A/N : So I've been busy, as you can see. To apologize and thank every single one of you that reviewed and followed this fanfic, here's a new chapter ! Thanks again !

Btw, when passages are written in italics, those are flashbacks.

DISCLAIMER : I own nothing.

FBI HEADQUARTERS, WHITE COLLAR DIVISION.

NEW YORK CITY.

11:16 AM.

The bullpen was reminding Diana of an extremely busy beehive : everybody had something to do. And they didn't hesitate to push away anyone who dared cross their way. Even if that person was their boss. Diana watched, amused, as Peter glared at some agents, walking toward the young woman.

Her arms crossed, she cocked an eyebrow and asked, smirking:

"Still thinking this is a good plan?"

"Yeah, there's just a lot of things left to do. And we only got two hours." Peter shot a quick look, adding "There's no backing out of it, now."

"Who said anything about backing out?" Diana said in a teasing tone.

Peter chuckled and rubbed her back in a soothing way. He sighed and walked toward his office, the young agent on his tail. As they entered the office, Diana closed the door behind her and asked:

"What about Neal?"

"What about him?" Peter asked, frowning as he sat at his desk.

"Won't he get a little suspicious if he came in and saw that the precinct was empty?"

Peter crossed his arms on his chest and smirked, leaning back in his chair:

"I already took care of that.

MEANWHILE,

RIVERSIDE DRIVE, MANHATTAN,

NEW YORK CITY.

"What do you mean by we won't be bother by Mr Suit and his friends?" Mozzie asked.

Bryce sighed as he shrugged on his leather jacket and watched his reflection. It felt weird : wearing a pair of jeans, a white V t-shirt, his leather jacket and combat boots felt weird to Bryce. Well, he did spent two years wearing suits, ties and fedora hats to impersonate the international con man Neal Caffrey. Bryce Larkin had died. And with the help of some clothes and surprising guests, he had been resurrected.

He snapped out of his thoughts when someone snapped his fingers in front of the man's face. Bruce raised his eyes and met Alex's brown eyes. The brunette shook his head and said, frowning his eyebrows:

"Huh?"

"Mozzie asked if we're sure that FBI agents won't bother today." Alex explained

"Oh! Y-yeah. Peter sent me a text earlier, saying that they won't need my skills, today" The former CIA agent answered as he pocketed his cellphone and put his gun on his belt, hiding it with his shirt. "For once, I'm not offended."

Chuck snorted, making Bryce look up. As his brown eyes met Bryce's blue eyes, Chuck just shook his head. The brunette cocked an eyebrow then decided to ignore his former best friend. Chuck cleared his throat, walked toward Alex, a mic and a tape of scotch in his hands then asked:

"Take off your shirt."

As the young woman cocked an eyebrow and Bryce started laughing, Chuck blushed furiously and facepalmed, stuttering:

"That's not what I-I meant. T-that came out wrong-"

"So wrong" Bryce interrupted in a teasing voice.

"It w-would be b-better with you took it o-o-off, so-"

"What would Sarah think of it?" Bryce continued, then turned to Alex "You should be scared, Lex : his future wife is a killing machine."

Chuck glared at Bryce, who was still laughing and making poor jokes. The brunette rolled his eyes, took the tape and mic out off the nerd's hands and walked toward the female thief, explaining:

"He meant that placing a mic on you would be easier if you didn't have your shirt on."

Alex raised her eyebrows and asked, crossing her arms against her chest:

"Why would you to place a mic on me?"

"Because we need to, now stop being a brat and take it off." Bryce retorted, annoyed.

Alex glared at him, which made him roll his eyes, then took off her top, muttering under her breath. Bryce teared a piece of tape with his teeth, then stuck it between her breasts, wrapping the wire around her waist before placing another piece of tape on her skin. He threw her shirt back at Alex and gave her a small plastic and transparent earpiece. Alex eyed the device a few seconds then stared at Bryce only to see that he was staring back at her. The brunette signed and put it on her ear, ignoring Bryce's smug grin.

Chuck imitated the brunette by putting his earpiece on as he raised from his chair. His phone suddenly started buzzing at the time as Bryce's went off. The ex-con man shot a quick look at the device then declined the call after hesitating for a few seconds. When he put his phone back in his pocket and lift his head, his eyes met Mozzie's. Clearing his throat, the older man crossed his arms against his chest and said:

"Let me guess : you just ignore your really hot girlfriend, who happened to be worried about you at the moment and is very scary when upsted."

Bryce rolled his eyes but didn't answer, putting his earpiece on. The young man took a deep breath before turning toward his... 'team', and clapping in his hands to catch their attention:

"Alright, so does- where the hell is Chuck?!"

Each looking around the small apartment, there were no sign of the spy. Suddenly, Bryce felt his phone buzzing in his pocket. He took it out and groaned when he read the text:

FROM: Chucky B.

Sry. Had to go. Ellie needs me. Don't worry, I'm not backing down. See u.

Bryce rolled his eyes and muttered, running his fingers through his hair in frustation:

"You have got to be kidding me."

MANHATTAN AT TIMES SQUARE HOTEL,

NEW YORK CITY.

11:47 AM.

"You know, by the way you rushed here to help me pack, it kinda feels like you want me gone." Ellie teased her brother, foilding some clothes.

Chuck emerged of the bathroom, carrying towels and skin products in both hands. He put it on the bed and said, looking up at the older woman:

"It's because I kinda do want you out of here."

Ellie froze and her gaze met his. Chuck mentally kicked himself and swore under his breath when he saw hurt in Ellie's eyes. The nerd sighed, ran his fingers through his hair and said:

"You know I don't mean like that, El'. I love you, that's why I want you out of New York. You know, with Roark possibly targetting you and all."

"Bryce told you."

"He didn't have to." he retorted, closing the last of her suitcases. "I just wished you would have told me."

Ellie sighed and sat on the made bed. Chuck sat next to her and she immediatly put her head on his shoulder. The CIA agent kissed the top of her hand and took of her hand in his. Ellie muttered, playing with her brother's fingers:

"When did everything became so complicated?"

"That's the $1.000.000 question, sis'."

Ellie suddenly snorted, making Chuck frown at her. She raised her head so she could look at him, a smile on her face. She said:

"I'm your big sister. I should be the one looking out for you. Not the other way around."

"I don't think you're the one with a CIA badge, license to kill and a super-computer in your head." The nerd teased and chuckled as she rolled her eyes "Stop worrying so much, I'm fine. Everything's going to be fine. I've got Casey, Sarah, Bryce and freaking feds having my back. Huh, even conmen!"

The brunette laughed, quickly imitated by her brother. She shot a quick look at her watch and sighed as she stood up, running her fingers through her hair. Chuck stoop up as well, facing the older woman. Ellie gave him a small smile before saying:

"I should go if I don't want to miss my flight. Plus I've got your wedding's plannning to worry about back home."

"I know you. You'll handle it. Like always."

Ellie's smiled turned into a grin as she threw her arms around Chuck's neck. The young man wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer as he kissed the top of her head. She sighed and loosened her grip around her brother before saying:

"Please, be safe. Don't do anything reckless, alright?"

"What are you talking about ? Safety is my middle name."

Ellie rolled her eyes, stood on her toes to kiss Chuck's cheek. He grinned at her as she put her satchel bag on her shoulder and rolled her suitcases to the door. Chuck stuffed his hands in his pockets and shouted as his sister left the room:

"Have a save flight! And hug that awesome daughter of yours for me, okay?"

"Will do!" she shouted back, closing the door behind her."

The nerd took his cellphone out of his jacket and winced as he saw the several missed calls and unread texts from Bryce and Sarah. He cursed under his breath as he put it back in his pocket, saying:

"I'm screwed."

SOME STARBUCKS IN SOME MALL.

NEW YORK CITY

1:35 PM.

Sarah looked at her watch, sighing in frustation. Drumming her fingers against the table, she smiled at the woman in front of her as she apologized:

"I'm so sorry, He never is that late."

Elizabeth Burke smiled back at her and replied:

"It's alright, don't worry. You're the only couple I have to see today, anyway."

Sarah smiled back and took a sip of her coffee, leaning back in her chair. Here she was, sitting and drinking coffee with the wife of a federal agent. And she didn't hate it. Elizabeth was the kind of woman that would be part of the popular kids in highschool. Maybe be part of the cheerleading squad. But surprinsgly, she would also be the one who would stand up for others, someone Sarah could actually be friends with. Her only flaw: her husband. Federal agents are nosy. That's why Casey didn't like them. Hell, that was why nodoby liked them.

As she was getting her phone out of her pocket, Sarah saw Chuck running toward the table, a bag on his shoulder. The blonde spy frowned at the bag as Chuck shook Elizabeth's hand and kissed Sarah's cheek. She smiled at him and said:

"Hey. What took you so long?"

Bryce turned around as he heard the front door opened. As he saw Chuck enter, he ran his fingers through his hair and said:

"Dude, where were you? Now is not the time to bail on me."

"Dude" he mimicked, cocking an eyebrow "I didn't bail on you. I even warned by sending a text. Take a chill pill."

"Hi- hum, I'm so sorry about that, by the way. I, hum, had to drop Ellie at the airport and- Well, you know how Ellie is, teary goodbyes and hugs even though we'll be back in Burbank soon." he joked.

Sarah chuckled, nodding her head. As Chuck stopped a barista to order a coffee, she asked in a joking tone:

"By the way, what's up with the bag Going somewhere without me, hun'?"

Chuck turned his head toward his fiancé, taking off his jacket. He smirked and replied:

"Never. There's just my laptop in it and some useless junk in it. You know, just in case.

Bryce stared at his reflection, his sweaty hands in his pockets. The ex-CIA agent didn't remember being so nervous about a mission. Behind him, Chuck was loading his gun and hooking a tranq gun to his belt and Alex and Mozzie were checking every electronical devices. Chuck switched off his computer and put it in his bag, with another gun before zipping it.

Chuck looked up and saw his former best friend standing in front of the mirror, looking distressed, unsure. Aware of the uncomfortable silence in the room, the human Intersecret said in a joking tone:

"Yes, you look good, Brycey dear, don't worry."

Alex chuckled as Bryce rolled his eyes and Mozzie hid a smile behind his hand. As Bryce turned around to glare at him, Chuck winked.

Chuck thanked the barista as she came back with his latte. After taking a sip of the drink, he took his laptop out of his bag and switched it on. Elizabeth cleared her throat and asked:

"So Charles-"

"Chuck" he corrected with a grin "The only person who call Charles was my father."

The older woman returned the smile and nodded before saying:

"So Chuck, I know that we probably shouldn't be talking about this, but how's the case?"

The blue eyed man threw the phone at Chuck whom catched it with one hand, as he checked the mall's surveillance cameras. Sarah and Elizabeth were already there, talking as they wanted for him. Bryce took his keys as Chuck shrugged on his jacket then turned to Alex and Mozzie and said:

"Call either of us if something's wrong."

They both nodded and took their places before the screens. As Bryce was going to exit the apartment, Mozzie shouted:

"It's now or never, Bryce. You can still quit. We wouldn't care."

Chuck took a quick look at his watch - 1:55 PM - before looking back at Elizabeth and answering with a smile:

"Pretty good, actually. Better than I thought."

The young man ignored the look Sarah sent him, her eyebrows frowned as Elizabeth hummed and nodded. As he took another sip of his coffee, Chuck looked behind the older woman's shouler and saw a tall brunette man leaning against the wall, wearing a worn leather jacket and sunglasses.

They could see Bryce's hesitation as he turned around... before he hid it behind a mask of determination as he answered:

"Well, I would."

MEANWHILE..

Peter was sitting in the van next to Jones and another agent as he watched Diana, looking casual, walking toward the café, which was crowded. The man sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. How were they supposed to find Roark and his accomplices? Peter looked out his watch then back at the screens where Diana was getting in line to get a coffee.

The young woman pushed her lock of hair behind her ear and said:

"They weren't here yet. There's no one at their table."

Peter took a quick look at his watch - 1:50 PM - and retorted:

"They'll be here in 10. I hope."

Diana sighed as she waited. A few tables away, she could see Elizabeth talking with the blonde CIA agent. She frowned her eyebrows, confused, before remembering that the spy couple was supposed to have a meeting with her about wedding stuff. Speaking of couple, she could see Chuck running toward the table and heard him apologizing for his lateness.

She lost interest in their conversation when she ordered her coffee. She thanked the barista with a smile when she came back with her drink. Walking out, Diana shoved a tall brunette man. Looking up, she winced and apologized:

"Sorry. I wasn't looking."

"No problem." he muttered before turning around.

She smiled and sat at a table close to Roark's one before taking out her phone - 1:57 PM.

"Wasn't that Diana?" Bryce heard Mozzie's voice ask.

"I'm pretty sure it was" Bryce replied, his eyebrows frowned as he turned his head to see Diana sitting at a table.

"B., if she's here, that means there are others agents" Alex warned "And if there are others agents, we're screwed. You're screwed"

"Or not" He retorted as he heard Mozzie and Alex bickering in his ear. He grunted, adjusting his earpiece "Could you guys focus? I have everything under control."

"So you say" Alex snorted.

Bryce sighed and rolled his eyes. From where he was standing, he could see Chuck and Sarah talking with Elizabeth. The spy's brown eyes met Bryce's blue eyes for a second. The ex-con man brought his hand to his ear and said:

"Chuck, can you hear me? If you can, run your fingers through your hair."

The nerd took his cup of coffee with one hand and ran his fingers through his hair with the other, drinking. Bryce smirked and said:

"Good. Lex', Moz' : can you see Roark?"

"Negative" Mozzie replied.

"What about you, Chuckie?"

Chuck looked up at him and mouthed no. Bryce closed his eyes and let out a groan of frustation. Suddenly, he could hear Alex squeal in his ear and move around. Probably jumping up and down. He winced and watched as Chuck did the same, covering his ear. Alex asked:

"Say, is Roark an old, mean looking, small and white haired man with glasses?"

"Yeah."

"Then Roark just sat at his table, a really tall and handsome blonde man by his side."

Bryce looked at his watch with a smirk of determination in his eyes :

2:00 PM.

A/N : Again, so sorry for the cliffie and for my lack of update. But, please, please, please : REVIEW !

Merry christmas, by the way, nerdies !

KC.