Disclaimer: Credit to Jonathan Nolan, Greg Plageman, and the POI writing team. Bolded sections are straight from the episodes.


QUEENSBRIDGE PARK

Chapter 12: before Lady Killer


"Have you decided where you want to go on our honeymoon?" Kenneth Parker asks his fiancee as he navigates their rowboat among the dozens of others floating in the lagoon in Central Park

"What, you're actually going to take a week off?" Elena says in mock shock. "Whatever will the mayor do without you?"

Ken reaches into his pocket and pulls out two slips of paper. "What about two weeks, Miss Cassidy? Two weeks. Tour of Italy. First class."

Elena's eyes widen as she takes the tickets from him. "Ken! Really?!"

"I know we haven't traveled like we've always said we were going to, but I think we can make a good start with Italy. I know you've always wanted to go, Lenie, and I suppose I can stand being dragged to endless museums by my little art history major since she's agreed to become Mrs. Parker."

Elena risks rocking the boat and leans over to kiss Ken. "You're wonderful! But never call me Mrs. Parker ever again. That's your mother."

"Never mention my mother again when you're kissing me," Ken retorts. He rows them a few more meters before he asks, "You're not changing your name?"

"I ... haven't decided yet," she says, smoothing the skirt of her dress. "I am the last Cassidy."

"There are a lot of Cassidys in the world."

"There are a lot of Parkers, too," she points out. She looks across the lagoon. "It's not a definite no, Ken. I have some time to decide."

"You could always hyphenate," he suggests. "Elena Cassidy-Parker?"

"I could," she muses vaguely.

"How else are people going to know that the prettiest receptionist at City Hall is married to the most handsome of the mayor's aides?"

"Probably because that aide is always hanging around her desk, even when he doesn't have any reason to be in Mr. Quinn's office."

"Just think about it, Lenie."

"I will."


As they spy on their latest Number, another man on a date in a nearby rowboat, Reese manages to keep his and Shaw's rowboat out of view of Elena and Parker's by staying just around the bend, but his sharp ears pick up their conversation.

And while nothing Parker had said was objectionable, Reese can't shake the feeling that she's making a mistake marrying Parker.

Or is that just jealousy rearing its ugly head, Mr. Reese? asks the voice in his head that sounds remarkably like Finch.

He has to check to make sure Finch isn't actually speaking in his earpiece and reading his mind.

He's not jealous.

Romantic interests aside, perhaps it's jealousy for the conventional life Mr. Parker can have with Miss Cassidy, the type that you can only dream of?

No, it's because Parker clearly doesn't get Elena.

And you do, Mr. Reese? After half a dozen 'chance' meetings?

Seven, actually.

He's jolted out of his thoughts by Shaw trying to pry the oars from his hands

"I've got this," she says

"No, you don't."

"You're going to blow our cover."

"I'm rowing this boat."

"Not on my watch."

"Given your cover, it might be more appropriate for Mr. Reese to have the privilege, Ms. Shaw," Finch intercedes, his voice sounding in both their ears. "You are supposed to be on a date, after all."