Chapter 2

As Elizabeth moved gingerly around the kitchen to begin to prepare dinner for her husband and "son", Peter spoke up. "It's been a long day hon, and I know you must be exhausted. Why don't you go up and lie down for a bit and I will order us some take out."

Elizabeth was so relieved to be able to go lay on her stomach for a while. She was disappointed that she didn't get her usual comfort after her punishment but she knew that what Peter and Neal had to discuss was more important at this moment. She smiled and gave her husband a big hug and kiss and then she turned to Neal. "Open up to each other and you will come to the right decision. We love you no matter what you decide and we will never give up on you!" She smiled and turned to leave as Peter playfully slapped her behind and she let out a yelp.

"So Neal, what do you want to discuss? You can ask me anything."

Neal certainly was not feeling brave but he did trust Peter and he decided to just suck it up and speak his mind. "I was very upset when you left and I wasn't sure if Elizabeth was trying to hide something from me but after speaking to her, she made me understand that the arrangement you have is something that works for both of you and you both feel better after. Sometimes when I screw up, the veins in your neck look like they are going to pop. I worry that I am going to send you into cardiac arrest. I think that you must be so angry that you want to send me back to prison, but you don't!"

Peter looked at him almost blankly but figured he needed to speak up. "Some days I think that my head will explode but I try and remember that most of your disobedience stems from wanting to do something great. I channel the pride so that I don't kill you. I don't want you to go back to prison. We have a great thing here and I think you can make a difference. All of that being said, I think we would have both felt better on many occasions if I had taken you back here and showed my displeasure to your behind. I would know that you received a consequence that didn't involve handcuffs and you would know that I forgave you and we would start fresh. It also might deter you from disobeying me next time around."

Neal didn't really know what to say. He had never "felt any displeasure on his behind" as Peter so aptly put it. He really never suffered any consequence for his actions until he went to prison. Somehow though he wasn't proud of himself anymore for the things he had done in the past because Peter was proud of him for the good things he did and he discovered that it was a much better feeling. He would be lying to himself if he didn't say he was afraid of a paddling, whipping, tanning or spanking. He wasn't sure which Peter would use on him and he wasn't sure he wanted to find out. "I'm scared." That was it. In all of Neal Caffrey's eloquence and grace that was all he could get out.

Peter stood and went to Neal and put his hand on his head and ruffled his hair a bit. "I don't want you to be afraid of me. I want you to be afraid of consequences, but not of me. You don't have to agree to this. It certainly is not in our previous agreement which is why I never brought it up to you. Just the fact that you walked in on it, unannounced and without knocking and I didn't arrest you should show you how much you are a part of our family. Elizabeth has been telling me to bring this up for a long time but I thought you would report me. Now I see that I made a mistake because I think that even though you are scared you realize that this could work."

Neal had never felt so at a loss for words before. How do you tell your partner and friend that you want him to spank you, especially when you are not sure? "Peter, I do trust you. You know that and I do think this could work for us. I am just worried. I mean what does this kind of arrangement entail? I have never really been punished, does it hurt? That's stupid of course it hurts." All of a sudden Neal found all of his words and began rambling. "Will you punish me at work where everyone will know? Will you use your hand or a? Oh God, I can't even think about it. Will I have to stand in the corner?" Neal was breathing rapidly.

"Calm down buddy." Peter was beginning to think Neal was going to hyperventilate. "The degree of the punishment depends of the infraction and cooperation. It could be my hand or belt or paddle. It could be with pants, underwear or bare." He watched Neal's face turn pale and his eyes widen as he spoke these words. "Usually there is corner time along with the paddling. Sometimes other punishments as well. I would never punish you at work or in public. No one will ever know. I know this is a lot to take in but understand that if you do agree, there is not going to be any changing of your mind when you get in trouble. I know you will want to but that is not how it works. You really need to think about this but I want you to know that whatever you decide, I will support. I do think this is in all of our best interest but it is ultimately your decision. We want you to be around in our family for a long time and we would be devastated if you went back to prison." Peter was trying to gauge Neal's reactions but his face was unreadable.

Neal figured it was his turn to speak. Nothing was coming out. With downcast eyes, he managed only two words. "I'm hungry!"

Peter had to stifle a giggle at this point. Neal looked and acted just like a teenager who had done something really bad. "Listen bud, we don't have to talk about this anymore right now. Let's order a pizza and catch a game." He watched relief flood over his friend's face and he stood to get the phone. Neal carried two beers into the living room while Peter flipped on the Yankees game. Peter was glad that Neal seemed to relax and he figured El would be happy to not have to sit on the hard dining room chair. He felt bad that he had not comforted her and they didn't really kiss and make up so he hoped the dinner on the couch would make it up to her a bit. Usually the sitting was part of the punishment.

When El came down she was pleased at the scene in front of her. Her boys were watching a game and the coffee table was set with paper plates. She was especially grateful for not having to sit on the hard dining room chairs. She gave Peter a big kiss and thanked him for his choice of pizza in the living room. She knew that he had done it for her. "Would you boys like another beer or some wine before I sit?" they both nodded that they were good and they spent the rest of the evening laughing and having a nice time together.

As the evening got later, Neal was ready to get going. He saw and felt such love and had a sense of family that he never remembers having felt before. Elizabeth didn't seem angry with Peter and they were so happy even after what had transpired. He was not even the third wheel. He fit here. He had a place. He knew that he wanted to have that kind of peace. He stood up to go. "Well guys, it has been a lovely and strange evening. I just wanted to tell you that I would be honored to be a part of your family. You guys have such an unconditional love that I have never experienced. Since I met you guys, I have never felt that I had a home. I want you to trust me like I trust you so whatever it takes to get us to that point, I will agree to." Elizabeth and Peter got up and hugged him so hard that he could barely breathe. He loved it and he felt like he was ten years old. He felt safe.

"You know you can stay sweetie. We have plenty of room."

Neal wanted to stay but he needed some time to think. As he walked into his beautiful Manhattan apartment, he had a strange feeling come over him. One he defiantly wasn't used to. He felt lonely.