A/N: Yeah... I know I haven't updated this in a long time... but I haven't forgotten about it. So, that said, here's another chapter! I don't know yet if I'm going to do more with this particular storyline or not... any opinions on that? Let me know!
Disclaimer: Still don't own White Collar or any of the characters...
As usual, the underlined line is the quote.
Enjoy!
The Choice That Wasn't...
He kicked hard to lift his head above the water far enough to see. With every second the current threatened to drag him under but he knew he couldn't let it.
Peter was here somewhere… somewhere in the rushing, raging water… somewhere… and he had to find him.
There was no other option.
Peter couldn't die here.
With every breath he fought to keep himself afloat… fought to see… where was Peter?
Peter, being shoved unconscious out of the chopper… Peter falling…
No.
Peter would not die here like this.
He wouldn't let him.
Not like this.
Not in a watery, violent grave where El would never know what had happened to him.
Not here.
Not when it was his fault.
Not Peter.
The water crashed over his head, pulling him inexorably downward.
Couldn't let it. Had to fight.
Peter.
The falls were getting nearer though, the current stronger.
No.
Where was Peter?
Peter falling through the air… why wouldn't he wake up? Water rushing to claim him… to drag him down to the depths…
"Now, Mr. Caffrey… you can choose your own life… or you can go after the FBI scum you've grown so attached to. What will it be?"
No choice there. No contest.
Peter.
Where was he? He had to be here somewhere… he had to be close…
The water surged over him, pulling him along, frantically he clawed his way to the surface again, struggling to blink water out of his eyes and see.
Where was Peter?
He had to find him.
Had to get him out of here.
Where…
There.
Through the murky depths of the water Neal suddenly, blessedly, saw Peter's still form and he dove.