The next morning proved to be a very relaxing one, thankfully.
"What are you plans for the day, sweetheart?" Red asked buttering a fresh piece of toast.
"They finished with the last Blacklister you gave them, so I have a free day." she carefully cut into the delectable omelet Red had prepared.
"I thought you had the files from the BAU coming?" Red sat back in his seat, stretching his legs out comfortably.
"Not for a day or so." she shrugged. "They said they were prioritizing them." she waved it off. "What are you doing today?" she asked, sipping her orange juice, glancing around for his phone.
"Nothing..." he shrugged nonchalantly.
"Dembe hasn't spoken to you yet?" she was a bit shocked.
"My phone is off."
Was this his subtle way of telling her, he wanted to spend the day with her?
"Would you like to spend the day together," he asked quietly, "...alone."
She felt a smile work its way across her face, "Whatever would we do?"
"Is there anything in particular you would like to do?" he asked. "We could hop on the jet and go to Italy or..."
"Nothing..." she interrupted happily.
"Excuse me?" Red wasn't sure he had heard correctly.
"Let's do nothing." she pushed out from her seat, settling herself across his lap. "Am I hurting you?" she looked down to his injured thigh area, making to rise.
The man's hands ran along the legs straddling him, more intent on the silky flesh than any supposed wound.
"No..." he muttered, "though I am starting to feel a slight ache in one my of my joints." his eyes held hers steadily.
Liz felt the slight beginning bulge against her mound. "That's not a joint." she corrected, her lips tilted into a coy slant.
"We'll discuss that in a moment. Please, continue." he was interested to know her thoughts.
"Let's lay around and snack, watch movies, read the paper..."
"I don't have the paper..." his eyes twinkled.
"...Make love?" she questioned innocently.
"Are you a nymphomaniac?" Red questioned, pulling the straddled woman closer. "Even if it's a lie, please tell me you are."
Liz's lips trembled with her open amusement. "Given the right incentive," she brushed her lips against his, "I can be."
"Promises, promises." he muttered slightly disgruntled, then patted her bottom as he pushed back from the table. "I have an idea you may enjoy..."
"Well, whatever we do," she sighed, sliding from the man's lap, "we can't go too far... I have no clothes." she reminded.
"You do," he gestured to the master bedroom, "I always keep clothes for you on hand. I also have a bug-out bag in the car."
Shrugging, Liz followed being the man to the master, ready to face whatever the day held.
After a quick detour to a little market where they stocked up on needed supplies, they found themselves back on the road... to destinations unknown.
So interested in the good company and fascinating storytelling, Elizabeth lost all sense of direction and time, until she saw an approaching sign.
"Annapolis?" her eyes widened anxiously. "Red, my God." she whirled her head jerkily about, seeking out the calmly serene man.
"Don't worry." Red soothed quickly. "They're too distracted by their toys to pay me any real attention." he gestured to the hundreds of boats lining the pier. "Besides, it's not as if I'm going to the Academy itself."
Liz relaxed somewhat, sitting uneasily back into her seat.
"Though, I did visit an outpost, last year."
"You, what!" she bolted upright, her face incredulous.
"You needed assistance on a case." he shrugged, turning the car onto the pier. "When Cooper was held by The Judge." he reminded.
"And what happened?" she was still aghast by the news.
"Nothing." he lifted noble brows. "I went in, got what I came for and left." he almost seemed put out by the fact. "Again, they were too preoccupied to notice who was among them." he sighed. "They really need better security." he rolled his eyes as they pulled up to a dock and parked.
His face took on a tranquil expression, his smile genuine. "Well, what do you think?..." he gestured happily to the sight before them.
Liz looked up, finding the most beautiful... "Red, that's a yacht."
"I guess so, yes." he sounded proud, until he noticed her expression. "...Is something wrong?"
"No, I assumed it would be just us." she was a little crestfallen to be honest.
"It will be." he assured readily. "She's only one hundred and sixteen feet long." he began, following up with specifications she didn't even begin to act like she understood.
"Trust me, I can handle her just fine." he helped her onto the back deck when he felt her hesitate. "What?"
"You christened her..." her words trailed away as she read the embossed nameplate.
"What else would I name something so beautiful." he questioned seriously, guiding her across the gleaming deck.
Liz's mouth fell open at the opulence. It was just gorgeous. Hard wood and soft furniture dotted the deck. Decorative doors led to the inside. The Captains chair was more like a lounge, the plush leather seat looking as if it belonged behind the helm of a business empire. To the left was a wet bar, stairs led up on the opposite side to a deck she could not as yet make out.
Red pushed through to the inside cabin, showing an open floor plan of hardwood floors and comfortable seating, plus a full kitchen that shined of stainless steel and ultra modern appliances.
"Holy shit..." Liz muttered under her breath, following after the man.
Liz walked around the spacious quarters, taking in all the nooks and crannies. Occasionally looking back at the man, finding him busy with his preparations.
After assuring himself that all was ship-shape and having double checked the condom supply, he located the woman standing beside the large hot tub, her expression more than bemused.
He stepped up behind her, his lips caressing her neck.
She motioned helplessly to the gigantic spa before her, then to the surrounding area. "You have a hot tub and God gives you an entire Bay." she sought his eyes plaintively.
"God didn't heat the Bay."
Coasting down the open waters, Liz listened to what Red had to tell her about the navigation and other technical side of the boat until they hit the end of Chesapeake Bay.
And she suddenly felt even more nervous than before. It was one thing to coast down the bay, with land all around you.
Another when you hit the open sea.
"I don't remember you having a fear of water before." Red said conversationally.
"Well, I wasn't at the helm of a boat before either." she countered.
"You've done an amazing job." Red bolstered. "And you know I would tell you if I thought otherwise."
She reluctantly admitted that he would. Besides the whole, not lying to her thing. She felt that regardless of what he said, a little bit of his Naval training stuck with him any time he was in the water.
"You want me to take her for a while?" he offered.
She jerked her head agreeably, more than ready for a break as she took the pre-offered alcohol, stepping aside hastily.
Red took a swig of his own beer, smiling. "Let's see what she can really do."
Liz smiled as she watched him play. The boat sped up, gliding over the water as though they were on a sheet of ice.
She'd been on boats before, with Sam when they went on vacation, but had never felt anything as smooth as this.
She relaxed into her seat, stretching away the kinks. Twenty minutes later, Red slowed the boat until they came to a stop.
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
"Getting there," she pushed off her seat, following him into the kitchen.
He went about preparing their steaks, wrapping them before setting them aside. "I'll let them marinate a few minutes." he shut the fridge door, grabbing their bags. "Would you like to see the deck below?"
"There's another deck?" she shifted her eyes this way and that. "I thought I had seen everything."
She followed him down the small flight of stairs, opening doors Red gestured to, finding a bedroom, a bathroom, even a small exercise area.
At the end of the hall, the man threw open an expansive door with a flourish.
Liz eased forward, peering into the spacious room.
"Oh, Red..." she gushed, "it's just lovely!" she smiled happily, taking in the soft muted colors in the master suite. "It's very nice."
Dropping their luggage to the bed, Red grabbed his bag, hanging a few shirts in the nearby closet.
"...Lizzy," he said, handing her a couple hangers.
Opening the bug-out bag Red supplied, she rummaged through the interior, finding a couple sets of clothes, some basic toiletries... and photographs.
Sifting through the images, she hesitated when she found one of her and Sam, then one of her entire team smiling happily as they devoured food Red procured during a difficult case.
She looked up, seeking out the man, her mouth agape.
Noticing the woman's attention, Red frowned when he realized the woman was near tears. Closing the space between them quickly, his troubled eyes held her wet ones.
"What's wrong?"
Unable to find the words, Liz gestured to the case and its contents, her lip trembling visibly as she tried to master the conflicting emotions she was experiencing.
"If we ever have to go, it may only be for a short while," he hesitated briefly, "but it could be longer."
He gestured to the bag, "Whatever the time frame or circumstances," he motioned absently to the photos dangling from her unresponsive fingers, "uprooting from familiar people and places can be... painful."
Just the thought was enough to cause panic, if she were honest.
"If it were to happen," he soothed, "I want you to have something from home."
She suddenly felt the gravity of their situation, like never before. And while it was scary, that he had done this for her... that he had the forethought, cared enough...
"I will do everything in my power to make it right, Lizzy." the vow was in his tone and manner. "You won't be alone, I promise."
Liz wrapped her arms around the strong neckline, squeezing it tightly. Knowing that Red would be there with her, each step of the way...
She knew the decision she made last night, was the correct choice.
Gently kissing her tear stained cheeks, Red wiped away the evidence of her emotional turmoil, "Now, we're going to eat, enjoy each others company and relax."
Laying her head into his chest, Liz listened to the reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat.
"I don't want you to think anything more about it." he soothed. "All right?"
She took a steadying breath, then straightened. Her hesitant smile became genuine the more she witnessed the unwavering support behind the eyes which regarded her so solemnly.
And for the first time in her life, aside from her Sam, she felt an unrelenting trust in someone else. Liz finally, truly believed... this man would do anything to support her in every imaginable way.
Hugging him again, she cuddled into his warm embrace. That feeling she always got when he held her, of safety and protection, was there. But along with it, was a new type of intimacy.
Which admittedly, frightened her. Was she becoming clingy, too fast? Relying on him too much after just half a day.
"I feel it too, Lizzy." Red's deep voice washed over her comfortingly.
"Feel what?" she mumbled evasively.
"Holding you feels different." he replied honestly. "But it's a difference I like, very much."
She relaxed in his embrace, feeling much better knowing he felt the strangeness as well.
Lifting her chin, he forced the blue eyes to his. "I will always be there when you need me."
"If this doesn't work out–"
"Nothing will stop me from protecting you." Red shook his head, brushing away the thought. "Do you believe me?"
Even after this short amount of time, it hurt like hell to think of...whatever this was between them, not working out. She wanted to make it happen, to make something of this thing between her and Red.
"You know what I think?" he asked, his fingers lightly tracing her lips. "I think we'll be just fine."
"You do?" she asked hopefully.
"Yes..." he replied without hesitation. "We've been gravitating towards one another for a reason, Lizzy." he continued. "I think for a very good reason."
"Which is?" she wasn't sure she wanted to question anything at this stage.
"We're supposed to be together." he stated, as though it was obvious.
She had to confess, hearing the man say that with such belief, made her feel less awkward. She had to wonder if she should be feeling this deeply so short into the relationship, which in reality, had been such a short period of time in the making.
"Call it fate or God's Grand Plan..." Red began, "but there had to be a reason I was placed in your life and you in mine." he thread his fingers through her hair, cupping her small head in his palm.
"Time, fate, God..." he continued, slowly rubbing his fingers into her scalp, making the woman sigh, "He knew I needed you, and you needed me."
"You need me?" she questioned quietly.
"You keep me sane." he replied easily. "One small smile, laugh or touch from you..." his lips grazed her forehead lightly, "and all is right with the world." Red held his expression, letting her see the truth behind it.
Liz tilted her head, looking at the man curiously. "I feel that too." she only just realized the fact.
Her tummy rumbling hungrily broke the spell, but brought a small smile to Red's face.
They had a lifetime to explore their feelings for one another. They didn't have to hit on all of it in one day, but this had been a start.
He kissed that little mouth he so loved, then smiled. "Let's eat..."
Catching his hand, Liz stilled the man in his tracks, "...All right, but first..." she lifted her chin, kissing his mouth.
Leaning into her kiss, Red felt his mind clear of everything, but the lips moving slowly against his. Curving his fingers to the woman's small waist, Red's blood surged when Lizzy mewed softly and brought her body align with his.
Deftly catching the bottom of her blouse, Red tugged it over her head mesmerized by the soft rippling of her dark hair falling loosely about her bared shoulders.
Snaking his arm around her waist, Red lifted Elizabeth against him, walking the few feet to the large bed.
"The steaks..." she said breathlessly, baring her neck for the man as he settled his weight against her.
"Will keep..." he muttered, flicking the catch of her bra open, "I won't."
"We should have picked up some take out." Liz said, dropping the sliced tomato into the bowl.
"I like cooking." Red smiled, dropping a kiss to her shoulder. "Especially if it's for two."
"Why, because it's easier." Liz asked, tossing the salad with a flourish.
"No, because it means we're alone." his tone had dropped suggestively.
Liz's mouth pulled at the corner as she sat the bowl in the fridge to chill. She sought out the man's position, wrapping her arms around his solid bulk from behind.
"Are you always like this?" she questioned, settling her chin on his shoulder watching him prepare their steaks.
Red blocked a pop of boiling grease, turning down the flame. "Like what?" he was curious.
"Romantic."
"I like to think so," he chuckled. "Though honestly, I don't see myself as that." he sat a lid down on the grill, leaning into the counter beside it.
"It doesn't matter how you see it," she informed him, "it's how the woman sees it."
"That's the way of the world." he muttered to her amusement. "If the female is content, then the male has done his duty." he glanced her up and down, taking in the faded blue jean shorts and the already tanned legs. "Have I done my duty to you?"
"To some extent." she let him know the way of things, an up and under seductive glance added as she walked away, careful to swish her hips just so. "I'll let you know when your next shift begins, Sailor."
"I'm the Captain here." he reminded pseudo-peevishly. "I get to call the shots."
"Not if you don't want a mutiny on your hands." she smiled sweetly.
"I would have you keel-hauled...but it went out of fashion in Medieval Times."
"More is the pity?" she questioned playfully. "You could have me walk the plank." she brightened.
Red straightened the position of his own 'plank', the conversation having taken a different turn for the man. "I wasn't thinking about you walking the plank."
Liz giggled appreciatively, pointing to the now smoldering food. "Your plank can wait."
Red sighed heavily, pulling the steaks off the grill. As they sat, Red poured wine he thankfully, had onboard.
A light hearted conversation ensued thereafter.
Liz told him of a trip when Sam had taken her to Louisiana and they spent an afternoon on a fishing boat. After twenty long minutes, Sam had finally reeled in a huge fish only to have it fly on board, smacking him in the face so hard, it made him fall from his seat.
Red laughed quietly, shaking his head, sighing. Much like he did when Francis spoke on any subject.
"Idiot..." Red muttered jokingly.
"Have you ever had anything exciting happen while on a boat?" she corrected hastily. "Or do you call it a ship?"
Red had more than his fair share of excitement on board boats and ships alike. None of which he thought were stories to be shared during a romantic outing. Most, if not all, were mood killers since the majority of them contained killing incidents.
Granted, most of those tales happened when he was in Service and legally within his rights. But then, most of them were from his time as Red Reddington.
Really, both topics in his opinion, were for another time.
Not today. Not when they were still lethargic from a tumble in bed. Which actually was an answer to the question. And a truthful answer at that.
"My most exciting moment on a boat has been... today." he lifted confident eyes, holding her gaze steadily. "Being with someone I have wanted in my life, for a very long time." he reached across the table, curling his fingers around her smaller ones.
She blushed prettily, squeezing his fingers in return. "I know there was truth behind that." she allowed. "But I also hear a cop out."
"Maybe," he granted, "but it is the truth, for the most part." He sipped his wine, letting it settle on his tongue for a moment. "Everything that has ever happened to me on the water is nothing but a jumbled mess, but you..." he raised her hand, kissing the delicate flesh, "and what we shared, that will always be a very vivid and incredibly memorable event."
She couldn't disagree. This was turning into one hell of a day, a day she wouldn't soon forget.
"What's your favorite color?" He jarred her from her pleasant thoughts.
Liz lay down her knife then chuckled. "Red..." she answered without hesitation.
"Before I went down on you, what was your favorite color." he sat back in his chair, supremely confident.
Liz giggled quietly, really enjoying the carefree and open conversation. One of which she had never experienced before.
"Purple." she shrugged. "You?"
"Blue," he replied, staring directly at her eyes.
Her lashes fluttered under his attention, a small smile overtaking her face. "Favorite food?" she lifted an intense gaze.
"Italian," he said, inclining his head awaiting her own response.
"Italian, with Mexican a close second."
"Your most embarrassing moment?" he took a shot in the dark.
"Just one?"
He knew that was her way of saying, not yet.
"What do you dream about?" he tried another route.
"Walking planks..." she held his eyes steadily, inclining her head minutely.
"I dream about that too..." he teased. "A recurring dream."
"What's your favorite type of music?" she got things back on track, hopefully.
"Hip hop..." he managed straight faced until she gave him an old fashioned look. He shrugged slightly. "You probably don't know it... Big Band."
"Glen Miller, Benny Goodman." she scoffed. "I'm not a complete plebeian."
He chuckled sensually.
"I like hip hop." she answered the unasked question.
"No you don't." he was relatively certain.
"My tastes are eclectic." she had to admit.
"My most favorite sound in the world is a soft, melodious sigh coming from the lips of a completely aroused, blue eyed brunette who answers to the name... Elizabeth." he licked his own lips as the memories surfaced. He read her face like a good book.
"You're so full of it, but don't you go a changin'." She had loved the compliment in spite of her better judgement.
"Favorite author." he persisted, a twinkle in the light eyes.
"Tolstoy," Liz replied quickly, taking a bite of her salad, saying what was expected of her.
"Tolstoy..." Red repeated knowingly, his head bobbing slowly. He stared at her a moment, his lips twitching as he fought his amusement. "Charlotte Brontë." he corrected quietly.
Liz sat a little straighter, her brows furrowing. "Your favorite author is–"
"No, she's your favorite author." he interrupted. "Or... she's at the top of the list, anyway."
"How did you..." her mouth fell agape.
"It was the book on your shelf with the most wear." he replied. "Jane Eyre," he made the connection. "She's strong, independent, passionate..." his eyes softened, silently finishing the comparisons to Liz's heroine in his mind.
Orphaned...
"She introduced me to a whole new world." Liz admitted. "It was difficult to understand sometimes, but as I grew older and revisited the story, it made more sense." she fell silent, then looked at him and smiled. "Plus, the romance wasn't bad either."
"You went from Brontë to romanticized porn." he tsked playfully.
"Oh, hell yeah." she agreed vehemently. It was because of that romanticized porn that she had seen Red in a different light. Not that she would tell him that.
Not yet anyway.
"I now have a thing for older more sophisticated men." she teased. "Especially those who wear a fedora."
Red's tongue ran around the inside of his cheek, the look he gave her sending shivers of delight down her spine.
"What about you?" She questioned. "No, let me guess." she looked off into the yachts canopy, lost in thought a moment. "Orwell, Faulkner... Dostoevsky?"
Red ran his finger around the rim of his glass, smiling as she listed some heavy hitters, that he did admittedly enjoy on some level.
"It's actually a toss up between..." he began, gaining her complete interest, "Jules Verne or H.G. Wells."
Liz sat down her utensils, actually at a loss. She would have never guessed Red would prefer science fiction over the deeper subject matter covered by the other authors.
"Really," she leaned into her fist, intent on the man's every utterance, "why?" she was more than intrigued.
"They were the first ones to stir my imagination." Red proclaimed. "They made me want to travel and see new people and places." he remembered fondly the feelings the stories had evoked.
"And you have traveled, extensively." she pointed out the obvious. "Was it because of the books?"
"Partly," he admitted, "and as I may have mentioned before, I hated being idle."
"So I take it that I won't be getting many quiet nights at home with you?" she teased.
"I don't feel that with you." he divulged.
"Don't feel what with me?" she was ready to take umbrage.
"The restlessness," he pushed back his seat, his look oddly serene. "...You calm my heart."
He arose, crossing the immaculate deck. Turning on a radio, he let the soft sound of "Moonlight Serenade" wash over them. Red held out his hand, pulling her from her seat when she took the offering.
"How are you still single?" she gaped as the man swayed them slowly in beat with the low music.
"Well, I'm not now..." he glanced down into the beautiful eyes. "Am I?"
"Well... no." she sighed, then hastily stiffened slightly. "I mean–"
"I know what you meant." he turned her, smiling as she followed his lead without thought. "I was waiting for you."
Having enjoyed a wonderful dinner, captivating companionship and a rousing, sensual bout of lovemaking, they retired to bed.
The next morning; they woke not to the sounds of an alarm clock or ringing phone... but the sounds of the ocean lapping softly against the boat and the quiet murmur of their bed partner stretching away the last of a peaceful, restful sleep.
Partaking in the much needed quiet and solitude afforded them, they breakfasted on the deck, taking in the tranquil sights of the rippling waters and faraway boats off in the distance.
In the midst of Red regaling her with a story of his first time on a sailboat... the quiet was interrupted by the trilling ring of Red's satellite phone.
Offering an deeply apologetic look, Red sighed and answered the phone, pushing from the table and walked aimlessly about the boat deck.
Alerted by the man's hushed tone, Liz knew there was a problem... but what it was, she didn't know.
"What's going on?" she was naturally curious, sensing their time together was at an end.
Uncharacteristically hesitating, Red tapped his fingers along the mahogany tabletop, attempting to put the problem into acceptable words.
"Mark's been shot."
In the end there had been no acceptable manner to deliver the news. The woman's gasp was cut short by a reassuring, "He's out of danger for the moment." he held up a calming hand. "The particulars can wait."
He arose gracefully looking down into the troubled blue eyes.
"How long will it take us to..." she was naturally concerned for his friend.
"Nothing we can do for the time being." An odd look came over his face. "Mark is in good hands." crouching before her, he took both her hands in his. "Can I be perfectly honest with you?"
She was slightly taken aback. "When have you not?"
"This might put me in a difficult light." he realized. "While I see the necessity of ending our time here, I have to tell you... I wish things were different." A dark scowl crossed his brow. "I need more time. I know it's selfish, I know it's insensitive..."
Liz brought his hand to her lips, kissing the back of the virile appendage. She stood, holding her hand out.
He took it, the strong fingers intertwining with the slender ones as he arose.
They eventually gravitated back towards the bedroom, eventually falling into a mess of trembling and tangled limbs.
They made love, each feeling the bittersweet melancholy lovers feel, knowing their time together would shortly end. Lazily stroking one another afterwards, his fingers danced along her spine as they slowly came down from their high.
Liz's thoughts were varied, as she gently played in the soft down covering his chest.
"Spending time with you, is of the upmost importance to me, Elizabeth."
The deep rumble of his voice thrilled her. The words, pleasing her beyond measure.
"You don't have to say anything else." her breath tickled his chest.
He enjoyed her touch more than anything these days. "Had the damage not already been done..." he still tried to explain what surely must seem a callous gesture on his part, "our taking the time to make love wasn't going to make a difference, one way or other."
She glanced up at him, sighing, before grudgingly nodding. "I feel the same way." she did. "And I feel the same guilt." she smiled at him. "But I don't regret one minute of our time together."
Red had needed to hear those words.
They lay together, quietly relaxing in their sated bliss until the lethargic feeling tapered, leaving them both rested and calm.
The woman reluctantly put an end to their idyllic moment, arising begrudgingly. She sighed heavily, forcing a smile.
"I have to pee..." she wrinkled her nose playfully.
"I will never get tired of these romantic moments." the man rolled himself out of bed, beginning the arduous task of readying themselves for what lay ahead.
He watched the woman disappear into the adjoining bath, realizing he felt a sense of contentment with their new found emotional and physical connection.
Upon their return to the house, Dembe and Silas updated Red on the unfolding situation at which time, he learned he would have to leave to join Francis in Chicago.
Red gestured for Liz to head for the house, and made to follow her until he felt a slight tug on his sleeve. He hesitated, finding Dembe holding up an envelope. The large dark man's eyes darted towards Elizabeth's back.
The woman was blissfully unaware of the exchange for the simple fact Silas had maneuvered his bulk between the pass off.
Red sighed angrily, taking the offerings, shoving it into the inner lining of his jacket before continuing on his way.
While burning a hole in his pocket, he was already very aware of what the content would be. He just wondered what transgression was a point of interest this time.
Hastily packing what he needed, Red turned to Elizabeth, his mood falling. "I'm sorry."
She shook her head, perplexed.
"We needed more time." Red crossed to her, his arms embracing her. "If the circumstances were different..." he pulled back slightly, searching the lovely face.
"Mark got shot." she frowned. "Of course you have to deal with this."
"It's still a piss poor ending to our time away." he disgusted. "Don't you think?"
"For Mark, maybe." Liz replied seriously. "I'm perfectly happy with our time away and... you know."
Red's eyes lit with an inner lightness that was not there a second before, "No, I don't know." he leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. "Why don't you expand on that for me."
Liz fought the smile creeping its way across her face, to no avail. "I think your ego is big enough without me stroking it."
"Baby, you can stroke anything you like... ego aside." Red teased. "But I have to tell you," he inched steadily closer, his gaze anything but neutral, "you are very praise worthy... ego aside."
Liz felt that 'ego' lift by degrees. She tiptoed slightly placing her mouth suggestively to his. "I hope," the blue eyes held his steadily, "we can pick up where we left off when you get back?"
"Of that you can be sure." she was assured. Hell, he'd take a shot at her right now, if he wasn't worried about Francis getting killed.
He walked to a closet shelf having released her reluctantly, checking the contents of another bag before closing it tightly shut.
Liz had seen a Glock, some magazines and another couple weapons she did not have time to categorize. She watched contentedly as he changed into a suit.
Dembe gathered the bags, heading to the car to await his friend's arrival.
Trailing after Red carrying his book satchel, Liz listened intently to the information he gave. The man's steps tapered off as they reached the front door, a comfortable silence falling over them.
Red watched the woman absently twisting the ring on her finger, wondering over her thoughts. He had a few of his own that he would like to share but he wasn't sure if this was the time.
"I'll miss you." Liz confessed quietly.
Red broke from his thoughts, a small smile twisting his lips. He should have trusted his gut apparently. That was the exact thing he had just been about to say. He hadn't wanted to appear too zealous after so short a time.
"I'll miss you too, sweetheart." he dropped his bag at his feet, wrapping his arm around her as she willing came into his embrace. "I'll call..."
Liz raised her mouth, capturing his lips in a sweet kiss, holding it for a moment. "I'll talk to you then." she smiled softly before hugging him tightly.
"Please be careful, Red." she muttered quietly in his ear.
"I'm always careful." his hand squeezed the indentation of her waist possessively.
"Oh, really..." the doubt was apparent.
"Yes, really." Red grinned against the side of her neck. "There's so much left to be explored with you, I can promise with absolute certainty... that I have no intention of not returning to you."
His mouth coaxed her lips into a warm passionate response. The moment was thwarted when the man heard the car fire up outside the ornate entrance doors.
"I'll be back soon." he whispered, his tone rough against her kiss swollen lips. "If you go out, please take the guys with you." he instructed. "And don't overwork yourself."
She nodded silently, accepting his mouth in a bittersweet kiss before the man stepped back. Dropping a kiss to her wrist, Red turned for the door, his look a rather dour one, before closing it behind him.
We lost track of Reddington, then found he had gone to New York
What was surprising was that you went with him.
What was unbelievable was that you stayed with him in a single room suite.
And then you were seen kissing him.
What the hell is he turning you into Liz! What other evil has he corrupted you with?
I never thought you would become his whore.
We have to get you away from him. He is filling your mind with lies...
Red scanned the letter once more, before tossing it to the ledge beside him.
Shaking his head with annoyance, he lifted his drink, sipping the liquid. He felt his blood pressure lower as the alcohol burned a warmed path down his throat before settling pleasantly in his stomach.
"You are pure evil, Raymond" Dembe demurred, sitting in the chair across from him. "We must all face facts."
Red sing-songed his head slightly as if agreeing. "Has Silas said anything about having a line on Tom?"
"The usual." Dembe replied. "They follow him, loose him in a crowd, then pick him up again an hour or so later." he methodically stirred his tea until satisfied. "Why?" The dark eyes lifted.
"I was going to recommend they school him on how to pen a letter." Red inclined his head to the pages. "Reading his endless blathering grows tiring."
"Do you want Silas to secure him?" Dembe asked, sipping at his tea.
Red shook his head, getting lost in thought. There was so much more to take into account now, besides the usual precautions.
He and Lizzy were... dating. What an archaic word. A couple. He tried again. No, that sounded vaguely...what century was he from exactly?
Whatever the label, much had taken place since he last read one of these 'loon' letters as he was beginning to categorize them in his mental processing.
Made very apparent by the events that had taken place between them.
He had made love to her. Finally.
Repeatedly...
And it had truly been worth the wait. She was... beautiful, amazing... responsive to his touch, to his affection.
He felt at peace. A part of him had been missing and had suddenly been given over to him, leaving him feeling whole... complete.
He was very excited to see where their relationship would take them. Lizzy was like him, in a sense.
She may have been married at one point, but all she had been was an assignment. She wasn't loved. She wasn't shown true affection.
She may have thought Tom loved her, but was slowly coming to the realization that she had loved Tom so much, she had unconsciously, been filling the gaps in their relationship to make it seem as if the love was there.
But she would find out soon enough what it felt like to be the center of another's universe, via him. Because Red loved Lizzy, whether she was aware of it or not.
She didn't love him yet, that had to grow. But it would be nice if she was fond of him, which he sensed she was.
He was waiting for her to catch up to the intensity of his own feelings.
They had grown closer over the last few weeks.
He sat up, zoning off into the bulkhead, thinking back over that time.
He had been preparing for a trip to the frozen tundra, and in the midst of packing, Lizzy had given him a new pair of leather fleece lined gloves and a scarf because she knew it would be cold.
She said she had purchased them for a Christmas gift and had forgotten, in the course of the very hectic week, to present them to their new owner. Regardless of when she purchased them, she had still thought of him. And a Christmas gift, at that.
On his return home, he found Lizzy had changed the bedding from a jewel toned to a soft blue quilt and fleece blankets that he thought were comfortable as hell.
He realized the reason which became more important because she was finally comfortable where she was. She felt like she was... home.
She had not only purchased the quilt because she knew he hated comforters, she had specifically bought him a new pillow with cooling properties because she had seen him rubbing his neck quite a few mornings. It felt amazing and his neck pain had eased considerably.
He loved that pillow.
To him, even though they hadn't been dating per se, that one change alone was the equivalent to exchanging keys in his opinion.
And then it dawned on him.
Had they been dating and hadn't been aware of doing so? Not in the conventional sense, but had they turned a corner somewhere, even before New York, and didn't even realize it?
"Oh my God..." Red muttered quietly.
"Raymond?" Dembe snapped.
Red blinked, finding his friend staring in that thoughtful manner Dembe had about him.
"I called you three times, you didn't respond." Dembe explained. "Are you unwell?"
"No, no. I'm fine." he waved off the concern, then leaned into his thighs, lacing his fingers between his knees.
"Just woolgathering," Red assured, "it's nothing. Where were we?"
"I asked if you wanted me to instruct Silas to pick Tom up?" the man replied slowly, somewhat amused by his friend's preoccupation.
Red shook his head, "Not until we get back." he squeezed his hands together tightly, cracking the tension from the long thick fingers. "I want to be assured of Lizzy's security before they do anything."
Dembe nodded slowly, as if comprehending the words before a small smile worked its way onto his face.
"What?" Red sat back, taking another sip of the amber liquor.
"Has Elizabeth not been secure all this time?"
Red rolled exasperated eyes to his friend, knowing very well what the man meant. He was also fishing for confirmation.
"Okay, you meddlesome voyeur." He sat the tumbler down, straightening his vest before leveling his eyes with Dembe's. "Lizzy and I are dating... a couple..." he tried again, each adjective sounding so juvenile. "We're together."
Dembe smiled slowly, "Yes, I know."
"Francis told you?" Red grumbled, knowing the young man couldn't keep a juicy tidbit like that to himself for very long.
"No..." his friend grinned, his brow lifting as though waiting for Red to make the connection.
No, of course Francis wouldn't have said anything, since he already thought they were engaged. Then understanding dawned on him.
"How long Dembe?" Red asked quietly.
"I think I first noticed the changes before the raid at O'Brian's warehouse, perhaps even before then."
Red sat back, bouncing once against the expensive leather, staring at the man in bewilderment. "Why didn't you say something?" he exasperated.
Dembe chuckled into his tea glass, tickled by not only the question, but the higher tone in Raymond's voice.
"I thought you knew," he chortled as he watched his friend lean back into his elbows.
Red dropped his face in his hands, muffling his voice. "That was a stupid fucking question."
"Yes," Dembe confirmed. "You are excited." it was stated placidly. "Perhaps a little frightened of the future."
Red sighed, "Yes," returning for solace to his drink.
"It wasn't solely your fault your first marriage failed, Raymond."
"I hate when you do that." Red grumbled when Dembe smile knowingly, further irking him that the other man had followed along easily with his esoteric thought
How Dembe knew what he had been thinking, he'd never know. Though, they had spent enough time together, and the subject matter at hand, he supposed, was easy enough to guess.
But it didn't lessen that he hated the man's ability to read his mind.
"You are aware of your flaws, and own up to them. You also know your strengths and how to apply them best to serve her." Dembe bolstered. "You have both done this before."
"Tom Keen..." Red scowled.
"You are not Tom Keen." Dembe stressed. "You love Elizabeth." he stated the facts as he knew them. Facts that Raymond didn't deny. "You also respect her, care for her."
Red nodded silently, listening.
"She needs your support, understanding and patience." Dembe said.
"I will always give her those things." Red stated without hesitation.
He knew that it wasn't always going to be picture perfect. He would face the obstacles when they came. He was very adept at overcoming obstacles.
"But she also needs the romance, affection and love only you can give her." Dembe added.
Red fell silent, so many thoughts crossing his mind. He felt comfortable voicing the most condemning to this man. "Dembe, how can she ever love the man I have become?"
Dembe frowned, setting his tea on its saucer, staring at the man in confusion.
"She already does."
The next couple days passed in a flurry. Liz whittled down her case files while Red, Dembe and Francis worked to find out what happened with Mark.
Liz had visited Mark herself, seeing if he needed anything in particular. She found the man affable, amusing and in good spirits despite what had happened.
It was late afternoon when Red had called to inform her that they were close to settling matters once and for all.
Liz hadn't wanted him to go, but knew he had to. Red's sense of loyalty would allow nothing less. Word had spread he was on the hunt for these men, he would lose face if did not follow through on the perceived threat.
Even with assurances from Silas that a team was now following Red, the woman felt uneasy when Red reached his final destination up until he called to alert her, the situation was contained and over... with little blood shed on either side.
The next day, she was a couple hours into reading the new files she and Silas had picked up from the Blacksite, when she heard the doorbell ring in the late afternoon.
Sliding the radio closer, she waited for Silas' forthcoming information. She hoped the intruder in this instance, was the ever reliable pizza guy.
She was more than pleasantly surprised to hear Red's voice echoing in the spacious foyer. It took only seconds for the familiar footfalls to resonate down the long corridor.
"You're home." she brightened as the man walked briskly into the bedroom.
"So I am..." he crawled up onto the bed bedside Elizabeth, moving into the giggling woman's sphere.
Gingerly kissing that smiling mouth, Red pushed aside her work files as he centered her on the bed.
He fixed her securely in his embrace, his knee subsequently pushing her unresisting thighs as he settled his weight half on, half off, the curvaceous form. "...I missed you."
She lost herself in the passionate kisses for a brief moment before drawing back slightly, a frown on the pretty brow.
"Did you ring my bell?" she moved her head, allowing the man to kiss her neck to his heart's content, before gasping as his large hand cupped her crotch.
"Was that a euphemism for..." he chuckled, tapping the exact location of her clit.
"You can ring my bell... later." she opened her legs wider for him to play with the area he seemed so intent on. "But I meant, my doorbell."
"I did, yes." he replied, nipping her earlobe.
"Why?" she drawled.
"Because it is proper etiquette when visiting someone's home." he mumbled against her soft skin, his fingers deftly plucking at the buttons on her top.
She rolled to the side, aiding in the removal of her shirt, scowling. "You're my boyfriend... significant other," she rolled the other way, losing the shirt completely, "...whatever."
Red smiled against her mouth listening to her struggle, as he had, trying to label what they were. They really needed to find something that described them... their relationship. Whatever the hell was going on between them.
"Yes, I am." his attention focused hastily on the sight of the newly bared flesh as he removed her bra.
"You know..." she sighed happily as his mouth engulfed her nipple. The woman gently removed the fedora, laying it aside, "you can just come in."
"Oh, I plan to..." his gruff voice assured her as he pulled at her pants, revealing little blue panties to his view.
"I meant..."
"This is your home, it is only polite that I knock first." he kissed her hip bone, as he artfully lowered one side of the offending object in his way.
"I don't want those conditions between us." she sighed softly.
"I don't want anything between us at this moment." Red pulled the skin tight pants free of her feet, tossing them carelessly, enjoying the woman's lyrical giggle.
After a quiet dinner, they retired to the sitting room. Liz had wanted Red's opinion on a few of the more difficult case files the BAU had sent.
She was surprised that Red had known two of the men, just by the few clues in the case notes.
What was even more an ego boost for her, she had been moving in the right direction in her profiles on the last three, Red had just given her a good solid lead to follow on each.
She sent them through, before closing down her computer.
"You like consulting, don't you?" he asked, settling into the couch, picking up his book.
"I didn't think I would." she admitted, sitting next to him. "But it hasn't been half bad. I kind of enjoy it."
Red tilted his head, looking at her steadily. "Are you saying that you would rather be working behind the scenes as opposed to doing field work?"
She edged the rim of her book with her fingers, sighing. "Would you be disappointed if I did?"
"No."
She smiled softly, looking up at the man. "You don't want me working in the field anymore, do you."
Silas had implied, Red would not like the thought of Liz being in constant danger. Perhaps he never had.
"I didn't say that." he corrected her assessment. "I just want you to be happy, Elizabeth. If this is what you want to do, I will support you."
"What about the Blacklist?" she questioned softly. "Would you still do it? Could you keep giving the names to Ressler?"
Red drummed his fingers slowly on his book cover, shrugging. "I suppose I could." he replied, his tone vague. "It's been etched in the back of my mind that our situation wasn't permanent, that you would be back to work eventually." he told the truth.
"And while I could continue to work with your team. I do have an objective..." he trailed off. "I would have to see how it would work without you before I could commit to a definitive answer." he waved his hand about.
"Regardless of my decision, you have my complete support in what you decide to do from here on out." he stressed.
She nodded understandingly. Like Red, she would have to give the matter serious thought. They both got lost in their own worlds, enjoying the quiet solitude for a goodly time.
Liz eventually sighed, laying back into the couch, settling her head on Red's lap.
Red smiled warmly down at the woman, raising his legs to the ottoman to make her more comfortable. He moved the book to his other hand, threading his fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp soothingly as he read.
A short time later, he heard another sigh. Liz lay her book aside before rolling over, playing with a thread on the pillow beside her absently.
He sat his own book aside, taking a sip from his tumbler. "What's on your mind, Lizzy?"
"I want to change my name." she took his glass, sipping the warm liquid.
"Elizabeth is a beautiful name." he pushed his fingers through her hair, his mouth lifting as she leaned into the touch.
"I don't mean that one, though, now that I think about it, that's not even my name." she reached for the bottle beside them, pouring more liquor into his heavy glass.
"I meant my last name. It's a fake name, that belonged to a fake marriage and a fake man. I don't want it." she took another sip of the amber liquid, before holding it out for him.
"You've been Elizabeth far longer than you ever were Masha." He took the offering, taking a quick drink. "As for Keen... if changing it is what you wish, then do it. What would you change it to?"
"You mean Sam's name?"
"Yes."
"I haven't decided yet." she laid her head back down, looking up at him. "What I have decided is that isn't who I am anymore. And it's a weight I don't want to carry with me any longer."
"Well, think about it and we'll take care of it when you've decided."
"You don't have to do anything, you know." she said, her brow raising.
"I know people who can make it happen quickly." it was advised. "And I know you. When you get something in your head, you want it done post haste."
She couldn't argue. Especially about that.
"Okay, I'll let you know."
Red smiled, scratching his fingers through her hair, chuckling quietly when the woman purred happily, then yawned. Having voiced something troubling her, seemed to have lifted a weight because her eyes suddenly became heavy.
"I think it's bed time for you." He grinned, helping her up. The man guided her down the hall as Elizabeth yawned sleepily.
"You're staying, right?" she threw back over her shoulder.
He halted their trek, backing her into the wall, "Was that an invitation?" his voice lowered huskily.
"I don't know..." she played with the collar of his shirt, "do I get morning sex if you do?"
Red tugged on her hand, continuing their previous journey. "Does the rooster rise at dawn." he replied almost cryptically.
Liz pulled up short, scowling, "Is that Navy code talk?" she scolded superficially. "Or was that just your way of telling me your cock rises to the occasion at dawn?"
Red's gentle chuckle made Lizzy's full sensuous lips curve into a responding smile.
"Why ruin the surprise..." he smiled, so very happy he decided to stay.