***Quick conclusion to wrap up the story, thanks for reading! Can't wait for the final two episodes of season 8!***
Donald pulled the rental truck down a wooded gravel driveway that sloped toward a large lake. A small A frame cabin sat in the woods and beyond that was yard that stretched to the crystal waters. There he saw the silhouettes of Liz and Agnes against the sunset, in a hammock strung from large pine trees. He smiled. He hadn't seen them in some time. Not since he sadly handed Agnes back over to her mother and they took off for an undisclosed location. He went back to work. But it wasn't the same. The job, his apartment, and his life felt very empty. So much so that he made up his mind to have a talk with Reddington. And now here he was.
Liz popped up at the sight of truck pulling up – her defenses activated. Ressler quickly exited the vehicle so that she could see it was him. She was surprised, but a smiled creeped across her face. She hurriedly got Agnes's attention and they scrambled off the hammock and came running toward the truck with big smiles, Agnes screaming excitedly. Ressler grabbed his duffle bag before he was slammed with hugs.
"What are you doing here?" Liz asked, out of breath.
"I missed my girls," he said with all sincerity. Liz was stunned.
"Here munchkin," Ressler said while pulling a box from his bag, "this is for you." Agnes gasped and quickly took the box away to open it, giving Liz and Ressler a moment to themselves.
Liz looked at him for more of the story about how he came to find them, knowing Reddington was involved.
"Reddington set me up with a fake passport, Canadian – I'm Mark Jones, by the way – apparently Reddington always thought I looked like a Mark. Anyway, cash, a plane ticket, burner phone, directions from Dembe on how to get here."
"I didn't want Reddington to put you in that position, I –" Liz said, but got cut off.
"I asked him for these, Liz," Ressler interjected. Liz's eyes went wide. Using a fake passport, assuming an alias, coming to see her, would likely get him fired if anyone found out. He was taking a big risk doing so, a risk she was not willing to ask him to take, but one he decided to take on himself.
"We might not be able to have a normal life together," he said as he looked at Agnes too, "but I have to see you. Whatever it takes, you and Agnes are all that matter to me." He looked at her, did she understand what he truly meant?
It seemed that she did, as her eyes welled with tears. She sniffed.
"How long do we have you for this time," she asked smiling.
"A week," Ressler said smiling back at her. "Cooper thinks I'm on vacation in Michigan with family."
Liz beamed. A week together, just the three of them, in this quiet paradise. Ressler dropped his bag down and took Liz's hand as they walked toward the water.
Agnes looked up from her box of bobbers and hooks and asked, "what are these?"
Ressler smiled. "Agnes, have you ever been fishing?" She shook her head. "Well, we are going learn this week, what do you think?" She smiled and gave an excited, "yes!"
The three of them walked out to the lake together, Liz and Ressler gazing at each other with Agnes bounding out in front of them. And for the first time in a long time, everything felt in its place.