Chapter 2

AN: This chapter just cracks me up. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Tony smiled as he headed downstairs to the second floor of the mansion. Neal had been right, June had inquired as to Tony's accommodations in the city. Then she offered him a room on the second floor, for the length of his stay. The agent gratefully and quickly accepted the invitation.

"I'll see you in the morning."

Neal nodded. "Your one last chance to come clean."

"Me…come clean?" Tony laughed. "You can wait. He said as he closed the door to Neal's apartment and headed to his second-floor room.

Neal was up. He had showered, shaved and was dressed and straightening his tie when he heard a knock. Then he heard his apartment door open and close.

Tony quietly opened the door and struck his had in. When he saw that it was clear, he came on in. The agent was dressed in his favorite pinstriped suit. The grey suit and the darker grey stripe brought out the green in his eyes. He admired himself in Neal's mirror as he waited for Neal to finish getting ready for work.

Neal reemerged. "Nice suite."

Tony nodded. I have to find places to wear them. I've ruined so many of Grandad's suites wearing them to work. Blood and biologics just don't come out of silk.

Neal nodded, though he grimaced at the mere thought of just which bodily fluids Tony could be talking about.

"Well?" Neal said.

Tony smiled and shook his head. "I promise you. You'll see it. And, you're right. It does involve somebody in your office."

"Who? What…what are you talking about?" The conman asked.

Tony just shook his head again as he and Neal headed out the door.

Neal didn't persist in trying to get information as they headed into the office. They did drop by the coffee house across from the federal building before heading in, however. And before long, they were walking in the doors of the White Collar offices.

Neal was nervous, not for Peter and Tony to meet, they would get along fine. Tony actually had a great deal in common. He was nervous about whatever it was Tony was not telling him. Neal didn't like not knowing what was going to happen.

Neal and Tony came in and Neal showed Tony his desk. The conman then dropped his hat off before he and Tony started towards the stairs to Peter's office.

"Anthony DiNozzo!" Diana said. It took her just a moment to remember who he was. She had bet Tony when he was a detective in Baltimore. Back then he had longer hairs and had a bit of scruff.

"Diana Barragan!" Tony said, smiling.

It was then Diana remember what she had dared Tony all those years ago. She was hoping, praying that he had been too drunk that night. Or even better yet, that he had just forgotten about the dare completely.

Tony stopped in front of her and smiled. He started to go down on one knee. And she could see in his eyes that he remembered. She shook her head and mouthed the word 'No' over and over as she backed away from him.

By the time Tony hit his knee, they had the attention of the entire room. Even some of the agents on the upper tier had come out of their offices to see what was going on.

"I will shoot you." Diana said, without emotion.

Tony reached into his pocket and draw out a small black ring box. "Diana Barragan," He continued as if Diana had not spoken. "Will you do me the honor of being my lesbian wife?"

Everybody gasped, and then the chuckles began.

Diana grinned as Tony opened the ring box and presented her with the ring. She played along and too the cherry-flavored Lifesaver from the box. She slipped it onto her left pinky finger and held her hand out to admire it.

Everyone just rolled in laughter after they realized what exactly it was Diana had on her finger.

The agent admired her ring for just a second longer before she spoke. "I do." She then took the Lifesaver off her finger and popped it into her mouth. "But, you've got to understand, I will be sleeping with women."

Tony chuckled as he stood up. "Hey! Me too!"

Tony and Diana hugged to the sound of cheers and claps at the news of their 'coming nuptials.' "You are a dead man." She whispered in his ear.

"You knew better than to dare me." Tony whispered back. "I win, $100 please."

Neal was still sort o shell shocked. He had had many, many scenarios play out in his mind. This was not even I the top 1,000 on his list. He shook his head, still very confused.

Neal, Jones, and Peter joined Tony and Diana as the rest of the agents went back to their desks.

Tony turned to Peter and held out his hand. "You must me Agent Burke." He paused, somewhat amused at the confused expression on the agent's face. "I'm Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, NCIS, D.C."

Peter shook Tony's hand.

"Wow, Special Agent?" Diana looked at Tony, clearly impressed. "Nice, really nice."

"Glad you approve…Ms. DiNozzo." Tony said, grinning.

"I'd think, as an NCIS agent, you would be paid better." Aunt Barragan said, referring to her ring."

"That was just a sample." Tony reached into his pocket and drew out the roll of Lifesavers he'd opened. He handed them to Diana. "I bought out the store."

Diana laughed as she took the roll from him. Wow, a ring for every occasion."

"Nothing is too good for my lady." Tony replied.

Peter was still confused. He had so many questions, he was not quite sure where to start. He cleared his throat, with the desired effect.

"It's all good, Boss." Diana started. "I met Tony back hen I worked in D.C. And we became friends. We had this…thing. We could drink and then dare each other to do public stunts." Diana shook her head, noticing Peter's expression. "Nothing illegal or dangerous, just very funny and highly embarrassing." She paused. "I dared Tony…the last time she saw him."

Diana stopped when she realized that this was t he actually the last time she had seen DiNozzo. And it had been very unexpected. She showed up at the bar the next weekend. But he never did. "That was the last time I saw you."

Tony shook his head. "Things were coming to a head. And I didn't even realize it. Stuff was coming to light."

"Price, right?" Neal asked. Tony had told him about his former partner on the BPD

Tony nodded. "And I was right in the middle and didn't see it. It wasn't to many weekends after that I was putting my stuff in storage. I was out a job and had given up my apartment."

"Tony." Diana asked, concern in her eyes and on her face. Diana knew him well enough to know that there was much, much more to the story.

"Price was my partner. He was…. I just had to walk away." Tony replied. "I apologize Agent Burke. I…can we go to your office and talk?"

TBC