AN: Just a quick little piece of angsty fluff (can that even be a thing?). Needed to shore up some loose ends before the final push to the end. Thank you for all the reviews and new favorites/follows! You guys are amazing. I'll be out of town for the next few days for a work conference but if I'll try to post again on Thursday or Friday. Have a great week!
51: Farewells
"You can't go, Laney. It's too dangerous," Red insisted at full volume.
"I'm going, Raymond. This isn't up for discussion."
"Just, for God's sake, listen to me."
"No! This memorial service is to honor my brother and my colleagues. Not going is not an option."
He watched helplessly as she put the finishing touches on her hair. She stood in front of the bathroom mirror in a simple black dress. No amount of makeup could hide the dark circles under her eyes and she looked gaunt, even for Laney. She looked heartbreakingly delicate and the very last thing he wanted to do was to send her off into the middle of a biological hotbed of disaster.
"Laney…"
"Raymond," she interrupted, coming out of the bathroom and flipping off the light. "I'm not going to hide."
"I'm not asking you to hide…"
"You are, and it's not going to happen. One way or the other, the Cabal is responsible for the death of my brother. And one way or another, they're going to pay. I will not cower in their presence."
"You cannot go around picking fights with these people, Delaney."
"I'm not picking a fight, Raymond. I'm bringing a war."
"You cannot do that," he said, his blood running cold. "I know that you're hurting and angry but…"
"I'm resolute, Raymond, there's a difference. This conversation is over. You play no role in my decisions."
"God damnit, Delaney."
Red heaved a frustrated sigh. He'd hoped after their kitchen conversation the other morning that things between them would improve. And for the most part, they had. There was a reluctant, tacit agreement between them to put aside anger and hurt feelings. That said, Laney was still prickly as hell and driving him absolutely mad with it.
"Ray," she said with an exhausted sigh, shutting off the bathroom light as she came out. "You can control a lot of things, but this isn't one of them. That said, if Beth and I don't show up, they'll wonder why."
"It's too dangerous."
"This is meant to be a precision attack. They're not going in like a blunt instrument for this. We'll be okay. And if it starts to look iffy, Beth and I will leave. Okay?"
"You promise me," he said, snaking a hand out and catching her by the waist, "that you will take the utmost care today."
Softening, she took his face in her hands.
"I know this is hard for you. Trust me to take care of us, okay? I promise that I will not endanger Beth."
"It's not just Bethany…."
"I know, sweetheart. I'll be careful." With a heavy sigh, knowing that was the best he was going to get, he pulled her into his arms.
"I hate this. I hate not being able to stand beside you," he murmured, brushing his lips across her forehead. She relaxed into his embrace.
"Me too," she said, her voice small. "Ray?"
"Yes, darling."
"My heart hurts today," she said with a catch in her voice. He tightened his arms around her protectively.
"Mine too, Laney." She finally leaned back in his arms, looking at the ceiling and blinking to dry her unshed tears.
"I should go make sure Beth's almost ready."
"Lizzie and Don will be there if you need anything. You're not alone in this."
"I'll be okay," she said with a small smile.
She squeezed his upper arm and pressed a soft kiss to his mouth before walking out. He might believe her if he hadn't known she wasn't sleeping and she was barely eating. She looked as vulnerable and fragile as he'd ever seen her and it was killing him that his strong, independent Laney was struggling and there was absolutely nothing he could do.
X X X
When Lane and Beth arrived at St. Agnes's, Lane spotted Liz and Ressler almost immediately. A crowd was just starting to gather but it was still relatively small. When Beth spotted Liz, she took off running. Lane followed at a more subdued pace.
"Aunt Lizzie," Beth called, giving Liz just enough time to turn around and brace herself before Beth launched herself into Liz's arms.
"Beth!" Liz said with a laugh, scooping her up in a hug.
"I missed your face," Beth said in her usual, unabashed Beth fashion.
"I missed yours. You look so pretty."
"Auntie Lane did my hair. I like your necklace," she said, fidgeting with the pendant.
"Thanks. I like yours too. Is it new?"
"Auntie Lane gave it to me for my First Communion. Will you come to Uncle Ray's house soon and play with me?"
"You're back?" Liz asked, her eyes going to Lane's. Lane nodded and Liz's face broke into a smile. "I'd love to, Beth."
"Oh! Look at the puppy!" Beth said, bouncing when she spotted one of the working K-9s.
"You like dogs?" Ressler asked, eyeing Liz and Lane. Beth nodded. "Yeah? Me too. Wanna go meet him?"
"Can I, Aunt Laney? Please," Beth begged.
"If Agent Ressler doesn't mind."
"Not at all," he said, holding out his hand with a grin. Beth took it and skipped off with him.
"I'm so sorry about your brother, Lane," Liz said when they were out of ear shot.
"Thanks."
"How's Beth holding up?"
"You know. Kids are resilient. She has her moments but she pushes through. I'm just glad you're okay, Elizabeth," Lane said, eyes misting. "I don't know what I would have done if you and Don had been in there too."
"I'm glad you're home," Liz said, pulling her into a hug. "I was so upset that you left without a goodbye."
"It wasn't by choice," Lane promised. "It won't happen again."
"Good. It's not just Reddington that cares about you, you know."
"You're right, it's not," Lane said significantly. Liz seemed to catch her meaning and nodded. "We should go save Ressler."
"I dunno. He's managing pretty well," Liz said with a laugh as they watched Ressler, squatting next to Beth explaining something.
"He'll make a good father someday," Lane said slyly.
"Oh, brother. Don't even start," Liz chuckled.
"Just saying."
"Don't let Reddington hear you say that. Speaking of, I'm a bit surprised he let you come today, all things considered."
"Like Ray lets me do anything. Besides, it would look suspicious if I hadn't."
"I guess that's true. Just be careful, okay? I know you can handle yourself but you just concentrate on you and Beth and let me and Ress handle the rest. Okay?"
"Deal. But be extra careful, Lizzie. Please. I have a bad feeling about today."
"Me, too."
"Bethany, we need to go inside now," Lane said. "Tell Agent Ressler thank you."
"He said I can call him Don. Thank you for showing me Flash, Uncle Don," Beth said, throwing her arms around him. He hesitated for a moment before her hugged her back, shooting Liz and Lane a startled look.
"We have lots of new aunts and uncles this week," Lane said, shaking her head with amusement. She held her hand out. Beth came to her side and took it. "You guys be careful."
"You too," Ressler said, his face grave.
