Details: I LOVE YOU GUYS SO FREAKING MUCH
Summary: Summary: While working on a case involving a child trafficker, Peter gets an unexpected surprise on his doorstep. The adventures of our favourite little con as a child! :)
Disclaimer: Like a diamond necklace, I do not own White Collar.
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"I can't believe it." Jones said. Watching while Neal giggled as he bounced up and down on Diana's knee. The little boy was extremely happy with all the attention he was receiving from the agents. Even the gorgeous receptionists loved the tiny fedora and stuffed lab-toting consultant.
"What, that Atlin turned into him into a kid?" Diana said, holding Neal under his armpits, and tucking him into her chest. The little guy's eyes began drooping closed and he was fighting to keep them open to avoid missing any other adoration.
"No, that he could charm people even he was little!" Jones said shaking his head as it rested on his hand. "And that hat, did Elizabeth find it?" He looked at Peter over his shoulder.
Peter laughed. "Yeah, I don't know how she did. But that's Elle!"
Diana reached for the puppy dog sitting on the table and handed it to the sleepy Neal.
His little mouth formed a yawn. "I tired, Pe-er." He whispered, stretching his arms before attaching himself to Diana's jacket lapels. The brown haired agent smiled in spite of herself. She rocked him slowly as he snuggled into his puppy.
"I know buddy. We are almost done here." Peter said, picking up the manila folder and rifling through it. His eyes raked over the file, trying in vain to find something that they missed. He slammed it onto the table, which sent papers flying. He cursed internally, and began picking up the papers.
Reese Hughes walked into the conference room, and leaned forward onto table and strared down the agents.
"We have a lead on the location of Josef Atlin. Half an hour ago, and anonymous tipster contacted the APB hotline and gave us an address to an old abandoned warehouse building. I want you, Jones and Barragin on stakeout tonight. Let's bring this bastard to justice." The older chief didn't seem to notice the con sleeping in Diana's arms.
"Sir, what about Caffrey." Peter asked, gesturing to Diana.
"Bring him along." Hughes replied in his raspy voice.
"Sir with all due respect, he is a little young to be going on stakeout. I mean, what are we going to do if we find this guy and have to take him down? We can't leave him in the truck, he could get hurt or captured!" Peter asked, rising out of his chair.
"Huh. Leave him at home with Elizabeth." Hughes said, walking out of the room, rubbing his balding head.
Peter sighed. "Diana, I don't wanna move him. Do you think that…"
"Sure boss, I can take him home. I know the way." Diana said, gathering him up from the chair. She walked slowly out the door, heels scuffing across the floor as she headed towards the door.
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Neal slept soundly as Diana drove towards the Burke household. She had removed her jacket and draped it over him to use as a blanket. She smiled as she looked in her rearview and saw the boy with his mouth semi open and hair falling over his eyes. She parked in front of the pretty cottage and got out of the car. She opened the door to the backseat stared at the boy for a moment. She proceeded to scoop him into her arms and nestle him against her peach coloured shirt. She walked up to the door and knocked on it with her free hand.
Elizabeth answered the door, her bright blue eyes shining. "Hi Agent Barrigan. Have you come to drop off Neal?" She asked, holding the door open to her home.
She gestured to the child. "Yes. Peter's setting up for the stakeout tonight. He would have brought him home but Hughes' order. He told me sorry to tell you sorry he couldn't be here." She held out Neal towards Elle.
"Do you want to come in for some coffee?" She asked, encircling her arms around Neal in a motherly fashion.
"Oh, that's alright Mrs. Burke. I have got to go and help out. Have fun with Neal." She said.
"Well thanks Diana." She said, her face a bit sad she shut the oak door as the agent turned her back and headed down the stairs.
Elle went back into her house, and walked slowly up the stairs. She smiled at the baby wrapped warmly in Diana's suit jacket. She hit the top of the staircase and padded towards the guest room. She had set up a small pack-n-play into the bed-less room. There were a few bears and such inside, as well as a blanket placed neatly inside, waiting to warm her small child. She laid the boy down carefully and tucked him into the velvety blue blanket giving him Satchmo to hug on.
"Ell-e?" A weary voice called.
She turned to see Neal sitting up in his bed, leaning on his elbows.
"Hey, honey. Go back to sleep, I sit with you until you do." She said, whispering softly.
"Will you tell me a sto-ry?" He asked, settling himself back down.
She smiled again. "Sure." She sat down, looking at him through the mesh fabric of the cradle.
She sighed, pondering possibilities. "Alright. Here we was once a smart, powerful knight named Sir Peter Burkes-alot. He lived in a tiny kingdom on a tiny island known as York. He was searching, desperately trying to find his friend the jester Neal Caf-happy, who was on the run for making the princess, Lady Diana, cry. King Hughes had ordered everyone in the kingdom to find the jester and bring him to the castle where he would be banished into the dungeon. But Sir Peter wanted to find his friend, and help him. So Sir Peter went on a long and hard journey, encountering dragons and demons that threatened to stop him from continuing, but Sir Peter powered on, the will to find his friend burning deep inside him." She watched the little boy's eyes slide closed. She felt the smile return. She stood up and leaned into the crib, stroking the boy's hair lovingly as she pulled the blanket around him.
"Elle, will you fin-ish? I wanna know what happens to Sir Peter!" He mumbled, blinking his blue eyes.
"Okay. I finish the story, and then you go sleep. Promise?" She said sitting back down.
He nodded, and turned onto his side.
"Where were we?" Ok, Sir Peter came across a cave dimly lit by a candle light. He entered, and drew his sword, using it as a guide, by bouncing the light off the silvery metal. He walked slowly, holding onto the stones so he wouldn't trip and hurt himself. He came across his friend, the jester Neal." Neal giggled when he heard his name again. Elle laughed with him. "He was grungy, his clothes tattered, and he had a cut on his forehead, but he was extremely happy to see his friend. They hugged, and devised a plan to convince King Hughes that it wasn't jester Neal that caused Lady Diana to cry, yet it was a speck of dust in her eye. The pair trekked back to the kingdom, keeping each other company with Neal's jokes and Sir Peter's laughter. When they reached their destination, jester Neal was thrown into the dark dungeon for three long days and nights. During this time, Sir Peter fought hard for the release of his good friend, explaining his theory day after day. He rose early to meet the king bright and early and stayed into the final hours of the night. He displayed genuine love and devotion for his friend. Finally, Lady Diana admitted it was dust, and jester Neal was released. Sir Peter and jester Neal lived happily ever after in their kingdom, full of laughter and happiness and chocolate chip pancakes. The end."
By that time Neal had fallen asleep, his fist curled against the blue blanket, and stuffed dog. She kissed him on his forehead, and slipped out quietly.
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Who is sad about the In Plain Sight fifth and final season? I AM! I AM GOING TO SUFFER IPS WITHDRAWL!
By the way, REVIEW :)