A/N: The Pretty music really sets the mood!

Inside the Cave by Antonio Pinto

Northbound Train by Martin Phipps

41. The Whisper of a Thrill

He didn't care anymore. Not for appearance, not for anything. The top of his shirt was unbuttoned. He felt the damp fog against his skin. It's the first thing he can recall feeling aside from pain in years.

He'd finally lost it. He was hearing her voice now. He'd waited too long and his mind had decided to bring her to him Instead.

A smile quirked at his lips at the thought. He didn't mind so much. As long as the others didn't find out, it was fine by him. This way, he would never have to cope without her. The sun slowly added an orange tint to the gray and purple sky. It was a beautiful sight to behold with such a turmoil of emotions.

"Red?" He felt something move against his arm, and he looked down to see a hand gently tugging at the sleeve of his white shirt. He lifted his gaze and saw her watching him with a mixture of happiness and sorrow.

Good Lord, he was seeing things now. It's no different from his dreams. He can always hear her voice. Feel her touch. He just needs to wake up with his eyes full of tears.

But he wasn't waking up, and now she was moving to stand at his side. He could see her face more clearly now. Almost as if a fog within his mind was clearing up. A fog that had lingered there for as long as he had been without her. If it was finally lifting now, then it could only mean one thing.

He knows she'll disappear just as soon as he gets closer to her. She always does. He lifts his trembling hand up, and with quivering fingers reaches for her cheek, hoping to at least feel her before she fades away forever, leaving him with his illusions. But she smiles with watery eyes. And she's still there. Watching him.

Then he hears her again. "Red."

His serene smile began to disappear and his lips parted in disbelief. No. No. She's not real.

"Raymond."

No.

"Li...Lizzie?"

"It's me, Red."

"Lizzie?" He breathed in a lungful of air smelling the rain and fog before feeling his legs give way. He grabbed her hands and pressed them against his face squeezing his eyes shut. "Lizzie, is it really you?"

Her hands brushed against the side of his head and ran down the side of his face. "It's really me."

At her words, a cry escaped him, and he wrapped his arms around her, pressing his face against her. His body shook as his sobs overcame him. He hadn't cried like this since that Christmas Eve so long ago. She fell to her knees in front of him, and within seconds they were wrapped up in one another.

"I'm so sorry Lizzie. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me my darling."

His hands ran down her hair and across her face.

She smiled and pressed her head against his. "Red."

"I love you Lizzie. I love you."

He pressed his lips against her forehead and held her tightly without any intention of ever letting her ago again.

A/N: How was it? :D

Happy Fedora Monday! WHOO!