Disclaimer- I don't own White Collar.
"Hello?" Agent Peter Burke tried not to sound too crestfallen as he answered the phone. He looked longingly over his shoulder at the kitchen where Elizabeth was cooking what smelled like a delicious meal.
"Merry Christmas, Peter" an overly cheerful voice responded. Peter groaned. The only night he was actually home for dinner, and now Neal Caffrey was interrupting his peace.
"Who is it?" El came out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel.
"It's no one."
"Is that El? Tell her I said Merry Christmas" Peter could practically hear the grin in Neal's voice.
"I will, but why are you calling? Where's June?"
"She's visiting her granddaughter. And it's Christmas."
"Is that Neal?" queried El, who had been listening in the entire time.
"Yes, is dinner ready yet?" Peter asked, hoping that Neal would hear and stop bugging him.
"Not yet. Is he having Christmas with June?"
"No, she's visiting her granddaughter."
"Invite him over! He shouldn't be alone on Christmas" El smiled.
Peter suppressed another groan. He knew better than to argue with El and besides, he sort of agreed with her (even though he'd never admit it).
"El wants to know if you want to come over here" he sighed.
"Sure! I'm not imposing, am I?"
Peter was ready to make a sharp retort when El dug her elbow into his ribs.
"No, not at all."
Peter hung up and glared balefully at El.
"Merry Christmas, hon" she kissed him on the cheek.
"This smells great" Neal enthused, looking almost too cheerful. He had shown up at the Burkes' about forty minutes after calling Peter with snow in his dark hair and apple red cheeks. The ex-con had brought a bottle of red wine and a new chew toy for Satchmo.
Peter watched as Neal took a bite of the turkey El had roasted and watched as Neal's blue eyes lit up as he chewed.
"Hon how is it?" Peter turned and obligingly took a bite.
"Wonderful" he smiled and kissed El, noticing out of the corner of his eye, the sudden sadness in Neal's eyes. However the young man was quick to hide it when El and Peter turned back to the dinner.
"How's the wine?" Neal asked brightly.
"It's delicious" El smiled.
"Good."
Nothing more was said until the end of the meal when El got up to clear the plates and Neal offered to help. El vehemently protested and shooed Neal and Peter into the living room with the remainder of the wine.
"What's your favorite Christmas movie?" Peter asked, a small grin on his face.
Neal shrugged noncommittally, trying not to remember the Christmases he had spent with Kate, watching It's a Wonderful Life. Kate always did love the classics.
"Oh, Neal you have to have a favorite" El insisted as she came in.
"Rudolph?" Neal squirmed.
Peter gave him a disbelieving look but switched on the TV, surfing through channels until he found Rudolph. The three of them watched twenty minutes of the movie before Peter exploded.
"Alright, this is ridiculous! Neal this cannot be your favorite Christmas movie!" he snapped, changing the channel to It's a Wonderful Life. Neal swallowed hard and settled himself further down into the sofa. He shifted restlessly until Peter finally asked him what the matter was.
"Neal, what's wrong?"
"Bathroom's upstairs right?" Neal flashed a quick smile.
"Yes, but-" El didn't finish her sentence as Neal practically ran up the stairs.
Me- So this is my first fanfic, I hope you enjoy. Please review! This is going to be a twoshot. The second part will be longer than the first part!