Unintended Consequences

DISCLAIMER: White Collar and the awesome Peter Burke and Neal Caffrey belong to Jeff Eastin and USA Network and my life is better because of it : )

A/N: Ok, so finally it's time for the fireworks! I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think.

Peter really didn't want to have this discussion, but it appeared that both his wife and his partner were demanding answers. He couldn't begin to imagine what kind of paranoid delusions were going through Mozzie's mind at that moment.

Chapter 14

Peter's mind was whirling frantically trying to come up with a reason, any reason, why he wouldn't have to discuss this right now, but when he finally looked around there were three sets of eyes on him; all waiting to hear his explanation.

He pulled out a chair from the dining room table and moved it closer to the couch just to buy himself more time to think.

"I was at the warehouse for a ransom drop. It was supposed to be simple: drop the cash, rescue the hostage. You were supposed to be Frank. No one else was supposed to be involved. No one was supposed to get hurt. I give Frank the money, I get Grace. End of story, which it would have been if you hadn't been trying to play the hero. Everything was under control."

Neal uttered a guttural noise of apparent disbelief.

"If everything was under control, why did you feel the need to pull your gun? If it was a peaceful drop, your gun would have still been holstered."

"It turned out to be dark, I thought Frank would try to pull something and he did. My instinct was dead on in regards to Frank. You were the surprise."

"I had a perfectly legitimate reason for being there. It was in my 2 mile radius. I had everything under control until you felt the need to come in with guns blazing!"

"I did not come in there with guns blazing! I had my gun drawn because it was dark and didn't look like a typical drop for a kidnapping. I was prepared to meet a dangerous criminal which you appeared to be."

"So, now you're admitting I am a dangerous criminal? You are unbelievable. You shot me! Maybe you're the dangerous criminal."

Neal looked up at Peter betrayal evident in his eyes. Both Mozzie and Elle gasped at this revelation, but both Peter and Neal were too focused on being angry with each other that they didn't even notice.

"I can't believe you really shot me."

"You had a knife! What did you think I was going to do? The hostage was in eminent danger!"

"I was trying to rescue Grace. How was I to know you would be there?"

"You should have asked me for help. Then I would have known what was going on and we could have had a plan."

"My plan was fine. You messed it up. I would have been able to rescue Grace and get her out of there."

"I didn't know of the existence of your plan. Frank called the office with a ransom demand. It was an official FBI kidnapping operation. I had every right to be there. You called in sick."

"I was sick. I was sick with worry over Grace."

"So was I."

"Why would you even care about the wife of a criminal? You're too straight-laced."

"Because she's my sister and I would do anything to protect her!"

"Grace is your sister? This whole time I've known you, even when you were chasing me, I never knew you had a sister! You aren't anything alike."

"I'm well aware of that, ok? You really don't need to rub it in."

"Of course, I don't need to rub it in, just like you don't need to rub it in every time you mention if I don't solve a case I go back to prison!"

"You're still mad about that? Grow up! Actions have consequences; you have that anklet on because of choices you made. A deal's a deal."

"Perfect choice of words Peter, because this time it's your actions that have consequences and not just for you. What about me? You shot me. What if you had killed me? What would have happened then? What kind of repercussions are there for you? Obviously, it won't be an anklet, but maybe you'll get suspended or be put on administrative leave. What happens to me then? What if I really don't want to work with you anymore? How can I know you have my back when you clearly don't? I trusted you. You're the only person I trusted and you shot me! How…"

Peter did not feel the discussion was going well at all, but he held up his hand to get Neal to stop his bitter diatribe for just a moment.

"I know you are furious with me…"

"I'm sorry, was I being too obvious?"

Neal's voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"…and I can't say that I don't deserve it, but right now I am still in the middle of this case which you chose not to be a part of by calling in sick. I need some answers because you're the only one that can provide them and I need them now. I need to know whose side you are on. If we don't solve this case, and yes I mean we, then yes, there is the possibility that Hughes will take punitive measures, and then I don't know what will happen to either you or me."

"Maybe I should leave of my own choosing while I still have a choice."

"Neal, I need your help in solving this case. I..."

"You're just concerned about your precious closure rate dropping if I don't help you. Why should I care?"

"Because helping me makes you look good too. Every case we close goes into your file and is one more positive item that we can use if our agreement is called into question."

Peter held up his index finger to silence another one of Neal's retorts.

"Shh. No talking. Frank mentioned escaping with a painting and leaving a red herring for the FBI to follow. He said that the police would find a painting at my house and that he was leaving the country with the real painting. He said that it would appear that you and I had gone into business together and we would be accused of art theft. Frank said you forged a painting. I assume it's the painting that appeared at my house. I need to know Neal…did you forge this painting for Frank?"

Neal shifted on the couch and then groaned as his ribs were protesting the movement. He still refused to make eye contact with Peter, and Peter noticed.

"Neal, why aren't you answering me? You're silver tongue isn't working today?"

Peter had expected another sarcastic comment from Neal, but when Neal finally looked up at him it was with a look that could kill. Peter felt goose bumps break out all over his skin. He had always thought of Neal as non-violent, but with that stare Peter was a bit nervous. He had never felt threatened by Neal before; could he really be a dangerous criminal like Frank? Once a conman always a conman, right? No, that wasn't Neal. Neal wasn't a dangerous criminal. He had been able to talk Neal out of shooting Fowler. Neal was not a killer. Just stay calm Peter reminded himself and make sure he doesn't lift my wallet or my weapon. Just breathe. I've been in worse undercover situations before. Peter stole another glance over at Neal; the silence was becoming rather deafening, and the intensity of Neal's gaze was still giving him goose bumps. Did he dare proceed? Maybe he needed to be a firm father figure for Neal and not back down. Peter realized he had been rambling, but everything in his life right now seemed to be one disaster after another and he had reached his maximum level of frustration. How was it that when he tried to do the right thing and he tried to have all his bases covered, events always seemed to spiral out of control leaving him with unintended consequences? Peter knew he couldn't solve this case alone; he needed Neal's insight, but he still wasn't entirely sure which side Neal was currently on.

"Ok. Neal, since you refuse to respond, I'm going to take that as a 'Yes, Peter, I forged the painting'. You aren't giving me a choice. You keep asking me why I don't trust you. This is why I can't trust you. Can this painting be traced back to you?"

"Peter, I have a really bad headache because of you, could you tone it down just a bit? I can't concentrate."

Neal's words were very choppy and well enunciated almost as if he was spitting them out attached to venom meant to poison Peter.

"Neal, I know you did this. You forged the Vermeer. Do you know where the original is? What did you copy from?"

"The pink diamond was allegedly signed by me too, but I didn't do it. I really do get it Peter. You didn't trust me then and you don't trust me now. Well, let me let you in on a little secret. I can't trust you anymore either."

Neal's gaze retained its intensity and Peter was starting to wonder if the venom was actually real because his stomach was really starting to feel queasy.

"Stop misdirecting. I know you're upset about the shooting, but I'm being serious. You forged a painting! I could send you back to jail for this."

"See, there you go again, threatening me with prison. I'm really shaking in my fine Italian leather shoes; and taking Frank's word over mine? I can't believe you would trust him over me."

"Take Frank's word over yours? You aren't denying it, Neal! You are refusing to say anything. That leaves me no choice but to take Frank at his word. Besides, Frank was apparently hell-bent on taking you, me and Elle down. You can't do that by bluffing."

Neal was so mad he completely missed hearing Peter's use of the word 'was' in relation to Frank; mistakenly assuming Frank was still alive.

"Frank is still mad at me about the museum heist from a few years back. We had a difference of opinion."

"So that makes forging a painting acceptable?"

"I didn't say that."

"Of course you didn't, because you aren't saying anything useful that will help me solve the case! You're not helping matters here."

Peter knew Neal would always misdirect and skate around the truth, but he had never seen Neal this mad. Peter racked his brain what other tactics would possibly work with Neal.

"Frank was trying to draw me out and use the copy of the painting as a red herring. There's no way he would use the real painting for that. I know this was meant to be a forgery and I know you painted it. Deny you painted it to my face and I'll believe you."

Peter was pleading with the last sentence and looked hopefully into Neal's face. He was hoping beyond hope that Neal would just tell him he didn't do it, but the conman didn't say a word and that concerned Peter greatly. He was convinced that Neal knew more than he was telling. Peter also knew that getting any detailed information out of Neal would be like pulling teeth. Neal, on the other hand, had cooled off enough to realize with each passing moment that Peter was getting closer and closer to figuring it out. Neal was certain Peter wouldn't find any concrete evidence but Neal also knew anything he said would be used against him. Annoyed that Neal was stonewalling him, Peter couldn't keep his obvious frustration out of his voice.

"What was Frank's role in this? He obviously kidnapped his own wife, but what did he tell you he was up to?"

There was still no response from Neal. Peter tried a different subject.

"What's with the note? The police found a big bouquet of flowers on the table at my house. It had a note that said 'You don't know what you have until it's gone'."

"I didn't send Elle flowers, Peter."

"You have before. Somebody was sending me a message. Was it referring to me because Frank had this sick obsession with getting me fired or was it referring to his plan to take my wife?"

"I don't know."

"Why would we be in business together?"

Peter noticed a slight smirk growing on Neal's face; at least that was better than the death glare from earlier.

"I think we'd make a great team. I'd even settle for Burke and Caffrey as you mentioned at the bank. We could be like Frank and Jesse James."

Neal paused for a moment, a concerned look crossing his face.

"On second thought, that might not be such a good idea. I don't want anything to do with guns, and I'm not so sure I want you to be waving one around either after what happened. Well, at least we'd be smarter than the Apple Dumpling Gang."

Mozzie snorted loudly and convulsed into a laughing fit so hard that Elle felt the need to escort him into the kitchen to get him some water and help him calm down. Peter was trying hard not to laugh, but he was certain a smile was creeping onto his face. He was really mad at Neal, but the conman had a way with words. It was also kind of creepy that this incident had reminded them both of the bank heist situation. It made Peter wonder who else might be thinking along those same lines and believe it. He had to solve the case quickly before someone came forward with additional evidence that Frank may have planted.

"Yes, Neal. We would definitely be smarter than the Apple Dumpling Gang, but in all seriousness, we need to solve this case. Neal, I really need to know why Frank even came to you in the first place."

Neal was silent again. His misdirection had failed to distract Peter long enough to come up with a suitable explanation. His brain was failing to find any adequate words that wouldn't be a complete lie. He did not want to lie to Peter, but he also knew that Peter was never going to understand why he had felt the need to help Frank and forge the Vermeer painting. He hated the fact that he was a romantic at heart. If it had been anybody but Grace, he wouldn't have even considered it, but now it was too late. Not hearing a response from Neal, Peter continued thinking out loud hoping that Neal would jump in to defend himself.

"Frank wouldn't need you to steal anything. He could have that done by any flunky if he didn't want to do it himself. However, there must have been a certain skill he was after. Instead of going after you directly he does the next best thing and comes to you for help and then double crosses you."

Peter stopped and noticed that Neal was staring at the floor still not bothering to contradict anything he was saying – this was a very bad sign. Neal could lie through his teeth and make you believe it, but now he wasn't even trying to lie to Peter…worse, he wasn't even attempting to defend himself or deflect Peter's statements.

"Come on Neal. I need you to tell me the truth. I need to know what was going on with Frank."

"Why don't you ask him? If he wants to take me down so bad, he should be more than cooperative with information about me."

"Frank is dead Neal. Grace shot him."

"Grace shot him? I thought she shot you, I mean...I thought…"

Neal couldn't continue. He realized it was bad enough Peter had found out about the painting and he was already convinced Neal was guilty, but there was no way on earth he wanted to get into a discussion about why he had tried to protect Peter. Besides, it was very clear to Neal that at this very moment Peter was obviously not feeling grateful to Neal for saving his life.

"I've already heard Frank's side of the story. He told me while you were passed out, but I don't think it was the whole story. I want to hear your side; every story has two sides Neal and I want to hear yours."

"No, you don't."

Peter was about to let out a yell of frustration. It was probably a good thing that there was nothing in his hands that he could throw because Neal was definitely the intended target.

"Could you possibly be any more annoying? IF I DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR IT, I WOULDN'T HAVE ASKED YOU!"

Peter reminded himself to calm down and took a deep breath. He jumped a little when he felt Elle's hand rubbing his arm. She had apparently come back from the kitchen without him noticing and was standing beside him trying to help him calm down now.

"I want the truth, Neal. I want to know what's going on. What does Frank have on you? It's got to be big. I know if we have this painting authenticated it will not be Vermeer's actual painting. That's the only reason he would need your help. It was something big and important enough to attract your attention and give you a challenge; otherwise there would be no incentive for you. Did he pay you? What was in it for you? Why would you do something like this?"

Neal ignored Peter's questions and attempted to get up from the couch. He put one hand on the edge of the couch and pushed himself up. At least he was feeling much better than he had earlier. He took a few steps toward the door before he remembered Elle had taken his jacket off earlier. He turned around to look for it when he noticed that Peter had gotten up as well and was standing right behind him.

"Tell me you didn't do this Neal. Look me in the eye and tell me you didn't do this."

"You're going to have to be a bit more specific on what you think I did."

"Somehow you found out Grace was kidnapped, somehow you figured out where she was, and somehow you threw all common sense aside and forged a painting behind my back."

"You don't have proof that I sold this painting as the real thing. It showed up on your doorstep, so someone sold it to you as the real thing, but it wasn't me. You don't even have any proof that I painted it to begin with."

"I didn't buy it. It was delivered and it was signed for. It was not purchased by me. How did this become my fault?"

"Is this Peter asking or Agent Burke?"

"Why does that matter?"

"It does."

"If I choose to be Peter will you promise not to leave until we have resolved this issue?"

Neal didn't say anything, but Peter could tell he was thinking about it.

"Since we are at my home, for the moment I can be Peter, but you have to know that if you implicate yourself, it would be my duty as a private citizen, not just an FBI Agent, to take you in. You know that right?"

"I'm well aware of the parameters as well as the statute of limitations."

Peter let out a deep breath. Maybe Neal needed more of a fatherly figure's advice. He clearly wasn't getting anywhere just asking direct questions.

"Why couldn't you just have called me? We could have done this the right way. I get the feeling you forg…ah…copied this painting that was at my house because Frank asked you to, but I'm wondering why you would say yes."

"To use the word 'copy' would imply that I copied it from the original painting, which means you think I know where the original is. Neither is true."

Neal slowly walked back toward the couch. He felt Peter, Elle and Mozzie all looking at him. He would really prefer the earth opening up and swallowing him before admitting to anything, but he found himself wanting to explain what happened to Peter without directly implicating himself.

"I wasn't trying to hurt you Peter. I was trying to help Grace. She and Kate got along fairly well. I…I wanted to save her like I couldn't save Kate. I didn't know she was your sister. I didn't want you involved in something Mozzie and I could handle. I guess it doesn't matter anymore because you've already made up your mind about me. I'm sorry I let you down. May I go home now?"

"I want to help you Neal, I really do, but regardless of Kate and Grace's interaction, you went behind my back. You know if we find proof you had anything to do with this painting…"

Peter paused running his hands through his hair…He was trying to come up with a threat that would actually scare Neal, but his mind was so frustrated at the whole situation that he couldn't think clearly.

"Neal…look at me…"

Peter waited until Neal's eyes slowly rose to meet his, a little too reluctantly in Peter's opinion.

Neal knew he was really having trouble maintaining eye contact with Peter and he was sure Peter could see right through him; that Peter knew he hadn't told him everything. Peter had deduced fairly accurately what was going on so far. Neal's mind was frantically trying to create alternate possibilities; to figure out how to talk his way out of this situation, but he wasn't coming up with anything that Peter would believe, so he tried stalling.

"Peter, could you clarify exactly what you mean by anything?"

"Why do I even bother?"

"I never said I forged the painting, Peter. I just said I was trying to help Grace, so I was wondering if that qualified as 'anything'."

"I can't help you if I don't know what happened."

"I need you to listen as Peter because Peter would understand why I had to help Grace."

"I told you; I'm listening as Peter."

"If Mozzie hadn't intervened, it would have been Elizabeth too. Then you would have done anything to get her back. I know I failed Kate, but I was trying to make it up by helping Grace. I couldn't let her die too! I am hoping Peter will understand that."

Peter felt ashamed that he had completely forgotten of Elizabeth's peril for the moment while he had been focusing on being angry at Neal. Peter turned to Mozzie who had returned and was again sitting in a chair next to the couch.

"Thank you, Mozzie. I mean it. I don't know what I would have done if Frank had kidnapped Elizabeth."

"Thanks accepted, Suit. Mrs. Suit is a rare gem, you are lucky to have her."

"I know."

Elle reached down and put her arms around her husband's neck, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

The show of affection sent shivers down Neal's spine as he regretted not being able to kiss Kate one last time. He shrugged off the feeling, slipping a more confident mask in its place.

"Peter, regardless of how the painting came into being, I think we can use it to catch some of Frank's co-workers. If we can spread the word that I stole the original from Frank, what do you think they would do to get their hands on it? If Frank took off with it originally and that wasn't part of the plan, someone has more than likely been stewing about it for years. We can catch them if any of his accomplices are willing to do anything to get it back. If we dangle this painting as bait the original would not be at risk if something didn't work out."

"This is what you're giving me to work with? You won't admit to painting this work of art that's sitting in my living room, but 'oh by the way here's a way to put it to good use'? That's an interesting idea, but we still don't have the original. If we arrest them with this painting, there's no proof that they are trying to buy or sell it as the original. They could innocently claim it's just a copy and when they run the test it will be. The only way this would work is if the painting that we are claiming is real, for the purposes of this sting, is mysteriously replaced with the original during transport to the FBI offices after the arrest takes place."

"Did I just hear the great law abiding FBI Agent Peter Burke just allude to tampering with evidence?"

"Who, me? Never, but I'm betting a certain forger would be quite willing to tamper with a certain piece of evidence created by himself to keep himself out of jail."