Wow, guys, just…wow! I never thought I'd get so many feedbacks after the first chapter, but just to let you know, ladies and gentlemen those reviews/favorites/follows made my day! Yup.

In this chapter the storm will reach our favorite pair…some angst, fluff, romance…just usual stuffs.

Beta-ed by the great Almcvay1, thank you so much for your help and suggestions! :)

2. Little impatience

They didn't speak about that night. They didn't speak at all for three days. Red couldn't bear the shame he felt every time they were in the same room and Liz couldn't live with his rejection. Luckily he had enough business to keep him busy for days and Lizzie discovered a little garden with a few flowers.

True, she killed many of them but at least the roses, lily, and the little violets remained. The man who owned this safe-house taught English at the University of Bucharest so in the house there were many books in English. She found a book about gardening among them. She was a quick study and occupied her mind when she didn't try to figure out their next step about the Cabal. In the mean time she realized how calming gardening was despite the physical work it required.

He couldn't help but find an excuse to watch her working from his window. How fascinated she was by saving a little flower or how she yelped when a poor frog crossed her way. It was truly a wonder how that little work brought some life back into her.

Of course she had to keep herself busy, he thought, because for two more weeks they would stay there. Killing Tom Connolly bought enough time for them to disappear, create a new identity for Lizzie and make some provisions for their protection. That's why he had brought her here, in the middle of the mountains' embrace, totally alone in this small cabin because this part of Romania had calm and peaceful lifestyle, something that no one would think Raymond Reddington would tolerate. Surprisingly, he liked it a lot. Of course he adored the rushing and constant moving in his life but now, now he wanted nothing more than to spend as much time here with her as he could.

They had to end this silent war between them if they wanted to enjoy their time together. He tilted his head as he forgot himself in staring at her. He was so embarrassed whenever he thought about his ridiculous behavior but he couldn't help it; if he hadn't smashed the mirror that night and hadn't drunk himself down, he would have been crushed under the weight of his own misery.

Since then, Liz hadn't spoken much to him and avoided eye contact but somehow she looked stronger and less broken and…he couldn't say why but…as much as she tried to hide behind her neutral face her voice…her voice was softer.

She obviously felt sorry for him and for herself as well for staying with a lamentably broken man. She must have seen him as a lost puppy.

He hated it. Hated her sympathy for him and hated himself for showing his feelings.

His breath hitched as she stood up and looked straight at him.

###

Her heart pounded hard in her chest but she thought it was from the work. She clearly saw as he opened his mouth as if he would speak to her from behind the windows but he just pursed his lips as he nodded and turned away.

This was going to be a long two weeks.

###

She woke up screaming. Every night she dreamed the same dream. Ever since his drunken night; it was always Red getting shot and she was unable to save him and tell just how much she cared about him.

She slowly made her way to the kitchen to make some hot chocolate. While she sipped her beverage, she saw somebody moving outside. Liz put down her mug as she pulled out the gun from under the counter and slowly approached the patio. She sighed in relief when she heard the unique sigh and saw him kneading the tired muscles at his neck as he relaxed in the chair.

"Why don't you sleep?" he asked without turning around, sipping something from a mug.

"I could ask the same," she avoided the answer and moved back to the cabin.

Red thought for a pregnant moment that he was going to spend the dawn alone like he used to do every morning but then she just sat down on the other side of the little table, bringing her own morning drink.

They sat together in silence for minutes but as the first light of the sun appeared in the valley, the chilly air was scented with something sweet and lemony. It didn't take long until she realized it came from those beautiful little flowers at the corner of the garden, nearly a foot away from the patio, dancing for the morning in white, pink and red shades.

"Busy Lizzie." he growled and she jumped a little.

"What?"

"The flower's name in the UK. Busy Lizzie or white impatiens. It blooms in the shadow…for the shadow…" she wasn't sure if he meant the flower or her but soon she got her answer "As if it would just bring the morning, bring the light…" he shook his head as though he knew he had said too much. "They are called impatiens because the slightest touch and it scatters its seeds."

"Shoot first, ask later," Lizzie nodded as she tried to lighten the uncomfortable mood between them.

It was too much, too heavy, she couldn't breathe under its weight.

Red laughed as he looked at her and for the first time in many days she held his eyes. His laugh softened into a half smile and she slightly turned up the corner of her mouth as well. It was only a second but for Red it meant the world.

Baby steps, Raymond, baby steps.

"Lizzie…" he started but his voice died a second later as she looked away.

Damn, he broke the spell.

Truthfully, she had looked away to avoid letting her emotions show. He hadn't called her Lizzie for a long time and hearing that, rolling the letters on his tongue so profoundly…it was too much.

"Don't…" she said quietly. She desperately wanted to forget the picture of the drunk and miserable Red…and his scarred back, all because of her…she shut her eyes tight and continued. "I know what you want to say but please, do not apologize. I don't want to talk about it."

For her it was the end of the topic and Red sighed in relief. She didn't have to ask twice not to speak about that night again but Red was a bit concerned about their future.

The silence re-entered as they watched the sunrise together.

###

Another night. Same nightmare. Hot chocolate.

Silent sunrise with Red.

She started enjoying his company again.

He loved the mere thought of her sitting only a meter away from him.

###

"What are you drinking?" he asked curiously on the fifth morning as she winced when she burned her tongue on the hot beverage.

"Hot chocolate." she hissed as her tongue still hurt a bit.

"Same here," he smiled and she couldn't help answering with her own.

###

On the sixth morning Liz was brave enough to ask why he was sitting there every sunrise and he had enough power to tell the truth without any doubt.

Baby steps, Liz, baby steps.

###

It was the eighth morning when Red told a ridiculous story and Lizzie couldn't help but giggle in the most adorable way.

He knew he would move mountains, just to hear the enthralling little sound of hers.

But he knew she didn't want him to move those mountains.

.

.

.

God, she wished he would move mountains for her…the mountains that kept him from her.

###

"Oh, c'mon you can't be serious!" she frowned with wide eyes at him and he couldn't stop grinning.

They had started meeting in the morning twelve days ago and now they acted like they had a few months ago; laughing, teasing and relaxed.

Her nightmares stopped tonight but somehow she had woken up. She didn't need hot chocolate for comfort and it wasn't necessary to leave the warm bed for the chilly morning.

But she wanted. She craved these moments with him because when the sun rose into the sky again, Red would raise his shield.

But not now.

Now he was only wearing his black bathrobe and a white T-shirt. He was mussed and his voice was still rough from sleeping.

She loved this side of him even more than when he wore his three piece suits. She liked the way he dressed but it was so distant and this…this was a piece of the real Raymond Reddington.

"You asked it, sweetheart, now you have to accept the answer." he knew he was a mess and he almost slept through their morning routine. A few days ago he had been sitting there for the Busy Lizzie to witness how it brought light and happiness into the valley, now he was there for his Lizzie who warmed his long-cold heart with her smile, her tousled hair, her beauty, her…everything.

"How could you," she asked with disbelief, "How could you tell me that you haven't seen The Matrix yet?"

"I always watched it until the guy offers the blue and the red pills…and I still don't know which one will be the winner." he shrugged and continued, playfully "but I have a pretty good idea about the color of the pills," he wiggled his eyebrows and Liz giggled.

"I'm not sure I want to hear that…"

"So if the blue one…"

"Red…" she warned but still couldn't stop giggling.

"Then the little matrix was falling down on the job…" now he laughed as well.

"Red!" she sounded offended by his cheekiness but she enjoyed it as long as he was so carefree around her.

"But if he chose the Red pill…"

She was sure he would use his name like Red was a brave color and Red was always good in people's mouth but she blushed even from the thought so she jumped from her seat, mentally noting that she should avoid his nickname. "Raymond, I'm too tired for your witty comments," she laughed and squeezed his shoulder as she went back to sleep a little.

Red froze. First, she called him Raymond then she touched him.

Raymond and touch.

He had to collect all his willpower in order to avoid going after and kissing her.

He could barely resist the temptation anymore.

###

On the last night she was awakened by a loud boom. She blinked at the clock that showed one in the morning. Too early to get up, she thought, but then the crash was repeated and she realized that a storm hit the valley.

She slowly stood up as she grabbed her bathrobe and walked out for a glass of water when she found Red in front of the windows. Now she was wide awake and she stepped next to him.

"Can't sleep?" he asked without turning his head.

"No, the storm startled me."

"Afraid of storms?" he chuckled humorlessly.

"No, I always loved storms, they just put my mind at ease. I remember how Sam hated that I was standing on the balcony, trying to catch the thunderbolts with the Polaroid camera…" she chuckled as the warm memory filled her. "He always said: why I can't be like other kids who're trying to hide under the table in storms?...he said that but I always felt some kind of pride in his voice." she smiled but a moment later it turned into a big grin when Zeus sent his thunder to split the dark night in two "So damn beautiful…" she whispered.

"It is," he agreed, however his eyes caught another, greater beauty.

He couldn't take his eyes off of her. He wanted nothing more than grab her and kiss her until the storm calmed down and then for a little longer. Instead he just turned back to Mother Nature before she could notice the blatant adoration in his stormy green eyes.

He cleared his throat, trying to avoid the picture of her naked beauty in the dark room filled with the light of the heavens' anger. At least Tom wasn't a participant anymore. "Now I understand why you always caught cold when you were a child." he chuckled.

Of course he knew it, he knew everything about her; but for now Liz didn't mind at all. Why should she avoid their past? Plus, it was somehow comforting, knowing that somebody knew who she really was, somebody who constantly reminded her where she had come from.

"Yeah, but not because of the storms. Truth be told I was never brave enough to stand in the rain," she blushed a little as she heard the soft click of the glass door.

"Come," he held his hand and she just stared it for a few second. "You haven't lived until you've stood in the middle of a storm," he smiled charmingly and she could not resist him.

A small, mischievous smirk appeared at the corner of her lips as she took his warm hand and let him lead her to the glade.

The world around them caught on fire again and again as the lightning threatened the trees which leaned down to the sweet ground as if in surrender. It was so scary, all the lights, the shadows, the noises but something soothed her soul.

The scents.

The scent of the electricity, the smell of the earth as it breathed, the sweet and spicy forest…and something else…something stronger that made her heart pound hard as her nostrils filled with it, agitating each and every cell of her body.

She couldn't name the exact elements, but it reminded Lizzie of those aspects of Red she sometimes forgot about. His power, his energy, his masculinity. It was intoxicating, and yet comforted her at the same time.

His neck arched as he raised his gaze up and closed his eyes to let his senses come alive. For a moment she let her mind wander to the dark image where she nuzzled his exposed skin from ear to chest, slowly made her way down his neck that screamed for bites and suckles. She wanted nothing more than bury her nose into his soft chest hair and inhale him as the raindrops revived his cologne mixed with his natural scent that lingered in the air. She wasn't interested in the storm anymore. Instead she studied the man next to her as the raindrops soaked his white shirt, make his curves exposed to her…broad shoulders…softer and yet still muscular chest…fine curve of the belly…she didn't dare to go further. She looked away but a minute later Liz took a look at him once more, with the promise of never drinking in his features again…her breath hitched as she caught that boyish grin on his face from the pleasure of the raindrops on his skin.

He must have sensed her stare and he almost didn't catch her. Once he looked at her, there was no turning back…the eighth wonder of the world was within arm's length from him and he wasn't allowed to touch. Life was cruel and unfair.

Before he could change his mind he turned toward her and for a heavy moment she thought he was going to kiss her. They looked at each other for minutes as they desperately tried to find the right words but they failed miserably. Red broke the eye contact first with a heavy sigh.

"Let's go inside before we get pneumonia." his voice was so low she felt it as it jolted down her spine, arousing her very being.

He turned on the lights and avoided her intense gaze.

"You should take a shower. I'll test the security cameras." he turned around and left her alone in the living room. He was afraid of those glints in her eyes, even as he thought it was only his imagination.

She was in the middle of nowhere, the rain played a loud symphony but all she could hear was her still pounding heart as it ached from his rejection.

She quickly showered, and wrapped a big fluffy towel around her when a big noise fought with the rain and a second later all lights went out. She didn't see anything as she opened the bathroom door and in the living room she only saw the dark features of the furniture.

"Red?..." while her eyes adjusted to darkness she entered the living room. She was getting scared. "Red, where are you?"

At that moment somebody grabbed her from behind and put his palm on her mouth as the other grabbed her waist.

"Shh…be quiet, Lizzie." Red growled into her ear.

They stood that way for minutes that seemed like hours for Liz, as she couldn't stop trembling in his arms. He was still wet from the storm, probably he had just come in. When she was ready to lean into his embrace and do something crazy he released her.

"Who did this?" she whispered, not trusting in her own voice.

"Nobody, probably a tree fell into the battery. I just wanted to make sure"

They slowly walked toward their rooms as they tried not to run into any furniture but she failed.

"Ouch!" she hissed as she hit her head into the bookshelf when she leaned closer than she should have.

"What?" Red turned around.

"I hit my head into the fucking bookshelf."

"Such colorful language." he shook his head slowly.

"Reddington, my head is hurt, I don't care about being fucking rude" she murmured and Red couldn't help but chuckle.

She loved hearing that throaty sound… she would do anything if she could get the cheerful and flirty Raymond Reddington back, even for an hour.

He was more relaxed around her now but he still wasn't his old self.

She missed that side of him.

As if her silent prayer had been heard by Red he said "Rude people need to be disciplined," when he realized what he had just said, Red cleared his throat and added "That's why you hit your head." He shut his eyes tightly, hoping that he didn't entirely screw up what they had just built in the last two weeks…but dear Lord, he had just held her against him while she was wearing only a towel!

The forbidden fruit tempted him even more tonight. Maybe because he felt her shivering? Maybe because he felt her lips against his palm? Or maybe he was at the edge of his remaining self-control?

Liz thanked the darkness, she surely wouldn't want to explain her crimson cheeks as the heat slapped her belly, makings her legs tremble – and taking a tour with shaky legs in total darkness was something that surely caused sixty percent of the household accident.

"Lizzie." he tried to hold her back but as she reflexively gripped him at his sides, it threw him off balance. It shamed him to admit that he was quite ticklish at that area.

With a loud thud they landed on the floor and she couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you all right, sweetheart?" he chuckled as well as he popped himself on his elbow as his free hand ran over the left side of her face where she had been hit earlier.

"Yes," she laughed but hissed immediately as his fingertips reached her wound.

"If I feel correctly, you drew a little blood," he was too occupied with examining her wound in the dark he didn't even realize he leaned above her as he tried to sense the severity of her wound.

She couldn't hold back anymore; here was this man, leaning above her while hell broke loose outside, enveloping her with his unique scent and warmth…just too much for controlling her desire.

She whimpered quietly and finally she got his attention. He slowly searched for her eyes that didn't shine anymore. It was too dark, hooded with desire and lust and he was at the very end of his self-control. He slowly ran his fingertips down from temple to her delicious neck, grazing her collarbone.

"Red…" she whispered with anxiety and want and it was the last straw.

He slowly leaned down and traced his lips along hers. It wasn't merely a kiss, more like…discovery. He discovered the softness of her mouth, placing small peck at the corner of her lips.

She let out a shuddering breath as she slowly raised her hand to the nape of his neck, scratching the little hairs there while the other pulled him closer at his waist. She needed to feel him under her fingertips, just to make sure she was not dreaming.

It was real.

The softness of his lips, the loving little groans as she softly drew her nails along the back of his head, his wandering hand that discovered her for the first time.

He couldn't stop. He tried, God knows, he tried as he repeated to himself again, and again like a silent prayer…just one more minute, just one more kiss and I'll stop.

His tongue slowly parted her lips with the promise of deepening the kiss but neither of them expected what was going to come. At the exact moment when their tongues met, when they kissed each other properly ,they knew.

Their feelings emerged fully but now neither of them wanted to stop that.

To be continued…

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