I don't own White Collar, or the characters. Just entertaining myself until January!
Chapter Seven
Neal walked briskly across the airport hangar. He could see the Lear jet waiting on the other side with the door open. It wouldn't be long now, he thought to himself. Four years of waiting, and finally just about a hundred yards away sat Kate. He had missed her. It had nearly torn him apart when she stopped visiting him in prison. It had hurt, he had been angry for a while. But ever since he had been out, he had been looking for her. He loved her, no matter what. It wouldn't be long now, and they would be off to somewhere they could start over. A new life. Together.
As he reached the edge of the hanger, he could see her in the doorway. An almost overwhelming sense of joy ran through him at the sight of her. He wouldn't have to go on without her anymore.
"Neal!" It was Peter. He had hoped that Peter wouldn't have found them. He was the only one he hadn't been able to face saying goodbye to. He didn't want to admit it, but he had become very fond of Peter these last few months.
"Weren't you going to say goodbye?"
Neal just stared at him. He couldn't, not to Peter. He reached down in his pocket and pulled out his FBI ID that Peter had given to him.
"Thank you Peter. For everything." He held the ID out to Peter. He wouldn't need it where he was going.
"No you keep it. I hope it reminds you of all the good you've done here. You had a life here Neal, a good life."
"It's not the life I want." He turned to walk towards the plane, towards the life he did want. Almost there. He could see her smile now, she was waiving to him from the seat just inside the door. Only one hundred feet to go, and he'd be free. No more tracking anklet, no more FBI, just him and Kate.
He would miss Peter. Peter had been there for him, even during his trial, even while he was in prison, Peter had been there. There was a small bit of regret about having to leave Peter. But the life with Kate and the life with Peter would never mix.
He turned, regret showing on his face, and looked at Peter. He could see the hope in Peter's face that he would change his mind.
"Peter…"
It was like a wall of heat hit him from behind. His body was hurled at Peter with amazing force. As he turned he could see the plane burning. Was he screaming? There was no sound, everything was silent. He tried to go to her. He had to save her from that fiery inferno. But something was holding him back. It was Peter. He felt something hot against his face; he tried to pull free, but couldn't move. He couldn't do anything but watch. You couldn't see the plane any longer, just a red fire ball.
Peter wasn't sure what had jerked him awake. He could hear the sounds of a snow plow outside, and see the faint flash of light as it worked its way down the street. He reached up and scrubbed his face with both hands, pausing to glance at his watch as he brought his arms down. It was just after 5:30 in the morning, and it was still very dark outside. He waited a minute for his eyes to adjust to the lack of light, and then focused on the younger man asleep across from him. Neal had rolled partially onto his chest, his right arm hanging limply off the couch, fingers almost gracing the floor. Peter was just about to settle back to sleep when Neal's body shuddered, and he stretched his arm out for a brief second before letting it fall back to the floor. Peter lifted himself out of his chair, quietly walking the few steps between him and his partner.
"No! Kate!" Neal's body jerked, and he rolled onto his back, small beads of sweat becoming evident on his forehead.
Peter gently reached out a hand to his shoulder, hoping to ease him from his nightmare. Neal's eyes flashed open the moment he felt the touch. Confusion in his eyes, he recoiled into the back sofa cushions, the sudden movement causing a pained expression to flash across his face. Peter pulled back, holding both hands up in front of him.
"It's just me…" Peter saw a flash of something in Neal's eyes he didn't quiet recognize, and then it was gone, quickly covered by a look of recognition.
"Peter?" The voice was barely a whisper.
"Yes." Peter put his hands down, slowly lowering himself so that he was sitting on the coffee table across from Neal. There was pain evident behind the blue eyes that stared back at him. Not just physical pain, Peter knew instantly what the nightmare had been.
"Neal…"
"No…Don't…" Neal held up a hand to keep Peter from saying anything more. He could feel his body trembling slightly. He carefully eased himself up into a sitting position, pulling his legs up and folding them against his chest. Wrapping his arms around his shins, he gently placed his forehead between his knees. He desperately needed to get control of himself.
Peter waited a moment, watching Neal, unsure of what to say. If only Elizabeth were awake, he shook his head, no, he could deal with this. They had dealt with this once before. He eased himself up, reaching out and turning on the lamp that sat on the end table. Neal raised his head and squinted at the light. His eyes lids were red and puffy.
"Neal…for once in your life…please…talk to me." Peter stumbled through it.
"I…" Neal stopped and drew in a deep breath to calm himself, but flinched as pain shot threw his body, choking the breath right back out of him. He clenched his jaw and dropped his head. "Pills…P…ter…"
"Ok...but then we're talking about this, you're not going to just curl up and sleep this time." Peter waited for an acknowledging head nod before handing his partner two more of the red pills, and a bottle of water. He watched quietly as Neal popped the two capsules into his mouth chasing them with the water.
"Could use something stronger." Neal held up the empty bottle, shaking it a little before handing it back to Peter.
"Oh no…nope…." Peter chuckled as he sat back down on the table, placing the bottle next to him. "That's all you're getting…start talking buddy boy."
"It was that day in the hanger…" The glimmer in his eyes was gone, replaced with a darkness Peter had only seen once before.
"The day Kate died." Peter finished his sentence for him.
Blue eyes just stared back at him, hurt and confused. "Why Peter?"
"I don't know…We will find out. I promise." He waited a moment until he was sure Neal had processed what he had said. "What else do you remember?"
"That's it…just that…that day…" He pressed his hands to his eyes, not wanting Peter to see the tears he could feel trying to form. "It's all like a bad dream…I just can't make all the pieces fit together…it feels so UNREAL…"
"It will come…stop trying to force it, and it will come." Peter stood, "How about some coffee?"
Neal removed his hands from his face. "Sounds good." He watched Peter turn and walk to the kitchen, thankful for the reprieve. He closed his eyes, and leaned back against the couch. He took a deep breath, this time without the searing pain, and tried to steady himself. How many other events in his life was he yet to recall? He found it unsettling that he was unsure what Peter knew or didn't know.
The soft padding of feet off to his left caught his attention. He opened his eyes and turned his head to see Elizabeth staring at him from halfway down the stairs. She was already dressed for the day he noted.
"Neal!" Her voice was a mix of excitement, concern, and relief.
She trotted down the last few stairs and came to stand in front of him, arms outstretched. Neal hesitated a moment before reaching up for the embrace that was being offered. She wrapped her arms around him very carefully, sitting down on the cushion next to him.
"How are you feeling? You look better." She ran a hand up and down his arm once, as she let go of him.
"I'm feeling more myself…I still can't remember much." He carefully considered her face, still unsure of how much to say.
"That's alright sweetie. You will, and we'll be here when you do." She smiled at him. It was motherly and reassuring, and it made him relax just a little. "I hung your good shirt and tie up in the closet of the spare bedroom for you. I didn't want them to get all wrinkled. Besides...I figured you might sleep better without them."
"Thank you…" He did vaguely remember wearing a tie home from the hospital, it hadn't occurred to him until she said something that he was down to his slacks and undershirt.
"I smell coffee…" She stood and held out a hand for Neal. "Think you can make it?"
He looked up at her and nodded, his blue eyes sparkling just a little. He took her hand, slowly raising himself to his feet. With her arm around him for support, they carefully made their way to the dining room.
