Enragement Engagement
By Peppe1951
Summary: Peter hasn't forgotten how Neal got him in hot water with El over the engagement ring he drew in the portrait and soon it will be payback time for Mr. Neal Caffrey, Burke style. Warning: Disciplining of an adult. Don't like? Don't read! Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to USA; I only write about it. Spoiler: Veiled Threat, Episode 5; Season 3. I want to thank BunBunBabe for her betaeing efforts with this story.
Chapter 1
"But honey, it wasn't my fault; I had no choice once Serena saw that engagement ring in the portrait I gave her," whined Peter as he was suffering the harsh tongue and glares from his wife. "She was expecting me to purpose to her and to save the sting I had to," added Peter wincing at how much of a wimp he sounded.
"Then why did you give it to her…Peter I don't understand why you would tell Neal to draw that ring on her finger; you had to know what she would think when she saw it," fumed El as she continued to glare at the husband.
"That's just it I didn't tell Neal to draw that ring…I only asked that he help me; he decided to speed up the sting with the engagement ring," explained Peter.
"What? I'm confused Peter, enlighten me as to what happened from the time she demanded to see your apartment," insisted El.
"I had to work quickly if I didn't she would have known something was up and I couldn't take her to a hotel. She wanted to see my apartment and Neal does have the best view of the city," explained Peter.
El nodded, "Yes he does; and I'm sure he was only so happy to help but why a picture with an engagement ring?" she asked.
"If I could have gotten ahold of Neal earlier I would have asked him to hide the easel but he was having a date with Sara at the time and missed my earlier calls; I only just got a hold of him in time for him and Sara to hide so when Serena saw the easel she wanted me to sketch her. I was lucky that the secret room existed and Neal saw my plight and came to my rescue," replied Peter.
Understanding was starting to dawn on El and she nodded for Peter to continue.
"So you see honey, it was Neal working in secret to draw the requested sketch. All I asked for was help; Neal took it upon himself to draw the engagement ring to speed the case up. I foolishly said out loud that I wanted the case to be over with and he mentioned that by purposing I could accomplish it. I vetoed the idea right out but as you can see Neal ignored me and fixed it that I had no other choice but to purpose," Peter explained.
El looked at her husband as she worked out in her mind what exactly Peter had said. "Then this wasn't your voice," she said slowly as full understanding appeared to her and the anger in her voice returned, "its Neal's!" as she looked at Peter for confirmation.
Peter nodded as he thought, "sorry buddy, but it's either you or me," before saying, "Yes, dear."
"He disobeyed you!"
Again Peter nodded.
"Peter, Neal must be punished…bring him home with you as soon as you wrap up this case. I'm going to call and invite him over and together we will 'convince' Neal not to do something like this again," she said with a smirk.
"You got it honey, just as soon as the case is over and we arrest Serena and her partner."
"Take her away," ordered Peter as they caught the two with the money and had taped evidence convicting Serena and her partner of fraud and murder.
Peter had such a relieved look on her face that Neal had to ask, "Are you glad the engagement is over?"
"Yes, I need to call El and tell her she can stop worrying," he added as he walked away to call his wife.
"El, we just arrested Serena and her partner. Are you ready to call Neal and invite him over tonight?" asked Peter before hanging up a few minutes later.
Neal's phone went off and he stepped away to answer. Peter watched from a distance as his wife talked to the young man inviting for dinner. He could see the pleased expression on Neal's face and knew she had been successful.
"Peter, that was El," Neal said at which Peter raised an eyebrow as if he was surprised to find his wife calling the ex-con.
"What did she want?" asked Peter playing his part in this event.
"She's just invited me for dinner. She said that she wanted to thank me for my part in speeding this case up so she could get her husband back in one piece," replied Neal.
"Did you tell her yes?" asked Peter.
"Of course, I wouldn't miss one of El's home cooked meals for anything," Neal replied happily. "Do you know what we are having?"
"Sorry buddy, I haven't a clue, but it will be great whatever she decides to fix," replied Peter, "let's get back to the office so we can clear up all the paper work."
Neal nodded and followed Peter back to the car and ultimately to the office and even though he didn't usually like doing paper work that afternoon he didn't mind because he was focused on El's meal.
As soon as they walked into the Burke residence Neal knew that dinner was going to be something he would remember for some time. El had decorated the house for a party. She had favors on the table with hers and Peter's names on them as well as one for Sara, Mozzie and Neal. By the time Peter and Neal had arrived the party was already in hand; Sara and Mozzie had arrived together and were carrying on small talk with El.
"Hey, El didn't tell me that you and Mozzie were going to be here," remarked Neal as he went to Sara and gave her a kiss.
"El said something about this being an engagement party of a different sort. She asked me to bring Mozzie since you will be coming with Peter after work," she explained.
El played the perfect hostess making sure everyone had drink before making her announcement. "This is the officially engagement breaking ceremony and since you were all there in some form when Peter purposed to Serena I thought it would be nice if you were here for the breaking up as well."
Peter came in bearing the sketch Neal had drawn of Serena that led to Peter's purposing and gave it to his wife. "Here, hon, it was at Serena's place."
El nodded and turned to her guests. "This is what got the whole ball rolling. The case was moving along nicely but Peter was uneasy with wooing the widow and made the mistake of mentioning that he wished that the case could move faster. That was when Neal suggested that he purpose to her which Peter vetoed on the spot. However when the opportunity rose Neal ignored my husband's wishes and orders and included an engagement ring in the sketch that Serena received from Peter," El said as her voice steadily rose in intensity with each word.
The effect wasn't lost on Neal who became increasingly uncomfortable with each sentence. He became alarmed when El suddenly approached him and held out the sketch. "Here since it was your sketch that got them engaged then the removal of the ring should be your honor as well," El said with a tone that made Neal question El's motives. As she held out an eraser to which Neal let out a sigh of relief as he hurriedly erased the ring from the drawing and clearing the air of the uncomfortable feeling
"Let the party begin," cried El as she turned back to her guest and added, "In honor of the non-engagement I have prepared roast chicken; I know how much you enjoy my roasted chicken Neal… I've prepared it with you in mind," giving him a cryptic message to which he smiled weakly.
"El, can I speak to you in private?" Neal asked.
"Come upstairs, Neal we can speak better up there where we won't be disturbed," suggested El as she led the way to the guest room.
As soon as Peter saw them leave he went over to the music center and turned the volume up a bit louder.