Author's Note: This is a future!fic set 7 years after the pilot aired. This is for Jessahmewren because of a conversation we had on the Facebook: Lizzington shippers page. I know it's fluffy..but I'm trying to prove I can write happy things! It's not totally original either..but eh..who cares.

Disclaimer: I don't anything having to do with The Blacklist..I'm just having fun with the characters.

Seven Years in the future

Liz walked in her dark apartment, exhausted. Red's blacklist was finally complete after seven long years. They had taken down number one, a US Senator, just that night. Red had seemed particularly relieved that Fitch had been shot and killed while attempting to escape, and Liz didn't even attempt to understand why. He didn't usually share his thought processes with her unless it was necessary; it had been like that since the beginning.

Tom was out of the picture. He had been number five on Red's list, and was caught red-handed over four years ago. He was serving a life sentence in prison for multiple crimes, murder being among them. She was past feeling hurt and angry over Tom's betrayal, and was finally at a good place in her life. Red had been her touchstone throughout it all, and in turn they were closer than ever. Not quite lovers, but not just partners either.

He usually came to her apartment every night, even if they didn't have a case to talk about, and they would discuss anything and everything over dinner; they mostly talked about things that he had seen in his lifetime of traveling, as he was much more experienced than her. She didn't mind though, she loved listening to and watching him talk, and he would often turn the conversation back to her after he finished with his stories.

They'd kissed a few times over the years, particularly after stressful cases, as a reminder that they were still alive, and he hugged her often, pulling her close to him and enveloping her completely until she felt like she could breath again; but there had been no progression from there. He always touched her when they were at work; a hand on her back or elbow, a pat on her shoulder that lingered a little too long. She felt frustrated because she didn't want any of her colleagues to see her getting comfortable with the criminal, but yet she was tired of hiding her feelings for him.

Now that the blacklist was complete, the other part of Red's deal that he signed in the beginning went into effect. He was to be cleared of any and all charges. He didn't have to run anymore, but she didn't know what he planned on doing next. They hadn't had a chance to discuss it before she had been whisked away by Ressler back to the FBI to finish paperwork. Apparently he had a hot date with his fiancé, Audrey. They made a cute couple and Liz was happy for him. He was one of her best friends, and after Meera had been exposed as the mole they had become even closer, but she never felt for him what she felt for Red. It wasn't even close to the same kind of love.

She trudged up the stairs, flipping on lights as she walked; her feet felt like lead blocks, and by the time she reached the top step, they were dragging. It had been another twenty hour work day and she was ready to drop face-first on her bed and sleep for hours. It was only 8:00 PM, but it felt much later. She quickly changed into comfortable clothes: an old white t-shirt of Red's that he had left after spilling something on it, and some athletic shorts that came to mid-thigh. She pulled her hair up into a loose ponytail and quickly checked her appearance in the mirror. Satisfied, she began walking out of the bathroom, and heard a key turning in the front door. She wasn't worried though because Red was the only other person with a key.

Liz smiled, glad he decided to come over even though it had been a long day, and walked downstairs as fast as her tired legs would allow. She made it in time to see him slip through the door and lock it behind him. He was carrying bags that smelled like Chinese, and Liz's stomach grumbled loudly. She heard Red huff a small laugh as he turned around, "I knew you wouldn't have eaten yet, I'm glad I know your terrible eating habits so well." He was still smiling, but he looked exhausted as he leaned forward and kissed her cheek softly. He lingered for a few seconds longer than necessary and she could feel his rough five o'clock shadow, which meant he hadn't been home to shower or shave since he had left the crime-scene. She wanted to grab his face and kiss him on the mouth, but there was no way she would ever be that forward with him without knowing how he felt about her. So instead she smiled back and said, "I just got home actually, I haven't even had a chance to think about eating."

He nodded but didn't say anything as he hung his fedora up on the coat rack and walked in the living room, waving his arm absentmindedly for her to follow him. He seemed preoccupied and Liz wondered why. She slowly followed him and watched as he shed his coat and scarf, and unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt, then took off his tie. She loved that he was comfortable enough to shed his facade of indifference to the world in front of her.

She walked over and picked up his coat and scarf, then hung them on the rack with his fedora. He had disappeared into the kitchen as she was doing so, and walked back out with plates and silverware moments later.

She was confused by his continued silence. "Red, is everything ok?"

He sat down on the couch and began taking the food out of the bags, "I'm fine, Lizzy, just tired."

She made her way over to the couch and sat down next to him, closer than she normally would. He glanced at her with a slightly surprised expression. "Are you ok, sweetie?" He had taken up calling her a few different pet names over the years, and "sweetie" was among one of her favorites.

Liz nodded, "I'm tired too. I don't think I'll be very good company tonight."

He was leaning over, preparing his plate as he said, "I don't plan to stay long anyway. I have some business to attend to that can't wait until tomorrow."

She was worried that he was going to disappear now that the list was complete. "You're coming back, right?" Her expression must have given her away, because he put his hand on her bare thigh and looked her in the eye. "I don't plan on leaving you, Lizzy, if that's what you're asking. I don't know what's going to happen now that we're finished with my list, but you don't need to worry about not seeing me again."

She sighed audibly in relief and smiled faintly, "I'm glad."

They stared at each other for what seemed like minutes, his thumb moving slowly back and forth over her thigh, eliciting goosebumps on her skin. She looked at his mouth, licked her lips and started moving closer and closer to him with each breath. They were inches apart now, and his thumb stopped. She glanced down in confusion, then back up into his eyes. He had that preoccupied look on his face again.

Liz sat back, embarrassed, and cleared her throat, "Will Dembe be going with you?" Dembe had been a constant companion to Red, and had become a good friend to Liz. She loved him like he was her brother, and was glad for his presence in her life, not to mention the fact that he had saved Red's life multiple times.

He was still staring at her with that unfathomable expression, and seemed surprised at her words. He blinked and took his hand off her leg and said in a rough voice, "Yes, you don't need to worry about my safety."

She started to make her own plate, not looking at him as she said, "I always worry about you."

Liz watched out of the corner of her eye as he stiffened and set his plate down on the coffee table. He turned to her, "Lizzy." His voice was full of an emotion she couldn't identify.

He didn't say anything else and Liz raised her eyebrows at him in question. He seemed at a loss for words, but she didn't know how to help him.

Red turned his body towards her and put his hand on her jaw, then said softly, "I want you to be Mrs. Reddington in the future."

She was so surprised at his words that she was rendered speechless by the sudden turn in the conversation. She opened and closed her mouth, but nothing came out. He grimaced and dropped his hand, then mumbled, "What a time for words to fail me."

She finally found her voice, but it sounded strained, "You've never even told me what you feel for me and now you're asking me to be your wife?"

"Eventually."

She couldn't hold back the little laugh that burst through, "You're pulling my leg aren't you?"

He didn't smile though, and she sobered quickly and said in disbelief, "You're serious?"

He reached over and took her hand, "Now that my list is complete, I'm free to do whatever I wish without having to worry about being arrested, for the first time in a very long time. What I want is to travel the world with you and show you all my favorite places, while helping you find your own."

"You want me to quit the FBI and run away with you?" The idea was growing on her. There wasn't anything here for her anyway. Certainly not her job, since she would most likely be reassigned to some boring desk job.

Instead of answering, he leaned forward and kissed her softly, then pulled back and simply said, "Yes."

She lifted her hand and put it on his cheek, running it over the scratchy stubble, causing him to close his eyes. "Ok."

He opened his eyes, pursed his lips and raised one eyebrow, "Ok?"

She put her hand on the back of his neck, pulled him forward and tentatively kissed him. Just as she began to pull back, he cupped her face with his hands and pulled her back, kissing her much more passionately than before.

After several moments she broke off the kiss, feeling light-headed. "Ok, I'll go with you, and marry you...sometime." She smiled, getting more and more used to the idea of a future with him.

"Eventually." He smiled.

"You're looking at the future Mrs. Reddington." Then she laughed. The future suddenly looked a lot brighter.

Author's Note pt.2: I know it's probably too OOC and too fluffy..but oh well. I needed a break from writing angst. Please let me know what you think..even if it's just a "Hey, I hated it" or "Hey, I loved it." It's better than no review. Thanks for reading.