Chapter 2
…
Reddington was sitting in his chair, drinking some whiskey while he waited for Andrea to arrive. Kate was insistent that she didn't need a doctor but Reddington wasn't buying it. He'd known Kate long enough to know how stubborn she could be when it came to concerns for her own health. Dembe was sitting on the couch looking through a magazine when someone knocked on the door. Reddington looked up and nodded for Dembe to answer it. The younger man made his way over, looking through the peep hole to see a woman in her forties, long brunette hair and dark rimmed glasses. She was dressed in a simple black suit, with a purple shirt underneath her jacket.
"It's the doctor Raymond."
"Let her in Dembe."
Dembe opened the door, Andrea smiling when she saw him.
"Dembe."
"Hello, Raymond's inside."
Dembe stood aside as Andrea walked past him to see Reddington walking towards her, before hugging her.
"Andrea, thank you for coming."
"Well, it sounded urgent. You said it concerned Mr Kaplan…nothing serious I hope. I don't think I've ever seen Mr Kaplan sick before."
"Dembe, would you do me a favour. There's no milk to make the good doctor a coffee, would you mind going out for some."
Reddington gave his usual smile to the younger man who did as he was asked and left without argument.
"Why don't you want Dembe here? I'm not stupid Red, I don't take milk in my coffee and you know that."
"He's worried enough about Kate as it is."
"You said over the phone that she passed out."
"Earlier this morning, she's been having a few bouts of dizziness and she's been sick quite a bit, according to Dembe."
"What's she said about it?"
"You know Kate; she said she's fine…that it's nothing to worry about."
"And you don't believe her."
"Not for a minute, you said it yourself. You've never known Kate to be sick, well I agree. The way she is now, I just don't believe her."
"Where is she?"
"In there, the bedroom. She was exhausted."
"I won't be long, listen… you understand that if there is something and she doesn't want you to know, then I have to respect that, as her doctor."
"But you're not her doctor."
"The moment I examine her, she becomes my responsibility."
"Kate's a very big part of my life Andrea."
"I know she is and I know you love her but I mean it Red, don't push her."
"Just make sure she's okay, please."
Andrea gave him a smile before knocking and entering the bedroom, the door closing behind her.
…
Kate turned over, looking over to see the familiar face as she approached the bed.
"Hello Mr Kaplan."
"Hello dearie."
"Red tells me you haven't been feeling that great."
"Raymond overreacts, I'm perfectly fine."
Andrea could see something wasn't right with her the moment she looked at her; Kate sat up, before turning to sit on the side of the bed as Andrea took a seat beside her.
"You're a terrible liar Mr Kaplan, you and I both know Red won't let me leave here until he knows I've examined you."
"Will you tell him, if you were to find something?" She asked, looking at the younger woman.
"No I wouldn't, not if you didn't want me too. Tell me, will I find something?"
Kate looked away from Andrea, her eyes closing. Andrea reached out, taking Kate's hand in her own. She'd always found Mr Kaplan an interesting person, curious about how she had come to work for Reddington, she was a mystery that Andrea wanted to get to know better.
"Kate, how long have you known me?"
"Eight years, we met when Raymond first hired you."
"I remember when I first met him, right place at the right time. If he hadn't been walking past that night, I don't think I'd be here today. I thought that man was going to shoot me that evening. Red managed to calm me down, got me to the hospital and he stayed with me. When I woke up and he'd gone, I knew I had to find him to thank him."
"And he got you involved in this life."
"I don't fully agree with the things he done, there are times when I hate myself for helping him. I know that in one way or another, they're not good people."
"Then why do it?"
"The same reason you do I suppose, because despite the terrible things he does, he does care and looks out for the people close to him."
"He does, he'd risk his life if he had too."
"Kate, he's very concerned about you."
"I know."
"Look, whatever it is. As your doctor, I wouldn't disclose anything you didn't want me too."
"Do you know, the last time I was with a man was when I was fifteen years old, and it wasn't my choice? He was one of the older boys from our neighbourhood. He was about five years older than me; I always looked older for my age which is why I think he always took an interest in me. He invited me to a party one evening, I always thought he was a nice boy so I said yes, I told my mother that I was going to a friend's house and she never questioned it, I was very naïve back then. To look at me now, you wouldn't have thought so."
"Did he hurt you?"
"Mmmm, we went upstairs, he said he wanted to talk and I thought nothing of it, so I went. I let him kiss me, even back then it didn't feel right. I began to feel uncomfortable and tried to leave but he wouldn't let me, he was too strong and he…"
Kate removed her hand from Andrea's and stood up, Andrea watched closely at the way Kate tried to keep her balance as she gripped the bedside cabinet. She was on her feet, urging Kate to sit back down with her. They remained quiet for a few moments before Andrea finally spoke.
"This boy, he raped you?"
"I felt so ashamed that I never told my parents, I kept it to myself. You're the only person I've ever told. I found it very hard to let people in after that, especially men. Years later I met a woman, her name was Frances and she, from the moment I met her I felt so comfortable around her. We'd spend evenings together, one night she kissed me and it felt right, I felt safe."
"And that's when you realized you were gay?"
"I think I always knew, I just wasn't ready to admit it to myself back then."
"Why are you telling me all of this, don't get me wrong. I'm glad you feel able to tell me, but why now?"
"The rape, I didn't think I would ever have to relive something like that again, something so painful."
"What do you mean?"
"There's a man, his names Brendan Salgado. Raymond was involved in setting him up on some weapons charges a few years ago, his way of paying him back for killing one of Raymond's contacts, Alicia Penn. She was close to him once; Brendan promised Raymond that he'd pay for sending him to prison."
"Kate, what's this got to do with you?" Andrea asked, already knowing the answer.
"About two months ago Raymond sent me to clean up one of his jobs, there was a car parked down the road but I didn't think anything of it at the time but a few days later I saw the car again. I arrived home one
evening after finishing another job and he was waiting for me."
"This Brendan guy, he was in your home?"
Kate nodded before she felt Andrea take hold of her hand again.
"Kate, what did he do?"
"He told me that the only two people Raymond cared anything about were myself and Dembe and I was the weaker link, he…"
"Oh my god, he raped you."
"He said I had Raymond to thank for it."
"You didn't tell Red?"
"I couldn't, all I kept thinking about was what happened when I was a teenager and I couldn't bare the look in Raymond's eyes if I told him."
"This man hurt you; he deserves whatever Red has to give him."
"I just want to forget about it."
"Kate, regardless of your age, what he did…is inexcusable."
…
Reddington couldn't sit in one place, constantly on his feet, pacing the room while he waited for Andrea to come back out. His phone rang, seeing Elizabeth's name on the screen.
"Lizzie."
"Hey, I just thought I'd check in. How's Mr Kaplan, has she seen someone yet?"
"I have someone in with her now, a friend."
"Nothing's happened between the two of you has it?"
"Such as?"
"I don't know…an argument or something, maybe causing her stress."
"If Kate and I have any issues, we sort them out then and there. Whatever is going on with her, it's nothing to do with me…I assure you."
"Right."
Reddington could hear the worry in her voice as she spoke to him.
"You care about her?"
"Well yeah, through you, I've gotten to know her and I like her."
"Dembe's worried too."
"Well of course he is, you and Kate…you may as well be his parents the way you are with him."
"As soon as I know more, I'll call you."
"You promise."
"I promise you Lizzie."
"Okay, I gotta go."
"Bye."
…
Andrea had a warm hand on Kate's back as the older woman refused to make eye contact. Kate felt Andrea's hand moving to come around her shoulders.
"Kate, I wish I knew what I could say to you to make you feel better but I know there's nothing anyone can say."
"I keep thinking I'm going to wake up from this, that it was all just a terrible dream."
"I'm so sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize for dearie."
"Look, it still doesn't explain why you've been so ill lately, do you think you might be infected with…"
"My symptoms appear to be pointing in another direction."
Andrea watched the way Kate looked up at her, trying to keep her face neutral.
"Kate, it's highly unlikely. A woman of your age, it's very uncommon."
"But it does happen."
"Yes, in very rare cases. Okay, here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to take some blood and I'll run some tests when I get back
to the hospital…I'll rush the results through for you."
"Thank you dearie, I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention this to Raymond."
"Kate, if there is some remote chance that you are pregnant. You're going to have to tell him, he needs to know what that son of a bitch did to you."
"One step at a time dearie."
"I'll try to be quick, in the meantime, do me a favour and just rest."
Kate nodded as Andrea got to her feet, walking to the door.
"I have to ask Kate, if you are pregnant…would you have it?"
Kate looked up at her, uncertainty in her eyes.
"I really don't know."
"Okay, remember what I said…rest."
"I will, thank you dearie."
…
Reddington was on his feet, along with Dembe in an instant when Andrea came out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
"Andrea…"
"Red before you start, let me just say this. Kate's going through some personal issues right now; she hasn't been sleeping which is why she's so exhausted. Just let me reassure you that she'll be fine, she just needs to rest for a bit."
Andrea tried to keep eye contact but the way Reddington was staring her down, she began to feel uncomfortable.
"Andrea, you and I have known one another for a very long time and I can tell when you're lying to me."
"I'm not lying to you I…"
Reddington invaded her space, his hands coming to either side of her face, taking tight hold.
"Don't lie to me Andrea."
"Look, I told you that I had to stand by Kate's wishes and…"
"If she's ill, if she needs help then I need to know."
"Let her leave Raymond."
Reddington and Dembe turned to see Kate standing behind them, her arms crossed, her stern look retuning to her face.
"Kate."
"Let her go, she has work to get too."
"I'm sorry Andrea."
"No you're fine, Kate…I'll be in touch."
"Thank you dearie."
Kate gave her a warm smile as the younger woman left, Reddington walked over to Kate, his hands coming to rest on the sides of her arms.
"Kate, what's happened?"
"Look, I know you're both concerned and I appreciate it but right now, I just need time on my own. Can you both just give me a little space? Believe me, you'll both know soon enough."
"You're not…dying or anything are you?" Dembe asked.
"No dearie, I assure you I'm not. Now if you'll both excuse me, I think I'm going to go home, I'm suddenly very tired."
"Kate I…"
"Let me go Raymond."
All it took was one look from Kate to silence him as Reddington and Dembe watched her leave.
…
To Be Continued…
