4B: Office Buddies

It felt good to be going back to work and Peter particularly enjoyed picking Neal up on the way. "This is your first day back to work too?"

"Yeah, we've got the case against James sealed up and the organization he'd been hiding in is crumbling." Neal relaxed against his side door as he sipped his coffee complacently.

Catching up on what Neal had been doing, Peter enjoyed the conversation until they parted ways on the elevator. Neal was going to work as usual, but Peter had a meeting to attend.

Going into the conference room on another floor, Peter faced the bosses. To his surprise, it was discussed that his team no longer had an ASAC so he expected to be told what was going to happen while the position was being filled, but instead, the bosses offered him the position.

Blinking, Peter questioned it. He'd just gotten out of prison. They were promoting him? But it was confirmed.

Taking a breath, Peter decided to tentatively accept until lunch when he would confirm. It was a big decision so he wanted to at least run it passed his wife first.

With the agreement made, Peter went down to White Collar to begin the game of catch-up.

Entering the office, he was glad to hear the applause and greetings as the team welcomed him back. He noticed that Neal stood back from the others so he focused on the general team before going up to his office.

Back in the comfort of his own chair, he started his computer up and called his wife.

"Guess who our new ASAC might be?" His tone made it obvious so he wasn't surprised when she guessed him. "What do you think?"

"I think it's a great opportunity for you. Congratulations, Hon!" She was supportive and enthusiastic before making plans to celebrate his promotion.

Excited, Peter enjoyed the conversation until she had to go and he needed to get going on his work. Ending the call, Peter looked out over the team, exchanged glances with Neal, and then went to work. He'd make the announcement to the team once it was official.

Endeavoring to keep it quiet while the process went, Peter didn't talk much about what was happening. This was made easier by his limited presence in the office as he attended one meeting after another and went through the interviews and evaluations.

When he was in the office, everyone was curious about what was happening. They'd all noticed his absence and were worried he was facing further complications from his recent imprisonment. Smiling, he reassured them that everything was fine.

Finally, the day came when he could announce that he was officially going to be the new ASAC.

Getting to the office early, he started packing his office down for the transfer next door. Hearing the office get busier, he knew he'd have to make his appearance soon, but he kept working until everyone was present.

Stepping out onto the landing, he called everyone to attention. There were some worried glances and oddly some glares thrown at Neal. When everyone was gathered, Peter beamed at them. "We're getting a new ASAC and a new team lead agent to follow shortly after."

Puzzled, the team was attentive.

"When I got back, the bosses asked for a meeting where I was offered the position of ASAC. I took it. For the last few weeks, there have been a lot of meetings to make it official, but now it is. I'll be moving in today and we'll begin the process of my replacement as lead agent. It may take some balancing, and I intend to remain in the field as much as I can, but I won't be able to do as much in the future. We'll have some minor changes, but this is good!" He smiled as he stood looking his team over. There had been talk about who he'd want to replace him, and he knew Jones deserved the opportunity if he wanted it, but he also wondered about Neal. Now that he knew who he really was, what would become of him?

As expected, the team was thrilled to see him fill Hughes' office while a few showed expressions of interest in his old position. Still, it was the agents he considered friends that he paid the most attention to. All three of them were beaming their congratulations if not vocalizing them too.

Moving to dismiss everyone back to work, Peter noticed that Neal seemed to be keeping some distance. Realizing they hadn't talked in a bit between Neal's involvement with the busts of the criminal organization and his own meetings, Peter decided to catch him at lunch for a talk. In the meanwhile, he had a lot of work to do.

Getting distracted, Peter didn't stop to take a break until Diana knocked on the door and brought him coffee and a sandwich.

"I noticed that you've been busy between moving offices and getting settled into your new position."

Gratefully accepting the sustenance, Peter knew he was delaying his talk with Neal but he wouldn't refuse Diana either.

Offering her assistance, Diana helped him put the rest of the books he was organizing away. Talking as she did so, she asked some basic questions about his recent promotion and how it felt to be out of prison with a clear name.

Smiling, Peter answered as he put the books where they belonged. "Hughes had suggested me as his replacement since his retirement was looming on the horizon, but additional support helped push me to the top of the list. Even the recent situation was cleared up sufficiently so that it hasn't marred my reputation." He suspected that his former cellmate might be behind certain aspects of that support, but he couldn't verify it. "As for how it feels to be cleared and back to my life, it feels great!"

Diana seemed glad for him, but there also seemed to be something to her expression when he'd talked about his previous incarceration.

Puzzled, Peter asked if something was wrong.

"No, it seems like everything is going well for you." Her words said one thing, but the way her eyes flickered had him raising an eyebrow at her. "We're all still wondering about Neal though. His father is the one who actually murdered Pratt, what about James?"

Widening his eyes, Peter realized that most of his team was in the dark about what had transpired. "No one said? James was arrested and is the one serving time for his actions. The same evidence the other agencies provided to clear me is what convicted him. They were watching the whole time."

It was Diana's turn to be surprised, "They were watching?"

"James slipped up; other agencies were looking for corruption based on the old case. I'm not sure about all of what was going on, but several agents worked to keep me safe in prison while they pursued James in a criminal organization. There are covers at stake so I've not been read in to really know the details." Peter shrugged. He wouldn't know Neal's cover if not for the situation and he wasn't sure how far to share it. He trusted Diana but didn't want to risk getting her into trouble needlessly.

Nodding, Diana seemed more comfortable with the situation. Leaving him to his meal, she went back out to work

Getting lost again, Peter was surprised to later look up and see the office empty. Even Neal was gone. Sighing, he locked up and headed home. Talking to Neal was delayed yet again.

Neal wasn't at June's the next morning or at his desk when Peter got to the office. His tracking anklet said he was at June's, but he called Neal anyway. Leaving a voicemail, he suspected that he was up to something Danny related, and at least knowing who Neal was helped keep Peter from stressing or wasting a call to the Marshals.

Settling in, he went back to work on moving into his new position.

Slowly, the office filled up and Neal's desk remained empty.

Peter even went to lunch with his wife and returned to find Neal's desk empty. Heading for his office, Peter was going to check on the kid but was caught by a man entering the office behind him.

"Are you agent Burke?"

"Yes," Peter accepted the paperwork the man passed to him while noticing Neal slip in behind him to take his seat. Conversing with the man, Peter learned that he was from Washington.

"With the conclusion of an extensive undercover operation, an agent wants to transfer to your team. Due to the security of the operations that he and his brothers have been involved in, his paperwork is physical and hand-delivered. I'm to return with signed confirmation as to whether this is agreeable or not." The man remained in place while Peter opened the envelope and read the details.

Neal was officially transferring to his office and would be revealing his true status to the team too! Peter beamed as he signed the forms. "He's more than welcome to the team!"

With his assignment accomplished, the man shook his hand and left.

One of the team curiously piped up, "Who's getting a new partner?"

"I am," Peter easily answered knowing he would still be working with his best friend. "That's a part of Washington's agreement to transfer him up here." They knew he'd watch his back so that after everything Danny had gone through, he'd have a safe landing place.

Zoning into the whispers, Peter realized that there were a lot of negative things being said about Neal. The team thought he'd run, had left him hanging in prison, and that Peter was protecting him but done working with him? He wasn't replacing Neal!

"Alright, everybody, listen up," Peter called for their attention. When he had it, he knew a least an initial explanation was necessary. "I'm catching that no one knows what happened to get me out of prison, where Neal was, or why I'm to have a new partner." Looking at Neal, he silently asked for permission to share the details.

"Tell them what you want except my legal name stuff. That isn't to come out yet," Neal authorized.

Nodding, Peter launched into a general explanation of Neal having siblings and reaching out through various agencies to monitor James. "While they retrieved him and the evidence from his hiding spot, Neal had my back in prison. He was stabbed when we were attacked. There is nothing against him in this, he's the reason I got through safely and am completely clear.

The team seemed surprised and remorseful, but also curious since Neal seemed to have managed far more than they expected.

"Siblings?" Diana and Jones both turned to Neal in curiosity.

"I'm still waiting to officially meet them," Peter acknowledged that he'd seen them. "You still haven't brought them over; Elizabeth is waiting to meet them too." He hoped Neal would find a way to manage the request.

Smirking, Neal seemed to have a plan already in place. "You can count on meeting them soon."

Glad to see the atmosphere improve, Peter went back to his office while Neal tried to dodge the worst of the curiosity of the team. He had to prepare for the official transfer.

A few days passed and Peter had generally managed to check in with Neal. He'd remained busy with taking down the criminal organization, ending his undercover assignment, and moving his life to New York for the transfer. Despite having been assigned to New York, he still had some aspects of his real life in Washington.

Although the team didn't know yet, Neal had changed up his contract with June and planned to introduce his brothers to everyone soon.

Based on this, Peter wasn't exactly surprised to open his door to find three Neals standing with dinner on his porch. They were dressed similarly but had minor differences which helped him tell them apart. Welcoming them in, he did ask which was which.

First, "Colonel James Carson, but you can call me Junior." He didn't shake hands but moved passed to meet Elizabeth and get the food arranged as he was carrying most of it.

Next came, "Agent Bryce Larkin, just Bryce for me." He followed into the kitchen with more food.

Finally, Neal came with dessert and drinks." Neal George Bennett, Neal George Caffrey, or ironically Daniel Peter Brooks but you can call me Neal or Danny."

Shutting the door and putting an arm across his shoulders as a sideways hug, Peter was curious, "Why ironic?"

"Your name's Peter, my middle name is Peter. It seems ironic." Neal shrugged.

Amused, Peter smiled. "Then this will be more 'ironic.' My middle name is Daniel."

Stopping and turning to look at him, Neal was obviously skeptical. "I know your middle name isn't on any of the paperwork you show around the office, but you've got to be joking."

Clapping him on the shoulder, Peter knew Neal would appreciate this. "Go help El and the others set up the food. I apparently need to go grab evidence." He sent a protesting Neal on his way before going upstairs to collect his official records. His birth certificate would probably be convincing enough but he grabbed a few extra documents to be certain.

When he rejoined the group, Peter found them all gathering in the dining room with the food ready and the table set, "Before we eat, here Neal." Peter passed the forms over and watched Neal's amused expression.

Based on how long it took Neal to look through them, he was also interested in general to see his personal information. When he handed them back, Neal had a soft expression. "I've never seen my original birth certificate. Having grown up in Wit-sec, my real records have always been sealed."

Setting his papers aside, Peter smiled to be learning more real information about his friend. "Do you believe me now?" Peter asked as they settled in to start eating.

"I generally did before, but you've got to agree that it's an interesting coincidence." Neal acknowledged while fixing his plate.

"Believe in what?" Elizabeth asked curiously while the other triplets also seemed interested.

Sharing the names, Peter and Neal started the main conversation before it transitioned through what had happened with James, their work, and who they were as individuals.

By the time the evening was drawing to an end, Peter felt like he had a firm grasp of what the triplets were like in private and a piece of general knowledge about each one personally. He could tell them apart, knew their work and interests, and had even caught onto their triplet communications. The brothers didn't always even need to speak; they just seemed to know what the others were thinking. It might be some kind of twin connection multiplied, but Peter didn't envy the foe that faced all three!

In the office the next day, Peter was glad the transfer was officially completed and agent Danny Brooks was on his team. He could finally acknowledge his friend publically for who he was. However, before they could do the public show, they got called into the field.

"We've got a case," Peter smiled as he stopped by Neal's desk. Most of the team was present, but the rest weren't in the office quite yet.

Neal grabbed his hat and flipped it on since he hadn't sat down yet.

Deciding to introduce the team to the change, Peter questioned, "Do you have your service weapon and badge agent Brooks?"

The entire team froze and stared as Neal shifted his jacket to show that he did. "I've been a field agent for years and was taught by law enforcement before that. Just because I've been deep cover with the NSA playing an alternative version of me doesn't change that."

"No, but you not being deep-cover anymore means you aren't Caffrey full-time now. We haven't gotten the official introduction so this is just a start; the rest will have to wait until after our meeting." Peter addressed Neal and the entire team. There wasn't time for more, but it was a start toward answering the teams remaining questions.

Leaving, Peter also noticed that they got other strange looks from agents as they left. Neal's badge and sidearm were still showing. "It's going to take time for everyone to get used to you." He commented.

"Washington was used to seeing me as an agent, the rare times I've been in the office. However, I didn't have any friends there. I prefer the awkward glances with friends." Neal commented while receiving a whole group of stares from a collection of agents who had overheard their conversation.

"I'm glad to steal you from Washington, but I certainly didn't expect this outcome back when I started chasing you." Peter continued to talk as they walked.

"Us, my brothers played me on an international scale. You chased me on US soil but monitored my brothers the rest of the time." Neal smirked at his surprise.

"Huh, so I already know something about their styles?" Peter was intrigued.

They kept up their banter until they arrived at the scene and had to be professional.

Once they were back in the office, Peter set up the official introduction to bring the team up to date on Danny.

Then when everyone was together, Peter told everyone the basic public story about Neal. How he'd gone into Wit-sec, grown up with his family, that on his eighteenth birthday, he'd been told about his family's true history and gone for a walk, and finally how he'd been abducted that night. "After he was rescued, he was protected by the FBI and later NSA towards the task force he just completed. By performing undercover as Neal Caffrey, agent Daniel Brooks was able to take down his father, close the cases that landed him in Wit-Sec, and additional cases beyond. With that work done, he has transferred to our team. I know this is going to take a change in perspective, but Neal or Danny is still one of the team, just as an agent instead of a consultant." Giving the team a few moments, Peter held out on the second part.

Before he could prepare them, Junior and Bryce entered the office, cut through the agents, and joined their brother on the landing.

"This brings me to the next point, as you can see, Neal is an identical triplet. His brothers are also agents and were the ones to retrieve James. Now they're going to be helping us with our new case as a task force. I've asked that they dress differently at the very least, but don't be shy to ask who you're talking to." Peter smiled at the snorts and laughs from below. There was no point in ignoring the complications of having identical people around, especially triplets!

Watching as the case progressed and was eventually resolved, Peter enjoyed what he saw.

Slowly, the team adjusted to Neal's real identity as Danny and his true status as an agent. Most were already friendly, but things seemed to get even smoother once no one was worried about what he might be up to. At least, criminal-wise, they quickly learned that the brothers were capable of pranks!

Learning to tell the brothers apart was easy enough due to their differences, but sometimes they got a haircut or 'happened' to be dressed alike which made it more difficult. If they could trip someone up then they counted it as their win, but if the agent they targeted figured it out they got a point. This transitioned into a game and then a training strategy. Their team became the best in the FBI for spotting little details. They had to in order to keep up with the triplets!

Other teams didn't react as well, but many eventually got used to Neal while some even enjoyed working with him.

Mostly though, Peter enjoyed his friendships with Neal, his brothers, and their growing connections with the team. Jones and Junior bonded over military stories, and Diana and Bryce talked about Washington and computers. Neal, he had his family and his friends. Ultimately, it was everything Peter had wanted and more.

Thank you, everyone, for reading, leaving kudos, reviewing, and following. :D

Some of you might have noticed that I reposted this series last week after I'd initially posted my weekly chapter. I ran the older chapters through Grammarly for an additional edit and I changed the titles to be easier to find particular chapters, but I accidentally reposted them in a different order than they'd originally been posted. I hope this makes them easier to read and find though :D

Also, since sales have been down in our businesses and investments haven't been doing well, I'm going back into the working world. Paperwork starts Monday so I don't know all of the details yet, but my response time will probably be reduced and my posting time might have slight fluctuations if I'm working on the weekends. Otherwise, I have a large buffer and things should keep rolling fairly normally.