Disclaimer: I own nothing.
I have no solid theories at this point about how involved Kate was or what she knew or even whether she's dead. I'm just speculating. (And no, I didn't really hear footsteps running. Just playing with an idea . . . )
***
Aftermath
"Neal, NO!"
As Neal broke free from his restraining grasp, Peter leaped and got him with a flying tackle that sent both men crashing to the ground. Even then, dazed and breathless, Neal struggled desperately against him, forcing Peter to tighten his hold.
With every last ounce of strength he had, Peter sat up and dragged Neal backwards a few inches. The younger man was heaving and gasping with sobs. He stared at the devastation before him, his face smeared with tears and dirt, and strained once more against the imprisoning arms.
"Neal, stop it. Stop it." Peter heard the harsh ring in his own voice. He closed his eyes briefly and tried to soften his tone. "You can't go to her. There's nothing you can do, Neal. There is nothing you can do."
The fight drained out of Neal and he sagged heavily in the agent's grip. Peter heard faint words mixed with the strangling sobs, and bent closer to hear what Neal was saying.
"I should have been with her . . . I should have been with her . . ."
Peter gave a shuddering sigh. "You almost were." Something struck him for the first time, something that he would have thought of before if shock and desperation hadn't seared his mind. His eyes narrowed as he studied the flaming wreckage. "You almost were."
. . . Had he only imagined the sound of footsteps running from the plane the second before everything had blown up?