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For the fifth time that week, Elizabeth had walked past Red without a word, the man was used to her being mad at him, and he could even take the snarky comments and bad attitude, and yes even the eye rolling.
But what he couldn’t take was the not speaking to him and the cold shoulder.
And truth be told, Red wasn’t all to sure why the woman was completely avoiding him.
Watching from his desk, Ressler could see the look of frustrated confusion on Reddington’s face, as Red’s followed the woman across the war room on her way to her office.
Wondering what the man had done now, Ressler smiled at Liz as she walked into their office, “So…” he nodded to the war room, in Red’s direction, “What did he do now?”
Leave the question unanswered, Liz looked back at her CI over her shoulder, narrowing her eyes, Liz walked over and slumped down into her seat.
“Nothing….” The woman muttered, picking up on a report she had been writing, her fingers taking out her frustration on the keyboard.
“Right….” Ressler leaned up, resting his elbows on his desk.
Feeling the weight of her partner’s gaze, Liz glanced anxiously over the top of her lap top a couple times, finally letting an annoyed huff out, “What?” Liz snapped.
Smirking, Ressler laced his finger’s together and just looked at the woman, “I’ m sorry.” Liz faced softened as she gave the man an apologetic grin.
Ressler didn’t need Liz to tell him what was wrong, he saw the way the pair looked at each other when they thought the other wasn’t looking, the way Red lingered his hand at the base of Liz’s back, he’s also seen the way Elizabeth would look at Red when he was talking, the star gazed, look in her eyes, he’d even caught her biting her lip when she watched the man flip his fedora on and straighten the brim.
And yes, Ressler had the unfortunate timing, (unknow to Red and Liz) of finding them making out in the locker room, the man didn’t need to be a profiler to know Elizabeth’s bush off of Red was that of a pissed off lover.
Standing Ressler grabbed the yellow large envelope off the side of his desk, walking the few steps over to Elizabeth’s desk, he rested his rear on the clear spot of Liz’s desktop.
“This is it, isn’t’ it?” Ressler asked softly, holding the envelope out for Liz to see.
“Is what?” Liz asked annoyed.
“The photos you had Aram pull of the surveillance footage, the reason your pissed at Reddington.”
Elizabeth gave the man a sideways look, tightening her arms around her more.
“Liz, come on…Aram told me he found you looking at the surveillance footage the other day, don’t pretend like you don’t know what’s in here.”
Crossing her arms tightly over her chest, Liz leaned back in her chair and looked up at the man, a redness over taking her eyes.
“And?” She asked sarcastically.
“And I think you need to talk to Red, before you jump to any conclusions.” Ressler was careful how he spoke, not wanting to anger he woman anymore.
“I saw enough, I don’t need to talk to him.” Liz looked away from her friend, quickly wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.
“Yes, you do! You weren’t there, Liz.” Ressler dropped the envelope on Elizabeth’s desk, taking a deep breath the man laid a soft hand on Liz’s shoulder.
“If you love him, you need to talk to him.” Elizabeth’s head shot up, looking at her friend in surprise.
“Y-you know?” Liz asked quietly.
“Yeah, and believe me I wish I didn’t, seeing you do kiss….” Ressler shivered mockingly, giving Liz a lighthearted smile.
++++++++++
“Can we talk?” Red froze at the sound Elizabeth’s soft voice behind him, it had been days since he heard the woman’s sweet voice.
Annoyed with how she had been treating him, Red reluctantly nodded his head and set the file down, extending his hand for Liz to lead the way.
Looking around for some place private, Liz made her way for the large yellow elevator, letting Red make his way up to her, Liz pushed the up button and waited a few moments as the elevator lifted, she pulled the stop button, cause the yellow box to stop.
“Lizzy, I don’t know….” Red was stopped by Elizabeth’s hand that came up.
Closing his mouth, Red swallowed hard as he watched Liz wrap herself in a hug, pushing her hip out, Liz nervously bit at her lip.
“I saw the surveillance footage of you and Cassandra, Red.”
Red’s heart dropped, now knowing why Elizabeth had been so cold to him and knowing that she was completely wrong about what she thought she saw.
“Elizabeth, Listen to me, it’s not what you think.”
Liz’s hands shot to her hips, “Really, because that video was really clear, and I clearly saw Cassandra shove her tongue down your throat.”
Throwing her hands up, Liz started to pace the small area, “I knew when we started dating there was thing I would have to deal with, the business meetings all over the world, you being gone for days, some time’s weeks at a time, the shady dealings and you constantly putting yourself in danger, and I have managed to work through all that.”
Liz turned back to Red, pointing a finger at the man, “but what I will not look past or even remotely tolerate, is the other woman’s hands on you.”
Tilting his head to the side, Red clasped his hand together and raised them in front of him, rolling his tongue as he looked at the woman.
“Can I talk now?” Red asked softly.
Liz shrugged and leaned against the steel wall, wrapping her arms back around herself.
“What you didn’t see, or hear, was the conversation her and I had after her little stunt, which by the way was completely done for you to see,”
Liz looked back at Red, her brows furrowing at the man.
“Cassandra has been after me for years, what you saw was nothing more than her last-ditch effort to piss you off and put a wadge between us, which clearly it has.” Red pointed out.
“I hate to break it to you Liz, but you’re playing right into her hands.”
Shaking her head, Liz paced the small area again, “My god, I feel like I’m in high school again!”
“Tell me about it,” Red scratched the top of his head, letting out a long breath, “Elizabeth, I’m sorry she did that, but I made it very clear to Cassandra, that it was not going to happen, ever… and that my heart belonged to you.”
Feeling foolish now, the tears only feel harder from Liz’s eyes, “I’m sorry, Red.” Liz finally whimpered out over her sobbing.
Reds’ heart broke at the sight of the woman he loved so upset, and he silently cured Cassandra for causing the pain between him and Liz.
“Come here,” Red held his hand out and motioned for Liz to come over to him, wrapping her up in his arms as she collapsed into him.
Pushing his hand though her hair, Red pushed a kiss to Liz’s hairline, “Lizzy,” Red gently pushed the woman back, giving him just enough room to slip his hand between them and slip the first few buttons of his shirt open.
Taking Liz’s hand in his, Red pushed her hand into his shirt, flattening her hand over his heart, “Do you feel that?”
Liz nodded her head and looked up at Red, feeling the steady beat on her palm.
“You are the reason my heart beats, and it does so only for you, my love.”