EIGHT
"What are we going to do with all these flowers?" Lizzie asks Ray as they lay on the couch. One of Nora's blankets draped over them.
"Well, some of them can be replanted. Dembe has done some research, and we are going to build you a small greenhouse in the back. So, you will be able to keep them until they can be replanted when it gets warmer outside."
"You are amazing," she says turning in his arms and giving him a kiss. He moans while wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer. He grabs her leg and lifts it over his. "Oh God," she groans.
~*~ TBL ~*~
Things were slowly starting to get back to normal between Ray and Lizzie and at the taskforce. Slowly the winter months turned to spring which brought on summer.
"Lizzie?" Ray asks as he walks into the house. He had been away for a few days chasing down someone who would lead them to the next name on the list. There was no response so he walks toward the kitchen. He knew she wasn't at work, having stopped by the Post Office before heading to the house. He notices Lizzie sitting on a blanket in the yard, toys strewn about the yard, Ray sparing no expense when it came to his daughter. He hears Lizzie let out a laugh as Nora slides down a little slide, squealing in happiness.
"'Gain," Nora calls out, getting to her feet and waddles up the stairs to the slide on the plastic play yard. Ray heads outside to watch the scene play out in front of him. Nora sits before sliding down the slide, clapping when she gets to the bottom. She gets up once again and heads toward the stairs. She gets up and stands at the top for a moment before yelling "Mama!" when she notices her mother's gaze not on her. Lizzie looks up from whatever was in her lap.
"Go down the slide sweet girl, mama's watching," Lizzie then blows Nora a kiss as the girl smiles. She sits down and looks up while smiling wide. She pushes herself down the slide immediately getting up.
"Papa!" she yells toddling over to Ray. He scoops her up, making her laugh as he lays kisses all over her face. "Papa, slide."
"I saw that sweet girl." He carries her back over to the play yard and stands her by the stairs. He drops down next to Lizzie on the blanket before snaking his arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him. Lizzie smiles as she brings her hands to his face and leans over to give him a kiss.
"Glad your back," she breathes out once the kiss had ended.
"Me too. I thought Dembe was going to shoot me. I was insufferable the entire time. I thought I was going to miss her birthday."
"We would have held it until you got back. She's one, she's not going to know if we don't celebrate exactly on her birthday. So, did you find your contact?"
"I did, and he was very forthcoming about the information I was seeking. You will have a very busy next few days."
"What do you mean 'I will'?"
"Because I did my part and I will be spending some time with our daughter. Donald has the name."
"You called Ressler?"
"I stopped into the Post Office this morning. Donald told me you chose to work from home today. So I left him with the name then came straight here."
"Family time?" she asks laying her head onto his shoulder.
"Family time," he parrots back, pulling her in between his legs.
~*~ TBL ~*~
The next morning dawned bright and early. She silences her alarm fairly quickly noticing Ray was still asleep. She pulls herself out of bed and towards the bathroom to shower.
She gets out of the shower, noticing Ray was still sleeping. She quickly gets dressed and then heads down the hall to Nora's room. She peaks into the room noticing Nora was still sleeping as well. She couldn't believe her baby was going to be turning one. It seemed just yesterday she brought her home from the hospital. She was turning into her own little person now. She sighs as he runs her hand over Nora's dark hair and down her back.
She takes one more look over her daughter before closing the door and walking down the stairs. She house was quiet as she walks into the kitchen, not surprised to see Dembe sitting at the island, sipping from a cup in front of him.
"You off?" he asks.
"Yeah, worked from home yesterday. And with the information you guys picked up this last week, I need to go in. I'm sure Ressler is chomping at the bit to get this guy. And if all goes well, and we wrap this case up, Cooper has approved some vacation time for Ress."
"I didn't think that guy took vacation time," Dembe says with a smile.
"Well, when you have a girlfriend like Sarah, you do," she jokes. She pulls a bottle of water out of the fridge before grabbing her bag off the counter. She places her hand onto Dembe's shoulder. "Keep my family safe."
"I always do," he replies. She gives his shoulder a squeeze before heading towards the front door.
As soon as she walks into the Post Office, she sees Ressler and Samar walking towards her. "What's going on?" she asks. Ressler starts to push her back towards the elevator. "Ress?"
"Found our guy. He's been spotted going into a warehouse in Baltimore. We have to get going."
Once at the warehouse, they pull their guns out. It was dark and quiet, giving Lizzie an ominous feeling. "This place is huge. We are going to have to split up," Ressler says looking at both Lizzie and Samar.
"I don't think that is a good idea," Lizzie says looking around the room. There were many hallways and rooms, and they had no idea who or what was waiting for them.
"Afraid?" Samar asks nudging her friend.
"No, I just have a bad feeling," she says back. "Alright, let's get going. I want to be home for Nora sometime tonight." The three all head separate ways and out of the main room. Lizzie takes a deep breath as she slowly and silently heads down her hallway. She pauses before checking around the corner. She didn't see anything so she continues down the hall, her gun raised and at the ready. She pauses as she hears voices coming from down the hallway. She pulls her cell phone out of her pocket and sends a quick message to Ressler and Samar. She then quietly walks down the hall toward the voices.
She bursts into the room, her gun held out in front of her. "FBI!" she yells. She gasps when she notices the lone man standing in the room on a cell phone.
"Elizabeth?" the man questions.
"N…Nick?" she lowers her weapon. Before she could defend herself Nick raises his hand. Lizzie glances in horror as she sees the gun in his hand. She had no time to do anything before he pulls the trigger. She staggers back, hitting the opposite wall as the breath gets knocked out of her. "Why?" she gasps out.
"I'm sorry," he tells her and it sounded like he almost meant it. He brings the gun up once again.
"Wait, wait," she cries out. "Please, I have a daughter."
She watches as he falters for a moment before he shrugs and pulls the trigger. She cries out as the bullet makes impact with her leg. Blood starts to pool out of the wound and to the ground. "I really am sorry," he says once again before pulling his arm back. He punches her and she slumps to the ground. He pockets his gun and picks her up, hoisting her over his shoulder. He starts walking down the hall when he hears someone calling her name.
Ressler runs down the hallway, Samar hot on his heels. Ressler bursts into the room, not seeing anything. "Ressler!" Samar calls. He walks out into the hallway to see Samar squatting down to look at something on the floor. Ressler walks over and his stomach drops when he sees a pool of blood on the floor and Lizzie's phone laying a few steps away.