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

THIRTY

who knew it would turn out like this

~

"Look again!"

"It's not here!" Jayson repeats in a snap. He was frustrated at all of this. Here he was, standing in the middle of the most secure vault in Tokyo with cash sitting around him and he still stood unsatisfied. He didn't care about the cash. None of them did. Well, Matthew, maybe did care about the cash, but he cared about the sword more.

"It has to be!" Matthew repeats, his voice raised louder now.

"It's not!"

The two start arguing and eventually, Kira rolls her eyes and interrupts them, "We don't have time to argue. Now, we didn't come all this way to leave empty handed." She nods to Jayson, "Fill the bags."

Jayson sighs and helps her fill the bags with the cash. And when they finished, they sat on the bags patiently, waiting for their ride. But, all of a sudden, Kira saw through the open door of the vault to see gas shooting out of a pellet. Kira pushed herself off the bags of money.

SAT was here.

Immediately and without prior consultation, red targeting lights were trained on her and Jayson. They both raised their hands in surrender, defeat on both their faces.

The SAT leader came out of formation, lowering his fake gun and pulled up his visor. Kira smirked when she saw Neal looking at her, eyes shining. She was surprised by him. In awe. Even though they didn't get the sword, he still saw it as a win. They still got something out of all their trouble. He wasn't frowning like her and Jayson. He smiled happily, the rush of adrenaline all over his face. And Kira felt the shine rise up out of her in answer, gleaming through her.

Leland brushed past Neal and he felt the silent, gentle remonstrance. The job wasn't over and the time to be smiling was when they got the money out. When they were safe. Neal saw the wry acknowledgement from Kira. He tossed over the SAT gear to Kira, then Jayson and waited for them to quickly change. Time for one last exchange.

Don't get bored.

Don't get stupid.

And then Neal was back on the radio to Arnold, "Breaching elevator doors now. We have two guards, bound, unconscious. Wait a minute!"

"Guys! Guys! Someone's here! Someone's here!" Came Jayson's faint voice as he yelled to play his part.

"Take 'em down now!" A canister primed and rolled into the vault.

"I got 'em!"

"Light! Light! We need power now!"

The lights flickered on around them and Kira and Matthew busied themselves cutting through the restraints on the guards.

"It appears a high explosive device has been detonated. I repeat, has been detonated. Continuing search for survivors."

The vault was a mess, all bills and chips and twisted racking. Neal gave a nod of approval: Matthew knew his stuff.

"Sir," Neal barked through the radio, speaking fluent Japanese, "our search has revealed no suspects. Nor have we been able to determine at this time how they entered or exited the premises."