May 5
It was late afternoon when Red awoke after a nice catnap. A gentle lapping of the sea against the side of the boat reassured him that all was right with his surroundings.
Slipping quietly off to the bathroom, the man rinsed his face with cool water in the double basin which lined the north wall of the yacht. He smiled into the palm of his hands allowing the water to trickle between his fingers as he heard Lizzy pad barefoot into the bathroom.
Turning his head, his smile widened as he grabbed a nearby towel to dry his face. His eyes took in the visual beauty afforded him.
Liz scratched at some imaginary itch, her hair more tossed and wild from the action. Her lips, swollen and red, reminded the man of a sweet berry. The love bites and beard burn on her neck, breasts and thighs, were a pleasant reminder of time spent in his arms.
Tousled was a good look on her. As was the dreamy, far away look in her eyes.
"You look," his gaze swept the luscious body, hesitating on certain feminine curves, "...sated."
"Do I look hungry too?" she yawned the suggestion aside.
"Are you implying that I'm slacking off in my hosting duties?" He tossed the towel on the counter, watching the woman step closer. He looked down at her rosy complexion, his eyes mellow.
She pressed her warm flesh against his, tip-toeing to kiss him softly. "I'm saying," she corrected the misconception, "you better feed me before this becomes the ocean version of the Donner party."
"That wasn't much incentive." Red mumbled into her neckline. "While I would love to dine on you once again... I have absolutely no objections to you returning the favor."
"I fell right into that one..." she muttered quietly, nodding sagely, "didn't I?"
"You did, yes." Red agreed, pleased with his own wit. He patted her bottom affectionately, walking back to the bedroom. He grabbed his bag off the floor, pulling some light clothing free.
Liz followed him, watching as he slid a light blue cotton shirt onto the muscled arms. She glanced around for her own bag, rummaging through the interior.
She found a couple sets of clothes, some basic toiletries... and photographs. The woman sifted through several images, one of her with Sam, making her hesitate. The blue eyes shifted to the next in line. Her entire team smiled happily out from the crisp memory.
She looked up, seeking out the man, her mouth agape.
He frowned over at the winsome features, finding the woman near tears. Closing the space between them quickly, his troubled eyes held her wet ones.
"What's wrong?"
Unable to find the words, Liz gestured to the case and it's contents, her lip trembling visibly as she tried to master the conflicting emotions she was experiencing.
"I've been through this countless times..." he had glanced at the photos dangling in her unresponsive fingers. "Uprooting from familiar people and things can be... painful." he motioned absently. "It may only be a short while, until we get things straightened out..." He offered a noncommittal shrug, hesitating visibly before continuing, "But it could be...longer." his heart hurt for her. "Whatever the time frame, I want you to have something from home."
She suddenly felt the gravity of their situation, like never before.
And while it was scary, that he had done this for her... that he had the forethought, cared enough...
"I will do everything in my power to make it right, Lizzy." the vow was in his tone and manner. "You won't be alone, I promise."
Liz wrapped her arms around the strong neckline, squeezing it tightly.
Knowing that Red would be there with her, each step of the way...
She knew the decision she made last night, was the correct choice.
Red gently kissed her tear stained cheeks, before wiping the evidence of her emotional state away. "Now, we're going to eat, enjoy each others company and relax." he quickly changed the direction of the conversation.
Laying her head into his chest, Liz listened to the reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat.
"I don't want you to think anything more about it." he soothed. "All right?"
She took a steadying breath, then straightened. Her hesitant smile became genuine the more she witnessed the unwavering support behind the eyes which regarded her so solemnly.
And for the first time in her life, aside from her Sam, she felt an unrelenting trust in someone else. Liz finally, truly believed... that this man would do anything to support her in every imaginable way.
Hugging him again, she cuddled into his warm embrace. That feeling she always got when he held her, of safety and protection, was there. But along with it, was a new type of intimacy.
Which admittedly, frightened her. Was she becoming clingy, too fast? Relying on him too much after just half a day.
"I feel it too, Lizzy." Red's deep voice washed over her comfortingly.
"Feel what?" she mumbled evasively.
"Holding you feels different." he replied honestly. "But it's a difference I like, very much."
She relaxed in his embrace, feeling much better knowing he felt the strangeness as well.
Lifting her chin, he forced the blue eyes to his. "I will always be there when you need me."
"If this doesn't work out–"
"Nothing will stop me from protecting you." Red shook his head, brushing away the thought. "Do you believe me?"
Even after this short amount of time, it hurt like hell to think of...whatever this was between them, not working out. She wanted to make it happen, to make something of this thing between her and Red.
"You know what I think?" he asked, his fingers lightly tracing her lips. "I think we'll be just fine."
"You do?" she asked hopefully.
"Yes..." he replied without hesitation. "We've been gravitating towards one another for a reason, Lizzy." he continued. "I think for a very good reason."
"Which is?" she wasn't sure she wanted to question anything at this stage.
"We're supposed to be together." he stated, as though it was obvious.
She had to confess, hearing the man say that with such belief, made her feel less awkward. She had to wonder if she should be feeling this deeply so short into the relationship, which in reality, had been such a short period of time in the making.
"Call it fate or God's Grand Plan..." Red began, "but there had to be a reason I was placed in your life and you in mine." he thread his fingers through her hair, cupping her small head in his palm.
"Time, fate, God..." he continued, slowly rubbing his fingers into her scalp, making the woman sigh, "He knew I needed you, and you needed me."
"You need me?" she questioned quietly.
"You keep me sane." he replied easily. "One small smile, laugh or touch from you..." his lips grazed her forehead lightly, "and all is right with the world." Red held his expression, letting her see the truth behind it.
Liz tilted her head, looking at the man curiously. "I feel that too." she only just realized the fact.
Her tummy rumbling hungrily broke the spell, but brought a small smile to Red's face.
They had a lifetime to explore their feelings for one another. They didn't have to hit on all of it in one day, but this had been a start.
He kissed that little mouth he so loved, then smiled.
"Come along my little cannibal, before this situation gets out of hand."
"We should have picked up some take out." Liz said, dropping the sliced tomato into the bowl.
"I like cooking." Red smiled, dropping a kiss to her shoulder. "Especially if it's for two."
"Why, because it's easier." Liz asked, tossing the salad with a flourish.
"No, because it means we're alone." his tone had dropped suggestively.
Liz's mouth pulled at the corner as she sat the bowl in the fridge to chill. She sought out the man's position, wrapping her arms around his solid bulk from behind.
"Are you always like this?" she questioned, settling her chin on his shoulder watching him prepare their steaks.
Red blocked a pop of boiling grease, turning down the flame. "Like what?" he was curious.
"Romantic."
"I like to think so." he chuckled. "Though honestly, I don't see myself as that." he sat a lid down on the grill, leaning into the counter beside it.
"It doesn't matter how you see it," she informed him, "it's how the woman sees it."
"That's the way of the world." he muttered to her amusement. "If the female is content, then the male has done his duty." he glanced her up and down, taking in the faded blue jean shorts and the already tanned legs. "Have I done my duty to you?"
"To some extent." she let him know the way of things, an up and under seductive glance added as she walked away, careful to swish her hips just so. "I'll let you know when your next shift begins, Sailor."
"I'm the Captain here." he reminded pseudo-peevishly. "I get to call the shots."
"Not if you don't want a mutiny on your hands." she smiled sweetly.
"I would have you keel-hauled...but it went out of fashion in Medieval Times."
"More is the pity?" she questioned playfully. "You could have me walk the plank." she brightened. "They did that to Captain Jack Sparrow."
Red straightened the position of his own 'plank', the conversation having taken a different turn for the man. "I wasn't thinking about you 'walking' the plank, per se." it was reluctantly admitted.
Liz giggled appreciatively, pointing to the now smoldering food. "Your plank can wait."
Red sighed heavily, pulling the steaks off the grill. As they sat, Red poured wine he thankfully, had onboard.
A light hearted conversation ensued thereafter.
Liz told him of a trip when Sam had taken her to Louisiana and they spent an afternoon on a fishing boat. After twenty long minutes, Sam had finally reeled in a huge fish only to have it fly on board, smacking him in the face so hard, it made him fall from his seat.
Red laughed quietly, shaking his head, sighing. Much like he did when Francis spoke on any subject.
"Idiot..." Red muttered jokingly.
"Have you ever had anything exciting happen while on a boat?" she corrected hastily. "Or do you call it a ship?"
Red had more than his fair share of excitement on board boats and ships alike. None of which he thought were stories to be shared during a romantic outing. Most, if not all, were mood killers since the majority of them contained killing incidents.
Granted, most of those tales happened when he was in Service and legally within his rights. But then, most of them were from his time as Red Reddington.
Really, both topics in his opinion, were for another time.
Not today. Not when they were still lethargic from a tumble in bed. Which actually was an answer to the question. And a truthful answer at that.
"My most exciting moment on a boat has been... today." he lifted confident eyes, holding her gaze steadily. "Being with someone I have wanted in my life, for a very long time." he reached across the table, curling his fingers around her smaller ones.
She blushed prettily, squeezing his fingers in return. "I know there was truth behind that." she allowed. "But I also hear a cop out."
"Maybe," he granted, "but it is the truth, for the most part." He sipped his wine, letting it settle on his tongue for a moment. "Everything that has ever happened to me on the water is nothing but a jumbled mess, but you..." he raised her hand, kissing the delicate flesh, "and what we shared, that will always be a very vivid and incredibly memorable event."
She couldn't disagree. This was turning into one hell of a day, a day she wouldn't soon forget.
"What's your favorite color?" He jarred her from her pleasant thoughts.
Liz lay down her knife then chuckled. "Red..." she answered without hesitation.
"Before I went down on you, what was your favorite color." he sat back in his chair, supremely confident.
Liz giggled quietly, really enjoying the carefree and open conversation. One of which she had never experienced before.
"Purple." she shrugged. "You?"
"Blue." he replied, staring directly at her eyes.
Her lashes fluttered under his attention, a small smile overtaking her face. "Favorite food?" she lifted an intense gaze.
"Italian." he said, inclining his head awaiting her own response.
"Italian, with Mexican a close second."
"Your most embarrassing moment?" he took a shot in the dark.
"Just one?"
He knew that was her way of saying, not yet.
"What do you dream about?" he tried another route.
"Walking planks..." she held his eyes steadily, inclining her head minutely.
"I dream about that too..." he teased. "A recurring dream."
"What's your favorite type of music?" she got things back on track, hopefully.
"Hip hop..." he managed straight faced until she gave him an old fashioned look. He shrugged slightly. "You probably don't know it... Big Band."
"Glen Miller, Benny Goodman." she scoffed. "I'm not a complete plebeian."
He chuckled sensually.
"I like hip hop." she answered the unasked question.
"No you don't." he was relatively certain.
"My tastes are eclectic." she had to admit.
"My most favorite sound in the world is a soft, melodious sigh coming from the lips of a completely aroused, blue eyed brunette who answers to the name... Elizabeth." he licked his own lips as the memories surfaced. He read her face like a good book.
"You're so full of it, but don't you go a changin'." She had loved the compliment in spite of her better judgement.
"Favorite author." he persisted, a twinkle in the light eyes.
"Tolstoy." Liz replied quickly, taking a bite of her salad, saying what was expected of her.
"Tolstoy..." Red repeated knowingly, his head bobbing slowly. He stared at her a moment, his lips twitching as he fought his amusement. "Charlotte Brontë." he corrected quietly.
Liz sat a little straighter, her brows furrowing. "Your favorite author is–"
"No, she's your favorite author." he interrupted. "Or... she's at the top of the list, anyway."
"How did you..." her mouth fell agape.
"It was the book on your shelf with the most wear." he replied. "Jane Eyre." he made the connection. "She's strong, independent, passionate..." his eyes softened, silently finishing the comparisons to Liz's heroine in his mind.
Orphaned...
"She introduced me to a whole new world." Liz admitted. "It was difficult to understand sometimes, but as I grew older and revisited the story, it made more sense." she fell silent, then looked at him and smiled. "Plus, the romance wasn't bad either."
"You went from Brontë to romanticized porn." he tsked playfully.
"Oh, hell yeah." she agreed vehemently. It was because of that romanticized porn that she had seen Red in a different light. Not that she would tell him that.
Not yet anyway.
"I now have a thing for older more sophisticated men." she teased. "Especially those who wear a fedora."
Red's tongue ran around the inside of his cheek, the look he gave her sending shivers of delight down her spine.
"What about you?" She questioned. "No, let me guess." she looked off into the yachts canopy, lost in thought a moment. "Orwell, Faulkner... Dostoevsky?"
Red ran his finger around the rim of his glass, smiling as she listed some heavy hitters, that he did admittedly enjoy on some level.
"It's actually a toss up between..." he began, gaining her complete interest, "Jules Verne or H.G. Wells."
Liz sat down her utensils, actually at a loss. She would have never guessed Red would prefer science fiction over the deeper subject matter covered by the other authors.
"Really," she leaned into her fist, intent on the man's every utterance, "why?" she was more than intrigued.
"They were the first ones to stir my imagination." Red proclaimed. "They made me want to travel and see new people and places." he remembered fondly the feelings the stories had evoked.
"And you have traveled, extensively." she pointed out the obvious. "Was it because of the books?"
"Partly." he admitted. "And as I may have mentioned before, I hated being idle."
"So I take it that I won't be getting many quiet nights at home with you?" she teased.
"I don't feel that with you." he divulged.
"Don't feel what with me?" she was ready to take umbrage.
"The restlessness." he pushed back his seat, his look oddly serene. "...You calm my heart."
He arose, crossing the immaculate deck. Turning on a radio, he let the soft sound of "Moonlight Serenade" wash over them. Red held out his hand, pulling her from her seat when she took the offering.
"How are you still single?" she gaped as the man swayed them slowly in beat with the low music.
"Well, I'm not now..." he glanced down into the beautiful eyes. "Am I?"
"Well... no." she sighed, then hastily stiffened slightly. "I mean–"
"I know what you meant." he turned her, smiling as she followed his lead without thought. "I was waiting for you."