Chapter 4-The Promise
Disclaimer: I do not own White Collar nor am I making any money from it.
Spoilers included and spoilers from previews. Thanks again guys for reviewing and to the unsigned reviews a big thanks to you too:) Hope you enjoy. This is the final chapter.
Here he was laid out, bare in front of him. Peter waited for the day for what seemed like centuries. Now the day had arrived, but it was no longer held the allure that certain knowledge one discovers about their enemies. That is because Neal was not he enemy. Hell, he was just a kid dying to be heard, cared about...loved. Yeah, he was never the enemy even when on the run. he was just Neal. Beautiful, irrational Neal trapped in a world of pretense and lies. He never really had a chance to know who he was or who he could be. He went from living one lie to another, jumping from one tattered lilly pad to another a bit more lovely. but just as shakey.
Kate. It all came down to her and now Peter realized why. Kate was the one tangible thread in Neal's chosen reality. She cared about him. She loved him. At least that is what Neal wanted to believe. It was a good reality Peter supposed while it lasted.
When Peter looked back on it, it seemed that all the people who claimed to have cared about Neal had betrayed him to some extent including himself. Except Moz, (though Peter was sure Moz might see things differently). Peter didn't think Neal would survive if Moz ever betrayed him.
Neal simply wanted attention. His whole life revolved around it, even his crimes. Fragments of moments Neal tethered together just to survive. Who taught him? He taught himself just like everything else. he was an orphan, an independent dreamer searching for a home. Peter hoped to God that he had led him to the correct door. Neal's crossroads were messy and brilliant and the tether was thin. No Kate, full disclosure ( well as much as Peter could expect anyway from Neal). Nothing left to kept him here. What could Peter offer Neal that was of any worth to make him stay? peter always beleived you could be either the con or the man but never both. That was too tiring of a lie to keep up. Neal was tired. Peter refused to let him give up. Ever.
"I promise you, I will never give up on you."
Neal's eyes heavy with fatigue, met Peter's once again.
"Don't make me promises you can't keep, Peter."
Peter sat up straighter with indignation and resolve.
"I don't."
Neal kept his gaze on his partner as the fire returned.
"You will never look at me the same way again will you?"
Peter sighed as he revealed his truth.
"No, I won't."
Neal flinched, his eyes giving away his emotions.
"I will see you for the first time as the man you are and the man you want to be. Not the con, but the man."
Neal blinked rapidly. No crying in front of Peter.
Peter saw the emotions chocking up his friend and for the first time realized what El knew he had to do, what he had in himself to do.
He stood up, stretched his legs and sat down to the younger man.
"You asked me what I would do if that were my son or your son being held in that prison. You know the only thing I thought of? You. If you were in that prison, I would fight to hell and back to get you out because...because that's what a good father does was left unsaid.
"I would fight for you Neal." Peter paused suddenly having a difficult time seeing the young man before him.
"I would fight for you." Son.
Neal felt Peter's hand reach out to his hair and down to his neck. A strange feeling, a memory perhaps, passed over him. Peter had done this before.
"You told me once, Neal, that out of all the people in your life, that I was the only one you trusted. Trust me now. I promise you."
Neal dropped his head to his chest breathing in, calming himself against the wracking sobs that threatened to overwhelm him. Peter continued to squeeze his charge's shoulder.
"Maybe El was right. I'm not half bad at this, "Peter offered attempting to revive normalcy.
At that, Neal looked to the man he had a "patriarchal relationship" with according to Moz and smiled. He knew things would be better in time because he had Peter and the promise.
Well that is the end. I know a bit short but I hope you liked it . While I have no incentive to offer you, if you can review , love to hear what you thought. Funny thing was I had this written way before I saw Jeff Eastin's commentary on This episode and if appears I was thinking the same way he did about Peter seeing only Neal when he mentioned the prison escape. I guess I got something right for once! LOL While I do personally believe Neal's father lives, I decided to keep it canon according to the info provided. Maybe I will write another version where Caffrey senior lives:) Take care!