AN: By request, I've kind of meshed two request into one.

Enjoy!

Chapter one: The Conman's city

New Orleans, Louisiana

"Nate, when you said we were going to be doing Carnival, I thought you meant Venice," Sophie groaned as she looked out the hotel window on the tenth floor.

"Soph, just think about it as a different kind. New Orleans is the one place in the States that can come close," Nate remarked.

"It's not Venice, Nate." Sophie turned to him

Nate walked over to her and reached into his coat pocket pulling out two tickets. "How about a ball?"

Sophie's lips pulled into a smile and she turned to him.

"I even was able to find that green dress you wore in Venice," Nate said holding out the tickets.

"I hid that dress," Sophie said. "How were you able to find it?"

Nate walked over to her and slipped his arm around her waist. "Have you met me?"

Sophie giggled and kissed him.

"When's this ball?"

"It's Monday evening." Nate remarked.

Sophie looked up at him and Nate kissed her head.

"Let's go enjoy the city." Nate smiled

Sophie nodded and went to get ready. Nate walked towards the window and stared out watching as the locals and tourists mingled. The city had a feeling that no other city offered. It was like stepping onto foreign soil. He gave a smile; it was just what he and Sophie needed since they bowed out gracefully from the team.

There was a knock on the door that pulled him from the fantasy of moving away from the old life. He walked towards the door and peered out to see the concierge standing there. He opened the door to see the young woman standing there.

"Sorry, to bother you, Mr. Ford, but a gentleman stopped by to give me this, he said he was a friend of yours." The young woman said as she presented the note to him.

"Thank you," Nate said as he took the message.

She gave a smile and he walked into the room. He opened the folded up paper and stared at the message. He folded it up and stuffed it into his coat pocket.

"Sophie, I'm going to the lobby," Nate said knocking on the door.

"What for?"

"See what they recommend we do as tourists," Nate lied.

"Alright."

He grabbed the room key and headed down to the lobby. He stopped and glanced around before making his way to the restaurant. His gaze bounced around and stared at the familiar form at the bar. He slightly bit his lip and took a deep breath.

"Now, this is becoming harassment, Jim" Nate said.

"Harassment? I hardly call it that." Sterling glanced over. "New Orleans, Ford? Seriously?"

"It's no Venice and it has this familiarity," Nate said.

"A conman's favorite place to visit." Sterling lifted the shallow glass.

Nate shook his head and took a seat.

"What do you want?" Nate asked. "I was having a perfectly good day with my wife."

"Mazltov, Ford, where is the misses?"

Nate could see he wasn't going to get a straight answer from Sterling. It was a big game for him and something told him this was just the start of the game. So, Nate decided to roll the dice and play along.

"Where's your partner, Agent Casey?" Nate asked.

"I have a new partner every week." Sterling swirled the glass around.

"Sounds like you have a relationship issue, Jim. Perhaps it's the constant obsession with me and my team."

"Former team, Nate, you and Devereaux bowed out," Sterling said.

Nate shook his head and ordered a drink.

"Enough with the dancing around the real issue, Jim, what did you come here for and don't say to keep an eye on Sophie and me?"

Sterling smirked and reached into his suit pocket. He presented an envelope to Nate and looked up at him.

"Business," Sterling said. "I believe you'd like to take a look at those. She's a person of interest and an acquaintance of ours."

Nate wrinkled his brow as he opened the small mailing envelope. He pulled out surveillance photos of a familiar woman.

"Maggie's sister?" Nate raised a brow.

"Seems that little Melanie has placed herself on Interpol's list. Come to find out there's two strikes on her name." Sterling looked at Nate. "Keep flipping through."

Nate glanced down at the next photo of a slick looking man. Nate reached for the glass and down the shallow glass.

"Who's the guy?"

"Kline McAlister," Sterling said.

"Why is he important?"

"Afraid I can't tell you, Nate, you are not privy to that information."

It was once again Sterling was rolling the dice to keep the game going. Nate handed the pictures back to Sterling.

"You're on your own, Jim. Like you said, I've bowed out." Nate stepped away.

"It's for Maggie," Sterling remarked.

Nate stopped. "You and I are even, remember? You let me and my team go back in Portland? Our records wiped cleaned."

"You can't fight what you really are, Nathan. She can't either," Sterling hissed.

"We're done!" Nate snapped. "Go find some other sap, Jim!"

Nate stood up straight and cleared his throat. He wasn't going to let Sterling use him or Sophie like in the past. He and Sophie had started fresh seeing the world and looking for a new place to live their lives together without the drama.

"Nate!" Sterling called.

"On your own, Jim," Nate said as he walked towards the lobby.

He watched as Agent Casey walked into the restaurant.

"You really need to get your partner help. This obsession is really unhealthy, Agent Casey." Nate gave a smile.

She wrinkled her brow at him and turned to Sterling.