My Big Brother

Part 30

'The Cop and the Con' Series

AN: This is another of those 'how we met' stories. I had NO idea I had not written on this series in the year 2017. I am so sorry guys. I love this story, and I have no idea how I could have neglected it. I know many of you love it, too. But, I didn't get why you were so emphatic that I continue, now I know. Again, I am so, so sorry. Back to business-I just love those 'first meeting' stories. So, I decided to write another story where Peter met Tony. I am also going to make it where Diana and Tony know one another from D.C. I have a cute scene playing out in my head that makes this necessary. I hope you enjoy, JL.

PLEASE READ A.N. FIRST. Otherwise, this story will make no sense.

Tony knocked on the huge front door of the mansion. He was still getting over how massive and beautiful it was when the door was opened, by Carlotta, June's maid.

"Hola, Senor." Carlotta said.

Tony was speechless for just a second. He saw a little into the house's living room and took in the fine furnishings and the grand piano in the corner. He also saw the very elegantly dressed older lady, walking towards him.

"Hola. I'm here to see Neal, Neal Caffrey." Tony stated.

June had reached the door by this time. She dismissed Carlotta with a 'thank you'. She then addressed Tony. "You're looking for Neal Caffrey?" She asked to make sure she had heard him correctly.

Tony nodded. "Yes Ma'am."

"And who would you be?" June asked. She had not had Neal in her home that long. But she had grown rather protective of him.

"I am Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, Tony, with NCIS. It…." Tony said.

"What would the Navy want with Neal?" June asked.

"Neal's not in trouble, Ju…Mrs. Ellington." Tony started, smiling. He was not sure what it was about this lady. But he liked her.

June looked at the tall handsome man. He had a very disarming smile and beautiful green eyes. She was a little taken aback that the handsome stranger knew her name. But, if he knew Neal, it would make sense that Neal would have told him. "What is it that you want with Neal?" She was not going to let him see Neal until she knew he meant her houseguest no harm.

Tony's smile only got wider. "Neal told me that you were very protective of him. I had no idea…."

"He's…he's got a good heart. And I like having a man around the house." June admitted. She then stepped aside and invited him in. She showed him to the couch and they both sat before June spoke again.

"How did you two meet?" June asked.

"…military school in Rhode Island." Tony stated. "I was 13, and Neal was 12."

June was very impressed. She didn't know much of Neal's past, and everything he had told her had happened after he turned 18 years of age. "I had no idea. But, I've heard him say he didn't like guns."

Tony nodded. "He knows how to use a gun. But he would rather talk his way out of things. He's very good at that." He conceded. He then paused before he asked. "Well, did I pass the test?"

June smiled and nodded. "I think I like you." She admitted. "I'll let Neal know you're here."

June pressed the intercom button for his apartment and then announced that he had a visitor. She then told Tony to go on up.

Neal was happy to see his visitor. And Tony was glad to have taken the time off to get to see his friend. Tony and Neal hugged one another tightly, then Tony stepped back. "You were right. June is very, very protective of you. I had to tell her who I was, and I had to reassure her that you were not in any kind of trouble. Then we talked for a few more minutes until she was comfortable."

Neal was smiling and Tony was confused. "What's going on?"

Neal chuckled. "I'm just not sure how I'm going to explain this to Peter."

"Peter doesn't know that you have special agent friends?" Tony asked, already knowing the answer.

Neal just shook his head.

"Yeah." Tony said smiling. "That could be interesting. We could walk in with me pretending like I was arresting you." The agent paused. "I could tell him that I came to town looking for somebody matching your description…."

Neal shook his head. "Won't work." He pulled up his pants leg and showed Tony the anklet.

"Right. Yeah. I forgot about that."

"You could just walk into the office with me. That alone will get people talking."

Tony shook his head. "Too easy."

Tony and Neal took seats in Neal's living room. As the conman told him about some of the agents he worked with, Tony thought he recognized a name. It had been a case a few years back that their paths had crossed. But, the agent had made a definite impression on him.

Tony didn't say anything immediately. "I have another way."

Neal waited. "And…?"

Tony shook his head and slowly and carefully sipped his wine.

"Come on."

Tony sipped, then paused. "Nope."

"Tell me!"

"Uh, uh." Tony got up and went out into the veranda. Neal followed.

"What is it?" Neal pleaded. This was killing him. He felt like he was being played, and he didn't like it. "Come on. You know somebody in the New York office, right? That's it, right? Is it White Collar? Do you know someone in White Collar?"

Tony had his poker face on. He was giving no clues.

Neal looked at Tony. He knew the agent. And he knew Tony had secrets. Lots and lots of secrets. Since coming to know Peter Burke the conman had not known how many secrets feds had to know and keep to do their jobs well. It seemed to be a dump truck load.

Neal's…profession, no, strike that…former profession required him to keep secrets also. And he considered himself a pro at it. But, it really irked him that Tony knew something about someone in his White Collar office that he didn't.

Tony finished his wine. Then he stood and stretched. "Well, I'll see you in the morning." Tony said. "We'll finish this tomorrow."

"Finish? We never started. You haven't told me anything!" Neal stood just as Tony did.

Tony shook his head and grabbed his jacket. He shrugged it back on. "It's gonna take time to get back across town." Tony said, looking at his watch. "I need to make some calls, shower…."

"You can stay here."

Tony looked around. "Where, Neal? You said that this was a one-bedroom apartment."

"June has spare bedrooms on the second floor."

Tony's mouth opened and closed a time or two. "What? Neal, I can't…. She doesn't know me.:

Neal grinned. "Oh, but she likes you. Trust me. Or you would have never made it up here."

TBC