"Lizzy?" there was no easy way to say this, so the man just said it as was his way. "I got a call that Carver was in Chicago." he crouched before her. "I'm taking the team and we'll be flying out within the hour."
"Red, it's getting late..." She looked at the clock to confirm, "and do I have to remind you that you were just shot... yesterday?"
Placing his hand on her knee, he steadied himself. "I don't have to do much. Just hit up a few contacts and direct your team."
"Then why do you have to go now? You should get some rest."
"Since your team and Moore is coming with me, it's better to arrive at night. Less eyes."
"You really don't like Moore, do you?"
"Not particularly, no." he admitted freely. "How did you know, just out of curiosity?"
"You call him by his last name all the time."
"Would you rather I call him, Dick?" he cocked his head at her, pleased with himself. "Please, say yes, because I all ready do." he took on an innocent air. "What? It's better than calling him asshole."
"Is he really that bad?" Liz half chuckled.
"I expect any day now, either Dembe or Samar will slip past me and break the man's nose." the thought warmed the man's heart. "At least it keeps me awake while I'm there. They're wily."
"Not you?" Liz was surprised. "You don't want to break his nose?"
"No, I'm much like you, Lizzy." He patted her knee, standing. "I go for the throat."
He headed for his bag, which Dembe had already packed. Red glanced around absently finally finding the object in question.
He grabbed the book satchel then looked at the woman, finding Elizabeth fiddling with her book otherwise occupied.
Red quickly scanned the stacked books on her shelf, zeroing on a bright yellow jacket. His fingers curved to it then shoved it in his bag, heading for the door.
"I'll check on you later sweetheart." he threw back to the woman.
"Be safe!" she responded, wishing he did not have to go.
Red called later that night as promised. A ton of background noise making it difficult to hear him.
"Sweetheart, how are you?" his tone sounded normal enough, almost jovial.
She pressed the phone to her ear, speaking over the loud din. "I'm okay, but what's going on there?"
"Oh, just having a few drinks with an old associate of mine, catching up." He dropped his voice, "Can you hear me?"
"Just barely." she admitted.
"Nothing happening on this end, just weeding out info. Donald and Samar are rabbit hunting. Just a minute." Red muffled the phone, speaking with someone. "Baby, I have to go. I'll call back shortly."
"Uh, okay?" She said before hearing the dial tone.
Baby?
He had called her a lot of things; sweetheart, honey, even darling jokingly, after he had been shot. But never... that.
She would never tell anyone, let alone Red, but it was one of her favorite endearments. Well, that and sweetheart.
At first it had grated on her when he had called her that, but now, she found comfort in it. The odd thing was that she didn't think she would like it coming from anyone else but Red Reddington. He made it fit her. Like it was a part of her, an extension of who she was.
But really, whatever endearment passed his lips, it seemed natural. Like she actually was those things to him. As much as her name was Elizabeth, she was as much Lizzy, sweetheart and now, baby.
The thought brought a warm feeling into her entire system, she found she enjoyed the feeling immensely.
An hour later the phone rang which brought a smile to Elizabeth's lips. The caller ID indicated it was Red.
"Hello?" her tone was soft.
"Lizzy, sorry for ending our call so abruptly," he apologized. "I truly thought I had enough time to just check in with you but Louis ended his call before I anticipated."
"No worries. I'm fine... baby." She smiled into the phone when she heard his deep laughter.
"I thought I'd get yelled at for that one." He relaxed in his chair, grinning.
"I'm not yelling." She replied instantly. Regretting her quick response a moment later when it sounded like she was almost flirting with the man.
"I-I mean, I understand." she tried for sophistication. "I didn't mind." She squeezed her eyes shut. Could she, just once, shut up while she was ahead.
Red's deep chuckle filtered through the phone, tickling her ear. "I'll remember that," he promised. "I think I may have a lead on Carver. I sent it over to Ressler and Samar, they're checking it out now."
"Moore didn't go with you guys?"
"He's here." the man's tone said it all.
"You mean, physically, right now, with you?"
"No, in general." he replied. "He may be a complete idiot, but he knows better than to push, right now anyway."
"What happened?"
"Let's just say it was mentioned in passing, that the temptation to throw open the door at fifteen thousand feet and unload a passenger was a growing passion of mine."
"It was that bad?" she crinkled her nose.
"Would you presume to tell someone where to sit on their own jet? That they couldn't drink?" The absurdity boggled the man's mind. "The tipping point came when he tried to take the phone out of my hand when I was going to call and check on you."
"He didn't..." Liz breathed in a stunned breath.
"Oh, yes he did."
"And that's what you said? That you'd throw him out of the plane."
"Well, first I said that I was going to shove the phone up his ass." Red picked an imaginary piece of lint off his impeccable trousers. "Then he said he didn't appreciate me doing business with federal agents on board, at which point I said that could be rectified ... and it went on from there."
"You didn't tell him you were calling me?"
"Should it matter, it's my damn plane."
"So what stopped you?" she held back her smile.
"Ressler said that perhaps he should stop harassing me, considering I was so kind to give them a ride... on my plane." Red stressed.
Liz chuckled, "Are you going to fly them back... on your plane?"
"Samar, definitely. Donald, he's always up in the air, no pun intended." he rubbed his temple absently. "Moore, I could give a flying fuck... again, no pun intended."
Liz smiled, "When do you think you'll be home?"
"As soon as they finish, I suppose." a thought occurred to him. "Why, do you miss me?" His husky voice lowered intimately.
"I was just wondering who was going to make my waffle in the morning?" she teased.
He pulled his tie, loosening the knot. "I knew it, you only appreciate me for my cooking." He pulled the silk fabric from his neck, setting it aside.
"Today, I did. The vegan nurse from hell, Mindy, was here again trying to shove eggplant down my throat."
"You hate egg plant."
"Uhh, exactly."
"Did you tell her that?"
"Yes, the first day she was here. Keeps blathering on about how good it is for me."
"Then fire her." he wholeheartedly encouraged.
"I'm sure she's just trying to be helpful, Red."
"By preparing something you've told her you hate." Red slowly replied.
He'd have to teach her how to handle these things, to stand up for herself. If only to save her from being force fed a vegetable she once described as having the consistency of a rubber sole.
"How goes the house search. Find anything interesting?"
"Oh, I did find one." she replied ecstatically. "I can't wait to show you!"
"Tell me about it." Popping the button on his neck, he loosened the next two then closed his eyes, listening to her voice, relaxing after a few moments into a stress free state.
"It's three bedrooms, two and a half baths, hardwood throughout. It's got the cutest little outdoor space for entertaining. Not that I really do much of that, but I thought when you guys came over, we'd have a place to grill and stuff."
His mouth lifted at the corner, trying to remember the last time he actually grilled anything.
"The kitchen is beautiful, just redone. Though, I didn't think to check if the plumbing and everything was okay?" she fretted.
"We'll get it checked out." He assured, then kicked his feet up on the ottoman, while his arm fell lazily over the arm rest, his tumbler dangling from his fingertips. "What else."
"I'll have to redo one of the bathrooms. It's blue." she shivered at the remembrance, totally repulsed. "Red? Who does an entire bathroom in blue? And not just any blue, aqua blue."
She sounded so disgusted, he had to laugh. "Well, then. What color would you prefer?"
"Oh, I don't know? Maybe a soft white or tan, have the accent pieces be the color. That way I can change it any time I want." she had really thought this through. "What do you think?"
"I think that sounds like a very good idea."
"Are you even listening to me?" she chided.
"Of course I am. Change the hideous blue bathroom to soft white or tan, with your accent pieces being the splash of color. Redone kitchen, cute deck where we can grill. Three bedrooms, two and a half baths. Shall I continue?"
"You're really interested?" she was mildly shocked.
"I am. Were there anymore homes that interested you?"
"Yes, but I can wait until you get home to show you."
"If you want to talk about..." A subtle beeping in his ear made him look at the screen, "Damn it. Sweetheart, it's Ressler. I'll get back to you when I can."
"All right, all of you be careful."
Ending his call with Ressler, Red was never so glad to get off the phone, even though they would be leaving in an hour... he wished a few minutes private time.
Picking the paperback up, he tapped it lightly against his lips, lost in though.
Thumbing the pages rapidly, he focused on the pages Lizzy earmarked, opening the book to one such page... scanning it slowly.
It was mostly dialogue, but in that dialogue was one specific component.
In the course of his investigation, Red discovered that how the man spoke to or touched the woman, was important. Not that he did not know that himself, but to see it in print organized his thoughts better.
Certain endearments seemed to melt the heroine's heart. He glanced up, his mind wandering.
Red had called Lizzy, baby, earlier to get a reading on her. This guy in the book had used the same term of affection.
Red had been surprised, keeping in mind nothing surprised him these days... that Lizzy had accepted the term so readily and indeed did not seem to mind if he used that endearment again.
In this day and age, most females did not like to be objectified. Reddington never thought of it like that. He admired and respected most women, truth told. Those with which he used such terms of affection, he highly esteemed.
He was so pleased that Elizabeth was woman enough to sense such a thing about him.
Turning the page, he automatically read a few sentences, a dark scowl appearing on his forehead.
Within the book, two males had actually come to blows in a brutal scene that, in Red's opinion was nothing more than gratuitous violence.
It was almost as if Lizzy's dream played out in black and white print. Had she truly pictured him and Tom in these roles?
From the moment Tom had taken her until Red himself, had arrived on scene... everything was almost verbatim.
Reading more, he could see glimpses of that son-of-a-bitch Tom in the secondary player and could truly understand Elizabeth's frustration and fear.
He kicked back, propping his legs on a pillow in the bed, absently sipping from the fine wine he had ordered roughly an hour before.
The story continued...and then he came on the scene.
As Red continued the narrative, he could actually see the similarity between the guy in the story and himself.
It was him for all intents and purposes.
Worried for the girl's welfare, intent on hurting the man who harmed her and acting on it with cold and merciless deliverance.
The hero had released the girl from her restraints, then carried his precious cargo from the room. What he cherished most in this world, safe in his arms.
He took her to his home, dressed her wounds and kissed the bruising on her wrist...
Red turned the page quickly, reading through the following passages and more than understood the cause of Lizzy's wet dream and even more interestingly, her reaction to him.
He had done so much, said so much, of what this man in the novel had, and wasn't even aware of having done so.
He turned the page, settling more into his comfort zone, reading the first few lines of what was to come and had never loved a romance novel so much as he further read the graphic love scene.
It was no wonder Liz couldn't look him in the eye.
The man in the novel talked with his partner, communicated with her. He clearly worshiped the woman. He fed off her pleasure, hers became his own.
If this was her idea of a fantasy man, she really need look no further than across the dining room table, or better yet, roll over in bed and look at the man sharing it with her.
Red's eyes lifted, a thought suddenly solidifying in his mind.
Lizzy had placed him in the role of hero.
Not Tom.
Him...
Raymond 'Red' Reddington.
Did Elizabeth's subconscious mind realize no one would ever take care of her, spoil her, dote on her... love Lizzy, like he did.
No one...
The want to have her by his side in every way available to him, grew impossibly strong.
Stronger than it had ever been before.
Stronger than it was just a couple day ago.
He felt a flicker of hope, that hadn't been there before.
Now, he just wondered if he could make it happen.
What could he do to make her see, he could give her everything and anything she could ever want or need?
He wasn't sure...
But he sure as fuck was going to find out.
A low rumble of thunder awoke Liz from a restful sleep.
Slitting her eyes open, she watched the gentle sway of the trees blowing in the brisk wind through the rain spotted window.
Rising from the bed, she grabbed the robe Red had given her, well, his robe, snuggling into its plush warmth. Using the facilities and straightening her appearance, before going off in her search of Red.
The man returned late in the night, too late to delve into questioning the man on what happened on his trip.
With the aid of her crutch, she hobbled down the hallway, calling out to both Red and Dembe.
No one answered. Perhaps they had gone on an errand?
She had awakened later than her norm. Both men kept odd hours, it wasn't inconceivable that they had started their day early.
Her footsteps took her on a meandering path through the countless rooms of the house. Toward the back, she finally heard Red's muffled laughter.
She couldn't blame him for picking the pool atrium to relax, in the short time she had been there it had become her favorite spot as well.
The indoor garden was beautiful, covered in hundreds of leafy green plants and lightly scented flora, leaving the area serene and tranquil. She had spent a lot of her time in that room while Red and Dembe had been gone, reading the plethora of material Red bought her.
She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so rested.
She did not like to admit even to herself, that now Red was home, that feeling was once again prevalent in her life.
When he was gone, she found herself unsettled and at odds. She no longer questioned the why of it... it just was.
Entering the arch way, she saw the man in question, reclined comfortably on the high backed couch, swirling his ever present liquor. The man was truly in a time zone of his own making.
"Re..." Liz trailed off, when a man sitting with his back to her and hidden by the tall chair, turned in her direction.
It was Edward.
She forced a smile, falling into character. "I'm sorry, honey. I didn't know you had guests."
Red rose from the couch quickly going to her side. "It's all right, baby."
He held his smile when she ducked her head, hiding the quick smile that passed over her own face.
The man instantly knew by her attitude, that she really was not adverse to that particular endearment. The knowledge amused him greatly.
"What are you doing walking?" he had noticed her unsteady gate as she approached. "Why didn't you use your cart or call?" He complained, tapping the phone sitting against her chest.
"My butt was falling asleep, I had to move." She gestured to the door, indicating she should go. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
"You aren't." Taking the crutch, Red wrapped an arm around her, bringing her towards the couch. "You shouldn't be up like that without someone there to help you." He scolded. "Come and sit down."
Reaching the divan, he took her weight, easing her onto the seat. The woman gripped his forearm when her ankle jostled, her vision swimming for a moment.
He stared at her in open concern until her grasp loosened, her equilibrium returning. She nodded, indicating she was okay.
"You remember Edward?" Raymond gestured to the man.
Liz turned her gaze to the pensive man. "I do, it's a pleasure to see you again." She smiled brightly, thinking he was one creepy bastard in her mind.
"Elizabeth." The man inclined his head in greeting. "I do hope you're feeling better. Red told me of your accident."
Having no idea what Red had told the man, she replied generically. "I'm better, thank you. It's good to get around... some anyway." She smiled impishly.
She leaned into Red's side as if she had done it a hundred times, hoping she was acting the part expected of her.
She relaxed quickly when his arm came around her waist, helping her adjust to a more comfortable position.
When she settled, his hand fell naturally to the curve of her hip, his thumb stroking her side soothingly, "Did you sleep well?"
He knew, that when he stopped thinking, he had slept well. Very well, in fact.
Dembe's early morning call had broken the spell. The fact that this man, Edward Costa was the last person he wanted to see... did little to improve his mood.
He would have preferred to stay with Elizabeth.
Liz smiled, nodding. "I did..." She placed a hand against his chest, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his breathing, "but you know I always do when you're home." She replied honestly.
Red's sharp green eyes focused intently on her, his strong arm tightening around her waist. "As do I, sweetheart."
After a beat of silence, Dembe came with a low stool upon which to prop her leg, "Thank you, Dembe."
"Do forgive me, Edward." Red turned his attention back to his guest, "As you can imagine, I miss her terribly while I'm away."
"Understandable. She's a very beautiful woman." The dark haired man eyed her suggestively. "She must get very lonely while you are away." Edward's gaze openly traveled her form, hesitating over certain areas.
The man's scrutiny unnerved her.
Elizabeth suddenly realized that she sat there in only her boxers and a tank top, an outfit Red had seen numerous times. She instantly pulled the robe closed, a coldness gripping her stomach. She found herself sweating under its warmth, the reptilian aspect of Edward Costa's stare making her stomach churn.
Leaning further into Red's solid chest, she felt the ripple of muscles tensing under her fingers.
Edward continued as if nothing was amiss. "A wise man would take her along on their journeys, lest someone snatch her away." He grinned amiably before casually tipping his glass, as though he hadn't just tread into very dangerous territory.
The man was either a consummate idiot or just that damned sure of himself... either fact, could get him killed very quickly where Red Reddington was concerned.
A fact he proved a moment later.
The atmosphere in the room changed so suddenly, a power radiating off Red so potent, his dominance and rage left her rigid with the intensity.
Dembe stood behind them, an alertness permeating the room, clearly sensing what the woman had sensed.
Red's fury-filled eyes hardened at the blatant challenge. Pulling his arm from behind her, he sat forward, making to rise.
Grabbing his arm quickly, Elizabeth tried to get things back on track, shifting the focus elsewhere. "Uh..." she damned her shaking voice, "so, what were you two discussing before I interrupted?" she asked idly.
Red's cold, unblinking eyes never wavered from the Italian across the way. The enraged man's arm tensed further as he pulled it but she tightened her hold leaning into his field of vision.
"Edward is going to run an errand for me, that is all." The older man's jaw tightened, his eyes sheets of crystal glass. "Isn't that right, Edward?" Red's tone dripped with ice.
She had to calm him down. It wouldn't be good to kill the man when they needed him to find Carver.
Stroking her finger over his tense jaw line, ignoring the volatile aura surrounding them, she fought to gain his attention.
"I thought maybe you were talking about our plans. Is he attending Francis' dinner tonight, too?" She asked airily, tracing his neck, down to where his tie sat.
Red broke his angered gaze from the inconsequential man, focusing on the woman at his side, his eyes softening. He wrapped his arm back around her, settling it on her hip. "I'm sure Edward will be far too busy for such frivolity, baby."
Liz nuzzled the freshly shaved skin on his jaw line and neck, inhaling the familiar and very pleasant scent.
The man drew in a breath, relaxing slightly under the unexpected touch.
He sensed her ploy, reluctantly allowing her tactic. Imagine his surprise when the woman went a step further, nuzzling his nape.
All thoughts of the other man evaporated to Red's chagrin. He didn't know what she was up to, but he had to admit, he was enjoying the hell out of it while it lasted.
"Dembe will supply the pick up address within the hour." Red rumbled, his voice deepening further when he felt her full lips graze his skin.
From her hiding place, she felt the rich bass in his throat vibrate against her nose and lips as the rigid man exhaled slowly, calming further.
"That is all, for now." That came out a bit hostile and brittle, but it was to be expected. He was Red Reddington, after all.
Red nodded to Dembe to show their 'guest' out. Hearing their footsteps retreating from the room, Liz exhaled and slumped visibly, relief flooding her body.
"He's gone." Red soothed. "It's not like you to let someone like Edward get to you."
"Yeah, well, don't hold it against me. I'm still stoned on those pain pills of yours so I'm not on top of my game." Liz quivered in revulsion, "Plus, he's creepy. I hate when people stare at me like they're stealing my soul."
"It wasn't your soul he was interested in, trust me." Red finished off his glass, then poured another.
"And you were about to snap his damn neck, which would secure him in one location, yes?" she reminded tactfully. "But if he is in the morgue, it wouldn't lead us to Carver. You do remember he is the key to finding Carver."
"He's one of the ways to get to Carver. Not the only one."
"But he is the one closest to us, right now." she stated. "Speaking of which, I thought we agreed to have him at dinner so we could watch him?" She asked, her voice slightly muffled.
He suddenly realized that Lizzy was still resting against him, her head crooked under his chin while she lazily played with a button on his vest. It was a shame that the position would change in a minute.
"I don't want him anywhere near you." he proclaimed. "Not after how he looked at you..." there was something deadly about the easily stated observation but what came next caused a chill to traverse the woman's body."...I didn't like it."
"Red!" Liz sputtered in embarrassment. "First of all, how he looks at me shouldn't be of any consequence..." She pulled back, matching his frown.
He missed her warmth instantly. Then his attention was directed to her hand braced on his thigh.
"No, if he's going to talk about my fiancée like that, so brazenly to my face and be that forward, twice now, who knows what the hell he's doing behind my back."
"Okay..." she was confused. "How are we supposed to keep tabs on him and find Carver if you don't want him at the dinner?"
"I can have my people track him regardless." Red's anger was resurfacing. "I only really brought him in so we would have his actual locations. We could just as easily slip a tracker on him."
"This is just silly, Red." she placated. "Just because he made some backhanded remarks and freaky eye contact, does not make him a real threat. We–"
Red interrupted, "He's a very real threat."
Liz rolled her eyes, and in this instance it annoyed the hell out of the man. "Lizzy, you understand that this man is a criminal, correct?"
"Yes, I know that!" She replied patiently. "But, not to point out the obvious, so are you."
"I would never hurt you. He will." he stressed. "So believe me when I say, he was very serious in his comments."
"You're kidding?" Liz scoffed.
"No, I'm not." he grated. "Do not let him get you alone."
"What, you think I'll cave to his charm?" Liz asked in disgust.
"No, I'm thinking of what he'll do when you don't give into what he wants!" He snapped as a clap of thunder shook the room.
The combination of the thunder and having never heard Red raise his voice like that, startled her. Her entire body jerked in place, as she blinked rapidly.
Red's brow creased. Had he frightened her? The thought left him more than unsettled.
He knew very well, Edward's reputation. Or the rumors, at the very least. That the man had an obvious interest in Elizabeth, bothered Red greatly. He reached for her, his hand dropping away at Dembe's entrance into the room.
"Is he gone?" Raymond barked.
"Yes. I dislike that man, intensely." The dark man sat at the bar, eyeing his friend's tense back. "I'll send him the required info later."
"Not yet, Dembe." Red shook his head defiantly. "I may see if the Stuart brothers are available."
"I know it's obvious as to why," Dembe hated to remind, "but I thought you weren't going to use the Stuarts' after what happened the last time..."
"Red, just have him do the job. Let's stick to some sort of plan, if only so Ress and Samar have an easy go of it, all right."
"Fine." Red nodded to Dembe, "Send it." the man arose, turning his back not only to the room but its two occupants. "But he's fair game after... and I'm gonna kill him."
Leaving Liz in the capable hands of her nurses, Red headed to his office to cool his temper and desire to outright kill Edward.
He'd been checking on his investments, pleased when he saw all was well. So pleased in fact, seeing Ressler's name splash across his phone screen did little to damper his good mood.
"Reddington, we've had another one." Ressler informed the man without preamble. "If you could come down and take a look at the pictures..."
"Can't you just send them?" Red sighed into the phone.
"Aram said they were running some systems update for another hour or something. I wasn't really listening, to be honest." Donald confessed.
"I'll be there soon." Red closed the phone, his head falling back into his chair, his mood dampening somewhat. He forced himself up, heading down the hall. "Lizzy?"
"Yeah?" She called out from the closet.
He followed her voice entering the area after a few steps, focusing on her activity. "What are you doing?"
He stared at her, half hidden in the clothes hanging on the rack... well part of her, at least.
His eyes immediately fell to the rather fetching sight revealed. The only portion visible of the woman was her bottom.
"More importantly, how were you going to get up if no one came in here?" He glanced about, confirming they were alone. "Where are the nurses?"
"Helen ran to the store." she said from inside her makeshift fortress. "And Diane is getting something from her car."
She backed out of the clothes, brushing her hair out of her face before sitting on the floor. "I was going to eat a candy bar before Vegan Mindy got here." She held up the candy bar, pointing to the clothes. "Dembe gave me a secret stash."
She rolled to the chair, pushing with her arm trying to get off the floor unsuccessfully. "I guess I didn't think that far ahead. Silas usually gets it for me."
"I see," He bent over, helping her off the floor. "You don't have to worry about Vegan Mindy, I fired her yesterday."
"You did?" Her voice rose shrilly. The man crooked his head, eyeing her quizzically.
"I did. She didn't make you happy." he walked her slowly back to the bedroom. "They're sending over an older Southern woman, that I'm sure, will fill you with chicken and dumplings and cherry cobbler."
"No more eggplant or weeds?" Liz's voice bubbled with joy.
"No, and since their employees have trouble following vocal warnings, I've given them a complete list of things that are off limits around you." Red further stated. "Eggplant being at the very top."
She smiled, giddily. "Thank you, Red." a thought occurred to her. "Oh, why were you looking for me?"
The man explained the situation to her. "But didn't want to leave without saying goodbye." He smiled absently at nothing in particular.
"All right, I'll save you some cobbler."
"No dumplings?" He asked, heading to the door.
"I make no promises!" She called out to him.
Red and Dembe entered the main area of the Blacksite, stopping slowly in their tracks.
Computer techs bounced from one station to another, their expressions bleak, their actions harried. Agents littered the floor as usual, but it appeared several more had joined the fray.
"Reddington, good timing." Samar pointed to the new photos taped to the boards. "We just got these printed a couple minutes ago."
He neared the offensive items, his eye ticking slightly at the vivid pictures. This victim was worse than the previous two. She was literally torn to shreds. Only hunks of skin were left hanging haphazardly on her poor, mangled body.
"Do we have a name as of yet?" the man enquired quietly.
"I just pulled this before you came in." She handed over a driver's license photo to him of what the woman originally looked like with her face intact.
Taping it up beside the other normal photos of the two previous victims, Red Reddington scrutinized them intensely. He filtered back through people he knew from associates to the occasional Barista he may have encountered.
No one came to mind, none resembled any of these women.
"I don't know her." His jaw tightened slightly. He wasn't being of much help to the team or any of these women... or future victims.
"I didn't think you would but it never hurts to check." Samar's tone was grim. "The thing is, I've researched these women and they were normal. I mean, completely every day boring, normal. Why anyone would want to harm them..."
"Did you know her." Ressler interrupted.
"He didn't." Samar answered. "I was just explaining to him that they had good work records, steady relationships, no debt, not even so much as a traffic ticket." the woman was at a loss. "Who would want these women dead, is a complete mystery."
Donald and Samar turned to look at Reddington who had fallen silent. An oddity where the man was concerned. He was standing in front of the three pictures, scanning them repeatedly.
His eyes moved slowly, his stare focused and intent and then... he stiffened. Turning on his heel he made for the door, Dembe following closely behind.
"Reddington!" Donald yelled at the retreating man.
"Reddington? What did you see!" Samar hurried after the man, skidding to the elevator. She just caught it as the door was closing. "What?!" she demanded.
"They all look like Lizzy."
The door closed with a finality on the man's foreboding countenance.
Red sat tensely throughout the drive home. He knew that Elizabeth was safe, but that didn't stop the anxiety he felt.
His footsteps hastened up the stairs to the front entrance, as he searched the house methodically, finally locating Elizabeth in their bedroom.
He breathed a sigh of relief, grinning as he watched Lizzy poke a pen under her leg cast.
"I didn't hear you come in." She poked her tongue out the corner of her mouth, jabbing the pen in further.
"Itch?" He walked slowly through the room, heading for the closet.
"I swear ants are under this thing." She jabbed the pen in further.
The man came out carrying a long handle back scratcher, holding it aloft, "Try this."
She snatched it out of his hand, jamming it under the cast, groaning with relief.
"Thank you," She moved it back and forth under the heavy plaster, sighing. "Anything going on at the Post Office?"
Red shrugged, "Still the same tension." he walked over, taking the seat beside her. "Samar can be wickedly funny when she cuts you off at the knees."
"So Moore is still being a jerk?" Liz smiled.
"I don't think he knows how to be anything other than that," Red surmised, "with women especially."
"So, he's old school, boys' only, mentality." Liz shrugged. "They were at Quantico. If you can't handle them, you can't handle the bad guys you come up against." How many times had she been confronted with such men. "She'll be fine."
"Oh, she's more than fine." Red reassured. "I think she's starting to enjoy knocking him down, every chance she gets, more than she thought she would."
"And he doesn't give it back to her?"
"He tries, but fails miserably." Red glanced around for a cigar, finding none. "As I said, she can be quite cutting, when she wants to be." he settled back accepting his lot in life. "It's like watching a live action play unfolding right in front of me. I even spontaneously applauded her quick wit a time or two."
"I'm sorry I'm missing it." she grinned. "So are Ress and Samar following Edward again?"
"Yes, they started tailing him at the pick up point." He trailed his finger over the top of the cast, surprised when she jerked away. "Is it hurting? Tender?"
"No, it's fine." She placed her hand over the area he had felt, rubbing the pale skin, crinkling her nose is open distaste.
He went to touch her other leg but she pulled that one away as well.
"Okay, what's going on?" he sighed his annoyance, his body tensing instantly alert. Out of the corner of his eye, he had caught a movement, his hand instinctively reaching for the weapon on his gun holster hidden beneath the back of his jacket.
"Red!" Liz sat up quickly, sensing his intentions. "You remember Helen." she smiled brightly, hopefully covering the faux pas.
"Oh, hello Mr. Reddington." the nurse placed the freshly laundered towels she carried to the other side of her hip. " I didn't know you were back."
Red stared at Liz for a few seconds before transferring his now composed features to the newest occupant in the room. "I only arrived a minute ago. Just checking on our girl."
"Well, we were getting ready for her bath." the woman seemed genuinely fond of her patient.
"Then, I'll let you get to it." Red patted Liz's knee, very aware when she pulled the leg out from under his touch.
Something was amiss. Something was up with the woman.
But evidently his questions would have to wait. "I'll be in my office if you need me."
Minutes later in the quiet of his office, Red ruminated on the now existing problem. It now appeared he was not allowed to touch her, in any way shape or form.
He relived the day's activities in his mind, searching for some feasible reason the woman might have changed so drastically in such a short amount of time.
Nothing seemed out of the norm upon consideration. He had sensed a sort of cloud hanging over Elizabeth. But for the life of him, he couldn't think what had brought about the change.
He was stymied.
"Mr. Reddington?" Helen tapped lightly on the other side of the door.
"Yes, come in." He said, straightening in his seat. "What can I do for you?"
"We're having a little trouble with Elizabeth, sir."
"I'm shocked." He said mockingly, pushing away from his desk, standing erect. "What's wrong now?"
"She's insisting on a bath, which is fine..."
"But..." he urged gently.
"She's impatient. She wants in now. We haven't wrapped her casts–"
"Go get some bags." Red gestured for the woman to go. "I'll handle her."
As he entered the room he could already make out the heated argument emanating from behind the closed bathroom doors.
Swinging the doors open wide, he was assaulted with the steamy fragrant air. His eyes instantly swept Elizabeth Keen's scantily clad form.
"Red!" She gasped indignantly, clutching the towel to her breasts with age old maiden modesty.
Red ignored the modest chagrin, addressing Diane directly, "Give us a minute. Helen is in the kitchen."
The woman retreated quickly, pulling the doors closed behind her, leaving the two in silence.
"I'm getting in that tub." Liz muttered.
"After you get your casts wrapped."
"I'm more than capable of keeping them out of the water." She grated, annoyed.
"Maybe," He walked behind her, shutting off the water, "but you're still getting them wrapped."
She huffed angrily, moving past him when he caught her.
"You're going to sit down, get wrapped like a good little girl or–"
"Or what!" Liz fumed, her eyes flashing fire.
Red stepped in closer, until she had to tilt her head to look up at him. "Or I'll put you in that tub and dunk you under the water until you stop being a brat and tell me what the real problem is."
"Well, that would get my casts wet." Elizabeth gloated.
"Sit down." He said sternly.
The woman found herself sitting quickly, gripping her towel in place, her eyes still defiant.
A tentative knock on the door interrupted what might have been.
"Come in." Red almost barked.
The nurses came in, armed with the supplies needed.
"Proceed ladies." he cast Elizabeth a warning glance as he passed. "Watch out... she bites." it was silkily advised.
Red rolled up his sleeves, cooling slightly in the steamy room, watching the nurses make quick work of the casts.
A philosophical discussion commenced on the best way to get Elizabeth into the tub. Neither woman noted their charge inching closer to the water.
"Stop, right there." Red's tone brooked no argument. "Ladies..." his tone brooked no argument his hands going to his hips, "go take a lunch break"
Both women quickly did his bidding, leaving him alone with Liz again.
She backed up, uneasy under Red's unwavering scrutiny.
"You've been difficult all day. Why?"
"Is it a crime to just want to shave my damn legs!"
"No, but that's not what's wrong." he stepped once. "Tell me."
"I'm tired of feeling dirty." she blurted. "I need to wash... I need..." she floundered.
"Need what?"
"I need to get that night off me." her voice held a note of hysteria. "I can still feel the blood. I feel the tackiness, the itch... the stench." her hands clutched the towel in a death grip. "I need to feel clean."
He finally knew what she meant.
He still felt it, even after the numerous showers he'd taken himself. When he was away from her for more than a day, the feeling of her warm blood on his flesh was just as real as the night in question... just as overpowering as when it had been fresh and real.
He was scalding himself under hot water continually, trying to wash the hurt away.
It hadn't worked.
He didn't think he'd ever truly wash her blood off his hands.
Red walked the last few feet to her, whipping the towel away, ignoring her shocked protest. He picked her up, moving over the tub, lowering her slowly.
As she hit the bubble covered hot water, she tensed, gripping him tightly.
"I understand completely." She still held his arms in her grasp, her manner hesitant, uncertain. "Let's get that bastard's filth off you, Lizzy."
She relaxed in his hold, unclenching her fingers around his arm, allowing him to gently sit her in the steamy water.
Reaching behind him, he grabbed a towel, rolling it as a prop for her leg.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"Wine," she mellowed little by little, the fragrant water melting her acerbic mood. "Lots of wine."
"When was your last pill?"
"This morning."
Red looked down at her, relaxed into the contours of the tub, eyes closed, practically purring with delight.
Bracing his hands on the tub, he bent, nuzzling her brow with his nose, his lips lightly kissing the soft skin. Pushing off, he was stopped by a soapy hand gripping his tie.
Red looked at the contact. "And another tie bites the dust."
"You can afford it..." She let go of his tie, blowing the suds off the tip. "And Red," she halted his intended retreat, her voice more than sincere, "thank you."
"You're welcome." he lifted noble brows. "Now, don't drown before I get back."
The numbers in the ledger blurred for the umpteenth time.
Red Reddington rubbed his eyes, trying to focus again. It was times like these that he missed Luli most. It wasn't that he couldn't run the numbers, it was that he didn't want to. Well, most of the time, anyway. Sometimes he enjoyed watching everything ticking along. He had this morning...
But not right now.
The sound of the doorbell ringing saved him from pursuing the task further. Pushing the ledger away, he headed for the door.
Dembe came out of the South wing just about the time Red hit the main foyer as well. He acquiesced to the man who subsequently opened the door.
Two women waited patiently on the other side, arms loaded down with supplies.
"Good afternoon ladies. You've certainly come prepared." After acquainting themselves, he gestured toward the back. "If you'll follow me, she will be very pleased to see you, I think."
"You mentioned that she has a broken arm and leg, sir?" the smaller in stature ventured after a few steps. Dembe had taken most of their burden, walking slowly alongside.
"Left ankle, right arm. Very unhappy with her limited mobility." Red's supplied evenly. "If you'd like to set up anything... I'll alert her that you're here."
The man did just that, entering the bathroom unannounced.
"Lizzy?" he clapped his hands together once, his eyes gentle on the submerged woman. "Your surprise has arrived."
"Is it someone to take off this ten pound weight?" she shifted awkwardly, the cast on her foot hampering her intent.
"No, but I think you'll enjoy it all the same." Red handed her the baby lotion she had desperately sought a few seconds before. "I've brought in some ladies to help you in your cleansing process"
She shook her head, his meaning lost on her.
He nodded slightly, stepping aside. "Ladies, she's ready for you."
The two walked in, carrying their bags and a table.
Liz sat up as best she could, sensing what those bags held, brightening with excitement.
"This is Elizabeth." Red made the introductions. "Lizzy, this is Hannah and Katie." he stepped further out of the way, motioning theatrically. "Do to her what you will. She needs a good pampering."
Red felt a warmth seeing her so happy, especially over something so simplistic.
Liz eyed the women expectantly, grinning widely.
The last he heard on his way out was a plaintive but heart felt, "Oh, please. Someone wash my hair."
While no easy task, Red slowly phased out Lizzy's low cussing in the background, beginning his daily check of associates spanning the globe.
"Michael," Red's voice held a genuine warmth, "how are things in Milan?" he waited patiently for the news. "No, no. I didn't hear anything, I'm just checking in. Making sure..." he held his smile, the conversation amusing him. He chuckled appreciatively, answering the question asked. "Yes..."
"Damn!"
Red glanced at the bathroom doors impassively, his mind wandering for a beat, "No, I'm here. You were saying?" he apologized sincerely. "And they'll be picking up the shipment tonight?"
"Shit!"
"Yes, that's good, Michael." the man fought the distractions around him, trying to concentrate on the matter at hand. "No, continue, I'm very interested."
The door swung unceremoniously open, Hannah exiting hurriedly.
"Everything okay in there?" Red asked pleasantly.
"Oh, yes." the woman chuckled. "Waxing." she shrugged, grabbing a bag, disappearing back into the sanctuary.
"No, Michael. I was talking to the beautician." Red explained his lapse, grinning retroactively. "No, she's not here for me." he listened for a beat. "Funny, asshole. My fiancée broke her ankle and arm and they're here helping her."
Red rubbed his neck absently, then snapped, "No, I didn't drug her, get her drunk or ply her with money to get her acceptance. Which is more than we can say about your wife. The poor woman."
"Ow! No, I'm fine. Ow!"
Red frowned at the closed barrier.
"Yes, she'll be at Mark's." Red settled back in to the conversation. "I wasn't sure you were attending this year. Good, then I'll see you there."
"Holy... did that take skin?"
Red chuckled, dialing the next number.
After what seemed an eternity, Hannah finally emerged from the bathroom.
"I think she's ready to come out now, Mr. Reddington." the woman was all smiles.
"It sounded like she was ready an hour ago." Red quipped, following the woman into the bathroom.
He sought Elizabeth, who sat on the bench beside the huge tub. "Feel better, sweetheart?"
"I would give a years pay to have that experience again." she nodded amiably.
Katie stepped back, allowing him the first real glimpse of Elizabeth.
She looked rosy, coifed and extremely content.
"Did you cut your hair?" he stepped slowly, filtering his fingers through the dark strands. His eyes admiring the end product. Lizzy smiled widely, pleased he noticed the slight change.
"It's very soft." He crooked his head towards one side, his fingers continuing the excruciatingly pleasurable past-time.
"We just trimmed it. Maybe a few layers." Liz shook her head this way and that, swinging the softness around. "You like it?"
"I do, very much. You look very pretty and more importantly, relaxed." He dropped his hands to his sides, turning his attention elsewhere. "Ladies, she looks very happy now."
The women started packing up their gear. They instructed Elizabeth, giving pointers on what products to use and more importantly, which ones not. The woman demanded their card for future use.
"Thank you, really. I feel so much better." She gushed, touching her hair and checking her makeup every few seconds. "I didn't know my eyes could look like this. You did an amazing job."
The women exchanged farewells. Elizabeth was one big smile.
"Thank you for making her feel better." Red pulled his wallet out, tipping both women a few hundred each.
Leaving Dembe to escort their guests from the room, Red assisted Liz to the bed and helped get her leg situated.
"Do you feel better now?" Red sat beside the woman, his weight indenting the bed slightly.
"Yes..." Liz hesitated, faltering over the words. "I'm sorry I–"
"All of that could have been avoided, if you had just told me what was wrong." he linked his fingers together across his thighs. "Did you think I wouldn't understand wanting to feel clean again?"
She honestly found herself wondering, if the man could feel any specific way after all he had experienced in life. But perhaps there had been a time that he would have felt like she had.
"Just talk to me." his hands gestured aimlessly, his eyes on her averted profile.
He stood, heading for the bathroom, then stopped mid-stride, sniffing at the air. "What is that amazing smell?" he enjoyed the fragrant aroma, then remembered his manners. "Besides you, of course."
"Oh, that?" Liz grinned, thankful the moment had passed. "I asked Nora, the new cook, to make chicken and dumplings and cherry cobbler for dinner."
Red placed his hand on his chest, his face, blissful. "Lizzy, I could kiss you." He shook his head once, tilting it to the left before shutting the door behind him.
The woman found herself suddenly breathless, uncertain as to the cause. Her eyes stared transfixed at the closed door, her mind wandering freely. Within seconds another blush colored her already heightened cheeks.
Red shut the door, leaving the outside world behind. He let his head fall back into the thick wood, his eyes closing.
He stripped clear of his shirt and pants, tossing them carelessly before stalking into the shower. The man automatically reached, turning on the jets, stepping under their pounding spray.
The steamy air felt delicious, his eyes closing tightly as he freely allowed the images to come.
Red leaned unto his forearm, balancing against the warm stone of the shower wall, drawing in a deep breath, breathing in the scent of Elizabeth which permeated the entire room. Her scent invading his senses, blocking all else.
"Son of a bitch!" he muttered tightly. What the hell was going on with him? More to the point, what the fuck was his problem!
He snatched the soap from the ledge, washing himself off quickly.
He needed to stop pussy footing around. He needed to grow a set of balls, more like it.
Just ask her to dinner, maybe dancin–
No, she couldn't go dancing yet. Maybe a movie? Which was the biggest cliché of all time...
He should know what the hell to do. He had done this a few times in his day. Besides that, he was Red Reddington.
If his associates knew the trouble he was experiencing over this situation, his reputation would be shot.
He knew what he would like to do, but it was like the old adage, at least buy her dinner first.
A date...
Jesus.
He hadn't gone out of his way to actually meet anyone... to date in years.
The women he had encountered since becoming the Concierge of Crime, he had met in a bar or its equivalent. He had of course, been a gentlemen, buying their drinks and what not.
But most usually, they approached him. They had a plan in mind for the evening, one of which included himself.
They would have a few drinks, maybe a dance or two... then fuck.
Even Josephine had started that way. But there had been something about her that kept calling out to him. She was beautiful, unassuming, gentle, a wonderful lover.
Why she hadn't trusted him to help her... to get her to safety. Damn her family!
Red slammed his eyes shut, shaking off the rising anger. He took a deep breath and then another until his rage settled. He would have to take care of that matter soon, until that time...
Perhaps Lizzy would enjoy a play?
"You don't even know if she'll say, yes." he muttered quietly to himself.
Yes, that's what he would do. Ask first. Plan, later.
The man wrapped the towel around his waist, heading to the closet, closing the door behind him. He leaned into the dresser, breathing out his vexation and anxiety before yanking down a suit.
He'd put his armor on and feel focused again. That was all he needed to do. Once that was in place, he'd be normal.
He set to work dressing, pushing aside all else. He'd have to just deal with everything later.