A conversation about the writing journey of Penna and Silbrith.
Current projects: Penna is writing a Caffrey Conversation story.
Silbrith will post Unholy Alliance (Crossed Lines) on April 21.

Banner: Will Quinn

Caffrey Conversation Story Summaries

It's helpful to remember that Neal and Peter in this AU are ten years younger than we knew them at the end of the series. They are less mature, and make mistakes due to lack of experience. However, they are also more open to learning from their mistakes. Visuals and videos for all the stories are on our Caffrey Conversation Pinterest site.

To read posts related to Caffrey Conversation, enter Caffrey Conversation or the name of the Caffrey Conversation story in the search box on the right.

The Caffrey Conversation AU stories in order are (mild spoilers are included):

Caffrey Conversation: September 2003 - December 2003. Peter goes undercover to prevent a museum heist in St. Louis, with unexpected help from Neal. Written by Penna Nomen.

Choirboy Caffrey: December 2003. In St. Louis, Neal meets a college professor with a secret past, and decides the man needs the FBI's help. Peter isn't sure it's really a case, but decides to use it as an opportunity to train Neal. Returning to New York, Neal meets June and Byron Ellington and rents their loft. Written by Penna Nomen.

In the Driver's Seat: December 2003. Neal starts working for the FBI on the same day Peter officially becomes the leader of the White Collar Taskforce. They receive advice from friends, family, and coworkers as they adjust.  Written by Penna Nomen.

By the Book: December 2003 - January 2004. Neal's first undercover assignment at the FBI goes awry at a New Year's Eve party, and a rare book is stolen. Written by Penna Nomen.

Caffrey Vignettes: Treasure Hunt: January 2004. Byron's request for the FBI's help sends Peter and Neal on a treasure hunt on Peter's birthday. Written by Penna Nomen.

Caffrey Envoy: January 2004. An Air Force General calls the FBI and asks to meet Neal Caffrey. Neal hears a story about his childhood exploits. Written by Penna Nomen.

Written in the Stars: January 2004. Neal's parents bonded over movies, especially Star Wars. This is a look back to how they met and how they ended up in WITSEC.

Caffrey Flashback
: February - March 2004. Investigating a company that drugs and blackmails their clients, Neal and Peter discover a connection to Adler. Neal meets Sara Ellis and more of his Caffrey relatives. Sparks fly when Peter's brother meets Neal's aunt. Written by Penna Nomen.

Complications: April - May 2004. Peter comes to the rescue when Neal has lost his way. Written by Silbrith.

Caffrey Disclosure: June - August 2004. While Peter tries to keep Neal away from the hunt for a dangerous fugitive, Neal wraps up a long con on a corrupt music executive. Diana joins the White Collar team after helping with a kidnapping case. Romance blossoms between Neal's aunt and Peter's brother. Neal's birth certificate holds a surprise. Written by Penna Nomen.

The Golden Hen: August 2004. Neal's graduate school advisor asks for help when an art expert disappears with a spectacular imperial Fabergé egg. Written by Silbrith.

The Woman in Blue: September - October 2004. Neal's loyalties are tested when an old friend and mentor asks him to help steal a Vermeer. A cybercriminal, dubbed Azathoth by Mozzie, targets Peter and Neal. Written by Silbrith.
Fluff: Family Day at Columbia, gaming convention, Halloween at the Burke family cabin

The Queen's Jewels: November 2004. Garrett Fowler causes trouble for Neal when jewels belonging to Marie Antoinette are stolen. Fencing scenes. Neal explores the campus tunnels. Written by Silbrith.
Fluff: Thanksgiving at Columbia and with Peter's parents in Albany

An Evening with Genji: December 2004. Neal goes undercover at a bank after he overhears two employees plotting to steal Samurai bonds. Mozzie becomes fascinated with bees and also with a friend of Elizabeth's. Neal meets Sara's boyfriend Bryan. Written by Silbrith.
Fluff: early Christmas in New York City

Caffrey Aloha: December 2004 January 2005. The Caffrey and Burke families gather in Hawaii for the wedding of Noelle Caffrey Winslow and Joe Burke. They also celebrate Christmas and New Year's, and prevent a jewel heist. Written by Penna Nomen.

Caffrey Vignettes: Wish on a Star & Grandmother's House: January 2005. The White Collar team tries to surprise Peter on his birthday, while also helping a dying mother reconnect with her young children. Neal's birthday present to Peter is finally sharing the story of what he did over his 2003 Christmas break 

The Dreamer: January - February 2005. Neal determines that a Corot is actually a forgery by the Dutchman, and goes undercover with Peter at a ski resort to investigate. Diana begins writing stories to influence Azathoth. Sara receives a proposal. Mozzie joins the search for extraterrestrials. An old Nazi hideout is discovered in Argentina. Written by Silbrith.
Fluff: Neal performs at a piano bar. Peter goes undercover as a ski instructor.

The Mirror: February - March 2005. Keller is back in town with his sights set on ancient Egyptian artifacts. Neal hears about inquiries being made for a painting he'd stolen. The hunt for Adler begins in earnest. Written by Silbrith.
Fluff: Valentine's Day, sci-fi convention

Caffrey Vignettes: Spring Break, Casual Day, Taxing Situation, April Fool: March - April 2005. Neal goes on spring break and then celebrates his birthday with family and friends. Mozzie offers to help Neal file his taxes. On April Fools, Neal and Henry attempt to trick each other. Written by Penna Nomen.
 
Whispers in the Night: April 2005. Neal Caffrey, Peter Burke, and the Winchester brothers are unlikely allies when what first sounded like a joke turns into something far more sinister. Written by Silbrith. Story #1 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.
Travel: Southern New Jersey swamp. Fluff: dork curse, Peeper Jamboree

Raphael's Dragon: April - May 2005. As Neal and Peter investigate the theft of a Raphael masterpiece, an enemy returns to seek vengeance. Mozzie is abducted. Kramer makes issues for Neal. Sara and her ex-boyfriend Bryan are in town. Written by Silbrith.
Fluff: Neal's art exhibition

Caffrey Vignettes: Homecoming: May 2005. For Mother's Day, Neal and Henry create a mystery inspired by Nancy Drew for Noelle in Baltimore. Written by Penna Nomen.

Witches' Sabbath: May 2005. Neal and Peter call on Dean and Sam Winchester for help when they investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the Dutchman. Written by Silbrith. Story #2 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.
Travel: Simsbury, Connecticut

Caffrey Vignettes: Magic Trick: May 2005. Peter imagines Neal as a wizard. Written by Penna Nomen.

Echoes of a Violin: May - June 2005. Neal plans to take advantage of a trip to Europe with Peter to retrieve a painting, but the cybercriminal Azathoth has something else in mind. Written by Silbrith.
Travel: Paris, London. Fluff: speakeasy party, backstage at the Doctor Who set

Fireflies at Midnight: June 2005. Peter and Neal head for rural New Jersey to help out at a summer camp for kids only to discover that they've arrived at ground zero for a vampire gathering. Written by Silbrith. Story #3 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.
Fluff: Father's Day, Summer Solstice—Litha, astro camp. Travel: Jenny Jump State Park, New Jersey.

Nocturne in Black and Gold: July 2005. The fantasy world of Comic-Con explodes into a nightmare for Neal and Peter. Illusion becomes reality and secrets long buried come to light as they duel two arch-foes: the cybercriminal Azathoth and Vincent Adler. Written by Silbrith.
Travel: Argentina, Washington, California. Fluff: 4th of July, Comic-Con

Dark Rabbit: August 2005. Neal and Peter join forces with Sam and Dean Winchester in West Virginia when Neal receives disturbing news about his cousin Angela. Written by Silbrith. Story #4 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.
Travel: Shepherdstown, West Virginia; New Haven, Connecticut.

Harlequin's Shadow: August - September 2005. The day of reckoning has come for Vincent Adler as Neal and Peter embark upon an elaborate U-boat con to take down the crooked hedge fund manager. Flashback: the week before Neal started working at the FBI (tag to Choirboy Caffrey). Written by Silbrith.
Travel: Travel: France, Germany, Hungary, Albania, Cape May. Fluff: Speakeasy Party, Labor Day

Night Howls on the Hudson: September 2005. The proposed development of a marsh near Columbia University unleashes an ancient spirit bent on retribution. Neal and Sam become increasingly ill as they suffer the wrath of a goddess. Written by Silbrith. Story #5 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.
Fluff: Renaissance Festival, LARP, Mabon.

The Musicians: October 2005. Neal, Peter, and Henry set their sights on a master art thief and his cybercriminal brother. Written by Silbrith.
Travel: England, Hungary. Fluff: Sara's Birthday

Columbia Ghost Story: October 2005. A ghost haunts the Columbia University campus. Neal visits Electra's home. October 2005. Written by Silbrith. Story #6 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.
Fluff: Halloween, Peter and El's anniversary

Cloister of Secrets: November 2005. Peter joins Neal on a heist in order to capture a buyer of stolen rare books and manuscripts. Neal and Sara begin to come out of the closet. Written by Silbrith.
Travel: France. Fluff: Thanksgiving

Caffrey Vignettes: Splash: November 2005. While Henry adopts a puppy, Neal shares a story with Peter about his 18th birthday. Includes scenes from Satchmo's point of view. Written by Penna Nomen.

Night Music: December 2005. A night at the opera turns deadly as an ancient foe exacts vengeance. December 2005. Written by Silbrith. Story #7 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.

A Caffrey Christmas Carol: December 2005. Peter and Neal visit Christmases past, present and future, remembering what was and seeing what might have been. Includes meta musings about alternate universes and the role of writers. Written by Penna Nomen.

Italian Masquerade: December 2005. Mozzie's latest scheme could derail Neal and Sara's plans for the winter holiday. Written by Silbrith.
Travel: Rome, Florence, Venice. Fluff: Christmas, New Year's Eve

Caffrey Vignettes: Holiday Letters: December 2005 - February 2006. Neal writes letters to Noelle and Meredith. Written by Penna Nomen.

A Witch in Venice: January 2006. A lost Coptic sword may provide the means to defeat an ancient foe. Written by Silbrith. Story #8 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural. Travel: Venice, Italy.

Caffrey Vignettes: On Ice: January 2006. All Peter wants for his 40th birthday is to be in control. He helped plan the party, to make sure there would be no surprises. A young thief didn't get the message. Written by Penna Nomen.

Silent Planet: January 2006. Neal and Diana go undercover to thwart video game pirates. Written by Silbrith.

Glass Angels: January 2006. A sci-fi film project in New Haven leads to more than Neal and his friends bargained for. Written by Silbrith. Story #9 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.

Progress of Love: February 2006. A visit from Alex is not what Neal had in mind for Valentine's Day. Written by Silbrith.

Voodoo Remoulade: February 2006. A vacation in New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras takes a dangerous left turn. Written by Silbrith. Story #10 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.

Attack of the Kraken: March 2006. April Fools' Day is just around the corner, but ancient sea monsters are no laughing matter. March 2006. Written by Silbrith. Travel: Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Cheekbones Caffrey: April 2006. Crowley makes Neal an offer he can't refuse. Written by Silbrith. Story #11 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.

Roads Not Taken: April 2006. Neal loses a member of his family, and Sara considers her options after rumors of a layoff. Written by Penna Nomen. 

The Shark of SoHo: April 2006. An art fraud scheme leads Neal and Peter to forge an unlikely alliance. Written by Silbrith.

Penny Exchange: May 2006. Henry Winslow summons help from a different reality when Neal and Peter encounter minions of the real Azathoth. Written by Silbrith. Arkham Files crossover.

Silver Giraffe: May 2006. As Neal prepares for graduation day, ghosts from the past rock his and Sara's lives. Written by Silbrith. Story #12 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.

Lavender Dreams: May 2006. Neal and Sara attend a destination wedding, and Sara dreams they are characters in Jane Austen novels. Written by Penna Nomen. 

Lost at Sea: June 2006. During a trip to England, Neal makes a potentially life-changing discovery. Written by Silbrith. 

Dawn of the Jackalopes: June 2006. Supernatural events abound during a vacation in the Nebraska Panhandle. Written by Silbrith. Story #13 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.

Tsunami: June 2006. While Mozzie runs a monster movie con in Japan, Neal unexpectedly stars in an underwater horror tale in New York City. Written by Silbrith. 

Full Circle: July 2006. Our take on the James Bennett/evidence canon arc. When Neal's father seeks revenge on a rising politician, Neal and Peter will go full circle -- returning to where the Caffrey Conversation started -- in order to find answers. Written by Penna Nomen.

Fashion Undertow: September 2006. A case of counterfeit handbags leads to a challenge Neal can't refuse while seismic changes are afoot at White Collar. Written by Silbrith. 

Thief in the Woods: September 2006. A rash of burglaries leads to an unexpected thief. Fluff: Renaissance Festival, Mabon. Written by Silbrith. Story #14 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.

Henry Takes a Holiday: October 2006. Neal and Peter grapple with career changes. Henry's planned vacation causes stress at Win-Win. Written by Penna Nomen

Bewitched: October 2006. A witch from beyond is called on to help with mysterious disappearances in the Bridgewater Triangle. Fluff: Halloween. Written by Silbrith. Story #15 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.

Set in Amber: November 2006. Alex is in trouble. Will she cause Neal and Sara's wedding to hit the skids? November 2006. Fluff: Thanksgiving. Written by Silbrith. 

The Family Business: November 2006. The Yellow-Eyed Demon has Sam in his crosshairs. Is a certain Greek goddess the solution or will she place everyone's lives in jeopardy? Fluff: Thanksgiving. Written by Silbrith. Story #16 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.

Breakaway: December 2006. Peter's unusual behavior is a puzzle that Neal and Mozzie are determined to solve. Written by Silbrith.

Movie Night: December 2006 - January 2007. Get ready for a Caffrey family Christmas! The celebration includes a movie night. Sounds straightforward, right? But with the Caffreys, there are always complications. Meanwhile, Peter is preparing for a career change. Written by Penna Nomen.

Skating on Thin Ice: January-February 2007. When a famous painting is stolen, Neal calls on his former mentor to help recover it. Peter adjusts to his new position at Winston-Winslow while change is in the air for other friends. Written by Silbrith.

Bad Omens: January - April 2007. Neal and Peter get caught in the crossfire when an unfriendly demon comes calling. Will Crowley and Castiel save the day? Written by Silbrith. Story #17 in the Crossed Lines series, a fusion of the Caffrey Conversation AU with Supernatural.

Scotch on the Rocks: May 2007. Neal expected that Nessie might surface during a con in Scotland, but the McNally Solitaire soon becomes a larger issue. Written by Silbrith.

Mousetrap: July 2007. Forgeries, heists, sneaking into museums with the Leopard ... Is Neal out of control or simply living the life of his dreams? Written by Silbrith.

Vermeer Interrupted: September 2007. Neal's arch-enemy has escaped from prison. Who will he target first? Written by Silbrith.

More stories to come.

2 comments:

  1. Hi, I wonder if you could do a larger summary for the stories that are crossovers.
    The idea of Supernatural and the world of H.P. Lovecraft are a bit to much for me at this moment, and I'm just reading the White Collar stories.
    Thank you, be well, Monica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have longer summaries for the Crossed Lines and Arkham Files stories in two posts: The Road So Far (for Crossed Lines) and Inside the Arkham Files Vault. There are links to both posts on the pages for the two series on this blog. Both series are more fantasy-oriented than horror, since I'm squeamish when it comes to blood, but I certainly appreciate you might not want to be read anything about supernatural villains. Although I sometimes refer to what happens in the crossovers in my Caffrey Conversation stories, I try to provide enough information so you don't feel it's necessary to read the crossovers. Please feel free to write me if you ever find anything that's confusing. If you decide you'd like to try any of the crossover stories, I'll be happy to give you an advance warning of which scenes you may wish to avoid and provide summaries for them.

      Henry has been a fun recent addition to Arkham Files. He claims the stories are very family-oriented, and the few scary bits can be easily summarized so they don't have to be read.

      Thanks for writing!

      Delete