Chapter Text
“Wow.” Reddington said as Liz descended the stairs, all dressed up and ready for the benefit.
“Luli certainly has impecable taste. And you...of course. You look...” He trailed off, working his mouth, appeared to be at a loss for words.
Mere seconds passed by but to Red it seemed like hours and as Liz's eyebrow raised in question, he finally cleared his throat, “ready?” He asked suddenly as if they didn't just share an odd moment, or what seemed like a fairly intense staring contest and he offered her his hand.
She decided to indulge him for the time being, placed her arm in the crook of his. “Let's go.” She said with more confidence, than she actually felt.
As they reached the car, Liz noticed there was no Dembe in sight. She sat down in the back seat and gave Red next to her a surprised look, as Baz started the car and steered it away from Hampstead house. “Where's Dembe?”
“Dembe will meet us at Floriana's. As my previous contractor bailed upon notice of my arrest, he took it upon himself to make certain arrangements so that everything goes according to my original plan.”
“But what about the whole matter of you insisting on him being my bodyguard?”
“Let's just say that this case is very important to him, so it's an exception to our arrangement. Besides,” he gave her a meaningful look as he added, “you have me and I'm not gonna let anything happen to you.”
This time, she was the one unable to form words. The fond look in his eyes, that accompanied his promise, really moved her and yet she was constantly confused with seeing that much feeling in his expression. As a former orphan, she didn't have many people in her life, that she knew truly cared about her. Her foster family wasn't good to her. No, that was an understatement. They hated her, only took her in and several other unfortunate children, because of the money they got from the state. She learned that information years later when she recognized one of her foster parents from a TV programme about government fraud. Her father Sam, who saved her from those terrible people, was the first one, that she knew actually loved her. Her aunt June and her cousins were good people but they didn't see much of each other, except some holiday visits, so her aunt's love always felt like mostly being out of obligation and to keep Sam happy. Maybe she would've had a different opinion if she stayed with her after Sam died. And then there was Tom, or whoever he really was. The man who fooled her, betrayed her, love was blind in her case but she was certain now that he probably never felt anything real for her. No, their marriage was definitely a sham. She was fooled once, so how could she trust another person's care? Especially the care coming from a stranger, a criminal, someone who appeared suddenly in her life and someone who obviously knows more about her than he's telling her, maybe even knew her real parents? What actually happened to them and if they loved her?
She may have said she trusts him, for some strange reason but she meant she trusts him for his knowledge and his guidance but to trust his emotions, even though plain to read in his eyes, she's gonna need a lot more from him to convince her.
“Elizabeth?”
A gentle voice cut through her silence. “Lizzie, what's the matter?” He appeared to be honestly concerned.
“Nothing.” She managed a smile to relieve his concern and added, “What about the others? Who's our backup?”
He didn't appear convinced by her answer but he let her be. “Luli is already waiting for us on site and Agent Ressler, will be listening from the van outside. Agent Aram Mojtabai will be our technical support.”
“Agent Mojtabai? Who is he?”
“He is a valuable asset and someone I trust implicitly, he has helped me obtain some vital information as an NSA analyst in the past. Information that is for your eyes and ears too. But we'll leave that reveal for later.”
When they finally arrived on location, Red noticed that Liz was visibly nervous. “You're troubled.” He simply stated.
“How could I not be? I think this is a mistake. I don't think I can do this. I've never been undercover before and it feels like going into the dragon's den.”
“Earlier you said you can trust me, do you trust me now?”
He waited a moment, until she reluctantly nodded.
“You are a natural. Just think like a criminal.” Even though he thought it unwise, he placed his larger hand on hers and lightly squeezed it in comfort and then as quickly released it. Liz was still staring at her hand that was tingling from his touch.
“Lizzie, you alright?” He asked, worried he made it worse by touching her.
“Shall we rehearse?” He offered. “That is, discuss the role you'll be playing. Would that put your mind at ease?” He gave her a gentle smile.
She returned his smile. “Thank you. It would.”
“Baz, a slight detour, please. We are still half an hour early for the meeting I have with Floriana, so how about you leave us a block away and we'll take a nice stroll.”
Baz nodded, “Sure, Mr. Reddington.” He started the car again and drove them away.
At Liz's confused look, Red elaborated, “I find a brisk walk very stimulating. Among other things.”
“Other things?” Liz asked, curiosity overcoming her.
A block away, the car stopped near the park walkway and Red got out and offered his hand to her, like a perfect gentleman. When she got out, she was surprised by the chilly air. The sun was shining and felt warm through the windows but it was still autumn weather outside. She shivered and Red offered her to wear a lovely vintage style looking long tomato red coat, funnel-necked with bracelet-length sleeves, that he seemingly procured out of thin air. He thought of everything. She cursed her stupidity at forgetting her own jacket at his safe house and thanked him as she buttoned it up. The coat was very comfortable and warm and close to her taste and style. She placed her hands in the large side pockets and looked up at Red with a warm smile. Red on the other hand couldn't help but stare again, like a besotted idiot. With that coat and her hair beautifully styled up, she looked very elegant, amazing. She reminded him of one of his favorite actresses, the lovely Audrey Hepburn. A sudden thought occured to him, his friend Luli knew this particular information about him and she got the clothes for Lizzie, so the coat was her idea. What if she deliberately chose it just to tease him? She wouldn't? Would she? She would. It would be her way to make him admit his attraction. Nice one, Luli.
“Reddington?” Her unsure voice broke through his daze.
“Huh?” He managed to utter. You're such a fool! Stop staring and focus, man. She is a profiler for goodness sake, she's scared enough of the assignment, no need to scare her even more with your undeserved ogling!
“Red, you were saying?” She tried again, this time she was sure he was distracted by her appearance and she decided that she didn't mind it, in fact she liked his admiring look.
“Oh yes. I also find beautiful music, art and the company of lovely people, very stimulating.”
She decided to take a chance and test his honesty as she replied playfully. “As do I, especially the company.” She raised her eyebrows pointedly.
The wide smile that appeared on his face as a result to her obvious flirting made her feel more confident and in spite of her previous doubt about his true feelings, she realized that he really found her attractive and that that was very important to her.
“Pleased to hear it, Lizzie.” He said brightly. “He extended his hand to her. “Shall we go?”
She nodded and again, her arm easily slid into the crook of his and they were off. Some time later, their walk really did help her get more relaxed as it was accompanied by several of his anecdotes that made her laugh and Liz found he was proving quite a contradiction and that she was less afraid about her upcoming undercover assignment and more than excited to discover all that Raymond Reddington was hiding about himself.