Haylie stood in her kitchen the next morning, reflecting on her dinner with Reddington. She had just started with the task force and she was already getting involved with their criminal informant, this wasn't her first time.
As she waited on her coffee to finish brewing, she heard a knock at the door. Haylie walked over and opened it to see Raymond Reddington on the other side. "Shouldn't you be giving Elizabeth Keen some sort of name right about now?" she asked, shocked to see him again already.
Reddington smiled as he walked into her apartment, "You aren't going to compliment me for knocking instead of just waltzing in here?"
Haylie smiled back, "I can't possible compliment you for something people should do everyday. I would love to chat but I need to get to work. Did you need something?" she asked, wondering if he wanted a second date, or something else.
"I just merely wanted to interact with you before you become and untouchable agent for the day," Reddington explained, removing his sunglasses and placing them on the island.
Haylie rolled her eyes, "That is very sweet of you but I have to leave now. Why don't you come pick me up later and we can catch a movie or something?" she offered, knowing he wasn't about to leave until she agreed to give him something.
Reddington's lips curled into a beaming smile, "So, you're asking me out, now?" Haylie laughed realizing he'd baited her, "Yes, Raymond Reddington, I am. Will you go on a date with me tonight? "
Raymond smiled at her, head cocked slightly to the side, "Yes, I most certainly will. Now, just as you have work to do so do I. I'll text you an address at some point today," he said as he picked his hat up and slid it back onto his head. He walked over to her, taking her hand and kissing it gently. "I can't wait to do that to your lips," he teased as he walked out of her apartment.
Haylie was breathless after their encounter as she headed to the Post Office. "Who are we after team?" she asked announcing her presence.
Liz looked up to see her coming, still unsure about adding her to the team, "The Pavlovich Brothers are back and their hunting Xiaoping Li. We've dealt with these guys before," Liz explained.
Haylie nodded as she walked around to her office, "I guess I should read up on our file then. What are we doing to protect the girl?"
Ressler jumped in, "She was extracted from her home for her safety but I think we need to reroute her journey so she gets to us."
Haylie nodded once more, "Ok, who's going to meet them and make sure she's safe?"
Liz laughed a little, "You're new so you can stay behind while Ressler, Malik and I go. Call us if you come across anything," she finished, Haylie wasn't offended. She understood what is was like to be introduced to a new team that she didn't know if she could trust.
Haylie hopped on the computer looking for anything that was similar between the jobs the Brothers took part in. As she sat there, engrossed in her reading, her phone chirped. It was an address with the note 'See you at 7.' She sighed, not sure if she'd be able to leave and get to that date. She punched in the address and found that he wanted her at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.
'What do you have planned that involves us at a hotel?' she texted back. No reply came as she stared at her screen, guess she'd have to find out later.
She walked out of her office to talk to Aram when she saw Liz and Ressler coming back in. "Did you guys get her?" Haylie asked, hoping for good news.
Liz shook her head, "The brothers were a step ahead of us the whole time. They have her. Did you find anything in your research?"
Haylie shook her head, "Not really. All I can gather is that they don't have any allegiance to anyone other than the person that hired them. I can only guess that we need to get into their heads. How would you get her out of the country if everyone was looking for her?"
Ressler nodded at her thought, "That's good. Aram, start looking for anything that's going back to China."
Aram nodded at his orders as Liz took a call. When she hung up, she announced, "Reddington has a lead. I'll be back."
Haylie wondered what that lead could be or why he only wanted to discuss business with Liz.
As the day winded down, they weren't any closer to finding Li so Cooper sent everyone home.
Haylie didn't have time to change or do anything as she raced to the hotel. He had texted a room number in reply to her earlier text so she got on the elevator and pushed 12.
The hotel was beautiful with a gorgeous outdoor gazebo perfect for any event. She knocked on the door when she arrived at the room.
Reddington answered the door, "Hello, how was your day?" he asked as he ushered her inside.
Haylie sighed, "I don't want to talk about work. Liz hates me and we haven't found the girl. How about you? Did you and Keen have a nice meeting?"
Raymond chuckled, "Do I detect jealousy in your voice? It's not necessary," he comforted her thoughts. "Would you like a glass of wine? I didn't order dinner yet as I thought you might like to choose your meal," he offered.
Haylie smiled, "That was very smart because I'm a terribly picky eater and yes, I'd love some wine. So, do we have to eat up here and can we go outside to that beautiful patio?"
Raymond opened his mouth slightly as he poured the wine, "I don't think it would be the best idea. I am not being watched in this room but anywhere else can't be guaranteed. Take a look at the menu," he said, his tone disappointed.
Haylie began browsing it and it was a very fancy menu, "Doesn't it get old?" she asked as Red took a seat beside her.
"Does what get old?" he asked as he took a seat next to her, donning just his vest over his shirt without his jacket.
Haylie smiled, "Being on the run. I mean right now you have a deal but what if that changes?"
Red leaned back, allowing his head to roll back as he sighed, "I only think of the now. And right now, I'm on a date with a very pretty girl who would very much like to eat her dinner outside and I've decided we can make that happen."
He stood and offered his hand, "Let's go to the restaurant and eat outdoors. If I'm not mistaken, there's a delightful little table with a fire pit. Grab your wine," he stated as Haylie gladly accepted his hand.
He began walking toward the door when Haylie stopped, "Wait," she said and he stared, waiting for her to say something. "You said you're not being watched in here?" she asked.
Red grinned, "Yes, I did say that. Did you have something devious in mind?"
Haylie rolled her eyes slightly, "I'm' going to hate myself tomorrow but didn't you say you wanted to kiss me this morning?" she reminded him as she leaned forward about to kiss him before she stopped. "What am I doing? This is completely unprofessional," she ranted.
Red placed his finger against her lips before replacing it with his lips.
A/N: Some of you have been waiting for this and I'm finally going to deliver. The chapters won't come quite as fast as my other story but I'm very devoted to making good. Please R&R :) Y'all are the best!