I don't own The Blacklist and I don't make money with fanfiction.
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Summary: Red takes Liz home.
Warning: The first part of this chapter is way too fluffy :) Please read and review!
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It was Monday evening, half past six. Liz was sitting upright in the hospital bed, waiting for Red who wanted to pick her up at 7. She barely slept last night; she was excited what it would like to be with Red until she was fit again, but was also in too much pain to sleep. Her right arm and left ankle were killing her, it would take weeks until she would be able to use her arm like she did before, which meant she had to be on desk duty at work when she came back. She hated paperwork, she wanted to be out in the field and chase murderers. She actually envied Ressler who could take down Blacklisters while she had to write files and reports with her left hand until she could hold a gun again...great.
Luckily, a nurse had helped her to get dressed so that she didn't have to do that when her visitors came.
There was a knock on the door and Red and Dembe came in.
"Hey Lizzie. We packed a bag with your clothes and bathroom supplies. We're ready to go. Put an arm around me, we'll take you to the car."
"Does that mean you went through my underwear drawer?! God, Red..."
"I didn't, Dembe did."
Both men grinned at each other and walked her to the car.
It felt weird to be dependent on his help. She knew this feeling from work when she needed a lead in a case, but it was different when she needed help for simple things like walking. When they finally entered the car she was already exhausted. They went into the house and up the stairs. Red sat down next to her on the bed.
"I want you to rest for a week before you can start with the physiotherapy for your arm. I know a therapist who will come to the house. He once killed a man in Costa Rica after a massage, but that's a different story...however, he's the best."
Liz wanted to argue, but Red shook his head and looked at her.
"Lizzie, I won't discuss this. Just do it, please."
"Fine. Do you know what? I always wonder how the hell you know these people." she answered with a smile. "I think I'm gonna take a shower now, I hate this hospital smell..."
Suddenly, Red looked excited.
"What? You don't really think I'm letting you help me? I know I can't stand on my own, but I can still sit down in the shower, I bet it's big enough."
"And how do you think you wash your hair? Do I have to remind you that you shouldn't move your right arm?"
Liz hadn't thought about that. She didn't want him to see her naked in the shower, at least not now. She had always dreamed to shower with him, but this dream wasn't about needing help to hold a bottle of shampoo...She felt blush creep up her cheeks and bit her lips.
"I should have stayed in the hospital..." she muttered to herself.
"Trust me, you don't want anyone else to help you shower." Red grinned.
"Do we really have to do that?"
"Stay here for a moment, I'll run you a bath."
She stared at his back as he went to the bathroom and wondered how she would ever be able to look him in the eyes after she had let him wash her hair and whatever else...
xxxxx
Liz was sitting on the edge of the large tub and wasn't sure what to expect. The air smelled like honey and vanilla, Red had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and crossed his hands over his chest.
"Lizzie, there's no need to be embarrassed. Let me help you undress, you can't do it alone anyway."
She sighed and finally looked at him.
"Ok, fine. But don't you dare making dirty comments."
Red just grinned at her and slid her jeans carefully down her legs after Liz had opened the button and the zipper. She stepped out of the jeans and winced a little when he grabbed her sprained ankle to remove her sock.
"I'm going to take off your shirt and your bra now. Your shoulder will hurt, but I'll be careful." he said sensitively. Liz raised her arms and whimpered as his hands brushed over her right shoulder. When he unclasped her bra, Liz prayed that he didn't see her hard nipples and her goosebumps. Red didn't say anything but she could tell by his look that he had a hard time biting back a comment. Then he placed his hands on her hips to slide down her panties but she stopped him.
"Uh, Red...I think I can do this on my own." she whispered, trying to hide how turned on she was.
"Oh no, sweetheart. Let me finish what I started." Red hooked his thumbs into the sides of her panties, knelt down in front of her and slid them down. Liz was quivering and the way he touched her legs sent shivers down her spine. When he helped her step out of the panties, he kissed each ankle and got up again. For a moment, she was standing in front of him, unable to say a word. Suddenly, she wasn't ashamed anymore. It seemed natural to her and without another word, she got in the tub, smiling to herself and licking her lips.
Liz leaned back so that Red could shampoo her wet hair and then rinse it out again after he had massaged her scalp for a while. When he had done the same with her conditioner, he washed both her arms with her favorite shower gel.
"Lizzie, relax, I know it hurts."
Even the slightest touch on her injured arm and shoulder made her wince. She tensed and tried to fight the pain, but couldn't suppress a few tears.
He placed a featherlight kiss on her right shoulder, went around the tub to grab her legs gently and put shower gel on each one, too.
Liz would have never thought that Raymond Reddington, the arrogant, cold Concierge of Crime could be so affectionate. She stepped out of the tub and into a white, fluffy towel. He sat down with her on the warm carpet and began drying her hair with another, smaller towel, then brushed her hair and dried it with the hairdryer before brushing it again. She felt save and warm from the hairdryer and wondered why on earth she had considered to stay in the hospital this morning. This was so much better than anything she had imagined before Red had taken her home. It took her by surprise when he suddenly picked her up and carried her to the bed.
"Red! What are you doing?"
"Did you expect me to let you sleep on the floor in the bathroom?" he joked.
"Um...no, but you wouldn't have to carry me."
"Don't tell me what I would or wouldn't have to do" Red said softly "I'm doing this because I want to."
"Red, seriously, if you don't want...oh." she trailed off, realizing what he had just said.
"Shh, Lizzie. You need some body lotion, your skin is too dry. Let me do it, you shouldn't move too much."
Nobody ever had put cream on her like this, she felt relaxed and so tired that she had trouble keeping her eyes open.
"Sleep, if you need anything, I'll be right there."
"Red? I don't wanna sleep naked, but I'm too tired to get up, so, um..could I have your shirt?" Liz asked shyly.
Without a word, Red unbuttoned his shirt and gave it to her. He also dressed her in black panties and warm, fluffy socks to make sure she wasn't cold at night.
"Good night sweetheart."
"Good night." she replied, unsure what to think or to feel.
He kissed her on the cheek and closed the door. Liz fell asleep just minutes later.
xxxxx
Liz woke up and needed a moment to remember what had happened yesterday. She realized she was wearing one of Red's shirts and smiled, breathing in his scent. A few minutes later, he came in with breakfast, coffee and tea. Thank God, no pancakes...Liz thought. Without asking, Red pushed the covers aside and sat down in the bed next to her.
"Good morning, Lizzie."
"Good morning...have you ever heard of privacy? I didn't allow you to join me!"
"Who says I need your permission?" he replied with a smile and gave her a cup of coffee.
Liz was a little confused by this sudden closeness, even if they had been closer than now yesterday evening. The way he just had breakfast in bed with her as if they were doing this for years was kind of strange for her. She liked doing this but was still a little embarrassed that he had seen her arousal yesterday when he had undressed her. She knew there was some tension between them but she was uncertain whether it was a good idea to make a move on Red, because after all, he was a criminal and a murderer.
After they had finished breakfast she remembered the conversation they had in the hospital about David Hunter. Red had said that he knew about her past as well, but hadn't gone into detail, probably because Ressler and Aram were listening, too.
"Red? Can I ask you something?"
"Of course, sweetheart."
"In the hospital you told me how you found out about Tom and how David Hunter helped you find information about his life. What about me? You were friends with Sam, he could have told you all about me, so why did you hire another criminal to get information? On the other hand, I don't wanna believe that my own father betrayed me like this..."
"Lizzie, I've never said that. It wasn't Sam who told me about your life, he would have never done that, trust me. It was Hunter whom I had a deal with, and I'm sorry for that, but I needed someone to...well, spy on you before I got to know you personally."
"Trust you? You just told me that you've been spying on me my entire life!"
"It's not like that...just calm down, Lizzie."
"No, I won't! Do you still refuse to tell me anything about my past?"
"Yes." was his simple answer. "Someday, I will, but not now." Red took her hand, but she broke free, regretting the sudden movement when she felt a sharp pain in her arm.
"Do you know what? Go to hell! I don't wanna see you today!"
He got up and turned around when he was at the door.
"We both know that you can't do much alone, which means you will see me again today." Red closed the door and let her alone. Liz was angry: with him, with herself, with Sam, who had been friends with Red without telling her and angry with David Hunter because he was the reason she was sitting in Red's bed and crying to herself.
xxxxx Midday:
Liz knew she had to stand up and go down the stairs on her own to show Red that she could manage without his help. She was hungry and felt it was lunchtime. The way from her bedroom to the staircase took several minutes, but when she finally reached them, she was proud. The next challenge was going down the stairs without hurting herself accidentally and of course, without Red seeing her. Liz grabbed the banister and hopped down each step on one leg, still wearing his shirt and these fluffy, slippery socks, fully aware how stupid she looked.
Red heard a weird noise coming from the stairs and looked what it was. He saw Liz and wanted to help her, but instead, he kept on standing at the end of the staircase and watched her while she was trying not to fall on her slippery socks. She looked gorgeous in this outfit, although she probably felt the opposite. He didn't say a word, just looked at her in the most arrogant and humiliating way someone could look, but with a small hint of adoration and...was it desire? Liz wasn't sure. His arms were crossed over his chest, he raised a single eyebrow and couldn't help but lick over his lips for a second.
"Hey, Dembe! Come take a look at this! Our guest dares to join us at lunch instead of staying in her room and being mad at me!"
Dembe came out of the kitchen and Liz assumed that they had actually cooked together. The two men shared a smile and accompanied Liz to the kitchen. She supported herself on the wall and slapped Red's hand away.
"I don't need help, I can walk on my own." she snapped.
One moment later, she almost lost her balance and had to shift her weight on her left leg with the sprained ankle, which made her stumble and swear.
"Yeah, right." Red replied sarcastically and sat her down at the table.
"Oh, God damn it..." Liz whispered.
"Language, Lizzie." Red scolded her and brought her a cup of tea and her lunch.
"Sweetheart, I want you to know that I'm sorry for what I told you earlier."
"Um, Red, it's ok, really." Liz had decided not to be angry with him anymore. It was pointless and the way he had taken care of her yesterday made everything up. However, she was still a little ashamed.
"Look at me when I talk to you."
She raised her head and looked him in the eyes. "It's fine, Red. Let's eat."
"That's my girl." he grinned.
xxxxx One week later:
For one week, they had had breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed. Liz' arm still hurt, but her ankle was getting better. By now, she was used to let him undress and shower her, but there was still this growing tension between them and she had a hard time hiding the ache between her legs in the bathtub. Last time, she actually considered to ask him if he wanted to join her. She didn't dare to ask because she didn't know what she would do if Red refused. She was sure that he wanted to make a move, too, but for some reason, he didn't. The first evening she had been in his house had also been the last time he had kissed her and she was dying to do that again. Occasionally they fought like an old married couple and Liz felt like the only possibility to solve their problems was to finally act on their unresolved sexual tension.
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Thanks for reading! The next (and most likely last) chapter will be M rated!
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