The suite door banged as Nicky went back to his room to consult with Aaron and Kevin. When Matt walked into the bedroom a couple seconds later Neil was expecting him.

"What are we going to do with you?" Matt asked.

"Sorry," Neil said.

"What for?" Matt waved that off. "When's your flight?"

"Eleven-ten, if I go."

"You're going. I'll give you a lift to the airport."

Neil grimaced at him but got out of bed at last. He wasn't hungry but he made himself eat some instant oatmeal and toast. Nicky returned to say he'd told all of the Foxes what was going on. Apparently they all wanted Neil on that plane. Neil nodded and said nothing, and Nicky left him in peace to get ready.

Neil showered and dug his duffel bag out of the bottom drawer of his dresser. He had it half-packed when he realized the bag was too small. For eight years he'd never owned more than what could fit in a carry-on. In the past half-year here his possessions had doubled in number. Even when his bag was full there were things in his drawers. Neil was at once confused and heartened, and he pressed a hand to his folded shirts. It was proof he was coming back, something he hadn't had since he was a child.

The quiet tap of a footstep warned him he wasn't alone, and Neil looked up at Kevin.

"Can I give you something to take with you?" Neil asked. "Will you promise to keep it safe? I don't want to leave it here, but I can't bring it with me." When Kevin nodded, Neil unlocked his safe and pulled his binder out. It took everything he had in him to hand it to Kevin. Even when Kevin took hold of it, Neil held fast to one end. "Don't open it."

"I don't want to know," Kevin said.

Neil let go, and Kevin tucked it under one arm. Neil pushed his safe closed and put it back where it belonged.

"Neil," Kevin said when Neil got to his feet.

"I'm coming back," Neil said, more for his sake than Kevin's. "You promised you'd finish this year with me. I'm holding you to that."

He slung his bag over his shoulder and slipped past Kevin out of the room. Matt was unplugging all of his electronics when the strikers showed up.

"Ready?" Matt asked.

"Yes," Neil lied.

Matt grabbed his keys and they left. They stopped by the girls' room first, where Neil was subjected to holiday hugs and well-wishes. Aaron settled for a nod when they checked in with the cousins next, but Nicky gave Neil a bone-popping squeeze.

"You packed your charger, right?" Nicky asked. "I expect you to text me everyday."

"I packed it," Neil said, but he doubted Riko would let him use his phone.