A/N: I hope you enjoy this mini Keenler 'multi-chap' (with the potential for a fourth part but I haven't decided) that was intended as a one-shot but took on a life of its own. Reviews are always greatly appreciated and help motivate fanfic writers. Let me know what you think. Reviews are much appreciated. Thanks so much for taking the time to read
Not Your Time
Chapter 1
"37 year old male, multiple GSW. One to the chest, shoulder…," the medic spewed off the stats as they transferred the already natural pale ginger from one gurney to another. The blood stained sheet carrying his nearly lifeless body. "Fluids on board. We lost him once on the bus. If you didn't get the message already he's a Fed," the medic stated as he glanced behind. "His partner will be here…," before he could finish a flurry of brunette hair flew in.
She stopped dead in her tracks. Not wanting to get in the way of the doctors and nurses as they worked furiously on her partner. Her best friend. She was unaware of the blood stained on her face. On her hands. Her jacket. None of it her hers. All of it his. Too much of it his. The blood dripping on the floor. It was Anslo Garrick. Except a thousand times worse. Why? Why did he do it? Why did he have to be a damn hero?
"Don't," she croaked.
"Ma'am?" a nurse questioned.
"Don't let him die," she managed this time.
"We will do all that we can," the nurse offered with a weak smile.
She knew that smile. It was the "it doesn't look good and prepare yourself smile".
"Don't let him die." She locked eyes with the nurse one more time before slipping in and grabbing his hand. "You don't get to leave yet. You don't tell me what you told me and then die on me." She nodded to the nurse then slipped back. "Just don't."
She was backed up against the glass wall and watched as they worked to stabilize him and when the monitors began to go off she felt her heart sink. That's when familiar arms pulled her gently out of the room and in their warm embrace. It was something that he refused to acknowledged but it was a relationship that she knew and it was the one person in this world she needed more than ever to be there. She clung to him as if her life depended on it as chaos erupted in the room behind them. Her back to the room and his eyes never leaving the action. His soothing voice in her ear and the circular motion on her back.
"He will make it, Lizzie. Donald's a fighter."
IIIIIIII
36 HOURS AGO
RESSLER
"Come on, Keen. Don't ask for a ride and then not be ready," Ressler groaned as he sat on her couch watching Agnes blow spit bubbles as she rocked back in forth in her swing. "Don't pick up this habit ok, Aggie?"
"Why do you always gotta rag on her?" Tom Keen walked in to the room.
"Why do you always have to butt in to matters that don't pertain to you? I wasn't talking to you." Ressler got up and shook his head.
"It is my house so it sort of does."
"That Reddington paid for, right? Or was it your new employer? The one who was responsible for Liz nearly getting killed?" Ressler rolled his eyes and was at the door before Tom could respond. "Tell Liz I'll be in the car."
Ressler got in his car and huffed. He put up with Tom Keen when he had to but he really hated every moment of it. And what he hated, really hated was that Liz was fine with Tom working for Halcyon Aegis. And that viper Scottie Hargrave. Sure, Tom believed she was his mother and that led him to accept a job from her to learn more of his background but that didn't make it any better. She was still the reason Solomon attacked the church and Liz gave birth to the little spit machine in an abandoned club and why people lost their lives on a stretch of road that would always remind him of a pain so deep even her presence would never erase.
"I can't believe the two of you, really Ress? Really?" Liz huffed as she slammed the door shut.
"Tell him to mind his own business and we won't have any problems," Ressler snapped as he put his car in drive. "How you can get behind him working for that viper is beyond me."
"He wants information on his mother. Best way to get that is to get close to her. I can understand that," Liz tried to reason with him.
"A mother who sent a team of trained mercenaries to kidnap you and ruin your wedding. Oh, mother of the year right there Liz. Again, I ask, how you can get behind that is beyond me."
He kept his eyes on the road as the snow came down. It was going to be a snowy one the next couple of days and he prayed Reddington wouldn't bring them any blacklisters to track down. That was the last thing they needed. Liz was just newly reinstated, after Reddington used a favor on the newly elected President to get Liz a pardon. They were just now getting a new groove with a combination of him, Liz and Samar working the field together. And it was an awkward transition to say the least.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Her eyes were boring in to him like daggers. He could feel them as he kept his eyes on the road. Oh, great. She didn't know. How the hell did she not know? This was going to be great.
"You don't know?" he scoffed. "He seriously didn't tell you? No one told you?"
"Pull over."
He shook his head as he continued to drive. Changed man his ass. Tom Keen would never change.
"Pull the damn car over right now." Liz smacked his arm hard causing him to swerve on the slick pavement.
"Dammit, Keen. What the hell." He pulled over and turned to look at her. "If your 'husband'" and he said with air quotes as he was growing increasingly annoyed with their use of the marital terms when they were not in fact married "can't tell you the truth that is not my problem. I'm sorry if I assumed he would have."
"Tell me everything."
"There's not much to tell other than Kirk hired Halcyon to kidnap you. Simple as that. And Tom knows that. He knows that whole team was responsible for that accident that lead to Agnes being born in a damn shut down club. And if it wasn't for the fact that she is his mother he would have put a bullet in her head. Mother or not, Liz, there's no excuse. And there is no excuse for him not telling you." He turned his attention to the road. "You think he's changed. That he tells you the truth? You're a fool."
He felt terrible calling her that but it was true. He knew a few things about the man she shared a life with. Things he wouldn't share because they would hurt her. Things that were a bit questionable but not technically cheating. Things that if it were him he would say no to. There was no mission that would allow him to use that to get the job done. Not while he had someone like Liz and a daughter like Agnes at home waiting for him. Tom had a life most people would kill to have and he risked it all every day for answers that he didn't need. For a mother who was cold as ice. For a father who Ressler would run from not run to. If this was the family Tom was running to then Liz should be running the opposite direction. But, she was going to do what she wanted and to hell with everyone else.
"I'll talk to Tom. You don't need to worry about us."
"I worry about Aggie. That's who I worry about. You two are adults. You make your own decisions and you deal with the fall out. She can't. Just make sure she doesn't suffer the consequences." Ressler refused to look at her as he pulled the car back on the road. "I think if there's field work today it's best if Samar and I go out."
And that was that. They didn't speak for the rest of the day. The silence in their office was so unbearable that Liz eventually left and worked at the empty desk next to Samar's in the war room. When it was nearing time to go home he headed out to see if she was ready to leave only to find her and her things gone. Only Samar was left. She glanced up to give him a sympathetic smile. Throwing her pen down then putting her chin on her hand she addressed him.
"She had Aram take her home. Said she didn't want to bother you. I'll leave out some of the other things she said."
"I can imagine." Ressler set his jacket and bag down.
"You can't make her see the truth about him. Only she can do that," Samar offered.
"I can't sit back and watch it. He didn't even tell her Halcyon was responsible for the attack on the wedding."
"And she'll give him hell for it. What is really bothering you?"
"Tom and that girl, Nadia? That last joint op we had to work on. Did you see the way she was looking at him?" Ressler leaned in, his voice almost a whisper.
"Ressler, you can't fault him for the actions of another." Samar laughed. "But, yes. I did see she paid an extra interest in him. Her gaze lingered longer than it should. An extra touch here and there. Where are you going with this?"
He let out a loud sigh. "He betrayed her trust once before. Hurt her. I won't let him do it again."
Samar looked around. "Be honest. You two had a thing, didn't you? Before all of this? Before Connolly? I saw the way the two of you were and saw you after."
"Navabi," Ressler warned.
"You don't think I was observing? Watching? Come on, Ressler."
"It's none of your business. And if there was anything there was no time for it to go anywhere. And she sure as hell didn't feel the same as I did. That much was obvious. Go home. It's getting late and the roads are a mess I'm sure. I'll see you in the morning." He started to walk away then turned back. "And, uh, this conversation," he began.
"Never happened."
He just nodded and smiled his appreciation as he headed to the elevator. The nagging feeling of something going on between Tom and the new member of Halcyon, Nadia, refused to leave him. He couldn't decide if Tom had acted on anything with her but he could tell there was something between them for sure. He didn't trust Tom Keen as far as he could throw him. And the way he had been acting lately, trying desperately to fit in the world his parents created. Almost as if proving he belonged there so that when the day came for him to reveal himself they would welcome him with open arms and be proud of their long lost baby boy. It was enough to make Ressler want to vomit.
IIIIIIII
Ressler walked in the Post Office early the next morning, not surprised at all that Liz didn't ask for a ride. Aram had sent a text stating he would be taking her and would he like a coffee on their way in. He declined and hoped to beat them in. He strolled in and was surprised to see Red and Dembe along with Harold Cooper waiting for him in his office. Their faces somber. Once he entered, Dembe shut the door.
"Good Morning, Donald."
"It doesn't appear like it's going to be," he huffed as the took off his jacket.
"Might as well keep that on," Cooper stated. "The rest of the team is already at Grey Matters. We will be joining shortly. We need to fill you in on the details that won't be shared with the rest of them."
"I thought the last op was the last op with them." He crossed his arms. He hated working them. Especially once Howard suddenly appeared and that was only once Tom came onboard. It was a curious coincidence. One Ressler found not so coincidental.
"The Blacklister we are going after is one that Howard Hargrave has been looking for since the day his son disappeared. He has had his suspicions for years about who was responsible for the kidnapping of his son Christopher and now he has proof. Your job is draw him out in the open. Halcyon will take care of the rest," Red explained.
"So, we are drawing out the man responsible for Tom's kidnapping so Tom can kill him?" Ressler took his coat off. "I'm not behind this and will not be part of this. And I can't believe you are either."
"Scottie bringing Tom on drew attention and Dante Withers has resurfaced. He took Tom as a young boy and just dropped off. He didn't just fall in to the hands of the Major. He was put in a place where the Major could watch his moves so when the time was right he could make his move. What would hurt the Hargraves more than having their sweet boy turned in to the one thing they wanted to shield him from? Well, now it's been proven that didn't do the trick. Chatter has indicated that Withers intends to find Agnes at any cost and kill her. Preferably with Tom watching. So, yes, Agent Ressler. I believe you'll be putting that coat on and coming with us."
Ressler felt a tightness in her chest. Damn him. Once again, Tom Keen was bringing a danger in Liz's life. And Agnes'. That sweet innocent little girl that he would never admit but was the only one who could truly melt his heart. Red was correct. He would do whatever it took to keep Agnes safe. She didn't chose the life she was born in to or the dangers in it. And he would move and heaven and earth to protect her.
"Why do I get to know the truth?"
"We have Agnes at a safe location. Both Liz and Tom are unaware of who Withers truly is. If either of them knew they'd be too emotional. Imagine finding out that the person responsible for taking you away from your family wanted your child dead. Could you do your job objectively?" Red questioned.
"Why do I get to know the truth?" Ressler asked once again unhappy with the answer.
"Tom has his suspicions. Troubles are brewing at home with him and Elizabeth. You, Donald are to protect Elizabeth. She is to blinded by Tom. I will not allow her to be put in harm's way for him. Withers needs taken out for Agnes' safety. If it was just to settle an old score I'd let Howard take care of it."
What was left unspoken was that Reddington wanted assurances that Withers was taken care of. Ressler knew Red well enough by now to know that Withers was Howard Hargrave's to take. Any move on Red's alone to take the man would be seen as a betrayal and Red wasn't interested in going to war with Howard and his mercs at Halcyon. So, he needed his eyes and ears within the Task Force to assure that Withers was in fact either taken out or in Hargraves custody before he could feel safe to allow Agnes out of her safe location. That is all it was or. Or else Hargrave and Halcyon would be left to take Withers out on their own.
IIIIIIII
2 HOURS AGO
RESSLER
"You shouldn't even be here, Keen," Ressler hissed as he tried to warm himself up in the van. The snow was still steadily falling. He was surprised the city hadn't shut down yet. There was no heat in the van as they didn't want the exhaust to show.
"I'm an Agent now, Ressler. So, don't pull that "you're just an asset crap with me" like you used to when you didn't want me in the field." Liz pulled her coat tighter.
"Well, sorry if I thought you should be getting home to your kid in one piece. Sue me." He rolled his eyes at her and watched through the camera as Tom and Nadia walked down the street and in to the café. "It's a load of crap they get to sit a warm a coffee shop while we freeze our asses off. And we are running point."
Liz glared at him once again. Then picked up her cup and growled when she tasted the cold drink. All he could do was laugh as she slapped his arm playfully. Ressler was thankful she seemed to be over their argument from yesterday and it felt good to laugh with her after the tension. His laughing stopped when he saw the scene unfold in front of him behind the camera lense. Liz sat up straight in the seat next to him and demanded to know what was wrong. I'm gonna kick Tom's ass, was what he wanted to say, but he refrained. So, he lied and said it was nothing.
"Was he kissing her again?" Liz asked softly. Her head down.
"You know?"
"They often go undercover as a couple. I've called him on it. He says its nothing." She picked at the rim of the coffee cup.
"Do you think it's nothing?" Ressler asked her.
"I think undercover or not, I'm not ok with it."
Ressler frowned. He looked at their cold cups and felt his cold hands. She deserved better. After all she'd been through she deserved far better than that shit bag. Well, said shit bag wasn't going to be the only one with a warm drink. There was no rule saying he couldn't get a drink. He just couldn't look like a fed and scare off the mark. So long as he and Liz didn't blow the cover it would be fine. And there was street vendor not more than two doors down with a perfect line of sight. They would be fine.
"Keen, we are going and getting us some warm coffee and maybe a muffin," he ordered as he shed his vest.
"Ressler, what are you doing?"
"I can't very well wear this can I?" He pointed to the FBI logo. "Doesn't match my outfit. Yours goes well however," he joked pointing to her hoodie she just zipped up all the way. The Kevlar hidden perfectly under it as she pulled her coat on tighter. His however showed through his coat.
"You are not leaving this van without it. That's an order," Liz snapped with her arms crossed.
"Christ, Keen. It's just a walk down the road for coffee. I'm not walking in to a gun fight." He glared at her as she refused to move. "Are you serious?" If it was possible she glared even harder. "You're serious?"
He tried to stare her down. He knew for a fact the shit bag wasn't wearing a vest. He was cocky and said it would get him caught if anyone even suspected it. Yet, Liz didn't put up a scene that he refused. Here she was being a pain in his ass about him putting on his Kevlar just to take a quick five-minute walk to get a warm cup of coffee. Then, she did the last thing he expected. He forced himself not to slap her hands away instead he just stared her down. Stared deep in to her eyes trying to figure out what the hell got in to her head.
What the hell, Keen?" he finally managed when she had his shirt half buttoned.
"Put the damn thing under your shirt, you ass. I'll finish the job if you don't. And we will both have to live with the awkwardness of it."
Instead of arguing with her, which would end up being pointless, he just shed his dress shirt and threw the Kevlar on over his undershirt and tucked his shirt back on. Everyone else had time to change in to their civvies, but no. Not, him. Because he was graced with the truth behind the op he had no time to dress down. If so, he would have had more time to choose an outfit to better conceal himself. When he was all done he raised his eyebrows at Liz who smiled approvingly at him. She grabbed her purse and jumped out the van and ran to his side. Once again, she caught him off guard when she tucked herself in to him and put her arm around his.
"You kind of stick out in that suit, Ress. At least act like you are my boyfriend meeting me for a coffee break of something," she said as she smiled up at him.
"Remember she's my wife, boy scout," Tom's voice cut in.
"Who let him in on our frequency?" Ressler hissed. "Aram?"
"Sorry, he made me," Aram admitted with a bit of hesitancy.
"They don't get on our frequency until I say so, or until something happens," Ressler addressed Aram. "And Keen, she ain't your wife. Not now, remember. That woman sitting next to you is. So, get back to her or you'll blow your cover." He wanted to say, she isn't your wife and if he had a say she would never be but it wasn't the place when a whole team of FBI agents and mercenaries were listening.
Liz pinched his arm and he shot his head down to her. He expected to see a frown or an angry look. But, instead he couldn't read what it was. She was sad. That much was obvious. But, he couldn't read the other look. They stopped at the vendor and Ressler ordered two coffees and two muffins that were probably past their prime but his stomach was grumbling. As he turned to look at her, he caught sight of their mark. Of, Withers making his way towards the coffee shop. He took the coffees and pulled Liz towards a bench across from the shop.
"He's here," he stated as he took a sip of his coffee trying to act casual in case any of Withers men where around.
This wasn't ideal. He had hoped when they saw Withers approach they'd be in the van and not in the open like this but he could think on his feet and formulate a new plan. He was better than most gave him credit for. He scanned his surroundings and noticed Liz doing the same but to anyone looking at them they appeared to be a couple taking a stroll together. Assess, formulate, then make a move.