Agnes 22

Author's Note: I couldn't resist the twist and the road keeps turning…

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"I'm glad you are all okay," Cooper said in a video call over the app Liz and Ressler had been using.

"We are and I'm sorry for the quick departure," Ressler said.

"Your apartment…" Cooper started.

Ressler hissed. "What's the damage?"

"A few broken things, it looks like in leaving the door wide open someone stole your TV, stereo, maybe a few other things you would know about that we don't…"

Liz reached for his hand. He had this happen because of her and she was not forgiving herself of that.

"It's okay, they're just things," he said with a quick shake of his head. "Better Agnes and I got out of there."

"I agree," Cooper smiled at them. "And, I know you can't say where you are, but you are all safe? All three of you?"

Liz leaned into the screen. "Yes, Ressler and Agnes are here and I'm with them now, but need to go finish what I started soon."

Cooper nodded.

"I sent Park to Meet Dembe because she was the least likely person they would think could be involved and she'll make sure she's not followed," he said. "Aram misses you."

"And tell him we miss him," Ressler smiled. "I could have used him to entertain Agnes sometimes."

Cooper chuckled and nodded.

"I've also forwarded any leads I have about Townsend with Park," Cooper said. "In case they connect some dots for you."

"Thanks so much, sir," Liz said as she smiled at the man. "I can't thank you enough for helping us figure this out."

"I can assure you with 100% accuracy that the DNA being delivered is Tom's," Cooper said. "What happens after that, I hope it helps you find answers…"

"It doesn't make sense," Liz shook her head. "But many things in my life don't make sense, I just though with Agnes, I knew…"

"What are your theories?" Cooper asked.

Ressler and Liz exchanged a look and she nodded.

"We're not sure," he said. "But the possibilities are either a lab mistake, the sample was not Tom, sexual assault, some sort of medical intervention that Liz was unaware of…"

"What's your gut tell you?" Cooper asked.

"I think they dug up the wrong corpse," Ressler said. "It's gotta be."

Liz nodded, she was hoping for that, but something inside her said differently.

"Elizabeth?" Cooper asked.

She swallowed. "I agree with Ressler."

Cooper chuckled. "I thought with…never mind."

They both looked at him confused.

"Sir?"

"I guess I thought with you two out in the open as a couple you'd call him Don…"

They both laughed.

"She does," Ressler said. "We kind of go between names depending on the circumstance."

Cooper nodded.

"And, uh, we have some news, sir…" Liz chuckled as she held up her hand and showed Copper her ring. "He was old fashioned and insisted he wanted to ask when we were on the same continent…"

"Yeah, I'm old fashioned that way," Ressler teased as he smiled at her.

"Congratulations you two!" Cooper said excitedly. "That's wonderful news."

"Thank you," Liz and Ressler smiled and nodded.

"We're not sure when…" Liz said. "But when all this is done we'll do it."

Cooper smiled at them. "I hope I get invited."

"You will," Ressler smiled at him. "Don't worry."

"I better let you go," Cooper said as he leaned into the screen. "Give Agnes a hug for me and please stay safe. Reach out if you need me again, I'm happy to help."

"Thank you, sir," Ressler and Liz said in unison before the video call ended.

They had not told him about Agnes' condition and had just said that some bloodwork had come back indicating Tom may not be her father and they needed to investigate. There was, they agreed, no need to further worry everyone about them. They could explain everything when Townsend was dead.

"I'm sorry about your place," Liz said as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"They're just things," he said as he kissed the top of her head. "I meant what I said."

She nodded slowly.

"Don," she started.

"See, there you go," Ressler chuckled. "Cooper has no need to be concerned…"

Liz shifted and looked up at him.

"I don't think she's Tom's," she said as she met his eyes.

"What do you mean?" He asked, concerned.

"Remember when Cooper asked, what did my gut say?" Liz said.

He nodded.

"My gut says this is tied to my false memories or…Berlin or the Cabal or…" Liz said.

"Liz, I don't…really? You think that?" He asked.

"I feel like I know it," Liz said. "We need to get Reddington to put out feelers for anyone who may have been working with Berlin or the Cabal at the time. I think we will get more answers there."

"Liz, let's get the samples Cooper sent tested and go from there," Ressler said. "No need to stir any pots unless necessary. Let's get this answer, before we go searching down other paths, okay?"

She nodded and softly kissed his lips.

They sat for a long time and said nothing.

"Did you ever…was there ever a time when things felt off with your body?" Ressler asked, going down the avenue he had just told her not to go down.

"Like was I date raped?" Liz asked. "No, I didn't ever wake up in a strange place or with semen or bruises or sore muscles…"

Ressler nodded.

"Okay, it's got to be Tom," he said as he pulled her a little closer.

The both of them sat there for another 20 minutes quietly, their minds reeling about the other, less happy, possibilities and hoping, it was something simpler; a lab mix up or a body mix up. Because the other possibilities meant she had been hurt or violated.

To be continued…