AN: So, this collection is basically a bunch of drabbles that I would love to see, but can't really include in my story Cascade Effects. There are so many fun little ways to connect the two worlds, and I love writing them. I saw a story similar to this in the White Collar archive so I decided to post. If anyone ever wants to write a story using something I post here, feel free. Just ask first. :)
Disclaimer: I don't own White Collar or Chuck.
Title: The Nerd Herder
Word Count: 381
"Damn it!" FBI Special Agent Peter Burke said, cursing at the red light that was currently mocking him. Laughter from the passenger seat caused him to fix a glare at the offender.
"You know, getting mad at inanimate objects is considered by some to be a sign of insanity," Neal Caffrey said, snickering softly. He kept his eyes glued to the window so he wouldn't burst out laughing again at the look that he knew the agent was now sporting. Therefore, Neal missed the smirk that settled said agents face.
"Unless I'm mistaken, your tracker is an inanimate object," Peter said, and began drumming his fingers impatiently against the steering wheel.
"Touché," the consultant mumbled, tapping his hat on his leg. "Why does Elizabeth need me anyway?"
"Elizabeth doesn't need you," Peter said putting an emphasis on 'you'. "She needs your palette. Whatever the hell that means."
"It's nice to see I'm appreciated for something," Neal said sarcastically. A sigh was the only response from the agent so he continued the watching cars that were turning, when suddenly a flash of something familiar caught his eye.
It was a Toyota Matrix. More specifically it was a Nerd Herder. Neal hadn't seen one of the recognizable cars in years, since he entered prison, and the appearance of it startled him. Here was a connection to his previous life, and seeing the car with Peter so close to him made Neal surprisingly uncomfortable.
As the car got nearer, he could finally make out who was behind the wheel. Familiar curly brown hair, accompanied by a friendly grin as the man glanced left and right, caused Neal's eyes to widen. When he caught sight of the blonde woman in the passenger seat, he quickly put his fedora on and turned away from the window.
Peter glanced at him curiously, but didn't say anything for which Neal let out a sigh of relief. After all, explaining why a Nerd Herder containing his old friend Chuck Bartowski, and his old partner/lover Sarah Walker, would take a long time to do and his hands shook slightly at the thought.
Moreover, like Peter was going to believe Neal Caffrey was really Bryce Larkin, an undercover CIA agent searching for rouge intelligence agents within the FBI. It was better to just keep his mouth shut, his head down, and his hat on.