Gah! Thanks so much for the reviews guys! You make my week :) You asked for Hale and you're going to get him. A whole lot of him. Unfortunately Hale was always a hard character for me to grasp (part of why I love him so much) so writing dialogue for him is near impossible. I will just remind you guys that this is a grown up Hale portrayed here and he has changed over the years. But if any of you have experience writing for difficult characters like Hale any advice would be appreciated. But don't worry, he won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Hale is at the center of the plot for this story (You can look forward to some massive betrayals, as the title suggests). Anyways keep the reviews coming and I hope you enjoy :)

It might have been a boring affair. Natalie had been to so many galas before. This one was no different. The same characters filled the same halls and ballroom. The same food was served in copious amounts. As always the conversations skirted around the edges of actual substance. Eric Kennedy wasn't even hear to entertain her. He was away at some sporting event.

Natalie was older now, so she no longer was expected to trail behind her parents and pose as the perfect child. At almost eighteen years of age, she was now expected to have her own dull conversations, make her own business connections. It might have been the same sort of boring affair it had always been, had Natalie not spotted a familiar head of blond hair weaving through the crowd. Black.

For a moment, Natalie contemplated whether or not she should be afraid. After all it was only a few months ago that she and James had thwarted his heist by jumping, or in Natalie's case being tackled, off a forty-foot cliff into the Mediterranean. But when she looked again at his determinedly casual expression it was clear to her that he was on a new heist. She glanced around the room for his crew but was unable to spot a single member. Maybe he was working the job alone.

Natalie was vaguely aware that Hale would be in the crowd somewhere, playing the part of the businessman. Should she find him and warn him about Black? But then again any contact between them would look suspicious considering they were supposed to be business rivals. Besides, Black would never be stupid enough to try something against Hale. The suave Mr. Hale the fifth may appear to be yet another over-confident business tycoon to most but his reputation in the criminal underworld as one of the best con artists around was indisputable.

Black was no fool. But if not Hale then who was he targeting?

Before long the golden haired gentleman had slipped from sight but Natalie was determined to uncover his plot. If only for something to do.

Natalie made her rounds, inquiring about the grandchildren of so and so, remarking on the fashion choices of trophy spouses and complimenting the hosts on their choice of catering. While she moved to join Susan's conversation, (At least with Susan there was no need to fill a silence. Natalie's bubbly classmate was all too happy to prattle on about anything and everything) Natalie overheard her father singing her praises to several of his competitors, including one Mr. Hale. It was hard not to hear her father. Subtlety was not Mr. West's forte.

Susan was currently starring at Mr. Eckleberg's son, the very handsome Fredrick Eckleberg, as if she were completely engrossed in his story about his recent polo game. Natalie was just about to beg out of the tedious group when another conversation going on a few feet away caught her attention.

"What did you say your name was again, son?" Mr. Kent, the British banker asked.

"Thomas Oakes, sir. Of the Oakes family," said a familiar deep voice. Blacker was working his charm on the host of the party.

Mr. Kent seemed to run this over in his head for a few seconds. "Oakes, you say? Now see here, I've never heard of an Oakes family before."

"Well, of course you have, sir. Granted my family hasn't been out in society for the past few years, so of course the name might seem unfamiliar to you-"

Kent was eyeing him suspiciously now. "No, no. I have quite a good memory, don't I, Thelma?" Mr. Kent turned to his wife who seemed to be falling asleep with her eyes open.

"Yes, dear. Of course, dear." She murmured in agreement.

"Yes, see I do have quite a good memory and I don't seem to recall that name at all."

Blacker continued to defend his case but he was visibly struggling.

"Natalie?" Susan called her attention back to the group.

"Sorry," Natalie said. "yes?"

"I asked if you were planning to come to the Eckleberg's garden party? Fredrick's just reminded me of it and I haven't got a single thing to wear to it. Say, you've got such good taste, I really adore that Alexander McQueen you're wearing, won't you help me find something."

Natalie smiled graciously, and made a mental note to tell Cake that Susan 'really adores' her style. She would no doubt gets some enjoyment out of that as Susan has always held a particular distain for Cake.

"Say you'll come! We've haven't hung out in so long."

"Of course, I'd love to, Susan." Natalie struggled to keep up with the girl's chitchat as she split her attention between two conversations. Black was losing his charming grip on the host now.

"Perfect! I'm so excited," Susan chimed. Was she really as excited as she sounded, or was Natalie simply losing her ability to discern false thrill in the tone of her own stalk.

"Excuse me." Natalie let herself out of the conversation abruptly, leaving Susan huffing indignantly in her wake.

"Are you certain you were invited to this party, sir?" Mr. Kent continued his interrogation as the young woman strode towards them.

"Mr. Oakes!" Natalie said enthusiastically as she put out her hand for Blacker to shake. "It's wonderful to see you again. It's been quite some time, hasn't it?"

Black seemed stunned at her sudden appearance but quickly regained his footing. "Yes, good evening Miss West. It's been too long." His voice regained its usual sexy undertone.

"You know this man?" Mr. Kent inquired of Natalie.

"Yes, of course Mr. Kent. This is Thomas Oakes, of the Oakes family. I'm sure you remember him from Mrs. Collins benefit gala last spring."

Mr. Kent was one of the many businessmen Natalie had known since she was a child. He had no reason to doubt her word. She wondered what secrets he was hiding.

"Oh, yes, I believe I do." Kent warmed up to the idea.

Natalie turned back to Sam Black now as he settled into his part, "How is your aunt's health, Miss West? The last I heard she had taken quite the tumble." His mischievous smirk alerted her to the fact that he was referencing her own fall off the cliff.

"She's doing very well, thank you. It takes more then that to keep Aunt Margret down."

"Yes, well, she has always been a spirited one. I only hope she doesn't think ill of me for keeping away for so long. I've been meaning to seek her out for some time now."

Was that a threat? Maybe he really was there to enact his revenge. "I wouldn't worry. I don't think she even noticed your absence," Natalie shot back.

"Oh, I doubt that. She was always very fond of me."

Natalie laughed. Suddenly she was aware of the eyes following the conversation. She could practically hear the thoughts that circled the room. Who was this man Natalie West knew and they didn't?

Hale's back was turned to them, and he appeared to be fully engaged in his conversation with some Polish investment bankers, which of course meant that he was listening to every word that passed between the two young thieves.

Black continued, grinning, "However I always got the impression her attentions belonged to another. Are you alright, Miss West? You look suddenly flushed." Blacker was loving this.

This was too risky. She never should have jumped in to save Sam Black's neck. "You know what I think I'll get some air on the terrace. If you'll excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Kent."

"Oh, course dear." Mr. Kent had been following the conversation like a tennis match and he was clearly confused.

"I'll join you," Black offered Natalie his arm.

"Thank you, Mr. Oakes."

It was a long walk across the ballroom to the doors.

"You so owe me." Natalie hissed through her false smile.

"For what?"

"For saving your sorry butt from getting caught just now."

"The way I see it that just made us even. Don't forget that you did myself and my crew serious damage when you stole that statue in the fall."

"I don't know what you're complaining about," Natalie said. "I was the one who got tackled off a cliff."

Sam chuckled at the memory. "Yes, Bishop wasn't very gentle with you was he? I don't know why you joined his crew when he treats you like that. You'd do much better with us."

Natalie raised an eyebrow. "Is that a job offer?"

Black looked down at her and gave his most charming smile. "The position is always open for you, Miss West." He then leaned down closer to her ear. "I know a good thief when I see one." For some reason Natalie thought Black might actually mean it. Behind the thick mist of lies and snake like charm there must have been some sort of substance. "Just consider it." He encouraged.

"I'm happy in my current job, thank you."

"Shame. We're looking for someone to fill an opening."

"Lost someone?" Natalie inquired.

Black gave a causal nod. "Stevens. It was one of those new laser systems that got him. Walked straight through it and was shred instantly to pieces. It was a gruesome thing."

Natalie cringed. It really was a dangerous business being a thief.

"Well, I'll let you know if I come across anyone who would be interested in the job." She said.

"Much obliged, Miss West. But I must be going. I've got an old man to rob."

"Good luck."

Blacker leaned in to kiss her cheek, "Luck? There's no such thing, Miss West."

Not yet ready to return to the fray, Natalie pulled out her phone. James didn't answer. Neither did Siena. On her third try the ringing stopped and a voice said, "I thought you were busy wining and dining cancer ridden, malaria infested old bachelors. Did one of them drop dead? Or did the urge to hear my sexy voice just overwhelm you?"

"Surprisingly, neither," Natalie let the sarcasm drip off her tongue, "I'm just calling to check in."

"Everything's fine here. You can get back to your gala for… what is it this time? Dying children? Floods in Africa?"

"Nope, cancer. It's a benefit for cancer survivors, hosted by my mother's women's club and the Kent's, so naturally, there are no cancer survivors in sight."

"Naturally," Dmitri agreed. "James isn't here. He's gone out to get some new grappling hooks." He answered the question before it could be asked.

"What's everyone else up to? Last minute prep?"

"Is there any other kind?"

"Anything I can help with?"

"Sure. How about you go chat up some cancer survivors."

"Come on Dmitri, give me a reason. Any reason at all to leave this place."

"That bad?"

"If I eat another mini hamburger I might vomit."

"That would be a tragic waste of mini hamburgers. Bring me some?"

"I will if you give me a reason to come to New York."

"As much as I miss your lovely face I'm going to say negative on the excuse to dip."
Natalie groaned, "Since when has Dmitri Antokov been the responsible one?"

"Since Siena's mood swings have made her crazy and James' judgment has been corrupted by a certain English beauty."

"I have not corrupted him," Natalie rejected that out of hand.

"You got him to pull that risky Berlin heist. Do you know how long I've been trying to convince him we should rob the Parisian mob's wine cellar? And that job is why safer then Berlin was."

"The timing was right for Berlin."

Dmitri snorted, "Sure it was."

"Tell you what I'll ask James about the Paris wine cellar job when I get there tonight after you give me a reason to come to New York."

"The party can't be that bad."

"Dmitri, I've had the same conversation about the weather at least twenty times tonight. I'm going insane."

"Well, would you rather be painstakingly forging ID badges?"

"You know I would."

"Sorry, I forgot who I was talking to for a minute there."

"Okay, so I don't have to come to New York. Just send me the photos for the ID's and I'll make the badges here."

"Or, here's a crazy idea, you could enjoy the party."

"Dmitri, come on-"

"Nope."

"But-"

"Nein."

"Alright! You win. I'll go forth and make small talk, but I won't be happy about it."

His chuckles of victory settled into a prolonged silence, broken by his soft tone when he said. "Nat?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't wish your life away,"

"I'm not," Natalie protested. "Mini hamburgers and chit chat aren't exactly what I define as living life to the fullest,"

"I know- I get it. Just promise me you won't give it all up too soon. They'll always be another heist to pull, one more dangerous con, but don't give up on reality just yet."

"What if I want a different reality?"

"Enjoy the party, Nat." Dmitri dismissed the topic for the moment. "The thrilling world of illegal occupations will still be waiting for you when it's over. As will my inconceivably handsome face."

"Tell the crew I said hello."

"Will do."

With a definitive click the line went silent. Natalie picked at her plate of shrunken appetizers before heading back inside.

"Have you tried the mini hamburgers, yet?" W.W. Hale the Fifth strode out onto the terrace to join Natalie at the railing.

"Only about a dozen of them."

"I'm surprised you haven't ducked out of here yet."

"Its not for lack of trying. Dmitri won't give me an excuse to head back to New York."

"Dmitri being the responsible one? Now you've got me worried."

"There's nothing to worry about. The crew is perfectly in control. We haven't had an unsuccessful job in months."

"You're forgetting I used to play the game, Natalie. Under control never really means under control."

"Why weren't you at the Brownstone this weekend?"

"I was in Brazil, discussing a deal."

"Is Hale Industries expanding?"

"Possibly. The deal is delicate at the moment. It will be a few weeks before we know whether it will come to anything."

"Right, and are you telling this to Natalie the thief, or Natalie West, the businesswoman?"

He smirked, "There will come a time when you won't be able to make that distinction anymore, Nat. But for now lets say I am telling you as a member of the family. In other words discretion would be appreciated."

"Understood." Mentioning the Brazilian expansion to her father might put the deal in jeopardy. She might be a West but Natalie had more then one set of allegiances.

"Speaking of expansion and deals, Natalie West the businesswoman has a deal for you."

"I am all ears."

"You don't yet have an heir Hale Industries and in ten years or so, you'll be looking to retire."

Hale watched her intently, "Are you making an offer on Hale Industries, Miss West?"

Natalie smiled, "Possibly."

"Lesson one, kid, don't make a business offer before you've got the funds to back it up."

"Its not just a business offer. If you want to keep Hale Industries intact I'll do what I can to help."

"You can't afford me."

"No, but should be able to afford a merge."

"West and Hale Industries?" He shook his head, "I haven't given up on my company just yet."

"Merging is not a failure."

"It is to me."

"What's your other option? You have no direct heir."

"Nonetheless, I plan to keep it in the family."

"I thought you didn't have any siblings."

"I don't. But you and I both know blood doesn't make family."

"Ah, so you're passing it into the 'extended' family."

"That's the plan at the moment."

Natalie chewed it over a minute and then laughed. "Well I look forward to having Jay as my competitor."

"You don't think I'm so irresponsible as to make James my heir, do you? No, you two would tear the market to pieces trying to one up the other one. You're competitive enough when you're on the same side."

"Competition is healthy," Natalie stood up straight, "It pushes us to do better."

"Maybe, but it pushes the rest of us to the edge of insanity worrying about whatever scheme you two will try next. Besides he's too much like his mother. He's a thief, not a businessman."

"Let's be honest, they're practically the same thing."

Hale chuckled. "Maybe, maybe not."

"If not Jay then who? Rose is too young, she wouldn't even be out of Uni before you retire. Not Dmitri, he'd go mad sitting through all those board meetings."

"No, I was thinking of the less explosively inclined twin."

"Siena?"

"You seem shocked. She's the perfect candidate. Intelligent, resourceful, observant."

"She's also not a con artist. A brilliant thief, but we all know she's not comfortable being the front man for a con."

"It wouldn't be a con. She would be a businesswoman. Not everything in life is an act, Natalie."

"You expect her to give up the game just like that?"

"Like I said, she's a smart girl. I'm giving her an opportunity to come out of the shadows. To live a safe life. She just might take it."

"What makes you think she wants a safe life?"

"Because not everyone is as crazy as you are, Natalie."

"You were, once."

"And I grew up. I grew out of it."

"So what you're saying is I will inevitably have to give it all up for reality? That we all will."

Hale sipped his champagne, "Reality's not so bad."

"Yes but I'm not you," she reminded him.

"No, you're certainly not."

"I'm telling you, Siena won't take the deal," she insisted.

Hale shrugged, "Maybe not tomorrow, or a year from now. But the offer will stand. She's the best shot I have at keeping this thing going."

"Then my offer stands as well," Natalie replied.

"Are you sure? It might not be the best business decision."

"Its not a business decision. Its an offer for a friend."

Hale gave a half smile, "Goodnight, Miss West. I had better be going. I've got a meeting in New York tomorrow morning."

Natalie nodded respectfully, "Goodnight, Mr. Hale."

The suave Hale the 5th disappeared into the ballroom and Natalie thought to herself that she could only hope to be so cool at fifty.

She quickly checked her phone for messages. No luck.

Just as she was about to turn to head back into the fray of sequined cocktail dresses and black ties a glass of champagne appeared next to her hand.

"Shouldn't you be pulling a heist?" She asked.

"I already have. Care to celebrate with me?"

Natalie sipped from the bubbling gold elixir. "What did you snatch this time? I hope it was worth putting my neck out for you."

"Thank you again for that, I really am much obliged." Black pulled an ornate pocket watch from his coat pocket. The diamond encrusted hand ticked its way towards the 12th hour."

Natalie slid her fingers over the delicate metal work. "Stunning craftsmanship. Well taken care of. The detailing looks Russian. Is it Romanov?"

"It wouldn't be worth the trouble if it wasn't."

Natalie traced the carvings on the back before placing the thing in Black's open palm. "Its very elegant."

Black watched her face as he replied, "I agree. Very elegant indeed."

He was still a snake, but she saw more of herself in him now. Sam Black was a dangerous thief, but then, so was she. Was it mystery that made him dangerous, or the part of herself she saw in him? The lack of fear.

"Escape plan?" she inquired.

"I've got a truck parked a mile down the road. My colleagues are bringing it around now. Care to join us?"

Natalie turned to look back at the dull party inside. "Tempting, but as I said before, I'm not looking to switch crews anytime soon."

"The offer will stand incase you change your mind. I'm glad I ran into you. I've been dying to inquire about your double life. Heiress by day, thief by night. You're a very interesting woman, Natalie."

She broke from his gaze and glanced over Black's shoulder. "As much as I'd love to catch up, you've already got company."

"How many?"

"Four. Armed and ticked off."

"Aren't they always. It's been a pleasure, Miss West." He leaned to kiss her hand.

"Sam, get running."

With a slick grin Black was off, dashing down the terrace to the fire exit.

Natalie sighed as she watched him disappear down the steps. At its very least, talking to Black would have been interesting but now even that distraction was gone. Despite the roar of the party inside, Natalie felt as if she were standing in an empty room with nothing but the view and a receding shadow to occupy her boredom.

It wasn't long before the four guards came running out onto the terrace having seen Black bolt from the scene. One paused to inquire which direction he had gone.

Natalie half-heartedly played the part of the confused and tipsy heiress. "He headed towards those stairs I believe. Did the gentleman do something wrong?"

"There's nothing to worry about, Miss. He was a thief. But rest assured we'll catch him."

"A thief? I was talking to a thief?" Natalie gasped in mock surprise. "Well, then, a real life criminal?" She downed the rest of her champagne as the guard ran after the others. "How exciting."

I apologize for any sloppy spelling mistakes in this chapter. I am in the middle of midterms at the moment and I don't have much time for editing (also I'm lazy). Note: You may have noticed I changed the last name of one of the characters (Not by much) but in case you were wondering yes it is the same guy from last time but no he will not be making a big return in this series(something tells me none of you will be particularly crushed by that announcement). All reviews are appreciated :) -George&Eckles