sectioneightentertainment | Thieves [Chapter One] (Reply)

Author's Note : Set months after "Budapest" and "Golden Slumbers". New characters are introduced. Strayed a bit farther from the White Collar sidewalk this time, so Alex may seem OOC. Just thought that since Channing Powell originally introduced Alexandra Hunter as a strong, smart and capable character in "Home Invasion", I kind of wanted to do a back story of my own based on that perception. The fourth installment from "The Hunter Chronicles" series. [Originally posted on Fanfiction.Net last 03-JAN-2011]

Disclaimer : I don't own any of the original characters. That honor belongs to Jeff Eastin, White Collar writers and USA Network.

Summary : Follows "Budapest" and "Golden Slumbers". Alex and Aretha get some help from old friends to form a new crew. A filler story about what Alex Hunter's life was like without Neal Caffrey.

CHAPTER ONE

It was already spring time in Budapest, just four months after Alex had given birth to Nicholas. The past months she spent mostly on caring for her son. She even discovered that she had a talent for cooking and baking, something which surprised her because up until then she's never been known of being domestic.

I guess motherhood really does change a woman. she chuckled at the thought.

She loved motherhood. For the first time in a long time, her life was perfect. She felt so safe, secured and most of all happy, while living in the manor with her son. But, as much as she loved her life in Budapest, she couldn't help but feel sort of guilty of abusing Aretha's kindness.

She then thought about finally leaving Vadzel with Nicholas. After all, it had been a year since she first arrived in Hungary and she thought that they might be overstaying their welcome. When Alex approached Aretha about this, she could see a mixture of anger and pain in the expression on her friend's face, as their conversation took a bit of an ugly turn.

Aretha just rattled her with questions. "Oh, really? Where will you live? What are you going to do? Who will care for your son when you're working? Are you sure that you've thought this through? I know that you can't go back to New York with your son without attracting the attention of your old boyfriend. Oh, no wait, he's too busy being indicted on art theft, bond forgery-"

Alex had to stop her right there. "Whoa, whoa! Hold up! Time out! No hitting below the belt! Look, I'm not trying to pick a fight with you. You've been so generous to me and my son and I feel like I would be taking advantage of your kindness if we stayed here any longer." she tried to explain.

Aretha took a deep breath. "You're not taking advantage of me. Do you have any idea what you've given this place? Happiness. You and your son have brought light to this old, dark manor." she said emphatically.

"A few more light fixtures would do that!" Alex joked. In a more serious tone she added, "We're already drowning in debt of gratitude! I just want to make sure that we're not a burden. We've been you're charity case long enough!"

To which Aretha quickly replied, "Believe me, you're not! And you owe me nothing! Look, you and your son can have a life here. And if you want to, you can be a part of my operations."

Alex couldn't believe it. "You're offering me a job?" she asked her.

"Only if you want to. It's nothing we've never done before, only this time you can have a more active role." Aretha paused and then said, "Would you at least consider it?" Aretha pleaded before leaving the room.

Alex went back to Nicholas' nursery, where she decided to rethink her original plans of leaving. Aretha was right. They have no other place to go. She couldn't really return to her previous life in New York. Then she'd be a burden to Hale and Iola. Not to mention the fact that she's not ready to face Neal just yet.

Oh, Neal! She had heard that the FBI had finally caught him. He is currently facing the possibility of going to prison. I can't tell him now! He's already in neck deep with his own problems. Alex sighed.

The idea of staying seemed more and more appealing now. She had to admit, it wasn't that bad. She had grown accustomed to the life that she had in the manor. Aretha had even offered her a job, so technically they won't be there as a charity case. As she watched Nicholas sleep, she realized that this is what is best for her son too. This was the only place her son has ever known as home. And everyone there treated him like a little prince. So she had made her decision.

She whispered to her son, "Looks like we're staying, Moonbeam."

Over the next few months, she divided equally as a mother and as Aretha's new partner-in-crime. Aretha had taught her a lot about the 'confidence game', since her new job required more than just her expertise with black market fencing. Alex already had some basic knowledge about grifting, mostly a few things she'd picked up from Neal, as well as some tricks of the trade she had learned from Mozzie.

But what Aretha taught her were more than just the basics. With her help, Alex honed her skills as a master manipulator. Aretha had taught her how to effectively use charm, glamour and feminine wiles to induce trust from other people. From her, Alex learned how to speak a few other languages, as well as how to fake foreign accents. She had become a very gifted con artist, easily transforming herself from one persona to another in a blink of an eye.

Most of the time, she served as Aretha's 'co-strategist' and 'researcher'. But lately, she had been doing a lot of 'field work' for their cases. And as much as Alex loved being back in the game, it took too much precious time away from her little boy. Not to mention that the huge amount of work load was wearing her out. So, she went to talk to Aretha.

"We need help!" she said

"Why what's wrong ? Is Nicholas sick?" Aretha asked, quite worried.

"No, no! I mean 'us'! Our little operation. WE need help!" Alex replied. Aretha looked confused, so Alex continued, "Look, we're being spread too thin! The amount of jobs we've been doing lately and there's only two of us to do everything!"

Aretha seemed to realize what was wrong. "Oh, alright. Look, if you're overwhelmed because you're taking on a bit too much responsibilities, just tell me. I just thought that you liked keeping busy."

Alex was quick to answer, "No, no! I'm not complaining. I just thought that we could use someone who specializes on the other aspects of the job. For example, we need a full time 'information analyst'." She sighed and continued, "Keeping busy is one thing, being swamped is another. I barely have time to tuck my son in bed and kiss him goodnight! I don't want him to grow up thinking that Edina is her mother!"

But Aretha was quick to disagree. "We're fine. Next time, just let me know what you can and can not take on. I will take care of the rest. I'm used to doing this on my own, you know. For a while there, I did everything. Besides, we can't just let outsiders in the manor!" she pointed out.

Alex shook her head. "I know that you're used to doing everything by yourself, and I'm honored that you think I'm up to you're standards. But sooner or later, we'll be in way over our heads and miss something. And in our line of work, those kind of mistakes can be very dangerous!" Alex tried to make her see some sense. "And we won't hire a complete stranger. I know someone who may be up for the job. You can even vet him yourself if you want." she continued. It took a while but she finally got Aretha to agree with her.

The next day, Alex was on the next flight to Vancouver, Canada to see an old friend. After her almost 16 hour flight from Budapest to Vancouver, she received a call from her friend giving her specific directions on when and where to meet.

Jeez, he's almost as paranoid as Mozzie! Well, almost! Nobody's more paranoid than Mozzie! she thought.

Later, they met on Stanley Park, with Alex now wearing a red fedora hat as instructed. She waited by the statue of Lord Frederick Stanley, growing impatient by the minute, when she heard someone call her name.

"Alexandra Hunter! You are as lovely as the day we met." the man voice said.

Alex turned around to face her younger friend. "Asher Henrie! You silver-tongued devil!" she laughed and gave him a hug.

Dressed in baggy denim trousers, an untucked black t-shirt underneath his unzipped Volcom hoodie, a pair of Converse trainers, and a trucker hat that says J!NX, no one would ever think that the young man who stood before her was a technological savant at first glance. But looks, as they say, can be deceiving.

Asher Henrie was one of the best hackers in the computer underground network, not to mention that he is a master of electronic gadget wizardry. His skills range from forging identities, to diverting international bank accounts, to hacking into government databases, both foreign and domestic. Asher was the man she turned to when she went looking for answers about Aretha's past. He clearly is more than a suitable man for the job as their 'tech support specialist'.

They exchanged pleasantries for a bit. Then followed by an uncomfortable silence. Alex was the first to speak.

"I'm really sorry for getting you in trouble the last time I asked you for a favor, Asher." she said, talking about the heat he got from all directions when he looked up information about Aretha, per Alex's request.

"Apology accepted." Asher replied. He continued, "Are you sure everything is alright now?" he asked.

Alex nodded. "Everything's cool. Have you thought about our job offer?"

Asher paused to think. "I don't know, Alex! Getting involved with someone in that line of work could be hazardous to one's health." he finally said.

"Oh, come on! You like the adrenaline rush from these sort of things!" Alex said with a sly smile.

She remembered when she first met Asher when he was just an 18 year-old genius who had problems with respecting authority. He had developed a huge crush on her after she saved his life from a band of thieves whom he had previously sold bad intel to. Because of this, Alex knew that she can work Asher into agreeing to coming back to Budapest with her.

"Besides, did I mention that you'd be living in a castle?" she added.

Asher looked at her. "Those things are overrated. What I'd like to know is how much will I be compensated if I choose to take this job offer?" he asked.

Alex arched an eyebrow. "Since when did you ever worry about the money?" she asked. Not waiting for a reply, she added, "You want to talk about payment, you'll need to have this conversation with Aretha herself. I'm just a middleman, here to make you an offer."

Asher shook his head. "You seem to be very certain that I will take this job. What makes you so sure that I'll just pack up everything and leave with you?" he asked.

Alex leaned closer and whispered into his ear. "Because I know you, Ash! You would eat my laundry for a month if I tell you to!"

Asher's face then blushed into a bright shade of red. "Uhm, alright. When do we leave?" he asked, slightly stuttering.

"We're on the next flight to Budapest. It leaves in two hours. Better be ready by then." she answered.

"Hold on! In two hours? But you just got here! What's the hurry?" he asked.

"Let's just say that I have someone special in my life whom I desperately need to get back to." she replied cryptically. She turned around and started to walk away.

Asher quickly followed her."Okaaay!" he said while trying to keep up with her pace.

"So, tell me something. What's this castle like?" he asked.

"Oh, you'll see!" was all he ever got out of her.

~END OF CHAPTER ONE~

Footnotes:

*Apologies if the pacing of the story seemed to be at break-neck speed. Trying to be as concise as I can so the story won't seem long-winded and boring.

* In my head, I kinda picture Alex as a good mother, without sacrificing her strengths as a woman. She bakes and cooks and takes care of her son. She loves Nicholas very much and feels guilty whenever she needs to leave his side in order to do her job. All the while, she is also a strong, confident and cunning woman. All in all, an amalgamation of Martha Stewart and Lara Croft, but in a more subdued manner. She's matured a lot when she became a mother but there are still hints of a devil-may-care adventure seeker persona from her previous life.

* Asher Henrie's character was modeled after all my favourite nerdy sidekicks of various heroes and heroines. Like most sidekicks have tendencies to fall for their team member or boss, he has a huge amount of admiration for Alex.

* Stanley Park is sort of Vancouver's version of NYC's Central Park.

* J!NX is a popular brand of nerd clothing. Volcom is a popular brand of clothing that skaters wear. In my head, since he is the youngest in their crew, Asher's style is a mix of geek chic meets skater boy.

***Again, many thanks for taking time to read this chapter.***