How Long Did You Think You Could Keep This Up (Before I Found Out)?, by Elrhiarhodan (G)

[laughingacademy.livejournal.com]

Fandom: WHITE COLLAR
Pairing: gen
Length: ~1200 words
Author on LJ: elrhiarhodan
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

In the pilot, Peter tells Neal, “You’re a consultant, and I own you for four years.” Legally, of course, it’s a little more complicated than that, as the author (a real-life lawyer, according to the story notes) shows in this missing scene from season 1:

“Sir,” Neal knew this wasn’t the moment to show disrespect. “You’re saying that if I don’t file FBI paperwork properly, you’ll immediately send me back to jail? That seems a little harsh.”

“Neal…” Peter’s voice had a wealth of warning in it.

“What are you getting at, Caffrey?” Hughes modified his tone, but he wasn’t backing off of his threat.

Neal opened the legal folder he had carried with him into the meeting, a folder that Peter first noticed back at Neal’s apartment last night. It was a nice, sturdy folder, with no identifiable markings on it, definitely not an item that came from the FBI storeroom (which would have had an FBI seal on it). It was the type of folder that high-priced lawyers used.

“Morrissey v Brewer, 408 U.S. 471, 1972.” Neal offered no additional information. He fully expected both men, who probably had at least 40 years combined experience in the criminal justice system to know precisely what he was talking about. This felt good, like he was in an episode of Law & Order and just blindsided the DA with some obscure ruling.

“How Long Did You Think You Could Keep This Up (Before I Found Out)?”

Comments

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

That was fun. I love Neal pushing back.

[laughingacademy.livejournal.com]

I love the idea of Neal pushing back with The Law.