Chapter Seven: Trouble

No matter what she wanted, Gina Zanetakos was always trouble. It wasn't just that she was Tom's ex, or that she'd had him shot and left for dead. It wasn't even that the woman had been ready to rip Liz's throat open on a filthy bathroom floor a few years earlier. It wasn't just one thing, it was all of it. All she had done, all that she was capable of doing. It was the way that Tom thought he could save her when Gina clearly had no interest in being saved.

He had been gone too long and it was making Liz nervous. She couldn't see them from where they were all seated, but since he had gotten up she had clocked at least three men enter the bar that sent off every instinct she had.

"What's going on?"

Liz turned, finding Ressler leaning across the table.

"Nothing."

His eyes narrowed. "I know that look, Keen."

She glanced back towards where Tom had disappeared. She trusted him. It was Gina she didn't trust. Liz turned to meet her former partner's gaze. "Zanetakos showed up."

"Son of a bitch," Ressler growled. "That's where-?"

"Yeah."

"What's wrong?" Ellie asked from his other side.

"Nothing."

Liz quirked an eyebrow at that. "You see the guy at your three?"

Ressler turned as discreetly as he could to take a look at one of the men Liz had spotted. She saw Samar glance over and Aram was a little more obvious, but less so than Ellie.

"What's wrong with him?" she asked.

"He's armed," Samar answered.

Ressler stiffened. "You sure?"

"I have a better angle." She took a sip from her drink. "I'm sure."

Liz grabbed for her phone. A call was risky, but easier to play off if Gina was right there. Either way, she needed to warn Tom.

"What can I do?" Ellie asked.

"Wait in the car," Ressler answered, his voice tight as he handed her the keys.

"I can't just-"

"Please."

The phone started ringing in Liz's ear and she risked a look over at Ressler. His expression was tight and pleading and Audrey flashed through Liz's thoughts.

Ellie must have seen something there too. "Okay, but if anyone gets hurt…."

"I'll know right where to find a first responder."

. The line connected. "Hey, Liz. It's fine. I'll be back in -"

"It's a set up. She brought people with her. You need to get out of there now."

Tom stiffened where he sat and he felt Gina's eyes on him. Slowly the mask of calm fell back into place. Panic didn't get anyone anywhere. "Thanks. I'll see you in a few," he promised and, just before ending the call, he put the phone back to his ear. "Love you."

He ended the call and his gaze snapped immediately to Gina. She blinked at him, whatever snarky comment she was going to make dying on her lips. "What?"

"I thought we were past the games, Gina."

"What are you-?"

"Was this going to be an ambush? A way to show them you've got things under control? Kill me, maybe get Liz and the Task Force in the crossfire, and -"

"What are you talking about, Jacob?" Gina hissed, leaning forward in her seat. "There's no ambush. I need your help."

He watched her carefully. He knew her tells, but she knew that he knew. She adjusted. She always had.

"If there are people here, they're not mine. Not anymore."

Tom spotted one of the men that had drawn Liz's attention. The guy turned and he saw the weapon tucked under his light jacket. He would have it pulled and firing into a crowd of people at any sudden moves.

"Okay," he breathed. "He hasn't spotted us yet. Pull the cap low and I'll meet in the parking lot."

"Let me guess. Mustang?"

He smirked as she stood, and kept a watch on the man ready to fill at least one of them with holes. Maybe both. He sunk back in his seat, pulling his phone up to his face to look like any other guy waiting on someone to come back. Long fingers worked on a text.

Not Gina. Get ahold of Scottie and Howard for Agnes.

Candy had proven to be a great asset with Agnes, but if these guys turned their attention on him, Tom had no interest in his daughter being anywhere near it. His parents would have the ability to move her safely. They would know what to watch for.

There was a long moment and his phone buzzed.

No answer. Trying Nez. You okay?

He glanced over. The man was gone. Tom heard movement behind him and didn't quite get turned around before he felt something press against his back.

"There are only so many people Zanetakos would go to for help," the voice behind him said. "You must be Phelps."

"I think you've got the wrong guy. My name isn't Phelps."

"Not anymore. Do you prefer Hargrave or Keen? I hear you've got some family connected to both."

"Let me guess, you've got eyes on them?" Tom growled.

"Closest is your fed wife. You make one wrong move and I'll have my partner put a bullet between her eyes. No coming back from that. So you're going to stand up slow, keep your hands where I can see them, and you're going to take me to Zanetakos. Do that and you might actually walk away for good."

"Okay," Tom answered carefully. "Alright." He stood slowly. He couldn't fight him like this. He had to be careful. Patient. This guy knew who he was, that much was clear, but the moment he saw his opening he was going to show him exactly what had earned him his reputation at St Regis.

"Tom's going to be pissed when he finds out you came with me," Nez said as she leaned back against the wall and waited for the elevator to let them off on the Keens' floor. "He's made it pretty clear he doesn't want you anywhere near Agnes."

"I'm great with kids and backup never hurts," Solomon answered with a shrug. "Anyway, How is he going to know?"

"They installed cameras after Zanetakos got in. And backup for Agnes? Really?"

"You don't know what's waiting for us up there."

"I talked to Candy five minutes ago. Everything's good. This is just a precaution."

The bell chimed and the doors opened. Solomon motioned for her to go first, half bowing in the motion and she rolled her eyes at his playful manner. Tom might not like him, Liz might hate him, but their daughter adored him. He had her in stitches every time and it was half the reason she'd agreed to the "backup." Agnes was smart. She would know something was going on. That and he had been out of town quite a bit recently. They had to take time where they could find it.

They neared the door and Nez instantly reached for her weapon. Solomon did the same at her side, the Keens' front door hanging open ever so slightly. Sometime in the five minutes since she had ended the call with the nanny they had come for Agnes.

A shrill, terrified cry came from inside and Nez led them in. Their nanny - the one that had apparently watched Tom as a child as well - lay sprawled out on the living room floor, blood pooled under her and a vacant look in her eyes. A woman dressed in black had ahold of a screaming and kicking Agnes Keen who was fighting with everything she had.

Nez didn't hesitate. She didn't even take stock of the others. She pulled the trigger and the shot went off, the woman who had ahold of Agnes dropping instantly and Agnes tumbled to the floor.

"I've got you!" Solomon shouted and she heard shots go off around them. Nez dove for the little girl, keeping her down and she felt the way the sobs were shaking her small frame as she covered her with her own body.

The room fell silent and all Nez could hear for a moment was Agnes' ragged, terrified breaths and the way her own heart hammered against her ribs. "Are you okay? Agnes?" She sat up a little, checking her.

Solomon moved through the room, checking the downed attackers. He turned and Nez saw him wink. "Backup."

She snorted, shaking her head with a mirthless chuckle. "Call it in." She turned back to Agnes and all at once the little girl launched herself into Nez's arms. "Hey. Hey, you're alright. It's okay. The bad people won't hurt you. Uncle Mattie and I won't let them. You hear me, Agnes?" The little girl nodded, not releasing her. "You believe me?"

Finally she let go and her entire face was red, tears still in her eyes and snot bubbling out of her little nose. She was a mess and terrified, but looked whole. She watched Nez for a long moment. "Miss Candy?"

Nez didn't dare direct her attention to the dead woman. "C'mon, kiddo. Let's get you out of here."

Fresh tears broke free. "Mama and Daddy?"

"They're safe," Nez promised as she scooped her up. She pressed a kiss to the side of her head. "You wanna go see them?"

Agnes nodded enthusiastically and Nez glanced over to Solomon.

"Get her out of here. I'll wait for our people."

It took a moment, but as Agnes sank over her shoulder she nodded. "I'll call the Keens," she promised. "You get ahold of Scottie and Howard."

He nodded and Nez started out. The gunshots would bring cops, and while she had no doubt that Solomon would be able to handle that end of it, the little girl in her arms didn't need any further trauma for the night.

"Has he texted back?"

Liz looked up from her phone as if staring at it could will her husband's response into existence. "No. I'm going to-"

"Liz," Ressler said tightly and she froze at the tone. "There are a lot of civilians around. We have to play this smart."

"We have backup in the way," Aram promised.

"It'll get here too late," Liz grumbled. "I don't even know if they've hurt him or-"

"They'll recognize you, but I'm not as likely," Samar offered. "Distract them. Head towards an exit or something and give me a chance to get get there."

"That could work," Liz murmured and pocketed her phone. "If you need-"

"I'll let you know," Samar promised.

"Watch your back, Keen," Ressler said quietly as she stood.

"You too. Ellie make it to the car?"

"Yeah, but she won't leave."

"She'll be okay."

He didn't look convinced, but Liz couldn't take the time to assure him then. If Tom had found trouble - and Tom always seemed to find trouble - he would need them to back him up. It wasn't like he would give Gina over to save himself.

One of the dark-clad men followed her through the crowd and circled around, cutting off her exit. She shifted seamlessly, changing directions and aimed for the women's restroom. There was a window she could slip out through there.

Or could have if he hadn't followed her in.

Liz turned as the man shut the door, standing between her and the exit. "I'm going to need you to come with me, Ms Keen."

"Like hell," she growled.

"Long as your husband gives us what we need, no one has to get hurt."

"You don't know Tom, it sounds like."

A quirked smile tilted the man's lips. "Better than you'd think."

He lunged forward and Liz dodged. It wasn't a large space and as he caught ahold of her, slamming her into a stall, she hoped they were alone. His grip was relentless, hauling her fully off the floor and her boots dangled. Liz grimaced, hands wrapped around the tall man's wrists as he held her up and he slammed her back again hard enough for her to see stars. She had to find a way to break free. Fast.

Liz kicked hard, her boot connecting with his shin and when she felt his grip loosen very slightly she slammed her knee forward into his gut hard. He released her instantly and she dropped, not waiting for him to catch his breath or straighten before moving again. Her knee connected with his face and she heard the satisfying crack of his nose as he stumbled back, blood gushing. One more good hit - his head to the sink - sprawled him out on the bathroom floor and Liz stepped back, adrenaline coursing through her from the fight. They had him. If she could believe what the man had said, they already had Tom.

Tom felt the barrel of the gun dig into his back as he and the St Regis operative moved through the crowd and and towards the exit. He let his gaze sweep the crowd as discreetly as he could and found a familiar face. Samar Navabi only held eye contact for the briefest of moments, but it was enough that Tom was certain she had at least an idea of what was happening. Liz had told her team. He'd have to thank her for making the call that he hadn't made if they all got through this.

"I heard about you," the man behind him said as they moved into the parking lot. "You were supposed to be one of McCready's best."

"I was his best," Tom countered.

"You don't look like much anymore."

That pulled a chuckle from him. "Never did. That's what made me so dangerous."

Tom didn't give the words a chance to sink in as he turned, startling the younger operative. He had a hand on the gun before the shot could go off and he jerked forward. His head slammed into the other man's and Tom used the momentum to pull the gun away. He flipped it on him as his former attacker stumbled, trying to stay in his feet. He looked up, still dazed, but angry. "You just killed your wife."

"I'd be more worried about whoever you sent after her if I were you," Tom countered.

"Your kid, then."

That struck a nerve and Tom leveled the weapon. "Who are you working for."

"You already know that."

"Who inside St Regis?"

The younger man gave a mirthless chuckle. "If you think I'm gonna -"

The shot rang out and he fell dead to the pavement. Tom swiveled, ready for the next fight, and found Gina lowering her weapon. "He wasn't going to tell you anything."

Sirens sounded in the distance and Tom held out the gun in his hands. "They'll want to match ballistics."

She frowned, but traded weapons with him. "You're no good to me in jail."

"Good thing it was self defense, and I'm pretty sure you still have a warrant or five out on you under a few names. Get over to Halcyon's headquarters here in town. I'll meet you there."

"And until you do?"

Tom flashed a smile. "Be nice to Dumont. He's probably still there." He caught her eyes. "C'mon. Just like that time in Juarez."

"Your contacts betrayed us both."

He cringed. "They did, didn't they? Bad example. These won't. I'd bet my life on it."

"Or mine," she said and turned, slipping between the vehicles. The cops wouldn't catch her. Tom sighed, aimed the new gun at the dead man and shot again. He didn't want to give anyone any reason to think he hadn't pulled the trigger both times.

"Tom!"

He looked over at the sound of the voice and saw Liz running towards him. He dropped the gun at his own feet so he could catch her mid-leap, arms wrapped protectively around her. "You okay. They hurt you?"

"I gave worse than I got," she promised and Tom leaned in, pressing a kiss to her lips.

"Gina's on her way to Halcyon. Have you heard from-?"

"Nez has Agnes. I got a text."

He loosed a breath. "Okay. Good." He looked back to the corpse. He looked younger now and Tom couldn't help but wonder how long he'd actually been in the field. How long since he'd just been a student at St Regis.

"Hey," Liz murmured, her fingers against his chin and she pulled him around. "You okay?"

"Yeah," came the automatic response.

"Honest?"

He frowned. "I'll get back to you on that."

She smiled thinly at the statement and reached for her badge as armed officers approached them. "I'm Special Agent Elizabeth Keen. We're okay here."

Funny, because that felt like the furthest thing from the truth.

TBC

Notes: I nearly forgot to post the chapter again O.o Thankfully I still have a little time and here we are.

Well this was a wild chapter between The Keens and the Task Force finding themsleves on the dangerous end of St Regis and the same organization going after Agnes. Poor kiddo.

For anyone that's been watching Ryan's New Amsterdam, I MAY have written a one-shot and posted it... Heaven help me I don't have time to write for another fandom lol

Next Time: The Hargraves interrogate their captives, Gina runs into some trouble at St Regis, and Tom gets stuck at the crime scene.