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.

Epilogue on 'The Djinn'

Lizzie slowly got up, the sound the chair made as it scratched against the old wooden floor of the theatre, echoing in her ears but everything seemed fainter in contrast to the deafening pounding of her heart. She walked into the nearby space and closed the door quietly behind her. For several moments, she stood awkwardly in the part of the theatre that had been furnished as a bedroom. Red was lying on the old wooden bed, reading a book. Even though, she knew he'd read it a thousand times before, it had never stopped him from getting engrossed in it. Eventually, he peered over the top of his glasses, 'Are you planning on standing there all night? You'd better get some sleep! Come…lie down next to me. There's room enough for the both of us!'

Lizzie wrapped her arms around her middle and ignored Red's remarks, getting straight to the point.

'I have to tell you something!'

'Mmm…what is it?'

'I've called Tom!'

'You did…what?' Red placed the book open on his chest and took off his glasses to gaze at Lizzie.

'I'm sorry Red…I'm really sorry!' Lizzie took a few steps forward to get rid of her nervous energy but the untethered feelings in her limbs grew worse, so she sat down on the bed, only a few inches away from Red.

'Lizzie…why? I specifically asked you not to call him!'

Liz let out a squeaky breath, shutting her eyes and shaking her head for a moment. She felt Red shift and when she opened her eyes, he sat next to her, his gaze betraying feelings of – what she thought – was anger.

'It's alright.' Red finally said to her surprise, 'I know you still have feelings for him!'

'Yes…no!' Lizzie turned around and gazed up into Red's eyes. He had been every bit as strong and supportive as always and she hated that she'd broken her promise to him.

'You're wrong! I'm not in love with Tom…not anymore!'

Red tore his eyes away from the painting in front of him to stare at Lizzie, 'What are you saying?'

'I don't have feelings for Tom! When I heard his voice this morning, I finally realized…I'm over him. Actually…I'm in love with another man!' Lizzie swallowed hard.

'Aram!'

Red looked like he might start banging his head against the bedpost any minute now but to his surprise Lizzie's eyes widened and she burst out into laughter.

'Aram? Whatever gave you that idea?'

'I just thought…the way you hugged him this morning. Ah…I don't know.' Red replied dryly. Lizzie smiled. This was definitely a side of Raymond Reddington she'd never seen before. One who seemed unsure and needed someone to lean on.

'No Red, it's not Aram. It's you…I'm in love with you!

Red stiffened, his body going stock-still, then he shook his head, pulling away from Lizzie, putting distance between them. Softly, as a warning, he told her, 'You have no idea who I am.'

Lizzie shook her head, not allowing Red to retreat. She closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his waist, holding on tightly, 'I know exactly who you are!'

'Lizzie‒'

Red tried interrupting her again but Lizzie laid her head on his shoulder and then said softly, 'You can have your secrets. I don't care about them. You can tell them or you can keep them. But Red, I know who you are. I love you!'

Red's gaze, which had been intent, finally lightened, and then she heard him softly say, 'I'm in love with you too!'

Relief and joy swept over Lizzie as she listened to him.

'This could be something really wonderful, you know that, right?' Red whispered to her. Lizzie smiled and brushed Red's cheek with her finger, overcome with tenderness. Red smiled back, and even that small motion, as his cheek curved into the smile under her hand, was enough to make her quiver deep inside. Suddenly Red took her hand. With a sudden movement, he turned it and, holding it to his lips, kissed the palm, right beside her burn scar.

Lizzie's breath came faster.

'Can I kiss you?' Lips half parted, Lizzie turned her head to Red and nodded. She closed her eyes and waited for Red's lips to meet hers. She felt his hand slide up the side of her face and then his lips landed on her mouth. He kissed her gently and Lizzie took a mental note of how soft his lips were. Red placed his tongue lightly on the front of her mouth and when Lizzie spread her lips, he slowly moved his tongue into her mouth. Red took a deep breath through his nose and let out a soft moan. He pulled her aside and rose off the bed just far enough to lie down on top of her.

He deepened the kiss as he leaned forward and fit his body into hers, wriggling to get closer, press deeper. Red felt his body harden with need; heating his blood to a fever he'd never felt for anyone else. A fever that was only for Lizzie.

Her hands slid down his shoulders and she began to unbutton his shirt. Red inhaled sharply as he watched her long, delicate fingers work the buttons out. Lizzie's head was bent as she focused upon her task. Slipping the last button free she lifted her head to Red's. Her eyes were dazed with passion and her gaze never left Red's when she slid the shirt from his shoulders and down his arms. Her eyes were round as she noticed the burn scars on his back but she said nothing instead her fingers ran over his skin as she relished in the feel of his muscles.

'Lizzie‒,'Red began but she shook her head, 'Not now!'

Red nodded and slid his hands along Lizzie's back. She couldn't suppress the shiver that raced through her, heated her blood, and causing her whole body to melt. Red easily unclasped her bra and let it float to the wooden floor. His eyes darkened even more as he gazed upon her small but firm breasts. He caressed one gently and Lizzie's mouth parted with faint inhalations as she arched against him. He ran his thumb teasingly along her nipple, watching as her passion rose. She was more desirable and responsive than any woman he'd ever known, and he had known many. None of them had responded to him with such open abandon. None of them had ever made him this hard and aching. Red bent his hand to take her nipple into his mouth and she grabbed him by the shoulder as he stroked her with his tongue.

'Red!' She gasped.

He pulled away from her, grabbing hold of her hips and getting rid of her jeans and panties. A cry of ecstasy escaped Lizzie as she settled against his erection. Red groaned as he lifted her up and slid her back down. Lizzie's eyes slid closed as she arched her back, giving him easier access to her breasts. Laying her down, Red stepped away from the bed to admire her beautiful body as he hastily unbuttoned his pants, kicking them aside. Lizzie's eyes were dazed with passion as her eyes settled on his boxers bulging with his erect manhood. She swallowed hard but when she met his eyes again, she opened her arms to receive him.

Red climbed onto the bed and wrapped Lizzie within his arms. He touched her everywhere, unable to stop his hands from roaming over her, from feeling every perfect curve. Her breasts pressed firmly against his chest as she arched eagerly against him. Moans escaped Lizzie as Red caressed every inch of her body while his mouth made love to hers. One hand caressed her breast while the other slid down to stroke her stomach, her hips. She arched beneath him as his hand slid through her curls. He unhurriedly slid lover, his hand cupping her mound. He was pleased to find her already wet as he slid his fingers into her warm body. Delight ripped through Lizzie as Red began to move in and out. Her hands dug into his back as she lifted her hips against him, matching the leisurely pace he set as he slid his fingers easily back and forth. Red watched her tenderly as moans erotically escaped Lizzie's throat. His erection was aching but he was determined to give her as much pleasure as possible. He fondled the sensitive nub above her wet sheath and tremors rocked through her body.

'Mmm…Red!'

The sound of his name on her lips nearly caused him to explode and he knew he couldn't wait any longer. He slipped his hand from her and she moaned her disappointment as she arched her hips demandingly against his. Red nearly tore off his boxers as he shoved them down his waist and legs. Finally free, he grabbed hold of Lizzie's hips as he levelled himself between her thighs. She watched him intently, her breath coming out in pants that mad her lips quiver.

Red rubbed against her, watching for any sign that this was not what she wanted. It would absolutely kill him to stop, but he would…for her but instead Lizzie lifted her hips against him as she opened herself to him.

He lowered himself over Lizzie and took her mouth with his again as he slowly began to slide into her. His body was tense as he parted her inviting folds. Lizzie was so tight, so warm, and so inviting. It took every ounce of Red's willpower not to thrust brutally forward and end his torture. Instead, he inched forward, his arms trembling from his weight. With a moan, he slowly shoved forward until he was buried to the hilt. Red didn't move as he stared at her, 'Are you alright?'

'Mmm…yes,' Lizzie murmured as her muscles eased around him. Red stroked her face as he leisurely reclaimed her mouth. She trembled beneath him when Red gradually withdrew before easing back in. He moved at a leisurely pace in and out of Lizzie, allowing her to get used to his invasion. Red's whole body was taut as a bowstring as he forced himself to take it easy. It was the most strenuous thing he had ever done. He'd never felt anything as exquisitely tight and wet as Lizzie was. Never known such pleasure could exist but his willpower was rapidly disappearing when Lizzie began to move with him, her hips and body arching against his as she met each of his thrusts. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him ever deeper into her and her soft moans and eager reception were driving him quickly beyond the brink of control. He wanted to tell her to slow down, that he couldn't restrain himself, but he was past the point of speech. Waves of pleasure washed over Red as he drove in and out of her.

Lizzie's hands dug into his back as her body was pushed to a point that was almost painful. She had never known anything could feel like this, never even imagined how wonderful it would be, making love to Red. Her whole body was quivering as she neared her climax. Red thrust vigorously into her and finally pushed her over the edge. A cry tore from her mouth as her body exploded with unimaginable pleasure that swept through her in fierce waves. Her feminine muscles clenched around Red as the force of her climax ripped his from him. With a deep moan, he drove himself into the hilt and spilled everything he had into her.

Red almost collapsed on top of Lizzie but managed to catch himself in time. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her and rolled so that she lay beside him. Her body was still trembling against his, her breath came in pants as she wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled into his neck. Red was unable to believe the force of the orgasm she had managed to rend from him as he held her. Never in his life had he felt anything so good. Never in his life had he expected to find someone like her. He kissed Lizzie's cheek as his hands ran over her body, 'I love you!'

'I love you too!' Lizzie's breath was a mild breeze against his neck.

Anguish and pleasure crashed through Red in tangled waves. Until that moment, he hadn't realized exactly how much he had needed Lizzie's love and warmth. He pulled her tightly against his chest. He didn't deserve her. He shouldn't have her, but he was never ever going to let her go!

Red blinked lazily against the sunlight that filtered past the thick curtains. He groaned and rolled away from the light. Lizzie slept beside him, the blanket had been tossed aside to bare her shoulder and back. She was an amazingly tempting sight to wake up to. Unable to resist, Red kissed her shoulder as his hand tenderly caressed her breast. Lizzie instinctively arched into his touch. They had made love over and over again last night, but he still couldn't get enough of her.

She stirred as her eyes flitted open. She blinked uncertainly, and then turned to Red. She smiled sleepily as she trailed her fingers over his chest, 'Good morning,' she whispered sleepily.

'Morning!'

Red lowered his head to kiss her and Lizzie opened to him as their tongues lazily entwined together.

The loud banging on the door made them both jump though. Red muttered a curse as he lifted his mouth from Lizzie's.

'What?' he demanded.

'It's time Red!' Mr. Kaplan yelled.

Red glanced at his watch, 'Give us ten minutes!'

'Whatever,' Mr. Kaplan mumbled as she walked away.

Red dropped his head against Lizzie's tempting shoulder, 'Sorry about that.'

Lizzie kissed his cheek and smiled. Red looked so different and in an instant she knew. There was a gleam of satisfaction in his brilliant eyes that instantly warmed her. She smiled slyly at him as her eyes twinkled mischievously…no matter what happed today; Red loved her and she loved him back!