A/N- Thank You all for the wonderful reviews! They are more than I could have ever hoped for. I had so much to do, so the update is later than I would have liked…lots of inner monologue this chapter, but I am getting to the good stuff soon enough. This I have to write what the muse tells me. If I don't like the direction and try to interfere, I hit a wall. No beta still, so mistakes are all mine. Please don't hesitate to let me know what you think. Next Chapter will be moved to M, so Filter accordingly.

I still own nothing and make nothing.

Chapter 4

Over the next few weeks, Red was ever diligent of her health, but had been studiously hands off. Annoyingly, he kept his touches affectionate, but not quite as much as she'd like. Always ready to assist her with whatever she needed, he'd put off business or left it to Dembe to handle. She was such a grouchy patient, she felt bad. She hated forced convalescence. When he would ask her if she needed anything, just once she would like to reply 'Maybe a few orgasms'. That would be sure to shock the smile right off of his face. As of right now, since she no longer needed assistance getting around, he was finally 'keeping up appearances' for the day. She missed him, but it gave her time to think.

Their cabin was only 2 bedroom, so her and Red have been sharing one room and Dembe in the other. Unfortunately, Red was sure to keep a gaping distance between them in bed. She knew he feared harming her and she loved him more for it. Loved. Raymond Reddington was fast becoming the center of her universe. As terrifying as that prospect was, the thought of him just flying away literally made her chest ache. She needed him and for more than just answers. She even needed his anecdotes, which he has an endless supply of. She needs to heal him.

Sometimes she sees the past creep into his eyes, freezing out everything around him. She knows she can't replace the love of his past, but she can fill the holes with a future. She knows she has changed, but she's stronger now. She knows that Red has brought out the darkness within. He hates himself for it, but it was already there and it would have only been a matter of time before the shadows immerged.

From the information Ressler gained from Sebastian Gentry, they know that his brother Vincent is a business man in Chicago. He operates under an alias. He owns a condo downtown, and a farm in the country, about an hour outside of the city. They have a tentative schedule of his over the next few weeks, and he seems to be a normal guy, if you look past the murdering parts. He even donates to charity. In fact, they would be staging their takedown at a charity auction for which he is not only attending, but is a keynote speaker at. If Liz didn't know any better, she would think that Red did this on purpose…He's had no interest in her…clutch for quite some time. It's been so long since she saw the burning need in his eyes…Maybe she would use this opportunity to put their issues to bed, once and for all.

Red was beyond agitated at Lizzie's participation, his jaw tightening with Cooper's news of the mission. Offering to fly her anywhere in the world to "continue her convalescence", screw that, I am not missing the takedown.

Their mission was a simple one. Vincent Gentry was as always Red was to be her escort, while Samar and surprisingly Aram, were to be their spare eyes on the floor. Their budding love was a shining beacon for all to witness and Lizzie was so happy they were finding their way.

Her dress and accessories for the evening were delivered a few hours before show time. Simple but elegant, the floor-length gown fit like a glove. Red has exquisite taste.

"Lizzie, I hope you know that if you need assistance dressing, I am ready and available for your…use." "As amazing as that sounds, we just don't have the time to get it done right, but thank you Red." The bright smile that accompanied her words was met with shock. Red stared, slack-jawed. When he finally found his wits, his gravelly whispered "Lizzie...are you serious?" but she just winked and flounced out of the room to dress.

Seeing red in his formal wear was an exercise in restraint of the likes Lizzie has ever experienced. He was so devastatingly handsome that she just wanted to lean into him and lick him. And his backside…the fantasies that have been fueled would fill a thousand books. "Red, you look…nice," Staring up into his eye, she saw the need and passion that he has been restraining while she healed. Noting its return with more relief than she would admit, Lizzie became breathless, achy with want. "Lizzie, you are stunning, are you ready to be my wife?" "What-" "Tonight, our cover. We are married. Were you even present?... I knew it, you aren't ready. We should stay in and let the others make themselves useful."

"No, I was just distracted by your…tie, it's crooked" He leaned in closer, within kissing distance. "Are you going to do it?" His smell. "Lizzie, my tie, I'd take care of it, but I lack a mirror to do so." His tie. Right. She pretended to adjust his tie that was perfect to begin with. She only said it because she didn't want Red to know how ridiculously adolescent she was behaving.

"Let's go, the sooner we leave, the sooner we can get to bed." "Why, Lizzie, I am glad we are on the same page." He ushered her to the Mercedes and shut her in before she could even think of a reply.

Since the party was being held at the Chicago Museum of Natural History, there were many more agents on hand than they usually utilized. The many exits causing a logistical nightmare. Vincent Gentry was to be front and center the entire evening, there would be no problems with the takedown. Lizzie's Comm. link was wired to the team so she could keep Red apprised of the team's progress throughout the night.

Upon entering the building, Red was ever diligent, tense. "We have time until the actual takedown, what would you like to do, search out the Mushroom Puffs, or dance?" Lizzie was desperate to ease the tension that she could feel in the forearm under her hand. "Why don't we walk" "Alright, but I thought you would want to dance." As he led her out of the main ballroom towards the exhibits, he finally answered "I don't want you to strain your leg too much, you are still supposed to be taking it easy. I won't compromise you, no matter how important gentry may be."

Red led her into the Paleontology wing, prehistoric monsters, lining the corridor. They stopped at the fossilized remains of something that looked like a T-Rex, but was shorter and had a smaller head with slightly longer arms. "Lizzie, this creature is a cold-blooded monster, seemingly intent on destroying everything in its path. With enormous teeth and a muscular body, it looks as if it a pure killing machine…However, I read that a group of scientist have uncovered new information that leads them to believe that these monsters mated for life. Think what you will, but even the most hideous of creatures are capable of love. It's also rumored that the males had a phallus measuring six feet plus."

"Maybe that's why she stayed. He was just good in bed, or nest I suppose." "Lizzie-"

"We are in the middle of an operation here. We don't have time for you to be messing around in here." Lizzie hadn't even heard Ressler approach, so intent on Red she was.

"Donald, we were just talking about you." "No we weren't, Red." "Ah, Lizzie, I do believe that a six foot dick was mentioned."

There was no disguising Lizzie's outburst of giggles at Red's reference. Ressler rolled his eyes and walked away with "It's almost time."

Sighing at the lost moment, Lizzie grasped Red's proffered arm and they went back to reality. Liz couldn't stop thinking about the story, her heart racing with the implications.

Upon reentering the ballroom, Gentry was just finishing out his speech. It was time. They made their way to the staging area, where all the speakers entered and exited from. Red grabbed them both flutes of Champagne on the way. Standing close, seemingly deep in conversation, they both remained watchful. As the team found their places, Gentry came rushing out of the staging area, running right into Red, taking him down in the process.

What looked like an accident at first, became a nightmare the instant that Gentry grabbed Red's throat and held him in front of him as a human shield. Red. No. Their cover had been blown somehow. "Let him go, you don't want him. He is useless as a hostage." "I don't believe so… As this is my only way out, I am afraid he is stuck with me."

"You could trade him for me, I am smaller, easier to maneuver with." Red's eyes widened in shock and denial. His message was clear, but Lizzie was in charge of his protection…and the thought of him hurt made her want to vomit. She couldn't meet his eyes after she spoke, knowing that he would be furious. "Ok, come to my right. Slowly. If you make any sudden movements, I will crush his windpipe, leave him to die and take you anyway." Once she was at his side, he shoved Red to the ground with a punch to the side of his head, grabbing Lizzie and cutting off her air supply before she could guess what he was going to do.

Backing through the staging area, Gentry kept his back to the wall. Red coughed and made his way to a standing position, never taking his eyes off of them. He stalked after them, his rage making him appear larger with every step. "I was wrong, in the grand scheme of things you are no longer needed." Lizzie could see that Gentry had just signed his death warrant. Making eye contact with Red, she tried to let him know that she had this and not to let his rage get the best of him.

They had made it to a darkened hall lined with rock formations, no sign of the once again inept FBI, when lizzie reached her right arm out towards a boulder, shattering the glass of chardonnay that she had concealed in a pocket of her dress, bringing the jagged stem up to stab Gentry in the softest tissue she could reach, which was the arm that was holding her throat. He grunted in pain, but he didn't let her go. His hand tightened. "Bitch, that was a deadly mistake for you to make." Shaking her and squeezing forcefully, he pushed her with surprising force into Red, and ran towards the opposite end from where they entered.

Red caught Lizzie and gently laid her on the ground, his hand supporting the back of her neck. "Can you breathe? Cough Lizzie, show me you can breathe, because if not, I'm afraid I'll have to be the one to shove a pen into your neck."

Lizzie coughed convulsively, desperate to catch her breath. "I'm….fine…get…Gentry." "Oh no, my dear, I am not leaving you here alone with a killer on the loose while I search through god knows how many exhibits. Let's get you checked out and then we will have nothing but time." Red's reference to her earlier quip of not having enough time to make love came to the forefront of her mind. Her cheeks deep red, her excitement grew. This is it. Finally.

The EMT's looked her over and let her know that since she was still breathing, there was just extensive bruising and to baby it for a while and stick to liquids and soft foods for a few days. If she had any trouble, she was instructed to follow up with her doctor for further examination.

Ressler and his G-Men were still searching the museum, but were aware that Lizzie was injured and would meet with Ressler in the morning to be debriefed and file her reports in the evening.

Red led her to Dembe and the waiting Mercedes making sure she was comfortable before making his way around to his own side. All was quiet for a few moments until Dembe, of all people, to break the silence. "Raymond, we staying at a hotel, or going to the safe house?" "I suppose it will be closer and less…time consuming to stay here close to the meeting place tomorrow. Just take us to our regular stomping grounds here in the windy city. Thank you for reminding me of our options, my mind has been on other matters."

With nothing to say that Red wouldn't think of as a challenge to fluster her further, Lizzie remained quiet for the rest of their journey. When they arrived at the hotel, Red purchased 3 adjacent suites, dashing her hopes, just a little. Or a lot. He is all talk. For all his teasing, he has no intentions of us sharing a room. "Plausible deniability. The FBI will make sure that there was no funny business. Why they haven't realized that I am all about the funny business, I have no idea."

Dembe led the way into their suites, checking each room to make sure there were no security issues. He said his goodnights and left them silently alone…

"The hell it is, we need this. I could have lost you. Again. You deliberately put yourself in danger. Nothing is worth your life. Most especially mine." "Wrong. I couldn't watch you in the hands of a killer. I had a plan." "Has it escaped your attention that I too am a killer? I can assure you, the day I am done in by some two-bit farmer turned businessman, it's probably time for me to go anyways." "Never will it be time for you to go….God, I didn't want to fight, why are we always at odds?"

Crossing her arms, she hugged herself "Maybe this was a mistake."

He stepped back, making sure she was looking at him. "Lizzie, you are free to go to your own suite, if you so choose. I certainly don't want you to go. But know this- Unless you are prepared to wake up next to me in the morning, then maybe you should go. I have wanted you, needed this, for far too long to make light of this and what it would mean for us."

His body hammered at his will, demanding that her take her, but he just waited, head tilted slightly for her to make her decision. God, he loved her so much. I don't want to be so abrasive, but this..she was his entire life. Red interpreted her silence as a need for further reassurance.

"I promise, I'll even go slow…after the first time."

Her arms moved and he thought she was shifting to leave, but they just went to her side. He held his breath as he heard a zipper, and then her dress hit the floor.

I know, I know! Next time I promise you'll get the Full Monte!