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)

121. Smokescreen

The Crescent Trail killer.

The very sound of the appellative raised visions of unspeakable horror.

Why were these cretins given such a dubious honor?

To assign an honorific to the perpetrator who lured his victims to lonely, isolated places where they spent their last moments experiencing terrorizing... horrific episodes; glorified their actions to Elizabeth Keen's way of thinking.

Call a spade a spade, Red would say, she ruminated.

The cowardly, despicable bastard that attacked unsuspecting prey did not deserve any recognition in her humble opinion.

Elizabeth sighed heavily pushing the spread out papers aside.

No need to dwell on the macabre.

She scanned the classroom from her perspective.

Odd, she had not once sat behind that podium down there.

Silas stood beside her, his profile turned to the sunlit field stretched forever before the row of windows from which he peered.

"So your illustrious peers are finally all in agreement, I take it."

The observation stumped Liz, "I've never known them to be. What are you–"

"Over your assessment of the sicko's profile." Silas looked down at her from his lofty height, his expression a wry one.

"Oh, that." she clicked finally. "One asshole raised a stink when our internet search yielded no possible matching suspects..." the fact troubled her, "but all agreed we're working on assumptions here and it's still early on, after all."

"But you're bothered by it as well."

Liz chewed on her lip, "We all need to take a break. Look at it with fresh eyes." she looked down at the students. "Stop allowing it so close... don't make it personal."

Silas' lips twitched for such insight, "You wouldn't have realized that even a month back, would you."

"I would have." she argued once again, checking her fellow workers absently. "What do you know?"

"More than you ever will." Silas' expression was woefully contrite.

She giggled infectiously for the slight. "You are so full of yourself."

Liz's phone interrupted the melee which could have arisen.

Silas handed over a fresh cup of coffee which she latched onto gratefully acknowledging his timely assistance with a soft smile.

"Francis, where have you been?" she teased, very well knowing where he'd been. "You don't write, you don't call..."

Silas' expression fell into a resigned boredom at the mention of her caller's identification.

He rolled his eyes expressively.

"Lunch?" Liz checked with her guard, pleased to find the man giving a sedate smile of acquiescence. "Oh, yeah... sure, that would be great."

Liz's day brightened by the prospect.

The carefree conversation which ensued over the next hour was just what she needed. Liz felt the tension in her body loosen with each passing second spent over the invigorating lunch.

During the course of the downtime, Francis updated her on all the newest gossip... and his ongoing love affair with Lia.

Liz shook her head pseudo-sternly as the man expounded on his self described tryst; four glorious days so hedonistic in nature, Caligula himself would have blushed.

She had to admit; it surprised her Francis and Lia were still an item. Francis was such a carefree spirit, she would have figured he would have moved on by now, wooing the next woman that caught his fancy.

Instead, he appeared very smitten when speaking of the young woman in question, regardless of his previous devil-may-care attitude.

Francis was the complete opposite of what she expected on most occasions.

All Liz knew with absolute certainty, was Francis didn't look as drawn or tired as he did a few days ago. He appeared relaxed and stress free as a matter of fact.

Though, no matter how trying his day had been... so did Red after a lovemaking session. Did it affect him that way as well? Could people see the difference?

"So you got rid of your dating profiles?" Liz questioned the man.

"No." Francis muttered around his cheese stick.

Liz frowned, her eyes shifting towards her guard.

"And you're surprised," Silas shot the woman a 'give me a break' look, "...why?"

"I would expect he'd hide them, if nothing else." she scolded, smacking Francis' hand when the man tried to steal her potato wedge.

"I haven't used them." Francis defended himself. "I only get on out of morbid curiosity." he snaked his hand around hers, adroitly nabbing a wedge. "Makes me remember why I appreciate Lia so much."

Liz shrugged after a moment, understanding his reasoning.

"And you haven't set up any dates..." she narrowed suspicious eyes.

"Contrary to what Mark and Ben have suggested," Francis sipped his tea, "I am a one woman type of guy."

Liz's esteem of Francis rose considerably.

"Dating more than one woman can get you killed," Francis nodded knowingly, "after all."

Liz's shoulders slumped dejectedly, a smile playing at her lips. She should have known there was a more logical reason for mans' fidelity.

"And I'm sure for you," Silas eyed the man knowingly, "it's a chore keeping track of more than one woman's needs."

Francis laughed happily, crossing his arms over his broad chest, "I believe you're mistaking me for Ben."

Liz's brows lifted expectantly, her interest piqued.

"In Ben's defense," Francis began the story, "his fiancée had just bolted without warning so he was a little," he searched for the proper word, "...reckless."

Liz's brows showed her surprise. She had been unaware Ben had been engaged.

"That moron got involved with two ladies," Francis continued, "and thought it wouldn't be a problem since the entire country separated them."

Silas snorted around the bite of steak he popped in his mouth. "On opposite coasts."

"I warned him it would bite him in the ass one day." Francis sighed. "Anyway, he got about seven months in?" he looked to Silas to confirm and received a nod in reply.

"He bounced the coasts, no problem." he said. "Was living every man's supposed fantasy with the constant variety and all."

"But..." Liz heard the proverbial adjective rear its ugly head.

"He got jet lag and fucked up." Silas cut to the chase.

Francis sniggered. "He'd been in Japan for a week, having had very sporadic contact with his lady friends."

Resting her chin in her palm, Liz waited, listening for more.

"He was making his connection for New York when out of the blue, his side-piece in California rang him up." Francis' mind went blank. "She was... eh..."

Rubbing his eyes wearily, Silas recalled the incident. "She was graduating from medical school." he supplied readily. "You better try some of that memory shit that's floating around."

"I have enough trouble remembering my conquests," Francis bragged, ignoring Lizzy's snort, "I'm supposed to remember Ben's too? Though, there haven't been nearly as many as I've–"

"What happened..." Liz interjected, refocusing Francis.

"Yeah, so anyway," Francis nodded, "Ben's on the way to their flat and to win points, he stops and buy roses and chocolate."

Ben's thoughtfulness impressed Liz. Men his age didn't normally possess such forethought.

"That was sweet." her features softened.

"Maybe for someone who didn't prefer lilies and wasn't allergic to chocolate." Francis laughed.

Liz gasped, her hand flying to her slightly gaping mouth.

"Idiot." Silas murmured his agreement.

"It's okay," Francis animatedly waved all concern aside. "He apologizes, there by saving his ass," he said, "and says he's out of sorts from the flight."

"And she bought it?" Liz voiced her disbelief.

"Yep..." Francis shook his head woefully.

"So what happened then?" Liz nudged the man to continue.

"His girl in New York," Francis reminded, "the one he neglected to touch base with... her brother was also graduating..."

"From the very same class." Silas sat back, a smug satisfaction on the handsome face.

Liz slapped her hands over her face, groaning.

Francis laughed, continuing undauntedly, "Long story short..."

"Too late." Silas stated sardonically.

"Miss New York sees Ben with Miss California..."

"Puts two and two together..." Silas spread his hands expressively.

"And they beat the hell out of him." Francis cackled his glee. "Took three security guards to pull them off."

Silas chuckled a dark laugh, "They did a number on the two-timing snake."

"But you helped him out somehow?" Liz questioned.

"No." Francis tittered, pulling his phone free. He flipped through it quickly before finding the proof needed.

Liz's eyes widened as she looked the photos over. Ben's eyes were black, his lips swollen, there were claw marks down his face. Who knew what the rest of his body looked like.

"Looks like you aren't the only feral cat around." Silas smirked.

"Red and I came to his rescue, when he called for a ride." Francis said.

"I hope you both gave him a talking to!" Liz bristled for her species sake.

"No... Red gave Ben an exasperated look and tossed him an ice pack." Francis had appreciated the gesture at the time.

"That's all?" Liz was a little deflated.

Francis recalled Ben's shit-eating grin as he placed the ice to his battered face. Francis thought hard back to the night in question.

"Red said; you deserved that." Francis could imitate Red almost perfectly which always caused Liz to giggle.

"Red knew?" Liz tried not to be shocked.

"Red warned him for months... just like me." Francis threw his hands to the side. "Said his deception would come to light some day."

"And it finally did." Silas smirked.

Liz glanced down at the picture once more, her eyes taking in Ben's smirking face.

"It sure did." she said, lifting the phone as proof. "Though, he didn't appear to regret his actions, by the smug smile on his face."

"Oh, that," Francis leaned, putting the phone away, "that doesn't mean anything. He's just like me," he said, "enjoys a partner with spirit."

Liz sighed woefully.

"Anyway, why were you asking about my dating profile again?" Francis asked.

Liz grimaced inwardly, realizing what she had done. She needed to a mental make note to keep her home and work lives separate. The next slip up, might not be so readily explained away.

"No reason, really." she shrugged carelessly. "I just got a hit on mine yesterday and–"

"What the hell do you have a dating profile for?" Francis scowled.

Liz struck out, hitting his arm, "Not what you think, you dolt!" she pinched her lips. "I had it before I met Red."

"And you haven't got rid of it because..." Francis narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

Liz smiled gently, oddly appreciating Francis' loyalty to Red.

"In all honesty, I forgot about it." she told the truth.

It was until just now, she remembered, she never got around to deleting hers. She would have to remedy that fact tonight when she got home.

"Red was so..." she flushed recalling how intense Red was in those earlier days, and even now.

Their romance to date had been so erotic and consuming... that she even remembered what day it was, was a feat in itself. "I was... distracted, okay."

Francis nudged Silas knowingly.

Silas lifted amused eyes, oddly staying silent on the subject. He knew full well just how distracted Red kept Elizabeth.

"Our boy keeping you busy, is he?" the young man gave Red props for his stamina.

Sighing heavily, Liz changed the subject to one Francis would grasp hold of quickly enough.

"What's your screen name?" she questioned. "Stud Muffin? Gas Giant?" she quirked a brow.

Francis snorted, "I must remember that. That's a good one."

"And so apropos." Silas lifted knowledgeable brows.

"It's a truthful one." Liz scrunched her nose distastefully. The man could peel the paint from walls. "Oh," a thought occurred, "I know what your screen name must be... Hopelessly Demented?"

"Hopelessly Romantic, more like it." Francis differed, drawing a soft disgusted sound from Liz. "I don't know, it depends on which site you're talking about." he shrugged.

Liz stopped cutting her chicken, her head snapping upright.

"What?" Francis mumbled around another of her potato wedges.

"You have different profiles." she said, the light dawning. "Of course you do."

"Yeah... why?" Francis drawled. "Did I hit on you or something–" he broke off when he realized Lizzy wasn't paying attention to him anymore, but staring off into the ether. "Hey, why didn't you reply, if I did?" a thought occurred to him. "I'm a catch, right?"

Silas played a hunch, "Let me ask you something, Slut Muffin–"

"Stud Muffin." Francis corrected. "But yeah, the other works."

"Do you use the same tag lines for your multitude of sites?" Silas finished his thought.

"What do you mean?" Francis halted his food halfway to his mouth.

Silas lifted a discerning brow.

"Oh, come on!" realization dawned. "It's hard enough thinking up something to say, let alone something different for each of those profiles." the very concept disenchanted Francis.

"I usually just copy and paste and tweak it, depending on how crude I can get." the man perked up. "I have a catch phrase, works every time, if I say so mysel–"

"Catch phrase?" Liz's interest caught and held.

It made sense. The Crescent Trail Killer would say something to make himself standout among men like Francis or even Red. Something that gained a woman's attention.

Most lines she had seen were crude or unoriginal. What had the killer said that made him different?

"Like a literary gem or pick-up line," Francis clarified.

"Uh huh." Silas drew in a long breath, exhaling it slowly.

"You know like," Francis provided a couple examples, "You're so hot, even my zipper is falling for you," the young man grew more excited to share his philosophies as he progressed. "Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?"" he preened motioning to his glorious self. "If I were a tractor, and you were a field, I'd definitely plow you."

Elizabeth dropped her head forward, emitting a long languishing moan. "Yeah, you had me at tractor."

"Oh, oh... yeah, and my favorite one of all," Francis animated, expectantly checking for Liz's approval, "I may not go down in history, but I'll go down on you."

Silas silently shook his head woefully at the boy.

"My God... that is a literary gem." the guard's look said he was being just a tad facetious.

Liz's brain was whirling. The thought process finally came full circle. It all made sense now. She had various names for various sites. Could this guy too?

She looked at Silas, finding the man nodding imperceptibly, following her train of thought.

"He couldn't possibly be that stupid." Silas referenced Liz's killer. "But undoubtedly is."

"Hey, it's not like I've used those particular lines myself," Francis took exception, "I was merely presenting examples."

Liz closed her eyes, shaking off the mental strain.

"If you got some hot friends you want to hook me up with," Francis changed the subject to a safer one, "you can just give them my number, you know." he frowned at a stray leaf of lettuce, removing the offending greenery from his plate. "Hey, what do you mean... stupid?"

Liz grimaced at the thought, "As if I'd subject my friends to your kind of debauchery." she hurriedly pushed her seat back.

"Believe it or not, in this very rare instance, we were not referring to you." Silas soothed ruffled feathers.

"Where are you going?" Francis frowned at Liz's hurried movements.

"I have to pee, not that it's any of your business." she scowled, grasping her phone. "I'll be right back." she eyed her guard.

Silas nodded his understanding, "Don't fall in."

"You should get that condition checked." Francis called after the woman before glancing at Silas. "That woman has a bladder the size of–"

"Your pea brain." Silas finished the thought, smacking Francis' hand away from Liz's rapidly depleted potato wedge pile.

---

The teams were well into the amended search parameters she provided when she and Silas returned from their late lunch, refreshed and in a better frame of mind.

Later in the day, Liz was both ecstatic and drained when her fellow Agents' solidified her theory.

One suspect signed off each communication with a chilling phrase, he wished... to end the evening with a moonlight stroll.

Only after Silas' quiet urging, did Liz leave for the day. She could do nothing more at this point but wait for the warrant. They could either gain access to the Unsub's credit card information or IP address via a dating site, which would hopefully lead them to the dirt bag.

Once in the car, Liz leaned back, closing her eyes as Silas drove them home.

She couldn't believe at one point, she balked at the man driving her anywhere. But now, she was grateful for the time to unwind. The silence was a blissful respite this particular day.

The last couple days, in retrospect, while emotionally draining... had been worth it.

Progress had been made on several fronts.

On one front, she gained further esteem with her colleagues. The thought bolstered her spirits.

She survived a fire. Not a small feat, if the guards' description of events held merit. It was a miracle they escaped alive.

She also made it through two arduous counseling sessions with Red. They emerged a stronger unit than they were before.

In the quiet of the car, Liz had time to reflect over some key moments.

Liz believed in the therapeutic benefits of counseling sessions.

After awakening from a horribly realistic nightmare concerning the previous day's incident, it convinced her Red was right in suggesting they call in professional assistance.

Liz met Timothy Wheeler the very next afternoon.

The guy was much younger than she expected. He looked the part of a laid-back hippie straight out of the sixties, complete with fringed leather jacket and Birkenstock sandals.

He removed John Lennon like shades to reveal sincere and perceptive brown eyes.

Timothy was a gregarious young man whose vernacular was a comical mix of surfer guy slash cosmic meanderings, who often quoted phrases from Shakespeare.

Liz silently questioned Red's choice, but his eyes asked she trust him.

She was glad she did, finding Timothy engaging and surprisingly caring and sensitive.

She felt at ease.

The first session went well enough.

Timothy asked probing questions that sparked unconscious realities that brought out emotions even Liz had not known she was harboring.

The woman refused to think about the fire, preferring to simply be grateful to have survived.

The issue with her father... was something she pushed even further into the recesses of her mind.

Logically, Liz realized she was repressing harmful emotions.

Timothy gently suggested she face these demons head-on, Liz suggested right back that she would do so in her own way and time.

She hadn't known, at the time, where the unreasonable anger had come from.

Red who had been watching silently until that point, intervened. He informed Timothy he didn't think Elizabeth was purposely avoiding the subject, but may be experiencing a mental block.

When her memory had been manipulated and events of the fire erased, they inserted a block to ensure she avoided remembering the incident, no matter the provocation.

"You were traumatized, Elizabeth." Red explained his reasons at the time. "They said, it would be better for you if..." he rubbed his eyes wearily, "I see now, they were wrong in their advice."

Liz felt a rush of anger, followed by a rush of forgiveness.

Red couldn't have known. He was only following the advice of professionals who had been entrusted with her treatment.

She and Red were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Then and now.

With more information in hand, Timothy reevaluated the problem.

The memory block, they could rectify with hypnosis.

Until that time, he could focus on a more analytical method of approach to start the process.

"How would you personally, Elizabeth," Timothy asked, "respond to a four-year-old child's traumatic episode, one similar to your own?"

The guy leaned forward, those probing, intelligent eyes full of sympathetic empathy. "What would you say to her... to ease the burden of guilt and recrimination?"

Liz was at first stumped by the question. As a mature adult, she understood such a small child could not take any responsibility for such actions.

She understood that aspect.

Then why, another question loomed large... did Elizabeth still hold herself accountable?

Why was the guilt a heavy blanket smothering her?

Timothy explained in that empathetic way he had about him that made a person want to believe every word he said...

It would take time and many more sessions for Liz to reconcile her actions, regardless of the fact she had been a guileless participant in such a horrific incident.

The second session, more 'mistakes' emerged as the session deepened.

Mistakes Elizabeth had not even been aware existed.

Timothy preferred to call them 'bad choices'.

Elizabeth's 'bad choices' were mounting like grains of sand on an anthill.

Unlike her marriage, where she was an innocent party to the charade and a mistake she could now say, was water under the proverbial bridge.

The guilt and blame Elizabeth showered upon herself for her parent's deaths, the ramifications of which placed Red in an impossible situation... these mistakes made, were a heavy burden for the woman to carry alone.

Especially when all the disturbing realties powered back unbidden and unexpectedly.

Timothy was always there; supporting her and suggesting amazing coping mechanisms.

She was grateful for the man's abilities. He was a natural healer who could explain and make one believe there was hope.

He told her, in essence, that one terrible moment where she remembered it all in the fire, was a combination of events.

Events which had weighed on her subconscious for years, suppressed by the memory manipulation and her own survival instinct.

Though, her subconscious had been actively piecing together clues since Red re-entered her life.

He was the catalyst... the focal point.

That day her ideas of a perfect marriage, a family... how she envisioned her life evolving, came to a shattering halt in that one instance.

Along with that, all the information inundated her in disjointed fragments and she instinctively knew, Red was the one who could make sense of it all... but could anyone tell her why it all took place?

To the outside world, she was carrying on well enough as Timothy pointed out.

Mentally, however, the more she couldn't make sense of anything... the more she edged closer to the breaking point.

Timothy accredited the people in her life, supporting and offering constant encouragement... with the fact she could find clarity.

And to her own strength and resilience... that she could function so well.

Liz had desperately needed to hear those words. Coming from a professional somehow made them true.

The culmination of that session ended with her and Red in an intense, gut wrenching verbal shouting match.

The remembrance of pain... and the unpleasant realities they faced, left emotions raw and tempers volatile... explosive.

There was a process Timothy explained, much as one suffers when grieving.

Out of that process Liz had learned new things about Red.

Amazing things...

A few heart breaking ones.

Liz shivered, pulling the jacket closer in the air-conditioned car.

She involuntarily recalled the episode.

The quiet atmosphere shielded her from the confrontation's repercussions and she felt comforted.

She had been near cracking with the strain, suffering with overwhelming self-recrimination and grief.

Red was right there, ready to fight against those emotions.

Both were determined to have their opinions voiced.

She had been adamant it was her fault Red's wife and daughter were taken from him, that she upended his life.

At one point when discussing the heated topic, Liz actually demanded Red should loathe her for taking that life from him.

Red pushed back hard... fighting her demons with his whole heart, attacking them at each and every confrontation, demanding she release herself from the hell in which she wallowed.

She accused him of sanctimonious self-righteousness and smug hypocrisy.

Liz could not believe the hurtful, harmful things that came out of her mouth.

Red seemed impervious, oft times standing face to face, determined to demolish the mountains of uncertainties she faced.

Liz retreated inwardly remembering how she fought back; stubbornly, almost religiously refusing to see another point of view.

Especially one as biased as she believed Red's to be.

Of course he wanted to protect her and would say anything to lessen the panic she was in.

She had pummeled his chest, cursing the man in her emotionally charged state.

But he stayed her actions, taking both her wrists in steady hands, jerking her once finally getting her attention.

She recalled Red towering over her, his face red with anger... more than determined she listen to what he had to say.

In fact, the man demanded as much.

His voice held a desperation she had never heard before; a tortured, rough growl of defiance.

A deep-seated yearning shown from those startling eyes as his voice lifted above hers, railing against her misconceptions and erroneous beliefs.

It was not her fault; he shouted ... any of it.

She had precipitated none of the events that led his life where it was today.

It was not her fault Katarina Rostova or Elizabeth's father, or even Red himself, became entangled in the mess in which they had become enmeshed.

It was their fault... their decisions... and theirs alone.

It was his own failings which led him to losing his family.

How could a four-year-old child be the catalyst to any of the events which transpired between fully cognitive adults?

He demanded she supply an answer.

Liz had none, of course.

He further stated that no matter what happened in the past; he was damn well where he fucking wanted to be at this time in his life...

And that was by her side.

Here... with her.

They had crumpled to the floor, she emotionally exhausted and in tears.

Red introverted into a stony silence.

How long had they remained on that floor, she could not have said?

Had they found resolution? No... but their lives seemed somehow less in shambles.

Thinking back now, it seemed as if a switch had been flipped somewhere in the Cosmos.

Things which had seemed surrounded by a fog-like haze suddenly became clearer.

What she felt with, and for Red Reddington, filled a gap that had been a gaping hole before.

He guided her to a healing path.

They had found a balance.

She realized she felt closer now to the man than anyone in her entire life.

He understood her like no one else ever could.

She could see that so clearly now.

The fire had been a terrible catalyst that started her on this horrific journey but... Red had been there to guide her... protect her... been a welcomed confidant at a time that was both terrifying yet cathartic.

The morning after the session, they stayed ensconced in their room, needing the time alone.

Red had made love to her but it had been different.

A scary different at first for he had approached her so straight-forwardly, passionately pushing her against a wall.

Red's face had been etched, a brooding mask of pent-up emotions, his eyes filled with an intense concupiscence she had never seen before.

He unceremoniously divested her of clothing, removing the offending objects from his intended path.

His hands lacked their usual gentleness but there was something primitively lustful about the urgency of his touch.

Liz found herself responding, her own emotions igniting incandescently.

She could not kiss him deeply enough even though she sought desperately to fulfill that aching need.

When he opened her, demanding entrance to her body, she more than complied. Her entire system was attuned to his needs but more so... with her own.

Something in that moment allowed her to fully understand the depth of Red's love for her, without doubt.

Even now, Elizabeth felt his devotion, the warmness of his gaze. The possessiveness of his touch.

Her cheeks flushed in the coolness of the car.

She checked hastily to see if Silas' all knowing gaze was resting on her as it often was, in the rear-view mirror.

But Silas was paying attention to his driving for a change.

Liz relaxed back into the seat.

An epiphany occurred.

Red was her soul mate.

My God... people found such things in life? Really?

It must be so because...

She had found him.

Or, had he found her?

Liz was so very happy he had. She felt... incandescent.

She could not keep the smile from her face. Liz averted her profile, hoping Silas did not pick up on the moment.

She felt a little embarrassed unable to contain her joy.

Well, why should she? How often was a human allowed such things?

Why shouldn't she be–

"Are you going to stay out here all night or..." her guard repeated, this time snapping his fingers in front of her face for added emphasis.

"Huh?" Liz blinked, finally focusing on her surroundings. So caught up in her private thoughts had she been, she hadn't even realized they arrived home. She hadn't even heard Silas open her door.

"Sorry." she gathered her belongings, sliding from the backseat. "I zoned out, I guess."

She walked through the garage door, stopping to look back at the guard. "I've never said..." she glanced up at the man, "thank you... for driving me around."

"I've seen you drive." Silas closed the door behind them. "It's safer if I do it."

He sniffed the air, ignoring Liz's huff of indignation for bypassing her graciousness, "Ahh, Nora has whipped up one of her amazing concoctions."

Red emerged from the back just in time to see Liz make a kicking swipe for her guard's feet. He chuckled as the guard side stepped the maneuver easily.

"Almost..." Silas gave props for the attempt. "We'll work on that tomorrow."

"You have to get him when he's not expecting it." Red watched the retreating figure disappear down the hallway, Silas' easy swagger suggestive of yet another round won.

Quickly relieving herself of her arm load, Liz rushed for Red, throwing her arms about his neckline.

Red braced himself and the whirlwind in his arms, stunned by the move. The woman caught his mouth in a deeply affectionate caress.

He smiled against that full mouth when Lizzy's little tongue flicked eagerly against his lip, demanding entrance... which he gladly allowed.

She lifted to her toes, increasing the ardent kiss which melted into a sensual caress that caused the man's penis to twitch.

"I love you." she sighed happily, snuggling into his embrace.

He chuckled warmly as the woman burrowed in closer, his arms holding her body firmly to his.

"Someone had a good day." he murmured affectionately. "Get a handle on your guy, did you?"

He knew something had been bugging her about the latest profile they were working on. Apparently, she had hit on something important.

Liz lifted sparkling eyes, an impish smile on her lips, "In a manner of speaking."

She tightened her hold on Red, kissing him soundly once more, before allowing him a full breath.

His eyes mellowed, hearing the underlying message perfectly. "You've had me in your grasp for a while now." he freely admitted. "Now tell me, what has you in such a good mood."

He guided her to their room, listening as Lizzy told him of her day and the 'why' she was feeling in such a good mood.

Even when she was interrupted with a call the warrant was delayed, did little to dampen the high she was on.

Red smiled when Lizzy turned off the phone and tossed it aside before straddling his lap. He lifted his legs to the ottoman, settling more comfortably into the couch cushions as she wriggled closer.

"I'm proud of you, Lizzy." he lifted his hand, cupping her small face.

She leaned into his touch, nuzzling into his affection.

Lizzy, he knew, was a snuggler. She was quick to cuddle whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Though today, she seemed more in need of his attention.

"Is something wrong?" he asked quietly as she lay against him, settling her nose into the crook of his neckline.

"No..." she sighed dreamily. "Not one thing in the entire world."

Red believed her, letting her cuddle to her heart's content. She didn't have to have a bad day to need a show of love from him.

A good day... a good feeling could evoke the need for tactile response as well he supposed. A lesson most men often forgot, he realized.

He had to admit, if only to himself, he was relieved she seemed so happy.

It had been a trying couple days, so he more than welcomed this quiet, loving respite.

"Did I say, 'I love you' back?" he murmured, realizing he neglected to return the sentiment earlier. "Because," he kissed the tip of her nose, "...I do."

He leisurely rubbed her hips and back, enjoying the sensation of Lizzy melting further into his embrace.

"You better." she drew in a blissful breath, releasing it languidly.

Tightening his hold on the woman, Red shifted, laying back into the couch resting his head on a throw pillow. Lizzy situated herself, laying comfortably against him.

After a couple moments of quiet solitude, Lizzy let him know what had been on her mind.

He knew something had been ticking away in her head. It was best to wait until she gathered her thoughts. She would express them in words.

Words which often amused and surprised

He listened to her thoughts, ever so glad he allowed her the time needed.

She lifted her head from its resting place on his chest, her eyes aligning with his.

"So you see," she blinked a languid gaze, "you're my soul mate."

He saw himself as that, and so much more. She would realize that too, soon enough.

"I am, huh?" he continued rubbing his fingers against her scalp, smiling adoringly as her eyes grew heavier. "You came to this conclusion because I yelled at you or... pushed you against a wall and–"

"It's all symbolic, don't you see." she interrupted the crude rejoinder she sensed he was about to share. "It's all part of a whole."

"You're emulating Timothy, aren't you." he surmised.

"Uh hmm," she sighed her contentment, laying back against him. "Do you think I'm your–"

"Soul mate?" he pseudo-scowled. "That would be Dembe but unfortunately, he is of the wrong sex."

Liz hit his shoulder playfully, pulling a face.

"...So I had to come search you out." Red finished, his eyes deepening.

Red's eyes softened when the woman, gaining reassurance her feelings were returned, grew heavier against him, her breath evening out in sleep after a long moment of content silence.

While he would normally suggest Lizzy climb in bed for a much-needed nap, he sensed it was his proximity that Lizzy needed right at this moment.

The last couple days had been difficult for Lizzy. The fire, the memory of her father's death returning...

It was a lot to assimilate.

Any death was a trauma one hoped to avoid at all costs. A family member was even more horrific... and a parent?

Red so hoped to spare Lizzy that pain.

He realized however, during their discussion with Timothy, the guilt he carried had lessened somewhat.

It had always bothered him, not telling Lizzy everything straight from the beginning. But the thought of hurting her, traumatizing her even... had been too painful an idea. One he couldn't face for a very long time.

He even wondered at one point, if it was his reluctance to tell her everything, had been the real issue.

To see the pain in someone's eyes, knowing you were helpless to stop it... knowing you were partly the cause...

Red was there to help support Lizzy and his gut instinct, to not overwhelm her with everything at once... had been the correct one.

Even Timothy had said as much.

It was one thing for Liz to comprehend all that happened. It would take time for all this pain to lessen and for them to come to terms with all the realities presented.

Elizabeth was very intelligent, however.

Timothy was assisting her with ways and means to cope, another aspect Red was having trouble allowing.

Tim pushed at her high expectations of herself so dramatically, Red held himself in check to stop from decking the guy.

Even though, logically, he realized in the long run, Lizzy would benefit from the action. It was hard to watch someone... anyone, even a trusted ally, hurt the woman he loved.

But the man's methods paid off so many times, Red could hold his tongue.

Out of anguish came growth and release. Healing was allowed once the guilt and recriminations subsided.

Which had been Tim's point.

The following session had been no easier, but out of it... came a deeper connection between him and Lizzy.

When they made love the next morning, he felt the shift. Just as Lizzy had.

She had slowly been opening herself to letting him in, but that morning... something clicked inside his mind and heart. Something that left her crying in his arms as she gave herself over to the sweet release of climax.

It was different. There was a distinct shift in the emotional plane between them. He felt it but couldn't analyze its origins, so involved in its throes was he.

Now... he understood it for what it was.

Red thought he knew what contentment felt like when Lizzy finally allowed him to be her lover and confidant.

He had been wrong on that count.

That feeling put him on top of the world granted, but what had occurred that morning... he could only liken it to one other time in his life.

The first time he held his daughter, an emotion had overtaken him. He felt like screaming his joy from the rooftops... or sitting down and dissolving in a fit of jubilant tears.

Neither of which had happened but...it was inside him as he held that tiny finger in his hand.

Something similar rushed through him when Lizzy expressed her belief they were soul mates.

Those words coming from Lizzy, were as close as she could convey to him that what they had together... was a lifetime commitment.

He knew as well... it was a commitment, he would do anything to ensure stayed intact.

---

A short time later, Red awoke to Dembe's gentle coaxing. Both he and Lizzy struggled to a more alert state.

Red was surprised he slept, but it was generally acknowledged the nap had done them some good.

Both felt rested and refreshed, ready to handle the rest of whatever the evening held.

Red had been unexpectedly calm when dealing with shipping issues out of Japan.

And Lizzy, was singularly resigned when she learned the judge wanted to see all the evidence they collected before signing off on the warrant needed to apprehend their Unsub.

She even giggled when Red said it was due to it being an election year which explained why the judge was being so cautious. Still, legal steps, oft times grated against the woman's common sense and more so, her common decency where the victims' were concerned, Red realized.

After dinner, Red went back to the phones, business as usual.

Liz set about deleting her dating profiles... finally.

She couldn't believe she didn't do this weeks ago after she showed them to Red.

Out of habit, when seeing her mailbox flashing, she opened the tab... groaning her despair which deepened with each passage read of the incoming messages.

Crude innuendo and mind numbing prose filled line after line. Was this all that was out there these days or did the internet just attract the worst of human males?

As if she didn't appreciate Red anyway, as her eyes flicked over each message... her admiration of the man raised exponentially.

She deleted as quickly as humanly possible, a grim smile of satisfaction on her pretty face.

The newest message, dated one day ago, popped up on her screen.

Jabbing the delete option, something made her hesitate. Sliding the cursor carefully off the button, she re-scanned the message, her eyes widening as she progressed, her mind clicking to full alert.

Quickly grabbing the laptop in hand, Liz rushed from the room, searching Red out.

She rounded the corner, hesitating in her tracks when she found the guys at the dinner table... hundreds of weapons scattered across the expansive top.

The smell of gun oil and metal hung oppressively in the air as did the rich scent of fresh coffee.

Nora swept into view, coffee urn in hand, pouring the dark liquid into empty cups mindless of the dismantled weaponry laying about.

Nora smiled brightly, "I was just going to make snacks," the woman said as if she were giving milk and cookies to a Boy Scout troop, "would you like some?"

Liz blinked her focus, realizing... she was a little hungry. How long had she been sitting at that keyboard? "Oh, um... sure. Thank you."

Nora nodded happily, disappearing back into the kitchen.

"Help Nora." Silas grunted, gesturing to two men across from him. The men smirked, gamely pushing back from the table lumbering off to accomplish the task.

Liz pulled her eyes away from the extensive armory, remembering why she was here.

"Red," she rushed for the man, her head cocking as she neared, something having caught her eyes "... is that my gun?"

She pointed to the piece held in his large palm. He lifted the meticulously cleaned barrel, peering through it as he held it up to the light.

"...Yes," he lowered it, sending the pipe cleaner through once more, "when's the last time you cleaned this thing?" he scolded.

"Right before I came to stay with you, I guess?" she held her laptop aloft aimlessly. "Why are you cleaning my weapon?" Liz frowned superficially. She didn't mind that Red was, but curiosity ran rampant.

"Because, there was a Tic-Tac stuck in the barrel." Red muttered, his attention on the now clean cloth emerging from the cleared pipe. "And because I love you."

A pleased smile curved her mouth, inching closer to the man. "You do, huh?"

Red slid his chair back, pulling her into his lap.

"I do." he nodded, reaching about her small frame as he began reassembling the pieces.

She tenderly stroked his bandaged arm. She had replaced the gauze after their nap.

"Consider it payback for all those times you've cleaned my weapon." he murmured lecherously, eliciting an amused chuckle from the woman.

"There are children present." Silas groused over the sound of the slide of the shotgun in his hand. "Most of which thankfully, did not catch that reference."

"Immature delinquents, you mean to say." Liz corrected, her adoring eyes scanning the burly men at the table.

"It's all in how one perceives it." Silas countered, before continuing with his busy work.

Liz gaped as Nora returned with a stack of plates, followed by the two guards who balanced a couple enormous platters full of sliders, chicken wings and onion rings.

Silas looked up approvingly, "The American way."

Nora sat a special plate before Liz, patting her cheek lovingly. "Eat up."

Liz obediently lifted the Panini, her mouth suddenly watering. She bit into the delicious treat, humming her delight.

"Now, why did you come in here like hell on wheels?" Red sat her gun down, situating her more comfortably on his lap.

"Oh!" she licked her fingers clean, pulling her laptop closer. "You're not gonna believe me but..." she pulled the page up on the screen, "I think the guy I've been profiling, you know, the–"

"Crescent Trail Killer." Red said, alerting her he had been paying attention.

"Yeah, him," she nodded quickly, "I think he contacted me on my dating site. See..." she jabbed the screen with her finger.

"Now, why wouldn't we believe you?" Silas grumbled. "You fit the profile. Brunette, thirty-something, successful FBI agent... that has a penchant for attracting psycho's." he shifted his eyes towards Red. "No offense."

"None taken." Red sighed heavily before returning his attention to Lizzy. "Why do you think it's him?"

"Because he signed off with–"

Red leaned closer scanning the line she indicated. He read it aloud, "And we will end the evening with a moonlight stroll."

Liz grinned her excitement.

Red frowned his confusion.

Silas dropped the barrel in his hand, slapping his palms heavily on the table, his head falling back dejectedly.

"What the hell is with you?" Silas groaned his exasperation. "What is about you that attracts every loon in a hundred-mile radius?" his eyes once again shifted towards Red. "No offense."

Liz's mouth fell into an attractive pout. "I don't attract every lo–"

"Would someone like to clue me in, please." Red interrupted.

Liz explained the newest development to him, adrenaline singing in her veins.

"Baby," Red cricked his neck, "please tell me you didn't reply to him."

"Well, no." she turned in Red's lap, her eyes fixing on his. "...Not yet, anyway."

Red closed his eyes wearily, "...Lizzy."

"I wanted to ask what you think I should say." she batted her large eyes to entice the man to see things her way. "I need to keep him interested, right?"

"He's already interested." Silas snipped. "Because... you're a magnet for lunatics."

Red narrowed his eyes at the guard, daring him to finish his thought out loud.

Silas's jaw pulsed with the urge to grin his rising malice, but he held his composure... and tongue.

She looked at Red hopefully. "All I need to do is buy time until the team can get a trace on him."

Red scratched his head irritably, sharing a perturbed look with her guard.

"What was the gist of this maniac's rant?" Red resigned himself to assisting Lizzy, knowing she would go about the task herself otherwise.

Kissing his mouth happily, Liz dragged the laptop closer letting Red get a look at it.

The guy was charming, but then all serial killers were to some extent. That's how they lured their victims in.

It chilled him to think, Lizzy might have...

Red shook the thought away, suddenly as determined to nail this asshole as much as Lizzy.

"Tell him you would love to meet after... you return from your business trip." Red advised.

Liz frowned her confusion before clarity set in, "Oh, right!"

She would have to keep the man occupied with conversation while the team set up.

Red looked down as the woman turned in his lap, straddling his thighs. Her bottom rolled upward, her mound fitting snug against the zipper of his trousers.

Lizzy wriggled excitedly, quickly typing what he suggested. He caught her hips in a tight grasp, stilling the arousing movement.

She glanced over her shoulder, a frown creasing her brow before her pretty mouth tilted at the corners.

"...Sorry." she smiled impishly.

"You don't seem particularly sorry." Red held his own smile.

She hit enter, sitting back into Red's chest. "You think he'll reply?" she asked quietly after a moment.

Silas turned his head about, his eyes hardening. "Are there fires burning in hell?"

"I don't know, why don't you tell me," Liz smiled all too pleasantly at her guard, "you've most likely been there."

Silas half shrugged, sending the pipe cleaner through the barrel in his hand.

Red scowled, for he heard the ever present doubt as well. "Have we not been through this? Have I not said what a desirable woman you are... a couple hundred times?"

Liz tensed in Red's hold, "Well, yeah but... look at my competition," she turned the screen as proof, "...she is exquisite." she gestured towards a stacked brunette.

Silas crossed his arms over his chest, boring his eyes into the woman.

"Not that I'm not acceptable on the whole, I don't mean that." Liz amended quickly, "I just mean...she's..." she held her hands out from her breasts, indicating the woman was more than well-endowed, "very... healthy."

"He's not looking for a flotation device," Silas scowled, "he's looking for you."

Liz tilted her head quizzically. The woman was a thirty-something pretty, brunette. Why didn't she fit the profile?

"Miss Silicone doesn't fit the profile," Silas clarified, his eyes dropping meaningfully to her chest, "you on the other hand, do."

Liz narrowed her eyes, unsure if she should feel insulted or what?

"I think Silas means to say," Red interjected, snuggling the woman close, "your killer is looking for a natural beauty. A woman that fits his idea of perfection." he explained.

"And one who doesn't work as a candy-gram stripper." Silas shoved the laptop back her way, his point made. "You are the epitome of what he desires, Agent Keen."

Red held his smile when the woman brightened at the compliment, only to scowl in the next moment when she realized... she was a perfect target for a serial killer.

"You shouldn't categorize women like that." she frowned at her guard. "It's wrong."

"Uh, Lizzy..." Red tapped the screen, gesturing to the woman's occupation, "she is a candy-gram stripper."

"...Oh..." Liz's brow crinkled. "Well... that's a legitimate profession."

Silas smiled insincerely going back to his weapon, inspecting the piece critically.

Liz startled in Red's lap when an alert sounded through her speakers.

"Oh!" she sat up hastily, searching aimlessly for a phone, adrenaline surging through her veins.

Red reached around the woman, sliding his cell into view. He stilled her hand from its intent to touch the keyboard.

"Call your team first." he advised.

She pointed listlessly at the screen, "We don't want to lose him."

"He's not going anywhere." Red assured before resting his own fingers on the keys. He typed a leisurely reply.

She hesitated, uncertain what to do, torn between the phone and Red chatting up her suspected killer.

"Call Aram, Lizzy." Red urged.

She shrugged mentally after a moment. Red knew what he was doing. He dealt with criminals all the time; he knew what to say. What to do... what not to do.

Liz dialed rapidly, tapping her fingers on the tabletop anxiously, "Aram!" she breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the man's greeting. "I need you to do a trace, fast!"

Over the next few minutes, Liz divided her attention between Aram and watching Red wax poetic about her... qualities. She had to look away several times to break the spell he wove.

He was making her seem so... wonderful. He even went so far as to word the modest praise as if the person responding to the probing inquiries was hesitant to state the replies.

It gave Liz insight into his inner thoughts concerning her personality... even her job.

"On your profile, did you say you were divorced?" Red clarified.

Liz winced visibly, afraid she'd just blown their chances before a light went off over her head. This could be used to their advantage.

"Tell him something like, we wanted different things," she didn't have to think hard, "he wanted to start a family. I wanted to establish myself at work. I had ambitions... goals I wanted to achieve before settling down."

"He was holding you back." Silas grinned, adding his two cents.

"That's good." Red stated, typing the response.

Liz turned her attention back to the screen. She gasped as Red typed a short, succinct sentence signifying he was signing off for the night.

"What are you doing?" the action flabbergasted her.

"Keeping his interest." Red said. "Possibly annoying the hell out of him."

"Is that such a good idea? Annoying him?" she fretted.

"It is when you are showing independence... from him."

Red did have a point.

"But Aram has almost locked on to his location." Liz reminded.

"I'm betting he's at McDonald's on E Street," Red informed the woman.

"How do you know that?" she was baffled but his confidence made her believe the off-the wall statement. "Aram had only conveyed he narrowed the search down to that area."

Promising the suspect to return the next evening, Red's gut churned when Lizzy received an avidly enthusiastic reply.

He shut the chat down, his features carefully controlled.

"You think he works in that area?" Liz questioned the strange location.

"No," Red was more than perturbed, "I think he's sitting across from the Hoover Building, hoping to catch sight of you."

"Then why are we sitting here?" she demanded someone do something.

"Lizzy, you know better than to think I would let your prey escape." Red took his phone, absently dialing. "Or let the bastard's misdeeds go unpunished." his tone turned surly.

"I don't think that." Did she? "It's just that... he's so close, right?"

"He gets a bit testy when psycho killers hunt his woman." Silas grey-blue eyes steadily held hers as he snapped the guide rod of his Glock in place. "He's funny that way." he shrugged, setting the slide on its rails, racking it.

Liz watched the man dry fire the weapon before sitting it aside. He lifted a magazine, quickly popping the ammunition free.

"Watching this is eerily hypnotic.." her eyes remained focused and unblinking.

"It is soothing." Silas concurred, feeding new ammo into the magazine.

"Lizzy, what were you thinking," Red scolded lightly, "telling them you worked for the FBI?"

"I was thinking," she defended herself, "it would help garner only serious replies."

"Did it work?" Red lifted a knowing brow.

"...No." she admitted, ignoring Silas' snort of amusement. "Stoners hit me up, asking if I had access to the evidence lock-up."

Red grinned, phone to his ear half listening when Glen's phone once again went to voice mail. Clenching his jaw, he flipped the phone, redialing.

"I'm gonna snap that little asshole's neck." he grumbled. "I know he sees it's me and he's not answering on purpose."

Closing the laptop, Liz turned, her fingers lightly grazing the metal before her.

"Glen, I need your special... talents." the man broke off, sighing dismally. His head dropped to his chest at whatever the small man had replied on the other end of the line.

Red listened dutifully, his expression souring by the minute... only to brighten in the next.

A smile curved Red's lips as he watched Lizzy reassemble his weapon.

He frowned when she disassembled it a moment later until he realized; she was trying to do it without looking. He watched her progress, feeling a sense of pride she was doing a pretty good job of the task.

"...Glen..." Red tried again but to no avail.

Rubbing his forehead with an impatient finger, "I understand that, but..."

Again, he was cut short by his nemesis. His head fell back as Glen blathered on about his woes in life.

He covered the mouthpiece, eyeing Lizzy critically, "You owe me... big time."

Red stoically ignored Lizzy's lyrical giggle, but not her mouth when it connected soundly with his.

For a brief wondrous moment, he forgot all about Glen and the world in general.

---

"Well..." Red sat back, his emotions raw after the tedious conversation, "that little weasel is hunting for our current asshole... content in the fact he's secured another piece of my soul."

"What's left of it." Silas nodded understandably, rising from his chair.

Red chuckled some tension aside for the remark, "Granted."

"Aram won't let us down, Red." Liz was certain.

"Ten to five..." Silas was carefully, almost lovingly gathering his weaponry into various carry cases, "Red's weasel out-guns your nerd."

The large guard clapped his hands, gaining the others' attention. "Shift change."

His men followed suit, each holstering their newly cleaned weapons while taking napkin covered goodies Lizzy quickly wrapped, stuffing them into whatever pockets their cargo pants would hold as they went.

"No way...Aram is good at his job." Liz proclaimed proudly.

Silas cut her a look. "We'll see." he slid knowledgeable eyes Red's way.

Red shrugged indifferently. "Does it matter as long as we track the bastard down?"

"It would matter to Glen." Silas was certain. He lifted his head an idea occurring. "Gotta call to make."

Red knew instantly the guard would alert Glen of the fact, his reputation was on the line.

The little weasel was many thing's, but he did take pride in the fact his 'search engines' were better and faster than anyone in the business, or out of it for that matter.

Glen never ever used the conventional or lawful ways available.

It gave the guy a distinct advantage.

Red wasn't about to stop Silas from a little impromptu prodding on this matter.

The faster they found the Unsub, the safer women would be.

Liz pouted playfully, "Why do I feel like I've already lost the bet?"

Red grinned, standing as well, taking Lizzy with him.

Side stepping the men coming off shift for a late-night snack, Liz and Red strolled hand-in-hand, meandering about the house.

It was too early for bed so Liz really had no destination in mind, happily following Red's lead.

She chattered on about this and that with Red listening intently until their steps halted slowly but surely.

Liz fell quiet, checking out Red's profile as she watched the man's features absently.

She enjoyed looking at him; she realized.

He was quite handsome with the five o'clock shadow accentuating his sensual mouth and long lashes framing his expressive eyes. His intelligent brow was furrowed, deep in thought.

"Why do we call this, the Great room?"

Liz glanced around the impressive area, no real answer coming to the fore. The quirks of the man's mind always fascinated her.

"What's so 'great' about it?" he turned those blue eyes her way.

She detected an underlying heat beneath the steady gaze, her heart quickening instantly.

"I haven't gotten lucky in this room," he quirked an annoyed brow, "seems to me... it's mediocre at best."

Liz giggled for his mood. "It's probably the only one you haven't scored in." she played along.

"Not good enough." he tugged her to the sidebar of the massive entertainment center.

She held back just enough to make it interesting for the man, her expression a carefully contrite one.

"What are you up to?"

The soft sounds of a Motown filled the air.

Red tugged incessantly and the next second, she found herself in his arms. The man began a rhythmic sway to the beat of the music, his front rubbing gently but suggestively against hers.

Liz smiled coyly, relaxing into his hold, her body curving to his will.

She sighed happily as Red's warm mouth traveled a sensual path around her jawline until their lips met and held, the kiss a slow, methodical one which left Lizzy weak in the knees.

Laying her cheek against the man's shoulder, she smiled her contentment easily following his lead as Red maneuvered them about to the mellow harmonies.

In her opinion, the 'Great' room was living up to its expectation as they moved together as one in their slow trek across the expanse.

Red stepped purposefully, mindfully guiding the lithe body until the back of his calves hit his target.

Suddenly, she was turned and smoothly transferred to the plush cushion of the couch, Red hovering comfortably over her. The weight of his body settling along hers, pleasured Liz.

"You did that very well." she approved, snuggling back into his embrace.

"It's my commando training kicking back in." he murmured, flicking his tongue against her rosebud lips.

Liz chuckled around yet another sensual kiss, which quickly turned... into something deeper.

Red shifted, laying back into the crushed leather of the couch, holding tightly to his prize.

Liz settled comfortably along the muscled torso feeling heated male where ever their forms touched.

She lost herself in the soft caress of the man's mouth and wandering hands.

"If this is how you're going to respond," Red approved, his tone saying as much, "I'll put a couch in every damned room."

Liz tightened her arms to hold him close, "Nora won't allow one in the kitchen."

"I'll use the damn island then."

"You have..." Liz whispered a reminder, her mouth teasing his beyond endurance.

They lost themselves in the slow, sensual kisses. Their exploring hands were at once arousing and loving.

Red smiled against Lizzy's mouth, enjoying the turn of events. It had been eons since he 'made-out' on the couch. He forgot what a stimulating activity it was.

He ran his hands along Lizzy's side, his large palms settling at the crease of her legs, gently encouraging her hips to curve naturally as he nudged the sweet spot between her legs.

Liz bit her ruby-red lips thoughtfully, "My daddy said this would happen."

Red chuckled at the Southern accent she had suddenly adopted.

"Did he." he played along, always up for a game or two because they netted such unexpected delights.

"He did." Liz tsked woefully. "He said, you were a rebel... that you'd only use me for, God knows what, cheap thrills."

Red held his reflexive amusement, drawing her closer for yet another steamy bout with those full lips before a reply.

The wanderings of her mind was fascinating as hell.

"Your daddy doesn't like me." his eyes swept her disheveled clothes covetously.

"No, he does not." she purposely refused to straighten her outfit, feeling the very tip of her left nipple peek out from under the bra that had strategically shifted.

Red fought the urge to lift the sexy little bundle in his arms and head off to the bedroom.

He refused to break the developing mood, however, content to stay in their present state as he leisurely searched out new ways to arouse and titillate.

In reality, all he wanted to do was find his pleasure inside that succulent little body he so cherished.

But instead, focused his attention on the slow, lingering kisses and subdued caresses... enjoying the foreplay.

And enjoying it, he was.

His heart beat heavily in his chest, his blood heated to dangerous levels.

While they were not yet making love in the literal sense, the build-up was proving just as exhilarating.

"I think he has just cause, don't you?" those ice-blue eyes teased and flirted.

"...And yet," Red lifted a brow, "you're here." he waved a passing hand.

"Maybe I like bad boys." Liz suggested evenly.

Red smiled slowly, "I can be whatever you need but remind your... daddy," his eyes flicked her with a restless heat, "it might prove to our advantage in a work situation."

Liz tilted her head, clearly intrigued by the statement.

"You would never want for anything," Red pointed out, "your father can't object to that can he?"

"You are a master manipulator," Liz played the game well which is exactly what turned Red the hell on, he realized. "You could win daddy over to your side but... what about me?"

Red's dick expanded as the woman batted those enormous blue eyes his way.

Liz felt her tummy flip for a multitude of reasons... least of all, the way the man was looking at her.

"I'll make that my life's ambition." Red moved ever so close, his hand unceremoniously cupping her breast.

His mouth teased Liz's lips erotically, that hand continuing its tormenting action..

Liz thought momentarily about putting up the pretense of a struggle but those exploring fingers felt so good.

Red was playing with her in the best way imaginable.

She pushed down against his upward movement, grinding her most private of places against his. She moaned encouragingly when her center flooded with wet heat.

"I told daddy you'd take care of me." her mouth hungrily sought his.

"Oh..." Red ran his hand up and under Lizzy's top, flicking her bra open, "I'll take care of you all right." his mouth parted hers eagerly. "Always, baby... always." he whispered a vow.

Liz closed her eyes to the husky proclamation, her body vibrating to his touch. She strained closer still.

"My God..." Red ran his hand down her bare back, his fingers curving to the luscious bottom, "the things I want to do to you, Elizabeth."

Liz held her breath, more than turned on by the erotic pictures she imagined were flitting through Red's imagination.

The man had such a wondrous imagination.

Red lifted the silky strands of her hair rubbing them between calloused fingers. He enjoyed the lovely scent, grunting primitively.

He continued in his pursuit regardless of his next statement, "Your father is right," he nuzzled her neckline lovingly, "I am a bad influence."

Shifting his weight on the lithe form, Red settled determinedly into the space between her legs.

"We shouldn't." Liz whispered conspiratorially against his lips, "my parents could come home any second now."

"The worst that could happen–"

"Besides my daddy shooting you?" Liz quipped, the thought seemed to amuse the woman to Red's chagrin.

"Is that he demand I make an honest woman of you."

There was something oddly thrilling about those words on his lips and his gaze heated her cheeks... and her center quite nicely.

"...Wishful thinking." she mused quietly.

Red halted his handiwork, his fingers stopping slowly on the tabs of her jeans.

He lifted mesmerizing eyes, "On whose part?" his tone washed over her. "...Mine," he flicked his finger, freeing the button at her waist, "... or yours?"

She couldn't tell if the game was still in play because the man's gaze was suddenly a very intent one.

Red's eyes usually sparkled with an indulgent amusement during their playtime.

Liz's heart thumped so loudly in her chest, she knew the man could feel the hard beat, his proximity and tantalizing gaze throwing her world into chaos.

"...I... I can't see anyone, not even daddy, forcing you into something you don't really want." she tried hard to continue the more light-hearted play.

"How can he force me to take something... that already belongs to me."

The words delighted her despite the fact they were said in the context of the game.

"Daddy said, a man like you could never be with just one wom–"

"Maybe it's exactly what... I want." he cut her short. "Have you thought about it, Elizabeth?" those eyes were back and Liz's thoughts stopped for a long beat. "If I were your first... and only lover."

The gruff demand, for it certainly had not been a question... had the woman squirming anxiously beneath her captor.

The idea was an intriguing one; she had to admit.

He lowered his head, damn near bringing her to orgasm with the mere slide of his tongue into her receptive mouth. She lifted her bottom eagerly as he nuzzled his trouser covered cock against her center.

"Waiting..." he pushed his erection into the heated alcove, "might just be worth it when such a reward is within reach."

Red felt the woman tremble beneath his bulk, holding his grin when the succulent rounded mound squirmed wantonly into his hardness.

"Would you like that?" he husked roughly. "If I waited until our wedding night," his eyes dropped meaningfully, "to pop your little virgin cherry."

Liz's eyes fluttered closed, envisioning the picture presented. What would it have been like if Red had taken her innocence? The very idea left her aching with need. A trickle of heat pooled at her opening, wetting her core.

Red grunted deep in his chest, sensing her arousal. His cock throbbed painfully as he scented her neckline, capturing just a whetting peek of that sweet aroma.

"God, Red..." she mewed, desperately moving closer into his hold, "my panties are so wet."

"...Damn..." his cock throbbed with the unexpected statement. He captured her voluptuous mouth in a searing kiss, robbing the woman of her breath. "You'll be soaked by the time I'm done with you." though he murmured, he was sure Lizzy heard well enough the promise he made to himself.

"...I'm so fucking hard." Red realized his control was non-existent. But then, who could blame him when there was a beautiful brunette fidgeting restlessly against him.

Liz gave Red a coquettish glance, batting her long lashes languidly knowing damn well the affect it had on the man.

"You're just asking for it..." Red's jaw pulsed erratically, "aren't you?"

Her delicate features slipped into an inherently innocent pose, her full lips falling into an expressive pout.

"I don't know what you mean, Red..." her doe-like eyes lifted slowly, her fingers tracing the rough five o'clock shadow on his jawline.

"You little cock tease." he muttered, playfully nipping the woman's mouth as it tilted in a wry grin.

"If you knew me back then... would you have wanted me to wait?" he tested, slipping his hand under her shirt, cupping her full breast.

"Oh, hell no." Liz's breathless exclamation and Red's sensual chuckle were both cut short by the woman's passionate kiss.

The sweet, promising moment was horribly cut short by an overly exaggerated fit of coughing.

Red knew instinctively who the unpardonable intruder into his shattered bliss was.

Liz started, breaking the moment hastily. Shooing Red's hand away from its possessive touch on her breast.

Red closed his eyes to his loss, visions of strangling Francis Holbrook's scrawny neck dancing merrily in his mind's eye.

"I would have rather it been your daddy...with his shotgun." Red muttered, inwardly enjoying Lizzy's quiet giggle.

"Instead of my stupid, older brother?" her lips quivered with amusement.

"Who you calling old?" Francis took exception.

"Dammit, Francis..." Red sighed heavily, looking over his shoulder, "don't you knock?"

Francis screwed up his face, "...I have a key." he stated as if Red's inquiry was the most stupid thing he ever said.

Liz winced adorably when Red shifted, narrowing his eyes her way.

Francis frowned as he swept into the room, mindless to the couples position and that he just interrupted a private, intimate moment.

"Why.. are.. you.. here?" Red punctuated the words.

"It's her fault." Francis made a face at Elizabeth before making his way to the bar.

Liz jolted in Red's arms, her mouth gaping indignantly, "What's my fault!?"

"Just got wind your ex-loser was at the Brownstone." he turned lazy eyes towards Red, conveying a message the other man quickly picked up on.

"What the hell? Liz dropped back into the couch cushion dramatically. "There can't be anything of his left in that damn house!"

"Whatever he was doing," Francis said, "he did it fast. No change, eh, Lizzy?" he laughed at his own joke.

Red scowled questioningly to the former statement.

"I only got the call about ten...fifteen minutes ago but he was already parked out front when I got here." Francis clarified before tilting his head questioningly. "He wouldn't by chance, God forbid, have an evil twin would he?" the young man hesitated. "No, he's the evil twin so... the other would be–"

Red sighed woefully for his lot in life, ignoring Francis contemplative musings. Pushing off Lizzy's soft form, Red reluctantly lifted into sitting position much to Lizzy's dismay.

"Get Dembe, will you?" Red asked of Francis.

"Sure thing." Francis raised his glass in mock salute before disappearing through the archway.

"Do you have to go?" Liz pouted. "Why let him spoil our perfectly good playtime." she eyed Red hopefully.

Red's mouth lifted into a smile. "Work before play, baby." his eyes softened.

"You sound just like Silas!" she crossed her arms peevishly. "I'll tell you why... Tom's doing this to get a rise out of us."

Red nodded slowly, slipping his feet back into the rich leather of his shoes.

"It appears to be working." he grinned at the cantankerous woman as he pushed off the couch.

"If you go, you'll be giving him exactly what he wants." she provoked.

"Yes," Red didn't disagree with her assessment, "but I'll also find out what the bastard has been up to, Lizzy."

She couldn't argue with that and it annoyed her. Even she became more aware of her surroundings because of the pictures that asshole left last time for them to see.

He cupped her cheek lovingly, kissing her. "I'll go see whatever has dumbass out and about this particular evening and come straight back, I promise."

"Yeah well, call me when you get there," Liz followed after him towards the front, "and don't be standing around like you did last time out in the open, just begging one of your countless enemies to–"

Red stopped in his tracks, causing the woman to stop as hastily.

"What?" she questioned.

"Have I told you today," he asked, sitting his hat in place, facing her squarely, "that... I love you?"

"Of course you have," Liz's brow furrowed, there wasn't a day that... "why?"

"Just wanted to check." he leaned, kissing her at length. "I'll be right back."

Liz smiled happily before a thought occurred. "Damn you, Red!" she pinched her lips irritably realizing his ruse to distract had worked beautifully. "You better do as I said!" she called after the retreating figure.

Red chuckled as he gripped the handle of the door, "Remember where we left off."

---

A short time later, Liz and Silas were playing cards in the Great room when the doorbell rang.

Silas frowned, pulling the comm from his waist, keying the mic. "Who's at the door?"

"Ben." Joe responded immediately. "We told him to just go on in."

"Then tell him again." Silas waved the woman to sit for she had stood expectantly, her face hopeful for any news on Red's front. "We're in the back."

"Why didn't you put the intercom on the damn door?" Joe sighed as he trudged across the front drive.

"I was in charge of installing the biometric system," Silas reminded, "and your job was... what exactly?"

"Oh... right." Joe replied glumly.

Liz smiled as her guards bitched at one another. "At least he knocks."

"That's your fault Francis doesn't knock." Silas shifted in his seat.

Liz threw her hands out, her mouth falling open.

"You gave him a key." he too narrowed his eyes at the woman.

She sighed wearily as the sound of the front door opening sounded in the near distance. She would never hear the end of that tiny mistake.

"Hey!" Ben called out.

"We're back here!" Liz replied.

"Red here?" Ben asked as he stepped through the archway.

"No, but he should be back shortly," Liz gestured the man in, "but he better call first." she grumbled, glancing once again at her watch as she had now every five minutes since the guy left.

Ben frowned at Silas, asking for a reason for Liz's surliness.

"Long story." Silas shook his head.

"You want a drink or something?" Liz offered, willing to make it, clearly.

"I'll get it." Ben waved her to sit back down. "He's with Francis? Couldn't find him either."

"Yeah, they went to the Brownstone." she said. "You didn't call?"

"No, when Francis wasn't at home," Ben perched his ass on a nearby stool, "I figured he was here."

Liz smiled warmly, glad Francis felt so welcome here.

"While we're waiting..." she grinned mischievously, "why don't you tell me about the girlfriends you had... that were on opposite coasts."

Ben sent Silas a disgruntled look.

"Wasn't me." the guard shrugged.

"Was too." Liz quipped. "...Well, and Francis." she wrinkled her nose at Ben. "But that shouldn't surprise you."

Ben shrugged nonchalantly, "What did they leave out?"

---

Dembe stepped aside, allowing Red to enter the Brownstone, nodding a greeting to Francis' security as they went.

"Where are you going?" Red asked as he seamlessly slid in behind the young man.

"Over there." Francis pointed to the South wall.

Like the first time they were here, Red hooked the boy's arm maneuvering him in the proper direction... East.

"I thought you were going to take this damn thing out." Red grumbled, referring to the false wall Francis indicated.

"I was going to," Francis said, "but the contractor noticed there was dead space back there, so we made a big ass walk-in closet."

Red shrugged halfheartedly. The boy did have a shitload of coats, so why not?

"You know, we could just rig a shotgun to go off when Stalker boy opens the door." Francis suggested. "That would solve all your problems."

Now, that was an idea. One that made Red chuckle. "I would love to literally blow him away, but I have questions I need him to answer. So, that'll have to wait... for now."

Stepping into the half-lit space, Red's eyes widened at what instantly stared him in the face.

Pictures of her... Elizabeth, at various parts of the day. Sitting at her desk, working. While sleeping alone... possibly when he had ventured to London?

The photos were shot through the top portion of the blinds in their master bedroom. The bastard had obviously used night vison, because that wasn't creepy at all.

The most recent... taken the night they returned home from California.

So his instincts weren't failing him yet. He had felt the son-of a bitch!

He knew eyes had been on them that night. This creepy shit only confirmed... he was correct.

Shifting his eyes to the next picture in line, a rage boiled inside. There was Lizzy, throwing the covers back, removing her top and bottoms, curling miserably on the bed in all her resplendent glory.

This didn't just piss him off, this left him beyond livid.

"What now?" Francis asked, stepping into the dimly lit area, his eyes lifting to the photos.

Red seethed, blocking his vision suddenly.

Immediately averting his eyes, Francis sighed wearily. "Nudes?"

"...Yes." Red hit the end of the photos, his eyes landing on a sheet of paper.

"Like hell." he hissed angrily, ripping the note from its perch.

I will get her away from you. And when I do, I will take great pleasure in killing you. Her suffering will end with your death.

"Or your death..." Red mumbled all too quietly an oath he meant to keep.

"What?" Francis asked, not having heard the cryptic remark.

Red handed him the sheet, pulling the pictures down with jerky, angry motions.

"We just need to end this psychotic bastard, Red." Francis shook the letter in hand. "No one flaunts shit like this in your face."

Something was nagging at Red's subconscious. He was missing something vital.

Slipping his phone free, Red absently dialed Lizzy, knowing Silas would be within reach.

Red took the sheet of paper Dembe gave him. He bent over a low table, writing quickly, then tacked it back into its former resting place.

"What did you say?" Francis asked, a fixed scowl on the boyishly handsome features.

Red did not reply, simply grasp the photos in hand, pushing from the small alcove.

Francis read the reply aloud, "...Come and get me."

Pumping his fist with excitement, a triumphant grunt escaping him. Francis so enjoyed Red Reddington when the man was at his best!

"Let's go." Red called back, an urgency in his tone.

Dembe fell instep, Francis in tow.

---

Liz waited anxiously for the news Red would impart. It seemed like forever since he left the house.

The man in question was still on the premises of her old house, stalking across the hard pavement towards the car, his eyes just as cold and empty conveying another type of 'hardness'.

When the screen of her phone lit, she answered it before the phone could ring.

"What did you find?" she asked straight away.

"Pictures of you...us," Red muttered tightly, as he fell into the back seat, "...in our bedroom."

Dembe sensed the tension in Raymond's voice, pulling away from the curb, his action transmitting his determination.

Liz gasped her shock, a sickening feeling settling in her gut. Grim visions flashed in her mind.

"Most happened when you were alone... and upon our return from California."

"We..." she hesitated, obviously because of their an audience, "made love that night." she whispered.

"I closed the blinds." he reminded. "I..." he sighed heavily, "I felt something was off."

Just like now. He felt it in his gut. He needed to be there with her. He knew it. This had been a ruse but... for what purpose?

Liz opened her mouth to berate the man for not confide her but really, to what outcome? What could she have done to lessen his burden.

"Put Silas on." Red gripped the roof of the car as Dembe slid around a corner, barely letting off the gas before speeding the powerful car ahead once again as they barreled towards their destination.

"Ben's here too." Liz warned, before switching to speakerphone.

"What do you have?" Silas leaned comfortably against the bar, listening.

"I want someone at the house adjacent to our bedroom," Red fumed, "now!"

"What the hell is going on?" Silas questioned.

Red explained what he found, and the trajectory used to take the photos.

"Someone lives there, it's occupied." Liz had seen the home owners a few times coming and going from their exclusive driveway.

"Actually, it's not." Silas was issuing orders right and left over his walkie.

"How do you know?" Liz was unreasonably snippy, she realized, her mood edgy suddenly.

"It's my business to know about the area surrounding our perimeter." Silas was already dispatching men to the site in question. "The guy is in Honduras, Red. Took his wife there for their anniversary."

"Who the hell takes their wife to Honduras for an anniversary?" The very idea stumped Ben.

"She has family there." Silas cut it short.

"I still wouldn't go there." Ben recalled a few times when his ass had been on the burner in that part of the world.

"You don't expect to find anything, right?" Silas asked Red.

Red's mood was low. No, he didn't. The creep would be long gone by now but Red felt so helpless, he had to do something.

"Maybe he was careless, left something behind." Ben grasped at straws.

"If he did, it will lead to a dead end. He gets his rocks off yanking Red's chain." Silas realized.

Red's tone allowed his irritation, "Run the damned thing, Dembe." he motioned to an upcoming red light.

"A problem?" Silas' brows rose slowly.

"...A feeling." Red's tone was tight. "He also left a little note, telling me he was going to take Lizzy from me."

"Like hell." Liz scowled harshly. "I'm not going anywhere!"

Silas waited patiently for his men to do their assigned task.

"This guy does understand you're not playing hard to get but... impossible to get, right?" Ben asked. "What the hell does he want, damn?"

Red knew what the son-of-a-bitch wanted... his Lizzy. But he refrained from saying as much so as not to alarm the woman unduly.

"Is it Tom?" she had a good mind to march out front and–

"I don't know." Red admitted grimly.

The answer surprised Liz, assuming the question had been a rhetorical one. "Well, who else could it be?"

That was the problem. One Red was very familiar with. It could be any number of people. Tom. The Cabal. Carver playing a sick game to rile them up.

"There's the rub," Silas smirked, "the way you attract psychopaths...it could be a shitload of people, couldn't it?"

Red chuckled despite himself. With Lizzy's profession and her penchant for attracting dubious suitors... it really could be anyone.

"Red?" Liz looked at the phone in her hand. "Remind me why I don't fire him."

The house suddenly fell into a pitch blackness. All power shut down...

"What the..." Liz gasped lightly, trying to adjust her vision.

"What?" Red sat up in his seat, alert.

"We have a breach..." Silas' controlled, bitter tone advised all of their present situation.

Liz felt his hand grasp her elbow, instantly dragging her to follow his lead.

She did not resist.

Later on, she was able to think back and assimilate how events transpired but right now... she was merely living in the moment.

David's voice crackled the com-link as he took control of their ground forces inside the complex.

The sound of rapid bursts of air snapped over the same device.

She mapped the rooms in her mind, quickly moving about furniture in the darkened interior of the house, trying to keep up with her guard's sure steps.

The air bursts sounded eerily familiar, like when the guys shot paint balls at each other in their sometimes daily, 'war games' only... this impact was much more powerful.

Voices filled the radio with subdued chatter of coordinates and critical updates as to the enemies locations.

Silas navigated the hall cautiously, his charge in tow.

"They're inside the perimeter, Red." Silas advised. "We are holding back their offense."

"Back-up generator must have been blown." Ben's voice behind them reassured Elizabeth somehow.

Red clenched the phone in his hand, his fingers almost snapping the plastic casing. "Do not deviate from Silas' lead, Elizabeth."

Liz nodded her understanding as the guard pulled up short, his arm blocking any advancement.

Liz watched intermittent flashes of subdued red laser lights flit crazily across the lawn and shrubbery outside the living room French doors.

My God... how many were out there? How many were friendlies?

How many were not?

"Update!" Red demanded when Silas hadn't given the needed Intel in a timely manner... or at least to Red's way of thinking.

"Converging on all sides." Silas stepped back, his body blocking the woman's. "Count unknown... but we can take a head count later." his tone darkened. "ETA?"

"Not fucking soon enough!" Red cursed himself for falling for the ploy.

He had been set-up and like an idiot, fell for the bait because a threat to Elizabeth had reared its ugly head. And now look...

"With your life, Silas." the whispered request was somehow more.

"You're awfully free with his life." Liz snapped right back.

"Copy, Red." Silas had actually chuckled to her amazement, his head turned to her in the next instant. "Stay on my six."

"If you mean, 'watch your ass'," she was beyond frustrated, "then give me a fucking weapon!"

Shadowy figures passed by the windows facing the gardens. The woman's body tensed.

"So you can shoot our guys?" Silas found the thought amusing, obviously. "How would you tell the difference?"

"How do you?" Liz demanded in a harsh whisper.

She flushed when the man tapped the radio at his waist. Men were spitting out their location via short code the guys devised.
Silas held his fingers to his lips.

Liz fell silent, watching a lone beam of light skitter across the floor, moving closer to their position. It's fanciful flight stopped instantly, clicking off.

Dead silence ensued.

Silas pulled Liz closer, tucking her behind his bulk.

"...Nora, that had better be you." Silas had no choice but to take the chance.

The light snapped to a dim setting, "Thank the Lord..." the older woman's sigh of relief was audible as she hurried forward, keeping crouched low. "I didn't think I'd find you!"

"Nora!" Liz embraced the woman tightly. "How did you manage–"

"I listened in on the drills." Nora whispered. "Come with me, hon."

"...Ben," Silas called the man from his position, "I'll hold here. You get them to–"

"Like hell!" Liz took umbrage. "I'm not letting these bastards run me out of my home! I'd rather die first!"

"Not gonna happen." Silas advised.

"Dammit, Elizabeth!" Red snapped. "Do as Silas says!"

"What you will do..." Silas regained Liz's attention, "is get Nora to safety... right?"

Nora offered a calming smile, "I've got a lot of life in me." she grinned. "Though, this is an adventure I would like to live through, okay?"

Liz thought both her friends were playing her but, she knew Nora was an innocent in this farce. If anything happened to her...

"Ladies, if you please..." Ben waved a gracious hand, "I'm your guide for this evening's journey." he urgently ushered them when the lights outside grew closer, "Now, let's move our respective asses."

Liz reluctantly allowed the man to guide them along. She stayed protectively close to Nora with only one hesitant glance at her guard.

"...You," she swallowed hard, "don't be stupid." she felt tears threatening. "I'm not paying you to get your ass shot."

"You don't pay me at all." Silas glanced meaningfully at the phone in her hand.

Liz tightened her lips angrily, "I hope you do get your ass kicked..." she muttered petulantly.

"No, you don't." came the infuriating response.

Ben had them far down the interior of the next few rooms, hastily easing the two women farther away from the activities taking place outside the still dark house.

Silas waited patiently, mentally timing the distance Liz must have traveled, each second giving a better chance of survival.

He felt better now.

He was in his element.

The French doors on both East and West sides of the spacious living area burst apart.

Silas eased back into the darkness surrounding him. He watched the dark shapes hastily regroup; their advancement both measured and intent.

He kept them in his line of sight as the systematic search continued.

These men were... professionals.

And it didn't take a genius to know they were searching for something in particular... or someone.

He made an educated guess as to whom that someone might be.

Silas sighed mentally. Why was he not surprised.

His body tensed as the shadows came closer.

---

Liz recognized her position, joy screaming through her veins.

The old Grandfather clock ticked slowly away to her left.

That meant the hall table was just up ahead, to her right.

She jerked the middle drawer open, frantically searching about inside.

Her fingers curved about the cool, rough surface. The traction of the grip felt comfortable and secure in her sweaty palm.

She pulled it free just as Ben came alongside, nudging her forward.

Liz didn't know which she gripped tighter, the phone in her left hand or the gun in her right.

She was just grateful for both at this stage.

"I can't hold this and my gun." she whispered to Red.

"Don't you dare hang up." Red warned.

Automatically, she slipped the phone into her back pocket by second nature, reaffirming her hold on the weapon.

Liz wasn't exactly sure where they were going but Nora seemed well-versed, a definite direction in her mind.

Ben held them up with a lift of his hand.

An especially dark side door loomed ahead, the man eased about the women, taking the lead.

Checking her weapon, Liz clapped the magazine back in place, her vision focused and intent.

Out of nowhere, a figure came hurling out of that darkness, taking Ben in the momentum with a direct hit to the waist.

Both men took a header to the floor, a scuffle ensuing.

It was odd, there was hardly any sound.

Nora flashed her light on the struggle at one point and that beam fell on a more than familiar face.

"You son-of-a-bitch!" Liz growled, her hand tightening purposefully on the weapon, pointing at the two combatants.

Liz's finger tightened systematically on the trigger. She was suddenly livid.

Beyond livid.

Nora held the light as best she could, having recognized the assailant as well.

"Nora go... please!" Elizabeth pleaded. "I'll catch up. I promi–"

"Shoot the bastard!" the older woman hissed.

With a swift upward thrust of his knee, Tom left Ben dazed with a blunt hit to his head.

Provided an opening, Tom was up and moving with remarkable speed.

He hit Liz's arm aside, but she held firm to her grip.

Thrown back by the momentum, Liz caught her fall on the neighboring wall. She righted herself instantly.

Ben tackled Tom from behind, growling a menacing, "You're not getting her!"

Nora grasped Liz's hand pulling hard, "Now, Elizabeth, quickly!"

Elizabeth hesitated… torn between staying or getting Nora to safety.

Nora's muffled outcry of pain, jolted Liz from her thoughts. She glanced up just in time to see the older woman fall into a door frame after being pushed roughly aside.

Stopped from her motion towards the woman, Liz growled angrily as a strong embrace encompassed her body.

The action fueled Elizabeth's rage all the more.

Her assailant caught the neck of her shirt, dragging her back toward him.

Liz's hand clenched the now warmed metal securely. She jerked upward, catching the man's chin with the firearm.

The guy grunted sharply with the impact, staggering from the blow but was instantly back to his intended target.

"You little bitch!" he snarled, backhanding Liz soundly across the face.

In her peripheral vision, Liz caught Nora struggling to her feet.

She blinked at the biting sting of tears as a hand grasped a fist full of her hair, lifting her bodily.

Screaming out all her anger and frustration, Liz twisted agilely, jamming the barrel of her gun up against her captor's gut.

She pulled the trigger, no hesitation what-so-ever in her actions or mind.

The man jerked with the impact, crumbling to her feet.

She took immense pleasure for a brief second until she realized Tom and Ben still struggled across the way.

Her brain couldn't assimilate all taking place for a beat.

She searched about for Nora, finally locating the woman who stood against the wall down the way. Liz stumbled over the lifeless form beneath her feet, headed for Nora's direction.

Her hand felt the distinctive ribbed design of an unmistakable object. She extracted the fixed blade from its sheath. The razor sharp hiss of stainless steel raking against the magazine clip on his utility belt.

She yelped as yet another pair of arms grasped her waist, "I'm getting sick of this shit!" she warned any and all.

"I'm trying to help you, dammit!" Tom's voice was all to sickly close in her ear as he held tightly to her. "You have to come with–"

"When hell fucking freezes over!" she kicked out viciously, her heel ramming sharply into his kneecap, her elbow jabbing painfully into his chest.

He stumbled back, catching her arm as he went. She lunged with the movement using the momentum, the knife slicing a good, satisfying gouge the entire length of the man's arm.

Tom slapped out, catching her face soundly.

She staggered back, losing her bearings. She shook her head, desperately trying to clear her vision.

In her disorientation, Tom pulled her up and against him, rushing for an exit.

The next thing she knew, a bullet tore through Tom's arm, forcing him to loosen his grip, dropping her unceremoniously to the ground.

Liz jerked her head up, watching Silas try to gain on their position, firearm in hand.

Tom doubled over briefly but all too soon, weakly reaffirming his hold. "Give me a chance to.." he gritted between clenched teeth, blood smearing her forearm.

Liz dug her fingers about a convenient door facing, holding to it for dear life.

"If you'll only let me–"

Nora stepped, seeing her opening.

She hoisted the large urn overhead, bringing it down sharply.

Tom buckled as the shards crashed to the floor.

"Come!" Nora grasp Liz's hand as both women took off at a dead run in the opposite direction.

Ben followed their trek, fighting off yet another masked individual which is how Tom escaped his hold the first time.

How many of these pricks did that asshole bring?

---

Silas ducked, moving with remarkable agility and speed as bullets pinged about his bulk from every direction, dusting him with a mist of glass and wall dust.

He covered the distance in record time, stepping into view just as the women passed.

Blocking a mercenary's attempt to grab for Elizabeth, Silas placed the muzzle against the man's head, pulling the trigger.

He knelt, yanking the man's earpiece free, jamming it into his own ear.

"On your six." Ben yelled out a warning, approaching at a dead run.

Silas arose, "They're sending in the last wave." he apprised.

Ben took a few seconds to catch his breath. "Oh, goodie..." he leaned into his knees, easing his ragged breath. "What fun!"

"You know you enjoy this shit." Silas smirked.

Just at that moment, two men stepped leisurely from opposite sides of the hall.

Silas pushed Elizabeth towards Nora, sending the women stumbling in the direction of an exit route.

Elizabeth didn't need signs painted to tell her it was time to vacate... yet again.

How much longer was this going to last? And just who the hell were these people?!

She and Nora reached a set of stairs.

Liz glanced back.

Silas and Ben were actually in hand-to-hand combat with the other men who had ascended upon them.

What happened to their weapons?

She had a weapon!

"No!" Nora's tone was sharp. "Follow me!"

Everything seemed to move in slow motion as Liz took in the unfolding chaos around her.

Much like Ben, Silas threw a series of hard, rapid punches to his enemy's face.

The brutality of the blows sent the man falling against the bay window.

The sickening crash of his body falling through bit at Elizabeth's nerves just as another man came in from behind.

Before she could even warn her guard, Silas spun, throwing out his arm to block the attempted attack.

It startled her to see the viciousness displayed. Silas fought, no-holds-barred. Catching an intended blow, he kicked out, catching the foe's knee.

Liz winced as it bent inwards, the loud crack of bone breaking echoed sickeningly down the hall.

Studying the etched lines of stress on the Nora's face, Liz's eyes flared incandescently as Tom stepped into view.

Blood ran down into his eyes in heavy rivulets as he cradled his arm, his gaze intent on her.

Time slowed to a crawl...

The light from a distant street lamp shone through a nearby window, casting the area in a sick yellow pall as actions hurried up their paces.

She sidestepped Tom's sweeping grasp, shrinking back instinctively.

How many bullets does it take to end Tom Keen? She would to damn well find out... just in case Francis wanted to know.

She lifted her weapon...

A bullet sliced through the air.

Liz glanced at her unfired weapon, astonishment on her face.

Tom grunted sharply, lurching into a stumbling fall at her side. He awkwardly caught himself, slamming hard into the textured surface of the wall.

Elizabeth exchanged oblique looks with an equally stunned Nora.

Tom grasped his thigh, lamely hobbling about a corner, disappearing into the dark recesses afforded him.

Taking a step to follow the asshole's path, something caught her arm, jarring her roughly, stopping her pursuit in its tracks.

Growling her rage, she turned, swinging her weapon about.

"No..." Nora gasped her dismay.

A strong hold grasped her wrist, stopping the momentum of her attack.

She sensed the looming figure approach, her hands tightening on her weapon but then... she smelled his scent.

That wondrous scent...

Red Reddington stood framed in the archway, stepping closer to take her into his protective sphere.

Liz startled as another man emerged just steps away, lifting his weapon.

Blocking Elizabeth, Red placed himself front and center, firing twice.

The hired gun jerked back with the first hit, then gripped his throat in the second.

Red turned glancing at the others down the way as more men joined in the fray. None of the stocky shapes distinguishable in the grey mist of the darkened rooms.

He said not a word, ushering them quickly and quietly down a flight of waiting stairs.

Red spoke to Nora, "Stay here. We'll let you know when it's clear."

He turned to Elizabeth, "Remember the safe word?"

She nodded, ever so glad to know he was present and accounted for.

He closed the door behind them, locking it securely then walked to a panel which concealed a doorway.

Liz's mouth fell agape.

Nora lit a lantern, the man's face bathed in the dim light, the planes of his features starkly set.

"Keep Nora safe." Red's tone washed over her like a soothing balm. His eyes held hers willfully. "I'll be back soon..."

"Wait–"

"I will," he repeated quietly, "...be back soon."

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Liz rolled to her toes, kissing the man.

Red returned the fleeting hold... and then he was gone.

Nora jabbed buttons alongside the door facing, which elicited a series of sharp clicks.

The sound of absolute silence ensued.

Liz looked absently about her surroundings... lost, her senses overloaded. "I... don't know this place."

"It's a safe room, Elizabeth. We're safe now." Nora's voice reassured and calmed.

"Why didn't I know about this... room?" she was incensed. "Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"In their defense," Nora offered a bottled water, "they only got it working a week or so ago." she smiled wanly. "Good timing too, I'd say."

"Working?" Liz wiped the sweat from her face, absently taking the bottle in her hands.

"They had to reset the door locks, get it supplied..." Nora rolled her hand as if to continue the thought.

"I should be out there helping..." Liz couldn't account for her unreasonable anger.

"We would just be in the way." another lantern lit.

Liz stood, blinking rapidly, taking in the reality which settled about her. "I...I'm a highly trained... capable–"

"I know you are." Nora soothed. "Which is why," she reached, gripping Liz's hand, "I am very thankful you are in here with me."

Liz's shoulders eased slightly, her eyes softening on the woman. If Nora was blowing wind up her skirt... she wasn't sure.

What she knew with absolute certainty, regardless how much the guys prepared Nora for this eventuality... what she witnessed upstairs must have rattled the woman

Nora lifted a remote. Across the room, monitors came to life.

One showed a sickly green hue. Elizabeth could make out Nora's apartment.

Another showed the crumped masses dotting her lawn on the side of the house. Still another looked into the dark interior of her living room.

Figures came and went. One disabling a prey who had been inching up from behind.

Liz held her breath. She still didn't know if it was one of Silas' men... or the other side.

They all wore black. They all moved in the same manner...

Stealthy, stalking... hunting.

"We don't have power." she recalled.

"This room does, to an extent." Nora replied gently. "The cameras, I'm to understand, switch to the battery back-up in case of power failure."

Another figure inched about, then stealthily disappeared into the dark edges of the room.

Red was up there... Liz's heart pounded rapidly in her chest. She unconsciously searched for him, she realized.

She hadn't seen him. She would know him.

It scared her... she wanted him here... safe.

"You've taken a nasty hit." Nora was approaching, holding a first-aid kit. "Are you hurt otherwise?"

Liz took inventory, "...Are you?"

"I gave birth without meds, it'll take more than a little scrawny youngin' belting me one to keep me down." Nora chuckled.

"I hope they catch that asshole!" her tone hardened. "I want to be there when they take him to task for how he's treated you."

If Red had his way, Tom wouldn't be breathing by night's end; Liz thought quietly to herself. Especially after Red got a look at her in the light.

"I'm sorry you had to be... involved in all this mess, Nora." Liz sat obediently, allowing the woman to tend to her face where Tom and the mercenary struck her.

"The boys trained me well and while I worry about them being out there in the mix..." the woman sighed, "I realize their abilities make me feel safe."

Liz grasped the woman's hand, squeezing it gently, "You are safe."

"But what about them?" Nora motioned to the screens.

"We can make them safer." Liz realized, pulling her phone free. She prayed Joe had followed protocol. That the man's phone was on silent.

Joe stood perched outside Nora's room. They had to enter, to sweep the place clean...

But it wasn't clean.

Liz and Nora could see a man lurking in Nora's dining room, out of sight.

Praying silently as she typed, she glanced up waiting anxiously. 'Dining room, to your right.'

She watched Joe glance down, checking his phone.

She did not see Joe's responding grin but still; the man was a born skeptic.

"...Hudson." he called out into the silent darkness.

"That isn't the safe word." Liz shook her head at the man's antics. Or possibly... his reply to her, he got the message.

"I know." Nora nodded.

The intruder made no corresponding reply to Joe's inquiry.

She could see the hostile tensing by degrees as the seconds ticked on.

Joe fired a rapid volley of silent but deadly bullets.

The man fell from out behind the hiding spot, laying quietly still.

Liz texted rapidly. 'There is someone in the upstairs dining room.'

Liz frowned when Joe edged back out of sight, before stepping back into view a moment later, fiddling with his ear.

She quickly answered the phone when it rang.

"Friendly?" Joe whispered, "What can you see?"

Liz kept a running communication with the guy until he was safely at Red's side.

She breathed a sigh of relief at the recognized figures standing beside the man.

Slowly but surely, back-up generators flicked to life casting certain areas in a very dim light, that grew as the power increased.

"I thought they disabled them?" Liz was confused but happy to see lights flash to life across the complex.

"There are several in the storage shed."

"...Red has back-up, back-up generators?" Liz asked, her tone droll.

"Of course he does, child." Nora acted like it was obvious the man would think of all contingencies.

Liz watched a large SUV pull through the silent streets along the outskirts of the property.

"Joe," she said, getting his attention in his earpiece, "I think the stragglers have left the building."

"Copy that." Joe replied.

Red stepped forward, taking Joe's phone from unresisting hands, flicking it open.

"Fedora." his deep voice sent chills through her.

Liz beamed, her world falling back into place.

"I'm on my way." he said.

Liz grasped the phone to her chest, rushing for the door but pulled up short when she remembered–

"How do we get out of this place?" she sought Nora's help.

"We don't... until he gets here."

"Nora..." Liz whined pitifully.

"Take it up with the boss." Nora smirked playfully.

Liz sulked testily, "I thought you were on my side."

"I am," Nora soothed, "you just don't know it yet."

Liz waited impatiently until she saw Red approaching outside, visible on the monitor she watched.

She fairly danced in place, needing desperately to touch the man.

Nora tittered softly behind her, gesturing to a side panel, "You just push that button there."

"Oh, Nora!" Liz tsked, wrinkling her nose, drawing an amused chuckle from the woman.

Liz was too happy to pout over the trick played on her as the sounds of the locks disengaging allowed the door to crack open enough for Red to grasp it and pull it wider.

Liz stepped, instantly wrapping her arms about his large frame, her lips quickly finding his. He returned the affection, pulling her up against him.

Red smiled against Lizzy's busy mouth when he heard the distinct sound of someone clearing her throat.

Lifting Lizzy slightly, he backed away, allowing Nora room to step past.

Reluctantly he moved aside, breaking their connection.

"Medical is en route." he asked of Nora. "Do you need..."

"I'm fine." Nora said.

"What about me?" Liz pouted, disliking being left out of the equation.

Nora's mouth quivered with delight when Elizabeth sidled closer to her lover, demanding his attention.

"I already know you think you don't need medical... but you do." Red's eyes darkened, cupping her small bruised face in his hands. Tenderly stroking the injury.

"...I'm fin–"

"You're going to get looked at. That's final." Red admonished.

Nora chortled under her breath when the young woman's mouth fell into a deep pout... though she still clung to Red like a barnacle.

"Are you okay?" Liz gingerly touched his bandaged arm.

"That's not mine." he gestured to the blood spots on the white gauze.

"I figured as much," Liz rolled her eyes, "how is your arm? Did you strain it?"

"No, it's fine." he said. "Nora, pack a couple things." Red suggested. "We need to vacate."

The older woman turned without further ado, heading for her room.

"I'm not leaving!" Liz scowled darkly. "I will not let them push us from our–"

"It's just for a day or two." Red assured. "The power will be intermittent, and Kaplan needs the space."

Red absently listened to the chatter coming through the radio, turning the volume higher. As time passed, his brow furrowed with each moment.

"We've located him, boss." Joe's voice sounded more serious than Liz had ever heard. "Don't look good."

Liz stepped closer, "Who is it?"

Red's grim expression alerted her.

"Silas?" she tensed. "...Is it... Silas?!"

"Kaplan en route." Joe advised. "Eight minutes out."

Red held the woman's gaze steadily.

Liz was on her way before Red could think to stop her.

He caught up in the hall as she frantically searched them out. The lights dimmed, sputtered then faded to black, leaving them in the dark.

"Silas!" she called out, having no idea which way to go in the dark. "Silas!"

Red took her hand and in moments, which seemed forever to the woman... Francis stepped into view.

"Oh, you got her?" Francis said, having heard the woman's frantic yelling.

Red guided her forward, standing just behind her as she knelt beside her guard's side.

"Silas..." she gently touched his bloodied face, "...Silas, please wake up." her voice trembled with growing fear.

"He's out of it, boss." Joe shook his head.

Elizabeth gasped her shock as lights flashed on overhead...

Blood covered Silas' mid-section down to his boots. His face was ashen… and so very still.

Several bodies lay all around but Elizabeth only noticed one.

"Red!" she sought help and guidance.

Reddington stooped beside her, his more experienced eyes examining and scrutinizing.

Silas didn't have eight minutes. He barely had two.

Silas was bleeding from two major wounds. One in particular bespoke of a serious problem.

Red bundled up a towel someone pushed into view... he pressed it hard against a gaping knife wound to Silas' abdomen.

Dembe was miraculously there and Red felt better.

"The bullet here," Dembe was applying a tourniquet to the guards left leg, "... nicked an artery, I think."

Red nodded glumly. He guessed as much as he took in the sight of a growing puddle of blood surrounding his friends inert form.

It had taken them too damned long to secure the house.

How long had Silas lay here... bleeding out?

Red lifted carefully composed eyes to an anxiously waiting Elizabeth.