June 28th
Searching the skies for any wayward debris, Red urged the vehicle forward, allowing gravity to take them down the hill.
Once on level ground, he sped along the open terrain before barreling around the outer fence surrounding the racetrack.
"You see them?" Red's eyes hastily scanned the people emerging from the hotel. They seemed a scraggly group, a little dazed by all the destruction surrounding them.
"No," Liz's face was a mask of deep concern, she wrung anxious hands.
"There," she exclaimed, pointing off to Red's left, "isn't that, Francis?!"
Red watched as a man ran across the stable paddock at full speed. Slapping his hands on the top wrung, the guy jumped, clearing the fence before rapidly regaining his feet.
Bracing herself, Liz covered her ears, sensing Red's next action.
Red released an ear-piercing whistle to garner the man's attention.
"Francis!" Red bellowed as the boy sprinted across the open field, kicking mud up in his wake.
Skidding in the mud at his feet, Francis whipped about, searching for the source, locating it in the next instant.
"Red, Lizzy!" Francis rushed to them. "Thank God!" he examined both individuals closely. "Are you okay?"
"What the hell happened to you?" Red looked the drenched and muddied man over with a critical eye.
"Don't point fingers." Francis gestured right back at them.
"You're bleeding, you twit." Red pointed to the seeping wound on the man's head.
Francis wiped away what blood he could.
"I got tagged when the windows shattered," Francis glanced back at the place he had taken refuge.
"What were you doing in the stables?" Red questioned, digging in his pocket, offering what little he could at the moment.
"Heard Danny showed up and went out to say, hey," Francis shrugged, taking the handkerchief Red handed him, "when all hell broke loose."
"You're all right? Danny?" Red asked, gesturing to the back of the buggy. "Get in."
"Yeah," Francis hopped on as Red rolled forward, bracing his feet on the roll cage. "Danny was gathering a posse together to go find riders who hadn't returned."
"That's not what a posse does, Francis." Liz was so glad to see her friend all right, her tone gentle.
"Then what good are they?" the statement stumped Francis.
"Where's Dembe?" Red maneuvered the buggy around chunks of debris as they neared the hotel.
"That's where I was going. When I last saw him, he was with Mark and Ben." Francis wished he had better information. "We tried to warn you guys. Dembe and I would have come for you."
"I know that." Pulling up to the outer edge of the garden, Red breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the three men in question push through the back doors.
"Dembe!" Red pushed from the vehicle, but Lizzy passed him easily, for she had bolted, heading toward the large black man, arms out.
"Raymond..." Dembe came forward, grasping Red's outstretched hand.
"You are unharmed?" the man looked between the worn and battered trio anxiously, having accepted Lizzy's frantic hug of 'hello'.
Assuring he and Lizzy were fine, Red was eager to hear how everyone else faired during the storm.
"You guys get hit hard?" he gestured to the blood spotting their arms and faces. "Any casualties we know of?"
Glancing about hastily, Liz rushed towards a housekeeping cart, grabbing a stack of towels. Quickly, but gingerly, she placed one against a long cut on Dembe's arm.
Giving the woman a grateful look, Red noticed a makeshift medical area taking shape to their right.
"Do we qualify for battered and bruised Veterans?" he wanted to know.
Gesturing to the valet and front gardens, Mark sighed heavily at the scattered debris.
"We were trying to get everyone into the safe rooms," Mark gestured to the shattered remains of the hotel's grand entranceway, "when we got hit."
"The force of the implosion slid our asses that way," Ben hooked a thumb towards a nearby hallway about twenty feet away. "Knocked us right off our feet. It was a wild ride, man!"
Liz frowned at the long distance, "That is... amazing."
"The floors are slick as hell," Mark grinned, pressing in against a nick on his jawline. "We went for a nice, long skate."
"Thank God you weren't hurt beyond repair," Liz did thank God, in reality.
Gesturing Francis forward, the onsite doctor gently probed the cut on the man's head, checking the wound methodically before reaching for the needed supplies.
The nurse smiled warmly, gesturing Dembe forward. Gingerly searching his wound, she pulled a sliver of glass free before cleansing and bandaging the wound.
Francis sighed his lot in life as the doctor pierced his skin with the threaded needle the man prepared.
Sucking in a sharp breath, Francis scowled, "Where did you learn to sew? The Marquis De Sade School of Medicine?"
The doctor gave him a scolding reprimand of a look.
"How many?" Francis grumbled as the man diligently stitched the cut.
"Only four, I think." the doctor smiled. "You'll only need them three, four days..."
"Why so glum," Red's eyes teased, "you should be used to flesh wounds, Francis."
Chuckling, Red lifted innocent brows as the young man cut glaring eyes his way.
"Yeah, look on the bright side, man," Ben shrugged, "at least you didn't get shot this time."
"This could permanently scar!" Francis pointed to the wound. "Think about the ladies, Red. They'll be devastated my perfection is marred!"
"Scars are sexy, Francis." Liz bolstered her friend's spirits.
"Yeah?" Catching a glimpse of himself in a mirror, Francis preened until the doctor gripped his chin, stilling his movement.
She nodded most emphatically.
Francis settled down. "You're all right though?" he frowned, having taken the time to examine Lizzy's bedraggled form.
"I-I think so?" the woman glanced down at her person, frowning for what she saw. "Why?"
"You look like you've been run through the wringer," Francis grinned, "then beat against some rocks."
Red looked over the woman himself curiously.
"Gee, thanks for the compliment." Liz huffed her annoyance, touching her hair self-consciously.
Holding the makeshift drape aloft, the nurse gestured Red back behind the curtain.
"Get her first, I'm fine." Red tugged Lizzy to his side, urging her forward.
"I can wait my turn." she scolded, "just like everybody else, Red Redding–"
"Pretend we're on the Titanic." Red interrupted. "Women," he motioned to her, then Francis, "and children first."
Ben grinned, cackling for Francis' consternation.
"I ain't no baby!" Francis jerked from any further medical treatment, then stilled hastily, looking at the doctor. "I am done, right?"
"You are..." the doctor sighed, changing his gloves.
Sliding from the chair with a scowl, Francis shoved Ben in his place.
"I have a boo-boo," Ben informed the physician, pointing to a long tear in his jeans which, upon closer inspection... revealed a rather ugly looking 'tear' in his right leg.
"Can she," he pointed to the pretty nurse, "take care of me?"
"Sit down," the doctor commanded irritably. "You people just better be glad I, or any of the other professionals are in attendance, this week. So, don't you give us any gruff."
"His bed-side manner is a little lacking," Francis' brows furrowed, "... don't you think?"
"Now, Jonas," Mark chuckled for the doctor's sour mood, "I did warn you, the hotel would be filled to the brim with miscreants and," he looked Francis up and down, "the totally deranged."
"You did," Doctor Lister muttered the resigned response.
"Don't worry, sawbones...that little storm blew the 'gruff' right out of me," Ben assured, holding up 'scout honor' fingers.
"You want to die of infection?" Lister cut the man's jeans wide, flapping them open.
"No, I want to die in a beautiful woman's arms," Ben eyed the nurse lecherously.
"Be... quiet," Lister growled, holding a scalpel aloft.
"Okay, then," Ben grinned over at an amused Francis Holbrook. "Terrible bedside manner..." he agreed only to grimace as the doctor administered a shot to his leg.
"Tetanus shot," Lister arched a sardonic brow, tossing the syringe aside.
Mark chuckled into his fist for Ben's surly scowl.
"Miss, " the nurse gestured Liz behind the curtained off are, "we'll check you over."
Liz threw Red an annoyed glare, but followed the woman's lead, albeit reluctantly.
"I'm perfectly fine. Should we be looking for real victims of this storm?" Liz grumbled.
"It will only take a moment," Red lifted his hand to the nurse who waited patiently, ushering Lizzy into the private area.
"Trauma has a funny effect on the body," Red recalled the tremor of Lizzy's voice while in the midst of the tornado.
"Nothing has really had time to sink in, right, Doctor?" Red called out to the man on the other side of the curtain.
"Absolutely," Lister examined Ben meticulously, "we can prescribe some relaxants should you desire."
"What about you?" Liz hastily shed her blouse as the nurse indicated. "You sheltered me from the brunt of the storm. Did she check you?" she glanced at the woman scrutinizing the skin on her back. "Was he all right?"
Giving the woman an imperceptible shake of his head, Red allowed his eyes to convey his silent message.
"I tried," the nurse sighed. "He looked to have bloody cuts on his back, but said you would attend to them later." she mused.
Liz's bit her lip anxiously, understanding Red's reluctance to allow the nurse closer. "Y-Yes, I can certainly do that."
"It must have been so frightening in that horrible storm." the nurse shifted knowledgeable eyes, "You should see the clutch marks I put on the post in the Library. Keeping in mind, that room is a 'safe room'."
Liz quirked a wry expression, "Try being in a steel tube, outside..."
The nurse lifted pacifying hands, "No thanks. I'm leaving this damned state as soon as we see to everyone's injuries." she stated, handing Liz her shirt.
"She has superficial nicks and dings," she assured Red, "you did a good job protecting her out there, sir."
"Thank you, Ma'am," Red ignored Lizzy's annoyed scowl. "That's my job."
Liz put her top back on, looking at Red. "I want to see your back."
"Not my front?" Red grinned his good mood. His associates were intact, the rest he would deal with as it came. "Sweetheart, this really can wait."
"I'll be the judge of that, Red Reddington," Liz vetoed such high-handed thinking.
Facing the nurse, Red popped the buttons on his shirt, his mouth curving at the corner for Lizzy's defiant chin.
Liz's eyes softened as Red's scarred back came into view before performing her due diligence, searching his back methodically for any serious injury.
"You need a bath," she worried over the numerous nicks and cuts. "There are just too many to deal with individually."
"We have antibiotic wash and lotion," the nurse responded to the diagnoses. "It will disinfect the area."
"Do I offend?" Red chuckled as Lizzy cleansed the area as best she could. Red shrugged back into his shirt.
"Drop your pants." the nurse grinned, wiggling the liquid filled hypodermic needle. "Everyone, including you Miss, gets this cocktail today."
Obeying, Red sighed heavily, "This is a tough room." he informed an amused Lizzy, then bared his hip for the shot.
"Normally, I would feel a little self-conscious seeing a woman smile when I disrobe..." he quipped.
"A smile doesn't always indicate displeasure," Liz chided, then sided heavily. "My turn, huh?" she grimaced as the needle sank into her flesh.
Liz held her smile as the nurse turned about with practiced efficiency, handing her several small packets.
"Shower as you normally would, soap, let it set a few minutes... then dry off. You'll be good to go." the nurse's tone remained pleasant.
Rounding the corner, Red and Liz stepped out into controlled chaos.
Guests connected with travel companions to reassure themselves of their safety.
The line had grown, more people stood awaiting minor medical aid.
Hotel employees straightened what mess they could while directing guests to various places for various needs.
Mark approached, Francis and Ben on his heels.
"Where's Dembe?" Red frowned, searching the crowds for his conspicuously absent friend.
"Out front," Mark gestured to the man in question. "We had some real injuries," the man continued on his way out the shattered decorative doors... entourage in tow.
"Lizzy, you should go up to the room," Red gestured to the comfort of the hotel. "What do you think?"
"No, I want to go with you." Liz gripped his hand in hers, not quite ready to leave his presence yet.
The day's events had rattled the hell out of her, and right now... being with Red centered her.
As they stepped through the doors, Security waylaid Mark, a problem needed addressed. He excused himself with a promise to meet up as soon as he was able.
The scene which greeted them was pure chaos. People were honestly trying their best to make sense of all the damage the storm had left behind.
"Too many Chefs," Red shook his head woefully, "not enough Chef de Partie."
Red stepped out into the fray, offering constructive suggestions and logical common sense remedies to a few of the more dire problems on hand.
"Why do people just listen to him when he speaks..." Liz muttered to herself.
"I told you... the man has a gift," Francis nodded amiably.
In mere minutes, Red had people shuttling the injured off to the medical area. No one argued as he divided up teams, directing they handle the scattered debris.
The time passed quickly, and they made progress. Piles of debris grew exponentially. The hotel was systematically being put to rights.
Liz felt oddly content in her busy work as she moved alongside Red and the grounds keepers picking up pieces of damage left in the storm's wake.
"Ben," the seriousness of Red's tone alerted her to yet another problem, "go get Mark."
Shifting her attention, the woman's eyes widened as a line of police cruisers pulled up the long driveway, dodging debris the workers hadn't addressed as of yet.
Liz stepped up, keeping her voice low, "Should I go out and talk to them?"
"No, that would blow your cover." Red vetoed the offer. "Mark knows these people, he'll get them taken care of in no time."
Red pointed to a piece of wood at her feet, "Keep going... just act natural."
Shoving the trash in the waste receptacle, she did as she was told.
Mark walked briskly out to greet the officers, smiling affably as he neared, shaking their hands.
Looking back at the hotel, Mark made grand gestures as he waved a hand around the spacious resort... efficiently distracting the cops' attention from the hundreds of criminals on the property.
In the guise of cleaning up, Liz watched Red and the others near the officers... her eyes bugging from her head.
She didn't know if the cops were so distracted by the effervescent and charming Mark Donovan, or it was just a Texan thing... but the police seemed not to notice or care about the dozens of firearms strapped to the hips of the men surrounding them.
She wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
The tenseness she felt dissipated when the cruisers left the property after only a few moments after assuring their assistance wasn't required.
God had come through big time for her and Red... and all the people here today.
Even after the chaos of last night and just a short time ago, Liz suddenly realized, she had never felt so comfortable or accepted as she did here among this odd collection of Red's associates.
She knew there was a snowball's chance in hell she could ever say it aloud, but here, with these people... she found a sense of belonging for the first time in her life.
Returning to her task, Liz absently returned to quietly singing, "Somewhere over the rainbow..."
The inside of the hotel had suffered superficial damages. Except for the minor water damage and broken glass, not much else seemed out of place on the first level.
Mark's people were very efficient, having put most of the area to rights.
Staff and guests alike wandered about, clearing what they could of the mess in other affected rooms inside the hotel.
"We best check the welfare of our accommodations," Red directed Lizzy to their rooms.
Opening the door, Red rounded the corner, hesitating at the sight which greeted him.
Obviously, the West side of the building had taken the brunt of the tornado's force.
Red took in the carnage, a smile playing around his lips, "We must complain to the manager... housekeeping is falling down on the job."
Liz gaped as she stepped in behind him, finding a large branch laying across their tub and part of the bathroom floor.
"This was not the view I requested," Liz murmured quietly, awed by the wide arc of glass covering... everything.
Stepping over what appeared to be a beach towel, Red grimaced at the large clods of mud and grass stuck to the mirror and vanity.
"The amenities are rather... atrocious as well," he lifted his grass covered lathering brush. Sighing woefully, he beat it against the sink edge, knocking the bristles clean.
He turned abruptly as Lizzy gasped her dismay. The woman rushed forward, her intent clear.
"Whoa, Nelly!" Red halted the small frame.
"I don't want you in here," Red denied her further entrance, pointing to her thin-soled shoes "there's glass and nails."
"But my things!" the woman fretfully peered around his broad shoulder, gesturing lamely to her cosmetics and other belongings.
"I will gather your things," Red promised, "you can clean them off at the bar."
Biting her lip, Liz reluctantly nodded her acquiescence.
"While I do that," Red thought of a wonderful distraction, "why don't you check the safe... make sure it remained intact."
He held his amusement when the woman all but jerked from his grasp, rushing towards the closet.
"My jewelry!" she keened her distress.
Red looked after the woman, shaking his head. "...Women," he muttered playfully, curious for their askew priorities.
The master bedroom itself was perfectly intact, if not a little windblown. A few minutes cleaning and organizing would have the place to rights in no time. He was grateful for small favors.
Gathering Lizzy's accouterments as promised, Red was sitting them on a nearby dresser when movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention.
"Oh, there you are." Red smiled a welcome. "Things settled down out there?"
"There is a method to Mark's madness," Dembe quipped, glancing around the area absently. "How have you faired here?"
Red knew the question was a veiled offer to assist if assistance was needed.
"Well, I don't recall reserving the jungle room," Red sighed lightly, gesturing behind him, "but I'm never one to shy away from new experiences."
"Hi, Dembe..." Too engrossed in her quest to ensure her toiletries were in working order to join the conversation as yet, Liz also remained mindless to Red's attention, focused squarely on her backside.
Trailing after the woman flittering about the room, the man's eyes caressed the shapely area covetously.
"Though you know," Red's tone shifted to a warm one, "I'm a little disappointed there are no vines hanging about," he shifted a playful gaze to Dembe. "All this nature strewn about brings out the primitive in me."
Laughing under his breath for the older man's subtle sexual innuendo, the tension in Dembe's neck loosened.
Things were returning to normal.
"Feeling like Tarzan, are we?"
"Or Cheetah," Red grimaced down at his clothing. "I do need a shower." Lizzy had been right.
"...Yes," Dembe pat his friend on the shoulder.
Chortling his amusement, Red jerked his thumb, gesturing to the mess behind him.
Peeking about the corner, Liz watched as the men devised a make-shift curtain over the broken window.
Thankfully, the large sheet seemed to do the job well enough, blocking the drizzling rain... but not the refreshing winds.
Considering the window was gone and electricity not up to full-capacity as yet, the strong breeze would be welcomed.
If nothing else, Red would sleep very well tonight. That is, if he were planning on staying at the hotel. They could always secure other lodging, but Liz didn't really want to do that.
Assuring all their other belongings were safe and secure, Liz retreated to the balcony, intent on letting the wind blow her dry to some extent. She felt grungy, out of sorts.
Opening the French doors, she inhaled the deliciously sweet cross draft. The cool breeze brushed her cheeks before billowing the long strands of her hair out behind her.
Glancing down at herself, she wondered secretly if her clothes would ever be clean again after the beating they endured today.
She stopped, retrieving a decorative cushion, sitting it aside. It was soaking wet! Easing to the sturdy frame, she marveled over the fact the couch and chairs were still intact... and still here.
Grimacing at the yucky sensation she felt everywhere about her person, Liz leaned back, stretching her legs out and away.
What a mess...
She surveyed the damage in minute detail. Not only was she wet from head-to-toe, there wasn't one inch of her which wasn't covered in mud and grass.
What a sight she must be. Funny how she hadn't noticed her unkempt appearance until just this moment.
She groaned inwardly when she heard a faint knock on their door. The last thing she wanted was to greet visitors in the state she was in.
"Of all the moments for someone to come calling," Liz rolled expressive eyes, pushing from her seat, "just when I look like I've trekked across the Amazon rainforest and got trapped in a major mudslide."
"Red, you in here?" Mark called out, sticking his head through the opened doorway.
"Come in, Mark," Liz smiled wanly, gesturing the man inside as she made her return from the balcony. She plastered a happy face on, noting the man had a companion with him.
"Oh, good... you brought someone." Liz's tone was overly bright and cheerful.
Mark laughed his delight for her predicament.
She glanced at the tall and stocky man behind Mark, finding him ruggedly handsome, if not imposing.
Honestly, if she slapped a beard on the man, he would be her vision of a Medieval Viking... only this one was wearing a cowboy hat.
Like Red, the man's forearms flexed hard, pulling at the sleeves rolled haphazardly up his arm. His broad chest and thick thighs bunched under the fabric of his clothing.
His body seemed to bulge and ripple with muscle not earned in a gym, but through hard work; which made the smooth way he glided across the room almost impossible.
If it wasn't for his formidable presence, she wouldn't have known he was in the room, for the man didn't make a sound as he walked.
This was a man who wasn't afraid of getting dirty or living rough when the need arose.
"I don't usually look this bad." Liz felt an acute need to explain that fact.
Mark laughed, glancing at the man beside him. "How you guys fairing here?"
"They're about finished, I guess." she shrugged. "Red and Dembe are acting like I'm a frail, wilting flower incapable of pitching in to help out!" she yelled out to be heard.
"This is man's work." Red's voice filtered from the bathroom. "Bring me a sandwich, woman!"
Mark and the large man beside him appreciated the humor displayed.
"I got your sandwich!" Liz balled her fists, shaking them in the man's direction.
"Did she just offer me a knuckle sandwich?" Red called out.
"...Yeah, she did. Two of them." Mark chuckled.
"Lizzy, this is Daniel Courtland." Mark introduced the large man. "You can call him whatever you like," he shrugged carelessly. "My favorite moniker: crude son-of-a-bitch."
"Don't be cussing around a lady," Daniel tipped his cowboy hat, grinning. "You want I should teach him some manners, Ma'am?"
"This is Red's fiancée, Elizabeth Scott." Mark ignored the man, continuing with the introductions.
Grimacing, Liz hastily wiped her hand against the bottom of her muck covered shirt, cordially offering her hand.
"It's nice to meet you, Danny." she nodded her greeting.
"Dammit, Dembe..." Red's voice carried back, his discord loud and clear. "You want to watch were you jamb that stick, shit!"
"Tarzan's reflexes would be better honed..." they heard the laughter in Dembe's reply.
Liz's brow furrowed quizzically for the retort. She gestured her guests to the back area.
No one was prepared for the sight which greeted their arrival.
Somewhere along the line, Red or Dembe had recruited the assistance of an unsuspecting bell hop.
The three men were man-handling the enormous tree limb across the expensive tiled floor to the shattered window over the tub.
Danny and Mark instantly joined the fray, hefting the heavy object more easily now.
Red grinned for the unexpected help, "Well, look at that. Texas came to the rescue." he acknowledged Daniel Courtland. "We'll be all right now!"
"Damned straight!" Danny's muscles were put to good use; the branch lifted onto the ledge of the window.
Red peered over the edge, calling out for those gathered below to stand back out of the way.
Protectively covering his crotch with his hand as the stick neared his position once more, Red breathed his relief as the danger passed.
"You don't have to be doing this, Red." Mark scolded, watching the branch tilt out of sight. "I can send up more help."
"Now you tell me," Red muttered.
"We need a broom," Liz surveyed all the broken glass.
"Would you prefer to switch rooms?" Mark glanced over the shattered remnants of the window and mud covered vanity.
"We aren't quitters," Red waved off the suggestion. "The breeze is pleasant, the rain soothing." he glanced at his companion. "...Lizzy?"
"What would my ancestors say about a female who would up and run... we're staying." she adopted a Western twang... only to remember a breath later, she was Russian.
Mark chuckled for her efforts. "You find out who your friends are at such times as these." he squeezed her arm. "However, I will call for housekeeping to put your room to rights."
Red turned his attention to... "Danny, where the hell have you been?"
"Out searching the grounds." the man shook Red's hand. "I was a Saint Bernard in another life."
The joke went over Liz's head, Red noticed. "Fly by..." he informed any and all, the man chuckled at her quizzical look.
"What's the damage?" Red asked Danny, truly interested.
"Some guests were pretty banged up, but they'll live." Danny looked Red over, his brows raising at Red's uncustomary disheveled appearance. "I see you've changed tailors in my absence."
"And you smell like horse shit because...?" Red countered easily, bantering with the guy, dismissing the man's own less than sartorial splendor.
"I always do." Danny smirked.
Red laughed quietly when Lizzy's face grimaced its disbelief for the easily stated boast, "You met Lizzy?" he motioned accordingly.
"I can already tell she's too good for your ass." Danny once again tipped his hat to the lady, then recalled there was a lady present, quickly removing the object. "Sorry, Ma'am."
"She is that," Red didn't disagree with the man's assessment, his eyes gentle on the woman.
"I usually look better than this." Liz reiterated. "And it's Liz... or Lizzy." she shrugged.
"Don't see nothing wrong with your appearance, Liz. I like a woman with a little earth on her."
"See the ring?" Red indicated Lizzy's finger. "It's there for a reason... to ensure no hot shot cowboys would try to mosey in to take my place."
"That unsure of your abilities there, Red?" Danny baited playfully, a serious frown on his face.
"No, the ring just gives me the legal right to shoot whoever trespasses on my property," Red smiled pleasantly.
"When have you ever given a damn about legalities?" Danny's brow furrowed.
"Property?" Liz's eyebrows shot upward.
"Actually, Raymond," Dembe interjected, "it does not give you that right."
"Whatever," Red shrugged. "I'll shoot the asshole later, anyway."
Lifting her wrist to her forehead, Liz swayed in place. "The testosterone is overwhelming," she fanned herself with her hand, "...I feel faint."
"Take my side on this," Red advised. "Or I won't catch your sweet little ass when you go down."
"Yes, you will." Liz knew better.
"Well... I'll do it grudgingly." Red acquiesced, climbing from the tub.
"If you men could hear yourselves," she glanced between the two Alphas, "I'm surprised you two didn't whip out your penises and measure them to see who bested the other."
"I'm not shy..." Danny offered, politely.
Red scoffed his disgust when the stocky bastard rested his thumb casually on his large belt buckle, thrumming his thick fingers against the bulge under his dark jeans.
"You should be," Red assured, 'measuring the area critically. "Hell... you should be ashamed."
Glancing at Lizzy, he grinned when he found the woman looking down at said crotches... more specifically, one she saw on a daily basis.
She caught herself flushing slightly before offering Red a contrite smile.
"Put your dicks away," Mark rolled exasperated eyes. "The staff has set up a buffet downstairs."
"Is this a dressy casual or formal event?" Red gestured to himself and the others beside him. "We look like something the cat dragged in."
Grimacing at their wet and dirty clothing, Mark smiled, "You'll fit right in with the others then. No need to stand on formality."
"Lead the way," Red said, hooking Lizzy's elbow on his quest for food.
Having only bothered to clean up to their elbows, Liz felt pretty self-conscious about her state of dress... until entering the dining room.
It appeared she and her entourage weren't the only ones who didn't take time to bathe and dress.
Men, usually attired in suits and ties, were now... decidedly disheveled. Jackets were missing, wrinkled shirts were pulled from waists, sleeves rolled at uneven lengths, and pants were wet, muddy or torn... or all of the above.
Rugged, handsome faces were streaked with dirt, blood and sweat... yet all looked completely comfortable being in such an environment.
More surprisingly, the woman had also shed their finery; opting for shorts, tank tops and messy buns.
Even Michael and Susan Fairfax, usually the epitome of grace and style, were in the same state as the rest of the people milling about.
Glancing to her right, Liz smiled contentedly as all in attendance gamely fell in line, laughing with the kitchen staff who served up made-to-order sandwiches at the makeshift buffet.
"We're limited in wait-staff at present," Mark shrugged apologetically, gesturing to the handful of waiters gathering drinks for guests.
Not having realized how ravenously hungry he was until just this moment, Red guided Lizzy forward quickly for a place in line.
"This looks fantastic, Mark... really." Red waved off the unneeded apology, handing Lizzy a tray. "I feel like I'm back in basic training... it's a wonderful thing."
"...Unless you aren't offering seconds," Danny grabbed his own tray, stepping in behind Red, "which makes you a cheapskate bastard."
Liz was happily making her choices as to what would taste great when unexpectedly, out of nowhere, Francis butted into a space directly in front of the woman.
She gasped her annoyance, hitting the guy's head with her tray. "Line butter!" she accused, ready to defend her position.
"You know how surly Lizzy gets when she's hungry." Red grinned.
"Lady's first..." Danny's face darkened a tad. "Didn't your mama teach you..."
"I was getting our silverware." Francis defended his actions, piling a handful on his tray. "Geesh! Try to do something for someone."
Liz threw the guy a doubtful look before returning to the wide variety of choices.
"I just want something light," she told the server. "The turkey and Swiss slider, please... oh, and that chilled pasta..." Red chuckled as the woman's list grew with every breath. "Oh, yeah, and the fruit salad there. Is there dessert?" she gestured further down the line.
Red and the others loaded themselves down with roast beef and steaks baguettes, soups, desserts and whatever else they could get their massive paws on.
Setting their food on the bare tabletop, a waiter appeared with their drink orders.
The dining room was going for the same relaxed appearance. The pristine tablecloths, candles and flowers were missing.
In their place an assortment of condiments and paper napkins were made available for use.
Glancing at the broken windows beside her, Liz was careful where she sat.
Glancing around her surroundings, Liz smiled, biting into her sandwich.
After the top-rate cuisine to which they had become accustom upon their arrival, it warmed her to see guests digging into this normal, standard fare with such relish.
She had to admit though, everything was delicious and extremely fresh.
Eavesdropping into a couple conversations happening around her, her good mood heightened. Each person here had pulled together and helped clean up the surrounding damage.
A certain energy was in the air, everyone seemed invigorated and boisterous.
Unlike the day before, all spoke over one another, discussing the events of the day, laughing and joking...
Happy to be alive.
For the first time... she truly got it.
Yes, the people could be dangerous, as Red implied. But the majority of them were normal people with weird and hazardous occupations... just like her.
These men and women were doers. They got things done; they didn't pass the buck. They didn't wait for someone else to do the job.
Turning back to her group, Liz giggled softly, a joyous melancholy invading her mind.
She watched Dembe ravenously devour his second sandwich, careless of the animated discussion taking place.
"What's going on?" she asked, joining the conversation.
"Just checking off what's left to do." Red smiled over at her, gesturing for a waiter to refill their drinks.
"Did the Guest House get hit?" Francis asked around the bite in his mouth, discretely stealing a pickles from Ben and Lizzy's plate.
"I haven't checked it yet. Been too busy here." Mark shrugged, wiping his mouth clean.
"We'll check it after the pavilion and pool is cleared." Red offered.
"Hey..." Ben spun in his seat, "where's my pickle?"
"You don't have to do that." Mark obviously felt bad. "You guys are guests here.."
"I thought we were family?" Francis frowned his discontent.
"A highly dysfunctional one," Red clapped Mark on the shoulder, "You'd do it for us."
"I doubt it," Mark joked but was clearly moved by his friends' response to his blight.
"I know I had a pickle..." Ben could not let the subject go.
"I want to help." Liz smiled brightly, more so when Susan seemed interested in the topic as well. "There has got to be something we women can do."
"Yes, because, undoubtedly," Susan spoke distinctly in that cultured accent, "we will do it better."
Michael spread his hands helplessly, "Do not look at me... she's your problem now."
Susan smiled happily, returning to her lunch.
"No, seriously," Ben searched the ceiling religiously, "where's my pickle?"
Whereupon Danny pelted the guy in the chest with... a pickle. "Take the fucking pickle, you dipshit." the man instantly bowed minutely. "Pardon my language, ladies."
"Well, I for one do not fucking appreciate it." Susan managed tongue-in-cheek.
"Well, I don't fucking either then." Liz agreed staunchly.
Danny grinned over at them, grateful for their obvious acceptance of his ways.
Once the meal ended, Liz took Red's hands as they strode through the dining hall and out the French doors.
She wasn't the least bit surprised to hear the other guests stand behind them and follow suit.
The staff already working on the problems at hand looked more than relieved to see reinforcements piling out of the hotel.
"Second shift in on deck... get some food, take a break," Mark hooked a thumb. "You did great!"
Red walked to a cart, pulling off a long black bag and pair of long tongs, handing them to Lizzy.
"Have fun..." he smiled, gesturing to the debris scattered pool deck.
Taking the required items, Lizzy smiled as Susan fell in beside her along with two other women ... ready to tackle the problem at hand.
"Is this menial labor?" one asked excitedly.
The woman was exquisitely dressed, perfect manicured nails, her chignon neatly tucked into place all set for a day of adventure.
Each woman checked her own apparel and appearance, finding them woefully lacking in contrast.
"You can tell your friends, dear." Susan patted the woman's encouragingly. "Go for it!"
"Can someone record this for my blog?" the young woman asked a passing groundskeeper.
The young man offered a deeply confused scowl before continuing on his way.
Before Liz knew it, they were chatting like old friends as they looped around the enormous pool and back to Red's position.
Liz smiled at the ladies beside her as a groundskeeper approached to take their full bags.
At one point, Liz pulled up short, finding Red calmly removing his shoes. He stood upright... before diving headfirst into the blue depths of the pool.
"Whatever is he about?" Susan was just as curious, coming alongside Elizabeth. "Perhaps you should see."
Nearing Red's location, Liz noticed the other men in the pool, hefting deck furniture and umbrellas to men standing on the sidelines.
Her concern grew as she got closer to the water's edge, for Red had not yet emerged. How long had he been down there?
But just as she neared, the man broke the surface, wiping the water from his face.
"Dembe!" Red called out to the man. "You're going to have to help me. It's really wedged down in there."
"Red?" Liz came closer. "What's wrong?"
"There's a beach towel stuck against the suction; we have to get it out for the pool to function properly."
Dembe dropped into the pool, swimming closer.
Removing her shoes, Liz sat, rolling her pants up before dangling her legs in the water.
"You were down there a long time," she stated. "I was worried."
"My CO used to say sweet things like that," he swam to the edge, setting his crossed arms on her legs, "but in the Navy, you learn to roll with the punches... and I told him I didn't swing that way."
"Did you ever try?" she caressed his cheek. "Just don't get stuck down there. I'd hate to have to break in a new sugar daddy."
She leaned, kissing the man's wet lips.
"You would miss me." Red's eyes were confidant. He pushed off, swimming back out to Dembe.
Tracking their distorted images in the dancing waters, she squinted hard, trying to make out what Red was doing.
Holding up his hand, he quickly ticked off the needed fingers before both men suddenly pulled on the towel, breaking it free from its stronghold.
Breaking away first, Dembe swam for the top towel in his grasp.
Turning her attention to Red, the man looked up from the blue depths... his eyes on her.
Apprehension traversed her body. What was he up to?
Before she could react, the man came rushing up between her legs... spraying her with a burst of water.
Batting her water covered lashes, Liz squeaked her surprise as Red's arms encircled her... dragging her from the pool's edge into the warm swirl.
"You little shit!" she latched hold of his shoulder, steadying herself.
"You were wet anyway, sweetheart." he rumbled, kissing her full mouth sensually. "You'll be even more so... later on tonight." he promised with his tone, enjoying the flush on her cheeks.
Bracing her arms on his shoulders, she relaxed as the man floated them lazily backwards.
"This isn't exactly what I had in mind when I asked you to go swimming with me." she scrunched her nose, "but for now, it'll do."
Craning her neck, she captured his smiling mouth in a leisurely and stimulating caress.
"Are you going to frolic or work?" Mark stood, hands on hips, grinning down at them from the pool's edge. "Daylights burning!"
Breaking their lock, Red scowled up at the man, "Yeah... yeah... in a minute."
"We should get back out there and help. It'll get dark soon." Liz said reluctantly, stroking his bicep.
Shifting to his back, Red languidly kicked while his passenger lay against his chest. As they neared the stairs, he straightened, setting them both on their feet.
Smiling down at the woman, Red ran a gentle hand across her wet hair, smoothing it back from her face as water pooled at their feet.
"I want to be in here with you... naked. Warm body to warm body." he voiced his growing need, his eyes deepening. "What a wondrous image."
Liz embraced the man tightly. "Yes," she whispered, "it is."
Their earlier discussion seemed to provide both with a sense of peace and understanding... a closeness, which wasn't there before.
They approached so many new obstacles today, yet through due diligence, trust and love... they became a stronger unit.
Lizzy made him strive for something... better. She encouraged he open himself to change, different options, and most importantly... to look past what he had become.
Aside from the danger hurled at them, which always had a tendency to draw people together...
"Life has interrupted our vacation but." Red held tightly to the lithe body, "... this is temporary."
"I know that," she nuzzled his cheek lovingly. "We'll get our time, Red."
"You're damned right we will," he murmured for her alone.
"I can wait," Liz's big eyes blinked their promise up at him.
"Not sure I can," he told the truth, glancing about at all the people in their midst.
"But for being patient with me..." he held her eyes steadily, hoping he conveyed just how grateful he was for her outlook.
Liz's eyes softened, "...I get a reward?" she tenderly nuzzled his nose, smiling as the familiar growing scruff tickled her fingers as she touched his face.
"You are my reward," the man said.
"And you are mine..." she smiled happily, only to feel the sure swat of Red's fingers spank her bottom playfully.
"...Now, can I have my sandwich?" Red asked imploringly.
"When we get home," she patted his shoulder consolingly. "... You're gonna get fat," she prophesied, "... how many have I made for you so far?"
"Who's counting?" he teased.
Leaning close, they met one another in the middle, kissing soft, exploring lips.
The sound of the other guests filtering into their private world shook them from their quiet reverie.
"Let's get this over with," Red grumbled. "The sooner we get finished, the sooner we can get cleaned up, then my lovely... you will get your just desserts."
"You're so grouchy..." she tittered under her breath. "It's kind of cute..."
Red rolled his eyes, "Wasn't really aiming for cute, sweetheart."
Offering the man a placating kiss, Liz pointed behind her, "Let me grab my shoes."
Slipping into his own shoes, Red saw Francis, but his focus was admittedly for Lizzy.
The boy approached at a rather clipped pace, which alerted Red that something of import was on the horizon.
Steadying Lizzy as she bent, adjusting the difficult strap of her sandal, Red's attention divided between the woman on his arm and the man across the way.
A fetching Spanish beauty haphazardly picking up debris here and there about the grounds surrounding the pool, caught the wayward attention of Francis in his trek.
His mind, now clearly elsewhere for the moment, wavered as the boy offered a jaunty wave as he passed the lovely tidbit.
Red saw the catastrophe looming but quite frankly, his senses stalled.
He was to later wonder if he had been slow to react on purpose, if only to teach Francis to stay focused...
But then realized upon reflection... Red liked to believe it had been just one of those moments that inevitably rolled around.
Francis' attention was absent but his body's reflexes were in working order for the lad hadn't slowed one second in his approach... thereby misjudging the distance from the pool's edge to where Red and Liz stood.
Red instinctively tugged Liz out of harm's way as Francis' footing failed.
It was true, what they said about accidents... that they occurred in slow motion.
As the boy continued in his rapid fire steps, Red could have sworn Francis actually walked on water that brief moment, for he almost hung in mid-air... before the inevitable happened.
Like Wile E. Coyote, Francis almost appeared to have a moment's recognition of his predicament a millisecond before Red's eyes followed the boy's rather dramatic drop into the blue yonder.
Liz swirled about, mouth agape as the blur of a human body passed her peripheral vision in a dramatic fall.
The ensuing splash sent a tidal wave of water back over the already drenched couple and the ground beneath them.
"Oh!" Liz's palms went to her cheeks as her brain registered what had just occurred.
Moving Lizzy further from the water's edge, Red waited patiently for Francis to reemerge from the liquid web the boy seemed captured within.
Ironically enough, Francis flailed about like a fish out of water, kicking and flipping haphazardly about as he fought to gain his equilibrium and find the surface of the water.
"Oh, no!" Liz recognized the poor, unfortunate fellow who had just taken a head-long dive into the pool. "Francis! What are you doing!" she scolded. "You get out of there, this second!"
Red shook a woeful head as Francis, finally realized up from down, halted abruptly in his fight for survival.
Raking his hair back from his face, Francis stood to his full height, in the shallow end of the pool.
"Francis! What happened?" Liz was aghast.
The beautiful Spanish woman had rushed to the scene, at first alarmed, but now... the lovely face showed a not-so-veiled amusement.
Francis caught the big dark gaze for a fleeting second before emitting a grievous grown. Closing pain-filled, embarrassed eyes... he slithered slowly back into the depths of the pool.
A gurgling well of laughter collected in Red's throat for the boy's predicament.
Liz watched the pretty, young woman walk away, her musical chuckle following.
"Oh, no..." Liz felt bad for her friend. She instinctively searched Francis out.
The man was still under the water, casually sitting cross-legged on the bottom.
"Francis!" Liz called out. "Francis, you come out right now! You'll drown!" she tsked sorrowfully. "Was he trying to impress that woman?"
Red's laughter... increased.
"Oh, Red! It's not funny!" Liz was pretty sure of the facts. "Get him out of there!"
"He'll surface soon enough," Red was pretty sure of those facts. "If not outright die from his embarrassment."
"You are horrible." Liz tsked again. "I'll get him a towel." she stomped away, clearly unhappy with Red's handling of the matter.
Red glanced to the pool. Francis was slowly rising upward. He broke the surface, checking the area with a stealth eye.
"She's gone," Red assured. "You can come out now."
Francis swam leisurely to the steps, taking them begrudgingly. "Why didn't you warn me I was that close!" he gestured to the pool's edge.
"You're the type to take a selfie on the edge of the Grand Canyon..." Red laughed again, "there is no help for your kind. Natural selection at its finest."
"Still, you could have said something." Francis pouted.
"Still, you could have been watching where you were going." Red countered, glancing at the Spanish beauty. "Besides, we all know you'd be taking a cold shower later anyway... this was just a pre-rinse."
"Karma's a bitch, Red," Francis removed his shirt, wringing water from the fabric. "That's all I'm saying on the matter."
Red's laughter only increased.
Offering the guy a scathing glare, Francis stalked off... in the opposite direction in which he had entered because the pretty Spanish woman was still too close for comfort.
Straightening his back, Francis walked past Lizzy, whipping the towel from her arms with a huff.
Bracing himself on a nearby table, Red caught himself as his legs buckled... for the towel caught at Francis' feet, causing the boy to stumble in his determined stride.
Francis, realizing the Spanish vixen saw the entire debacle... sneered a curt, jerking hand her way as if to say... I meant to do that!
Ignoring Red's raucous laughter behind him, Francis lifted his hands to the heavens before disappearing into the edge of darkness.
"I'm gonna piss myself," Red wheezed.
Slapping the man's arm, Liz scolded, "Red! You stop it right now!"
Wiping the tears from his eyes, Red fell further into the tabletop... his laughter echoing in the night.
"Why are we leaving so early?" Liz gestured back to the dining area they had just vacated.
Red lead the woman through the almost deserted hotel lobby. "I'm sensing you were a bit chilled back there."
Liz stepped into the elevator, her arms hugging her body tightly. "Oh, I'm okay." she smiled wanly. "That dip in the pool was refreshing at the time," she watched Red push the correct buttons absently, "but I'm not as macho as you or Dembe."
She knew both men's clothing was just as soaked through as her own for Red's damp sleeves, rolled to the forearm... left marks on the table upon which they rested.
"I should have taken the time to change into a dry set of clothing." She regretted her decision now.
The sun had long such set for the night; the temperatures were still muggy outside, but the hotel had regained electrical power, which meant the air-conditioning was up and running.
"Yeah, the blue tint of your lips kinda suggests the same." Red teased, leaning to gently press his mouth to hers. He scowled, his attention taken as he lifted away. "Your fingers are like ice."
Elizabeth pulled away from his touch, embarrassed. "I'm cold-natured, haven't you heard." she quipped.
"I know firsthand," Red lifted a meaningful brow, "that is not true. What you need is a hot shower."
The idea sounded heavenly. Liz smiled at the man. "What did I do before you came along to take care of me?"
"You took care of yourself and quite well too, but I'm here now."
What seemed eons later, ensconced in the mist of steamy water spray, Liz thanked her lucky stars for the little things in life.
She sudsed her hair, enjoying the feel of the tiny bubbles on her scalp. The fragrant scent of vanilla and shea took away all the dirt and grime of the day.
"I take for granted... so many things, Red." she called back over the sound of the shower spray. "Electricity, hot water. What luxuries..."
The man smiled, lathering his own body repeatedly. "I was just thinking that before I came in," he nodded absently, standing still under the hot water, reapplying the frothy soap. "The light drizzle of the rain outside tapping at the windows..."
The woman smiled at nothing in particular, then realized she was totally content in this moment... totally.
"Perfect night for snuggling down in the warm covers, reading a good book." Red continued. "Or just snuggling down, period. With a vibrant, adventuresome lover."
Liz giggled for the description. "Is that me?"
"I suppose I could call up Mr. Kaplan if you'd rather not be bothered tonight."
"I'm sure she gives a whole new meaning to 'adventuresome'." Liz imagined.
"You never know if she'll give you the night of your life... or end your life." Red's throaty chuckle pleased her.
The sound of his laughter was one of her new favorite things in life. Eliciting the sound always made the woman smile.
She winced, reaching to massage her sore muscles, "My legs are achy," she complained readily, happy to do so. "I used muscles I haven't in a while."
"Holding on for dear life during a tornado will do that to you." Red philosophized. "I can massage them for you." he noted the beauty of the sculpted appendages.
Liz lifted an adorable scowl, "Did I hurt you in that stupid tube? I know I was squeezing you tight."
The man chuckled. "That's like saying a boa constrictor affectionately hugs their victims." he teased.
Liz quieted, "I...I was so scared, Red." the blue eyes lifted questioningly. "...Weren't you?"
Red reach over the woman, shutting down the shower heads. "I'll get the towels," his tone was gentle, as was his look.
Liz followed the man, accepting the objects on automatic pilot, her thoughts drifting back to the moment she avoided all day.
"The sound was the worst part," she stated quietly. She shivered involuntarily, pulling the warmth of the towel tighter about her shoulders.
"Yes," she sought him out, "that and... the incredibly amazing sensation of that wind. It..." she swallowed at the remembrance, "it was... unworldly."
The man stared at her, his eyes unreadable.
"But... you weren't scared?"
Red pondered the question for a long beat.
"I've learned to... filter my fears, Lizzy," he scowled, knowing that wasn't what he intended to say, "in that, I channel the emotions to a more... productive venue, I suppose."
The man pondered his words.
"I don't understand what you mean?" she didn't.
"You get into something warm," he dismissed, "this can wait."
"No," Liz stood firm, "I'll get dressed but I want to know." she suddenly did. "What you meant?"
Grabbing the robes from the neighboring hook, Red motioned the woman to the master bedroom.
"I suppose the first time I noticed I had this ability to compartmentalize, for lack of a better term..." he shrugged, then fell silent.
Pulling the blankets back, Liz settled on the mattress top, smiling warmly as Red tucked a nearby plush throw around her legs.
She massaged her toes, waiting patiently for Red to continue his explanation.
"To put the emotional onslaught aside of any given situation," he gestured with his hand, "oh, hell..." he laughed at the absurdity.
"I was a freshly minted, wet behind the ears Lieutenant Commander, sent to rendezvous with, I think, the USS Kitty Hawk?" he shrugged carelessly. "The details are blurry."
"You served on the Kitty Hawk?" Liz remembered hearing of the carrier when she was growing up.
"I did a little time on the Missouri, Midway, Yorktown... hence the reason, I can't remember exactly where the hell I was at the time." he sighed. "Depending where I was going, depended where they dropped my ass."
Liz flashed back to her discussion with Silas and Joe, remembering how the military bounced them around, sometimes without notice.
"So you were promoted in rank," Liz said, watching Red move about the room.
"Yes, and I'll tell you, I thought," he shook his head wonderingly, "oh... I thought I was something else."
Liz smiled at the faraway look in the man's eyes, the nostalgic moment a fondly remembered one, obviously.
"It's at that time, God comes along to remind you just how puny you really are and just how Powerful a Being he can be." he grinned over at the woman. "Everything you survive is an experience earned. Were you aware?"
Liz blinked, "I've never heard it put that way." she was moved by the impact of the statement.
"Maybe you should take a long moment and take stock of all the things you have survived over the past years, Lizzy." the man suggested.
Checking his weapon, a nightly ritual, he slid the cool metal beneath his pillow.
"Major things. Things ordinary people rarely are called upon to experience, and yet," he motioned a hand, "here you sit. You came out on the other side, intact and functioning."
Liz sat a little straighter, absently filtering her hand through her damp hair. "No, that... well, that was just..."
Red waited patiently, leaning back against the nearby dresser, his arms folded.
Liz lifted lost eyes, "That was just... life."
Red chuckled humorlessly. "Lizzy, most peoples trouble consists of marital woes or unruly, unmanageable children... where's their next paycheck coming from?" he set the record straight. "Most people don't have to survive an attack from Carver."
Liz lowered her head. "That was you," she knew the truth. "You saved me." her blue eyes softened.
"No!" Red stressed, coming from his relaxed position. "Maybe I stopped the savagery that night, but you..." his eyes shone with pride and compassion, "you had to endure the struggle and contend with the aftermath; the emotional trauma, the terror that bastard caused. You... not me!"
Liz floundered in that emotional turmoil now. "I survive by not thinking about it," she confessed her mortifying secret, "by going on like it didn't happen."
Red's heart thumped heavily in his chest for the woman's disclosed confession.
For her to reveal such a closely held secret spoke of her comfort and trust... in him.
Leaning his fists into the bed, Red's willful eyes held hers. "The operative words. Going on." he reiterated strongly, taking a seat across from her.
"You moved on. You didn't let him win. You continued forward with your life." he said, smoothing a wayward strand of hair from her eyes.
Liz smiled warmly. "I had a hell of a lot of help, Red." her eyes teared up. "You, Dembe, Silas, Francis... the guys."
"That's our job but we couldn't have done it without you being present and accounted for... now could we." he not so subtly reminded. "And so what we were there? If more people had support teams..." he sighed, shaking his head. Now wasn't the time for that discussion.
The woman lifted, rapidly moving into his welcoming embrace. She clung tight to his support, feeling the strength of his arms.
"I don't want to talk about this," she moved determinedly away, superficially dabbing at the tears that ran unbidden down her cheeks. "...Finish your story, please."
Red studied the enigma before him. "You are one remarkable woman, Elizabeth Keen."
She laughed mirthlessly. "I'm just a wiped one at present." she sought his fingers, squeezing them in hers. "Seriously, you were saying?" she encouraged the tale continue. "You were a fresh-faced Lieutenant Commander and God took you down a notch, but... how?"
Settling back against the headboard, Red lifted his arm for Lizzy to snuggle in. "It was a long time ago, Lizzy." he smirked.
"Nevertheless, you remember it." she cuddled to his side, resting her legs against his.
"As I said, the details are hazy." Red's gaze was a quiet one as Lizzy waited patiently at his side. Sighing quietly, he relented.
"The ship was on the outer edges of a typhoon somewhere around Johnston Atoll and Wake Island," he recalled, absently rubbing his thumb against the soft fabric of Lizzy's robe, "we were hoping to double back far enough to avoid it, yet reach our designated coordinates on time."
Liz closed her eyes, envisioning the picture Red painted.
"As I needed to acclimate myself for my mission anyway, I volunteered for middle watch," he related the tale, smiling when Lizzy looked curiously up at him. "Around midnight to four in the morning." he clarified.
"It was dark as hell. No stars, cloud cover stretched out like a heavy, oppressive blanket." his brow furrowed darkly.
Liz pulled the blankets closer, chilled by the air, and imagery Red presented.
"For a sailor, stars overhead... that's a good omen. We start to fret when God takes them away, no matter the reason." he slid between the covers without thought, fixing his pillows.
He fell silent for a beat as Lizzy resettled herself against him.
"Being out there on that angry sea... through the lightning you would catch glimpses of the danger coming at you... the only thing you could see for certain was the undulating crest of a white cap seconds before..." he trailed away, his jawline working restlessly.
"At first, as the water breaks over the bow... it's hypnotizing," he confessed. "Then reality shifts into glaring focus."
"What do you mean?" she whispered, afraid to break Red's train of thought.
"You realize there are at least four-thousand crew members on board, you're thousands of miles away from land," he remembered the visual clearly, "and the ocean just washed over the top of the flight deck of a ship that's over two-hundred foot tall..."
Liz's eyes widened at the thought.
"...And because of the inky blackness of night," he continued, "you have no idea what danger is right behind that initial wave."
Even here, in the safety of their bedroom, Liz inhaled a stuttering breath just imagining the danger Red faced that night.
"Considering the worst part of the storm was approaching," Red sighed jaggedly, "... I thought the ship and all its personnel were lost that night." he confessed his own secret.
"I thought... we're not getting back to shore. This is it." he scoffed lightly. "After all the tours and missions I had survived up to that point..."
The man took a deep breath, allowing the emotions back in.
"In that one moment," he continued, "it was like I was the only person left on Earth and every ambition I had, everything I knew, everyone I left behind... was out of reach."
Liz's eyes glittered with tears as she listened. The helplessness... hopelessness Red must have felt had to have been overwhelming.
"You want to talk fear?" Red lifted his brows. "I was scared shitless. I couldn't pry my fingers loose from that damned railing I had latched onto... no matter how much I recited all my training," he laughed quietly, "my head was filled with the rising terror... nothing else was getting through."
Stunned by his revelation, Liz looked up at the man in astonishment.
She couldn't imagine Red Reddington being incapable of handling any situation which might arise.
The room fell silent, the soft sound of rain and wind just a faint whisper of memory.
"Then I heard Jack's voice, just as if he were standing beside me," Red's tone was wistfully melancholic. "I even remember frantically glancing around, praying he was really there to tell me what to do, to make everything right again."
Liz stared at the handsome profile, entranced by the story... and the man telling it.
"A breath later, I felt a crashing wave of despair that Jack was there with me," Red vividly recalled the conflicting emotions, "... and prepared to take me with him, to guide me."
Liz's heart ached at the very thought, grasping Red's hand tight. "But... he didn't take you."
"No, he didn't," Red shook his head. "What he did do was say one thing," his tongue darted to the corner of his mouth, then disappeared just as quickly. "...It ain't your time, kid."
The words were so softly stated, Liz had to strain to hear it.
"...Get your head out of your ass... work through it." Red laughed a choked guffaw. "Hell, I'd been telling myself that for the past half-hour." his head shook.
"But that; it ain't your time, kid. That... that was Jack." Red nodded his belief. "That command galvanized me into moving. Sometimes, the unexpected; some intervention from God knows where, reaches out and settles the turmoil and chaos in your brain."
Liz swallowed hard. "...What happened?"
Adjusting his pillows, Red lay back, drawing Lizzy close. "My mind stopped swirling. My fingers released their death grip, and I moved my ass and did my job. I refused to think of the crippling fear."
Liz relaxed, knowing she wasn't alone in that aspect. Everyone did it to some extent, not just her.
"To this day, I push past it and compartmentalize until the danger has passed and I can rest." he lifted his hand, smoothing his fingers along Elizabeth's cheek.
"Or, in all honesty, I'd rather face the fear than face the possibility of Jack's disapproving tone... I felt he was ashamed of me," the man's hand dropped away. "No way in hell am I going to experience that feeling again." he muttered a determined tone.
Turning his head, Red looked into the blue depths of Lizzy's eyes. "Until the day I die, no one is going to convince me Jack wasn't on that deck that night." he stated with conviction.
Liz moved closer, laying her head on the man's chest.
Red's palm smoothed her hair, planting a kiss to the top of her head.
"I've looked into the face of death many times over the years. Most men I associate with have." he wanted to share this with her. "You'll find out a lot about yourself when that happens. Good things... bad things." he mused.
Liz listened, idly stroking Red's torso... the sound of his deep tone was as soothing as his words.
"If you want to live bad enough, you will make that first move, the one which pushes the fear aside." he glanced down at the woman, his gaze a tender one. "Each person must decide what he wants more... the peace of death or the chance to live one more day."
"You view death as peaceful?" the fact upset her.
"I used to," he conceded. "Hell, after the life I've lived, who wouldn't," his tone softened, "but I have you now... all that has changed. I'm not going anywhere for a goodly spell. I'm having too much fun here... wanna have sex?"
The young woman giggled infectiously, but then settled.
"I..." she hesitated briefly, embarrassed by her inner thoughts, "I thought last night was an omen... that he was coming back."
Frowning, Red gently stroked the soft skin of Lizzy's back, "He could be..." he wouldn't sugar coat a possibility.
"But not tonight," Liz lifted her chin, determined to brighten her outlook.
"...No," Red shook his head, "not tonight."
Red held his expression as Lizzy unconsciously rubbed the bridge of his thumb, her touch transmitting her thoughts, though silently.
Kneading the area repeatedly, Liz suddenly gasped, jerking her hand away. Red's skin had reddened under her touch, a dark angry welt on his normally tanned flesh.
"I'm sorry..." Liz winced, tenderly touching the area. "I'm... sorry."
Red caught her hand, once again pulling her closer, "You will always move forward in life, Lizzy. I know you will," she was assured.
The man shifted, lifting to the crook of his arm, rolling the woman to her back.
"I haven't felt this...scared," she confessed, "since the Stewmaker."
Red's eyes closed painfully, vividly remembering the terror the Stewmaker inflicted upon Elizabeth.
Just reading Lizzy's report of the version of events which took place before his arrival was a horrifying and traumatic experience.
He remembered becoming physically ill, visualizing how frantic, frightened and helpless she must have felt to prevent that needle piercing her neck.
"I'm here," he vowed a promise, not only to the woman, but himself. "I won't let him touch you again, Elizabeth... I swear."
They lay in a comfortable silence, lost to their own thoughts.
Elizabeth did as Red said. She pushed the fear aside, determined to be in the moment of each passing day.
"It was nice of everyone," Liz murmured quietly, "to help Mark today."
Canting his head, Red smiled at the woman. It pleased him immensely Lizzy tried to move past their previous topic to a safer one.
"It was," he agreed. "But then, Mark provides us all a break from the outside world. The least we can do is express a little gratitude and appreciation when it's called for."
"I can understand that," she nodded slowly, rubbing Red's nape methodically, her touch sending shivers of delight up and down the man's arms.
"The caliber of people..." she visualized the pomp and grandeur, "I remember the Park Avenue gowns and Savoy suits the first night here. It's rare people like that reduce themselves to menial labor."
"It's safe to say," Red stroked gentle fingers along Lizzy's hip, "we all got to where we are the hard way... most still remember those lean years."
"Did you?" she questioned. "Have a menial job?"
"Thousands of them," Red chuckled. "I mowed lawns, shingled roofs, laid carpet. If you can think of it, I probably did it."
"I can't imagine you doing any of that." Liz giggled at the very idea.
"Imagine me elbow deep in pizza dough... I was on shift until three in the morning, then had to be in class at nine." he laughed fully. "I could make a damned fine Calzone... that was my college years, of course."
"You worked to help your parents put you through?"
"I didn't want any help," Red's tone altered slightly. "I was trying to get away from my father, not get a free ride like he suggested... on more than one occasion."
Liz's eyes lowered sadly, remembering Red had a tense relationship with his father.
"Lay on your tummy." he directed, assisting the woman do so.
"Oh, goodie... I get my 'just reward' now, right?" she eagerly settled in for Red's attention.
"Oh, this isn't... that," Red assured her. "That's on the horizon."
Liz sighed her bliss as the man worked his magic, releasing the tension in her back with his incredible hands.
"I worked at Hooters." she blithely lied, just holding her mischievous grin.
"No, you didn't." Red smiled slowly, giving the woman's legs one last rub down before laying down beside her.
"I could have worked there." she lifted a defiant chin, ready to take offense.
"I agree," Red's eyes caressed the full slope of the woman's pert breasts hidden beneath her robe. "These little babies would have paid your entire tuition without question."
"So how do you know I didn't?" she had glanced to her swell of chest, proud of her assets.
"Because, Sam would have burst a vein," Red arched a wry brow, "suffered a stroke... called out the Militia."
Tittering under her breath, Liz rolled to her side. "Think if he had called the Militia... I would have made a fortune in tips."
Red's eyes traveled the woman's form, smiling, "That robe looks awfully confining...aren't you warmed up yet?"
"That's your job, remember," she reminded, "but..." she grasped the lapels, pulling them apart with Red's ever present assistance, "it's nice you're meeting me half-way."
Red's eyes deepened, taking in the bared breasts with their perky nipples, which strained for his attention.
"You've just made me hard," Red stated the fact, "was that your intent?"
"Well..." she affected a pout, pointedly rubbing her lower back, "I'm a little sore right here."
The lovely breasts lifted sensually, blanking his mind for a second. "I could use a little more persuading." She cut him a chastising look as a reminder.
Shutting down the lights, Red climbed in behind her, pulling the blankets up.
Reaching, he gently kneaded Lizzy's neck down over the curvature of her spine before rubbing the little dimples at the small of her back.
"I dutifully administer my services," Red grinned when the woman sighed blissfully moving into his touch.
"Yeah... that's good." she hummed happily, snuggling into the blanket. "You do that."
Kissing the back of her head, Red got lost in the mindless swirls his fingers traced along the warm, silky flesh... until he sensed Lizzy's breathing deepened.
"...Red," she mumbled sleepily.
"Uh hum," Red hummed quietly, welcoming the pull of sleep tugging at his eyes, disbelieving his traitorous body's reaction to the moment. He had other things planned after all...
"Do you think the baby's okay?"
The man's eyes opened... wide. "What baby?"
"The doe... and her baby," Liz yawned, pulling her back into an erotic stretch.
Resting his forehead against her thick hair, Red willed his beating heart to... settle down.
"They went North," he soothed her concern, "the tornado from hell...headed East and right towards our ass, remember."
Mewling, Lizzy burrowed deeper into the blankets, "...Good."
Liz could rest peacefully, knowing little Bambi was snuggled close to his mama.
Chuckling quietly, Red willed his mind to shut down. He determinedly focused on the low rumble of thunder in the distance and sweet smelling air filtering in through the broken window.
Snuggling against the woman in his arms, Red cradled Lizzy's smaller body to his own... surrendering to the heavy weight of sleep.
It had been one hell of a long day...
AUTHOR NOTES: If the Navy info is incorrect, I totally blame Ron. :D He was quite the drinker back in the day. So if he remembered anything at all, it's a wonder.
We were trying to work in 'Five and Dime' instead of middle watch, but it kept breaking the flow… so we threw in the towel and moved on.