A/N: This came to me in Study Hall on Wednesday-a couple hours after watching Forging Bonds-and I just couldn't resist. I then realized that everything I have written so far for White Collar has been a one-shot, so why not make a collection? This led to the creation of Snippets, and although it's probably cliché, (no offense to anyone who has done this as well) I will be naming them each with a word beginning with a different letter of the alphabet, so there will probably be twenty-six total. This is unbeta'd, so if you spot any mistakes, please let me know. Also, I know Kate visited Neal while he was in prison, but I'm not counting that because it was through a telephone and 2 inches of bullet-proof glass. Now, without further ado, (besides my disclaimer and stuff) enjoy!
Disclaimer: If you think my work even compares to that of the amazing Jeff Eastin, you have problems.
Warning: Spoilers for The Portrait, Out of the Box and Forging Bonds.
Word Count: 478
Happy reading!
Three times. He had seen Kate three times since he'd left for Copenhagen. All brief, all memorable.
The first time was the day he was arrested. She looked so beautiful, standing in front of him, her deep blue eyes glowing like priceless gems. He thought his heart would explode from relief, and joy. After months of searching, he'd finally found her. They talked, they kissed, apologizing with their movements rather than their words. It felt like everything was coming together again. They were going to be okay. But it was all a trap, something he realized too late. The FBI had used the one person he cared about most, to get to him. Just as quickly as they had come, the Feds left. With Neal. In handcuffs.
The second time was right after the Haustenberg case. He was on the verge of giving up, about to admit that maybe Mozzie was right. Who knows when Kate wrote that note? Or even if she wrote it? Then the phone rang, and his doubt dissolved. From his distant position, he could barely make out who it was, let alone how she was, but at that moment, just knowing she was there was the best gift in the world. Kate was there, and she was safe. That was enough. But his thankfulness didn't last very long. He could tell from her voice that she was scared, and he needed to be with her, up close. He needed to hold her, and tell her everything was going to be alright. So Neal ran. She was gone.
The third time was at the hanger. He saw Kate's tantalizing face in the window. She waved, he waved. It was for real this time. They were running away once and for all, leaving all fears and worries and burdens behind. Not a care in the world. So why did it feel so wrong? He didn't have time to answer himself, because the next thing he knew, the plane was on fire. It was as ardent as the sun, and blinding, like light on mirrors. Heat, despair, grief, pain. Kate was no longer alive, the end. He knew this, but he didn't. Some would consider his desperate, nearly suicidal attempts to run to the flames, despite Peter's protective grasp, as insane. But Neal believes that it was the most sane moment of his life. The only time he was truly thinking only about others, and not himself. Well, thinking about one other person. Kate.
Three times. He wishes it was more, he wishes it was less. Neal has never been exactly sure of what he wanted, and since Kate's death, it has become even harder to make up his mind. Yet there is one thing that is clearer and clearer everyday. Neal is certain.
He wants her back.
A/N #2: Reviews are like drops of heaven that make me smile my face off and feed my ever thriving ego (jk…maybe).
