Safety's Sake

Sitting in the conference room, Neal doodled on a piece of paper with a pen while the team went over paperwork around him.

"How much Public Corruption did you find?" Peter grumbled as he went over the files and flipped yet another page of information on corruption that had been uncovered.

Shrugging, Neal wasn't sure. Public Corruption had a tendency to be bigger than what was seen. There was always more lurking under another rock somewhere!

Whistling, Jones was reading through another pile of reports from Neal's recent loan assignment. "No wonder the operation didn't go well. It's a wonder you were successful at all considering all of this."

Neal wasn't going to admit to how he managed to pull the assignment off. That pertained to his history in Wit-Sec and the CIA. He'd been taught since he was three and he had extensive experience dealing with corruption.

"I was there and I don't know how he managed," one of the agents from the loan assignment contributed as she worked with his team on the cleanup work.

Continuing to doodle, Neal was the target who'd been threatened so the agents were determining how to handle the situation based on the recent case that appeared to be the cause.

"The bosses agree, Neal is being sent into protective custody until we get this case closed up," Hughes stated as he entered the conference room from where he'd been on the phone in his office.

"He's going back to prison? This isn't his fault." Peter defended him, which Neal appreciated, but he quieted when Hughes raised his hands.

"No, he's to be sent to a safe house with a protective team. A group of agents is coming to pick him up, take him home to pack, and then he's to disappear until this is resolved." Hughes clarified what was being ordered.

Keeping his head down, Neal didn't like the sound of their response. It was too reminiscent of his last operation as Bryce. The very team of agents who were sent to protect him was used to infiltrate the operation by a traitor which caused the rest of them to get killed.

Accepting the circumstances to a point, Peter appreciated Neal being taken into protective custody, but he protested the lack of known agents being responsible for his safety. "What if one of the protection team is connected to the corruption that's after him?"

'Ding-ding,' Neal mentally congratulated his friend for catching the flaw in the plan.

"The bosses want the team to focus on catching those responsible so that he can be kept safe. Our team has a well-respected reputation so we'll be working with OPR to boost manpower in the field." Hughes explained. He didn't like it either, but it was how the higher-ups wanted the situation handled.

Shaking his head slightly to himself, Neal knew they weren't seriously worried about the well-being of a consulting informant. His general safety was to be looked out for, but no one would miss him if things didn't work out. He'd be missed more for his contribution to the closure rating than for his value as a person, at least, as far as the general FBI was concerned. He knew Peter and a few of the team would be more personally affected.

Continuing to draw with the appearance of minding his own business, Neal did pay any attention to how the agents reacted to the situation.

Peter, Jones, Diana, and Hughes reacted as he expected. They were aware of the corruption, but they didn't appreciate it and were upset by the reveal of so much.

The agent from the other team had a different reaction, she was aware of the corruption, but she accepted it as part of the reality of life. "There are always rotten ones out there somewhere."

"There shouldn't be," Peter commented as he looked up from the files he was reading.

"In a perfect world, sure, but the world isn't perfect," she clarified her stance.

"No, but that doesn't mean that we can't work to make it something closer." Peter held his stance just as stubbornly.

"You're talking a tall order; you'll never achieve much." She clearly didn't think he was being pragmatic.

"No, but I'll do the best I can, and I'll sleep at night," Peter continued.

Neal respected Peter's stance. He was aware of where the other agent came from, but he reacted the same way Peter did, and it had gotten him clinically killed twice.

"Now, now," Hughes interjected. He was experienced and understood where both agents were coming from, but he wasn't going to risk an argument erupting.

In the office below, the protective team arrived to take Neal into their custody.

Their arrival prevented further conversation before anything could escalate. Public Corruption was a touchy subject in any conversation, but particularly when the parties involved were agents themselves.

"Neal, we're going to take care of this and get you back here as quickly as possible. Just stay safe in the meantime." Peter turned to Neal to say his own form of goodbye.

Nodding, Neal kept the pen smoothly flowing around the paper. He'd heard the conversation before, and had even given his own variation a few times.

"Are you listening to me?" Peter leaned forward put his hand in front of Neal's pen and prevented him from drawing any further.

"Yes, Peter. I've heard you." Neal annunciated his response to confirm that he was indeed listening.

"This isn't a typical assignment, Neal. You're dealing with public corruption that has targeted you. Your life is in danger. They are trying to kill you. I need you to take this seriously!" Peter leaned forward and looked Neal in the eyes.

Looking back at him just as seriously, Neal raised an eyebrow. "Does it look like I'm smiling?"

"Good," Peter calmed down a little, but his eyes still reflected his confusion.

Keeping eye contact, Neal tried to reassure his friend without giving his secrets away. He didn't want Peter risking his own safety by worrying over him.

The agents waiting to take Neal weren't willing to wait for long. They had a job to do and they were eager to get underway.

Standing up, Neal dropped his pen on the paper. The drawing merged various pictures together into an outline similar to Peter's general facial structures. It wasn't an obvious drawing, but if something happened to him, he was certain Peter would keep it so he wanted it to be something special.

Patting him on the back, each of the agents wished him well and sent him on his way.

Walking away with the agents, Neal took a glance back and could see Peter watching him go.

The agent wasn't comfortable, he was worried, and he seemed to have some regret for seeing him leave under the protection of someone else.

There wasn't anything Neal could do to seriously reassure him, but he'd do his best to make sure Peter didn't ultimately regret the outcome of the situation.

Making the trip down through the office and to the elevator, Neal used the time to get a feel for the agents assigned to protect him.

Based on his initial evaluation, they were general agents. They would do their best to protect him, but they were only doing their job. He didn't have confidence in their instincts or motivation to go the extra mile to ensure his safety.

Pulling out his phone, Neal shot a text off and had Mozzie confirm that a few extra things were waiting in his closet. He'd use gear from his own field to keep himself safe if the agents failed to do their duty.

Neal took a ride in the middle of the agents in an armored vehicle with tinted windows. They made a brief stop at Junes where he packed a bag with Mozzie's additions and said goodbye to his friends there. Then he was off to a secret safe house.

When they arrived at their destination, Neal found himself restricted to a small space where he had a bedroom to himself while the living room, kitchen, and bathroom were shared with the assorted agents sent to monitor him. There wasn't anything to personalize the space, but he didn't need personal comforts, just the basic necessities.

Settling in, Neal used his time alone in his room to prepare himself with the protective gear beneath his clothing so that no one would notice that he was wearing body armor. It wouldn't be comfortable, but he was prepared if anyone tried anything.

He'd also kept up his immunity to poisons despite his transition to White Collar with his current assignment. Although it wasn't typically a White Collar issue, he did have plenty of enemies and there was no telling when it might come in handy. Considering his situation, he was glad he'd kept his guard up.

A few other small touches reinforced the agents' security measures on his space before he felt secure enough to relax as much as he would allow himself to. It was never a good idea to let his guard down, especially not when he knew he was being targeted by an enemy that could come from anywhere at any time.

Opening his door, Neal signaled the agents that he was no longer getting settled, but there wasn't much to do now that that was done.

Taking the options into account, Neal could watch a boring show with the agent manning the television, there were cards at the table, or he could remain in his room. It wasn't an appealing selection of choices, but he preferred to stay in his room. It was more appealing to draw and entertain himself than to rely on the agents.

He joined the agents when it was time to eat and he locked his door when it was time to go to bed. That established the routine for the duration of their time together.

Frustrated by his apparent lack of concern, the agents weren't sure how to handle Neal. They were used to intended victims who either didn't believe the precautions were necessary or who were terrified by the threats on their lives.

They kept their routine until the agents received an order to take him to the FBI.

Neal didn't think it was a legitimate order, it was probably a ruse to get him out into the open, but it worked on the agents.

He was directed to pack his things up and put on a bulletproof vest before he was guarded out into the black SUV again. Then the drive back to the FBI was a reverse of his trip out.

"Why are we going back to the FBI? Shouldn't I remain in seclusion?" Neal questioned the actions. He hadn't been shown the orders, and he was curious about what they contained.

"The bosses want to reevaluate your situation. Personally, I think we need Burke to take another run at getting some sense into you." One agent commented from where he was watching the city pass by outside of his window.

Reevaluate huh, Neal didn't believe that. It wasn't a logical reaction. You didn't call a victim in to reevaluate their situation, you reevaluated based on the available information while keeping the intended victim hidden away.

However, it was a great way to draw your victim out and use the weak point of transit as a means of attack.

Leaning back, Neal watched what he could from his position in the middle. However, his mind was more focused inward. He needed to refine his plan on how to handle the impending attack. He was wearing body armor under his clothes and bulletproof vest, he had a collection of weaponry hidden on his person, and he was wired to record what transpired around him.

When they arrived at the FBI, it was a quick trip from the SUV across the sidewalk and into the building. There, they passed through security rapidly to slip into the elevator and ride up to the 21st floor.

Based on his safe entrance into the building, Neal assumed they'd either catch him in the halls somewhere, or he'd be hit on his way back out. Either way, they'd make their move before he was stashed away in another safe house.

The ride up the elevator was short, and then he was moved through the hallway back to the conference room in White Collar.

Taking a seat, Neal asked for a piece of paper and a pen that was granted to him while the conversation around him discussed the lack of logic in his being brought out of hiding.

Hughes, Peter, and the team agreed that things weren't right.

When the conversation escalated to a point where the higher-ups were being contacted for verification of the orders, Peter stepped aside and took a seat next to Neal. "How are you holding up?"

"Fine," Neal drew just as calmly as he had the last time he'd been sitting in the room.

"How can you be fine, your life has been threatened, you've been cooped up in a safe house, and this situation is suspicious? Why do you just keep drawing calmly as you do during our general meetings?" Peter's question had the entire room going quiet.

"You think the situation is dangerous, you want agents guarding me, and you wonder why I'm not panicking?" Neal watched the room nod that that was why they were questioning his behavior. Shrugging, Neal tossed out the answer, "This is just another day for me."

At their disbelieving looks, he elaborated, "Really, Public Corruption has been trying to kill me since I was three... they nearly succeeded twice." He shrugged again, this really wasn't anything new.

Shocked, Peter stared at him. He hadn't expected that, and neither had anyone else in the room since they were all sporting similar expressions.

Rolling his eyes, Neal knew he'd have to elaborate further. "This isn't something I haven't been through before. Last time, the Public Corruption infiltrated the protection team and I got a bullet through the back... the agents were all killed in action."

Cocking his head, Peter looked horrified as he imagined what that scenario might have looked like. "You were shot?"

"Maybe I should show you the scar sometime, it penetrated through my back and exited about here." Neal pointed at his abdomen but he didn't want to reveal his body armor so he delayed showing the proof.

Shivering, Peter didn't seem inclined to take him up on the offer.

Neal understood his feelings; Peter wouldn't appreciate seeing the evidence that he'd technically been killed once, let alone more than once.

Around them, the room was generally quiet, but maybe that was because Neal was more focused on his conversation with Peter. His friend was worried about him and this was the most he'd revealed to him about his past.

Leaning back in his chair, Neal watched Peter as he stared at the middle distance. He seemed to be absorbing the information and organizing his perspective of Neal.

"So, how does that hit you?" Neal asked his friend, he needed to know where they stood. Would this affect their friendship?

"I don't like it, I don't like it one bit," Peter spoke softly, he was clearly upset.

Cocking his head, Neal watched Peter's frown as he worried. "It's the way my life has been for as long as I can remember, and before. I'm fine, really, I am." He tried to reassure his friend.

"Neal," Hughes broke into the conversation, "You're being returned to a new safe house for your safety. The higher-ups did not approve of you being returned to the office so this is a ruse." He continued to explain that the team would assist in his escort out of the building to ensure his safety.

Getting up, Peter put a hand on Neal's shoulder and stood by his side. He was going to personally escort him.

Taking that into his plans, Neal decided that he'd move in front of Peter if an attack occurred. He was actually better suited for defending himself than his friend was.

Collecting together, they made their procession through the office, down the elevator, and through the lobby. However, when they got outside, Neal didn't even hear the shot ring out before he was thrown back into Peter's surprised arms.

Neal was stunned by the impact so what transpired around him after the initial attack was a blur. But as far as he could tell in his limited awareness, he was pulled back into the building where Peter remained protectively over him while the rest of the agents handled the situation.

Breathing more deeply after a few minutes, Neal fought to regain enough air to be able to think.

"Neal," Peter's panicked face came into focus as he leaned in close to him. His eyes were shiny and his voice shook. He was incredibly upset and seemed surprised to see him breathing.

"Uhh," Neal groaned. It hurt so much when he got shot! Even when a vest took the bullet, the impact was still painful. It felt something like what getting kicked by a horse might feel like.

"Stay still, you took a bad shot, buddy. You're lucky to be alive!" Peter held him in place when he shifted in reaction to the pain.

"Vest," Neal managed to utter as he got his breath back. He still couldn't talk very well, but at least he could alleviate some of Peter's fears.

Pulling the bulletproof vest off, Peter could see that the bullet had gone right through it. His face fell as he feared that the vest hadn't stopped the bullet after all.

Pointing at his chest, Neal uttered "vest" again.

Continuing, Peter undid his shirt and was surprised to see another vest underneath it. Fingering the bullet where it was clearly caught in the second vest, Peter's face softened as he realized that Neal wasn't bleeding out under his hand. Hanging his head over him for a moment, he looked so relieved when he looked back up.

Reaching up and taking Peter's hand, Neal gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Painful," he managed to pant out squeezing Peter's hand a little harder in reaction to a jolt of pain being felt as he breathed.

Holding his hand, Peter used his other hand to rest on his shoulder. "I know, I know," he spoke softly. "I've been shot in a vest before, and it hurts... a lot. At least the vest took it." Peter looked like it was a battle to handle his emotions. His hands were still shaking and his eyes were still shiny, but he managed to fight hard enough not to cry.

Neal wanted to provide as much comfort as he could, but he didn't have enough air to talk him down so he just continued to hold his friend's hand.

Still ignoring the general ruckus around him, Neal knew the case was drawing a lot of attention after an attack had been made right in front of the FBI building. Whoever had taken the shot, they were going to have a difficult time getting away with it. Hopefully, the agencies had the situation covered sufficiently enough to ensure they were captured.

When the situation was resolved and they were cleared to get up, Peter still held Neal's shoulders down. "Whoa, buddy. You still need to rest, you were shot remember?"

"I remember each time," Neal muttered, but he insisted on at least leaning up a little so Peter gave in and shifted his position.

Sitting with his legs stretched out so that Neal was propped upon them, Peter asked, "Feel better?"

"Yeah, I needed to move, to be inclined." Neal talked softly trying to get his system settled enough that he'd be able to get up soon.

"It makes it easier to get up to take it in increments." Peter agreed as he patted his shoulder. He was patient and kind; he was waiting for Neal to be ready while making sure he was okay enough to get up so that he didn't rush himself.

"Exactly," Neal wasn't talking much, but Peter understood and wasn't pushing him. The interrogation would be later.

As they were sitting there, Hughes approached them and slowly lowered himself to the floor. He was an older agent so the transition wasn't as easy for him. Once he was comfortable, he started the conversation he came to have. "That shot seems to be opening the case wide open. An agent was caught across the street when another sniper winged him after the shot. He's talking, and we hope to clean this mess up quickly. How are you doing Neal?"

It was probably Casey who returned the shot, and Mozzie was probably working the insider angle to ensure things were revealed. However, the FBI needed to be the ones who did the ultimate takedown to avoid blowing his cover.

Neal sat thinking about what that entailed longer than he should have because Peter shook his shoulder ever so slightly to get his attention. "Hey, are you okay?"

Almost shaking his head, Neal looked between their concerned faces. "I'm fine. This isn't remotely the first time I've been shot, and at least I have a vest to take the bullet this time." He felt Peter shiver behind him again. "I was just thinking about the case, and I'm glad that it's blowing open."

Peter squeezed his shoulder comfortingly while Hughes nodded in understanding.

"This has been a big case; a lot of public corruption has been after you through this." Hughes started talking about the size of the case and the implications of what it entailed.

Snorting, Neal couldn't help it. He wasn't supposed to be revealing anything, but this group wasn't remotely as big as the Ring or other groups he'd taken on in the past.

Frowning at him, both agents wanted an explanation even though they didn't verbalize it.

Sighing, Neal was feeling better, so he managed to give them more information. "I was sent into Wit-Sec when I was three, and my college roommate comes from a government family. Protecting him when his heritage caught up got me drug in deep, into a lot of things with multiple agencies. This, this is small potatoes compared to things I've dealt with in the past."

Cocking his head in curiosity, Hughes sized him up. "Are you the reason why there seems to be so much NSA involvement?"

Smirking despite himself, Neal ultimately wasn't surprised that Hughes would pick up on that. The man had been in the FBI for a long time and he had his own deep connections with the NSA. "I wouldn't be surprised. I was actually theorizing who might be doing what where, but I've not been informed to say anything for sure."

Touching his shoulder for his attention, Peter had a question. When he turned to him, his friend looked troubled, almost angry. "Did you allow yourself to be baited; Did you risk your life to draw them out?"

That was a good question. Had he? Neal decided that he really hadn't. His situation had been beyond his control and he'd merely done what he could to ensure his safety through it. "No, I just went along with the flow and took extra precautions of my own to get through as best I could. It's not like the FBI issues bulletproof vests and then additional bulletproof vests for armor-piercing rounds to be worn underneath."

"Which was provided by someone you know in the NSA?" Hughes raised an eyebrow at him.

Running his finger down his nose with a small smile, Neal enjoyed sharing things with Peter and Hughes. Maybe it would make things easier for them in the future.

"Figures," Hughes muttered while Peter almost chuckled behind him.

Pe was almost amused, particularly after having thought he was putting himself in danger. "This complicates things..." he grumbled good-naturedly.

"It's better to have the NSA helping than to just have masses of corruption running around." Hughes pointed out what Neal was thinking, but he was also quickly moving beyond their current situation and into future ramifications. "I'd like whomever you know at the NSA to reach out to me. We should know if there is another danger we need to be looking out for."

"Beckman," Neal commented. Hughes had a point, and having them help could make his work easier, even if they didn't get read in to know that he was CIA.

Opening their eyes wider, they were both shocked.

"Just give her a call, she'll explain whatever she sees fit." Neal pawned the mess off on her, she wouldn't appreciate it, but he could always say he'd been shot, which was true.

"Alright, I'll give her a call. You just take care of yourself." Hughes directed before getting up and departing to handle the bigger situation.

Although Peter really wanted to question him based on how difficult it was for him to hold back, he managed to hold off his interrogation, at least until after he'd get the chance to check in with Hughes.

Instead, he helped Neal up and escorted him back up to the office where he could keep an eye on him personally while the investigation continued downstairs.

Once the case had cleared up and Neal was back to occupying his usual desk, he noticed a subtle difference in how the team treated him, but it took him a while to find out what the difference was.

"Hey, Neal, how is it going today?" Jones asked him as he passed by his desk.

"Nothing unusual?" Diana contributed as she paused to join the conversation.

Cocking his head, Neal silently questioned their tactics.

"You can't tell us that public corruption has been trying to kill you since you were three and not expect us to be concerned. We're serious, is there anything to worry about?" Diana clarified with a hand on her hip. She seemed to be impersonating Peter's habit.

Not mentioning the similarity, Neal was amused, but he appreciated their concern. "No, nothing is going on beyond the usual. I'll let you know if something comes up though."

"You'd better, or I'll call her myself if I even suspect something." Peter threatened as he approached. "Right now though, we've got a case, so come on."

Neal smiled to see his friends' concern for his safety. Standing up, he flipped his hat onto his head and slid his finger along the brim. "Then let's get to it, not even public corruption is going to stop us." He grinned at the groans around him. But he didn't care, it felt good to go into the field, help people, and work with his friends.

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

Alrighty, work appears to be easing up... not on standards, but in hours :P We're past the main summer and tourist season so things will likely slow down a bit and I hope to catch a break here and there. This last week we've had two new guys... one lasted an hour and a half and the other an hour... while the second may yet return from being 'sick' the first was definitely fired. Fortunately, the woman who joined the team while my family was visiting has remained steady and is helping out. However, this next week is to begin some form of remodel for the store so the president and CEOs of the company are coming... let's see how much of a tizzy this causes! Anyway, I hope to work on playing some catch-up with my own things in the extra time off while I've been volleying ideas with Quinis for the fun of it with the hopes of getting back to writing one of these days :)