Blacklist is not mine!

4. Jealousy- part I.

As soon as she got home Liz went to the bathroom to take a long hot bath. She was grateful that she would be away for a day from work because she was getting crazy because of the case. This Alexander guy was really a pain in the ass.

However she had bigger problem; Raymond Reddington. The infuriating bastard somehow found his way into her heart and the last few days were fuel on fire. She imagined more often that if they were in a relationship how would it work; would it be only sexual relationship? Or Red had emotional feelings too? Because she had – no doubts.

First she had seen and spoken with him she thought the he was a really handsome and intelligent man, but as the days went by she started to discover his secret self; his needs to touch her – it hadn't always been sexual way but innocent touches which probably comforted him, the knowledge that she was still next to him. Then there was his passion; for arts, for food, drink… for life but there were days when she hadn't seen that light in his beautiful eyes; what she saw was the entire sadness because of his life.

She had to note mentally that she adored his voice; since her teenage years she was really sensitive for voices, especially male voices and Red had a very rich and low one which made her lightly shiver whenever he spoke to her but now she could handle it.

With a longing sigh she stepped out of the bath. As she stepped in her slippers Liz twisted her right leg and from the corner of her eyes she saw something dark in the mirror. It was on her inner-thigh. A purple stain. A hickey.

"Son of a bitch!" she wanted to be angry but in the end she laughed then went to the bedroom and dialed her favourite number. She must hear his voice. After the second ring he answered but she interrupted him "You are really a sadistic bastard!" Liz acted like she was angry but Red could feel the excitement behind it.

"So I guess you found my…gift." he chuckled.

"Gift my ass…" she snorted.

"Yeah, that definitely is…" he hummed and Liz couldn't help but laughed which caused little butterfly in his stomach.

They had been silent for a few minutes and heard each other's breath when Liz finally spoke.

"Red…" he could tell that Liz wanted to say something important but she just sighed then continued "Good night."

"Good night sweetheart" it was easier for him to pretend that he didn't hear the hesitation in her voice. Because if he asked her and she answered something emotional he would have to admit his feeling to her and, the most scaring, to himself too.

After she hung up Red went deep down in his thoughts. He remembered the concrete date when he had started to feel something for her; when she had stabbed him with the pen. In that moment he knew that Lizzie was a kind of woman who looked vulnerable from distance but if you saw her closer you could get burned by the fire that she had in her eyes. It was getting stronger with their game and that was the reason why he was patient, because he knew; his prize would worth waiting for her lose.

But somehow he had to step their game to the higher level and he already had a great plan.

The following day he went to a grocery store and picked up all of the ingredients that he needed to his plan. After then he bought a bottle of Clos du Mensil which was one of the best chardonnays. As he was finished with the shopping Raymond went home and prepared his best food; lemon and oregano-rubbed chicken with grilled vegetable and for dessert he made some blueberry-lemon parfait.

When he finished the meal Red dressed on his grey suit and laughed at himself when he saw the nervous Raymond in the mirror who hadn't appeared for twenty years. It was early for dinner but he couldn't wait until seven.

On the way to Lizzie he stopped at the market and bought a little single red camellia.

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"So what is his name?" Ted asked while he moved into the house.

"Who's name?" Liz pretended that she didn't know what her best friend was talking about.

"Honey, we've known each other for almost fifteen years. When you first decided to repair something in the kitchen with me, you had date with Tom at your place. And this dripping tap is not as a big deal for you to give me a call and invite me to fix it. Then you came to me with this plan that we should cook something delicious, like in the good old days." he smirked at her because Liz was blushing. Ted hit the nail on the head.

"Okay, okay, you're right. His name is Raymond."

"Raymond is a pretty and serious name. Where did you two meet?" he asked her while Ted placed himself above the kitchen tap. "Could you hand me a screwdriver? Thank you."

"We met at… work. He is a businessman."

"Mmm so he's a businessman. Guess he is always wearing suits, yummy!"

"Hey, hands off! He's mine!" she grinned and poked his shoulder playfully. "And yes, he usually wears suits."

"And what makes him so special? You are going to cook for him for god's sake…" he straightened and looked at her with serious eyes.

She thought about for a few minutes then a small smile played on her lips.

"He makes me special. He has a kind of agreement with the government and he speaks only with me. When he talks to me I feel like I'm the most important person in the world. And on the other hand he is that kind of man who could turn me on with even if he talk about penguins because he can use his voice and his body language the way…" she stayed silent then grinned again while she thought about the previous night.

"I'm really happy that I can see again those twinkling little stars in your eyes!" Ted said happily and hugged her tight. The friendly moment was disturbed by little noises which came from the tap. Both Lizzie and Ted stared it closely when the tap gave up; it flew to the ceiling and back to the floor while the water sprinkled them. It was a blink of an eye but they were already soaking wet. Liz immediately held a dishcloth to the water which decreased the jet a little and Ted ran out and closed the main tap in the garden. When he came back to the kitchen they looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"I'll search a T-shirt for you." she said still laughing at the situation then went to the bathroom to grab a towel for Ted and she changed her wet clothes to the navy blue bathrobe. She was drying her hair with a towel when somebody knocked on the door.

She opened it and her heart pounded harder than before.

"Hi" that was the only sound which escaped from her mouth. There was Red in front of her who looked more handsome with his bright smile on his face.

"Hello Lizzie, I was at the neighborhood and… I just thought that…" he wanted to find the right description of 'come and date with me.'

Liz was flabbergasted. The man who always found the right words was now speechless. She could see his embarrassment.

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Red almost found it when a male voice called Liz.

"Honey, would you help me? We left a pretty mess in the kitchen" the male voice came closer and in the end a young, shirtless and muscular man appeared behind Liz drying himself with a towel.

Red was offended. Did Liz play their game while she was meeting with other man? Red felt ashamed of himself to let Raymond out of his cage.

"Hello, my name is Ted." he said and held his hand.

"I don't give a damn who you are!" Red already felt the green monster in him.

"Raymond Reddington. I'm Elizabeth's colleague." he said but he didn't shake Ted's hand.

"Nice to meet you Raymond."

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Liz saw the danger in Red's gaze so she turned to Ted and softly touched his shoulder. She didn't have any idea what was wrong with him.

"Would you excuse us for a moment? I'll be right back."

"Yeah, sure." Ted smiled then went back.

Liz turned back to Red who was still tensed.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes." he was now serious. "I didn't want to disturb so guess I'm leaving." Red rapidly turned around and headed to his car when Liz stopped him by grabbing his arm.

"Wait. You wanted to say something." She released her grip as she saw his sad eyes.

"Um, yes, I wanted to tell you that I'll be away for a few days. Business. Bye, Elizabeth."

She had a funny feeling hearing her full name from Red. She didn't like it.

"Okay, bye." she was getting to close the door behind her when she suddenly widened it again "Red, take care of you" she smiled.

He didn't smile back just nodded.

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As Raymond went back to his car he made a promise for himself:

"Never again!" Red returned and he put the flower from his inner pocket to the trash can.

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Finally Liz went back to the house to find Ted. He was standing at the window of the kitchen staring at Red who had just left. She stood next to him lost in her thoughts.

"What's wrong, honey?"

"I don't know but he looked like…he was mad at me?" she looked at Ted with questioning eyes.

"Yeah, he was a bit weird. But, god, he's hot! If this won't work between you and him…would you save his number for me?"

"What, no! Jason wouldn't be happy anyway." she giggled. "How is your boyfriend by the way?"

"He is not my boyfriend anymore… he is my fiancé." his grin widened.

"I knew it! I knew that he would ask you! I'm so happy!" she hugged him happily.

"Thank you honey, I'm happy too. But back to your boyfriend…"

"He is not my boyfriend yet." she corrected while he went out and after a minute he came back with a single flower in his hand.

"What's that?" she arched her brow.

"It's a camellia. Your not-yet-boyfriend left it in the trash can."

She was really confused; first Red looked so happy then sharp, then he threw flower to her trash can…did he wanted to give it to her? Why he didn't? And first; why did he bring flower to her?

"I think camellia has a symbol too." Ted turned on her computer. He searched for a few minutes then he spoke again. "Ah, yes here it is: 'In Chinese tradition, camellias perfectly symmetrical form symbolizes the expression of long-lasting devotion. The petals of the camellia symbolize the spirit of a young lady, while the calyx (which holds the blossom) symbolizes a man entrusted to care for and protect the lady. Unlike most flowers, the calyx of the camellia falls with the petals and symbolizes perfect unity and everlasting devotion. Camellias come in pink, red and white. Each variety has its own significance. Red camellias symbolize passion and with that men say to women: you're flame in my heart.' "

Liz didn't know what to say, she was confused and scared and… happy. Maybe Red wanted to ask her for dating with him? But what changed his mind?

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Dembe was really tired when he finally arrived at the safe house. There was darkness in the house but the shadow of fireplace navigated him to the library room where he found his boss with a glass of whiskey in his hand. Without looking at him Red spoke quietly.

"Did you finish your business? Everything went well?"

"Yes."

Red hummed still gazing the fire and sipping his drink.

"I left a little mess in the kitchen but if you're tired…"

Dembe knew his friend; he knew something went wrong.

"I'll clean it up"

"Thank you, my friend." Red murmured.

Dembe quietly exited and went to the kitchen where he found a complete meal smashed to the wall.

"What the hell happened?" he murmured.

To be continued…

I hope you still like this story! There will be longer breaks between the chapters because the university will take most of my energy but as fast as I can I'll update.
Have a nice day guys! :)