I've been here, I've been there // Honey, I been somehow everywhere

[conning]

Neal isn't really sure what's going to happen when the Admiral sends them home. To his home. Where by now, somewhere in the world, Kate is alive and healthy. It's strange to think of her somewhere unknown and not feel the immediate need to go find her. To save, protect, avenge her. It's also strange that even knowing she's out there, even seeing proof, Neal can't shake the guilt of killing her, either. It feels like things should have shifted, that some monumental internal change should have taken place. He still feels the things he always had, but with new knowledge counter it.

It's all swirling in his brain when Norton meets him in his cabin. Still roiling there when Neal squeezes his hand and tells thin air that they're ready.

It snaps to background when, on his next blink, Neal and Norton find themselves in the conference room of the FBI's New York City White Collar division, and Neal is still holding Norton's hand. The door from the office floor swings open and admits a small flood of people in the forms of Peter, Diana, Jones, and... Mozzie?

All four of them stop dead, seeing Neal and a stranger at the far end of the room, plus whatever Norton chose to bring. Neal stares at all of them, bemused.

"I knew it! I told you." Mozzie says, pointing at Neal. He glares at Peter and company in triumph.

Peter's jaw works for a moment before he takes a deep breath, clearly trying to focus on being relieved instead of furious. "Neal. Who's your friend?"

Comments

[pharadyne]

"Do you think Burke would let you join if you proposed it as a strategy to find out what Keller is up to?"

Neal says it doesn't matter if he wants it, but he clearly does, so now the trick is to find a way. If it ultimately also ruins Keller's plans, whatever they are, that's just gravy.

[conning]

Neal’s expression lights. “I’m sure he would.”

There’s another moment then, a flicker of realization and hesitation. “…Helping the FBI catch the leadership of the Pink Panthers might even be a big enough feather to force a deal to cut the anklet for good.”

[pharadyne]

"It would create a vacancy at the top right when you'd have the freedom to look for a new job. If that's something you'd want."

It's his nature to manoeuvre towards advantages, see opportunities.

"Or would you rather stay with the FBI, but as a free man?" He can see the appeal of that stability as well.

[conning]

"Once upon a time that would have been an easy question. Or a hard one." A pause. "I guess it's easy again."

It still takes him a moment to say more, and it still feels like an admission. "I don't want to work with the FBI ever again once I'm free."

[pharadyne]

"Would you want to be in charge of the Panthers? Once the current leadership is removed and you're free from the FBI?"

It's what Norton would probably do. But he'll support Neal's career goals, whether that's working with the FBI (off the table now) or running a criminal empire of top-notch thieves. Or quieter ambitions, like a seaside villa and occasional cat burglary.

[conning]

"I don't know." He's a little mystified by his own uncertainty. "I can't tell if I want that or just don't want to be beholden to anyone for a while."

[pharadyne]

"Understandable." He smooths a hand down Neal's arm. "Well, you have time to decide."

[conning]

Neal nods a little absently, taking Norton's hands in his and giving them a squeeze before he moves toward the kitchen to start coffee and work himself up to calling Peter.

"Keller and I used to play chess together." A pause. "He was better than me."

It's not something Neal would ever say to Peter, to pretty much anyone here, even Mozzie. Norton is safe to tell. It doesn't harm his reputation and he doesn't think it will make the man think less of him.

[pharadyne]

"I've never been very good at chess, to be honest. Too rigid, too many restrictions. As far as strategy games go, it's very stilted. I find card games much more fun. And I think it's a more accurate representation of real strategic manoeuvring. Multiple people, each with their own agenda, and luck potentially throwing all prior plans out the window for everyone at any moment. Also it's easier to cheat at cards."

He watches Neal work in the kitchen.

"I know you'll win this."

[conning]

Good god, he loves Norton Folgate, and he wishes he could just say it without the worry that it will be too much. Without the fear that Norton doesn't, or won't, or will run. He smiles at the coffee instead as he sets it up to brew, boiled water and a french press and a tiny bit of cinnamon and salt.

Then he comes back to Norton and puts his arms around him, pulls him close, and kisses him. "I've got MI-5's finest as backup."