Peter settled back in his seat with a contented sigh as he eyed the beautiful park; lacking fans but not surprising considering the White Sox were in last place.

Peter didn't feel that way. He loved the atmosphere and the smells and the memories of his childhood. The park had a beer garden behind center field and Peter had settled there, enjoying a drink as he watched the game.

Neal grew bored; Peter knew he wasn't a fan of the game and this was his second baseball game in three nights. He wandered off about an hour ago and Peter wasn't worried; though he did question his own lack of concern.

Something had changed in the past few days; Peter stopped thinking of Neal as his responsibility and started viewing him as a friend.

It's not that Neal wasn't a friend before but part of him enjoyed Neal being free and not attached to that damn tracking device. And for his part Neal was different, less reserved and Peter could get used to this...though they both knew this wasn't going to last; only a few more days and back to reality.

Peter finished off his beer and flagged a vendor down.

He was finishing up his second hotdog when Neal sat down beside him.

"How many beers have you had?"

"You sound like Elizabeth" Peter retorted with a sideways glance.

"So she's noticed your drinking also?" Neal eyed the stack of plastic cups on the ground. "Does it help you forget?"

"You don't get to ask the questions" Peter spit out bitterly as he lowered himself in his seat with his eyes on the game.

"You talk while you sleep" Neal quietly said.

"If it bothers you, I'll get my own room" Peter countered swiftly with more anger than Neal had anticipated. The ex-con reached into the bag he was holding and brought out a baseball cap. "You need to come home with a souvenir" he said, mimicking Peter's words from the day before. "I got this for Mozzie." He pulled out another cap. "I didn't know they made camouflage baseball caps."

Peter smiled despite himself. "Thank you" he managed in an even voice. "And I'm sure Mozzie will love that."

"What's going on in the game?" Neal asked when the silence became deafening.

"Sox are losing" Peter answered.

"Peter I thought this trip was about us..."

"It is."

"Well, the last I checked you're part of us" Neal stated quietly.

"Semantics" Peter mumbled as his eyes wandered, looking for another vendor.

"You're not getting another one..."

"Stop being my wife" Peter said, much too loudly. A couple of fans nearby glanced their way.

"Can I be your friend?" Neal asked in a low voice. Beside him, Peter sighed audibly.

"Peter, I'm not going to pretend I didn't hear you last night, ok?"

"Suit yourself."

Neal sighed. Maybe he shouldn't have mentioned it but Peter was loud, almost crying as he begged someone to get him out. Neal knew the feeling and if Peter needed to talk, he would listen.

"Peter, I understand what you went through."

"It's not the same" Peter quickly put forth as he turned and bought a bag of peanuts from a young woman.

"Here." He handed the bag to Neal. "It will keep you busy and quiet" he added somberly.

"Peter, did you ever cry in jail?"

"Did you?" Peter countered swiftly, wanting the focus off of himself.

"Once" Neal admitted as he ripped open the bag and grabbed a few peanuts. "The night my first sentence was up I was so worried about Kate and I didn't think you'd take the deal." Neal managed a weary smile as he caught Peter watching him. "I buried my face in my pillow so others couldn't hear me."

"That's the worse sound" Peter quietly said. "During the night I'd hear others crying..."

"Did you?" Neal asked again.

"No." Peter shrugged as he reached in and grabbed a handful of peanuts. "Somehow I managed not to but after I was released..."

"The floodgates opened" Neal finished for him.

Peter simply nodded as the crowd erupted for a homerun. They stood with the rest and watched the fireworks go off.

"Do they do that after every homerun?" Neal asked as the crowd settled down.

"I guess." Peter shrugged as they both grew quiet with their focus on the game, though they continued to pass the peanuts back and forth.

"The weather is perfect" Peter said as he glanced up at the clear sky with the moon peeking out just over the leftfield stands.

"I missed the fresh air" Peter said a few minutes later. "My first night out Elizabeth and I took a long walk and I didn't want to go back in. I'm not sure how you lasted four years in there."

"I didn't have a choice. But you saved my life by taking the deal."

"How's that?" Peter looked over at his friend.

"I wasn't staying there and I'm not sure I would have escaped alive a second time."

"Would Kate have been worth it?"

Neal shrugged. "Sometimes I think she was the one."

"I don't." Peter chuckled softly. "You'll find someone. Maybe you already have." He glanced at Neal to gauge his reaction but Neal didn't flinch.

"Peter, can I tell you about a dream I've had?"

"If you must" Peter responded curtly, not a fan of dreams or their hidden meanings.

Peter's tone didn't deter Neal; it was something he wanted to talk about for a long time and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Again the crowd erupted as the tying run scored. Neal glanced sideways and smiled; ever the fan Peter was cheering for the home team.

Neal lifted his feet and hung them over the empty chair in front of him, eyeing his ankle. He would be eternally grateful for the few days of freedom Peter gave him and running never crossed his mind. He walked around the stadium watching people and checking out the food vendors and besides a few women who gave him a second glance, no one stared. No one noticed as Neal blissfully blended in with the crowd.

"Do you miss it?"

Neal chuckled. "What do you think?"

"You know it goes back on."

"I know." Neal's smile faded.

"Neal it gives you a taste of what freedom will be. It's up to you to not break the law."

"Peter, I've learned my lesson. You'll catch me again and I'll go back to jail."

"Not me."

Neal glanced over with a surprised look.

"Peter you won't have a choice..."

"There are always choices. Neal, it's not the same as before. I can't put you back there and I won't catch you again."

"You'll lose your job..." Neal paused, at a loss for words. "Peter you would do that for me?"

Peter shrugged nonchalantly as he carefully cracked open a peanut shell. "Does that surprise you?"

"A little bit" Neal admitted as he leaned back in his chair; trying to digest Peter's confession. "Peter, I don't know what to say."

"That's a first" Peter retorted with a smile. "Don't break the law and we won't have to worry about this."

Peter stood. "I'm going to get a soda. Do you want one?"

Neal nodded and once alone, he continued to think about what Peter said. Lost in thought he didn't realize the agent had returned until a cup was plopped in his lap, nearly falling over.

"You didn't hear me say your name" Peter said as he sat down. "I shocked you didn't I?" It was a rhetorical question that Neal didn't bother answering.

"Tell me about your dream" Peter said when Neal grew too morose for his liking.

"Now it might sound ridiculous..."

"Neal!"

"Fine." Neal straightened up in his seat and slightly turned so he could see Peter easier. "It's the day my sentence ends and you take the anklet off and you dismiss me, wishing me well." Neal looked away with an embarrassed sigh. "I kept looking over my shoulder and finally you disappeared and I was alone." Neal shrugged and lowered his head.

"Neal, do you really think I would do that?"

"I wouldn't blame you" Neal answered, "especially after everything that just happened."

"I have too much time invested in you. Neal I'm not going anywhere unless you want me to."

"I don't." Neal stood and stretched his legs. "I'm going to walk around. Want me to bring you anything back?"

"A Churros sounds good" Peter answered. "Get the chocolate one."

Neal nodded and took two steps and then stopped. "Peter, please no more beer. I don't want a repeat of the other night."

"I'm done" Peter said with a hint of annoyance as he held up his diet coke. "Besides, they stopped serving after the 7th inning." Peter turned back to the game just in time to see the White Sox take the lead and the few fans there cheered like crazy.

It was nearly midnight when they made it back to the hotel but Neal didn't want to go in so they walked a few blocks until they found an open diner. The clientele was what Peter expected at that time of the night in a big city. In one corner sat a homeless man who tried to blend in with his surroundings, guarding all his possessions in two plastic bags.

On the other side sat a couple, mostly likely an escort and her latest conquest; a middle aged man who nervously looked around as the young woman barely paid him any attention. She kept stealing glances Neal's way but the ex-con didn't seem to notice her.

He stared at his coffee as if the swirling dark liquid hid a secret message.

Peter stirred cream into his cup and took a bite of the blueberry muffin smothered with imitation butter.

"Earth to Neal" he whispered as he wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. Neal glanced his way with a pensive smile and then looked out the window as a young man walked by with his golden retriever.

"Neal, you've barely said a word since we left the game. Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

"We start heading back home tomorrow" Neal said in a voice barely audible. "I get tethered back to my leash..."

"Neal." Peter interrupted before his friend could finish. "You're halfway done with your sentence. You'll get there..."

"And then what?" Neal asked. "I don't want you to lose your job because of me."

"Neal, are you so sure you'll go back to that life?"

"I know nothing else" Neal replied forlornly. "Soon or later..."

"No." Peter shook his head as he pushed the half eaten muffin aside. "You have options and you have friends who will help you."

"Peter, I have a penchant for expensive things and a strong desire to never be that little boy staring in the window at someone's lunch."

"OK Oliver Twist" Peter said with a smile that faded quickly when he saw the anger in Neal's eyes. He grabbed his friend's arm before Neal could make his getaway.

"Neal I'm sorry..."

"You'll never understand what it was like."

"You're right" Peter agreed as he released Neal's arm. "I don't understand what you went through and I'm not trying to make light of it." Peter's brows furrowed as he studied his friend. "My door is always open if you need a free meal."

Neal laughed despite his anger.

"Do you think we can get an extra week?"

"No" answered firmly. "I miss home and I think you do too."

Neal shrugged as he leaned back in the booth. "Peter, if I screw up you need to do your job."

"OK." Peter figured it was easier to give in than to go around in circles. "Neal, I want you to consider something...think about it before you say no."

"I already don't like it" Neal muttered.

"That's thinking about it" Peter said sarcastically. He eyed the younger man; Neal's eyes darted everywhere as he avoided Peter's gaze.

"Did you notice the hooker over there?" Neal whispered with a slight nod towards the couple.

Peter simply rolled his eyes. "Stop avoiding the conversation" he admonished, trying to draw Neal's attention away from the young woman.

"I'm all ears." Neal leaned towards Peter with a huge grin and the agent was momentarily taken aback at the sight; this he hadn't missed. The Caffrey mask as he annoying coined Neal's fake smile; Peter always wondered what was hiding behind it and with everything he had learned in the past couple of days, he knew it barely touched the surface.

"Stop doing that."

"Doing what?" Neal's smile left suddenly, replaced with confusion and a more natural expression. "Peter, what's wrong?"

"Nothing" The agent muttered as he returned his attention to the couple nearby.

"He's not getting any tonight" Neal whispered as he followed Peter's gaze.

"How do you know?" Peter asked.

"She's been looking at me since we got here." Neal smiled again.

Peter's eyes widened with surprise. "You haven't looked that way once. How do you know she was watching you?"

"Peter, I've been running most of my life. I know when I'm being watched."

"I don't believe you" Peter exclaimed as he finished up his coffee.

Neal shrugged. "Fine, you want the truth. I can see her reflection through the window." He chuckled quietly. "Peter, everything has a rational explanation."

With a roll of his eyes Peter waved the waitress over and ordered another coffee. "Are you ready to listen?"

Neal nodded.

"I want you to go back to school..."

"Peter. No." Neal shook his head.

"At least get your GED."

I could pass that now..."

"Good." Peter smiled. "Think how well you'll do if you study. Neal..." Peter paused, and studied his friend's face. "It's for your own good and you'll need it if you want a real job."

"And what if I don't?"

"My help will only get you so far." Peter shrugged. "There's only so much I can do...the rest is up to you."

Neal stood just as the waitress returned with a fresh cup of coffee. "I'm going back" he said as he threw a few bucks on the table.

Peter apologized to the waitress, paid the bill and quickly followed Neal out.

Neal leaned against the window and stared out at the darkness that permeated the city in the middle of the night. A few of the buildings were lit up but most were dark as the city slept. Neal had been sleeping until Peter woke him with his constant babbling and cries for help.

Neal had thought about waking him but the agent had settled down and gone back to sleep, snoring loudly. Neal's admiration for Elizabeth grew with each passing night and he longed for his own room and personal space.

But it was also Peter's presence, his assurance that he would be there that made Neal think and hope that the future was going to be ok.

Neal never thought about the future; as a child it was about survival and when he left home with the true knowledge of his family it was about living for the moment and getting what he wanted. The future wasn't an option when you were constantly looking over your shoulder and running from the authorities.

In Peter Neal saw another way; the right way as the agent so often reminded him and Neal wanted that...but he wasn't sure it was possible.

He wasn't sure that he could live up to Peter's expectations and above all, he didn't want to let Peter down.

And what scared him the most was that he would be drawn back into the other world; and he would disappoint the one person who meant the most to him.

"Neal?"

He turned as Peter sat up in bed and blinked a couple of times, trying to focus.

"Sorry if I woke you" Neal whispered as he closed the drapes and walked back to his bed.

"I'm assuming I woke you" Peter said as he settled back down and pulled the covers to his chin.

"Peter, you need to talk to someone about your nightmares."

"I have been."

"Really?" Neal sat on the edge and let his feet dangle to the floor. "You never said anything to me."

Peter chuckled briefly. "Sorry if the I'm seeing a shrink remark never came up in our conversation." He plopped himself on his elbow and eyed his friend. "We haven't exactly talked since I got out of jail."

"I know." Neal lowered his head. "Peter I'm not sure school is the right thing for me."

"OK" Peter remarked evenly. "You have a year to think about it. It's not something you have to decide right now."

Neal audibly sighed with relief.

"I had fun here. I'm going to miss Chicago."

"Neal, the city isn't going anywhere. You can always come back."

"I know." Neal stretched out on his back and stared at the ceiling.

"I can't promise I'll be a choir boy." Neal turned his head to see Peter smiling.

"I don't expect that of you" Peter remarked as the smile left his face. "I do expect you to try to do the right thing."

"Peter, I can't help but wonder how my life would have been if we never entered Witsec."

"I don't know." Peter yawned. "Go to sleep Neal. We have a long drive tomorrow."

Neal didn't need too much urging and turned on his side with his back to Peter. The agent forced himself to stay awake until Neal's breathing evened out and he was sure his friend was asleep.

Peter flipped over so he was lying on his stomach and thought of his wife. As much as a success the trip had been in repairing his relationship with Neal, he missed his wife and he wanted to go home. Peter closed his eyes and allowed the pleasant thoughts of home and Elizabeth lull him to sleep.