elrhiarhodan

Title: Below Your Pay Grade
Author: elrhiarhodan
Fandom: White Collar
Rating: G
Characters/Pairings: Reese Hughes, Peter Burke
Spoilers: None
Warnings/Enticements/Triggers: None
Word Count: ~300
Beta Credit: None
Summary: Set during early Season 4, Reese offers to help Peter, but Peter declines his assistance.

A/N: Written for the Single-Prompt/All Writers Challenge at the recent White Collar Meet-Up in D.C. Of course, it’s been cleaned up a little. The prompt, supplied by the generous and extremely talented kanarek13, is below the cut. Also, a fill for a whitecollar100 prompt: 003 – Hunt.

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“Peter, I’ve been through this before and it’s not such a big deal. Don’t you want my help?”

“Don’t be offended, but no, I don’t.”

“Okay, it’s your call.”

Peter sighed. “I know, Reese. We have to do it this way.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, utterly weary. They’d been at this for three days. He’d been working his team until they were ready to drop. Diana – usually so formidable – was practically in tears and the unflappable Clinton Jones actually gave started shouting at him before storming out of the office.

Of course, he only made it as far as the corner Starbucks and came back with a mocha chai latte for him as an apology. Peter didn’t have the heart to tell him that he loathed the beverage.

Eventually, everyone had settled down and Peter paced along the balcony, giving directions. Okay, giving orders. But this had to get done, it was top priority and if the brass discovered the truth before everything was sorted out, he might just find himself on the unemployment line.

“Put me to work, Peter.” Reese stood there, arms crossed, concern in every line in his face.

“Reese – this is well below your pay grade. Nothing you should be getting involved with.”

“I’m still ASAC for the White Collar Division, and everything you and your team does matters to me. In all the years we’ve worked together, have you ever seen me just go to my office and let any of my agents struggle. If I can help, I should help.”

Peter rubbed the back of his neck. “I know that, but honestly, moving every piece of office furniture and every single filing cabinet to find my CI’s best friend’s pet rat isn’t the responsibility of an Assistant Special Agent in Charge. Ever.”

FIN