How else was it supposed to end? Regrettably, Kate had proven that she was a woman of her word. She would protect Lizzie with her life, and in the end, she gave it up for Masha Rostova. Memories profound, yet close to the surface of Red's brain swirled and interlocked. He knocked back more Chardonnay from his tumbler, his third glass. The white wine was superbly dry; he felt sad, knowing how much she would've enjoyed this exceptional vintage.

How had it all gone so terribly wrong, so horribly tragic?

Red muttered to himself since he was by himself. Dembe had gone off to visit his daughter, saying that he needed to see her after so much loss in Red and his wake.

"In the end, this is all my fault. I caused the irredeemable wreckage. So bittersweet, so avoidable, if I'd never pulled that trigger..."

He poured himself more wine from the half-empty bottle, and seemed to lose himself in the translucency of the greenish-yellow Chablis.

"I loved you Raymond..."

Of course she had. No truer words ever spoken, which would haunt him the rest of his life. As he closed his eyes that were heavy due to lack of sleep, he wished he had it to do all over again. And what would he have done differently? Trusted that what she'd done for Lizzie had been in the best interests of them all? When the thought of killing her had surged through him, had risen up as something he had to do, he should've squashed it immediately.

He drained the tumbler and stared at the far wall of the room he was in as he lay on the bed that was still made. He was dressed in his tailor-made suit and for some odd reason, his hat sat upon his head. He hadn't planned on dozing off, but he did, slept lightly for a good twenty minutes. The dream he had, he seemed to be dreaming far too much of late, was a new one...

He was on the bridge Kate had leapt from. Seeing her body floating facedown in the river below, he called out to her.

She remained as she was...lifeless, like driftwood going with the flow.

"I'm sorry, Katie!" There was a 'reset' of sorts and he was being granted a 'do-over.' His dream-self reached over the bridge's railing, straining to grab her in the nick of time. His quickness paid off, grabbing her by the heel. His dream-self told her to, "Stop fighting me, Katie. I've got to save you! Save you from yourself. You don't really want to die! I don't want you to die!"

Dream-Kate Kaplan told him, "I don't believe you. I die, you'll never have to share Lizzie with me ever again. The tug-of-war ends. You win."

Dream-Red scoffed, "Not if you die. I lose." Pulling her into his arms, Red captured her, and despite her protests, she clung to him like a life preserver. "I'm never letting go-you hear me. You can't retire from this team."

"You wanted me dead," Dream-Kate sobbed in his arms.

"Yes, I did. But I was wrong. I should never have shot you." His dream-self hugged her tightly, his neck her niche so she could bury her face into it. Her crepey skin on his was comforting. "Please forgive me, dear, sweet, Katie..." His dream-self stood with her well away from the side of the bridge. Even in his dream, although he loved her, Dream-Red didn't trust her, fearing she'd try doing the same stupid thing again.

Dream-Kate was very still in his arms, and when she spoke, she trembled as her words echoed in his ears. "I forgive you, Raymond. On one condition..."

"What condition?" his dream-self demanded, though he spoke his words softly.

"You...forgive me..."

And he awoke with a start, perspiring, feeling fuzzy, and deeply unsettled, as though a rug had been pulled out from under him. He tingled and sat up in the Queen size bed. Disoriented, Red blurted the only words that made sense:

"There's nothing to forgive, dear, sweet, Kate. It was I who wronged you, whereas you never wronged me. For as long as I live...I'll always love you." He flicked his eyes to his phone on the night table, but failed to take it into his hand. It was pretty late, and Lizzie needed her rest. He'd visit with her and Agnes...tomorrow. There was so much time he'd lost he vowed he'd make up for. Lizzie was giving him the chance; he'd be a much bigger fool than the one he'd already been all the years he'd kept out of her life, if he didn't take her up on her generous, loving offer.

"I'll take care of Agnes and Lizzie for the both of us, Kate. You have my solemn promise..."