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He looks at her hiding any emotions behind the mask he wears constantly. The mask of self assurance like he knows exactly what is going to happen at any given moment, and though he often does he isn't sure this time. So he hides himself from the rest of the world, especially from her, for his safety or her own he's no longer sure. "So say the word and I'm gone. Tell me to go Lizzie." He waits for her then because ultimately it has to be her decision. He can't force this anymore not without breaking her, and while it might seem like that's what he is after to anyone else, it is literally the last thing he wants to do.
And she wants to. Wants to spit the words out. Knows that is exactly what she should do for herself, for her marriage, for her life. Knows exactly what kind of man he is, what he's capable of doing. At least she thinks she does, but then she never saw this coming. Never saw him actually offering to disappear. She thinks of the consequences of that. She thinks of all the criminals who would continue what they are doing without his help bringing them down. The criminals the F.B.I. doesn't even know to be looking for. She also thinks of the questions he said she hasn't even thought of yet. Thinks about the main question on her mind now. What if he's right about her husband. Without the man standing in front of her she would be in danger if Tom really wasn't who he said he was. Even though she doesn't believe Red. Can't believe him for her own sanity. Needs desperately to believe that Tom is exactly who he says he is, just an elementary school teacher who had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Her instincts tell her differently. And that's the one thing her father told her to rely on. "Even if your mind or heart tell you something different Butterball, always listen to your instincts. They won't steer you wrong."
And its that memory that stops her from saying it. Because her instincts tell her she is safe with Raymond Reddington. Oh her mind is quick to supply everything in the file she's read on him. Quick to tell her she's being stupid. That he's dangerous. And her instincts agree. He is dangerous. But not to her. So she bites her tongue. Says nothing because if she tries to say anything she's not sure what will come out. Not sure if she'll indeed tell him to go, or if she might actually beg him to stay instead.
She might not say anything out loud but her eyes say it all. He see's the fear flash through even though its only there for a second. See's the indecision warring inside her body. See's her jaw tick just slightly when she bites her tongue. He sees the trace of a memory float through her mind, though he has no idea what memory could come to her at a time like this. His body is tense waiting for her to say something. Unsure himself what exactly he wants her to say. It's that final moment though when she bites her tongue that he knows he has his answer. "Then I guess, I'll see you tomorrow."
As he turns to walk away she calls out, "Red, wait!" His face turns impassive again as he turns to her. An eyebrow raised slightly inviting her reply. "I... I don't want to go home to Tom tonight."
Inwardly he acknowledges the victory for what it is. She trusts him over the rat even if only slightly. Without letting it show on his face he offers her his arm. "Do you want me to get you a hotel room? Or do you want to stay at the safe house with me?"
She weighs her options. Knows if she stays in a hotel she won't sleep at all. She never does. She also knows that some how with him she's walking a tight rope. His offer to stay at his safe house is unexpected, though not entirely surprising. She can't sleep alone anymore especially after the Stewmaker. She'd become too used to having someone sleeping next to her to help chase away the nightmares. She's worked on no sleep before. Knows that she's fully capable of doing so. She also knows if she stays with him things between them will change, but then they already have. Simply by not telling him to go when he offered, she had changed the dynamics of whatever it was they were. Then again he had also changed them when he offered to leave. She's already tired. Emotionally and physically exhausted. The thought of not sleeping all the more unwelcome. So the next words out of her mouth are indeed ones she might later regret, "I..." She hesitates, needs to make absolutely certain this is the decision she wants to make. The words that refuse to stay in her mouth however damn them both. Changing everything in an instant. "I want to stay with you."
She takes his arm as he guides her back to his car. Dembe sitting in the drivers seat raises an eyebrow but a subtle shake from Red and he lowers it again. He knows he'll get an explanation some point later anyway. Dembe knows what Red was here to offer. Red confides everything to him, well everything other than how he truly feels about Elizabeth. Though he has a feeling Dembe knows anyway. Dembe is quite possibly one of the only people who could see right through him.
As they head to the car Liz slowly gets tenser and tenser. She knows this is insane. Knows that she should tell him she had changed her mind. Go home to Tom and pretend she hadn't said anything at all. Pretend that nothing has changed even when it has. In fact she's opening her mouth to do just that when Red cuts across her.
Red can see Elizabeth tensing up slowly as if regretting her somewhat hasty decision. See's her open her mouth to change her mind he is sure. Something inside him refuses to let that happen so he cuts in before she can even make a sound helping her into the car, “I'm thinking Thai for dinner. I know a fabulous little place not far from the safe house. Their Tom Yum Goong is just to die for. Although one can't go wrong with the Pad Thai either. Their
curries are also fabulous. And their BBQ is absolutely phenomenal. Their Banana Roti is possibly the best dessert in D.C.”
She feels herself relaxing as Red continues to go on and on about the place as they drive along. Listing probably every dish on their menu as something she simply must try. She giggles softly and cuts him off as he goes on to describe yet another dish. “Thai sounds amazing. If you don't stop extolling their food though I'm going to want some of everything on the menu.”
Red looks at her as she cuts him off, glad to see she's relaxed some. He quirks his lips at her slightly. “We could actually do that you know. In fact why don't we. I find myself in no mood to make a decision on just one dish. Dembe?”
He turns to his friend, confidante, and body guard. Dembe rolls his eyes, sighs dramatically, and looks at Elizabeth conspiratorially, “It wouldn't be the first time we've ordered everything on the menu. Its a good thing I work out often or I would be fat by now.”
Liz, startled by the fact that Dembe had actually spoken to her let alone confided something so profound, starts giggling. “Well I suppose it would give me a chance to try everything. Sure, why not. Let's take it to the safe house though. I don't want to order all that and try to fit it on the poor restaurant's tables.”
Red's lips quirk even more. “A wonderful plan. Shall we then?” He draws attention to the fact that they have arrived at the restaurant in question.
With Dembe, Red and a few servers finding places for all the food, they'd refused to let her lift a finger to help, and whilst she'd rolled her eyes she couldn't help but enjoy it as well. Maybe chivalry wasn't quite dead after all. By the time all the food was in the car there wasn't much room. Liz finds herself pressed up close against Red. Almost in his lap as it were. More than close enough to smell his cologne. She finds herself slightly intoxicated by it before the five minute drive to the safe house is over. She commented that everything smelled amazing though she desperately hopes she hadn't given away the fact that she meant him as well. However based on the self-confident smirk he gave her after, she had a feeling he knew exactly what she meant.
This time without the additional help of the waiters she demands to be allowed to help them bring the food in. “I'm too hungry to wait for you both to make a hundred trips and I refuse to eat until it's all in so we can eat together.” They finally allow her to help, though she suspects they only did so grudgingly. Once the food was all in and Red had handed them all plates they each dug in. All of them grabbing several different dishes to eat. Her to try them all, Red and Dembe just to enjoy the variety.
By the time over half the food was gone she was ridiculously full. Having indulged probably more than a bit too much she groaned her contentment. More than willing to fall asleep on the couch where she sat she smiles when Dembe says his goodnight. She stretches out further on the couch when Red starts talking, “We only have two bedrooms at this safe house Lizzie. You can take mine, I'll sleep on the couch.”
Liz rolls her eyes, “Red I'm the one crashing the party. Not to mention I don't even have any clothes to change in to. Plus I work for the F.B.I. This isn't my first rodeo not sleeping in a bed.”
Red almost rolls his eyes right back at her. Only barely able to hold back the childish reaction. “While that may be this is not a stake-out. This isn't long office hours keeping you at work so you fall asleep where ever you are sitting. You are here as my guest, not 'crashing' as you so quaintly put it. I insist you have the bed. As for changing you are more than welcome to borrow some of my clothes to sleep in. I've never actually slept in a skirt suit, but I can't imagine it is in any way comfortable.” His eyes trail down her body before snapping back up to her face once he realized what he was doing.
Short of telling him she wouldn't be able to sleep in a bed alone anyway she didn't see a way out of this. The man was ridiculously stubborn when it came to certain things, and she has absolutely no intentions of revealing that fact. As she noticed his eyes trace down her body she blushes straightening ever so slightly. “Fine Red you win. I guess I really shouldn't sleep in this since its the only thing I have to wear to work tomorrow anyway. So thank you for your offer.”
Red simply nods and pointed out the room to her. He grabs a pair of sweat pants and a long sleeve sleep shirt. “Whatever you want to wear is fine. Goodnight Lizzie.”
Sure that she was in for anything but, a good night, she nods, “Good night Red, and thank you.”
With a final nod he shuts the door behind him. Heading back from the bathroom after changing he grabs a pillow and blanket from the hall closet. He's thankful that he at least has comfortable furniture here. If this had been some of his other safe houses he would be in for a long uncomfortable night. Not that it would have stopped him from insisting she have the bed anyway. He grabs a book off one of the shelves to settle down and relax with.
Elizabeth looks around in the room she's found herself in. The bed looks comfortable, though ridiculously large. She rolls her eyes. Of course its ridiculously large. When has Raymond Reddington ever done anything not excessive. Sighing quietly to herself she goes over to the dresser to decide on what to wear. She isn't surprised that he doesn't have much in the way of sleep wear. She can hardly picture him in anything other than the three piece suits and fedora. She ends up choosing a pair of black silk boxers and a white button down shirt. The boxers are a bit too big and the shirt swims on her making it look more like a night gown than anything. She changes quickly putting her suit on the dresser bra and underwear on top ready to be put back on in the morning.
She glares at the bed again and sighs shifting herself under the blankets. Surprisingly she finds herself drifting off to sleep rather fast. Though her sleep is quickly invaded with memories. She's trapped in that god forsaken cabin again. The needle jabbing into her neck. Then she's running only this time she doesn't even make it to the door before he's on her. She struggles in her sleep blankets tossed aside with her thrashing. She's inches from the chemical filled tub when she sits bolt upright in bed screaming at the top of her lungs.
Two seconds later the door busts open having kicked it open gun drawn. Dembe follows only a moment later. Liz is still shaking barely holding back the tears that are precariously close to falling. “I...I'm s..s..sorry.” She barely manages to stutter out before the tears do indeed fall.
Red motions at Dembe letting him know its ok to go back to bed. Dembe leaves the room leaving Red and Elizabeth alone. Red walks over to the bed slowly as if not to startle her. He sits on the bed next to her. Giving her ample time to pull away he slowly pulls her into his arms. “Lizzie hush, it's okay. I'm here now. No one will hurt you while I'm here.” He continues to murmur in her ear and stroking her hair comforting her. He feels her slowly calming down. Pulling back slowly, “Now why don't you tell me what's wrong hmm?” Liz shakes her head. Not wanting to reveal the truth that she was terrified that night. Unwilling to let him see just how effected she really was. He sighs softly, “Lizzie, sweetheart, I can't fix it if I don't know what's wrong. There is nothing you could tell me that would surprise me. Don't you think I have my own nightmares?”
Elizabeth is slightly shocked, because truth be told she had never thought about it. She supposes that he could. Though he always seems so unshakable. He has seen a lot after all. So sighing softly she relates the dream to him. Red growls softly when she does. For he himself had been terrified. Worried he wouldn't make it to her in time that night. “Lizzie look at me.” She startles slightly at the tone of his voice. Its deep and demanding, leaving no room for argument. She looks up at him from under her lashes unwilling to show him that the tone in his voice effected her. “There will never,” the stress on the word never was heavy, demanding she take note of it, “be a time where I don't come for you if you are in trouble. I will always,” again the stress on the word was blatant, “be there when you need me.”
She's not sure what it is about him but she believes him. Trusts that he will always be there for her. Something in her stirs at the fact. Strengthened by the previous tone in his voice. She nuzzles her face into his neck sniffling slightly. The comforting smell of his cologne weaving a spell on her. Before she's quite aware what she's doing her lips are on his neck. Needing further reassurance. The groan that leaves his lips is almost painful in nature. He knows that he needs to pull back. Prevent her from starting this. He starts to do just that when she whimpers. “Please.” He bites back another groan. The tone of her voice and the plea going straight to his cock. He tilts her head up and captures her lips with his. Its demanding, fierce, and fiery. Its intensity is comforting. Her arms cling to him pressing herself further into him. The growl that escapes against her lips when she moves against him sends shock waves through her core.
He pulls away from her. Somehow they've moved to where she's leaning against the headboard and he's leaning over her. “Tell me to go Lizzie,” he growls out, “Tell me to go, because if you don't I'm not going to be able to stop myself.”
The tone of voice so much different than when he said exactly the same words to her earlier. This time his voice is gravely, almost desperate in a way she has never heard from him. Just like earlier today she knows she should. Knows that if she doesn't things are going to change even further. And just like earlier today she can't say it. Can't manage to spit the words out, because she needs this, needs him. So instead the opposite comes out of her mouth. Her tone pleading, soft and desperate and needy. “Please. Don't go.” He growls and as if the only thing holding him back had been the fact that he needed to know she wanted this he is on her again.
This kiss is rougher than the first. Its tongue and teeth and nipping against her lips. Its demanding and treasuring all at once. His hand roams over his shirt to her breast. Kneading it gently, so at odds with the kiss. She keens against his mouth as his hand slides lower. His hand slips inside the boxers shes wearing his fingers stroking against her clit rubbing and pinching softly. Slowly he slides a finger inside of her, “Gods, you are so wet,” and then he's stroking inside her sliding in and out as he kisses her neck nipping it just over the collar.
She moans as she gets closer and closer to her climax. “Red, please, more.” The words are broken and breathy and he groans as he slides another finger inside of her. Pumping faster as he presses his thumb against her clit. As she climaxes she cries out. He quickly swallows it by kissing her. He slows the kiss and pulls back, “Shh sweetheart. You'll bring Dembe back in here.” He slides his fingers out of her and she whines softly.“Oh don't worry sweetheart I'm no where near finished with you yet.” And then he's pulling the boxers off as he slides off the bed pulling her to the edge of it. He kneels down and suddenly his mouth is on her thigh trailing its way to her center. He pulls away from her just slightly, “Can you be a good girl and be quiet sweetheart?” She nods emphatically and he chuckles. “Well I guess we'll find out won't we.” And then his mouth is on her his tongue playing against her clit like a violin. She bites her lip and instead of a groan a whine escapes as she wiggles against his mouth. He chuckles again and the vibration of it makes a moan escape before she can stop it. He nips her thigh gently, “I thought you said you could be quiet sweetheart.” She bites her lip to stop the sound from escaping and wiggles against him again. He chuckles again and this time she admirably holds in the sound though he can hear the whine in her throat. “That's my girl,” and his mouth is on her again this time accompanied by two fingers thrusting in and out as he licks and nips at her clit. She doesn't last long this time and he smirks against her tasting her greedily.
She pulls him up and kisses him thrusting her tongue in his mouth and this time its his turn to groan. Her hand having slid into his sweatpants she grasps his cock in her hands stroking it. He pulls back and groans into her neck, “Gods, yes, just like that sweetheart.” Encouraged she continues to stroke him and he groans again. “Sweetheart you have to stop. If you don't I'm going to cum in my pants like a high schooler.” He pulls back from her slightly grabbing a condom from the night stand dresser by his bed. Sliding off his sweatpants he rolls the condom on and soon he's sliding slowly insider her. She whines softly shifting against him, the movement causing them both to groan. Once he's seated in her he gives her a moment to adjust to the size of him. Then he's moving, slowly at first before gaining speed. He reaches one hand between them flicking her clit as he continues to thrust. He knows he won't last long and he's determined she is going to come again with him. She keens as she climaxes the third time crying out his name and its enough to drag his own climax from him.
He slowly pulls out of her standing up to discard the condom. As he pulls his sweatpants back on she utters two words. “Red, stay?” And even he knows everything has changed now. Knows that he won't be able to let her return to Tom now. Knows that everything between them is different. He knows he'll have to deal with the fall out at some point but for now he returns to the bed and holds her close as they fall asleep.