Two days later...
"Let's go! Let's go!" Liz urged Red on, bouncing in her seat with avid excitement. "Let's go!"
Chuckling for Lizzy's enthusiastic response, Red pushed the gas to the floor, tearing over the next hill at full speed.
If it wasn't for the woman's tightened four-point harness strapping her in, Red was sure Lizzy would have hopped right from the curved seat with unrestrained glee.
Before the race even began, Red had initially questioned having Elizabeth in the vehicle, but seeing the woeful expression and sad, puppy dog eyes, he unwisely gave into the pressure.
Though he damn well knew he was being played... like a sucker, he buckled to Lizzy's adorable pout and dire need to compete.
Having received the approval she wholeheartedly expected, Lizzy instantly changed her attitude, hastily shoving the mapped course in his face, gesturing to points of interest.
"I've memorized the entire course!" she proudly exclaimed. "There are so many chances to get ahead of the competition!" Red had looked at the woman in a new light... greatly amused for what he saw.
"Go around him!" Liz now gripped the bar overhead, motioning to the cart which was rapidly pulling away. "Stay on his ass!"
Grinning, Red inched to Ben's right, grazing the boy's back tire.
Having felt their approach, Ben glanced hastily over his shoulder, jamming his foot into the accelerator.
"The little bastard..." Red smirked as Ben used the mud to his advantage, sliding around the corner, maintaining his lead.
Red tried to ignore Lizzy's gasp of dismay for his failure, tickled by the depth of her despair.
"Sharp right!" Liz yelled over the whir of the engines, laying out the course for Red. "Left!" she warned Red of the upcoming turn he could plainly see for himself.
"I got this," he swore an oath.
Gripping the steering wheel in hand, Red slid around another corner, spraying Dembe in a mist of mud as the man tried to overtake them.
Huffing a burst of laughter, Red wheezed his amusement when Lizzy gripped his thigh, desperately hanging on for dear life as he continued to cut the wheel and fly over each consecutive hill at breakneck speed.
"Oh, shit!" Liz squealed, tightening her grip on the buggy's cage. "Left! You gotta turn left!" she yelped, hastily covering her eyes as an unexpected obstacle loomed in their path.
Yanking the wheel, Red flew past the downed tree, chortling his enjoyment for the near miss.
"Get out of the way, loser!" Liz waved curtly, for Ben was once again blocked their path.
"That's not a very sportsmen like attitude." Red reminded over the sound of the straining engine.
"Oh! Screw that!" Liz disdained. "He's holding everyone up with his slow, tired ass!" she yelled over at their adversary.
Red allowed a wry smile, knowing full well Ben could hear the woman... and was basking in her vitriol criticism.
"Hit him!" Liz encouraged, frantically hitting her fingers against Red's bicep. "Bump him out of the way!"
Jerking her attention to movement beside them, Liz gasped her vexation as Francis eased up on their side, grinning maniacally.
"Get off my ass!" Liz swatted a hand at the man, her expression a dire one for anyone who did not heed such a warning.
Listening to the woman bitch at the others trailing close behind them, Red's cheeks burned and ached for his continuous smile.
"Pit maneuver that idiot!" Liz cheered Red to take out their competition. "Hit him right there," she pointed to the corner of Ben's cart. "Right... there!"
"Lizzy," Red cut the woman a scolding glance, "I think I know how the procedure works."
"Well, then... let's do it." she shooed her fingers in front of her, wriggling in her seat in anticipation. "Take him out!"
Shifting his attention, Red sniggered, watching Lizzy's hips squirm in her seat... for the woman looked very much like Keres before she pounced on her prey.
Shrugging mentally, Red urged the vehicle forward, tagging Ben's bumper, sending the boy into a sideways slide.
There was nothing in the rules about not disabling or knocking out the competition after all.
"Oh, shit!" Ben yelped, grasping the steering wheel tight in a bid to control the wayward buggy.
Liz bounced this way and that, clapping her hands joyously.
"Go, Red!" she waved frantic hands, stomping her feet on the floor in a rhythmless beat.
"Is he all right, Lizzy?" Red noted the woman hadn't bothered to check the fate of Ben Gilchrist.
Liz cut a sharp look behind them, her brow furrowed, "Oh, he's fine..." she tsked, waving the issue aside.
Holding his grin, Red floored the pedal, concentrating on the meandering path ahead.
Shifting her eyes to the man beside her, Liz's center thrummed at the picture Red presented.
Red looked so... hot. The fact he was speckled in mud only seemed to highlight how damned handsome the man was.
His corded forearms bulged against his sleeves as he steered the speedy vehicle with confidence. Though covered by dark shades, she knew his gorgeous eyes mapped their terrain with a keen eye.
Biting anxiously on her lip, she withheld the urge to impulsively kiss the curvature of his mouth as it pursed when the man took a precarious curve.
Her nipples cut sharply into the lace of her bra as the man's biceps pulled on the soft linen of his shirt.
Her eyes drifted downward to see his dark jeans pulling tight against the man's thick thighs and pronounced bulge.
"I'm so turned on right now!" she praised the man and all his virtues.
Barking a laugh, Red broke off, throwing his arm out across Lizzy's chest as Francis edged in beside them, precariously bumping their cart.
"You freak!" Liz instinctively fought back, glaring at the man riding side-by-side their position.
Red huffed a laugh, hastily grabbing for the woman as she tried, desperately, to grab a hold of Francis' cart as though she had the power to drag him back.
"Get back there," she sharply hooked her thumb, gesturing to the needed vicinity, "with the other losers!"
Seeing an opening, Francis grabbed for it, hitting and flying over a crested peak.
Shaking his head, Red applauded the boy's initiative as Francis became airborne, gaining a foot or two on their position.
Red winced as Francis landed on the opposite side of the pathway in an unforgiving landing, ripping a loud, breathless grunt from his chest.
"...Shit," Red grimaced sympathetically when Francis' tire landed and spun wildly in a giant mud puddle, shooting off a six-foot rooster tail of the thick, brown sludge... all over Lizzy's side of the buggy.
"Oh!" Liz sputtered her dismay, spitting the dirt from her mouth. "That little asshole!"
Lifting her arms outward, she glanced mournfully down to the front of her person, her mouth agape.
"You all right?" Red hastily glanced at the woman, then hastily turned aside, his humor over her state instantaneous. He wisely hid the fact as best he was able.
Nudging his tire against Francis', the squeal of rubber and a gentle nudge caused the boy's buggy to shimmy on the treacherous ground beneath them.
"Kill him, Red!" Liz demanded, shaking the mud from her arms, raking it from her face and neckline. "Make him pay!"
Entering the last stretch, Red gunned the light machine, both he and his passenger flying over the open terrain in a blur of precision and speed.
Hitting a slight dip, their wheels picked up off the ground. The vehicle hung precariously before landing in a jarring jolt; the maneuver leaving them almost nose-to-nose with their adversary.
"Go, go, go!" Liz rocked animatedly in her seat. "Come on, Bessie!" she patted the dashboard, encouraging the car to go faster.
Chortling under his breath, Red sent the woman a quick sideways glance, "Bessie?"
"Cars like when you name them!" she explained her reasoning. "Lets them know, you love them!"
Inching alongside them, Ben smiled widely at a glowering Elizabeth Scott.
Her discontent grew when the man vied desperately for their position.
"You want to die!" she yelled a warning, motioning the man off and away.
Glancing at the mirror overhead, Red shook a woeful head as Dembe nipped at their heels, ramming their bumper full on.
"Damn!" Red grunted with the jerking hit, maintaining his steady grip on the wheel. "Dembe... you conniving little shit." he yelled back, then chuckled his amusement for the... assistance.
Ben and Mark closed the gap between the lead car and themselves, both edging into one another for the better position.
Liz startled as Mark's wheel cut abruptly into Ben's, sending both men into a careening skid.
Red cut his eyes to his right as Mark's buggy caught against a small mound, flipping the vehicle up on one wheel.
The cumbersome weight spun in a spectacular, yet shocking pirouette before catching against a nearby rock. The speed at which it hit left the cart tumbling end over end in a stunning blur.
Crossing the finish line, Red cut the wheel, spinning the buggy about in an artful arc.
Mark's vehicle bounced to its roof and twirled gently on the damp grass before gliding to a stop.
Red snapped his seat belt off, shoving down hard on the gas.
Pushing from his vehicle, Ben rushed towards the overturned one, concern on the handsome face, "Donovan!"
Releasing her belt, Lizzy readied herself to depart as Red slid to a stop.
Liz scrambled towards the vehicle, anxious and frightened.
Just as Red approached, Francis came skidding alongside him, both intent on reaching the overturned car and its occupant.
Red stared through the open space of the interior, noting Ben's grim features.
"Man!" Francis came alongside the cart, kneeling into the mud, examining his friend meticulously. "You spun like a top! Did you see that shit?!"
Groaning, Mark gingerly shook his head, "Uh... I was a little occupied." he gripped his head, "Oh, man... am I dead?"
"Dude, you're hanging upside down." Francis surveyed the fact, looking awkwardly at his friend.
Mark took in his surroundings, swivelling his head around. "Oh... no wonder I'm so damn dizzy." he chuckled his amusement. "Man! What a head rush!"
Red sighed, gesturing for assistance.
Easing the cart over in a continuous roll, Red and Dembe maneuvered the buggy, allowing the others to take the heavy weight until easing the wheels to the ground.
"Oh, hey..." Mark sat for a few seconds, acclimating himself to his surroundings, then he shifted to the waiting group of concerned bystanders, "who won?"
"Uh," Francis scratched his neck absently, "...I think, I did."
"You did not!" Liz countered instantly, earning a small chuckle from Mark. "You cheater!"
Ignoring the heated argument beside him, Red maneuvered Lizzy out of the way as Mark stumbled from his seat.
"My goodness," Susan approached at first concerned, but seeing the driver up and walking about, noted other things.
Looking Liz over precariously, Susan grimaced for the mud-caked layers clinging to Lizzy's body and clothing, "What happened to you?"
"He happened!" Liz darted dark, disapproving eyes towards Francis. "The cheater!"
"Good race, Francis," Michael clapped Francis jovially on the shoulder as he approached, shaking Francis' hand boisterously. "Beat Reddington by a foot, I'd say!"
"Like hell!" Liz complained emphatically, vetoing such a belief.
"The judges will have the photo finish." Mark grinned, sparing Lizzy a reassuring glance.
Francis spun on his heel, rushing for the judges table to get proof of his victory... Liz hot on his heels.
Susan looked after the two, snorting quietly under her breath before glancing towards Red.
Red shrugged, grinning as Lizzy's discontent echoed back their way, "She's a bit competitive."
"Did Francis really cheat?" Susan asked, falling in step beside Red.
"We don't call it that," Red grinned, "but... he won. No doubt about it."
His smile widened as they approached, overhearing Lizzy disagreeing with the judges decision, jabbing a stern finger back towards the track... obviously pleading her case.
"He was cutting corners," she argued, then gestured to herself, "and making the course a hazard to other participants!"
"You knocked Ben out of the way!" Francis countered heatedly.
"There's no proof we did that!" Liz reminded one and all.
"I got your proof!" Ben loudly stepped up to offer evidence. He searched the crowd for support, finding little to none.
Laughing his amusement, Mark clapped Ben on the back, "All's fair in love and dune buggy races, boy."
"He knocked my ass off the course!" Ben pointed to Red Reddington.
"Besides," Liz defended their position, "even if we had... there are no rules stating we can't."
The judges grinned as they listened to the byplay, nodding thoughtfully.
"There aren't," Red agreed, if only to placate Lizzy's need for blood... anyone's.
Sidling beside him, Mark lifted the photo finish... grinning over to a stunned, startled Lizzy Scott.
Red grimaced, for it was plainly obvious... Francis beat them by a foot.
"He should be disqualified!" Liz nodded sharply, pleased by her own suggestion.
Susan chuckled behind the woman, rather enjoying the heated debate.
"Lizzy," Red stroked the woman's back, holding the picture up as proof, "sweetheart, I think Francis won this one... fair and square."
Liz gasped her dismay, turning wide eyes on Red, "You traitor!" she moved decidedly away from his vicinity, mouth agape.
"Oh, my friend," Michael patted Red's shoulder sympathetically, predicting the other man's future, gleefully, "you'll pay for that."
Francis' mouth snapped shut as realization dawned. His eyes darted between Red and the others, an excited light within the blue eyes. He raised victorious arms, whopping loudly.
"I won!" Francis cheered, pointing to himself. "You lost!" he pointed at Lizzy. "Red said I won! I won!"
Lizzy's scowling eyes followed the first place trophy as it was placed in Francis' greedy paws... before turning her ire on the one responsible for this fiasco.
"This is your fault!" she complained, her pout deepening.
"My fault?" Red offered a gurgling laugh.
"You made the cart too heavy!" she stamped her foot... stubbornly, sure of her claim.
"Me?" Red chuckled, wiping a handful of mud off Lizzy's shirt before flinging it aside. "I'd say you outweigh me... with all this mud on you."
"Raymond," Susan stepped, smiling warmly at a stewing Elizabeth, "I should warn you, you're treading into very dangerous territory here."
Red's lips quivered their delight as Lizzy scowled hard his way, giving him the most adorable evil eye he'd received in his entire existence.
"Well, that seems to be a grievous understatement," Red grinned, rather enjoying Lizzy's sour mood.
Turning his attention to the judges, he reminded Lizzy in a circumvent manner... they might not have won the covetous first place but...
"Did we at least place?" Red enquired.
He ducked his chin, hiding his smile when Lizzy snapped her attention towards the judges, listening intently, now moving decidedly closer to whatever decision issuing forth.
"Second," the judge smiled warmly at Elizabeth, presenting a smaller trophy for her to take.
Containing his chuckle of delight, Red watched Lizzy fighting an inner battle.
Though not pleased to have lost first place... her eyes lit on the trophy itself, her fingers twitching at her side to take it in her grubby, muddy little hands.
But sadly... to do so would admit defeat.
All waited patiently as the woman weighed her options.
Liz stepped forward hastily, snatching the award in her hands, hugging it to her chest. She looked over her prize, stroking the trophy lovingly after a compulsory check.
"I'm pleased to see Elizabeth is a team player," Susan tittered sotto voce.
Scoffing for the observation, Red watched the woman in question step out of the way as the others converged to argue their own places in the competition.
His eyes softened as Lizzy leaned against their transportation, rubbing a gentle thumb on her prize.
"...Bessie," she sighed, patting the roll cage, "you let me down. Well... not you exactly." her scowl returned post haste
Controlling his mirth for the apparent desolation displayed, Red stepped... kissing Lizzy's forehead.
"Maybe you'll get the next one," he bolstered her spirits.
Liz's brows knitted threateningly, "Do I hear doubt in your voice?"
"No," Red shook his head, capturing her small mouth with his own. He knew when to give up the fight. "No doubt here."
Midday brought hotter temperatures along with cooler tempers...
Lizzy was won over by Red's gallant efforts after her rinse off under the warm shower.
The man had meticulously laid out an entirely new, fresh and clean outfit... waiting the woman's emergence.
Any remaining animosity had vanished into thin air when the man, leaning against the door-facing, one perfect red rose in hand, presented it with a flourish.
"You may have lost the race," he stroked the velvet petals along the woman's cheek, "...but you've won my heart."
She cut him a look, but her heart melted all the same.
"I didn't lose the race, you did, but...I forgive you." she snatched the rose from his fingers. "Oh, I need more comfy shoes than those." she traipsed to the closet to locate the pair she wished.
"The second round of the competitions starts soon," he watched her search about. "Are we sitting this one out?"
Her startled expression amused him, grasping her tennis shoes to her chest. "Why would we want to do that?"
The man shrugged, "I just thought maybe you'd want a little downtime after all the excitement of the race."
Liz waved such nonsense aside, "There's too much to do here... did you know, for the last couple days, Mark had all the shop owners in town come in to display their wares?" the blue eyes shined their subdued excitement.
Red glanced about to the numerous bags littering the room, "I hadn't guessed."
"Susan and I are going to hit a few more before the competitions... if you don't mind, that is."
"So you and Susan are okay?" Red asked. "You're getting along?"
"She is so nice, Red." Liz stood, checking her image in the mirror. "She really is."
"I can amuse myself," Red assured. "Will I need to take out a loan from the Cayman's or..." he spread his hands.
Liz gave him a look, "I have to get the guys something. You know I can't go back empty-handed."
"I thought you told Silas just that." he teased.
"Oh, he knows I was lying." she held up earrings, a deep scowl of indecision marring her brow. "And of course, there's Nora, Maria and Samar. Oh, goodness! I have some shopping to do!"
The woman pecked his cheek. "We'll hook up in a couple hours."
"A woman's shopping spree under two hours?" Red scoffed. "I'll believe it when I see it."
"I will make the competition, don't you worry." Liz breezed out, wings on her sneaker clad feet.
Red sighed, glancing about the empty rooms. A group of his peers was gathering in the bar when he left the area.
A quiet drink before this afternoon's festivities was just what was needed, he decided, heading out.
Lizzy had her pursuits, he had his. And why not, after all, she was a vibrant thirty-year-old woman. He was glad she found amusements here and people she enjoyed.
He often wondered if the meals alone with him ever bored the woman, the one-on-one discussions they experienced here away from Silas and her home with the guards, who he knew, Lizzy considered family.
Maybe he should have whisked her off to some exotic location with beaches and clubs and nightlife.
Isn't that what the trendy people did these days? He would have to check with Dembe on that one.
But Lizzy appeared to like it here. He came back from enjoying a cigar with a group of associates last night, finding her curled up on the couch, book in hand, wrapped up in a blanket... fast asleep.
It had been so long since the woman had uninterrupted time away from work and the Blacklist... and everything that went along with that; Lizzy truly was catching up on her rest.
Had they gone to Italy or some other foreign soil, he knew the woman would have exhausted herself wanting to see and do everything, all in an impossible time frame.
Perhaps this place was what she truly needed? Moments where she could have fun, but also indulge in the lull.
Today, however, was a perfect day to play outside. Red sensed Lizzy was looking forward to the planned excursions.
Sunshine and warm temperatures bid everyone come and enjoy the outdoors and all it had to offer... and Lizzy was enjoying it.
Returning to their room, Red changed into more comfortable clothing and was just latching his belt when the door swung wide open.
Red was amazed when Lizzy rushed in, arms loaded down with bags and treasures, two hours later... on the dot.
"Did we have fun?" he helped sort and discard the array of goodies.
"Oh, Red! Those shops are amazing!" the woman's face was flushed and pretty.
"Michael dragged us out!" Susan sighed her displeasure.
Red sat still more purchases aside.
"Oh, love, can I leave these here? I'll get them later." Susan caught Liz's wayward attention. "We'll be late if I don't hurry and get dressed."
"They're fine," Liz assured, "I have to change too, we'll meet at the Pavilion?"
"Perfect!" Susan was off, Red ignored completely in her wake. "Don't be having sex or anything debase will you, dear." she noticed the man, sparing a hasty second. "We need Elizabeth to champion our cause... see you down there!"
Red blinked, "You're going to champion a cause?"
Liz waved the issue aside, "I'm dying of thirst... let me get out of these things. We'll stop by the bar, yes?"
Red wondered why anyone was even bothering to ask his opinion, all seemed already set and decided.
"So... no sex?"
Liz giggled, disappearing into the closet.
Red's eyes softened as the woman thirstily sucked down her glass of fresh lemonade.
"You need a refill?" his eyes danced with gentle amusement as the liquid inched further down until the glass was empty once again. "I guess you do."
Sharing an amused smile with the bartender, both watched the woman look longingly at the long line of five gallon pitchers containing the varied refreshments offered this afternoon.
Red had to admit, the sight of lemon slices, mint and other treats floating in the icy mixtures was enough to leave a person salivating.
"We have an assortment of flavored tea, water and slushes," the bartender gestured down the line, "along with strawberry and pink lemonade, if you so wish."
Red grinned as Lizzy inched even closer to the enticement, her blue eyes avidly searching the array of choices.
Her attention was riveted between the churning slushes and mouth-watering lemonades.
"I'll have some pink lemonade, please," Liz held her glass aloft eagerly. "Yes... the pink."
Red made a mental note to obtain a slush for the woman later, she seemed so engrossed by them. Just in case he somehow managed to piss her off again, a peace offering was always a good idea.
Taking the hastily shoved glass, the bartender chuckled as he reached for the spigot, but at the woman's hesitant request...
"Can I..." Liz hedged, lamely pointing at the floating fruit, "... can I have a lemon slice, too?"
"Absolutely," the bartender grinned, lifting the heavy crystal lid off the top.
Grabbing his tongs, the man fished in the pink water, snatching the swirling coils of lemon before refreshing Liz's drink.
Red's smile widened as Lizzy's eyes lit when the man presented the glass with a flourish.
"A work of art, my good man." he tipped the guy lavishly.
Through the humidity beading on the glass, he could see long coils of lemon wrapped artfully around the ice floating in the pink concoction... a sprig of mint, a lemon slice and a festive umbrella topped the drink.
"For the lovely lady," the man presented his concoction with a grin. "...And you, sir?"
"Lemonade, please." Red nodded his thanks, watching the man discretely pocket his tip, "... with a healthy dash of gin."
He curiously trailed after Lizzy as she looked about searchingly.
Spotting the item of interest, Liz made a beeline... lifting the salt-shaker in hand.
Licking the web of her hand, she sprinkled the salt, bit into the lemon wedge, then leisurely licked away the scrumptious concoction.
"Oh, my God," the woman stopped to enjoy the moment. "I'm in heaven."
"That's what you said last night," Red teased as the bartender handed him his drink.
Escorting Lizzy down the sloping hill and into the shade, Red gestured to a resting spot. Sitting their glasses down, both relished the cooler temperature and strong breeze coming off the wide open meadow behind the hotel.
"It's such a pretty day," Liz lifted her chin, closing her eyes to the strong breeze blowing her hair in a hypnotic wave of luscious strands of beauty.
"It is," Red agreed, stretching his legs out, his eyes pulled from the sight.
Lifting her legs to the bench, Liz leaned comfortably against Red's side, half-listening to the chatter taking place around them.
She sought the man out, "Do you know what's next on the agenda?"
Lifting his hand, Red gestured to the crowd gathering around the enormous obstacle course.
Participants took in the full scope of the next challenge presented, walking the length and breadth in awe.
Originally considering initial guests to this week-long excursion had been male only... Mark equipped the surrounding area with what most of the men encountered in boot camp.
Wishing to make the event more entertaining and something all individuals would have fun participating in, Mark had made some interesting improvements this year, Red noted.
"Well, that's new." he motioned to the structure they approached.
"That's a high one," she admired the height of the impressive obstacle. "We did one like that at," she whispered, lowering her voice, "Quantico."
Red shifted amused eyes, "You haven't tried it yet. Don't judge so quickly."
"Oh, get real," she chuckled musically, "a child of ten could manage that course."
"Think so, do ya," Red remembered the course, "...put your money were your pretty mouth is."
"What'd you mean?" Liz checked with the man.
"Enter the competition," Red encouraged.
Liz felt a surge of elation at the thought, "Well, no silly... I don't think any other women–"
"Well, you think wrong," Red quipped. "Last year, the third runner-up was a woman. She did damned well."
Liz looked over the course; what was visible for the posted signs indicated there were other sections deeper into the surrounding woods.
Red's cheeks ached with the need to break his overly serious façade.
Elizabeth's bravado and determination was incredibly charming and quite attractive, if he said so himself.
There was something very 'basic' in the woman's need to over-achieve. Red didn't question why he found it appealing... he just did.
"So, are you competing." Red had wondered if he could bait the woman, having the time of his life trying to do so.
"Well, why not?" she reminded, whispering once again. "I did stuff like this at Quantico... very well, too."
Red inclined his head, knowing the truth of her words. The guards watching her at the time had praised her determination. Her guard during the evening hours stated Lizzy visited the course before her final test. Only when she ran the obstacles under the allotted time and without error, did she leave.
The woman had determination and grit.
Liz looked around at the competitors who gathered in small groups, chatting and stretching... sizing everyone up. "So give me the lowdown here, what are the rules."
"Mark will give a breakdown." Red said.
"I assumed as much," Liz granted. "But I want to know... your rules." she lifted arched brows. "You know... the ones that aren't written in stone."
Red gasped his mock horror, "I'm sorry... are you implying you want to cheat."
"Most definitely." Liz nodded emphatically, then hesitated. "But not enough to be disqualified."
"I am totally shocked and ashamed of you." Liz ignored him completely, motioning for him to... get on with it.
Huffing a burst of laughter, Red shrugged, "You can push your competition out of the way," he began slowly, mastering his mirth but only barely, "but beware... they can return the favor."
Sitting her hands on her hips, Liz listened intently. "That's a given," she scratched her nose. "Go on.."
"You don't have to hit each rung," Red pointed to nearby ladders, "everyone thinks you do, but no one counts off for it."
Staring off over the course, Liz began planning her strategy.
"On approach to that scaling wall," Red advised, sharing his experience, "you need a damned good burst of speed to gain a good grip at the top."
Liz nodded, making mental note to keep her momentum going.
"Who are you competing with, pray tell?" Red asked, though he could already make a guess.
"Francis and Ben," she turned annoyed eyes. "You know how they get!"
"When you get to the skyscraper and confidence climb," Red steered her towards to the tall structures, "kick your sweet little ass in gear and cover the space as quickly as possible."
"It is tall, isn't it?" Liz stared looked up at the tall tower.
"Ben and Francis hate heights." Red gestured to the precarious challenges. "You'll be to the next obstacle before they finish those." he grinned. "Same with the zip line."
Liz looked up at the long galvanized cable running from tree to tree... high above the ground.
"You," Red stressed, "take an extra second to secure that safety line."
Liz sighed as Red's over-protectiveness kicked in, as she knew it would.
Red eyed the woman sternly, "A carabiner failed, and a man fell last year," he warned. "He did hit the net, but broke his foot in the fall."
"Okay," Liz agreed she would, "I got it. Secure safety line." With their luck this far into the holiday, she wasn't going to take any chances.
"Most importantly," Red demanded her attention, "... have fun." he grinned finally, allowing his amusement.
Clapping his hands, Mark gained everyone's attention, laying out the rules of the contest... Lizzy did not listen to one word, her strategy already mapped out.
"This year, we're racing two to four participants at a time." Mark said. "We will present each team their own awards."
Red held his smile as Lizzy perked up at that bit of news. She sent him a thumbs-up sign and a huge grin.
The man continued laying out the rules and the outline of the course, all of it easy enough to guess.
"Did you get it?" Red asked the woman beside him.
"A trained monkey could get it." Liz grinned, stretching her legs once more.
Francis and Ben jogged up, hyped and ready-to-go.
"Speaking of trained monkeys..." Red muttered aside.
"We get to go first." Francis grinned, bouncing in place.
"Mark thought we'd get people geared up," Ben shifted from toe-to-toe, a ball of energy.
"I can't imagine why." Red looked over the two.
"You're like two-year-olds hyped up on sugar," Liz scowled.
"You going with us, right?" Francis grinned, eager to play.
"...Yes," Liz stood, finishing her refreshing drink. "You better not embarrass me!"
"You'll do well enough on your own... quitter!" Francis provoked his best-friend.
"Yeah," Ben grinned, "you're just a girl."
"You're gonna be nothing but a bloodstain on the ground if you don't get away from me," Liz hissed, balling her little hand into a fist.
"Dude, she's cranky!" Ben jerked his head back as Liz whipped her head about, zeroing an evil glare on the man.
"Someone missed her afternoon nap," Francis grinned but did indeed back up as the woman made a lunge for his throat.
Sniggering quietly, Red caught the woman's elbow, pulling her back his way as the boys took off for the starting line.
"Oh!" Liz stewed, staring after the trolls. "Those... those..."
"Cretins? Assholes? Idiots?" Red helpfully supplied.
"Yeah, that!" Liz set her fists on her hips, glaring at the men.
"You better get going, baby," Red pat her bottom. "I'll see you at the finish."
"Y-You're not racing?" her face fell slightly.
"What! And hold you back?" Red smiled warmly "Not a chance in hell."
"I thought you'd be out there... with me." Liz frowned her discord.
"Sweetheart," Red pointed downward, "I was shot a few days ago... I'm not quite up to par yet."
"...Oh," she nodded her understanding. "Oh... right."
"Though, maybe I could go up against Michael," he laughed, "we'd be evenly matched... he sustained a wound a few days ago as well. Maybe fate is trying to tell us something?"
Leaning, Red kissed her sweet little mouth; but then, she had to go. "Good luck..."
As he watched her approach the line, Red had to admit... he felt a torrent on energy course along his veins.
Aside from watching Elizabeth run in the morning with Silas, he had never actually really seen Lizzy in action. Needless to say, he was very interested to see what the woman could do out there on her own.
"I don't think this is going to end well," Red sniggered as Mark came alongside him, both intent on the contestants.
"You think she'll lose?" Mark voiced his surprise.
"No, I meant," Red clarified, "She's hell bent on that trophy, and isn't above killing anyone to get it." he held his grin. "There may be mass casualties this year."
"Well, either way, it'll be an entertaining outcome," Mark shrugged. "You ready?" he held the starter pistol in his hand aloft.
Red checked on the woman.
Lizzy looked away from her enemy, focusing intently on the track before her and nothing else... Red gave a silent nod.
Firing the pistol, Lizzy took off like a shot, cutting off the two men beside her. She breezed into the first line of skirmish, unfazed.
Laughing his delight, Red trailed after the woman, Mark at his side.
Due to her lithe frame, she ran blithely about the crazy maze, mastering its intricacies easily before shooting out the other side.
"We might lose a few here," Mark warned, "the Island Hopper always get someone."
'The Island Hopper' consisted of a series of uneven stumps sticking haphazardly out of the ground. Even Red had trouble sustaining his balance on the damn things when he had trained.
Though, the idea he'd incur the wrath of his DI ... made a guy try to hit the mark each time, if only to spare the degradation which was bound to follow.
Red's brows lifted as Lizzy kept ahead of her opponents, prancing over the pads on her toes with grace and speed.
Ben was close behind, while Francis had to return to the beginning after a fall, cursing loudly and of long duration the entire way.
"I'll be damned..." Mark huffed a laugh as Liz sprinted away to the next challenge, clearly in the lead.
Red grinned as the woman grasped a hold and lifted herself up, finding her footing in the precarious wall of rope.
Lifting his eyes upward, his breath caught as the climber lost her footing and slipped a rung before catching herself. She hung precariously by one arm for a moment, catching her breath.
"Easy, baby..." he muttered.
Rolling over the top, Liz came down the other side, more aware in her footing, moving at a slightly slower pace, but still determined.
Running for the next, Red chuckled as Lizzy rushed up the three steps and took a leaping lunge for the overhead rung of the monkey bars, just seconds before Francis, who had gained a remarkable amount of space and time, came up on her right.
So concentrated on the woman, Red barely heard the crowd's encouraging yells and whistles.
"Elizabeth is doing very well," Dembe grinned as he came to Red's side, his tablet held aloft.
"You're recording it?" Red smiled happily.
"Yes," Dembe confirmed. "Silas wanted to see how well she faired."
"What about what I want?" Red lifted disbelieving hands as Lizzy cleared another trial.
"You may have access to it as well," Dembe muttered, following the woman's every move. "For a small and reasonable fee."
Remembering Red's advice, Liz hurried onward for the next challenge without hesitation.
Grasping the thick blocks on the climbing wall, Liz looked down, her foot finding a secure place. Climbing up the steep incline proved an arduous task. She was winded and her muscles burned by its completion.
Grasping the top, she straddled the divide, grimacing for there were no close rungs.
"Shit..." Mark grimaced. "I knew we should have put those steps higher up."
"She'll figure it out." Red could not keep the pride from his tone. "She can do it." he was positive, grinning from ear to ear.
Francis dropped down the wall, laughing maniacally for having beat Liz's descent.
Throwing a meaningful curse the enemy's way, Liz swung her other leg over, falling in a blind downward drop one which, took her breath away.
Red held his own breath as she grappled for a hold... and found it, just as her foot hit a rail for further support.
"Go, baby..." Red watched her fly across the long stretch of open ground, jumping at the last minute. Curling her fingers tight into the top of the six-foot-tall wall she had just scaled.
Kicking her feet against the wood panels, Liz scrambled for the top... but Ben hit the wall at that exact moment, jostling the sturdy structure just enough.
"...Shit," Red tsked as Lizzy lost her footing... but not her grip.
"Climb dammit!" Red halted momentarily, acutely aware of those around him and their amused huffs of laughter. He had not meant to get so involved, and certainly not enough to yell out his consternation.
Hearing Red's voice snapped Liz to awareness, refocusing her intent. Clamoring up and over the rough wood, she dropped to the ground steps just seconds ahead of Ben.
"Go!" Red barked, mentally willing the woman to continue her efforts. "Don't stop!"
He knew the upcoming obstacles would give her a chance to regain some ground lost.
A big grin crossed Liz's face as she gained on Francis' position.
The guy was unaware of her approach, concentrating on an especially formidable obstacle straight ahead.
Liz, too, surveyed the course, momentarily faltering in her pace, unsure of which task was next in line.
Jerking her heads towards the crowds watching the participants... Red was out in front, gesturing her to the correct path.
Liz's grin returned as she altered her steps accordingly, heading straight for the enormous ladder which led to... nowhere.
Hesitating at the bottom, Liz gripped the rungs, placing a foot on the rails... intimidated and wavering in her conviction.
"Up and over, Lizzy." she heard the deep mellow voice loud and clear. Instinctively obeying the command, her legs pumped hard at the task at hand.
"Kick it in," Red whispered, the tension in his body suddenly unbearable. "Come on, little monkey! Move that amazing ass!"
Liz scrambled over the gigantic tower, rolling the top with an unpracticed ease, hurriedly descending the tall structure.
Ascending the platform, Liz hastily accepted the belt and gloves a judge handed out.
The man spoke quickly, gesturing as Liz secured the belt around her waist, nodding repeatedly, overly zealous to be on her way.
Red's breath caught, eyeing the woman in open concern when she went to leap from the platform.
In her haste, she forgot her promise to Red, and backtracked to correct the error. Hurriedly securing the safety-line, she jumped... sailing rapidly across the galvanized cable.
The scenery and people below blurred past on her journey.
The wind cooled her sweaty skin, blue sky whizzed by above.
It was an exhilarating feeling; she felt on top of the world a brief moment, but all too soon, the next platform loomed on the horizon.
Glancing upward, she closed her gloved hand around the brake, slowing her speed just in the nick of time. With a thunk, her feet hit the neighboring platform.
Her momentum carried her the towards a judge who, thankfully, halted her flight of fancy.
"You're in the home stretch!" the judge reminded with a smile, shooing her off. "Go, go, go!"
Ripping at the latch around her waist, Liz rushed down the steps, shocked to be greeted by Red, Dembe and Mark waiting on the other side.
"Pace yourself..." Red encouraged the woman to get her breath back, "you're doing great, sweetheart." he grinned at her. "Kick their asses!"
Each individual whipped their heads about as the sound of Francis' high-pitched terrified yelp echoed around the green area, reverberating over and over as he zipped along the lines above.
Mark laughed at the horrified scream, urging the woman to keep going, "Just a couple more and you're done!"
Again, Liz was shoved forward.
She raced up the small hill with Francis and Ben gingerly closing in on her position.
Completing the first, with her competition a breath behind her, now Liz bolted for a set of low balance beams laid out in a serpentine path.
"Take your time, Lizzy!" Red saw the jagged beams before her, remembering how dizzying they could be if one wasn't prepared. "Slow down here!"
Edging along the slick wood, Liz inched her way carefully, concentrating on the upcoming change-over, which was situated in the opposite direction.
Just as she neared the end, Ben over-confidently mis-stepped. He wobbled, throwing his hands out to catch himself... right in Lizzy's path.
The crowd and Liz gasped their shock for the unexpected deterrent.
Grasping the arm which had suddenly appeared in her line of sight in attempt to steady her own offset... Liz's foot slipped on the beam.
"Dammit!" Red grimaced as Ben lurched with the sudden movement, unable to regain his balance... causing both to fall into the mud pit beneath them.
Red rushed over as close as the course allowed, concern on his face.
Liz struggled to stand upright, her body inundated by the heavy sludge surrounding her, spitting the mess from her lips.
"Dammit, Ben!" Liz fought to find her feet and clean her face of the muck. "You moron!" she spewed venomously. "As soon as I can see... you're dead!"
"I guess she's okay," Mark tittered.
Red smiled as Lizzy trudged from the pit, wiping her shoes on the grass and dry dirt beneath her feet before gamely attempting the feat again.
"Don't look up!" Red warned, inching along with her as she treaded the slippery slope. "Concentrate..."
"Oh, shut up!" she waved the man aside.
Running for the next challenge, she fought hard to catch up to Francis, slinging mud off her body as she went.
"Maybe I should have bypassed this course after the rains," Mark grimaced as Elizabeth dropped to her stomach, dragging herself with her forearms beneath the makeshift barbed wire.
The sound of a whistle blowing had the woman hesitate in her steps.
"Not for you!" Red assured, motioning her on. "You got this! Last one!"
"I'm gonna kick your ass, Lizzy," Francis taunted, trying to extract his belt loop from the barbed wire it had caught on.
"Yeah, and if you do," she scrambled out of the mud pit, elated, "I'll choke the life from you, you psycho bitch."
Mark shifted a wry glance towards Red.
"It's just their way." Red grimaced carelessly.
"Elizabeth often threatens to end Francis' life," Dembe added casually before zooming in on the woman with his camera. "I think it brightens her entire day."
Running up to the platform, Liz halted in her tracks at Red's sharp whistle of warning.
"They roll!" Red warned.
Frowning her confusion, Liz tried a tentative foot placement. The circular beams warbled beneath her.
"Oh, shit!" she grimaced.
The damn things weren't stationary!
"Freaking fantastic..." she inched to the surface, finding her balance. Cautiously holding her arms outward, she steadied herself, inching down the precarious straightaway.
"You're doing great, sweetheart." Red cheered her on. "Not much further."
She startled, instantly stopping in place as the whistle once again blew for a foul.
"Oh, fuck.." Francis hissed, having been startled as well. Wobbling on the unsteady surface, he lost control of his stance.
Red's head dropped back as Francis fell into the sludge below, knocking the neighboring logs askew.
Hunkering down, Liz attempted to steady herself. Hastily glancing to her right then back to the swaying ground beneath her, she lunged.
Her heel slid in an uncontrolled slide along the platform before she caught herself with the other foot, spinning in a stumbling circle.
Taking a step off the platform to rush for the finish, the judge blew his whistle, stopping the woman in her tracks.
"You son-of-a-bitch!" Red bitched his discontent at the judge. "It was a four fucking inches!"
Running back to the beginning, Liz stepped onto the log without hesitation. More assured of her approach, she inched her way down the pole, reaching the end just as Francis did.
Both hit the ground running, full out.
Rushing to the end, Red urgently waved the woman in, "Come on, baby! You got this!"
"Come on, loser!" Francis bitched at the woman, but not giving her an inch. "You want that damned trophy...you want to kick my ass, fucking earn it!" he breathed heavily, gasping for breath. "Run, dammit!"
Watching their fast sprint to the end, Red smiled, hearing Francis encourage Lizzy to push harder.
While he would love it more than anything if Francis were to hold back and give Lizzy the win, both knew, if she didn't get it on her own merit...
She wouldn't want it at all.
"Come on..." Red muttered tightly as the two fell neck-in-neck with Ben closing the gap at an unbelievable pace. The guy could run, even Red had to give props.
Red grimaced his dismay a breath later when Lizzy mis-stepped, slipping in a patch of mud at her feet.
Hastily righting herself, Liz stumbled as Ben bumped her from behind, pushing her over the finish line a step behind Francis... and right into the waiting arms of Red Reddington.
Crushing the woman in his embrace, Red stopped her forward momentum, laying his cheek against her mud covered head. He laughed his delight, cradling the muddy bundle lovingly.
"...Dammit, dammit, dammit," Liz panted hard, her head falling against the sturdy wall of Red's chest.
While disappointed it hadn't ended the way Lizzy wished, obviously, Red had never been so proud. The woman pushed hard and had not quit.
"You did so good!" he swayed the woman, kissing her little mud covered face.
"Damn mud..." she sighed her woe. "Do you believe it! Two feet to go and I blew it!"
"Idiot judge, more like it." Red grunted his annoyance. "Your toe hit the line, he should have let you go."
Red's eyes softened as Lizzy looked up at him, her dirty nose crinkling adorably.
"My champion," her mud rimmed eyes twinkled, "ready to fight on principle alone..."
"I can pay him off," Red winked, "That trophy will be yours and rightfully so."
"I ain't no cheater," she chuckled at the irony of it all.
Securing Elizabeth's second place trophy, Francis swung a consoling arm around the woman's neck.
"Loser!" he chided. "Winner!" he preened.
Playfully punching the man in the stomach, Liz stepped back, flinging the mud from her arms, holding them askew, an 'eww' look on her face.
A woman dressed in a beautiful summer dress and gorgeous hat halted in her step, smiling sympathetically, "Oh, dear," she looked Liz over critically, "...look at you."
Red bit the inside of his cheek hard as Lizzy's sneering gaze trailed after the woman, a sour look on her pretty face.
A bubble of laughter collected in his chest as Lizzy trudged off to the outside shower.
"Oh, dear... look at you," Liz curled a scornful lip. "Yeah, why don't you look at this," she flipped an obscene gesture.
Red's shoulders shook with suppressed laughter as Lizzy shoved her trophy his way before stepping under the showerhead.
Flicking the knob with a curt hand, Liz yelped as a burst of cold water hit her full force, "Oh!"
"Maybe that'll cool that temper of yours," Francis giggled.
Red shook his head as the woman ran a hand down her body, collecting a fist full of mud... then promptly pelted Francis across the face with the sludge.
"...Or," Francis stuck a finger in his ear, clearing the muck away, "...maybe not."
Liz washed away the filth of the day, sighing wryly.
"Want to go change?" Red asked, handing the woman a towel to dry her face.
"Why?" Liz vetoed the notion. "I'm cool now."
Wringing the excess moisture from her hair, Liz frowned as the woman with the pristine clothing and stunning hat crossed their path once more.
"Oh," the lady laughed gaily, "that's what you look like all cleaned up." she smiled merrily at the bedraggled group, turning her back to them.
Liz's eyes widened with shock, clasping her hands over her mouth as a big wad of mud was flung at the woman, spraying the back of that beautiful, stylish dress.
Quickly dropping her hands, Liz hastily adopted a neutral expression as the woman turned about, peering curiously back at the group, a fixed scowl on her carefully made-up face... before once again continuing on her way.
Tittering under her breath, Liz shifted dancing eyes towards the mud dripping freely... from Susan Fairfax's hand.
On their way back to the course to watch, Red made a special stop to obtain a slush for Lizzy... heading on back
Grinning, Liz cuddled her trophy close to her breast, absently sipping her slush.
"What do you say, Red," Michael offered a proposition, "want to give it a go?"
Looking up at the man, Red grinned, "Are you gonna cheat?"
"Most definitely." Michael took offense. "Come on, we're both lame here... it'll be fun...or not."
"You just want to impress Susan with your prowess... which you don't have at present." Red laughed gaily.
While Liz would give anything to see Red play, "I don't know, Red," she grimaced, "should you two aggravate your injuries."
"Lizzy, I hate to bring this up on such a lovely afternoon," Red smiled warmly, "but I have been shot before..."
"Well, yes... I know that," she gave the man a meaningful look. "I don't recall you mentioning running an obstacle course afterwards."
"I have not done that, you are correct." Red agreed he had not done that to date, proving Liz's point.
"I did, however, have to evade Honduran Revolutionaries tailing my ass through the jungle," Red grinned, "after I wouldn't supply the arms they demanded. You want to talk about obstacle course... "
"And stave off gangrene while doing so," Michael applauded the man's fortitude.
"I think we can handle this little hurdle race, sweetheart." Red leaned, kissing Lizzy's brow.
"Well, if you get gangrene," Liz lifted a pert nose, "don't come crying to me."
Chuckling, Red joined Michael at the starting line as Mark neared their position.
"As these two are suffering matching..." Mark searched for a polite phrasing, "injuries, their course will be altered and judge interference is waved."
"Cause they'll cheat." Francis crossed his arms, giving the men a knowing smirk.
"I prefer to call it," Red arched a brow, "creative planning."
"Call it what you will," Francis laughed, "... cheater."
Stepping to the starting line, Red chuckled as Dembe and Mark approached, bandannas in hand.
"What the hell are they doing?" Susan canted her head curiously, then sighed as the men wrapped the cloth around Red and Michael's eyes.
"Wait a minute," Liz questioned their sanity, "they aren't doing the whole thing, blindfolded... are they?" she looked at Francis askew.
"They may be dumb, honey," Susan patted Liz's arm consolingly, "but they aren't that dumb."
"I'd do it," Francis offered gamely.
"Need I say more," Susan arched a shrew brow, drawing a soft giggle from Elizabeth.
"You've had your turn." Susan's motherly tone scolded. "Sit down, Francis." she pointed to a chair.
The young man... sat... slush in hand.
Mark stood beside the two blind-folded men, grinning, "...This should be interesting."
Looking around, Francis shrugged, lifting the starting-pistol, firing it into the ground.
Michael stumbled at Red's side, startled by the unexpected sound.
"Francis!" Red barked. "In the air, dammit!" he hadn't even needed to remove to know who had fired the shot.
The crowd surrounding them tittered as Elizabeth yanked the pistol from Francis' hand.
"In... the...air!" she repeated, giving the man a withering look.
Liz watched Red continue forward, tilting his head as he did so. She held her breath as he hesitated in his steps, made a course adjustment... then walked without hesitation into the opening of the maze.
"How does he do that shit?" she watched his feet walk the maze at a steady pace before exiting out the other side.
Turning about, Red lifted the mask, glancing back at his competition. Leaning against a nearby post, he shook his head woefully as Michael stumbled into one wall after another.
"What is he doing?" Liz caught Francis' blank stare. "Shouldn't he go?" she shooed Red to continue on.
"I'd stop to watch this spectacle." Francis chuckled as Michael made one wrong move after another.
"I told you, your navigational skills are shit since you got that damn GPS!" Red snarked, chuckling his mirth as Michael emerged... from the wrong side.
Peeking out from under the mask, Michael threw his hands up in open frustration. Dropping the mask, he turned about, entering the maze once more.
"We don't have all day, you know," Red looked down at his watch.
"I'm coming, dammit!" Michael bitched as he neared the middle of the maze.
Red glanced down at the man's feet once again, changed directions. "Well, it was touch and go for a while." he philosophized.
Susan cackled at Liz's side, falling against the tree trunk beside her as Michael once again... came out the wrong side.
"Shit!" Michael bitched, realizing his position. "Shit... shit!"
"You're as lost and directionless as the writers of that crime drama I watch Friday nights with Lizzy..." Red taunted.
Liz grimaced at Susan, "It has been pretty bad writing of late. Red finds that lead actress so frustrating... Silas wants them to kill her off."
Susan was having a fine time at her husband's expense, uncaring as to who knew it, "Let us return to Michael's inadequacies, shall we."
"Take the mask off and get it over with already," Red tsked. "We don't have much time, you and me."
Ripping the mask from his eyes, Michael continued his quest, stumbling about. Hesitating a time or two, the man staunchly searched his way forward.
Red rolled his eyes heavenward when Michael finally exiting from the correct exit.
The crowd cheered and applauded Michael then broke into amused laughter when the man offered a rude gesture before catching up to Reddington on the Island Hoppers.
Liz strained her neck, breathing a sigh as Red completed the obstacle heading, along with his competitor to the next.
"The Avengers make this shit look so easy," Michael bitched as they ascended the rope tower.
"If they're so great," Red heaved himself over the top, "they'd have an army of followers to do the dirty work for them."
Michael hesitated, then nodded, "Good point."
Hobbling through the next obstacles, Red grinned as he noticed Lizzy out the corner of his eye.
The woman fairly danced in place as he finished each course, an obstinate, confused looked on her face because in each instance... Red stopped to wait for Michael to catch up.
Scaling the 'ladder to nowhere' oddly proved not much of a challenge for either man.
Once at the top, Michael struggled to work his way over while Red merely gripped the edge and swung himself around the side.
"Oh, you bastard!" Michael laughed, finally heaving himself over the top and down the ladder.
"Cheater! Cheater!" Francis tittered as Red descended the ladder quickly.
"I believe," Mark indicated, "Red called that creative planning."
Climbing the rock wall, Red sat on the top ridge, offering a hand up to Michael.
Liz ran over, frustrated and peeved. "What are you doing!"
"Interference!" Ben pointed at Liz, looking over his shoulder at Mark for an official ruling.
"It's only interference if she helps, you dimwit." Mark chided.
"You're not supposed to be helping him!" Liz scolded, pointing at an innocent faced Michael Fairfax. "A competition is just that! Man up! Both of you!"
"Good sportsmen like conduct," Red wiped the sweat from the wound on his head, walking alongside Michael, bypassing the skyscraper, "is rewarded in the end."
"If you lose that trophy, Red Reddington," Liz pouted, "you'll get no reward from me!" she air-quoted.
Red's chest shook with barely contained amusement as Michael choked a sputtering laugh beside him.
"Yes, darling," Red smiled warmly. "I understand what you are saying." he placated.
"I mean it, Red," Liz warned, hoping to kick the man's ass in gear. "I won't put out, I'm warning you." she pointed a foreboding finger.
Red cut his eyes to the woman, scanning her lithe form lecherously, "Yes... you will."
Liz chewed her thumbnail anxiously, "I won't put any feeling into it."
"That's his job, love," Michael pointed out. "To make you wish to do so, isn't it?" he checked with Reddington.
Both men slowed to a stop, looking at the next challenge, which loomed large before them.
Each man stared wistfully at the massive challenge facing them, each sparing a cursory glance of silent commiseration with the other.
"...What?" Liz felt something pass between the men.
A slow grin pulled at Red's lips.
Michael's eyes lit with a subdued spark.
"What?" Liz needed desperately to be included in... whatever it was happening. "Tell me... I can get it?!" she promised.
To her amazement and shock, both men took off like a shot, pushing her aside, out of the way...both running at full speed, both leaving the woman in the dust.
Liz's mouth fell agape, stunned by the transformation from the tired, exhausted demi-warriors of seconds before.
"Oh, my God!" she whispered her dismay. "What's happening here? Red," she called out frantically, "be careful... your wound!"
The man seemed not to hear, merely forged speedily onward.
Elizabeth gaped her shock watching with bated breath as the men ran the full length of the marked path, lunging for the top ridge of the tall wall.
"D-Did you just see that?" she looked lamely at her friends, having stumbled back to her origins.
Red gamely pulled himself up the high-wall, Michael on his heels.
"Threats to ones life... or sex life, in this instance," Francis shrugged, "has a way of kicking one's ass in gear."
"That," Mark smirked knowingly, "along with a healthy competitive streak and egos larger than Mt. Everest."
Rolling over the top, Red landed then hastily reached to steady Michael as he stuck his own landing then almost crashed as his injured leg gave out from the impact.
Liz waited, watching the men walk onward, each aiding the other when necessity called.
"W-What was that?" she spread her hands, her expression tinged with awe.
"Did it turn you on?" Red stopped in his trek... enjoying the woman's suddenly pink cheeks.
"I see it did..." he arched a knowing brow. "Remind me to show you what I can do with my gun later. That'll really get your panties wet."
"To which gun do you refer?" Michael was curious.
"The course is waiting for you." Red pointed.
"It's more interesting here." Michael 'pointed' out.
"I am not impressed." Liz was pretty sure, assuring the other man.
"You will be." Red was certain of his facts, as well.
Gesturing Michael to proceed him up the stairs of the zipline platform, Red grinned as Lizzy huffed her frustration.
"Oh!" she stomped her foot, watching Red ascend the stairs after the man. "Why do you keep doing that, it is the complete opposite of sportsman like behavior."
"No, it isn't." Michael was totally confused for her statement.
"Lizzy..." Red looked over the edge of the railed landing, "have a little faith, hum?"
Wrapping the belts around their waists, Red gestured Michael to proceed ahead of him.
Liz offered a grunt of exasperation.
"Ever so kind of you, old chap," Michael hooked his clip and safety line on the cable, grinning down at a very vexed Elizabeth Scott.
"Yeah, sure, no problem," Red grinned, pushing the man off the platform without warning.
"Oh, shit!" Michael scrambled for purchase where there was none.
The people below sniggered as Michael yelped his helplessness, sailing uncontrollably down the line, arms flailing every which way.
"Damn you, Reddington," Michael yelled back as Red gripped the overhead cable and slung himself across the line.
"Don't forget to brake," Red replied as Michael's curse on any future generation which might occur in the Reddington lineage echoed back his way.
Reaching the end of the line, Red chuckled as he was greeted by a slightly miffed opponent who stood, bent at the waist, attempting to regain his breath.
"Nice ride?" Red stepped around the guy with a sinister chuckle of pure malice, enjoying the moment for what it was. "How'd you like that view?"
"You're a bastard, Reddington!" the clipped English accent softened the curse. "A degenerate, evil bastard."
"Flattery will get you nowhere," Red stood by as Michael hobbled down the descending platform, hand on his aching back, favoring his leg.
"I loathe you," it was vehemently voiced. "I say, mate... lend a hand, can you?"
Red did just that, chuckling infectiously.
Susan approached, a sympathetic look for her fallen warrior.
"Honey," Susan smiled as her husband reached solid ground, "perhaps you should forfeit."
"I'd rather die!" Michael stomped off across the field, then winced as a pain shot up his leg.
"You very well may," Susan tittered, patting the man's back consolingly. "Don't worry, in your absence, I will care for the children."
Michael twisted about, stumbled, then cupped his package snuggly in his wife's direction, a determined look on his face.
"Oh, darling," Susan's face lit with astonishment, "you've located it! I thought to never see it again! How wonderful for you!"
"You are a cruel woman," Ben pointed out, "...I like that. Keeps a man on his toes."
Wringing her hands anxiously, Lizzy trotted beside Red, encouraging him to keep going.
"I'll love you forever and always if you win this," Liz sweetened the pot.
Stepping up to the beams, Red traversed the course with ease, "Back at 'cha, baby... even though you didn't win this." he needlessly reminded.
"Oh, burn!" Francis cackled as Lizzy halted in her steps at the reminder. She sent her friend a 'death threat' look, then hurried to catch up to Red.
"Okay, well... yes, that's a good point." she crouched beside the course Red crawled through, "Well...I-I'll love you more."
The man cursed, the cut of the barbed wire catching his back and arms.
"You know how to encourage a man, baby," Red pushed to his feet, "I'll give you that."
He gave the wire a disdainful sneer as he moved away.
Stepping up to the rolling logs, Red concentrated on the uneven ground beneath him rather than Lizzy hopping excitedly on the other side as he neared the end.
Running beside her friends, Liz turned, waving Red to come to her at the finish line.
She peered anxiously over his shoulder as Michael hobbled down the steps and towards Red.
"This is like an episode of the Walking Dead." Ben mentioned in passing.
"Oh, dude!" Francis excitedly exclaimed. "Wouldn't it be amazing if one of their arms dropped off?"
"You're thinking of Michael Jackson's, Thriller," Mark corrected.
Both Ben and Francis instantly broke out into their rendition of that particular dance.
"Come on," Liz waved Red in frantically as Michael hurried in his stride, "come on, baby."
Red's eyes lit with merriment hearing that little voice mutter the sweet endearment.
Hastening in his own steps, Red crossed over the finish line, grinning as Lizzy whooped her joy.
Flinging her arms around his neck, she peppered Red's face with kisses. She didn't even care when he wrapped mud covered arms around her waist and dragged her against his equally muddy front.
Wholeheartedly accepting his reward, Red deepened their kiss. He huffed a choked laugh...cutting the sweet reward short as a large splat of mud hit him squarely between the shoulder blades.
Looking over his shoulder, the man grinned as Michael strolled past, offering a jaunty wave and a shit-eating grin.
"Don't forget your second-place trophy," Red called after the man.
"Shove it up your ass sideways, Reddington," Michael called right back.
"After all the help I offered, that's the thanks I get..." Red chortled.
"He's always been a sore loser," Susan looked after her husband, shrugging an apology of sorts.
"But... he's my man and I shall stand firmly beside him, come what may... do not even think of tracking that mud in our hotel room or I'll slit your damn throat!" Susan hurried to catch up to 'her man'.
Presenting the trophies to their respective winners was a momentous occasion indeed.
Red nudged his head towards Lizzy, allowing her to take it in her greedy little hands.
His eyes softened as hers lit with pure excitement and joyous relief.
She hugged the prize covetously, fitting to his side.
"I love you, Red Reddington." She sighed languidly, stretching up to kiss his mouth.
"...Yes, I know," Red wrapped his arms about her waist, following Susan's lead, crossing slowly to the showers.
"Tell me," Red leaned close, whispering conspiratorially, "...are your panties just a little wet now?"
"Are you about done for the day?"
Enjoying a warm, but quick shower, Red and Liz changed before meeting the others downstairs for a quick meal.
Walking the grounds, Liz gripped Red's hand in hers. "I'm just getting started." she yawned absently.
Red chuckled his delight, "Hanging in there, huh?"
"I'm just wondering though..." she shrugged mentally, "was our shower a waste of time?"
"A shower with you is never a waste of time." Red disagreed. "Though, there is a possibility we may need another when we're done here."
An odd assortment of buildings without windows or even doors loomed ahead. Even more unusual were short walls placed haphazardly about the same area, in no particular pattern.
"Is this a wild-west ghost town?" Liz's eyes scanned the terrain.
If she were to describe it, she would have thought the setup resembled such a place.
As she neared an opening in a rather solid wall, Liz spotted her friends, busily flicking through piles of fatigues as she came alongside.
Red gallantly assisted Susan don what appeared to be a flak jacket.
"What's this?" Liz laughed, waving a hand over the odd array.
"Capture the flag," Francis grinned, gearing up in the militaristic garb.
"You guys need all this to capture one little flag?" Liz giggled. "They did it in Iwo Jima with ingenuity and perseverance."
"You're talking to Francis..." Mark muttered, reaching past the woman to grab a jacket.
"Lizzy," Red held up a shirt in her size, offering it to her. "Don't rain on their parade. When in Rome..." the man smiled at her.
She watched the others suiting up, pulling pants over their jeans or, in some cases, shorts.
"... Huh." she mused quietly. "Okay," she rifled through the stack, finding what she needed. "I'm no party pooper."
Stepping, Red yanked at the side straps on her baggy pants, tightening them about her waist.
"How's that? Not too tight." Red motioned her on down the equipment line.
Liz glanced about her surroundings, instantly chuckling her mirth.
Francis stood at the other end of the line, out-fitted to a tee. He reminded Liz of a latter-day Storm Trooper, all fitted out in what appeared to be plastic knee pads and helmet.
In his hands he held two Tommy guns aloft. About his waist, clamped on a utility belt, were smaller weapons. One on each hip. A spare Glock-like weapon was strapped to the back of his belt.
"Can he even move in all that stuff?"
Red chuckled, choosing an AR-15 looking weapon as his choice. "It's all light-weight. You know he likes to be prepared."
"It's getting dark," Liz was rather excited now, the thrill of the chase... the hunt building her adrenaline. "This is gonna be a riot!"
Red grinned, "Yes, I find stalking my own species with the intent to maim extremely invigorating."
Liz laughed "That's the spirit!"
Examining the weapon Red thrust in her hands, she learned the ins and outs of the awkward piece.
There was an odd-looking cone above the stock. The magazines Red loaded in his pockets were also abnormally large.
"Lizzy, you want anything specific?" Red gestured to the toys available. "A backup is always advisable."
Ben stepped in beside the woman, popping an end on the tube above the barrel of his rifle.
Liz stepped aside, watching the man pour what appeared to be... colorful beads into the hopper.
"This is so childish," she giggled joyously.
"You want to sit it out?" Red solicitously offered her an out.
"I didn't say that," Liz frowned curiously, wondering what gave the man that impression. "I do wonder though... are we going to play Send Rover on Over later?"
Francis looked hopefully towards a resigned Mark, "Maybe in a couple days..." he suggested, "...or next year." he muttered the last, hoping Francis would forget about it.
Filling both the lightweight rifles with the colorful beads, Red handed Lizzy hers before directing her to Mark.
"Paint ball Kingpin wants our attention," he motioned to a patiently waiting leader.
"Rules of the game," Mark began, "if you take a head shot, your out. If you get captured by the enemy, you can attempt escape. You capture the other teams flag and return to your home base with it in hand... you win."
He dusted his hands efficiently, "Even you idiots can follow those instructions."
The teams, sending death promises each other's way, retreated to their chosen base.
Mark recruited Ben, Susan, Michael to his team. Leaving Red, Liz, Dembe and Francis to the other side.
Getting situated in their hideaways, Francis situated his Tommy guns as Dembe took position at the door.
"We need a plan," Francis said, "plans are good."
"We should let Lizzy capture the flag," Red laid out a game plan. "She's smaller, can hide more easily."
Liz grinned happily, ready for the challenge. Working the strap of her rifle over her shoulder, she cradled it to her chest until it was comfortably situated.
"I will act as cover fire," Dembe nodded agreeably.
"Francis, locate their flag?" Red advised a course of action.
Peering out his scope, Francis scanned the enemy camp. "It's in the dark blue building, the one with the misspelled graffiti."
"They will send Susan," Red said. "She's a wiry little shit, so be alert."
"Can you see Mark?" Red peered into the ever darkening night.
"Hard to miss that Texas pile of horse hockey... but no," Francis scanned the enemy camp meticulously.
"He's on Susan then," Red theorized. "He'll take our flank... watch that back wall."
"Francis, you let out a volley when Dembe signals," Red instructed as Dembe would be able to see their movement, hopefully, "and protect the flag at all costs. If you have to be sacrificed... oh, well." he quipped.
"I'm frowning behind my helmet thingy, just so you know." Francis replied. "What are you gonna do?" he demanded to know, drawing the flag closer and out of sight.
"Cover Lizzy's backside." Red grinned, patting the sweet curve as they got into position. "We're going out the back and work our way around."
"Seems like a plan," Liz nodded, gripping her smaller weapon in hand.
Sliding her goggles in place, she was just about to ask what they were waiting for, when a loud blare of a horn blasted over the area signaling the start of the game.
"Go!" Red urged her out the door. "Stay low," he whispered low but firmly, "head for the trees."
Following his instructions, Liz rushed across the dirt path as the sounds of paint ball popped merrily in the air.
Pulling the woman up short, Red crept around her position cautiously, "Stay with these bushes here," he whispered coarsely, "...shadow me."
Peering about the building behind which they had taken cover, Red silently gestured the woman to move forward.
Grinning, Liz hurriedly crept through the overgrowth beside them, disappearing into the dark hedge.
Keeping low, Red ran a constant check on their surroundings, stealthily edging up along the outskirts of the buildings beside him.
Assuring the coast was clear; he waved a hand for Lizzy to move up from her position until she was abreast of him.
They continued in that pattern until the blue building edged into view. Lifting a hand to 'stay', Red edged back into the shadows of the building.
He peered through the dark haze, finally capturing Dembe's attention.
Waving his hand in a sweeping motion, Red counted off his fingers, asking for a ten second lead.
Easing back into position, Red gestured Lizzy to come to him.
Just as she cleared the bushes, all hell broke loose as Francis sprayed the area with cover fire with the power of his wisely chosen weapons.
Dembe's more selective fire kept the enemy occupied.
Rushing for the next building, Red saw movement.
Instinctively grabbing Lizzy about the waist, he fell backwards into an opened doorway just as an alert Michael sprayed the area with copious amounts of paintballs.
Gesturing to the opposite doorway, Red motioned Lizzy to exit, then circle back around the way they came.
Grinning, Liz nodded she understood his plan and rolled along the floor, keeping her movements to a minimum.
The woman moved with remarkable stealth and agility.
Red stepped, concentrating his fire-power on Ben, who hastily moved from Red's path... just as Red intended he should.
Liz rushed about the corner of the building, coming up on Red's flank.
Dembe, seeing her approach the target, directed Francis to once again distract the opposition by any ways or means.
The rapid fire shots distracted the opposition, allowing Liz time to move without detection to the outer facing of the blue building.
Leaning against the surface, she captured her breath. She jerked her head to her left as she saw movement, her adrenaline pumping.
She smiled when Red appeared, coming up fast on her rear.
Rushing for her position, Red checked the back portion of the building, gesturing he was going around.
"I'm gonna distract them," he whispered in her ear, "you reach through the window," he gestured above them, "capture the flag and book ass for the trees."
Red moved along the curve of the building cautiously, quickly glancing around the opened portal, getting a position on Ben and Michael.
Listening carefully for her cue, Liz grinned as the sound of paintballs peppering the room and Michael and Ben cursing their great annoyance filled the air.
Quickly standing, Liz reached through the window, snagging the flag.
Spinning on her heel, she headed out, full gait... running like her ass was on fire.
Ben rushed for her location but was waylaid for Dembe peppered the entire side of the blue building with paint ball after paint ball.
Ben ducked for cover, sticking his middle finger out the window. He drew it back, frowning at the fresh paint covering his skin.
Tittering her glee, Liz lunged for cover, belly crawling her way to safety.
She startled as a large hand grasped her pant waist, pulling her upright.
"Go, baby!" Red urged the woman to run as a volley of paint balls flew about the open space with wild abandon. "Go!"
"Oh, shit!" Liz pulled up short, skidding into a side building.
Mark leisurely stepped from the trees, blocking their path.
"Welcome to Texas, Ma'am," the man chuckled his glee, hefting his weapon.
Red stepped into view, pelting the man with rapid fire.
"Oh, you son-of-a-bitch!" Mark laughed, ducking behind a convenient barrel.
"Run, baby!" Red laughed as the woman sprinted across the opened building, dodging paintballs as she went.
Dembe grinned as the woman scrambled out the doorway opposite him, flag in hand.
"I got your back, Elizabeth." she was assured.
Stepping from his relative cover, Dembe fired shots at Michael and Ben as they tried to edge closer for a better shot at the woman scurrying across the meandering path.
Red laughed, tumbling from the same doorway, mindlessly firing his weapon back at his pursuer.
"Francis, you asshole!" Ben bitched loudly, stumbling around blindly as paint dripped down his face. Grasping his head, he rubbed the tender temple Francis had nailed with accurate precision.
"Take that, bitch!" Francis cackled maniacally.
Scampering about Dembe's legs, Liz fell into their doorway, rushing towards Francis.
"What do I do!" she laughed euphorically, holding the flag aloft.
She gasped as a shadowy figure moved, a hand reaching for their flag which had fallen from Francis' inside jacket.
Hastily arising, Liz fired her weapon repeatedly... tagging Susan in the shoulder.
"Oh, Susan! Oh my God!" she giggled infectiously as Susan cussed her vexation, smoothing the paint from her outfit. "I'm so sorry!"
Ripping the flag from Lizzy's hand, Francis rushed for the window, holding the flag aloft, waving it about.
"I won!" he announced loudly to all gathered. "I won!"
Red fell back against the ground beneath him as the sound of the judges horn blared out over the compound. He peered up at Dembe, chuckling his amusement.
"Oh, Red!" Lizzy burst out the doorway, running for the man laying on the ground. "I won!"
"I won!" Francis disagreed wholeheartedly. "Me!"
Crawling up over Red's prone form, Liz once again peppered his mouth in kisses, "I shot Susan and well..." she shrugged apologetically, "I didn't mean to, but... we won!"
Basking in Lizzy's joy, Red happily kissed her busy little mouth.
Sometime later, the respective teams once again reunited.
Dembe and Francis held up a very large, gleaming trophy proclaiming their prowess before... presenting Lizzy with the reward.
Red was grateful for the benevolent act, his expression showing as much.
"Can you believe it!" the woman practically glowed, holding their prize for him to see.
"Of course," he smiled, brushing her hair behind her ear, "no one can beat a great team like ours."