Disclaimer: Credit to Jonathan Nolan, Greg Plageman, and the POI writing team. Bolded sections are straight from the episodes.
QUEENSBRIDGE PARK
Chapter 23: beginning of Provenance
"Hand-sewn button holes," Finch sighs over Reese's new dinner jacket as they dress for an exhibit opening at the Metropolitan Museum of History, where their latest Number is going to be working. "Including one on the lapel. Impeccable craftsmanship. I see that Gianni has spared no detail."
"Oh, I've got to raise my game up if I've got to be seen with you, Finch," Reese says, as the other man helps him into his jacket.
He looks at his reflection and undoes the half done bowtie in frustration.
"It's just like a shoelace, Mr. Reese," Finch says placatingly. "I find that it helps if you practice on a leg or a collarless neck if you're out of practice."
"I can field-strip a .45 upside down in the dark, Finch. I think I can handle a bowtie."
"Of course." Finch steps back as Reese begins the process of tying it again. "Is it butterfly or batwing? Never mind, take your time," he adds quickly when Reese gives him a Look.
Reese and Finch turn to the door as Shaw enters, dressed in a white dress that fits her perfectly. It's the first time they've seen her wearing anything else but black.
"Hate to interrupt this mildly erotic moment, gents, but the invitation advises us not to be late. What?" she demands when both men continue to stare.
"Well, I see you've updated your arsenal, Shaw," Reese observes.
"Oh, I can work it — along with the .380 I've got in my handbag, so watch it. Can we go now?"
Reese turns back to the mirror to start his third attempt at his bowtie. Elena had done it so effortlessly in Rome.
She'd said she could do it blindfolded. He'd have liked to see her try.
Finally, he gets the damn thing tied to his satisfaction.
On the way out, he checks his phone before slipping it into his pocket. He's found himself doing that more often recently, but if Finch notices, he doesn't say anything.
It's almost 3 a.m. by the time they finish tracking their Number, an event planner who also happens to be an international art thief.
Reese goes back to his place for a few hours of rest before he picks up the Number's trail again. It's a relief to undo the bowtie. Finch had been right, though. As far as dinner jackets went — and he's worn his fair share of them over the years — Gianni's work is unparalleled.
He empties his pockets and holds his phone in his hand for a moment.
He hasn't had any contact with Elena since leaving her in Rome. Finch had been treading carefully around him since his return, but there were times when he seemed to want to broach the topic of Elena Cassidy before quickly changing his mind.
Reese had given her his number to reach him if she ever needed to. But phones worked both ways, didn't they?
It started with a text. From a number that came up on her screen only as 'John'.
Elena Marie Cassidy never thought she'd be interesting enough to get mysterious messages from mysterious men. But that was before she met Detective Joss Carter and helped bring down a crime syndicate that had infiltrated City Hall and the New York Police Department.
Before she found out John from the park was ... well, whatever he was.
Before she ran away.
It started with a single word. Even in texts, John tended to be monosyllabic.
Hi.
