Gathering his wits, Red regretfully lifted Lizzy from his waning erection with a wistful sigh.
Liz's breath trembled visibly as the heavy weight slid effortlessly from between her heated cavern's lips, releasing a hot torrent from her body.
The rather prominent void left behind in Red's absence left Liz both disgruntled and despondent. Now empty of his long girth, Liz's body fluttered in on itself, returning to its normal state.
She hoped the man might be persuaded to his former pastime. She still felt an abundance of sensation coursing through her genitals. After feeling the man's rippling shaft tug at her sex, she found herself wanting more of the delicious feel.
The slick of the man's thick ejaculate wetting her core turned her on.
Yes, she definitely needed more of Red Reddington's attention, and soon.
Clasping the woman close, Red exhaled a mellow breath as he felt the wet surface of Lizzy's center settle comfortably against his thigh.
Encircling Red's waist with her thighs, Liz wrapped her arms about the man's shoulders, cuddling to his warmth.
Returning the gesture, Red stood, depositing Lizzy onto the cool sheets.
Crawling in beside the woman, Red pulled the sheet over them, drawing Lizzy close to his warmth.
"I love you..." He murmured, rubbing soothing circles along her bare spine. He smiled when he felt the area erupt in gooseflesh.
Red's smile grew when the woman, too sated by their activities as yet, did nothing more than hum a reply... returning the sentiment her own way.
The soft chime of a clock in the other room interrupted the quiet lull, alerting Red... the outside world awaited their return.
"I should feed you," Red murmured, kissing the woman's temple. "You'll need the energy for later tonight, I should imagine." He promised seductively.
Sighing blissfully from the vicinity of his chest, Red's eyes deepened as Lizzy emerged from her hiding place, presenting her lips.
Never one to pass up such an opportunity, Red obliged the silent request with wholehearted enthusiasm, the kiss a deeply sensual one.
Rolling to her back, Liz moaned happily as Red followed, bracing an arm beside her, bracketing her within his sphere.
Rubbing her naked flesh against the man's muscled thigh, Liz mewled happily when her clitoris suddenly awakened, thrumming with sensation.
Feeling the teasing brush of Lizzy's soft, damp sex rub eagerly against his body, Red palmed the woman's ass, encouraging her to continue her efforts.
"Do we have to go to lunch?" Liz asked, lifting large and beseeching blue eyes. "At this exact moment?"
"Huh uh.." Red murmured, his eyes drifting to the beautiful breasts pressing against his chest.
Rolling atop Elizabeth's body, Red silenced the woman's soft giggling with a soft, probing kiss, his tongue melding erotically to hers after a fashion.
Resting against the soft cushion of Lizzy's breasts, Red gradually lifted his mouth from hers, his eyes searching the crystal blue depths.
Smoothing the dark hair from her flushed cheeks, he kissed the exposed flesh as it was revealed to him.
"Not that hungry..." He rumbled, brushing his lips against hers. "Not for food, anyway."
Lizzy's delicate flesh was chafed, though the woman didn't seem to mind. In fact, every chance she got, she rubbed against the scruff of his beard.
Trailing his hand down the gentle curves of the sculptured body, Red's thumb traced the sloping arc of Lizzy's breast before inching downward to the flair of her hip.
Seeking the woman's fragrant neckline, Red kissed a path to her throat, flicking the hollow with a sensual sweep of his tongue.
Bracing himself, he slowly pushed upward, his eyes traversing the picturesque view afforded him.
Blowing out a controlled breath through pursed lips, Liz glanced down as far as the eye could see, but an obstacle barred the view she so coveted.
That she could feel the hardening penis resting along her center, however, was a pleasant tradeoff.
Red's eyes closed, feeling the gentle caress of Lizzy's fingers burning a path up his torso. The woman's lips teasingly encircled his nipple, drawing it into a tight swirl of aching response.
Taking her small hand in his, he lifted it to his mouth, kissing the baby soft skin. The heady scent of sex and blossoming arousal suddenly filled his senses.
Lowering his attention to the woman's pubic bone snuggled to his, his gaze riveted to the sight.
Red reached leisurely, caressing the fine hairs decorating the woman's mons. His mouth pulled into a sensual tilt as the woman's abdomen quivered and flexed at his touch.
Leaning on his free hand, Red kissed her upper, then lower lip with indulgent urgency. He caught Lizzy's mouth in an exquisitely heated caress.
His thumb made a teasing sweep against the peak of Lizzy's sex. The woman startled as the phone on the bedside table broke the sultry atmosphere.
Grumbling a disgruntled sound, Red's head fell back, exasperated beyond belief. How could he have forgotten to take the room phone off the damn hook!
"Oh!" Liz gasped, making to roll towards the offending object, but Red's large palm settled firmly between her breasts. He offered a stern look of caution for such an unwise move at such a time.
Reaching outward, Red pushed his cock against the cushion of Lizzy's pussy, growling under his breath. Snatching the phone off the cradle, he silenced the damned interference.
"Dammit, what!" He snapped his exasperation and resentment to any would-be intruder into the very private world he and Lizzy resided at the moment.
"Well, hello to you too." Susan Fairfax chuckled warmly.
Red slowly stroked his growing girth along the line of Lizzy's center, watching his progress with concentrated effort.
"Sorry..." Red breathed the apology, trying to get his shit under control.
"No, you're not." Susan knew well enough what she likely interrupted.
"No... not really." Red admitted. "What do you need?"
Not quite ready to be interrupted by the world, Liz wrapped her legs around Red's waist, wriggling comfortably under his distributed weight. Rubbing her nose against the wiry curls on his chest, she inhaled Red's alluring scent.
Inching downward, the man aligned his eyes with Elizabeth's, his look a sultry one. He slowly licked a searing path along her nipple.
Elizabeth sighed blissfully.
"Nothing." Susan replied, her tone an amused one. "Just wondering where Lizzy is... and what she's up to."
"She's with me." Red rubbed his cheek against Liz's breast, gently suckling the nipple closest to him very, very quietly.
"That much is obvious." Susan stated wryly. "But she was supposed to be here, with me, five minutes ago."
Liz's eyes opened, drifting in a delightful place, unconcerned about any would be intruders at this point.
Pulling back slightly, Red glanced at the woman beneath him. "Were you supposed to meet Susan?"
Gasping, Liz's mouth gaped. "Yes!" she grimaced. "I-I forget all about it." She whispered to her chagrin.
"It's all right," Susan replied, having heard Lizzy through the phone. "They haven't opened the doors just yet."
Red turned the phone so Lizzy could hear it as well.
"If we don't get to Ballroom B... all the suitable gowns will be gone." Susan continued. Lifting her glass, she sipped the cool liquor, settling more comfortably in her chair.
"Where are you now?" Red asked the woman's location, wondering how much time he and Lizzy had before they were descended upon.
"The bar, of course." Susan tsked, as though the question was an absurd one.
"Elizabeth is on her way." Red sighed heavily, facing the fact head-on, his mood dropping considerably.
Having heard the slight hitch in Raymond's voice and the soft rustle of sheets, Susan hummed a skeptical sound. "... Uh, huh."
Normally, Red would promise to deliver Elizabeth within the allotted time frame, but in this instance... he knew it would most likely be a promise broken.
"She'll be down... soon." He corrected, placing the phone back on the cradle without further ado.
"I'm sorry..." Liz winced, accepting the man's gentle kiss. "Our time is important to me, Red. I swear."
"It's all right, sweetheart." Red soothed her concern.
Consolingly patting the bare curve of her bottom, Red eased off to her side, flipping the sheets back as he rolled from the bed.
Red watched the woman slide his way, giving him a wonderful view of her nude body.
Not only was Lizzy's tanned flesh brightened to a rosy hue, the dewy moisture of their previous activities shimmered beautifully on her lithe thighs.
"Go take a quick shower." He suggested roughly, stepping aside for her to ease past his position.
Nodding, Liz flounced away, her mood very much improved.
Tilting his head, Red watched the full bottom swish erotically across the room. Allowing his attention to drift downward once again, his hands clenched into tight fists at his side as Lizzy's wet thighs came back into view.
You have to share her, idiot. You have to let her play with Susan. He told himself, then smiled slowly.
While he couldn't play with his mate right now... it didn't mean he couldn't later on. This was merely a postponement. Foreplay... one might say.
The sound of the shower coming to life broke him from his reverie, drawing him towards the bath. Stepping towards the shower, the man faltered in his steps, wondering if he should join the woman.
Why couldn't he join her? They just made love... surely she wouldn't mind his company.
Only one way to find out...
Stepping into the warming stall, Red hesitated at the sight of rapidly forming suds skirting down Lizzy's bare backside.
This had always been a fantasy he watched play out many times before. He wasn't the least bit surprised to feel his cock harden in response to the erotic sight.
"Dammit..." He softly cursed his lack of willpower.
"I'm going to be late, aren't I?" Liz glanced over her shoulder, eyeing the man's growing erection, giggling softly.
Taking the light tone and brightened smile as an invitation, Red wholeheartedly accepted his lot in life. Stepping in behind the woman, he rubbed the large girth between the gap in her thighs.
"Yeah," He groaned his relief, "... you're gonna be late."
A gaggle of overly excited females lurked outside Ballroom B, peering excitedly into the windows for a sneak peek as Liz and Red approached.
Red's hand tightened on Lizzy's smaller one. He wasn't quite ready for their alone time to end.
"I was having such a wonderful time, Red." Liz lifted soulful eyes, having pulled up abruptly. "I can make some excuse.."
"You'll do no such thing." He smiled down at her. "I want you to enjoy your friends. Besides, our time isn't ended," His look said as much, "... we're just taking a brief break." His grin widened at the slight flush on her beautiful cheeks. "I remember where we left off, do you?"
Liz smiled happily. "Not likely to forget."
"Keep it that way." he advised confidently.
"Okay, Reddington, step aside." Susan Fairfax literally pushed the guy aside, breaking the handhold Red had managed to retain. "You are monopolizing this woman's time."
"Oh, no, Susan... he isn't, really." Liz begged to differ.
"You will not be the only woman present without an acceptable gown this evening." Susan tugged Liz's hand toward the anxiously awaiting tribe down at the end of the corridor. "It would mortify me to be seen with you, if so."
Elizabeth cast Red a reluctant smile, and shrug of her slender shoulder.
"But you aren't mortified your husband is sporting a kilt with those chicken legs of his?" Red called after the rapidly retreating females.
"I've grown accustomed to his creepy eccentricities." Susan called back. "Besides," she pushed Liz into the Ballroom's entrance with but one caustic glare for Red Reddington, "he can rock any sorry piece of shit he picks... toothpick legs and all. Can you say the same?"
"Yeah..." Red smiled sweetly, "I can."
"I am only borrowing your woman," Susan grumbled her disgust. "It isn't as if she won't be returned, in mint condition. Michael will assure you... you can live without Elizabeth for an hour."
"Michael bitches to me constantly," Red told the truth, "every time you are out of his sight. He threatens all sorts of disturbing, if not debauched, bodily harm if you do not return."
"What my husband does to his own genitalia in my absence is his own private business." Susan arched a tart brow.
Red held his amusement.
"I would hope to find you are a better man." The lovely woman snapped her waning patience. "Stop being such a big, whiny baby."
"My balls hurt when Lizzy isn't around." Red was enjoying the exchange more than he should.
"Contrary to popular belief," Susan curled wry lips, "blue balls will not kill you."
"No, but you will walk with a distinct limp." Silas sauntered on site, catching the tail end of the topic of interest.
Susan rolled her eyes expressively.
"Do you speak from experience?" Red had to ask or die.
"Not me, man." Silas waved the issue aside. "No chicks gonna get me to that point."
"Famous last words." Susan snipped. "Look how happy she is..."
Red glanced through the opened doorway of the ballroom. Lizzy was holding up gown after gown, seeking advice and counsel from her peers.
Red's heart softened. She looked so excited and happy.
"If you feel yourself becoming desperate," Susan stepped between the two men, seeking each out in turn, "use your hand, as Michael is often wont to do." The woman demonstrated the exact technique. "What male is not overly familiar with that procedure."
Both men sheepishly refused to rise to the bait, only to offer a half-hearted shrug.
"Or, better still... invest in a pocket pussy." The clipped English accent lent a certain charm to the crude remark.
Red sighed lightly, accepting his designated place in life for the moment.
"Michael tells me they are having a sale on them down the hall in Conference Room A." Susan motioned in the needed direction. "Says, they're quite lifelike, only these don't... critique performances." She gave the men's crotches a withering look.
"The only pussy I'm invested and interested in," Red rasped roughly, "... is Elizabeth's."
"Oh, no you don't." Susan barred the path Red intended to take. "Exercise a little decorum."
"You expect the man to exert an ounce of control," Silas scoffed, "when his cock could pound nails?"
"Not my problem." Susan said, clearly not impressed by the theatrics displayed.
Red craned his head, looking Lizzy over from head to toe before their eyes finally connected.
"One hour." Red grunted. "One hour is all you get." he warned, shifting about to better ease the ache in his groin. "Then she's mine..."
Inhaling shakily, Liz wished for nothing more than to just forget about the shopping, go back to their room and... fuck until they collapsed from pure exhaustion.
"Don't give in, honey." Susan called over, steadying Liz's wavering stance. "If you don't establish boundaries, they will end up trying to have sex with you in a bathroom or public pool, for God's sake!"
Liz's heart pounded hard in her chest. Red's look made the heat between her legs intensify to unbelievable proportions.
The smile on Red's face shifted to a wolfish leer at the clear indecision in Lizzy's expression. He hoped the woman would very much like to get fucked in the bathroom... or anywhere else, for that matter. He knew he would move heaven and earth to make that eventuality happen.
He let her know, in no uncertain terms... he was open to locating the nearest available spot and giving over anything she might wish to accept. Red's tongue flicked suggestively against his lips.
Silas stifled the well of amusement gurgling inside his chest. "Tone it down, old man." he chuckled. "Where your target is the brunette with the doe eyes staring so soulfully back..." he stepped, breaking any connections established.
"All God's children are picking up on your... good vibrations." Susan continued, completing the statement, or so she thought.
"You have the rest of the ensemble frothing at the gash." the guard noted Liz's contemporaries were 'noting' Reddington's antics.
"Yeah, so turn it off, Superfly." Susan's droll tone advised. "You can turn it back on," she patted the man's arm consolingly, "after we put a dent in that platinum card allotment."
The woman waved an airy hand as she disappeared into the brightly lit interior of Ballroom B... laughing gaily.
"Men like when you play hard to get," Susan swept gown after gown aside. The hooks rattled noisily as she went through selection after selection. "When they have to persuade you to submit to their needs... it gets them off." She counseled the young women at her side.
"Well, I know that, but..." Liz felt compelled to explain her point of view. "Red and I were at odds and then..."
"You weren't." Susan showed a sedate black gown with a silk overlay for Liz's perusal, then scrunched her nose, deciding on her own. "I would look like an updated version of Maleficent, Mistress of Evil."
"It's lovely, really." Liz smiled. "Besides... Michael might enjoy it, if you get my drift."
Canting her head, Susan shook the notion after a brief hesitation, continuing on through the multitude of gowns.
"I feed enough of his fetishes." Susan shrugged. "Besides, I already have the real costume." She stated. "Michael is a closet sadomasochist, thank God."
Liz laughed her mirth.
"Men are such children, really. God love them." the older woman sighed. "The smallest thing makes them happy, like... buying yourself pretty baubles with their hard earned money."
Liz held another gown to her person. "Should I try this on?"
"Oh, lovely." Susan approved. "Makes your eyes pop."
"You should worry about how it makes your ass look," Silas advised as he came around the rack of dresses. "... or in your case," he eyed Liz specifically, "that your tits don't pop out."
"My tits did not pop out of that dress!" Liz begged to differ.
"If only due to some well-placed duct tape." The man grumbled. "And Red willing them to stay in place."
Flicking her fingers dismissively, Liz rolled her eyes. "He exaggerates."
Silas' senses suddenly tingled, the hair on his arms standing erect.
The guy stiffened, having noted the three new arrivals on sight. Without blinking an eye, the large guard swung into action.
Swinging his fist outward, he caught the unsuspecting culprit in the jaw as he pulled his weapon free, firing it.
The culprit's target blinked and chimed furiously.
Sighing heavily, the culprit threw up resigned hands, silencing the grating sound.
Turning on his heel, Silas' beefy fist lashed out, catching yet another man firmly on his chin. Hastily transferring the weapon from one outstretched hand to the other, he trained it on Thomas Crane, the larger of the two remaining individuals.
The man waved a red weapon about haphazardly before alerting Silas to the error of his ways.
A sedate smile stopped any further action Silas would have made, although the guard still held a beaded line of sight directly on Crane's center target.
Offering a lackadaisical shrug of his shoulders, Crane held his own weapon trained directly toward... Elizabeth's chest.
A battle of wills ensued.
"Put it down," Liz stated succinctly, gesturing to her guard. "Put it down..."
Silas held his stance, his face a rigid mask of determination.
"Silas! You put that down!" Liz reiterated stoutly.
Silas slowly lowered his weapon, his face grim.
"It's a damned toy gun... let me beat the shit out of him!" Silas advanced.
"No, Silas." Liz sighed heavily. "We have to play by the rules." She said, having no idea if there were any such rules... but it sounded feasible.
"I don't have to play by any fucking rules." Silas' fist bunched around Thomas Crane's collar, his other drawn back in a threatening gesture.
"Ah, ah, ah..." The man appealed to Elizabeth common sense.
"Now, stop it, Silas... please." The woman scolded. "You're embarrassing me!" she whispered strenuously.
The guard backed down, his expression saying it all.
"I'm sorry, Silas." Liz apologized readily. "But... it is how it is."
Thomas Crane smiled malevolently for the guard's sneer before turning to the gathered crowd.
"Ladies," he addressed his audience, "I'm afraid you have all just walked into... a hostage situation."
While it wasn't exactly how Red wished to unwind after a round of lovemaking with Elizabeth... it wasn't an entirely unfavorable way to relax after their exertions either.
Staring out over the expansive Texas countryside, Red rocked slowly in his chair, sipping at the dark liquor in the heavy crystal tumbler.
Placing the sweet cigar to his lips, he drew on the heady flavor, letting the smoke roll about him.
The muscles in his body unraveled further as images of his time with Elizabeth flashed by in his mind's eyes... the pictures alluring and erotic in nature.
Yes, he would rather be with Elizabeth... naked in their bed, basking in their reestablished connection... but a rich drink and flavorful cigar were an acceptable alternative, he supposed.
For the moment, anyway.
"Mind if I join you." Michael gestured to the available seat, interrupting Red's solitude and thoughts.
Comfortable in the silence, each man savored their drinks and cigars, letting the quiet setting embrace them.
Red was not overly shocked when something upset the Zen he'd just achieved.
Francis Holbrook was running towards his position at a full clip, the guy's usually unflappable demeanor a thing of the past.
"Either he's running from a bee," Michael murmured thoughtfully, watching Francis' advancement, "... or he has to shit.
"Perhaps trouble is on the horizon." Red mused wryly.
Michael grinned over at Red, shrugging. "It's a toss up so far."
Smirking, Red watched the boy analytically. It was only when Francis was just steps away; he realized the young man was incapable of stopping his headlong dash.
Reaching out, Red gripped a flailing arm is passing, nearly pulling Francis off his feet as Red offered assistance.
"What the holy hell is wrong with you?" Red demanded. Any reply was interrupted as Red's phone chimed with a text alert.
Bending at the waist, Francis braced himself on his knees. Gulping for air, the boy panted. "...A hostage...situation... has developed."
Scowling at the short but sketchy response, Red hastily opened his phone... his breath left his body as he read a text from Lizzy.
Help... :D
"What the hell is going on." Red bitched, pushing up out of the chair brusquely, his manner no-nonsense.
"Come on!" Francis urged the men to follow, still breathing heavily, gasping for much needed oxygen.
Rushing after the hurried man, after what seemed like an eternity, Red rounded the corner only to find himself nearing the location he left Lizzy.
"I would like to speak to one of the hostages." Mark was saying, then grinned over to the new arrivals. "To ensure they are well."
"Mark..." Susan sighed over the radio, "we're fine."
"You're not fine," a disembodied voice peevishly corrected. "I'll tell you when you're fine."
"Bite my ass." Susan hissed her reply.
Pinching his lips, Mark controlled his dry laugh before keying the walkie. "We will do everything we can to settle this peacefully and quickly, without incident, of course."
"Yeah, you bite my ass too, Mark!" Susan grumbled belligerently.
"What the hell is going on!" Red snapped, his nerves wrought tighter than a virgin on her wedding night.
Spinning about for the unexpected bellow of indignation, Mark hurriedly held his hands aloft in a placating manner.
"Three... well, two of the game players have taken the ladies hostage." Mark hastily explained.
"Excuse me?" Red growled. "They... what?!"
"Lucas Henry and Thomas Crane." Mark backed up under the seething glare. "You remember them, right?"
Red knew both men, had even worked with them frequently. In fact, they were preferred associates, as all transactions to date were unencumbered by problems. He even enjoyed dinner and drinks with the men when all was said and done.
In this business, however, anyone could turn on a dime.
"They're just playing the game, Red." Mark assured with a confidant smile. "It's just part of the whole."
"They better be playing a fucking game." Red snapped his fury. "Bring up the surveillance."
Mark stepped aside, motioning to a room just down the corridor.
Stepping into the room, Red's eyes scanned the several monitors supplied with anxious aggravation.
Worrying the phone in his hand, Red wondered if he should text Lizzy back?
Had she requested assistance on the sly without being noticed? Would his return reply alert Lizzy's captors to her subterfuge? Were the men only playing the game as Mark suggested they should?
Why the hell was he standing here asking inane questions... and where the fuck was Silas?
Dembe casually strolled in, coming to stand beside his friend. "You must calm yourself, Raymond." the large man suggested. "Surely, all is well."
"Oh, really?" Red had other thoughts. "Who the hell thought up such a scenario?"
"Actually, it's quite an enterprising move on Thomas' part." Mark had to admire initiative. "He's killing two birds with one stone."
"I'm gonna kill him and his accomplices," Red was pretty enterprising himself at times. "...And I won't be using stones when I do so."
Mark sighed heavily. "Let me just do this, okay?" He held up placating hands, keying the walkie-talkie as it squawked loudly during Red's tirade.
"We have a list of our demands." Thomas Crane stated cheerfully.
All eyes turned towards the monitors.
Tapping Red's shoulder, Mark gestured to the massive room and its occupants. Red scanned the area, quickly locating Lizzy and her friends.
Yanking the radio from Mark's hand, Red keyed the mic. "I have a demand! Let me speak to my fiancée, you stupid idiot!"
Liz sat upright in her seat, biting at her nail for Red's stringent tone.
"Our demands first, if you please." Crane replied. "I'm in charge here..."
"So you'll be the first to die!" Red grated heatedly.
Red frowned his annoyance when Mark snorted beside him, tapping the screen once more. Shifting his eyes, Red stared dumbfounded at the sight which greeted him.
Silas sat lounging in the background. The man had fashioned two chairs facing one another to allow him to stretch out his long frame. His head rested comfortably against the high-backed chair... allowing him to sleep more comfortably.
The guard was fucking sleeping.
Had even gone so far as to lay a scarf over his eyes to really set the mood.
"What the hell..." Red muttered his disbelief, glancing at the men beside him.
"Remember, Red," Michael reminded, "...Silas is–"
"On fucking vacation, yeah!" Red snapped. "I fucking know!"
Returning his attention to the room, Red found the hostage takers leaning casually on a nearby table... their red laser guns held lazily in their hands.
So far, so good. Unless they hid their actual weapons on their person out of sight... like Red had.
So focused on Lucas Henry absently scratching his chin with his piece, Red barely took notice as Francis, along with a couple of other interlopers, entered the room.
Red's scowl deepened as Crane lifted a sheet of paper, reading from it.
"First up," the guy rattled the paper, "...a bag of doubloons."
Red cricked his neck for the beat of silence which followed the succinct demand, and the quizzical look on Lizzy's face.
"I also want... an assortment of Disney princesses party supplies for at least thirty children," the man punctuated the request. "And none of that cheap shit. We want high price, good quality Disney party prizes."
The request was met with stony silence.
"...You, what?" Red grated.
"And..." Crane crossed his arms, rethinking his position, "I want a pony with a green or purple mane, the entire set of Disney Princess dolls," the man emphasized the words. "A pretty pink princess dollhouse and a toddler sized playhouse, also, in pink or purple. We're flexible, but stern."
Zooming in on Lizzy, Red sighed his woe as the woman giggled behind her hand.
Lucas Henry sent her a scolding glance.
Red rolled his eyes as the woman ducked her chin meekly, playing the role assigned. Lizzy was hard pressed, however, to hide the fact the sudden turn of events absolutely delighted her.
Resigned to his fate himself, Red leaned back into the table, crossing his own arms... waiting as the long list of demands continued.
"I also want Robert Goulet's Christmas album... on vinyl."
"Of course, he does." Michael scoffed his disgust. "This will be like the scavenger hunt from hell."
Ben smiled happily, nudging the guy. "Hell yeah, it will."
"Is that everything?" Red asked, his tone a chilled one. He slammed the walkie-talkie down.
His brow furrowed when Lizzy raised her hand, garnering Crane's attention.
Crane listened attentively, nodded gamely, then gave the woman a thumbs-up.
"I also want princess wrapping paper, bows and all that frilly shit!" Crane snarled menacingly. "Make it girly..." the man clarified. "You have two hours."
Resigned to his afternoon plans being decidedly placed on hold, as Elizabeth was now gamely playing hostage... Red stepped up to the plate to act as negotiator.
"Give me that fucking thing!" he demanded, snatching the walkie from Mark's hand.
Mark grinned, relinquishing his role without argument.
"We'll need a little more time than that." Red groused, "The vinyl may be difficult to come by."
"Only the vinyl?" Francis questioned fretfully aside, his tone a lowered whisper of despair. "Where the hell are we gonna get a pony with purple or green hair?"
Scrunching a pained expression, Michael rolled exasperated eyes towards the young man.
"He's talking about My Little Pony, dipshit." Michael clarified.
"You have a pony?" Francis frowned his confusion.
"It's a toy, you moron." Michael hissed, his patience wearing thin.
"How the hell am I supposed to know!" Francis snapped right back. "I don't have any ankle biters."
Conferring with Henry, Crane grinned before once again lifting the radio. "You have two hours, or we'll begin killing hostages."
The thought seemed to inspire cheer and good will to all.
Red rubbed suddenly weary eyes when Lizzy beamed an excited smile at her tablemates, obviously thrilled by the added flair to the game.
Dropping the radio at his side, Red turned to the men beside him. "Would someone like to explain to me, what the hell is going on?"
"Thomas' daughter's birthday is next week." Mark supplied the why of it all with a halfhearted shrug.
"Let me get this straight." Red theorized. "Thomas took the women hostage, leaving men to go shopping... for a little girl?" he clarified events in his own mind.
Opening his text, Red's jaw worked furiously as he read Lizzy's demand.
Oh, Red! Please get the entire set of Disney princess dresses, size 3-4T
"Well, it's not really left up to us." Michael lifted his own phone to signify his meaning. "Susan has been texting me what to buy while Crane was boring us to death with his own shit."
Writing down the list of demands, Red lifted his hands outward, silencing the din. "Quiet! I can't get all this crap down!"
"Save some time," Ben interceded, cutting to the chase. "Just buy whatever has Disney on it."
"Mark," Red addressed the man, "you take some guys and get the toys." He gestured to the rapidly growing crowd of males entering the room.
"You should send Francis." Michael interjected. "He's more childlike than any of us."
"Which is exactly why I'm not sending him," Red cooled Francis' enthusiasm before it could take shape. "He'll play with the toys and miss the damned deadline."
"Good point." Michael conceded.
"I will not." Francis promised, sulking a bit.
"Francis," Red turned towards the young man, finding him alert and ready to go, "you take these guys and hit the local thrift shops... and get the vinyl, and only the vinyl!"
"What if they don't have it?" Francis asked anxiously, taking the provided list.
"They'll have it." Red assured. "If they don't... improvise."
"My God, you're telling Francis to improvise." Michael reminded, aghast.
"I can improvise!" Francis objected. "With the best of them!"
Dembe scowled slightly. "To whom do you refer?"
"Huh?" Francis was confused.
"Go!" Red actually shoved the guy on his way.
Taking his crew along, Francis ran down the hall, ready for the hunt.
"I think I know where to get doubloons." Michael pondered thoughtfully before typing out something on his phone.
"Well, of course you do." Mark looked at the guy askew.
"Is there a problem?" Red noticed a reflective Michael Fairfax.
"Can't recall how many Disney princesses there are." Michael muttered.
"But you know where to get doubloons." Red nodded.
"I'll just Google it." Michael dismissed airily. "It'll save time."
"Speaking of time, we're running short." Red reminded.
Michael narrowed suspicious eyes when he received a text from his wife, answering his earlier question. "That woman truly does know everything..."
Shrugging, Michael headed out.
"Michael..." Red called out, slightly annoyed with himself for his shortcomings. "Get one of those motorized cars, in pink, for me. Will you?"
Chuckling, Michael added it to the list. "You old softy.."
"How do you stand this hen talk, day in, day out! I'm glad you shot me!" The first captor grimaced at the women's overlapping chatter.
Silas glanced at his companion. "Shut up... you're dead, remember?"
"No, really." The man sought advice. "How do you handle this?"
"It's like white noise to me now." Silas muttered even as he felt his mouth lift into a grin. "I find it oddly soothing... like listening to a couple hundred bees in a hive."
The man on the floor canted his head, closing his eyes, then growled his vexation.
"I'm going to take a nap until this farce is over!" The man grumbled, turning back over under the rack of clothes he sought refuge. Laying his head onto a crumpled dress which had fallen to the floor, the man wadded the fabric against his ear, blocking out the sounds.
Silas crossed his arms, laying his head back on the ridge of the chair.
"Not a bad idea." he concurred. "Forty winks always revives a guy."
The guard could fall asleep in any given situation. Over the years, Silas had learned the art of relaxation in the most perilous of situations.
One had to take a mental and physical break where one was allotted.
Of course, the present situation was neither perilous nor life-threatening. But what the hell... Silas was on vacation, after all.
"Ladies, I can't really watch you all if you aren't in a contained area." Thomas Crane was beyond vexed by the developing chaos around him.
"Oh, do shut it, Thomas." Susan suggested stoutly. "If you expect us to miss out on these gowns, you are sadly deluded."
"I'm in charge here, Susan!" the man huffed. "I have the gun!"
"And I shall stick it up your ass if you interrupt me again... I was saying something of the utmost importance."
The woman turned back to Elizabeth, whispering urgently. "Which I can't, for the life of me, recall... refresh my memory, love?"
Silas grinned for the exchange. He watched the ladies do their thing, always in awe of the way of the female animal.
He was seeing the species in their natural habitat.
The guard watched his charge. Liz had just emerged from a make-shift dressing room. She really was a truly lovely woman. The blue gown highlighting both her figure and features.
"Let's put your hair up to see the effect." Susan gently primped over Liz's long locks, swirling them into a graceful top-knot. "Oh, yes, that is very nice, Liz. Do you concur?"
Liz critically examined her image. "It's a possibility, I suppose."
"Well, there are plenty more." Susan waved to the racks of gowns. "Back to the salt mines then."
"Have you chosen one?" Liz was tiring of trying on dresses, truth told.
Susan pulled a face, and both women returned to the hunting fields, having girded their loins.
Silas' mouth twitched, having checked on a frazzled, beleaguered Thomas Crane. The guy was in over his head, out of his league, having bitten off more than he wanted to chew, clearly.
"I'm pregnant and I need to rest awhile." Sarah Hilliard was indeed a very pregnant hostage. "I would love to stay and play, but I just have to get my feet up."
"Yeah, asshole. You try lugging around a ten-pound watermelon for nine months and see how you like it!" Zoey Atkins was in a particularly foul mood this afternoon, Silas had noted. He had guessed, as every man present... the little Irish lass was on her monthlies.
Zoey was a spitfire most days, but even Silas steered clear of her wrath at this particular time of month.
"Gone over to the dark side again, Zoey?" Lucas Henry was not above taking his own life into his hands, apparently.
Silas admired the guy's balls.
"How about I take my light saber and whack off your cock?" Zoey asked pleasantly. "You two idiots get on the horn and get someone down here for Sarah." she motioned. "Do it now!"
Lucas held up his hands, holding his grin. "You just need to cuddle up to a heating pad or find some guy to fuck you silly. Relieves cramps, I hear tell." The man flirted... in his own way.
Zoey shifted a cool glare. "I'm bloated, I'm miserable... and I'm not above biting the head off any would be lover after I've finished with him... are you volunteering?"
Lucas' mouth quirked. "Not a bad way to go, I'd imagine."
Zoey softened her stance a bit at the off-handed compliment.
Eavesdropping on the flirtation between the two, Liz's cheeks plumped. She was more than interested to see how this played out.
Silas lay his head back, sighing mentally.
"Keep it down, please!" Thomas couldn't hear over the din of women. "I'm trying to conduct some business here!" He held the walkie-talkie aloft to demonstrate his meaning.
They steadfastly ignored the guy; he was loath to see. "You'll have to speak up! The damned women are driving me crazy!"
"A pregnant woman is so lovely to look at." Dembe interrupted Red's train of thought. "So soft... beautiful."
Red watched the woman in question on the monitors. Sarah accepted the tea Thomas offered over and a cushioned seat. She cradled her stomach protectively.
"Get a damned wheelchair down here." Crane hissed into the communication device, his voice low and urgent. "I'm releasing a hostage... don't want to have to deliver a kid on top of everything else I'm going through."
Red grinned for the harried man's tone. "How magnanimous of you... we accept your show of good faith. Wheelchair on the way... you pussy."
Thomas was in no condition to take offense too easily. "Oh, yeah... Mikayla," he checked on the woman who had been hovering this entire time, constantly tapping his shoulder. "What's the name, lady?"
"Adams, Mikayla Adams. I need to check on my daughter." She turned the man's communication device towards her. "Does this walkie-talkie thingy have Skyping abilities?"
Thomas shook his head woefully, his hands spreading out at his sides. "Really?"
"Uh, no, Mikayla." Red exchanged perplexed looks with Dembe. "What about your phone?"
"It's dead, hon." the woman was clearly in a quandary. "I always tuck Jenny in before her bedtime. I'll hold while you figure it out."
Crane threw up his hands, walking away.
"We'll send down a charged phone." Red figured it out.
"Oh, swell." The woman was happy again.
"The first of your present...eh... demands have been met." Red spoke to his new contact. "We will send them in."
"Oh! I'll tell the girls!" Mikayla Adams seemed thrilled by the news. "Don't forget the phone!"
She lay the walkie-talkie aside, hurrying to the other women to spread the joyous tidings.
Crane blew out an exaggerated breath, hastily grabbing his lifeline. "Hey, your time is running out... right?" In truth, the guy had lost track of time. "I demand some action down here, right–"
"I have to go meet that guy. He has my phone." Mikayla rushed past her captor, eagerly on her way out the doors to the ballroom.
"Lady!" Crane called frantically after her. "Lady, you can't just leave!"
Lucas Henry scratched his head absently, a confused look exchanged with his fellow hostage taker.
"She can't do that!" Thomas was at his wit's end, his voice a little tremulous, Silas noted. "Can she do that?"
"Red..." Liz called out quizzically in the background, "do I look good in green?"
Red hesitated, clearing his throat. "...It depends what shade, sweetheart."
Thomas gave the communication device a bewildered look.
"Oh, honey," Susan vetoed the green gown, "you look like a walking lime tree."
Mikayla Adams held up the phone, waving it about recklessly. "I'll be right in, I'm going to read my little girl a bedtime story."
"What about dangly earrings?" Liz held up a bright shiny pair to her ears.
"Honey, I can't see." Red returned his attention to the monitors, seeking the woman out.
"So seventies, dear." Susan once again overrode any decision but her own.
"Well, what about this wrap?" Liz tossed an elegant satin garment over her shoulder. "Do you like this?"
Finally locating the woman, Red squinted. "Wait... just a second." he zoomed in the monitor screen, staring at her meaning. He checked with Dembe.
"It is very nice." Dembe approved.
Red nodded his agreement. "I think it's nice, baby. You should get it..."
Liz happily handed over the scarf to an attendant, then stuffed it in her already bulging bag.ྭ
"You okay, sweetie?" Susan patted Sarah Hilliard's back comfortingly. "Your back hurting?"
"My brain is hurting!" Crane bellowed. "What's wrong with you women! You're not taking this seriously, dammit!"
Silas arose, sighing again. He made his way over to Sarah. "You want I should massage your back for you?"
"Oh, how sweet, Silas." Liz threw the man a 'sweet' smile.
The man scowled for the compliment.
The wheelchair arrived.
"Oh, thank you." Sarah struggled to her feet with the help of all three men. "I think I'll just go now, though. Thank you Silas, really, for the offer."
Nodding, Silas returned to his perch.
The nurse wheeled the woman towards the door, then stopped abruptly when Sarah gasped.
"Oh! My bags!" Sarah pointed to the purchases with an impish smile.
"We'll have them delivered to your room, Sarah." Silas assured.
"Thank you so much," Sarah beamed a megawatt smile before continuing on her way.
Chuckling quietly, Silas shook his head, relaxing back into his seat with a sigh.
Red Reddington watched the screens carefully, his smile growing.
Lizzy was perusing each table, choosing item and item as she progressed along.
That shopping bag was filling up fast, the man noted, grinning his delight.
"I see this unexpected setback did not deter nor detract the ladies enthusiasm." Dembe glanced from one screen to the next. "Or fun..."
Sarah Hilliard was being carefully wheeled down the long corridor.
Liz and Susan tried tiara after tiara, bracelet and bracelet, necklace after necklace...
"I think they're handling their captivity well." Red mused.
Michael pushed through the doors of the small room, struggling with a cumbersome cart. "One pink and purple vehicle... as requested."
Red perused the small vehicle, smiling his approval. The first was an almost exact replica of Cinderella's carriage. Lilac wheels and white gauzy drapes on the windows adorned the pink pumpkin carriage. A golden tiara placed atop the car was a perfect finishing touch.
Michael seemed totally satisfied with himself for the accomplishment made.
Red's smile widened. "Batteries all charged and ready to roll?"
"Would I let you down?" Michael appeared hurt. "Oh, check this out!" the man was excited.
Michael pushed the door open to better illustrate his meaning. Red peeked outside...
Dembe was already hovering around the tiny car.
Red's chuckle increased. "Do my eyes deceive me... or is that a scaled-down version of a pink Mercedes S63 Coupe?"
"Black interior, with remote control radio." Even Dembe was impressed. "LED front and rear back-up lights," He pointed out the specs of the car, "three speed, foam rubber white-wall tires." He was speechless.
"Lighted instrument panel," Michael proudly proclaimed, "and... adjustable seat belts, my friends!"
"I should get Lizzy one." A notion struck Red. "A full-sized one."
"You have purchased a Mercedes for Elizabeth." Dembe reminded.
"Well, not in pink." Red clarified. "Though... Lizzy doesn't do pink, does she."
"She does not." Dembe returned his attention to the toys.
"You should get me one." Michael made mention. "How goes the negotiations?"
"See for yourself." Red gestured back to the screens.
"Look at my little marigold." Michael smiled happily. "Depleting my coffers like a pro!"
Gesturing for the radio in Red's hand, Michael grinned maliciously. "I must speak to my wife, you hooligan... whichever of you is on the line. I demand to hear her sweet, soothing voice."
Thomas rolled doubtful eyes. "Hey, English chick... you're wanted." he held the communication device aloft.
Scowling, Susan dropped the trinket in her hand, stepping towards her captor. "What!?" she irritably demanded in that sweet, soothing tone.
"Ah, my angel." Michael sighed lightly. "I just wanted you to know, I would gladly trade myself for you... but some horrible person, who shall remain nameless, has callously ended my life far too soon."
"You want me to do it again?" Susan gritted her disgruntlement through the radio.
Choking on their laughter, Red and Michael hastily muffled their amusement.
Red shook his head as Michael placed the radio back in his hand before all but skipping down the corridor.
"Have fun," the man called back over his shoulder. "I'm off in search of doubloons."
"I told you, the vinyl would be a problem." Red continued his negotiations with Thomas. "Could I persuade you to consider; Lionel Richie, Neil Diamond, perhaps even Engelbert Humperdinck?"
"I might be swayed, but only if Neil's greatest hits are on the album." Thomas amended his demands. "And are we talking Lionel with the Commodores or solo, because really, without the Commodores, Richie is shit on a platter."
"I liked the 'Dancing on the Ceiling' video." Dembe disagreed with the man's assessment.
Dropping his chin to his chest, Red's shoulders shook with silent laughter before collecting himself.
"So do I." Red staunchly agreed with his friend. "Ahead of his time..."
"He ripped off Fred Astaire!" Thomas reminded, then refocused the discussion. "On the bright side, I don't plan on torturing anyone soon, so no to Humperdinck."
"You've given us something we can work with." Red quickly moved on, pulling his cell free.
"Where the hell are you?" he demanded into the phone.
"I can't find Robert Goulet!" Francis was clearly panicking. "I can't breathe! I need my inhaler!"
"You don't use one, Francis." Red reminded dolefully. "We have an amendment, anyway." One of which he relayed to his contemporary.
"Lionel Richie!" Francis' world fell back into alignment. "I have that at home!"
"Well, there ya go." Red feigned relief. "Now, get on the jet and go get it. After all, we have twenty minutes remaining on our time limit."
"So... you're being sarcastic?"
"Yeah..." Red drawled lazily.
"Then what do we do, Red?" The panic was back... then not, for Ben had slapped an album into Francis' outstretched hand. "..Oh, never mind." The panic was gone. "We, eh... we found it."
"I found it!" Ben corrected. "It was in the bargain bin."
"Get your ass here... now!" Red barked before snapping his phone closed.
Mark had stood by, arms loaded with bounty, studiously studying the cameras. "What are they doing?"
Red glanced, a smile playing at his lips.
"Wrapping gifts." Dembe supplied. "Elizabeth's are festively elaborate, are they not?"
Red watched Lizzy artfully coil a colorful streamer which trailed down a gift box with subdued beauty.
Lizzy's tongue darted out the corner of that luscious mouth as she concentrated her efforts on a long ribbon of purple.
In seconds, yet another jaunty coil materialized, falling alongside its sister cascade.
A plethora of brightly colored packages lined an entire wall behind the women who worked diligently away in order some lucky little girl would have the best damned birthday of her young existence.
Thomas had settled tremendously as he walked the length of the colorful row.
The guy keyed his comm.
"Don't see my vinyl." He reminded less than tactfully.
"Shut the hell up, Crane. It'll be here when it's here." Red silenced the debate artfully.
"I don't think I've been taken serious enough." Thomas said, raising his weapon... pointing it at Lizzy.
"Don't even fucking think about it." Red growled, lifting from his slouched position. "Most of your shit is here, fucking live with it..." he warned. "Or I will kill your ass."
Unsure how to take the threat, especially from Reddington, Thomas fell silent weighing his options.
Looking between the gifts and the ladies wrapping them, Thomas shrugged his concern aside. Both men returned to their coffees.
Lizzy came out of nowhere, grabbing the walkie-talkie.
Both Crane and Lucas sighed heavily, but did nothing, concentrating instead on drinking their coffee.
"Red... I have to pee, so could you or Dembe come and take come of my bags to our room?" She asked cheerfully. "Silas is napping. I don't want to disturb him."
Thomas' expression was priceless. Lucas nodded thoughtfully for the woman's request, nothing more.
"Oh, and if you go past that little snack stand by the boutiques, could you grab Susan and me a pretzel..." Liz called back to her friend. "With or without cheese dip, Susan?"
"With cheese and we need some sweet tea." Susan stuck her head out of a rack of clothes, a tiara tilted jauntily on her mussed hair.
Liz related the needed items, then looked at a very forlorn Thomas Crane. "Would you like something?"
The guy gave her a surly glare.
"No? Okay." She smiled. "You and Dembe make sure you grab something, too. Oh, and bring Silas some caramel popcorn, he just loves that." She relinquished the walkie-talkie. "Thank you!" she smiled prettily before trotting off to the bathroom.
"You haven't really thought any if this through, have you?" Red sensed as much by the growing incredulousness on Thomas Crane's face.
"Of course I have!" Crane snapped, grasping the device in clenched hands. He watched the women desert him en masse for a bathroom break, not one having asked permission. Not one obeyed his menacing threat of retaliation if they did not stop the migration... return to his capable handling.
"Well, no... I guess not." he hardened his tone. "But hey, I still got the gun!" he lay the communication device aside.
He sat down, dejectedly slumping his shoulders. Lucas placed a reassuring hand on the guy's back, drawing in a heavy sigh of commiseration.
"They'll be back." Lucas assured cheerfully. "It's going great!"
Silas dozed in and out.
He allowed his thoughts to flow unencumbered.
Thinking back over the years, he couldn't recall Red Reddington being so... easy going. So... stress free.
Red would have never taken part in such a trivial frivolity before.
These sabbaticals at Donovan's hotel were usually contained to two, three days at the most. Red's patience and interest wore thin after a while.
Red conducted business dealings, even connected with one or two willing females at times... then it was back to business as usual.
Silas could not recall the man staying around for any of the amusements Mark Donovan usually offered... not in the past, at least.
Dembe had said Red actually participated in some games this year.
The news had floored Silas.
In a good way, of course. It was good Red took time for himself, that the guy relaxed.
Elizabeth was the reason, Silas knew.
Silas had his doubts in the beginning, but that was before he got to know the woman. Truly know Elizabeth.
Red's life had changed... for the better. No doubt about that.
Who would have thought...
Smirking for Thomas Crane's predicament, Red motioned, and Dembe fell into step beside him. Ten minutes later, the two men were patiently waiting just outside the doors to Ballroom B.
They left the haul out in the corridor. Red wasn't the least bit surprised to see the ladies converge on the newest pile, cooing and ahhing over the purchases as they, themselves, carried the loot inside Ballroom B.
"Should we hold these," Michael lifted the bag in his hand, "or send them in?"
Red peered in the bag, coming face to face with a couple hundred gold plastic coins marked… doubloon. "Where the hell did you get all those?"
"Doubloons R Us." Michael managed with a straight face.
Red leaned back against a solid wall, crossing his arms. "I have a plan."
Mark shifted doubtful eyes. "He has a plan." The guy rid himself of his burden just outside the closed ballroom doors. "What's a kid going to do with all that shit?" He motioned. "No kid should that much crap! It's gonna mess with their brain, mark my words."
"When Francis gets here," Red gathered his constituents with a slight motion of his hand. "Mark, I'll tell you what we should do..."
The conspiracy abruptly halted, for Lizzy unceremoniously emerged from the bathroom across the way, her expression brightening as she recognized the men loitering to her right.
"Red!" She beamed a bright smile, heading over.
"Hey... no communicating with–"
Liz waved Thomas' objections aside. The man hovered just behind the heavy oak doors, keeping well out of target range.
"I'm just getting my stuff." Liz explained patiently, taking the food from Red's hand. "Thanks guys!"
"Don't forget the tea, Elizabeth." Susan called out from the ballroom.
Liz juggled the items then turned crisply, marching away, her hips swishing saucily. The woman gasped audibly, rushing back...
Red leaned in for a kiss as she approached, a stunned expression developing when the woman merely grasped Silas' popcorn from his hand.
Red checked with Dembe.
Dembe checked with Red.
Lizzy swished away again, gasping her forgetfulness before rushing back a second time. She waved a 'hang-on' sign to a weary Thomas Crane.
"I'm sorry, honey." She seemed genuinely so. She kissed Red's mouth and Dembe's cheek. "There are my bags." she pointed to a pile of carefully stacked treasures along the side of the closed doors. "I think I got you guys some stuff too!"
She waited politely for Thomas to open the door for her... which the guy did with a pensive expression on his face.
She giggled, hurrying back into the hostage situation, arms loaded with goodies.
Red checked with Dembe. "We could have ended this shit right then..."
"We could have." the large man agreed, checking his watch. "But they will shortly mark all merchandise down by forty percent."
Red scratched his chin. "Well, you can't pass up a deal like that."
"Apparently." Dembe concurred.
Red fell silent for a beat. He watched Lizzy and Susan delve into the food.
"I forgot how absurd these things can get." He stated offhandedly. "Hostage situation, my ass."
"Elizabeth is having such a wonderful time..." Dembe motioned to the woman's radiant face. "Relax, Raymond. Go with the flow."
Red's lips twitched. "You know... we could take those ruffians out right now if we wanted."
Dembe smiled slowly. "We could." It was agreed.
"But... we're not gonna, right?" Red checked.
"Not until after the blue-light special." Dembe cast the man a mischievous grin.
"Oh, I used to love those things." Red smiled nostalgically. "I didn't even need most of the merchandise, but I bought it anyway."
"Where the hell are my records?" Thomas demanded, his voice a little high-pitched, in Red's opinion.
"Francis is bringing them." Red replied evenly. "Calm down."
"Oh, my God." Thomas bitched. "We'll never see my albums or him again."
"I will deliver your precious albums personally the moment they arrive." Red had decided to end this fiasco... one way or other.
Francis and Ben arrived on scene, both men out of breath, for each was lugging a heavy box filled to the brim with assorted LP's.
"Well, wonders never cease." Red related. "Francis has just returned."
"All we could get was some was some eclectic mix of rock and country from the eighties." Francis leafed through the selections. "We did, however, stumble over ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin and some old guy named Perry Como."
Ben winced. "Yeah, what's that about."
"And where is Lionel Richie?" Red gave a stern look.
"Yeah!" Francis beamed. "We got it!"
"I wish to have the Led Zeppelin." Dembe took Ben's burden, gingerly leafing through selection after selection until he found the treasure. He sat the LP carefully aside.
Red crooked his head to the closed doors. "Take 'em in."
Both young men glanced at the other. "Man, if we go in there, they might take us as hostages." Francis reminded peevishly.
Red sighed heavily. "This isn't for real, Francis... remember?"
"I ain't taking no chances." the boy was sure.
Red shoved him hard, sending Francis and his cargo crashing through the doors.
The women collectively halted their gift wrapping, staring at the intruder comically.
Francis rid himself of the box in 'record' time and was out of the room before the doors could swing shut.
"Man, that was cold!" He informed a smirking Red Reddington.
Taken by surprise, Thomas and Lucas stared blandly at the now closed and silent door to their domain.
"No," Red begged to disagree. "What would be cold, is passing along to Elizabeth... you weren't willing to make the sacrifice on her behalf."
"You wouldn't!" Francis hissed his objections.
"I would..." Red countered, holding his amusement. "So..." he motioned the gathered men to his vicinity, "as I was saying.."
"I have another demand." Crane and Lucas had been strategizing over their coffees.
Red looked sardonically at the walkie-talkie in his hand.
Each man present felt pretty much the same way.
Red keyed the walkie-talkie. "We have most of your loot... what now?"
"Let me tell you want you can do with your demands, asshole." Mark was rapidly tiring of the game. "Your kid has enough presents!"
Red held up a silencing hand. "Let's hear him out."
He keyed the comm. "We're listening, asshole."
"Well, see, me and Lucas got to thinking," There was a definite hint of glee to the guy's tone, Red noted. "A smart guy could have his cake, so to speak," he motioned to the horde of goodies the woman still deliberately worked over, "...and eat it, too."
"Get to the point, you blow-hard." Michael played with the plastic doubloons, absently filtering them through his fingers.
"The game is running down, right? How many more participants can there be?" Thomas had thought this one through. "Me and Lucas... we don't like being losers. We're winners."
"Are ya, now?" Red nodded aimlessly.
"Sure, and to prove it, we've thought of a way to win Donovan's little murder game... with your help, of course."
Mark lowered his head, shaking it woefully. "You've got to be kidding me." he sensed the direction of the ploy.
"You guys deliver the 'killers' to us, one by one." The glee level had risen to an annoying pitch. "We take the credit, we get the points and we... win the game."
"That's cheating." Francis pointed out. "But... kinda ingenious for all that."
"That's right, bubblehead. You do the work, we... reap the benefits." Thomas laughed maniacally.
"Or... you kill the hostages, of course." Michael lifted a cool, appraising stare to Red Reddington.
"That goes without saying, surely." Lucas leaned into the device. "We hate to do it, but well, you know."
Mark's face darkened, but Red's smile halted his rising anger.
"We don't seem to have a choice." Red replied evenly. "Give us a few minutes... we'll get back to you."
He clicked the walkie-talkie off.
"Francis, you and Mark get up into the ceiling crawlspace," he motioned upward, "find that room and take those bastards out. I'll stall for time."
Mark chuckled lowly, removing his blazer. "Damned right we will."
"Eh... Red." Francis balked at the suggestion, "you know I don't like heights!"
"How do you feel about a toy pistol up your ass?" Red asked politely. "I want this shit ended... I want my day, what's left of it... back. Are you following my drift?"
"I don't think I would like a toy pistol up my ass." Francis deliberated.
Red lifted arched brows. "Decision made then... go!"
Francis reluctantly followed Mark's lead.
Red motioned to one man who had wandered to the gathering throng outside the ballroom doors. "Hey, Scott..."
Scott Buchanan glanced up. The guy left his companions, sauntering over. "Yeah?"
"You and Bob have to leave for Houston in a couple hours, right?" Red had been informed of the imminent departure.
"Yeah, Red, but I'm a detective, not a killer."
"For the next few minutes... you are."
"Won't they check with the digital board?" Scott saw a flaw in Red's plan.
"How they gonna do that?" Red wanted to know. "If Mark refuses to give them access?"
Scott chuckled. "Send me to my doom." he contained his levity. "I'll make the sacrifice for all those lovely damsels in distress."
"My wallet is in distress... don't know about my lovely wife." Michael sighed lightly.
Red glanced at his watch. He hoped Mark and Francis were half-way to their designated targets by now.
He motioned Bob Stevens over, hastily explaining the plan.
"Anyone have a killer card?" Michael called out.
"I do." Bob Stevens grinned widely.
"You're a killer?" Scott was clearly skeptical of the type-casting in this case.
"Nope, Mark just assigned me the role." Bob offered a peace sign with his fingers.
"What's the hold-up?" Thomas was getting antsy.
"We have located a possible candidate." Red replied.
"Send him in and keep a tally of our hits... we trust you to do so, don't we Lucas!" The game was looking up for the hostage takers, if Crane's tone was any indication.
"Absolutely we do!" Lucas placed his finger for a ribbon to be tied off on a gift. He smiled pleasantly to an unimpressed Zoey Atkins.
Scott Buchanan walked to the closed doors, glancing back at those gathered. "Tis a far, far better thing I do..." he grinned, disappearing into the main sanctum of Ballroom B.
The man met his doom in record time to a chorus of sympathetic, melancholy groans from the women... even as they continued wrapping presents.
Scott emerged, his target chiming merrily. "The bastards didn't even offer me a blindfold or cigarette... the philistines!"
Red stalled for time, feeling his blood pressure rising with each smart ass remark Thomas made.
"What the hell is taking them so long?" Red glanced up to the ceiling.
"My trigger finger is getting a mighty big itch." Thomas' snide snicker rankled along Red's spine.
"I'm gonna take the little bastard out myself." Red grumbled.
Dembe prevented the man's intent.
Bob Stevens put a calming hand on Red's shoulder. "We still have one virgin left to sacrifice."
The man marched resolutely forward. "No way in hell would I do this were it reality, you all understand." he hesitated at the doors. "I don't think, anyway." the man shrugged then pushed resolutely through.
Seconds later... the man emerged.
"Still a virgin," he chuckled, silencing his target. "Sons-of-bitches didn't even take the time to ravage me. I feel... somehow violated."
Red's patience was at an end.
"Oh, fuck this shit!" he plowed through the men congratulating Stevens on a job well done.
Shoving through the doors, Red's expression was a rather foreboding one.
Thomas Crane lifted his weapon, then lowered it. "Well, well, well!" the man appeared impressed. "The great one himself! Look, Lucas, we've caught a big one this time."
"Our net runneth over." Lucas had long since lost interest in his companions' game, but he had not lost interest in Zoey.
He helped the woman carry her wrapped bounty to the appropriate holding area.
"You're both idiots." Red snapped his belief, having shared a long look with Elizabeth before turning his attention to the man.
"Hey, what did I do?" Lucas asked plaintively.
Silas stirred awake, stretching his frame indulgently, Red's voice sinking into his subconscious mind.
"I should get double points for you." Thomas lifted his gun.
Red lifted his first, but he didn't have to take the shot...
Crane's target lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Subject," Mark's disembodied voice came out of the surrounding air, "... is down."
Thomas threw his weapon down dejectedly, cussing vehemently. "I do not believe this shit!"
Lucas' hands lifted casually in the universal sign of surrender when Red's weapon had trained on him.
Liz chuckled happily. "Oh, Red... you've rescued us!"
"Color me thrilled." Susan muttered, holding up a finished gift box, skeptically perusing her handiwork.
The women continued their pastime.
Red shifted Silas a cool stare.
The guard spread his hands. "What?! I had the bastards... your girlfriend put the brakes on my takedown!"
"That's not what happened at all." Liz tsked, studiously smacking a bow in the middle of a very large, oblong box. "He was going to spoil everything."
Red waited patiently, still belligerently eyeing the tall man across the way.
"I took out the asshole here," Silas motioned to the man sleeping peacefully under the dress rack. "I disabled, Henry."
"Yeah, man... what was that?" Lucas showed Zoey his bruised face and puffy lip. "We had you out-numbered. You were supposed to take it easy."
Silas sent the guy a look. "I had Crane in my sights. Patty Hearst here steps in and stopped my take down!"
Liz chewed on her thumbnail anxiously. "Well, they just had the fake weapons and all, Red. I was curious to see what was going down... weren't you, Silas?"
The guard's expression was an incredulous one. "No!" he bellowed belligerently. "I didn't care!"
Liz leaned, whispering to Red. "It was also a very interesting case study... you know." Returning her attention to her guard, she pulled an adorable face. "You are so grouchy."
"So don't stand there and give me the, why the hell didn't I do my job, look." Silas motioned again to the dead guy sleeping peacefully still. "I did my job!"
Silas' target patch chimed merrily.
"... And I've done mine." Susan lowered her red weapon.
Red's expression was just as stunned as his guard's. Both stared slack-jawed at the woman, who blithely continued to wrap gifts.
"Susan!" Liz was excited. "Are you a killer?"
"I just wanted to cap his ass." The English accent charmed those present... most anyway. "Have now for ages."
"Do you believe this shit!" Silas was not a happy camper, stalking back and forth in an effort to rid himself of the unreasonable anger he was experiencing. "I knew I should have stayed in D.C.!"
"Next time," Susan sent a sweet, sugary smile, "follow those instincts, big boy."
"Where's Francis?" Red had noticed the young man was still MIA.
"Who the hell cares!" Silas snapped, flipping Dembe the bird for the bulky man was grinning his ear to ear... had been the entire time.
"What a surly corpse." Susan teased, laying her perfectly wrapped gift aside. She shifted Silas a 'behave' look.
"What's a damned Limey doing in Texas, anyway?" Silas wasn't in the best of moods.
"Capping your sweet ass, Yank." Susan fluttered her lashes coquettishly.
"Silas, your nap certainly didn't improve your mood." Liz had taken note.
"How the hell could I nap with you women running off at the mouth like a gaggle of geese?" Silas wanted that phenomenon explained, clearly.
"You certainly gave a good enough impression." Dembe stated in that subdued manner of his.
"Someone has to get up there and find Francis." Red pointed skyward. "And it isn't going to be... me."
Sighing heavily, Ben stepped forward. "I'll go." the guy gamely sacrificed himself. "Who the hell knows, maybe I'll get a peek inside a room occupied by a naked chick."
"No, you won't." Red commented on the guy's upbeat attitude.
Ben's beaming smile fell. "No.. I won't."
"But you know, always look on the bright side of life." Silas narrowed dangerous eyes.
"I'll just go, uhh..." Ben pointed to the ceiling.
"I owe you one, kid." Red said as Ben went off on his search.
Red turned his attention... elsewhere. He put his 'weapon aside', his true one springing to sudden life as the line of his thoughts melded to more pleasant matters.
The man crossed the paper littered area, seeking out his prey.
Red stepped up behind a studiously concentrated Elizabeth Keen, his arms gently, but insistently enfolding the woman's small waist.
Liz giggled for the unexpected maneuver, leaning into the man's support.
"Well, hello, Sailor." She halted her activities, bow held aloft in mid-air. The woman opened herself to Red's lips trailing gently over the flesh of her neckline and shoulder dip. "You in town on leave?"
"I missed you." he murmured coarsely. His palm flattened on the flat tummy as Red's embrace tightened.
Liz could feel the hard imprint of his bulging cock cradled against the curve of her ass cheeks.
She flushed prettily. "...I see you have."
Red shoved experimentally on the woman's precariously lifted hand, sticking the bow in place.
Liz watched the action, carefully avoiding any and all knowing glances from the other women gathered about.
"Make an excuse." The man's huskily whispered demand deepened Liz's slight flush.
The blue eyes darted frantically from face to curious face, her mind failing her miserably.
Her contemporaries held amused smiles... badly.
"Ladies," Liz cleared her throat gently, beginning again, all too conscious of the man's body pressed intimately to her own suddenly alive and yearning one. "...It's getting late. Should w-we... eh... get ready for the upcoming festivities?"
Susan shifted a sage glance. "Of which festivity exactly, do you speak?"
A slight muffled laughter ran through the crowd as the jest of the remark was picked up.
Liz sent the woman a 'help me' plea.
"Of course," Susan relented, having read the desperation Lizzy exuded, "Elizabeth is correct. We must get our collective asses in gear."
The collective hive sighed, putting their work aside.
"Wait a minute!" Thomas Crane could not believe his eyes. "You women can't just bail on me! Who's going to wrap the rest of these presents?"
"You... are going to wrap them." Susan gathered her purse and purchases. "We have done our part in this sordid little charade of yours. Now step up to the plate, your little one is depending on you."
Susan's decree seemed the general consensus of the rapidly deserting group. "It's a long soak for me," she brushed glitter from her dress front. "Lizzy, don't forget our appointment is at five." It was warned.
"Whatever are we going to do in the meantime." Red murmured seductively in the young woman's ear.
"I won't forget, Susan." Liz called after the retreating woman. "I promise."
"Uh huh..." Susan shifted Red Reddington a benign glare. "I took out your best man... I can take you out as well." She leaned as she passed. "She better show up for that make-up appointment or I shall surely know who to blame."
Red held his grin for the threat.
"I thought I was his best man." Dembe's brow furrowed cryptically, but he let the matter go.
AUTHOR NOTES:
I was going to post the full 70 pages, but I wanted to expand on some descriptions in the latter part, so I'll post that as soon as I'm done. :)
Oh, yeah! I have also started my two week vacation so... I'll most likely be incommunicado after Monday. :D