Organized Crimes

The week past in a blur and soon the team was back at the facility regrouping for their second match against Organized Crimes.

Hughes, Peter, and Neal were holding a table while Jones and Diana were over studying the map to see if they could find the places Neal had hid the week before. By challenging themselves, they were endeavoring to have more secure hiding places than Organized Crimes giving them an advantage.

While they waited, the others sipped on their drinks and talked to pass the time.

Coming up behind them, Ruiz slapped a folder down in front of Peter and Hughes. "I think we found some of how your team defeated Rice's team. Why didn't you tell us you had a deep history with the CIA, Peter?"

"Ruiz?" Hughes questioned the approach. It was a risky maneuver, especially for a simple game of laser tag.

Neal physically froze with his eyes moving back and forth between Peter as he looked at the folder and the dark-haired Ruiz who stood behind him in slacks and FBI polo.

"Yes, I started with the FBI, and yes I was pulled into CIA work where I was given an unofficial agent rank and even led missions under a field name. No, I don't work for the CIA anymore as the last mess I got put in wasn't going to be acknowledged if things went wrong, and then a traitor decided to threaten me if I didn't take action and the bosses directed me to play along. My performance was sufficient enough to get me nearly killed. Washington knows all of this. You don't need to know anything else, Ruiz." Peter growled as he slapped the folder closed again.

"I know too so don't try to make trouble, Ruiz. It was my contacts in the NSA that helped him to get out." Hughes used his stern boss voice while looking disapprovingly at the younger agent.

Passing the folder back, Peter put it into Ruiz's hand roughly. "Put it in your car. You don't want to leave stuff like that out in the open, especially not in a public place like this."

Following the instructions, Ruiz headed back out to the parking lot to lock the folder in his car.

"He's just trying to create internal struggles in the team to weaken our game. It's a low blow, but your records are known by the FBI, CIA, and NSA so there is no threat to your career." Hughes tried to reassure Peter.

Angrily, Peter stared at the table until he remembered that Neal was still sitting across the table from him. Jerking his head up, he quickly observed his consultant. "Neal?"

"What were you saying about an operation where it wouldn't be acknowledged if things went wrong and a performance that nearly killed you?" His voice was flat and distant. Clearly, the plan to create distrust had worked where he was concerned.

"I can't tell you." Peter shifted to sitting straighter. He was on guard as operations from his past were in danger of exposure.

Shifting straighter and away, Neal physically showed himself distancing from his friend. "Those government people in my past include the CIA and NSA. I already know something about it, Kieran. What I don't know is why you acted the way you did."

That made Hughes sit up straighter in attention as well and turn towards Neal. It looked like he wanted to pursue the topic, but Jones and Diana made an untimely return causing a change in conversation.

"Ruiz is here and his agents are collecting over by the check-in getting their IDs set up. It's time for us to get checked in, but at least we don't have to do the whole process again." Diana held up her ID from the previous week to prove her point.

"Is everything alright," Jones had quietly observed the tension around the table and wondered what had transpired.

Neal got up from the table seriously, "Ruiz was already here." Then he headed for the check-in.

Before questions could be stated, Hughes waved Jones and Diana on ahead. "We'll take care of it. Go and get your IDs checked in."

Then remaining behind with Peter, he asked. "Who do you think Neal is? Obviously, he knows more about government than we thought."

Watching his consultant from a distance, Peter had an idea. "I think he could be Bryce Larkin. The kid was supposedly killed, but that was while Neal was in prison, or allegedly in prison. If I'm right, he has a lot of information access in the agencies and a lot of history with Carmichael and Walker so he'd be interested in my performance as a threat to them, especially since there was also the illusion that I was going after a child and the civilian mother who raised her."

Getting a message on his phone, Peter checked his text to find one from the general. "Yep, he's looking for information on me. The general just alerted me." Peter messaged back that Ruiz had blown his secret in front of Neal to cause division, over a laser tag game no less.

Looking up at the concentrated expression he could see on Neal's face as he was absorbed in his phone, Peter then looked down to send a follow-up message. "Is he Larkin?"

With a call coming through from the general, he nodded to Hughes that he was going to take it outside.

Accepting the situation, Hughes nodded back before heading for the check-in to join the rest of his team.

Signing in and then taking his ID, Hughes went to the computer on the end close to where Neal was tinkering with his phone. Pretending to take his time with the computer, Hughes let the other team make assumptions based on his age while creating an opening to talk to Neal.

"Are you Larkin?" He asked what he could only assume was a younger agent from the CIA.

"As surely as Peter is Ryker," Neal commented with a cold and distant tone.

"It's a field name? Peter really is who he says he is, only with a few additional details not everyone is aware of." Hughes threw a fact in about his favorite agent to try and ease some of the conflict Ruiz had managed to create.

"Not entirely. Larkin isn't a field name, but it isn't my real name either." Neal wasn't giving much, but it was more than Hughes had expected.

Then Neal also got a call so he left to find a secluded space where he could hear the conversation while not being eavesdropped on by any random passerby.

Left to buy time with the rest of the agents, Hughes knew this game was going to be a struggle. Ruiz had accomplished his goal with Peter and Neal more surely than he would have if it had been Jones or Diana who'd been present for the reveal. Glaring at the man, Hughes didn't mind letting the man know his displeasure. If Peter and Neal could pull it together, it would give them a greater advantage for the game. However, Hughes' biggest concern was that the two figured out how to handle the revelation that had been forced on them. They were one of the best partnerships he'd ever seen and he sensed that they'd both endured hard times in the CIA so they each needed the friendship that the other offered.

Catching up to him, Jones and Diana looked like they were still questioning the situation, but only pointed out their opponents and introduced them to ensure he knew who they were up against.

Diana indicated which agent was which based on their hair and clothing. "Zane Cummer has black hair and a dark blue shirt. You'll notice that he's styled his hair similar to Neal for an added attempt at confusion. Evelyn Martinez has the braid of black hair and a bright yellow shirt, Erin Loux has the flaxen hair and gray shirt, while Caleb Rosenberger is the brown haired one wearing army camo."

Having met a few of them before, Hughes knew they were all skilled agents based on reputation. Ruiz clearly wasn't pulling out any stops if he could help it.

Whiling away the last few minutes of their time, the groups made general conversation until it was their turn in the arena.

Listening to the phone call, Peter heard a general rundown of information. He wasn't being cleared to know it all, but he was learning a few basic details about his consultant to help them work together. In short, his name was Bryce Larkin, he was an Agent in Charge of some project and an Intelligence Officer, his reputation was stellar in his own field, and he was on assignment only pretending to be a con artist. That was it, but it was enough for Peter to know he could generally trust Neal if Neal would trust him enough to behave.

Thanking the general, he left dealing with Ruiz to higher powers and focused more on coming up with a way to make peace with his consultant.

In the past, Neal had briefly wondered about him being the person responsible for Kate's difficulties, but now he had proof that Peter had been responsible for causing trouble with his old friends. How unforgivable was this going to be?

Encountering his consultant in a back hallway as he tried to prepare for rejoining the teams, Peter paused. "I take it she told you about me?"

Nodding, Neal seemed wary, "Probably as much as she told you about me."

Stepping forward, Peter took the initiative. As much as he'd always distrusted Neal for his secrets, the kid was probably taking the bigger surprise as he'd always been fairly open about himself and his history in the FBI so the CIA history was probably broadsiding Neal from left field. Putting forth his hand, he started answering Neal's earlier questions. "I should introduce myself all the same. You know I'm agent Peter Burke of the FBI, but I also have a history of doing assignments with the CIA per a Washington task force project. For one operation I was assigned to be handler to a CIA agent on an international job where I was directed to protect an infant and she ran away with the kid. It worked out because she gave the girl to her mother to raise giving her a safe life so it was left alone for approximately five years. Then, someone, we both know escaped from prison and threatened me if I didn't use his proffered information to go after the girl again. Like most, he assumed that I was rogue and after the heiress's fortune. Per the instruction of the bosses, I played along and pursued. Your former partner made the stupid move of leaving her team out of it, but she was good enough to put a stake through my chest." Peter shivered as he remembered the near-death experience that had followed. "This was while you were doing one of those stints in prison and the paperwork kept getting drug out waiting for me to be back in the field. Hughes helped me to get out of the task force and I'm back to being just Peter Burke of the FBI, exactly who I say I am."

Meeting him cautiously, Neal took the proffered hand, but he wasn't friendly and easy going like he normally was. Their friendship had definitely taken a hit. "I'm Neal Caffrey here, and in the CIA I'm Agent in Charge Officer Bryce Larkin, although that's only my legal name and official rank. My work is above top secret and classified need to know and I'm on loan for a special assignment here. You know I'm associated with the agent from your case as my former partner and ex-girlfriend while also having a history with her entire team in some fashion or another. The last time I was killed in the field I was shot through the back after a traitor in my protection team led the enemy straight to us. I don't trust easy and right now I'm adjusting to your reveal. However, I can still work with the guy who killed me the first time in the field with real guns so what's a game of laser tag with you?"

Sighing, Peter shook Neal's hand in one quick motion before Neal was pulling away and creating professional distance again. The kid was tolerating him which was a start, but he wasn't trusting him. Then again, he was surprised at how easily he was trusting Neal.

Peter's past with the CIA was often being told that if anything went wrong he wouldn't be acknowledged, and then a whole lot of trouble as the shadow wars with the Ring turned into a full-blown civil war. He'd been through some betrayals and rough situations, but he always had his experience with the FBI to return to. Hughes was honest and fair, he tried to do the right thing, and he provided an element of protection for Peter to do the same.

Watching Neal as they walked towards the arena where the teams were waiting, Peter guessed that Neal hadn't had it so easy. The kid probably went through a lot of betrayals while being thrown into the depths of that civil war. Peter had heard legends and rumors. Larkin had pretended to be a traitor to infiltrate the Ring which got him killed, and then working to combat the Ring without the additional role of traitor got him killed again.

Reaching the team as they went into the initial room for the rules again, Peter ignored the video as he'd seen it just last week. Instead, he observed Neal standing to the side of the group with his back to the wall as he watched the video from the sidelines.

Tapping Hughes on the shoulder, Peter pointed to Neal when he looked indicating that Neal was deeply affected by the reveal. Even in the darkness, he could see his boss's frown.

When the video ended, most of the agents moved forwards into the next room for their gear.

Peter patted Neal on the shoulder just before they walked through the doorway and then he held Neal back slightly by the door to avoid the movement of the others getting their vests. Speaking softly, he promised, "I'm not going to hurt you."

Glancing back at him, Neal didn't seem to accept or deny the promise but was instead gauging his body language before he too moved to get his vest and join the agents preparing for the game.

Following along, Peter was glad they were blue vests again as it made it easy for him to don his vest, enter the arena, and walk to the base weaving through the obstacles as he knew where he was going.

Catching up, he found the team waiting for the starting buzzer. Everyone was testing their sites as Neal stated his plan.

"Like I said last week, they've probably talked to Missing Persons and they're going to know I was the top scorer. Now they're going to focus on targeting me so I suggest we use it. I'll go up front and center as bait while those of you who follow can pick them off as they shoot at me." Neal was putting himself out front and center with relaxed ease.

"No." Peter didn't have to elaborate as everyone knew he wouldn't approve of Neal putting himself out as bait. He didn't approve of anyone being made bait like that.

"It's not like it's the real field. The worst they can do is score more off of shooting me than you all score off of shooting them in the process." Neal's expression indicated the challenge that he was right and they couldn't argue.

"I still don't like it." Peter frowned at him while raising an eyebrow. With the secrets revealed, they both knew that Neal had thrown himself out there in the real field too, and died for it.

With the buzzer ringing, they didn't have time to come up with another plan.

Neal threw a final glance at Peter and dove into the obstacles plunging into the game.

Following, Peter wasn't going to let Neal do this to himself, not even in a game of laser tag.

For the first time since he'd gotten out of the CIA taskforce work, Peter allowed skills he'd learned there to surface. He didn't like it, but he could be something of a hunter too. Moving to get ahead of where Neal was, he put himself in a position where he could see those moving to fire on Neal, but they couldn't see him immediately. Then he started firing on anyone in a red sensor vest who showed themselves.

Based on the white hair he caught a glimpse of, Peter knew Hughes had taken the other side of the approach and was endeavoring to cover Neal from his angle.

Working across the arena, they kept moving while making themselves hard for Organized Crimes to hit.

When they reached the red base, Neal moved into position and began firing to rack up points. Even when he took a hit, he remained as the target firing on the base to rack up points at every opportunity.

Hughes moved to a position where he could prevent anyone from sneaking up on Neal while Peter prowled around the two providing mobile protection and Jones sniped from above.

It wasn't a conventional approach, but it puzzled Organized Crime so they were unsure how to counter the attack. They sent a few to try and score on the blue base, but they were mostly focused on trying to defend their own base which proved dangerous against their opponents.

Soon enough, the buzzer sounded calling the end of round one.

While moving to return to their base, Peter caught Neal and pulled him behind an obstacle to the side of the room where they could talk for a moment.

"Don't you dare do anything like that under my watch again! I know you're used to throwing yourself out there, but I don't approve of it at all. You will take precautions and endeavor to get through operations alive and well. Otherwise, I will be the one you need to worry about. Even if I have to chain you to a desk because I can't throw you back in jail, I will do my best to ensure you are safe! Am I clear?" Peter growled at Neal with aggressive force. He was still wound up and wasn't anywhere close to relaxing.

Neal showed a rather surprised reaction as if he hadn't expected Peter to react so strongly. "We need to get back to base." Then he led the way.

Watching from above, Jones had caught the aggressive nature to the last round and knew that Ruiz was the cause for the upset of Hughes, Peter, and Neal.

Thinking as he made his way back to the team base, he came up with a way to handle the next round.

"I think Peter should take the eye in the sky, Neal guards our base, and the rest of us go for the red base." He stated his plan only to quickly find himself backed up.

Hughes explained, "They're targeting Neal for his scores last week and Peter made himself a target by actually beating him out for points this last round. We won, but only because Organized Crimes weren't sure how to handle that approach."

With the buzzer announcing the second round, the team split up to follow the plan.

Jones led the way with Diana flanking him on one side and Hughes on the other, but Peter winged off Hughes picking up the edge of their advance until he broke off at the ramp to climb up to the upper level.

Weaving through the obstacles, Jones kept his laser up and ready to fire much as he did in the field with a real gun so that he could fire at any target that presented themselves.

Exchanging fire with Cummer and Rosenberger, Jones found himself well matched against his opponents. Diana came up behind him and two worked together to pick shots at their opponents so that none of them moved beyond the reach of the other team.

Hearing the sound of the red base being attacked, Jones surmised that Hughes had moved on to reach the base while Peter covered for him. He wasn't successful for long, but he didn't retreat so he was managing to hold his ground even if he couldn't also manage the additional attack on the base beyond the occasional shot.

A brief sound of the blue base being hit meant Neal was occupied, but he managed to hold them off as well as only a few alarms went off from time to time before he'd block the attack.

It was a hard round with no one achieving too much before the sound system called the end of round two and declared them tied.

Knowing they needed to work through their issues, Neal still wasn't thrilled when Hughes directed for him and Peter to infiltrate the red side while Jones and Diana sniped from above and Hughes guarded the base.

It was a good plan. Peter and Neal were the primary targets while also being the most aggressive players to counter Organized Crimes, but they were also struggling a bit with the reveal that had occurred just before the game.

Sighing, Neal knew he might as well prepare for the round as the countdown was about to end which meant he was going to plunge into the game with Peter whether he was ready to or not.

When it was time, Neal shifted out into the obstacles mirroring Peter and trusting the other agent to cover his six. Seeing the sleeve of a bright yellow shirt, Neal waited for Martinez to show herself before he shot her sensors. Then he dodged Loux's attempt at shooting him before spinning around the obstacle at his back to shoot her from the other side. Hitting Martinez again as she dodged to a different obstacle for a new angle, he kept hitting them before they could sight in on him.

Hearing heavier fire nearby, Neal slipped to another obstacle to investigate. Getting closer, he found Peter pinned down by Cummer as the agent used his similar appearance to himself to throw Peter.

It wasn't fair to take advantage of Peter that way. Everyone knew he was protective of his team, particularly Neal.

Feeling abashed, Neal realized that Peter was genuinely friends with him and he was struggling with the reveal and his reaction. His aggressive insistence that Neal take care of himself wasn't a show, it was too emotional and real for that.

Shooting Cummer himself, Neal took care of the threat while he moved to cover Peter's back before joining him behind the same obstacle.

Nodding at Peter, Neal showed that he was more accepting of their circumstances to which Peter nodded back with a hint of relief.

Suddenly smirking, Neal asked Peter just loud enough for the agent to hear. "How about we show them some black ops?"

Widening his eyes, Peter wasn't expecting Neal to be so revealing with his abilities. Then after a moment, he nodded before beginning to smile as well.

Shifting to stand back to back, Peter and Neal then blew out from their obstacle to the one across the walkway. By moving in such a fashion, they each trusted the other to guide their steps and cover their back from the encroaching enemy. Neal took on Martinez and Loux who had followed him across the arena while Peter fired on Cummer and Rosenberger.

Making each transition together, Peter and Neal were able to hit their targets each time as they moved from one obstacle to another. Then, if there was someone who was beyond their reach or trying to sneak up on them, then Jones and Diana were moving about above sniping at them.

Turning their direction towards the red base, they were able to reach the target and spin around each taking a shot before moving to shoot any opponent sneaking up on them while Jones supported them from above.

By the point where the timer ended the third round, they had again gained enough points to take the lead back.

When everyone returned to base, Diana was glad to see that they were all back to a semblance of normalcy. Whatever Ruiz had done hadn't caused permanent damage.

"How about we surprise them again? It's risky, but we could fan out three below and two above to pin them on the other side of the arena. They wouldn't expect that as we've always kept someone back to guard the base." Diana threw out the suggestion to see if they could gain another advantage.

Shrugging, Neal didn't seem to disagree as he smiled at Peter and Hughes in a knowing fashion. It reinforced that something had changed between them, but it helped propagate her plan so Diana wasn't complaining.

Jones didn't disagree so they opted to roll with it.

Taking an eye in the sky roll, Diana wanted to watch how this played out and ensure they kept Organized Crimes away from their blue base.

With the final round initiated, the team fanned out across the arena and began their march across.

Jones and Diana brought up the edges and then folded in when they encountered Ruiz, Rosenberger, and Cummer trying to penetrate their line. Firing from the front and sides, White Collar forced Organized Crimes to retreat back.

Breaking off, Diana mirrored Jones as she cautiously climbed the ramp trying to ensure no one had reached the top level ahead of them.

Ducking as she reached the top of the ramp and turned into the upper area, she was barely missed as Martinez tried to take her out of play for a few moments.

Dodging behind a smaller barrier, Diana was able to hold her ground and return fire. Hearing the rest of them combat, she estimated that Jones was battling Loux on the other side. Organized Crime had gotten wise and was trying to beat them at their own game.

Shooting, Diana used the rapid-fire setting to keep Martinez down while she slipped from her obstacle to another closer to her target. Then repeating the move, Diana got to within one obstacle of her opponent.

Shifting position, she had to dodge a shot as someone aimed at her from below. She hadn't seen more than dark hair and a red vest before she moved to avoid being hit.

As it always went, being able to shoot down meant she could be shot from below to adding to her observation range. Still, she loved being able to help cover her team even as she looked down on an unsuspecting agent trying to sneak up on a target with too much focus.

Returning fire at another agent below, Diana saw their sensors shut off indicating a hit before she returned her focus to the battle on her level.

Martinez was too relaxed so it was easy to move into a position where Diana shot her turning off her sensors. Then she held her ground to shoot her again when they turned on.

Forced to retreat, Martinez retreated across the upper level until she encountered Loux who appeared to be having trouble with Jones.

Ganging up, Jones and Diana were able to force both Loux and Martinez down the second ramp until they encountered Peter, Neal, and Hughes who were fighting with Cummer, Ruiz, and Rosenberger below.

Descending the ramp, Jones and Diana changed the plan to approach Organized Crimes from behind.

Working together, White Collar used various strategies and techniques to push their opponents back until they reached a hold point. Then, the ten agents made minor shifts firing at each other, but they were unable to push the advance walls either way.

Finally, the game was over and the lights came on brighter indicating the conclusion to the challenge. White Collar was the ultimate winner.

Filing out of the arena and removing their gear, both teams knew who had won, but the final score was posted on the screen outside so they had to wait until they exited to ultimately tally the results.

Milling about observing the screen, everyone noticed that Neal was tied with Peter as the top two shooters. It was mixed scores for the rest of the agents, but White Collar still had the ultimate lead in points for agents and as a team overall.

Having witnessed the skills which were backed by the scores, Organized Crimes couldn't argue with who had ultimately won the challenge against both teams.

Begrudgingly, Ruiz promised to have the trophy that had been purchased given to Hughes for the team as the rightful winner. It was being kept at the offices, but it would officially change hands on Monday morning.

With nothing else to discuss, the teams dispersed with most of them returning to their homes, but Neal and Peter knew they needed to talk.

Utilizing the drive to June's, Peter opened the conversation. "You don't seem as upset as you were before. Are you really okay with this?"

Starting into a story, Neal had a surprising answer. "In college, I betrayed my best friend by getting him expelled for cheating. In addition, his girlfriend claimed to have betrayed him by becoming physically involved with me. He was devastated. Then last I knew, he'd learned the truth that I was saving his life from a forced draft into a suicide mission while unwittingly taking him off of his girlfriend's organization's radar forcing them to react. Based on his reaction to my last death, he had generally forgiven me." Turning to Peter, Neal continued to his point. "You played a role per the orders you were given. Some of your action was real, but the intent wasn't what it seemed. Am I happy that you got involved with that mess, no, but can I understand your position, yes. When it comes down to it, you have a Kieran Ryker side who is a force to be reckoned with, but you're Peter Burke. Burke isn't a pushover, but he's open and honest and reliable. I'm Bryce Larkin, I've been put in positions and garnered reputations as a result. But really, I'm Neal. That includes being an agent, sometimes I can be myself for all of who I actually am, and sometimes I pretend to be the bad guy. Life is complicated, but as long as you're Peter and I'm Neal, I think we'll be alright."

Genuinely relieved, Peter was surprised at how glad he was to hear that. "I can do that. Kieran, that's an alias I was assigned to keep my personal information separate just in case someone chose to trace back to my real life, it isn't the real me. Sure, I have the skills to handle more than most FBI agents, but I'm not into all of that cloak and dagger stuff. White Collar suits me just fine."

Laughing, Neal couldn't believe what had happened as Peter's statement was just so Peter, it seemed surreal that everything else was contained in their conversation.

"What?" Peter had the hint of a smile as he looked over to see what was so funny.

"This isn't even slightly surreal to you? This morning you were the cop and I was the con and there was a whole bunch of mystery about me while you were pretty open. Then Ruiz slaps that folder down changing everything. Now, we can sort of talk about our past experiences in black ops while separating ourselves as the real us and the roles we've played in the field." He was still amused as he recounted just how much had changed in just over an hour.

Joining him in laughter, Peter could see how it appeared. "That is a lot of change. But I like it. This is much better knowing the truth than the whole dodging about secrets. I know we can't talk about everything, and you still have plenty of secrets, but I definitely like this a lot better."

Their humor relaxed and both agents agreed. Knowing was better.

Arriving at Junes, Peter dropped Neal off before heading home to his wife. They were better friends and would relish their connection more, but they still had other plans with their days that they chose to continue with knowing they'd still have plenty of time to talk and enjoy that friendship other days.

When Monday came around, the White Collar team continued to do their work only slightly acknowledging when Rice and Ruiz jointly brought the trophy in.

"I don't know how you always manage to do it, but you've earned this." Rice wasn't willing to say, but she knew that White Collar was always reliable to clean up whatever mess they were hauled into no matter which other departments they were taskforce with.

Grunting, Ruiz commented, "I think I have some ideas, but I can't account for it entirely." He was even less willing to acknowledge their win, but it had been earned fair and square based on the parameters originally laid out.

Retreating as soon as the trophy had been handed off, Organized Crimes and Missing Persons returned to their own offices since work needed to run as usual.

Meanwhile, behind them, White Collar only had a brief interruption.

Calling the team to order, Hughes had everyone come together so he could explain what had transpired for anyone who had missed once and for all.

"As most of you've probably heard, Organized Crimes and Missing Persons made a bet with us in our last case and challenged us to laser tag. We honored the bet and met their challenge. Being the winners, we've been given this trophy, but I don't want to hear any bragging or inappropriate behavior. We're agents." Then dismissing the team, he passed the trophy to Peter.

"You and Neal were the main reasons we won, so I'll leave the trophy to you two." Then he reentered his office and left them standing on the landing.

"As I said before, you were more concerned when I missed a trophy. I'll let you keep this one to make up for it." Neal clapped Peter on the shoulder in a friendly fashion before retreating back to his desk.

Left with the trophy, Peter decided to add it to his wall. Not for the bragging rights over Missing Persons or Organized Crimes, but for the advancement in his friendship with Neal.

Thank you, everyone, for reading, following, choosing to favorite, leaving kudos, reviewing/commenting :D

This concludes Quinis' birthday story for this year and my regular posting will resume next weekend. I hope you all enjoyed it :D