Thanks so much for your continued interest in this story and for all the lovely comments!

** I do not own the Blacklist or any of its characters, nor do I make any money from this **

Elizabeth marched through the halls of the International Department Building and didn't stop until she arrived at Director Cooper's door. Office hours were over, but she knocked anyway. She knocked twice and, not waiting for an invitation to enter, opened the door and walked in.

"Miss Milhoan?" Cooper said as he looked up from his desk. "What is so important that you have to barge into my office like this? I hope you understand I don't appreciate this kind of behavior."

"Raymond Reddington," she said, "I don't understand. How is this possible? Why is he teaching in our department?"

Cooper looked at her with a stern look, directing her to sit down.

"I understand that you are all surprised to see the mysterious Reddington in your classroom, but trust me, Elizabeth, there is nothing I can do about that."

"What do you mean?" Lizzy asked, "There's nothing you can do about it?"

"You are the director of this program, so you should have some say in who teaches here and who doesn't. This is one of the highest rated college programs in the country, so you should be able to have the final decision."

"Not when that decision comes above my head: the FBI to be exact." Cooper replied.

Lizzy looked at him in disbelief, and asked "The FBI?"

"Yes. I only received the memo a few days ago. I was told by the authorities that Mr. Reddington would be teaching here and that we should not take any action to prevent that."

"Wait, what authorities?" Lizzy asked. "Who would want a known criminal to be teaching at this University?"

"Cynthia Panabaker, White House Counsel, to be exact. She is the one who sent out the memo. Apparently, Reddington surrendered himself to the FBI and worked out an immunity package that he negotiated himself."

Lizzy looked a question at him and sighed. "Well, then this is definitely going to be an interesting senior year," she said, as she rose to leave.

"Oh Elizabeth, one last thing before you leave," Cooper said. "Reddington had one more request, he's requested to be your mentor, and just you, with regard to your honor's thesis."

"Right," Lizzy said, and left Cooper's office.

She grabbed her phone, and texted Samar. "Where and when are we meeting tonight for drinks?"

It was 8pm and the bar was already crowded with college students from the area. Elizabeth had planned to meet Samar and her new guy at one of the most popular bars in the Village. Her roommate Donald and his girlfriend Audrey had mentioned they might also join them after dinner.

Deciding she wanted to forget the events of the afternoon, Liz was determined to enjoy herself. The fact that she would have to work with a criminal, no matter how handsome he was, for the remainder of her senior year startled her, but tonight she just wanted to drink, dance and have fun.

Clad in a pair of slim fit jeans and a tank top that bore The Clash, she slipped into high heel boots. She piled her hair up and applied some makeup, then inspected her look in the mirror and smiled. She was ready to go.

She walked into the bar and fought her way towards the back where she spotted her friend in a booth. The music was blaring and she watched several patrons moving to the music.

"There you are," Liz said.

"Sit down," Samar directed. "I want you to meet Aram. Remember I told you about him? You seemed quite out of it after our honor's thesis class and left in quite a hurry. Are you okay?"

"Hi Aram, it's nice to meet you." Liz said, as she gave him a hand. "And, yes, I am okay."

"Just a little shook. But it's nothing to worry about. What are you guys drinking?"

"I'll have another margarita," Samar replied.

"Just a coke for me, thanks," Aram said. Lizzy was already on her way back to the bar.

"A Margarita, a coke and a glass of Chardonnay, please." She asked the bartender. While she waited for her drinks, she spotted her roommate Dembe sitting at the end of the horseshoe shaped bar. Apparently, he was alone, sipping a beer.

What a coincidence seeing him. She approached him. "Hi Dembe, good to see you here. How was your first day of class at Columbia?" She asked.

"It went very well, Elizabeth," he answered.

"Would you like to join us?" She asked. "My friends and I are sitting in a booth in the back."

"No thank you, I'm fine." He replied, "I will finish my drink and then return to the apartment. Have a great time tonight, Elizabeth, and stay safe."

"No problem, Dembe. And yes I plan on having a great time. I will see you back at the house."

Liz paid the bartender, grabbed her drinks and walked back to their booth.

As she walked away, Dembe took his phone and dialed one on his speed-dial.

TBC