Chapter 5

"So Jones scared you today?" asked Peter after Neal reported in.

"Not him personally, only the fact that an FBI agent was going to be there and I was afraid my cover could be blown. And then he just had to tell them about James Bonds," grumbled Neal.

Peter smiled and realized just how young Neal was sounding. "Did you notice anyone getting nervous at Jones' lecture on forgeries?"

"I don't know if they were nervous, but they seemed interested in what was being said and exchanged glances throughout his talk. Especially when he brought out the two fifty dollar bills, one fake and the other real. That got their attention right away and they were still talking after class was over," reported Neal.

"Who were they?"

"Laura Powers and her boyfriend, Gus Brewer," replied Neal.

Peter glanced at Diana who hurried off to check the two out. "Anything else you want to share about school?"

"Yeah my art history teacher is still an ass and our assignment in our sketching class is to forge something and then to bring the forged item along with the model for comparison. This is due a week from today," Neal replied innocently.

"What are you going to forge, Neal?" asked Peter with bated breath.

"If I can get my 'old man' to lend me a fifty dollar bill, I thought I would forge that," Neal replied insolently.

"Watch it 'son', or I might have to borrow your 'mother's' wooden spoon to spank that insolence out of you," Peter replied seriously, causing Neal to blush with embarrassment and to get quiet quickly. He didn't speak again until he was alone with Peter.

"Peter, you wouldn't actually do that to me?" Neal asked quietly as Peter was studying some papers.

"Do what?" Peter replied as he looked up from his notes and catching Neal's look of embarrassment. "You mean spank you?"

Neal nodded unable to actually speak about the subject.

"If it kept you from doing any of your fool hearted and dangerous stunts, I wouldn't hesitate to give you a thrashing that you wouldn't forget for some time.

Neal, what you don't seem to understand is that we care for you and we don't want to lose you. It is obvious to us that you have never been taken in hand and disciplined in that manner because I assure you that if you had, you wouldn't have gone into a life of crime. You see it comes to a matter of caring, and whether you like it or not when I caught you and you eventually became my CI, you also became El and my surrogate son and we will do anything, even spank you, to keep you safe. Now son, are you ready to go home. I can't wait to see what your mother has fixed for supper," explained Peter as he put his papers in his brief case while Neal quickly wiped his eyes. He had never been told before that he was cared for or loved.

"Coming…Neal?" Peter asked quietly.

"Yes… let me grab my books first…" and with that Neal followed Peter to the elevator.

"Well, 'Dad' can I have a fifty dollar bill for my assignment?" Neal asked at the dining table.

"Have?"

"I mean borrow a fifty dollar bill?" corrected Neal with his patent smile.

"I'm considering it; haven't made my mind up yet," replied Peter as he glanced at the boy.

"Fifty dollar bill? What are you two talking about?" asked El curiously.

"It's for an assignment 'Mom', and 'Dad' doesn't seem to trust me with it," explained Neal in a hurt tone.

"It's not that I don't trust you with the money, it's what it might cause you to do afterwards," admitted Peter.

"You think that once I forge the bill it's going to make me pursue my old ways?" asked Neal understanding at once.

"Yep…that's exactly what I'm afraid of. Will it Neal?"

"I don't know," replied Neal honestly, "but I now know that if he does, you will be there to guide me in the right direction."

Peter nodded and said, "Let me think it over; I'll let you know within the hour. Now let us finish this delicious meal that El has made."