Hello! I'm sooooo sorry this is later than usual. My dad's computer is busted, so I couldn't type anything. On the plus side, I'm typing from my new laptop I just got for my birthday! Woot! I'm so pumped! Now I can update more often! I bet you are all so happy now. Jk. Ok, here's my chappie!

Disclaimer: Don't own White Collar. But I own my new laptop :)

She sneaked a peak at the man next to her, smiling slightly at his worried face. Quickly, she turned her attention back to the object in front of her. Her fingers worked smoothly and efficiently, turning the tools in her hands with precision. A bead of sweat formed on her brow which was furrowed in concentration, her tounge sticking out of the side of her mouth. Finally, she heard the click, indicating her victory.

"Done!" she threw her hands in the air triumphantly, Neal's throwing his tools to the ground in frustration.

"Wow, she's got skills Caffrey," Diana laughed from the crowd that had formed around them. Kylie placed her lock-picking kit on the table next to her, and grinned.

"Beat you again," she teased as he scowled her way.

"Just because you can pick a lock faster than me doesn't mean you're a better con-man," he pouted. Kylie merely laughed at his face which was oozing defeat.

"It just means I really am better at something than you," she said. "Want to go again?"

"Bring it on," he accepted the challenge as an agent moved forward to change the locks. The whole thing had started when Neal had had to brake into an apartment to get some info on the man they were chasing. Kylie had mockingly said that she would've picked it quicker, which led to Jones mentioning the security section of the FBI. Said section included a whole area with different locks just waiting to be tampered with. So, here everyone was, watching Neal get his butt handed to him at picking locks of all things.

"Ready?" the agent looked at the daggers Neal and Kylie were shooting at each other. "Go!" and they were off. Kylie's slender fingers picked up her first tool, sliding it into place with ease. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Neal was ahead of her. She quickened her pace, and noticed Neal was heading in the wrong direction with this lock. With a smirk, she twisted and clicked until she heard the winning noise from within the lock.

"Done!" she yelled again, earning a smatter of applause and some impressed murmurs. She had beaten the lock everyone considered the toughest in less than 30 seconds. Neal sighed in defeat and ran a hand through his hair angrily.

"Damn it Kylie, you must be cheating somehow," he huffed. Kylie's smile disappeared.

"Oh, so I can't be good at picking locks?" she put her hands on her hips as they crowd 'ooed'.

"Yes you can. You just can't be better than me," he smiled. The crowd 'ooed' again.

"Sounds like Neal Caffrey can't handle the taste of defeat," Kylie smirked. "Gonna run to Peter and complain that a 16 year old girl can pick a lock faster than you?" the crowd then erupted in laughter as Neal's smile slowly vanished. "What? Can't handle what I dish out?" she grinned even wider. Neal just opened his mouth, then closed it again. "I finally silenced Neal Caffrey!" she pumped a fist into the air.

"Actually, I think I did," a voice sounded from behind her. Kylie hunched her shoulders, and slowly rotated to see Peter standing behind her, hands on his hips FBI style. She looked up at him, her expression like that of a child being caught in the act of scribbling on the walls with a permanent marker.

"Oh hey Peter!" she squeaked. His face was etched with lines, his mouth in his signature disapproving look. Kylie twiddled her thumbs behind her back as the agents scrambled to get back to work. Neal stayed silent from behind.

"What exactly is going on down here?" he asked. Neither spoke up. "I just made a breakthrough on the case, and when I leave my office to tell everyone, no one's there." He narrowed his eyes.

"Well," Neal started. Kylie looked over her shoulder to see Neal's charming face back on. "Kylie here challenged me to see who could pick a lock faster-"

"Hey!" she interrupted, "That's a lie! I never challenged him, I merely stated that I could-"

"So we came down here to complete her challenge-"

"Neal suggested we try it out to see who was better-"

"I didn't think it was a good idea at all but you know how she is-"

"He encouraged the whole idea-"

"ENOUGH!" Peter cut them both off, causing them to jump slightly. During their argument they had subconsciously moved closer to each other until they were standing right in front of each other, and at the sound of Peter's voice, they jerked away from each other, still throwing glares at one and other. Peter looked at them one at a time, then asked with a small smile, "Who won?"

To say the two con people were surprised would be a total understatement. Kylie's jaw dropped to the floor, while Neal's eyes widened and his head titled to the side a little. It took them a few seconds to regroup, and even then, Kylie's voice stuttered with disbelief.

"I-I did," she said. Peter's eyebrows raised.

"Really? You beat Neal at picking locks?" he inquired. Neal's shock vanished and was instantly replaced by a defensive manor.

"I'm convinced she must have cheated somehow," he piped up. Kylie's mouth opened to protest but Peter halted her with a raised hand before another argument could ensue.

"I want to see this," he smiled. "Jones!" he called the agent, who had been watching the whole time.

"Yeah boss?" he appeared by Peter in a matter of seconds.

"Change the locks. I want to see them go head to head," he nodded in the direction of Kylie and Neal.

"Sure thing," he smiled before hurrying off to switch the locks. Peter motioned towards the pair.

"Well? Get ready," he stepped back to allow them room to work. With a glance at each other, the competition was back on.

"Ready?" Jones asked as Kylie and Neal took their positions in front of the locks. "Go!" and they were off. Peter watched with interest, noting Kylie's smooth movements compared to Neal's jerky ones. It was as if he was too interested in winning, and not focused enough on the lock. With one look at Kylie's expression, he knew she was going to win. She was trying to get through to the fake prizes behind the door, while Neal was just trying to beat the teen. In a matter of seconds, Kylie had her hands up and a grin on her face. Neal groaned in frustration as she did a little victory dance.

"Nicely done Kylie," Peter nodded in approval. She smiled his way, and he felt his own mood increase largely. Her smile did that to him; it was so genuine it could make anyone feel better. He turned to walk back towards the elevator, but before he left, he glanced over his shoulder. "Oh, Neal," he called as the con man looked up at him with a sad look on his face, "if you're going to practice your picking skills, I'd rather you do it here rather than on a real house. I'll give you permission for the day. You're gonna need it." he laughed as Neal sent him a scowl.

"Best 9 out of 11?" Neal casually asked Kylie, though his eyes betrayed the glimmer of revenge.

"You're on Caffrey."

It feels so good to be writing again! I hope you guys aren't mad at me or anything. It's finally summer vacation, so I'm gonna be updating more. Please review if you liked it, or even if you didn't like it, whatever you want to say I'll listen. REVIEW! :)

-pugluv24