Title: Beyond Borders
Chapter 4 – A Very Real Threat

Liz awakens early the next morning, her brain vaguely recalling being in the spare bedroom, looking at something of Tom's, falling asleep and then…did I walk here on my own or…did Ressler carry me to bed? Her eyes slowly drift over to the left side of the bed; her heart somewhat sad that it's currently empty. But she remembers that Ressler isn't her husband…or her roommate and his presence there was only temporary – very temporary. I think he was going to ask me out before all this…will that ever happen now?

Her lips emit a small groan as she glances over at the clock and then decides it's time to get the day officially started. She could only imagine the sheer misery of the day ahead for Ressler, stuck in a strange place, waiting for two strange agents to come to confirm a marriage that wasn't even real in the hopes of surviving a situation that could have brought his death. Oh damn that sounds so twisted. She remembers him talking at supper about how McBeth was able to not only wipe out his records but those of his parents and his grandparents so easily…no living relative able to come forward to tell an honest judge that yes Donald Ressler was indeed a legal American Citizen, as was his father and his father before that who had applied for and received permanent status, therefore giving it to all relatives that followed. In the end, Ressler stated he'd take satisfaction only in bringing down McBeth and Stanton and Red. She reminded him two out of the three would happen; Red, the third of course having in his favor the fact that he actually saved Ressler's life. Something he didn't take too kindly to.

I've removed all the breakables right? She inwardly snickers as she pushes herself out of bed and then heads for the bathroom to have a shower and then see about breakfast. Breakfast? Does a cereal bar and coffee count as a real breakfast? I wonder what Ressler's morning routine consists of.

Ressler hears the bathroom door close and then a few minutes later the water start up and slowly opens his eyes and groans, looking at the clock and cursing the fact that he had spent most of the night tossing and turning, trying to come to terms with the fact that the day before had indeed happened and then making a plan for the day ahead. He hears the water stop and then starts to pick up the faint, but very tempting scent of…orange? No that's…Satsuma. Very nice.

He gives his face a rub as he gets up and slightly stumbles toward the kitchen; thankful he knows where at least a few things are – such as the coffee

"Now where are…the damn filters?" Ressler gently grumbles as he hears some soft shuffling to his left and looks up to see Liz watching with an amused expression.

"Top left cupboard…by the overhead fan."

"Right," Ressler nods as he looks at her frame wrapped only in the thick yellow towel. "I'll um…do you eat…breakfast…" Ressler stammers as her face gently flushes as his eyes lift back up. "I guess since I have a free day I might as well make myself useful," he concludes with a sour note.

He turns around with a set jaw, reaching for the coffee and filters, his lips emitting an angry growl as his shoulders slightly slump. A few seconds of silence start to build before her sand rests on his shoulder, forcing his stiff actions in trying to get the coffee can open and stop.

"Everything I've worked so hard to build…just taken away like that. Piss off the wrong guy and suddenly your life is over."

"It could have been," Liz reminds him as he offers her a sideways glance. "I know you are frustrated and today is going to…look I've tried to move all the breakables, but I might have missed a few so go easy on my insurance. Don't want to end up in marriage counselling on day two right?"

Ressler's lips twist into a soft smirk as he turns around to face her, instantly cursing the fact that his body was wanting to so easily betray the desire her nearly naked frame was producing in him. You're her husband…only lega…no I'm not. This isn't…damn this won't work.

"I don't vacuum."

"Too bad," she lightly smirks as she moves in closer. "I have a maid costume that I was willing to bring out."

"Really," Ressler states more than questions as his face instantly warms.

"You need a day off right? Just think of it as a paid day to rest."

"Rest…I don't rest," Ressler insists with a small frown. "What time are those people coming by today?"

"Four…I should be back about three-ish…and hopefully by that time…"

"Red's guy will have this all worked out and we can all just sit down to tea," Ressler retorts in sarcasm. "I'll make breakfast…of sorts."

Ressler watches Liz finally take her leave, his brain racing between rushing up to her and just taking her into his arms and pushing his lips against hers and letting her just get ready for breakfast. Today better go by fast.

Liz closes her bedroom door and leans against it for a few seconds fanning herself, her entire frame flooded with warm desire and her mind racing at the thought of him just tearing away the towel and wrapping his strong hands around her hips and…Lizzie! Snap out of it!

"Today better go by fast," she echoes in a whispered tone the same sentiment that Ressler had thought only moments earlier. About twenty minutes later she reemerges into the hallway and heads for the kitchen, rounding the corner just as he looks up and offers her a small smile.

"I guess I should have thanked you for taking me to bed last night…that…didn't sound right," she offers lightly as his eyebrows arch before he gives her a small nod. "You know what I mean."

"Couldn't leave you lying on the floor like that. But my offer still stands. I don't mind cleaning that room out a bit if you just want someone to…"

"Go through and throw out the last bits Tom's things?"

"Why do you still have anything of his? He didn't exactly leave you with happy memories."

"Maybe I'm a big chicken."

"I doubt there's anything you're afraid of," Ressler tells her with a small hint of pride in his voice.

Only commitment thanks to Tom. "Smells good," Liz quickly changes the subject, forcing Ressler's face to frown but his mind warning him not to push it.

"Just tossed into the bowl whatever you had in the fridge."

"You mean you found a few things?"

"I don't mind picking up a few things to fill it back up. Will make the paid day of boredom a bit more eventful."

"And don't forget the trip to the clinic to get your shoulder tended to."

"Number one on my to do list."

"Don…"

"Yeah."

"Just be careful, McBeth is still out there and Stanton wants you dead."

"Just another day in paradise," he retorts dryly.

XXXXXXX

"Okay so I'll call you as soon as we know something about McBeth or Stanton's next move…or if Red has this all straightened out before the Immigration people have to come."

"Okay," Ressler replies as they stand in the entranceway to her apartment. "So…I'll see you later."

"I'll be home soon."

Ressler gives her a small nod as he watches her turn and head into the hallway and disappear from view. Home…the word was so simple and yet held so much meaning when she offered in such a natural way as if coming home to him at the end of the day was a given. Don't dwell on that! This isn't your home and she's not your real wife. After all this forced living together, she'll probably be thankful when you leave. Maybe? Maybe…not.

Ressler heads back into the kitchen, telling himself he'd just check the cupboards and get a loose feel for everything just in case it would take one more day to get his life sorted out and back in order and the meeting with Immigration would actually take place.

"Immigration…this is insane," Ressler grumbles as heads for the front door, grabs his jacket and then shoves the spare key into his jeans pocket and heads for the elevator. He exits onto the street, his eyes darting around, taking in all the faces as they pass, but not giving too much thought to those behind him. Within a few seconds his mind is distracted by what Red was actually doing to get his life back on track. When I get my hands on him…

XXXXXXXX

"How's married life?" Red asks Liz as she pulls back from following after Meera and ducks into a nearby alcove.

"He's climbing the walls. How's the restoration coming?"

"These things take time. Does he appreciate all you've done for him?"

"He said thank you. Look it's not like I had much of a choice and he's my partner."

"Just your partner?" Red asks as Liz's lips purse but she doesn't answer his question.

"What aren't you telling us about your stake in all this? You want something from Stanton don't you?"

"Maybe he has a library book I want back."

"I'd make jokes but I'm not in the mood."

"Does Donald like the little relics you have left to remind you of Tom?"

"Money? Stanton owes you money? McBeth is his accountant and you need McBeth to give you what Stanton owes you. Tell me when I'm getting warm," Liz retorts with a heavy sigh as she ignores the question about Tom.

"Stanton owes a lot of people a lot of things Lizzie but money isn't the only motivating force in my life."

"Well I doubt you'd want to screw Stanton just to help us out."

"When's the last time you were at the library Lizzie?"

"Red…"

"Check the young adult section. You might find a best seller there with a very intriguing plot. And get rid of Tom's things. It's not healthy if you want your marriage to last."

Liz looks at her phone, offering Red's as always cryptic reply a small scowl before she hurries to find Cooper.

"How's Ressler?" Cooper asks as she nears the main discussion area.

"He's…climbing the walls. Red knows more about Stanton than he's letting on and he's given me a clue to follow up…at the library."

"The library?" Cooper asks with some agitation.

"I know these things usually make sense only after we have put all the pieces together. My guess is Stanton owes Red a large sum of money or something very personal and that's why Red's involved."

"Think he knows where McBeth is?"

"If he does…he's not telling me…yet," she groans as she looks at Cooper in concern. "The longer this plays out the more desperate McBeth is going to get for failing Stanton in killing Ressler. We all know what happened to the last two men that failed him."

"Quartered…" Cooper's teeth grit. "Where's Ressler now?"

"Probably at the store," Liz replies in a low tone. "Or the medical clinic."

"I'm sure he knows this but he's still a marked man."

"He knows. I think part of him just wants Stanton to get out of jail and meet him somewhere in a dark alley."

"My money would be on Ressler for sure but we know that won't happen and if it does it won't be a fair fight. Roger Stanton is anything but fair. And you're sure Red's man is working to reinstate Ressler's files? All of them? His whole family history?"

"So he claims. But this is Red," Liz huffs as she turns to head back toward the elevator. "He has his own agenda and I doubt it'll be as fast as Ressler wants it." Or you right? Her brain tosses…not getting an answer in return.

Liz gets into the dark SUV and heads toward the nearest library. As she drives, her mind wrestles with thoughts about two different men in two very different ways. On the one side she can't help but wonder what Red's personal interest was in Stanton and if it had something to do with Red possibly killing Stanton's wife? And the second was on Ressler, her partner. Not having him at her side in the field was strange…troubling almost. But having him in her home alone was almost more troubling. He offered to throw out the box of Tom's things. Maybe I should let him? Why am I still holding onto them? Are they a crutch I use to keep myself from facing heartache again? Maybe…maybe I'll think about this later. What if I'm feeling something he isn't? He's staying with me because he has to…not because he wants to. Or does he? Is today over yet?

XXXXXXXX

"This shot will help with the infection Mr. Ressler," the doctor tells Ressler after he finishes administering the antibiotic dosage and then adds a few dissolving stitches before applying a soft bandage over the healing wound.

"Anything else?" Ressler asks with a small huff as he pulls his sweater over his head.

"Try to keep it clean and dry for the next several hours at least and come back in a few days if it gets infected. Otherwise…take a few over the counter painkillers and don't lift anything heavy or do anything to damage it further."

"Right," Ressler replies with a tight smile as he reaches for his jacket, shoving the little doctor's slip into his inner jacket pocket. He signs the form and then heads back onto the busy street, pulling his phone and looking at the time. "Where are you?"

"Library," Liz answers Ressler, her lips automatically twisting into a small smile at the sound of his voice on the other end of the line. "You?"

"Just finished up with the clinic," Ressler informs her as he gives his head a small double take behind and then stops.

"Ressler?"

"Yeah I…nothing. Why are you at the library?" He continues after a distinct pause.

"What is it?"

"Red's paranoia is feeding me. Why are you at the library?"

"Needed something new to read. You know McBeth still has orders to kill you right?"

"I know that. Already finished the…what was it? Western Desire?" Ressler asks with a slight smirk.

"I really need to give you something to do," Liz retorts with a small chortle as she heads for the young adult section. "Apparently there's a clue in the young adult section as to what kept Stanton in the country for longer than he wanted and perhaps as to why Red is so interested in Stanton."

"A book? Roger Stanton wrote a book?" Ressler asks incredulously as he enters the nearby deli.

"Okay my turn to ask you…where are you?"

"Uh…Lance's deli," Ressler answers as he turns and looks at the sign. "I thought I'd pick up…" his voice pauses as he looks at a man that seemingly passes but then comes back and looks back in the window, locking eyes with Ressler and narrowing. "Damn," he gently curses as his right hand automatically goes to his right hip only to quickly remember – he's unarmed. "I gotta go."

"Don? What's…" is all Liz manages before she hears a shout, a curse, a bang and then a dead line. "Don? Don!"

Ressler's frame slightly jumps when the bottle nearby him falls to the floor and the top pops, spraying the bottom of his legs with sparkling alcohol but making the man that was sent to track him nearly get lost in the confusion. Ressler uses the distraction to head for the back door at a swift pace, the phone still slightly connected. But that connection to Liz ends as soon as Ressler's accosted.

"Hey!" The man's gruff voice growls as his hand clamps down on Ressler's wounded shoulder. His left elbow flies back, landing in his attacker's stomach and forcing the man to stumble backward. Just as he takes a few steps toward the back exit door, another attacker's hand reaches out and grabs his right upper forearm. Motivated by the fact that if it was McBeth trying to kidnap him, it was either fight back or be killed – either now or later. Neither choice was acceptable to him. He spins on his heel, punches the man in the jaw, forcing a few gasps and a scream; the distraction being put to good use in allowing Ressler to bolt for the back door and into the back alley.

"Oh damn!" Ressler shouts as a dark SUV comes skidding around the corner and then barreling down the narrow alley toward him. MOVE! His mind yells as he races toward the end of the street. But just as he reaches it, another dark SUV rounds the corner and races toward him; a death race with him in the middle about to get taken out of the game. Just before it's game over for good, his eyes spy a metal fire escape and takes action.

"AHHHH!" Ressler's lips utter an angry grunt as he yanks himself up into the air just as the two SUV come to a screeching halt a few seconds before they hit each other.

"Get up after him!"

He doesn't wait for his mind to confirm that whoever Stanton hired was starting a foot pursuit; he tells himself to push it…give it everything he has or he'd be the next one dying a slow painful death. A 'ping' sound is heard as a bullet ricochets off the side of the metal stairwell, embedding itself into the brickwork a few feet away. He reaches the top of the small apartment and races toward the other end, disappearing over the other side just as two men converge on the roof.

"After him!"

With his heart racing and shoulder starting to throb, Ressler can only once more curse the fact that he has no weapon or backup coming to his aid. He darts into the rundown apartment via an open roof entrance and heads for the nearest door, trying every handle and praying that one of them would open. Nothing does. He heads for the stairwell, reaching the second floor and just as his pursuers enter.

"Ah this can't be!" He groans as he pulls away from another locked door.

"Check the stairwell!"

Ressler's hand finally lands on a doorknob that turns a bit more freely than the others, the door slowly opening to offer him a few seconds reprieve. He wastes no time in getting inside and locking the door, leaning against it with a racing heart and heaving chest. He hears footsteps pounding toward him and then stop just outside the freshly locked door.

"Come on…you heard nothing. Let's move on!"

But just as Ressler is about to exhale and think he's all in the clear…the sound of a cell phone ringing changes everything.

"Wait!"

A/N: Uh oh… hehe so who's phone was it? Ressler's? Liz calling to give him the update on what she found about Stanton? What did she find? Was Red right? Was there a clue there? Maybe it was Red calling to give Ressler away? Or maybe Mcbeth calling one of his men? You know I love my Ressler in peril hehe so expect more of that. But I hope you also liked the few lighter moments at the start as both are starting to slowly realize they have real feelings for the other (despite Red's telling words to Liz about making her marriage work *wink*) that will continue to grow! So please do review before you go and thanks so much! Your reviews are golden and are inspiring me to find ways to extend the story

PS: I hope you are all also enjoying 'Scars of the Past' as much…that story needs a bit of review lovin' so it gets an update also. *wink*