Interesting. Keller's relationship with Neal is quite an enigma; they obviously admired each other and worked well together at one point, but at some point things turned very sour indeed. Keller killing that man would have been a huge factor, and yet, as you pointed out, there was something with him later on that also had a huge impact. And, of course, that intense rivalry... It might have started out friendly, always wanting to one-up each other, but it became somewhat... venomous on Neal’s part. Keller also seemed to very much want to go back to the time they worked together, which is another interesting aspect. He didn’t seem to hate Neal, not in the way Neal did him, and in a way they almost acted like Bryan and Sara. Which was quite the relationship...

I would be incredibly fascinated to read your take on the second part of this; I suppose it is somewhat unlikely though.

Nice, very nice. Neal’s use of half-truths, obfuscations, and misdirections to keep from outright lying is something to be envied, and your writing it is another thing of beauty. From the moment he learned that Wilkes planned to do the one thing he objects to, he manipulated everything to his advantage, every word, every sentence he said, everything he did, all of it was part of his con- honestly, I can’t see how anyone, occasionally barring Peter, could manage to spot his con and not fall into it. They say honesty is a more challenging game; perhaps it is, particularly for someone who has absolutely mastered the art of twisting the truth, in such a way that very, very few questions can unravel the layers of truth and nothingness.

There’s also his dislike of guns, how even his simple statement of it holds something bigger, a threat, a power that can’t be rivalled by the brute threats that everyone else uses. Neal has a power that somehow can be more frightening than anything menacing, something as hard as steel and yet entirely unnoticeable except in rare moments. Getting into his head in this story was a true masterpiece and utterly beautiful.

very interesting and plausible history

This was an excellent story. Well-written, in-character, and full of Neal being Neal. I particularly liked his "final" words!

I really, honestly, and truley love this! Haha, kickass job please update soon!

One for my favorite fan fictions about WC ever. The way Neal conned Wilkes was so enjoyable and well constructed ! It was like one of the best episodes of the series. And the early relationships between Keller and Neal, the strong differences between them even then and the reasons why they evolved so differently are perfectly captured. The stories (except of course the last one) are humorous, especially the one with the princess. Thank you.

Really enjoyed both of these back stories. You have a real gift for them. Thank you for sharing!

Well done! I'm looking forward to the sequel!

Alright, I am in love with this story. I love how your so precise about everything, all your backround info checks out, and it all seems like it could really happen. I would not be suprised if this really was what happened. I see you haven't updated in awhile, and I demand that you do! Soon please. I will be waiting .

Loved the story Neal can be areal bastard when he wants to be

Nice piece. The reader knows Neal is scamming Wilkes - but enjoys seeing it play out. Well written.

i liked this one...more, please?

ooh...i really like this, and the way you worded it how neal jumped down from the balcony, i just immediately thought of spiderman...:) i liked that there was a lot of description, but not so much that i got bored...anyway, good job! :)

very well done, thought out, I like how you base it off stuff said in the show, instead of just making it all up you explain things left open to interpretation in cannon

Wow, both of these chapters were brilliant! I tried to post on the Wilkes one separately but my phone was having none of it lol. I think you captured the characters perfectly and that these are fully credible episodes from Neal's past. I especially enjoyed the Keller chapter. Great writing style too. Thanks for a great read :-)