Chapter 8

AN: Thanks to you all for your reviews and alerts. I will reply, I am just not sure when. Thanks, everybody, for your support.

Peter got permission to set up surveillance on Neal/Jay easily enough. Peter had convinced Reese that Neal would run if he was pressured in any way. At least, with the surveillance, they could keep an eye on him, discreetly. But Peer had a harder time getting people to believe him when he said Neal was alive. When Peter said he had actually seen Neal. Several agents relented and joined the team. They had never seen Peter like this. Most of the agents suspected that Peter had just seen someone who looked remarkably like Neal. They thought the only reason Hughes was even allowing this was that he felt bad for his agent, his friend. They figured that this was Hughes was of trying to help Peter come to terms with the loss.

The agents soon spotted Jay as he went on his daily routine of delivering packages. They had gotten their hands on his daily work schedules and over the course of three days had set up observation at different points along his route. It didn't take long for all the agents to be convinced that they were watching Neal. This man had the same mannerism as Neal. He, obviously, looked the same as Neal. He was just going by the wrong name. But things changed dramatically on that third day.

Neal had considered many times call the FBI agent whose name as on the card. But he was still unsure. What is he was not in the clear? Did he really want to open a can of worms here? But at the same time, he hated not knowing who he was. He hated seeing all the families, all the kids in the park and wondering who his parents were. Were they still alive? Did he have any siblings? Did he have a wife and kids out there somewhere? These were questions he needed, no…deserved to have answers to. And if this FBI man could help him, then he had to chance it.

Neal looked across the street at the surveillance van. He made up his mind. He locked up his truck and headed across the street.

"He's coming his way!" Jones said, observing the monitor from inside the van. "He crossed the street, and he's coming this way!"

Diana couldn't understand the excitement in Jones voice until she looked at the monitor and realized that Neal didn't have any packages in his hands.

Seconds later there was a knock on the door. The agents inside the van all looked at each other, and Diana got up. She let out the breath she had been holding and opened the door.

It took a moment for her to speak. It was Neal! She was astounded. They had been watching 'Neal' for days, true, but having him here, this close. And it was obvious to her, and to everyone in the van, that he didn't recognize them.

Neal looked at the people in the van. Agent Burke was not among them. But he knew, from their dress, that they were FBI.

"Look," Neal said. "…Agent Burke left me his card." He turned it around so that Diana could see the message written on the back. "It said to call if I remembered anything. But...but I don't remember. I…" He replied, looking up at her. "…I need his help." Neal paused. "I know you guys have been watching me. And I want to know why. What does he want with me? What have I done to warrant FBI attention?"

It took Diana a moment to answer the question. She still couldn't believe that Neal was alive. That she was actually looking at him. She had to think fast, she didn't' want to do anything to scare him off. He had wanted to suggest him coming to the bureau. But she knew how everybody would react to seeing him, and she didn't want to overwhelm him.

"Call the number. He'd be glad to talk to you." Diana stated.

Neal shook his head. "This is not something I can resolve with a phone call. If he knows about me, whatever he knows…I need a face to face."

Diana nodded. "Okay, I'll tell you what. He lives nearby, Ne…." She stopped herself before she said his name. "I'll give you the address." She wrote the address on a piece of paper and handed it to Neal.

Neal looked at the piece of paper, and then back at her, completely confused.

"You've been there, many times." Diana replied, reading his confusion.

"You know me." Neal stated, also asking her for information, at the same time.

"I do, Neal." Diana admitted.

Neal? My name is Neal." Neal reasoned, out loud. "My name is Neal Caffrey?"

Diana nodded.

"Agent Burke came looking for me at my job." Neal's mind was reeling. "If that's me, and he knew it…." Neal paused and glared at Diana. "What does he want with me? What kind of game is he playing?"

Diana shook her head. "He's not playing any games. He could tell when you saw him you didn't recognize him. Just like I know you don't remember us." She stated. "You've been missing for a long time. We just, we didn't want to overwhelm you. We want you to remember. And we don't' want to lose you again."

Neal seemed to be considering what Diana had said as he pocketed the piece of paper she had given him.

"Go see him, Neal." Diana replied. "Peter really wants to talk to you. He'll tell you anything you want to know. Just ask."

Neal stood looking at her for just a second or two longer. He then walked back across the street. He stopped by his truck. He pulled out the piece of paper and read it again. He then looked down the street, in the general direction of Peter's house. He started to walk in that direction.

Diana and the rest of the team watched Neal until he got out of range of the cameras. They then left the van and followed on foot. They kept a safe distance and followed from both sides of the street.

WC WC WC WC WC

"Yeah Hon, I know. I should have told you." Peter admitted, siting at the dining room table with his wife.

"You should have." El sulked.

"Neal just…he didn't remember me, El. He had no idea who I was." Peter said relieving the memory. "He…" He shook his head.

"…doesn't remember us. And if he doesn't get his memory back, it will be just like losing him all over again." El replied. "I get it, Peter. I understand your reasoning. I really do. But I told you he was alive. I told you. And I can take it, please don't try and shield me."

Peter sighed. "I just want Neal back, El. That's all I want."

El took Peter's hand. "Me too, Hon, me too."

The doorbell rang and El went to answer it. She nearly fainted when she saw who was standing there.

TBC