Surprise For Peter
My first White Collar story. Be kind.
Disclaimer: White Collar created by Jeff Eastin. Talented man.
Notes: Takes place shortly after Bad Judgement
Chapter 1
Peter Burke was exhausted. No, not just extremely tired but bone-weary. This wasn't right. Today was his birthday. He was only 46-years-old. Yet he felt like some old man ready for retirement. It was the last few weeks that had done him in. Too many early hours and late nights at the office. Footwork, depositions and endless mind-numbing paperwork. His mental agony over additional paperwork made him liken himself to Neal Caffrey. When he began to compare himself to his "consultant" he knew his emotional state bordered on collapse! He sighed heavily and sat down at his desk. He viewed himself as a desk bound paper pusher.
Peter had pushed himself and his White Collar crime team to the limit. His anger had simmered on the surface for days now, occasionally finding victims among his associates. Cruz and Jones tried to avoid him as politely as possible, but Neal had begun leaving small drawings of Oscar the Grouch in numerous places in Peter's office. If he found one more Sesame Street artistically- done portrait taped on his computer screen he would not be responsible for murder.
It wasn't even that the specific case they were working on was high profile. Hughes hadn't given him any ultimatum, time-wise. Take down a known embezzler Martin Small. To be honest, it was retribution pure and simple on Peter's part. Martin Small could push all his buttons! He had caused Peter emotional trauma in the past. Always slipping through a supposedly solid case using any means at Small's disposal. High priced lawyers, bribery, intimidation. Peter wanted this arrest. He wanted to wipe the smirk off the guy's face. He had allowed Small's cynical taunts into his impregnable castle of verbal indifference. But now, oh now, Peter Burke was close to victory. A few more loose ends to clear and he would have his nemesis nailed. Just maybe, because of the day, it was time to take a breather and allow himself, and especially his unit, an early break to go home.
Peter knew Elizabeth would be pleased to see him home at a decent hour. He would be able to have dinner with his lovely wife. Peter fantasized about the evening. Nothing elaborate, as the couple had agreed earlier in the week to postpone a private birthday celebration until next week. Elizabeth had probably even told Neal to hold off any crazy birthday cards until then. He was in no shape to party. Peter Burke was, at his core, a private man who shied away from public celebrations. The one time Elizabeth had orchestrated a party for him at headquarters had been painful. No, all he wanted tonight was to change into comfortable sweats, eat a home-cooked meal and enjoy his wife's company on the couch while he drank a very cold beer and watched a ballgame.
Peter called El at home and told her about his plans. She was thrilled he was coming home early. He called in his crew, who at first eyed him with trepidation, and told them to go home. He would put in one more hour of paperwork and head out too.
"Well, happy birthday boss," said Lauren and Jones, as they quickly vacated the premises. They would find time to celebrate with him at lunch sometime in the future. Take Peter out to his favorite Chinese restaurant. When he was in a better mood of course.
Neal, however, didn't rush out. He eyed his boss/handler/friend? with his intense blue gaze. "Hey Peter, you don't look so good. Why don't you go home right now?"
Peter nailed him with one of those Peter Burke stares. "Why? So you can make more stupid cartoons to decorate my furnishings. Go home Neal."
Peter watched Neal Caffrey stiffen but smile broadly. "Leaving right now." Peter felt a moment or two of regret at his harsh voice. Maybe he was Oscar after all.