Focal Point

by Daniel Davies

(Lizzington) A dangerous serial killer targets Elizabeth Keen as the newest Blacklister hits too close to home for Red Reddington. She must rely on the one person her instincts tell her she can trust. Liz finds herself inexplicably drawn closer to the only man capable of protecting her from this insidious new threat. (Mature Content)

100. Derailed

Monday, June 2nd

Red was a light sleeper. His chosen profession had taught him to be constantly on guard.

He had felt the movement beside him, but thought it more advantageous to pretend as if he had not, in this particular instance.

The sensual sensation of full lips and an agile tongue traveled the stubbled flesh of his jawline, moving gently down to his neck roused the man fully from a most pleasant dream like state.

To a reality even more pleasant.

He lay very still enjoying Liz's newfound assertiveness.

He inhaled the last traces of her baby lotion and the alluring salty aroma of aroused female.

"Hey lady..." his sleep roughed voice tickled her nape for she had straddled his body strategically, "I'm sorry," he feigned mild consternation, "did you need something?"

Liz curved her thighs into his hips, the long silky legs intertwining with his dormant ones.

It was the only thing dormant about the man at this moment in time.

"I didn't mean to disturb you," the seductively innocent tone hardened the man's cock all the more, "I have a little problem here, you see."

She slid along the length of his shaft slowly, the hot wet muff heightening his senses.

Liz moaned softly, squirming about the surface anxiously.

"Uh huh." he managed throatily, his mouth suckling her neckline hungrily, "I can see that... go on." he encouraged, his lips peppering the fragrant skin with light, nipping kisses.

His rough palm cupped the plump ass cheeks, rubbing the woman up and down his cock in slow, calculated thrusts.

"I was..." her breath was shallow, "having the most amazing dream."

Liz pressed into the excruciating sensation as the man's shaft thumped against her slit, the wide head of his crown sliding against the curve of her sex to her plump cheeks.

"Dreams can be so realistic at times." he knew first hand.

"And so frustrating." she pouted prettily for him, "I woke up just when it was getting... good."

"Oh no," he commiserated, his fingers kneaded her bottom purposely, widening the gap between her legs with expert tension, "I am so sorry to hear that," he managed sincerity, "what can I do to help?"

Elizabeth's stomach pitched erotically when the man's stiff flesh connected soundly with her clit.

"Oh my," he tsked, having felt what he needed to feel, "you are all swollen," he frowned his sympathy, "that must be painful," his tone had dropped into a lascivious caress, "... show me."

Liz lifted large blue eyes as she allowed the man to shift, taking her with him as he went.

He rolled her unto her back, his palm parting her legs.

Red's eyes traveled the smoothness of her flesh, over the alluring mounds of her bare breasts, past the small, flat abdomen and beyond.

His eyes flamed as her fingers spread the silken hair covering the tumescent lips of her labia.

His cock pulsed greedily at the sight of her mons glistening in the early morning sun. His gaze heated further when the woman's thighs, sparkling with moisture, came into view.

"You see." Liz played her part to the hilt, her voice melancholy, a little miffed.

The shimmering mound of her sex, reddened and exposed to him, allowed him a glance of her engorged clit. The sight of the woman's puffy slit overwhelmed him with alluring images.

Fantasies of pounding into her mercilessly one moment were replaced by visions of him taking her clit in his mouth in the next.

He controlled them.

"My poor baby," he sighed heavily, "it just makes me want to tongue that steamy little alcove and suckle your delicate flesh..." he whispered, "give my hot, precious pussy the attention it so clearly needs."

Elizabeth closed her eyes, mewling desperately, "Y-Yes," her thighs trembling visibly, "do that."

"Yes, I could do that," he certainly was not adverse, "but if I did, you might come entirely too quickly for my liking."

"No, no I wouldn't," she breathed the lie breathlessly, "I really wouldn't."

"No?" he lifted a scolding brow, "then prove it," he insisted, "touch yourself."

Elizabeth hesitated, feeling as he made her feel, she wasn't certain she wouldn't come at this stage with the least amount of stimulation.

Red was beginning to love these morning sessions. Elizabeth was becoming more passionate, showing her emotions uninhibitedly.

She was expressing desire, trust was growing between them. He had worked meticulously hard to gain that trust.

His hand rested on her thigh, a studied scowl on his handsome face.

The slender fingers danced idly over her warm flesh, squeezing the delicious pain of sexual awakening from her mounds before moving lower through the dark, damp wispy hair on her mons.

Red lay his palm flat on her stomach, holding the woman in place.

He lay stretched out beside her, his thigh holding her legs spread open for his pleasure.

She was entirely exposed to his gaze, naked and vulnerable.

"You can do better than that." he approved of the tiny nubs of the pert breasts rising stiffly at his continued stare.

Elizabeth reached, her fingers spreading the lips of her labia open, boldly sharing herself with her lover.

Red eyes deepened, "That little opening is already welling with cream."

Liz's body reacted to the lust-laden tone.

"You are so wet for me." he watched the slick nectar ease from her opening, disappearing between her rounded cheeks.

Gooseflesh spotted her skin at the sexy proclamation.

The woman's heady aroma filled his senses leaving his mouth watering and warm liquid trickling from his cock.

Her fingers pushed in against her tingling sex attempting to alleviate the incessant throb deep inside.

"This is all for me, correct." he pushed his index finger into her body, extracting the slick appendage. He massaged her clit with the product tenderly.

Liz tried to clamp her thighs shut, but he refused to allow her the luxury.

"I will take the ache away, baby." he soothed, pushing her own fingers aside as they tried to complete the act on their own, "Just tell me what it is you want."

"...You," she breathed shakily, "I want... you."

"You want my cock," he corrected silkily, "which I will gladly give but I need to hear those sweet words from that beautiful mouth."

She opened her legs wider in open invitation, her eyes fixated on his face, "Are you going to make love to me?"

"I can do that," he nodded minutely, "you know I'll give you anything you want."

Elizabeth trembled at the man's confident delivery of the sultry words.

"I'll make you feel all better," he crooned lovingly, "Open your legs for me, baby. Let me in."

Opening her legs wider to accommodate his bulk, Red rolled into the curvy alcove, settling his weight on the slender body beneath his.

Red smiled warmly at the woman's sullen features, before lifting and bracing himself on his hand.

Taking his cock in hand, he brushed his weeping slit against her clitoris, producing a fresh warm gush of milky white fluid trickling from her center.

Liz moaned brokenly, wiggling closer to the bulbous head teasing her. She squirmed in earnest, whimpering despondently.

"Be patient, baby..." he murmured, intent on his task.

The woman's brow furrowed as he lifted his cock away from her. She opened her mouth in protest but stilled at the sight of his head, thick and full for her.

His own slit was parted with arousal. A translucent bead of moisture oozed from the tip, holding her rapt attention.

Stroking the bulging shaft once, Red watched the bead travel the rounded tip of his erection. The clear liquid dripped into the pink hole, drawing a soft gasp of his growing arousal.

"Only you make me this hard." the man whispered urgently, "so quickly."

He cursed his lack of control but marveled at his advanced state of ardor.

"Then do something about it." she breathed a shaky sigh, her bottom lifting in total supplication.

She felt the growing wet spot beneath her on the sheets.

"That must have been a hell of a dream." he stated his belief, aligning his cock head between the ripe flesh awaiting him.

Leaning determinedly, the man gently shoved past the tight resistance of her labia, demanding entrance into the wet depths awaiting his exploration.

Elizabeth groaned, gratefully welcoming the invasion, "...The reality is better."

"God," Red moans joined hers, as the intense pleasure of the steaming cavern spread for him, only to close back around his hard flesh as he pushed further into the tight sheath, "I fucking concur..."

A shaky gasp of relief escaped Liz's parted mouth as the girth opened her wide. The man's foreskin massaged her cushioned depths, increasing the ache in her core in the most delectable, torturous way.

"So... so much better." she whimpered her delight as Red rocked his hips, opening her to his intrusion, inch by agonizing inch.

"There now," he whispered faintly, "is this helping ease that ache?" he enquired, his tone raspy with growing passion.

"Yes." she pleaded, lifting her hips to greet his shallow thrust. "Don't stop, please..."

He should have done this last night... made love to her.

His undisguised and shameless lust for the woman won out.

Not that either had complained.

But this... this was breathtaking.

"I love you." he whispered, settling his entire length into her body. He breathed a deep sigh of contentment as her soft down meshed with his own, the connection complete.

Liz nuzzled into the shadowing on his face, a sense of tranquility calming her heart.

The coarse hair of morning beard scraping her delicate skin and the man's husky voice whispering words of love in her ear, sent tingles along her spine to the sensitive area between her legs.

They had been making love for weeks now and it was phenomenal. She felt cherished beyond scope.

This morning... what they shared was stunning in its intensity. They were united not just in the physical sense, but emotionally. It was as if they were one entity. Souls bound together.

Liz's cheeks flushed, a swell of emotion flooding her psyche. Her tummy flipped, her heart fluttered, her breath quickened with passion, she felt absolutely... exhilarated.

She recalled a moment in her teen years when she experienced a similar occurrence while reading her first romance novels.

The worlds created in her imagination had been an enchanting one.

She had become conscious of her sexual desires... an awakening.

The lust between the characters was potent. The build up in tension, captivating. Until the point they gave into their yearning and consummated their carnal desires.

She masturbated many times to the erotic pictures painted.

But above all else, to the fantasies of... him.

The hero. The knight in shining armor that came in on horseback, wooing the damsel in distress. Or the swarthy and ruthless Viscount romancing the beautiful, yet, untrusting Governess.

Each protective, faithful, infatuated and passionate about their lady loves.

She dreamed of having a man such as that one day.

And now, here she was... living the dream.

The good-hearted Criminal loving his supposed sworn adversary, a Federal Agent.

And he was doing it so well... so very, very well.

Red was living up to expectations he wasn't even aware she possessed, being what she needed in every respect.

She had his protection. His commitment. His respect and admiration. But above all else, she trusted him implicitly.

They had love.

They had this... the carnal connection the likes of which she never experienced.

She never had a wish come true but as Liz felt the gentle tug of Red's warm mouth on her captured nipple, the wet slide of his heavy erection... it was as close as she would get to perfection.

She knew without a doubt that wishes did in fact, come true.

Pushing the pale flesh of her breast closer, Liz whimpered, eager for more of his brand of attention.

Flickering the rosy tip, Red wondered what thoughts captivated her moments ago.

Although fully involved in the physical sense, lifting into his slow rhythmic thrusts, he sensed her mind was momentarily elsewhere. Her eyes held an unfocused, dreamy look in the blue depths.

Whatever it had been, left the woman blissfully tranquil and eagerly receptive to his unrequited passion.

Perhaps she had been recalling her earlier dream...

"God," he exhaled pent up emotion, a little pensive himself suddenly, "you have no idea how much I need this with you."

Wrapping his tongue around the puckered flesh of her pert nipple, Red groaned about the little nub, observing her reaction to his efforts.

Ragged breaths escaped Lizzy's parted mouth as Red leisurely nipped a stiff peak, leaving a sweet, torturous pang between her legs.

"You need me..." she whispered in a rush, clasping his head to her breast with shaky fingers.

Entranced by the rhythmic motion their bodies performed, both enjoyed and lost themselves in the unfettered moans and gasps their lovers released.

"I've waited such a long time for you, Lizzy..." he openly admitted. "Did you think a month ago, I'd be here... making love to you?" The fact still enthralled the man.

She had to admit, there was a part of her that had been intrigued by the idea. But she never imagined it actually happening.

"No," she confessed, "but I am so damn glad you are." she gasped as he slid in deep, rubbing against her throbbing clit.

"I want this," she breathed, grasping the man's forearms tight in a desperate hold, "...every morning."

Red dropped his chin, watching his girth disappear inside Lizzy's tiny hole, "I'll put it on top of my 'to-do list. Trust me..." he grit, pushing into the wet depths he adored.

"I want to start each day..." she rasped, raising her hips into his downward thrust, "just like this."

"We need a compromise," his lips curved playfully, "because I want you every night." he counter negotiated, captivated by the slim hips meeting his wantonly.

The woman's thighs shook with the intensity of the man's concentrated movements and attention to their activity.

"Jesus..." she sucked in sharply, "right there."

Undulating his hips, he directed his shaft where she needed, his breath shallow and uneven.

"...I stated my requirements." he reminded her of the negotiations taking place.

"Yes," Liz arched into the deep thrust of his heavy shaft, " morning... night." she babbled incoherently. "Any time," she was flexible, "God, Red.."

Liz's arousal heightened as she read the excruciating torture on the man's face.

Red's head fell back, his face showing his state of ecstasy. A rumbling growl tore from deep within his stocky, hair covered chest on the long downward stroke of his beautiful cock.

The velvet soft thickness, framed by curly honey blond hair, came into view. The thick bulging veins in his cock caressed her touch-heightened flesh, drawing her closer to the precipice of climax.

He was so handsome, sexy... so masculine.

"It feels good..." she whispered, "doesn't it."

"You have no idea how exquisite you are..." Red moaned brokenly, grasping the pillow in the strong hold of his clenched fingers, "I dreamed of this..." he tightened his arms at her side, cupping her little face in his calloused palms.

Liz kissed the man's full mouth, panting against the damp flesh.

"So many times, I wanted to be with you, just like this," he allowed more of his weight to settle on her, "surround you with my warmth," he murmured, "and part your lips with my cock, slide into this sweet, amazing body."

His eyes slipped closed, reveling in the euphoria of doing just that, "My cock ached to experience your body giving into my intrusion," he growled shakily, "to savor the sensation of your hot, snug pussy cradling my cock."

Liz flicked her tongue sensually against his, picturing the images he painted for her,

"Nothing could prepare me for how wonderful you truly feel," he murmured, "that I would get to experience you... like this," he stared down at his bare cock shining with Elizabeth's arousal, "is something out of my most primitive imaginings."

Catching her lip with her teeth, she bit into the tender flesh just as captivated by the sight.

"Knowing I'm the only one afforded this gift," he nuzzled her dampened neckline, drawing in her sweet scent, "that I am the only one who ever will warm you..."

The man's eye darkened, amplifying the rolling pitch in Elizabeth's abdomen.

"Feeling you come around me..." the husky voice lowered intimately, "is excruciatingly pleasurable."

Liz's clit jolted with sharp piercing waves of desire. The delectable, thrumming heaviness between her legs cried out for release. A warm rush of fluid poured from her quivering heat, drawing a rumbling moan from her lover.

"...Yes," he encouraged breathlessly, "baby, I need you to come."

Red's breath hitched as the woman's face lit with an inner glow of ecstasy. Her tiny feet curved into his thigh, her fingers grasping his ass in a tight grip, pulling him roughly against her center.

Shortening his strokes to an almost manic pace, Red nudged Lizzy's engorged clit encouragingly. A whispered rush of amazement escaped the woman.

The man's body reacted, his testicles tightening in anticipation of his release.

"Don't hold back..." he rasped, "those sounds are torturing me in the most delightful way."

The woman's breathy sighs and moans against his sensitive flesh, heightened his senses to a feverish pitch.

Red blatantly watched the show unfolding before his eyes. The woman's knees tightened against his hips, her thighs shaking uncontrollably. Her back lifted from the bedding, presenting her breasts for his warm mouth's caress.

Rubbing the tiny peaks with his tongue produced incredible results. A vicious snarl of compliance pushed from his throat as her core clamped his pumping shaft tightly.

"God, that's it..." he growled his approval as Lizzy's heels dug into his thighs.

Her slim fingers curled into his low back as she cried out, her body coiling tight.

"Please..." she whimpered, working too hard, wanting the release too much to control or synchronize her body's need, "Red..." the unasked request touch the man's heart.

Wrapping an arm about her waist, he tilted her pelvis, dragging his bulging shaft roughly against her over sensitized clit. He knew what to do... how to help.

"Come," he demanded, his tone heated, "come for me, baby."

"Oh...o-oh... God!" her voice quivered as the man nuzzled into her neckline, nipping the damp flesh.

Pushing against the fluttering tunnel, Red felt his control slipping as the little hole rushed with wet heat, soaking his groin in the milky fluid. His sack brushed against her ass cheeks, sending a staggering jolt up his spine.

The images it conjured... the sounds she was making... the unrelenting pull of her pussy...

It all drove him out of his fucking mind.

"...Jesus Christ," he husked, "...yes."

Hugging herself to the man, she surrendered herself to the moment.

She loved the sounds Red made when he loved her. The low grunts, growls, breathless snarls... the lustful moans as he took her deep. The long slide of his cock pushed at her tight walls, spreading them relentlessly.

Cupping his face in her hands, she captured his mouth in a fiercely passionate kiss. Their lips and tongues imitating the movement of their bodies below. The unrestrained need in that kiss made her core quiver and tug at the fat cock fucking her, drawing another pleasurable moan from the man's throat.

"Let me feel you..." she whispered, kissing his jawline, "love me..."

"I do love you..." he whispered in a rush, "so very much."

Opening his eyes, he connected with the deep azure blue staring back up at him. A slow smile spreading those incredibly sensual lips.

Capturing her mouth once more, he broke the passionate embrace.

"Oh, God, I'm gonna come..." she panted, the peak of her euphoria reaching a fevered pitch.

"Lizzy..." he implored she follow her body's dictates, "please don't stop..." his breath quickened, "God, please."

Her mouth gaped, an abrupt erotic cry breaking free as she felt his crown expand, the shaft throbbing explosively.

Thrusting against her opening, Red pushed deeply into the oozing slit, forced to still his movements.

Lizzy's body responded accordingly, assisting in the incredible journey he was about to undertake.

Hissing through clenched teeth, the creamy heat of his cum washed over his cock head as he gave himself over to the rapturous thrill.

A rush of endorphins blinded their senses. Hearts pounded rapidly as sounds faded into background, only to amplify in their own heads.

"There baby..." Red's tone was pure indulgence as he basked in the afterglow of a job well done, "...there." he whispered luxuriously.

Shaking with the intensity of the hot rush of his cum against her cervix, Liz tilted her hips, taking him further into her body, her pussy quivering about his straining organ.

"Did that help?" easing his cock back into the warm cushion, he gasped his awe, catching her panting lips hungrily in a kiss so intensely sensual, its completion left the woman breathlessly limp.

Liz closed her eyes, riding the wondrous wave crashing over her. Her calves tightened about his thighs, holding him deeply encased within her body.

"...Yes," he whispered soothingly, "that's what my baby needed." he knew she was at the apex. He intended to enjoy each second afforded him.

Liz's heart pounded loud in her ears, fire erupting in her veins. She was on a crest and the feelings were breathtakingly stunning.

Red's large palm cupped her bottom, lifting her into his offering.

"That's my good girl..." he encouraged silkily, nudging her sex, gently rutting her deeper, "take it all, baby."

Liz pushed into his offering eagerly, her clit convulsing with the last surge of her climax. She slumped back into the soft bedding, panting with the exertion her body had expended.

Red moaned a breathy release, relaxing gradually.

The pleasant throb of completion radiated throughout his groin and thighs before traveling in a pulsing wave throughout his body.

Trembling with the aftershocks of their lovemaking, Red lay into her, smiling warmly when she lovingly wrapped herself about his bulky frame.

Trailing gentle kisses over her forehead, his eyes lit with adoration for the woman who had given him so much contentment. Wild, untamed locks of silky hair twisted about his fingers as if they too, wished him closer.

He nuzzled her nose affectionately, lavishing languid kisses on the receptive, full lips.

"I love you." she murmured lazily, drifting in a state of total bliss.

His eyes flit over her face, a gentle smile reaching his mouth, "I love you." he repeated the emotions back, feeling the depth of their meaning.

His flaccid cock slid free, drawing a soft disgruntled sound from both. Red chuckled lowly for the action signaled the 'moment' ended. It had been a very nice moment indeed.

Liz shifted begrudgingly, loathe to end the moment as well.

Smiling her contentment, Liz stretched languorously before allowing the man to gather her in his arms once again.

Relaxing in his hold, she absently traced the freckles on his shoulder.

Rubbing his hand along the slope of her spine, Red smiled as Lizzy cuddled closer into his frame. Her fingers idly played with the hair covering his torso.

"Do you think..." Red began before hesitating long enough Liz's fingers stilled in their pastime. His mind wandered to the most oblique subject. Why, he had no clue.

"Think what?" she questioned, shifting her head to look up at the man.

"I suppose it's naïve to assume I'm not," he sighed, his brow knitting, "she's a mature woman after all."

"Red what are you rambling on about?" Liz huffed.

"... A grandfather?" he muttered. The notion at once exciting, yet vexing on the other hand. Was that a vain outlook? Of course it was.

"What?" she scowled.

"Do you think I could be?" was the question of the day. He shifted to read her expression.

Liz frowned a moment before it registered. "Are you talking about the other morning with Nora?" she questioned, "...Oh, Red we were just teasing you." Liz soothed.

She hadn't thought at the time... she should have, of course. Considering the man had no idea where Jennifer was... it had been a cruel joke.

"I know, I know that." Red soothed her immediately, kissing her temple to ease the growing strain she was experiencing.

He knew it had just been a joke and had reacted in kind. But the subject nagged at him, leading him to speculate about the possibility, he could very well have a grandchild out there somewhere in the world.

"It just... it made me wonder if–"

"Red, I'm so sorry." Liz lifted to her elbow, cupping his cheek in her palm. "I didn't take into consideration that–"

"It's all right, sweetheart." he stressed, kissing the sadness from her lips. "I know you didn't mean to hurt me. And you didn't. I just... I've missed so much." he had been made to realize.

Liz moved closer into his embrace, her eyes gentle. "We will find her, Red." she promised.

Red nodded absently once again becoming lost in his thoughts. He looked at her after a beat of silence, needing her point of view on the matter, "But... I could be, right?"

"I suppose you could be, yes." she murmured softly. "Jennifer and I are around the same age," she shrugged, "and you know our own predicament."

Red's eyes softened, snuggling the woman closer. They were awaiting news of the baby kind, themselves.

Red sighed as his next thought materialized, "Does it bother you?"

"No." she replied without hesitation.

"I'm old, Lizzy."

"For an old guy, you have amazing stamina." she giggled at the absurdity of his statement.

"Reality sucks." he grumbled despondently.

"Your advanced age," Liz teased, "didn't stop you from just knocking my socks off."

"You weren't wearing socks," he muttered, playfully nipping her shoulder, "or much of anything else. Thank the Lord."

She continued on, ignoring his diversion tactic, "Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones, Celine Dion and that French guy–"

"I get your point." Red conceded. He had to admit if only to himself that he knew of a dozen couples he personally associated with that had a significant gap in their age brackets.

And they were happy. Or surface appearances would have it, at least.

"I love you," she kissed his chin, "no matter how decrepit and aged you are." she trailed off, hiding her mischief filled eyes.

Red tweaked her side in response, eliciting a sharp yelp from her.

Playfully wrestling with his little troublemaker, he chuckled as the woman valiantly tried to escape his reach but was too waylaid by her own laughter to make much headway.

"I suppose I should thank you for praising my talents." he got the giggling woman under his control, kissing her smiling lips.

Her eyes softened as the man rolled to his back, taking her along with him as he went.

Laying in the quiet, Liz drew shapeless patterns across his chest, waiting patiently.

She finally understood what Red meant when he said he could almost hear her thinking.

He was practically screaming he had something on his mind... something was bothering him, though he had not said a word. Would he share freely this time or...

"How can I ever make up for everything I missed?" he confided solemnly, finally breaking the silence. "Would she even care if I tried?" he didn't see how it could matter now, after so long a time.

"If it tells you anything," Liz began, "I know my parents were rotten to the core but if they came back, genuinely wishing to make amends for..." she trailed off, sighing, "I honestly think Jennifer would open herself to at least trying, Ray."

She held his eyes for a long moment until the man grudgingly nodded, accepting her outlook on the situation.

"She couldn't help but love you, Red." she added, before laying her head back down, cuddling the man.

Tucking his cheek against her soft hair, he remained silent, letting the words settle.

He hugged the woman closer, needing the warmth she exuded both emotionally and physically.

He hoped beyond hope she was correct in her assumptions where his daughter was concerned.

---

Red and Liz lay ensconced in the quiet seclusion of their bed until Lizzy's stomach rumbled hungrily.

He smiled his affectionate as she tried to hide the fact obviously not ready to leave the warmth of the bed or their private time.

While Red had to agree, he wasn't ready to leave the confines of their room and deal with the world outside either. This particular morning, unlike previous ones, started on a high note.

Both were well rested and thoroughly sated.

He sincerely hoped to do as Lizzy wished and begin each day in the same manner although he knew life rarely allowed for such luxuries.

While it went without saying he adored the physical intimacy they shared, it wasn't just making love he enjoyed.

He totally appreciated the uninterrupted time and conversations they shared.

They often spoke on an eclectic series of subjects ranging from dream vacations to favorite subjects they studied in school.

And now, Jennifer had been addressed and how he missed so much in his daughter's life.

They spent many such mornings, wrapped in the sheet and little else... baring themselves to one another on the most intimate level imaginable. It went beyond the physical.

Is that part of why they were so open with one another in these moments? They couldn't hide their faults or imperfections physically... so why not go ahead and share confidences which bared their souls as well?

These unhurried early mornings together were a favorite part of his day and he knew they meant a great deal to Lizzy as well.

Having experienced rushed mornings where there was barely time to savor a cup of coffee, let alone greet their other half was a small blessing many couples took for granted.

He recalled many times arriving on base, realizing that Carla had not returned his wish for a good day or said 'I love you' as he closed the door behind him.

Lizzy had experienced much of the same, within the confines of her marriage.

Stolen moments where a couple were alone, together, were not only cherished but beneficial to any relationship.

If they should make love in the midst of that perfect morning and share stolen kisses as they dressed... it made their day that much better. Or at least, it did Red's.

And truth told, he secretly thought, should something happen to him he would know he left Lizzy with a pleasant memory of intimate private time... and now the words, 'I love you'.

As much as they would love to continue on with the lackadaisical way the day started off... duty called.

After enjoying an extended breakfast with Lizzy, they both more than reluctantly readied themselves for work.

Liz settled into her routine, opening her email. She smiled when she was greeted with the new office gossip which Aram supplied on a regular basis. Along with the good stuff, a mountain of new files for her to profile also filled her inbox.

Red seemed to be engrossed in a lengthy conference with Michael Fairfax involving the little incident in Cartagena.

While she was not privy to all the details of what exactly transpired, or the 'why of it all'... she did know Red informed her he had to leave for a brief trip to New York on Michael's behalf.

Much to her vexation.

The man had just been shot in the head, for heaven's sake, which she pointed out in no uncertain terms. Her words fell on deaf ears.

Red had wrapped his arms about her waist, drawing the pouting woman against him.

"I'll be taking Francis with me." he soothed her fretful brow, "How much trouble can we get into?" he teased.

"God only knows." it was vowed. She lifted blue eyes at that, taking solace that her friend would be there to pick up the slack if need be.

"You'll call..." she lowered her eyes, fingering his lapel and tie, "when you land?"

"I'll call every chance I get." he assured. "I promise, this won't take too long."

"It better not." she frowned, stroking a gentle finger over the scab on his head.

"Trust me, Lizzy," he rumbled deeply, "I'll do everything I can to be here in time to enjoy another wake up call with you."

Red held his smile admirably, until the woman flushed faintly, rolling her eyes to cover the moment.

"I love you." Red murmured, a peace settling in his chest to be able to say the words so freely.

Liz relaxed in his embrace, her eyes clearing. She 'loved' hearing the phrase, "I love you too."

Reluctantly kissing Red goodbye. She wistfully waved her farewells until he pulled from the drive, no longer in sight.

She closed the door behind her, leaning into the solid wood, listening to the stillness of the house.

She never realized how much the men's presence permeated the space until now. It was as if they had taken the energy, the soul of the space... the essence, along with their departure.

She couldn't be sure if the quiet was a good or bad thing at present.

Usually, Francis would already be here providing distraction with his charismatic charm and good-natured laughter, but since he was accompanying Red on this outing, it left Liz a bit out-of-sorts.

She pushed off the door facing, resolved to getting on with the day at hand. Looking off down the hall, she smiled at the sight of the budding blooms and lush lawn through the French doors...

What a lovely sight. It cheered her heart. She pulled up slowly, her steps halting as a thought occurred.

The normal wired restlessness she experienced when Red left... was subdued. She felt at ease somehow, even without Francis here to fill the void.

There was a different vibe suddenly. This wasn't so bad after all. She continued on absently, her destination predetermined.

A small smile curved her lips as she remembered the activities of this morning. She was incredibly pleased Red had been so receptive to her early morning demands.

But then, he had been since the first time she made sexual advances towards him.

She had been so nervous that first time, but the ache between her legs demanded she comply to her body's dictates.

Tom had always been slow on the uptake. He would blink bleary eyes, go to the bathroom, let the dog out... leaving her in bed writhing anxiously.

Tom left her feeling guilty for having awakened him and frustrated sexually because usually, he would get off and leave her in the lurch. Fucker that he was...

Red, on the other hand, never hesitated to deliver.

She dearly loved the man's ability to conform to any situation.

He was awake and ready to perform within the blink of an eye. And perform he did. Red made her feel sexy, sensual and loved. She never felt neglected with him.

She really appreciated that Red didn't fuck and run.

She really loved when they got to spend quality time together. It was an amazing feeling knowing Red wanted to be with her even after the fact.

But today, it felt different.

To anyone else, it may seem like no big deal.

That he shared self-doubt... trusted her enough to confide an incredibly personal detail about himself. He expressed his love for her in ways she never imagined a man could... or would bother.

She felt an inner peace she never experienced before.

So many little things were coming together so seamlessly.

His need to be certain she was in this for the long haul. Her need to know she was his confidant. So many pressing questions were being answered.

Pulling her phone free, she impulsively shot off a quick text, telling Red how much she loved him. She grinned a moment later when Red, who hated to text, replied in kind... he said it so much better than she ever could have, of course.

Yes, it was the little things that meant so much... just as Red always said.

---

June 3

As promised, Red called the moment they landed in New York. He promised another call back shortly with a progress report on the issue at hand because, "I know how you like to gossip and carry on about things that are really none of your concern."

She laughed, sticking out her tongue.

"There are better things to do with that tongue little girl."

Liz had blinked her surprise to know the man could sense her reaction even over the phone.

---

Four hours later, she was becoming angsty, admittedly when Red's expected call did not materialize. But finally he chimed in again just when she was about to make contact herself.

An unexpected encounter with a Blacklister had thrown a wrench into the works.

Red was juggling priorities.

He was keeping tabs on the guy but he needed assistance from the team as manpower was in short supply this day.

Liz jotted down the pertinent information to relay.

"It will take time to get there, Red. They don't have your resources." she realized.

"Tell them to pack an overnight bag."

"No..." she moaned, "I was hoping you could come back this evening."

"From your sweet lips to God's ear," he sighed, "but no, baby. This will take some doing but if they move their asses we can contain this bastard in no time, considering."

She had nodded her understanding.

"This fucker deals with chemical warfare," the man continued, "I want him gone, out of the picture before I return home."

"Of course," she commented, "I just miss your cock."

"You have all those little toys in the bedside table."

She wrinkled her nose, "Not the same."

"Not even the purple one?" he teased.

"Is this going to be one of 'those' calls?" she settled down to enjoy the ride if so.

Red checked his watch, "Give me a rain check. I want to Google the subject... get it right before I attempt an assault on your sensitivities."

"You've never had phone sex before?" she perked up totally interested in his reply.

"You'll never believe this story," Red settled back to relate the tale, "I was in Baltimore in March of '84, cost me nearly $4,000 to buy this thing..." he winced with the memory, "was talking on the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, one of the first handheld cellphones..."

Liz held her amusement. She always enjoyed these insightful history lessons.

"I was talking with Petty Officer Virginia Sherman one quiet spring night while on night patrol on base..."

"You were talking on a cell phone while on patrol?"

"And one thing led to another, as things invariably will..." he cocked his head smiling at the reminiscence.

"Bet you looked great in your uniform." she had often imagined the image.

"And we were just about to reach the pinnacle of all that smoldering pent-up desire..." the man steadfastly ignored the interruptions.

"This is turning me on actually." Liz quipped.

"When I dropped the damn phone into my lap..." he grimaced accordingly, "needless to say spoiling an otherwise perfect moment."

Liz tried to stifle her chuckle.

"My God, do you remember how large those phones were?" he shook his head regretfully, "it was like dropping a brick on my who-who."

She spit out an infectious bout of laughter, "Your who-who?"

"It's a wonder I can perform at all, considering." he enjoyed her laughter so very much, even if it was at his own expense.

"I'm thinking about touching my own who-who after such a titillating tale." she confided.

His throaty chuckle alleviated her doldrums, "You behave," he instructed, "I'll make it up to you and your who-who when I get there."

It was safe to say, Liz was more than ready for the man's return.

Red called early the next morning, informing her the team nabbed their man. He sounded tired but upbeat.

While they had been gone, Liz had taken the opportunity to dive into work.

Aside from meals Silas demanded she eat in the dining room to give herself a break, she stayed ensconced in her room. Pumping out profile after profile.

...Until now. A snag had put an abrupt halt to her flow.

"Stupid thing!" Liz groused, punching the keys on her laptop excessively hard.

After hours of research and two restarts to her computer, she barely had a paragraph written.

All because this stupid computer wasn't cooperating with her.

This criminal appeared to posses no past or present except one sheet of a general report on his recent arrest.

The net could produce nothing else what-so-ever.

No digital footprint.

Was Google purposely screwing with her?

She checked possible issues with her search engines using her own name.

Not much information out there, but enough to know she existed. She didn't have social media accounts but an old article appeared in her hometown newspaper which amused her.

There was the engagement announcement and wedding photos dutifully displayed. My God, was that the hairstyle she had chosen?

She appeared on the census report under Sam's name.

She had even been registered with Classmates.

Elizabeth Keen did indeed exist in the world, somehow.

But... not this bastard.

She threw up her hands, considering stopping for the day but an idea struck her.

She wasn't a quitter, after all.

She mischievously typed in Red's name.

He had his own Wikipedia page. Color her impressed. She shook her head, reading it if only out of morbid curiosity.

She read studiously, a fixed scowl on her face. "Well, that's just a lie." she disagreed vehemently with several 'facts' listed.

How the hell did someone issue a correction on this erroneous information? She was incensed for Red but she knew it didn't really matter to the man what people thought or said.

She wished she could develop that thick skin. She wasn't at the point just yet.

Scrolling, she crept up on his personal information, only mildly disappointed that she was not listed as someone of import. His first wife was afforded four entire paragraphs.

It was a silly thought of course, but there was a part of her that wished she was listed as someone significant to Red. Humans were so petty.

Smiling to herself, she cleared the page. She was absolutely sure now that her equipment was working properly.

Reentering her search parameters of the man she was profiling, she once again hit a dead end.

Typing in another name, her fingers hesitated over the keyboard. She suddenly realized... she didn't know Silas' last name.

She never asked, and it had never been supplied. Though, she was positive if she were to ask, Silas would say he didn't need one, as he was just that special.

He would be among the ranks of the other one name wonders such as Socrates, Pythagoras, Cher, Bono, Prince... or The Artist Formally Known As...

Liz chuckled at her thoughts, sipping her coffee absently.

She sat the cup aside, a brilliant thought striking her.

The woman rapidly typed in Francis Holbrook's name.

She waited patiently, chomping into one of Nora's still warm chocolate chip cookies. She had settled more comfortably in her seat. The screen lit up with paragraph after paragraph of neat print.

She coughed painfully as she unintentionally swallowed the steaming liquid. Liz's mouth fell agape as she scanned the list.

Scrolling the numerous pages, she attempted to comprehend sentences she saw.

Keywords popped out at her, one after another.

Tax evasion, racketeering, extortion, conspiracy, weapons trafficking, money laundering... conspiracy to commit murder...

Murder?

Her heart pounded loudly in her ears.

Criminal charge after criminal charge splayed out before her very eyes.

Sure, she had surmised the guy was some sort of criminal...

She hastily ran to the top of the page once more, grasping at straws. She had surely typed in the wrong name.

Oh my God...

Liz sat back, stunned... confused... she didn't know what to think... to do... to feel.

Fantastic profiling skills you have there, Lizzy.

She felt like a fool.

Snippets of past conversations flashed through her mind, past actions, scenarios...

Francis vouching for Red Reddington with Antonio Crocetti's brother. Red's total belief in Francis' abilities to handle a 'war' as it were after Carver approached her in Las Vegas.

Francis' total lack of concern or fear when he and Red had gone up against Tom or Cheung...

Her nerves were shot, her hands shook as she sat her cup down, the porcelain vibrating against the wood. Setting one hand over the other, she placed it solidly on the desk.

She stared at the object morosely, clenching her hands tightly together.

She instinctively reached for the phone, retracting her hand as if the device were red hot.

What would she say? How could she possibly get any coherent thoughts out?

Her eyes flitted to the walkie-talkie constantly by her side.

Did Silas even know?

Of course Silas knew.

She clasp her hand to her mouth.

She was an FBI agent for God's sake. She should not be associating...

What an absurd thing to say! She already was associating with a known criminal. A very well known one!

She was in love with the guy!

She was going to kill the guy when she saw him for keeping her in the dark like...

"My darling little sugar baby," the guy's warm, earthy voice filled the space around her, "you home?"

Liz released the breath she had unconsciously been holding, relief washing over her.

She had not heard the front door open, so engrossed in the horrible discovery she had blundered into.

She raised from the chair hastily, scrambling forward to the opened door of her bedroom only to pull up short at another recognized intruder joining in on the conversation.

"Afraid she's off dwindling down your fortune?"

Liz panicked, clear and simple, rushing back to the laptop, minimizing the tabs with lightening speed.

"Woman of the house..." Red was in high spirits, using his Irish accent freely.

She could hear footsteps nearing, her eyes darting to the screen.

"Where's me tea?" the lilted voice enquired.

"Oh shit." she breathed out, turning about just as her desktop image appeared. She plastered a smile on her face.

"Irish, eh?" Francis was nodding his approval as they entered the room, his attention on his companion so Liz had an opportunity to settle a bit before the inevitable face to face confrontation.

"I can do French really well." Francis smirked. "Or so says my dates." the man preened. "Though, my 'Italian' is perfection." he boasted. "Want to hear it?"

"I prefer your Klingon." Red tossed his fedora on the bed spread, leaning to kiss Liz's mouth gently. "Hello, baby."

"That new system already has some bugs." Francis was checking his messages, his face askew.

"We expected that." Red's attention was elsewhere.

Liz kept a bright smile going, her system reeling in the younger man's presence, in truth.

"Everyone needs to be patient and let things evolve." Red's scowl had deepened. He pulled Lizzy closer.

"Therein lies the problem, doesn't it?" Francis rolled his eyes. "I'm all for it, but the old bastards..." he groused, "that remains to be seen."

"You know, they think the same about you young hooligans." Red cocked a brow.

"Thanks... at least I've been upgraded from street rat to a hooligan. Guess that means I'm getting somewhere" Francis smiled cheekily. "As for the 'old ways'," he air quoted, "sure, some methods may work still," he granted, "but the updated methods aren't all that bad either."

"I don't always agree with them either, Francis." Red conceded. "But you can learn a lot from their side as well."

"Antonio, I don't mind." Francis admitted. "He's moved with the times. But the others..." he groaned. "Now I know how people felt going up against the Luddites." he sighed.

Red pulled up short, looking at the boy queerly.

"What?" Francis frowned. "It may not be the Industrial Revolution they're against, but it's the same difference, for the most part."

"No," Red waved the issue off, "I was just surprised you knew what a Luddite was."

"I do read you know." Francis screwed up his face, slightly annoyed.

"I assumed you did..." Red nodded, "I didn't think you had graduated past Mad magazine."

"They did an issue on the subject." Francis chuckled, defending his choice of reading material. "But no, my source was from Uncle John's Bathroom Reader."

"Of course." Red shook his head woefully.

"If you didn't want me to read them, you shouldn't have turned me on to them." Francis shrugged the conversation aside.

"What are you two talking about?" Liz asked politely, sensing Red's overt interest.

Red cocked his head to one side, "All right, what's going on?"

Liz did not lose her carefully controlled façade, "What do you mean?"

"You just got home," Francis muttered, "and you're already in trouble. How the hell did you manage that?"

Red shrugged, just as baffled as Francis. But had to concur, there seemed to be a shift in the Cosmo's since he was last here, though he wasn't sure why.

"Well, this should prove interesting." he too wondered at the woman's mood, shifting his weight to the other foot, "What have I done now?"

Sighing heavily, Liz shook her head for the lack of decorum. Sometimes Red could be so perfect.

And then so perfectly male in his denseness.

"Do you have any idea what the word 'privacy' entails, Red?" she pinched her lips sternly.

Red sensed his faux pas but didn't really get the problem.

His eyes widened slightly, a thought occurring to him. Perhaps in his absence, Lizzy had learned news about their little predicament?

Francis laughed quietly, shaking his own head with open sympathy. "You're digging a grave man!" he warned. "Stop while you're ahead."

Red smiled, "Pass me the shovel." he quipped, "It's just, Francis." he hooked his thumb to the guy.

"Still, a little propriety wouldn't kill you sometimes." Liz muttered. "It could be a very private matter." she narrowed the pretty eyes once more.

"Drop an anvil next time... it's more subtle." Francis smiled at the woman's vexation, taking the folder Red handed him. "I'll check to see how things are moving along." he said, waving the folder about. "When you're done getting your ass reamed... call."

Liz sat at her desk, her legs giving way.

Red listened as the man's footsteps cleared the hallway before pulling a chair up in front of her.

"Now, you want to tell me what's wrong?" Red gave her every bit of his attention.

"Do you know who Francis is!" she hissed quietly, reopening the page she had previously viewed.

Red scowled slightly unprepared for the turn in conversation. He had thought...

"Of course you know!" the woman rolled her eyes expressively, jabbing the screen.

Red leaned forward, his expressionless eyes scanning the page. He scrolled the page a little, sitting back in his seat... chuckling.

Liz's mouth gaped, then closed, only to gape open once more.

"Francis is not an Associate of the Mafia." Red shook his head at the absurdity.

Liz pointed at the screen again offering proof, "Google doesn't lie!"

"In this case, and the case of Silas' mystery mole... it does." he sighed, getting comfortable in his chair. "Wikipedia, The Enquirer and the Feds..." he muttered sorrowfully, "all go hand in hand."

"What the hell are you saying!" she bitched.

"When I happened upon Francis again, he was a street rat." Red smiled, remembering back all those years. "I suppose he felt he fit the surroundings." his eyes softened, as had his voice.

"Street rat?" Liz searched her memory for the meaning of the slang expression.

"The ears on the street for a mobster I had dealings with." he sat back, crossing his ankles. He was getting comfortable for story time, she sensed as much.

"No one noticed him hanging around because he was young, looked appropriately grungy. They thought he was just some homeless kid."

"How did he get from street rat to... to... whatever he is today?" she gestured wildly to the computer screen.

"His present position, you mean?" Red enquired.

She hesitated, "Yes... yes, I mean that!"

"Me." Red lifted gray eyes, holding her blue ones easily.

"I despised the bastard he was running for, thought he treated his men like shit, especially the incredibly loyal ones, like Francis." Red recalled the beginning with a certain fondness.

"Go on!" she prompted urgently, her nerves strung tightly.

"I gave Francis information about some product that would rake in lots of cash," Red shrugged, "and instead of taking it to the Boss, as was protocol," he grinned mischievously, "Francis took it to the bank, like I hoped he would." he stated proudly. "Made a name for himself overnight."

"But... the guy, this mobster guy, he didn't kill Francis for... for what he did?"

"He tried, but we were there." Red shrugged. "It was messy, it was violent, but Francis and my team won out in the end."

"So, then what happened." she was on tenterhooks.

"Francis took his place." he spread his hands accordingly.

It seemed an obvious progression to Red.

Liz's eyes widened at the implication. "Are you saying that Francis is a-a... mob boss?"

"That is exactly what I'm saying." he nodded. "Well, to be more precise, Francis is considered the Godfather of the Mafia."

"No..." she faltered, "that... can't be," she was totally confused, "...Antonio."

"Despite his age, Antonio stepped aside." Red explained, "Antonio is lower in the ranks than Francis."

Liz sat back, drained. She took a moment to digest all that had been said. "Francis treats him–"

"With the respect the man has earned." Red replied. "Besides, Antonio paved the way for Francis."

Liz's scowl increased a little, "Why would he do that? I thought once they had the power..."

"Antonio is smarter than that besides," Red stated, "it was time to step down."

Liz seemed deflated, "It's not like in the movies..."

"Despite his age at the time, Antonio demanded the men give Francis the respect of his rank." Red clarified, chuckling for her outlook, "He had fought for it and won, after all."

"So he's..." Liz's finger shook as she pointed to all the charges listed.

"Well, he's no Gambino or Luciano, if that's what you're asking, not yet anyway." Red shrugged. "But essentially, yes. Or to an extent."

Liz's face paled considerably at the thought Francis could... no, that didn't even make sense.

"I don't understand..." she confessed, "Francis is so... so..."

"Stupid?" he chuckled, "I assure you Lizzy, that is just a façade he projects. He is far from... stupid."

She looked at him doubtfully.

"In his defense though, most of those charges and some others not listed, pertain to me as well." Red motioned, "Have you read my page?"

She looked guiltily aside.

"For instance, mine states I'm in the prostitution business." he explained. "And you know I would never involve myself in that."

"But m-murder?" her eyes fell sadly, as did her hopes.

"Don't worry, Lizzy. Francis doesn't go around putting people in cement over shoes." Red chided. "He's actually cleaned up a lot of what the bastard before him did." he tried to sound impartial. "Let's just say the neighborhoods that used to be terrified of seeing these guys coming, now instead, feel relief."

Liz felt torn. Before, Francis had just been a funny guy she enjoyed spending time with, even knowing he did some off the book business.

He made her laugh. She had fun with him and was so fond of him, it hurt to think...

She really liked Francis, a lot.

No, she loved Francis. He was her best-friend. Her only true friend.

Now, she discovered he's like Tony Soprano.

You can sure pick them, Lizzy.

Red watched the woman growing paler by the second and knew for a fact what she was thinking.

"Lizzy, look at me." he dipped his head, finding the woman's troubled eyes. "Your instincts tell you, that you like Francis, it's all right." he assured.

"Why didn't you tell me." she wailed.

"Because you love him." Red clasped her hand, gentling her fingers.

"I saw how close you were getting and knew that given time, what he is wouldn't matter to you." Red told the truth. "He's a good man." he squeezed her slim fingers comfortingly, understanding her state. "I would tell you otherwise, trust me."

Hope filled her eyes. She wanted so desperately to believe him.

Red slid forward, his legs bracketing hers. "You remember when I warned you about Edward?" he said quietly. "That I said he was no good, and I was right?"

"Yes."

"I'm telling you," he rubbed her knee soothingly, "Francis is good people."

Liz read his features for a moment, finding the absolute truth staring her back in the face.

"Okay." She breathed her relief.

She liked Francis so much, she would have been heartbroken to find out he was 'that' type of person later on.

"And Mark, Ben?" she questioned, suddenly apprehensive.

"I wouldn't have let you get close to them if I thought they were totally corrupt." he teased, "I would have told you to keep your distance."

"All right." She didn't have many friends, and obviously wasn't a great judge of character. She had grown close to the men. She felt better that Red vouched for the guys.

"Granted, anyone can turn disloyal in the blink of an eye," he reminded her to be on alert, "but Francis... he will never turn against me." he stressed. "Ever."

"Because of your history?" she questioned.

Red's mouth pulled into a smile, as he chuckled quietly. "...Yes... partly."

Liz's brow furrowed at the small smile on the man's face. "What?"

A soft knock on the door interrupted the session. Red pushed out of the chair to respond, leaving Liz with more questions than answers.

But on the bright side she had received more answers than she ever imagined or usually received in one setting with Red Reddington.

A few moments later Red was back at her side, reseated and patiently waiting.

"What are you doing here?" Red tapped the papers beside her, breaking her reverie.

"Oh, this guy got me started on this journey." she sighed, flicking the papers in disgust. "I kept searching for anything on him but came up empty each time." she sat back, crossing her arms over her chest. "There is absolutely no footprint at all."

She slid the papers over to the man beside her, her frustration resurfacing. Red looked them over carefully, taking his time.

"No birth certificate, census record, not even a parking ticket!" Liz sighed heavily.

"Well, maybe if you looked under his real name." Red drawled, having sensed the woman's aggravation.

"Are you telling me I've been sitting here for I don't know how many freaking hours looking for someone who–" she snapped.

"His name is not Timothy Phillips." he shrugged, gingerly sliding the folder back her way. "It's Mario Rosselli."

"I can't freaking believe..." she gritted through her teeth. Liz dropped her head back against the chair, whining her despair.

Red stood up, looking down at the scrunched face. "Baby, do yourself a favor and start shooting me a picture of them or the preliminary paperwork you have," he chuckled, dropping a small kiss to her forehead, "just on the off chance I might know them.

Raising to his full height, he carded his fingers through her long hair, easing the tension in increments until she sighed and relaxed.

Flipping her page over, she sat up straight, putting pen to paper, ready to begin her renewed search, "Hope spring eternal." she mused, "If you have the right freaking name." she reached for the keyboard, drawing up short.

"Red?" she looked up at the man, a nagging issue plaguing her, "What's Silas' last name? Better yet, is Silas, Silas' name?"

The man snickered under his breath, shaking his head in open amusement. He opened his mouth to issue a reply, only to have the sound of a ring tone interrupt.

Growling under her breath, "I don't believe this!" Liz staunchly returned to her keyboard... ignoring Red's throaty chuckle of amusement as he answered the call.

"Told you, you were a gossip." he quipped lightly.

---

After lunch, Liz lost Red to the Universe once again. But now that she had Mario Rosselli's real name, the profile came together quickly. She signed off on it after about an hour.

She looked at the large stack of manila folders requiring her attention with a menacing glare.

She used the excuse that it was prudent to wait for Red's input before continuing, which also lessened the guilt about–

"What'd you do?" Silas breezed his way in, holding a large vase of flowers, "blow Red during lunch?" he held the bouquet aloft.

Liz sighed, pushing up out of her chair, meeting the man halfway, directing he sit them on the dresser.

"If I had done that, I would've got chocolates too." she scanned the large arrangement absently.

"What?" Silas had sensed something amiss from her reaction but was waylaid when Joe entered, holding a box in capable hands.

Silas grasped the flowers hastily, shoving them at the unsuspecting guard, "Get them out of here."

Joe rushed from the room, vanishing from sight as quickly as he had arrived.

"You didn't deliver flowers and chocolates to me, did you?" Liz had followed her own instincts, having dialed Red hastily, "...I didn't think so."

Silas pulled the radio from his hip, depressing the button. "Put the package in the box." the man ordered. "I'll handle it shortly."

"No, we both thought they were from you at first," she explained, "then I really looked at the bouquet and it just wasn't your style." she confessed her misgivings.

She looked at her guard, finding the man scowling as he talked quietly into his radio.

"Silas made Joe get rid of them..." she further added. "Easy come, easy go, I guess." she listened attentively, then handed the phone out for her guard.

"The package is secure." Silas confirmed for Red. "I will address it when you arrive back."

Shutting down the phone, he handed it over, shaking his head. "We're going to have to take extra precautions."

"We couldn't have known." she soothed the man.

She knew he was worried about his oversight. If it had been anyone else, it wouldn't have been odd to receive flowers from a man, especially one as thoughtful as Red Reddington.

But then, they weren't just anyone else. And Red, being the type of man he was... would deliver his gifts personally.

They were all treading into new territory here and it seemed, everyone would have to be on their guard.

She knew it was going to eat at Silas all day, or until Red told him to let it go... but it didn't occur to her either that something was wrong until she really looked the bouquet over.

They were beautiful flowers but... they were all white.

Red would have gone out of his way to infuse color into the arrangement. To have meaning behind any gift he sent.

The flowers he had given her the night of Francis' party, were vivid and fragrant. In hindsight, they were a perfect mixture of friendship and admiration.

The flowers he gave her on their first date had been just as startling, but one solid color. On her return home from New York, she had been curious why he picked orange roses, and had been pleasantly surprised to find they signified a new journey, but also the growing desire and passion Red felt for her.

"Silas, it's all right." she frowned at her guard who stood brooding by the doorway. "Red is thoughtful. It's not an impossibility he would send me flowers."

"No." Silas grated his rising anger for his lapse. "Red would have called to alert me of their arrival."

"All right..." she granted, "but let me ask you this," she looked up at the man, "have you ever been put in this position before? Of taking a delivery of flowers for a woman Red is dating?"

"That's not his style." Silas replied.

"Well, that surprises me, as well." she confided, a little embarrassed truth told. "So... we're all new at this. Aren't we?"

Silas grudgingly nodded his understanding.

"It's settled then, we'll just have Red inform you of any incoming deliveries, so you know they're safe." she found the simple solution. "But don't you dare tell me anything is coming!" she warned playfully. "I want to be surprised."

"I just don't want you getting killed." Silas sighed impatiently. "He'll be in a horrendous mood if that happens."

Liz's shoulders slumped at the easy way the thought rolled off the man's tongue. He didn't seem all that upset at the thought of her demise.

"I will go out of my way to prevent that from happening." she stated sarcastically.

"You get a paper cut and Red gripes about it all week." he bitched, continuing his tirade. "Can you imagine the alternative?"

"I'd rather not, you morbid bastard." she told the truth.

Red came sweeping into the room, making a beeline for the woman. He drew her into a crushing embrace, burying his face in the lush fragrance of her hair.

"I may never buy you flowers again." the man murmured into her neckline, so very glad to feel her safe and unharmed.

"You better buy me flowers again." the woman chuckled into his shoulder.

"Where are they?" Red turned his attention to the guard, his entire manner businesslike.

"Joe put everything in the box."

"What the hell is this box you keep talking about?" Liz demanded.

"Any suspicious packages are put in the box in case they explode." Silas replied evenly.

"You put the flowers... " she screwed up her face, "in a blast resistant box?"

"The liquid they are contained in could be explosive, for all we know." Silas stated off-handedly.

"Is he always so paranoid?" Liz questioned, half teasing, half... not.

"Lizzy, you stay in here." Red directed, gesturing for the guard to go. "I mean it. Stay here. Work on your profiles."

"Are you kidding?" she scoffed, "You expect me to work? I've worked all morning without a break."

"You had lunch." Silas retorted.

Liz gave him a 'shut-up' look.

"Read a book." Red suggested. "Just don't come out of this room. Silas needs to concentrate and he can't do that if he's bickering with you."

She sat at the end of the bed, grudgingly. Already waiting.

"When we're done, I'll let you know."

"When we're done," she mimicked, "we'll let you know."

Red gave her a look that spoke volumes.

The minutes passed at a snails pace. Red came back sticking his head in the door waving for her to follow twenty long minutes later.

Bolting from the edge of her seat, Liz trailed after the man as they made their way to the guest house garage, of all places.

"I'm sure you've made the connection that the flowers all signified purity, innocence..." Red related what he had learned himself, informing the woman of the progress so far.

"And the package?" she questioned Silas and a carefully looked over box.

Silas waited by the object in question, his look one of sheer boredom.

Liz glanced over the articles on display.

"A purity ring and other paraphernalia." Red sighed, waving over the host of gifts the package had enclosed.

"Okay..." she drawled, "he knows I haven't been a virgin in a while." she lifted a pensive stare.

"Apparently, you are to wear these," Red smiled, "to ward off my evil spirit," he explained, presenting a letter that had arrived with the package, "and I'm sure to curb my sexual advances." the man's brow crooked oddly.

"That ship has sailed." Dembe prophesied sagely.

"Yeah, he's a little late to the party, isn't he?" she grinned. "Besides, to my way of thinking, he really should have sent them to you." she batted her eyes coquettishly at Red.

"Why, because you are evil or just a hussy." Silas muttered.

"Well, I'm not evil." the woman smirked a reply.

"Says you..." Silas grumbled, fingering the exposed parts of the box absently. "It's totally clean." he shrugged any concern aside.

"From now on, all packages are to be screened." Red directed. "All deliveries–"

"Confirmed before passing the gate." Silas finished the thought verbatim.

"What are we gonna do with that." she gestured to the gifts.

"They're going in an off site safe." Red handed them over to Joe, who in turn handed them to David who looked around for someone to hand off to, coming up empty.

"Why," Liz asked cheekily, "do you think they'll explode?"

"No," Silas replied sourly, "but they may be bugged, twirp."

"Seriously... are you always this paranoid?" she questioned once more.

"Since you've become so popular with the psycho crowd?" the man answered sweetly. "...Yes."

"I don't recall Jared advertising the 'Wiretap Your Obsession' jewelry collection?"

"It's their new Fall line," Silas narrowed his eyes, "on the shelves for the Christmas shopping season."

Red tried to concentrate on the newly arrived communication.

"Lizzy?" he got the woman's attention away from her guard. "Before we went to Vegas and just again recently, this jackass said to meet him in your special place and that you would know how to contact him." he recalled. "Do you know what he's talking about?"

"Why don't I just go ask him?" Silas offered politely. Dembe stood as well by his friend, ready to go confront Tom on a level he personally had wished to do, for some time now.

Red pointedly ignored the men.

Liz thought of places Tom would consider special to them, but couldn't pinpoint a single one. None of their old haunts held any special meaning to her now.

"Nothing is really coming to mind," she shrugged, "the park near campus where we first met, the theater where we had our first kiss..." she named off a couple, 'gagging' slightly on the latter.

She fell silent having enjoyed Silas' chuckle for her antics. Liz dug deep into her mind, trying for anything that might be of use.

"You know..." she began, "when I was dating Nik, I started seeing Tom on the side a little."

"Like I said," Silas muttered quietly, "...hussy."

Liz's lips quivered with amusement, but she forged on. "I would call this restaurant to make plans with him." she scrunched her nose, a little put off by her behavior then as well. "I don't recall the name or number, really. I'll have to think about it or," she perked up, "maybe I can drive there."

Red nodded slowly, getting lost in his own thoughts. "We'll take a drive." he decided. "Did you have a specific time you would call?"

"I think it was about seven." she remembered back.

"Silas, has Tom left at any specific times?" Red questioned the guard.

"He comes, he goes" the man replied.

"Not much has changed, I see." Liz muttered aside.

Silas chortled quietly, before returning his attention to Red, "About three times a day. No specific times."

"I want you to make note of the times he–" Red was handed a small book. He started to peruse the listings inside.

"And if he does leave at seven?" she craned her neck to see what Silas had written down.

"Maybe we can trap the bastard." Red said.

Liz glanced at the clock, grimacing. "Oh shit, I'm gonna be late."

"Late?" Red frowned.

"For physical therapy." Liz reminded. "Silas?" she looked at her guard, "I can be ready in five."

"When I see it, I'll believe it." the man inclined his head, "We'll make it. I'll get the car."

"Thank you." she smiled as the man retreated from the room.

Red shook his head, "Baby, I don't think–"

"Red, I have to go." Liz reminded. "Plus, I'm not going to let some psycho control my movements."

The man hung his head, nodding, "You're right." he apologized with his tone. "I just–"

"Worry..." Liz smiled. It was nice to know he truly cared.

"...Yes." Red sighed.

"It's a couple miles away." she cooed. She snuggled up to the man, peppering his chin with kisses, "And I'll only be there for an hour."

"Are you managing me again?" Red looked down at the upturned face, holding his smile.

"I don't know..." she winced adorably, her eyes sparkling with humor. "Is it working?"

Red lowered his mouth to hers, gently flicking his tongue against her full mouth, "...Yes."

Liz batted her long lashes, drawing a chuckle from the man. "Go on," he pat her bottom, "before I manage you."

---

"They're fucking useless!" Silas spat as he opened Liz's door, giving her a hand into the back seat. "I should have taken the bastard down right there and then... show him how it felt!"

"It was an accident, Silas." Liz cradled her wrist, situating herself in the seat. "I'm fine, I promise."

"No... you're not." Silas closed the back door, yanking the driver door open, "What kind of idiot trainer doesn't spot his client?"

Liz smiled as the man continued to grumble his discontent, pulling the car out into the thoroughfare. It really had been an accident. Liz had felt her wrist going weak, tried to compensate for it... and lost her grip.

She thought the exercise too strenuous so early on, but she could have spoken up. The action had yanked the wrist painfully, leaving it bruising and swelling.

"I'll just put some ice on it," she inserted her two cents, "it'll be fine in the morning."

"Stupid mother fuc..." Silas muttered, executing a right turn onto a less traveled road, "Are you hungry?"

Liz guffawed before she could catch it, "You really do hang out with Red too much." she patted the man's shoulder, referring to his sudden change of topics , "And no, I'm fine."

The man continued to rant as drove, his eyes constantly checking the back-up crew in the inconspicuous SUV tailing them.

"I don't know why you don't just tell them to fuck off," the man snapped, "tell them I'm training you."

"I did tell them." she smiled sweetly.

"So why the hell are we still going?" the man gritted his teeth.

"They said you weren't sanctioned by the FBI."

"Thank God for small favors!" Silas continued on his tirade. "It'd be an embarrassment to be associated with such morons!"

Liz covered her mouth, hiding her smile and holding her laughter. The low ringing of her phone drew the woman's attention from the perturbed guard to her bag.

Rifling through the dark contents, she pulled the lit phone free.

"Hello?" she sighed, shaking her head as Silas hit the steering wheel once again, his anger still high.

"Hello, my little escapee." the velvet menace washed over her like a smothering fog.

The voice instantly sent shivers up Liz's spine. The urge to vomit surged with the dark distressing chuckle it delivered.

"Who is this..." Liz questioned shakily, though in her gut... she all ready knew.

"Oh..." the man tsked sorrowfully, "have we forgotten me so soon."

Silas turned his head, his jaw pulsing. He had heard the tremor in the woman's voice loud and clear, alerting him to a problem. His eyes met her frantically searching ones in the rearview mirror.

Liz stared at the phone helplessly, before blinking away her inaction, putting it on speaker for Silas to hear.

"I haven't forgotten you." the man continued on, intoning pleasantly, "As a matter of fact, I lovingly recall the sensation of your small bones breaking in my hands just like it was yesterday."

Liz wrapped her hand tightly around her throbbing wrist, squeezing the flesh until her fingers tingled from the loss of blood supply.

"I saw you..." it continued, his voice making her stomach pitch sickeningly, "with the older woman..."

Liz lifted startled eyes, meeting Silas' dark grey ones in the mirror. The guards presence gave her a sense of security.

His eyes were clear, steady... only leaving hers to get his bearings while he drove. He searched for a spot to pull over.

"What was her name again..." the man teased lovingly, "Oh, yes. Nora, right? A lovely name. A lovely woman."

Silas calmly held Liz's panicked gaze as he pulled his phone free, dialing the house.

The guard half listened to the man on the end of the line, before murmuring quietly into his own phone, checking on Nora's safety.

"Is it a special occasion for dinner tonight?" Carver questioned lightly as if carrying on a normal conversation, "You two poured over the grocery selections for a goodly while, didn't you."

Liz curled her arm about herself, drawing a measure of comfort from the action. She sighed her relief when Silas slid his phone in his shirt pocket.

Nora was safely at home.

"Long enough that I mapped out your little body to my hearts content." he laughed shortly, "We're going to have such a splendid time on our next meeting." he breathed into the phone.

The woman's eyes closed, only to snap open when she was inundated by visions of what the man may have pictured in his warped, sick mind.

"I admit, I usually get my thrills feeling my blade tearing through flesh," the smile in his voice was repulsive, "but then, there is a certain thrill wondering what it is exactly that Reddington likes about having those long legs wrapped about him."

Reaching out, she grabbed Silas' shoulder. Curling her fingers into the warm fabric of his shirt. She felt the steadiness of a trusted person. Silas reached up, curling his fingers around hers in added comfort.

"Hang up the fucking phone." Silas directed curtly. He rolled down the window, jerkily waving, ordering the back up guards closer. The black SUV surged forward, staying less than a car length away.

"That's a fetching outfit you have on now," Carver baited, "I bet Reddington is going to strip those little black shorts off your tiny ass the minute you walk in the door." the man's voice lowered, "If you arrive home safely, that is."

Liz glanced down quickly, finding her tight black shorts snuggly in place. The fact somehow calmed her.

"Liz, dammit," Silas snapped, "hang up!"

"I'd personally just cut through that tight blue top you have on there." Carver continued undaunted.

"What do you want." Liz damned the tremble she heard in her own voice. "Why are you doing this?" she bit at the soft flesh of her mouth nervously.

"Why, my little angel..." the man purred, "don't you know? Haven't you guessed?" he chuckled sensually, "I want you," the throaty exclamation was repulsive in nature, "all for myself."

Pushing his foot hard on the gas, Silas and the crew behind him cut through traffic like it wasn't there. The man looked in his mirrors checking for a tail... but didn't see a damn thing.

So either Carver could still see them... or the fucker knew exactly where they were heading.

"We have some unfinished business, wouldn't you say?" Carver questioned lightly.

"Don't let the sick fuck get to you." Silas urged. "Because he never will." the man encouraged.

Liz looked up at the guard anxiously before reluctantly nodding. Even if Carver was following her... he hadn't approached.

"I'm going to make you bleed..." the man promised in a harsh whisper, angered by Silas' warning.

Liz startled, gasping loudly.

A dark blur of a car came into her peripheral vision, approaching at a breakneck speed "Silas!"

"Fuck!" the guard snapped viciously, swerving hard to miss the approaching vehicle.

The grotesque sound of glass shattering and metal twisting deafened the occupants of the car.

Liz grasped for the side handle, the phone flying from her hand as the car spun out of control.

Silas yanked the steering wheel to no avail. The shrieking peal of the tires skidding across the asphalt and the taste of burnt rubber filled the windowless car.

Instinctively raising her arms, Liz curled inward as the car continued its dizzying and disorienting spin.

It rammed to a jarring stop, blanketing Liz and Silas in what was left of the glass. A sharp crack and deep grunt from the front seat terrorized Liz. Seconds later, she had her own demons with which to contend, a sharp agonizing cry escaping her lips.

The sudden quiet was deafening. It lasted only seconds.

Liz wearily shook her head, trying to focus. She heard the metal slide of Silas pull his weapon, then silence.

"Honey..." Silas panted, obviously in pain "can you get down?"

Liz pulled weakly at her seat belt, coughing fitfully, her ribs felt like they were crushing her. An overpowering smell of gasoline filled the car.

"No..." she pulled frantically at the buckle to no avail, "the latch..."

"Calm down," Silas turned his head slightly, catching the frantic woman's eyes, "it's all right..." his steady gaze helped her focus. Blood dripped down his arms and forehead.

"Don't move." the man slurred his demand. It took forever to extract his phone from his pocket.

Liz drew in a staggering breath, maneuvering as much as the locked seatbelt would allow. The sound of shattering glass and barked demands sounded far in the distance.

The back up team!

Liz turned her head, seeking the shattered window. The other guards stumbled from the SUV, limping quickly toward their car, weapons drawn.

"Fucking phone." Silas cursed fluently, "I dropped it, do you fucking believe..." he felt the areas beside him gritting his teeth with the pain movement caused.

"I have mine."

Blinking past the haze, she found her phone on the side floorboard.

Reaching for it, she hesitated in her movements, finding her fingers dotted in blood.

She gasped, reaching for her face.

"You're fine..." Silas assured seeing the fear return in the blue depths, "just small cuts..." the man grimaced, bad choice of words there... seeing as how she had just been talking to that fucker Carver, "...from glass." he clarified hastily.

Liz nodded, taking a deep controlled breath, settling her nerves before reaching for the phone.

She stopped short when a searing pain shot up her leg.

"What?!" her guard was getting angsty but for the moment, all she could manage was to sit very still so the agonizing pain did not return.

She lay her head back slowly, closing her eyes for a brief second. Outside people were moving. People were shouting.

What the hell had happened?

An accident.

Was it Carver? Her blood ran cold, her eyes flying open.

The airbags had been deployed. There was glass everywhere. The smell...

She could see the back of Silas's head. Her guard was abnormally quiet and still.

She jerked on the locked seatbelt. She had to get to him. But the sudden pain was so overpowering she almost lost consciousness.

Why didn't they come? Where were all the people she heard? She could still hear them but they were far off in the distance.

She wanted Red...

She needed Red...

Where the hell was Red...