White Collar / Batman Bingo

Bat!Neal's Significant Other Gives Their ID Away Accidentally

(Dick Grayson as Neal Caffery, Barbara Gordon as Sara Ellis)

The way Peter Burke found out Neal Caffrey's real identity was completely accidental. There was no planning by either party involved. Peter and Elizabeth had met up for lunch in the park the day after the operation at the Empire State Building to get the evidence box. As they were heading to their usual spot, the couple heard a pair of familiar voices.

"Oh, come on," Neal was saying, "which one was better?"

"I'm not answering that," Sara laughed.

"I won't get offended! I swear."

"Both proposals were amazing, dear. I can't compare the two."

"I just want to know! Should I have proposed on the Empire State Building the first time?"

Peter and El looked at each other. 'The first time?' El mouthed. Peter shrugged. Unable to resist the urge to eavesdrop, the couple moved closer to Neal and Sara, staying safely hidden behind a tree, but still able to watch and listen. They noticed that neither Neal nor Sara was in his or her usual style of dress. Sarah wore a blouse with a hoodie over it and Neal wore a blue t-shirt and a black leather jacket. Both were wearing jeans, which was a rare sight. As Sara turned her head slightly, they could see that she was wearing glasses. 

"Sunset in the park was perfect. I wouldn't have had it any other way."

"So you're saying you liked the Empire State Building better?"

"I didn't say that."

"But you were thinking it," Neal teased.

"You're impossible!" Sara bumped Neal's shoulder with her own.

"Yeah, but you love me."

"Of course I do, that's why I married you." She kissed him on the cheek.

Peter's jaw dropped and El covered her mouth. Then she took Peter by the hand and dragged him away. "Why'd you do that?" Peter asked once they were out of earshot. 

"It's none of our business! Besides... Seeing those two together... Peter, I don't think they are who they say they are."

"What do you mean? El, it's Neal and Sara. I mean, of course it's possible that Neal's just an alias, but Sara? No chance."

"Just humor me for a sec, Hon." Elizabeth pulled out her phone and started typing. She quickly found the news article she was looking for. "Gotham's favorite couple finally tied the knot," El read out loud, showing Peter the picture. It looked like Neal and Sara, dressed in wedding clothes, but there were some subtle differences. Neal's hair was darker and styled differently, and, though it was hard to tell, his eyes seemed to be more blue than the green that Peter was used to. His smile was more wide and genuine than Peter had ever seen on Neal. Sara's hair seemed more red than usual. She wore a slim fitting white gown and flowers in her hair. "Tell me that's not them."

"It sure looks like them. Who are they?"

"Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon."

"Alright, let's say that this is them. What would they be doing here? Why would Grayson become a con artist and go to jail for four years? None of this makes sense. Maybe it's just a coincidence. Besides, this article is from three years ago. Neal was in jail when it was published."

El shrugged. "You're probably right... but that still doesn't change the fact that they're already married."

"I'll do some digging, see what I can find from him. But for now... lunch."

---

The next day, Neal was very mopey. "What's going on with you?" Peter asked.

"It's nothing, Peter," Neal smiled.

"Is it because Sara left?"

"Of course not. Why would I be upset about that? It's just life."

Peter leaned on Neal's desk. "Yeah, but you two had something special."

"You think so?" 

"Oh definitely. In fact, I could even see marriage in your future."

"Well, I dunno about that," Neal laughed. "Maybe another time and another place."

"Another life, another alias?"

Neal's expression turned serious. "What are you getting at, Peter?"

"Have you ever been to Gotham?"

"Oh boy."

Aaaaa this is so short, I'm sorry! Also, Dick/Babs is one of my favorite ships and I couldn't resist!