A/N: Greetings lovely people, I present you with this: my first sojourn outside the Merlin fandom in over a decade. I admit that I'm not as well-versed with fanfics for White Collar so it is entirely possible similar things have been written and if so I apologize.

Anyway, I just saw the season 4 finale (yes, I'm a bit behind) and this popped into my head- hope you enjoy :)

Disclaimer: This chapter contains many quotes from the original episode, I don't own them

Neal lowered the phone, hands shaky as he tucked it into the inner pocket of his jacket.

"What did you do, Dad?" His eyebrows rose, inquiring, and his body took on a challenging stance. "They arrested Peter for Pratt's murder. What did you do?"

"It was self defense."

He was calm, too calm for someone who had just killed a man and fled the scene only to be caught attempting to destroy evidence of another murder.

The younger man looked away from his father, disappointed and trying to hide how upset he was at the situation, then walked toward him, imploring with voice and expression.

"All you have to do is tell the truth and Peter goes free."

James looks back at him serenely and shakes his head.

"I can't do it," he says as if it's obvious. "I can't let the bureau put a murder weapon back in my hand."

"The bureau doesn't believe him; he was investigating Pratt off-book. You're the only other person who knows what happened."

"They'll cuff me, Neal. Once they get me... I'll never get away."

The way he said that - so matter-of-fact, voice barely raised - told the CI just how little hope he had of changing the other man's mind. But he still had to try. The desperation showed in his voice, in the way he demanded rather than trying to talk James into coming around on his own.

"You're gonna testify, and you're gonna clear Peter's name."

Another shake of the head, as if it didn't even matter that tears threatened to fall from his son's eyes.

"You show me you're better than this! You show me you're a decent man."

"The things I've done-"

"Are in the past!" He was breathing heavily now, barely able to see out of his watery eyes. He wanted to blink but knew it would only cause the tears to start falling in earnest.

James took a deep breath as if considering the other man's words.

"I'm sorry so-"

Neal reached out, taking hold of his father who had turned to leave.

"Dad, please, do this for me-"

"Don't!" James barked as he roughly freed himself and Neal stepped back, shocked and slightly frightened by the sudden change from calm to hostile.

"Don't make me do something I'll regret."

James' voice had a cold, hard edge to it now and Neal stared at him as if he were a stranger - and perhaps he was. Perhaps he had never truly met the man standing in front of him. His heart broke as James once more faced the door.

Before his body informed his brain exactly what it was doing, Neal found himself tackling the ex-cop to the floor. They tumbled haphazardly around the apartment upsetting the easel, rolling over the coffee table, and smashing against the bookcase.

Neal had youth on his side, but James had training and the willingness to do harm.

That being the case it wasn't too long before James gained the advantage, forcing Neal far enough away for him to pull his gun.

How did I not notice he had a gun?

Neal's mind went blank, thoughts nothing more than a wash of white as he stared at the gun. Normally this would have been the time he started talking more, but this was different; this was his father. The fact that he had recently learned just how much it hurts to get shot did not help the situation.

A hint of emotion finally showed on Bennett's face as he held the pistol steady.

"I hadn't intended to do this," he said softly, then pulled the trigger.

Neal's eyes widened in disbelief, he didn't feel the pain yet but his body knew something had gone spectacularly wrong and his hands rose automatically to clutch at the wound.

James watched with only a hint of sadness as his son sank to his knees before toppling sideways to land in an awkward heap, blood beginning to pool on the cold floor as tears flowed from blue eyes that were fixed on the wall in shock.

"Goodbye, Neal."