-Kara-

I woke up to the smell of food and Neal cooking. I sat up as he laid out a plate on the table and smiled over at me. I grabbed one of his shirts and strolled over

"Aren't you a little underdressed?" he wondered the picked up his hat "Oh here we go."

"Is that better?" I laughed

"much." he kissed me then pulled away "You know one of the perks living in New York City is the casual exhibitionism."

"Oh are the neighbours complaining?" I half joke

"No, but the sale in binoculars has been going up since you've been coming over." he grinned in jest which made me laugh

"oh well maybe after breakfast we could continue raise more..." I was cut off by a knock on the door. "Mozzie?"

"Lately is been knocking in a unique kind of way." there was another knock

"Neal." it was Peter.

"So glad I'm dressed for company." I moved past him and grab my things sneaking out of the main room so that i could dress. I tied my hair back and then came back out to see Peter hiding my handcuffs

"Yeah, those are mine. Thank you." I took them off him and put them back into my bag. Peter smirked at us "He was teaching me how he manages to pick them, so you know I can see the warning signs..."

"Good morning Kara."

"Morning, and before you ask I do not have a draw here or anything like that. We're in that awkward stage of where this is undefined and I'm rambling so I'm gonna go. See you at the office." i kissed Neal's cheek and left.

--------

-3rd person-

Peter called Kara into his office that morning and she sat there awkwardly.

"So you and Neal." he cleared his throat still amused "I mean it was pretty obvious you two had gotten closer. And despite the fact that you had it does not effect how you work. Did you threaten him?"  she shifted slightly

"Maybe, its a case of my badge and gun are not on my waist then..." she trailed off  "You know I thought you would be giving me a lecture given the fact we're both suspicious "

"Kara, I think that your a good influence on him. And because I know you, you will not be getting a lecture. Just don't let him be a bad influence on you." he paused "I've seen Neal do the right thing for the right girl. I know it's not impossible."

---------

-Kara-

My place was under construction, again. So I was living out of a hotel for a little while. Neal met me outside on our way to work.

"Thanks." I smile huddling up under the umbrella with him

"I live out of a hotel once?" he commented

"Once. I know you've probably lived in a lot of hotels during your interesting youth." I joke

"Well I moved around a lot." he shrugged off

"What was different about this one?" I wonder holding onto his arm

"The Palazzo Sasso in Ravello. The heigh of renaissance frozen in time." he reminisced

"Yeah, with Jacuzzis and hot stone massage." I add

"Cloisters at the villa cimbrone a few minutes away. In another life I would have stayed there forever." he admitted as we made our way to my bank

"Sounds amazing. And your reason for leaving?" I wonder

"I got word that Europe was closing in  for a score I alleged ran in corsica." I laughed shaking my head "interesting youth."

"Well hotel living is fine, I'm used to it. But I will be very happy when renovations are completed and I can go home." I sigh

"You getting tired of roughing it in the lap of luxury." Neal joked

"I prefer where I don't have to share just the one room and can moved about freely without the feeling of constantly needing to be properly dressed. And  where I don't have to tip." we stooped at an ATM I needed to pull out some money  "Stand away sticky fingers." he steps so he had his back to the ATM

"Okay if you think that will help." I clicked my tongue

"You think you can guess my pin?" I say

"No, I can deduce it."

"Well, would you like to bet on it? Loser buys Lunch and dinner." I cancel the pin and step back

"Okay. Your birthday is September 3rd  3-9 but your a sentimentalist, 18th birthday you butterflied away."

"It's comforting that you actually listen. But your not even close"

"Scott's your best friend" he stated

"And what does that have to do with it?" I question confused

"The closest people around us have the most effect. And you're a Virgo." he took my card and slipped it in.

"2-1-6-8" he stated as he typed it in

"That's impossible, I picked a random number." we swapped places

"Nothing is random, your subconscious is always working." he leaned against the cash machine.

"Or you saw the reflection on the camera guard." I figured it out

"Or I might have done that." I went to withdraw cash but it didn't let me

"Neal what did you do?" I question trying again

"Nothing, I typed in the pin." he looked down at the small screen.

"But my account is empty."

----------

I huffed sitting in my desk. I was a victim of the crime and because of that I could not be on the case as well. Not this time. I saw Neal and Pete come over.

"So, how bad is it? And don't do the good news bad news. I work here remember." I stood up.

"We traced the money to a swiss bank." Peter told me

"but that means until you prove something the account is untouchable. Which means you're on a time crunch cause there is a possibility that if you don't work fast, the money stolen might never come back." I folded my arms

"Which is why we're going to catch him, Kara. I'm gonna put you on leave while the case is pending" I sigh but nod

"Okay, thank you." I grabbed my things and they walked me out

"Are you gonna be okay in the short term?" Peter questioned

"This guy took everything, that i've had since i turned 18. My trust fund, my law suit and my earnings. Now I have to fill out a bunch of forms and you know how long insurance claims take." I push the elevator button and turn to them

"Yes and with this many victims and different account types, could be months."

"With my apartment undergoing changes and no money until pay check, I'm just gonna sit in a cafe and call around the family that doesn't hate me for back up." I went to step into the elevator

"You could always stay with me." Neal offered causing me to turn around "You know until this is cleared up."

"Uh, at Junes. Is that a wise idea?"

"It will be fine, I could even being you those little snacks on a cart." I laugh slightly

"Uh, okay." I step into the the elevator properly.

---------

Neal helped me with my bags into his apartment. He opened the door.

"Neal, what do you think the estimated worth is of..." Mozzie trailed off seeing the two of us "Hello, welcome."

"We're not interrupting are we?" I gave him a suspicious look

"I was watching porn." he replied which was clearly a lie

"On the dining table of your best friends apartment. Cause that is not shady at all." i comment closing the door behind me.

"You live your life. As I see your living mine. I wasn't informed you were moving in." Neal put my bags down.

"She's not moving in. You heard about the Manhattan  mutual hack?" Neal questioned

"of course. It was a masterstroke. Whoever is behind that threaded paper mask is a bonafide genius."

"Thank you Mozz. Kara got cleaned out. She's staying here until the money's recovered." Neal explained

"We? I wasn't aware it was a package deal. I'm just gonna put some things away while you two talk." I grab my bag and walk into the the hall way then into the closet. I triple check I have everything. The come back out.

"Miss me."

"Kara, Neal and I were talking about your predicament and I would like to offer my assistance." Mozzie replied

"Your hiding something and you want to get rid of me. You mean" I place a hand on my hip "You can say it you know. i'm not an agent right now. I'm on leave." I whisper loudly

"Semantics."

"Well, I do have a bad habit on not letting things go. So okay let's solve the case. But just so you know I won't get into trouble if Peter finds out because he'll just blame you for being a bad influence on me and tricking me in my vulnerable time." I shrug

--------

We had a plan. A crazy illegal plan but I was pissed, I was robbed as were other people but I was robbed.

"Looking flashy Mr Dupante" I comment coming out after changing "Zip me up." I turned and moved my hair out of the way.

"It seems counter productive doing this." he flirted

"Oh, it's a shame we already have an engagement?" he turned me around and kissed my neck I giggled but stopped noticing something. "Neal were my box that was on the bed."

"the safe box, it's right there."

"That is a box of sensitive case files, you are not i repeat not to open it. Ever." I pointed to him

"Now you got me curious."

"Neal, I'm serious. Just because I'm on leave does not stop me from who I am. Some things stay private."

"I thought this wasn't about having any secret?" Neal smirked

"Then what about the new identity you have behind that painting?" I pointed to it folding my arms

"You searched my place?" he questioned

"You left it open. And now your changing the subject. I know Peter doesn't know about it." I retort

"Well he wouldn't be surprised" he counters

"Are you planning on skipping town?" I ask outright

"No, there are plenty of reasons why I would need an alias. You know what ask Mr Dupante ." I sigh accepting it for now. "But seriously, leave the box alone I will castrate you in your sleep."