Summary: pre-series into AU, Instead of a nice 'white collar' prison, Neal was sent to prison, things happened that would change our favorite con man forever. Neal whump, hints to non-con, will be slash. PxN, maybe PxExN. Hey, it's Grace, Never done a White Collar fic… but here it goes. If there is a Johnston's high security prison… well, then maybe I'm not as original as I thought I was…I own nothing.

He was doing this for her, He told himself this repeatedly. Kate had been his lifeline, his hope that one day this nightmare would be over and he could have a 'normal' life. That word, normal, would never be a fit for a man like Neal Caffrey; he was a con man. Life was never fair for his kind and he had gotten careless; which was usually a fatal mistake. It was the final day of his court hearing; he already knew what the jury would say. He had flown too close to the sun and had been burned, all because he loved her. Those bonds were not his; he had taken the fall for them so Kate would not have.

And now here he was, sitting on a rather uncomfortable chair with chains on his arms and legs as though he were a threat to society. His lawyer and closest friend Mozzie sat beside him; his left leg twitched with nerves. The judge sentenced him to four years in Johnston's; despite Mozzie's adamant protest. Neal quietly told Mozzie to be quiet, not wanting the other con to be thrown in for contempt. Agent Burke was wrong. Peter had told him after their three year cat and mouse game that he'd be taken to a white collar prison. Apparently the judge had a different plan, because he'd had the book thrown at him, figuratively of course. Judge DeSalvo sentenced him to Johnston's based on the idea of "making him see the error of his ways" by "showing him he was just as much a criminal as any other convict." He schooled his features to a blank stare and slight smirk as the judge delivered his sentence, trying to avoid the look of subtle shock that appeared on Peter Burke's face.

Four years in a prison with one of the worst reputations in the country. He stood stoically as the guards walked over to him, each placing and arm in a vice-like grip, as they directed him to his temporary holding cell, his leg irons clanging with each step.

The holding cell was dark; the florescent light flickered from the ceiling as though a warning of the life he had to look forward to for the next four years. Four years caged in the dark, four years without freedom, four years without Kate. Four years without Kate. It was as though he was just realizing this for the first time. He failed her, she was too ashamed to even show up to his hearing. He promised life would be better, and now he was going to prison and she was nowhere to be found. Way to go, Caffrey. He slumped down on the poor excuse for a bench and placed his head in his hands. He sat there for; he did not even care for how long. For the next four years time would be a distant concept anyways, completely dependent on meals and work release (not that he would be eligible). He flinched slightly at the sound of the door opening, someone stepped up to the cell.

"You really screwed up now eh, Caffrey?" Peter Burke. Just the person he did not want to see. He refused to look up to see the smug look that was most likely plastered on the agents face. He heard the FBI agent step closer to the cell.

"What do you want, Peter?" he asked, still refusing to look at the man responsible for his current predicament. The man in the rather hideous suit, if Neal said so himself, shifted on his feet.

"You had to know that you'd get caught eventually." he said simply. Caffrey shook his head, finally looking at Burke.

"Yeah, you made pretty sure of that." the con man said ruefully, finally bothering to look up to the agent. There was a glint of sympathy in the agent's eyes. At least the man felt something for ruining Caffrey's life.

"It was my job." That was it? It was my job? What kind of an excuse was that? Sorry Neal, I need to send you to prison just so I can get my paycheck. He shook his head; apparently, the agent was not done.

"Look, just keep a low profile, don't start anything and don't try to escape and the time will fly." he did not know that. He could not know that. What did the other man know about going to prison? He had only sent people there, people like him. Instead, he put on a sly grin and replied.

"So basically like the last few years, huh?" Peter shook his head, taking the bait Neal placed in front of him.

"Yeah, well just remember how well that worked out." That struck a nerve; Neal looked down and suddenly finding the chains still around his wrists and ankles more interesting. The agent must have realized his mistake, he never was good with sentimental conversations, and tried once more.

"So, I guess this means no more cards, huh?" Neal looked up at the man, genuine disbelief on his face. Of all the things to say, only Peter. he thought while shaking his head.

"Because I have to say; El loved the Christmas one last year." Agent Burke said with his best fake grin as he took a closer look at the man who would be spending the next four years in hell. He was unusually quiet, understandable given the fact that the kid wasn't even out of his twenties yet for God sake. He did not have a violent bone in his body, hell; Neal hated guns. Still a judge who had not even looked past the forged bonds decided his fate. He would never make it through Johnston's. Peter could not let the younger man see the doubt in his eyes, he turned around aiming to leave the room- he really was no good with emotions. He tried to ignore the clang of Neal's handcuffs as the other man fidgeted in his seat.

"Goodbye Caffrey, It's been real." He left the room before he could see the stricken look on the con man's face.