A/N: I FINALLY got to watch "In the Red!" It was sooo good, oh my gosh. I loved it. And last night's was AMAZING. I love Mozzie, he's so sweet, and I'm glad El's back from her 'trip.' Ah, we have another sort of sad one. The next one is cute though. Please enjoy!
Neal Caffrey let out a breath as he walked into his rented apartment. It had been a long, stressful day, and he was glad it was over.
Terra was safe, Ghovat was in custody. Neal was finally home. After showering and changing into sweats, he sat down on the edge of his bed and ran a hand through his hair.
He'd done a lot of improv, as he'd advised Peter to do the night before. Knocking on the surveillance van, calling Ghovat to jam the phone.
"Hey, is this Steve? What's up, buddy? You never call."
Running after Ghovat to get the dress.
"Hey, Steve!"
But then Ghovat had pulled a gun.
"What now?"
And you couldn't charm a gun, even if you were Neal Caffrey. You couldn't improvise if you'd been shot through the chest.
Honestly, if Lauren hadn't showed up when she had, Neal didn't know what he would have done. As nonchalant and cheerful as his remarks to Peter had been, the experience had unsettled him.
He didn't like not having options. Not being able to wing it and change plans as things played out. That was what he thrived on, the knowledge that he could always get himself out or manipulate the situation.
Without that ability, he didn't know what to do.
He hated having his freedom taken away. More so than it already was, at least, with the tracking anklet and constant scrutiny.
Neal switched off his lamp and laid down, trying to keep his mind blank.
But he kept seeing the dark barrel of the gun. Now what?
He didn't sleep much that night.