Neal walked into Peter's house and stopped to stare, before a big grin filled his face.

"I see Samantha and Hal have made themselves at home then," he said to Peter, trying not to laugh at the resigned look on Satchmo's face as the two cats slept on top of him.

"It's El's fault," Peter said. "She thinks it's cute. I, however, think Satchmo is letting down all of dog kind."

Neal laughed at Peter's peeved look, causing Peter to glare at him from the couch.

"Actually, it's all your fault," Peter amended. "You're the reason Rodney decided to move in next door to us."

"And how's that going?"

"Thankfully, quiet most of the time. El deals with Rodney's..." Peter paused.

"Panic-based crises?" Neal offered, lowering himself into the seat opposite Peter. "Yeah, Rodney's good at making a mountain out of a molehill."

"Tell me about," Peter replied. "No, on second thoughts, don't," he added as Neal opened his mouth, causing Neal to chuckle instead.

"What about Monet?"

"Monet likes to walk along the fence line, hissing at Satchmo and threatening bodily harm."

"Yeah. Monet's not so keen on dogs. Or other cats. Or most humans, for that matter. I hate to think what a bruiser he'd be if he hadn't been neutered, he's a handful at times as it is."

"Satchmo just sits and whines. Like he wants to be friends and doesn't understand why Monet hates him," Peter shook his head. "Still, at least that's one less cat to invade my home."

At this point, Samantha raised her head, stirring slowly and stretching luxuriously, as only a cat can, before daintily making her way over to Peter's lap. Hal just opened an eye briefly, before pulling himself into a tighter circle and ignoring them.

Neal looked at Peter, who was staring at Samantha as if she was a bomb.

"You should pet her," Neal suggested. "She won't explode you know."

"Oh I don't know about that. Cats have claws. Sharp claws. And they're not averse to using them," Peter replied.

"Top FBI Agent Felled by a Little Black and White Kitty," he said mischievously. "Now that would make a great headline, wouldn't it?"

Peter glared at him again, before reluctantly starting to pet Samantha, carefully. "I'm more of a dog man myself. More loyal."

"More needy, Rodney would say. Though personally, I'm fine with both cats and dogs."

Just then, the front door opened as Elizabeth walked in with a cheery greeting, then stopped when she saw Peter stroking Samantha, a delighted smile spreading over her face.

"I knew she'd win you around eventually," she said, ignoring Peter's protest. "Are you staying for dinner, Neal?"

"No," said Peter, just as Neal said yes. El raised her eyebrows, looking at Peter meaningfully.

"Fine," Peter said, knowing when he was beaten. "But you'll help with the washing up after. And help put the damn cats out too."

"Deal."