Peter reached the park Mrs. Finch had told him about fairly quickly, although he took a few more laps around the block in an attempt to get his thoughts together. As if that would make any difference.

Peter finally gave up on his efforts, parking and climbing out of the car. He took a deep, steadying breath, before heading into the park, praying that Neal was miraculously there. Sure, the FBI agent had wondered about Neal's life, the one he had before the criminal record. But, he never dreamed of this. Maybe a rich kid, robbing simply because he was bored, or a starving art student who got frustrated. But never this.

He walked by the playground towards the valley, squinting against the wind that dusk ushered in. In the sun's waning light, Peter saw the silhouette of his CI. Neal's back was to Peter, so the agent couldn't read his face, but he could tell how tense the man was through his dress shirt. His designer suit jacket had been tossed on the ground carelessly, and that in itself was worrying.

"Danny," Peter said simply.

Neal jumped, something Peter had never seen the eloquent man do. Peter couldn't even find any satisfaction in finally surprising the all-knowing Neal Caffrey.

Neal's shoulders tensed even more, as if that was even possible. Peter thought he might actually snap. "How'd you find out?" Neal ground out without turning around, hands balled into fists.

"Mrs. Finch. Why didn't you tell me?"

Neal let out a humorless laugh. It was a horrible sound. "You're asking me why I lied. That's hilarious."

Peter let some of his frustration out, against his better judgement. "I didn't tell you about Jones in your best interest! That story about your aunt and uncle. That was a lie?"

Neal spun around, eyes flashing. "Yes, Peter, it was. What was I supposed to say when you were getting suspicious? 'Oh, wow, would you look at that! Our latest case is about me! Oh, my parents were killed in a planned hit? It wasn't an accident?' That's a great thing to learn in the middle of the FBI office!"

Peter's face softened. "Neal-"

"No," Neal growled, stalking up closer to Peter, pointing accusatorily. "You don't get to interrupt me. My father only brought me to those art classes to case the place. My biggest passion in life was founded on crime. It figures that this is how I turned out! Add that to your FBI profile. Neal Caffrey: used to be Danny Brooks. Fucked from the start. My father; the bastard. Risking his family for some cash. It's his fault I was an orphan on the streets at fucking fifteen! And to think; he was my idol."

"So, Jones... he never abducted you?" Peter asked softly.

The park was eerily still in the aftermath of Neal's anger. The world was suffocated in silence, barring Neal's fast breaths and a stray bird's caw. After a few moments, Neal broke the trance-like quiet with a short, derisive laugh. "Peter, I met Jones at a New York party about six years ago. We had drinks together."

With that, Neal's shoulders slumped and his head dropped, eyes fixated on the ground. The catharsis of his anger had left him drained, and he seemed to deflate. Peter took the opportunity to shock Neal for the second time that day.

Peter closed the gap between himself and his CI, wrapping him in a tight hug. Neal immediately stiffened and began to push away, but Peter just tightened his grip. "Neal, I'm sorry." Neal let out a deep breath as the words washed over him, and Peter ignored the slight hitch he heard in his friend's breathing. After a few moments, Neal hugged back hesitantly. Peter couldn't help but smirk slightly into his CI's shoulder; Elizabeth would be so proud if she could see him now.

After an indecipherable amount of time, Peter released his grip on his CI. Neal tried to back away, but Peter held his shoulders, forcing the younger man to face him. Neal slowly raised his head to meet Peter's gaze. He had regained his composure, but Peter could still see some traces of an angry, abandoned young boy.

"Neal... what happened?"

Neal sighed, closing his eyes and tilting his head towards the sky for a few moments. He shook gently out of Peter's grip and turned back towards the view of the valley. Peter could almost see the other man rebuilding his walls. It was somehow a disappointment and a relief at the same time. It was refreshing to see the real Caffrey, but also unnerving to witness his raw, unencumbered emotion. "I guess I have to tell you, after how much I just revealed in my little tantrum."

"Neal, it wasn't a tantrum. You just had a lot of pent up emotions."

Neal snorted. "Sure, whatever you say. A conman should have a better grip on his emotions. How did Mrs. Finch tell you? She doesn't know about my new identity, does she?"

"No. She wanted me to remind Danny to call her," Peter reassured him with a slight smile, desperate to relieve some tension.

Thankfully, Neal smiled, although it was much too small and self-deprecating. It still counted. "That's good at least. I don't want her to worry."

"You guys were close, right?"

"Yeah," Neal said, smiling softly at a private memory. His face crumpled slightly, but his pride kicked in before his grief could show any further. "I felt horrible leaving with no explanation. She's a great person."

"Why did you leave?"

Neal took a deep breath. When he spoke, his voice was devoid of emotion in a way only a conman could achieve. "I'd heard other kids talk about it. The system, I mean. They talked about kids they knew who were shuffled around to sixteen different houses in a two year span, or even worse, foster parents who were only in it for the money. I was fifteen. The chances of me being adopted were slim, and no family wants damaged goods."

Peter opened his mouth to argue that Neal wasn't damaged goods, but the con cut him off. "I know, it was stupid. But every teenager thinks they're indestructible. And staring at... the car... I wasn't exactly thinking straight. I was scared. So I ran." A single tear ran down Neal's cheek, though his face remained stoic. It was oddly dignified and undeniably Caffrey.

The agent, of course, didn't mention it. "So you went to the city?"

"I didn't know what else to do. I had seen New York in movies and it looked like a great place. Plus, it was far enough from Missouri that I wouldn't be recognized. So, I used some slight of hand tricks my father taught me to pick wallets; God, now I know why he knew those things. Christ." Neal was silent for a moment. "Anyway, y'know, the rest is history."

The pair stood without talking for a moment, content to simply take in the view and fresh air. Peter was trying to reconfigure everything he had ever known about Neal in his mind. He had never thought he would learn the man's real background. Connecting the image of a scared orphan running to the city and the suave man he chased through Paris was pretty damn hard. It would definitely take some getting used to. It shed some light on the mystery of Neal Caffrey, but Peter still wasn't even close to solving it.

"So, you did know that it was a planned hit?" the agent asked.

"...no. So I think I've held it together pretty well so far, y'know, considering."

"Neal, I'm sorry. I've been such an ass."

Neal smiled slightly. "Aw, Peter, I've been waiting years for you to admit that."

"No, seriously-"

"Yeah, I know. But I think we've had enough heart to heart for about a lifetime. I've never actually ever disclosed that much information at one time. It feels... wrong. Let's try to go back to normal for a little bit. You, the stern FBI agent, and me, the charming, suave, brilliant alleged conman. Normal is good."

Peter smirked. "Wow, make sure you don't sell yourself short."

Neal smiled, but his eyes had a dangerous glint. "You're right. I'm the charming, suave, brilliant alleged conman who's going to bring this son of a bitch down."

oOoOoOo

aaaaand Neal's backstory is finally revealed. I'm nervous about this chapter; balancing Neal's outward reaction with his inclination to hide his emotions is tough, considering the gravity of the situation. I hope everyone is in character! I basically say this every chapter, but I'm sorry about how long this update took. After this month, school should be winding down, so I promise more consistent updates (: all of your feedback is super appreciated too! It gives me motivation :D