29. You look cold. Take my coat.
Liz glances over at Red, standing next to her on the cold sidewalk waiting for Dembe to pick them up, as he clears his throat for the fifth time in as many minutes. He sneezed once about an hour ago and now his nose is looking a little pink and she's officially worried. She knows he's trying to get over a cold as she doesn't want it to develop into pneumonia.
(For work related reasons obviously.)
After a brief moment's thought, Liz starts to take off her coat.
Red looks at her like she's crazy. "What are you doing, Lizzie?" he asks incredulously.
Liz quickly moves behind him to throw her coat over his shoulders. "You look cold. Take my coat."
He looks completely shocked – and a little disbelieving at her sudden act of generosity, which she supposes she deserves, given her attitude lately – and he immediately starts to protest.
"Lizzie, it's below freezing, you can't possibly expect me to –"
"Just until Dembe gets here, Red," she interrupts him smoothly. "Besides, I'm wearing a sweater in addition to my scarf and gloves. I'm fine."
She stares him down until she sees him accept, his shoulders slumping in defeat while his eyes soften, saying something that he doesn't have to voice.
(Thank you.)
"Aren't I supposed to be the one offering you my coat?" he asks lightly after a moment, sniffling a little.
Liz shrugs. "I've never been very good with 'supposed to be'".
She grins at him, a little self-deprecating and a little apologetic, and he smiles back, a little amused and a little understanding.
(It's the kind of moment they haven't shared in a while.)
Liz breaks his gaze when headlights flash around the corner, signaling Dembe's approach.
And her lips quirk as she has a thought.
"Besides, that shade of pink really brings out your eyes."
"Very funny, Lizzie."