Peter had searched everywhere for Neal; every known hiding spot and every secret one. He was heading out of an abandoned warehouse, formally known as Wednesday, and walking towards his car. He was just about to give up when he heard a distant boat horn. It dawned on him that the one place he hadn't checked was the only place Neal ever admitted to seeking refuge at.

After driving down to the water, he searched the docks for the one spot Neal used to drink wine at, just before he was caught for the first time. He saw a distant figure sitting on a crate with what looked like several empty bottles surrounding him.

"I've been looking all over for you, Neal." Peter shouted as he approached. "Mozzie's been worried."

"Mozzie's always worried," Neal slurred, setting down the bottle he had been holding. "He sent you because he's afraid I'll do something stupid. You'd just love that, wouldn't you? For me to fuck up again."

"Neal, Mozzie was concerned that you might have taken a gun." Peter sighed, ignoring Neal's attempt to rile him.

"Oh, you mean this one?" Neal lifted his other hand and waved the small hand-gun around. Peter tensed immediately and began reflexively reaching for his firearm. "I really wouldn't do that if I were you."

In an instant Neal had clicked off the safety and steadily pointed the gun at Peter.

"Neal," Peter said carefully as he lifted his hands. "Neal you really don't want to do this."

"I would really stop talking if I were you, because I'm drunk and not in the mood to listen to you. That's a bad combination on a good day, let alone today."

"Neal, you're only proving what I said about you earlier. Pointing guns at people is something that criminals do."

"Oh that's it, piss of the guy pointing a gun at you. Every time I did that on a case, you'd yell at me. Bad strategy, Peter. I'm not like those common criminals: I don't miss."

"Neal, why are you doing this?" Peter snapped. "I'm tired of playing your games and putting up with your cons. When are you going to realize that the world doesn't revolve around you, Neal? You've used up all your 'do-overs' and 'second chances'. I'm done."

"You're done?! Seriously?! I tried everything! I did everything for you! And the only thing I ever wanted was your friendship! Your trust, Peter!"

"You mean the only thing you wanted that you couldn't con!"

"How DARE YOU!" Neal snapped, his entire demeanor changing. He had finally reached his limit. "I've risked my life countless times for you, for everyone on your team. You want to know why, Peter? Because I actually cared! I didn't want any of you to have to suffer the way I have. I've lost everything and everyone I've ever cared about. Do you think I wanted to be like this?! A criminal? Do you think I just woke up one day and decided, "Hell, I'm just going to take what I want when I want and to hell with everyone else! I've got nothing to lose!" Well DO YOU?!"

"That's what you do though isn't it?" Peter shouted right back at him. "You take what you want and don't think about the consequences!"

"You want to lecture me on consequences?" Neal scoffed. "Once you hit rock bottom there are no consequences because there's nothing more you have to lose. I had already lost everyone I loved before I turned to this life, and it wasn't by choice. I was given a chance to climb out of the hole I'd fallen into, to make a better life for myself, to live! Forgive me if I decided fight for a way out! Forgive me if I'm not as fucking perfect as you! You, whose never had to deal with loss, with pain and grief so consuming that you can't possibly heal from it. You with your perfect job, your perfect wife, and your perfect life. I had to fight to become who I am today. I learned to bury heart so deep that it could never be touched. I learned to adapt because if I didn't, I knew I would never make it out of that hole alive."

Peter didn't know what to say. He stared at Neal who looked like he was on the verge of breaking.

"No, Peter, I'm not reformed and I never will be. I can never go back to being that innocent kid who though his dad was a hero, because that little boy died a long time ago. He drowned, Peter, and there was no one there to save him. You're right, I'm a conman." Neal looked down at the gun in his hand, then back up at Peter. "And the biggest score I ever pulled was convincing myself that I could change. But you've helped me realize it was all a lie. Congratulations, Peter. You finally got your confession. I'm a conman and that's all I'll ever be."

"NEAL!"