A Thief Among Thieves

A few weeks ago, Penna wrote about the do-overs and keepers that the Caffrey Conversation AU has allowed us to perform. Removing the felon aspect to Neal's character has permitted us to establish closer relations between him and his fellow team members. It also gives Neal the chance to shed his former life while the team benefits from his expertise. In Nocturne in Black and Gold, particularly relevant is the team's attitude toward Neal's skills as a thief.

Warning for minor spoilers for the Caffrey Conversation AU

In the TV series, Neal's criminal ways were a major source of tension. The team members liked Neal but mistrusted him. The anklet was a constant reminder of their belief that he'd gladly go back to a life of crime with one flip of his fedora. Neal was pulled in opposite directions. Especially in the first three seasons he often appeared ready to turn over a new leaf, only to have circumstances work against him. Late in Season 5, Peter acknowledged the problem. In "Taking Stock" he admitted White Collar took advantage of Neal's abilities, but in so doing reinforced the image of him as a thief. In other words, they never gave him a chance to become anything else.

In our AU, we've taken a different approach.

Byron voiced it first in Penna's story, By the Book. Byron offers Peter advice on how to make it easier for Neal to adapt to his new life. Byron urges Peter to demonstrate that he values the skills Neal picked up as a thief. Neal now has the opportunity to use his abilities for the benefit of society. It would be counterproductive to criticize him for having them.

In my stories, I've been expanding on that theme. Neal was chosen by John Hobhouse to be a member of the Interpol art crimes task force in The Mirror. Hobhouse realizes that no one understands an art thief better than a fellow thief. He is aware of Neal's criminal past but doesn't hold it against him.

Neal's situation is similar to a college friend of his, Aidan Phillips. Aidan works for a cybersecurity firm and is himself an expert hacker. His ability gives White Collar an edge in fighting Azathoth's malware. Even Hughes acknowledges there's no one better equipped to take down a hacker than a fellow hacker.

Now Neal leads workshops for Interpol and the FBI on how to evaluate museum vulnerabilities through the eyes of an art thief. In Nocturne in Black and Gold, he conducts an art heist boot camp which would have been unthinkable in canon.

Neal's not the only beneficiary of this change in attitude. His fellow thief and con artist, Mozzie, is also appreciated much more than he ever was in canon. He's helped the team on numerous occasions and been thanked for it. Peter appreciates his abilities and cuts him enough slack so that they can work together. Mozzie has returned the favor. He's worked with the team on the Masterson case in Caffrey Disclosure, taken Peter along on an FBI-sanctioned heist (The Mirror), and provided assistance with Azathoth. The latest instance is in Nocturne in Black and Gold where he's been mentoring Jones in the art of strategizing through board games.

As Neal and Mozzie work ever more closely with White Collar, opportunities arise for stings on a grander scale than could have been imagined in canon. But not everyone in the FBI is as enlightened as Peter and his team. Will issues be caused by Neal teaching his team members how to be thieves? The possibility certainly exists.

Nocturne in Black and Gold on Archive of Our Own
Nocturne in Black and Gold on FanFiction