A/N This is an AU story that I've been working on and it's causing me problems. I tried to write the back story but it was so complicated/long I gave up! So I've written a prologue that explains the events leading up to the main story.
Here's what happened...
Cooper wants Elizabeth involved in an undercover operation linked to Tom Keens secret and dangerous double life! (Exciting ha!)
Tom has evaded capture and is causing trouble for the FBI - but it's more like a personal vendetta against Liz.
Cooper and other FBI bigwigs decide they need to fake her death, thinking this will stop Tom focusing on their operation, allowing them to continue with the Blacklist and ultimately capturing Tom himself.
They purposefully wait until Red is out of the country on business before approaching her with the plan and setting things in motion.
She feels uneasy but Cooper reassures her that Red will be informed immediately of the ruse. But Cooper has no plans to tell Red that her death is fake, thinking that with Elizabeth out of the picture that he will stop playing games and be more forthcoming.
Of course Red wouldn't just take the FBI's word for it but they manage to have enough people in place that his private investigations into the imagined incident don't uncover the truth.
On the surface it appears like Red deals with the loss of Lizzie, reluctantly cooperating with Cooper but he begins to draw away. Within 2 months they barely see or hear from him, he cites business reasons for his absence. Weeks later all contact is lost.
The undercover operation having been successful, Elizabeth returns 4 month after her supposed death to learn that Red was never told and that now they are unable to reach him. For operational reasons she remains legally dead but she comes back to the Blacksite to access resources and contacts that can help her track Red down.
A/N if you are still with me then this is how I think it would play!
Elizabeth keen thinks back to how it all started. She remembers the plan, the promises and the profile that led to her extended undercover operation.
She remembers how AD Cooper explained the need, the necessity of being off grid, and how her new identity would be achieved. But she spends most time ruminating on the decision they took to fake her death, the seriousness of that step, the ramifications.
The operation itself was dangerous for those most involved but she was part of the larger network supporting them as they infiltrated a home grown terrorist cell. The whole thing was prompted by the modicum of information they had gathered about her fake husband.
She brought to it her skills as a profiler and her knowledge of Tom. She'd argued with Cooper that she in fact knew nothing about the man but he argued back that you don't live with someone for years and not learn something.
But even weeks later, back in the Blacksite searching for Red, she felt the holdover from the operation. Traits from her undercover identity staying with her like a hangover. She didn't recognise her life; maybe it was easier to be someone else. She dressed differently, sexier, more confidently. She used a different turn of phrase from the old Liz. She sometimes felt it slipping but it wasn't giving her up entirely.
It's the old Liz that searches for Red but it's her alter ego that fuels the search, mulls it over, and approaches it from different angles.
Yet she knows him. She knows his habits. It's as much personal as it is profiling. She knows his tolerance for alcohol, his love of a good book and she knows exactly how highly he regards exquisite tailoring and how hard that would be to come by.
It's not Saville Row, it's not custom made suits bought at a high price in New York. This is handmade, hand stitched, meticulously crafted masterpieces that few have the knowledge or skill to achieve.
She smiles thinking she has him. She knows it'll mean leg work, she knows it may still take months but she has a crumb to follow and she likes where it leads. She leaves the Blacksite, leaves DC and travels using the passport of her fake identity.
But it does take months, longer than she really has the patience for. At first she's careful but as time passes and desperation increases she begins to let her guard down.
When another month passes she becomes so frustrated that instead of the covert surveillance of places she thinks he'll visit, she begins to visit herself, finally asking for him, leaving her name along with a story about how they are old friends.
She attributes this boldness to her new personality because she thinks it's reckless and maybe a little dangerous too, but he has proved as elusive as a criminal of his calibre needs to be.
When Red first hears about a young woman asking for him he dismisses it. Of course he'll have Grey or Dembe investigate, assess the danger but nothing beyond that.
Then weeks later he's being fitted for a new suit by a craftsman in a small town in Italy. They know each other well and though Red has lost interest in most things since Lizzie's death, the old man keeps him talking about common acquaintances, shared recollections.
"Raymond, who is this young femme fatale I've had asking about you?"
"Ah I've been hearing about this. Must be an old associate perhaps hoping to rekindle our relationship." Red says hoping to dismiss the topic and move onto something of greater interest.
"I might have known. I tell you she's been quite determined, says she must get a hold of you" the old man continues, absentmindedly continuing with his task. When he's completed the final alterations Red steps away, putting on his suit jacket and preparing to leave.
Then the old man says, "I wouldn't discard her so quickly Raymond. Especially not when she seems so hell bent on finding you."
"I have no intention of doing anything with her my friend. It seems though some have met her, none know who she is" Red says finally, hoping to satisfy the old man and leave.
"Oh I can help there. She left her name with me. I've written it down somewhere" the tailor says meandering off to find the name of the woman he has been describing.
When he returns Red stands exactly as before, impatience coursing his veins, while his appearance portrays a man at ease. He even manages a small smile when the old man returns clutching a piece of paper.
"Ah here it is, she was quite something Raymond. Her name is Elizabeth Keen" the old man says.
Red doesn't move, doesn't blink, and doesn't take a breath. He just hears the words and lets them settle. Then he responds calmly, "there must be a mistake. That particular acquaintance of mine has passed away".
"Oh I see, I'm sorry" the old man continues.
"No need, I will see you in a few days" Red says then makes his way to the door.
Outside Dembe is waiting with the car. Red doesn't mention what the old man says, doesn't mention her name the whole journey. But when they walk into the house he calls Grey and tells them both to hunt down the imposter.
What they uncover is the tendrils of the truth, an undercover operation, and an assumed identify. It's not enough to appease Red but he's learned to go without what he needs these past months.
Grey thinks the news will please him, buoy him up. He is worried that the restlessness, the ruthlessness of the past few months will continue. But in the coming days there is no change. Red doesn't ask for updates, doesn't direct their enquiries, doesn't contribute to the task at all.
And when Grey brings him the truth he doesn't speak, doesn't acknowledge the words, he just continues to stand at the window and sip his drink. He doesn't lift his head when Grey exits, doesn't focus his now clouded vision on his surroundings.
But as he makes his way across the room he turns and throws his glass into the fire. It's a small gesture and it doesn't even begin to satisfy him.
Only three days later she knows she's got him, flying to Italy when word from an ex FBI agent reaches her, bringing news of his whereabouts days before.
He's extended his stay in Italy, allowing her the time to draw close. He has grown familiar with the comings and goings of the small town and feels comfortable there.