The morning of Ressler's first day back at the Post Office he was up and bouncing the second the alarm went off. The alarm clock didn't even finish it's first ring before he leaned over Liz, reaching over and palm-slamming it. He rolled back, threw the covers off and lept out, pulling on his suit, which he had laid out the night before, as Liz groaned and rubbed her eyes.
By the time she managed to pull herself from the amazing warmth of their bed he stood fully clothed, with a tie tossed around his neck, in front of the mirror in the adjoining bathroom styling his hair. It was a good bit longer than usual and curly from his night of no-gel sleep, and he had to fight a little to get it into it's usual 'agent' hold.
Having gotten used to seeing him with his natural hair ever since the accident she was sad to see it go again. He looked younger, almost boyish, when he let it be. It would feather and curl, surrounding his ears and sticking up in thick locks on the top. But she knew that the styling helped give the 'federal agent' vibe.
"To early" she grumbled, slowly changing into one of her work outfits.
He came out of the bathroom with his toothbrush hanging out of the side of his mouth, mumbling something about "hurrying up" to her. He was forced to stop so as not to dribble toothpaste on his fresh white shirt, but apparently he thought she understood him because he disappeared inside again and she heard him rinse and spit in the sink.
He turned on his shaver and made sure that his beard was perfectly symmetrical and picture-ready and then he was done. For his part he was ready to go.
Problem was - they still had about 55 minutes before they had to leave. They had to be at work at 9 which was perfect for dropping Agnes off at school on the way because it started at 8:30 and they usually left the house shortly after 8, to allow for traffic. They woke up at 7 every morning because that gave them an hour to eat breakfast and get Agnes ready.
It was now 7:06 and Ressler was looking for the car keys. Liz sighed. These 55 minutes were going to be a long time. The entire time she did her hair and put on her make up he pranced outside the bathroom, doing laps. Eventually she couldn't take it anymore and she hollered at him to make coffee. She really needed some, although he clearly didn't.
"We'll get some on the way" he replied, "it's faster."
She sighed and set down her curling iron, walking over to him and grabbing his arms, pinning them at his sides.
"Don, calm down. We don't have to leave for at least another 45 minutes. If we are early there won't be anyone there anyway. Besides, we can't really drop Agnes off too early either. So go to the kitchen, start a pot of coffee and wake Agnes. Find something for breakfast and I'll be there to join you."
"Okay" he said, exhaling. Liz watched as he deflated and she did the same. He just needed to calm down and take a breath.
He did leave and start coffee, she heard it brewing, and then she heard him in the next room, rousing Agnes and leading her out to the kitchen, still in her pajamas. She had learned the hard way that it was easier to eat first and change after otherwise Agnes was likely to just spill on her fresh clean clothes and they would have to change her again before school.
Breakfast on weekdays was never a big affair around there, it was either cereal or eggs or toast or something quick and easy.
By the time Liz walked out he had stuff on the table, bagels in the toaster and eggs frying in a pan. Agnes had chosen cereal again as normal because Ressler had started buying the sugary kids stuff for her and she loved it. He was pouring her orange juice in a cup and then he raised the jug to his lips, tipped it back and finished it himself. She smiled. It was all the little things that showed that he was still finding his balance between being a responsible father and a bachelor. It was a fast change to make and he hadn't totally mastered it yet.
Their bagels popped up so Liz walked into the room, making her presence known and pulling them out. Ressler flipped some eggs onto them and she carried them to the table while he moved the hot pan to the sink and shut off the stovetop. She sliced some cheese and added it, setting their plates down and he grabbed mugs and the coffee pot on his way over.
When did we get the dynamics? she wondered. They ate, fairly fast, because none of them were slow by nature, and methodically went about cleaning it up and packing lunches for them all. Liz had gotten into a habit of making a pot of soup for herself every week over the years and she continued to do so, only now she made enough for Ressler too. He usually took sandwiches or salad, and still often included one or the other, which was fine because that's what Agnes always had too and it worked out good.
When all was said and done, they stood by the door, still 10 minutes early.
She looked over at him. "Am I the only one who felt like what we just did was weird?" she asked.
He looked up at her, asking "weird how?"
He had poured them both the rest of their coffee to go, his black and hers with milk like it had been since day one. He handed her her insulated mug, the other half to his in a brand new set he had bought. They both enjoyed that second coffee in the morning, just to drink slowly for the enjoyment of it. They had built up quite a tolerance over the years and could drink an alarming amount before they noticed anyway.
"Oh I don't know" said Liz, trading him their joint lunch for her coffee. He adjusted his briefcase to hold both in one hand. "Just like we've done it a million times. I feel like we had the symmetry of an old married couple."
"Huh" said Ressler. "I guess. I thought it felt good. Felt right." He smiled at her.
"It did" she said, leaning up to meet him halfway in a kiss. "Finally my good morning kiss" she kidded. She hadn't gotten one when they woke up like she usually did.
"I'm sorry I've been so preoccupied this morning" he said. "I'm just excited. Can we leave yet?"
"I suppose" she said, "we aren't that early no more. Agnes, come get your backpack, we're leaving!"
"We can always take the scenic route" offered Ressler.
"Hah" said Liz, locking the apartment after they left. "Like you know a scenic route. You've taken the same route to work for the last 10 years."
"Hey" said Ressler, taking offense. "I know this city like the back of my hand. You would be surprised."
"Okay, whatever you say" She handed Ressler the keys and he pocketed them, then she reached for Agnes' hand and she reached for Ressler's with her other, the three of them walking down the hall together.
They kept up the light banter as they dropped off Agnes, wished her a good day, and drove all the way in to work. When they walked into the Post Office, hand in hand, it felt as though things had clicked. They were both feeling better than they had in a long time, given the cloud still hanging over their heads.
They stashed their lunch in the fridge and met Aram, ever the early one, at his desk in the war room still holding their coffees. Cooper would be there soon and the day would start.
"Good morning guys" said Aram cheerfully, "it's so great that you're finally back Ressler. I missed you. I have a question for you."
"Wow - pressing" said Ressler. He had been back in the door all of two minutes.
"Sure, what is it?" asked Ressler.
"Uhhhh..." said Aram, glancing at Liz.
"Oh, a guy question" said Liz, picking up on the nonverbal. "I'll just - I - I'll gotta - I'll just go over here. I'll be back in a minute." She walked off to her and Ressler's shared office.
When she was gone, Aram leaned in closer to Ressler and said, "so there's this woman."
"Aaahhh" said Ressler, not surprised in the least.
"And I really wanna ask her out - but - I'm not sure how."
"Are you asking me for advice on asking someone to go on a date with you?" asked Ressler in disbelief.
"Yes?" said Aram, super hesitantly.
Ressler threw his head back and howled with laughter. "Oh, I missed being here" he said.
"Well, I just thought-" began Aram, but then he changed his mind. "But I guess I should have known. I mean you don't really have to ask-" he gestured at Ressler's face and body.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry" said Ressler, bringing himself under control again. "What exactly are you wanting to know?"
"Well, when you asked out Liz-" began Aram.
"I haven't" cut in Ressler, serious now.
"What - but - but you guys - You must have asked her out at some point."
"Nope" said Ressler. "We're somehow way past that without actually having gotten there yet. You want to know the last time I've asked a woman out - try like - never."
"Really?" asked Aram, now fully shocked.
"Yah. I'm probably not the best guy to ask. What I will say is this - I've found out over the years - and escpesially these last few weeks - if you don't have honesty, you don't have anything. If you like this woman then just ask her out, just say you want to get to know her better and you'd like to take her out for dinner. If that's too much for her then she's probably not the right woman for you anyway."
"Okay" said Aram, nodding bravely. "That was alarmingly wise - and helpful. Thank-you."
"No problem" said Ressler, but he didn't move, even as Aram fired up his computer for the day and was clearly preparing for work. Aram looked up at him funny so he pushed the conversation on, "well?"
"Well - what?" echoed Aram.
"Well who is she? Do I know her?" pushed Ressler, giddy. "You didn't think I was leaving without a name did you?"
Aram blushed deeply.
"Oh, so I do know her. Is it Alina?" Ressler shifted his weight and leaned closer. Aram shook his head. "Your friend Layla from Math Club or whatever?"
"Married" said Aram.
"Uh... Rachel from Analytics? Single and cute." He knew because he had caught her hitting on him a few times and he would be lying if he said he hadn't looked twice. Even if that was about it.
"No" said Aram, giving up as he showed no intention of stopping with the guesses. "Fine, fine, it's Yvonne."
"Yvonne?" shock-whispered Ressler. "Man - I've missed a lot these last few weeks."
"Yah" said Aram, "although I'd like to think it wasn't that obvious. You need to keep it a secret, okay?"
"Of course" said Ressler, "but you should act on that. Ask her today!"
"I want to" said Aram.
The elevator door opening cut them short and Ressler straightened, walking over to meet Cooper, Colin and Yvonne who had just arrived, promptly on time. "Keep me appraised!" he called over his shoulder and Aram nodded and blushed again.
They set down to business for the day soon afterwards. In the morning it was just paperwork, but that afternoon Cooper had the agents out in pairs, following up after a case they had worked while Ressler was gone. There were a few million dollars missing and they were looking for the individual who had them. They knew he couldn't leave the city because they had everyone on the lookout for him so it was a matter of talking to family and business partners to try and locate his hiding place. It wasn't overly time sensitive, in fact it was something they would usually delegate but Reddington hadn't given them anything else and it was was it was.
Liz and Ressler had talked to his wife who had mentioned a storage unit that he rented to keep things they couldn't fit in their garage. They were headed there now.
Ressler was enjoying himself even though it was more interviewing than chasing bad guys so far. It felt normal to be out in the field with Liz by his side. He had thought it might be different because their dynamic had changed but it wasn't really. He thought maybe he would more protective or something but he realized now that if he was being honest he had already been that way for a long time.
Everything worked out that day and Ressler was glad for it. They got to do good without endangering themselves for once.
They left the Post Office at 5. On their way out they bumped into Yvonne, and Ressler tells her that Aram wants to ask her something. He watches as she walks to his desk and as soon as the elevator doors close he lets out the laugh he was stifling.
"What was that about?" asked Liz.
"I'll explain it later, you know Aram is watching us right now."
Liz nods, because he is, he has all the feeds at his desk, and she hops in the passenger side of Ressler's vehicle like she's done a thousand times before, only this time they drive the 20 minutes home to where their daughter and her nanny await.
That night in bed long after the sun has gone down and the room is swathed in darkness so complete that they rely on touch, Ressler tells Liz of his conversation with Aram that morning.
She howls with laughter, "He really asked you that?"
"Yah, I know right" said Ressler. "But you know how Aram is when he asks things, especially personal things. It was so hard to keep a straight face that I didn't even bother."
"I can imagine' said Liz, "Man I should have stayed for that conversation. So then as we were leaving you told her that he had to ask her something so she'd go to his desk and ask what it is, and he'd be stuck."
"Yah, except I was gone so he couldn't come kill me. And he never came knocking on the door tonight, so..."
"Oh he is going to hate you tomorrow" said Liz, still laughing.
"I know" said Ressler, pulling her closer, "but I don't care. I'm happier than I've ever been and Aram deserves that too. Besides he's only going to hate me if she says no to him. If she agrees, well... I don't really know what then."
"What do you think she will say?" asked Liz, a bit curious.
"Honestly, I have no idea. I don't really know her - like at all. I just thought it was worth a shot. Even if it doesn't work out, it's worth a shot." He turned serious, narrowing his eyes and lowering his head to meet hers in the dark. "That's my biggest regret. I should have given us a shot earlier. A year ago - two - I thought there was something then even. But every time I worked up the courage I would chicken out. I didn't want to lose what we already had. I didn't want to lose you. But I wish I had tried. Who knows where we'd be today."
"Don, what's done is done. Besides I don't know that we would be anywhere today. We'd probably still just be where we are. Laying in each other's arms in bed. You shouldn't regret that, don't regret what you can't change. Besides why do think I never did anything? I didn't want to lose you either."
"Man we were so blind" said Ressler. "But they don't have that - that connection that we had. So they have no reason not to try. They have nothing to lose."
"I hope she says yes" said Liz. "I think she will."
"Why do you think that?" asked Ressler.
"Because she's asked me about him. She thinks he's cute and funny. She actually mentioned going out with him."
"Oh, okay" said Ressler. "See, she will say yes and we will be the ones they have to thank on their wedding day."
"Okay, now we are getting ahead of ourselves" she nudged him. "Let's just see tomorrow."
"We can ask about it nicely, let's just ask them to help us with cleaning out your apartment this weekend. It's a good excuse, besides we could actually use a hand. 'Cause I hate deep cleaning."
"Yah, I agree."