Chapter 17

Kate heard the door to her room closing, opening her eyes to see Reddington walking over to her. She gave a weak smile as he sat down beside her, watching the way he flinched as he did so.

"Raymond."

"It's alright Kate, try not to talk. We just wanted to make sure you were doing well."

"I'm a little sore but Andrea's friend said that everything went well, the baby's okay."

"You have no idea how relieved we all are Kate."

Kate studied Reddington closely, seeing the fine sheet of sweat that had graced his forehead. She reached out, taking hold of his hand as he forced himself to look at her.

"Raymond, are you alright?"

"I'm perfectly fine Kate, don't worry about me. Just concentrate on the baby."

"Has anyone looked at you since the attack?"

"You already tended to me and I…"

"Raymond, all I did was manage your pain for a while and bandage you up. You have to be examined by someone, please."

"I'll do it later I promise."

"You're lying."

"Kate please, just concentrate on and let me worry about myself."

Kate eyed him closely as he stood up with some difficulty, squeezing her hand before turning and making his way over to the door. Kate sat up slowly ready to speak as she watched him waver, his hand going to the door frame, trying to steady himself as he breathed slowly.

"Raymond?"

"I'm sorry Kate, I'm…."

Before he could finish, he collapsed in a heap on the floor by the door. Kate made an attempt to get out of the bed but the pain from the surgery shot through her. She took a steady breath before turning and quickly pressing the buzzer by the bed.

Andrea was bouncing Agnes on her knee as Elizabeth and Dembe watched on, smiles on their faces as the young child laughed.

"You really are so good with her." Elizabeth smiled.

"Well she's an easy child to keep entertained; I can see why Kate adores her so much…and Red."

"Yeah well he…"

Elizabeth stopped short when the alarm above Kate's room began to flash red, getting to her feet, quickly followed by Andrea and Dembe. Elizabeth tried to get inside to find the door jammed.

"KATE…REDDINGTON…WHAT'S GOING ON?"

"Elizabeth, it's Raymond…he's collapsed behind the door, I can't get to him I…"

"It's okay, everything with be okay. Dembe, can you try and budge the door."

"Stand back." He replied.

Elizabeth did as he asked, watching as Dembe tried a few attempts to move the door, finally succeeding on the third attempt, the door moving back with Reddington behind it. Elizabeth rushed in and down to where Reddington lay.

"Red come on, open you eyes. RED…come on god damn it."

Andrea quickly passed Agnes to Dembe who moved over to Kate's side as Elizabeth and Andrea tended to Reddington.

"Liz, remove his jacket, he's burning up."

Elizabeth did as she was told, unbuttoning his jacket, revealing a patch of blood that was becoming bigger by the second.

"Jesus, he's still bleeding."

"Go in to that drawer over there, there should be some towels, we need to stop the bleeding."

Kate had her hand over her mouth, worried etched on her face as she watched Elizabeth and Andrea tend to Reddington.

"Dembe…I tried to help him but I couldn't get to him I…"

"It's alright Kate, this isn't your fault."

I thought a doctor had already seen to him when we'd arrived earlier."

"Kate, listen to me. You know what he's like, he's stubborn. Don't blame yourself, please."

Elizabeth had her hamd pressed firmly at Reddington's side, trying to stem the bleeding, while Andrea checked his pulse, both women looking up when Fiona entered the room, her face full of worry.

"What the hell happened?"

"He was stabbed earlier, he's burning up."

"Stabbed, okay Andie…that might have been something to have informed me about when everyone first arrived…jesus."

Fiona went in to the hallway, yelling for a trolley. A few minutes later two nurses helped get Reddington up on to the trolley, as Fiona checked his vitals, while one of the nurses kept the towel held tightly to his stab wound.

"We need to get this man in to surgery…now, go. I'm right behind you."

They wheeled him away before Fiona turned back to see everyone watching her."

"Fiona I'm so sorry I…"

"Andie don't, I can't tell you how disappointed I am in you right now. This person in front of me right now, I don't even recognise her."

"Will you perform the surgery?"

"Yes, I'll let you all know as soon as I have news."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet."

"Fi I…"

"Don't, I can't even look at you right now, just…don't."

Andrea watched her best friend walk away from her, Elizabeth and Dembe exchanging looks.

"Dembe, maybe we should get Agnes home."

"Good idea, Kate…we'll be back later."

"Okay dearie, thank you for staying."

"We're family."

Dembe kissed her cheek and allowed her to give Agnes a quick hug before he and Elizabeth left, leaving Andrea and Kate alone."

"Dearie, come over here."

Andrea turned, wiping tears from her cheek as she made her way over to Kate, taking a seat beside her.

"She hates me."

"No she doesn't, she just doesn't understand our ways."

"I don't even care right now; I'm just so relieved you and the baby are okay."

"Me too."

"Kate, I love you so much…I need you to know that. I have had to give up this place, I would."

"Dearie, I would never ask you to give up your career, your friends for me."

"Maybe you're worth it."

"I do love you too, but take some time and get to know me better before deciding to throw away such a rewarding career, please. I'd never forgive myself if you made such a quick decision like this because of me."

"Okay, I will give more time but if Fiona can't even get on board with this, I don't hold out much hope for anyone else in this place."

"Just, think about it some more…for me dearie."

"Deal, why don't you try and get some rest. I'll be right here and I'll let you know when Red is out of surgery."

Kate only nodded her head as she leaned in to Andrea, as the younger woman wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

To Be Continued…