When Red finally arrived at the hospital he was terrified. Terrified and exhausted. He had been on a plane for the last 11 hours and he had been too scared to sleep during the flight. And the ride to the hospital. Dembe had been waiting for him at the airstrip and drove them back to New York's finest hospital. When he'd arrived he tried asking the nurses for more information but all they could him was that she was still in surgery and that it would take them a couple more hours before they could close her up. He asked if they knew what kind of injuries she had but the nurse had refused to answer. He was not considered family. He was not her father, brother or husband. So he had to wait until she came out of surgery. Dembe suggested to a safe house only 15 minutes away. But Red had refused to leave. Instead he ordered Dembe to tell him how bad her injuries were before they took her away by ambulance. "It was not a pretty sight Raymond. I don't think you need to know this, my friend." Dembe received a stern look and Red just stared at the man until he started talking again. With a deep sigh Dembe continued. " She jumped from her balcony. It was almost twelve feet high. Her limbs bend in strange corners and I think she hit the back of her head during her fall. I think she collided with the balustrade on the way down." He didn't look at Red but Dembe could feel the fear rolling off of him in waves. They didn't speak anymore after that but waited on the docters to come and get them. While they waited he instructed Dembe to get her private room.

It took another two and half hours before they came in. Red was frustrated and scared but he listened to the female surgeon now standing before him. "Miss Keen is coming back up now sir. You can see her in just a minute." She gave him a gentle smile. "But I would like to know what happened to my patient if you don't mind me asking. She suffered extensive internal bleeding and she fractured three ribs one of which punctured her lung." The doctor send him a questioning look. "Was she in a fight? I saw that her emergency contact was someone named Donald Ressler. He is supposed to be an FBI- Agent. Did this happen during a case?" Red looked at the docter and closed his eyes for a moment. "Sir?" He laughed. He couldn't stop it and he knew it was really inappropriate but he continued to laugh. "No docter, she wasn't in a fight and it certainly didn't happen during a case." He stopped laughing and slowly his expression turned into a sad one. "She jumped. Sh- We were on the phone.. and then she said some things and apologised and the she just…- She Jumped!" The doctor answered but Red didn't hear it. He knew and trusted his friend to handle the rest of the conversation. There she was. His lizzie was brought back in. But it was even worse than he expected. She was lying flat on her back. She was as white as a ghost and all those tubes coming out of her body. Red took a step towards the bed and his hand were hovering above her. He shivered when he took her hand in his. She was still a bit cold. He looked her up and down and closed his eyes to process what he saw. The bandage around her head was slowly turning red again and there were pins coming out of the casts around her limbs.

It would take her months to recover from this. And if he should believe the kind docter they were still not sure that she'll open her eyes anytime soon due to her head injury. He was tired. And the fear in his chest was now turning into anger. Why? Why would she do this to him? To herself? To her team? He just didn't understand. He knew he was partly to blame, but jumping? He never would have thought his Lizzie was the one to go for the easy way out. He was ashamed for her. If Sam would have been around he would have been so angry. Sam would've been angry at the both of them. And maybe he was right. Maybe the best way of keeping her safe was by leaving. For good this time. And with an explanation.

He asked Dembe for a pencil and some paper and started writing his goodbye.

Lizzie,

If you read this that means you have woken up. Something I'm very grateful for. I came in to see you in the hospital before you'd woken up and Lizzie, let me tell you, it was not a pretty sight. Not at all. I was scared, no scratch that. I was terrified. And angry. But I thought about what you said to me during our last conversation and I understand. I understand what you were trying to tell me. You were tired and sad. And you jumped. I always thought suicide was an escapemanner only the weak among us took on. But apparently I was wrong.

I thought about ways to protect you. I thought about bringing you with me, monitor your recovery and maybe there was a change for you to create another life. But that was a very selfish option. Selfish of me. Keeping you away from the life you already build for yourself. You were happy before you knew me and even though I know you'll be angry with me for leaving you, I know that was the right thing to do. A travelerslife in hiding is not the way you should spend the rest of your life. So sweetheart, I made a choice. The hardest one I had to make in all the time I've been walking this earth. I am walking away.

But Lizzie, just remember that you're a strong young woman. A very successful FBI-Agent, and one day you'll make an exceptional mother. I made sure that everything you'll need is around and once you get out of this private clinic I put you in for your safety, you'll find another identity and a life, created just for you. Go find yourself and be happy. Meanwhile I promise that I too will try to be happy. As you wanted me to.

-R-

Ps. I love you too.

The END

Gosh this was heartbreaking wasn't it.

I have loved writing this short story and reading your comments

Thank you so much for supporting me.

Now all I got to do is find something new to write about, though I think

It will be harder than I think…

Got some ideas? Please share or request. Cause I don't know..