A family, not by blood

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Neal Caffery is a lot of things. Criminals know him as the most talented Con-artist that ever lived, the FBI on the other hand know him as the criminal who had gotten captured by Agent Peter Burke; twice. The Burkes, whom actually know him, think of him as a child- there child, who doesn't know the meaning between right and wrong. He has a great heart that only few people get to take it in, first hand. He is a child, with Peter and Elizabeth about 15 years older than him he's like their child they've never asked for. But like it should be.

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Peter left for work early today, asking El to pick Neal up from June's home at a suitable hour. She agreed of course and after a quick cup of coffee she made her way over to the mansion. She looked at her clock in the car for the ninth time in the past fifteen minutes. Where is he? She asked herself, again. Finally not being able to take it anymore, she hurried out her car to the landlord's door.

Knocking six times someone finally opened it. A maid looking in her sixties with reddish gray hair stood in the door way.

"Hi, I'm Elizabeth. I'm supposed to pick Neal up, is he around?" El asked trying to look beyond the old woman. "Is June here?" Asking before the maid could answer the first question.

"Hello there Elizabeth, June is actually out of town at the moment and Neal hasn't come down for breakfast yet, so I'm guessing he's still upstairs. You can go get him if you'd like, he might have slept in." The maid answered opening the door to let El in.

After a quick thank you from El, she passed the maid making her way up the stairs to the CI's room. "Neal? Neal you awake?" Elizabeth asked knocking. She heard some shuffling and moments later the door swung open, reveling a disoriented CI. "My goodness, Neal what's wrong?"

"Hi El, it's nothing just a little cold." He answer stuffily. El reached up touching his forehead with one hand and holding his cheek in another. "You're way to hot!" She declared

Neal chucked "Thank you."

"Not like that." Elizabeth glared at him. Leading him over to the closest chair and sitting him down. "Where's your thermometer?"

"Bathroom." Neal mumbled, resting is head on his arm. El made her way over to the bathroom, looking through almost every cupboard she finally found it in the one behind his toothbrush. Grabbing a glass, she poured some water into it and handed it to Neal.

"Aw, can't I have some coffee instead?" Neal said sulking.

"No, now drink some. We got to make sure you're hydrated." Once Neal finished half of the water in the cup, El stuffed the thermometer into his mouth. "Do not take it out." She said firmly.

After a minute of uncomfortable metal under his tongue it finally beeped. "hmm….102.3, could be worse." El mumbled. "Well I guess you're coming home with me!" Neal gave her a confused look. "I'm not just going to leave you here, especially sense June's not here. Come on, get your shoes on."

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Driving in a car with a sick CI was less awkward then Elizabeth thought. It actually felt like a mother driving her child him form school after his teacher made him call home asking his mom to pick him up from being sick. Neal was passed out on the passenger seat, his head leaning against the window and snoring softly. She reached over and touched his cheek, it got hotter than the last time she felt it.

Sighing she kept driving the four more miles to her home. Good thing traffics fine, can't have our boy throwing up, again. Yes that's right. Before they left Neal threw up, nearly not making it to the sink. She stood with him until he was finished. Grabbing a paper towel, she wiped his face off. Not even bothering getting his coat, she brought him to her car and started driving to Peter and her's house.

Finally making it to the little home she shook Neal gently, "Honey, come on it's time to get up. Come on sweetie." Neal opened his bright blue eyes, finally. El made her way over to the other side of the car and helping him out. After getting the door open, El helped Neal over to the couch not trusting herself to get him safely up the stairs to the guest room.

Already asleep by the time El got back from getting a blanket, she looked at the cute picture. Neal was asleep, his cheeks red from the fever, sweat was forming on his forehead. He was curled up on one side of the couch, leaving only two out of three cushions occupied. Satchmo was asleep beside the couch, Neal's hand touching his fur from hanging down. Over-all it was just plain cute. El carefully put the blanket on the sleeping conman, careful not to wake both her children. Great, now I have to call Neal in sick. I can't believe I forgot.

After she called her husband decited to make some lunch, after all Peter had insisted he was going to stay the rest of the day.

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Peter got home a half hour after the call. They silently ate there lunch trying not to disturb the sick man on their couch

Neal suddenly got up trying to search for something to throw up in. Finally spotting the garbage can beside his head he quickly reached for it, and puked. El and Peter finally shook out of there shocked states and made it over to Neal. Peter sat in front of the man holding Neal's hands on the garbage can. El took her place beside the sick man rubbing his back and combing his hair with her fingers. After what felt like forever, he finally stopped puking. Leaning himself against Elizabeth, he was sweating more than before, and had no energy left.

Elizabeth was holding him like her child while Peter cleaned up the puke in the garbage can and came back with a rag. Peter then wiped his face and El had him lay down on her lap. He was still breathing shakily why El kept tell him "It's ok…Shh…just breath…shh…" Over and over again.

Peter sat there watching them, "You would have been a great mother El" Peter said lovingly. El looked up smiling.

"Peter," She looked down at Neal again, his breath had evened out indicating he was asleep. "I already am." Peter took her hand. "Yes, you are."

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Neal Caffery is a lot of things. Criminals know him as the most talented Con-artist that ever lived, the FBI on the other hand know him as the criminal who had gotten captured by Agent Peter Burke; twice. The Burkes, whom actually know him, think of him as a child- there child, who doesn't know the meaning between right and wrong. He has a great heart that only few people get to take it in, first hand. He is a child, with Peter and Elizabeth about 15 years older than him he's like their child they've never asked for. But like it should be.

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-So this is my first White Collar fanfiction!

I thought it turned out pretty good I think, but I would like to hear your comments about it! Also I don't know if I should continue it, maybe just keep it as a one shot, but if you want I can write one more chapter. BUT I won't if you don't review for one. Well that's it! Review and peace out!

-Cojay723