Hiii everybody :)
So, I missed you all and decided to come back with this sequel to 'Lost and Found'. So those who haven't read it, I would really recommend that you read it first. It's really long and so I hope that it doesn't loose your interest halfway through and you come back here to read this :-)
Disclaimer:- I still don't own White Collar or Neal :( But..someday.. :-)
...
"Hey! Mom! I'm home!" Neal's cheerful voice filled the Burke kitchen as he entered through the back door. The school was over and it was late afternoon, so Neal knew that El must be in the kitchen.
Surely, El's sweet sound came as the reply immediately, "Hey, baby! You are just in time for a nice mug of hot chocolate."
Neal flashed his sunny smile. Satchmo came barking towards Neal and Neal crouched down to his level and patted and played with the yellow lab affectionately. "Hey, buddy! I missed you!" He kissed the dog's nose and the animal licked him lovingly and woofed once more and ran outside the house. Neal stood up. Chuckling fondly at Satchmo's retreating form, he shut the door behind him and took his usual seat at the table, and dumped his school bad next to his feet. "I'm hungry too, Mom." He said.
"Of course, honey!" El set the glass of hot chocolate along with a plate of fresh homemade chocolate chip cookies in front of Neal. "I knew you'd be hungry." She replied with her kind smile.
Neal grinned and picked up his glass and took a long sip. He then started munching on those cookies. "So, how was your day, Mom? Did the client like your presentation? He agreed?" He asked between bites of cookies.
"Yes! I got it! The client liked my work very much." El beamed.
"Hah! I knew it! You're the best, Mum!" Neal smiled. El giggled. It always warmed her heart when Neal praised her like this.
The sound of the front door being opened and then closed again halted their little conversation. El knew it was Peter who had entered so she called out, "Hon! We are in here!"
Peter entered the kitchen after a few seconds with a content smile gracing his face. He could never get enough of this perfect family moment. Ever since Neal had officially become their son, each day only brought more and more joy and happiness. There was never a dull moment in their lives. Peter was extremely thankful to get this lucky.
"Hey, hon!" He walked up to his beautiful wife and hugged her and kissed her softly. "I missed you!" El giggled and kissed him back soundly. Neal grinned.
Neal then made a gagging sound and spoke, "Eww..too much PDA, guys!" Both broke the kiss together and rolled their eyes. "Neal!" El admonished. Neal started laughing and it was the most melodious sound to the Burke couple.
They parted and Peter settled down on his usual seat, opposite Neal but no before ruffling his brown curls. Neal protested in mock annoyance. "Hey! Not the hair, Dad! I have an image to maintain." He tried to smooth his wild bangs but was failing miserably and it still looked like he had been given an electric shock.
Peter laughed at this. His heart still fluttered whenever Neal addressed him 'Dad'. Almost a month had passed since they officially adopted Neal and the kid had been calling him Dad ever since but for Peter it always seemed like he was hearing it for the first time and his heart filled with immense happiness. He shook his head slightly and brought his attention back to his son. "So, buddy! How was school?" He asked smiling.
"School was great, Dad!" Neal's reply was prompt. He swallowed his last of the cookie piece and drank the remaining hot chocolate. Peter felt relief course through his body. When Neal had first started school, it wasn't easy. Neal wasn't sure about it because it had been a while since he had been to a school. It was true to some extent because in the start, Neal mostly isolated himself from his schoolmates because he thought that someone might know that he was once a renowned criminal but then slowly he realised that nobody at school seemed to be bothered by that and soon his charm couldn't be resisted by anyone and he was the most popular kid there. But still Peter feared that something might happen that might cause Neal to loose interest in school.
"You won't believe this. I got selected for the inter school art competition. Mr. Dhawan, my art teacher really liked my work and he suggested my name. The competition will start next week. I will be going to different schools for that. This is great, right!" Neal spoke enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Peter and El's faces mirrored Neal's expression. El quickly came over to Neal and wrapped him in her arms. "We're so proud of you, sweetie!" Peter nodded, completely agreeing with El.
"Thanks, guys!" Neal broke apart. His eyes were suddenly wet and Peter and El could sense the instant change in Neal's cheerfull mood as he spoke again, "This.. This is all because of you both. If you hadn't accepted me, I don't know where I would be right now. Thank you!"
Peter and El's heart broke at Neal's sincere words. Peter got up and stood next to El and squeezed Neal's shoulder in comfort. "Neal, you don't have to feel that way. It's not that we accepted you. That is completely irrelevant. We are a family now. Don't even for one second forget that. We love you, buddy, and we would do anything to keep you happy."
Neal stared at his parents. Their eyes held so much love for him that it overwhelmed him. How had he gotten this lucky? He nodded and replied, "I know. I love you too." He smiled his most infectious smile in an effort to relieve the look of tension on his parents' face.
Peter and El immediately relaxed. Peter squeezed Neal's shoulder once more and spoke, "That's better!" and took his seat again. He then took a sip from his coffee mug which El had set earlier. El too joined then with her own mug.
"So, hon! You going back to the Bureau?" She asked.
Peter shook his head and gulped down his remaining coffee before replying. "No, not the Bureau, El! I'm actually going on a stakeout. Don't know how much long will that take."
Neal asked eagerly, "Can I come with you, Dad! Please." He jumped up and down slightly in his seat.
Peter shook his head, "Don't you have to go to the community center today, buddy?"
Neal shook his head too. "Nope! Today's Thursday. Remember? Today no community center." He grinned.
"Oh, yeah! I totally forgot about that." Neal's eyes sparkled with excitement. He knew Peter would not say no now but then continued, "El's going to be at home, so you stay with her, alright! You can help her by tasting some of her delicacies!" Neal scowled.
"Um.. Actually, honey, I have got this meeting that is very important. I have to go." El replied regretfully. She then turned to address Neal, "But, Neal, sweetheart, you stay at home and finish your homework, okay!"
"I don't have any homework, guys! Come on, please, Mum! Dad! Can I go, please?" Neal implored.
"Call Mozzie over. I'm sure he can keep you busy until we come home." El suggested.
"Mozzie's God knows where and I don't think he's going to show up soon. He's like that only. Keeps disappearing. Now can I come with you, Dad! Please." He whined.
Peter opened his mouth to reply but El beat him to it. "No, honey! It could be dangerous."
"Oh, come on, Mom! It's not like I haven't been in a dangerous situation at all! Please!" Neal made sure that he was giving his best puppy dog eyes look.
Peter laughed. "You know, kid, that look doesn't do anything to me or El, right?" He pointed his finger on Neal's face.
Neal crossed his hands and pouted. "Okay, fine! Leave me here! Let me die of boredom!"
Peter rolled his eyes on Neal's theatrics. "Alright, son! You can come."
"Peter!"
"Relax, El! It just a simple case of surveillance. It's nothing dangerous at all. The intel we have received suggests that it might be totally wrong but I decided to give it a shot. No risk involved. I promise."
"Yes!" Neal punched the air with much enthusiasm than required. He shot out of his chair and ran through the house to his Winter Wonderland. He shouted as he went, "I will be ready in a jiffy."
Peter chuckled while shaking his head. Neal was seriously one huge ball of endless energy. He turned to face El who's expression remained worried. He once again opened his mouth to speak but once again El interrupted him.
"Peter! How could you say yes?" She asked, concern coloring her beautiful face.
"El, hon, I told you. It is a simple surveillance. You know that I wouldn't take him if I thought even for a single second that it would be dangerous, right?"
El sighed, "I know, Peter! It's just that I don't think I can even bear the thought of anything happening to him. We are living this happy life after a lot of pain. I don't want to make it go away."
Peter took his wife's hand in his and squeezed. "You know that I wouldn't let anything happen to him or ruin our happily ever after right?"
"I know, hon! I don't doubt you. I fear his past life. What if somebody from his past comes up? What if James' old acquaintance suddenly crops up? What if something happens and we loose him? What if..."
"Sh..sh..El!" Peter whispered gently. He got up and crouched on his heels in front of his wife and spoke again, "Nothing, I repeat, nothing will ever happen like that, okay! And even if something does happen then I will make sure the problem is taken care of before it ruins our little family, alright."
El nodded. A few tears leaked from her eyes and Peter brushed them away gently with his thumbs. He smiled and El returned it. He then got up on his feet but not before squeezing El's hands in comfort.
Suddenly Neal was there and was practically bouncing on his feet. "Okay, Dad! Let's go! I'm ready." He was now dressed in teal shirt and black jeans along with his jacket.
Peter and El turned to look at Neal. Neal frowned. They had this look that they had generally when they were worried. Something wasn't right. Wait, was El crying? It seemed like it because her eyes were wet. "What is it? Is something wrong?" He asked.
Peter shook his head immediately and replied. "It's nothing, kiddo! Just between me and your Mom. It goes with the job of being parents."
Neal's frown deepened. "Okay.." He drawled out.
El smiled and covered the distance between her and her son and hugged him. "Be careful, okay, sweetie!"
Neal grinned. He looked over El's shoulder at Peter and replied, "Aren't I always?"
Peter groaned and rolled his eyes while El admonished Neal gently, "Oh, please, honey! You are anything but careful!"
...
At the site of the stakeout.
Peter let out an exhausted sigh for what it felt like was fiftieth time. They were at the place since two hours but uptil now nothing out of ordinary had happened. In fact, nothing had happened at all. But then Peter huffed out another sigh, fifty first. Yes, he was keeping count!
He rolled his eyes. He didn't get to see anything out of ordinary but he DID have a very exasperated, cranky teenager with him right now. He was seriously regretting bringing Neal at the place. Kid would have had more fun in the house compared to this.
Neal was constantly fiddling with the radio stations. He was bored, bored and bored. Sitting in the Taurus constantly for two hours and doing nothing was not what he had thought. He had believed to see some action. But NO! There was no action! In fact there was nothing here! Zero! Zilch! Nada!
Looking at Neal like this Peter was transported back to the past when he and Neal were going to the Bureau for the first time. Neal was so nervous then too. He had been messing with the radio then too just like today. Neal had then asked the question, 'Will you miss me?'
Peter's heart constricted in his chest. It was as if he was reliving that moment again. He shook his head to clear his mind with such thoughts. That was past and this is present. That time the situation was very intense but not now. Neal was with them now. Truly with them. He was their son! Peter could never be enough thankful for that.
"Come on, Neal!" Peter said. He decided to kill Neal's boredom with some talking. Yes, they had done nothing but that, but it seemed that the kid was bored easily. "Haven't you toyed enough with the buttons? I am actually awed by the fact that they are still working."
Neal stopped whatever he was doing and glared at Peter. "I'm bored!"
Peter rolled his eyes. As if it wasn't that obvious! Bored was written all over the kid!
"Well, play one station that you like! I mean how hard can that be!" Peter exclaimed.
Neal stared at Peter. Suddenly he was transported back in the same past too. He smiled. How much had changed since then. He remembered how he had asked Peter that question. Suddenly he felt the need to talk Peter about it. "Dad.." He started to say, little unsure about it.
Peter frowned. Neal sounded nervous. But why? "Yes, buddy? What is it?"
"It was real." Was all that Neal answered.
Peter's frown deepened. "What was real, Neal?"
"The question that I had asked you. It was real." Neal replied after a slight hesitation.
"Oh!" Peter murmured softly. If he was being true to himself then after learning that Neal was faking his memory loss he had doubted the kid in many in things. This question was included in his list of doubts too. He had always wanted to ask Neal whether he was telling the truth then but feared that Neal would be hurt by that question. But today, Neal himself had cleared his doubts. It felt like a huge burden had been lifted off his chest because Neal's that question had affected him more than he could admit.
He suddenly back back to reality and found Neal staring at him with a mixture of nervousness, hope and doubt. Blue eyes staring into brown ones, silently seeking Peter's reply other than the 'Oh'. Peter smiled warmly at Neal and answered, "I was hoping for it to be real, kid. God knows, how much I was hoping for it." He paused and then added, "My answer was genuine too, kid."
Neal smiled and finally relaxed. He turned his attention back to the radio and once again started messing with it. Peter shook his head in disbelief. "Hey! Just choose one damn station, kid!"
Neal looked at Peter who had his eyebrows raised. He shook his head and retorted in annoyance, "Nothing's interesting, Dad! How much longer do we have to stay here?"
Peter raised his hands in defense. "Uh huh! Don't get angry at me, buddy! It was you who had volunteered to tag along. You were too eager! Remember?"
Neal scowled, "Yeah right!" He started meddling with the stations once again.
Peter's eyes traveled to the warehouse. It remained eerily quiet. He was beginning to think that this was completely a waste of time. The Bureau wasn't interested about this whole thing from the start but Peter had still wanted to be sure. He sighed heavily and rubbed his face with his hands. He decided to sit for another hour and then leave.
He once again looked at Neal who was staring at the radio as if it was its fault that he was sitting in the car. "So, another five sessions and then your community services are over." Peter said only to keep Neal distracted from the radio because Peter feared that the radio would meet its early demise by the hands of the kid if he didn't do anything about it.
"Yeah! But.. I really want to continue going there, Dad!" Neal replied. He stopped toying with the stations and looked into Peter's eyes with a serious expression.
"Really?" Peter asked in genuine surprise. He was completely expecting Neal to tell him that yes, thank goodness it's over but apparently Neal had other plans.
"Yeah, Dad! Helping those kids with their studies and art makes me feel good about this whole thing. These kids, where I go, can't afford good teachers, so I want to continue helping them. I mean, I.. Not everyone is lucky as I am, right! I really want to keep doing it...If it is completely okay with you, Dad!"Neal replied earnestly.
Peter sat stunned at Neal's completely honest words. Neal was such an amazing human being. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have Neal in his life. He was so overwhelmed by Neal's kind heart that he wasn't sure if he could utter correct words from his mouth so he simply nodded. He looked at Neal with immense pride and Neal couldn't help but blush at the praise.
He looked away from Peter to hide his blush and his eyes locked on the warehouse. He frowned. They had been sitting here for almost three hours now but there wasn't any activity going on in there even for one second.
"So, what's in there, Dad?" He asked turning his eyes back on Peter.
Peter sighed. He wouldn't admit it but he was bored too. But he wasn't going to tell that to the kid and see the winning glee in his eyes. No ways!
"Well, according to the intel that we received, that warehouse over there" he pointed his forefinger at the said warehouse, "it is actually storing precious stones worth billions."
Neal whistled in awe. "Wow! And you are telling me this only now?" He looked at Peter incredulously. Peter's face remained impassive. Neal rolled his eyes. "Well.. what are we waiting for? We should be there instead of this stupid car!" He spoke excitedly.
Peter raised his voice, "Hey! This car ain't stupid, okay!" Neal just rolled his eyes and scoffed. Peter conveniently ignored Neal and continued, "This whole thing, it is just a hunch. The intel we received, we are not even sure who gave them the information in the first place. Plus, we don't have anything to connect it to the warehouse to gather a warrant. We can't just go busting into it."
"But, Dad! Those are priceless items in there! How can we just sit there and not do anything about it?" Neal bit back more harshly than intended but he really couldn't understand how and why was Peter just sitting there doing nothing.
Peter squeezed Neal's thigh to get him to relax. "Relax, Neal! Okay! Just relax!" He exclaimed. Neal scoffed and waved his hand in indifference and Peter refrained himself from getting angry at him. "Neal, son, I know that the temptation is strong but, buddy, we have no warrant yet. We just can't go in like that."
"But.."
"No buts, Neal! We are not going in unless we see or hear any suspicious activity going on in there, alright." Peter's voice held such authority that even Neal couldn't do anything about it.
"Great! Just great, Dad!"
Neal pushed back into his seat and crossed his arms and let out a very exasperated sigh. He looked away from Peter and gazed out through his side of the window.
Peter hated to see his son like this. Neal should always remain happy. And Peter felt it was his responsibility to see to it that his kid remained that way. Plus, wasn't that what parents generally did? Even though this whole parenting thing was new to Peter, he knew that parents did everything in their hands to see that their child was happy. Always.
"Okay, you know what? We give fifteen minutes to this whole surveillance thing. If by then, we still don't see anything, we leave, okay?" He tried to placate Neal.
But Neal just crossed his arms even tighter and replied dryly, "Yeah, whatever!" He didn't turn to Peter.
Peter rolled his eyes. Neal was so stubborn sometimes. "Aw, come on, kiddo! I'm sure by the time we go home, the kitchen will be filled with the aroma of those tiny hens that you like!"
As if on cue, Neal's tummy rumbled loudly, making it very clear to its owner that it needed to be fed. Neal jerked his head and stared at Peter and Peter stared back but then both of them started laughing hysterically.
Suddenly the noise of a couple of shots being fired pierced the air. Both Peter and Neal startled at the sudden noise and both instinctively knew that it came from the warehouse because it was the only building in the area. Everywhere else was barren.
"Damn it!" Peter growled. His left hand quickly went inside his pants pocket. Neal assumed that Peter was just removing his gun. He quickly turned away from Peter and unlocked his door. The fingers of his left arm curled around the door handle to push it open, and that's when he felt first and then heard. The distinct snap. Snap of the handcuffs.
He turned sharply towards Peter and let out a shocked gasp. Peter was looking at him with an smug expression and that annoyed Neal to no end. "What the hell!" He growled at Peter, his face turning into tomato red in anger. He jiggled his hand that was cuffed to the steering wheel to free it but to no avail.
Peter sighed, "I know, Neal, that you want to come with me but, kid, not happening. I promised El that I would not put your life in danger. I very much intend on keeping my promise."
"But, Dad! This is not fair!" He twisted his cuffed hand wildly. "Let me free! Come on!" Peter rested his hand on Neal's cuffed one to stop him from hurting himself.
"Come on, Neal! Stop it. You will hurt yourself. Please." Peter implored.
"But..but you can't go in there alone, Dad! It could be dangerous!" Neal retorted in anger.
"Exactly my point, buddy!" Peter answered smirking slightly, only to difuse some of Neal's anger. Neal glared daggers. "It can be dangerous and I can't take that risk with your life." Peter continued ignoring Neal's deadly glare.
"And your life? Huh? What about your life, Dad? What about that?" Neal snarled.
Peter closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He reopened his eyes and spoke calmly. "Neal, kiddo, I'm a trained FBI agent. I can take care of myself. It's not that I haven't been in this dangerous situation before. I can do this. You stay here, alright. I will go and check it out. I will be back even before you blink your eyes. Okay." Then, as if a light bulb had went on he ordered, "The handcuffs remain, Neal! I know it's piece of cake for you to free yourself but I am ordering you to not do it, alright!"
Neal fumed. How could Peter do this. Didn't he realise that going inside without any backup was insane. Peter just rolled his eyes at Neal's glaring eyes. He shook his head and got out of the Taurus. He shut the door and pulled out his gun from it's holster. He gazed into Neal's angry blue eyes and whispered, "Stay put!"
Neal's scowl deepened and his glare intensified tenfold. Peter shook his head and turned away from from Neal to the direction of the warehouse. He slowly began to walk towards the unknown danger with his gun ready in his hands.
Neal's eyes were glued on Peter's short trek. He closed his eyes in worry. This was so stupid of his father to do this. He twisted his cuffed hand once again. "Damn it!" He snarled. He stared at his cuffed hand and bit his lower lip. He could easily slip those cuffs but his Dad had strictly prohibited him from doing so. His eyes gazed at the warehouse and saw Peter going inside. He closed his eyes and huffed out a deep sigh. This was all so stupid. "Damn! Damn! Damn!" He cursed loudly.
...
Peter stealthily approached the warehouse. After those two gunshots, no other noise had come from within the building but that definitely didn't mean that this was nothing. Somebody had fired those shots. Surely, someone or more than one person was inside. He had to be very careful. He reached the door and twisted the door handle. To his surprise it was open. He glanced over his shoulder and saw his Taurus. Neal was looking very much annoyed but Peter knew what he did was for his own safety.
He turned back to the inviting danger and entered the warehouse slowly.
The warehouse was dimly lit. The only light coming from the fluorescent bulb hanging above from the ceiling. Peter adjusted his vision as it was really difficult to make things out. He walked deeper into the warehouse, holding his gun tightly. His knee hit one of the crates that were scattered around the area. The gun holding hand fumbled and Peter muttered a curse. He straightened himself and took a step forward but then froze in his steps as a sharp voice boomed in the warehouse.
"Welcome, Agent Burke!"
Another voice followed, "To your death!" This new voice cackled and it sent a chill down to Peter's spine that had nothing to do with the temperature of the area. The second voice seemed to be coming from very close to Peter. He started to turn around but then at the same instant he was smacked hard on his head. Pain flared in Peter's skull. He didn't even have the time to react to this sudden assault as he felt someone snatch his gun away.
Now that both his hands were free, they instinctively reached for his head to stop the pain. He then felt hands, strong hands on his upper arms and he was pushed forward mercilessly and before he knew, he was being tied to one of the metal poles that were supporting the weight of the warehouse. Peter remained helpless through this entire event because of the blow to his head.
Peter slowly started to become aware of his surroundings after a few minutes and his vision cleared. The metal pole dug into his spine and the ropes burned his wrists. He tried to twist them free but they were tied very tightly. He gave up and gazed forward. In front of him stood two men, smirking evilly. First guy was a balding man with muscular body of about forty-forty five years. Second man was tall and lanky, looking younger than the first one, around thirty years of age. Though they were both physically different, Peter could tell that somehow they were related.
"Welcome, Agent Burke." The balding guy repeated. "We have been waiting for you." His partner laughed.
Peter's heart sank as he realised that he had walked straight into a trap.
Well, at least Neal is okay. He thought in consolation.
...
Okay, so here it is. Managed to catch your interest? I hope so :)
This was originally going to be a one shot but as you can see it became too lengthy so will post next part soon :)
One question, should I make this into many one shots or a multi chapter fic?
Please review and let me know :-)