Chapter 2: Code

Alex swirled the wine around her glass for a few seconds before she resumed the conversation. "It was a long-term con, and you were in love-" Alex begins to explain how they got in trouble, the word love lingered between the two for a second. The word itself came off much harsher than Neal would have liked, but he was talking to Alex. He did not expect her to be kind-hearted and sweet.

Neal spoke softly, "-With Kate" He finished her sentence for her, Alex just nodded. She took a sip from her glass and then half-smiled at what must have been a memory.

"She hated the idea of you and me going off to Italy and pretending to be married" The hinted smile faded once Neal started speaking again.

"Would you like it if I ran off with Kate to one of the most romantic cities in the world, pretending to be married?" He was trying to make a point, but soon realized that the example was not a good one.

Alex turned completely serious, gaurding her hurt with normal features "Isn't that what happened any way?"

The silence in the room was partly Neal being lost for words, not being able to come up with an apology big enough for her, and partly Alex looking into her wine glass with masked feelings not saying a word.

Alex lifted her head to meet his blue eyes. They just looked at each other. Neal could say things about Alex that were as sharp knived as her own comments, but he knew that he had messed it up. Not entirely with Kate, because Kate was Kate- Kate was a stepping stone in a long path. Kate was the girl that he broke out of prison for. Alex was the girl that had always been a good friend, but didn't trust his current lifestyle.

Alex deserved to be mad at him, no matter how much he wanted to change it. They had a long history together of them either winning the treasure or stabbing each other in the back.

His mind went to Italy once more...

We looked like we were in love. To everyone else around us in that small place we looked happy. Except one.

They didn't hear Peter when he walked in, and it wasn't until he started talking loudly that they noticed him. "Yeah...Elle...I'm at Neal's...No there are not any models...I'll talk to you later" Neal watched Peter press end on his phone.

"I know who it might be." Neal returned to reality "It doesn't explain Kate or Moz though, but it sure does explain you and me" Neal whispered, looking back at Peter.

"What are you two whispering about out there?" Peter asks, looking around the room. To Neal, he looked unhappy. Of course, Neal knew why. Peter did not get any information off of his un-needed bug.

"Alex, think about it" Neal said quickly, grabbing Alex's hand from across the table to bring her back to reality.

"Think about what?" Peter asked, once more sounding like he was questioning a suspect in a crime.

Alex turned to Peter "Giving up smoking, nasty habit" Alex was using code words that Mozzie often used. It was in the same context as the "Thursday Night" code that meant "Careful what you say, or mission aborted" Neal used the think the words were a waste of time, but he found he found himself using them a lot more than he did. Neal processed the statement Alex made to mean "I have something to tell you"

Neal opened his mouth to speak, choosing his words wisely "Mozzie always takes off the filters." It translated to "Not here" but Mozzie liked to use it more directly.

"Does he sell them that way?" Alex asked, her words not making much sense to any outsider. "Then where?"

"You should go see him, he's syaying in one of the many hide aways" Neal was trying to bring the conversation back to a more normal level. He was trying to tell Alex "We'll talk face-to-face later"

"Those things with kill you, you know?" Peter says, looking down at Neal the way he always did when he thought Neal was guilty of something.

Alex's mood changed sharply, "I'm aware. I'm trying to quit" She was talking directly to Peter without any code.

"So, you'll be taking your painting?" Neal said, standing up for his comfortable seat. He was referring back to the original story.

Alex smiled, "Yes. It almost looks like an Andrea del Sarto" It didn't look a thing like that, but Alex was trying to stick to a story.

She grabbed the painting, and started walking out the door. Neal turned to her, "Don't let it fool you" Neal said. He meant a lot of things by the five words- mostly don't let the safety of his apartment fool her. That Peter was not someone to be messed with. He could see the sadness in Alex's eye- the look she always got when she thought about what Neal did with Kate.

"I never do" She told him, even though they were friends- Alex would always be untrustworthy of Neal. That is, until he really proved himself without the help of Mozzie or the FBI. "Goodnight, Neal"

Alex left Neal standing in the middle of his apartment, thinking of things he could have said if Peter weren't watching.

Neal felt his pants vibrate, he pulled out his phone when he was sure Peter was not looking.

Alex Hunter: Do you honestly think it could be him?

He read as Peter started talking, "Are you two fighting or something? That was an odd conversation."

"She doesn't like the fact I'm with Sara, whi happens to be someone who recovers stolen artifacts." It was not entirely a lie, but it was not the truth.

Peter could only say one word, "Oh" which was never a good word for Peter Burke to be saying. Neal knew that Peter thought something was up. It just wasn't what he thought it was.

Neal sent a text back to Alex.

Neal Caffrey: Meet me in 1 hour.

Neal told Peter quickly, "I'm going to go get some air" He knew that Peter would try to follow, that's why he said one hour. He needed time to make it look real.

Peter sat down on Neal's comfortable couch, "Okay- I'm just going to put on the game."

Neal asked, un-interested but testy "Who's playing?"

"Braves and Yankees" Peter said with a smile, "Supposed to be a good game."

"Well, I won't be sticking around for that" Neal grabbed his hat, walking out the door as smoothly as possible.

Alex Hunter: My house. Neal looked at the text for a few seconds, not being able to say yes or no for a second. His thoughts were all mixed up, and he knew that he shouldn't be thinking the way he was.

Is it right to go to Alex's apartment tonight?

He thought it over- he wanted to change location because he was dating Sara. If she found out- it would be over in a heart beat. But then, Sara should trust him not to do something like that.

He started to think more about Sara.

She could be using me.

The thought had crossed his mind a few times before, what if Sara was using Neal to get what she wanted- such as, a painting? It was her job to recover no matter what the circumstances.

Neal Caffrey: Yes. Neal replied after concluding that there was barely any trust in the relationship, and that Alex was an old friend and if something happened it was not the purpose of going there in the first place.

He was not surprised by the next text message. Alex Hunter: What if he follows? Neal was counting on Peter following him. Being prepared for a good back-story was the only the most important part of being a Con.

Neal Caffrey: He'll think I'm unfaithful, not looking into things he told me not to. It seemed to be the only cover story they had left in the bag. They had tried everything else.

Of course, they could be old friends catching up. But no one that knew Alex or Neal would believe it.

Neal circled around buildings for a bit, and then found himself walking up Alex's steps and knocking on the door.

Alex opened the door with a few letters stuffed in her hands, "You're right"

Alright, I hope I clarified some of the confusing parts in the last chapter. I do love reviews, good or bad. They help me improve my writing. I am open for suggestions to later chapters.

Thank you for reading, it means a lot.

-Girl that wrote this.

P.S. If you have any comments, concerns, or suggestions please PM me or Review. Either one his fine since I read both.