A/N: Hi, everyone! I bring you the second installment of Criminals in Suits! Much like the last chapter, this chapter is definitely more Sara-centric. I have a feeling that a majority of this story is ultimately going to be told through Sara or with Sara as a main focal point, because I just love the idea of her pulling a major heist like this with Neal. So please, R&R is loved as always! I hope you enjoy! -Tayma x
p.s. Shout out to my beta - Caitlin! :D She's def. amazing!
Having Him Owe Me One
Sara stepped into her apartment after another long day at the office. Her job was rewarding in more ways than one, but it was absolutely exhausting some days. Nothing felt better than finally collapsing onto her couch with a glass of wine and an old classic on TCM. So that is exactly what she planned on doing.
Within moments of entering her modest apartment, Sara's heels were off somewhere between the front door and her kitchen. Her purse and coat were dumped onto the kitchen table, and she made her way through to her bedroom, shirt already half unbuttoned. She finished the job and her skirt was quick to follow on the way to the closet where she found her silk pajamas and slipped them on with a happy sigh. Comfort.
Feeling more at ease, Sara leisurely made her way to the kitchen, pulling down her favourite wine glass and grabbing her favourite wine off of the shelf. She uncorked the bottle and poured the deep burgundy liquid into the cup, smiling a little to herself as she did so. The bottle of wine was rested against the counter, and a moment passed before the decision was made to leave the bottle out; Lord knows she'd end up wanting another with dinner.
Dinner.
Green eyes flitted to a menu on the counter. Mediterranean. That would have to do. Sara took a sip of her wine, carrying the glass with her to get her phone, wanting to hold on to her salvation from the day. Minutes later, order was placed, card number was given, and dinner was on the way. She curled up on the couch, nursing her beverage and turning on the television, already turned to her favourite channel. Relaxed, the exhaustion of her day began to melt away, and she started to doze, head leaning on her free hand.
Buzzzzz! Buzzz-buzzz-buuuuuuzzz!
Sara was jolted from her nap with a buzz and a jump, her mostly-full glass of wine sloshing over onto her pajamas.
"Shit!" she muttered to herself, looking down, hand hovering over the cool, wet cloth. Perfect. That was going to stain. The buzzing continued on incessantly, and her eyes flitted over to the clock. It took a moment to realize her dinner must have arrived and she stood, setting her glass on the coffee table and hurrying over to get the door, wine down her front. She yanked the door open, expecting her dinner and instead finding a pair of ice blue eyes leaning against the door and staring at her with an entertained smirk.
"Busy?"
"Can I help you?" Sara asked, unable to hide the glare on her face. She was wet, annoyed, growing cold, and Neal Caffrey was smiling at her. He wanted something, and as much as she liked him, after her day, she didn't want to do anything for him.
"Maybe I can help you," he said with a wink, leaning forward and tugging her shirt gently. "Wearing our drinks these days?"
Sara rolled her eyes and turned away from the door, knowing Neal wouldn't be leaving. She started towards her bedroom, unbuttoning the wet clothing as she went. The front door clicked and she heard the unmistakable sound of Neal Caffrey's footfalls in her kitchen. Pouring himself a glass of wine, no doubt. She dropped her shirt onto the floor, moving to the dresser and grabbing her fallback tank and cotton shorts ensemble. She changed quickly, turning to find Neal watching her.
"Can I help you, Caffrey?"
"Can't a guy just drop in to see how things are going?" Neal asked, slight offense written all over his features.
"A guy? Yes. You? No. You're smiling."
"So?"
"You want something."
Neal watched her for a moment, opening his mouth to dispute before closing it again. Sara pushed past him, walking through to get the front door. She received her dinner and walked to the kitchen, starting to open the containers. She dished out the food on two plates, not even bothering to ask Neal if he was hungry before thrusting a plate into his hands along with a fork, taking her own to sit at the table.
"So," she said, after she had a few bites in her stomach and her irritated mood had begun to dissipate. "What do you want?"
"I…it's complicated."
"When is it not with you?" She asked with a laugh, an eyebrow raising.
He looked at her, one eyebrow raised and his head inclined as if to say she had a point. He took a bite of food, chewing slowly before leaning in, speaking quietly as if there were others in the apartment that could hear them. "It has to do with a con."
"A con," Sara said, nodding once and leaning in. "What kind of con?"
"Sort of the con of all cons. The greatest heist in American history," There was a glint in Neal's eye and it had Sara captivated. How could he love something so bad? She didn't understand, but she was so attracted to it. It had her holding her breath against her wishes. "The theft of the Liberty Bell."
Sara snorted, illusion broken. She backed away and took a sip of her wine, standing to clear her plate. "Neal, the Liberty Bell has never been stolen."
"Until now."
Sara stopped halfway to the sink, turning around, dishes still in hand. "Neal…you didn't! You stole the Liberty Bell?"
"No, of course not." He started, standing with his dishes, taking Sara's from her and walking over to the sink. "Not yet, anyways. Moz and I are still working out all of the details and specifics. I mean, this has to go perfectly."
Sara turned, watching him, absolutely stunned. Not only were they planning potentially one of the greatest crimes in American history, but here he was, standing in her kitchen and telling her about it?
"Neal, I – why are you telling me this?" She asked, eyes wide. "I can't – you can't – I have to – this makes me an accessory to this, are you aware of that? I can't lie if someone comes asking when you and Mozzie disappear with the Liberty Bell in tow."
Neal dropped the dishes in the sink of hot water and turned, drying his hands.
"We want you to be a part of it."
"I – no. Oh, no. I can't believe you're asking that." Red hair shook and she was out of the kitchen, heading towards her room once more. That was one of the most ridiculous suggestions she'd ever heard. Help steal the Liberty Bell. No.
"Sara, come on," Neal started, following her. He stood in the doorway, watching her busy herself with turning down her own bed. "Grey area."
She stopped, crawled onto her bed and lifted an eyebrow, her legs crossed.
"Grey area? Grey area? The whole point of a grey area is that it doesn't fall directly on a yes or no level. It can be skirted between either one. A heist of this caliber? Big ass NO stamped across the idea – that puts it completely out of the grey area," Sara looked at Neal, face far more stern than was necessary.
"Sara…"
"No."
"But –"
"No!"
"Sa—"
"No, Neal," she reached over and turned the light off on her bedside. Sara slid down beneath her covers and turned away from the door, resting against her pillows. "Close the door on your way out."
She didn't want to argue with him over this. He'd keep smiling at her, and she'd keep saying no, until she said yes because despite her hard, tough exterior, Neal Caffrey had Sara Ellis melting inside.
Sara's eyes closed and she heard Neal turn and walk away, his footsteps getting farther and farther from her room. She relaxed against the mattress, a relaxed hum escaping her lips. The fact that it wasn't even ten o'clock didn't matter to her; she was comfortable and sleep sounded so beautiful to her.
Minutes passed, but sleep wasn't coming as Sara hoped. Instead, she was lying in bed, thinking over what Neal was suggesting. He wanted her to help commit an insane crime and call it grey area? Did he not realize that he was still on-anklet? Something like this could get him put back in prison for a really long time; more than likely permanently. She wondered if she should call Peter and tell him what was going on. If anything, Peter could talk some sense into Neal…
As her hand slipped from the blankets and reached towards her phone, there was a heavy weight on the mattress behind her, causing her to bounce violently in her place.
"Please, Repo!" Neal said, pouncing on the bed behind her.
Sara whipped around, her eyes finding Neal's before starting to wail at him, smacking his arms and chest.
"Caffrey – you – don't – do – that!" She yelled, each word punctuated with a slap. A few more smacks fell on his body before Sara pulled away, yanking the blankets up to herself, eyes glaring. She caught sight of his socked feet and shook her head. That explained her not hearing him return.
"You'd have Neal Caffrey owe you one."
She stared.
"You like having Neal Caffrey owe you one."
She didn't speak, but continued on glaring.
"You like the mystery?"
Sara couldn't help but roll her eyes, a small smile on her lips as he regurgitated old conversations to her. She took a moment, then reached forward, grabbing his tie.
"I like you more, and I like you not imprisoned," she confessed, hoping it would help kill his ridiculous idea.
"You like me, huh?" He smirked.
Sara dropped his tie, "Neal, stop it, I'm being serious. If you do this – if you get caught – you're back in prison. More than likely for life. I'm not going to be responsible for that."
She looked into his eyes, then reached out behind herself, grabbing her phone. Neal watched her start scrolling through her numbers, confusion on his face.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm calling Peter. Maybe he can talk you out of this."
"He's in on it," Neal said, looking at her seriously.
"What?!" Sara stared at him.
"It's a long story. Just…consider it?" Neal leaned in, taking her phone out of her hands and placing it back on her night side table.
"It's dangerous," Sara started, watching him move in closer until their lips were almost connecting.
"It could be fun," he said quietly, his eyes on hers before they dropped to her lips. He brushed his lips across hers gently, feeling her lips turn up into a smile at the connection.
"You're trouble," Sara muttered, pressing her lips fully against his, her fingers gripping his tie once again, pulling him closer.
Neal kissed her back, leaning her back against her pillows before breaking their kiss, looking at her with a smirk, "Is that a yes?"
Sara looked at him, "I could go to prison. You could go to prison. We could all go to prison."
He stared at her, seemingly unfazed by what he was being told.
"You've broken laws before, Sara. This is just…more high class."
"White collar," she clarified, lifting her eyebrows at him, shifting to make herself more comfortable on the bed.
"Consider it repossession. We know you love those, Repo."
"Mm, and how is stealing an American icon repossession?"
"Well, we'll steal it. And then someone is going to have to find it." Neal smirked. "Whether or not you actually find it is a whole other con, but you'll put in the effort to repossess an object of national importance from…essentially yourself. It's a win-win."
Sara's eyebrows furrowed.
"I'm pretty sure none of that made complete sense, but somehow, the way you just explained it, it made complete sense."
Neal laughed.
"I'm in." Sara said after a moment, tugging him down to her lips with his tie. "But you owe me, Caffrey. You owe me for life."
Neal nodded, sighing resignedly against her lips as they connected once more. She could never do anything just for the fun of it. Or…maybe that was the fun of it for her.
Sara laughed. "I love having Neal Caffrey owe me one."
DISCLAIMER: Still not Jeff Eastin. Still don't own Sara or Neal or White Collar.
