Hello, thank you again for the comments. I am really enjoying this story but it's still a great motivation to read your thoughts. Keep em coming. I think there are maybe 3 or 4 chapters to go and I'm working away like one of Santa's elves trying to get them ready ;-)

On Monday Elizabeth decides the best way to play it is low key. Perhaps apparent ease and a little nonchalance will convince them, and maybe herself, that everything is fine. She won't admit it but she's anxious to see him again, to confirm that she wasn't dreaming or delusional. She can feel herself rushing so she deliberately takes her time getting ready. It crosses her mind that she's making an effort for him but she can't be both slow and sloppy, so she carries on.

Of course he's there when she arrives. She keeps a distance, deliberately leaving it as long as she can before she has to acknowledge him. Finally when it's unavoidable she approaches him, still feigning disinterest. He seems amused already; watching her, assessing her and then he says with a small smirk, "Good morning Lizzie. You're looking more rested"

She bites her tongue, holding back the urge to tell him to shut up. Instead she tries to smile as genuinely as she can and softly responds, "good morning". His smirk intensifies as he marvels at her effort to play nice.

When the rest of the team assemble he tries to take his usual place near her but she's obviously decided against that idea. When they're standing she moves away, gathering whatever papers or evidence she can justifiably use. And when she returns she stands at opposite sides from her initial position; from him. When they're seated she has a recurring need for coffee or other banalities and somehow manages to never return to the same seat.

He lets it continue for a few days, amused at first. But then he doesn't want the distance, doesn't want this to become a pattern with her so he decides to let her know. They are leaving the meeting room on Thursday; breaking for lunch, while others head out to follow leads. He times it so they try to leave at the same moment. He steps back to allow her to exit first, ever the gentleman, and when she passes him he says in a low voice, "I know what you're doing Lizzie". She doesn't break stride but he can see the flush rise in her cheek and he knows she'll heed his warning.

She does.

And though she doesn't actively move away she won't let him touch her either, and they both feel the absence of their contact. Day after day they work alongside each other, in many ways just as they did before but now she remains just out of reach. Of course there are other differences too. She never visits him, doesn't tell him things or share a drink with him. All those things concern him but not touching her feels like the severest punishment of all. He surmises that the lack of contact has developed into a trust issue for her. He hopes when (or could it be possibly if) he earns her trust back that he will again be permitted these touches.

Although she brought about the situation Elizabeth too is bothered by the lack of contact. She almost mentions it to Dr Jacobs at their weekly sessions, wanting someone to tell her how her stubbornness has evolved into a habit. One that's keeping her up at night, making her wonder and second guess herself. She thinks she can't trust him but she's learning that she doesn't want to do without him either. Of course she decides against telling the psychiatrist this. There are already more than enough questions for her to side steps.

The weeks continue in uncomfortable silences, awkward moments and distant stares, more for her than for him: she's learned from experience that he has the uncanny ability to seem at ease in any situation.

Elizabeth thinks her life is like a mirror of her previous life; a parallel universe; a dissociative state. It seems neither of them can bridge the gap. On many sleepless nights she's almost leaves her house to seek him out and demand answers: but the insecurities that established themselves during his absence and the revelation of her husband as pseudo spouse left her doubtful. She remembers Red's sacrifice for her, his attention, his unwavering faith, the way he made her feel significant; to him, to everybody... she just can't bring herself to believe it. Soon they are closing in on another Blacklister. Red's made it easy on them, or at least easy on Lizzie. She's been there while he continued his usual mocking of Donald, she's tried to be a buffer, a distraction, although she knows Donald can hold his own. She feels like she owes him for his months of patience and friendship. When they finally get the green light to bring the target in she gets suited up as before. They are on site and making final preparations; Red has lured the target and moments after he exits the building he enters the temporary command post.

Cooper has a final word with him and starts barking orders. The adrenaline begins to flow and she listens with full alertness to each instruction. Red watches her, a faint frown and his lowered gaze displaying his displeasure at her desire to expose herself to danger. But for now at least he has thwarted her effort. He doesn't even act surprised when Cooper tells her to stand down. Nor does he seem repentant when she glares at him. Instead as the others leave he just tilts his head and says, "Alone at last".

She is furious, refusing to engage in conversation and intently watching the screens, monitoring the progress of their latest capture. Her heart is in her mouth as she vicariously experiences the raid through the cameras the team are carrying. Her heart still pounds, her senses still ready to go.

Despite the drama that's happening only moments away Raymond Reddington sits passively, looking at Elizabeth instead of the screens. She tries to ignore him but his dark perpetrating stare makes the room feel too small, her clothing too tight. She stands, removing the FBI emblazoned jackets and pulling the Velcro tabs holding her bullet proof vest in place. He continues to watch and she continues to avoid his eyes as she drapes the clothing on the back of her chair.

"Better?" He asks. She ignores him.

Suddenly they hear an explosion down the street. He's on his feet before she is, making his way to the door on instinct. He pauses just over the threshold, turning to her, "Lizzie, stay here!" He barks at her, using his body to block her exit.

"Red get the hell out of my way" she says as she draws her gun. He still doesn't move, instead moving towards her, forcing her to back away and effectively moving her back into the room. "Reddington, I am warning you. This is my job" she says as forcefully as she can. He seems to think for a moment, but then they hear gunfire on the street and they both turn, this time making it out the door.

Their end of the street is quiet but ahead they can see a burning car and people moving. They quickly but cautiously move ahead, trying to remain in the shadows until they are close enough to establish who is who. She suddenly remembers the bullet proof vest, keeping the chair protected back in the command post. She will need to be careful, all too aware that Red is also without body armour.

Through her ear piece she hears Cooper call her name. "Keen, I need you to provide cover for the agents exiting the building. We are on our way down and out now".

"Yes sir" she responds. "Red, I want you to stay behind me" she says looking over at him. He doesn't respond, she knew her request would fall on deaf ears but she continues regardless, "I'm armed Red, you have no means of protecting yourself."

He looks sceptical and then responds, "do not concern yourself Lizzie".

They take a defensive position near the exit and she lays down what cover she can. She doesn't really know what they are up against but she battles on regardless. She thinks she needs to get a bit closer. She wants to communicate this to Red but he's facing away, ensuring they are not ambushed from behind and she doesn't want to have to take him further into danger so she moves quietly, closer to the building and away from the cover that was her only protection.

She's making quick and steady progress on the street, only concerned with providing adequate protection for the FBI agents leaving the building. She sees a figure beyond the corner of the building and momentarily halts, trying to ascertain which side he is on. It's this short delay that saves her from greater injury; saves her life, as another explosion rocks the street. She's thrown backwards and lands heavily on her back and shoulder; the sound of the blast temporarily robbing her of her hearing and the debris and smoke from the blast obscuring her sight. Luckily it's having the same effect on everyone and she's in no greater danger than she was a moment ago.

What they don't know is that their Blacklist target is receiving information from the mole within the department and this whole scenario has been a set up designed to capture or kill them both. The only reason Red made it out of the building alive is because they hoped to lure Elizabeth too.

She struggles against her hearing affected balance but makes it to her feet. She is disorientated but tries to remain vigilant. She retreats to her earlier position, sinking to the ground and wondering why Red is not still there.

Of course, from the moment he realised she was absent he tried to find her, tried to ensure no harm came to her. But the momentary lapse of focus, necessitated by their vulnerable position, meant that she vanished from his sight. On hearing the blast he made his way around and towards the sound, praying that she hadn't been close to the car when it exploded. But it was almost impossible to see through the smoke so he retreated hoping she'd use their last position as a rendezvous point.

When he rounds the bend and sees her sitting, obviously dazed he squats down in front of her. He doesn't touch or immediately speak to her, he doesn't want to startle her and he needs a moment to assess any injuries. There is blood on her clothing but he's comforted that it doesn't look like a significant amount. She hasn't looked at him yet, a fact he finds most worrying.

"Lizzie, can you hear me?" he asks her. She looks up then, recognition slowly registering on her face. She briefly nods her head and looks away. He takes her gun from her hand, knowing that it will fall to him to protect them both until she recovers. "We can't stay here, can you move?" He asks, trying to draw her attention back. She nods again, looking at him directly now. He moves closer, wanting to offer her support and stability but she moves slightly away and stands unaided.

They stay low and close and move away from the building, back down the street to the command post. She follows Red, intermittently aware of her surroundings and the dangerous situation they are still in. She is relying on him completely, having given over her weapon and accepted his help. When they enter the command post he returns her weapon but he continues to take the lead.

A slightly battered and bruised Cooper returns, explaining what went down and the casualties they have sustained. Her hearing has mostly returned but her body is beginning to ache from the blast. Red asks and answers questions but eventually has Cooper agree to let him take Lizzie home; Red having reassured him that she'll be examined by a medic.

Instead of approaching an ambulance he guides her further away from the site to where Dembe is now waiting with the car. She is suddenly exhausted and wants nothing more than to be home so she sits in the car without argument. She's somewhat relieved when she sees that Dembe is headed in the direction of her apartment.

During the journey Red issues instructions about the things he wants brought over to her apartment, but she isn't listening in, isn't keeping tabs on how any of this might affect her. So when they pull up outside and Red exits the vehicle with her she's surprised. When the car pulls away leaving them both on the sidewalk she's alarmed. But her injury and fatigue mean she hasn't the energy for a confrontation. Mounting the stairs she hopes her actions will make it clear to him that she's recovered enough to look after herself.