Wait 4
Author's Note: This is set right after she signs the deal to plead to homicide and 3 years probation. It's always been an AU story but now we're also not worrying about canon.
Let me know what you think!
IIIIIII
The look she gave him as she hesitated to sign the document that would spell her freedom said more to him than he thought everyone else around them knew. She sought his opinion—wanted him to know that this was not just her decision but their decision and that meant everything to Ressler.
After everyone left and it was just the two of them, she got very quiet.
"It won't be long until you're released," he said.
She nodded and sat down on her cot.
He looked at the empty container from the soup he'd brought her and smiled. She'd eaten it all and, so far, kept it down.
"Hand me your empty container," he said as he reached through the opening in the bars.
She got up and walked toward him with it, her expression unreadable.
He took it from her, and their hands brushed against each other. She looked up and caught his eye.
"I'll be free," she said, still seeming to disbelieve the prospect.
"How Reddington managed that, I don't know," he laughed softly. "But it's a good thing he did. Three years probation isn't a bad deal."
Liz nodded.
"I can't be an agent," she said quietly. "It'll never be the same again, Ressler."
He had known that as soon as they slept with each other, but felt now wasn't the time to make it about them.
"You won't have to put up with the bureaucratic bullshit I do," Ressler smiled at her. "It'll be freeing."
"I guess it'll be you and Samar?" Liz asked him. "I trust her to take care of you."
Ressler winced.
"What?" Liz asked.
"Samar isn't part of the task force at the moment," Ressler admitted.
"Why the hell not?!" Liz asked.
Ressler clicked his jaw a couple of times before speaking. "It's a longer story for another time, but I…fired her."
"You what?!" Liz asked.
"Liz, it was the right call at the time, but…"
"Samar is amazing," Liz said as she shifted before him. She could see from the look on his face that he was hiding something. "Why the hell would you…?"
"She tipped you and Tom off about the restaurant raid and did a search for you to help locate Reddington."
"How did you know that?" Liz asked. "And she was helping me, Ressler."
"I see that now, and it will be reflected in my report," Ressler said. "I'll lobby for her to be reinstated."
"You better," Liz warned him.
Ressler sighed. He wasn't sure how he was going to tell her about his night with Samar, a mistake that both of them would readily admit to, but a one-night stand nonetheless. How would he be able to explain to Liz that one night with her was completely different from one night with Samar?
Liz tsked and looked at him concerned. "I can't believe you fired her."
"Look, I'm sorry about it too, and when I talk with Navabi…"
"You haven't spoken to her about it?" Liz asked annoyed.
"In case you hadn't noticed," he said angry. "I've been a little busy keeping you alive."
Her annoyance with him vacated her body and she nodded.
"I'm sorry, I guess you've had a lot of pressure placed on you," Liz said.
He wanted to reply 'you think?' but that was a little too douchy.
"I think we all need about 4 days of sleep," Ressler said, trying to get off the subject of Samar.
"I agree," Liz said.
He sighed and leaned against the bars to her cell.
"I've been thinking about the baby," Liz said, and he looked at her suddenly interested.
"And?" He asked.
"And now that I'm not going to jail the decision is less straight forward," Liz said.
He nodded and waited for her to continue.
"Ressler, you're my best friend," she said as she looked at him with a scared expression. "I don't want to lose that."
He nodded.
"But I'd like to see what else we could be," Liz said.
He nodded again.
"But is it too much to include a baby?" Liz asked, her eyebrows knitting together.
He shrugged. "It might be. Or it might not. I think we can make as little or as big a deal about this as we want."
"How do you mean?" Liz asked.
Ressler sighed. "Let's say there is no baby. We'd date, possibly it would go incredibly well, possibly not. I'm leaning on the side of incredibly well, but I'm an optimist."
She smirked.
"Now, if there is a baby," Ressler said. "We date, possibly it could go incredibly well, possibly not. Again, I'm thinking it will. Then the baby is born, and we decide what to do. Do we live separate? Together? Get married? Co-parent?"
"Whoa…that's a lot to take in," Liz said.
"We have another…6 months to figure it out," Ressler said. "All I'm saying is we have options. And I think you'd be a great mom and I'd like to think I'd be a great dad. And, even if it doesn't work out romantically, couldn't we do this as friends?"
"You make a good case," Liz chuckled.
"All I'm saying is we can decide our own path," Ressler said. "Am I secretly hoping it involves being a couple? Yeah, I'd be lying if I said any different. But do I believe we could do this regardless? Yeah, I do, Liz. But really, it's up to you."
"It sounds like your biological clock is ticking," Liz snickered.
"I turn 36 this year," Ressler answered simply.
She nodded.
"You don't have to decide today, but if we are booking an appointment, then we'd need to do that pretty soon," he said. "No pressure, just reality."
She nodded just as the doors opened and a Rita came in.
"I knew you'd be outta here quick, but I never imagined this fast," Rita chuckled.
"You and me both," Liz said with a smile.
"I'll take you to change into your street clothes and get your personal effects," she said as she opened Liz's cell.
"Thanks," Liz smiled at her.
"I'll meet you outside," Ressler said as he touched her elbow and walked out of the area.
Rita and Liz walked toward the reception.
"He's the best friend you'll ever get," Rita said after Ressler had left them.
"He's something special," Liz smiled.
"He straight?" Rita asked.
Liz nodded.
"Is he married?" Rita asked.
"No," Liz shook her head.
"How is that possible?" Rita asked disbelieving.
Liz chuckled. "A lot of women ask themselves that same question."
"He have some weird foot fetish or play in some nerdy online knights and castles club or collect expensive hubcaps?" Rita asked.
Liz chuckled harder. "Nope."
"Huh," Rita said.
Liz looked at her as they arrived in reception.
"Honey, I think you need to scoop that up before some other woman does," Rita said to her with a knowing expression.
Liz smiled at her and nodded. "That's good advice Rita."
Liz claimed her items, changed into her street clothes, and stepped outside, a free woman, and took a deep breath. When she looked along the path that led to the sidewalk, she saw Ressler, casually leaning against a Bureau SUV, with his arms crossed, his ankles crossed, and a smile on his face. She smiled back and immediately knew the decision she was going to make about the baby.
She walked toward him, and when she got closer, he stopped leaning and stood up.
"You're a free woman Liz, where do you want to go?" Ressler asked her. "The world is your oyster."
She stepped toward him until her body was flush with his and she leaned in a gave him a soft, gentle, kiss.
"Your place," she smiled up at him.
A grin broke out across his face, and he leaned forward and gave her a quick peck.
"Your wish is my command," he said with a smile.
To be continued…