Chapter 3
…
It was nearing midnight the next evening; Andrea was sitting at her desk, glasses sitting at the side of her, long discarded as she leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes. Her mind drifting back to Kate and everything the older woman had confided in her about.
"I don't know why you have an apartment; you spend half your life here."
Andrea opened her eyes to see her best friend Fiona standing in her doorway, a smile on her face.
"What time is it?"
"Nearly midnight, seriously…go home. You look tired."
"I'm waiting on some tests to come back, they said today."
"That would be these, I remember you mentioned earlier. I thought I'd drop by and check, it's a trainee, and she forgot to page you."
"Please don't tell me they've been sitting for hours."
"Sorry honey, here."
Andrea got up from her desk, coming over to Fiona and taking the envelope. Fiona watched her closely as she opened it and read through the results.
"Shit."
"Bad news?"
"Well, it should be good news but, somehow I don't think so this time."
"Andie are you okay, you've been odd the last few days."
"It's just…a friend in trouble."
"Talk to me, you know it won't go any further."
"I'm not sure I…"
"Is this to do with that Reddington guy? I've told you before to break off any association with him, he's bad news."
"He's not all bad."
"Just because he saved your life, doesn't mean you owe him the rest of it."
"It's not him, well not exactly."
Fiona took a seat on the sofa, patting the seat next to her."
"Sit, talk to me."
Fiona was older than Andrea, mid fifties, short graying hair but she had been such a good friend to Andrea when she started working at the hospital, taking her under her wing and teaching her everything she knew.
"It's someone who works for him."
"A woman I assume."
"Her names Kate, she's older…a bit older than you."
"Okay and he did something to her?"
"What? God no, Red cares a great deal about Kate; there are very few people he does care about, he'd never hurt her."
"So what is it?"
"You know the type of man Red is. You've heard all the rumours?"
"It's hard not too."
"He has a lot of enemies and one man has used Kate to get to him."
"Used her how?"
Andrea closed her eyes before turning to Fiona to see worry on her face.
"He raped her."
"Oh my god, did she go to the police?"
"No, she can't."
"Of course she can, the man raped her and she…"
"She can't Fiona, what Kate does for Red…it's likely they'd arrest her."
"What the hell are you involved in?"
"Kate's known as The Cleaner, she cleans up after Red, after he's…"
"Killed someone?"
"Yes."
"Oh Andrea, this is wrong. You need to walk away; you can't get involved in all of this."
"I'm already involved; I have been for a while."
"What are you talking about?"
"If any of them are ever injured, shot for example. I tend to them, I'm their doctor."
Fiona got to her feet, pacing in front of Andrea, anger on her face.
"You're telling me that you work on the side for a known criminal, doing illegal surgeries?"
"I didn't have a choice."
"YOU HAVE A CHOICE ANDREA…YOU SAY NO."
"He saved my life I couldn't."
"You are not indebted to him for life, you idiot."
"I know, but it's done now."
"If the hospital ever found out about what you do, they'd fire you."
"Will you tell them?"
"Of course I won't, but that doesn't mean I agree with what you're doing. You're my friend, I love you but if they ever find out, you are on your own. I won't risk my own career for you, do you understand that?"
"Absolutely, thank you."
"These result of, what's her name again?"
"Mr Kaplan, Kate."
"Well she…Mr?
"I'll explain another time."
"What exactly were the results for?"
"I though she was crazy when she asked me to run them but now that I see it for myself I…"
"What did ask you to test for?"
"Pregnancy, she's pregnant Fiona." She said, handing the older woman the piece of paper.
Fiona read the results, shaking her head before turning to Andrea.
"You need to tell this woman first thing in the morning about this, don't keep her waiting. The sooner she knows, the sooner she can decide what she wants to do about it. I still think she should go to the police though."
"Fiona I already told you she…"
"I know, I know. This woman has one hell of a decision to make; I can't even begin to imagine how I'd handle it if it were me. You said she's older than even me?"
"Yes."
"Andrea are you sure you want to get involved in this."
"I'm already involved; I can't let Kate go through this by herself…not her."
"You like this woman?"
Fiona could see it in Andrea's eyes, every time she mentioned Kate, they way she smiled at her name.
"I care about her yes, oh god this so messed up."
"Just a bit, go and see her tomorrow and let her know the results. All you can do right now is be there for her, as a friend Andrea. Allow her to get one shock out of the way before you go springing another on her."
"I had no intention in telling her, not right now anyway. If I got involved with Kate, I'd be involved in Red's life for good."
"It seems to me you already are, whatever you do…please, just be careful."
"So far, so good."
"Go home Andrea, get some sleep. Kate will need you on top form tomorrow."
"I will and Fiona, thank you."
"What are friends for, I'll see you tomorrow."
Andrea watched Fiona leave before leaving a message to Kate to let her know she's stop by the next morning. She picked up her jacket and bag and left for the evening.
…
Andrea barely slept that night, tossing and turning as her mind constantly went to Kate. In the morning she showered and got herself ready for the day, choosing a simple black dress and light blue jacket. When she arrived at Kate's, the older woman took a little longer than Andrea liked to answer the door. She tried the door, finding it locked. She called out for Kate a few times before she finally answered the door.
"Hi."
"Morning dearie, come on in."
Andrea stepped inside, watching as Kate locked the door behind them.
"Extra security?" Andrea asked
"Just in case, go on through."
Andrea made her way through to the sitting room, a bottle of whiskey sitting on the table.
"Kate, what are you doing? It's a little early to be drinking."
"It's not open dearie."
"Not the best idea anyway, is it?"
"You have the results?"
"Yes, why don't you sit down?"
Kate took a seat, as she watched Andrea moved the bottle of whiskey away before taking a seat on the table to face her.
"It's not good is it?"
"The test results were positive, you are pregnant Kate."
"Well, there's one for the record books."
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you when you first suggested it."
"Why would you? You said it yourself, I'm past that age, or at least I should be."
"I'll need to give you a sonogram to determine how far along you are, after that we can decide where we go from there."
"We?"
Andrea reached out, taking Kate's hands in her own as she looked in to her eyes.
"Yes us, I told you the other day that I wouldn't let you go through this on your own and I meant that. You're going through something you shouldn't have too and I'll be damned if you're doing it alone."
"What do you think I should do?"
"Kate…I can't answer that for you, I'll be there but at the end of the day, only you can make the decision that's best for you."
"I'd be old enough to be the child's grandmother."
"No grandmother I know." Andrea tried to joke.
"What kind of person would I be if I had this child? To go ahead and have a child by the man who raped me?"
"A strong one in my opinion."
"What about Raymond, my work? I can't take a baby with me while I dispose of dead bodies for him."
"Okay, you are getting too far ahead of yourself here. Kate concentrate on one thing at a time, don't go over thinking all of this."
"I'm pregnant Andrea."
Andrea saw the fear in Kate's eyes, getting to her feet, bringing Kate with her. Kate watched her closely and was taken by surprise when Andrea held her in her arms.
"You're not on your own Kate, yes you're pregnant and this isn't going to be easy but, if you do decide to have this baby. I'll be there for you, and so will Red, Dembe…they all care about you so much. You won't be on your own."
"I have to tell Raymond."
"Before you involve anyone else, why don't you come by later and I'll do the sonogram. Maybe if you were to see the baby, it might help your decision."
"Would it just be you and me?"
"No one else, I promise."
"Fine, when?"
"What about lunch time?"
"Very well, I'll make my excuses to Raymond."
"Will you be okay until then?"
"I have to be, don't I?"
"You'll get through this."
"I hope so dearie, you should go."
"I'll see you soon okay."
Andrea leaned in, kissing Kate's cheek, taking the older woman by surprise before Andrea turned and left.
…
Elizabeth was making herself a coffee when Reddington walked in with Dembe, later that morning.
"Lizzie."
"Finally, where have you been?"
"We had some business to take care off, Dembe would you organize that delivery we discussed."
"Of course Raymond."
Dembe offered Elizabeth a smile before leaving the room, Reddington taking a seat while Elizabeth poured another coffee and passed it to him.
"So, have to spoken to Mr Kaplan this morning?" She asked.
"No yet."
"What did the doctor say?"
"She wouldn't tell me anything."
"Well why not?"
"It would appear Kate asked her not too."
"So it's serious then."
"Lizzie I don't know."
"Well find out."
"I can't force Kate to tell me."
"How many times has she passed out lately, it's not a good sign."
"You don't think I'm aware of that Lizzie, I know she's ill but I can't force her to tell me."
"Yes but she…"
Both Elizabeth and Reddington stopped talking when the door opened and Kate walked in, her face full of worry.
"Kate." Reddington smiled.
"Good morning Raymond."
"Morning Mr Kaplan."
"Morning Elizabeth."
"How are you today?"
"About the same."
"Kate, can I get you some tea?"
"That would be nice, thank you Raymond."
Elizabeth watched as Reddington left to make the tea, while Kate sat down on the sofa. Elizabeth finally gave in and went to sit beside her.
"Look Mr Kaplan, I know we're not close but you've helped me a great deal and if there's something that's troubling you or you're ill,
you can talk to me."
"That's very kind dearie, but I'm alright."
"No you're not, he's not stupid. None of us are, we know something's going on."
"Please sweetie, just give me a little time."
"Mr Kaplan I…."
"Kate, your tea, I've put some extra sugar in it for you." Raymond said, coming back through.
"Thank you dearie."
Kate took the cup, feeling all eyes on her, making her feel nervous.
"Kate we…"
"I should probably get going anyway, Tom will be wondering where I've got too."
"How is Agnes." Kate asked.
"Yeah, she's good. I'll bring her by to see you next time."
"That would be lovely."
Elizabeth got up to leave, giving Reddington a signal to talk to Kate.
When Elizabeth closed the door behind her, Reddington got up and came to join Kate on the sofa. Kate sat down her cup, before Reddington turned, placing a warm hand over hers.
"Kate, you know that there's nothing you can't tell me don't you?"
"I know that."
"Look at me Kate."
Kate looked up, seeing the concern filling Reddington's face.
"There's something seriously wrong with you, something you don't feel you can tell me."
"Raymond I…"
"You can talk to me Kate, let me help you."
Deep down she wanted to tell him, tell him what Salgado had done to her, but she couldn't take the guilt she knew Reddington would feel for allowing the situation to happen in the first place.
"Kate…"
"I have to go."
Kate got up to leave, Reddington quickly following behind her, taking hold of her arm, pulling her back to him. He wasn't one for comfort at the best of times but when it came to the people he cared about, he always made the exception. He wrapped his arms around Kate as her own arms came around him.
"We love you Kate, Dembe, Lizzie, me and we want to help you. I know you're not ready to talk right now but know that when you are, we'll be right here."
"Thank you Raymond, really…thank you."
"I love you Kate, you know that."
"I love you too and I will tell you, all of you I promise."
Kate gave a warm smile before leaving, the door closing behind her.
"Dembe."
"Yes Raymond."
"Get the car ready, I need to know where she's going."
"But you just said…"
"I need to know what's wrong with her, regardless of how angry she might get. I can't let her go on like this, get the car."
…
Kate arrived at the hospital, turning as she got out of the car when she thought she felt someone following her but seeing no one. Walking inside, the receptionist gave Kate the direction's to Andrea's office. Kate walked along the corridor and in to the elevator, hitting the button for the fifth floor, making her way towards Andrea's office to see the younger woman standing behind her desk, looking though some files.
"I'm not early am I?"
Andrea looked up to see Kate standing in her doorway, a smile appearing on her face as she came over to Kate.
"You're right on time, so…how have you been since this morning?"
"More or less the same, Elizabeth and Raymond tried to get me talking earlier but…"
"You couldn't?"
"I don't know, Raymond seemed so concerned for me and I wanted to tell him but I just couldn't get the words out."
"You just need some time to get your head around what's happening, speaking of which…are you ready to see this baby?"
Kate closed her eyes tightly before turning her head towards the examination table.
"Kate, if you're not ready to do this then we don't have too. It's all about what's best for you, your own time, and your own pace."
"I have to it at some point; I might as well do it now."
"Come on, lie down and we'll get started."
Kate nodded her head, before going over and taking a seat on the edge of the examination table, removing her jacket while Andrea got the machine ready.
"Okay Kate, lie down for me."
Kate did as she asked as she watched as Andrea lifted her blouse and applied some gel to her abdomen.
"Sorry if it's cold."
"It's fine dearie."
"Just try and relax okay."
Kate tried her best to do as Andrea asked; looking up at the ceiling as she felt Andrea running the device over her abdomen. Kate's heart rate began to pick up when she heart the whooshing sound from the monitor, closing her eyes.
"What is that dearie?"
"That…is your baby."
"What."
"Kate, open your eyes and take a look."
She opened her eyes, but didn't look at the monitor until she felt Andrea take tight hold of her hand.
"It's alright Kate, you can look. I'm right here."
Kate moved her head, her eyes going to the monitor as she gripped Andrea's hand a little tighter as she watched the fuzzy image on the screen.
"Is that it?"
"Yes, that's it. Kate, you okay."
"I'm not sure; I wasn't expecting it to look like…"
"A baby?"
"Andrea, what do I do?"
"How do you feel right now, seeing it in front of you?"
"Confused."
"I'm right here, if you need more time then you…"
Kate and Andrea turned when they heard the door bursting open to see Reddington walking in.
"Kate?"
"Andrea I'm so sorry, I tried to stop him but he…"
"It's alright Claire; you go back to your desk."
"Are you sure, I can call security and escor…"
"It's fine, off you go."
Claire left as Reddington walked further in to the room, Kate's eyes never leaving him as he got closer and saw the monitor.
"Oh my god, is that…you're pregnant."
…
To Be Continued…