I do not own the Blacklist or any of its characters.
Chapter 1: While You Were Away
Three years, two months, and six days.
Not that he'd been keeping track. Though he assumed he wasn't alone. The Post Office continued to function despite the drastic change in agents and purpose. The black site no longer catered to the whims of an egotistical, eccentric, criminal mastermind. It was no longer the home to a team of agents determined to dismantle the dark corners of crime that alluded the attention of even the most zealous of intelligence agencies. Everything had stopped as if it had never begun and something else took its place.
Three years, two months, and six days.
He wasn't sure when the signs began to show but he knew that each of them should have been more aware then they ultimately were. A few glances here, an hour spent trying to determine just where their asset and his handler had disappeared to, heated arguments behind Agent Cooper's closed office door. Oh, the signs had definitely been there but what had followed could not have been predicted. Every day that passed without Raymond Reddington at the helm of the Post Office was a testament of what they'd missed.
Three years, two months, and six days.
It'd been a case that they'd stumbled upon themselves or tripped over, if you will. Reddington had withdrawn to see to some personal matter, leaving Agent Keen and himself to investigate a human trafficking ring after a truck had been found full of young girls in the D.C. area. Days passed without any significant leads and they were beginning to believe that they weren't likely to find any. Answers to their questions only led to more questions and Agent Keen was unable to raise Reddington on the phone. Even her attempt at reaching out to Dembe and Mr. Kaplan proved to be useless. The concierge of crime and his team were off the grid and not likely to resurface until he was ready. That was when the call came.
Three years, two months, and six days.
A tip came in from one of his contacts that another shipment was due to arrive off the coast of northern Maine and the name 'James Campos' would be on any shipping information. The only credible information they'd received in days. Aram began searching for any ties to the name 'James Campos' and located two potential locations. The first being in Jonesport Harbor and the other in Winter Harbor. He and Keen wasted no time. They were on a plane and in Maine within hours of receiving the tip. Keen stayed close to the hotel on the chance their contact came through with more information, leaving him to look into the first location alone. After talking to a dozen or more people in Jonesport, he was able to rule it out as the potential location for the shipment.
Returning to the hotel, he expected to find Agent Keen in her room but was surprised to find it empty. Pulling his phone free from the pocket inside his jacket, he dialed and she answered almost immediately.
"Ressler?"
"Where are you?" He could hear the sound of a radio playing softly in the background.
"I'm heading to Winter Harbor. We've only got a day or so to figure out where they plan on bringing in these girls. After that, they're as good as gone." He picked up on some strain in her voice that he hadn't noticed before.
"What's wrong, Keen?"
"I'm fine. Not sure if whatever that was we had for breakfast agreed with me." He chuckled as recalled the less then appetizing breakfast casserole the hotel lobby had offered. He'd elected to not eat but Keen seemed to be more trusting then he had been.
"Look, just get back soon. Cooper would have my ass if he knew you were on your own."
"What Cooper doesn't know.." She laughed before ending the call. The last time he'd ever spoken to her.
Three years, two months, and six days since Elizabeth Keen had disappeared.
A/N: So, it's been a while since I've written anything but I more then fell in love with this show. The characters are so solid and my little shipping heart can't handle all of the potential. That being said, this begins prior to and largely ignores the season 2 finale. Takes place post episode 21: Karakurt. AU where Elizabeth is not on the run with Raymond Reddington.
