Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to Jeff Eastin, USA Network et al. This is for fun, no copyright infringement is intended.
Unfinished Business
Elizabeth has been on three dates with Special Agent Peter Burke when her allergy to birds becomes too much and she has to give away her beloved pair of American Parakeets.
She tried so hard to avoid it but her eyes were burning whenever she was in her apartment, the cough had started to hurt and her doctor had told her in no uncertain terms that she was on the best way to develop some kind of asthma if she didn't do something about the situation. She has had them for two years and it feels like loosing a child; which is kind of ridiculous because it's not like they died or something just that the animal shelter will have to find them a new home. Still, it is a home not here and that evening she sits on the couch and cries softly to herself after canceling dinner plans with Peter. And considering his typically male, uncomprehending "because of your parakeets?" as reaction to her telling him why she is not in the mood (to which she hangs up on him) she guesses unkindly that it is probably good riddance.
Shortly after eight he is at the door with pizza and beer and though she can see her tears secretly freak him out he stays.
They settle down on the couch, slowing snuggling closer together as she speaks about how much she always wanted to have these birds and how happy she was when she finally got them and curses the unfairness of it all. And her emotional klutz of a just-about-boyfriend, who's so hopeless at flirting, simply listens to her; with an earnestness and solid presence that soothes her heart. He doesn't try to outdo her pain by coming up with some "I once lost something too" story; he doesn't belittle it with old platitudes of the "It will all get better with time" kind. He's just there. Calm. Understanding. At one point almost shyly sneaking an arm around her and talking about this (an old case) and that (baseball) when she's ready for it.
It is there, with her head on his shoulder and a can of beer in her hand, that she truly realizes that this might be something to last. After all – it would be crazy to let go of a man with such great bedside manners, now wouldn't it?