CLOTHING REMINDER – Read the last chapter's note. The clothing that Ava wears is up on my Polyvore profile!

ALSO – Near the end of this chapter you might get a little confused. I'll explain in the end-of-chapter note.

White Collar Fanfic | Threads of Trust | Pilot – Part 3

The next morning came along quickly and in no time, Peter found himself at the Motel he had left Avery at yesterday. A styrofoam cup of coffee in hand brewed from a café just down the street. He walked up to the man he talked to yesterday, the large man who was again, eating away at his weight. "Hey," He shortly greeted, "I'm looking for Avery Daniels. Room 243." Assuming the man would just call up to the room and let her know he had arrived to pick her up.

It took a moment for the man to even register what was said, "Oh … oh, yeah." His body jumped up in the seat with remembrance, swallowing the last of his mouthful. "Sweetcheeks." Remembering the gorgeous brunette that the man left here yesterday. He twisted around to the small cubby hole where the room key was, sitting there after the woman had given it back - he grabbed the small slip of paper that was given along with it. He was instructed to give it to the Fed the moment he arrived to come and collect her.

"A nice gal she was. Left you a note too." The man continued before turning back around, giving the note over to the Fed.

Peter had paused at first before accepting the piece of paper, opening it up to reveal the words inside. The hotel manager began playing with a Rubix cube as he read what Ava had left him.

Dear Peter,

I have moved 1.6 miles.

86 Riverside Drive

XoXo

Avery

Although Peter completely remembered saying to her that if another place was found, she could take it for the same amount of money, but he couldn't help but sigh in frustration. Peter shook his head before mumbling thanks to the Manager, walking out of the Motel and towards his car.

He had a sister to find.

…

It didn't take long to find the new residence that Ava was apparently living at. The words, 'You've gotta be kidding me.' Running around in his head were the only ones that were able to slip out of his mouth. The place he had found with the same address was pretty much a town-side mansion; a place where many of the richest of New York would live. It was a three-story building made out of white stone and it was clear that it wasn't an apartment setting, more of a home one.

From the moment he rang the loud dong of the doorbell, he couldn't help but feel significantly small, surely Ava wasn't actually living here? He was standing outside a large glass door with decorative black bars attached, little designs featured on them. Along with the bell, he knocked a few times on the outside of the door and soon enough, a traditional looking maid answered the door. She wore the black dress, white hat and other white garments that would make her look like the usual would.

The maid smiled politely at his arrival, a woman in her early fifties and spectacles on the bridge of her nose. "Good day." She said, opening the door enough for him to walk in with an invitation.

"Thank you." Peter responded, doing so but again looked down at the note in his hand, still wondering if he had the right place to begin with. Maybe Ava was just messing with him? As the maid slowly closed the door, he stated out loud, "I think I have the wrong address."

"You must be Peter." Another woman's voice from behind got him to twist around, startled but kept his usual façade up. How did she know his name? The woman walking towards him was a smallish woman with dark skin, her clothing very much as polished as the rest of the house looked. Everywhere inside was almost like an antique show but had a homier feeling than a museum. In her arms was a Pug, being gently scratched at the side of his ear and if he were a cat, he'd be purring with content.

"I'm looking for Avery Daniels." Peter told her, walking forwards.

June just smiled, already knowing who the man was. Avery told her (among other things) last night in order to get to know each other. They were going to be living together from now on so it was a good idea. "She's upstairs."

…

Peter was shown upstairs by the maid and was walked into some kind of guest apartment, and over to the side was a double sided door that led outside. The apartment had its own balcony and view of the city, one that was confirmed the moment he took a step outside. And sitting outside in a lounger was his sister, wearing a pair of pyjamas that consisted of plaid pants and a tank top, a silk gown covering on top. The one main thing he did notice though was her hair, though, it was back to its original colour, well, as much as it could be. It was now a honey colour that shone against the sunlight beaming down from above.

Ava looked up from the newspaper after having finished reading what the latest news was, hearing heavier footsteps heading her way. Ones that weren't either June or Cindy's. "Peter, hey." She smiled. She's probably had the best sleep in months after sleeping in that new bed of hers and she was completely grateful for June taking her in. She glanced at the watch on the small table beside her, "You're early." She noted, seeing the time become 6:47am. Peter was expected to be here at around 7:10am at the latest, given the fact that he had to try and find her new residence. Why was he here so early?

"We're shaking a lead at the airport." Peter told her, knowing how indeed early it was. The morning sun had only risen about half an hour ago in the city of New York. "We got a hit on Snow White."

"Snow White." Ava mumbled to herself, looking through her head to figure out where she had heard that from. She knew it was from the bunch of files that was dumped on her yesterday, she just needed a second to connect the dots. "Ah, right." Her eyes lit up, remembering. "A phrase you decoded from a suspected Dutchman communique to Barcelona." She smiled, folding up the newspaper in her hand before placing it on top of the files.

There was a moment's pause. "You've moved." Peter stated the obvious, still unable to quite grasp the extent towards the place she had moved to.

Ava nodded, looking out towards the skyline city buildings in sight. "Yeah, it's nicer than the other place, don't you think?" She observed her brother for a second, noting briefly the stiff posture he wore along with the frown of uncertainty.

Peter nodded slowly while humming in agreement. He couldn't help it but there was a sense of jealousy and envy, something of which he hated to feel. He'd love to give a view like this to Elizabeth and one for himself but his pay would never give them that, even if he is a well-respected FBI Agent. "Yeah, but I don't remember the other place having a view." He did send wary looks towards her, something of which Ava understood what they meant. He wanted to know how she came to be here – he needed to know she did nothing illegal.

Avery sighed, "I went to the thrift store like you suggested." She began, "And June-" Peter cut her off.

"-The lady with the dog … we met."

Ava gave a nod, annoyed that he cut her off but continued anyway, "-was donating her daughters' clothes. During our conversation of the Monee Marcus clothing line, she mentioned about having an extra guest room. I inquired about becoming a tenant and … here I am." Peter still didn't seem to liven up and she gave him a small look of frustration, "Look, you said that if I found a nicer place for the same price, I should take it. Well, actually I asked and you agreed but the outcome is still the same."

"No, you're right." Peter nodded, remembering back to that conversation. There was nothing wrong with what she did but the one thing he couldn't wrap his head around was the price. This woman only wants 700 a month as a payment? For this view included? "So, all of this … for 700?"

"Yep." Ava considered herself extremely lucky. "And I did offer to help out whenever she needed someone. Things like; wash the jag, feed the dog, watch her granddaughter-"

Peter couldn't help but interrupt on the last one, "She's got you babysitting?" Blinking in surprise.

Suddenly a young woman appeared from behind Peter, walking past him in her nightclothes and a gown. As with June, she was African American but her age was in her very early twenties. "Morning, Ava." Cindy said, walking over to grab the newspaper that was lying on the table. She sat on the other lounger just beside.

"Granddaughter?" Peter questioned, referring to the young woman who had just walked in.

Avery smiled, nodding, "She's an art student." Luckily for her, art was obviously her specialty.

Peter shook his head; he didn't mind the fact that Ava was now out of that Motel. Actually, he would have insisted that she find a better place but this felt just a little too much. She was a felon for crying-out-loud; he would have expected her to find some kind of small apartment to rent with a one bath, one bed kind of thing. But this? It just made his mind turn at all the possibilities that could happen.

"Alright, just go get dressed." He finally insisted, knowing they were on a strict schedule right now and they needed to be at the airport in a vert short amount of time. Ava didn't say anything but did as she told; she gave one last smile over to Cindy before getting up from the lounger, padding towards the guest room wardrobe to get ready for the day. She had a long shower last night so she didn't need one this morning. Besides, she had to wash out the hair dye she used last night. Her hair was now similar to how it was … before her stunt of escape.

As Ava left the balcony, Peter was left alone with June's granddaughter and the word awkward could be thrown around easily within this atmosphere. He slowly sat himself down at the table after making sure it was okay, pouring himself a cup of that coffee that's been tickling at his senses since walking outside. It smelled divine. In a small breadbasket were a few croissants so he picked one up, taking a large bite out of one to fill an empty stomach.

Cindy looked up the moment June walked over, a new pot of coffee in her hand and Bugsy on a leash. June's heels clicked against the ground loudly. "Hey, Grandma." Cindy said, accepting the leash before bringing Bugsy over to her, letting the dog jump up and lie between her legs.

"Good morning, Cindy." June replied, a content smile on her face. She perched herself on the chair opposite Peter, watching as he took a sip from the mug he had just poured. She stared at him, waiting for his reaction to the taste – her coffee was the best in town, and that she knew more than anything. And as expected, the Agent nearly moaned at the taste.

"It's perfect." Peter stated, continuing to chew through the croissant in his mouth. "Even the freaking coffee is perfect." That got a laugh out of June, finding his reaction amusing but also pleasing. He looked up at her, silently wondering if she truly knew who Avery Daniels really was and what she was actually capable off. "That's not jewelry on her ankle, you know." He told her, wanting to make sure the woman knew what she was getting into. "She's a felon."

June just kept the smile on her face, nodding slightly because of course, she already knew all this. It was the first thing Ava told her. She leaned forwards to the Agent before giving him an answer he really didn't expect. "So was Byron."

…

Ava bounced down the stairs to meet Peter by the entrance; now wearing what will be considered her everyday clothing, such as, black skinny pants, a burgundy layered cami, and the Monee Marcus blazer she tried on at the thrift store yesterday. On her feet were a pair of shoes that were a nice balance between heels and running shoes, something of which she used to wear before going to prison as well. Around her neck was a silver cross and her hair was down with natural waves running through it. She adjusted the Fedora on her head with a beam on her lips.

The moment she stepped foot on the ground floor, Peter spoke, "Why are you wearing a hat?" He asked, confused. The clothing she wore wasn't too bad and it was better than the sweats she had on yesterday. Going into the FBI looking how she did when he left her wouldn't have been a very professional thing. This looked much better.

"It's a Fedora." Ava told him slowly, like talking to a child, how could he not know that? "And besides, it goes with my outfit." It really did, she had the perfect balance of colours and it's better now that her hair was blonde again.

"Whatever," Peter waved it off, looking frustrated again, "Let's go." He was about to turn but Ava stopped him, her head tilted with both wonder and confusion. She stood there beside the stairs, her arms crossed over her chest.

"You're upset." She noted, looking at him closely. "Why? What have I done now?" It must have been something, but, what was it?

Peter's features became conflicted, "It's not you necessarily …and anyway, it doesn't matter. Let's just go, we have somewhere to be." Ava narrowed her eyes, trying to figure him out. This was different from when she left him on the balcony with June – something about that moment must be getting to him. It couldn't be June or Cindy, so what…

Ava's eyebrows raised in realization, a thought of what might be going through his mind now popping into her own. "Oh…" She drawled, nodding in understanding. "It's the coffee … isn't it?" She inquired, a little tease of a smile on her face. She completely understood because the moment she tasted the stuff, it was almost like heaven melting in her mouth.

"What?" Peter's voice pushed up a notch, confirming what his sister had been thinking. He wasn't being truthful. "No-" He pushed in a way that showed anyone he wanted this conversation to be ended now. "-of course not!" Almost stating in a defensive tone – it was very amusing to watch.

"Fine." Ava conceded, taking the conversation a different route if apparently it wasn't the coffee. "Then tell me which rule I broke and I'll thumb it straight back to prison myself."

"For starters-" Peter started but then his words seemed to get lost in transition, nothing else came out. He closed his mouth, gathering his thoughts, but Ava just smiled, knowing she got him there. There haven't been any rules broken … yet.

Avery adjusted the fedora on her head again, "Look, I'll find out where June buys her coffee-" Peter interrupted her.

"-It's not about the coffee!" He insisted with a snap but his irritation was enough of an answer.

Avery just nodded, not believing him, "I think it is." It was like talking to a five-year-old who didn't want to own up to his mistakes.

"No, it's not." There was a pause in the atmosphere before Peter continued, taking a breath beforehand to calm himself down, now speaking seriously. "This … is what gets you into trouble." He stated, "This is the start of those something-for-nothing schemes that lead to the frauds that got you locked up." He didn't want her to screw up her life again.

Though, he was still trying to redirect the conversation away from the real problem.

Ava did listen but then a thoughtful look crossed her features, "I think it's some sort of … Italian Roast." She stage-whispered to herself, knowing he could hear her quite clearly.

The only way Peter reacted was pointing towards the door, "Get in the car." He scolded like a parent but easily caught the cheeky grin on his sister's lips when she bowed her head, doing exactly as she was told. She was finding this hilarious even if he wasn't.

…

Soon enough, Avery arrived with her brother at the same airport she had stolen that beauty of a car from during her escape. People around them in the airport were either arriving or departing, but they were on their way to the Security office; apparently someone had been flagged while arriving under the Snow White alert. Someone with a possible connection with the art genius they were hunting down.

"Who's that?" She immediately inquired upon seeing a male in his early thirties in a very familiar looking suit and if she were correct, it looked very Rat-Pack. His dark hair was gelled back and had this confidence in him during his stroll up to them, he looked very different from the other FBI Agents she's seen over the years. He looked … unique. But it wasn't just that, he looked … hot.

"That's Neal Caffrey." Her brother answered from beside her, jolting her eyes from the brief ogling. "Both him and another Agent, Diana, are my probie's."

"Probie?" She repeated with a question, hearing the name before but couldn't quite reach the definition in her head. When they approached the new mystery man, she couldn't help but let her lips slip upwards, he really did look good in that suit.

"Probationary Agent." He explained, "The two of them do everything I don't and they're very good at their job." At this point, they were now standing together in a triangle.

Neal was glancing over to Avery curiously but there was a spark of admiration in his eyes, something that no one would detect. "You must be Avery Daniels." His eyes moved up to the hat and a small grin formed on his lips, thinking the same as she had obviously done when choosing to wear it. "A Fedora – good choice."

The smile on Ava's lips grew, "I know." She agreed, liking him very much already. She never noticed the look but Peter was almost smirking to himself like he knew something she didn't. He could tell what might be running through his sister's mind, especially with the way she was looking at Neal.

Peter turned to Neal, getting down to business, "What have we got?" He questioned. Both Neal and Diana arrived about an hour ago so they must have at least something they can work with now that they're here. And he had Ava with him so anything to do with art – she should be able to figure that part out for them.

Neal stopped looking at Ava before producing a file in his hand, handing it over to his boss, "His name's Tony Field." He started, feeling the blonde's gaze on the side of his face, "Customs flagged him coming from Spain in response to our Snow White BOLO."

Peter nodded, liking the information gathered so far but there was still a lot of gaps to fill. "The Customs are playing nice; I hope?"

Neal gave a small chuckle, remembering the distaste on the officers face when he and Diana arrived this morning to start the investigation. "Oh, just the usual chest pounding. Nothing too extreme. However, they have made it strictly clear that he's in their custody – not ours."

Peter didn't really mind that, "Less paperwork for me." He flicked through the file properly that was handed over to him, "What's he carrying that flagged the system?"

A mysterious smile appeared on the young man's face, "You're gonna love this." He stated with an interest in his voice. When he saw what the man was carrying – it was a great mystery to be solved. He loved mysteries and things to solve. He turned around in his spot before walking beside Peter, heading towards the office where the investigation was currently being held in. Ava took a moment before following close behind, looking interested too, especially by the way Neal was reacting to whatever this Tony Field had.

…

Diana already had all three of the suitcases open the moment they walked into the suitcase evidence room; each case holding many thin red and yellow books with the title, 'BLANCO NIEVES NE AVES SIETE ENANOS'. Peter read out the title with confusion lacing his voice, not sure what the title is supposed to mean. Avery, on the other hand, knew exactly what he had just said. "It's 'Snow White and Her Seven Little Men'." She told him, Diana and Neal who were all looking at the books up close just as she was.

Peter's brow creased, looking uncertainly at the harmless looking books, "This is what triggered our alert?" Gesturing to the hundreds of books. "What do we know about this guy?"

Diana lifted her head, "Say's he's a rare-book dealer." Having spoken briefly to the man that brought all of these books into the country.

"Anything wrong with his paperwork?"

"No, it's all checked out." Neal answered, this time, glancing momentarily over to Ava who was flipping through the pages of the books with a quizzical eye. "He's brought in the same books and the same amount of them on three prior trips. He's declared them each time before doing so, though."

"All right, Ava." Peter sighed, glancing over his shoulder to his sister, watching her sniff the book oddly. "Are we wasting our time?"

Avery took one last proper look before speaking, "Well, they're not limited runs or special editions so they can't exactly be worth much."

Peter put on a thoughtful look, "So … why go to all the trouble of flying them in?"

"Good question." Ava pointed out, intrigued to know that answer too.

A thought suddenly popped into Diana's mind, "You know, he sure was nervous for having all the right paperwork." Remembering how shifty he acted in the way he moved and how his eyes didn't look calm at all. He looked like a man with a secret – maybe there's something about these books that's more than just the cover?

That seemed to perk Peter's ears right up, "I wanna talk to him." He declared, wanting solid answers to why the guy might be connected to the Dutchman.

"I can go set it up." Neal offered, grabbing the case file from the desk. He started to walk towards the door when he looked back, "Hey, I'm gonna go grab some coffee, you want any?"

"Yeah." Both Diana and Peter said at the same time but Peter was the one to continue, "Anything but decaf."

Ava didn't say anything because she had already had her morning fix from June's delicious brew but she couldn't help but idly watch as he moved out the room. She must have been staring a bit too long because her brother's chuckle was the thing that brought her back to reality, Diana seemed to join him in the amusement. Ava turned to them, looking pleased – Neal Caffrey was one FBI Agent she wanted to get close to.

"You are way out of your league." Peter told her, looking back down at the books one last time before throwing the one he had in his hand back into the suitcase.

That wasn't going to stop her. "It's just harmless staring and the occasional flirt here and there. There's nothing wrong with that." She looked up, sending a grin to her brother and Diana – they turned to her as she spoke, "And besides, it'll be like a dance." She liked dancing.

Diana had heard from Peter that Avery used to attract a lot of male attention when she was a teen – looks like nothings changed there. "Not a dance." She corrected with a little tell-tale grin on her face. "Not for you anyway because you're not even on his dance card."

At this point, Ava was looking between the pair in a confused manner, not understanding what they were trying to say. By the looks of it, they were sending messages silently, like they knew something she didn't. She hated being out of the loop and whatever they were hiding – it looked very amusing to them. "Um, he digs the Fedora." Pointing to her amazing hat.

Here comes the kicker. "Um, he'd rather Steven be wearing the hat." Huh?

Peter chuckled, shaking his head before leaving the room with Diana in tow – leaving Ava standing there in a bewildered stare towards nothing. However, it did take a few seconds to actually realize what they were trying to tell her. "Oh…" She drawled, understanding why they were laughing at her now. "Oh … that is just NOT fair." She moaned in dismay, shaking her own head before heading out towards the way they went.

Why did all the cute ones have to be attracted to the same gender?

…

While Peter was inside the interview room talking with Tony Filed, Ava was over to the side with her arms crossed against her chest, looking towards Diana with a tilted head, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. Diana, the woman who basically insinuated that Neal was gay, was laughing a little too hard with another woman – both women acting a little too … friendly.

"She's into other women." A voice from beside her spoke, making her jump a little at the suddenly spoken words. She looked to the side and was surprised to see Neal Caffrey standing here, his hands in his pants pocket, looking over at Diana.

Ava blinked, "Right." Suspicion confirmed. But then the sudden thought came to her, "Hold on, doesn't the FBI have some kind of policy?"

Neal chuckled, shaking his head, "Nah, that's the Military. The FBI don't really get into asking about personal lives. They neither ask nor care as long as the job gets done."

"Soo…" Ava started, looking casual as she went into a slightly personal subject. "…I hear you're actually in the same boat when it comes to relationships…" Referring to what was just said about Diana's choice of loving gender. Part of her just wanted to make sure that the two weren't just pulling her chain back there because of the attraction she seemed to have towards the man.

The sudden smile lifting on Neal's face was enough of an answer than needed to be spoken, "Yeah, and we've been together for nearly two years now."

Well, that hope died down quick.

Before anything else could be said, Peter walked over from behind, looking annoyed – more than usual. "Where's the Customs Inspector?" He questioned. At this point too, Diana walked over to provide some more findings.

"Avery was right." Diana declared, looking over to the blonde for a second, "The books aren't worth much." She got someone from the office to properly look up the book just in case. "You can pick them up for a few dollars on eBay."

The Customs Inspector that Diana and Neal spoke to when Tony Field was brought in started walking towards them. Peter noticed, becoming increasingly irritated when the man finally got close enough to hear, "Hey, why didn't you tell me the guy lawyered up?" He said, "The second he makes that call, I can't talk to him."

The Inspector frowned, looking confused, "He didn't call anybody." He insisted, sure of the answer.

"Then how did his lawyer know that-?" Peter's word drowned themselves out, a thought coming to mind, a very horrible one. And with one look of being horrified, he took off towards the room he left the man in with his lawyer, four pairs of feet running after him at the same rushed pace.

The sight in that room was one that Peter had dreaded the moment the realization hit him – Tony Field's head was lying on the table, his body bent over in the seat and stuck in his neck was a thin needle still punctured in the skin. The Inspector was the one to rush for a doctor but everyone else knew it might not be any good; whoever that lawyer was wanted this man dead and he wouldn't have taken the chance that the man could survive.

"Nobody frisked the lawyer?!" Peter yelled out towards the crack Security team – now they had no solid lead to the Dutchman … again. "Damn it!"

Well, this may make things a lot harder…

NOTE: Well, I was going to have this chapter go all the way to Mozzie's first scene but I'm gonna stop it here instead. And as promised, I will explain why I have Neal gay right now. Actually, I can't really explain it but I can say that it WILL be a Neal/OC eventual. It'll be a slow love building story – one that starts off with friendship and eventually grows into something more.

Fav, Follow and Review!