Part of the Family

By Dippycippy

Summary: Neal and Peter need to work out their issues of trust and Peter needs to let Neal know where he stands in his life.

Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to USA; I only write about it.

Warning: This story contains spanking of an adult. If you don't like that than please don't read it!

There are refrences and slight spoilers to "Honor among Theives"

Chapter 1

As Neal stood and watched Abagail being put into the FBI vehicle, he felt a gush of relief and worry at the same time. That was quickly accentuated when he heard the familiar voice behind him from his friend, his boss, his handler, Peter Burke. It happened so fast but the emotions running through Neal Caffrey's head were so scattered.

He was an emotional wreck. Between losing Ellen and wanting so badly to get the guy; he felt he had somehow let Peter down once again. He truly didn't mean to. He thought he was doing the right thing by not telling Peter about the blackmail but somehow at this moment, and by the tone of voice he knew that Peter wouldn't see it that way. So when he asked if he would be leaving in the back of one of those cars, relief was not a strong enough word for the way he felt. It wasn't over yet though and he was happy to see that Diana was on his side and even happier when Peter told him he was off the hook. He should have realized that Peter wasn't completely happy with him but the emotion of what Peter had done for him surpassed anything else at that time.

He was so excited to see what was in those files and so happy that Peter seemed to trust him with it that he was being ignorant to the looks running across Peter's face. Everything he had done wrong went on the back burner because he was going to get to both Ellen's killer and Sam.

Peter was on another emotional roller coaster all together. He was worried for his friend, but even though he was happy that Neal did the right thing in the end he wasn't so sure he did it for the right reasons. He almost felt bad that there was such a lack of trust because the kid meant the world to him. He had risked his career and his life for him and he usually thought that he meant something to Neal as well. On many occasions Neal had stepped up and did things above and beyond for both himself and Elizabeth. Deep down though, Peter knew that he was a con and he didn't like the idea that he could be being conned. It was with a heavy heart that he went home to his wife that evening. As he gave her the details of the story, he realized that he had to do something about the trust issues they were having because they were more than just CI and handler, they were family and he didn't want to loose Neal because he was afraid to what he thought was right.

Neal was surprised to hear the knock on the door as he wasn't expecting anyone. He quickly put his computer screen down and yelled, "Come in" assuming it was Mozz.

"Peter, I'm so glad you're here. I wanted to show you what I found." He practically dragged Peter to the table where the computer was resting.

Peter sighed; he really wasn't sure where to begin. "I'm glad you found something that can help you but I am here for another reason. We need to talk."

"What's with the "bad news" face? Everything OK?" Neal was starting to be a bit concerned. He didn't like the look on Peter's face at all.

"What is it with you guys and my face? Am I that easy to read?" Peter was getting side tracked so he figured it was time to just speak his mind. With one last sigh he went on with the approach he had somewhat planned in his head. "Neal, did you con me into giving you that flash drive?" There it was, a direct question and he hoped he would get a direct answer but knowing Neal Caffrey as he did he was pretty sure he would not.

Neal had the good graces to hang his head at Peter's direct question. He had always had a no lying policy when it came to Peter, at least not a direct one. He was unsure how he could word this because he had all the best intentions of doing everything according to Peter's plan but once again his criminal life got in the way. It was time to let it all out. After all isn't honesty the best policy.

"I had no intention of this working out the way it did. You know that she blackmailed me and I had no choice but to go the route I did. I wanted to tell you but I really thought I made the right choice. We got it done and everything ended well." He stopped to take a breath and gauge Peter's reaction.

He was not pleased with the scowl painting his friend's face. "I know you don't like the grey areas but for me I don't think anything can be black and white. I do trust you and I am aware that I have a long way to go before you trust me completely. I don't blame you since I have given you good reason not to."

As he glanced over at Peter he noticed that his face was softening a bit. Now it was time for the truth. "I would be lying to you if I said that somewhere in the back of my mind it didn't occur to me that I may get to see the hard drive once she was arrested." Neal shrugged while issuing Peter with one of his patent Caffrey grins.

Peter was clearly not amused however and he made that very clear with an almost growl and those scary veins popping out of his neck. His mind was reeling as to what to say to soften the whole story. Neal was nothing if not a quick thinker. "I promise that it was not my intention to deceive you, and I was not intending to help out so I could get what I want. I am doing my very best to do this your way and if I managed to get my way at all it was purely lucky because I was really in a tough spot and I wasn't even sure I would get out of it. I know you will help me to find Ellen's killer and get the information about my family that I am looking for but I will never deliberately put your career or friendship on the line again. You mean too much to me. I don't want to find out about my old family and a life that I can never get back if it puts my new life and the only family I have at risk. You and Elizabeth are everything to me. You let me into your lives in a way that I never thought possible. It is just hard for me to change who I am after being this way for so long. I'm sorry!" He let out a big breath and looked once again in Peter's direction hoping for the veins to be hidden once again beneath his skin. He was pleased to see that they were but Peter's face still looked distressed.

"Listen, I am happy that you say that you did not intentionally try to con me and that you consider us family. I feel like you are part of our family as well. My biggest concern was that you were willing to put all that on the line, risk everything, including your freedom on something so reckless when it all could have been avoided simply by coming to me. You didn't get caught in the act this time Neal but it was too close. I was so close to arresting you. Fortunately, you made a good call in the end and this story has a," Peter sighed, "a somewhat obscure happy ending for all of us."

Peter stood up and began pacing as he spoke, "That being said, I can't allow your indiscretions to pass without consequence."

Now it was Peter's turn to gauge Neal's reactions. His face was pretty blank and so he felt he could continue. Peter changed his tone and delivered the next bit of his speech in a very firm and fatherly tone as he stopped in front of the younger man and placed his hands on his hips. "I must tell you that even though you say that things cannot be black and white for you, it is not your choice. If you want to work with the FBI than they have to! Is that understood?"

"Yes sir, I will try." Neal was even surprised at his answer that was delivered with his head down and his eyes unable to meet Peter's once again.

"I appreciate that you are willing to make an effort but that will still not be enough. When I was unsure if you were trying deliberately to con me I thought I should put you in FBI lockup for a week." As he looked at the shocked look on his partner's paling face and quickly added "But I believe you and I will not need to take those official channels."

"Thank you, Peter," was all Neal could get out.

"I was thinking that maybe you could stay with me and El for the week." He looked over to Neal and saw his eyes light up and a bit of a smile that was trying to be suppressed. "I don't think you understand, I meant a kind of house arrest. No phone, computer, drinking, friends, TV." He was interrupted by giggling.

"Are you grounding me, Daddy?" Neal was full on laughing at this point.

This got Peter's anger up a bit but Neal was too busy laughing to notice. He used his best low, fierce voice to deliver his next sentence so that his partner would understand the seriousness of this conversation. "Neal Caffrey, if I were your father, I would not only be grounding you but you would be receiving a very healthy dose of my belt. You will not be staying with us so that you and El can cook and discuss art. You will be punished. I don't want to take official channels but if you continue to take this so lightly I will. Do you understand what I am telling you?"

"Yes Sir!" Neal had the good sense to look contrite. He wasn't sure if Peter was serious about the belt thing and he was pretty sure he didn't want to find out.

Peter then asked, "Neal do you have anything to add to this conversation or will you be packing enough things to come home with me for the week."

"I'm packing. Of course I don't want to go to lockup and I appreciate you doing this for me. I won't let you down." As serious as this line was delivered by Neal, he could not help the little giggles that were trying to escape because the thought that Peter thought this was a real punishment was funny to him. He was excited to go and stay with the Burkes. Of all the times he had thought he was going to try and con peter, this was not one of them and he was getting what he wanted all along.

Unfortunately Peter was not amused and decided to show him once and for all that this was serious. So with a very quick move across the room and a mighty lift of his arm he landed one very hard and fast swat across the seat of his partner's pants.

"HOLY CRAP, what was that?" Neal all but screamed. He had never been swatted before and it hurt much more than he imagined.

"That is me showing you that I am serious about this. You have a decision to make right now. Are you coming home with me and intend to act appropriately or are you going to lockup? Remember the deal though, and don't think I am kidding. I won't stand for your blatant disobedience so it will be handled as your boss or your family but rest assured it will be handled from here on in."

Neal was confused and scared. Did this mean that Peter was serious about this belt thing? Could he handle that if that one swat was pretty intense? But he certainly didn't want to be locked up in a prison cell and it could turn out that if it was reported he could lose his deal. He also knew he didn't want to lose his relationship with Peter. He trusted him and Peter was the closest thing to a father Neal ever had. He knew what he had to do but that didn't stop him from being nervous. He all but stuttered out his words. "I want to be part of your family, but you are not really going to beat me, are you? I don't think Elizabeth would like it and in case you haven't noticed, I'm a grown man."

Peter was glad and worried at the same time. He didn't really know where he was going to go with this but the kid was obviously worried about being disciplined. He would have guessed that Neal didn't have any experience in that department. "First of all I would never beat you or anyone for that matter. I said my son would receive a dose of my belt which, the last time I checked was a spanking."

He looked over at the pale and horrified face of his partner and decided he had to continue quickly or Neal might hyperventilate. "I know you are a grown man but you certainly don't act like one all the time. I don't know what to do with you. You disobey me, constantly act out and practically have tantrums. You need to follow orders and you need to trust me and my intentions. I am in charge and if you haven't figured that out with prison, lectures and desk duty than we need to try something else because I don't know what I would do if you went back to prison. I won't allow it. You mean too much to me."

Neal looked directly into Peter's eyes and he let one small tear escape his eyes. "I do trust you and I know you would never intentionally hurt me, but I don't know if I could sit back and let you hit me. I have never been punished that way in my life and I don't think I want to start now." He could not even make eye contact at this point.

Peter lifted Neal's chin. "Please look at me. I would not expect you to sit back and allow me to hit you. I don't even know if it would ever come to that but I have to find a different route to go with you. I need to keep you out of prison and I need for you to follow the rules. We have Hughes and the FBI both on our backs and you are going to have to make some big changes. If anyone realized what you did it could have meant not only the end of our deal but my career as well. You cannot take any matters into your own hands. You cannot keep things from me that can endanger you or your freedom and when I give you a direct order you will follow it. I am taking you home and you will follow every instruction I give you. If you do as you're told then it will be over in one week. You can come back here and we will start again fresh. However, if we have any problems then you will see just what I mean by a dose of my belt and believe I will not expect you to sit back and except it, but you will get it. If it comes to that then your punishment will be extended until I am satisfied that you intend to obey me. Are we clear?"

Neal nodded, letting his head hand down in the process.

"I want a verbal answer, Neal!" Peter stated calmly.

"Crystal."

"Good than let's get you packed and get home."

With all of the worry and fear and anxiety about what was going on, Neal would be kidding himself if he said he didn't like how Peter said "get home" and he still was not seeing how this was going to be a punishment that is as long as Peter keeps his belt in its loops. So he went about putting his things in a bag and moving on to a new chapter in his life where he was going to be accountable for his actions.