As I Collide, I See I Am a Paradox // White Collar

SIXTEEN

And I think of how time passes so differently for different people.

~

Opening her eyes, pain tore through her head as light pierced her eyes. She gasped at the excruciating pounding in her skull. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she brought her head up from where her chin rested against her chest. Her vision was hazy and she had to blink a few times to clear it up.

She hoped this was another one of her nightmares and that she would wake up in Neal's bed with him holding her hand or telling her that everything is okay.

Neal.

Oh, God. Where was Neal? Was he here somewhere? Was he safe wherever he was? For all she knew, he could be tied up, too. Or dead. She wouldn't put it past Matthew. With how much those two dislike each other, she would not doubt that he would kill Neal, for free even.

Kira struggles against her binds, only to become startled when an all too familiar voice speaks from behind her, "I already tried that."

Kira perks up in alarm. That was Neal. Kira turns her head as far as it can go to realize that her hands were tied to his and they were back-to-back. Her guess was that they were in a plane, because she knew that lightheaded feeling anywhere.

"Neal?" She asks with hope in her voice.

"Yeah. It's me." He spoke. Kira sighs in relief, but her chest tightened when he continued, "You mind telling me what's going on? 'Cause I'm getting the feeling that everyone knows, but me."

Letting out a breath from her lips, Kira looks down, "Neal, I'm sorry. I never wanted you to get mixed up in this."

"Mixed up in what? Kira, if you don't tell me, then I can't help you." Neal's worried tone did not go unnoticed.

"Neal, even if I do tell you, we're both dead anyway." She looks down, murmuring, "At least I am."

"Kira—" Neal attempts to argue back, but is cut off by the door opening. He shuts his mouth and turns his gaze to it in alarm as Matthew walks in. He closes the door behind him, then turns around to face the pair, "—Good. You're both awake. We still have a few hours until we land." He circles around them both.

"Where?" Neal asks curiously.

Matthew glares at him in annoyance, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Kira rolls her eyes, "Okay, Matthew, if this is about what I said, then I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

"That's nice." Kira rolls her eyes again. Matthew stops in front of her, "Kira, you know why I'm here." He bends down to come to her level as he shakes his head, "Don't act like you don't. I presented you your options and you chose to come crawling back to Caffrey." Matthew stands, "If only he knew you were with me out of your own free will."

In confusion, Neal tilts his head to her, "Kira, what is he talking about?"

"He's lying, Neal. Don't listen to him."

"No, Kira." Matthew bends down again and leans his head down next to her ear, "Tell him the truth or he's gonna fall 38,000 feet and meet a very harsh landing." Leaning back, Matthew stands again, "Tell him, Kira. Tell him everything."