Hey guys! new chapter, i'm going to finally be able to be quicker with my updates. I'd like to send a shout out to firerosedreamer67 , who always has a review waiting for me, thanks so much! Also, the hotel that i reference in this chapter is a very real location, beautiful!
Enjoy!
11: Cranberries and Scotch
The dress was black and her heels were red. It was fitted so that the lace hem came to just above her knees and Lizzie had made sure that the skin of her legs were smooth, sliding them into a pair of darkly tinted pantyhose. Elizabeth's hair was up in an elegant twisted bun, her hair pulled back from her face and the light making her bone structure look flawless. She opted for a simple eye shadow but stained her lips with a dark wine lipstick, the contrast against her smooth skin quite striking. A gold and crystal bracelet glinted at her wrist and her earrings were delicate hanging gold filigree with pearl.
Red had left a few hours previously in order to get ready with his own tux.
You clean up pretty well with what you have, Lizzie thought, looking at herself in the mirror and admiring what she could do in a couple hours with what she pulled from her own closet. Granted, she had borrowed the bracelet from a friend a long time ago, but that was beside the point.
She checked her phone, her nails painted with a clear gloss. Text message from Nick's Pizza.
"For once he gave me a warning," Lizzie mumbled to herself, reading that Reddington was going to be there shortly. As she read, another message buzzed in her hand, this time from Ressler.
Be safe out there, Keen, It read.
Will do! she responded.
Lizzie grabbed the black wrap that accompanied the dress and made her way downstairs. Slinging the wrap over the coat hook, she checked herself in the hallway mirror, looking for hairs out of place or for smudged makeup. So far, so good. Her throat itched for a glass of water, but she didn't dare risk ruining the dark lipstick with the press of a glass. Looking away from the mirror, she could see the two polls of the stairwell that had been shattered by her own hatred, when Tom had handcuffed her to the stairwell. Lizzie had busted through the wood and was able to escape once Tom had left. Afterwards, she clumsily wrapped duct tape around the wood, trying desperately to fix it with what she could.
She could feel the wooden splinters in her skin and had to look away.
Moving her way to the living room, Lizzie huffed as she was faced with the disarray that still sat before her. The furniture was scuffed and the carpet stained. The whole thing smelled like sawdust still, from the broken tables.
After checking the threshold for any spare splinters that might catch her dress, Lizzie leaned her shoulder up against the frame and crossed her arms. It was time for a change. She pictured the walls painted differently, maybe a warm yellow gold, with cream trim. Or maybe a brown trim….a thick cream colored carpet. She could get new furniture, dark wood and cushions to contrast nicely with the walls and floor.
Beginning to like the idea of some change, Lizzie made a mental note to call a paint store and carpet company the next time she had some spare time.
A knock on the door and she heard it open. She turned, looking over her shoulder and dropping the arms that were crossed at her front. Red stood before her, the well-tailored lines of a black tux framing his body perfectly. A black bow tie nestled beneath his chin around his neck.
"Your closet does not disappoint," he said, giving her a warm smile that didn't show his teeth.
"I could say the same about you," Lizzie said, stepping over, the click of her heals tacking against the floor of her kitchen. Reddington looked down and noticed the scarlet of her shoes. "But your bowtie is crooked."
"What?" his brow furrowed and he went to go look in the hallway mirror.
"Here, let me get it," Lizzie offered, reaching out and touching his arm. As she stepped closer the intoxicating scent of his cologne made her head fuzzy.
In her heels, Lizzie was just as tall as Red was, their eyes level. He watched her as she looked down at her hands, her slender fingers finding the satin of his tie and adjusting it as best as she could. He watched her eyebrows move in concentration. It would only take a second for him to lean forward and press his lips to the smooth skin of her forehead…smell the warmth and floral of her perfume, feel the heat of her body.
Lizzie finished and stepped away before Red could move.
"Should we go?" Red suggested brightly, stepping aside and holding a hand out towards the door.
Lizzie smiled and stepped past him, reaching for the wrap that hung on the hook. Behind her, Red unashamedly watched the lines of her body. From the grace of her reaching arm, to the soft flow down her side, over her hip, and ending down those long slender legs that met with a red heel. His mouth went dry and he was thrilled by it.
He opened the door for her and lingered by Lizzie's side while she turned and locked up, slipping the house key into a small black clutch she had swiped from her hall closet. The night was dark and moisture hung in the air, as if it would rain, or possibly sleet, and for a moment, Lizzie worried about her hair. However, she was in the cover of the black car in no time at all.
"Rooftop ball again?" Lizzie asked, turning in her seat and watching as Red lounged next to her. She wondered how in the world he managed to keep the tux looking pressed when he sat so liberally.
"Ha! I'm afraid not, not in this weather. Thunderstorms are headed our way, Lizzie," Raymond chuckled, "No, this one is inside. We are indeed meeting with Carter again, but this time it's at a gala, hosted at the St. Regis here in DC."
"It'll have to be a smaller party then," Lizzie said. She had been in the St. Regis once or twice for banquets and wedding venues…it was a beautiful place, classic and elegant, but much too small for the size of party Carter had thrown on his rooftop in Atlantic City.
"It will be. That's why I suggested the cocktail dress," Reddington made sure he met Lizzie's kohl lined eyes. His voice dipped low, "And you did not disappoint. You look beautiful, Lizzie."
She was thankful for the darkness in the car so he couldn't see her blush.
"Thank you," she murmured, giving him a smile.
"And I love the dark lipstick, something different, something new." He reached over and placed his hand over hers, wrapping his fingers around so the tips pressed against the underside of her palm.
Liz squeezed his hand in gratitude.
"What were you looking at when I came in, Lizzie?" Raymond's voice was soft, questioning but not prying.
Elizabeth turned and looked out the window at the passing DC lights. "I was thinking about remodeling."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, some new paint and carpet. Maybe some furniture if I can afford it. I need a change. I need to get some things out."
"I think that's a wonderful plan."
"That old couch could go in the storage locker, so we actually have somewhere comfortable to sit," Lizzie teased, trying to make light of the situation.
Red savored the fact that she had said "we." He liked the way the passing street lights shone off her face with a lazy yellow glow.
"So how long is this event?" Lizzie asked after a few moments of quiet.
"That's the fun part," Red said, adjusting how he sat and leaned towards the middle so he could see out the front of the car. He wanted to better observe where they were. "This is going to be a little bit trickier. We're not just going to make contact; we have to bring up business. Make it seem like Knapp and I are on professional terms, make him pass along some kind of information."
"I understand."
The black Lincoln started to pull into the massive St. Regis. There were other limousines and the front of the hotel was lit up like Christmas. Other women were stepping out of the cars, taking the arms of wealthy businessmen and up-and-coming entrepreneurs. She quickly judged her own dress with the wardrobes of the other women and was confident with what she wore.
When the car pulled to a stop, Reddington got out, looped around, and opened her door up for her. Elizabeth took his extended hand and slipped her arm through his once they began walking. Agent Keen could feel the looks of other people following behind her like the train of a long gown and, for a moment, she lost her practicality and savored the attention.
Her hand squeezed Reddington's arm and he leaned into her, murmuring, "I told you that you looked beautiful, Sweetheart."
Lizzie began to notice the change of tone his voice took whenever he let the pet name slip. Her brain said to step carefully, but her heart leapt at the noise, pushed her onwards to stay close to him, to catch a whiff of his cologne every chance she could, to catch his eyes and make sure he was watching her. She felt like a child with a crush, wondering what she could do or how she could act to make him say that name again.
Inside, they were led to a large ballroom, yet it wasn't too big. It still had an intimate feel as a string quartet chirped in the back corner. The ceiling was ornate and dark, looking to be filigreed brass or very dark wood, in the low light it was hard for Elizabeth to tell. Massive arched windows lined the walls, thick champagne tapestries and drapes drawn to the sides so that the nightlights of DC could twinkle in. The floor was a dark scarlet, with gold patterns. A few tables lined the room, dotted in between the windows, but there was mostly an open floor for dancing and mingling. It looked like a collective of a hundred or so people were enjoying themselves to cocktails, champagne, and wine. In the back, two flawless bartenders stood and made a spectacle of serving certain drinks.
"Shall we get you something to drink?" Red asked, nodding towards the bar. "I'm thirsty myself."
"Sure."
Liz ended up ordering a cranberry martini and Red savored a glass of scotch. She sipped it, liked the tartness and the strength, and leaned towards Reddington.
"I feel like this thing could be dangerous," she gave a sly little smile.
"Easy now, Lizzie, we still have to meet Carter."
"Where is he?" she asked, sipping again and checking the rim of her glass to see how much of her lipstick would wear off. "Have you caught sight of him?"
As if answering her question for her, a voice resonated across the bar.
"Ray!"
Carter Ferguson had found them.
"And It's nice to see you again, Miss Elise," Carter winked easily, bending over and kissing her hand. "I always remember a pretty face."
"Thank you," she said, playing up the bashful card.
Carter and Reddington exchanged a firm handshake and the man flashed a white smile that contrasted with his tanned skin. "How do you like the bar? Are your drinks ok?"
"Delicious. The lady here loves her martini and I can't remember having scotch this smooth, Carter," Red schmoozed, his hand pressed against Lizzie's lower back, his thumb traveling along the fabric of her dress. She liked it there.
"Perfect! Now, you had said that you wanted to speak to me about something tonight? At least, that's what I heard when you had responded to my invitation." Carter turned to Liz, "This man always responds with a request." His smile was wide.
"Is there a quiet place we could go?"
"Conference room down the hall, I'm sure these people wouldn't miss me too much!" another smile. "Will your lady be joining us?"
"I bring her everywhere," a soft pat on her lower back as Reddington spoke and, even through the schmoozing, Lizzie could hear the low twinge of sincerity
"Very well, follow me."
The conference room was enormous, a horseshoe shaped conference table lined with high backed office chairs, a projector and screen up front. The door shut behind them and the chirp of the music died away.
"Now," Carter said, setting his own drink down on the table. It was clear, Lizzie guessed a gin and tonic. "What can I help you with."
"Knapp."
The perpetual smile on Carter's easygoing face dropped away and the man's eyes hardened. "What about him, Raymond?"
"I want in."
The man's face contorted into a confused scowl. "What do you mean, in?"
"Knapp's business is lucrative, isn't it?" Red asked, putting a hand on his hip and shrugging with the other one. "I'm a business man. I'm not about to pass up a good opportunity if I don't have to. I mean, you know better than anyone how much money Knapp is moving."
Carter Ferguson was quiet.
"I'm not playing games here, Carter," Red barked. "I don't want to ruin your little party here, I just want in."
"Wasn't Knapp a competitor of yours, Ray?"
Reddington huffed and shook his head, looking at Lizzie. "Can you believe him? Bringing up cliques!" He turned back to Carter. "This isn't High School, Carter. I can tell Knapp is going to be successful with whatever he does, with or without my resistance. Why would I stupidly waste my own resources in a war I can't keep up with when I could just safely jump on the bandwagon? You tell me which is smarter, pride…or business."
Liz was starting to realize that Carter, although cunning and charming, was not very smart under pressure.
"I can go to others, Carter. Moss…or maybe even that filthy Sicilian that's down by the docks, Orazio I think his name was. It doesn't matter what level I start at, just as long as I get in. And, when I do, and when Knapp sees how much of an advantage I am, he'll reward whoever it was that recruited me. You could be the scout here, Carter."
Carter glanced at Raymond then at Elizabeth, drawn to a pretty face under pressure like a moth to light.
Red snapped his fingers briskly and stood in front of her. "Look at me, Carter, not at her. Are you going to let me in, or not? Like I said…I could find others that would jump at the chance to recruit me."
The man reached for his drink, downed the rest of it in one gulp, and shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He regarded red for a moment longer, watched how his jaw was set and how cold his eyes were. He would not waver.
"Fine. Here," Carter reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a microchip. "This has all the information you need. It won't get you in with Knapp right away, but it'll bring you to his second hand man, Schmidt. He'll help you. I'm not high enough on the scale to get you with Knapp, but this guy will help you."
"You made the right decision, Carter."
The man pointed at Red, "Listen, if it turns out bad for you, I didn't let you in, understood? But, if this turns out in your favor, I better hear my name coming from your mouth so much, it loses its meaning."
"Of course!" Red exclaimed, taking the microchip and slipping it into his own pocket. "I knew we were friends, Carter! Now come on, I think I've taken enough time out of your night. Let's go back and enjoy ourselves!"
"I need another drink," Carter Ferguson grumbled before he turned and left the conference room."
Once Carter left, Elizabeth moved to face Red. "You are unbelievable."
"I disagree, I feel like he believed me quite a bit," Ray teased.
"I mean you are…you're just…you're a master of b.s, you know that?"
"You don't become the Concierge of Crime by being honest, Sweetheart." Red's smile was infectious and he loved the way her white teeth shone behind her wine painted lips. "Come on, I feel like that performance earned me a dance."
They walked back to the venue, sipping their drinks and regaining their composure from the little teasing they had done in the conference room. Lizzie promised Red that she would dance with him once she finished her drink. True to her word, once the last of the cranberry martini was drained away, the strings melted into a slow waltz, and Liz allowed Red to take her waist and hand. This time, he didn't hesitate as he pulled her flush against him, his hand flat against her back.
With her heels, they stood eye level to each other and Reddington found it easy to get lost in her shining bright blue eyes, like the shallow pool of water hidden up in the cold mountains. She watched him too, entranced by how long his eyelashes were and how enticingly his eyelids hung over his gaze.
"What are you thinking?" she finally asked, leaning forward and speaking close to his ear. The hushed tone of her voice made a small shiver start in his back and travel up his spine.
"You're the profiler, shouldn't you already know that, Lizzie?" Raymond murmured back, his voice merely a purr in her head.
He gently rocked her back and forth to the music. She could feel the heat of his body, that's how closely they danced. His breath smelled of scotch and she stole a glance at his lips, perfect and smooth. Lizzie wondered how soft they were if they were pressed to her own lips.
"I'm thinking we may be spending too much time together," Reddington admitted. This was his safety net. He would give her the opportunity to back out, to step away back to the line of professionalism. She wasn't stupid, he was sure she realized the way he would touch her, kiss her forehead to make it all seem ok, the way he lingered with her when he was in Lizzie's kitchen that afternoon. Red would not pressure her…if his Lizzie felt the same way, she would come to him, she would let those feelings grow too.
"Too much time?"
"Mmmhmm," he murmured.
Lizzie was quiet for a few minutes and Reddington felt his heartbeat speed up as they danced. Panic started to seep in. She was going to agree. She was going to reject him, step away and leave him back to being alone.
"Lizzie…if you think I'm getting too close to you, all you have to do is-"
By the grace of God, she spoke, interrupting him. "No. I don't think that at all. I don't want you to go away, Red…I'm fine."
He smiled.
After the dance, Lizzie looked down at her feet. The heels might've been a bad choice. She already felt a throbbing in her arch and a soreness in her heal. "Ok, so these shoes are really starting to kill my feet…I don't mean to be a party pooper, but could we cut this short? I'm exhausted and we got the information we needed, right?"
"You spend an hour at a party with an open bar and you're ready to head home?" Reddington teased. He squeezed her hand. "Alright."
The car was waiting for them, Dembe standing at the back door, ready to pull it open, he was under an umbrella. Rain had started to fall and far away in the distance thunder rumbled. Lizzie gratefully got into the backseat and Dembe looked down at her before he shut the door.
"You look very beautiful," his smile was kind and Lizzie thanked him.
"Leave it to Carter to have a party in a thunderstorm," Reddington grumbled, shutting the door behind him as Dembe moved to the front of the car. The man shook of his umbrella and slid into the driver's seat, the car coming to life with a low purr.
"Can I see the chip?" Keen asked, reaching out her hand expectantly, palm held upwards.
Red's lips were tilted upwards in an amused little smile. He reached into the pocket of his tuxedo and pulled out the chip. It was cool in Lizzie's hand and she studied it, rolling over in her hand. It was about at large as a digital camera USB.
"I'm assuming its contact information as well as certain finance records," he mused, glancing out the window up at the sky. It lit up with a quick flash of lightning and the rain grew heavier. Thunder rumbled shortly after.
"He said that he would refer you to someone else? Schmidt?"
Red continued to look out the window. "I've heard his name, but I don't know him."
His eyebrows arched upwards and his mouth slacked a little as he tried to look at the sky. She watched him and began to realize that he was losing himself in thought. He had done this the last time they were out, back on that walk in Atlantic City.
Raymond was no longer in the car. He was in a dark room, the soft little glow of a nightlight shone from a wall outlet. A little girl clung onto his legs, her face buried away in fear.
What is it sweetie?
The thunder is coming in.
He laughed, patting the thick head of hair, running his hand over the red-brown strands. "What makes you say that?"
The thunder rolled again, shaking the house around them, and the wind thrashed against the window. The girl whimpered and clung even tighter. Reddington chuckled and scooped her up, holding her tight. She looped her arms around his neck and he felt the tickle of her curls against the side of his face.
"Dad, make it stop."
"I can't do that, honey, no one can tell thunder what to do. The sky is just grumpy, nothing can hurt you. I have you, you're always safe…."
Safe…
Safe.
"…Ray? Ray, you went away again. What's going on?"
Her voice was quiet, questioning. She didn't want to pressure him, didn't want to set him off in an obvious emotional state. "What are you thinking of."
Red's jaw set and he worked his jaw, a comfortable habit that he did under stress or emotion. His eyes didn't meet hers, but he did turn away from the window and look at his lap.
"I was thinking of my old life, Lizzie."
The thunder rolled over them, loud and lingering and rain peppered the roof of the car. Lizzie reached out and placed a hand on his knee, running her thumb along the fabric of the tux. He let her linger there, before he grabbed her hand, making sure to entwine their fingers together. Red gratefully brought her hand up to his mouth and pressed his lips against her skin. He gave two small caresses with his thumb, then continued to hold her hand, resting it down on the seat between them.
"It's the past," he murmured, meeting her eyes in the dark back seat before turning and watching the rain once more.
