Wanted (White Collar)

Chapter Four - The carved E

She looks worried. "A safe house?"

"She can stay with me," Neal bursts. "At June's." He smirks.

Peter hesitates. He looks at Daphne. "Is- is that okay with you?"

She slightly stutters. "Yeah, I guess I'd rather be with someone."

"It's settled then. We'll know when you can leave."

...............................................

Daphne drops her bag on the ground near the door. Alden runs past her, calmly sniffing around. Neal stands next to her.

"Nice place for a convict," she says, looking around in awe. "Are you sure you want me up here? I can sleep on the couch downstairs-"

"Lilly, it's fine, I feel better that you're up here," he says.

"Alright," she agrees, still reluctant. She tosses a pillow on the couch.

"Take the bed, I insist."

She looks at him. "Neal, seriously. I'm okay."

He nods.

"Hey, Neal, word of advice- never try to store TNT in an apartment with faulty wiring." Mozzie enters the room. "Oh." He stops, seeing her. "Hi."

Daphne looks at Neal, Neal looks at Mozzie and Mozzie looks at both of them.

"Hi," Daphne says. "Who are you?"

"I'd- rather not say..." He shifts, offering an awkward smile.

"Oh," she responds, walking to the couch. Neal hasn't taken his eyes off of Mozzie. He points to Daphne with his eyes, mouthing "tell her."

Mozzie opens his mouth to argue, but stops, sighing. "I'm Mozzie."

She looks up from leaning over her bag on the couch, adjusting her hair. "I'm Lilly," she says, unphased. "This is Alden." She pats her dog's head as he sits down next to her.

"Oh great," he says, "a dog."

Neal shakes his head. "You don't live here, Moz." Daphne smiles to herself.

"Still-"

"Don't worry," she reassures. "He's a sweetheart. Well, when he's not ordered to be otherwise." 

This didn't seem to comfort him.

Moz gives a slightly panicked look. "Neal, can I have a word with you?" He motions him to the terrace.

"Uh- sure." He follows.

Once they're out of earshot, Mozzie says, "Neal, care to explain?"

Neal subtly nods toward Daphne. "Lilly and I were held at gunpoint the other day. Someone's after her and they've been to her house- I didn't want her to be trapped in one of your hovels."

"Hey- Tuesday has a great view."

"Beside the point, Moz. She's here until everything blows over, okay? You don't see me complaining."

"Well no shit you're not complaining. But I am. What about Sara? Kate?"

"What about them?"

"You know what about them."

"Kate's gone, Moz. I'm over it. And Sara, she... I don't know. We aren't anything. But neither are me and Lilly, or are going to be, for that matter. Okay? Don't worry, Moz."

"Okay fine. Answer me this, how did she react at gunpoint?"

"Calm, smart, and uh..."

"Experienced?"