A/N: taking on board some advice I've reordered the previous chapters to make an easier read. Thanks for your reviews, favourites and follows! :)

To reward Neal for his rare show of honesty, Peter allowed them both a reprieve and spent the reminder of the afternoon not getting his own paperwork done, but going through cold case files. It may seem petty, but giving Neal a chance to show off and prove he's smarter than the average FBI Agent is always a sure-fire way to lighten his mood.

"This one is a classic case of the embarrassing cheque." Neal grinned manically at him from across the table.

"Cheque?" Peter raised an eyebrow, looking up from his own open case file. "Do people still write cheques?"

"They're legally binding." Neal jumped up and headed to the fridge, clearly feeling he was deserving of a reward. "And it's a really easy con to pull because technically everyone is offered their money back."

The rest of the explanation was muffled behind the open fridge door and drowned out by the clanking of bottles, but Peter got the gist.

"So, you're telling me our suspects mysterious 5k came from kinky rich guys who were too embarrassed to cash a refund cheque from Wangs & Whips?"

Neal whipped his head up from behind the still open fridge, "something you want to share Peter?"

The little shit was laughing, that sly chuckle signalling amusement at his expense.

And it was a wonderful sight.

Hours later, when El came home to the two of them more than a little tipsy, she declared an end to the work day and insisted on takeout. They swapped stories about their day, Peter glossing over much of what happened at the office in exchange for picking out Neal's most ingenious cold case solves. The night came and went without any of the excitement like the night before it, and Neal settled surprisingly well into the routine of going to work with him in the morning, assisting the junior Agents with chasing paper trails and coming straight back home again. No brunches, fancy lunches or clandestine rendezvous with any criminal of his friends.

Jones and Diana still have point on the Benedict case, Peter taking a step back as per Hughes' order. But that aside things seem to be getting back to something approaching normal. Today marks his third day of alternating between helping them and keeping Neal in his sights at all times. Tomorrow's Saturday and though he has no plans, he's certain he'll need some because Neal's still living with them, and a bored Neal is not something he ever enjoys dealing with.

Unfortunately, despite the easier groove they've fallen into, his mind is too preoccupied to look up what museums are going to pose the lowest risk for trouble because Neal's reaction to getting within mere feet of the court house is still bothering him. They've walked passed the court house building many times before, hell they've had to enter it on multiple occasions and not once has the kid lost it like he did the other day. Peter doesn't feel bad for not giving the trip a second thought, what's occupying his thoughts still is after staying with him in the hospital and comforting him through his nightmares, how could Neal think he'd be so callous as to throw him in jail just because he couldn't give a useable statement?

"Not everything is about you, you realise?" El nudges him out of the way, putting the leftovers in the fridge.

Peter blinks, checks his watch, is that the time? He's been ruminating on Neal's strange reaction all the way through dinner apparently.

"I know that." He grouses, shifting to the side slightly while he takes another chug of his beer. "But I really thought we'd built up enough of a foundation for him to trust I wouldn't hurt him that way."

He keeps his tone low, trying not to wake the young man who has dropped off on the couch.

"He does trust you." El helps herself to her own beer now the clean-up has been done to her satisfaction, not like her husband who limited his role to loading the dishwasher. "I don't think he'd feel safe enough to fall asleep on anyone else's couch."

"True," he concedes, because what may seem so simple, for someone always on their guard like Neal, being vulnerable in front of others is a big step. "But then why?"

"Oh Hun," she links her arms around his waist. "Everyone deals with stress in different ways. Neal's is to be defensive and think in terms of the worst-case scenario."

Peter looks down at her. Taking in the kitchen, the several cake and biscuit tins full of freshly baked goods. He knows ever since he told her until they arrested the bastards responsible he would be bringing Neal home for safe keeping, she'd been keeping herself busy. Baking is not only something she enjoys, it's how she manages the day to day stress of being married to an F.B.I agent, and given their trip to the morgue the other day, he's sure this case has given her plenty to stress about.

"You're still worried." He realises, kicking his brain for not cluing him in earlier.

El relaxes a little in his grip, not unlike the way Neal does when Peter pulls down the walls he deliberately surrounds himself with. "Of course, I'm still worried." She sighs, resting against him. "The bad guys are still out there and you think they'll be coming after Neal, that's why you're so insistent he can't go home. I'm scared Peter, for him and for you."

"I'm fine." He hugs her tight. "And Neal will be fine too. I'll protect him."

"I know you will." She pulls away, recomposed, "And so does he, in his heart. But sometimes the mind can play tricks on us, especially on someone like Neal. I don't think he's ever really had anyone to look out for him, has he?"

Peter mules that over. "No, I mean what I know about him from our files and what I know about him doesn't fit. His whole life is an illusion, but no one has that many personal barriers up without experiencing some kind of trauma early on."

"I wonder where his parents are." She says absently, turning to rinse the remaining dinner pans and leaving them to drain on the side.

"Ah, now that's an easy question to answer." He takes the opportunity to comfort her like she just did for him.

"Peter," she laughs as his arms slip around her.

"What? You're fretting about the wellbeing of my C.I. What other reason would you have?"

"Well he is very handsome." She giggles, letting Peter spin her around and give her a kiss.

"Mom, Dad, can you keep the noise down, some of us need our beauty sleep." Neal interrupts them, heading for the fridge and helping himself to juice. "And don't you have a room for that."

"I can send you to your room if you like." Peter warns, keeping up the banter.

El hits him on the arm and frees herself, reaching for the juice carton and snagging it out of Neal's jittering hands. "Glass." She points at the cupboard above his head. She knows Neal isn't the type to drink from the carton even in his own place, but she can't help but view him as unpredictable at the moment. "We didn't mean to wake you, but maybe you should head up-stairs."

"I'm okay." Neal doesn't meet her eye.

Peter watches from the side lines as El takes over the Neal handling. He'd suspected Neal was listening, which is why he'd made the jibe about them playing the role of his parents. The analogy fit too well at the moment to miss the opportunity.

At work Neal has been the strong one, in control, doing his job – and predictably complaining about not being allowed out of the building without an escort - like nothing ever happened! Jones, Diana and even Hughes have all commented on how glad they are everything's getting back to normal. Conversely, Peter has been a nervous wreck at work. Freaking out whenever Neal's out of sight for more than a minute, even though he's aware he's still in the building thanks to the recently replaced anklet. He's avoiding taking cases that might have them out in the field and any suggestion that anyone other than him takes Neal into the field results in their heads being bitten off. It isn't like him, and Peter doesn't like it, but the anxiety he feels from just thinking of Neal being exposure to god knows what danger – no, he's not ready.

Now, at home it's a complete role reversal. Here Peter's within his element, he can control the environment, who comes and who goes. Neal's not even mentioned wanting to go back to June's, not having his own personal space doesn't seem to really bother him. Like clockwork they get up and go to work on time in the morning and at the end of each day he's obediently trailed Peter back to the car, falling asleep within seconds of him starting the engine. Peter only waking him up once they reach Brooklyn and park outside the house. He'll eat dinner with him and El, then immediately fall asleep on the couch. Not one complaint passing his lips. It's like putting up the front of being fine at work is draining all of his energy.

When it's time to head to bed that's when the fun starts. He'll begin by saying he's not tired, that he's fine staying up watching TV. But Peter knows Neal holds very little interest in who's won American Idol or what Kim Kardashian is getting up to this week, so he pushes for something closer to the truth. This results in some pouting, maybe a whine, escalating to practiced use of that Caffrey smile on El, but she's almost as wise to his ways as Peter these days and in the end Peter wins. Continuing his submissive trend Neal usually climbs the stairs with heavy shoulders and doesn't utter another word of protest.

By that behaviour alone Peter is certain all is not as it seems – is it ever with Neal? - and so therefore feels completely justified in his anxiety at work. They still haven't caught the main guy responsible for the kidnapping, so until then Peter doesn't care what Neal or anyone else thinks about his methods.

"What do you think hon?"

Peter looks up, realising he's being spoken to. "Huh?"

"Neal doesn't think he can sleep yet, I thought you two could go walk Satch?" She glares, telling Peter that's exactly what he's going to do whether he wants to or not. "Some fresh air will do you both some good."

Peter turns his gaze to Neal who's staring at the floor. "Yeah, sure." He pushes off the side and quietly walking forward takes Neal by the elbow. "Let's go kid."

…

Walking the streets of Brooklyn, in a very domesticated scene with Neal holding Satchmo's leash, neither speak for the first block. It's another warm evening, the sun is only just setting and there's a relaxed atmosphere gripping the streets. People making the most of the spate good weather before the traditional summer storms roll in.

"I'm fine you know." Neal breaks the silence first.

"I know." Peter responds airily.

He's felt Neal twitching at his side since leaving the house and now can sense his gaze, flicking between him and the sidewalk when he thinks he's not looking.

"Then why can't I work in the field?"

"Neal we've been over this." Peter was really hoping to not have to discuss it again.

"No, you've told me you're in charge and I don't get a say. But we've not talked about why."

"We don't need to."

"Yes, we do."

"Okay, then let's also talk about why you've not once asked to go home." It's out of his mouth before he can think twice. Yes, it's a question he wants an answer to, but he also knows that answer will come from working through Neal's mind-set and analysing his behaviour, not the direct approach. "Neal? I'm sorry. I didn't mean that how it sounded."

Neal had stopped dead a few steps behind him, looking completely thrown.

"How did you mean it?" He looks shy and upset and goddamnit not at all angry.

Peter points to a park bench across the street. "Can we?"

They sit.

"I know you. I know you value your own space and though I know you secretly love it that I let you invade my space on a daily basis, that isn't what this is about. I want you staying with us right now. I need you staying with us. But I guess what's got me most worried is that you really don't seem to mind."

"You're worried because I'm actually doing as I'm told without argument for once?"

Peter thinks on that for a second. Neal's very logical statement is making him sound nuts. But he knows he's not. "Yes." He tells him straight. "Because that's how I know you're really not okay and I hate seeing you… not okay."

Neal looks away, fidgets and wrings his hands. Nodding he says, "I'm not okay." A beat of silence, "I keep having these dreams… nightmares really. I think they're memories but … I don't know what's real anymore."

"Is that why you've not been sleeping?"

"Oh, I sleep." Neal smiles, blushing. "Otherwise I think I would be an emotional train wreck by now." He takes a breath and catches his eye as if weighing up how Peter will take what he's going to say next. "If I'm with you, or even El, I can close my eyes and be mostly fine. But when I'm alone … I can't Peter. I just can't face being alone in the dark. I sit awake all night waiting for the sun to rise, hoping that the next day will be different."

Peter remains silent for nearly a full minute, truly unsure what to say that could make this better. But he quickly realises there's nothing he can say. Even in his emotionally weakened state Neal holds all the cards.

"I'm going to protect you. No matter what you are not alone in any of this. You hear me?"

His agreement is automatic if the head bobbing is any indication. "I want to go back to June's, I do. It's my home. But then your house feels like home to me too." Neal quickly releases a nervous chuckle and looks away, clearly regretting that confession. "I know that sounds stupid."

"It's not stupid. Crazy, but not stupid." Neal gives him a look that prompts him to explain. "When you first turned up here with the name of the Dutchman I was convinced this couldn't continue. You had no understanding of boundaries and I knew no matter how many rules I set you'd do your best to break every single one."

"But you did agree to the deal?" Neal frowns at him.

"I did." Peter holds back most of his smile, no matter the situation he loves it when he can confuse the young man who prides himself on being one step ahead of everyone else.

"So, what changed?"

Tough question, Peter's really not sure it was one thing or the slow drip, drip, drip that was Neal Caffrey.

"I guess I felt the turn around was worth the minor inconvenience." He laughs at Neal's eye roll. "And," he presses, hand on Neal's cheek preventing him from looking away, "I also felt more than a little protective of you. I know you're not as confident as you make out and I figured if four years inside hadn't taught you how to behave like a law-abiding adult, another four was probably going to do more harm than good. You deserved punishment for what you did Neal, but it was never my intention to break you. You have a good heart and smart mind. I want to help you use it in a way that doesn't end with you behind bars for life."

Neal falls quickly to the side, head precariously balancing on Peter's shoulder. "Mozzie thinks I've got Stockholm Syndrome."

He would. "What do you think?"

"I sometimes wonder why you didn't just hang up on me all those times I'd call you at home in the middle of the night." He says with an exhausted sigh.

"Well that's easy." Neal rolls his gaze up without moving, expression challenging – no, asking – he really doesn't know. "You were just a kid, in over your head. I figured you needed someone to talk to."

Peter recalls all the lecturing he did even back then, trying to convince a much younger Neal Caffrey to hand himself in and end the game before he or someone got seriously hurt, while he still had time to make his life count for something good.

As if hearing the path of his inner voice Neal's actual voice echoes the sentiment.

"Sometimes I wish I'd listened."

"Would have made things easier on me – much lower blood pressure." Peter jibes, pleased as hell at the smile returning to Neal's face. "Ah no, no being pleased. You put me through hell worrying about you then and you still do it now. The only time I wasn't worried was when you were in jail – there at least I knew you were safe."

"You do realise Jail is not a safe place, right?"

"You were looked after." He drawls.

Neal eyes him suspiciously. "How would you know that?"

Peter's turn to blush. "I may have made a few calls."

He doesn't get to say anything else, Neal arms wrap around his neck cutting off most of his air supply.

…

"Good walk?" El asks as soon as Peter enters their bedroom.

"Enlightening." He strolls over to sit on top of the covers. "We may need to make some changes to how we manage our nights for a while."

Her face tells him to explain and so he does. Bottomlining it for her.

"Neal needs to start sleeping at night, when he's supposed to, not catching a few hours here and there during our commute or after dinner." If having someone with him makes Neal feel safe enough to let that happen then that's what he intends to do.

"It's not much of a long-term plan."

"No," he muses. "More of an interim, until I can think of something better or Neal's no longer afraid of the dark plan."

El accepts that he's already decided on this course of action. Her understanding nature is what makes them work. If the shoe were on the other foot, he doubts he'd be anywhere near as accommodating. From there they slip into silence as Peter exchange's his jeans and t-shirt for night clothes and prepares to camp out in the guest room. The fact he's even considering this shows just how far down the rabbit hole he's fell.

Being a handler is all about reining in the asset and ensuring they abide by the C.I agreement. Having any social relationship with a criminal informant is against the rules, which is partly why some see fit to circumvent him and try to handle Neal the traditional way. Peter already knew about Agents Underhill and Steward before Neal spilled the beans. Both came to see him the second they got wind of his disappearance. They aren't bad guys, they did what they thought was necessary for the job at the time, a job they felt he wasn't doing. Unfortunately, what they deemed "necessary", Peter calls an abuse of power and fully intends to file an official complaint with OPR to ensure nothing of the like happens again – to any C.I, not just Neal.

It feels like he's always known Neal and this thing where Neal practicality lives in his house and spends time with his wife was inevitable. Inevitable because you can't just know Neal. You either love him or hate him. The kid may be a renowned con-artist, but he can be incredibly naïve and insecure at times. Often wearing his heart on his sleeve, leaving himself open to be taken advantage of by the likes of Kate, or in this case Agents who sort to exploit any weakness to get their way. Neal is always so desperate to be liked, he's loyal and will do just about anything to protect those he cares about. It hurts to watch him get used for such a wonderful trait again and again and again. That's why Peter puts the time and effort in for Neal when he wouldn't for any other criminal he's caught.

Whatever may come their way in the future, Peter's prepared to get through it together and have them come out the other side without losing that which is most important. Each other.

A/N: thanks everyone for reading and hopefully you are enjoying the story. This marks a kind of ending of Part 1. There is more to come, but it will be take place weeks later and mark the beginning of another more action filled story - with my usual dose of H/C never going to stop that kind of self indulgence :) - as well as answering the unanswered questions these chapters have thrown up. Thanks for the support and I hope you all join me for part 2!