Unrequited || N.C (#2) ONGOING

2

Neal

"Peter, come on you'd buy it wouldn't you?" I whined jokingly as I sat on Peter's couch with my painting resting against the leg of the coffee table, Satchmo sat beside me as I stroked his ear affectionately. Lily wasn't with me today, she's spending the day with June. She always felt bad because she feels like she's imposing in staying in her house but it's quite the opposite as June loves her to pieces, everyone does. It's hard not to fall in love with Lily.

"I don't know Neal it's a bit out there for me" he said picking up the painting and examining every inch; his face screwing up and moving in different directions and facial expressions before finally looking at me with a serious tone. I shifted in my seat uncomfortably, this art business maybe wasn't the best thing, maybe I should stick to what I was good at the FBI, the hours are rubbish, and it would be very stressful but-

"Hey!" Peter said, patting his hand on my right arm "I was only joking, come on I love it" a smile beamed out on his face and mine equally, I shouldn't have ever taught him how to con, he's getting pretty good at it... "I love it so much I'll even double your price" he said walking around the apartment, looking at the packed suitcases and the open plan space.

"What?! Are you serious?"

"Of course I am" peter laughed, "I want to help a friend out" he said giving my a slight smile, I could tell by the way he hesitated and the way he looked around the apartment something was wrong. He wasn't being the open peter Burke I grew to love, it was uncanny seeing that I'd love him after he put me in jail, after him tracking me down. But he grew on you, Burke's always did.

"What's wrong?" I asked, sitting down on the stools near the table, patting a seat for peter.

"I can't believe you're leaving tomorrow" He said looking around, he sat down next to me but his head was looking down never looking me in the eye.

"It's nearly Christmas, and I get to meet Lily's parents, she wants so go back home and I respect that-"

"What about Kate?"

Kate. The name felt like a thousand knives had been stabbed in my stomach, the last time I heard that name Keller had told me he found her. Would I want to find her again? Maybe, maybe it would help me and Lily. Getting her to meet the woman who influenced me so much, maybe it would be okay?

"What about her?" I said harshly, not realising how defensive how I was getting until the words left my mouth.

"Do you still want to find her? Have you talked to lily about it?" He asked looking at me, now it was my turn to look away, my hands stroking my newly shaved face, and looking out of the window.

"I don't know." I said truthfully, "I don't know what to do, I'll have time to think it through when I go to England with her, have time with lily and her family. Focus on what's important to me, her."

"Okay, I just think that you'd think things through. I'm only a phone call away" he said giving me a smile and I smiled back, I appreciated it. I appreciate him, more than I could imagine.

***

"Flight 365 to London, England is setting off in 20 minutes" the telecom said, I looked around the bare airport and smiled. I was still awake even at 4 in the morning, but Lily had fell asleep on my shoulder, her hair falling over her face and mumbling adorably in her sleep. I couldn't bring myself to wake her but I knew I had to, plus there would be beds in the plane. It was a perk from such a good job and peter buying the painting.

"Lil?-" I whispered nudging her as she stirred in her sleep, her face screwed up and she mumbled a faint but distinct "no" I laughed and nudged her again "come on Lil, the plane is about to set off"

"I'm up... I'm up" she yawned, rubbing her eyes and opening them to see me beaming at her she really was beautiful.

"Come on beautiful let's get you home to see your family" I said taking her hand and staring up making sure we had everything and leading her to the gate. This was going to be good, and god knows I wasn't going to think about Kate when I have Lily with me there wasn't any need. Lily was all I wanted, all I needed in my life she was there for me when I needed her most and she was the love of my life.

Stepping onto the plane I knew this was going to be good, I knew I could start a life with Lily and the engagement ring in my suitcase proved it.

I set our bags on the above luggage holder and looked over at the bed next to Lily's and froze. No, this wasn't happening. Her brown almost black hair and her dark eyes, this wasn't happening.

"Neal?" She asked, the voice was familiar, heartbreaking, like a thousand knives in my stomach.

"Kate."

Hey guys!! I AM SO SO SOOOO LATE ON UPDATING I just want to say thanks for sticking through, I've recently been at college and I've recently found my own love of my life and I haven't found time but I will, thank you all! Have a great time reading and I hope you had a wonderful day x