May 16
The last few days had been relatively quiet.
Liz was finally, medically released from her casts, though she had already gone without them most of last week. She had appointments lined up for more focused physical therapy to strengthen her muscles, a process designed to reinstate her to desk duty at the Blacksite.
In the meantime, she continued pumping out the profiles for the BAU and was pleased as hell to learn, that one profile had actually helped in the capture of a fugitive.
Francis had come over the day after their return and did indeed only have a flesh wound. A fact Red made a point of mentioning, when he gestured to the Iron Man Band-Aid the young man was sporting.
Shortly after having lunch together, Red had been called away on business. Liz and Francis watched some movies, then had dinner together. Liz fancied it was only so he could see his beloved Nora.
He also made an excuse, the fact that his wound, which clearly... Francis had pointed out, was far more than a flesh wound, was giving him trouble. He could not possibly drive himself home. Liz took it to mean, her friend wanted to spend a few days in house which was fine with her.
During the several days when Red would only occasionally pop in and out, Francis's visits were always a bright spot. Liz had grown quite fond of his company.
As for Red... when he wasn't handling his business. He would stay with her... in her new home.
The thought of leaving her bed after having made love, did not sit well with either of them.
The need to hold one another, to bask in the aftermath of their lovemaking, was an essential part of what they wanted from their relationship.
The outside world interrupted and demanded they do their jobs, so any private time was of the utmost importance these days.
In past relationships, Liz had never minded moments of solitude. It was a time to be by herself where she had room to breathe and examine the intricacies of any given situation she happened to find herself within.
Even with Tom, her space had been very important, but with Red... she was astounded to find herself missing his absence. She liked when he was here.
When she had started at the Blacksite... working with Red, Tom had become pushy, needy. The strain on them, on her, had become quickly exhausting.
She was now aware that Tom had been attempting to drive a wedge between her and Red.
Moments of sitting in the quiet of the living room, in the middle of the night, was well worth the loss of sleep because she was able to maintain her sanity.
Now, the solitude felt different. She still enjoyed it, reading a good book, taking a long bath, or simply letting her mind wander. It was good for her.
But she found she didn't need it as much as she once had. Liz no longer felt like she was barely hanging by a frayed thread, ready to snap.
And she knew why. Tom had gone out of his way to push her off the deep end and hold her under, drowning her. While Red was wading through the muck to pull her back to the surface.
Which made his presence now so addictive. So many men before him had essentially been like Tom. Maybe not as manipulative, but damn near close.
She had been guilted into doing things so many times, she had lost count. They had never seemed truly supportive of her goals. And a little part of her had always felt dissatisfied after sex.
With Red, she hadn't felt any of that at all. He was always supportive. And the sex. She in no way felt neglected in the bedroom. She never had a lover's undivided attention such as Red provided. So much so, she suddenly wondered if perhaps she had neglected him?
She made a quick mental note to rectify that as soon as possible.
One thing she had put to rest was that she had felt a bit too clingy, but Red seemed to appreciate the time spent together just as much as she. He was as quick to cuddle and kiss. And in their quiet time, they shared an endless array of topics which ranged from amusing to the serious.
And when they fell silent, it was comfortable. They didn't feel the need to fill the silence, their shared breathing and closeness enough to fill any void.
She hadn't felt this comfortable... been this happy in so long, she honestly couldn't pinpoint when it had happened last. If at all.
A tiny sliver of doubt, and she supposed it was only human nature, left her wondering if everything was too good. Would some horrible twist of fate take away that contentment.
Liz quickly dismissed such disturbing thoughts, refusing to dwell on the negative.
She would like to have a chance to spend more time with Red outside of work.
She was painfully aware that most of their conversations started on that particular subject.
But she really wanted to see if they could find that balance between home and work. If they could be like every one else and be... normal.
Red came in, phone to his ear, breaking her thoughts. He was nodding his annoyance, his head hanging dejectedly.
A small smile graced her lips, watching the man almost get to the point where he was banging his head against a wall.
She hadn't realized his features were so expressive while on the phone. She wondered what 'expressions' he used when speaking to her in those private moments. Or did he keep his face perfectly neutral so as not to give away any unguarded secrets.
He was saying his farewells. She brightened, snatching up her own phone, dialing the man quickly.
She could tell when it rang through, his head turning a little at the sound.
"I'll call back shortly, I have another call coming in." he clicked the button without a care, switching the lines. "Yes?"
"Hi..." she smiled into the phone, hearing his gruff voice in surround sound. Her smile grew wider when his eyes instantly softened, a small smile taking the place of the frown that had been present for most of the day.
Is this what Silas meant when he mentioned Red had called to hear her voice? Is this what the guard had seen the man do?
"Hello to you..." he purposely kept his back to her just enough that she could still see his face in profile. She was amazed to see the tension bleeding from his shoulders.
"Is there something I can do for you?" his voice lowered sensually, making the woman's cheeks plump with a enormous smile.
"You could walk that fine ass over here and kiss me."
She watched his shoulders shake with silent laughter, but also watched him openly nodding at the request.
"What's in it for me?" he asked, his tone even.
Liz's eyes danced hearing the playfulness in the question, before adopting the same attitude. "I'll let you stick your tongue in my mouth."
She snickered quietly when Red's forehead thumped into the wall in front of him, a low chuckling filling her ear.
"I can live with that criteria." he snapped the phone closed, striding towards her, his face lit with undisguised happiness.
She loved that she could make him smile like that. That she made that tension he felt moments ago, fade away. It made her feel... really good. Like she was the only person who could get that honest reaction.
Especially since he was the only one who could make her feel that way, as well.
He pulled her up from her chair, delivering a kiss that made her toes curl before the need for air surfaced.
He peppered her mouth with little kisses, before settling his forehead against hers. "I have to go to Vegas shortly–"
"Can I go?" she asked, surprised by her own brazenness.
He stepped back, smiling down at her.
"Feel like gambling a bit, do we." he stated, heading for the closet.
"Maybe..." she muttered, following after him.
If they couldn't find that precarious balance she was so concerned about, what would it mean to them.
"What?" he called back over his shoulder sensing something.
"Nothing." she smiled, walking into the closet.
"I was actually going to ask if you wanted to join me." he returned his interest to selecting several stylish suits. "Aside from handling some business. I've been invited to an associate's wedding."
"How long are we going to be there?" she tried to keep the excitement from her voice.
"I would imagine about three days." he replied, pulling down a smaller bag for her. "If it's longer, we'll go shopping." he grinned.
"Those are the nicest words you've ever said to me." she absently took the bag from his hand.
"Is something wrong sweetheart?" he halted his activities having noted a certain vagueness about her.
"No, just lost in thought." she smiled, setting some shoes aside. "Oh, I did remember one thing I forgot to ask." Red's brows lifted, waiting. "What was that phone call about the other night?"
Since he had to leave unexpectedly the morning after for a quick trip, she had forgotten all about it.
Red's mouth twisted disdainfully as he opened a drawer behind him, pulling out a manila envelope.
Liz took the offering, finding a series of photos of the night Red was shot. They documented from the moment Red was first hit, to when Silas had driven them backwards down the road, exiting the perilous situation.
"Did you get fingerprints or..."
"All we could get... " Red shook his head negatively, "was a trajectory of where the photos had been taken."
"My old house, the rooftop?" A chill ran through her slight body.
"The neighbor's." Red corrected before handing her another folder. "These were delivered today."
She opened another manila folder, extracting the photos. "This is the Blacksite."
"It is, yes." Red agreed as he looked at the pictures of her and Silas waiting in the car.
"Tom would know where the Blacksite is." Liz stated the obvious.
"He would, yes." Red nodded, taking the folders back. "Now, you finish packing and let's not think another thing about it."
Liz raised doubtful eyes.
"In the larger scheme of things," he lightened their moods, "this new revelation rates about 134th down the list of things we should be concerned about."
"What's 133?" she was curious.
"If they really use MSG at Pei Lings."
She bit the inside of her lip to keep from smiling.
Before heading off to what was formerly his office in this house, Red threw a cryptic remark over his shoulder. "Don't forget the black lace teddy."
"I thought you preferred the red one." she pseudo pouted.
The man was extracting the infamous black phone surgically attached to his person, "I prefer you without either... but pack them anyway."
Red was anxious to check the mail which had overrun the large desktop. He had a sinking feeling when he found the familiar type on the white envelope.
The letters were arriving more frequently of late, same threats, different day. Though this time, the idiot writer was demanding to know Liz's whereabouts. Never mind that the fool had not given her a way to reply, even had she wished to do so.
If this were Tom however, perhaps they had adopted a 'special' spot which only they would be aware.
When Red had asked Carla to marry him, he had taken her back to the spot where they met. It had held special meaning for them, or at least it did, until things had fallen apart.
So maybe Lizzy and Tom had such a place. A place that Tom thought Liz would instantly go to meet with him. Red would have to ask her soon, if only to set up a sting to catch the rotten bastard.
Red tossed the new letter aside, having noticed the time.
"Silas, come to my office please." Red had spoken into the walkie.
"Copy." Silas reported.
A minute later, Silas tapped on the door before walking in. "Are you guys naked in here?" he queried, perfectly straight faced. "I did knock this time."
"I'm going to the Blacksite in a few minutes. I want you to bring Elizabeth to me when I'm finished there." Red was suddenly all business. "We're going to test our security measures." he sauntered around the desk. "And then we're going to get naked."
"Orgy?" the man brightened. "I get dibs on Agent Navabi."
Red looked at him blankly.
"Or..." Silas altered his flippant reply, "if you meant you and the Old Ball and Chain... thanks for the warning. I get nauseous easily these days." Silas didn't miss a beat. "The men are on standby." he hooked a thumb behind him. "We've been practicing. We're down to ten minutes to get into position, but since you've given us ample time, I'd like to get there earlier and see if we can spot the fucker before your Old Lady gets on site.."
"That's fine." Red tossed something as he passed which Silas caught easily. "It helps with the nausea."
The guard hid his amusement admirably as he fell in step behind the exiting man. "You think he'll be there?"
"He was the other day when you visited." Red reminded. "I think he's trying to get a tail on her to follow her back here."
"Not while I'm driving." Silas' deadpan delivery, while slightly egotistical, actually made Red feel better knowing the guard would go above and beyond, if only to keep his reputation intact.
"And if he's not," Red shrugged, "we were going to the airport anyway." he headed for the master bedroom.
"What ever happens, you remember your first priority is to keep her safe. Don't go taking off with them to catch Tom if he is there."
"She won't leave my sight." Silas' voice echoed down the corridor. "Even if she's naked... especially if she's naked."
Red threw him a nondescript glare. "I'm going to hire someone to kill you one of these days."
"You're not gonna pay him more than me, are you?"
Red's arm came back around the doorframe, his middle making his statement loud and proud.
Silas grinned infectiously before taking his leave.
Red and Dembe stepped off the elevator at the Blacksite, raised voices greeting them, as they rounded the corner. They found Samar and Moore in each other's faces.
"Cunt." Moore sneered.
"You don't know me well enough to call me pet names." Samar countered. "So, kiss my ass, Moore."
"I'm sure you say that to a lot of guys, Navabi." Moore snapped his irritability.
"All right you two, back off." Donald intervened, stepping between the two combatants.
"Frightened by the competition?" Samar baited. "I'm telling you now, Aram is mine." The computer specialist perked up, smiling. "Keep your hands off his ass." Samar needled.
Aram opened his mouth, then frowned, then smiled again, looking a little lost, but pleased.
"I'm not into guys, you bitch." Moore was definitely on the defensive.
"The betting pool says differently?" Aram stated simplistically, pleasantly shocking Red. He grinned at the man's gumption. He glanced over to ascertain Samar's state of mind, finding the woman offering a rather rude gesture which pleased him even more so.
Dembe's brows lifted slightly because the woman's antics could only mean one thing. It was a very articulate way of saying, in the American vernacular... blow me.
Moore shoved Aram aside angrily, then all hell broke loose.
Samar stepped forward, her hands braced against Moore's chest, pushing the man into a tall table. The computer and other objects on top, teetered dangerously as the two kept shoving against one another, shouting out obscenities.
Ressler tried to step between the combatants, attempting a voice of reason. Moore pushed at Donald, both men losing their footing on the slick floor.
In hindsight, Red realized, it had probably been an accident.
In their bid to gain dominance over the other, Moore's hand broke free, catching Samar across the eye.
And that's when he and Dembe got involved.
Red caught the woman around the waist, pulling her from the fray while Dembe manhandled Moore easily, literally setting him aside. Samar swung a good right hook, which almost landed on the wrong victim.
Ressler ducked as the fist came his way.
Red chuckled as Samar's other fist lashed out, connecting soundly with the solid jaw of her enemy.
Moore's knees buckled slightly and Red would have swore the man would have gone down except Dembe had placed him in a hold, his arms looped under Moore's, his hands linked behind the other man's neck. Even though Moore struggled valiantly, he was no match for Dembe's strength so the guy sort of hung in mid-air, twisting about to no avail.
Red allowed the feisty woman her due, his continual amusement barring any real interference.
She kicked expertly, missing Moore's crotch by a fraction of an inch.
"Samar..." Aram held up his hands to calm the woman, his earnest expression clearly concerned for her well being. He seemed relaxed, as though he knew with absolute certainty, that she wouldn't hurt him.
Red was surprised to see the woman's anger fade by degrees.
"What the hell is going on here!" Cooper barked, gesturing to the scattered papers and other miscellanea.
"A slight misunderstanding." Red gently released his captive, ready to dodge if need be.
"What the hell kind of misunderstanding could have possibly caused... this?" Cooper pointed between both sides.
"A simple difference of opinion, Harold." Red soothed.
"What happened to her eye." Coop pointed at Samar's reddening eye. Aram unconsciously glanced back at Moore, glaring his disapproval.
"You did that?" Cooper questioned heatedly. He scowled deepened when Moore could not hold his eyes. "Both of you," his tone brooked no defiance, "my office, now."
"I don't believe they should be sharing space right now, Harold." Red could still see the fire in the beautiful Agent's eyes. "Besides, I need to speak with Agent Navabi."
"Fine..." Cooper sighed. "Moore!" the man's anger seemed to be growing by leaps and bounds as he pointed a stout finger in the direction needed.
Dembe released the hold he had on the Agent, shoving him hard towards the stairs. Ressler scowled darkly at Moore before the men headed upstairs.
"Are you all right?" Red asked, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, blotting the little split by Samar's eye.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Samar smiled. "That was fun." She chuckled, then grimaced when Red pressed in on the small cut. "What did you need me for?"
"Nothing." He smiled, folding the cloth in his hands before handing it to her.
Samar snorted under her breath, smiling. "Then why are you here?"
"Well, I did come to deliver a new name to Ressler, but it can wait." Red shrugged.
"What am I? Chopped liver?" Samar questioned, waggling her fingers for the information.
Red smiled charmingly, giving her the name and all the information he had on hand at this point in time. He was just finishing up as Dembe approached.
"Did he give you any trouble?" Red asked.
Dembe looked at his friend placidly. Red smiled at the face, knowing that was as close as Dembe would come to scoffing in the presence of others.
"Dembe, call Silas. Tell him to bring her." Red returned his attention to the lovely Agent. "I must take my leave."
"When do you think Liz might be back to work?" Samar asked hopefully, trailing after the man's retreating form.
"It won't be long now." Red replied. "She misses you too."
He of course, remembered Lizzy's conversation about a possible change in occupation, but kept that information to himself. First of all, it was not his news to tell. Secondly, Elizabeth had not as yet decided on any course of action.
"Raymond, they're a couple of blocks away." Dembe summarily reported.
Red pulled up short, his brow furrowed. "I told Silas not to leave until I called."
"He took her around the park." Dembe shrugged minutely. "She was... antsy. Wanted to get out."
Red pursed his lips, both amused and annoyed. But no harm was done. It was a beautiful day out, of course Lizzy would want to enjoy it. And to her, moving around in the car, as aimless as it was, still put her a step closer to leaving for Vegas. He hadn't been aware she would be so excited by the prospect.
She had been cooped up for the better part of a month, aside from the one small trip to New York.
"All right." Red automatically checked his weapon. "You ready to go?" Dembe had already inspected his own gun.
"What's going on?" Samar asked, ready to be invited in on any possible fun which might appear on the horizon.
"Nothing to concern yourself about." Red said, sliding the weapon into the slot of the holster he wore on his back.
"Uh huh." the woman's tone said it all. "Something's going on and I want to be included."
"Really, it's nothing." Red smiled charmingly.
Samar checked her own weapon.
Ressler approached, halting mid-step when he saw her actions. "What's going on?"
"Nothing." Samar replied as she re-holstered her weapon.
"Something's going on and I want to be included." the man demanded.
Red sighed theatrically, spreading his hands out slightly. "Lizzy is on her way here."
"So...?" Ressler drawled. "She's been here before." he stated the obvious. "She even works here."
"Where to begin..." Red headed for the elevator, Dembe and their two unexpected guests, tagging along. He filled the Agents in on all the gritty details as the doors closed, sealing them off from eavesdroppers. "...Now, these letters are coming. Saying things about purging my lies from her head and cleansing her soul." he completed ruefully.
"That sounds, ominous." Samar's beautiful brow furrowed deeply.
"Yes, it does." Red continued. "And we received a series of photos from when she was here the other day."
"You should have told us." Ressler was annoyed. "We could have set up a perimeter."
They reached the ground floor. "Just act natural. Like you came out to say hello."
They stepped out unto the parking lot, waiting as Dembe headed for Red's Mercedes. "My men are all ready out here. They're covering a couple block radius on roof tops and the street." Red mentioned casually.
"Should we bring reinforcements." Ressler tried hard not to glance around the secluded area.
"Your guys aren't exactly stealthy." Red advised. "They'll be running around in their SWAT gear, throwing around hand signals and Tom's on a rooftop watching it all happen."
Red smiled and waved when he saw the large SUV come around the corner just as Dembe pulled up along side them in the gleaming luxury sedan.
Silas slid to a stop, exiting the SUV. Samar noticed that he moved with the fluid gracefulness of a panther. She also noticed that he looked really good in those tight jeans he wore.
The gray-blue eyes connected with her dark ones, the man issuing a sultry smile for her alone. Samar's heart actually sped forward a bit before she chastised the reaction but she could not halt the returning grin which graced her beautiful features.
"Hi guys!" Liz smiled brightly, as Silas held the door for her exit. "I didn't expect to see you."
Samar and Donald smiled stiffly, covertly looking around.
"What's wrong." Liz was instantly alert to something amiss.
"Nothing we can't handle." Red took her arm, helping her to the other car. "They're just looking for Tom."
"Is he–" she snapped her head about jerkily, hearing the unmistakable sound of gunfire pinging off structures which towered above them.
She was unceremoniously pushed back into the alcove created by the door and body of the SUV. Red's body blocked any access to her person. Silas' weapon was drawn and aimed but as yet there was no discernable target. But the large bulk of the man sufficiently blocked any and all attempts to harm his charges.
"I guess that answers my question." She called out over the suddenly loud barrage of gunfire.
Red lifted the slight body easily, pushing Liz into the seat of the SUV . She scrambled over to make room for the man.
Red lifted his leg, pulling a weapon from his ankle, handing it to her. He motioned for Samar to take his place as he made his way around to the other side of the vehicle.
He could see through the black tinted glass, both women poised and ready to return fire if indeed the occasion arose.
Ressler and Dembe ran across the expanse lot, searching for some sign of the shooter. Silas stood silently beside Red, weapons at the ready, both sets of eyes scanning the rooftops.
Red dropped his arm, his aim landing on a door being flung open, the sound alerting him. A shadowy figure emerged in a nearby alleyway, running in the opposite direction from where Dembe and Ressler had headed.
Trailing and aiming, Red let off a volley of shots, alerting the others to the man's location. The one in question stumbled jerkily after one carefully aimed shot. The guy righted himself with difficulty after having slammed into a nearby brick wall.
He'd hit the prick somewhere...
Dembe and Ressler hurried down an adjoining alleyway hoping to block any exit the perpetrator might attempt. Silas stood like a Sphinx, his handsome features set in a darkly menacing scowl.
Only seconds had passed but it seemed longer. Liz was glad to see Cooper and a group of agents come bursting out various doors armed to the 'T'.
"What the hell is going on!" Cooper quickly assessed the situation.
"Nothing." Red called out, keeping his weapon trained on the building to which Tom had been heading."It's just a simple case of one ex stalking another." Red leisurely dropped his weapon, opening the door of the SUV. "Say hello, Lizzy."
"Hello, Sir." She smiled wanly, she and Samar striving for a semblance of propriety.
"Keen..." Cooper nodded his greeting. "Now, what's going on out here?"
"I just told you. Tom was here." Red sighed heavily, helping Samar from the vehicle. "Honestly, Harold. Do you ever listen to me when I speak?"
"He was shooting at her?" Cooper was genuinely surprised.
"Oh, who's to say." Red philosophized.
"It sounded like a damn War Zone out here." Cooper advised.
"My men are rather zealous at times." Red allowed.
"Comes from all the sugar they consume." Silas managed dead pan.
"We were trying to capture–" Red began the tale.
"Kill, you mean." Cooper corrected.
"...Wound, Tom." Red smiled pleasantly.
"Why is she even here." Cooper glanced at a silent Elizabeth Keen.
"We're going out of town for a couple days." Red smiled cheerfully, like nothing untoward had happened. "Ah, Dembe. News?"
"He went down a grate in a drainage ditch." Dembe reported. "We are still tracking."
"You see Harold, everything's under control." Red spread his hands expressively before turning his attention elsewhere. "Sweetheart, are you ready to go?"
Liz smiled excitedly, nodding enthusiastically. Cooper was struck by the woman's attitude.
"You do realize that your ex-husband just tried to kill you."
"Well, these things happen." she made reports on them almost daily. Liz tried to contain her smile but in truth, she had always wanted to go to Vegas. The prospect filled her with imminent joy.
"She's excited because I'm footing the bill. " Red grinned at the happy woman.
"Oh, stop it." she scoffed coyly, playfully hitting his thigh.
Cooper watched the interplay between the two, baffled. Donald came along side him, breathing heavily.
"I think you winged him. There was blood in the alley." Donald panted.
"Well, that will make things easier." Red's mood was lifting. "We should take our leave. We'll be late for our flight."
"You have a private jet." Cooper replied sourly.
"So I do." he slid into the comfortable confines of the SUV.
"Have fun, Liz." Samar called out before the door closed and the vehicle pulled away from the curb.
Silas trailed behind them in Red's car. It was one of the perks he most enjoyed about this job. The array of exotic automobiles available for his use.
Before he squealed out, he sent a very purposeful 'air kiss' in Samar's direction. She winked lasciviously in return her lovely brows lifting in open approval of the man's sexist ways.
Silence met their departure as each individual stared after the rapidly disappearing motorcade.
"Was that weird, or was it just me?" Donald asked the rhetorical question.
"I'm starting to think abnormal is normal. And normal... so very boring." Samar stated her opinion. "So, everything seemed okay to me."
"She seemed so different." Ressler searched for the right phrasing. "Toward him, I mean."
"She's just becoming comfortable with him." Samar said. "It's all that forced time together."
"I guess." Ressler scratched his head, something still nagging at him. "You don't think they've, you know–"
"That is none of your business, Agent Ressler." Cooper practically snapped.
"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to imply–"
"Well, don't..." Cooper trailed off, questioning arising in his own mind. The man walked away, the issue closed to his way of thinking.
Ressler and Samar stared after the rapidly moving figure. "You got a right hook, girl." Ressler's mind had moved on as well. He glanced over, a grin spreading across the boyishly handsome face. "Remind me to never get on your bad side."
"What makes you think you aren't already." the woman swished her hips saucily away leaving Donald to ponder her mood and statement.
A half hour later the SUV pulled along the tarmac, as Dembe taxied up to the waiting jet. Liz was always amazed when other people appeared out of no where, seemingly, to do the menial tasks such as unloading luggage. She scrambled out of the seat fighting the guilt as she watched two large men lug her stuff towards the plane.
Silas skidded up with a screech across the way, exiting Red's car with a big grin on his face. He tossed the keys to a waiting staff member before joining the others.
Liz shook her head in a scolding manner as their eyes met. "You are such a delinquent."
"And I get paid to be one." Silas was inordinately pleased with himself.
"I didn't know you were going to be here." a familiar voice caught her attention.
Liz swirled about, a big smile instantly gracing her face. She rushed up the stairs, hugging Francis at the top landing.
The man had a soda in one hand and a bag of chips in the other, but he managed to squeeze her tightly. "And you keep turning up like a bad penny." she teased.
"Red thought my ties might help smooth the upcoming deal." he shrugged. "And you know, without me, you would be bored to tears."
"But I had such an exciting time on the last trip..." she quipped as Red boarded the plane, casting her an oblique glance. "Flesh wounds abounded."
"Is Mark on his way?" Red asked.
"He should be there by now." Francis confirmed.
Red scowled, halting mid-step, turning about. "He's already meeting them?" his tone was censored.
"No, he wanted to check out a property." Francis handed Dembe his bag of chips because he had already taken them anyway. "He wouldn't meet them until you gave him the go ahead."
"Where are we staying?" Liz squirmed in her chair finding a comfortable spot, the excitement shining in her eyes.
"The Mirage." Red sighed.
Francis chuckled, crossing to his own seat. Liz had a perplexed look on her face. "He hates the Mirage because of Nicole."
"Nicole?" the woman frowned.
"The man we're going to meet, Christopher, owns the hotel. He hired Nicole to greet his special visitors." Francis grinned, glancing out the side window. "She has a thing for Red."
Red sighed again, this time with a hint of annoyance.
"She grates on the nerves. Especially his." he hooked a thumb in the older man's direction.
That was unlike Red to be so ungracious. And it must have shown on her face.
"You'll understand when you meet her." Red grumbled.
"Hey," Francis perked up, "maybe she'll back off since Liz is with you?"
Red's head tilted slightly, a disconcerting lift of the brow told Francis the other man harbored little doubt as to that eventuality.
"Yeah, I really didn't think so either." Francis shrugged. "Just thought I'd boost your spirits."
"I'll protect you, Red." Liz reached over offering a consoling pat to the man's thigh.
"I hope to hell you do." Red replied seriously.
They had been in flight for about an hour. Red finally sat back, half listening to the conversation happening around him. He had been too intent on business matters before to take much note.
Liz was laughing at whatever the hell Francis had said, but more so perhaps, Dembe's reaction to it.
Silas snoozed happily away but Red half suspected the man was only pretending to be semi-unconscious.
Red was happy to see Lizzy integrating herself so well with his counterpoints. They seemed genuinely fond of her. Not that he gave a damn about what Mark or even Francis thought, but that their acceptance was so important to her, made it important to him.
Liz wasn't even aware, he didn't think, that she needed the approval of others still.
He understood that it was a product of her childhood and the feeling of abandonment which still troubled her subconsciously. It had carried over into her adult life. Her decision, her chosen profession into the Old Boys Club, was a result of those insecurities.
Females had integrated into the Bureau decades back, but they still had to prove themselves daily and yet, it still was never good enough. Which is probably exactly why Liz went for the job.
She was good at it. And even the smallest pat on the head was monumental... a big deal, to her.
And now since Red had entered her life, she had even more to prove.
Her own colleagues didn't trust her, due to her relationship with him.
Ressler still gave her a hard time about it, friendly and supportive one minute, back stabbing in the next. Meera had seemed kind, but she was just as two faced as Ressler when it came to Lizzy.
Samar, Red could not pin down as of yet. Lizzy had grown to trust her, for the most part. He really hoped in the end, that Samar would not break the trust they had built.
The only one she had been able to depend on at work was Aram.
And at home, she had Francis. Her one true friend. Her only friend.
Liz didn't have any girlfriends. Outside of the computer geek and Francis, she had no one.
The thought made Red sad.
Lizzy would always have him, no matter how angry she got with him. She could share anything with him, but she needed a confidant for certain things. Everyone did.
His ex-wife's best friend knew Carla was pregnant before Red had. Back when he had a regular life, his buddy had known about him returning on a tour of duty before Carla did.
You had to have someone to share your fears and joy with besides your partner, someone to act as a sounding board.
Red shifted his eyes, watching as Liz shared a secret smile with Dembe. What ever the man saw, had him chuckling.
Maybe she had found that sounding board with Dembe?
Who better to understand her life or her current situation?
Dembe may be the only one who truly could understand. Red had watched the relationship grow over the last month. Dembe knew what had happened between them in the last week. If Liz allowed herself, got past her innate shyness, she could spill her guts to Dembe.
He supposed she could go to Francis in a pinch, but he wasn't sure how much the young man could stand hearing, especially if Lizzy needed to speak about something intimate.
And Red knew she would eventually need to talk to someone along those lines.
Which made Dembe the ideal choice.
Given enough time, they would become thick as thieves. And Red was okay with that. If anything should ever happen to him, he knew Liz and Dembe would be together. The thought comforted him.
Lizzy stuck her tongue out playfully at Francis, and the man return the gesture, only Francis had cashews on his.
Red closed his eyes, shaking his head woefully, but in the end he knew such juvenile antics was just what the Doctor ordered for Elizabeth Keen who oft times took herself and the world, far too seriously.
Francis was inching his way further into Red's life than he had ever before.
With a fatalistic aplomb, Red suddenly realized that even as independent as these three were, they would always look to him for guidance and support whether they were aware of doing so or not.
What they did not realize, was that they were just as important to him. They kept him grounded. Oft times preventing him from making rash decisions. Well...most of the time anyway.
But in hindsight, normally when he went ahead and did as his conscious dictated, it was only because he had done harm to whoever had hurt one of them.
That was one part of himself he couldn't shut down and really had no desire to do so.
For those three, he would literally burn down the world.
He stared at Lizzy who looked so pretty and fresh today. To look at her, no one would have guessed of their late night activities.
She was so vibrant and alive. Laughing at what ever Silas had just said. Her face animated and relaxed. It seemed Red had been correct in his assessment. The guard had only been pretending to be asleep and was now sharing that charming side he could call upon whenever the mood struck him.
What a different side Liz presented here with these people as opposed to her coworkers. She was totally free in this atmosphere.
He had to wonder how the news of their relationship, when it became public knowledge, as it must eventually, would affect her general well being.
She would need his people to be supportive, because no one else would be.
He wasn't ashamed of what he felt for her. He was older and there would be speculation. He could not protect her from people's thoughts. He didn't give a damn about anything but her and what she thought. He had her affection and she warmed his bed at night, and that's all he cared about.
But Lizzy... the ridicule that was on the horizon, would hurt her deeply. But maybe Francis and the boys could cushion the blow.
And maybe, with him there to love her... it might balance the hurt she would feel.
He rested his chin on his thumb, curling his fingers against his mouth, staring at her... making no pretense of doing anything else.
She glanced at him, smiling prettily. He winked at her, his smile half hidden behind his fingers.
Her cheeks turned pink under his scrutiny as she smoothed her hair, a very feminine gesture. His smile increased slightly.
A couple weeks ago, she would have rolled her eyes at him.
Today, she had the memory of what he did to her last night... and this morning.
His eyes deepened and he shifted slightly annoyed that his penis reacted accordingly. He was however, becoming accustomed to the sensation.