Hospital Scene 1
Author's Note: A scene I can see happening at the end of season 8. Posted originally on my tumbler account—8yrs Keenler Still Going Strong.
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Liz walked down the hallway in scrubs that felt too large on her small frame. She had her hair in a pony tail and was trying to look like she belonged in the hospital. Reddington had assured her that the guard was his and that the nurses were on shift change at this time so she'd have time with Ressler. Not much time, but some.
She made a beeline for his room and stopped briefly before the guard nodded her inside.
"So far, so good, " she said quietly to herself walking inside the dimly lit room with monitors and beeping machines. It was early morning, and the man that was usually bright eyed and bushy tailed, was anything but.
He'd always been a pale man, but this was the most sallow he had ever looked. His face looked puffy and his eyes swollen. She walked to his side and carefully reached out a hand to hold his. It was limp in her grasp and she looked at their joined hands, willing him to hold hers as well so she knew he was getting better.
"Liz?" Don asked groggy.
She gasped and looked from their hands to his face.
"Ressler," she smiled down at him and stepped closer. "How are you feeling?"
"Like death warmed over," Don said, his voice scratchy and weak.
"I don't have much time," Liz explained. "The doctors have a good prognosis, right?"
"Yeah, " Don nodded and she felt him weakly squeeze her hand. "Liz, you could get caught. "
"Don't worry about me, " Liz said as she took her other hand and smoothed back his hair from his forehead.
"Liz..." Don sighed. As much as he was happy to see her, he was worried she'd get arrested and he needed her safe.
"Let's not argue," Liz sighed. "Tell me what they said."
Don signed and narrowed his eyes at her, he was not happy with the risk she was taking to see him.
"They say another 2-3 weeks in the hospital, " Don said. "The lung wasn't as damaged as they thought."
"That's great Ressler," Liz said as she smiled down at him and placed a kiss on his forehead.
"I miss you," she said softly against his skin.
Don relished the kiss. Then saw her move so her forehead leaned against his. Her eyes were closed and their faces were inches apart. If he had more breath to do anything but speak, he would have kissed her in that moment.
"What, you aren't going for the tri-factor, with a hospital declaration as well?" Don chuckled softly, his voice raspy.
Liz lifted up and looked into his eyes, confused.
"A hearse and the Chinese restaurant kitchen?" Don asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You heard that?" Liz asked, her cheeks going pink.
"Oh, I heard Liz Keen tell me she loves me twice in one day, and from the look on your face right now, I'm right, and it wasn't the drugs," Don chuckled and then coughed and Liz reached for his water and helped him drink.
"Calm down before you hurt yourself," Liz said, hoping to avoid all of her confessions to him.
Don squeezed he hand. "It's okay Liz, I'll keep your secret."
She smiled down at him. "Thanks."
Don smiled back.
"And when I can do more than say a couple of sentences, " Don said before stopping and reaching his one free hand to cover their two clasped hands. "Expect a couple of declarations of my own."
Liz looked pleased and her mouth quirked into a smile.
"I'm thinking in a sewer system and at a hot dog stand," Don chuckled softly.
She got his joke, and instead of taking the bait, leaned over his frame and softly kissed his lips.
"I'll take 'em," she smiled, as she pulled back.
"And you'll keep my secret too?" Don asked her with a wink.
"Always," Liz smiled down at him.
There were two quick raps on the door and they both turned quickly toward it.
"I'll try and get back again soon," Liz said as they dropped their hands and she walked toward the door.
"I can see you when I get out, don't..."
Liz placed her fingers over her lips and sent him a kiss before she exited his room.
Don took a deep wheezing breath and swallowed hard. He hoped she got out of there safely and stayed safe so they could get to that hotdog stand.
THE END