White Collar Fic - One More Job
Nov. 7th, 2013 12:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
elrhiarhodanTitle: One More Job
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
elrhiarhodan
Fandom: White Collar
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Neal Caffrey, Curtis Hagen
Spoilers: Pilot, All of Season 5, up to Episode 3, specific reference to events at the end of Episode S5.03, One Last Stakeout
Warnings/Enticements/Triggers: Canon Death of Canon Character
Word Count: ~1000
Beta Credit: None
Summary: Hagen has another job for Neal, one he’s adamant he won’t take. But Neal may not have a choice.
A/N: Written for my friendpooh_collector, not that she asked for it, but it will become apparent, by the end, that she inspired it.
I know that there are some errors with regards to the New York Public Library. The Stokes Gallery does not overlook 42nd Street, nor does it have windows. I just couldn’t resist using it. Longtime White Collar fans might remember that Peter Burke was originally supposed to be called “Peter Stokes” but the name didn’t pass clearance.
Please see additional author’s notes at the end.
__________________
Neal didn’t have long to wait for Hagen’s next “assignment.” The Dutchman summoned him, per the usual text message, to the New York Public Library.
Stokes Gallery, 11:45 AM. Don’t be late and don’t bring a tail this time.
He swallowed his gorge – and his rage – at that last bit. His escalating sloppiness directly caused David Siegel’s death. Had he been the slightest bit aware of what was going on around him, he would have noticed the dark Government-issue sedan parked where no such car should be parked. That he’d agreed to do the exchange with Hagen in that desolate location was only one mistake in an ever-increasing cascade of errors.
Peter had put him on compassionate leave, an odd thing to do, and Neal had spent most of the week trying to figure out how to point the finger at Hagen without implicating himself. He sat for hours in front of his easel, silent and immobile. Moz drifted in and out of the apartment, working on a method to decipher the thirteenth chapter of the Mosconi Condex. Neal barely paid any attention to him as he tried to unravel his own Gordian Knot.
At least the New York Public Library wasn’t some odd location that he’d have difficulty explaining when Peter pulled up his tracking data. He might even tell Peter that he went back to revisit the Spanish Victory Bond, now on permanent display in the National Archives division. A weird but understandable explanation.
Neal arrived early but Hagen was already waiting for him. The Stokes Gallery housed a collection of American historical prints and Neal couldn't imagine what he’d need to steal from here. The prints were important, historically, and some were quite rare, but in the scheme of things, none of them would have any significant value on the art and antiquities market.
There were a few other library patrons in the room, perusing books and archival collections. Neal went over to one of the large, floor to ceiling windows, away from prying eyes and ears. Hagen followed.
“It’s funny how things come full circle. It started here.” The man gave him a slight smile, more menace than humor.
Neal didn’t bother smiling back, but stood there with crossed arms, signaling his own threat potential. There was no reason to pretend anymore. “And it’s going to end here, Hagen. I’m done.”
“Really? I don’t think so. You’re done when I say you’re done.”
“You killed an FBI agent.”
“I did no such thing.” Hagen’s look was all innocence.
“Bullshit – if you didn’t pull the trigger, you paid someone to do it for you. That’s how you work. Through proxies.”
Hagen shrugged and leaned against the window, gazing down at the bustle of humanity fighting their way up one of New York City’s busiest streets. “They’re like ants from this perspective. Scurrying around, urgently trying to get to someplace they think they need to be. If only they knew about the treasures hidden within these walls.”
“We’re done, Hagen. I’m done. You want to send that video to the FBI, go ahead. I do”
“You really think that video’s the only leverage I have? And here I thought you were a smart one. Do you know what double jeopardy is?”
“Of course – you can’t be tried for the same criminal act twice. But what’s that got to do with anything? Your forgery conviction was thrown out for lack of physical evidence, the Justice Department agreed to credit you with time served for possession of the stolen Spanish Victory Bond. And your ‘lawyer’ – the one who was charged killing Tony Field – committed suicide and very conveniently left a note confessing to the crime and exonerating you.”
“Ah, Caffrey – you’re looking at all the wrong way. I’m not worried about myself, I’m concerned about your dear friend, Special Agent Peter Burke.”
“The charges against him were dismissed.”
“Yes they were, before the indictment. Before a grand jury was convened.”
The sick feeling that had been dogging Neal since seeing David Siegel on the ground intensified. “You bastard.”
“So the light finally dawns. No indictment, no trial. Jeopardy never attached. All I need to do is drop a word in the right person’s ear, and the case against Peter Burke starts all over again. They’ll make his life a living hell. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Assistant Attorney General tacks on a capital murder charge. That would send your friend right back to jail. And who’s to say that this time, he’ll be given a cell in solitary. Can you imagine what would happen to an FBI agent in GenPop?
“And you don’t have anything to worry about, because your conviction was overturned and you can’t be retried.”
“I think, in America, they call it an ‘appellate reversal for sufficiency’. Your government got it’s bite at the apple.”
Neal was prepared to go back to prison, even it if was for the rest of his life. But he wasn’t going to allow that to happen to Peter. “What do you want?”
Hagen nodded, thoroughly pleased with himself. “You were right, there’s nothing here that interests me.” He turned and walked away. Neal followed.
Midday, mid-week and the Grand Rotunda was filled with people coming and going. Neal didn’t stay too close, and he kept an eye out for familiar faces. He didn’t want another death on his hands. He followed Hagen down to the ground floor, and his stomach sank even further when he went into the Children’s Center.
There were dozens of small children in a variety of school uniforms milling around a tall glass case, oohing and ahhing over the contents. Their smiles and laughter should have been a balm, but instead, were like knives, inflicting endless tiny cuts.
He turned to Hagen. “No. No. No.”
“Yes. And I’ll have all of them. You have one week.”
“No.”
“You’re repeating yourself, Caffrey.”
“Then let me make myself perfectly clear. I’m not stealing those.”
“If you don’t, it’s bye-bye Agent Burke. Do you really want to wake up one morning and learn that Peter Burke was shanked in the showers? Or maybe something worse? Is his life really worth less than some clever bits of mohair and sawdust?”
Neal didn’t answer.
Hagen chuckled and reminded him, “One week.” And all of a sudden, he was gone.
The sea of small children in school uniforms were ushered out, and another group came in, excited to see the real Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends, Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga, and Tigger.
Neal was torn. How the hell could he steal these? He could help himself to gold, precious manuscripts, famous artworks without a twinge of conscience. He could even loot a nation’s cultural patrimony and never have a moment’s unease.
This crossed the line, though. How could he destroy the happiness of millions of children? But, worse, how could he let Peter go back to prison?
FIN
Additional Author’s Notes: Yes, the REAL Winnie-the-Pooh and Kanga, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet reside permanently in the Children’s Center at the New York Public Library.
Author:
elrhiarhodanFandom: White Collar
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Neal Caffrey, Curtis Hagen
Spoilers: Pilot, All of Season 5, up to Episode 3, specific reference to events at the end of Episode S5.03, One Last Stakeout
Warnings/Enticements/Triggers: Canon Death of Canon Character
Word Count: ~1000
Beta Credit: None
Summary: Hagen has another job for Neal, one he’s adamant he won’t take. But Neal may not have a choice.
A/N: Written for my friend
pooh_collector, not that she asked for it, but it will become apparent, by the end, that she inspired it.I know that there are some errors with regards to the New York Public Library. The Stokes Gallery does not overlook 42nd Street, nor does it have windows. I just couldn’t resist using it. Longtime White Collar fans might remember that Peter Burke was originally supposed to be called “Peter Stokes” but the name didn’t pass clearance.
Please see additional author’s notes at the end.
Neal didn’t have long to wait for Hagen’s next “assignment.” The Dutchman summoned him, per the usual text message, to the New York Public Library.
Stokes Gallery, 11:45 AM. Don’t be late and don’t bring a tail this time.
He swallowed his gorge – and his rage – at that last bit. His escalating sloppiness directly caused David Siegel’s death. Had he been the slightest bit aware of what was going on around him, he would have noticed the dark Government-issue sedan parked where no such car should be parked. That he’d agreed to do the exchange with Hagen in that desolate location was only one mistake in an ever-increasing cascade of errors.
Peter had put him on compassionate leave, an odd thing to do, and Neal had spent most of the week trying to figure out how to point the finger at Hagen without implicating himself. He sat for hours in front of his easel, silent and immobile. Moz drifted in and out of the apartment, working on a method to decipher the thirteenth chapter of the Mosconi Condex. Neal barely paid any attention to him as he tried to unravel his own Gordian Knot.
At least the New York Public Library wasn’t some odd location that he’d have difficulty explaining when Peter pulled up his tracking data. He might even tell Peter that he went back to revisit the Spanish Victory Bond, now on permanent display in the National Archives division. A weird but understandable explanation.
Neal arrived early but Hagen was already waiting for him. The Stokes Gallery housed a collection of American historical prints and Neal couldn't imagine what he’d need to steal from here. The prints were important, historically, and some were quite rare, but in the scheme of things, none of them would have any significant value on the art and antiquities market.
There were a few other library patrons in the room, perusing books and archival collections. Neal went over to one of the large, floor to ceiling windows, away from prying eyes and ears. Hagen followed.
“It’s funny how things come full circle. It started here.” The man gave him a slight smile, more menace than humor.
Neal didn’t bother smiling back, but stood there with crossed arms, signaling his own threat potential. There was no reason to pretend anymore. “And it’s going to end here, Hagen. I’m done.”
“Really? I don’t think so. You’re done when I say you’re done.”
“You killed an FBI agent.”
“I did no such thing.” Hagen’s look was all innocence.
“Bullshit – if you didn’t pull the trigger, you paid someone to do it for you. That’s how you work. Through proxies.”
Hagen shrugged and leaned against the window, gazing down at the bustle of humanity fighting their way up one of New York City’s busiest streets. “They’re like ants from this perspective. Scurrying around, urgently trying to get to someplace they think they need to be. If only they knew about the treasures hidden within these walls.”
“We’re done, Hagen. I’m done. You want to send that video to the FBI, go ahead. I do”
“You really think that video’s the only leverage I have? And here I thought you were a smart one. Do you know what double jeopardy is?”
“Of course – you can’t be tried for the same criminal act twice. But what’s that got to do with anything? Your forgery conviction was thrown out for lack of physical evidence, the Justice Department agreed to credit you with time served for possession of the stolen Spanish Victory Bond. And your ‘lawyer’ – the one who was charged killing Tony Field – committed suicide and very conveniently left a note confessing to the crime and exonerating you.”
“Ah, Caffrey – you’re looking at all the wrong way. I’m not worried about myself, I’m concerned about your dear friend, Special Agent Peter Burke.”
“The charges against him were dismissed.”
“Yes they were, before the indictment. Before a grand jury was convened.”
The sick feeling that had been dogging Neal since seeing David Siegel on the ground intensified. “You bastard.”
“So the light finally dawns. No indictment, no trial. Jeopardy never attached. All I need to do is drop a word in the right person’s ear, and the case against Peter Burke starts all over again. They’ll make his life a living hell. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Assistant Attorney General tacks on a capital murder charge. That would send your friend right back to jail. And who’s to say that this time, he’ll be given a cell in solitary. Can you imagine what would happen to an FBI agent in GenPop?
“And you don’t have anything to worry about, because your conviction was overturned and you can’t be retried.”
“I think, in America, they call it an ‘appellate reversal for sufficiency’. Your government got it’s bite at the apple.”
Neal was prepared to go back to prison, even it if was for the rest of his life. But he wasn’t going to allow that to happen to Peter. “What do you want?”
Hagen nodded, thoroughly pleased with himself. “You were right, there’s nothing here that interests me.” He turned and walked away. Neal followed.
Midday, mid-week and the Grand Rotunda was filled with people coming and going. Neal didn’t stay too close, and he kept an eye out for familiar faces. He didn’t want another death on his hands. He followed Hagen down to the ground floor, and his stomach sank even further when he went into the Children’s Center.
There were dozens of small children in a variety of school uniforms milling around a tall glass case, oohing and ahhing over the contents. Their smiles and laughter should have been a balm, but instead, were like knives, inflicting endless tiny cuts.
He turned to Hagen. “No. No. No.”
“Yes. And I’ll have all of them. You have one week.”
“No.”
“You’re repeating yourself, Caffrey.”
“Then let me make myself perfectly clear. I’m not stealing those.”
“If you don’t, it’s bye-bye Agent Burke. Do you really want to wake up one morning and learn that Peter Burke was shanked in the showers? Or maybe something worse? Is his life really worth less than some clever bits of mohair and sawdust?”
Neal didn’t answer.
Hagen chuckled and reminded him, “One week.” And all of a sudden, he was gone.
The sea of small children in school uniforms were ushered out, and another group came in, excited to see the real Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends, Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga, and Tigger.
Neal was torn. How the hell could he steal these? He could help himself to gold, precious manuscripts, famous artworks without a twinge of conscience. He could even loot a nation’s cultural patrimony and never have a moment’s unease.
This crossed the line, though. How could he destroy the happiness of millions of children? But, worse, how could he let Peter go back to prison?
Additional Author’s Notes: Yes, the REAL Winnie-the-Pooh and Kanga, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet reside permanently in the Children’s Center at the New York Public Library.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 05:21 pm (UTC)That was so wonderful!
Not only did you give me THAT ending, but you really created an intricate legal pickle for Neal via the ever-increasingly evil Hagen. If Eastin catches on to what you've done here, Neal will never be free of Hagan's leash.
Season Five you dastardly season!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
Oh and I'll be ganking this lovely pic for some new icons!!!! THANKS!!!!
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 05:27 pm (UTC)So glad you liked it! I've been toying with the idea of Hagen having Neal steal something impossible, and all of a sudden, it hit me! Maybe I was thinking about the meetup, but I knew exactly how this story had to go.
It's been a very long time since I sat down and wrote a short fic, start to finish, in just a few hours. Thank you again, not only for your kind words, but your inadvertent inspiration.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 05:27 pm (UTC)Oh, this is so deliciously evil ♥ And it makes me wish for Neal to finally team up with Peter and wipe the floor with Hagen \o/
Also, yay, a new place to visit in NYC, I never made it to the Public Library - third time's a charm :D
Thank you ♥
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 05:29 pm (UTC)Yes, I can't wait for Peter and Neal to figure out a way to bring the hammer down on that SOB!
Thank you so very much.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 05:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 09:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 06:06 pm (UTC)I want to kick Hagen's ass so much, he has to eat his own shoes or something, I hate him so deeply.... :(((
I can't wait for the show to deal with that bastard.
Thank you for this fic. It makes clear in how much trouble Neal really is because I think Peter would be really in danger if he ever had to got back to prison. That mustn't happen!!!
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 09:07 pm (UTC)If Hagen has to eat his shoes, they should be heavily coated with dog poo, or some similarly disgusting substance.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 06:21 pm (UTC)Steal Winnie-the-Pooh! A new low ... :)
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 09:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 06:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 09:08 pm (UTC)Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2013-11-08 12:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 07:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 09:21 pm (UTC)And for what it's worth, this isn't the first time I've played with Pooh and friends...
The Pooh'verse for Inception
no subject
Date: 2013-11-08 06:49 pm (UTC)Neal (Tigger)
Peter(Eyore)
Hughes (Owl)
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 07:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 09:05 pm (UTC)Maybe it times for him to put the big boy panties on and 'fess up to Peter.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 08:00 pm (UTC)(And I bet Mozzie loses his mind over this new "assignment".)
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 09:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 08:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 09:03 pm (UTC)Yes, I pity Neal. He's got a decision to make that not even Solomon could work out.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 08:58 pm (UTC)But, ok, this is beautifully written--and thanks for explaining exactly why Peter is still in peril. Wow, I'm sure Hagen loved pointing that out!
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 09:03 pm (UTC)Thank you for recognizing that, and for your lovely and insightful feedback.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 10:28 pm (UTC)I was there! Like, for real! Only a couple of weeks ago!!! D: I would've totally gone there to have a look at Pooh and his friends!!! ARGH!
Next time. *plots*
As for your story, it's kinda amazing to think that Neal is having scruples now. (That's a Good Thing, actually!) Screw gold or paintings, but this? This is truly priceless!
I honestly can't wait to find out what Hagen is really after (on the show, I mean). For now, I'm enjoying the living daylights out of this season, and I hope there'll be massive angst in tonight's episode, and NOBODY BETTER HARSH MY SQUEE.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 10:37 pm (UTC)Yeah, Neal has very selective scruples, doesn't he?
Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2013-11-07 10:43 pm (UTC)naggentle reminder *g*)Neal is very selective in a lot of things, not just his scruples. Which is why I love the guy. *pets him* (another reason why he should be spanked, but I digress...*g*)
I...better go to bed now... *coughs*
no subject
Date: 2013-11-08 02:22 am (UTC)Why does Hagen want those?
no subject
Date: 2013-11-08 03:37 am (UTC)Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2013-11-08 04:05 am (UTC)And...wait for it...
THINK OF THE CHILDREN!
;-p
no subject
Date: 2013-11-08 07:35 pm (UTC)And yes, the children - think of the children.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-08 08:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-08 07:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-08 07:36 pm (UTC)Yes, poor Neal - caught between the Devil (literally, if you want a crossover) and the deep blue sea.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-08 08:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-08 07:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-10 12:30 am (UTC)Personally Mozzie needs to put out another hit, Mozart would approve.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-14 02:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-11 02:04 pm (UTC)I missed this one!
This is brilliant!
I so love winnie the pooh...
Congrats!
( the picture makes me squee with glee)
no subject
Date: 2013-11-14 02:07 pm (UTC)Yes, of all the things that Hagen has commanded Neal to steal, this is the most evil of all.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-14 02:41 am (UTC)POOR NEAL. Evil Hagen. >.<
Don't dooo iiiit, Neal. Talk to Peter. Make it all better. <3
no subject
Date: 2013-11-14 02:08 pm (UTC)Yes, yes - Neal needs to 'fess up - or something, because stealing Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends is far too evil.