A White [Collar] Christmas

Chapter 4:

"What do you think?" Peter asked.

Neal looked away from the display of sparkling rings to look at Peter.

"The earrings?" Peter asked holding up a pair of dazzling opal earrings with dangling white pearls. "Or the necklace?" he asked as he lowered the earrings to reveal a thin strand of twisting silver studded with minuscule diamonds. A large flower made of diamonds clung to the bottom of the silver chain.

Neal looked from one accessory to the other as Peter waited anxiously for the ex-con's input. When it came to high class jewelry, Peter knew that Neal was the right one to judge.

"They're both nice," Neal answered respectfully. "And they're both beautiful pieces of work."

"I'm sensing a 'but'," Peter noted skeptically as he lowered the necklace and earrings.

"But," Neal sighed, "They're not… 'El'."

"What do you mean?" Peter asked, genuinely confused and slightly annoyed that Neal seemed to know more about Peter's wife than Peter did.

"Well," Neal began thoughtfully, appraising the jewelry with an expert eye, "They're beautiful and I'm sure she'd think so too, but, buying such an expensive gift usually points out how you really had no idea what to get her so you just bought the most expensive thing you could find."

Peter shrugged. "That's kind of how it works for most guys doesn't it?"

"Maybe but, I think El wants something from the heart; something that shows you put thought into her gift," Neal explained with complete honesty. "That's just how women are."

"Women," Peter snorted. "With them, it's like strings are attached to everything."

Neal chuckled in understanding. But the light didn't reach his eyes. Peter noticed and looked quickly away. He knew exactly what woman Neal was currently thinking about.

"All right, so no jewelry?" he asked hurriedly, wanting to distract Neal from the thoughts of Kate.

"I wouldn't cross it off the list just yet," Neal offered, recovering with his usual smile so full of charm.

Peter sighed in exasperation. "Man, shopping shouldn't be this hard."

Peter returned the jewelry to the clerk and rubbed his temples with a groan.

"Not giving up are you?" Neal asked with a light smile.

"I can't," Peter grunted. "If I go home empty handed, El will just send me out again."

Neal laughed, causing the cloud over Peter's head to darken.

"Not helping," he growled threateningly.

"Sorry," Neal said, quickly stifling his laughter. "Maybe she'd like an old framed photo of the two of you. You know, something that brings back memories."

"Because nothing says 'I'm cheap' more than some old photo in a thrift shop frame," Peter sighed sarcastically.

"Hey, I can't be the only one coming up with ideas," Neal complained.

Peter sighed again. God he hated shopping. If he stayed at the mall any longer with Neal whining at his side, he was sure to get premature gray hair.

"Come on," he said tiredly, "let's try someplace else."

---

"You don't even know what kind of perfume she wears?" Neal asked in shock.

"Never really noticed and didn't see a point to ever ask," Peter answered in a low mumble.

The clerk behind the perfume counter offered a strained smile to be polite.

"Jeez, Peter," Neal sighed, slapping a hand to his forehead with mock vexation. "What kind of husband are you?"

"A damn good one," Peter snapped. "And if you haven't noticed, El and I have been happily married for quite some time now. So I'd appreciate it if you didn't berate me. Especially since your girl left you."

Neal froze where he stood, his blue eyes widening with shock and hurt. He seemed about to protest but clamped his mouth shut instead. His eyes narrowed and turned to ice as he stared hard at Peter.

Without another word or a backward glance, Neal spun on his heel and walked out of the shop.

Peter sighed.

He had gone too far. He knew Kate was a sensitive topic for Neal and he knew that the younger man did love the girl because he still searched for her despite her leaving him. It was the wrong thing to say and now he had hurt his partner.

Peter trotted after Neal back into the thriving crowds.

"Neal. Wait," Peter called, waving his hand at the man's receding back. "Neal, I'm sorry ok. I'm sorry."

He raised his voice in hopes that Neal could hear his apology but the dark-haired man continued to move forward. He was moving too fast and the crowd was holding Peter back. He tried to fight his way through to catch up to Neal but the crowd resisted him.

Helpless amongst the bustling people, Peter could only push his way forward and try to keep his eye on Neal. The fedora was easy enough to track but it was getting further and further away.

"Neal!" Peter yelled, no longer caring who he startled. Several people looked at him oddly but he paid them no heed.

Neal seemed to hesitate as if unsure whether to just run off without Peter or to stop and allow the agent to reach him. Then he steered away from the main current and turned around a corner.

Peter increased his pace and physically pushed his way through the disgruntled shoppers. He finally made it to the corner and turned sharply. The current moved on as if he had never been there.

Catching his breath and smoothing down his suit, Peter walked slowly forward.

He was in a hallway painted a simple white with marble tiles that made his footsteps echo eerily around him. A single door stood at the end of the hallway. EMERGENCY EXIT was written in big red letters on the door.

Neal was nowhere in sight and, since there was only one way out, Peter headed for the door.

As he drew near, he wondered why the alarm hadn't been set off when Neal had opened the door. But when he was closer, he saw that the wires connecting to the alarm had been cut.

Crafty Neal. Always ready for a sudden and hasty escape. Peter really needed to check all of Neal's pockets next time.

Peter pushed the door open and stepped outside, blinking against the sudden onslaught of sunlight. The air was cool and crisp, enveloping him in a cold blanket that made him shiver. It was quiet out here.

Since they were still on the second floor, he was standing on a sort of balcony with a wide set of stairs curving down along the side of the building: an escape in case of an emergency.

And standing at the edge of the balcony with his folded arms resting on the lowered wall was Neal, looking out over the parking lot and the shoppers scurrying to and from their cars.

Peter left out a relieved sigh. At least Neal hadn't run off.

Peter quietly approached Neal and took his place beside the ex-con, bending slightly to rest his elbows on top of the balcony wall.

They stared quietly for a long while, just listening to the distant sounds of footsteps and chatter and feeling the refreshing breeze that blew around them and made their cheeks cold.

"I'm sorry," Peter said finally, not taking his eyes off a particular red Volkswagen. "I went too far. I shouldn't have said that. It's just that –"

"Peter," Neal interrupted gently, "it's ok."

"No it's not," Peter protested, turning his head to look at Neal.

The young man was staring sadly into space, his gaze locked on nothing. The wind tousled his hair and batted at his hat.

"I know how much you care about Kate and I had no right to –"

"Peter. Please," Neal said, turning to meet Peter's troubled gaze. "It's ok."

Peter opened and closed his mouth helplessly, unsure of what to say. Neal offered him am assuring smile but the sadness in his eyes was so overwhelming. He looked as if he wanted to cry.

"Look," Peter stated firmly with new determination. "I know I'm not very good with talking about feelings but listen anyway."

Neal blinked.

"I'm sorry," Peter said with absolute sincerity. "I can't imagine what you're going through. You've been in prison for four years and now that you're out, Kate is missing. What's worse is that it's Christmas and you have no one to spend it with."

"Your right," Neal muttered apathetically with a wry, humorless smile, "You aren't good with talking about feelings."

"Neal, I'm serious," Peter said. He straightened and turned to fully face Neal. He extended his hands and grabbed hold of Neal's shoulders, turning the younger man to face him. Neal obliged, a confused frown marring his features.

"I can't imagine what it's like not to have a family. But I'm sure it feels even worse when it's Christmas," Peter said softly. Neal looked away.

Peter inhaled deeply. "That's why… we want to be your family," Peter said warmly, a gentle smile forming on his lips. "El and I, we want you to spend Christmas with us."

Neal looked up with wide eyes, all sadness washed away to be replace with complete shock.

"What?" he asked in a small voice.

"You're coming home with me," Peter replied.

"No… I couldn't," Neal stammered. He looked away, his eyes shifting towards the parking lot to avoid Peter's smiling gaze.

"Neal, look at me," Peter ordered gently.

Neal slowly returned his gaze to Peter.

"This was our choice," Peter explained. "We don't want you to be alone for Christmas."

Peter's words finally sunk in and understanding crossed Neal's eyes. A grateful smile pulled up his lips and his eyes glittered happily.

"You mean it was El's choice and she made you go along with it," Neal said snidely.

Peter smiled. Neal was back to his usual sarcastic and charming self.

"Something like that," Peter shrugged. "But if we don't get her a present, neither of us are going home."

Peter turned away from the parking lot and slid his arm around Neal's shoulders, leading the ex-con back towards the emergency exit door.

Don't you just love a good bromance? I'm sorry if Peter seemed a little out of character but I'm sure he has a soft side under all those rough edges.

But what will they get El?

Keep reading and find out. Remember, I thrive on reviews so don't be shy.

Hobey-Ho