Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to Jeff Eastin, USA Network et al. This is for fun, no copyright infringement is intended.
Judgment Day
There are several things Elizabeth will later remember about the day Neal ran.
Anger. At Phil Kramer for treating Neal like a slave with no human feelings. For going behind Peter's back. For destroying Peter's belief in his former mentor.
Pity. For Neal who had fought so hard – though not always wisely – for his home, his family, his new-found place in this world. Only to lose it all in the blink of an eye.
Grief. For herself. For Peter and June and Sara for losing this brilliant, maddening, so utterly unique young man who had brightened and complicated their lives for the past two years.
Regret. About what the future must bring.
But most of all she will remember the moment the door of her house opened and she turned in nervous anticipation on the couch. Will remember Peter's face, a stranger's and still as stone, as he said "Neal ran." And then added "I told him to."
Will always remember how he turned away and walked up the stairs with heavy steps; as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.