A/N: To make up for the unbelievable long delay, I give you two chapters. Thank you for those who are hanging in there. Reviews are still appreciated.

Chapter seven

Red kept his promise and visited her every day. But his visits were never long, a couple of hours at most. And though he said they would found their way again, she doubted it. Their connection was still strained. Maybe neither was ready to go deeper yet. Maybe the time wasn't right yet. They first had to feel comfortable with each other again. She remembered how he used to touch her; a hand on the small of her back, his hand brushing hers as he walked by. Those touches were non existent and she missed them. Missed the warmth.

At times it even seemed like Red was somewhere else with his mind. It made her feel uncomfortable and insecure. Would he rather be somewhere else? And was his obvious distraction an indication of an imminent departure? It was something she feared but it was something she had to take into consideration. It was something she had to talk about with him.

Lizzie was lying on her couch, reading a book, when she heard the door open. Red and Lizzie had agreed that she would leave the door open so he wouldn't have to knock every time. Jethro, who had become friends with Red, immediately stood up to greet the visitor. Lizzie smiled as she heard Red greet Jethro.

"Good evening Lizzie." Red greeted her as he stepped into the living room. He was happy to see her again, but he was also tired. He felt two sides pulling at him and they both deserved his attention. However much he wanted to spend more time with Lizzie, he couldn't. Not now, but he hoped soon.

"Hey, Red." She greeted him. She put her book away on the table and sat up. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"No, thanks." Red looked at Lizzie. She looked a bit better. She seemed a bit more rested, though he guessed she still had nightmares. When he visited her in the mornings there was a look in her eyes that made him think she'd had a restless night. But she never spoke of it and he never asked.

"You look tired, Red." She said.

He nodded at her words. He was. Sometimes he was angry with himself that he wasn't able to give her the attention she deserved. He wanted to stay with her, take care of her the entire day. He needed to be with her. "I'm sorry." He apologized. He sat down next to her on the couch. Normally he made sure to always have a bit of distance between them. He never ventured in her personal space. He did that because he wanted her to be comfortable with him first. Getting into her personal space too soon could cause her to retreat and that was the last thing he wanted. However tonight, after the day he'd had, he ignored his own rules. He needed to be close to her and hopefully she wouldn't mind.

Lizzie was surprised he sat down next to her. He usually kept his distance. She smiled. Sometimes she wondered if he could read her mind and knew she wanted the closeness back. "I don't want you to be obligated to be here with me." She paused for a moment and looked down at her hands. "I'll be okay." She knew she didn't sound as confident as she wanted too.

Red put his hand over hers and squeezed lightly. "Being with you is never an obligation, Lizzie." He sat a bit closer so their thighs touched. "I want to spend more time with you. Like I promised, we'll find our way again. It's my fault it's going to take longer than I want."

They were silent. Red caressed her hand with his thumb. The movement soothed her. This was the contact that she wanted and needed. "I'm afraid you'll disappear again." She admitted to him in a soft voice.

"Sweetheart." Red whispered before he pulled her into his arms. He hated himself for making her feel insecure. He knew it took a lot of her to admit her fear. "I'm never gonna leave you again." He kissed her hair and held her against his chest. Her body shook lightly as she cried softly. He held her close, caressed her back and every now and then he kissed her hair. He comforted her and held her even after the tears had dried. Holding Lizzie and being the one she sought out for comfort was important to him. He wanted to be that person for her. He wanted to be the one she turned to every time.

"Red?"

"Mmm…" Red answered.

Before Lizzie could ask what she wanted to ask, Jethro made his presence known. With his nose he tried to push Lizzie away from Red. Clearly he was jealous. When his attempts didn't work, he howled a bit.

Lizzie laughed softly as she ran her hand over Jethro's head. "Seems like he doesn't like to share." She said before she spoke to the dog. "It's okay, sweetie. " She reassured the dog.

"I don't like to share either." Red said.

"You both are going to have to learn then." Lizzie put her head back against Red's chest.

Red smiled at her words. This was the first time she'd truly spoken about the direction they were going. The first time she'd admitted that their end game was the same. It pleased him. "If it's only Jethro then it's okay." He remembered she was about to say something. "What did you want to ask?" He was happy that Lizzie didn't feel the need to end their embrace.

"Never mind. It's okay."

"Ask me, Lizzie."

"I wanted to ask if we could maybe go somewhere. You, me and Jethro." When Red didn't answer immediately she quickly added. "It's okay, I understand if you don't have any time."

"I'd love to go somewhere with you. I will have to arrange some things first. How about Saturday?" He suggested. He would never deny her anything. He couldn't.

Lizzie nodded. "Thank you."

"Any time, sweetheart. Any time." He kissed her hair once again.

TBC...