White Collar - "Places To Go And Secrets To Keep"

[tj_teejay]

Title: Places To Go And Secrets To Keep
Author: TeeJay
Genre: Gen
Characters/Pairings: Neal, Peter
Written for: ariadnes_string as a response to the "Running Hot" multi-fandom fever comment fic meme
Prompt: Feverish Neal spills the beans
Would Like: Some time after the events of 3x01, Neal is ill/drugged/poisoned and in his delirious or simply kind of out-of-it state

Comments

[poorfenny]

I really enjoyed this. It's interesting hearing both sides of the argument and having each character a little less understanding and more stubborn than fanon would have us believe. Leaving the argument unresolved was a surprising (in a good way) decision. It feels very real...a little too real. It echoes the atmosphere from the most recent episodes, and I'm dreading a confrontation like this

Great job and thanks so much for sharing! =)

[sahiya]

*wibble* But . . . but . . . wah.

*sigh* Unfortunately, I don't think this prompt could go any other way, and I don't feel all that bad for Neal, TBH. He is making his bed and sooner or later he is going to have to lie in it. Hats off for having the guts to really go there like this, rather than trying for a happier, more comforting ending.

[morganslady]

I feel for both of them. Each trapped in their own world.

[deej1957]

Ouch, that was painful. I can believe that it's what Neal feels like becuase it what's we see on screen each week: and FBI-sanctioned CON. Peter isn't really allowing Neal the opportunity to change.

I like happy endings, though, so I'm going to believe it really won't end the way you've written.

When you wish upon a star... think I saw a pig go flying by *G*

THis was an excellent story, by the way.

[ultracape]

I thought this was really good and I like the direction you went with it. The only thing is, I don't see Neal running to the life he always wanted because it doesn't exit any more. In this last episode, when Neal was looking at the treasure cam, they did something where we saw his reflection in the screen of the lap top and he really looked conflicted. I think when he was talking to the kidnapper, he was talking about the life that he'd have, always having to look over his shoulder, never able to settle down, never having a real relationship because in order to stay safe he'd have to lie.

Anyway, back to your story, yes, it is hard to see them not quite as understanding and taking such a hard edge but it's definitely real.

[nynine]

I agree, Ultracape. This is a great fic==thank you, teejay!==but I don't think it shows the only way things can work out in canon. Even in 3.01, there were subtle hints in Neal's expressions and behavior that indicated he was not totally enthusiastic about Mozzie's game plan. I think he's feeling very conflicted. As for Mozzie, if Neal told him they weren't going to run with the treasure, I think he would sigh and take about ten seconds to dismiss it from his mind and be ready to do what Neal says. (Moz, don't sell that Degas!)

Also, WC is billed as comedy/mystery or comedy/something (migraine here), and I don't think that will change. Unless Neal's characterization in seasons one and two is totally trashed, he is not a cold-hearted criminal. I'm interested in seeing how Jeff will have it all work out so that Neal is once again on the side of the angels.

Please forgive typos==I really am not able to see well this morning!