"Lizzy, I got you a little gift." Red state, rounding the corner into the bedroom. "And I think you're really going to enjoy it."
He was not truly trying to make amends for their early morning argument. Things that had been said, needed to be said.
"What is it?" She asked warily.
"Dembe's bringing it... I think?" Red glanced back out the doorway. "He was playing on it in the drive..." he smiled, backing out of the way, "oh, there he is."
Dembe came barreling around the corner on a motorized scooter, pulling up beside the smiling woman.
"For me?" Liz was honestly touched by the gesture.
"Yes, though I'm second guessing myself, seeing how fast that thing goes." Red cast Dembe an obscure look, as he helped Liz into the seat.
"I won't go fast." She said, looking over the controls.
"Yes, and the sun won't come up tomorrow." Red quipped benignly.
Dembe smoothed his hand lovingly down the side of the black shiny exterior.
"This goes forward," He showed her the movement on the handle bar, "this is backwards."
"How cute, it's even got a little basket." she traced the basket happily.
"Well, try it out." Red waved her forward. Backing himself and Dembe out of the way when she lurched forward then spun in a quick arc.
"Wow..." she was visibly impressed, "this thing does have power."
Dembe nodded knowingly. Red gave him another obscure look.
"Yes, it does. So be careful." another look was tossed Dembe's way. The stoic man's face was all smiles.
Liz eased the handles forward, smiling as the contraption moved quickly to the door.
"Ahh, blessed freedom." She backed up hastily, grabbing her book from her table then plopped it in her basket before taking off. "Thank you guys so much. I love this." her voice fading as she disappeared down the hall.
"I think we're going to regret this, Dembe." Red philosophized, sighing heavily upon hearing a loud man's yelp off in the distance.
"Sorry..." the woman truly sounded apologetic.
"Do you have any questions ladies?" Red asked of the nurse and her aide.
"I assure you Mr. Reddington, all of Ms. Keen's needs will be met." the head nurse said with a confident air. "I don't think we'll have any problems."
"Yes, well. Why don't we see how the day goes." Red lifted himself from his chair. "Elizabeth can be quiet a handful."
He ushered the two new employees from the office. They had only gone a few steps when the man threw his arm out, halting the ladies advancement, when the unmistakable whirring sound of Lizzy's cart had caught his attention.
Liz came flying down the hall, rushing past them.
She released the handles, her front tire squealing slightly on the hardwood when she came to an abrupt stop.
She beamed, noting the two women by Red's side. "Oh... hello."
Red smiled fondly, stepping closer to Liz, smoothing down her wind swept hair. "Ladies, this is Elizabeth Keen. As you can see, she has some mobility."
The ladies looked wide eyed at Liz, then the cart. "Yes, I can see that." the head nurse nodded a bit stunned, truth told.
Liz looked up at Red, silently asking the rhetorical question.
"These are your nurses, Helen and Diane." Red pointed to each woman in turn as he introduced the pair. "They'll help you with your physical therapy, errands and whatever else you require."
Liz frowned, "I thought you..."
While the first couple days had been slightly awkward, she thought they had finally established a system. But of course, Red had other responsibilities.
He had to deal with so much. It was good that he had hired help for her. But two of them? She could hear the amount she'd have to pay Red back ringing up loudly in her head.
"Thought what, Lizzy?" he jarred her from her reverie.
"Nothing." She smiled at the man transferring the gesture to the women. "So, where shall we start?"
Liz hit the bed with her fist, having decided on a course of action.
Red's eyes instantly snapped open. "What's wrong?"
He sat up in the chair, adjusting the kinks from his back.
"I can't sleep." she snapped.
"Are you in pain?"
"No... but you're a pain." she shifted directly toward him.
"Excuse me?" Red sat up straighter.
"I can't sleep because you are sleeping in that damn chair." she kinked her head side to side. "Just thinking about it is making my back hurt."
He huffed, grinning. "I'm fine." he chuckled softly. "Once you've slept on a muddy ground, in a desert, getting sand in places sand should never be or at my ex-mother-in-law's house." he waved an imperious hand. "This is a dream."
"Whatever." she grumbled. "This is a huge bed, get in it, so I can stop feeling guilty and sleep."
"Lizzy, I'm really okay here." he placated.
"Red, for once," she whined, "just shut up and do as I ask." the whine intensified. "I want to sleep."
"You want some Camembert cheese with that whine?" he muttered beneath his breath.
Snatching his small blanket, he walked to the other side of the bed and sat down, kicking his shoes off.
Liz rolled her eyes when he laid down on top pf the blanket, still dressed in his slacks and dress shirt.
"It's so nice to see you get comfortable." She grumbled watching him adjust the throw over his legs. The man lay back, groaning.
"I knew that chair was killing your back." She gloated triumphantly.
"My back's fine, I forgot to remove my gun." He rolled, pulling the holster and weapon from his back then slid it under the pillow.
"You sleep with your gun..."
"This surprises you?"
"No," she resigned, "not really."
She sighed, finally melting into the mattress, relaxing.
He may still be dressed and covered with a small blanket, but it was better than that stupid chair. Maybe now they could both get some decent rest.
"Good night, Red."
"Night, Lizzy."