A/N: This story continues on in my Hidden Dragon verse. This first chapter is just some fluff between Peter and Ender, but the primary plot will revolve around an actual case that be introduced in the next chapter. So even if the first chapter isn't your cup of tea, at least read through the second because that is where the story will pick up.

Since Ender's not a cannon character I'll put this at the beginning. Not everything about Ender might make sense because I created him separately and then wrote him into my favourite show. He is meant to be this mix between precocious child prodigy (like the character in the book Ender's Game) and a traumatised kid.

For my next story I am considering writing one that explains Ender better, but that will delve into some crossovers and a bit of fantasy. It will also explain some stuff from Hidden Dragon that probably didn't make sense, like why Neal spoke Latin to Ender at the museum, or about the nickname Nealcen. I personally think it's a pretty neat melding of a lot of awesome shows and other stories, but I honestly don't know what other people will think since it will be rather AU, and will touch on some themes people might not like.

That said, I hope readers enjoy this story...

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It was December 1st and the official countdown till Christmas had begun. All around New York City decorations were being put up, Christmas carols could be heard in stores and on the radio, and people were getting an early start to their holiday shopping. Even the FBI's NYC field office was celebrating by putting up a tree in the lobby, complete with blinking lights and tinsel.

For most people Christmas was a time to think about spending time with family and friends. For other's it was a time to think about the best excuse needed to avoid the in-laws. For Agent Peter Burke of the White-Collar division, Christmas meant one thing. Finding the perfect Christmas present for his wife. Not that she was picky. Quite the contrary, if there was any woman who was tolerant of her husband's imperfections it would be El Burke. But because she was so special and understanding she deserved the perfect present, and Peter was determined to find it.

In past years, the agent relied on numerous different techniques to discover the ideal gift, and some worked better than others. One year he had actually braved the crowds and went shopping with her, hoping she would drop a hint as they perused the stores together. That year he had scored with a beautiful pair of diamond earrings, but he also suspected El knew what he was doing and took pity on his awkwardness by dropping an over-obvious hint. (Oh, honey those are beautiful, diamonds go with everything.)

Because Christmas crowds weren't really his thing the following year he called El's mother. What he considered the single biggest mistake of his life.

El loved both her parents deeply, but after meeting them, Peter often wondered how how his wonderful wife had turned out so perfect and normal. An hour on the phone listening to Mrs Mitchell talk about the matching baby booties she knitted for the neighbour's twins he decided he'd rather let Neal take him out suit shopping.

But this year Peter had the perfect plan to snag his gift, one that El would never suspect. Another minute and there it was, the knock on his office door.

"Come in," the agent called, setting his papers down in a neat pile in the middle of his desk.

A pair of huge blue eyes peaked around the door. "Did I do something wrong, because I swear the plastic mouse in Agent Ruiz's lasagna was a complete accident. I only put it there for a minute to hid from Agent Davis's cat." Ender still hadn't stepped into the office yet, as if worried he was about to be read the riot act.

"The what?" Peter looked bewildered then decided he was better off not knowing. "You're not in trouble, I just wanted to ask you to do something for me."

Ender still looked suspicious, but he eased in to the room and cautiously crept towards the chair opposite Peter's desk. Sometimes the kid was the perfect child, all smiles and polite conversation, and other times he was a nervous wreck, tiptoeing around like he expected the other shoe to drop. Which most of the time it probably had.

"You're not in trouble," Peter repeated. "In fact, come here." He beckoned with his hand. Ender watched for a moment like he thought he might be slapped, but obediently came forward. He usually wouldn't refuse anything that sounded like a direct order.

When the kid was close enough Peter reached forward and pulled Ender into his lap, wrapping his arms around the kid and cuddling him. Ender's therapist had recommended holding him like an infant as a way of bonding. Attachment of therapy, or something like that. Sometimes he would accept it, and other times he wouldn't, but today he seemed all right with curling up. And of course the thumb went into his mouth.

They were working on stopping this behaviour, but Peter ignored it for the moment since this other task was too important. "How's the filing going with Agent Barrow's?"

Ender kept his thumb in his mouth, but turned so he could look at the agent's face, the kid's expression broadcasting, Seriously.

Suddenly he pulled his thumb out. "You said I could learn how to be an FBI agent. I already know my ABCs, I want to arrest criminals."

"You are learning," Peter told him. "Filing is an important aspect of an agent's job. If you don't know where things are, how can you solve a case."

Ender puckered his lips. "But you promised I could go to the firing range and shoot your gun. That's fun. Even Agent Barrows said filing is boring,and 'Beneath my pay grade'." He parroted. Peter made a note to pull Agent Barrows aside and kill him.

"I said I would think about it, and if you're good I will. And don't listen to Agent Barrows anymore, he's a transfer from Organised Crime, and doesn't know what he's talking about. Besides I have something better for you to do. A secret mission." Peter tried to put an air of mystery into his voice.

Ender stuck his thumb back in his mouth for a second considering what Peter had said. Then he pulled it back out. At least he was getting better about remembering not to talk around the thumb. "Firsts, I'm not a baby, so don't talk to me that way. And I don't work for the CIA rights now, I thought I was working for the FBI." And the thumb was back again.

"Spooks aren't the only one who get secret missions." Peter reached up and pulled the thumb back out again. "Now pay attention, this is important. There's even a reward for completing the mission on time." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bill. "See this. Meet Mr. Benjamin Franklin."

The kid reached out for the bill, but Peter held it out of his reach. Ender turned to glare and then went back to sucking on his thumb. How he could that and pout at the same time Peter didn't know, but the kid was way too successful at both.

"Stop sulking, now pay attention and Mr. Franklin will be all years." He waved the bill up and down a bit and smiled as the kid's eyes followed it.

Ender looked like he was considering what Peter was saying when suddenly he spit his thumb out and looked up with eyes wide as saucers. "You want me to kill someone?"

"What?" The agent sputtered. "No! When did I ever say that?"

"You're offering me monies for a secret job." There was that duh expression again, as if this was the most obvious thing in the world to everyone except Peter.

"I'm not asking you to kill anyone."

"You want me to buy drugs?" Ender's face was still puzzled and horrified.

"Oh for the love of…" Peter cut himself off to keep from swearing. "You've been watching way too much primetime television. In fact you're TV watching privileges are officially suspended."

"Then what do you want me to do?" Peter never made any sense. Why else did an adult who worked for the government offer money to someone if not for a hit or to buy illegal drugs? Ender was just about to bite the bullet and ask if Peter wanted to spend a night with someone other than mom when Peter saved him the trouble.

"I want you to find out what El wants for Christmas."

The kid's face was all scrunched up. "Like for a present?"

"Yes, I need to buy her the perfect present, and it's your job to figure out what that is so I can get it for her. You do that, and you and Benjamin here will be getting better acquainted." Peter snapped the bill a few times to emphasize his point.

Ender twisted around on Peter's lap. "But why don't you just ask her?"

Why couldn't this kid make anything easy? He was a genius after all, how hard was this to understand. "Because then it wouldn't be a surprise. Which is the whole point of giving a Christmas present."

The kid was clearing thinking this over because his face was all scrunched up. "You don't know what mom wants for Christmas?" He looked down then back up again. "Why not?"

"It's not that I don't know, I just… want to know what she wants you know… the best," Peter tried. "And you'll forfeit this if you tell her what you're up to." He waved the bill around.

"So you wants me to ask her what she wants without telling her why I want to know?"

"NO, you're not supposed to ask her directly," Peter practically shouted then felt bad for scaring the kid. "Listen," he scooted Ender around so he was facing Peter with his little legs dangling down on either side of the agents. "'Think of it as an undercover mission, like I sometimes send my agents on.

They observe the target, and look for clues to learn things about the person. You have to look for clues that might tell you what mom wants. For example if she takes you shopping and mentions something about how pretty a necklace looks. That might be a clue that she likes it. See what I mean?"

Ender nodded up and down. "Find out what mom wants without telling her what mom wants. And tell you and then you give me monies to buy anything I want." The thumb was back in his mouth and he began swinging his legs back and forth.

Peter ran his fingers through the kid's hair, then kissed him on the forehead. "Good. I know you'll do a great job kiddo."

The kid sucked harder on his thumb for a moment, his clue that he was accepting the affection, but still a bit uncertain by Peter's motives. Rebecca had after all used cuddling as manipulation and he was still trying to figure out when an adult did it because they wanted something bad, or just because they cared. "If I do a good job will you take me to the firing range?"

"You can shoot three clips." Peter held up his fingers. Ender looked satisfied, because he suddenly smiled and threw his arms around the agent's neck.

The kid was just about to say something else when there was a knock at the door and Diana walked in. "Boss, I got something you really should see right now."

A/N: I'll introduce the case next chapter, but I thought this was a fun start. Considering we had at least two episodes where Peter had difficulty selected a gift for El I thought Christmas would be hard as well.