NOTE: I can't believe the day is finally here! Thank you all for your support during this amazingly long journey! I truly enjoyed it. I have edited and cleaned up a little more than half the story, including adding more detail to chapter 58 (Neal's escape). I hope to have the whole thing cleaned up by the end of next week for anyone who wants to reread the adventure. Hugs!


Epilogue

Standing in the shower Neal did his best to let the warm spray sooth him. However even after nearly four months free from the Labyrinth Neal's heart still raced. He had been forced to switch out the dark opaque shower curtain for a clear one to keep the irrational fear of someone sneaking up on him in the shower at bay. The clear line of sight had helped but it frustrated him to still be suffering the effects of Jake's attack. Giving up for now Neal turned the water off and stepped out of the shower.

Although Neal had done well to gain back most of his lost weight his muscles still held more of a wiry definition than they had before. Still not really used to the changes he felt very alien to himself at times. Beyond the internal struggles Neal's list of visible scars from the ordeal had added up quickly. Between the gun shot he'd taken from Jake, the glass in his shoulder, the cuts circling his wrists and the myriad of smaller marks that peppered his skin it didn't help him feel any more at home in his new body. Looking down at his chest as he toweled off Neal noted that off all the changes the one he was most used to was the bright white maze emblazoned on his chest. The other scars were just signs of abuse, but for Neal the deliberate brand had become a badge of honor. He had been marked for death and survived against all odds.

Stepping out into the walk in closet Neal was able to get dressed without worrying about the clothing looking too loose as it had a few months ago. Along with his usual clothing Neal had a new addition to his wardrobe that he never left the apartment without. After putting on his pants Neal slipped on a set of tight fitting sleeves made of a stretchy material that perfectly matched his skin tone. The sleeves were originally designed to hide forearm tattoos but worked just as well to hide the scars that encircled his wrists. Even though his dress shirts did a good job covering the marks Neal hated the way people stared, no matter how briefly, at his wrists any time he reached out to shake hands or when his sleeves otherwise pulled up as he moved. He didn't like dealing with the subtle looks of pity from the people who knew what had caused them and he couldn't stand the look of morbid curiosity on the faces of those who didn't.

Walking out into the main apartment Neal shook his head sadly as he spotted the blanket he had left on the floor. He hadn't meant to spend the night on the floor but he had woken up there this morning. Most nights he managed to sleep in his bed, but when his anxiety crept back up on him he still retreated to the floor in search of comfort. It hadn't taken him long to figure out that moonless nights were always the worst, when the dim light sapped all the color out of the apartment.

With the sky overcast today Neal found himself a little more on edge than usual and he jolted violently when there was a soft knock at the door despite the fact that he was expecting company. Taking a deep breath to help hide his frustration at his continued symptoms Neal headed over to the door. He used to leave the apartment door unlocked but he hadn't been able to go back to that particular habit. Smiling before he opened the door Neal did his best to look relaxed.

Standing in the hall Peter took a quick glance at Neal and instantly knew he'd had a rough night but he didn't say anything. They had long gotten past asking one another how they were doing since they both knew the answer. Neal envied the fact that although Peter still had bad moments for the most part he was readjusting much better. Peter was quick to attribute that to Elizabeth, however he had given up on trying to convince Neal to move back in with them.

Neal had been expecting Peter's visit, but he hadn't been informed that Peter wouldn't be alone. Sitting at Peter's side with a very alert expression was a large Belgium Malinois dog that had a similar appearance to a German Shepherd. Longer in the legs than a Shepherd and with a blonde coat that darkened to black on the ears and face the dog looked like the living embodiment of elegance mixed with power.

"Good morning, Neal." Peter greeted brightly.

"Morning, Peter. Who's your new friend?"

"This is Tango."

Upon hearing his name Tango stood up and gave Peter his undivided attention with the tip of his tail wagging.

"He's beautiful." Neal said truly taken by the animal even though the dog didn't seem to be Peter's traditional style in companion. "Come on in, both of you."

"Thank you. Tango, search."

Thrilled to have a job Tango bolted into the apartment. Neal watched in fascination as Tango glanced over at the bed before he went directly to the hidden entrance to the speakeasy room and sniffed heavily along the seam of the flush door. Satisfied that no one was there the dog disappeared into the walk in closet and then the bathroom before returning. Not having found anything the dog returned to Peter and sat back down at his side. Peter reached down an rubbed the top of the dog's head.

"Good boy, Tango." Peter said before looking up at Neal. "Ready for tonight?"

"Uh, actually, no." Neal admitted. "I need to pick my tux up. I decided a little last minute to have it altered to fit better. It's ready, I just have to get it."

"We can do that."

"How's Elizabeth?"

"Very excited and a little nervous." Peter smiled. "She and Asha have worked so hard to reopen Light for the Lost. They are both really counting on this first fundraiser going well considering the entire foundation got stripped back to basically nothing."

"Not nothing," Neal said warmly "Walker might have been a monster running his blood money through the organization but the actual community it served were all good people in need. They still have each other, they'll get the funding."

"I know they will. Elizabeth was a force to be reckoned with before but partnered with Asha they are practically unstoppable."

Neal chuckled at Peter's proud smile. Always alert Tango kept looking between Peter and Neal as if excitedly anticipating being given another order to carry out. Neal was about to ask more about the new dog when Peter reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope that didn't have any markings on it. Neal took the letter but didn't open it, instead he just put it on the kitchen table for later. When Neal turned back Peter had a concerned expression.

"If you don't want Jake writing to you I can tell WitSec to stop passing the letters along." Peter said seriously.

"No, it's okay. I don't mind hearing from him. I just don't like to open them if I don't have the time to write back."

"How's he doing?"

"Good days and bad." Neal said vaguely. "Some of his letters he's frustrated with being institutionalized by WitSec, others he's grateful to be protected and working at making friends with some of the others. He asks every so often if I can find a way to visit, but I don't even know where he is."

"You can't visit him, Neal." Peter said firmly. "Even if I could pull some strings to find out where he is I don't think it would be healthy for either of you. You really shouldn't even be exchanging letters."

"I know but I hated the idea of just never knowing what happened to him. WitSec is hard, I hated it. I can't imagine adding a locked psych ward to the mix." Neal sighed. "I wish we could have done better for him."

"Neal, we did absolutely the best we could for Jake. He had multiple counts of murder, torture, kidnapping…I know it wasn't anything near normal circumstances, but he couldn't just be put back into society."

"I know." Neal nodded.

Heavy hearted from thinking about Jake Neal also couldn't help the way the back of his throat closed in when Peter mentioned Jake's murder record. Time wasn't dulling Neal's anxiety about almost being on Jake's list of victims that never saw the sky again. He and Peter were still on medical leave for at least another month but Neal was starting to have his doubts about being sound enough to go back to helping Peter with cases when he still found himself jumping at shadows. Peter had been right, it wasn't until the dust had settled that Neal was starting to see the damage he had to now live with. When he was with Peter his symptoms were markedly better, but he couldn't depend on Peter 24/7 as he had in the Labyrinth. With the tension in the air mounting Tango stood up again and with a quiet whine he licked at Neal's hand. Smiling at the dog Neal ruffled his soft fur. Finding himself grateful for the distraction of the animal Neal tilted his head as he looked down at the handsome creature.

"What does Satchmo think of you?" Neal asked Tango directly. "I can't imagine him wanting to share Peter with you."

"He's not my dog."

"Who's dog is he?" Neal asked confused.

"Technically he belongs to the Secret Service, he was part of their anti-counterfeit training program."

"Anti-counterfeit?"

"The Secret Service is not just in charge of Presidential security but they also are in charge of money counterfeiting crimes and dogs trained to sniff out funny money have an impressive track record. Unfortunately Tango here is a wash out, he couldn't pass his final test to make it into the field."

"What happened?"

Rather than explaining Peter reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Tango's black ears instantly perked up and he swiveled around to face Peter. Peter pulled out a dollar bill and offered it to Tango. After taking a single sniff Tango snatched the bill and chewed on it happily before spitting it out as a soggy wad on the floor.

"He has a 'sweet tooth' for real money."

"His name is Tango and he eats cash?" Neal asked with a chuckle.

"The Secret Service dogs tend to have clever names." Peter smiled. "Anyway, he can't do his original job with this very specific quirk, but they quickly shifted gears with his training. He can search for intruders, he has several levels of 'guard' from just alerting his handler of an approach all the way up to a full take down of any threat with blinding speed and teeth. He loves sleeping in beds but also won't say no to a night or two on the floor. He can always have your back…"

"Wait, you brought Tango for me?"

"I did." Peter nodded. "Neal I know you've been trying to hide it, but I can see that you're struggling. I can't stand by and watch you get worse but you've already refused to move in with El and me, which I understand. Tango is not only a highly trained PTSD service dog but he can also sniff out a fake bill at a hundred paces, something that could come in handy at the White Collar office. Tango needs a home and you need a partner."

Neal looked down at Tango and the dog instantly gave him his undivided attention with is deep golden eyes. Had Peter just asked Neal about the idea of a service dog he would have instantly said no, but having the intelligent canine here and looking so eager to please it was harder to dismiss the idea. One of the greatest problems Neal had been facing since escaping the Labyrinth was sleeping alone. Being a hundred pounds of warm security Tango would certainly help ease Neal's mind at night if nothing else.

"Neal, you don't have to take Tango in if you don't want to, but I really think you should at least give him a chance. He'll complicate your life a bit, but I know he'll be worth it."

"You certainly sound confident."

"I'm an excellent judge of character."

Neal smiled at the thinly veiled comparison between himself and Tango that Peter was making. Neal had certainly complicated Peter's life, but it was nice to know that he didn't regret the chance he'd given him. Kneeling down in front of Tango Neal carded his hand into the dog's thick tan fur. Loving the attention Tango's tongue lolled out as his jaw split in a happy panting smile. Looking like he was trying to convince Neal to let him stay Tango leaned forward and pushed the top of his head against Neal's chest affectionately as he wagged. Unable to keep himself from smiling Neal had to admit he already felt safer.

Neal looked up and found Peter smiling brightly knowing that things were going to work out. Standing back up Neal stepped closer and pulled Peter into a warm embrace. Peter returned the affection as the pair enjoyed a moment of peace born of their new bond. Neal released Peter as a gnawing guilt suddenly crept back into his stomach. Tango sensed something was off just as quickly as Peter did and pressed himself against Neal's leg. Neal smiled sadly and rubbed between the large dog's dark ears.

"Neal?" Peter asked concerned.

"Did you know?" Neal asked quietly. "All those years ago, did you know I was just conning you to get out of prison?"

"I'm not stupid, Neal." Peter smiled warmly. "But I also knew you were a good man."

"How could you possibly have known that? Until very recently even I didn't know that."

"I just knew."

Neal eyed Peter suspiciously for moment before realizing that Peter was being completely honest. With the guilt lifted Neal smiled brightly with a chuckle. Excited to see the mood lighten Tango wagged before sitting at Neal's side. Neal held his hand out and Peter reached out and took it. Rather than a traditional shake Neal just gave Peter's hand a squeeze.

"Thank you for believing in me, Peter."

"Thank you for trusting me, Neal."

"We make a pretty good team, don't we?"

"We make a great team."