Focal Point

by Daniel Davies

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

195. New Frontiers

Author Note: Sorry for the gap in updates. I've been unable to get on FF until just now.

---

July 11th

Red sighed quietly as he watched Elizabeth hover anxiously over her guard as the medical team efficiently readied Silas for transport upstairs. Lister wished to take scans of the man's torso to further ensure himself that he had accounted for and treated all wounds.

Gesturing to Dembe, Red canted his head, silently asking the man to accompany Elizabeth as she absently trailed behind Silas as he was wheeled from the room.

"We all need time to regroup." Red had long since decided. "At least, I know I do."

"It's been an eventful day." Michael seconded the notion. "I need to see Susan." He massaged his wrists absently, having stood slowly, his wound giving him issues. "Thank you for allowing Lister to see to this, at least." He motioned accordingly. "Awfully decent of you, old chap."

"Yeah." Red smiled listlessly. "Thank you for jumping in with Ben."

At the mention of his former friend, Francis's mood seemed to drop. The kid tried too hard to not think about what had gone down, repressing emotions that Red thought they should address. He knew, at this time, his opinion didn't really matter all that much to Francis, where Ben was concerned.

In truth, Red needed time to wrap his head around the fact Ben was now...gone.

Ben, who had always seemed to be hanging around. Red really didn't mind the fact. The kid amused and, ofttimes, was savvy about business deals going down. Red had began thinking that the kid should move up the proverbial ladder more and more of late.

To think those times were now a thing of the past was a painful one.

And Amy...whatever the hell her name really was. A beautiful young woman in the prime of her life...gone. She had seemed so full of life.

Red shook such musings. Unproductive thinking.

He had not made the decisions which lead to the conclusion of those young people's life. They had.

Stupid...senseless...immeasurably sad decisions.

He glanced at his surroundings, watching his counterpoints for a long moment. Something came to mind...disturbing and yet necessary.

"I don't usually..." he started, then stopped his narrative. He had no right to pry into anyone's private affairs and yet, had he been a little more invested in Ben Gilchrist's...perhaps he would have seen the signs.

"It's none of my affair...what I'm about to venture into." He would admit it, but he had everyone's attention, at least. "We will be working more closely together, all of us, in the future. I have to ask myself and I hope you will take this in the vein it's meant." He did. "This time here at Donovan's little hideaway is always good for everyone involved. We let our guards down a little. Opened ourselves up to new experiences and whatnot."

"Where is this headed, old boy?" Michael was anxious to get to his wife.

"Just how serious are you about the ladies you've met here?" Red cut to the chase, holding his hand aloft as brows furrowed. "I said, it's not my concern... but if they are to be included somehow in your futures, I think it's imperative they know what they're letting themselves in for...don't you?"

The silence went around the room.

"If they are just...temporary amusements." Red spread his hands. "I totally understand."

"Emma's not a temporary anything." Danny balked at the label.

"Well, and good." Red again spread his hand out to this side. "What are your thoughts on allowing her a little more information concerning...what we actually do."

"They must know we are not the normal, everyday working stiff." Mark stated the obvious. "This is an upscale establishment. It takes an invitation to get inside this place from one of our VIPs themselves."

"Amanda is aware of your part of the... society." Red reminded the guy. "She didn't choose her way of life, however, she was born into it. Maybe she would just as soon have an out... if anyone actually bothered to ask." He glanced at Antonio.

"I actually...have not done so." The older man seemed bothered by the fact. "Perhaps you are right, Reddington."

"My point being," Red continued, "the more we know about each other's business in the future, the more open we are with our private lives...the more likely we are to extend the trust we all hope to achieve. Am I flawed in this thinking?"

All of them introspectively considered the matter.

"You now know most of my personal history." He allowed. "Some very important factors I withheld, vital information concerning Elizabeth… I was wrong to do that. I just wanted you to accept her as I knew her to be." He admitted. "Her vocation had nothing to do with the true character of the woman, but still, I should have been up front with you."

"We're all prone to secretive behavior." Michael pointed out. "To divulge such things in our line of business is not always advisable."

"And we won't, not with anyone else." Red reminded. "But we have made a commitment here today. To ensure its success, we must, at least among those gathered, agree to be more circumvent in a few crucial matters."

"The women with whom you associate… they'll be asked to alter their lives drastically if they remain by your sides." He hesitated. "This is a personal decision each of you must make...give it some thought, please."

"What brought all of this on?" Michael thought he knew.

"We each feel Ben's betrayal in different ways, I'm sure." Red knew. "Correct me if I'm mistaken, but that moment has brought us closer, creating an alliance between us."

Francis' head bowed, but the boy remained silent.

"We will be working closer than ever. Hopefully, we will become a tight-knit group who grows to rely on each other on a daily basis." Red sought each man's countenance. "I would enjoy inviting you into my home, one of which I share with my wife." He allowed the words to resonate. "I was thinking of doing so upon our return to D.C."

Each man knew Red had never extended such an invitation in the past.

"We will have much to discuss and doing so in a place of secure surroundings should help us relax our normal inclinations to be... overly suspicious." He smiled to lessen the barb. "Which keeps us out of trouble most days, yes, but we have to learn new ways. Let's start out on a good note."

The fact no one really responded to the invitation did not surprise Red in the least. "Again...give it some thought and get back to me."

---

LIZZINGTON

---

Retreating to the main floor, Red reunited with Elizabeth and Dembe just as they stepped from Lister's office.

Red was relieved to hear, while badly injured, Silas had no further wounds needing attention.

"The plane is ready for flight." Dembe reminded artfully. "We should head out soon if we are to make our time schedule."

"Perhaps then we'll have news from the others." Red stated. If it was good news, there would be enough time to decide. If it were the opposite, the wait would not be so long.

They accomplished the ride up to the suite in silence. Red exited with Lizzy in tow.

Red wondered what was going on in the woman's mind. He decided not to press any issues at present, however, pushing the door open for her to enter the suite.

"I'll just be a moment, sweetheart." Red offered a small smile as the woman walked past him.

"Is Silas being readied for transport?" Red held back Dembe. "Is he comfortable?" He asked. "Lister has assigned a nurse?"

"Of course." Dembe stated. "He is even awake and alert to an extent. He drifts. The doctor wishes him to receive complete rest." He started to take his leave.

Grasping Dembe's forearm, Red closed his eyes, sighing. "Am I doing the right thing?" His tone was dejected. "Am I thinking straight here?"

"I believe you are." Dembe said. "It is better to have allies than enemies."

"Is that what they are?" Red had to ask. He wasn't afraid to admit he was too shell-shocked to form an honest assessment.

Was he looking at the events of the last half hour through rose-colored glasses? Had he seen and heard only what he hoped?

"In my opinion," Dembe said, "they proved their loyalty when they assisted in protecting Elizabeth."

Grasping the doorframe, Red nodded. "We'll be down shortly."

Closing the door, Red hesitated in his steps when he found Elizabeth standing just a few feet away, staring sightlessly at the wall on the opposite side of the room.

Frowning, Red slowly approached the woman, side glancing the area of her intense focus. He approached gently.

"Sweetheart," he murmured, "is there a problem?"

Startled by the man's voice, Liz blinked away her focus, starting to awareness. The woman suddenly jerked in place, then bolted from the room, her steps purposeful and direct.

"Elizabeth!" Red hurried after her, his concern real.

Skidding on the slick tile floor, the woman desperately lurched for the toilet. Grabbing for the cold porcelain, Liz violently expelled the contents of her stomach.

Gathering her long hair, Red swung it out of her way. His heart went out to the small, fragile creature. He absently ran a soft cloth beneath the water of the faucet.

"It's all right..." He soothed, laying the cold cloth on her neckline. "Get it out, baby." He had been here in this horrible place...he had done that so many times in the past.

Securing a cup of water and her mouthwash, Red stepped into the enclosed space as Lizzy heaved once more.

"It's over, sweetheart." He crouched behind her, running a gentle hand up her back. The man's brow furrowed painfully as he felt the tremors coursing through the woman's body. How many times had he uttered that exact same phrase to the woman over the time spent at this place?

Clinging helplessly to the bowl, Liz cried jaggedly as she continued to retch, though nothing remained in her stomach.

Understanding the woman was panicked, distraught, and unable to stop the involuntary spasms, Red curved his arm around her waist, pulling her into the cradle of his body.

"Breathe in..." He encouraged quietly, wiping the cold cloth across her face.

Inhaling a ragged breath, Liz clasped Red's thigh tightly for support she desperately needed. Focusing on Red's deep timbre, she did as she was told, inhaling and exhaling on command before finally her lungs expanded, and she was able to inhale a cleansing breath of air.

Collapsing back into Red's chest, Liz wept freely as the images of this horribly surreal day filled her mind.

"Tell me it's a nightmare..." Liz cried, wrapping Red's arms tight around herself.

Red's brow furrowed as he listened to his wife's desperate pleas. His gut wrenched painfully as he felt the trembling in her slight frame intensify with each breath she took.

"Wake me up... and tell me," she begged quietly as tears stung her cheeks "... it's all just a bad dream..."

"It's the worst kind of nightmare, sweetheart..." he murmured softly, kissing the woman's damp temple tenderly.

He couldn't think of a worse nightmare than this, for they wouldn't be offered the relief of escape.

No, they were wide awake and facing their demons head on.

Taking the woman's slight weight, Red rested his back against the nearby wall. He situated Lizzy between his parted legs, getting more comfortable.

A million questions ran through his head, a million scenarios; had now for some time since things calmed a bit.

What had gone wrong with his carefully laid out plans for just such an occurrence?

Why hadn't she gone upstairs? Why hadn't she secured herself in a safe room? Why did even Silas' presence not secure her safety? Where had he gone wrong in his attempts to forecast potential danger which might befall this woman?

It made him sick to realize... some unforeseen happenstance had occurred that brought Lizzy to such a dangerous moment in time. Yet another one he had not envisioned.

He had felt somewhat secure here at Donovan's establishment, and already three horrendous errors on his part caused her safety to be threatened.

She had been in the thick of this Ben debacle, so who the hell knew what she saw or heard.

All he knew for certain was she almost died at the hands of someone they had considered a friend.

"I am so sorry, Red." Liz sobbed into her hands.

"There's nothing to be sorry for." He said, drawing her closer. Well, at least not on her part.

"Your friend is dead."

"I–" Red sighed, feeling his heart become heavy. "Ben was a damned fool. He was an idiot. He was..." the harsh words only hurt more, so he stopped them. "He was a good kid. I wonder what the hell I did to make him turn on me."

"Maybe we didn't do anything." She clung to the hope. "He said it was for the money, didn't he?" She lifted wide blue eyes. "Red, I'm so angry with him and Amy. I'm trying not to be, but..."

"You have every damn right to feel angry. The guy held a gun to your head, baby." Red shook away the image still burned into his brain. "I let that bastard into our home and near you." He was fighting his own demons. "What Francis said was true. We would have helped him. He got his damn head blown off because of fucking greed. Nothing more."

The woman leaned heavily against his strength. "Why do I feel so guilty?"

"Because he was our friend, or so we thought." Red grated. "I just don't get it, Lizzy." He shook a woeful head. "It doesn't make any damned sense at all to me." He closed his eyes. "How can I trust any of them now? How?"

"Stop right there." Liz sought him out. "Those men saved my life, Red." She staunchly reminded. "Danny, Mark, Francis... they were right there with us. Michael put himself between Ben and me. I saw him."

Red swallowed around the lump in his throat, wanting so badly to tell her they needed to be rid of them all. His instincts were telling him one thing, his heart...another. To not see them again, ever. To cut off all association...that was his usual modus operandi. To keep Elizabeth safe? Yes, he could do that.

But he knew he couldn't do that. Not any longer, for Lizzy loved Francis too much. Hell, she loved them all, men and women alike... too damn much.

"I'm reeling here, Lizzy." He could confess it to her. "I...I'm just..."

"You can't hurt Susan." She gripped his shirtfront, her slender fingers white from the exertion, those blue eyes filling with unshed tears. "I know you were angry when you said it, but no matter what, you can't ever hurt her."

"Lizzy..."

"No, Red." Her tone hardened, as did those blue eyes. "She has no part in this. She has kids that need her... you can't hurt her." Liz shook the long hair negatively. "That? I wouldn't forgive."

"Lizzy, I can't let them think they can get away with shit like what happened today." The man knew how it must be. "Their fear that I might retaliate and take someone they cherish if they even dare think about hurting someone I love..." he was adamant. "The threat must be more than whatever is guiding them. Be it greed, or the need for power. I have to force them to think twice about their actions. I have to make them know...there will be consequences."

"I don't care about any of that."

"Elizabeth, you listen to me." He turned her face to his, to search out her eyes. "I am a man of my word. I've made certain people understand, if I say I'm going to do something... it gets done."

"It's Susan." She closed her eyes. "I..."

"If you want the truth? I'm not even sure I could carry through on the threat. But Michael is not certain, and that will keep him in line where you are concerned. That...doubt." Red worked his entire empire on the principle.

"But Michael helped us."

Red nodded. "Yes, but did he do so because he was found out? Was he in it all along with Ben?"

"Don't say that." Liz's brow furrowed sharply.

Helping Lizzy off the floor, Red wrapped his arms about the woman, hugging her close for some long few moments.

Taking the water he handed her, Liz rinsed the acidic taste from her mouth, following the task with a good swish or two of mouthwash.

"Baby...it's the world you're going to be living in." He hated to be the one to explain that to her. "I hate it just as much as you."

"But," Liz shuddered at the thought, "could you really hurt Susan?"

"Truthfully, I hope to never find out." Red lowered his head, his mind troubled. "I don't want to think about it, ever, in all honesty." He grimaced, laying gentle fingers against his throbbing temple.

"Oh, Red!" Liz gasped, only comprehending at that exact moment what was before her very eyes all along. "Jesus! I'm so sorry!" She tentatively reached to touch the wound on the side of his head.. "W-We should call Lister."

"It's nothing..." Red leaned into her touch. "Just a scratch."

"You could have a concussion." She voiced her concern.

"Be that as it may," Red didn't deny the possibility, "I doubt very much I'll sleep tonight."

"Alright," she conceded, not pushing the man further. "We should at least clean and bandage it."

Gesturing to his satchel, Red peered into the mirror, taking a closer look at the damage inflicted.

Rifling through Red's bag, Liz pulled out a bandage kit and disinfectant.

"Lean there..." Liz motioned to the counter. Running her hands under the hot, soapy water, she grasped a washcloth, working up a lather.

Delicately dabbing the swollen ridge, Liz winced when a fresh well of blood trickled down the man's temple and onto his collar.

"I don't like this strain. I don't want that between you and Michael," the woman bemoaned as she cleaned the blood staining Red's cheek, "especially over me."

"It's going to be there for a while, so you're going to have to deal with it." Red closed his eyes as the tacky blood was cleared away. "But take comfort in knowing I'm not the only one who feels like this." He knew for certain. "Maybe not so much Harper, but the others, they'll be on their toes around Michael for the duration of the emotional turmoil this episode has sparked."

Liz felt the burden of responsibility. She had been the catalyst of the break between the men.

"This alliance carries some heavy weight." Red grunted quietly as the disinfectant stung his brow. "Michael knows, we can manage even without his organization. Francis and I alone have enough manpower collectively to put his business in peril, should we truly wish."

"What does that mean?" Liz asked. Flicking through the sutures available, she removed the needed supplies, placing them aside.

"If we were to turn against Michael, his empire would collapse." Red put it in a nutshell.

Dabbing the alcohol laced cotton ball back against his brow, Liz shifted her eyes to Red's a brief moment. "So, this pact that you've made..."

"We could really cause problems for a lot of people." Red confirmed. "And when this thing with the Cabal happens, and it will happen..." the man knew, "it won't take nearly as long to bring them to their knees."

"If only we could believe that." She smiled tentatively, gingerly placing a butterfly bandage in place. "What a lovely thing, Red. Not to have to live under that burden any longer."

"Yes, and it's taken me twenty years to get as much intel as I have. If I had the boys in my corner a long time ago, this would have been all over by now." He placed a stray strand behind her ear, his eyes gentle. "Just think, you may have been lucky enough to have never met me."

"Don't say that. We may have had a rocky start," Liz granted, "because of my stupidity, but I'm more than happy with how things turned out. Aren't you?"

"I'm very pleased, Lizzy. Don't ever think I'm not." he assured lovingly. "I told you, if you want to stop this at anytime, all you have to do is say so. I can make us disappear and we can be normal, for the most part."

"I...like our life the way it is." She almost pouted.

"I'm good at covering my tracks. I can get us to safety so...if it ever does get too much." He let it stand there. "None of this ever has to touch you ever again, Elizabeth."

"I just want to get away from this place now." She shared. "I loved it here, and now...I just want to go home."

She sought his embrace, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Do you think I manipulated you...ever?" He murmured the blunt question, causing the woman to tense in his arms. "I need to know."

Liz thought about her answer carefully before replying. "At first, yes," she lifted her gaze, which was soft and tender for him, "but then, I understood, you were trying to warn me. To lessen the blow...concerning Tom."

"I don't even know now what was in my head, except... I wanted you so much, baby." He hated that part of him where the woman was concerned. "It's unclear where exactly my motives lay, in truth."

"I look back and know for certain that you had my interests at heart. If they coincided with yours?" She touched his face gently. "So what? Red, I've thought this through, our relationship. It's not anything I go into lightly. The night before the wedding, I searched my soul."

Her words soothed the man's mind.

"Didn't you?" She queried earnestly. "I had the control. No one coerced me. Least of all, you. I made the decision to be with you."

Gradually releasing his hold, Red relaxed when the woman clung to him for a long beat.

"I love you, Red." Liz whispered. "Never think I don't."

Inclining his head, Red gestured to the sinks. "Let's freshen up..." he suggested.

The sooner they handled what came next, the sooner they could fucking leave.

---

LIZZINGTON

---

The men and women all sat at the table, quiet and solemn.

The women knew something bad had happened. Some were astute enough to have questioned Amy and Ben's absence.

Red had waved the questions off for a moment. "All that will be explained. I will say now, what you hear in the next few minutes can never be repeated outside these walls, so if any of you have reservations...now would be the time to take your leave."

All present looked at one another questioningly, but, at length, remained seated.

"There are some things I believe we should discuss openly and honestly." Red began.

Out of them all, only Harper didn't fidget in his seat.

"I explained what I do to Lily." Harper opened the forum with a frank statement. "It is never good to start off any sort of arrangement...or relationship with secrets. So, yes, she knows."

"She knows...what, exactly?" Missy asked plaintively. "What is it you do, then?"

"Did you hear the part about not repeating anything said here?" Red wanted confirmation before any more was said.

Missy glanced about. "I think we're all adults. I am capable of keeping a confidence."

"There are confidences, and there are confidences." Red nodded. "I just want it known that some of the things you will be hearing will very likely... disturb or upset your sensibilities."

Missy blinked her surprise. "I think we all sense, whatever it is you men do," she motioned gracefully, "some of it is not always, above board."

Harper grinned. "I'm what is called an underboss of the Southern section of the Crime Syndicate."

Emma's brows lifted high on her forehead. She sought out Danny Courtland next to her.

Missy simply looked...lost. "Excuse me?"

"I'm in the Mafia..." Harper clarified. "I'm nowhere near as important as junior there–"

All eyes were instantly turned to...Francis Holbrook. Some mouths dropped. Some small gasps escaped mouths which had fallen agape.

The young man shifted more erect in his seat, nothing more.

"...Francis?" Missy was stunned, pure and simple.

"I..eh...I may dabble in..." The boy didn't like the look he was receiving, striving for damage control.

Red cleared his throat pointedly. "...Francis."

"I control the eastern, western and northern portion of the mafia. There are small factions here and there that aren't mine, but for the most part..." he shrugged noncommittal shoulders.

"You're a mafia boss!" Missy asked, her face allowing her amazement.

"Technically, he is the Mafia Boss." Red clarified. "Just like in the movies."

"This isn't a Francis Ford Coppola film." Francis groaned. "I run an organized business concern."

"No, Francis." Red corrected gently. "Be honest with her and, quite frankly, yourself."

Francis looked at Missy. "I was going to tell you...it was on the horizon."

"The mafia Don." Emma expelled her astonishment. "I feel like I should kiss your ring." She looked at his hands, frowning. "What the hell! You don't have a big ass ring? I'm seriously disappointed right now."

Red smiled at Emma, thankful she broke some of the tension.

"Which begs the question, what do you do, cowboy?" Emma asked Daniel point blank.

"You better not laugh." Danny replied in all seriousness. "I'm the computer and weapons specialist." He begrudgingly extolled his own small part of the whole. "Guess that makes me the computer geek."

"Why the hell would I laugh at that?" Emma sat back, musingly. "I don't think any of this is really all that amusing, if you want the truth. I mean, I knew you guys were involved in something under the table, but..."

"But...what?" Danny wanted to know. "Does it matter, baby?"

"Give me some time here." The woman laughed mirthlessly. "We're kinda...reeling." She sought the others of her kind.

"Mark is his own man but..." Amanda explained for her man, "he has a lot of brands in a lot of different fires. And of course, he is an associate of my Uncle Antonio." She cut almost mischievous eyes to her constituents. "Can you guess what he does? Or did. Until he stepped down." She cast an affectionate glance her uncle's way.

"Michael is every bit as important as any of you." Susan reminded.

"Stop bragging, Susan." Maria suggested dryly, elegantly sipping her tea.

"Only he is internationally renowned." Susan continued, casting the man a soft look. "And his connections are far more extensive."

"No need to boast and brag, dearest." Michael chastised gently. "I think they get the point."

"The whole point, ladies," Red interceded diplomatically, "we believed it should be your decision about any further association with..." he swept his hand towards the men opposite him.

Quiet ensued.

"Keeping in mind, none of them had to be truthful." Red reminded. "They cared enough to do so. Ask yourself...why."

Emma's smile fell upon a very agitated Danny Courtland. "You did, didn't you, honey." She stroked his cheekline in open affection. "You like me, hum."

"Just a tad." He stated gruffly, his look a scolding one.

Missy sat quietly, fidgeting with some unseen object in her hands. Red watched Francis more closely than the woman, however.

First Ben and now...this. What a fucking bad day for the kid. Why didn't Melissa say something...anything, at this point? Why did she have to draw the torture out? A guy needed to know where he stood.

"Red," Liz stood hesitantly, "what about me?"

He shook his head. "What do you mean, baby?"

"They should know what I do, don't you agree?" She sought the other men's input.

Harper grinned at her. Francis frowned superficially.

"I apologize, sweetheart." Red did. "I've become so accustomed to it, I didn't think."

"Are you an International spy?" Emma piped up. "No...no, don't tell us." She held up a staying hand. "I want to guess."

"You won't guess it." Mark muttered quietly, shifting a teasing look Liz's way.

"This isn't a joke, Emma." Missy looked about to cry, in Red's opinion.

"...Emmy." Daniel's scolding face took on new depths.

"I think she's an underworld Madam." Susan stated in a droll tone, knowing full well what it was Liz did for a living.

"I wish." Liz's eyes shifted with gentle mirth. "No, that's not it." She compressed her lips for a beat, spreading her hands. "...I work for the FBI."

Susan sat back, her face saying this was no earth-shattering secret for her.

"What in the holy..." Emma looked at her, then between the guys, befuddled. "Are you guys just hearing about this?"

"Surprise!" Susan chided gently. "Oh, for God's sake, ladies, don't go on about it so. They aren't as stupid as they seem. Of course they knew...after a while." She grinned like a Cheshire cat at her husband, who shushed her impulsiveness down with a look.

"I actually started as Red's handler." Liz stammered an apology. "That's what they call it, anyway."

"Best description ever." Emma made mention.

Even Red sent her a reprimand of a glance.

The girl quieted a little. "I'm just saying...it seems apropos."

Danny held his smile.

"Well, you're taking this better than I thought you would, Emma." Red chided teasingly to soften the moment.

"That's because, at first, I thought you guys were giving us the business." She confessed. "Then I knew you weren't." She shifted a careful glance Antonio Crocetti's way for the man had watched her closely for a time, casting a quiet intenseness her way.

"Needless to say, the dynamic of what Red was to me changed, the more of Red's associates I met. I hastily learned that not everything is black and white." Liz continued her explanation.

"May I talk to you for a moment?" Missy asked pointedly. "...Alone."

Liz looked between Red and Francis. Neither failed to see the pain in Francis's eyes at the obvious indecision the young woman clearly displayed.

"Uh, yeah. Sure." Liz trailed after the woman with only one apologetic look in Francis' direction.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Missy hissed once they were out of earshot.

"Tell you what?" Liz needed some clarification.

"That Francis was a mob boss, the mob boss?" Missy accused. "I can't believe I am even making that statement."

"Honestly, it didn't matter to me. I love him regardless of what he does." Liz stated quietly. "It is what he is as a man, not...his job, Melissa, that counts. Surely you must agree."

Missy blinked, then closed her mouth slowly.

"I've grown to love him so much. He has never once caused me to regret any time I've spent with him. I could never break the bond or confidence we have established." Liz told the truth. "He's a good man. A kind, decent one."

"He's a mob boss." The woman corrected in a soft hiss, casting suspicious looks about the entire room now. "They...kill people. Or have them killed."

"In my line of endeavor...I do, too." Liz had to be honest.

That one threw the girl, Liz could see.

"Let me ask you this. When you woke up this morning, were you next to Francis." Liz softened her approach.

"Y-Yes." Melissa replied.

"Be honest here...did you regret waking up next to him?"

"I thought..." Missy swallowed, blinking rapidly, "I-I wished we could go on like that forever."

"So, why should that feeling change now?" Liz put the question out. "He's still the same guy he was an hour ago."

"But...I'm just a secretary. This is way out of my comfort zone. I have to be honest."

"Francis doesn't see you as just a secretary." Liz reminded. "And, too, that's the exact reason the guys wanted this out in the open. So you could make an informed decision."

Still, the doubts were evident by the young woman's demeanor.

"Francis could have any woman he wants. Literally." Liz reminded, for she was getting a little perturbed with this woman. "But he wants you. That has to count for something."

"I don't know if I should be insulted or flattered."

"Maybe a little of both." Liz thought. "This is something you will have to decide for yourself. Only you know your true emotions."

"You are all wondering, I'm sure..." Red said, bringing everyone's attention where it should be, "there was an incident this morning. Here at the hotel, as you are all aware."

Mark had ordered everyone to remain in their rooms for the duration and security had seen to it all obeyed the order.

"It involved one of our own, unfortunately." Red looked down for a second, settling his thoughts on the issue. "Two...of our own, actually." He glanced up at the inquisitive faces. "Ben Gilchrist and Amy Reese."

Melissa exchanged fretful glances with Liz.

"They were killed while in the process of attempting to harm Elizabeth." He chose his words carefully. "Amy, for some unknown reason, attempted to shoot Francis. Well, she did, actually...shoot Francis."

Gasps of shock and dismay met with the announcement.

"Silas was grievously injured in the skirmish which ensued. He is in stable condition at this point in time." Red explained. "Michael was also injured in the incident, but is fairing well."

Emma's eyes widened, and she moved closer to Danny's comforting embrace.

Missy backed into the wall, shocked. "Why!" She whispered, obviously stunned by all that had been conveyed.

"Like he just said, Melissa...Ben was going to kill me and Amy tried to kill Francis." Liz stated it more succinctly.

"Oh, my god... oh god... oh god..."

"Calm down. Breathe." Liz moved closer. "They weren't good people. They weren't the people we thought we knew."

Missy kept breathing heavily, her slight body shivering visibly.

"Is there a problem here?" Red asked as he came alongside Liz, his concern for both women, in reality.

"Melissa is just having a rough moment, Red. It will be alright." Liz smiled up at him. "Give her some time. Ben and Amy's deaths were a shock."

"And now she's thinking the same could happen to her." Red said, when the woman looked at him with terrified eyes.

"N-no." Missy stammered brokenly. "I'm not thinking...that."

"You just looked to Francis for protection." Red noticed. "And yes, that is exactly what he would do...even from me. Or Antonio. He would protect you, Melissa. Not that you have anything to fear from us." He motioned to those behind him in the room. "You never have, and you never will, as long as you keep your promise today. To keep all these newfound revelations to yourself."

Liz threw the man a look.

"We issued our trust to you." The man ignored Liz's pissy mood. He would handle it later. "You chose to remain for the duration. Now you know things you did not know an hour back."

Melissa's eyes grew wider.

"We accepted your word, silent though it was...that you will not reveal anything said among those gathered." He continued. "And whether you remain with Francis or go your separate ways, we will still hold you to your word. Do you understand?"

She nodded hastily.

"Then you have nothing to worry about." Red reassured. "The cops know who we are. They know what we do. They just can't do anything about it. They can know all they want. Proving it is another matter." He put matters on the line. "Francis will always protect you from any kind of pain or mishap. He cares about you. So...we care about you."

The woman met Francis' searching stare for a long beat.

"He would do everything in his power, and that's saying a lot, to make sure that his business would never touch you in any way, shape or form." Red, too, had met the younger man's eyes, reassuring him that all was well.

He turned back to the problem at hand. "Nothing of what we've had to deal with has affected you, has it. It hasn't impeded your time together." Red ticked off on his fingers. "Francis has made himself available to you, and let me tell you...that takes a hell of a lot of serious juggling on his part. But he's wanted to spend the time. He's wanted to make this outing a pleasant one for you. I think he has managed to do just that."

"Well...yes." Melissa relaxed a bit.

"While you've been shopping or swimming with the girls, he's running an empire." Red explained. "When you're ready for him, he pushes it all aside."

Liz listened attentively, for she knew her man did the very same for her.

Missy peered over Red's shoulder, her look a softer one when Francis' eyes met hers.

"He would never hurt you, Melissa." Red scolded superficially. "Not for the world."

"Why did he wait so long to tell me about...this?" She motioned frantically.

"I would imagine he wanted to see if you were worthy of being told." Red knew why he would have waited.

Liz felt somehow honored because Red always openly shared the most private of things with her, even about his work.

"Trust is a two-way street." Red watched the activities taking place behind him. Absently working the room, even when he was not physically present. His mental abilities kept him in the loop. "And it takes time to establish."

Harper was leaning close to Lily, his hands holding her small ones, his gaze a gentle one on the lovely face.

Danny and Emma were thick as thieves, whispering and cooing like the love birds they were.

Mark was more circumvent, speaking with Antonio, but Amanda had her arm about the man's waist, and she was clearly teasing her uncle about some past transgression or such, as she often did.

Michael and Susan were standing by Harper and Lily. Michael assuring Lily his wound was nothing of any real consequence.

"No life we choose is worry or stress free, and granted, our way might be filled with more pitfalls than most." Red agreed.

"It has its perks, though." Liz snuggled to the man's shoulder, her mood mellow now.

"That Francis chose to actually tell you about himself speaks volumes." Red remembered the last woman the young man confided in. "He doesn't trust easily. With good reason."

"Silas told me the last woman Francis confided in broke his heart. Said she simply couldn't live the life." Liz confided. "Didn't stop her from keeping the house, car and clothes he had bought her, though." The tale, when she had heard it, had troubled her. "Silas called her a bitch."

Missy swallowed hard. "I wouldn't want Silas to think of me like that."

Red kept mum on that one. "I have to warn you, this woman pops up every so often, trying to get Francis' attention again."

"You think he'd take her back?" That part, Missy did not like, clearly.

"I think he'd give her more money, since she blew through the generous allotment he offered within six months." Red knew money meant little to the boy, after all. "With that said, you think long and hard about what you want to do, because while I would never harm you, I would make sure you were incapable of ever hurting him again."

"And it would hurt him, Missy." Liz told the truth. "You rejecting him. It would hurt any man."

"To clarify my meaning, all your access to him would be blocked, completely. You can't say you want out, then come back two weeks later after you realize you've made a mistake." Red would protect Francis in this, he knew. He had before, after all, with others.

Missy frowned at the man, not appreciating him getting involved in their relationship. "Excuse me, but who are you to decide who he can and cannot see?"

"I'm the one who has to deal with the fallout when he's left high and dry. He may be a mafia don, but he still has feelings. He can hurt just as much as the next guy." Red recalled the hard times vividly. "And when Francis lets his guard down...he wears his heart on his sleeve."

Liz didn't know any of this went on between Francis and Red. She wanted to learn more about their relationship so badly, and maybe she would, but she didn't think it was going to happen overnight. She could already see Red shutting down.

Red kept private things private.

"Would you let someone that hurt your friend back in their lives, knowing that it was going to be a world full of hurt, again?" Red hoped the woman could see reason, but if not...it really didn't matter.

"No, I guess I wouldn't."

"Well, that's who Francis is to me." Red informed her. "He takes care of so many people, he needs someone to take care of him occasionally." He shrugged his shoulders aimlessly. "So if you want to go, it's fine. No one will think any less of you or hold a grudge."

"You want to give her a minute to think about it, Red." Liz asked plaintively.

"What's there to think about?" The man demanded. "If someone had asked me the same question about you...which they did...I would have told them to shove it."

"Someone asked if you wanted me out of your life?" Liz was shocked, showing as much.

"In so many words. I was offered an out, a new life." he confessed. "I told them to fuck off."

"I'm glad you did." Liz smiled before kissing him softly. "Look at us now."

"So, yeah. It shouldn't be so hard." He returned his interest to Melissa. "So...why is it?"

"Red," Elizabeth sighed lightly, "it's none of our..."

"We're leaving out in less than an hour." He spoke to the girl, not his wife. "Maybe you should spend that time talking to Francis?"

"Everything is moving so fast."

"When it's real, time doesn't matter." The man sought out the woman next to him. "Does it?"

"How did you two know that it was..real?" Missy flustered slightly under Red's intense scrutiny. "When did you know?"

"Missy, you don't have to marry the guy. Just give it a chance, see where it's going." Liz suggested. "Don't end what could be the most wonderful thing to happen to you, all because of some preconceived notion." She said plaintively. "It's like any other relationship, only Francis is loaded and can literally carry off a long-distance relationship if that's what you need to do to get this straight in your head first."

Missy watched Amanda cuddle with Mark and Emma sitting in Danny's lap, wondering why she couldn't just... "Why is it so easy for them?"

"Why is it so hard for you? That's the difference." Red knew.

Had she said her thoughts out loud? She must have, because Liz was looking at him strangely.

"The need to be a part of something, to be with someone special. That's important to them." He continued. "Sometimes taking a chance, jumping off the cliff, it can be the most spectacular thing you'll do. Another job, apartment; those things are easily replaced. Finding someone to love, that loves you back in the way you need to be loved? That is not so easily attainable."

"I'll go." Melissa blurted out, swept along by the tide of events and the persuasive words she had heard. "...Yes, I want to go."

Red sensed it was an impulsive reaction on the girl's part. He wished he could give everyone more time.

In any case, he did not have a good feeling about this...not at all.

---

LIZZINGTON

---

Deciding it would be best if they split their forces, Liz stayed with the ladies to answer any further questions they had, leaving Red to handle his associates.

Red made certain to make time for something very important. He and Michael disappeared behind closed doors while the others waited anxiously in the corridor.

"What do you think's happening in there?" Francis paced back and forth, constantly eyeing the room down the way. "Should we intervene? Should we just...wait it out and let them decide what is what?"

"I'm sure they're just doing what they do, Francis." Danny sat in a chair, which was kicked back on two legs, leaning against the nearest wall. "No need to worry. Red and Michael, they go way back. They'll hash it out. Give them a few minutes."

"I should be talking to Missy." Francis worried openly, chewing on a convenient thumb nail.

"Why aren't you?" Mark asked quietly.

The boy fell silent. Danny and Mark exchanged knowledgeable glances, but also remained silent on the subject.

"I don't want Michael and Red to sever any ties." Was all Francis was really concerned about at the moment. "Everything will change if that happens."

"Change isn't always a bad thing, Francis." Mark said gently.

"Yes, it is." Francis objected. "Change is the worst thing out there...for our group."

Again, the other men fell silent, each lost to their own thoughts on the matter.

"Harper knew as much as Michael about that stupid Cabal and everything." Francis reminded. "Why is Red mad at Michael and not...him?"

"Harper wasn't standing over Liz with a loaded gun." Mark sighed heavily.

All turned as Red opened the door down the way, sticking his head out. "I need you guys to come in here for a minute."

Harper sauntered on scene, strolling down the corridor, having heard the request. "Am I included?" He pointed to himself. "Just checking on Lily, but I can make myself scarce if..."

It was unusual to see Harper so visibly happy. So laid back. Red was pleased all was turning out well for the man. Maybe all any man really needed in life was a woman to soften his rough edges to make him truly happy.

"This isn't a private party... for the most part." Red motioned Harper to follow the others filing silently into the room.

Each of the men took a seat, waiting nervously, their faces etched with visible anxiety. All but Harper, who just seemed happy to be included this time around.

"What's wrong with you guys?" Red asked, having witnessed the phenomenon for some few moments now.

"Are you freakin' kidding?" Danny spoke for the group in this instance. "A hell of a lot has gone down in the last four-hour period. I think we all have a right to be a little on edge, don't you?"

"Things are moving fast here." Francis said. "Things are changing, Red."

"Our collective heads are spinning, man." Mark advised straightforwardly.

"Then I'm not sure how you're going to take these next few minutes." Red scratched between his brows with his index finger absently. "And I don't know how to present it to you, so...I'll just blurt it out, I guess." He checked with Michael, who shrugged evasively.

A lot had been hashed out between the two men, but Michael was in the dark about this particular subject.

"I have a deal with the FBI. Complete immunity." Red allowed the words to sink in. "I come and go as I please. I continue to do my business with no interference from them."

The silence was beyond deafening.

"It doesn't hurt that your wife is FBI." Mark remarked idly. "I guess?"

"She wasn't my wife until yesterday." Red stated succinctly. "I've had this deal for two years now."

"Well, good for you, Red." The cowboy checked with his contemporaries. "How does it involve any of us?" Danny had missed the point.

"I want to know if you're interested in joining me in the work I do." Red posed the question. "In taking down those undesirables we mentioned earlier... a lot of them are still out there. But you could have the same benefits I enjoy in the interim."

"What does that mean, exactly?" Mark sat up, his interest piqued.

"I would go to the agent in charge and tell him to give you the same deal I have." Red shrugged aimlessly, waving his hand out from his side. "It would cement the connection we have decided to form today. And you would have unlimited freedom in a hell of a lot of areas that you do not have now."

"And you think they'll just give it to us?" Danny laughed skeptically. "Why should they, man?"

"Because we can do what they can't." Red knew the answer to that one. "I've shown them that much. And if it earns the agencies brownie points, which it does...they're all for it."

"I don't know, Red." Francis had doubts. "We do alright by ourselves. Getting mixed up with the government is something I've always stayed clear of."

"I get that, Francis." Red leaned his thigh on a nearby table, holding his hand out plaintively. "It would be a difficult transition for you men, I realize that. I guess what I'm really asking for...is your help."

"Help to do what?" Francis needed specifics. "Why is this so important to you?" The kid sensed it was.

"Every time I take down one of the Blacklisters, which is this human trash we associate with on a daily fucking basis...I get closer to another piece of the puzzle I need to...to do what it is I need to finish." He trailed off. "...Just know, your help would be an invaluable tool to me. I can do it alone, but with help, the process will move along at the pace I prefer. I truly believe that working together will accomplish more than we can possibly fathom. And you benefit from the setup as well, remember?"

"How do we know you're on the up and up?" Danny didn't know if he spoke for those gathered, but he had questions of his own. "How do we know we aren't part of your black list?"

"Because you wouldn't be sitting here now." Red motioned accordingly, a tiny smile on his lips. "Lizzy's team would have all ready been here, slapping the cuffs on your criminal asses."

"Or...we could be walking into a neatly set trap...the lot of us." Mark pointed out his theory of how things might just go down. "Which clears up a lot of territory...for you."

"That's actually a sound hypothesis." Red was impressed. "You're thinking with your brain. Saying I have enough territory and shit is just me saying it, too." He got that. "The Cabal is one big, organized threat. And yes, I want to take it down." It was conceded. "If you're thinking I want to replace the bastards? I don't operate that way and if you don't know that by now...then maybe this association we started isn't such a good thing."

The men exchanged oblique glances about their various positions in the room.

"I would never allow any of you even to go near the Blacksite until I have assured each of you has the immunity deal, I envision." He acquiesced. "Again, you have only my word. We have to start believing in each other...bottom line. Without that trust, we got nothing here."

The silence returned, but this time, it was more contemplative than suspicious.

"I say give him a chance." Michael broke the stalemate, his tone an indulgent one. "I wouldn't be sitting here, breathing, if he didn't give me a chance...simply because you assholes would have dumped my ass out by the fence line. Don't sit there acting all demure and innocent with me."

Red looked at the men surrounding the table, hoping he had read Francis correctly. He held his breath.

Harper looked totally at ease, as if he didn't have a care in the world.

Danny had a pensive look on his face, clearly trying to weigh the pros and cons of the situation, and pissed that the pros were winning out. His instincts were telling him, back off this deal.

Mark continually shook his head in the negative, but Red thought perhaps the man was already decided and kicking himself for being such a dumb ass. Because of his respect for Red Reddington, the man was going against his own instincts as well.

"Aww, what the hell. I haven't broken out of any cells lately. Don't want to get rusty." Danny caved. "I'll give it a shot, I guess." He looked hastily to his contemporaries, hoping perhaps they would talk him out of the insanity.

"I'm in, as long as I get the cell next to Danny." Mark seemed happy to find some sort of silver lining.

"We already knew I would do it. I'm Liz's favorite. She won't let anyone hurt me." Francis preened in that superior manner he had about him.

"What about you two?" Red checked in with Michael and Harper.

"Hell, yes, I'll do it." Michael manned up. "Just for the fact, Susan will have my ass and it's about time I stood up to the Wicked Witch of the North."

"I am just happy to finally be invited to something you guys are involved in." Harper grinned. "Being an outsider for all these years was fun, sure, but now, with Lily to look after... I feel a hell of a sight better, knowing if something happens to me," he checked around the table, "she'll be in excellent hands. I'm right...right?"

"Nothing is going to happen to you, but we would be here for Lily in any case." Red knew the collective thought on that subject, at least. "It's one of the reasons I asked about the depth of your involvement with your lady friends." He scowled. "Considering what you are all letting yourselves in for, both sides need to be prepared for whatever the outcome may be."

"We should update our wills, in other words." Danny grinned infectiously. "Not that I have one, or ever have."

"I don't either." Mark surprised Red by admitting. "I always just assumed my second would take over the holdings." He confessed, glancing around aimlessly. "...No?"

"No." Red stated emphatically. "Provisions must be made."

"But who could we trust to execute these papers?" Francis wasn't quite sure of anyone in his own organization that could be trusted implicitly. But again, they were all of the criminal element, after all. He wouldn't hold that against them.

"To make sure everything is handled properly," Red had a suggestion, "we could put Marvin Gerard on retainer." He hoped the others had heard of the man's professionalism. "He's well acquainted with our... special circumstances."

All wrote down the needed information, serious expressions the order of the day. Dembe was handling out business cards with Gerard's name and info attached.

"Elizabeth and Dembe are my beneficiaries," Red sought out Francis. "Should Elizabeth be unable to handle..." he sighed. "Or...Dembe and I should..."

"Don't man. You'll jinx it." Francis shut him the hell up, but Red only smiled down at the kid.

"Just make sure my daughter is taken care of." He pointed a warning finger Francis' way. Then grinned to soften the directive. "And any future children that I may..."

"Lizzy's pregnant!" Francis shouted excitedly.

Red sighed. "I told you, I don't know. I only meant if there were any future offspring." He curbed Francis' enthusiasm. "Francis, just bet a little for each month. One day, you might hit the jackpot."

"Wait, what do you mean you don't know?" Danny asked. "How could you not know?"

"I said that," Francis pointed excitedly, "didn't I, Red... you remember, I said that." He reminded, then turned towards Danny. "He means that they might have, you know... last night. It's too early to tell."

"When the hell did we start gossiping like a bunch of old women!" Mark grumbled his dissension. "Stay on fucking topic, can't you?"

Michael slumped in his seat, rubbing his temples. "I'm getting a migraine." He warned all concerned, that English accent charming as usual to the ear.

"Excuse me. I'm trying to stay on top of the betting pool, here." Francis explained his off-topic interests.

"Then should you really be sharing your inside intel with Danny?" Mark questioned the logic of the move on Francis' part.

"We're supposed to be partners in everything now." Francis reminded.

"Not the fucking betting pools, Francis." Danny explained patiently. "I'll still beat your ass in those, trust me. And laugh gleefully when I take your money."

"That doesn't seem very nice." Francis made mention. "Well, fine then. All is as it was. And I'll know before any of you losers because...Lizzy likes me best."

"Are they always like this?" Harper leaned, seeking an aside with Red.

"Get used to it." It was funny to Red how quickly Francis adapted to any situation. And really, how excited the boy seemed to be about the idea presented. Though, to Francis, to spend more time with him and Lizzy, to work with them, to be closer to them meant he would be with... family.

"Betting pools aside." Red brought the conversation back on track. "Let's get back to the topic of the day, shall we?" He motioned to an antsy Mark Donovan. "As our friend advised."

"When is this thrilling adventure to begin, one wonders?" Michael moved the plot along.

"Dembe and I will be in D.C. this evening." Red informed them of his itinerary. "I can get the word out by tomorrow morning. If all goes well, fine. If they don't go for it...I'll pull my support for a while. It makes them nervous, not knowing what I will or won't do for them. Or if I've bailed all together on the deal."

"And Liz? Where does she fit into all this now?" Mark asked, doubts starting to resurface.

"Elizabeth is free to do as she wishes, no matter what I decide." He scowled. "Make no mistake about that. But you have to trust her just like you will have to me. She considers you all family now."

"That should put a strain on your relationship, old man." Michael spoke from experience.

"Hasn't to date." Red informed them. "Our lives are intertwined, yes, but if she wants to continue to work for the FBI, it's her decision. She understands it's mine if I decide to back off. That's how it is."

"So where does that leave us?" Danny was confused. "If she's on the opposite side..."

"There is no opposite side." Red snapped. "It's what I've been telling you. If she has to choose between you and her job? She will choose you every time. Should I bring her in to let you put the question to her personally?"

"She has had every opportunity to rat us out." Francis pointed out. "She's known Antonio and Maria before you guys. She's always known about me. I think she's proven her loyalty time and time again."

"The FBI can make her life a living hell, I should imagine." Danny didn't like to be on that much of a dilemma. "If they get a drift of what's going on between our organization, and that's being ignored by one of their own…"

"They know my capabilities as well." Red pointed out. "They mess with Lizzy...they have me to contend with. I know things about their inner workings, even they don't know themselves. I'm not afraid to use that information for our benefit." He stated a fact. "There is no duplicity on Elizabeth's part, gentlemen. She has made her wishes known to me in no uncertain terms."

"So you feel secure that you can control the FBI." Michael lifted a subdued brow. "And your wife."

"Not control, no." Red shrugged. "But the Feds need me, I do not need them. They are nothing more than a means to an end." He told the truth. "And I have no desire nor need to control Lizzy. We are a unit. Take one...you accept the other."

That was plain enough for all concerned to Red's way of thinking. He glanced about the room. "I'm frankly surprised one of you guys didn't think of using the FBI before me."

Harper hid his smile behind his hand. He sat quietly, listening and learning.

"I will stay the course until an obstacle appears on the horizon, then...I will bail." Red shared that confidence. "As long as the government can be useful to me, I will abide by the rules established. But it's not Elizabeth's fault I have an attitude problem with authority figures, is it."

"So this was never meant to be permanent?" Francis asked.

"Once we have those signed immunity deals? We can make their lives much worse than they can make ours." Red reminded. "Think what havoc those papers will do if they somehow got into the hands of say...the media."

Faces lit up as thoughts were turned to just that subject.

"Can I go see my wife now?" Michael's smile eased the strain the conversation had caused. "She has me conditioned like Pavlov's dogs. If I don't scent her every few hours, I go into a deep, dark depression whereupon I crawl under my bed for days with my woobie blanket until she comes to rescue me."

"A sad state of affairs, granted." Red drew in a deep, sighing breath. "But to be expected of one so weak-willed, I suppose." He grinned over at the English guy. "You people across the pond have to get out of doors more often, Michael. It's a vitamin D deficiency, I think, that makes you all so susceptible to female persuasion."

"I'm out-of-doors frequently...it just rains continuously across the pond. No sunshine." Michael explained his malady in laymen's terms. "You're still a newlywed. I'll give you a few months before your training takes effect."

Red's smile was a shit-eating one.

"I notice you didn't respond verbally on that statement, though." Harper arose, needling the man good-naturedly, his glance a wry one.

Red wisely let that one pass. "No, and I'm not gonna." He advised sagely. "Not with all these shit-eating witnesses about."

---

LIZZINGTON

---

The scene was pandemonium.

Red sighed, lifting a helpless hand to Dembe Zuma who seemed none the worse for wear.

Suitcases abounded, men were directing bell boys and hotel employees what went where.

Women were hugging and trying not to weep, for it was an emotional goodbye they faced on this outing.

Lizzy was in the thick of things, embracing friend after friend, only to repeat the process, for invariably something would catch her wayward attention yet again, so...back she would trot to make certain all her newfound friends did not feel slighted in any way, shape or form.

Why this was all occurring, Red hadn't the foggiest idea, for it was his understanding all were to reconvene in D.C in just a few short hours.

Red watched the SUV being packed down to the hilt with luggage. Had they come with that much? He did not recognize that particular set of luggage, questioning Dembe with a puzzled look.

"Elizabeth has purchased gifts for everyone back home." Was the stoic explanation.

"Ah." Red nodded, finally understanding.

"We'll head out with that lot." Michael motioned to a patiently waiting group over by the fountain in the lobby. Danny Courtland was dutifully soothing Emma's sadness at parting. Harper was being overly attentive to Lily, sensing the woman was a little frayed by all the activity and noise surrounding the departure.

Red could commiserate.

"We'll make a pit stop on the way to the airport as the shy young woman wishes to pick up some things from her former abode." Michael had momentarily forgotten Lily's name.

"That could cause trouble." Red knew. "Why not just buy her everything new?" He reached for his wallet and credit cards.

"No, I thought of that." Michael waved the effort aside. "Seems there are some personal possessions which belonged to her mother she simply must retrieve."

"You guys can handle it?" Red had no doubt.

"I am looking forward to meeting the bastard wanker, in reality." Michael smiled most pleasantly. "Not to worry. All is in hand."

Red suddenly had trouble of his own. He noted his lovely wife had left the gathered ensemble, and was even now trotting hastily back into the bowels of the massive hotel.

"Elizabeth!" He called out a disenchanted scolding. "Where are you..."

"I forgot something!" Liz yelped. She glanced back as she jogged through the lobby. "I'll only be a second...promise!"

"We're loaded and..." he saved his breath, for she had already disappeared into a connecting corridor, Dembe hot on her heels.

Red looked at Michael, a helpless gesture accompanying his confusion. "I don't know...women, right?" It was his day to sigh wearily, apparently. "What'd ya gonna do?"

Harper guided Lily to a more secluded, less hectic area, his gaze gentle and slightly bemused.

"I just hope he hasn't destroyed them."

Both Michael and Red turned, each man doing a double-take at the softly stated concern. The voice was at once both enthralling and lyrically musical to the ear.

"If he has?" Harper's brows lifted meaningfully. "I'll destroy him, baby. My word."

"Oh, Eric. Please don't get into any trouble because of me. I-I couldn't be the reason someone hurt you. Really, I couldn't!"

"No one's going to hurt me, angel." Harper grinned down at the little upturned face. "Other way around where you're concerned."

"But..." Lily moved closer, her small hand caressing the large man's shirt front, her expression a fretful one, "I don't want to be any trouble for you."

"You are never any trouble for me." Harper leaned, placing his mouth gently to hers. "Just the opposite. We'll get your things and then you will never have to see the fucker again. That is my promise to you. Do you trust me?"

Lily smiled softly. "Yes, yes...I trust you."

Harper's eyes deepened, but then he sensed the other men's presence.

Red and Michael continued to stare, transfixed, mesmerized by the gentle, soothing tone the woman emitted.

"What?" Harper's mood threatened to turn to the dark side, for he had noted the turn of events.

"Oh...no." Red waved a hurried hand, shaking his head meaningfully. "It's just that...wow." He grinned to put the woman at ease, for Lily's large doe eyes were filled with apprehension and doubt suddenly, the pretty cheeks flushing to be the center of so much attention.

"I say woman." Michael's mouth was still agape. "You have the most melodic voice I have ever heard. It's quite enchanting, I must say."

"Oh, must you?" Susan came alongside her husband, her lovely brows arched critically.

"Well, my god, listen to her." Michael motioned. "I've not heard her say more than a few syllables at any given moment. It's simply...uncanny, somehow? The effect it has on a male's system."

"I beg your pardon?" Susan's smile was a sugary saccharine one.

"Say what?" Harper put Lily behind him, stepping threateningly.

"Is there something w-wrong with the way I speak?" Lily peeked out more at Susan than the men, then hastily ducked back behind Harper's bulk.

"Wrong?" Red jumped into the fray, for he knew he needed to soothe Harper's obvious jealousy. "Oh, no, it's just that..." he searched his mind, "your voice... it's reminiscent of–"

"A Disney Princess?" Susan smiled gently at Lily, tugging her out from behind her shield.

All of which Harper allowed, for Red secretly thought Susan had the unique ability to put most men in their places any time she so deemed.

"I was going to say, Marilyn Monroe," Michael muttered aside to Reddington, "but Disney princess works in a pinch, I guess."

"We women have already decided that." Susan hugged Lily to her side. "And yes, Lily's voice is positively euphonic. I shall explain that big word to you later, husband."

"And I shall explain mellifluous to you, love of my life, for it far better suits the occasion." Michael knew a few big words himself.

Susan considered the statement. "Perhaps you are correct...for once. At any rate, you men should stop embarrassing this child and get on with your business."

Harper's mood was much improved, Red noted, for he was grinning charmingly over at Susan Fairfax, his eyes expressing his gratitude.

Hurried footfalls caught everyone's attention. Lizzy came up, huffing and puffing, showing the reason for her hasty departure of minutes before. She struggled with a large cooler she could barely see around, much less over.

"I forgot the top of our cake!" she breathed, trying to catch her breath. "Can you believe it?"

"Your bouquet and your boutonniere?" Susan checked off other important items. She and Lily stepped to help Liz with her burden, but Red interceded, taking the cumbersome chest. "Did you ship your dress out?"

"I'm so worried about it." Liz fretted. "But, yes, everything is there, I'm assured." She watched Red hand off his burden to Dembe Zuma.

"Your husband would kill anyone who would harm your wedding dress." Lily had meant to be reassuring, for her troubled little features were turned to an unsuspecting Red Reddington. "Wouldn't you?"

"...Eh...sure." Red wasn't about to spoil her image of him. He held his grin admirably, however, for Harper's was big enough for both the males. "Why not."

"Well, he just better." Liz seemed to want to hold him to his deal. "Anyway, I remembered to thank the Chef and his staff for all their hard work. Oh, and the concierge, and of course, the front desk manager..."

"And the maintenance crew, housekeeping, food production line. and of course, the ever important...accounts and finance department." Red finished for her, holding his smile.

"Don't be so smug, Red Reddington." Liz scowled. "It wouldn't hurt you to be a little more appreciative of other people's efforts."

"I show my appreciation by tipping well." Red countered.

"A simple, thank you, sometimes goes a long way too." Liz primly shuffled through her purse for her lip balm.

"Let us not forget," Red blinked innocent eyes, "I was very vocally appreciative of your efforts last night, if you recall."

Lizzy's mouth fell agape for such audacity.

"Ah, the perks of the newlywed life." Michael saved Red's ass and any unnecessary marital disharmony with his quip. "Though a man's bank card can express his gratitude, it's always advisable a man articulate to his wife of a job well done... isn't that correct, Reddington?"

"Well said, Michael...on all fronts." Red pulled his wife to his side. "Don't you think, baby?"

"Don't you baby me." Liz squirmed from his vicinity, still a little miffed for the totally uncalled for remark the man had offered to her innocent statement.

"It was a beautiful wedding." Lily sighed blissfully and most of the men present unsuccessfully attempted to stop a shiver of delight from running their neckline. "I love weddings."

"Yes, they have discovered our secret weapon." Susan noted Liz noting the effect on the men. "I swear to god, Lily, if you ever decide to break out in song? I think we could take over the world...well, at least the male portion of it."

"I would pay you to sing 'A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes'." Liz excitedly piped up, her vexation with Red a forgotten entity entirely. "Pay her, Red. Hurry, before she changes her mind." She prodded the man to produce his wallet.

Harper chuckled, for Lily's cheeks were certainly getting a workout this morning.

"I would shrivel up and die if I even thought about singing in front of people." Lily shifted anxious eyes Harper's way. "I-I can't even carry a tune."

"Don't tell me that." Red charmed. "You wouldn't have to sing anyway...just speak the words."

Lily's giggle delighted and charmed in its own right. Liz scrunched up her nose at such adorable appeal. She hugged the smaller woman affectionately. "You are so precious."

"Why doesn't anyone ever say that about me?" Susan seemed stumped, which brought smiles and grins from the men.

"Precious doesn't seem to fit you, Susan." Liz cast a wry smile Susan's way. "I would say you're perhaps...pawky? Mordant, perhaps?"

"What does she mean by that, do you think?" Susan batted innocent eyes.

Biting the inside of his cheek, Red fought to remain expressionless. "That was a pleasant way to say, you're evil incarnate." He wagered a guess. "It was a compliment, I'm sure."

Michael's exaggerated cough covered the man's reflexive scoff. "I say, it's getting late, we must get a crack on." He hurriedly took on a CEO personification. "Time and airport schedules wait for no man." He ushered his wife along, and Harper and Lily brought up the rear.

The SUVs were finally loaded, and everyone climbed into their respective cars. Red assisted his new wife into the comfortable back seat.

Having waited until he was certain Silas was loaded and set up in the mini-van ahead of the cavalcade, did Red settle in beside Elizabeth.

"Is he okay?" Liz fidgeted restlessly, anxiously craning her neck to look about the headrest to check on her guard's welfare. "Maybe I should ride with him."

"Maybe he would push you out of the back of the van, eventually." Red suggested evenly, watching as the van pulled slowly out from the curb.

Looking out the window, Liz fell silent as she glanced over the large hotel, sighing a mournful sound.

"Even with everything that happened," she murmured quietly, clasping Red's hand tight with her own, "...I loved our time here."

Wrapping his arm about her shoulders, Red kissed the woman's temple. "I know... I feel the same, sweetheart."

Placing the car in drive, Dembe slowly trailed after their entourage, giving his passengers time to assimilate their departure... and their feelings on the matter.

As the beautiful grounds came into view, tears stung Liz's eyes as memories of their time here flooded her mind and flashed by in rapid succession.

It had been such a wonderful waking to the soft scent of wildflowers, witnessing a doe with her fawn in their natural habitat, the feeling of long shade grass tickling her feet... and experiencing the power Mother Nature in all her fury.

Her eyes scanned the terrain slowly, remembering how she walked hand in hand with Red across that field to see the horses, and just beyond those trees there... she recalled sharing a picnic with friends after the football game.

She could swear she heard their laughter on the warm summer breeze.

Shifting in her seat, she stared longingly as they crept closer to the hidden trail which led to the springs where Red proposed.

How she wished they had taken just a few moments to visit the springs again, so she could feel the free-flowing water ripple through her fingers.

Sensing his wife's melancholy, and the reasons why, Red reached, gently grasping Dembe's shoulder.

"Dembe," Red murmured softly, "... go to the Springs."

"Oh, but," Liz turned in her seat as Dembe turned down the lush green archway, "everyone is–"

"Going to have to function without us for a short while." Red said, holding the woman's eyes steadily. "...They can wait."

Liz exhaled shakily as the flower draped lane came into view, as did the babbling brook just off to her right.

Pulling up beside the picnic table, Dembe placed the car in park and relaxed back in his seat.

"We'll be a few moments, Dembe." Red said as he opened the door, offering a hand to Lizzy.

Sliding from the backseat, Liz closed her eyes to the serenity afforded. Inhaling the sweet aroma of the honeysuckle vine, she smiled warmly as the sound of rushing water met her heightened senses.

Taking her hand, Red guided the woman to the crystal blue waters.

Liz canted her head curiously when Red crouched before her, then tapped her ankle. Reflexively lifting her foot, she smiled softly when the man slipped the shoe from her foot. Bracing her hand on his shoulder, she allowed him to remove the other without complaint.

Inching to the water's edge, she eased down into the healing waters, closing her eyes once more.

Stepping in behind the woman, Red wrapped his arms about the woman's waist. Settling his forehead against the soft inky silk of her hair, he, too, welcomed the quiet afforded them.

Exhaling a measured breath, Red focused not only the birds conversing overhead, and the rushing swirl of water at their feet... but Lizzy's attempt to find a modicum of the peace she found here, in this place.

He closed his eyes as he felt a soft shudder course through her body as she released silent tears for all she had lost... and gained.

He could only hope the contentment she found here outweighed the grief.

Yes, they had lost much. Yet, at the end of the day... what they won was greater.

This was the start of the new chapter in their lives. One he felt in his heart would be everything they had ever wished for in life.

Francis was right, their journey was just beginning. One of which would never be without adventure, laughter, or love.

Slowly opening her eyes, Liz looked out over the picturesque view as she bent, trailing her fingers through the tranquil waters. The small, effervescent bubbles caressed and tickled her flesh, just as she remembered.

Swallowing at the sudden lump in her throat, she nodded minutely, understanding what the universe wished her to hear.

Inhaling a deep, settling breath, she stood upright, taking Red's hand.

Stepping up onto the bank, both silently gathered their shoes before making their way up the green slope. As they reached the crest, Liz looked back, a slow smile tugging at her mouth.

Leading the woman to the picnic table, Red placed their shoes atop the dark wood, then pulled a handkerchief from his pocket.

Just as he had days before, in what she believed was their special place, Liz's eyes softened as Red crouched before her, intent on his goal.

Their enemies could take so much from them, but not this... and not what she had with Red.

"I love you, Red." She murmured as the man patted her feet dry.

Lifting his eyes to hers, Red leaned, placing his mouth to hers. "And I you..."

Easing Lizzy back into her shoes, Red made work of his own before bracing his arms beside her, just as he had the day he proposed. The images came, erasing all else.

"I want to come back here," she caressed the man's cheek, "... and create more memories."

"We will," Red quietly assured. Standing upright, he pulled her along with him and into his embrace.

Resting her head on his shoulder for some long few moments, Liz listened to the reassuring and steady beat of his heart as the warm winds whipped about them.

Raising her chin, Liz smiled contentedly up at the man. "I'm ready."

Ready for what lay beyond the protective iron gate of the hotel grounds. Ready for what the world had to throw at them. Ready to stand together and face everything on their horizon... together.

Nodding, Red lifted their clasped hands, kissing the woman's rings.

"I'm right there with you, baby." Red promised before placing his mouth to hers.

Opening the car door, Red stood aside as Lizzy stepped into the large vehicle. Giving their surroundings one last look, he slid in beside her, closing the door behind him.

Snuggling together in the back seat, neither took notice as Dembe fired the car to life or that moments later, they had pulled onto the two-lane highway, so intent on their own thoughts.

"A Dream Is a Wish?" He teased the woman beside him, an earlier thought coming to mind.

"What? I like Disney movies." Liz crinkled a disgruntled nose, nudging the man's side with her shoulder.

"I didn't say anything." Because, quite frankly, Red didn't know what to say.

"Red," she picked up on the underlying current, "everyone likes Disney movies. Even Dembe." She motioned to the guy in the front seat.

Dembe nodded minutely. "I do."

"Bet Silas doesn't like 'em." Red scoffed, once again.

"Silas doesn't like anything." Liz moped. "He doesn't count."

It seemed, with each passing day, he learned something new about his wife. Today, it appeared she liked fairytale cartoons.

"Women are fascinating creatures." He decided long ago. "I can see where the romantic aspect of the story would appeal to the female persuasion. Where is the charm for you, Dembe?"

"Dumbo and Bambi made me cry." The man said, quite straight-faced.

Red chuckled appreciatively.

"Oh, don't get me started on those movies." Liz grumbled irritably. "Oh, my god! What the hell, right?" She sought out a kindred spirit. "First, they kill Bambi's mom and then...then...the bastards kept little Dumbo from seeing his mom?!"

"When he needed her the most." Dembe nodded his understanding.

"Lizzy, calm down." Red tried damage control. "Think good thoughts."

The woman's mouth fell into a deep frown. She folded her arms across her chest, settling in for the duration, obviously not a happy camper right now.

"After all the things that's been done to you...after all you've been through lately," Red shook his head at such folly, "a Disney movie upsets you the most?"

The woman turned sad eyes the man's way, blinking her empathy for the plight of Disney characters.

"I'm sorry, baby." He wrapped his arm around her, snuggling her against him, trying so hard to not laugh right in that pretty little face.

"Poor little Dumbo..." she muttered sadly.

"I know." He commiserated half-heartedly. "Sons-of-bitches, those Disney creators. I should have Silas hunt them down and take out their heartless asses...once he gets better, of course."

Liz sniffled, then sighed lightly. "Maybe Dembe would like to help?" She lifted interested eyes.

"I think you are becoming far too accepting of our particular set of skills, Elizabeth." Red decided. He kissed her forehead tenderly. "What do you think, Dembe?"

"There are some people who just need to be eliminated." Was the large man's thoughts.

Red didn't bother to hide his smile that time. He sat back, watching the nondescript Texas landscape whiz by.

He was glad to be going home. Especially with his new bride in tow. Things would never be dull with Elizabeth around, he sensed.

He glanced the woman's way. She was already moving on, having produced one of her guilty pleasures from her purse.

"What are the celebrity elite up to this fine day?" Red perused the pages of People magazine Lizzy held.

"Oh, the royals are planning Prince George's first birthday!" Liz gushed, showing Red a picture of the cherub baby. "How fun would that be, creating a party for such a little one!"

Red smiled, remembering the fun he had helping create Jennifer's bash. It seemed guests had been far more impressed by the fanfare than his daughter.

"Susan said, rumor is, they plan to go with a Velveteen Rabbit theme." Liz whispered aside. "She knows quite a few of the inside group, you know." She confided.

"Does she?" Red was dutifully impressed. "And what does she think of them?"

"Well...no need to get into that," Liz's brow furrowed darkly, "but suffice to say, that woman can be very tart when she sets her mind, is all I'm saying on the matter."

"Queen Elizabeth is the only one worth her salt," Red shared his thoughts on the matter. "William... he's not so bad," he shrugged, "better than his spineless twit of a father."

Liz nodded after a fashion, having never really like Charles all that well.

"And tell Susan," Red said, straightening his vest, "it's not Velveteen Rabbit... it's Peter Rabbit."

Liz's widened eyes lifted from the glossy pages, turning fully in her seat. "You know them?"

Chuckling, Red returned to the scenery flying past as Lizzy and Dembe fell into a line of sordid gossip... the events of the day a thing of the past.