Neal Caffrey one shots | White Collar

Mistaken identity {part two}

"Okay, everyone. We've gotten the request to work together with a team of agents from the CIA on this case." Agent Burke started the meeting on Monday morning.

"CIA?" Clinton Jones asked.

Neal hid a groan by coughing. Just what he needed. He'd only met a handful of CIA agents but knew it didn't bode well if they came. His brother dying while working for the agency didn't help his opinion of the agents.

"Problem, Neal?" Diana asked, having noticed his discomfort.

"I expect you all to play nice. If all goes well, they'll be gone in a few days' time." Peter said, eying his agents and CI.

Right at that moment, there was a commotion down in the bullpen. A tall brown-haired man entered the conference room, followed by a blonde woman, a serious-looking man and another man with brown hair wearing a pair of sunglasses.

Despite the sunglasses, Neal recognized that man instantly. his feet dropped to the ground and his chair rolled backwards. He eyed the man, his gaze furious and shocked.

"Bryce?" He breathed out in disbelieve, catching the attention of everyone in the room. including the attention of the man he believed dead. "You're supposed to be dead."

The man took off his sunglasses which earned him a few gasps.

"Danny?" he said in shock as he stared at his older brother.

Neal shook his head, taking a step backwards. He was aware of everyone staring at them but he didn't care. His brother was alive.

"You're dead." He repeated. "You died! I was at your funeral!" he said, this time louder. "How could you?"

"Neal-" Peter began, stepping towards his CI.

Neal stepped out of his way. "I need some air." He muttered, leaving the room through the door that led to his handler's office. He wasn't aware that he left the office but when he looked up he was outside.

The bustling of people around him made him calm down slightly. He walked a bit further away from Federal Plaza and sat down on a bench. He knew sooner or later someone would come down looking for him. He just hoped it'd be Peter.

"Danny!"

Of course, it wasn't.

The shock at seeing his dead brother had turned to anger as Neal turned to the man.

"Explain."

So Bryce told him about the mission for the CIA. He told him about him stealing the Intersect and accidentally downloading it before he sent it to Chuck. He told him why he had to stay dead and why he didn't contact them.

In the end, Neal just felt tired. He and Bryce had stayed in contact after he left home. Bryce had been the one to inform him that Cooper had been cast in his first movie. Bryce had been the one to tell him all about Stanford.

Neal had never told him where he was but he knew Bryce didn't care. Them still having contact had been enough for him. They'd never told Cooper this, the oldest brother had always been more controlling and noisy.

"Does Cooper know?" Neal asked eventually.

Bryce shook his head. "You weren't supposed to know. We didn't know you worked for the FBI."

Neal kind of suspected that already. "I expect you to stay in touch when the case is over." He replied, standing up to head back inside.

No doubt that Peter would start interrogating them as soon as they got back to the office.

*

As the two brothers stepped out of the office, they were met by stares.

Neal grinned. "Everyone, meet my brother, Bryce Larkin." He said before climbing up the stairs to Peter's office.

Bryce followed him, eying the agents as they passed.

"Neal." Peter eyed his CI as the two men entered the office. His eyes flitted over the two men who looked identical.

The only thing setting them apart was their hair and clothes. Bryce's was a bit longer than Neal's and he was wearing a pair of jeans, a white shirt and a leather jacket.

"Peter, meet my brother, Bryce Larkin." Neal introduced them, grinning so broadly that Peter almost forgot about the earlier reunion.

Peter could already feel a headache coming up at the idea of having to deal with two Neal's.

*

Bryce should have known that Neal would contact their other brother.

Cooper spent the entire evening cursing Bryce out. Something about both of his brothers lying to him and a messed up family.

The next day the White Collar offices were in for a surprise.

Both Neal and Bryce were sitting at Neal's desk, looking over some case files when the elevator dinged and Cooper walked in.

"There's a third?" was heard from Jones' desk, followed by a groan.