"Its nice to at least know who the husband is this time before entering the house." Neal joked as he followed Peter through the front door. Peter just turned a glare at him, but kept walking.
"Don't get any ideas kid. I have taken stock of everything in this house, I will know if you take something." Peter said grumpily.
The boys removed their shoes at the front door, and Neal walked ahead of Peter to the kitchen, where Elizabeth was preparing dinner.
It had taken a few hours for the paper work to be settled, so by the time it was all processed, it had been time to head home. Elizabeth had left about an hour before to start on dinner.
"Hey boys, welcome home." Elizabeth said with a smile as she chopped things up and put them in a large pot.
"Its great to be back Mrs. Burke." Neal said with a smile as he sat down on one stool. Peter glared at the kid as he went to the fridge for a beer.
Elizabeth just laughed. "I told you last time, call me Elizabeth. Mrs. Burke is too stuffy. Hey hun." Elizabeth went over to the fridge to give her husband a peck on the cheek.
"So what's for dinner? Can I help?" Neal asked excitedly. Peter just continued to glare at the kid, this time he was leaning against the fridge and drinking a beer.
Elizabeth laughed again. "No, its okay. You are so polite. Why don't you head over to the couch and relax for a few minutes. Dinner should be ready shortly."
Neal nodded and did as he was told. The second Neal disappeared, Elizabeth turned on her husband.
"Stop being so rude." She ordered in a whispered shout. Peter turned his head to face her and a look of surprise was plastered on it.
"Honey I'm trying, but you should have seen him today. He was rude, arrogant, and a huge jerk." Peter said, defending himself.
"Well, I don't care. You are both in my house now, so behave. I won't have this during dinner Peter, or you will sleep on the couch. Go join Neal until dinner is ready, and play nice, or else." Elizabeth threatened, then went to stir her pot.
Peter just sighed and did as he was told. He loved his wife more than anything, but he just didn't feel comfortable having the kid in the house again.
Peter walked into the living room and took a seat in his armchair. Neal was sitting on the couch petting Satchmo, and glancing wearily at Peter.
"I don't here niceness coming from you two!" Elizabeth shouted from the kitchen. Both Peter and Neal had looks of fear in their eyes as they looked at each other.
"So, what's up?" Neal said weakly.
"Nothing much. Just relaxing." Peter responded awkwardly. Silence descended again as both were looking for things to say. "So Neal…"
Neal glanced up from Satchmo. Peter didn't know where he was going with this. "You…. Uh… well is one backpack all you have?"
Peter had noticed this on the way out of the office. He had gone to collect Neal's belongings and had been surprised to see it was only a backpack. He had offered, on the way home, to swing by Neal's place to pick up some clothes, but the kid laughed and told him that he had all he needed.
"Yea, well you guys caught me at a bad time. All my stuff is somewhere, even I don't know." Neal said. It was true, Neal thought, Mozzie probably has been moving his stuff all around the city so it wouldn't be tracked back to the safe house.
"Oh, well we can go out Saturday to look at clothes for you." Peter suggested. Neal nodded absentmindedly.
"So when do I start working for you guys?" Neal asked.
"Well, tomorrow is Friday, and the Bureau wants to sign you up for school, so I think Monday is your first day." Peter mused.
"Wait I have to go to school still?" Neal asked, disbelief crossed his face. "Its dull and I know more than the teachers. Plus none of the other kids will really want to talk to me with this on." Neal lifted up the cuff of his jeans to reveal a sleek black tracking anklet on his ankle.
"Keep it hidden, they won't have to know. And yes, you still need to go to school. It was part of the deal you signed at the office." Peter said, and he took a swing of beer.
Neal had signed a deal at the office, but he hadn't read through it. All he could do now was sigh.
"Well, where am I going?" Neal asked in a defeated tone. "Please tell me I'm not going back to Kandle."
"Nope, your going to one that's only a few blocks from the FBI so you can come in straight after school. I think its called Jefferson." Peter told him. Neal nodded.
"Boys! Dinner is ready!" Elizabeth called from the kitchen. Peter and Neal stood up and hurried over.
Dinner was mainly filled with Elizabeth talking. Peter tried to listen as best as he could, but once Elizabeth mentioned some art, Neal stepped in and had an avid conversation about various artists that Peter didn't know the first thing about.
"The chili was fantastic, thank you Elizabeth." Neal said at the end of the meal as they were clearing dishes.
"Thanks Neal. Peter, why don't you clean up while I go prepare the guest room. Neal, you can help me." Elizabeth said.
The boys nodded and went to do their designated tasks.
Okay guys, three chapters in one night! I know this last one is short, but at least it's up there. Also, I have to be honest. I was about halfway through the chapter before the plane landed. I would have finished but I need to do some research and I wasn't willing to pay for Internet. Sorry guys. That, and I had finals. The plane landed about two weeks ago, and I needed to study and school and just UGGGG.
So here they are! Please review, they encourage me to write.