Who sows the wind…

Chapter 1

Bonding

The same heartbreaking routine every morning.
His dark eyes witnessed a meanwhile very familiar scene unfolding in this bright bedroom, which was flooded with the first orange sunrays of the early hours. The promise of a coming day. The curtains drifted gently in the morning breeze.
The open book on the night stand, her small hand in his friend´s larger one. The deep and raspy whisper of his caressing words. The quiet hissing of the respirator.
Dembe's face unreadable as always he softly closed the door. Giving them some privacy.

It's been 3 months.
At least she was his. To care about her, to be at her side. Wasn't that what he had always wished for them?
Be careful what you wish for, he told himself.
He passed the large hallway on his way to the kitchen. Paris was already rattling with his pans and cutlery, creating some of his highly recommended omelettes for breakfast.

Dembe had been to worse places than the motor lodge, but indeed, he appreciated the luxury Red's business could offer.

Red was back. Almost even as before.
Before Kate.
Before the suitcase.
Before things got out of hand.
Only Red could rebuild an empire starting with a sly postman and a dog parlor.

They all moved in a few weeks ago. Just a couple of days before Liz' release from hospital.
Red wanted to make sure she would have everything she needed. She and Agnes.
The first time for a lifetime they stayed longer than 3 nights in the same place. Red put their needs before his own. Their wellbeing before his safety. As he always has. Dembe wondered if Liz would ever recognize Red's efforts to show his affection. If she ever would learn the truth and if Raymond would ever be able to tell her.
Well, if she should, she would have to wake up first.
His mood was gloomy as he sat down at the table.

"Noooo!" Dembe slightly jumped and tried not to spill his coffee while Paris immediately stopped in his tracks and reached for the cocoa powder instead, breathing a sigh. "Nooooo!"
The pleasant quiet of this morning ended abruptly with an 18 month old toddler bursting into the room wearing nothing but a diaper. Agnes was awake. Her nanny followed right behind carrying the missing clothing.
"I´m sorry, I wasn't paying attention - only for a second! Agnes! Will you please stop and let me put on your dress?" "Noooooo!" the answer was clear and loud. Very clear and extremely loud. She shaked her little head so energetically that her meanwhile pretty long and dark hair stood on end.
Agnes completed her second turn around the table and was on her way to the hallway again.
Suddenly she was lifted by two strong arms which picked her up and tossed her high into the air just to catch her again safely. The little girl squealed in delight.

„Here you are little princess!" Red smiled down at the gleaming girl in his arms. „Don't wanna dress today - again?" he frowned.
„Mr. Reddington, I'm so sorry - I just wanted to get her socks...she jumped at the chance ... couldn't grab her in time..." Rosa stammered to her employer, who had been adamant that Rosa will care for Agnes beyond Tom's death and Liz' absence. At least there would be one familiar person caring for Agnes and giving her some sort of stability. Even if it meant that she had to look after the girl 24/7 Rosa didn't have to think much about Red's offer when she learned about her new salary. No one could ever say no to that - and to Mr. Reddington. Overall she loved this little stubborn head.

Rosa actually got used to the fact that there were always two guards on her heels when she even thought about leaving the house with Agnes. She didn't have a clue why Reddington insisted on that, but he definitely had to be a very rich person- he had a cook for his own for heavens sake - maybe he was frightened of someone kidnapping his granddaughter. After all that happened to Agnes' parents. If she had a father this wealthy, well, she wouldn't work at all. At least she wouldn't choose this immensely dangerous FBI agent job Liz' had. She hoped Liz' would think about that when...if she wakes up.

Red sat down at the table with Agnes on his lap. Paris made a beeline across the counter, eager to serve coffee and breakfast. And of course some milk for Agnes. He secretly added some cocoa powder every time and everyone pretended not to notice.

„Now, young lady, what are your plans for today? To turn some heads on the playground again? Cakes in the sandbox? To occupy the swing for hours?" Agnes was fascinated watching him talking and didn't notice that Rosa took the opportunity and started to dress her. „Well, we actually thought about visiting the playground after her nap, Mr. Reddington." „All right, playground it is!" „Come on monkey, be a good girl. Finish your milk and say good bye to your grandpa!" Agnes did as she was told by Rose and slung her little arms around Red's neck. He gave her a soft squeeze while he closed his eyes and inhaled her sweet scent right at her small throat. Memories of bygone times flooded his mind.
„See you later, princess, have a great day!" he whispered.

„So it's grandpa now, huh?" he stated more to himself when Agnes and Rosa had left.
„You've had enough time to rectify." Dembe was right as always.

„Any word on our problem?" Red tried to change the subject.

„Her presence is good for you."

„Maybe I should reach out to Frank? A lot of us profit from his services."

„You should spend more time with her."

„His connections are extensive and he has ears and eyes everywhere."

„You are less lugubrious when she's around."

The expensive porcelain clanged dangerously loudly when Red put down his cup.

„I hear you. Listen, I ..."

The doorbell cut off their debate. The nurse checked in for Liz regularly at this time of the day. But after listening to a short banter between a female voice and the guard at the front door they heard vigorous footsteps heading towards the dining table.

„Samar! What an unexpected pleasure!"
Red switched into charming mode in a second. „Please sit down. Paris, coffee for our guest please. Had something for breakfast, Samar? Paris would conjure a delicious omelette for you, even better than I had in this little French bistro at Rue de ..."

„Yes, I'm sure about that. Good morning Reddington, Dembe." she gave a small nod to the large man. „Just coffee please."

„That's what I call a domicile." Samar was visibly impressed after a brief look around.
She took a sip of her coffee. She wasn't a small talk person. She was more comfortable getting right to the point. „Any news? Improvements?" she asked carefully. „No."
„I see."
„I assume this is not a courtesy visit. What do you want? Did Harold send you?"

„Cooper is at the end of his patience. The director is pushing him for results. We did all the remaining paperwork by now. The filing. We even polished our desks and cleaned the windows. He decided to send one of us to ask you, to convince you, that it's time to move on with our work."

„There are no windows at the Blacksite." Red stated.

The silence that followed was uneasy.

„Look, Samar, this is not how it works. My terms where simple but clear. No Agent Keen, no Blacklist."

„I expected this." Samar sighed „Aram convinced you once to go on - though we all mourned Liz' death. Especially you. Somehow he found the right words to reach you, to break your own condition for a higher aim. I'm here to remind you of that."

„Maybe you should have sent Aram then."

„He will show up next, if I'm not successful." Samar smiled. „Reddington, you took care of Agnes. You arranged a dignified funeral service for Tom though it's no secret you both had a history. And on top of that you raise all your resources to give Liz the best possible treatment. You are not this selfish prick you want us to believe you are. Do you really want to quit now? Neither our work is finished nor your mission fulfilled."

„What do you know about a mission?" he snorted.

„I know you have one. And it revolves around Elisabeth Keen. I have no clue why or what this is about. There are simpler ways for bonding with family. Furthermore I wonder if she deserves your devotion. Her and Kaplan's betrayal hit you hard. More than you are ever willing to admit."
Samar feared she had gone too far, but Reddington remained silent.

When he finally answered his voice was low. „You see this ...bonding...was all very successful. Liz' husband is dead, her child is growing up without parents and even the specialists don't dare to give a prognosis about her condition if she will ever wake up again."

„At least we can carry on Liz' job at the post office."

„Give me some days to think about." Red rose to make it clear this discussion was over. „I'll let you know."

„That's more than I hoped for, thanks. Goodbye Reddington and, um well, you have a stain on your collar. Looks like chocolate."