Okay, this is WAY shorter than I had hoped, but I promised an early update if I got enough reviews, and ya'll came through in a big, big way! Clearly the writer me is writing checks that the student me cannot cash. LOL! Hope you enjoy what I have so far!

***I claim no ownership in, around, on, (enter your own preposition here) White Collar***

XOXOXOXO

Less than an hour after Peter had run out the door, he jubilantly returned with prize in hand. Without preamble, he threw the door open and loudly announced, "We're home!"

Satchmo danced and barked happily at his side.

Stepping into the living room, Peter finally noticed Elizabeth trying to shush them. It was too late. Neal had been awakened.

He sat up from his place against Elizabeth's chest and rubbed at his blurry eyes, "What's going on?" He asked thickly in a sleepy, little boy way.

"We're ordering pizza!" Mozzie exclaimed.

This was news to Elizabeth. She looked up at her husband who only shrugged. She smiled back at him. With all the activities of this day they had completely forgotten about making sure the little guys were fed.

"Really? Can I have extra cheese?" Neal asked feeling a bit refreshed after his nap.

Elizabeth smiled and said, "You can have whatever you want on your pizza." She couldn't help but give him a big hug. Looking up at Mozzie, still in Peter's arms, she said, "I'm so glad you're both back with us." Releasing Neal and setting him beside her on the sofa, she reached out to take Mozzie into her lap.

Peter handed him over and then took Neal's hand, "Come on, kiddo. Let's go order some pizzas." Neal hopped up happily. As Peter led him into the kitchen, he looked back at his wife who smiled at him gratefully. She was now free to have a heart-to-heart with Mozzie.

"Moz?" She waited until he looked up at her, "I said some really hurtful things to you today when I was upset."

Mozzie saw the tears well up in the woman's eyes, "It's okay, Elizabeth." Deep down he felt he probably deserved it.

"No, Mozzie, it's not okay. I lashed out at someone I love just because I was frustrated. I hurt you, and that is something I never wanted to do." She wiped away a stray tear. "I am very sorry, Mozzie. I want you to know that no matter how long you need to be here, no matter how long you need someone to take care of you, Peter and I will always be here for you. We love you boys, and there is nothing you two scoundrels can do to change that."

"You love us?" Mozzie was truly taken aback by this bit of news, "You and Peter?"

These questions made Elizabeth sad to think that Mozzie had grown up always suspect of any declaration of love, "Yes, Mozzie. We love you. Both of you. And we want to make sure that you always feel safe with us."

He needed some time to process this, so he changed the subject, "Well, I guess there was a reason you were frustrated," the little boy grudgingly conceded (without actually admitting anything), "but since you're acknowledging that this was your fault, does that mean we won't be punished?"

Elizabeth nearly laughed at his little con, "No, Mozzie, I'm afraid not. You and Neal pushed the boundaries today, and you know it." Mozzie guiltily dropped his eyes to his hands as Elizabeth continued, "Part of our job in helping you to feel safe is to set limits, and you two went far beyond those limits today. You need to face the consequences of your actions."

"But why?" It was nearly a whine, "We never had to before."

"Of course you did, Mozzie." She took his chin in her hand and guided him to look at her, "You were always alone. The one real friend you had was Neal, and did you ever feel like you could absolutely trust him? For fear of being caught you were constantly moving from one place to another, with no ties, no support and no family. These were all consequences." She waited as she watched the little boy process this information.

Peter walked in with Neal still holding his hand, "The pizzas are ordered and should arrive in about 45 minutes, so why don't we take care of today's issues so we can enjoy our dinner when it gets here?"

"Do we have to?" Neal whined.

"Yep." Was Peter's annoyingly simple answer.

"But I –"

He was cut off with a sharp, "No," from Peter.

Neal pointed at Mozzie, "But he –"

"Don't!" Came the pre-emptive reply.

"But –" Once again that warning finger flew up to the little boy's face, "Fine!" It was a frustrating game for Neal since he always lost, but he had to try. Peter actually enjoyed the game - since he always won.

"Good," Peter said. Crouching down to come to eye level with the little ones, he continued, "El and I are very disappointed in your behavior today. What you did was dangerous, and lying to El was unconscionable."

"But we didn't lie!" Neal cried out. "We just didn't tell anyone what we were doing!"

"Neal, you are a 5-year-old boy." He held up a hand stopping the little boy's protest, "You are now," he didn't mention that he suspected Neal was probably closer to being 3 or 4 after today's injection. "El and I are here to protect you, and we expect you to let us do our job."

Mozzie was incensed, "I don't need protection. I can take care of myself."

This was very probably true, but Elizabeth had to ask, "To what extent, Moz?" He looked up at her with questioning eyes, "I mean, you could probably find shelter and steal food, but how happy would you be?"

He dropped his eyes to the coffee table, defeated. His last defense was a pouty, "Still. I could." Elizabeth rubbed his back sympathetically.

"El, will you take care of Mozzie while I take Neal up to the bedroom?" Peter asked.

Elizabeth nodded with a resolute grimace. She was really not looking forward to this, but it was better to get it over with now than to delay the inevitable. They watched as Peter dragged a resistant Neal toward the stairs.

"Come on Peter. You don't have to do this. I won't do it again. I promise."

Peter stopped, turned back to look at his charge and almost seemed like he was about to give in. Neal flashed him a glorious smile when he thought he had won, only to be swept up into Peter's strong arms and carried, crying, "Noooo! Peeeterrrrr!" To his room.

Once they were alone, Elizabeth sternly asked, "Are there any questions before we take care of your behavior today, young man?"

Mozzie faltered. Normally, he would have much to say in the way of stalling, but this new tone of Elizabeth's entertained no dallying from him. He swallowed hard, and answered, "No, Ma'am. I fully understand why."

"Then let's get this over with." Standing Mozzie on his feet beside her, Elizabeth took his pants and underwear down as he removed his glasses and set them on the coffee table. She noted that his old glasses were entirely too big for his face now. Why hadn't she noticed this before? Tomorrow, they would have to do something about it.

Elizabeth picked him up and laid him across her knees. Raising her hand, she smacked it down hard across both cheeks. The little boy yelped, "Ouch! Elizabeth, that hurt!" Several more smacks followed without mercy. It was just starting to dawn on Mozzie just how serious she was about all of this.

She started to lecture as the spanking continued, "You let Neal go off by himself today, Mozzie. I don't expect you to be able to stop him when he gets an idea like that in his head, but I do expect you to let me or Peter know if he plans to do something that could potentially get him hurt – or worse. Keeping that information from us and covering up for him is tantamount to lying, young man."

"Yes, Ma'am! I'm sorrrry! I'll never do it again! Please, Elizabeth! I promissssssse!"

Elizabeth stopped after she had landed about sixteen spanks. She had painted his butt a light pink and decided this was enough for a first offense – at least the first under her care, she thought. Besides, Mozzie was crying pathetically into the couch cushion. She replaced his pants, lifted him up and held him to her chest.

He wrapped his arms around her neck and cried into her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth rubbed his back and soothed, "It's all over now, kiddo. All is forgiven." She continued to rub his back as he began to calm to sniffles.

XOXOXOXO

I'm sure the next chapter's contents will not surprise anyone now. Hee Hee! I'll try to have that up in a few days (ya know, once I write it).

Thanks for reading, and double thanks for reviewing!