Clean Slate

"You want to do...what?" Ba'al rubbed his suddenly aching head.

Knowing Daniel Jackson and his penchant for supporting lost causes, Ba'al should have seen this coming. Maybe he did? The moment the couple strolled in, hand-in-hand, he knew something was afoot.

Considering everything Raymond mixed himself up in on Earth, he should count his blessings this was minor in comparison.

"Raymond," Dembe, too, questioned the man's intent, "think about what you're saying."

"I have," Red squeezed Lizzy's hand, smiling, "...we have."

Folding his arms over his chest, Baz listened as the opposing parties argued their side.

"You wish to take Agnes from her friends," Dembe played the devil's advocate, "her activities... she is content with Director Cooper and Charlene."

"After all that child has been through of late," Ba'al had to ask, "would it be wise to uproot her life once again?"

Liz's eyes lowered sadly, taking the argument to heart.

"I'm not saying Agnes doesn't have a good life," Red granted, "but... she doesn't have us."

"Red," Liz whispered despondently, "what if we're wrong in this–"

"Lizzy," Red hugged the woman close, "every time I'm with Agnes, no matter what we're doing, all conversation inevitably leads back to... you."

Red's heart broke as Lizzy lifted tear filled eyes full of heartbreak and hope.

"Just like you," Red brushed his mouth against her forehead, "Agnes longs for her mother... she so desperately wants to know you, there's a piece of her missing."

Cupping her face, Red wiped away the tears falling down her cheeks.

"I could never return you to your mother," he whispered, "but I can give Agnes back hers." Resting his forehead to hers, he sighed. "I think in light of that, Agnes would feel as I do and realize everything else in comparison... it doesn't matter."

All present fell silent, mulling over all said.

"I think Red's right." Baz broke the silence.

"Do you?" Dembe arched a tense brow. "And you're an expert on children, how?"

"I know Agnes." Baz countered. "I'm the one there, day in...day out. You think I'm too dense to know she's upset when she watches other moms fawn over their kids?" The guy scowled. "You think I'm too stupid to not hear the sadness in her voice when her friends talk about the shit they bought with their moms? The shopping trips, the birthday parties?"

Surprised by the tension in Baz's tone, Dembe stood down, allowing the man his say.

"I'm not saying she's unhappy with Charlene and Cooper," Baz clarified his thoughts. "I'm saying, when it comes to receiving love and approval from your parents... it means something to any kid. She's secure, okay." He granted. "I think that's all she feels right now, but I think a kid needs more."

Smiling softly, Red rubbed Lizzy's back as she looked up at him in awed disbelief.

"And if we're throwing out pros and cons here," Baz sat forward, holding Dembe's gaze stubbornly, "at some point it will come to light that Agnes is the product of Raymond 'Red' Reddington and Elizabeth Keen, also known as... Masha Rostova." He said, his voice tense.

Dembe frowned, not following the man's train of thought.

"Unless the files Red has left behind become public and topple governments across the world as intended, and he becomes known as a legend for his selfless deeds," Baz said, "not holding my breath there...Agnes will be known as the daughter of a treasonous criminal and granddaughter of a Russian spy. I'm sure the other kids won't hassle her about that." The man scoffed his derision.

"Not to mention my discredited past." Liz added solemnly.

Baz inclined his head, taking that into account as well. "Besides, look around you. dammit!" He waved a hand at their surroundings.

Shifting his eyes, Dembe looked out the large portal at the star field surrounding the planet below the alien spacecraft.

"The kid is gonna learn things she would never experience in school, or on Earth for that matter." Baz muttered into his tumbler before sipping the warmed bourbon. "Forget the fact she'll be exposed to who knows how many various cultures when visiting other planets," the man laughed, "she's got Liz and Red for teachers. She's gonna be set for life wherever the hell she goes."

"The man has a point." Ba'al had to admit. "Human school systems nowadays are lacking in even the most basic of subjects to teach what one needs to survive in the real Universe."

Giving the man a sideways glance, Red frowned. "I thought you were against Agnes joining us."

"I'm merely weighing all the variables." Ba'al said. "Which is what I do, and I do it very well, I assure you."

"I'm sorry," Red grinned, "I thought you were a god... and would just instinctively know the best route to take here."

Ignoring the jibe, Ba'al mentioned another point of interest. "When aliens visit earth, and they inevitably will," he waved a hand over himself in example, "your planet will be wholly unprepared. Agnes could be their saving grace, should she wish to be."

"Yeah, unless she has inherited her father's desire to travel," Baz smirked, "and isn't off gallivanting across some unknown galaxy."

Shrugging, Red gave Lizzy a baleful look. "I do like to travel..."

"Above all else," Baz leaned his forearms on the table, "Agnes will be where she belongs... and that's with her parents." He lifted a noble head. "I have spoken."

"Now that you have all weighed in on the matter, though it bore no relevance in our decision," Red said, his tone a droll one, "we felt it best to... let Agnes decide."

"And how do you plan to do that, pray tell?" Ba'al wanted to know. "Throwing around the fact aliens and UFOs actually do exist to a child, who may wish to stay where she is, probably isn't a wise option."

"You let me worry about that." Red grumbled.

Waving the guards to join him, Red gave Lizzy a warm, lingering kiss then stepped back.

"Talk to you soon." Liz smiled before pushing the button beside her, beaming Red and the guards down to Earth.

LIZZINGTON

Convincing Cassandra to leave her life behind to go traipse around the cosmos turned out easier than Red expected. It only took one long dinner and a couple of large belts of Irish whiskey.

Even after revealing he and Lizzy were involved, the woman's enthusiasm was not dampened. She seemed excitingly open to perhaps playing host to an alien creature co-inhabiting her body. Which, frankly, blew Red away.

He had leaned over to sniff her glass of whiskey, but it seemed the same potency as his. This woman could drink him under the table most nights.

"You don't seem shocked or surprised by the fact I'm sitting here talking to you about having spoken face to face with an alien." He studied her evenly.

"It's unreal, right?" Cassandra's eyes were wide, her manner joyously uninhibited. "I can't wait to meet the guy! Is he handsome? I hope he's handsome!"

The man cautiously suggested her to slow down...take it all in...let it set for a time. But Cassandra was ever impulsive, and any sensible argument didn't seem to faze the woman one iota.

"God, Raymond...don't you just want to chunk it all in? Hell, we've been everywhere, seen everything there is to see..twice over." The woman lamented her lot in life. "Where's the thrill anymore? What happened to our lives? Everything is so mundane and boring."

"Still." Red grimaced, re-thinking his part in this whole mess. "Maybe we both should just..."

"Shut the hell up and grab the golden ring as it passes?" Cassandra's face was incredulous. "You say the woman you love is alive and well now. You say, you've got a kid to love and cherish." She waved a hand at him. "My god, look at you, man!" She waved a hand over his youthful form. "I've never seen you look so rested, so alive. What the hell more do you want out of this life?"

"Can I tell you the truth?" Red leaned in, lowering his voice. "You know what I'm thinking? Really?"

"Pray tell." She leaned in, too.

"I think I'm in a coma and this is just some amazing dream my mind has conjured up to get me through until death comes to take me." He hadn't wanted to put it in words for fear he might either awaken or...well...die.

Cassandra leaned back, her expression a doubtful one.

"I don't think the bull killed me...I think I'm still here in some fucking hospital room waiting around for the grim reaper to get to me."

"Oh, and that's more feasible than some alien dude with a box full of miracles, hum."

Red shrugged. "Think about it. Every damn thing I've ever wanted in my entire life has come to pass. Does that sound like real life to you?" He felt a depression hit. "Especially since we lead our lives in such a shitty manner?"

"Maybe it has nothing to do with us." Cassandra shrugged. "Maybe a higher power is using us as instruments for someone else more deserving...like your little girl, maybe."

Red sat back, his astonishment showing on his face. "I never thought of that."

"You know anyone better to make her happy? Anyone who will do anything it takes to make her life a good one?" She asked wistfully. "I don't."

Red swallowed a lump in his throat. "I will." He vowed softly. "I'll do anything Cassandra." The man lifted his head. "Anything to protect my little girl. This time? They're not going to take her from me again."

"I know that and so does He." She pointed upward, smiling. "I'm not part of any damned dream. You're sitting there, across from me, and I'm as excited as hell at the prospect you've put on the table." Her grin widened, her eyes sparking to life. "And if that isn't enough to let you know this is reality..." she reached, pinching the man's hand... hard.

Grimacing at the sudden pain, Red chuckled. "I had that coming. Didn't I?"

"You did." Chortling, Cassandra grabbed her purse. "I'm going home to pack. You do what you have to do. Just tell me where to show up. I'm there."

Red left the woman his spirits revived; his determination restored. If this was a fucking coma inspired dream, he intended to live it to the fullest.

Lizzy was here in this reality; he was on his way to his little girl...he would take what the Cosmos or God or whoever gave him and enjoy the fuck out of it while it lasted.

LIZZINGTON

Red and his team went about procuring everything they wished to take along on the journey.

Considering Lizzy was bouncing them around the globe in a literal flash, the task was going by remarkably well.

Red had some important things he needed to secure. He wasn't certain what, if anything as yet, he would do with all the accumulated information he had gathered over the years, but no damned way would he leave it behind.

Getting word Cassandra was ready, Red alerted Lizzy to beam the woman and a few of the men back on board with the first wave of treasures.

Sitting a large box of photo albums on the already tall stack of clothes and other keepsakes Lizzy wanted, Red exhaled a heavy sigh.

"Don't worry." Baz muttered as he hefted another box onto the pile. "And don't underestimate the stamina of your own kid."

"We are asking her to give up a lot." Red voiced his concerns, but the 'your kid' part had made him happy inside. "Maybe she won't want to go..." he swallowed, then attempted a smile. "She is going to be a teenager soon. Maybe the, I don't want to be seen with my parents cause they suck, phase is about to rear its ugly head."

"You mean," Baz read Red's insecurity well enough, "her old man."

Clearing his throat, Red shrugged. "You said it, didn't you. She knows who Raymond Reddington is, after all."

"Yeah," Baz nodded, "a man she adores, who has been there for her every step of the way."

"Until of course she learns I'm her father and can't disassociate herself." Red's brow furrowed deeply. "I don't know how I'm ever going to tell her...that."

"You'll think of a way." Baz knew. "I've seen you with her, Red. I know kids. I've rescued enough of them from shitty circumstances." He shared quietly. "All they really want is to feel secure and loved and...safe. I think you know how to do that."

"Cooper is her father," Red lowered downcast eyes, "I mean, she calls him Pops..."

"And she'll call you, daddy." Baz grunted as he hefted another box into place, allowing Red a moment to avert his tear-filled eyes.

Red might be a badass, but he was still a father who longed for that connection with his little girl. He had lost one child to circumstances. So, what if the guy needed a few moments, Baz wouldn't give any shit over for that momentary lapse.

Wiping the sweat off his face, he pointed to the guys behind him. "We got this. Stop fucking around and go get your daughter."

Nodding, Red cleared his throat gently. He couldn't quite meet those startling blue eyes just yet. "...Yeah, I better do that."

"Yeah..." Baz shrugged those broad shoulders, with a shit-eating grin. "You better do just that."

"Asshole." Red muttered as he lifted the communication device. "Send me to Agnes, sweetheart."

"I wish I could go with you." Liz murmured, her mood flip-flopping like her stomach.

"We'll be with you soon enough, baby." Red vowed. "I promise."

LIZZINGTON

Landing outside Agnes' door, Red took a breath and knocked quietly on the facing. He waited, glad for the time to get his shit together.

Throwing the door wide, Agnes beamed a bright smile, throwing herself into Red's arms barely taking note of his thinner frame and younger face. "Pinky!" She pulled back, her mouth falling open, her eyes wide as saucers. "You have...hair!"

Red chuckled, running a shaky hand through the wayward fluff. "Yeah...looks like." He grinned down at her. "You don't like?"

The girl...studied him critically.

Red waited on pins and needles for her verdict.

"You're kinda cute in a hippie sort of way, I guess, but I like you better as Pinky."

The man chuckled. "You've been spending too much time with Baz." He glanced around the room. "Are you here alone?"

"Well, security is here, of course." The little girl had grown up on that reality. "Charlene had some kind of meeting...or dinner or something. Pops is still at the office, I guess."

Nodding, Red breathed his relief. He didn't want to be bothered dealing with Harold right now.

Fighting back a well of emotion, Red bent, kissing the girl's dark hair. "I missed you so much..." How much time did this little one spend by herself, he wondered. Had it always been like this? Harold working late...Charlene off on some fucking crusade?

Why hadn't Red noticed it before.

"I missed you, too!" Agnes sniffled, squeezing her arms tightly around his waist. "I...I thought you weren't going to come back."

"Why would you say that?"

The child teared up, her eyes filling with luminous liquid.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" He knelt, taking her small hands in his. "Can you tell me?" Red rubbed his cheek against her soft hair, inhaling her baby scent.

"Nothing." Burying her face in his chest, Agnes shook her head, hugging him tightly. "Nothing..." she lifted those captivating eyes. "I'm just... I'm glad you're here, that's all."

"I see." Red smiled. "I'm glad I'm here too because you and me...we have something we need to discuss."

"Okay," She clasped his hand tightly, unwilling to let go just yet.

The man glanced to the contact. "I'm not going anywhere." He raised her hand to his lips. "You sure everything is alright with you, Pooky?"

Agnes giggled for the nickname. "That's silly."

Red could tell she liked the teasing though. Then the little girl quieted.

"I...was scared. I heard them talking about you...earlier."

"On the news?" Red hoped nothing had come over the wires as yet. "What do you mean, honey?"

"You didn't call at your usual time and my tummy started hurting."

"They were whispering, and when you didn't call at your usual time," she went hastily back to the security of his arms, "I knew...something was wrong."

"Nothing's wrong at all." Red soothed expertly. "I'm here and you're here and we're just...fine, right?"

Sitting on the corner of her bed, Red blinked his astonishment when Agnes sat right beside him and wrapped her arms back around his waist. "You won't ever go away, will you?"

"Not ever, Agnes." Red promised. "I promise..." He held out his pinkie and smiled when the little girl hooked hers around his, performing their pinkie promise.

"Okay..." Agnes nodded but did not release her grip. She lay her head on his shoulder, sighing evenly. "You can't break a promise." She checked with him. "You know that, right?"

"I do know that." He nodded. "...Listen." He put her slightly away, his gaze gentle on the small face. "I've got some things to share with you and I'm not quite sure how you will react. Which makes my tummy kind of hurt, too." He smiled to lessen the statement.

"Mom used to put a heating pad on mine when I hurt." She hastily arose. "I can share mine with you if you..."

"You can make my tummy just fine." Red grinned. "All you have to say is...yes."

"To what?" The small brow furrowed. "Oh, never mind...yes." The decision was made instantaneously. "Are you better now?"

Red's smile was a soft one. "I'm getting there, angel." He told the truth. "I want you to come live with me, Agnes. I would like that...very much. How do you feel about it?"

The small mouth formed an 'o', the expressive little face lighting up. "What?" The bright eyes blinked their shock and joy. "Really, Pinky? I could do that?"

"You could really do that, but now, before you give me an answer," he cleared his throat. "Where we'd be going is far away from here." He attempted a smile. "It would mean leaving your school, your friends..." he continued. "Soccer and ballet practice might have to be put on hold for a while."

Agnes rolled her eyes. "I'm used to leaving things and people behind." She stated so matter-of-factly, it hurt Red's heart. "I know not to get too attached to them. I've learned not to." She lifted a proud chin.

"Oh, sweetheart." The man's eyes closed wearily. Is that what they had done to her? Her life had been disrupted so often by one thing or another...

"Oh, it's okay." She perked up. "I've met some really nice people and I've been fortunate that they all seemed to really care about me. I'm fine, Pinky...really. Don't be sad."

"It's hard not to be sad, Agnes." He swallowed...hard. "But I promise you something else. If you decide to come with me today, you'll never have to be apart from me again. I swear this to you. Never again."

Her smile filled the room with sunshine. Red stroked her hair lovingly.

"It would be a long time before we would return to DC." He said, unsure if they would ever actually return or not. "Everything you know will be turned upside down," he didn't mince words. "It'll be scary... but exciting in ways you could never imagine. I promise, I'll be there with you every step of the way."

"I know." Agnes knew that, her tone saying as much. "You always take care of me." Then something occurred...

"What about Moms and Pops?" Agnes asked, then canted her head slowly, her face falling. "Do... do they not want me anymore?"

"Oh, no, sweetheart." Red assured quickly. "They love you very much. I just..." he hugged the girl tight, "I've missed you so much, I thought it would be wonderful to go traveling and see things together." He revised what he had meant to say. "There is so much out there you haven't seen. So much we could do together. I think you're kinda like me in that aspect. You have a little bit of the adventurer in you, yeah?"

Nodding eagerly, Agnes threw her arms around Red's neck, squeezing the life from him. "I want that too, Pinky!" She practically squealed her delight. "Just don't always be taking my ice-cream." She gave over a scolding reprimand. "You will have your own."

Red laughed throatily. "Yours tastes better though."

"Pinky!" The little tone was to be obeyed.

The man held up his hands in the universal sign of peace. "Well, okay, but if I steal a few kernels of popcorn now and then...are we square?"

"Popcorn is different." She decided. 'I'm okay with popcorn theft."

"Good to know." He nodded sagely. "...So, what's the answer? What's it going to be? Yes or no? Want to go on an adventure with me?"

Agnes mused for all of two seconds. "Yes!" She snapped the reply. "Yes...yes, yes!" She giggled her delight. "I always feel so much better when you visit. I want to keep that feeling forever and ever."

Red drew in a shaky breath. "I feel better when I'm with you, too, angel. I want you with me always and forever." He hugged her close for a goodly while, reluctantly pulling back.

"Now, I want you to pack up everything you want to take with you... okay?" He smiled softly.

"Oh, uhm..." Agnes looked around her room at everything she owned with a critical eye.

Standing slowly, she grabbed her most valued possession, handing it to Red. "I want that in my carry-on. It's my pictures of mom and stuff." She pointed. "That's very important and it has to be with me at all times, okay?"

She explained its importance before turning to gather more must need items.

Clasping the book to his chest, Red nodded. "Got it." He placed the item carefully inside the Tiffany blue luggage he bought her, having hauled the cases out of the closet. "Keep close at all times."

With each item he took to place in the bag, he couldn't help noticing all were somehow connected to either Elizabeth or himself.

Her new ballet slippers, Lizzy's badge, the handkerchief he used to clean away a scrape she got on her knee, a bottle of Lizzy's favorite perfume.

Red's eyes softened as he watched Agnes judiciously chose items to take along. "You got that sorting and shifting process down pat there, I see. Just like any seasoned traveler." He held his smile. "I'm impressed here."

He listened intently to her running commentary about why particular items were required necessities. The purple hairbrush he packed didn't make her hair frizzy. The pink eye mask he stored away would be wonderful to sleep with on long flights.

Her first half-inch heels and sparkly blue dress would be fabulous for a dinner on the town. Grape flavored bubblegum would help pop their ears as the pressure grew.

But what touched him most were the sentimental items she felt were essential to their travels.

"Mom got this for me when I was little, but I can't sleep well without it." She crinkled her nose and Red saw Lizzy in that gesture. "You won't tell Baz about it, though?" A worried glance was cast over as she handed him the pink stuffed bunny.

"Baz sleeps with a big old sweatshirt balled into a pillow." Red confided. "He's had it since Boot Camp when he first enlisted in the Marines. You won't tell him I told you, will you?"

Agnes giggled infectiously. "You made that up."

"Nope." Red sighed blissfully. "Sadly...not."

"Oh, we need this guy." The bear with the fedora Red purchased for her was held aloft. "We can take pictures of him wherever we go. He'll be our mascot, sorta."

"That's a good ideal, actually." Red approved. "Maybe later on, we can write a book about our travels, and he will be our proof that we've been there and seen that."

Stepping off to the side, Red quietly enlisted Baz's assistance to ensure all her belongings would make it to the ship. Right now, however, everything in her luggage would be with her for the first leg of their journey.

"I think that's it?" Agnes' brows furrowed as she took another look around.

Smiling at the five bags beside him, Red nodded seriously. "Rest assured, everything else here will be delivered to our destination with all due haste."

Answering the quiet knock on her door, Red waved Baz and the others inside.

"Hey, kiddo." Baz greeted the little one with a smile. "I see you pack light, like your mom." He lifted a wry brow, having noted the ensemble by Red's feet. "Not to worry. I'm here now and things will get done."

"Baz!" Agnes rushed for the man, barreling into his bulk. "What are you doing here!"

Giving an exaggerated grunt, Baz ruffled the girl's hair. "We're the moving crew. They needed someone with muscles and brains." He winked down at the big eyes. "Dembe was busy."

Agnes fell into a fit of giggles. She blushed slightly to be the center of the large man's attention.

Red sighed. Baz even affected little women.

Upon his return, Red made sure he introduced Agnes to Baz so she would know who he was, and if she ever needed anything to go to him, no matter what the problem.

Out of that meeting, a close connection had developed, he was happy to see.

"I hear we're going on an extended trip, and we got some stuff to take along, am I right?" The large man examined the room with a critical eye. He shifted an expectant stare.

"Well, I think I got everything." The girl motioned to her bags, earning a small, muffled chuckle from those gathered. "What do you think? I mean, I've never been on a trip before. Well, I mean, we stayed overnight at the beach... but I just took a change of clothes and my swimsuit." She gasped. "My swimsuit!"

Laughing, Red watched the little girl ferret in her drawers before rushing back for her bags to stuff the one last piece in an already bulging suitcase.

Lifting his phone, Red motioned to the guard he was stepping out for a moment. His stern features softened as Agnes continued, undaunted, sharing her excitement with Baz about their upcoming excursion.

Moving into the hall, Red placed the phone to his ear. "Harold..."

"...Red?" Cooper voiced his astonishment. "What happened? Where are you? Do you know where Dembe is? I went to check on him and–"

"Doesn't matter." Red straightened his cuff. "All I wanted to do is alert you that I'm taking Agnes, and Dembe for that matter, with me."

"What? Where?" Cooper scowled. "Reddington, what the hell is going on."

"What you're experiencing right now," Red lowered his voice, "knowing Agnes will be taken from you, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it..." he snarled, "it's a horrible feeling, isn't it."

"You can't just..." Cooper sputtered.

"I can," Red's eyes hardened. "I will." His tone chilled. "She'll be where she damn well belongs, and that's with me."

Red rolled his eyes as he heard Cooper muffle the phone, demanding someone send units to his residence.

"Tell Charlene, thank you for taking care of Agnes, and to not worry. She'll be safe with me." Red's eyes softened.

"Reddington! You can't–"

"Goodbye, Harold." Red clipped the words before hanging up the phone.

Dropping it to the floor, he dug his hand into his pocket, removing a thumbdrive. Rubbing the dark stick for some long few moments, he dropped it beside the phone. It wasn't all the information Cooper would need to topple governments around the world, but it was a start.

Leonard Caul would connect with Cooper for the rest of the information when the time was right.

Stepping over the discarded implements, Red stepped into Agnes' room and smiled as she rushed about grabbing last minute items as a flurry of activity took place around her. The guards were making fast headway in getting everything packed, which was a damn good thing.

Tapping his watch, Red silently alerted Baz their time there was short.

Nodding his understanding, Baz held out pacifying hands, silencing the over-exuberant girl with a laugh.

"I'll tell you what," Baz crouched down to her height, "I'm a world traveler and know exactly what you might need... so you leave it to me to get everything just right, okay?"

"Yeah, okay." Agnes nodded agreeably before hugging the man. The burly guard held his smile as she kissed his scruffy cheek. She bounded off excitedly, seeking Red's hand. "I trust him." That matter-of-fact way she had about her came through loud and clear. "He's pretty capable when he wants to be."

"So he tells me." Red tried to be as serious as she in his reply.

Baz hooked a thumb to the door. "Vacate! No women allowed from here on in...this is a man's job!"

"I'm ready." She grinned up at Red, holding his hand tight.

Grabbing the bags he could, he gave the smallest, and most important one to Agnes before hugging her to him in hopes of shielding the bright, blinding light. Kissing the crown of her head, he nodded to Baz they were ready to go.

Giving Liz the signal to beam them aboard, Baz watched quietly as the two disappeared in a shaft of light.

That just didn't get old.

His thoughts turned introspective for a long beat as he continued to stare at the vacant spot where the two had been.

He hoped like hell Red and Liz and Agnes got everything they wished for because... they damn well deserved it.

Clearing his throat, he turned to his team. "Alright boys, let's get this done, the Feds are on their way."