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)

197. Propositions

Author Note: Grab a snack... this is a long chapter.

---

JULY 12

The SUV raced toward its appointed rounds. Red looked up from his phone, glancing towards the front seat.

Silas' head was back on the rest, moving gently back and forth with the sway of the vehicle. He looked about as comfortable as any guy with a gut shot could, Red supposed.

Red sighed lightly, exchanging looks with Dembe Zuma, who maneuvered through the traffic of an early morning rush hour. The guard had downplayed his injuries, as was Silas' way, insisting he do his duty even though Joe was perfectly capable of accompanying Liz and him to the Blacksite.

Dembe was driving well below the speed he usually drove, having taken the long way around to the destination needed, to help the stubborn jackass of a guard gain a little more rest time in the interim.

Lizzy had shushed with her fingers when any conversation rose above a mere whisper.

Red leaned, adhering to the new set of rules. "Now, don't forget." He cautioned, whispering in the small ear. "If things go south, I will disappear for a while until matters even out."

"What does that mean?" Liz turned fretful eyes. "Are we going away?"

"I hope not." He smiled over at the anxious little features. "We just got home. But it depends on what your superiors do. You don't have to go, baby. We can keep in touch by..."

"I'm going." She frowned hard.

"Whatever you think, then." He relented, pleased with her answer, in reality.

"You really think involving the guys with the Blacklist is a good thing?" She bit her nail nervously. Red reached, lowering her hand to her lap, smiling for the nervous habit she had recently adopted.

"I do." He inclined his head. "All those answers you want will be easier to find with the boys' help." He was certain. "I'm excited to finally delve into..." His vibrating phone alerted him to an incoming call.

Red held up a staying hand, answering. His business-like tone switched to an almost sensual caress, if only to catch Lizzy's reaction. He turned her a bland stare.

"Ah, hello, Gretchen." Red grinned when Lizzy narrowed her eyes and frowned hard his way. "How are you this lovely day, may I inquire?"

As the conversation ensued, Lizzy's hardened frown increased, which caused a chuckle to erupt from Red's throat.

"No, my dear...I'm not laughing at you." He corrected any misconceptions the other caller might have. "My insanely jealous wife is throwing daggers my way, even as we speak, which I find most endearing, if you wish the truth."

Red listened attentively. "Well, I'm not certain if she is contemplating various ways to hurt me, shall I ask?" He grinned at the response. "Do you think? She doesn't seem all that territorial to me, but if you say..."

Liz rolled her eyes, returning to the scenery outside the car which signaled Red... the game was ended. He sat back, getting more comfortable. "I'm very sorry you missed the wedding as well. Now, what can I do for you?"

His brow furrowed the more he heard. "Really..." He chuckled, genuinely this time.

Liz hurriedly turned back to him, pinching his side...hard.

Red's smile grew exponentially for her efforts. He held her at bay. "I can deliver the goods but...it's rather an odd request, don't you think?" He opened his arm, his eyes issuing an invitation.

Liz slid over, snuggling close. She lay her head on his shoulder, sighing lightly. Zoning out the words being spoken, she lost herself to the comforting rumble in his chest.

Raising her eyes, she tensed as she recognized a building close to the Blacksite. Taking a breath, she began mentally preparing herself for the coming tribulations.

Sensing Lizzy's tension, Red interrupted Gretchen's rambling.

"I'll fill the order as soon as possible." Red assured. "Hurrying you? No," he replied to Gretchen's light teasing. "We are nearing our destination, and duty calls, I fear." He laughed quietly as Gretchen made fun of his new status. "Yes, I'll check back shortly." Snapping the phone shut, he tightened his arm about the small frame leaning to his. "Nervous?"

"A little." It was realized. Liz tried a smile, which failed.

"Just remember, you have a million options open to you, baby. It's a big world. Don't limit yourself or your future." It was reminded. "This will be a shock, of course. We'll just play it by ear, okay?"

They pulled up outside the Blacksite. Liz sat looking up at the nondescript building.

Red nudged her thigh. "Come on, suck it up, as Silas would advise, were he not still asleep."

"He's not still asleep, nor was he ever." Silas struggled to an upright position. "So there was no need for all the whispering and slow ass driving." He threw Dembe a look which netted a huge smile from the man.

Dembe slid from the driver's seat, hurrying to the other side of the car. He opened Silas' door first. The guard carefully unfolded his large frame from the vehicle, grunting several times in the process. Liz hurried to the man's side.

"Step back, woman." Silas threw her an annoyed glare. "Leave me be!"

All of which Liz ignored. "Do you need to lean on me?"

"Do you need me to drop kick your sweet ass across the street?" Came the gruff reply.

"I sure hope seeing Samar again brightens your mood." She smiled sweetly up at the man. "Nothing else has managed to do it, you old grouch. Operative word... old."

Silas sent Red a look.

"Leave him alone, sweetheart." Red dug in his pocket for the phone, which was ringing again...incessantly. "He'll be a new man once Samar takes him in hand. Wait and see."

"Do you need the wheelchair?" Dembe asked innocently, motioning to the trunk of the car.

"Get her out of harm's way." Silas snapped. "She's standing out here like a painted target in that red dress. She's wearing a red dress traipsing into a top secret Blacksite! And she expects me to protect her ass!"

"Do you like my dress, Silas?" Liz preened this way and that, swishing the red dress about frivolously.

"Get your ass inside!" He grated, motioning curtly. "Now!"

"Okay." Liz almost skipped the needed steps, her mood infinitely better, having managed to piss off her guard sufficiently.

Dembe ushered the woman inside the safety of the building. Red had lifted a hand to signify he would only be a moment, having turned his attention to the ongoing call.

Once inside, Liz held back, her nervousness returning. "We'll just wait for Red, Dembe."

Dembe stood between the door and the woman, waiting patiently. "All will be well, Elizabeth." He assured with a kind smile.

"Well..." Liz felt a bit of the tension ease, walking the usual path to the elevator. "It smells the same." She wrinkled her nose, grinning over at the man. "Familiar is good, right?"

"Gregor, I'm getting in a lift. Give me a moment." Red had hurried to her side, having waited for Silas' slower steps. Stepping inside the elevator, he pulled the woman to his side, planting a lingering kiss on her lips.

Silas rolled his eyes and Dembe...didn't.

The doors opened to another familiar sight. Agents walking around, armed guards making their rounds, and her team... hovering beside the glass boards at the end of the room.

Liz walked a few steps, only to be halted by Red's hand on her forearm. She looked at the contact curiously.

Covering the phone with his hand, Red frowned. "Wait for me."

"I'm fine, Red." She smiled over her reassurance.

"Lizzy..." the man thought better of what he had first intended, "...I love you."

"I love you too." Liz's smile brightened. "It's okay, really. I'm fine."

Red exchanged worried scowls with his head guard.

Hurriedly returning to the phone in hand, Red's jaw pulsed. "Gregor, please, just write this down all ready. I have a feeling I'm going to be needed very shortly."

Watching the woman closely, Red smiled when the sound of Lizzy's vivacious laugher came floating back his way. He chuckled inwardly, watching Aram lift Liz's slight weight from the floor, spinning her in a dizzying whirl.

Though not as boisterous, Samar approached the small gathering, an indulgent smile lighting her face.

Digging into the gift bag in hand, Lizzy chattered and giggled with Aram as he tried to peek into the bag.

Silas was a formidable force to be dealt with as he sent a withering glare at the two male agents who had yet to approach.

Dembe took up the other side of the small group, his own expression rather foreboding as well, as he too...mentally dared the men to spoil the moment for Elizabeth.

"Yes, yes. You've got it all. And he wants it delivered by..." Red watched Ressler and Moore slowly move from their previous positions, headed for a blissfully unaware victim. Nothing about their presence warm or receptive.

"Shit." Red watched Silas move between the new threat and his new wife. "No, I wasn't speaking to you." He grated his anger. "Listen, Porez wants it delivered tomorrow morning. I have to go. My wife needs me." He hung up the phone, stalking forward rapidly.

"Back the hell off." Samar held out a restrictive hand, her own ire coming to the fore. "Who the hell do you think you are? This is none of your business."

"I can arrest her ass right where she stands for consorting with a known..."

"And I can fit your smarmy ass into that paper shredder over there..." Silas stepped even closer to a fuming Moore, who instantly stepped back, his features suddenly alarmed, "for being a fucking moronic asshole. Want I should demonstrate my meaning?"

Moore reached for his weapon, but Ressler covered the man's hand.

"Go ahead." Silas smirked. "I'll stick it up your ass before I toss you in. Probably make nice little fireworks as you grind in the blades."

Dembe sidled up alongside, his glower a most imposing one.

"Gentlemen." Red parted his way through the testosterone, confronting the belligerent agent himself.

Silas reluctantly stepped down a tad, his eyes holding an inner fire still, however.

Dembe nodded discretely, moving aside.

"What the hell is going on here?" Red's tone was quiet and menacing to those who knew him well. His stare bore into Moore's wide eyes.

"You have a lot of balls, Reddington." Moore snipped. "Strolling in here like you own this place. With your new," the man's mouth twisted sarcastically as he sought Liz out, "...playmate in tow."

"Watch your mouth, boy." Red jabbed his finger hard into Moore's cheap suit. "Or I will fit you into the paper shredder personally."

"They're upset about you two getting married, Mr. Reddington." Aram filled in quickly.

"I don't give a shit what upsets them...or what they think." Red came closer to the men, blocking Elizabeth from their eyesight. "Never have...never will."

He transferred his hard gaze Ressler's way. "I expected this from the cretin, but not you, Donald?"

The man had the grace to be bothered. "What the hell were you thinking, Reddington? To get her involved to the extent you have? I don't get it. I don't get...you."

"I don't need you to get me. More to the point, we don't need your approval for anything we do." Red told the truth. "I guess, for Elizabeth's sake, I thought maybe you might give it over."

Ressler looked aside, nothing more.

Moore stepped back a tad, searching out Elizabeth Reddington. "First Tom Keen and now...this!" He motioned disdainfully to Red's person. "You really like whoring it out to the enemy, don't you, Keen."

Silas' beefy fist lashed out, gripping the front of the other man's shirt, his face a mask of rage. He brought the agent down to his knees with one good twist of his hand. "You myopic dwarf!" The guard spat his fury. "When I'm done with you..."

"No, Silas!" Liz rushed between the men. "Don't you dare. You'll pull something vital." She placed her hands around the massive bulging bicep, holding firm. She leaned in, whispering. "Besides, Red wants to do it. You know he does."

Samar placed a calming hand to the giant's chest, gently sliding her palm over the muscled area, her eyes beseeching Silas.

It was touch and go for a long moment, but then Silas' hand slowly but surely fell away from Moore's collar where the guard had grasped hold. Grey eyes held brown, creamy ones hypnotically.

Liz held her giggle as she watched the interplay between Samar and Silas. It was so cute in her opinion, she just wanted to hug them both for a very long duration, but Silas' scolding stare gave pause for thought...so...she didn't.

Red laid a hand on Silas' forearm and the man's massive fists unfurled.

"You better look around." Moore was clearly regretting his words, his face chalky, a fine sheen of perspiration showing on the ruddy complexion. "You're a little out-numbered."

Red glanced about. None of the other agents were doing more than taking a interest in the proceedings. Moore's reputation had clearly proceeded him. They disliked him as much as they did the most wanted guy, apparently. Although he did note a few hidden smiles. Maybe this was the most entertaining spectacle they had seen to date.

Red knew it was the highlight of his day.

"You've got a big mouth." Red challenged. "Need others to back you up, do you?"

"What do you call them?" Moore curtly motioned. "Frick and Frack." He indicated Silas and Dembe. "They do all your dirty work for you, don't they?"

"Not this part." Red smiled pleasantly, stepping casually, his fist lashing out, connecting solidly with Moore's jaw. Stumbling back from the punishing blow, Moore hit Aram's desk, knocking folders and pictures to the floor as he fell.

"That answer your question." Red snarked, standing over the downed man, his face serenely composed. He went down on one knee, his hand grasping the ugly tie Moore sported.

Side stepping Dembe, Liz gave Silas a triumphant smile, stepping back a little. She half-heartedly scolded Red as he crouched over the man laying on the floor. "...Red, is this really necessary?"

"Yeah." Red nodded, curving his fingers tight into the cheap fabric of Moore's tie, eyeing the man belligerently. "Yeah, it's very necessary."

"Oh...okay then." She settled back by her guard. Dembe held his smile...just.

Ignoring the woman behind him, Red yanked on Moore's shirt front, pulling the bastard up to look him in the eye. "I'm a little baffled here." He admitted. "I don't care that you're fucking a hole in your wall...you know the one I mean, the only hole you can get. I don't care that you're paying rent to a drug lord or that you're helping him launder his money. Why do you care who I fuck?"

Moore swallowed hard. "What do you mean drug–"

Red pulled his weapon, placing it gently beneath the guy's chin. "You hear this and you hear it well cause I'm only going to say it once." He jerked the tie knot even tighter than he had in the beginning, causing the agent's eyes to bulge.

"Elizabeth is my wife." Red seethed. "I hear one more disparaging word out of your filthy mouth concerning her again?" He smiled unpleasantly. "You'll end up on the receiving end of Mr. Kaplan's loving hands. And I will instruct her not to be too choosey on your final resting place...or how she prepares it...or you."

"Are you threatening an agen..." Moore choked out a raspy gasp.

"Not threatening." Red slid the knot tighter. "Promising." It was silkily stated. "You can take it to the bank."

Everyone at the Blacksite stood immobile, watching the scene play out like a bad car wreck. No one moved, no one spoke, no one knew exactly what to do or make of this new situation which had arisen.

Everyone knew Reddington was often on site. Everyone knew the man was unpredictable, but more so all knew...Moore was a pain in everyone's ass.

So...no one even thought to intervene in any way, shape or form.

Donald Ressler stood off to one side looking decidedly uncomfortable, but even the man did not move to offer any unsolicited advice or direction Reddington's way.

"But before Mr. Kaplan arrives?" Red systematically tightened the knot at the base of the guy's neck. He enjoyed the gasping and wheezing coming from the Moore's throat. "I'll spend some quality time with you. Just you and me alone. I'll devote all my energy, all my thoughts, directly on you." He enjoyed the purple tint to the guy's face and the red veins bulging in those beady little eyes. "I haven't done that in a while. Last time, I found it very relaxing...very soul-cleansing."

"Red, I think he's about to black out." Liz pointed out helpfully. "Can we get back to our chat? Samar was just telling me an interesting bit of gossip."

Red held the gasping, squirming man effortlessly.

"...Please?" Liz sweetened the pot.

All held their breath until Red finally relented, allowing the agent's release. "You get up off that floor on your own and I'll beat the fuck out of you. Gossip or no gossip."

"Understood." Elizabeth answered for Moore, for at the moment he couldn't. She smiled brightly at all gathered. "It's good to be back, everyone. I hope you all enjoyed your time off?"

Several smiles and sighs of released the tension filled the air. The agents went back to work at their desks or whatever task assigned with no further notice to the new arrivals.

Moore lay spent and unmoving, desperately trying to regain his equilibrium. Ressler shook his head and moved back across the room to the copier.

Red stood over the fallen agent, daring the guy to make a move. Which was not forthcoming. But still...Red stood and waited patiently.

"I see you've returned." Cooper said, having halted his steps down the stairs leading from his office.

"What gave it away?" Red asked sarcastically, his scowl a disbelieving one.

"Want to tell me what this is all about?" The Director motioned to his fallen agent.

"You say that quite a bit, Harold. And always after the fireworks have already exploded, and the show is over." Red had long since realized. "Perhaps you should move your office downstairs, so you'll always be part of the action."

"Maybe I should, because you know, every time I ask, I never get an actual response."

"Sweetheart, why don't you go get a coffee, maybe a muffin?" Red directed his energies to something which wouldn't want to make him shoot everyone in the near vicinity. "There's a Starbucks a couple miles down, right?"

"Didn't you two just get here?" Cooper asked the rhetorical question.

"We did." Red nodded. "But really, since Lizzy hasn't been cleared to work yet, she just mainly came to say hello," he worked his jaw, staring at the two men across the way, "...see if she wanted to keep her job."

"Excuse me?" Cooper's smile faded, for he had been nodding his hello to the woman in question.

"I'll speak to you, in your office." Red advised tersely before returning to Elizabeth. "Go on, sweetheart. I'll call you as soon as I'm finished with Harold." He held her eyes willfully, silently asking she do as requested. He set his hand on her lower back, guiding her to the elevator.

"Silas, are you coming?" Liz hesitated, checking on the man.

"Yeah." The large man cleared his throat, his scowl increasing. "I, eh...I'll only be a minute."

"Silas." Liz's mouth tightened, her gaze shifting to Moore, who was still disoriented, trying to get his bearings. The man had sat up, but that was all he could accomplish to date.

"Oh, fuck that little shithead." Silas dismissed any notion that he might do harm. "I have to piss, okay? Happy now?"

Liz relaxed. "Oh, okay then. We'll wait outside. I hope you like your gift, Samar. Silas picked it out if you don't." She teased.

Red was pleased the woman seemed to be taking everything in her stride, at least. He feared a traumatic episode, but this meeting seemed to be turning out better than he had hoped where Lizzy was concerned.

"I won't be long, baby." Red murmured for her alone, smiling a sincere smile. "You guys enjoy your coffee and muffins."

"Goodbye, sir." Liz smiled a farewell to Cooper. "Aram has a gift for you and your lovely wife." She motioned to the large bag the man held. "I didn't forget you."

"You shouldn't have, Elizabeth." Cooper deferred graciously. "But of course, Charlene will love your thoughtfulness."

Red waved nonchalantly as the doors on the elevator closed.

Hiding his grimace of pain, Red shook his aching hand as he watched his guard because, quite frankly, he wasn't certain Silas was over his anger as yet. The large man, however, by-passed a groggy Moore, heading for the dark beauty standing now over by her desk.

---

LIZZINGTON

---

Samar's dark eyes blinked their shock, her gaze a disturbed one. She stepped to meet the approaching man.

"...You are wounded." She leaned slightly to better assess the damage, although Silas' wounds were concealed beneath the soft cotton of his dark-blue Henley. The woman noted instantly four of the brown buttons were undone, revealing the smattering of grey hair covering his corded chest. Her slender fingers moved over the thick bandaging present.

"Two?" She lifted an accusing stare. "You dropped your guard to that extent?"

How could she not have noted such a thing beforehand? His moving about so freely had opened the fresh wound, spotting the bulky dressing in blood.

Silas took his time, for he liked being the center of the woman's attention. "I heard...concern? Hopefully." He lifted a brow. "Then...censor." He held his smile. "I really enjoyed both, just saying."

Samar did not respond to the playful tone, her own mood a little off-putting.

"I never drop my guard. There were just too many unfriendlies to contend with at the time." Silas told his version of the tale. "We managed to level the playing field, and that's all that really matters, right?"

The attractive scowl remained fixed and set.

"I'm still here, baby." He reminded more gently.

That dark scowl altered to a cool crispness for such familiarity on his part.

"...Ma'am?" He tried again, hard pressed to hold his grin, the twinkling grey-blue eyes allowing his amusement for the predicament he now found himself in.

The scowl turned to a no-nonsense lift of a perfectly shaped brow.

"...Samar." Silas didn't mind catering to the woman's moods one iota. He found for that pissy attitude suddenly softened, which warmed his cold heart, truth known. He tried not to show it. "I'm still here...Samar." he caressed her name.

Those liquid brown orbs once again critically observed the heavy pads sitting just above the holster of his weapon. "Just barely, I would say." She cut him an, I'm not happy, glare. "I've lost enough friends in my life. I don't need to lose any more."

"Is that what we are?" Silas jumped on the statement, his eyes saying he hoped there was so much more to talk about on that subject. "Friends."

"I always thought as much." The woman held his gaze easily. "Am I wrong?"

He let it go for now. "No, Samar. I think it would be amazing to be counted among those you consider a friend. I don't think that headcount is all that high, in reality."

"You make me sound...odd." She half-laughed. "I am no different from any other woman you've known, surely."

Silas's eyes deepened. He held his peace. "Odd? No." He shook his head. "Unique, definitely. Exquisitely beautiful? Yeah." His gaze traveled the sculptured lines of the classically lovely features. "I could go on, but you've heard it all before, I imagine. Suffice to say, any man that can't see your many virtues is a complete and total jackass."

A gentle smile curved that delectable mouth. "There seems to be an abundance of those around then." She quipped, once again, glancing at her contemporaries. Those eyes searched out his face. "You are being very nice today. I approve of this new tactic."

"When have I not been nice to you?" He dared her to cite a time.

"Well, there was that time when I kissed you." She stared at him confidently. "You weren't very nice then."

The man's brow furrowed; the time brought to mind.

"You probably don't even remember the..."

"The night we were on Liz with the serial killer guy...the Crescent Moon Killer?" The man remembered right enough.

"Crescent Trail Killer." The woman corrected.

"I leaned on the hood of the car...and you..." His eyes dropped to that luscious mouth, his words trailing away. But suddenly, there seemed no need for words.

"I was trying to act natural." Samar's eyes held her amusement. "It seemed something a woman should do with a man like you."

The silence was deafening. Silas held her gaze willfully.

"And then you pulled back. I felt it." The woman's amusement grew. "I was quite devastated you didn't fall under my spell."

"I did fall under your spell." Silas could admit it now. "It's why I..."

Samar's interest was caught. "Oh, I see...you don't mix business with pleasure."

"It wasn't that at all. It's not that at all." Silas shook his head. He halted, knowing he was putting things badly. Knowing he was saying too much, too soon. "I'm flying out to Russia for a few days, hopefully...it won't take long, what I have to do."

"Russia?" Samar puzzled. "Should you be up and about so soon? On assignment?"

"It's something I have to do." The grey eyes held hers willfully.

"Then...do it." She lifted her head, her smile gentle, that soft accent gliding along the man's skin like a lover's caress. "If I can help?"

"You already have." He smiled finally. The silence came, and it was comfortable. "You have the most expressive eyes I've ever encountered. They show each and every emotion you are feeling...if you allow it."

That creamy stare dropped for a beat. "...Can I buy you some coffee?" She motioned to the area where the teams maker was set up.

"Not my style." He teased openly. "To allow a beautiful woman, or any woman, to pay my way."

"It's only coffee." She demurred, holding her amusement admirably. "And really, Reddington bought it."

Silas waved off the quip. "Starts with coffee." He amended, his stare a bold one. "Need to ask you a question, pretty lady. It's kinda personal, so if you're going to slap my face, remember..." he motioned to his wounds, "I'm fresh off the battlefield here."

The woman waited patiently, uncertain in which direction the conversation would go.

"...How serious a thing is this, whatever-we're-calling-it, with him?" He jerked his head to Aram Mojtabai. "I do have a reason for the question. Can you guess what it might be?"

Samar glanced at Aram, who hastily went back to his computer keyboard. He had discretely been trying to ascertain the reason for Silas' sudden interest in his co-worker and friend.

"It could have been one thing, but it turned out to be another." She had her doubts as to exactly what, if any, relationship existed between herself and Aram any longer. "...Things seemed to have leveled off."

"As I said, damned fucking idiots." Silas' mood soared. He stepped closer, shielding any further connection to the other man with his bulk. "Listen...when I get back from Russia." He took her hand, his thick fingers gently kneading the small slender ones methodically. He brooded, watching the contact for a long moment. "Can we take this conversation to another more..." those blue-grey eyes lifted with an intent deepness, "personal level, do you think?"

Samar enjoyed the feel of his touch, shifting a steady stare. "How much more personal?"

"About as personal as it gets." Silas stated quietly.

"Your timing..." the woman glanced around the very occupied space, "sucks."

Silas grinned. "Yeah, I know, but I wanted to establish contact, at least." He quirked his head almost sheepishly. "Couldn't leave without..." his eyes softened, "letting you know just how special I think you are. And just how important establishing contact," his stare was sensually heated, "was to me."

"I'm a little shellshocked." She admitted, still allowing his touch, which had become tender and intimate. "How long have you felt this...need?"

"An apt word." Silas' tone caressed her intimately. "It's been a gradual thing, but it's growing by leaps and bounds of late." The man leaned closer without seeming to, his voice lowering. "I think of you...a lot." He lifted her fingers to his lips for a discrete caress, his stare a confident one. "Especially at night."

Samar dropped her own gaze to a particular part of his anatomy. "Are you thinking of me now?" She asked innocently, that intense scrutiny of those liquid brown orbs taking Silas' breath away.

"...Fuck." The man savored the realization of what his body was experiencing. He whispered his awe. "No woman's ever been able to make me hard with just a look."

"First time for everything." She looked again. "That's very...very nice." She didn't mind confirming. "Just wanted you to know that contact has been established. At least on my part."

The man's eyes closed slowly, and he grunted his total approval. "Shit, baby..." he quietly moaned his growing arousal. "Don't put me through my paces here." He shifted an annoyed glance about the decidedly occupied office.

"You started it." It was gently reminded. She artfully removed her hand from his grasp.

"And I think you know I can finish it." His tone was tense and low. "No need to be cruel about it, is there?" The man allowed a slow, mesmerizing smile. "I like how you think, though."

Samar blinked a slow, languid pout. "I'm not happy with you right now."

"I can change that too, with enough cajoling and pleading on my part." He held his smile. "You know you would enjoy that."

The woman glanced at the ample bulge found inside the jeans the man sported today. "Well...I guess so."

"You know so." Silas was enjoying this conversation far more than he should. "You will give me a chance to prove my sincerity, right?"

She cut those eyes up and under, appraising him critically for a beat. She glanced about their surroundings aimlessly, sighing heavily. "You better bring me back something really amazing from Russia, is all I'm saying, big man."

"I'll bring you something big... and hard." He held his grin.

"Better be everything I expect." She walked away saucily, calling over her shoulder. "Last chintzy gift I got, I threw out the window of an eight-story hotel room." She cast him a look. "Followed by the guy who gave it to me."

"I'm kinda attached to what I had in mind." Silas tried hard to hold his amusement. "So, thanks for the head's up."

"And don't be getting shot up any more than you are." Her eyes fell to his wounds, and for a moment, her face softened. "I want my gift in perfect working order when it arrives."

"No batteries required." He spread his hands out leisurely, his eyes twinkling with subdued mirth.

"I always have batteries on hand...just in case." She held his gaze easily.

"You won't need them...but again," Silas shrugged those muscular shoulders, "what's playtime without a few age-appropriate gadgets."

"I like," Samar sat primly at her desk, "how you think."

---

LIZZINGTON

---

Taking a moment, Red stood rooted to the spot, reining in his temper. Turning away from the elevator, he headed up the stairs to Cooper's office.

He hoped Silas was making some sort of headway with his own dilemma. He would give the guy some time.

Red continued on his trek to Cooper's office. Entering the private space, both men stood placidly facing each other for a few moments. It didn't surprise him when Cooper, out of the blue, suddenly began a series of rapid-fire questions.

"You want to explain how this farce between you and my agent happened?" Cooper frowned at Reddington. "Do you know we could arrest you for assaulting an agent. Why in God's name would you–"

"Harold, stop." Red held up his hand. "I will try to answer your questions, of which, I'm sure, you have many. Throwing them out like accusations at a trial doesn't help."

The older man attempted to calm his growing ire.

"We came here to explain our actions today." Red advised. "But were met at the first opportunity by...whatever the hell that was your agent bombarded us with." His temper was flaring again, so he took a moment. "That bastard is a menace to himself and anyone he disapproves of. He thinks that badge gives him a right to an opinion, which really doesn't matter one fucking iota to anyone but himself."

"I am aware of Moore's shortcomings." Cooper stated succinctly.

"Are you? Then why haven't you reined the fucker in? Because one day, he's going to step over the line and I will do the job for you."

Cooper remained stalwartly silent.

"He calls my wife a whore again?" Red stepped threateningly. "I will take the son-of-a-bitch out, without a blink of my eye. Are we clear on that?"

Closing weary eyes, Cooper wiped a rough palm across his face. "...Wife." He repeated bleakly.

"Do you want to hear the tale or not." Red sat, placing his hat on Harold's desk. "I don't have to be here. Remember?"

"You do if you want your immunity to..."

"Means shit to me." Red laughed mirthlessly. "Never needed it in reality. Not why I came here. Not at all."

Cooper was no fool. He had long suspected another motive for Reddington's arrival. "I'm all ears. Enlighten me."

"It all started out as planned." Red settled into the story. "We arrived at our destination and had a couple of good days. Very informative." He relaxed back into a chair. "Contacts were made...deals sealed. Thing were going great."

Cooper moved to the other side of his desk, seating himself.

"Then...shit hit the fan. One night, late, Elizabeth was in her room, asleep. I was downstairs, finishing up some business." Red fell silent for a long beat. "Edward Costa attacked her." His tone was carefully neutral.

"Attacked?" Cooper sat forward. "My God, was she...harmed?"

"No." The words stuck in Red's throat. "Costa was stopped before he could complete his... objective. And...he's dead."

Cooper nodded slowly. "You killed him?" He asked, a hopeful tinge in his voice.

"Unfortunately, no. I didn't." Red's head lowered as he fought the revulsion which always surfaced whenever he thought about that time.

"So, who did?"

"I am not at liberty to say, at this time." Red shook his head negatively. "I can tell you that the man who did... is also dead." No need to get into Ben Gilchrist at this time, surely. Talk about complicated.

"One of your associates?" Coop asked, confused.

"Yes, he died days later in a completely separate incident, however." How Red would ever be able to explain Gilchrist and that debacle was beyond comprehension as yet. Even Red was still having trouble assimilating the facts surrounding the incident.

"Okay... we'll get back to that later." Coop waved him off. "After Keen was attacked, what happened?"

"Due to the situation, Elizabeth stayed close or under the supervision of a personal guard," Red confided, "but quickly gained back her confidence and resumed her normal routine. She has remarkable resilient powers which I greatly admire."

"I can understand that."

"I felt responsible for what happened. I was...responsible." Red drew in a cleansing breath. "It was then I realized just how important it had become to me, to get her out of the mess I had forced her into."

"You found yourself falling in love with her." Cooper stated quietly, too much so.

The man's head jerked sharply. "That's not what I said...I implied, there was a rumor going around."

Had Ben started it? Red now wondered. He artfully moved the conversation to safer subject matter.

"That Elizabeth might not be exactly as she seemed; that she was some kind of plant." Red explained further. "When her friends innocently asked why we hadn't set a date for a wedding...I jumped at the chance to do so, if only to allay any suspicions as to our motive for being at the meeting site."

Cooper merely stared at him, nothing more.

"...It was perfect. What criminal would purposely tie himself to a Fed?" Red spread his hands expressively. "All doubt as to our sincerity would be a thing of the past."

The silence in the room was unnerving, as was the older man's stare.

"You do realize they could prosecute Elizabeth for–"

"For what?" Red narrowed his eyes. "Marrying a man with full immunity from prosecution."

Harold drummed his fingers idly on his desktop, lost in thought. Reddington did have immunity. As long as he provided names from the Blacklist, he was a free man.

"The powers-that-be could cease the Blacklist operations." Harold put it out there. "God knows, after this rumor is confirmed...they very likely will."

Red shrugged carelessly. "If you don't want to clear the streets of the trash, it's no skin off my back."

"It would affect your immunity."

"But not my freedom." Red countered. "Don't forget, I navigated my way around you clowns for over twenty years. I can do it again." He said. "This time, I'll have Lizzy by my side."

"You think she'd just give up her life here." Harold countered himself. "Go on the run? Just to be with you."

"It's my fervent hope...yes. But you paint a dismal picture." Red said. "My paint set has more colors, my friend...and destinations and possibilities." He laughed lightly. "Besides, we'll still be nabbing the bad guys." He shrugged his indifference. "Only difference, we'll be collecting the bounties on their heads when we turn them in."

"This could affect her security clearance." Harold tried reason and logic.

"I have higher security clearance than Elizabeth." Red scoffed.

Harold dropped his shoulders, knowing where this was going. Rightfully so.

"Considering who she's been working with," Red waved a hand over himself, "her security clearance," the man air quoted sarcastically, "is shit."

Red gave Cooper an aggravated look. "Redacted files on Angel Station?" He arched a brow. "Really?"

"She found out the truth about Tom–"

"Because I obtained the unexpurgated files for her." Red stated the fact.

Reddington really didn't need the Feds to tap into anything he wished. Granted, they did make his job easier by snatching Blacklisters, allowing him easier access to the knowledge he needed. But really, the man could be doing this all by himself, in reality.

He had never really needed or even wanted government interference. That was not what brought him to the Bureaus' door that fateful day. Not at all. It was only the reason he gave over.

"Face it, Harold," Red tapped his fingers idly against his knee, "I am an island unto myself. I just happen to have a wife on that island now."

The government could take away Reddington's immunity, but there were always places to go that didn't extradite. They could stop the Blacklist, but the dregs of society would remain free. They could do a lot of things, but in the end Reddington would remain as he had been.

A free man.

"And this marriage, was it consummated?" Cooper asked, though he wasn't sure why.

"Harold, the answer to that question is personal." Red had taken a long moment to consider the why of the question himself. "And not like you at all to have asked it."

"So you did." Cooper threw down his pen. "Dammit, Red."

"I didn't say that we had." Red disagreed civilly. "I said that is a personal question. One that is none of your damn business, whatever the answer."

Red gave Cooper a stern look when the man went to further the line of questioning. "That is information that is solely between me and my wife. Any court of law would agree with me, and you know it."

Harold couldn't argue the point.

Regardless of her status as an agent or Reddington's as an informant; their personal lives didn't matter in this instance.

It really was none of his business. It was his own morbid curiosity that demanded he inquire just how involved his agent was with her informant.

Though, after the scolding Reddington just delivered, he wasn't sure if they had done anything.

All he knew for certain, Red really did a number on the task force by marrying Agent Elizabeth Keen.

Reddington was covering all bases in protecting Elizabeth and her interests as their marriage allowed the woman to cite spousal privilege when the shit hit the fan...as it invariably would, sooner or later.

Cooper would clap the man on the back for a well-played move, but he really shouldn't, considering he was the task force director.

"Is that the end of this sordid little story?" Cooper hoped as much, but knew that was a pipe dream.

"Shortly after Edward's attack," Red sighed, "Carver showed up."

"To get hold of Costa." Cooper assumed.

"While I'm sure Carver would not let opportunity pass him by, if it presented itself," Red granted, "... the bastard was there primarily for us."

"Whatever for?" Cooper was aghast.

"To claim the bounties on our heads." Red stated carelessly. "Needless to say, he failed in his endeavor."

"You killed him?" Cooper sounded almost hopeful.

"Why do you always presume it's me?" Red's jaw pulsed slightly.

"Why do I feel like I'm only getting part of this story?" Cooper snapped his growing pique.

"Because you are." Red didn't deny the claim. "Just know, you're getting the pertinent information, and leave it at that." It was strongly suggested. "Long story short. He was caught, in the midst of his capture, he was killed."

"I suppose you aren't going to tell me who killed him, either?" Coop frowned when he saw a darkness creep over Red's face.

"No." Red clipped the word. "Does it really matter? Men like Carver and Costa...no one cares if they disappear off the face of the Earth. People are only glad they're gone."

Cooper could be counted among such people, he knew.

"I told you of their demise out of courtesy." It was explained. "Why would anyone waste time looking for dead men who never really left any positive footprints behind?"

"Your vacations are very relaxing."

"I'd say it was a productive down time. Four people who were out to maim and kill are no longer a problem." Red would put this one in the positive slot on his balance sheet.

"Wait, four people?" Cooper sat up straighter in his chair.

"Yes, I'll discuss that at a later time." Red dismissed airily. "Now, to why I'm really here."

Cooper leaned back in his seat, getting comfortable. "There's something more." He sighed heavily. "Do I need a drink for this?"

"I'm about to make your job a hell of a lot easier." Red shook his head. "If you will just keep an open mind."

"My mind shut down a few minutes past if you want the truth, but tell me." Cooper encouraged. "How will you make my life easier...since all you usually do is complicate the hell out of it."

Red leaned forward, sliding a piece of paper across the desk. "I want immunity for these men."

Cooper sat forward, slipping on his glasses. "And who would these sterling individuals be?" He scanned the list, his brows lifting. "Francis Holbrook...the mob boss?"

Red shied away from the term. "Though, to look at him, you wouldn't know it."

"Oh, I think I would." Cooper begged to differ. "You want immunity for the mob boss."

"You make it sound so sordid when said in that vein." Red mumbled.

"It is beyond sordid. Which is what my Superiors will point out in no uncertain terms."

"My associates are some of the best in the business. In the world, for that matter." Red pointed out the good things. "Each has their own unique talent. I dare say, you could get rid of every agent you have here, and the bureau wouldn't notice a difference were they the replacements... aside from the fact shit would get done."

"These associates of yours, they're just willing to help our helpless asses out...what?" Cooper was a little skeptic. "Out of the kindness of their hearts?"

"Until I get immunity for these men, I will not discuss any further details." Red said. "All that matters is, in less than two weeks, they helped eliminate four criminals. Two of which were on your radar, the other two were not." It was pointed out. "How many bad guys have your team brought to justice in two weeks?"

Something in Red's tone made Cooper back off, for now. He assumed once he got what Red wanted, the rest of the story would unfold.

Leaning forward, Red tapped the first name listed.

"Daniel Courtland is an ex-Marine. He is our computer and weapons specialist. He knows all the underground bolt holes and trading routes better than anyone in the business." Red sold the man's attributes. "He knows all the cartels, mobs, triads, most of which you've never heard of before."

Cooper still did not seem all that taken with the idea of allowing outsiders inside his domain. "Aram is our computer expert. You seem impressed with his abilities yourself from time to time."

"Aram is good," Red granted, "but Daniel..." He left it hanging.

Cooper glanced down at the list. "Mark Donovan?"

"Mark is an ex-Army Ranger." Red continued. "He has ties to the mafia, but is primarily a mole, of sorts. If you need it found, he's your man. You can't hide people, or really much of anything, from him. He knows where to look or how one goes about finding it...whatever it might happen to be."

"I'm assuming you are speaking of kidnaped children, say? Or businessmen who are taken by an unknown assailant in foreign countries?" Cooper nodded. "We can do that, Reddington."

"Your methods, more often than not, get people killed. They are outdated and obsolete, even you know that." Red sighed. "Most criminals know your rule book better than you do and use it against you every chance they get."

"Go on." Cooper put his anger away for a spell.

"Michael Fairfax is ex-RAF. He is our international intelligence. If it's happening in Europe, Asia and what not, he's the man to talk to." Red held his expression, for he noted Cooper's interest piqued learning they had international ties.

"Eric Harper is also involved with the mafia and certain cartels." Red laced his hands over his stomach. "He would be considered a Captain, and could move up in ranks, but enjoys the freedom he has now. He also has other concerns on his mind at the moment, so I believe he'll stay where he is."

"Other concerns?"

"New girlfriend," Red explained, "rescued her from an abusive situation. His main priority is making sure she's... stable and secure."

"Then should he be included in this list." Cooper asked.

"Yes," Red said, "no matter what his situation, he always does his job. Plus, he's our man in the south."

"That brings us to Francis Holbrook." Cooper surmised.

"Yes, Francis." Red sighed. "Mafia boss with ties to Italy." He allowed that information to sink in. "He also has the best ears in the business. You want to know anything about organized crime spanning the globe, Francis is your man." Red tried not to show his pride. "And I warn you now, he's Elizabeth's stray."

"I beg your pardon?" Cooper's brows furrowed.

"She fed him and now he won't go home." Red replied in a droll tone. "Those two have become quite attached. Inseparable, even. So much so, I believe that if you lose Francis, you lose Elizabeth."

"Are you telling me, in a subtle way, that you've turned my agent rogue?"

"No, I'm telling you that Elizabeth has listened and watched and learned. She now knows what these men are capable of achieving and trusts them to complete any job assigned them." Again, Red tried to keep the pride from his tone. "She does have her favorites, though, and Francis Holbrook is it. He's earned the top spot, in my humble opinion."

"These men want to help us...why, again?" Cooper had to sell this ludicrous idea to the higher ups. How he could do it was anyone's guess. "They can't exactly be numbered into the good citizen category, after all."

"How many good citizens have stepped up in the past to offer any sort of help." Red wondered. "Immunity helps them operate at peak efficiency. They will repay that debt in kind, but only time and results will sway any needed opinions. Let them show you what they can do. It's not like the government hasn't ever lost any sleep over going back on their word when the situation calls for it."

The Director could not debate that issue.

"If it doesn't work out...I'm sure your friends in high places will cut their losses and run."

"So why do your friends trust us to not do precisely that?"

"We have assurances...or we will have." Red smiled slowly. "Don't worry about us."

"I'm not. I'm worried about my people." Cooper admitted. "There will be dissension among such troops, and you know it."

"Again, something we are prepared for." Red shrugged. "There is method to my madness, Harold. This is a good thing for all concerned."

"All I see is it will be good for you and your friends...to help line their pocketbooks."

"So, what if they do?" It was scoffed. "If you could have taken Bin Laden down in less than a week, would you have done it?"

"Of course I would have." Cooper scowled for such a stupid question.

"Mark could have told you where that bastard was within two days." Red cocked a brow. "If Mark happened to receive payment for the capture, would that have been a problem?"

Cooper's silence said enough. Red knew the discussion was turning in his favor. Now he knew that assurances were needed.

"Then why didn't you and your friends take the bastard out? Good citizens that you are."

"In that instance," Red told the truth, "...delivering the Intel and securing manpower would have required a dual operation."

Having been on the front lines himself at one time, Cooper inclined his head, understanding the intricacies of the operation.

First, Donovan would have required a trusted party in which to share, but also act on the Intel provided... which was a feat within itself. Should someone had taken the man at his word, the military would have become involved to cover the terrain and secure the enemy.

That was quite an undertaking for any organization.

"Those lines will begin to blur," Red knew well Cooper's train of thought, "when... or if you accept our deal."

"If they were to change their minds or switch sides, people could get killed." Cooper stood, a force to be reckoned with.

"This is a business deal, nothing more." Red pointed out. "Think like a businessman. They would simply pull out of the deal and cut their own losses."

"Again, how can you be so sure?"

"Harold, I know these men may be criminals to you, but even they have standards." Red said. "Never in a million years would Francis Holbrook sink so low as to place the likes of Carver or the Stewmaker on his payroll."

"I don't know, Red." Cooper voiced his concerns. "Francis Holbrook alone runs the DC and Chicago underground. If we knock out his competition, he'll take New York and who knows what else. He would become a very powerful monopoly."

"Your lack of knowledge regarding the criminals you investigate really drives my point home." Red made mention.

"What, Holbrook doesn't control all that?"

"No, you misunderstand. Francis already has New York... plus some." Red waved off Cooper's shock. "These are good men, Harold. They just dislike bullshit rules that hold them back from completing their objective."

"We can't have you guys going around killing people indiscriminately simply because you have the firepower to do so–"

"We're going to do whatever is required to ensure our survival." Red knew. "Tell me, Harold. The men I've killed, they haven't been a great loss to society, have they?"

"You don't really expect me to answer that."

"You just did." Red laughed. "If possible, we will turn over those we catch. But if it comes down to us or them, there will be no question in our minds." His brow furrowed darkly. "It will be them...every time."

"I have to ask. Why even get us involved in this? It sounds like you could do this all on your own."

"I have my reasons, most of which are personal." He wasn't about to share his true reasons. Which was to answer Lizzy's questions concerning her birthright, and hopefully, someday... clear his name. It was none of Cooper's damn business. "I will say, I believe this will make Elizabeth happy. Regardless of the situation we find ourselves in now, she has always just wanted to take down the bad guy."

"You love her, don't you."

"If we're done here." Red stood, adjusting his hat. "I expect to hear something by the end of business today." He pulled the door open, then stopped when he heard Harold sputtering inanities behind him.

"Today? You can't think it remotely possible for me to..."

"Harold, you know as well as I do, all you have to do is ready the paperwork." Red gave the man a scolding glance. "If your superiors don't know a good thing when they see it, then perhaps my services are no longer required, either."

Red Reddington gently shut the door behind him, keeping the smile from his face as he sought the stairs just ahead.

---

LIZZINGTON

---

Swaggering down the stairs, Red was positive they would hear something before five, but sometimes he just enjoyed watching Harold's face go from placid to pure panic when he heard an impossible timeline thrown his way.

They all knew the facts. Forget the serial killers and terrorists they had nabbed. Since teaming with him, the amount of cold cases they had addressed was enough to make a governmental head spin.

Red searched out his friend amid the sea of faces staring back at him. He waved nonchalantly and the large man nodded back.

Silas noted his appearance, sending a questioning shrug Samar Navabi's way. The woman trustingly placed her hand in the calloused one offered.

Gripping the banister, Red met the pair at the foot of the stairs. His smile was a warm one. "Thank you, Samar, for standing by Lizzy. It means a great deal."

"Those guys are dick heads." Samar dismissed with an airy wave of her hand, her free one, for Silas held retention of the other still, Red noted. "I would have given a year's pay to see you take that little bastard down like you did." She practically giggled her glee. "Moore is the bane of my existence. You are now the man I admire the most."

"Excuse me?" Silas took exception to that statement.

Red chuckled at the woman's Cheshire Cat smile.

Samar wisely held her peace on the exchange otherwise.

"Second most, perhaps." Red settled any ruffled feathers gallantly. "High accolades, coming from such an accomplished woman...makes me proud."

"I can still cram him in the paper shredder." Silas offered magnanimously. "If that's what turns you on?"

Samar pondered the question. "Ohh, I just got goose flesh." She ran her hand up and down her arm, her look a mischievous one.

Silas smiled slowly, his eyes lighting with an inner flame. "Really." His tone caressed the woman, as did his eyes.

"Had Elizabeth not been on site, I would have ended that asshole." Red told the truth. "It's only a matter of time."

"That new wife of yours is such a party pooper." Samar nodded thoughtfully, that beautiful mouth lifting into a wry tilt.

"Not when it counts." Red muttered to himself.

"Hum?" Samar's attention was caught by something more pressing. "Oh, my God...what is it with you guys?" She pointed to her meaning, gesturing to Reddington's arm. "You're bleeding, too." Those dark eyes checked on Silas' wounds again, her brow furrowing.

"Damn it." Red murmured irritably. "I go through more shirts."

"Do you both need help? I can have a doctor up here in..."

Both men waved the offer aside. "We're used to it." Red had checked with Silas. "Please don't forget the gifts Lizzy brought. I know she would want everyone to get their presents. Especially you and Aram."

Samar's smile was a soft one. "She didn't have to, but I love gifts so..." She grinned at both men, her fingers tightening slightly on Silas'. "Can't wait to unwrap it."

Red leaned, kissing the woman's cheek. "I'll pass it on." He put on his hat, which he had removed in a lady's presence. "...I'll wait for you." He motioned to the elevator, having caught his guard's attention.

"I can't wait to unwrap...you." Silas' eyes traveled the woman's curvaceous form, having waited until Red was out of earshot to voice his own thoughts.

"I'll make sure to wear a big bow, just for you." Samar held her amusement, but her eyes danced merrily.

"Baby, you don't have to wear anything...just show up." The man made small talk in his own inimitable fashion.

"What's to unwrap, then?"

"I'll find something," the grey eyes dropped meaningfully, "with which to amuse myself...and you."

"Promises, promises." Samar attempted to saunter away, none the worse for wear.

Silas tugged her back, planting a sedate kiss to the lovely curve of her mouth before taking his leave.

The woman watched him go... a slow smile curving her lips.

The guard made his way to the elevator, his steps studied ones.

"Were you done bantering?" Red asked sotto voce, waiting for his friend to take his place by his side.

"Wasn't so much bantering as..." Turning slowly about, Silas' expression was seriously intent when he sought the woman across the way. He held that enigmatical stare for as long as the moment allowed before turning with a regretful shake of his head.

Once situated inside the elevator, he sought Samar's eyes, holding steady until the doors shut off any further communication. "Getting our bearings."

"Do you need more time?" Red had not missed the exchange were his smirk any criteria by which to judge. "I can arrange it, you know."

Silas mulled the statement over.

"The sexual tension between you two could heat Niagara Falls for an entire season, you are aware?" Red teased in his own way. "Niagara Falls...isn't that where everyone goes to get married?"

"Just because you've cursed yourself and married a bundle of trouble," Silas' expression was a world-weary one, "doesn't mean we all wish to experience matrimonial hell." The man sighed. "Oh... and suck my dick."

"There's the Silas we all know and love. But you aren't up for that just yet." Red tried very hard to hold his grin. "I would kill you in an hour and you know I can do it."

"I can take anything you throw at me." Silas shifted a cool stare the man's way.

"We are certainly comfortable in our sexuality... but seriously, I'm proud of you for stepping up to the plate...finally." Red lay a hand on the man's shoulder. "How did she take the news?"

The larger man fell silent. As did his friend, backing off.

"You take all the time you need." Red nodded thoughtfully. "You'll know better what to do after that."

"I hope the hell I do, cause right now?" Silas' head dropped slowly, with his mood. "I'm about as fucked up as a man can get."

"I think, for the first time in a long time, Silas." Red disagreed. "You are finally on the right track. Probably doesn't feel like it right now, granted."

"No, it doesn't feel like it right now." Silas concentrated on the cement floor of the elevator, his thoughts having turned introspective.

Red allowed the man his due, falling silent for a beat. "Baby steps." He muttered to himself.

---

LIZZINGTON

---

Red smiled the closer he got to the car... and the agitated woman waiting for him. That woman needed to learn patience.

"What did he say?" Elizabeth asked before he got the door halfway open.

"Lizzy, did you eat?" Red asked as he situated himself in the seat.

"She did not." Dembe said from the front, his eyes twinkling in the rearview mirror.

"God, you're such a traitor!" Liz grumbled. "I ate already! My muffin was stale, I tell you!"

"You shouldn't divulge such information in mixed company." Silas smirked, then grimaced as he secured his seatbelt.

Narrowing her eyes, for she knew the comment held sexual innuendo, Liz glared at her guard. "Should I mention to Samar," she warned, "you have obvious prostrate problems? You took a long time to pee, after all. Couldn't drain the lizard like you once did?"

Chuckling, Red quietly directed Dembe to the coffee shop down the way before settling back in his seat.

"If you must know, I dropped a deuce," Silas grumbled. "Spending time with you brings out the worst in me."

Red shared a long-suffering look with Dembe, both sighing under their breath for the duo's less than couth conversation.

"Besides," Silas continued, "I have no doubt, Samar could easily stimulate my prostrate," he didn't deny facts, "or much of anything else to perform as it should, whenever the need arises."

"You hope, anyway." Liz needled her guard. "It would serve you right if–"

"Anyway..." Red hurriedly inserted himself, halting the battle of wills, "as I was saying."

Liz turned in her seat, her attention focused where it should be.

"The better question would be," Red said, clasping Lizzy's hand in his, "what did Cooper not want to know."

"Why do you do this?" She whined.

"I'm going to tell you, calm down." He replayed the conversation up until the point where Cooper had asked if they had consummated their marriage.

"What? That was all that was said?" Liz seemed deflated.

"Lizzy, how much exactly do you want them to know about our marriage?"

"I don't understand." She was stumped. "We're married. What's to know?"

"Cooper wanted to know if we consummated our marriage."

Reaching across the seat, Red quickly covered Lizzy's mouth before the woman could release a high-pitched curse.

"Calm down. I didn't tell him anything."

"He's got no right to ask that!" She sputtered indignantly. "How dare he! Can he do that?"

"Well, he did, but I cut him off." Red shrugged. "What happens in our marriage is our business, and ours alone."

"You're damned right!"

"There's a lovely loophole called spousal privilege, which you well know." Red reminded. "If you ever feel backed into a corner, you don't have to answer any question regarding our marriage or what you've seen or heard in the process of our relationship unfolding." He related. "Or anything which happens behind our bedroom door."

"They'll get shit out of me!"

"So, I reiterate, what do I tell them or not...concerning us?" He asked plaintively. "Lizzy, I won't take it personally if you want only the family to know it's real."

"I'm not going to hide what I feel for you. But I don't think I'll go around throwing it in people's faces when I'm at work, either. Just like I wouldn't, if I were married to anyone else." Liz said. "I look at work and home as two different things."

"So, I shouldn't kiss you before I leave the Blacksite." Red clarified. "What are my boundaries."

"Well, as long as it doesn't get all hot and steamy." Liz corrected. "Were you going to get hot and steamy? Sometimes you do...right?" She continued before Red had a chance to reply. "I don't see anything wrong with a goodbye kiss. I mean, other people kiss their spouses at work. Why should we be any different?"

"Because as nice as that sounds, to drop off lunch for you, then kiss you before I leave. I am Red Reddington, felon. You're FBI agent, Elizabeth Keen." He sighed heavily. "Might raise some eyebrows."

"No, I'm FBI agent, Elizabeth Reddington." Liz corrected.

"You're changing your name at work?"

"I'm dropping Keen all together, yes. As fast as humanly possible." Liz confirmed. "If anyone don't like it, or that I kiss my husband before he leaves to deal with some bad guy," she scowled, "they can kiss my ass."

"You'll catch a lot of flack, Lizzy."

"Like that will be something new." Liz reminded. "At least now, I get to go home and cuddle up and forget the day with a husband that loves me."

"That you do, and yes, he does." He leaned, kissing her.

"Now, about you punching Moore."

"Don't even think about telling me I was in the wrong. I don't care who the hell he is. Call my wife a whore..." Red scowled, "... be glad I didn't kill him."

"Always interrupting me." Liz grinned, smoothly sliding onto Red's lap. "I was going to say it was really hot, watching you defend my honor, as tarnished as it is."

"Your honor is not tarnished. Trust me." Red's ire calmed some having the woman so close. "If they only knew how naïve you can be. I should get you a halo."

"Yeah, well, with the things I've done here lately," she leaned in, whispering in his ear, "just in our bedroom... my halo is a bit tilted."

"And if you keep hanging out with Francis, it'll become warped." He gave fair warning.

---

LIZZINGTON

---

Opening the front door, Red hesitated in his tracks for loud, uncivilized voices met with their arrival. The man ushered Lizzy inside, both exchanging lifted brows for the obviously heated words filtering down the spiral staircase.

"How did it go?" Danny approached, a definite bounce to his step. "Are the Feds gonna come break down the door soon to cart all us unfavorable criminals away?"

"Sounds like some police interference is needed." Red held out questioning arms. "What the hell is that racket?"

"House guests, right?" Daniel chuckled, almost nervously. "We've had a front-row seat now for about forty minutes. Started right after breakfast...it's almost as good as a soap opera, but with more cuss words."

A door opened, and voices magnified. All heads turned to the upper level of the house.

Missy appeared suddenly, tear-stained face, bag in hand. Francis followed more sedately, his look a grim one.

"Dammit, Melissa!" Francis bitched, holding out placating hands. "Why can't you listen to reason? I just can't change an entire way of life overnight." He reasoned. "I didn't ask any of this shit with you."

"I'm a secretary!" She turned, ready for battle. "What shit could you possibly object to that I would have to change?"

"I'm just saying. I will accept you with any baggage which comes attached. It's what any caring couple would try to do, isn't it?" Francis seemed confused on the matter.

Missy breathed in a weary breath.

"What if I hate your family?" Francis wanted to know. "What if we find out you can't have kids if we want kids? What if...a hundred different things? I want to try to make this happen between us. It seems like all you want to do is throw out ultimatums."

Red was impressed with the kid's argument. But he kept the hell out of the crossfire.

"All I know is..." Melissa fumed, "I won't be here to visit when they put you behind bars."

"Like I haven't heard that before." The young man muttered dejectedly, slowing in his trek down the steps, allowing the woman to continue.

"He might have immunity, right, Red?" Danny Courtland helped the situation in his own inimitable fashion, giving Red a half-hearted smirk. "Might mean no more incarceration liability?"

Momentarily digesting such a notion, Francis sighed lightly, watching Melissa stomp to the front foyer. The young woman slammed the door behind her.

"So...is the deal on or what?" Francis joined the small group over by the library door.

"We're all ears." Danny turned an interested ear as well, ready to forget all about Francis' domestic tiff of seconds before for greener grass.

"Francis..." Red approached the subject matter on everyone's mind tactfully, "perhaps you would like to take a few minutes to check on Melissa?"

"It's fine." Francis forestalled what Red might say. "I'm fine." He assured. "Everyone's fine. She's a big girl. She can call an Uber."

"She most certainly will not." Liz sent her friend a look. "I'll go see if I can talk some sense into her head."

"It's all she does is talk." Francis murmured. "I'm talked out...so, what did the Feds say?"

"Where are the rest of the tribe?" Red allowed the matter to drop for the moment. "I'm not repeating this five times."

"I'll get them and meet you in the front room." Danny offered as Francis stalked towards the sitting room just across the foyer.

"I'm going to check in with Silas." Dembe said before taking his leave.

Liz pecked Red on the lips. "I'll go settle the ruffled feathers as best I can...wish me luck." She followed the path Melissa had taken a few seconds back.

Tossing his hat to the side table, Red headed to the bar. Francis was sitting on the couch, clearly brooding.

"Want to talk about it?" Red asked, pulling a tumbler down and pouring from an available bottle.

"She doesn't want me to get involved with anything more than I already am, thinks I'll end up in prison, eventually." Francis tipped his own glass back, traipsing over to pour another. "But who doesn't, let's all be honest."

"She's afraid for you. You can't blame her for worrying." Red smoothed a few feathers himself. "It is a distinct possibility, in our racket, that prison might be on our upcoming agenda."

"That's all well and good, Red, but I can't be anything other than what I am." Francis took another drink, breathing out his frustrations. "Can I? Should I?" He turned earnest eyes.

"You don't have to be a part of this new venture, Francis, I won't take it personally." Red assured the young man.

"I know you wouldn't." Francis said. "But she also wants me to give the other part up as well."

"Your business." Red clarified.

"Yes." Francis confirmed. "It's something I've worked hard for. It didn't just fall into my lap."

Though Francis could gradually back away and hand over the reins to another, it would take a long time to do it right. It did not mean, however, old enemies wouldn't crop up every now and then to put a fly in the ointment no matter how well intended one's motives were.

Melissa's expectations were very unrealistic, in Red's opinion. And rather naïve.

"If it's what you really want, it's doable, but...yeah. It would be a difficult, long transition." Red nodded thoughtfully. "Does she understand the time frame needed? Would she accept it?"

"She's not in an accepting mood at present." The boy's sullen reply caused a small smile on Red's lips.

"I'm sorry you're having such a rough time of late, Francis." First Ben and now this, Red thought. "I can't help feeling responsible in a very real way."

"Had nothing to do with you."

"Ben did." Red knew.

"...No." Francis disagreed. "That was all on Ben."

"Do you really believe that?" Red wondered.

"I don't think about it right now." Francis turned aside. "It's over. I'm moving on." He glanced about though. "Are you and Lizzy okay...on that matter, I mean?"

Red remained silent. "Let's get back to Melissa."

"...She's important to me, sure. She stayed after we told her my true identity. That meant a lot to me." It was slowly admitted. "I'm...confused. I have feelings for her. But how deep they run is anyone's guess. I seem to have feelings for a lot of women." He half-ass laughed at his own folly. "But, seriously, I just don't know if the emotions are there, right now. I think I need some space."

"A man's head can get jumbled sometimes." Red commiserated. "Maybe everyone just needs a little space, hum?"

Francis braced his arms on the bar, clenching his jaw. "The one time I try to do something good in my life and I–"

"Now, you stop right there." Red pointed a stern finger. "You have done a lot of good things in your life. All your charities, kids' homes and the fact you've cleaned up a colossal mess left by your predecessor..." He ducked his head, catching Francis' eyes. "You're an unbelievably good man, Francis."

Red caught a glimpse of Lizzy out of the corner of his eye. "Finish your drink and meet us when you're ready." He clasped the young man on the neck, giving him an encouraging squeeze.

Guiding Elizabeth to the front room, Red sat beside her on the loveseat. Looping his arm behind her, he smiled when she rested comfortably against his side.

"Do I even want to know?" He asked, taking a sip from his tumbler.

"I convinced her to go to Francis's guest house for a couple days to think things over." Liz said, taking the glass Red offered. "Joe had David drive her over."

"I'm not sure that will be enough, especially where Francis is concerned." Red sighed. Liz looked at him, waiting. "Melissa wants him to give up the business."

"I gathered from what she said." Liz shrugged her shoulders. "But that's easier said than done." She tucked her legs at her side. "How does Francis feel about that little stipulation?"

"She's backing him into a corner." Red stated quietly. "Never a good thing to do with Francis."

Liz nodded her understanding. Francis had gone above and beyond to keep his way of life from interrupting his time with Melissa, and would have strived to keep the two separate.

"Are you going to block her access to him?" Liz asked curiously. "Or are you going to let them hash it out?"

"It's not for me to decide at this time." Red realized. "I'll give it a couple of weeks." Liz shifted interested eyes. "At least Melissa didn't take any parting gifts...yet."

They both fell silent, each thinking of ways they might be able to help the young, struggling couple.

"You think they'll give an answer today?" Something else crept into Liz's thoughts.

"I'm not sure, sweetheart." Red wasn't in truth. "I told Cooper by the end of business today, but since Connolly is involved..."

"How do you know he's involved?"

"I'm betting that he's hidden somewhere in the dredges of that governmental hodgepodge Cooper has to deal with." He dipped his nose into her neckline, nuzzling the fragrant flesh lovingly, making her giggle. "Cooper knows my lack of patience where red-tape is concerned. They better get their asses in gear, is all I'm saying."

"If they draw things out?" Liz wanted to know.

"We'll cross bridges when they appear on the horizon." Red smiled, patting her bottom affectionately. "I wanted to talk to the boys at any rate. They have a stake in this new business venture, after all. This should be a mutually beneficial undertaking."

"Oh, Red, do we have to get into that right away?" Liz asked plaintively. "What with the thing between Francis and Melissa and now...everyone's on edge about what Cooper will or won't do." She grimaced. "Can't we just have a nice day and quiet night for once?"

"You think?" He second-guessed his intent.

"I would love to have some time to just settle into the house."

"Come here, you big baby." He snuggled her close. "Your wish is my command."

"Since when." Liz scoffed. The responding quiet chuckle from the man amused her. The quiet of the room settled about them.

"Where is everyone?" Red wondered, glancing about the empty space.

"I can't believe Cooper asked that about our private life together." Liz mumbled into his chest, her thoughts having taken yet another odd turn.

"Enquiring minds want to know, sweetheart." Red glanced down to the dour little face. "This is where your mind goes in quiet moments?"

"Well, if he thinks I didn't put out, then he's not as smart as I thought he was." Liz ignored the teasing.

"Why do you say that? We could have a marriage of convenience for all anyone knows." Red managed a straight face...just.

Liz snorted. "Yeah, convenient sex."

"I think I've created a monster." Red grinned. "Good for me."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

"I did not." He objected. "I said...good for me, which implies I find the rewards very beneficial."

"I've lost count of how many women have wanted to fuck you." Liz grumbled. "If anyone thinks that I haven't ripped the apple from that tree and bit the hell out of it, they're idiots."

"And we're back to square one, I see." Red nodded musingly. "You want to bite me? I'm game." He rumbled low in her ear, making her shiver. "Pick a starting point."

"And while we're on the subject, you know what else turns me the hell on?"

"Were we on that particular subject?" The man was confused. "Listen to me. What the hell...of course we were on that subject. What turns you the hell on, baby? I'm all ears."

"The way you take command and issue all those orders," Liz practically purred the word, "when you're in that masterful mood you sometimes get into." She smiled happily, snuggling closer.

"You sound surprised by that." Red tried to hold his amusement.

"I'm not surprised, I'm..." Liz didn't know what exactly she was, but something really good. That part, she knew. "Well, never mind, but it's good we don't limit ourselves to the mundane. Don't you agree?" She sought the man's input.

"You're putting me in a very agreeable mood if you want to know the truth."

Frowning, Liz glanced up at the man's face. "Are you taking this seriously?"

Hearing the men approach, Red patted her bottom before playfully swatting it. "I'll show you just how serious I'm taking this...later."

The man grinned when the woman sighed her annoyance. He sat up, crooking his head a tad. "Have you finished opening our gifts yet?"

"Are you distracting me with shiny baubles?" She inquired. "Which actually...is working." She cast a wistful glance at the towering mountain of colorfully wrapped presents calling out to her from the room opposite them, her eyes lighting with subdued excitement. "But...I guess it's going to have to wait."

"What has to wait?" Mark asked as he came in, leading stragglers behind his tall, muscular frame.

"Wedding gifts." Red smiled a welcome. "It will be our first anniversary before we get to them, the rate we're going."

"You're right...they can wait, but we can't." Danny took a seat across from the divan upon which Red and Liz lounged. "The suspense is killing us by degrees, so...spill."

"I think it went well. Enough that I saw panic in Cooper's eyes when I hinted to pulling a vanishing act." Red remembered back fondly.

"So, you actually had to play that card." Mark's tone suggested concern.

"No, I just did that for fun." Red waved any issues aside. "Sometimes it's like you guys don't trust my abilities." He accused. "You should have seen the Director's face when I mentioned Mark here could have given our illustrious government Bin Laden within a day."

"If that was a compliment, it wasn't an accurate one." Mark shifted comfortably in his seat. "You know very well I could have secured his smarmy ass within a few hours."

"He can't go around making us sound like we're the damn Avengers." Francis explained what he considered the obvious. "You can show them how brilliant you are once we're in."

"I didn't think of it like that. It would be fun to see their faces when we pull rabbits out of our collective asses." Mark chuckled infectiously. "Which I've done on occasion, as you all know."

"Now, why the hell would you say asses instead of hats? It just makes us sound weird." Francis snipped.

"Francis, are you a little on edge?" Danny wanted to know. "Your woman getting you down and grumpy?"

Red felt Lizzy giggling against his side. "Don't encourage them." He warned sotto voce.

"We can show them our party tricks later." Quickly, before he lost control again, Red outlined briefly what had gone down in Cooper's office.

"And if they don't call?" Francis rubbed his palms against his thighs.

"Everything is under control." Red said. "As of right now though, everyone just settle in. Relax. Because when they do call, things might get a little hectic."

"Well, Michael and I still have some business to attend to, so if it's all the same with you," Harper arose, his hand releasing Lily's, his look an affectionate one for the woman, "we have to take our leave." He bent, kissing her fingers. "Honey, if you could stay here with..."

"I want to stay with you." Lily pouted prettily. Red held his smile, for he could sense Harper was affected even from across the room.

Harper looked to the man for support.

"Lily, a deal can go sideways at the drop of a hat." Red explained to the woman. "Harper would be more comfortable with you safely tucked out of sight until negotiations are finished. I'd want the same for Lizzy." He pinched Liz's side gently, telling her to remain silent on the matter. "It shouldn't take all that long and we had planned a very nice lunch for everyone."

"Eric will miss lunch?"

"Of course not." Liz smiled over a gentle smile. "Nora would never hear of a man not eating a hearty meal. She is always prepared in that area."

"Are you dealing with O'Flynn?" Red turned the conversation hastily. "If so, stay away from Irish jokes."

"I'm English, old boy. I can't possibly do that." Michael let everyone know.

"O'Flynn is ill-tempered, takes the slightest thing to heart, especially where his precious Ireland is concerned." Red warned. "I'm telling you, Michael...rein in your precocious side where this man is concerned."

Harper looked down at his watch, sighing. "We should go." He squeezed Lily's hand, winking down at her. "We'll be fine." He kissed her gently. "You stay with, Red. Do what he tells you." He nodded his gratitude to Red before following Michael from the room.

"Well, with that settled, I think we're going to rest a bit before lunch." Red stood, holding his hand out for Liz to take. "The house is yours, people. Please make yourselves at home...and we mean that in all sincerity."

Red motioned for Emma to take charge of Lily, who seemed so lost without Harper around, before escorting Lizzy out of the room.

---

LIZZINGTON

---

"The household is jumpy." Liz sensed. "Everyone's on edge." She patiently bandaged Red's arm wound as he leaned against the basin in the bathroom, arms folded, biceps bulging. "I wish you would have asked for a few more days before demanding Cooper seal the deal with the guys."

"Would have, except for my time schedule demanded otherwise...why?" He was curious.

"Everyone would have had time to bond...become a more tightly knit group." Liz hoped, at least.

"You don't think they are now?" Red grimaced when Lizzy hit a raw spot.

"Doesn't feel like it yet." Noting Red's discomfort, she gave a woeful shake of her head. "If you hadn't hit Moore, your stitches wouldn't have come apart."

"It was so worth it." Absently watching the woman's activities, he winced having attempted to flex his still swollen fingers.

"Fingers hurt?" Liz murmured, glancing at the man's swollen knuckles.

"Not really." Red lifted the hand to better see it. "Dembe realigned them... again. They're just tight."

"Can't you just pistol whip the bad guy next time?" Liz muttered, lightly kissing the damaged flesh on Red's hand. "Save yourself further injury."

"While I appreciate your suggestion," Red did, "and have no qualms doing so," he didn't, "I wanted nothing more than to strangle that stupid fucker with my bare hands."

"For the record," she set matters straight for future reference, "what Moore said, I know he did it to get a rise out of me." She shrugged carelessly. "Really, it didn't bother me."

"It bothered me." Red's jaw pulsed erratically even as Lizzy smiled softly. Glancing down at the dark waves of Lizzy's hair, he leaned, placing a kiss on the soft strands.

Relieving the woman of the medical supplies in hand, Red set them aside, pulling Lizzy into his embrace.

"I know you didn't need me to defend you," Red murmured. "I know you probably didn't care what that pompous windbag said..." he admitted, "but I can't... I won't stand there and listen to anyone hurl insults at my wife."

"You can't protect me from everyone, Red." Liz lifted loving eyes to his.

"I'll damn well try my hardest." Red whispered, kissing her brow lovingly. "At the very least, they'll know better than to spew their bullshit in my presence."

Lifting up on her toes, Liz kissed Red's soft mouth. "You're sexy when you're mad... have I told you?"

"Yeah... well." Red brooded.

"Oh..." Liz purred dreamily, "and now you're brooding." She teased the man, kissing his strong jawline. "You're gonna get my panties all sorts of wet."

"If that's what gets you off," Red's eyes darkened, "you better start carrying a spare because I feel it will happen a lot if I have to be in Moore's vicinity for any length of time." He gave the woman fair warning.

"Duly noted." Liz chortled under her breath before returning to the task at hand. "What were we talking about before?" Her brow furrowed. "Oh, right... the instability everyone feels."

"After what happened with Ben, I agree. Everyone needs to solidify and strengthen their relationships without distraction." The man murmured. "I will find that time somewhere soon." He vowed quietly. "With what we'll be delving into, they need to know they can rely on one another. For Danny, Mark and Michael, it'll feel like they have battle buddies again. And Francis..."

"He needs his family mended." Liz knew instinctively. "As do I."

"There's still tension among the women. They're afraid." Red sensed it. "They're talking big, yeah, but..."

"Which has been made more than obvious today." Liz referenced the scene they had walked into earlier with Francis and Melissa.

"We have to make certain, from here on out, we will be each other's support. A literal family." Liz warmed to the notion. "The more time spent together right now, the better. There needs to be comfort and trust." Her brow furrowed.

"You should make a point of making yourself available to the girls." Red suggested. "They need to know there is someone to help them, no matter how trivial the problem might be at any given moment."

"Susan will be do fine, of course." Liz dismissed, "but the rest of the girls?" She had her doubts. "I know how out of my depth I felt after you allowed me into the inner sanctum."

"I suspected as much." Red said. "Let's get out there and attempt the host and hostess thing." He motioned. "We'll make our presences known and if some good comes out of it, then more power to us, right?"

"Couldn't hurt." Liz agreed. "There," she gently secured the last bit of tape, "all done."

"I'd rather be doing something more... productive." Red's look told her exactly what it was. "I'll have to settle, I'm supposing."

She impishly offered the man her arm in reply to the former.

"That's what I thought." Red muttered. Glancing in the mirror, he nodded his approval for the perfectly situated bandage, but more so, Lizzy's tender touch.

"I'm going to have you tend to my wounds from now on," Red pushed himself from the basin, "Dembe has a knack for reverting to his sadomasochist ways when assisting me." He said, shrugging a fresh shirt up over his shoulders.

"Who's to say I won't?" The blithely stated statement caused Red to pause in buttoning his shirt. "I seem to recall you liked that sort of thing... or at least, that's what you said." Liz lifted innocent eyes. So innocent, in fact, Red wasn't sure if the woman was jesting or not.

"We'll explore that hypothesis... later." Red leaned, kissing her lips.

---

LIZZINGTON

---

Red thought it wise to call an impromptu meeting with some of the guys, leaving Lizzy to handle the women. He hoped to alleviate some of the stress and concerns the men must be facing at such a time.

"I'm sure you guys have some questions now that you've had some time to think about the mess you've stepped into." Red opened with a joke, or at least, he hoped he had.

The faces staring back at him did smile, mostly.

Francis looked as though he had the weight of the world sitting on his shoulders, and had yet to figure out a way to alleviate the problem.

Red really needed to get a moment with Francis to talk about the Ben incident and get some emotions out in the open so they could be discussed, dissected and, hopefully...dealt with.

Mark's brow was furrowed in critical appraisal. Of what, was anyone's guess.

Daniel sat pensively, his large hand grasping the ankle of his cowboy boot as the muscular leg was resting precariously over his equally large knee.

"You know," Red continued in a more upbeat fashion, "there are benefits of this alliance maybe you haven't considered as yet."

Blank stares met with his efforts. Francis pulled himself back from his reverie, finally checking in. "...Like what?" He asked the rhetorical question on everyone's mind.

"Well, let's see," Red settled back in his chair. "I take the major assholes out of the equation. The ones that make us all have nightmares."

He had their attention.

"But that's not to say, they're the only Blacklisters we can target." He sweetened the pot. "Francis, didn't you tell me recently that one of your arms dealers went south on you?"

Fiddling with some unseen object in his lap, Francis sighed. "...Yeah, that scumbag Derek Chandler almost got me killed cause the Chinese Triads don't especially like it when they're having to wait in a drafty warehouse for a shipment that isn't going to show."

The kid lifted his head, his eyes vacant. Fortunately, Francis could operate quite well in that mode. "Good old Derek took a higher bid but neglected to inform me of the fact. I lost two of my best guys in the deal and almost got my head blown off."

"You haven't retaliated?" Mark was shocked.

"The little bitch went to ground." Francis went back to his musings. "I'll find him sooner or later. He knows it and so do I."

"I can help." Mark offered quietly. No one liked to see Francis in such a state, but no one had any idea how to help at present, for the guy didn't want to talk about it yet…. for obvious reasons.

Francis smiled listlessly. "Thanks man."

"That's my point." Red sat straighter in his chair, his hand gripping one of the chair arms. "We can target the little bastard with the FBI's full assistance." He grinned at the irony. "Maybe take down Chandler's entire operation in one sweep."

"Isn't that what the Feds are expecting from us?" Danny stretched his cramping leg out in front of him on the convenient coffee table. "To use this situation to our advantage?"

"Hey, any job has perks. Let them get over it." Red reminded. "Once we get into the operations part of the deal, who's to say how we use the amenities? You must have a hundred names rattling in your head of people you believe should be shutdown for whatever reasons."

Each person present seemed to be waiting for the other to speak first.

"Regardless of whether the Feds okay our deal...we could still make this work, probably better without their interference." Red offered over a view point. "This alliance can take us places we couldn't go on our own."

Francis was too quiet. He usually was the one leading the way. Red's heart went out to the man.

"This partnership should be equally beneficial to all. And we need to start building trust here." The older man finished.

"...What about the other shithead? The other Derek." The kid came through even in his depressed state, Red noted. "Not the arms dealer, but the drug lord."

The suggestion met with several murmurs of approval and sedate nods of heads. "He's a psycho and Derek, number one is paranoid to the extreme." Mark clearly didn't respect either individual.

"And entirely too quick on the trigger." Danny had met both. "Something's not right in either asshole's heads."

"We can take out both fuckers." Red smiled slowly. "Wouldn't that be sweet."

Finally...smiles all around. Except Francis. Red's brow furrowed for the fact.

"Okay, we have our beginning." The conversation moved on, but Red made a mental note to sit down and seriously speak with Francis Holbrook at the first opportunity. First this shit with Ben and now the break with Melissa?

Red sighed lightly, knowing he had to do something to help out somewhere for the boy.

"I know you assholes aren't shy." He lifted a scolding stare. "Give me some names to work with here."

"Stevenson, out of New Orleans." Mark spoke up. "No grudge. Just dislike people who fuck with kids and women. I know Harper would want to put the guy's name in the pot were he here."

Red wrote it down, needing no further explanation. The one supplied was enough.

"Does this have to stay this side of the pond?" Danny was curious. "Michael should be represented here, right?"

"Surely, we are creative enough to figure some solution to our Limey friend's dilemma if some bastard is getting under Michael's skin." Red spread his hands. "If we really put our minds to it, yes?"

"Do we get the reward money if we turn them in?" Francis raised his hand, a question on his own mind.

Danny turned, looking at Francis, scowling. "Now, what the hell would you want with it? You've got more money than God."

Francis frowned. "I thought maybe we could take it and make a victims fund or something."

Quite settled in the room as each man considered the implications of such a noble statement.

"I'm going to take the credit for that one." Mark decided. "I thought of it first, but was too self-effacing to speak up cause that's just the type of guy I am." He glanced at Francis with open camaraderie.

Francis smiled slightly. "I knew you were thinking it... just beat you to the punch."

"That's very nice, Francis... and Mark." Red held his own smile for the interaction between the men. "We could absolutely do that, with everyone's agreement?"

There was no dissension offered.

"We could start maybe with..." Francis hesitated. "Amy's... I mean... Vanessa's mom." The boy's head lowered again. "I could do it, but it seems kinda... wrong, with me being the cause of her death and all."

"You aren't the cause." Mark reminded. "It had nothing to do with you, Francis. Nothing."

"Hunter took the shot." Red practically snipped. "Thank God. Considering she was aiming a weapon at your fucking head, boy."

Francis remained silent.

"We can start with Vanessa's mother." Red made the decision. "And I'm glad we've made a start here. It's a good thing."

The meeting went on for a while longer. At its conclusion, spirits seemed somewhat better, and they had cleared the air on a number of issues the men had kept to themselves.

Red meant to pull Francis aside at that moment, but the boy had sequestered himself on the far side of the office, phone in hand. As Red approached, he heard Melissa's name, so backed off to give the couple some time.

At least Francis was reaching out to someone.

The other guys went in search of a snack. The aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the house. Nora was working her magic.

---

LIZZINGTON

---

"Hey, Red," Joe called out as Red walked the hall, stopping the man in his tracks, "this just came for you. We checked it...all's clear."

Taking the packages Joe handed him, Red smiled as he scanned the parcels. "Why do I feel like I'm in a George Pal movie?"

"Who?" Joe was stumped. And at Red's heavy, melodramatic sigh, the guy moved on. "More gifts for the little woman?" Joe teased. "She hasn't even made a dent in the ones from the wedding, you are aware, Boss."

Ripping into the first, Red opened the decorative box. "These? She will like, I just have this odd feeling..." he chuckled.

Lifting the black ribbon, he unveiled just one of Lizzy's new cards.

"She was so taken by the titanium card," Red chortled, "which she still has, as I recall...I ordered her a whole slew of them." He waved towards the boxes waiting, all from different companies.

Grinning, Joe took the card, glancing down at Elizabeth's new name etched in bold print.

"...Red." Silas inched around the doorframe, holding his middle protectively.

Frowning, Red dropped the card in his hand, barely taking note of the metallic clang it made when it hit the dark wood desktop.

"You alright?" Red reached for the man, gently guiding Silas into a chair Joe made available.

"...Yeah," Silas slowly sat in the provided chair, grimacing, "old war wound."

Sharing a look with Joe, Red sighed mentally.

"Perhaps if you actually took your pain meds?" Joe had a wonderful solution to the obvious problem.

"They dull my senses...look, I'll cut to the chase here," Silas eased back carefully, "I'm not gonna be at peak efficiency anytime soon, let's all call a spade a shovel." He quipped to lighten the men's dour mood. "I didn't really get to take any vacation days..." he began to argue his point.

"Silas, what's going on?" Red perched his ass atop the desk, opposite Silas. "Say what you gotta say, man. You're not in the enemy camp, are you."

"I gotta go to Russia for a couple days."

Leaning onto a bookshelf beside him, Joe stubbornly crossed his arms, grumbling under his breath.

"...Vadik?" Red assumed, for the other man was the only thing holding Silas to the birthplace of his wife, Anya, Red knew.

"I just have some things I need to address." Silas shrugged. "And yeah, I guess I should check in on him." He granted. "Been a few months."

"I have no problem with your going." Red didn't. What Silas did on his time off was his business. "I'm concerned," he gestured to the man's injuries, "that you're taking on too much too fucking soon...aren't you?"

"All I'm doing in closing out a storage facility," Silas spread plaintive hands, offering an explanation of sorts. "Maybe take a quick peek in on Vadik... nothing dangerous."

"Dangerous and Vadik are two words that are synonymous with one another." Red couldn't help point out.

"You're being a tad on the dramatic side, don't you think?" Silas gave the man a withering look. "I mean, really..." the man scoffed lightly, "you're one to talk, considering you just married a woman who habitually conjures bad luck out of thin air." He arched a wry brow.

"Contrary to popular belief," Red arched his own brow, "deflection is not a good look on you."

The men stared one another down for some few long moments until Red sighed.

"If you're going," Red said, "take David and Justin with you."

"I don't need no damned babysitters." Silas grumbled irritably, his expression darkening.

"Then look at it as a bachelor weekend," Red advised. Silas stared up at him stonily. "Look, as you said, you're not at peak efficiency. You've made a lot of enemies working for me. If something should happen," he said, "I would feel better knowing you had backup."

"Or an alibi..." Joe added his own thoughts on the matter.

"Whatever the case." Red said, pushing off his perch. "All right... I heard Anthony Burke was going to Italy for a couple days. I'll get you onboard with him."

Slowly sliding to the edge of the seat, Silas grasped the armrest, pushing himself erect. "I can hop the express from there...thanks, man." The guard nodded absently. "I'll make it as short as possible. Hopefully be back by the end of next week."

"Are you sure this is just a visit home?" Red wasn't certain, and he wasn't about to pry if Silas didn't want to share the real purpose of the trip. "I can spare more men if you..."

"Not business." Silas met Red's gaze. "Just... visiting old friends."

Red felt better suddenly. "Oh." He let it go. "God's speed, Silas."

---

LIZZINGTON

---

As promised, Red secured Silas' place on Burke's plane, and just in the nick of time, too. Burke had been in the process of handling last-minute details of the flight when Red called.

With assurances he would delay his departure until Silas' arrival, Red thanked Burke for his assistance.

Accustomed to hurried departures, Silas and his babysitters headed out well before the expected time of arrival.

Ushering Lizzy to the car, Red climbed in after the woman as Silas eased in beside her after Justin took a seat behind them in the third row, leaving David to take a seat beside Dembe.

"You guys didn't have to take us, you know." Silas muttered.

"We have a couple errands to run anyway, so..." Red had wanted to see his friend off, though. Silas was going through a rough time. Silas...was Silas and would never divulge anything of a personal nature. Red wanted to show some sign of support, at least.

The drive to the airport was a fun one, as the two younger men took it upon themselves to be the entertainment committee, dutifully relating some gory details of an incident that had developed during their time off.

The story entailed a sombrero, copious amounts of tequila, a little Spanish beauty, and a man named José.

"You're making that up." Liz rolled her eyes. "I know that song, idiots. Who doesn't."

"I swear to God...it was like sitting back and watching a video unfold or something." David put his hand to God. "So this drunk imbecile is dancing with this lovely dark-haired senorita...had been for about twenty minutes, right?" He hooked a thumb to the imbecile in the back. "He's twirling her around like a plate on a stick, chips flying out of an enormous sombrero he had stolen off the wall of the Cantina..."

"You had tortilla chips in your hat?" Liz questioned the man, trying to visualize the scene.

Justin shrugged. "... Yeah, well, I had been eating guacamole when she came sauntering up. I was trying to be cool, so I hid them in the hat."

"You could not possibly have been cool with that hat on your head." Red was relatively certain. "Never mind about the chips..."

"Then why did she approach me?" Justin wanted to know. "There were plenty more men in the place."

"Anyway, so this chick is coming on strong, telling him he's so big and strong and shit," David rolled his eyes, "and he's eating it up like the Gringo sucker he is."

"I am big... and strong." Justin glanced down at his sturdy frame, a frown creasing his brow.

"Of course you are." Liz commiserated, patting the man's arm consolingly. Red held his thoughts on the matter...and his grin.

"So, the other patrons of the bar, who were unaware I could speak the lingo, start whispering about this girl." David continued. "I tell the idiot here, hey man," he said, "this chick's hooked up with some loco guy named José, and he's on his way here."

"I thought he was joking." Justin shrugged, mindless of Silas' quiet laughter. "I mean, shit, what are the chances?"

"So you know the song, too." Red took for granted, biting his lips to keep from chuckling, motioning for the tale to continue. "Don't you keep us waiting..."

"Long story short...old loco, José strolls into the bar," David cackled, "and no joke, has to turn sideways to get through the door. And true to form, decides to live up to his name. I did not see any real fun in our future plans that night, let me tell you."

"Fucker was huge." Justin agreed.

"Stud here has his tongue so far down the chick's throat," David chuckled, "he didn't hear the gorilla approaching."

"You didn't say anything?" Liz's voice lifted an octave. "You didn't warn him?"

"I had been warning him allnight." David took exception. "He wasn't listening!"

"It's just his way." Silas lifted a wry brow, waving his hand for the story to continue...well, more to hurry up and get over, already.

"Do I want to know anymore?" Liz was invested.

"Kong picked junior up like he was a rag doll and hurled his ass over the bar and out a nearby window." David tittered.

Glancing over the seat, Red's brows lifted with shock, for Justin was on the muscular side and pretty imposing, if you didn't really know the dimwit.

"Literally..." Justin rubbed his still aching neck. "Had a bottle of Cuervo shoved up my ass when all was said and done. It was not a good night."

"Depends on your perspective." Silas muttered to himself. "A bottle of Cuervo is a bottle of Cuervo...and it was free."

"His chips went flying about like confetti," David laughed. "He staggered back upright, bottle in his hand, sombrero firmly attached to his head."

"Where did you get the bottle again?" Liz wanted to know. "Not the Cuervo...the one in your hand."

"I haven't the slightest idea." Justin didn't.

"I wish I could say he grabbed it from the bar mid-flight," David grinned, "but he'd been nursing it when dancing with his little seductress."

"It's the Irish in him. Don't ever let go of the bottle, no matter what." Silas knew the rules.

"I still don't understand why you didn't believe David." Liz was lost, questioning both Justin and her senses.

"You've heard the song." Justin reminded, then hummed a line of the ditty, badly.

"That's what this is all about, Justin?" Red nodded, and had to admit, the situation had been uncannily similar in nature to said song. "You don't need to sing it." He hurriedly assured as the guy clearly was warming up for just that eventuality. "I've heard it...I swear."

"Could have been worse," Silas hunkered into his seat, "could have been a retelling of Lola."

Justin shivered involuntarily. "Ah, man...don't even go there on that one."

"Graduation...Boot Camp." David recalled vaguely. "The year escapes me."

"How was I supposed to know? I had been without a woman for thirteen weeks. I was off my game." Justin staunchly defended himself.

Jerking about, Silas' look of incredulousness morphed into a tight grimace, for he pulled his stitches. "Fucker!" He groaned low. "Don't fucking make me laugh again! I'll put your head through the nearest window." He slowly climbed out of the vehicle, holding his side.

"Make sure you stick a bottle of Cuervo up his ass, Silas." David held his glee. "He seemed to like that part."

Chortling, Red stepped out of the car, giving Burke a small nod of acknowledgment as the man was standing alongside his jet, awaiting everyone's arrival.

Shaking Anthony's hand, Red watched Silas hold out his hand for Lizzy to slide from the opposite side of the SUV. "I owe you one, Tony."

Red noted Elizabeth was very careful as she moved from the seat, not really relying on Silas' sturdy arm, but her own steam to emerge, clearly not wishing to put any undue pressure or strain on the man's injuries.

"Yeah, like I don't know what you're doing." Silas drew in an annoyed breath. "I could lift your scrawny ass any day of any week without putting an ounce of effort on my poor, taxed body."

"I wasn't doing any such thing, you old poophead." Liz denied any and all support. "I sure hope this trip gets you in a better mood."

"My mood is fine." Silas grumbled. "There is nothing wrong with my fucking mood whatsoever."

Liz sighed heavily. "Whatever you say, Silas."

"Don't patronize me, woman." The man snapped.

Anthony Burke held his smile. "I see our guest is in his usual good humor." He quipped to Red alone. "Going to be an interesting flight."

"Like I said, I owe you." Red grimaced apologetically.

"Elizabeth, it's so good to see you." Anthony smiled pleasantly, holding out a welcoming hand, leaning to kiss Liz's cheek. "I was hoping you would be here."

Accepting the man's greeting with a shy smile, Liz returned the gesture.

"How you feeling, Silas?" Anthony asked of the guard.

"Like I've been shot." Silas grumbled, favoring his side. "Twice...in one damned day." He threw Liz a look.

"I wasn't the one to shoot you!" Liz gasped, then frowned. "...Not yet." She murmured. "Besides, I said I was sorry... twice!" She called out after Silas' retreating figure. "I really am, Silas."

The man waved back an irritated hand, nothing more.

"He's just hurting." Liz explained politely. "He'll feel better when he takes his pain meds."

"Not taking the damned things." Silas turned, ready for battle. "Told you a hundred times. All they make me want to do is sleep. A man can't sleep fifty hours a day!"

"That's because there are only twenty-four hours in a day." Liz traipsed after the man. "Now you take this bottle and you do exactly what the doctor told you to do...I mean it, Silas. Do I have to come on that plane with you to make sure you do?"

It was touch and go for a beat, but the man angrily snatched the medicine from unresisting hands, stuffing it in one of his many cargo pants pockets.

"Now, don't forget where you put them and check to see if they've fallen out before you get off the plane." Hurriedly digging in a case in the back, Liz produced a goodie bag for each man. "Now, I had Nora make you snacks for the plane..."

"Do I look like a fucking toddler?" Silas groused, glancing absently through the insulated

bag. "...She did put extra of that sauce she makes in here, right?" He grumbled irritably.

"It's in there, Silas." Liz assured. "I was going to have Nora cut your sandwiches into airplane shapes but for some odd reason, we couldn't find the cookie cutter." She mused aloud.

Silas gave over a very old-fashioned look. "Do you have a death wish, woman."

David and Justin, on the other hand, looked decidedly disappointed.

Red exchanged uncomfortable glances with a bemused Anthony Burke. "I didn't even know we had shit like that." He cleared his throat self-consciously.

"Did you plan to wipe my ass after I shit? Just curious." Silas was still complaining about his keeper's hovering manner.

Liz ignored the man completely, as she rushed to hug David and Justin goodbye.

"They have a very sibling-like relationship." Red murmured, quietly explaining the inner workings of Elizabeth and Silas' relationship, and the reasons why Red had not killed the guard, to a gobsmacked Anthony Burke.

Handing out her bounty, Anthony looked a bit perplexed when one of the large insulated bags was shoved off into his hands.

David and Justin hurriedly tore into the pack, revealing steak, potatoes, corn on the cob, roast beef sandwiches, along with a mountain of other snacks for later into the flight.

"I want you to snack on that," Liz invaded her guard's personal space, pointing to the food Nora made, "before you take your pills so they don't upset your tummy."

"What? No fucking juice box." Silas sneered, even as he placed the large parcel in his carry-on.

"Oh, right!" Liz snapped her fingers, rifling through the case once more. "I thought Anthony might have drinks on the plane." She turned towards the guy in question. "You do, right?"

"Y-Yes?" Anthony nodded, a bit bumfuzzled.

"Good, but just in case," Liz handed over a case of Coors beer, "I got this for you."

Beaming happily, David hurriedly stepped up, kissing the woman on the cheek as he grabbed the case.

"I don't think you should have but one beer an hour, Silas." Liz told her guard. "Not with your medication and everything."

Silas' eyes narrowed. "...Red." His mouth was a tight line of murderous rage. "I want to throw her out of the plane door and I'm not even on the fucking thing as yet."

Liz rolled lovely eyes. "You take those pills, on a full-stomach, is all I'm saying on the matter."

"He's a man of a few chosen words." Red smiled. "Lizzy...come over here, baby. Where it's safer." He motioned her away from the guard.

"No, no, man," Justin corrected, "it's like when you've been on a bender and wake up after Mardi Gras in that dark room under a pile of naked women," he painted a picture, having hoisted his case of beer on a steady shoulder, "... and you're not quite sure how you got there," he continued, "you don't really want to be a bastard and complain about it, but you can't breathe either, so you have to choose between life or suffocation by breasts."

"Sounds like a good time to me." David shrugged.

Red and Anthony moved out of the two men's way as they passed, both men scowling slightly for the off-color, but totally engrossing, end of what seemed a story worth hearing.

"You lead a fascinating life, don't you?" Anthony offered a wry grin.

Red shrugged nonchalant shoulders, sighing. "It's never dull."

"You don't have to worry." Silas rebuked, then gave Liz a cross look. "No one could suffocate from those things." He held his smirk. "Too small."

"Like your cock." Liz came right back, none the worse for wear, for she, too, had heard the fascinating story Justin was relating. "Will you bring me something back from Russia?"

Silas groused as he reached for his bag. "No, I won't bring you back something from Russia." He mimicked sarcastically. "I'm there for business. Don't have time to stop into Neiman Marcus."

"Sit your lame ass down." David bitched, taking the duffle bag from the man's reach.

"We're supposed to be babysitting you," Justin concurred, "so let us do our job."

Silas shifted a dark glare Red's way. "...He said what?!"

"He's just raking you over the coals." Red placated. He leaned close. "If you bring her something, I'll make it worth your while."

"Like I wasn't anyway, idiot." Silas made certain the woman in question could not hear that part, then threw up fitful hands. "Just let me get on the damned plane, people! Is it too much to ask?"

Liz stepped back, out of his way. "I got you something, is all I'm saying. In Texas. And I might get you something else that you would really, really love but now...kinda second guessing that plan."

"Good, you keep doing that." Silas smiled sweetly at her.

"Well, I just might and then you'd be sorry, mister...is all I'm saying."

"You keep saying that, but then...you keep talking." Silas seemed dumbfounded by the fact.

"You just better bring me something, Silas!" Liz snapped petulantly.

"You're gonna have a splendid flight," Red smiled Anthony's way, "I just feel it."

"Uh huh," Anthony arched a wry brow.

"Silas, you must rest your body." Dembe said, handing a bag off to David. "You are not as young as you once were... you must favor your wounds or risk further injury."

"Kiss... my... ass, Dembe." Silas snarled.

"So," Anthony clapped his hands together, "I'm sorry I couldn't attend the wedding. I was, unfortunately, in Canada when Francis called." He apologized. "I did get to see the vows, however, thanks to Mark." He smiled warmly at the woman. "You looked stunning by the way, Elizabeth...and you as well, Raymond."

"You missed quite the shindig." Red grinned. "And yes, I looked amazingly debonaire that day, you're right."

"Yeah," Anthony chuckled, "that's the word."

"What about me?" Liz frowned hard at her husband.

"Anthony said you looked stunning..." Red playfully teased his wife. "What more do you need?"

"You just better say something nice about me, is all I'm saying." Liz demanded.

"Honey... you looked fine," Red fought a smile, "just... super."

The half-assed compliment definitely did not please Liz one iota. "I looked incredible… asshole."

Sniggering quietly, Red's eyes twinkled mischievously. "You were so stunningly beautiful, you took my breath away." He leaned, kissing the woman's brow. "You still do, baby."

"That's better." Liz lifted her chin, presenting her mouth to be kissed, which Red happily did.

Anthony hastily reached into the baggage compartment, pulling a gaily wrapped gift free. "For the incredibly lovely bride." The present was presented over with a flourish.

"Oh!" Liz beamed, taking the object in loving hands. She leaned, hugging Anthony enthusiastically. "Thank you! You didn't have to do that!" She threw Silas a superior snub of her nose. "See, even people who I don't know all that well get me gifts." She stuck out her tongue for added good measure, all of which Silas studiously ignored.

"How do you know it's for you, nitwit!" Silas groused. "Tony could have got it for Red, you know."

Pinching his lips tight, Red held a reflexive bubble of laughter when Lizzy looked down at the gift in her hands, a petulant frown curving her mouth.

"Are you kidding?" Anthony laughed, quickly salvaging the moment yet again. "The event of the century? Of course, I had to secure a gift to commemorate it!"

"Thank you, really." Liz giggled. "I'm sure I'll love it!" She shifted her eyes, her mouth flying open."Silas! No, don't lift that!" She scolded fitfully, excusing herself hastily from the conversation and the vicinity. "But thank you so much for my gift." She called back over her shoulder.

"She means, our gift." Red smiled blandly.

Red watched Lizzy rush to her guard's side, taking the small laptop satchel from his hands. The low-level sound of them bickering floated back his way.

"I'm sorry to hear about Ben, Red." Anthony said, his smile fading with the topic change. "I couldn't believe it when Francis told me."

"Francis was the one affected most by the...incident." Red knew.

"I can't believe Ben thought to act on that flyer that passed around... after Antonio warned everyone off." Anthony shook his head. "What the hell was he thinking!"

"He wasn't... apparently." Red muttered.

"It's bad enough to lose someone." Anthony knew well enough. "But to do so through betrayal?" The man sighed. "I'm sorry."

"So am I." Red realized, regardless of the man's actions, it hurt to know Ben was no longer with them.

"Well," Anthony brightened, subtly gesturing Liz approached, "I'll see to it your boys are delivered safely to and from Russia with love, you have my word."

"I thought you were going to Italy?" Red frowned.

"I am, but it won't hurt to take a detour," Anthony grinned, "and stock up on some vodka."

"I'm not even going to emulate my wife and ask for something from Russia like Vodka." Red lifted a noble head. "I wouldn't be so gauche." He quieted as Silas lumbered towards them. The man stopped his trek as if remembering something.

"You," Silas snapped his fingers, getting Liz's attention, "come here."

Anthony grinned when Red sighed heavily as Elizabeth snapped to and hurried to do Silas' bidding.

Falling into the huddle, Liz waited on pins and needles, her attention riveted.

"You stay the hell out of trouble til I get back, you got that." Silas scowled. "That means, no Tom, no running off without warning... you," the guard clarified, "... you just don't think at all, that's my job, to do it for you. So, no thinking until I get back. Do we understand the parameters of what I am setting down."

"I hear you..." Liz nodded emphatically that she did.

Sighing under his breath, Red side-glanced Anthony, rolling his eyes heavenward.

"Joe's in charge while I'm gone... do what he says." Silas said. "He has your training schedule, so obey it like the good little submissive you are."

"...Okay." Liz listened intently, nodding once more.

Anthony chortled under his breath as Reddington woefully shook his head and rubbed his weary eyes.

"If I come back, and you're fucked up," Silas' scowled deepened, "we're gonna have words, are we clear."

"Yeah, we're clear." Liz smiled happily, then kissed the man's scruffy cheek. "Have a good trip!"

Silas accepted the kiss with a grimace. "Must you do that shit in mixed company."

"Bring me back something!" Liz clasped eager hands, ignoring her surly guard before quickly hugging the man.

"Tony!" David called out over the whir of the engines stirring to life. "Pilot's ready!"

"Yeah, okay, coming!" Anthony said. "Congratulations again." The man hesitated in his trek, lifting the bag of food at his side. "And thanks for the dinner..."

"You're welcome!" Liz spontaneously hugged the man in open affection.

Anthony could not help his smile of acceptance. He returned the embrace impulsively.

"Have a safe flight!" Liz called after the man, and waved to her guys. "We'll see you in a couple days!"

"Be safe..." Red gripped Silas' hand, giving the man a pointed look.

"Yeah, yeah..." Silas waved the man off, heading for the plane. "All I know is, it's going to be so peaceful and quiet and I'm going to fucking enjoy it...for a change."

"Bring me something, Silas!" Liz yelled over the plane's engine's roar, waving goodbye to David and Justin. She hurriedly called the reminder to her guard. "And don't forget to call when you land."

Silas turned abruptly, his expression rather foreboding. "Red!" He warned.

"...Honey..." Red soothed placatingly, sending his guard an apologetic shrug.

"Don't forget to bring me something, Silas." Liz reminded. "Something you can only get there!"

The guard growled under his breath, continuing on his trek. His body language stiff and unyielding.

Taking Anthony's gift, Lizzy shoved it Red's way. She followed the plane's taxi pattern, waving and skipping happily down the tarmac for a goodly length. Red set the package in the opened hatch before tugging her safely out of harm's way.

Liz smiled and waved excitedly as the jet came speeding down the runway and roared past them, then lifted effortlessly off the ground.

Embracing the woman lovingly in his arms, both stared after the plane until it was nothing more than a speck in the clear blue skies.

"He'll be back soon." Red murmured his assurances, handing the woman a hankie for her tear spotted lashes.

"I know..." Liz sniffled, "I just didn't expect Silas to get so mushy... that's all."

Chuckling quietly, Red guided Lizzy into the backseat before taking his place beside her.