AN: I would like to say a few things. First, HOLY CRAP THAT SEASON PREMIER WAS AMAZING! Second, I would like to apologize for taking a whole lot longer than I thought to post this. I was struggling to find someone with computer knowledge. And third, thank you Kirt Cussler for your IT knowledge. This story would not be written without your expertise. For that I thank you. Now, dear readers, enjoy!
Disclaimer: If I suddenly start owning White Collar, Neal Caffrey will start walking around without a shirt more often.
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Eve browsed through the rack of second-hand clothes. She passed a pair of sweatpants with disgust, reached the end of the aisle, and started down the next. It had to be cruel and unusual punishment to stick her in that flea-ridden motel and then force her to shop in Plaids of the World. Upon finding another aisle of pure plaid she sighed, sure she wasn't going to find anything for her. Didn't thrift stores carry anything else?
Ding! Eve looked up as the bell rang up front. A dark-skinned older woman entered. Eve could tell she was rich by the confident air she walked with. She wore expensive clothes and a smile that told the world she knew a secret and enjoyed the fact they didn't. The lady at the counter smiled at the woman. "Hello again June! Come to drop off more of Byron's suits."
"Not today. These are some of my old clothes actually." The older woman, June, said.
Eve gravitated towards her, curious to see what she'd brought in. On top of the pile was a beautiful three-piece suit; cream jacket and skirt over a black blouse. "That's a Dior."
"Good eye." June said. She caressed the soft jacket sleeve. "Yes, I adored this suit once upon a time. Would you like to try it on?"
Eve sighed. "I would love to try it on but it is best not to tease myself. This is a thousand dollar suit."
June smiled. "Impressive. Identified the designer and priced it."
Eve blushed slightly. "My first suit was a Dior."
"And yet now you'd be teasing yourself by trying on on…" June trailed off. "Where are you staying?"
Eve winced. "You don't want to know."
"That bad huh?" June asked. At Eve's nod she said. "I have a room in my house that I'm using to store furniture. Would you be interested Miss…"
"Carmichael, Eve Carmichael. I'm very interested." Eve thought about her new ankle accessory. "But how far away is it from here?"
"One-point-six miles, or so I've been told." June replied.
Eve was a little surprised at the exact answer. "There's something I need to tell you before you commit to this."
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"Neal! Could you please come join us downstairs?" June called.
Us?, Neal thought. He set his paintbrush down and took off downstairs. June took off her coat and handed it to the maid. "Lovely to see you June."
"I've acquired another tenant. I believe you know her." June said. "Come on over here."
Neal didn't recognize her at first. Dressed in a 1940s Dior suit with her fiery red hair pulled into an elegant twist she looked nothing like the almost eighteen year old hacker he'd met at the FBI building but it was her. The only thing he could say was, "Eve."
Her jaw dropped at the sight of him. "Caffrey! What are you doing here?"
"Just Neal please. And I live here." He said.
"And now so does Eve." June said. "How about some tea?"
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"This is wonderful June!" Eve exclaimed. She took another sip.
"You should try the coffee, it's Italian roast." Neal said.
June set her cup on the table. "So my dear, what did they catch you on?"
"Hacking." Eve replied.
"Really? Wouldn't you be better suited for the Cyber Crime Division?" June asked.
Eve nodded her understanding. "Working for the White Collar Division is temporary. I'm here for a year to be trained by Neal. Of course, they suspect me of several white collar crimes so maybe not."
"Do you want a transfer?" June asked.
"No. The last thing I want is to spend my four years in a computer room with a bunch of IT nerds." Eve said.
"How'd you get caught?" Neal asked.
Eve blushed. "It's embarrassing."
"I fell for a trap where they used my girlfriend for bait." Neal said. "You can't get any more embarrassing than that."
"They caught me dumpster diving and held me for trespassing. While I was in jail the money came through and they traced my IP address back to my computer. I wasn't there to cover my tracks." Eve said.
"Dumpster diving?" Neal asked.
"It's a necessary evil of hacking unless you know someone in the company. The client wanted all the hacking done remotely so I couldn't con my way in." Eve said.
"I'm glad I worked in a time before technology was important." June said.
"You pick up too many strays June." They all turned to find Peter there.
"Agent Burke! Care to join us for some tea?" June asked.
"As wonderful as they sound I have to take your strays to work." Peter said.
"Eve and Neal aren't strays." June said with a gentle laugh.
"You're right, they're pests." Peter said.
"I thought we didn't have to go into work until tomorrow?" Eve said.
Peter put his hands on his hips. "We have some new information that took priority."
Neal sighed. "Duty calls."
"We'll finish our tea when you return." June said.
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Neal and Eve were comparing hypothetical stories that made Peter just wanted to bang his head on the wall. All these secrets being passed right in front of him but as long as they used the words hypothetical and allegedly he could use absolutely none of it. Eve asked. "So the Antioch manuscripts…hypothetically how would you do it?"
"Carrier pigeons." Peter interrupted. "He would do it with carrier pigeons."
Eve gave him a strange look causing Neal to supply an explanation. "I told him how when I was drugged."
"He drugged you?" Eve asked.
"No." Peter said. "But there are days when I want to."
Just then, Hughes, Diana, and Jones walked in. Hughes got straight down to business. "Show me your invitations."
Neal and Eve were the picture of innocence. Neal asked. "What invitations?"
Peter sighed. "We know about Byrne and Valentine and we know that you both got invitations."
Eve smiled that charming smile. "Does Lady Byrne get immunity?"
Hughes sighed, "Yes. They both get immunity."
Neal smiled too and pulled out a little white invitation from his jacket pocket. Elle pulled hers out of the little clutch purse.
Diana read the invitations out loud. "You are cordially invited to…is this guy serious?"
Neal leaned over. "Lady Byrne as in Lady Aurora Byrne the art thief?"
Eve nodded. "Valentine as in Lucas Valentine the art forger?"
"Byrne was some good work. Rumor has it she pulled of the DuBois jewel theft." Neal said.
"Rumor might be more than rumor." Eve admitted.
Hughes closed his eyes as if in pain. What had the FBI come to? "We need the two of you to go undercover."
"To a party? Sure." Eve said.
Peter seemed to make six blue folders appear out of nowhere. "Skye Collins is a trust fund baby."
"And a real male pig." Eve interrupted.
Neal arched a brow. "Personal experience?"
"Skye has wandering hands." Eve said. "I warned him the next time they wandered I'd cut them off."
"Anyways…what was I talking about?" Peter asked.
"Skye Collins." Diana supplied. She snuck a glance at Eve, perhaps to see what Skye had been interested in.
"Yes of course." Peter said. "Skye is a trust fund baby who enjoys models, sailboats, and smuggling in his spare time. He is using this opportunity to put together a team of criminals to steal some still unknown piece of art work. He's looking for a four-person team of which he has already filled the spot of smuggler with himself."
"You want us to fill the forger and thief positions." Eve said. "Leaving the fence."
"Actually, we're hoping that Alex will fill that spot." Peter said.
Neal smiled. "She'll have definitely been invited."
"If we can get the three of you in we want to put Collins away for good." Hughes said.
"You up for a party Lady Byrne?" Neal asked.
"Would you escort me Mr. Valentine?" Eve asked in a very crisp, clear, and (most importantly) convincing British accent. She dropped the accent as she said. "Nobility beats trust fund baby every time."
"You can have a title without being rich." Neal said.
"But Lady Byrne has both. I win." Eve said. "What are we doing about clothes? Nothing I have is going to work and Lady Byrne doesn't wear 1940's Dior."
"Peter likes to use the evidence locker." Neal said with a scowl.
"Evidence?" Eve asked. She shook her head. "I think I know someone to help us out."
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Eve knocked on the door with Neal standing close behind her. Veronica could be a little wary of the police so they'd opted to leave Peter and the rest of the White Collar crew behind. The door opened to reveal a blonde busty woman. She smiled upon seeing the redhead. "Hello Eve, it's been a while."
"Too long." Eve agreed. "May we come in?"
"We?" Veronica asked. She saw the blue eyed man behind Eve. "Hello there."
He held out his hand. "Neal Caffrey."
Veronica yanked the door wide open. "The Neal Caffrey? Eve talked about you all the time."
Eve blushed. "Colleague envy."
"My reputation precedes me." Neal said.
"We need clothes Veronica." Eve said. "A week's worth."
"Come right on in." Veronica said. They followed her inside. Neal held his surprise in check. The outside looked like any other run down building but inside, a boutique of the highest quality. "What's your budget?"
"Actually…I need a favor." Eve said.
Veronica turned, hands on her hips. "What? I don't sell for favors Eve."
"Just this once. Remember that time I helped hack into the–"
Veronica interrupted. "We don't mention that! We will never mention that. Ever!"
Eve pushed. "You owe me Veronica. Or I will spread it around that you–"
"Fine!" Veronica said. She sighed, "A week's worth?"
"A week's worth." Eve confirmed.
"Who are you?" Veronica asked.
"Lady Byrne." Eve said. She skimmed through the clothes and found a satin dress. "I'll be back to buy that for Fleur."
"Fleur?" Neal asked.
"Another alias." Eve said.
Veronica came back out with several outfits. "Try these."
Eve took the clothes and headed to what looked like a fitting room. Veronica looked at Neal. "What's your alias?"
"Lucas Valentine." Neal said.
Veronica smiled. "I've got plenty for you."
"How do you know what suits my alias?" Neal asked.
"It's my job to know." Veronica said.
Eve came out in a black Ralph Lauren. "How do you like my new little black dress?"
"Wonderful." Neal said.
Veronica came out with a stack of suits and other such clothes. "Don't worry; I have some Ralph Lauren for Mr. Valentine as well."
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AN: I know this chapter was a little long but necessary. This particular chapter was also a little dull, but necessary. Stay tuned for next week's (I'll post the chapter sooner than that. I promise!) episode where Eve and Neal go undercover at Skye Collins' party. Please feel free to review.
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