Penny Exchange

Chapter 6: May the Fourth

The minutes passed far too quickly, leaving Neal to wonder if Lavinia hadn't somehow managed to speed up time. June's house seemed weirdly empty after the trio returned to Arkham. Diana and Jones didn't hang around. Once Eric and El arrived, Henry and Peter would return home as well. Life would return to normal.

Or would it?..

Neal continued to mull over events as he and Henry retreated upstairs to the loft to wait for Eric.

Henry flopped onto Neal's well-worn couch. "I wish I could be there to see Arkham Henry's look. I know what my reaction would be."

Neal nodded absently. Could Arkham Neal be right? How else to explain it?

"I'm hereby calling a meeting of the CA club to order," Henry said, breaking into his thoughts. "We formed Conspirators Anonymous at the start of the year to reduce the hidden agendas in our lives. You and Arkham Neal were closeted together in June's study for several minutes. What did you talk about?"

"I gave him the gifts we'd prepared."

Henry smiled. "I didn't think I could get mine ready in time, but Mozzie came through."

"His vault of obsolete equipment is unmatched," Neal agreed. "Besides, he was inspired by your idea to do something similar for Arkham Mozzie."

"But giving him the gifts couldn't have taken very long," Henry prompted.

"Arkham Neal had opened my file on Kate while he was at White Collar," Neal said, still uneasy about their discussion. "Finding out about her criminal record and discovering that she's currently in prison threw him for quite a loop. The two Kates have different personalities. I think I helped him accept the situation."

"He's still grieving over his Kate?"

Neal nodded. "It was a lot easier for me. Kate was never in love with me. Her betrayal quickly demolished my attachment."

"Kate's a good example of what Lavinia was talking about," Henry said. "Our worlds aren't the same, even though the people may bear a remarkable resemblance to each other." He gave Neal a sharp look. "You two discuss anything else? 'Cause something's bothering you, and I know it's not Kate. You've been over her for quite a while."

Neal took a breath. "You're right and the problem is me."

Henry eyed him worriedly. "Are you coming down with new symptoms?"

"In a way. When Arkham Neal fought with the cthyllas, what did you see?"

"I saw him race forward. Then he simply vanished. I wasn't surprised. That's the way Diana had written it. When Neal channels his algolnium energy he becomes invisible to us poor mortals who don't have algolnium as part of our body chemistry." Henry's eyes widened. "Did you see something different?"

"I didn't think so at the time. That's why I didn't say anything—I figured it was probably just the effect of the cthylla toxin. Arkham Neal looked a little green to me, but so did you."

"But later?" Henry prompted.

"Just now, when Lavinia arrived, Arkham Peter mentioned that Neal glowed. I saw his aura too."

"You did? That means—"

"—I have algolnium too. I discussed it with Neal. When we were in June's study, he tested me by making himself invisible."

"And you could see the aura?"

Neal nodded.

"Wow," Henry breathed. "Did Neal have any explanation?"

"This is pure speculation, but he thinks that somehow he was able to link with me during that first Christmas visit and a little residual algolnium remained behind." Neal helped himself to a glass of water. He was staying off wine till all the symptoms cleared up, but this was one time he could really use a drink. "You remember that time I saw Beethoven's ghost in Electra's house in January?"