NOTE: Hi guys. I couldn't help but check in on the boys one last time. However it also brings me to the fact that I really don't want to stop writing White Collar. (At Heart doesn't really count, heehee). Anyway, I'd like to know what you guys are most interested in. I have the option to go back to Double or Nothing, or go back to Animula (Alternate Universe on my other account Tigeress), or something completely different. Making a sequel to Lab is not high on m list, but I'm somewhat open to the idea if it wasn't a true sequel but rather just in this 'universe'. Let me know in the comments. If you have a crime and/or story line or situation set up you'd like to see me tackle let me know! All of my best stories (Lab included) have started from other people sparking my imagination. Hugs!


Post Script

Letting the warm spray of the shower strike the back of his neck Neal closed his eyes under the soothing warmth. With winter firmly settled over the city it had been hard enough to get out of his cozy bed this morning and now he was finding himself reluctant to leave the hot water. Outside the shower came a low whine that was followed by a gentle yip when the whine was ignored.

"I'm okay." Neal assured Tango.

Tango whined again.

"You're not worried about me, are you? You're complaining that your breakfast is late, aren't you?"

Unwilling to leave his post guarding Neal's shower door but getting hungry Tango just wagged frantically at the mention of breakfast.

"All right, all right." Neal conceded as he turned off the shower. "I'm going to be late if I don't get moving anyway."

Tango jumped to his feet as Neal got out of the shower. He looked up at Neal with an eager expression as he waited for orders.

"Fine, go search."

Thrilled to have a task Tango took his job seriously as he carefully went over every inch of Neal's apartment for any signs of any intruders. Neal smiled at the dog as he dried his unruly hair with a towel. Tango never even let anyone get half way up the stairs without alerting Neal so he had to know that no one was in the apartment, but he still took his job seriously and made triple sure that no one had snuck past his keen senses some how.

Neal was heading into the walk in closet to get dressed when Tango came in with his mission report. Tango laid down to inform Neal that everything was 'all clear'. Neal thanked his partner for the job well down. Getting dressed Neal paused while buttoning up his shirt as he noticed how faded his brand seemed today. He had sworn that it was a much brighter white just the other day. Shrugging he buttoned the shirt up to his throat before slipping a bright blue silk tie and making a snug knot.

Opening a drawer Neal pulled out a set of the sleeves he used to cover the marks around his wrists, unlike his hidden fading brand he couldn't help but feel like the bracelet scars had somehow gotten more pronounced over the past few months. Still self conscious about the signs of restraint he slipped on the skin toned sleeves to hide them before buttoning the cuff of his shirt. Tango watched Neal getting dress patiently but his muscles were bunched up and twitching under his tan fur coat.

"Go get your bowl."

Tango didn't need to be told twice as he leapt up and twist around in one fluid motion before bolting towards the kitchen. Using his nose to open up one of the bottom cabinets Tango carefully pulled out a metal bowl with his teeth and brought it over to a small mat by the fridge. There was a rope tied around the fridge door that Tango tugged on to open it. Neal didn't need Tango's help opening the fridge but the highly intelligent dog needed to feel useful to keep him for getting bored. Neal pulled out one of several glass containers on the bottom shelf and emptied the speciality raw diet into the metal bowl while Tango watched with his tongue hanging out. Neal put the dish in the sink before turning back around to face Tango who was still waiting.

"Okay, have at it."

Diving muzzle first into the dish Tango wolf down the meal with gusto. Neal chuckled and shook his head at the dog's enthusiasm. Tango was done with breakfast in record time but continued to lick the bottom of the bowl until Neal told him to put it back in the cabinet. While Tango cleaned up Neal walked over to the bed and brushed the fur off the sheets before making the bed. As per his training Tango was supposed to sleep in his own bed on the floor near the front door, but Neal had been finding himself having increasingly difficulty with sleeping alone. It hadn't taken long for him to invite the large animal up onto his bed for the night to keep himself from reverting to sleeping on the floor. Tango was quick to adjust to joining Neal on the bed and Neal found he slept better with Tango's warmth pressed against his back so he'd given up on the idea of the dog staying on the floor.

"Speaking of fur…" Neal sighed as he tried to brush the light colored fur off his dark pant leg. "Seriously, Tango you need have more respect for my wardrobe."

Not understanding what Neal was talking about but happy to have Neal talking to him Tango trotted over and rubbed himself against Neal's leg affectionately adding more fur to the fabric in the process. Neal sighed but still reached down and ruffled the soft fur between Tango's ears. Having a dog was a huge adjustment for Neal but he couldn't imagine giving him up.

"Tango, go get dressed."

Bounding over to door Tango crawled into the black vest that had been laying on the floor. He stood up and shook his neck so the vest settled on his shoulders. Neal came over and reached around the dog to clip the strap around his chest. The simple vest had bold white lettering that said 'Working Dog' with a smaller patch that had a 'do not pet' warning on it. Each side also had a small FBI emblem embroidered into it. It had been Peter's idea to have Tango labeled as a Working Dog rather than a Service Dog to help Neal avoid any uncomfortable conversations particular if they were talking with a suspect.

"It's a bit of a con isn't it?" Neal had asked.

"Not really, when he's with you he's working and you work for the FBI now so that means Tango works for the FBI." Peter had explained.

"I'm still not used to working 'for' the FBI as opposed to more working 'with' it." Neal had chuckled only half jokingly.

"I bet you adjust quickly."

Peter had been right and Neal enjoyed the new dynamic he had now that he was truly part of the team as opposed to an outsider. He hadn't thought that his new consulting role would be much different than his last one, but he had been wrong. Peter was giving him far more freedom and leeway on cases than he had ever expected and even more surprisingly Neal had yet to feel the temptation to take advantage of that freedom for any personal gain. Mozzie bemoaned Neal's new law abiding ways now and then but he didn't make any major moves to sabotage Neal's 'sober streak' as he mockingly referred to it.

Tango whimpered once more as he pressed his nose against the door to encourage Neal to get moving. On his way to the Federal Building Tango acted as his body guard. Out in the city Tango had a no nonsense air about him that people respected and he constantly swiveled his ears around to ensure that he had all angles of approach covered. Getting to the office Tango usually relaxed but today he was oddly on high alert. His ears were perked hard enough to cause the tips of them to cross.

"Something wrong?" Neal asked.

Tango wagged his tail to assure Neal that everything was okay but he was still extremely interested in something. He followed Neal up into Peter's office but he was uncharacteristically distracted.

"Good morning, Neal." Peter greeted with a smile that was a little too bright.

"Now I know something up. First Tango, now you." Neal said untrustingly. "What's going on?"

"I was wondering if Tango was getting rusty, but it's clear he's as sharp as ever. As are you."

"You brought some fake money in, didn't you?" Neal chuckled.

"I didn't no, but someone did." Peter's smile turned to one of slight guilt. "How about you see if Tango can find our guest."

"I think he's already on it."

"Best not to keep them waiting then."

Neal eyed Peter suspiciously. Peter had a slight nervous excitement to him that gave Neal the impression that Peter wasn't entirely sure if their guest was welcome or not but that he was clearly hoping that they were. Completely at a loss as to who could have Peter on edge like this Neal looked down at his four legged partner. "Tango, search."

With his dark eyes lighting up Tango ran out of Peter's office pausing only long enough to see if Neal was going to follow him. Walking after the dog Neal followed him as he went directly for the back hall where the interrogation rooms were. Tango put his nose to the carpet and sniffed at the bottom of one of the doors before sitting down and lifting up one paw, which was his signal that he'd found the fake bill and that it was behind the door.

Feeling a knot in his stomach Neal hesitated to open the door. Knowing that Peter wouldn't send off to face someone dangerous alone the sensation in Neal's stomach was more like butterflies than true anxiety but Tango still picked up on his nervous energy. Sniffing the air again Tango wagged violently, whoever was in the room Tango seemed to approve of them already. Reaching out Neal opened the door and his own sense of smell told his subconscious who was in the room as a delicate perfume sparked his memory, but it took his eyes to truly believe it and even then it took a moment to sink in as his heart instinctively skipped a beat at the sight.

"…Sara?"

"Hello, Neal…"