Hey guys, thanks for being so nice in your reviews. Of course I try to continue writing as much in character as my mind is capable of! :-) I have to thank my two FB Lizzington friends Meaghan and Janine for being my beta and evaluator for this story! :-* I aspire to publish a chapter a week. Don't know if I can stand that but for now I have enough ideas how to go on!

I hope you have fun reading chapter two!

Chapter 02 - Reality

The next hours they didn't talk. Liz mostly tried to sleep again separating herself from Red with her grey hoodie. She was really peeved at him for his behavior earlier. Unfortunately this wasn't the best precondition to fall asleep again. Her mind was constantly replaying the scenario for her, word for word, detail by detail. Why was he so stubbornly warding every tiny bit of affection she felt for him? Why couldn't he accept that she unintentionally started to care about him? After all it was him who had entered her life out of the blue two years ago; so he should accept that she couldn't ignore someone who outed himself as her lifelong protector, that she deeply cared about his well-being, even if she didn't ask for it. This was a natural reaction… wasn't it?

The lonely road they were driving on seemed to lead them into a more animated area. When they arrived at a little gas station linked to a diner, Red indicated they were to stop there. After he had parked the car he turned to look at her.

"Are you going to talk to me or would you prefer to remain silent for the rest of the day?" he asked, in a slightly provocative tone. There was no answer. "Well, If I were you I would really consider breaking your silence, because then I could tell the waitress what kind of coffee I preferred for breakfast," he teased, and stared at her hooded form. Liz shifted in her seat and looked at him with one raised brow, the tiniest shadow of a smile forming around the corner of her mouth - but she still held back on answering.

He knew by then that he got her. Behaving in typical Reddington style he slightly tilted his head to the side. Raising one eyebrow, he gave her a challenging look.

"So, I would decode that expression as an indecisive inner battle with yourself. You're right now considering whether you should give in to the bright prospect of a delicious hot cup of coffee or hang on to stay fed up with me, which I think you can't keep up much longer anyway." He analyzed her while he unstrapped himself from his seatbelt.

"Don't you even dare think that you somehow know me, Red!" she exclaimed, pretending to be completely untouched but unstrapping herself as well. "And don't try to be funny," she said a little louder, since Red had stepped out of the car. He walked around it to open Liz's door, but she got to it first and almost slammed the door provocatively. She was now standing right in front of him and gave him an annoyed look.

"I count that as a yes for the coffee," Red said contently, smiling down at her.

"Yes, you're right!" Liz approved. "For the coffee, not for you!" With that she abandoned him and headed for the diner.

"For all I care," he muttered, still smiling.

Before he followed her inside, he went to the trunk and retrieved a cellphone, his cap, and a gun, which he stashed in the inside pocket of his black jacket. While he approached the diner, he quickly dialed Dembe's number. The man immediately answered his phone.

"Dembe, it's me. This is the number you can reach me at for now. We can talk later. Be safe!" he stated shortly. He had already hung up when he entered the small restaurant, searching for Lizzie, who had sat down at the table in the very back of the room.

Lizzie saw him come in and had to quickly smother a grin. This was exactly how she reacted every time he wore that cap. It didn't really match with the classical style he normally preferred. He even wore black jeans now. Dressed all in black, he was seemingly younger and more agile. She wasn't sure yet if she liked it better or not.

"What are you so amused about, if I may ask?" he asked when he had approached her table and sat down in front of her.

"Your clothes," she simply stated. "It's just… odd!"

"Well Lizzie, I'm afraid if I wore one of my exquisite - and if I may add very expensive - suits, I imagine that we wouldn't stay unrecognized for very long," he said in his usual‚ flamboyant, style. "And by the way, do you see me complaining about your gangster, street-style clothing?" he asked dryly, eyeing her hooded face. "I would also prefer to sit in a noble restaurant with you wearing that breathtaking red dress… but, well, I'm afraid we have to settle for this - at least for now," he added with a smirk, his eyes meeting hers.

She didn't know how to reply to that and simply stared back at him. Breathtaking? Did he mean it or was he just being funny? When she didn't respond, his smile grew even brighter. He had caught her off guard.

"Did you already choose something?" The waitress who had arrived at their table asked her question absent-mindedly.

"Oh yes, I would like to have two cups of coffee - no, no, rather, a pot of coffee with two cups for both of us and…" his eyes darted over the menu. "…and a breakfast house special, whatever that might be. Do you have something to add, darling?" He addressed Liz as a matter of course and her jaw dropped open in absolute disbelief.

She knew he just wanted to tease her and pay her back for her bad mood earlier, but somehow his remark had sent a chill down her spine and right into her stomach. She could have sworn that her cheeks were getting the slightest bit warmer. This man was brazen beyond belief. She cleared her throat.

"Uhmmm…" she mumbled, slightly baffled. She tore herself away from his amused but intense gaze and quickly glanced at the menu. "I'll just take the scrambled eggs with bacon. Thank you," she said shortly.

The waitress scribbled down their orders and then vanished behind the counter into the kitchen.

"Are you insane!?" she hissed at him under her breath.

"Well, as best as I can judge myself… no! Why are you asking?" Red asked nonchalantly.

"Well, you just displayed me as your girlfriend or whatever, if you missed that!" she hissed at him again, her eyes throwing daggers at him.

"Girlfriend, wife, whatever… I was just getting into character. Why do you even mind it, Lizzie? You will never see that woman again, so why be so fuddy-duddy, huh?" he asked, not feeling guilty in the least while smiling at her dumbfounded expression.

"Character? I… you are really… exhausting!" Liz said slowly, shaking her head.

He still smiled his presumptuous smile. "Is the idea so inconceivable?" he asked suddenly and disarmingly. He adopted a serious expression as he leaned forward slightly to stare at her intensely.

Again, Liz was speechless. She just swallowed hard and tried to hold his gaze. She scrunched her eyebrows and searched his eyes for an explanation.

Suddenly his wide smirk reappeared. "Oh Lizzie! Now I'm really hurt!" He grinned. "Come on, I'm just joking, where is your sense of humor?" He laughed.

Liz leaned back and just watched him wearily, mouth wide open. Suddenly something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. To her right and above their heads was a small TV. It was muted but constantly broadcasting the news. She nearly gasped when she saw her own face staring down at her. The news banner read: 'Have you seen this woman? Please call 911!'

"…Red?" she whispered, on alert, staring at the monitor. Everything in her grew stiff. Reality hit her again with full force.

Red's smile disappeared immediately. Alarmed, he turned in his seat to look at the screen. When he turned back to her, his expression was serious. He tried to make her look at him, searching for her gaze.

"Lizzie… Lizzie don't panic!" he said gently. "Nobody here will recognize you from that picture!"

Liz didn't seem convinced and observed the two other patrons in the diner anxiously.

"But what if they do?" she asked timidly, her voice hushed. "Maybe the waitress… she's seen my face!" Now Liz really started to panic. She seemed to be on the verge of storming heedlessly out of the diner.

"Lizzie, look at me!" Red leaned forward as far as the small table would allow. "Just look at me!" He tried to calm her, using his deep baritone voice as a soothing mechanism. Red reached over and held onto her shoulders, slightly squeezing them. Slowly she raised her eyes to his.

"That's my girl, don't panic, everything is going to be fine!" he assured her. "You will draw more attention to us if you behave like a nervous wreck; you are an agent, remember?" he said, smiling at her affectionately. He let his hands glide down her arms and brought her hands up onto the table with the same motion. He held them tight, his thumbs steadily stroking the backs of her hands. She instinctually clung to his warm fingers, searching for support, just as her eyes were doing, agitatedly switching focus between Red's pupils.

Red held her gaze, smiling sympathetically.

Liz let out a breath that she wasn't even aware she was holding. He was right. If she stormed out like a thief caught red-handed, she would surely attract attention. She slowly nodded in agreement and released her hands from his, but not without squeezing them briefly one last time. Taking a few deep breaths, she pulled her hoodie deep over her face and leaned back again.

The waitress reappeared with a tray and arranged it on the table, mumbling a monotone "Enjoy your meal." However when she headed for the other tables, Red instantly called her back.

"Oh, sweetie, would you do me favor please? Unfortunately we have to leave this cozy place just a bit earlier than intended. Would you be so nice as to wrap up the food for us? We don't want to miss out on this delightful taste…" he almost purred at her and got an irritated "…of course, Sir," from her. Grabbing the tray again, she made her way back into the kitchen. She seemed visibly bugged out by the behavior of the odd couple.

Liz nervously twitched one strand of her hair until the waitress returned with a bag containing their food and two big coffee-to-go cups. She held her head down while Red thanked the waitress effusively. After he had paid and bade farewell, he offered her his hand to help her stand up. She willingly took it and they headed for the door, his hand now on the small of her back.

When they were again sitting in the car, Lizzie cringed visibly. "Could you just… drive, please?" she quietly asked, not yet ready to remove the hood that was covering most of her face. With a worried look, Red left the parking place.

After ten minutes of driving, he pulled over to the right and stopped on the soft shoulder.

"Lizzie, are you okay?" he asked softly. When she gave no answer, he carefully leaned over and slowly drew back the hood just a little bit, exposing her mouth and nose. When she didn't recoil, he carefully pulled a bit more away from her face, revealing big, teary eyes that were staring up at him. Deep concern settled over his face. "Lizzie…" he whispered with his deep, intense voice. He did not remove her hood completely, giving her the chance to withdraw herself anytime that she wanted.

"I'm sorry Red, I just… wasn't prepared for this…" she started, her voice quiet and raspy. "Don't be, Lizzie!" he said before she could go on.

He looked at her apprehensively; his hand that had pushed back the hood was now lying calmly on her left shoulder. He turned his body just a little more, expanding his seatbelt almost uncomfortably to reach for her cheek and jaw-bone with his other hand. Before he touched her skin he waited a split second for her to stave off his touch. When she didn't turn away he let his fingers lightly stroke her soft skin. Within the same movement he pushed a strand of loose hair behind her ear. She had dropped her eyes downwards. With one last thumb-stroke he nudged her face in his direction, making her look at him again. He smiled at her encouragingly. She faintly remembered him touching her like this before when she was recovering her childhood memories. He'd always been so empathetic with her. Anytime she had needed his comfort he'd been there just like he was now, she thought to herself, one single tear escaping her right eye. And she… she had always pushed him away once she felt better. Another tear followed the first and she realized she was about to start to cry.

"Could you please just hold me?" she murmured almost inaudibly.

With one single move he unfastened his seatbelt and leaned over to put his right arm around her shoulders. His other hand encased the back of her head protectively. Liz immediately leaned in, grasping his arm with her right hand and pressed her forehead against his collarbone. A single sob escaped her throat.

"Shhh, it's okay, I'm here," he whispered, his cheek resting against the top of her head.

They stayed like this for about a minute until Liz moved her head slightly, her cheek now resting on his chest. She remembered the moment when Red had showed her the Sorento music box and he had held her just like this.

She wasn't really sure what she should think about his behavior. Back then it was so easy to believe that he was just comforting her because he wanted something from her in the end. But now she knew the truth: that he never wanted more than her safety, and only for her own sake. And yet at a moment's notice he could be both caring and comforting, or he rejected all affection. She wondered why he was allowing these moments to occur every now and then. Was he just giving in to… something? She lay completely still in his arms, enjoying the warmth and comfort of his presence. She was once again glad to have him around.

When he held her he could feel her heartbeat thrum gently through her body. He closed his eyes. How could he have rejected her quiet plea to simply hold her? It was too hard for him to bear seeing her so devastated. He tried to remember when his relationship with Liz got out of his control. It had neither been the moment when he brought Tom into her life nor the day when he had turned himself in to the FBI. No, it was the instant he had decided to not tell her the truth. He hated that his life was so attached to hers; she didn't deserve this kind of burden. Because that's what he was - a burden. And yet here he was, holding and comforting her like he wasn't the person that had turned her life upside down. He all at once felt strongly torn. 'That's my punishment.' he thought, trying to savor this moment of comfort and rare physicality.

Suddenly Liz pulled back from his embrace just as if she had woken from a nightmare. She leaned back and cleared her throat, slightly embarrassed.

"Thank you," she stated simply, keeping her gaze cast downward.

'No, thank you,' he wanted to say, but instead subdued it and just aspirated a "You're welcome."

He unconsciously imitated her reaction and cleared his throat. After a short pause he found his wit again.

"So, how about a cold coffee and a sticky breakfast?" he asked cheerfully.

Liz raised her head and rolled her eyes at him, smiling.

TBC

What do you think? Let me know in your reviews! The next chapter is going to be more eventful than the first two. See you next week (hopefully)! ;-)