ConNotation

"Watch this!" Peter said with poorly-concealed excitement to the other agents in the van. Clinton suppressed a grin. It was good that Caffrey didn't see his handler act this way whenever he was impressing someone with his knowledge during an undercover operation. If he knew that the almighty Peter Burke was acting like a proud father over his abilities (a sharp contrast to the disapproving glare he gave Neal in the office whenever he demonstrated how different his skill set was from honest people), they would never able to convince him that there was something wrong with possessing this kind of knowledge.

Peter, seeing but misinterpreting his amusement, shared a conspiratorial look with him. Clinton had to admit, he always enjoyed the stunned expressions of agents not used to Caffrey's antics. It was a great feeling to be one in the "in", part of the best team the White Collar unit had.

When he had been younger and driven, he had imagined what his career would be like. If everything had gone according to plan, he would have had his first task force under him already. But as long as Peter was solving the big cases left and right, leaving only mortgage fraud and embezzlement in the file box, there was no need for a second task force. He could lead a surveillance once a while, or a small sting, but that was it.

Surprisingly, Clinton didn't mind too much. Somewhere along the line, the career became less important. The satisfaction of every successful takedown was like a drug to him, and the backup of such a close-knit unit a safety net he wasn't ready to give up. Diana must feel it too. Why else had she given up her position in Washington for New York? Coming back was like a big step back, but she easily assumed her old place in Burke's team – and Caffrey's family.

Yes, somehow they all got caught up in the paternal dynamic between the stern FBI agent and the mischievous con man. Caffrey had his role down to a t. It hadn't escaped Clinton's attention how he sometimes involved Elizabeth to get his way or calm Peter's anger. It was an old children's tactic: If Daddy is difficult, go to Mommy for support and protection. Caffrey even had the indulgent grandmother who gave him whatever he wanted, although June wasn't dishing out sweets and money, but fine suits and an apartment.

Diana had easily fallen into the role of the big sister. Always exasperated by the annoying little brother, always ready to threaten him if he didn't keep his distance, but always the first at his side if he needed help. And he became the bigger brother, the role model, supposed to watch out for the most vulnerable member of his family (who would bark at the very suggestion not being able to care of himself).

Clinton liked being part of this unofficial family. There was only one thing which bothered him: that in this equation he was the middle child.

A/N: An especially big thank you for mam711, who acted as my beta again.