A/N: Here's the next chapter. Thanks again for all those who are hanging in there with me. I am so glad you like this fic. This one is special for me so I appreciate the support. In this chapter Lizzie comforts Red.

Chapter thirty

Their easy role reversal said a lot about their connection. Sharing their feelings wasn't easy for either of them, especially when it came to their most inner fears and insecurities. That's when they needed the other to step in and push when necessary. These last few weeks it had been Red who'd done the pushing, making Lizzie share her feelings. Now their roles were reversed. It was Lizzie who was going to have to make sure Red was going to share his fears. With his hand still in hers she led them to the couch. She waited for him to sit down first before she sat down next to him, not quite close enough to touch him, but enough to feel his body heat. His eyes followed her every move. She didn't quite understand why, but his gaze wasn't uncomfortable.

"What are you afraid of Red?" Lizzie asked gently. She grabbed his hand in both of hers.

He saw her gentle eyes watching him closely. He needed to push past his urge keep his biggest fears locked away. "Losing you."

To say his words surprised her was an understatement. She squeezed the hand she was holding. "Why do you think you're going to lose me?"

Red looked away from her. He worked his jaw, contemplating his next words. "You keep me at a distance, Lizzie." He paused for a moment. "It makes me wonder why." He took his hand out of hers and stood up. He needed some distance between them. He kept his back to her as he spoke his next words. "Will you walk away from me when you're recovered? Will you seek out another man? Someone younger, someone more suitable?" He lowered his head. "Are going to marry someone else, have children and erase me from your memory? Forget about our time together?" His voice was thick with emotion. "That is what I fear."

She was speechless. She'd never seen him like this or heard him talk like this before. She stood up and walked to him. Carefully she placed her hand on his shoulder. He was so tense. She started rubbing his back, hoping it would ease the tension, making him feel more comfortable with her again. "Where is this coming from Red?" She asked. "Is this because of what happened at the market?"

"No, but it showed me the reality of my fears." He kept his back to her, still unwilling to let her see him.

No longer wanting to only see his back Lizzie stepped in front of Red. She put both her hands on his chest, hoping it would make him meet her eyes, but he didn't. He kept his eyes focused on an imaginary spot on the wall behind her. She needed to reassure him and comfort him. But she knew it wasn't going to be easy. Red would push her away, especially in his current state of mind. "What can I do for you to make you realise that I'm not going anywhere? What do you need?"

"I need to know my heart is safe with you." Red cast his eyes downward. He felt exposed. He was laying his heart on the line unsure of the outcome. He was shaken. The urge to step back, to distance himself once again from her was too big to ignore and so he stepped back.

Lizzie immediately stepped forward and grabbed his hand preventing him from walking away. She placed his hand on her chest, above her heart. "Feel this." She made sure his hand stayed on her chest. "This strong beat is because of you." She waited for Red to look at her again. It took a moment, but he did. His eyes showed insecurity. Clearly he needed more from her. She stepped closer to him, making his hand on her chest drop from her body. She wrapped her arms around his body and pushed herself fully against him. She kept hold of him and it didn't take long before his arms wrapped around her. It was then that she finally felt him starting to relax. His hold on her tightened as if he couldn't get close enough, maybe even trying to make sure that she wasn't going to leave. She didn't know. All she knew was that he needed this and she was going to give him what he needed. He'd been her anchor these last couple of weeks and now it was her turn to be his rock. She knew she needed to show him that she was all in too. She guessed part of his doubt was because she didn't share her feelings easily and that he always had to push and prod. She kissed his neck softly. "Did you see me showing any interest in Jason?" She asked and even though her voice was muffled by his chest she knew he could hear her.

"No."

"That's because other men don't interest me. There is no man who can come close to you, Red. No one. My eyes will always seek out yours in a crowd. My body hums whenever you're close and there's an emptiness that I feel when you're not with me." She paused. Standing on her tip toes she kissed him softly. "My soul is only at peace when it connects to yours." She wondered if this was the reassurance that he needed from her. She wasn't ready yet to say that she loved him. She knew she did, but she felt like she needed to be more herself before she could say those words. She didn't have to wait long for his reaction. Red crushed her against him and held her tight. She felt him taking deep breaths and he put his head on her shoulder. She heard him whisper a thank you. They stayed like that, embracing each other tightly. "I'm here, Red. I'm not going anywhere." She caressed the back of his head as he kept silent. When she turned her head to kiss his cheek his lips met hers. He kissed her so softly and so tenderly that it brought tears to her eyes. His lips glided over hers as if he doubted this moment was real. He never deepened the kiss, just kept brushing his lips with hers softly. He ended their kiss and put his forehead against hers. She looked at him but saw his eyes were still closed. She cupped her cheek in her hand and caressed his jaw with her thumb. "Look at me, Red. See me." She needed for him to see in her eyes that what she said was what she felt. She knew he needed that too.

Slowly Red opened his eyes and found her blue eyes looking back at him. What he saw in her eyes was love and it was the first time she'd truly showed him. Love and trust was what she saw. He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. "I can't lose you, Lizzie."

"And you won't, Raymond. I'm not going anywhere."

TBC...