Focal Point

by Daniel Davies

(Lizzington) A dangerous serial killer targets Elizabeth Keen as the newest Blacklister hits too close to home for Red Reddington. She must rely on the one person her instincts tell her she can trust. Liz finds herself inexplicably drawn closer to the only man capable of protecting her from this insidious new threat. (Mature Content)

94. That's Life

MAY 30

Tossing her bag across the room landing it on the bed, Liz leaned into the door frame, her body tensed with frustration.

This had been a hell of a week.

The last day of their vacation had been idyllic. Red had all but sequestered them in the back rooms of the spacious home.

They did nothing but relax and unwind.

In the aftermath of their meeting with Rachel Reddington, Red had seemed more at peace, more... subdued somehow.

It was if he needed the quiet, the seclusion.

Even Dembe and Francis had seemed to sense a change in the man, leaving them to their makeshift retreat.

It was a total surprise then, when Silas unexpectedly walked through the door of the back office, making his rounds as though he had never left.

Liz thought back on that day, having crossed the room, glancing out on a beautiful spring day. She tilted the slats of the wood blinds, quietly musing.

Red had tensed that day, looking Silas over critically for a long beat. Something passed between the men that she could not read but whatever was 'said', Red relaxed, beckoning the guard to sit, join them.

Silas seemed fine to Elizabeth. Francis had mentioned the fact that usually, Silas would go off, sometimes for weeks... on his own version of a spirit quest.

Lizzy would never understand why men had such difficult times with expressing emotions, instead of continuously repressing them.

In a sense, she supposed women were more fortunate in that area. A good cry oft times solved most of the world's problems.

The day that Red... let go, seemed to have done the man a world of good.

She was probably seeing it from a woman's point of view, of course. At first, Red had been a little distant, as if he was embarrassed, maybe, by his loss of control.

She didn't see it that way. And she never would.

The week had went downhill from the moment of Silas' interruption, not that Liz blamed the man.

She was glad Silas had returned so quickly and seemed his old arrogant, sarcastic self.

Red had received an urgent call from New Jersey, of all places. There had been a disastrous fire in one of his warehouses which required his immediate attention.

Thereby ending a very pleasant and eventful holiday.

She had occupied her days with the usual things but her work could not hold her interest for very long this time around.

Silas sensed her restlessness, inviting her along on his rounds. As she walked the large estate with her constant companion, her boredom diminished.

Liz loved trading barbs with the large man as they discussed a wide variety of subjects.

On that first day, as they had looped around the side of the perimeter, Liz glanced toward the tree-lined street.

Her shadow sat there in his car, looking straight ahead. She stepped back into the confines of the tall rhododendron bushes.

"You don't have to hide from that bastard." Silas scolded. "Get out here in the sunlight, show him what you're made of, girl!"

Liz hesitated, not wanting to cause any undue trouble for her security team.

Silas shook his head slowly, his eyes chastising her. He glanced about, then placing his fingers to his lips, whistling sharply.

Several guards were alerted, coming at the wave of his hand.

Liz noted Tom had been alerted as well however, shrinking back into the bushes even more so as his attention was caught.

Silas gave a curt command and his men cackled their glee as they spread out in a fanning position, clearing the area in record time.

"What are you doing?" Liz watched the men head for the main gate, their paraphernalia changed out for another type of weapon. She tensed, not being able to make out the models.

Silas had not answered, simply stood, his gaze directed to a wary Tom Keen.

Eight guards had been playing laser tag, over at the East end of the complex.

"What?" Liz watched the scene unfold, skeptically chiding Silas' proposal. "You're going to have them 'laser' him to death?"

"Unique concept but no." the man muttered quietly.

His men approached the speedy car, taking defensive positions around the parked vehicle.

Weapons were lifted, placed against stout shoulders.

Liz's brows furrowed and Tom was even more staid. He waited patiently inside the car, for what... neither was quite sure.

A flurry of paint balls suddenly colored the air, the orange and green orbs making loud splats as they ricocheted off the expensive metallic surface of Tom's car.

Liz burst out laughing as she witnessed Tom frantically attempting to raise the window against the volley of furiously flying projectiles.

The carnage continued undauntedly for what seemed five minutes until finally, the guards halted their assault, each stepping back to admire the damage they had inflicted.

"Silas, you are so evil." Liz approved, chuckling her mirth.

Tom had taken the effort in his stride although thirty or forty paint splats decorated not only the inside of his interior but... his own personal space.

He pulled his orange and green garment away from his body, staring morosely down at his once white shirt.

Liz was beside herself, dancing about in the sunlit grass, laughing her ass off. "I'm going to pee my pants!"

Silas cracked a sadist grin, "We aim to please."

Liz waved happily to a disgruntled Tom Keen. She and Silas had continued their trek, the woman's mood much improved.

Liz smiled in remembrance of Tom Keen's car. That thing was Tom's pride and joy. And something that was quickly becoming the butt of the joke to the guards.

Silas had her antagonists car towed, the day after.

His men had dragged Tom from the car, holding him 'incommunicado' for about an hour until the tow truck had come and gone.

Tom was subsequently released... as in thrown bodily out of the gate onto the scorching pavement.

Liz had watched her ex's trek down the shaded street for a block or two. It had done her heart good but then, the next day, the creepy stalker was back... blue car and all.

A car she had passed by today after returning from her mandatory physical training classes.

She hated those dull, useless sessions. Silas was the only one who knew her real capabilities and limitations.

He never treated her like a fragile, incapable child. Silas pushed her and often as not, the training periods wound up with Liz sweating her ass off and panting like a freight train but they were productive.

She had also learned the use of the unique phrase, 'Fuck off , Silas.'

It had served her well on some of the more strenuous sessions.

Her aggravation skyrocketed not only because there was no way she could skip the stupid classes even though it was more than obvious she was doing far better on her own.

Upon her return home today, she had received notice that her psychologist appointment had been scheduled as well.

She leafed through a romance novel absently, worrying the paper with her thumb. That physiological test had Liz worried a bit.

Those people always read so much into each little gesture or slip of the tongue. She was curious to see if any one of them would pick up on the new changes in her life.

What was the story she and Red would give everyone this time?

She wasn't going to pretend she didn't feel emotions for the man. It would be impossible anyway.

She felt far too much these days.

And her team wasn't stupid. They would see the growth between her an Red.

Ressler had played it close to the edge with that chance meeting on Memorial Day but Liz wondered what conclusions he had drawn privately.

Besides, she didn't know for certain what she was going to do concerning her job with the Bureau. She really enjoyed profiling on one hand but on the other, she missed her team and working closely with Red.

There was still time to consider all sides to the issue. She shouldn't stress.

She put the novel aside, crossing the room. She wandered into the walk-in closet, choosing her clothes for after her shower.

Maybe Francis would show up tonight. She secretly thought Red had hatched a plan for the young man to visit frequently if Red was away.

She enjoyed when Francis was about... the distraction he provided. Although she secretly wondered if she was monopolizing his time.

Francis was so energetic, habitually speaking of all the clubs he frequented.

The quiet nights here must be dreadfully boring to him. All they ever did was watch movies, put puzzles together or play board games if they could con the off-duty guards into it.

She would have to confront Francis and get the truth out of him one of these days.

She set the temperature of the water absently, her mind flitting about.

Red called frequently. It was always good to hear his voice.

She missed him terribly. Today more than most days.

Red had kept in constant contact with her and with each call, she could hear his frustration rising.

He had to fly from New Jersey to London. A new Blacklister had been spotted but the bastard had gone to-ground so the team had asked for Red's assistance for only he had the needed contacts to hopefully make the guy surface again in a timely manner.

Sighting of Carver had tapered off somewhere around Portland, Oregon.

Red was not happy.

Liz was not happy either.

She would have to inform Red about the new letters which had arrived if Silas hadn't already done so. Liz lathered the creamy soap between her fingers watching the bubbles grow.

He was thousands of miles away, so she hoped Silas wouldn't have bothered him until Red's return.

The woman rolled her neck, letting the heated water ease away tension and stress.

Liz was about to reach her boiling point.

Tom was hovering around hampering her comings and goings although Silas was handling that aspect well, admittedly.

He was simply another annoyance she could do without.

Her blood pressure rose as she recalled the office visit. The doctor had been no help today what-so-ever.

After waiting over a damned hour, the PA had informed her, rather condescendingly at that, the information divulged could have been handled over the phone... that she didn't even need to come in for an appointment.

Liz tried to ease the once again rising tension in her shoulders, her head was beginning to ache.

She really wished Red was here. He always made the world's little aggravations disappear.

She soaped her body, her hands running leisurely over the slopes of her stomach, arms and breasts.

She closed her eyes. At times, she could almost feel the touch of his lips on her flesh. Soft, gentle, moving confidently from one vulnerable location to the next.

Her fingers slid between the lips of her vulva. She could feel the heat of his tongue, the grasp of his palms on her buttocks as he held her for his pleasure.

Liz gasped huskily, the clock chiming in the hallway breaking her thoughts.

"Ohh..." she swallowed guiltily, feeling the rush of blood to her cheeks.

The woman hastily finished her shower, determined to keep her thoughts on a more stable course.

She applied her lotions and minimal make-up, the woman looking back in the mirror, a different one than she knew.

Liz hardly recognized herself these days which, she had decided, was a good thing.

She had more color and energy and it showed in her face, her eyes and even her posture.

Had she been that... drained before? Had the life with Tom caused damage in ways even she was not aware?

Liz sat back, considering the fact for the first time ever.

She didn't want to think about it, dismissing the thought instantly. She was with Red now and things were so much better.

Delicious smells wafted into the sanctity of her bath area. Nora was working her magic again.

Liz hurried to finish her make-up, scurrying to dress in her earlier chosen outfit. She always tried to look her best these days. Red noticed a woman's body, he took the time and effort to comment and those comments always made her feel beautiful

Liz had always considered herself only average in the looks department, a 'five' on most days, a 'six' if she put in the effort.

Put up beside Samar, any woman would pale, so Liz tried to put in the effort if only for morale's sake.

Red made her feel like a 'ten' just by the way he looked at her. She wanted to be that 'ten' for him, of course but also, for herself because dammit to hell, she was worth the effort and deserved it!

Liz smiled happily slipping into a soft silky blouse of lavender and black design. She chose her favorite jeans that brought out her curves to complement the outfit.

She practically skipped down the long hallway through the archway into the dining area, then kitchen.

Nora hummed as she worked.

She made Elizabeth smile. "I know that song."

"Then join in." Nora brought a cutting board over, placing freshly washed celery atop the clean surface.

Liz sat on a bar stool in the large island area, dutifully chopping the vegetable for the salad which would complement that evening's meal.

Nora continued her work and the song. Liz felt at ease a few seconds into the scene adding her voice to the pleasant humming.

"I've been up and down and over and out, and I know one thing," she grinned over at the older woman, "each time I find myself laying flat on my face," Liz found courage lifting her voice confidently, "I just pick myself up and get back in the race... That's life!" Liz really belted it out.

They dissolved into a fit of giggles.

"Ah... Sinatra," Nora's eyes turned dreamy as she halted her hands activities, "now there was a man."

"No arguments here." Liz poured a portion of the celery into a large mixing bowl.

"It's lasagna and garlic bread tonight." the older woman checked the oven.

"Oh, God." Liz sighed blissfully. "Nora, I must have put on thirty pounds by now. You have got to stop putting all this temptation in front of me."

"You're young. You can work it off." the woman grinned. "Or... Mr. Reddington will do it for you."

"Nora!" Liz feigned shock. But they shared a chuckle. "The things you say..."

"Privileges of age."

"You aren't old!" Liz objected strenuously. "You're a vital, beautiful woman and you know it!"

"Well, I'm not dead just yet." Nora philosophized. "As a matter of record, I've seriously been considering taking young Francis up on his offers. That boy needs to be taken down a notch or two and I think I'm just the old MILF who could do it."

Liz gasped her delight, laughing gaily. "You're terrible and a bit scandalous!"

"That child propositions me with every pot roast I sit before him these days." Nora scoffed. "I've got sons his age. I feel like boxing his ears good."

"Oh, come on," Liz chided playfully, "you know he's good for your morale, admit it!"

Nora relented, "Well, there's no harm done, I suppose."

"How do you do it?" Liz watched the woman haul large trays from the twin ovens.

Nora glanced over at her, "You mean, 'taking young men under my wing'?"

Liz was tickled, "No..." she giggled infectiously, "I meant... cook for all of us? Those men eat like an Army."

"Oh, I enjoy it." Nora dismissed. "I miss when the kids were at home. They were always bringing friends over for dinner."

"Well, you're a better man that I am." Liz admitted her fallacies. "I would just send out for pizza every night."

Nora clicked her tongue, "Mr. Reddington doesn't pay me to sit on my can. And it's nice to be appreciated again." she sighed, placing her hand on her hip, looking at Liz thoughtfully.

"What's going on with that guy in the car out front? Silas came in here and stole all my eggs when he showed up earlier."

"I don't know anything about it." Liz hastily denied any involvement in said crime. Too hastily if Nora's expression was any criteria to judge by.

"I think they're planning to egg the car." Liz had heard the plans being drawn up. "But I didn't have anything to do with it."

"So you said." Nora nodded pleasantly.

"You'd think he'd get the hint."

"I don't want to pry." Nora threw her hands up, crossing to the sink. She ran warm water to wash a few pots in. "Besides, I'll hear all the gruesome details from Francis, I'm sure."

"That's because I keep nothing from my little buttercup."

Both women turned at the unexpected rejoinder.

Francis Holbrook strolled casually into the kitchen making a beeline for the garlic bread that was cooling on a rack by the oven.

"Didn't Mr. Reddington almost snap your fingers off the other day for the very same thing?" Nora scolded, smacking Francis' hand smartly.

"He merely threatened to break them." it was scoffed before the man made a sound in his throat that was anything but disapproving. "Oh, my angel," he moved very close to Nora, his tone dropping more than suggestively, "you know it drives me crazy when you discipline me."

Liz grinned for Nora smacked Francis again as the man attempted to nuzzle her neckline.

"Behave!" it was warned. "Or I'll tell Mr. Reddington about you and your lecherous shenanigans."

"He knows I'm madly in love with you." Francis wasn't intimidated, trying for the other side of the woman's nape.

"With my brownies, more apt." Nora corrected, shoving out of Francis' playful embrace. "Now, sit." she snapped, narrowing her eyes at the boy. "I'll make you up a plate but you better mind your 'P's' and 'Q's', young man."

"I'd rather watch your rather fetching derriere." Francis sat obediently, amused for Nora's annoyed glare.

"You're incorrigible." she sighed.

"You know you love me." Francis flirted openly.

Nora softened, "I tolerate you."

Francis sent a meaningful kiss her way, having pursed his lips more than suggestively.

The woman groaned mentally, "Here, sweetie," a large portion was set before Elizabeth, "you dig in before those rowdy men get in here."

"You don't have to tell me twice." Liz obeyed more readily than Francis even. "But you sit, Nora... join us."

"Now remember, I have that dinner tonight." Nora reminded. "My daughter is trying her wings... she's nervous. One of her brothers will be at the table and I should be there to soften the blow if all does not come out as planned." she laughed.

Liz sucked in a breath, "Oh, I'm sorry, I remember!"

"You can't just walk out and leave me woman!" Francis managed around a mouthful of lasagna. "I'm so lonely."

"Clean up that VD and you might score yourself some attention." Nora patted the man's hand consolingly, before wiping her hand off on a nearby hand towel.

Liz gasped then struck a line through the air as in 'one for Nora'.

"Dessert is in the fridge." Nora continued on as if she hadn't just cut Francis off at the knees.

Francis mooned happily at the woman, though Liz was unsure why. Because there was dessert or because Nora took him down a notch... again.

"...Along with two extra trays of food." Nora mentioned aside to Elizabeth.

"I heard that, love of my life." Francis had.

Nora shook her head, "You leave some for Mr. Reddington and if you don't," she fumed, "I'll tell Silas to... do whatever it is he does to degenerates like you, and that's a promise."

"Isn't she magnificent?" Francis sighed dramatically.

Liz rolled her eyes at the man's theatrics, shrugging. "You did kind of bring that one on yourself." she muttered to the other woman. "He did say he liked to be disciplined."

"Is it any wonder I am so smitten?" Francis continued his passionate soliloquy. "Come here my love!" he stood, a force to be reckoned with. "I'd rather eat you than this delicious offering. Come to me."

Nora remained, unmoved, "I should wash your mouth out with soap for talk like that, but I fear you may even enjoy that."

Liz stifled her giggle, well used to the exchanges but she enjoyed the bantering tremendously.

"Have a wonderful time with your family, Nora." Liz forcefully sat Francis back down on his stool. "I'll miss you so much."

Francis slid off the other side of the stool rushing to the older woman. "Don't leave me like this." he tugged Nora close to his chest his face all to close to hers. "How can you be so cruel? You know what you do to me."

"I know what I'd like to do to you." Nora pinched his ear, pulling him back from her sphere.

"I'd be putty in your capable hands." Francis eagerly offered.

Liz watched the scene, eyes large and wide, stuffing food in her mouth as if she were taking in a morning soap opera on a rare day off.

"...Yes, you would be." Nora replied huskily, decidedly positive of that fact.

Francis surprisingly... settled. He watched the woman gather her sweater and purse... his mouth agape.

"Goodnight, Elizabeth." Nora called back to the woman, walking stalwartly past a still quiet reticent young man.

"Sweet dreams..." the woman swept her hands gracefully down her still voluptuous frame, "are made of this." she exited with an impertinent smile.

Liz couldn't be sure but she was almost positive she heard more than an undercurrent of sexual innuendo in Nora's delivery. She swept a finger through the air once again, giving Nora another mark to her score.

The silence was thick as the man slowly made his way back to his stool beside Liz.

"...I felt that one right down to my toes." he muttered dejectedly. "She's just... toying with me and my affections."

Liz laughed out right, "You're crazy," she decided, "you are truly insane," and she also decided, "and I like you just the way you are."

Francis shrugged mentally returning to his food, "I'll break her down..."

"She'll break you, you mean." Liz muttered around her fork.

"...It's only a matter of time before she succumbs to my charms." he forged on, ignoring his friend.

"What about Lia?" Liz goaded.

Francis waved distractedly, "She's already succumbed... many, many times," he waggled his brows, before sobering somewhat, "I love her, she's my whole reason–"

"...For existing," Liz rolled her eyes dramatically, "yes, I know." she nodded sagely. "How very cosmopolitan of you."

"You going to eat those green beans?" Francis had zeroed in.

"Yes." Liz held her plate closer, scowling at the man.

Silas sauntered in from the side French doors holding dozens of empty egg cartons in capable arms. "You're out of these." he held the Styrofoam aloft. "What is that amazing aroma."

Liz beckoned the man over, "Come and get–"

Before she could finish her sentence, the doors swung open again, two burly men pushing Silas aside in the quest for Nora's manna.

"...Some." the woman finished lamely.

Francis scooted out of the way, cradling his precious plate protectively as several more men entered, all seemingly famished. Grasping her elbow, the man directed her to follow as he led her to a safe distance and away from the carnage taking place.

Liz watched the large trays dwindle rapidly as each got their fair share.

"How bourgeois!" Silas grumbled accordingly.

Liz adjusted her plate in her grasp as well, following Francis into the dining room.

The seats filled rapidly, except Red's, of course. The head of the table and to her right. It seemed fitting somehow.

One team would take their break and another would follow.

It was a noisy, hectic time Liz liked best. The house was full with a din of flurry and excitement.

The men had accepted her presence and if they got a little too 'accepting', the speech turning too risqué or to questionable subject matter, Silas would always gently remind them a lady was present.

"Shut the hell up!" he snapped over the raucous conversations taking place, putting a faint smile on Liz's face. The man did not know the meaning of the term... subtle.

"There is a lady sitting at this table and if you want to remain doing the same, you'll watch your fucking language!"

Apologetic murmurs would follow with Liz graciously offering a sedate, "Yes, you all heard what he fucking said so... watch it! I am indeed a lady of the highest caliber." she took the garlic bread, running it around the plate, stuffing the sauce covered delicacy into her mouth to prove the point.

Tensions would ease, Silas would reseat himself and the merriment would once again, commence. Just as it did this evening.

"How do you stay so fit?" Liz had turned to Francis at one point, genuinely perplexed. "You eat like a pig."

"I got stamina, baby." Francis stole the last piece of her garlic bread.

Liz frowned for the fact but she let him get away with the theft.

"Stamina my ass." Silas had his doubts on the matter, clearly. "I'll lay you ten to one, he's getting Lipo."

"The only thing sucking on me," Francis hooked his thumbs to his chest, "are lips."

"They make sucking blow up dolls with that function now?" Silas lifted innocently enquiring brows.

"Don't act as if you don't know that." Francis continued.

Regardless of the crude topics of conversation, Liz was glad she had instituted evening meals together.

Francis, for all his obvious money and fancy suits, seemed to fit in otherwise with the hardened, military types.

He never put on airs. He could take anything they dished out and frequently returned as good as he got.

Liz glanced over at Silas as he and the younger man talked. It was odd. She really didn't know all that much about Francis.

Of course, the same could be said of any of the men who protected the house.

"...So," Francis interrupted her thoughts, as the men drifted back to their duties or went off to enjoy their downtime, "what's on the agenda for tonight?"

"Francis," Liz absently watched Silas clear away his plate, "do you really want to be here?"

"That's a stupid question...where else would I be?"

"Any number of places I should imagine." she was resigned but not happy over the matter. "You don't have to be... I know Red has asked you to look in on me from time to–"

"Let's watch scary movies." Francis interrupted rudely. "Have you seen that creepy fog outside?"

"Fog?" Liz glanced toward the French doors but lace covered the panes.

"There's no moon, it's a perfect night for a murder." Francis seemed deliriously happy over the fact.

"You want I should murder..." Silas jerked his head in the general vicinity of Tom's location. "Cause if you do," he picked up his dessert plate, inhaling the rich aroma, "I have nothing else on my agenda for this wondrous evening."

"Why do you get to murder him," Francis protested, "I called dibs." he reminded.

Liz sought out the window panes, "My God," she turned, "it is spooky out there. When did this roll in?"

"So observant." Silas tsked, crossing to the sink.

"Silas, I'll get it." Liz hurried over.

"Oh, I wouldn't think of denying Junior here of his 'scare fest'," Silas pushed up Henley sleeves, "and we can't have Nora returning to a kitchen sink full of dishes...I got this. I was a Boy Scout once."

"Sure you were." Francis' face said it all.

"Isn't this... woman's work?" Liz tested the waters, keeping her humor under wraps.

"You say that to my mama and she'd slap you in the face." Silas pointed at the woman.

"... You had a mama?" Francis was shocked.

"Unlike you." Silas retorted. "Didn't Mulder and Scully find you in Area 51 inside a packing crate labeled, Alien Fetus?"

Francis looked slightly bemused, "Do they label things like that in Area 51? Because you know... it's a dead giveaway."

"That's classified." Silas delivered the line so stoically, Liz hesitated, almost wondering if he had worked at the Top Secret base.

"If I told you anything," he lifted solemn eyes, "... I'd have to kill you."

"Didn't you just divulge classified information?" Liz brightened. "But on the other hand, it is a perfect night for a murder." She smiled cheerfully at Francis.

Silas smiled pseudo-pleasantly which in itself was kind of creepy.

"Stop it." Francis implored the man to do so. "That's not funny."

Liz had to agree, "You're freaking me out." she sent her guard a determined scowl.

"I'll change into some jeans," Francis plucked at his suit and tie, "and meet you downstairs."

Curiosity 'plucked' at Elizabeth Keen, "You look nice," she said, making the man hesitate in his steps. Her eyes scanned the man's expensive threads, while the man preened, "where do you work exactly?"

"No where if I can help it." the man called back over his shoulder.

Liz glanced at Silas but the large man only returned to rinsing and stacking plates in the dishwasher.

Liz popped some corn and gathered a bowlful of assorted candies, heading off to the large room below.

She situated herself having chosen a few different movies from the correct genre, tossing throws on either lounge in case it got cooler later on. The air conditioning always affected her if she sat still for any length of time.

Francis arrived, a stack of movies in hand. She shrugged indifference as he put a DVD into place.

They settled in after the man shut down the lights.

Bad weather had been predicated coming in from the West tonight and on cue, the wind picked up and distant rolls of thunder echoed deep in the dark skies.

"Told you so." Francis approved on Nature's assistance. "Perfect night."

"Yeah, for a tornado." Liz had never been in one but had seen the aftermath.

"We don't have tornados in Washington D.C."

"Yea, and they won't travel over water or occur on mountainous regions either." she cast a doubtful glance his way. Especially since she vividly recalled one a couple years ago killing two people.

"All right, maybe we do," he conceded, "but not tonight." he assured. "Don't be a scaredy cat, sit back and enjoy the movie."

Liz sighed, deciding to do just that although this particular movie, while having some thrills throughout, turned into a fantastically cheesy affair which left them both laughing at the lameness of it all.

The second fare was not so 'lame'. Several times Liz caught herself scrunching back into the seat, grimacing, unconsciously leaning towards her companion at a key moment in the action.

As the drama increased her nerves grew taut, she bunched the soft fabric of her blanket to her chin even pulling it over her eyes a couple times.

She hastily checked with her movie partner, embarrassed to have done so.

Francis hadn't even noted, his eyes glued to the screen as he nervously nibbled on his Snicker bar.

Liz returned her interest post haste to the gory happenings on the screen as well, unwilling to miss anything of import.

The actress moved slowly down a creepy corridor, the camera allowing the viewer to walk along with her.

At the end of the hall was a flight of stairs and of course, the actress ascended them, one by one. The eerie music of the score added beautifully to the suspense. As the actress reached for the door handle...

"Boo." a slow deep voice resonated directly behind the moviegoers, hot breath brushing against Elizabeth's neck.

Followed by a loud crescendo that signaled the end of the actress exactly coinciding with the unexpected fright.

"Holy fuck!" Francis jerked upright, bolting from his seat.

Liz yelped shrilly, kicking out, her foot accidentally toppling the nearly empty popcorn bowl.

Red Reddington chuckled lowly, having enjoyed the fact that both had come unglued so easily.

"Well, thank God I wasn't the axe murderer." he mentioned in passing. "Well... not this time."

Liz had grabbed her heart, and even now was trying to calm it down from its rapid beating.

Bracing his arms on the back of the couch, Red leaned down, placing a kiss on the woman's pulse point. He smiled against the soft flesh as the little woman's little heartbeat fluttered with her perfectly manufactured panic.

"I've been standing here, breathing down your necks for a good five minutes." he continued, holding his grin... just. "You both could have ended up on the butcher block."

"Very funny, Red Reddington!" Liz snapped peevishly.

"I think I just pissed myself." Francis 'checked'.

A loud piercing scream filled the room. Liz made a dash for Red before her brain could assimilate that it had originated from the television set.

She halted mid-rush, feeling foolish. "I... I thought that was Francis for a s-second."

Red's eyes were filled with gentle humor. He turned his attention to Francis who was still 'checking' if an accident had occurred only he had moved to the back of his jeans this time.

The kid held such a serious expression that Red almost laughed out loud.

"Her," he motioned to Elizabeth with a jerk of his head, "I can see maybe losing it... she's just a girl." he disdained the fact.

Liz pulled a face, crossing her eyes at the man for the 'slight'.

Red held his growing amusement. It was good to be home. "But you, Francis?" the older man tsked.

"Hey!" Francis jabbed a finger at the offending accuser. "Contrary to popular opinion," he made reference to Silas' earlier remark disparaging Francis' birthright, "I am only human besides, you have thirty-thousand armed men swarming this place," the tirade was continued, "if I can't let my guard down here, where can I?"

Red was making his way around the couch, seeking out Elizabeth who had lifted her arms out to his embrace, lifting on her tippy-toes to meet the man's intended 'welcome home' kiss.

Red wasn't about to deny himself this little perk.

As a matter of record, the minute he crossed the threshold in the past, he had no qualms with the fact, he readily searched her out. He had been anticipating kissing the woman for hours now.

This little mouth, that tonight, tasted of a slight hint of chocolate and red wine, was rapidly beginning to be his greatest vice.

"You're home." Liz cuddled up to him, clinging to his presence. She could feel the warmth of his palm against the fabric of her blouse. She had not realized how desperately she had needed the man's touch.

"I'm glad your constituents were not here to witness that little display." Red answered Francis' retort absently, his true interest for the scrumptious little body tucked up against him.

Something felt... off.

Elizabeth was all smiles but the man sensed a current running below surface... something was bothering her.

"Is everything all right?" he murmured for her alone.

"Why don't you ask me that, you sadistic bastard."

Red ignored Francis, concentrating on Elizabeth.

She nodded, smiling brightly up at him. "Everything is great... now that you're here." she hugged him harder, laying her head on his shoulder after another brief kiss.

"What have you two brats been up to in my absence?" he would definitely explore this topic further but at another time. He picked up that Lizzy would prefer that option.

He tightened his arms about the small body, feeling a slight tremor rack her frame.

Liz felt it as well, hastily leaving the shelter of his arms knowing how astute the man could be. She helped Francis pick up the spilled popcorn.

"We thought it would be a wonderful idea to scare the living hell out of each other since it apparently," she sought Red out, "was a perfect night–"

"For a murder." Francis finished in-sync and a private chuckle was shared by the two.

Liz clutched the bowl to her chest as she arose. "Have you eaten? Are you hungry?"

"No, I haven't." the man lifted his arm and Liz came into the sphere created more than willingly. "And yes, I am." he suddenly realized.

His appetite had been 'iffy' these past few days. He found it returning with a vengeance. It was truly good to be home... with this woman by his side.

The house felt warm and inviting. The rain had been torrential on his drive from the airport. Visibility was low. It seemed it had taken forever to get here.

Red settled his hand on the small of Lizzy's back, enjoying the gentle sway of her ass as she steered him to the kitchen.

"What about me?" Francis pouted, following them if only to voice his rising resentment for being neglected. "What am I all of a sudden? A figment of your imagination?"

"How in the hell can you be hungry?" Liz pushed through the kitchen door, making for the fridge. "You had two plates of lasagna and we've been snacking the last three hours." she was beside herself.

"I'll get that." Francis pushed past the woman, extracting one of the large pans Nora had prepared.

Red intercepted the object, much to Francis' chagrin, placing it on the counter top beside the microwave.

"He has a tapeworm." Red ignored the indignant expression offered his way, sucking the sauce from his thumb which had dripped from the overstuffed pan.

"I know from past experience, to get first chance at food where you are concerned." Red cut a section of the dish, placing it on the plate Liz provided. "Want some, baby?"

"Yes... thank you." Francis batted his eyes coquettishly Red's way.

"I'm good." Liz chuckled, crossing diligently to secure another few plates because Dembe had entered the colorful scene.

She handed plates to both men with a beguiling smile, "Hello, Dembe. Good trip?"

"Mediocre at best." was the quiet reply.

"Will you be joining us tonight, Dembe?" Red handed over the heated dish with relish.

Francis was saddened, watching the plate disappear from his reach.

Dembe's scowl increased two-fold, snatching the plate from Francis' vicinity. "...My show."

Red deftly punched the numbers on the keypad, heating up another slice of the delicious smelling delicacy.

"Ah, yes," he admitted his memory lapse, "I forgot. Well you are going to miss a cultured event, I'm sure." the man clearly being sarcastic. "I personally can't wait for, Night of the Living Dead... it's right up there on my bucket list of movies to see before I die."

"We already watched that one." Francis sulked.

"You enjoy Downton Abbey, Dembe." Red moved on after a slight scowl in Francis' direction.

"Downton Abbey?" Francis brightened, sitting straighter on the stool he had taken a few seconds earlier. "Hey! Did you see that part where Mr. Bates rpmh–"

Red's hand hastily slapped over the young man's mouth attempting to hush a still muttering 'victim'.

"Do not spoil it for him." it was warned tersely. "He about killed a man in London for the very same offense."

Dembe shot Francis a steady glare.

Francis settled instantly, falling quiet. He smiled sedately for a still glowering Dembe.

Red pulled the piping hot plate from the microwave, turning about.

He pulled up short for Francis was standing there, directly in front of him, eyeing the food covetously.

"How did you..." Red trailed off, measuring the distance from where the kid had been to where they now stood.

Red let it go, reluctantly handing over the plate.

"Don't you dare!" Liz scolded soundly, "Give it back! Red is starving!" she smacked Francis' bicep soundly, her expression stern.

"It's all right, Lizzy." Red chuckled, returning to the near empty tray to try his luck again. "It's not like I didn't expect it."

"It's not like he didn't expect it." Francis stated, taking his food back to his place at the large island.

"You are impossible." Liz fumed.

Red started the microwave yet again, sighing heavily. He cut Francis a side ways glance, "Is the fridge in the entertainment room stocked or has the gluttonous pig here cleared us out?"

"How you paint me.." Francis said around a mouthful of food.

"Do I need to take a few beers?" he directed the question to Liz who hastily sat the beer down Red had procured for himself upon entering the kitchen.

"Ohh!" the woman glanced at the half-finished bottle guiltily, "Eh... no, there is plenty down there."

Francis' expression said it all.

"Well, I didn't think..." Liz finished the sentence in her head, 'he would mind me drinking his beer or Francis taking his food'.

Red grinned over at her, "Baby, you know what's mine is yours, right?"

"Evidently." Francis smirked condescendingly.

Liz had the grace to flush. "I'll get you a fresh one." she instantly rushed to do so. "You go get some comfortable clothes on," she turned the man gently, "shoo!"

"As you wish." Red inclined his head slightly, holding his amusement. He hesitated, having made his trek a few steps.

"Francis, if anything disappears off my plate..." Red's hand reached, gently running the length of the butcher block full of knives, "I will cut you."

Francis' smile faded rapidly and the man took a giant step back from his intended advancement toward the unguarded plate, at the not so veiled threat.

"I will guard it with my life, Red." Francis promised faithfully.

Liz chuckled, shaking her head at the antics. She heated some sides, searching out a serving tray. "You deserved that one."

Red continued his trek, his foot steps rather jaunty now.

Liz hummed while she arranged Red's dinner tray.

"I'll take that for you, Lizzy." Francis offered politely.

"Oh, no you won't." she laughed at the absurdity. "This will be gone in record time."

"Come on..." the man pooh-poohed such a notion, "you heard Red, I just want to help out."

"Help yourself to Red's food more like it." she wasn't buying it.

"I won't, I promise." Francis persisted. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

"Your fingers are crossed behind your back, aren't they." Liz lifted the tray.

"How utterly childish."

"Francis, I can see the reflection in the microwave." she sighed lightly.

Francis hastily uncrossed his fingers.

"I solemnly swear," he raised two fingers, as if he'd ever pass for a Boy Scout...

"It's three fingers." Liz cocked her head patiently.

Another finger was instantly added, "On my grandmothers grave."

"I thought you were spawned." she reminded.

"It hasn't been proven..." he countered.

"Just get another plate, you dolt!" the woman was stupefied.

Francis mood and shoulders dropped, "It's just not the same. There's no challenge."

The woman shook her head woefully, "There is something drastically wrong with you."

"Maybe human and alien DNA isn't as compatible as they thought..." the man mused.

Liz had situated the tray in front of Red's usual seat, remembering to grab a beer from the fridge.

The man himself entered, instantly crossing to exchange plates with Francis who had switched the large piece for the smaller he had cut himself.

Liz gasped, having witnessed the spectacle.

"Could you get me a beer, Liz?" Francis craned about with an earnest expression.

Liz gaped indignantly, "I will not!"

"I was guarding it..." the man explained his actions.

"Your word of honor?" Liz snapped.

"There is no honor among thieves, Lizzy." Red reminded, having taken his seat, lifting his fork.

"Obviously." Liz yanked Red's garlic bread from Francis's hand.

"You drank his beer." Francis accused. "And you stole his bacon the other morning." he reminded.

Elizabeth's mouth slackened, her shoulders slumping slightly. There was no retort she could make to that.

She had stolen Red's beer and bacon.

"Set in judgement on me." Francis tsked. "Little moocher."

Liz turned to Red wide eyed and pouty. "I did..." her mouth fell further.

"What ever she wants, she shall have." Red quoted airily. "These green beans are delicious." he ate heartily.

And the evening progressed.

"Have you seen this one, Lizzy?" Red approved of the old classic Francis had chosen.

Liz was already deeply invested in the movie, however, not hearing the inquiry.

"S... my dad loved this movie." she replied off-handedly, catching her error in time. "He was always trying to get me to watch it with him." Liz remembered she had always been too 'busy' with one thing or another.

It saddened her now. She should have made the time.

"It was originally set in 3-D." Red informed the younger set.

But Liz was gone, off in that world where a good movie could take a person.

Red smiled for the fact returning his own interest to the unfolding storyline.

A small, delicate female ran haphazardly through the dark wet streets of a late night New York. Her pursuer was close behind, a misshapen, crippled hulk of what used to be, a man.

Liz held her breath in the quiet of the room. The female star's shoes clicked noisily on the cobbled pavement of the streets as she ran, alerting her stalker to her every location.

"Take them off you idiot." Liz whispered tersely.

Thankfully, the heroine wasn't as stupid as those in the last movie, tugging the buttoned-up half ankle boots frantically from her small feet. Rounding a corner, having been given a small respite from the harrowing chase, she gathered her senses about her.

Liz's breath caught and held as the grotesquely marred face came into the light of a street lamp as the maniacal stalker halted at one point, just feet away from his intended victim who huddle in terror just around the bend of a building.

The tension ended as the killer turned, heading off another way.

Liz quietly bit her thumb nail as the heroine ran to a nearby house, frantically pounding on a gigantic door.

The killer, of course, heard the commotion, now alerted to his prey's whereabouts.

The man moved with remarkable speed to be so hideously disfigured.

But finally, the door was opened and the actress was admitted into the bright and relative security of a safe harbor.

By the end of the movie, Liz enthusiastically clapped as the credits rolled. "Oh that was fun!" she had enjoyed the entertainment. "I liked that one a lot. No wonder my dad was so disappointed."

Francis grabbed a box of Milk Duds from the candy bowl, "The boyfriend should have saved her."

"Charlie Bronson in an early role, playing one of the bad guys." Red searched the bowl absently, finally choosing a package of peanut M&M's. Why not get into the spirit of things. "Wonder why they made him a mute?"

"Vincent Price is wasted on these things. He's a much better actor than credited."

Francis' insight surprised Red, "I think so too."

Liz was concentrated on opening her Twizzlers.

"I've got one here," Francis held up the DVD, an evil gleam in his eyes, "that will even scare you."

Red spread his hands agreeably, "Bring it on."

The last show made Liz's skin crawl. The plot had more holes than Swiss cheese, but the visuals left you feeling squeamish and slightly freaked out.

As an FBI agent, Liz constantly was considering how she, herself, would get out of the impossible situations presented in the film.

By the end, Liz had tunneled close to Red, squeezing her eyes tightly whenever the buzzing sounds would begin on screen.

"Pansy." Francis mumbled at one particularly gruesome part, opening his newly acquired Kit-Kat bar.

Red dropped his arm which had been held aloft, onto the back of the couch, inches away from Francis' position.

The boy jumped ten feet in the air, his chocolate bar flying practically across the room.

Liz chuckled the tension in her body away.

"You think he can save you from my nefarious ways?" Francis fought back.

"Red will always protect me from the criminally insane." Liz proclaimed proudly.

"I'm no petty criminal."

Red jerked his head, having taken a drink of his beer.

"I said, petty." Francis clarified.

Liz sought out her cuddle buddy, "What?"

"I was questioning the 'insane' part." Red quipped.

"Oh..." Francis took his seat only to start visibly as a severed leg flew at the screen.

At the end of the gore-fest, both Liz and Francis gave out short screams of exclamation, faces white and strained.

"You didn't see that coming?" Red has almost choked on his Junior Mints. "Must be the director's version of a climax." he smoothed Lizzy's frayed hair into a semblance of order. "Thank God it isn't yours." he murmured sensually into her ear.

"Does nothing scare you?" Francis was beside himself.

"That fact that your reactions might get out and I have to be seen in public with you." Red commented dryly.

"If it does get out..." the boy replaced the disc in it's case, "I'll know who to come after."

"And you know where to find me," Liz wasn't intimidated.

"I meant him." Francis was confused now.

Liz giggled, her soft socks rubbing against Red's shin as she cuddled up closer to the man.

She tried to shiver off her eerie feeling, "No more icky movies for me."

Red took the hint patting her hip, as she struggled off the couch. He followed her lead. "Yeah, I think we've all had enough for one outing."

Francis stretched luxuriously, sleepily traipsing after the two down the dimly lit hall.

His mischievous side emerged however as he saw a very vulnerable victim who had definitely let her guard down.

He sneaked closer, watching Red more than Liz.

Red turned his head slowly, offering an expressionless stare.

Francis feigned ignorance, managing an indignant huff directly before he goosed Liz, making her jump a good foot off the ground.

Francis whizzed past before Red could deliver the death blow, rushing up the stairs to his room, the loudly closed door shutting off his maniacal laughter.

"Sweet dreams, Lizzy!" echoed down the empty hall in his wake.

"There is something seriously wrong with that man." Red's tone held a finality with which Liz could identify.

She nodded agreeably, a fixed scowl on the pretty features.

"I'm going to put these dishes in the washer," Red had balanced the tray and plates artfully, his free hand having secured her waist, "you can go on to the–"

"No!" she replied too quickly. "I'll stay with you."

Red chuckled lowly.

"I'm not scared or anything." the woman stated stoutly, "I'm not...I just missed you, that's all."

"I see." Red finished the chore, and they went, hand in hand to the master bedroom.

The man closed the door, turning. The woman stood, looking small and fragile in the oversized room.

"Going to shower?" he motioned accordingly, sitting his watch on the bedside table.

Liz thought over the last few hours, "You could join me."

"I could do that." Red wasn't adverse. "I most certainly could do that."

Minutes later, he had divested her of any encumbrances, he himself, joining the woman in the steamy shower stall.

He was charmed by her lyrical giggle as he moved them under the numerous jets of hot water.

The man glanced down her body, his eyes enjoying the visual treat.

"I'm highly distracted right now." he forewarned, moving decidedly closer to the slippery little frame. "Anyone could just," his forefinger lightly moved over the tiny bead of her nipple, "walk right on in here..."

"It'll just be Silas." She sighed as the man gathered her long strands, administering shampoo after the fact. She stood perfectly still under such arousing antics, her eyes closing.

"He knocks now, you know." she muttered distractedly as she soaped the man's pectorals, drawing little hearts into the downy hair.

"Will wonders never cease." Red leaned, his mouth trailing soft kisses down her nape.

Liz lost herself in the man's soothing touch. "It's much nicer when you are in here with me." she made mention.

Red soaped the pert little breasts, his palms running over the satin flesh onto the flat stomach, into the heated spot between her legs.

"It certainly is..."

Liz reached behind her, feeling the hard evidence of the man's arousal. She spread her hands, her fingers grasping the thickness of his thighs on either side.

Liz moved enticingly, pressing his hardness into her backside.

A low sound escaped the man's lips.

Liz turned about, taking his cock in her hand, squeezing the stiffness encouragingly, her mouth parting for his kiss.

His tongue eased gently past her lips, the tip flitting erotically, dancing with her more timid one.

Her touch was like a soothing balm. Red felt the stress and tension that had been building all week bleed away.

He was acutely disappointed when her warm grip slackened, her hand tracing up his torso, kneading his shoulders with a gentle pressure.

"Bad week?" she had felt the change in his body.

"Long week." he lay his forehead against hers. "I missed you."

"That seems to be the general consensus with us." she smiled. "It's nice to hear."

She lifted her mouth and he devoured it hungrily, she pressed her breasts into his chest, her arms lifting about his neck.

Red's arms tightened, bringing the slender frame closer into his hold. Elizabeth felt the bulge between them, her mouth eagerly responding to this demands arduously.

"Did you miss me..." she had allowed the kiss to run it's course, breathless at its completion. "A lot?"

"Let me show you how much, baby." the man's own tone much more edgier than before, low and intense causing Liz to shiver happily in its wake.

Red lifted her bodily, leaning his back hastily against the heated shower stall, urging her to climb his sturdy frame, his palms lifting effortlessly on the woman's firm ass cheeks to ensure she comply.

Liz hooked her legs about his waist, easing down on the slick tip of his cock as Red held it for just such an occurrence.

The man groaned brokenly, instantly thrusting gently into the delicious pleasure offered. He gasped breathlessly into her parted mouth.

Elizabeth held tight to his solid shoulders, encouraging any and all activity Red's inventive brain could devise.

And Red Reddington could be very inventive when he chose.

Both watched their romantic interlude. The visual of Red's engorged cock, wet with her slick arousal, thrusting quickly into her body brought Liz to a nerve shattering climax only moments later. Red followed very close behind, enraptured by the sight and sounds of Lizzy coming in his strong hold.

It felt so good to feel his hot cream explode inside her suddenly aching cavern, to hear the intense groan of the release as it engulfed the man.

How could she not respond to stimuli like that?

Later, laying in bed, his arms about her, was now the most natural thing in the world.

She savored the quiet sound of his breathing. The wind outside howled fearfully but here, in the sanctuary of his embrace Liz felt a contentment like never before.

"I keep telling you, insisting really," Red's thoughts were along similar lines, "that this is your house." he mused. "I guess you're wondering why I keep just making myself at home... how I constantly wind up here in your bed."

"I'm just one lucky girl, I guess." she shrugged slender shoulders. "But seriously–"

"I thought that was a serious statement."

She smiled, sighing contentedly, "I don't like that you think of it in those terms. You said, what's mine is yours." she sought him out, flipping on her tummy to do so, "doesn't it apply both ways?"

"As long as it's truly what you want." Red was happy with her reply. "I can be... Silas says I inflict my will on other's, I don't consciously do it with you. I hope you believe that."

"It's part of your charm." she grinned at him.

"It's just that..." Red scowled slightly, remembering how he sat his watch on the bedside table, on his side. He hadn't even second guessed his actions at the time.

He had walked through her house as though he belonged there. Was completely comfortable in his surroundings.

And Lizzy hadn't questioned it, at all.

"I feel comfortable here, I don't even think most times..."

"As it should be." she approved. "It's very domestic of us, don't you think?" she smiled happily, pressing her breasts into his chest then sighed at his dour expression.

"Maybe you think too much which is more than we can say for Francis." she threw the small alarm clock she kept on her night stand at the ceiling. "I'm going to come up there and throttle you Francis Holbrook!"

The man had been making weird sounds up in his room now for some few moments, all of which Liz and Red had chose to ignore.

"How do you throttle someone, by the way?" she lay back on her tummy.

"We've never been what one could call... conventional." Red continued where his thoughts left off. "Nothing about how we came to be," he motioned between them to indicate his meaning, "has been conventional."

He personally enjoyed the spontaneity, the off beat path they had traveled which was so very... them.

They had found their own type of 'normal', he supposed. The unusual fit somehow.

He had always been a nonconformist.

"We should never have happened, according to logic." he continued more slowly, feeling his way. "Heads will roll if...when... our involvement becomes public knowledge but," he scowled, "I guess what I'm asking is... how do you see our relationship for lack of a better word?"
Red had never found himself in such a situation. It stymied him, what was a naïve, younger woman feeling?

He had fallen in love with Elizabeth Keen. Pure and simple but their involvement was anything but simple.

What would she say if he confessed the depth of his emotions for her?

She could not possibly return the sentiment for it was so early on in the proceedings.

His instincts were telling him to take the risk, go on and tell her the truth about how he felt.

But that would force Lizzy into a place she perhaps, was not ready to be.

He could start off small... and build. Actions spoke more highly in Red's book. He was good with actions but words failed him in this instance.

He had searched high and low for the correct ones but they all seemed to fall flat according to his lofty expectations.

The moment had never been quite right.

What if that moment never came?

The idea did not set well with him. He never gave up hope, he was a realist with a touch of optimistic dreams mixed in. His mother's contribution, he took for granted.

"Woolgathering?" Liz had resumed her former position beside him, her nails gently writing nondescript trails on Red's hair covered forearm as she patiently waited for the man to continue his words.

"Lizzy..." Red was getting anxious, fidgety, "are you happy?"

"Yes." she smiled, happily, her tone soft, a mere whisper of that emotion.

"Do you even know what I'm asking?"

"I'm happy we've found each other." she thought she hit upon it.

"We aren't exactly like other couples." he put it mildly.

"What do you mean?" she hesitated. "We go to dinner, we date, we... travel we... make love." she resumed her pastime.

"Don't tell me you don't have reservations about us."

"You mean," she didn't pretend to not understand, "the team?" she had been thinking about that, yes.

She lay quietly for a spell, "It's none of their business what I do in my private life." she never pried or interfered with theirs. "Nor am I, in any way, embarrassed by the fact we are together."

She turned her head slightly feeling his steady breath against the side of her temple. "Red, I've done what society expected of me," the woman heaved a sigh, "all it got me was a psychotic ex-husband with a stalker fetish and anger management issues."

She turned in his arms, her expression a wistful one. "It's my turn to live my life how I deem suitable."

Without knowing it, she had come to a decision and... it felt good.

"I like being a part of..." she motioned to his chest, "I think we have something special here." she eased up on the notion so as not to startle her prey away. "I enjoy being... a couple. I hope what exists between us, is an ever growing trust. A mutual respect... it is there on my part."

Red marveled at the growth the woman exhibited.

"When we first started out, I will admit to a bit of confusion maybe," she wasn't sure that was the right words, "it scared me, when you said out right that you wanted to move towards... you know."

Marriage." he supplied almost sternly.

"Well, yes. But now..." she pulled her bottom lip into her teeth, "people are always expressing unwanted opinions on my life! I guess I was trying to please them instead of myself."

A deep scowl graced her forehead, "I'm tired of catering to someone who isn't even a real part of my life!"

She lifted large blue eyes, "You're a part of my life. A very, very important part. I hope you know that."

"I do now." his body had lost all it's restlessness.

"You give me exactly what I need, Red." she gently traced his mouth. "In all areas of my life."

"Don't placate me, Elizabeth." he thought for one horrible moment, she might be. Madeline and Natalia were experts at manipulation. Red had grown wary.

"You would sense if I were." she lifted a focused gaze. "I wouldn't do that." she stopped her antics, her fingers stilling. "After Tom... no, I wouldn't do that.'

"The thought keeps reoccurring," Red ran his hand about his neck, "I think, maybe you need something... someone more conventional... more normal."

"Normalcy is overrated." she disdained. "Why don't you ask me what I need?" she taunted. "Because I will say it, right out like you do."

Red hesitated not able to read the woman who lay so passively in his embrace.

"I'm asking."

"What I need most... is to know that we're in this together," she replied quietly, "that you won't bail when the going is rough."

"You know me better than that, dammit."

"I need to know... and believe," she ignored his mood, "that what is developing between us is... real."

Red's mood evaporated into nothingness. He searched the lovely features religiously.

"I know these are just words right now," he moved closer to the woman, his breath smelling of mint mouthwash and Junior Mints.

"I love whatever it is we have, Lizzy." he realized it was clumsily stated. "Nothing has ever felt so real, at least on my part."

She traced his jawline with tentative fingers, her eyes fretful. "I want so desperately to believe you but you know that."

"If you will be patient," he prayed she would, "I will prove my sincerity beyond doubt."

"I'm not going anywhere." she leaned, her lips parting his sensually, holding a promise for later. "I guess, we both just need reassurance from time to time, huh?"

The dark blue orbs held her affection. "I didn't expect that from you."

"That I would want to know if you were," he wasn't sure he followed, "happy with our relationship?"

"You're always so sure of yourself, so confident." she nodded slowly.

"In work." he granted. "With you?" he curled a silken strand of hair about his finger, "This wasn't supposed to happen," he mused almost guiltily, "but I'm so damned grateful it has." the light eyes held a steely determination.

Elizabeth's heart filled with love for the man. She almost declared the fact right there and then.

The man sobered somewhat, "...I get afraid that because I want this so much..."

"It will be taken away." Liz concluded in the same manner.

He lifted his gaze, a searing intensity in the gray eyes.

"...Yes." he whispered his despair.

"God would not be so cruel."

"I haven't exactly been on His good side of late." he admitted tightly.

"Don't think like that." Elizabeth scolded. "Because God doesn't... he will forgive us much more readily than we do ourselves."

"Will he?"

"I want you here, is all I know for certain." Elizabeth did not want to get into semantics at a time like this. "And I have never been so happy, not ever."

"We will revisit this conversation in the future, I am sure but for now..." he was more than mollified.

His lips gently coaxed a response for the woman, her arms lifting about his neckline.

Red tightened his embrace, situating himself between easily parted thighs.

A scraping sound much like the effect of nails on a chalkboard broke the delicate moment.

Liz startled jerkily in his embrace, gasping audibly, her eyes large and vacant.

Red glanced irritably toward the Eastern most window, "I told the gardeners to take care of that damned thing!"

Liz breathed a sigh of relief, "Guess they didn't get around to it." she listened to the heavy limb tap restlessly against the pane.

"The wind must have shifted." Red returned his interest elsewhere, "Look at my baby,"
he teased, "hellcat one minute," he glanced covetously down at her bared breasts, "and scaredy cat the next."

"Oh, you jumped too!" she knew he had not though. She huffed, swirling about, pulling the covers up over her shoulders.

"Does this mean I'm not going to score tonight?" Red feared the worst by the set of the small, huddled shoulders.

"You've already scored." she reminded, rather huffily.

"That was just a pre-game."

The covers were pulled higher.

The man weighed his options which seemed to be dwindling by the second. He leaned over, grabbing the radio off his table.

Liz was instantly up, a fretful look on her face. "You did hear something!"

"No..." Red denied the accusation, "Silas, have a little job for you."

"It's wet out there."

It was wet inside Lizzy's pussy too... nice and hot and steamy wet and Red wanted an open invitation... and he thought he knew a way around her pique.

"Could you go bang on Francis' door, really loudly and then... vanish?"

Silas' throaty chuckle shivered along Liz's already tenuous flesh.

"Well that would be downright dastardly, did he frighten our little fawn this evening?"

"Not at all." Red heeded Liz's attempts to alert him to the folly of such damaging information in Silas' capable hands. "Just wanted you to do me a small favor. I'll owe you one."

"Pay backs are hell." Silas was grateful for something to relieve his growing boredom in truth. "I'll see what I can come up with, Boss."

"Copy." Red replaced the radio on it's perch, well satisfied with himself.

The house fell completely and eerily silent.

The woman had taken her former spot in Red's arms, her nudity stimulating Red's already heightened state.

He tried not to let on.

The bed felt good after all the hotel rooms and other not so pleasant places he had laid his head this past week.

Red wondered, because he had stayed a few times in five star hotels... was it the bed or the person in it, which made the structure so inviting.

Liz huddled close, her eyes darting around the room at darkened spots, the shadowing movement of things in the night.

She waited, for what, she had no clue. Silas could probably be diabolical if he put his mind to it.

What did the man have in store for poor unsuspecting Francis, then again, the little shit had been relentlessly pestering her and Red this past half hour now, trying to frighten her, she realized.

She never should have agreed to those spooky movies. She realized her mistake too late.

"Shh, shh..." Red shushed, even thought the woman hadn't said a word. His tone held a tight glee Liz had never heard before, "here it comes."

Liz heard nothing, in reality.

She perked her ears up, listening harder.

The woman's body reacted before her brain when loud stomping, much on the level of Star Wars Stormtroopers, filled the upper landing.

Loud banging thudded the walls, a din of mixed voices lifted, moaning and screeching indistinguishable syllables. A tremendous crash had the woman bolting straight out of bed, a man's horror filled scream ran the length of her spine.

The woman scrambled back into Red's arms, clutching him close.

"Gah!" Francis' response filtered above the symphony of sound.

Running feet pounded the thick carpeted floor above them as the young man flung his door wide.

"You bastards!" Francis was voicing his concerns in no uncertain terms, "I think I shit myself across the room!"

Red's laugh rang out, the outcome of his little prank better than he could have hoped for. "That kid kills me."

Liz looked at him as if he had suddenly grown two heads. "You are terrible!" she proclaimed but his laughter was infectious and soon, she too was giggling her mirth.

Dembe's stoic voice interrupted the melee, "Francis," the cultured accent drifted through the active radio on the side table, "is there something wrong?"

"Didn't you just hear that rat bastard banging on my door?" Francis was beyond astonished.

"I heard nothing." was Dembe's solemn reply.

Red muffled his chuckle.

"You didn't hear that?" Francis questioned plaintively.

"I heard you." Dembe delivered his lines with a staid demeanor. "Nothing more."

Silence filled the air waves.

Liz could only imagine Francis' face.

"Good night, Francis." Dembe shut his door, leaving Francis Holbrook examining a completely empty hallway for possible evidence of paranormal activity.

The radio crackled again which made Elizabeth jump.

"Good night, Raymond," Dembe's tone was laced with a smile for his part in the previous deception, "...Elizabeth."

"Good night, Dembe." Red's tone had softened with gentle humor. "I rate your acting abilities right up there with Anthony Hopkins."

"I was striving for Sir Laurence Olivier." The radio clicked silent.

"Work on the accent my friend..." Red smiled, sitting the radio aside.

"You people!" Liz felt bad for Francis but she had no clue as to why. She scooted to her side of the bed, wanting no part in such mean antics. "It won't be so funny when you wake up to find Francis crawling in between us."

She situated the covers primly, laying back on her pillow, shaking her head ruefully for all the goings on around here tonight.

A thunderous rattle of a large fist against their closed bedroom door had the woman reacting instantly.

Liz scrambled, scurrying across the space between her and Red in record time.

She hid her face in the man's neckline, cursing soundly.

"Haven't heard language like that since my sea-faring days." Red chuckled his approval, brushing her hair out of his face.

"What is wrong with you creepy bastards?" she wanted to know, her breath coming in captured gasps.

Red rubbed her back, calming the panicked woman soothingly. He tried very hard to hide his glee.

"Thank you, Silas." he called out, always one to remember his collaborators.

"No problem, Boss," Silas called from the hallway, "figured she was being a little shit long about now, thought you could use some help."

"You fucker!" Liz sat hastily, glaring at the closed door.

"Women..." Silas' deep baritone was fading as he walked away. "Can't live with them, can't fuck a sheep without some prick judging your morals."

"What morals?" Liz yelled her retort.

"Want me to use my British or Irish accent tonight?" Red soothed expertly, falling into the latter easily. "Lass, did you hear me now?"

Liz turned, all the anger drained from her mind, "What?"

"You're as beautiful as a soft summer night," his eyes swept the shadowed view of the enticing breasts, revealed in their entirety by her rash actions.

Elizabeth glanced down at his meaning.

"Now I don't know what's wrong with those creepy bastards..." the lyrical accent charmed and beguiled. The man had crooked his head to his meaning.

Elizabeth stared at him, entranced.

"But," he motioned again, to his own heightened state of arousal, "I know what's wrong... with me."

"You've never," she swallowed hard, "...done that." she made reference to his newly acquired skills.

"I've never done many things I've wanted with you," the light eyes were saying so much more than his words, which were provocative enough, "...to you."

He had arisen, the covers falling low about his waist. He lay her into the pillow, "You're such a wee small thing."

He lowered his head, his lips pressing lightly to her full ones. Liz felt the contact send a jolt throughout her body. Her toes, nipples and clit humming with awareness.

"And I... am not." he reminded. "Would you like that?" he questioned roughly. "I think you would rather enjoy the experience of my body pressing yours into the soft bedding."

The man's eyes robbed her of any coherent thought or speech, so intense and brooding they had become.

"More so, the heavy weight of my cock," he murmured in her ear, "sliding ever so slowly into that hot, wet cove."

His palm moved lovingly over the flesh of her leg easing her thigh along the top of his hip, delighted by the woman's heightened breathing.

The air hit her exposed genitals feeling deliciously cool.

"Such a wee small hole for a man to lose himself in.." he murmured, his fingers easing into the damp slit teasingly.

Liz inhaled sharply at his touch, lifting slightly to better allow him access.

"Ya like that, do you?" he pressed his lips to her forehead, easing deeper into the molten depths. "I like it as well."

Liz closed her eyes, moaning softly as his fingers began a distinct slow rhythm. "Squirm for me, Lass. Let me know if I'm doing it right or not."

Liz's moans increased as she attempted to widen the gap for him to play but he prevented the act.

"No, no," his tone washed over her like warm sunshine on a cloudy day, "now that's my job isn't it?"

He placed his penis directly against the aching pulse of her clit, inching down to her drenched opening, gently easing the large bulb through the minuscule slot.

Liz welcomed him eagerly, still frustrated for he had situated her to where only he could further any movement.

"There now, is that better..." Red eased an inch or two upward, embedding his shaft into the delicious tightness.

"M-more..." Elizabeth tried to lift, needing all of the hard heat to fill her.

"Aye, you'll take it..." Red's mouth feasted on her fuller lips, "every last inch of my cock will fill you, but... not just yet, Lass."

"Red!" Elizabeth tightened her arms, completely enthralled by this new side of the man, never having experienced it before. "Do s-something!"

She felt all antsy inside as if her very flesh was on fire with sexual tension.

The man pushed roughly, to his full length enjoying the sharp gasp of joy she emitted.

"Is that what ya wanted, girl?" his own breath was becoming more and more shallow. "It's what I want, now, let me have m' way with you before Francis comes crawling into bed with us..."

Liz blinked her shock. Was he not as involved as she was? How could he joke at a moment like–

"Shit, Lizzy..." Red was back in full force, his voice laced with his growing lust. "Fuck, it feels so–" he grated the urgency he felt, "amazing, being inside you.'

His thrusts had quickened, his touch no longer gentle but demanding, almost rough.

His eyes dropped, taking in the sight of his cock glistening with her cream in the low light as he slid back into her heat, the low wet sound of his shaft fucking her, thrilling him to the core.

"I love your pussy..." he concentrated hard on his strokes, getting the timing just so. "You're so hot..." he was feeling the steamy heat rise in her quivering depths, even now, "so fucking wet."

"Yes..." she encouraged in every way she knew, "...yes, do that."

Liz gave herself over to his demands, her nails embedding into the hard muscles of his shoulders and chest, the only areas she could reach comfortably.

Red had found a rhythm he liked, his stomach moving erotically, his muscles bunching and tightening, becoming steel under her fingertips.

She could feel him grow inside her, lengthen and thicken, becoming granite.

"Your scent..." he breathed in the fragrant, seductive aroma of aroused female. His female. "I dreamed of it..." his husky voice transported the woman to a sensual place.

Liz's eyes fluttered open, staring at the man's face which was etched with tensed strain.

"I fucking hate it when I have to leave you." he hissed the fact, saying more than he should he knew but the declaration bubbled forth unbidden.

He shifted hastily, changing positions. "Can't get fucking deep enough." he growled his annoyance, having pushed her thighs wide as he re-entered her core, his thrusts hard and confident now.

His eyes fixated on the place their bodies joined, remaining steady. "Wider, baby." his voice trembled with desire. "I want to see you come."

Liz flushed but did not once think of refusing.

Something inside her shifted as the man shoved his penis deep into her vulnerable flesh. The sensation of every ridge, vein, the pulse of his cock rippled through the slick heat of her cushioned depths.

She moaned melodiously in response.

Red wisely left his shaft buried deep for a long breath.

His eyes closed, his head dropping forward as he too, drank in the sensation, a low guttural sound escaping his throat.

Red's gaze trained on her flushed cheeks, "Open your eyes, baby." The dark depths of the man's eyes bespoke of his need. "I'm gonna fuck you like you've never been fucked."

The man's raspy voice, the vulgarity... and picture presented of his intentions left Liz visibly shaking.

"You're going to remember it..." he nodded ever so slowly, the dreamy depths of his gaze deepening, "and want me to fuck this steamy little hole of yours again. I'll see to it." he pushed in against her clit, increasing the tightness around his cock.

A smile twitched at Liz's lips, "Oh, I already do, but... you do what you have to." she lifted seductive brows.

Inhaling shakily, Red keyed his body's reaction as best he could.

The shapely legs opened, agonizingly slow.

Red's attention was diverted from the sapphire blue eyes staring back at his so steadily.

He blatantly stared down at the sight of their intimate union, the neatly trimmed fluff of dark curls beckoning him.

Red withdrew his cock, sliding out to the very tip, then eased into the welcoming body with a slow, measured pace. Grasping her knee, he slid it higher up along his hip, allowing him deeper access.

"...Yes," he sighed his contentment, inching his way inside, "you just relax for me." he crooned softly.

Elizabeth closed her eyes, relishing the man's slow, even entrance. She ran her fingers over his chiseled jawline.

Red caught them, turning her palm to his mouth, his lips burning a searing path into the soft flesh, the tip of his tongue flicking suggestively into the slits of her fingers.

His hot breath sent shivers up her spine. She stifled a whimper of delight.

Liz always marveled at the emotional presence this man could carry.

Her body clasped hold of his cock, her muscles contracting around his engorged shaft, holding him deep within her core.

"That's my good girl..." his ass flexed with his sharp movements, "take what I can give you." he muttered tightly.

Red trembled at the reaction his actions caused. The blue depths drew him into her space as never before. He could not look from the ardently alluring gaze.

A sudden surge of feeling, both emotional and physical, robbed him of breath.

The tip of her tongue wetted her lips, a sweet innocence accompanying the gesture.

She wasn't being coy, she was asking him a question. One to which he knew the answer.

When he had taken her, made love with her as God had intended. He had never felt such euphoria.

But the 'something' which had passed between them in the last few moments, heightened the passion... the need.

He knew, in their imminent consummation, he would find fulfillment, an incredibly profound emotional stirring, the likes he had never felt before.

The man put all the prose he felt surging through his body into the act he was performing, wishing to give Elizabeth the answer she sought.

Wanting it with a desperation alien to the man. He intertwined his fingers into the smaller ones, bunching a gentle fist into the bedding.

"Do you feel it, baby?" he murmured tautly, did she feel what he was experiencing?

Red flicked the erect little nipple hungrily, his breath hot on her exposed flesh, "How much I missed you?"

Elizabeth clamped her legs tighter about his hip line, moving up into his hardened flesh. She more than felt it... felt him.

"You are such a vital part of my life now..." he could say this much, "without you here... I feel incomplete."

The woman empathized with him, breathing the words breathlessly, "Yes... I feel that."

Red kept his movements slow, calculated, beads of perspiration forming on his brow from the exertion.

He caught her mouth possessively, the kiss finished on his terms only. "I feel centered again," he rasped the declaration, "coming home... to you."

Liz's heart quickened, her hips meeting his thrusts eagerly.

Nuzzling her face into the crook of the man's neck, she inhaled the earthy scent. Her fingers clasped about the muscled flesh of his arm, feeling the corded steel as he flexed.

"This is just for me and you..." he felt her thighs tremble against his sides, "and nothing..." he moved sacredly, "nothing has ever felt so real."

Liz's body was tense and coiled, swept up in the sensual world he created for her alone.

The man tilted his hips drawing a sharp gasp of pleasure from her lips.

Concentrating his length and strength of thrusts, he gingerly slid along the swollen nub of her sex repeatedly drawing soft moans of gratitude and awe from the woman.

"Oh...fuck." Liz felt herself losing what little control she had managed to maintain. "Ohh, G-God, Red."

"You like that," he smiled as much, "right there... is it?"

He pushed his throbbing head along the bumpy ridge he felt, "Yes..." He sighed his bliss, "your pussy likes that, doesn't it?"

"H-higher." Liz was not above pleading her cause at this stage.

"As you wish." he repeated the phrase he had used earlier this evening but now, it held an entirely different connotation.

"You know what I think?" his hot breath caressed her ear. "I think," the low animalistic growl eased along her nerve endings, "you want to come for me."

He shortened his technique, increasing the strength of his strokes masterfully.

"And wouldn't I love the fact..."

Liz rocked her hips, the sound of their bodies impacting turning her own even more so, were that possible.

"Your cock feels so..." she breathed shakily, her moans coming in shallow bursts, "...good."

"Does it now." his own labored breathing fanned her faced. "Nothing compared to your sweet pussy, believe me, sweetheart."

Liz reached, wrapping her fingers about his corded neck muscles urging him to her parted lips.

The man devoured the sweet swollen redness eagerly. He broke the kiss mid-tongue, "Oh, shit..." he gritted, "come, baby. Fucking come." he hissed. "Don't make me wait any longer."

Liz arched up into his quickened pace, trembling under the onslaught.

Sliding his hand between them, Red thumbed her swollen clit with enticement to give him what he wanted. He groaned brokenly as the woman's body clenched tightly around his shaft, grasping hold of the rapidly thrusting thickness in delicious increments that stole his breath.

"God, baby..." he gasped, "...yes, come," he pleaded, "...do that for me."

Bowing sharply, she was pushed over the edge by the frantic pleading. Liz shuddered jerkily with the power of her release, crying out into Red's neckline, her thighs clamping almost painfully against his body.

"Fuck...yes..." Red hissed his gratitude, "listen to you..." he reveled in the beautiful sounds of her completion, "Did you need this, baby?" he hoped to hell she had.

His brow furrowed deeply as he allowed Elizabeth a moment to enjoy the climax she so richly deserved.

"I need to see this..." he gritted, sitting back on his haunches. Grasping her waist, he pulled her roughly against his cock, fucking her hard and fast.

Her breasts brushed against his hands, begging for his touch. Cupping one, he thumbed the pert nipple, drawing the most unrestrained, raw sounds he had ever heard from the woman.

"Fuck, I'm gonna come so hard." he husked.

Quickening his pace, the man sensed the moment he had needed so desperately was upon them.

A growling moan rumbled deep in his throat, his hips jerking roughly as he stabbed his shaft deep inside her creamy warmth. His sack spasmed, gifting her with his hot essence.

Liz's plaintive cries blended with his colorful metaphors, her body shaking erratically once again as she joined the man in a complete union of body and soul.

Red slid as far as he could go, the slick little bruised hole accommodating him easily now. He trembled visibly as the last of his thick cum flowed free of his swollen, still pulsating cockhead.

Liz could feel the tension drain from his frame, his breathing eased at length and he lay still and unmoving, perched above on his forearms to take his weight off the slight body beneath him.

"Welcome home." she whispered, exhaustion filtering into her tone. "Wanted to say it properly."

He chuckled sensually, "And so you have," he ran a gentle fingertip over her cheek, his mouth parting hers languidly, "the best damned 'welcome' in the entire galaxy."

"The entire galaxy?" she was impressed.

"That parts I've been too." he played along.

"And all this time, we thought Francis was the alien creature."

Red studied her for a long beat, "Let's get back to important matters."

"What could be more important than extraterrestrial beings among us?"

"Something is bothering you." he had felt the instant tenseness earlier. "A turn in my bed usually relaxes you completely, but... you aren't, are you."

"I was," she sighed, her body slumping into the cushy bedding, "it can w–"

"No, it can't wait." he halted any further debate on the issue.

She sighed but gratefully gave in because the more she talked, the more the stress lifted off her shoulders.

She offered a quick run down of all that had occurred in his absence.

He listened quietly, allowing her to tell it in her own time and manner.

Once or twice, he had asked a pertinent question but otherwise, he sat upright in the bed propped against pillows and just let her talk.

"And then the PA was shitty." she concluded the gory tale, "and the damned doctor refused my birth control pills."

"Why would you want them? They make you feel like shit."

Liz opened her mouth, gasping her shock. The man had been so supportive and non-judgmental, his statement took her by surprise.

"What?"

"Do you think I don't remember the migraines? Lack of appetite." he kept his tone respectful. "The depression? Even Tom noticed but it was only to bitch about your moods."

"That's just like the–"

"I don't want you to take them."

"I think," she was starting to get angry, "that's my choice."

He was quiet an inordinately long time, "Why did you go to the doctor in the first place? Was it only for the pills?"

She glanced aside hastily, "I wanted information on options available to prevent pregnancy. IUD's, the Depo Shot..."

"You could have gotten that on the net."

"I wanted more detailed information." she shrugged as the man simply continued to stare at her. "I told you it could wait. Now you're in a mood and I'm getting there, so..."

"This is important, Elizabeth." Red's tone implied as much as did the fixed scowl on his face.

"Red..." she moved closer, sensing a way around the man.

He reached between them, stilling her fingers which had begun to twirl lazily about his chest hair, his expression a stern one.

"An avoidance tactic." he motioned accordingly. "We will discuss this as two mature adults. I've stated my ideology on the matter, I need to hear yours, straight out."

"I don't know..." she whispered. "I don't know what I think about it all." she confessed. "It's so early on in our relationship."

The silence was thick.

"We've been without protection and all." she tried again. "And it feels amazing, don't think I don't enjoy it." she lifted her eyes quickly to his, offering assurance. "And you're saying it's all fine but..."

"You don't believe me."

"I believe you think you mean it." she rephrased.

"I don't say things I don't mean." he calmed. She was young and obviously scared. "All right," he sighed heavily, "all right, just tell me this," he lifted cool eyes, "the truth, Elizabeth."

Red took a calming breath, controlling what could be a sudden rush of anger.

"Did you do something you believe I would..." his jaw clenched, the muscle pulsing, "disapprove of?"

Liz's brows furrowed, not understanding the question until Red's eyes dropped purposely to her abdomen.

"Oh!" she gasped. "No! No I would never...I didn't...I wouldn't." she shook her head vigorously.

Red released the breath he'd been holding, relief washing through him in a wave. He knew it was too early for an abortion, but she could have scheduled a date to...

He reached out, gripping her hand in his, rubbing his thumb comfortingly along her fingers.

So the problem he was left with now... or perhaps, he hesitated in his train of thought... not a problem at all, to him.

"Are you preg–"

"I'm not pregnant, or..." she had anticipated the confrontation, "Or at least, I don't think I am? I was the last patient of the day and it's Friday so..." she would have to wait for the results. "I took one of those home pregnancy tests, it said, I wasn't." she lifted wary eyes. "But's it's early yet, isn't it?"

The man was at a loss. Just because he was ready for a family didn't mean...

"I'm not saying I wouldn't be... happy if I were." she had thought about it seriously. "I would want it if... it were there, I would."

"When I initiated making love protection free," the man stated firmly, "I well understood the possible consequences. And I accept them wholeheartedly." his tone brooked no argument. "I'm not some asshole you met in a bar looking for a quick fuck, Elizabeth."

She squirmed about, disliking his anger, although, he didn't seem angry, worse, he appeared... hurt?

"If there is a child, if we have made one," the thought thrilled the man but he kept the truth under wraps, "I intend to be there with you, every step of the way."

There it was, in a nutshell. Words that meant so much to her. She hadn't even realized until he said them and made her believe his pronouncement how much she had needed to hear the words.

He had maintained eyes contact, he reaffirmed his commitment to her in no uncertain terms.

"I will always be here... if you want me." the solemn promise resonated between them.

She threw herself into his arms, allowing the tears which she had held at bay for so long.

"I knew that!" she sniffed holding tight to his neckline. "I did."

He cupped her head, closing his eyes to the feel of her once again in his arms.

"Francis was right earlier," he kissed her cheeks lovingly, "not much scares me any longer," he stated confidently, "so don't ever do that to me again," he asked more than told, "because you just scared the fuck out of me."

She blinked, tears threatening again.

"Not the baby part," he hastened to explain, though there were aspects of that they still needed to discuss, "God, no, Lizzy. The fact that... something might come between us. Destroying what we have."

She shook her head negatively. "No, we talk it out... we will, won't we?"

The fear had not abated on either side.

"I pray to God that will be the case." he grasped the woman in a crushing embrace. "I will never leave you, Lizzy. Not on my own accord, not ever."

The woman wept tears of joy.

She finally was able to sleep. His arms encompassed her in a cocoon of strength and stability.

The worries of the week... obliterated.

---

AUTHOR NOTES:

If there's anything wrong with this, it's all on me. There was a lot to edit in so I might have screwed up a couple times.

Oh, and before you ask. I did write most that last part with an Irish accent in my head. :)