Past Haunts: Chapter 4

Chapter 4! Yipeeeee! So many people like this story, and it makes me smiel every time I see the # of reviews and favs.:) Thanks so much for your support!

This chapter is for the people who wanted Mozzie to tell Peter. :) It makes me happy whenever someone wants something to happen next and I already have it written like that. :) Here you go!

Warnings: Oh! and don't kill me! Has Neal whumpage, and some mentions of past non con. as stated above, never anything desrciptive. Read these warnings BEFORE you read please!

Disclaimer: I don't own white collar, just this plot line and OC. *sigh*

So, what will Peter do to protect his son? Will he get Neal to tell him the truth?

Peter was getting into his car when his phone rang. He assumed it was El wondering where the heck he was, and was surprised to find he didn't recognize the number.

"Burke." For a moment there was nothing but anxious breathing, and Peter had it in mind to hang up on the creepy breathing perv.

"Suit." Oh. Peter rolled his eyes. It was Mozzie, and he was paranoid about something, as per usual. Peter was about to chew Mozzie out if he was calling to tell him about an Aluminati treasure hidden under the city, then he paused. Mozzie never called him. He only ever called El.

"Haversham. What is it?" There was another pause, and Peter could almost see the bald man debating what to tell the agent.

"It's about Neal. I think something bad is going on. I don't know much, but I'm pretty sure someone from Neal's old life is back. Peter, this guy is dangerous, and you know I would rather walk into prison than call you about something." Peter just sat there. Here was his suspicions being confirmed by the person Neal knew the longest and confided the most in, and he didn't even know where to start.

"Look, Neal is coming over to my house for dinner tonight, and I was going to have El help me talk to him. He came into work today sporting a black eye and a limp and made up some story about it being a robbery." Peter sighed and rubbed his face. "If he won't give El and I anything, I'll call you tomorrow night."

A slightly shaky breath responded followed by, "Alright, Suit. But be wary of the thin ice you tread. If this is the guy I think it is, and he's staying with Neal? Just... hurry." Peter hung up the phone and gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. He finally left the garage and tried to school his expression as he later pulled up in front of his house. His wife greeted him at the door with hands on her hips but a deep concern in her eyes. Peter knew that his eyes could rival hers with equal concern, but as they heard Neal approach, they filed it away for later.

The Burke Home

"Peter, what took you so long? I thought El and I were going to have to feed your dinner to Satchmo." Neal put on his patented smile. His black eye was still as prominent as this morning, though and threw the carefree look off slightly. Peter forced himself not to stare at it and let his wife berate him some before heading towards the kitchen table.

"I know. I know. Hughes pulled me into his office right when I was about to leave, and I couldn't get away." Not an outright lie. Neal was rubbing off on him a bit too much. El just rolled her eyes and smiled.

"This is what I get for marrying a super hero; late nights and lukewarm dinners." Neal rolled his eyes like a teenager.

"Ugh. Could you two keep the married couple flirting at a minimum tonight?" Peter just shot him a look, and the young man quieted. El left briefly before returning with an amazing smelling vegetable casserole. Neal's eyes brightened, and his stomach growled. He glanced up quickly to see if either of the Burke's had heard it, and inwardly sighed with relief that they apparently hadn't. He hadn't eaten in a while, and didn't want Mrs. Burke fussing over him for it.

Charming Con and Running Again

"As per usual, Elizabeth, the meal was amazing." El smiled.

"And as your per usual, Neal, your welcome, you snake charmer." Neal's grin widened. He heard the clock chime and his face fell almost imperceptibly. If Peter hadn't chased him and worked with him for years now, he wouldn't have noticed.

"You can stay, Neal. El made desert." Neal looked hopeful but the clock chimed again, urging him to take his leave.

"Sorry, it's way past bedtime. I must depart. See you at work, Peter." Peter and El shared a look, and Peter called Neal back from the door.

"Wait, Neal! We... uh... we wanted to talk to you about something." Neal paused but turned back towards the dinner table and reentered the room.

"You just can't stand letting me go. I think you getting obsessed, Peter. It isn't healthy." The con man's attempt to lighten the suddenly stifling mood fell flat.

"Look, Neal, about this morning.."

"What about it? If this is about the prison threat, then Peter you should calm down. I was messing with you. I didn't take it personally like you think I do everyday you say it." There it was. That Caffrey smile. Peter saw it, and for once, instead of parental-like frustration, it made him sad. Sad that his little brother was trying to hide pain from him.

"Neal, you know that's not what he's talking about." Neal's blue eyes shot to El who was now crossing the room to reclaim her seat between Peter and Neal. The con man did what he could. He dropped his head in 'shame' and started picking invisible lint off of his impeccable suit.

"I know. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Peter." The agent looked at him suspiciously, not buying his act for a minute.

"I forgot to put cream in Hughes's coffee this morning." Neal glanced up and smiled like Puck from Shakespeare's play. Peter was starting to get frustrated, but, luckily, El took the reins.

"Neal, this is serious. What really happened to your face? We all know it wasn't some random mugging." She reached out to stroke Neal's face like a worried mother would, and was surprised when Neal flinched back.

"N-Neal?" Neal didn't miss the hurt look that flashed in El's eyes, and it made his heart ache.

"Sorry. Still stings." He tried his hand at a apologetic smirk, but it fell dead on his lips when he caught the look Peter was shooting him, one of pain, sadness, some pity, and rage.

"Peter, I-" He was cut off by a silently raised hand.

"Don't even, Neal. Don't even try. I know enough now." Neal's eyes widened, but before he could reply, his phone buzzed. It was a text.

You're late. He quickly stood to take his leave, refusing to meet either of the Burkes' eyes.

"Sorry, but I have to go." As he headed for the door, he heard the sound of a chair scraping back across the floor.

"Wait, Neal, don't-" Neal involuntarily cried out as a strong grip grasped his upper arm in an attempt to stop him. The grip quickly disappeared and, without looking back, he practically ran out the house.

"Neal!" Peter knew it was too late as soon as he let go of his friend's arm. He paused at the doorway, watching a dark silhouette hurry down the sidewalk. He sighed heavily, closed the door, and dropped his head into his hands once seated next to his wife again.

"I have to call Mozzie. This is bad. Whatever this is, it's bad."

No, Neal! Tell Peter! Don't run again! But he did, because that's what Neal does.

Well? What will Mozzie say? Tune in next week to find out;) R&R please:)