The only ones with hearts

AN:// Follows after the first season finale but there is different twist. This contains non-sexual spanking of adults. If you don't like it, great. Quit reading. Thanks.

I'll give Peter some credit. He comes to work every day, every day including Saturdays. Peter doesn't see his wife nearly as often as he should, and he doesn't know how to have a little fun, always too serious, always about the case. He slaves around like a dog but then again he earns his respect from everyone else.

I on the other hand, come to work every day, because I'm force to come every day. I would see my wife as often as I could, that is if I had one. I know how to have fun, I can be serious when I need to be and it's always about Kate. I don't have the respect from everyone else, but that's just because I'm an ex-con.

We've been working on a case, something that didn't take my interest. Therefore, I haven't a clue what it's about.

"Neal? Are you paying any attention?" I turned to find Peter staring at me as if I was some delinquent teen.

"No, sorry." I looked over to his very attractive yet gay 'partner' who had a devious smile upon her face.

"Can't count on him for much still I see."

I didn't say anything, and of course neither did Peter.

It's funny what has happened since I've been released from jail, Peter and I have become partners and we've solved a lot of crimes. I've been more then helpful despite what Lauren thinks. She's just jealous because I'm better looking, smarter and his favorite partner.

He just may not realize it yet.

"I'm going to go to June's." I decided. It made my blood boil a little that Peter still didn't know how to stand up for me, he didn't have a problem confronting me on things I've done wrong. In fact, we sort of have a thing now where he thinks its okay to take me over his knee.

It's kind of a long story, but it happened after a man stole a portrait, and I stole it from him. I didn't tell Peter at first, and apparently if anyone found out I would be placed back in jail, for a very long time. We got into a heated argument and the next thing I know, I face down over his bony old knees. I got it good, and I hate pain so it didn't take me long to start bawling. After it he had placed a warm hand on my shoulder he told me that we were partners and that he did care about me. Of course that wasn't that last time that this sort of 'discipline' had taken place, but it was the first. And I never fought it.

That was getting old.

"Neal. You are staying here." He didn't even care to look up he was too busy leaning over his desk blinding himself looking at files with Lauren.

It probably wouldn't take me long to figure it out but I wasn't in the helping mood anymore. Someone here had Kate, and I didn't want to help these criminals with a single damn thing.

"No, Peter. I'm not." I was going to June's; I had other priorities that I needed to finish. Peter thought that he owned me; even if he did I wasn't he dog. "I'm leaving."

Peter half way looked up this time, that look in his eyes.

"I'm tired of this; I help you out day after day. When are you going to help me with what you promised?" I was starting to snap a little. I was growing irritated with his bore some games.

"I said I was going to help you find her Neal, I haven't had the time. We've been busy and you haven't been helping."

"I haven't been helping? I've risked my neck a few times and what do I get? A pat on the back, Peter, that's not what I want."

Peter gave me his full attention now. "In case you forgot Neal, that's not part of the original deal. You help us and we keep you out of prison."

"You promised me that-"

"What I had promised you has nothing to do with you not helping us." Peter countered picking up a different folder.

I couldn't take it any longer. He wasn't even trying to find Kate! He had broken his promise already. "That's it, I'm going home." I grabbed my coat and started heading for the door.

"If you take one step out of this office, I will have your ass put back in jail!" I turned back from the door; Lauren was staring at me with wide eyes. She actually looked like she was slightly concerned. No one knew that Peter punished me, as he had promised he wouldn't do it at work.

"What's the difference, Peter?" Even though the words flew out of my mouth in a smooth tone, I knew I had angered him further.

I stepped out.

It took him a moment to even realize that I was gone. I had made it down past the stairs and halfway through the little white cubicles before I heard him calling. "NEAL! Get your ass back up here! I swear on my life that you won't ever step foot outside your jail cell if you leave!"

I still hadn't quite turned around yet but I could feel everyone's eyes on me. All the typing had stopped and every cubical personal in front of me was staring intently.

I should have thought this one out a little more clearly, it's just Peter can be so infuriating I forget how to use my intelligence. Closing my eyes for a moment, I knew I couldn't make it past the doors as now two police officers guarded them.

Swinging around I turned to face Peter.

"I was going on a coffee run. It's been over 24 hours since I've seen my bed. So if you don't mind, I'll be on my way-" Peter knew as well as I did that I wasn't going on a coffee run, or to go home and just sleep.

He knew I was going to find Kate.

"Neal! Don't you move an inch!" Peter was now coming at me with quick stride. I don't know if anyone could hear my heart pound as loudly as it was in chest, but you sure as hell could read the sheer fear written across my face.

"Peter-"

He was standing before me now, face red and antagonized. "I told you not to set foot outside my office."

I tried to play off my usual, casual smile but instead I knew I still looked frightened. "I must have forgot, Peter. Things do slip my mind."

I am not the best at seeing my flaws, but that by far, was one of them. Peter balled up his fists and narrowed his eyes. "Maybe I should remind you what happened last time, Caffery."

I felt my face go white as a sheet. He wouldn't here, he couldn't here. There were so many people, he had promised me. "That's okay." I mumbled. I looked to my right and now Peter's boss and upper status workers were also here. Not wanted to cause a seen I looked back to Peter. "You seem confused; let's go back to your office."

I was hoping that Peter would follow me back to his office, and we could settle this in private, but instead as I began to walk past him he launched himself on me and grabbed my bicep.

"That's it Neal! You do not make a fool out of me at my work."

When it came I hadn't been ready, to say in the least.

Peter had turned me into him and slapped my rear, right in front of everyone. He hit me good enough that it sent me to my toes.

I heard a few gasps and then, to my dismay they started clapping. Applauding to his illegal transgressions, in the back I was able to hear his boss.

"Finally, Peter. Giving the criminal exactly what he deserves."

How dare they! They were supposed to be law enforcers! I thrashed myself from Peter's grasp. He wasn't expecting it, either from all the attention he was gloating in, or because I didn't fight him in the least before.

This time was different.

To my horror, I felt my eyes water. I could feel my face warm in embarrassment. He just smacked me in public, like some little naughty child. I shook my head I couldn't believe it. Peter had lied to me, he hadn't kept his word.

Lauren's mouth was wide open her eyes so easily read. "Peter," He eyes never leaving me. "Look what you have done to Neal."

My hair was limp and fallen from when I broke away from Peter; I hadn't even tried to fix it as I sprinted away from the scene. Peter's voice called after me but it was being muffled over the loud employees.

The guards didn't even try stopping me as I fled past them.

Maybe they were the only ones with hearts.

AN://Lucky for you I finished the next chapter already. (: I'll post it soon.