Disclaimer: Jon Bokenkamp & NBC; all rights reserved . This fanfic is a work of fiction. It details my own imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locations is entirely coincidental.

Chapter 3

Red sat in the waiting area of the DMV, his fingers interlocked, one forefinger impatiently tapping the back of his other hand. He was watching a young man, who'd made a point of not sitting at all, choosing instead to pace up and down, pausing now and then to study a leaflet, look at a poster or press all the buttons on the drinks vending machines even though, it seemed he had no money. Red annoyingly watched the young man as he scuffed the toes of his sneakers deliberately against a chair and right about when he was thinking of shooting him, he was called inside.

'NEXT!'

'Red, what the hell are you doing here? Last time I saw you, the Grim reaper was staring at you!' Glenn said with noticeable concern in his voice. Red smiled, took off his Fedora and pointed to a chair opposite Glenn.

'May I sit down?'

'Look Red,' Glenn said, 'I'm a busy man.'

Reddington sat down without permission, putting his hat on his knee, 'I need you to find Dembé. Supposedly, he was the one that poisoned me.'

Glenn's hands stopped fidgeting with some papers on his desk, while his eyes narrowed, 'With everything that has been happening to you lately, I'm afraid, you'll have a war on our hands soon.' Glenn stated softly.

Red shrugged, 'I'm afraid you're right but first I need to find Dembé. I mean sabotaging my business is one thing but trying to kill me—.' Red slow shook his head.

Glenn shot Red a weary glare, 'Are you certain it was Dembé?'

Red shook his head, 'No I'm not and that is why I need to find him as soon as possible.'

'Red…' Glenn leaned forward towards him. 'Some of your associates have already lost their lives. Maybe it would be better if you let things slide. I don't want you—'Glenn paused, briefly closing his eyes, '…to die!'

'Please Glenn. If anyone can find him, it's you!'

Glenn stared at Red, wavering on the edge of a decision. Finally, he gave Red a slow reluctant nod. 'All right, I'll help you find him. But when I do, you have to promise me, you'll talk to him first.'

Red nodded and got up, putting his Fedora on his head and leaving the DMV building.

In her office, Elizabeth was sitting behind her desk when she heard the elevator doors open. When she looked up, she saw Reddington enter the Post Office, his eyes quickly scanning the area. She could tell he was looking for her and each of his steps towards her office made her heart pound faster. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she got out from behind her desk to greet him but when she stood in the doorway; she saw Aram had approached Reddington. The two men were talking animatedly but stopped when Elizabeth came nearer.

'Is there news?' she asked. 'News on Dembé?'

'No, the investigation is still ongoing,' Red said. 'Aram, would you please excuse us? I need to talk to Lizzy.'

'Of course.' Aram nodded and Red took Elizabeth's elbow, guiding her back into her office, closing the door so they had some privacy. Inside her office, Red turned Lizzy to face him. He was smiling and lifted a hand to tuck a strand of hair from her face. 'Did you sleep well last night?'

'I did. Thank you, the best in…well…ages. Peculiar what a clean conscious can do to your night rest,' she smiled.

'Excellent. The reason why I'm here? Lizzy, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?'

She nodded. 'Er…that would be lovely.'

'Fine. I'll pick you up around seven. If you don't have a babysitter for Agnes, I can always ask Baz? He did an amazing job last night watching Agnes.'

Lizzy chuckled amusingly, 'No, that'll be fine…thanks.'

Their eyes met briefly but Lizzy couldn't read Red's expression. What was he thinking? Lizzy opened her mouth but no words came out.

'See you tonight then.' Red gave her a last smile, turned and walked back to the elevator, leaving Lizzy a bit confused behind. In fact, she was surprised at the intensity of disappointment she felt when she realized Red wasn't staying. Inwardly, she groaned because she had no clue what Red's intentions to have dinner were about; did he want to discuss Agnes' future or had he planned a romantic dinner?

The rest of the day was filled with boring FBI-stuff and by the time, it was five p.m. Lizzy was glad her workday had finished.

When she arrived at her apartment, she was greeted at the door by Hudson and Lizzy paused for a moment to pet the dog before she continued to the kitchen where she ran into the nanny holding Agnes. The eight-month-old fussed and whimpered and the nanny smiled at her. 'Someone wants her mommy,' she said while she handed the baby off to Elizabeth.

'So how was your day sweet pea,' Lizzy cooed at the baby.

The nanny smiled, 'Someone took two long naps, during which I'm sure she had a significant grow spurt!' Lizzy smiled tenderly at the baby girl. 'Way to go sweet pea…getting bigger is your job!'

'Hope you don't mind staying the evening?' Lizzy asked.

'Oh, no problem,' the nanny hurried to say. 'I had no plans and I can sure use the time to study! Is it all right if I step outside to get something to eat?'

'Sure and again…thank you!' Lizzy said while she handed the nanny some money. 'Here…dinner's on me!'

'Thanks…are back in an hour or so!'

'So, mommy is going to have dinner with your dad,' Lizzy said to Agnes as she fed her dinner in her high chair.

'Aaah. Baah.' Agnes smacked her little hands on the tray.

Lizzy had learned by now how to work around around flailing arms and grabby fingers, and didn't miss an inch shovelling in the next scoop of baby food. 'I knew you'd like that too!' she smiled.

Agnes cocked her head and batted her long curly lashes at Lizzy which made her laugh. She spooned in the last of the creamed carrots when the doorbell suddenly rang. Lizzy smiled and rolled her eyes thinking the nanny had forgotten her key.

'Aaah. Baah.'

She quickly wiped Agnes' mouth, scooped her out of her high chair and went to answer the door.

'Did you forget your—?'

'I hope you don't mind me being early?' Red said apologetic while he lifted his hand to caress Agnes' cheek.

'Er…not at all. Please come in!' Lizzy opened the door wide open to let him step inside. Inside the living room, Lizzy pointed to the sofa which looked comfortable with big cushions.

'Can I get you anything, tea, coffee?'

Red moved to the sofa and sat down. 'No…I'm fine. Thank you!'

Lizzy glanced at Red, wondering if she could ask him to watch Agnes. As if he had read her mind, she saw him reach out his arms.

'Would you mind watching her for a few minutes while I take a quick shower?'

'Not at all,' Red said, shaking his head, taking Agnes over from Lizzy. 'Just take your time. Agnes and I will do just fine!'

Lizzy entered the bathroom and waited for the shower to fill with steam before she undressed. She stepped into the shower and allowed the hot water to cascade over her skin. She stood there for a moment enjoying the warmth of the water before she quickly washed her hair and rinsed, turning off the faucet. She grabbed a towel as she stepped out of the shower, quickly drying off and walking back to her bedroom. She tossed a pair of black bra and panties on her bed as she walked toward her closet to grab a little black dress with a V-shaped neckline which showed off her curves without being overly sexy. Make up, she instructed herself, and set about applying a light blush, a touch of mascara and a pale lip gloss. Her hair was still wet and looking slightly wild so she gathered it up to secure it in a loose knot at the nape of her neck. That'll have to do; she eyed herself in the mirror. Now she was ready, she felt a little nervous. She took a deep breath and headed back to the living room where she was greeted by Red and a giggling baby.

'You look very nice,' Red said softly, and his eyes took on a warm, appreciative hue that let her know he meant it. For a moment, Lizzy felt as if she was going to blush but Agnes helped her past her awkwardness when she reached out her little arms toward Lizzy.

'Baah…naah!'

I've booked us a reservation at a nice little Chinese restaurant. They're the only restaurant I've found in Washington that comes close to being in China as possible,' Red said, as if he'd been to China a thousand times before.

'Sounds nice,' Lizzy smiled.

When they arrived at the restaurant they were greeted by the head waiter, 'Your usual table, Sir?'

Red nodded and they followed the waiter as he led them through the tables to a secluded booth, where a chair was pulled out for Lizzy and she sat down. She looked around admiringly.

'It's very nice here,' Lizzy smiled, shaking out her crisp white napkin, placing it over her knees. 'Do you come here often?'

Red smiled, 'Quite a bit…why?'

Lizzy shrugged her shoulders, 'Just asking.'

When their black-coated server brought the menu, it was in Chinese.

'I'm afraid you'll have to translate,' she said to Red. He smiled amusingly over the fold of his menu. 'Don't worry. Chinese menus confuse even the Chinese. The waiter will love explaining everything to you. And if you let him guide you, you won't regret it. In China cooking is an art form. Their chefs are like Gods, like our rock stars in America!'

Lizzy smiled and felt herself relaxing. A few minutes later their waiter approached with two cups and a saucer. Lizzy's eyes grew big. 'Er…I'm not sure—'

'Try it…it's delicious,' Red assured her. '…And they say, it's good for your love life!'

'I don't have a love life,' Lizzy said, sounding a bit irritated.

'I did not mean to offend you Lizzy…I'm sorry.'

It was said so simply, Lizzy immediately forgot her anger. Red leaned backwards and began to talk in Chinese to two older Chinese men. Lizzy watched him. Red was courteous and friendly and she could have sworn he was being completely sincere. At least, if she hadn't known about him what she in fact did know; that he was one of the largest criminals in the world.

Their food arrived a few minutes later and Red was of course good with chopsticks. Lizzy managed somehow. The food was delicious and the chicken had that indefinable sweet flavour which the sauces gave it and the almonds were toasted to perfection.

When they were finished eating, Red moved slightly towards her. 'Would you like something else?' he asked.

'I'd like another cup of that delicious tea,' Lizzy said. Red smiled, ordered it and it arrived with a plate of tiny biscuits.

'Chinese fortune cookies,' Red said.

Lizzy nodded. She picked one from the plate, held it above her tea and said, '…Why did you ask me to dinner?'

Calmly she opened the cookie and put it into her mouth, reading the message that was inside.

Don't be afraid to smile. You never know who's falling in love with it!

Red chuckled. 'That's true!

'Well, the reason why we had dinner is to tell you that I've had an appointment with Marvin Gerard. I've made sure that you and Agnes are well provided for in case of my timely demise!'

Lizzy shook her head and she stared at Red, her eyes filing with a silent sadness, 'Red…I'm not interested in your money and it's certainly not the reason why I told you Agnes is yours.'

Red hastily reached across the table and grabbed Lizzy's hand. 'Oh God…don't get me wrong. I know that's not the reason. Lizzy, this is just a formality. With everything that has been happening to me lately, I thought it would be good to take precautions. I'm already sorry I told you.'

Neither of them spoke for a long time. They just kept staring at each other, and then Lizzy said softly. 'You are not going to die…not for a long time because I want Agnes to know her father…and,' she leaned closer to Red, '…there is something special going on between us and I want to explore what that is!'

An amusing smile curved Red's lips and he took hold of Lizzy's hand, raising it to his lips, laying a soft kiss on her knuckles, 'I hope that's a promise!'

The drive home was all too short but when they arrived at Lizzy's apartment, Red's inner gentleman surfaced as always as he offered to walk her up to her front door.

'Thanks. But there's no need.' Lizzy got out and Red waited in the driveway, the engine running, to watch over Lizzy until she let herself in. She surprised him though by going around the front of the car to his front window. She softly rapped the glass with her knuckles. Red pushed the button and the window slid down.

'I had a wonderful evening,' Lizzy said softly. 'I hope we can do this again some time.'

And then she leaned in the window and kissed Red. Her lips were cool at first but they got hot real fast. So did Red's while he kissed Lizzy back.

When they ended the kiss, Red got a tender smile and a whispered, 'Good night' from Lizzy.

Smiling he answered, 'Sweet dreams sweetheart!'