Title: Christmas Dinner
Author: TeeJay
whitecollar100 Prompt: #25 Diamonds
Summary: It's going to be Neal's first Christmas without Kate in years, and he's not looking forward to spending it alone. Written for the LiveJournal whitecollar100 prompt #25 - Diamonds.
Word Count: 300
Genre: Gen
Characters: Neal, Peter
Rating: PG
Warning: None
Disclaimer: White Collar, its characters and its settings belong to Jeff Eastin and USA Network. And, guys? Your characters are not only welcome, they're wonderful. I'm just borrowing, I promise.

Pre-Christmas time in New York was a nightmare—or pure magic, depending on how you looked at it. Tree branches were wrapped in Christmas lights, carols were warbling from inside stores, and people were either rushing or stopping in the middle of the street.

Neal watched the hustle and bustle through the Taurus's passenger side window. Usually, he didn't mind, but this year it was starting to get to him. Peter's annoyance was rubbing off. Or maybe it was because this was going to be his first Christmas without Kate in however long he could remember.

Even in prison, she had come to visit every year. She would bring her German grandmother's stollen and they would sit on the uninviting wooden benches and talk. If they were lucky, the guards would overlook it if Neal wrapped his arms around her and let her sit with her shoulder in the crook of his neck.

And Neal would always make sure that Mozzie delivered a present for Kate on the 25th. Something simple, yet meaningful. Kate didn't care about diamond rings or expensive clothes.

Not this year, though. This year's Christmas would be lonely and melancholy. June was visiting relatives, and Neal knew all the coaxing in the world couldn't make Moz succumb to worldly traditions.

Peter stopped the car and turned to Neal. "Hey, uhm, listen. If you... if you want, you can come over for Christmas dinner on the 24th. El is making roast beef and pumpkin pie."

"Thanks, but I don't think—"

"Neal..." Peter interrupted warningly, "if you're going to come up with some half-hearted excuse you don't mean, I don't wanna hear it."

Neal raised his eyebrows. "All right, I can see when I'm defeated."

"Good," Peter smiled. "Bring some of that expensive red wine, will you?"