A.N.- As said in the summary, this is in the relative present. Time reference, let's say like 2013. Sorry that the character's turned out a little more OOC in the end. Enjoy, and feel free to leave some reviews! Merry Christmas Eve!

"Last time I spent Christmas Eve with you, I don't recall being in charge of the decorating." Neal said with a grin.

"Well we always save the star for Christmas Eve. Last time you spent Christmas Eve with us, you weren't here yet." Peter responded with a laugh as his partner climbed further up the ladder that was precariously centered near the tree. "And besides- cowboy up, Caffrey."

Neal cocked his head to the side and squinted his eyes, giving the best physical impression for the word "seriously?".

"Are you sure it's safe for him to be up there?" Elizabeth asked, concern lacing her voice.

Peter waved her words away. "Of course it is. It's not that old of a ladder."

"Fine. I'm going to go get hot chocolate started for when you boys are done!" She said, making sure she was loud enough for Neal to hear her.

As soon as his wife left, Peter grabbed the finishing touch to the tree and began climbing up the steps, bright star topper in hand.

Neal was sitting at the very top, feet resting on the stair directly below. "Aw, you're going to walk it all the way up to me? I'm touched."

Peter snickered. "Yeah, don't get used to it."

Neal reached down and got it from him, standing back up and straddling the two sides of the ladder with his feet to place it on top of the very large tree. Peter held onto the ankle of his partner as he leaned precariously against the wall on his tip-toes. After it was placed, the older man began scaling back down the ladder, laughing at the way Neal was sitting at the very top. He stopped midway when a large crack was heard. Neal looked down at the sound, his face colored with concern. Peter took another step down when an even louder crack was heard, and he looked up just in time to see the side of the ladder to snap.

"Neal," Peter whispered.

It was not but a few seconds later when the ladder came crashing down with a thud, throwing both men off. Peter had jumped off just in time and landed on his rear end, but Neal was not so lucky. He was too high up, and with the way he was sitting, he could not think of a way to stop the fall in time. He fell over on his side, his wrist catching him with a definite snap. Neal was silently happy that he was facing away from Peter, it gave him time to allow his face to scrunch up in pain.

"Shit!" Peter cursed under his breath. He crawled quickly over to Neal's side. "You okay? Neal?"

The man in question rolled over onto his back, keeping his wrist cradled across his body. "Yeah. Fine." He spat out.

"What are you guys-" Elizabeth walked back in, Satchmo at her side. She took in the broken ladder and the two men on the floor. "What happened?"

Neal's blue eyes opened wide and spoke quickly. "My fault!"

"What are you talking about? That ladder's so old I shouldn't of been on it with you!" Peter argued.

"Boys!" Elizabeth snapped her fingers. That got both of their attentions. "Is everyone okay?"

"Yeah, I think so." Peter continued. He stood and offered Neal a hand, which he took, not moving his left hand from his chest. He brushed some of the dust off of himself and his partner.

Elizabeth looked at her husband. "Clean this up." She smiled at the tree. "At least the star's on top, right?"

The three shared a small laugh and

"Neal are you sure you're okay?" Elizabeth questioned.

"Yeah, why?"

"You're hand hasn't left your stomach since you fell." Peter finished for her.

"It's fine!" Neal quickly covered, but Peter was taking large steps towards him.

"Give it." He calmly said.

"No!"

"Just let me see it-" Peter grabbed his wrist and Neal let out a yelp of pain.

He looked at Peter with wide eyes. "It's fine?"

"It's broken isn't it?"

Neal fell shockingly quiet, and looked at his wrist.

Elizabeth practically dropped the tray of cookies on the counter. "Neal what did I tell you about lying to me?"

Neal floundered even more at that.

Peter began walking towards the front door, with Elizabeth in suite. "Come on, let's get you to the hospital."

"What? No hospitals! You didn't make me go to the hospital last time!"

"We didn't make you go to the hospital last time because you convinced us there was nothing they could do for the concussion." Peter said while he pulled on his coat. "There is something they can do about your wrist."

Neal rolled his eyes and walked over to the two. "Give in, sweetie, it'll make it a lot easier." Elizabeth said, holding Neal's coat out for him so she could drape it over his shoulders. He sighed as he allowed her to put it on him. "I'll stay and finish making dinner." The Burke's gave each other a goodbye kiss and with that, the two men were off.

They spent a solid three and a half hours in the ER. By the time the two were leaving, Peter's stomach could be heard growling from a mile away. They climbed into his vehicle; the car filled with quietly playing Christmas music. Neal stayed looking out the window, a semi-sad look on his face.

Peter turned off the radio. "You in pain?" He asked, taking a sideways glance at the passenger.

Neal shook his head. "No." He mumbled. The medication he was on was strong, and he was finding it harder and harder to keep up the act. The loopiness was setting in, and he was worried he would say the wrong thing.

Peter was starving at this point, and was in no mood to beat around the bush. "What's wrong then?"

Neal flinched back. "Nothing." He said quietly. He yawned a few minutes later, and shrunk back in his seat even more when, out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the driver's eyes role.

The older man heaved an angry sigh, and they finished the ride home in complete silence. "El! We're home!"

"I'm in the kitchen! Just sit in the living room, dinner'll be ready soon!"

Peter sat down, but Neal stayed standing. You should leave. You've already pissed off one of the hosts, don't make it two. The drugs were really kicking in now.

"You gonna sit?" Peter brought him out of his reverie.

"Um, no, I was just going to head on out." He gestured towards the door with his sling.

Elizabeth walked in just in time to hear that. She set the hors d'oeuvres she had in her hands down on the coffee table. "Head out where?" Peter stood from his position on the couch, completely forgetting about his appetite.

"June's?" Neal's voice was getting thick and he was getting really tired. Where else would I be going?

"Why would you be going to June's? You're having dinner with us."

Neal opened his mouth, but Peter interrupted him. "Yeah, and besides June's not even home. So don't try and say that you're having dinner with her."

"You know I've overstayed my welcome. And I ruined your Christmas. Again. Don't lie to me and pretend you want me around." Neal sighed. "I forgot your presents."

"What?" The both replied in unison.

"I said I forgot your presents." His voice was drifting off even more, and his eyelids were just so heavy.

"No, before that." Peter said, but Neal just gave a confused look in response. "About you ruining our Christmas?" He prompted.

"I didn't say that."

"Yes you did, sweetie." Elizabeth continued.

"You are mistaken El. I didn't say that out loud." His smile was faint and his eyes were cloudy, and it took a few seconds for him to comprehend their questioning looks. "I didn't say that out loud, did I?" The two nodded their heads in agreement. Neal pursed his lips. "Whoops. You know those doctors need to loosen up on the drugs." He offered an awkward laugh then began walking towards the door.

"No, Neal you're not leaving." Peter stepped between the younger man and the door, guilt setting into his stomach.

"You ever notice how the last two Christmases I've been around you two I end up screwing everything up?" Neal placed his good hand over his mouth. "I need to stop talking. Goodbye."

"Sweetie, no, both of the things that happened were accidents! They were not your fault!" El pulled him into a hug, trying to keep the tears from falling. He stood there for a moment, unsure of how to respond, but returned the notion nonetheless with a dazed look in his eyes. When they pulled off, the younger man yawned. "You're not leaving. We want you here. We always have. Do you understand Neal Caffrey?"

Neal was not entirely sure what she was talking about now, but for some reason his muddled mind told him to nod in agreement.

"Peter, come help me in the kitchen. Why don't you take a nap, Neal? We'll wake you when it's ready."

Peter helped his wife lead Neal to the couch and lay down, covering him with a blanket.

"Merry Christmas, Neal." She kissed him on the forehead.

"Merry Christmas, buddy." Peter ruffled his hair. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Peter." He mumbled his response. "Merry Christmas."