A/N: Got this idea from an awesome White Collar interview on YouTube. Link's at the bottom if you're interested. Also, I borrowed the name White Shadow from a game on USA Network. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: If you think my work even compares to that of the amazing Jeff Eastin, you have problems. Warning: One tiny swear word. All apologies. Word Count: 827 Happy reading!
"Do we really have to do this?"
"Cowboy up. This is the only thing Elizabeth asked me to do today and I am not going to forget, like the dry cleaning."
"You did forget."
"Temporarily." Peter checked his watch, 1:09. "And we still have almost two hours left until she gest home. El's having potential clients over for dinner tonight so she's leaving work early, at three."
"And I have to help because…" Peter handed Neal a detergent bottle and rolled his eyes. Neal had come over just before eleven, so they could work more on their latest case. The young forger they were after was cocky, inexperienced and arrogant, (Peter hadn't been able to help implying how he was similar to a certain consultant I his early crime days) yet he was still running circles around the Manhattan White Collar Unit's best team and, frankly, it was starting to piss Peter off. Determined to at the very least put a name to the White Shadow, the agent had decided to give up the majority of his Saturday to read nearly-memorized case files and look over perfectly useless evidence, somehow convincing his partner to join him. Much to Neal's annoyance though, (Peter claimed it was karma for all the times Neal drove him crazy), the one chore his wife had requested be done, had slipped Peter's mind.
"Oh, sorry. It hadn't occurred that you most likely haven't ever done your own laundry. It wouldn't surprise me if you had your underwear dry-cleaned."
"You underestimate me, Peter. I'll have you know I am quite skilled in the art of laundry." As if to prove his point, Neal flipped the cap of the detergent over in his hand, poured the soap, and dumped it into the Burkes' washing machine in one swift motion. Peter altered the settings and pressed start, then turned around to open the dryer door.
"The art of laundry? Washing clothes is an art now?
"Absolutely." He sounded completely serious. Peter laughed.
"Of course you would say that. Here, fold these."
Neal picked up the basket, but before he could start, they heard the front door close.
"Honey, I'm back." Peter looked panicked.
"I thought Elizabeth told you she wouldn't be home until three," Neal said skeptically.
"She did," Peter insisted. He checked his watch again. Still only 1:09-uh oh. "I think my watch stopped." Neal glanced at the old analog clock on the shelf above the dryer, holding the Tide and dryer sheets: 3:22.
"Well hurry up and get downstairs! Otherwise she's going to come up here and you'll be in big trouble. Again." Peter wanted to glare at his consultant, but he had to admit that Neal was right. With a stern look that spoke volumes, Peter dashed down the steps, slowing down halfway so Elizabeth couldn't tell he was running.
"Hey, Hon," Peter managed, nervously walking into their kitchen.
"Oh hey! Did Neal stop by?" She pointed to the pile of files sprawled out on the coffee table in the living room. Well him and Neal had worked on the case for a little while…
"Yeah Neal came by. We worked on the case, yup." Not really a lie but-damn! He was starting to think like Neal! Elizabeth eyed him suspiciously, then laughed.
"So you didn't find anything new?" Peter shook his head. "Don't worry, you'll get there. If anyone can catch the White Shadow, its you two." She opened the refrigerator and started taking out ingredients for dinner. "Remember, Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are going to be here at 5 o' clock." Peter started to slink back towards the staircase, anxious to see what Neal was up to, but El stopped him. "Honey, can you chop these carrots up for me please?" he had no choice but to comply.
Elizabeth kept him busy with various tasks in the kitchen, and before Peter knew it, El's quests were there. He had no further opportunities to head back upstairs and eventually forgot about Neal.
It wasn't until the couple was clearing the dishes after the Caldwells had left (they were definitely using Burke Premiere Events), and Elizabeth asked him
"By the way, you finished the laundry right?" that he did remember.
"Ah, yeah. 'Course. I'll be right back." peter was back in the laundry room in record time. He found it empty, both plastic baskets filled with neatly-folded clothes, a yellow paper lily atop one of them. Peter unfolded said lily, and smiled at the message:
Peter,
I figured you'd be busy. The laundry's done, I let myself out.
XOXO, Neal
A/N #2: Here is promised link, just take out the spaces. Don't forget to leave me some love in the review box! Http : / www . Youtube . Com / watch?v= Dy2oyGpoVLE