GROUNDED
Peppe1951
Summary: Neal gets out of control and is grounded by June. Warning: Disciplining of an adult. Don't like? Don't read! Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to USA. Spoilers: Company Man. (Sequel of The day Tony played Hooky; or Neal meets Jack) In my storyline Point Blank doesn't work out like it did in the series…Neal doesn't go after Fowler.
Chapter 1
"Honey, how is Neal being doing latterly?" asked El as she buttered her toast.
"Well, he was an angel until his backside cooled off sufficiently for him to sit but that has been over a week ago so I expect that he is back to looking for Kate's killer, against my orders, again," replied Peter as he took a sip of coffee, "why do you ask?"
"I got a call from Jack today asking about him; he was checking up on him and asking if he was behaving himself."
"That makes the second time since he left Stillwater….Jack must know something we don't for him to check up on Neal so many times," replied Peter thoughtfully.
"Have you told Neal about Jack check-ups?" asked El.
"I did the first time and it had no effect on him….I don't think he believes that Jack will do as he threatens if he steps out of line. I guess he will have to experience Jack a second time but him to really believe," Peter said sympathetically.
Neal had just gotten in late again when June walked in and announced,
"Neal after watching you for the last few days I have come to the conclusion that you are not doing yourself any good and in fact you are slowly killing yourself with this hunt for Kate's killer. Go to Peter for his help with this venture."
"I can't," Neal replied wearily as he sunk down on his bed.
"Peter told you not to pursue this by yourself, didn't he?"
"No"
"Neal Caffrey, don't you dare lie to me," replied June angrily as she crossed the room to stand in front of him.
When Neal didn't reply June had her answer and she sank down next to him on the bed. "Neal you can't burn the candle at both ends. I bet Peter is working on this; let him dear. He can go places legally that you can't and I don't want you to get caught doing something that might land you back in prison," she said kindly. She then took a breath as if to steel herself before adding. "That's it young man, until you can start back following the rules you are grounded and that means you had better be in this house by 10:00 each night or you will not enjoy the consequences of being late!"
"TEN O"CLOCK! You can't ground me; you're not my mother," yelled Neal angrily.
"I'm the closest you have to a mother and I have the authority to do just that. It's in the agreement Peter gave to me once he got you reinstated after Kate's death."
"I'm not going to do it…and you can't make me," argued Neal.
"I can and will and if you don't lose the attitude I'll lower it to nine thirty," she threatened firmly.
"Nine thirty! But June I'm not some teenager who has been misbehaving I'm grown," Neal continued to yell.
"That's it…you have just lost thirty minutes…want to try for thirty more and make your curfew nine," threatened June as she looked into the angry face of a child, her surrogate son, Neal Caffrey.
"You may be grown but you sure haven't been acting like one; at the moment you are acting just like a teenager who has got his wheels confiscated but if you keep it up your behavior will be that of a child and I know how to deal with misbehaving children…don't push it Neal," June added threatening as she turned to go.
"Now go to bed," she ordered leaving Neal feeling like the child June had just described.
"Peter, I changed his curfew," admitted June the next day as Peter was waiting for Neal to appear. "He's been getting in at all hours of the night and morning and I couldn't just stand by and do nothing; I love him like a son and so I am treating him like one. At the moment he is acting like a teenager so I grounded him but if his behavior worsens I will treat him like a misbehaving child and I know he won't appreciate being put over my knee and spanked."
"He's been trying to find Kate's killer, hasn't he?" asked Peter.
"I think so and he's like a dog with a bone; he won't let it go. Can't you do something?"
"I've tried but he is stubborn; I'll see if I can find a case to hold his focus. What is his curfew now?"
"Nine thirty; it was ten but he pushed me last night and I lowered it to nine-thirty and I warned him that if he didn't change his actions that I would lower it even further…here he comes now. Hello dear, Peter and I have been talking," she added as she gave him a pointed look.
"June, I'm sorry about last night; I was just tired. It won't happen again," Neal apologized sincerely as he gave her a peck on the cheek.
June returned it with a hug and kiss before whispering in his ear, "the curfew stays at nine-thirty…have a good day Neal."
Neal's expression changed quickly but not so quickly that Peter didn't see or interpret. "She didn't change it back, did she?"
"No…Peter I feel like a child with a bedtime," admitted Neal.
"Don't let June hear you say that or she will start treating you like one. As is you are only so far," Peter moved his fingers apart to equal an inch, "from being put over her knee and spanked for your misbehavior."
"She wouldn't."
"She would and if you don't watch it buddy, June won't be the only one to discipline you and he will use something a bit stronger than a hand to your backside," informed Peter.
"Ah, man," groused Neal as he got into the car with Peter and drove off to work.
With the double threats of Jack and June Neal decided to stop his search for Kate's killer at least until he could con June into believing that he would behave. So after work he came home with a bouquet of flowers which he presented to June as an apology for his misbehavior. "I'm sorry June for my behavior last night; I know you only care about me," he had said as he gave her the flowers.
June had been delighted with the flowers and had accepted his apology but wasn't fooled. He would have to show her that he had truly changed his ways before she would believe him.
"I'm kind of tired," Neal added as he headed up the stairs, "I'm going to grab a bite to eat and then go to bed…goodnight."
"Goodnight, Neal," replied June as she watched him go on up.
"I'll just check on him later," she murmured to herself before going back to the kitchen to prepare something for her supper.
Neal hadn't meant to go to sleep so early that night but after finishing some leftovers and a glass of wine he found himself drifting off and before he knew someone was pounding on his door…he had slept the night away without even thinking about Kate's killer and how to continue his search.
"Neal, dear, are you awake?" called June at his door.
"Yeah, come on in," invited Neal as he looked bleary eyed at June.
"Neal did you fall asleep before you made it to bed?"
"Yeah, and I've got to get up and ready for work," Neal said as he caught sight of the clock….it said eight o'clock and Peter was going to be there in the next thirty minutes.
"You shower and get ready, I'll have breakfast on the terrace ready for you when you are presentable; I'm sure Peter can be persuaded to stay for a cup of my Italian roast while you have breakfast," offered June. Neal nodded and soon he was waking up in a hot shower while June was fixing his breakfast.
By the time Neal was ready he found Peter with June drinking coffee. "Is that Italian Roast," asked Neal, as he smelled the aroma.
"Yes, would you like a cup?" offered June as she got up to pour him a cup.
"Yes, please," replied Neal hoping the caffeine would help to wake him up.
Peter waited until after Neal had drunk half of his coffee and started his breakfast to ask, "did you sleep well?"
"Yes, in fact I could have easily have stayed in bed and would have if June hadn't come knocking," replied Neal as he continued to eat.
"That's good; no doubt you could use the rest buddy," replied Peter, and then noticing that he was finished added, "if you are ready then we can head in. Thanks for the coffee June," he added to their host before walking out with Neal following closely behind.
