A/N: Here's the next chapter. Red and Lizzie evaluate the Bodyguard and grow closer. I hope you enjoy it. Reviews and follows are greatly appreciated.

Chapter thirteen

"So, what did you think?" Lizzie asked as she watched the credits on the screen. She was comfortable, sitting here on the couch next to Red. She wasn't leaning against him, but they were close enough for her to feel his body heat. She was feeling a bit more relaxed and that was mostly due to Red who made sure she was at ease.

"It wasn't bad."

"Not bad?" Lizzie exclaimed. "Come on you can do better than that." She bumped her shoulder against his. Not wanting the small distance between them anymore Red wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her against his side.

"It was an okay movie." He said again. "Not sure if we're like Frank and Rachel though." He grinned. "I'm pretty sure you're no Rachel."

"Hey." Lizzie poked him in his belly.

Red grabbed her hand and entwined their fingers. He softly kissed her hair and inhaled her scent. With her in his arms he felt at peace.

"You're no Frank either, mister." She said as she lay her head on his shoulder.

"Excuse me? Why not?"

"Protecting someone would never be a job to you."

"It isn't." He admitted.

"But you would sacrifice your own life for someone you love." Lizzie said softly.

"I would." There was no sense in denying. Both knew he would give his life for her, yet she would do the same.

"Do you think they got back together?" Lizzie asked after a few minutes of silence.

"I don't know. Would you like them to get together?"

"When I first saw the movie I didn't like the way it ended. But now…, sometimes things are just not meant to be."

"That's true." He softly caressed her arm. "So should we tell Dembe he did good?"

Lizzie hummed her agreement. "Red?"

"Yes, sweetheart."

"Thank you." She let go of his hand and started playing with his fingers. "Thank you for not giving up on me. Even when I blamed you for everything and anything. I treated you so badly. I've been awful. I don't know how you did it."

"You know how, Lizzie." He interrupted her.

She stayed silent. She knew why and only now she was starting to accept that. "Thank you." She whispered again.

"So what was your favourite scene?" He wanted to lighten the mood. He didn't want her to get lost in her thoughts of the past.

She immediately thought of the scene with the samurai sword and the scarf, but kept silent. She was glad he couldn't see her otherwise he'd see her blush and would surely call her on it. "I like it when they are all together at the cabin but my favourite scene is when she's performing at the club and someone gets on stage. Frank wants to get to her but she stops him by holding her hand up and continues to sing. When things go wrong though he comes for her, lifts her and carries her in his arms, away from any harm. That's when she realizes she needs him and he's there for her. She accepts him then. She's safe, protected."

He hadn't expected this kind of answer. There was some kind of longing in it. "You like the idea of being protected, feeling safe?"

"I do."

He was surprised. He'd tried with all he had to protect her, yet she never seemed to accept that side of him. Still it was something she liked, maybe in some way longed for. What did that mean then? That she didn't like it when he wanted to protect her?

When Red stayed silent too long, she knew something was wrong. She rubbed his arm. "What's wrong?"

"You like the idea of being safe and protect, yet you never seemed to accept that from me. You always seemed to push me away harder whenever I tried to protect you." His voice was low and soft.

He was right. He'd always tried to keep her safe but she'd never accepted it. She squeezed his hand and searched for words. "I knew that if I let you protect me, I would have a difficult time letting you go and I knew I would have to eventually." She was hesitant to say her next words, but she knew she needed to. "I've imagined being in your arms," she started. "I knew that…" She played with his fingers again as she tried to continue. "I imagined being in your arms would feel like home, the one place where I would be safe and loved." She swallowed thickly, admitting more than she had intended to. "I couldn't allow myself to… to let you protect me. That's why I pushed you away." She ended her confession in a mere whisper.

His heart beat wildly in his chest because of her words. He wanted her to be at home in his arms. He wanted her to seek him out whenever she needed him, wanted her to turn to him. He wanted her, and he wanted her to want him and it was as simple as that. And now, for the first time, he started to believe that it was possible, that she wanted him too.

He grabbed her legs and pulled her on his lap. He enveloped her in his arms. He closed his eyes and sighed. He held her tight in his arms. Neither said a word, content to be in each other's arms. He kissed her temple. "Lizzie." He whispered, his voice rough with emotion. He didn't want either of them to get overwhelmed. He knew with Lizzie there was still only a fragile balance. He didn't want to push her, wanted her to set the pace. He pushed aside the urge he felt within him to shower her with his love and affection.

"How many times have you seen this movie?"

"A couple of times." She answered. With her head on his chest, Lizzie felt at peace. His strong, solid chest and his arms around her made her feel loved and safe. She had her eyes closed and listened to his steady heartbeat. She took a deep breath and slowly breathed out.

Again neither said a word as they both held each other. Red felt his eyes starting to close. With the feel of her body against his and her warmth sleep was getting the best of him. He tried to fight it, wanted to cherish and hold on to this moment as long as he could, but it was no use. Now that she was no longer fighting him and letting him in he could allow himself to relax and his body knew. They couldn't fall asleep like this on the couch. Neither would be comfortable and they'd be sore the following morning. "Lizzie." He whispered.

She stirred but didn't move. "Mmm.." Was her only sound.

"You're tired, sweetheart."

"I'm comfortable here."

"You'll be more comfortable in your bed."

"I doubt it." She cuddled closer to him.

He smiled at her need to get even closer. He sat up straight and entangled himself from her arms. Her sounds of protest were adorable. "I'll close everything up. Go to bed Lizzie." Carefully, with her still half on his lap, he stood up, taking her with him. He brushed his lips briefly with hers. "Goodnight sweetheart."

"Night, Red." She hugged him once more before she left him alone in the living room.

TBC...