Chapter 4

Neal and Chuck stayed at the apartment as the evidence team came and went. During that time, Neal checked the place over in case his theory was wrong and Chuck continued to chat with Amber.

"I got a picture of the painting," Chuck said to Neal after the team had left. He handed him the small photo.

Neal took one look at it and cursed.

"Chuck, this is my painting," he hissed quietly.

"Yeah. General Beckman ordered your belongings to be searched and examined," Chuck gently reminded him.

"No, you don't get it. This is my painting," Bryce said, shedding his cover as Neal now that they were outside Amber's apartment. "I painted it."

"Oh," Chuck said in sudden understanding, "then I guess it doesn't hold any secrets?"

Bryce shot him a disbelieving look which seemed to ask, 'are you kidding me?'

"Chuck, it's me. Do you really think I'd paint an original piece just because?"

"Maybe?" Chuck responded uncertainly. Bryce smirked; it seemed Chuck wanted to have some faith in him. "No," he amended a moment later. Then he flashed a nervous smile. "Am I at least going to like this?"

"Oh, Chuck," Bryce said, slinging an arm over Chuck's shoulders. "You're going to love this." He used their close proximity to whisper quietly, "the painting works like a fingerprint, the brush strokes on the canvas unlock a lock to Neal Caffrey's hidden stash."

"Neal Caffrey's hidden stash?" Chuck questioned, not really convinced about why he's supposed to love this. They pulled apart as Bryce explained;

"See, as Neal Caffrey, I sometimes had to steal and con things away from bad men and women," Bryce explained, "and sometimes those things couldn't be returned for some reason. Maybe they used their ill-gotten gains to legitimately purchase whatever I needed to steal or we couldn't return it without risking my cover. Those things are stored in various locations but, the biggest collect by far is hidden beyond the door which that painting unlocks."

"So, this is like a hidden treasure?" Chuck questioned, his eyes lighting up as he connected the dots, "is this a treasure hunt?"

"Possibly," Bryce responded. Then memories of the Nazi treasure hit him and he couldn't hold back a sigh. He really didn't want to deal with another treasure, even if it was his own.

"Something wrong?" Chuck said, "I know they have your painting but, it isn't like they know where the treasure is."

"I'll start with the obvious," Bryce responded, "there are clues in the painting which lead to the door it unlocks." It had been a combination of hubris and wanting the items to be found in the event that something happened to him. He hadn't made it easy though.

Chuck blinked.

"Cool," he couldn't resist saying.

"But, I just got rid of the last treasure I found," Bryce complained, explaining what else was 'wrong'. It actually felt good to complain about it for once. Peter saw him as enjoying every minute of his big score and Mozzie wouldn't understand if he had said he didn't want it. Because, he had wanted it, just a little. But, not enough to ruin his life here. "And, take it from me, Chuck, having a treasure is the most stressful thing ever."

"So, not even a little fun?" Chuck questioned, holding up his hand with a gap between his finger and thumb.

"It's a little fun," Bryce admitted after a pause, "especially when you're standing in the same room as it. You feel like a kid for a few moments and it's such a rush but, it just isn't worth it in the long run." He lost Peter's trust and hadn't really seen El since the kidnapping was resolved.

"Why not?" Chuck had a long list of things he would do if he had access to a treasure.

"People died because of it. And it's affected my position at the FBI."

"I don't get it," Chuck responded with a tilt of his head. "I mean, I get the people dying part, I wouldn't want treasure someone's willing to kill for but, how does it affect your position at the FBI? They already think you're a conman."

"Yeah, but they didn't hate me for it," Bryce responded, feeling a pang in his chest like someone stabbed him. He really didn't think losing Peter's faith in him would hurt so much until it happened.

"What? I'm sure they don't hate you."

Chuck had never seen Bryce like this. He had his head tilted slightly down, staring at the ground away from them and biting his lip.

Bryce had never worried if someone hated him before. He certainly didn't seem to worry if Chuck hated him. Now he was acting like it was the end of the world because the FBI hated him?

And then a moment later, it seemed to vanish. Bryce stood straight, smiled and flipped his hat onto his head.

"You're right," he said, "I'm really getting a little too worked up about it. I guess I don't like the idea of thieves taking my rightfully stolen goods." He smiled at Chuck and it took the latter a moment to realise that it was supposed to be a joke.

It was in that moment that Chuck realised that this Bryce right here, the one that smiled when he didn't mean it and hid things under jokes and misdirection, was a cover. The person he had seen up to now had been more real.

He was trying to figure out what he could do to help, to fix what it seemed he broke, when Neal's phone rang.

"Jones? Yeah, the evidence team's packed up. They found signs that someone opened the window from the outside but, no fingerprints." A hurt expression flashed across his face for a moment before he spoke again with his smile back in place. "Yeah, I can do that. No problem." He hung up and turned to Chuck. "Peter wants me to take you back to whatever hotel you're staying at."

"Huh? What about Sarah?" Chuck questioned in confusion. Surely she would have contacted him if there had been a change in plans? But, she had sent him off, effectively splitting them up.

"Maybe she's going to meet you there?" Bryce suggested. He could read the unconvinced look on Chuck's face and asked, "how do you normally do these things?"

"Well, we're partners," Chuck responded, "normally, we're either together or try to be in direct communication the whole time." He frowned worriedly.

"Give her a call then," Bryce suggested.

Chuck nodded. That seemed like a good plan. Ever since the thing with Quinn happened; Sarah kidnapped, forgetting about him and him trying to make her remember, finally remembering him but not loving him and then loving him again in the end, he was discontent whenever she wasn't by his side. He was worried and wondering if it was going to happen again. The last time had almost broken him; the fight to get her back had been long and heartbreaking. He had failed her over and over during that time and he didn't think he would survive if it happened again.

"Chuck?" Her voice always calmed him down. "I thought you would be heading back to the hotel by now?"

"Uh, yeah." He swallowed before continuing, "am I meeting you there or something?"

"No. I'm meeting up with a," she paused for a moment, "an acquaintance, in order to work on the mission."

"Without me?" Wow, he sounded pathetic.

"Sorry, Chuck. But, this guy hasn't met you and I want to keep it that way. For your own protection." Chuck really hated those words. He could protect her, if he was by her side, right?

"But-"

"Look, how about you go back to the hotel, maybe contact Casey or Morgan, check on the Buy More and watch a movie? I'll be back before you know it."

"Uh, yeah." It was all he could think to say. She sounded so reasonable but, this was sending his anxiety levels through the roof.

"Everything okay?" Bryce suddenly asked, causing Chuck to jump in fright.

"I don't know."