Chapter Thirty-Six

The call came in over a week after the announcement was made publicly. It was late and Reddington had settled in for he had thought might be a quiet night. The Task Force was on a case, Elizabeth was consulting on it, and he had heard that the board had kept Tom busy enough. It was, he thought a little sadly, something that could work nicely into the future if not for the looming and constant threat of the Cabal hanging over them. He had always found a way to persevere, but Elizabeth was firm. When this was done, it was done. He didn't dare try to sway her.

Dembe appeared in the doorway, a phone in hand. "It is Director Davis," he said simply and Red pulled himself off the sofa he had found himself thinking on, reaching for the phone.

"You sure took your time with the decision. I hope you're calling with good news."

"It wasn't a small decision, Reddington," Davis answered from the other side. "And it never would have gone through without the second offer."

Reddington blinked, confused for a moment, but he didn't dare show it. "Then we have an arrangement?"

"We do. Christopher Hargrave will hand over Halcyon Aegis - the technology, the personnel, the data that they have collected over the years, everything - and Katarina Rostova will come in out of the cold."

There it was. That second piece that Kat had conveniently failed to mention to him. She was giving herself up and giving herself over to them. She had known Reddington had been against the idea, but now there was no turning back. Much like with Christopher Hargrave, the certain knowledge painted a much more dangerous picture for everyone involved.

"Providing everything checks out."

That halted his train of thought. "Exactly what have you been doing this past week if not your due diligence, Conrad?"

"There's only one more piece, and it requires Christopher himself. We need to be certain that he doesn't remember anything."

Reddington snorted. "Even if he did, what does it matter?"

"I have a lot at stake here, Raymond. Personally. His connections, that young agent that you've been toying with for years - you had to have known we'd find that connection - stacks some very dangerous odds. As long as you're right and he doesn't remember his kidnapping the deal's set."

Interesting. Perhaps Davis had been more hands on in young Christopher Hargrave's abduction than even Red had thought. If the terrified child had seen his face and could connect it to the director of the FBI, that would put everything at risk. It would put Davis at risk. "Understandable," he said at last. "His family's safety is his priority, I can assure you of that. He'll submit to the evaluation."

"Good. I'll have my people arrange it and be in touch."

The call ended and Reddington sat there for a long moment, his gaze fixed ahead. Dembe was watching him, but if the displeasure was really there or Red was just projecting his own emotions on anyone near him was a toss up. "Are they in DC or New York."

"Elizabeth was taking Halcyon's jet to New York tonight."

Reddington tossed the phone down, watching it skid over the coffee table in front of him. "Davis wants insurance that Tom doesn't remember."

"What does that entail?"

He pulled in a deep breath, the words riding out as he exhaled. "It could be anything from a psychologist to a memory specialist. They'll be careful with it so they don't spoil him. Katarina offered herself as part of the deal."

Dembe's expression tightened. "You believe they will take it."

"I do." He stood. "I need to get a few things together, but call Elizabeth. Let her know we're coming."

"It's late, Raymond."

He looked at the clock, frowning. "In the morning then."

"Does Tom truly not remember?

Reddington snorted, blue eyes swiveling to meet brown. "That is what I've been told. We'll see about that."

He was getting into the swing of things and there was something about it that was surprisingly natural. He had always done well playing the part of the rich young executive when he had worked for St Regis - a role that Bud had assigned him to more than once - and now that he really was filling the shoes there was a piece of him that felt more at home than he had ever expected. It was almost a shame that it was, in the end, more or less an act to get them to their end goal of taking down the Cabal. Tom couldn't imagine that they'd want him on in any capacity when this was over, even if the full story came out.

That was a worry for another day, though, or at the very least another moment. Right then the Keens were stealing a few precious moments amidst all the chaos. For the last week they had been running in opposite directions with him in New York and Liz down in DC helping her team on a case that had popped up, but she had taken the jet in late the night before and he found himself wrapped up in the sheets with her, the morning light already filtering in through the window. A few moments of peace went a long way.

Tom's eyes blinked slowly open as he felt her fingers on his skin, tracing their way under the sheets and up his ribs so that it sent a chill through him. His lips tilted up and he reached over, pulling her closer to him. She echoed his smile and her arm rested against his side, fingers still lightly touching his bare back as she let her eyes slide open and he found himself caught in the awe that she was there with him. It still struck him how damn lucky he was to have her. That she'd chosen to love him after everything. He'd never had any choice but to love her, and he wouldn't change that for the world.

"Morning," his wife whispered.

"Morning."

"Sleep well?"

"Always better when you're here," he murmured and nestled in just a little closer. He was almost asleep again when he heard her loose a breath.

"We should get our own place here."

It took a moment for him to be sure that he was processing those words correctly. "Here in New York?"

She laughed at him. "I think that's where we are, right?"

"No telling," he murmured, amusement lining his voice and he moved a little. "It's not like we're staying here long term."

"Why not?"

The question caught him by surprise and he blinked his eyes open again. "Huh?"

"Why not?" she repeated.

"Because our lives are in DC. Your team is in-"

"You and I both know there's no team without Reddington," she said softly. "Your parents are here. Halcyon's here. We can sell the apartment in DC, I can transfer to a field office here, and we can start over."

He stared at her for a long moment, the argument about the board's impending reaction to the plan they were pulling off dying in his throat. Her team was the only thing that kept her tethered to DC, and if she didn't have them then she wanted to wipe the slate clean. He had always been a runner, but there was something about the homes that they made together that kept him there. Part of him balked at the idea of selling that little apartment that they'd bought together when they had made the decision to stay. They had so many good memories there, but if he knew his wife - and he did - she was focused on the bad ones. She'd done it in their townhome after Zamani's attack too. If he were honest, he was half surprised to find her there when he'd gotten home this time. If it hadn't been the crime scene that she was investigating he didn't think she would have been.

A soft sound escaped him and he leaned in, stealing a quick kiss. "One step at a time, babe. Let's get through this and then we'll see what happens to the Task Force, okay?"

Her phone started buzzing on the bedside table before she could answer and Liz gave a loud groan as she rolled away from him to grab for it. "Hey Dembe," she greeted.

Tom watched her lazily from his place on the bed, finally rolling back onto his back and stretching out his stiff muscles, listening for any sign of good news. They had been in a waiting pattern for longer than any of them had really expected now. His neck cracked loudly as he rolled it and Liz nudged him hard with her foot beneath the sheets. He flashed her a grin that had her rolling her eyes at him. "Right. We'll see you in a bit," she told Dembe and hung up, kicking him a little harder this time.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"Being a distraction."

His grin only broadened and he rolled, leaning over her. "I can be very distracting," he promised and Liz met his gaze.

"Reddington's on his way to New York."

"It's at least an hour flight. Probably another half hour to drive out here."

She lifted an eyebrow. "How are you suggesting we spend our time?"

Tom leaned down and he could feel her smile as he kissed her, her hands on him and as his kisses started traveling down her neck he felt her arms go around him, pulling him down and just a little closer.

The door to their bedroom opened without warning and a small voice accompanied it. "Daddy, I want breakfast."

Tom rolled instantly, the movement a little hurried and clumsy, and he was just grateful that he leaned the right way and didn't send himself toppling off the side of the bed.

"Agnes, honey, what are you doing up?" Liz managed.

Their daughter gave them a strange look, her head tilting just a little to the side like she was trying to figure out if she'd done something she should have. Both parents sank a little deeper under the covers and Tom cleared his throat. "We'll be out in just a sec, kiddo. Why don't you go pick out something to wear and I can make you some pancakes."

She shook her head. "Waffles."

"Okay," he chuckled. "Waffles it is."

Agnes turned to start out and left the door open in her wake. It took several long moments before Tom loosed a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "We have got to teach her about knocking."

Liz laughed at him and pressed a kiss to his bare shoulder. "She's a good kid."

"The best."

"But yeah. Mom and Dad could use some privacy."

Tom gave her a lopsided grin at the suggestive tone and he quirked an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

Liz rolled her eyes and pressed one more kiss to his cheek. "Yeah, but not now. She'll be back if we don't get up."

"Right," he grumbled and slipped out from under the covers to grab for his clothes.

The morning had taken a distinct turn south when Reddington had shown up. At least he'd given a little warning this time. Howard had thought Scottie was going to take his head off the last time he had shown up and all but invited himself to breakfast. It was a power play. It always had been, but the key was not showing if it affected you. Howard knew that from all the years he had known the man, but even so he found his own temper dangerously close to boiling over.

He left his cane behind and limped his way slowly outside, determined to get there on his own power. He found Reddington stretched on the lawn furniture out back like he owned the place. Dembe lifted an eyebrow at Howard and the older man drew himself up to his full height, a good couple inches taller than Red's ward-turned-bodyguard. "Give is a minute, won't you, Dembe?"

Dembe glanced over to Reddington who looked entirely unimpressed as he puffed on a cigar that he must have taken from Howard's collection. "You want a scotch to go with that?" Howard asked with a quirked eyebrow as Dembe stepped away.

"I didn't think you'd mind. They are a bit stale."

"Scottie and I didn't come back here often until recently," Howard answered as he frowned at the snow-dusted chair opposite of his old friend. Reddington had made sure to choose the seat protected from the weather further under the awning.

Reddington hummed. "I'd expect Scottie to play at the idea that you could just pick up where you left off… with the two of you, with your son, but you? I thought you had more sense, Howard."

Howard snorted. "You done?"

"Hmm?"

"With your game. Twist the kids around all you want, I've known you too long for it to work on me."

"I wish it were a game, for your sake rather than mine." He laid his head back against the rest of the chair and a long puff of smoke escaped his lips. "All of this will be over soon enough and when reality comes crashing down you should be ready for it. People like us don't get get to go home, no matter how hard we fight. No matter how hard you play at it, he's never going to be the boy you lost again."

Howard watched his old friend for a long moment, wondering if he had gotten into his scotch afterall. "I have to wonder why your contact would be so nervous about Tom remembering or not. Even if he did, it could easily be a driving factor in his decision. They have to know about Agnes."

Reddington made a small sound of acknowledgement.

"Which makes me think the reason hits a little closer to home. Someone that had a personal role in his kidnapping." He waited a moment, but there was no further reaction. "Red, we've known each other too long. Been friends too long, despite everything. You owe me the respect, at the very least, to tell me if you've known who took my son all this time. If you knew how we could get him back."

There was another long stretch and finally Reddington loosed a breath, the words riding out. "No, I didn't." Howard snorted and Red finally looked at him. "I didn't, Howard. In recent years I've come across information that's made me suspect, but nothing concrete until I met with him last week."

"Who is he?" Howard demanded.

"You know I can't tell you that. It'll put everything in jeopardy, Howard."

"And what do you think this man's going to do when he gets Tom alone?"

"As long as your son does his job, allow him access for this deal. This is a necessary step, Howard. I'm aware of the risks."

Howard squeezed his eyes closed for a moment. Sometimes they needed to put them in a little danger to save their lives. The closer they got to the end, though, the harder it was becoming. No matter what Red said about people like them, his time with Tom and his family had made Howard want it more.

"When it's over I want his name," Howard said firmly after a long moment.

"You can do whatever you'd like with him," Red agreed and put his cigar out. He stood, adjusting his hat and his gaze swept out over the snowy yard.

Howard frowned. "She's not gone yet."

"Hmm?"

"Liz. That's what has you all..." He motioned vaguely at him. Red stared for a long moment and Howard pulled in a deep breath just release it. "After Scottie went to prison, Tom pushed me away. I didn't know why then, but he suspected I hadn't always been honest with him." Reddington snorted a chuckle. "My point is that when the truth came out, in the end, it's been better. I never would have thought it would."

"At some point the luck runs out."

"Maybe. Doesn't change the fact that if you love her like you claim, it's worth the risk." With that he turned and started back in the house.

"We have to play it like they're gonna take you straight in," Dumont said as he worked at a set of tiny screws to put Tom's watch back together. "I've got a recording device and here-" he popped a surprisingly well disguised thumb drive out of the links of the wristband- "is what you need to give us access to their computers if they do take you in."

"They're going to be looking for anything giving off a signal," Liz pointed out.

"Yeah, but they won't be able to detect this one. I've modified his watch so that the signal his readouts are giving masks the recording device. We'll be able to hear what's going on in real time, but it's gonna look like it's just sending his vitals through. I've also got a backup drive on the off chance they do take your watch. Fits in the heel of your boot." Dumont grinned at her. "Don't worry. We've got his back."

"Always do," Tom answered as he rolled his sleeve back down from where Dr Gramble was taking his blood pressure.

She huffed a sigh. "Everything checks out."

He flashed one of his more charming smiles. "So I'm good to go?"

"Relatively speaking," she answered reluctantly.

Liz stood, drawing her husband's gaze over and she tried for a smile. "Give us a sec?" he asked and Dumont fit the last piece in and handed it over.

"Check it out and let me know if you've got any questions."

Tom nodded and both Dumont and Gramble slipped out, leaving the Keens alone in the room. Liz swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry, and Tom fastened the watch securely against his left wrist as he stepped towards her. His eyes met hers and she leaned in, her arms going around his middle and he pulled her in without hesitation. She felt his fingers move through her hair in a soothing motion and she pressed her ear against his chest to listen to his steady heartbeat.

She heard him pull in a breath. "You trust me?"

"You know I do." She tightened her hold just a little. "Listen, I don't know what they have planned to test you, but if someone took your memories like they did mine-"

"I'll be okay," he promised and kissed the side of her head. "Because I have you and Agnes to come home to. I'll always come home."

Liz nodded. "I trust you. It's them I don't trust."

He chuckled at that and pulled back enough to kiss her. "Good thing I have you to watch my back, isn't it?"

She shook her head, a small laugh escaping and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They were close and if this went well it would be over soon and she had to trust in his promise that they would be together in the end.

They had been waiting for half an hour and Tom was starting to wonder if they had been stood up. Or set up. No one would know it by looking at him though. He made sure of that. He leaned against the towncar he and Reddington had arrive in and the older man checked his watch.

"How well do you know this guy?"

Reddington turned, Tom's question the first spoken words between them in nearly as long as they had been waiting. "Well enough."

"You trust him?"

The Concierge Of Crime snorted. "I trust in his greed. It's a constant, as are so many of our greatest flaws."

It would have been nice to think that Red was having a moment of self awareness, though Tom knew a jab from the older man when he heard it. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "People can change."

"But they don't."

"No, you don't."

Reddington turned, looking like he was ready to snap, but Tom motioned. "Your friends are here."

A black SUV was driving towards them, their brights flipped on and blinding them. Tom shielded his eyes and straightened from where he had been leaning. This was it. The moment that they had been working towards.

The engine died before the lights did and they were left squinting as the Cabal members stepped out and circled around. Tom had to resist the urge to go for the gun that he wasn't carrying. He felt exposed where he stood.

"Conrad," Reddington greeted, approaching one of the men.

"Raymond," the man answered back and his gaze slid past him, locking with Tom's. "And this must be Christopher Hargrave all grown up. I hear you'd like to make a deal. We have a few questions first."

Notes: Poor Tom and Liz. They just want a little privacy. Is that too much to ask? :P

I hate to do this, especially as Tom, Red, and Kat are walking into the lion's den, but I don't think there will be another update until next Saturday. I've been a little overwhelmed lately and it's making it difficult to get these chapters finished and to my beta in time to let her check them over and get them back. Between work stress, writing this, putting together the preview gifs for this story, writing on a fic for the exchange this year, and doing a lot of work on my pilot project (I've started in on the actual script!) I've been drowning a bit lately. So, I'm hoping for quality over quantity. We're at the end and I'm trying to tie all my loose ends together and get them where they need to be. The next chapter should be ready by next Saturday (or maybe even Friday, since I'm leaving out on vacation at the break of dawn Saturday).

Next Time: The plan falls into motion and the Cabal takes the bait.