CHAPTER THREE
Neal spent the entire night plotting about the next phase of his plan. The next day, he got up at the crack of dawn to get the ball rolling, so to speak. He went to that warehouse facility he rented to get a couple of items hidden inside one the storage units. Things he needed for his plan to succeed.
"Mr. F?" Neal heard a man's voice from behind him.
"Oh, hey there, Eddie." Neal greeted the man.
"Haven't seen you in a while, sir. How have you been?" Eddie asked.
"I'm fine, thanks." Neal answered.
"Mr. C and Miss D with you?" Eddie inquired.
"Nah. I'm solo today, Eddie." Neal answered.
"Oh, alright. When you see them, please give them my regards, okay?" Eddie said.
"Will do, Eddie." Neal replied. "Oh, and Eddie..." he called him back. "If anyone asks, and I mean ANYONE...I wasn't here today." he told him.
"You got it, Mr. F." Eddie answered, before turning to leave.
Neal then went past Mr. C and Mr. F's lockers, headed straight for Miss D's storage unit. He expertly picked the locks off and went in. He surveyed the area and let out a low whistle, as he admired what was inside. He had only been there once, and he was never allowed a full view of the contents of the room. The storage unit was filled with stolen artworks and antiquities. Mementos of "Miss D"...her own personal stash of the very first things she ever stole. Neal recognized the items he needed and hurriedly put them inside his backpack. He replaced the locks and quickly left.
Neal face beamed with a conceited smiled, as he walked away from the warehouse facility. Sure, Alex would not approve of what he just did, but the situation called for it. Desperate times and all. As soon as he reached the main street, he put his hat back on, and hailed for a taxi. He had a few things he needed to do before work. He took out his cell phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Hello, Elizabeth. It's Neal. I was wondering if you could do me a favour..." Neal said on the phone, with a grin on his face.
Peter entered the office and found Neal on his desk already. He had a pile of folders on is desk, as he sat there reading the case file in his hand.
"You're here early." Peter told him.
"And you're not." Neal retorted. He saw Peter raise his eyebrow. "Sorry. Just have a few things on my mind lately, in case you haven't noticed." Neal explained.
Peter nodded in understanding. "What do you have there?" he asked him, pointing to the pile on his desk.
"I'm just trying to get my mind off this whole Mozzie and Alex thing. So I'm reviewing the active case files we have on reserve...see if I can find us a new case to solve." Neal answered.
"What have you found?" Peter asked again, as he sat on one of the chairs.
"The usual. Medicare scam, copyright infringement, anti-trust lawsuit, mortgage fraud..." Neal replied. "Any of those seem interesting to you?" he asked Peter.
Peter wrinkled his nose and shook his head. "Nope. Not even remotely." he answered. "But it's good that you're focusing on work to take your mind off Alex." he added.
"I'm trying. It's not easy." Neal sighed and rested his face on his hand, his blue eyes filled with sadness.
"Oh, God! Not you too!" Peter said.
"What do you mean?" Neal asked him.
"Nothing." Peter answered. He paused for a while before he continued. "El had that same facial expression at breakfast this morning. When I asked her if anything was wrong, she just said that it was nothing. But I could tell that she was moping, just like you're doing right now." he told Neal.
"I do NOT mope, Peter." Neal said indignantly. "And neither does Elizabeth." he added. "You have to understand, Peter, she is still fresh from that ordeal with Keller. Sure, she's trying her best to keep up a brave front, but deep inside, you can only imagine how that experience must have taken a toll on her." he explained.
"Thank you so much, Neal, for giving me the insight on my own wife's psyche." Peter said sarcastically. His expression changed a moment later. "What do you think I should do?" he asked him. "She won't go to therapy, I already suggested that." he added.
"Shrinks won't help, trust me. They're the biggest scam artists of them all." Neal replied. "No, what she needs is to unwind. Have a little fun. Let off some steam." he told Peter. "And I have the perfect solution." Neal said with a smile.
"Oh, no...I know that smile. I hate that smile!" Peter told him.
"You love my smile." Neal corrected him.
"Neal...I think I know what your idea of 'unwinding', 'little fun', and 'letting off some steam' is. I don't think I'm going to put Elizabeth through that." Peter said to him.
"Hey! I resent that!" Neal grumbled. "I was merely going to suggest an activity shared and enjoyed by all walks of life all through out the ages." he said cryptically.
Peter raised an eyebrow. "And we don't have to spend any jail time?" he asked his partner.
"None whatsoever." Neal answered.
"Alright. Tell me what it is." Peter said, still doubtful.
"You ready?" Neal asked. He saw Peter nodded. "Karaoke." he replied.
"Karaoke?" Peter repeated. "That's your big idea?" he asked.
"Yes." Neal answered. "Peter, it's a nice, clean way to have fun. It's a recreational activity loved by the masses. Surely, 3.879 billion people can't ALL be wrong! I mean, even those who sing badly loves karaoke." he tried to convince Peter.
Peter pondered on the idea for a moment. He turned to look at Neal again. "And you think Elizabeth would enjoy karaoke, get her mind off things?" he asked.
"It will boost her morale." Neal assured him.
"Fine." Peter agreed. "I'll let her know about your idea." he told him.
"Fantastic!" Neal said. "I know this place down at the corner of West 17th and 6th Avenue which would be perfect. It's called 'Karaoke One-7. We can go there tonight." he added.
Just then, Jones and Diana approach them and joined in the conversation.
"Go where?" Jones asked.
"Neal suggested that we take El out tonight for a little karaoke. I'm regretting it already." Peter replied.
"Karaoke? That sounds fun, Boss." Diana said.
"I happen to be great at karaoke. Just saying..." Jones added.
"And Christie's working the late shift again tonight, so that leaves me free for the evening..." Diana hinted.
Peter looked at Neal, who was shaking his head and mouthing the word 'NO!' He turned to Diana and Jones and smiled. "You two are more than welcome to join us! Isn't that right, Neal?" he asked.
"Yeah, sure..." Neal answered hesitantly. "The more, the merrier." he added.
"Alright then. It's settled." Peter said. "I declare tonight as 'White Collar karaoke night'." He got up from his seat. "Now all of you, get back to work." he told them.
Neal went back to reviewing the case files, as Jones and Diana proceeded to their respective desks. Peter headed towards his office to call his wife.
Later that night after work, Diana and Jones met with Peter, Elizabeth and Neal in front of Karaoke One-7. All wearing their casual clothes, the group headed inside. The receptionist told them that it was a busy night so all the private rooms were full. She ushered them into a booth by the bar instead.
"Tonight is 'Beatles Night'...it's one of our most popular nights." the receptionist told them, as she handed them the menus and the song list. "A waiter will come by later to take your drink orders. Enjoy." she smiled before leaving them.
"This is nice!" Elizabeth said. "Thank you guys, for inviting me into your 'White Collar karaoke night'." she added.
"We're all family here, Elizabeth." Neal replied.
"Hear, hear!" Jones piped in.
"We all deserve to have a little fun every once in a while." Diana added. "Now pass me that song book!" she said.
"Pass me the drinks menu." Peter told her. "I need to be good and drunk first before I can sing in front of people I don't know!" he revealed.
"Come on, Boss! That's the beauty of it...you don't know any of these people. Crowded city like this...chances are you won't see any of them again tomorrow. Who cares if you sing badly in front of them?" Jones told him. He took a deep breath. "Ah, yes, this brings back good memories. We used to go to places like this during Fleet Week back when I was was in the Navy." he added.
"Really? I thought sailors usually went to strip clubs during Fleet Week." Neal said in jest.
"Oh, you know a lot of Navy men, do you?" Jones retorted.
Elizabeth laughed at the exchange. She turned to Peter. "Hon, I think this going to be a very fun night." she told her husband, as she kissed him on the cheek. She turned away slightly "Oh, look at that! It's Mozzie!" she exclaimed.
The rest of the table turned to see Mozzie sitting down at a table next to the stage. He was leaning close and whispering something into Alex's ear. A moment later, Alex was laughing.
Peter, Diana and Jones looked at Neal simultaneously. Neal just shrugged. "What a coincidence!" he said.
"Who's that woman he's with? She looks familiar." Elizabeth inquired.
"That would be Alex Hunter." Peter answered. "Although, I don't believe that the two of you have met." he told Elizabeth.
"That's Alex Hunter?" El pressed.
"Yes, but I heard she goes by a different name these days." Diana replied.
"Where have I seen her before?" El asked herself. "That's it! I got it. She was the woman who sent me back!" she realized.
The rest of the group gave her a puzzled look. "What do you mean, hon?" Peter asked her.
"Back at the hospital, when I was unconscious. Remember, I told you there was this woman who sent me back to you. She looks exactly like her, except that her hair is shorter, and redder." El told her husband.
"That was just a dream, El." Peter told her.
"Whatever. I know what I saw." Elizabeth replied. She saw Alex stood up from her seat and headed over to the ladies room. "I'm going over there to say hi to Moz." she declared, as she stood up and walked towards Mozzie's table.
Peter looked at Neal accusingly. "You planned this. You knew 'Ford and Saab' were going to be here, and you just couldn't resist." he said. "So how are you playing this? Get my wife to talk some sense into the little bald guy? Make him see the error of his ways?" he asked.
"Yeah, something like that." Neal replied. "Oh, look! They have Rockband! I'm gonna go check it out." he said, before he stood and hurriedly walked away.
Mozzie looked up and was surprised to see Elizabeth in front of him.
"Mrs. Suit! What are you doing here?" Mozzie asked her.
"Hey there, Mozzie!" Elizabeth greeted him. "It's been a while." she said. "I'm here with them." She pointed back to their booth. Peter, Jones and Diana gave them a wave.
"Oh great!" Mozzie groaned. "The Suits squad is here in full force." he said drily.
"Don't worry. We came here to have fun, not cause trouble." Elizabeth assured him.
"Good. At the risk of sounding rude, I think you should go back to your booth, Mrs. Suit." Mozzie told her.
"Don't be like that, Mozzie. I missed you. And I know you missed me too. Why else would you be watching out for me regularly to make sure I get home safe?" Elizabeth said.
"You know about that?" Mozzie asked.
"I see you outside our building, Moz." Elizabeth revealed. "You tend to stand out in a crowd." she chuckled.
"I'm not stalking you!" Mozzie denied.
"I know that. You're just worried about me." Elizabeth replied. "I think it's sweet." she said.
"Is Neal here?" Mozzie asked, changing the subject.
"He's around here somewhere." Elizabeth answered. "He was the one who suggested this place." she told him.
"I bet he did." Mozzie said. "Did he tell you what was going on?" he asked, fully knowing that the Suit's wife wouldn't allow herself to be used by Neal unless she knew the facts.
"I only know what Neal told me. I'd like to hear your side of the story." Elizabeth coaxed him.
Mozzie hesitated for a moment. Damn Neal! he thought to himself. Neal knew that he was defenseless against Elizabeth's power of persuasion. And so Mozzie began to tell her his version of the story, as Elizabeth sat there and just listened.
'Saab' came out of the ladies room and was about to get back to their table, when she heard a familiar voice calling her.
"Saab!" the voice said.
She turned around to face him. "Nick!" Saab replied.
"Small world." 'Nick' told her as he approached closer.
"Yes, I've been getting that vibe lately." Saab answered, seemingly suspicious. "What are you doing here?" she asked him.
"Oh, I'm here with a few friends. It's 'Beatles Night'...we like The Beatles." Nick answered, flashing her his charming smile. "I take it you're here with Ford?" he asked her.
"You know that I am." Saab replied. "Speaking of which, I should be getting back..." She turned around and saw that there was another woman at their table talking with her husband. "Who is she?" she asked softly.
"That would be Elizabeth, Peter's wife." Nick answered. "She and Ford go back...I believe she was one of his muses in a few of his books." he implied.
Saab looked at Elizabeth and observed how Ford smiled at her. "She's beautiful." she noticed.
"You're beautiful." Nick told her.
"I don't need a pity compliment, Nick." Saab said to him.
"That wasn't pity." Nick replied, looking straight into her eyes.
Saab didn't know how to respond. The way Nick looked at her made her weak in the knees...and at the same time, very uncomfortable. Snap out of it, Saab! He's an actor! And you're married! she reminded herself. When she finally found her voice, she spoke. "I should go over there and say hi." she told Nick, before walking towards their table.
'Ford' saw his wife fast approaching and stood up. "Hon, you're back." he said. He turned to squint at 'Nick' before turning to Saab again. "This is Elizabeth Burke, Peter's wife. Elizabeth, meet my wife, Isabella Stone." he introduced the two women to each other.
"I have heard great things about you, Isabella. I'm very pleased to meet you." Elizabeth told her, as she shook her hand.
"Please, call me Saab. And the pleasure's all mine." Saab replied.
"Honey, we've just been invited to join them in their booth." Ford told his wife. "Let's go...I'll introduce you to the rest of the gang." he said as he took Saab's hand and lead her towards the 'Suits' table, leaving Neal and Elizabeth behind.
"Elizabeth? I thought you were going to talk to him?" Neal asked her.
"I did!" Elizabeth said.
"And?" Neal pressed.
"Mozzie told me HIS side of the story." Elizabeth replied. She looked at her friend. "He just wants to protect her. He really loves her, Neal. Much more than that, he adores her. And from what I've seen, the feeling seems to be mutual." she continued.
"He's deceiving her!" Neal said exasperatedly.
"They will work things out on their own." Elizabeth answered. "Look at them...I think it's sweet." she said.
"It is NOT sweet! It's FRAUD!" Neal said, staring at Elizabeth as if she betrayed him.
Elizabeth chuckled. "Now THAT is too cute. You sound just like Peter! Could it be that my husband has finally succeeded I domesticating you?" she told him before walking away from him and rejoining the others.
"I am NOT domesticated!" Neal called after her, before following her back to their booth.
When they got back to their booth, the others scooted over to make room. 'Ford' had just finished making introductions, relieved at the fact that Jones and Diana seemed to be playing along. He realized that Peter must have briefed them regarding Alex's condition, and were told grin and nod.
"So, you all work together?" Saab asked.
"Yes, with the exception of Peter's wife." Jones answered.
"We work for the FBI. We allow Neal to tag along for research purposes." Diana said, not knowing she just slipped.
"Neal? You mean Nick, right?" Saab inquired.
"Yes, hon." Ford answered. "He likes to be called 'Neal'...just to get used to the character he's playing." he explained, seemingly very comfortable lying to his wife.
Saab turned to Neal. "Oh! You're one of those 'method actors'." she said.
"Yeah, method actor." Peter replied icily.
Peter was about to say something else, but was interrupted when the waiter brought them their drinks. Jones had the rum and coke. Diana had the Bellini. Peter had the Heisler Gold Ale. Elizabeth had the Cosmopolitan. 'Ford' had the chardonnay. 'Saab' had the chablis blanc. Neal had Ketel One vodka on the rocks.
As the rest of the table conversed amongst themselves, Neal leaned closer to whisper into Mozzie's ear. "I don't know how you managed to fool Elizabeth." he accused him.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, mon frère!" Mozzie whispered back. "Mrs. Suit invited us to get boozy with you guys. Did you really think I was going to say no?" he asked him, earning another glare from Neal.
Just then, the spotlight hit their table, indicating that it was their turn to sing on stage. They look amongst themselves, unsure about who wants to go first. Finally, Jones stood up from his seat.
"I got this." Jones told them, taking a big sip of his drink, before heading towards the stage.
He took the microphone from the emcee and pointed back to the booth. "A big shout out to all my friends on booth # 9! This song goes out to that gorgeous single lady I still have yet to meet." he said, before going on to sing a popular Beatles hit.
"Well, she was just seventeen,
You know what I mean,
And the way she looked was way beyond compare.
So how could I dance with another,
And I saw her standing there.
Well she looked at me, and I, I could see,
That before too long I'd fall in love with her.
She wouldn't dance with another,
And I saw her standing there.
Well, my heart went "boom",
When I crossed that room,
And I held her hand in mine..." Jones continued to belt out the tune.
The rest of the crowd clapped and Jones' friends cheered him on as he sang. When he was done, he took a bow and stepped down from the stage and rejoined his friends.
"Who's next?" Jones asked.
"My turn." Diana told them. She took a sip of her Bellini before she went onstage. She took the microphone and laughed. "Here goes nothing." she said before she started to sing.
"Here come old flattop
He come groovin' up slowly
He got joo-joo eyeball
He one holy roller
He got hair down to his knees
Got to be a joker
He just do what he please
He wear no shoeshine
He got toe jam football
He got monkey finger
He shoot Coca Cola
He say I know you, you know me
One thing I can tell you is
You got to be free
Come together, right now
Over me..." Diana sang her heart out, as the crowd clapped and bobbed their head to he music.
Once she was done, she ran back to their booth, laughing. "I can't believe I just did that!" she told them. "Who's going up there next?" she asked.
Everyone at the table looked at Peter. "I believe it's our fearless leader's turn." Jones said.
Peter glared at him for a moment, but finally relented. "Oh alright! What the hell...I've done worse things!" he said. He downed his Heisler in a few gulps, wiped his mouth, and headed towards the stage.
He took the microphone, and looked at Elizabeth. "This song is dedicated to my beautiful, loving wife, Elizabeth. I am the luckiest man on the planet when I found you. And you made me the happiest man on Earth the day you married me. Let's hope you don't come to your senses anytime soon and realize it was all a mistake." Peter said, before he began to sing.
"When I get older losing my hair,
Many years from now,
Will you still be sending me a Valentine?
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door,
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?
You'll be older too,
And if you say the word,
I could stay with you.
I could be handy mending a fuse
When your lights have gone.
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a ride.
Doing the garden, digging the weeds,
Who could ask for more?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?
Every summer we can rent a cottage,
In the Isle of Wight, if it's not too drear.
We shall scrimp and save
Grandchildren on your knee
Vera, Chuck, and Dave.
Send me a postcard, drop me a line,
Stating point of view.
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, Wasting Away.
Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?
Whoo!" Peter sang the song, catching glimpses of El's face every now and then.
Once he was done, he swaggered back to the table, Elizabeth greeting him with a kiss. "You were great, hon!" she told him.
"Your turn, Mrs. Burke." Peter told his wife, wiggling his eyebrows.
"What? No?" Elizabeth said bashfully.
"Hey, if I could do it, so can you." Peter reassured her.
Pretty soon, everyone at the table chanted her name and cheered her on. They all encouraged her to go up the stage. Elizabeth knew they weren't going to stop until she sang. So, she took a little sip of her cosmopolitan for a little courage, and proceeded to the stage. She took the microphone and looked at her husband, who nodded and smiled at her.
"What would you think if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me.
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,
And I'll try not to sing out of key.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends.
Do you need anybody?
I need somebody to love.
Could it be anybody?
I want somebody to love..." Elizabeth continued to sing. She slowly found the courage to sing the whole song as the crowd cheered and sang along with her. Peter cheered the loudest, of course.
"...Yes I get by with a little help from my friends,
with a little help from my friends." Elizabeth sang.
When the song ended, the crowd continued to cheer. She blushed and slowly made her way back to the table. She smiled sat on Peter's lap and, as he cradled her and kissed her forehead. "Love you, hon." he told her.
"That was awesome, Elizabeth." 'Ford' complimented her. "My turn." he announced. He stood up and kissed Saab's hand, as he headed towards the stage.
On stage, he looked at his wife, who blew him a kiss. "This one goes out to the one I love." he said with a wink, before he started to sing.
"To lead a better life I need my love to be here...
Here, making each day of the year.
Changing my life with a wave of her hand,
Nobody can deny that there's something there.
There, running my hands through her hair,
Both of us thinking how good it can be,
Someone is speaking but she doesn't know he's there.
I want her everywhere and if she's beside me,
I know I need never care.
But to love her is to need her everywhere,
Knowing that love is to share.
Each one believing that love never dies,
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there.
I want her everywhere and if she's beside me,
I know I need never care.
But to love her is to need her everywhere
Knowing that love is to share
Each one believing that love never dies,
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there.
I will be there and everywhere,
Here, there and everywhere." 'Ford' sang the song beautifully, as 'Saab' listened to every word.
He returned to the table and was greeted by a kiss from his wife and a pat on the back from Peter.
"Right...I suppose it's my turn now. Unless you'd want to go first, Nick?" Saab inquired.
"Ladies first." Nick answered.
Saab sipped her chablis blanc, took a deep breath and proceeded to the stage. She looked back at her husband, who nodded and smiled. That was all the encouragement she needed. She smiled back and began to sing.
"There were bells on a hill
But I never heard them ringing.
No I never heard them at all,
Till there was you.
There were birds in the sky
But I never saw them winging.
No I never saw them at all
Till there was you.
Then there was music and wonderful roses,
They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows of dawn and dew.
There was love all around
But I never heard it singing
No I never heard it at all
Till there was you.
Then there was music and wonderful roses,
They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows of dawn and dew.
There was love all around
But I never heard it singing
No I never heard it at all
Till there was you.
Till there was you." Saab sang the song with such poise and grace. She blew a kiss to her husband, before stepping down from the stage.
Saab joined the others and went back to her seat. Ford hugged her tightly and whispered something in her ear. She blushed and kissed him on the lips, much to the ire of Nick.
"Last, but definitely not the least..." Nick announced. He down the rest of his vodka drink. "Be right back." he said, before going to the stage.
Once at the stage, he took the microphone, and looked at Saab, who was busy kissing Ford. Without further ado, Nick began to sing.
"I give her all my love,
That's all I do.
And if you saw my love
You'd love her too.
I love her.
She gives me everything,
And tenderly
The kiss my lover brings
She brings to me
And I love her.
A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me.
Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her." Nick sang every note and every line with all his heart. Saab couldn't help but turn her attention away from Ford and into him. The feeling Nick put into the song pulled at her heart strings, and she continued to listen in awe of the man.
"Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her." Nick continued, knowing that he now has Saab's full attention. His eyes never left hers until he was finished singing.
Once he was done, he stepped down from the stage and went back to his seat, all the while fully aware of the gazes of admiration following him. None of them mattered except for one.
"You were fantastic, Nick!" Saab praised him. "I knew you were an actor, but I didn't know you could sing." she said.
"I dabble." Nick answered with a smile.
Once spotlight moved on to the next table, the group continued to drink and have a conversation. As minutes turned to hours, it was soon time to call it a night. Diana left first after getting a call from Christie. Jones was the next one to leave. Not long after that, the Burkes decided it was time to go home, leaving Neal behind, alone with the 'Stones'.
Ford excused himself to use the men's room. Once they were alone, Nick sat there in silence with Saab. It was her who spoke first.
"So, tell me, Nick...is there a Mrs. Halden?" Saab asked her. Nick shook his head. "An ex-Mrs. Halden, perhaps?" she pressed. Nick shook his head again. "Come on, there has got to be some one. No man sings like that without having been in love at least once." she told him.
"There was an almost-Mrs. Halden." Nick confessed, before taking sip of his drink.
"What happened?" Saab asked.
"Well, as much as I loved her, I was also blinded by my ambition to make my mark in the world. By the time I realized that all I needed in life was her, it was too late. She's gone now." Nick told her, carefully choosing his words.
"You waited too long." Saab surmised.
"Yes, that seems to be the recurring theme." Nick replied drily.
"Don't worry, Nick. You will fall in love again." Saab declared, as if it was a guarantee. "You're heart maybe broken, but it's still beating. You'll meet someone. Only this time around, you already know what NOT to do." she added.
Nick sighed. "I wonder if Ford knows how fortunate he is to have you in his life." he said, almost in a whisper.
"It's me who's the lucky one." Saab answered. "To have someone who loves me as much as he does...it's the greatest gift. Men should take lessons from him." she boasted.
"You don't say." Nick replied flatly.
"Listen to me Nick Halden...the world would do well if at least half of the male population in the world treated women the way my Ford treats me." Saab said. She smiled at him. "One day, you will find that woman who would make your heart love again, someone who's truly deserving. Make sure you don't make the same mistakes most men usually make. You have to love her with all your heart and protect her with all your might. Be faithful, loyal and honest. Never, ever hit her. Treat her as if she's the most important thing in this world. Never forget her birthday. In fact, make a huge deal out of it. Listen to her like you mean it. Supportiveness in a really sexy turn on. And no matter what annoying habits she has, realize that she is dealing with a huge mountain of YOUR imperfections every day so you might just want to let it go." she preached.
Nick hung on to every word she said, committing to memory all things she expected to be treated. He looked at her with adoring eyes, and remained like that until Ford got back to their table.
"Now, now my dear. Let's not bore Nick to death. His fan club will we upset on his demise." Ford joked. He turned to look at Nick. "You must excuse my wife...she gets a little too chatty after a certain amount of drinks." he told him.
"You love my chattiness, and you adore me!" Saab reminded him.
"Yes, my darling, that I do." Ford admitted.
"And I do love nothing in the world so well as you." Saab confessed.
"Ohhh, Shakespeare!" Ford said with a smile.
"Damn right, Shakespeare!" Saab told him, leaning in for a kiss.
"Alright, my love...time for us to go." Ford declared. The couple stood up and Ford helped his wife with her coat.
Saab noticed Nick staring intently at them. "Don't worry, Nick. You'll find someone. Just remember what we talked about." she assured him, before walking away.
Mozzie looked at his friend. "She's right, Neal. You will find someone. You can have any other woman in the world. Just not her." he told him, before turning away to follow Alex.
Neal stayed at the table, as he followed them with his eyes till they headed out the door. He leaned back from his chair and just sat there in silence, feeling alone, sad and defeated, as he took another sip of his drink.
~END OF CHAPTER THREE~
FOOTNOTES :
*You might remember Eddie from S2 episode, Need to Know. Mr. F = Neal; Mr. C = Mozzie; Miss D = Alex → this one, I made up.
*I'd like to believe that Alex kept mementos from her past (remember the silver necklace she wore from the Almiranta treasure?) You'll find out what items Neal 'borrowed' from Alex's storage unit later on in the story.
*Yes, I think Neal can 'con' Elizabeth as long as it doesn't hurt Peter.
*Elizabeth recognized Alex as the woman who sent her back to Peter when she was at the brink of death and in limbo. [When You're Gone]
*This was partly a 'musical' prompt I wrote for a friend. I apologize for nothing.
*I don't own the rights to any of the Beatles songs featured in this story.
Jones = "I Saw Her Standing There"
Diana = "Com Together"
Peter = "When I'm Sixty-Four"
Elizabeth = "With a Little Help From My Friend's"
Mozzie = "Here, There, and Everywhere"
Alex = "Till There Was You"
Neal = "And I love Her"
*Many thanks for taking time to read this chapter. If you like it, please feel free to leave kudos and comments. Will try to post the next chapter as soon as I can.