The Envelope and Misunderstanding

When Neal walked into the office and saw the yellow envelope lying on his desk, he sensed everything was about to change, but had no idea how or to what extent.

Picking it up and flipping it around with the ends twirling on his fingers, he watched the black text spin while he contemplated what it might contain. Stopping it after a few rounds, he had the weight of it. There was nothing but papers inside.

Reading the text for who it was from caused his heart to stop.

"Neal. Hey, Neal?" Jones waved his hand in front of Neal's face. "Did June forget the Italian roast this morning?" He smiled teasingly at his friend.

"Huh?" Neal snapped out of his reverie as his heart switched into double time.

"What's wrong?" Diana had been observing their interaction and chose the moment to approach.

"Nothing…" He tossed the letter onto his desk and tried to act nonchalant by placing a smooth mask on his face. "I zoned out and Jones startled me."

"You zoning out isn't exactly normal, what's going on." Diana stood loosely with her files by her side but pressed with a serious expression.

"Like I said, nothing. I got some mail and was thinking about the contents." Indicating the letter, he continued to look relaxed.

Deciding to give way, the two agents stopped pushing the subject even though they sensed more to the situation than he was letting on to.

"Okay, well, when you get the chance, I have a case file for you to look over," Jones mentioned his original intent for conversation as he started turning towards his own work.

"Sure, just drop it on my desk when you're ready." Neal assented.

Jones agreed before stepping away with Diana. They both watched as Neal shifted to sitting on his desk and staring at the envelope as it lay innocuously amongst his papers. Still, there was something about it affecting him, but they couldn't understand why.

Eventually, he moved around to sit in his seat and actually opened the envelope. They watched his face as he read through the documents, his face froze, he appeared to read something again, stared at it awhile, and then he glanced up toward Peter's office with an expression they didn't understand.

Then a commotion above them sounded as Peter hurried from Hughes' office with a distinct air of importance. He had been there since before they entered the office, so something was going on with him too.

Continuing to watch, the two agents saw Neal move to meet Peter. Perhaps things were going to merge?

Neal knocked cautiously on Peter's door before entering the office to see a similar yellow envelope laid amongst his papers. "Does your envelope contain the same information mine did?"

Looking at him questioningly, Peter had no idea what he was talking about. "What envelope?"

"That's a no to having read it then." Pointing at the object of their conversation, Neal indicated the item in question. "I got one too, so I think that's the other half of what I got."

"Oh, anything good?" Peter wondered while he packed things up and closed his desk down for the day.

"Depends on your perspective…" Neal didn't give a particular answer as he didn't want to bias Peter.

"Really? Why is that?" Although Peter was curious as he paused to study him, he seemed rather distracted by whatever had him rushing about and couldn't see past Neal's mask.

"You'll have to determine for yourself what you think of it when you read it." He redirected the conversation to get away from the nerve-wracking reveal. "In a hurry?"

Giving up for the moment and nodding, Peter slipped the envelope in with the rest of the papers. Neal's comments had him rather curious. "I'm being temporarily reassigned to a special task force with another agency."

"Anything interesting?" Neal tried for further distraction.

"Beats me." Peter shrugged while he continued packing his things away. "It's above my clearance and some kind of need to know. However, some big agent in the agency highly recommended me and I'm being brought in for some reason. The agents will fill me in when I arrive."

"Sounds interesting. Do you know how long you'll be gone?" Prodding into Peter's assignment was better than facing his own circumstances.

Grunting, Peter agreed on interesting. "No, like everything else, that isn't specified."

With his things packed, he turned to his friend. "We'll talk more about whatever is in that envelope later, but right now I have to get going in order to make my meeting."

Staying behind, Neal watched him go wondering what his reaction would be when he did read the envelope contents.

Standing below, Jones and Diana glanced at each other. Something was definitely going on in the office, but where it would end was unknown.

Driving to the meeting, Peter couldn't help but glance at the case containing the envelope. He was extremely curious, but he had a job to do.

When he arrived, a large man and a blonde woman, who reminded him of Diana, showed him to the conference room where they took their seats to the side of the table.

Sitting in an unfamiliar government office building, Peter listened as a short red headed general filled him in on the operation. With a gesture towards the curly haired kid lounging in the chair next to him, she explained his role in the operation. "Chuck here is our best asset, so he will be accompanying you into the field as your criminal younger brother."

As she continued to describe the details, Peter got an uncomfortable feeling in his gut. Something bad was going to happen as a result of her mission description. Continuing to sense it as he moved into the field with the young man, he wondered what was going to happen.

Working the case, he wasn't surprised when the situation went south and he had to say everything horribly imaginable about his 'criminal younger brother.'

When the situation was over, Peter, the young curly-haired man, and the team all retired to another location. The team went to work on evaluating the information and Peter was able to settle into a corner where he pulled out the envelope.

Opening it up, he wasn't upset to find Chuck taking a seat next to him.

"Don't mind me, I was just sent out here to take a break." He smiled pleasantly while sipping on a soda.

"You mean you're my babysitter while they do whatever." Peter's smirk was matched by the younger man who shrugged.

Shaking his head, Peter read the forms, read them again, stared for a while, and then smiled as he lowered the papers to his lap.

"Good news?" Chuck continued to glance curiously from his seat.

"Yeah… very good news." His smile grew as he adjusted to the information. "The investigation into my past has discovered a kid brother… my CI in fact."

Surprised, Chuck lowered his drink and stared curiously. "Is that a good thing? You said some pretty nasty stuff about criminal younger brothers back there."

Thinking for a few moments, Peter relaxed even further. "Yeah, it's a very good thing. He's already like a brother and often acts like extended family, this just makes it official. I only hope he never hears the things I said back there, they were only intended to help us through, not things I really mean."

"Then I'm glad for you. As your honorary little brother for the day, I think he is lucky to have you." Chuck tipped his soda can towards him.

"I hope he feels the same." Peter thought back to his conversation with Neal at the office. "He said it could be good news, depending on perspective…"

"Maybe he was just dealing with the shock effect?" Chuck tried to encourage. He was leaning forward in his chair with his elbows on his knees. It was an interested and concerned posture but still relaxed.

"Possible." Peter felt his happiness even back out. What if Neal was just nervous about his reaction? Then they could talk it over and move on as brothers. But, what if he really wasn't happy, and had only been curious what the results of the reveal would be? If he didn't want to be brothers, was more worried about his deal with the FBI than interested in family, then what?

"You look like you're worried now. Do you really think he will have a problem?" Using probing questions, Chuck seemed interested in helping Peter work through his situation.

"Neal… he is a brilliant con artist, talented criminal, and an amazing artist. He has many skills and a zest for life. But, he isn't open to discussing his past, doesn't allow anyone too close, and seems to be living life like an adventurer with no serious thought about his future. What if he sees me as an anchor or a threat? Being family makes me more invested in his choices and more inclined to steer him away from his criminal endeavors. We usually get along great as working partners and friends… maybe being brothers is asking too much of him." He threw his thoughts out there. For some reason, the young man made him comfortable and had him leaning forward in a mirror posture sharing his theories.

Talking him through his fears and doubts, Chuck helped him see the situation in a happier light, without raising his hopes too high for fear the con wasn't interested in family. After all, he didn't know the consultant turned brother, so how was he to know how the man would react?

Having spent half their day working on the file with Neal, Jones and Diana had been able to watch him closely. Most of it had been fairly normal to a day with the consultant, but they knew the man well enough to know something was wrong, despite his insistence of the contrary.

First, Neal had received an envelope which unnerved him. It wasn't FBI, but it had an official appearance. Likely it was something personal, but Peter had received one exactly like it, which deepened the mystery.

Second, they had spent the afternoon busy working with a bust, but afterward, Neal stepped away and seemed to be checking his voicemail. When he came back, the 'all is well' façade was even thicker in an effort to cover his pale complexion and trembling hands. Nothing they tried got him to budge.

Third and finally for the day, they watched Peter stop by briefly for a special visit to Neal's desk. Observing the interaction, he seemed to attempt persuading Neal to join him for something. Knowing their usual routine, it was likely dinner and a private conversation about the envelope's contents. However, Neal refused and made polite excuses to avoid being around his friend. When Peter was forced to leave, he looked hurt and upset as he walked away. Behind him, Neal looked relieved and hurt.

Exchanging glances, Jones and Diana still had no idea what was wrong, but they feared what it would do to their favorite teammates.

Over the following weeks, the rest of the team became aware of the problem. It was obvious to everyone that Neal was upset and hiding his hurt, while Peter continued to invite Neal for conversations when he could. Neal refused every time and his excuses were getting weaker while Peter looked more upset.

Eventually, Neal didn't have a viable excuse and Peter insisted. His parents were in town, and he wanted Neal to meet them.

Leaving the office, both had apprehensive expressions on their faces, but Peter had the strength of determination. He was going to talk to Neal regardless of the results.

Arriving home, Peter guided Neal into the main room and introduced him to his parents. Before he could do anything about the awkward tension, his phone went off. Forced to answer it, he excused himself. "I'm sorry, this is the team I've been working with."

While Peter was out back on the patio taking the call, Neal tried to make pleasant conversation with the Burkes.

Interrupting, Mr. Burke got straight to his point. "I don't like you, and I don't want you around my boy. Elizabeth has been telling us stories of you and how you've endangered Peter's work with your criminal activities. He is a good agent and our son, so we're very proud of him." The glare and aggressive posture accompanying the statements further showed his displeasure.

"If you can't behave, then at least make sure you don't take our boy down with you." Mrs. Burke added her own remark from beside her husband. She looked firm and showed no inclination toward welcoming their son's brother into the family.

Choosing to retreat to the familiar kitchen, Neal knew Elizabeth wasn't thrilled with the reveal either, but at least he had a hope of being more accepted. He was wrong. Although Elizabeth permitted him to assist in the meal preparations, she took advantage of Peter's absence to make her own speech. "I know you think highly of Peter, and might feel closer to him now that you're brothers, but please keep your distance. He is my husband, and I need him here, not fighting for his career or chasing you around the world again."

Feeling completely rejected and miserably uncomfortable, Neal was also a master of deception. Using his skills, he kept his pleasant facades, didn't allow Peter alone time to talk, and left as soon as was socially acceptable with the excuse of not interrupting their family party. He refused to be included in the said party when Peter tried and made sure the specification was about the Burkes only.

When Neal was gone, Peter looked hurt and miserable. He felt rejected by the only blood family he had ever known. Seeking refuge, Peter returned to Elizabeth's arms for consolation. "Why is he rejecting me? Before we were brothers, he seemed to look up to me and think a lot about me. What happened?"

Hurting to see Peter upset, but more interested in protecting him, the others tried to comfort him without revealing their rejections and requests of Neal.

Returning to the office the next day, Peter found himself back to the old game of evasion. Neal continued to do everything possible to avoid him, and Peter slowly withdrew in acceptance.

Things changed to a silent dance of hurt. Neal evaded Peter and manned his desk below while doing his work. When Peter was in the office, he sat at his desk above overlooking his little brother while he tried to understand what had gone wrong. Their worlds separated while the team in their own turn watched the dance with no idea what the cause was or how it would proceed.

Cornering Neal, Jones and Diana made another ditch attempt to discover what was wrong.

"Like I said before, nothing." Neal kept a frozen mask on his face.

"You hiding your hurt and Peter moping around up in his office isn't nothing. We know something is wrong and it started with you getting that envelope. Did you do something?" Everything traced back to Neal and his mysterious yellow envelope, so it was a logical conclusion to blame him.

Looking like he had been slapped, Neal flinched away from them. "No. I didn't do anything." Then he pushed past them.

The only change they had managed to cause was Neal avoiding them as well. He was a master at closing himself off from the entire office despite keeping his pleasant masks, being forced to work with all of them in some means, and residing in the desk nearest the door being past every time someone entered or exited.

Even Hughes had taken notice of the situation and had confronted Peter about it. After their conversation, he spent a lot of time on the phone, and had a closed-door meeting with Neal, but never told the rest of the office what was going on.

Thank you, everyone, for reading, following and choosing to favorite my stories and me, reviewing, and leaving kudos :D

Although it wasn't popular, there were a few who enjoyed playing cryptographers with me last week :D Although this isn't going to be a regular thing, I might do an occasional cipher if the plot fits and inspiration strikes.