The New Boss

Notes: This came from a simple idea that came to me while reading one of KeJae's stories - What if, when Hughes is pushed out to retirement again, he says that he will only retire if Bryce Larkin is made to take his place as ASAC?

So, everyone is expecting a CIA spy to come in and take over but then they get... Neal?

The announcement of Hughes' official retirement caused discontent among the agents of the office. Considering it came in the middle of a semi-official investigation into a local senator, it was also suspicious.

"Pratt is going to plant someone in that position," Diana mentioned when Peter arranged a meeting.

"It should go to Peter," Neal agreed.

"Has anyone approached you about the position yet?" Jones asked Peter.

Peter shook his head. "That doesn't mean anything. Hughes is smart, we can hope that he has a plan."

"I can't believe he's retiring," Neal sighed.

"It's not the first time," Peter reminded him. "Who knows? Maybe he'll join the CIA or something this time."

"The NSA would probably snap him back up in a heartbeat," Jones added with a laugh.

"It's not Hughes I'm worried about," Peter finished. "We need to talk plans."

Hughes had set plans in motion. Rumours cropped up that there had been a deal made. Hughes wanted something in return for retiring. Sadly, no one knew what it was and Hughes wasn't even talking to Peter about it.

White Collar's first hint that the rumours were more than rumours was when Bancroft came in. It was rare for Bancroft to visit their office. Probably because things almost always ran smooth in White Collar. It was ironic for the division that had a conman working in it to currently be the most harmonious of the FBI.

"Caffrey, follow me," Bancroft grunted as he made his way over to Hughes' office. "We need to talk about your deal."

Neal visibly paled. There was something about him that only Bancroft knew and he wondered if that's why he was being called up.

"Sir?" he questioned once the door was closed. Hughes' office had already been cleared out.

"Sit down. This may be a shock to you however, Hughes named his successor when he left."

"I didn't know agents could do that."

"It's usually a recommendation but Hughes had it written into the contract we signed. To be honest, he did not hide his choice and we all agreed that he was making a sound judgement."

Something in Neal's stomach was flip-flopping. It had figured something out that he hadn't thought of yet.

"Reece Hughes nominated Bryce Larkin, of the CIA but currently serving in the FBI, as his replacement."

Neal's mouth dropped open. He hadn't even been this surprised when Chuck had scored 100% on that stupid test back in College.

"I'm not officially here, Bancroft," Neal hissed back.

"You are. The wider FBI might be ignorant to your status but I am not. And I look forward to seeing what Bryce Larkin is able to do in my organisation when we remove certain limitations."

Bancroft's eyes drifted down to Neal's anklet.

"Surely I don't have the experience or knowledge required-"

"The CIA gave a glowing recommendation and you have done wonders during your time with Peter's team."

"But Peter-"

"While Peter would be amazing in charge, he has been too swayed and loves fieldwork too much. Besides, you and Peter are a team. You're probably the only agent who could take this position with Peter's blessing."

"Peter doesn't know I'm an agent," Neal mumbled.

"If you refuse, then Pratt's puppet of an agent gets the position," Bancroft said. "Making your lives very tricky indeed."

Neal's shoulders slouched. Bancroft was teasing now. They both knew Neal would take the position.

Neal signed the paperwork. Neal Caffrey was on a timer. Bryce Larkin was going to come back. There were things he needed to do.

First was to arrange a meeting with Mozzie. He ditched the suits and wore a white shirt and slacks. He didn't style his hair and he walked less like a conman and more like an average person.

Mozzie did a double take when he saw him.

"I'm reminded of the day we met when you dress like that," he mused.

Neal- Bryce chuckled and sat down. He could say it. He could.

"So, what's this meeting for?"

"I'm leaving the CIA. Sorry Moz, I might not be able to fulfil your request."

The words hung in the air. Moz let out a low whistle.

"No wonder you didn't want to meet in public. This news is almost worth having to burn January."

Bryce sighed and pulled out a piece of paper. "Contact the agent here. I trust him with my life, with secrets not even you know about. If anyone can find your parents, he can."

Mozzie looked at the piece of paper. He pocketed it but shook his head. "Why are you leaving?"

"I've been given another opportunity that I don't want to refuse."

Mozzie raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"The FBI offered me Hughes' position."

Mozzie laughed. "That's amazing, mon frère. Why would they do that?"

"Hughes decided it. Apparently he uncovered Bryce Larkin and decided that I would be the only replacement Peter and the team would accept."

Mozzie shook his head. "That man is a genius. Are we sure he's a Suit?"

"He's FBI through and through, even though he worked for the NSA for a while. Which is probably how he learnt who I am."

"What about Neal Caffrey? He can't run an FBI office." Mozzie's eyes widened in realisation. "Ah, that explains the outfit. Bryce Larkin is returning."

Bryce sighed and nodded. "I don't know how I'm going to explain this to the team."

"Good luck."

"Thanks, Moz."

"It's not my problem. Although, don't believe this is the end."

Bryce frowned. "But, you agreed to help me be Neal Caffrey. And Neal Caffrey isn't needed any longer."

Mozzie waggled a finger. "Bryce Larkin will need me as well. I am indispensable to watching your back while you swim in the shark tank that is the FBI."

Moz was staying? Bryce felt his chest warm and a smile appear on his face.

"Thanks Moz." A pause and then he added, "do you want to be my CI?"

Mozzie snorted. "And end up with a knife in my chest? No, thank you. I'll help Bryce the same way I help Neal."

Bryce decided to not draw attention to how Mozzie acted more like a CI than Neal had.

"Can I have June's place though?"

"I still need a place to live, Moz."

"Worth a try."

Next was Peter. Bryce had Bancroft arrange a meeting between him and Peter. The three of them were sitting in the meeting room on a Monday afternoon, a week out from the official changeover.

"Peter, here is the information on Hughes' replacement," Bancroft said. "He is looking forward to working with you, although extremely nervous about it."

"Nervous?"

Bryce stopped tapping his finger against his knee. He was not nervous!

Bancroft huffed a laugh. "Despite being able to tell you all this himself, he insisted that I do it."

Peter raised an eyebrow and opened the file that Bancroft gave him. He started.

"Is this a joke?" he questioned.

Bryce couldn't help flinching at his tone.

"No," he said quietly. Peter's eyes on him were burning. "Peter, I swear, I had no idea Hughes was planning this! I didn't even know he knew about Bryce Larkin!"

"That's how he was able to broker the deal between the FBI and the CIA to move an agent across into an equivalent position. "

"Equivalent position? How high up in the CIA were you?" Peter questioned.

"Uh, I did the work of a Special Agent in Charge but mostly worked on my own."

"You chose your missions, Bryce. You led teams. Not all agents get to do that."

"I'm not very good at leading teams," Bryce admitted. "I know someone who is much better at it. Not to mention, this job would suit Peter."

"I have a hard time believing that," Peter said, crossing his arms. "You work well with my team and have no issues telling us what to do."

Bryce winced. "That's because I trust you guys."

"And we trust you, even when we thought you were a criminal."

Bryce was surprised. The spark of hope in his chest warmed. "You don't mind that I'm taking the job?"

"I don't know what we're going to do about the Pratt investigation-"

"Bryce's ability to interfere will be limited," Bancroft agreed, "he cannot paint the FBI in a bad light right after taking this position."
Bryce sighed. Bancroft was right. It wasn't just the FBI that would be out for him if something went wrong, but also the CIA. They had sent him over and so they would bear some responsibility for how he acts in the role.

"I almost wonder if Hughes did this to reign me in a bit."

Peter snorted a laugh while Bancroft outright laughed in his face.

"I wouldn't be surprised," Peter commented.