A/N: I will keep on living in my happy Lizzington S1 bubble. It seems that is the best option considering the current events on the show. I keep on shipping. Here's the next chapter. A bit of role reversal. Lizzie confronts Red. But Red is reluctant to talk. Thanks to all who are hanging in there with me. I really appreciate it and I hope you like this chapter too.

Chapter twenty-nine

Back at her house Red and Lizzie put the groceries away. With the beautiful weather outside they went for a short walk along the beach. Hand in hand they strolled along with Jethro either walking in front of them or a bit behind them. He never went too far away from them.

"Will you tell me what happened at the market?" Lizzie asked.

"What do you mean?" Red simply kept walking.

Lizzie shook her head at his words. "You know what I mean." She stopped walking and waited for him to do the same. When he didn't she asked him to. "Stop walking please."

Red stopped and turned around. He watched how Lizzie walked up to him. She was still wearing the scarf the guy had picked out for her. It looked beautiful on her, but he really didn't like it that he'd chosen it for her. The exchange between Lizzie and Jason had left him feeling insecure. It was a feeling that surprised him and he didn't like to be surprised. All this time he'd been so focused on Lizzie and ensuring they were making progress that he'd forgotten the fact that when she was truly herself again she might realise he wasn't the right man for her and seek someone out like Jason. Someone better suited for her.

"I thought we were having a great day and out of nowhere you're cold and distant. Why?" When he didn't answer she tried again. "Was it something I did?" She heard the tremble in her own voice.

"No." Red immediately answered. He didn't want her to start feeling insecure again, not when she was finally starting to get her confidence back again.

"Then what happened?" And just like before Red stayed silent. Lizzie was getting frustrated. He always pushed her to get her to talk, but he wasn't very forthcoming himself. "So I have to talk, but you don't? Is that how this works?" She raised her voice. "I don't think so, Red. You've been telling me I have to share, but when I ask you to do the same in return, you don't have to? That's bullshit." She pointed at him. "You make me believe that you want to be with me. But it feels like I'm the only one putting in the effort."

"That's not true, Lizzie and you know it." Red felt himself getting angry. She wasn't being fair. He'd shared a part of himself that he hadn't shared with anyone in years. The fact that she was now accusing him of not sharing anything hurt. "I told you about my brother, I told you about my fears about his family. Don't tell me that it's a one way street."

"Why not?" Lizzie exclaimed. "I don't understand, Red. We were having a great day. Yesterday was great, this morning was great. But just like that you shut me out and you won't tell me why. Just when I think things are looking up, you do this. Damnit, Red." She was in his face now and pushed him away from her with both hands on his chest. "Why do I have to practically beg you to share something with me? Think about that." Lizzie turned away from him and walked away.

Red followed her back to the house. He kept a distance between them but never let her out of his sight. He was angry at himself for letting her walk away. He knew she was right. What he had shared with Lizzie so far wasn't easy either, but this concerned his biggest fear, losing her Seeing her with that other man had made it so much more real. Lizzie was his one weakness. She left him feeling exposed without her realising it. He had to be vulnerable around her, something that didn't come easy for him. Was his heart safe with her? Could he be vulnerable around her? Had he been asked that question yesterday or even before that his answer would have been yes. Now, he wasn't sure. What if another man swept in and took her from him? He knew he would not recover from losing her. He would lose himself. He realised that they were both dealing with the same fears.

He still wondered if she loved him like he loved her. So far she'd only showed him she cared whenever he pushed her. She rarely showed initiative in sharing her feelings. If he didn't push, did that mean she would never show him how she felt? Did she not reciprocate his feelings? Was that why she kept holding back a part of herself? He needed to hear from her that she loved him. He needed to know that she was all in, just like him. He was afraid she was going to put her walls back up and he wouldn't be able to break through them again. He'd already given his heart to her, but before she had him completely she had to reassure himself of hers feelings for him.

Walking up the steps to her porch he saw her sitting with her knees drawn up against her chest, her arms wrapped around them. She was closing herself off again and he needed to find a way in again. He sighed. He had to put his heart on the line.

"You make me feel things I haven't felt in a long time, Lizzie. Sometimes it scares me." He whispered in a soft, yet rough voice. He kept his distance from her, needing it to get through this conversation.

His soft, rough voice surprised her and made her look at him. It was as if a different man was standing on her porch. Gone was his usual confidence, the bit of arrogance that he usually had. She saw in the way he stood there. His shoulders were slumped, his head hung low, his eyes downcast. She'd never seen him like this. For the first time she realised that he had his fears too, just like her. She kept seeking him out for comfort and support, but he needed that too and she'd been blind to that. She stood up and closed the short distance between them. "Tell me about it." She took his hand in hers and led him back into her house.

TBC...