A Perfect Storm

Chapter Ten

-Elizabeth's POV-

    We had been at Peter's parents for two days now and I could tell now that he was definitely jealous of Neal, he wasn't hiding it either. "Hon, are you upset that your parents are giving Neal a lot of attention?" I questioned Peter on Saturday evening as we sat out on the back porch.

"It's just annoying that they love him so much. He's been lying to them about a lot of things but they still are amazed by everything he does"

"Peter...They aren't replacing you"

"I know that"

"Do you also know your jealousy is showing?"

"No, I didn't"

"Jealousy is bad" I heard Jaxon say from behind us, we both looked back at him. "I was told to tell you dinner time"

"Alright, we'll be in, in a minute" Peter informed him so he nodded and went back inside.

"You should listen to him" I joked.

"I guess I should" He smiled.

"We leave tomorrow, you can have your parents to yourself after that" I joked.

"Yup" He smiled before we headed inside. When we got inside, Jaxon was sitting alone at the table while Peter's dad set it and his mom brought the food over. "Where's Neal?" Peter questioned.

"He went up to the room, he said he had to try and make a call" Peter's mom explained. Peter just nodded, but he looked suspicious. Jaxon had clearly gotten used to his facial expressions, because he told Peter, "He calling uncle Moz"

Peter nodded, before sitting next to me, " That makes sense"

"Who's that?" His mom asked.

"Oh, just this weird little friend of Neal's. He chose not to evacuate, so after the news today he must be checking up on him" Peter explained.

-Peter's POV-

"I'm just gonna go check on him" I whispered to El before heading upstairs. I knocked on the door of the guest room, "I'll be down in a minute" Neal called back, I opened the door, he was sitting on the bed, he took the phone from his ear just as I opened the door.

"Were you able to get a hold of Mozzie?"

He shook his head, "No, the cell towers are probably down in the area because of the storm"

"Knowing Mozzie, I'd expect him to have some sort of emergency phone"

Neal smirked and laughed slightly, "he does.  But I doubt he's in that one"

"Why?"

"It's underground" he stated as he stood up.

"Well I guess you'll need to get in touch with him once we get back. Now come on, dinner's ready" I instructed him and made sure he headed downstairs before following him.

Once we arrived home the next day I gave Neal and Jaxon a ride to June's. "See, everything's fine" Neal told Jaxon as he set him down in the apartment. "It's better he doesn't know how bad everything really is" he told me once Jaxon turned the corner to go to his room.

I nodded, "are you going to try and get in contact with Mozzie?"

"I don't think I can until everything's back up. In the meantime, if everything's fine, he'll drop in."

"And James?"

"I think he's with Moz"

"Okay" I turned to leave but then turned back to Neal, "Neal....I want you to make sure he doesn't leave until this whole thing with the evidence box is over, alright?"

"Peter. He said he didn't do it. He wants to prove it, that's all"

"Neal. Just promise me"

"Alright!" I could tell he was exasperated but I knew he would calm down. He needed to let the fact that James might still be lying to him sink in.