I Believe
Set 1 year after the events of Season 3 episode "Judgment Day". Kramer was demoted after Peter showed the FBI proof he was abusing his power. As a result Neal gets leniency when after he goes on the run. He doesn't get additional years just 1 more year, 2 more months Neal will be free. A new case comes to the teams desk that is close to home to Peter and will lead close to home for Neal. Neal will have to decide between his freedom, or helping a kindred spirit in the name of Victoria.
Characters
Neal Caffrey-Con-man; consultant to the FBI white-collar crime unit.
Special Agent Peter Burke-Senior FBI agent, white-collar crime unit.
Mozzie- Con-man; Neal's best friend.
Elizabeth Burke- Peter's wife; event planner.
Special Agent Diana Berrigan- FBI agent, white-collar crime unit
Special Agent Jones-FBI agent white-collar crime unit
Agent Kramer- Peter Burke's instructor when Burke was training at Quantico, and later Burke's mentor.
Victoria "Vicky" Thompson-daughter of late senior FBI agent Victor Thompson. Niece of media millionaire Jack Thompson. Former curator of The Museum of Contemporary Art, new curator of New Museum of Contemporary Art in NYC.
Drake Reeves-Criminal Mastermind, art thief, responsible for the death of Victor Thompson's death 15 years ago.
Neal and Vicky's theme song "I believe by Siman Mobile Disco"
Chapter 1-New Case
"Morning" Neal said to Peter as he entered the office, he noticed the files he was holding.
"New Case I see" Neal said.
"Yes and it's a little personal for a few members of the FBI, Kramer and I included" Peter said.
Neal and Diana exchanged looks following Jones into the conference room.
"I take it you all new about the new Frida Kahlo exhibit that is opening up in the next two days" Peter said.
"Yes, well the curator's daughter was senior agent Victor Thompson" Peter said putting up Victor's file.
"Whoa" Jones said.
"He taught Kramer he taught me, a lot of senior members in here, which leads me to Drake Reeves" Peter said.
"The man who killed Victor and his team 15 years ago, art thief, criminal mastermind. We never were able to get enough evidence to track him and there is another side to this story" Peter said.
"Last few months a lot of Drake's operations have been raided not by us but by a new guy no one knows who this person is but whoever it is pissing Drake off cause the items the new guy is stealing gets returned" Peter said.
"We think Drake will try to steal "The Suicide of Dorothy Hale" painting after opening night" Kramer said entering, Neal rolled his eyes.
"Like Peter said he killed one of our own" Kramer said.
"I am sure everyone will take this case seriously" He said.
"Yes we will" Jones said, Kramer nodded "Good, I want to introduce Jack Thompson." He said.
A skinny middle-aged man enters wearing a black business suit. "Peter" Jack said shaking Peter's hand.
"Good to see you again Jack" Peter said.
"This is going to be fun" Neal mumbled seeing a text from Mozzie.
"Poker tonight and it's not Peter's poker night"-Mozzie.
An hour later
"Neal why do you let Kramer get to you, he is on probation himself" Peter said.
"He cost me a lot this past year Peter" Neal said as they walked outside.
"It's been over a year since Sara left and Kramer's nonsense. It's time to let it go" Peter said walking away.
"Easier said than done" Neal said looking at the time.
Lower East Side-Hotel on Rivington
"How did you find out about this" Neal said as they boarded the elevator.
"Rooftop please" Mozzie told the doorman.
"Its like high school, a friend of a friend tells someone else then it becomes a weekly thing. I came last week" he said.
"How much" Neal joked.
"I got $5 grand" Mozzie said as they entered.
"This is beyond poker, jenga on the left, uno, connect four?" Neal said.
"Rich people gamble on everything and there's beautiful women here bear with me please" Mozzie said as he was greeted by a short red headed woman.
"Mozzie!" she exclaimed.
"Sharon!" Mozzie said as they side kiss each other.
"Is this your friend you were telling me about" Sharon said.
"Yes it is this is Neal an expert gamer" Mozzie said hitting Neal's shoulder.
"Nice to meet you, I guess I'll go to the poker table" Neal said walking to the poker table.
"Good idea" Mozzie said as Neal walked away.
"Good he's mingling" he said walking to the jenga table.
"New crowd" An African American male with dreadlocks said to Sharon.
"Yea the more the merrier right RJ" Sharon said as RJ's phone rang.
"I got Jack off my back, he came earlier than expected" A dark haired woman said entering the Rivington hotel.
"Can't escape family" RJ joked.
"I'm coming up" the dark haired woman said.
"My dear friend is coming up now, the more the merrier right?" RJ said to Sharon as they watched the poker table.
"Rise by 5" Neal said putting chips in.
"There she is Vicky" RJ said rushing his friend's.
"Look at that" A poker player said as Neal turned around checking out the woman, long dark hair wearing a blue one shoulder dress, large black clutch.
"Hey hey" Vicky said giving RJ a hug.
"What is this?" she said.
"A playground for rich people" RJ said as Sharon greeted her.
Neal let out a soft whistle that made Mozzie chuckle, "It was good idea to bring you up here" Mozzie said.
"Well that definitely is true, full house guys" Neal said as the table groaned.
"Oh they have poker" Vicky said.
"Want to try your luck, are you rusty" RJ said.
"Not at all" Vicky said walking to the table as a few people walked away she and Neal locked eyes.
"Gentlemen my friend Vicky" RJ said.
"Mozzie, this is my friend Neal" Mozzie said.
"Nice to meet you" Vicky said as a few other players entered.
"How about we change the game: Blackjack" Sharon said as the card dealer started to deal.
"New to the city Vicky, let me guess a modeling job" A player asked.
Neal looked at the expression on Vicky's face shaking her head. "I guess I can't hide it" she said sarcastically, Neal grinned as she looked over at him. She put down her hand.
"I think I'm close to winning" she said.
"Really I doubt that, sweetheart, 17" the player said.
"Hit" Vicky said, Neal was surprised she knew the game, she grinned.
"21" she said smiling at the player.
"Also I'm not a model" she added as the player gave her his chips.
"Well played" Neal said to Vicky.
"Thank you" Vicky said as a few card players left.
"Guess they not the high rollers as my friend thought" Neal said.
"I'll say" Vicky said.
"This is a playground for rich people" she said looking around as a waitress approach them.
"I noticed the lady was drinking a blue moon, I'll have a Heineken" Neal said.
"My sorority sister taught me a lot of card games it comes in handy" Vicky said as the waitress came with their drinks.
"Sorority? That's what goes on" Neal said grinning.
"Other things too" Vicky said grinning.
"So how about I declare war?" Neal said getting up.
"Are you serious here?" Vicky said.
"Why not" Neal said smiling, he couldn't stop staring at her wide eyes.
They sit across from each other, Neal shuffle's the deck of cards he deals 26 cards to Vicky and himself.
"Ready" Neal said, Vicky nodded anxiously, they start to flip cards.
5 minutes later
"Ace!" Neal said, Vicky let out a pretend groan.
"Congrats" Vicky said shaking his hand she doesn't see the chip on the floor.
"Watch out" Neal said catching by putting his arms around her waist.
Vicky turns around to Neal their faces inches apart. "Thanks" she says quickly as they sit down.
"Beautiful night" Vicky said looking out into the city lights.
"Yes it is" Neal said looking at Vicky's profile as a soft breeze came into the air.
"The first time in a while I got to just look out and take everything in" Vicky said.
"Been busy" Neal said.
"Yes" Vicky said.
"Sometimes you need to do that, take a step back. Been doing that a lot lately myself" Neal said.
"If only we can go back to high school things were simpler. That is why we have adult playgrounds" Vicky joked, Neal laughed.
"That we spill our guts too" Neal finished, as they continued to talk.
Two hours later
"I think they forgot this was a party," Sharon said watching Neal and Vicky talk.
"How long have you been in NY" Neal asked Vicky.
"I lived here as a kid, then moved to California" Vicky said quickly as Neal's phone rang.
"Yea" Neal said.
"Brake in at the MET, be here in 20" Peter said.
Vicky's phone rings, "One of my sources contacted me, Drake broke into the MET" RJ said from across the room.
"I have to go" Neal said.
"I do too," Vicky said as RJ walked downstairs.
"Wait" Neal started to say as his phone rang again, Vicky stops.
"Peter I am on my way" he said he turns {Vicky leaves}
"Dammit" Neal said as Mozzie walks over.
"So what is her info" Mozzie said.
"I don't know" Neal said.
"Wait this speed date went well and you didn't get her info" Mozzie exclaimed as him and Neal walked out of the hotel.
Met Museum
"What do we got?" Neal said with Mozzie behind him.
"I only came because you pulled him from a party we were at" Mozzie said before Peter said something.
"Don't know, nothing was stolen, it looks like a message," Peter said as Jones entered.
"A big hole in the middle of the Met and he doesn't take anything" Jones said.
"It was a message," Neal said
"What the heck is Drake up to?" Vicky said to RJ, as they were blocks away looking at the police cars surrounding the Met.
"You think he's on to us?" RJ said.
"I don't know" Vicky said honestly as a police car drove past them.
"Let's get out of here, you need to tell me about tall dark and handsome back at the hotel" RJ said as they drove.
Vicky rolled her eyes, "Neal, what a nice name" she thought.
"So we are here looking at a hole in the floor of the MET and you left beautiful dark haired female back at the party" Mozzie said.
"What" Peter said as they walked out of the MET.
"It was just a woman I was speaking to at the party," Neal said, trying to hide his grin.
"Did you get her number" Jones said.
"No" Neal said as the men turned, they laughed.
