Author's note: You might hate me a bit after that last chapter. I'm sorry! Please keep reading. I promise that I'm going somewhere with this, and it will be warm and fluffy and happy!

And one more thing: This is almost definitely the result of poor writing on my part, but there seems to be some confusion regarding who knows about what in this story. Maybe I'll go back and make a few changes at some point, for the sake of clarity, but in the meantime, I hope you guys won't mind if I just break it down here so I can get on with the story more quickly. Denny doesn't actually think that Lizzie could be his daughter. All Denny knows is that Red's lover is a beautiful young woman whose birthday is on the same week as his long-lost daughter's. Lizzie looks a lot like how he imagined his daughter would look when she grew up, but that's only speculation. It's too much of a coincidence and the odds are too slim for Denny to actually think it could be true. While his lawyering skills helped him detect something suspicious about Red's behavior, Denny hasn't put his finger on why. When Red offered to use his criminal connections to help Denny find out what happened to his daughter, Red didn't let on that he believes that Anna could be Lizzie. Denny also doesn't know that Red recognized the man in the photo with his daughter. In Chapter 8, Red did consider telling him, but ultimately decided against it because he didn't want to prematurely get Denny's hopes up. At the end of Chapter 9, Red had to take the empty tumbler without being seen because Denny doesn't know about the DNA test. He had to use the lint roller for Lizzie's DNA sample because he hasn't told her about it either. He can't risk getting their hopes up only to shatter them. This is all just typical Red-always going the distance and pulling out all the stops to protect his loved ones.

Make sense? I hope that didn't come across as patronizing. Like I said, any confusion is almost certainly my fault. This was just the easiest way to clarify everything.

And thank you again for all the reviews. I love you guys!

Chapter 11

Red was still sitting on the bed in his suite, DNA results in hand, trying to decide how he should proceed. No match.

That stupid lint roller had his own hair, Hudson's hair, and even cat hair-presumably one of Hudson's barn companions. What it did not have is Lizzie's hair. No sample? No match.

Now what? Red's left hand clenched into a fist while the fingers of the right tapped out an uneven, staccato beat on the nightstand. It didn't take very long for him to make a decision. He leaped up from the bed and practically skipped around the suite while he dialed Lizzie and waited for her to answer.

Lizzie picked up on the second ring. "Hey, you! How was your dinner with Denny last night?"

"It was nice, but I think we probably drank a little too much. I miss you." He could picture her nearly rolling her crystal blue eyes at his immature antics.

"Let me guess. You got hammered and decided to LITERALLY paint the town RED, and then Denny sweet-talked the magistrate into letting it slide? How many felonies did you get away with this time?" Red loved that jestingly-judgemental tone.

"I knew I shouldn't have told you that story! And for the record, I always learn from my mistakes. We used blue paint this time."

Lizzie couldn't help laughing. "My little bon vivant! I should have guessed."

"Hey!" Red feigned offense. "I am many things. 'Little' isn't one of them!"

Liz slowly shook her head, as if Red could see it. "I dunno about that. It's been a few days. It seems I've forgotten..."

"Oh, my heart! First I'm little, and now I'm forgettable too?" They were only joking, but since it really had been a few days, that was enough to take Red's mind to places that it was difficult to return from.. on his own, anyway.

"Y'know, Red, if you'd let me teach you how to use the camera on your phone, you could easily defend... yourself." She hummed for a few seconds, quite satisfied with herself.

Red lowered his voice by a carefully-measured amount, hitting the notes that he knows are enough to drive her crazy. "That's okay, Sweetheart. I don't need to defend myself. I'll accept a photographic apology from you, instead. Pornographic, preferably. Give me something to think about in the shower, Lizzie." Every 's' came out like a hiss. Every vowel sounded like an exhale of baited breath. Red paused, waiting for her to rebuke him. At the faint sound of her breath catching, he licked his bottom lip. "You still haven't said anything. Does that mean you're taking a photo right now?"

Liz sighed, exasperated. "This could go on all day."

"Hmmm... that's the spirit..." She was right about that.

"Well I don't have time!" She took a calming breath. "I am looking forward to having an unforgettable experience when you come home, though.."

Ohhh yes, Red thought to himself. "Well, I'm looking forward to giving it to you..."

.

"You are ALWAYS looking forward to giving it to me."

Well yeah, but god, she's so distracting. He did call for a reason, after all, and it had nothing to do with photos for beating off in the hotel shower.

"You say that like it's a bad thing! Okay, allow me to redirect. Have I ever told you that Denny rides?"

Lizzie laughed out loud, shaking her head in wonder. "That was a good 180. Wow.. Um, I'm not sure. I think you may have mentioned it at some point. Yes."

"I'd like to invite him and Shirley to come visit us soon. We'll stay at the farm. You guys can go riding. We'll go fishing. Maybe we can finally take that tour of In Vino Veritas?" He paused in the middle of the room, holding his breath, preparing to offer a bribe if necessary.

"Okay love, sure. That sounds great. BUT..."

Oh no. Here it comes.

"Only if I get to see you in a pair of waders." Lizzie practically sang the words.

Red knew she was grinning from ear to ear. If she was standing, she was probably jumping up and down too. She had him. She had him and she knew it.

Red sighed, "So basically, you want me to wear a waist-high condom with shoulder straps?"

"Would it make you feel better if I told you it would turn me on?"

"Quite."

"Alright. I'll say it when I see it."

"I'll extend the invitation to Denny and Shirley this afternoon. Thank you, Lizzie."

"Of course. Honey, when are you coming home?"

"Tomorrow, and I want you waiting in my bed and ready for me when I get there."

"Just don't make me wait too long."

"Oh, I won't. I'll call tonight to let you know what Denny says. I love you."

"Okay. I love you too! Bye."

Red hung up the phone and tossed it on the bed. Having a solid plan was such a relief.

Step one? Shower.