HOW FAR

Summary: "He did have that plane ready awfully fast…" When faced with life's greatest trials, what would you do for a friend? Peter, Neal, Mozzie, Diana and Hughes must find their own answers to this question as the knowledge of the U-Boat treasure surviving the fire comes to light. AU to On Guard, earlier posted on collarkink as a response to a prompt.

A/N: This story was previously posted on collarkink as "The Value of Friendship", and yep, it's yet another take on the treasure situation. I wrote the earliest parts back in December before the show resumed, while the ending is just a few weeks old. If you've read this before, you'll notice that some of the story has been rewritten and polished, although most parts stayed the same. I think I went through approximately seven or eight writer's blocks before this was finished. I hate writer's blocks!

Acknowledgments:

I need to thank the anonymous prompter for the idea that has lead to the development of this fic. I also thank AliWC for persuading me to officially post this back on collarkink (and giving me beautiful feedbacks that kept me returning to this fic even when I was sure I won't be able to complete it).

The credit for beta-reading goes to my great friend November Leaving. Thank you for helping me with this, and with the other project that I'm currently working on.

And now finally on to the story. Please, enjoy!

CHAPTER 1

When Peter enters the bureau, he immediately notices Neal there, standing by his table with a cup of coffee and laughing about something with Blake. Then Neal turns around and greets him with his usual smile. "Peter! Where've you been? You've missed lunch. Look, I found this lead to the Garder case – "

Wordlessly, Peter rips the coffee out of Neal's hand, spilling it all over Neal's suit before he slams the cup onto the table so hard that it cracks.

"Are you nuts?" exclaims Neal. "That was a completely fine suit – "

"My office," snaps Peter tersely. "Now!"

When Neal doesn't move immediately and continues staring at him, Peter grabs his collar and starts dragging him upstairs.

"Hey! Would you stop it? I can walk on my – "

"Shut up," growls Peter and doesn't let go of him the whole way up. He uses his free hand to open the door and basically throws Neal inside before closing the door.

Neal quickly uses his freedom to straighten his suit before he turns to Peter with obvious apprehension. "Peter, what's wrong?"

"You asked me to prove it," seethes Peter. "You lied to me and then you asked me to prove it!"

Neal makes a quiet sigh and raises his hands. "Look, I don't know what happened – "

"The hell you don't!" snaps Peter angrily. "You fooled me from the beginning, didn't you? How could I've been so stupid!"

His consultant swallows. "Listen, I know I've made some mistakes since we started working together. I haven't always been completely honest with you. But I'm telling you the truth now, Peter. I didn't steal the art – "

"Cut the crap! I've seen it, Neal!"

After his exclamation, Peter watches the man opposite him turn pale. "I pulled your tracking data and went to the warehouse. I've also had an interesting conversation with the guard at the gallery. Is that proof enough for you?"

Neal gives him with his best wide-eyed, puppy-looking fake expression. "Okay, you're right. I might have known something about the art. But I swear I didn't steal it – "

"Stop lying to me!" erupts Peter in rage. "Just for a second, stop being a two-faced thief and grow a pair!"

"Peter, I didn't – "

"You know, this is a waste of time," says Peter in angered disgust. "I thought that our agreement meant something; that maybe if I gave you a second chance at a better life, you'd appreciate it. Even though others discouraged me, I took a chance with you because I actually believed you could change. … Apparently, I was wrong."

"No, that's not true. Peter, you know that's not the truth – "

"You;'re a felon, Neal. You're a conman, a thief and a liar. That's all you are. It's all you'll ever be."

"Stop it!" shouts Neal.

He is actually trembling. "You know nothing about me! Nothing!"

"That's right," says Peter heavily. "I thought you were a friend and a good man. Obviously, I don't know you at all."

Caffrey looks like he had punched him. "You can't mean that," he says in a whisper.

"You went behind my back to steal several billions of worth in art. You were going to run with it."

"I didn't steal it –"

"You're going back to prison," states Peter flatly. "The only reason I'm not dragging you away in handcuffs right now in front of everyone is because you saved Jones's life yesterday. I didn't have a warrant when I went to the warehouse, so nothing I saw there is official yet. You can confess now and maybe the judge will consider it as extenuating circumstances, or you can go back to your desk and enjoy your last day of freedom before the anonymous tip we'll get in the evening. … Oh, and give me your phone. I don't trust you not to try anything."

"Peter," whispers Neal pleadingly.

"Give me your phone. I won't ask again."

"Okay," says Neal shakily and handles him the object in question. "But Peter – "

Peter pockets the phone. "I'm done with you, Caffrey," he says and turns away from Neal.

"I didn't steal – "

Not again.

"This talk is over," says Peter harshly. "Now get out of my sight before I change my mind and call the Marshals right away."

"Peter, please – "

"Get out!"

Neal stares at him for a few seconds before he hangs down his head in defeat. "All right," he whispers and slips out of the door.

o – o – o

Mere five days after Adler's death and the warehouse explosion, the whole White Collar unit watches Peter Burke manhandling his CI and observes their argument behind the closed door of Peter's office.

"What do you think is going on?" asks someone.

"Probably another one of Caffrey's little shenanigans," answers Larissa, one of their technical experts.

"It seems a little extreme for that," says Jones with a frown.

"Well, Peter had a rough week, didn't he? I think that gives him the right to be more on edge than usual. And I like Neal, but if I was his supervisor and he pulled half of the things that he does, I would be seriously pissed off."

"You're right, it's probably nothing," says Larissa's friend Sean.

The other agents accept that explanation and return to their work. However, Diana and Jones exchange a worried look. By unspoken agreement, it falls to Diana to find out what's going on.

She watches as the rather one-sided argument comes to the end and Peter chucks Neal out of his office. She hurries upstairs and gets there right when Neal quietly closes the door behind himself and stands there without movement.

He looks ashen.

"Neal?" asks Diana worriedly. When he doesn't answer, she asks again: "Neal, what's going on?"

When Neal looks at her, his eyes seem to be completely dead.

"What happened?" asks Diana.

Neal shakes his head. "Diana, it's…" He utters a shaky, desperate laugh. "It's over."

Suddenly, he stumbles and Diana has to catch him before he falls. "Neal…?"

"I'm sorry," he says hoarsely, and she watches him as he goes to his desk, completely defeated.

Diana now knows that Larissa was wrong. This isn't about one of Neal's usual missteps – this is huge, life-breaking and deeply frightening all at once.

With a sinking feeling, Diana enters Peter's office and her heart almost stops. Peter is hunched in the chair with his back half-turned to the door – but it's not the visual image that bothers Diana.

It's the sounds.

Since the time when she was his probie several years ago, Diana has seen her boss in many situations. She has seen him happy, impatient, angry, bored and even scared. But never before has she heard him cry.

"Boss…?" she asks quietly.

The only response she receives are Peter's soft sniffles.

Hesitantly, she comes closer to Peter. With his face hidden by his hands, he seems small and vulnerable. Diana's heart is breaking in agony just from watching him.

"Boss… Peter?" she says again. "What's going on?"

Peter lets his hands fall and looks at her with red eyes shining with tears.

"Diana…"

She crunches down to him and places her hand on Peter's knee. "What happened?" she asks softly.

Peter swallows thickly, regaining what little composure he can. "Neal, he… Diana…" His voice breaks as the tears well and finally spill over.

"Peter – please talk to me," says Diana and takes his hand in hers.

"He did it," whispers Peter. "That stupid idiot took it, and now – "

Diana freezes.

What should she do? Peter was always the source of wisdom, strength and virtue for those around him. He was their pillar of stability; the leader who everyone turned to when in need. And now he was the one needing the support.

"He's going back, and I can't – I can't – "

With that stutter of uncertainty, Diane let instinct kick in; just as the FBI trained her to do.

Grabbing Peter in a hug, Diana whispers: "Peter…"

Feeling tears in her own eyes, Diana can't believe how Neal has changed them all. And this is how he repays them.

Peter looks up at her. "We weren't enough. Why, Diana? Why weren't we enough?"

Diana wishes she had an answer for him.

As it is, she can only curse Neal for hurting Peter so badly and hold Peter while he weeps.

With time, Peter's cries slowly subside. Diana continues to hold him, until he wipes away his tears and pulls away.

"I'm sorry, Diana," he says shakily. "I'm sorry - I shouldn't be this way. It's not like if anybody died, is it?"

But Diana knows that something has died. Peter's dream of Neal as a reformed, free man has just been torn to pieces – and sometimes, the death of dreams hurts almost as much as the real thing. Not to mention that Neal has apparently betrayed Peter in one of the worst ways possible, and such betrayal always hurts.

Always.

"I guess I should have known it would end this way," says Peter evenly. He stands up, straightens his suit and starts messing with his files, averting Diana's eyes. He suddenly acts very busy and impersonal, which clashes horribly with his slightly shaking hands and puffy eyes. "I apologize that you had to witness this – "

"Boss," says Diana softly and Peter looks at her. "It's okay."

Peter stares at her. Then he gives her a tight nod and slips back into his chair, looking defeated.

Diana hesitates before she pulls another chair closer and asks: "Do you want to talk about it?"

First, there is silence. Then Peter shakes his head and sighs. "I just… I really thought I was getting through to him, you know? I knew what he has done in the past, but I believed that if given a chance, he would turn a new leaf. Start a better life… maybe find a nice girl, settle down, be happy…" He utters a harsh chuckle. "It's funny, isn't it? All those statistics speak clearly about recidivism, and yet I thought that my friend would be a different case. I should have known you can't change a thief. I should have seen it. The moment I heard about the treasure, I should have put him on house arrest and constant monitory until it was back in Russia. I should have known the temptation would be too big – "

"Are you blaming yourself?" asks Diana incredulously. "Honestly? Peter, Neal is not a teenager. He's a grown man fully capable of making his own choices. He must have known there would be consequences if he pulls something this big. You can't always be there to watch him and keep him from screwing up – "

"Neal's like a child sometimes, Diana," says Peter. "He's smart, but he's terribly impulsive. He probably didn't spend one minute thinking about the consequences before he did this. I was almost too late with the music box when he nearly killed Fowler. I should have known this would be the same case. I could have stopped this from happening – "

"You wouldn't have been able to keep him caged forever," says Diana softly. "And I'm really sorry I have to say that, boss, and I apologize if I'm overstepping – but you've already risked so much for Neal. If he did this, then he doesn't deserve another chance and he certainly isn't worthy of your friendship."

Peter shakes his head. "Diana, Neal is not just a common criminal – "

That's right, because those they could put behind bars, where the other people were safe from them, unlike some conmen with charming smiles –

"I know, Boss," says Diana instead. "I know he's not a common criminal – to you. He's always held some sort of power over you. Back when you were hunting him, there was this determination – this excitement you had gleaming in your eyes while you put the pieces together. We all understood that Neal and you had a connection. It's natural that you expect more from him." She takes a deep breath. "But, Peter, I hate to say this but…he's just a criminal. You've looked out for him enough. It's time that he understood consequences. Neal needs to know that he's not above the law." She makes a short pause. "I'm sorry it has come to this."

"I'm not turning him in," says Peter after a while.

Diana looks at him, startled. "Boss…?"

Peter looks at her and gives her a tired smile. "No, Diana, I won't try to cover for him. But today, I'm giving him the chance to confess. Maybe if he returns the treasure himself and expresses some remorse, they will show him leniency." He takes a deep breath. "It's possible that they'll only revoke his parole… or add two or three years to his sentence instead of two decades if he was officially found out by us..." He looks at her. "I know I don't have any right to ask this of you, but can you keep this quiet until tomorrow?"

"I'm silent as a grave, boss," replies Diana immediately.

While she is angry with Neal, Diana knows that the harder Neal's fall, the more it will hurt Peter. And so she agrees to be silent, because despite everything, Peter loves Neal as a brother. Diana can accept that.

"I can't be the one he confesses to, not after all his lies and especially not after our show out there today. I'm sure he realizes that as well," says Peter levelly. "But you and Jones can. If Neal decides to do the right thing…"

"We'll listen to him and treat him accordingly," says Diana. She feels safe to make the same promise for Jones as well.

Actually, it will probably be Jones who Neal will turn to. Diana can even see how that would be presented in front of anyone else – Neal committed the crime out of passion; taking the treasure from Adler as revenge for his killed girlfriend. Then, after saving Jones's life and on the ground of their newfound closeness, Neal decided to confide in Jones since his conscience had been bothering him ever since the theft. The fabrication would keep out Peter's involvement and it would further help Neal's position at court.

It would also be a complete lie – but if Peter is willing to go this way, then Diana won't oppose it, and she believes that neither will Jones.

"Do you want me to call your wife for you?" she asks Peter. Because right now, her boss could truly do with some support…

"No. I'll do that myself," sighs Peter and picks the phone from the table. "Ah, not mine," he mumbles quietly before he puts it back – and Diana realizes that it looks familiar.

"Is that Neal's phone?" she asks.

"Yes," says Peter heavily. "I've confiscated it from him. I couldn't risk him doing something even more stupid – "

But Diana is barely listening anymore as she remembers Neal falling onto her on her way into Peter's office. She thought he was too distraught to walk straight, she even asked him if he was alright… She quickly checks her pockets and confirms what she has already guessed – Neal has stolen her own cell.

That… that blasted conman!

"I'll leave you alone, then," she says to Peter.

Then she slips out of the room. She notices Jones downstairs, but Neal is nowhere to be seen.

"Where is Neal?" she asks Jones urgently.

Jones frowns. "At the bathroom, I think. But why – "

"Thanks," says Diana and makes her way to the men's toilets.

She quietly opens the door and peeks inside to see if the coast is clear. Then she sees Neal bending over one of the sinks while quickly speaking to her phone.

"Look, I don't have time for this. Just get rid of anything incriminating AND get the damn alibi!"

"What the HELL do you think you're doing?" exclaims Diana angrily before she can stop herself.

Neal turns to her, startled. Before she can stop him, he hangs up and takes a step back.

He raises his hand in defense. "Diana, it isn't – "

"I don't need an explanation about this, Neal," says Diana icily. "And I can't even describe how utterly disgusted and sickened I am with you right now. But if you give me my phone now, I'm willing to pretend this didn't just happen and I'll let you confess, because for some reason Peter believes that there is something worthy and salvageable in you after all – though right now, I honestly can't see why. Now give it to me – "

"No," says Neal.

Then before she fully realizes what he's doing, he looks at the phone and starts messing with the buttons. It takes Diana a second before she figures it out – he's erasing the called numbers' history.

As always, reviews are highly appreciated!