Author Notes:

Just wanted to take a minute to say THANK YOU again to my reviewers and story followers.

To my signed in readers - You know how much fun I have talking to you about your reviews and TBL in PM's and email. Hearing your thoughts and discussing what you like to see happen in this fanfic is what makes writing so much fun. I love chatting with you.

With that said, I have never had a chance to properly thank my other reviewers (who aren't signed in).

Guest, Tat, Cookie, Sarah, Sarah Su, Quiz and Astari

I wish I could respond to you individually, but until then...I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your feedback so very much. I love hearing what you have to say and I wanted you to know how much your reviews mean to me.

If you guys ever want me to answer a question or would like to chat, shoot me a PM or visit me on AO3.

Oh, and Sarah. I promise Red and Liz will have tub sex.

May 6

After a relaxing morning and breakfast on the deck, the satellite phone had interrupted their quiet time. Red's hushed tone alerted Liz to a problem.

"What's going on?" she was naturally curious, sensing their time together was at an end.

Red sighed, his fingers dancing along the mahogany of the table. He hesitated uncharacteristically as if attempting to put the problem into acceptable words.

"Mark's been shot."

In the end there had been no acceptable manner to deliver the news. The woman's gasp was cut short by a reassuring, "He's out of danger for the moment." he held up a stilling hand. "The particulars can wait."

He arose gracefully looking down into the troubled blue eyes.

"How long will it take us to..." she was naturally concerned for his friend.

"Nothing we can do for the time being." An odd look came over his face. "Mark is in good hands." He took both her hands in his, kneeling, his forearms resting on his thighs. "Can I be perfectly honest with you?"

She was slightly taken aback. "When have you not?"

"This might put me in a difficult light." he realized. "While I see the necessity of ending our time here, I have to tell you... I wish things were different." A dark scowl crossed his brow. "I need more time. I know it's selfish, I know it's insensitive..."

Liz brought his hand to her lips, kissing the back of the virile appendage. She stood, holding her hand out.

He took it, the strong fingers intertwining with the slender ones as he arose.

They eventually gravitated back towards the bedroom, eventually falling into a mess of trembling and tangled limbs.

They made love, each feeling the bittersweet melancholy lovers feel, knowing their time together would shortly end. Lazily stroking one another afterwards, his fingers danced along her spine as they slowly came down from their high.

Liz's thoughts were varied, as she gently played in the soft down covering his chest.

"Spending time with you, is of the upmost importance to me, Elizabeth."

The deep rumble of his voice thrilled her. The words, pleasing her beyond measure.

"You don't have to say anything else." her breath tickled his chest.

He enjoyed her touch more than anything these days. "Had the damage not already been done..." he still tried to explain what surely must seem a callous gesture on his part. "Our taking the time to make love wasn't going to make a difference, one way or other."

She glanced up at him, sighing, before grudgingly nodding. "I feel the same way." she did. "And I feel the same guilt." she smiled at him. "But I don't regret one minute of our time together."

Red had needed to hear those words.

They lay together, quietly relaxing in their sated bliss until the lethargic feeling tapered, leaving them both rested and calm.

The woman reluctantly put an end to their idyllic moment, arising begrudgingly. She sighed heavily, forcing a smile.

"I have to pee..." she wrinkled her nose playfully.

"I will never get tired of these romantic moments." the man rolled himself out of bed, beginning the arduous task of readying themselves for what lay ahead.

He watched the woman disappear into the adjoining bath, realizing he felt a sense of contentment with their new found emotional and physical connection.

Pulling up the driveway, Liz noted a contingent awaiting their arrival. Dembe and Silas met them as they rolled to a stop.

"What happened?" Red asked for the particulars as he opened his door, before heading to the other side of the car.

"Francis arranged a meeting between Mark and the O'Sullivan's." Silas watched the man help the woman from the vehicle. "When Francis arrived, he found Mark, along with some of his men, wounded."

"You didn't say anything about the men." Red threw Dembe a questioning glance for the oversight.

"We didn't know at first." Silas went to bat for his friend.

"They are in good hands." Dembe reminded. "Although admittedly, it was touch and go for a while."

"They'll make it, Red." Silas assured.

"Did Mark say what happened?" Red threw his hands out to his sides, exasperated.

"They were discussing the deal and the next thing Mark knew," Dembe relayed, "Francis was standing over him."

Silas' jaw worked irritably. "He got it in the back." his tone was grim.

"In the lower back, mainly muscle." Dembe corrected, checking with the large guard to confirm his facts.

"And Francis? Where the hell is he?" Red snapped.

"Looking for the O'Sullivan's." Dembe replied, his eyes locking with Red's conveying a certain urgency.

"Is the idiot alone?" Red demanded, knowing how short the young man's fuse was when he felt betrayed.

"His guys are there." Silas shrugged apologetically. "Joe and David went along with them since Liz wasn't here."

"Well, she's here now." Red said, ushering Liz up the stone path. "Tell them I want them back." The man's intense eyes focused on the head guard, a look that told Silas things had changed in Red's world.

"I understand." Silas replied to the unspoken demand.

Red dipped his head quickly, content in the knowledge Lizzy was cared for before turning his attention to Dembe.

"Get Francis on the damn phone, please." he stilled on the first step. "I want to make sure he doesn't shoot himself or worse yet," the man felt a tension headache beginning, "start World War III."

Red gestured for Liz to head for the house, and made to follow her until he felt a slight tug on his sleeve. He hesitated, finding Dembe holding up a couple of envelopes. The large dark man's eyes darted towards Elizabeth's back.

The woman was blissfully unaware of the exchange for the simple fact Silas had maneuvered his bulk between the pass off.

Red sighed angrily, taking the offerings, shoving them into his inner lining of his jacket before continuing on his way.

While they were burning a hole in his pocket, he was already very aware of what the content would be. He just wondered what transgression was a point of interest this time.

Until he could read them for specifics, he was secure in the knowledge that no one could get within a hundred yards of the woman.

"What do you think happened?" Liz asked, as the man closed the door behind them shutting out the rest of the world for the time being.

"I haven't the faintest idea." Red admitted. "It's pretty much a rule, that anyone can turn on you in this business in the blink of an eye." he shrugged such concern away. "But sometimes, moments like this happen and it doesn't make any sense, at all."

"What do you mean?" she was more than interested.

"I can't think of one reason why the O'Sullivan's would turn on Mark." And he couldn't. "Let alone shoot him in the back." he stated distastefully.

"Was there bad blood between the two?" she questioned.

"No, nothing." Red was genuinely at a loss. "They have been doing business for years. There has never been a problem. It's not adding up."

"But you just said, anyone can turn on you in the business." she shrugged. "Whose to say that Francis wouldn't have–" Liz trailed off, realizing how stupid the remark was.

"The last person to turn on you would be Francis." Red had picked up on her meaning. "And even if he was going to, he would have mentioned it to me first." he shook his head at the absurdity.

"Whatever for?" She was totally stumped.

"Loyalty." Red stated succinctly.

"I don't think Francis would do anything... like that. I don't even know why I..." she hastily attempted to correct any misconceptions.

"Francis will never turn his back on me." Red said with absolute conviction.

She wanted to know more about this blind faith he had in Francis, but was waylaid by Dembe's arrival.

The man's expression was actually readable for once as he held the phone out.

"Where the hell are you?" Red snapped before he even got the object all the way into position to speak. "...Chicago?" he questioned, a frown on his face. "Don't you dare go in there alone." he warned. "Stay back and I'll be there in an hour or so." he took a deep breath, his head shaking back and forth as he listened impatiently to the agitated young man.

"Francis..." Red chewed the inside of his cheek, a nervous habit he had formed long ago, "don't make me kill you when I get there." he gritted. "Just watch them and I'll be there as soon as humanly possible."

Red nodded again, his shoulders losing a bit of their tension. "Watch your back." he reminded before hanging up the phone, tossing it to Dembe. "Ready the jet, please."

Dembe inclined his head, raising the phone as he walked from the room.

"Should I..." Liz hesitated wondering at her part in the situation.

"No, not yet." Red shook his head, walking to the closet. "Let me see what the hell is going on first." he said, pulling down a couple articles of clothing. "If the Feds are needed, I'll let you know." he threw the clothes in the bag, zipping it shut.

"I'm sorry." he stated simplistically, turning to her.

She shook her head, perplexed.

"We needed more time." Red crossed to her, his arms embracing her. "If the circumstances were..." he pulled back slightly, searching the lovely face.

"Mark got shot." she frowned. "Of course you have to deal with this."

"It's still a piss poor ending to our time away." he disgusted. "Don't you think?"

"For Mark, maybe." Liz replied seriously. "I'm perfectly happy with our time away and... you know."

Red's eyes lit with an inner lightness that was not there a second before, "No, I don't know." he leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. "Why don't you expand on that for me."

Liz fought the smile creeping it's way across her face, to no avail. "I think your ego is big enough without me stroking it."

"Baby, you can stroke anything you like... ego aside." Red teased. "But I have to tell you," he inched steadily closer, his gaze anything but neutral, "you are very praise worthy... ego aside."

Liz felt that 'ego' lift by degrees. She tiptoed slightly placing her mouth suggestively to his. "I hope," the blue eyes held his steadily, "we can pick up where we left off when you get back?"

"Of that you can be sure." she was assured. Hell, he'd take a shot at her right now, if he wasn't worried about Francis getting killed.

He walked to a closet shelf having released her reluctantly, checking the contents of another bag before closing it tightly shut.

Liz had seen a Glock, some clips and another couple weapons she did not have time to categorize. She watched contentedly as he changed into a suit.

Dembe gathered the bags, heading to the car to await his friend's arrival.

Trailing after Red carrying his book satchel, Liz listened intently to the information he gave. The man's steps tapered off as they reached the front door, a comfortable silence falling over them.

Red watched the woman absently twisting the ring on her finger, wondering over her thoughts. He had a few of his own that he would like to share but he wasn't sure if this was the time.

"I'll miss you." Liz confessed quietly.

Red broke from his thoughts, a small smile twisting his lips. He should have trusted his gut apparently. That was the exact thing he had just been about to say. He hadn't wanted to appear too zealous after so short a time.

"I'll miss you too, sweetheart." he dropped his bag at his feet, wrapping his arm around her as she willing came into his embrace. "I'll call..."

Liz raised her mouth, capturing his lips in a sweet kiss, holding it for a moment. "I'll talk to you then." she smiled softly before hugging him tightly.

"Please be careful, Red." she muttered quietly in his ear.

"I'm always careful." his hand squeezed the indentation of her waist possessively.

"Oh, really..." the doubt was apparent.

"Yes, really." Red grinned against the side of her neck. "There's so much left to be explored with you, I can promise with absolute certainty... that I have no intention of not returning to you."

His mouth coaxed her lips into a warm passionate response. The moment was thwarted when the man heard the car fire up outside the ornate entrance doors.

"I'll be back soon." he whispered, his tone rough against her kiss swollen lips. "If you go out, please take the guys with you." he instructed. "And don't overwork yourself."

She nodded silently, accepting his mouth in a bittersweet kiss before the man stepped back. Dropping a kiss to her wrist, Red turned for the door, his look a rather dour one, before closing it behind him.

Liz sat at her desk, booting up her computer. She glanced over at the untouched sandwich, her appetite nonexistent since Red's departure.

"Nora, I love you." she muttered dispiritedly. "But I think your efforts are wasted today."

Sitting aside her sandwich, she blew out a breath, opening the first of many emails awaiting her.

Aram relayed that he had begun setting her up to receive files via a secure network. She had to contact him to finalize the setup.

During the call, while Aram completed the link, they caught up on office gossip.

Ressler had a new girl, of course. Everyone was placing bets on how long the relationship, for lack of a better term, would last. Samar was still having showdowns with Moore, many of which, Aram had caught on camera, just for Liz.

"I'm taking over your computer for a minute." the man said just seconds before pages with scrolling code started filling Liz's desktop. She watched her mouse move about the screen erratically.

"What's new with you?" the computer specialist enquired as he typed happily away.

Liz sat up, smiling brightly, excited to share her news. "Well, I..." she hesitated haltingly.

Could she tell anyone of her relationship with Red? She wasn't the least bit embarrassed by it. But, what would it mean to the Task Force?

Would they try to split them up?

If she wasn't part of the team, Red would leave. It was as simple as that.

It was a stupid idea to try and break apart the team anyway. Which meant, that is exactly what the higher ups would do.

Red hated Bureaucracy and all the red tape that came with it. And quite frankly, so did she. It wasted so much time and effort focusing on the wrong issue, while Blacklisters roamed free.

A part of her was dying to yell it out from rooftops... that she and Red were now an item.

She would talk to Red about it first, get his point of view, then take it from there.

"Agent Keen?" Aram questioned.

"I have to finish off my PT and re-qualify before I can come back to work." she stated brightly. "Which shouldn't take too long."

"Oh! That's wonderful news!" the man beamed. "I can't tell you how much we miss you around here." Aram had lowered his tone, glancing hastily about to ensure no one was listening in.

"I heard..." she chuckled.

"It will be nice to have things back to normal." he confided. "Speaking of which, how is Mr. Reddington?"

"I..." she hesitated, "what do you mean?"

"Uhm," the man looked off across the bullpen, controlling a sudden need to stammer. Anytime he thought of the older man, his natural nervousness arose. "We haven't seen him in a couple days. Just wondered if he was all right?"

Liz steadied herself, blowing out a long, controlled breath. Aram was just making small talk, that's all. She would have to stop being so paranoid.

"Oh... yes." her lips pursed into a small smile. "He's all right. Just away on business." she confirmed. "Should be back tomorrow, I would think."

"That's good to hear." the man gave a genuine smile. "Okay, I believe you're all set up." she was informed. "If you could input your user ID and password to make sure everything is operating correctly."

"What is my user ID?" she asked.

"Whatever you want it to be." Aram replied. "Well, it has to be at least six characters." he quickly corrected. "Random alpha-numeric are the best, if that's helpful." he suggested. "Just make sure you can remember it, of course."

She thought for a moment, choosing something simple to type. She chuckled quietly to herself, flashing back to high-school when she wrote her boyfriend's name on her notebook as she typed out... LKRR504.

"All right, and now your password." the computer genius prompted.

Liz thought long and hard for a moment, wondering what to choose. So many people knew so much about her. She couldn't use what normal people might. A family member's birth date, anniversary, or even the day she joined the FBI.

She looked about the room aimlessly then smiled rather coyly, quickly typing out, R069172R.

Even if they did know her, it didn't mean she had to conform to any set rules about password entry.

"Well, there you go Agent Keen." Aram smiled into the phone. "You're all set up."

After ending the call, having promised to meet for drinks later that week, Liz dove into the files handed over by her team. An hour later, she had signed off on each, then moved off to the BAU files.

It had been a while since she profiled a regular, run of the mill, psychopath but after a few minutes reading over the notes, she quickly fell into the groove and completed one outline before she knew it.

Quickly submitting it to the BAU, she sat back, lifting Nora's scrumptious sandwich to her mouth, absently reading the next file.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

A couple hours later, she sent off another completed profile. This was actually going a lot faster than she thought it would. Much faster than her first year with the Bureau.

But then, she had been hanging around with a Criminal Mastermind for almost two years, having learned a lot more about how the human psyche worked.

More to the point, she had learned to think 'outside the box'.

It was funny to think how much Red annoyed her in that first year. He called at the most inopportune times. He was flirtatious. He pushed, prodded, poked...

He had driven her crazy, but what he had actually been doing was... pushing, prodding and poking at her... to think, which she had been doing all afternoon.

And that was to look beyond the straight and narrow.

He had believed she had the capability to be more... she was so glad he had encouraged her to take the fork in the road, off the beaten path.

"Well..." a voice slightly startled her from her reverie.

Liz turned, finding her guard swaggering into the room. Silas never entered a room, he dominated it.

"Well... what?" she rolled her eyes, already knowing where this was heading.

"Did you enjoy... your time away?" his look told her he had wanted to say something more crass.

"Yes..." the woman felt her cheeks flush embarrassingly. Damn, that was annoying. Something else she had to work on.

Silas chuckled, pulling an ottoman between his legs, sitting leisurely. "You do know that your security will now be increased, yes?"

Liz tilted her head, confused by the divergence of conversation. She had been positive the man was going to ask what sexual positions she and Red had assumed.

"Why?" she scrunched her nose.

"It's one thing to be under Red's care," the man began, "another to be his lover." He had a knack for stating facts all too bluntly.

The heated flush returned with a vengeance, though this time, Silas held his smile.

"I just wanted to warn you of what was coming." the man said seriously. "Your life will change," he shrugged the massive shoulders, "probably for the better."

Liz took a deep breath, resigning herself to the fact. Then took exception. "Hey, my life," she began, second guessing what she had begun to say, "well, maybe... a couple times..."

"I also want it made clear, the added security, in no way means... he doesn't trust you." Silas interrupted.

The woman frowned deeply, needing further explanation.

"Red has a lot of enemies that will stop at nothing to take what he cherishes in this world." he stated in that matter-of-fact way. "And you, my Little Charge, are what he treasures most."

Her cheeks took on a rosy hue, this time not of embarrassment, but pleasure. She had forgotten how much she enjoyed being with someone, being part of a couple. And if she were honest, she suddenly felt rather territorial herself.

"He feels it's his right now, to do what is best in regards to you." it was put succinctly. "Do you understand?"

She mulled over the news silently, trying to visualize what life with Red would entail. Processing the reality took a few moments, but in the end she nodded thoughtfully. Though, she was sure she was just seeing the tip of the iceberg.

"How do you feel about Red?" the man enquired candidly.

"I..." she hesitated, unsure how to answer the question. Her feelings about Red were private and if they were to be shared, they would be shared with him first.

"I'm not asking you to declare your love for the man." Silas sensed her reluctance in discussing her feelings, at this time. "I only meant, do you fear for his safety?"

"Yes, of course." she nodded.

"Has that feeling changed in any way?" he prodded artfully.

Elizabeth focused on the feelings in her heart. Visions of her time with Red flashed in her mind's eye, a warmth encompassing her.

As their day had progressed, the touches had become more affectionate... comforting. The talks, more personal.

She felt a smile form on her lips, recalling how they had cuddled in bed this morning after having made love.

She hadn't realized until just now, how important it was to Red to have that moment, regardless of the fact that he was needed elsewhere.

"Spending time with you, is of the upmost importance to me, Elizabeth."

For the first time, in as long as she could remember, her feelings, her happiness, had been a factor in someone else's choices. Put above anything else.

She felt an overwhelming surge of affection, her heart constricting painfully as she fought back tears, for the man's actions had touched her deeply. Red had wanted to give of himself, to her.

And with that, came a sudden fear that it... he ... would be taken away.

Liz sat up straighter in her chair, her fingers curling tightly around the armrest.

"...Yes," she admitted freely, "my feelings have changed."

Visions of having watched the man take two shots to his body. The blood that had poured from him had been startling and very real.

"He's in just as much danger as I am." her voice shook with the realization. "Even more so." she declared. "He should have extra security."

"I agree with your assessment." Silas had watched her body language, already sensing how she would react. "Which is why I came to you now." he stated one of the reasons. "I'm not sure how aware you are... just how scared shitless Red was when that... man broke into your home." Silas had his reasons for bringing up the past. "He was powerless, unable to get to you fast enough, which bothered him for days." he understated. "Then Carver happened..."

Liz tensed at the name, a sudden rush of adrenaline seizing her up tight.

If she felt like this now, safe in her own room... what had Red truly felt at that time? She felt the physical pain and emotional upheaval. And Red must have felt... responsible. That he had the ability to stop it and had been hindered by his decision to keep the peace with her, which had almost cost her, her life.

He must have felt very conflicted.

"I want to explain about that night." Silas had been meaning to for some time now.

She waved the issue aside, but he continued purposely.

"We had been given the night off." he had remanded himself countless times. "Red assumed... hoped, you would be going back home with him."

"I was going to..." she replied quietly. "I wanted to..." it was getting easier to admit such things, especially to this man who never seemed to judge and accepted what was so readily.

"He knew something was wrong." Silas further explained. "That's why he turned around. He had been looking for an excuse, and found one, but I think his gut was gnawing at him. He would have found a way regardless."

"But he still blamed himself, didn't he?" she now realized as much.

"He did..." Silas nodded. "I don't want you to experience that if you don't have to." the man shrugged nonchalantly, though Liz could see the truth behind the flippant attitude. "At some point we will probably be out-manned, out-gunned. We won't win every time. No one does." He had to be honest. "But I can at least give you both some assurance, that there will always be a fighting chance."

She had to admit, when Red's guys had shown up that first time with the intruder into her home, she had slept peacefully knowing that they were there and someone had her back. And of course, Red had been right there beside her, so to speak, on the phone, which was equally as comforting.

"Let's do this." Liz made an executive decision, then second guessed herself. "How much will it cost? And how many guards will he need to be safe?"

"I think we can work it into Red's budget." Silas grinned.

"I can do it." Liz scowled unsure in her own mind if her budget could cover such an expense, truth told. She had savings however.

"Why should you?" Silas was at a loss. "Take advantage of Red's corrupt way of life... I know I do." he patted her knee, standing abruptly. "I will see to the details, immediately."

He hesitated at the door, having promised himself that he wouldn't give her the business. "Was it everything I said it would be?" the man laughed quietly at the woman's brightened features. "That good, huh?" he seemed overly impressed. "The old guy's still got it."

"You know," she straightened papers to hide her fluster, "we could have just talked."

"That is not the face of a woman," he pointed to her rosy cheeks, "who spent the day just... talking." he grin widened as her blush deepened. "...I'm happy for you, both." the man replied seriously, to her surprise. "I'll get to work finding your guards."

Liz watched Silas go, a little thrown by the change in atmosphere. Something seemed... different.

She couldn't put her finger on it but it made her happy.

That sense of accomplishment she had been feeling since the early afternoon, suddenly flourished and she realized, while she didn't need Silas' approval... she did appreciate that he seemed genuinely fond of her now. He had taken one of her decisions seriously and actually acted upon it.

The day had not been a total loss even though Red was not here to share it with her.

She would have preferred the man's presence of course, but she felt a new found strength realizing the source... Red Reddington's absolute encouragement and his constant belief in her abilities.