Thanks for your kind reviews, favs and follows. It made me really happy.
Here's the second chapter and I hope you will like it.
Thanks again to inmate23 for helping me. :)
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She pointed at herself with her forefinger while trying to sort out the questions in her head, such as 'What the hell do I have to do with it?', or 'Who have you pissed off this time', but her brain and mouth weren't working in sync.
That's why a simple, but disbelieving,"Me?", escaped from her throat, as her eyes followed him strolling through the office. Either he didn't want to answer her question because it was rhetorical, or because he was too lost in his own thoughts. He was probably forging out a plan how to extricate his daughter without handing her in, but honestly, she had to know what her role was in this situation.
"Why me and who are those people?", she asked in a monotonous voice but still with some force behind it.
After he had finished running circles around the room, he turned toward her and pursed his lips before answering her, "We will talk about this, I promise but not here."
"Why not?"
He glared at her and let out a puff of air in frustration, "Because we don't have time right now, and since you are spending your free time at my house in the next few days, we can discuss everything tonight."
She sighed.
He went out and took a moment to process the recent events. His hand rested against the wall, as the wheels in his head began turning wildly. This wasn't supposed to happen, but based on his previous actions, it was bound to eventualy. He knew that these people not only wanted Lizzy, but also the Fulcrum, which Liz was connected to. Unfortunately, they would kill her afterwards. Of that he was sure.
If he hadn't protected her they would have taken her, without involving Jennifer. Would that have been better? 'Of course not. She would be dead by now!'
He pressed his eyes shut, as if it that would make the image of her dead body, disappear from his head. Only when he heard Dembe's rich voice from across the hall, he slowly came back to awareness. He straightened his back and took a few calming breaths, before he walked to his friend and Ezra.
"Ezra.", he patted his shoulder with a smirk, "How did the arrest go?"
"Reminded me of being grounded as a teenager.", he responded dryly.
"Well, I'm glad you made it out. You will have the same job as before.", he paused and then spoke to Dembe, "Dembe, go to Agent Keen's hotel and bring her bag, please. I'll give you a call when we are done here."
Both men nodded in acceptance and disappeared out of the building.
Lizzy, who watched the scene from Cooper's office, grabbed his forgotten hat and joined him quietly. She handed him his fedora with a sad smile on her face. He was looking for his daughter and finally someone had found her but unfortunately to kill her, instead of keeping her safe.
She couldn't fathom what her importance was in this particular case, but Red would surely enlighten her soon.
He placed the fedora on his head, as he studied her features. She looked sad and probably also felt sorry for him. That wasn't right and the mere thought made him feel guilty. A feeling he hadn't had in a long time. He gave her an encouraging look.
"Everything will be just fine, Lizzy.", he said gently, his hand on her lower back, leading her downstairs into the War room.
She mumbled a small "Sure", but it went by unheard, as they met the other agents.
Cooper had explained the facts to Ressler, Samar and Aram, who was currently focused on his computer screen. He looked up shortly, as he heard the footsteps approaching. His breathing quickened when he glanced at the brown leather shoes, which came to a halt before him.
"Do you have it?", he asked in his deepest tone.
"Hello Mr. Reddi-", he cleared his throat, "Mr. Reddington...Um, yes...but it is blur- it is blurred.", he finally managed to stutter out, and hit the enter key to transfer the picture to the big screen.
He was sometimes thinking of the day, when Red forced him at gunpoint, to steal 5 million dollars within 2 minutes. That thought gave him goosebumps, let alone speaking to his intimidating persona.
Red stared at the monitor, his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes squinted, as he tried to recognize the face of an average man. If he had seen him before, he would have known it, but this face was unfamiliar to him. 'Would have been too easy.', he thought.
"Has he been here before today?"
Aram nodded, "Yes...I checked the footages from the recent weeks. I'm sorry, Sir."
"Are you sure it's your daughter, Reddington? You haven't seen her in a while. People change.", Ressler said with a raised eyebrow, "What if that's the beginning your endgame? You were just using Keen anyway and now you want to get rid of her? They could have taken her any number of times, without holding your child captive. I don't get it."
Lizzie's eyes widened, as her stare switched from Red to Ressler and back, the veins on Red's forehead were clearly visible. Before he could retort to this accusation, she used the momentary silence to jump in and ease the situation, "It's personal. They want him to lose something, or someone.", she said looking at Ressler.
She was offended by his comment. Getting rid of her. Used her. Really? Okay, he might have used her, maybe he still is, but he would never cause her any harm, surely? Besides, his previous actions have shown that.
"How much time do we have until this 'event' takes place?", Ressler interrupted her thoughts, although the question was directed at Red.
"A week.", he answered and dropped his voice an octave lower as he added with a deadly glare, "And to put your mind at ease, Agent Ressler, it is most certainly my daughter."
Cooper nodded at Ressler, implying that Red told the truth, which caused Donald to sigh in frustration.
"What are we gonna do now?"
"You?", Red chuckled and shook his head, "Nothing. Keep me informed if something comes in.", he said simply and turned on his heels, his arm gently sliding around Lizzie's elbow, "If you will excuse us, we have business to attend to."
Liz gave Ressler an apologetic look before she, more or less giving in, allowed Red to guide her outside to Dembe, who was already waiting for their return.
The rest of the late afternoon passed by quickly. Their safe house was out of D.C, somewhere in a forest. It wasn't really a house, more like a cabin, but a nice one. No marble floors or expensive paintings on the wall. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a living room with a sofa and a small table. It was simple, which made her feel more comfortable. They had grabbed some takeout on their way and were completely stuffed and tired, but circumstances wouldn't allow the postponement of their conversation until tomorrow. She leaned forward and rested her arms on her knees.
"So, let's get this over with. Why me?"
He reached for his scotch and poured himself a glass, to drag out his answer as long as possible. Even though he knew he had to tell her, he didn't know how to start. How would she react? Was she going to leave and run away from all of this?
He sipped the brown liquid and enjoyed the burning feeling, as it ran down his throat, "You are connected to something they want."
She nodded hesitantly, "Right, and what would that be?"
"The Fulcrum. It's a disk with highly valuable information about certain events during the Cold war. I don't know exactly what events are involved, but disclosing it could destroy the reputation of the U.S. and other involved countries.", he explained monotonous and leaned back, his arm placed casually on the armrest.
"I have no idea what this... Fulcrum is. How do you know this?", she asked, while turning toward him.
He pursed his lips, "During my years in the Navy, I met a politician. We shared a few drinks in a dirty bar and he became rather chatty when he got drunk. He told me what I told you. Years later, the document was stolen by someone. Unpleasant things happened and this Alliance had threatened to kill me, so I told them I had the evidence and they couldn't, as I threatened to publish the information. I tried to find it over the years, untill I finally got a hint of where it could be."
She leaned her elbow on the headrest and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Where?"
"Your house. It was in your father's property."
"So you stole it?"
He swallowed deeply and chewed his cheek, "No, not exactly. I planned to do that, but something went terribly wrong."
His eyes seemed miles away. It somehow reminded her of the moment when he told her how hard it was to kill Sam. Although she could sense where this conversation was heading, she decided to poke deeper into the hole. She inclined her head to get his attention back, "Red. What happened?"
"I got caught by him. It led into a fight, causing a candle to drop onto the floor. I hit your father hard on the head. He fell unconscious and I ran through the house, looking for the disk. I was in your basement when I found it, the fire almost forgotten until I hurried upstairs. All I wanted was to go outside and back to my family, but then I heard a child crying out for her parents, so I ran into your room. You had wrapped yourself into your blanket and clung onto your plush bunny. I didn't think, I just took you and covered you in my jacket to protect you from the flames. We made it out and I brought you to Sam."
She held her breath and moved back to put some space between them. This couldn't be. Her eyes filled with tears, but she didn't dare to let them out. Not now. The last memory of her father was wrong and Red tried to make her believe in this memory as long as possible. Should she be thankful for all that?
Perhaps. Most likely.
Her mouth couldn't form the words. He killed her father. Again. If it weren't so tragic and sad, she would have asked him 'Is this your thing?'. She took a deep breath and slowly let the air out through her mouth.
"So you have it?", she asked in a wobbly voice, her eyes seeking his.
He was truly glad that she only moved a short distance and not miles away from him. She was still there. With him. But it wasn't over yet. He prepared himself for the worst, so he poured his tumbler half full, and emptied it immediately.
"No. I placed it in your bunny...", at her shocked look, he gently grabbed her wrist as she started to leave, "Wait! Listen, I knew you were absolutely safe with Sam and I had to protect my family. It was too dangerous to have it with me, Lizzy. No one knew who you were, until now. They want it back and they will... kill... you to get it."
She starred at his hand and pulled away, "So that's what all that 'I speak only with Elizabeth Keen' crap was about? Tom was right. Ressler was right. You are using me.", she said angrily.
"Yes and even though I am to blame for this situation, I will always protect you. I won't let anything happen to you. I've said this once, I say this now and I mean it.", he responded as his eyes filled with tears.
She sat back next to him, the tears running freely down her cheeks. She felt like an object. She almost felt betrayed, as the friend she thought she found in Red, didn't seem to exist either. He was only trying to lessen his guilt.
On the other hand, she was conflicted, as he had saved her from the fire. He didn't have to do this but who would let an innocent child die? Most certainly not someone with a heart.
She wiped the tears away with the back of her hands and cleared her throat, "I thought you were my friend, Red. I started to trust you.", she sniffed and took a small glimpse at him.
"I am your friend, if this is what you want me to be."
He laid an arm around her and stroked her upper arm up and down soothingly, "I'm sorry, sweetheart."
As his arm slid around her, she felt herself pulled toward him like a magnet. That was probably how she would describe their personalities. North and south pole. They were two magnets, which needed to be close to one another, if they wanted it or not.
Lizzy didn't want to be close to him right now, but there it was again. That irresistible pull.
She couldn't resist the urge and leaned in, so that her tired head rested on his shoulder, "I hope you understand that I need some time to process this."
"Mhmm", he hummed as his hand continued his ministrations, "Even though I really enjoy the silence, where is your plush bunny, Lizzy?", he whispered.
"I sent all of the boxes back to Nebraska to Aunt June.", she said, looking up now.
"We will visit her tomorrow then. I can't wait to see her again.", he smiled lightly.