A/N Thanks for your reviews and support.

gabelou1991: thanks for your review, my friend. ^_^

Neal's POV

The next morning he woke to Matt making breakfast. It was a simple meal of eggs, bacon, and toast. Given how little he had eaten in the last few days it settled his stomach.

To be fair the familiarity of when he was on the run from the police settled his anxiety. There was no telling how much Peter had figured out on his own about his past. Given the fact that Bruce appeared back in his life, he was sure his handler was figured out more than he ever hoped for. Putting a life behind him was not as easy as people thought. The past rarely stayed where it belonged after all.

Once they had eaten Matt changed his bandages ignoring the argument he tried to give. Then he was left to change into a clean white button-down shirt, black slacks, and an undamaged jacket. To his amusement Matt found the extra pair of clothes from the few times he forgot his clothes at the apartment.

Between Neal and June, they made sure there were two pairs of clothes for everyone who visited on a regular basis. Even Peter had clothes in the closet for when he stayed overnight. It wasnt as common as it had been a year ago. Still, on occasion, he stayed over if Elizabeth was gone.

From there they left to make their way towards the FBI office. Outside of the FBI office, they were met by Casey. For a long moment, Casey and Neal just stared at each.

Casey grunted finally, "Good work, Larkin. Orion has already decided to disappear back to wherever he was caught at."

Neal's head cocked to the side his eyes carefully monitoring the other's facial expressions. It seemed though the older man was sincere. That was surprising. Despite their differences, they did work well together when they weren't trying to kill each other.

In response, he held out his hand and said, "Despite our differences Casey I know you'd have my back when it came down to it. Thank you for everything."

Casey gave him a distrustful look for a long moment. To his and Matt's surprise Casey then shook his hand as he said, "Try not to get shot again, Larkin. Now let's go meet with your FBI agent. I'm tired of you being my responsibility."

"I was never your responsibility, Casey," quipped back Neal with a small smile.

"No, you were mine," grumbled Matt good-naturedly.

Neal shot him an amused smile as he followed Casey inside. Matt would no doubt return to his apartment. There was paperwork to be done leftover from yesterday.

The two men took the elevator up to the White Collar floor. When they arrived agents were milling about. Neal could see Peter hunched over his desk worrying about something. To get to his handler though he would have to go upstairs. He gave a quick glance to his leg. Yeah, that wasnt happening. It was barely holding his weight as it was. If he tried to go up the stairs it would most certainly give out.

Casey did not allow him to stop for long as he grabbed Neal's bicep. To the younger's surprise, he took a good portion of his weight to keep his knee from giving out. It was only when they reached the top that Casey let go. Neal gave him a grateful nod and Casey simply raised his chin in acknowledgment.

Then they moved closer to Peter's office and knocked on the door. The brown-haired man looked up with an annoying light that faded into relief. Neal gave him a fake easy-going smile as he was pushed inside the office.

Casey growled, "Here is Caffery. Returned safe and sound. He is your problem now."

Neal gave the older man an innocent smile that fooled no one. All he received in return was a half-hearted growl as the man left. There was no pleasing Casey even when the mission was complete.

Peter questioned mildly amused as the other left, "What did you do to him, Neal?"

"You wouldn't believe it if I told you," Neal replied with a smile.

Peter frowned but Neal wasnt willing to go into more details. After a few moments, his friend sighed before rummaging in his desk. Then out came the ankle chafing tracking anklet. He could not wait for his commutation. If he was allowed to be free of his anklet he would likely stay with the FBI for a time. There was a good chance he would do traveling after he built up some cash but for a time he would stay in New York.

Peter said with a knowing look, "Time to put this back on until they decide about your commutation. While you were gone they decided to continue their discussions."

Well, that was something at least. It likely had to do with the insanity of yesterday. The insanity that pulled him back into the world he wished to stay out of.

After a brief moment, he realized Peter was waiting for his ankle. Internally Neal flinched at the thought of getting his leg up on the desk like he usually would. Externally he was stoic as he tried and failed to get his foot up. Almost to the point of overbalancing and falling.

He was just barely able to catch himself on the chair beside the desk. When he looked up he realized Peter had moved. A hand on his shoulder should not have surprised him the way it did. A heavy flinch went through him unabated.

Blue eyes looked up to see Peter's green eyes clouded with worry staring at him. The anklet still in his hand but only very loosely.

Peter questioned carefully examining his face, "Neal are you injured? What happened while you were gone?"

Neal said as he moved so that he was sitting in the chair, "There was a... situation that required immediate attention. There were two hostages one I've known for a long time. He was badly injured but alive when we arrived. I may have jumped the gun and entered the fight before it was safe. As such, I was injured for my trouble but it's nothing that won't heal."

Peter's eyes narrowed glancing back at his leg. Neal sighed and said, "My leg and upper arm. They have been stitched and bandaged appropriately. No permanent damage was done."

Peter sighed then bent to put the anklet on him. As he stood the man asked not dancing around the other elephant in the room, "Neal what is your relationship to Bruce Wayne?"