Ressler kept his eyes trained on Liz as they re-entered the reception room and joined the crowd of guests that had gathered at the center of the dance floor to watch Matt and Melissa cut the cake. Liz kept moving at a brisk pace ahead of him and never turned around. As they joined the assembled guests, Ressler flicked his eyes across the circle and met his mother's arched eyebrow that left no doubt that Ed hadn't kept what he had witnessed on the verandah to himself. Ressler shifted uncomfortably and lowered his eyes under their scrutiny while he simultaneously resolved to worry about them later. After a moment, he turned his eyes back to Liz, who was staring steadily at the bride and groom as if they were the most interesting people on earth, and he immediately felt uneasy. He hoped that he hadn't misread her signals and crossed some unforgivable line.
Liz hadn't missed the exchange of glances between Ressler and his mother and she forced herself to keep her attention focused on the bride and groom as her mind raced. The kiss had surprised her, but her own reaction to it had surprised her more. She'd gone into the weekend expecting to play a part and have some fun, nothing more. But suddenly she was seeing Ressler in a new light, and, to her surprise, it was not unwelcome. She'd wanted him to kiss her on that verandah and the thought both thrilled and terrified her. They still had to work together regardless of what the weekend brought and the last thing on her mind was a new relationship.
"Donnie! I hear you've brought a celebrity to the wedding," a voice intoned behind them. Liz and Ressler both turned quickly as a grey-haired man clapped Ressler on the shoulder. Liz could tell from Ressler's expression that he was less than excited to see the man.
"You heard right," Ressler replied casually. "Liz — this is my uncle Tim, the groom's father. Uncle Tim — Elizabeth Keen."
"I'm profoundly delighted to make your acquaintance, my dear," Tim murmured as he pressed a kiss on top of Liz's hand. Liz stole a glance at Ressler as she stifled a laugh.
"The feeling's mutual," she replied evenly. "Congratulations to your son and his beautiful bride."
Tim took a step back and pursed his lips as his eyes shifted between Ressler and Liz. "Is it true what the kids told me? Are you really friends with Raymond Reddington?"
Liz darted another glance at Ressler, who shrugged almost imperceptibly.
"I guess you could say we've become close due to circumstances," she replied slowly. "He's helped me out of some tricky situations. Why do you ask?"
Tim hesitated for a moment and then chortled. "No reason in particular. No reason at all. Glad you're here Elizabeth, glad you're here. Donnie — always a pleasure to see our government's finest." Tim clapped Ressler's shoulder again before heading off to the bar.
"Is that the uncle you warned me about?" Liz hissed at Ressler as Tim strode away. "The one you claimed would drive you to drink if you didn't bring a date?"
Ressler shrugged as he followed his uncle's retreat. "I think maybe your presence had the desired effect. After all, I'm consorting with the associate of one of the FBI's most wanted, right?" Ressler added with a wink.
Liz stifled a smile. Moments later, a waiter offered them slices of cake, which they accepted. Liz stared at hers for a moment, taking in the multiple layers of cake and fondant, before she glanced up at Ressler.
"If you ever fall in love again, ever want to get married — would you want a big wedding like this?"
Ressler didn't hesitate as he shook his head. "Not unless my bride really wanted it," he replied as he speared a bite of cake with his fork. "I'm not big on the pomp and circumstance, personally."
"No friends, no one there to see?" Liz probed as she sampled a bite of her piece.
"I never said that," Ressler protested as he wiped a dab of frosting off his mouth with a napkin. "Just not a big crowd. Just my bride and me and someone to handle the vows. That's all I need. But if she wants more, I'm good with that too," he added hastily. "Some family, close friends. Whatever she wants."
"Wouldn't your mom be devastated to miss your wedding?" Liz teased lightly as she set her barely-touched plate down on a nearby table. The cake was too sweet for her taste.
Ressler shrugged as he added his plate to hers after another bite. "I hope not. My mom would love to be included, but I think she'd also understand if she wasn't. I think at this point, she'd probably be happy with anything I wanted."
Liz was about to ask if he and Audrey had planned a big wedding when they were suddenly interrupted by the arrival of the bride and groom at their side.
"Don! Thanks for coming!" Matt said as he clapped Ressler on the back and extended a hand to Liz. "You must be the famous Elizabeth Keen," he said as he shook her hand.
"I guess I am," Liz admitted as she turned to greet the bride. "Famous or infamous, I'm not sure, but you definitely look lovely," she murmured to Melissa as she admired the bride.
"We're just so happy you came!" Melissa beamed as she squeezed Liz's hands. "It's so rare to get the whole family together!" Liz met Ressler's eye and fought a laugh as he so obviously stifled a retort and simply hugged the glowing bride.
Moments later, the bride and groom moved on to greet other guests and Ressler and Liz were once more left alone. Their eyes met uneasily until Ressler finally broke the silence, "you want to dance?"
"Sure," Liz agreed, relieved for the moment to avoid the need for further conversation.
The remainder of the reception passed quickly with upbeat music until finally the last song was announced - a classic rendition of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love." As the first bars played, Ressler stepped back and met Liz's eyes as her tongue slowly darted out to moisten her lips.
Ressler lowered his head to rest on Liz's as they swayed easily to the music as if they'd been doing it for years instead of just one night.
Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?
Ressler tightened his hands on Liz's back. He felt her breath catch in her throat as she simultaneously slid her hands under his jacket and drew him closer.
Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
Liz reached behind her and took one of Ressler's hands in hers, lacing their fingers together. As the backs of their fingers crushed, she felt heat rise within her just from the touch. She leaned in closer as the music continued.
Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you
Ressler tightened his fingers around hers as she leaned closer into him. As the song ended, he pulled back slightly and gazed at Liz. "I think I'm ready to call it a night? You?" he asked huskily.
Liz nodded, barely trusting herself to speak.
They held hands loosely as they exited the reception room and headed for the elevator. But as the doors opened on their floor, Ressler let go of Liz's hand and they fell into an awkward silence as they approached their rooms. Liz felt flustered as she dug through her purse for her room key. When she finally found it, she promptly dropped it on the floor. Cheeks flaming, she bent to retrieve it but Ressler was faster as he quickly scooped up the card and handed it to her with a flourish and a grin.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Ressler cleared his throat. "No, thank you."
"For what?"
"For coming, for saving me from being pitied as a lonely bachelor all night, and for making this wedding way more fun that I ever imagined it could be," Ressler replied quietly.
"Better than a hired date?" Liz asked lightly as she licked her suddenly dry lips again.
Ressler's eyes followed her tongue as she watched his Adam's apple bob. "No comparison," he murmured as he leaned in slightly. Liz was suddenly very conscious of the faint hint of red stubble on his chin and she wondered fleetingly how he would react if she touched it.
"A successful mission," she blurted. The moment the words left her lips, Liz regretted them. She instantly realized she'd said the wrong thing as the warmth faded from Ressler's eyes, replaced by a look of cool detachment. "It was," he agreed tightly. "We put on a good show. I think we even fooled my mom. Thanks for playing along."
Oh god, he thinks it was all an act, Liz realized as she watched Ressler's demeanor immediately change. She opened her mouth to protest that she hadn't meant it that way but before she could say anything, Ressler glanced at his watch.
"It's late. My cousins are hosting a brunch at 10, if you're game. If not, we just have to be at the airport by 2 so we can leave around noon. Your call."
"Brunch is fine," Liz managed as she scanned his face, unsure of how to tell him how she really felt. She fumbled with her key and slowly inserted it into the door. "Goodnight," she said reluctantly.
"Goodnight, Keen," Ressler replied gruffly as he whipped out his own card key from his jacket, swiped his door, and disappeared into his room without a backward glance.
Liz let her door close behind her and then leaned against it, took off her shoe, and tossed it across the room in frustration. You idiot, she berated herself. He thinks it was all an act, that none of it was real. The evening had gone so well and she had enjoyed his company so much, and then three careless words had ruined it.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, Liz muttered to herself as she removed her other shoe and collapsed on her bed in frustration. Spending the night alone was hardly the ending she had imagined just moments ago. After a few minutes, Liz sat up and stared at the connecting door between their rooms. She wanted to knock and explain that she hadn't meant her comments the way they had come out. She certainly knew that the kiss on the verandah hadn't been an act on Ressler's part. He was too honest and genuine to play games that way. Liz had just worked up the courage to knock on the door and tell him it hadn't been an act on her part either when she heard the exterior door of Ressler's room open and close. She quickly opened her own door just in time to see him striding purposefully down the hall to the elevator. She briefly considered calling out to him, but nerves overcame her as she quietly closed the door.
So much for that, she mused as she stepped back into the room. Barely thinking, she unzipped her dress, stepped out of it, and slipped into a cami and pajama pants before stepping into the bathroom to remove her makeup and get ready for bed. When she was finished, she slipped under the covers of the king-sized bed and turned off the light. As she curled on her side and stared into the darkness, the bed felt huge and lonely.
Ressler's cheeks burned as the door to his room clicked shut behind him and he sank onto the bed. You moron. You ruined everything, he berated himself as he dropped his head into his hands. He should have known that none of the evening was real to Liz. She was playing exactly the part she had signed up to play when she had suggested being his date. He was the fool who had misread her signals and tried to make it something more — something real — and in doing so, he had possibly ruined their partnership. After a few minutes, Ressler raised his head and glanced miserably at the clock. It was after midnight. What were the odds that a lodge in Idaho could provide a stiff drink after midnight? Slim, but he was prepared to find out. He got up and strode purposefully down the hall to the elevator.
The lobby was nearly empty as Ressler made his way back to the reception room. A few waiters were cleaning up plates as he headed to the bar at the back of the room where a lone bartender was wiping things down and stowing supplies.
"Hey, man, I know you've had a long night. What're the odds you can spare one more whiskey?" Ressler asked as he approached the bar.
The young bartender blinked at him rapidly as he scanned the room. "The reception's over. I'm not really supposed to —"
"I know you're not supposed to," Ressler added evenly. "And I don't mean to put you on the spot. But I'm having lady trouble and I'd really appreciate it if you could bend the rules just this once. If you can't, no hard feelings."
The bartender darted his eyes around the room once more before turning his eyes back to Ressler. "You got pockets?" he whispered with a piercing stare.
Ressler arched an eyebrow. He was still wearing his jacket. "Yeah, why?"
The bartender leaned in conspiratorially. "Because I got a light bottle and a glass I can slip you if you have a place to stow it. I can't serve you at this hour, man. But I feel you, so I'll send you back upstairs with a little something if I can. It's all paid for anyway in the price of the wedding."
Ressler nodded as the bartender slowly slipped a glass across the counter, followed by a bottle of Scotch that was at least 1/3 full. "Sorry man - I saw you on the floor tonight. Your lady's quite a looker. She freezing you out?"
Ressler shrugged. "It's complicated," he murmured as he accepted the contraband.
"Well, good luck to you, man. Don't go overboard," the bartender replied with a wink.
"I won't. Thanks," Ressler replied with a nod as he made his way back to the elevator with one jacket pocket holding a lowball and a second holding the partially full bottle of whiskey.
Shortly after she climbed into bed, Liz heard the door of Ressler's room open and close again. She did her level best to ignore it as she tossed and turned on her bed and replayed the events of the evening. She hadn't expected to feel a genuine connection — much less attraction — to Ressler and the lingering heat in her lower regions left her feeling disarmed.
Finally, she couldn't take the restlessness anymore. Liz got up and padded quietly over to the doors that connected their adjacent rooms. She hesitated for a moment and then, heart pounding, she unlocked her side of the door and then tapped as lightly as she could on his lightly enough that if he was sleeping, he'd probably never hear it. She didn't even realize she was holding her breath until the door swung open.
Ressler was still dressed in his blue shirt and khaki slacks from the wedding, but he had discarded his jacket, tie, socks and shoes. His shirt was half untucked and unbuttoned by several buttons at the neck. His right hand held a glass filled with an amber liquid that Liz quickly deduced must be whiskey. His eyes flicked up and down, taking in her cami and pajama pants and Liz suddenly felt self-conscious under his gaze.
"What's wrong, Keen?" he asked in a low voice as he frowned slightly.
"Nothing I — is that whiskey?" Liz stammered as she focused on the glass in his hand in an effort to collect herself.
"It is," Ressler replied drily. "Would you like some?"
"Sure," Liz managed as she took a step forward into his room. Ressler had already moved over to the desk where, much to her surprise, there was a partially full bottle of whiskey.
"How did you —?" she began as Ressler poured a generous portion of the whiskey into a water glass and handed it to her.
"I've got connections, what I can I say?" Ressler demurred with a chuckle as he clinked his glass against hers. "Have a seat and tell me what's on your mind at this hour," he added as he gestured expansively in a way that encompassed not only the bed, but the desk chair and the small arm chair in the corner of the room. Liz hesitated for a second and then perched on the edge of the bed, which was the closest seating option. Instead of taking one of the available chairs, Ressler leaned against the edge of the desk and took a long sip of his whiskey as he waited to hear what she had to say.
Liz found herself unable to meet his eyes so she looked down at her whiskey glass as she ran her finger around the edge. Finally, she raised the glass to her lips and followed his lead. The whiskey burned pleasantly on the way down and she definitely needed to take the edge off. She didn't even begin to know how to articulate all that was on her mind. There was so much she wanted to tell him and yet, that really wasn't why she had come to his room at all. Her desires were far baser and yet she didn't know how to begin to express that either. She suddenly wasn't sure there was enough whiskey in her glass, much less the room and she looked up anxiously only to be met by a kind, but curious and somewhat wary, expression on his face.
"What is it, Liz?" he asked more softly.
His use of her first name gave her enough courage to attempt to explain. Liz licked her lips and took a deep breath.
"Months ago, you asked me if I was really ok about Reddington and those bones and I told you that there were things I couldn't tell you then, but I'd tell you someday," Liz paused and glanced up to see that Ressler's eyes had narrowed, but he nodded slightly for her to continue.
Liz took another sip of her whiskey. "I actually don't want to talk about him tonight. There's so many things I need to tell you and I will — soon — tomorrow maybe — not tonight — but — today, with you and your family —" Liz's voice trailed off as she blinked rapidly. "Today, I remembered what it feels like to feel happy, and loved again. And I wanted to thank you for that because I've done — I've done things that…"
"We've all done things we're not proud of, Liz," Ressler interjected quietly. "You're not alone in that."
Liz exhaled and took another long sip of her whiskey. "Maybe so," she agreed. "Still I — I…" her voice trailed off.
They sat in silence for a few moments. Finally, Ressler asked "if you don't want to talk about Reddington — which is fine, by the way — why are you here?"
Liz closed her eyes and took one more long sip of her whiskey before she got up and put it down on the desk next to Ressler. In a fluid motion she carefully lifted his glass from his hand and placed it next to hers before stepping closer and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I wanted to tell you that I really liked that kiss on the verandah," Liz replied softly as she pressed her lips lightly against the side of his neck. She both felt and heard Ressler's sudden intake of breath as she slid her free hand into the open neck of of shirt and lightly grazed his chest with her fingernails. "And it wasn't an act on my part. Or part of a mission and I'm sorry if I made it sound that way. I'm hoping it wasn't on yours either," she breathed.
After a stunned moment, Ressler wordlessly slid his hands underneath her cami and lightly rubbed her bare back. 'It wasn't," he managed, sounding strangled.
"Good," Liz murmured as she slowly fluttered light kisses up the side of his neck until she reached his ear. Sucking gently on the lobe, she ran her fingernails through his hair. Ressler moaned softly as he cupped her face between his hands. He held her gaze for a moment as if to confirm that he should continue before he bent forward and pressed his lips against hers for the second time that evening.
Liz felt the heat rise again within her as she tightened her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. There was no hesitancy in his kiss and as it deepened, Liz pressed closer and closer against him. That was all the invitation Ressler needed to stand up and start pivoting them towards the bed, all the while continuing to kiss her. As they reached the edge of the bed, Liz slowly began to undo the buttons of his shirt, taking her time on every one. She smiled as she felt Ressler's breath become more ragged as she reached the lower buttons and eventually let his shirt slip to the floor. Smiling slyly, she reached for his belt buckle so there would be no mistake as to her intentions.
"I can stop if you want," she whispered playfully as she rested her hand on the buckle.
Ressler's breath caught in his throat. "Don't you dare," he retorted as he effortlessly slipped her cami over her head and pulled her bare chest close against his. Moments later, both had shed their lower garments and Ressler gently lowered her to the bed.
Afterwards, Liz felt unusually calm and peaceful as she rested her head on Ressler's bare chest. She slowly traced circles on his chest with her fingernail while he ran his hands lightly up and down her back. They were both silent and lost in their thoughts, totally spent but yet fully alert.
Finally, Ressler broke the silence.
"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked lightly but his tone also reflected a certain trepidation.
After a moment, Liz propped herself up on on elbow and rewarded him with a broad smile and a kiss on the lips. "No regrets, if that's what you're worried about."
"That's a start," Ressler admitted, relieved, as he arched an eyebrow.
"I came to you, remember?" Liz replied as she pressed another kiss on his lips before settling back into the crook of his shoulder.
"I know, it's just —" Ressler's voice trailed off.
"Just what?" Liz murmured.
"Just sudden, that's all," Ressler replied as he tightened his arms around her. "I just don't want there to be anything weird between us. I hope you don't think I expected anything by bringing you here as my date."
"There won't be," Liz replied as reassuringly as she could manage, "and of course I didn't expect anything!" It had been her decision and she felt empowered by that decision in a way she could hardly articulate. She was quite certain Ressler was gentleman enough that he would have stayed alone with his whiskey and never knocked at her door if she hadn't initiated things. On the other hand, it was a whole new layer to their relationship and Liz wasn't prepared to work through all the consequences of that right then and there.
"You know what I want right now?" Liz asked sleepily.
"What?"
"To fall asleep here, now, in your arms. Time enough for analyzing and worrying tomorrow. Ok?"
"Ok," Ressler replied with a chuckle as he wrapped his arms a little more tightly around her and pressed a kiss against her temple. "Goodnight, Liz."