Unexpected

The inside of the jet was silent, but filled with a feeling of accomplishment as Red ended his call with the Director. Lizzy was still asleep on the small couch and Red envied her ability to sleep peacefully at all. They had been in near constant motion for weeks now and it was starting to take a toll on them both. Red didn't want to admit it, but he was tired. Even though he had spent the last two decades on the run, it had been awhile since he had been this high profile and having Lizzy with him simply increased their chance of getting noticed. Of course, there was no way he was going to let her out of his sight and since they were successful in retirieving the Director's hidden goods, a mini vaction wouldn't hurt and Red could get the rest he needed. Decision made Red got up to inform Edward and Dembe of their new destination.

Red gently shook Lizzy awake as they were getting ready to land. She looked at Red then her watch, "I know we can't be in New York already. Did something happen? What's going on?" Red chuckled and gave her his trademark smirk. "Nothing is wrong Lizzy. I have decided we could use a short break and since we were close I thought I might show you one of my favorite places to stay." Liz couldn't agree more that she could use a break, but she was a profiler and she knew Red had been going non-stop since she was accused of killing the Senator. Out of the two of them Red needed the break most of all.

The jet landed smoothly at a non-descript airstrip and another of Red's infinite number of vechiles was waiting for them. The vechile of choice this time was a black, extended cab 4x4 truck outfitted for a just about any outdoor conditions. Liz looked around as they exited the jet aside from the truck and the jet there was nothing, but trees lining either side of the runway. She had no idea where they were, but she had come to trust Red so she followed him into the backseat of the truck. Dembe was already in the drivers seat having exited the plane first. As Dembe steered the truck onto a gravel path Liz could no longer contain her curiosity, "Where are we?" Red who had been starring out the front window turned to her. "We are in the state home to the Space Needle." Liz cocked her head to the side a trait she seemed to be picking up from Red. "Washington. Your favorite place to stay is in Washington?"

Red smiled, "It's not so much the location as the company." Liz let out an exasperated sigh. She thought after two years she would be used to his egnimatic responses, that was not the case. "Could you be anymore cryptic Red? Who are we meeting?" Red chuckled he couldn't help it, agitating Lizzy was something he enjoyed doing, especially if he knew she wouldn't get to angry with him. "It's a surprise Lizzy. We have about an hours drive, relax and enjoy the scenery it's quite pleasant." Lizzy gave him an annoyed look and a muttered 'fine' before turning to observe the landscape outside her window.

The hour drive passed by without any incident. Dembe drove them down the gravel path to the interstate only to get off three exits down and turn them onto an almost completely hidden, yet obviously used dirt road. They continued down this road surrounded by trees for the rest of their travel. As Dembe rounded the last turn in the road, Liz found herself starring at what could only be described as a mansion desguised as a cabin in the woods. The cabin was two stories complete with a wrap around porch and balcony. It was obviously occupied, if the jeep and pick-up truck in the front circular drive way was anything to go by.

Liz turned towards Red, "I see why this is one of your favorite places to stay, it's beautiful." Red nodded his agreement and prompted her to exit the truck when Dembe opened her door. Red led Lizzy to the door with Dembe following. Liz expected him to knock, but Red surprised her when he pulled out a key and let them inside. Liz was stunned as she entered the cabin it was amazing, stone fireplace, sectional couch and an enormous flat screen television occupied the open living room. Also, with the open floor plan she could see an equally enourmous kitchen that had been well used judging by the stack of used dishes in the sink.

Liz looked to Red only to notice the concerned look he was giving Dembe. "What's wrong?" Red looked at the living room then to the kitchen, "I thought for sure..." He stopped mid sentence when they heard a door bang open from somewhere behind the living room wall, followed by voices. "I told you that the line wasn't on there right, but nooo you know everything." There was a pause and another voice answered, "Fine. You were right. You happy. You Were Right. Mark this day on your damn calendar and shut up about already." Liz could hear the owner of the first voice laughing and looked to Red for guidance.

Red had been concerned when they first entered the house to find it empty, but as the voices drifting in from the rear of the house he couldn't contain his cheerful grin. He squeezed Lizzy's shoulder as he breezed by her and met the owners of the voices as they rounded the corner into the living room. "Hello boys!" The 'boys' looked shocked at first before breaking into matching grins and simultaniously pulling Red into a group hug. Liz looked on trying to determine who the two men were. They were both about an inch taller than Red with almost identical facial features so it was a safe bet to assume they were twins and looked to be in their early twenties. It was their eyes that gave it away, as Dembe came forward to greet the 'boys'. Liz realized she had scene those green eyes many times. The 'boys' had Red's eyes.

Red hugged the two young men tightly before kissing them each on the cheek and releasing them. They smiled at Red as they made there way to Dembe and gave him the same treatment. As the 'boys' embraced Dembe, Red made his way to Lizzy's side. She gave him a knowing smile as the 'boys' walked with Dembe towards Lizzy. They stopped in front of her and she couldn't help, but note the similarities between them and Red. They shared eye color, the same shaped face and shoulders, but the boys had dark brown hair and were both lean and muscular.

Red watched as Liz observed his boys briefly before offering an introduction. "Elizabeth Keen I'd like you to meet Robert and Raymond Junior, my sons." he gestured to each as he said their name. Lizzy smiled and extended her hand to Robert, he looked at her hand then to her face and laughed before pulling her into a bear hug saying. "Really you want to shake my hand, you might not know us that well yet, but your family we don't shake hands." Lizzy returned the hug and chuckled as Robert released her only for Raymond Junior to grab her into a hug. As she was released she looked at Red, "You have sons and that is not in any of your files. How did you manage to keep that a secret all these years?" Red laughed, "It wasn't easy. You enjoy the boys company while Dembe and I cook dinner since these two apparently forgot everything I've taught them about fishing, we'll have to be creative with dinner."

The look the twins shot Red's way made them look even more like their father and Liz laughed gaining their attention. "By the way I prefer to be called RJ and my brother goes by Robbie. Our full names only get used for introductions and if we are in trouble." Liz made a mental note of their nicknames as she followed them to the couch and told them to call her Liz. The trio took their seats and Liz took another moment to observe Red's children before letting her curiosity take over. "Okay I'm guessing you're the oldest Robbie?" The twin in question laughed loudly, while his brother grimaced. "Well Liz, Dad was right you really are one of the best profilers. The few people who were introduced to our real names assume because RJ is named after Dad that he is the elder, but I beat him by five minutes." RJ gave his brother a scathing yet playful look before lashing out quickly and smacking his brother in the back of the head.

Liz jumped back at the impact of RJ's hand on his brother, but Robbie wasted no time and the two were soon engaged in a UFC style grappling match on the living room floor. Liz looked on in equal parts shock and amusement. She knew they were just rough housing as siblings, especially twins, were known to do. However, the commotion attracted the attention of the eldest Reddington who marched into the living room with a grimace of disappointment and a dish towel thrown over his shoulder. "ROBERT! RAYMOND!" Red barked at the boys, "I said to get to know Lizzy, not act like your five year olds with no manners." For their part, the twins halted their actions at the sound of Red's voice, which left RJ in a headlock and Robbie's legs twisted up in RJ's. They smiled sheepishly at Liz before disentangling themselves and going back to their seats on the was still giving the twins a parent death glare, so they quickly apologized to Liz for their outburst. Red nodded at them and told them dinner would be ready soon and that they could set the table.

As the group of five sat down to eat Liz could not get over how domestic the whole situation turned out to be. Dembe and Red had prepared a simple yet delicious meal of spaghetti and meat sauce, along with a light salad. They had wine to drink and the conversation flowed smoothly. Liz soon realized the twins were as apt at story telling as their father. She was sure her face was bright red as she laughed at the stories of Robbie and RJ growing up and giving Red a run for his money.

One story in particular involved RJ leaping into shark populated waters off the coast of Austrailia on his eighth birthday because the day before Red had told him he could swim with the sharks when he was older. In his eight year old brain, that next day being his birthday obviously made him old enough. Red assured Liz it was at this point that his hair really started to recede. Liz noticed that RJ seemed to be the more adventurous twin, but Robbie was definitly the sneakier one. Apparently, Robbie preferred to make his father's hair fall out by showing up in places he shoudn't be, mainly one of Red's arms deals with a drug cartel in Columbia. Robbie somehow snuck onto Red's jet without his knowledge and then commandeered his own vechile to follow Red to the meet, all of this at the age of twelve. Fortunately, nothing untoward happened. Red said he damn near had a heart attck when he walked out the hangar to find one of his boys sitting in the back of his car waiting for him.

Dinner flew by and Liz enjoyed the company of the Reddingtons' and Dembe well into the evening until she couldn't stop the yawn escaping her mouth. Red ever observant suggested that they call it a night. Red knew his boys' would be staying up especially since their Uncle Dembe was their and a rematch had already been discussed over dinner for Call of Duty on the Xbox One. Red didn't really understand the obsession his sons' had with video games, but he would not deny them their fun with their uncle. Red and Liz bid them goodnight and he led Liz to the upper floor. As they hit the top of the stairs Red pointed at doors letting her know where everyone could be located. The door to the right as they reached the top landing was Robbie's room. They took the left which lead down a hallway. The first door to her right was the bathroom, across from that was RJ's room, which left the last two doors one on the right and one to the left. Red said she could have the one to the left and explained that the two rooms were both master bedrooms complete with a full bath. Red walked her to the door, ever the gentleman. As she entered her room he bid her goodnight and entered his own door across the hall.

Liz gaped at the room she was in, there was a king sized bed, a sofa, recliner and a flat screen television all in her bedroom. The bathroom was equally amazing a huge garden tub took up one corner, a separate shower and large vanity took up most of the other side. Liz decided a long soak in the huge tub would be nice since she didn't get that luxuory often with her new life as a wanted her soak Liz found some sleepwear and crawled into bed feeling lighter than she had since she started running. It was with a light heart that Liz drifted into the first restful sleep she had in weeks.

As for Red, he entered his room in contentment. He could hear the muffled laughter of his children and brother as they argued over who would play first and talked smack to each other. He made his way to the corner table and poured himself a glass of scotch and made for the shower. He finished in the bathroom quickly life on the run and the military before that didn't allow him to waste time on mundane things like long baths. Red dressed in a grey t-shirt and his cotton lounge pants with little devils on it that the twins gave him for Christmas last year. He made his way to the bed and climbed in falling asleep almost immediatly knowing that his children, brother and his Lizzy were all safe for the moment. Finally he could relax if only for a few days.

The next morning Lizzy woke to the sunlight streaming in through her window. She felt refreshed and rejuvenated. She went in the bathroom breifly and grabbed her robe to head downstairs. She was quiet going down the stairs so as not to disturb anyone and followed the smell of coffee into the kitchen where Red sat reading the paper, looking well rested and sipping from a mug that had a picture of a greenish-blue animal wearing a fedora and read Agent P across the bottom. If that wasn't enough to start her giggling the sight of Red's devil pajama pants sent her over the edge into all out laughter.

Red looked at her questionly, "Are you alright, Lizzy?" She couldn't talk due to her laughter so she nodded that she was okay. "May I ask what has you in hysterics this morning?" Liz finally regained her self control, "I'm sorry. I have never really seen you in anything, but a suit and here you are in devil pj's and drinking out of a silly mug." Red chuckled a little nodding his head as if agreeing with her. "Yes the boys bought me these for Christmas and apparently this character on the mug reminded them of me. Something about a secret agent and my affinity for fedoras. As for the devil pants I don't know whether it was a compliment or an insult." Lizzy's admiration for Red grew in that moment. Here was a man who had his world torn apart and was thrown into a much darker one, only to rise within it and still keep a part of his original self whether he saw it or not. Red was a decent man and a loving father.

Red poured Liz some coffee and offered her a cinnamon roll from the oven. They sat there enjoying just staying still for awhile when Denbe emerged from his room on the bottom floor, where he preferred to stay. Red and Liz greeted Dembe and watched as he helped himself to orange juice and cinnamon rolls and sat acroos from them at the small island. "How did the rematch go last night?" Red asked curious as to whether his sons were going to be happy or disgruntled when they awoke. Dembe smiled, "I still hold the title of Call of Duty champion." Red laughed, looking to Liz "That means the boys lost horribly and are not happy. They are terrible losers." Liz didn't miss a beat "Like father, like sons." Red's jaw dropped in shock and Dembe tried to cover his chuckle, but it just came out as a snort.

The twins chose that moment to enter the kitchen and were surprised to see their father looking put out and Liz and their uncle laughing at his expense. "So what did we miss?" Asked Robbie to the room at large. The other two were still chuckling leaving Red to answer his children, "Apparently Elizabeth believes I am a sore loser and that is where you two get it from." Robbie and RJ looked from their dad to each other before simaltaniously saying, "She might be right." This caused Dembe and Liz to go into a fit of laughter again and Red's scowl to deepen. The twins looked at the three older people quizically before deciding breakfast was more important than whatever was wrong with the three at the table.

After breakfast everyone helped with the clean up and went to get dressed. Red surprised Liz with his wardrobe once again when he descended the stairs in dark wash jeans and a loose fitting black t-shirt and hiking boots. The group made their way out the back door and down the huge deck that led to the lake that backed the property. The landscape was gorgeous and Liz felt the company couldn't be better. They spent the day fishing and in Liz's case relearning how to fish. The Reddingtons' turned out to be quite the fishermen as did Dembe, but Liz showed them all up by catching the largest fish. Naturally Robbie and RJ insisted it was beginner's luck and Red tried to agree further cementing the fact that his sons' were sore losers just like him. Red didn't appreciate it when Liz pointed that out.

Red, Liz and Dembe stayed through the weekend. They all took turns swapping stories from their past and enjoying the peace that came with the setting and being surrounded by people that you cared about and in return cared about you, Red announced they would be leaving soon after he recieved a call from Marvin Gerard. Liz wasn't happy about having to leave, none of them were, but they all knew the time would come. They said their good byes, Red taking the time to bear hug each of his boys individually. Liz noticied he whispered something in each of thier ears causing them to tense for a moment and shock to pass over their faces before they nodded ridgidly, but confidently.

Red and Liz once again took their seats in the back of the truck, while Dembe drove. The drive back to the airstrip was in comtemplative silence, everyone occupied in their own thoughts. Once they boarded the jet and were airborne Liz left the couch to sit in the chair across from Red. She smiled as Red looked at her, "I wanted to thank you." A confused look descended Red's face, "For what Lizzy?" She smiled, this man had no clue sometimes, "For everything Red. I don't think I've said thank you for all the things you've done for me. Even before the FBI and blacklisters. You saved me from the fire, tried to protect me from my past and now your trying to protect me from the present." She paused briefly, "but truly I wanted to thank you for this weekend. For trusting me with a secret of yours. Thank you for trusting me enough to introduce me to your family. I know that can't be easy for you."

Red regained control of his shock. He didn't believe he should be thanked seeing as he had been responsible for part of Lizzy's grief over the years. She was watching him and he gave her a slightly, watery smile, "I don't believe I deserve your thanks, but your welcome and as for introducing you to the boys. They weren't joking Lizzy, your family and I have so little of that left. I'll do what I have to in order to protect it." Red said this with such conviction she had no doubt that it was true, if anyhting Raymond "Red" Reddington gave the same loyalty that he seemed to recieve from his most trusted.

They sat in silence for a while after that, only for Lizzy's natural curiousity to bring her to break the silence. "What did you tell Robbie and RJ before we left. They both had that determined look you get when you're about to do something really important and equally dangerous." Red chuckled Lizzy was ever the profiler and a damn good one, "I was giving the boys' their assignments. As much as I wanted them away from this world of mine they refused to leave it. I figured if they wanted in, the least I could do was shield them from the worst of it, but they want a part in taking down the Cabal, I can't bring myself to deny them that." Red looked her in the eye, "You'll see them again soon Lizzy. Unfortuantely, so will the rest of the world and I'm not sure if it's me or the world that will be woefully unprepared to deal with the wrath that will follow my sons."

Red looked out the window as he finished speaking leaving Lizzy to absorb what he was implying. Lizzy wasn't sure how she felt about those two sweet, young men barely out of adolesence joining to fight a clandestine group of ruthless people and aiding known fugitives, but she did know one thing if any two people were equipped for the job it would be the children of Raymond Reddington. "Hey Red," Liz called to get his atrtention "I don't know about you and the world, but with three Reddingtons, the Cabal won't know what hit them." Red laughed with Lizzy. She was right of course, the Cabal had know idea what was coming to them, no idea at all.