He just didn't exactly believe Neal deserved a second chance.


Neal sat on the edge of the bed. He didn't remember too much from last night, only El and Peter acting like his parents. Peter carrying him up the stairs and El tucking him in. He dreaded going downstairs. From eavesdropping on Peter's conversation last night, Neal had gathered that the federal marshals would be coming in the morning and taking him to prison. Now Neal was trying his hardest to delay the inevitable by not going downstairs.

"Neal! Breakfast's ready!" El called from the bottom of the stairs.

Neal sighed and slowly got to his feet, walking down the stairs, dragging his feet every step.

"What's this, hon?" Peter asked as he walked into the kitchen, fixing his tie.

"Breakfast" El walked over to Peter and planted a kiss on his cheek. She took over tying his tie, her capable fingers fixing the tie into a neat knot.

"For who?"

"Neal." El replied as she walked over to the stove and started filling up a plate.

"And you" El smiled brightly as she placed the plate in front of her slightly appeased husband. Neal poked his head around the edge of the doorframe.

"Morning, Neal" El greeted him. Neal nodded and replied so softly that the Burkes' had to strain to hear him.

"So…Neal. The marshals are coming in about two hours" Peter remarked, ignoring El's pointed glare.

"Neal, I've heard you're an amazing artist" El cut in smoothly.

"Yes, you know-"

"Where is it?" Peter interrupted Neal.

"What?" Neal asked.

"The painting. The one you had when you were running."

"I don't know what you're talking about" Neal said, trying not to think about the 4x4 canvas rolled up in a hidden pocket in his pant leg. He had hidden it the moment Peter had cornered him and fortunately Peter had not searched Neal too thoroughly.

"Hon, can't this wait?" El placed a gentle hand on her husband's arm.

"No, it can't. The marshals won't be as nice as I am."

Neal looked down at his plate and swallowed. His appetite had suddenly dissipated. He pushed his chair back from the table and stood up. Briefly he heard El telling Peter to leave him alone.

Neal slipped out the front door, took a deep breath, and did one of the many things he did best.

He ran.


Peter frowned as he paced the living room. El had left for work, someone had scheduled a party and El's services were apparently required. Peter was waiting for Neal to get back, but he had a gut feeling that told him Neal wouldn't be back anytime soon. He glanced at his watch and realized it hadn't even been three minutes since he had last checked his watch.

He sat down at the table and opened his laptop. He aimlessly browsed through case files, Neal's files, and briefly glanced at the weather. Idly he hoped El's event would go well, even though there were supposed to be thunderstorms later in the afternoon and early evening. The FBI agent was startled out of his musings by the vibration of his phone.

"Agent Burke."

"Hughes?" Peter tensed; he suspected he knew why his boss was calling him.

"Where's Caffrey?"

"He went for a run."

"An almost five mile run?" Hughes voice was tinged with tones of skepticism.

"I'll go find him." Peter said, mentally groaning as there was a loud crash of thunder and the rain started.


Peter had spent almost two hours cruising the neighborhood and area where Neal's tracker had last been. He didn't think Neal had taken off the anklet, but judging from the first two times Neal had escaped him, the FBI agent knew not to underestimate the teenager.

He pulled into a parking spot next to a park. Sitting still for a moment, Peter thought how nice the park was and how much El would love it. He got out of the car and walked through the entrance to the park, noticing how heavy the rain was and hoping that Neal wasn't out in this storm.

However, his hopes were dashed when he saw a small figure huddled on a park bench.

"Neal!" Peter yelled, jogging over. The teenager didn't even stir as Peter shook his shoulder.

"Neal, c'mon buddy, wake up" Peter was finally rewarded as Neal's eyes opened and he saw slits of blue peeking out. He glanced down, noticing that Neal's slim fingers were firmly locked around a fold in Peter's coat.

"C'mon" Peter eased Neal into a sitting position and helped him to stand up.

"P'ter" was the only warning that the agent got as Neal's legs buckled under him and he collapsed.

"Easy kid, I got you" Peter caught Neal and slid his arms under the skinny conman, carrying him to the car. He noticed Neal's lips were moving and he bent his head, trying to catch what the conman was saying.

"I…d-d-didn't think you'd come" Neal murmured, his voice stuttering as he started to shiver violently. The pain in Neal's eyes just before he closed them broke Peter's heart.

Neal's head rested against Peter's chest and suddenly the agent felt a surge of protection for the young conman. He realized that El was right, and maybe Neal did deserve a second chance.

~TBC


Hope you all enjoyed this! Please tell me what you thought and have a nice day!