Landing in his apartment, Red glanced around the now vacant space and felt... absolutely nothing.

Considering this was the one place he felt most connected to Lizzy due to his close proximity to her apartment, he expected to feel a little melancholy. Certainly more than he was. When in reality, he felt nothing but an urge to get on with his task, and back to Lizzy and Agnes post haste.

Walking out of the apartment without a backward glance, he closed the door behind him and set off.

The less time he was gone, the better. His face was very likely plastered on every news channel across the globe. For kidnaping his own daughter, no less.

It was freeing. Being able to admit his own fallacies to the extent he was.

It took one taxi ride, a brief walk through a small park and a couple street crossings to bring the man to the spot needed.

Red suddenly found himself exactly where he wanted to be. He felt the old usual moment of exhilaration descend, enjoying it for what it was.

Using his key, Red headed through the back entrance of the apartment complex, entering the elevator, settling back for the short ride. Coming to the end of the hall, he stepped to the side of the nondescript door, knocking discreetly.

Like the ever gung-ho idiot he was, having not seen anyone through the peephole, Ressler yanked the door open, intent on bitching out whoever was on the other side.

Instead, he found the barrel end of Red's .45 pointed right at his thick ass skull.

A rather tense moment and an ominous silence ensued as the FBI agent sized up his options, which in reality...were none.

Ressler fumed inwardly, his tone tightly coiled. "They're looking for you–"

"So I've been told." Red growled before shoving Ressler back through the door. He clicked the lock on the door, waving the agent back.

"Where's Agnes?" Donald hissed. "What the hell were you thinking!"

"Agnes is none of your affair." Red replied, his tone a brittle one.

"Your time is running out." The threat was a sincere one.

"That's odd." Red smiled unpleasantly. "I have informed sources which assure me...my time is only beginning."

"We'll find you," Ressler warned. "We were so close before–"

"We?" Red asked quietly. The hand which held his gun motioned the man to sit down.

Ressler's eyes kept returning to the barrel of the weapon. "What...you plan to kill me?"

"What a pleasant thought, but no." Red had decided the route he would take already. "As much as I would enjoy it."

"I never did anything to you, man." Ressler stated tightly. "Not really."

Red drew in a calming breath. "You slept with Elizabeth."

"Your point." Ressler didn't deny the claim because it was a fact. "What's that got to do with you?"

"You don't see anything wrong with that." Red narrowed his eyes.

"You telling me, you didn't think about the same thing?" The Agent could play hardball. "At least, I was honest with myself."

"I'm slowly revising my thoughts on that killing you thing." Red admitted coldly.

"She came to me!" Ressler snapped.

"Yes," Red's jaw ticked restlessly, "and when you saw Elizabeth vulnerable, alone, and desperate," he clarified events, "... you took advantage of the situation like the bastard you are."

"It's not like I twisted her damn arm, you know," Ressler sneered. "That's not how it was."

"Is that the only way you can get laid, by preying on vulnerable women?" Red provoked, his temper flaring.

"I didn't prey on anyone."

"Did you or did you not fuck Samar under similar circumstances?" Red cut to the chase. "Seems to be a pattern with you."

"I-It wasn't like that." Ressler stammered. "I wasn't in a good place, either, you know. I cared for Samar."

"You cared for yourself. From what I hear, neither woman asked for a repeat performance." Red couldn't help point out the obvious. "I don't know what's more embarrassing. That you didn't live up to expectations, or that you played the lovesick fool afterwards."

"I did love Liz, dammit." Donald grunted.

"No, you didn't." Red knew the man well enough. "She played your ass...you gave over the information she needed and suddenly, you have this connection." He air-quoted. "A one-way connection, apparently. Then she would back off and you became all the more desperate to keep that connection going."

"I never veered from the job assigned to me. I wanted her brought to justice, just like I wanted your ass caught."

"Oh, really." Red scoffed. "When push came to shove, we both know how it would have all ended." He disgusted. "Ever the boy scout, you are, unless she offered over more pussy."

Red sat back, having taken a seat a few seconds back. "I came here tonight for revenge." He mused openly for a long beat. "Sure, my motives were petty...selfish. Just like yours were."

Ressler studied his opponent carefully. "You've changed your appearance again." He had long since noted. "Even I have to give you props on this one. I hardly recognized you."

Red laughed mirthlessly. "A lot has happened to me in the last few hours." He pondered the facts. "So, yeah, I've changed." It was admitted. "The old Reddington would have pulled the trigger when I had my weapon against your temple."

"And what would Agnes have thought of that?"

Red nodded aimlessly, his eyes cold and empty. "Agnes is pure and innocent and decent, you're right. Strangely, the universe has given me another chance to be different, for her...that is fact."

"What are you talking about?" Ressler couldn't follow the conversation. "Look, Reddington, maybe I can talk to Cooper on your behalf."

"Don't need you to talk to anyone, especially on my behalf." Red scoffed at the thought, shaking his head. "And you call me the depraved one." He cut the man a disparaging look. "You and Tom Keen... you're cut from the same distorted cloth."

"You think I don't know." Ressler glared at the man. "That Agnes is yours?" He laughed. "Tell me, how did that come about? That cloth spreads thin, doesn't it?"

"Are you implying I took advantage of Elizabeth." Red glared at the man.

"Where you two not on the run?" Ressler had done the math. "Was she not vulnerable? Wasn't she under your protection?"

"Ergo...the reason why you are not dead right now. I can admit my faults." Red didn't deny the facts. "Elizabeth and I had also grown closer and..." he waved a dismissive hand. "Not that it's any of your business, but had it not been for Tom's meddling," he said, "once Elizabeth learned of her pregnancy, we would have left and never looked back."

"According to you..." Ressler scoffed.

"Believe what you want." It didn't matter, Red realized. "As if anything you think will be of any consequence to me."

Falling silent, each man ruminated on all that had been discussed.

Glancing at his watch, Red sighed before pushing to his seat, leveling his weapon on Ressler.

Ressler's eyes widened, his expression one of befuddled confusion. "Think this shit through, man." His body tensed, for he sensed a coldness in his antagonist now, which wasn't there before.

"Oh, I've thought this through for night upon night, rest assured," Red said, then shot the man through the left shoulder.

Red watched as Ressler gasped sharply as the pain streaked through his body, which jerked spasmodically, sending the man sliding to the carpet. The Agent's moans were like music to Red's ears.

He enjoyed them for a while.

"Extremely painful, isn't it." Red had been there, done that. "Life threatening or harmful to your career, in the long run?" The older man mused. "...No. More's the pity."

Ignoring the man's groans and succinct cursing, Red picked up Ressler's phone, dialing 911. He waited patiently, glancing about his surroundings aimlessly. He grimaced distastefully at the less than esthetic area.

"Yes, I need an ambulance, please." He replied politely, rattling off the needed address. "A man's been shot..."

Red hung up the phone, crossing casually to the door. He hesitated, taking time to once again, enjoy Ressler's obvious distress. "A candle would add so much ambience...maybe a throw blanket or two. You might get more ladies to think about a return visit." He wrinkled his nose. "Nah... it's your performance. Work on it."

He opened the portal, stepping through. Red waved the weapon about casually. "Think of this as a learning experience. Or maybe a head's up sort of thing."

Ressler was trying desperately to get to the phone, which Red had purposely put up rather high.

"If you keep taking advantage of women." Red warned. "The next guy might not be so fucking kind, I promise you that."

Red thought the sentence through. "You're welcome." He closed the door gently, the key dropping from his hand onto the frayed carpet below.

Thumbing the brim of his hat, Red straightened his frame, took in a deep breath before walking the corridor.

The ride in the elevator was the quiet the man needed to get his mind back to where it should be. It was good to tie up loose ends.

Red liked everything neat and orderly in his universe. Now, he could return to that universe, unburdened by past ties.

LIZZINGTON

"You are very prompt." Ba'al lifted an impressed brow. "Jack O'Neill does not know the meaning of the word...or time...or impudence, or so he claims." The being sighed heavily. "I am so going to end that being's life one fine day." He parodied the human to perfection.

"Feel better?" Red kept his amusement under wraps.

"...No." It was admitted. "If you are finished with your business upon this planet," Ba'al motioned to the object outside the portal to his right. "We journey to another." He brightened somewhat. "It should be memorable as it will be your first, not to mention...there is an annual festival on the horizon, which Elizabeth found especially interesting. Your men should be amused as well."

Red's interest was caught.

"The female population are unique in their beliefs." Ba'al warmed to the selling point. "They revere males."

"They are unique." Red had to agree. "And yeah, my men will find them immediately, I highly suspect."

"I cannot wait to indoctrinate Cassandra into such a way of thinking."

"Good luck with that, then." Red mused openly.

LIZZINGTON

Red listened quietly as Elizabeth read the last few sentences of the chapter she had been involved within upon his arrival.

Agnes lay snuggled to the woman's chest, sleeping peacefully after her rather full day.

Red lay the gifts he had procured aside, having brought them to Lizzy's notice, approaching quietly.

"I can't believe how big she's gotten." Liz voiced her awe as she stared down at her daughter's angelic face.

"You won't believe how smart she is, either." Red grinned, unsure if that was pride, or a warning. He whispered, just as Lizzy had.

"With you as her dad," Liz smiled, stroking Agnes' dark hair in open affection, "I'd believe it."

"You have your moments, too." Red teased. His eyes softened when the woman attempted to stifle a yawn and failed. "Been a big day for mom, too, hum?" He held out his hand. "Time for bigger girls to sleep, too, I think."

It was obvious Liz did not wish to leave Agnes.

Slowly lifting to her feet, Liz looked down at her daughter with open concern. "Do you think we should maybe stay?" She asked his opinion. "It's a strange place, and with everything that happened, what if she awakens and–"

"Agnes is exhausted, and will sleep through the night." Red assured. "She also knows we're right next door if she needs anything."

"I know, but–"

"Agnes is accustomed to navigating life on its own terms." He was proud of the fact. "If one good thing came out of this farce...that is it. Let's not take that away from her, Lizzy, please."

Taking a moment to kiss the girl goodnight, Red assured her nightlight was working properly before taking his leave. "Goodnight, Princess Leia."

"A Star Wars reference?" Liz teased. "From you?"

"Agnes made me watch the first few." He finally admitted.

Guiding the woman to their room, Red smiled as Lizzy stopped dead in her tracks, staring avidly at the gifts laid out so meticulously as a surprise welcome home.

"When did you find the time?" She turned, mouth agape. "Seriously?" She rushed to the colorful array of boxes and wrappings, immediately rummaging through the bright display.

"Oh, my...gosh." She pulled chocolates and perfume and lacy fabrics out, marveling at all. "This is all for me?"

Her hand lifted one particularly questionable object from a brightly packaged gift bag. She blushed instantly, lowering it hastily from sight, but curiosity got the better of her and she peeked inside again.

"Don't think I don't know what that is." She cut amused eyes his way.

"Well, I would hope so." He teased, then sobered slightly. "And?"

"You trying to tell me something?" She mused happily.

"Could be." The man's eyes deepened considerably. "Depends on your reaction, I suppose."

"Oh...you want a reaction?" Liz teased right back.

"It would be nice." Red smiled slowly. "Hopefully."

The woman crossed, lifting her arms about his neckline. Red's hands encircled the small waist, leaning close to the warm, fragrant body.

"I think...it will be very nice." Liz sought his lips, the kiss sensual and passionately responsive when the man's own lips asked the silent question on both of their minds.

"Are we going to get naughty tonight?" Liz's mouth eased from the erotic kiss slowly, her tone vibrating along the man's nerve endings.

"I don't know...are we?" Red trailed a leisurely trek of warm caresses down her neckline.

"Well, you took the time and effort to get me these new gifts." Liz reasoned. "It would be impolite not to try them out, don't you think? At least once?"

"Oh, yeah. At least...once." He concentrated on the buttons of her blouse, his expression a diligently concentrated one. "You wouldn't want to appear unappreciative of my efforts."

"I most certainly would not." Liz watched his progress. "But what if Agnes needs us."

"Then we'll have to have that talk most teens dread with their parents far sooner than we hoped." Red surmised thoughtfully. "Won't we."

"You have a solution for everything." Liz leaned comfortably, her arms returning about his neckline. "I like that about you."

"I like a lot of things about you." His eyes roamed her body appreciatively.

"Good to know." The woman lifted her mouth for a caress. "All those presents are on the bed."

"Bad planning on my part." He grimaced, glancing over. "I'll just sweep them off, like in the movies."

"You will not." Liz gasped. "You will wait like any civilized man while I hurriedly put them safely away, out of harm's reach."

"Or that." He grinned. "But either way, gonna make love to you...finally."

"I thought we did that this afternoon."

"No." Red corrected sternly. "This afternoon I took you like a neophyte against a wall, with no finesse whatsoever."

"Believe me." Liz differed. "I did not once think of you as a novice while you were pushing me against that rather lovely wall."

"Good to know, but tonight is for us." He lifted her effortlessly, moving across the room slowly, his eyes for her alone. "No rushing, no trying to keep quiet...no wondering if we will be interrupted."

Frowning, Liz canted her head. "Did you not enjoy what we–"

"Oh, I assure you, I enjoyed you immensely." Red assured strenuously. "It's just that, I can do so much better, trust me."

"Did you hear me complaining?" Liz placed her feet on the granite floor as he had lowered her to the surface, directly by the large bed which called to the man, even now.

"Well... no." Red remembered Lizzy having a fine time. "But was there any real time to voice one?"

"If I had wanted to, which I didn't, I would have found a way." She knew. "Are you suggesting you didn't love me while in the process of this seemingly objectionable action we took earlier in the day?" Liz arched a brow.

"I loved you, and every damn minute of our interaction." Red's tone was rough and vitally alive, as was his stare. "And you know it."

"Then, I don't see a problem." Liz ran an exploring hand over the bulges of his arms. "We both got what we wanted, I think." She shrugged. "I know I did. But I would not be averse to exploring the situation again, just to see if it could get better, as you claim it might."

Red inclined his head as the woman lifted to her toes, kissing him lingeringly on the mouth before pulling back almost demurely. "You challenging me? To prove my boast?"

"I know better." She caressed his cheek line affectionately. "I'm just trying to get you to see my point of view on the matter at hand."

She sighed lightly moving from his embrace. Red felt an alien coldness descend.

Trailing after her with his eyes, Red felt a smile tug at his lips before following. "You move like a feline, did you know?"

Liz cut him a look. "That's a good thing, right?" She didn't seem too certain. "I've seen a few cat videos, which make me question–"

"It's a very good thing." His eyes dropped to her backside and stayed.

"Where were you?" She thought things were moving a little too fast and while she didn't mind in the least, she remembered rushing seemed to bother the man a bit.

"Taking care of some unfinished business." He scowled slightly. "When did you realize I wasn't on board?"

"Ba'al made some crude joke about contraceptives when I asked," Liz replied, "..and dismissed me as is his way. Is there a problem you're not telling me."

"No." He drew in an even breath. "I had to take care of a nuisance, that's all."

"Did you kill this nuisance, Red?"

"Would it matter if I had?" He was interested in her perspective.

"...It wasn't Cooper."

"No." He laughed at the absurdity. "It was Ressler. And it was personal. Shall we drop it?"

"So, there was no blood shed." She breathed easier. She had enough blood on her hands. She didn't want Ressler's too.

"Didn't say that." He pulled off his watch, laying it on the bedside table.

She nodded, nothing more. "I had hoped, because of Agnes, to leave all that behind now."

"I'll see what I can do." He faced her squarely. "Promise. I want a more peaceful existence myself, Lizzy. But it's not always the way of things, as you know."

Liz ran her hand over the lush material of the bedding. "It's been almost two years since I slept in an actual bed." She was determined to move forward in life.

"And longer since you slept...with me."

"We didn't exactly sleep." A grin brightened that pretty face. "If I recall. We stayed awake all night and watched the stars."

"So, you remember that time?" He was uncertain of what her memories entailed.

"With affection." She climbed into the structure, slipping beneath the covers, having removed her clothing.

Red had patiently watched the process, trying to quell his rising arousal, to no avail. He thought Lizzy's body was the stuff of which dreams were made.

"Oh... this is heaven!" She lay back, closing her eyes, feeling his weight shift the mattress as he moved to her side. The man had hastily disrobed, his clothing a heap of warm fabric on the floor.

Red's arms encircled her slight frame, tugging her close. "It certainly is." He murmured, breathing out a release of tension he didn't know he possessed. He finally could feel the softness of her naked flesh, smell the sweet scent which clung to her skin.

The quiet came.

"Why does this feel so natural?" Liz was confused, but being in his arms felt just that. And comforting and wonderful and...exciting.

Rolling to his side, the man looked at his companion, feeling a sense of calm and wonderment. "Why does breathing feel so natural? It is just something meant to be."

Liz turned her head, seeking out his countenance.

"Come here..." Red murmured, lifting his arm to welcome Lizzy to his side as she moved even closer than she had been, snuggling into his chest.

He joined his mouth to the delicious lips, enjoying the interaction for some long moments

of blissful exploration. Red pulled back, smiling down at the woman as their fingers interlocked. He rested his hand against her tummy.

"So, tell me." The man prompted. "Is there anything separating us this time?" He motioned to their bodies. "No hidden walls or agendas?"

Liz could not think of one single thing.

"You're okay with Cassandra being on board...truly?"

"She is enamored with his royal pain in the ass." Liz felt comfortable with the situation finally. "Maybe she will keep him occupied and out of our hair." She grinned, fluffing the mop of hair on Red's own head now. "I'm growing accustomed to this, but kinda miss running my fingers through the short burr of before."

Red sighed mentally. "It is what it is, I guess." He brought things back on track. "So, Cassandra isn't going to be a problem."

"As long as she stays in Ba'al's lane," Liz didn't pretend not to understand, "we'll be fine." She said, then looked up at Red. "Will it be a problem for you?"

"I have what I want." Nothing else mattered. His thick fingers spread over the small stomach possessively.

Both fell silent as they stared out at the star field and Earth hovering below.

"Do you believe how beautiful it is out here?" Liz blinked up at the black void with its endless blink of lights. "How do the astronauts stand such reverence?"

Red had no answers, for he felt the pull of the magnificent scenery as well.

"Any regrets?" Liz whispered.

"About what?" Red frowned down at the lovely features.

"I don't know." Liz shrugged. "Not finishing your work? Leaving behind everything you ever knew?"

Pondering the question for a minute, Red shook his head. "The only regrets I had in life concerned you and Agnes."

Sighing, Liz shifted, settling her leg over Red's. "What the hell did we allow them to do to us and our family?"

"I regret wasting my time," Red interrupted, "on things that really didn't mean shit in the larger scheme of things."

"You did good work, Red." Liz begged to differ. "You had good intentions. There was so much malignancy against us."

"Maybe I did," Red muttered, "but the cost was too high." He said, hugging the woman to his side. "We wasted so much time, Lizzy. Nothing I did was worth losing you and Agnes... nothing. And in the end, that is exactly what happened."

Liz fell silent, unable to argue that point. At the time, she felt they made a change, and maybe they had. In the end, though, all the time she missed with Agnes and Red? It wasn't worth it.

She knew Red felt guilty for how things played out, but through a twist of fate, it was because of him she was given a second chance at life.

"I hope you've honestly and truthfully thought your decision through?" She had to ask. In her time here, she had become accustomed to her reality, and aside from missing Red and Agnes, she had adapted.

Unlike her, though, Red and Agnes could still return to Earth and create a new life. "I mean, we're still here," she motioned to Earth outside the window. "Nothing is written in stone yet–"

"No," Red adamantly refused, just as Agnes had, then settled. "Aside from fate directing us on this path," he waved a hand about them, "there's nothing left for us down there, Lizzy. Nothing." He knew that as well as he did his own nature. "It took everything we had and threw it back in our faces. Why should we even consider returning to the life we had?"

Again, unable to offer any decent argument, Liz cuddled to his side.

"It appears," Red murmured, "I'm better off dead than alive."

Shifting her eyes upward, Liz frowned. "Don't say that."

"I have all the money I could ever need," Red explained. "I have homes spanning the globe, and a reputation for enjoying the finer things in life, all of which were at my fingertips."

Stroking her fingers over Red's hand, Liz listened intently.

"But I didn't have what I wanted most," Red continued, "and that was you and Agnes with me at the end of the day."

Nuzzling her cheek against Red's chest, Liz relaxed.

"I would have given it all up," Red murmured. "I knew that and I wanted to share it with you, but things kept getting in our way."

Rolling to his side, Red faced the woman. "By some twist of fate," he huffed a laugh, "I now have everything I need, or could ever want, all because I did finally decide to let it all go."

Stretching, Liz placed her mouth to Red's, kissing him gently. "I just wanted to know if we were on the same page." She whispered, then smiled.

"Marry me, Lizzy." The deep baritone sent chills up and down her arms, as did the earnest expression in those blue eyes that watched her so intently.

"What?" The breath escaped from the woman's mouth for the astonishment the statement afforded her set in. "You said...what?"

"I want to marry you," Red repeated slowly, precisely. "I want to call you my wife. I want our little girl to know, without doubt, I'm not going anywhere...ever again." His eyes searched hers at length. "I want us to be a real family."

Smiling, Liz nodded. "I want that, too." She said, cuddling closer to the man's warmth. "But I have to remind you. You are thinking provincially. None of those values matter too much out here where we are now."

"They matter to me." He scowled darkly.

Lifting his arm, Red smiled happily as Lizzy moved her body flush with his. "...Good." Her soft voice caressed his psyche. "Because they matter to me, too."

He kissed her gently and then...not so much so.

"You constantly amaze me, Red Reddington." Her mouth flowered under his guidance. "Have I told you that before?"

"Why?" He was intrigued. "Why would something like me wanting you by my side throughout eternity amaze you?"

She giggled. "You even put that perfectly." Liz sighed blissfully. "You amaze me because of how your mind works," the woman pondered her reasons, "because of how you make me feel. Because of a thousand different things." She laughed her delight. "Because you are...you."

Red could understand the simplistic statements. "I get it." He nodded minutely. "I feel along those lines, sweetheart. I'm not fully understanding how we finally got to this point, but I tell you one thing." He had already made up his mind. "I'm not about to question anything from this moment onward. I'm just going to enjoy whatever time we have together. Treasure it and live it to the fullest, whatever comes our way."

"Which is probably what any human should do each day of their life." Liz mused. "All the poets suggest as much. The Bible instructs, and we blithely ignore and go about our own blind paths."

"Don't think about it." The man suggested. "Think about only the good stuff. Think about all we've been given, Lizzy."

She smiled brightly up at his quiet stare. "So, you really want to marry me?" The full lips compressed for a moment. "You can't back out if you change your mind, you know. You're on a small spaceship, and I can find you if I really try."

He chuckled. "Not so small." He teased. "Baby, if you want me? All you have to do is crook this little finger." He kissed the slender digit lovingly. "I'll come running, trust me."

"Oh, I have you at my beck and call?" The notion impressed her.

"Always have." He confided.

She sat up abruptly, excitement lacing her voice. "Agnes could be my maid of honor. And there's this beautiful planet...with two moons, which would be perfect for an evening ceremony!" She gasped happily, plans swirling in her head. "The people are so welcoming and friendly. The wedding photos would be incredible!"

"Know any good space photographers?" He quipped, his hand running through the long silk of her hair. "Two moons, you say? Another planet? Those words hold a wealth of mystique, or is it just me. Not used to such realities as yet."

"Get used to them." She lay him back, settling on his chest, the soft down scratchy and arousing all at once. "What you will see out here will astound and awe, trust me."

"I hope it never gets old." The man's hand traced the curve of Lizzy's cheek, his eyes gentle on the glowing face.

"You know what else will never get old?" Those blue eyes dropped meaningfully, the warm exploring fingers running down the ridge of the man's stomach...lower, infiltrating into the coarse hair nestling Red's penis.

"Tell me." Red gasped quietly, groaning his delight when Lizzy's slim fingers wrapped about his cock, caressing it with sensual strokes, her thumb running over the wet tip experimentally.

Rolling the woman to her back, Red kissed Lizzy's smiling lips. "Explain it to me in careful...precise details." The rough-hewn tone enveloped the woman like a velvet cloak. "And take your time when doing so."

"I would rather show you." Liz spread her legs to make room for Red had mounted her with slow, deliberate ease.

"Oh, hell, yeah." He countered, an edge to his voice now. "That will work just as well."

"The perfect ending to a perfect day." The husky whisper moved Red Reddington to the very depths of his soul. He leaned, joining his mouth to the exquisite sweetness of the woman he loved.

So intent upon one another, neither participant in the eternal dance noticed the Earth receding slowly into the black void of space.

It was, after all, nothing more to them but a distant and fading memory.