Red's eyes softened as he glanced across the room. Lizzy tucked her legs, settling into the couch, her eyes flitting rapidly over the newest file Cooper had passed on.
Seeing Elizabeth back in her home and so comfortable, soothed the man greatly.
As promised, Kaplan had performed an exemplary job, putting the house back to rights, as though nothing untoward happened. Only a few vases, most likely broken in the skirmish, were missing. That Red had noticed was a testimony to just how familiar this place had become.
Freshly plastered and painted walls, reinforced doors and windows Lizzy chose herself, were in place. New cameras, installed in five foot increments, lined the fence of the property.
None of it compared to Lizzy knowing Silas and the rest of her guys were intact and well, Red knew.
Glancing at his desk top, he groaned dismally, pulling the basket of mail closer, resigned to his lot in life.
Though gone but a short time, there was a stockpile of mail to sift through. Without thought, Red sorted them automatically, quickly establishing order from chaos.
Sighing heavily, he drew a couple new letters addressed to Lizzy closer.
He stared moodily at the by-now, recognizable print.
Focused on her file, Lizzy didn't notice the tension in his shoulders as he tore into the envelopes.
He scanned the typeface rapidly, having unfolded the letter inside.
His brow furrowed the more he perused the same gibberish that jackass always wrote.
When are you going to realize you're a victim of Stockholm Syndrome?
Reddington has kept you sequestered so long, you can no longer see the truth.
He keeps you behind lock and key to control you.
The guards don't protect you; they keep you contained.
Now, you blindly follow his lead and do his bidding without question.
Get away from him and you'll see I'm right.
Red once again read the letter, scowling. When had Tom's vision of the woman become so skewed?
If she were a Stockholm Syndrome victim... Lizzy was doing it all wrong.
Stockholm Syndrome my ass. Red mused, a brow quirking at the absurdity of it all.
The minute Lizzy didn't impress him with her spirited temper, obstinate countenance, or question him about anything under the sun... surely was the day hell would freeze over.
The attributes he mentally listed, were just a few of the many reasons he loved the woman so deeply.
Elizabeth obviously also had free rein of movement, coming and going as she pleased with her guards... her ragtag family, at her side.
What was this bastard seeing that Red never would?
Red opened another envelope, sighing heavily. He focused his eyes, reading on.
Can you no longer see the light due to the darkness which surrounds you?
Have you lost sight of what is good and what is evil?
Reddington is evil. He darkens every aspect of your life.
Come to me and find your true self again.
"If they could all be this brief and to the point." Red muttered to himself.
Lazily tossing the sheet of paper aside, he reached for the third missive, sighing absently.
Why are you choosing to stay under Reddington's influence?
Is he threatening you?
Is he blackmailing you?
What is this hold he has over you?
He is slowly killing you from the inside, tainting your very soul
Reddington will only lead you to ruin Liz.
Come to me and I'll show you the truth.
I will expose his lies.
Intellectually, he was aware Tom Keen had lost what little mind he had. But to infer Red would harm Elizabeth was perplexing, even for that psychopath.
If Red's intention was to hurt Elizabeth, he could have done so many times over. Red couldn't begin to fathom this lunatics mindset.
"Oh, goody," Red muttered under his breath slicing the letter opener into yet another communication, "I wait with bated breath."
You must get away, escape Reddington's control.
Your alliance with him will only get you killed
Lawford has been alerting anyone who will listen, there is an alignment between Reddington and the Feds.
Give me a chance to explain.
I am offering a truce.
I will lay my weapon aside, if you will yours.
Meet me and I will show you the truth.
Red's eyes narrowed dangerously over the news. It wasn't inconceivable Tom was telling the truth on this occasion. But it was just as conceivable, he wasn't.
Whatever the case, the problem needed efficient and careful handling to not draw undue attention.
Red's eyes flit over the note, a smirk forming on the handsome face.
It appeared Elizabeth made quite an impression on Tom during their last meeting, considering the man asked she lay her weapon aside.
"Too close a call, was it?" Red chuckled sotto voce, opening the next letter. He wished he had been present when Lizzy took that shot at Tom's head. The man's expression must have been priceless.
You are becoming a shadow of who you once were.
Instead of shunning Reddington.
You now stand at his side, as if it's your rightful place.
I keep telling myself it's a ruse to gain answers you seek.
We tried to free you of his control and deception and you fought us.
You fought alongside Reddington's men.
Why won't you listen to reason, Elizabeth?
An unbidden smile curved Red's mouth, the third-party observation delighting him. He always believed Lizzy's rightful place was by his side... his partner in all things.
It was about time people recognized Elizabeth's status as a formidable opponent.
"Thank the Lord," Red's head fell back dramatically as he released a long drawn out breath, "the last one."
Are you all right? What is the extent of your injury?
Red scowled, glancing up at Lizzy. Injury? What the hell was that fool talking about?
Reddington blocked sight of you as he carried you inside.
I felt sickened when he entered your room while you slept.
The thought of you being defenseless against him terrified me.
We are devising a plan to free you soon, Elizabeth.
If you stand at your window, I'll know you are aware of the plan.
"The idiot." Red sighed. Elizabeth stood at the window most every day to check the weather and see the garden. It was not like Tom to be so–
"What did he say this time?" Liz muttered, flipping the page of her file breaking Red from his quiet musing.
"Who?" Red asked, tossing the letters aside.
"...Red." she lifted scolding eyes.
Sighing, Red inclined his head respectfully. It was better Lizzy remain apprised of the situation. The more information available to her, the safer she would be.
"He mentioned my many shortcomings." Red tilted his head, aimlessly reaching for a pen. "How destructive any association with me will be. In short," he sought her out, "...I'm evil incarnate."
"One of your finer qualities..." she winked. "What else?"
"Apparently, you are a victim of Stockholm Syndrome." he watched for her reaction. "Were you aware?"
"The old, Stockholm Syndrome ploy, eh?" she grinned, replaying their rambunctious lovemaking session before departing Antonio's home. "Is it fashionable once again? Am I in vogue?"
Red smiled gently at her jesting.
"What an odd observation on his part." she mused. "Can't he see me coming and going as I please?"
Red agreed, "What he sees is you behind an iron gate..." he explained. "A prisoner by any other name. He sees what he wants to see."
Liz shrugged her indifference. "Was that all?" she scowled. "You were so pensive, there must be more."
"You're ruined." he stated bluntly, waiting to see how she would define that observation. Hoping beyond hope, she didn't take this shit to heart.
Liz giggled, "Ruined for other men, maybe."
"Is that so?" Red arched his brow, his interest caught. He had to admit... he enjoyed her praise despite the moment. Knowing he pleased her on some level, felt very good.
"Oh, hell yeah..." Liz's appreciative eyes flit over his stocky form.
Red pushed from the chair, closing the door. He smiled warmly hearing her quiet giggling behind him.
He turned, his gaze masculine and appraising.
"In broad daylight, Red?" Liz chuckled merrily. "What will people think?" she tsked playfully, reading the unspoken invitation.
"I would hope they would wish me well in my endeavors," Red said, crossing slowly, approaching her confidently.
"...Right here, on this couch?" a provocative smile curved her soft lips.
"You like couches..." Red reminded tongue-in-cheek, "though, any surface will suffice." If he were truthful with himself.
He sat beside her, lifting his arm in welcome when she scooted closer. The sound of his ringing phone interrupted the playful moment.
"We should be used to this by now." Liz's giggle was now a contagious one.
"Yes?" Red clipped, not exactly sharing her opinion on the interruption.
"It's me," Francis replied cheerfully in greeting, ignoring the rather cool welcome.
Red automatically placed the phone on speaker, letting Lizzy hear any and all of the conversation.
"Was there anything of interest left after the skirmish?" Red asked, dreading the answer.
"Just a couple grainy pictures taken at a distance of you two standing around, being human targets and whatnot," Francis shrugged any real concern away.
Red breathed a sigh of relief. It was bad enough that not only the Cabal, but Tom, violated Lizzy's privacy. To do so when she was sharing a private intimacy? The thought disgusted him.
Liz relaxed, pleased with the results. They had seen precisely what she and Red planned.
"And a note," Francis turned the paper in his hand, staring at it skeptically, "basically says, he's got you in his sites and to watch your back." he chuckled at such a feeble threat. "He does know he's one of many, right?"
"Maybe he thinks he'll be the lucky one." Red quipped.
"He thinks wrong, apparently." Francis smirked, offering his opinion. "He had ample opportunity and failed... what a loser."
If it had not been for Antonio's foresight to invest in the reinforced windows, it could have ended differently. The sniper had been professional. Granted, the man lacked any loyalty what-so-ever, but the hired-gun had a higher than average quota on his shot hitting the mark.
"You want me to leave a response?" Francis prodded the older man, hoping to gain a reaction to the taunt.
"If at first you don't succeed," Red gave his own opinion of the people which they dealt... along with his own warning, "... try again."
Francis gleefully jotted down the requested message. "You want me to add if he harms Lizzy you'll rip off his nutsack and shove it up his ass?"
"While poetic," Red rubbed weary eyes, "let's not waste time on the man, keep it short and sweet."
"Ahh," Francis grinned knowingly, biting the end of his pen, resuming the message where he left off, "that reverse psychology jazz."
"We're wasting our time. This coward won't be back to see it." The young man jauntily tacked the note to the wall, "We still on for the meeting with Antonio?"
"Yes, " Red confirmed the meeting then related other needed information before ending the call.
Grimacing, Liz looked apologetically at the man beside her. "I'm sorry Tom's such a–"
"Don't you dare apologize for that sorry excuse, Elizabeth."
Liz could argue Tom was her ex-husband... her baggage. But they both knew it wasn't that simple.
Tom wasn't just an annoying ex-husband who didn't know when to go away.
He was a thief, killer, spy... among other things. He possessed a unique set of skills most ordinary ex-husband's did not.
"I don't care if he takes pictures of my bare ass..." Red told the truth. "Who hasn't seen that." he railed.
Liz's smile quirked. "Been a few of those, has there?"
Red threw her an impatient glance. "Your ass is different."
"It's not like he hasn't seen it all, Red." she reminded, albeit, half-way embarrassed.
"Not since I've taken possession of it, he hasn't." Red grumbled. "Nor will he ever again."
A twinkle sparked her eyes. "You're kind of cute," she cuddled closer, "when you're being possessive."
"It's a gift." Red shrugged lackadaisically, his expression sobering. "Has Tom been bothering you?"
"Red, he shot at us–"
"Besides that." Red wanted to know, dismissing such an insignificant ploy.
"It must be nice to be so blasé about people trying to kill you." Liz was somewhat bothered Red didn't seem to be.
"No matter how tedious that trash may be," he waved the letters off irritably, "I'm not talking about that stupidity, and you well know it." he eyed the woman suspiciously. "Has he approached you in person?"
Elizabeth and Silas had a special knack for leaving Red out of the loop, and he damn well knew it.
"Approached, no." she sat her file aside, turning to face Red. "He's getting more bold," she admitted, rubbing Red's hand, calming his ire, "testing the boundary limits Silas has in place."
Red really needed to have to talk with Silas about communication. And that he should really have more of that... with his damn boss.
"And you," Red's brows lifted, "is he testing yours?"
"I got a little carried away last night, I guess." she could admit to a failing. "...I let him get to me, I suppose."
"This little shopping excursion you're planning today," he needled, "it wouldn't be a means to draw Tom out again, would it?"
"I'm meeting Lia for coffee and then we're going on the hunt for vases." she tsked.
"Lizzy..." Red sighed, damn well knowing the woman was calculating the limit on her credit card, "I have already replaced Maria's vase, I told you that."
"Well, I don't know how you could." Liz snarked. "How do you replace an irreplaceable item." she wondered aloud.
"By purchasing a Botticelli, Maria has secretly coveted for years."
"And where did you get this..." she shook her hand in the air, "... never mind, I don't want to know."
He laughed sensually. "Yes you do."
"Can I see it?"
"No, you'll break it somehow."
"Well," she pouted for all of two seconds then reached, stroking a tender finger down Red's jawline. "I'm still going shopping... besides, they invited us to their anniversary dinner," she reminded, "we would be terrible guests' if we didn't have gifts."
Was he being played? It bothered him he couldn't tell. She was getting better at the game.
He could put a stop to it, of course. If he interfered, it would only delay the inevitable. But stop it? No.
He had done all he could to ensure Lizzy's safety, or at the very least, provided her a fighting chance to survive.
Now, it was up to Elizabeth and her guards to make the best of any situation in his absence.
"Besides," her mouth curved into a soft smile, "Silas will be there."
Red couldn't help the involuntary sigh of resignation.
She chuckled, praising her guard's virtue. "Silas is like a snake, waiting to strike at the right moment."
"You're quoting him." Red cocked a wry brow.
"Well, I never would say such a weird thing on my own." Liz readily agreed.
"Lizzy, he's dangerous." Red stated quietly.
"Silas?" she was momentarily confused.
"Tom," Red corrected huffing wearily, "Tom is dangerous."
"So are you." she arose gracefully, her fingers trailing away from his. "I'll put my money on...you."
Red's moody gaze followed her movement.
"Well, I'm off to the adult store." she breezed off, a certain sway to those luscious hips.
"Excuse me?" had he heard right?
She halted at the door, smiling sincerely. "You know, I never really gave you anything for our one-month anniversary."
Red remembered the event differently. "You gave me exactly what I wanted. And that was you..."
"So, you don't want anything from the store?" a smile played at her mouth.
"Let me finish up with Antonio and I'll... come," he emphasized the word suggestively, "with you."
"Always preferable, but no..." she opened the door with a finality he disliked. "I want this to be a surprise."
"It surprises me you would frequent such a store." his expression somehow expressed hope.
"You disapprove?" she taunted.
"Oh, hell no." he put that belief to rest. "I applaud your noble goals."
Liz offered an airy, breathy giggle.
A million images flashed through his mind of what items he would enjoy Lizzy making use of...
"This surprise," he offered a round about purchase selection, "does it... vibrate?"
"That wouldn't be much of a gift for you, now would it?" she questioned.
"I can't think of anything more stimulating than watching you master its complexities." he rumbled. "If your hands are between your legs to make that happen... I am not one to complain."
Her head canted to the side, "You say the cutest, sweetest things."
Red's eyes dropped to the humid spot between her thighs. "Yeah, I'm a keeper."
"You are that," she threw him a sensual kiss. "I'll make sure one of them vibrates..." she cast her decision finally.
"...One of them?" Red's interest piqued to avid heights.
"If you've taught me nothing," she batted coy eyes at him, "it's that... a gift must have true meaning behind it..."
Red listened, captivated by the level of sensuality radiating from the woman.
"For a man who has everything," she mused, "Surely, one paltry item could never... satisfy." she literally caressed the word, her expression causing Red's cock to expand as if she had demanded it.
Red leaned, retrieving his billfold.
"...Baby, take my card." he handed it over, readily. "I insist."