Nate was sitting at the bar in the ballroom. Parker was once again working the floor as a part of the wait staff. Normally, Ford would be reminding the Thief to focus on the job at hand. But, there were several people attending tonight that Nate had on his radar. He didn't encourage Parker but he didn't stop her as he watched her pilfer a few wallets and some rather nice jewels. Hardison was listening and watching while Sophie had worked her way into the confidences of one Eduardo Dominguez. With Eliot out of the picture, it was left to Ford to be the eyes and, if necessary, the hitter.

Sophie, or Comtesse Averil Legasse, was dressed in a pale pink gown that clung to her body. With her hair swept up to expose that beautiful neck and ample cleavage, Dominguez couldn't take his eyes off her. Quite frankly, neither could Nate. As he listened to Sophie working her magic, she convinced the corrupt politician that she had money to lend to the right campaign. Avarice was always a fatal flaw and Dominguez was no different.

Nate made one more sweep of the room and froze when the woman walked through the door. Kayla Logan was stunning. Her blonde hair was attractively styled. Her gown was a midnight blue, one-shoulder affair, trimmed in silver. It was split on either side to reveal shapely legs and silver dress heels. Sophie would love those shoes, the Mastermind thought. But, bringing himself back to the woman in front of him, with one look it was obvious how Eliot could fall for her. She was downright beautiful. He also knew she was smart with a biting sense of humor – definitely Spencer's type. He watched Kayla sweep the room and spot her target. She then continued on, looking for Eliot, he was almost certain. But, when her eyes locked on him, she froze. Nate could read it in her body language that she was waiting for him to make a move – to either call her out or let her proceed with her plan. Ford needed her to react. They all needed her to move forward with her mission. Nate picked up his champagne glass and toasted his opponent.

Kayla Logan walked confidently into the ballroom. She had to assess the mission to see if it was still viable and try to execute. She immediately spotted Dominguez. He was chatting up the gorgeous brunette she had seen last night before her encounter with her sort-of husband. And that had turned out SO well! She continued to scan the room looking for the devil himself but fortune seemed to favor the bold and he was nowhere in sight. She did, however, lock glances with none other than Nathan Ford, Eliot's boss. Kayla waited to see if he would call out, alerting security or anyone else as to whom she was or if he would let her take her shot. When he saluted with the glass, she knew the battle was on. She nodded, accepting the challenge, and went to work.

Kayla took two glasses from the tray, one of red wine, the other, champagne. She quickly doctored the champagne with rohypnol and went after Dominguez.

"I must say, Eduardo, I like the way you think. I firmly believe we could work very well together," the Comtesse laid an encouraging hand on Eduardo's arm. But, before she could lead him away, an attractive blonde stepped up between them. Or, rather, she stepped into the path of Eduardo and the Comtesse spilling the red wine down the front of the woman's expensive gown.

"Oh," the blonde grabbed at the glass, "oh, my goodness. I am so sorry." The Comtesse called out in disgust as the red wine soaked the front of her dress. Behind the women, Dominguez chuckled. Kayla instructed, "You should probably run along and try to take care of that. You know, before it stains."

"Yes," the Comtesse answered, leaning forward, trying to keep the wine from soaking further into the gown and her bra. Her tone left no doubt that she was not happy. "I guess you'll have to excuse me Eduardo."

"It is fine, Comtesse. You should take care of that," he waved a hand towards the stain. "I will catch up to you later."

The blonde smiled sweetly, "Comtesse."

In her ear bud, Sophie heard Nate's laugh. "You think that's funny?"

Nate turned away from the room, covering his mouth, "Yeah, a little. I mean, you've got to admit. It's not often you get a dose of your own medicine."

"Yes, well," was all the Grifter could say as she left the ballroom to change.

"So, Hardison, is our gift to Dominguez working?" Nate changed the subject.

"Loud and clear," Alec answered. And, as if to illustrate the point, Kayla's voice echoed in their coms.

"Were you already trolling the waters for another, Eduardo? Bored so quickly?" Kayla purred, handing Dominguez the champagne flute and then placing her hands on his shoulders.

"Of course not," Eduardo, in heavily accented English, answered back, taking a drink and allowing his free hand to wander suggestively along Kayla's hips. "But, you missed our rendezvous last evening."

Logan smiled seductively, watching him take a sip. She leaned in and whispered, "Unfortunately, I was unavoidably detained. My business partners are not always as flexible as I am."

Dominguez leaned in, nuzzling the woman's neck, "And just how flexible are you?"

Nate heard a noise that sounded remarkably like a growl…and he smiled. The Hitter may not want to admit it but he still had feelings for his former Boss.

Kayla never missed a beat, "Well, if you have time, I can give you a rain check for our missed appointment of last evening."

She was good; Nate Ford had to give her that. Under any other circumstances, Kayla Logan would make an impressive addition to their team.

Eduardo Dominguez chuckled lasciviously. He tossed back the last of the champagne and put the glass on a passing tray. He turned Kayla towards the exit and whispered, "Let's go."

Nate watched her leave and then spoke to the rest of the team. "Everyone stay close. This is going to go fast from here on out." Ford swallowed the last of his own drink and left the ballroom.

The trick now for Kayla would be getting to her other accommodations before Dominguez passed out. Fortunately, the extra room wasn't far from the banquet hall. She could fight off his advances, knowing that the date rape drug would be taking effect any minute. He continued to grope the former CIA agent as she checked the failsafe on her room. She was looking forward to taking him out, if just to keep his wandering hands off other women. The Do Not Disturb sign with motion sensor was still in place. Kayla slipped the key out of her bra, opened the door, and then turned around taking Eduardo by the hand and pulling him in behind her.

Kayla let the door close and walked him to the bed. She laughed along with Dominguez as he dropped down. She slid his jacket off and, just when he thought he was going to get lucky, the drug kicked in. His eyes rolled back in his head as he fell over on the mattress. Kayla went to work quickly. She opened Dominguez' shirt, untucking it. She removed his belt and unzipped his trousers. Finally, Logan removed his shoes and socks, discarding those with the other clothing items, letting them fall haphazardly across the floor. Smiling, Kayla opened the drawer to the bedside table and removed the hypo filled with the deadly paralytic. She shot air out of the needle and prepared to administer the fatal dose when a deep familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Hello, honey, about time you got home."