The table was set and Agnes was running around in her pajamas, apparently having caught a second wind after her nap on the couch. Liz was freshing up in the ensuite off Ressler's bedroom and Ressler was in the kitchen surveying the wine options Liz had bought.

When the knock sounded on the door Liz ran to Ressler's bedroom door, still struggling with an earring. She seen Ressler making his way to the door, swinging his weight efficiently on the crutches and she left him to it, hurrying back to close drawers and shut off lights in the bathroom.

By the time Liz made it to the kitchen Cooper and Alina were setting out the food they had brought, Ressler was debating the wine options with Colin and Agnes was busy showing Colin's kids her toy corner, even though they were twice her age and not that interested.

When Cooper seen her he came over and gave her a quick hug, then they all sat down to eat before the food cooled. Agnes noticed Aram was there and sat next to him, asking him questions while he tried to eat.

Supper itself was a quiet affair, it wasn't until after when they were all sitting in the living room and the kids were playing a game at the table that conversation picked up. They were discussing the return to work of both Ressler and Liz. Liz was free to return at any time but Cooper didn't want to pressure her. Liz said she would give it some thought, but she was pretty sure she was going to come back the next week. Ressler was waiting on his doctors to clear him first of course, which was still a few weeks from happening.

More than one person commented on how far he had come so fast already though, and that they had no doubt that he'd be back before he knew it.

"Like you are actually walking and everything by yourself" said Aram, a little surprised at how self-sufficient he was.

"Yah, well" said Ressler, "I've never been the type to just sit around and I hate being waited on."

"We're proud of you" said Cooper, "and so glad you are okay".

Liz just nodded. She had already told him so herself on multiple occasions, so she just rubbed his back and sat silently by him.

"I know it's none of my business" said Aram, "but what exactly is the relationship status here?" he gestured at where Liz and Ressler sat on the couch. Liz was leaning heavily on his chest and he had his arm wrapped around her. By all appearances they were a happy couple who clearly loved each other.

Liz laughed at his words and the way that everyone shifted and suddenly paid attention, all awaiting the answer. She remembered the conversation that her and Ressler had had earlier and how they had decided not to lie if they were asked. Besides this was their family and they spent so much time together that she knew it was no use trying to pretend. The truth always came out at the end of the day anyway.

"Well" she said and then she looked up at Ressler not quite sure how to put it. He seen the look on her face and, understanding that she wanted him to take the lead, Ressler said

"Well - it's a little uncertain- but it's real, and we're both here - and we both want to be here - be together, so we're just taking it as it comes and we'll see where it leads us." He shrugged. "You make plans and life interrupts them anyways" he swept his hand down the front of his body in indication, ending by pointing at his foot which was propped up on a pillow on the floor, and they all nodded in understanding. "So right now - I don't know - maybe it's naive but, we're just living in the moment."

"You're gonna make it" said Colin, smiling and squeezing Ressler's good shoulder from where he sat on his other side.

"I agree" said Cooper. "I've seen you guys almost every day for the last 8 years and I know the foundation that this relationship is built on. Add that to personal experience, both good and bad, and I think you guys have an amazing future."

"Thanks" said Liz, "it means a lot".

"Oh come here" said Aram, rising from his seat and opening his arms "I love you guys".

"We support you no matter what" said Alina. "Always got your back".

Ressler pushed himself up from the couch, balancing on his good leg, and let Aram hug both him and Liz.

Instead of sitting down again, the group stayed standing and the taskforce began cleaning up and finding their coats.

"You know" said Colin only to Ressler and Liz after the others had left to bring glasses to the kitchen, "I don't talk about it much but - Lynda and I" he clearly meant his late wife, "we never had much. We barely knew each other, less than you two that for sure" he chuckled, "but we had trust and respect for each other, like you do, and love was enough. It wasn't always easy and we didn't always see eye to eye, but we loved each other. Those 11 years were the best years of my life and I'll never regret them. We didn't have it together all the time. Half the time we didn't know what was happening either, but we were there for each other and we took life as it came, too. It was enough just to be together and to be happy. Our friends never understood, but it didn't matter. It worked for us and that's all that matters." He sighed. "It gonna work for you too. Do the best you can and be there for each other, that's all. You'll never be sorry." He looked at where his kids were putting their game pieces back in the box, love shining in his eyes. When he turned back to them they both could see the grief swimming there too, barely checked. "This- what you two have - don't let it go" he said, "life is too short."

Colin's words stayed with them both long after the taskforce had left and Agnes was sleeping. Liz had helped Ressler take a shower, even if he did have to sit in it, before showering herself.

Ressler lay in his bed, covers pulled up to his chest, thinking over what Colin had said. He spoke with the clarity of a man who had been where they were and come through the other side. Ressler had loved and lost once, and it was the hardest thing he had ever done. The same was true for Liz he knew, and he knew that it was one of the reasons that they were so scared. At least he was scared. He knew what he wanted, but they were so many what ifs.

It was also the reason that they were grabbing all they could as it came, regardless of how it might appear. He knew how it looked. Living together, even when it wasn't strictly necessary 24 hours a day, Agnes calling him Daddy. They had never dated, they just jumped in the deep end. Ressler didn't feel like he was drowning, his head was still above water and he hoped Liz felt the same.

He sighed as he heard the shower turn off. He had been in bed for the better part of an hour, but he couldn't sleep. He heard Liz moving around and he wanted her next to him. He didn't know what she would think if he asked. They had shared a bed in the hospital yes, but that was different. He was hurting and he needed her, besides there wasn't many other options. Now they were home, and he was managing, and she had another place to sleep.

He heard the blow dryer turn on and it's drone lasted a few minutes, before the door opened and Liz stepped out, clad in one of his T-shirts and her own sweat pants. Ressler lay still, unsure of what to do.

Liz must have thought he was sleeping because she stood and listened for a minute then slowly turned and tiptoed to the door. He stopped her when she started to creep through it.

"Liz?" he asked so quiet that she thought she had imagined it for a second.

"Don? You're awake?" she asked. She had thought he was sleeping.

"Can't sleep" he replied, then he took a deep breath and sat up a little. It was very dark in his room, but she could faintly see his outline and the glimmer of his eyes. He looked a little scared. "Will you stay with me?" He was definitely scared, his voice told her that much. Scared I'll say no, scared that he shouldn't even be asking. Well it didn't matter, she had secretly never wanted to leave. She knew that they had been going about all day as though she would sleep with Agnes and when she had hoped he would ask earlier, he just never did. She had liked sharing a bed with him in the hospital. She wanted to do it for the rest of her life.

"I thought you'd never ask" she said quietly before closing the door behind her and hurrying over.

He relaxed and gave her a huge grin, pulling the covers open next to him for her to crawl in. "I didn't know if I should", he admitted.

"Of course you should" she slapped him playfully, then fell on her back laying flat beside him.

"It's not too fast or too much?" he wiggled, shimmying closer to her.

"No" she said, reaching for his hand and putting her fingers through his. Their sides were touching the full length of their bodies, or at least the length of hers, with his feet further down still.

It was quiet for a few minutes, then he spoke again, still only loud enough for her to hear. "I can't stop thinking about what Colin said tonight. I've already lost the woman I love once Liz. I don't want to ever go through that again. I know that I've been a little extreme and a little fast, but I - I just - I don't want to lose you."

"I can't stop thinking about it either" said Liz. "You're not going to lose me Don, on one condition."

"Name it"

"I never lose you either. I've been there too and I get it. Besides we know better than anyone that Colin is right, like is too short. Let's be happy."

"Okay, so you'll sleep next to me every night?" asked Ressler.

"Absolutely" said Liz, "I love you" she said rolling on her side and resting her head on his chest.

"Me too" he kissed the top of her head. "I just hope you'll still be saying that in a few months if I still can't show you."

"If" said Liz, "but I think you will."

"I think they actually understood" said Ressler, switching subjects.

"Yah, better than I expected" said Liz, knowing exactly who he meant.

"I just hope that my Mom and brother are so understanding" said Ressler.

"God, I hope so too" said Liz. "But you heard Colin. Either way it doesn't matter. This feels right for us, so it is, right?"

"Right" said Ressler, squeezing her tight until she squealed.

"Okay, well let's get some sleep. Who knows what we're in for tomorrow."

"Oh it'll be okay. My mom loves me and she will be happy that I've finally found someone. She's been nagging me for years, so I'm not looking forward to telling her that as of right now I still can't give her grandkids, but other than I that I'm not too worried about her. I'm more worried about Robbie."

"I'm just worried that they won't like me. What if they don't trust me, or they don't think I'm good enough for you."

"Oh they'll like you. That much I know" said Ressler with confidence.

"You better be right" she threatened, wiggling her finger in his face.

"I am. Now sleep." He caught her flailing finger with his other hand and pinned it at his side so she was hugging him and couldn't move.

He felt her stop fighting and nestle her face in his neck. He loosened his grip but kept his arms around her and turned his head a little too rest on hers. The last thing he remembered was the smell of her shampoo.

Two minutes later they were both sleeping, holding each other close.