FIC : White Collar - Almost Paradise

[sectioneightentertainment]

 

TITLE : Almost Paradise

AUTHOR'S NOTES : I decided to write my own conclusion to "Judgment Day". I thought long and hard on which exotic location to set the story. I think you know where this is headed.

DISCLAIMER : I don't own any of the recognizable characters. They belong to Jeff Eastin, White Collar writers and USA Network.

SUMMARY : After leaving New York City, it's just Neal, Mozzie and "Lolana". A new beginning, perhaps? New problems on the horizon? But how does it end?

WARNING : Contains some spoilers to season 3 finale, Judgment Day.

---

KUTA BEACH, LOMBOK, INDONESIA...

Neal Caffrey stood by the beach, as he let the soft waves of the clear, blue waters hypnotize him, the relaxing sounds doing very little to help his tensed nerves. What a difference a day makes. Less than 24 hours ago, he had a life in New York City. He had a job, as low-paying as it was. He was wearing expensive signature suit and Italian leather shoes. He had an apartment with an amazing view of the city. Most of all, he had people he considered as family and friends, that took him almost three and a half decades to find.

Now, here he was, practically on the other side of the world, wearing casual khaki trousers, white cotton chinos, and sandals. Or as Moz calls them, 'man-dals'. He had no job, not that he'd ever have to worry about money. He was staying in a beach front resort, with a view that a lot of people would die for. In a place where nobody knew his name, except for Mozzie.

Good ol' Mozzie...always thinking ahead. Their friendship has been tried and tested, more so this year than the previous ones...but Neal knew where his friend's loyalty lies. Still, Neal couldn't help but miss the ones he left behind.

He missed June, who served as his fairy godmother ever since he got out of prison. She was more of a mother to him than anyone else. Her generosity made his life outside of the big house a lot more bearable than it should have been, and for that he will be eternally grateful.

He missed Sara. His relationship with her had evolved from enemies, to friends, to more-than-friends, to casual lovers, and then back to being friends. She helped him in times that he needed her, when she didn't have to. As complicated as they were together, Neal wouldn't throw away the times they spent with each other.

He missed Jones and Diana. No surprise there. Neal Caffrey was a criminal, and yet they treated him more like a friend and a colleague. They argued a lot with him, but at the end of the day, he knew that they have his back if an ugly situation arise.

He missed Elizabeth. He missed her beauty and grace and kindness and love. She always made Neal feel welcome, even though a lot of those times, he was intruding in the quality time she spent with her husband. Neal admired Elizabeth's strength and spirit. Even after her ordeal with Keller, she chose to forgive Neal and Mozzie's involvement. Alexander Pope once said, "To err is human; to forgive, divine". And if Neal could think of one word to describe Elizabeth, that would be it...DIVINE.

And out of all the friends Neal had lost, he missed Peter the most. Who would have thought that a friendship would grow between a master criminal and the FBI agent who sent him to prison? But it happened. Peter had been an amazing partner and an even better friend. Neal didn't voice it out loud but, Peter was the brother he wished he had. He loved him and respected him, more than he cared to admit. The good that Neal has in him right now was mostly due to Peter's influence.

Neal sighed as he took in the beautiful scenery around him. It was more than nice, it was breath-taking. But it would would have been better if he had friends and family to share it with.

Almost paradise. Neal whispered under his breath. He was startled when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"There you are." Mozzie said.

"Here I am." Neal replied, turning around to face his friend.

"Ohhh, you don't look so good. Have you slept?" Mozzie asked him

"Tried to...I couldn't. I still have whiplash due to how fast the direction of my life has changed within the past day." Neal answered.

"Get some rest at least." Mozzie told him.

Neal shook his head. "I can't." he said. He looked at how Mozzie was dressed. "Going somewhere, Moz?" he asked.

"I'm taking a boat to Bali." Mozzie replied.

"Why?" Neal pressed.

"I need to see a friend regarding 'liquidating' some of our assets." Mozzie explained. "Go have some fun while I'm gone. Go snorkeling or bar hopping or something." he told Neal.

"No way! I'm coming with you." Neal told him.

"What? You don't trust me?" Mozzie asked, visibly hurt.

"It's not that, Moz. I'm going crazy out here. If you leave me in this island, I might do something stupid." Neal explained.

"Like hopping on the next plane back to New York, you mean?" Mozzie understood.

"Exactly." Neal said.

"Alright. But let me handle the negotiation. You can stay on the boat." Mozzie tried to bargain.

"We'll work something out once we get there, Moz." Neal answered, as he walked with him to shore.

---

BIAS TEGUL BEACH, PADANGBAI, BALI...

Neal and Mozzie got off the boat, and into the port of the small fishing village. Mozzie asked one of the fishermen for directions and then went back to Neal.

"Stay here-" Mozzie said before Neal interrupted him.

"And what? Guard the boat? No way, Moz!" Neal replied. "Let's get this over with." he added, as he started walking.

Their little stroll involved a 15-minute walk up and over a hill. Once they got there, they saw a white sand beach cleverly hidden from view. A heavenly paradise with turquoise water, and palm trees swaying in the breeze, with sand that felt like talcum powder and squeaks between your toes. They stopped in front of a warung near the beach, that said "LOLANA's Tiki Lounge" and went inside.

Once inside, they headed towards the bar and was greeted by a cheerful barmaid. She was tall, and strikingly beautiful, with a South American accent.

"Let me guess...two wayward travelers looking to quench their thirst?" said 'Lima', the name on her name tag.

Mozzie gave her a smile. "Actually, we're hoping to see 'Lolana'. Is she here? We're old friends of hers from back home." he asked.

Lima looked Mozzie, and then at Neal, then back to Mozzie. She arched an eyebrow before she spoke again. "Lolana." she called someone from the back. No one answered. "Oh, Lolana!" she repeated, only louder. Still no one answered. "LO-LA-NA!" she called again, but to no avail. Finally she gave up. "Hey, Sierra! Get your butt out here! There are two guys here looking for you!" she yelled. She looked at Neal and Mozzie again and gave them a sultry smile. "And they're both HOT." she added.

Moments later, a woman came out of the seashell curtain and walked into the bar. Mozzie's grin grew into a huge smile, while Neal was left stunned when he saw who 'Lolana' was. She was facing away from them, talking to Lima.

"What is it?" she asked Lima.

Lima cocked her head towards the two. "They said they wanted to see you." she answered.

Mozzie waved his hand. "Hi." he said with a grin.

"Get out!" said 'Lolana', as she moved closer to them.

"Ummm...RUDE!" Lima told her.

"Yes, very rude!" Mozzie agreed.

Neal just remained silent, still surprised to see her. There she was in front of them, an angry expression on her usually cordial, pretty face. Her hair pulled up to a loose pony tail, her lithe body dressed in denim shorts, a white tank top and flip flops on her feet.

"What's going on, Sierra?" Lima asked her.

"Stay out of this, Lima!" she warned the barmaid.

She walked out of the bar and headed towards Neal and Mozzie. She stopped in front of them and glared at them for a moment. She stared at Neal first. Then, without warning, she gave him a resounding slap on his face. She then faced Mozzie and did the same. After that, she walked away from them and back into the bar, leaving the two to holding their aching cheeks.

It was Mozzie who spoke first. "Okay, we deserved that." he said.

"Speak for yourself!" Neal argued, still rubbing his face.

"No, what you DESERVE, I can't give you because I only have two hands!" she told them.

"Look, I understand why you're angry, but violence never solved anything!" Mozzie tried to reason with her.

"You're right." she agreed. She then grabbed the hose from the bar and sprayed water in their faces, leaving them dripping wet.

Just then, two men came forward, and were about to subdue Neal and Mozzie. She waved her hand at them and shook her head.

"Jangan! [Don't!]" she said.

Mozzie turned to her. "Ohhh...you speak Balinese?" he asked.

"You don't?" she snapped back.

"Look, is there somewhere we can speak in private?" Neal asked.

"Yes, private." Mozzie agreed. "And preferably somewhere away from easily thrown objects, both sharp and blunt." he added.

Neal leaned closer. "Please, Alex." he whispered to her.

Alex nodded. "Outside." she said. Neal and Mozzie proceeded to the door. She turned to Lima. "Saya akan kembali satu jam lagi. [I'll be back later.]" she told her, before following Neal and Mozzie.

Outside, Neal and Mozzie was waiting for her. The walked towards the beach, away from the people. They were silent for a while, each waiting for the other one to speak.

"So...'Lolana', huh?" It was Neal who broke the silence.

"It was the name of the bar when I bought it. I figured it was easier to keep the name since the place already had loyal customers." Alex replied, less angry, but still irritated.

"But they know you as 'Sierra'." Neal clarified.

""Sierra Storm. That's the name on my paperwork. You know how it goes. Just like yours say...?" Alex asked.

"Victor Moreau." Neal answered.

"Robert Zulu." Mozzie chimed in. "But everyone calls me 'Bob'." he added, which earned another glare from Alex. "Right...still angry." he said.

"Can you blame me, Mozzie?" Alex asked him. "I've spent my entire adult life searching for that treasure. I put in a lot of work and then you two just screwed me over!" she yelled.

"And we're very sorry for that. But for your information-" Mozzie said before Alex interrupted them.

"Keller claimed full credit and responsibility for the treasure's recovery. Yes, so I've heard." Alex told him. Her face was masked in anger again. "I hope that son of a bitch rots in prison for what he did to Hale!" she hissed.

"How did you find out?" Mozzie asked.

"I have eyes and ears everywhere, Mozzie. I live longer that way." Alex replied, before she started to walk away again.

"Alex, we need your expertise." Neal called her back.

"Of course, you do!" Alex snapped at him. "The only time you ever make an attempt to find me is when you need something." she said.

"We're on the lam!" Mozzie told her.

"Yes, that part's pretty obvious, Moz!" Alex replied. "Caffrey sans the anklet...you suddenly popping up asking for help. What, you want me to liquidate some of your assets? Is that it?" she pressed.

"That was the idea, yes." Mozzie answered.

"Well you can forget it. I don't do that anymore." Alex told them. She started to walk away again.

"We're asking for your help, Alex. I'm asking for your help." Neal pleaded.

"And I'm loving every moment of it." Alex replied, without stopping or turning back.

Neal and Mozzie ran after her. Neal grabbed her arm lightly and turned her around to face him.

"Listen to me, Alex. I can't go back, alright. I wish to God that I can, but I can't go back. If I do, I'm looking at 25 years to life in Sing Sing. I am asking for your help...PLEASE." Neal begged.

Alex looked at him and saw his honesty and desperation. Finally, she relented. "I may know someone who can help you two. It might take a few days." she told them

"We're staying at a resort in Kuta Beach in South Lombok." Mozzie informed her.

"Just leave me a number where I can reach you." Alex told him

"No need." Neal said. "We're going to be staying here in Bali." he let her know.

"We are?" Mozzie asked him, sounding surprised.

"Yes. We're going to head back in Lombok, get our things and then we'll be back here tonight." Neal told him. He turned to Alex. "Think you can spare a bed for a friend?" he asked her with a smile.

"I'll see what I can arrange." Alex replied. With she turned away and walked back to the Tiki Lounge.

Neal followed her with his eyes for a while until Mozzie told him that they should get going as well. They walked back to the boat together.

From the window Alex observed Neal and Mozzie for a while until they headed back to port. Lima noticed her staring outside.

"So...friends from back home, huh?" Lima asked.

"Yeah, things are about to get interesting." Alex replied.

"I am ready for some action, baby girl." Lima told her.

"Not this kind of action, you don't." Alex said cryptically, before heading back towards the bar.

---

KUTA BEACH, LOMBOK...

"Why didn't you tell me Alex was here?" Neal asked Mozzie.

"Because I didn't want you to know. There was a reason why I wanted you to stay on the boat." was Mozzie's simple reply.

"Again...why?" Neal pressed

"Because I know you. You would ask her to come with us. And the last thing we need is another third wheel." Mozzie answered. "She'll just be cramping our style, Neal!" he added

"You're wrong." Neal told him.

"About her cramping our style, or about you wanting to ask her to come with us?" Mozzie pried.

Neal didn't answer him. He continued to pack his traveler bag and hurriedly left the villa. Mozzie followed closely behind him until they reached the boat that was going to take them back to Bali. The rest of the trip went on in silence.

---

LOLANA'S TIKI LOUNGE, PADANGBAI, BALI...

Lima smiled as soon as she saw Mozzie and Neal walk into the bar. She turned to Alex. "Hey, your boys are back!" she announced.

"Oh, great." Alex replied sarcastically. "Hide the women and the booze." she told her.

"Oh come on, Sierra! We can hide the women, but these guys deserve a drink." Lima said with a wink.

"Thank you, Lima!" Mozzie said. "I knew I liked you from the moment I first saw you. We'll take a bottle of Moët and two glasses, please." he told her.

"How about two bottles of beer and I DON'T kick you in the nuts?" Alex replied.

"Lady, you drive a hard bargain." Mozzie answered.

Neal looked around the place. It was packed with both locals and tourists. "Nice little business you got going here." he said.

"Lima manages the place. I help when I can." Alex said, handing him a bottle of beer.

"Which is not that often, since she's away most of the time." Lima piped in.

"Away where?" Neal asked.

"Just away." Alex answered cryptically, without looking at him.

Mozzie downed the rest of his beer. "Thank you kindly for the beer. Now, at the risk of sounding demanding...may I ask where we will be staying tonight?" he inquired.

Lima looked at Alex and smiled. She turned back to Mozzie. "We've made some arrangements that we thought you might like." she answered. She went to the back room to get something.

"She's HOT." Mozzie whispered to Neal.

"She's a foot taller than you." Neal told him.

"Yeah, but I bet you she's worth the climb." Mozzie replied, wiggling his eyebrows. He shut up when he saw Lima came out of the back room and returned to the bar.

"We thought putting you both in one place would be a little cramped for two of you, so we got you separate ones." Lima told them, holding out two keys on her hands. "Let's go!" she said as she took Mozzie's hand and led him away from the bar. She tossed the other key to Alex, who caught it with great ease.

Alex turned to look at Neal. "Well, you heard her. Let's go." she told him, as she followed Lima and Mozzie, Neal closely behind her.

Outside, the four of them walked in the beach, the darkness had already set in. They passed some tired surfers and night swimmers along the way...a few lovers kissing under a tree. And who can blame them, the place looked very romantic, especially underneath the pale moonlight.

Lima stopped walking and tugged on Mozzie's arm. "Your place is right over there." she pointed to a beach house not too far away, but hidden underneath the palm trees. "It's nice...quiet...private. No one can hear you scream." she hinted not too subtly , she walked towards it, her index finger curling, signaling Mozzie to come with her.

Mozzie looked at Neal and Alex. "You know the rules. If the cabana is a rockin'...don't come a knockin'!" he told them. With that, he turned away and followed Lima in a hurry.

"Gee, thanks, Mozzie." Alex called after him. "I'm gonna have trouble sleeping tonight with that image inside my head." she muttered under her breath. She turned to Neal. "Okay then, Mr. Moreau. Your beach front bungalow awaits. Right this way." she told him

She led Neal to a single story house right near the beach. She handed him the key. Neal opened the door and they went inside. The place looked bigger on the inside. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen at the back, living room at the center.

"This is really nice, Alex. Thank you." Neal said to her.

"You haven't seen the best part." Alex replied. She pulled the blinds of the huge bay window. From outside, you can see a perfect view of the full moon, the light hitting the turquoise waters."Beautiful, isn't it?" she asked him, her face graced with a serene smile.

Neal ignore the view and just stared at her, lost in her beauty. "Breath-taking." he said.

Alex turned to face him. "Welcome to paradise, Caffrey!" she said, a short burst of laughter escaping her lips.

Neal walked closer and stood in front of her. He stared into her eyes for a while, then he took a deep breath. He took her hands and wrapped both her arms around his neck. He planted his hand at the back of her head, caressing her hair, his other hand slid down the small of her back, pulling her close. He leaned in until their foreheads and noses were touching.

Moments later, his lips touched hers with an open-mouthed kiss. Their tongues danced inside each others mouth, breathing in each others breaths. They could hear each other moan in pleasure as the kiss deepened. This continued for a few minutes, until Alex pressed her palms against his chest and pulled away, leaving Neal confused.

"I should get going." Alex told him, turning away from him.

"Okay." Neal replied, a puzzled look forming on his face. "I'll see you tomorrow then." he managed to say.

"Maybe. But then again, maybe not." she answered mysteriously.

"What? You have something planned for tomorrow?" Neal asked her.

"You could say that." Alex said as she head for the door. "I'm getting married tomorrow." she announced, leaving Neal surprised. "See you around, Caffrey." she told him, then she turned around and left the house.

Neal was left stunned, his throat, dry, and his mouth partially open, as tried to find the words to say. It was too late when he found his voice. "Alex, wait!" he yelled after her. He ran out the door to go after her, but she was already gone. He looked around, but she was nowhere to be found. Alex, after all, has always been a lot better at disappearing acts than he was. With a heavy heart, and his head hung low, he went back inside the house.

---

TBC...maybe. Let me know if you want this to continue. ~XOXO~