26: Busted

Laney awoke sprawled half on top of Ray the next morning feeling completely rested. She allowed herself to enjoy it for just a moment before she shifted to the side. His arm around her body tightened, holding her in place.

"Not yet," he murmured. She stacked her hands on his chest, resting her cheek on them, her forehead pressed to his cheek.

"I'm sorry I staked my claim," she said, her voice rough with sleep.

"Sweetheart, if I could wake up like this every day for the rest of my life, I'd die a happy man."

"That's quite the admission, Raymond Reddington," she whispered, taken aback.

"Simply the truth," he replied, running his fingers down the groove of her spine.

"Well good, because I wasn't really that sorry."

He chuckled at her. She leaned up and pressed a laughing kiss to his mouth. His hand on the back of her head anchored her in place as he deepened the kiss lazily. She sank into it languorously and allowed him to roll her over on to her back. She clung to his shirt with one hand, the other moving to his back. He captured both her hands and pinned them next to her head. He broke the kiss and nudged her nose with his.

"If you keep kissing me like that and stopping, I will kill you," she said severely, frustrated.

"I will not make love to you while you're bruised up," he said gruffly.

"Well that's a nice change. At least you're finally entertaining the idea."

"I've been entertaining the idea since you walked into the briefing office spitting mad that first day."

"Then you'd better hope I heal quickly or I'm going to push the issue." His laugh rumbled over them both as he leaned down and applied himself to her neck for a moment. She writhed under him even as she tried to free her hands.

"That curve between your neck and shoulder is deliciously sensitive," he purred, rolling off her, flopping down on his back and flinging an arm over his eyes.

"God, I hate you so much right now," she whined, turning her head to glare at him. He moved his arm enough to peak at her and grinned.

"I beg to differ."

"Careful or you will beg."

"Promises, promises. What do you want to do today?"

"Besides stay in bed and convince you I don't hurt that much?"

"Yes," he said, lips twitching with amusement at her ire.

"I'd like to see if I can find Beth a communion dress and a gift. I can go alone if it sounds dreadfully boring."

"It's perfect, actually. I need to get Lizzie a birthday gift."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Nothing extravagant. She'd reject whatever I try to give her." She could tell that knowledge pained him.

"I'm sorry, babe," she said softly, reaching across and laying her hand on his stomach, palm up. Sometimes she just needed to touch him. Needed that connection. He seemed to understand that.

"It is what it is."

He ordered up breakfast while she made a valiant attempt to bathe herself without help. She finally had to call him in when it was time to wash her hair. It was a fairly perfunctory exercise as Ray seemed to be a million miles away all of the sudden. Lane remained quiet as he lathered and rinsed. Her own mind wandered to all that she had learned over the last few weeks. It boggled the mind, really. She dressed and they ate, the national news playing quietly in the background.

When they'd finished breaking their fast, they bundled up to go run their errands. Lane wore a soft, cream-colored boat neck shirt, dark jeans, and boots. She pulled on her dark gray, woolen pea coat and struggled with the buttons. Ray pushed her hands away gently and buttoned her up. She gave a frustrated huff.

"Just a few more days," he promised her. "You need gloves. It's chilly."

"Mine are leather. There's no way they're fitting over this nonsense," she said, glaring at the splint.

"We'll get you some mittens while we're out," he assured her, pressing a kiss to her palm. He tilted her chin and studied her face. She had applied makeup liberally and managed to cover up most of the bruising. "Hardly noticeable."

"See? Nearly as good as new. Told you I was okay." She busied herself lining up his tie and the lapels of both his suit jacket and overcoat.

"Makeup may artfully hide the bruises, but they're still there, my sweet."

"Ugh, what happened to my indulgent Raymond? I need to borrow him for a few minutes," she said with a huff.

"Only a few minutes?" he asked, casting a sardonic look at her.

"Hours? Days? Lifetimes? Whatever. Just give me what I want," she whined, drawing out the last in a fake sob.

"Stop tempting me," he whispered, just before his mouth took hers in a kiss that held a desperate edge. His hands clutched at her waist through the layers of her clothes and she winced as he caught the bruise on her ribs just right. "Son of a bitch, Delaney. That's why I want to wait."

"It's just a bruise. It didn't hurt that much," she said, clutching at his lapels as he threw up his hands.

"You jumped. It clearly hurt," his face was frustrated, bordering on angry.

"What's a little pain between lovers?" she teased.

"Yeah, we'll come back to that when you're not covered in bruises. Can we please get out of this suite before we make a mistake? Please?"

It was still quite chilly for late April in DC, so their first stop was to get mittens that would fit over the ungainly splint. Lane protested when Ray picked out a lovely cashmere set that included a scarf and hat in a soft dove gray.

"This is too much, Raymond," Lane objected. "These are ridiculously expensive. The cotton or wool ones are perfectly fine and functional."

"Delaney," he said reasonably, signifying he was about to get his way.

"Raymond."

"These are exquisite and the exact shade of your eyes. I would like to buy them for you because it makes me happy to do so. Would you deny me this happiness?"

"Can I at least purchase them for myself?"

"Delaney."

"Fine," she said with a sigh. It didn't sit well with her and she wasn't sure why. Maybe because he was so openly generous and she wanted to make sure she was the one person who didn't take that for granted.

"These are gorgeous," the clerk said as he checked them out. "Shall I gift wrap them for you?"

"I think she'll wear them now," Ray replied with a charming smile.

"Oh, of course! It's so cold today."

He removed the tags for them and slid them across the marble counter top. Like he was dressing a child, Ray helped her put the mittens on. He wrapped the scarf around her neck and pulled her long curls free. He smiled into her eyes and she rolled hers at him as he pulled the hat down.

"Stunning," he said proudly.

"That's the sweetest thing I've seen in a while," the clerk said conspiratorially to Lane. "He's a keeper."

"He is pretty great, isn't he," she agreed, smirking at Ray who watched her, amused.

"I hope I find someone who adores me that much someday. You're a lucky lady."

"I am," Lane agreed, tucking her gloved hand into Ray's. "Thank you for your help."

"Come back and see us. Stay warm!"

"Thank you," Lane said sincerely, tugging Ray down enough to kiss his cheek. He accepted it graciously. "There's a jewelry store a few doors down. Let's go there. I think I'd like to get Beth a necklace."

They sauntered, hand in hand, enjoying the fresh air despite the chill. They entered the store and Lane made a bee line for the necklaces. Everything sparkled under the strategically placed lights and the room smelled faintly of cinnamon spice. It was quite welcoming.

"How may I assist you?" a well-dressed older woman with white hair asked.

"My comp…." Lane shot Ray a severe look, halting his words. "We'd like to look at necklaces for a First Communion."

"Oh, how exciting! Your daughter?"

"My niece, actually," Lane corrected before Ray could run away with that story.

"And what did you have in mind?"

"A cross, I think. Gold. With an 18 inch chain," Lane said.

"The chain will be easy enough. Let me show you a few pendants and you can decide what's suitable," the woman said, pulling out a black velvet display tray. She laid out several delicate choices from a simple gold cross to a beautiful sapphire and diamond one.

"What were you thinking?" Ray asked, watching her eye them all thoughtfully.

"Ideally, I'd like it to be something she can wear into adulthood," she replied, worrying her lip with her teeth.

"The sapphire is beautiful," he replied.

"It really is but I'm thinking it's too overstated for an eight year old. She is just as likely to rip it off in ballet or lose it on the playground at school. I'd hate for her to risk losing that because she's so young."

"It's only money, darling," he pointed out. She shot him a look.

"And she needs to learn how to be responsible for it and to cherish precious gifts," Lane said pointedly.

"Little girls should be spoiled."

"Do you remember what I got for high school graduation?"

"Pearls. It's your family's tradition."

"And now that I'm an adult and I have other jewelry, what do you see me wear most often?" He tilted his head as his eyes slid to her ears and her pearl earrings.

"Point taken," he said, his lips twitching. "So what do you prefer?"

"I think the dainty one with the opals. It's understated, classic, and modest. I think it fits Beth to a T."

"It's a lovely choice," the woman agreed.

"Mine," Lane said, staying Ray's hand when he attempted to make the purchase. They walked out a few minutes later with a pretty cream gift bag lined with gold paper.

"Sure you don't want that ring while we're here, Companion?" he teased.

"Positive," she laughed. "Besides, that hardly seems your style. I feel certain you have a jeweler on retainer who would find you the best diamond on the market and design some ridiculously gorgeous ring for you."

"How well you know me," he said with a chuckle, putting his arm around her and pressing a kiss to her temple. Their next stop was a dress shop.

"I remember shopping for my dress with Mother."

"We were in Massachusetts then. I remember your First Communion. You refused to wear the veil and your mother was scandalized."

"I hated that damn thing and I won't be buying one today either."

"Why?"

"It has always creeped me out for some reason. I understand it's our tradition and lots of people do it. I just don't like it."

"You were awfully cute with your fluffy white dress and ringlets."

"I can't believe you remember that," she said with a laugh as they entered the store. "I'm going to call Danny and see what he wants her to have."

"Like your brother is going to have an opinion on an eight year old's dress," Ray said dryly.

"Fair point, which is why I'm doing this. But I'll ask anyway," she said with a laugh. She pulled off a glove and dug her phone out of her purse. It rang twice before Danny answered.

"Ryker."

"Hey, Danny."

"Hey, Sis. What's up?"

"Well, I thought I'd get Beth a communion dress but I wasn't sure what she wanted," she said, pulling a couple off the rack.

"I don't even know where to start," he said honestly. "We're about to walk into Farragut's. If we don't find one here, I'll let you know."

"Okay," she said, heart pounding. "Talk to you soon."

"What?" Ray asked, concern on his face at her obvious panic.

"They're about to walk in."

"Who?"

"Danny and Beth! We have to go. Maybe there's a back…."

"Auntie Lane!" Beth's voice broke in.

"Shit," Lane muttered. Busted.