Someone to Watch Over Me
By Peppe1951
Summary: Neal is staying with the Burkes after Peter realizes that he can't be trusted to see to his own health. The Burkes go about taking care of him which isn't an easy task. Neal gets himself in more than a little trouble with 'mom and dad.' Warning: Disciplining of adult. Don't like? Don't read! Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to USA; I only write about it.
Chapter 1
"Neal," called Peter to his consultant before returning to his report sure that Neal would be coming immediately but when Peter looked up a few minutes later and not finding Neal standing in front of his desk became concerned and got up to locate him.
He went out on the stairway and saw that while he was at his desk he wasn't working but sleeping with his head cushioned on his arms. Diana passed him and asked as she was going downstairs, "Do you want me to wake him?"
"No," Peter decided at once, "I've got a call to make and then I'll wake him myself. Just let him sleep for now."
Diana nodded her understanding as Peter went back to his office where he looked up a number and made his call. He was only on the phone for a few minutes before hanging up and getting ready to leave. He then sent down to Neal's desk and gently shook his shoulder all the while saying, "Wake up, Neal…we need to leave now."
After a few minutes of this Neal opened his blue eyes and looked into the concern face of his boss, FBI agent Peter Burke. Oh, hi Peter; I was just resting my eyes. I was working late last night on this case," he lied but Peter wasn't fooled and said instead,
"Grab your hat Neal we're leaving."
Neal complied and followed Peter to the elevators asking as it opened, "Where are we going?"
Peter waited until the door closed so they could talk in private. "I've made you an appointment with Dr. Madison," he replied noticing Neal's reaction at once, "why don't you think you need to see a doctor?"
"No. Peter I'm fine and once I get some sleep I'll even be more so. This is foolish seeing a doctor only because I've been staying up late these last few days," he argued.
"I don't agree and what I say is all that matters. Neal you have been getting tired more easily, cranky, been complaining of headaches and have been having trouble concentrating….that is much more than not sleeping for the last few days," replied Peter. "You are going and that is all I want to hear on the subject."
Neal was pouting. He didn't want to be there and he was letting Peter know by not speaking. He had reluctantly filled out all of the paperwork and as now waiting for a nurse to take him to a private room.
"Mr. Caffrey?"
Neal got up as did Peter. "I can do this by myself; I'm not ten needing my father to come along," Neal said insolently.
"Okay, but Neal you had better tell the doctor everything; especially all of those symptoms I told you about earlier," warned Peter as he retook his seat to wait for Neal's return.
The cute nurse led Neal to one of the rooms and took his vitals before telling him that the Doctor would be coming in soon.
"Mr. Caffrey," Neal looked up to see a young man wearing a white lab coat enter. "My name is Ken Mason, Dr. Madison's associate and I will be examining you today; so if you will tell me what symptoms you have been experiencing lately to warrant this visit."
"Oh, it is really nothing. I've haven't been sleeping well lately and my boss has over-reacted and demanded that I see you," lied Neal convincingly.
Dr. Mason nodded and started asking Neal questions about his sleeping habits and what might be causing him to sleep well. Neal had no trouble making up the type of answers that would convince the doctor that there was really nothing wrong with him. "Mr. Caffrey, I must agree with you and I will prescribe a sleeping aid for you to take thirty minutes before you go to bed. You should soon be sleeping well again," Mason said soothingly as he handed Neal his prescription.
Neal thanked him and realized that he would have to apologize to Peter to convince him that he had told the doctor everything so as he re-entered the waiting room he went to Peter and said, "Peter I want to apologize. There was no reason for me to act the way I did. You were only concerned about my health. I saw the doctor and we discussed much and after answering his questions I realized why you thought something was wrong…it did sound that something was definitely wrong but afterwards the doctor decided that all I really need is to get some relaxing sleep at home and gave me this prescription to accomplish it," Neal lied convincingly.
Peter heard Neal out and it sounded like Neal had obeyed him and told the doctor everything. He sounded so sincere that he Peter was forced to believe him. "Then let's get your prescription filled so you can get back to normal…or as close to normal as you can get," Peter said with a smirk.
Neal smiled back at him and they left together.
It had only taken Peter three days before he became suspicious that something was wrong. He had to admit that Neal did look better the next day after a good night's rest but that hadn't lasted long and soon was acting like he had been before the doctor's visit. He had a gut feeling that Neal had lied to him again prompting him to call Dr. Madison where he had learned the whole truth about Neal original visit. He hadn't seen Dr. Madison at all but the associate, a newly graduate and friend of the family. He had been easily fooled by the accomplished con man and had only given him a prescription for sleep. Obviously lack of sleep hadn't been the reason for Neal's symptoms.
This time when the nurse called Neal's name Peter had accompanied him as well. Neal knew he was in trouble when Peter informed him that they were going back to see the doctor since he wasn't showing any improvement. This time after the nurse to his vitals she told him to strip down to his boxers and the doctor would be in soon.
"Is this your idea Peter," groused Neal as he began to remove his tie, "that I needed a full checkup?"
"Nope this is entirely Dr. Madison's doing," replied Peter. "When you weren't getting better I called Dr. Madison and learned the truth about your first visit and that you had not only lied to the doctor but to me as well, something we will be addressing later. Today it won't be the associate you will be seeing but Dr. Madison," Peter added patiently. He knew something Neal didn't and he didn't want to miss one second of Neal's reaction when he met Dr. Madison for the first time.
"I hope he comes soon, it's kind of chilly in here," complained Neal as he hopped up on the examination table to wait.
"I'm sure you will be warm in no time once the Doctor arrives," quipped Peter as he barely kept from laughing.