Chapter 3

Sorry guys, I don't know what happened here. Instead of just posting this chapter I reposted the whole story. I just happened to look at the chapter yesterday and realized my mistake. I was just thinking you guys didn't like how I ended this story. If you dont' like it, let me know. I could be talked into an epilogue. Jackie

Peter's display had made Neal extremely uncomfortable. He didn't like the vulnerability he was feeling. He knew everyone in the office knew about his bout with alcohol in D.C. But to see it played out before his eyes, it became too…real. And in front of everyone, the whole office, he felt ashamed and small. He knew he had just lost whatever tiny amount of respect he had managed to garner in the White Collar Division. He managed to slip out of the office during Peter's 'demonstration'. He went to the cafeteria, thankful that the kitchen was closed, and got some of the bad coffee they served from the vending machine. He then sat down at one of the many empty tables.

"Where is he?" Peter asked to himself as he turned to survey his co-workers after returning to his office. It had taken him a few minutes to come down, and then a few more moments to realize that Neal was not in the office.

Peter picked up his phone and dialed. "Diana, have you seen Neal?" He asked as soon as Diana answered.

Diana looked around the room. The whole place was still subdued, still reeling from what Peter had done only moments earlier. Everyone seemed to be moving in slow motion.

"No, Peter." Diana got up from her desk. She checked the break room and a few other places. She didn't see him. "He's not…he's not here, Boss."

Diana returned to her desk to see Peter coming down the stairs, putting on his jacket.

"I need…." Peter started.

Diana shook her head. "I'll find him. I'll talk to him, Peter."

Peter stopped. "What? Why…?" He was shocked by her request.

"Neal…he needs somebody to just listen to his problems, right now. You'll try to solve them." Diana paused, seeing her bosses' expression. "And that's great, don't get me wrong. But he just needs somebody to talk to, to listen to him."

Peter nodded. He understood her statement. She was right. He went back upstairs and waited, impatiently, for Diana to talk to his C.I.

"Hey." Diana said as she walked into the cafeteria on the 4th floor. She had gone several other places, including the other two cafeterias in the building. She had not realized the building was so big, until she had taken on the task of finding Caffrey.

"Hey, Diana." Neal said not looking up. He was busy fingering the rim of his coffee cup. "…Peter send you? Actually, I was expecting him."

Diana nodded as she sat. "I know. I talked him out of it. He's a great guy. He's a great 'fixer,' not so much on the 'listener' part."

Neal nodded his agreement, still not looking up.

Diana and Neal sat in silence for just a few moments.

Diana then, very uncharacteristically, took Neal's hand.

Neal raised his head and looked at her.

"You didn't do anything wrong. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. I don't think any less of you, neither does Peter or Jones. Hughes understands, too, believe it or not." Diana stated.

Neal looked at her, completely shocked. How had she read his mind?

"You would be the only ones who don't think any less." Neal bemoaned. He shook his head. "I've always considered myself to be a strong person, Diana. I just…."

"Kramer uprooted your life. He took you away…."

"…from a place. He took him away from a city…New York City. And I went to pieces. How strong can I be?" Neal asked, shaking his head.

"New York is more than a city to you, it's home. You have friends, people who care." Diana explained.

"I've gone through my whole life not needing, not having, those things. Why…why now…?" Neal asked.

Diana smiled and looked at him. "For a smart man, you are really pretty clueless, Neal."

Neal just looked at her.

"Kate, Mozzie, your dad, Ellen…have they ever really left your thoughts? How long have you and Mozzie been friends? Even now, I know you think about Kate. You haven't stopped thinking about your dad. Ellen is, I'm still not sure exactly what she is to you." She paused. "And you hadn't seen her in how many years?"

Neal had to agree. He nodded.

"You need the interaction. You crave it, just like the rest of us. That makes you human, Neal…" Diana said. "…not weak, not vulnerable, not stupid…human."

Neal remained silent, unsure what to say.

"It's just our misfortune to work with at least one insensitive jackass." Diana replied. That got a smile from Neal.

"What has Peter got planned?" Neal asked as he and Diana got up from the table and exited the room.

"I don't know, but I think a few hours alone with Mozzie, spouting his alien abduction, Elvis clone theories would be punishment enough. What about you?" Diana asked.

"…works for me." Neal replied.

THE END

END NOTES: In my AU Ellen has not died yet. I know I didn't really give a true 'punishment' for the crime. Which I am sure if it had happened in a real-world setting it would have had some sort of repercussion. But I really wanted to end on a light note. If you don't like what I came up with, please feel free to insert your own brand of punishment.