Would never have happened realistically. In fact Peter's suspicions about Neal taking their friendship might still be true. Sad thing is he will never know until Neal tells him.

Couldn't agree with Neal more, to bad it didn't take more for them to make up. Nothing in their agreement says they must be friends in order to work together on n fact their friends

Honestly, El kind of pissed me off. Like, oh boo-freaking-hoo. So Peter (who is a lousy friend anyway) isn't happy when Neal's no mindless slave to poor Peter's emotions anymore? Big deal. Neal's not your husband's toy. He's a real human being, let him be... Ugh. Anyway, nice story.

Oh my gosh I really really like this.
The only thing, I feel like it's missing the Fowler "who has Kate" tension but this is one of my favorite episodes in relation to their tension and trust and I feel like you capture it really well :)

Neal trying to protect himself from someone who doesn't trust him makes sense. This was very good. Neal has to take care of himself and Peter let him down terribly. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the writing. And a conclusion with apologies and hope.

Love it! :)

Very nice! Thank you.

Yeah, very nicely done. Again, not making Neal the weak patsy, giving him some authentic reactions to horrible situations and awful Peter behaviours...we know P isn't great with people, and he certainly isn't with Neal, and canon Neal just kept taking it and smiling...glad you made Peter and El work for this!

And of course, being Peter's friend, always helping Peter above and beyond hurt Neal immeasurably - and not only at this point in the series!

I just reread this story and I still really like it but like Lady Sakura, why does Neal have to be friends in order to work as CI? That was not part of the agreement. Peter is not trustworthy to to abide by his promise. Peter has shifted so many times from all for Neal to trying to get Neal arrested. Besides Peter job alone prevents him from trusting Neal.

Neal was playing the friendly role but Peter insisted Neal had to be real or it was over. I thin Neal should have said no. IF Neal had kept his distance he never would have accepted Hagen's offer to free Peter from jail. It was not Neal's fault Peter picked up the murder weapon and fired it.

Why does Neal have to compromise? Can't Neal just keep his opinions and still work next to Peter?

I really, really liked this. It is well written and I agree that there should have been a little more fall out on the show after what happened in this episode.

Wow, so emotional. Great job, glad they are figuring things out.

Nice job!

I think it's time for Peter and Neal to have another one of these talks..

LianeZ4, You are so right. This conversation should have happened before. Neal was hurt when Peter said that Neal let him down. Neal in surprised repeated in thinking Peter let him down.
Now in S5 Neal still acts all friendly even when Peter has indicated Neal is just a criminal and Peter should not be surprised that Neal does criminal actions.

The cycle repeats and the pain and hurt becomes worse.