Liz sat in the gazebo, breathing in the fresh spring air, smiling at the passing guard. She kicked her feet up and cracked open her book.
Red had bought her the entire works of her favorite author and she couldn't wait to dive into them. After reading the first, she was starting with the second in the trilogy that she'd been dying to read.
This was the woman's idea of perfect holiday, these past few weeks had been a curative to the soul.
Liz raised her head from her fantasy world as Silas neared, screwing her face up and crossing her eyes as the man passed by.
"Your face will stick like that." he quipped. "And that's something you don't need happening right now... gimp."
Liz scowled harshly, making the man guffaw with amusement.
"Don't you have a bridge to troll or something?" she sneered playfully.
Silas grinned at her, "You are becoming more entertaining." he nodded his approval. "I didn't expect that to happen." he crossed his arms, leaning casually against the gazebo's frame.
"What's that supposed to mean!" she demanded defensively.
"You were as dull as a wooden knife." he nodded sagely, obviously agreeing assessment.
She drew her head back, her expression most indignant. "What?!"
"You got your point across, but couldn't cut the muster."
"You've been hanging out with Red too long." she advised.
"I've been watching you for a while." the woman screwed up her face at his creepy deliverance of the statement. "While you could tell someone how to profile a killer, you couldn't catch one."
"I was supposed to be teaching, not catching." she defended herself. "And was there a point to your observance, sage Jedi Master?"
"You're growing grasshopper." he appeared shocked. "And while you may never surpass me, I still enjoy the game." he looked off into the distance, totally satisfied with himself.
"Yet, you're the one who changed the subject." she smiled inoffensively. "So maybe I did surpass you after all." she crossed her arms under her breasts allowing her own confidence.
"Well, I didn't think you'd take to me telling you, being the troll I am, that I'd eat you right up." the man winked and swaggered away, leaving the woman shell shocked for a second.
Liz snapped her mouth shut, thinking quickly of a response, "Samar would enjoy it immensely though." she yelled out after the man.
Silas turned his head, a wolfish grin overtaking his face.
Elizabeth held her smile, snorting her amusement after the man had disappeared around the corner of the house. She was so beginning to enjoy these exchanges.
Silas may be right, she may not always come out on top, but she did enjoy the verbal sparring.
If anything, she took to the challenge and felt herself growing with each passing duel. She had even taken to playing with Red when she felt on top of her game and he had seemed to enjoy the match of wills.
A highlight of her evenings was often when she would throw a good comeback out and Red would beam with pleasure and applaud her wit or valiant attempt, in some cases.
Even when Red, who seemed to have picked up why she was doing it, coached her on a good rejoinder. Instead of making her feel a failure, she instead felt more well informed or armed for her next battle of wits with the head guard.
Red supplied some juicy barbs to hurl at the man.
She couldn't wait to see Red's face when she told him of Silas's latest comeback and its sexual laden innuendo.
Sometimes he would roll his eyes at the man's vulgarity, and others, his face would wipe of expression.
Which was an expression in itself, she had come to learn.
The man had not appreciated the retort Silas had offered, and was holding himself in check. She'd never tell anyone in a million years, that blank expression was one she most enjoyed.
She knew he was only thinking the guard had over stepped a boundary when talking to his ward.
But she liked to secretly fantasize that he was a little jealous.
A hand curved around her mouth and rib cage tightly, stunning her from her daydream.
"Don't make a sound." a low voice hissed in her ear.
She fought against the assailant's hold, struggling uselessly in the bruising grip. The man pulled her over the short wall of the wooden structure, dragging her towards a means of egress.
Elizabeth kicked out in vain attempt, wincing when her leg ached with the sudden jolting movement. She bit the hand covering her mouth, but it only caused her captor to hurry all the more.
He dropped his hand, yanking the door handle of a car, giving the woman her needed chance.
"Silas!" she screamed, fighting the man's pressuring hands which shoved her roughly into the automobile. "Silas! Help!"
Liz wheezed shakily, unceremoniously pushed hard into the framing of the car door, which knocked the wind from her.
"Shut up!" the man snapped. He jerked his head about, hearing a man's voice repeatedly yelling out Elizabeth's name.
Then suddenly, gunfire split the air.
Tom slammed the door shut, jamming his key into the ignition. He grabbed her, preventing her intended escape.
The young man pushed his foot to the floor, peeling away from the curb. The back window shattered in a spray of glass. Elizabeth ducked low in the seat, hoping the action would allow Silas a clear shot.
Tom spun, lifting his own weapon firing wildly. Liz hit his arm, jamming it into the car's seat, repeatedly.
"Liz!" the man gritted. "Stop!"
"Let me go!" she grated in response, painfully biting into his arm.
"Damn it!" Tom grunted his growing fury, his arm swinging out automatically.
She saw the blur of his hand. The warm metal of his weapon connected with her temple and her world shifted into a black void.
Elizabeth blinked, wincing under the sudden light, the throbbing in her head eliciting a slight groan.
A voice came out of the hazy aura still clinging to her, "Are you awake?"
"I should have let Red kill you a long time ago..." she whispered adamantly.
"A simple, yes, would have sufficed." Tom sighed, then brushed her bangs back.
She jerked away. "Don't touch me!" she spat.
"I didn't mean to hurt you."
"What did you think hitting me in the head with a gun would do?" her voice was tinged with hatred. "Oh, I guess that's your version of a love tap, isn't it?"
"Liz..." the man placated.
"What the hell do you want?" she interrupted heatedly.
"What the hell do you think!" he returned in the same manner. The man visibly tried to calm his responses, hoping to gain control of the situation and the woman. "I was saving you from–"
"The only saving I need is from you!" she stated disdainfully.
"Reddington w–"
"Would never hurt me!" she pushed into her throbbing temple, grimacing. "You on the other hand..."
"Reddington only wants the Fulcrum." he advised coldly.
"And what the hell do you want. And don't even think of saying, me." she voiced her disgust. She had already heard all this before.
"But I do." he sat down quickly, reaching for her hand, then frowned when she wrenched it away. "I love you Liz."
"I'm not interested in your form of love, thanks." her mouth twisted derisively. "The annulment should have been a dead give away."
"If you'd just give me a chance to explain." he soothed, moving closer to her.
"Well, go ahead." she glared at the man, yanking on the chain holding her wrist to the bed. "It doesn't appear I'm going anywhere."
"Have you asked Red why he wants it? Has he told you anything about your family? Has he–"
"These sound like questions to me." she gritted. "Not explanations." she scowled. "If you know so much, why don't you just fucking tell me. Because..." she nodded knowingly, "I can tell you for a fact, Red will be here any minute now."
"Why do you have this blind faith in him?" Tom shook his head piteously.
"Why do you always skirt the issue?" she countered expertly. "Admit it, you don't know jack shit. You just want me to tell you what I know so you can try to fill in the blanks yourself." she jerked on the chain irritably. "It's not gonna happen, so don't waste my time. I want to go home, now!"
"You sold our home." he accused.
"Because it wasn't a home! And never was a home! It was a lie!" she snapped. "That house was nothing but a noose around my neck, draining the life from me!"
She frowned slightly, the words being familiar, but she couldn't place where she had heard them?
She shook it off, shooting daggers at the man staring sadly at her. She huffed in a flare of annoyance.
"Just like your untimely visits are draining!" She continued her tirade. It felt so good to get some of the loathing she felt for this man out of her system. "I want to go to my new home, with Red!"
"Lizzy..."
"Don't call me that." she growled coldly.
"Oh, that's his little pet name for you," the man snarled, "isn't it?"
"Do you want to know his little pet name for you?" she sneered. "Fucker." she replied readily.
"That's all he could come up with?" he rolled his eyes.
"No, that was mine." she announced proudly.
"Let's go away," the man smiled disarmingly, changing his tactics mid-stream, "just the two of us."
She gritted her aggravation, her head falling back into the wall.
"We can start over. Get away from Reddington." he continued.
The woman dropped her head into her hands, slumping in defeat. Her eyes welling in frustration.
"I want you to leave me alone..." Liz's tone held her exasperation. "I just want to go home." she wailed quietly.
"Where would you like home to be?" he was quick to respond. "We can go anywhere."
"You're like the plague." she talked over him. "Or maybe a roach?" she had found a more apropos description. "Nothing will eradicate you, right?"
"There's nothing holding us here, really." he continued, as if she hadn't spoken at all.
"You'll outlive the atomic blast." she nodded her belief. "Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. It's Superman. No... it's Tom, the indestructible roach..." she curled toward the wall, closing her eyes tightly.
She willed Red Reddington to come and take her out of this particular type of hell she now found herself within.
"We can break hold of him," Tom leaned over her, warming to his narrative, "get out from under his thumb. Away from his lies. The filth he brings into our lives."
"I don't want to," she mumbled, knowing he did not hear her words, "but thanks for asking."
"Let me take care of you." the man soothed, reaching out, stroking her hair.
The woman tensed, his touch making her cringe inside.
"What's wrong, babe?" the man cooed tenderly.
"I hate... no, I loathe, when you call me that." she had always hated that pet name.
Tom looked at her adoringly, making the woman's skin crawl. The feeling intensified when he stroked her once again. "You always liked–"
"Stop touching me." she shivered involuntarily, her voice a husky whisper.
"I don't think you want me to," he stated gently, "you shivered–"
"In revulsion." she gritted hatefully.
The man sighed impatiently, jerking her away from the wall, turning her to face him. The chain snapped loudly, rattling across the concrete floor.
The sound of splintering wood, as a heavy door gave way to a force more powerful, filled Elizabeth's heart with hope.
Liz's head whipped about anxiously.
Tom yanked her off the bed, holding her in front of him, using her as a human shield.
The reality made the taste of bile rise in her throat.
"Let her go." Red Reddington snarled, his weapon steady, the sights aimed directly at his target.
"Slide it." Tom demanded from behind his shield. "Slide the gun, now."
"No," Red stated emphatically. "Are you hurt?"
She shook her head slowly, her eyes focused on the man before her and nothing else.
"Tom, put the gun down before you do something you'll deeply regret." Red cocked his head, his tone rather soothing to Liz's ears actually. "Make the right choice, Tom. But make it fast."
Reddington shook his head, downing it for a second, his disgust more than apparent. The light eyes were devoid of any emotion except hatred when they lifted.
"We've been through this before." Red narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Only this time, when I get over there, I will take that gun away from you... and then..." he smiled pleasantly, "I will kill you."
Tom leveled his weapon as the man stalked forward.
Elizabeth pushed her captor's arm upward as he fired, the shot ricocheting off the cement ceiling.
The woman grappled with the man for control. Tom shoved her hard, landing her into the bed before turning back to the enemy.
An enemy which was already upon him.
Red grabbed Tom's arm, twisting and bending his wrist, breaking the weapon free. The gun clattered to the floor. Red's foot kicked it aside, sending it skittering out of sight under the bed.
The enraged man shoved his shoulder into the younger man's chest, flipping Tom in the air. The man hit the floor, a resounding crack filling the room.
Tom grunted his pain, favoring his side but lunged for the loose weapon. He yelled out sharply when Red's foot stomped his hand, halting any advancement.
Red thrust his gun into the man's heaving chest, "I told you..." Red's breath fanned his face, his eyes black coals of rage, "if you so much as looked in her direction again, I'd put a bullet in you."
"But you haven't yet..." Tom glared back, his expression wincing from the pain inflicted, as he sought out Elizabeth Keen, "and you won't, because she's watching."
Red looked up at the woman, then back at Tom. "No, that was just a reminder..." he shrugged, "or warning in this case, I always keep my promises." the man rasped lowly, pulling back on the trigger.
Tom jerked as the bullet tore through his chest, driving into the concrete floor beneath him. He clawed at the wound, gasping and staring wild eyed at the man.
The young man instinctively sought out Elizabeth, reaching for her.
Red caught the man's wrist, jerking it back and away. "No, you don't get to touch her." he shook his head. "She will not feel guilt for your transgressions." The man shook his head once as he glared coldly, dragging the man towards the door.
Dembe waited patiently as he had through the entire episode.
"If you please?" Red asked politely.
Dembe took hold of Tom's arm, dragging the wheezing man from sight.
Red blinked once, feeling a little of his soul melt away. Each time brought the same feeling, the same emptiness, the same apathy.
He watched the large man turn the corner down the way, disappearing from sight before redirecting his attention to the silent woman behind him.
"Lizzy..." he slowly approached, his eyes gentle on Elizabeth Keen who slumped dejectedly on the edge of the bed.
Her shoulders shook as she cried silently. Red's wing tip shoes entered her watery field of vision.
"Sweetheart?" he frowned his concern, reaching out, stroking his hand over her small head. "I'm sorry, I had to do that, but he woul–"
She bolted from the bed, wrapping her arm tightly around his middle, weeping despondently into his jacket.
"I want to go home." was all she knew for certain, her fingers tightening into a death grip about the expensive fabric of his coat. "Please take me home, Red."
Red's large hand smoothed her hair, his fingers filtering lovingly through her soft strands. He rocked her gently, his tone washing over her like warm honey, "It's all right."
She turned her ear into his chest, fixated on the deep comforting rumble of his voice. "Sit down sweetheart."
She shook her head, clutching him tighter.
"I have to get the cuff off your wrist Lizzy." he reminded patiently. "You want me to do that, don't you?" he propitiated the woman. "So we can go home."
She realized she was still chained to the bed, her arm stretched out tightly behind her. She nodded slowly, sniffling. She regained her seat on the bed dejectedly.
Red crouched down in front of her, making quick work of the lock, releasing the tight cuff.
His thumb caressed the abused, reddened skin. He bowed his head, tenderly peppering her wrist with soft kisses.
"Did he hurt you?" he enquired, his lips warm against her skin.
"Y-Yes." she had come to terms with Tom Keen's methods long ago but that did not mean she had to accept or like them.
Red tensed, slowly raising his eyes to meet hers, finding them cold and angered.
She turned her head quickly, showing the man where Tom had hit her. She wanted vengeance she found, and was not above such a petty emotion in this case.
Red reached up, gentling her hair back, wincing as he saw the raw, red welt. His concern was immediate and foremost. "Are you nauseous?"
"Yes," she muttered, "but not because of that. I don't think?"
Red stood, holding his hand out for her. She clasped his hand, the strong fingers giving her strength. She pushed off the bed, trying to find her bearings.
"I think I'm okay." she looked up at him, sighing deeply.
"Let's try a few steps." he encouraged.
She gained confidence with each moment spent in the man's presence. "I'm good."
Red looked as Dembe entered, the man's face showing no emotion.
It was Red's cue, that the problem had been resolved. He breathed easier, but there were still things to be handled.
Red wrapped his arm around her back and legs, lifting her effortlessly, holding her close against his chest.
"I can walk..." she muttered compliantly, all the same.
"It's quite a walk." she was informed. "And you're exhausted."
She took a deep breath, laying her head into his shoulder silently accepting his word. She relaxed totally into his comforting hold.
"Let's go home, sweetheart." Red soothed quietly.
The ride home was quiet. Red allowed her to collect her thoughts, staying close to her the entire time, his arm around her protectively.
She sat silently basking in his closeness, leaned against the fragrant fabric of his outer jacket.
His touch, whether smoothing her hair, surreptitiously folding and refolding the pleats of the gauzy spring dress she wore, felt both reassuring and sensual.
It kept his mind sane. To touch her, to know she was tangible... with him again.
Liz was never so glad when they pulled into the driveway.
Red helped her into the house and back to their room, closing the door behind them... shutting out the rest of world.
"Why don't you wash up?" he suggested, wishing to rid her of the other man's touch.
She headed to the bathroom, leaving the door open, stripping her top and bottoms off as she cleared the room.
"Do you need help?" he asked quietly.
The woman hesitated, fighting modesty and a deathly tired sensation. The latter winning out in the end.
"Please..." she finally assented.
Red grabbed a towel and a wash cloth, wetting and soaping it before handing it to her. He turned away, offering privacy. She wiped herself down, ridding herself of the grit and grime of this horrible day.
"Your back?" he asked, his eyes sweeping the lovely plains as neutrally as possible in his present condition.
The man warmed the cloth, stepping behind her. He took his time with the task, enjoying the intimacy implied.
"Let me see your wrist again." he held out his hand, gently twisting the arm in the light. "Let's keep it uncovered for a while. If it starts to annoy you, then we'll wrap it."
He stretched his neck, craning it slightly, glancing at her temple, his eyes chilling.
"If I hurt you..." the unspoken command was heard before he brushed her hair back, careful to not pull on the dark tresses.
"The skin isn't broken, but you do have bruising." he sighed. "Would you like an ice pack?"
She shook her head negatively.
He smiled softly, then dipped his head, kissing her wrist again. "You're bruised, but you'll live." he proclaimed, then stroked her cheek, and kissed her temple.
She leaned into his touch, not surprised to feel him cup her face and press his full lips against the bruising. She turned slightly, her lips brushing his cheek line.
"Thank you..." she kissed him again, her lips lingering longer than necessary, "for coming for me."
"I always will." he murmured, brushing the strand of hair back into place that had caught on the shadowy coarseness of his beard.
As always, Red was gentle with her. He hadn't hurt her during his treatment. He never hurt her... ever. And he never would. She knew as much now.
She leaned forward kissing his lips gently.
The man froze in place, his senses reeling.
She pressed into his soft lips, then reluctantly pulled back.
"What's that for?" he needed the clarification himself but was loathe to break the spell.
His warm breath ghosted over her lips, calling her back to his full ones.
She slowly melded her mouth to his softly pliable one. At first, Red was stunned, simply allowing matters to progress as they might but soon enough his senses were pulled into the hesitant, guileless approach.
The man reached out, his hands braced on the bench, moving into her efforts. For one brief second he allowed himself to respond, his mouth increasing the pressure of the kiss, the warm moist lips causing his stomach to react chaotically.
He broke apart reluctantly, his eyes remaining closed for a long beat as he regained his equilibrium.
"Are you sure you don't have a concussion?" he attempted a lightness he did not feel.
The blue eyes bore into his hypnotically for what seemed an eternity.
"Kiss me." she whispered unsteadily.
The request clearly stunned the man and he took his time, his expression almost quizzical but then...
Red inched forward slowly, tracing her lips with his own, tormenting her teasingly for minutes on end, until she was breathing shakily.
She leaned into him, her mouth more than impatient in this instance.
The man grunted his appreciation, sliding to his knees, increasing the pressure of his kiss. His hand slid beneath her dark hair, threading his fingers through the fine strands making her moan against his mouth.
She flicked her tongue, catching his top lip sensually, "I need you..."
Red stood, easing her along gently, his large hand spreading across lower back. A low growl escaped the man's throat when he felt her nakedness pressing against the length of him.
A soft mewl escaped her throat when she felt the rich linen and the scrape of cold buttons brush her breasts.
Pulling at his sleeves, Red dropping the expensive garment to the floor while she worked on his tie and dress shirt.
Red slid his hand unhurriedly over the creamy heated flesh of her ample buttocks, his fingers curling to the supple curve. Her moans lengthened in duration as his thick fingers grazed her wet center from behind. He kneaded the tight flesh in his palm, their tongues battling in a fevered kiss.
Red skimmed her ass cheek delicately, his fingers spreading over her tingling, throbbing sex, drawing the growing wetness from her opening.
"That's my girl..." he purred against her lips. Lifting the woman, his jaw pulsed when her beautiful legs wrapped around his waist.
He supported her weight effortlessly making his way to the bedroom.
Stalking to the bed, readjusting his hold on her lithe body, they sank into the soft bedding.
"What do you need?" he grunted against her mouth.
"You," she gasped tremulously, boldly reaching for his belt, pulling the dark leather apart.
Their hands met at his zipper, the loud sound of the metal catch opening was incredibly loud over their heavy breathing, but a most welcome sound.
Pushing her back, Red followed, covering her body with his own. Liz's mouth fell agape when the man brushed her cloth covered bulge along her clit.
She withered about happily, rocking up into his crotch.
Grasping her hand, he curved her small fingers around the rigid length of his cock. "You need this?"
"...Yes." she had no problem agreeing or saying as much.
Thumbing his pant waist, Red pushed the material of his clothes down his muscular thighs. His heavy erection bobbed in the cool air, drawing her attention immediately.
His erection was long and thick, the huge pink crown pulsed and trickled with moisture under her gaze.
Her mouth fell agape, her eyes slamming shut when he raked his thick crown slowly along her slit, the large shaft brushing her thighs.
"You're so," she mewled, "...thick."
"And you're tiny as fuck." he growled his anticipation, pushing his cock head between her folds, the heaviness felt phenomenal against her drenched opening. "Shit..." he hummed in approval, "gonna love spreading you open, sweetheart."
Red shoved gently, breaching her, sliding silkily into the molten depths awaiting him.
He inched his shaft deeper, growling his arousal, his downy pubic hair brushing her bare skin, exciting the woman to new heights.
"Can you feel me?" he whispered. "Can you feel my cock buried deep inside you. Can you feel my balls pressed against your tiny ass?"
"Yes.." she hissed.
"You're so damned tight." he sighed his approval. "Look how well your little body is accepting of me." he praised.
Knowing that she was making him feel as good, that he was enjoying her as much as she was him, was very fulfilling. His praise made her not only incredibly aroused, but sexy as hell, sensual. And to be honest, she had never felt that before.
Red stroked her, spreading her each time, bouncing his large sack against her. The man increased the strength and speed of his thrusts.
Sitting back on his heels, he gripped the underside of her waist, holding her position steady.
"Let me take care of my baby...let me give her what she needs." he drove his shaft with short, concentrated strokes, pushing her towards the climax he needed to witness.
"Lizzy, I need to come." he warned, his focus slightly wavering. "Tell me you want me, sweetheart." he willed.
She fought in vain, her own orgasm just seconds away. He was in more control clearly and she resented the fact. She wanted him to be just as desperate as she.
"God, baby... let me." he leaned over her, kissing her deeply, "let me give you what you want."
The woman stiffened in his arms, a uniquely feminine sound torn from her throat.
Her body rippled in tight waves along his wet cock, bathing the driving shaft in thick cream. His large crown pushed at the gathering juices, coating her thighs and his groin in her cum.
"...Lizzy," he called out.
She felt the first signs of her approaching climax, fighting hard to attain the pinnacle she needed desperately.
"Sweetheart..." his soothing voice titillated.
She rippled in tight waves, rolling along his hot, wet cock. She felt her thick cream bathe his driving shaft, his large head pushing it around his length, coating her thighs and his groin in her cum.
Elizabeth jerked awake, her entire body humming in awareness of the sudden incessant need.
She dropped her hand between her thighs, pushing against herself to ease the ache, feeling a gush of wetness soak her panties. Gasping for air, she found herself surrounded by Red's scent and his hand resting lightly on her thigh.
"Lizzy?" the man repeated her name, calling for her attention.
The woman's eyes snapped open, Red's deep voice in her ear shocked her into awareness.
She had just... Oh, good Lord! And Red was...
Oh... shit.
Red Reddington had floated in light sleep state now for about an hour, something keeping him from dropping into a REM stage.
Feeling the bed move, his subconscious alerted him to something amiss. Stirring, he was reluctant to leave the warmth of a rather pleasant dream... only to find Elizabeth caught in her own dream, a rather active one at that. She was moaning and pushing back until she had ended up beside him.
A nightmare, perhaps?
"...A bad dream?" He was slightly concerned.
She shook with aftershocks, her hands trembling. "Uh..." she gasped, swallowing hard, trying to quickly acclimate herself. "No, no..." she stumbled over the words. "I'm–" she exhaled sharply, "I'll be..." she completely lost her train of thought.
"Well, something's wrong." Red frowned, lifting himself to his elbow, slightly concerned for her state.
"Nothing..." she breathed out shakily." just because of what happened tonight." she knew he would need a better explanation, supplying the only one that came to mind.
She threw back the blankets, unsteadily edging to the side of the bed.
"You need help?" he asked quietly, his eyes intent upon the darkened silhouette.
"I'm okay." she whispered. "Just need a second." she grabbed her crutch, hobbling quickly to the bathroom.
The man dropped his head back into the pillow, sighing. He shifted in the bed, fluffing the blanket and was immediately assaulted by her scent.
Only, this was a new aroma.
And one he knew well.
He had never had the privilege to experience it to date from her though. He would have remembered such a delicate treat.
Each woman, had her own unique fragrance that changed with her moods, Red knew from his many years of investigation into the mystique surrounding the female persuasion.
When Lizzy was happy, her natural scent sweetened to the freshest of bouquets. When she was pissed, the air got musky, salty, reminding him of the wispy foam coming off turbulent waves of an angry ocean.
And when she was sad... he swore he could smell rain. Cold rain on a brisk autumn evening.
No matter her mood, he loved being near her just to bask in that which was Elizabeth Keen.
Because no one could make her scent more permeating than himself. He excelled at such things, especially the anger. The thought amused him. There was a fine line between love and hate they say, he did not mind treading the area what-so-ever.
But this scent... this was the passion of an aroused woman.
His Lizzy smelled of warmed butterscotch and brandy, with a tinge of salt, that was all too telling of its origins.
She had gotten aroused. And wet as hell.
Damned wet.
Damned aroused.
He didn't even have to shove his nose in the blankets, but did anyway to really breathe her in.
And God... did he wish he was so privileged to bury himself in it.
She was fucking intoxicating.
Seemed Lizzy had a pretty pleasant dream. A dream that had ended in orgasm.
She couldn't have helped it though. Her nerve endings were all over the place. She was between that place where pain and pleasure collided.
She would have been incapable of distinguishing where one began and the other ended. In Red's world such a thing usually ended up sending the body into shivers of gratification.
Add to that, her pain pills heightening her dream state...
She couldn't have stopped it, even if she had awoken before her dream climax. Pain often substituted itself for pleasure in the subconscious mind.
He had been in her shoes so many times, he'd lost count.
He remembered the first wet dream he'd had after a huge dose of narcotic drugs and was blown away by the experience... until of course the pain in his arm and chest had made themselves known. Then he was wishing for the high of the orgasm once again, no matter how awkward the timing might have been.
But this was her first experience with real pain and she didn't know how to handle it, as of yet. Or more to the point, didn't know to not be embarrassed by the body's natural response to pain stimuli.
She needed another pill, that was all. Her pain was making itself known, translating into a vivid drug induced dream.
He rolled from the bed, heading to the kitchen. He grabbed a couple bottles of water and a snack for them both before heading back.
After sitting the plate down, he crossed to her bedside table, tapping out a pill when the bathroom door opened.
"Hey..." she grimaced painfully, attempting a lightness she certainly did not feel at this point.
His eyes softened as he stepped to her. "I know sweetheart," he soothed, "I know it hurts."
He wrapped his arm around her waist, helping her to the table, easing her down in the seat. He uncapped the water, handing her a pill. The man held the slippery bottle until she got her fill.
He sat across from her, reaching for the neglected plate. "You need to eat, just a little so you won't get nauseous."
"Too late." she pouted miserably, but popped a grape in her mouth, then a cracker.
He checked the digital readout on her side table. "Fifteen minutes." he reminded. "It'll be better."
She nibbled her cheese and another grape, waiting for the relief he promised.
The ensuing silence wasn't uncomfortable, per se. But he could feel her awkwardness. But then, and he knew Lizzy.
He knew she was embarrassed. Whether or not she sensed he was aware of what had happened, he did not know.
"You want to talk about it?" he asked quietly, letting her take the question how ever she wanted to. Either she would talk about her dream, confide in him or...
"I'm okay, just aching." she sighed shakily. "I can feel the pill working though."
Too concentrated on her pain, of course that was her focus. The other issue... well, it really wasn't any of his business.
It was just a dream, after all.
Red watched her intently, his tension easing with hers. The more food she ate and the more the pill took effect, the more the awkwardness dissipated.
"Come on sweetheart." he helped her from the chair and into the bed. "You need to rest." he eased her down, grabbing her body pillow, positioning it under her leg.
She snuggled into it, sighing in relief.
He pulled the blankets up around her, bent, kissing her temple. "Sleep, you'll feel better in the morning."
She nodded silently before he headed back to his side of the bed, settling in himself. By the time he was relaxed and near dozing, she was snuffling softly in her sleep.
Elizabeth glanced at the books stacked neatly beside her. After last night or more to the point, what happened last night... she was uncertain whether or not to delve into any romance novels as yet.
After breakfast this morning, Red had assisted her to the back garden after she had vehemently vetoed his suggestion of the front gazebo. He had provided tea and a radio before leaving to make a few calls.
She glanced around the scenery offered, enjoying the array of glorious flowers blossoming every where she looked.
In the silence of the beautiful surrounding it was much easier to stave off the unsettling events of her dream.
Shaking off the sense of déjà vu, she opened her new book, but it took four chapters before she could really immerse herself into the tawdry tale.
She barely noticed Dembe passing, truth told, but managed a smile of welcome before her eyes fell back to the pages.
She got lost in the story, listening to the soft wind and birds chirping over head, connecting with the character who was also outside enjoying the spring afternoon.
She caught movement in the corner of her eye, glancing over. She immediately recognized the intruder into her domain, scrunching her nose adorably when Silas came waltzing around the hedge.
"Hey Trouble." Silas smiled in greeting. "To the sex part yet?"
"Nope, but I'm closing in on it." she grinned, then sipped her tea. "Are you?"
"Faster than you are." he quipped, leaning into his clenched fist and squeezing it rhythmically. "Behind the hedge is my ideal meeting place."
She pulled her face, "Self gratification doesn't count." she rolled her eyes. Her brows suddenly knitted together as she covertly glanced at the hedge in question.
"Says you." he laughed quietly, noticing her interest in his former place of residency. "Jealous?" he leaned over, tapping her cast. Indicating even if she was of a mind... her injury would hamper any progress.
"No." her mouth curved in a catlike manner. "I don't have to do it myself. I can get someone to do it for me." she batted her eyes coquettishly.
"And yet... " the man tsked, "you're here every night."
"Yeah," she snorted, "in pain."
Silas sighed woefully, leaning into the bench post, "Excuses, excuses."
"Puhlease." she scoffed. "Eating has been a challenge. Sex... that would be a miracle."
"Because you got any at all?" the man laughed silently, his shoulders shaking.
"No, you dolt." she snapped. "Just the thought makes me clench–"
"You're actually supposed to do that, you know." he informed her knowingly. "It's the female bodies natural response when fuc–"
"...In pain" she interrupted, then sighed. "I didn't realize what a–"
"Devilishly handsome man I am."
"...Depraved floozy you are." she finished, her mouth pulling at the corner.
"Was that a compliment," he cocked his head in question, "because it sounded like one."
"Well, you are good at it." she had to agree.
"I'm amazing at all I attempt."
"And yet," the woman sat her chin in her palm, her brow knitting, "you're here every morning."
"But am I here every night? No, I am not." he taunted. "Besides, I get paid handsomely to protect your scrawny ass, so I'm sure to be here for the shift change."
"Need that large check for those high priced girls, do ya?" she smirked.
The guard smiled in pleasure at the unexpected quip coming from her. "You're growing Grasshopper."
Liz's brows crinkled on her forehead, her head tilting, a chill running up her spine.
"I'd dare to say, you cut the muster..." he grinned, "for once."
She jerked in place, her wide eyes falling on the man, before they darted quickly around the expanse of yard.
"What's wrong?" Silas scowled, her manner alerting him to something amiss. His hand dropped to his weapon.
"N-Nothing..." she looked around nervously. "I don't think?"
"This is no time for secrets." the guard gritted his annoyance.
"I-I'm fine." she scratched at the shivers coursing down her neck, her fingers fluttering along her nape.
Silas narrowed his eyes, looking around with the eyes of a trained observer. All seemed normal.
His scowl turned critical, his instincts kicking in. "I'm going to make my rounds." he notified his charge, suddenly wanting to run a security check, but also hoping to calm her by going on with his daily activities, but it didn't seem to help.
"Don't go far... okay?" she asked before he got a few feet away.
"You won't leave my sight." he assured. "I promise."
She took a shaky breath, but did relax some. But not enough for his liking. Something was up with her, obviously.
Something had frightened her. As her guard, Silas needed to know what the threat was.
Damn right he was keeping an eye on her.
The burly man walked to a nearby hedge, pulling the walkie from his belt. He watched the girl fidget in her seat.
She sat her book aside, rubbing her palms against the blanket over her thighs, taking a couple of deep breaths. She glanced down at the blanket then tossed it aside along with a few other items around her, as if clearing space.
"I think your presence is required." Silas spoke into the radio.
Red came out the back, watching Elizabeth as he neared. He could tell from thirty feet away, the woman was strung out.
Correction, she was wired. She jerked her head to the right when a guard made his usual pass by, jittery as hell.
Red couldn't fathom what the hell had brought this on.
Even after her... eventful night, she seemed perfectly fine at breakfast.
A few times, she had been unable to meet his gaze directly, true, but basically all had seemed normal.
He caught a glimpse of Silas out the corner of his eye, weapon in hand. The guard was focused intently on Elizabeth, sparing Red a glance.
Red trusted the man implicitly to do his job and do it exceedingly well. But some sort of vibe had been transmitted for him to be on 'high alert'.
Red walked up behind the woman, laying his hand on her shoulder.
The woman screamed, jerking out from under his touch. "No!" she scrambled away quickly, backing along the bench. " Silas!" she screeched loudly.
The man in question bolted around the large bush, running for her, gun raised, scanning the nearby fences and houses as he neared.
Red scrambled just as fast, grasping her arm seconds before she fell off the curve of the seat.
"I'm not going!" she struggled in his hands, her voice tinged with hysterics, "...Let go!" she pushed frantically on Red's forearms, screaming again as loudly as she was able. "Help!"
"Elizabeth!" Red shouted above her terror, to get her attention.
Guards came barreling around corners, weapons drawn, advancing on their position.
"Lizzy!" Red snapped, shaking her once.
The blue eyes darted to his face, filled with panic. In seconds, the woman crumbled visibly, her hands grasping Red's bare forearms in a death grip.
"Oh, thank God..." she exhaled in relief, her eyes closing. "It's you." she was never so glad to see anyone in her entire life.
"Sweetheart, what the hell is going on?" he drew her up, surprised as hell when she clutched him, grasping his shirt in her fingers.
"Sweetheart..." she repeated quietly, dropping her face into his chest. His familiar scent and hold, comforting her instantly.
Red held the woman tightly, bewilderment in his expression as he sought Silas out.
The older man shrugged his own confusion, returning to his duty. He lifted the walkie, both men listening to the chatter as one guard after another cleared each individual area.
Even neighboring properties security gave an all clear on their sides, finding nothing amiss in the entire area.
Which left Red more than baffled by Liz's uncustomary reaction and quick vocal exclamation.
He cupped her chin, pulling her from her hiding place, forcing her to meet his eyes, "Lizzy, tell me what's wrong." She shook her head trying to duck back into hiding before Red stopped her. "Tell me, now."
"I thought..." she replied shakily, "I thought you were Tom."
"Tom?" Red scowled. "Did you see him?" he snarled, his look speaking volumes.
Silas checked his men methodically, but the radio only echoed back... 'all clear'. The guard hovered, protecting his client.
"No." she muttered dejectedly. "I..."
"What happened?" Red frowned, then narrowed his eyes slightly when he took in her embarrassed expression. "Was it your dream? Was he there? In your dream."
She blinked up at him, her mouth agape, "Y-Yes..." she nodded slowly.
"He approached you, here." Red pointed to the covered seating area.
"No," she shook her head, "the front gazebo."
Red snapped his eyes towards the head of security.
Silas gently shook his head negatively, signifying no intruders had breached his security.
Red waved him off with a curt gesture, "Tell them to stand down." the guard lifted the radio, then hesitated. "She had a bad dream last night, and something set her off. Something she saw, heard..." he rapidly explained the situation as it now stood.
"Like déjà vu." Silas understood.
"Yes, tell them to stand down."
Silas spoke into the radio, calling for his men to return to their posts.
Red sat the woman down on the long bench. "What happened, Lizzy?"
She repeated her dream from the beginning, even the part with Silas, eating her up.
"That does sound like something I'd say." the guard nodded agreeably, then scowled darkly at Red's subtle shift of eyes.
"What?" the man threw his hands out to the side. "I only meant, I can understand why she felt it was so real."
Red's jaw worked in agitation, but he held his tongue, focusing his attention back on the woman beside him.
"Then what happened?"
"Tom pulled me out of the gazebo," she frowned, "then dragged me to his car and..."
Red listened intently to each detail. She had included how Silas had leaned against the gazebo when they'd had their repartee. Several questions came to mind concerning Tom and his actions.
Something about the narrative didn't set right with him.
It was a goodly distance to the street. Even in her dream, how had one of the guards not noticed her abduction? Did she feel that unsafe here? Did she not trust them to protect her?
"How did he get you to his car?" he interrupted her narrative.
Liz tilted her head in confusion at the odd question, but pointed to the front. "The gap between the gate and the fence in front."
She said it like it should have occurred to him, that he should have known what she was talking about.
"Show me." Red slid her to the scooter before following behind her. Silas walked slowly beside the him, the man's weapon hung loosely by his side.
"You think Tom knows where she is?" the guard frowned.
"No," Red shook his head negatively. "But I do think that her subconscious has found a breach in her security and it was bothering her."
"A gap..." Silas replied slowly, "in the fence." the man's tone allowed his skepticism.
"Just like you seeing a point of entry that needs to be guarded." Red explained. "She believes there to be a gap big enough that Tom can take her away, yes."
Silas's brow furrowed darkly.
"Or at the very least, she needs to see that there is nothing there, and it was only in the dream." Red continued. "She will find her safety and security again."
They trailed after the woman, encountering two guards along the way. "Joe, David, I may need your assistance, if you please." Red waved them to join the parade.
The two men fell in line, stopping when Liz hit a shaded part in the fence just a few feet away from the gazebo.
"Where is it sweetheart." Red came alongside her, looking where the stone wall met the wrought iron fence.
"There," she pointed, "in the ivy."
Red walked to where she indicated, lifting the lush greenery then felt his blood run cold.
She was correct.
There was a gap.
A big one, enough to fit two people. Especially when they were Tom and Lizzy's size.
Silas's tone was pure ice as he turned towards his men, "How the hell did you miss this?!" he demanded an immediate answer.
"How the hell did you?" Red's tone was more than frigid.
Silas turned to Elizabeth, kneeling in front of her cart. The woman cocked her head, confused by the man's formal stance, and even more, the words he said.
"Ms. Keen... this is entirely my fault." his eyes and face were sincere, his expression grave. "I will see that this oversight is corrected..."
"And you will see to that, today." Red gritted. "I don't care what you have to do. I want it locked up tight."
Silas glanced at the man before returning his attention. "This is inexcusable." he shook his head slowly. "I have no explanation to give you. Hell..."
"Yes, sir." Joe replied seriously halting any further words for the moment. "Mr. Reddington, we will see to that immediately."
Liz looked between the men, startled by the seriousness of their tones and how they addressed Red.
"I want the rest of the grounds checked as well." Red looked at all three men. "And I mean, all of it."
David and Joe set off, alerting security to check their sections for breach in the property fence, leaving the three alone.
"This will be fixed Lizzy, I promise." Red assured her and was pleased to find some ease in her shoulders. "You will be safe here."
"You're all freaking me out." she frowned. "Stop it." she stressed. "It was just an oversight. Big deal."
Red gestured to the gazebo but hesitated in his steps. He glanced back, but the woman had not moved one iota. "Not a big deal?" he repeated her lie.
"I will not have you afraid while you are staying here. Most especially in a spot you enjoy." Red lifted expectant brows. "Come here," he pointed, "sit with me."
"Get back in the saddle cowgirl." Silas nudged her forward.
"What the hell is it with you and all these idioms, metaphors and shit?" Liz screwed her face up at the guard but rolled her cart towards Red without thought.
"I find them to be wonderful distractions." Silas grinned finally as they edged in under the large gazebo. "A red herring, if you will."
Liz scoffed disgustedly, rolling her eyes. Red bit the inside of cheek to keep the smile from his lips. He was in no mood to be amused at present.
"Make him stop."
"Why?" he asked almost sullenly, having well noted the fact Silas had gotten her in a better mood faster than he himself could. "It worked, didn't it?" he waved at the roof of the gazebo over their head.
"Oh..." she shrugged, glancing about her surrounding only now realizing exactly where she sat, "I guess it did."
She took Red's hand, sliding to the bench, though she did inch closer to him.
One step at a time, he thought.
"Now, what happened after you left the property?"
She told him the gory details as best she remembered. How Silas had shot out the window, how she deflected Tom's return fire, hesitating before admitting that Tom had hit her temple with his weapon.
The man's eye twitched.
Where Lizzy sometimes blurred the lines where Tom Keen was concerned, it seemed that her subconscious mind was well aware of what a bastard Tom could be.
"Then what happened?"
She told them of their dream conversation, or more to the point, Tom's incessant babbling and ability to leave more questions than answers.
If she only listened to her inner voice more often, she'd be rid of the man. Red realized.
But then, maybe she was? She had screamed for help. She had said she wouldn't leave with Tom.
Maybe she had finally seen the man's true colors? Saw him for the asshole he was?
But it didn't explain why she had an orgasm?
Unless...
This could go a couple of different ways.
Tom had hurt her, badly, in the dream. And because she was already hurting, it had manifested itself in her body, releasing in the only way available.
Or...
Tom had fucked her in the dream.
And he was gathering by her earlier response and attempt to flee, that maybe it wasn't consensual.
It would also explain why she could not hold Red's gaze for a very long period of time.
It was a strong possibility that she felt guilty because she'd climaxed due to what had essentially been rape, and felt betrayed by her own body.
Or perhaps she had climaxed for a whole other reason...
Which was, that she had wanted it. Had wanted to be with Tom intimately. Regardless that he'd hurt her.
How confusing it must be for a woman to feel such conflicting emotions.
He knew Liz was young and confused by everything happening around her. She was searching for a foundation, for solidity. How cold and empty it must be to accept that sort of comfort, from a man like Tom Keen.
But Tom was familiar, something she knew... when the rest of her world was falling apart.
They would never agree or see eye to eye on such a man.
Ever.
Unless of course, she wrote the prick off completely. Would they ever be on the same page, he wondered?
But first things, first. Making her feel secure again.
"Did he hurt you in your dream?"
"He hit me across the face wit–"
"Besides that." Red interrupted. "Did he harm you after that?"
"No..."
Red held her eyes, and wasn't the least bit surprised when she dropped them to her lap, fidgeting with her bracelet.
She was either upset by what had happened or she was lying, and Tom had done more in that dream than she was telling him.
Elizabeth wished he would stop the questions because she did not want to go beyond a certain point. Her dream had taken such an unusual path...it was something personal she simply could not share at this time... if ever.
"Then what happened?"
"You came." Liz hesitated visibly, the connotation implied brought back vivid memories.
Silas shifted his bulky frame turning his head quickly to hide a knowing smile.
"I mean, that is to say..." she hastily corrected, flushing before lifting those blue eyes, to a patiently waiting Red Reddington. "You arrived on the scene," she nodded, finding the statement more acceptable.
"You shot Tom," her thoughts wandered momentarily. "Dembe dragged him away before he... he was gasping." she remembered.
"And then...?" he prompted.
"You got the cuffs off."
She rubbed at the phantom feeling until Red placed his hand over hers. He frowned hard at the now chafed skin, rubbing it gently, before bowing his head, placing his lips over the imaginary injury.
Elizabeth seemed suddenly unsettled which the man did not miss.
He had triggered something, but what? "Can you continue?"
"Y-You brought me home," she stuttered, watching his fingers dance gently over her wrist, "..you helped me."
"I always will..."
She blinked rapidly, the words stunning her because they were the exact ones he used in the dream. She vacantly nodded, watching as he kissed her wrist yet again.
This had happened in her dream as well. He wished he knew what the hell happened after the fact. Because her reaction to his touch, the intimacy, was most telling.
Had this been Tom's way of 'apologizing' for his earlier indiscretion? Most abusive males tended towards such actions.
"What made you startle awake?" he gently rubbed his thumb along her wrist, focusing on her reaction.
"W-What?" she stammered.
"Did something else happen? You woke rather abruptly."
"You... I..." She darted her eyes away, "I-I don't remember..."
"Focus," Red sat forward slowly, lifting her wrist to his mouth, directly in the line of her sight. "Did I hurt you in some way?" he asked.
"You didn't hurt me, you..." she stressed, then blushed.
"What?" he kissed the scarring again, drawing her attention back to his action. "Let me help you, sweetheart." he genuinely urged, her cooperation needed in this instance.
Elizabeth's mouth fell agape, her eyes large and vacant.
"Tell me what you need..." the silky proclamation shook her to her core.
He must know! He was saying the same words! How could he not know?
Red felt a slight change in the aura about the woman. Whether it was good or bad, he had no clue as yet. "Tell me what you need to feel safe again. Tell me how I can help you."
She opened her mouth, then closed it rapidly. The lovely eyes held a measure of hope that had not been there before. He was on the right track. Footsteps behind them, broke the spell.
Damn it! Red dropped his head in frustration. He had been so close.
The cook was announcing lunch and Elizabeth was never so pleased to be given a reprieve.
Red watched her disappear into the house, his thoughts private.
"You know she's not telling you everything, right?" Silas asked in the most innocent manner this man could ever muster.
"I picked up on that, yes." Red disdained. "Leave me alone."
"I thought you'd be a little pleased.." the burly man ignored the directive completely.
"About her having a nightmare..." Red snapped his head to the man, surprised to find amusement dancing in the grayish blue eyes.
"No, about the part where you rescued her." the man air quoted with his beefy fingers.
"Excuse me?" Red dared him to say one more word.
Silas smiled sweetly, "You got her out. You saved her from Tom." he explained patiently, eyeing his employer expectantly. He indicated his own person... her own personal guard as it were, with a sweep of his hands up and down his bulky frame.
"And..." Red's tone was chilly.
"And what do you think happened after that?" Silas rolled his hand in the air, like it would help Red's thought process.
Red's expression was completely blank, on purpose. Of course he was following the line of thought and with any other woman... but this was Lizzy.
The guard seemed well and truly miffed that Red Reddington was not following his train of thought.
"She had a sex dream about you, you idiot." Silas blurted, then corrected his tone, "I mean... boss."
Red stopped in his tracks, his shoe scuffing loudly on the pavement due to his abrupt stop, his head whipping around jerkily.
"Besides the fact that it's obvious." Silas screwed his face up, looking at Red like he was an idiot." She can remember everything up until that point? Yeah, right." the man scoffed. "Plus, I read it."
Having said his piece, the guard was ready to make a discrete exit.
Red reached, snagging Silas's arm, stopping him in his tracks.
Silas looked at the tight grasp Red had on him and laughed. "I can multi-task, can't you?"
"You read what? Asshole." Red added for emphasis.
"It's in one of her novels." Silas took no offense, leaning against the stone pillar behind him, crossing his legs at the ankles. "Aside from the hole in the fence, which I agree was tickling at her subconscious mind, acting as a trigger." he agreed with Red's initial assessment.
"Everything that happened, occurred in one of her books." Silas crossed his arms over his chest, smiling knowingly.
"A bad man takes the woman," he continued, "the man she trusts, saves her, he cares for her, he fucks her." the guard bobbed his head happily. "I like that part." he confided.
"If you want to know what you did to her in that dream, it's the book with the bright yellow cover." the man chuckled quietly when Red unconsciously looked towards the house, the want to see that book, very prevalent in his eyes.
"I think it's around page, two hundred sixty-nine." the man smirked. "Which is perfect if you ask me since you, I mean, the character, eats pussy." Silas nodded knowingly. "Yeah, I really like that part."
The guard laughed then walked off, heading for the fence line leaving Red to his own devices.
Reddington pulled himself from his jumbled thoughts, heading inside, unsure what to say, do, or even feel at this point.
He would prefer to believe Silas's version of the tale. But he also knew the reality of the situation.
Liz was caught between the two most prominent men in her life. In her drugged state, her subconscious mind had taken a scene from a book and adapted it to her current predicament.
It was understandable that she had transferred himself and Tom into the roles of the characters in the novel.
The woman was embarrassed and who wouldn't be? It would explain her reluctance to make eye contact, certainly.
She was young and inexperienced in all things, let alone life. But her reluctance to face the situation as it now stood, hampered him in his efforts to help her get through it.
No matter her feelings on it, he didn't know how to make it better.
She obviously wasn't ready to talk about it, and he wasn't sure if he should approach the subject.
Red sauntered into the dining room, taking his place at the head of the table beside her. He shot her a reassuring smile.
Right now all he could do is pay attention and be available to her, should she need to unload her burden.
And be supportive, no matter the outcome.