Disclaimer: I don't own White Collar

ATTENTION ATTENTION READ THIS:

I edited the last chapter, 'James'. I just changed it a little bit, nothing major, but I did not realize all the mistakes I made, so I had to redo it. Please go back and read it, it just moves so much smoother.

Also, this is the second, third, and fourth episodes of White Collar!

"I'm just saying, you would make a great model."

"SJ, my tolerance for you has never been very high, and right now you're pushing it."

"I've always been rather good at pushing things."

I narrowed my eyes at SJ, the pretty red-head grinned at me. It was science class and we somehow managed to get stuck as lab partners.

"Still, Katherine, you're tall-"

"SJ." I hissed. "Please drop it." I tried focusing on what the teacher was saying, but my attention kept wandering. I noticed a familiar head that was crowned with dark, uncontrollable hair a few chairs in front of me.

"Fine." SJ pouted, getting out a pink pen and writing down what was on the board. Ever since Fashion week in the city started, it was all SJ wanted to talk about. Apparently she had quite the knack for drawing and constantly doodled little designs on her notebook, scraps of paper, napkins-anywhere she could. This is what Kaiden tells me.

Now she's been trying to convince me that I could be a model. 'You're so tall, you'd look soooo good in (insert unrepeatable name here)!' is what she had said to me, first thing Monday morning when Fashion week started. I could not even pronounce the name if I wanted too. I rolled my eyes almost every single time she told me something similar to that. Just because I was tall, didn't mean I instantly became a model.

"Ms. Rider, do you know the answer?"

I looked up at the teacher, Mrs. Jones and everyone turned to look at me.

Including him. I caught him trying to mouth something, most likely the answer, but I ignored the boy.

"I wasn't listening, Mrs. Jones." I answered honestly.

She looked a little taken back, but she recovered quickly. Frowning a little, she let out a sigh. "Well at least you were honest with me. Can't say that about everyone else here though."

The other kids in the class gave out small cries of outrage, but she waved them off. "Just try to pay attention." She warned me, before choosing another kid to answer her question.

He still hadn't turned back, but instead was just staring at me.

I stuck out my tongue at him and then looked upwards toward the board. I tried to block out his annoying chuckles. Needless to say that I did not succeed.

After dinner, while I was begrudgingly washing the dishes, I eavesdropped on Elizabeth and Peter's conversation. There was a case about someone smuggling inside a dress or something. My hands slowed down scrubbing the plates in order to listen.

Elizabeth's pleasant tones make their way to the kitchen, "You meet this guy in Central Park. And you give him the dress and he gives you the girl."

"That's about the size of it." Peter said.

"I'm really glad you got into the White Collar division where nothing exciting happens." Elizabeth said facetiously.

I snorted rather loudly and then began to scrub the dishes hurriedly, not wanting to attract attention. After several moments I tried focusing on their conversation again.

"It's my old watch... I-I-I love my new one though." Peter said.

"Come on honey," Elizabeth replied, "It's big, it's clunky, it moves around your wrist. And I mean, it's beautiful, but it's not you. Take this."

I heard rustling and movement, before Elizabeth spoke again, "I need you to be Agent Peter Burke tomorrow, and this, this is you… Besides, when all of this is over with, I need you home at 6 right on the dot."

Everything was quiet for a while after that.

"Kat, are you listening?" I heard Elizabeth ask suddenly.

I froze, realizing that I had been scrubbing the same plate for a while. Voice squeaky, I answered reluctantly, "Maaaaybeeee."

There were chuckles, and I went back to finishing up the dishes.

"A Bible?" I repeated, my fork pausing in midair. "Why would… someone steal a Bible?"

"That's what we're trying to figure out." Peter said, digging back into the dinner.

I raised an eyebrow. "Stealing from a church, that's…" I trailed off when Elizabeth gave me an interested look. I stayed silent, trying to move over the uncomfortable atmosphere.

"Are... are you..." Peter tried to say.

"Am I religious?" I filled in. I stared down at my plate, feeling a little less hungry. "My…" I took a deep breath, "...mother was religious. I just haven't been to church in a while, I guess."

Elizabeth, thankfully, swerved the conversation away, telling Peter about her day.

"I'll be upstairs if you need me." I said slowly, interrupting their conversation. I stood up from my seat, my eyes dull, and walked back towards my room. Neither one of them called after me.

The day after my 'spiritual' conversation with Elizabeth and Peter was surprising, to say the least.

I was in my room, trying to study for the upcoming finals in my classes. School was going to end soon.

It had been three and a half months since I've come to live with the Burkes, and I've been wondering if perhaps that the whole Antonio/Arnold/Whatever his name was fiasco was officially over.

I would go back to the foster home then.

The front door opened and I jumped up in surprise. I quickly got up from my seat at the desk and walked out of my room. I peered down the stairs, "Hello? Elizabeth is that you?" I jumped my way down the stairs and was almost pleasantly surprised.

"Peter. Caffrey." I said, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"

"We're working." Peter answered sternly.

"On the missing Bible case?"

Peter sighed, "Kat-"

"Can I see?" The words left my mouth suddenly, interrupting Peter. Studying for chemistry was killing me. I needed a break, and what better way than to work on something else?

"No."

"Oh come on," Caffrey came to my rescue, "Just let her sit with us while we work it, it'll be fine."

I stared Peter straight in the eyes, making my own wide. I tilted my head to the side just a little bit and offered up a small sheepish smile, "Please?" I pleaded. Although I hated having to pull the puppy-dog eyes, it was my best shot.

A few minutes later, I was sitting at the end of the table, farthest from the living room, watching Neal and Peter eat and work on the case.

I tried my hardest not to interrupt with my own questions or ideas, although my ideas were very few. However, every now and then, when Peter wasn't looking, Caffrey would catch my eyes and gave me a smile.

I'd like to say I did not blush whenever he did.

I would be lying.

You know, I respected Caffrey a lot, and I mean a lot, what he's done was impressive, but the fact that Peter caught him impressed me even more.

But don't tell either one of them I said that.

"She's about Paul." Peter said, "And she's two degrees away from our homeless guy. But I also have trouble buying the fact that an attractive history professor 'offed a mobster."

I narrowed my eyes at the slightly sexist comment. I opened my mouth to express my opinion, but just then the front door opened, and Elizabeth walked in.

"No, you don't want me to see the missing inventory. Because if I come down there, there's be a lot more than missing centerpieces. You got that?" The usually kind woman practically growled into her cell phone.

"Okay, maybe its not a complete stretch." Peter added, sharing a look with Caffrey.

"Hey guys!" Elizabeth greeted cheerfully , "Sorry, um, its just my vendor." She explained, putting her cell phone away.

"They were just discussing if females are capable of murder." I told her. "According to Peter, the more attractive a woman is, the less likely she is to murder."

"Wah- I didn't say that." Peter replied. He looked at Elizabeth, "I didn't say that, El."

I rolled my eyes. "So was it the fact that she was a pretty woman, or that she was an educated woman that made her unable to kill someone?" I was twisting his words a little bit, but I couldn't help myself. I was bored, and annoying Peter seemed like a good past time.

Caffrey chuckled as Elizabeth turned to look at Peter.

Peter glared at me and pointed a finger upstairs, "That's it, go upstairs."

"What?!" I cried out. "No way, things are just getting interesting."

Peter glared at Caffrey, "I get the feeling that somehow you're already a bad influence."

"Well, I'm just saying that women are perfectly capable of murder." I declared, trying to distract Peter from forcing me to go upstairs.

"I agree." Elizabeth added a little too whole-heartedly. "What's the issue here though?"

Peter pointed to Caffrey, seemingly forgetting that I was still in the room.

Caffrey hopped on the chance. "Alright, I-I think we're dealing with a shell game." He stood up and grabbed the empty cups on the table; picking up a napkin and cleaned out any remaining liquids.

"Visual aids, nice." Peter commented.

"Big Gulp is Paul, dead mob guy, coffee cup is Steve, our homeless vet, and mug is Maria," Neal flipped each of the cups over, "Napkin's the Bible."

"Make Maria the saltshaker." Peter said.

"Maria's the mug. Watch." Neal said sternly. He picked up the Big Gulp. "We'll start with Paul, who for some reason reads Maria's book and realizes that the Healing Bible is worth a hell of a lot cash." He put the cup over the napkin. "But, it's also Barelli's pride and joy. He doesn't wanna risk Barelli's wrath." Neal begins to move the cups, switching up their places. I try to keep a close eye on the cups. I knew that he was going to pull a trick.

Neal continued, "So he gets Steve to steal the Bible."

"Plausible deniability." Peter figured out.

"But if it doesn't work," Elizabeth started, "Then he lets the homeless guy take the fall. Well that's evil."

"It's always the homeless people." I murmured. "Always letting the little guy take the fall." My tone was bitter and I saw Peter pay me a glance out of the corner of his eye.

"He takes the Bible from Steve, calls Maria to make the deal. Something happens." Neal begins switching up all three of the cups now, a steady rhythm going. Peter gets up from his chair. "Yeah, the deal goes down wrong, or Paul decides he wants both the cash and book."

"A shuffle game, really?" I scoffed. "While I admire the choice in such a classic, there's a simple trick to it." Once Neal stopped shuffling, I stood up and reached over the table; knocked over all the cups except the mug. "Big Gulp guy is dead, right? And Bible is gone, so who does that leave?" I picked up the mug, ready to grab the napkin underneath it, but there's just a crumbled up twenty dollar bill.

"What?" I asked, my tone full of disbelief. Where did the napkin go?

Neal laughed.

"How did-but I didn't see-"

Neal grabbed the money, pocking it. He just gave me a smirk and settled back down in his seat. "Never reveal your secrets." Elizabeth replied cunningly, sitting back down as well.

"Well how do we get Maria to reveal hers?" Neal asked.

I sat down, but I kept a close eye on Neal. He managed that trick while I wasn't looking, and I was very curious to how he pulled that off. Slowly, a small smirk grew on my face.

"If I stretch it, I might be able to get a warrant to get into her place." Peter said.

"You know, if she's smart, she's not gonna have that Bible anywhere close to her." Elizabeth added. I nodded in agreement.

"El I've never seen this devious side."

"Don't cross me." She told Peter, adding a wink.

Neal confirmed, "Elizabeth's right about the Bible she won't keep it close."

"I've got it." Peter said, "She knew who you were. Neal Caffrey, master forger."

"Alleged." Neal comment.

"Liar." I coughed into my hand. He glared at me.

Peal continued, ignoring Neal and I. "If she's got the book, it links her to the murder. She's gonna wanna get rid of it. We've got the usual channels locked down. But is she thinks that you might be interested…"

"Convince her I'm pliable."

"We find some street contacts, float it out that Caffrey is back in business." Peter suggested.

Neal shook his head, "No, that could take time to reach her and there's no guarantee."

Elizabeth chimed in then, "Why don't you just ask her out?"

My eyes widened a little bit and I stared at her. Peter and Neal did the same, shooting her looks.

After a pause, Peter said, "That could work. Think she'll say yes?"

At the same time, Neal said, "That could prob-"

Elizabeth confirmed, "Yes."

However, I too answered this at the same time, even though I did not mean for the word to slip out. "Duh."

Peter glanced at his wife and then turned towards me at my words. Neal looked over at me, a little surprised at my words, but smiling all the same.

I felt my ears heat up and I casually looked anywhere but them. "Uh-" I started out, but stopped myself. "I've got homework…" I trailed off, getting up quickly. I walked past Neal and Elizabeth, going through the living room to get to the stairs, but I stopped before I got too far. "Oh wait," I said, pausing. I turned back and threw something onto the table. "This needs to get thrown away."

As I walked away, I heard Neal chuckling, and Peter repeating how already I was being influenced by him. I heard Elizabeth tell him, "Honey, she was already like that."

On the table, was a crumbled napkin. The same napkin that Neal used for the trick.

Two days later, in the early morning, while I was half-asleep and lying sideways on the couch, Peter walked in, tightening his tie.

Elizabeth, who was already dressed and typing away on a laptop, claimed, "You're up early."

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep. Big day." Peter struggled to tie his tie correctly, and started all over again.

With a laughing tone, Elizabeth pointed out, "I can tell. You're wearing your lucky tie. Hey, did you find the Bible?"

I perked up, interested and curious.

"Yeah, the professor had it." Peter answered.

"I knew it!" I called out from the couch softly. I sat up, looking at Peter in amusement, "I'd offer to help you with your tie, but I only know how to knot a bow-tie."

"Where'd you learn how to do that?" Peter inquired, looking down at me.

I shifted uncomfortably. "A bet." I answered swiftly. "So, what are you going to do about the Bible?"

"Ah, Neal's gonna buy it back."

"You're giving him money. Wow." Elizabeth said, sounding surprised. I was surprised too. Elizabeth glanced back at him, "No wonder, lucky tie."

I repeated, "Neal's gonna buy it back. So you're going to give the conman money. That's…" I rolled my eyes and laid back on the couch, "That'sgreat. Not that I'm not root'in for Caffrey, obviously since the whole 'thieves' honor' thing."

Peter scoffed, "No way. We set up a fake wire transfer… And don't think that I didn't notice that comment, Katherine. I'll have you know, I'm 3-0."

His wife turned around in her chair completely to face him. "Peter, what are you worried about?"

"He has to convince her he's working for us." Peter admitted. "Which means he has to cut his anklet for real. Book's worth a fortune, he could run with it."

I let out a whistle, which made Satchmo's ears perk up. "Woah, no wonder you're worried. Hell I'd be worried too."

Elizabeth sighed while she stood up and walked over to Peter, finally fixing his 'lucky' tie. "Well, you have a lot more faith in a ratty old tie than you do Neal."

Peter stood patiently, "Yeah, well this ratty old tie has never forged a priceless map of Vinland."

"Where's Vinland?" I wondered, not really expecting an answer. Which is good, considering I didn't get one.

"Why is it so hard for you to believe he'd do the right thing?" Elizabeth inquired.

Peter snorted, "Let's just say that's not his first instinct."

I sat up again, staring at the couple. "Neal Caffrey single-handedly broke out of a high security prison-props for that-for a girl. Completely stupid." I let my slight disgust slip out of the mouth. "Who knows what else he'd do for her? Why wouldn't he take the book and just run? He'd head straight for that girl, probably."

Elizabeth looked at me and asked, "I thought you were rooting for Neal?"

"I am." I grinned at her. "Doesn't mean I'm gonna have a thumbs-up on all of his decisions." I scoffed internally. Escaping a prison for love, while romantic, just isn't smart. And getting caught again, that's just plain stupid.

"Peter," Elizabeth began, "While that might be Neal's first instinct, I know that trust isn't yours."

The FBI agent scoffed again. "Occupational hazard. I'd like to know I can count on something."

"I know you do. But sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith." Elizabeth's emphasis on 'leap of faith' caught my attention and I couldn't help but think that perhaps it had to do with something else.

"I did let a teenage delinquent live inside my house." Peter pointed out. He and Elizabeth kissed briefly before she walked away towards the table. Peter let out a breath, seemingly thinking deeply.

I gazed at the two of them, wondering what Elizabeth had been hinting at.

"Thanks for that, by the way."

"What?" Peter asked, looking down at me.

"The house thing." I crossed my arms over my chest. "I'm not saying it again." I said stubbornly. I stood up and walked away, giving Satchmo a pet on the head along the way.

"So…" I started out, making Peter and Elizabeth pause while we ate our dinner. "I was wondering… Have you've caught all of Antonio's men?" I decided to get straight to the point. I was referring to the whole reason why I was even at the Burkes. For 'protection'.

Peter slowly put down his fork. "Well," He said, looking at Elizabeth. She nodded at him and he turned to me.

"We already caught them."

My jaw dropped. "What?" I asked. "What!?" I repeated angrily.

"Kat." Elizabeth said firmly, attracting my attention. Still my anger slowly grew. I had people who possibly wanted to harm and they never told me that they had already caught them.

But the again, I hadn't really thought about them a lot to be honest, I had been so busy with school, and finding Kaiden, and sneaking out, and the whole Caffrey thing that it had been on the back burner of my mind until recently.

"Kat," Elizabeth repeated gently. "We have something we want to tell you."

"I'm leaving?" I filled in, keeping my tone completely void of all emotions. "Alright. Soon or at the end of the school year?"

"W-what?" Elizabeth stuttered, "No, no, no, Kat, listen. We want you to stay."

"Please stay!"

"I'll be back soon, sweetie."

…

"Promise?"

"I pro-

"You want me to stay?" I whispered to myself, not even noticing that Peter was explaining something to me.

I stood up from my seat, and stared down at my plate. I interrupted Peter, asking, "Why would you want me to stay?"

Peter's face showed some emotion that I couldn't place-doubt, reluctance or whatever-, Elizabeth had a small, yet serious, smile on hers. "Would you believe us," Peter glanced at Elizabeth and then glanced at me, meeting my eyes completely, "If we say we like having you here?"

I didn't know what to say.

I honestly didn't know what to do.

The foster home was all I had known for a long time and no one has ever said that they liked having me around them, except Suzie and Kaiden.

"No." I replied stubbornly, causing Peter to let out a small scoff. "But that doesn't mean it's not true." I added after a pause.

I took a step back, pushing my chair out of the way and very quickly walked out of the room. I needed… time.

A Week Later

I was currently trying my best not to make a woman cry and let me tell you that that is not as easy as it seems. Elizabeth's good friend's, Dana, husband was convicted of smuggling gold or something. I kinda tuned everything out after a while and just nodded a couple of times. Elizabeth and Dana were at the kitchen table, Dana drinking a glass of something alcoholic while Elizabeth held her friend's hand every now and then.

I was trying not to bring up any painful subjects by being completely silent. I was stuck in the kitchen, making a sandwich because I had gotten hungry while sitting in my room, studying the fi-

The front door opened, and Peter walked in. "Hey honey, hey Dana." He greeted, locking the door behind him. He walked quickly into the dining area, "How you holding up?"

Dana's head bobbed up and down, "It's hard you know. The worst is the not knowing."

I crossed my fingers that Peter wouldn't make her cry. I finished putting my sandwich together and focused on their conversation again.

"He's still charged. It still looks pretty bad." Peter said, sitting down next to Dana. I rolled my eyes, Great going Peter, that'll cheer her up.

The look Elizabeth gave Peter was priceless and I tried not to let a laugh out.

"There's some evidence anomalies. Someone may have planted his prints on the gold."

"So you mean he really was framed." Dana said.

"Possibly." Peter added. "I'm curious. Did he have drinks with anyone recently?"

I saw Dana's reaction and blanched. Quickly, I compiled my food onto a plate and readied myself to hightail it out of there the first sign of tears.

I didn't see Dana, but I heard sobbing and managed to catch Peter's eye. For a moment, my face was as shocked as his before I glared at him and mouthed, 'Look at what you did.' Quickly then, I rushed upstairs, taking my food with me.

I did not want any part of this. I just wanted-

I paused, standing right outside my door. What exactly do I want? I shrugged off my uncomfortable feelings and walked into my room, softly closing the door behind me.

"You're leaving?"

Peter and Elizabeth looked surprised as I poked my head through the door, whispering. "Well?" I asked, my tone cutting a bit short.

Peter said, "Kat, what-"

"Take me with you."

"Kat!" Elizabeth reprimanded.

I turned to Elizabeth, "Girl time, right? You want to finish watching the movie?" I needed air. I needed to move and 'prance' about. I refused to miss out an opportunity. "Let me go out with Peter, give you and Dana some real quality time to… talk." I finished lamely.

"No, listen-"

"-Peter-"

"Katherine." He cut across me firmly. "I'm not going to take you anywhere! Just-"

"No, no, Peter, this is a good idea." Elizabeth said softly, reminding me that Dana was in the living room. "This could give you two some time to bond."

"It's almost dark outside." Peter protested.

Elizabeth glared at him, but it was my voice that spoke. "Peter please."

The two adults turned to look at me. My cheeks slightly flushed, I said, "I'm not saying it again."

Peter raised an eyebrow, "All your schoolwork done?"

"Most of it."

He seemed to think for a moment before sighing. "Fine," He relented, "Fine, just go get-"

I already entered the mudroom and closed the door softly behind me. I already had my shoes on me.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said to the both of us. She gave Peter a kiss and gave me a hug, which I accepted gingerly. Elizabeth left the mudroom.

I turned to Peter. "Well?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Are we gonna go, or what?"

We were in the car, driving around, when Peter asked me, "So… How's school?"

I noticed immediately how uncomfortable he sounded. "How's the case?" I asked in return.

Peter sighed in relief, feeling more relaxed and in his element with his job. "Like I said before, evidence anomalies, but no solid concrete stuff. However…" He trailed off, focusing on driving.

"However?" I repeated, trying to get his attention back.

"Neal found evidence, a possible lead." Peter said shortly.

I leaned back in my seat, "That's good, right? Caffrey's helping out, right?"

Peter scoffed, "Yeah, it would be, if he actually had gotten it legally."

"Oh no." I murmured, feeling amused. "What'd he do?" I questioned in a slight playful tone.

Peter explained to me what Neal did with only a few breaks from my interruptions. Once done, Peter sighed.

"So, where are we going?"

"I was planning-"

"Could we visit Caffrey?"

"Katherine!" Peter called out, slamming on the brakes for a red light.

Innocently I said, "What did I do?"

Peter furrowed his eyebrows and turned towards me, ready to tell me off.

"Light's green." After I pointed that out, two loud honks were filling our ears.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I got it!" Peter called out, waving his hand behind him and to the other cars. We started moving again, driving along the New York streets.

"You and Neal can work on the case." I suggested slyly. "I'll just sit and listen."

He scoffed, "That's not exactly something you should be listening to."

I pouted briefly before admitting, "I'm trying."

"Trying to do what, drive me insane?"

"I'm trying to… fit in?" I switched at the last second, but my voice went up anyway. I couldn't look at Peter.

"That's one thing you've got going for you," Peter told me. "You stink at lying."

"Tell me about it." I muttered. We took a sudden turn. "Where are we going?"

"I've got to get something at the store."

"And after that?"

Peter glanced at me, paused, and then answered, "We'll head over to Neal's."

I tried to keep my fist-pump discreet.

"Saw that."

We stood in front of the door that led into Caffrey's apartment. Luckily, when June had let us in, she didn't give any hint that she recognized me, accept for the small smile directed towards the top of my head.

As a small rebellion I had worn the fedora that she had bought me. Peter had mentioned it while we were walking to his car earlier.

"What's that on your head?" He asked gruffly.

"A fedora." I answered, bouncing a little.

"It looks ridiculous."

"It was a gift. Sort of." I added, after thinking about it.

Peter gave me a funny look, "When did you get it?"

I froze, "A little while ago." I answered, not bothering for specifics.

"Hmm." Peter murmured, staring at me for a moment before unlocking the car and getting in.

"Alright," Peter started, bring me out of my reverie. "I don't want any trouble from you."

Cheekily, I said, "What, me? What harm could I possibly do?"

Peter grumbled before knocking on the door.

"Hey M- my man." Neal fixed quickly as he opened up the door. He glanced down at me, even more shocked, "And my lady." He added.

I rolled my eyes.

"Expecting somebody?" Peter inquired, noticing Neal's mishap.

"Not at all."

"Good." Peter barged in, forcing the bottle of wine he had gotten from the store into Neal's hands.

"Come right in," Neal said after Peter already walked in.

"Thanks." I said, entering the impressive room. "Impressive." I told Neal.

While Neal looked a little annoyed at us walking in practically uninvited (He did say come on in) he grinned when he noticed my hat. I ignored him and walked further into the apartment.

"Unbelievable." Peter said. He walked towards the fridge and placed the beer he had inside. "Last time we had a drink, we made a breakthrough. Hoping tonight we can solve the whole damn case."

I snorted very unlady-like. Neal casted me a look and I told them, "Don't mind me, I'm just sick of the crying." I sat down in one of the chairs at the table. "And don't worry, if Peter has too much to drink, I can drive him home."

Peter stared at me, "I'm not going to have too much to drink and I would never let you drive."

"You have your license?" Neal asked me, relenting and grabbing a wine glass.

My eyes wide and said slowly, "Sure." My voice went up a pitch or two at the end of my sentence, attracting Neal's attention. Slightly amused, he asked, "Really? How old are you?"

"15." I answered solidly.

"Can't get a license til you're 16." Peter pointed out, sitting down at the end of the table.

Caught in a lie, I shrugged my shoulders and looking down at my hands, "That's true. Doesn't mean I can't drive though."

"Where'd you learn how to drive?" Peter asked me.

"Don't you two have a case to solve?" I asked, letting my annoyance show.

Neal sat down and started to pour himself a glass. "So Dana still at the house?"

"Yep." Peter answered readily.

"Oh yeah." I added.

"Here's to freeing Captain John Mitchell, so we can go back home." Peter sipped at his beer.

"I'll drink to that." Neal said under his breath.

There was a sudden knock on the door and Neal stood up quickly, "I'll get that, probably June."

I didn't pay any attention to when Neal opened the door and focused on the skyline outside. An unfamiliar voice that was definitely not June's, caught my attention. "Photocopy of a pawn ticket, but I got this coin."

Peter set down his beer, his face turning serious.

I leaned back in my chair, trying to get a good look at whoever was at the door.

"Sorry, Mr. Haversham." Neal announced loudly. "June isn't here at the moment."

"Oh well, uh, too bad. Tell her I look forward to our next round of drinks and Parcheesi."

"Yep!" Neal called out, ready to close the door.

"Hang on a second." Peter said, getting up.

I watched eagerly, already struggling to hold back a laugh.

"Oh I'm sorry, apparently I'm interrupting something." The man at the door said.

"Who are you?" Peter asked.

"I'm the neighbor… Dan...te Haversham. Dante Haversham."

"And you're dating June?"

"Uh, courting! Courting… She, uh, likes a little cream in her coffee." The man came up with.

I snorted and starting to quietly chuckle.

Peter turned to Neal, "You really wanna keep this up?"

"No I don't."

I called out to them, "No, please, carry on, this is hilarious." I stood up, grinning. "I haven't laughed this much since art class."

Neal gave me a glance very quickly before admitting to Peter, "No, you're right, Peter, this is-"

"Hold on," Peter interrupted. "I think I already know… How about I just call you Mr. Haversham?" After a pause, Peter waved him through, "Come on in."

I finally got a good look at 'Mr. Haversham'. He was short, bald, and wore big black glasses.

"Thought you'd be taller." Peter observed.

"Me too." Mr. Haversham retorted.

"Well you're here." Peter murmured. He quickly patted him on the back, "Have a drink."

"Does this I mean I can have one too?" I called out.

"No." Peter shot me down immediately.

I let out a breath of relief. "Good, if you had said yes, I would have taken that can away from you."

Peter stood up and pointed his finger at me, "Stop the sarcasm."

"It's not sarcasm if I'm being truthful." I retorted back.

"I don't drink!" Mr. Haversham protested, drawing Peter's attention.

"Well you do tonight."

After a moment, Mr. Haversham walked into the room completely, leaving Neal at the door, "Gin's good." He told Peter.

I let out a bark of a laugh. "Hey," I greeted casually, raising my hand slightly.

"And you are?" Mr. Haversham asked, studying me.

"I'm the foster kid." I answered. "Most just call me Kat though."

Something crossed his face, but it went back too quickly for me to tell what it was. "Whose foster kid?"

I pointed to Peter, who handed Mr. Haversham a drink.

"There's a mini Suit?!" He exclaimed. Peter looked shocked while Neal just looked exasperated.

"I take great offense to that." I replied, feeling a little annoyed. "Never call me that again." I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him.

"I've never seen a Suit wear a hat like that." Mr. Haversham pointed out, mostly to himself.

"Oh for Pete's sake…" I grumbled. I removed the fedora I was wearing and set on the table roughly. "It's just a hat."

After a few cracked jokes, another mini-Suit name-calling incident, and a few glasses of alcohol, Peter and 'Mr. Haversham' were seemingly getting on quite well. They seemed to have a shared hobby: picking on Neal.

"Girl just leaves him an empty bottle!" Peter exclaimed, getting another drink.

"She should have at least left him a full one!" Mr. Haversham added, laughing.

"Guys, I'm right here." Neal said, sounding a little hurt.

I rolled my eyes, "Just an empty bottle though? That seems a little odd."

"It's symbol." Neal explained hurriedly.

"Fair enough, fair enough." Peter told him, leaning back in his chair. "Whoo, man. Look at that view. Is this why you guys do it? Is this what it's all about?"

I looked at the view. it was beautiful. It was just buildings to me. Nothing special. I never really appreciated art before. I smirked to myself, imagining what Neal would say if I admitted that to him.

As well, stealing for me wasn't about the things I got, it was just a way to pass the time, and make a little money while I was doing it. That, and it was pretty damn fun.

"It's not about the stuff." Mr. Haversham slurred slightly.

"Moz." Neal said, clicking his tongue to get his attention. Neal shook his head, cueing on him to stop talking.

But 'Moz' kept talking. "It's about doing what we wanna do. Who cares about 9 to 5's and 401k's? Playing by the rules only makes… borders that just take away everything that's good about living life."

"Moz, Moz." Neal tried again, "You lived in a storage unit."

"Yeah, but I lived there man. I lived. Long as I don't have to live under anyone else's time or dime. I'm a free man. I can do whatever I want."

"Like going to the pawnshop and getting that coin you have in your pocket?" Peter asked seriously, suddenly all business.

I let out a low whistle. "Busted."

"Come on, let's see it." Peter pushed.

Moz sighed and threw the coin up in the air towards Peter. The FBI agent caught it in his hand, and stared at it. "Ah, it's a hell of a thing."

"Islamic dinar from the Abbasid dynasty." Moz informed him. "Last seen in the museum in Mosul."

"How much?" I asked, leaning over to Peter and look at it.

Peter stared me down, "I really shouldn't even know about this-and you really shouldn't ask that." He looked at Neal, "Alisha's guilty, isn't she?"

"Looks like it."

"I'm holding damning evidence and I can't do a damn thing with it." Peter swore.

My eyes only widened a fraction. "...How much is it worth?" I repeated again, looking towards Moz/Mr. Haversham.

Just as he opened his mouth to answer me, Peter cut in, "D-Don't answer that. And you," He pointed a finger at me, "Stop asking questions like that."

I pointed towards the fedora, which was back on top of my head, "Maybe it's the hat." I deadpanned.

"Those are your rules, Tin Man. Not mine." Moz interjected.

"Come on, Peter, give me the coin." Neal ordered, holding out his hand.

Peter ignored him and chuckled, "I can see it now. FBI agent illegally obtains evidence. News at 11."

"Nah," I said, "It'd be at ten." I laughed and added, "That'd be a great story though." I let out a louder laugh, "Imagine if that what's-her face-reporter told it."

Everyone froze. Peter said slowly, "Wait, hold on a second."

"What?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

He grinned, turned to me, and said, "Maybe she can."

After a pause, I spoke. "Did I just give you an idea?" I asked, my mouth dropping in surprise. "Did I just help you on a case?" The corners of my mouth lifted slightly, "That's…" My face paled a little and my blossoming smile faded. I groaned, "Ah man. I'm practically turning into a mini-Suit."

Peter snorted and replied, "No, no you're not."

"So," I began, leaning back in my chair, "How are you going to do this?"

I watched, feeling content, as Dana and her husband left the house. Freaking finally. I stretched my arms over my head and sighed. I had the time to get in a quick nap.

As I walked back upstairs and to my room, I realized that there was something pleasant building up in my body. It took me a moment to realize that it was pride. I scoffed. I had offered one little suggestion that helped them on the case. They would have gotten to it sooner or later without me.

Never-the-less, I closed my door, fell onto my bed, and fell asleep with a smile.

THE END

What did you think?

Longest chapter to date, I believe, just something to celebrate hitting double digits in the chapter numbers! Yay!

Thank you for reviewing last chapter, and for all the new follows and favorites. My bae is finally watching White Collar, and is actually ahead of me. I haven't seen any of season 5, or the last of season four, I think. I'm waiting until my fanfiction catches up. Which, to be completely honest with you, might take a while.

As well, I'm not quite happy with how I ended the whole Antonio thing, but hey, what are you going to do about it? Hopefully this keeps you happy!

Anyway, please review!

With that out of the way, it's time to say-

-GP2 OUT!