Title: Beyond Borders
Chapter 6 – A Little Quality Downtime?

A/N: It seems I've lost a few readers in the last few chaps :( sorry! I hope the rest like this update and continue to support and thanks! :)

"Mr. and Mrs. Ressler? I'm Agent Michaels and this is Agent Bernier. We're from Immigration. I believe we had…what happened?"

"Mud wrestling," Ressler retorts in haste. "Do you have any ID?" He asks firmly as Liz's determined expression matches her partner's. The two Agent's pull out their badges; both Ressler and Liz giving a once over to the official looking badges but knowing that if the two strangers really wanted them dead, guns would have already been pulled and it would have been game over long before this.

This visit…was official.

"Mud wrestling. Really?" The female Agent Bernier inquires as she looks at Ressler as he gently nods and then smiles.

"Does wonder for your bonding time."

"I don't doubt it," Bernier replies with a small frown.

"Should we reschedule?" Ressler asks hopefully.

"It won't take too long. We just want to make sure your home is…" Agent Michaels starts.

"Not a brothel?" Liz retorts dryly as Michael and Bernier exchange amused expressions. "We've…been expecting you so let's just get this over with," she concludes; her brain uttering a sigh of relief in her not saying 'we've run across those ourselves on a case.' Right now? Ressler was just an ordinary citizen and there was a good chance that these two were legit…so taking needless chances wasn't on the agenda right now. This meeting would have to play out – legally.

Ressler opens the door and then lets them inside; taking off his soiled jacket and then looking at Liz as they both realize they didn't fully clean everything.

"Sorry…we uh…were running a bit late this morning."

"It looks like a home," Agent Bernier comments in a friendly tone. "Mind if I take a look in the other rooms?"

Liz feels her stomach tighten as she realizes that she didn't exactly put Ressler's things on what would be his side of the bed and now wonders if they'll ask where her "husband" sleeps if not in the same room with her. "Sure…go ahead," Liz replies weakly as she extends her arm down the hallway.

"I can make some…coffee?" Ressler asks as Michaels nods. He knows it's probably a test to see how well he knew his way around the kitchen and how comfortable he feels in his new home. "We only have strong, hope that's okay."

"Whatever you want to make will be fine. So how do you like the neighborhood?" Michaels asks Ressler as Liz goes in search of the female Agent.

"Does he snore?"

"Only slightly," Liz replies with a small smile. "No one snored as loud as my dad."

"What does he think of all this?"

"He um…he died of cancer," Liz replies softly as Bernier looks over in remorse.

"Sorry."

"It's okay. How do you like this job?"

"It's interesting," Bernier replies as she slowly heads toward the closet and opens the doors, eyeing Ressler's suits and then turning and heading back toward the dresser. "I'm sorry if this feels like intruding."

"A little," Liz answers in truth. "But I get it."

"Did you guys really go mud wrestling?"

"Best foreplay there is," Liz retorts with a smile just as Ressler appears in the doorway. Both women turn and stare at the handsome Agent; his face instantly flushing.

"Coffee's…on," he states with a small clear of his throat.

"We're almost done," Bernier utters first; Ressler giving them a nod and then pulling out of the room as Bernier turns back to Liz. "It looks very homey and you two seem very happy and in love with each other."

In love? She thinks…we're in love? Really? "We're really trying to make this work," Liz answers warmly. "I'm lucky to have him here though."

"Somehow I think he feels the same way. This won't take much longer," Bernier tells Liz as she closes the dresser drawer, satisfied that it looked like two people share the same space and it looks very domestic. She pokes her head into the spare room and then looks at Liz in wonder.

"We want to make it into a spare office, slash, spare bedroom for guests and such. Or a games room…we're undecided," Liz informs the female Agent who seems to buy the somewhat lame but truthful reply and then head back into the hallway. A quick check of the bathroom, noticing all the his and her items on the counter before they rejoin Ressler and Agent Michaels in the kitchen.

"Is it okay if we sit at the kitchen table?" Liz suggests. "Want to save the couch."

"Yeah normally we come home and then just jump in the shower," Ressler adds as his arm comfortably drapes around her shoulder, pulling her close.

"Together?" Bernier arches her brows as both of them look at each other and automatically blush before looking back.

"Foreplay remember?" Liz tosses back as Michaels looks at Bernier in wonder; Ressler's face instantly warming.

"The kitchen table will be fine," Bernier gestures as the four of them slowly head for the table and sit down, Ressler having the coffee already poured and a small container of sugar and milk in the middle of the table.

"So how did you two meet?" Michaels asks as Liz pauses in pouring the cream into her cup. They had talked about a few living together details, but didn't have the time to really cement their stories about meeting, the brief dating period, the proposal and of course the wedding itself.

Oh damn! We didn't talk much about this, Ressler's mind groans as he looks at Liz before his hand gently covers hers; his skin a bit cooler from nervous anxiety.

"We actually met at the um….the mud wrestling place," Liz starts out as Ressler nods. "No we didn't use the facilities the first time. I was there on a job and he was…"

"Visiting a hot tourist destination. At least that's what the owner of the seedy motel told me," Ressler gently retorts. "Seeing her in action, was…very hot. After the arrest I was able to get a few minutes and got her name and number. Said I would be in town for the rest of the week and I asked her out. She said yes and…"

"The rest is history?" Michaels arches his brows.

"Somewhat," Liz lightly laughs as Ressler looks at her with a small frown. "Well I did wonder a few things about you. But otherwise we just hit it off right from the start and…"

"Spent the entire week together and then when I was leaving I told her I was coming back with a ring and…I did. She said yes and now…the rest is history."

The four of them talk a bit more; both Ressler and Liz feeling more at ease being in close proximity of each other and around the two strangers so much so that their stories were melding more and more and both of them sounding as if they really had been in love for years instead of just the early stages of full blown attraction. Finally the hour starts to draw to a close and the tension is all but dissipated.

"Well you two seem to have a very loving and natural relationship. It's easy to spoke fakes so we just have to check out all angles."

"Of course. Anything else?" Liz asks in haste.

"Not at this time. Thank you for your time. We'll submit our report this afternoon and then we'll be in touch for another check-up if the paperwork is still in progress. If not, and everything goes through we'll wish you both all the best right now and say take care and good day," Agent Bernier tells them in truth.

The four of them stand up and slowly walk toward the door, Ressler's arm comfortably wrapped around Liz's waist, her body leaning into his as both Agent's give them friendly nods before taking their leave.

"Think they'll last?" Michaels asks as he and his partner slowly head down the hall toward the elevator.

"Oh yeah," Bernier replies knowingly. "It's in the fine print," she replies with a grin; her mind already acknowledging the message buzzing in her purse.

'I owe you. Red.'

"Well?" Ressler turns and leans against the door, looking at Liz in wonder. "Think we passed?"

"With flying colors. We could convince anyone we're…married," she gently swallows as he cocks his head. "What?"

"You have...something…hold on…" he leans in closer, trying to pick out small twig that had embedded itself into some muck matted hair. But as he leans in, the warm scent of her coupled with the faint scent of intense orange starts to play with his desire and his hands suddenly drop from fishing around in her hair to resting on her warm cheeks, gently cupping them as he leans in closer, at first tasting her mouth but then hungrily devouring them as her body suddenly presses into his.

"Foreplay?" He looks at her in amusement as she nods and leans back in to him.

"Yes so shut up and kiss me."

"With pleasure," Ressler agrees as he starts to devour her chin and moving down, not caring about the small bits of dirt on her soft skin; his mind driven with pleasure and the conquest of claiming her body for himself.

"Ohh…" her lips utter a soft moan as she roughly pushes him up against the wall, one hand firmly grabbing a handful for short, dirt clumped blond hair and the other dropping to his waist.

"Oh damn…" he growls as his hands leave her face, his lips nipping at her neck as her body perfectly arches into his strong grasp.

"Oh yes…" Liz utters his husky scent locks into her hungry desire, forcing her hands to start to pull at his shirt, wanting desperately to disrobe him and release all the sexual tension that she had been allowing to build toward him for the past…oh hell since we first met!

"I want you…" Ressler tells her as he flips them around so that he's now pressing her up against the wall, sexual desire completely taking over rash thought or reason. Her back arches once more into his grasp, her lips uttering a pleasurable moan as his hands start to pull at her top. But as soon as her hands rest on his injured shoulder, his lips utter a different kind of gasp and the moment is broken; both of them pulling apart a foot and instantly the heat cools them both down.

"Sorry," Liz whispers as she gently peels away the rest of his shirt. "You have something stuck…in the stitching, hold on."

Her fingers carefully puck the small piece of wood, forcing his lips to offer a small wince. "Don…"

"Right…it's too soon," he agrees with a tight jaw. "But you still have…" his fingers come away with a small twig from her matted hair and show it to her, "this. I saw you wince when you sat down," he mentions tenderly. "Are you okay?"

"I'm just tired and sore."

"Have the shower first and…"

"I honestly don't mind waiting," she tells him warmly as she looks at his shoulder. "Can you get that wet?"

"Not supposed to but it'll be okay."

"Come with me," she gestures as she turns and heads for the kitchen; Ressler watching in fascination as she pulls out the plastic wrap and duct tape and holds them up.

"Kinky," he retorts as her face instantly warms. She cleans and then covers the wound, sealing the edges with the duct tape and looking at him with much satisfaction.

"Better get going," she tells him with a small frown, her eyes resting on his bare chest and wondering what it would be like to help him get cleaned up; her mind of course hoping he'd return the favor – the two of them naked under the hot water, soapy bodies intertwined and….snap out of it!

"Laundry," Liz mutters to herself as she slowly heads for her bedroom and looks at the large bed, her eyes drifting over to the other side of the bed – the empty side…his side? She hears Ressler in the other room, mumbling to himself before he heads into the bathroom and the door closes. She closes her eyes as her mind drifts back moments earlier to when their bodies were pressed up against, lips devouring each other and hearts both racing toward the same outcome. He wanted it as much as you…we haven't even had our first date yet…but you're married…only technically!

Liz tosses her dirtied suit jacket into the open laundry bin and then starts to unbutton her blouse, her mind trying to push aside the image of Ressler's firm, naked body under the hot streams. She rubs her face with her hands and continues to slowly undress, unzipping her pants and then tossing them aside.

She quickly remembers that she's left something in the living room in her purse and heads into the hallway. However, as she nears the bathroom with the open door, she automatically pauses, her heart starting to pick up the pace. She hears him utter a small curse and pokes her head into the door to see what was going on.

But as soon as her eyes rest on his frame under the streams, she knows she's doomed. Worse still, when he looks up, their eyes lock and he slowly opens the door for her to enter. No words are spoken…none needed as she knows she's already well on her way to accepting the invitation. Her fingers swiftly undo the clasp on her bra, her panties next and her steps few as they take her to the entrance of the shower.

Ressler's right arm instantly wraps around her naked waist, pulling her tightly against his hot, wet frame as his left arm closes the shower door to keep the heated water inside the small, tiled stall.

"I want this…you…" she gasps hungrily as her lips start to nip his neck; his desire for her growing harder and harder by the second. His lips utter a hungry growl as hands leave her lips and slowly slide up her wet frame, resting on her chest and starting to explore her ample flesh, her back arching and her body begging for his to make the union complete.

"Oh yes…" she gasps as his hands apply some pressure to her chest, the tingling sensations of pain mingle with the bursts of pleasure, her fingers grabbing his hair and giving his head a good tug, forcing his body to respond with added fervor and forcing him to act.

"I want you," Ressler tells her in a low growl as he pushes her up against the warmed tiles, gently propping her up with his hips so that they were able to finally connect – their intimate union complete.

"Oh yes!" Liz utters as her eyes squeeze shut as their bodies continue to move together as one. "That feels…do it again…" she gasps as the strength of his weight pushes her slightly up against the tiles, her hands grabbing his bare back and squeezing the skin with added pressure.

"You're amazing…and beautiful," he manages between heated pants as he offers another bout of energy into her waiting and willing frame.

"Again…" she manages as she bows her head and silences him with another hungry kiss, her hands sliding down his smooth back and lower.

"Liz…" her name slides off his wet lips with a satisfied moan, before her hands come up to his neck and then his wet hair, pulling back with force and forcing the tension to be felt all the way down to his below his waist and causing him to react accordingly; her own body on the receiving end of the pleasure he was feeling.

"Don't…stop…" she pants as the streams of water seems to pulse with the rhythm of their rapidly beating hearts.

"So…close…" he manages weakly as he looks directly into her warm blue eyes, seeing his own hungry desire mirrored in the dark pools before him. A few seconds later their lips lock in a heated dance, tongues teasing each other and pleasurable moans escaping the corners between searing kisses.

"Now…Don…oh god yes now!" Liz calls out as his body offers one last burst of energy; his frame flooding hers with inner warmth as the hot water continues to rain down upon them. His lips offer a hearty growl at the same moment; the union complete and both of them gently gasping for air.

"Wow," she whispers as she literally collapses into his strong grasp, her head lolling onto his shoulder as his arms encircle her and hold her tightly against him until he feels his legs begging for some relief and they regrettably pull apart.

"That was perfect," he tells her in truth as his hands cup her face and he completes the heated romp with one last passionate kiss; she can only nod in agreement and firmly kiss him in return.

"I think we used up the monthly ration of hot water," she gently snickers as she reaches for the soap. But she willingly relinquishes it to him, closing her eyes once more as he tenderly massages her skin with the soap. "Don…" she moans as his hands move lower.

"I'll let you finish up," he whispers in her ear as he kisses her on the soft lobe and then pulls back with a warm gaze.

"This changes everything," Liz whispers as she offers him a small frown.

"It's just moved things up," he tells her in truth. "Or…"

"No, you're right. I wanted this as much as you," she confesses. "But it still changes things. My…husband," she tells him as she looks down at the shining band of gold on her finger and then back up at him in wonder. He plants one last watery kiss on her plump lips before he gets out of the shower to dry off and let her finish on her own.

Liz leans against the warmed tiles and squeezes her eyes shut, her mind racing. My husband…we just bonded – sexually…we can't go back now. Ever. Do I even want that?

She opens her eyes, watching him exit the room and knows the answer to the somewhat rhetorical question – she wouldn't want to go back even if she could. But there would be a time when she would be forced to face that. The wheels were in motion to get paperwork reinstated and then he'd have his life back…a life that was, before all this, separate from her. Would he want to go back? Could he? But we aren't officially married…only on paper and that…

"Oh I hate this," she chastises herself as she finishes up in the shower and gets out, quickly drying off and pulling on a pair of shorts and tee to sleep in.

"I called Cooper with an update," Ressler comes up to her in the hallway, also dressed and wearing sweatpants and a tee-shirt. "Stanton is asking to see his lawyer tomorrow and McBeth is still in the wind. Still nothing on Oslo other than what we learned and no sign of Red," he sighs heavily.

"I'll text him and let him see what he knows about Oslo. If anyone knows Stanton's dirty little secrets and his inside world along with his henchmen it's Red," Liz mentions as he gives her a nod and a small frown.

"And the book?"

"Ah yes…the book," Liz nods as she turns and heads back into her bedroom. She eases herself down onto her side, picks up her purse and then looks up to see Ressler leaning in the doorway. "You can come in."

"If I do…I might not want to leave."

"I don't mind."

"Okay," he agrees in satisfied warmth as he eases himself down onto the other side of the bed, lingering in a semi-seated position for a few seconds, as if testing out the situation before easing himself down all the way; his body slightly propped up on the pillows.

"Feel like doing some reading?" Liz holds up the book as Ressler nods and gestures for her to come closer.

"I promise I don't bite…too hard," he hands her back the line she had given him a few days earlier. Her cheeks slightly warm as she hands him the book and then leans up against his warm frame. It was almost worse, as his fresh, clean scent was once again playing with her senses. But the same is also true for him; his mind going into overdrive as soon as she leans up against him, a few damp strands teasing the bare parts of his forearm.

"I'll text and you read."

"Okay…let's see what we have here," Ressler mentions in a low undertone as he opens the book and starts to read the preface. But about ten minutes later, Ressler looks down to see Liz asleep, her lips slightly parted and dark lashes resting on soft, flushed cheeks.

He leans in and plants a small kiss on the top of her head and exhales as he closes his eyes for a few brief seconds. "You're right," he whispers as he opens them and then looks back down the book in his grasp and over at her phone. "This changes everything…my wife."

A/N: Okay so I had to give them a bit of a break from the action with the legit agents and give them their first steamy connection (b/c hey it was building up right? Hehe) *phew* been a while since I wrote anything this romantic so I hope it wasn't too weak! Lol hope it was as steamy as I wanted it to be (of course within the T rating guidelines). And yes always have a reminder that Red is watching (did you like Agent Bernier) and trying to maneuver a few things hehe but the danger of course is still very much alive. So now that they've intimately bonded how will that change things? Any second thoughts for either of them? How will it up the emotional investment now, especially since Ressler is still marked for death? Will Liz lose her husband or will they stop Stanton and his men in time? Please do review before you go and thanks so much!