"The Virtuoso"

Reunited

As if in a dream, Raymond turned and saw Eleanor. Her long brown hair was curled and framed her face in a becoming way. She was wearing a warm white sweater and jeans, practical, professional.

Raymond started to walk towards her, tears filling his eyes. Before he could say anything, Eleanor ran to him and embraced him, sobbing uncontrollably. Raymond had to support her by holding her close in case she collapsed. He placed his right hand on the back of her head, his other arm supporting her. "My darling Eleanor" he murmured against her neck. " I can't believe it's you, Raymond," she said, pulling him close. They held each other, letting themselves take in the moment. After she calmed down, she let him go and looked into his eyes. He placed his hands on either side of his face, studying her, taking her in. She smiled through her tears, running her hands up and down his arms. Under the glow of the rooftop, in the heart of the city, two souls reunited. He kissed her lips and she returned the kiss, the passion burning between them. Suddenly Eleanor stopped, pressing her forehead against his. "What is it? What's wrong?" he asked breathlessly. "I want you, but not like this. I need to know the truth. Why did you leave me?" She started to walk away from him and sat on one of the chairs near the edge of the rooftop. "When I needed you the most, you were nowhere to be found. Who are you, really?" Raymond walked over to her with his hands behind his back. " I am truly sorry for putting you through this roller coaster of emotions, this journey, the experiences that you have gone through. I let myself get carried away without revealing who I truly was. My full name is Raymond Reddington. I am a criminal. I am on the FBI's most wanted list. I've committed more crimes than I care to fully admit." Eleanor sat in disbelief, listening to his words, silent. " I don't expect forgiveness from you. I don't expect anything. You deserve the truth." He held out his hand for her to get up and join him, but she just looked at him. "So I am just one of your conquests? A new notch in your belt? Another damsel in distress that you take to bed? I will never forgive myself for sharing everything I am with you. You said I could trust you." Her voice was raised in anger as she stood up and slapped him hard across his cheek. After he recovered from the slap, she was gone as quickly as she came.

Sunrise soon came. At a bench near the Hudson River, Raymond was sitting and looking out at the water. All of a sudden, he saw a familiar figure walking toward him. It was Eleanor. Although she was dressed warmly, her face was sullen, as if she hadn't slept. She sat on the other side of the bench, hands under her thighs, staring blankly ahead. " I know I have had questionable taste in men in the past, but I may have reached a new low with you." she said, her sarcastic tone trying desperately to make light of the situation. "Eleanor, my intentions with you were never to harm you. I know you're angry. You have every right to be" Raymond started to say, but Eleanor held up her hand saying " I just want to say I'm sorry for hitting you. That was uncalled for." Raymond nodded and said " I accept your apology. Your reaction was kind compared to what you have been through." Eleanor nodded and looked at him. " After my recovery, I was informed that my family saw me on the news reports and came to find me." "That's wonderful news," replied Raymond. "It would have been if I had a family to come home to." She stood up and walked over to the railing, gripping it and taking a shaky breath in and out. "After my kidnapping, I found out my father became an alcoholic and his health is failing. My mother became addicted to prescription pills, my sister and youngest brother left the home, and worst of all, my oldest brother passed away." She hung her head low and held the railing till her knuckles were white. "The family I knew is gone. It didn't matter that I was safe. Their way of grieving and coping with the loss of my siblings completely overshadowed the fact I was safe. So I fled and came here. I've been living out of hotel rooms but I'll soon run out of money. I don't know how I'll be able to make it." At that point she felt arms around her waist and Raymond rested his chin on her shoulder. She turned around and let him hold her as she broke down in sobs. " I'm so very sorry Eleanor." Raymond said softly. He kissed the side of her head and stroked her hair. She felt her body start to relax. He held her face in his hands and said " I can help you. I know you're not a charity case, so please don't take this the wrong way, but I can help give you a fresh start." " I can't ask you to do that." she started to say, but Raymond kissed her forehead and said " I want nothing more than to ensure your safety. I told you from the beginning that you deserve everything good this life has to offer."