A/N: finally here is the next chapter. It took some time. Though the scenario in this fic would never happen seeing how Liz is written by the writers(she's too selfish to take care of Red). However in fics this can happen and I want her to take care of Red. In this chapter you finally read what has happened. I hope you will enjoy this chapter. Thank you for the reviews and follows. I love them.

Chapter five

"When I was six years old my parents were in a car crash." Red started. They had gotten back from their walk and were now sitting on the terrace in the small garden. "They were killed." He stood up and started to pace. "I became an orphan, my future was uncertain. I don't remember much from those days. I knew my parents weren't coming back, but I was still so young. I couldn't truly comprehend what it all meant."

Lizzie listened to him and watched him pace. She knew he needed the distance from her to tell his story. She would stay here though part of her wanted to reach out, hold him in her arms and give him the strength he needed.

"My mother had a sister, Cathy. She was still in college. She switched universities, moved into my parents home and took care of me. She raised me. She loved me with all her heart. She was like a mother to me and I loved her deeply." He hung his head and tried to take a calming breath but it was no use. His pain was too close to the surface. He felt himself falling apart. "I..." he tried to take a deep breath but it turned more into a shuddering breath. "I got a call last week. Cathy... she, she got into a car accident. They got her to the hospital, but her injuries were too severe. I was there in time to say goodbye." He could no longer hold back his tears. "She was all I had. All my life she was my world and now she's gone." He crumbled to the ground, unable to hold himself up anymore.

Lizzie was immediately at his side and dropped to her knees. She wrapped her arms around his shuddering body and pulled him against her. He buried his face in her neck and tightened his grip on her.

"I'm alone now." He whispered. "She's gone, she's really gone."

"I'm here. Dembe's here." She kissed his temple. "You're not alone, honey." She tightened her arms around him a bit more and gently rocked him hoping it would calm him down. He was leaning fully against her and she realised she couldn't hold them up much longer. Laying down on the ground wasn't an option. She need to get him up on his feet and back irto the house. "Let's go inside, Red." She whispered her suggestion. He was too caught up in his grief to hear her. She realised she needed to take control. She untangled herself from him and crouched down. Taking hold of his shoulders she pulled him up on his feet. He was leaning heavily against her, but moved with her into the house. As they entered the house Dembe entered the house and spotted them. He was immediately at their side and shot Lizzie a worried look. Together they led Red to the couch and sat him down.

"What happened?" Dembe asked Lizzie after they stepped away from Red.

"He thinks he's alone now that Cathy passed away."

"Cathy passed away? Why didn't he tell me?" Dembe sat down next to his friend and grabbed his hands in his. "My friend." He bowed his head and started speaking in his native language.

Lizzie gave them some privacy and watched Red join Dembe in what she guessed might be a prayer. She saw it had a positive effect on Red as he seemed to calm down. In a way it stung that Dembe seemed to be more capable of comforting him than she could.

She left them alone for a moment, knowing Red was in good hands. She waited patiently in the kitchen. It wasn't long before Dembe joined her.

"You knew Cathy?"

"I met her a couple of times. Raymond was very protective of her, as he is with all the people he loves."

Lizzie nodded and glanced around before focusing back on Dembe. "You seemed to have calmed him down." She said and truly hoped she didn't sound jealous.

"Elizabeth, Raymond and I have known each other for a long time. It took quite a while before he told me about Cathy. He doesn't trust easily. But he trusts you with his heart. Go to him." He placed his big hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her out of the kitchen. "I am happy he has you. You know he has the tendency to keep it all bottled up inside. If he does he will become even more ruthless. He needs you. Be there for him, love him like he deserves, like he needs. He deserves happiness and only you can give him that."

"I've never seen him like this."

"Yet he's showing you his grief. That says it all." He gave her one final push towards the living room. "Call me if you need me."

Quietly she walked back into the living room. There were no longer tears running down his face, but his eyes were still held tears.

"Lizzie?" He called for her, his voice vulnerable, weak even. He needed her.

He watched her every move until she was seated next to him again. He looked at her as if she held the answers he needed. After a moment he looked away again and stared into space. "I miss her. I miss her so much." He angrily wiped away a lone tear. He didn't want to show this much weakness in front of Lizzie but he seemed to be unable to stop himself. "I hope she knew how much I loved her, how much she meant to me. I owe her everything and I don't think I ever did her or what she did for me justice." He bowed his head and lost himself in memories of his life with Cathy. Once more the tears started to flow freely.

"Ooh Raymond." She whispered brokenly. It truly hurt her to see him like this. If only she could bear the burden she would.

TBC...