Hey there everyone! Here is the next chapter. As always I hope you enjoy this next chapter and all mistakes are my own. Read and respond, it is good for the soul.

Disclaimer: All rights go to people at USA Network and the people of White Collar. I just write about Neal and the gang.

Chapter 4:

"You found him already?" Peter asked surprised, but also relieved.

"Well, not technically. What I should have stated was we know who he is." Diana corrected and handed Peter the file in her hands. Neal got up to look over Peter's shoulder in order to read the file as well. Both men read the information quickly.

"Kevin Stevenson." Peter mused, continuing to look over the file. "Has a few priors in theft, breaking and entering and vandalism. He definitely fits the bill. I see he has a few aliases listed on here."

"I recognize one of the aliases. I heard Mozzie mention him once. He is a local man for hire who isn't the greatest, but he gets the job done regardless. I think the only reason he gets hired is because he doesn't ask for too much money." Neal absently mentioned as he looked up from his view over Peter's shoulder. Diana and Peter were giving him incredulous looks. Neal frowned at the reaction and backed up a step confused.

"Is there anybody that you don't know Caffrey?" Diana asked with a slight twitch of her lips. Neal could tell she was teasing him and he flashed a smile with a wink at her. She just rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Peter as he asked her a question.

"How did you find out that this man is our guy?" Peter inquired.

"We started going and looking through the street cams in the area. He ditched his getaway vehicle and his mask at the same place about 12 blocks away. A camera on the corner of the street caught a shot of his full face. Facial recognition took it from there."

"Good. Do we still know where he is?"

"No, we lost him in a crowd."

"Okay I want agents to start looking for him from the point we lost visual. Put an APB out on him to all departments, he will slip up somewhere. Make sure you pick him up right away if you see him. I want Jones spearheading this on the streets." Peter rounded off quickly. Diana left the office, rushing to tell the rest of the team.

"Peter we know that the one he has is fake though." Neal butted in, watching Jones and some of the other agents leave through the glass doors.

"Yes, but Mr. Stevenson will be delivering it anyways." Peter answered. That is when what Peter was getting at clicked in his head and the whole con formed in his head of what they could do.

"His employer would be keeping up anonymity in order to not be linked to the theft. If I was the employer I know I would want to make sure it is the real one or not as soon as I got it. Whoever they are must really want it, so if they are lead to believe that they have a very small window to get the real one"

"Then we lure them out with the promotional event." Peter finished. Both men smiled at how they were on the same page with one another. Peter looked at his watch; they had four hours still left in the day. Neal was gazing out of the glass of his office in thought when Peter looked back up. He could tell by the way the young man was troubled by the knit of his brow and the tense stance he had, arms crossed.

"Is there something bugging you?" Peter asked gently. Neal didn't stir so Peter went to check up more with his agents and start putting the plan in place.

Half an hour later, he returned to his office and found Neal still in his office.

Page Break

"Neal since we still have time-" Peter was cut off by a hand in the raised by Neal as the brunette turned around slightly to reveal that he was on the phone. Peter crossed his arms and glared at his consultant.

"Thanks for being able to understand on such a short notice. I promise it is going to be a short stay…..I don't know…I wouldn't want to impose on…..I'm not sure, I would have to see…I'll make sure I mention it to them…..See you later tonight," Neal hung up his phone and turned to look at Peter. "You know it is rude to eavesdrop in on peoples' conversations Peter."

"You don't get to shush me," Peter replied "No shushing for you."

"I'm sorry but it seemed like you weren't noticing that I was on the phone. I guess your detective skills need some work." Neal teased, but it seemed like he wasn't completely into the dig. His mask seemed to be slipping and Peter decided it was time to bring back the heat seeing how they were interrupted earlier.

"So were you were telling June about the new guest in the house?"

"Yeah and as usual she was okay with it. I promised to do more around the house to make up for it."

"She is a wonderful woman. It seemed like you were trying to get out of something though on the phone." Peter arched an eyebrow and Neal started to walk towards the door. Peter stepped to the side and blocked Neal from leaving causing him to stop short and flash a look of irritableness momentarily.

"Oh it was nothing to be worried about. How are things coming together with the case? Is there anything else that needs to be done? Mozzie texted me that he is finding out where our guy likes to hang out while you were downstairs." Neal deflected calmly adding an innocent look to add to his words.

"For now we are good and we can start putting a plan together, but it hinges on what we find out from our suspect when he is brought in. How about you tell me what 'them' means while we wait?"

"How rude of you Peter, I should tell Elizabeth that you need to work on your manners."

"You can tell her all about it some other time. Did June mention something you don't agree with?"

"It is nothing, besides with this case going on you probably wouldn't be able to do anything tonight."

"Why do you always have to do that with me?"

"Do what with you?"

"Why do you keep fighting me about certain topics lately? I'm on your side Neal, just let me in."

Neal studied Peter for a moment. He knew that he could trust him, but ever since his mother came back on the scene he felt on edge. Old feelings were hitting him full force and he didn't know if he could keep himself in check around Peter. His efforts after Peter had found out their witness was his mother were focused on three things: to keep Peter at bay about his mother, to solve this case to stay in Hughes' good graces, and to maintain his composure around Peter. Neal knew that Peter was starting to get suspicious of how he had been acting after lunch.

"June lately has wanted to host another dinner night and told me that I need to extend the invitation to you and Elizabeth." Neal answered reluctantly.

"I would like to, but I will need to ask Elizabeth to see what she thinks."

"You sure you won't be needed tonight if they bring in the suspect late?"

"I'm sure we will be able to make it work out. Besides, it sounds like it will be fun Partner." Peter slapped Neal's shoulder and gave him a crooked smile. Neal half laughed, but his face showed he was not looking forward to the dinner at all.

"Sounds great, I just can't wait." He said under his breath quietly. Peter headed back to his desk, sitting down as Neal left the room to go to the bathroom.

Page Break

As Peter watched Neal walk away he dialed Elizabeth to see if she was open to June's idea. After the second ring he heard his wife pick up.

"Hi honey."

"Hey El."

"Is everything going okay?"

"Yeah, I just was wondering how your evening schedule looked tonight."

"I'm free tonight. You have something planned or are you warning me ahead of time that you will be late?" His wife chuckled.

"June was going to have a mini dinner party tonight and wanted to know if we could go."

"I would love to go tonight. Do you know what time she wants us to be over?"

"No, Neal didn't say. When he comes back from the bathroom I'll let you know."

"Speaking of Neal how is he doing? I know during lunch you were worried about him."

"You won't believe me when I tell you this, but his mother is our key witness. What I don't understand is how he has been acting since lunch. I think he knew somehow that she was in the area and now that she is here he has been off."

"Well, he always has been private. I'm stunned to hear that his mother is here. As to how he has been acting why don't you just ask him? I'm sure it was a shock to see his mother involved at a crime scene so play nice."

"Honey, this is Neal we are talking about. He doesn't give me straight answers on subjects like this."

"You will figure it out. Just trust your gut and don't get too bothered by what Neal does or doesn't do. I'm sure you will get the answers you want soon. For now focus on bringing in the bad guys. Stay safe and call me when you are on your way home hun."

"I will. I'll see you soon hun."

Peter hung up the phone just as Neal came back into his office. Neal had his rubber band ball in hand as he sat down in a chair across from Peter. While they started to discuss their next steps in the case, Melissa had returned with her bags. She was directed to the mini break table behind some shelves where she was able to put them down and sit. Peter noticed her arrival and decided to turn the conversation around.

"Neal, how about you go home early tonight."

"We still have two hours left. Besides we don't have our suspect in custody yet."

"I know, but there isn't much left for the night while we wait."

"Are you sure that Hughes will be okay with that?"

"I don't see why he would have a problem. Plus you mother just arrived from getting her things and I think she would like to get out of here."

"Did you get to check with Elizabeth about tonight?"

"Yup, and we will see you there. What time did June want us to come over?"

"She said anytime between 6 and 7 if possible. I'll head out then. Let me know if you learn more."

"I will." Neal got up and tossed his ball to Peter. Without another word he left and made his way over to where his mother was sitting, sipping on a mug of office coffee. He couldn't tell what was being said, but it seemed like an awkward conversation at the beginning. After a few minutes both Caffrey's left and on their way out Neal grabbed his fedora from his desk with his one free hand, the other holding one of her bags as they headed to the elevator.

Page Break

Neal trotted down the stairs and with a deep release of air walked over to where he saw his mother sitting. His nerves were high, but to everyone else he appeared calm and collected.

"How is the coffee?" he asked lightly. His mother was clutching the mug tightly and she blinked up in surprise at his appearance.

"It sure isn't the best coffee, but then again when is the office coffee ever good?" she responded tonelessly. They lapsed into silence for a while, both lost in their own thoughts. Melissa was still debating how she was going to tell Neal all the things she wanted to say and ask all the unanswered questions she had about why he was here of all places without pushing him away. The last time they saw each other wasn't on the best of terms. She was afraid of what he thought of her after all these years. Neal on the other hand didn't know how he could approach her. How do you possibly begin to talk with someone you haven't seen since you were eighteen? She seemed different, but at the same time he saw hints of how she was from the past; there but not really there.

"Are you holding up okay?"

"I'll be fine. All good things come to an end around us Caffrey's doesn't it? When do we get to leave the sea full of gloom and gray suits?" Melissa said with a hint of anger. Neal decided to move the conversation along before either of them started to let it all out at each other or others. The stress of the day was catching up to them.

"Peter just told me that I can take you back to my apartment and I promise the coffee is excellent."

Melissa got up and left the mug on the table. She only had two bags and her purse. Neal grabbed one bag from her, which earned him a smile from his mother. After motioning for him to lead the way, they headed out. Neal made sure to grab his hat before heading out the glass doors. He had a sneaking suspicion that tonight wasn't going to be fun like Peter mentioned.

A/N. Like always I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please hit the button below to leave a review. You know you want to!