Another long, exhausting day saw Liz sitting at her desk in the Post Office long after everyone else had left. Now Tom was gone and in the wind somewhere she had no reason to rush home and so was just taking the opportunity to catch up on some paperwork and trying to wrap her head around what exactly their latest captured Blacklister had been up to. She didn't mind working late on her own, in fact she actually preferred it. Much as Ressler and Aram and the rest of the team were great work colleagues, sometimes she just needed some peace and quiet to herself to get stuff done.

Just as she was reaching for another folder from the pile, she heard the elevator doors open. That's weird, she thought to herself, who would be coming back in at this hour? She leaned to the side to catch a glimpse of whoever it was once they had shown themselves out in the bullpen. It didn't take long before the all too recognisable silhouette of Red walked in front of Aram's desk, obviously heading for the door to Liz's office. Oh, great, she sighed to herself. Just what I need.

'Good evening, Lizzy. You're working very late?', Red said as he appeared in her doorway. 'Haven't you anywhere better to be?'

'Hi Red. Yeah, I'm working late. Somebody has to write up all this paperwork you leave us with', Liz said whilst attempting a scowl at him. 'And, no, I have nowhere better to be. Sadly'.

'Ah, now that is a shame. However, it turns out I also have nowhere better to be this evening. And so I thought I may come and see you. I tried your house but there was no reply. This was my next guess'.

'Okay. Well, as you can see, I'm pretty busy here. Do you need something or are you…..'

'No, not at all, sweetheart. Although a smile on that pretty face of yours would be most welcome', Red said as he beamed at her.

Liz blushed furiously. What was he playing at?

'I'm not really in a smiling mood at the moment, Red. I'm busy and I'm tired'.

'Ah, well, it's lucky that I have something that might cheer you up then, isn't it?', Red said as he reached into the bag he had brought with him. 'This is a bottle of my absolute favourite red wine in the whole world. And this my favourite white', he said as he held up two bottles and showed them to her. 'What's say we get drunk and have some fun whilst the boss isn't here?', he said to her as he waggled his eyebrows.

Liz couldn't help but laugh. And, in all honesty, having a few drinks didn't sound such a bad idea after all. I mean, it had to be better than paperwork, right?

'Fine, okay. Let's have some wine. Just this once though, got that?'

'Oh, loud and clear, sweetheart. I wouldn't dream of trying to lead you astray'. As Red was talking he looked around for a corkscrew, suddenly realising that one would probably not be forthcoming in Liz and Ressler's office. 'Ah, small oversight on my part, Lizzy….'

Liz had anticipated what he was thinking and had already reached into one of her drawers.

'Don't worry, Red. I've got your back'. She held her hand up and Red was pleasantly surprised to see she was holding a penknife, one with a corkscrew attachment.

'I assume that belongs to the Boy Scout?' Red asked

'Actually, it's mine. Sam gave it to me'. Liz said as she offered it to Red

'Ah, yes. Very thoughtful of him. These things can be lifesavers you know'. Red swiftly opened the bottle of white wine and was just starting to wonder where he could find a glass when he looked to see Liz had already produced two mugs and placed them on her desk.

'Oh, Elizabeth. You've done this before, haven't you?', Red peered at her as he asked.

'Maybe….. I'll let you make up your own mind there'.

Red laughed and reached for one of the mugs. 'Okay, well the white has been chilled so let's have that first. Meanwhile I'll open the red to breathe'.

'Are you seriously considering we drink two bottles of wine just the two of us?' Liz asked with a slight note of trepidation in her voice.

'Well, Lizzy. It is Friday. There are no new Blacklisters. I would imagine you have tomorrow off, no?'

'I do. But I didn't really want to spend it with a killer hangover'.

'Oh, never fear, sweetheart. This is amazing wine. You'd have to have about three bottles to yourself to get a hangover'.

Red handed her back her mug of white and sat back in Ressler's chair.

'To you, Lizzy', he said as he raised his mug in her direction and tipped it slightly.

'Thank you, Red'. Liz didn't know why but suddenly she felt very touched by Red coming to visit her tonight. He must've sensed things had been hard for her since Tom left and she was trying to get the mess of her life back on track. She knew she blamed him too much for all of her problems. Although, she still wasn't happy with how little he cared to share with her. Still, Friday night it was and so drinks with a colleague, albeit a very unconventional one, probably wasn't such a bad thing.

'Penny for your thoughts, Lizzy?' Red asked as he ducked his head and looked up at her from under his hat.

'Oh, nothing really. No, nothing. Thank you, Red. This is sweet of you', Liz said as she smiled back at him genuinely.

Red positively beamed with delight at her words and took a sip of his wine. 'Oh, my, that is absolutely heavenly. Yes, definitely still my favourite white. What do you think?'

Liz tried some of hers and thought carefully about her response. 'Well, it's a bit dry for me. But it is delicious, yes. I'll give it an eight'.

Red clasped his chest just over his heart and pulled a shocked face. 'An eight? Elizabeth, do you have any idea how exclusive this wine is? They only produce ten thousand bottles per annum. And it costs, well, let's just say it costs enough to keep you in Chinese takeout for a whole year'.

Liz laughed and said back to him, 'Red, it's lovely. Thank you. I'm not a massive wine connoisseur, as you may've noticed. But it is lovely'.

Red smiled. 'Okay, I'll take an eight and a 'lovely'. Thank goodness. Perhaps the red will be closer to your taste', he said with a hopeful look on his face.

'Well, I've always preferred red to be honest'.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Liz realised what she had said and blushed once more. Goddamnit. He's gonna make the most of that. However, Red surprised her.

'Okay, before we drink too much more how's about we enjoy some of this wonderful bread and cheese I've brought. It's your favourite cheese I believe?', he asked as he showed her the paper-wrapped package he pulled from his bag.

'How did you know….. Okay, I can't believe I nearly asked that', Liz laughed at herself.

Red laughed also and once more reached for the penknife. 'Always pay attention to your partner's desires, Lizzy', he said as he set about slicing off enough cheese from the block for them both.

Did he really just say that, Liz thought to herself? What on earth is going on here?

Red handed her a plate of fresh bread and cheese and sat back to devour his own.

'Delicious, Red, thank you so much. Obviously this would've gone better with the red wine but who am I to argue…..?' Liz winked at Red. Then realised she'd just winked at Red. Oh, God. This wine is going to my head far too quickly.

Red looked very smug as he acknowledged her comment and her wink. 'Well, yes, it would go better with the red. But most things do, eh Lizzy?'

Aargh, what is he up to? Liz suddenly felt the need to leave her office for a few minutes and excused herself to to go to the bathroom.

Once there she immediately stepped to the sink and stared at herself in the mirror. Liz, get a hold of yourself, she pleaded. Yes, it's Friday night and you're alone in the Post Office with a very attractive man. Who is being utterly charming. And sweet. And thoughtful… Her mind started to wander. But, but…. She reigned herself back in… But it's Red! And you're starting to get drunk. And, just, well…. No!

She quickly used the lavatory, splashed some water on her face and returned to her office. In her absence, Red had finished his first glass of wine and had made an impressive start on his second.

'Ah, sweetheart, I was beginning to think you'd gotten lost or waylaid', he exclaimed, smiling cheekily at her.

'No, Red. I'm not Ressler, there were no banana skins to be seen between here and the bathroom'.

What on earth did she just say? Before she had too much longer to think about it, she noticed that Red was choking on a piece of bread, laughing at her response. She quickly stepped towards him and slapped him hard on the back.

'Oomph', he exhaled and then started to breathe more freely. 'Thank you, Lizzy. Please try not to be so humorous in the future when I'm eating, eh?', Red said as he took a large slug of wine to help wash down the rest of the bread in his throat.

'Sorry, Red. I, er, am not even sure why I said that. Ressler's a fantastic agent and I….'

'Lizzy, I know he is. But you know I love teasing him. I just didn't realise you were such a tease also?', Red raised an eyebrow at her.

Oh, this is just too much, Liz thought and sat back at her desk. Red was flirting with her and she had no idea how to deal with it. She had always been attracted to him. And she knew he loved her with a passion she couldn't even begin to understand. But he had never been so overt with his flirting before tonight. She was loving it and simultaneously petrified. She had to tread carefully. Their working relationship was important. And, she admitted to herself, so was their personal one.