Someone to Watch Over Me…Again 1

by Peppe1951

Summary: Circumstances put Neal back into the care of the Burkes. Warning: The story contains non-consent punishing of an adult; if you don't like, don't read. Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to USA; I only write about it.

AN: I want to thank colakirk and vlwillis for their help in betaeing this story…two heads all always better than one.

Chapter 1

Peter's team had been briefed on their new case…a stolen artifact from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo had reported as being smuggled into the US to be sold to a wealthy individual who had a collection of artifacts from several countries.

"What we need is information of anyone that has an interest in Egyptian artifacts; so everyone check with your contacts and see if you can learn who fits this description," began Peter as he looked at Diana, Clifton and Neal.

"Do we have any idea who the thief was?" asked Diana.

"We only have a picture taken from the security camera at the museum," replied Peter as he passed the photograph around. "Does he look familiar to anyone," he added as he looked specifically at Neal.

"No, I don't know him," replied Neal, "but Mozzie may. Can I borrow the print to show to him?"

"Sure I have others," replied Peter as he continued to discuss the case until he was sure they were all informed before dismissing them.

It was two days later that they got their first clue to where the artifact was located. Mozzie once again came through with the name of the thief and they acted at once and brought him in only to learn that the artifact had already been sold and the owner, identified as Thomas Cain, was on his way out of the country by boat. Peter recognized the name right away. Cain was rumored to have a large collection of stolen art they just didn't have any proof that he actually did.

The agents rushed to the docks where the ship was docked and before leaving Peter ordered Neal, "You stay here…I don't want to have to watch out for you!" "But I can help," started Neal only to be told,

"NO! You stay here where it is safe and Neal you had better be here when I return," Peter threatened.

Neal nodded dejectedly only to be told, "It is for your own safety…you aren't armed and can't protect yourself," Peter added softening his voice a bit.

Neal watched him leave before saying out loud, "I may not be armed but I'm quite capable of taking care of myself," convincing himself that he would only go as far as to watch the show with the intentions of heading back before Peter returned and keeping his butt literally out of harm.

Since he knew this area better than Peter and his team he arrived at the ship their buyer was reported to be sailing from a few minutes ahead of the FBI. It was then that he recognized Cain and also realized he was about to board the ship and before he could stop himself stepped forward to try and delay him only long enough for Peter to arrive.

Neal ran forward not knowing what he was going to say when he got there only to hear "FBI FREEZE!" and watch as Peter and the others of the team rushed the ship where he saw Cain and his goons split up. Neal started after Cain knowing full well that his being there wasn't going to go unnoticed by Peter.

"If I can return with the artifact or Cain maybe Peter won't be too mad at my disobeying him again," Neal thought.

Fortunately for Neal Peter had seen him chase after Cain and followed swiftly vowing to heat a certain CI's backside to inferno stage and by the time he arrived he saw Cain knocked out on the docks and Neal nowhere in sight. He quickly handcuffed him and hurried to the edge of the water where he saw a coat had been flung.

Peter had just picked the coat up and recognized it as Neal's when a head popped up and he looked to see Neal struggling to pull himself out of the water. He had a wooden box in his arms. "NEAL!" Peter called as he pulled the exhausted man up and out of the water so he could collapse on the docks.

"He threw the…artifact…into…the water," gasped Neal as he began to shake from the cold.

Peter promptly pulled the coat over Neal's shoulders as he helped him to stand all the while bellowing Jones and Diana's names until the agents appeared. "Arrest him," he ordered as he pointed to Cain while handing Diana the box containing the artifact,

"and take this into custody…it's evidence against Cain. I'm going to make sure Neal gets home and then I'll be back," Peter informed his agents as he helped Neal to his car. He cranked the heat up as high as he could after depositing Neal into the front seat.

The drive to June's was made in silence as Neal's teeth chattered with cold while Peter looked on with concern. It didn't take them to long before they pulled up in front of June's stately home and Peter hurried to help Neal from the car. He helped him as far as the stairs after the maid let them in. "You need to take a hot shower and then take some aspirin and get to bed," Peter advised only to be ignored by the still exhausted man. "Do you need me to help you?" Peter asked only to be told,

"No, I can take my own clothes off," Neal said as he trudged up the stairs with the intentions of taking a hot shower but only got as far as taking off his clothes and drying off when the door opened and Mozzie appeared with a bottle of wine in hand.

"Neal?" the little man called forcing Neal to slip on a robe and hurrying out to greet his friend. The rest of the evening went into finishing off the bottle of wine before a drunk Neal collapsed on the bed as his friend staggered to the guest room to sleep the wine off.