Singing in The Dead of Night (ch. 3)
Title: Singing in The Dead of Night
Chapter Title: Kate
Author: greeneyes0911
Pairing: Neal/OC
Characters: Neal, Peter, Elizabeth, Mozz, Kate, OC
Rating: pg-13ish
Length: 9,100+
Warnings/Spoilers: Um...current White Collar episodes
A/N: I shouldn't have started another chaptered fanfic.... but I did. Neal and Scarlett were dying to be written. And so yeah. My next chapter for The Time has Come is in the works though, so never fear.
Disclaimer: psh... I wish I owned Neal. I own the OC (Scarlett), and the plot, and that nonsense, but otherwise no, not mind.
Summary: Before Kate there was another girl. A thief. A thief better than Neal himself. He never quite got over her, but he did move on. Now she's back, and under some very curious circumstances
It was very early in the morning, and Neal had yet to get any sleep. Every time he tried his mind drifted to Scarlett asleep in the next room in his bed. Things became very uncomfortable at that mere thought. He rolled over trying to get comfortable again but instead found his phone vibrating loudly on the end table. He quickly pushed the ignore button, lest it wake someone. He figured it was no one important, after all who would call at two in the morning with anything important to say? Exactly. And then he thought better of that, because who would call at two in the morning if they didn't have something interesting to say? Exactly. So he reached over, grabbed the little silver phone, and pushed the green button. “Hello,” he asked groggily into the receiver. He could only pray that it wasn't Peter with a break in Scarlett's case. He really wasn't much in the mood to have to fend off Peter's questions about her. And he really couldn't deal with something that inferred Scarlett's guilt. His Birdie was having a tough enough time adjusting right now without the help of Peter trying to prove her to be nothing more than a liar at every turn.
“You have Blackbird staying with you,” Kate's voice asked from the other end of the line. The familiar voice had Neal sitting bolt upright on the couch, and walking out onto the balcony lest Vincent be a light sleeper. He knew Scarlett was, and if the boy was anything like his mother he wouldn't be able to sleep if there was even the smallest bit of noise that didn't seem right in the apartment. Neal didn't want to wake the little fellow, or his mother for that matter. They both needed their sleep, they'd been through Hell today. Plus Neal had a sneaking suspicion Scarlett would blow up if she found out Kate was asking questions about her.
“Kate,” Neal hissed into the phone. He couldn't believe this, his first contact with Kate in weeks and it was about Scarlett staying with him. That could mean one of two things, and Neal didn't like either of them. One, Kate could be jealous. And while that does sound like it would be a good thing for any red blooded male in Neal's position, it wasn't for Neal. He understood Kate, and that's what scared him. If she was jealous then she'd do something about it, and it wouldn't be good. She had a bit of a vindictive streak. Two, Kate could be the one behind Scarlett being investigated in the first place. While that would solve a lot of his problems, it would probably also create a lot of others. It would solve the struggle he was facing of Kate or Scarlett. But then he'd have to deal with the protecting of Scarlett from Kate.
“Neal, Neal, Neal,” she tutted into the phone and he could almost see her shaking her head in disapproval. “I cannot believe you let that little hussy back into your life.” Hussy was said with such venom that Neal actually felt defensive for Scarlett. His Birdie was no hussy. And here he'd always thought Kate and Scarlett had been friends on some level, apparently he'd been wrong.
“Birdie is not a hussy,” he hissed in return. He could hardly believe he was actually finding himself angry at Kate. After everything he'd been doing recently just to get her back, he actually found himself angry at her. It was kind of a revelation to see her in this light. To find that he could be angry with her. To find that there were some things about her character that he didn't like. And a bit of a relief. That meant it wasn't him. It was her. Perhaps he hadn't chased her away she had left of her own accord just to be needlessly mean. Just to get from him that which she wanted. That thought was a little mind bending, but oddly comforting at the same time.
“Right, whatever. I'm not calling to lecture you on your poor choice of sexual partner,” she snapped nastily.
“Then what did you call for? Because all I'm getting is you bashing Birdie when she's never done a damn thing to you.” Birdie, his Birdie, he would not allow Kate to talk about her like this. Especially now that he knew about Vincent. He had to protect them. Even from the ridicule of the woman he loved. Or thought he had loved. He didn't know. And this business with Birdie was really confusing things. Her coming back into his life was turning things on their head, and he was just so much more confused about Kate than he'd ever been. He wasn't sure which he cared for more anymore. But he supposed this was as good a time as any to pick a woman and stick with her. “What do you want Kate?” He relented a little his voice softening. He needed to make his choice, but who? Scarlett had been first. She had been there for him for years. He had seen a future with her. But she'd left him, and not come back until just now. Kate had been there to pick up the pieces. But she'd left him too.
“The music box Neal. You get it for me,” her voice sounded threatening and he didn't like it. He knew there was meant to be an 'or else' in there somewhere, but she just hadn't said it. And suddenly he found himself wondering what Kate was capable of. She obviously wasn't the person he had always thought she was. So who was she then?
“And if I don't? You've yet to give me a reason,” his voice challenged back. He wasn't afraid of Kate. There was nothing she could do to him that hadn't already been done to him. He'd been to prison, it wasn't a big deal. The only other things she could do involved violence, and he didn't think she was capable of that. Although, he was beginning to wonder.
“I will have your little Birdie caught and put in a cage. Then what will happen to that little hatchling she has? Will he go hungry? Will he cry? Will he be put up for adoption?” It sounded a lot to Neal like she was enjoying cornering him. She had yet to be able to. All she had been able to do was lead him around, but now he was cornered. He didn't like it. He also didn't like how conflicted he was about this. It was Scarlett or a music box he didn't have and would have to steal. He'd be more than willing to give it up if he had it, but the fact of the matter was he didn't. He knew how to get it, but that would put him right back in prison. But then... he thought on this for a moment. Then at least Birdie would still be on the outside, and she could take care of Vincent. He kept thinking. This was a tough choice after all.
“Tell her no and hang up the phone,” the voice of Scarlett came from the doorway of the balcony. Neal's mouth hung open in confusion mostly, but partly in awe. There she stood in a black chevron slip barefoot, and glowing in the lights from the city. If it was at all possible she was even more beautiful than he remembered her. And oh how'd he'd missed those little slips she wore to bed. Kate had always worn more modern pajamas. She substituted attractive little slips for sweat pants and t-shirts. Which it was nice that they were comfortable together, but he still missed Scarlett's style. He also missed seeing Scarlett barefoot and in one of his shirts. Oh those had been the days. Scarlett sighed loudly, and walked toward him taking the phone from his hand and holding it up to her ear. “Listen Kate, he's not giving it to you, I won't let him.”
“This is going to end badly for you Blackbird,” Kate seemed to sneer into the phone. Scarlett just nodded knowingly. She had known this would end badly for her from the beginning. But she would not use Neal like Kate had. She would not hurt him like Kate had. She still loved him, and she would do everything in her power to protect him.
“I know, but you and I Kate, we are birds of a different feather. I refuse to use him to solve my problems.” Scarlett's eyes had gone quite cold and it scared Neal just a little. He had never seen her like that. And he wondered what Kate had done to turn Scarlett into her enemy. Scarlett had always had this thing about her, she just liked people and people generally liked her. She didn't have enemies. She didn't pick fights. And the only person she ever bickered with was Neal, and that was all in fun. But one could assume, as Neal did, that when you became a mother something changed. And that thing made it impossible for you to not look like a lioness ready to kill when someone said something to threaten your child. So at that thought Neal felt a little relieved. His Birdie hadn't suddenly become vindictive, she was just protective. And for a split second he wanted her to be protective of him too.
“You're a stupid, stupid girl,” Kate spat angrily into the phone.
“Nice chatting with you. Can't wait for our next tête-à-tête." With that she hung up and handed the phone back to Neal. He stood there for a long moment watching her walk away. And it was not just because he enjoyed the view of her slip clad form from the back, which was also true. But he was geniunely shocked by what had happened. Also, he felt a little grateful to Scarlett, after all these years she wanted to protect him from her problems. It wasn't about independence for her, and he knew that. This was about not dragging him down with her. She was a good woman.
"Birdie," he called after her, following her into the apartment. She turned to look at him, brow quirked. "Is that what I needed to ask Kate about? She wanted the music box even then?" He wasn't sure why he felt like he didn't really want to know the answer. And suddenly he realized that's why Scarlett hadn't told him any of this the other night. She didn't want to hurt him. She didn't want to cause him pain. She didn't want to make him feel like he had to be there for Vincent. She wanted to let him keep the one thing he held dearest, his freedom. But it was a little late for that now. She and Vincent were back in his life, and if he had anything to say about it they wouldn't be going anywhere.
"No," Scarlett answered with a sigh. "When she found out I was pregnant she told me," she stopped for a moment averting her eyes and wearing on her lip. It was clear she was still choosing her words carefully. She still was trying desperately to save him from pain. She was still protecting him. How many years had she been doing this? When would she let him just take care of her? "She told me you'd leave me. That you'd hate me. And I just- well I just couldn't deal with that. So I left you before you could leave me." It all came out in a rush of words and like that Neal picked his side. He saw her clearly now, he saw everything clearly now. He was on Scarlett's side. He always should have been. Of course the idea of Kate playing on Scarlett's insecurities bothered him. He almost felt like denying it's truth. And he probably would have had he not just witnessed Kate's coldness first hand. He didn't know how she could believe such an utter lie, but he nodded in understanding anyways. "She - well she's been to see me recently."
"What," he asked confusion clearly etched on his face.
"She dropped by a few weeks ago. I didn't think I'd ever see her again, but she showed up at my door. I thought she was just coming by to catch up. I was more than willing to let bygones be bygones. But then she started demanding I come to you and get the music box. I told her no." That's when the stress appeared evident as ever around her eyes. She was having a very hard time dealing with Kate, and Kate's threats while she tried to keep her life together. It had to be hard enough being a single mother with a five year old little boy who, if he was anything like his father, had to get into a lot of trouble and be very mischeivous.
"Why did you interfere just now," he asked after processing what she'd said for a moment. "I could have taken care of it." And he could have, easily. Of course his taking care of it would have been agreeing to anything Kate said to keep his Birdie out of prison.
"Because I know you don't have it. And I won't let you put your neck on the line for me." His mouth was already gaping to argue with her but she stopped him. "It's not your job to protect me. Just do me a favor, clear my name." He nodded dumbly, he didn't really understand the request, but he did understand that she didn't want him in trouble again. "You stay out of prison, and I'll stay out of the bird cage, deal," she asked walking up towards him so that she was standing mere inches before him. He could feel the heat radiating off her. And he could easily reach out and grab her, but he didn't. He'd always respected her too much for that.
"Deal," he nodded and smiled lightly.
"Thank you," she whispered and rose on her tip toes to lightly kiss his lips. Before Neal could respond she took a step back and eyed him carefully. She seemed to decide something then and there, and nodded to herself. Neal wondered what she was thinking, but never bothered to ask because he knew she wouldn't tell him. Then she grinned, and shook her head.
"What is it?"
"I don't understand what I ever did so right to deserve a person like you," she answered quietly before turning on her heel and making her way back to the bedroom. All Neal could think was that he didn't know what he did to deserve her. She'd always been good to him, too good to him. And now he was just finding a way to pay her back. His lips were tingling pleasanty, and already he missed the feel of her lips on his. But he didn't push it, he never had. Scarlett was the kind of woman who came to you, not the other way around. She didn't like to be chased around like a piece of meat, and he respected her too much neigh cared for her too much to do that to her. He flopped back onto the couch his eyes closing and his mind drifting. Sleep took him this time, but only because his mind was full of Birdie.
Neal was up before her, much before her, and he moved about quietly through the apartment. He didn't want to wake his guests. When he made his way into the bedroom he stopped dead at the door in awe. There in his bed laid Vincent, looking peaceful and calm, and behind him was his mother. She had her arm looped around the little boy. But that isn't what stopped Neal in his tracks. No it was the vision that Scarlett was laying there with the dim light coming through the windows and falling on her face. She looked like an angel. And to think, that angel used to be his. He shook himself, she wasn't anymore, and he had to remember that. He moved to pull out his clothes, and then went to the bathroom to shower, and get ready. There on the sink, when he went to brush his teeth were two other toothbrushes. One was a little blue racecar , and the other was a plain red generic brush much like his own. It was strange to see two more toothbrushes on his sink. But it also kind of felt nice, like he wasn't alone, like he had someone. He hadn't felt that in so long. Even when he had Kate while he was in prison he felt alone, like he didn't really have her. He imagined if it had been Scarlett he would have known distinctly he had someone waiting for him every day on the outside. But Kate always seemed ready for the next best thing. Which he couldn't blame her, some people were just like that. Suddenly his nose caught the smell of pancakes, and he looked at his reflection in confusion. Pancakes? Who was making pancakes? He came out of the bathroom with everything but his tie and jacket on and headed for the kitchen. There in front of the stove stood Scarlett in a robe, he wasn't sure where she'd found it because it didn't look like something she'd buy herself, and Vincent was sitting at the table watching his mother expectently. A floorboard creaked under him and they both turned to look at him.
"Oh, you're done," She smiled a little and then turned back to the stove.
"Yeah," he muttered sitting his jacket and tie across the back of one of the chairs.
"You know you shower just as long as some of my roommates when I was in college." Her voice was light and conversational, and he found himself kind of liking coming out to find her in his kitchen making breakfast. He usually didn't really eat breakfast mind you, but his stomach growled loudly at the thought of pancakes.
"Are you saying I take as long to get ready as a girl?" Vincent laughed loudly at that like he'd just caught onto the joke, and Neal found he couldn't help but smile at the little boy.
"Take from it what you will. But please sit down and stop hovering like that, you're making me nervous," She chided, and he immediately plopped into one of the seats beside Vincent. His paper was sitting there on the table, and he proceeded to peruse it while he waited.
"Mama, are yuw doin' buwberry," Vincent asked cocking an eyebrow at his mother. It was clear by the look on his face that blueberry was his favorite, which was comforting because most kids liked chocolate chip. Neal himself had never liked chocolate chip, he'd always preferred his pancakes with fruit if they had any additives. Plus what little kid needed all that extra sugar early in the morning? Exactly, so why did someone create the chocolate chip pancake to begin with.
"No, sorry love. Neal doesn't have any blueberries." Vincent gave Neal a shocked look like he couldn't believe the man didn't have blueberries, who didn't have blueberries. Neal just shrugged in response feeling a little bashful at the way the little boy looked at him like he was an incredibly lame person for not having blueberries. Truth was he didn't eat in much, and when he did it was either take out or something Sophia made. So he didn't have much use for groceries of his own. "But I promise we'll go and get some groceries today, and then Neal won't be lacking in anything." There was a small playful smile tugging at her lips as she sat the plate down in front of them, and proceeded to flop pancakes onto Vincent's plate. Neal sat his paper aside and then took some pancakes of his own, and then what she had said took purchase.
"You can't just go out grocery shopping Birdie," He said sternly stopping mid stab at one of the fluffy pancakes.
"And why can't I? I'm perfectly capable, I have been doing it for years. And as I'm sure you'll recall I did all the shopping way back when." He noticed she didn't say when we were living together, or when we were together and he thought maybe it was because she didn't want Vincent to know that that's the kind of old friends they were. Which kind of made sense, but also stung, a lot more than he'd thought it would.
"Don't look at me like that Birdie, you and I both know it's not safe for you two to go out and about with what's going on. I won't have you sticking your neck out there just for blueberries."
"Then I suppose you expect us to starve do you? Lock us up in your place and starve us, is that the plan? Well I won't have it, I will go grocery shopping, and I'd like to see you stop me," her eyes cut dangerously and he gulped audibly. If he didn't know better he'd say she was ready to smack him for the mere thought of not allowing her to go out and shop for food for her and Vincent. He had to think quick, come on think Neal think! He needed a plan, something to tell her to appease her but also keep her safe.
"How about you wait until I get off work? Then I can go with you and be sure you're both safe."
"No," she said plainly sitting on the other side of Vincent and cutting his pancakes for him. The little boy was looking at them both with wide worried eyes. "I will not be holed up in this place. I won't be forced into a corner just because they think they can get at me. I won't do it. I won't live my life afraid. You can damn well forget it Neal Caffrey. I won't do it. And can you imagine keeping Vincent in here for days on end with nothing to do? No." Neal's eyes went wide, and he frowned worriedly. He knew the woman was stubborn but he'd never expected her to ignore him completely.
"Mama, are yuw and Mister Neal fighting," Vincent asked quietly his eyes watery. The little boy had this strange expression on his face like children get the first time they see their parents fight.
"No, we're not fighting," Scarlett cooed quietly kissing his forehead. The boy looked confused, if they weren't fighting then what were they doing? "We're just bickering. We do that sometimes, you'll learn to ignore it. It has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with Neal's idiotic obstinance." The boy seemed pleased with this answer and nodded his head as he slathered his pancakes with syrup. Neal assumed Scarlett must have asked June if she could borrow a few things for the morning, because he didn't remember having syrup at all. It was probably a good thing the little boy didn't understand the two big words at the end of her statement or he'd understand that she was actually angry with Neal.
"Can you at least wait today? Maybe I can get Peter to give you a body guard or something. Someone we trust from the team. Please? For me," Neal asked. His eyes went wide and soft in an impossibly charming puppy dog expression. That was one thing that had always annoyed Scarlett about him, he could talk her into virtually anything. It had been what kept her coming back to him in those early days, he was impossibly charming.
"Fine, for today we will stay stuck indoors. But I will have you know I am not pleased with this arrangement. And you better find me a girl to spend my days with, because I think a guy would look pretty suspicious. And another thing," she poked his chest over the table her eyes set in a hard expression "don't get off thinking you can boss me around. I am here of my own freewill, and I can leave of my own freewill." With that she took a pancake for herself, and began eating her breakfast. The rest of breakfast went on quite nicely, Vincent chattered away about where he lived, how he'd be going to school, his favorite shows on TV, his favorite color, and anything else under the sun the little boy could think to talk about. Neal quite liked it, he was getting to know the boy in a way he never thought he'd get to know a child before.
All of this left him in spectacularly good mood so that when he got to the office he was whistling and grinning widely. It was strange to be in such a good mood over something so simple, but then he supposed that came with the whole being a father thing. When he reached Peter's office he found his partner frowning at him. "What's got you so perky," Peter asked frowning at him.
"Birdie made pancakes," Neal replied chuckling a little at how odd that sounded. It was an odd thing to be so happy about, but just having her and Vincent around was kind of nice. And he found himself lifted by the mere thought of going home to them this evening.
"Is that code for sex, because I can't keep up with all the euphanisms anymore," Peter grumbled going through the files on his desk. Neal's face fell a little at the thought. He didn't want people thinking of her like that, and it sort of bothered him that Peter did.
"No, that's code for she made pancakes for breakfast. Speaking of Birdie though, I need you to do me a favor." Neal plopped into one of the chairs before Peter's desk. Peter abruptly looked up from his paper work and frowned at the conman. He didn't like the idea of a favor, especially a favor having to do with Blackbird. She was a conwoman, and he didn't want to do anything to help her if he could help it. He was only working to help Neal because of the kid. If it weren't for the kid he'd be just as happy to lock her up and throw away the key. The fact of the matter was she did have that kid, and Neal believed her desperately. Plus Elizabeth would have him sleeping on the couch eternally if he denied helping this woman just because he was being biased.
"What do you need," he asked the frown on his face deepening.
"Well Birdie made me very much aware this morning that she doesn't plan on letting me just keep her locked up at my place. She intends to try to live her life as normally as possible. So I was wondering if you could put someone on her, so she'll be safe." Neal's big blue eyes were pleading with him, and Peter really did not want to do this for him. He really shouldn't be taking men off their jobs to watch Neal's little girlfriend. But still, he understood what it was like to want someone you cared about safe. He would do the same if it was Elizabeth in danger. And even if he didn't really understand the extent of Neal and Blackbird's relationship he understood that much.
"Alright," Peter nodded trying to think of who to use.
"Really, just like that," Neal asked excitedly. He couldn't believe he'd been able to convince Peter so easily. But then Peter was a good guy, and he'd been known to use FBI resources for things for Elizabeth before. So if anyone would understand it would be Peter. Peter nodded, and Neal grinned wider. "Thank you. I swear she'll be an upstanding citizen and won't cause any trouble."
"Yeah well you better be right," Peter grumbled in reply. "Now if you don't mind we actually have some work to do. We have to go by the museum and visit the scene of the crime. I know you'd like to sit here and daydream about your little Birdie all day, but we have stuff to do." He rose from his seat, and pulled his coat on. Neal opened his mouth to object to wanting to just sit around and think about Birdie, but then thought better of it. Because in truth that's kind of what he wanted to do right now. Well, think about her and this Kate thing. He needed to figure out a way to prove this wasn't Scarlett so he could keep her out of prison, and somehow get Kate to leave her alone. Neal had decided earlier that morning that he wasn't going to tell Peter right away about Kate calling him. It would only prove Peter right, that Kate had been working for the bad guys the whole time. And that was just not something Neal wanted to deal with. The older man would be smug, and no one liked a smug Peter. They were in the car on their way to the museum in minutes, and Neal settled into his seat his eyes watching out the window. "So what is it about this girl," Peter broke the silence.
Neal's eyes widened, and he turned to look at Peter. "You wouldn't get it," he said shrugging, but he knew this wouldn't appeased Peter's curiousity.
"Really, I want to know. If we're going to put our necks on the line, my job on the line, and your freedom on the line I think I have a right to know what's so special about her. And what happened to Kate?"
"Kate-," Neal sighed running a hand through his hair nervously. "Kate isn't like Birdie. They're two entirely different women. I knew Kate had a vindictive streak, I knew she liked only the best, but still I loved her. Birdie was never like that. She never asked me for anything, she just wanted to be with me. She's - well she's good in a way you'd never expect. Sure, she lies all the time, and not even I know about her past or where she came from. But she's honest about the big stuff, like how she feels for people, and her motives. And she's so kind, I once watched her give up her last few dollars to some old man in front of her in line who didn't have enough money for his sandwhich. And she's got such style, and such class. She's not one of those girls who just wants to be classy, she is classy," Neal drifted off and looked over at Peter who was eying him oddly. "I told you you wouldn't get it," Neal grumbled to himself turning back to look out the window. But Peter did get it, he got it better than he got why Neal had liked Kate. Kate had been like an adiction that Neal knew was bad for him but couldn't let go. But Blackbird, she was the air Neal breathed. She was like his Elizabeth to him. Without them they'd die. Which had Peter wondering how Neal had survived for five years without this girl. But he supposed Kate had sort of filled the hole she left.
"I get it," Peter said quietly, and Neal turned a wide shocked look toward him. "Don't worry Neal, we'll prove your Bird isn't behind this." With that he patted the younger man's shoulder in a comforting way. Neal just sat in stunned silence as they pulled in front of the museum. They both got out of the car, and made their way up to the door. In those few seconds Neal decided he'd tell Peter about what had happened with Kate last night. His partner deserved to know, and it would help Peter to better understand the case. They were friends after all. Neal followed Peter into the building where they were introduced to the head curator. Neal looked over the woman and frowned a little, she was in a plain grey pants suit and she didn't look like a happy person in the least. Her name was Susan, a plain boring name for a plain boring suit. And she clearing didn't think him charming or amusing, great. She lead them back to a room where the piece was hung on a wall, and stood there watching them.
"I'd like to examine it off the rack," Neal said to Peter completely ignoring the mean looking Susan who was eying him like a criminal. The woman glared at him, and Neal sighed. "What, am I going to walk out with the fake?" Susan frowned at him but took down the piece begrudgingly and took it to a back room to allow Peter and Neal to examine. He watched her from the corner of his eye until he was sure it was just he and Peter in the room. Then he pulled the napkin from the other night out of his pocket, and held it up to the little blackbird on the back of the guitar. "I thought so," he said to himself with a grin.
"What? You thought what? Hey, where did you get that," Peter asked pointing at the napkin.
"Birdie left it for me the other night at the bar. That's not the point, look at it." Neal pointed to the beak, and Peter examined them both more closely. He was right the beak of the real Blackbird's little blackbird the line of it stretched upward a little past the beak almost like it was smiling. The bird on fhe guitar did not. "Birdie always put a smile on their faces. She said she liked them to be happy, only I knew that. And someone who didn't know and didn't examine her signature upclose and personal wouldn't be able to tell. So clearly she's not your girl," Neal smirked wider. He wanted to call Scarlett that second and tell her he'd cleared her at least in Peter's eyes. This was a cause for celebration. He should buy some champagne.
"I never thought I'd see the day that we'd find a woman as strange as you, but it seems we have," Peter laughed to himself lightly. He had already decided Blackbird wasn't the one who was doing this, but this just proved it to him. Before he'd only decided it because Neal cared for her so much, and because Neal believed her to be so honest. Now he had actual proof. "Alright then, now we just have to prove it. How would you have done it?"
"No, that's not what we need to be asking. We need to ask how Blackbird would have done it. She had a distinct style all her own. We'll have to bring her with us and see what she says. Because these people aren't trying to mimic me, they're trying to mimic her." Peter nodded in understanding, and they called Susan back in. The woman eyed them suspiciously but didn't say anything about it. Instead he just returned the fake guitar to it's proper place, and saw them out. Once back in the car Neal started on what had happened with Kate. Peter listened intently to the whole story, and just shook his head. He couldn't believe the bad luck Neal had with women. But he could believe that Kate was the real villain at play here, and that Blackbird was doing her best to protect Neal. She just seemed like that kind of woman. "So you see, I have to clear her. I just have to. Because this is really about me. They're trying to use my Birdie to get at me."
"I'm not going to say I told you so," Peter chided and Neal was grateful for it. "Well is someone with Blackbird now? I mean you said she's stubborn, she could have gone out on her own."
"Damn," Neal growled angry that he hadn't thought of that himself. He actually thought Birdie might listen to him, but Peter was right the woman was stubborn. "I'll call Mozz." With that his phone was out and he was dialing Mozz in a matter of seconds. He couldn't believe he hadn't thought of this at all. He should of. But when he was with Scarlett he'd never had to worry about her leaving on her own because she was never in danger before. But now that she was he'd have to remain extra vigilent about her. When the phone picked up, before Mozz could even say hello Neal was giving orders. "Mozz, I need you to go by my place and stay with Birdie. Make sure she doesn't go out anywhere. Make sure she stays put. She's not to go out of your sight you understand me?"
"Well hello Neal," Mozz said with a light laugh. "I'm already over at your place. Blackbird called me over this morning to finish off the pancakes, and I've been here since." Neal sighed in relief at that. Scarlett was safe. His little Birdie was safe. As was his son. Scarlett frowned at Mozz when he spoke into the phone to Neal. She really didn't like that he was calling and checking up on her. She was an adult for Heaven's sake.
"Can I talk to her," Neal asked relief washing over him and suddenly worry was replaced with the desparate need to hear her voice. Peter just shook his head still driving.
"What do you need Neal," Scarlett asked irritably into the phone. "Mozz and I were having a very important conversation before you so rudely interrupted." Neal could almost hear her drumming her fingernails on his table in minor agitation. Of course he also knew that she wasn't really angry with him. She hardly ever was.
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that I've proved to Peter that you're innocent. Now he's completely on your side. I thought that might be a cause for celebration. Maybe we can go out to dinner." There was a smooth charming smile stretched across Neal's face, and he was sure Scarlett could hear it in his voice. She wouldn't be able to say no.
"And what do you expect me to do with my son," was the reply, and his hopes fell a little. Peter saw this, and tapped Neal on the shoulder pointing to himself with something akin to a conspiratorial smirk on his face. Suddenly Neal was eternally grateful for his friend.
"Well, I'm sure Elle would love to spend some more time with him. As would Peter." Neal answered the charming smile returning to his face.
"And my groceries?"
"Give Mozz a list, he's good at getting things. Tell him I'll pay him back." Neal seemed to have the solution for everything in hand, and she couldn't say no. She just couldn't. She had to say yes merely because he'd come up with all these answers on the spot.
"Alright, but Mozz isn't going to like that. I'll see you." With that she hung up the phone and turned to Mozz with a sigh.
"What isn't Mozz going to like," Mozz asked nervously as he fiddled with one of the chess pieces before him on the board. They were teaching the little boy how to play by showing him. It seemed the little boy found the idea of the strategy behind it impressively interesting. Which impressed Mozz.
"Neal wants you to do my grocery shopping for me," Scarlett offered getting up and starting to search for some paper and a pen.
"He what," Mozz asked loudly his eyes bugging out of his skull causing the little boy to giggle madly.
"He wants to take me out to dinner. Bluejay, finish off Mister Mozz for mommy, I've got to write down our grocery list." The little boy nodded, and took over her seat. Mozz was still watching Blackbird with wide eyes. How could Neal really think it would be alright for him to go grocery shopping for them? He didn't grocery shop. He didn't even know how to grocery shop. He wouldn't know what to get, or how much money to take, or where to go, or any of that. He looked positively frazzled. "Don't worry about it Mozzie, I'll be very specific. There is a whole foods right around the block, go there. I'll give you brands and aisle numbers and everything. If you need help you can ask one of the people who works there." Mozz sputtered idly still.
"I can't believe him," Mozz continued to sputter while the little boy before him moved his piece easily putting him in Check.
"Oh don't act like this Mozz. It's Neal, you know how Neal is. Now stop sputtering about and pay attention, Bluejay has just put you in check, and I won't have him winning just because you're distracted. It will do nothing for his intelligence," Blackbird chided wagging her pen in Mozz's face and then pointing it at the chessboard. Mozz's eyes returned to the chessboard and he found himself surprised to see that the little boy had put him in check.
"Check," Vincent chimed with a wide grin. "Yuwr turn Mister Mozz." Mozz nodded and the game continued.
When Blackbid was done writing up her list they were done their game. "Bluejay, I want you to go into our room and get some things together. You'll be staying with Miss Elizabeth and Mister Peter tonight. Be sure to grab some pajamas, clean underwear, a toothbrush-"
"I know mama," the little boy cut her off and scurried out of the room to retrieve his things. Scarlett flopped into the seat across from Mozz her eyes stressed.
"What's gotten into you Blackbird, I've never seen you this tense," Mozz asked with something like actual concern in his eyes. He'd always thought of himself and Blackbird as friends. Granted they weren't as close as she and Neal. But no one was as close to her as Neal was. And it never even bothered Mozz that he didn't know her real name, or any of her background. And in all the years he'd known her, he'd never once seen her like this. She'd always been a carefree happy spirit. But five years had changed her into a stressed out ball of tension.
"It's just everything that's been going on recently. With this investigation, and Neal back in our lives. I'm normally not like this, but I'm just having such a hard time trying to balance everything. I mean really, a single mother on the run from the FBI and some unknown force that wants to pin everything on her. Not to mention everything that's been going on with Kate, and her wanting that blasted music box from Neal." She rested her head in her hands glaring down at the table.
"Wait, what about Kate and the music box. How do you know about that? I wouldn't have thought Neal would have told you about that."
"Mozzie," She smiled ruefully looking up at him. "Neal tells me everything. Not to mention Kate's been to see me recently asking for the blasted thing. She wanted me to come and get it from Neal. Aparrently Neal didn't tell Kate everything like he always did me." She smiled a little kind of happy that she was the only one who knew the truth.
"What do you mean," Mozz asked his brows creasing in confusion as he adjusted his glasses to look at her more clearly.
"I mean, Neal doesn't have that box. He never told me he didn't, but he couldn't lie to me like he could lie to everyone else. Not to mention, I'm the one who stole that damn thing." She was doodling on the pad of paper before her and Mozz just looked at her shocked, his mouth hanging open. "Don't look at me like that. I'm not lying. I took it, but I sold it on the black market before Jude was born. I sold everything on the black market before he was born."
"Why didn't you tell anyone? I mean really that's the kind of achievement you should brag about."
"Yeah, well I didn't much care for the glory," She shrugged easily. "What I did was never about the glory. It was never about the money for that matter either. It was about the history, the art, the places I saw, the people I met, and the general fun of it. So I let people believe Neal stole it, because he seemed to like being puffed up to be the big boy on campus. It didn't matter to me either way." Her pen was making mindless swirling patterns on the paper before her, and she had this dreamy far away look in her eyes. Like she was remembering her past. Like she was back there that day when she'd found out Neal was getting the credit for her theft.
"I suppose you're right," Mozz said quietly. Vincent returned to them with his little blue duffle stuffed full of toys and games and books. Scarlett laughed to herself.
"I hope you have your clothes, and toothbrush in there." Vincent nodded vigoriously, and sat his bag on the couch. "Hey Bluejay, why don't you and Mister Mozz play another game of chess while mommy gets ready for her dinner."
"I'd like that very much," Mozz said with a grin, and the little boy laughed before taking up his seat again. Scarlett wandered back into the back bedroom where she grabbed her things, then headed to the bathroom. When the shower was on Mozz quirked a brow at the little boy who'd just moved a pawn. "Do you like Mister Neal?"
Vincent looked up at the odd question, and quired a brow of his own. It was positively scary how much like Neal he looked especially when he got those serious expressions on his face. "Sure I wike him. Why you ask?" Mozz moved a pawn forward as well.
"I was just wondering," Mozz shrugged but the boy still looked at him suspiciously. "I think he might be taking your mommy on a date."
"A what," the little boy asked his brows creasing in utter confusion.
"A date. You know where they go to dinner, and he tries to charm her into liking him more." Mozz found it odd that the little boy didn't know what a date was. But then maybe Blackbird hadn't been on any since she'd left Neal. That was a comforting thought. Neal would be pleased with that. Of course Mozz didn't think it would do him good to tell him that. Because Neal was already very much in danger of being as in love with Blackbird as he'd ever been.
Vincent shrugged, "She aweady wikes him a wot." Mozz looked a little confused. "I can teww, I know my mama." This shut Mozz into an unusual silence, and the game continued. It seemed though the little boy didn't understand much about male and female relationships he did understand his mother, and he did know that his mother liked Neal an excessive amount. How Vincent knew this was simple, it was because Neal knew her name, and because he'd seen pictures of them from before he was born. His mama kept a shoebox under her bed that he went through when he was left with the sitter. It helped him to miss her less. In that box were millions (maybe not millions but he thought there were millions) of pictures of his mama and Mister Neal laughing and smiling, and kissing in front of that big tower thing in that country where the people talked funny. And since he didn't see his mama acting like that with anyone else, he was able to draw the rational conclusion that she liked Mister Neal a lot.
Neal returned home to find Vincent and Mozz staring each other down across his chessboard. This image alone made him laugh so hard he had to lean against the door frame to maintain his balance. Both sitting at the table looked up at him with confusion clearly etched on their faces. "Nothing," He brushed it off walking to stand beside Mozz. "Thanks for this Mozz." Mozz just nodded. "Where is your mom," Neal asked bending down to look the little boy in the eye.
"She's back in da woom gettin' weady," Vincent said easily and then returned to glaring at the chessboard trying to decide his next move. "Checkmate," he said moving his piece and cornering Mozz.
"What," Mozz sputtered examining the board more closely. Neal chuckled looking at the board, the boy had cornered him, easily with his knights and a bishop.
"I win," Vincent cheered.
"So he does Mozzie," Neal said with a grin.
"I can't believe he beat me again. This is the third time," Mozz sputtered on.
"I warned you he was a quick inner," Scarlett said from the bedroom door. All three looked up to see her standing there looking impossibly beautiful. She was wearing a dark grey jersey material dress with ruffles all over the front except at the waist where there was a band of material like a belt to break it up, a tan blazer with the sleeves rolled up to just bellow her elbows, and a pair of grey suede closed toe pumps with a bow on the outside. Somehow she'd gotten a hold of one of those little caps with the veils and the feathers in the same color grey as her dress. And to top it off around her neck was a long chain, at the end of the chain was a blue cameo locket with a little boy on it. Neal'd wager good money it had a picture of Vincent in it, and something about that just made everything about her scream Birdie. She was herself in a way she hadn't been since he'd seen her that first night at the bar. And that's what he'd been hoping for, to see that carefree whimsical look in her eyes that he'd always loved. "Did I grow a third arm suddenly," she asked wearing on her lip but her eyes lighting playfully.
"No mama, yuw wook beautifuw," Vincent said with a wide grin hopping from his seat and running to her to give her a big hug. She scooped him up and hugged him to her easily. And suddenly there it was, a picture of a family straight out of another century. With Vincent in his little knickers, button up shirt, and suspenders, and his mother in her outfit.
"Nicely done," Mozz applauded easily, but Neal was still standing there in awe. Scarlett bowed her head, and blushed slightly. Mozz had the sense to elbow Neal into action.
Neal cleared his throat which he found suddenly dry, "You look nice," he managed through all the muddle that had become his brain in a matter of seconds. Scarlett merely shook her head, and set Vincent on his feet.
The little boy in turn ran up to Neal and tugged on his sleeve. Neal looked down on him, but Vincent beckoned him down to his level. When Neal complied the little boy swatted his shoulder and said, "That's no way two tawk two a wady. Didn't yuwr mama teach yuw better?" Scarlett chuckled lightly, and Neal cleared his throat feeling unbearably more embarrassed than before. His cheeks flushed a little.
"No, my mama didn't. But your's seems to have done such a fine job," Neal grinned at the little boy. "So what would you suggest I tell her?" Vincent whispered something in his ear, and Neal laughed a little. Then striding across the room gallantly he took Birdie's hand, kissed it (all by Vincent's instructions) and said "I am told that it would be in good manners to tell you that you look positively elegant." Vincent clapped gleefully from where he stood, and nodded in approval. Scarlett merely laughed brightly and kissed Neal's cheek in response. For this response Neal was so pleased that Birdie had taught Vincent proper manners. "Well we should be off. We have reservations in about a half hour, and we have to drop the little Hatchling off with the Burkes on our way."
"How is that working with your nice anklet," Mozz asked as he pulled on his coat, and wrapped his scarf around his neck.
"We're not going very far," Neal answered easily. Mozz just nodded, and waved goodbye as he left. There were soon in a cab and riding across town to where the Burke's lived. Elizabeth was at the door to meet them, she was excited to see Vincent and Scarlett, and so she had been giddily waiting by the window since Peter told her the news. Neal didn't even have time to knock.
"Come on in," Elizabeth said with a wide grin. Vincent ran right in and dropped his bag on the couch then returned to stand beside her.
"We really don't have time," Neal said easily. Elizabeth looked a little disappointed, but she nodded anyways.
"Well alright then. You look very nice," She said touching Scarlett's arm. Scarlett grinned widely at the compliment. "I wonder where do you shop?"
"Oh a little bit of everywhere. Thrift stores, department stores,-" Scarlett was just about to ramble on about how she got most of her clothes.
But Neal cut her off, because he knew that was one thing she could go on about all night. "Sorry to cut you off Birdie, but we really are going to be late." With that he gave Elizabeth a wide grin, which could only say one thing, I want to get her alone for a little while can you please just be quiet.? Elizabeth seemed to get the message, and nodded.
"Alright, alright. Always in a rush," Scarlett grumbled bending down to pick up Vincent. "Goodnight Bluejay. Now if you need me Miss Elizabeth has my number, and I will be here in ten minutes tops. But you shouldn't need me should you, because you're a big boy aren't you?" Vincent nodded eagerly along.
"Night night mama. Yuw have fun wif Mister Neal. And Mister Neal yuw remember what I told yuw about yuwr manners." The little boy pointed a little chubby finger at Neal and narrowed his eyes in warning. "Don't make my mama upset." Neal nodded and grinned at the little boy trying to reassure him. "Well then, wiff dat all settled. Bye bye." Scarlett set him on his feet, and he ran into the house probably to go bug Peter if Neal knew anything about the little boy. He promptly put his hand on the small of Scarlett's back and started leading her back to the cab.
Chapter Title: Kate
Author: greeneyes0911
Pairing: Neal/OC
Characters: Neal, Peter, Elizabeth, Mozz, Kate, OC
Rating: pg-13ish
Length: 9,100+
Warnings/Spoilers: Um...current White Collar episodes
A/N: I shouldn't have started another chaptered fanfic.... but I did. Neal and Scarlett were dying to be written. And so yeah. My next chapter for The Time has Come is in the works though, so never fear.
Disclaimer: psh... I wish I owned Neal. I own the OC (Scarlett), and the plot, and that nonsense, but otherwise no, not mind.
Summary: Before Kate there was another girl. A thief. A thief better than Neal himself. He never quite got over her, but he did move on. Now she's back, and under some very curious circumstances
It was very early in the morning, and Neal had yet to get any sleep. Every time he tried his mind drifted to Scarlett asleep in the next room in his bed. Things became very uncomfortable at that mere thought. He rolled over trying to get comfortable again but instead found his phone vibrating loudly on the end table. He quickly pushed the ignore button, lest it wake someone. He figured it was no one important, after all who would call at two in the morning with anything important to say? Exactly. And then he thought better of that, because who would call at two in the morning if they didn't have something interesting to say? Exactly. So he reached over, grabbed the little silver phone, and pushed the green button. “Hello,” he asked groggily into the receiver. He could only pray that it wasn't Peter with a break in Scarlett's case. He really wasn't much in the mood to have to fend off Peter's questions about her. And he really couldn't deal with something that inferred Scarlett's guilt. His Birdie was having a tough enough time adjusting right now without the help of Peter trying to prove her to be nothing more than a liar at every turn.
“You have Blackbird staying with you,” Kate's voice asked from the other end of the line. The familiar voice had Neal sitting bolt upright on the couch, and walking out onto the balcony lest Vincent be a light sleeper. He knew Scarlett was, and if the boy was anything like his mother he wouldn't be able to sleep if there was even the smallest bit of noise that didn't seem right in the apartment. Neal didn't want to wake the little fellow, or his mother for that matter. They both needed their sleep, they'd been through Hell today. Plus Neal had a sneaking suspicion Scarlett would blow up if she found out Kate was asking questions about her.
“Kate,” Neal hissed into the phone. He couldn't believe this, his first contact with Kate in weeks and it was about Scarlett staying with him. That could mean one of two things, and Neal didn't like either of them. One, Kate could be jealous. And while that does sound like it would be a good thing for any red blooded male in Neal's position, it wasn't for Neal. He understood Kate, and that's what scared him. If she was jealous then she'd do something about it, and it wouldn't be good. She had a bit of a vindictive streak. Two, Kate could be the one behind Scarlett being investigated in the first place. While that would solve a lot of his problems, it would probably also create a lot of others. It would solve the struggle he was facing of Kate or Scarlett. But then he'd have to deal with the protecting of Scarlett from Kate.
“Neal, Neal, Neal,” she tutted into the phone and he could almost see her shaking her head in disapproval. “I cannot believe you let that little hussy back into your life.” Hussy was said with such venom that Neal actually felt defensive for Scarlett. His Birdie was no hussy. And here he'd always thought Kate and Scarlett had been friends on some level, apparently he'd been wrong.
“Birdie is not a hussy,” he hissed in return. He could hardly believe he was actually finding himself angry at Kate. After everything he'd been doing recently just to get her back, he actually found himself angry at her. It was kind of a revelation to see her in this light. To find that he could be angry with her. To find that there were some things about her character that he didn't like. And a bit of a relief. That meant it wasn't him. It was her. Perhaps he hadn't chased her away she had left of her own accord just to be needlessly mean. Just to get from him that which she wanted. That thought was a little mind bending, but oddly comforting at the same time.
“Right, whatever. I'm not calling to lecture you on your poor choice of sexual partner,” she snapped nastily.
“Then what did you call for? Because all I'm getting is you bashing Birdie when she's never done a damn thing to you.” Birdie, his Birdie, he would not allow Kate to talk about her like this. Especially now that he knew about Vincent. He had to protect them. Even from the ridicule of the woman he loved. Or thought he had loved. He didn't know. And this business with Birdie was really confusing things. Her coming back into his life was turning things on their head, and he was just so much more confused about Kate than he'd ever been. He wasn't sure which he cared for more anymore. But he supposed this was as good a time as any to pick a woman and stick with her. “What do you want Kate?” He relented a little his voice softening. He needed to make his choice, but who? Scarlett had been first. She had been there for him for years. He had seen a future with her. But she'd left him, and not come back until just now. Kate had been there to pick up the pieces. But she'd left him too.
“The music box Neal. You get it for me,” her voice sounded threatening and he didn't like it. He knew there was meant to be an 'or else' in there somewhere, but she just hadn't said it. And suddenly he found himself wondering what Kate was capable of. She obviously wasn't the person he had always thought she was. So who was she then?
“And if I don't? You've yet to give me a reason,” his voice challenged back. He wasn't afraid of Kate. There was nothing she could do to him that hadn't already been done to him. He'd been to prison, it wasn't a big deal. The only other things she could do involved violence, and he didn't think she was capable of that. Although, he was beginning to wonder.
“I will have your little Birdie caught and put in a cage. Then what will happen to that little hatchling she has? Will he go hungry? Will he cry? Will he be put up for adoption?” It sounded a lot to Neal like she was enjoying cornering him. She had yet to be able to. All she had been able to do was lead him around, but now he was cornered. He didn't like it. He also didn't like how conflicted he was about this. It was Scarlett or a music box he didn't have and would have to steal. He'd be more than willing to give it up if he had it, but the fact of the matter was he didn't. He knew how to get it, but that would put him right back in prison. But then... he thought on this for a moment. Then at least Birdie would still be on the outside, and she could take care of Vincent. He kept thinking. This was a tough choice after all.
“Tell her no and hang up the phone,” the voice of Scarlett came from the doorway of the balcony. Neal's mouth hung open in confusion mostly, but partly in awe. There she stood in a black chevron slip barefoot, and glowing in the lights from the city. If it was at all possible she was even more beautiful than he remembered her. And oh how'd he'd missed those little slips she wore to bed. Kate had always worn more modern pajamas. She substituted attractive little slips for sweat pants and t-shirts. Which it was nice that they were comfortable together, but he still missed Scarlett's style. He also missed seeing Scarlett barefoot and in one of his shirts. Oh those had been the days. Scarlett sighed loudly, and walked toward him taking the phone from his hand and holding it up to her ear. “Listen Kate, he's not giving it to you, I won't let him.”
“This is going to end badly for you Blackbird,” Kate seemed to sneer into the phone. Scarlett just nodded knowingly. She had known this would end badly for her from the beginning. But she would not use Neal like Kate had. She would not hurt him like Kate had. She still loved him, and she would do everything in her power to protect him.
“I know, but you and I Kate, we are birds of a different feather. I refuse to use him to solve my problems.” Scarlett's eyes had gone quite cold and it scared Neal just a little. He had never seen her like that. And he wondered what Kate had done to turn Scarlett into her enemy. Scarlett had always had this thing about her, she just liked people and people generally liked her. She didn't have enemies. She didn't pick fights. And the only person she ever bickered with was Neal, and that was all in fun. But one could assume, as Neal did, that when you became a mother something changed. And that thing made it impossible for you to not look like a lioness ready to kill when someone said something to threaten your child. So at that thought Neal felt a little relieved. His Birdie hadn't suddenly become vindictive, she was just protective. And for a split second he wanted her to be protective of him too.
“You're a stupid, stupid girl,” Kate spat angrily into the phone.
“Nice chatting with you. Can't wait for our next tête-à-tête." With that she hung up and handed the phone back to Neal. He stood there for a long moment watching her walk away. And it was not just because he enjoyed the view of her slip clad form from the back, which was also true. But he was geniunely shocked by what had happened. Also, he felt a little grateful to Scarlett, after all these years she wanted to protect him from her problems. It wasn't about independence for her, and he knew that. This was about not dragging him down with her. She was a good woman.
"Birdie," he called after her, following her into the apartment. She turned to look at him, brow quirked. "Is that what I needed to ask Kate about? She wanted the music box even then?" He wasn't sure why he felt like he didn't really want to know the answer. And suddenly he realized that's why Scarlett hadn't told him any of this the other night. She didn't want to hurt him. She didn't want to cause him pain. She didn't want to make him feel like he had to be there for Vincent. She wanted to let him keep the one thing he held dearest, his freedom. But it was a little late for that now. She and Vincent were back in his life, and if he had anything to say about it they wouldn't be going anywhere.
"No," Scarlett answered with a sigh. "When she found out I was pregnant she told me," she stopped for a moment averting her eyes and wearing on her lip. It was clear she was still choosing her words carefully. She still was trying desperately to save him from pain. She was still protecting him. How many years had she been doing this? When would she let him just take care of her? "She told me you'd leave me. That you'd hate me. And I just- well I just couldn't deal with that. So I left you before you could leave me." It all came out in a rush of words and like that Neal picked his side. He saw her clearly now, he saw everything clearly now. He was on Scarlett's side. He always should have been. Of course the idea of Kate playing on Scarlett's insecurities bothered him. He almost felt like denying it's truth. And he probably would have had he not just witnessed Kate's coldness first hand. He didn't know how she could believe such an utter lie, but he nodded in understanding anyways. "She - well she's been to see me recently."
"What," he asked confusion clearly etched on his face.
"She dropped by a few weeks ago. I didn't think I'd ever see her again, but she showed up at my door. I thought she was just coming by to catch up. I was more than willing to let bygones be bygones. But then she started demanding I come to you and get the music box. I told her no." That's when the stress appeared evident as ever around her eyes. She was having a very hard time dealing with Kate, and Kate's threats while she tried to keep her life together. It had to be hard enough being a single mother with a five year old little boy who, if he was anything like his father, had to get into a lot of trouble and be very mischeivous.
"Why did you interfere just now," he asked after processing what she'd said for a moment. "I could have taken care of it." And he could have, easily. Of course his taking care of it would have been agreeing to anything Kate said to keep his Birdie out of prison.
"Because I know you don't have it. And I won't let you put your neck on the line for me." His mouth was already gaping to argue with her but she stopped him. "It's not your job to protect me. Just do me a favor, clear my name." He nodded dumbly, he didn't really understand the request, but he did understand that she didn't want him in trouble again. "You stay out of prison, and I'll stay out of the bird cage, deal," she asked walking up towards him so that she was standing mere inches before him. He could feel the heat radiating off her. And he could easily reach out and grab her, but he didn't. He'd always respected her too much for that.
"Deal," he nodded and smiled lightly.
"Thank you," she whispered and rose on her tip toes to lightly kiss his lips. Before Neal could respond she took a step back and eyed him carefully. She seemed to decide something then and there, and nodded to herself. Neal wondered what she was thinking, but never bothered to ask because he knew she wouldn't tell him. Then she grinned, and shook her head.
"What is it?"
"I don't understand what I ever did so right to deserve a person like you," she answered quietly before turning on her heel and making her way back to the bedroom. All Neal could think was that he didn't know what he did to deserve her. She'd always been good to him, too good to him. And now he was just finding a way to pay her back. His lips were tingling pleasanty, and already he missed the feel of her lips on his. But he didn't push it, he never had. Scarlett was the kind of woman who came to you, not the other way around. She didn't like to be chased around like a piece of meat, and he respected her too much neigh cared for her too much to do that to her. He flopped back onto the couch his eyes closing and his mind drifting. Sleep took him this time, but only because his mind was full of Birdie.
Neal was up before her, much before her, and he moved about quietly through the apartment. He didn't want to wake his guests. When he made his way into the bedroom he stopped dead at the door in awe. There in his bed laid Vincent, looking peaceful and calm, and behind him was his mother. She had her arm looped around the little boy. But that isn't what stopped Neal in his tracks. No it was the vision that Scarlett was laying there with the dim light coming through the windows and falling on her face. She looked like an angel. And to think, that angel used to be his. He shook himself, she wasn't anymore, and he had to remember that. He moved to pull out his clothes, and then went to the bathroom to shower, and get ready. There on the sink, when he went to brush his teeth were two other toothbrushes. One was a little blue racecar , and the other was a plain red generic brush much like his own. It was strange to see two more toothbrushes on his sink. But it also kind of felt nice, like he wasn't alone, like he had someone. He hadn't felt that in so long. Even when he had Kate while he was in prison he felt alone, like he didn't really have her. He imagined if it had been Scarlett he would have known distinctly he had someone waiting for him every day on the outside. But Kate always seemed ready for the next best thing. Which he couldn't blame her, some people were just like that. Suddenly his nose caught the smell of pancakes, and he looked at his reflection in confusion. Pancakes? Who was making pancakes? He came out of the bathroom with everything but his tie and jacket on and headed for the kitchen. There in front of the stove stood Scarlett in a robe, he wasn't sure where she'd found it because it didn't look like something she'd buy herself, and Vincent was sitting at the table watching his mother expectently. A floorboard creaked under him and they both turned to look at him.
"Oh, you're done," She smiled a little and then turned back to the stove.
"Yeah," he muttered sitting his jacket and tie across the back of one of the chairs.
"You know you shower just as long as some of my roommates when I was in college." Her voice was light and conversational, and he found himself kind of liking coming out to find her in his kitchen making breakfast. He usually didn't really eat breakfast mind you, but his stomach growled loudly at the thought of pancakes.
"Are you saying I take as long to get ready as a girl?" Vincent laughed loudly at that like he'd just caught onto the joke, and Neal found he couldn't help but smile at the little boy.
"Take from it what you will. But please sit down and stop hovering like that, you're making me nervous," She chided, and he immediately plopped into one of the seats beside Vincent. His paper was sitting there on the table, and he proceeded to peruse it while he waited.
"Mama, are yuw doin' buwberry," Vincent asked cocking an eyebrow at his mother. It was clear by the look on his face that blueberry was his favorite, which was comforting because most kids liked chocolate chip. Neal himself had never liked chocolate chip, he'd always preferred his pancakes with fruit if they had any additives. Plus what little kid needed all that extra sugar early in the morning? Exactly, so why did someone create the chocolate chip pancake to begin with.
"No, sorry love. Neal doesn't have any blueberries." Vincent gave Neal a shocked look like he couldn't believe the man didn't have blueberries, who didn't have blueberries. Neal just shrugged in response feeling a little bashful at the way the little boy looked at him like he was an incredibly lame person for not having blueberries. Truth was he didn't eat in much, and when he did it was either take out or something Sophia made. So he didn't have much use for groceries of his own. "But I promise we'll go and get some groceries today, and then Neal won't be lacking in anything." There was a small playful smile tugging at her lips as she sat the plate down in front of them, and proceeded to flop pancakes onto Vincent's plate. Neal sat his paper aside and then took some pancakes of his own, and then what she had said took purchase.
"You can't just go out grocery shopping Birdie," He said sternly stopping mid stab at one of the fluffy pancakes.
"And why can't I? I'm perfectly capable, I have been doing it for years. And as I'm sure you'll recall I did all the shopping way back when." He noticed she didn't say when we were living together, or when we were together and he thought maybe it was because she didn't want Vincent to know that that's the kind of old friends they were. Which kind of made sense, but also stung, a lot more than he'd thought it would.
"Don't look at me like that Birdie, you and I both know it's not safe for you two to go out and about with what's going on. I won't have you sticking your neck out there just for blueberries."
"Then I suppose you expect us to starve do you? Lock us up in your place and starve us, is that the plan? Well I won't have it, I will go grocery shopping, and I'd like to see you stop me," her eyes cut dangerously and he gulped audibly. If he didn't know better he'd say she was ready to smack him for the mere thought of not allowing her to go out and shop for food for her and Vincent. He had to think quick, come on think Neal think! He needed a plan, something to tell her to appease her but also keep her safe.
"How about you wait until I get off work? Then I can go with you and be sure you're both safe."
"No," she said plainly sitting on the other side of Vincent and cutting his pancakes for him. The little boy was looking at them both with wide worried eyes. "I will not be holed up in this place. I won't be forced into a corner just because they think they can get at me. I won't do it. I won't live my life afraid. You can damn well forget it Neal Caffrey. I won't do it. And can you imagine keeping Vincent in here for days on end with nothing to do? No." Neal's eyes went wide, and he frowned worriedly. He knew the woman was stubborn but he'd never expected her to ignore him completely.
"Mama, are yuw and Mister Neal fighting," Vincent asked quietly his eyes watery. The little boy had this strange expression on his face like children get the first time they see their parents fight.
"No, we're not fighting," Scarlett cooed quietly kissing his forehead. The boy looked confused, if they weren't fighting then what were they doing? "We're just bickering. We do that sometimes, you'll learn to ignore it. It has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with Neal's idiotic obstinance." The boy seemed pleased with this answer and nodded his head as he slathered his pancakes with syrup. Neal assumed Scarlett must have asked June if she could borrow a few things for the morning, because he didn't remember having syrup at all. It was probably a good thing the little boy didn't understand the two big words at the end of her statement or he'd understand that she was actually angry with Neal.
"Can you at least wait today? Maybe I can get Peter to give you a body guard or something. Someone we trust from the team. Please? For me," Neal asked. His eyes went wide and soft in an impossibly charming puppy dog expression. That was one thing that had always annoyed Scarlett about him, he could talk her into virtually anything. It had been what kept her coming back to him in those early days, he was impossibly charming.
"Fine, for today we will stay stuck indoors. But I will have you know I am not pleased with this arrangement. And you better find me a girl to spend my days with, because I think a guy would look pretty suspicious. And another thing," she poked his chest over the table her eyes set in a hard expression "don't get off thinking you can boss me around. I am here of my own freewill, and I can leave of my own freewill." With that she took a pancake for herself, and began eating her breakfast. The rest of breakfast went on quite nicely, Vincent chattered away about where he lived, how he'd be going to school, his favorite shows on TV, his favorite color, and anything else under the sun the little boy could think to talk about. Neal quite liked it, he was getting to know the boy in a way he never thought he'd get to know a child before.
All of this left him in spectacularly good mood so that when he got to the office he was whistling and grinning widely. It was strange to be in such a good mood over something so simple, but then he supposed that came with the whole being a father thing. When he reached Peter's office he found his partner frowning at him. "What's got you so perky," Peter asked frowning at him.
"Birdie made pancakes," Neal replied chuckling a little at how odd that sounded. It was an odd thing to be so happy about, but just having her and Vincent around was kind of nice. And he found himself lifted by the mere thought of going home to them this evening.
"Is that code for sex, because I can't keep up with all the euphanisms anymore," Peter grumbled going through the files on his desk. Neal's face fell a little at the thought. He didn't want people thinking of her like that, and it sort of bothered him that Peter did.
"No, that's code for she made pancakes for breakfast. Speaking of Birdie though, I need you to do me a favor." Neal plopped into one of the chairs before Peter's desk. Peter abruptly looked up from his paper work and frowned at the conman. He didn't like the idea of a favor, especially a favor having to do with Blackbird. She was a conwoman, and he didn't want to do anything to help her if he could help it. He was only working to help Neal because of the kid. If it weren't for the kid he'd be just as happy to lock her up and throw away the key. The fact of the matter was she did have that kid, and Neal believed her desperately. Plus Elizabeth would have him sleeping on the couch eternally if he denied helping this woman just because he was being biased.
"What do you need," he asked the frown on his face deepening.
"Well Birdie made me very much aware this morning that she doesn't plan on letting me just keep her locked up at my place. She intends to try to live her life as normally as possible. So I was wondering if you could put someone on her, so she'll be safe." Neal's big blue eyes were pleading with him, and Peter really did not want to do this for him. He really shouldn't be taking men off their jobs to watch Neal's little girlfriend. But still, he understood what it was like to want someone you cared about safe. He would do the same if it was Elizabeth in danger. And even if he didn't really understand the extent of Neal and Blackbird's relationship he understood that much.
"Alright," Peter nodded trying to think of who to use.
"Really, just like that," Neal asked excitedly. He couldn't believe he'd been able to convince Peter so easily. But then Peter was a good guy, and he'd been known to use FBI resources for things for Elizabeth before. So if anyone would understand it would be Peter. Peter nodded, and Neal grinned wider. "Thank you. I swear she'll be an upstanding citizen and won't cause any trouble."
"Yeah well you better be right," Peter grumbled in reply. "Now if you don't mind we actually have some work to do. We have to go by the museum and visit the scene of the crime. I know you'd like to sit here and daydream about your little Birdie all day, but we have stuff to do." He rose from his seat, and pulled his coat on. Neal opened his mouth to object to wanting to just sit around and think about Birdie, but then thought better of it. Because in truth that's kind of what he wanted to do right now. Well, think about her and this Kate thing. He needed to figure out a way to prove this wasn't Scarlett so he could keep her out of prison, and somehow get Kate to leave her alone. Neal had decided earlier that morning that he wasn't going to tell Peter right away about Kate calling him. It would only prove Peter right, that Kate had been working for the bad guys the whole time. And that was just not something Neal wanted to deal with. The older man would be smug, and no one liked a smug Peter. They were in the car on their way to the museum in minutes, and Neal settled into his seat his eyes watching out the window. "So what is it about this girl," Peter broke the silence.
Neal's eyes widened, and he turned to look at Peter. "You wouldn't get it," he said shrugging, but he knew this wouldn't appeased Peter's curiousity.
"Really, I want to know. If we're going to put our necks on the line, my job on the line, and your freedom on the line I think I have a right to know what's so special about her. And what happened to Kate?"
"Kate-," Neal sighed running a hand through his hair nervously. "Kate isn't like Birdie. They're two entirely different women. I knew Kate had a vindictive streak, I knew she liked only the best, but still I loved her. Birdie was never like that. She never asked me for anything, she just wanted to be with me. She's - well she's good in a way you'd never expect. Sure, she lies all the time, and not even I know about her past or where she came from. But she's honest about the big stuff, like how she feels for people, and her motives. And she's so kind, I once watched her give up her last few dollars to some old man in front of her in line who didn't have enough money for his sandwhich. And she's got such style, and such class. She's not one of those girls who just wants to be classy, she is classy," Neal drifted off and looked over at Peter who was eying him oddly. "I told you you wouldn't get it," Neal grumbled to himself turning back to look out the window. But Peter did get it, he got it better than he got why Neal had liked Kate. Kate had been like an adiction that Neal knew was bad for him but couldn't let go. But Blackbird, she was the air Neal breathed. She was like his Elizabeth to him. Without them they'd die. Which had Peter wondering how Neal had survived for five years without this girl. But he supposed Kate had sort of filled the hole she left.
"I get it," Peter said quietly, and Neal turned a wide shocked look toward him. "Don't worry Neal, we'll prove your Bird isn't behind this." With that he patted the younger man's shoulder in a comforting way. Neal just sat in stunned silence as they pulled in front of the museum. They both got out of the car, and made their way up to the door. In those few seconds Neal decided he'd tell Peter about what had happened with Kate last night. His partner deserved to know, and it would help Peter to better understand the case. They were friends after all. Neal followed Peter into the building where they were introduced to the head curator. Neal looked over the woman and frowned a little, she was in a plain grey pants suit and she didn't look like a happy person in the least. Her name was Susan, a plain boring name for a plain boring suit. And she clearing didn't think him charming or amusing, great. She lead them back to a room where the piece was hung on a wall, and stood there watching them.
"I'd like to examine it off the rack," Neal said to Peter completely ignoring the mean looking Susan who was eying him like a criminal. The woman glared at him, and Neal sighed. "What, am I going to walk out with the fake?" Susan frowned at him but took down the piece begrudgingly and took it to a back room to allow Peter and Neal to examine. He watched her from the corner of his eye until he was sure it was just he and Peter in the room. Then he pulled the napkin from the other night out of his pocket, and held it up to the little blackbird on the back of the guitar. "I thought so," he said to himself with a grin.
"What? You thought what? Hey, where did you get that," Peter asked pointing at the napkin.
"Birdie left it for me the other night at the bar. That's not the point, look at it." Neal pointed to the beak, and Peter examined them both more closely. He was right the beak of the real Blackbird's little blackbird the line of it stretched upward a little past the beak almost like it was smiling. The bird on fhe guitar did not. "Birdie always put a smile on their faces. She said she liked them to be happy, only I knew that. And someone who didn't know and didn't examine her signature upclose and personal wouldn't be able to tell. So clearly she's not your girl," Neal smirked wider. He wanted to call Scarlett that second and tell her he'd cleared her at least in Peter's eyes. This was a cause for celebration. He should buy some champagne.
"I never thought I'd see the day that we'd find a woman as strange as you, but it seems we have," Peter laughed to himself lightly. He had already decided Blackbird wasn't the one who was doing this, but this just proved it to him. Before he'd only decided it because Neal cared for her so much, and because Neal believed her to be so honest. Now he had actual proof. "Alright then, now we just have to prove it. How would you have done it?"
"No, that's not what we need to be asking. We need to ask how Blackbird would have done it. She had a distinct style all her own. We'll have to bring her with us and see what she says. Because these people aren't trying to mimic me, they're trying to mimic her." Peter nodded in understanding, and they called Susan back in. The woman eyed them suspiciously but didn't say anything about it. Instead he just returned the fake guitar to it's proper place, and saw them out. Once back in the car Neal started on what had happened with Kate. Peter listened intently to the whole story, and just shook his head. He couldn't believe the bad luck Neal had with women. But he could believe that Kate was the real villain at play here, and that Blackbird was doing her best to protect Neal. She just seemed like that kind of woman. "So you see, I have to clear her. I just have to. Because this is really about me. They're trying to use my Birdie to get at me."
"I'm not going to say I told you so," Peter chided and Neal was grateful for it. "Well is someone with Blackbird now? I mean you said she's stubborn, she could have gone out on her own."
"Damn," Neal growled angry that he hadn't thought of that himself. He actually thought Birdie might listen to him, but Peter was right the woman was stubborn. "I'll call Mozz." With that his phone was out and he was dialing Mozz in a matter of seconds. He couldn't believe he hadn't thought of this at all. He should of. But when he was with Scarlett he'd never had to worry about her leaving on her own because she was never in danger before. But now that she was he'd have to remain extra vigilent about her. When the phone picked up, before Mozz could even say hello Neal was giving orders. "Mozz, I need you to go by my place and stay with Birdie. Make sure she doesn't go out anywhere. Make sure she stays put. She's not to go out of your sight you understand me?"
"Well hello Neal," Mozz said with a light laugh. "I'm already over at your place. Blackbird called me over this morning to finish off the pancakes, and I've been here since." Neal sighed in relief at that. Scarlett was safe. His little Birdie was safe. As was his son. Scarlett frowned at Mozz when he spoke into the phone to Neal. She really didn't like that he was calling and checking up on her. She was an adult for Heaven's sake.
"Can I talk to her," Neal asked relief washing over him and suddenly worry was replaced with the desparate need to hear her voice. Peter just shook his head still driving.
"What do you need Neal," Scarlett asked irritably into the phone. "Mozz and I were having a very important conversation before you so rudely interrupted." Neal could almost hear her drumming her fingernails on his table in minor agitation. Of course he also knew that she wasn't really angry with him. She hardly ever was.
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that I've proved to Peter that you're innocent. Now he's completely on your side. I thought that might be a cause for celebration. Maybe we can go out to dinner." There was a smooth charming smile stretched across Neal's face, and he was sure Scarlett could hear it in his voice. She wouldn't be able to say no.
"And what do you expect me to do with my son," was the reply, and his hopes fell a little. Peter saw this, and tapped Neal on the shoulder pointing to himself with something akin to a conspiratorial smirk on his face. Suddenly Neal was eternally grateful for his friend.
"Well, I'm sure Elle would love to spend some more time with him. As would Peter." Neal answered the charming smile returning to his face.
"And my groceries?"
"Give Mozz a list, he's good at getting things. Tell him I'll pay him back." Neal seemed to have the solution for everything in hand, and she couldn't say no. She just couldn't. She had to say yes merely because he'd come up with all these answers on the spot.
"Alright, but Mozz isn't going to like that. I'll see you." With that she hung up the phone and turned to Mozz with a sigh.
"What isn't Mozz going to like," Mozz asked nervously as he fiddled with one of the chess pieces before him on the board. They were teaching the little boy how to play by showing him. It seemed the little boy found the idea of the strategy behind it impressively interesting. Which impressed Mozz.
"Neal wants you to do my grocery shopping for me," Scarlett offered getting up and starting to search for some paper and a pen.
"He what," Mozz asked loudly his eyes bugging out of his skull causing the little boy to giggle madly.
"He wants to take me out to dinner. Bluejay, finish off Mister Mozz for mommy, I've got to write down our grocery list." The little boy nodded, and took over her seat. Mozz was still watching Blackbird with wide eyes. How could Neal really think it would be alright for him to go grocery shopping for them? He didn't grocery shop. He didn't even know how to grocery shop. He wouldn't know what to get, or how much money to take, or where to go, or any of that. He looked positively frazzled. "Don't worry about it Mozzie, I'll be very specific. There is a whole foods right around the block, go there. I'll give you brands and aisle numbers and everything. If you need help you can ask one of the people who works there." Mozz sputtered idly still.
"I can't believe him," Mozz continued to sputter while the little boy before him moved his piece easily putting him in Check.
"Oh don't act like this Mozz. It's Neal, you know how Neal is. Now stop sputtering about and pay attention, Bluejay has just put you in check, and I won't have him winning just because you're distracted. It will do nothing for his intelligence," Blackbird chided wagging her pen in Mozz's face and then pointing it at the chessboard. Mozz's eyes returned to the chessboard and he found himself surprised to see that the little boy had put him in check.
"Check," Vincent chimed with a wide grin. "Yuwr turn Mister Mozz." Mozz nodded and the game continued.
When Blackbid was done writing up her list they were done their game. "Bluejay, I want you to go into our room and get some things together. You'll be staying with Miss Elizabeth and Mister Peter tonight. Be sure to grab some pajamas, clean underwear, a toothbrush-"
"I know mama," the little boy cut her off and scurried out of the room to retrieve his things. Scarlett flopped into the seat across from Mozz her eyes stressed.
"What's gotten into you Blackbird, I've never seen you this tense," Mozz asked with something like actual concern in his eyes. He'd always thought of himself and Blackbird as friends. Granted they weren't as close as she and Neal. But no one was as close to her as Neal was. And it never even bothered Mozz that he didn't know her real name, or any of her background. And in all the years he'd known her, he'd never once seen her like this. She'd always been a carefree happy spirit. But five years had changed her into a stressed out ball of tension.
"It's just everything that's been going on recently. With this investigation, and Neal back in our lives. I'm normally not like this, but I'm just having such a hard time trying to balance everything. I mean really, a single mother on the run from the FBI and some unknown force that wants to pin everything on her. Not to mention everything that's been going on with Kate, and her wanting that blasted music box from Neal." She rested her head in her hands glaring down at the table.
"Wait, what about Kate and the music box. How do you know about that? I wouldn't have thought Neal would have told you about that."
"Mozzie," She smiled ruefully looking up at him. "Neal tells me everything. Not to mention Kate's been to see me recently asking for the blasted thing. She wanted me to come and get it from Neal. Aparrently Neal didn't tell Kate everything like he always did me." She smiled a little kind of happy that she was the only one who knew the truth.
"What do you mean," Mozz asked his brows creasing in confusion as he adjusted his glasses to look at her more clearly.
"I mean, Neal doesn't have that box. He never told me he didn't, but he couldn't lie to me like he could lie to everyone else. Not to mention, I'm the one who stole that damn thing." She was doodling on the pad of paper before her and Mozz just looked at her shocked, his mouth hanging open. "Don't look at me like that. I'm not lying. I took it, but I sold it on the black market before Jude was born. I sold everything on the black market before he was born."
"Why didn't you tell anyone? I mean really that's the kind of achievement you should brag about."
"Yeah, well I didn't much care for the glory," She shrugged easily. "What I did was never about the glory. It was never about the money for that matter either. It was about the history, the art, the places I saw, the people I met, and the general fun of it. So I let people believe Neal stole it, because he seemed to like being puffed up to be the big boy on campus. It didn't matter to me either way." Her pen was making mindless swirling patterns on the paper before her, and she had this dreamy far away look in her eyes. Like she was remembering her past. Like she was back there that day when she'd found out Neal was getting the credit for her theft.
"I suppose you're right," Mozz said quietly. Vincent returned to them with his little blue duffle stuffed full of toys and games and books. Scarlett laughed to herself.
"I hope you have your clothes, and toothbrush in there." Vincent nodded vigoriously, and sat his bag on the couch. "Hey Bluejay, why don't you and Mister Mozz play another game of chess while mommy gets ready for her dinner."
"I'd like that very much," Mozz said with a grin, and the little boy laughed before taking up his seat again. Scarlett wandered back into the back bedroom where she grabbed her things, then headed to the bathroom. When the shower was on Mozz quirked a brow at the little boy who'd just moved a pawn. "Do you like Mister Neal?"
Vincent looked up at the odd question, and quired a brow of his own. It was positively scary how much like Neal he looked especially when he got those serious expressions on his face. "Sure I wike him. Why you ask?" Mozz moved a pawn forward as well.
"I was just wondering," Mozz shrugged but the boy still looked at him suspiciously. "I think he might be taking your mommy on a date."
"A what," the little boy asked his brows creasing in utter confusion.
"A date. You know where they go to dinner, and he tries to charm her into liking him more." Mozz found it odd that the little boy didn't know what a date was. But then maybe Blackbird hadn't been on any since she'd left Neal. That was a comforting thought. Neal would be pleased with that. Of course Mozz didn't think it would do him good to tell him that. Because Neal was already very much in danger of being as in love with Blackbird as he'd ever been.
Vincent shrugged, "She aweady wikes him a wot." Mozz looked a little confused. "I can teww, I know my mama." This shut Mozz into an unusual silence, and the game continued. It seemed though the little boy didn't understand much about male and female relationships he did understand his mother, and he did know that his mother liked Neal an excessive amount. How Vincent knew this was simple, it was because Neal knew her name, and because he'd seen pictures of them from before he was born. His mama kept a shoebox under her bed that he went through when he was left with the sitter. It helped him to miss her less. In that box were millions (maybe not millions but he thought there were millions) of pictures of his mama and Mister Neal laughing and smiling, and kissing in front of that big tower thing in that country where the people talked funny. And since he didn't see his mama acting like that with anyone else, he was able to draw the rational conclusion that she liked Mister Neal a lot.
Neal returned home to find Vincent and Mozz staring each other down across his chessboard. This image alone made him laugh so hard he had to lean against the door frame to maintain his balance. Both sitting at the table looked up at him with confusion clearly etched on their faces. "Nothing," He brushed it off walking to stand beside Mozz. "Thanks for this Mozz." Mozz just nodded. "Where is your mom," Neal asked bending down to look the little boy in the eye.
"She's back in da woom gettin' weady," Vincent said easily and then returned to glaring at the chessboard trying to decide his next move. "Checkmate," he said moving his piece and cornering Mozz.
"What," Mozz sputtered examining the board more closely. Neal chuckled looking at the board, the boy had cornered him, easily with his knights and a bishop.
"I win," Vincent cheered.
"So he does Mozzie," Neal said with a grin.
"I can't believe he beat me again. This is the third time," Mozz sputtered on.
"I warned you he was a quick inner," Scarlett said from the bedroom door. All three looked up to see her standing there looking impossibly beautiful. She was wearing a dark grey jersey material dress with ruffles all over the front except at the waist where there was a band of material like a belt to break it up, a tan blazer with the sleeves rolled up to just bellow her elbows, and a pair of grey suede closed toe pumps with a bow on the outside. Somehow she'd gotten a hold of one of those little caps with the veils and the feathers in the same color grey as her dress. And to top it off around her neck was a long chain, at the end of the chain was a blue cameo locket with a little boy on it. Neal'd wager good money it had a picture of Vincent in it, and something about that just made everything about her scream Birdie. She was herself in a way she hadn't been since he'd seen her that first night at the bar. And that's what he'd been hoping for, to see that carefree whimsical look in her eyes that he'd always loved. "Did I grow a third arm suddenly," she asked wearing on her lip but her eyes lighting playfully.
"No mama, yuw wook beautifuw," Vincent said with a wide grin hopping from his seat and running to her to give her a big hug. She scooped him up and hugged him to her easily. And suddenly there it was, a picture of a family straight out of another century. With Vincent in his little knickers, button up shirt, and suspenders, and his mother in her outfit.
"Nicely done," Mozz applauded easily, but Neal was still standing there in awe. Scarlett bowed her head, and blushed slightly. Mozz had the sense to elbow Neal into action.
Neal cleared his throat which he found suddenly dry, "You look nice," he managed through all the muddle that had become his brain in a matter of seconds. Scarlett merely shook her head, and set Vincent on his feet.
The little boy in turn ran up to Neal and tugged on his sleeve. Neal looked down on him, but Vincent beckoned him down to his level. When Neal complied the little boy swatted his shoulder and said, "That's no way two tawk two a wady. Didn't yuwr mama teach yuw better?" Scarlett chuckled lightly, and Neal cleared his throat feeling unbearably more embarrassed than before. His cheeks flushed a little.
"No, my mama didn't. But your's seems to have done such a fine job," Neal grinned at the little boy. "So what would you suggest I tell her?" Vincent whispered something in his ear, and Neal laughed a little. Then striding across the room gallantly he took Birdie's hand, kissed it (all by Vincent's instructions) and said "I am told that it would be in good manners to tell you that you look positively elegant." Vincent clapped gleefully from where he stood, and nodded in approval. Scarlett merely laughed brightly and kissed Neal's cheek in response. For this response Neal was so pleased that Birdie had taught Vincent proper manners. "Well we should be off. We have reservations in about a half hour, and we have to drop the little Hatchling off with the Burkes on our way."
"How is that working with your nice anklet," Mozz asked as he pulled on his coat, and wrapped his scarf around his neck.
"We're not going very far," Neal answered easily. Mozz just nodded, and waved goodbye as he left. There were soon in a cab and riding across town to where the Burke's lived. Elizabeth was at the door to meet them, she was excited to see Vincent and Scarlett, and so she had been giddily waiting by the window since Peter told her the news. Neal didn't even have time to knock.
"Come on in," Elizabeth said with a wide grin. Vincent ran right in and dropped his bag on the couch then returned to stand beside her.
"We really don't have time," Neal said easily. Elizabeth looked a little disappointed, but she nodded anyways.
"Well alright then. You look very nice," She said touching Scarlett's arm. Scarlett grinned widely at the compliment. "I wonder where do you shop?"
"Oh a little bit of everywhere. Thrift stores, department stores,-" Scarlett was just about to ramble on about how she got most of her clothes.
But Neal cut her off, because he knew that was one thing she could go on about all night. "Sorry to cut you off Birdie, but we really are going to be late." With that he gave Elizabeth a wide grin, which could only say one thing, I want to get her alone for a little while can you please just be quiet.? Elizabeth seemed to get the message, and nodded.
"Alright, alright. Always in a rush," Scarlett grumbled bending down to pick up Vincent. "Goodnight Bluejay. Now if you need me Miss Elizabeth has my number, and I will be here in ten minutes tops. But you shouldn't need me should you, because you're a big boy aren't you?" Vincent nodded eagerly along.
"Night night mama. Yuw have fun wif Mister Neal. And Mister Neal yuw remember what I told yuw about yuwr manners." The little boy pointed a little chubby finger at Neal and narrowed his eyes in warning. "Don't make my mama upset." Neal nodded and grinned at the little boy trying to reassure him. "Well then, wiff dat all settled. Bye bye." Scarlett set him on his feet, and he ran into the house probably to go bug Peter if Neal knew anything about the little boy. He promptly put his hand on the small of Scarlett's back and started leading her back to the cab.