(Chapter 5)

Neal was glad it was finally Friday. The gala was in just 3 days, Andre happy with the painting when he stopped by to see it just after noon. For a little while he had forgotten about the stranger that had come into his life only 2 weeks before, his mind on preparations of how to send the large canvas to the proper people safely as well as what to wear. Sara was coming by later that evening but for now he was home alone and he felt like going out for a quick walk to the park. He needed to clear his thoughts, his mind still thinking about the stranger. Neal liked things resolved in nice little packages. Not knowing was gnawing at the back of his mind like termites on wood. Theo as usual was still skeptical, making a few minor remarks about how a certain someone had been playing them but he had finally told his friend to drop the topic, leaving his own home to go for a walk. Theo meant well but sometimes he could really drive a person to distraction if not anger with his antics and right now Neal wanted to think about nothing more than how he was going to live his life with Sara.

As he wandered down the block he noticed that the streets had been recently plowed, slush still on the sidewalks, the crisp air smelling fresh and new as he crossed the street towards the park. He didn't notice he had someone tailing him until he stopped to watch a bright blue bird up in the treetops, his artists mind taking in every detail so he could add the lovely creature to a future painting. It had been a while since he had painted anything simple like a landscape. He had been too busy with charitable endowments, galas and other obligations of being a well known artist. Sometimes he wished...

"Neal…"

He turned around curiously, the voice unfamiliar as he saw a young woman with beneath long dark brown hair in a dark tunic top with sequins and fringe, tight leather pants tucked into matching knee high black boots, a warm wool coat, also black covering the rest of her. For a moment he wasn't sure what to say, smiling in case she was a fan or acquaintance but he was certain he would have remembered her. She smiled back in a friendly manner, almost sexily he thought. As he stared deeply into her dark brown eyes glittering up at him, he couldn't place her.

"Hi…"

He didn't say too much else, a small grin on her face as if she was glad he was taken by surprise. She held out her hand.

"Alex… you don't remember me do you?"

Her voice was soft but held a certain wryness to it. She had an angle but he wasn't sure what it was yet as he played along. Something about her made him tongue tied despite his usual smooth demeanor.

"For such a pretty face, I can't say that I do."

She was lovely, something about her attractive if not dangerously pretty drawing him in but he was with Sara. He pushed the thoughts aside as she batted long dark lashes up at him, remembering he was engaged.

"It's a shame. I was a docent at the Metropolitan when you curated last year. I helped you unload your art work…"

She seemed to be insinuating something but he didn't remember anyone helping him that evening since it was the night Sara tried to arrest him. He shrugged, surprised when she cuddled up to him sweetly and wrapped her arm in his. He couldn't imagine not remembering someone like this being at the museum but he didn't. Her familiarity threw him off just enough he was losing focus on what he had been out for.

"I could go for a hot drink… Neal."

Alex was batting her eyes at him again, something in her look distracting enough that he didn't notice she was leading him down the path towards a vendor selling coffee and snacks. He paid for two coffees, handing her one before she led him over to a secluded bench where they sat down. Neal sat on one end but soon she was close to him again, her arm in his as if they were a couple. It was slightly unnerving but mostly pleasant as he gave in and allowed it. He could rarely say no to a pretty woman if she asked nicely enough. Alex was looking up at him, smiling seductively from beneath her long dark hair, leaning against his shoulder as if they were an item.

"So… you were working at the Metropolitan. Are you still volunteering there?"

He had been taken by surprise, coming up with banal conversation that seemed to bore her but she was acting as if it were Shakespeare. Perhaps his assumption she wanted something wasn't far off. What were the chances two strangers would claim to know him in the course of a few weeks.

"No… I moved on. In fact… I wanted to ask you about a certain piece since you know so much about the art world. What do you know about St George and the Dragon?"

Her comment made him blink, their eyes meeting. Her glance was almost accusatory, Neal pulling away but she held onto his arm and suddenly he realized she had a gun.

"I know you found the painting in your crate or it would still be there when I went back to get it but it was missing. I heard your fiancee claimed it for the lawful owner. You owe me a painting, Neal."

Her tone had gone from sweet to threatening, Neal again trying to pull away but she had cocked the small weapon, shoving it against his ribs where she still held onto his arm tightly.

"You're not going anywhere until you compensate me for the painting. I have people I need to pay off and you're going to do it for me or your pretty fiancee is going to be short a husband."

She stood, pulling him up with her roughly but all he could do was comply, Neal doing his best not to draw attention and get anyone else hurt, the gun pushed sharply against his coat. She smiled up at him, cuddling close as if they were simple sweethearts walking in the park. When he didn't play the part she hissed up at him to comply, Neal doing his best to pretend but his heart wasn't in it. Finally they had come back to his house and she whistled, a savage grin on her lips.

"This is a nice place, Neal. Now… show me what a gentleman you are and invite me inside."

()()()

Neal opened up the door to his home reluctant to let her inside and hoping for once Theo hadn't left. Still, she had a gun so maybe it was better he was alone. He didn't want anyone to get hurt as he held the door open for her, the gun still on him as they entered and he locked up. She smiled sweetly at him, waving him towards the far end of the room.

"You can act like you hate me now. Nobody's going to see except the two of us."

Her manner was more business like suddenly, Neal nodding at her with a slight scowl as he walked towards the stairs. He had barely started up when she hissed at him.

"What's up there? You're not leading me into a trap are you?"

She cocked the gun again and he shook his head, honestly afraid of this beautiful woman and hoping to get rid of her as quickly as possible. He had a small cache of valuables upstairs and hoped that would catch her attention so she would leave.

"My office is upstairs."

He hoped that was enough to entice her. She had to be under the assumption rich people kept safes in their offices and apparently she did, as she waved him upwards. It wasn't long before they were on the second floor of his home and in a large homey space full of books on art, philosophy and bric a brac he had collected over the years. There were also pictures, Alex looking at one closely of him and Sara then back at him with a curious look.

"So you like blondes? Figures."

Alex pointed the gun at him dangerously, Neal uncertain what to do but slowly reach down and pull out his wallet, handing it to her. She glanced at it a moment as he held it there, waving it away.

"I don't want your credit cards. I need cash!"

She looked about to shoot him when they heard someone come in downstairs. Neal glanced at the clock on his desk, the time just after 3 PM. He wasn't expecting anyone unless Theo had somehow left and come back, the house had been empty when they'd entered. He had given the housekeeper the afternoon off and nobody else had a key except…

"Neal? Mr. Bosch gave me the afternoon off. Neal? Theo? Is anyone here?"

He heard Sara talking softly to herself, unhappy she had missed him he thought when he heard a hiss and remembered his current situation. Alex was all smiles, pointing at the door.

"Call her up, lover boy."

He shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest to show resistance but she just cocked the gun again, moving closer and pressing it to his chin.

"Do you want your pretty fiancee to remember you with your brains splattered all over your stuffy office? I suggest you do as I say, Neal."

She held all the cards, even if he didn't want to admit it but he wasn't about to get Sara involved so he stood his ground, a look of doubt flashing before her eyes he hadn't seen before.

"I'm not involving her. Shoot me if you want."

Neal took a chance and moved towards the door, Alex following close behind the threat of the pistol evident as she pressed it through the pocket of her coat. He looked down from the second floor to see Sara walking up towards the stairs, heels in hand. She was wearing a tight fitting green dress with a black coat over it, her hair pulled back ever so slightly but flowing down her shoulders beautiful as always. Neal thought about how much he loved her, eyes looking at Alex only a brief moment before he made a decision and closed the door hiding the thief inside. Sara stared up at him, smiling but not seeing Alex in the office behind him as she made it up the stairs. There was a curious look on her face as Sara looked between him and the office door a moment but he remained calm if only to keep her safe. Alex could shoot them both but he had a feeling or at least hoped she wasn't violent.

"Neal?"

Sara waited for an answer as he remembered to act normal and smile back.

"Sorry, just deep in thought about the gala. So Mr. Bosch let you off early today? You just missed Theo…"

He had to say something, her expression (a slight smirk) indicating her relief.

"Oh? Well that's too bad for him… good for us though. Let me change and I'll be down in a few to help you forget."

Sara hugged him, kissing him on the lips as he relaxed enough to do the same and hold her a moment, eyes on the door but mainly on her when she looked at him more closely. She seemed to sense his tenseness but Neal didn't say much more, Sara giving him the benefit of the doubt it seemed. Her mind seemed on other things too which was a good thing right now as he wished she would just go upstairs. Neal worried Alex might do something rash but nothing happened.

"I won't be long Neal. I wanted to discuss something with you."

She smiled at him with one more kiss on the cheek before moving along the hallway to another staircase and climbing upwards until she vanished. Neal was watching her, wanting to follow until he noticed Alex looking at him through the now partially open door. She was no longer holding the gun, both hands outside of her jacket as their eyes continued to look into the other and finally she turned away, a slight flush to her cheeks. Had she been spying on him and Sara?

"Don't think this is over, Neal. I'll be in touch."

Alex handed him a card, waving at him as if she'd just come for a visit before slipping downstairs and exiting. Once she was gone he went down to check the door, bolting it and watching for any other unexpected visitors. With the coast clear he collapsed into the nearest chair by the hearth and sighed deeply. He should call the police but something stopped him unless it was the adrenaline still pumping through his system. He tried to calm down, think of the right thing to do. The past few weeks had brought him nothing but trouble and he was beginning to think maybe the universe (as Theo always said) was trying to tell him something. He jumped when someone gently touched his cheek, looking up to see it was Sara.

"Jumpy aren't we? Is anything the matter?"

She sounded curious, sitting beside him, her hand gently holding his. He wasn't sure what to think about Alex, his mind on her a moment before returning to Sara. If something were to happen to her like it had happened to Kate…

"No, was just deep in thought about the Gala. Probably just nerves. So… what was it you wanted to talk to me about? I was thinking dinner out and maybe drinks here at home. I told Theo he wasn't allowed back here until tomorrow."

They both chuckled on that last part, Sara rolling her eyes slightly. She was used to the little guy showing up unexpectedly but sometimes it was at the least opportune time and right now she hoped Theo would stay away.

"It can wait til later… I thought we could eat in; Thai unless you're in the mood to cook."

She was sitting closer to him now, practically on his lap as he made her more comfortable, staring up into her eyes.

"Thai sounds like a plan… maybe some cheesecake from the corner bakery?"

They were kissing now, their arms holding the other tightly as they did, the world forgotten. He was thinking of asking her about getting married the week after Christmas as Sara murmured a soft "uh huh" under her breath. It was the perfect time in fact to ask her, their calendars open during the holidays. He loved her so much he never wanted to let her go, their lips still clasped in an epic kiss, the passion between them growing until finally she pulled away. He had yet to tell her about Alex's being there but her sudden thoughtfulness intrigued him.

"I'm sorry, Neal. I…"

She slipped off of his lap and stood up, pacing the floor a moment as he stood and stopped her, holding her gently in his arms. There was definitely something urgent on her mind and he was going to make it as easy as he could for her to open up to him.

"If it's about getting married… I was thinking, maybe the week after Christmas. We could be on our honeymoon to Monte Carlo or wherever you like on New Years' day. I have time until my next show in mid January."

He hoped that was what she was worrying about, kissing her on the lips but feeling a slight resistance as their eyes met. It wasn't about marriage but he sensed that was only part of the issue.

"Neal… I want to marry you. The week after Christmas would be perfect… but…"

Her tone had changed to a sadder less familiar tone and he realized maybe he'd been a bit too rash in blurting out his thoughts. Maybe he should have been more patient about picking a date? They had only been engaged for a little over 6 months. Her hand gently grasped his chin and he was suddenly looking deep into her hazel brown eyes.

"I really do want to marry you, Neal. Don't doubt that. My only concern… how do you feel about… leaving New York?"

Her voice cracked a little and after she had added the bit about "leaving New York" he realized what might be coming.

"They offered you a promotion. Congratulations! Where is it?"

Neal wanted to be supportive, remembering she had given up a lucrative job offer back when they first started to get serious. Sara was married to her work as much as he was to his art and yet she had stayed to give them a chance. Now work was coming between them as it often did. They tried to have dinner together if nothing else or at least to have breakfast but now she might have to leave. He suddenly thought back to her trip to London. It had been last minute after the charity gala. Now he knew why.

"London. They want me to take over the office there. It's what I've always dreamed of… well, before I met you of course."

She smirked slightly, caressing his cheek before kissing him again and looking hopeful. New York had been his home since his mother's death and was the place that inspired him the most. Theo was here as were memories too precious to let go of… until he had met Sara. The situation had them in an impasse, her career versus his. He could be an artist in London but his home was here. It would be a considerable change for them both but he knew it would be worth every effort. He might have to change agents, put his house on the market or maybe sublease it. So many things to get done before… if he went with her.

"I wanted to tell you sooner. They want me to leave next week. I could ask for an extension for the wedding and honeymoon. I'm sure Mr. Bosch would allow it."

Sara was watching his expression, Neal uncertain how to answer. He nodded dumbly, still taking in the details. He thought he was moving too fast but now he might lose his chance to be happy again if she left. This threw a wrench in the plans, plans that he should have brought up sooner. Neal was impulsive at times, so much so that Theo spoke about it to him daily. Now he had to think on his feet. Neal had been in a long distance relationship before and it had failed miserably.

"You think he would? I would have to find someone to take care of the house if I left. I don't want to sell it. Maybe Theo…"

They both had choices to make, he had to have time to think, everything about Alex suddenly gone from his mind as this new situation filled his consciousness. He really loved Sara. He knew what he had to do.

"Sure… why not. I could paint London Bridge… Big Ben… it's just like Manhattan and then there's the West End, Art Museums…"

They started listing all the pluses of him going, her uncertainty turning into a semi-smile as she realized what he was doing. His work didn't require him to live in New York but it had been his home base for so long it was hard to think about moving away. Home was where you made it and who you made it with and although he would miss Theo and Sally, he could come visit or the other way around. It would work.

"Yes… Ms. Sara Ellis, I will be your moving companion."

She hugged him tightly, kissing him as he lifted her up in his arms and swung her around as they decided their future. It was sudden but he had been in one place too long as it was. He had always wanted to live across the pond and now he could with the love of his life. The next two weeks were going to be hectic but worth it once the Chrysler Gala was done. This was what he had dreamed of with Kate and now he was getting his happy ending.