The Life of Riley Burke
Riley Burke, the eight-year-old niece of special agent Peter Burke was exhausted. Part of her wondered if she was lost, but after shaking her head in an attempt to clear it, she was fairly certain she recognized at least one if not two landmarks she remembered from her occasional short stay with her aunt and uncle.
She was so cold, correction, her brain wouldn't let her state anything other than the facts at the moment. She was like her uncle in that respect. Things could always change like they usually did, as she only thought she was cold till the rain started, adding even more discomfort to her 80-something-degree body temperature. At least she thought it might be that low, the temperatures outside certainly were, and dropping with every hour. Hitting an index of most likely 45 at the moment.
She long before wrapped her arms around her to try and ward off the cold. She was kicking herself for not wearing a coat, or even a slicker suit as the rain had long ago soaked through the black hoodie and jeans she was wearing. Knowing if the cold got into her chest, she would be in the hospital with pneumonia. But her chest wasn't the problem at the moment. It was her mind, it was a foggy mess and only added to the pain and discomfort she was feeling. With the intense pressure behind her eyes and the overwhelming feeling of dizziness, she could feel herself slowly succumbing to fatigue, and on the brink of passing out completely.
She had been walking and walking. Mile after mile, hour after hour, for what seemed like forever. And just when she didn't think she could take another step, she stopped. She was there. The large gray townhouse in Brooklyn, she deemed a safe house. It wasn't the house, no matter how nice it was. It was the people in it.
She knocked, and a dark-haired man in a pair of jeans with a dark green long-sleeve shirt, sleeves pulled up midway, appearing as if he was enjoying his night at home, opened the door.
"Neal," Peter wasn't even paying attention to who was standing in front of him. "I already told you, I'm not taking you to the exhibit at the museum. And no amount of whining and complaining is," he started to say but cut himself off rather abruptly when he yelled.
"Riley!" He was all but shocked when he realized the child, who lived a little more than three hours away from him was standing on his doorstep. Not only at this time of night, but also on a night such as this in the cold rain, and alone.
"Pete," she started to say when her cloudy green eyes met his same familiar brown ones but glassed over when they settled on him, collapsing the second she took a step forward.
Peter was quick, catching her just seconds before she hit the ground.
"El!" He yelled, carrying her through the open doorway, using his foot to close the door behind him, before placing her gently on the couch.
"Peter, who?" She started to ask when she saw the child. "Riley," she rushed to her husband's side.
"What? Who?" She started to ask the same questions running through her husband's head. As to why the girl was alone and that far from home.
"I don't know," Peter shook his head, worriedly. "But there must be something wrong."
"We'll worry about that once we get Riley checked out at the hospital," El couldn't hide the worry in her voice.
"We can't take her like this," Peter gestured at her with his hand, when he noticed her shiver.
"I'll see if I can find her something to wear," Elizabeth hurried up the stairs, hoping to find the pair of pants she left the last time she stayed, along with one of Peters's old gray hooded FBI sweatshirts.
Peter, in the meantime, immediately started to strip the wet clothes from her, as she was all but drenched from the rain, before pulling the blanket they kept on the back of the couch and wrapping it snuggly around between the two of them, it was only a matter of minutes before they had her dressed and loaded into the backseat of the car, Elizabeth proceeding by rubbing warmth and feeling into the girl's feet while Peter turned the heater on high and drove them straight to the nearest hospital.
Having called the hospital before their arrival, there was a team ready and waiting to assist the Burkes. El followed as far as she was allowed, while Peter was left with a clipboard of paperwork to fill out regarding his niece. Most of the questions were fairly simple to answer, such as address, date of birth, and social security number. The information he already kept in his phone, considering the amount of time she spent with them.
Unfortunately, he had no idea where his brother or sister-in-law were, with neither of them answering their phones, and after setting up an APB on the two, but had yet to hear a word back. It wasn't a hard decision as to who to list as her emergency contact, knowing he and El were some of the only immediate family however was the easy part, he had no idea if she was allergic to anything, or if she was currently on any medications. He seriously doubted that last part, but that didn't keep him from wondering.
He had just returned the forms to the front desk when the receptionist handed him one more sheet, mentioning the fact that since the child was a minor, he needed to provide proof that he was indeed her uncle, for them to allow her to leave with him. Then again, with the situation as it was, and him being the one to bring her in, as well as being FBI. He was able to receive a waiver.
By the time Peter returned to his seat, waiver-released paper placed securely in his pocket, Elizabeth was there waiting for him, preparing to settle in for a long night. She glanced through a magazine of better homes and gardens, although she had to admit she wasn't paying much attention to it, seriously doubting she read even one word in the many articles that accompanied the pictures. After playing a game on her phone for several minutes, she finally resolved to rest her head against her husband's shoulder while he sipped at a styrofoam cup of coffee he held in one hand and scrolled through his emails with the other.
He had tried multiple times to get El to go home and get some sleep, promising to call her just as soon as he heard something, but she was quick to refuse. Saying she would stay until she was able to talk to the doctor face to face and place a kiss on the child she always found herself worrying so much about, the current moment being even worse as even though she was physically there with them, she worried about hypothermia, pneumonia settling in her lungs and a whole lot of other things, including her brother in law.
"Have you tried calling Michael?"
"I've called, I've texted, I've left voicemails, and filed a missing persons report."
"Anything?"
Peter didn't say anything, but he did shake his head wearily.
"Do you think?" El asked hesitantly, taking his hand in hers.
"I don't know," was all Peter could think to say. But in his heart, something told him his brother was gone. And it had to do with whatever he was involved in. Peter had his suspicions, that it had to do with a level of corruption Michael hadn't been prepared to deal with when he and Natalie took new jobs at a production plant, in hopes of making more money.
Unfortunately, from what Peter was able to gather by looking into the plant's producers, managers, and other higher-ups, he had a feeling there was a case of disappearance, which they liked to call mistaken identity, along with a case of homicide, they called the wrong place, wrong time. Instead of just making more money, however, it appeared to Peter, his brother and sister, and law were taken into confidence, involving them in several other things Peter tried to look into, outside the book, considering it was not only outside his jurisdiction but outside his line of work. Leaving him in the dark, aside from pulling a few strings and speaking to the police department in their jurisdiction. But again, things were buried practically 6 feet deep so to speak.
About an hour or so later, the doctor who treated her approached. They were assured, that her body temperature was slowly beginning to improve and that as long as they kept it regulated and from experiencing any more long bouts of frigid temperatures, along with a great deal of rest, food, and fluids, seeing as she was dehydrated, she should be fine.
Both Peter and Elizabeth let out a breath of relief when they heard the news. Pleased that even though she was resting. Now that they got her moved into her room they could see her.
They found their young niece fast asleep, dressed in a hospital gown that was at least one size too big, at least two blankets settled atop her, and an IV sticking out of her hand.
"She looks so small," El ran a hand up and down the girl's arm. Wiping a few stray tears that slipped down her face.
"She's going to be fine," Peter assured her, stretching out as best he could in the single armchair. "Rest, warmth, food, and fluids. I think we can manage that well enough."
"I can't believe she came all this way on her own," El couldn't imagine a child doing that. Let alone, one so young.
"I intend to question her about that," Peter shifted, in the uncomfortable seat, before hunching over just enough to rest his chin on the palm of his hand.
"Don't be too hard on her Peter," El moved to stand next to him. "Something had to have happened for her to take such drastic measures in coming here."
"I don't want to say I hope so," Peter was speaking of his brother and what it would mean for his young niece. "But on the other hand, Michael did say she's a bit of a wild card when it comes to exploring outside her home."
"I know neither one of us knows much about children," Elizabeth admitted, saying first of all. "But on the other hand, can we blame her for being upset with the card life through her when it comes to her parents hardly ever being at home?"
"I don't know," Peter shook his head. "I just can't get over the fact that my niece. My eight-year-old niece for that matter, decides to walk out the door of her home for no ample reason."
WCWCWC
After much persuasion from her husband, El was convinced to go home and get some rest. Peter said there was no point in both of them being there, considering the girl would be sleeping for quite a while with the meds they gave her through her IV.
Also adding, that Riley would probably be awake the following day and need one of them to be conscious. Or at least partially conscious, considering the circumstances.
Peter shifted uncomfortably in the squeaky plastic chair. One whose footrest didn't come out nearly as far as he wanted or needed, causing his knees to settle somewhere around the end of the armrests. He tried making himself comfortable, and after what seemed like an hour, and as comfortable as he figured he could get, he finally managed to doze off in a fit of restless sleep.
The child awoke several hours later when she found herself in a private hospital room, her uncle slumped in the chair next to her, lightly dozing.
"I made it," she whispered to herself. Yet it was loud enough to wake Peter.
"Riley," Peter was up and by her side in an instant.
"How do you feel?" He placed a hand on her forehead.
"Tired," she yawned. "Cold, but other than that, okay I guess. Why?"
"A couple of hours ago, you collapsed in my arms. Cold, and soak and wet."
"That doesn't mean you had to bring me here," a pouty look crossed her face as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "I'm not a fan of hospitals. They're always trying to poke you with something." She pointed at her hand, hence the IV.
"You were unconscious and your body temperature was a little lower than 98.6," he said sarcastically.
"But I don't want to be here," she whined, shifting uncomfortably in the hospital bed.
Peter knew she was upset, but he gave her a small smile, before hugging her. Not realizing until now how worried he was about her.
"Now do you want to tell me what you were doing outside, alone and three hours away from home? Because I'm not happy about finding my eight-year-old niece out in that kind of weather."
Riley could tell, just by the tone he was using, that he was speaking the truth regarding not being thrilled, but that didn't keep her from trying to lighten the mood with her next statement.
"But, I'm fine Peter. All warmed up and ready to go."
"Nice try, but they want to keep you a bit longer for observation. And for the record, if you pull another stunt like this, then I'll have my own way to warm you up that doesn't have anything to do with a hospital, but will have everything to do with applying something you won't particularly care for to your butt."
"You're not my dad, Peter. You're my uncle."
"Which makes no difference to me," Peter said emphatically. "And you know it," he pointed at her. "If you put your life in danger, I'll put your butt in danger."
"Yes Sir," she nodded. Already learning from past experiences that he didn't make idle threats when it came to discipline. Recalling how merely a month and a half ago, Peter and Elizabeth came and spent a long weekend at her house as her parents, Peters's elder brother Michael and his sister in law Natalie had plans out of town.
At least so they said, the three remaining behind, having their doubts. Then again, that wasn't the point. At least not at the time. Michael had warned them that it wouldn't be unlike Riley, to disappear for a couple hours. Peter was sure to warn her, that that wouldn't fly while they were there.
Riley of course had to test him, which resulted in a very sore behind. He hadn't used any form of application, so to speak, other than his hand, but that didn't mean it wasn't left burning. Him being sure to warn her then that if she ran off again without a good reason when staying with him, she would not like the consequences.
"Riley," Peter softened. "I don't want to ever go through something like this again. You really had your aunt and I worried."
"I'm sorry Peter," the girl allowed the tears to stream down her face. "I was scared and didn't know what else to do."
"Tell me what happened," he wiped the tears away with the handkerchief he pulled from his pocket. Before climbing onto the bed next to her. Sensing her need to have him close.
"I haven't seen or heard from my parents in almost two days. I think something happened to them."
Peter's eyes widened, trying to keep the shock from appearing on his face as he realized his brother was more than likely dead.
"Why didn't you call the police?" He asked once he was certain his voice wouldn't crack in a show of grief.
"Because they would have made me stay with my Aunt Karen, and I don't like her, and she doesn't like me," she said bluntly, crossing her arms in front of her chest in a defiant manner.
"You could have had them call me and I would have come to get you," Peter sighed, running a hand through his hair frustrated at the mere thought of what could have happened to the girl on the long trip over.
"I don't have a phone or your number memorized, she tried to justify her reasoning.
"Riley," Peter shook his head. "They could have called the bureau."
"I was scared," she shrugged. "I hadn't seen or heard from Mom and Dad and figured they must have gotten into some kind of trouble."
"And the only thing you could think of was to get somewhere safe," Peter interpreted.
"I figured it was about time I disappeared on my own and made them worry in case they did come back," this time there was a hint of sarcasm and an unmistakable amount of ire in her tone.
"Are you trying to get me to change my mind on punishment?" He tried to appear stern, but they both knew he wasn't serious. Yet, he felt like he had to say something. Too afraid she would turn on the waterworks, which was something Peter was never good with dealing with.
"Oh come on Peter, we both know Dad told you I roamed."
"I'm just glad you're safe." Sure Peter didn't deal with a bunch of hardened criminals, such as serial killers and having to deal with homicide cases. But he was still in law enforcement, and he knew the things that could happen to innocent people.
Riley exhaled, not saying anything at first. Her brain bounced from one thing to another. Peter and Elizabeth had a lot of rules anytime she stayed with them, then again, she guessed that's why she liked staying with them. They cared about what she did. Her parents were usually too busy, and if that wasn't the case, half the time they were gone themselves. Her mom's sister Karen was an entirely different story. Always going from one extreme to the other. Either hovering and getting mad at her at the drop of the hat or leaving her completely alone so she could party. Any way you looked at it, her aunt and uncle remained the same and were ultimately her best option for help. And it didn't hurt that her uncle worked for the FBI.
"Do you know anything about my parents?" She finally asked the question she had been pondering since she awoke. She wasn't prone to tears or especially cared for them. Another simple way she was like her uncle. Despite the fact, she looked more like him than she did either one of her parents.
Peter sighed, unsure of how to respond. He didn't exactly have a whole lot of experience when it came to talking to children. Especially, when it came to the job. The only child he was ever typically around was Riley, and he didn't think she could be counted as average, especially considering the remainder of his family always said how much the two favored and acted alike.
"Not entirely, no." He wished with everything in him that El was there to help soften the blow when she asked if he thought they were gone.
"Do you?" She started to ask the question he anticipated when God answered his silent prayer and his wife walked in.
"I couldn't sleep, so I," El spoke. Surprising them both when she pushed the door open and noticed the pained expression on her husband's face, and the twisted look of anxiety on the child's.
"What's wrong?" Elizabeth froze, concern etched in her eyes.
"Peter was about to tell me he thinks Mom and Dad are dead," she said bluntly.
El's eyes widened, giving her husband a stern look. One he, unfortunately, knew quite well.
"I said I didn't know," Peter corrected her statement. Trying to pick up for himself.
"Cut the crap, Peter. You and my dad are nothing alike. So it seriously wouldn't surprise me if he got himself and my mom killed in the process."
"Riley," El was the first to speak, in a corrective tone. "We understand you're hurt and confused by this. But you know better than to talk to your uncle with such disrespect."
"Peter," Riley started to complain, in almost a whiny tone of voice.
"Usually," he raised a hand to silence her. "I wouldn't be so open with stating facts or even theories," he said pointedly. "But I'm willing to for two reasons. One," he held up a finger. "I think you can handle it. And two," he held up a second finger. "Because you're my niece and I can level with you."
"I think so too," Riley didn't need him to say anything further, yet for some strange reason, she wanted his confirmation. It made it feel more real, yet it also meant change, and as much as she loved her parents, change was something she needed.
"What's going to happen when I get out of here?" Riley ran her upper teeth, over her lower lip, in an anxious fashion.
"We'll be going straight home so you can get some rest," her aunt El answered for them.
"No," Riley deferred. "I want to go home. I need to see for myself, so to speak."
"Riley, you just got here. And you could have gotten yourself killed in the process." Elizabeth was sure to add her form of displeasure. "Your uncle will call the police department and see if they know anything."
"I did what I had to," Riley stood her ground. "I came to find Peter."
"Surely, that's not the only reason," El rubbed the child's back in both an affectionate and comforting mechanism.
"It was safe," her voice was low, as she let out a long sigh.
Elizabeth copied the gesture, before fully engulfing the girl in her arms, as she and Peter exchanged glances. The appearance on his face showed he had come to a decision, and it was one Riley would be in favor of as he, himself, felt as if he needed to see for himself. Memories of his brother, echoing in his mind. At least until his thoughts, immediately switched to that of his niece, realizing, that the child was most likely an orphan, and other than his parents, he was her only family left, leaving him and Elizabeth the most likely candidates to obtain guardianship.
"We all need to try and get some sleep," Peter finally managed to find his voice. "I don't know what we're going to find when we get there, or how long we'll be gone, so we'll pick up Neal and get on the road."
It was extremely early, the following morning when the discharge papers came through, making it obvious to Peter and Elizabeth that they needed the room, based on the hour the papers came through.
With Elizabeth escorting Riley through the hospital, Peter drove the car up to the front of the hospital, while placing a call into his CI.
"I'm innocent Peter," was the first thing Neal mumbled, followed by something incoherent, at least to Peter.
"Neal!" Peter said with a bit more force.
"I have a witness," Neals's voice was groggy. "My bed, I've been in it for at least 4-5 hours."
"Get up, we're coming to get you. We'll be there in 10."
"Where?" He started to ask but was cut off by his handler.
"Oh and Neal, I wouldn't recommend a suit." Peter had no idea what they were going to come across, but knowing Michael, he had a feeling his CI's Devoure suit wouldn't be worth anything like it was when it was purchased.
"Where?" Neal tried to ask again.
"10 minutes Neal," Peter repeated before the line went dead.
Leaving Neal to try and comprehend why the agent was in such a hurry to get somewhere, especially when it was still dark.
WCWCWC
Neal slid into the backseat of Peters Taurus. Surprised to find El in the front seat and a girl, who for some strange reason resembled his handler. After sliding into the backseat and buckling his seatbelt, Peter began the introduction, before pulling into the street to begin their journey toCooperstown, NY.
"Neal, this is my niece Riley Burke. Riley, this is my CI Neal Caffrey."
The two exchanged glances, Neal giving her a small smile, before winking one of his sparkling blue eyes.
"What's a CI?" Riley asked curiously.
"A confidential informant. A conman, a thief, a bond forger," Peter started to name a few. With every intention of continuing with his list of extracurricular activities, but was cut short by the kid in the backseat.
"Cool," she shrugged.
"Not cool," Peter shook his head. Eyeing them both through the rearview mirror. "Neal, don't corrupt my niece. And Riley, don't get any ideas."
"I didn't say anything," the two said simultaneously, before throwing one another a grin.
Neal yawned, before rubbing his eyes.
"Where are we going that requires us to leave so early?" He had a feeling, it had to do with the kid sitting next to him, knowing Peter hadn't said or acted any differently the day before. And he was fairly certain, he would have said something about his niece staying with him.
"Cooperstown," Elizabeth replied. "Small town, a little over three hours away."
Neal nodded but didn't say anything.
"Have you ever been there?" Riley looked at Neal. "It's where the Baseball Hall of Fame is."
"Of course, we're going somewhere that has to do with baseball," Neal muttered under his breath.
"It's great," the kid said all bright-eyed, the complete opposite of a typical person who just got out of the hospital. "Peter takes me every time he comes to visit."
"I take it you like baseball as much as your uncle the agent does?"
"Does she ever," El was the one to respond. Shaking her head at the mere memory of the last time the two watched a game together, and how loud it got, from all the yelling.
About half an hour later, the car ride resembled that of the Bureau, when Hughes would stand at the top of the stairs, holding his hand up, ordering a measure of quiet before he began his speech. There wasn't a sound coming from any of the passengers, as Riley was fast asleep, Neal was staring at nothing in particular out the window, and El was somewhere between a zombie and unconsciousness. Something, Peter would never say directly to her face.
"We're almost there," Peter announced. Trying to liven his passengers enough, so they would be able to exit the car when they arrived.
Riley yawned loudly, reaching down into the floorboard to pull her tennis shoes on, while Elizabeth checked her appearance in the mirror, knowing she was bound to look terrible after getting little to no sleep in the hospital and half her hair flattened due to the nap she took on the car window.
"Looks like smoke up ahead," Neal straightened himself in his seat.
"And it isn't far," Peter squinted.
"Is that my?" Riley couldn't even voice the rest of her question before she started to breathe heavily. She saw animated images of her home engulfed in flames echoing through her thought pattern.
Peter and Elizabeth exchanged glances, their eyes indicating they were thinking the same.
"Peter!" Riley finally yelled. Looking to her uncle for an answer.
"Riley," El reached behind to take her hand. "We don't know anything for sure yet." Sure, she was fairly certain she was lying. But, at this point, she had to admit she had no idea what to say or do to try and comfort the girl.
Neal, too, kept his thoughts to himself, although he did stick his head out the window, straining to see ahead.
"Neal," Peter glanced behind him when he noticed the thickening of the smoke.
Neal didn't say anything, but he followed Peters's instructions and rolled up the window. Sighing, as he did so.
In a minute or less, Peter pulled up to the curb that was already littered with firetrucks, a couple of police cars, and the personnel that belonged with each.
The four fell silent, as they climbed out of the car, trying to gather all that was going on. Making it obvious to Peter, that this was more than just a simple house fire.
He started to say something, but just as soon as he opened his mouth he closed it when he looked at the child standing next to him, her mouth ajar, tears streaming down her face. He could tell she wasn't prepared for words, and regardless of what he said, he didn't think she would hear him. Leaving him with the only option of being there, when she needed comfort. She remained staring ahead, at the pile of ash, as that was all that remained covering theremnants of the smoldering stained pieces of brick. And just when he thought she was going to remain stoic and simply walk away, she slipped her hand into his, before resting her head against his arm.
Peter squeezed her hand in reassurance, before reaching his other arm in front of him and pulling her closer to him, while Elizabeth made her way to the opposite side of the child and placed an arm behind her, hoping to make her feel as secure and protected as possible.
"They were in there, weren't they?" Her voice was shaky, a knot forming in the pit of her stomach, feeling as if she was on the verge of doubling over and losing her breakfast on the cement in front of her.
"We don't know that," El patted her back gently.
Peter didn't say anything, but he did look over the girl's head, shaking his head, ever so slightly. Making it obvious to his wife, that he was thinking the same thing as his niece.
"Why else would someone have burned the house?"
"They weren't here when you left, remember that."
"But that was days ago," Riley sniffed, furiously wiping the tears away, as she was failing miserably to remain strong.
"We're going to figure this out," Peter pulled the handkerchief from his pocket before handing it to her to wipe her face.
El pulled the child firmly against her chest in a manner of comfort, while Peter and Neal remained next to them, just as a detective with the NYPD and a firefighter approached them.
"Are you the homeowner?"
"No," Peter started to explain but was cut off.
"Who burned my house down?!" Riley spat out angrily.
"Riley," Peter looked at her with a raised brow, hoping it would be enough to settle her down.
"I'm Special Agent Peter Burke," Peter removed his badge from the front pocket of his jacket.
"This is my niece, Riley," he placed a hand on her shoulder. "My wife Elizabeth," he continued with the introductions. "And my CI Neal Caffrey."
"Where are my parents?!" Riley wasn't a bit squandered by her uncle's attempt to calm her down.
"Riley," there was no mistaking the tone in Peters's voice.
"We're looking for Michael and Natalie Burke," the detective on the case finally managed to get a word in, despite, the girl's constant abrasive questions.
"You and me both." Again, Riley was the one to get a word in before Peter even had a chance to open his mouth. "Have you found out if they were involved in anything illegal?"
"Riley," the grip Peter had on her shoulder tightened, and there was absolutely no mistaking the tone in his voice, the look in his eyes, or
his mannerisms. It was the way he acted just before he took the role of uncle seriously, and they ended up having a heart to heart talk.
Recognizing her husband's patience level quickly diminishing. El decided if they wanted to make any progress and keep her husband from losing what little patience he had left, she had to step in.
"Neal," she looked at the young man, who so quickly became part of the family. "Can you take Riley for a walk?"
"Sure," Neal started to say, before taking a moment to glance at Peter.
Peter nodded his head in approval and Neal was quick to grab the kid by her upper arm before pulling her away from the conversation Peter and those in charge of the scene were trying to have.
Neal wasn't sure where they were supposed to go. Then again, he didn't think it mattered, as long as he got her far enough away to try and give her a few words of advice. He seriously had no idea, what he was supposed to say, never being the best candidate in giving advice. That was Peters job, and he would be more than happy to leave it to him, and simply walk alongside her, and keep his mouth shut. Unfortunately, something compelled him to speak up and he found himself giving it his best shot.
"You are either one of the dumbest or bravest persons I've met," Neal said shaking his head, just thinking about all that transpired moments ago. The kid partially reminded him of himself. At least when it came to not knowing when to shut up, as Peter was always sure to remind him.
Riley didn't say anything, but she did steal a glance up at him, her eyes squinting, insinuating, that she didn't understand what he was getting at.
"That look Peter gave you, is the look that promises a long, stern, boring lecture. Trust me, I've experienced it many times."
Riley didn't say anything, and instead shrugged her shoulders, before stepping over the yellow tape that surrounded, what used to be her house, heading straight for the smoking debris.
Neal was several feet behind her, and he had to run to catch up with her.
"Don't touch anything, Riley!" Elizabeth called after her.
Riley didn't respond in any form or manner and instead kept her head down as she kept walking.
Elizabeth sighed, not knowing how she expected the girl to react, she couldn't imagine what was going through that little mind of hers, and her heart went out to her. Then again, she didn't seem all that broken up emotionally, until she saw what remained of her home. Leading her to believe that it was rather just the shock of the fire, that brought her change in character.
"Listen, kid," Neal grabbed her by her shoulder, once he finally reached her.
"I know you're upset. And I don't blame you. But you need to start thinking before you say or do something." He couldn't believe those words left his mouth or even entered his head.
"Oh no," he stopped suddenly. "I'm turning into Peter." Remembering the million times, Peter told him the same thing.
Again, Riley didn't say anything and instead kept walking.
Neal exhaled a large breath, trying to determine what else he could say, to try and get the kid to stop, respond, or basically anything aside from just walking and ignoring everyone.
"I know we don't know anything about your parents yet," Neal started to say but was surprised when she spoke two lowly words.
"I do," Riley kicked at a broken piece of class. "And let's just say if I'd have had my choice, I would have picked different parents. Mine decided to get into something stupid."
Neal sighed, "I guess I can kind of relate, my parents are both dead and they weren't who I would have chosen as parents."
"Is that how you became a criminal?"
"I don't know, maybe," Neal had to admit, he was surprised, she was saying so much, when earlier, mum was the word.
"But you won't have to worry about that. You have Peter and Elizabeth that'll look after you now. And I can guarantee Peter will keep you on the straight and narrow."
"Yeah," she nodded fully believing the CI's words. "But, I won't be able to stay with them forever."
"Why not?" Neal had to admit he was a little confused, as to why she would be with them now if another family member already held claim.
"Peter doesn't especially care for kids. So I seriously doubt, he's going to be lining up to take custody.
"What about all that baseball talk on the Yankees I heard about in the car and Peter taking you to the Hall of Fame all the time?"
"I love Peter, and he says he loves it when we get to spend time together," she was sure to say first of all. "But that's different than him having me live in his house and having to take total responsibility."
"He took me in, so to speak," Neal wasn't entirely sure if that should count, but he figured, he had to say something.
"You don't act like a kid," she combated.
"He'd probably argue with you about that," Neal muttered.
"You don't live in his house."
"Guess you got a point," Neal agreed, knowing he had been beaten. "Now, we need to get away from this mess," he gestured at the remains. "There's still a lot of smoke and coals that are still really hot."
A minute or so later, and Neal approached husband and wife Burke, who were obviously in deep discussion.
"Where's Riley?" El noticed she wasn't with Neal.
"Still looking around the house. I told her we didn't need to be over there, but she's not interested in hearing right now.
"Peter," El said seriously. Knowing that if she was to listen to anyone, it would be Peter.
Peter nodded in understanding, before hurrying to catch up with her. Afraid she would find something, they didn't want her to find.
"Riley," Peter reached for her, placing a secure, yet gentle grasp around her arm. "El already told you not to touch anything," he kept his tone firm.
"I didn't."
"The debris is still very hot, and it could melt your shoes," he pulled her out to safety, outside the yellow tape. "You shouldn't have been in there in the first place."
"Neal was with me," she acted like there was nothing wrong with any of them being there.
"And you're both going to hear about it," he pointed at the sidewalk, for her to take a seat, before issuing another order. "Neal, stay with Riley. And neither one of you had better cross that tape again." He said, before walking away, to speak to those in charge, wanting to be sure and tell them who he was, and if they found anything of importance, to please notify him immediately, rather than call it out. Knowing, that if it was as they feared, he wanted to be able to tell his niece in his way.
Peter and Elizabeth took a step away from everyone, Peters's gaze resting on the smoking debris of the once little house, that belonged to his brother.
"You okay?" El rubbed his arm, knowing her husband well enough to know that he was struggling himself, as he thought of his elder brother.
"Got to be," Peter didn't know what else to say. His brain was processing so much, that it was hard for him to settle on just one thing. Especially when his priority was Riley, and what was best for her at the moment, and he knew it wasn't being there, but they only had one car, and he knew El wasn't about to leave his side.
It was minutes later, when Jenkins, the Detective on the case approached them. Giving them the news they expected, yet hurt, nonetheless. Both Peter and Elizabeth kept their expressions somber, yet remained remarkably the same, wanting to choose their own time and place to talk to Riley.
After speaking a bit more with Peter, regarding the case, Detective Jenkins gave his condolences, promising to keep him in touch with all he knew or uncovered later on, and left the two alone. Getting the jest, just by the look on the agents wife's face, that they had a great deal to talk about.
"Looks like we're parents now," Elizabeth took his hand in hers, before turning to face him.
Peter however didn't respond, appearing as if he was deep in thought.
"She is our responsibility right?" El wanted to clarify. "There isn't anyone who could take her is there?" It was obvious from the get-go, that El wanted to bring her into their home and become her legal guardian, and later on, hopefully, her mother.
"Not on the Burke side," Peter shook his head. "At least other than my parents."
"So?" El needed clarification, almost too afraid to ask.
"They want us to take custody," he assured her. "I already spoke to them."
El took a deep sigh of relief. Now that she knew they weren't going to have to worry about transferring Riley to another.
"You know, we're going to have to tell her about Natalie not being her real mother," El told him what he already knew.
"One difficult conversation at a time," Peter moaned. "And first, we tell her about Michael."
"But, at least she won't have to worry about living with Karen," Elizabeth made a point. "We both know how much she's complained anytime she's had to stay with her."
"And after about a week, Riley would call, begging for me to come get her," Peter added.
Elizabeth smiled, "she likes her Uncle Peter."
"I have no idea why," Peter shook his head. "I'm a lot stricter with her than Michael. I give her boundaries and hand out discipline when those boundaries are crossed."
"Did you ever think, she's glad you do?"
Peter didn't say anything, but he did raise a brow, looking at her confused.
"Think about It," Elizabeth started. "When she stays with Karen, Karen doesn't care what she does. Needless to say, she runs around town and stays out late. And your brother and sister-in-law are always so busy, it seems as if they ignore her at times."
"I've noticed that," Peter nodded.
"And when she stays here," Elizabeth continued. "It's the complete opposite, we don't let her roam the streets."
"New York can be dangerous," Peter picked up.
"I know it can," Elizabeth agreed.
Of course, they both knew it was going to take a while for them to adjust. And if that wasn't enough, it was going to take another week or two to reinstall a sense of respect into her.
Peter sighed, just thinking of the same ritual they had to go through every time she visited.
It wasn't that she was a bad kid, by no means. It was just that Peter and Elizabeth had a different view of child-rearing than that of his brother and sister-in-law. It was quite the opposite. Peter and Elizabeth not only expected respect, but they wanted to keep the child out of trouble as much as possible, and when it came to Riley Burke, she had a tendency to walk as close to the edge of the boundary line as possible. Often reminding him of Neal, and it was that fact that scared him half to death. And there was no way, he was going to allow her to go to prison.
Needless to say, despite the short time she spent with them, Peter and Elizabeth made sure she walked the straight and narrow, even if Michael and Natalie didn't enforce those rules when she was at home.
But for the most part, Riley had always been a good kid, the only problem was, she liked to see just how far she could push people.
The two remained quiet for a minute and a grin spread across Peters's face, "she's great though."
Hope everyone enjoyed the story. I'd like to make a series out of it. If anyone is interested, let me know.