Author Note:
As promised, I started ripping the following chapters apart and piecing scenes together to move the story along plot wise.
So you might start seeing time jumps over the next couple chapters. I've tried to keep the Red and Liz scenes that were important though. :)
This one was a little harder to piece together because I had to condense chapters to explain a little of what is coming up. I hope it came together okay and isn't too cruddy :) I promise to do a better job in the next one though. :D
June 6
Silas watched his men do their jobs, content in the fact they were doing so, competently and most efficiently.
He wanted to make sure the grounds of the hotel were doubly secure. His thoughts were more concentrated on the previous hours events, however.
He stood slightly apart having exited the vehicle, a fixed scowl on the handsome face.
Silas had insisted Elizabeth take a breather to assess any and all damages their previous encounter with Tom Keen had caused. She was now safely secure in the back of the SUV.
The trip to the hotel had given her time to regroup.
Silas glanced at the sour little face staring back at him from the car window.
She had picked up Red Reddington's propensity for impatience.
Tom Keen was first and foremost in Silas' thoughts this moment. The last person he expected to encounter inside that warehouse today was the little creep of a man.
What Keen was up to in there, besides the obvious, was of upmost interest. The guard was certain Red Reddington would feel the same on the matter.
Stalker Boy had deliberately went out of his way to destroy something in that place which undoubtedly was a primary clue to exactly why or who was behind the greater conspiracy which was being orchestrated.
A conspiracy against who was anyone's guess. If Keen was involved, Silas highly suspected Elizabeth was involved as well.
But how?
His scowl darkened, and he moved forward absently.
"What are you doing?" he prevented the woman in question from exiting the car, his expression a stern one.
"What am I... under house arrest?" Elizabeth pushed against the hold he had on the door facing. "I want to take a bath!"
"When I say the perimeter is secure," Silas motioned Justin over, "and not one second before."
"We've been sitting here over two hours," Liz exaggerated, "how secure does it have to be to satisfy your morbid sense of–"
"As secure as I say!" the man interrupted, "so you... stay put."
"I've got a good mind to tell Red to send for Aunt Gertie!" Liz snapped.
Justin, who stood idly by waiting on his orders... blatantly listening in on the exchange... suddenly stiffened, his face masking into what could only be described as abject terror.
"What does she mean?" Justin snapped the rapid fire question. "Did she say... Aunt Gertie?"
"Calm the hell down." Silas snapped. "You're a damned professional! Act the part!"
"Yeah but..." Justin swallowed hard, his eyes wide, his expression panicked, "but I heard... Aunt Gerti–"
"Never mind!" Silas' voice raised. "Secure the scene here!" he groused, piqued that just the mention of his beloved Aunt's name could instill such a reaction from his seasoned, hardened crew. "You and Joe... damned pussies!"
Justin's fears were not allayed, the insult rolling off the guy's sturdy shoulders, "She's one scary broad."
"Excuse the hell out of me?" Silas dared the guy to repeat the words.
"What I meant to say," Justin backtracked hastily, "is that while your Aunt is a very nice lady, I'm sure. Deep down, man..." he shook his head grimacing slightly, "I think she's a little bit psycho."
"What!" Silas started around the car, his expression thunderous.
Justin ran the opposite way, keeping the length of the vehicle between them, "Not psycho, no! Did I say psycho?" the younger man waved his hands frantically about, "No, no, no."
"Silas!" Liz's mouth tightened irritably. "Will you stop fooling around. Leave Justin alone!"
Silas spared her a jerky glare. He cast Justin a look but settled down eventually.
"You're in a mood today." Justin murmured.
"Shut up." Silas exasperated. He took a moment to compose himself before continuing.
"We don't know what went down here today or why..." Silas hated explaining his actions, his tone conveying as much. "My instincts are telling me something it off-kilter." he glanced back at his men milling around. "I'm just double checking."
The man's grey eyes traveled the countless windows and rooftops surrounding them. He noted several of his men were doing the same. Something was in the wind, they could feel it too.
"Why are they wasting their time?" Liz grumbled belligerently. "You're just showing off now, admit it."
Elizabeth glanced at the windows absently as she had seen the others do, a slight tingling traversing her neck. She rubbed the area, wiping the sensation away.
"Am I?" Silas noticed Liz's subtle tell. "Just ride it out." he grumbled and not so surprisingly, the woman fell silent for a goodly beat.
"Well, I feel stupid just sitting here waiting for some weirdo to make his move."
"Red's gonna have my ass as is." Silas motioned and Joe, who was still sitting inside the driver's seat... locked Liz's door.
The woman's mouth fell open for the audacity. She unlocked the handle instantly, sending Silas a death glare for he had shut the door in her face.
Joe re-locked the door smiling amiably back at her as the sound of the locks engaging sounded.
Liz gasped, "Stop locking that!" she pinched her lips, rolling the window down triumphantly. "I'm not a child."
"Then stop acting the part." Silas dismissed airily. "She needs medical attention." he changed the subject, nodding to Justin curtly.
The younger man was off and running to the unspoken command.
"What?" Liz was astounded. "You call him back right now! You know very well there is nothing wrong with me what-so-ever."
"There are a myriad of things wrong with you." Silas scoffed. "But in this instance, if you sit back like a good little girl, and stop making my life miserable, you'll have that boot off."
Elizabeth's mouth snapped shut for a blink of an eye, "My boot?" she sat up anxiously, her interest caught. "I can take it off?"
"The doctor has to look and confirm," Silas shrugged, his eyes constantly surveying their surroundings, a worried scowl on his face, "but I watched you fall. It was a natural progression... your momentum took you down. Not your ankle."
Liz glanced down at her ankle, "It doesn't hurt at all."
"We will alert the doctor." Silas sweetened the pot. "Stalker Boy's action made your body go off-kilter. But the fall you took," he shrugged aimlessly, "anybody would have gone down."
Liz smiled brightly. The thought of losing the cumbersome attachment sent joyous anticipation throughout her brain.
"Now, sit back and... shut up." Silas' scowl deepened considerably. "I have to think."
Elizabeth scooted back, wriggling happily in her seat, "And we all know how taxing that process can be for you." she mused.
Joe chuckled his appreciation for her wit then straightened slightly at Silas' sour glare.
Liz sat silently, her thoughts happy ones. She hated this damned boot and wanted it gone.
"I'll call, Red." she decided to share her state of well-being. She reached for the phone, bubbling with excitement.
"Don't do that." Silas advised. "He'll be all pissy over the... incident."
Liz's hand hesitated, poised over the object she sought.
"Better to let him vent with me." her guard stated. "Tuning him out is second nature for me now."
Liz pulled her hand back, leaving the phone in her lap, "Yeah, let him vent on you."
Silas scowled down at her. He took one last sweep of the buildings.
It would be so ridiculously easy to take a kill shot from any of the hundred vantage points.
Some days he hated his job.
Receiving an 'all clear' nod from the head of security to proceed, Silas blocked the entire space between the door facing and the inside of the car.
"This is how it's gonna go down–"
"Then it must be gospel," Liz chided, "the word according to–"
"You talk too much," Silas grated, "anyone ever tell you?"
"Nobody but you." Liz stated sweetly.
"I'm going to shield your body with mine... why is anyone's guess," Silas crooked his brow meaningfully, "once inside the hotel, go directly to the elevators."
"I wanted to get you something at the gift shop." Liz batted her blue eyes up at the guy.
Silas' mouth tightened, "If either Joe or I go down," he continued undaunted, "you're on your own."
Liz laughed at the rather droll tone, "I'll make sure Aunt Gertie has the suite... right next to yours."
Silas' eyes closed wearily, "Once in our room, I will close the drapes in the suite. Do not reopen them."
"It's such a pretty day." she wrinkled her nose.
"You better take this seriously." he snapped.
"You're serious enough for the both of us." she relented. "But okay, Guardian of the Galaxy... whatever you say."
Silas was mollified.
"I'm going to talk to Red after my bath," she prepared herself, holding her purse protectively as she slid over the leather seat, "so you had better get him in a good mood by the time we talk."
"When is he not in a good mood with you?" Silas wanted to know.
"Jealous?" Liz cooed, a warm feeling settling in her tummy for Silas' observation, however.
"Of all that lovey dovey talk?" the guard grimaced, guiding the woman swiftly into the protection of the building. "Please, after that chili I had for lunch... it would make me puke."
"You're such a romantic." Liz giggled as they made for the elevators. She noted an older man and woman passing, giving her and her guards peculiar looks. "God only knows why you are still single."
"Because deep down," Silas jabbed the button, "God likes me."
She smiled pleasantly at the couple, straightening her hair primly before stepping into the open elevator.
Silas lifted a stilling arm, blocking the couples intended entrance into their ride, "Take the next one."
Liz grimaced apologetically as the door slid closed on the couple's astonished faces.
"He's sorry!" she yelled through the closing panels.
The woman's muscles loosened in the quiet, solitary space, however. She peered through the minuscule crack between the mammoth shoulders of her guards who stepped to the front, acting as a shield.
"You are so rude." she tsked up at the taller man.
"Be glad I didn't tell them you get frisky in elevators." Silas countered as they lifted quickly to their floor.
"I do not!" she snapped. She gave the man a good shove. He barely moved an inch, much to his amusement. "You guys are so paranoid." she attempted to move them aside to no avail.
"What is with you two?" she grumbled as they came to a gliding stop. "Did you not get enough bran today or something?"
Both men had their weapons concealed beneath their light over-shirts she knew, ready-at-hand.
Entering the suite, she felt a rush of release of tension but it returned instantly a minute later as a knock on the door sent both men moving with stealth like grace across the room. They were so quiet, if she hadn't watched, she would have never known they moved.
Joe moved swiftly, taking position along the oppose side of the door, weapon up and ready.
Silas stood with his back to the other side of the portal, same manner.
"Blue." he barked out threateningly.
"Vase." came the cheerful rejoinder from outside the locked door. "I got the... sawbones."
Silas cracked the door before opening it wide, content with what he observed. Justin ushered the on-site doctor in with a grand sweep of his arm.
The doctor stared at the men quizzically.
Liz couldn't blame him, she was as stumped as he was.
"It's just their way." Liz emerged from behind her barrier. "Where should I sit?" she welcomed him with a smile to put the man at ease.
A short time later, as promised, she traipsed cheerfully off to enjoy a long, leisurely soak. Minus the irritating weight she had been lugging around for what seemed ages.
The doctor okayed she lose the boot just as Silas promised.
It was a good day after all. She was sad Red had left and couldn't enjoy it with her.
Silas took his usual shift, allowing Joe to take a much-needed rest period. Both men had been on high alert all damned day not that Silas was letting his guard down.
But the eerie feeling had abated. Things were calming down.
Silas plopped carelessly onto the lounge, rolling the phone absently in his hand.
He hated making these calls to Red... especially when the man was almost three-thousand miles away.
No matter that all turned out well in the end, Red would invariably bitch and moan, his mood would turn black. Silas suspected the guy was border-line manic anal retentive. But then, who wasn't in this outfit?
They were all perfectionists. Though, when it came to Elizabeth, Red took it to a whole new level.
Sighing, Silas flipped the phone open. He cricked his neck, easing his rising tension. Red answered on the first ring.
Of course he did. Other people allowed three, four rings, giving a person time to gather their thoughts.
But no, not Reddington.
"You alone?" Silas got to it. No need to beat around the bush.
"Hang on." came the immediate reply.
Silas listened as Red stood without hesitation, making his apologies to whomever was present.
Elizabeth always took top priority, Silas knew.
"Francis could you?" Red asked, excusing himself from the meeting. "Only a moment, gentlemen. My fiancé." he explained, easing any undue tension.
A phone call in their line of business wasn't just a simple call. Sure, it could be family who remained unaware of their spouses real business. It was just proper etiquette to not out the guy to his family, so all talk came to an abrupt halt.
Though, the majority of the time the interruption was simply a confirmation a delivery was en route or... worse case scenario, a warning sign to vacate the premises due to a wholesale massacre heading their way.
One could never tell.
As Red left the room, Silas could vaguely hear Francis instantly wax poetic about Red's woman, further easing any remaining doubt those left behind might be experiencing.
"What's wrong?" Red stressed as the door shut behind him.
"Liz is fine, so," Silas assured, "...relax."
Quickly relating the events that had taken place in Red's absence, Silas was surprised the man held off any questions as long as he did.
"She's all right though?" Red asked of Lizzy's tumble.
"Yeah," Silas nodded, "she's taking a bath and gonna ice her ankle later as a precaution."
He said nothing about the now missing boot. Liz would want to surprise Red, herself.
Red fell silent, so long in fact, Silas moved the phone away checking the screen, assuring himself the time stamp was still ticking away.
"I should be there." Red sighed.
"We've had this discussion." Silas disagreed. "You coming back without her asking for it implies you think she can't handle this." he stressed.
Red's shoulders slumped dejectedly. He understood what the guard was saying, but it didn't lessen the urge to be there with the woman.
"Besides," Silas continued, "I don't think the prick was there for her specifically."
Red hesitated, thinking back over what Silas had told him, "I'm listening."
"At the time, I only saw one objective," the guard confessed, "and that was securing Liz's safety and getting her back within my custody."
Red nodded, listening intently.
"It wasn't until the drive back I thought, Tom used Liz how we expected him to," Silas said, "as a convenient shield."
"A diversion to distract from what he was really doing." Red was following along. "Could he have followed you from the hotel?"
"Tom left before we did." Silas shook his head negatively. "He had to have arrived long before we did to do the damage he caused."
"He had already known of the warehouse's existence." Red agreed.
Even with the underground at Tom's disposal to feed him information, the odds of the guy happening upon that particular destination in a city of millions was astronomical.
"So either Lawford tipped him, alerting Tom he needed to destroy the damning evidence... that those two were in cahoots together," Red thought the problem through, "or there's a leak somewhere."
"It can't be Lawford," Silas vetoed that avenue, "Samar said he's still in solitary."
Red nodded his understanding, "Lawford's man in New York is still in the wind though," he said, "it's not inconceivable that he's calling all associates to assist in burning the operation."
"That's a possibility." Silas shrugged. "I can tell you, it's not on our end." he said. "Aside from me and Joe, no one knew of our destination, except Samar."
"The thought never once crossed my mind." Red told the truth. "Lizzy's team?"
"If they did, they used some sort of telepathy." Silas sighed. "Joe and I were on them all damn day."
"Even for piss breaks?" Red prodded the guard.
"Moore did relay the West warehouse location as their next stop." Silas remembered. "But he did not give out the full address. Even he isn't that stupid." he regretfully conceded.
"And where was Tom while Samar and her team were gallivanting about the city?"
"Tom was stationed outside the hotel the entire time so... I doubt he got the info from them."
Red pushed the heel of his palm across his forehead, easing the growing tightness, "Nothing could be salvaged from the office?"
"No," Silas said, "not that they know, anyway. But Samar saved the day on that end, saving that shit before they had been diverted."
"What the hell could he have been destroying?" Red thought out loud. "I seriously doubt Tom is so loyal he would burn files just to save Lawford. Did Samar relate any info about what was on the flash drives?"
"Not as of yet." Silas checked his watch. "It's only been an hour or so."
"All right," Red wearily rubbed his eyes, thinking, "send me what you can of the timeline and whatever you can glean from Samar later. I'll see if anything jumps out."
"Will do."
Clearing his throat, Red continued, "You're sure Lizzy is all right?"
"She's fine," Silas assured without hesitation, easing Red's tension somewhat, "she handled it well."
The guard chuckled after a moment, vividly recalling the incident, "Very well, actually."
"What do you mean?" Red was beyond curious, sensing Silas' amusement.
"You would have been proud," Silas kicked his feet up on the ottoman, relaxing into the tale, "...she took a head shot."
Red blinked, repeating the words in his head, "At who? Tom?"
He didn't know if he had voiced that as a statement, question or what? All he knew for certain was, disbelief etched his tone.
"No mistake about it." Silas grinned. "She could have easily shot him in the leg. The trajectory was better." the man recalled the woman's position at the time. "She aimed high, on purpose."
Red scratched absently at his head, honestly at a loss.
In all the time he had wanted Tom dead, it never once occurred to him that Lizzy would be the one to take the kill shot.
He always assumed...hoped... he would have the honor.
He chuckled inwardly as he realized his other foremost thought was... "What the hell kind of person have I become?" he pondered.
"What d'you mean?" Silas asked.
"I was upset that someone else might take Tom out... should it matter?"
What a strange and unique couple they were... possibly arguing over who got to kill her fake ex-husband.
"If you two are going to come to blows about this," Silas obviously had read Red's mind, "I'm gonna have to choose sides. I'm warning you now, I'm Team Liz."
Red's lips reluctantly tugged at the corner, "What the hell?" he feigned discord. "Do you know the definition of loyalty?"
"Yeah...vaguely." Silas shrugged, "Tom's death to you is a notch on your gun grip."
Red brows lifted, his expression blasé, not arguing the fact.
"It would mean more to her... she can find absolute closure."
"And that is the extent of your involvement?" Red scoffed, the reactionary expulsion a real one. "Your loyalty to her extends beyond a damn paycheck, and you know it."
"Maybe," Silas didn't exactly deny it, "but don't tell her that. She might think she's special or something..." the man twisted his mouth distastefully, "she'll get uppity."
Red chuckled quietly, "Yes, because being at the top of your list is of great importance to her."
Silas could live with the pseudo-insult, he decided.
Red never thought he would see the day Silas offered affection to a woman he had no intention of bedding. But there it was... Silas held an affinity for Lizzy, and the sentiment was more than returned in kind, Red knew.
Red got things back on track. "Well, I must inform our little firecracker there, I called dibs on Tom's demise a long time ago."
"Things change," Silas countered. "Liz deserves the kill shot. Tom fucked her–"
A most disgruntled snarl interrupted Silas' train of thought.
"Let me rephrase that," the guard backtracked, "Tom fucked with her more than he did you. You should at least give her the option." he stood up for the woman in question.
"If it comes down to it then," Red grumbled, "maybe we'll draw straws."
"Actually," Silas shrugged after a moment's consideration, "that would be fair."
"You aren't helping." it was pointed out. "You are supposed to dissuade me from abnormal behavior where Lizzy is concerned." Red rubbed his forehead roughly. "I can't believe we're having this conversation."
"Why?" Silas brought it out. "We are not normal people. None of us... why bother acting as if we are?"
Truer words were never spoken.
"I will keep that under advisement." Red said, a thought occurring. "Even, Lizzy?"
"Proudly... yes." Silas turned his head as the sound of Liz's singing drifted down the hall.
"Are there any plans for this evening of which I should be made aware?"
"No." Silas said. "From what I understood, the Agents will be looking over files they collected and cataloging the inventory from earlier." the man held his smile. "Don't be surprised if they report seeing some of Francis' manifest on those lists."
"What did that fool do?"
"Remember back in 2012 when his guys got the warehouses mixed up in Canada..."
"You mean the mix-up in communications which led his men to mistakenly heist not the proposed shipment of munitions we ordered but instead," Red rolled his eyes heavenward, vividly remembering the fiasco, "... fifteen thousand barrels of syrup?"
Silas' deep throaty laughter rumbled through the line.
"That little mishap?" Red finished curtly.
"Your memory is sharp as a tack." Silas nodded knowingly. "Still haven't forgiven that one, huh?" he grinned. "Hey, that shit was worth over thirty million dollars."
"It was fifteen... thousand... barrels," Red barked, "of syrup!"
It boggled the mind.
The snafu was so out of character for Francis' men, Red had truly been at a loss when it came time for him to comment on the matter.
After they secured the proper shipment, and the dust settled, all he could do when he opened his mouth to reply was... laugh out loud at the boy's predicament.
His amusement only grew the next morning as news anchors stoically related that not only had roughly a quarter of the national reserve of maple syrup been absconded with, but authorities feared it would be sold on the black market.
They had been wrong on that count. Francis couldn't give that shit away.
He unloaded what he could as gifts on any given occasion. Birthdays, anniversaries, christenings... funerals. And still, it barely made a dent in the ample supply.
To this day, Red's associates still offered snarky remarks about Francis' 'sticky situation'.
But now it seemed, through a chain of rather bizarre events, Francis managed to turn the tables about.
Suddenly most of those fifteen thousand barrels of contraband was 'stuck' on Lawford.
How Francis pulled such an astonishing feat off, not only amused Red, it mystified the man.
"How much did he unload?" Red asked.
"Looked to be all of it to me." Silas laughed throatily.
"How the hell did they move all that so quickly?" Red was amazed.
"Well, Francis' warehouse is just a couple doors down from Lawford's." Silas reminded. "A couple forklifts and..."
"It was over fifteen thousand barrels." Red reminded in kind.
"Where there's a will, there's a way." Silas shrugged. "Bright side for us, we won't get that shit at Christmas anymore."
Red shook his head, a small smile twitching at his mouth. Francis had the worst luck but also the most optimistic attitude when faced with adversity.
Red admired that trait in any individual but knowing of Francis' background, it was even more remarkable the young man was so resilient.
"What do you want me to do when Tom shows back up?" Silas took the conversation full loop. "Because we all know he will."
"I know what I'd like to do." Red stated the obvious. "Thoughts?"
"We can't allow him to sit out front, laughing at us." Silas dipped a toe in the water, feeling things out with his boss. "It would be an affront to our sensibilities."
"Your sensibilities," Red countered, "you mean."
"The collective, our." Silas granted that he wasn't the most sensitive guy in the world. "It's bad for moral." he continued. "The guys get restless, they want him gone." he stated. "I understand the sentiment."
"Agreed." Red had come to the same conclusion but... he was too close to keep a clear perspective.
"Are the men running out of ideas on how to make Tom's life miserable?" Red knew how to muster the troops. "Besides, the way I see it, you guys are one up. Joe's mark hit the spot, didn't it?"
Silas smiled happily at the reminder, "Just doesn't seem enough where Stalker Boy is concerned."
"The truth is, with Tom across the street, it works out better for us." Red had to continuously remind himself of that fact. "He's good at what he does, regardless of our feelings towards the little..."
"Cockroach?" Silas supplied. "The want to squish him under my boot is a growing need."
"I like the way you think." Red relented. "But for the time being, we return to standard operating procedures."
Silas sighed heavily but accepted his lot in life.
"If there are any weaknesses in our defenses, he will find them, agreed?"
"Yeah." the guard reluctantly did so.
"We've always known Tom was tangled up in something that involves Lizzy," Red said. "We've been waiting for movement on that end... now we have it."
"Have I mentioned patience in not my strongest virtue?" Silas mentioned.
"Oh, I don't know about that." Red recalled an incident. "Need I remind you," he began, "you lay in your own filth for two days waiting to take a sniper shot at that drug lord down in Ecuador a few years back?"
The fucker had taken an associates little girl in retaliation for late shipment, of all fucking things.
Silas tracked the bastard for two hellish weeks in scorching heat and humidity until he found the estate where they kept the child. The wait had been well worth it.
"You got her back." Red couldn't keep the pride from his voice.
"That's my job." Silas stated quietly.
"Too bad you missed your shot." Red provoked the man. "And you call yourself a professional."
"Like I said, the wind shifted at the last second." Silas' face turned bleak. He was not proud his professionalism had lapsed.
"You only winged the guy in the throat." Red commiserated. "Bastard drowned in his own blood, as I recall."
"Yeah, that was a sad thing." Silas stared at the opposite wall. "I should have had better control."
The silence came for a beat as each man pondered the reasons behind such actions.
"Don't tell me there's not a part of you that wouldn't enjoy hunting that prick, Tom." Silas broke the silence, his irritation coming to a head. "Terrorize him like he has her."
"You're being awfully dramatic." Red sighed, knowing very well where this melancholy was coming from. "Stop feeling guilty. You can protect Elizabeth only so much. You know that. I know that."
The sound of discontent rumbled over the line. "You make choices in life." Silas brooded. "I wish I could revisit some."
"You told Lizzy you would give her a fighting chance," Red recalled discussing this very topic with Lizzy, "you gave her that earlier." he stressed. "It's your support and training that allowed her to act as she did today."
"Is Francis spiking your drinks again?" Silas questioned seriously. "You should be reaming my ass but–"
"Trust me, if I had my way, I'd string Tom up and let the asshole hang until he rotted." Red let the threat roll from his tongue easily, the sentiment behind the statement a heartfelt one. "Don't ever think I'm not with you on that one."
Silas crossed his thick arms over his chest, his mind calming over the imagery provided.
"I'm fucking livid knowing that scum even dared to touch her." Red seethed. "I patiently await the day I can put him down, for good."
Silas sat straighter in his seat, hearing the quiet rage seething inside Red Reddington. It made Silas' heart happy to know the man he had known for years was still there somewhere, just waiting for the opportunity to strike.
"Until that time," Red continued, controlling his rising temper, "I intend to keep my wits about me, find out what Tom is up to... and stop the threat so none of it will ever touch Elizabeth."
"I prefer when you think with your dick." Silas muttered his approval. "You tend to be more vicious."
Red dropped his face into his palm, sighing lightly, "I do so enjoy these boorish, not to mention, uncivilized discussions with you."
"I'm here for you, Red." Silas held his amusement.
Red wasn't necessarily thinking with his dick, as it was so vulgarly stated, but more so, his heart.
At least, he hoped that was the gist of it. Sometimes lines blurred. But he was also aware of the fact that his love for the woman was a guiding force.
It was his love for her that demanded he protect her at all cost. Even if it meant killing for her.
"You are crude," Red confirmed the man's hypothesis, "...but accurate."
Red truly did understand Silas' restlessness. Neither was known for their patience. Especially with a man like, Tom Keen.
Tapping a rhythm less beat on the tabletop, Red lost himself in his thoughts. There had to be a way to provoke Tom... and amuse his men. Restless security led to itchy trigger fingers.
"Tom won't back down under interrogation but there's no reason that theory can't be tested to its limits." Red thought out loud. "There's no way the Cabal would associate itself with a lowlife like Lawford unless it somehow lead them to the Fulcrum."
"Lawford isn't that intelligent." Silas shook his head. "Five will get ya ten, he has no clue that such a thing even exists."
"No, but whoever is pulling Tom's strings is higher up on the food chain." Red surmised. "That person is our end goal... it's a stroke of good fortune we stumbled onto this connection."
Silas grunted a noncommittal sound.
"Tell the men to step up their efforts to annoy and dissuade." Red made an executive decision.
Silas perked up.
Red sat back, lacing his fingers over his stomach, "You tell the men I'll allow them to hunt Tom, but they are ordered to not kill him as yet."
Silas groaned his discontent.
"Chase him through the streets of New York." Red laid out a game plan. "A grown-up version of hide and seek, if you will."
Silas had to admit, the idea was an intriguing one, "I have been on the men about perfecting their tailing techniques." he felt better. "The young ones don't use all their senses as they should."
"Well, there you go."
"And if one of the boys should," Silas hedged, questioning the rules of the game, "tag Tom?"
Red's mouth pulled into a reluctant smile, the guard warming more to the prospect, "They may rough him up... a bit." he allowed. "But they must also allow him the chance to escape."
"Oh, what the fuck!" Silas snapped. "That's not fair play!"
"It is, if the hunt continues on, you imbecile." Red grumbled. "Tail the son-of-a-bitch. See where he goes to ground, who he meets..."
"All right..." Silas calmed, agreeing to the negotiated terms, "but if he comes at Liz aga–"
"Your orders in that regard, have not altered." Red's tone chilled. "You have the shot, you take it."
Silas' shoulders relaxed from their tense position... finally.
"When we reconvene in D.C.," Red said, "we will revisit the discussion we had before your little... accident. Maybe something will come of it."
Silas frowned, suddenly recalling the reference. "The letters?"
Red sat his tumbler down, a finality to the movement. "Yes, the letters."
June 9
Liz sighed as she sat her bag on the bureau, watching the clock roll past midnight. It seemed a nightly ritual these days.
She listened to the sounds of the hotel room. Familiar sounds now but oddly different from when she was in her own home.
How did Red... or anyone for that matter, stand the constant strain of travel? Was it even a strain?
Was that what she was experiencing? No... not strain. That wasn't it.
Something was off-balance. Uneven. Things were not... symmetrical. Not like at home.
Home.
She missed her home. It hadn't been that long an absence, surely.
Then it dawned on the woman.
She hadn't felt any of the strangeness when Red was here.
It wasn't her home she missed.
It was Red Reddington.
Four days now. She hadn't seen him in four days time.
His business dealings turned out more complicated than expected.
And on her end, Lawford's holdings were more extensive and time consuming to catalog and inventory than anyone anticipated.
Liz found herself resentful of the intrusions into their life. She knew it was petty and childish even to resent such things. Four days had changed her perspective entirely.
Life interruptus...
Who didn't face such challenges?
While she had appreciated the work and even being reconnected with her team, it was two days past the expected reunion with Red.
To celebrate another case closed, Silas had suggested a night out for dinner and drinks, her team included.
Relishing the idea of leaving the confines of the hotel and glare of computer screens... she had quickly invited her team to join them.
Only Moore had declined the invitation. The man was much more inclined to spend time with Agents from the field office.
No one seemed particularly upset by his refusal. Samar actually did a little happy dance when informed.
They had a wonderful, relaxed dinner. Followed by drinks and entertainment at a bar down the way.
The night ended in everyone gathering around the piano guy singing Billy Joel's infamous song of the same name.
She had fun making bets, most of which she lost. She could never pick a winning horse. She played darts and pool with her team... it was a good time.
But she missed Red.
The first night of his absence had been... okay. His scent in the sheets and cuddling with his shirt had lulled her easily to sleep.
Of course, she and Red kept in contact by phone but nothing could replace the reality of him being there.
They connected nightly, sharing their day, their stress, complaints and commiserations.
It was wonderful just to hear his voice. She hoped he felt the same.
His laughter would make or break her day. She was slowly beginning to realize; she was constantly searching for some tidbit of interest to relay which might amuse or distract him.
She thought she had hit upon an item which everyone at work had found rather bemusing.
She wished she had waited to see his expression when describing the bizarre inventory found in Lawford's last warehouse. She had been in the middle of relating the oddity when Red broke, laughing with abandon.
"Oh, Lizzy," the sound of amusement, automatically bringing a smile to her face, "if you could only hear the baffled and confused tone of your voice." he continued the infectious chuckle which delighted her.
Red provided the true back story on how Francis came to be in possession of Canada's stockpile of maple syrup reserves.
"You've been waiting all day for me to bring up this subject haven't you?" Liz joined in his good-natured laughter.
He told the tale in such an amusing way, his embellishments adding to the rather whimsical occurrence.
Her expression had run the gauntlet from startled disbelief to resigned amusement.
A time or two during the unfolding of the story, she found herself covering her face, totally embarrassed to be found an associate of a loon like Francis Holbrook.
But another part of her reveled in the fact, she could list the man among her very dearest friends, if not, the most cherished.
"Only Francis could carry off something that weird and have it turn out in his favor..." Liz realized.
It was in spite of his antics most times but sometimes... because of them, she loved his so dearly.
"...It also explains why we have a case of syrup in the pantry." she continued, a reluctant smile pulling at her mouth upon hearing Red's scoffed groan of despair.
"How the hell did such a mistake happen?" she was befuddled. "They were supposed to pick up crates of ammunition... but went ahead and carted thousands of barrels of what clearly was liquid out of the warehouse."
"Bizarre is synonymous with Francis," Red nodded he understood her confusion and dismay. "Either way, they managed in record time from all accounts... I think, correct me if I'm wrong. Security at a syrup factory is rather on the nonexistent side."
"Well, not anymore." she started laughing again.
Red relaxed back in his chair, having found his happy place. "This is much better than last night's chat, isn't it?"
She flushed a little, "Weren't we silly, snipping at each other like that." she had thought about it all day.
"I have unearthed a theory about what happened." he confided.
"You Googled it..." she teased.
"Elizabeth," Red exasperated, "how many times do I have to tell you and Francis, Google does not hold the answers to all humankinds woes?"
Liz grinned at his honest vexation.
"I didn't Google it," Red, having his say, settled admirably. "I went to a source reliable and infallible... I asked Dembe."
She giggled, "He reads Reader's Digest, so then it must be true."
"Damn right." Red agreed. "And while I am sure psychologists have any number of superior sounding words which might apply to why we were at odds with each other last evening," he stopped for a much needed breath, "Dembe put it into laymen's terms. Something with which we both can identify, I'm sure."
"What did he say?" Liz was genuinely interested. "I was looking forward to your call all day but when we connected, we both became very surly in a remarkably short period of time."
"We did." he nodded succinctly. "Dembe reminded me that human's often display one emotion when it is actually another they are experiencing."
"Not following." she admitted. "We weren't upset?"
"We were, but for totally opposite reasons than we believed."
"Well, I thought," Liz had, "that your tone put me off a little. It felt as if you didn't really want to be on the phone with–"
"Which was exactly the opposite of what I wanted." he stated emphatically. "I too, had wished to speak to you all day and it was a long, taxing day... for both of us, correct?"
Liz thought back over the previous day, "I was grumpy all day." she recalled. "I thought it was working in close proximity to Moore. It had nothing to do with you."
"And I," Red shared, "had to deal with similar people in the organization. But, all I could think... this will be worth it when finally, I hear Lizzy's voice."
"Oh..." she was sincerely touched, "... did you really think that?"
"I did." he confessed. "Were you aware, the entire time I was speaking to you, Francis was in the back ground feeding me Intel concerning the meetings I purposely left to be with you."
"Well..." Liz sat up from her slouched position on her pillows, flushing, "my phone kept constantly dinging with text messages from the team...well, Samar and Ress, anyway."
"I highly suspected." Red nodded. "We weren't angry with each other... we were angry because the outside world kept intruding on our time."
The silence was completely comfortable on both sides.
"Is that what it was?" Liz was astonished because it made perfect sense... now.
"We resented the hell out of them."
"Why did we take it out on each other?" she wasn't clear on that one as yet.
"Human nature." Red shrugged. "According to Dembe we weren't even aware we were transferring those emotions."
"Until it was too late." Liz sighed.
"A guy comes home from a bad day at work. He's so glad to be home but inwardly," Red explained, "he and his significant other will have an argument because he neglected to vent those negative emotions elsewhere."
Liz pondered the concept.
"Instead of expressing genuine anger at those who pissed us off. I, for one," Red had time to analyze Dembe's hypothesis, "ignored them completely, dismissing the irritation in the hope that it would all be over as soon as I could speak to you."
"Red..." Liz's heart was touched.
"They affected us more than we liked to admit," he sighed heavily. "Of course we are going to end up resenting it."
Liz nodded silently, her fingers twirling the ends of one of his ties absently. She kept it hanging on the head of the bed. It was one she liked tremendously when he wore it.
"...There is a bright side to what happened," Red smiled.
Liz's brows lifted high, "Arguing with you isn't high on my list."
"There is, when you take into account," his eyes softened, "we felt comfortable enough to do so, without repercussion."
She did have to admit, even with the tension, she had felt at ease unloading on Red. She supposed, he felt the same way.
She harbored no ill will towards him today at all. In fact, she was anticipating his call.
"Thank you for calling and making it all better." she needed to say the words. "I was miserable the whole time... were you?"
"You know I was, baby." he rubbed his eyes, kinking his neck. "I hate being at odds with you... for any reason."
"Same here." her voice softened. "I wanted to call." she confessed. "And I would have, really."
He chuckled, "I caved first, huh?"
"I don't think so." she wrinkled her nose. "I was going to call before you but Samar actually got to me first."
"You kinda like me." Red's ego inflated, her words enchanting him.
"Not as much as I like Dembe, but yeah," she teased, "you're somewhere on the list."
"Liar." Red's tone washed over her like a seductive sweep of his hand. She missed his touch so much.
"Every woman falls under Dembe's spell." she defended herself, trying to shake the very pleasant sensation that tone had caused. "You know that. We can't help ourselves."
"I think he releases some kind of hormone." was Red's theory. "Which explains Dembe... Silas defies scientific logic."
Liz chuckled, "It's pure animal attraction. He's explained it in minute detail, several times."
"You actually asked him?" Red's brows rose.
"No." Liz stated flatly. "He gifts me with those daily gems of wisdom so if the opportunity presents itself, I'll be better prepared for Jeopardy." her droll tone made him smile.
Red chuckled quietly, "After my discussion with Dembe, I realized I had not informed Francis or anyone else of my new rules." she inclined her head, knowing he was referencing the chat he had with security. "I will correct that error as soon as possible."
"I don't mind Francis calling." Liz was quick to ease the man's ire.
"I do." Red grumbled. "Unless he'd dying," his rubbed aching eyes, "he can wait until morning."
"Can't handle it after a long day?" Liz snickered.
"I can barely handle him during the day." Red quipped. "Probably because he has awakened me from a sound sleep to engage in some of the most inane conversation I've had in my entire life."
Liz tittered, rather enjoying that the two most important men in her life got on so well.
"Listen, are you in for the night?" she glanced at the clock on the beside table, her hopes sinking. It was only a little past nine his time.
"There is a gala or some such frivolity going on in a couple hours." he waved a dismissive hand. "I'm supposed to show up and mingle." he ran his hand along the back of his neck. "It's where the real business of the day is accomplished. I suppose I should attend."
"When do you people sleep?"
"We... people?" was he being lumped into that category.
"You know what I would absolutely love?" she confided.
"Tell me." he encouraged.
"To fall asleep in your arms." her tone softened to a gentle caress.
"I know this is hard, baby." he ached poignantly to be with her. "I want you in my arms" he concurred, "so damned badly."
"It did feel kinda normal though," she commented, having settled down, hugging a pillow to her slender frame, "when we were bickering... like a couple who are comfortable enough to express themselves with each other... didn't it?"
"Let's get back to, I want you in my arms." he suggested.
"I mean, we were grumpy with each other and that was okay, right?"
"We will have disagreements," he sighed. "It's how we address the issues between us that will make or break us... you know that, baby."
"Do I?" she wondered. "With Tom, I always just gave in. It seemed easier."
"Tom was a master manipulator." Red reminded. "You give in enough and you start to lose your own identity." he knew the feeling well.
She nodded, thinking over all the lost years of her life, "I wish my aim had been better at that warehouse. I know Silas ratted me out." she took for granted. "And don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about."
"You don't mean that." Red scolded superficially.
Liz's brow furrowed, "Afraid of a little competition?"
"Are we going to argue about this?" Red queried lightly, allowing her the knowledge... he too wished her aim had been more on the mark. "If so, Silas is on your side."
"Rightfully so." Liz lifted her chin snootily. "Silas is my..." she searched for a proper description.
"Partner in crime." Red shook his head woefully.
"I thought that was you?" she held her amusement, before forging on. "I will not argue about this." she staunchly replied.
Liz was not the least bit put out about the subject they discussed. While most of it was said in jest... a sick truth to it crept around the edges.
"May the best man... or woman, win."
"I agree to those terms." Red's lips curved into a shark like grin. "Though, just for the record... I am not Tom, I like a spirited partner who doesn't back down from a fight without just cause."
"You do, huh?"
"You know I love challenges." Red smiled when he heard the challenge all ready in her tone. "And you, are the best challenge I've had in my life to date."
Lizzy was quiet for so long, he thought his words had troubled her, "Elizabeth?" he sat up.
"I miss you so much." her voice broke.
Red closed his eyes to the pain within, "Don't, baby. It tears me up inside when you are unhappy, for any reason."
She smiled gently, blinking back tears.
They missed each other terribly and being unable to relax together at the end of the day as they had become accustom... was a weight they carried between them.
It felt nice to be missed. Even more so, to be Red's outlet. To be that which made him forget his day.
Liz's soul was a little lighter for the fact.
"Guess that's why I love you so much, do you think?"
Red's mouth pulled into a reluctant smile, "Do you, Lizzy?"
"With everything that I am." she confessed openly.
"If I were there right now," he mused, "I would make sure you would never want to leave my arms."
The woman thrilled to the confidence exuded.
"Do you believe those words, Elizabeth."
"I believe you can make me believe them." she smiled secretively.
"I would like to think I can." Red wished. He hoped that was the case at this point in their relationship.
"You know..." Liz was more than hesitant, feeling her way, "I have a rather silly confession to make."
"Let me be your priest." he quipped.
"Red!" she was shocked, sitting half way up for a beat.
"Don't tell me women don't fantasize about that scenario." he scoffed. "Want me to bring a white collar and Nehru jacket home?"
Liz shook her head, giggling, sitting back into the bed, "Do you men fantasize about nuns?"
"Absolutely not." he stated emphatically. "We're too afraid to do so."
She chuckled, "Hell and damnation?"
"No... the sisters themselves put the fear of God into us quite efficiently all on their own. A sturdy ruler and agile wrist go a long way." he confided. "They don't need any help from the Big Guy."
"Dembe?"
"God." Red practically snapped. "I see I'm going to have to start watching that man more closely." he made himself more comfortable. "Maybe I can pick up a few tips on how to mesmerize women."
"It's almost mystical, isn't it?" Liz teased.
"If you say so. Now..." he got things back on track, "let's discuss the confession, shall we?"
Liz had forgotten her train of thought.
"Does it involve lace panties and whip cream?"
Liz laughed outright, "That makes my real confession seem pointless by comparison."
"A man has his dreams..." he sighed, then sobered. "Seriously," he quietened, "tell me."
The woman quietened as well, "It's just that," she hoped he wouldn't think it sounded trite, "when you're away... I have pillows." she blurted before she lost the nerve.
"What?" Red half-chuckled.
"I..." she flushed, "I lay them beside me." it was explained. "I... pretend." she trailed off, embarrassed.
The man was quiet so long, she started to squirm. "I take one of your t-shirts." it was his turn to confess.
The man had been fingering the ultra soft material the entire time they spoke.
"It retains your scent." he finished, his voice soft and gentle for her.
Liz was taken aback, "What?"
"The one you lounge around in..." he explained, "I always take something of yours with me."
Her heart was touched, "I couldn't find it. I searched all over the hotel. I thought housekeeping or the laundry service misplaced it." It didn't once occur to her that Red might have been the one to take the sea-green shirt she so cherished.
"Turn the lights out. Lay down and get comfortable." he suggested low and soothing. "Close your eyes."
"Is it going to be one of those nights?"
"No." he half-smiled. "No, tonight, I just want to be close to you. I need that, don't you?"
Tears pricked her eyes. The man sounded so forlorn, so affected, "I... I feel exactly the same."
Red side glanced the pillows beside him, shaking his head. Nothing would ever be a good enough substitute for Lizzy's soft curves molding to his.
"I'll be home soon, baby." Red vowed. "I promise you that. But right now...let's pretend for a while, huh?"
Liz nodded her agreement, her throat tight with emotion.
"Are you nodding?" his eyes softened.
"Oh!" the woman shook free of the moment. "Yes... yes, I would like that, very much."
Red situated himself more comfortably, "Tell me about your day."
Elizabeth cuddled to her pillows, happy to hear his hypnotic voice in her ear.
They spoke of inconsequential things in hushed tones, just as when they lay side by side together at night when at home.
And the silences were just as comforting. Red realized just how deeply he was becoming attached to the woman and their routine.
He reveled in the fact, the mere sound of her breathing could put him in such a mellow, wondrous mood.
He pulled a pillow into his arms, resting his chin where the crown of Lizzy's head would be.
He closed his eyes as both desperately tried to grasp hold of the illusion they sought to create.
Red knew the hour was drifting by far too quickly for his liking. Soon he would be called away.
He was hoping, at least the woman might drift off before that eventuality.
"Did you fall asleep, sweetheart?"
"No," she mumbled sleepily, "I was listening to you."
"Why don't you put me on speaker and let me lull you to sleep." he replied quietly.
Lizzy had fallen asleep on the phone with him before. Once after her Brownstone had been breached, then later after she experienced a panic attack.
Red stayed on the line, wide awake... listening for any hint of danger or offering a soothing tone, easing any further panic .
To do the opposite of that now... to succumb to more pleasant circumstances... to take comfort in each others presence was exceedingly nice for a change.
"The phone bill will be excruciating." she murmured in her half dream state.
Red stilled in his movements a moment, before chuckling at the off-hand remark, "What year are you in?" he teased.
He couldn't remember the last time they had to pay for minutes? Not that it would have mattered in any case. He'd pay any damn price more than happily, if the last sounds he heard tonight was the soft breathing of Lizzy beside him.
"Like we can't afford it." he teased quietly.
Red shared some juicy gossip floating among the elite of his associates that amused Lizzy.
He related some antics Francis and Ben perpetrated over the past few days. They could always be counted on to liven up any meeting. No matter how staid and mundane the premise.
Lizzy's breathy laughter fell gentle on the man's ears.
He reached for her, his disappointment acute when he realized his faux pas. His hand fell on the empty space beside him, the coldness of the sheets piercing his warm hand.
The moment was achingly poignant for the man.
"Is something wrong?" she sensed a subtle change.
He didn't answer, unable to shake the disquieting sensation so quickly.
"I love you." she murmured softly, instinctively wanting to ease the sudden strain he was emitting although, silently. "Have I told you today?"
Red chuckled involuntarily, "I love you too, baby." his darkness dissipating as quickly as it came.
Liz shook the cobwebs, sharing tidbits as well. She sensed he needed the mundane himself for a while.
An hour later, both individuals found themselves surrendering to the heavy weight of sleep which pulled at them.
Dembe found Red slumbering away, his phone propped on his pillow.
The sound of Elizabeth's deep, evened breathing filled the restful silence of the room.
Dembe smiled warmly down at his friend, flicking off the bathroom light, bathing the room in darkness.
He would inform Francis and Ben to mingle in Raymond's stead, as he was in tense negotiations and unable to get away.
Taking one last look at his friend, Dembe closed the door, shutting out the world that made so many demands of them.