Red couldn't locate any more scotch in the mini bar so decided to open a bottle of champagne instead. Not that he was in the mood for celebrating; he just knew that champagne was a sure fire way for him to get drunk quickly. He glanced up at Liz standing out on the balcony and wondered again if he should go out. He wanted to but he still didn't know what he was going to say to her. And he wanted to respect the fact that she needed her space right now. He hadn't meant to give the game away so obviously when she'd asked him if he were jealous but for once his ability to mask his feelings had let him down spectacularly. He wasn't sure whether to blame himself or try to think of another reason for his blatant transparency but it didn't really matter. The deed was done. The cat was out of the bag. And he knew there was no way in hell he'd manage to convince her of anything other than what she was already convinced of, that he was indeed jealous. Sitting back down on the couch, he decided to give her another five minutes before he thought of some reason to go out there to her.

Liz stood and stared down at all the people down below, twenty storeys lower, as they began to leave the gala. She hadn't realised it was so late but, having glanced at her watch, she now saw it was nearly midnight. She sighed again and finished her vodka. Even though she'd had her suspicions about Red's feelings towards her, she really hadn't grasped just how strong they were. This wasn't just a crush or an infatuation. She had seen it in his face when she'd confronted him that it was so much more than that for him. There was no way Red would hijack a business dealing over something so trivial if she was just a passing fancy for him, another potential notch on his bedpost. Part of her was glad that she now knew the truth and part of her was terrified. Despite the fact she had long since fallen for the charms of the Concierge of Crime, she really didn't think he would ever consider her a suitable partner or lover. His women all seemed so much more worldly than she. And at least slightly closer to his age. What on earth did he see in a rookie FBI agent? She had no idea she was so special to him in that regard. She was just about to go back inside to replenish her drink when she heard footsteps behind her.

'Elizabeth, do you mind if I join you?'

'I think we can drop the 'Elizabeth', don't you?'. Liz instantly regretted sounding so harsh so she turned to him and attempted a smile. Red looked back at her and gave his own version of a forced smile. But his eyes looked so pained that it was almost a grimace.

'I'm sorry, Red. And, yes, of course you can join me. It's lovely out here'. Liz turned back to the view and found a point in the near distance to fix her focus on, acutely aware of how close Red was when he joined her at the edge of the balcony.

'But I need some more alcohol so if you'll excuse me…'

Liz didn't have a chance to finish her sentence as Red had reached over and taken her glass from her hand, 'Allow me'. He darted back inside before she could respond.

'Red?'

'Yes?'

'Could you make it a double? Or, you know, even more, please?'

Red didn't even reply, just kept on heading towards the bar. Rather than more vodka he decided to pour her a glass of champagne, seeing as it was open. Having done so, he headed back out to the balcony.

'I hope you don't mind; I just opened it, having run out of scotch?'

Liz raised an eyebrow at Red's choice of tipple, 'Champagne? What are you celebrating?'

Red leant on the balcony railing beside her and let out a huff, 'Nothing at all. I just wanted to get drunk quickly'.

Liz glanced over at him and felt a pang of sympathy. All Red had done wrong was scupper his own business dealing, nothing more serious than that. Revealing his feelings for her wasn't something she could blame him for. And he looked so sad right now she had to resist the urge to envelop him in a hug.

'Hey'

'Yes?'

'Why the long face?'

Red's mouth lifted in a small smirk and he looked over towards Liz, 'I think you know why. I'm sorry, Lizzy. I never meant for you to find out that my feelings for you had…..developed. At least, certainly not in such a dramatic fashion'.

'It's okay, Red. I was angry because you ruined our operation, not because of something so….', Liz struggled for the word, 'personal?'

'Yes, indeed. And you have every right to be angry. I shouldn't have put you in that situation. And having done so, I shouldn't have made it all for nothing. I really am sorry'.

Liz reached over and took hold of Red's hand, 'It really is okay. But I think we may need to talk, don't you?'

Red looked down at their joined hands and nodded ever so slightly.

'However, before we talk, how's about we finish that dance that you so abruptly interrupted?'

Red quickly looked up at Liz, a very puzzled look on his face, 'What?'

'Well, it was kinda nice dancing together downstairs, despite how angry I was with you. I've missed these kinds of things lately'

'Are you serious? You looked like you wanted to stab me in the neck with another pen?!'

Liz laughed and squeezed Red's hand harder, 'It's all forgiven now. Why don't you go see if you can find something we can dance to on the room's music system?'

Red stood and stared at Liz for another full five seconds before she gestured at him with her eyebrows. He scuttled off back into the room whilst Liz smiled after him. She had no idea what she was doing, asking for another dance but she felt really bad for Red. And, if she was being honest with herself, she was getting more and more used to the idea that he had feelings for her. And she liked that idea a lot. Turning away from the balcony, whilst finishing her champagne, she sauntered back into their room, heading to the mini bar to top up their glasses.

'I hope this is okay, Lizzy. It's soul music rather than classical but I thought that would be less formal'

'That's perfect', Liz said as she poured more champagne into Red's glass.

They both took very large sips from their glasses and then stepped towards each other. Red's face was a strange mixture of delight and terror and Liz had to bite her lip not to laugh at him. Instead she smiled at him reassuringly and stepped into his arms, completely ignoring his formal dancing position and just wrapping her arms around his neck. After a moment's hesitation, Red placed his hands on her hips and pulled her just a tad closer.

'Red?'

'Yes, sweetheart', Red managed to whisper as his emotions threatened once again to get the better of him.

'Please don't feel embarrassed or whatever. Just dance with me'.

Red looked into her eyes and nodded. They started to move slowly around the space in the middle of their suite, not really following any specific dance moves, just going with the flow of the music and their own intuition.

Liz leant forward and rested her head on Red's shoulder and Red sighed softly into her hair.

Liz had no idea whatsoever what she was doing but this just felt so right. She had gone from being furious with Red to loving the feel of holding him close in little over twenty minutes. She looked up at him and smiled.

'Hey, Red?'

'Hmmm?'

'I'd really like to kiss you'.