AN: This is dedicated to Aquawolfgirl. Thanks for making me write this.

2012-Child's play,

Try Neal Caffrey!

Lauren couldn't help but feel a little wary whenever Neal was nearby. It's not that she was afraid he'd do something stupid like steal her wallet or check her mobile phone behind her back, but a man with that amount of charm made any sane FBI agent wary. Or it should. It sure seemed like the transfer didn't know that. What was her name again? Mary? Miriam?

'Misha!' So glad you could join us!' Was that… dare she say it? SARCASM!? Since when is Peter Burke sarcastic!?

'Hello, Peter. Still here, I see. Can't handle the excitement hands-on action brings?'

'I have just enough excitement to get me through the day, thank you very much. Oh, and to keep me from losing my job.'

'I have no idea what you're talking about. Now will you introduce me to your consultant or should I take matters in my own hands?' And, yes, she was actually flirting with the con-man. A senior FBI agent! What has the world come to?

'I think you do know what I'm talking about. And he's not my consultant.' Say what? 'He's agent Cruz's consultant. Right, agent?' With the look he just gave her, Lauren would have agreed with Peter even if he said Caffrey was her husband.

'Yup. That's right. Caffrey's my consultant.' Thank God she kept herself from snorting. Just the though of having to deal with him pretty much 24/7 made her want to: a)start laughing like a maniac or b) book a flight to Africa (maybe she'd get lucky and a lion would eat her…).

'I would love to stay here and chat with you, Misha, but I have to go. I need to look over some files. Cruz, Caffrey, come along.'

If only looks could kill… You didn't need to be a genius in order to notice that Misha well… she hated Peter's guts. And as improbable as this might sound, the feeling was mutual.

As soon as the door to Peter's office was slammed shut by a very enraged owner, Neal walked right into the lion's mouth and asked THE QUESTION:

'What was that about?'

'Lauren, I need you to take care of Neal for as long as the harpy is staying here. And if I have a say in this, that won't be terribly long.'

'Umm, OK, but… Can I at least know why? You are asking me to subject myself to torture, after all.' That gained a raised eyebrow paired with a cocky smile. A particularly charming cocky smile. Which increased the above mentioned wariness.

'She's a cougar and she's trouble. I think that's enough to make me want to keep her away from Caffrey. You know what? Why don't you guys take a few days off? Until I clear things up?'

'Come on, Peter! You can't be serious! What's wrong with me being close to her? It's not like we're going to do more than harmless flirting.' And the devilish grin that accompanied that last statement sure helped the cause, Caffrey!

'It's not you I'm worried about. It's Lauren. Now how about you two go think about that statement in a nice, cozy place. I was thinking Italian would do.'

'Wait, boss, are you sending us to a restaurant?' Had the man finally gone bonkers?

'As a matter of fact, yes, I am. Now run along. Jones will drive you. JONES! Come here!'

And that was how it began. The end. (Seemed like surviving 2012 really was wishful thinking. Lauren would be lucky if she passes 2010 unharmed.)

AN: So what do you say? Should I continue? Yay or nay?