Title: Scream for a Million
Fandom: White Collar
Rating: PG
Length: ~500
Content notes: None
Summary: Diana's in charge of Neal.



Author notes: This story is set shortly after 4x03.  Peter has been assigned to the Cave and Diana and Jones are in charge of Neal.  Diana is called out on a case.  It's up to you to decide how she handles Neal.

It was quiet in the White Collar Division.  Everybody was feeling the effects of Peter's reassignment.  Even Neal was working quietly.  Sitting at her desk, Diana stole a glance in his direction.   The two FBI agents had decided the best way to keep him out of trouble was to keep him busy in the office. 

Jones came over, and caught her attention with a cough.  "Just got a call from the Norwegian Heritage House.  The guy.. Lund, he wanted to speak to Peter and Peter only."  Diana raised her eyebrows at that.  "Said he once helped him on a case.  He told me there might be a missing Munch."  They both turned to look at Neal, who was working very hard on *something* on his desk.  "Want to go over there and check out what's happening?"

"Yeah."

"But he said to keep it under wraps.  He really sounded freaked out about something." 

"Right."

Diana could well remember that conversation when Hughes assigned Caffrey to Jones and her.  You are not allowed to screw up, for everybody's sakes, Hughes had said.  Everything you do will be examined with a magnifying glass.  'You' he said, but he meant Caffrey.  Diana sighed.  "You're watching Caffrey?"

Jones glanced over at Neal.  The CI was staring hopefully at them both, making no pretense now of actually working.  "Yeah.  Update me when you know something."

Diana nodded and grabbed her coat.  She was intercepted by Neal before she made it to the door.  "Need my help?"

"I think you've got enough assignments in your inbox."

"Yes, but they're-"

"Boring?"

Neal grinned.  "I was going to say 'almost finished'".

"When you're done with those, I'm sure we could find a couple more for you."

Neal was still standing in her way.  "Where are you going?"

"Norwegian Heritage House, now if you'll excuse me.."  Diana realized that was a mistake the moment the words came out of her mouth. 

Neal's eyes lit up.  "You know they have a Munch exhibition?  Those paintings have never been out of Norway before."

"I know now."  she tried to sidestep him.

"Did something happen to the Scream?  Did they discover it's a fake?  Diana, you know I'd be the best-"

"Caffrey, get out of my way."

"Please?"  He finally let her pass, but followed her to the elevators.  "This is my area of expertise!"

Should Diana take Neal along or leave him with his assigned cases?