Chapter 3-Date Night
One Police Plaza
"So this was left here" Jones said as Peter and Neal looked at the painting.
"The Lemark, this is the real thing that Drake stole but it was never proven" Neal said.
"Someone stole from Drake and gave it to the authorities?" Peter said.
"Someone skilled who knows art, has money" Diana said.
"And someone who hates Drake, this is personal" Peter said looking at Neal.
"What" Neal said.
"Victoria" Peter said.
"Drake killed her father" he said.
"Yes but you see her she's an art curator" Neal said.
"But why come back now, we need to see what she has been doing the past few months" Jones said.
Neal sighed remembering leaving last night "Looks like from what she was saying to give a message" Mozzie said looking at the recording Neal did of Vicky as she was on the phone.
"There has to be more to her story" Neal said.
"Yes and we need a way in" Peter said looking at Neal.
"Wait no!" Neal said.
"Yes, we need information, if she's not involved then there isn't anything to worry about" Peter said.
Vicky's apartment
"Did you see NY 1" RJ said hilarious as Vicky looked out the window.
"NY must have missed you" she remembered Neal said, she chuckled.
"You look lovesick" RJ said.
"To the enemy" he said.
"He isn't law enforcement technically" Vicky said.
"I showed you his file in 2 months when he is free he will be" RJ said.
"You're close Thompson, but talking to him can be of use to us" he said.
"No RJ we have all the resources" Vicky said.
"Except the FEDS, use your feminine wilds" RJ said.
"Give her a call ask her out for dinner find out what she is about" Peter said.
Neal shook his head he did want to see Vicky again but not like this. "Alright I'll give her a call" Neal said, as Peter looked at him.
An hour later
"This is Victoria" Vicky answered why looking out the window in her office.
"Hey it's Neal from the other night" Neal said shaking his head.
"Neal from the other night?" Jones said.
"Hey Neal" Vicky said trying to play it cool.
Neal looked at Jones and Diane, "Yea, I um I wanted to know if you were free tomorrow night for dinner, was thinking Mercer Kitchen downtown" Neal to said.
"That sounds good, heard nice things about that place" Vicky said.
"Ok how is 5:30?" Neal said.
"That's perfect, see you then" Vicky said.
"Bye" Neal said happy but guilty at the same time.
Neal's apartment
"So you have a date with the girl you want but it's a work date" Mozzie said.
"Wire" Neal said forcing a smile.
"You know all of this points to her, I like her" Mozzie said.
"What I thought you didn't" Neal said.
"She stole from Drake you know how many of my mentors wanted to do that" Mozzie said.
"She's in a lot of danger" Neal said.
"Neal you only met her for two days" Mozzie said heading to the bathroom.
"Don't remind me" Neal thought, "Why do I have this connection with a woman I've only known for two days"
Next day
"Neal keep the conversation light, let her lead" Peter said.
"Have fun lover boy" Jones joked.
"Wait what are you picking her up in" Peter said.
"A surprise" Neal said walking out, he spots Mozzie standing next to the Vespa.
"They won't be able to hear you guys talking on the Vespa" Mozzie said.
"Thank you" Neal said as he put on his Helmut.
Vicky looked at herself in the mirror wearing a white shift dress, she stands outside the gallery looking around {she hears an engine}
Her mouth drops, "Surprise" Neal said.
"Hi" Vicky said.
"There's going to be traffic in a few we should head out now {handing her a Helmut}" Neal said.
Vicky tried to say something, she gets behind the vespa putting the Helmut on, and she wraps her arms around Neal.
(I believe by Siman Mobile Disco starts to play as Vicky looked around the city}
"Where did you get this" Vicky screamed.
"I have my ways" Neal said grinning; Vicky laughed as she went faster.
"This is great" Vicky said.
"What!" Neal yelled.
"I said this is great" Vicky screamed leaning closer to him.
Restaurant
"They are finally at the restaurant" Diana said as they finally heard Neal's wire.
"That was fun, I never been on a vespa before" Vicky said.
"Glad you liked it" Neal said.
"Looks like you needed some fun" Neal said.
"It's been a busy few weeks, getting art work for the exhibit, relocating" Vicky said.
"A little risky with the whole Drake speculation" Neal said.
"I can't let him take over my life anymore" Vicky said seriously, Neal looked into her eyes.
"Oh Jesus" Neal said deliberately spilling water on himself.
"We're losing his signal did someone pour water on him" Diana said listening as the signal started to fade.
"Dammit Neal" Peter thought.
"Let me get myself together" Neal said, as Vicky nodded.
She watched Neal walk away, she shakes her head removing an earpiece from her right ear she stomps it silently on the floor.
Neal shook his head taking off the wire he throws it in the garbage.
He walks back smiling, "Ready to order" he asked Vicky.
"They changed their menu" Neal said slightly frowning.
"They did" Vicky asked.
"There are just a lot of options" Neal said.
"I have an idea" Vicky said opening the menu she closes her eyes and points to the direction of the menu.
Neal chuckled. "Oyster's" she said looking at what she pointed at.
"Oyster's sorority girl? With what the champagne" Neal said.
Vicky raised her eyebrow, as the waitress came over. "What do you recommend?" she said.
"A beer" Neal said, Vicky chucked shaking her head.
"We are going to have a raw oyster plate and two bottles of Pilsner Urquell" Neal said not seeing Jones enter the establishment.
"They are still here, getting a seat in the back" Jones said as Peter listened.
"They look like they are on a date" he said, Peter cursed to himself.
"What's Pilsner Urquell, not a bud light" Vicky joked.
"It's a German beer, it's a good pairing with oyster's not overpowering." Neal said.
"Never had it, I went to Germany for study abroad never heard of it" Vicky said.
"Which part" Neal asked.
"Munich" Vicky said.
"Well you were with your sorority sister's that drank bud light" Neal joked.
"How many times are you going to bring that up" Vicky said smiling.
"Just once" Neal said as the waitress came back with the beers and oyster plate.
"Real smooth Cafferty" Jones said.
"What?" Peter said.
"He ordered an Oyster plate and beer." Jones said.
"Well that plate has a bug in it let's hear what they are talking about" Peter said.
"What school did you go to" Neal asked.
"Princeton, my grandfather went there. Spent most of it in Europe: Germany, London, France, studying art" Vicky said.
"I see" Neal said.
"You like art too I see" Vicky said.
"Yes, I mean you know my history" Neal said.
"Only your file" Vicky said.
"What else" she said looking into his eyes.
Neal was taken a back with her gesture, "I draw, paint" Neal said.
"I draw?" Peter said he never heard Neal so not his smooth self. This woman was getting to him.
Vicky smiled "Really?" she said, Neal nodded as he watched her pick up an Oyster {she sucks the meat off}
Neal felt his heart beating looking at her full lips, "Try it" she said.
Neal picks up an Oysters looking at Vicky he sucks on it.
"Snap out of it Vicky" she said looking at his piercing blue eyes.
"Can't forget the beer" Neal said handing Vicky her beer.
"Cheers" Vicky said as they toasted.
"I like it" she said, Neal smiled.
Half hour later
"Do you guys want desert" The waitress asked as Vicky looked out the window looked at the aread.
"Something wrong" Neal asked.
"No actually, we don't want desert" Vicky said.
"We don't" Neal said.
"There's a place that's better" Vicky said looking into Neal's eyes.
"Ok lead the way" Neal said as he finished playing.
"Thank you" Vicky said as Neal extended his hand, she hesitated first then grabbed it as they walked.
"Jones follow them" Peter said.
"So what is this place" Neal said.
"I remember my dad took me here a lot, the cupcakes are so good" Vicky said, she spots it.
"It's still here" she said as Neal read the sign "Georgetown cupcakes".
Neal watched as Vicky looked around, "looks the same" she said.
"What would you like" Neal asked softly as they walked to the counter.
"I'll have a vanilla cupcake" Vicky said.
"What the lady wants, I'll have a chocolate cupcake" Neal said as the server handed the cupcakes to them, they walk outside to the bench.
Neal watched as Vicky looked happily at the cupcake, "Brings back memories" he said.
"Yes it does" Vicky said surprised she was thinking about her father but didn't feel bitter it was the first time in a long time she remembered thinking of her father and it didn't make her sad after.
"Good I hope" Neal said, Vicky nodded.
"Dad would whenever he wasn't working on a case would either bring them home or we would go after school and get an assortment. His favorite was red velvet" Vicky said laughing.
Neal smiled he liked hearing her laugh, "Another beautiful night in the city" she said looking up at the stars.
"Indeed it is" Neal said taking a deep breath.
"I remember my mom taking me to Mr. Lee's candy shop to get a pound of licorice, I remember we worked a case back home and I remembered the area and felt compelled to go in there." Neal said surprised he was telling a woman he met for 2 days about his real self.
"Where's home?" Vicky asked.
" " Neal said, Vicky nodded.
"It's nice to remember the good memories" Neal said.
"How's your cupcake" Vicky said changing the subject.
"Good" Neal said taking a bite out of if, Vicky noticed frosting on the left side of his mouth.
"You have" Vicky said pointing as Neal whip the right side of his face.
"Here" Vicky said taking a napkin she wipes the frosting off touching Neal's lips.
"Jones what's going on" Peter said.
"They are just talking" Jones said not knowing what to make of it.
30 minutes later
Neal parks the vespa in front of Vicky's building in Chelsea. "What a night" she said as they walked.
"A good one" Neal said touching the small of her back, Vicky nods as they walked to the door.
"I'll see you" Vicky said giving Neal a side hug and a kiss on the cheek they look into each other eyes.
"Looks like they are about to kiss" Jones said.
Neal leans in {his phone rings} "Duty calls" Vicky said, Neal nodded annoyed looking at the caller id "Peter".
"Good night Neal" Vicky said.
"Good night" Neal said answering the phone.
"Yea" Neal said.
"My office in 20 minutes with the vespa" Peter said.
Peter's office
"Where's everyone else" Neal said.
"Home" Peter said.
"What the hell was that" he said.
"I, I don't know" Neal said.
"Thankfully' there was a bug on your oyster plate" Peter said as Neal's eyes widened.
"I am having the team research Vicky's time when she was studying abroad" he said.
"Ok" Neal said.
"Neal don't let this be a Kate situation you have two more months you will be free and an employee of the FBI, remember that" Peter said.
"It's not like Kate" Neal said.
"It's close to Kate, but I see she isn't Kate" Peter said.
"No she isn't" Neal thought to himself. "I never told Kate about " he thought.
Vicky's apartment
"You broke that transmitter in your ear, you didn't hear anything that I said" RJ said angrily.
"I know, I don't know why I did it" Vicky said.
"You are close to getting Drake 1 more job you get him then move far away from here" RJ said.
Vicky nodded, "I know but I don't know anymore" she said.
"I know!" RJ said.
"Vicky I want you to be happy but this is getting too dangerous now the fed is involved, we have to be careful" he said he gives Vicky a hug.
"Talk tomorrow" he said, she nods.
Vicky sighs walking to the couch, she lays down looking out the window. "What's going on with me" she thought.