Author's Note:

I just want to say a big thanks to all the reviewers! Really made my day! 3 3 3

Please enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter 4

Why do you also have to keep secret?

Back to the present day...

Elizabeth Keen sat on the rightside of the bed in a small hotel room where she booked for two nights. It was almost midnight. She still couldn't forget how the meeting with Ressler this morning had gone awry. After she went back to the hotel this afternoon, she just fell asleep, but not really sleeping, because her mind was wandering. She tried to ignore what he had said, but she couldn't forget his eyes when he said it. She couldn't forget their brief closeness –as if he almost do that again.

'Do what, Keen?' her other mind sneered. 'Kiss you? It was you who started the kiss. And it was four years ago – for your own sake!'

'But something he put on that kiss –' her other mind – the positive side – whispered in a hope.

She couldn't forget the only kiss they shared after three and a half years working together.

She sighed. The guy basically pushed her away. 'He has moved on.' She just only understood now what he meant by moving on.

'He doesn't move on from his job. He keep working to uphold the law. He even maintains his contact with Reddington –of all people – for who knows how long. The difference here is the Task Force and me.'

But she was sure he didn't have problems with the Task Force. His anger was directed to her. He might not admit it, but it's there, below the nonchalant exterior in the Post Office for who knows how long, and just exploded this morning. 'He moved on from me.' She felt emotionally pain and tired for just thinking about it. 'You don't know that someone is so precious until you really lose him.'

The ring of the her phone brought her back to reality. Liz wiped a silent tear away from the corner of her eye and saw a flash of Nick's Pizza on it. 'Of course Red always knows finally.'

"Yeah?" Her voice was hoarse.

"What do you think you're doing?" Red asked her.

"What do you think?" Liz asked him back.

"I'm on my way to pick you up." He ignored her question.

Her anger raised.

"You know where he is and didn't tell me." She said.

Reddington didn't immediately respond. Then she heard he said, "First, I've never known where he is. Second, it's Donald who always contacts me first. The rest I'll explain later. Right now, the most important thing is getting you out of there. It's not safe."

Liz frowned, doubted.

"What –" she didn't continue because at the same time the weak sound at her room door made her head snap to stare at it.

"Lizzie?"

"There's someone..." she whispered and started reaching for her gun inside her bag.

It was too late because the next second her door was wide opened. She dropped her phone and took the aim with her gun. Two men entered. She shot but missed because at the same time her hand which held the gun was hit by the man. They grabbed her. She fought. Hard. Soon she was outnumbered. Then she heard another shot. One man fell down.

"FBI! Stay where you are!"

She looked up just to find those beautiful deep blue eyes she just really missed. No coldness there, only fear.

"Put down the gun or I'll shoot!" she heard the man said while she felt the cold of muzzle on the rightside of her temple.

Liz looked at Donald Ressler who slowly raised his hands up without dropping his gun. Their eyes locked. He didn't come alone. Two other persons behind him also did the same.

"I said drop it!" the man yelled.

"Ok, take it easy, Pal..." Ressler said while slowly lowering his hand and body to put the gun on the floor.

Liz knew he tried to buy some time. Ressler was almost put his gun on the floor when suddenly someone said in cheerful tone,

"What is this so much fuss all about?" Raymond Reddington appeared at the door with a serious Dembe behind him. His voice was as loud and clear, as clear as the blue sky in summer time. No gun, no panic, nothing.

Liz felt the muzzle of the gun that stick to her temple started to loose slightly. It's clearly the man got distracted by Red appearance and demeanor – she wasn't sure which one distracted him most. She didn't waste time and immediately practiced her training while she's still in academy. It's about how to break free from someone who held a gun to your head. And Ressler saw it, aimed his gun. Another shot rang after that. The man was down.

Both, Reddington and Ressler came to her, while the other FBI agents were busy to take care the crime scene, including the bodies.

"Lizzie, are you allright?" Red firstly said at the same time with Ressler yelling, "Are you crazy?"

Liz winced, looked at furious Ressler. 'Not furious', she corrected herself after seeing his pale face. 'He looked frightened.'

She felt Reddington pull her into a hug. "I'm okay." Liz said while keep looking at Ressler.

"We have to go." Reddington said.

Hearing the word 'go' made Liz pay her attention back to Reddington.

"No." Liz said to him.

"Yes." Ressler chimed in, boldly. "It's not safe –"

"Not after I know what both of you hide right under my nose!" Liz cut him sternly while throwing an annoyance look to Red and Ressler alternatively. "Especially you, Mister," she emphasized to Ressler.

Both of them looked at each other. She won't let him back away. Not now, never again. Ressler finally said to her, grimmed face. "I'll explain – only the relevant matter – but not here."