Chapter Ten: Big Brother

Elizabeth was standing in the living room watching the two men. She saw past the surface of the moment; she saw the emotions exchanged.

Her husband had a tough, hard exterior. He held all those that attempted to get close to him at bay, all those except for a select few. She was one of the few that managed to penetrate that shell. Peter did not even have any friends, not close friends at least. She told herself he built the wall around him as a protection, due to all the bad he had seen in his line of work. He saw violence like any other man of the law, but in the White Collar division, he saw so much more, betrayal, lies, deceit. And he saw these things from those that could pass to anyone as an upstanding individual, even likeable, like Neal. So she understood why he struggled so hard to trust Neal. But in those few moments she saw something amazing—she saw her husband drop his steel barrier, she saw him accept someone in wholeheartedly. Not just anyone, but a con man. She marveled at how strong blood ties could be, the invisible bond between brothers. Capable of overpowering the differences between an FBI agent and a criminal. She felt her eyes begin to flood with tears.

She also saw changes in the notorious art thief and forger, in that very moment. She had come to know him well over the past few years. She remembered a time when her husband was tracking the elusive con man. The late nights that actually made her jealous of the man her husband sought. She had often felt he was an obstacle she had to battle against on a daily basis in their marriage, that is until she finally met him. She remembered looking into his eyes for the first time, and for a split second her first thought was, You poor thing. You seem so lost. Now here she stood, watching the two in this warm embrace. She was not looking at the Con Man and the FBI Agent. She was looking at Neal and Peter, brothers, family. She smiled as the thought; this moment was something that should be remembered for the rest of their lives. She quickly grabbed her camera that was sitting on the edge of the bookcase just beside her. She aimed the camera and snapped a photo of them hugging. Peter's face was hidden from the camera, but Neal's face was captured in the photograph; it perfectly reflected the emotional interchange.

They never noticed her taking the picture. She walked up to them; her eyes sparkled as the light reflected off of the tears that had yet to fall. Her smile was soft; it was a smile Neal had not seen on her before, but Peter had. "Welcome to the family, Neal."

Neal stepped back and chuckled under his breath as he wiped the tears from his face with the back of his hand. "Thanks."

"So I guess this makes you my brother-in-law." She was smiling at him, love filled her eyes.

"Guess so."

Peter smiled he turned away from the two of them and tried to hide the fact that he was wiping away his own tears. He was a Special Agent; he was not supposed to do this, to cry.

Neal and Elizabeth knew what he was doing however. They both kept quiet. They let him hold onto his tough guy image; he needed it, it kept him grounded.

"So you need to sit back down; you are suppose to be resting, remember? Doctors orders." El pointed her finger at Neal then pointed to the couch.

Neal smiled as he closed the front door and walked back to the couch. Peter followed him to the living room and eased down into the chair across from the couch. Neal slowly sat down; he winced in pain as he felt his ribs burn with the movement.

Peter leaned forward rapidly about to get up to catch Neal if he fell. "You okay, bud?"

Neal held out a hand and motioned for Peter to sit back down. "I'm fine, just sore." Once he was settled on the couch he looked over at Peter, who was intently staring at him with a frown of concern. "So what is the deal with calling me Bud? This some sort of right of passage?"

Peter laughed and leaned back in the chair. "Yeah, I guess it is."

Elizabeth was standing beside Peter now; she put her hand on Peter's shoulder. "You two need to bond. I'm going to make some hot chocolate." She winked at Neal and turned to head for the kitchen.

Neal's eyes watched her as she left, then he looked at Peter and his eyebrows raised. "Bond? Is that what we are doing?"

"I guess so."

Neal smiled then looked over at the picture of Peter in his graduation cap and gown, standing with his parents on that happy day. He reached out and picked the picture up and pulled it in front of him. He just stared at if for a few seconds, his eyes never left it as he asked, "Peter, is this going to change things?"

Peter watched as Neal stared at the photograph; he wondered what Neal was thinking about. "No, legally we're not related. So there's no reason we have to inform the FBI of this. I'll be able to remain your handler; I don't see a problem with that."

Neal sat the picture down on the coffee table in front of him. "That's not what I mean. I mean is this going to change things between us?"

Peter reached out and took the picture from the coffee table. He now looked down at it as he held it in his hands. "I hope it does. I hope it makes us closer. I hope it makes us more open with each other. And I hope it brings you around more often." Peter now looked up at Neal as he smiled.

Neal's eyes sparkled; his smile started from his eyes, which was how Peter knew it was a genuine smile. "You know what this means right?"

"What does it mean?"

"I should get immunity to a certain degree for being your brother."

Peter laughed and tilted his head as he arched his eyebrow. "We'll see about that. But it does mean something else."

"What's that?"

"I get the right to meddle in your personal life now."

Neal now laughed and tilted his head back. "We'll see about that."

Peter sat the picture back down on the coffee table. He turned it so that Neal could see it, then he pointed at the picture. "I want you to meet my parents."

Neal's eyes grew wide. "Okay, now you're moving a little fast for me. I think we should take this relationship slow." Neal's charming smile returned.

"Relax, Neal, I don't mean go tonight. I just want you to meet them sometime in the future. I just want you to know that."

"What about Jones and Diana? Do they know?" Neal had a more serious expression. He knew Diana had been working with Peter on searching for his brother.

"No, I haven't told them."

"Are you planning on telling them?"

Peter looked at Neal; he had a gentle expression, with a soft kind smile. "I figured I would let you make that call."

Neal looked around the room at the different pictures that surrounded them, pictures of Peter's family, pictures of El's family. "I don't think I want to tell them. At least not yet."

Peter pressed his lips together, "Okay, I can respect that. We'll carry on as normal at the office then." His eyes trailed down to Satchmo laying on the floor. "What about Mozzie? You going to tell him?"

Neal's eyes spread and he smiled, amused at the thought. "Mozz? This news just might force him into a nervous breakdown. But yeah. I'm going to tell him."

Peter smiled.

Neal smiled.

Silence filled the room.

Elizabeth entered the room carrying two mugs filled with hot chocolate. She set them down on the coffee table in front of each of them. She smiled. "So, how is the bonding going?"

Neal laughed. "We're working on it."

Peter smiled, then he looked over at Neal. "What was the name of that kid that used to beat you up in elementary school? I may pay him a little visit."

Neal began to laugh. "Yeah, I am sure you will. Hey, at least I am not as annoying as your friend's little brother."

"No, you're worse."

"Ouch, that hurt."

"Yeah, well you're supposed to be annoying. After all that is what little brothers are for."

Suddenly Peter's phone rang. He pulled it from his jacket pocket and looked at the screen. It was Diana. "I have to take this." Peter stood and left the room, walking into the kitchen.

"Di, what's up?"

"The guy we picked up at the jewelry store today, his name is Scott Collins, and he's talking."

"What's he saying?"

"He said Matthew Keller was the man running the show. He organized everything. Peter, he says the necklaces were just a ploy, he was trying to draw Neal out. Peter, he's after Neal."

"The scumbag. What does he want with Neal?"

"Collins thinks he needs Neal's help for a bigger heist."

"He's trying to bait Neal."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Let's look into this Carson guy. He's working for Keller; maybe we can find something through him."

"How is Neal?"

"He's had better days, but he's fine."

"Peter, I'm sorry, this was my fault."

"This wasn't your fault."

"I should have never left Neal. I know he has a bad habit of heading into trouble. If I had just stayed there, this wouldn't have happened."

"Diana, you did your job. You're a good agent. You're not to blame here."

"I felt so helpless listening…." Her voice trailed off.

"I know. But it turned out okay this time."

"Tell Neal I'm sorry."

"Tell him yourself. He'll be in tomorrow."

"I thought he would take some time off to rest."

"He can if he wants, but I know Neal. He'll want to be involved in the hunt for Keller. And frankly, we need his help. No one knows Keller better than Neal."

"Okay, I'll see you in the morning then."

"You did good work today, Diana. See you tomorrow."

"Thanks, Boss."

Peter ended the phone call and walked back into the living room. He looked at Neal. "Keller used these necklaces to bait you, Neal. He wasn't after them, he was after you. And we took the bait."

Neal had been talking with Elizabeth; he slowly turned his eyes to Peter and his smile left his face. "He told me this wasn't over. What is he after?"

"The guy we arrested today says he thinks Keller is after you for a bigger heist."

"Why?"

"I don't know, but that's what you have to find out. Diana is going to looking into this Carson guy that is working with Keller. That's the best lead we have right now. You can stay home and rest if you need to."

"Are you kidding, I'm not being left out of this one."

"I figured you might say that. But look, if I think you need to get some rest, you won't argue with me about it, got it?"

"Yeah, got it. Look I need to go talk to Mozzie tonight. He needs to know what happened with Keller, and, well, other stuff." Neal smiled as he stood. He began to walk to the door, Peter and El following behind him.

Just before he left, Peter reached out and gently grabbed his arm, turning him around, "Hey, be careful, Neal. We don't know what game Keller is playing right now."

Neal smiled he reached up and patted Peter on the arm. "Don't worry, Peter. I'll see you tomorrow."

Neal arrived home; he had a feeling Mozzie would be there waiting for him. He always was. As he entered the cozy room he saw Mozzie sitting on the sofa, his goblet full of wine in his hand.

"Hey Mozz."

Mozzie sipped his wine. "I take it you were with the Suit again?" He turned and looked at Neal, who was now standing at the edge of the sofa. He almost spilled his wine at the sight of his friend. The black eye, the busted lip, the bruised cheek. He was concerned; he had only seen Neal in this type of condition once before, and that was not a good day. He quickly stood, setting his goblet down on the coffee table. "Neal, what happened?" His words were spoken in shock and his voice was elevated.

Neal smiled at Mozzie. "Keller is back in town."

"Keller? Keller did this? Does the Suit know?" Even though Mozzie disliked Peter or any FBI agent for that matter, he disliked Keller more, and would love to see him rot behind bars.

"Yeah, Peter knows. Keller was the one behind this case we're working. This was some kind of setup. He's trying to get to me."

"Why?"

"I honestly don't know."

"What are you going to do?"

Neal's suave smile returned; he picked up Mozzie's goblet and took a sip of wine. "We're going to catch him." His voice was soft yet filled with poise and confidence.

"I hope you have a plan, Neal. Because I can guarantee you, Keller has one." Mozzie was frowning. He knew what Keller was capable of. He feared for his friend's safety. Matthew Keller seemed to have an unhealthy obsession with proving he was better than Neal Caffrey. He would go to any lengths to be better, even if it mean eliminating Neal from the competition altogether.

Neal eased down onto the sofa and looked up at Mozzie who was still standing; his empty gaze was proof of his lost thoughts.

"I found my brother."

There was nothing, no response from Mozzie.

"MOZZ!" Neal yelled trying to snap his friend out of his trance.

Mozzie jumped and turned to face Neal. "What?"

"I said I found my brother."

Mozzie was now slowly sitting down on the sofa next to Neal. "You did? Where is he? Have you met him?"

"Yeah, I've met him. And he lives here."

"What's he like? He have what it takes to be a con?" Mozzie was now smiling as he thought of the possibility of having access to another Neal Caffrey without an FBI leash or watchdog.

"Does he have what it takes? Yeah, actually I think he would make a good con man." Neal laughed as he thought about how often Peter had actually pulled a con working undercover. He was rather good at it, even if it was working behind a badge. "It's Peter." Neal said it so calmly, softly, Mozzie almost didn't catch it.

"We could teach … what?" Mozzie was now staring at Neal in complete disbelief.

"I said Peter is my brother. Well, half brother at least. Peter was adopted."

"Neal, the Suit? Really? This is terrible."

"Mozz, it's not that terrible."

"Are you serious? Have you completely lost your mind? You can't be related to a Suit. They're evil, they're deceitful, they lie?"

"And a con man doesn't?" Neal raised his eyebrow in defense.

"Neal, that means you're … you're half suit." Mozzie was standing now, pointing his finger and backing away from Neal, almost as if he were contagious.

"I'm not half suit, Mozz. Peter may be my half brother, but I'm still me. Nothing has changed there."

"Prove it." Mozzie pulled a pair of scissors out of the drawer of the end table and shoved them in front of Neal. "Cut it and run."

Neal shoved the scissors away from his face. "I'm not going to cut it, Mozz."

"Aha! See, you have already been corrupted."

"Mozz, come on. You know I have never planned on running. I have a good thing here. And..." Neal paused and looked down at the old photo album still sitting on the coffee table. "And I have a family here now."

"Neal, I don't think you realize the severity of this discovery?"

"Mozz, you tell me. What would you do if you found your parents? What if they were cops? Would you turn your back? Ignore their existence? Mozz, you know what it's like to be without a family, why can't you just be happy for me that I found part of mine?"

Mozzie stared at Neal, his shoulders slumped. His body felt as if it melted back in the sofa. "Family is one of nature's masterpieces. It's painted beautifully, yet few of us acquire it. I guess this is just … hard for me to accept. Peter is a good man." Mozzie smiled.

Neal was shocked; he very rarely ever heard Mozzie call Peter by his name. He was always a Fed, the Suit, the Badge, but never Peter. Neal looked at Mozzie and smiled. "Thanks, Mozz."

Mozzie sighed and his eyes fell to the anklet that hugged Neal's ankle; he smiled. "This really does bring a certain irony to the phrase 'Big Brother is watching'."