Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to White Collar. I'm just taking the characters out for a little spin and some fun.
Down Time
By: Vanessa Sgroi
Peter Burke straightened with a groan and rubbed at his tired eyes with the palms of his hands. He'd just started massaging the back of his neck when his wife, Elizabeth, walked into the kitchen. She pushed his hands aside and took over the massage.
"Honey, why don't you take a break?"
"Nah, I should really keep going through these files," he muttered then groaned as her fingers loosened tight muscles.
"You've been at it all morning. And it's Saturday."
"I know. But I—" Peter yelped when El found a particularly sore spot along his shoulders.
"But nothing. You gave Neal the weekend off. YOU should relax too. Why don't you come into the living room—I'll grab you a beer, make some popcorn, and we can watch something on TV."
Another objection was poised on Peter's lips when El slipped her arms around him and gave him a hug. She kissed his neck. He smiled. "You know what? You're right. Let's watch something on TV." He stood. Peter grabbed her hand and followed his wife into the living room, beer and popcorn forgotten. "As long as it's none of that Twilight stuff," he grumbled, dropping down on the couch.
Elizabeth giggled and settled down next to him, remote in hand. "There's nothing wrong with 'that Twilight stuff', but I'll spare you the torture. Besides Neal and I are watching the first two movies tomorrow; he's coming to dinner."
"Wait—you've got a date with my CI?" muttered Peter in mock affront, "My ex-con FBI consultant?"
"No, I've got a date with your partner. You can't fool me, Peter Burke." El settled back against Peter's chest and flipped on the TV. "While you're grilling and watching your game, Neal and I will watch the movies."
"So Caffrey likes Twilight, huh?" Peter's tone suggested a whole load of teasing in Neal's future.
"Now leave him alone," scolded El. "I was talking to him about it not long ago and he was kind enough to say he'd watch them with me. He really doesn't know much about them."
"Poor guy. He's in for a shock. He might run screaming from the house. Not that that would be a bad thing," the FBI agent joked.
His wife elbowed him in the side for his trouble.
"I don't suppose we could watch a game?" he wheezed.
"No! No sports. Not today. How about the Discovery channel? We'll watch a documentary or something."
Peter chuckled. "Fine. You've got the remote; you're in charge."
With a content smile, Elizabeth said, "That's right, I am. Here, we'll watch a Storm Chasers marathon."
Peter grunted in agreement and they both settled in to watch. During the first commercial break, El grabbed Peter a beer and made a bag of extra buttery microwave popcorn, returning triumphant to the couch.
As the opening credits rolled at the beginning of the next episode, Elizabeth felt her husband relax into sleep, indulging in a rare, and much needed, nap. She plucked the beer out of his hand and sipped, content and happy. Maybe they'd have pizza for dinner.
FIN