Liz watched in barely concealed surprise, as the man thought of by the FBI as a dangerous man, psychopath, a traitor to his country, a killer, a destroyer of governments and someone who exuded confidence and power around everyone - fidgeted nervously in his seat. He scratched an itch on his close-cropped hair and a single twitch appeared under his left eye. The usually verbose criminal had trouble meeting her eyes for a moment. He sighed and loosened up his tie and removed it, placing it on the nearby chair. He also undid the first couple of buttons on his crisp white shirt, leaving the black vest on but loose.
Was he trying to project a false sense of ease, she thought, or was this a mask he wore and has this mask finally dropped? Was this the real Raymond Reddington, the one who was once a family man, an honorable and bound-by-duty Naval intelligence officer? She wondered, fascinated by the transformation. Liz concluded that at this moment you couldn't classify him as a high-functioning sociopath either. She wondered if the circumstances in his life, triggered a necessity for another dangerous dormant side, as a way to survive? Far too many questions to answer, will she have enough time?
Her eyes briefly glanced on parts of his revealed skin, noticing he was nicely tanned and then she met his eyes again in expectation, "Well?"
"First let me just say that I am sorry for the pain caused but you must know that my intentions and consequent actions were solely for your benefit and well being."
She couldn't help rolling her eyes and replied bitterly, "Yes I can see how a fake marriage was beneficial for me."
"Lizzie, I fully understand your anger but please, it would be easier to explain, without interruptions." he said, his voice getting slightly impatient.
"Go on," she urged and he continued softly, "I was hoping to stay in the shadows, that the problem I've heard of would be resolved soon without my interference. After all, I knew Phelps was getting increasingly cocky and reckless, having far too many deliances and assignments, in front of your nose. The fool underestimated you and the fact that you have suspected him for a while..."
Her eyebrows went up in surprise, "How did you know- "
At his slightly guilty look, she nodded in understanding, "Ah yes, you had someone else follow me?"
"After Phelps, I couldn't fully enthrust just anyone with this responsibility, so I had another one of my close and trusted associates and her team handle your safety."
"Who?" She asked, intrigued.
"You will hopefully never need a reason to meet her in person, only in case of emergency and dire circumstances."
"And what did she tell you?"
"She told me that you were following him for a while and that it was only a matter of time, before he was found out."
"Alright but why all this drama with giving up your freedom for me? Why meeting here?"
"I thought it best to meet you away from the black site, in neutral environment."
She stayed silent for a while, until she came to the realization, "You wanted me to see you without the shackles, not as a prisoner, or a traitor. You wanted me to trust you without government-instilled prejudice."
He nodded once and said, "Yes."
"Still, all of this, you could have made things simpler. Avoided this whole drama? Sent me a warning, a phone call, a meeting?"
"How Lizzie? Please, tell me in all honestly, would you have believed me if I called you to meet somewhere, a complete stranger no less and while I was still in the wind? Would you have believed me then and not have me locked up, without hearing me out? No, this might be dramatic and not what I originaly planned but a more direct, hands-on, intimate approach was needed."
She sighed. "Alright. What made you reach out to me now? Why not earlier?"
"Fairly recently, it has come to my attention, with the help of one of my contacts, that you were on Tom-Jacob Phelps' hit list."
"You already said I was his target."
"Yes for monitoring but this is different. He was sent a hefty sum to take you out..." He trailed off.
She frowned, at which he continued, "permanently."
"Why now? He could have taken me out long before we married. He had plenty of time." She added bitterly.
"He was still in my employ then and was afraid of what I might do, if he hurt you."
"So what... he's no longer afraid of you?"
"It would seem so, although I believe it has more to do with his new contractor. Who he apparently deems more lethal than me."
"Do you know who it is?"
"Not yet but I will find out."
She nodded. "What a mess this is." She said and looked up at him seriously. "Just a little over 24 hours ago I still had a relatively normal life, with a prospect of a boring desk job. Then again, a little over a month ago I had a seemingly normal husband with a boring teaching job, a couple of normal boring friends, was considering adopting a child and was generally happy."
She exhaled and rubbed her face in frustration, knowing there's no point in beating a dead horse.
She didn't expect to see shame in his expression, when she peeked through her fingers. "What is it?" She asked.
"Elizabeth, I truly am sorry," he said honestly. "I know it's hard for you to believe this, especially coming from someone like me but I want you to know I never meant any harm to you. Quite the contrary." She stared into his eyes, the caring and compassion she found there, in such an unexpected place, finally broke the wall that kept her tears at bay. She hated her loss of composure, the second time and it happened again in front of him.
Red felt sharp pain in his chest. Watching her like this was painful. It was torture. Red always believed that people's actions mean more than words. There was nothing in this world that Red wanted more, than to comfort her properly, to show her that she was not alone and how much he cares but at this point in time, when their relationship is in its early stage, it would not be wise to show her any kind of physical affection. Especially not now, when they were under close observation, not only by hers, but by no doubt several other acronym agencies. Both of their values were questioned and he could not jeopardize her safety. He opted for words instead, words were safer this time. Besides any advances towards her, even if benign, could seem very inappropriate and would perhaps frighten her further and he did not want that, so he threaded carefully. "Elizabeth-Lizzie," He tried softly.
She wiped her eyes and asked, "Yes?" He smiled gently at her, "I want you to know, no matter what happens, you can trust me."
She sniffled and managed to say, "I can't believe I'm saying this and rationally I know that I shouldn't feel this way...because it's crazy..." she shook her head, "but for some reason I do trust you."
He stared at her in wonderment. She was amazing.
"Before we go any further, there's something I'd like you to explain, for the time being."
"Yes?" He asked.
"Why?" She questioned.
"Why what?"
"Why me? You said I was special but I am a nobody."
He smiled wider at her. "You're wrong, you're very special." As he said this, she detected an air of something deeper, some very familiar emotion in his voice, something she dared not associate with this seemingly dangerous criminal. Still she added it to her growing mental profile on him, for later scrutiny.
She didn't let his open admiration of her confuse her and soon he cleared his throat and his expression became closed off, blank again.
"But why? Because you knew my father? Because you need me for something" She raised her eyebrows at him, challenging him to answer.
She waited patiently and watched him. In fact she deliberately stared directly into his eyes, until he blinked. He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbed in his throat.
"Lizzie, all you need to know right now, is that you needn't be afraid of me. And that I will not let anything happen to you."
"I don't need anyone's protection, I can take care of myself."
"Of course you can."
"Who are you?"
"I will be whatever you want me to be, to guide you every step of the way."
"Tell me, why am I so important to you? Are you my biological father?"
He looked disgusted, all of a sudden. "No, Elizabeth, I am not your father. In fact, we are not related in any way. I am very sorry if I disappointed you."
"I'm not-" Before she could properly reply, there was a soft knock and the door opened to reveal his bodyguard Dembe.
"I apologize for intruding, the agent at the door said there was a commotion?"
Liz was surprised to see a look of concern directed at her instead of Reddington. The man in question smiled briefly at Dembe, no doubt relieved he was saved from further interrogation for the moment and replied, "It is fine, my friend. Agent Keen was briefly distressed over some news."
Dembe didn't avert his gaze from her. "Are you well, Elizabeth?"
If it were anyone else addressing her by this name, she would have objected and corrected him but there was something about Dembe and his respectful and compassionate approach to her, that made him even more endearing and trustworthy to her. She wondered how this gentle man ended up with someone like Reddington? It was hard to believe their close friendship, based on their differences in character. Or maybe like with her soon to be non-existent husband, there was another story to it that she was not privy to. He was just as intriguing as Reddington and she hoped to learn something more about him.
She blinked, her lids sticky from recently shed tears and cleared her throat, managing a small reassuring smile in his direction. "Yes, I will be fine. Thank you, Dembe."
He didn't look pleased with her answer but after a brief glance at Reddington and something akin to disapproval flickering on his face, which surprisingly made Reddington avert his eyes to the window, he nodded in acquiesence.
"Very well. If there is anything you require I will be outside. When you wish to leave simply call on me."
She smiled at him, grateful to have him on her side, while he closed the door behind him.
"Dembe is truly one of a kind, a splendid human being, a wonderful friend and companion."
Liz turned to stare at him, surprised at the sound of affection in Reddingon's voice. Even though she heard it briefly directed at her, it was still strange to hear it coming from the man that everyone thought of as a hardened criminal mastermind, a monster. And she saw that sparkle again in his eyes, the same one he had when he spoke to her earlier.
"He is one of the few people that I trust, not only with my life but with yours." He continued softly, his gaze finally landing on her again. Even with the small quirk of his lips into a short-lived smile, the mask of indifference was firmly back in its place.
She frowned at his wording and noticing her momentary confusion he elaborated. "While I am still in the process of negotiating my immunity deal with your colleagues and ironing out a few kinks on my very own Most Wanted list of criminals you never knew existed..." He trailed off seeing her disbelieving look and chuckled before adding, "Yes it's quite a mouthful, isn't it? Frankly I'm thinking of a different title, maybe the Blacklist, yes that sounds exciting!" He smiled excitedly at her but when she didn't respond and gave him an exasperated stare instead, he cleared his throat in unaccustomed discomfort and went on, "There is a certain caveat to our arrangement, while I'm still confined to this house and until you adjust to your new working environment, Dembe will be your constant shadow and my eyes and ears, so that everything goes according to plan."
He noticed she was about to object, "If you want us to work together and receive some information in return, you'll have to accept my terms."
She considered this warning briefly, deciding to agree with him for the moment. "And what's your plan?"
He chuckled, the laugh sounding very fake. "Now that would be like spoiling the ending of a very good mystery novel!"