Summary: When Neal's father suddenly shows up, Neal is forced to deal with some demons of his past. Can Peter help him or will Neal turn everyone he knows away?

AN: (Any and all mistakes are completely my own)This is my very first White Collar fic and I don't know what got into me! I'm not even sure how long this fic will be or where this will all go... I just know that I want to enjoy writing this and I hope you guys will enjoy it as well.

Rated T just to make sure, really.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the White Collar characters.

Secrets of the Past

Chapter 1

Peter Burke had been an FBI agent ever since he finished College and he had dealt with a lot of cases. He had seen many things during his line of work and he considered himself to be a strong and confident man. Nothing could stand in his way and he took everything head on, back straightened. Of course, not everything worked out as he wanted it to, but he dealt with the consequences and he always did what he considered was best.

This, he somehow couldn't deal with. He had not once considered that Neal might actually have a family. Peter had never asked too many personal questions and Neal never talked to him about it. Their professional relationship worked and that was all that mattered.

Here he sat, though, looking into the eyes of a man that looked nothing like Neal. He had dark brown eyes and blond short hair. He was dressed in a casual blue jeans and a brown shirt with a black coat. Not in a hundred years would Peter have guessed that this was the father of Caffrey.

"Your son should be in any minute now," Peter said, needing to break the silence that hung in his office for minutes already.

"I still can't believe he is actually helping the FBI," William Caffrey said, nervously picking at the edges of his hat that he held in his hands.

"He's doing a wonderful job," Peter smiled, "your son is quiet the interesting case."

"You're the one that caught him, right?" There was only curiosity in William's voice and Peter knew better than to take pride for that particular arrest. This was Neal's father after all.

"Yes," he answered, trying not to smile, "it took me quiet some time, though."

"I heard," William simply commented.

Again, silence.

"Is there any other family?" Peter asked. He really hated the silence and he simply wanted their conversation to keep going. Folding his hands on his desk, Peter looked William Caffrey straight in the eyes, his gaze kind.

"Neal's mother passed when he was still a young boy," William explained, "I tried to raise him my best, but I guess that failed."

"He's a good man," Peter quickly said, "really, I believe that. Otherwise I wouldn't be working with him after all."

"How is he?" William suddenly asked. He put down his hat on Peter's desk as he patiently waited on an answer and the FBI agent could see that Neal's father truly was worried about his son.

"Good," Peter answered, "he's good. He doesn't always like the situation he's in, but it beats being in prison."

"Is he still with Kate?" William asked. It was obvious that William didn't know much about his son, but he knew how important Kate was in his son's life.

"No," Peter sighed. He shouldn't be the one telling him all this, Neal should be that person, but he couldn't let William meet with his son again, not knowing what was going on in his life. "Kate died in an explosion," Peter remembered that day like it was yesterday, "Neal is handling it all in his own personal way."

"Like he always does," William said, his voice soft. "When his mother died, he was only three, but he was already a very smart boy. He made drawings and gave them to me so that I could give them to his mother. He was smart, but he refused to believe that Lillian, his mother, was truly gone."

"What happened to her?" Now it was Peter who just was curious. He had searched for personal information on Neal back when he was trying to catch him the first time, but nothing much had come up. He had known about William Caffrey, but there hadn't been a known address and so Peter had been forced to give that lead up.

"She killed herself," William said in a matter of fact way.

It made Peter swallow heavily. "I'm sorry to hear that," he simply said.

"Neal saw it happen, but I don't think he remembers anymore," William explained.

Peter only nodded his head. Perhaps he did prefer the silence because he found it hard to listen to his consultant's past. He had always imagined Neal being a young boy that was simply bored and stumbled into forgery. Now, he was getting the sense much more had happened in the young man's life than met the eye.

In the bullpen, Neal entered, a charming smile on his face like always, and Peter immediately caught sight of him.

"There he is," the FBI agent announced as he stood up. William immediately followed his example and got up as well. Peter opened the door of his office and signed Neal to come up to his office.

"He's coming," Peter smiled as he motioned for William to remain in the office. It seemed more appropriate that way. Peter knew Neal wouldn't like meeting with his father again in the middle of the bullpen for everyone to see. Peter didn't even know how Neal would react to his father's presence. If he had understood correctly, Neal hadn't even seen his father since he turned 20.

"What's up?" Neal asked as he entered. Only then did the consultant's eye fall on the third man in the office and immediately, Neal closed his mouth, too shocked to say another word. Peter could see Neal swallow heavily.

"Hello, son," William smiled. He had taken his hat back into his hands and Peter knew the older man simply wanted to keep his hands busy. Even now, he could see William's hands trembling as he was meeting with his son again.

"What are you doing here?" Neal asked, his voice cold.

Peter might have not anticipated a warm hug and a touching conversation, but he certainly had not thought Neal to appear so distant. He remained in the background, however, as he didn't want to disturb them. He really wanted to leave his office right now, but that didn't seem appropriate as well.

"I was just wondering how you are," William explained. He cleared his throat before speaking again. "It's good to see you again." William tried to smile again, but the corners of his mouth only twitched.

Neal shook his head. "The last time I saw you, you said you never wanted to see me again," he swallowed heavily, "why come back now?"

"It was incredibly stupid," William spoke slowly, stressing every word as he wanted Neal to listen to him, "I should never have turned you away."

"I learned how to stand on my own feet," Neal said, sounding rather proud of that fact.

"By deceit," William spoke, his voice hard suddenly. He immediately regretted his words, though, as he took in a deep breath. "I'm sorry," he said, "I should have been there for you, I should have helped you."

"You've never been there for me," Neal spoke slowly, "and now you're suddenly the father that wants to be part of his kid's life? What is really going on, Dad?"

"I want to make amends," William explained. He took a step closer towards his son as he looked him in the eyes. "You're my son, my only son, and I want to know you, I want to be part of your life."

"It's a little too late for that, don't you think?" Neal asked. He was still very distant and Peter couldn't even remember a time that he had seen Neal in such a state.

"Whatever happened in the past," William tried to reach out to Neal, but he only took a step away, "I am so very sorry."

"You were never there for me, Dad," Neal sighed, "not when Mom died, not when I was struggling to deal with it, not when Daniel..."

William's eyes widened, shock visible in them. That name obviously brought up memories for both of them and Peter tried to remember if the name rang any bells. It wasn't family, otherwise he would have found that connection back when he was searching for Neal. Perhaps he was a friend of the family? Peter made a note to himself to find out.

"I'm sorry," William repeated, "Neal, you have to understand-"

"No," Neal quickly said, "I don't have to. I needed your help and you turned me away. I won't forgive you for that, I won't!"

With those words, Neal left Peter's office, slamming the door shut behind him. Every agent on the floor looked up to see what all the noise was about, but Neal didn't care. Running down the stairs into the bullpen, he turned to look at Jones.

"Don't even think of tracking me ankle monitor," he snapped at him as he strode passed him. Reaching the elevator, he pushed the buttons until the doors finally opened. Only when Neal was alone inside the small space, he felt like he could breath again.

Not ever had he thought to see that man again and he certainly wasn't planning on seeing him once more.

Peter could only look at William, seeing nothing more than an old and defeated man.

"I'm sorry," was all that he could say.

"I can't blame him," William sighed as he placed his hat back on his head, "I did some stupid things when he was a child." He took his coat and was about to leave when Peter called his name.

"Mr Caffrey," Peter walked around his desk so that he stood almost directly before him, "Neal never talks about his past, I didn't even know about his mother."

"It's not his fault," William said, his voice still filled with sadness, "everyone would want to forget."

"Who is Daniel?" Peter hated it for being this insensitive, but he really didn't have any other choice. His consultant, his friend, had just ran away and Peter would find out how he could help him. To do so, he would need the truth.

William pressed his lips together, casting his gaze down at the floor. "Someone we all want to forget about."

"Mr Caffrey-"

"Thank you for seeing me," William interrupted Peter, "for giving me a chance to meet with Neal. It really means a lot to me."

"I just wish it had gone differently," Peter said sympathetic.

"Me too," William smiled sadly. Shaking the FBI agent's hand, he left and Peter could only wonder how on earth he would talk to Neal about this.

He certainly couldn't pretend like nothing had happened. Neal needed help and Peter would give it to him. If only he could find out who this Daniel was.

AN: That was my the first White-Collar-chapter ever and I have no idea what you guys think about it! Let me know if you want to see this story continued...