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)

110. Munificence

AUTHOR NOTE: Get a snack...

---

JUNE 5

Red approached the gathered throng of people milling around the vacated cars.

He took a quick assessment of his people before his eyes fell on an apprehensive Elizabeth Keen.

He managed a smile for her alone, stepping close, his hand rubbing the woman's back soothingly.

Ever mindful of the audience on hand, he refused to allow any more of a liberty.

"You're all right?" he murmured for Lizzy's ears alone.

The pout of a mouth pulled into a mischievous grin, "That defensive driving training really pays off, doesn't it?" she hooked her thumb in her guard's direction. "Did you see us weaving and bobbing out in that traffic?"

"Never took the course." Joe admitted. "I learned to drive from my mom."

"You had a mother?" Red was determined to lighten the gloom of the pall that had fallen over everyone present.

Samar watched Donald Ressler's stretcher push through the back doors before disappearing out of sight.

Where they were taking the agent, she had no clue. This was a hotel not a hospital.

But the people who had taken Donald were dressed in the requisite hospital garb.

They seemed efficient and well able to handle emergencies.

She fought her instinct to follow the gurney to its final destination.

"Where are they taking him?" Aram whispered in her ear. "Who were those people?"

She sought the man out.

"Isn't this a hotel?" the guy craned his neck up the many storied building.

"It's okay." she soothed, her own doubts far from arrested in truth, however.

Elizabeth was gently wiping blood from Red Reddington's face. The brick exploding from a near hit had marred the area somewhat.

"You're hurt." Liz tsked, retrieving a handkerchief from her ever present carry all which she laughingly referred to as a 'purse'.

But what Red called a 'catch all'. He had a mind to take her on Let's Make a Deal, knowing she would most likely be carrying whatever was required.

"If this is the worst that ever happens to me," Red chuckled, privately enjoying her pampering, "I'll be happy."

Liz finished up her task, turning to the other of her group.

She rushed to hug Aram and Samar, embracing them briefly, expressing her relief they came out of the skirmish relatively unscathed.

She turned on the large man who had been looming at her side.

Silas' expression slipped into a menacing scowl, "Don't you even think–"

Liz's face broke into a joyous grin of delight as she impulsively engulfed the man into a tight bear of a hug.

He grunted sharply, the sound breaking her action.

"Oh!" she eyed his slouched position regretfully. She had forgotten his injuries.

"What is it with you and this touchy feely shit?" he grumbled her concern away. "I have an image to uphold." he motioned to his men who milled about aimlessly, trying to regroup.

"You think I won't accost them next?" Liz laughed gaily, "Should I sing a few choruses of "Macho Man?" she teased. "Would that make you feel better?"

"You're tone deaf, so no." Silas checked the area again. "What would make me feel better is to get this lot organized and back on track."

"Ever diligent." Dembe approved.

"Are we expecting trouble?" Samar questioned Silas more than Red.

Aram and Samar had wandered over, hearing the last of the conversation.

Silas' eyes met the dark beauty's solemnly, "Lawford's men don't give up so easily." his senses were telling him so. "So yeah, we are."

At that exact moment, a large SUV turned into the parkway. It eased slowly down the long alleyway.

A few men to Samar's right instantly took up defensive positions behind a large substation, semi-automatic rifles aimed and ready.

Silas waved them off, however, having recognized the driver of the vehicle, for it had pulled enough down the way for him to do so.

The dark-tinted windows on the driver's side was down.

"It's the rooftop team." Joe explained the matter to the others. He peered closer into the interior of the car. "What the hell is that guy doing with them?"

Silas commiserated, "I would have thought he would have been the first one to pull out."

Red asked the rhetorical question on everyone's minds which lifted a few brows.

"It's Hunter Gaines." Silas explained.

Joe waved the car into an out-of-the-way spot.

Red pulled Silas aside for a moment, quietly discussing a matter of interest with the head guard. Silas nodded slowly before shrugging. Red inclined his head, the matter seemingly settled.

"Now go..." Red ended the discussion. "Get checked out. I don't want to hang around here any longer than necessary." he waved the large guard to the back entrance of the hotel. "After we unload Benton, we'll get the hell out of here."

"What's to stop Lawford's men from a repeat of what went down today," Samar had thought about the problem, "once you're off the grid again?"

"We will have given ourselves time." Red explained the drill. "We still have our bargaining chip. Lawford will be given an offer he can't refuse."

Aram brightened, waving a hand towards Red, "The Godfather." The computer geek prided himself on all the movies he had watched to catch up to the references Red often made.

"It will greatly reduce the threat level to Benton and his family." Red said.

"Lawford doesn't strike me as someone who frightens easily." Samar had met men like him before.

"It's all in how you present your side of the issue." Red knew a man who could be ever so persuasive with all sorts of odd contraptions. "Until Lawford sees the light, we have him as a shield to use to our advantage."

"Ergo..." Silas was still overly cautious and alert, "they will want him back and the reward for Benton's head is still a go until Lawford rescinds the offer."

"And you are sure he will be so magnanimous?" Samar clearly doubted the fact.

Both Red and Silas remained pointedly silent but something in their demeanor told the woman of their certainty.

The tension and the looks exchanged between the lovely agent and the mammoth guard was palpable.

Silas' brooding stare burned brightly every time it chanced to land on the beautiful face.

Samar was female enough to pick up on the exchange, "I haven't thanked you for earlier." she stepped closer, her tone altered the dark eyes holding Silas' easily. "For manhandling me out of dangers way."

She looked him over consideringly, "I do so now."

Silas' gaze shifted to Aram.

The guy was checking the outside of his briefcase for damage.

The light grey stare shifted back to the exotic woman. He inclined his head sharply, his manner totally professional.

Red shook his head minutely for such stupidity but he felt Silas' sense of honor. He even understood it... to a degree.

Silas wasn't going to make a move because Aram was so obviously enamored of Samar Navabi, it verged on the ridiculous.

Silas had picked up on the dynamics of the situation, refusing to cross the imaginary lines which had been drawn.

Didn't mean he had to like it... which explained his more than sour mood of late.

"Aram," Red placed a hand on the hapless man's shoulder, "if you will go through that door on the right," he pointed just inside the entrance, "there is a fully equipped office two doors down."

Aram looked about, totally lost.

"You can get in touch with Cooper," Red gave a feasible excuse, "get him up to speed on our present situation."

"Oh!" Aram's face brightened. "Yes, yes, of course. That would be good." he nodded rapidly, rushing up the ramp. In seconds he was out of sight.

Samar turned a lazy stare to a disgruntled guard. She waited patiently.

"...I don't tread on another man's property."

Samar's lovely brows shot up, "Excuse me?"

"What?" Liz looked about, her confusion apparent.

Red knew that tone well. He guided Lizzy out of the battle zone which was quickly escalating.

"What's going on?" Liz whispered urgently, resisting his gentle urging. "I wanna hear."

"Yes, I know you do." he patronized, continuing on his intended path.

Lizzy's sweet mouth tightened irritably, as she jerked from his grasp, suitably annoyed.

"You are a buzz killer, Red Reddington." she seemed pretty sure of the facts.

He held his amusement, his eyes twinkling down at the set little features.

"I went though hell in my country just so I could get away from that antiquated thinking." Samar's pretty features were clouding over meanwhile, just out of earshot.

Liz watched anxiously, trying desperately to read lips. She craned her head about Red's shoulders as he blocked such efforts where and if he could, much to her exasperation.

"I don't belong ..." Samar's hands came to her shapely hips, "to any man. Until I say I do."

Silas took it well, "Guys have a certain code, has nothing to do with you or your back water country's views."

She settled somewhat, "What are you saying?" she challenged. "Or aren't you man enough to not play stupid games?"

Silas took the intended insult well, again, "If he wasn't in the picture... I would make my play."

Samar's temper eased considerably.

"Tell me... he's not." Silas could issue a challenge of his own.

Samar glanced after the absent Aram Mojtabai, her look a very controlled one, for she knew the guard watched her features carefully.

"That's what I thought." Silas read what any man would have.

Samar touched his forearm, holding firm when he shifted a cool stare to the contact which transfixed to the lovely face.

"...It's complicated." Samar's brow furrowed, her eyes open and unreadable. "Can you do," the dark eyes softened, "... complicated?"

Silas' expression altered, the tenseness leaving his body the longer he held the captivating, troubled gaze.

Samar's fingers slid from his forearm. She walked away, a sadness about the tall, statuesque frame.

Liz frowned, watching the interplay, "What? What just happened?" she looked helplessly at Red.

"Nothing," Red had witnessed the short exchange as well. "Not yet..."

Liz pinched her lips irritably, wishing he would stop talking in riddles!

"Did you see something I didn't?" she tossed her hands out to her side, growling her impatience.

Silas still looked after the dark beauty, his gaze rather mellow to Red's way of thinking.

"What do you think about," Red gestured, "those two," Liz looked back at Silas and Samar questioningly, "... together."

"You can't mean..." Liz sputtered.

Red raised his brows, looking at her meaningfully.

Liz's mouth gaped, her thoughts swirling. She looked at Samar... then Silas. It would be nice if Silas could find someone after Anya, her romantic tendencies took hold before common sense prevailed.

"They would kill each other within a week!"

"One way or other." Red's lips twitched for the reality of her words. "But it might be a death worthy of Valhalla."

Liz hit his shoulder, taking her frustrations out, "You men are all alike... except you, Dembe."

"Thank you, Elizabeth."

Liz walked away, determined to put Samar in a better frame of mind after whatever happened between her and that big ass, Silas.

"What the hell was that?" Red's expression skewed.

Dembe smiled, well pleased with himself, clearly, "Is it my fault she sees me as a more responsible, mature individual?"

"Yes!" Red snapped the nonsensical retort which only caused Dembe's smile to grow. "I meant," he grumbled, "you, my dearest friend, my confidant... left me floundering." he bitched. "Why didn't you concur with my observation? I know you do!"

"I enjoy watching Elizabeth give you a what-for." Dembe shrugged.

Red cut dagger like eyes his friend's way... holding a smile for the observation. He rather enjoyed Lizzy in a prickly mood... now that he was in a position to persuade that mood to alter for the better.

And if the beautiful glowering eyes pointed in his direction meant anything, he had his work cut out for him this evening.

A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth, furthering her ire.

He did so love a challenge.

Silas' attention diverted hastily from his perusal of the two women who conversed meters away.

Both Red and Dembe moved instinctively closer to natural cover.

A couple police cruisers rolled down the block toward their location.

"And the logistical nightmare continues." Red murmured, checking the position and actions of his people.

Silas had moved to Elizabeth and Samar, urging them to a place of safety, "Get inside... both of you."

His clipped tone brought different results from both women.

Samar grinned, allowing herself to be manhandled. Liz bit back a retort. Well... she tried.

"You are such a nudge!" she snapped. "Can't you ever be polite?"

"Get inside the damn building," Silas grated, "...please."

Two more cruisers were converging from the opposite end of the building.

Red's senses went on high alert. He crossed rapidly, taking Liz from Silas' hold.

Shoving his charge to the outcrop of the entrance of the hotel, he shielded her, his arm holding her behind his back.

"They could be friendlies." Liz reminded, staying put.

"And pigs can fly." Red murmured, his thoughts on the matter as the cars pulled to a halt.

"Why don't we show them our badges?" Samar countered. Silas had maneuvered her to the solid mass of columns supporting the overhang of the loading dock. "This could be a pissing contest between agencies, you know."

"One way to find out." Liz hastily dialed her phone.

Assistance came quickly. The emergency operator was on the other end as Liz conveyed the urgency of the matter.

Red watched and waited.

All cars were communicating.

Silas' men were ready and stoked.

"We are the FBI, we need your people to stand down." Liz was explaining. "There is no cause to engage."

It was just about then that the 'engagement' began...

The police had taken up position behind their doors, the only cover afforded them.

It was a plus for Red's team. Their weapons could easily penetrate the thin metal.

Gunfire proved the point. The cops scrambled for more adequate protection.

Red's men were very efficient at what they did. In seconds, the loud weapons fire halted.

Red surveyed the scene.

Four men were laying about the vehicles, all moving to some extent.

One lay half-sitting, close to a parked vehicle. Nursing his leg wound. He hadn't been able to make the dash across the barrage of bullets.

Red had a standing order where cops were involved. Wound only, clean shots.

It was too much a hassle, coping with the stigma of 'cop killer'.

Quite frankly, he never felt a desire to earn the label. They were simply people, doing their jobs to the best of their ability.

"Well, whether or not you are showing involvement," Liz's tone was sharp and angry, "Let me tell you firsthand, lady... something is going down! I take it you heard that volley of gunfire!"

Liz signed off, her eyes taking in the carnage rapidly, "They will be dispatching more patrols."

Red had stepped out, clearing an empty clip, replacing it automatically.

She took it to mean the 'all clear' had been sounded.

Samar noted the cops' hands lifted high. Silas' men approached alert and cautious.

"You took that guy down." Silas weapon hung loosely in his hand as he waved it in the needed direction.

"You know... I do this for a living." Samar arched her brow. "I even enjoy it on occasion."

Silas' eyes raked her body with interest, "I enjoy a lot of things." he kept his tone a scolding one for appearance's sake. "Doesn't mean I want to see anyone die when doing it."

Samar's expression grew thoughtful, "Well... that depends on what you're doing, doesn't it?"

Silas lifted his head, cocking it slightly. He trusted his men to wrap up the loose ends of what had transpired but he kept a watchful eye on their antics, anyway.

"You're just this side of kinky... aren't you?" he shifted a neutral look.

"Only one way to find out." Samar shrugged delicate shoulders.

Silas removed a clip, cleaning his chamber. He caught the ejected bullet mid-flight, "You're turning me the hell on." his stare told Samar just how much so.

Again, the lovely brows arched, "Maybe that was my intent." she smiled slowly. "But that was before I saw how quickly you cleared your... chamber of its load."

Silas watched her hips as the woman swished saucily away, a slow grin overtaking his handsome features.

Red gave the man a meaningful, yet amusing look for the burn, "Ouch."

Silas lowered his head, shaking it, a smile still in place before returning his interest to the matters at hand.

He had something to ponder over now. The fact brought the dark scowl back to his rugged face.

"Red, you can't be here." Liz had long realized as the sounds of yet more sirens met her ears. "Samar and I can clean this up, but you have to vacate."

Still the man hesitated, fighting his instincts.

"Silas can handle it." Liz urged. "Go!"

Dembe nodded slowly, "It is best." he counseled. "You being here will only add to the... problem."

Red's jaw pulsed, his eyes locking on Lizzy before allowing Dembe to lead him away.

"Not far, Dembe." he muttered tightly.

They disappeared into the confines of the building just as the real cops pulled up with a screech directly behind the other patrol cars.

Red worried the weapon in his hand as he stared out the window at Lizzy, and more importantly, Silas taking on a protective stance as the cops approached.

"She will be fine." Dembe assured quietly.

Red grunted, damning his position either way.

---

Liz felt better now that Red was safely ensconced inside the mass of rooms of the hotel.

His normal routine would be to exit the front before the area was shut down. She hoped he didn't stop by the makeshift medical ward first.

Surely he had enough sense to not do that.

She sighed internally, knowing the man would most likely do it... because he could.

Liz smiled brightly as a formidable police officer approached. She instinctively reached for her back pocket, her stomach plummeting.

"Shit..." Red murmured watching her reactionary move, knowing her badge was not in place.

Samar sensed Liz's hesitation. She stepped forward, smiling and extracting her badge, showing it hastily to thwart any misunderstanding, distracting the Officer.

Liz stepped in behind the woman, Silas coming alongside as a show of unity.

Samar gestured to the two, obviously introducing them as members of her team before directing the officer's attention to the scene.

Red relaxed, breathing out a sigh of relief.

Dembe frowned, looking between Raymond and the scene unfolding outside, "There is no need to worry. They are legitimate officers."

"Lizzy doesn't have her badge." Red explained. "She shouldn't even be here, let alone out there." he continued. "Samar just saved us a whole day of avoiding pointless red tape."

"She is a very formidable woman." Dembe said.

Red cocked his head, disbelief etching his features, "Not you too?"

Dembe grinned, "I am... involved."

Red turned on his heel, "You better be." he grumbled. "I can't take another member of the Samar Navabi fan club."

Liz kept glancing about half-expecting Red to pop back-up. She could feel his eyes on her.

Her nerves were on edge for the fact.

Hunter Gaines felt the same, "My instincts are telling me to bugger the fuck out of here."

Silas pulled his eyes from Samar Navabi charming the cop, "You get used to it." he watched the surrounding commotion.

He rolled exaggerated eyes, hooking Liz's belt loop, keeping her close. Liz pinched irritated lips, swatting the man's hand to no avail. Hunter watched the show, amused.

"Stop it, you freak." Liz bitched.

Silas pulled her back, grumbling in her ear, "I've got your back, he's," he jerked his chin to the policeman, "got your front."

Something was still nagging at Silas. He sensed danger for the woman... in what direction it would come, he was not certain.

Liz's mouth gaped, her instinct to move a powerful one.

"He's also wearing body armor." Silas reminded. "You're... not." he snipped quietly. "Let him protect and serve..." he grumbled, turning back on Hunter when Liz settled. "You're on the payroll so, stand down. I've got this covered."

"What'd you mean..." the man's surprise was evident, "on the pay–"

"If anyone asks, you're part of my team," Silas said, "you're supposed to be here."

"They can't recognize me." Hunter grasp his neck rubbing the tense muscle. "No one has ever seen my face–"

"And lived to tell the tale." Silas made mention.

"It still feels hinky. Being among all this," he waved at the mess before them, "and by the way..." something had been troubling him, "why were we shooting at cops, before?"

"Those were on Lawford's payroll," Silas stated, "bad, naughty cops."

"Not too bright ones, coming to a gunfight where they are out-manned and out-gunned."

"Didn't say they were smart cops." Silas amended.

The silence was a companionable one.

"How long will this take?"

"You got somewhere you gotta be?" Silas asked.

Hunter shrugged, "Got a long drive. Was gonna take my boy out in a couple days."

"Yeah?" Silas nodded. "His birthday?"

"He's uh..." the man smiled brightly, "He's graduating kindergarten."

"You'll be there in time to see your boy on his big day." Silas promised.

Hunter relaxed some, nodding, "What's with you and the Fed?"

Silas shifted a cold stare.

"It's just that you haven't taken your eyes off her ass for... some time now." Hunter teased.

"I have a question for you." Silas countered.

"Okay, it's none of my business–"

"You want to be on the official payroll?"

Hunter's face showed his shock, "What are you–"

"Think it through before you answer, dumbass." Silas warned. "Think of the benefits of a stable... gainful employment. No more hiding in the shadows." the guard paused for breath. "Do it for your family while the opportunity is here."

"Reddington?" Gaines was astounded.

"A couple condos on the same block come with the deal." Silas added. "For when the demons plague you."

Hunter was deeply touched... more than that.

"You can be close to your kids," Silas faced the man, "there are a couple conditions."

"Always is."

"You're probably gonna have to relocate." Silas warned.

"Like we haven't done that before." Hunter shrugged. They were a military family after all.

"And you have to see a psychiatrist." Silas said. "One Red uses himself and trusts implicitly."

Gaines mused, "He thinks I'm a nutcase?"

"He thinks we all are," Silas smiled, "and he's right, isn't he."

"So you see a shrink?"

"Yeah, but I insisted mine be a female." Silas told the truth. "Think about it... and don't let stupid pride sway your reasoning."

Hunter's face gave away nothing.

"Hey, he's only offering you what should have been yours from the beginning."

Hunter fell silent.

Silas let it go. The guy had some tough decisions to make. He didn't need any interference or unwanted advice.

He only hoped the man made a wise decision.

---

Red had insisted... just as Liz had predicted, on stopping to check on his men's condition.

A man in scrubs approached, "Mr. Reddington, we haven't formally met but Mr. Kaplan has vetted me thoroughly. I'm Bond, Dr. James Bond."

"Well, of course you are." Red took the outstretched hand, exchanging enigmatical looks with Dembe.

"I've heard it a thousand times so thank you for not saying it." Bond seemed relieved. "Agent Ressler is stable. He suffered a through and through, right upper shoulder. We have stayed the blood loss which was a major concern as you can surmise."

Red liked the no-nonsense approach. He was very short on time, after all.

"Mr. Russo," Bond shook his head, clearly annoyed, "he refused to stay. I advised him to remain under our care. His artery was nicked, but we closed the wound. Though, someone saved his life with an expertly applied tourniquet."

Red clapped Dembe on the shoulder proudly, "Good man." he smiled before returning to the problem at hand. "Someone will be on hand shortly to corral David more efficiently."

"The rest of the men," the doctor waved about the clear, sterile atmosphere, "well, two I ordered transported to our hospital. Precautionary only I hope, but I wished to perform X-Rays and deeper wound care. Hopefully they will be released shortly. The rest are able to be released momentarily."

"The cops are here." Red mentioned.

"Mr. Kaplan established this a legal clinic." Dr. Bond took offense. "I am also a Board Certified–"

"Just a heads up." Red calmed, understanding Kaplan had trained the staff in proper... procedure.

"Understood." Bond 'calmed'. "We were the nearest facility, after all." he said, confirming Red's hypothesis.

Red crossed to David Russo who stood by a window watching the commotion taking place. "I missed all that?"

He looked wounded in more ways than one.

"That's the beauty of it all, David," Red glanced out, watching Silas and Hunter shadowing Lizzy. The head guard gestured Joe over, talking to the man, "there will always be... another time."

"Another place." Dembe concurred.

Red was carefully examining the man.

"Don't worry, boss." David waved the concern away. "It's just a minor flesh wound."

"That's Francis Holbrook's claim to fame." Dembe reminded.

"It certainly was not minor," Dr. Bond took exception, "you should not be standing." he gave up, sighing heavily, "Do you need these papers concerning wound care?"

"We are all well versed in such matters, Doctor." Dembe took them politely, however.

"What the hell are you still doing here?" Silas was escorting a new patient into 'intake', his expression incredulous.

"What are you?" Red searched frantically for signs of injury.

Silas hooked a thumb, "The dumbass here neglected to tell anyone he'd been tagged."

"Did you do it?" Dembe managed with a straight face.

"Nah, a cop... a good one!" Hunter laughed gaily, showing his torn shirt. "My favorite shirt too."

"How can you tell?" Silas grumbled. "Just how many camo shirts do you own?"

"Well, I think this is my favorite." Hunter hopped up on a table Bond offered.

Red was confused, "Why did a good cop–"

"It was a total accident." Hunter managed straight-faced as well. "Or at least that's what the guy said. He was really apologetic. Offered me his untouched Starbuck's and donut to absolve his guilt."

Dr. Bond sighed and worried over the new wound, "This one is stuck in there good and proper."

"It stings a mite." Hunter nodded as the doctor again cleansed the wound on his side.

"You take the other table." Red motioned.

"I gotta get back down." Silas vetoed the suggestion.

"Get on that damned table or I'll put a bullet in you so you'll have to stay put for a while." Red snapped.

"Would that not defeat the purpose." Dembe wanted to know.

"There's nothing they can do for cracked ribs." Silas snapped back, ignoring Dembe entirely.

"They can put your ass down for a week or two so they can heal naturally." Red bitched.

"Or you two can stop stirring shit up for a couple days." Silas rolled his eyes but begrudgingly sought out the table.

Dembe clamped his mouth shut, hiding his amusement, helping the guard ease the shirt from his body.

Even Red was shocked to see the deep bruises on Silas' torso.

Shades of deep purple verging on black spread about the man's side. The discoloration wrapped around, disappearing into the waistband of his black trousers.

"I am so sick of this macho shit!" Dr. Bond wasn't happy with the color shown either, looking helplessly about his crowded sick ward. "Don't any of your men know the meaning of the words... common sense?"

Silas and Hunter looked around sheepishly.

Red replaced his hat.

He and Dembe made for the nearest exit.

His men were well looked after. Joe was on Lizzy.

Red and Dembe stealthily made their way through a maze of hallways, stumbling on Moore and Wilson coming in from a side door.

Red pulled up short, his hands lifting at his side in question.

"They clammed up." Wilson relayed. "Wouldn't say a word without an attorney but it's obvious they were on Lawford's payroll."

Red shrugged, "Are Samar and Elizabeth–"

"They were finishing off." Moore clipped the reply. "Filling in the blanks." he glared at Red.

Red held the man's cold stare easily, "Since you couldn't."

Moore's angry eyes narrowed further at the slight.

"Where's Lawford." Red continued on to more important matters.

"With the local field office." Wilson frowned.

"Who came up with that moronic idea?" Red glanced at Dembe incredulously, before walking away from the pair without a backward glance, pulling his phone free.

"Francis..." Red snapped into the line, "we have a situation here."

Red quickly wove a story of three warring sides consisting of Red's team, Lawford's team... and the very unwelcome FBI.

During the gunfight, Lawford had been secured by the Fed's and placed in their custody.

Due to unfinished business with Lawford, Red wanted him back.

Francis had found great amusement in Lawford playing hot potato between the factions but even in the midst of laughing at Red's ire, had dispatched his men to handle the issue with promises to call back with an update on their progress soon.

Secure that Francis would have Lawford back in their clutches soon, he slipped the phone in his pocket.

He and Dembe made their way across the street mingling into the rapidly growing crowd of curious onlookers.

From this vantage point, they could watch from a safe distance if any new menace reared its ugly head and yet be considered a mere annoyance by all the police that were now converging on the scene.

Red could afford to be patient now.

"Dembe, have the planes readied for take-off, please." he looked to the future. "This farce shouldn't take too long and then... we can be on our way, hopefully with no further delays."

---

The gentle motion of the jet landing awoke Red from a short nap.

Lizzy's warm body had lulled him into a light sleep. He glanced down at the top of the shining crown of her hair.

His eyes fell on the man across the aisle. Red's guilt returned full force.

Silas grimaced, instantly straightening, which brought on another grimace.

Red knew how much pain his friend was in. Silas' stoic act didn't fool Red one bit.

The guy was in pain, pure and simple.

Red sat, watching Silas since they boarded. That the guard was sitting quietly, or giving the impression at least, while Samar Navabi was a few seats back... spoke volumes.

Red wished he could offer some constructive assistance.

Lizzy's head slipped from his shoulder jarring the young woman awake.

"We're here already?" she stifled a yawn, straightening her legs from their curled position against Red's thighs.

"So it appears." Red rubbed the ache from his neck.

The other occupants of the plane were stirring about, readying to disembark.

Red was surprised any of them rested given the flurry they left behind in Chicago.

Red sat up, working the kinks from his back watching Samar fussing over a very drowsy, drug induced Donald Ressler.

It had been rather unexpected when the medical team gave the go-ahead for the injured Agent to fly.

Donald, in his lucid moments had insisted on doing so, however. Adamant about finishing the task at hand.

Benton was supposedly safe and secure having been foisted off to the local chapter of Chicago's FBI.

Red didn't trust that the game had as yet ended, especially from Lawford's point-of-view. It appeared Ressler was aware of that fact.

Although protocol dictated Red was to turn Lawford over to the proper chain-of-command within the agencies, true to his word...Red kept possession of the high card in the playing deck for just a while longer.

Until he was certain Lawford called off the vendetta, he would remain within the sphere of Red's influence for a while longer.

After adjourning to the Chicago airport, while hurrying Lizzy, Aram and Ressler into the safety of the plane... Red awaited word from Francis and the last team in transit.

It amused Red when all the Agents texts started blaring at once.

As did his with a message that simply read... Package en route :)

There was a nasty rumor that some subversive faction rushed in out of the blue and took possession of the FBI's prize criminal of the day.

Thanks to Red's impeccable timing and... Francis Holbrook's ability to hold a grudge.

Francis put together a small but effective group of elite people whose sole purpose in life became the acquisition of Samuel Lawford from the less than capable hands of those into which Lawford had been entrusted.

Francis said later, after Red was airborne, that it was ridiculously simple to secure the guy.

Not one shot was fired. A precision mix-up in an elevator served its purpose.

A rather dramatic, not to mention entertaining, staged fight between two very passionate lovers ensued... and Lawford was whisked away without even a bat of an eyelash.

It was incredibly easy to gauge human nature at times. Even FBI agents were not immune to a good, rousing argument.

When the smoke cleared, and the supposed lovers made up... Lawford was already in the back of a borrowed delivery van on his way to Antonio's jet which waited patiently on the tarmac for their departure.

With Francis' team a short distance off, Silas recommended they depart.

While Red had wanted to stay, assuring that Lawford was truly in his clutches... it would be better to free the runway, should the teams need to make a hasty departure.

Plus, his entourage looked rather... worn thin.

A short time later, Joe called, informing him they were in the air and Lawford was sleeping through the flight and hadn't given them a minute's trouble.

A healthy dose of chloroform would do that to a guy.

Everything had worked according to plan.

Red smiled as Dembe and Samar gently eased a loopy Ressler unto his unsteady feet.

"Was I that bad?" Liz's face showed concern. "When I was in the hospital last year?"

"Let's just say, I was forced to fight off several unwanted advances." Red lied fluently. "It was a most embarrassing situation."

"You are a big fat liar." Liz dismissed, grasping her purse.

"Hand to God." Red persisted in playing with the woman.

"God is going to chop off that hand one of these days." she warned.

As Samar was assisting Ressler, Liz decided to be helpful herself, "Samar," she called out over the back of the seat, "I'll get your bag, don't worry!"

The woman smiled her gratitude, assisting Dembe to guide Ressler out first. Red and Liz stayed out of the aisle allowing them a clear passage.

Silas struggled to his feet, following Samar. Neither had said a word since the exchange at the hotel, Red noted.

Neither looked any happier for the fact.

Red reached, beating Lizzy to Samar's bag.

"What a gentleman." Liz was impressed, showing as much.

Red remained stationary, blocking any avenue of egress.

"You're in my way, fella." she tried not to be amused at his stance but he was just so damned smug and self-confident, it tickled her.

"Pay the toll, baby," Red murmured contentedly, "and you can pass."

It felt so good to be alone with her finally. It had been a long, long day, and it wasn't over yet.

Liz managed a stricken up and under look, patting her pockets superficially, coming up empty, "I don't seem to have any cash on me."

"I don't take cash." he tsked for her situation.

"Let me see... what do I have that might be of interest to you?" she inched closer to her antagonist. "What if I should let you make a.. direct deposit later on tonight?" she flicked some imaginary lint off his tie. "Would that suffice, do you think?"

Red's eyes dropped and remained on her breasts, "Are you offering me a bribe?"

Liz scowled slightly, "I would never do such a thing." she curled her fingers about the tie, pulling him closer. "It's... illegal."

Red cocked his head, intrigued by the turn of events, "Let me get this straight... this deposit of which you eluded I am to give you?"

"Simply an exchange of... liquid assets." she explained, whispering seductively against the man's mouth.

Red grunted deeply into the sweet mouth, his tongue flicking hers sensually. The visions conjured erotic and most welcome.

"...Damn." he whispered, his growing erection lengthening, thickening.

"Do we have a deal?" she asked innocently feeling the evidence of his arousal for she had leaned provocatively to his straining frame.

Red mindlessly dropped Samar's bag, his fingers curving involuntarily about Lizzy's rounded derriere. He pushed her into the bulge in his pants, his mouth leisurely plundering the sweet nectar of her lips.

"Signed and sealed." he growled softly. "I expect this transaction to take place... tonight."

"Why not now?" she puzzled, pushing his limits. "I know you're... up for it."

"Perhaps discretion should be the better part of valor in this instance." a male voice interrupted the couples playtime.

Red scowled darkly over at an amused Dembe who stood by the exit door, head inside.

He grinned at Raymond's surly glare, "The other plane is approaching our locale."

"Then handle the proceedings." Raymond suggested... strongly.

"I could do that." Dembe agreed jovially. "But the natives are restless. Silas was already grousing about your absence."

Raymond was suitably forewarned, "When is that man not bitching?"

"There is nothing he would enjoy more than to interrupt you at a... crucial moment in time, if you get my drift."

Liz tittered softly, enjoying Red's reaction just as much as Dembe.

"I am very discrete." Dembe spread his hand helplessly. "Can you sat the same of your head guard when he's in a salty mood?"

Red glanced at Lizzy who was trying ever so hard to keep her pretty features straight.

He lifted a cool brow her way for the fact.

Which only caused the woman to giggle infectiously.

Red sighed heavily, knowing a lost cause when he saw one. A state which was a common occurrence for him these days...

Well, at least he would have this evening with which to console himself.

He waved Dembe away with a disgruntled gesture, "I'm coming...I'm coming." he nodded his defeat.

"You will be..." Liz blinked nonchalantly, "later. I promise, honey."

Dembe had not heard the actual exchange but he was man enough to sense the jest of the words the woman whispered for Raymond's ears alone.

"I will," Red adjusted his erection accordingly, his mind set, "extract the proper compensation for this, Elizabeth... you understand." his eyes promised as much.

"God, I hope so." she smiled happily.

Red's stare dropped to that voluptuous ass as it swished hypnotically away, his cock jerking in his pants.

He glanced down at the throbbing appendage, "Our time is coming, my friend," he eased his pain this way and that. "Later... you'll be inside her tight little hole and you can stay as long as you wish."

He took a moment to regroup then headed down the steps of the plane.

"What's the plan?" Liz waited patiently on the tarmac for his arrival.

"I don't know about you," Red tossed Samar's bag into Dembe's capable hands, "but I've had enough circulated plane air for one day." he looked down into the dark blue orbs.

She sighed, "That sounds good. We take a rest stop?"

"Ressler is a factor." Red searched for another excuse, one his pride could accept. "He should have at least eight hours of uninterrupted rest."

The real reason was, Red wanted at least eight hours of sack time with the woman standing next to him.

Resting or not.

"Speaking of which?" he didn't see Donald anywhere

"He's out again," Samar approached, gesturing to a nearby vehicle, "I don't think he fully roused. Those drugs your guys gave him... where can I get some?"

"I hate the sensation," Red differed in his point of view, "not being in control of my faculties." he constantly fought against it in the past, at least until he was in a secure location.

It meant a great deal to him that Ressler... didn't.

Even if they were on the opposite sides of the law and were antagonists more often than not... Ressler apparently trusted him and his team enough to submit to the haze of the drugs, they had given him.

"Well, you would hate giving up control." Samar stated. "You're a major control freak."

Red chuckled, "That was an awfully polite way of saying, anal retentive."

"That is an apt a description, if I ever heard one." Silas ventured forth, his large frame swaggering with something verging on arrogance.

Samar's eyes met the man's for a brief moment, dropping in the next.

Liz frowned, "I thought the doctor said Ress' head–"

"It's better to err on the side of caution, yes?" Red was ever practical.

"I can stay with him." Aram offered. "Share a room..."

Red smiled, inclining his head, "There's the team spirit." he dropped a beefy hand to the computer specialists, before glancing about.

Samar lifted her head glancing down the way, "Is that the jet we're waiting for?"

The large jet eased into its landing with nothing more than a slight hop across the field, gliding smoothly into position very close to Red's own jet.

The sound of several vehicles rumbling unto the stretch of road caught everyone's attention before the convoy lined the outbuildings of the airport.

Liz tensed, her hand instinctively reaching for her weapon.

"It's okay." Red's fingers squeezed the small ones gently. "It's just Francis' men making a grand entrance."

"That's a pretty impressive entrance." Samar scowled as the vehicle numbers mounted.

"Subterfuge." Red nodded sagely.

"Subterfuge?" Liz was stymied.

"Lawford's men here," Red explained, "will surely be present and accounted for."

"With so many vehicles to follow," Silas knew how Francis thought, which was a scary thing in itself, "they will have a hell of a time trailing or detecting the correct car."

Samar shook her head at the antics displayed.

Silas was suddenly too close, she noted the fact, turning her eyes to seek his quiet gaze.

She cleared her throat gently, moving artfully away.

"Kind of like that sound." Silas made mention.

Samar sought him out, her expression almost hurt, "Make up your mind." she suggested smartly. "I don't like indecision."

"That makes two of us." Silas arched his brow meaningfully.

Red glanced between the two curious to see how this round would play out. Silas obviously took time to think on the plane ride about revisiting the topic, seeing if anything had changed.

Samar narrowed her eyes dangerously then looked down at her feet sheepishly when the man looked pointedly at the computer specialist speaking with Liz.

"Like looking in a mirror," Silas crooked his head slightly, "isn't it."

Red sighed, his head shaking imperceptibly. These two were going to be impossible.

"Silas," Red got the man's attention, "would you be so good as to escort Lawford to the designated vehicle."

Silas watched a few of his men disembark, followed by Moore and Wilson, "If Moore gives me lip, I swear to God," the chipped grey eyes were icy, "I'm gonna take him out. Fair warning."

Liz's mouth fell agape for the coldness of the tone. She truly thought Silas meant his threat this time.

"I've had it up to here!" Silas' hand chopped crisply to his forehead.

"He thinks Cooper has ordered Lawford to the New York office."

"Hasn't he?" Samar was wary.

"In a manner of speaking." Red continued with a reassuring smile for the woman.

"Moore is one whining mother fuc–"

"We are well aware of your views." Red silenced the guard. "But I want a clear transition this time. I trust you to accomplish the fact."

Silas fumed in silence.

"Agent Navabi," Red took the woman's hand, "I'm going to ask for your trust a while longer." he gave his full attention, the dark eyes watched him closely. "We need Lawford for a very brief time then he will be turned over to your capable hands."

Samar glanced at Elizabeth the back to the man, "I'm rather hungry, truth told." she made her decision. "It would be nice to grab a bite to eat before returning to duty."

Red smiled his pleasure, "Thank you." he glanced over his shoulder. "Silas, after Lawford is secure, escort the lovely agent here to one of the better New York eateries."

Liz noted Silas' body stiffened rigidly, his expression masking hostility.

"I-I have been here alone many times," Samar saved Silas the awkwardness suggested, "there is no need–"

"There is a great need." Red contradicted, still holding the woman's hand. "You are a most capable agent, don't get me wrong but I could not, in all good conscience... chance that Lawford's people might try to get an exchange of prisoner through you."

Samar's eyes flitted to the guard.

Silas snapped off a command to one of his nearby 'agents', "You're with me, O'Neill. Secure the package then... you'll be on me and Agent Navabi here for the remainder."

"Remainder of what, boss?" Justin enjoyed Silas' moods just like the rest of his constituents, taking every opportunity to needle the guy when possible.

"Did your mama drop you on your head as a child?" Silas groused, his temper flaring.

The man chuckled, "The FBI jerk is under the impression he will be escorting the package to a yet undisclosed destination, boss."

"The FBI fuckwit is sadly mistaken isn't he." Silas replied.

"I guess he is." the guy proceeded Silas to the plane, holding his amusement... just. "Should I take the lady with me?"

Silas' mood was no better for the fact, "You do that." he turned to Samar. "If you will accompany Justin here, I'll join you momentarily."

Samar was clearly of two minds for a second but in the end... she went peacefully.

When both were out of earshot, Silas turned on Red, "That was a dirty, fucking, rotten thing to do and you know it."

"Make sure Navabi's accommodations are secured for the night." Red managed to hold his own mirth as well as Justin had, sensing Silas' reluctance to be alone with the lovely agent. "She is in the same hotel as we are, of course." he poked. "Perhaps you could show the woman safely to her room?"

"Kiss my ass." Silas grumbled emphatically before spinning sharply on his heel, stomping off in the needed direction.

Red chuckled a low gravelly laugh.

"Red!" Elizabeth fretted. "Silas is in a horrible mood. I hate when he is!" she hit Red's arm. "It's not funny!"

"It is actually." Red's amusement grew, but he tampered it for the woman's sake. "Don't baby him. There isn't anything really wrong." he assured. "Silas is just... tense."

"About what?" she demanded. "Can't you fix it?"

"I'm trying, baby." he spread his hands. "Hand to God."

"Stop saying that." Liz looked at her friend helplessly. "...Maybe Samar will get him out of his bad mood?" she wistfully hoped.

"Yeah," Red nodded sagely, "maybe she will."

---

"I know I should be used to all this..." Elizabeth Keen shook her head, sighing lightly.

She looked over the city below, shielding her eyes from the sun's rays which had already started their descent towards dusk.

She glanced about the luxurious surroundings behind her, the elegant rooms chocked full of charm and decadence.

Walking the wall of windows afforded the high-rise hotel room, she closed her eyes enjoying the warmth of the sun's rays as they sliced along her body.

Liz rolled the tension from her shoulders, her eyes opening absently. A pall fell over the city below.

Twinkling street lights replaced the sunlight shimmering off the Hudson as the sun dipped further towards the horizon.

The city looked almost fit for a fairytale as surrounding buildings took on an orange glow, leaving them gold in appearance. The hazy skyline heavy with exhaust was shades of pinks, purples and deep blues.

It had quite a dreamlike feel to it.

She tracked a ferry shuttling tired passengers back from the last tour of the Statue of Liberty.

A Port Authority boat traveled in the opposite direction, cutting sharply over the water.

An ambulance below in the crowded streets caught her wandering attention. Its red and blue strobe lights flashed along glass storefronts like a Rave gone askew.

On their trip through the New York streets, a cacophony of grating sounds had inundated her senses.

Horns honking, cop sirens blaring, brakes screeching, wheels squealing and the low, constant hum of a million plus voices gave the city its unique sound.

Up here, so high above the chaos, it seemed surreal to look down on the bustling, hectic pace below and hear... nothing but blessed silence.

A most welcome sound, were she honest with herself.

It had been a long, tedious day.

One filled with a plethora of emotion.

Disappointment, joy, love, fear, relief, worry... she had experienced it all this day.

Red had thankfully been at her side for the most part seeing she came through it all with a measure of sanity.

When their eyes met after that first fire-fight, she had felt his concern. That his thoughts had been with her even as her own had... the man.

His eyes said so much more than he could with others about.

His touch had been so gentle, so loving on her back, his fingers touching hers reverently.

She felt communication even though none could be properly expressed.

She smiled gently, smelling the warm aroma of his cologne near her before she heard him approach. Her eyes focused on the hazy apparition of the man's reflection nearing in the window.

She welcomed his arms as they encompassed her slender frame from behind, her fingers covering the hair strewn tops of his hands lovingly.

"Am I interrupting?" he murmured against the shell of her ear.

She clasped his thumb in her hand, scowling from such a question, "Interrupting?"

"Your solitude." he clarified quietly, unwilling to break the tranquility she established. "The quiet."

She relaxed in his embrace, "It only makes it better... to share it with you."

Red nuzzled the woman's neck, kissing the fragrant flesh. He sighed lightly, "...I have to go attend to Lawford, speak to Francis' people concerning a few ends which need tying up."

She remained silent for a long beat, a question finally coming to mind, "Red, does Francis know anything about your involvement with us? The FBI?"

"No." Red stated. "It must remain that way for the foreseeable future."

"I don't like lying to him." she confessed, idly playing with his fingers.

"I know you don't." he nodded minutely.

"He's my friend." she lifted sorrowful eyes, craning her neck to meet his gentle ones. "By not being up-front with him... honest, I feel like I'm deceiving him."

"There was a time," he mused, "when you would have turned him over to the law."

"At one point," she turned in his arms, "but now, it's different."

"He has become your best friend." Red was pleased. "You love him, Lizzy."

"Not like I love you." she urged quickly, "Not like that at–"

"I know that... now." he soothed.

"I know it's wrong, that I shouldn't let my feelings cloud my judgement..." she worked it out in her own mind.

"Is it wrong to be human?" Red debated. "I'm proud and happy you feel what you feel, Elizabeth."

She settled a little. She liked being close to the man, liked having the freedom to touch him whenever... wherever, she pleased.

She trailed her fingers along the collar of his shirt, a small frown on her full lips.

"He loves you too, you know." Red made mention. "You may think that is the norm but I assure you, for Francis... it's not."

She lifted puzzled eyes.

"He doesn't give his trust easily, which is an understatement in itself." Red realized. "But to lower his walls the way he has with you? Unheard of."

"He falls in love with every woman he meets." she rolled her eyes.

"Superficially." Red smiled down at the woman. "Except Lia, of course. She is the love of his life."

Liz tittered softly under her breath, "And Nora."

Red stroked his thumbs soothingly on the small of her back, smiling gently, "We're not talking about that kind of love anyway, are we."

She dropped her eyes, fiddling with his shirt-front, "No, I suppose not."

"I should be concerned, perhaps." he kept a straight face. "His bad habits seem to be rubbing off on you."

"W-What?" such a statement totally confused her.

"You think nothing of stealing people's belongings for instance." he teased.

"Does Francis steal people's belongings? What do you mean?" she demanded indignantly.

"You steal my bacon, robe, socks, shirts..." he held his laughter.

"Oh, brother." she turned aside, having the grace to be embarrassed. "You said..." she challenged, "what's yours is mine. You said it repeatedly!"

"I knew that would come back to haunt me." his mouth pulled into a grin.

The woman settled a tad, moving back into his sphere. She lifted a coy stare, "You know," her mood altered considerably. Liz looked the man over speculatively, "that can go both ways."

"Is that so." Red's eyes dared mischievously.

He enjoyed that look and playing the game lovers played. He couldn't help do so with this woman. He was also fascinated how many times a day the woman could make his cock stir.

"For my part," she admitted, wriggling further into his ready embrace, "there must be something I have which interests you, surely."

He lowered his gaze to the delectable décolletage. He grunted appreciatively when her mound pushed seductively into his thigh.

"Yes," he nodded, his tone a husky reply, "you have exactly what I want."

Red's hand cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking the soft skin delicately, "I want it... very much."

Liz's heart beat increased, the blood in her veins thrumming with passion, "...Which is?" she subtly flirted.

Red kissed her temple, his mouth moving enticingly across the sensually closed lids, Lizzy's eyelashes tickled his lips.

He slowly, meticulously, worked his way to the rosebud mouth.

"Your love." he whispered hoarsely, his mouth claiming hers passionately.

At the completion of the ardent caress, Liz's eyes fluttered open, her breath stuttering, reading the quiet intenseness in him.

"You already have that." she choked back the emotion his statement caused. "In abundance."

"And you, mine." he countered. "I hope you never tire of hearing the mundane because I intend to express my emotions... frequently."

"You do that." she lifted to her toes, her mouth parting his gently. The kiss deepened systematically, both participants losing themselves in the steamy depths.

The arrival of another person entering the room shattered the moment.

Red broke the kiss, his temper high, "For God's sake, Dembe... I thought we had already settled this issue earlier."

Dembe's smile said he took no offense.

"Just once," Red was beside himself, "could you just... having seen the obvious," the man gestured wildly, "gone...away?"

"You asked me to remind you of important dates and times," Dembe spread expressive hands, "and then berate me when I do as asked. I am understandably distressed."

"You don't look particularly distressed." Red reminded, crossing to his ever present fedora, his movements choppy and... distressed.

"I have learned to conceal my true emotional state."

Liz sensed Dembe was enjoying the exchange a little more than he should, amused for the fact.

She dutifully tried to commiserate with Red's mood, but the twinkle in her eye gave her secret away.

"Learn to conceal a six-inch barrel cause that's what I'm gonna stick up your ass next time you intrude on me and my woman when we are..." Red stopped for a breath, "sharing a private moment."

"Which reminds me," Dembe's memory was suitably jogged, "you must call Brimley to meet us at the warehouse."

Red hung his head dejectedly, all the fight gone from him.

Liz kissed his cheek consolingly, "Have a good day at the office, honey." she smiled brightly for him.

Red offered her a disgruntled grunt, taking his leave, if reluctantly, "You're as bad as he is."

Liz stood, waving warmly as the two men exited.

Dembe shared a communal smile as he gently shut the door.

Red returned post-haste, sticking his head in the door.

Liz was startled, "Did you forget something?"

"Do you have a little black dress?"

Liz blinked, disoriented, "...Always."

"Squeeze that sweet little ass into it. I would love to take you to dinner tonight." Red mentioned. "In about an hour?"

Liz was elated, "Oh! Oh, yes... yes, I would love that." She had thought she only rate room-service tonight.

"Dembe won't be coming along." Red threw a caustic look outside the door he held securely half-closed.

Liz dimpled accordingly.

"You are hurting my feelings, Raymond." Dembe's staid and muffled voice filtered in from the hallway, increasing Liz's smile... and Red's ire.

"Do you mind..." Red groused, "I'm trying to make a date here."

Liz's heart skipped a beat, enjoying the moment more than she had been.

She loved the open, playful, relationship Red and Dembe had, always did. She even envied it. Now, she felt a part of it. Like she was a welcome addition to their special bond.

It meant more to her than she could say.

She also appreciated that Red constantly made an effort. Once in a relationship, date nights often tapered off. But Red continued to woo her.

And she liked that. It made her feel... special.

"My apologies..." Dembe inclined his head graciously, "I will be your wingman." he assured Red. "Please tell him yes, so we may go."

"That's it?" Red had to question that one. "That's the extent?"

Liz dropped her eyes to the rich carpet, her lips quivering with amusement. She quickly straightened her features, lifting luminous eyes, "I would love to go on a date with you."

Red's eyes softened, a smile lighting his face. He rather enjoyed hearing her say those words, even now.

"This will be just for us, okay?" his eyes roamed her body possessively. "A special night."

"Are we celebrating something?" she raked her memory for a date, coming up empty. She wasn't positive she even knew what day it was, to be honest.

Red's eyes held hers confidently, "You tell me."

"Where are we going?" she stopped his intended exit.

"Brooklyn, René's." he replied before closing the door on a very perplexed, very intrigued... Elizabeth Keen.

---

"You know, my friend," Red was still chafing from Dembe's actions, "paybacks are a bitch."

"They are oft time... a bitch." Dembe nodded absently, steering the vehicle about mounting New York traffic.

"Is Ressler happy and content?" Red moved on finally.

"He is coming around." Dembe reported. "He had eaten finally and is more alert. He is refusing any further pain medication."

"His call." Red understood.

"I was pleasantly surprised by the efficiency of Brimley." Dembe seemed in a relatively good humor. "It took less than half an hour for Lawford to break."

"Brimley is..." Red shrugged, "Brimley."

"Thank you for allowing Josef to assist him this time."

Red's mouth quirked, "Joe enjoyed it more than he should."

"What surprised me was Hunter Gaines' involvement." Dembe brought up the fact.

"A multi-faceted man." Red's brows rose as well. "Perhaps it was a simple reprieve from the tediousness of the routines they have established."

"Brimley's antics are their version of cat videos." Dembe had decided.

"Excuse me?" Red was all too afraid he had followed the statement, however.

Dembe let it pass, "It has been a rather eventful day considering."

That was an understatement if ever there was one.

"Lawford can be turned over to the lovely Agent Navabi. Francis will be pleased when he hears Lawford is in FBI custody."

Dembe's head turned for a beat, meeting Red's eyes, "More importantly, Elizabeth is safe."

"For how long?" Red sighed heavily.

"This too, will end, Raymond." Dembe consoled. "Have faith that everything will fall into place as it usually does."

Red refused to ruin the night he had planned with morbid thoughts.

"Take a right up ahead, three blocks." he ventured, motioning with his hand in the direction needed.

"Did you not tell Elizabeth you would inform her when you were finished with your business dealings?" Dembe reminded dutifully.

"Well, I'm not finished yet." Red crooked a wry smile.

"You lied," Dembe's tone held his disapproval, "to Elizabeth."

"A gentleman can relate a small falsehood," Red defended himself, "if a surprise for his lady is involved."

Dembe turned the needed direction.

Secure that his co-conspirator was on board, Red focused on his plan of action.

---

"I will not wear that hideous thing!" Liz argued heatedly, staring at the cumbersome boot she had discarded while adding finishing touches to her make-up and hair. "It ruins the look of my beautiful dress."

Red's stare remained direct and fixed however...his mind set.

Having lost the battle put her in a rather dour mood but the excitement of the evening soon moved that mood into a light, expectant one.

As they crossed the bridge heading into Brooklyn, she took in the surrounding city.

It seemed to be a living, breathing entity all to itself.

Having access to some of the best five-star restaurants in the world only minutes away from their hotel, Red had instead chosen the off-beaten track for which he was famous.

Liz began to appreciate his choice.

The private sitting room offered by the establishment he picked charmed her.

Soft candlelight set the mood in the quaint, intimate atmosphere surrounding them.

Sequestered away from the noise and bustle of the main dining area, private staff attended them.

The dinner was superb, the wine Red selected, perfection.

As usual, the man fell into a jovial mood, telling tales which amused and oft-times mystified.

He had led such a diverse, interesting life.

After dinner, they swayed in each other's arms to the melodic music which drifted in from a live orchestra in the main atrium of the building.

It was a lovely setting... even if she was forced to compensate for her recent injury by the stupid, hideous contraption on her foot.

Red had even switched the ringer off on his phone.

No talk of work reared its ugly head. No discussion about the odd, eclectic day they had suffered through... she adored the fact.

As they were finishing the last of their dessert, Liz was surprised to look up to see a pretty blonde heading their way.

"Red!" the smile beamed up a notch or two, lighting the room. "It's so wonderful to see you!"

That the man held a great affinity for the new arrival, was apparent.

He had arisen, taking the small hands in his. A soft kiss planted on presented cheeks.

"René..." he rumbled his pleasure, offering the polite introductions immediately.

Liz smiled back, nodding her, hello.

"Let me look at her!" Red's grin widened as he perused the well-rounded tummy which extended between their bodies. "Goodness! How precious is this!"

He appraised the baby bump with keen eyes.

Liz gasped softly as his large hands encompassed the sphere.

She knew most women disliked such familiarity during their pregnancy.

This woman seemed to love the attention, taking great delight in the man's joyous attitude, "My husband and Red knew the baby was a her before I did."

Liz was graciously included in the moment.

"And don't think either has let me forget it!" René scolded Red with a look. "Oh!"

"Whoa!" Red smiled broadly, his face lit with amazement. "She's gonna be a goal-kicker!"

A small foot pushed jerkily against the pressure of his palm.

He reached quickly, placing Lizzy's hand beside his.

Elizabeth offered an apologetic grimace but the woman merely laughed quietly for Red's awed expression.

The baby rolled away from the intrusive prodding, settling deep into a new, more comfortable position.

"I knew the minute I felt that little munchkin kick, it had to be a girl." Red proudly proclaimed. "Only a girl has such a swift, punctuated kick."

"Speaking from experience?" René teased.

"I'm no dummy." Red pleaded off. "I've never given a woman just cause to kick me... there."

"One or two has stabbed him." Liz murmured, primly folding her napkin in her lap. She sought his amused eyes. "But not there... yet."

Red beamed proudly, "Lizzy isn't one to let an open shot pass by if she can help it."

"Stick 'em where it hurts," Liz winked playfully, "that's my motto."

Red chuckled, pulling out a chair, gesturing for René to sit.

"I didn't mean to intrude," she begged off, "just wanted to say–"

"No, please." Liz insisted. "You should get off your feet whenever possible."

René eased awkwardly into the chair with Red's assistance.

"Like maneuvering a Sherman ta–"

"Do you have a death wish?" René cut the good-humored jab short.

Red... shut up. His clamped mouth barely hiding his quivering lips.

"How are you feeling?" Liz asked a generic question.

"Like a Sherman tank." René cast Red a rueful glance. "But otherwise, I feel great." she rubbed her hand along the slope of her stomach.

"All women are exquisite when with child." Red stated his belief. "They emit an inner glow that no artist has been able to capture as yet."

Both females gawked at him, expressions carefully neutral.

"Must be the gas." René quipped. "This kid has given me the worst heartburn known to man."

Liz chuckled.

"You're following doctor's orders?" Red asked warily. "I know how stubborn you can be."

"Me!" the woman took umbrage. "Oh, don't even get me started." she cast a sympathetic look. "Am I right?"

Liz opened her mouth to agree but was rudely silenced.

"As you may have guessed, this unique establishment belongs to René." Red waved a hand about the romantic atmosphere, continuing on, praising the woman's accolades as a chef. "But when she gets something in that thick head..."

"Pot calling the kettle black." René rolled her eyes.

Liz was beginning to like this woman.

"She was trying to continue to run this place, on her feet, twelve hours a day."

Liz's brows furrowed empathetically.

"So Mr. Big Shot here," René hooked a thumb, "goes and hires three of the top chefs out of Culinary Institute for me." tears misted the lovely eyes.

"Excuse me... damned hormones." she sniffled, taking the handkerchief Red offered. "Anyway, they're working out marvelously but I had to break them of old habits. They were brainwashed to do things the wrong way."

"Meaning, not her way." Red interrupted.

"The wrong way." René snapped. "But now, everything is running like clockwork again."

"So you met here... at the restaurant?" Liz was curious.

"René saved my life." Red looked at the woman fondly.

"By feeding you properly?" Liz was puzzled. Red could be over dramatic when it came to food, she thought fondly.

"Before this, I was a nurse." both Red and René shared a laugh.

"My nurse." Red iterated. "My drill instructor of a nurse."

"Someone had to keep your snarky ass in line." René crossed her arms, resting them on her bump. "He's a pain in the ass when he's sick, let me warn you."

René side-glanced the man with a look that would cower most stout-hearted men.

Liz nodded, side-glancing the man as well.

"That's the look I've been working for." the man chuckled happily. "Still puts me in my place."

"I highly doubt that." René was not impressed.

"René was with me in the early days." Red confided. "Right after I met with Mr. Kaplan."

"Speaking of drill instructors..." René sought out the man, clearly interested. "How is the old bulldog?"

Liz's eyes widened. She had never heard anyone speak of Mr. Kaplan in such a way except Silas but... that was Silas.

"Still barking out orders right and left." Red laughed.

"She bites on occasion as well." Liz stated ruefully, joining in.

"Yeah, that's Kaplan." René nodded benignly.

"She's still trying to fill the gaping hole you left behind." Red informed his friend.

"Is she still harping on that?" René was appalled. "Seriously?"

"You know she can hold a grudge." the man reminded.

"It was your fault, anyway." René took umbrage.

"Oh, now I am interested." Liz sat up closer, ready to hear the tale.

"Oh, you can't want him to rehash ancient history." René was positive.

"Oh, yes, I do." Liz was crestfallen.

"She's nosy." Red explained.

Liz's mouth fell open.

"Yes, that's the way to win her heart." René chided. "Men? Right?"

Liz cut the man a stern look, silencing him.

"Well..." the woman began the story herself, clearly warming to the incidents as she reminisced, "we were stuck on the outskirts of... Nowhereville, right?"

Again, she hooked a thumb, "He was wounded, recuperating. As usual."

Liz checked with Red. His expressing was amused but quiet.

"We had the bare essentials on hand, that's about it." René put her hand on her side, pushing her back for support.

"Our circumstances were pretty desolate, truth told." she continued. "So much so, Silas and Dembe... you've met them, right?"

Liz nodded quickly, already enraptured by the story.

"They took to hunting local game for our survival."

"Squirrel meat is not that much a step-up from the MRE's we had." Red frowned. "We couldn't use our weapons... it would alert the enemy to our position. I thought we were screwed."

"And he had no compulsion stating his lack of faith in the boys tracking abilities." René chuckled.

"Silas goes all Rambo on us... fashions a bow and some arrows." René's eyes were alight with humor. "Lo-and-behold, Dembe fells a deer."

Liz clasped her hands together in delight. Then her face fell, "But Dembe loves all animals." she knew for certain.

"Yeah well, circumstances what they were," Red philosophized, "Peter Cottontail didn't stand a chance."

The story enraptured Liz, she listened intently as the lurid tale progressed.

"What I did not know," Red quipped, "was that, while Blondie over here was a trained survivalist, a given fact, she also knew her way around an herb garden."

"Mama taught me all she knew." René giggled.

"While I lay there, in a blissful haze of drugs," Red mused, "the boys were out on the proverbial hunt and she," the man shook his head, still impressed at the woman's skill after all these years, "was out doing her own thing, gathering bounty off the land."

"Roman soldiers were once paid in salt, did you know." René recalled a bit of trivia. "That's how important seasoning was... and is."

"That's gospel." Red agreed wholeheartedly.

"If I had to eat one more vegetarian omelet..." René cringed visibly, "I was going to kill you, myself."

"Put us both out of our misery," Red nodded his agreement, "so I would have gladly allowed it." he sat back, folding his arms. "The chili mac wasn't bad though."

René shrugged, nodding grudgingly.

Liz chuckled for the dramatics displayed, "Since that eventuality did not come about, how does the story actually end?"

"Imagine my delight, awakening at last, to the mouth-watering aroma of..." he waved his hand about the remains of their scrumptious meal, "well, this."

René waved the lavish praise aside, "It was just a few simple meat and veggie meals."

"That's like saying Michelangelo was just a house painter."

René flushed with pleasure, "It's that Irish blarney that hooked me in." she sighed.

"That last two weeks spent in hell were filled with the most amazing... and still to this day," Red looked at the other woman fondly, "unmatched venison and rabbit feasts I ever had the privilege."

"He swept me away," René was resigned, "not for my medical expertise mind you, but his bottomless pit of a stomach."

"How long were you with him?" Elizabeth wasn't certain if she felt a twinge of jealousy or not.

"Too long." René stated emphatically. "Thank God I met my future husband. He got me away from the spell this one can weave."

Elizabeth understood all about spells Red Reddington could weave.

Though, unlike René, she had no wish to leave.

"I wanted to settle down. Stay in one place for a while." René recalled fondly.

"And what does your husband do for a living?" Red could see the irony, amused for it. "He's military, through and–"

"Retired... military." René corrected.

"I'm stuck in the Indies, shortly thereafter," Red threw the chef a look, "eating slop and I just knew she and her new boyfriend were off having braised ribs and succulent–"

"Oh, give it a rest." René laughed gaily. "You're just jealous."

"Damned right." Red feigned anger, making both women laugh at his expense. "I'll never forgive you deserting me."

"You already have." the woman's eyes were gentle on the man.

"Why does Mr. Kaplan blame Red for your having left?" Liz was pondering the issue.

"I concocted a brilliant plan to win her back." Red was proud of the fact, clearly. "I offered her boyfriend–"

"My husband."

"A lucrative spot on my ever-growing band of merry men."

"A very lucrative spot." René scolded, recalling the time well. "Damn you. My charms almost weren't incentive enough."

"...So?" Liz was on tenterhooks.

"My husband caved... not him." René's eyes sparkled mischievously. "I had something even Red couldn't compete with."

Red shrugged his shoulders, "I took a shot, anyway. You had put in your time." he gave credit. "She wanted... deserved... this." he waved a hand about the restaurant, before settling his hand on the swell of her stomach. "Who am I to argue."

"You always argue." René was flabbergasted by the statement.

Liz envied the woman to a degree.

While she appreciated the urge to live a normal life and Liz's ambitions ran a different gauntlet, it wasn't the same anymore.

Red had become part of Elizabeth's vision of the future.

With Red came certain realities.

The idea of a normal life had become subdued. As busy as their day had been, she found enjoyment in the chaotic, frenzied pace.

Granted, Liz could have done without the firefight... but the rest of the day had been rather exciting.

She watched Red, sharing memories with his friend. Liz couldn't imagine the man even sitting still for very long a time, not really.

She was shocked to realize, she was just fine with the notion.

An air of intrigue surrounded the man next to her. Something mysterious seemed to lurk just in the background, waiting to emerge when he was about.

Life with Red Reddington would never, ever be... boring or dull.

"When is that little pumpkin seed going to sprout?" Red's eyes had returned to the rounded orb of René stomach countless time, Liz noted. As if staring long enough would make the baby emerge.

"A month and some change." René eased her back yet again. "If it's anything like my husband, she will be fashionably late, of course."

"It must be hard... the waiting." Liz commiserated.

"I expect a gift." René perked up. "I open them immediately," she confided in Liz. "At least I don't have to wait for that."

"What do you need?" Red had perked up as well. "A new house? A car?"

"How about a baby swing?" René was appalled. "Don't you ever do anything halfway?"

"What the hell kind of gift is that?" Red was more than disappointed. "A fucking baby swin–"

"A practical one?" Liz asked, sighing her delight.

Red rolled his eyes, a little put out.

"...Oh my God." René was aghast. "You didn't."

The man glanced about the room rather sheepishly.

"You...did...not." René tried to stand, knocking away Red's assistance.

Red sighed, holding his hands aloft, waiting.

René grumbled irritably, clutching the man's forearms, helping her ease to a standing position.

"What?" Liz arose as well, sensing something in the wind.

"I bought all that practical stuff." Red grimaced the thought aside. "But it wouldn't fit in the house you had."

René stared at the guy, amazement filling her eyes, "So... you bought another house?"

"Your family is growing." Red defended his actions. "You need a bigger house."

Liz's mouth fell agape, "Red, you didn't."

"Sure he did." René's eyes lit with an inner glow. "That's exactly what he did." she threw her arms about Red's neckline, hugging him dearly. "You crazy bastard." she whispered lovingly. "What am I gonna do with you!"

"Name the baby after me." Red was happy again.

"Not gonna happen." René eyes filled with tears of joy, however, Liz noted.

"I can't let you do this... it's beyond generous."

"That's what you said last time." Red feigned confusion.

"I was in shock last time." René chuckled. "What person in his right mind just ups and gives an entire house for a wedding present?"

Liz knew the answer to that one.

"You'll love it... good neighborhood, amazing schools." Red's excitement was returning by leaps and bounds.

"You can't do these things." René's tone was a gentle reprimand. "We consider you our friend, Red. What kind of people would we be–"

"The kind that is having a baby and needs a new, bigger house." Red supplied. "You're my friends as well, stop all this nonsense. It's something I delight in doing."

"He really does." Liz helped out. She sensed how important the issue was to the man.

After all, Red was not the type of person to call just anyone... his friend.

René was shaking her head, "Our house is perfectly fine, really."

"And will bring a good value on the market... to set up the minion for college."

"He already has her in college." René threw up her hands, exasperated.

"Or you could use it as a rental property." Red had thought it through.

"Red..." Liz tried a logical approach, "I don't know... René's husband, but maybe," she wrinkled her nose, "he would resent the gesture?"

"Why would he?" Red was confused.

"Well, some men might. Is that the case, René?"

"It has a two-car garage, and a work shed... what's to resent?"

"God, don't tell Charles that!" René hastily advised. If her husband found out... he'd be hooked.

"See?" Red spread his hands.

"That is not the issue." René sighed heavily.

"Then what is the issue?" Red wanted to know. "A guy can't give his best friends a house or... a few cars?"

"W-What do you mean... cars?" Both René and Liz whipped their heads about, seeking out the man.

"Well," Red hesitated but only briefly, "I bought you an SUV. Francis said," he threw the young man under the bus, "Charles would feel left out if he didn't get a Jeep or something cool to drive too..."

René sat, the wind taken from her sails.

"That SUV has the best safety record out there." Red sweetened the pot. "It also comes with a top-rated car seat for the podlet."

René sought assistance but Liz only shrugged non-committed shoulders, "That has to be considered, right?"

René spread her hands helplessly.

"René," Red used his paternal voice, "how many times did you risk life and limb for me? Coming into all those less than savory places at a minute's notice, putting your life on hold?"

"You paid me to do tha–"

"Don't give me that shit." Red disdained. "You can't pay for that type of loyalty."

René flushed prettily, "Oh, you are so full of s–"

"I love you, Dembe loves you, hell even Silas loves you." Red said. "Lizzy loves you." he topped the last statement, motioning to the woman.

"She doesn't even know me." René laughed, her eyes misting.

"No, he's right." Liz jumped on the bandwagon. "If it wasn't for you... Red may not be here. And I..." she trailed away, swallowing at the lump in her throat.

Red's eyes softened, squeezing Lizzy's hand, "See... the only one I'm not sure of is your boyfriend." he quipped to make René feel better.

"He's my husband." the woman wailed helplessly. "Husband!" she showed her ring.

"Why don't you come back to work for me?" Red teased. "Where you know for certain you are loved and cherished."

Liz rolled her eyes, "Now I know where Francis gets it from." she muttered.

René sat back, mentally exhausted, "You wear me out."

"As long as I'm wearing you down." Red quietened. "Are you all right? Do you need to go rest? Put your feet up?"

René wasn't tired in the least, she was elated beyond scope, "No... no, I'm not. Well, of course, I'm all right. I mean, I'm fine." she chuckled. "More than fine. Shell-shocked, maybe but... just fine, Red."

Her eyes shone with affection, "You are, without a doubt," she choked up, "the finest man I have ever met."

"If you put me up against your boyfriend," he mused, "of course, I'm going to shine."

The woman laughed raucously, hitting the man playfully.

"Speaking of which," Red checked his watch superficially, "the old ball and chain will be here any minute to pick you up."

"To take me to see my new house and cars?" René lifted a brow. "I should have known he would be in on this conspiracy."

"He chose all the colors for the walls."

"Oh my God, Red." René sat up, alarmed. "You didn't really let him–"

Red laughed heartily.

René sat back, her hand to her heart, "Oh, thank God." she whispered sacredly, making Liz laugh as well.

"Everything would be khaki or battleship gray." René swore which amused Liz all the more.

"Can you see the nursery?" René rolled her eyes. "Pink camouflage walls?"

"Dembe bought her a pink commando outfit." Red lied.

"He did not." René knew better. "Dembe will buy the only practical gift out of you lot."

"What about Silas?" Liz was having a ball, the evening turning into a wonderful adventure shared through her companions' eyes. "A big teddy bear?"

"An assault rifle... Nerf style." Red differed.

René eased to the edge of her seat, seeking Red's hand. He gallantly assisted her to rise.

"I kid these louts but I'll tell you one thing," she spoke to Liz directly this time, "I would walk to the ends of the Earth to help one of them out if he... when he, needs help."

Liz's eyes softened on the pretty a face.

"Even in my present condition." it was ruefully promised. "And this one here," she hugged Red dearly, "I would have my boyfriend lay down his life for..." she quipped.

Red chuckled appreciatively, "Awfully generous with his life."

René shrugged any concern away, "He feels the same." she reached for Liz's hand. "You take good care of Red for me, okay?"

Liz nodded minutely, "I'll do my best."

"I'm gonna let you two get back to your evening." René looked tired but happy. "And I will go find a chair that reclines, then get me the biggest piece of chocolate cake I can find."

Both Red and Liz held their amusement.

"And if you say one thing about it, Red Reddington..." she narrowed her eyes playfully.

Red's expression altered to a mock seriousness. He held his hands high.

René tiptoed to kiss the man's cheek then clasped him tightly for a long beat.

She sniffled quietly seeking out Elizabeth, "It was such a pleasure to meet you."

Liz smiled warmly, impulsively kissing the woman's cheeks, returning the sentiment.

Red's eyes softened as he watched the woman's exit.

"She is such a nice person, Red." Liz sought him out. "I like her very much."

"I hoped you would." the man was relieved. "She is a very dear person to me."

"I know." Liz smiled warmly. "It shows."

A short time later, Red pulled out into traffic as they made their way back to Lower Manhattan, side glancing his passenger on several occasions.

He didn't sense any particular emotion coming from Lizzy but she had been unusually quiet for some time now.

He took it as long as he could, "Something wrong?"

"What?" she pulled from her thoughts. "Oh... oh, nothing at all." she smiled to prove as much. "I was just woolgathering."

"Something you can share?" he was understandably curious.

"Just thinking about how kind you can be," she glanced at his handsome profile, "how incredibly generous."

"And loving." he sent her a look which warmed the cockles of her heart. "Why don't you slide over here and let me prove my boast." he patted the seat next to him.

Liz smiled wider, sliding the space to the man, careful not to impede his driving motions.

"Get back in that seat belt." he scowled.

"Well, make up your mind." she chuckled, scooting back over good-naturedly. "I guess this rules out any chances of a blow job for you, right?"

She motioned, indicating the distance between them now.

Red sighed lightly, "For the present." he concentrated on the road to take his mind from such a pleasant thought.

Liz chuckled, "You always have to have the last word."

"If your mouth was full of junior," he responded, "you wouldn't be talking, anyway."

Liz sent him a scolding glance, "Junior?"

"Big Red?" Red tried another nickname.

Liz laughed outright, "You are not normal." she realized gleefully.

"You said normalcy was overrated." he reminded.

She settled back thinking on the matter, "I've come to the conclusion," she had, "that aside from the occasional firefight, I rather enjoy every aspect of our lifestyle."

"There must be times," he was certain, "it gets to be too much though."

Liz's eyes traced the staggered outline of the New York skyline absently, pondering his question.

"I did have a moment today," she recalled, "when the sights and sounds... even the smells inundated my senses." she confided. "You ever experience something like that?"

Red nodded. He understood perfectly what she was wishing to convey.

"It evened out quickly enough." she shrugged. "We seemed to have found a certain... levelness in that regard, however." was that the word she sought?

She looked at his profile, "You are what centers me."

Red glanced over, "Do I, baby?"

"Yes." she whispered quietly. "It's like... a series of roller coaster rides filled with highs and lows but through it all, you are my constant."

Red was quiet so long a time, Liz thought the conversation had ended.

"But... you are enjoying the ride," his brow had furrowed deeply, "on this particular roller coaster?"

"As long as you are there to enjoy it with me." she murmured quietly.

He lifted her hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss on the velvety flesh.

The man jerked free suddenly, cursing under his breath.

The car swerved sharply. Red's arm was throw protectively across her breasts as he maneuvered the vehicle about an idiot driver who had darted in front of them from the opposite lane.

Red laid on the horn, his temper flaring incandescently, "You fucker!" he bitched out the moron.

The guy had the gall to slow down having whipped back into his original lane coming nose to nose with Red's vehicle.

The bastard was gesturing wildly, clearly yelling obscenities, his face a mask of angry contortion.

Red flipped him off, looking for an opportunity to floor the car to get away from such a stupid predicament.

With Lizzy in the car, he wasn't about to take any chances that the road rage might escalate into something even more unpleasant.

The guys countenance altered visibly, at one point, becoming slack-jawed, a look of sheer panic and disbelief crossing his face.

Red glanced hastily over, sensing the fuckers attention was now focused elsewhere.

Lizzy was leaning casually forward, her weapon aloft. She waved it leisurely about grabbing the idiots full attention.

She smiled prettily, the weapon coming to bear on the unsuspecting target.

Red eased back in his seat, giving her ample room.

The car quickly dropped back, the guys wheels screeching with his effort to get the hell away from the crazy woman with the gun.

Red chuckled lowly, the sound a very sensuous one which ran along Liz's spine most pleasantly.

Liz quietly, unobtrusively replaced her weapon into her purse, settling back into the comfort of the seat.

She sighed airily, rolling her head on the headrest, returning her interest to the towering buildings looming large before them.

"The city is so beautiful at night." she made mention.

Red's chuckle increased, "I don't think the prick with the road rage shares your outlook."

"I should have gotten his license." she mused. "I could have made his life a living hell if I really set my mind to it."

"That's my girl..." Red was still very much amused at how she handled the situation. "Never piss off an agent of the Federal Government. That's my motto. At least, in regards to you."

"Good motto to live by." she approved.

"I sincerely enjoy having my own pistol packin' baby." Red was smitten. He threw her an affectionate look. "Kind of got me hot back there." he admitted. "If I pull off on a side street, will you give me that blow we were discussing?"

"And chance getting mugged?" she gasped playfully.

Red chuckled again.

"You know," she met his gaze, "as soon as we get back, the interruptions will start."

Red drew in an even breath, agreeing with her assessment.

"It's all right though." she touched his hand which lay idly on his upper thigh. "We've had a wonderful evening. A nice private dinner. Time alone... I met a lovely woman from your past. One I didn't want to shoot in the face."

Red's mouth curved into a grin.

"And whatever form the interruption takes," she continued, "you'll handle it with the upmost expediency, I know."

"And you know this, how?" he quipped. "Because I'm hot for a blow job?"

"That too." she conceded. "But logically it only stands to reason..."

The man was interested to see how her mind worked, listening intently as she ticked off her thoughts.

"It's late. By now the Bureau has taken possession of Lawford. Number one problem off the list." she shifted her eyes his way, "Our respective teams have had time to settle into their rooms."

Red nodded that he was still here, listening.

"Another example of your generosity by the way." she made mention. "It's not often an agent gets the chance to stay at a five-star hotel. Don't think they aren't gawking with awe at the accommodations you provided."

"But for you," he teased, "it's just old hat now, right?"

"Are you kidding?" she pulled an adorable face. "I was stoked when I saw the gift basket full of goodies."

Red chuckled.

She loved to make him laugh, "But that big ass complimentary robe... Red, I felt like I died and went to heaven."

Red's chuckle increased, "Are we going to steal it?" he queried lightly.

"Maybe." she dared him to judge her. "Oh, who the hell am I kidding... of course I'm going to accidentally pack it when I leave, who doesn't?"

"Dembe." Red supplied the answer.

"Well, you're just going to have to speak to him about such things." she was positive. "He's making us all look bad." she sighed. "Tell him, if he won't steal it for himself... steal it for me."

She got another deep laugh, "I'm curious... who do you think it will be who interrupts? I'm betting on your side."

"You lose." Red steered off the freeway onto a main thoroughfare. "There was a message on my phone... your people want the information Francis gathered on Lawford... and they want it by the morning."

Liz's face fell.

"It's okay. It's all compiled and ready." he held up a staying hand.

She relaxed visibly, "There, you see..." she sat back, totally relaxed, "I told you, you were a good man, Red Reddington."

"Why don't you inform the guy who put my face on all the post office walls." he asked plaintively.

"Regardless," she shrugged the issue aside, "think what you like, but others see it. René... Hunter Gaines."

"I owed René, still do."

"And Hunter Gaines?" she debated. "You saw a reflection of yourself in that man, admit it. I know it, you know it."

At one point it would have bothered Red that Elizabeth could read him so well but in truth... now he rather cherished the idea.

She wasn't relying on her profiling skills and he knew it.

Her observations were borne of an emotional connection that had grown between them.

That snuggle time in bed had produced a deeper, more in-depth understanding of his psyche, apparently.

For which he was grateful.

"I wasn't in as difficult..." he checked over his shoulder before changing lanes, "or dire circumstances as Hunter." he tried to explain the unexplainable to a layman, "but I do understand his frustration with government stupidity. The inept bureaucracy is unconscionable." he confided. "Where men like Gaines are concerned."

He worried her fingers with his own, his mood transmitted through the contact.

"Hunter fought impossible odds on missions no one should have to endure." Red's eye ticked as similar missions resurfaced in his memory. "Survived torture that would break a normal man in seconds... lost time with his family. Didn't get to see his little ones grow..."

Liz pondered the quiet words, her own fingers gripping Red's hard now.

"For what?" the contempt could not be hidden, but she knew the man's anger was not directed at her.

Red needed to voice... something. She sensed this as well.

"To be told all those sacrifices meant shit in the grand scheme of things?" Red's tone was incredulous. "By someone who worked behind a desk all day? Who never saw a weapon let alone fired one... when you're looking in the face of another human being?"

Liz swallowed hard. Red had crossed some kind of line. He wasn't talking about Hunter Gaines any longer but perhaps he spoke for all those nameless men who had weathered similar situations.

Speaking for... himself.

She blinked back tears, feeling the desolate state those men... Red, must have felt.

"...It may not have mattered to that small-minded, unfeeling asshole, Red," she stressed, her fingers tightening around his, "but it matters to Hunter's wife." she lifted luminous eyes, "it matters to every decent human being alive today, it matters," she choked on the emotions, "...to me."

Red glanced at the woman, the words penetrating the fury he felt. He swallowed hard against the knot in his throat.

And... it mattered to him.

Even twenty years later... the time he had taken from his family. The precious minutes he had missed with his daughter...

It meant... everything.

Did he need to believe it had not been in vain?

"We struggle with the words to tell you guys," she had on numerous occasions, "we can't find the right thing to say to express how deep our gratitude runs. All those things you did... the time you offered. You missed out on your lives so we..."

She shook her head, "So we could be with the ones we loved, could be safe. Untouched by the horrors you saw, you experienced day after day. Long, horrible days..."

Red looked stoically ahead, his features grim, the words touching his heart and mind.

"And what do you come home to?" she shook her head at the realization. "Do we take care of you like you did us? Do we give every last thing to see you are repaid for something that is priceless?"

Red glanced away, sensing the depth of emotions she tried to express, hurting for her.

"No... we turn a blind eye and trust a system that is beyond flawed. Do we hold those in charge accountable for how they treated you?"

The silence was beyond strained as Red sought vainly for away to alleviate her suffering.

"I wouldn't be surprised if God has set a day aside for our reckoning." Liz was positive. "He will judge our callousness... our insensitivity... our indifference."

She looked at the man, "But you won't be among us... you know why?"

Red's face was expressionless.

"Because you," her voice gained strength, "you... do something."

"Elizabeth..." he ventured, words failing him. He gripped the steering wheel in a clenched manner.

"You make a difference, Red."

The silence returned. Red cursed his inability to respond.

A soft horn honked alerting the man the light had changed. Red blinked, breaking his focus or lack thereof.

He moved along, his mind stagnant.

He pulled into the entrance of the hotel, his mind on auto-pilot.

Turning the car over to a valet, he guided Elizabeth through the ornate lobby, his hand gentle on the curve of her back, his thumb absently rubbing a soothing motion.

They slipped into the elevator which was thankfully, unoccupied.

"...Elizabeth–"

"I'm not done." her warm, slim fingers fell over the curvature of his mouth, her eyes holding his hypnotically, "I want to say the words to you."

She needed him to know.

"I also know what you give up for me." her love washed over the man like a silken balm. "The sacrifices you make on a daily basis–"

He shook his head in swift denial.

"You're always on alert, never able to let your guard down," she didn't know where to begin, "always thinking two steps beyond the rest of us, never allowing your mind to rest."

"It's not like tha–"

"You lose sleep," she refused to allow his modesty to stop her, "you shoulder the burden, you protect me often... from my own folly, I realize." she smiled swiftly. "I am free because of what you give of yourself... for me."

The elevator bobbed slowly to a halt. They had reached the top of the hotel. The doors quietly slid apart with a gentle swoosh.

They trekked the corridor, Red swiping his key card, words thick in his throat.

Elizabeth clutched the man to her once they were inside the closed door. She held tightly to his stability.

"This..." she whispered huskily hoping he would get her meaning, her breath warm on his neckline, "this... when your arms are around me, when I can feel you close, where there is only you... and me."

She lifted expressive eyes, "This is my... everything."

She hugged him, closing those eyes to the reality that was Red Reddington, "I just needed you to know."

Red's face grimaced, his arms tightening almost painfully. He could not end the moment. He had no wish to do so.

Liz understood the vulnerability he was sharing, albeit, wordlessly.

He buried his face in the lusciousness of her hair, holding on with his whole soul.

One part of the man was afraid of such weakness. What he felt was so powerful an emotion, he instinctively guarded himself, building walls.

Elizabeth was slowly dissolving the very building blocks he had so meticulously cemented together.

Another part reveled in the need to give in...

She must have sensed as much for those eyes sought him out looking into him with a clarity which awed.

"Let me be to you," she whispered, stressing the sentiment, "what you are... to me."

Elizabeth wondered why he should trust to that extent, however.

Their relationship over the past year had been rocky to say the least.

Her inconsistencies astounded even the woman.

She couldn't blame the man for being wary of sharing himself fully with her.

To trust his deepest thought to her.

Wondering when she would turn on him, as she had in the past... bolt to the nearest convenient scapegoat available.

She could only have faith that this obstacle could be overcome just as they had others in their relationship.

"You already are..." his eyes softened

She searched his face religiously for something which she had yet to find.

"Waking up in the night," he began slowly, "finding you beside me..." the word search was a difficult one for the man. "Looking up to see you smiling at me across a table..."

He grew restless. It wasn't coming out correctly, he sensed.

He brooded, tracing her pouty mouth with a dark scowl, "Being able to touch you, being allowed the freedom... anytime I please."

Her eyes crinkled with gentle amusement.

"Hearing that infectious giggle." he smiled too for a beat but then the scowl returned.

The man lifted a heady stare, "Seeing that certain look you give when I've done something just right.."

She blushed but couldn't have said why.

Red stroked a gentle finger over those precious cheeks.

Liz dropped her gaze to his mouth to see the wondrous words form.

"There is nothing I wouldn't do," his tone was hoarse, rough, "to keep you by my side, Elizabeth. Nothing."

Liz wondered at the words and their meaning when stated by such a man... such a glorious man.

"Nothing is more important to me." he leaned brushing that beautiful mouth with a possessive caress. "I love you more than anything in this entire world. Never... ever doubt that fact."

She snuggled close, lost in the moment and the strength of his arms, "You make me fall in love with you more and more each day... you know that, don't you?"

The man hadn't known, no. It still shocked him to the core that this woman seemed to accept him to the extent she did.

"...The sex ain't bad either." Liz wanted to lighten the man's mood for her own had soared. "Don't you think?"

"I'm fucking addicted to it." he admitted freely, his tone holding a certain reverence she cherished.

"Yeah?" she pushed slightly away. "...Are you trying to tell me something or is that just your phone vibrating down there?"

He chuckled, the moment broken, "I don't vibrate, more's the pity." he confessed, checking the screen absently. "But you have a few toys that make up for my inabilities, don't you? Want to try a few out later on?"

"You'll make me blush." she feigned shock. "How do you know what toys I–"

"Bottom drawer, night stand." he cocked his head. "I certainly hope you grabbed a few for the trip?"

"Haven't needed any to date." she mused. "But I'm open to suggestions."

"When I return," he held up the phone, "we'll continue this little discussion, shall we... in minute detail."

"I've always been a stickler for... details." she confessed, her heart racing thunderously.

She wondered if she was affecting him as much as he was her.

"Fucking phone." he grumbled dejectedly, taking a more than reluctant leave.

She watched him go, elation singing through her body, "You just better not be too long... I might start without you."

"You do," he hesitated, hand on the opened door, "and I'll blister that sweet little ass with my opened palm."

"Ohh." she sighed happily, sending a kiss his way. "Is that a promise?" she perked up.

He scowled darkly but... took his leave.

Liz giggled, rushing off to ready herself for what surely would be a most interesting end to the evening indeed.

---

Liz tossed the towel to the basin, peering into the vanity mirror.

She tousled her wet hair with her fingers glancing her image over.

She was smiling. She chuckled. She had hummed a song the entire time while showering.

Her mood was high, and she felt fantastic.

Her skin seemed to glow.

A scowl appeared on the pretty brow.

Must be that new moisturizer.

The thought made her titter again.

Who was she kidding? It was Red Reddington that caused this mood that made her feel beautiful... inside and out.

She glanced at her watch which lay discarded on the basin beside her make-up kit.

The scowl returned post-haste. She noticed today's date.

That could not be...

A man would not remember such an insignificant date.

One month...

She asked earlier if this night was a celebration of something important.

Such a small milestone but suddenly to her... it meant so much.

They had weathered so much in this short, eventful month.

They had grown so close. Which was evident after their discussion a short time ago.

Suddenly the short time span the man had been gone felt like ages!

"Oh..." she winced visibly.

Red had treated her to a wonderful evening full of romance and wine and music.

She felt horrible, "Dammit!"

She had nothing to give back, not even a damned card!

She was a terrible person!

"Shit!" she hissed. "Shit, shit!"

She sought vainly about, her frustration mounting.

She rushed for the closet, hastily rummaging through her luggage.

Something sexy and slinky and...

"Damn!" she cursed her luck. "Damn, damn!"

Nothing would work. Nothing was special enough.

Just when she was about to give up hope, her eyes fell on an object.

Possibilities began to form in her fevered mind.

"...It could work." she was fairly certain. "I could pull it off..."

Could she though? Could she really?

She flushed, the thought making her giggle nervously.

Quickly gathering what she needed, the woman rushed back to the sink. The image looking back was a woman she barely knew.

It was exciting and nerve-wracking, yet incredibly exhilarating.

"Well, it isn't a new tie but," she bit her lip anxiously, "maybe, just maybe... it might work."

---

Author Note:

Wanted to thank my mom for her input and assistance with the dialogue/reactions with Red/René.

And before you think of skinning me alive for the Sherman Tank remark Red made... that was a shout out to my Uncle when he said my mom looked like a bowling ball when she was pregnant.

A remark my Aunt overheard.

Guess who slept on the couch later that night. :D