NOTE: So this little date was going to be two chapter...but now it's going to be three. Heehee. Maybe more, we'll see what happens.


Night In

"Tango, search."

Standing in the hallway outside of Neal's apartment Sara gave Neal a questioning look as Tango dove through the door on an obvious mission.

"I don't really think someone's in the apartment." Neal explained. "However Tango isn't happy if he doesn't get to do his job."

"He was certainly on high alert on the walk back here."

"He's showing off for you." Neal chuckled. "He loves an audience."

"I can see why you two get along so well." Sara chuckled.

Neal smiled but couldn't help a little heavy hearted knowing that Sara's observation had definitely been true at one point, but not any more or probably ever again. Peter had recently approached him gently about how quiet he tended to be at the office. Neal had teased him about how he used to complain that he socialized at work too much and Peter had dropped the subject for the time being. However Neal had made a mental note to at least pretend to be interested in joining a few conversations here and there to put Peter at ease.

Sara shifted her weight uneasily and Neal realized he was lapping into one of those uncomfortable silences right now. Luckily Tango arrived in time to break the tension. Having raced through the apartment Tango sat down at Neal's side to announce the 'all clear'. Neal reached down and rubbed between Tango's dark ears gratefully. With the apartment deemed safe Neal invited Sara inside.

"What would happen if someone was in the apartment?" Sara asked.

"They'd regret it." Neal smiled before looking down at Tango. "Tango, how do we greet unwelcome guests?"

With a sudden intensity in his amber eyes Tango flattened his ears back and curled his lip up to expose his gleaming white teeth with a deep threatening growl. Sara's eyes widened as she froze in fright at the aggressive display.

"At ease, Tango." Neal said quickly and Tango instantly relaxed and wagged happily. "I'm sorry, don't worry, that's just a joke he was trained to do."

"Very funny." Sara replied nervously.

"Tango is very well trained and all of his truly dangerous commands for defense are in German to make sure he doesn't accidentally attack anyone. His standing orders when faced with a threat are to just pin them down with barking and snapping at the air, which I've seen him do in training and even the guys in the bite suits hesitate to move when he's in full guard mode."

Sara looked down at Tango clearly still apprehensive

"Tango, Sara is on the White List, okay?"

Wagging again Tango walked over to rub his side against Sara's leg affectionately. Sara stiffened at first but slowly relaxed before reaching down and patting the top of Tango's head.

"Nothing to worry about." Neal assured. "Tango won't hurt you, I promise."

"I'm sorry, I've never had any pets so I'm not very good with dogs."

"I've never had a dog either, but I have to admit that Tango is a lot more like a partner than a pet."

"He certainly takes his job seriously." Sara said warmly as Tango leaned happily against her. "I'm sure Peter feels better knowing Tango is here."

"I think Peter got Tango for his own peace of mind just as much as for mine." Neal agreed with a ruefully chuckle.

Despite being in the apartment Tango's attention was completely focused on Neal. With his service cape still on the loyal canine was all business. Reaching down Neal unclipped the waistband and pulled off the black cape that simply said 'Working Dog' in white lettering. Tango had several different capes depending on the circumstances but they all had the same effect on him. When he was in uniform he was in a constant state of readiness and highly tuned to any commands. Once the cape came off Tango instantly fell into an excited play bow before running over to his favorite chew toy and settling into trying to destroy it.

"He just kinda turns into a regular dog when you take that off."

"He really does."

Neal hung the cape up before turning back to Sara. Neal regretted having Tango show off his teeth, Sara still looked ill at ease. Feeling a little anxious himself Neal realized that Tango might not actually be the source of her tension. In the past whenever they had even the slightest amount of privacy together it didn't take long for things to turn physical. As attractive as he still found her Neal wasn't sure that rekindling a romantic relationship was a possibility, or even if it was if it was a good idea. With no clue as to what Sara's expectations of the evening were Neal wasn't sure what his next move should be. There were definitely certain connotations that came along with inviting a date into your home after dinner, but there was an equal chance that dinner had been more about friends catching up. With his mind racing Neal suddenly realized that he hadn't actually invited her up to the apartment. After dinner they had simply walked back to the apartment and it had just been natural for her to follow him upstairs.

"Neal?" Sara asked concerned.

"I'm sorry." Neal shook his head to clear it. "Can I offer you a glass of wine?"

"Sure."

"Red or white?"

"Whatever you're having."

Neal's blood flashed to ice as his mostly empty stomach turned, but he recovered quickly. Going into the kitchen he fished out two glasses and remembering his trouble with the red sauce on his dinner Neal pulled the unopen bottle of white wine out of the back of refrigerator. Tango looked up briefly from his chew toy, but having been fed his dinner earlier in the evening he didn't look too hopeful about a snack.

Neal ground his teeth together in frustration as he found his hand noticeably shaking as he tried to pour the wine. Taking a deep breath Neal held it and concentrated on steadying his hand. He had been working on the emotionally triggered tremor by creating some original abstract oil paintings during his down time. He had even started a few that he was proud of, but for reasons that he hadn't dared look into too carefully every time he came close to finishing a work he couldn't resist pressing his palm into the wet paint and smearing it into ruin.

Hoping that Sara didn't notice how long the simple task of pouring two glasses of wine was taking Neal started some business talk about the counterfeit case that she had brought to the FBI. Talking shop helped the pair relax as they sat across from each other at the small kitchen table. She actually hadn't really given them any details during their first meeting at the Federal Building, but she seemed willing to share the story now. When she was sent to investigate the fraud case the client that her insurance company was investigating professed ignorance to knowing that he'd been given counterfeit US dollars for his rare sculpture. The Londoner was doing a good job of playing a victim and it had been decided that the best was to crack the case would be to track the counterfeit source and see if he was connected to it.

"Since I had contacts in the FBI in New York it only made sense to send me." Sara finished her story.

"How are you liking London?"

"Honestly, it's not my 'cup of tea' so to speak." Sara admitted. "At the same time I was fairly torn on coming back to the City, but I'm glad I did."

"Wait…did you…" Neal hesitated. "Did you have any idea what had happened to Peter and I when you came here?"

"No." Sara shook her head slightly. "I actually had tried to get in touch with Hughes, but Peter answers that line now."

"How much did he tell you?"

"Very little, but enough for me to understand how serious it was. I asked him if it was even a good idea for me to see you again."

"What did he say?"

"He said that wasn't his decision to make."

"That sounds like Peter." Neal smiled.

"But he also told me that he wouldn't lie to you and that if I wanted his help that you were part of the deal. So here we are."

Sara had chuckled in good humor, but Neal's anxiety spiked again. He knew from experience just how driven Sara was when it came to her career and Peter's ultimatum was a much easier explanation as to why she was here than the idea that she was looking to stay. Neal chastised himself for even entertaining the idea that she'd come to try giving them a second or rather third chance. She had already admitted to moving away to get away from him, there wasn't any reason to think she'd move back. Increasingly uncomfortable Neal looked over at Tango. Still happily chewing on the tough rubber toy Neal decided against calling him over. Sara knit her brow in concern as Neal's thoughts clearly turned in on himself again.

"Did you drug this wine or something?" Sara asked suddenly.

"What?" Neal asked in horror as he snapped his attention back to Sara. "No…what? Why would…I'd never…"

"Relax, Neal, I was kidding. I'm sorry." Sara apologized. "I was just trying to break the tension with some obviously poorly phrased humor. I noticed that you aren't drinking any of it. You haven't even touched the glass since you brought it over."

"Oh…right." Neal flushed in embarrassment. "I…uh, I actually don't drink anymore."

Neal winced as he saw the brief hurt look that flashed over her delicate features. She did her best to hide her automatic response, but he'd seen it clear as day. It was a relatively small and unimportant lie, but it had been a lie to pretend and not a great way to mend their broken trust.

"Neal, I'm sorry." Sara said quickly. "It's okay, it really is."

"No it isn't. I should have said something earlier, but I didn't want to make things awkward."

"This whole night has been awkward, hasn't it?" Sara sighed sadly.

Neal just nodded. He hated not being comfortable around her particularly when it used to come so naturally. Even when they had been at odds with one another in the past they had still been able to easily enjoy each others company with the tension that was apparent now. He thought that if nothing else that they could at least still be friends, but having her here and knowing she was going to leave again was too painful.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think this through. I don't know how…" Flustered Sara cut herself off. "I should leave."

With his heart pounding painfully against his ribs Neal just nodded, feeling that it was likely best for them both. Even though leaving was her idea Sara still hesitated to get up. Seeing her struggle Neal got to his own feet to help her stick to their decision. Sighing quietly Sara got up and followed Neal over to the door that he opened for her.

Walking past Sara brushed against his shoulder and Neal instantly lost his resolve. Unable to stop himself Neal reached out and took Sara's hand before she could step into the hall. Sara kept her hand in his as she looked back at him with a slight blush to her cheeks. Neal had always felt that if he had asked her to stay that she might not have left for London, but understanding why she had to go he had let her. Truly believing that things could be different this time Neal found the courage to say what he hadn't felt he had the right to say before.

"…please don't go."