White Collar Fanfic | Threads of Trust | Pilot – Part 2

"How did you know?" Was the first question that spouted out of Peter's mouth the moment he went to visit his sister in jail. He was standing over to the side of the visiting room, his hands in his pockets while he waited for his answer. Avery, on the other hand, was sitting at one of the benches with her arms crossed on top of the table, looking at him calmly but there was a small smile on her lips. This was the first time he's really visited her in jail – it felt … nice.

The guard over to the side, standing by the door was passive – he was only there if Ava was supposedly going to be out of control. That would never happen of course but it was simply a precaution, one that every prison had to make in order to keep the visitors safe.

"Oh, come on, Pete … I have my ways." Ava starting smiling just a little bit more, but this time, it was more amused than anything. "So, how upset were the Canadians?" Curious but already she could guess the answer, especially when Peter laughed at the question.

"Oh, very." He replied, grinning himself. "Well, as upset as Canadians can get." For a moment, the room just stayed silent, but then the real questions started to begin. After thinking about it – he was sure there was some ulterior motive for her wanting him to actually visit – she's never requested that he come before, even if he should have by himself. "Alright," He sighed, the smile slipping just a little as he walked over to the bench, perching himself into the opposite seat. "So, I agreed to come and visit but I'm sure there's something you wanted to talk about."

Ava nodded just a little, confirming what he had figured out back at the office, during the morning he found out about the real identity to the strand. "I know why you call him the Dutchman." She said, a knowing tone to her voice. She watched as her brother's brows creased, both interested and unsure of where this conversation might be heading. "Like the ghost ship." Her eyes never looked away from his face but she was completely serious in everything she was saying to him. "He disappears whenever you get close."

Peter was silent for a moment before asking, "How do you know anything about him?"

"You know everything in my life – to a degree – and you really didn't think I wouldn't check up on yours?" Of course she checked up on her brother; every day since she left at age 18. Even in prison she still had her ways of finding out information. "You get the birthday cards, don't you?"

"Nice touch."

"You've been after the Dutchman for almost as long as you were after me – as soon as my file was put on your desk." Ava continued, getting to the point of the conversation. "I'll help you catch him." All week she's been thinking about this plan, and the more she thought about it, the more she loved the idea of it.

As soon as she declared that he could help him, Peter quirked an eyebrow, not really convinced on a few concepts, "Really?" Wondering what was truly going through his sister's mind right now. "How does that work? You wanna be prison pen-siblings?" He couldn't seem to work out a viable conclusion that she might be heading for other than getting released. And that is something he cannot do. He honestly wouldn't either – Ava committed her crimes and now she had to pay for them, just like any other criminal has to.

It was only then that Peter noticed the folder in front of his sister, there were a few sheets of paper in a brown file folder. Ava pushed it forwards in front of him, opening up the file. Curiously, Peter glanced down at them, his eyes digging into the sheets a little further. "You can get me out of here." She told him with a little detectable hope in her voice, tapping the folder in front of him to prove her thesis. She watched briefly as he began flicking through the sheets, "There's case law … precedent … and I can be released into your custody."

"Except it wouldn't work." Peter placed the documents back onto the table, looking up at her with a knowing glint in his eyes. "Because you're right, I DO know you." He replied, "And despite what you may say now – as soon as you're out, you'll take off and go looking for Megan."

Ava knew this would be the tricky part. Yes, every fibre of her being was telling her that the moment she leaves this place – she should be running off to find her little sister. But, there were other things to consider now. Yes, if Peter agrees with this arrangement and she's able to be free from the confines of a box room twenty-four hours a day, then she could start at least looking properly for Megan. Not on foot and by herself, but again, she had sources.

"Pete, I'm NOT gonna run." Ava said with a strong promise in her eyes. She couldn't jeopardise her brother's career like that. Especially after he's worked so hard in order to get to his position in the first place. She grabbed the other sheet of paper next to her, putting it on top of the folder for him to take a look at. "A GPS tracking anklet – these new ones are tamperproof and they've never been skipped on."

"There's always a first time." Peter quipped back, looking down at the sheet for a moment. He's heard of these devices a lot, obviously because he works in the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, he knew that at some point Ava could figure a way around these things – but even then, that might take a while. Honestly, he really didn't know what to think of the proposition. He needed real time to ponder on the idea before making any snap decisions.

Peter wanted to take down the Dutchman scumbag so badly, almost as much as he wanted to catch Ava. That may sound bad considering she's family and maybe he should have been staying away from the case, letting others fly in circles trying to bring her in. But, he thought that having her pay for her actions would have gotten a change out of her criminal career. Right now, though, prison might have been the worse thing for her. She hasn't seemed to change much at all.

It was just a lot to think about.

Avery could slowly feel the hope draining out of her, "Just … think about it." She pleaded.

"I'm sorry, Ava." Peter told her, putting the papers back together before getting up from the bench, grabbing the file to take with him just in case his mind changed. He patted her shoulder, "It was a nice try." Was the last thing Ava got before he walked out of the visiting room, leaving her alone again.

…

That night at the prison; Avery was just lying on her cell bed, staring at the blank ceiling with lost thoughts running through her head. It was close to midnight by the time the hourly guard came by her cell, just as all the lights were starting to be shut off for the night. A woman in the late stage of her thirty's walked by, "Avery." The woman tapped the bars to gain the younger girl's attention. Avery's light was still on and it was time to turn it all off.

Ava blinked when the voice reached her, her head looked up towards the bars and standing there was probably the only guard that marginally liked her. Melony Jane. The woman just gave her a look, "It's time to turn that light off now." Gesturing over to the single lightbulb hanging from the ceiling by one thick wire.

Avery sighed, "Got it, Mel." She sat up on the bed slowly and Melony gave a nod, knowing that she'd do exactly that. Melony continued down the aisle of cells to inform the other inmates about lights out.

Everything in her cell was now completely bare and all that's left is a toilet with a privacy shield, an old bed, a small sink and a wall table. Avery sat up on the bed properly with her legs over the edge and just stared towards the single wall that suddenly felt so depressing. The row after row of five stick days lined up one after another. All the counted days of being in this place, there were so many of them.

Today had been bust because on some level, she really thought Peter would come through and almost like the idea. But, no. From what she could tell – it was a 70/30 shot of a chance and right now, she was the minority vote. There was nothing she could do in this place and it was slowly driving her insane.

Just as the felt tip rose again to draw yet another day-stick onto the wall, her hand paused over the wall and suddenly, all the frustration, anger and grief just started rippling out of her. She didn't really know what was going on until it happened but the pen scratched all over the markings in an almost furious manner, knocking out the lightbulb at the same time with a shatter. When her mind grabbed a hold of itself again – she was breathing heavily, feeling completely and utterly alone for the first time in a long while.

'Shut it, bitch!' Another inmate shouted from down the hallway but Ava paid no attention to it. Instead, she turned around to the clean wall above her bed and pushed herself back into the routine of counting down the days she had left. The pen marked the first stick of another 1460 days in this cell.

Boy, this is going to be hell…

…

At the Burke's place of residence, in the middle of the night, Peter was sitting at his dining room table with scattered papers and files across from him. He had his head resting against his hand, completely lost in thought about how today had gone at the prison. He would say that he wasn't completely surprised about the deal she wanted to make, it seemed quite like her, but he couldn't help but wonder what the ulterior purpose was. There was always an ulterior motive to her, even when she was a kid.

Peter sighed, leaning forwards so his elbows connected with the table. He picked up the recent birthday card he received in the mail – it had a small cupcake on it with a few balloons blown up in the background. Inside was written by Ava, wishing him a happy birthday, even if she had been in prison at the time. Every year he had gotten one and it made him feel guilty that he hasn't really tried anything in return. Sure, he'd wish her a happy birthday and the occasional present, but his work life was so hectic that he literally forgets about the most important things in life.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth had already watched the experience for herself. He's forgotten multiple times on several important occasions they had planned or that were coming up. He really was a terrible brother and husband at times if you think about it.

Elizabeth, a slightly shorter woman with long brown hair suddenly appeared in the room wearing only a large dress shirt of her husbands, slippers on her feet as she padded over to him in a tired fashion. Peter didn't realize her heading over to him until she spoke, "Coming to bed tonight?" She asked, smiling a little when she noticed a familiar look plastered on his face. The same one that told her he was thinking very deeply about something.

Peter's head snapped up the moment her voice pushed through to his consciousness and he turned to look at her when she came over, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind, hugging his back as she gazed down at the work left on the table.

Peter was obviously still very distracted but was able to mumble out a 'Yeah' in response.

"Hmm." Elizabeth hummed, nodding her head as it rested on his shoulder, her body bent over just a little, "What's wrong?" Hoping she could help, never being able to really sleep unless her husband was laying next to her in bed.

"Nothing." Peter replied although, this was definitely not nothing.

Elizabeth's eyes gazed over the papers to see a picture of Avery beside a few past birthday cards. She sighed at the realization. "Oh, no." She started lightly, smiling just a little more. "Don't tell me it's Avery Daniels again." She knew all about Avery from what Peter had told her, even the fact that the blonde had been the adopted sister before disappearing at age 18. So far, Elizabeth still hasn't had the chance of meeting this woman yet.

She let go of her husband, sitting beside him at the table. She couldn't help but tease, "I've been competing with her for three years." Not bothered at all in all honesty.

Peter was silent for a moment, "She'd be out today." He murmured, thinking really hard about this offer. Every part of him wanted to take it, not just because Avery was his sister and he had a lot to pretty much make up for, but there was always going to be this nagging feeling in his gut on whether she'd do something behind his back. Because again, they haven't been close in many, many years.

"You're thinking about her offer?" Elizabeth guessed by the look on his face. She knew there could be a lot riding on this and whether or not to release Avery was a big decision. She smiled, "Of course you are because otherwise you'd be in bed with me." A slight grin rose upon his lips, "Can she help you find him?" Referring to the Dutchman.

Peter sighed, taking a moment to think, "Ava's smart." He complimented his sister, glancing over to his wife, "And, you know how much I like smart."

Oh, she very much does. "Is she as smart as those Ivy League coeds they throw at you?"

Peter looked at her with love brimming in his eyes, his lips widening, "She's almost as brilliant as the woman I married." Knowing that answer would bring him some brownie points later on.

Elizabeth always loved answers like that, "Oh, good answer." She applauded with happiness in her voice. This time, she sighed, the happy look still on her face but the curiosity was evidently sinking in at this point, "So, what's the problem?"

Peter ran a hand through his hand, frustrated that he couldn't come up with a simple decision, "It's just – this isn't the way it's supposed to go." He began. "You get caught … you do your time." A system in which he's believed in since day 1 of the job. There was a pause. "There's more to this than some broken sister bond – there must be some side angle she's playing here."

Elizabeth frowned, "Sister?" Not having heard that one before.

It took Peter a second to realize that he hadn't told her that piece of newly found evidence yet. "Oh, right, um, apparently Megan Lowe's actually her little sister, her blood sister."

Elizabeth blinked in surprise, "She found her biological family?" Remembering the name Megan Lowe but wasn't bothered by the fact that he forgot to tell her. It sounds like he's only just found out himself.

Peter shrugged, "Not really sure – she didn't say anything about anyone else. I didn't ask actually … only who Megan was to her."

"Okay." Elizabeth begins again, trying to help her husband come to the final decision on what he was going to do. "So, your suggesting that Ava escapes a maximum-security prison knowing full well that you'd catch her ... just so that she could trick you into letting her out again?" Knowing how his brain worked but obviously, there was some skepticism in her tone.

It did sound a little stupid when you say it out loud – but it was a completely plausible scenario when it came to Avery Daniels. "It's a working theory." He only said.

Elizabeth didn't believe it though because she gave him a small look of confusion, "If Megan is blood family and Ava loves her, is it so hard for you to believe that your sister might have just done it for the sake of family?" She couldn't help but sympathize for Ava.

"Ava just bought herself four more years in prison … for what?"

"For what?" She repeated, looking to him with meaning in her eyes. "If you were Ava … you wouldn't have run for me?" Knowing that he loved her with all his heart and besides, they were family.

She stumped him – he was unable to form words at that point. Of course he would run for her and he would do it for as long as it took. He would also go to any length he could to get her back too.

And with those words in mind; the decision was made.

…

Avery let out a deep breath, taking a step out of the facility that been keeping her hostage for nearly four years. The solid steel door fully opened, revealing Peter standing a few meters away by his car, waiting for her to be brought out. The guard behind her glanced over warily but said nothing, watching as the latest escapee and captured felon be released into the hands of the FBI.

Ava was wearing a black cotton jacket with buttons and a white tank top underneath, a pair of joggers and some plain gym shoes on her feet. She was basically wearing lost and found stuff that past prisoners forgot to take with them; they didn't fit her style but it would have to do for now. At this moment, she was just happy that Peter was going to give her a chance.

"Let me see it." Peter stopped her before she came any closer. He had made the point that the ankle device was a must, and so she should be wearing it right now.

Ava bent down slightly and raised the left pants leg, revealing a grey device strapped to her ankle, a little green light blinking away from it. When she looked back up at him, he continued, "You understand how this works?" Making sure she knew the consequences of any actions she may think of doing during her time out of the cell.

Avery nodded, starting to walk over to him, her hands slipping into the jacket pockets, "I'm released into the custody of the FBI under your supervision-" She repeated, remembering the words from the document she had to sign just an hour ago. "-and to let this thing be chained to my leg. Am I missing anything?"

By this time, Ava had reached her brother who was now leaning against the bonnet of his car.

"Yeah." Peter replied, there was one detail that might not have been mentioned to her. Although, it was pretty obvious to begin with. "If you run and I catch you … which you know I will because I'm 2-and-0 … you're not back here for four years … you back here for life." The only thing that Peter was concerned about was the fact that she could ruin her really good chance at a life, he didn't want her to screw it up. "You're gonna be tempted to look for Megan … don't."

"Peter, I already told you." Ava sighed, shaking her head, "The bottle was a goodbye." She still hadn't figured out the hidden message yet and it's been plaguing her every second of the day.

"Good." Peter nodded, acceptable. "Then leave it at that. Now, at this point - what's happening here is a temporary situation." He started to explain, "However, help me catch the Dutchman and we can make it permanent." His bosses wanted to make sure that she really would help with the case and it wasn't just some whim that she came across that information. They've clearly said that if Avery Daniels can help put this Dutchman case to rest – there could be a future for her in becoming a Criminal Informant for the FBI.

"Got it." Ava nodded, understanding, knowing they'd technically want to test her out first. Peter heaved himself off the bonnet, starting to walk towards the driver's side of the car, "So, where are we heading?" She asked, moving towards the passengers side herself.

"Your new home." Was all that he said before getting into the car.

…

'You have gotta be kidding me!' Was the only thing that ran through Ava's head in disbelief the moment she saw the place she'll be living in. This wasn't a good feeling either, the FBI was placing her in a hotel that looked known for the dirty business in town. The place was a wreck, dirty and she was sure parts of the building were ready to fall down. Really? That's what she deserved? Ava knew she hadn't exactly been a model citizen of New York but … seriously? Wasn't being chained to a little device that tells everyone where she is enough?

Peter walked up to the guy at the room key desk; a very large and overweight man in his mid-forties was sitting there, eating away that would fatten himself up even more. There were a few other people in the room that looked to be just lounging around; one woman, in particular, looked like a stereotypical hooker, her breasts were practically hanging out of her blouse as she sent Peter an interested look. He either blatantly ignored her or just didn't realise what the woman was trying to initiate.

"This is Avery Daniels." Peter introduced his sister to the manager of the establishment. He didn't like this place at all but it's all the bureau could give money-wise and being in New York, prices weren't exactly cheap in this city. "My office called earlier."

The man chewed, nodding in remembrance before reaching behind him, grabbing a set of keys with a plastic blue leaf attached. The number 243 engraved on it. He turned back around, holding out the keys towards Ava, waiting for her to take them off him, "Here you go, Sweetcheeks."

Avery had a fake smile on her face but accepted them, "Thank you." She could feel the man's eyes gazing at her just a little too long so she turned to Peter with a hand on his shoulder, whispering discreetly, "Can I talk to you."

They walked over to the side, away from the desk and it took a couple of seconds to move away from people overhearing. Ava was about to open her mouth but then both she and Peter jumped at a sudden noise that came from the desk they were just at, the man had a table tennis racket in his hand, looking as though he was trying to smite a bug on the table.

After a second, Ava turned back to her brother, "Do I seriously have to stay here?" She questioned.

"Look, I'm sorry, Av." Peter apologized, shaking his head with a shrug, "It costs 700 a month to house you in a cell so you'll only be able to get 700 to find a place outside a cell. For the money, this is as good as it gets, and trust me, this is better than the other places I've seen."

In all honestly, Ava would rather take the cell than this place, and that's saying something. "If I find something better for the same price – can I take it?" The idea suddenly popped into her head. Not that she actually had a place in mind but she was sure there had to be a better establishment than this dump.

"Sure." Peter replied, not finding any harm in that.

"And what about clothes?" Ava continued, looking down at the horrible sense of clothing she had on right now. Nothing matched and to be honest, they were beginning to itch uncomfortably. "I'm wearing my entire wardrobe."

"Thrift stores." Was his only answer. "There's one at the end of the block." He could tell Ava didn't particularly like that answer but she'll just have to live with it. He pointed down to her anklet, "Listen, your tracking anklet is set up so that you can go anywhere within two miles of this place and here-" He passed over some very thick files, dumping them in her arms, "-is your homework."

"Now remember – two miles. I'll see you at 7am." Was the last thing Peter told her before leaving the hotel, needing to get to work. Ava was going to get a day to herself before the real work began and she should have read all the files by tomorrow morning when he comes to pick her up.

…

In the end, Ava did exactly what her brother suggested, she ended up taking a trip down to the thrift store just a block away. It was a pretty big one but there were so many clothes that she wouldn't wear at all, they were just plain right embarrassing to even be seen with. There's only a certain style that she'd always wear and she saw nothing of the sort anywhere along these racks of clothes. After flicking through them probably five times, she was stumped with nothing in her hands.

It was when her head momentarily turned towards the door that she noticed a particular woman walking in, one who didn't fit the type who needed clothes from a thrift store. She looked positively well groomed and dressed, as though she was from a family of wealth. The woman was African American if Ava was correct and she looked like a very nice lady from the way she acted. And, as expected, the woman placed a black clothes bag onto the counter in front of the clerk, letting the thrift store owner see. "I've come to donate these."

"Women's clothing." Ava clearly heard the clerk mumble and she got a glimpse of hope, they looked like clothes she'd wear. A spark flickered in her eye the moment she noticed the fedora hat being brought out; it must be her lucky day.

"Those are amazing." Avery complimented with a large smile on her face, slowly having walked up to the two women.

The woman donating them turned to her with a sad smile, "They are aren't they? They belonged to my daughter, Alicia. She passed away many years back, along with my late husband, Byron. The pair of them really had great taste in clothing."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Ava apologized for the loss the woman's had to deal with, only able to imagine what kind of pain she must have gone through during that rough time. She gestured over to a piece of clothing the clerk had just put on a hanger, "May I?" She asked. The clerk handed what she had seen over and it was an amazing black blazer that looked relatively new. Excitement ran through her when she held it, and when she looked at the tag closely, her eyes widened in shock, "This is a Monee Marcus – the female partner from the Devore line."

"Yes, it is." The woman was pleasantly surprised about the young woman's knowledge and it was a pleasure to see how much she seemed to like the clothing items. Taking a good look at her; June could sense that she had a rough life but there was that spark of longing for a freedom she had seen in Bryon's eyes long ago. "Bryon actually won it for Alicia from Sy Devore himself."

Ava was in pure shock, "Won it?"

June grinned with a chuckle, "He beat him at a backdoor draw."

"What?" She definitely liked this woman, "Your husband played poker with the Sy Devore?"

"He certainly did." June confirmed, but then leaned closer, as if she were revealing a secret, "And so did I."

"No way." Ava couldn't believe her but all she found was honesty in her words.

"Yes." The woman continued as Ava began taking off the jacket that was given to her back in the prison, wanting to try on this blazer so badly. "The guys would even let me sit in once in a while on a hand … and I was good." The first thing that Ava had taken notice of was the fedora hat. So, before putting on the jacket, she picked up the fedora and put it on her head – doing a small twisty move many used to do in the olden days. She knew it was a hat for a man, but she didn't care, she loved hats like this.

June watched with contentment when she really noticed how happy this young woman was with the hat and just the clothes she had brought in. Today had been a good day for choosing to give away some of the clothing she should have given away a long time ago. "I'm glad to see you appreciate these. I was hoping someone would and I've got a whole closet full of them." Referring to all the types of clothing she's brought in today.

The shocks just kept on coming.

"A whole closet?" Ava repeated, blinking in disbelief.

"Mm-mm." June mumbled with a nod, "Well, actually, it's a guest room but I haven't used it for anything except storage for years." Avery listened on while beginning to put on the Monee Marcus blazer over her white tank top, and it fit perfectly. Almost as if it were made for her specifically.

Memories for June started flooding back the moment Ava slipped comfortably into that blazer. "Oh, Alicia used to love wearing that one whenever we'd go out for dinner every Friday." Ava loved the fit of the blazer and she would definitely love to take it if it was being offered. She slipped her hands into her pants pockets, looking back up at the woman as she continued speaking. "The neighbourhood was … let's just say it was much nicer back then."

A little hope popped into Ava's heart the moment she mentioned the neighborhood. "You live nearby?" She inquired, remembering that the woman also said about a guest room. It was a long shot but anything was better than the dump her brother left her in just down the street. She wouldn't mind doing extra things to earn her keep too.

A small but curious smile started to rise onto June's lips, "Not far."

Avery shifted a little hesitantly but pushed herself to ask, "I'm actually looking for a place to stay; I can pay 700 a month but if there's anything you needed someone to do, I can do it and I'm a great houseguest. It's like you'll never know I'm there."

June pondered on the offer for a second but then made her decision, nodding. "I think it would be nice to have another person in the house after all these years." She didn't feel threatened by Avery at all and the young woman gave no indication of an ulterior motive. Byron was a felon – he taught her everything she needed to know about the other world of crime. Besides, the woman looks like she needed a home.

Avery looked very relieved, reaching out her arm in order to shake the woman's hand, "I'm Avery Daniels." She introduced herself politely, smiling with almost a beam on the edge of her cheeks.

"June Ellington." June shook her hand, excited that she's actually going to have someone else in the house other than her maid. Her granddaughter only came to visit during breaks in her schooling; she lived in a residence far across town but does call every couple of days. It gets quite lonely in a house as big as hers and it would be nice to share the place with someone else again.

Note: I am so glad I was able to get this finished before my Microsoft Word subscription ran out. I'll be getting a new one either tomorrow night or Wednesday. I'm heading back to the parents' tomorrow morning for two weeks now that Semester 1 is over with. But with the weather outside, I'm dreading tomorrow morning for sure.

IMPORTANT – The clothing that Avery will wear will be up on my Polyvore. I'm just putting up one, but she'll be wearing variations of what I have made. Her clothing will pretty much stay the same. Code – 'Avery Daniels – Threads of Trust'. My username for the site is 'x-lisa-anne-x'

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