"A-a con man?" Her mother said in a faint voice before she collapsed into the nearest chair, fanning herself with her hand. Eleanor's father walked to the other end of the table and sat down, his elbows resting on the polished surface, his hand clasped in front of him.

"Have you been convicted?" her father asked, his voice solemn.

"Uh yes Sir. Peter, Agent Burke, caught me four years ago on bond forgery. I'm serving out the rest of my sentence as a consultant." Neal answered his hands behind his back trying to look as innocent as possible.

"A convicted con man?" her mother shrieked. Eleanor saw out of the back of her eye Neal flinch at the words.

"Mom-" Eleanor interjected tiredly.

"Oh well this just keeps getting better and better!"

"Mom will you please calm down and let me explain."

"Next you're going to tell me that he killed someone!"

"Alice Roberts will you shut up for one second in your life and listen to me!" Eleanor yelled silencing her mother and gaining a surprised look from Neal. "Please!" her mother looked like a gold fish out of water, her mouth opening and closing in disbelief. Eleanor's face felt flushed and her blood pounded in her ears. She had lived under her mother's oppressing thumb for too long and she had taken enough of her crap. "This is exactly why I didn't tell you truth in the first place, because I knew you would act like this!"

"And how would you like me to act Eleanor? I just found out that you're dating a criminal! Did you just want me to smile and tell you that's ok? For heaven's sake Eleanor! He. Is. A. Criminal!"

"So what? He's still a person mom! I don't care that he is a criminal! He's not that person anymore! For once, just for once, step out of your comfort zone and be a little more accepting of other people!"

"You watch the way you speak to me young lady!" her mother hiss pointing a finger at her. "You may not live under my roof anymore but I am still your mother. You better show me some respect!"

"You're right, you are my mother and I don't live under your roof anymore. I am thirty two years old, I have earned the right to date who ever I want to and there is nothing you can do about it. I love Neal no matter who he is or what he's done and if you can't accept that, well I feel sorry for you." Eleanor said getting to her feet. Her mother looked shocked beyond belief. She was just about to open her mouth to yell, when Eleanor's father finally spoke up.

"Alice, relax." He said.

"Leroy, you can't be serious! He is a criminal! You want a criminal dating our daughter?"

"I don't think it matters what I think. Ellie's made up her mind." He said gesturing to Eleanor who was now standing hand and hand with Neal, a determined look on her face. Pride swelled in her heart as her father defended her. He always was the more understanding one, the referee standing between her and her mother. "Besides, George - I mean Neal, has been nothing but a gentleman to us. If he wants to date my Ellie, that's fine with me."

"Leroy!"

"Alice, it's been a long and hectic day for all of us. We don't need to end it in an argument."

"Fine." She said in a huff grabbing her things and getting to her feet. She smoothed out her dress before turning to face Eleanor, her head held high. "Well, Eleanor are you coming or not?"

"Not right now," Eleanor said taking her house key out of her clutch and handing it to her dad. "Take my key I'll be home later."

"I'm glad you're safe honey." He said kissing her on her forehead. "And if you hurt my little girl," he said turning to Neal. "Don't think I won't find you."

"Yes Sir, I wouldn't dream of it." Neal said shaking his hand, apprehension shining through his eyes. Eleanor watched as her parents walked out of the bullpen her mother still ranting a raving. "Well…that wasn't so bad." Neal said with a sigh.

"Wasn't so bad? Were you not standing in the same room I was?" Eleanor asked in disbelief. "I was lucky that I didn't get disowned!"

"Give it some time; your mom will come around." He said holding her close.

"Yeah maybe in another five years." Eleanor snorted.

"What can I say; Neal Caffrey is a lot to process."

"You're telling me." She smiled kissing him.

"Ready to go?" he asked taking her hand.

"Can we make a pit stop first?"

"My place?" he asked with a sparkle in his eye that Eleanor knew all too well.

"I think it would be best."

"I love you." he said smiling at her with his most genuine smile. "Have I ever told you that?"

"Once or twice." She smiled back. They walked down to the bull pen and were just about to leave when Agent Burke stopped them.

"Neal, Eleanor, about earlier…"

"Yeah, nice going there Butch." Neal said giving him a playful slap on the back. "Once again your timing is impeccable."

"I'm sorry if I caused any problems."

"Don't worry about it Agent Burke, it was bound to happen sooner or later."

"Yeah," he said with a laugh looking awkward, not really sure how to move on from there.

"Night Peter." Neal said turning on his heel, rolling his eyes at the bumbling agent.

"Thanks again Agent Burke for everything tonight."

"It's my job." He said his smile falling from his face. "We'll catch them, I swear."

"I know you will." She said placing a kiss on his cheek before running out of the bull pen and meeting up with Neal in front of the elevator. She wrapped her arms around his and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Long day huh?"

"Unbelievable long."

A/n: Tell Me what you think!