For the next week Liz and Ray buried themselves in their work. Although they both felt deeply disappointed over how things had turned out, neither of them felt able to do anything about it except just accept it for what it was.

The following Monday was Memorial Day and there was to be a ceremony in the town square with all the dignitaries and veterans in attendance. Liz was to be presented with an award for the pro bono work she'd done for veterans with PTSD, Depression and other mental issues caused by their time in service. She wasn't working that day so in the morning she chose her favourite blouse and skirt and a smart pair of heels and headed into town to have a late breakfast before the various ceremonial parts of the day started.

Arriving in the town square with an hour to spare she sat at one of the outside tables of her favourite café and ordered an omelette and some coffee. As usual, she sat with her back to the wall so she could look out and observe the goings-on around her. She saw a few familiar faces but nobody she was in the mood to talk to today. Once her food arrived she eagerly tucked in and forgot all about her surroundings, instead looking through the running order of events on a pamphlet that had been left on the table.

As she got to the bit where she was to be presented with her award, her eyes grew wide. No, it couldn't be? She was due to be given her award by Ex-US Navy Admiral Raymond Reddington. Oh, God, this was just too much. The first time she'd see him since he and Amber Gordon were getting cosy with each other and it would be in front of hundreds, if not thousands of people. She suddenly lost her appetite and set down her fork, sitting back in her chair. As she looked up and sighed she caught sight of a man in a white suit cutting through the crowd in front of her. There he was; Ex-US Navy Admiral Raymond Reddington. And didn't he look good enough to eat. Suddenly she felt like crying again. She'd pictured him in his dress whites just over a week ago but her fantasy didn't come close to reality. Oh boy, today was gonna be the worst.

As Ray finished dressing in his whites and ensuring his uniform was immaculate, his thoughts once more turned to Liz. He'd found out yesterday that he was to be awarding her today for her charitable work for military veterans. Part of him had wanted to find her and talk to her first so that things wouldn't be too awkward on the stage but the other part of him just said that he was being irrational. That night obviously hadn't really meant anything to her and he was clearly making a mountain out of a mole hill. He sighed and took one last look in the mirror. He hadn't thought he'd be wearing this uniform again quite so soon but the town's Mayor had insisted, once he knew Ray was back in town, that he should be the special guest at their ceremony. Grabbing his phone and bill fold, he locked his door and set out for the town square.

The crowds were already building for the ceremony and the weather was glorious. He saw a few other Navy vets and headed over to chat to them. Of course, in an Admiral's uniform, it wasn't easy to make small talk; they were all instantly calling him 'Sir' and saluting. He decided he'd try again later, maybe in a bar, where their tongues might be looser and they could all relax and tell some good ol' stories of their time on the waves. Glancing at his watch, he saw it was only half an hour until the ceremony was due to begin and so he started to head through the crowd towards the stage at the far end of the square. The Mayor and other town officials were already there, along with some other more senior veteran officers and some servicemen and women who were clearly still in the service.

As he neared Mary Lou's Café, he happened to glance up and saw Liz just beginning to stand up and turn back towards the door to go inside, presumably to pay. His pace slowed and he stared at her as she disappeared. She was wearing a beautiful blouse and skirt outfit and she damn near took his breath away. He came to a halt and debated with himself whether or not he should follow her into the café in order to speak with her before they came face to face on stage. However, before he had time to make a decision, Amber Gordon appeared out of nowhere and before he knew what was going on, she had linked her arm through his and was chattering away and running her hands over his uniform. He tried to be polite but he had really had enough of this woman.

'Miss Gordon, so nice to see you but I'm afraid I'm going to be late for the ceremony if I don't get to the stage soon'

'Oh, Ray, surely you've got plenty of time yet? I cannot believe how well you scrub up in that uniform. Mmm Mmm Mmm', she said, practically drooling over him.

Something inside Ray snapped. He had no interest in Amber and having just seen Liz again he was filled with a sudden anger at the universe at the turn of events. Reaching out and holding Amber's upper arms he held her gently away from him.

'Miss Gordon. Whilst it is eminently flattering the way you seem to find me attractive, I'm sorry to say I have no interest in a relationship with you. I don't mean to be rude but I would be most grateful if you would please stop touching me so inappropriately'.

With that he stepped back, nodded once at her and stalked off towards the stage. Amber looked after him briefly then ground her heel into the sidewalk and shouted after him, 'Your loss, Raymond, your loss'. She then turned away, a look of thunder on her face and walked off fast in the opposite direction to where Ray had headed.

Liz had come out of the café just in time to catch Ray's words to Amber and Amber's last retort to him. Now she was hugely confused. What had Ray meant when he'd said he had no interest in Amber? Surely they already were an item, weren't they? The way her hands were all over him, both at the restaurant and just now? Suddenly Liz realised she may have jumped to a very wrong conclusion. Of course Amber's hands were all over Ray. That was how she operated. Whether the man she was hunting was willing or not, she was always pouring herself over her prey. Dammit, Liz – why didn't you stop and think?! She glanced over to where Ray had gone but he'd already disappeared into the throng. She realised she wouldn't have time now to find him and talk to him but resolved that after the ceremony she would get up the courage to have a proper conversation.

She headed towards the stage herself, knowing that she was to be seated somewhere on the front row. As she drew nearer she saw Pete and Penny and their two kids and diverted towards them to have a quick chat. Penny saw her first and came straight over and gave Liz a huge hug.

'Liz, it's been so long since we saw you. Pete said he'd bumped into you at that new bar the other day. How are you?'

Liz smiled back at Penny and started to give her a brief update on her life over the last month or so. As they were chatting, Pete and the kids came over too and joined in the conversation. After a few minutes, Liz excused herself, explaining she needed to find her chair near the stage and, having briefly kissed them both on the cheek, she walked off.

Ray watched this exchange from the stage with a keen interest and a growing realisation. That man that Liz had just spoken to was quite clearly with the woman he didn't recognise. Judging by their body language and the kids, they were very much an item. Maybe the other night in the bar, Liz hadn't been on a date or flirting, she'd just been catching up with an old friend. Goddamn it, Ray, why did you have to go and assume the worst? Suddenly he felt like a complete idiot and was about to go down to find Liz when the Mayor stepped up to him and grabbed his hand, pumping it up and down in a very eager manner.

'Admiral Reddington, I am so happy you could be here today to be our guest of honour. You have no idea how much it means….'

As the Mayor droned on, Ray's eyes flitted over to where Liz was sitting and caught her looking at him. He smiled at her, a big genuine smile. To his surprise, she instantly returned the smile and even gave a little wave. Suddenly he couldn't wait for the ceremony to be over so he could get her one on one and they could sort out all this apparent confusion.

Once the ceremony started, the mood turned sombre and all thoughts of love and relationships were put aside. Speeches were made, music played by a military band, flags saluted. When the main part of the ceremony was over, the few awards that were to be given were brought onto the stage. After handing out a couple of awards to veterans who had started various programmes for self-improvement and learning opportunities, Liz was up next. She walked onto the stage, eyes firmly locked with Ray's as she approached him. He lifted up her award and held out his hand to her. She took it in hers and gripped it tightly, smiling at him as she did so. He couldn't help but grin back at her and just as she was about to leave the stage, he whispered to her, 'Let's talk after'. She nodded to him and then walked off.

Half an hour later and the ceremonial part of the day was done. Ray tried to escape as quickly as he could from all the officials who were desperate to talk to him but unfortunately his bright white uniform made it very difficult to him to slip away undetected. Eventually, he made his last goodbyes and headed off into the crowd towards where he'd last seen Liz. After ten minutes, he still hadn't found her and was just about to give up, thinking maybe she'd changed her mind after all, when he felt his sleeve being tugged from behind. He turned quickly and there she was, as radiant as he remembered. The smile on her face was just for him and he returned it in kind.

'Lizzy'

'Ray'

'How are you?'

'I'm fine. All the better for seeing you, I have to admit'

'Lizzy, I'm so sorry about us not catching up, I feel I may've made a terrible error'

'You? But I was the one who thought you were seeing Amber? I mean, you're not, right?'

'Amber? Dear god, no…. Wait, that was you outside the restaurant last Monday lunchtime, wasn't it?'

'Yes. I'd come by to see you but when I got there I saw her with her hands all over you. I, er, I left…..'

'Oh, Lizzy. I have no interest in that woman. I just can't seem to convince her of that. Although I think I may've managed to get through to her today at last', Ray sighed.

'Yes, I saw the tail end of that exchange. She didn't look happy', Liz said and winked at Ray

'I fear I may've made a similar assumption about you and your friend'

'What do you mean?'

'The man you were talking to earlier. He was here with his children and wife?'

'Pete?'

'Ah, okay, Pete. I saw you with him at The Post Office last Monday and I thought that…. Well, I thought maybe you were…..'

Liz suddenly burst out giggling. 'So what you're saying is we've both been a little quick to judge each other?'

'Yes, I guess so. For the record, I'm single. And I have no interest in Amber Gordon. Or any other woman. Present company excepted', Ray finished with a devilish little smile on his face.

'Well, that's lucky. Because I'm single too. And I have no interest in any other man. Present company most definitely excepted', Liz said back to him, a similar smile gracing her face. 'How's about we head into town for a drink?'

'That sounds wonderful. And maybe I could buy you lunch?'

'Well, if you insist. Yes, let's do that'

They turned away from the crowds and walked together back towards Main Street.

'Admiral Reddington, you have no idea how good you look in that uniform'

Ray smiled and offered his arm for Liz to link her hand through.

'Oh, I'm starting to get some idea…..'