This is a pre-series story set during Peter's investigation into Neal. I'm not entirely sure where it is going so the rating is just to be safe.

Disclaimer: I don't own white collar. I wish I did but I don't

Chapter One: Stake Out

Peter sat wearily in his car glancing down at his watch. It was getting late and he was spending yet another night on a stake out and yet another night away from his wife all because of Neal Caffrey. The bureau had received a tip off that Caffrey may be moving some items tonight. Peter of course had to take the tip seriously but as the source was anonymous Peter was half convinced it was given by Neal himself, sent simply to frustrate Peter. As Peter sat out the front of Neal's apartment watching the con man cross the street to the Chinese takeaway restaurant it was hard for him to not begrudgingly admit that Neal had been entirely successful in his aim.

Peter's stomach growled loudly. He had packed only one devilled ham sandwich for tonight and was still really hungry. He grabbed his bag and dug around in it hoping that he may have something else in there. He was so engrossed in his search that he didn't notice Neal leave the restaurant and cross back over to his side of the street. A sudden tap on the passenger side window made Peter jump slightly with surprise. He looked over and was shocked to see Neal standing there holding a bag of takeaway containers motioning for Peter to wind down the window. Peter considered for a moment and then conceded. As soon as he did so though Neal stuck his hand in the car unlocking the door and hopped inside despite the protesting noises coming from Peter.

"Get out of the car Caffrey!"

"Why?"

"Because I can't have the criminal that I'm staking out join me in my stake out"

"Alleged criminal" Neal corrected with a smile. "Besides if I'm sitting right here then you can know for sure that I'm not doing anything illegal. Chinese?" He asked holding up a container towards Peter.

"I've already eaten." Peter inwardly groaned. Damn it did smell good.

"It's not poisoned" Neal said while sticking a spring roll in his mouth. "See"

"I'm fine" Peter grumbled angrily. He considered forcibly removing Neal from the car but then begun to reconsider. Neal was smart but he was also very cocky. Having him here talking might provide Peter with the perfect opportunity to catch him out if he slipped up and said something he shouldn't. Besides after three years of chasing Neal, Peter was fully aware of the fact that Neal was completely non violent. Neal sitting next to him in the car was annoying but it wasn't threatening.

"Fine, suit yourself." Neal said pulling the container away and started to eat the food picking up noodles in his chopsticks. They sat in silence for a moment until it was broken by the sound of a door slamming and a voice filling the car "Don't give me that shit Jimmy. I don't want to hear it". Peter suddenly went for the dashboard where the recording equipment was lying and turned the volume down.

"Oh, if that's the bug from my place I put it in my landlord's apartment. He has been extorting money from sweet old Mrs Channing from apartment 4C. You should investigate him." Neal continued to fish around the containers with his chopsticks.

Of course he knew about the bug Peter thought to himself. "I kind of have a full case load at the moment"

"Oh really who else are you investigating?"

"Just you. You're like the equivalent of ten cases. "

"Oh Peter, you flatter me. But you should really look into this case. Otherwise Mrs Channing may be forced to leave and she has lived in this building her whole life. That really isn't fair."

Peter let out a sigh. Neal never ceased to amaze. "I'll get someone at the bureau to look into it."

"Great" Neal replied brightly "It's always good to have a friend in the FBI."

"I'm not your friend. I'm investigating you for bond forgery, art theft and countless other frauds and schemes and one of these days I'm going to arrest you and put you away in jail for a very long time."

"But not today" Neal said happily.

Peter rubbed his eyes in frustration. God he wished he could slap his handcuffs on him right now and get rid of that self satisfied grin.

"Sooooo" Neal continued on "what usually happen on these stake outs?"

"Well usually the person I'm investigating stays outside the stake out vehicle for one"

"I'm not one for rules" Neal replied his concentration now totally on trying to keep a dumpling balanced on his chopsticks. He failed and the dumpling rolled off onto the floor of the car dripping sauce all over the carpet. Peter groaned in irritation as Neal turned to him with a sheepish smile. "Opps." He put the half empty container still dripping sauce on the dashboard of the car.

"Don't put that ther ..." Peter begun angrily but Neal cut him off with a 'Shhh'. Neal leant forward slightly but kept his body low as he watched a man cross the street and enter Neal's apartment building.

"Caffrey what is it?" Peter asked but Neal didn't respond his eyes going up to his second floor apartment. The lights that had been turned off suddenly switched on and even down on the street sounds of things being tossed around and broken drifted through the still open car window. Peter made for his door but was surprised by a firm hand grabbing his arm. Peter turned back to look at Neal.

"No, don't go up there."

"Caffrey someone has broken into the apartment that I'm investigating. I have a warrant to go in there" He flung up a piece of paper "and I can arrest and question whoever I find in there. Who knows maybe I might get lucky and he might be willing to testify against you." He said this with a smug smile and was satisfied to see a short showing of fear flash across Neal's face.

"No Peter. You can't go!" It was said so forcibly and with so much urgency that Peter did in fact stop getting out of the car and turned back to Neal.

"He won't care that you're FBI Peter. He will kill you."

"Who is up there Caffrey?"

Neal dropped his head and wrung his hands. It looked like what he was about to say was difficult to admit.

"I'm in a bit of trouble Peter. I need your help"

A/N: My first White Collar Fic. I hope you liked it. Reviews always very welcome!