This story was written in and is set in Season 2 before Keller's escape. I'd forgotten to upload it. Given the subject matter, it seems rather ironic! May it help other WC addicts get through the hiatus.

Disclaimer: White Collar isn't mine, I make no money on it. Thanks to those who really do bring these wonderful characters to life.

Neal Caffrey shifted aside his art supplies and paused in puzzlement. The cardboard tube tucked in that corner was unfamiliar. He didn't remember having anything like that in here. He opened it up and pulled out a painting. He blinked, startled that it wasn't one of his, and then it registered. It was the painting stolen in the gallery heist last night. An abrupt spurt of adrenaline shook him. His breathing quickened as he studied it, looking for evidence it was a fake. Trouble was, it wasn't. And yet it was in his apartment. He closed his eyes quickly. He'd not been in that gallery last night. His tracker could prove it...if no-one had falsified the data. But there couldn't be a whole lot of reasons someone would snatch an expensive painting only to plant it in his apartment instead of selling it. The only one that came to mind...

He yanked out his phone, hesitated only a moment before he hit the speed dial. "Moz, get over here."

Mozzie could do it but he wouldn't. If he'd have taken it he certainly wouldn't have left it in Neal's apartment. June had been gone all day while Neal was at work. Ironically, he and Peter were working on this very heist. He remembered the fiasco with the diamond heist and cringed.

"Wow. How did you do that without..."

"I didn't! That's the trouble, Moz. Why else would it be here except someone wanted to get me in trouble?"

"In that case, they'll call in an anonymous tip..."

"And be here any minute..."

"Got it." Moz grabbed the tube, looked around and ran down to the kitchen. "Where's your garbage?"

"You're not going to...Oh." Mozzie took the 'cleaner' trash and dumped the painting still in the tube in it. "If anyone stops me, it's stuff for the thrift shop. I'm almost surprised you didn't call your buddy the suit and hand it over." He looked at Neal, came back for another look.

"Tell me you didn't..."

"No. But I thought about it. He's in court today, testifying."

Moz looked offended, "You considered calling him before me?"

"What're you complaining about? I didn't. But...put that somewhere safe."

"Fine."

Mozzie had been gone less than half an hour when a violent banging hit the door. Neal looked up from the case file he was studying. He'd hit it with renewed urgency when he realized this thief had taken the painting only to put it in his apartment. The door burst open even as he reached for it. He jumped back.

"Neal Caffrey?" The woman flashed a badge, an FBI badge, and he plastered on his most charming smile.

"Yes?" His eyes glanced past her, taking in Jones and Diana, neither looked happy.

"I'm agent Marden." She shoved her way in, along with two other, unfamiliar agents. Jones and Diana followed and he gave them a questioning glance. Not that he couldn't guess, but he couldn't let on that he knew. It would only make him look guilty.

"We've a warrant to search. We received a tip you have stolen property here."

"What kind of property? What kind of tip?" He put on just the right touch of shock and indignation.

"A painting. The one you and agent Burke were assigned to investigate the theft of."

Neal turned away, ignoring the agents now searching the apartment. Hopefully, the painting was the only thing planted. He hadn't found anything else. He turned to Diana and Jones. Jones was reluctantly poking at Neal's things, Diana just stood in the doorway with her arms crossed. "Where's Peter?"

"Still in court. We had to leave him a voice message."

"Caffrey...if they find that painting..," Diana said warningly.

"I did not take that painting!" Neal said firmly.

They searched until they'd nearly torn the place apart. Jones cast him an apologetic look. "I'll help you clean up if you want."

"That's okay. Not your fault." He glared after agent Marden.

"We're all just doing our jobs." Diana said firmly. "And Neal, we want to believe you. I'm glad you don't have it."

Neal's eyes narrowed. "You can always check my anklet. I was nowhere near that gallery when it was taken. And it's how she goes about it that's annoying." He motioned to the mess. "She enjoyed it."

"Yeah...well, we'll see you."

The door closed behind them. Neal flipped on the tv, turned it to the security cams. He didn't let out a sigh of relief until they were gone. Then he slumped on the couch and rubbed his hands through his hair. If someone was trying to frame him he needed to tell Peter. They probably wouldn't stop, he needed to get ahead of it.

Grabbing the cell again he hit Peter's number and swore when it went to voice mail. "Peter, I really need to talk to you." He sighed, dialed Mozzie. "They were here, Mozzie. Someone left them a tip I had the painting."

"Are you going to tell the Suit?"

"I have to tell him something. What if they try again? Besides...I hate to admit it but he can usually tell something is up."

"Hmm. Yeah. Better to deal with him than the others..."

"If I can just get him on the darn phone..."

"Where is he?" Neal paced back and forth. The cell rang. He grabbed it. "Peter?"

"It's Elizabeth. I was hoping he was with you."

"Hoping? He was in court today. I thought he'd be out by now, but I haven't been able to get him on the phone."

"He was supposed to be home for dinner. I know it's silly but he does usually call even if he forgets. It's awfully late..."

"I guess I made him late a lot..."

"Well, yes." He heard a smile in her voice. But then it faded, "it's just...I have a bad feeling about it."

"I'll let him know you're looking for him if ...when I see him."

"Thanks."

Neal stared at the phone blankly. "Moz...something's wrong. Diana and Jones haven't seen him, he hasn't been back to the office, hasn't gone home..."

"I'll put my ear to the ground." Mozzie eyed Neal, worried. He grabbed his coat and hurried outt the door.

Neal's lips tightened. Someone tried to frame him and Peter was missing. Elizabeth wasn't the only one with a bad feeling about this.