Past Haunts: Chapter 13

Sorry! I know it's a tiny chapter, but you guys are getting to the end of my rope and I'm really trying to finish up Fragments right now.

Well, at least you get to find out what El saw, right? BTW congrats to Curiosity Cat who hit it right on the nose. :)

Warnings: -_- really guys? you should know the warnings by now...

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

Screamo, El first, Then Peter

After Neal had hung up, and gotten his wits back about him, he set his mind towards the one thing that was purely his and not tainted by Frank, his painting. It soothed him like nothing else, but he could still hear that laugh in the back of his head. To drown it out, he decided to do what he would do if he were back in his own apartment. He took his over shirt off, leaving him in a see through white, under tank. Being without his fancy speakers, he made do with his iPod. He listened to Bach, yes he loved classical music surprise, surprise, but when that didn't work, he turned to his guilty pleasure... screamo.

It had been a long time ago when he listened to it on a regular basis. Now he only brought it out when he didn't want to hear himself think anymore. This was one of those times. Neal cranked the volume, until he was sure he wouldn't be able to hear for a while after he turned the music off. That was fine with him; as long as it helped him focus on the painting.

It helped a great deal. It helped him ignore the ongoing inner dialog in the

in the back of his mind, and sort of smothered the distracting pain in his back. The thought hadn't occurred to Neal that since both Burkes had gone and left him all alone, he could sneak some painkillers. Just the thought of his back brought a small flare of pain still radiating strongly from the black, blue, and scabbed over belt marks. It hurt, but right now the pain just didn't matter to him. He painted right over it like it didn't exist, just how Neal always handled these kind of things. Just paint over it, and it doesn't exist.

So, yes, the music helped him, but it also made him all but deaf to the sound of someone coming in the house. He didn't hear them come up behind him... or the sharp strangled cry they emitted.

Neal finally noticed, when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He nearly jumped through the ceiling. The young man quickly yanked out his ear buds, and jumped up despite his body's protest, clutching his at his chest.

"Jeez, Elizabeth. Give a guy some warning next time you-" He trailed off when he saw her face. It was full of pure horror, and something even more terrifying, pure rage.

"Elizabeth?" He had no idea what had put her into her statuesque state. It wasn't until he looked at the groceries on the floor and saw his shirt in a heap near them that it dawned on him. Elizabeth saw- Oh, no. Please no! She can't see, she can't! Neal wanted to bolt, but he felt frozen to the spot.

He never wanted them to find out, but they had. So the next best thing, had been to never let them see. And now El had and- Oh Gosh! If Peter- He couldn't think straight anymore, could barely move, as he pictured the anger, hurt, betrayal... repulsion, on the agent's face. It was all too much. He didn't even notice when the first tear fell.

Neal heard hesitant footsteps approaching and quickly backed away without looking up from the floor. El broke the silence, and the pain in her voice broke Neal's heart along with it.

"Neal... please-" No! It was too much! He ran, because that's what he always does. Because that was the only way to make it not real. Run away and pretend it's not right behind you. Well, Neal forgot to look right in front of him.

"Neal, I'm hom- OOF! What- Neal?" As Peter was walking through the door, Neal had been trying to run out of it. Peter instinctively locked his arms around the trembling con and held him.

"Neal, what is it? What's wrong?" That was when he heard his wife's shaking breaths, and looked up to see her eyes blazing with anger and pain, and holding Neal's shirt.

"El? You're home? What's wrong? Please. Someone talk to me" Neal's attempts to pull away were weak at best. If Peter were to venture a guess he would say that Neal probably didn't even know he was crying. El still hadn't spoken, and simply followed silently as Peter led Neal to the couch and sat them down. He began to rub comforting circles on Neal's back... but stopped when his hands felt something other than smooth skin, and he heard Neal whimper and flinch.

"Neal, let me see your back." Neal's struggling increased, but Peter now had a firm hold on his wrists. Knowing he would get no cooperation, Peter turned Neal around himself. The young man was like putty in his hands at that point. Peter stared at the marred, quivering back of his son. Pure fury engulfed him.

"I'll kill him."

Again, sorry for the tiny chapter! I'm working on 4 stories at once, give me a break! BTW I've started a CM fic, for any Spencer fans out there, i'll post a little sneak peek soon, so please help me out and let me know what you think!

As always...review!

PS. I love hearing suggestions for directions of stories (like.. IDK what to do with Frank... food for thought). Also I am open to writing stories for people:) Keep in mind I don't do crossovers, slash, or rated M material. Keep it F/M and rated T or below and I'll be happy to give it a go.:)

P.S.S. I must say here, if I do not watch or read, or in general know the book, show, movie, or characters for a story you might suggest, I will turn it down in a desire to not ruin your fav shows and such. I would not want to do them an injustice by screwing them all up. So, sorry if that effects anyone's plans, but feel free to run anything by me, and I will gladly let you know:)