Thanks for your lovely reviews. I hope you had a merry Christmas and enjoyed the holidays.

This chapter is slightly longer and there's fluff ahead. Hope you like it.

I own nothing.


There was a reason he disliked technology. Nowadays people were always accountable and therefore making it possible to track others down or, as this was the case, interrupt certain scenes.

He poured a glass of water at the sink, breathing deeply in order to control his rage. Just minutes before, he nearly kissed Lizzie; a vibrating and thrilling shudder ran still through his system, although the shudder was not the only thing that vibrated. Shortly before their lips connected for the first time his phone started buzzing in his pocket, breaking the tension between them immediately. Even worse was 'who' was interrupting them.

Tom Keen

As if he didn't have enough reasons to hate him by now. It was sort of ludicrous that each and every time they grew closer Tom would take it away from him. Emptying the water, he watched her talking to her ex husband, satisfied that she seemed to be just as annoyed by his intrusion as he was. In fact, when they broke apart, he could swear she'd groaned quietly. This was the best case scenario or it happened only in his imagination and it was the wind outside.

She stood by the window, the phone squeezed between her ear and shoulder as she listened and occasionally replied with short hums until she let out an irritated huff. He was terrified that he would tell her another lie about him but shoved the possibility back as she had made it clear that she trusted him.

Everything would be okay; just breath, he tried to calm himself.

Still on the phone, she strode past him but not without giving his chest a reassuring pad before she left the room. When she was done, he would throw out this phone as well. He opened the fridge and grabbed ingredients in order to prepare a sandwich. She was way too long on the phone for his liking. He muttered his displeasure quietly as he whirled around at the counter, not noticing that Lizzie was watching him, clearly amused about his distress. As he felt her chest pressing firmly against his back he stiffened first, stopping in his actions and closing his eyes as her delicate fingers kneaded the sore muscles on his shoulder. He let out a pleased growl when she found a particular good spot and immediately did it again when she whispered over his shoulder, "Looks delicious.", she said, using one hand to steady herself while the other grabbed the sandwich from the plate.

He turned and crossed his arms. "What did he want?", he tried to ask nonchalantly but even he did notice the edge in his voice.

She quirked a brow and smirked knowingly, covering her mouth with her palm as she swallowed. "He was worried because he couldn't reach out to me." She took another bite and shrugged. "I told him I'm fine and he started his 'Reddington isn't good for you' talk but I shut him off. He won't bother us again."

He huffed. "I wouldn't be so sure about that."

"Oh, but I am." She smiled victoriously, offering him a piece of his sandwich. "I turned off your phone so unless he'd swim here we are definitely alone.", she said before adding. "And also he can't swim."

"Arm floats?", he replied sarcastically, delightfully watching her smile brighten and its turning into a laugh that tugged at his heart. He would never tire of this sound.

"Funny image but I'd suggest we stop talking about Tom and think of something to get through this awful weather. Any ideas?"

He snapped the sandwich off her hands first and shrugged. "We could watch a movie or relax in the whirlpool.", he said and added a cheeky smirk that made her snort.

"As lovely as the whirlpool sounds, I prefer a movie in this weather."

He cleaned his hands, hiding his slight disappointment behind a upwards quirk of his lips. "As you wish. Dembe recommended "Back to the Future" since I've never watched any of those movies but if you want to watch something else, I'd be more than okay with that."

"Oh no, we absolutely watch Back to the future. I can't believe you missed those." She rummaged through his cupboards and grabbed some popcorn and pretzels.

"I'm not much into movies.", he expressed with a shrug. "I find literature to be more interesting for ones imagination. If you compare movies to their previous published books I always found books better and much more detailed than movies could ever be."

"Yes but you can't enjoy a good book in company unless you read it to them and that's distressing; particularly when the company is - very charming and good to look at.", she said sultry.

He chuckled and suddenly felt light headed. Their eyes lingered on one another as he sorted out the mess in his head. "Well, that makes watching a movie pointless if you rather watch the person you're watching the movie with.", he replied, smiling proudly because of his intelligent reply.

"But staring at each other for 90 minutes is beyond awkward." She padded over to the living area and sat down on the sofa, bending her knees and placing the popcorn on the furniture next to her thighs. Red started the DVD and joined her before reaching for a pretzel and munching on it as the movie began. If he was honest he would prefer to watch her over the movie and he wanted to gather the courage to move closer and laying his arm around her to pull her close. Hell, he'd never been a shy man but she made him question his every move.

Time went on and so did the movie but his gaze was fixed on her and her only, admiring how her eyelashes framed her eyes, the way her cheeks rose and created those admirable laughter lines and dimples when she laughed. These little things made his days bearable and he didn't want these moments to end; in fact he craved more. Crossing his legs and stretching out his arm onto the back of the couch, he watched the film, hoping to hide his nervousness.

"Only because of this movie I came to love Chuck Berry.", she commented.

"He's certainly a great musician. My vinyl collection includes a few of his albums."

She averted her gaze from the screen to look at him, the corners of her mouth lifting upwards. "What is it?", he asked, mirroring her gaze with the usual tilt of his head, his fingers tapping on the back of the couch.

Shuffling closer and resting her head on his shoulder, she grasped his arm from the sofa and placed it around her waist before flinging hers around his belly. "Nothing, I'm just pleased to have found something we have in common.", she said, nudging the tip of her nose briefly against his neck.

His eyes fluttered closed as he felt her warm breath tickling his skin. He momentarily forgot about Tom's earlier call and relished the moment with her in his arms. His thumb traced her ribcage gently and he released a soft chuckle. "Who knows; maybe we have even more in common. Time will tell.", he replied and leaned his cheek against the top of her head, breathing in her intoxicating scent.

If home had a scent, it would be the faint smell of lavender.

"Do we have time?", she asked cautiously, tugging gently at his shirt as she did.

"I hope we do have time, though I'm sure that it'll never be enough for me. Each day could be my last so I tend to enjoy every second with you."

"I don't like it when you talk like that." She raised her head, forcing him to lift his as well. He chewed his cheek and shook his head. His life was dangerous and she knew that but seeing how frightening the thought must be for her was nearly his undoing. Trying to distract her, he stood up and held out his hand. "Have I told you the story about how I learned to dance Salsa?", he asked with a soft smile.

Accepting his offered hand, he pulled her up and against him. "Red, you don't have to do this." Of course she sensed that he wanted to cheer her up but he had enough of worrying. He wanted to create only good memories; memories she could perpetuate in her book.

"I know but I feel like dancing.", he winked.

"Our last dance together is not one of my fondest memories."

"We'll make it one.", he assured, letting his hand slip off of hers and muted the movie before going over to his vinyls, searching for a particular one and placing it carefully in the player. He was a detail orientated man and a perfectionist in every aspect, especially when it came to Lizzie and her desires. Just this time it was about his own wish. The record crackled under the needle as he turned back, seeking out her eyes and tilting his head as he slowly but determinedly moved towards her. Lizzie seemed out of place, standing almost shyly in the middle of the room between the TV and couch. He slid his arm around her waist and entwined their hands as the song started to play.

I know you've been hurt by someone else

I can tell by the way you carry yourself

But if you let me, here's what I'll do

I'll take care of you

Apprehensive at first, they slowly swayed to the music with a little distance between them. As the song progressed their feet moved in synch and he felt his heartbeat relax, the previous nervousness floating away as the lyrics invaded their ears. This song was among his favorites and it was meant for them, and by the look in her eyes he could tell that she thought the same since she stepped closer into his personal space, their bodies almost touching. A small smile formed on his lips while his palm rested on the small of her back. Their eyes were locked and never left contact. She was perfect and a truly irresistible woman, and he considered himself immensely lucky to share such a beautiful moment with her.

I, I've loved and lost, the same as you

So you see, I know just what you've been through

But if you'll let me, here's what I'll do

Oh, I just got to take care of you

They moved and turned elegantly but there was a fluttering feeling in his stomach that made him uneasy. He couldn't say whether it was the reason that he fell in love with the one woman he never dared to touch or the way her breath quickened as if she was uncertain about how to proceed. All he knew and felt was that the warmth between them grew stronger with every second and his heartbeat sped up as an effect of the shift of the atmosphere around them. Her arm sneaked fully around his neck, her nails delicately scratching the skin there.

You won't ever have to worry

You won't ever have to cry

For I'll be there beside you

To dry your weeping eyes

"You have to teach me Salsa; you're a wonderful dancer, Red.", she admitted in a breath and let go of their locked hands to wound hers also behind his neck.

He held onto her waist and barely moved anymore except for the little side steps and truth to be told he didn't want it to end. "You're the perfect partner.", he remarked solemnly and imagined Lizzie and him dancing a Latin American dance. It would involve so much contact that just thinking about it nearly let his insides burn.

If she was taken aback by his statement she didn't show it; instead he saw willingness and awe in her gaze. The touch of her fingertips felt electrical and blew new life into his old soul but the close contact also sucked the air out of his lungs. His hands met behind her back and he took a step forward before pulling her completely to him, humming satisfied at her her surprised gasp when their bodies collided. He was sure that she now lived in only this moment with him.

So darling, tell me that you'll be true

For there is no doubt in my mind, I know what I want to do

And just as sure as one and one is two

Oh, you know I'll take care of you

And in this instant he decided to let go of his worries and grief that normally surrounded him like a dark cloud. She was his burning sun which always succeeded to light him up again, to feel the warmth and he wished he could make her feel the same. He wanted to take away her pain and sorrow, bury it together so deep that she would never be sad again. His world resolved around around her and only her even if it felt selfish at times. He wasn't perfect for her but he was addicted and so exhausted of fighting his inner battle.

I'll take care of you

I'll take care of you

He squeezed her hips after the song ended and they went up her back to her flushed cheeks. She closed her eyes before leaning into his touch, his thumbs stroking softly over her smooth skin. A smile adorned her face as she pushed herself up by leaning more weight onto his shoulders. "When I was a little girl I imagined my first kiss while dancing in the moonlight. I thought it would be just perfect to sway to the music with the man I love and let our minds become one but ever since I know you you've proven me wrong in so many things I believed in. I am dancing with you in the middle of the day; it's raining cats and dogs; I don't wear a dress and you're not in a suit but all I can think of is that the two of us have created an almost perfect moment."

His breath caught in his throat as she finished her story. Swallowing thickly, he watched her through half lidded eyes, seeing how she worried her lip before she moved closer. He was not anxious anymore; he felt at ease because she felt safe enough around him for once and revealed something about her. "Make it perfect, Red, and kiss me!", she breathed against his mouth.

A low groan escaped him before he bent his head and closed his lips over hers. Her nails caressed his short hair as she tilted her head in order to deepen the kiss. He was a man of many words but when he got the first taste of her all coherent thoughts left his already dizzy mind. Her mellow lips tasted sweet like chocolate; simply intoxicating. The tip of her tongue traced along his bottom lip, granting access which he happily gave, both moaning breathlessly as their tongues touched for the first time and languidly circled each others. She was his match he realized, his challenge, a mountain he climbed for years and he didn't arrived at the top, yet. He wanted more, not just physically but emotionally. He wanted to know each and every fantasy until the tiniest detail and fulfill them all.

She unhurried explored his mouth while her hands roamed all over his back, tugging at the fabric of his shirt but this wasn't how he wanted their first time to happen as beautiful and perfect as it was. She had asked for a kiss and not more and he dreamed of a special and unique first time with her. Pulling back slowly, she nipped on his lip, causing his hips to jerk forward in response. They gasped and pressed their foreheads together. "Wow, sorry, I got a little carried away.", she panted, smiling.

He squeezed her hips and chuckled softly. "Don't be but I don't want to rush this; not with you."

"You're right.", she replied and stole another kiss from him. "I remember you telling me about the whirlpool, so...? She lifted her brow and smirked coyly.

"And the movie?", he reminded her, hoping that she would agree to finish it first because he needed time to cool down from their most recent encounter. Thinking about Lizzie and him in a jacuzzi absolutely didn't help.

"Okay." They went back to the couch. Red laid onto the furniture and let Lizzie climb in between his legs, her back pressed against his chest as he safely flung his arms around her.

This was home.

Tbc...