Chapter 21

…

Andrea knocked on Kate's door, waiting for the older woman to answer as she stood in the rain. Kate opened the door a few moments later, smiling when she saw who it was.

"Andrea."

"Hey, can I come in."

Kate stood to the side as Andrea came inside, shaking the excess water from her hair.

"Let me get you a towel."

"I'm fine, it doesn't matter."

"Nonsense, go through. I won't be a minute."

Andrea made her way in to the front room, standing by the fire as she waited for Kate to return.

"Here you go dearie, drink?"

"Please, just coffee."

"I won't be long."

Andrea dried her hair before putting the towel to the side and taking a seat on the couch, she looked closely at the papers lying on the coffee table, the deeds for Kate's house, passport, and bank details.

"Kate?"

"Just a second."

Kate came back through, carrying two cups and passing one to Andrea. Andrea watched Kate take a sip from her cup and smiled.

"I hope that's decaff?"

"It's tea."

"Okay then, so how are you feeling? I'm sorry I couldn't get away earlier. It was something I couldn't get out off."

"Andrea you don't have to explain to me, it's your work. I don't expect you to drop things at the last minute just for me."

"Did you see Red before you left?"

"Yes, he's being released tomorrow. I've just been organising for my girls to go and get his place ready for him."

"I hope you're not doing too much, you're supposed to be resting."

"Aside from my cell, I haven't lifted a finger, I promise."

"Good…so, what's all this?"

Andrea pointed towards all the papers on the table as Kate sat down her cup before turning to Andrea.

"Dearie, there's something I wanted to discuss with you?"

"Sounds serious, you're not breaking up with me already are you."

Kate could sense the nervousness in Andrea's laugh.

"No dearie, far from it."

"So what is it then? You look worried?"

"Raymond and I had a good talk today and some plans were made, nothing concrete but I wanted you to be aware of them."

"Okay…what are they?"

"I've told Raymond that I can't do this job anymore…that I want out."

"Seriosuly, Well I can't say I'm disappointed by your decision. How did he take it? I'd think losing you would hit him pretty hard."

"I'm not a fool, I know the dangers I put myself in working with him, he knows it too and he understands now that the baby's coming that I want to take a step back."

"Well good, I knew he wasn't a completely selfish man."

"He's not, selfishness is not something I'd ever associate with Raymond. He cares very deeply about the people in his life."

"I didn't mean to offend you, I don't know why I called him selfish to be honest…I'm sorry."

"Don't worry dearie, I understand where you're coming from…anyway, Raymond has a property, it's secluded, as far away from this life as you can get. I've suggested to him that it might be a good idea for me to go there, for all of us."

"All of you, you mean Red included?"

"He was hurt and could have died, the countless times he's been injured, shot at. There's going to come a day he won't be so lucky. He and I both have people in our lives we care a great deal about and would like to live long enough to see where things might go."

"Elizabeth?"

"He told her how he felt about her today, and she was…well she didn't reject him."

"Do you really think he could stay away from all of this, live the quiet life?"

"I think he could, if there's something worth doing it for."

"And Elizabeth is….and you."

"Yes."

"So, where is this place…just on the outskirts?"

Kate moved closer, taking hold of Andrea's hand in her own.

"Raymond's property…it's in Italy."

"Italy?"

"Yes."

"I see, well that's…far."

"Andrea I…"

"I understand you wanting somewhere safe to raise the baby, I do…I think you're making the right decision if I'm honest and if Red's willing to give this life up to help you then I'm glad.

Andrea removed her hand from Kate's grasp, going quiet as she looked at her watch.

"I should probably get back to work; I just nipped out so…yeah I should go."

Kate watched as Andrea grabbed her bag and got up to make her way towards the door, Kate quickly got to her feet, catching up with Andrea, grabbing the younger woman's arm to stop her.

"Dearie wait, you don't understand."

"Kate, I do really. I know it's a big decision and I think you've made the right one, I'll call you later okay."

"Will you wait…you haven't listened to what I'm actually saying."

"Kate I…"

"I want you with me Andrea."

Andrea stopped talking long enough to finally look Kate in the eye, seeing the smile on Kate's face as she loosened her grip a little on Andrea's arm as she moved in to her space.

"You want me with you in Italy?"

"Of course I do dearie, you've been the one stable thing in my life since this whole mess began, and you told me you loved me. I assumed you meant that?"

Andrea moved closer, bringing her hands to the sides of Kate's face before kissing her.

"Of course I meant it."

Andrea watched as Kate took her right hand from her face in hers and bought it down to place it on her abdomen.

"Kate, what are you…"

"You…and this baby are what matters to me. I want you with me, for all of it. We need you, both of us. I know I'm asking a lot from you…to give up your amazing career and if you say no then of course I'll understand, but I just want you to think about it…for me, for us."

Andrea looked down as Kate's hand came over her own, a warm smile on her face.

"You know we really need to start making you some regular appointments, keep you and the baby monitored."

"I'll do whatever you want me to do."

"Can I think about this, Italy I mean?"

"Take all the time you need dearie, I'm not going anywhere."

"Get some rest okay and I'll talk to you later."

"Of course."

I love you." Andrea kissed her before leaving.

"I love you too."

Kate smiled as she watched Andrea leave, the door closing behind her.

…

Elizabeth was sitting in the park, Agnes in her pushchair as Aram approached them, two coffees in his hand.

"Hey."

"Aram, thanks for coming."

"Well it sounded important; I got you two shots….you sounded like you needed them."

Elizabeth took the cup from him before he sat down beside her.

"So…what was so important…you said it was about Reddington?"

"Yeah?"

"Is he okay, the surgery went well didn't it?"

"He's fine Aram, I know you care about him too."

"He's never done me any harm. So, what did you want to talk about?"

"Red told me something today I wasn't expecting."

"About a case?"

"No, personal. Aram, he told me he's in love with me."

Elizabeth looked to her side to see no expression on Aram's face at all.

"Really nothing….wow."

"Liz don't take this the wrong way but, why are you surprised by this?"

"What, are you telling me you knew?"

"I think it's a safe bet that everyone knew."

"Tom too?"

"Maybe not that Reddington's in love with you but he's always had an ulterior motive when it comes to you. How many times as he risked his life to save you from god knows what situation?"

"How could I be that naive that I never even noticed?"

"I think deep down you always knew and you just tried to ignore it, in the hopes that it would go away."

"He wants me to move to Italy with him, give up my life here and take Agnes and go for good."

"Leave the FBI?"

"Leave the FBI, leave Tom and my friends."

Aram went quiet as Elizabeth looked at him.

"Aram…please say something?"

"How do you feel about him?"

"I…it's complicated."

"Is it, we all see the way he looks at you…we see how you react when something bad happens to him. How upset you were when he was shot in front of you. I don't think it's that complicated. You love him too."

"How could I be this stupid? To fall for one of the FBI's most wanted."

"Despite the crimes he's done over the years, by helping us…he's slowly making amends for them and the crimes aside, he is actually a very nice man…he cares about the people around him. He's saved us on more than one occasion and he didn't have too. You want me to steer you away from him but the truth is…I like him, he's never denied the man he is, he makes no apologies for it. He's always been completely honest and I've always admired him for that."

"So you think I should go?"

"Do you want too?"

"Tom will never allow me to take Agnes out of the country, she's his daughter."

"And what about Tom? You love him don't you?"

"Honestly…not the way I used too, things haven't been right for a long time. He's been cheating on me and has been for a while I think."

"Then, doesn't that make your decision a little easier. I mean I'd miss you but if it made you happy."

"There's still Agnes, if I didn't have her I wouldn't think twice about it but…it's all such a mess."

"I'm not really helping am I?"

"I guess I just wanted someone to talk too about it, get it off my chest."

"You're her mother and the courts always lean in favour of the other in custody battles."

"I don't want to put Tom through that, despite everything, I do still care about him, and he is the father of my child."

"Then you need to be honest with him and tell him everything, about Reddington…Italy. Perhaps if you're up front with him, you might be able to come to an arrangement of some kind."

"I hope so, thanks Aram and look…don't tell the others about Italy just yet, not until I know for sure what's going to happen."

"Your secrets safe with me….as always Liz."

"Thanks."

…

Andrea walked along the corridor of the hospital until she reached Reddington's room, looking inside to see Dembe in the chair by his bed, Reddington's eyes closed. The young man looked over, offering a small smile before he got up and approached her.

"You need to talk to him?"

"It's okay, he's resting. I'll pop back later and see him."

"I'm not sleeping Andrea."

Andrea and Dembe looked over to see Reddington watching them.

"I'll leave you alone for a while." Dembe said.

"Thanks."

As the young man left, Andrea made her way in to the room as Reddington attempted to sit up. Andrea came up to him, an arm going around his shoulder to help him. Once he was comfortable, Andrea stood with her arms crossed in front of her, her defences showing.

"You wanted to see me Andrea?"

"I did."

"You look…troubled?"

"I've just been having an interesting talk with Kate."

"How is she?"

"You only saw her a few hours ago?"

"I worry."

"You really do care about her…don't you?"

"As I've told you before, we've been through a lot together over the years, I've relied on her for many things. Despite recent events, I've leant to forgive her and she's regained my trust, which I know wasn't an easy thing. Looking back, I know she did what she did because she cares, I just wish I could take back what I did to her. That scar on her face will always be a reminder of what I did."

"She forgave you too."

"I know, but still."

"Of course."

Andrea went silent before finally taking a seat on the edge of the bed, her hands in her lap as she looked at Reddington.

"Kate told you about Italy didn't she?" Reddington asked.

"She did?"

"And you aren't sure?"

"It's a lot to ask of a person, to give up their whole life. Just pick up and leave the country. I have a life here, friends, a job, family."

"You're saying no?"

"I didn't say that and especially not to Kate."

"You do love her though? Yes?"

"You know I do, I got involved with her, despite what she does for you because I saw past all the things you do, I love her. She's such a strong woman, after everything that's happened to her. You used to talk abut Mr Kaplan this and Mr Kaplan that and I just assumed it was some guy who worked for you, when I actually met I…I don't know, there was something about her. Of course I want to be with her…and the baby but moving to Italy, it's a big step and I really need to think it all through."

"I'm sure Kate understands."

"Too much I think, I was surprised when she said you'd agreed to it."

"Yes well, after everything I've put her through, not juts recent events but in the past, how could I say no to her. She wants to have the baby and bring it up somewhere safe, I promised her that I'd always be there to help her and I have every intention of doing just that, the question is…can you see yourself being around me for a large amount of time, I know your feelings towards me, especially after the rape. I'm not all bad, I can assure you."

"I know you're not, you saved my life."

"You do know that you're not indebted me for saving you that night, when I asked you to help when something medical happened, you could have said no, I would never have forced you to do anything you didn't want too."

"Back then I felt I owed you, after a while, how could I say no to you."

"Very easily Andrea, anyway…if this move to Italy is to happened, it will no longer be an issue."

"I do want this for Kate, I know it means a great deal to her, leabing my family, my friends."

"They'd always be welcome Andrea…always."

"I need to think, I'll let you rest."

Andrea got up, turning to head to the door when Reddington caught her wrist.

"If you decide you can't go, just know that no matter what, Kate will always be looked after…you won't have to worry about her…or the baby."

"But I still would, regardless of who's looking after her, anyway…I should go. Get some rest Red."

Reddington nodded as he released his grip on Andrea's wrist, watching as she walked away.

…

To Be Continued…