May 7-8
The next couple days passed in a flurry. Liz whittled down her case files while Red, Dembe and Francis worked to find out what happened with Mark.
Liz had visited Mark herself, seeing if he needed anything in particular. She found the man affable, amusing and in good spirits despite what had happened.
It was late afternoon when Red had called to inform her that they were close to settling matters once and for all.
Liz hadn't wanted him to go, but knew he had to. Red's sense of loyalty would allow nothing less. Word had spread he was on the hunt for these men, he would lose face if did not follow through on the perceived threat.
Even with assurances from Silas that a team was now following Red, the woman felt uneasy when Red reached his final destination. Especially listening to how pissed Francis was in the background, despite Red's calming influence.
Adding to the dilemma, she hadn't known what to say or do before they had ended the call. There was an awkward silence for a few seconds on both parts. Simply saying that she'd see him later, didn't seem enough somehow.
"You have that fedora on?" she questioned lightly, an under hint of sexuality in her tone.
He laughed throatily, "What?"
"I really like you in a fedora, so bring it home as soon as humanly possible."
The man's smile softened as did his tone. "Is the fedora the only thing you like?"
"Yeah, so don't get it messy or anything." she tried for flippancy, but her heart constricted slightly and instantly dismissed the images her statement had conjured. "I'll expect you soon."
That intimacy she had been missing, had come back with a vengeance.
There were no words of adoration, but it had felt personal, private. Something just for them.
There had been a moment of silence, before he gently severed the link that had both worried and calmed her. Had he been as reluctant to end the conversation as she?
Liz had wandered restlessly through the house for a little bit, wondering what was happening on Red's end of things.
"You can't do this." Silas stated quietly, making her jump out of her skin, his bulk suddenly barring way of her incessant pacing.
"Do what?" she frowned, rubbing the cell phone in her hand methodically.
"Let the worry eat at you." his expression darkened. "Red knows what he's doing." she was informed. "You pacing the floors isn't helping him or you."
"...I know." she looked up at her guard, hiding her shaking hands, folding them beneath her breasts. "But this is the first time I..."
"There's a different dynamic now." he acknowledged.
Liz sighed heavily, leaning back into the wall behind her, nodding. "Yeah..."
"Have you ever dated someone in the Service?" the man enquired, bracing his arms on a table behind him, relaxing into his newfound stance.
"No..." she shook her head.
"Well, you need to get it in your head, that you are now." It was advised. "Red may not be in uniform, but what he's doing is no different." he tilted his head slightly. "He'll go out on an operation and come back when they're finished." his brows raised slightly. "It's as simple as that."
"Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I could be like other girlfriends and write to him, to pass the time." she strived for lightness.
"Who says you can't?" the man's brow furrowed.
"Doesn't it seem a bit redundant." she half laughed. "He will be home before I could send anything."
"No, because you're getting something off your chest." he spoke slowly as if to speaking to Francis.
"I'm not angry with him or..." her brows crinkled, showing her confusion.
"Think of it as a diary, it's just in letter form."
Liz hadn't thought of it in those terms. She had never been really good at keeping a diary, but she was really good at writing letters and it would be an outlet to express her feelings at any give time or situation.
"He feels the same about you, you know." Silas broke her reverie. "He just expresses his emotions in another outlet."
"You mean, he worries about me too?"
"Well, you are younger, not as experienced." he allowed. "We all know that."
She couldn't argue with him, though she very much wanted to. She had been afraid a couple times, granted. Unsure what her next move should be in a dangerous situation where seconds counted.
Wondered if she was going to die.
It all happened within the span of a split moment. But it still happened. Seconds of distraction.
"He doesn't writes me letters," she allowed a teasing smile to touch her lips, "so what does he do?"
"He calls to hear your voice." Silas hesitantly confided.
Though Red had never divulged any personal information such as that, after the man had assured that Liz was alive and well, Red had smiled every time he glanced at the phone the rest of the day.
Silas was a trained observer and he had observed such things.
"You'll figure out the balance between home and work soon. Don't worry." Silas bolstered. "Do your job, go on with your day... Red will be fine."
"And if he's not..." she questioned softly.
"We'll handle it." again Silas' brows took on that disapproving 'look'. "We always do."
She startled visibly when a trilling sound came from her phone, a sound which usually annoyed her. But right now, it was the most beautiful sound in the world.
She looked down at the screen, tensing. "It's Dembe."
Silas stood straighter, readying himself to take action if need be. "Answer it."
Taking a shaky breath, Liz brought the phone to her ear. "Dembe?" she heard her voice shake, chastising herself.
"Baby..." Red's low voice eased her panicked heart, her breath escaping in a tremulous rush.
"...Red." she lifted relieved eyes to her guard, setting a bracing hand on a nearby chair. "Are you okay? Is everyone–"
"Yes, we're all fine... for the most part." he glanced around the dockyard at the heavily armed men. "We're in the process of cleaning up and–"
"You're not telling me something." she narrowed her eyes, her hand gripping the phone tighter.
"Then you don't need to know." Silas piped in helpfully.
"He's my boyfriend." she snapped.
The man's throaty chuckle tickled her ear, instantly making her press the phone closer to hear it more clearly.
Red was really enjoying this new aspect of their relationship. She seemed truly relieved, for once, to hear his voice.
"I miss you." that voice dropped into a sensual caress.
Liz's eyes softened, her shoulders relaxing as a slow smile graced her lips.
"Whatever you said," Silas called out loud enough for Red to hear, "just turned our resident FBI agent to a pile of gooey mush!"
Though Red's soft laugh returned, Liz shot the guard an evil glare, throwing a pillow at him, which he caught easily much to her annoyance.
"I know something isn't right." she stated emphatically, shooting the guard another dirty look.
"Francis got a flesh wound." Red chuckled.
"It is not a flesh wound!" the younger man groused in the background. "A tank could drive through this thing!"
"You couldn't even get the head of a needle into 'that' thing." Red corrected.
"Is he really okay?" Liz wanted assurances.
"He's fine." Red grumbled. "Because it is just a flesh wound."
"Look at this!" the young man had obviously stepped closer to show off his boo-boo, "Look at this!"
"What happened?" she asked, having heard Red's melodramatic sigh.
"The O'Sullivan's were being framed by the Ashcroft's." Red turned his back on Francis who was clearly favoring the minor wound.
Red secretly thought the boy was more upset by the fact the bullet had ruined his new, expensive leather jacket. Francis was sticking his finger through the holes, wiggling it somberly, showing it to anyone who would pay attention.
"Another faction who wanted the business."
"And now they are..." she winced physically, having a pretty good idea where this was going, but some morbid sense of morality made her ask the inevitable.
"Probably going to be facing ten to twenty in the Federal Penitentiary."
"You didn't..." she hesitated, unsure how to voice her thoughts, especially after how she upset Red in New York.
"Kill them?" he supplied for her. "No."
Red quickly outlined what had happened, how they involved the police and were now cleaning up the mess left behind.
With no loss of life on either side.
"What can I say," Red's warm voice washed over her, "a good woman has a way of changing a man." his voice muffled for a moment. "Just a minute, sweetheart."
She frowned a little, thinking about what he had just said. Was he purposely changing his modus operandi to accommodate her feelings? If that were the case, it could prove disastrous for the man. It was an issue that must be discussed and hastily.
"When will you be home?" she asked quietly.
"Could be a couple hours, could be in the morning." he could not give a definitive answer.
"You will keep in touch?" Liz needed him to.
"You know I will."
May 9
Red called again twice, once to update her and then just before she went to bed, to wish her goodnight.
A couple hours into reading the new files she and Silas had picked up from the Blacksite, Liz was surprised to hear the doorbell ring in the late afternoon.
Sliding the radio closer, she waited for Silas' forthcoming information. She hoped the intruder in this instance, was the ever reliable pizza guy.
She was more than pleasantly surprised to hear Red's voice echoing in the spacious foyer. It took only seconds for the familiar footfalls to resonate down the long corridor.
"You're home." she brightened as the man walked briskly into the bedroom.
"So I am..." he grumbled, rolling his eyes to find her sitting on the bed, going over a file, Keres in her lap. Crawling up onto the bed, he unceremoniously sat the cat aside. "You are not the pussy I'm wanting."
Her smile widened as he flicked the brim of his signature fedora.
"Should I keep my hat on?" he teased, moving into the giggling woman's sphere, gingerly kissing that smiling mouth, pushing aside her work files as he centered her on the bed.
He fixed her securely in his embrace, his knee subsequently pushing her unresisting thighs as he settled his weight half on, half off, the curvaceous form. "...I missed you."
She lost herself in the passionate kisses for a brief moment before drawing back slightly, a frown on the pretty brow.
"Did you ring my bell?" she moved her head, allowing the man to kiss her neck to his heart's content, before gasping as his large hand cupped her crotch.
"Was that a euphemism for..." he chuckled, tapping the exact location of her clit.
"You can ring my bell... later." she opened her legs wider for him to play with the area he seemed so intent on. "But I meant, my doorbell."
"I did, yes." he replied, nipping her earlobe.
"Why?" she drawled.
"Because it is proper etiquette when visiting someone's home." he mumbled against her soft skin, his fingers deftly plucking at the buttons on her top.
She rolled to the side, aiding in her shirts removal, scowling. "You're my boyfriend... significant other," she rolled the other way, losing the shirt completely, "...whatever."
Red smiled against her mouth listening to her struggle, as he had, trying to label what they were. They really needed to find something that described them... their relationship. Whatever the hell was going on between them.
"Yes, I am." his attention focused hastily on the sight of the newly bared flesh as he removed her bra.
"You know..." she sighed happily as his mouth engulfed her nipple. The woman gently removed the fedora, laying it aside, "you can just come in."
"Oh, I plan to..." his gruff voice assured her as he pulled at her pants, revealing little blue panties to his view.
"I meant..."
"This is your home, it is only polite that I knock first." he kissed her hip bone, as he artfully lowered one side of the offending object in his way.
"I don't want those conditions between us." she sighed softly.
"I don't want anything between us at this moment." Red pulled the skin tight pants free of her feet, tossing them carelessly. He bent, gently licking her ankles, kissing her shins, her knees... until he heard her giggling infectiously yet again.
He looked up, sighing heavily. "Really?" he questioned moodily. "Fucking cat." he grumbled, watching Keres settle comfortably across Lizzy's bare chest.
"Is this a new kink I've never heard about?" Silas asked from the doorway, his stocky frame filling most of the void. Behind the man, the soft light of the hallway filtered around his bulk.
Red snapped his eyes towards the wide open door and the large guard.
"Something you've never heard about...what the fuck..." Red gritted. "Don't you knock?"
"Not normally." the large man shrugged. "The element of surprise normally works better for my kind." he clenched his jaw quickly, holding off his smile when the veins in Red's neck bulged.
"In this case though, I was just making my rounds...the door was wide open." he gestured to the open door as exhibit A. "Now I find my charge being... manhandled." Silas again, gestured to exhibit B.
The woman in question giggled further when Keres flicked it's tail, smacking her in the face.
Red scrubbed at his face hard, removing his jacket. He grabbed the cat off her breasts, tossed the jacket over her partially nude form before stalking towards the door.
He shoved the cat into the guard's waiting arms. "Skip your checks... until summoned." Red directed harshly through his clenched teeth. "She's covered."
"Well, she is now." Silas laughed, backing up quickly as Red slammed the door in his face.
Red glared at the door, tossing the lock for good measure before heading back for little treasure awaiting him on the bed.
He lay beside the woman, who had unearthed her face, the blue eyes peering mischievously out from behind the stylish jacket.
"Well, that was embarrassing." she winced through her smile. "How will I ever live it down?"
Red gripped the jacket, yanking it free. He stared contentedly at the half naked woman laying beside him.
He loved the way she caught her lower lip with her teeth and batted those enormous blue eyes, the demure appearance was sexy as hell. But when she breathed in, pushing her breasts forward... it beckoned him back to his original intent.
He forgot all about his ire, preferring to concentrate on more pleasant matters.
Their mouths connected, the rest of the world slipping away. His hands roamed the curves of her body. He allowed her to remove his tie, his shirt, then felt the latch on his belt release.
He worked his hand under the rim of the skimpy panties she wore. Massaging her gently, he felt that little nub quickly respond to his touch.
"Did you miss me?" he rumbled deeply.
She nodded sharply, "Shit..." she lifted urgently into his hand, "yes, I missed you."
He kneaded her breast affectionately, his eyes deepening involuntarily.
She wiggled into the touch, watching his head lower. "Say it again..." she whimpered breathlessly, her hand holding him to his excruciating indulgence.
"Say what again?" he muttered around the nipple in his mouth, not opposed to placating her in any manner.
"That you missed me." she lifted to his intense exploration.
"Damn right I missed you." he groaned, feeling the rush of wet heat on his fingers as he pet her opening. "You're so wet..."
She gasped, her eyes flying open, as a realization hit her full on.
"Oh shit!" she struggled to move him aside, before hastily scrambling off the bed.
He rolled to his side, following quickly behind her, as she bolted for the bathroom.
"Shit! Shit!" she bitched, her movements quick.
Red stopped at the tiled floor as he watched her race to the toilet, dropping her panties in the sink as she passed, the answer to his questions more than apparent now.
"Please tell me I didn't get anything on the bed..." she groaned.
Red walked to the sink, automatically running water over the stained panties. He left momentarily, checking her precious quilt and sheets and found nothing, not even a speck.
Hearing the toilet flush, he headed back to the bathroom to resume his task. He had just rinsed the remaining blood from light blue fabric when he heard the door open on the adjoining bathroom cubicle.
He glanced over his shoulder to find her standing there without a stitch on. Her flushed body, tousled hair and hazy, sparkling eyes captured his attention exclusively.
"Red, I'm so sorry." she grimaced, having seen the remaining blood on his hand.
He frowned, then realized what she was looking at. "Oh, would you stop." he flicked his hand under the running water, washing up quickly. "I was having a wonderful time. Were you?"
Their eyes met in the mirror, a slow smile overtaking his handsome face. He traced her body down as far as he could see, before returning a sultry stare.
Dropping the towel in his hands, he turned on her. "Well..." he walked slowly forward, his hand reaching out, snagging her bare bottom, persuasively dragging her closer.
The woman felt her naked body press intimately to his half naked one before relaxing into his touch. She placed her palms flat against his chest, enjoying the warmth.
"Admit it." he prompted, his look more than confident. "Before this happened," he glanced down in a perfunctory manner, "you were not adverse to having me between your legs."
Liz wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into the crook of his neckline. Red settled his other arm around her back, embracing her tightly. He had his answer.
"Then, that's all that matters." he muttered, his breath fanning her temple. He lifted her face, his lips touching hers almost reverently. "Have you been taking those pills I gave you?"
"Yes, which is why I kind of forgot I..." she gestured lamely to her person, "I haven't been...you know."
"Cramping?" Red smiled.
She rolled her eyes expressively. "...Yes." she shrugged it off, looking back towards the bedroom. "Did I get anything on the bed?" she questioned, then cupped her abdomen, wincing slightly, said pills wearing off.
"Nope..." his smile fell away, instantly replaced by a frown. Deftly grabbing the needed medication, he placed them along with a bottle of water in her hand, then jerked his head back towards the bedroom. "Shall we?"
She smiled at him, nodding eagerly. She reached for the cabinet for her supplies, only to have Red put a hand out, stopping her.
"Go..." He kicked off his shoes, urging her to the bedroom. "Go on, I'll be right there."
She looked at the tampons, then shrugged. She walked towards the bed only to feel a strong set of arms capture her seconds later. He pulled her into his body, letting her feel his naked skin.
"This seems so familiar." she smiled, cuddling back into his embrace. "Do I know you." she quipped.
"Better than anybody I know." he rubbed his hand over her abdomen, soothing her aches and pains.
Red drew back the blankets, laying out a towel before she crawled up on the bed. He closed the blinds, shutting down the lights, leaving the room in a soft comfortable glow. The late afternoon sunshine filtered along the edges of the wood slats casting a intricate pattern on the ceiling.
He slid in behind her, resuming his earlier actions, gently massaging her abdomen. She got lost in the hypnotic and soothing affection, relaxing totally.
"Does that feel better?" he whispered.
"Yeah..." she sighed languidly, feeling Red's flaccid length rub against her bottom.
She suddenly became very aroused.
The thought the man had completely set aside his earlier need to wholly concentrate on her instead, was more appreciated than he would ever know.
She gripped his hand, directing it over the flat mound of her tummy, settling it on the top of her sex.
"Baby, we don't have to do anything." he assured quickly. "That's not what this is about."
She moved his hand lower, feeling his fingers instinctively brush at the trimmed hair of her mound, "I've been curious," she brought the subject up for debate, "since our talk." she moved closer to him in every possible way. "What is all the fuss was about this period thing."
She felt his lips curve into a smile at the edge of her hairline. His fingers dropped suggestively against her clit, picking up where they had left off.
She leaned back into his chest, spreading her legs a little to accommodate his probing, quickly feeling her body respond to his expertise.
"Is that how you like it?" he asked quietly, slowly working a finger inside her.
"...Yes." she replied breathlessly, fixated on how his thick finger masterfully stroked her.
He established a gentle rhythm, his free hand lifting, palming her breast sensually.
Liz found herself moving in time with his efforts, her breathing heavier, her moans soft and contented.
Red moved his fingers in concert with her movements, inching the woman closer to release when she suddenly pushed at his hand, halting all activities.
Before he could question the abrupt cessation, she turned quickly, kissing the man fiercely.
"Well, don't stop now," she whispered silkily against his mouth, "it's just starting to get good."
Red's breathy laughter made her smile widen, as he obeyed the request. He was more than pleased with the new position since it gave him better access to her mouth and breasts.
Picking up the pace, he vibrated his fingers in and outside her body. He was captivated by the woman's new found free spirit.
He dropped his mouth to her breast, flicking her nipple before capturing it with his tongue, drawing eagerly on the crinkled flesh.
"That's good..." Liz directed his movements, "so... so...so good." she chanted, bringing another small smile to the man's face.
He would never tire of watching this woman in such a moment. There was nothing more enchanting than listening to a woman when she was sexually aroused. He had dreamed of hearing Lizzy make these very sounds.
Yet, in all the fantasies he had about her, he never imagined he would have such a wonderful time. Oh, he knew it would feel amazing as hell.
But he had always visualized passionate and heated encounters. He had admittedly fantasized about her sexually after one of her turbulent exchanges with him.
He hadn't been aware she could be so vocally open once she became comfortable or so... playful. It was a quite a delightful surprise.
Concentrating on keeping his movements steady and sure, he watched avidly, waiting for the right moment to give her the incentive needed. A moment that came shortly thereafter.
Increasing the speed and the pressure on her clit, pushed her to climax. She shuddered, falling back into the bedding, softly crying out her release.
He stared at the breath taking sight for a few seconds before breaking the spell.
"Feel better?" he smiled warmly.
"Getting there..." she smiled lazily, her arms reaching for him, pulling him closer.
"You're just a little glutton aren't you?" he settled himself between her open thighs. "I've always liked that about you."
"Hey..." she raised her hips, groaning melodiously as his large shaft slid slowly along her wet slit, "still taking notes here."
Red grinned, his mouth fitting to hers perfectly. He absently reached into the drawer. "I hope like hell you're not expecting 'cliff notes'," he pushed the crown of his shaft against the peak of her sex, teasing her mercilessly. "I so want you to get an 'A' in this course."
She quietly giggled, enjoying this other side of Red, "I thought you promised I'd get an 'A', Professor." she traced his collarbone aimlessly, taking on a wide-eyed, innocent quality.
Red lined himself up , pushing gently at her opening. "Did I?" he watched her transform into a gullible college student, right before his very eyes.
"I distinctly remember it." she answered breathlessly.
"When did I say that?" he circled his hips, opening her to his intrusion, waiting with baited breath to hear what the woman would come up with next.
"When I was sitting in your lap and you removed my knee socks," she mewled, the blue eyes searching his with open vulnerability, "you said if I let you see what was under my skirt..."
Red's dick throbbed painfully, instantly visualizing Lizzy in knee socks and her bare ass poking out from underneath a pleated skirt, sitting astride his lap.
"Shit, baby. " he grunted as he breached her, sliding into the molten hot body.
"Oh God..." she drawled, opening her legs wider for the man. Liz gasped, moaning brokenly as the man slid in deep, bumping her tender cervix and clit at the same time, making her thighs tremble.
He quickly established a workable rhythm, kissing her ardently between the raw animalistic sounds they emitted against one another's kiss swollen lips.
"Am I pleasing you..." she panted, grasping his bulging biceps, the beautiful breasts prominent displayed, "P-Professor."
"Hell yes..." the man groaned deeply, the relief in his face apparent. "Best student body, ever..."
"I..." she hesitated briefly, her fingers curving into his shoulders when he hit a sweet spot, "I like you... a lot, Mr. Reddington."
"The feeling is more than mutual... Miss Keen." he voice lowered intimately, curling his fingers around her hip. His large hand dwarfed the small area.
"Oh, I hope that's true." she smiled softly, her focus split between the man's gentle eyes and touch.
"To the depth and breadth and height," He quoted Browning, "let me count the ways." he took a long deep breath of her sweet scent. "I love your scent," he lingered for a moment, "I'm captivated by your intelligence." he traced her temple adoringly, his eyes skimming the curves of the shapely form, "And what can I say about this that any poet has not already said more eloquently than I ever could."
Liz traced his mouth with her finger, listening to the exquisite words, a surge of happiness filling her heart.
She embraced his neckline, gently stroking him with her fingers, "God please tell me you don't say things like that to just anyone." she would be crushed otherwise.
"I have never said that to... another living soul." he was somewhat perplexed by the fact that no one had touched him so deeply before. "And don't you think that's a damned sad fact."
Liz was suddenly lost in the man's eyes, the emotion overwhelming her.
The game they played was suddenly set aside for the moment. Red became quietly introverted.
"I'd be content to just hold you the rest of my life, Lizzy." he muttered distractedly. "But that I get to do this, to actually make love to you..." his eyes slid closed, a sound of contentment welling in his throat, "is something I will cherish... for the rest of my life."
She felt tears prick her eyes, blinking them back.
"I don't think I'll ever be able to express the joy I feel," he slid in, completing their connection, tightening his hold about her tiny frame, "that I'm the only one allowed to share this private intimacy with you." He shook his head minutely, words escaping him for a moment. "My God, feel what I'm doing to you, Elizabeth."
His stare dropped and held to where their bodies connected. He felt the small hands ease over his hips, her palms brushing along his flesh as he gently thrust against her.
The movement, the visual it conjured, was turning the woman the hell on.
"I'm the only person that will ever do this to you again..." he rasped roughly in her ear, sending a jolt of shivers down her spine.
Liz curved her fingers into the tight flesh of his hips as he increased his tempo, a sound of pure enjoyment escaping her lips.
She grasped his ass cheeks, raising her hips into his thrusts, loving him back.
He grunted, pushing hard against her. "I'll make damn sure I'm the only one you will want doing this to you."
Red's brow furrowed as he felt her pussy seize tightly as it quivered around his shaft. Stroking her hair out of her face, he softly encouraged the woman to find her pleasure. She finally fluttered along his length, allowing him to join her in the intense feeling.
He caught her outcry in his mouth. Liz felt the intense warmth of his release, treasuring the unity.
Red smiled slowly, feeling the tension in her muscles loosen with each breath.
"That was so much better than Midol..." she whispered breathlessly against his neck line.
Red chuckled quietly, rolling to her side, grinning lethargically as she came along, snuggling into him.
"Maybe I should advertise my services?" he held his smile, his spirit soaring as the woman frowned up at him, her eyes sparking fire.
"Like hell you are..."
"All ready so territorial..." He lifted her hand, kissing her fingers, beyond pleased, hearing the possessive quality in her tone.
"Damn right I am." She cupped his cock, stroking the length. He groaned, pushing into her palm. "You're going to be too busy dealing with me to have time for anyone else."
"Is that right?" He smiled when she nodded defiantly.
"Well, I mean," she said suddenly unsure, losing her bravado, "if you want to, that is."
He liked hearing the words himself, so he understood her meaning.
"I want to." He leaned down, kissing her softly. He glanced at her rosy cheeks, brushing a gentle finger over them. "I hope, Miss Keen," he brought their earlier play back to the table, "that you gathered enough information for your thesis."
She stretched with catlike grace. "It was quite... enlightening."
She raised up on her elbow, stroking his jaw line, smiling coyly back at him. "But I feel that more research is needed." she continued, a meticulously manicured finger sliding the length of his dick . "When are you free for more... detailed instruction, Professor?"
Red's brows quirked, his cock stirring much to his surprise. The woman's slim fingers circled his crown teasingly.
"It just so happens that I have some time for a little one on one, Miss Keen," the man consulted his expensive Rolex, "at this exact moment."
Liz smiled happily taking his pre-offered hand as she assumed the dominant position, straddling his thighs provocatively.
"I never thought I would enjoy your class, Woodwind Instruments and Their Impact on Middle Class America, this much." she seemed amazed by her good fortune.
Red's throaty chuckle echoed cheerfully in the ensuing silence.
"I got something you can blow."
After a quiet dinner, they retired to the sitting room. Liz had wanted Red's opinion on a few of the more difficult case files the BAU had sent.
She was surprised that Red had known two of the men, just by the few clues in the case notes.
What was even more an ego boost for her, she had been moving in the right direction in her profiles on the last three, Red had just given her a good solid lead to follow on each.
She sent them through, before closing down her computer.
"You like consulting, don't you?" he asked, settling into the couch, picking up his book.
"I didn't think I would." she admitted, sitting next to him. "But it hasn't been half bad. I kind of enjoy it."
Red tilted his head, looking at her steadily. "Are you saying that you would rather be working behind the scenes as opposed to doing field work?"
She edged the rim of her book with her fingers, sighing. "Would you be disappointed if I did?"
"No."
She smiled softly, looking up at the man. "You don't want me working in the field anymore, do you."
Silas had implied, Red would not like the thought of Liz being in constant danger. Perhaps he never had.
"I didn't say that." he corrected her assessment. "I just want you to be happy, Elizabeth. If this is what you want to do, I will support you."
"What about the Blacklist?" she questioned softly. "Would you still do it? Could you keep giving the names to Ressler?"
Red drummed his fingers slowly on his book cover, shrugging. "I suppose I could." he replied, his tone vague. "It's been etched in the back of my mind that our situation wasn't permanent, that you would be back to work eventually." he told the truth.
"And while I could continue to work with your team. I do have an objective..." he trailed off. "I would have to see how it would work without you before I could commit to a definitive answer." he waved his hand about.
"Regardless of my decision, you have my complete support in what you decide to do from here on out." he stressed.
She nodded understandingly. Like Red, she would have to give the matter serious thought. They both got lost in their own worlds, enjoying the quiet solitude for a goodly time.
Liz eventually sighed, laying back into the couch, settling her head on Red's lap.
Red smiled warmly down at the woman, raising his legs to the ottoman to make her more comfortable. He moved the book to his other hand, threading his fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp soothingly as he read.
A short time later, he heard another sigh. Liz lay her book aside before rolling over, playing with a thread on the pillow beside her absently.
He sat his own book aside, taking a sip from his tumbler. "What's on your mind, Lizzy?"
"I want to change my name." she took his glass, sipping the warm liquid.
"Elizabeth is a beautiful name." he pushed his fingers through her hair, his mouth lifting as she leaned into the touch.
"I don't mean that one, though, now that I think about it, that's not even my name." she reached for the bottle beside them, pouring more liquor into his heavy glass. "I meant my last name. It's a fake name, that belonged to a fake marriage and a fake man. I don't want it." she took another sip of the amber liquid, before holding it out for him.
"You've been Elizabeth far longer than you ever were Masha." He took the offering, taking a quick drink. "As for Keen... if changing it is what you wish, then do it. What would you change it to?"
"You mean Sam's name?"
"Yes."
"I haven't decided yet." she laid her head back down, looking up at him. "What I have decided is that isn't who I am anymore. And it's a weight I don't want to carry with me any longer."
"Well, think about it and we'll take care of it when you've decided."
"You don't have to do anything, you know." she said, her brow raising.
"I know people who can make it happen quickly." it was advised. "And I know you. When you get something in your head, you want it done post haste."
She couldn't argue. Especially about that.
"Okay, I'll let you know."
Red smiled, scratching his fingers through her hair, chuckling quietly when the woman purred happily, then yawned. Having voiced something troubling her, seemed to have lifted a weight because her eyes suddenly became heavy.
"I think it's bed time for you." He grinned, helping her up. The man guided her down the hall as Elizabeth yawned sleepily.
"You're staying, right?" she threw back over her shoulder.
He halted their trek, backing her into the wall, "Was that an invitation?" his voice lowered huskily.
"I don't know..." she played with the collar of his shirt, "do I get morning sex if you do?"
Red tugged on her hand, continuing their previous journey. "Does the rooster rise at dawn." he replied almost cryptically.
Liz pulled up short, scowling, "Is that Navy code talk?" she scolded superficially. "Or was that just your way of telling me your cock rises to the occasion at dawn?"
Red's gentle chuckle made Lizzy's full sensuous lips curve into a responding smile.
May 10
The incessant jarring of his phone awakened Red at three in the morning. He groaned, moving to answer, but was stopped by a light weight on his chest.
He smiled softly at the small body holding him down, stretching for the ringing telephone on the night stand.
"If that's Ressler, I'm gonna kill him." Liz bitched sleepily.
Red sniggered softly, opening the phone. "Hello?"
"Rogers here, Sir." one of the new guards announced himself. "You told us to inform you of trespassers–"
"Is he still there?" Red interrupted.
"No, Sir. He bolted when we gave chase." Rogers told his boss. "One of the men is following him now." Red was informed. "He did leave some pictures behind."
"I'll be over..."
"Red..." Liz mumbled dejectedly.
His mouth pulled at the corner when she snuggled closer, her intent clear.
He wasn't going anywhere.
"I'll send one of the men to collect it shortly." Red shut the phone and tossed it to the table, "Dammit.." he sighed.
"He got away?" Liz muttered into his chest.
"Yes." Red grumbled.
"Let it go." she yawned. "Go back to sleep."
He looked down at her and chuckled silently when she dozed.
"Stop thinkin'..." she muttered. "Keepin' me 'wake."
"I seem to do that a lot." Red smiled softly down at the woman snuggling into him.
"I have my gun in my hand Red." she warned, even as she rubbed her cheek against his chest, getting comfortable.
"Don't drool on me."
"I don't drool..." she pouted.
"Yeah, and you don't snore either." the man rolled his eyes, his fingers lazily stroking her back.
He got lost in the repetitive motion, drifting languidly. The woman's soft purring filtered through the otherwise silent room.
"So much for not snoring..." he laughed silently, his chest bouncing the small body laying draped over him.
Liz's brow furrowed, her hand sleepily swatting the annoyance for the man had disturbed her.
Red clamped a hand over his mouth, hoping it would aid in holding his laughter until he finally settled.
He looked down at the little head settled on his chest, stroking a large hand over her soft hair, leaning his cheek into the fragrant tresses.
He inhaled her gentle scent, feeling himself getting drowsier with each breath, drifting into a peaceful sleep.
So very happy he stayed.