A Young Swindler

By Peppe1951

Summary: An AU story where young Neal is left to fend for himself after his father abandons him.

Warning: Corporal punishment of a child.

Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to USA; I only write about it.

Chapter 1

"Where are you Dad? I did what he said and led our mark, Stevenson on a wild goose chase so you could sell the prize bull we swindled him out of without being stopped but you're not at our meeting place." Neal thought as he continued to elude Stevenson and his men. He darted behind the mercantile only to run into the arms of the man he thought he was fleeing.

"I got you now boy. Where is your father, you little scamp?"

Neal felt himself being shaken but before he could say anything one of Stevenson's hands spoke up.

"He's gone, boss. He got on the stage before it pulled away and before we could get our hands on him."

"Grrrr….so he left you to take the blame. I'll get him yet but until now I will take my anger out on your hide. I'm going to give you the thrashing of your young life," and started to pull his belt from his trousers. "Hold him!" Bruce cried as he pushed Neal into the arms of his foreman, Jack Williams.

Neal found him held tightly as Stevenson approached with a heavy belt in his hands.

"Nooo…. I'm just a kid…. you can't do this…. owwwww…owwww…owwwww," the blows came to fast for Neal to do anything but yell out in pain as he struggled unsuccessfully to get away. The thrashing seemed to go on forever before he heard,

"BRUCE! Stop that at once. Have you lost your mind, you are beating a child?"

"He's no innocent, Elizabeth…he's a swindler like his old man. This is Neal Caffrey. I'm sure your husband has been chasing his old man, James for years. They just swindled me out of my prize bull. This one led me on a chase while his old man sold the bull. They were going to leave but for some reason his father left him here. I don't have his father to punish so I am taking my frustrations and anger out on this one. If I beat him enough maybe I can change his ways about swindling. Just consider it my life changing method to stop him on his life of crime."

Elizabeth Burke heard him out and knew that several people felt the same about changing young criminals but she just didn't believe in beating a child so severely for something his father was guilty of. He might have helped in the crime but still the beating this child was receiving was not right…it was too severe for his crime. "He's had enough Bruce…give him to me."

Bruce looked into the determined eyes of the Marshall's wife and knew he couldn't continue his line of punishment and nodded to Jack.

"Let him go."

Jack released Neal who lost no time in running to El's side rubbing his backside as he ran.

"You listen well, boy. If I hear of you trying any of your swindling ways around here I will hunt you down and finish this thrashing only the next time it will be on your bare bottom and not even Miss Elizabeth will be able to save you!" And with that Bruce and Jack walked away.

Neal watched as they completely walked away before looking up at El. "Thank you Miss Elizabeth, I didn't think I could take anymore. I don't think I will be able to sit comfortable for days as it is," and started to walk gingerly away.

"Neal, if I understand it from Bruce's remarks your father left you. Is that true?"

Neal nodded as the tears of what he had heard early started to sink in.

"Come with me; I'll not let a child stay by himself."

"I'm not a child. I'm fourteen years old; I only look younger because I'm smaller than most boys my age. My Dad called it a golden opportunity to play on the emotions of women."

"I bet you milked them dry with that face and body. Now that I know the truth you won't be playing that game with me, will you, young man?"

"No ma'am. Is Peter Burke really your husband?"

"Yes, sir and if we are going to meet him for lunch you had better get a move on mister."

Neal smiled shyly at the young woman before a thought struck him. "I won't be able to sit down."

"It will be okay Neal; the place we like to go has padded seats."

Peter had been waiting for some time. He pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time again. "Yep, she is fifteen minutes late. She must have lost the time while talking with Sarah Travis, her best friend and owner of the mercantile." Sarah is the oldest daughter of Orrin Travis, a local Circuit Judge. Peter was just about to get up and check on her when he spied his wife walk in holding the hand of a young boy.

"El?"

"Peter, this is my young friend Neal. He's going to be staying with us for a while. His father abandoned him just now."

Both Neal and Peter gave a startled expression at the statement.

"EL"

"Miss Elizabeth," they both said simultaneously and then stopping to look at each other.

"Oh, let me mention who Neal's father is…James Bennett. I believe that you are familiar with the name and the criminal."

Peter looked at his wife with amazement as his words sunk in. "How did you two meet?"

"Young Neal was getting a thrashing from Bruce Stevenson, who I understand just had his prized bull swindled from him from Neal and his father. James got the money and got away on the stagecoach just before Bruce's hands could catch him. However, Bruce was able to catch Neal and decided to punish him for him father's swindle and was laying him to him with his belt to Neal's backside. I stopped him and took custody of the boy, and now you know the story. So what do you want for lunch Neal?"

Neal just looked at Elizabeth, not knowing what to say.

"Neal, why don't you just look over the menu when the waitress comes by while I talk to my wife for a few minutes? We won't be long and by the time we return we can order." Peter made his suggestion in an easy and friendly voice and Neal nodded.

El followed Peter to the back of the restaurant that wasn't busy at the moment and waited for her husband to speak. "El he's the son of a wanted swindler and thief. I bet his father has taught him plenty of the trade and you want to bring him into our home?"

"Peter he has no one now that his father has abandoned him and I won't have him taken to the town's orphanage where he won't be given any understanding or love. All he can expect there is a place to sleep and something to eat. With us he will have a chance at growing up an upstanding citizen, one who want be looking over his shoulder for the lawmen following."

"But dear…"

"Peter we have tried for years to have children but have been unsuccessful but maybe we now have a chance at adopting a child. I want Neal to be that child."

Peter opened his mouth to reply but saw the intensity in his wife's eyes and only nodded. "Okay hon, we will give Neal a chance; after lunch take him to the mercantile and get him some new clothes but don't buy the store out. We will see how things work out with Neal before we make a commitment…okay?"

El replied by giving him a hug and a kiss.