While Lizzy was resting, Red got busy on the rest of his day's routine. He opted for a quick call to Dembe through the walkie.
"Dembe, did the mail come yet today?"
The large man came in a minute later, carrying a box full of envelops.
"Is Elizabeth's in here as well?"
"Yes..." Dembe frowned as he watched Red pull out a handful, swiftly tossing aside letters, before picking up another stack. "Is there something wrong?"
"It seems Sleeping Beauty back there has a stalker." Red shared. "A stalker who enjoys writing. I was looking to see if he sent any new delightful thoughts for the day."
Dembe picked up a stack, searching through it, finally finding her name, typed on a plain envelope. "Is this it?" He held up the small letter.
"That's it." Red snatched it out of his hand, working on opening the tab.
"You know, it is a federal offense to open someone else's mail."
Red eyes flickered with amusement. "How ever will I live with myself?" he asked as he pulled the letter out, reading it aloud.
Where are you? I know you've been injured. You're not with family or at the hospitals.
I checked. No one has spoken with you. No one has seen you. Reddington seemed upset,
so obviously he doesn't know where you are either. Liz, call me. You know how to find me.
I can help you.
"Seems he knows about her injuries." Red breathed easier. "He's a bigger idiot than I thought, if he doesn't think I'd have her with me."
"Raymond..." Dembe held up more envelopes, frowning. "Are these from the same person?"
"They appear to be." He took them, looking at the post dates. "Let's make sure there aren't anymore."
They quickly sorted out all the mail, finding nothing else. So Red sat back, reading them aloud as he had the first.
Your partners don't seem upset that you may be with Reddington. They're fools to think
you are safe with him. With you weak and defenseless, I fear for you. He'll take this
time to cloud your judgement. I know you must be scared. But know I'm looking for
you. I will find you
"Have you noticed anything out of the norm lately?"
Dembe shrugged. "This is a very easy neighborhood to lose a tail, which is one of the reasons you chose it. If someone were to follow, we would know without doubt."
Red knew Dembe was right. There were a few paths leading in and out of this location, none heavily trafficked. It was disgustingly easy to spot a tail the minute you reached this neighborhood.
I'm positive he has you now. He mentioned you. If you could somehow persuade him to
bring you out. Use your injury to your advantage...I could find you and get you to
safety. Try, Liz. Don't get lost in his lies.
"When have you mentioned having her?" Dembe enquired.
"I don't know?" Red muttered, thinking back. "Cooper and her team knew the first day, the team asked about her on one of the phone calls when we talked about a victim." Red ran his hand over his forehead, lost in thought. "I don't recall ever mentioning Lizzy to anyone."
Dembe racked his brain, coming up empty.
"If I start to say anything in regards to her outside these walls or the car, slap me, will you."
"Most assuredly."
Red cut amused eyes to the man, "You're a good friend, Dembe."
"All right!" Liz Keen had reached her limit. "That's it, Red Reddington!"
He stopped taking off his shoes and looked over his shoulder at her. "What?"
"If you don't get on some comfortable clothes or at least get under the blankets, I'm going to hurt you." She snapped. "And not in a good way."
"Sweetheart..."
"Don't 'sweetheart' me." she pointed a finger at him. "Choose one, or better, both."
He sat there, smiling at her when she narrowed her eyes and rolled from the bed, grabbing her pillow.
"What do you think you're doing?" He asked.
"If you aren't going to get comfortable, I'm going to share in that discomfort." she had preordained.
The woman hopped along the edge of the bed, hugging her pillow close before reaching over, snatching the little blanket Red had been using off the bench.
She headed for the couch across the way, secretly wondering if she could make that distance.
"Get back in bed." the man warned pseudo-stern.
"No." she jutted her chin out stubbornly.
"Lizzy..." the deep voice held a measure of advisement.
"No." her voice raised defiantly as she hopped gingerly from one safe spot to another.
"You are not sleeping on the couch." the man arose swiftly, his decision cast.
"Yes, I am." She was fairly certain of the fact until she looked up only to find her path blocked by a very imposing figure.
He leaned slowly, his warm breath fanning her upper cheekbone. "Go back to bed." His tone sounded particularly suggestive on this occasion.
"I intend to go to bed..." she lifted perfectly arched brows, facing down her antagonizist, "on the couch!"
Red yanked the pillow from her grasp, tossing it back to bed before stooping slightly, lifting the small bundle over his shoulder, his hand coming to rest on the rounded curve of her buttom when she had squirmed her discord.
"Hey!" She squawked, her hands balling into fists of frustration. "Put me down, you big as–"
"Me doth think the lady protests too much."
"What the hell does that even mean?" she demanded. "You just better put me down."
The man continued his swaggering trek. The large palm patted her derriére in open affection.
"Damn it!" She wiggled in his grasp, "Put me...down."
Red fought the urge to toss the woman onto the awaiting surface, but instead, because of her injuries... lay her gently into the bed.
"Don't you dare get up." He pointed a lax finger down at the pouting woman.
Liz lay stiffly ruminating on the options open to her.
Red began to slowly unbutton the shirt he wore, his eyes holding her's almost hypnotically.
In the days she had been here, to see Red without his jacket was not unusual. One day last week, she had been totally taken aback when the man had entered the room, unannounced, his sleeves rolled up the burly arms, sans vest and tie.
It was so odd to see him in such a state of undress.
But now, as he pulled the tails of shirt from his pants, she blushed slightly at the intimacy implied. It did not help that his gaze had not left her's for one second.
"Was there something you wished me to wear in particular, Elizabeth?" he enquired provocatively.
She felt her mouth pinch in aggravation for his carefully controlled tone.
"You do have things you normally sleep in, yes?" he chuckled lowly, annoying her further. "I don't care if it's lederhosen, just get comfortable, dammit!" she laid back huffily into the pillow, arms across her chest. "I highly doubt whatever you come out in will make me think less of your normal debonaire state of dress."
"I believe how I normally sleep, how I get comfortable," he lifted mocking brows, "would shock you."
What the hell could be so shocking about a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt? What? That he actually owned a pair and would dare to wear them?
She frowned up at him, finding him holding his laughter. The moment progressed as Liz tried hard to decipher the meaning behind such a knowledgeable look.
Oh... ohhh. She felt herself flush bright red, her cheeks burning.
"So, I restate. Is there anything in particular I should wear so I don't upset your delicate sensibilities?" He asked innocently.
She almost wished she had the guts to tell the cocky bastard to sleep how he normally did, just to see if he'd back track for once.
But if he didn't... she didn't know what she'd do.
Though, she had to admit, if only to herself... she felt a surge of intrigue of late concerning the man's physique. What did he look like without the thin veneer of civilized armor he wove about himself?
Red's mouth curved sensually, his eyes lighting with an inner flame, much to her vexation. It was if the man could read her thoughts. And he knew without doubt, that he had won that round.
He gallantly ended her misery, breaking the spell, sauntering across the room... that panther like grace drawing her attention to his well-rounded posterior.
The man took his time selecting his night clothes for the taste of victory lingered with his smug smile. That was something he would have to lose before exiting the sanctuary he had chosen.
Minutes later, he joined her in bed.
She took her pills with only one lethal glance in his direction which amused no end. He took no pains what-so-ever, to hide his smile this time before situating herself comfortably.
Red hit his switch, bathing the room in darkness.
He had to admit, it felt good to be out of his suit, but it felt even better that she had inadvertantly thought of his comfort over her own. She was beginning to warm to him and it felt... nice.
Relaxing back into his pillow, he grumbled miserably when the phone started vibrating on the marble top of his side table.
"Don't answer it." She mumbled.
He stared at the screen, sighing. "Oh goody, it's Donald." He flipped the phone open, his tone abrupt. "What?" he grated, listening intently all the same. "I'll be right there."
Liz heard him shut the phone, then saw the subtle shake in his head as he resigned himself to having to get up out of the comfortable bed.
"Call him back, tell him you'll be by in the morning." she suggested.
"It's a fresh scene." He groaned as he sat up. "He wants to see if I can identify the body and I'm guessing, play clay pigeon."
"He thinks Carver's there?" She sat up.
"It's a good possibility. He said it was so fresh, the blood was steaming in the air."
She instantly pushed back her blankets, moving to the edge of the bed.
"What are you doing?" he crooked his head around having felt the slight movement.
"I'm coming with you."
"Like hell you are." he snapped.
"I'll just stay in the car." she reasoned.
"You're going to stay here." he stood, turning about to face her
"I should be there, if–" she began her campaign.
"Look at my lips." he patiently explained. "You are not going."
"Don't use that patronizing tone with me."
"You're staying." he ended the discussion. "Lizzy, I can not go into that scene knowing you're out in that car, a literal sitting target." he appealed to her reason. "And you know as well as I do, that Dembe will be standing right there, trying to block access to you."
He played on her vulnerability. Not a threat to herself, but to someone she cared for. And it worked. She hung her head, resigned to the inevitable.
"I won't be gone long." he patted her hand. "Stop worrying, everything will be fine." He pulled the blankets back over her legs. "Get some sleep."