Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to Jeff Eastin and the lovely people at USA Network. I am merely playing in their lovely little sandbox. No copyright infringement intended.

Whatever It Takes

Chapter 1

Neal George Caffrey was a desperate man. He prided himself on the ability to adapt to and overcome any adverse situation, but the predicament he recently found himself in was proving to be beyond this ability. In other words, he was in way over his head, with no one around to toss him a life-preserver.

How he had gotten himself into this particular predicament was a long story, involving several different people, but Neal really only had himself to blame. He had grown too cocky, too sure of himself. That's what happened when everyone around you praised your skills and you became somewhat of a legend in certain circles. And Neal George Caffrey was a legend, in his own mind, and in the minds of others. Of course, his legendary status wasn't going to help him out of this situation. He didn't think the policeman that arrested him knew that he was a legend. He wasn't even sure that the man knew that he was a human being, although the officer was nice enough to read him his Miranda Rights loudly enough for everyone around to hear.

Neal's morning had started off normally. His closest friend, Mozzie, showed up at 8 with coffee and doughnuts. Neal grabbed two of his favorite kind, thanking Mozzie with a mouthful of maple doughnut.

"Neal, I have a bad feeling about this," Mozzie said, as he watched Neal scarf down his breakfast. "Something seems off."

Come on, Mozz, everything's fine. We get in and get out, just like we practiced. What could go wrong?" Neal was too busy grabbing another doughnut to see the look that Mozzie was giving him.

"Just be careful, Neal. That's all I'm saying. Watch your back."

Neal hadn't watched his back close enough, which led to Matthew Keller, dirty, rotten scoundrel that he was, figuratively knifing him in said back, taking the bag of rare Egyptian artifacts out of his hand, and leaving Neal in a cloud of dust. Neal had enough time to get rid of any evidence that could actually pin the heist on him, but he was still caught on suspicion of breaking and entering. For the first time in his 15 years of life, Neal Caffrey, legendary thief and conman, was in big trouble.

Author's note: This is my first ever fanfiction attempt, so please be patient. I love White Collar and all of its characters, so I thought I would try my hand at creating some new stories. Thanks for reading and, if you can, I would love to hear your thoughts on the story.