Chapter 2
Thanks for the support and comments. It's been great to contribute again. Looking forward to the new series and more James Spader ;-)
Late one evening as the Paris sky opens, Liz is crossing town and soaked to the skin. She's a street away from her current favourite and in this weather it would be madness to divert her journey. But it's been a horrible day, difficult to the point of tears, and the display is sure to change soon, denying her the pleasure of looking at that dress.
Before she can really think any better of it, she alters her path. She dips into a café and gets a take away hot chocolate and within a few minutes she's standing in the middle of Paris, in the pouring rain, transfixed by the beauty that captivates her, but that she cannot have.
Red watched her from the dark interior of the store for many minutes before making his way outside to engage her. He recognises her, knows her from the countless times she's caught his eye through the window, yet she's never been in, and he's never had a chance to engage her in conversation. He wasn't quite ready to go tonight but the others had left and the store was secure, so he took the chance, stepping out into the rain, covered by his elegant umbrella, of course.
Liz has been standing some minutes before she's interrupted by a voice, deep and rich, yet soft, not designed to startle, "good evening".
She steps back, surprised to have been interrupted. He steps slowly towards her, pausing initially when she seems startled, then advancing until she's covered by his umbrella. He knows she's soaked but it's the gentlemanly thing to do, and he's nothing if not a gentleman.
"Thanks" she says looking up, with a little smile touching her lips.
"Would you like to come in?" Red asks, gesturing back to the entrance of the store.
"No. No, thank you" Liz replies, her cheeks flushing as she evaluates her sodden appearance.
"I'm sure we could find something dry for you to change into" he says, his tone full of compassion for her current predicament but there's a hint of mischief there too. He's got the keys to the candy shop, right there in his pocket. When he's watched her before, though the window, her dark hair has always seemed full, luxurious. But in this rain it's all but plastered to her scalp, rat's tails, the water running off in rivulets, to further drench her clothes. Still she's beautiful; he's as captivated by her as she had been moments earlier as she stared in the window.
"No. I... I really couldn't" Liz says, touched by the offer but horrified at the thought of entering while in such a state, the inevitable puddle and the thought of her financial inadequacy. She moves to step around him and he reaches out to softly capture her hand, wordlessly passing her his umbrella. Another redundant gesture he thinks but it almost stops her heart, the kindness of strangers is always so disarming.
Liz smiles warmly at him and starts to step away but falters when she hears him again. "Have dinner with me?" he says, for want of another way to delay her.
Liz spins to face him, her mind fleeting over her schedule, her wardrobe and his put together, sophisticated appearance, "I can't".
"Another time perhaps" he says, extending their interaction. But she continues to step away.
"Drinks" he states, as he steps back into her personal space. It's not a question. Not a demand.
For a moment she's robbed of her voice. There is something about this man. Even in the pouring rain, in the middle of a miserable, dark, Paris night, he is suave, dignified and charismatic. He's bold, reaching out, touching a stranger, someone he's only just met. Liz just nods. Swiftly he withdraws a business card and pen, marking the reverse with some yet to be discovered details.
"Raymond Reddington" he says as he extends the hand holding the card.
"Elizabeth Scott" she responds, breathlessly, taking the card and mindlessly depositing it in her pocket.
"Elizabeth, what a pleasure." Red replies.
For several moments they just regard each other. Her all wide eyed, wondering about this mysterious man. He all soft, warm smiles, delighted to have had the opportunity to finally meet the woman who he has been so taken with.
Finally Liz steps away, repeatedly turning to look back at him. It's he who is now standing motionless, his umbrella now shielding her from the heavy rain that continues to fall.
