A/N So I've been reading and writing fanfiction for quite a while but I haven't had the courage to publish one until now. Reviews and constructive criticism are appreciated. Oh and I haven't seen every episode of Chuck but I know the basic storyline. The whole Bryce/Neal thing always intrigued me. Also, I'm thinking of leaving this as a one-shot unless you guys want to read more. Thanks!

They were working a case with the CIA. Uh oh, thought Neal. This was a situation that he probably wouldn't be able to manipulate, even if he used all the Caffrey charm in the world, because the people who taught him were the ones coming to the FBI.

It all started a week ago, when Peter accidentally stumbled upon a file, a file which seemed innocent on the outside (well, as innocent as a file on the mafia can be) but contained huge amounts of classified information which infuriated Peter. It was directly linked to one of the real estate fraud cases they were working on and Neal completely understood Peter's impatience with the higher ups. However when they were told that it was CIA classified information, Neal started getting worried. All these years he was able to slip into the skin of Neal Caffrey successfully. If the CIA came in, it would ruin everything. Bryce Larkin was dead, and he intended to keep it that way. If the CIA officials didn't recognize him, all would be well. But his hopes were dashed as soon as he found out who the agency was sending in to work with them-Chuck Bartowski.

So on Wednesday morning when the FBI was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the CIA agent, Neal was prepping himself. All hell was going to break loose and he had no intention of letting the situation get any more out of hand than it already was.

This is it, he thought to himself. He'd have to come clean to Peter. He could explain it all. After all, it was nothing illegal.

After he had died (again), the director of the CIA wanted to place him somewhere else, where The Ring operatives couldn't come after him. He had vital information regarding the operation and they wanted him out of harm's way. It was decided that a whole new persona would be created for him, so that Bryce Larkin could be safely presumed dead.. He would be a renowned art thief, forger and con man. After months of getting to know the new him, he was ready. Neal Caffrey was ready to face the world.

The director kept in contact of course. Once in a while he'd receive mysterious postcards and Neal knew it was a way of letting him know that the CIA was watching out for him. He also helped them out whenever they required assistance regarding the ring. He had spent so much time running from them that he could predict their moves pretty easily. However when he told the director of his predicament, all he got in response was it's time.

It's time for what? To come out of hiding? To declare to the world that Bryce Larkin had been alive all these years? How would he explain this to everyone? To the FBI? To his old friends back at the CIA? He prayed that they would listen to him.

Yes. Peter would listen. He would understand. Neal was sure of it.

And then Chuck walked in. He looked more mature, as if he'd seen what was out there. Neal was saddened by that thought, as he sat contemplating in Peter's office. All he did was try to keep Chuck out of this life, and here he was, smack in the middle of it. He looked unsure of where to go, with the eyes of all the agents on him. Peter took the initiative

"Hello Agent Bartowski. I'm Agent Peter Burke and this is my team. We're glad to have you here," he said, holding out his hand.

"Please, call me Chuck," he replied, shaking Peter's hand.

"Chuck. Call me Peter. This is my team, Agent Diana Berrigan and Clinton Jones."

"Nice to meet you all," said Chuck with a smile, "I'm sure it'll be fun working with you all."

"Let's go to my office, shall we? Rest of you back to work."

Neal watched Jones, Diana, Peter and Chuck approach the office. He quickly sat down in his seat, his heart hammering. After all these years, he was going to see his best friend again. A wave of nostalgia hit him as he flashed back to his Stanford days.

"Oh and this is my CI, Neal Caffrey," said Peter as they entered the office.

"Hey Chuck," said Neal with a strained smile.

Chuck stopped dead in his tracks as he looked at Neal with utter disbelief.

"Oh my god, Bryce. You're alive!"