Hello everybody!
First of all, I am so sorry I have not updated in a while! My only excuse is college!
Second, I HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT ABANDON THIS STORY. EVER. I just can't say for sure how fast I will update. But it will be updated.
And lastly, again, thank you so much to anyone who reviewed, faved or alerted this story! You guys are great!

Enjoy!

Chapter 3

Peter looked at his wife, seeing the agreement in her face. Elizabeth gave him a bright smile telling him that what she wanted as well. He turned back to the teen wise beyond his years. "Well what if you two could stay together?" His words pulled Mozzie from whatever thoughts or memories he was stuck in. Two pairs of warm brown eyes clashed: one filled with doubt and distrust, the other filled with promise.

"What do you mean?" Peter smirked; of course someone like Mozzie would want all the facts before making a decision. Peter found that an admirable trait, even some of the best agents he worked with lacked that common sense.

"What if Elizabeth and I adopted both of you? We wouldn't try to separate you two, rather just make your and our family bigger." As the FBI agent watched shock was replaced in Mozzie's eyes, which gradually blended into a thoughtful expression. The teen turned back and watched his young friend. He seemed to be contemplating things Peter couldn't hope to understand yet.

"Neal won't like it." Mozzie whispered to him. Peter acknowledged the words with a tilt of the head, waiting for him to continue. "Normally he doesn't stay with a family."

"But you'll be there." Peter interjected quietly.

"I can't guarantee that he won't run." The teen said. Peter could almost feel the rejection coming. Of course two teens wouldn't want to come live with some older couple like them. He was so caught up in his own self-doubt that he almost missed Mozzie's next few words. "But I'd like to try." Their eyes clashed again, but this time they were on the same side and both were filled with hope.

"Then we'll try."

Neal watched the couple leave and breathed a sigh of relief. It was so draining to deal with adopters, especially the ones who wouldn't pick up on the fact that he didn't want nor care about being adopted. Like the couple that had just been in here, the Burkes. When Neal's noncommittal answers and shrugs were either overlooked or not answered, he resulted to simply ignoring the whole situation. Neal wasn't one to be blatantly rude or disrespectful but when the woman kept going on and on he really wanted to. And that was saying something.

On the other hand, Mozzie had seemed to get along quite well with the family. Maybe his friend was finally getting the family he rightfully deserved and wanted. During Elizabeth's one-sided conversation with him, Neal had routinely checked on his friend, ready to jump to his defense if need be.

But it hadn't been needed. Throughout the conversation Moz had a small smile on his face and the expression in his eyes for once made him actually look like a teenager, not big brother Moz Neal was so used to. Despite the sad feeling in his heart the blue-eyed teen realized it was time for he and his closest friend to part ways. This could very well be Mozzie's last chance. And Neal would do anything to make sure he got that chance.

Once Mozzie sat back down on the couch after the couple was gone, Neal addressed him. "You liked them." He did his best to keep his voice flat, determined not to influence Mozzie to stay with him, no matter how much he wanted.

If his friend was at all distracted by his tone he didn't show it. "Yes I did." He replied with a smirk on his face. Neal's eyes narrowed a bit at that look, nothing good ever came from that mischievous look.

"They liked you too." Neal continued, trying to draw more out of his friend. The smirk seemed to grow wider.

"That they did." His left eye twitched a bit at how deliberately obtuse his friend was being. But Neal was stubborn. He was determined not to ask what was said and wait for Mozzie to tell him something first. During the next couple of minutes it was a battle of wills to see who would speak first. In the end it was Mozzie that caved first. "They like you too."

Bright blue eyes shot fast as lightning to his friend before turning back to the window. "Are you insinuating something, Mozzie?" He asked his friend.

"I'm not insinuating anything, Neal. Simply stating a fact."

"And how is that fact relevant to our current discussion about you?"

Mozzie paused for a second, as if contemplating what to say. "Peter had an interesting… proposition you could say." Warning bells starting going off in Neal's head. He watched his friend continue suspiciously. "It seems to be the best solution to all parties involved." Those brown eyes had a determined glint in them. Neal grasped what his friend wasn't saying immediately. "I said yes."

Practically leaping off the couch, Neal turned to face his friend. "What were you thinking Moz?!" Before he was even finished speaking, Mozzie shot off the couch as well, coming face to face with Neal. He used his slightly taller stature to his advantage, forcing Neal to look up at him.

"I was thinking it's the best of both worlds, Neal! I can still look after you like I swore and we can still be a part of a family!" Neal took a small step back, shocked, both at his friend yelling and the reminder of their promise. He ran a hand through his brown hair, uncertain of what to say. Mozzie seemed to pick up on his unease, softening his voice. "One chance Neal. That's all I'm asking. They want to adopt us both. We both know that's not going to happen again."

He knew Moz was right, but he still didn't like it. He was being boxed in again, put into another cookie cutter house with a perfect family. He felt trapped… but it was Moz. Moz had always been there for him, helped him. Moz was the only person he trusted.

"One chance." Neal simply said, conceding without admitting it. Moz, being Moz, understood completely, knowing he had won this battle. Neal would go with the Burkes, try to give them a chance, for Mozzie.

Neal's bright blue eyes looked out the window to the similar hued sky. He could already feel the oppressive feeling that family brought. In the back of his mind he could almost feel the chains closing in.