Chapter 5
…
Andrea pulled up outside Kate's, turning of the ignition before looking at the older woman. Kate's eyes were fixed on the road in front of her as Andrea undid her seatbelt.
"Kate, we're home."
"Mmmm, oh…thank you dearie."
Andrea turned, leaning over to cover Kate's hand as Kate turned to face her, offering a smile.
"Do you want to go inside?"
Kate only nodded as Andrea got out of the car, coming around to the passenger's side, opening the door for her as Kate got out.
"Do you want some company until Elizabeth arrives?"
"You're not busy?"
"Not for you, just say the word."
"I wouldn't mind the company if you don't mind."
"Of course not, come on. Let's get you inside."
Kate allowed Andrea to usher her inside, helping her to remove her jacket before she walked towards the front room. Andrea followed behind her, watching Kate closely as she sat down in the chair, her hands clasped together.
"Do you want me to get you anything, tea?"
"I'm fine."
Andrea decided to sit down beside her, reaching out to rest her hand on the small of Kate's back as she leaned in to the older woman.
"I know this isn't the way you thought things would turn out and I'm sorry about Red storming in like he did, I…"
"It wasn't your fault dearie, you know what Raymond's like. Once he sets his mind on something, there's no stopping him."
"He's really going to kill Salgado, isn't he?"
"Yes." She said firmly.
Andrea went quiet, which caused Kate to turn to her.
"You think I should feel concerned, guilty that he's about to take the life of another human being?"
"What? No I…"
"That man raped me Andrea, I can't…I refuse to feel any sorrow for him, I refuse to feel guilty about it."
"I don't expect you too, but what about the baby. Have you given any more thought as to what you want to do?"
"It all just felt so real today, in your office…and then Raymond charging in like a bull in a china shop."
"He's not known for his tact at the best of times."
"He's a good man, deep down. His hearts in the right place, I was hurt and he wanted to protect me."
"He loves you."
"I love him too."
Andrea went quiet before reaching over in to her bag that was down by her feet.
"I almost forgot to give you this, with all the commotion in my office."
"What is it?"
"Look at it and see."
Kate took the piece of paper from Andrea's grasp, her breath catching in her throat as she looked at the black and white picture of the baby.
"You're six weeks, does that sound about right?"
"Yes."
"Kate, talk to me."
"What if I can't love it Andrea, if I decided to have this baby, what would happen if I ended up resenting the child."
"Do you really believe that would happen?"
"It's possible."
"Kate, I know you. You would love this baby regardless of how he or she came about."
"I'm scared dearie, I don't know if I can do this on my own."
"You will never be on your own; we're all here for you."
"You shouldn't have to get involved in this mess; I don't want to drag you in to it."
"Kate, I want to help you. I care about you."
"Why…Raymond's the one who saved your life, not me."
"No, but I've gotten to know you over the years. I'd like to know you a lot better."
"Andrea, what are you doing?"
Kate gave her a look that she couldn't quite place, Andrea promised herself she wasn't going to go this far, not after what had happened but the moment presented itself perfectly. Andrea gave her a warm smile before she leaned over, covering Kate's lips. Andrea felt her tense, Andrea pulling back to look at her.
"I'm sorry; I probably shouldn't have done that. Not right now, bad timing."
"Why did you?"
"Honestly?"
"Why not." Kate smiled.
"For that."
"What?"
"Your smile, you don't have much to smile about right now but it's nice to see."
"Dearie, you don't want me. I'm a lot older than you and now… a baby to boot, it's not fair to you. I don't want you involved in this life, in Raymond's world."
"Kate, in case you haven't noticed. I've been in his world for a while now."
"I wouldn't want you getting hurt."
"I can look after myself; right now…let me look after you. What we need to do right now, is concentrate on getting you through this."
"And I can't move forward with this until I know whether or not I want it or not."
"You have time; you don't have to decide right now."
…
Elizabeth sat beside Reddington, who had Agnes nestled in his arms, the little girl smiling up at him.
"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Elizabeth asked.
"She told me herself, I walked in to Andrea's office…she was giving Kate a sonogram."
"Wow, I can't believe it…Mr Kaplan…pregnant."
"I know I'm asking a lot Lizzie but Andrea has to get back to the hospital and I don't want Kate on her own, not right now."
"No of course, I understand. Will she be okay with me bringing Agnes with me though; babies are probably the last thing she wants to be around right now."
"Kate loves Agnes, you know that."
"I do but, given the circumstances."
"She'll be fine."
"What's she gonna do, is she having it or…"
"I don't know, we haven't sat down and really discussed it yet."
"You'd stand by her though right, I mean…if she decided to have the baby. You wouldn't leave her to cope on her own."
"Lizzie, do I really come across as that cold to you?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"
"I've known Kate for a very long time, there aren't many people I value in my life but Kate, Dembe…you and Agnes, I do. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you all. Kate has my full support, whatever she decided to do. If she wants to go ahead and have the baby then, I'll be there for her."
Agnes wrapped her small hand around Red's finger as he looked up at Elizabeth, who was smiling at him.
"What?" He asked.
"It suits you, a baby."
"Really, thank you."
"I'm glad Mr Kaplan has you."
"Don't you think it's time you called her Kate, you've known her long enough."
"I know, it just feels weird."
"I'm not the only one she'll need Lizzie, if she does decide to have the baby, you'd be a big help to her too."
"Whatever I can do."
"You better get going, Dembe will take you there."
"The man who did this to her, are you going after him?"
"I won't let him get away with this Lizzie."
"No I…I don't expect you too. This is actually the one time I hope you get him. I'll call you later."
Red got to his feet, handing Agnes back to Lizzie before she left with Dembe.
…
Elizabeth arrived at Kate's forty minutes later, Dembe waiting until she was inside before driving off.
"We haven't officially met, I'm Elizabeth."
"Hi, Andrea."
"Nice to meet you Andrea."
"And who's this?" she asked smiling towards Agnes.
"This is Agnes."
"Oh she's beautiful."
"Thanks…so, how's Mr Kaplan doing?"
"She's…well, she's scared, confused. She has absolutely no idea what she wants to do."
"I can't even begin to know what she's going through; I still can't believe any of this actually happened."
"I think she's expecting to wake up and it was all just be a bad dream."
"Has she mentioned anything about the baby yet?"
"I don't know if Red told you but I gave her a sonogram earlier today, I'm not sure if it helped or just confused her more. It's a huge decision she has to make."
"I don't really know what to say to her, we've never really been close. Does that sound strange?"
"Not at all, to be honest I felt the same way. Though for a long time I have wanted to get to know her better."
Elizabeth watched the smile that crossed Andrea's face, disappearing as quickly as it had arrived.
Well…I should probably go through and…"
"Right yes of course, come on."
Elizabeth followed Andrea down the hall and saw Kate sitting in the chair by the fire, staring at a photo in her hand.
"Mr Kaplan."
Kate looked up to see Elizabeth standing beside Andrea, Agnes squirming in her arms.
"Elizabeth."
Elizabeth passed Agnes to Andrea, who looked terrified when the baby was placed in her arms, before walking over to Kate, kneeling down in front of her.
"Mr Kaplan, I am so sorry for what's happened to you. I can't even begin to imagine what you…"
"Thank you dearie, thank you. You brought Agnes."
"Yeah, I hope that's okay. Tom was busy; otherwise I would have got…"
"Its fine Elizabeth, may I?"
Andrea brought Agnes over; moving her in to Kate's waiting arms. The two younger women watched as Kate brought Agnes close to her, placing a small kiss to her head as she closed her eyes, breathing in her baby smell.
"You're such a beautiful little baby aren't you sweetie."
Elizabeth looked at Andrea, who had a big smile on her face as she watched Kate with the baby.
"She's a natural with her." Andrea smiled.
"Yeah she is, she was there when she was born. She saved our lives."
"She told me, I'm glad Red forgave her. If this had happened when they were still angry, I don't think she'd cope." Andrea whispered.
"Thank god things worked out then." Elizabeth smiled.
"What are you two whispering about?" Kate asked, looking up as Agnes reached up to her.
"I was just saying it's time I got back to work. Will you be okay?" Andrea asked, coming over to her.
"I'll be fine dearie, Elizabeth is here now. Off you go, you've done more than enough for me today."
"You know I'd do anything for you."
Kate looked up to see Andrea smiling at her, before Andrea leaned down and kissed her cheek.
"I'll come by after my shift."
"Only if you have time."
"I'll make the time, take it easy okay."
"I will, bye dearie."
Andrea put on her own jacket, as Elizabeth walked her to the door.
"Look after her."
"Don't worry, she's safe with me."
"It was nice meeting you."
"Yeah, you too and hey…it's obvious you like Mr Kaplan, you tell her."
"I don't know, with everything that's going on right now I just…"
"She could use the distraction, she obviously likes you too."
"Thanks Elizabeth."
"Call me Lizzie."
"Lizzie, I'll see you soon."
"Bye."
…
To Be Continued…
