Chapter 7

AN: Thanks to lindycat for the idea for part of this chapter.

"I appreciate it, Hon." Peter replied. "I just don't know how much good it'll do."

"June and Mozzie love Neal. They want what's best for him." El reasoned. "They'll listen."

"That doesn't mean Neal will, or that they will even tell Neal that they spoke to you…if they will even speak to you." Peter said.

"Why are you being so negative about this?" El asked.

"I'm not being negative, I'm facing reality." Peter replied. "I've thought about myself enough here, El. It was thinking about me that got us into this mess."

"Neal was the one…." El started.

"No." Peter said, shaking his head. "My wife asked Neal for help, knowing he would not refuse her."

"Peter…?" El started.

"I just can't. He deserves better than that. And if that means I need to not be in his life. Then that means I need to not be in his life." Peter stated.

Two years and about 4 art shows later:

Peter stopped and looked again. His hair was longer and he was sporting facial hair. Plus his wardrobe had changed. He opted for ultracasual these days, but it was him. Peter didn't even have to see the blue eyes.

Peter pulled out a chair at an adjacent table. He sat where he had, purposefully. He wanted to see what the man was drawing.

"I knew this guy once. He was a pretty good artist." Peter stated as he sipped his coffee.

"He's a great artist." The man replied.

"…and very modest and humble." Peter said, smiling.

"A lot's happened." The man said.

Peter nodded. "Yeah, yeah it has. Lives have changed, and you've proved me wrong."

Neal looked at Peter. He knew Peter was talking about the 'once a criminal' thing. "This doesn't mean…."

Peter nodded again. "I know. But I would like, if I could…every once in a while, to come and talk to an old friend."

Neal smiled. "I'd like that."

THE END

END NOTES: Well, guys, this is it. I didn't do that nice pretty red bow here. It wouldn't fit, the box wouldn't close properly. I left this the way I thought this story should end.