Hi guys! I hope y'all are enjoying the fic so far! I know I love writing it, even if school keeps getting in the way . The story is speeding up, and I hope I'm keeping y'all interested. Any thoughts? Yes, you there, in the back. Review! I want to know how I'm doing.

As always, thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. You all have a special place in my heart!

My amazingly patient beta deserves credit as well. Thanks for putting up with my irregular schedule!

Now, I think we have some sort of story to get back to, right?

Chapter Eight: Surprises

It was very dark in the file room of the FBI building where the three busy thieves were doing their work. The only light available was that of the flashlights in each of their hands, which they were using to search through the seemingly endless rows of files.

The files were alphabetized, but, since they didn't know which name they were looking under-the man went by many, after all-it was taking a while. Alice had compiled a list of his aliases-the ones they knew of, anyway- but they hadn't had much luck so far.

Plus, they had to cover their tracks. Since there was no chance of avoiding the discovery of the theft, they did the next best thing: they started wrecking the place.

As soon as they finished with a row of files, they threw them everywhere, letting pages upon pages of information flutter to the ground like the first leaves of fall.

Soon enough, though, the floor of the room looked like a snow covered winter wonderland, albeit one with words all over it. Half of the cabinets were empty, and the three thieves were starting on the other half when Riley called out in a loud whisper.

"Over here! I think I found it!"

The others quickly joined her, leaned over a fairly large file that was filled to the brim with papers and blurry surveillance photos.

"Which name was it under? Which ones are listed? How much of it-" Alice was looking a little panicky. Alice tended to talk when she was panicky.

"Whoa, calm down there." Riley made a calming gesture with her free hand. "We can look at it later. For now, I say we get out of here. How much time do we have?"

The Gentleman glanced at her watch. "I'd say they'll be back in about twenty minutes or so. We should get going. But first," The black clad figure turned and pushed over one of the free standing file shelves.

At a look from the others, the raven-haired thief shrugged with an all-too innocent look on her face. "For good measure. Now let's go."

"Wait," Said Riley, "aren't you forgetting something?"

The Gentleman laughed. "Ah, yes. How could I forget?" She bent over and placed a ruby red rose on the floor sharply contrasting against the field of white.

"Very dramatic," Alice said approvingly. "Now let's get going."

In that instant, the three of them seemed to share a thought. Looking to the room's security camera, They each made an elegantly theatrical bow.

And with that, three laughing vixens left the building.

The extraction teams went ahead of the rest using the stairs, while Neal and Peter took point, heading for the elevator. The Hotel had been warned ahead of time, but the employees were continuing their normal operations as to keep from tipping off the criminal.

Neal still wasn't sure it was just one criminal, as he was currently in the process of explaining to Peter.

"I was reviewing the security tapes of the break in, and it just seemed a little too perfect. The thief knew exactly where to duck, exactly where to turn, and exactly where to go in almost complete darkness. Not to mention he seemed to know the location of every security beam in the building. One person just couldn't do all that by himself. The research alone would take months."

"Alright, then, how many people?" Peter asked, eyeing Neal skeptically as they entered the elevator. "If we go in there, how many people should we expect to see? I don't like surprises, Neal."

"Calm down, Peter. If there is a team- and I'm telling you, there is a team-they wouldn't stay in the same place. We'll probably only be seeing the thief today." Neal seemed fairly confident, but he was more than a little worried. He wasn't sure he fully trusted Mozzie's "informant", or his intentions. He resolved himself to be ready for anything.

Peter showed the resolution that Neal felt. "All we need is one, Neal. If I can get one, then I'll find the others. I can break him, Neal. I only need a shot." Peter looked down at his phone. "Crap, it's El. I'll text her." He set about doing just that when Neal decided to restart the interrogation. He was dubbing it 'Operation Inquisition' in his head.

"What was it you two were fighting about, anyway?" Neal tried not to look too curious.

"Not now, Neal. We have a job to do." Peter put his phone away. "So, are we looking for a few more thieves, now?"

Neal went along gracefully with this change in subject as he pressed the elevator button. "Not exactly. A team that pulls off a job like this probably has a few specialized people; planners, hackers, burglars, and so on. Whoever or whatever they are, more thieves would just be redundant."

"Why split the prize with more people?" Peter asked, understanding.

"Exactly." Neal looked pleased.

The elevator dinged to the top floor and the team immediately dispersed itself down the hallway, Peter on point and Neal close behind. Peter had his gun drawn and ready.

While Neal didn't have a gun, he was starting to wish he did. This entire thing had escalated so quickly thus far, and he wasn't sure where it would go next. It was hard to believe that it had been less than 24 hours since Peter had barged in on his hangover, excited about a new case.

The team arrived at the room number on the door. Peter signaled to them silently, and they surrounded the door. Neal got ready; he was excited to be taking this guy down. What can I say, he mused. I don't like being shown up in art theft, good guy or no.

Peter held up three fingers, snapping Neal out of his thoughts. On three.

He held up his first finger.

One.

He held up a second.

Two.

He raised the third finger.

Now!

And their entire team burst through the door.

Wow! Cliffhanger! Please Review for a speedy update!