Sara

Neal stared as Sara walked in, dressed for the occasion. He wondered if she would get mad if he commented on how well the dark green dress suited her.

"Neal," she greeted him coolly. They had a little fling after Adler's arrest however, he hadn't had much time to see her since. There was no way he could risk bringing her to his place when there was a risk of visitors at all hours.

He really didn't want to have to explain why Red Hood was climbing up the balcony or why Batman was skulking around outside.

Worse yet would be explaining how he knew the Waynes, should any of his family decide to turn up in civvies. Because there was no way Sara hadn't at least heard about them.

"Sara."

Peter knew there would be tension but he didn't expect it to be that bad.

"Relax, Caffrey, I have better things to do than getting revenge on men who don't call me back. Water under the bridge."

"It's not whatever you're thinking," Neal said, determined to at least attempt to explain himself.

"Water under the bridge," Sara repeated in a firm tone that said anything but. "Although, if you feel bad enough, you could let me into the party."

"You don't have an invitation?" Neal questioned.

Sara sighed. "I was hoping old friends would be enough to get me in. Sterling Bosch would do well to have a representative here."

"Talking to Wayne and his wealthy friends?" Neal questioned. "You are aware that many flew in from Gotham? And that, no offence, but working recovery in Gotham? That's crazy. And dangerous."

"I can handle it."

"Gotham has the highest crime rate of any city in this country, bar Bludhaven. You'll either spend all your time chasing after stolen items or paying out compensation for stolen items."

"Or maybe I'll set up a giant spotlight and get some guys in costumes to track down my stuff for me."

Neal twitched, expression twisting into frustration for a moment. Peter thought it was a rude thing to say to Batman's kid.

Sara noticed the heavy air. "Since when do you care? I thought you didn't operate in Gotham?"

"Mozzie would have my head if I tried to go into Gotham for any kind of score," Neal said with a grin and the air seemed to instantly clear. Peter recalled that Sara didn't know about Neal's connection to the city. "Still can't let you in without an invitation."

Sara grinned at Peter. "He sounds almost honest," she joked.

"'Almost' being the key word. Neal just happens to like Wayne's kid too much to make her dad mad."

"Really?" Sara sounded surprised.

Neal grinned as he thought of little Helena. "She's a tiny knight. Wayne dropped her off with Peter and he was flustered for a day as she stole items from the FBI agents whenever they said 'mean things'."

"That's kind of cute," Sara admitted. "But, why Peter?"

"El's the planner for this party," Peter explained, "so Wayne felt he could trust us to watch her for a while."

Sara made an interested hum as she pulled something out of her small clutch purse and passed it to Neal.

Neal opened the folded piece of paper. His eyes skimmed the contents.

"An invitation? I thought you didn't have one?" Peter commented. And then he realised as Neal explained;

"She never actually said that. She just let us draw conclusions from her behaviour."

"Going to let me in, boys?" Sara asked with a grin and a wink.

Ransom

The night was half over and they hadn't seen a single fake invitation or someone who shouldn't have been there. Except Sara, but that was Neal's opinion and he didn't get to choose who was on the list.

"Are you losing your touch?" Peter commented.

"This is worse than a stakeout," Neal sighed. "And I never thought I'd say that."

"Maybe we were wrong about the fake invitations. Maybe it was just the one?" Peter mused.

"Todd wouldn't have brought the invitation to me if he didn't think it was a sign of something else."

"A sign of what though?"

Neal had to admit, he had no idea. He was tossing ideas around in his head but coming up empty. What was the point of forging a fake invitation if you weren't going to use it or sell it to someone else to use?

He was still pondering options and wishing Mozzie was here to bounce ideas off when something thudded at the doors.

They shared a look before Peter got up and went over to the doors. He came back in with a confused expression and a small brown box in his hands. Neal waited, curiosity killing him, as Peter opened it.

It was a phone. Which started chiming with a call.

"You answer it," Neal insisted as dread coiled in his gut. Odd phones turning up were bad signs.

Peter flipped the phone open and answered with a cautious, "hello?"

"Agent Burke. Enjoying the party?"

"Keller."

Neal's eyebrows shot right up. This was bad. Keller wouldn't reveal himself unless his plan was going right.

"Pardon the theatrics. But under the circumstances, we can't be having this conversation in person. I'm sure you understand."

"What do you want?"

"I need your help."

"My help." Looks like the people who Keller owed debts to were chasing him. "Turn yourself in. I'll see what I can do."

Neal snorted. Keller would never do that but it was fun to hear Peter give him the option.

"I don't think I can do that, Burke. But I tell you what; if you help me, I can help you. Our interests are more mutual than you think. Even if you don't realise that."

"What are you talking about?"

"There are some unsavoury types in New York lately. Heard you even got a visit from the big, bad Bat in person, Burke."

"What Bat?" Peter questioned, playing dumb.

There was a chuckle on the other end. "Gotham's Bat. Interestingly enough, I have an idea on how to smoke him out. So, you gonna help me or what?"

"Why would I help you?"

"My understanding is that the law, or 'the Man' as Mozzie likes to say, doesn't approve of the Bat. And I'm a sucker for the game, Burke. Let's show the Bat that New York ain't Gotham."

Neal's mouth dropped open. Keller was a chess player, a lover of the long con and had no problems with whatever lives he ruined along the way. However, he never thought Keller would challenge Batman of all people.

"Regardless, why would I help you?" Peter's voice took on a low growl.

"You have access to Wayne. Let him know that his lovely party planner is going to cost him a little extra. I'll be in touch."

Keller hung up, leaving Peter frozen. Neal's expression crumbled, eyes reflecting his worry as he looked at Peter.

Running on autopilot, Peter reached for his radio. "I need someone from security at the front desk, right now."