Neal Caffrey one shots | White Collar

Once in a lifetime

He really thought it was the right choice. They'd tried but they hadn't worked.

It made sense that Sara wanted to take that job in London. He wanted her to take that job, she deserved it.

Yet, as he stood on the Empire State Building, saying the words that came straight from his heart, he stared up at her with love in his eyes.

He knew he would never stop loving her. But they were different people and they both knew it could never work out.

As he slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her, he wished it were real.

And as he watched her leave for London, his heart ached.

The ache stayed there for the remainder of his sentence. He didn't understand it. He'd tried letting go, he'd let Elizabeth set him up with some of her friends, even tried dating again and for a while, he'd managed to be okay. He met Rebecca, or Rachel, and thought he was over her but then Rebecca turned out to be a mix of every woman he'd ever loved and it just wasn't right.

The day his anklet came off, Neal felt free. He'd promised Peter he'd stay at the FBI as a paid consultant. But he left as soon as his workday was over.

His bag was already packed so he grabbed his passport and ticket and hailed a cab.

The flight passed by quickly and nerves built up in his stomach. It was an unfamiliar feeling.

He thought he'd had it all with Kate. He'd loved her with everything he had and in a way he still loved her. He probably always would. But this, with Sara, was something else completely.

He recalled stories Ellen used to tell him when he was little. Stories about how he'd find someone special, someone who was exactly right for just him. Once in his lifetime, she'd said, he would find her and he would know.

And he knew.

He closed his eyes and it was her that he saw. Someone called his name and he thought it was her. When he pictured his future, it was her that was right beside him. She was there, vibrant as ever, her hand in his.

And then he opened his eyes, she wasn't there. His soul ached for her, remembering her touch from memories.

The hotel wasn't far away from the airport and he didn't waste time dropping his luggage off. His entire body was buzzing, the kind of feeling he got before pulling off an impossible heist.

He moved swiftly through the bustling streets of London. It was as if his body knew the way to its destination when his mind didn't.

In the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of red hair. He turned and she was there.

"Sara," the word slipped from his lips as he moved closer.

She turned, having heard him and stared, in shock. "Neal."

"Sara," he said again, reaching her. "Listen, I know we said we weren't good for each other but I can't stop thinking about you. I know we said another time another place but I don't want to believe that. What we had, it was real, it was so real, Sara, and I don't want anything else."

He glanced down, suddenly unsure of what to say.

"I think you're it for me, Sara. You're my once in a lifetime."

"Neal." She spoke, uncertain. Her hands took his and he looked up. Her eyes shone with unshed tears and she had a smile on her face. The kind that she always tried to hide, the one Neal loved so much. "You came all the way here just to say this?"

He nodded and she laughed, looking away. He was reminded of his proposal years before. She still looked as beautiful.

"You're a romantic, Caffrey." She smiled. "But I haven't stopped thinking about you, either."

He grinned and stepped closer. "Really?"

"Really." She stepped even closer, pressing their bodies together before leaning in to kiss him.

His hand came up to cup her face instantly, the way he always did.

Her hands wound around his neck, toying with the small hairs at the nape of his neck.

"We're in another time, another place." He spoke when they broke apart. "What do you say?"

He pulled away from her and dropped to one knee, pulling out June's ring. He smiled up at her. "Sara Ellis, will you marry me?"

She laughed and nodded, wiping at her eyes. "Damnit Caffrey, you always just know how to do it right, don't you?"

He grinned, taking her hand as he got up. "Is that a yes?"

She watched with love as he slid the ring on her finger. "Yes, it's a yes."