Heartache

by Peppe1951

Summary: Valentine Day is approaching and Neal has no one…it's up to the women in the family to supply him with someone. Warning: Corporal punishment of an adult. Don't like? Don't read! Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to USA; I only write about it.

Chapter 1

It was Thursday, February 9th and El and Cookie were enjoying a cup of tea as it was their custom whenever El got off early. They would chat nearly every afternoon. This particular afternoon chat was about their newest member of the family, Neal Caffrey.

Neal had come in contact with Cookie last year during the massive snow storm that had engulfed the city a few weeks before Christmas. Carolyn Burke, also known to her grandchildren as Cookie, had come to visit her son for a few weeks and had been introduced to a sick Neal Caffrey when Peter had brought him home from work. If June, Neal's landlady had been in town the meeting might never have occurred but through luck, or providence, Neal and Carolyn had met and after taking care of the sick Neal and bringing him back to good health Carolyn had sensed a longing to be a part of her family from Neal and had adopted him on the spot as her grandson; and Neal had relished having a caring grandmother at long last although her methods at showing him her love always seemed to come with his acquiring a warm backside at times.

Although Peter had protested strongly that just because his mother had taken Neal under her wing and had officially declared him to be her grandson that it didn't mean that he was to be considered the boy's father; however the way he treated Neal made that protest nil in everybody's eyes including Peter.

"So how is my grandson? He hasn't visited me since New Year's," asked Carolyn before taking a bite of the cookies she had brought and a sip of tea that El had made.

"He is in the process of pushing all of Peter's buttons these last few days. In fact, I expect any day now for that door to open and for Peter to order Neal to his room for an attitude adjustment," replied El with a smile. "Peter loves that boy but lately Neal has been impossible to work or live with…he is sullen when he comes home with Peter and goes and mopes in his room until I call him for lunch or dinner and then he just plays with his food until Peter gives him a glare that causes him to eat a bit before returning to his room or leaving to go back to June's."

That caused Carolyn to become concerned and she was about to make a statement when they heard the front door open and angry voices arguing as Neal and Peter came in.

"Neal, I've had it with your attitude these last few days," shouted Peter. "Your focus is off and you won't obey me at the crime scenes, wandering off and causing me time to look for you," complained Peter loudly.

"I did not wander off so far that you couldn't see me if you had only opened your eyes to look. I was just across the street and I was waiting to be needed," Neal argued back. The two men were arguing so loudly that they didn't realize they had an audience until Neal shouted angrily, "You're not my father…fuck off!" and felt his ear grabbed almost immediately and felt a swat to his backside.

"Cookie," Neal gasped as he realized what had happened, and what was going to happen next. "I can explain…you don't have to…owww…owwww…owwww," he cried as three hard licks hit his backside quickly as he was dragged to the kitchen and pushed over the kitchen table where the wooden spoon Carolyn had grabbed when she first heard the arguing voices. She brought it down time and time again as Neal howled in pain at their precise hits to his backside.

"I will not…smack…smack…have my grandson…smack…smack…use such language in my hearing…smack…smack…or anyone's hearing…smack…smack," she lectured as she brought this impromptu spanking to an end by releasing Neal's ear and standing back.

Neal hastily backed away rubbing his ear and butt simultaneously as he kept a close eye on his angry grandmother. "I didn't know you were here Cookie or El for that matter. I wouldn't have said that if I had known," he assured the ladies as he wiped his eyes.

"But obviously you didn't care what you said to me," blurted out Peter as he entered the kitchen.

Neal looked defiantly back at Peter and nodded. "You made me mad, Peter…you're always on me about something."

"It's because I care and as much as I dislike admitting it I do look upon you like the son El and I couldn't have and I don't want to see you doing anything to land you back in prison," Peter said emotionally.

"You do? Even after all I've done and said?" asked Neal in a small voice.

"Yes…how many times do I have to tell you this…or "impress" it upon you that you are loved…boy, would I love to get my hands on the people who raised you without giving you the love you needed in growing up," Peter said as he pulled Neal to him in a manly hug.

All of this emotion proved too strong for Neal and he retreated to his bedroom to regroup leaving his "parents and grandmother" to discuss his case once more.

Chapter 2

While Neal was recovering from his grandmother's personal touch the ladies turned to Peter and demanded to know what Neal had been up to that week.

"Son, how has he been acting this week?" Carolyn asked her son with concern.

"He hasn't been listening...staring off in space during meetings, while we have been discussing cases and when we get a case he's been no help and often disappears without warning causing us more work as we try and locate him. I've given him several lectures without any of them sinking in…today was the last straw when I found him several blocks away…he's deserved a taste of my belt for sure," explained Peter.

"What was he doing when you finally caught up with him today, hon?" asked El as an idea was forming.

Peter thought for a minute before replying, "He was staring into a florist shop. I called him twice without a response and had to literally go and get him."

El smiled sadly, "I think he is lonesome. Kate is dead and he is on the outs with Sara and Valentine's Day is fast approaching and he has no special lady. Honey, even though he deserves it, please don't spank him today," she pleaded.

Peter noticed as his wife and mother exchanged a glance and asked cautiously, "What are you two planning? No don't tell me I don't want to know…but I'll give him another chance for you," he declared and walked to the refrigerator and snagged a beer and walked out to watch television.

As soon as Peter was out of earshot El turned to her mother-in-law and said conspiratorially, "all we have to do is get Sara and Neal back together."

"Now who is this Sara that you want Neal to get back with?" asked Carolyn.

"Sara Ellis is an investigator with Bosch Insurance and usually finds what she is after. It was her company that insured a Raphael painting that Neal allegedly stole so she and Neal have known each other for some time but not in a personal or loving relationship," began El and she informed Carolyn everything she knew from Peter about the two.

"She almost shot Neal?!" Carolyn interrupted El in her story.

"Yep but Peter tracked Neal down in time to call and stop her," El said quickly.

"Why would she do that?"

"Well, Neal had been sent to assassinate her…he had a gun in his hand," began El but at Carolyn's expression she hastened to explain. "Neal was undercover but the FBI didn't understand what the individual who Neal was taking the place of was an assassin until he saw the gun and was dropped off at the curb. And he didn't even know who his target was until Sara sat up in bed and pointed her gun at Neal…but like I said Peter was able to prevent Sara from carrying out her threat and Peter was able to get her to a safe location until they figured out who wanted her dead and why…which they did with Neal's help." El paused to refill her and Carolyn's tea cups before starting again.

"So as they worked on cases together they got closer until they began to date. Now if Sara does discover that Neal has the Raphael she won't let their relationship stand in her way for a full recovery and they both know it."

"So why are they apart now?"

"Peter mentioned that Sara has been out of country in her quest to recover stolen or missing items…maybe their relationship has cooled because of it. But it is obvious to me that something is bothering our boy and it might just be he's missing Sara," replied El thoughtfully.

"So what is out plan?"

"How about a blind date for the both of them?" suggested El.

"Or if we could get them both together at a function of some type and give them a push they will rekindle their relationship," Carolyn added.

El and Carolyn thought for a few minutes before their eyes met and they smiled, "I'll have a Valentine's Party here and invite the two of them. I've wanted to throw a party and have all of the cute valentine decorations and goodies. We will invite Peter's team and their dates so Neal won't be any wiser and if he doesn't come you and I will just have to persuade him to the seat of his britches on why he should mind us."

"Then it is a plan."

Peter chose that moment to walk back in and observing their expressions groaned, "Why do I think I'm going to be real uncomfortable in the near future?"

El took a big breath before replying, "Peter we are going to have a Valentine Party here and all of your team is invited along with their dates...and Peter you are going to have to dress up for it!"

'NO! Please…I don't want to dress up…hon…El?" he whined until he heard.

"PETER BURKE, DON'T MAKE ME GET MY HAIRBRUSH!"

And he sighed and said, "Yes ma'am, what do you want me to do," in a resigned voice.

Chapter 3

As the ladies talked Peter got a clue on what they were up to and offered suggestions. "Why don't you have the party at Mom's? No one has been there and she has that huge living room to socialize in as well as the adjoining dining room where you can put out finger food," Peter suggested to his wife's amazement.

When Peter caught his wife look he added, "I did notice that when we went to the Coopers' Christmas party last December that is what they did."

"Peter you amaze me at times…can we hold our party at your house, Carolyn?" El turned to her mother-in-law to ask.

"I think that would be a grand idea thanks for suggesting it son," she said as she turned back to Peter. "Now we want you to hand out the invitations to your team and be sure not to forget Neal," Carolyn instructed.

"I'll talk with Sara and get her to come somehow," promised El.

"What if Neal declines?" Peter asked as he knew the kid well enough to know that he probably

would.

"You tell him that if he does he will disappoint his grandmother," replied Carolyn.

"And if that doesn't work?"

"Then you tell us and we will impress on him why he should come. That boy is coming even if it means that I have to handle it myself," vowed Carolyn. The rest of the evening had Carolyn and El making up the guest list and deciding what they would have and in between that the invitations were printed out ready for Peter to distribute the next day.

Neal had decided to spend the night at the Burkes and had spent the rest of the night in his room too depressed to come out and socialize.

The next day Peter dutifully handed out the invitations and was told by everyone that they would enjoy coming…that is all but Neal.

"Thanks for the invite Peter and be sure to tell Cookie and El thanks as well but I have plans for that night," he replied with a smile.

"Oh…is Sara back in town at long last?" quizzed Peter and Neal only smiled hinting that Peter had hit it on the nose.

"That's great news Neal…I know how lonely you have been lately," Peter said as he clapped the younger man on the shoulder. "But if you find yourselves in the area please drop by I know that Mom would love to see you."

"I will and thanks for the invitation…maybe later Sara and I will be able to drop by," Neal said smiling as he hid his lie with a laugh.

It was during dinner that night that Peter reported back and said, "They all accepted the invitations and will be at Mom's Tuesday night at seven with dates or spouses all but Neal and he has a very good reason. He has a date with Sara so she must be back in town. He did say that if possible they would drop by."

"That's wonderful news honey. I wasn't able to get a hold of her today and left a message on her phone about the party and how much we would like for her to come," El replied, "after dinner I will tell Carolyn."

Peter nodded and returned to his meal as Neal's love life was forgotten for the time being.

Chapter 4

The big night finally arrived and was going well when there was a knock at the front door. When it was opened it revealed Sara who walked in.

"Sara it's so good to see you," greeted El as she looked around for Neal and when she couldn't see him asked, "Where is Neal?"

"I don't know…isn't he here? He was invited wasn't he?" she asked curiously as her eyes looked the crowd over.

"You didn't come together?"

"No…what's going on El?" asked Sara.

"I think we need to have a talk in private," suggested El as she caught Carolyn's eye and motioned for her to follow her into the kitchen where the three ladies sat down and El told Sara everything ending it with, "So you see Sara we planned this party to bring the two of you back together. He's been miserable without you."

"If he is so miserable why isn't he or why didn't he call me to begin with?" asked Sara mildly angry.

"I don't know but we are going to find out now," replied Carolyn angrily as she headed towards her son.

"Peter I want a word with you," and then whispered something in his ear. The conversation didn't take long and when it was over Peter was reaching for his coat and one for his mother and together they left.

By the time they arrived at June's Peter was just as angry as his mother with Neal's deceit. Carolyn had taken the time to explain what they learned from Sara as Peter drove. "He had better have a really good explanation why he lied to us," Peter said as they walked up to the front entrance. It didn't take the housekeeper long to open the door and usher them in.

"Peter, Carolyn, what brings you out tonight," greeted June as she left her guest to talk with Peter and his mother. She too was having a Valentine's party.

"Is Neal upstairs?"

"Yes, is something wrong? The reason I asked is that I invited him to my party but he begged off saying that he was going to be heading out himself to a party," June asked.

"Interesting…he was invited to ours but turned us down by saying that he had a date with Sara but when Sara arrived a few minutes ago she hadn't heard from him at all. El had invited Sara in the hopes of Neal and her getting back together. Mom has some choice "words" to say to him about his deceit and then we are taking him back with us," Peter explained, "you can get back to your guests, and we will handle Neal," he added as an assurance.

June nodded but added, "I too will be having words with Neal about his lying to me….that boy has been back to his old ways lately….and they are about to catch up with him in a very painful way," before turning and going back to her guests.

Neal had decided to mope around his room this Valentine's Night and had changed into his sleep pants earlier than usual, which was going to be an unwise decision as he heard a knock at the door and he got up to answer.

"Peter! Cookie! W-what are you d-doing here…shouldn't you be at your party with your guests?" Neal asked nervously, as Peter and then Carolyn pushed their way in.

"Guess who showed up at Mom's party a few minutes ago…Sara," Peter said as he broke the news to his partner/son. "Funny she said that she hadn't heard from you and when she heard the invitation from El on her answering machine decided to drop by."

Neal did have the good graces to look ashamed and a little scared with the information…he knew that they knew he had lied. "I didn't think she still wanted a relationship with me," he added sadly.

"Did you ask?" this came from Carolyn.

"I did in the past and she always had an excuse for not going out and then she went out of country on a case," defended Neal.

"And did you try when she returned?" again Carolyn asked the tough question.

"No…she had so many excuses before that I just decided that she didn't want me."

"Well, buddy boy…those excuses she gave you earlier were legit and necessary for her career and she has expressed an interest to El in getting back with you. She said that she called you a couple of times after returning only to have you not return them…is this true?"

Neal perked up at the mention of Sara still being interested in him but then became nervous as the phone calls Sara had made to him came to light and made no answer to Peter's inquiry which alerted Peter and Carolyn to the truth.

"Well we are going to put a stop to this…you are coming with us to the party and to
Sara but first Mom has something to 'say' to you about your behavior…Mom?" Peter said as he turned the floor over to his Mom.

While Peter was talking to Neal and had his attention Carolyn had been walking around his apartment looking …and she found it in his kitchen when she grabbed a plastic spatula…it had a large head and she felt sturdy enough to do the job she had in mind.

As soon as Peter said that she was to have some words with Neal she was ready and sprang into action by bringing her makeshift paddle down on Neal's thin sleep pants clad butt hard.

"Owwww…Cookie…don't," was all he managed to get out before he was propelled by Peter to bend over the nearest table and held in place while Carolyn addressed his behavior to the seat of his sleep pants again and again and not stopping until she had most likely painted his bottom red. "Now go get ready for my party…Sara is waiting!" she ordered as she threw down the spatula and motioned for Peter to let her grandson up.

"Cookie…I can't go now," began Neal as his hands went immediately to his bottom to try and rub the pain away…he amended his statement immediately with, "I'm going, I'm going," as soon as he saw Cookie pick the spatula up again and ran to the bathroom for a quick shower.

"I'll just go down and see how June's party is going while you help him get dressed," Carolyn said as she handed her son the spatula so as to give Neal some privacy while he dressed.

Chapter 5

All eyes turn to the door as Neal, Peter and Carolyn entered the house. Neal was dressed to the nines in one of Bryon's suits and only El, Carolyn and Peter knew the real reasons behind Neal's wincing as he walked.

"I take it that Carolyn had a long discussion with Neal?" whispered El as she walked past her husband to welcome Neal. His slight nod was all she needed to know that their boy had been suitable punished for his transgressions and to tell her that the plan to get Sara and Neal back together was back on course.

"Neal it is so good that you have decided to join us…the party just hasn't been the same without you," El greeted him with a kiss to his cheek and a whisper in his ear, "Sara has been waiting for you…she's in the dining room," and with a light smack to his bottom sent him on his way.

Neal took a moment to pull himself together and then went to search out Sara who he found sampling the finger foods in the dining room. Neal picked up two glasses of wine and presented one to Sara as he murmured, "I've missed you Sara; will you be my Valentine tonight?"

Sara smiled and leaned forward to give him a kiss before saying, "I would love too," and then taking the glass of wine from his hand took a sip. El happened to glance in to see the two walk off hand in hand to the back of the house and smiled. It looked like her and Carolyn's plan had worked and it worked so well that neither was seen for the remainder of the evening until Carolyn found them after locking up.

She had gone to the kitchen to check the back door and found them in her breakfast nook and discovered them in the midst of a kiss. She cleared her throat before announcing, "Children, the party is over and I take it from this display that you two are an item again?"

"Yes, ma'am," replied Neal before Sara chimed in with,

"Now that you know can you turn off the light on your way out?"

"Only if you two will promise to spend the night in my guest rooms upstairs…and Neal only one person to a bed, at least while under my roof," she said with a smile as she left the two lovebirds to themselves…the last memory was one of Neal leaning in to kiss Sara.

The End

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