Disclaimer: I do NOT own White Collar! All is property of Jeff Easton, except for the OC!
A/N: Gosh, y'all I am so sorry! Something happened to my laptop…my internet wouldn't work and all my files were screwing up! I had no way to tell y'all that I couldn't update! ): The good news is that I'm back…obviously(: I hope y'all all had an amazing holiday (if you're from America), I know I did lots and lots of Black Friday shopping! However, I am sure y'all truly don't care…I shall stop talking now, and let y'all read my story!(:
No Beta, all mistakes are mine. Reviews are GREATLY appreciated!(:
Chapter Seven!
"Something smells good." Peter said, walking into the apartment more.
"Yeah, James is making breakfast! You're welcome to stay to eat, right James?" Neal said, smiling up at James. James smiled back at Neal, and nodded.
"Of course you can stay, Peter." James said, looking at Peter now. "I'd love to eat with my love's partner in crime.'
"…partner in anti-crime, actually." Peter smirked at Neal, who was rolling his eyes. "However, I can't stay. I have to go to work. I just wanted to see how Neal was doing, since I couldn't check up on him yesterday." James stiffened slightly, and Peter through him a glare.
Neal looked at them both confused. "Is something wrong?"
"Of course not, love." James answered, rubbing Neal's arm in reassurance.
"Peter?"
"No, Neal, nothing's wrong." Peter sighed. Neal looked at Peter hard, and turned.
"Okay, well if you don't need anything else…."
"Neal…."
"Yes?" Neal replied shortly. James grinned at Peter from behind Neal, and shrugged.
Peter sighed. "Nothing. Let me know when you're ready to come back."
"Okay, bye." Neal said holding the door open.
"Goodbye Neal, and nice to meet you James." Peter gave James a hard look and left.
"Love, is everything okay?" James asked as soon as Neal turned around. Neal looked up at James and sighed.
"I have a feeling that Peter's holding something back from me, and I want to know what it is."
"He's an FBI agent, love. His job is to lie to criminals, and although you are reformed…he may not see you that way yet." James looked at Neal sadly.
"Peter trusts me. I know he does."
"Then why would he hide something from you?"
Neal sighed. "I don't know. Maybe- maybe I was just imagining things? He could just be tired. I know how tiring his job really is."
"Whatever you say, love. Do you want some breakfast, now?"
"No, I'm not really that hungry."
"You said you were starving before he got here." James reminded him, slightly annoyed.
"I'm sorry. I just don't want to eat anymore."
"You have to eat; you need all the strength you can get."
"I'm not hungry, James."
"Is this because of Peter? You should have known he would lie to you eventually. He's an FBI agent for crying out loud! Neal, forget about him, and come eat."
"What has gotten into you? I think I'm going to go see Mozzie, I'll see you later." Neal turned around to walk away, but he was suddenly shoved into a wall.
James loomed over Neal, grinding his teeth. "Nothing is wrong with me, and you are not going anywhere!" James emphasized his point by grabbing Neal by his shirt and shoving him back into the wall. "You will stay here, and you are going to sit down and eat your breakfast!"
Neal tried to shove James away, but he ended up falling forward instead. James grabbed Neal by his fractured arm, and pulled him up. Neal whimpered, and tried to stand up to relieve the pain.
"You will stay here, with me. You are mine, Neal. Not Peter's. Mine." James threw Neal back on to the couch, and Neal hissed as he landed on his arm. "What the hell is wrong with you? I'm the one that is here for you. I ran to the hospital the minute I found out you were there. I'm letting you stay here with me. I love you, Neal. Why is Peter so damn important to you! Do you want to date him? Would you happier that way?"
"No- no, James…I'm happy with you. Calm down okay? You are acting really-" James slapped Neal, and Neal sucked in a breath, effectively shutting up.
"I'm what Neal? I can act like Peter if you want? You want me to be more like Peter…would that make you happy, Neal?"
"No, no. James, I'm sorry. I want to be with you…not Peter. Only you, James…no one else. I'm yours, right?" Neal said, scooting away slightly from James. James stopped at Neal's words, and sat down next to him.
"Do you mean that, Neal? M-m-mine?" James breathing was slowing down, and his eyes were searching Neal's.
Neal looked at James and saw the monster fade away. The man whose eyes were just filled with fury had softened to that of a scared little boy. James was inching closer to Neal, and had now grabbed his hand, his eyes never leaving Neal's.
Neal sighed, and let himself be pulled closer to James. "Yes, James, I mean it."
James pulled Neal to his lap and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry, Neal. I am so sorry." James's hand went up to Neal's cheek, and stroked it lightly. "Neal, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, love. I'm sorry." James was starting to kiss Neal's cheek, and he began to rock him slowly. "I love you, Neal, I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"Shh. Shh. Shh. James, it's okay. Calm down." Neal said running a hand through James's hair. "I-I love you too."
"I won't do it again. It will never happen again. I'm sorry. I love you. I'm sorry."
"I Know. I know. I love you."
"Neal…."
"Yes, James?"
"Neal. Are you-are you going to tell Peter?"
Neal stopped stroking James's hair, and closed his eyes. Peter. Peter would know something happened. He would ask about it. Neal didn't like lying to Peter. He already did it once when it came to James; he didn't want to do it again. Neal sighed and thought back to early that day.
Peter was keeping something from Neal. He didn't know what it was, but Peter was acting too funny for it not to be something big. If Peter was okay with lying, then so was Neal.
"No, James. I won't tell Peter."
A/n: Alright! Well that's all I got! By the way, I had been taught that as long as forever that if a word was singular, then, even if it ended with an 's', you still had to do apostrophe s. However, I now have a professor telling me that if it ends with an 's', then you just do an apostrophe. I will keep writing James's…just FYI(:
