I'm so sorry that I've taken forever in updating this story, I got sidetracked with some new shows, anyway…I'm back.
…
Chapter 22
…
Fiona walked along the corridor, ready to leave for the night when she passed by Andrea's office to see the younger woman standing, staring out of her window, clearly lost in her own thoughts.
"Andrea?"
When she didn't receive a response, she came further in to the office and came up beside Andrea, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump.
"Fiona…I didn't hear you come in."
"Of course not, you were miles away. What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Fiona wasn't stupid, she'd known Andrea long enough to know when she was hiding something from her.
"How stupid do you think I am huh?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"I know when you are lying to me Andie, something's bothering you. Talk to me, that's what I'm here for remember."
Andrea gave a small smile before heading over to the couch and taking a seat, Fiona following her.
"It's Kate?"
"The baby?"
"No no, they're both fine. She…she made something of a big decision today, one that affects me I guess."
"Go on."
Andrea looked up to meet Fiona's eyes for the first time since she entered the office.
"She's talking about moving to Italy, Red has a property there. She wants out of this life, and she wants Red to stop as well."
"She wants him with her." Fiona asked surprised.
"I can understand her wanting him there, he's been in her life for so long and I think part of her can't imagine being without him.
"Okay and I'm guessing she wants you to go as well?"
"Yeah, it's a big decision to make."
"Just a little, you're talking about giving up your whole life here, your friends, your family, your career…and a very distinguished career at that."
"So what do I do…help me."
"Sweetheart I can't tell you that, I can't be the one to make your decision for you, only you can do that."
"That's not what I'm asking, just some friendly advice."
"You love Kate, yes?"
"Of course I do."
"And I can guarantee that you'll be miserable around here if she were to go alone."
Andrea didn't give an answer to that one as she smiled at Fiona.
"I may not agree with this whole Reddington mess, but I suppose if he's willing to give up this life to help her then I guess people can change. It's all a question of whether or not you're willing to take the chance."
"I want to be with her, the idea of never seeing her again…it scares the hell out of me."
"Then I think perhaps, you've answered your own question my love."
"I guess I have."
"I'll miss you."
"You can always visit me."
"I might take you up on that."
"Are you angry?"
"No, you love who you love, if Reddington comes along with it then…I suppose you just have to get on with it. Just promise me one thing?"
"Anything."
"If it goes wrong and you find yourself in trouble, of any kind. I want you to get on the first plane back here…with Kate and the baby, you got that?"
"I will."
"Why don't we go for a drink and then you can let Kate know the good news."
"I'd like that."
"I'll wait outside for you."
Andrea smiled before she leaned in and hugged Fiona.
"You're a great friend; I don't know what I'd do without you sometimes."
"I'll always be here for you, no matter where you are."
…
Elizabeth sat on the couch in her living room, Agnes sitting on the floor playing with some toy blocks when Elizabeth heard the door opening behind her. She closed her eyes tightly, opening them when she heard Tom's voice and watching him bend down to pick up Agnes.
"How's my baby girl huh, god I've missed you." He smiled, kissing her cheek.
"It's late, where have you been?"
"It's only nine Liz, just had some contacts to meet."
"Is that all?"
Tom put Agnes in her playpen before turning to Elizabeth who looked angry.
"What do you want from me huh, I gotta earn money somehow."
"Yeah and you promised me when Agnes was born that you'd get a normal job."
"Normal…what the hell is normal to us? I'm not a 9 to 5 kinda guy, you know that."
"It doesn't matter anyway; you and I both know you weren't out working anyway."
"Not this again."
"YES TOM…THIS AGAIN."
"Liz…"
"You think I don't know that you're seeing someone else, I'm an FBI Agent remember, I know how to spot the signs."
"What do you want me to say Liz?"
"Well you could deny it, but that wouldn't help either of us."
"You're a little hypocritical anyway aren't you?"
"What are you talking about now?"
"Reddington, you think I don't know how he feels about you…he's so bloody obvious."
"I'm going to bed."
"Really, you can't even admit it to me."
"Alright fine, I know he cares about me…is that what you want me to say."
"Cares about you?" Tom laughed.
"He loves me, there I said it."
"Oh I know he does, he'll do anything to have you, you and Agnes but I'll tell you something Liz…there's no way in hell that's happening. He wants you then fine, but I sure as hell won't let him take Agnes, I'll die before that happens."
Elizabeth watched as Tom bend down and picked Agnes up and carried her towards her room.
"I'm putting her to bed, I'm gonna sleep in there tonight." He grumbled.
…
Kate was standing in front of the fridge, looking for something to eat when she heard the front door, smiling to herself when she thought it might be Andrea. Walking to the door and opening it to find Reddington standing on the other side.
"Raymond, what on earth are you doing out of the hospital. That's not supposed to happen until tomorrow."
"I convinced the good doctors to let me leave, it didn't take much…can I come in."
Kate nodded and stood to the side to allow Reddington inside; she closed the door and followed him through to her front room, watching as he took a seat, a pained expression on his face.
"Where's Dembe?" She asked.
"I sent him to get a few things; he's going to pick me up later, sit down Kate."
Kate did as he asked with a small smile on her face as he studied her.
"Well your apartment is all ready for you; the girls did a good job."
"Thank you, I'll make sure they're very well rewarded."
"They're only doing their job Raymond."
"Well…still. How are you Kate?"
"Not much has changed since I saw you earlier."
"Have you spoken to Andrea?"
"Judging by the tone in your voice dearie…you know I have. So she came to see you, did she?"
"She dropped by."
"She's not going to come."
"You don't know that."
"Oh come now dearie, I'm asking her to give up her entire life here, her friends and family…her career. That's a lot to ask from a person, especially Andrea after everything she's already done for me."
"Kate…Andrea loves you, why can't you see how important you are to people."
"It's not something I've found easy in my life, you know that."
"After what's happened to you, look at how everyone has come together to be there for you, not just Andrea and me, but Dembe, Lizzie, Aram….they care, about you and the baby."
"I don't want to lose her Raymond, she's so much younger than I am but it doesn't seem to phase her, all she cares about is me and this baby."
"That's a good thing Kate."
"I know but…"
"You don't want her to give up her own independence for you."
"She's a good doctor."
"There's nothing to say she couldn't get a job in Italy, I can have a look around, if she decided she wanted to come with us, I'll make sure she's looked after over there, you have my word Kate."
"I know I do…what about Elizabeth."
"She didn't say much, I think she's still in some shock over my confession."
"That you love her."
"I'm not sure she's coming, she has Agnes and she won't take her away from Tom. I'm not even sure he'd allow it to happen anyway."
"Talk to him, explain things without violence."
"He hates me Kate, he always has….that won't ever change, you and I both know that."
"It's never straight forward is it, for either of us."
"You'd think we'd have both learned by now."
"No such luck, how long with Dembe be?"
"About an hour I imagine, why?"
"Drink?"
"Why not, thank you Kate."
"You're welcome dearie."
…
To Be Continued…
