Hey, guys. Thanks for the great response to the first chapter. In addition, yes I want suggestions and opinions about this. If you have an idea tell me. WARNING: This chapter has references to spanking.

This was the third stain in two days. El was fed up. Neal usually wasn't so clumsy. He hardly ever spilled anything, let alone on the carpet. Something was up, she was sure of it. She just had to prove it.

Peter Burke knew Neal Caffrey like the back of his hand. He was careful, methodical, and above all, neat and tidy. It just was not at all like him to drop coffee on the carpet. He was hiding something. Neal could lie with the best of them, just not to the people that loved him.

"I really am sorry I spilled the coffee. If you like I could replace the carpet."

El smiled sadly, as she thought about what her son could be hiding from them. Why didn't he trust them enough to tell them the truth?

"It'll steam right out, sweetie. But you already knew that since you already have the steamer out. I think I'll take Satchmo for a walk."

"No! I mean, I'll do it, mom! You look tired. You should rest."

Neal called her mom. Again. Something was certainly wrong. Peter thought so too it seemed because he grabbed the leash and started calling the dog.

Satchmo bounced in from the kitchen followed by a small red puppy yapping at his tail.

Neal thought his heart might stop when the puppy entered the room. Elizabeth looked shocked at first then she picked up the little bundle of energy and cuddled him to her chest. Peter just looked ready to commit murder. Neal was sure his ass was grass now.

"Neal, would you care to explain why there is a…a…what the hell is it, in my house?"

"Peter just hear me out before you kill me. I found him a few days ago when I was walking Satch. He was starving, cold, and wet. I just couldn't leave him. I put up flyers and called the shelters to see if anyone had been looking for him. So far, no one has called. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I just thought you might make me take him to the shelter."

"Upstairs! Now!"

Neal didn't waste time standing around; he hurried up the stairs to his room to await his punishment.

El placed the little thing in Peter's arms before speaking.

"Peter you can't possible be angry with him for this. He's too tender hearted to just leave the little guy out there."

"He could have at least asked!"

"He was afraid we would say no."

"I don't care, El. He lied to us! We have a rule, no secrets or lies. He broke that rule."

"Peter he's never had anyone in his life like us. He's still trying to figure this out. He's allowed to make mistakes. God knows we have. Now go talk to him. And yes we are keeping the puppy!"

"What the hell is it anyway?"

"It looks like a Dachshund kind of. I'll call the vet and make an appointment."

"El."

"We were going to let him get a dog anyway. I don't see the problem. This little guy just needs a family. Kind of like Neal."

With that, El grabbed the phone and started dialing.

Neal heard the footsteps on the stairs and tensed. He knew he had broken a rule, but he done it for a good reason. Peter wouldn't see that though. Neal just hoped the older man calmed a bit before he decided to lay into him. Peter's spankings were bad enough when he was calm, Neal did not want to experience one when the man was angry.

Peter knocked before he entered the room, but didn't wait for a reply. He found Neal sitting at the desk, pulling up the animal shelter page on his computer. The kid looked utterly defeated. And Peter, sitting on the bed, felt like the Grinch who stole Christmas.

"Come here. We need to talk."

Neal nodded and walked over to the man he considered a father. Feeling the older man's arms around him almost made him relax. Almost.

"Why do we have rules, Neal?"

"To keep me safe and out of trouble."

"What happens when you break those rules?"

"I get punished."

"What happened the last time you broke a rule, kiddo?"

"I got grounded for a week. You said if I continued to do so you would have very personal a meeting with my butt and El's hairbrush."

"So you do remember?"

"Yes."

Peter almost smiled at the squeak. Damnit all, he didn't want to spank the kid for this, but he had to do something.

"Good. So, here's how this is going to work. Because you lied to us about this and kept this a secret, you are going to do extra chores for the next two weeks. And the computer will be taken away also. You can use the one in the living room when one of us is in there with you. Also, since we now have two dogs, you have to help with them as well. Understood?"

"Yes sir. Wait, you just said we have two dogs now! You're letting me keep him?"

At Peter's nod, Neal tackled him onto the bed.

"Thank you. I swear, I'll take care of him! You and El won't have to do a thing."

Peter wrapped his arms around his son and kissed his head. He knew he had don't the right thing now even as he heard El yelling from the kitchen about the vet appointment later that day and going shopping for puppy stuff.

"No more lying, Neal. No more secrets. If there is a next time, I will turn you over my knee and wear you behind out with that hairbrush. Are we clear?"

"Yes sir! No more lying and no more secrets."

"Good. Come on, we have to get food and water dishes, a small leash, a collar and ID tags, training pads, puppy food, chew toys, and puppy treats. Then it's off the vet's office. By the way, what's his name?"

"I haven't named him yet. I was not sure if you people would let me keep him. And I kept thinking maybe someone would see the flyers and call to claim him."

"Then I guess we need to name the little runt."

"I've never named an animal before."

"We'll think of something, buddy."