A/N: Who else is totally excited/nervous for tonight's episode?
The conference room was silent as six FBI agents and one consultant attempted to find a way to explain the confusing nature of their latest case. Suddenly the consultant's eyes lit up.
"I think I have an idea," he said with a grin. Jones looked over and had to restrain a laugh at his expression. Agent Burke regarded the consultant silently for a moment.
"You do." The statement was flat, accompanied by a raised eyebrow.
"Yes," Neal said, nodding. Peter looked around the room to see if anyone else was volunteering to try. When no one else made a move to answer, Peter rolled his eyes slightly.
"Fine, go ahead, Caffrey," Burke said. Neal grinned.
"Alright." Neal flashed a charming grin and launched into a description of how the heist could've been pulled off, weaving what information they already had into the story with what seemed like no effort. Jones watched, amused and fascinated, as some of the agents started checking the surveillance records and found that much of it actually fit Caffrey's story. When Neal finished summarizing his idea, the room was quiet and everyone looked a little surprised. Finally Peter broke the silence.
"Where did you pull that from?" The agent asked, his tone a mixture of exasperation, interest, and slight amusement.
Neal just shrugged. "It's what I would do."
Peter shook his head. "Incredible."
"Thank you!" Neal said brightly. Peter rolled his eyes and scribbled something on the back of a file. He held it up and Jones grinned when he read it. Sarcasm.
"How Big Bang Theory of you, Peter," Neal said with a hint of dryness in his voice. "But for the record, I actually got the sarcasm there. I just find it's easier to pretend it's a sincere compliment and respond accordingly."
"That's fascinating," Hughes drawled. "However you came up with it, I want you all to check it out. It's better than nothing."
A murmur of agreement echoed around the room and the meeting ended. As agents began to filter out, Jones put a hand on Neal's shoulder.
"Hey, Neal, nice job in there," Jones said with a grin. Neal looked surprised for a moment, then he smiled.
"Thanks, Jones," Neal said. Jones nodded sincerely; he'd meant it, because, sarcasm aside, he really did think what Neal did was pretty incredible, and he thought that everyone deserved some appreciation now and then.
"Caffrey!" Agent Burke's voice came from his office next door. "Are you coming today?" Neal flashed Jones a half-sheepish, half-amused grin and wave him a nod before sliding into the other room. Jones stood there for a moment, listening to parts of their conversation filter in.
"...and we could get NYPD to help! Detective Beckett and you are buddies, right?"
"Oh, yeah, we go way back. Amusement park trips and everything." Jones could practically hear Peter roll his eyes. He turned to see Neal affecting uncertainty.
"Was that sincere?" He asked nervously. "I can't tell. I think I need the sign again." Peter held the sarcasm file up and whacked Neal on the top of the head with it.
"Hey! Not fair," Neal protested. "I didn't do anything!"
"Oh, no," Peter said. "Nothing at all." He held up the sign and Neal flinched slightly then gave Peter a dry look.
"I'm so glad you agree," the consultant deadpanned. And then both of them were sitting at the desk and discussing the case. Jones allowed himself a short laugh as he returned to sit at his desk.
Yep, those two were pretty incredible.