Chapter Text
Neal Burke was lost. He was in Paris as part of his high school camp. His school had raised enough money to take some of them overseas for their last year of school.
He and his best friend Theo Berrigan had gotten separated from their group while in a shopping centre. Now they were wandering down a street with absolutely no signs in English. He turned to Theo.
“We are lost.” he said resolutely.
“No we are not,” Theo replied.
“OK then, how do we get back to our hotel?” Theo paused for a moment.
“I don’t know.”
“Exactly. We just need to ask somebody local for directions.” He stopped for a second. “I know we both have phones but to me it just seems very cliche that they are both flat.” That made Theo smile.
“It is kind of ironic isn’t it?”
“Anyway” Neal continued. “My mum said that if we ever get lost, find a woman with children as they are some of the least likely to be kidnappers.”
He said that just as they rounded a corner and a play park came into view. It wasn’t very busy but there was a woman sitting on a bench reading a book while rocking a pram and watching a small child on the playground who was occasionally running up to her.
“There we go.” said Neal, “We ask her for directions”
“You're asking though,” Theo said.
“Fine.” Neal said huffily. He approached the redhead. “Excuse me ma'am.” He was cut off quickly by the woman.
“Am I really that old?” Neal was taken aback. He was hinging all his hopes on this woman, maybe speaking a little bit of English but her voice held an American accent. While it wasn’t a strong accent it was still slightly noticeable. She was slightly giggling to herself but when she saw his face she composed herself.
“Sorry for that. That is the first time someone called me ma’am.” she sat up a little straighter, “Anyway, you came up to a random woman on the street, it is clear you have a question.” That took Neal by surprise again. She was a very perceptive person.
“Umm” he paused again. “We got separated from our group and our phones are flat. We were possibly wondering if we could use yours for a moment.
“Ok. Who would you like to ring?” the lady said.
“My father.” Neal said quickly. He had picked that number because it was the only number he had memorised. His dad made him do it as a condition of coming to Paris. Turns out his Dad was right.
“I will be honest with you” the woman continued, “This conversation will be held on speakerphone while the phone is in my hand because while you too look very innocent so do pickpockets and thieves.”
Neal thought that was a fair condition. “Yep. Can we ring him now?”
The lady moved to pull out her phone while Theo shifted nervously behind him.
“What is your fathers number?” she asked. Neal recited it. Neal and Theo couldn’t see the screen but as she punched in the numbers her face started to take on an expression that was not dissimilar to confusion. When she had finished she looked up at the boys and asked,
“What did you say your names were?” Neal stammered for a moment before Theo stepped in.
“Theo Berrigan and Neal Burke at your service.” Neal shot Theo a glare for the way he had introduced them but the lady cut them off by pressing the call button on her phone. As she tilted it down they were both surprised to see Peter Burke as the caller ID. How did that woman already have his father’s number saved? Before he could dwell on it for too long he heard his dads voice over the speaker.
“Sara? Why are you ringing me?” He paused, “Sorry that was rude, how are you?”
The lady, Sara, replied “I’m good Peter, How are you?”
“I'm fine. You do know it's only 6am here right.”
“Yes I do but I have someone here who would like to speak with you.”
Neal piped up “Hi Dad” Peter coughed on the other end of the phone.
“Neal what are you doing with Sara’s phone?”
“Um” he started, “Theo and I got lost.”
“Theo is with you as well?”
“Yes, I am here.” replied Theo.
“Why did you get lost?” Peter asked.
“The shopping centre was busy.” Neal replied meekly.
“The shopping centre was busy? Was it now? Anyway, how did you find Sara?”
“Remember when Mum said that if we ever get lost, find the nearest woman with children? That's how we found Sara.”
“Your Mother always gives sound advice. Hang on Sara, you have children. In Paris?
“Yes.” Sara sighed.
“Why didn’t you tell any of us?”
“I have my reasons.” She said defensively.
“And what could they be?”
“Hang on.” Neal interrupted, “How do you guys know each other?”
Peter explained. “Do you remember the story of your namesake Neal Caffery?”
“Yes.”
“Sara was a very big part of Neal’s life when he was alive. She was his girlfriend of sorts. Which brings me back to you. Why didn’t you tell any of us you had children Sara? I am sure Elizebeth would have loved to come out and see you.”
Sara thought for a second before replying, “She would have loved to see me and my children but I don’t think either of you want to meet their father.”
“Sara are you ok,” Peter started, “If your partner is abusing you I can guarantee that I will be on the next flight over.”
“No Peter, it is alright. My husband is lovely. He gave me my son and daughter and is a great man.”
“That's fine then. If you don’t mind me asking, what are your kids' names?”
“My daughter's name is Emily and my son's name is Peter.”
Peter coughed at that. “Really Sara.”
Sara cut him off, “Before we talk for hours, how do I get Neal and Theo back to their school group?”
“Well, if the boys stay with you for a little bit and I will ring the teacher on the trip with them we will organise for you to meet up.”
“Sounds good.” Sara replied and moved to hang up but before she could Peter said,
“This conversation is not over Sara.”
She hung up.
"So you're Peter's son?"