Help Me With My Fear!
Summary: Neal is diagnosed with something and has to overcome his medical phobia. Can Peter and Elizabeth be the support he needs?
Warning: This story contains spanking of an adult. If this bothers you DO NOT READ! Also contains detailed medical exam. I am not an expert so it may not be perfect.
Chapter 1
"Neal, are you alright? Wake up buddy!" Peter stated, as he tapped on his partners head resting on his desk.
"Wuh." Neal blubbered out, as he wiped his eyes and stood up. "God, did I fall asleep? Sorry Peter, but you know how boring these mortgage fraud cases are." He was trying to make light of it, but in truth, Neal really wasn't feeling like himself lately.
"Are you sure you are alright, you seem really tired lately, not to mention cranky."
"I'm fine, and I'm not cranky. Just been doing a lot of extracurricular activities. Legal ones of course. Can't a guy be tired?" He sounded like a toddler whining instead of a grown man.
"Did you eat any breakfast today?" Peter asked with concern. He was starting to worry.
"No, is that OK, Dad? I was running late," He quipped sarcastically. There was that cranky attitude again.
"Watch it, I don't know who you think you are talking to," Peter warned.
Neal looked properly chastised and walked away. Peter brushed the uneasy feeling off for now, because they had a lot of work to do, but he had a bad feeling. He would have to speak to Elizabeth later and see if she noticed Neal's low energy levels, or if he was just being a mother hen.
Neal briskly walked to the water cooler; He was so thirsty and tired. He drank two full cups of water, and then hurried back to his desk, hoping to catch up on what he had missed when he fell asleep. Neal still felt a little nauseous, but figured it would pass soon so he could get back to his usual energetic self. But, as the day went on he was feeling worse so he asked Peter if he could leave.
Peter's mother hen instincts kicked in and he agreed to take him home to his house.
"What a surprise boys. What are you doing home so early?" Elizabeth smiled; as she embraced her weary husband and the young man her heart claimed a surrogate son.
"Neal is not feeling well, Hon, and I thought he should come here so he can get some rest."
A that point Elizabeth noticed the scowl on Neal's face and lifted her face, and felt his forehead with her lips. "What's wrong, sweetie? You don't feel warm. Does your stomach hurt? Your head? Are you achy?"
"NO! Sorry Elizabeth. I don't mean to be nasty but honestly, I am fine and Peter wouldn't let me go home. I am just tired. I've had a long week."
"He has been cranky as all hell," scoffed Peter, "and tired for more than a week now. I have let the bad attitude go, but if he continues to have that attitude and act like a child, he will learn that I am willing to treat him like one." Peter huffed out to El but was looking directly at Neal.
Unaware of Neal's major medical phobia Elizabeth began to speak. "Why don't you give Andy a call and see if we can stop by? When was the last time you had a check up, Neal?"
Neal paled and started to head backward toward the door. "That's OK guys, I'm much better now. Why don't we head back to the office Peter? It was lovely to see you again Elizabeth."
"Not so fast, when was your last check-up Neal?" Peter stood, hands on his hips, with a no nonsense look that made Neal squirm. "I know about your little phobia, so I didn't push the issue of your company physical. Besides, you seemed healthy enough and soon the human resource department would start hounding you. Your records indicated a full physical right before you entered prison; which would be about five years ago." Peter stated, giving Neal an icy stare.
Neal dropped his head, before turning it subtly from Peters glare. When did that happen he thought, when couldn't I keep up a straight face at Peter.
Peter had become very good at reading Neal's uncomfortable conscience, though he wondered whether it was his expertise at being able to read most criminals, or Neal's slow acceptance of him being someone to trust. "The look on your face at the mention of a check-up tells me that your records may not be one hundred percent accurate. I want the truth Neal!" Neal tried to appear confident and suave, but his words were shaky, as were his hands. "It has been a bit longer than that, but it's no big deal. I will make an appointment and go ASAP."
"Oh no you won't mister. I'm calling Andy right now! You will not put your health at risk. Do you understand me?" Elizabeth spoke with the most authorative voice he had ever heard.
"Yes Maam."
"Wow El, how did you get that Maam out of him? Give Andy call and I will fix us some lunch. Maybe Neal shouldn't eat though, in case Andy needs a fasting blood test." Peter realized what he said a minute too later as Neal darted toward the door. Thankfully he was still faster and stronger than his young partner. In no time he had Neal in his clutches and wrestled him to the ground. "Now Neal, there are a few choices you have right now. I can treat you like my criminal CI, handcuff you, and drag you to the Doctor." Peter stopped a moment to gauge Neal's reaction. He could see by the way his mouth was hanging open and his eyes practically crossed that he was not crazy about this option. "Next option, since I can see that one doesn't thrill you, is I can take you there kicking and screaming as I swat your naughty childish behind all the way in." This time there was an audible gasp and Neal's eyes were wide like saucers, looking more like a young teenager. "Your last option is that you stand up and walk out like the adult you claim to be, promising me that you won't run off and I promise to speak with Andy and make this as easy as possible for you. But let me make this very clear, young man, you will go and you will not cause trouble or you will not like the consequences." Peter gave a Neal a moment to weigh up his options, while still pinned to the ground. "So what's it gonna be?"