Chapter Text
Peter first started noticing Neals odd behaviors during the second week of him being under Peters custody.
First it was a tiny slip up on Neals end that made Peter realize that Kate, was actually a man, named Kane. The team was gathered in the bull pen when Neal made the slip up.
Diana was talking with Jones about one of her close friends coming into town.
"Kan-te and I met when we were twelve, so I get what you are saying Diana." Neal chimed in, and smoothly covered the slip up from Jones and Diana, but not from Peter. it was a one time thing, peter could let some things slide, until Neal wanted to tell him right?
Next it was the postcards. They were tiny forgeries of historical gothic art on index cards. Maybe the right word would be copies, they were not perfect forgeries because you could tell once up-close that they were drawn with crayon and pastels. Written on the back would be a few sentences written in a language Peter did not recognize, and be signed with two letters, KF.
Neal would always brush off the questions of the postcards with a chuckle and the same phrase, "its a family thing."
these things stacked onto of each other. But after a year Peter reluctantly let Neal begin to go out for lunch during the weekdays without him shadowing Neal. They began to trust each other. they became a team. So when Elizabeth was kidnapped Peter relied on Neal, to use his charming smile and out of the box plans to bring her home.
Peter tried to work the case like it was any other. but when El's wedding ring and a bloodstained note was found at a possible location of where El was kept, he didn't notice when Neal left the room and disappeared. Peter noticed after a couple minutes of talking to Neal, who was no longer there.
"Its bad KF, I thought we had more time.- No, No aren't any of the bats available?- I know she is technically a bat,- if you think so. you know if I wasn't here with this I would help you and the JL in a heartbeat. Ill see you KF."
Peter could only hear Neals side of the phone conversation. Neal called the elusive KF, but to do what?
Neal turned his attention to Peter and began. "Peter, I've called in a friend of mine, and while he cant help. he is sending someone who can." Peter tried to get a word in but Neal just continued, "Don't worry my friend is on your side of the law. He is a forensics expert. If he is sending someone who he trusts then I know we can trust them.
Hughes soon shooed them out of the crimescene, and took Neal aside. “Neal, no funny business, keep Peter from losing his mind. I’ll get Diana and Jones to work this lead for a bit.” Neal returned to Peter's side. Neal then spoke with an authority Peter never knew Neal had, and snapped Peter out of his shock and followed Neal back to the car. "I'll make dinner, let's go back to June’s." Neal said with no room to argue.
They both didn't utter a word on the ride back.