The Ending Stays The Same 1/2

[paulacas]

Title: The Ending Stays The Same
Fandom: White Collar
Artist: kj_svala
Author: YanzaDracan
Characters: Neal Caffrey, Peter/Elizabeth Burke, June, Mozzie
Word Count: 11,079
Rating: R for implied situations
Summary: Even when things change they stay the same.
Author's Notes: Everything else at the Masterpost.

 

Matthew Burns stands with one foot on the bottom step of the private jet. His beautiful wife, Gina waits on board as they prepare to start a new chapter in their life. A shout from the hangar draws Matthew's attention.
 

"NEAL!"
 

He considers ignoring the call. He's no longer Neal Caffrey, pet thief of Peter Burke. He's Matthew Burns, FBI profiler, retired, independently wealthy, married to Gina, but now that he's a free man-he can be generous. He turns and starts toward the hangar and Peter when the world drops into hell.

WHITE COLLAR

He wakes shrouded in pain. Fighting through to a semblance of clarity he sees a beautifully dressed and coiffed black woman with skin the color of the finest milk chocolate and shrewd eyes as dark as night. She offers him a straw, which he sips thankfully.
 

"Gina?" He asks softly, throat too sore to talk normally.
 

The woman studies him for a moment while pushing the call button.
 

"Aunt June, please." He pleads.
 

Her chest constricts for the man who thinks she's his aunt. It was a game they played after he got his new identity from Agent Fowler. Uncertain of who Neal thought he was she carried on with their game.
 

"I'm so very sorry, Matthew. Gina was killed in the explosion."
 

"I knew it. My chest feels so empty, I knew she was dead."
 

Though the blue eyes filled with tears, none fell.
 

"Were there any remains?"
 

"A few. The FBI has them." June answered carefully.
 

"I may as well buy a plaque now, 'cause I'll never get them."
 

"Why don't you rest and we'll worry about all that when you're up and around again." June hedged.
 

She was thankful for the nurse's entrance that kept her from saying anything more. While she waited for the doctors to finish with Neal, June called Mozzie.
 

"He thinks he's Matthew Burns and the Kate was his wife, Gina." She kept her voice low.
 

"Oh that's rich." Mozzie's tone was divisive. "Does the suit know?"
 

"No. I haven't called him. I wanted to warn you first."
 

"The concussive force from the blast had to shake Neal's brain pretty good. Think he'll remember his real self?"
 

"I think the real question should be does he want to remember his real self?"
 

"I'll be there soon." Mozzie assured her.
 

The elevator dinged and Agent Peter Burke stepped out.
 

"It might be best if you wait awhile." She cautioned.
 

"Suit?"
 

"That's right." She cut the call.
 

"June. How's Neal?"
 

"He just woke up. The doctor is with him now."
 

"Perfect. I can get an update and ask Neal a few questions." His smile was pleased as he headed for the room.
 

"Peter! Wait!" But Peter ignored her call.
 

Peter cringed when he saw the three stripes across Neal's back where flaming pieces of metal had burnt through clothing to skin. The doctor had just finished cleaning the burns leaving them and the cuts on Neal's freshly shorn head looking raw and fresh.
 

"How is he, doc?"
 

The doctor looked up from her work.
 

"You are?" The gloved hands paused.
 

"Peter Burke, FBI." He pulled out his badge.
 

"I'm sorry, Agent Burke, but I don't see your name anywhere on Agent Burns' paperwork."
 

"Agent Burns?"
 

"That's what his ID said. That's the name he's been answering to when we question him. Matthew Burns."
 

"Who is right here and aware so you can stop talking about me like I'm a potted plant."
 

He sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, careful not to aggravate his wounds.
 

"What do you want, Burke?"
 

Peter was taken aback by the snide tone. He did a fast shuffle of his questions.
 

"Do you remember anything out of the ordinary before the explosion?"
 

"Only you calling me into the hangar before the plane blew." He rubbed a hand over his short cropped hair.
 

"Our first vacation in two years." Eyes full of anger and pain looked at Peter.
 

"What did you have Gina working on that could have gotten her killed?"
 

"Nothing." Peter answered truthfully.
 

"I know I didn't have any cases that would cause this. I was working up routine profiles."
 

"Neal." Peter said.
 

"Neal who?" The injured man asked.
 

"Neal Caffrey." Peter tried again.
 

"What's your tame thief got to do with my wife's death?"
 

Peter cringed inwardly at the words. He had to choose his next words very carefully.
 

"Gina asked Neal if he knew the whereabouts of a music box that belonged to Catherine The Great that was made out of amber."
 

"She was an antique dealer and your C.I.-why would she ask Caffrey?"
 

"Rumor had it that Neal stole the music box, or if he didn't steal it he knew who had it."
 

"You think whoever blew up the plane has the music box?"
 

"I don't know. Did she mention anything to you?"
 

"No. Why would she lie to me?" Neal's distress was obvious.
 

Before Peter could ask anything else, June came in followed closely by Mozzie.
 

"I think that's enough for one day, Agent Burke." June scolded. "Matthew did just wake up," she grabbed Peter's arm "let me walk you out."
 

She exchanged a look with Moz.
 

Peter looked back as the door closed watching Neal pull the older man between his legs and into a hug before burying his face into Moz's shoulder. The slender frame began to shake.
 

"Why?...What the…" Peter sputtered.
 

"According to Matthew's back story he and Moz were best friends with benefits until Matthew met Gina." June instructed.
 

"Neal's bi? What do you mean back story?" Peter looked shocked.
 

"Matthew is bi-sexual. Neal is…Neal, and the secret to a good con is that your character is three dimensional. That's why the authorities are so bad at undercover work. Your aliases are flat…one dimensional." June smiled sweetly.
 

Peter pulled Neal's anklet from his pocket.
 

"What do I do with this? Neal Caffrey wears this. Matthew Burns is a Bureau profiler."
 

June sympathized with Peter, but with his sometimes callous treatment of Neal she felt he was getting his just desserts.
 

"Hold onto that, Peter." Neal may get his memories back."
 

That gave very little comfort to the agent.
 

Neal was released three days later still believing he was Matthew Burns.
 

Since he and his wife supposedly lived with his Aunt June, he didn't object to June and Moz's fussing over him after they got back to the mansion.

WHITE COLLAR

Peter ran into him a week later going through any files that mentioned the music box. It shocked Peter badly to see Neal with a badge and gun clipped to his belt like any other agent. Neal in his right mind didn't like guns. Peter had barely been able to stop Diana and Jones from drawing on the man the first time they saw him after the explosion.
 

"What do you mean he thinks he's an agent?" Diana practically squeaked.
 

"I guess Fowler thought it'd be a joke." Peter answered. "He figured they'd both be on the plane and he'd kill two birds with one explosion. Neal's brain took quite a shaking along with pieces of shrapnel they dug out of his skull. He thinks Kate was an antiques dealer named Gina I used as a C.I."
 

"So we're supposed to let him have run of the place?" Jones asked.
 

"For now. The doctor seems to think his real memory will return as his brain heals."
 

Peter thought they would balk at the idea of Neal running loose, but they finally nodded their agreement. Diana came to Peter later.
 

"How does Neal's amnesia effect our looking for Fowler?"
 

"It doesn't. In fact, it's better because I won't have to worry about Neal going off on his own looking for revenge. There's no mention of a Gina Burns in any of the files. Only Kate's."
 

"What if he remembers?"
 

"I have June and Mozzie keeping tabs on him away from the office."
 

"We're on a razor's edge here, Peter."
 

"You don't have to remind me." Peter said tiredly.
 

"When's Elizabeth get home?"
 

"Next week. Thank goodness."
 

"Tired of Satchmo's company?" She grinned.
 

"He's a blanket hog." Peter smiled back. "Thanks, Diana."
 

"Anytime, Boss." She gave him a wink.

WHITE COLLAR

Matthew was at a dead end. None of the files mentioned anything about Gina-just some woman named Kate that led Caffrey on a merry chase. For such a smart guy he sure was sucker when it came to this Kate. He finally found her picture.
 

A knife of pain stabbed through his chest. This Kate could be Gina's twin. He was beginning to think Kate's enemies had a case of mistaken identity. He was going to have to track down Burke and maybe Caffrey, too. For all that Burke was at work every day he had yet to meet the infamous Neal Caffrey.
 

Throwing the files in his briefcase, Matthew decided to stop by Agent Burke's house on the way home. He found it an interesting coincidence that the Burkes lived only a couple miles from his Aunt June. The door opened, but before Matthew could introduce himself Mrs. Burke was off and running.
 

"Neal!" It's so good to see you. I was so sorry to hear about Kate's death."
 

Matthew was so shocked that when she grabbed his hand and led him into the living room he didn't resist.
 

"Peter's walking Satchmo, but he should be home soon. How are you? Peter said you'd been hurt in the explosion. I'm glad to see you're doing better." She reached out and ran a hand over his short hair. "Peter said they had to cut your hair to stitch your scalp, but it's starting to grow out rather well." She set a glass of wine in front of him. "How's Mozzie. I haven't seen him since that night he was a stand-in for Peter because Fowler was staking out the house and you and Peter were staking him out."
 

"Mozzie's fine." A very confused Matthew took a drink of wine just to have something to do. "This is very good. Something you brought back from your trip to California?" He snapped his mouth shut.

*How did he know she was in California? How did he know about wine? He rarely drank.*
 

 

 

He turned his attention back to Mrs. Burke. *Elizabeth. Peter calls her El.*
 

"In the beginning everyone thought Peter was nuts for letting you out of jail. Even with the anklet they thought you'd run. You and Peter make a really good team, Neal. I'm glad you changed your mind about getting on that plane with Kate." Elizabeth reached over and took Matthew's hand. Sparkling blue eyes met confused and hurt blue eyes. "Oh Neal, I'm sorry. Here I am rambling like a school girl and I haven't asked how you're doing?"
 

Before he could answer, Peter and Satchmo came through the door. The yellow lab ran to Matthew, happy to see his friend.
 

"El, whose bureau car is …" He trailed off when he saw Neal.
 

The con man's face was pale…his eyes wide with shock.
 

"Honey, Neal stopped by and we were just catching up." Elizabeth stood and gave Peter a kiss. "Shower before dinner. You want to join us, Neal?"
 

"No, but thank you. I promised Aunt June I'd be her escort to a play this evening a friend of hers is producing."
 

"Isn't the theater district outside the range of your anklet?"
 

A sneer twisted the handsome face and Peter feared the worst. How could he have forgotten to tell his wife about Neal's amnesia?
 

"Peter," he spat out the word, "has been most gracious to allow me to step out of bounds for the occasion."
 

"I'm sure June appreciates it, Peter." She said breezily heading toward the kitchen.
 

The men turned to face off.
 

"Why does she think I'm Neal Caffrey?"
 

Peter did NOT want to have this conversation.
 

"Because you are, Matthew Burns was the new identity Fowler gave you to leave with Kate and never come back. Making you an agent was his idea of a sick joke and a way to track you movements."
 

"You went along with this after the explosion?"
 

Peter nodded.
 

"Why?"
 

"The doctor said your brain had been bruised and as it healed you would remember. She said it would be less of a shock."
 

"Something you forgot to tell your wife?"
 

He nodded again. He'd hoped that Neal would have remembered who he was by the time El got home.
 

"That's why everyone whispered and snickered when they thought I couldn't see?"
 

Peter's eyes went wide.
 

"Thought I didn't notice, Agent Burke?"
 

He stood to leave.
 

"Neal?" Peter started.
 

"Neal doesn't live here anymore, Agent Burke. He died in an airplane explosion. The only one here is Matthew." His voice was adamant. "Goodnight, Agent Burke."
 

Neal's face and body language was so closed off, Peter simply watched as he left.

WHITE COLLAR

In a squeal of tires, the car pulled away. He couldn't remember where his paranoid friend, Moz lived so he went to the safest place he knew, his Aunt June's. He wondered if she really was his aunt, but decided it didn't matter. He dashed through the mansion calling her name.
 

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" She asked when Neal threw himself to his knees and buried his face in her lap.
 

"Why do you never call me by my name? Are you really my aunt?"
 

June's heart broke at the pain in Neal's voice.
 

"Actually, I think of you more as my black sheep son." She answered calmly running her hand over the head that had too many scars and not enough of its usual dark, silky hair.
 

This close she could see silver hair coming in around the scar tissue. He'd soon be a peacock with very distinct coloration.
 

"Tell me what happened."
 

He told her about going to the Burke's and meeting Elizabeth and how she called him Neal and talked about Kate, then Peter came home and the dog wanted to play, and there were pictures in his mind and Peter said he was Neal and a thief and he felt like his head was in a vice…"
 

While Neal rambled June sent a quick 911 to Mozzie. She wanted Neal somewhere safe until this episode was sorted.
 

She was able to get Neal on his feet and to the couch. She had to find the getaway bag he always kept packed so that when Moz arrived they could leave before Agent Burke arrived. As she turned to go upstairs, he grabbed her hand.
 

"Who am I?"
 

"You are the bravest person I know." She placed a kiss on his forehead. "The name I know you by is Neal Caffrey." She answered softly.
 

"Thank you." He closed his eyes.
 

It was barely a half hour later Mozzie arrived. June explained the situation and that Peter would probably arrive at any moment. Once more running her hand over the bristly hair she left just as she and Matthew had planned. That would establish that she had no knowledge of what happened after Mozzie arrived at the house.
 

Moz bundled a groggy, but co-operative Neal into the cab, and told the driver to take them to the nearest hospital. He had the driver stop closer to the entrance of the subway than the hospital. Pulling their hoods further forward to hide their features, he led Neal down into the subway.
 

They rode until Moz's paranoia was satisfied, Neal dozing quietly against his side. They finally ended in the warehouse district where many of the old buildings had been converted to loft condos during the real estate boom. Now that the bottom had fallen out of the market, many of the condos stood empty.
 

Moz had bought several lofts all over the city through private holding companies he'd established for his and Neal's money and investments. Not wanting to compromise any of Neal's safe houses, Moz took them to one of his.
 

The first floor loft had several escape routes including one through the basement should the need arise. The still silent Neal allowed Moz to strip him out of the oversized hoody and suit he still wore. Leaving on his t-shirt, Moz pulled a pair of sweats out of Neal's bag. The older man was creeped out by Neal acting like a life sized Ken doll as he started putting the sweats over Neal's feet.
 

Neal must have sensed his friend's confusion and distress because Moz was startled out of his thoughts by the younger man taking the sweats and putting them on. He climbed into bed and curled in on himself as Moz tucked the comforter around the chilled body. Trying to soothe Neal by running his hand over the shorn head, Moz wished he could do more.
 

"I have to get a message to June. I'll be back as soon as I can." He assured Neal.
 

Getting a nod from Neal, he moved over to the computer. He sat for several minutes considering the best way to make contact without setting off alarm bells for the suits. Making a satisfied noise, his hands moved to the keyboard.
 

June always read every review for every play not matter how small. Moz logged onto a site where he knew June subscribed. He began to type.

This play was so off Broadway you needed to be acquainted with the cast and crew to find the venue, but it was well worth the trouble. 'The Narrow Escape' is more psychological intrigue than action. The actor playing the male lead was an excellent choice. The man owned the role so completely you would have sworn it was his personal story.
 

 

 

Satisfied he posted the review and prayed to all his gods June understood his message. Setting the computer to notify him if anyone posted a comment, he returned to the bed and curled around his friend, hoping his presence gave him some peace of mind.

WHITE COLLAR

The feeling of being watched made Moz lie very still…His paranoia meter was so far above its usual ten that he almost stopped breathing until he remember the events of the night before. Not having his glasses on made things hazy, but he'd recognize the pale blue eyes watching him anywhere. He blinked several times clearing the cobwebs of exhaustion from his mind. A long fingered hand reached out and ran gently down his lightly stubbled cheek. Anticipation climbed as he waited for Neal to speak first.
 

"You know I love you, Moz, but why are we at one of your safe houses?"
 

Moz's breath left him in a rush. "Neal?" He reached for his glasses.
 

Confusion filled the eyes still watching him. "Has something happened that we had to run?"
 

"This conversation requires massive amounts of caffeine." Moz rolled away from Neal and headed for the kitchen area.
 

Neal got up, showered and wondered why his hair was in a buzz cut, and what caused the ridges of scar tissue on his back. He was trying to hold onto his calm, but the more changes he found the higher his anxiety climbed. Only years of being in high stress situations helped him keep the appearance of holding it together, but Moz knew him better than anyone.
 

"Sit, eat, this conversation requires sustenance and calm." Moz cajoled.
 

While they had breakfast, Moz told Neal the events of the past six months.
 

'"Kate's dead?" Neal moved to the window, his throat and chest so tight he could hardly breathe. Pushing his emotions away, he set his sharp mind to work on the problem.
 

"Has the music box surfaced?" Neal turned back to Moz, game face firmly in place.
 

Moz's sharp brown eyes studied the slender man across the room. Neal allowed his friend to see what he wanted him to see.
 

"I think your suit has it."
 

"How do you know?"
 

"He's in no rush to find it, which tells me he already has it someplace he trusts it to be safe." Moz looked between the coffee pot and his supply of tea. Tea seemed the better choice. Neal on a tear needed a calm head.
 

"What about Alex? Has she surfaced recently?"
 

"Rumor has it she's on the run from whoever the puppet master is on this music box situation. It's obvious Fowler was simply a pawn to flush the box into the open."
 

"There's more going on here than a Russian antiquity. The Russians were infamous for their paranoia and building secrets and puzzles inside their favorite pieces of art. We need access to the box." Eyes narrowing, Neal tried to put all the pieces together. "Have they released anything about the flight recorder on the plane?"
 

Moz shook his head.
 

"How'd I get away with no anklet the past six months?" Neal rubbed his ankle in memory of its weight.
 

"No way to explain making an agent wear a tracking device. The suit figured you'd stick close to June's while you were searching for leads to the explosion. It seems a picture of Kate and Mrs. Suit's not knowing about your amnesia triggered your breakthrough."
 

"Does anyone know about my break besides you?" Neal started to pace the loft.
 

"June, but she carried on like you took her to the theater. It would be simple enough to say you spent the weekend with me after dropping June off Friday night." Moz blushed deeply. "We have been spending an inordinate amount of time together since your wife's death."
 

"Peter thinks we've resumed our relationship a brief six months after my wife's death?" Neal grinned.
 

"Not sure. Peter's not your favorite person right now. You think he somehow put 'Gina' in the line of fire, ultimately leading to her death."
 

"How close has he been watching me?"
 

"As much as your animosity allows. He's looking for signs that you've remembered your life as Neal Caffrey instead of Matthew Burns." Moz didn't like the play of expressions he saw passing across Neal's face. "Neal, I don't think I like what you're thinking."
 

"Where's your sense of adventure, Moz? This could be our greatest con ever." Neal turned his toothpaste smile on Moz.
 

"I don't know. The suit is smart. He's caught you twice."
 

Neal shrugged. "I was bored."
 

Moz blinked owlishly. "You let him catch you because you were bored???!!"
 

"I proved I could leave prison anytime I wanted."
 

"So you let the suit collar and leash you because…?"
 

"I get to be the hunter instead of the prey."
 

"I can't talk you out of this?"
 

The expression that crossed Neal's face was one Moz had never seen before. He wondered if it was Kate's death or the shaking his brain had taken had changed Neal into the man in front of him. Neal perched on the chair across from Moz.
 

"Neal?"
 

Neal paused for a beat, while he closed his eyes, rubbing his temples.
 

"Matthew."
 

"What?!"
 

"We're both here."
 

"What about the whole gun thing?"
 

Neal had never told him why he hated guns, and even though he's was excellent shot with any type gun, he never ever used one on a job to Moz's knowledge.
 

"Not a problem. Matthew carries the gun."
 

"I want to go on the record right now as saying I think this is a VERY BAD idea." Moz stressed.
 

He was surprised when Neal reached over and grabbed Moz's hand.
 

"I know you don't like this. I know it's a bad idea. I know my brain is scarred and scattered and my psyche probably looks like a puzzle with pieces missing, but I'm doing this. I have nothing to lose. If Peter finds out what's the worse that happens…I go back to jail…I get my leg iron back. I almost died and Kate is dead. You're all I have left."
 

He placed his cheek in the palm of Moz's hand, his eyes closed.
 

People thought Neal was a hedonist. The best wine and food, high thread count sheets, Egyptian cotton and silk, but Mozzie had a theory that it was a lack of those things that made Neal crave the best things in life. Touch was how Neal expressed himself. Words were Neal's armor against the world…this…this was the real Neal.
 

"We could leave. June gave us this…this head start. The suits would never find us." Moz knew his plea was falling on deaf ears, but he had to try.
 

He feared Neal losing himself in the game…losing the things that made him distinctly Neal…losing himself in his scars and revenge.
 

"I have to know Moz. I have to know who killed Kate and tried to kill me. Was it Fowler or is he the fall guy? I can't see him being the brains behind whatever this is." He placed his fingers on lips to stop whatever Mozzie was going to say. "I could go to Peter and tell him I have most of my memory back. He puts me back in the cuff and I'm limited to what I can do. As Matthew I'm free to move, to search, to dig where I can't as Neal Caffrey."
 

Moz knew he'd lost. This would be one of the most dangerous game they'd ever run. The suit was smart. Moz would have to be ever vigilant about covering Neal's tracks. He shivered as he felt a goose walk over his grave causing him to throw prayers out to all the gods.

WHITE COLLAR

Once Peter threw off the stupor of all the things Neal had thrown at him, he turned to find Elizabeth staring wide-eyed from the kitchen.
 

"Did I cause all that?" Tears welled spilling down her cheeks. "I never meant to hurt him." She whispered as Peter pulled her against his chest.
 

"You didn't know. I didn't tell you. I hoped he'd be back to himself by the time you got home. Now I'm afraid we may never get our Neal back."
 

"Why don't you fill me in on the things you hoped to not have to tell me?" Elizabeth suggested.
 

While they made dinner, Peter told Elizabeth everything. Elizabeth set her fork down.
 

"I think you should go talk to him." She nodded as though agreeing with herself.
 

"El…"
 

"Maybe if you talk to Matthew the way you do Neal, it would help Neal come to the forefront of his brain."
 

Peter's face flushed at the suggestion. "I don't think that will work?"
 

"Why not?"
 

"I can't talk to someone who thinks they're an agent the way I walk to Neal."
 

"Is there something wrong with the way you talk to Neal?"
 

"It's complicated." Peter hedged.
 

"Peter…"
 

He mentally braced himself. "Sometimes Neal sees too much. It irritates me, so I only tell him what I think he needs to know and it's led to…situations that…show I don't trust him, which leads him to do things that could get him killed trying to prove himself then I point out how I knew all these things all along, and that I based my plan on knowing Neal and how he thinks." Peter rushed on before he lost his nerve. "I play him, then tell him I played him."
 

He was right. When put into words it sounded terrible, and there was that little line between El's eyebrows that showed her disapproval.
 

"Peter." Her tone was sad. "That's probably why he doesn't want to remember being Neal." She said more to herself than to Peter.
 

Peter sucked in a breath in surprise.
 

"You know I always wondered about that." She stood to clear the table.
 

"What?"
 

"Neal and I would talk…you know he has exquisite taste? He gave me some suggestions that have really helped me move into the upper echelon of events…" She carried the dishes to the kitchen.
 

Once they were put in the dishwasher, she picked up her wine glass and moved to the living room.
 

"His eyes would be so clear and relaxed…almost like a little boy that was in wonder of everything. He would hear you come in and his expression would light up then change to guilt, then there wouldn't be any expression at all."
 

She nodded agreeing with her own conclusion. "Neal doesn't want to be Neal, because nobody respects Neal. Neal is a tool you bring out and use then put back in his 2 mile prison cell until the next time. I wouldn't want to remember being Neal either." She wrapped her arms around her middle.
 

"El, honey, I don't think it's that simple." Peter cringed at the condescending tone in his voice.
 

"Well I do. I think you ask some of your hotshot psychologist buddies they'll tell you the same thing."
 

"You do remember Neal is a con man and a thief?" Peter reminded. He didn't like feeling like the bad guy.
 

"Of course I do." The look she gave him could have blistered paint. "He cared enough for you to try and change. He kept walking away from Kate and his old way of life because you ask him. Did you give him credit for anything?"
 

Peter felt that flush climbing up his face again.
 

"El…This might all be moot. After this evening I don't know who'll be coming to the office Monday or even if he'll be coming to the office."
 

"Think we should go to June's and check on him?"
 

"I'm not sure Matthew would appreciate us dropping by unannounced."
 

"Please, Peter. I feel responsible for what happened earlier. I'd feel better if I knew if he's okay."
 

"Fine. I'll call June since I doubt Neal would pick-up if he saw my number." He dialed June's number.
 

"Hello."
 

"June, it's Peter Burke."
 

"What I can I do for you Agent Burke." June's voice turned cool.
 

"I'm calling to see how Neal's doing."
 

"Elizabeth worried?"
 

Peter felt himself flushing again. "We both are." He insisted.
 

"As far as I know he's fine. He's spending the weekend with Mozzie."
 

Peter cringed. "I thought he was taking you to the theater?"
 

"Oh he did, but I sent him home after an old acquaintance offered to take me home. So I released him from his escort duties." Peter could hear the mischievous smile in her voice.
 

"Sorry to interrupt your evening. Elizabeth and I appreciate knowing Neal is fine." He disconnected.
 

"There feel better? He's spending the weekend with Mozzie."
 

Elizabeth eyes widened. "As in together together?"
 

Peter shrugged. If Neal still believes he's Matthew, he's bi. I think Neal probably is too or he wouldn't have made it part of Matthew's profile."
 

"Good to know." Elizabeth smirked.
 

"El!" Peter watched her sashay up the stairs before following shaking his head.