As an apology for taking forever to update, I've decided to post another chapter today. I hope you all forgive me! This one is intense, though kind of shorter than usual I think. You're all going to hate me by the end of it :) Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own White Collar. Sighhhh.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me Kylie," Neal looked at her. They were sitting on the couch at home; Peter had told them to take some time and sort things out. "Why?"
"I was trying to protect you Neal," she answered again, her voice desperate. "If you knew, then you would have-" she stopped.
"Gone after him? You're right, I would have. And then we would have caught him."
"Or you'd have a bullet hole right here," she poked his chest. "And then I'd lose you again." She dropped her hand. Neal sighed.
"Thanks for trying to protect me, but I know how to take care of myself," Neal stood up. "Just because I've done one or two rash things-"
"One or two?" Kylie crossed her arms.
"-doesn't mean things would've ended badly. Things usually work out for me," he smiled.
"You've gotten lucky Neal," Kylie stood up too, her hands on her hips.
"I am lucky," he countered.
"Which means your luck is bound to run out soon," she said. She knew she had won this argument. He looked at her.
"I want him behind bars Ky," Neal said.
"And you think I don't?" she began to pace. "I just don't want his arrest in exchange for your life Neal." She said, and stopped pacing. He looked at her again, and it finally dawned on him as to why she was so worried, besides his life being in danger.
"This whole thing isn't your fault Ky," he walked over to her and enveloped her in a hug. She shook her head against his chest.
"Yes it is," she mumbled. He stroked her hair and willed her to believe what he said.
"The only one to blame is your dad. It was his decision to treat you the way you did. You were just trying to survive. You shouldn't be blaming yourself for any of this. And hey, if it wasn't for him, I never would have gotten the chance to raise you," he smiled. She looked up at him.
"You cannot be thanking him for this," she scowled. He laughed.
"Well…he is the reason we're where we are today,"
"Yeah, paranoid and nervous every time we step outside," she snorted.
"That's just you," he said. Kylie glared at him.
"Can you blame me?" she asked before stepping away from him. He raised a hand to run it through his hair, but she grabbed it before he could.
"What?" he asked.
"You're messing up hair," she smiled. "How do you expect to charm the ladies with that mop head you call hair?"
"Please, you know I could pull it off," he smiled back. She laughed and pulled him into another hug. He kissed the top of her head, and then rested his chin on it. The gesture always calmed Kylie down; it was as familiar as his conning smile or Mozzie's paranoia. Kylie didn't want to move; she was the happiest she had been in years. She had Neal back, the FBI would find her dad, and she was finally living the life she'd always wished for. She could finally be optimistic about something. Neal could sense her happiness, and didn't pull away. He had only dreamed of being able to comfort her like this, and now here she was. He had missed seeing her grow up, and he would do anything to make up for it. If that meant holding her in his arms and kissing her head like he always did, he'd do it hands down. For a few minutes, neither moved. Then Neal's cell rang. He let out a breath, and let go of Kylie. Leave it to a cell phone to break such a tender moment, but Neal wouldn't have traded it for all the paintings in the world. She stepped back and rubbed her eyes, trying to hide the happy tears springing to them. He smiled at her, feeling the same way, and checked the Caller ID. Unknown Number. He picked it up anyway, and as answered he walked to the balcony outside.
"Hello?"
"Hello Caffrey," a deep voice answered.
"Who is this?" he asked.
"You really don't know? I'm hurt. I'm sure if my daughter had answered-" Neal's world tilted, "-she would have recognized me right away." Kylie's dad snickered.
"What do you want?" Neal asked sharply. He looked back inside to see Kylie searching through his bookcase for something to read. Was this really happening? How did he get Neal's number? His heart pounded with adrenaline.
"I think you know."
"You're not getting her. You'll have to go through me first," Neal threatened. He heard a laugh.
"I plan to Neal," was the response. "And when I do, she's all mine. You can't find me Caffrey, but I've found her. I'm going to take her back, and you can't stop me," he said. Neal instantly looked back at Kylie, who was curled up on the couch, reading a thick book. A flame deep inside him ignited at the thought of him getting anywhere near Kylie, let alone…touching her like he had done. The fire slowly consumed him, and he tightened his free hand into a fist. His mind began to fog in anger, but he stopped it before he wouldn't be able to think anymore. Funny how your life turn upside down in a matter of minutes.
"I can and I will. Where are you calling from? We could settle this right now," Neal almost growled, but he kept his calm.
"Why would I tell you? You'd bring your FBI friends, and that would ruin all the fun," he said. Neal's mind raced- if he went to confront him, he'd be putting his own life in danger. But he could seek the vengeance he'd held onto for all these years. If he involved the FBI, he might never get another chance like this. Peter's words popped into his head uninvited.
"Justice or revenge. Right or wrong. Justice is the right way to go. Revenge accomplishes nothing, and only brings regret."
After what seemed like an eternity, he made up his mind.
"I don't need them to take you down," he said. "It'll just be you and me. I guarantee that."
"Confident, I like it. You know Neal, it's a lovely day for a walk in the park," and then the line went dead. Immediately, Neal was back inside. He threw his phone on the couch next to Kylie, who looked up from her book in confusion.
"Call Peter. Tell him I've found a lead on the case, and I have to go undercover to dig up some info," Neal walked quickly to the door.
"Wait, Neal?" Kylie closed her book. He looked at her, and caught the flash of worry in his eyes. "What's going on?"
"Everything's fine Ky," he smiled, though she could tell it was forced. "I'll be back later." He opened the door.
"Neal?" she asked again. He forced himself to look back at her. He needed to go now unless he wanted to change his mind. The urge to sweep her back into their comforting position from earlier was about to overwhelm him. If he was going to do this, he couldn't look into her deep, pleading blue eyes. He couldn't be swayed by her concern. "Be safe." She said. He felt his heart ache as he realized this could potentially be the last time he say her. "No." he thought. He would come home, and then Kylie would be safe for the rest of her life; never having to look behind her shoulder as she walked, never having to flinch at every loud sound she heard, never having to worry about him again. Who 'him' was, her father or Neal, didn't matter. He didn't want her to have to worry about anything complicated again. A scene of her living a normal life with him flashed in his head. He could see it; her doing homework, worrying about tests, colleges, boys, the normal trivial things of a teenage girl's life. Then he snapped himself back to reality. Right now, in order for that vision to become reality, he needed to go. He needed to confront her father, and get him out of her life for good, no matter what it took.
"I will," and with that, he left. As soon as he was out the door, Kylie realized how stupid he was for not bringing his phone.
"Idiot," she mumbled. Then she realized he would never forget his phone. He left it intentionally, which meant he didn't want to be contacted. Her heart rate spiked as she grabbed his phone and pushed the 'recent calls' list. Unknown Number. She clicked 'call' and waited anxiously.
"Impatience kills Caffrey," the voice answered. Kylie gasped and clicked the 'end' button. Her father had called Neal, and he was going to get himself killed. She punched in the first number she thought of and nearly screamed in impatience as the phone rang.
"Burke,"
"Peter!" she cried. "Neal's gone to meet my dad!" she dug the nails of her free hand into her leg.
"Are you sure?" came his steady reply.
"Yes Peter, yes!" she was becoming hysterical.
"I'll be over in five minutes," he assured. In the background she heard him call- "Jones pull up Caffrey's anklet mapping."
"Hurry Peter!" she felt tears down her face. She couldn't lose him again. She wouldn't allow it. But what could she do? Exactly why she had called Peter.
"Kylie stay where you are," he ordered. "I'm on my way." He hung up, and Kylie felt utterly alone. The images she was refusing to see began to overpower her, until she couldn't stop them anymore. Her eyes closed and she saw visions on Neal on the ground, chest bloody, he father holding a gun and laughing. Then the scene flashed and she saw herself holding a gun, Neal kneeling at her feet, holding his stomach. He looked up, and pulled a hand away from his abdomen, revealing the bright red blood from the gunshot wound. I shot him. She thought. Then she saw herself being pulled into a van by an unforgiving hand; her father. Before she was pulled completely in the back, she saw bodies on the ground a few feet in front of her. Neal, Mozzie, Peter, Elizabeth, Diana, Jones, and no one was moving. Her breathing hitched. They died because of her. A pounding on her door startled her from the images in her head. "Kylie! Open up!" the door swung open, and he was attacked by a sobbing teenage girl.
"It's all my fault Peter!" she cried. He instantly wrapped his arms around her.
"No it's not. We are going to find Neal and keep him safe," Peter promised. He gently released her, and called to his team waiting behind him. "Do we know where Caffrey is?"
"Looks like he's in a park boss," Jones answered. Peter nodded.
"I know which park. Let's go," they quickly ran back outside. Peter stopped when Kylie didn't follow. He turned to see her standing with her head down, her blond hair covering her face. Cautiously, he walked back towards her. "Ky?" she looked up, her face tear-stained. Peter held out a hand. "We need you," she looked at him, and then gingerly took his outstretched hand. Peter smiled and began pulling her outside. Diana and Jones were waiting for them by the cars. Peter jumped into his, Kylie in the passenger side while the other two agents got in the second car. Before they had gotten to the cars though, Kylie heard Diana calling for backup and Jones getting his gun ready.
"Neal, what were you thinking?"
Ahhh another cliff-hanger! I'm sorry guys! It had to be done. Please review! If you don't I'll wait even longer to post the next chapter! X) jk I wouldn't do that. But do review please!
-pugluv24
