The Torello brothers had done a fantastic job of softening up the supposedly hardened criminal that had taken the shot at Red the day before.
Red had to admit, if only to himself, he was surprised that Tom had not taken the shot. While the sniper gave a general description that could have been Tom, which had ordered the hit, Red did not believe Tom would hire someone as unprofessional as this guy was turning out to be.
On the other hand. Tom could be fucking with him. Was that his subtle way of telling Liz, even Red could be taken down, or was there even more to it than that?
Reddington was getting a headache thinking about the possibilities so he ended the uncertainty, by turning his would-be assassin over to the trusting, capable hands of the Torello brothers.
It was one less worry off his plate.
Liz was doing face time with her team, as had become her norm so Red left her to her own devices.
While he caught upon correspondences and the Estate bills.
A day like every other day, except this one was filled with stolen kisses and long embraces before one or the other was called away for whatever reason.
When Elizabeth was done with her team, Cooper surprised her by a monumental announcement, at least to the woman.
The Assistant Director for the Behavioral Analysis Unit had requested that she profile for them, at least until her medical leave was over.
Seeing that she was indisposed for a yet to be determined time frame, perhaps she could help lessen the workload that had piled up on them in the wake of losing two agents. One to maternity leave, the other to retirement.
Liz had jumped at the opportunity of course, pleased to feel productive again.
She still had to be on call for the Blacklist first and foremost, but the BAU's cases, compared to what they had been dealing with at the Blacksite, would be a piece of cake.
She could do this.
Liz excitedly went to tell Red her news and was pleased that he was happy for her. He had not only understood, he was very supportive.
"I think it will be good for you, sweetheart." Red encouraged. "I need to speak to you about something."
She sat aside the file she had been carrying, turning her attention to him, waiting patiently.
"You haven't found a house yet, have you?" He asked the rhetorical question.
"Uh, no." she frowned, "I've been looking, but–"
"Wait, before you read something into what I'm saying." Red forestalled her. "I wanted to make sure you hadn't found anything before I offered my proposal."
"All right..." she was hesitant, not knowing where this was headed.
"Since we've been established here at this house and you have taken a liking to Francis," he began, "I think you should just stay here."
"Red, that's very nice of you but I can't just–"
"Listen to me." he halted her protest. "We're supposed to be engaged, Francis visits frequently. If you move out now..."
"Oh! Right..." That would pose a problem to their 'cover'. "I see what you mean."
"I thought, whenever Francis is here, I'd make an appearance." he had given this much thought. "Otherwise, I'll just be at one of the safe houses or more likely, out of town."
"Why can't you just stay here?" she frowned. "It's not like there isn't enough room."
"Sweetheart, I haven't even taken you on a date yet." Red smiled. "Don't you think I should do that before shacking up with you?"
"I think you're being silly, quite honestly." she replied honestly. "We've managed well enough this last month without killing each other. Unless there's some problem you aren't telling me about."
"Elizabeth, I just want to give you space." Red stated seriously. "We go on a date, you come home that night to analyze what was said or done, in the privacy of your own home."
"I've had time to think. To clear my head of the garbage." she was grateful for the fact. "I am not the same person I was a month ago, let alone six months ago."
"And you don't think that has anything to do with the fact that you've been in my company?" he countered.
"No, I think it has everything to do with me not being in Tom's company. I think it has to do with the fact that I've taken a break from work and rested." she was adamant. "I think it has everything to do with taking time for myself."
Red had to consider her point of view.
"I could have left here anytime, you know." she pointed out the obvious. "I could have rented a small apartment and got around just fine." she hesitated, then forged ahead. "But the fact is, I enjoyed your company." Once said, it was easier to continue. "I've enjoyed everyone's company, Francis, the guards, Nora." She slowed, the next statement not as easy to admit. "I've lived alone for almost a year, and it was boring as hell."
"It had to have some bright spots." Red was stunned at the words.
"Not particularly." she shrugged. "I like my quiet time, but I've also found that I like companionship." she motioned accordingly. "I get that here."
Red was pleasantly surprised to hear all being said.
"If I'm sitting in the front areas, the guards chat with me. If I'm in our bedroom, they do their check and move on." she smiled gently. "I think they get that I sometimes need the solitude."
The man was pleased to hear Silas and the other's were doing their duties so well.
"Living alone is the same, day in and day out." she gestured, grimacing. "Go to work, order take out, go home, watch a movie, pass out of the couch."
"Why didn't you go out?" Red was curious. "You're a young woman, in the prime of her life."
"I did go out, with Samar, Aram... sometimes Ress would join us." she corrected. "The bar scene gets old, fast." she opened her computer while she talked. "I tried dating and checked out some sites," she turned the screen so he could see, "but they were so dull and uninteresting, it was a relief to get called into work."
"You still have an account?" he was amazed, smiling his amusement.
"I check it once in a while, out of morbid curiosity." she sighed heavily. "Or when I don't think things can get worse... these prove me wrong."
Red scrolled through the messages, she showed him, his features showing his disbelief. Out of the ten he opened so far, seven of them only contained one word, Hello. Three said, I'd fuck you. Txt me.
"Charming." Red twisted his mouth distastefully.
"Aren't they." Liz rolled her eyes. "Aside from avoiding the dating pool, at all costs. By the time we got to the Kenyon Family, I was more than burnt out." Red's eyes softened in understanding. "I needed this time away from everything, Red." she confessed.
"I don't think I've told you, thank you, for letting me have it. For giving me the chance to not worry about a damn thing." she felt genuine remorse "I also haven't thanked you for giving me the Blacklist names again, after I said I was ready, regardless of what Cooper said about not letting me work."
She leaned forward, kissing his cheek. "Thank you for giving me the chance to find my clarity again."
"I don't think I had anything to do with it, Elizabeth."
"You had everything to do with it." she disagreed. "With that said, I'm a grown damn woman." She reminded almost peevishly. "If I want to shack up with someone before an official date, it's my business and no one else's."
Red felt a smile tug at his mouth. "Why don't we just see how things go." the smile grew as the blue eyes rolled in exaggerated annoyance.
"Just for a little bit." he compromised. "We'll go on a couple dates, then open this back up for discussion." he used his arbitration skills to his advantage. "For all you know, you could think I'm a waste of time like these other dumbasses." he waved the tablet about, before tossing it to the couch.
"Well if you're not here, I don't see why we can't downsize to something smaller."
"I picked this house because of the secure grounds and guest house."
"I don't really need a guest house."
"The guards do." he reminded. "Since that's where the sleep."
Good point. Liz had forgotten about that.
"Even still, I really only need, what, two guards?" Liz reasoned it out. "For God sake, Red, this is a 20,000 square foot house. No one needs that much space... how can you afford..."
"Have you forgotten about Francis?" he bated.
Again, he had a good point. Not that she minded Francis, she loved Francis and would love for him to stay when ever he wished.
"You're comfortable here." Red prodded gently. "And admit it, you know you love the pool."
She did love that pool. "Well, at least let me give you the money from the sale of–"
"No, I want you to keep that for emergencies." he absolutely refused. "As a matter of fact, I would like it, if you set up an offshore account with it, should something happen." he continued. "Now, I have contingencies in place in the event the shit hits the fan, but I would still like it if you had a back up."
"I don't feel comfortable, Red."
"The way you talk," he reminded, "it'll be our house again in no time, so this should be a nonissue."
Liz blushed slightly, gesturing for the man to continue.
"The house suits your purposes. You have enough rooms for your team, should you need them. You're maybe ten minutes from work." he ticked off on his fingers. "Security has their own dwelling. Nora loves that kitchen."
"I don't think I could keep Nora." she laughed lightly, already crushed over the reality.
"You're keeping her. Trust me on that." he put down his foot. "Lizzy, you love this house."
She did love it.
Besides being beautiful, she had grown accustomed to sitting in the big picture window that was in the atrium to read. She did enjoy the privacy gates. She liked that there was separate areas for visitors and entertainment. She liked the master bath... a lot. She liked that the closets were so huge. She loved walking the gardens. She did love that pool.
She found peace here with it's light colors and warmth. For such a large home, it was quite... homey.
She really loved this house.
Red watched her weighing the pros and cons, and knew the pros were winning. Her face had taken on a serene quality as she mentally catalogued the rooms, her favorite spots.
"And you?" she questioned quietly. "Where will you stay?"
"I'll be close by..." she was assured. "Very close..." his face took on a quiet intensity. "Will you invite me over for a play date?"
Liz's eyes shifted warily. "What kind of 'play' are we talking about?"
"Leap frog..." Red's eyes twinkled, "see, it's where you bend over and I get behind you and–"
"I get the picture." Liz sighed, instantly visualizing what the man had said. A bubble of laughter escaped her otherwise dour mood.
Red's expression was total innocence when she checked.
"If this thing between us doesn't work out," the woman's face fell a little as Red continued, "we'll find you a new place, all your own."
"And if we work out?" she was ready for the challenge.
"Then we can make this our home or find a new one together." he was open to compromise. "Stay where your heart is, Lizzy." he suggested. "That will be your home."
"You're not talking about leaving again, are you?" Francis scowled, having walked breezily through the door without so much as a knock or a 'by your leave'.
Liz looked at Red wide eyed. How much had Francis heard?
"She wants to downsize." Red saved the day.
"I love this house." Francis pouted, plopping down in an oversize chair. "Are you crazy woman?"
"See, another selling point." Red mentioned in passing. "Francis loves the house. We can't possibly move now." the man said sarcastically, making her chuckle. "Don't you knock?" he asked the younger man.
"You were expecting me..." Francis drawled, leaning forward, his interest caught by something totally private and personal laid out in front of him, like an unsolved mystery he could not overlook.
Red sighed, rubbing at the sudden tension in his forehead. "You're right," he conceded, "I was. But not for another half hour or so."
"I'm too early, he bitches. I'm too late, he bitches." Francis fingered the edge of Liz's file. "What is it with you and being so damned punctual?" he slowly lifted the corner of the folder, crossing his eyes at Red. "You aren't in the Navy anymore."
Liz's mouth gaped, sitting forward quickly, but not in time to intercept Francis' intended inspection.
Red's palm slammed the manila folder, keeping it closed tightly.
"Lizzy, could you wave something shiny in front of our guest here to keep him entertained for ten minutes while I finish making my calls?" Red scooped the file into capable hands, with but one indulgent look for the younger man's curiosity.
"Come on, Francis," she smiled, "Nora was making snacks." she gave the incentive needed.
"My darling, Nora." Francis keened, shoving out of the seat quickly and was out the door before either could blink.
"Lizzy..." Red called out after her retreat, causing the woman to hesitate.
Liz smiled happily as the man inched closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. Red nuzzled her neckline, softly kissing the warm skin. Which simultaneously tickled her but also, turned her on a bit.
She released a breathy giggle, leaning into his affection.
"Is seven all right for tonight?" his breath scent tiny shivers down her spine.
"...Yes." she sighed, arching into his touch. Liz inhaled sharply, feeling the man's tongue flick against her heated skin. Clutching his back, she lifted bodily, his warm mouth stirring her emotions amorously.
Red's own emotions stirred, and he could not prevent his hand from cupping the luscious bottom.
He thoroughly enjoyed the woman's slight moan of approval as his fingers spread searchingly about the ripe young flesh.
Pulling the woman into his thigh, Red grinned when she rubbed against him, trying to ease the sudden ache he had purposely caused.
He squeezed the tiny cheek once, curving his fingers inward, just teasing the seam of her pants.
"Your wounds." she reminded breathlessly, her ass squirming in his palm. "I mean, your leg..." she mewed softly when the man pushed her harder into his leg, increasing the ache between her thighs.
"Are you questioning my health or my abilities?" he challenged openly, his eyes holding hers hypnotically.
"You aren't hurting?" she frowned up at him.
"Oh, I'm hurting." he pacified readily. "Make no mistake about that. But it has nothing to do with my 'wounds'."
"I'm perfectly fine." he assured. "I promised you a date, and a date is what you shall receive... among other things."
He heard footsteps coming down the hall, his mouth quirking slightly at Liz's obvious disappointment.
"I'm going to make a quick call, then leave with Francis for about an hour." he disengaged himself artfully.
"All right..." she smiled up at the man as Dembe pushed through the door.
Red kissed the woman, patting her bottom in a more than friendly fashion which caused Liz to chastise him with a look, if for appearances sake only.
"Could you tell Francis I'll be out shortly?" he asked sweetly.
She nodded, heading for the door, glancing back at the man, finding him staring at her bottom.
Liz exhaled shakily, feeling the wetness between her legs increase. She pulled up short just outside the door, blowing out a steadying breath. She winced slightly, squeezing her thighs together, staving off her sudden spike of renewed arousal.
She really hoped they'd make love soon, because these petting sessions were driving her insane. Maybe that was his intention. The need to experience Red was so overpowering, she wanted to pull him into an empty room and just...
"Good grief." Francis said behind her, startling the woman from her reverie.
"What?" she muttered absently.
"Someone's horny." He munched at the cookie in his hand.
"Shut up, Francis." she snapped, stalking towards the front of the house.
"That's the third time someone has said that to me since I've been here." he wasn't overly upset by the fact.
"Then perhaps you should take the advice." she retorted.
"Is Red neglecting his baby cakes?" he cooed playfully. "Because it sure smells like he is." he made a show of scenting her. "Though, why he would, is beyond me." he replied honestly. "You are quite intoxicating... if you like scrawny, oversexed brunettes."
"I'm about to push you in the pool and hold you under." she seethed, promising the threat. "And no, he isn't neglecting me." the woman bitched. "He's just been busy."
Francis snagged her arm, dragging her to an empty room, shutting the door behind them.
"What's wrong?" he asked seriously.
"What are you talking about?" she furled her brow.
"You've been grumpy for days." Francis said. "Are you two not..."
Liz sighed, leaning back into the wall behind her. "It's none of your business... I know you don't understand that phrase, so let me explain it in detail."
"Is he still pissed about..." he waved his hand aimlessly, "that Donald guy?"
"No." she answered too quickly. "We just... keep getting interrupted." she threw him a lethal look. "He had to go to London..." she ticked off another reason, and why she was explaining in the first place, she had no idea.
"I know Silas was giving you the business in New York, but surely since Red got back..." he hesitated, seeing her frustration build. "How long has it been since you two made love?"
"Okay, read my lips..." she iterated, "stop sticking your nose–"
"This is bad." Francis shook his head woefully, then brightened. "I can fix this."
"How long have I been in the casts?" she replied, making it as simplistic as possible. "And we had that fight before that..." she remembered the story when Red had been in Italy.
"You mean, you guys still haven't..." he was aghast.
"If you must know!" she gritted. "And it seems you do... No!"
"Why?" he gasped audibly at the revelation. "I mean, are you in pain or...?"
"No, the only pain I'm feeling is one in the ass!" she indicated the source.
"Well, evidently not. If all you said is true." he defended himself. "Have you told him that you're more than ready?"
"I am not!" Liz denied the truth.
"Oh right." he dismissed airily. The man sighed heavily, then really looked at the woman. Liz's bravado melted into oblivion.
"Maybe he's just not there yet." she finally voiced her doubts and fears.
Francis looked down at the small woman, his frown matching hers. He suddenly pulled her close, hugging her gently.
"He wants to be with you Lizzy." he understood the uncertainty. "Don't think he doesn't."
"Then what's going on with him?" she looked up at Francis, her expression hopeful. Maybe being a guy, he could explain.
Maybe Red wanted to take it slow because he wanted to see if he really wanted to be in a relationship with her? Maybe he would feel guilty if he had sex with her and it didn't pan out?
"Maybe he doesn't really want–" she couldn't even finish the sentence.
"Don't even go there." Francis scoffed. "The way he stares at you..." he chuckled. "He really wants to make love to you." he smiled softly, stroking her pink cheek.
"You know what I think it is?" he said. "I think he wants to make it special, seeing that it's been a while since you two did make love." Francis bolstered. "And with the calls and people interrupting, he thinks the moment has been spoiled." he explained. "When you two reconnect, I'm sure he wants the attention focused solely on what you two are doing, and not the next interruption."
"I hope so." Liz hung her head, sighing. "But you know, I'd do anything for a quickie right now." she raised a flabbergasted expression. "Well, not with you, I mean. I didn't mean... that."
Francis sniggered against her hair, squeezing her once before stepping back.
"Just be patient. And remember, when it does happen, it's going to be really good." He flicked her chin with his fingers. "Okay?"
She nodded, then leaned against his side as he guided her out of the room. "Now, let's go bug Nora."