinking. It dripped down his chin. He quickly wiped it away with his sleeve.
"Neal, this guy here has come to meet you. You know him?" El pretended to not know Mozzie.
"Yes! He is my friend. I called him yesterday. I wanted to meet him, so he has come to meet me." Neal quickly replied. He got out of his chair and hugged his friend. He was really happy to see a familiar face after a long time.
''Oh! A friend of yours! How nice!" Peter chimed in. "Why don't you join us for the breakfast?''
''Thanks, Suit, I was already planning on it!" Mozzie grinned. He and Neal sat down next to each other. El served him a plate. They both started eating and chatting amicably.
"What was your name once again?" Peter asked getting up from his place.
"Haversham! Dante Haversham, Suit" Mozzie replied shrewdly.
Peter simply rolled his eyes. "Well, Nice to meet you, Mr. Haversham. I would love to talk to you but duty calls. Gotta go." He then turned to Neal and ruffled his hair. He knew Neal hated that but he simply enjoyed doing it. "Enjoy your time with your friend, kiddo. Will meet later."
He then came up to El and hugged her and gave a peck on her lips, "See you, Hon."
"Oh, Honey, I am leaving too. I have a meeting to attend at the museum."
Both of them turned and mouthed a 'Thank you' to Mozzie who silently nodded without grabbing Neal's attention. They had already informed Mozzie about Neal's condition. So, when Neal had called him yesterday night he was ready for him.
The Burke couple left the house leaving Neal and Mozzie alone. Peter trusted Mozzie to make sure that he would take care of Neal. and in case of emergency, he would call him.
As soon as Neal saw that they were alone, he started with his onslaught of questions.
"It's so good to see you, Mozzie, but how in the world did you know I would be here?" he was so confused.
Mozzie simply rolled hie eyes. He had come prepared. "Neal, you forget who I am. Who are we! You think I wouldn't know where you were?"
''Oh" Was all that Neal could say.
"So, is it true that you have trouble remembering things?" Mozzie asked carefully.
"Yes, I don't know, Moz, I don't think I have trouble remembering things. I remember dad, I remember Max, I remember you! I remember everything that we did or we do. But still, Moz, there's something off about it all. I feel like I am missing something. I feel like an important part of my life is missing. You know, these Burkes. They say that I am their son but why would they do that. I keep treating them like trash and they keep treating me like I am their everything. It just doesn't make sense. And you know what? The other day, I found this!" He removed the chain from his neck and handed it to his friend who took it without a word.
"Just read the words on it! Crazy right? I mean, I don't recall them giving it to me but I feel this chain is the most precious thing. I am seriously going crazy, Moz! He wiped his face with both his hands and bumped his head on the table in frustration.
"Geez! Relax, Mon frere! Don't give too much stress to yourself, okay. We will figure things out, okay? Mozzie tried to appease his friend.
"okay. But what about Dad? He must be searching me like crazy! I am Max is already outside this house by now!" Just thinking about his Dad terrified Neal.
"Neal, there's something you should know." Mozzie informed.
''What? What is it, Moz?
''Neal, Your Dad, he is dead."
...
Hope you all are still with me.