Darren Criss + Matt Bomer = Happy fangirl

It really shouldn't have mattered.

Every year the New York Bureau held a party celebrating the New Year. Officially, it was held to raise the general sense of morale. In reality, it was meant to forcibly bond the different departments together over cheese cubes and eight dollar bottles of wine. The Bureau originally planned the party as a whole, but the higher ups quickly decided a morale-boosting party would inspire more confidence when important figures in individual departments weren't arguing about floral pieces, entertainment, dress code, food and pretty much anything another department suggested. So every year a different department held the party and, in true Bureau fashion, it quickly spiraled into a competition.

It was tame enough at first. Missing Persons held a lovely Winter Wonderland party. Entertainment was mediocre, food fabulous when compared to the usually muck served at the Bureau. The next year, the Tech department threw a Disco party that should have been cheesy, but with the awesome light up display and dance floor and even a robot bartender, nobody seemed to mind. After that, things truly spiraled out of control. With professional chefs, flashy bartender shows and even a "fortune teller" who then turned into an annual tradition, much to the delight of Homeland Security, the Bureau parties became harder and harder to beat. With last year's party being a tropical paradise in the middle of winter, complete with hula girls and a fire display, the bar was raised high and White Collar was determined to beat it. Their determination had nothing to do with last year's host being Organized Crime, as everybody repeatedly told Neal. Neal didn't, however, know how much the party meant to White Collar until Elizabeth had to turn down a big client so she would have enough time to plan the White Collar New Year's Eve party. Then Neal tried to help.

Somewhat.

"I'm just saying that I know a thing or two about throwing a party Mr. Let's-host-a-party-at-a-crime scene," Neal argued.

"I already told you that your place was better," Peter replied hotly, while he threw another file on an already leaning tower of files that Neal eyed warily. "But this party already has a location: the lobby. We at the Bureau can accomplish things without the Great Neal Caffrey."

"Yes, but—"

"No buts," Peter said, roughly handing the file mountain to Neal. "Here's something to help that boredom you're apparently feeling."

"But Peter, I can get models!" Neal said desperately.

"For what?"

"Waitressing! It'll be sexy, exciting—"

"And already done," Peter said. "Have fun with mortgage fraud, Neal."

Neal bit down a sigh when Peter shut the door in his face. So maybe he had been coming on a little strong and hadn't talked to Peter about anything else in the last few days. It was the thought that counts, right? Neal would've brooded a little longer if Peter hadn't taken that moment to tell Neal to go to his desk and make puppy dog eyes somewhere else. He went with a roll of his eyes. Neal Caffrey did not have puppy dog eyes.

~O~

"I don't know what you guys were worried about," Neal said as he scanned the now unrecognizable FBI lobby. Elizabeth was truly a miracle worker. "This party is exquisite."

Elizabeth beamed up at him. "Aww, Neal, you're such a sweetie. I was worried that masquerade parties were overdone but…"

"It's a hit!" Peter finished for her. "You're the best wife someone could ask for, hon."

She glowed behind her peacock mask and quickly pecked Peter on the lips. "I know, I know…you lucked out." El's lingering smile turned into a slight frown as she glanced at the stage where a band was currently playing a very jazzy, upbeat song. El glanced at Peter's watch. "I should probably see where Steve is…he was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago."

"Steve?" Peter asked.

"The singer," El responded absentmindedly as she made her way through the crowd.

"The band is still good by itself," Neal said to no one in particular. The microphone on stage did look rather lonely now that he thought about it...

"Besides, didn't I hear something about karaoke?" Jones asked with a smirk. "Me and Diana will have a killer duet."

"Who says?" Diana called from the punch bowl.

"Me! You know you can't resist my charms!"

"What charms, Jones? And even if I did go for your team obviously Caffrey would be my first choice."

"Don't inflate his ego any more than necessary," Peter groaned.

"It's alright, Peter. It's a lesson every person has to learn," Neal said with his signature 1000-watt smile. "I'm just sorry Jones had to find out this way…Peter, heads up."

Peter swung around just in time to see a furious Elizabeth slam her phone shut. "Steve isn't coming. 'Found a better gig' apparently. That weasel! After all the help I gave him! He owed me. Now—"

"El! Hon, it's alright," Peter said as he wrapped his wife into a hug.

"No, Peter, it's not," Elizabeth said, sounding remarkably close to tears. Neal and Peter shared an alarmed look. "I ruined your big party. Every good party needs a singer. Now you can't even beat Organized Crimes…"

"El, you're a miracle worker," Peter whispered in her ear. "I wouldn't believe this was the FBI Lobby except for the fact that I walked through the front door. Everybody is having a great time. The decorations are fantastic and the food is delicious."

"Even if there is deviled ham," Neal muttered. Peter's glare softened at the sound of Elizabeth's quiet giggle.

"Sorry, I was being ridiculous," she said as she carefully wiped her eyes without hindering her mask or her make-up. A remarkable feat. "It's just been a long day and the caterer cancelled last minute so I had to call in a favor, the drapes kept ripping and the balloons wouldn't stay in their towers, and—"

"Elizabeth the party is wonderful," Neal interrupted, "and I might be able to get a singer here…if that's alright." Peter raised an eyebrow at Neal's almost shy tone.

El immediately brightened. "Neal, that would be so great! Would you please?"

Neal nodded as he brought his cell phone to his ear.

"Comes in handy, doesn't he?" Peter asked.

"He has his moments," Elizabeth agreed. "Now if you excuse me I'm going to make sure Johanna has everything covered before I come back and join Diana by the food."

"Is your friend coming?" Peter asked as Neal returned a few seconds later. Neal handed Peter a piece of devilled ham with a slight look of disgust on his face.

"Yep."

"Has he committed a felony?" Peter felt obligated to ask.

Neal rolled his eyes. "Not that I know of."

"What a shocker, Burke and Caffrey joined at the hip."

"Hello, Ruiz," Peter greeted. "You do realize this is the one time where we at least pretend to get along."

Ruiz shrugged jerkily. "Your wife did an alright job, Burke."

Neal felt Peter relax minutely at the comment.

"Can't beat our tropical get-away from last year, but what could?" Ruiz continued. "Even though I'm sure Caffrey has plenty of experience with tropical get-aways. Take a good look around. Notice all the teenage girls that were dragged here by their parents. I'll tell you one thing, they were definitely not this bored last year."

"So we're now judging parties based on teen preferences," Peter said sardonically, "if I had known sooner I could've told El to make it Justin Bieber themed."

"Beiber fever is catching!"

Ruiz frowned at the random voice, but Neal was just surprised that Mozzie willingly decided to go to a FBI event.

"I suppose at least then you could have a singer," Ruiz said.

Neal and Peter watched as Ruiz walked away to join one of his lackeys.

"As evil-villain-closing-statements go, that was pretty lame," Neal said.

"Defiantly a three," Peter said.

"A three?" Neal said indignantly. "I don't even think it ranks on the one to ten scale."

"But at least we have your guy," Peter said. "Is he any good?"

Neal got a patronizing look on his face. "Peter, are any people I recommend anything less than fantastic?"

Peter scoffed. "Hope he lives up to your expectations."

Neal shot an amused glance at the stage. "You can judge for yourself."

"Heeeeeey, Heeeeey, Heeeeey,

Your lipstick staaaains,

On the front lobe of my left side braaaain—"

Yep, Neal's friend was defiantly living up to the conman's expectations and, if the sudden amount of screaming girls at the party was anything to go by, Peter wasn't the only one to think so.

"Oh my god! I love you Blaine Anderson!" one particularly loud teenager screamed. Peter choked on his devilled ham, catching Neal shooting him an amused expression before turning his attention back to the stage. Even he knew who Blaine Anderson was. But how Neal ever got the Broadway and Glee actor to sing at the FBI party, Peter was determined to find out before the end of the night. He did a cursory glance around the room and saw an excited look on the majority of the agents' faces because one, the boy was famous, two, the party was excellent to begin with, and three, Anderson certainly knew how to play with his audience.

"Neal! How did you get him?" El asked in astonishment. Yep, number one question in the room right now.

Neal just gave them a Caffrey smirk. "Just said I'd owe him a favor and Peter relax. I really feel like you would know if Blaine had a criminal record."

A part of Peter wanted to stay in FBI mode, but El's expression, the party mood and Neal's casual mention of "Blaine" made Peter relax. "Care to dance, hon?"

"Love to," El said as she gracefully accepted Peter's offered hand.

Neal smiled softly at the retreating couple, smirking at Blaine on stage before offering him a small nod as the teenage girls continued to scream and belt out the lyrics while jumping around the edge of his stage. Neal would be more worried for his safety if Blaine wasn't in the middle of an FBI building and most of these agents were either the girls' parents or family friends. He saw Ruiz frowning at a painting and waltzed over with a smirk.

"Great brushstrokes," Neal said from behind him, causing Ruiz to jump and glare. "Look how they go from thick to small and the careful blend of colors to get a soft sunset. I still can't believe White Color got permission to show this painting."

"Think I'm really going to fall for that, Caffrey," Ruiz snapped. Neal realized absently that Blaine was singing 'Trouble,' which fit oddly. "I don't trust you as far as I can throw you."

"It's alright, I trust you as far as I can throw you," Neal reassured him. "More than three feet though and we have a problem."

"Whatever, Caffrey," Ruiz muttered as he stormed away while angrily jotting something down on his 'Painting Masquerade' form.

"Don't run from the trust zone!" Neal called desperately after Ruiz's retreating form. Nearby White Collar agents smirked at Neal's antics.

"What are you doing?" Peter asked.

"Ruining Ruiz's answers in the 'Painting Masquerade,' " Neal said. El, with Neal's assistance, came up with the perfect game for the White Collar's masquerade. A contest where people have to identify the real paintings from the forgeries, which Neal will probably now refer to as 'paintings that hide under masks because they have low self esteem' as Peter so eloquently put it during his confusion. Neal was sure Moz would appreciate the code. "How did you manage to get the real painting?"

"You're not the only one with connections."

"Peter!" Neal exclaimed with a hint of pride. "Answering the question without actually answering it! Words cannot describe how proud I am—"

"Yeah, yeah," Peter said. "So Blaine Anderson…"

Neal tensed slightly, his ecstatic expression dimming a fraction. "Blaine Anderson."

"Are you going to tell me or…"

"You guys have been a great crowd," Blaine called from stage. Girls screamed while a few younger agents cheered and the older agents clapped politely in an attempt to not look excited to see the heartthrob at their party. "And I was hoping that you could let me have a chance to perform a song with my brother. Something that was always popular with our neighbors when we were growing up. And since he does owe me…"

Peter frowned as Anderson seemed to aim an intense get-over-here-now expression in his direction. As he caught Neal's small shake of his head, Peter felt like an idiot. Of course! It made sense now! Why Neal seem reluctant to talk about Blaine (since when does Neal like to talk about his past?) and Blaine's appearance to a tiny party (what people do for family…). In his loudest, cheering voice Peter yelled, "Yeah! Come on, Neal!"

Neal shot him a glare as Blaine directed a warm smile at Peter. Agents seemed to get through their momentary shellshock and start clapping as Neal turned his conman smile to the crowd and made his way to the stage.

"So," El said, "Neal has a brother."

"Yep," Peter agreed with a smile.

"Do they get along?" Elizabeth asked.

"Blaine came here because Neal asked didn't he?"

~O~

"Why are you doing this?" Neal asked through clenched teeth when he climbed on stage.

Blaine turned away from the audience to shoot Neal a hurt look. Neal knew that Peter would never successfully experience puppy dog eyes until he saw his brother's face. "I want to bond with my brother."

"We are bonded," Neal pointed out, his bright blue eyes taking in all the higher ups in the crowd.

"Yeah but what about all those years you spent in prison, and then before when you were escapading in Europe and Asia," Blaine said, his small tone belayed by the dazzling smile he directed toward the crowd. Neal wasn't the only conman in the family. "I missed having a big brother around."

Neal took in a quick breath. Blaine didn't really think that did he? He glanced at him and saw Blaine offer a silent apology and a slight shrug. Neal gave a small smile and scanned the crowd. Great. All of the departments were looking up in interest. Can the great Neal Caffrey sing? He really did not want to do this…

Neal then completely disregarded the instinct that made him so successful first as a conman, then as a consultant—he glanced at his brother. Damn it. His brother already changed his expression as soon as he felt Neal's mood shift. The famous Gleek was now sporting his infamous pouting, abused puppy dog look. Neal knew it was a trap. But his face…

"I still visited around holidays," Neal muttered as he took the microphone

Blaine's grin turned genuine at Neal's compliance. He pulled him into a one armed hug. "Still remember the choreography?"

"Like I could forget that," Neal smiled at Blaine.

"Alright!" Blaine, bring his microphone up while he addressed the crowd. "Put your hands together for 'Rio' and 'Hungry like the Wolf' mash-up!" The crowd cheered as Blaine and Neal stood side by side as a familiar tune took the stage.

"Dark in the city, Night is a wire,

Steam in the subway, earth is a fire"

Neal took a breath as he joined in,

"Woman you want me, give me a sign,

And catch breathing even closer behind"

As they started the second "do, do, do's" Neal had slight satisfaction from the slightly surprised looks in the agents' faces, especially Ruiz's.

~O~

Elizabeth and Diana cheered by the stage as the brothers ended the song.

"I guess if another singer bails I can just get you, Neal," Elizabeth teased lightly.

"Thanks, Elizabeth," Neal said. "Didn't even want to get up there, but the little sucker blackmailed me."

Peter snorted. "You know what? I feel like Neal always needed a little brother."

"I think they look adorable together," Diana said, "and about time someone came around who can manipulate Neal."

"Really?" Neal huffed. "I get no sympathy…"

"Now let's start the much anticipated karaoke!" Blaine called from the stage, before handing the microphone to the guitarist and hopping down next to Neal. "First off, I did not blackmail you and second off, hi you must be Peter. I'm Blaine."

Peter shook the offered hand with amusement. "Have you heard great things?"

"Wonderful," Blaine agreed.

"Yes, you did blackmail me," Neal argued, "and this is Peter's lovely wife, Elizabeth, and my colleagues, Jones and Diana."

"Hello," Blaine greeted amiably, "and stop being so dramatic. I manipulated you in public. It's not like I said that I'd show the FBI a certain commercial…"

"Commercial?" Jones asked with interest.

"It's nothing," Neal said as he brought Blaine down for a noogie, "besides Blaine knows that he's done a lot more stupid stuff than me."

"I find that hard to believe," Peter scoffed.

"At least caught on camera," Neal amended as Blaine pushed away from him with an affronted expression as he tried to fix his hair.

"Yeah, but you work here," Blaine said. "I'm sure they'd be much more interested in something you've done than me."

"I'm not the one with fan girls."

"Down children," El scolded mockingly. Peter was amused to see Neal and Blaine share the same properly abashed look. He was suddenly glad that Blaine chose a different route for his acting abilities.

"Sorry, have I told you that your party is incredible?" Blaine asked.

El beamed at him. "You're just as polite as Neal. Thank you."

"No problem. I actually am hosting a party in a few weeks if you wouldn't mind helping out…"

She stared at Blaine before realizing she should probably respond. "That sounds great! Wait one second and I'll get you a business card."

"So just so I can get this straight," Neal said, "me singing on stage with you does not count as the favor."

"Pretty much yeah," Blaine said. "I believe you were the one who told me to let people draw their own conclusions." Neal narrowed his eyes at Peter's chuckle.

"Wow, conned by my own little brother…"

"It's not conning if you get paid," argued Blaine.

"I'll remember that," Neal said with a wink, "and even though I really don't want to start this argument with you again. Yes. Acting is exactly like pulling a con."

"Would you like a position at White Collar?" Jones asked, smirking into his punch cup.

"What would I even do?"

"I don't even care, just sit there and keep Neal distracted," Jones said.

"Oh God, no," Peter said. "Can you imagine a second Neal? …No offense."

Neal tipped his hat at Peter. "You always just know the right thing to say. So Blaine what exactly is this favor you want me to do?"

"Some people do actually wait to cash in their favors," Blaine said, "but, luckily, I already have something in mind for you."

"Joy."

"Can we help?" Diana asked.

"Maybe…" Blaine said before continuing nonchalantly, "but I was actually thinking you could sing a song with me on my next album."

Neal choked on his drink. "Seriously?"

"Yep, a cover of Gotye's 'Somebody that I Used to Know.' "

"That's…wow. That's…" Neal stammered.

"Never thought I'd see Neal at a loss for words," Peter said.

"I'd buy it," Jones said, "just to be supportive."

"Yeah, Caffrey," Diana said, "you could be famous…to normal people. Not just governments and other art thieves."

"I'm sure you'd be great, Neal," El said, handing Blaine her business card, which he accepted with a flourish. Peter mentally rolled his eyes. Couldn't there be one member of Neal's family that didn't know con tricks?

"Blaine, that's flattering, but…"

"No buts," Blaine said firmly.

Neal ignored his brother. "I would just prefer if the whole world didn't know that we were related."

Neal trusted the FBI. Peter fought to keep his face neutral and not drop his cup. Neal trusted the FBI! Neal, who kept his brother a secret in order to protect him from potential enemies, trusted the FBI enough to invite his brother to a FBI-sanctioned event. Peter never knew how much he had gotten through to Neal until this very moment.

Blaine's face softened even as he rolled his eyes. "I did think things through. Just use your other name."

"What name would that be?" Peter asked instinctively, going into FBI mode even though his heart wasn't particularly in it.

Blaine didn't hesitate. Instead, he said brightly, "You don't know? He's quite famous where we grew up…well one of the places we grew up."

Peter never knew how much Neal got to him until he saw the trademark Caffrey mischievousness in Blaine's eyes and Peter had to fight against the urge to check for his wallet.

"I suppose it would suit him," Neal agreed after a moment.

"So you'll do it?" Blaine asked with a grin.

"Course," Neal said. "I can't go back on my word, what type of example would I set?"

"Now you're worried about example," Peter said. Neal's response was cut off by a very loud Jones. He could've sworn there was a strict no-alcohol policy.

"Diana, I have a proposition," Jones said. "Would you like to duet with me or be serenaded?"

"Wow, Jones, you have the maturity of a sixth grader," Diana said as Jones laughed at his own bad pun. "Let's get this over with. Ready to duet?"

"Hell yeah!" Jones said before dragging Diana on stage and belting 'Don't Stop Believing' horribly off tune.

Peter sighed. "I guess I should save Diana. Jones gets very clingy when he's tipsy."

"Really?" El asked. "He doesn't seem the type."

"Oh yeah," Peter said. "He stuck to Neal like a koala bear at the last party."

"Really?" Blaine asked with interest. "Maybe I won't have to pull the commercial card if you do things like that."

"I was just trying not to get smothered," Neal protested, vaguely aware of El and Peter leaving the brothers alone.

"And you say I do more stupid things than you…"

"You're not seriously going to tell them are you?" Neal asked.

"Really?" Blaine said. "You doubt me that much? Besides I thought that you asked Hardison to delete all of them."

"I did but it's insane how popular that commercial is," Neal said, "and the company keeps playing it…and playing it. Hardison got rid of all the copies of it on the internet—"

"At the time," Blaine interjected.

"Yes, at the time," Neal agreed, warily watching his brother, "but I didn't think to get rid of the hard copies. Oh, stop laughing."

"Sorry," Blaine coughed, not even trying to realistically cover his laughter. "I wouldn't want to humiliate you, Neal."

"It wouldn't humiliate me. It would just give Peter a heart attack because he would literarily die of joy. I like Peter. I'd prefer for him not to die of joy."

"But laughter is the best medicine," Blaine said chirpily as he nodded back up to the stage, acknowledging the guitarist's frantic signals that karaoke was over. Apparently, drunk Jones getting smacked by Diana ruined the karaoke mood.

"Nobody is sick, Blaine!"

Blaine just smirked as he reached the stage and instantly started singing 'Smooth Criminal.'

~O~

"Free credit rating today! Dot com! Start saving!"

"Play it again!"

Neal groaned at the loud laughter from the conference room and the unanimous yell for an encore.

"Free credit rating today! Dot com! Start saving!"

"Neal, you look great!" Someone, maybe Diana, yelled down. Neal waved his hand in acknowledgement. He was going to kill Blaine. Or, you know, get even. Time to post a certain video on YouTube. Neal scanned his Blaine videos. Six Flags, Gap attack, little Blaine, Blaine at the Harry Potter midnight premiere, Blaine in a banana suit…wow his brother had done a lot of blackmail-worthy things.

"Free credit rating today! Dot com! Start saving!"

He really needed to break into that insurance company.