Note: as promised I'm checking in with this Universe. If there is still any interest in how things turn out for our boys I'll likely do a few more of these. This particular little 'short story' will have two 'chapters'. Please understand it has been 5 years since I've seen the show and I think 6 years since I last saw any episodes with Sara...so...I'm kinda going off my somewhat vague memories of her and her character arc. heehee. I know I haven't really been writing this summer but it's been crazy, my hope is to get back to Animula or some other White Collar in the Winter when there's not so much to do outside! Hugs!
Second Chances
"…and that brings Tango's collateral damage total to 518$. That's just in pure cash, I haven't had the stomach to calculate the cost of property loss. Tango has excellent taste in Italian leather."
"Or maybe Italian leather tastes excellent." Sara chuckled.
"Tango certainly seems to think so." Neal agreed.
Tango looked up at the mention of his name and wagged the tip of his tail. Sitting at Neal's side he looked out of place in the intimate high end French restaurant. Once Tango realized Neal didn't really want anything he glanced over at the next table where the diners had recently left the waiter a large cash tip. Licking his lips in temptation Tango visibly struggled to keep his post at Neal's feet.
"Don't even think about it." Neal warned.
Tango turned his dark amber eyes back on Neal and his large jaw split into a toothy grin as he panted happily and thumped his tail against the floor. Becoming more business like Tango went back to watching Neal's six and only occasionally glanced at the vulnerable money laying out in the open.
"He really seems to listen to you." Sara noted.
"We have our moments." Neal smiled and stroked the top of Tango's head. "I have to admit I was hesitant when Peter first brought him over, but I'm glad he did. Although I kind of wish I'd left him home tonight."
"Why? He's behaving himself."
"I know." Neal glanced around the small restaurant noting several people openly staring at Tango. "I just don't like the extra attention he draws. It's different when we are working together, people see him as a law enforcement dog and they respect that. But here…here he's clearly a 'Service Dog'."
"What's wrong with that?"
"I don't like people wondering or worse yet guessing what's wrong with me." Neal admitted as he rub self-consciously at his wrists despite his sleeves covering his scaring. "I know I shouldn't care, but this all still feels so…new."
"We don't have to stay if you're uncomfortable."
"No, I'm okay." Neal managed a genuine smile. "Besides, I can't back out on our first real date now that I've actually gotten as far as getting you all the way to a restaurant without being interrupted by a case."
"I have to admit I still keep expecting Peter to interrupt this."
"He certainly has a history of it." Neal chuckled.
With Neal relaxing Tango laid down under the table and kept watch from the shadows. Tango had been more on alert when they had first arrived because things had been a little awkward between the Neal and Sara, but with the ice better broken between them the pair made casual conversation. Despite several difficult topics that lay between them since they had last truly been together they both expertly danced around them. Neal hadn't even asked if Sara was back in the city for good or if she planned to return to London once the case she had brought to White Collar was done. He had been surprised when Sara had even made mention of the fact that he'd still never made good on his promise to take her to dinner.
With no real concept of where their friendship, let alone their on and off again relationship, stood Neal just enjoyed Sara's company. She had an energetic confidence and quick intelligence that he had always been attracted too. In retrospect he should have known from the very start that if there was one person he couldn't hide the stolen treasure from it was her. Her trust had been so devastatingly shattered at that point that Neal wouldn't have blamed her if she had never spoken to him again let alone to come to a point where she'd actually suggest a night out together. Although it was reasonable to assume that this was all just professional curtesy and that any hope they had of a real future together had been destroyed long ago.
"Neal?" Sara asked in concern.
"I'm sorry." Neal shook his head and refocused, realizing that he had fallen out of the conversation entirely.
"It's okay."
Neal sighed inwardly knowing that in the past Sara would never have let him off so easily for not paying attention. Before Neal could over analyze the change in how she treated him dinner arrived. The waiter had come from behind Neal but Tango hadn't let the man just sneak up on him. Having spotted the approach Tango had lifted his head with his ears swiveled forward, he had also let out a quiet whine to ensure that he got Neal's attention. After glancing over his shoulder Neal gave Tango a quick nod to let him know that everything was okay. Tango relaxed again but kept a close eye on the waiter.
Clearly nervous about the athletic wolf ancestor watching him the waiter put down the plates and hurried away. Tango would never attack anyone without command unless they were an active threat, however he was trained to alert Neal to anyone who was approaching him with any kind of obvious intent. Even on the busy streets of New York if someone suddenly picked up the pace behind them Tango made sure that Neal was aware of them. Being able to depend on Tango to stay vigilant allowed Neal to relax and focus on whatever he was doing rather than always having to be looking around and jumping at shadows.
Looking down at the salmon dish that he had ordered Neal's stomach suddenly turned painfully. The chef had accented the meal with a fancy drizzle of some sort of ruby red sauce. Far too close to the color of blood the decorative addition instantly ruined Neal's already delicate appetite. Neal had always enjoyed food, particularly high end meals like this one, but even after six months out of the Labyrinth he still found himself struggling to keep a healthy weight.
Not wanting to worry Sara with his sudden appetite loss Neal waited for Sara to be distracted by her own meal before using a clever bit of sleight of hand to get a fork full of the red stained fish under the table. More than happy to help Tango instantly devoured the offering. Managing to eat the vegetables himself Neal continued the ruse through the meal until Tango had finished the main course. Neal rolled his eyes slightly at Tango showing his gratitude by rubbing his fishy face against Neal's pant leg.
"Neal?"
"I'm sorry."
"You don't have to keep apologizing."
"I know, I'm just having a little trouble focusing tonight."
"You're doing just fine." Sara smiled mischievously. "I mean it can't be easy to make an entire piece of salmon disappear without actually eating any of it, but you did an amazing job."
"Clearly not if you noticed."
"I never saw it happen, but your partner in crime chews with his mouth open."
"Bad dog." Neal chastised mockingly under the table.
Hearing Neal's kind tone instead of his words Tango wagged happily.
"I'm sorry, Neal." Sara said sincerely. "I shouldn't have made you take me out, this wasn't fair to you."
"What? No. I wanted to do this. I…" Neal hesitated. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too."
Since the Labyrinth Neal often found his heart racing, but unlike those times he enjoyed the sensation and the adrenaline rush that went alone with it. Reaching across the small table Neal put his hand over Sara's. Turning her hand over under his Sara curled her fingers around Neal's hand in a gentle embrace. Neal smiled warmly but glancing down he noticed that his shirt sleeve had pulled back exposing the protective skin colored fabric he still wore to hide his scars. Drawing his hand back Neal's exhilarated racing heart stumbled back into more anxious rhythm as anxiety started to close in. As much as he enjoyed her touch he worried about even entertaining the idea of letting her getting close again with all the new problems and struggles he was still facing.
"I'm sorry, I don't think I can do this." Neal said apologetically. "I'm…I'm not the same man I used to be."
"Last time I checked I moved to the other side of the ocean because of the man you used to be…"
