Elizabeth found her cart missing and her crutches no where in sight. Great... I need to pee.

She remembered she had left the crutches in the sitting room. Silas had taken her cart to change the battery. But it was right beside her bedside when she went to sleep.

"Red?" She called out. "Anybody... somebody?"

"Coming." She heard the deep resonate voice answer from another nearby room.

The man came in, dressed in dark jeans and long sleeved black vee neck shirt. She hadn't realized his arms were that defined. The sleeves stretched across the muscled forearms and biceps in a rather nice manner. As did his jeans, showing off his defined thighs.

And chest hair... Red had chest hair.

The men she'd been with and Tom, had been smooth, with just a dusting of fine hair. But Red appeared to have a wealth of the downy thickness.

She wondered what it would feel like brushing against her skin? Was it itchy? Or was it as soft as it appeared to be? Would it tickle or tantalize?

Stop it, Lizzy.

"Are you slumming it today... I mean as much as you can in two hundred dollar jeans?" her eyes flicked the objects once more, attempting to appear indifferent.

He helped her out of the bed. "You don't like it?" he glanced down his torso.

"No, I like it. You always look great." She caught the enthusiasm in her voice, having hoped to sound sophisticated. She witnessed the slow smile spread across his mouth, deflating somewhat.

Why was she always opening her big mouth around him. "Where's my scooter?" she looked around aimlessly, desperately trying for a change of topic.

"Dembe and Silas have it." the steady gaze still held his amusement.

"Why?"

"I'm assuming they're doing something to it."

"What are they doing now?" she instantly was wary. "You make them stop."

"I figured they were just adding new stickers to it." Red licked his lips absently. "Did you need something?"

"Well I have to... uh..." she motioned accordingly, the man picking up on the 'hint'.

"Piss..." he supplied readily.

"Well, crudely put, but yes." she tsked her disapproval.

Red crouched slightly so she could loop her arm around his neck. They made their way slowly forward.

"I hate to bother you, I know you're busy." she began her campaign.

"Everybody has to piss Lizzy."

"Not that." she sighed heavily. "I need a few things. I know it's a hassle..."

"I already went shopping." he halted her narrative, nodding to the bags still laying on the counter across the way.

She hopped to the counter, rummaging through the loot. "You bought all of this?"

"Why does everybody find it odd when I do normal every day activities?" Red was stumped.

"I can picture you doing a lot of things, but buying tampons in bulk is not one of them." she smiled secretively.

"The guards may love you, but enough to make a tampon run?" he grinned at the thought. "I also got you some new books. They're on your bedside table."

She finished up business, returning to the sink, starting her morning routine. "Anything happening today?"

"As far as I know," he called from the closet, "barring any unexpected crisis, I'll be here today."

She washed up, dressing quickly. "All done."

Red entered, "Where do you want to go?" he waved his hands, asking her preference.

"The bed's fine."

She rounded the corner of the doorway, pulling up short. Her brow furrowed quizzically.

"Why is there a cat on the bed."

Red sighed, "No, the joke goes... a cat walked into a bar."

The woman quizzical stare transferred to the man, she lifted her brows meaningfully, crooking her head in the needed direction.

The man followed her line of vision, his expression altering drastically. "Oh my God." he made to leave her side, but she halted the action.

"No, no." Liz gently approached with his assistance, her expression softening. "Oh, hey..." she climbed up on the mattress, holding her hand out to the furry animal, "that's your cat."

"You asked where it was last night." Red sat down beside Liz, watching the animal rub lovingly up against the woman. "Probably out whoring, if I know her."

Liz giggled as the cat rubbed it's face against hers." That's a mean thing to say. What's its name?"

"Keres." Red shook his head woefully for the cat's unusual behavior.

"What a pretty name." Liz made little kissing noises at Keres, and the furry creature licked her nose, making her giggle again. "What does it mean?"

"Evil spirit." Red supplied, his eyes narrowing at the feline.

Liz chuckled quietly, then rubbed the cat's belly, eliciting a loud purring sound. "Well, she doesn't seem evil at all to me."

Red cocked his brow, "Really?" he lifted his arm and held his palm out towards the cat.

The cat sprang from it's relaxed position charging forward before Liz could blink. It attacked Red, wrapping itself around his arm, kicking it's hind legs ferociously against the man's forearm, biting the web of his hand, growling a satisfied gnawing sound.

"You little shit..." Red grumbled, grimacing slightly. Liz tried very hard to hold her amusement, her mouth tightening, biting the inner part of her lip to stave the laughter.

"Yes..." Red sighed, "she's such a joy. So loving. Not the least bit evil." he rolled his eyes, then pinched the cat's neck and it stopped instantly, like he'd flipped the cat switch to 'off'.

"Behave..." he rumbled to the animal, "and don't you do that with her." he scolded, pointing at Liz.

"You think she understands you?" Liz enquired.

"I know she does." Red evil-eyed the cat. "Put your hand out."

Liz lifted her arm like Red had done, watching the cat's bottom start to shake in anticipation of it's attack.

"Don't you dare, you little bitch." Red hissed, making the cat hunker down. "Lizzy may very well be the only friend you have." he warned.

The man reached out, petting Liz's hand and wrist. "You love on Lizzy."

The cat stood up and stretched, then yawned big before pushing it's head into her hand, accepting the fingers rubbing into it's fur, making Red relax.

"I blame Dembe for that." he pronounced knowingly. "He thought she needed to know how to fight, should she come up against a bigger enemy in an alley way." Red scoffed. "But I believe she was just born evil and feel deeply for whatever she encounters."

Liz chuckled, lazily stroking the cat then leaned into her pillows, finding the heating pad still warm.

"Hey, where did you find one that doesn't shut off? She pointed to the warm pad. "Mine always shuts off after an hour, where did you get this?"

"That one shuts off, too." he stretched his forearm more comfortably, settling it close beside her thigh, leaning into her. "I woke up during the night and turned it back on."

"You did?" she was touched by the gesture.

"It helped, didn't it?"

It had actually, though she was the one who normally had to wake up to switch it back on. For her to have slept through the night, he had to have kept waking frequently to make sure it stayed warm. Come to think of it, he did a lot that was abnormal, to her way of thinking. In a good way...

He could hit the hamper, cooked, cleaned up after himself, he even put the toilet seat down.

"Are you always like this?" she tried to keep the amazement from her voice.

"Like what?" he was genuinely puzzled.

She reiterated her thoughts to him. His smile growing as she went.

"Sweetheart, do you forget that I was in the Navy and also married."

"Yeah well, I was married and Tom couldn't hit the hamper even if he was standing next to it."

"Unlike Tom, I wanted to keep the peace with my wife." He cocked his head, furrowing his brow. "Though now that I think about it, it rarely ever worked. That woman was always incredibly high strung."

Red ordered a substantial breakfast to be sent to Liz then got down to the affairs of the day. He set up a new business deal with the people from the South, arranged a meeting and outlined a detailed plan for the execution of what he had in mind.

Two hours later, he glanced at his watch then went to check on his Ward and was rather shocked to find Elizabeth sitting on the couch, book in hand, cheeks wet with tears.

"What's this all about?" He sat next to her, genuinely concerned. He reached, wiping her face with his thumbs.

"Nothing..." Her bottom lip quivered, more tears leaking from her eyes.

"Why are you crying?" He asked, handing her a tissue.

"Because a fictional character in a romance novel has a better love life than I do." she sniffled, taking the offered tissue "And I may be a bit hormonal." she added needlessly.

Red was having the hardest time holding his grin. This is why he loved women.

She came willingly when he pulled her into his arms, "You will find a man worthy of being with you one day, Lizzy." he soothed expertly. "Someone who loves you more than life itself. You're beautiful and smart, and more men then you realize, do notice." it was assured. "You just haven't been ready to see it yourself."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better." She sniffled into his chest.

"Ressler and Aram both have a crush on you. Hell, even your Barista likes you." he raked the stray strand of dark hair behind her ear. "You weren't ready and put off vibes to them that you didn't have any interest in a romantic life, whether you were aware of doing so or not."

"I did?" She did recall thinking that she didn't want to love again, didn't want a man smothering her. But she didn't think she had consciously sent out any warnings to the men she encountered. "I never said or did anything..."

"Men are completely useless when it comes to remembering a shopping list, but they do know when they shouldn't approach a woman they really like."

"Guys approach women in bars all the time." She laid her head on his shoulder, talking into his chest.

"For sex, not a relationship." he corrected. "Aram and Donald are the type of men to want more than a quick fling, especially with a woman like you." she fiddled with his trouser leg, just above his knee, her nail drawing a zigzag figure back and forth, over and over. " If you don't believe me, ask them out on a date."

"I'm not interested in them like that. They're my..." she searched for the word. "They're like family to me now."

Red felt a flood of relief. Not that she wouldn't or couldn't be interested in someone else, but to see her with either man would be difficult.

"They'll both be very disappointed to hear that." he patted her arm consolingly. "He'll come, Lizzy. The man you're looking for could be staring you right in the face and you don't want to see it yet." he generalized. "Maybe now, with your eyes wide open and hopeful, he'll come to you."

She pulled back, wiping off his jacket. "Sorry. I messed up your coat."

"It's fine." He wiped the last of the tears off her face, smiling at her. "You want some chocolate now?" He snickered when she nodded morosely.

Liz had heard Dembe and Red return over an hour ago after a quick trip to the Post Office. While the man did not make a habit of coming to her directly, it was odd when he didn't show his face within the first twenty minutes.

Something must be wrong.

Easing from the bed, she grabbed her crutch, starting off slowly but confidently as she moved out of their room and down the hallway. She hoped like hell Red was in his office because this, walking with one leg on the left side and broken arm on the right, was tiring.

She eased the door open, sticking her head in slowly. "Are you in here?" she called out softly.

She pushed the door open, finding the man sitting at his desk, his head laying on his folded arms. "You okay?" She asked, nearing him cautiously.

When he didn't answer, she hobbled closer still, finding him fast asleep. She glanced at the pictures and paperwork beneath his reclined form.

"Red?" She touched the back of his head, stroking down the soft slope to his neck.

He jerked awake, raising his head out of the cradle of his arms. His eyes cleared instantly, something clicking behind the intelligent gaze. He stared at her silently for a long beat.

"Are you okay?" It was unlike him to sleep in the middle of the day.

"I'm fine." he smiled up at her. "Just resting a minute."

"Come on..." She tried pushing the chair out, not moving it an inch. "Come lay down for a little bit."

He glanced about his desk, "I have to look these over. I promised Samar to call her back."

"Samar can wait an couple of hours." she was certain. "And anyway, I may need help getting back."

He stood quickly, pushing his chair out of the way. Instantly concerned like she knew he would be, which is why she lied about needing help. Now, all she had to do was get him in the bedroom and get him to stay.

"You shouldn't have walked this far." he scolded.

"I was worried when you didn't come in and hover like a mother hen." She teased, enjoying his low chuckle.

They had only taken a couple of steps, when Liz stepped wrong, sending a hot lancing pain shooting up her leg.

She gasped painfully, her hand grasping his arm, her nails biting into the warm flesh.

"What the fuck?" He ducked his head, seeing her scrunched face, full of pain, instantly alarmed. "What happened?" he searched her person religiously for any sign of distress.

The woman gritted her teeth, her hand still locked in a death grip around his forearm. She tried releasing her nails from the bare skin, but couldn't get her hand to function, fighting the searing pain for all she was worth.

It literally took her breath from her body. She was trying to articulate some sort of response, but none materialized.

The next thing she knew, she was cradled in his arms and they were headed down the hallway.

He turned sideways, maneuvering her easily through the door. He placed her on the bed, several things happening in succession. He placed a pillow under her foot, reached for her pills and a bottle of water, handing them both to her... all the while, his face etched with stress.

The deep ache started to fade, her world focusing into clarity.

Red, his arms braced on either side of her, was staring down at her, concern in the troubled eyes. "Is it easing off now?"

She nodded, as he stroked her temple. "You lay still. I'm going to get some..."

She grabbed his tie as he made to take his leave, "Stay." she whispered the request.

"Lizzy..." He sighed, "We really should–"

"Stay."

His tired eyes softened, as he remembered his promise to another woman. He found himself nodding his acquiescence, however.

He found he could deny this woman nothing.

Stripping himself of his tie and vest, he kicked off his shoe, sitting down on his side of the bed.

"You've been pretty tired lately." She said, inching closer to him, rolling to her side.

"We had two back to back trips, and Ressler keeps calling me on the hour. No one has had much sleep." He faced her. "I'm not positive, but I think Dembe fell asleep against the foyer wall when we walked through the door... he still may be there."

"Well, come on then." She reached up, flicking the lights off. "Let's take a nap."

"You don't have to stop reading on my account." He picked up the book that was laying between them, handing it to her. "I can, and have, slept surrounded by a barrage of bombs... and my ex-mother-in-law's grating voice."

She took the book, laying it behind her. "You've led such an interesting life. Now, shh." She laid her hand over his arm, stroking the thick muscle.

Red smiled sleepily, closing his eyes.

Within seconds, the man's deep breathing eased the woman's troubled mind. She lay her head against his shoulder, her eyes closing as well.

The low vibration woke Red. Reaching under the pillows, he grabbed the offending phone, just barely holding back from throwing it against the wall when he realized it was Lizzy's.

He stabbed the answer button, growling into the phone, "What?"

"I need to speak to Elizabeth." A faint voice answered back, muffled by background noise.

Red became fully alert, recognizing the voice. "You know, when I told you to not see her again, that did not mean phone calls were an acceptable form of communication."

"Why do you have her phone?"

"It's none of your business why." Red kept his tone even and calm. "You gave up any rights to her."

"I want to talk to her." Tom's tone was adamant.

"Red, who is it?" Liz awakened, stirring slightly.

"Go back to sleep, sweetheart." Red held the phone away, his tone completely altered.

"Was that her?" Tom demanded. "Put her on the damn phone."

Liz looked at the man, then the phone.

"You are not talking to her." Red stated quietly.

"Is it Tom?" Liz lifted to her elbow, her expression unreadable.

Red held out the phone, giving Liz the chance to make the decision, wondering what she would do.

He didn't want her to speak to the younger man, but that was not his decision.

He was inordinately pleased when she shook her head negatively, laying back into the pillow.

"Obviously, you have nothing to say that could be of any interest to her." Red felt a surge of pride.

"So what? You two are sleeping together now?" it was disdained. "I should have seen that coming. I knew you'd try and get between her legs at some point, I just didn't realize she'd be such a–"

"Finish that sentence and I won't hesitate to put a fucking bullet in you next time I see you." Red stated all too quietly. "And rest assured, it will be in a most vital area."

"If you had really wanted to, why didn't you last time?" Tom stated sarcastically.

"I thought it might upset Lizzy, but I'm finding that perhaps, that isn't the case anymore." he smiled pleasantly, relaxing his head onto the crook of his arm.

"Does she know? Have you told her?" Tom asked.

"Have I told her that I hired you to protect her and that you went behind my back and started working for Berlin and then married her because you're a heartless prick?" Red glanced over at the woman whose large blue eyes stared back at him blankly. "Yes, I just did... haven't had the chance to before now. Thank you for reminding me."

"You're a bastard." Tom spat.

"I'm a bastard?" Red nodded slightly. "I'm not the one that beat the hell out of his wife. And let's not forget the charming moment you held a gun to her head."

"She broke my fucking thumb!" Tom defended his actions peevishly.

"That's not all she should have done to you." the older man assured. "Now, what have you gotten into, from which you need her help extracting yourself." Red held up a warning finger. "Which isn't going to happen, by the way."

"Dammit Reddington," Tom seethed, "put her on the fucking phone."

"She doesn't want to speak with you." Red's voice held a finality Tom disliked intensely. "And before you ask, I did offer the phone to her." he pushed off the bed, sitting up.

"She's done, Jacob." the man taunted. "Or perhaps, do you prefer Christopher?"

"What?" Tom was visibly thrown.

"I suggest you don't contact her again." he reached to his side, helping Lizzy into a sitting position beside himself. "And just so I'm perfectly clear. You are not to call, text, see, write or try any other forms of communication from here on out." Red warmed to his task.

"If you so much as walk on the same side of the street as her... I will kill you." There was something chilling about the casually stated warning. "Do you understand me?"

The sound of the dial tone in Red's ear was the only reply given. "I'll take that as a 'yes'." He set the phone aside, waiting for the explosion.

"What did he say?"

Red knew to what she alluded, be he evaded the enquiry. "You heard most of what was said Elizabeth."

"What did he say that made you so angry."

"Just the sound of his voice pisses me off."

"Red..."

"He was about to make an unkind remark about you, and I didn't want to hear it."

"What kind of–"

"Elizabeth, let it go." Red fumed.

Liz replayed the conversation in her mind. She could pretty well guess what Tom had said.

"Oh, that's rich! Coming from him!" Liz laughed sarcastically. "Especially given he was screwing around when..." She clenched her fists, reigning in her temper.

"He's an asshole. He was just trying to get a rise out of me because I wouldn't give him what he wanted." he cupped her head consolingly. "Don't let it bother you, all right."

She took a deep breath, then released it slowly, nodding.

"Why did you hire Tom?"

"To protect you."

"Did you tell him to get close to me?"

"Absolutely not." Red's voice was firm. "I hired him through a mutual acquaintance, got him into the college and paid for his education." he turned to her, his expression an earnest one. "Aside from getting an education, he was supposed to watch out for you from a distance. Not to interfere."

"So what happened?"

"I was in Hong Kong for a couple of weeks getting regular updates that you were safe. Then he changed, was evasive." Red told the truth. "I came back immediately and found the two of you cozy on a coffee shop couch."

"Why didn't you do something?"

"Well, I did fire him."

"But that was it?"

"At first, his infatuation with you seemed genuine." Red remembered it as a conflicted time. "It wouldn't be the first time a bodyguard has fallen for a client." the man shrugged. "I watched from afar, you seemed happy. I backed off." it was succinctly stated. "Who better for you to have fallen in love with than the man I hired to protect you."

"When did you..."

"I heard information about you that could have only been obtained in... intimate circumstances." Red glanced away, wondering how much more to say on the matter. "I knew he had to be working for someone else. I watched him, people he met, and gained information. Finally found who he was contracted through."

"I still don't see why you didn't step in."

"I did. I stopped a lot of plans they had for you. I also stopped different groups from getting hold of you." Red set the record straight. "Oddly, leaving you with Tom at that moment, was safer because if there was anything he had to do, it was keep you alive."

"What changed?"

"I came into the picture." he stated simplistically. "After I gained more allies, I knew I was in a place to go directly for who had hired Tom." he held her eyes. "It wasn't until I showed up that Tom got nervous. I was hoping he would foul up and go to his boss." he cocked a brow. "And in a way, he did."

"I want your word that you didn't tell him at any point to get involved with me."

"Then have it. I would never do something as distasteful as that."

"Since you've given me no other reason to date, I'm going to trust what you say." she decided. "Please don't make me regret it." Liz said softly, her hand smoothed the blanket near his, then she hooked her fingers over his thicker one.

Red gently rubbed her skin with his thumb. She flipped her hand over, lacing her fingers through his. Having always been the one to initiate the contact, it meant a great deal to him that she had taken the initiative this time.

"I won't." his eyes softened, lifting their laced hands to his mouth, kissing the small fingers. "I promise."

Later that night, after dinner, a lively debate ensued, over the pros and cons of whether Ressler would score with this latest conquest. Everyone at the Blacksite was gossiping about the issue.

Samar had let it slip, purposely, that the young agent was yet again, trying out his luck in the crap shoot of life laughingly referred to as 'love'.

The camaraderie was interrupted by a communique from Silas.

Dembe shielded the radio, his bulky frame making a hasty retreat to a nearby corner of the large room.

Red watched his friend closely, his senses alert and active.

"It is nothing." Dembe assured, smiling, as he returned to the small group. "I shall return shortly."

Red folded his arms stretching out his legs underneath the table, his eyes trained carefully on the large man's back as Dembe exited the room.

"Ressler will make it to second base." the black man called over his shoulder.

Red shifted his eyes to Lizzy. "Which means something entirely different in his world than ours." "'Second base' in Dembe's world, is a bit further along... so good for Donald."

The woman was suddenly tense, her present situation always called to mind. Lurking, just under the surface.

"Relax, Lizzy." Red had noticed the change in her demeanor.

"You think something's wrong?" she asked anxiously.

"I don't, no." Red reassured. "And if there is, you'll be fine."

"I want my weapon back." she had been thinking along those lines for days now. "I would just feel more comfortable."

"Don't you think Diane and Helen will find it odd to see you strapped?"

"If they work for you, they shouldn't."

"I'll get it for you before we go to bed." he lifted his glass in mock salute.

Red tensed as a sound approached, growing louder as it neared. The man relaxed totally, the trilling of a bell bringing a smile to his lips.

Dembe came into view, grinning madly, astride the infamously missing cart.

Red shook his head woefully seeing the end product of the guards' handy work.

Gone was the factory black and gray plastic. Instead it was replaced by flames running along the sides and seat. A bell you could thumb was on the handle bar. And of course, new bumper stickers.

Keep honking, I'm reloading
Where am I going, and why am I in this HANDBASKET?
Drive it like you stole it

"Very funny." Liz stuck her tongue out at Dembe as she took in all the new artwork.