Hey y'all! I'm actually updating AGAIN! I do plan on keeping a regular-ish schedule (if school permits). As ever, thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far; I love you all! My beta deserves great thanks for all she does as well.

Also, what I MEANT to write last time was Congrats to rachelhighway for guessing the Gentleman's identity first! But I messed up. Sorry Rachel! And Congrats again!

Anyway, let's stop staring at my obvious lack of forethought, and back to our story now, ok?

Chapter Seven: Raided

As the elevator closed behind them, the three women watched in vague interest as the camera smoked and smoldered. They listened to the light ping of the elevator, and quickly prepared themselves to disembark; they knew they only had one chance at this.

So far they had entered undetected, thanks to 99% of the building's occupants being either at home, asleep, or on a wild goose chase, thanks to Mozzie. Those that were left would mostly be secretaries or leftover technicians, and they wouldn't be difficult to subdue-not lethally, of course. They were thieves, not murderesses, after all.

As the elevator dinged open, Riley set out towards the AV room, where they knew, thanks to the schematics Alice "found" on the FBI server, the main outgoing cables for the telephones and the alarms were held.

While Riley walked off, Alice began setting up the cell phone and transmission jammer. This would prevent cell phone calls from getting in or out of the building, as well as internet and 3G. She activated it just as Riley sauntered back, looking quite pleased with herself.

"Well, that was fast," Alice remarked. "What happened? Did you get lost and need to see the map again?" Alice knew perfectly well this wasn't the case, but she was a sarcastic creature by nature; with her friends, that was.

Riley feigned indignation. "Why, I can't help the rest of you work too slowly. The cables are cut, and I'm afraid that the silent alarm probably won't work too well without them."

"Such a shame, such a shame." Tutted The Gentleman. "Why, someone could break in and rob the place!"

"I think," Riley smiled slyly, "we should go and inform the people in the building. They have a right to know when they're being robbed, don't you think?"

Having left the jammer hidden safely behind them, the vixens three continued down the hallway into the reception area. Once there, they were immediately confronted by a scrawny individual holding a stack of files, which he promptly dropped to the floor with a thunk.

"Who are you? This place is off limits, you know!" He said, with more bravado than really necessary. That bravado melted away rather quickly when Riley began laughing at him.

"I'm sorry," she managed after her laughter subsided. "It was just so cute, watching that pitiful display of dominance. What are you, a secretary? An intern? Ah," she smiled at his slight reaction-something that would be invisible to people without Riley's experience. "A lowly intern. Just wanted to boss someone around for once, huh? Too bad you chose the wrong set of someones." And with that, she tased him.

He crumpled to the floor like a wet rag. Alice sighed with feigned exasperation. "If you are quite done with the theatrics, I suggest we get a move on. The night isn't getting longer, you know."

Twelve and a half minutes later, every last member residing in the FBI office had been found, tied up, and, on occasion, tasered-but not necessarily in that order. When the employees had been deposited in the conference room (and the door securely locked and blocked) the team set out to work.

"Was a roundhouse kick really necessary, Riley?" Alice asked. "You could have just tased him, you know."

"Why waste its battery? Plus, he was asking for it." Riley was looking smug; she was more than willing to prove her fighting abilities once more.

"Not to interrupt, but how long do we have, Alice?" asked their raven-haired friend. "Not that the prospect of being walked in on by a few dozen armed FBI agents doesn't appeal to me, but..."

The other women giggled a little at the idea, even if it was a terrifying one. Their friend just had a way of stating things amusingly.

"I can't give you any specifics-" Started Alice after her giggles subsided.

"A ballpark would be nice, Madame Specific." Interrupted Riley.

"Okay then, a ballpark it is. I'd say we have about an hour, with the surprise awaiting them at the hotel, so let's be ambitious and strive to get out of here in forty-five minutes, hmm?" Alice implored.

"Alright, then, I guess we'd better get started." The Gentleman said with a wink.

And with that, the three overdressed thieves set about their work.

Peter grinned, albeit somewhat nervously, all the way to the hotel address Mozzie had given them. He really was into it now; the thrill of the chase, the battle of wills with the bad guys. It was a rush, a thrill.

Neal was relieved that Peter was happy again; his frustration had abated seemingly spontaneously in the last few hours…right after he got a text message.

With this sudden realization, Neal became curious. What did that text say to get him to shake off his moodiness? He decided to probe and find out.

"So, Peter, not that I'm complaining, but what has you so excited?" Neal asked, as if he didn't know how his friend reacted to a good case.

"The chase, Neal, the chase! The chase is on again, and it's bound to be a good one. I can feel it!" Peter was beaming and practically bouncing up and down with excitement; an exact antithesis to his behavior earlier…before he received the mysterious text message. Neal decided to probe further.

"Well, Peter, you didn't seem to be enjoying the chase very much earlier. In fact, you were downright miserable. What's up with you?" Neal was more than a little concerned; he hadn't seen Peter that way, ever.

"Oh, well, about that…" Peter looked embarrassed at the memory. "The truth is, Elizabeth and I had a fight earlier, and-"

"Peter, you and El never fight. Ever. What happened?" Neal was surprised to say the least; shocked was probably more accurate.

"Explanations will have to wait until later Neal, because we're here." Peter said, looking slightly relieved.

"Well, then," Neal said, "let's go catch us a Gentleman."

Alrighty! There goes another chapter. How do y'all like it so far? Be sure to review, so I can hear your thoughts! (My mind-reading skills are malfunctioning at the moment )