Chapter 10

Waking up to her phone alarm at 7 am, Liz groaned. That sofa was not for sleeping on. As she sat up and tried to stretch out the kinks in her back, Liz realized that the house was silent. Hoping she wouldn't have to deal with Tom again, Liz got up to have a shower and get ready for work. Once dressed, Liz tried to hide the bags under her eyes with makeup. It looked alright, but she knew if she saw Red he'd see through it straight away. Liz headed downstairs to feed Hudson, and dropping a kiss to his head, she left for work.

When she arrived at the Post Office, Liz went straight to her office, intending to finish the paperwork that she had started at home. She had completed two of the five files that had to be done when she was interrupted by a knock on the door. Looking up, she saw Red. She could tell he was assessing her, and she knew he saw right through her makeup and the smile she gave him.

"How about a coffee break, Lizzie? I know this fabulous little hole in the wall that serves the best pastries." Tapping his fedora on his thigh, Red waited for her answer, expecting her to turn him down like she had in the past, but hoping after this past weekend she'd say yes.

Liz looked at him and was about to say no, but she knew she could be herself with Red, plus she hadn't had breakfast and her stomach chose that moment to remind her.

"Sure, just give me second to save this." With her head down, Liz didn't see the sweet smile Red had on his face.

Getting up and grabbing her things, she left her office with Red following. He put his hand on her back, leading her to the elevator. He was about to speak when they were interrupted by Ressler.

"Do we have a case, Reddington?"

"We might. I'll be discussing it with Lizzie. I'll have her back in a bit." Putting pressure on the bottom of her back, he continued to walk to the elevator.

"Do we have a case, Red?"

"No, that was just an excuse for Donald to leave you alone for a while."

Hearing that, Liz let out a relieved sigh, one that Red heard.

Exiting the elevator, they headed for Red's car. Dembe saw them approaching and opened the door for them.

"Morning, Dembe," Liz said, giving him a smile.

"Agent Keen," Dembe replied with a smile and a nod.

Liz got into the car and slid along to the other side and waited for Red to get in. Turning to him, Liz noticed how close they were. She could feel the heat of his thigh against hers. Liz looked at the suit he was wearing...it was the silver/grey one, one of her favourites. She also noticed his tie. It was a striking green color, and it made his eyes stand out. Seeing that Red had caught her staring, she spoke.

"New tie?"

"Yes. Do you like it? Kate got it for me." He touched his tie and smiled when he mentioned his daughter.

"I do. How is Kate?" Liz couldn't wait to see Kate again. She wanted to get to know the girl.

"She's fine. She's spending the day with her Grandmother." Seeing Liz's look, Red added, "A story for another time."

According to Red's file he didn't have any family. She knew that his file had some errors in it, but she couldn't imagine that being one of them. Now she had to know who the grandmother was. She didn't realize that the car had stopped until her door was opened. Liz turned and accepted Red's hand, getting out of the car.

Walking to the cafe, Liz realized they were still holding hands, but instead of letting go, she entwined their fingers together. Feeling a slight squeeze on her fingers, Liz looked to Red and saw that he was smiling. Red opened the door and let Liz walk in first. Still holding her hand, he led her to a table at the back. Picking up a small menu, Liz decided on a toasted bagel with cream cheese and a vanilla latte. When Red asked what she wanted, she told him and he got up to give their orders. Watching him standing there with his hands in his pocket, talking to the cashier, Liz admitted to herself that he looked hot and that she had more than a crush on him. Liz felt no guilt admitting that. When she thought of Tom now, she realized she didn't love him anymore. She cared for him...but that was it. When Red turned to look at her and smiled, she got butterflies in her stomach...something that had never happened before with anyone, not even Tom. Smiling back, she watched Red turn back to the cashier. When Red turned back to the cashier, he couldn't help but think that this was the start of something good between him and Lizzie. The smile she gave him was different from the usual ones. This one had a lot more meaning behind it. Also the fact that she held his hand and the way she was looking at him...maybe Kate was right.

Thanking the cashier, Red made his way back to Lizzie. Red noticed the change in her from when he arrived at the Post Office til now and it made him happy to know that he was the cause of her improving mood. Giving Lizzie her coffee and bagel, Red sat down with his tea and croissant. Wanting to know what happened last night when Liz got home, Red decided to be blunt.

"What happened last night, Lizzie?"

Thankful she hadn't taken a mouthful of her coffee yet, Liz put the cup back down and looked at Red. "Tom came home just before midnight...drunk." Seeing the worried look on Red's face, she continued before he could interrupt her. "He slammed the front door closed. It woke me up and I had my gun out before he could even step into the room." Red nodded. "He wanted to know if I'd made my desicion, and I told him that we would talk when he was sober. He said some things then went to bed and I slept on the couch."

"The next time he starts a argument and he's drunk, I want you to leave and come to me." He saw that Liz was about to protest. "Please, Lizzie, we don't know things about him and until we do, I want you to be safe."

It was the please that made Liz change her mind. Had he ever said please for anything? Nodding her head, Liz agreed. "I promise Red, if anything happens, I'll come to you." Seeing the relieved smile on his face, Liz decided to ask her favor. "I need you to do something for me Red." Getting a raised eyebrow, Liz continued. "I need information on the Angel Station case. What i've been able to get is all retacted. I also need you to help me track the names on the passports."

"I'll get you the case file. Get me a copy of the names and I'll see what I can do." Red was glad that Lizzie was starting to have doubts about Tom. He'd do everything he could to help her get the truth of who he really was.

Liz, noticing the time, decided that,sadly, she had to get back to work. After Red dropped her back at the Post Office, he departed with a squeeze to her hand and a smile. Liz headed inside to finish her paperwork. She was going home at a decent hour, which was something she was dreading.

When Liz did get home it was 6pm. Tom wasn't home yet, so she fed Hudson and let him out in the back yard. Sitting on a lawn chair, she played catch with Hudson until, once again, she was disturbed by the front door slamming shut. There wasn't gonna be a door left if he kept doing that! Getting up and heading inside, she noticed Hudson following her loyally. Once inside,she saw Tom at the fridge, getting a beer. He turned when he heard her come in. Shooting her a sneer, he spoke.

"Well, well, would you look at the time."

Lizzie noticed that he was drunk again, or well on his way to being drunk.

"Tom, I won't talk to you like this. When you're sober we can sit down and discuss this." Before Liz could finish, the bottle of beer Tom was holding suddenly smashed against the wall by her head. Ducking on reflex, Liz turned to look at Tom in stunned shock. He didn't even appear to be sorry for what he had just done.

"We don't need to sit down and discuss this. All you need to do is decide. ME OR THE FBI!"

In all the years Liz had known Tom, he'd never raised his voice once. When Liz didn't reply to his demand, Tom advanced on her and grabbed her wrist.

"Let go,Tom, you're hurting me." Tom didn't let go, instead he applied more pressure. Liz let out a whimper. "Tom, please." Still getting no reaction, Liz kneed him in the groin. Tom let go of Liz as he fell to his knees, releasing a squeek as she took a step back. Seeing Tom start to get back up, Hudson got in front of Liz and started to growl, showing his teeth. Tom paused at that, but then started again. Before he could reach Hudson, Liz pulled out her gun. "Stay where you are Tom...don't make me shoot you!"

Tom took some steps back, and with a huff he turned to leave. "I don't even know who you are anymore," he said as he slammed the door behind him.

Releasing the breath she was holding, Liz slid down to the floor, tears sliding down her face. Hudson went to her and nudged her face. Feeling his wet nose on her face, Liz let out a wet chuckle and put her non-injured arm around him.

"I think it's time we pack our things and go somewhere safe. What do you think?" The reply was a lick to her face.

Packing enough things for her and Hudson, she loaded her car and left. Her wrist was still throbbing and driving wasn't helping it, but she knew that once she got to her destination, things would be alright...she hoped.

A/N

A big thank you to jadenanne7 for being my beta, and to everyone that's reading and/or reviewing!