For the most part, Red enjoyed large gatherings. There was always so much to see, so much to occupy one's attention.
He was quite pleased to note their gathering was no exception.
Antonio Crocetti was busy at his side, engrossed in an animated discussion with a longtime acquaintance who had happened by their location.
The men were discussing the pros and cons of Italian versus Brazilian soccer matches. Both were avid fans, both secure in their beliefs that their chosen teams were the best in the sport.
As sports went, Red favored the Australian's version of football himself; as there were fewer rules, more fast-paced play and no protective equipment what-so-ever.
It was the last of a man's game, in Red's opinion.
Taking the opportunity to scan the crowds, his interest, as always, returning to Elizabeth Keen's presence.
He studied the trio of women for a long beat.
The crowds blurred his concentration as they obscured the view continuously, but from what he could see, Lizzy appeared content and happy, enjoying the interlude with Maria and Nora.
Red had wondered earlier how to remain tactfully close to Lizzy's side without appearing intrusive, or worse, as if hovering.
Nora, the God-send, had saved the day. It was easier for a woman to intercede in a closed conversation between two more of her species than a man.
Red had relaxed at the point Nora was accepted into the duo's tête-à-tête. Liz seemed to appreciate the older woman's presence as well.
For some long moments, Red split his attention to various places of the common areas, attempting to drown out the clamor of voices and music, a near impossible feat in itself.
Everything seemed well paced and flowing smoothly at present.
Glancing to his left, Red watched the steady roll of cigar smoke billow over the gardens as players tried their luck at the poker tables.
While a different rolling mist bellowed over the dancers to his right. Red scowled darkly as he noted a swirling white fog about his own feet.
How Francis had procured a smoke machine, Red was totally unaware... but the guests seemed to enjoy the added flair.
The pulsing beat, hazy fog and flashing lights electrified the crowd, lowering their inhibitions with ease.
Whether that was a good or bad thing remained to be seen.
Red's eyes trailed after a guard stepping off towards the dance floor.
The man politely offered his services to two women caught in a tedious conversation with two, obviously inebriated men.
As the guard distracted the oblivious wannabe suitors, guiding both gentlemen to the gaming table, the ladies gratefully took the escape provided.
They politely, though hastily, inched backwards around a corner and out of sight of their admirers.
Silas nodded his approval for how the guard handled moment, subtly running his fingers down his tie. An insignificant gesture, but code nonetheless, which alerted Red; everything was going well.
Red's focus transferred back to his prime interest... the three ladies engrossed in conversation across the way.
He checked on them periodically since Lizzy and her party retreated to a private nook and moved closer to one another as they spoke.
All seemed well for a time, but at some point... the conversation appeared to grow serious. Lizzy's solemn face moved his heart.
His instinct was to intervene, to fix whatever was wrong, but Antonio waylaid the notion with a simple shake of his head. The older man appeared perfectly at ease with what was transpiring.
Only when Red witnessed Lizzy's eyes glitter with tears and her lip tremble, did he come out of his semi-relaxed stance.
"Don't," Antonio advised, placing a comforting hand on Red's arm, "give them a moment."
Red's dark eyes shifted from the grip on his arm, to the older man's face, the displeasure he felt... apparent.
"Women communicate on a different wavelength than you or I." Antonio watched the ladies. "What we believe our perception to be, is most always incorrect."
Red breathed the moment Lizzy's shoulders eased from their tense perch before she and Maria shared an affectionate exchange.
"...See, we would have intervened, pissed them off," Antonio waved a hand, "and you would have slept on the sofa tonight."
"All because we butted our nose in where it was not wanted," Red admitted his folly, "or even needed."
"Oh, Elizabeth needs you," Antonio soothed the man's wounded ego, "just not right now."
Maria and Nora bubbled with laughter as they obviously enjoyed a round of good-natured teasing.
Red smiled as Lizzy flustered, her cheeks going through various shades of pink before settling on a dusky red.
"Perhaps then, it is I," Red confessed, "who needs her."
"It is not a weakness," the older man lovingly fixated on his wife, "they are our strength."
Releasing Lizzy from her embrace, Maria and Nora began talking over one another just as Lizzy glanced his way... her blush deepening.
He made mental note to pursue that subject later on tonight, Red mused, vowing the fact.
"If I were to hazard a guess," Antonio's rumbling laughter amused Red, "by the lovely shade of Elizabeth's cheeks, I would bet conversation revolves around children... and how you might go about giving one to her."
Antonio guffawed as Reddington imparted a sly glance his way.
"I know exactly how to go about that." Red assured.
"Well," Antonio laughed into his tumbler, "if not, I would be concerned for you."
Red smiled warmly at the trio, content in the knowledge Lizzy was well in hand. The evening was going well so far. His hopes heightened.
Nora had been there for Lizzy since day one. Red determined to speak to the older woman at length... soon. He needed to state his gratitude, find a tangible way to express it.
Maria... though, at first, mortifying the young woman to death, was succeeding in putting Lizzy at ease with remarkable success.
The older woman touched Lizzy's shoulder gently, stating something which caused Lizzy to laugh gaily.
"I swear," Antonio shook his head, watching his wife work her magic, "that woman could talk a jumper in midair to return to the roof, should she desire."
Red chuckled at the sudden imagery, agreeing, "No arguments there." he chuckled
Both men sighed, their light moods altering slowly as two men approached, their expressions boding ill-will.
"Am I expecting too much," Antonio murmured, "to desire one evening off?"
"Obviously," Red grumbled as his game face slipped into place.
"Call tomorrow," Red's already chilled tone dropped.
The taller of the two men, John, fell silent immediately, alert to the chill in Red's demeanor. Grasping his associate's arm, John silenced the blond before he could speak further.
"Yes," John took the subtle hint to leave, "yes, we'll call tomorrow."
Red's expression remained fixed and bland.
"Thank you for the invitation," John graciously inclined his head and backed away, "it's a wonderful party... for a most wonderful occasion."
Red and Antonio watched the men walk a few feet away, both arguing under their breath until John loomed over his associate, seething his displeasure for he sensed his idiot partner about blew the deal.
"At least one of them has sense." Antonio sighed, watching the men blend back into the crowd at length.
"Normally, I have no issue attending to business during the evening hours..." Antonio murmured aside to Red.
"But one would think," Red took up the slack, "they would have enough decorum to not do so at your anniversary party."
Red gestured for a nearby waiter. The boy rushed forward, offering the stiff drinks, and in turn, accepting the healthy tip Red tossed on the tray.
"You're tipping the waiters?" Antonio chuckled.
"I tip everyone," Red confessed, "I remember my pizza shuttle days," he checked with his counterpart, "... don't you?"
Sipping the warmed liquor, Antonio shrugged after a moment, "I too accomplished many a minimal task in my youth," he nodded, "I applaud your thinking. I should emulate it, I suppose."
The comfortable silence fell between the men. Antonio watched the white swirl of fog about his feet for a goodly spell.
"Let us collect our ladies," Antonio clapped Red on the shoulder, "and play the tables, eh?"
More than happy to oblige, Red fell in step beside the man. His smile grew as he heard Lizzy's musical laughter mixing with that of her companions.
It felt wonderful to see her having such a splendid time.
"Would my beautiful card sharp," Antonio leaned, nuzzling Maria's neck, "enjoy robbing Reddington of his money?"
"I would," Maria grinned slowly. "I do it so well after all..."
"You do a great many things exceptionally well." Antonio murmured softly.
Having heard the murmured praise, Red's mouth tugged into a grin. He enjoyed the couples affection for one another.
He also admittedly enjoyed a worthy competitor… and Maria's determination to rob him blind.
"Come along then, Lady Luck..." Red took Lizzy's hand, pulling her upright.
Antonio gallantly assisted Maria, offering her a hand up.
"Are your tables rigged?" Maria arched a curious brow. "Are your dice loaded?"
"Now, love," Antonio scolded gently, "one shouldn't mention a man's loaded dice in polite company."
Maria cut her husband a knowing glance, "I'm sure Elizabeth is well acquainted with Raymond's loaded dice."
Red chuckled under his breath as Lizzy flushed for the older couple's obvious sexual innuendo.
"I assure you," Red said, "my equipment and dice are of the highest quality."
"A typical male response." Maria tsked.
"I got some big, fuzzy dice," Francis offered politely, squeezing past a group of people who blocked his path, "if you don't want or trust his."
Gasping her shock, Liz scolded the man, slapping his arm. "Stop it!"
"What's your problem?" Francis scowled, stumped by Lizzy's reaction.
"You're my problem," she huffed, "you sicko!"
"What the..." understandably confused, Francis' brows furrowed, "who ruffled your panties?"
"You take your fuzzy dice and scram!" Liz pointed sternly.
"If you change your mind," Francis shrugged, giving Lizzy one last strange look, "let me know."
Red and Antonio huffed their laughter as the younger man turned... revealing a pair of big, fuzzy dice hanging from his belt loop before the boy disappeared into the crowd; none the worse for wear.
Shifting his eyes, Red held his mirth as Lizzy's head tilted and her brow furrowed with confusion.
Maria chuckled quietly for the misunderstanding.
Elizabeth glanced up at Raymond, her expression askew.
Liz pointedly lamely, "Wasn't he talking about..."
Red shook his head, wrapping an arm about Lizzy's waist, "You should know better than to apply logic where Francis is involved."
Patting her hip consolingly, Red smiled charmingly at their guests, "Let's play, shall we."
Snuggling back into Red's bulk, Liz shook the dice in hand before tossing them down the green felt straightaway, hopping excitedly in place.
Peering around Lizzy's head, Red grinned as the players at the table cheered their good luck, raking in their newly won chips.
Taking the dice the dealer slid back their way, Red shook them in hand, lifting his cupped fist to Lizzy's mouth.
"Want to blow me." he murmured low in her ear. He chuckled warmly when the woman shivered against him.
"I don't know," she arched a brow, "am I gonna win this pot?"
"Lizzy, the games aren't fixed." he scowled lightly.
"Yeah, right," she scoffed happily letting the dice roll having grabbed them from his hand greedily. She closed her eyes, silently praying to the Gods of Chance for a brief second, "besides... I don't like such a large audience."
"How would you know," Red muttered, he took the returned dice, "ever tried it?"
"...No," she admitted, "though, I suppose I could start small," she gently blew the dice in his palm, "...and build."
The subtle bounce of Lizzy's breasts as she played the game, and now her warm breath blowing his... dice, wreaked havoc on Red's psyche.
Red blinked his focus away, freeing his gaze from her backside. Wrapping his arm about her waist, he pulled her flush against his body, mindless to the game.
"If you prefer," he nuzzled her neck, "we could take a walk in the garden."
The woman's dark blue eyes lifted slowly as she leaned for a kiss, "...We haven't done that yet." she approved, her tone soft and agreeable.
Much more interested in the woman in his arms and the fact she accepted his proposition, Red waved off the dealer, gesturing to the patiently waiting Governor and his companion.
Smiling happily, Liz clasped Red's outstretched hand only to titter softly when Red cursed his annoyance under his breath.
"Dammit!" Red hissed, yanking the radio from his waist. "Someone better be on their death beds!" he warned the interloper into his private fantasy.
"They need to open another couple cases of wine," Joe related the problem.
Not aware of what was still in stock, Red's shoulders slumped dejectedly. "Hold the fort, I'm on my way." he glanced apologetically at Elizabeth.
"Oh, right... we're hosting this thing, aren't we." Liz smiled her understanding. "Look, you do that and I'll check with Nora, see how things are on that end."
Red leaned, kissing the woman, "We'll meet back here."
"Then maybe," Liz kissed him languidly, "we might take that spin in the garden?"
"There's a coat closet, just right there..." Red wasn't picky.
Red inclined his head as the woman lifted to her toes.
"It's hard to bend over in there," Liz husked in Red's ear, "...I prefer lots of space to move about when I play."
Brushing a subtle hand over his suit jacket, Red soothed his growing erection, just barely.
"Meet me back here." Red jabbed a finger to the spot. "Five minutes, dammit."
The sensual bow of Liz's mouth curved, "...Whatever you say." she further sweetened the pot, teasing him with a promising look.
She sighed shakily as the man stiffly turned away, stomping off towards the kitchen.
Sensing she was just in the kitchen staff's way, Liz retreated to the main area.
After an extensive search, she located Nora back on the front lines, facing the enemy head-on at one of the Blackjack tables. The older woman stood beside a tall man with the most dreamy of British accents.
The guy, clearly enamored of his new 'find', was all smiles.
Determining Nora was where she wanted to be, Liz made a discrete exit after only a few minutes' polite chat.
Returning to the designated rendezvous spot, Liz patiently awaited Red's return.
She glanced about the room, finding guests engaged in the varied activities. Those who weren't, sat chatting in intimate circles.
Everyone appeared occupied, content and having a marvelous time.
Everything was working out splendidly.
"Would you care to dance?" a man asked at her left.
More than prepared to reject the offer graciously, Liz groaned internally as she came face-to-face with... Enrico Crocetti.
"Oh..." she hesitated, unsure how to respond in truth, "...eh..."
Yes, the man was Antonio's son. And yes, she held a deep affection for the older man and would hate to cause a misunderstanding between them were she to reject his son... even for a simple dance.
But earlier, she more than sensed Red's displeasure with this guy.
Her brow furrowed critically, also remembering, many times throughout the night... she had found both men in animated discussion.
Surely, one small dance wouldn't hurt anything. Red would understand her dilemma and rescue her upon his return.
"Yes," she forced a bright smile, "all right... what fun."
The man turned her into his embrace, easily swaying with the slow tempo the music provided. It was one of the few slow plays of the night. Had Enrico made a special request? Her brow furrowed at the thought.
"I must offer you praise for a job well done," Enrico smiled, "the party is a success."
"I hope everyone is enjoying the party, at least," Liz smiled in return, offering a cordial reply, checking once again on the guests.
Glancing about surreptitiously about for Red, Liz sincerely hoped the man came for her soon.
She returned her attention to the immediate problem and the sky-blue eyes observing her so intently...
Pushing through the doorway, Red carefully balanced two glasses in hand, intent on sharing his delicious bounty with Lizzy. He politely waited for people to get the hell out of his path.
While no more than ten feet from the Lizzy all evening, it still felt as though they really hadn't spent one minute quality time with one another. He wished, if nothing else, to share at least one glass of wine with her without the constant tug of associates around them.
Or better still, perhaps partake in that walk or even sneak off to that damn closet. Visions of a scantily clad Elizabeth Keen danced in his head.
Glancing at their prearranged rendezvous site, Red frowned when he found the area vacant. Odd... for he knew Nora was not with Elizabeth. Perhaps Francis had sidelined her?
"Reddington," Antonio said, approaching to his right, "have you seen my wife?"
Red's frown deepened, "She's with Nora," he nudged his head towards the kitchen he recently vacated, "getting the recipe for the mini-quiche."
He did not mention the presence of an English guy who clearly had more than mini-quiche in mind now, where both ladies were concerned.
Antonio chuckled, "I was hoping she would," the older man looked blissful, "little mouthful of heaven, those are."
"Have you seen Elizabeth?" Red looked over the heads of nearby guests, searching the area methodically.
"She was over there," Antonio frowned himself, finding the aforementioned area empty, "... just a moment ago."
Glancing at the area in question, Red focused on the surrounding crowd until Lizzy's shape stepped back into view... in the arms of Enrico Crocetti.
It was moments like this, Liz wished she had taken that dance class before her wedding.
She knew the basic steps and was sure her partner would forgive any misstep on her part, but it didn't make errors any less mortifying.
She had slowly gained confidence and was so comfortable now, dancing with Red and his ease of guidance... she had forgotten she was only but an amateur at best.
Now, as she focused sharply on Enrico's subtle hints... it was a glaring reminder; she should have taken time for that class.
"I am indebted to your father," she distracted the man from her hesitant footwork, "he has been so tremendously helpful and kind to me... it's an honor to be offered this privilege."
"My father is quite taken with you." Enrico confessed. "He admires your spirit," he chuckled, "said you had the heart... and claws, of a lioness."
Liz flushed her pleasure and embarrassment, wondering what else exactly Antonio had shared with his family of her escapades.
"As a matter of fact, he advised," Enrico related, "his sons would be wise to find a woman with your... attributes. I more than agree with his assessment." the man's pitch lowered. "You're quite accomplished, charming... beautiful."
Liz's eyes widened upon the realization the man was hitting on her. Holy hell!
Could this situation be more uncomfortable? How did one reject Antonio Crocetti's son?
More to the point, how did she do so without causing strife between Red and Antonio? Or even herself and Antonio?
Was Enrico acting as his father wished? Did the man hope she chose his son over Red?
It would devastate her were that the case.
Glancing at the expressionless man beside him, Antonio sighed. Well... no good could come from this.
While Enrico and Elizabeth were at a respectable distance, Antonio was more than aware of the placement of his son's hand... and how dangerously close it was to Elizabeth's backside.
He would not fault Reddington one bit were he to put Enrico in his place.
That boy... Antonio grunted under his breath.
Enrico never had learned boundaries, nor that he was not God's gift to women, no matter how exalted he believed himself to be.
He especially never learned not to encroach on another man's territory, though Antonio warned his son of the rule many times.
Antonio knew Enrico was confident, but questioned to what extent. Did the boy believe he possessed the mettle to go up against the likes of Red Reddington?
The answer to that question was moot now.
Antonio was positive, having watched his companion's face for some moment's now... Reddington would put the belief to the test.
"I ask," Antonio murmured aside, "though I'm sure he well deserves what's coming to him... you not end the boy's existence."
Red zeroed in on the large palm resting just above Lizzy's ass, just willing it to move an inch which would give him just cause to snap that little idiot's hand, then wring his scrawny little neck...
"His death would completely ruin the established mood..." Antonio grumbled over the boy's utter stupidity. "It's just like that cocksure twit to ruin the evening his mother has enjoyed thus far."
"I won't kill him," Red muttered, "though, I can promise nothing more."
"Fair enough," Antonio shrugged. He returned to his glass, his problem solved.
"I believe father," Enrico smiled charmingly, continuing his thoughts, his eyes lowering to the low cut of Liz's dress, "would find the match more than acceptable."
"I-I..." Liz stammered. Too confused, and even more shocked, she really didn't know what to say, other than... no.
"I can think of no one as desirable to which I might align myself," Enrico confessed.
Liz stiffened slightly as Enrico's large palm slid along her spine to the swell of her bottom... causing something to snap inside her.
Without conscious thought, Liz reached and grasped the man's hand.
Having performed the move countless times throughout her career, she pushed her thumb hard into the man's pressure point, sharply turning the appendage away from its intended target.
Hissing with inexplicable pain, Enrico winced, yelping his shock.
Antonio laughed at Red's side, clapping the man on the shoulder, "Ah, she never fails to amuse me!" he chuckled gleefully. "Did you see that move?"
A slight smile twitched Red's lips as Lizzy's years of training and natural instinct to subdue took hold.
Even from this distance, Red could see the pressure of Lizzy's fingers increase on Enrico's vulnerable nerves.
She followed the man's inclination to escape the painful clasp, using the momentum to spin him about.
"It's not like I didn't warn them!" the older man cackled his amusement. "I told them, the girl's got spirit!"
Red's warm eyes trained on the woman as Lizzy continued her fluid movement, which shoved Enrico Crocetti face first into a nearby wall... before fully comprehending her actions.
He grimaced his amusement when Elizabeth's eyes widened and her mouth parted into a startled 'O' before quickly releasing her iron like grip on her captive.
She stood now, stunned into an apologetic silence, those large blue eyes blinking their awe.
Enrico grimaced, rubbing his sore arm and by now, numb hand and fingers which he worked back and forth to return some sort of feeling.
Things happened in sequence, Red later recalled, almost symmetrically so.
Red's attention shifted, his amusement vanishing into a deep frown as a man neared Elizabeth's position.
His first instinct was to assist if any bystander thought to intrude.
For the most part, the crowd had parted and stood patiently, waiting now for whatever was to come.
"Excuse me, Elizabeth," Antonio Jr. cut in, moving the woman aside.
Liz naturally stepped back just as the powerful swing of the man's arm caught his brother with a well-placed blow.
Enrico... went down hard.
"That's my boy," Antonio's chest puffed with pride for his eldest son's intelligence. The pride showed in his expression as he smiled at Reddington. "He graduated from Harvard, you know? Top of his class."
Sitting the glasses down, Red began weaving through the gathering crowd, his attention fixated solely on Lizzy, who stood, transfixed and horrified by the display.
"You imbecile!" Tony barked at his fallen brother. "Did I not warn you!"
"Stay out of this." Enrico growled. He struggled to his feet, pushing off the dance floor with his still numbed hand.
"You tarnish the family name!" Tony seethed, grabbing his brother's collar before once again... clocking him. "You tarnish the family honor!"
"Before you rudely interrupted," Enrico deflected most of the hit, delivering one of his own, "I was in the process of acquiring new, strong blood for the family!"
Liz frowned, her head jerking back comically. "Well, I... no... what?!"
"You were embarrassing yourself," Tony scoffed, interrupting the woman, "and the family... you egotistical degenerate!"
Liz dropped her face into her hands as the eldest loudly berated his brother.
"Worse, you insult not only Reddington, of all people," Tony was aghast, "but Elizabeth!"
Liz startled as the two charged one another and fell to a heap on the polished floor.
A crowd of onlookers instantly encompassed the battling pair, suddenly cheering their champion.
Money changed hands even as people vied for the best position to view the unfolding spectacle.
Aghast by the turn of events, Liz stepped hastily forward, intent on intervening between the battling siblings.
An arm came out of nowhere, wrapping about her waist, dragging her from the vicinity of the fracas. She gasped her surprise.
"Come here..." Red murmured, pulling her back into his chest.
Liz looked wide-eyed up at her captor, but a recognized figure pushing from the frayed edges of the crowd caught her attention.
"Watch the suit!" Antonio bitched, straightening his wrinkled sleeve.
"Antonio," Liz beseeched, "I don't... I–"
"Do forgive the boys," the older man sighed as he watched the melee from afar, "their tempers... it gets the better of them at family gatherings."
The older man tsked as the sound of a vase shattered over the sounds of the gathered crowd.
"I'll pay for that," Antonio offered apologetically, "of course."
Liz shook her head, her hands twisting anxiously, "No, you'll do no such thing," she said, "it's all my fault. You see..."
"No, angel," Antonio crooned, "it's Enrico's colossal ego at fault here." he grumbled.
"The boy always did think with his dick instead of his brain." he muttered aside to Red.
"That much is obvious." Francis cocked a knowing brow as he joined the small group, several hundred-dollar bills clutched in his hands.
Red cut the boy a disgruntled look, "And when have you ever done differently?"
"I know well enough," Francis huffed indignantly, "not to hit on your chick!"
Red cast the boy a scolding look that spoke volumes.
Francis defended his actions from weeks back, "Hey, that one time doesn't–"
Antonio interrupted before the boy could go off on a tangent, "Francis does make a good point."
"Antonio, I am so very, very... very sorry that this..." Liz hesitated, unsure how to voice her rejection of Antonio's son, "I should have handled the situation better. I-I mean..." she gestured to Red. "It just took me by–"
"Enrico should have known better." Antonio shrugged. "Perhaps now, he will listen."
Craning their heads around the mob, they grimaced as a round of well-placed volley of blows from his older brother sent Enrico flying backward into a passing waiter.
Liz winced as the waiter stumbled, falling towards the observers.
One man reached with remarkable agility, swiping the wine glasses from their precarious perch on the silver tray as two others caught the dangerously weaving man, righting the waiter effortlessly.
Antonio clapped his hands together, chuckling, "Ah, this is just like Sean Flannery's funeral!" he beamed. "It was just what you would expect of a good old-fashioned Irish wake! You recall it, Reddington?"
Red offered Lizzy a calming gesture as the woman's little face reflected her worry and anxiousness.
"It was a fine evening, Antonio." Red had to admit.
"Sean would have loved to be there... alive that is." Antonio nodded, only to grimace when Enrico's fist found its mark in Antonio Jr's left side.
Mark and Ben hurried to their position, a table dealer quick on their heals.
"You want in on this?" Ben asked excitedly even as he pulled his own wallet free, shoving a hundred at the impartial party. "Put that down for Antonio Jr." he informed the designated odds-on man.
The dealer scribbled down the bet, tucking the hundred among the wad already in his fist.
Antonio casually pulled a few hundred free from his wallet. "What's the spread?"
Liz's mouth gaped as she watched Antonio split his bet, laying two hundred on his eldest son and a hundred on the younger.
Red had clearly hesitated as long as he dared. The odds-on guy wouldn't stay here all night after all.
Pulling his own free, Red put two hundred down rapidly before the guy moved off into the frenzied crowd.
"On Tony," he murmured to the dealer.
"Red!" Liz barked her disbelief.
"I did a hundred for you." Red gestured to the bills the dealer held.
"That's not what I..." she snapped peevishly. "This will devastate Maria..." she tsked, her lips pinching, "stop them, Red! This minute!"
"Oh, shit, Maria!" Antonio glanced hastily over the crowd. "Where's Maria?" he had forgotten in all the excitement.
Liz breathed a sigh of relief that at least one of the bunch understood the severity of the situation.
"She'll stop them, dammit!" Antonio groaned his disappointment. "We have to head her off!"
Red shook his head woefully when the perceived betrayal drew a startled gasp of disbelief from Elizabeth.
"Francis," Antonio jerked his head, "go distract her. Under no circumstances is she to be allowed near this area!"
Francis and Mark bolted, slithering through the throngs of people intent on delaying the woman.
"Francis!" Liz called after the man, her frown a critical one. "Mark! You come back here!"
Grasping Lizzy's arm, Red pulled her abruptly towards him, tucking her behind his bulk as the crowd surged their way.
Red and Antonio pushed back against the mass, easing the sudden crush just as the doors behind them miraculously swung open.
Nodding his thanks, Red released his precious cargo to Silas, allowing the man to pull Lizzy out of harm's way.
Red's face registered momentary disbelief as the sounds of 'Eye of the Tiger' came out through the speakers.
The incessant beat energized not only the spectators, but the two battling brothers in the makeshift 'ring'.
"Silas, stop this before someone gets hurt!" Liz appealed to reason.
"I have no desire to be burned in effigy..." Silas, while alert to the crowd and their movement, waved the fisticuffs off, "let it play out, woman!"
Laying a cool hand against her warm brow, Liz winced her disappointment such an event would mar the evening.
"It'll be fine, sweetheart," Red saw her devastated features, "I promise."
"How can you think this," she gestured to the men, "is okay! This will ruin Maria's evening!"
"It'll be worse if we stop them," Red knew these people and how they thought. "Maria knows that."
Liz blinked her confusion.
"They take their betting very seriously," Maria replied dryly, coming casually alongside a very put upon and flustered Elizabeth Scott.
Antonio startled as his wife stepped in behind him, grimacing his rotten luck.
"Darling," he turned about quickly, his face a suddenly contorted mask of dismay, "I sent Francis to retrieve you as you're the only one who can make the boys see reason–"
Francis skidded to Antonio's side. "We can't find Maria!" he blurted loudly. He bent at the waist, gasping for breath, "Mark's running interference on the gaming side to intercept if she tries–"
Coughing loudly, Red subtly gestured his head to the woman in question.
Francis frowned, stepping to peer around the door frame, jerking at the sight which greeted him.
Maria lifted a frosty brow, her scolding glance sending shivers down Francis' spine.
Francis slunk slowly back around the corner...without another word.
Raising the radio in his hand, Francis keyed it, whispering hoarsely and urgently.
"Mission aborted, I repeat... mission aborted." he alerted his co-conspirator, then fell blessedly silent.
Red and Liz looked at one another, exchanging subtle looks, saying, '...Oh, shit'.
An intermittent buzzing sound off to the West side of the property caught both their attention.
"Do you hear that?" Liz squinted off into the distance, wondering at the odd sound.
"...Yeah," Red knew the sound, just as he knew it did not bode well. "yeah, I hear that."
Turning his attention to the looming guard beside him, Red lifted his brows, waiting for an explanation.
"Oh," Silas nodded, "yeah, I'll find out what that is."
Sighing, Red nodded curtly, "You do that."
"Francis!" Silas called out, pulling at the radio on his waist as he walked away. "You getting that?"
"That's affirmative!" Francis replied, lifting his camera high to capture everything.
Silas stepped off to the side, quickly conferring with the other guards about the property to locate the source of the noise.
Red lifted a hand when Lizzy turned to him, her mouth pinched.
"You should expect this by now." he reminded before both turned their attention back to the unfolding fiasco of a scene developing before them.
"I warned him to stay clear of Elizabeth," Antonio told his wife, hoping to win her favor.
"We did too!" Francis piped in, nodding vigorously. "This is all his fault! Enrico should apologize!"
Antonio grimaced as the sound of another vase breaking in the background sounded over the cheers of the crowd.
"Enrico will apologize," Maria clipped the stern directive, "and pay for all the damages he's caused."
"I attempted to interpose but the crowd, my love," Antonio gestured innocently, "you know how they get."
While Red was positive Lizzy didn't care about any of the stipulations put forth, he quickly accepted the terms laid out, if for no other reason than to ease tension.
"Kids these days, right?" he soothed rapidly. "Can't do nothing with 'em."
"Maria," Liz was beside herself, "I am so sorry this is ruining your party!"
"Oh, honey," Maria pulled Liz closer, consoling the young woman, "if I let my children... or husband," she gave the man a dry look, "ruin every little thing... I would have killed them or been committed years ago."
Liz leaned into the woman's embrace, smiling slightly.
"If it wasn't them almost knocking over the bénitier at Luca's baptism," Maria recounted past incidents, "they were quarreling over Uncle Mario's casket."
Liz giggled, nodding her understanding.
"You learn to live with these little escapades," Maria said, "or go crazy." she patted Elizabeth's back. "You'll know what I mean when you have little ones."
Red smiled as Lizzy's cheeks once again flushed.
"Listen to me," Maria laughed, "I sound like my mother. Though..." she grinned slyly, "I didn't mean it as a curse, as she did."
Lizzy accepted the offered hug from Maria, easing the tension Red had felt the last few moments.
Red once again glanced over his shoulder. The annoyingly loud buzzing sound grew louder, becoming more continuous as they stood here rooted... trapped. He hoped Silas was on the job and hadn't stopped to place any bets.
Liz's eyes peered out over the gathered throng, just catching brief glimpses of the battle, still heatedly ensuing.
She craned her head, scowling absently as she caught sight of a familiar face. She squinted, trying to gauge the man's features through a heavy burst of fog rolling from the machine beside him.
Red glanced to the woman beside him, feeling her stiffen at his side.
He leaned, following her line of vision, then silently cursed under his breath. "...Shit," he whispered sacredly.
Liz continued to stare, transfixed when...
Like a gorilla in the mist... the shadowed figure, shrouded in manufactured fog, emerged from the other side.
The unmistakable shape of Glen Carter came into glaring, sharp focus.
Now, Red berated the Universe's timing, he had to make an appearance... now? At this exact moment?
The man leered at the woman covered in feathers beside him, lasciviously biting into a flaky pastry that left his lips and chin spotted in cream.
Red turned his attention to the woman beside him... but found only the empty place where Elizabeth once stood.
"Shit...shit!" Red bitched under his breath, bolting after the woman.
Maria halted in her scolding of her husband, both looking to Red questioningly. The developing situation appeared much more interesting than a mere family squabble.
Hastily scanning the area, Red pinpointed Lizzy's location quickly.
The woman stomped her way across the expanse space; her strides determined... her features murderous. She shoved aside any and all who got in her way...
"Francis!" Red gestured frantically, before rushing headlong into the masses.
Francis easily ascertained the problem, joining the pursuit.
Both men dodged and shoved past bystanders in their attempt to reach the smaller woman who moved like water through the crowd as if they weren't even there.
Red hurriedly pulled on the radio at his waist, "Glen's been spotted, and Lizzy's on a warpath." he snapped his urgency. "We need all spare–"
"Uh, we got a situation here boss." Joe interrupted, his tone a bit disconcerted. A grating, jarring sound bit abrasively through the guard's radio. "The uh, Torello brothers... are here and uh.."
"Not now, dammit!" Red huffed, side-stepping a group of ladies who giggled and tried desperately to catch his attention as he passed.
"I have eyes," Silas chuckled. He raised his hand, alerting Red to his location. "Let her be, Red." he coaxed. "It'll make for an interesting bit of entertainment for guests."
"Be that as it may," Red grunted, "cold blooded murder is not how I envisioned this evening ending. Did we not just cover this? Lizzy would never forgive herself for ruining Maria's party."
"We are talking about the woman," Silas began, "who stabbed her ex with a screwdriver? She didn't seem all that remorseful then."
Red momentarily hesitated in his pursuit, vividly remembering... Lizzy had done that.
"She might have succeeded, had you not interfered!" Silas bitched as he easily navigated the room, moving closer to his objective.
"How the hell long are you going to harp on that?" Red smiled pleasantly at a rather large black woman as he was forced up against her rather ample backside by a sudden surge of the crowd.
More glass was heard breaking in the far distance. He hoped the Crocetti boys had not taken their quarrel into the dining area with all Nora's much treasured China sets.
"If I promise to pay back the loss, will you shut the hell up?" Red scowled down at the black woman as he felt the definite brush of her hand over the front of his slacks.
He startled, grabbing the hand rapidly. His smile returned, plastered and fixed as he artfully dodged about her frame.
"Excuse me, Ma'am, my fault entirely."
"I wasn't complaining, honey!" she winked. "And after feeling that..." she glanced down to his trousers, "I'm available."
"That's... that's good to know," Red smiled charmingly, "uh, excuse me, just a moment if you will."
Giving one last overly friendly caress of Red's backside, the woman blew him a kiss... returning her attention to the skirmish.
Silas stopped to retrieve a glass of champagne from a passing server who had somehow maneuvered through the crowd miraculously intact.
"You are my witness, right?" the guard checked with his companion. "You heard him?"
"I did hear." Dembe confirmed.
"You better move your ass." Red snarled. "These people are packed over here like sardines." he jostled shoulders and bodies.
"Going as fast as humanly possible here." Silas offered Dembe the other glass he procured.
"I can see you, you dumbass!" Red could from his cramped position. "Get... to...Elizabeth!"
"What the worst that can happen?" Silas spoke directly into his radio.
"How the hell should I know!" Red could barely make out the top of Lizzy's brown curls as she pushed her way determinedly forward.
"There seems to be more people here." Antonio's voice directly behind him, surprised Red.
"Yeah well..." Silas had heard the remark even above the blaring tones of the donnybrook, "I took the liberty of allowing some of the neighbors in..." Dembe sedately nodded that he agreed with such a decision, "I thought it might keep anyone from calling the cops."
Just at that moment, the unstable atmosphere filled with the sound of a police siren blaring its comically stilted 'bloop'.
Red halted in his tracks, as did Antonio Crocetti. They knew that sound.
Silas cursed a quick volley of swear words. "Well, I guess that ship has sailed. I'll handle it, boss."
"You'll get your ass to Lizzy and don't you dare 'boss' me, you long-haired hippie." Red's temper flared.
"Unlike those little peacenik pacifists," Silas countered, "I can make love... and war." he shrugged. "Preferably on the same day..."
"It is just the Torello brothers," Dembe soothed all nerves... or did he, "they are simply amusing themselves."
"And the cops, what are they doing to amuse themselves?" Red practically bellowed the rhetorical question.
Dembe checked. "Nora has provided them food and beverage. All is well."
"Oh, is it, Dembe?" Red's sarcastic tone hissed through the airwaves. "Is it really?" his focus once again zeroed in on Lizzy who had managed more ground thanks to her smaller frame.
Glen Carter was happily oblivious to the rapidly approaching tsunami, working his endless supply of charm on an unsuspecting woman.
A woman who's features appeared caught somewhere between incredulous disbelief and a slowly verging panic attack, in Red's opinion.
Dembe watch the two police officers closely. They gave no indication they even heard their sirens wail.
Nora's smile was soft and welcoming for both as she artfully offered one distraction after another.
The woman had recruited Katie and Hannah's assistance, both openly flirting with the officers when called upon to do so.
Dembe's brow furrowed. "Huh..."
"It's the uniform, man..." Silas shrugged, "you know chicks dig uniforms."
Dembe cut the man a blank glare.
"No, no, man..." Silas placated quickly, "I mean, your girl..." he bolstered, "Hannah, she's just taking one for the team."
Dembe's expression didn't alter... at all.
"We should, you know..." Silas gestured, "get to Liz." he half-heartedly moved people aside reluctantly making his way forward inch-by-inch.
"Elizabeth has the advantage." Dembe patiently moved behind the lead guard. "Should we not hasten our steps a tad?"
Silas gave him a look, "Do you want me to be rude to these people?"
"God forbid," Dembe settled, resigned to the pace set.
David waved, getting Silas' attention, "I got her," he motioned that he held a much more advantageous position to reach Elizabeth Keen. "Is there a problem I should–"
"You should mind your own business," Silas suggested rudely, in Dembe's opinion.
David canted his head curiously, for he knew... protecting Elizabeth was his job. Almost instantaneously, a light bulb went off overhead, understanding dawning on him.
"What do you want me to do..." David questioned.
"Help Nora with the cops," Silas advised, "and get those damned Torello brothers off that damn siren!"
David smiled happily, rushing to his tasks as best the crowd allowed.
"Who are these people?" Dembe was baffled not recognizing one face in the blur about him.
"Get real," Silas scoffed, "do you think I am not in control of this madhouse? No one's here that isn't cleared."
"If you say so," Dembe clearly doubted the claim.
"Liz is safe." Silas reiterated.
"Are we?" Dembe dodged an inebriated woman's effort to accost-him.
"Man up," Silas smiled charmingly down at a college co-ed as he gently but firmly moved her aside.
"Move aside!" Antonio's voice boomed, causing even Red to visibly start.
Like the Red Sea... the crowd parted.
Red blinked at all the blank faces staring at him. He threw a quick glance at his companion, a little awe-struck to be honest.
"It's all those years dealing with the boys," Antonio philosophized, explaining his power of presence.
"Or the fact," Red suggested another theory, 'your kill count is higher than mine?"
Antonio waved the gracious remark aside... graciously, "Who keeps score?"
Red knew good and well the other man often did, but... he had to stop Lizzy's kill count at present.
He forged on. If he cut through to the left here...
"What the hell," the chilly tone dripped frosty ice particles, "are you doing here?"
Red grimaced... Lizzy had reached her objective.
Antonio's low chuckle behind him held a rather sinister ring.
"What?" Glen's grating, high-pitched tone jangled Red's nerves.
Red couldn't even see the woman from this position, but knew her hackles just rose another notch.
"...Not good," Red muttered to himself.
The crowd around Glen Carter appeared torn, constantly seeking one distraction after the other.
One of the Crocetti boys slid unceremoniously through the archways of the connecting room, his momentum aided by a soundly connected fist.
Red could not make out which son it was, for the crowd obscured the man's face.
But Lizzy's tone promised distraction as well.
Heads swiveled this way and that.
"How dare you show up here uninvited!" Liz's bitter tone spew the rebuke over the airwaves for Silas had sauntered to the scene finally, drink in hand.
Glen turned, éclair hanging limply from his fingers. A dollop of cream oozed from the center, plopping unceremoniously to the man's plate... then to the floor.
Liz gasped audibly, her eyes widening in horror at the sight.
"She'll kill him for that alone." Silas' chuckle sounded eerily familiar to Red's ears.
The man side-glanced Antonio Crocetti.
Yeah, that's where he'd heard it before, seconds ago. Red scowled for the similarities displayed.
Silas checked on Red's advancement. "Ah, shit!" his mood dropped. "You think he can reach her before the big finale?"
"There is time for much damage," Dembe vetoed such a notion, "but my question to you, since we actually here... should we stop Elizabeth's goal to maim Glen?"
"We should," Silas nodded sedately, "...we should." he hesitated, canting his head slightly, "but then, she does have her heart set on confronting the twit." he reminded. "And Red said we are to ensure Liz remains happy and content..."
Dembe sighed audibly, realizing the large guard had no intention of intervening.
"We could wager on the outcome." Dembe brightened.
"Get real." Silas' wallet stayed safely in his back pocket, "there can be only one outcome."
Both men turned their attention to Elizabeth Keen.
The woman's clenched hands, tight balls of tension and fury, were placed squarely on her hips. Her blue eyes flashed with fiery outrage.
"Oh, I know you!" Glen appeared blissfully unaware of his impending death. "You're Red's sandwich maker, right?"
"...Excuse me?" Liz's tone stung like corrosive acid eating its way through metal.
Glen's eyes swept her form with open appreciation, aligning his glasses to better enjoy the view.
"Not bad, Lolita..." he inhaled a rumbling snort, cramming an enormous bite of the creamy treat in his mouth.
Liz's mouth fell open for such audacity, "Why you little..."
Glen took a boisterous swig from his bottle of Guinness, wiping his arm roughly across his mouth.
"Don't get me wrong," he patted his stomach, releasing a crackling belch, "more power to him! Who am I to–"
"Who are you?!" Liz stepped closer, glaring indignantly at the smaller individual she now towered over. "Who are you?! You're the little troll that shot Red, that's who you are!"
"Hey!" Glen took exception to the accusation. "That hasn't been proven as fact as yet!"
Liz felt her fingers bite painfully into her palm as the little man lifted to his toes to express his shock.
"The gun was in your hand, you halfwit!" Liz hissed.
"Who are you, Judge Judy!" he jabbed his fingers in the air.
"No..." she growled, "but I may very well be your executioner!" Liz's temper flared. "How dare you show your face here! You have some nerve!"
The guy's beady eyes focused squarely on Liz's chest and not much else.
"I was invited... dolly," Glen preened around the obvious smirk playing about his lips. "Unlike some... I didn't have to work my way in or shake the moneymakers."
Liz bristled, "What did you just imply, you limp wick!"
Silas laughed airily, his eyes lighting with amusement. Who knew the woman's verbal bouts with Francis would pay off to such an extent one day.
"Hey, are those real?" Glen lifted the éclair artfully motioning to the needed vicinity, "does Red know you're flashing your lady lumps?"
Liz stepped so close she could smell the beer and chocolate on Glen's breath. "Enjoy the last few seconds of your miserable existence, pipsqueak!"
"What's up with you, jailbait," Glen frowned around the pastry in his mouth, "I was just standing here, minding my own..."
Liz hands reached, grasping the man's collar, causing the éclair to drop from Glen's hold.
"I wasn't done with that!" Glen protested.
"Yeah, you were!" Liz's hold tightened as she yanked hard drawing Glen closer still. "That was your last meal!"
Silas laughed brightly, leaning his ass against a convenient tabletop.
"Watch the threads!" Glen leaned away from the perceived threat. "This ensemble didn't come cheap..." the man laughed at his own little joke, running a hand down the gaudy apparel. "If anything, you should take note how to exhibit some class..."
"That was unwise," Dembe muttered aside to Silas. The large guard chuckled under his breath as he watched Red openly wince.
"It is difficult, is it not," Antonio smiled, "to decide if one should intervene."
"I am second-guessing my intentions, yes." Red cocked a brow.
Drawing her arm back, Liz struck the smirking face as hard as she could with her fist, freeing some pent-up rage she was experiencing.
Glen's eyes bulged wide as he cried out a curse, instantly grabbing for his bloodied nose.
"Little bastard had that coming..." Red grumbled as he stepped closer to the fray.
"Elizabeth obviously has not heard," Antonio sniggered, "you shouldn't hit a man with glasses."
"You're a nut-cluster, chickadee," Glen backed away, holding out a restraining hand, "anyone ever tell ya?"
Glen continued his retreat as a raging Elizabeth Keen menacingly advanced.
"Geesh!" he hastily grasped at napkins held aloft as he passed the gathered crowd. "Take a chill pill, why don't you, woman! What, you riding the cotton pony?"
Women gasped their shock for such callous treatment, guys offered over painful grimaces for the man's utter stupidity.
In the background sirens could be heard 'blooping' and one especially chilling crash of a China cabinet being demolished in another room echoed in Red's weary brain.
He staunchly moved closer to his prey.
Glen ferreted in his pocket producing the needed medication to chill Liz's mood, "You got issues! Here!" he thrust the blue pill forward like an appeasement to an angry God. "Take it! It's free this time!"
Liz halted in her tracks, glaring furiously at the outstretched palm.
There was such rage inside churning... bubbling... the woman felt her control totally gone.
"Take it," Glen demanded, "you're embarrassing yourself!"
Liz's eyes shift to thin slivers of repressed fury; she instinctively snatched the object from the man's hand, leaving scratch marks in her wake.
Glen cradled his injured hand, a fixed scowl on his face.
"Damned, she-devil!" he muttered the curse.
Liz stared at the blue pill, her mind infuriated and agitated, guided by the unreasonable wrath she was feeling.
Red caught her wrist in stout fingers, wrestling the pill from unresisting fingers.
"I wasn't gonna take it!" she snapped.
Glancing at the medication, Red dropped his chin dramatically, "Well good," he gritted, "because..." he glared at Glen Carter, "it's not a Valium, you dip shit!" he spat the phrase at the man, "it's a fucking Viagra!"
"Oh?" Glen scowled, examining the offending pill Red held aloft, before shrugging. "Well, whatever! She's cranky, get her in a good mood!"
Red cut the man a wilting glare.
"Use it, as if you haven't before." he scoffed. "Gotta keep up with the likes of that banshee, right? Keep her frothing at the gash, keep her quiet..."
Glen laughed gaily, reaching for his possession.
Red's hand closed tightly, "If I'm not getting any... neither are you, asshole."
"Drop her a C-Note," Glen smiled pleasantly. "I'm sure it's worked before... if you get my drift." the man winked.
"Oh, man..." the implication of the statement painted vivid images that left Silas shaking his head woefully.
"Is Mr. Kaplan present?" Dembe peered about the room seriously just as Elizabeth reacted.
Liz shoved around Red, her arms outstretched, her hand clawing for Glen's scrawny neck.
Red reacted hastily, holding her back.
"Tone it down..." Antonio, who until this moment had been enjoying the crass sallies, placed himself between the two warring parties, "We treat our women with... respect."
"Don't get your panties in a bunch, Pacino. I used a coaster!" Glen once again stressed his side of things. "She started it, that's all I'm saying." he jerked a nod. "I was just eating my pastry.."
Red struggled against Lizzy's straining fight, "Let me go!" she demanded, "Whose side are you on, anyway!?"
She turned accusing eyes Red's way.
"Lizzy, it's fine... it's over," Red placed himself between Elizabeth and her enemy.
"It's not over," she differed, "I'm gonna rip his cold dead heart out of that hairless chest and then... it will be over."
Glen shook his head at such negativity.
"Stand aside, Red Reddington..." Liz demanded.
"I didn't shoot the guy," Glen tackled the brunt of the debate. "People don't shoot people... guns do." he reminded. "Besides, the evidence is still out on the sniper theory!"
Liz made a sound in her throat that reassembled a growl as she once again lunged about Red's imposing frame.
Silas chuckled happily, snacking on a bowl of popcorn.
Dembe exhaled deeply into his phone, keeping Mr. Kaplan alert to the unfolding situation.
Antonio lifted his head proudly only to sigh his exasperation as Enrico sailed past him and through a closed French door panel.
"Those boys..." he grumbled, stepping over a pair of legs protruding from beneath a serving table.
Crocetti spared the oddity a passing glance, nothing more.
A man lay stretched out, attempting to coax a cat under the same structure. Only when the man held a tuna quiche aloft did the cat respond to the beckoning gesture.
Crocetti returned his interest to the developing drama before him.
Elizabeth's fingers stretched, waggling in the air mere inches from Glen Carter's face. She struggled against Red's strength to reach her foe's vicinity.
"Calm down, baby." Red urged.
Glen leaned from the threat, glancing curiously at the couple, "You know, Reddington... it ain't like you're on a beer budget." he pondered the other man's reasoning. "You could have gone a bit higher class, even if you wanted to rob the cradle."
Red shook his head for the stupidity certain member's of the human race could display.
He held tightly to Lizzy's little body as she unleashed a string of profanity which could make a sailor blush.
"If I were you, Glen," Red managed through gritted teeth, "which I'm eternally grateful I am not... I would disappear as quickly as humanly–"
"You fucking cretin!" Liz interrupted, her face a mask of livid rage. "I'm gonna kill you! Do you hear me, you twit!"
"The dead can hear you, sister!" Glen griped, rubbing his aching ear.
"Just forget him, baby," Red interjected, "he's not worth it... and we don't want to spoil Maria's big night, do we?"
"You mother fuc–" Liz was having none of it, fighting valiantly against Red's unrelenting hold... and the hand he clamped over her mouth.
Silas laughed gaily.
Dembe grimaced, wondering would Raymond pay for those actions later.
"I thought he was an interesting guy," Antonio shrugged the matter aside. He swiveled his head back and forth, enjoying the byplay despite his determination not to do so.
"Just because they're old enough to breed." Glen stated his opinion on the entire debacle, "doesn't mean you should plant the seed."
Silas grimaced accordingly, turning aside to hide his smothered laughter. Not so much for the crude utterance, but Liz's apoplectic reaction.
"Really?" even he questioned Carter's sanity at that point.
Dembe stepped to Glen's position, looking down on the diminutive stature. "You should stop now..." he suggested evenly.
Reddington vainly tried to corral the beautiful hellcat clawing angrily for the blathering idiot.
"Let me at the..." Liz fought hard.
"Pint-sized wiener?" Francis offered helpfully, for the woman seemed to struggle for a proper description.
"Cuntmuffin?" Ben offered his own suggestion.
Mark opened his mouth to assist, only to snap it shut when the woman turned murderous eyes their way.
Liz squirmed and tugged on Red's arms. Gritting her frustration, she emitted a shrill scream of defiance, "Let me go!"
"Dembe, it's the old adage, you know," Glen explained, "just like; if the river runs red..."
"Do not say it..." Dembe warned but Glen was on a roll, clearly enjoying taunting not only Reddington but the woman he held at bay.
"...Take the dirt path instead." Glen finished.
"Oh, my God, Glen..." Red was appalled for the other man's stupidity, "walk the hell away," it was his turn to warn, "before I kill your ass!"
"Let me go!" Liz was frantic and beside herself, "He needs to die!"
Red could not truthfully argue the point, sing-songing his head woefully, "...Well..."
Liz took advantage of his momentary lapse, for in his pondering, Red's hold had lessened.
The woman ducked quickly, side-stepping Red's attempt to reestablish hold.
She just squeezed through an opening provided, pouncing like a sleek tigress on an unsuspecting wild boar.
Glen recoiled from Lizzy's clawing grip about his throat, taken totally by surprise, "Whoa... hey.." his voice strained in the tight hold.
Silas cackled his amusement as the Kodak moment took shape.
"Calm down my sweet," Antonio approached, his hands outspread, "... this could possibly be all my fault."
Glen's strangled outcry and bulging veins were strangely satisfying to Elizabeth's excited eyes.
Red triumphantly reestablished his hold about the woman's slender waist, but she showed remarkable strength when he tried to dislodge her grip from Glen's throat.
"I take full responsibility," Antonio stepped up to do the right thing.
"You want to help out here?" Red's strained tone enquired as he motioned to the situation.
Antonio smiled warmly at the girl, "She's passionate about things."
"Yeah," Red motioned, leaning as if fighting against a Blue Marlin in rough seas, "the idiot's turning blue."
Gently loosening the woman's fingers at several pressure points, Antonio soothed Liz's frayed nerves. "Now, Bella... you must listen to me on this matter."
Liz threw the man a vexed expression. "He shouldn't be breathing!" she hissed.
"I know but... decorum, angel... decorum." Antonio motioned to the police officers just across the way.
Both men were admittedly more engrossed by the events to interfere, but Antonio assumed, were Elizabeth to kill Glen... "There is a better time and place for all things, yes?"
Dembe and Silas finally intervened, but clearly, neither's heart was in the feat.
Wiping away tears of laughter which blurred his vision, Silas staggered forward.
Dembe repeatedly cast covert glances at Hannah, who seemed to have thrown herself into her role of Badge Bunny.
One of the uniformed men reared back laughing raucously at a remark the pretty woman had said.
Liz lashed out at the interlopers, "You dirty traitors!" she gasped, shocked to the core. "Turning on one of your own!"
"Think of this as a détente," Silas waved the accusation off.
Liz kicked him in the shins.
Dembe let go entirely, hastily stepping far enough away so as not to receive the same treatment.
Silas grabbed his shin, cursing fluently. "You little heathen!" he hadn't expected the attack.
He had taught her so many other more professional techniques, but then... if it worked, it worked.
"Good shot.." the guard praised her initiative, rubbing the throbbing jolts.
Red's arm encircled Lizzy's small frame, tightening systematically.
Liz lunged unexpectedly, her hip hitting his injured leg.
The jar of pain filtered up and down the nerve endings within.
Glen bent at the waist, choking for breath, Red's actions releasing Lizzy's hold.
Red assumed the same position, grasping his leg. He grunted savagely as the searing pain crumbled his support from under him.
Liz saw the consequences of her tantrum, drawing in a ragged breath, "Red!" she gasped contritely. "Oh, my God!"
All thoughts of revenge faded into oblivion, the woman's only desire now... to aid and abet.
In her haste, she inadvertently stumbled from Silas' reaffirmed grip, bludgeoning headlong into Red's bent-over frame.
The momentum off-set each other's balance.
Liz cried out, falling forward.
Red's reflexes kicked in and he was able to arise, stabilizing her body until... his foot caught on an unseen obstacle which sent both careening backward.
Reds' arms enfolded Lizzy as he awaited the impact.
Bracing himself, his face registered the inevitable.
He grunted hard as Lizzy's form flattened against his own, taking the air from his lungs, but the impact itself was nothing like he imagined it would be.
When he was able to clear his mind of yet another jolt of pain... for Lizzy had squished his leg yet again, he realized their luck. He dropped his head back onto the couch cushion, sighing.
"Oh, fuck, Red!" she quickly sat upright, her expression woe-be-gone. "What the hell!" she examined his limb for signs of blood and gore, finding none. "I'm so sorry... I didn't mean..."
Red held up a hand, gritting the pain aside, "I'm fine," he offered too hastily, "...I'm good."
The stress in his voice said differently.
"I'm so sorry!" Liz wailed.
Silas crouched beside the pair, "Luck of the Irish, huh... landing on the couch like that," he nodded approvingly, "the floor would have hurt like hell."
Red was already hurting like hell, so he preferred not to think about the other.
"You all right?" Silas enquired politely.
"Oh, now you offer solicitude?" Red snapped.
"...Anyway," Silas jerked his head behind him, "I'll put Quasimodo somewhere out of harm's way," he chuckled for Liz's face, "he wants to sue."
Liz's consternation turned to...
"It's okay, I'll handle it." Silas headed her off at the pass. "You got amends to make right here."
Liz remembered, "Oh!" she saddened her face. "Red... does it hurt much?"
Red managed a insincere smile, "I'm fine, not to worry."
"Oh, Red..." the woman lamented her part in the man's dilemma, only to startle a breath later.
"For God's sake! Will someone," Red motioned curtly, "get the Torellos off that fucking siren!"
"On it," Dembe nodded and was gone.
Red tried to calm his nerves. He breathed in a long deep breath...
From Liz's perch, she noted an oddity, "...Red," her brow furrowed critically, "what is that man doing under our table?"
Red rolled his head to search out her meaning.
"Oh, him... he's harmless," Silas dismissed. "He's not bothering anyone to speak of, not yet anyway."
"Everyone just steps over him," Joe arrived on scene, shaking his head gingerly. "Sorry, boss... one of the Torellos didn't want to give up his chainsaw. I had to..."
"Is that Keres?" Liz peered closer at the man under the table. She had never seen the guy before, but... she sure as hell knew their cat when she saw it!
Red's expression altered, "Have the guard's quarters been infiltrated?"
"Relax, we implemented Code X," Silas lifted a staying hand, "Keres must have been let out accidentally."
Red... relaxed.
"What is... Code X?" Liz wanted to know.
All the men glanced away simultaneously.
"What do you mean, one of the Torellos didn't want to give up his chainsaw?" Red had registered the anomaly, thereby saving all males from answering Lizzy's enquiry.
"Oh... yeah," Joe grimaced, "sorry but... I didn't get there in time," he shrugged, "they uh, cut down the neighbor's tree."
"...What?" Red was lost.
"What?" Liz was incensed. "Why would they do such a thing? And where did they get chainsaws?"
"They brought their own," Joe was quick to reassure, "it's not one of ours, boss."
"Why did they cut down the tree?" Liz was fixated and still incensed.
"They didn't say," Joe replied respectfully. "Is it important?" he wondered aloud. "Besides, it was that one you wanted down anyway..." he reminded Red, sweetening the pot.
"Maybe they did it for the same reason, the guy under the table is sharing videos with the cat?" Silas shrugged broad shoulders.
All checked on the statement's accuracy.
Red watched as the guy lifted his phone, showing the screen to Keres who appeared overly curious about the images thereon.
Pleasantries were exchanged, and the guy swiped the screen, moving on to another video.
Keres was less interested in the latest offer, returning to the shrimp the guy placed before her.
The guy resumed the animated conversation.
"They've been discussing the play-offs," Joe informed those gathered about.
In the far distance, people shouted and cheered the Crocetti boys onward to greater heights of glory.
"Did the cat talk back?" Silas watched his second-in-command suspiciously.
"I don't know, I left to attend to the Torellos," Joe dismissed, "they did a real good job of stacking the wood from the tree, boss... just saying."
Red nodded listlessly.
"What is Code X, Red?" Liz scowled her concern. "Is everyone okay? Should we do... something?"
"Code X is–"
"Shut up, Silas," Red suggested, his tone softening. "I'll tell you later, baby... okay?"
All the men glanced aimlessly... away.
Liz scowled, but... let it go.
"The sirens have stopped," Red took stock of their surroundings, "they confiscated the chainsaw... I think we're okay for the moment."
Liz made to rise.
"Stay a little longer... the warmth is helping my leg," Red held her at bay, "the ache... it's settling."
Liz returned to her former position.
"My angel, are you all right?" Antonio returned, his absence finally noted by the woman. "I separated the boys and sent them to neutral corners. I apologize for your China cabinets and your breakables," he sighed, "... and your doorway."
Liz blinked, "My... China?"
Red patted her hip consolingly, making a mental note to replace the sets. Though none were hers to begin with, as her own set was still in storage... she had enjoyed how the one's in house looked.
"All replaceable, I'm sure," Antonio 'assured'. "Boys' right? Can't put 'em in the trunk of a car and push it over a cliff, can't lock 'em in a freezer overnight, well... not without catching hell from their mother." the man acknowledged. "What d'ya gonna do, right?"
"Who won?" was Silas' only question.
"Antonio Jr," the elder appeared insulted by the question, "of course."
"You bet on both!" Silas reminded, fielding the silent reproof.
"I am their father, I can not play favorites!" it seemed clear enough to the man. "But I knew the outcome, there was no doubt."
Silas rolled his eyes, "Could have let me in on it."
"You lost money?" Antonio was surprised.
"Nah, I bet on both too." Silas confessed.
"It was a good fight," Antonio was proud. "Their mother in tending to their wounds."
"Maria!" Liz dropped her face into her palms. "She must be devastated!"
"Why would she be?" Antonio soothed. "She won a rather substantial pot."
The statement seemed to nullify Elizabeth, somewhat.
"At any rate, the excitement seems to have abated for the evening." Crocetti delivered the news regretfully. "Speaking of which, I should rejoin Maria... or else, I may be the one in need of first-aid."
Red smiled as the man turned on his heel without another word, searching for his wife.
"Let it go, Lizzy..." Red murmured, having felt the woman's tension, still.
"I just feel so horrible," Liz's face was an adorable pout but was totally unaware of the charm emitted. "I was the one to truly ruin Maria's party."
Francis approached, counting a wad of cash in his hand. He fanned out the green bills for display.
"Are you kidding?" he waved his loot about. "This is one of the best-parties we've ever thrown!"
"I don't see the problem," Ben looked at Francis' bounty enviously, "everyone's having a great time."
"What are you guys doing?" Francis scowled down at the two reclined individuals, "there is a time and place... like Antonio says, get a room!" he demanded decorum be met.
Liz scrambled up, smoothing her dress and hair primly. "It was an accident, that's all!"
Red shifted more comfortably on the divan, grimacing the pain the move caused as he too sat up. "Mind your own business, Francis."
Francis sharply tsked the statement aside.
Liz looked about, stunned. There seemed to be more people now than an hour ago. "Red," she felt drained but strangely elated, "...who are all these people?"
The man sighed, "Hell, I don't know." he admitted, then glanced down at her. "Are you hungry?"
She pondered the question, taking Red's offered arm, "Let's go find Nora."
"She's with the cops," Ben reminded.
Red changed directions slowly but surely, waving off Francis and Ben.
"We'll just mingle," he made an executive decision, "...in the opposite direction."
They walked the room, stealing drinks from trays as they passed.
"Red," Liz agreeably allowed Red's gentle hand to guide her, "... what is Code X?"
"It'll only piss you off." Red sighed.
"No," the woman promised almost cheerfully, "... no, it won't."
"When the guards spot a... willing companion," Red began the sordid tale, "Code X means one will cover for another while... negotiations are being worked out."
Liz processed, "You mean they..."
"Everyone involved are consenting adults, Lizzy." he reminded.
"Oh, sure," she shrugged, "sure, I... I get it."
"And... you're not upset?" he guided her to a quiet alcove.
"Not at all." she realized. "I'm glad the guys can enjoy these functions too."
Red looked at the woman curiously, "...Are you high?"
Chuckling, Liz leaned against his solid frame, wrapping her arms about his waist.
"No... but then," she looked about the sordid affair, "the night is still young, I suppose."
Settling back against the wall, Red sighed his gratitude as the ache in his leg subsided.
"This is the first sane moment I've had all day." he shared, laying his chin atop Lizzy's soft hair.
"Has it really been an exciting party?" she had serious doubts. "Antonio and Maria weren't just being nice?"
"They would have been polite and distant... did you feel that?"
"But Red," she searched out his eyes, "this is the weirdest party I've ever attended."
He shrugged, "Weird is good where parties are concerned."
She glanced to the man under the table before shifting her focus to other parts of the room. There wasn't one part of the areas she could see that did not contain some sort of activity.
Food and drinks were plentiful. The music and games entertaining. And their guests mingled, laughed... and danced.
Everyone seemed content and even comfortable in their home... welcome.
"...This is a nice party," she decided, her arms lifting about his neck.
Tightening his arm about Lizzy's waist, Red smiled, kissing the woman's temple.
Relaxing into their solitude... the disco ball lights flickered across their affectionate embrace, both blissfully unaware of the chaos surrounding them.
Red reached leisurely releasing the decorative pins which held Lizzy's piled hair in place. The effect was stunningly sensual.
He lowered his head, their mouths intertwining erotically.
"Best damn party ever," he whispered seductively.
Author Notes: If Glen didn't make you wince, grimace, groan or make you feel the need to tell him to shut up at least once... I failed you. :)