Spoilers: Barely. General plot of season 2.

xxx

Two front-row baseball tickets greeted Peter when he stepped into his office that morning. Not a moment later, a certain, grinning criminal informant joined him.

"Morning, Agent Burke." Those striking blue eyes were trained sharply to Peter.

"Neal... what are these?" He held up the two tickets.

"Well, they appear to be baseball tickets. But I'm sure you knew that."

"Don't tell me you got these on the black market," Peter frowned. "Or forged them."

Neal feigned shock. "Please, Peter, you think so lowly of me! If I was going to forge something it would be a Rembrandt, not a couple of baseball passes."

"Is that an admission of guilt?"

Neal grinned and shrugged. Peter wasn't convinced. He folded his arms and raised an eyebrow to complete his signature "you're-not-fooling-me" look.

"Neal, if this is a bribe, it's not going to work."

"Who said this was a bribe?"

Peter pressed his lips together.

Neal raised his hands defensively, grin never leaving his face. "What? I just think a hard-working agent like you deserves a break once in a while."

"Something's up."

For a split second, Neal's grin wavered. He quickly regained composure.

"Something's up with you if you pass on those tickets." He teased.

"I'm serious, Caffrey. Whatever is going on, I'm going to find out about it. I always do. I already caught you-"

"Twice, yes, you've mentioned it a few times."

The corner of Peter's lip twitched upwards, amused at his CI's annoyance.

Neal leaned forward onto Peter's desk, a hair too close.

"Why don't you sleep on it? See if Elizabeth wants to go." He spoke softly, as if he were sharing a secret.

Peter gulped.

"Sure." He hoped agreeing would get Neal out of his face.

It worked. "Great!" Neal jumped back up again, his smile on full-blast. "Do you need me to get you anything? Coffee?"

"No thanks, you'd probably poison me with it or something." Peter snorted.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"Alright, shoo. I'll let you know what our next case is later." Peter returned to the paperwork on his desk. Minutes passed, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched... he looked up to find Neal leaning against the door frame just... staring at him. His eyes roamed Peter's face and build but quickly snapped to attention once he was caught.

"What are you still doing here? Go on!"

Neal scampered out the door and to his desk without another word.