A few notes before the chapter:

Flower: I changed the rating, thanks for suggesting, wouldn't want to corrupt any children without warning hehehe But don't worry, writing that stuff is just not my thing, foreplay is as far as I'm gonna go because I'm just not good at that other thing... hehe And also, I believe Neal did sleep with Alex before Sara, or better said, 'swam' naked with her to get the information on the music box, remember? ;)

Blake: You made me laugh at your comments! Too bad you don't like Sara so much but yes, I'm a Sara-Neal fan, sorry! But I promise you'll like her, at least in my story, so please keep reading ;-)

And thank you so much for all your reviews and suggestions! I truly appreciate them!

On with the chapter...


Chapter 8

It was Saturday noon and an incredible annoying noise disturbed Neal's peaceful slumber: Riiiing

He reached for his phone and mumbled "Hello?"

"Oh hey, are you okay? Were you sleeping?!" came Peter's incredulous voice

"It's Saturday, Peter, I don't have to get up early, do I?" said Neal rubbing the sleep from his eyes

"So rough night huh? Clarice seems to be full of energy" said Peter with a huge grin

Neal groaned inwardly "You are a pervert, Peter. Is there a reason you called?" he said annoyed

"Yeah. How about we go to a Mets game tonight. You and me, grab some beers and just have fun. Unless you are going out with Clarice again?" said Peter cheerfully

"Don't you wanna take Elizabeth to the movies or something? And what could possibly make you think that a basketball game would appeal to me?" said Neal now fully awake and going to pee

"Are you peeing while talking to me?!" said Peter in shock

"Your detective skills leave me speechless, Agent Burke" deadpanned Neal not caring

"Ugh, disgusting… anyway, Elizabeth went to LA and I already got the tickets, so I'm picking you up at 6 so we can go have dinner together and then to the game, got it?" commanded Peter

"Do I have a choice?" challenged Neal like only a teenager would do

"Of course not. Don't forget to flush it"

"Yes grandpa"

"Hey! Watch the attitude young man!"

"Bye Peter"

What the hell was up with Neal's prepubescent antics? Thought Peter. He sure was usually difficult but he was being even more so now. He sighed… it was gonna be a long night.

The rest of the day for Neal, consisted on swimming for a while, eating a croissant and coffee and painting 'nonsense' in his canvas, as Mozzie would say.

He kept thinking about Sara and the angst he felt last night. He took his phone and saw that Clarice had texted him, it read "Hello handsome. I hope you're feeling better today. Gimme a call when you feel like it. Thank you for last night, it was amazing. XOXO"

He sighed… this was insane. It was obvious that his feelings for Sara were still strong and by the looks of it, going even stronger now. But Neal felt afraid that she didn't feel the same way and in fact, she was the one that demanded to feel free so it was obvious she didn't miss him like he did… still, on Monday, the day after tomorrow, was November 11th, Sara's birthday and a very special day for her. He knew how much she cared about it and being alone in a city didn't exactly mean having people celebrate the blessed event because they didn't know her that well. Or maybe she did have someone who would fill her office with flowers, take her to a nice dinner, some dancing, give her a thoughtful present, a nice massage even and then make love to her… that's what he would do… he felt anger rising at the mere thought of someone else doing the same for her. He splashed paint in the canvas angrily… this is what Pollock must have felt when he painted, he thought.

He started pacing around and suddenly decided he needed a distraction. He took the stairs down and saw Byron's old piano lurking in the dark… 'I'm sure June wouldn't mind' he said to himself and went to sit there. It had been a long time since he had played but his fingers felt an aching need to run around the keys. He started by playing random notes and nonsense until his fingers found themselves capable of tuning in with his emotions and he started playing a very slow and melancholic version of Dean Martin's "Return to me"… soon, he started humming and singing along with eyes closed.

Suddenly he opened his eyes and started laughing at himself… how pathetic and cliché was he being? Here he was singing alone such a corny song barefeet, only wearing sweatpants while drinking wine on an old piano. He laughed out loud and continued playing speeding up the rhythm. If Sara could only see him… she would laugh at him and then he would stop her laughter by kissing her passionately. Damn he had it really bad. Hopeless! He decided it was enough of that and stood up only to hear clapping.

"Bravo! Beautiful!" said June looking at him lovingly

"Um, June, I thought you weren't home" said Neal embarrassed

"Neal, darling, I didn't know you played? I would have made you play for me every night like Byron did if I had known!" said June smiling broadly

Neal blushed slightly "Yeah I dabble" he became aware of his state of undress and blushed more "I'm sorry June" he said signaling his lack of clothes

"Oh sweetheart, you don't offend anyone" she said winking "don't you have plans to go out today?"

"Yeah, I'm going to a basketball game with Peter but I was just killing time" he said distractedly

June frowned. Neal killing time? She noticed the pale look on his face and he looked kind of skinnier too "You ok, Neal?" she asked putting a motherly hand on his forehead

"Yeah just a little off lately" he said

"I noticed the lady you brought last night didn't stay. Things didn't work out?" June asked and Neal had a look of embarrassment. June had always treated him like a son but she was no typical mom, she used to be very straight forward and nothing scared her. She had married a conman after all.

He shrugged, there was no use in hiding things from June "She is nice but…" he trailed off

"But…? She is no Sara?" June offered with a sad smile

Neal sighed in defeat. How could she read him so well? "No…" he whispered

"Oh Neal, be patient my dear. If I learned something out of life is that, whatever dreams and desires you may have, you'll only get what is meant for you. So if Sara is meant to be with you, you'll be together again somehow, so you might as well enjoy yourself with what you have at the moment. Stop being so rational. Use that brain of yours for the heists and not for the heart" She said smiling

June was quite a wise woman, Neal thought. "Thanks June" he said before going back up to his loft.

Neal decided he could have a good time with Clarice but without rushing things. And on the other hand, whatever Sara felt for him right now, there was no reason for him to not let her know how he felt, Sara had been through a lot with him and for him, he really cared for her. So he decided to go all the way for her birthday, he just had to make a few calls.

At 5:30 pm he took a shower and dressed casually in dark blue jeans, a white t-shirt and while rummaging through his closet for a sweater, he found an old navy blue NYU hoodie that probably belonged to Byron. He smiled and decide to put it on, he was only going to a basketball game anyway, no need to dress up, plus he figured he would blend in better. Peter arrived sharp at six and let himself in "Neal!" he called for him

Neal came out of his walk-in closet "Hi Peter, right on time" he said smiling brightly

Peter stared at him in shock and with his mouth hanging open a little "What?" Neal asked frowning at Peter's expression.

"You look 16. I didn't even know you owned that kind of clothes" said Peter still in shock at the younger man

Neal chuckled "Dress for the occasion, right? Never been to a basketball game before but I figure this is appropriate?" he asked genuinely

"Yeah of course. Let's go… we make a cute couple, looking like father and son" said Peter teasing and squeezing Neal's shoulder. Neal grinned and thought that this might not be such a bad evening.

The game was exciting. The Knicks won against the Lakers and Peter was very happy saying all kinds of insults to a certain Kobe Bryant, which Neal found funny. Peter explained every play to Neal and he threw at him all this numbers, rules and statistics about the game. He truly was a math geek even with sports. Neal enjoyed seeing Peter so relaxed and indulged him asking questions about the game and even cheering when there was a good play. The game ended and they left the Madison Square Garden happily. Peter adjusted Neal's coat pulling out his hoodie on the back and patting his shoulder "there you go" he said in a very fatherly tone. Neal blushed at the gesture, he was definitely not used to this treatment… he couldn't help but remember James doing something similar not so long ago when he told him "That's my boy" when he forged the Duvois sculpture. He smiled shyly "Thanks, Peter"

And old lady dressed with a jersey bigger than herself approached them and said "What a lovely thing. Who says grown-up children can't enjoy a Saturday night out with their dads, huh? Congratulations sir!" she told Peter and then kept walking

Peter stood there speechless convincing himself that it was the damn hoodie and nothing else. Neal just chuckled and patted Peter's back saying "Thanks old man, I enjoyed this evening out" he said grinning.

Peter muttered under his breath "I'm-not-that-old-to-be-your-father" and grudgingly continued walking.

After the game, they went for burgers at Mickey Mantle's near Central Park on Peter's insistence. Neal complained that they served nothing but greasy food but Peter shut him up by saying he had to try the food first before complaining. Neal dragged his feet but actually enjoyed the huge hamburger. Of course he didn't finish it, being too much for him.

"Aren't you gonna finish that?" asked Peter in a scolding tone

Neal grinned "Are you gonna make me finish my dinner or else I'm grounded?"

Peter just grunted and changed the subject "So how's it going with Nicolle?"

That question erased Neal's grin immediately "We're taking things slow" he said looking at his napkin and motioning the waiter over

"Can I have some coffee please?" requested Neal politely making the young lady blush

"Oh no no, you have to try the vanilla ice cream here, it's the best!" said Peter excitedly

Neal look disgusted "Seriously? After all this food you still want ice cream?!"

"Yes, bring us two" Peter told to the waiter

"And coffee please. And do you happen to have a pepto milkshake?" joked Neal with an adorable smile making the girl blush even more

Peter just shook his head and chuckled at Neal's ability to melt every girl he encountered "Are you still hung up on Sara?" he asked

Neal was taken off balance "Huh?"

"You heard me. Are you hung up on Sara and that's why you're taking things slow with Nicolle?" Peter said patiently

Neal sighed in defeat. He knew deflecting on the subject would only make his questioning further and being Peter, the archeologist, it could get really awkward, so he had to give a small version of the truth that convinced Peter enough to let the subject go "I miss Sara, a lot. But things between us are not in the best terms so…" he said trailing off sadly and hoping that was enough to quench Peter's curiosity

Peter nodded "I see… Sara is very hermetic too about her feelings for you so she must miss you too but being so far away… I mean it's gotta be hard" explained Peter casually

"Wait, how do you know Sara is hermetic?" asked Neal curious now

Peter looked busted "Um, I spoke to her yesterday. She called in a favor" he explained

"What favor? Something work-related?" asked Neal a little hurt

Peter realized his mistake and quickly wiped his mouth clearing his throat "Um, she needed some paperwork to finish some family legal process" tried Peter nonchalantly

Neal frowned "Is she in trouble?"

"Not at all! She, um, told me her mother left her some heritage that required some papers to be able to claim it" Peter said

Neal thought for a moment. She could have called him to ask such personal favor but instead she chose Peter.

Peter saw Neal's discomfort and added "She also needed the FBI report of her sister's disappearance and that's why she called me" he said reading Neal's hurt look and trying to justify her actions

At that, Neal looked up surprised "Have you found that file?" he asked anxiously

"Yeah but it was on the DC office so they're sending it to me on Monday" Peter explained "Did you know about her sister?"

"Yeah, she told me a while back. They never found her" said Neal now determined to see that file as soon as it arrived on the mail on Monday

They were quiet for a while until Peter broke the silence "Sara said she might be coming home for Christmas" he said

Neal looked at him with a flicker on his eyes "Really?"

"Yeah, I invited her for dinner. I mean she has no family here and I'm sure Elizabeth would be thrilled at having a full table for Christmas. You're invited as well of course" said Peter warmly

Neal smiled briefly "Thank you, Peter" and then a mischievous smile crept up in his face "Will Santa be leaving presents under the tree?" he said teasing

Peter chuckled "That depends on how good or naughty you were and judging by that little anklet on your feet I'm not so sure…"

Neal groaned "Aw c'mon Peter! Not fair!" Neal complained like he was 7 years old

They laughed some more while eating ice cream, which was pretty good after all. Later that night, Peter dropped Neal at June's with a full stomach and a nice smile. Mission accomplished, he thought. Emo Neal was no longer there at least for now.

Around midnight and ready to go to bed, Neal grabbed his phone and e-mailed Sara…

From: Neal Caffrey

To: Sara Ellis

Subject: Naughty or good?

Hi Sara,

Peter told me Santa Claus might be dropping a very nice present under his tree this year. I'm really hoping that present includes your smile and the sparkle of your eyes because I really miss them. So I'm working really hard to stay on the good boys' list…

I really hope I can catch a cello concert tomorrow. Best thing I've ever seen… I'll be there at the usual time…

Miss you.

Neal clicked on the Send button and then turned off the light. He felt better. Despite Peter's annoying methods, he was really grateful to have him. Peter Burke was one of the best things that ever happened to him. With that in mind he smiled and dozed off in a peaceful slumber…