Sorry it's been a while everyone, blame my real life. Thanks so much for all the lovely reviews so far.

...

Chapter 10

…

Elizabeth just exited the office of Harold Copper and was making her way down the stairs when she spotted Aram at his desk, worry etched on his face as his eyes remained focused on the screen in front of him. The young man was so preoccupied that he never heard Elizabeth coming over to him.

"Aram…you okay."

Aram quickly closed the lid of his laptop, suspicion on his face as he looked up at his friend.

"Absolutely fine."

The uncertainty in his voice didn't go unnoticed by Elizabeth, who gave him the "I know you're lying" look.

"Aram…what's going on?"

The young man looked around the room, glancing quickly up at Cooper's office before opening his laptop again for Elizabeth to look at.

"What is this?" She asked, seeing the flashing red light on the map as it moved around on the screen.

"It's Reddington."

"What does he have you doing?"

"He…he asked me to help him trace the guy who hurt Mr Kaplan."

"Oh god, when…when did he ask you to do this."

"The other day, well what could I say?"

"No Aram, you say no."

"He told me what this guy did to Mr Kaplan; I couldn't stand back and doing nothing. She's having a baby Liz, because of this guy."

"I know, I know but if this thing backfires…Aram you could face dismissal for even helping Reddington. After everything that happened to me because of him, has that taught you nothing?"

"You're right, I know. It's just that I couldn't help thinking about Mr Kaplan and what she must be going through right now because of this guy. I wanted to get her justice."

"I know, you really care about her don't you?"

"Are you kidding me, the woman's a complete bad ass. Have you seen her fire a gun?"

Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh as Aram gave her a smile.

"Yeah I have, she's better that us."

"She's nice to me; she takes the time to get to know you."

"I know, sometimes I wonder how the hell she ever got involved with Reddington."

"Yeah, same could be said for you."

"I didn't have a choice, he asked for me and no one else. Listen, keep me updated on this okay and try not to draw attention to yourself. The fewer people who know about this, the better."

"Thanks Liz."

"I better go pick up Agnes, won't be long."

…

Dembe parked the car behind the large barn at the back so as not to be seen. Raymond stepped out of the vehicle, his gun at the ready.

"Dembe, the items I requested earlier, you have them?"

"They're in the back."

"You have your gun?"

"Of course Raymond."

"With me."

The two men walked around the back of the house, looking out for any of Salgado's men, surprised to only find three of his men on the premises.

Dembe went first, Raymond staying behind him as instructed. There was nothing Dembe wouldn't do to protect the man who had become like a father to him. The man at the back door was lighting his cigarette when he heard the crunch beneath Dembe's foot. The man, who looked to be in his thirties, quickly dropped the cigarette, drawing his weapon when he saw Dembe. His eyes were so focused on Dembe that he hadn't seen Reddington behind him, who had quickly drawn his gun and shot the man in the head. The man fell to the ground, Dembe quickly retrieving the man's weapon before moving his body to the back of the barn.

"Thank you Dembe."

"Not a problem, there's one in the kitchen?" He said, as he looked through the window.

"Do you have you silencer on?"

"Yes."

"He had his back to you, do it now."

Dembe quietly opened the window, being careful not to make any noise before taking the shot. Salgado's man fell in a heap, a crash being made as he fell.

Reddington swore under his breath as he heard the crash to see a bottle smashing as the man fell to the ground.

"Raymond I'm sorry I didn't see him holding anything."

"It's alright Dembe."

"Is it gentlemen."

Redding closed his eyes as he heard the familiar voice behind them, a gun pointed right at them. Reddington turned to see Salgado and his other man pointing their weapons at them.

"Drop them…NOW."

Dembe threw down his gun; Reddington following his lead as Salgado stepped forward, punching Reddington hard in the face, Dembe ready to fight as his boss fell to the ground. Dembe was quickly restrained by Salgado's man, stopping him from retaliating.

"Get them inside."

…

Andrea was going over appointments with Kate when the door bell rang.

"That will be Elizabeth; she asked if I'd mind looking after Agnes for a few hours."

"When?"

"She rang when you were in the kitchen."

"Are you up to that?"

"Dearie, we discussed this earlier."

"Right, I'm sorry."

Kate got up and went to answer the door as Andrea closed her diary, smiling when she saw Elizabeth walking through, carrying Agnes in her arms.

"Mr Kaplan, thank you so much for doing this."

"Don't be silly dearie, it's not as though I have anything else to do today, and Raymond made that very clear."

"Hi Andrea."

"Hey."

"He told you then…Reddington?"

"Told me what?"

"Oh, you know what…it's nothing."

Kate took Agnes from Elizabeth's arms and handed her to Andrea before Kate turned back to Elizabeth with her arms folded in front of her.

"What's happened and don't lie to me sweetie."

Elizabeth took a seat as Kate joined Andrea on the couch, Agnes reaching out for Kate.

"Aram has been working with Reddington to trace Salgado."

"I know, Raymond told me. They found him?"

"They have, that's probably why Reddington didn't want you there today. Aram managed to track Salgado down and Reddington and Dembe have gone too…well, take care of it."

"Kill him?"

"Are you really surprised, the man raped you, he left you pregnant? I think Reddington's plan was always to kill him. I wouldn't have expected anything else."

"It's not that I'm surprised."

"Then what is it Kate?" Andrea asked.

"He didn't include me, does that sound ridiculous?"

"Would you really have wanted to be there, to come face to face with that man again?"

"Of course I wouldn't have wanted to be dearie, but to know his plans, yes."

"Look, I can't believe I'm saying this but, don't be angry at him. All the time he was planning this, he was thinking only of you. He hates what you're going through Mr Kaplan."

"Elizabeth, it's Kate."

"Sorry, that's gonna take some getting used too.

"I know he's worried about me, but I really am coping with this. Do I wish it hadn't happened? Yes but it has happened and I'll handle it. What if he gets himself killed?"

"It's Reddington, I think he can take care of himself. Look I have to get back to work, are you sure you're okay with Agnes for a few hours?"

"Of course dearie, off you go, we'll be fine."

Andrea made funny faces at Agnes as Kate said goodbye to Elizabeth before coming back to join her on the couch.

"You okay?" Andrea asked.

"I just hope Raymond and Dembe will be alright."

"I'm sure they'll be fine."

"I'll make us some tea."

Kate made her way in to the kitchen, putting on the kettle before taking out her phone and dialing Reddington's number. The phone rang a handful of times before it went to voicemail.

"Raymond, it's Kate. I know what you're doing, I don't like the idea of you and Dembe alone out there. I think I always knew deep down that you were going to kill him, but Raymond please, however angry you get…don't mention the baby, please dearie. I have Agnes with me, so I'll be at home for the rest of the day; call me when you get this."

…

To Be Continued…