"I just don't get it." Aram sighed as he closed yet another box of files and came up with nothing helpful.

"What?" Samar asked, not looking up from her own set of files.

"This guy graduated top of his class from the academy. Climbed up the ranks and led the investigation on Mr. Reddington." He explained. "Why would he throw all of that away?"

"Anyone can be terrorist." Samar said tightly. "No matter their background."

"Okay.." Aram said nervously, picking up on Samar's tension. "But...what's his motive? He doesn't really have anything to gain from suddenly killing all these people. And everything to lose."

"He's right. The man's squeaky clean. Not even a speeding ticket." Meera said as she plopped down an envelope full of pictures and more files. "Even Liz thought it was strange. She doesn't have a complete profile on him."

"Well, terrorist or not, it's our job to find him. But I doubt digging through these old files is going to give us anything useful." Samar sighed exasperatedly, leaning back on a chair.

"Well, terrorist or not, that's a tall glass of ginger ale I wouldn't mind a sip of." Meera smirked as she held up a candid picture of Ressler.

Samar could only roll her eyes as Aram laughed and shook his head.

"There wasn't anything useful from the CCTV footage or the security cameras that caught him?" Samar asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Nope." Aram sighed again. "If anything, he looks shocked in the ones that show his face. Innocent, even..."

Samar's eyes narrowed at him and Meera looked up from her pointless search as well.

"You think he's innocent?" The shorter woman asked.

Aram merely shrugged, not wanting to to make eye contact with either agent.

"Whether or not he's innocent, he's the only person around when this happens. We need him in custody no matter what. As a witness or as a suspect." Samar said plainly. "And we need Liz back."

"Keen!" Ressler yelled, banging on the bus as it began to drive away.

He picked up his pace, weaving through the crowds of people walking the streets as he tried to catch up to the moving bus. He could just see Liz through the side window, inaudible, but clearly distressed. She was squirming and trying to get past the people crowding the inside of the bus.

He moved swiftly and with agility, trying hard not to knock anyone over as he ran beside the bus. It wasn't the best way to avoid attention, but he had no choice. Apparently, the bus driver was either blind or apathetic. He was thankful that he could keep up with the traffic, as the bus wasn't moving at a particularly fast speed. Then suddenly, the bus began to merge away from him, heading towards the left-turn lane.

"Oh, fuck." He panted.

"Ressler!" She yelled through the glass, though she knew he wouldn't hear. "Shit, shit, shit." Liz muttered as she tried to squeeze through the loaded bus.

"Stop the bus!" She yelled over heads and shoulders, earning her several looks of confusion and irritation.

"No can do, lady! I'm late enough as it is." The bus driver said over his shoulder. "You're gonna have to wait for the next stop."

"Goddamnit." She cursed.

She then looked around frantically until she noticed the long, red cord hanging over the railings in the middle of the bus. She quickly reached up and yanked it, earning her nothing but more anxiety. The cord made no noise and created no change in the bus.

"Are you kidding me?!" Liz almost yelled at the people around her. "This cheap piece of shit!"

She steadily made her way back towards the window. Pressing her face against glass, she prayed he could keep up as the bus began turning left.

He merged into the streets to follow the bus through traffic. Ressler could feel his arms swinging as his feet hit the ground. His lungs clenched and unclenched as his throat went raw with air. Amidst the symphony of angered beeps and loud expletives, he raced across the pavement. He had to sidestep and evade several cars as traffic kept flowing. One cab almost ran him over, but he surprised himself by having the reflexes to jump back at the last second. He then burst back into a full sprint, having every intention to keep moving.

At some point, he felt the wind blowing freely through his hair. The beanie had fallen off somewhere onto the cold asphalt and he cursed himself as he kept running, though he still had the glasses, except he didn't know whether to be thankful or not as it bounced annoyingly on the bridge of his nose after every step.

Trying to keep close to the moving bus, he sprinted as fast as he could. He didn't dare look back, afraid of seeing crashed cars and white eyes. He kept his gaze on the massive, gaudy smile behind the phone number of some accident lawyer that was printed on the back of the bus.

As frantic as he was at that point, he felt his mind slow to a halt until he saw a bus moving away from his standing form. Its rear was decorated by a different advertisement, barely legible in the dark night and moving away into the empty streets. He watched it drive off, feeling his face lift with a warm smile that rivaled the cold air as his heart thumped with exotic glee.

Before he knew it, he was running again; the overcast skies held back bright sunlight and the streets were crowded. His heart pounded for a different reason and he realized that after almost four blocks of sprinting, the bus began to slow down. Despite his recent recollection, Ressler had a single thought in his mind.

Oh, thank fuck.

Even in his mind he was panting. He stepped onto the sidewalk alongside the bus as it reached its stop. Slowing down to a standstill, Ressler bent over with his hands on his knees. He breathed heavily as passengers stepped out of the loaded bus. He ignored the odd looks people were giving him, some loaded with irritation, and concentrated only on trying to catch his breath.

He didn't have a chance to think much about the flashback as Liz practically shoved her way out of the bus. As soon as she saw him hunched over, she promptly reached out and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Oh, shit. I'm so sorry, Ressler." She said breathlessly into his ear. "I'm sorry."

She could feel his heart hammering against her as he embraced her. His chest was heaving and he was still clearly trying to catch his breath.

"It's okay." He exhaled, his breathing slowly returning to normal. "I'm okay."

He suddenly became very aware of his surroundings as he noticed people staring at them. He shifted away from her hold and gave her a look of warning, his eyes darting around them. She nodded and seemed to look around. Whether it was to confirm his suspicion or to look for a way out, he didn't know.

It was then that a black car pulled up beside them and rolled its window down. Ressler looked inside and saw a man with a gray ponytail beckoning to them.

"Get in." He said. "Quick."

Liz turned around and didn't hesitate to pull Ressler towards the car.

"One of Reddington's men." She told Ressler as they hopped in. "Hey, Baz. Why am I not surprised that you're here?"

He merely smiled at them through the rear-view mirror and began driving. Liz then turned to Ressler, who looked was looking down pensively.

"I'm sorry I didn't get off the bus..." she began. "It's just…"

He looked at her, searching her face with a brow raised.

"I've been getting these...I don't know...flashbacks?" She shrugged. "Like memories I didn't know I had. That's why I stopped."

His brows raised towards his hairline as he realized they were connected in some way. They had to be if he was having flashbacks of her.

"I knew it." He blurted out. "I knew you. "

Liz stared back at him. "You did?"

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

No better time to 'fess up.

"I didn't say anything, but back at the cabin...when I met you? I had this feeling—"

"That we already knew each other?" She finished, her eyes searching his. "So it's not just me."

His eyes widened as he shook his head slowly. "I've been having flashbacks too. I'm not sure when they were, or what they mean, but...you were there. In each of them."

He leaned back on the seat and sighed. "Guess this wasn't a waste of time after all."

"I am sorry I made you run like that." Liz winced.

"It's alright. Probably the most exercise I've had all year." He chuckled.

She smiled at him then turned to the front towards Baz. "Has Red found us a place yet?"

He nodded, keeping his eyes on the road. "You'll be picked up later tonight. For now, just stay inside, get packed, and try not to get yourselves or anyone else killed."

Moments later, they arrived back at Liz's home and Baz quickly left, though she was sure he didn't go far.

"So, what exactly did you remember?" Ressler asked as he walked in behind her, taking off his glasses.

He didn't hear her speak until he almost walked into her. She stood right by the entrance to the kitchen, her eyes wide with shock.

"Hey, babe." He heard a male voice say.

"Tom!" Liz said in surprise.

Reddington took a sip of scotch from a glass as he sat in the office of yet another business partner's reluctantly-entrusted home. As he savored the bitter sting of the alcohol, Dembe walked in, handing him a burner phone.

"Hello?" Reddington asked, eyeing Dembe.

"You were right, Mr. Reddington."

"Of course," He laughed. "I trust you told them nothing?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Now what did the scan tell us?"

"It's nothing I've ever seen before, Mr. Reddington. I'm not sure how to explain it myself. I'll be sure to send the results to Mr. Kaplan. Maybe you can find someone to figure it out."

"Very well. Thank you, doctor." He said and hung up.

"Mr. Kaplan is on her way." Dembe said, his face calm but his eyes firm. "And Baz called. He says they are starting to remember things."

Reddington leaned back on the comfy leather chair, regarding Dembe with his own contemplative eyes.

"I see."

"You need to tell them, Raymond." He warned.

"You know I can't do that." Red replied grimly. "I need to protect her."

"It isn't right to keep it from her. And there are things she needs to know so that she can protect herself." Dembe argued calmly.

"She shouldn't have to." He shook his head. "The moment she finds out is the moment I've failed."

"What matters more to you? Your success or her life?"

"It wouldn't be much of a life. I'm not giving her back that pain."

"There is only pain down this road you are paving, Raymond. Tell her where she's been so she may find her own way." Dembe began walking out of the room. "Perhaps in doing so, you may find yours."

Meera walked briskly to Aram's desk, holding up her phone. "Just got a call from Metro P.D. Someone called in a tip; says they saw Ressler hopping off the L2 bus and then chasing after it."

"Did they say what time?" Aram asked.

"Around noon." She replied.

Aram quickly turned to his computer and after a few keystrokes, pulled up images from the bus' interior cameras a few minutes before the time they were given. The footage showed several passengers boarding and leaving, and Cooper, Samar, and Meera stood behind him as they scanned the video. Aram played the video faster, fast-forwarding until they noticed Liz boarding the bus and finding a seat, along with Ressler and his disguise.

"She's okay!" Aram said in relief, smiling at the agents by his side.

As soon as Ressler glanced at the camera, Aram paused the footage and zoomed in, making the image as clear as he could.

"Oh, wow...that's really him." He said, almost fearfully.

"He looks like a hipster." Meera observed with a smirk.

"Keep playing it." Cooper ordered.

The footage resumed and they watched for several minutes as the two sat together. Eventually, they watched as Ressler stepped off the bus while Liz stayed behind.

"He just left her." Meera stated, confused. She leaned in closer to the monitor.

They then watched in shock as Liz acted in his absence. They had never seen her so scared. Frantically trying to stop the bus, Liz could be seen squeezing her way through the passengers. She then resigned to sticking close to the window for the remainder of her bus ride.

"Can we see outside the bus?" Samar asked.

Aram nodded and quickly switched the camera footage to the exterior recording. Sure enough, they watched as Ressler ran through traffic, trying desperately to catch up to the bus. They were as confused about his actions as those around him were, but the true astonishment came when they watched Liz shove her way out of the crowded bus and into the arms of their suspect. They stayed silent, not knowing what to say as Liz pulled Ressler into the car.

"I thought you weren't gonna be home for two weeks?" Liz asked.

"The conference got cut short. Something about changes with the staff." Tom replied, then his eyes turned to Ressler. "Who's this?"

Liz shared a worried look with Ressler before quickly recovering. "Oh, this is Liam. He's a friend from college. He just moved here to D.C."

"Oh." Tom kept his narrowed eyes on the other man. "I don't believe we've met."

"No, I don't think we have."

"I told him he could stay with us for a bit." She then pulled on a face of pity and put a hand on Ressler's shoulder. "He just separated from his husband." She then turned to him with a smile. "This is Tom."

Ressler did a quick double-take at Liz's words, but noticed Tom staring at him, so he quickly went along with it.

"Uh y-yeah, it's been tough. I've been trying to find a new place."

"I'm so sorry." Tom offered, visibly relaxed at what Liz said. "You're welcome to stay until you do."

"Appreciate it." Ressler nodded with a grin.

"Okay, well, I'm gonna go upstairs and get settled in." He said, giving Liz a kiss on the cheek. He then turned to Ressler with a smile. "Nice meeting you."

"You too." The blond man replied as Tom shook his hand firmly and promptly headed upstairs. When he was sure Tom was out of earshot, Ressler turned to Liz. "Really?"

"I'm sorry, but I knew he wouldn't ask questions." She shrugged with her voice low.

"Yeah, and what happens when Reddington picks us up tonight?" He asked quietly, crossing his arms. "What are you gonna tell him then?"

"I'll tell him I've got a case and that I dropped you off somewhere."

Ressler sighed and shook his head. "Look, Keen, are you sure you wanna do this?" His eyes searching hers.

She looked back with eyes narrowed in confusion. "What? Of course, what else is there to do?"

"You can walk away from this." He said bluntly. "Just drop me off in the middle of nowhere and walk away."

"Why would I do that?" She asked tensely. "We've finally got somewhere to start."

"Because you still have a life, Keen. You've got a job at the bureau, someone to come home to." His eyes softened. "I don't want you losing all of that because of me."

She couldn't help but give him a soft smile. "Thank you. Really. But this is part of my past too. I owe it to myself to find out what this is. And if I can help you on the way, then...even better."

He sighed and nodded, finally relenting. "Okay...as long as you're sure. I'm gonna head upstairs, take a quick shower, and start packing."

"Alright, I'll get packed too and talk to Tom."

Liz opened the door to the bedroom, smiling when she saw Tom lying on the bed. He looked up and gave her his own smile as she sat on the other side of the bed. "I'm glad you're back early."

"Me too. I missed you." He said, leaning in to kiss her.

She laughed at that. "You were gone for two days."

"Two days too long." He mumbled into her neck as he planted more kisses.

"Okay, okay." She giggled and gently pushed him away. "I'm really sorry, but I have a case later tonight and I can't stay home for long. I'm gonna drop Liam off at a friend's house."

Tom quickly pulled away. "Oh no, that's alright I told him he can stay here for now."

Liz smirked at him. "That's really sweet, but he doesn't wanna overstay his welcome. I told him he could stay longer, but I can't change his mind."

"Well, maybe I can." He offered with a grin. "I don't mind having a guest. Besides, maybe having him around will give us practice for the baby."

Her eyes widened and she scoffed at him. "I really don't think a grown man is practice for a baby."

"Okay, maybe not." He chuckled. "But I did get a call from the adoption agency this morning. They want us to come in for an interview next week."

Liz grimaced. "Oh…Tom, listen...I don't think now's a good time."

"What? What do you mean? You were practically jumping out of your pants before I left. Literally." He smirked.

"It's just...with work and this case right now—"

"Liz, I thought you wanted this?" Tom asked, clearly getting irritated.

"I do! Really, I want this! It's just..I'm not sure if now is the right time…"

"We already put it off three times, Liz, I'm starting to doubt that you do."

Before Liz could respond, the burner phone she had began to ring in her pocket. She gave Tom an apologetic look and answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Lizzie you need to finish packing and leave now." Red commanded. "Baz is waiting outside."

"What? What do you mean? I thought it was later tonight?" She asked, standing from the bed.

"Change of plans. The taskforce saw you and Ressler at that bus stop. They know he didn't kidnap you."

Liz turned and looked at Tom, who seemed to be growing more irritated by the second.

"One sec." She told Red and then spoke to Tom. "I need to go."

"What?!" He shouted. "Liz, we need to talk about this! You can't just run off!"

"It's important!" She argued.

"And this isn't?!"

She turned around and calmly looked him in the eye. "Look, I know this is frustrating but I promise …" she placed her hand on his shoulder. "I promise we will talk when I get back."

He looked at her for a moment, then sighed. "Okay. Just...be safe."

She gave him a smile and a kiss. She then grabbed a go-bag from the closet and walked out of the room. She held the phone back up to her ear and spoke to Red. "Hello?"

"Trouble in paradise?"

Liz rolled her eyes and ignored his comment. "Are they on their way here?"

"They'll probably be there in ten minutes."

"Tom's here. What am I supposed to tell him."

"Just leave. He doesn't know anything between you and Ressler, so they won't get anything out of questioning him."

Liz closed her eyes and sighed. She knew that the moment that Tom gets interrogated would be the moment that he loses the trust he has in her. But she had no choice. He doesn't know anything and likely would be released pretty quickly.

"Okay. Let me tell Ressler." She hung up and quickly walked into his room. "Hey, get packed; we gotta—Oh.."

Liz felt herself flush as she saw him wearing nothing but a pair of boxer briefs, his hair still damp from the shower. He looked back at her, surprised, but continued getting dressed.

"Uh..sorry, I should've knocked." She turned back towards the door, forcing herself to look at anything other than his muscled chest and strong arms.

"It's fine." He said, putting a shirt over his head and pulling on his jeans. "What's going on?"

"The taskforce saw us at the bus stop. Reddington says they're on their way here so he's getting us out of here."

"Shit." He quickly threw his clothes into a bag, put his socks on, and slipped into his boots. "What about Tom?"

"He'll be fine." She said quickly, wanting to avoid another offer of letting him deal with the situation himself. "Let's go." She walked out of the room and down the stairs.

Not wanting to overstep his boundaries, he followed her silently and sat beside her as she got into the waiting car.

Tom watched from the window as the car drove away. He pulled out his phone and dialed, holding it up to his ear to await a response. When he heard one, he spoke.

"Hey, it's me. I found him."