A Possible Beginning for S05E12

by VisAVis2

Chapters 1-3 Rebecca escapes and kidnaps Mozzie; Neal and Peter try to rescue him. Chapter 4 covers the lost day at the end of Episode 12, Neal's inner monolog. Chapter 5 is a quick one-off surprise answer to the question, "Who Kidnapped Neal Caffrey?" (Not the same as my other one in the Psych x White Collar crossover section of this site.)

1. Mozzie's Night Visitor

Previously on White Collar

Rebecca (Rachel) on phone from prison: "No threat. Just a promise. I'll see you soon."

Neal looks stunned as the scene fades.

It's night. A short bald man is lying on Neal's couch, one arm dangling down over an empty wine glass on the floor. The full moon shining through the [large] window illuminates him as he mutters in his sleep. "Bless me, Father, for I am about to…" A silent shadow crosses briefly over his sleeping form. He is instantly sitting up, wide awake.

"Wha-? It wasn't me! I was framed!"

The young woman aiming the gun at his head is gesturing for silence with her other hand. He can see only a black silhouette, but he would recognize her instantly even without the wispy mane about her head glowing red in the moonlight. Her voice is low but insistent. "Where's my diamond?"

The little man is nervous, but he puts on a brave front. "Aren't you supposed to be in an orange jumpsuit feeding on gruel a la carte?"

"My diamond, Mozzie. Tell me where it is. Now!"

The lights are still on at the Burke residence. There are boxes all around the living room and dining room. Elizabeth's removing pictures from the wall and wrapping them carefully, placing them in the open box on the dining table.

Peter stumbles in, wearing pj's and a robe. "What are you doing, hon? Come back to bed."

"I can't sleep. On such short notice I don't know who we can train to take my place at the museum. I hate leaving them in the lurch like this."

"Well, you know this was a long time coming."

"Yes, but it just didn't seem real. And now it's actually happening. And I can't stop worrying about Neal, with everything he's been going through. He's like the son we never had, and he needs someone right now."

"He's not our son, hon. He's my C.I. My *former* C.I. And he's a criminal. He has caused so much headache, so much damage, so much trouble in our lives. I even went to jail because of him."

"But won't you miss him?"

"Oh, sure, but it will also be a relief to finally not have to worry about constantly rescuing him from his own foolish mistakes."

The phone rings. Peter answers it.

"Neal. What's wrong?" (a pause) "Don't do anything. Just wait for me. I'm on my way over." He dashes out of the room, casting off his robe as he goes.

"Peter, what is it?"

He calls back over his shoulder. "Rachel's escaped, and she's got Mozzie."