This follows my previous story "A conman's predicament", please read that before or else, it won't make much sense since this is an alternate universe for Season 5 finale, in which Neal didn't get kidnapped, Sara came back for 'business', Peter's still going to DC and Rebecca had an accomplice for it all...

Chapter 1

"Hey Peter, I got a farewell present for you" said Neal entering Peter's office with a box

It had been a week since they came back from DC after arresting Rebecca Lowe. Peter was deep in concentration packing some stuff from his desk drawers, getting ready to move to a bigger chair and a different life away from NY for the first time since he attended Quantico. He took a minute to look up with a little smile "Neal, I'm leaving in two weeks, you don't have to…"

"But I want to, Peter" the reformed conman insisted with a grin

Peter frowned "I know that look… Neal, what did you do?"

Neal sighed "From one friend to another, Peter, you shouldn't doubt and question every single thing I do once I'm off anklet, you know?"

Peter sighed "You're right. Force of habit… thanks, Neal, you didn't have to though"

"I know. Here…" said Neal, handing the box to the older man

Peter took it and sat at the corner of the desk. He tore it open unwrapping the silky paper "Neal, this is… wow"

"I figured, you would be going crazy not having Yankee Stadium close by, so I'm giving you a little piece of it for you to take" said Neal shrugging

Peter was in awe. It was a Yankee's jersey signed by Babe Ruth, Derek Jeter, Mickey Mantle, Joe Dimaggio and Lou Gherig "Neal, how did you…?"

"Well, I bought the jersey and forged the signatures. And before you start complaining, it is not illegal if I don't make profit, so I figured you being the hardcore Yankees fan you are, you would appreciate having it" said Neal proud of his idea. He took a step closer and pointed to the bottom of the jersey "And besides… just so you won't forget the MVP in your New York team…" he said with a sheepish smile

Peter took a closer look and saw Neal's signature tucked in the corner… he couldn't help but smile touched at the meaning behind it all

"Every artist has to sign his work, right?" said Neal smiling sheepishly

"A Caffrey original huh?" said Peter smiling and looking at the perfect signatures there "Neal, this is…" Peter didn't have words and actually, his throat felt a little constricted "Thank you" he said extending his hand in gratitude

Neal grinned and took Peter's hand with a firm grip "You're welcome, Peter"

"Oh what the hell, come here" said Peter pulling Neal in for a tight hug "You arrogant bastard. Don't let Jones hear you saying you're MVP"

Neal laughed "I'll keep the secret between us"

They pulled apart and Neal couldn't help but glance quickly at the bullpen to see if anyone had seen their public display of affection. Peter noticed and snorted "Don't bother, they all saw me hugging you and will keep their mouths shut if they wanna keep their jobs"

Neal chuckled and shoved his hands in his pockets feeling a little embarrassed

"Besides, they all think you're some sort of surrogate son of mine so they're probably not surprised" said Peter nonchalantly

Neal frowned "Surrogate son?"

"Yeah…" Peter realized he was stepping into delicate territory "Sorry, Neal, I didn't mean to step into this touchy subject for you…"

"No, it's ok Peter. I wish my father was a little like you…" said Neal with a hint of bitterness

Peter sighed and then pursed his lips. He hated seeing Neal this vulnerable due to his daddy-issues "Neal, I never got to thank you for what you did for me… even though it was illegal, I can only imagine what it must have been like to incriminate your own father to get me out of prison" he said and took a deep breath "Truth is, you've made my life a lot more exciting and… better altogether" he finished with an honest little smile

Neal looked up with surprise written all over his face. Even when Peter had somehow forgiven him for getting him out of jail with illegal methods, Neal knew this was still a delicate matter for him and it actually opened up some old wounds. Neal took the opportunity to throw at him what he had heard through the earbud… "I thought having me was the worst thing that ever happened to you? You even told Jones to not dare become my handler, that he would regret it for the rest of his life" – it wasn't supposed to come out like that but even when it was rare for Neal to get carried away with emotion, in fact, it never happened, he just didn't care and this was Peter, the man who pretty much had seen him through it all

"I know, I was an asshole and I was just really angry at what you did" said Peter looking sympathetically at Neal and then frowned "Wait… how do you know what I told Jones?"

Neal just shrugged…

Peter dismissed it knowing it wasn't the core issue here. He continued "Anyway, what matters is that you did this for me even at your father's expense. So, thank you, buddy"

Neal was, in a way, grateful for Peter dismissing his emotional outburst, he wasn't in the mood to confront this rejection feelings he had so he followed the lead and shoved it under the rug "Don't worry. Like in chess, you need to sacrifice your knights to save the king sometimes" he said attempting at lightening the mood

"Oh? You think I'm a king?" asked Peter with mischief

"Don't…" said Neal disgusted

Peter laughed "Seriously though, having a son like you…" he whistled in mock-suffering and then got serious, puffed his chest out and added with a sincere and a smile full of pride "James' loss. My win"

Neal gave him a little smile and nodded understanding the hidden meaning in Peter's words and not being able to say anything back. How did this become so emotional was beyond him, it was just a damn Yankees jersey. He cleared his throat "That means you're gonna play catch with me, old man?"

Peter snorted "Hey! There's nothing old about these bones and yes, I would love to. Tell you what, I'll make a new deal with you" he said with mischief "every time you come to visit in DC, we'll play catch and go to a game or something and instead of an anklet to remind you of that deal, I'll give you this" he said opening his bottom drawer and pulling out his baseball. He put it in Neal's hand with a proud smile

"Are you sure? This is your throw-and-catch-while-I-think-of-how-to-catch-the-bad-guy ball. Aren't you gonna need it in DC to cook some theories?" questioned Neal feeling touched at his gesture

"Nah, it's all gonna be desk job for me now, so I won't need it. You can keep it" said Peter squeezing Neal's shoulder with affection

"Thank you… just don't hug me again" teased Neal grinning

"Oh shut up, it's entirely your fault for making me miss you even before I'm gone" said Peter grinning as well

Neal actually blushed with that. Peter wanted to keep the joke alive but it came truer than he intended. Neal looked up embarrassed "I'll miss you too, Peter"

Peter just nodded "Alright, get the hell out of here before I start kissing you" he said in mock exasperation

Neal laughed and put his hands up in defense walking backwards slowly "I'm going actually, I have an appointment with my lawyer"

Peter nodded chuckling "Alright, keep me posted on how that goes" and dismissed him with his hand

Once Neal had left his office, Peter's phone rang "This is Burke"

"Hi Peter" came the shy voice on the other end

"Sara?" he asked recognizing the voice

"Yeah… is this a bad time?" she asked unsure

"No, of course not, how are you holding up?" asked Peter gently and smacked his head for not checking up on her sooner; she must be pretty shaken after the Rebecca ordeal. Neal had been very hermetic about everything, Peter knew they had spoken but Neal didn't wanna comment on it and Peter respected his private life, he had learned his lesson well.

"I'm fine…" she said and Peter didn't believe one single letter of it but he let her continue "I, um, I need to talk to you"

"Of course, Sara. Let me just close the door here and…" he started but was cut off

"No, in person I mean. Can you talk this afternoon?" she said and then added "I'm in New York"

Peter raised his eyebrows in surprise "Oh? I thought you had gone straight back to London after, well, after everything"

"No, I promised Neal we would talk… he didn't tell you?" she said incredulous

"No, he didn't" stated Peter not knowing what else to say "But, um, sure we can talk. Tell me a place and time"

"Warwick Hotel, six pm?" she suggested

"I'll be there" answered Peter and then added "Sara, is everything alright?"

Peter heard her sigh and then "No, it's Neal…"

"What's wrong with him?" asked Peter fearing the worst

"I better tell you in person. See you later, Peter, thank you and please don't tell him I'm here… I need to talk to you first" she said with determination

TBC

Should I keep going? :)