This is gonna be a new fic and is obviously AU.

I don't own the Blacklist or the characters

Elizabeth Scott is a 31 year old single woman who writes for a magazine in New York and while she's been paid well for the work she's doing, she is more than a little unhappy with her life. Her ex husband and her best friend haven't had better things in mind than to christen the house they just have bought at the time. She has lost her husband, her best friend, even her house and as if this isn't already enough, her boss, Harold Cooper, demands an article that includes the difficulties of a relationship.

Oh, the irony of that.

What is she about to write anyway? What brings difficulties into a relationship? Time management can be a problem, different likings, work, or friends. Is this really what people like to read about? Aren't there more important things happening in the world than a persons break-up? Women over 40 are reading her articles, grown up women and not teenagers. She doesn't know whether this should make her happy or really, really sad.

It is not the fact that she hasn't overcome the end of her marriage, because she has. Really! She actually wants to play the next man in her life as much as she has been played in the past. It is more that she is bored to write about the same topic over and over again. Her preferences lie elsewhere. She is more interested in economics or poverty but she is stuck.

How is she supposed to live a happy life when she can't write about the things she cares about?

She regularly visits a bar in Brooklyn with her colleague Aram who writes the column about politics and economics. He has become a good friend since her divorce and he joins her every thursday for a drink. He is not one of those guys who wants to bed every woman that crosses his path, he is the absolute opposite. Shy, sensitive, loyal, maybe even a tad nerdy.

Well, he is good looking, too but also too boring for her liking.

They stroll through New York's streets on a warm summer evening in June and even though her day has been horrible as always she enjoys the sunlight shining on her face. One positive thought a day keeps the shrink away or whatever. Maybe she needs to get laid to make her feel better. She hasn't found a fitting topic for her column, yet either.

Her eyes roam through the room after they entered the pub, searching for any familiar faces until she finds the one she was looking for. She doesn't know who he is but he is also there every thursday night. He must be around 20 years her senior, he's always wearing a three piece suit including a fedora, a classy man so to speak. One could say he escaped from the 40's.

"Liz?"

Aram stares questionably at her and the enigmatic man at the other table, sending her a knowing grin after he has made the wrong assumptions as to why she was staring. It has nothing to do with sexual attraction but more with general interest why he is there every week and sitting at the very same spot.

She could ask herself the same question though.

They sit down at the bar and order their drinks, a Martini for her and a beer for him. As always but something is off with Aram today. He's been quieter than usual.

"What's wrong with you today?", she asks and takes a few pretzels.

"Nothing... and everything."

"Work related? If so, then I can totally relate."

"It's my girlfr- my ex girlfriend. She dumped me for the beefcake from the gym.", he says, his voice slightly trembling.

"Oh...I'm sorry. Are you alright?"

"It's the third time that this happens to me so, no, I'm not okay! Every woman I date runs into the arms of a total jack ass and I don't know what I'm doing wrong, I'm polite, generous, they find me funny, my apartment is tidy..."

"Can I tell you something and you promise me not to break out in tears?", she asks, turning towards him and continues nibbling on her snack.

"Sure!"

"Aram, you're adorable and I really like you but you're ...boring, you know? You're not edgy enough, way too nice and forthcoming. Woman want a challenge, discover the person they're dating and you are like an open book. I'm sure you have organized your CD collection alphabetical, and your towels from the brightest color to the darkest."

"You say that as if it's a bad thing.", he scoffs.

"But it is true, isn't it?"

"Quite.", he admits and takes a sip from his beer "Really, if you ever have to write an article about how to scare away a woman within two weeks, take me as an example."

She hums in agreement and rethinks what he just has said. His idea doesn't sound stupid at all and she actually has to write an article about such a topic. Taking another pretzel, she figures out how to make it possible from a womans perspective.

"Aram, you're amazing!", she smiles brightly and clings her glass with his bottle.

"Wh- What, why?"

"How to lose a guy in 10 days!", she exclaims in a ecstatic tone and her eyes are full of excitement what he obviously doesn't understand given the confused expression on his face, so she explains further, "I date a random guy and try to drive him away with classical women mistakes. This is my column for the next edition of our magazine!", she looks expectantly to Aram and shrieks when a man tosses his beer over her legs.

She grabs a tissue to clean her pants a little and tells this guy that it would be okay. He definitely wears too much cologne.

"Wow, but that sounds ethical incorrect, don't you think?", he replies with a hint of reluctance.

"Love can be a bitch sometimes!", she shrugs and empties her martini. Surely it is not the smartest idea but what kind of guy really wants to date a totally insane woman? Moreover, it is finally not something that is absolutely boring and she is in control of the situation. This could make her current life a lot better.

Meanwhile on another table

This whole meeting is absolutely ridiculous. He's been coming to this place for several weeks now with no final outcome, with no deal in the bag. The only thing that keeps him sane is the attractive brunette who is always seated at the bar with her friend. She's not married, so much he has figured out and she is looking for him when she's entering the bar.

He is here with two of his 'not yet' associates, hoping to invest in their company since they are in the possession of a gold mine. Unfortunately, they doesn't seem to be interested although he has millions on his bank account, or it is the fact that he is a Most Wanted fugitive.

A Most Wanted Criminal with millions on his bank account and who happened to have a short encounter with the wife of one of those gentlemen he is currently negotiating with. So it is probably about the wife.

"Ray, here's a deal. You told me that you could make every woman fall in love with you, right?"

He groans out in frustration. "Yes." He doesn't know in which context he has said it though.

"I talked to my brother and we would like to offer you a bet. We pick out a woman for you from this place and you have to make her fall in love with you within 10 days. You win, you're in!"

He breaks out into a fit of laughter and shakes his head in amusement, "Hazin, your cologne must have gone to your head! Do I look as if I have time for that?"

"If you really want to join us, you've to play by our rules. Simple as that."

He tilts his head and considers other possibilities. There are none and this deal is immensely important.

"Deal, but only if I can pick the woman!"

"Who do you pick?", he asks a little nervously but he watched this young woman so often that he must pick her.

He purses his lips and points to the bar. "The brunette at the bar. Watch and learn, Hazin!"

His eyes fall to her and a wide grin splays across his face. He palms his hat and walks over to the bar. This could be fun and even when she's maybe a bit young but that shouldn't be a problem for him. No women could resist his charm, yet, no matter how old or young she was. He orders a scotch and as soon as his order left his lips her head shoots in his direction, regarding him with suspicion.

That is a good sign.

He looks back at her and immediately notices the bluest eyes he has ever seen which are framed by long black eyelashes and he clears his throat and has to look away. She is a naturally beautiful and he already regrets a little that she is part of a bet.

He grasps his glass, and then more, or less accidentally trips over his own feet so that his scotch lands all over her.

"What the hell is wrong today?", she yells as he takes off his hat and puts on a pleading expression.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!", he says and hands her a handkerchief from his pocket. " I'm such a fool sometimes."

"You're the second one who did this today."

"Then the reason must be you!",he counters coyly and tilts his head to follow her movements.

"Apparently, yes!"

"I'd like to make it up to you though. I happen to have two tickets for the Knicks tomorrow. So when you're interested...", he bites lip and taps back and forth on his feet. She is silent for far too long for his liking.

"You're presumptuous, you know that, right?", she sighs and hands him his tissue.

"I know! Did it work?", he smirks.

"You had me at 'two tickets for the Knicks'", 'If only he knew...' she thought and regards him with a crooked smile.

"Splendid!", he says cheerfully. "Where are my manners... I'm Raymond."

"Liz.", she replies and shakes his outstretched hand.

She has 10 days to get rid of this guy! She is so looking forward to this!

Tbc... This came to my mind today and wouldn't let go so I wrote this really quick.

I think the title says it all. I won't copy everything from the movie. Maybe just a few things but definitely not everything. Let me know what you think! :)