Peter watched Neal, in his favorite suit, pulling card tricks on the younger agents below, playful grin firmly in place. He shook his head and smiled as he turned away and headed back to his office. Seeing those blue eyes alight with mischief here in the office felt like old times. Times before the horrors and pain they'd both endured.

He settled in his desk considering having Neal back in the office today. Things would never go back to the way they were before... not really but Neal was ok now... most days. when they found him he'd been a ghost of himself but he'd slowly but surely climbed out of the hole as days had turned to weeks, weeks to months and suddenly they were coming up on the first anniversary of the day Peter realized his friend might still be out there.

Martinelli was convicted 2 months ago. and it turns out he didn't have enough friends in SIng Sing to protect him from a very unpleasant demise. if peter had suspicions about who might have arranged that... he wasn't asking. after all it couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.

When a case had come up last month that resembled Neal's MO peter had been informed by the brass that his team was not to pursue it... they had little confidence in his ability to have the proper objectivity when it came to Neal Caffrey.

Diana had snorted at that memo... then shrugged and asked if he wanted coffee while he was out.

The Higher ups in DC weren't wrong Peter mused as he switched on his computer. Neal Could steal the crown jewels, the hope diamond and every painting in the MET and peter wouldn't have the heart to arrest him, after everything the kid had survived. Not that he was saying that out loud...

He had a suspicion Neal knew though. Which is why he had confidence in his friend's attempt to go straight. Running wouldn't be fun if Peter wasn't going to chase him anymore.

Three months ago Neal opened a security consulting office. Business wasn't quite booming yet but it was picking up steadily... The Caffrey name may make museum directors and gallery owners nervous but they couldn't deny he knew his way around security systems. And last week Neal signed a contract to consult with the FBI on certain cases.

Which is why he was standing in Peter's door with that soft playful smile.

"Morning Peter." He said sitting a cup of coffee on the desk. "I know how you like June's Italian Roast."

"I do." Peter returned the smile as the younger man settled in the chair across from him.

"So I was looking at the files you dropped off for me last night..." Neal's smile widened "And I have an idea."

Peter hid his ridiculously big grin behind his cup. Everything was finally right with his world.