10E: The Party

When they arrived at the party, Peter realized why Neal hadn't told June about his brothers and instructed him to only invite Jones and Diana. He was only going to let them see who he was if they could figure it out for themselves!

Leaving Neal to take June to the buffet, Peter went to find his wife.

He found Elizabeth standing to the side between conversations as she surveyed the fruit of her labors. "How did Bryce and Junior take the surprise?" Peter asked as he joined her.

"I thought they were going to cry despite being tough agents. They've never had a birthday party before?" She was amazed that their childhoods had been so far from the norm she'd grown up with.

"Neal too. He told me their parents broke up when they were three and I get the feeling that he and his brothers were often left to their own devices growing up. They didn't have friends or a stable family. Any party they had was probably just them." It had continued to mull in the back of his mind on the drive and the details he'd learned about Neal painted something of a bleak childhood for the triplets.

Tearing up a little herself, Elizabeth also felt that a party of friends was a stark contrast to their childhood. "We should make something of this a tradition then, a small party for their family and friends, a chance to spend time with them together."

Liking the idea, Peter knew it wouldn't always be fancy surprise parties, but it was the time and comradery that mattered, "You're brilliant!"

"You're not so bad yourself," Elizabeth kissed him with the tease.

Breaking up as Jones and Diana entered, Peter and Elizabeth wanted to see the fun. How long would it take for them and June to realize that there were three Neals running about?

Having gotten a plate of finger foods, June moved to mingle with the agents milling about.

After introducing June to Sarah, Neal figured she'd met someone she could connect with about con artist relations. Then going to the door, he accepted the good wishes of Jones and Diana before also escorting them to the buffet and beginning their introductions to the group.

Slipping into the background, Neal switched places with one of his brothers. They were dressed similarly and appeared to be enjoying some fun with the unwitting guests.

Amused, Peter decided to spin the game around by seeing if he could guess which brother was which.

He knew there were three of them and their names, but he hadn't met the other two or seen them together.

Observing as the agent made his rounds through the guests, Peter noticed that this triplet was talking to Chuck rather easily and avoided Casey. Making his deduction, Peter assumed this was Bryce. Based on that, he began taking mental notes. Bryce wore his hair longer like Neal did based on what he could see around the hat he was wearing. His conversation was about games and movies so he had nerd interests.

Then noticing Peter's observations, Bryce came to talk to him, "Thank you for the party, Peter." He dropped his voice as he added, "As you've figured out from your conversations with Neal, we didn't have a lot of family and friends growing up. Junior and I appreciate what you do for him."

This confirmed his assumptions for Peter and the conversation continued drifting into accounting before Bryce moved away to switch places with another triplet, likely Junior.

Knowing who he was watching, Peter jumped to taking notes about the third triplet. Junior's hair was shorter as it didn't show from under his hat as much; it didn't need to be styled either. He seemed to prefer his conversation with Mozzie, but he at least managed brief conversations with everyone, including Casey.

When he came to thank Peter, Peter noticed that Junior was shorter in conversation and more to the point. He didn't add anything, just showed a basic appreciation for the party and his friendship with Neal.

"He's my best friend, I'm glad to do what I can," Peter confirmed while smiling as he noticed a suspicious frown on Jones' face as he exchanged glances with Diana. "I think the charade will be over soon, Jones and Diana have noticed that something is up."

"We didn't expect it to last, but Neal wanted to enjoy it while he could," Junior confirmed.

Coming over to join their conversation, June proved that she had also figured it out, "And what is your name? I know you're not Neal." June seemed to be genuinely enjoying it, but she was sure enough to move on to getting to know this relation of Neal's.

"James Carson, or Junior as I prefer, I'm Neal's older brother." Junior shook her hand as she returned the introduction.

When she turned to him, Peter told her something of what he learned through his recovery while Neal was on his loan assignment, "He sent his brother's team to protect me."

Relieved, June expressed how glad she was that Peter was safe and that Neal was back before she moved off in conversation as Jones and Diana grew more suspicious watching their exchange.

Giving up on observing from afar, Jones and Diana moved closer to see what they could figure out from another conversation. Asking questions, they tried to trip Junior up by talking of things he wouldn't know without his triplet connection to Neal.

Trying not to laugh, Peter left them to their devices while he moved to mingle with the other guests.

Joining June, Chuck, and Sarah, he was introduced to Chuck's wife.

Picking up on the conversation, he noticed that it was about experiences in pulling cons/stings.

Having his own experiences, he had points to entertain them with but he ignored any of their allusions to alleged crimes. Byron was deceased and the CIA agents weren't his problem.

"Ah-ha!" Diana exclaimed having found Bryce hiding in the shadows, "There are two of you!"

Everyone in the room turned at the shout and those in the know smiled at the recognition of Bryce and not Neal. Those new to the secret were closer to discovery, but they had one more mystery to discover and solve!

Seeing June frown as she went to talk to the latest triplet added to the conversation, Peter was sure she already sensed what was wrong but couldn't explain it yet.

While she joined Jones and Diana in their interrogation of the 'twins,' Peter shifted to talking with Mozzie.

"So, Agent Winters, when did you learn about the others?" Peter showed what he had figured out while initiating conversation into a topic of interest.

"Suit," Theo acknowledged his identity with a nod, "When I was assigned to work with an aspiring con artist by the name of Neal Caffrey. He looked just like my friend Junior, but he showed no personal knowledge of who I am. It wasn't until Bryce was nearly killed that I learned about him through his brothers' panic."

Intrigued, Peter enjoyed sharing their perspectives of those early years spent chasing or evading each other.

It didn't take long for the interrogators to determine that they were dealing with triplets.

Splitting up, they looked until Jones found Neal and drew him into the crowd.

For the first time, Peter got to see Neal and his brothers standing together.

With the reveal almost complete, Neal put his arm across his brothers' shoulders and they each put an arm around his back before bowing together. Then when they stood erect again, Neal's brothers introduced themselves.

Jones and Diana both turned to Peter with their expressions registering surprise.

"He is Daniel Brooks!" Jones stated as he tried to come to terms with what he was learning.

"Both of them?" Diana was on to grasping the deeper element, but she also questioned the absurdity of it all. Could Neal really be the adult agent and the child who had stayed with the Burkes?

Confirming their conclusions, Neal took another bow alone before also doffing his hat to Diana, "Both of them, my brothers and I were de-aged somehow in our operation and I stayed with the Burkes to get through the strangeness of being child-sized again."

"You knew?" Diana turned to Peter.

"Yes, ever since we found a full-sized Neal and no little Danny sleeping in our guest room. Chuck came over to explain," Peter shrugged, it was a strange situation.

A little bewildered, Jones and Diana had some questions for the triplets to help them come to terms with the reveals.

June was handling the shock better and seemed to be more focused on drinking in the sight of Neal with his family.

Moving to her side, Peter lifted his glass to indicate that he was also enjoying the sight, "It's good to see him surrounded by family and friends, isn't it?"

Wiping a tear from her eyes, June smiled and nodded, "It is, very good."

It was a success with family, friends, food, and fun. Peter knew it had been a good party that everyone had enjoyed, but the looks on the triplets' faces, as he dropped them off afterward, had spoken volumes!

June had elegantly invited the other boys to stay in guest rooms near Neal's loft while they were in town and whenever they visited.

Taking them all home, Peter had June in the passenger seat with him while the triplets moved their luggage to his trunk and piled into the back seat. There really wasn't room for them to sit comfortably as they squeezed in, but they insisted to avoid anyone taking an unnecessary trip to drop them off.

Arriving at the mansion, June had gone to prepare the rooms while the triplets had piled out and retrieved their luggage.

Saying goodnight, Peter hugged Neal before sending him off for the night.

Driving back for Elizabeth, Peter knew the other guests would likely be gone while Elizabeth had the cleanup routine down to a science.

When he arrived, he found Chuck and Sarah assisting while keeping her company. But, with handshakes and bids goodnight, they soon left for their hotel.

Doing the final walkthrough with his wife, Peter was glad to have such memories sealed away. Neal, his brothers, their friends, the laughter and stories, it had been a truly pleasant evening!

With the job done, Peter took Elizabeth home. They would likely see the others again while they were in town, but until next year, the party was over.

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