Authors note:

This is probably little AU. The story happened weeks after Red, Tom, and the Task Force saved Liz and Agnes from Alexander Kirk. A little bit of Keenler. Character's thought was written in italic.

Weird

Donald Ressler was late. Again. Lately he had a serious sleeping problem. He could not sleep until 3 or 4 a.m. As the consequence, he could not fight his own body to continue to sleep for one or two hours before 8 a.m. Today was a different case, though. He was really overslept. But for days he hadn't had any care about it. 'There are more members now in the Task Force anyway.' he thought. It was Tom Keen. 'And Keen has affiliation with Halcyon Aegis, so sometimes he involved Mr. Solomon and the gangs.'

Ressler turned off the engine of his car, rubbed his eyes and sighed.

'It's weird. The last eight weeks have been really weird.' He thought. Walking to the war room and seeing them there. It was an impossible scene. Too bad to be true. At least he felt that way. After Alexander Kirk's case, many things had changed in the Post Office. One main change he had never expected was the assigning of Tom Keen in the Task Force. He had not been in good terms yet with the Keens, especially Tom. But they had Agnes, and Tom needed a job. Teaching job was not suitable for his true self. Red said it was only temporary. It was like a training for Tom before moving to Halcyon Aegis. So, Ressler tried hard to adjust himself. The important thing was they got results – blacklisters and whatever Reddington had in mind regarding his weird relationship with Liz. And he could go home earlier because works had been easier lately.

'So, I should have a good feeling about it, right?'He asked himself thoughtfully. He sighed again before opening the door of his car and slamming it shut.

"Oh, there he is." He heard Reddington exclaimed when he walked toward the middle of the war room.

Everyone's eyes were on him.

He couldn't help but feeling annoyed. As far as he remembered, they usually started debriefing without waiting for him when he was a little late. So, what's their problem now?

"Has the way to this place been blocked only for you lately, Agent Ressler?" Red asked him, looking annoyed as well.

Ressler felt too tired to defend himself.

"Sorry." He muttered. "You can continue. I'll catch up."

Red frowned at his response.

"Don't worry. We haven't started." Harold Cooper said to him.

"We waited for you." Liz added.

Briefly, Ressler met her worried eyes – then looked to the other Keen standing next to her. To his surprise, the guy looked a little bit concern too. 'Or is he only acting?'

He moved his eyes to Red.

"Well, I'm here. Shoot."

Reddington let out an audible sighed and turned his head to the big screen. He asked Aram to do something and started his profile on a blacklister.

Ressler tried to focus his mind on what Reddington told them. Basically, this blacklister had a deep connection with one of the members of the Cabal and he knew that Liz was still alive. But they still did not know where the blacklister was. Then he heard Cooper said to him.

"You go with Tom to ask the informant. Samar will go with the back up team to infiltrate the building."

'Huh? Weird assignment.' Ressler thought. Usually they paired him with Samar or with the back-up team, or sometimes with Liz if it's only for a stake out or interviewing an informant. 'Well, these days have already been weird enough. Today won't ever get any weirder, right? And this has a connection with Cabal... it means Liz and Agnes are still in threat... After all this is only temporary... So...sure, I can do it.'

Ressler dismissed himself without so much saying anything. Tom followed him.

"Donald," Reddington called him when he was walking to the elevator with Tom beside him.

Ressler turned around. Looked at him and wait.

"A word." Red said boldly when he realized Ressler would not come any closer soon.

Ressler stood still for a moment before following him. From the corner of his eyes he saw Liz approached Tom.

They moved to the corner not too far away from the elevator.

"Listen," Red said in a low voice but all seriousness to him, "I know what you must feel about the situation currently. Nevertheless, whatever it is that swirling inside your heart and mind... it has to stop," He paused before stressing the next words, "right – now."

Ressler looked at him incredulously and snorted.

"What? Do you think I will kill Tom?"

Red only looked at him. Concern clearly filled his eyes.

"Is that the reason I've been assigned to this talking job with him?" Ressler struggled to keep his own voice low. "Seriously? Do you think I'm desperate enough to plan to hurt him and make it looks like an accident?"

"No, Donald." Red replied him. There was a hint of sadness in his voice. "You're too dignified for that."

Sometimes Ressler wondered himself how Red's words could sweep his anger away like a bunch of water poured out into the fire. Just like that.

"I just don't want you to act stupid and get yourself killed." Red added.

Ressler thought for a moment and gave him a snarky smile.

"Well, don't worry, I'm too good for that."

Then he left Red deep in thought.