Chapter Text
They were going into their hotel room when the door across the hall opened. “Jack? Jack Dalton?” Chris turned in alarm as his partner froze, a result of the voice that called out to them. It belonged to a man who had obviously come out of his room to get the newspaper sitting on the floor. Ezra's eyes widened in recognition. The delight in clear blue gaze from across the hall was apparent, and he postured himself as though he expected some sort of affectionate greeting. Moments later, his eyes narrowed in panic as Erza growled and stalked toward him.
"Nick." Ezra ground out has he cornered the man inside the door. The ATF agent looked seconds away from assaulting the young man. Chris wondered if he should intervene, especially since he was torn between deciding if his partner's aggressive demeanour was violent or sexual. Neither option particularly pleased him.
The moment was broken when an older man wearing slacks and an undershirt stepped out of the bathroom. The ATF leader noted that his posture screamed Fed. "Neal? What the hell did you do this time?"
The dark-haired kid grinned, turning from where he was caged in between Ezra's arms. "Peter! I was just saying 'hi' to an old friend." He ducked out from where he was and the three of them followed the agent further into the room. "Peter, this is Jack Dalton, um, an old friend of mine."
"We are not friends, Mr Halden." Ezra spat. The blue-eyed cutie looked a little ashamed.
Chris intervened before the tension could escalate any higher. "So what's the deal here Ezra?"
"To my displeasure, I met Neal," he said using the name the Fed had spoken, "On an undercover assignment as Jack Dalton when I was in Atlanta. He completely and inexplicably broke my cover."
"It wasn't that bad," Neal countered. The kid wiggled his eyebrows, "Some of it was kind of fun."
Chris and Peter both watched as Ezra sputtered, "Wasn't that bad? Eight months! Eight months of undercover work wasted! And then I had to endure the humiliation of an OIG inquiry."
Peter glared at Neal, then stopped as he took a closer look at the green-eyed man, "Wait, you're Ezra Standish?" He rounded on his partner, "Neal! Why does it not surprise me that you had something to do with that?" Peter rolled his eyes as he reached into this suitcase for a shirt. Chris could hear him mutter something about 'Nick Halden' under his breath.
"Ah, yes, I see my notoriety is still undiminished in the Bureau." The Southerner turned back to Neal. "I assume that your charming presence here is due to this gentleman and pray tell, what do I have the dubious pleasure of calling you this time?"
"Well since introductions still haven't been made, Neal Caffrey. This is my partner Peter Burke." Peter stepped forward and shook both Chris and Ezra's hands.
Peter looked up just in time to see Ezra grace Neal with a look of scepticism. "Neal's on loan to the Bureau as a consultant." The thief raised his pant leg and Ezra smirked when he saw the ankle bracelet.
"That explains so many things, Mr Burke. In the view of our current camaraderie, and despite your prior knowledge, it is a pleasure to meet you. Ezra Standish at your service, and this is my boss Chris Larabee."