Hi, all! Sorry this took so long. It's actually been written for quite some time, and I just never got around to posting it. Hopefully some of you are still reading!

"I think it's only fair that I give you a chance to explain your side of what happened," Kathryn said the moment they sat down. She wasn't going to waste any time on small talk. Neal managed a sad smile. She was expecting him to tell her that it wasn't true. It was all just a set up or a misunderstanding. Her son, the apparent criminal, was really just a victim of a poor criminal justice system, right?

"It's kind of a long story," Neal sighed.

"I don't care. I want to know everything," at that, Neal looked over at Peter nervously. Even this far into their partnership, there was a lot Peter didn't know about him, a lot he could get arrested for.

"Full immunity," Peter said with a sigh. Neal turned back to Kathryn, looking satisfied with himself.

"Well, you know what happened the night I left," he began. "I was driving home, and it was really icy…"

"I told you it was," Kathryn said slowly, remembering the night. "Before you left for that party, I told you it was slippery out and to drive carefully." Neal winced.

"I remember. The guys were really drunk. Neal was up front with me, and Tyler had passed out in the back seat. I blacked out when we went off the bridge, and I didn't have time to save them," it still felt like he was telling someone else's story. Whenever he remembered the accident it was as an on looker, watching from the riverbank or the bridge. He was never himself, or Nicholas Halden. "I panicked. I thought that everyone would blame me, which was stupid. But I was a kid, and I was selfish. I didn't understand the kinds of consequences I would be facing if I left. Anyway, I went to New York, changed my name, and tried my best to move on." So, he told her everything. About Mozzie and Kate. The forged bonds, Peter catching him, jail, his escape, the anklet. But even after mentioning art heists and prison breaks, Kathryn's interest was not full heightened until he got to his search for Kate. Neal couldn't help but feel guilty as he told her about the music box and Fowler and his missing girlfriend. She didn't know that this story didn't have a happy ending. For all she knew, Kate was back at his apartment waiting for him.

"You were going to run away with her?" Kathryn asked, engulfed in the love story. Neal nodded.

"I would have gotten on that plane, if it wasn't for Peter," he caught his partner's eye. Peter offered him a weak smile.

"So, she left without you?" from the men's exchanged glances, she was beginning to realize that this story wasn't going to end well.

"No. She died," Neal said plainly. He finished explaining everything else. Kathryn shook her head the whole time. He tried to ignore her look of pity.

Once Neal finished, both he and his mother fell silent. Peter spoke in an attempt to lighten the suddenly tense mood. "You were behind that museum heist in 2003…I knew it," he said with a smile. "No one else thought you could pull that off."

"Well, Peter, I'm glad to hear you've always had complete faith in me," Neal rolled his eyes. Kathryn watched their banter with a slit frown. She had, of course, been ecstatic to learn that her son was in fact alive, but it was killing her to see him so happy, without them. It sounded like he had a family here. He didn't need them anymore. While they had been mourning his death for ten years, he had moved on. Suddenly, she realized that Kristen was right. It was obvious that this version of Nick Halden didn't want them.

"Everything okay?" Neal asked her, eyeing her nervously.

"I'm fine," she assured unconvincingly. "I should really get going though," she stood up at once. Neal opened his mouth to protest, but, for the first time in his life, he couldn't find words. "Kristen's waiting for me…I'm sorry…I just…I'll talk to you later…" she fumbled over her words as she hurriedly backed away from the table. Neal stared back at the woman, unable to stop her.

"Mom," he tried. She stopped momentarily, frowned, and then continued out the door. Neal groaned. "Breaking into banks, forging paintings, that I can do, but dealing with my family…I'm completely hopeless."

Peter stared at him blankly for a moment and then furrowed his brow. "When did you break into a bank?"

When Kathryn walked into their apartment after lunch, she found Kristen curled up on the couch in front of the TV. Her daughter didn't even look up as she entered the living room and sat down on the chair beside her.

"Still think it was a good idea to see him?" Kristen asked in annoyance. Kathryn didn't say anything. When the girl turned to face her, she saw that the woman had tears streaming down her face. At once, she dropped her sarcastic tone and went over to her mother. "Mom? What happened?"

Kathryn just shook her head. "You were right. I shouldn't have gone," she said plainly.

"What did he do?" Kristen's voice was suddenly cold with anger towards her brother. Kathryn waved her off, however.

"He didn't do anything. He was perfect and generous and charming," she cringed, remembering the unfamiliar man who had sat across from her at lunch.

"That doesn't exactly sound like Nick…" Kristen pointed out with a frown. Not that she had expected anything else. After seeing those articles on the world renowned art thief, Neal Caffrey, she lost all hope of ever getting her brother back.

"I just think…" Kathryn started, but she was interrupted by the sound of the phone ringing. She grabbed it at once. "Hello," she answered.

"Hi. It's Peter Burke," the agent didn't sound like his usual confident self. His voice wavered over the phone. "I'm at the hospital. I think you should both get down here."

I'd love to hear what you think!