1I have several different ways this part of the story plays out, and ended up going with this route for this series. So, I may end up posting the other ideas I've written out under another series of stories for unconnected identity reveals with Neal as Bryce. As always, I've only read through this a few times for basic edits. If you see any major inconsistency or problem with it, please let me know. FYI, I also post first on my account at Archive of Our Own under the same penname. I'm usually good at posting to both sites at the same time, but I was pulled away before I posted to FFN this time.
Bryce was excited. No, he was more than excited. He was buzzing with positive energy to the point everyone in the office knew that something good, or at least good in their CI's eyes, was going to happen. It was impossible to even take away a fraction of the positive energy that week. Well, on Monday it was at least a little subtle, but everyone started to pick up on it by the end of the day. And since it made everyone else feel more positive and optimistic because of Caffrey's good mood, Hughes didn't say anything about it
Besides, he would be a hypocrite if he told Bryce to calm down and not be so excited. After all, the following week was when it was going to be announced that Neal Caffrey, conman and CI to the FBI would be leaving them. Hughes could appreciate a dramatic pause that he knows will end in him having to quiet down the entire floor from asking questions. Especially since everyone knew that there was still another year left on Caffrey's sentence with the FBI. That would then be when Hughes would quiet them all down and say that the man they knew as Neal Caffrey would not be gone.
Queue the confusion with the next dramatic pause. After all, how could they be losing the CI but still keep the man?
He would then drop the bombshell that Neal Caffrey was an undercover agent for the CIA, and he would be joining the White Collar team officially as Agent Bryce Larkin, former CIA agent. His mission ended earlier than expected because of hard work and dedication to finish his latest mission, so they were able to negotiate the new work arrangement.
Hughes would be lying if he said that he wasn't anticipating that day. He loved to pull a small joke or two now and again, and this was the perfect way to end the year. But, before that could happen, there was one last mission that the CIA wanted to use Bryce for. And it was because the CIA and FBI were after the same group of criminals that the CIA thought this could be a good chance to show cross agency teamwork. Potentially use it going forward as precedence to set up a team from White Collar who could step in with future missions to assist the CIA if needed. Even if it was described that way on paper, Bryce would be the only one on the takedown team who knew it was a CIA and FBI joint mission/case. Hughes only had to fill in Bryce on some of the extra details before he, Peter, Jones, and Diana were off for the stakeout early that afternoon.
Bryce was in the middle of talking with Jones and Diana when he was called to join Hughes in his office. He couldn't help but give a huge grin to the two agents he was conversing with. Over the last few months, the White Collar floor found it impossible to stay suspicious or weary of Neal for long. Hughes and Peter didn't treat the CI any differently after the match between Peter and Neal previously. While it took a while for them to get used to the idea of Neal being excellent at hand to hand combat, the Caffrey charm worked wonders at mending those weakened bridges.
"I've never seen you this excited to be called to Hughes' office, what's going on?" It was at this time that Peter joined them and heard Diana's question.
"Oh, you know, classified." Bryce could help but joke around with them about discussions being classified when they all thought he was joking.
"Come on, what's going on? You getting released early from your leash for good behavior? That why you're in such a good mood this week?" Jones furthered the questioning as Bryce was backing away from them. All he gave in answer was shrug with a meaningful look on his face. Let them assume what they wanted to assume. They would find out the real answer soon enough. And with his non-answer, that is exactly what they assumed.
"Just don't spread that around, okay? Potentially, you know, there might be a surprise announcement next week." And with that, Bryce turned and finished walking to Hughes' office. Peter couldn't help but grin at the antics of his partner and wonder how everyone in the office would take the news of Neal being Agent Larkin.
Peter, Diana, and Jones continued talking and getting ready for the stakeout, that would in theory become a takedown for their latest case, planned for that afternoon. They would be in the van while Neal went undercover to see what final information he could get from the guys he was meeting with. It would hopefully be the final confirmation they needed to make an arrest that day.
Peter did not think anything could ruin Bryce's good mood that week. But he was wrong. About twenty minutes after Bryce entered Hughes' office, he exited with a frustrated look on his face. Peter seemed to be the only one who noticed, many people busy trying to wrap up their work that afternoon so they wouldn't have to stay later than needed on a Friday, while Jones and Diana were reviewing the information they had.
When Bryce joined them, he brushed off Peter by telling him that he'll explain in a bit. Peter didn't like what it was implying, but he trusted Bryce. After everything they have gone through together, it would be almost impossible not to trust each other. So, it was about ten minutes later when Bryce spoke up in a clear excuse to Peter to get him alone to explain what was going on.
"Hey, guys. I can't expect you to sit in the van with Peter's deviled ham for however long this takes. So, why don't Peter and I go out to grab something to go for you three to enjoy while I'm out in the field working. I'll even pay!" he held up a wallet that Peter identified instantly as his own. He grabbed it back with a scowl, pulling Bryce towards the exit, commenting how it will be coming out of Neal's own pocket and not his. The doors to the floor closed to the sounds of Diana and Jones laughing at their usual antics.
They kept up the act until they were in Peter's car and pulling away from the FBI building. Bryce took a deep breath before turning in his seat to look at Peter.
"Should I be parked somewhere for this conversation?" Peter hesitantly asked.
"No, you should be fine. It's just that the case today that I'm walking into is also apparently a CIA mission. The CIA wants these guys dead, and I can't tell you why. But if they are who the CIA thinks they are, then they're on a list that gives CIA agents the authorization to kill. This list, it has names of people who have countless evidence against them, but the CIA somehow can't make anything stick, or they are too violent to bring in safely. So, we're authorized to kill them instead if we get the chance…" Bryce trailed off, watching Peter carefully.
"So, we're sending you in to meet with a group who the CIA knows to be violent if they are who we think they are. Why are they letting White Collar get involved?" Peter was trying to hold onto some sliver of calm, if only because he was driving.
"They're getting White Collar involved because we were already involved… And because I'm involved. The meeting with Hughes was them passing me information reminding me that if these are the guys we think they are, then I have the order to kill. The CIA management thought I needed the reminder in case I've gone soft as Neal Caffrey."
"Oh, so now they're worried about how this time undercover as Neal Caffrey is effecting you. Bureaucratic bullshit if you ask me…" That got a smile out of Bryce.
"Peter, I honestly don't know how this afternoon is going to go. And if these are some of the guys on the list, I will kill them. I know we haven't talked much at all about that part of my CIA experience, but are you going to be okay? I don't think we'll be able to keep it from Diana and Jones if it comes down to that. Will you be okay to keep them away and let me do what I need to do?"
It was a heavy question, and Peter didn't think he would ever be ready for this conversation. He did not want to think of his friend killing another person without hesitation. Peter knew there would be justification behind the kills, and not only that, an entire government agency supporting it. But it still wasn't something Peter had to deal with on a consistent basis. Bryce had that experience.
Bryce gave Peter the time to think – he knew it wasn't a light conversation. But they had to have it. And Bryce wasn't sure how the CIA expected him to pull off the mission with officially everyone on his team not knowing that he was CIA. Somehow, he had a feeling that the CIA knew that Peter knew at least the basics. They pulled up to a favorite sandwich shop, and Peter paused before opening the door to get out.
"Bryce, no matter what happens, I have your back. No questions asked tonight. You do what you need to do." The look of relief that crossed Bryce's face made Peter's chest tighten. He never wanted to be the reason for betrayal in Bryce's life. And especially when his partner's life could be at stake, he would not be the cause for any moments of hesitation that could mean life or death.
The two of them grabbed a few sandwiches to-go for the van, and Bryce tried to eat at least a portion of one on their way back to the FBI building. And when they walked back into the office to join Diana and Jones for last minute planning, Peter made sure to be extra vigilant about any comments Bryce made on the off chance there was any further information that was hidden behind any other words.
It was with this last minute planning that Neal was outfitted with a mic hidden in the tie clip and his ankle tracker removed. Bryce tried to keep up his positive energy from earlier, especially since Jones and Diana were unaware of the potential danger the group he would be meeting with posed. To them, they only knew the potential white collar crimes that had been going on. They were blissfully unaware of the other horrors that filled their criminal notebooks.
Within the half hour, Peter, Jones, and Diana were in the van a few blocks away, and looking back, Peter was not sure where it all went wrong. One second, the team was listening in on Neal as he went undercover to get the final confirmation of information to make an arrest. It was a solid plan. And the next second, Neal was giving the codeword for backup to get him out of there since something was seriously about to go wrong.
"See? I Am unarmed…" And Peter knew he heard the emphasis on the words following the codeword correctly before the audio was cut out to the van. Realistically, Peter knew the reinforcements would not get to them in time. He could only hope that Hughes was in contact with potential CIA backup, knowing that his boss had also been listening in on what the mic was picking up from Bryce's side.
Bryce was surrounded by people he was expected to kill. And they sent him in unarmed. He, Diana, and Jones were already mobilizing when they head a few gunshots go off. What felt like ages was actually only about two and a half minutes since it all started. It felt like forever before they arrived at the building.
Peter, Diana, and Jones entered the building with their guns drawn.
Peter questioned why he didn't somehow get Bryce to go into this meeting with a gun hidden. Or at least some form of weapon.
Bryce was CIA, he could hide it from everyone Peter was sure.
The room was almost too silent when they entered.
Peter knew what was going to happen, but there was no way to tell Diana and Jones in that moment. Everything was moving too quickly for that explanation to happen.
What they saw when they entered the room was several bodies dead on the floor. What Jones and Diana saw was Neal Caffrey holding a gun to the head of the man still standing in front of him. Expressionless look on his face. What Peter saw was his friend doing his job, as unnerving as it appeared.
Bryce didn't dare look away from the man in front of him. There was still information that was required to be extracted. He didn't think Peter would have the stomach earlier to know that his mission had a few extra steps than just simple, painless killing. This man had information that the CIA needed, and that was why Bryce was pulled into the mission. It was just convenient that he had an easy way in to see the guy he would need to torture for information since there was no way the guy would give it up any other way. Bryce would call it information extraction. Peter would not be sure what to call it. And Jones and Diana were sure to see it as their nonviolent friend holding a gun to a man with other men either dead or bleeding out around them.
"Peter…" Bryce didn't look away from the man in front of him. Gun never shook from its mark. Voice was solid and steady, "get Diana and Jones away from here."
It took Peter a few seconds longer than he cared to admit in order to trust his friend. His partner. Saying that he would have his back no matter what earlier and actually facing this reality were two separate things.
"Peter…" Bryce's voice was firmer, hint of frustration creeping into it. Peter nodded to himself, there was only the one man left in the room alive with Bryce. Bryce the CIA agent who had his orders. He would be fine.
"Jones, Diana. We need to leave. Everything is taken care of." Two sets of shocked eyes looked towards him.
"But Peter…?"
"No questions, no arguments. We go back to the van, or at least outside. The situation here is under control." Peter tried his best to ignore the looks his two friends, his two team members were giving him. His throat tightened at the new reality that was before them all. Peter knew he didn't get the nicest introduction to learning his friend was CIA. He wasn't sure what form of introduction was better: potential suicide of a friend, or a friend seemingly committing murder without reason. Even if it was government approved, Jones and Diana didn't know that. Not yet.
The looks Peter got while directing Diana and Jones out of the building were close to mutinous. Peter didn't blame them. But it reflected the amount of trust that Diana and Jones had in Peter that they ended up following him out of the building.
It was a calm afternoon outside. Hardly any wind, and sound traveled well.
It was clearly heard when a single gunshot rang out.
Peter would like to say that he didn't flinch at the sound, but he did. He let his eyes close, not wanting to see what expressions Diana or Jones had on their faces. That wasn't fair to Bryce. Peter needed to be strong to help make sure that Jones and Diana could make the connection with no problems between Neal Caffrey, nonviolent conman, with Agent Bryce Larkin, CIA agent with authorization to kill.
Peter wished that he could find his voice before Bryce exited the building to join them, but that did not happen.
"What the hell, Caffrey?!" Diana shouted, close to hysterics at the picture that she saw before her. Bryce unhelpfully still held a cooling gun in his hand and there was a spattering of blood on his white button up.
"Diana, Jones, please trust me when I say that there was no other choice. I…" Bryce was cut off from continuing his confession when a car pulled up and his CIA handler exited to join them. Bryce really did try to keep calm.
He only succeeded for a few seconds. The Neal Caffrey alias was completely forgotten as Bryce turned to give his full attention to Maria.
"What the hell was that?! The CIA sent me in with faulty information. You said that there was only going to be three of them. You were sure of that. But instead it was four of them with their leader. Two more people than expected. You knew I did not want to let them learn about me in this way." Bryce's voice was icy cold as he gestured to the small group of FBI agents. Peter was doing his best to make it look like he did not know that Neal Caffrey was CIA. He was sure he was failing at it with concern for his friend.
"I think you need to calm down…" Maria started to walk towards Bryce with her hands open in front of her as if trying to calm a spooked animal.
"Calm down? I was sent in unarmed! I was told it would not require me to carry." The look on his face was furious.
"That's never stopped you before…"
"It's the thought behind it. And it is the reason why I am fully supportive of leaving the CIA. You hide information from your agents and expect everything to be okay. Even though I went in having only a hint of an idea of who was there, it was by pure luck that I was able to get the gun off of one of the guys there. If that didn't happen, I would be dead right now…" Bryce trailed off as a thought occurred to him. The look sent a shiver down Peter's spine. It wasn't fury or anger; it was a quiet acceptance. His voice lowered and everyone could barely hear his next words.
"Unless that was the point. You got here awfully fast for letting the FBI take care of a CIA mission that was supposed to be a quick in and out for me… An easy extract information and kill."
Maria was trying to hide her uncomfortableness at the situation. She knew that Bryce had figured it out.
"Unless the CIA planned to have me die again," his voice broke at that with his pain clear, "and then you were going to let everyone in Neal Caffrey's life believe that he died. You were never going to let me leave the CIA to join the FBI officially instead… Why not kill me again if it worked so well before." Bryce felt like he was going to puke.
Peter couldn't imagine what his friend was feeling. He couldn't imagine the continued betrayal when he was only given the SparkNotes version of a few events in the past. He couldn't look to see what Jones and Diana were thinking. He could only step forward and place a hand on the shoulder of his friend. At the contact, Bryce turned and seemed to crumble once he made eye contact with Peter. His usually perfect façade of perfection was broken into a million pieces at the thought of the CIA taking away the life he thought he was going to have. Maria didn't even try to correct Bryce with a false narrative.
"No. I'm done with the CIA. We have all the documents in order and signed. Both agencies agreed to the terms…" Bryce was breaking inside, his voice cracking. Peter stepped forward, finally being able to find his voice.
"Listen here. CIA or not, I don't care. After all the years you knew Bryce, to me it is obvious you never cared for him in the first place. He was just another assignment to you. You never cared about his mental health, and it is clear that you do not care about his physical health. I don't care if he only had a few days left before being done with the CIA officially on paper. He is done as of today. You do not get to put his life in danger like that with a motive to get something else out of the mission. Especially not when it is someone from my team… No… not just my team. You do not get to fuck around with my partner's life like that." Peter did not need to raise his voice to the CIA handler responsible for Bryce to make a point.
Both Diana and Jones were not sure of how to handle the situation and could not wait until they had a moment where they could ask Peter and Neal what was going on. They both trusted Peter, and to an extent Neal, but they were struggling to piece together the information that they were now learning. Especially with the sight of the conman holding a gun, and from the sounds of it, killing the guys in that building as well. That was not the Neal Caffrey they knew. And it seemed like they never knew him in the first place if what they were hearing was true – Neal Caffrey was a CIA agent? When given more time to think about it later, they would start to piece together the small hints from the past years to show that there was more to the man than just a conman.
Peter turned to them and instructed them to contact Hughes and tell him that they were going to be heading back to the office. Hughes was to make sure they had a conference room ready and keep Diana and Jones with him until Peter and Neal could get back there.
"Go, we'll be not too far behind you." Diana wanted to protest Peter's words, so many questions going through her mind. Same with Jones. It took a moment, but they hesitantly agreed and left Peter and Neal with the apparent CIA agent.
They were silent on their way back to the FBI building. There were no words that they could put to the thoughts they were having. Both trying to make sense of what happened that afternoon. The call to Hughes was short and sweet.
"Sir, it's Jones. Something happened with the case. Somehow the CIA is involved, and Peter told us to tell you to make sure we have an empty conference room. Diana and I are on our way back, and Peter said that he and Neal would be following shortly…" Jones wasn't sure what else he could say. He didn't want to tell the story how he saw it until everyone was in the same room to discuss the series of events.
"Understood, Agent Jones. You and Agent Berrigan are not to talk to anyone until you get here. And once you get back to the office, come straight to the conference room."
"Yes, sir." Hughes hung up on Jones. Diana overheard the conversation but kept her eyes on the road while driving. The two of them continued to not speak, and soon enough, they arrived back at the office.
When they walked through the doors of the White Collar division, Hughes saw them from where he sat in his office. He stepped out and motioned them to join him in the conference room, ignoring the stares of a few of the people left at the office. Some had already left for the day as it was after 4pm, but others had paperwork to wrap up.
The conference door closed behind them as Jones and Diana took seats on one side of the table, Hughes taking the other side. The two younger agents were not sure how to open the conversation. Diana took the first step towards getting answers.
"Sir, do you know what happened tonight?"
"I am not the person who can give you those details."
"So, you do know what happened." It was more of a statement than a question from Jones.
"Like I said, I am not the person who is allowed to tell you these details. We need to wait for them to get back to the office." The way Hughes rephrased his statement made Jones and Diana give each other a look.
"Something is going on, and you've signed confidentiality agreements, haven't you?" It ended up sounding more like a statement than a question.
"That I can neither confirm nor deny." Hughes folded his hands in front of him on the table. There was an unmarked folder resting under his clasped hands that he had carried in with him. The three of them fell into an uneasy sort of silence anticipating what was to come.
It wasn't too much longer when the doors of the White Collar division opened again, Peter and Neal walking through. Well, it was more of Neal stalking forward, hardened face with a look that those in the conference room were not used to seeing on the young man's face. Peter trailed behind him, almost as if he knew there was going to be another explosion to avoid, but he would not abandon his friend.
Hughes decided that the first words with Bryce should not be in front of Jones and Diana. He wanted to make sure the other man was going to be okay for the conversation waiting. But as soon as Hughes exited the conference room, Bryce was already shouting his displeasure, not even a few steps into the office.
"They were never going to let me go, Hughes. Despite them playing nice and actually seeming like they gave a shit during these last few months, they instead go and play their hand like this." Neal's voice never got to the point of yelling, but it was not to be messed with, and could still be clearly heard throughout the White Collar office. He followed up his entrance with pulling the gun from earlier, well cooled off by now, out from his waistband and set it on the closest open desk. All of the agents in view of this display were instantly alert at the sight of the unexpected gun, but didn't act on it when they saw that Hughes was not concerned at the sight of it.
"Hughes, I can't do it anymore! If the CIA wants their agent back, then good luck once more FBI agents find out about me. News like this will spread like wildfire, and there will be no way to contain it. What good is a spy when the entire FBI knows who I am?" With an entrance like this, Bryce for sure had the attention of everyone who was left in the office.
"You're sure about this?" Hughes knew the answer, the entrance Bryce gave so far was a clear answer for that question, but had to be sure one last time before potentially starting an incident between the FBI and CIA. During the commotion, Jones and Diana appeared at the door to the conference room.
"I absolutely am. I've done enough for the CIA over the years that they can give me this retirement on my terms. Especially after what they did today. Hughes, did you hear everything?"
"I had to make a few calls once your cover was blown to Jones and Diana, so no, I did not hear everything. How bad is it?"
"The CIA was going to kill Neal Caffrey and take me back to the CIA. They were never planning on letting me leave. So, yes. I am absolutely sure about my choice to let everyone in this office know that Neal Caffrey was an undercover assignment for the CIA. All of my time as Neal was for the CIA…" he trailed off as he heard someone else entering the floor from the elevators. It was his CIA handler. It was as she entered the floor that Bryce continued talking with more determination in his voice.
"All of my time as Neal Caffrey was a deep undercover assignment for the CIA. I'm really Agent Bryce Larkin, and I was going to officially join the FBI as an agent until the CIA stabbed me in the back. Again." Bryce did not break his eye contact with Maria. He could feel the stares from the other agents on the floor, the silence was deafening in the aftermath of what was revealed to them all.
Maria took a deep breath before walking up to Bryce.
"You win. Management has heard your point, loud and clear. Especially after this mess and insubordination, Neal Caffrey is officially dead to the CIA, and Agent Bryce Larkin is released to the FBI. Effective immediately."
Those words shocked Bryce and took out all the air in his lungs. He was expecting more of a fight, more of an argument from the CIA to keep him.
"…Just like that?" Hesitation was clear in his voice and he was unable to mask the confusion on his face.
"Well, the fine print is that the CIA has the right to call you in on a mission here and there. But only if it is serious enough and we need your skills."
"So, I'm not truly free from the CIA." It was stated as a fact and not a question. He knew it was too good to be true.
"Bryce, is anyone truly free from the CIA? You know how it is. Expect a few meetings next week to finalize a new agreement between the FBI and CIA to be signed, but that should just be a formality to catch up the paperwork. I wish I could say it was a pleasure working with you, Bryce, but my liver is already feeling much healthier without the need to worry about you and your mission." Maria didn't let Bryce cut in at all – she had to say her piece. When Bryce didn't immediately say anything, she nodded and turned back towards the elevators. The mess in the White Collar office was no longer her mess to be concerned with, and her liver could deal with maybe some more alcohol that night in quiet celebration.
Bryce didn't move from where he stood, watching Maria walk out of his life as his handler. His mouth opened and closed a few times, trying to process the sudden whiplash of conversation from what it started out as, and where it ended up.
"Bryce…?" Peter's gentle voice called from where he had stood to the side. Bryce turned to meet Peter's concerned eyes.
"Peter, I'm… I'm free. Well, mostly free. But I can live with that…" he had a faraway look in his eyes as he worked through the huge change in his life. He was oblivious to the crowd that formed around him where all the remaining agents on the floor had circled them, looking for answers from Hughes.
"Alright, listen up, everyone…" Hughes knew he had to step in before anyone had the chance to overwhelm their newest FBI agent. "Everything that you just heard is true," he paused for dramatic effect. He had to keep some of his original plan after all. It was once again Diana who cut through the silence.
"Wait, sir, Neal Caffrey is… was… actually an undercover agent from the CIA?"
"Yes, and this was going to have been revealed to you all next week, but it seems the CIA did not want to lose one of their best agents. They took advantage of your case earlier today, and there were details they forbade Agent Larkin or I from sharing with everyone. And before you ask, yes. Everything you saw earlier today was authorized by the CIA." Hughes was careful not to give too many details from what happened earlier at the warehouse to the agents who were not there.
"Burke," Hughes continued to talk as his agents absorbed the information. "Take Larkin home and make sure he's okay. I don't think he needs to be here anymore today." Bryce focused on Hughes when he was being told to go home. "I'll see you both Monday morning. After all, we have a new agent to introduce to the office, don't we?"
"Yes, sir." Bryce gave a small smile and slowly turned towards his desk to grab the belongings he had there while Peter did the same in his office. It was only another minute before Peter had a hand on Bryce's back, directing him out of the doors towards the elevators. Ignoring all the stares piercing their backs until they disappeared into the elevators. Directing him away from the office that was sure to be a whole new type of mess Monday morning.
But that would be a problem for Monday morning.
