Toby walks into their kitchen to see Happy stirring a pot on the stove. He then sniffs the air and his face scrunches instantly at the odor, "Happy, I don't know what you're fixing there, but it smells awful."
"Potent actually, don't worry the Thai should be delivered any minute. This is a polyethylene blend that I intend to mold to the bottom of my shoes…" Happy explains.
"I'm not so sure they'll like that." Toby cautions.
"They won't know. It'll dry clear and is easily removed when direct heat is applied." Happy clarifies.
"I see, in effect creating a platform shoe that looks like a stiletto," Toby states.
"Yeah, I guess so. I should be disturbed you know that. Anyway, bottom line is I will actually be able to walk tonight. Don't tell Paige. There isn't time to do hers and…" Happy replies.
"Your secret is safe with me." Toby assures.
Over at the Dineen residence, Paige is walking the hallway in her stilettos in preparation for tonight, "These are awful! Happy and I will be lucky if we don't break our necks."
"I could have helped with that." Ralph says.
"I know, but I want you to focus on your homework." Paige replies.
The doorbell rings signaling the arrival of the pizza, Paige gratefully takes off the shoes and goes to grab her purse.
At Mallory's condo, she and her parents are getting ready for the evening's events.
"Now, are ye sure that ye and Walter don't want to ride with us in the limousine?" Emily asks her daughter.
"I'm positive. I need to talk to Walter privately." Mallory replies.
"It would mean a lot to your father for us to arrive as a family." Emily continues.
"Mom, I…" Mallory tries
"Ye can talk to Walter anytime. We'll be leaving town tomorrow and…" Emily explains.
"Mom, it's important. I need ye to trust…" Mallory interrupts.
"Now, what could be so important that it can't wait another day or two? Really…" Emily carries on.
"Mom, I'm pregnant." Mallory blurts out and then bits her lip nervously awaiting her response. After a moment of stunned silence, Mallory observes her mom is more upset by the news that she anticipated.
Mallory continues, "I know, it's not ideal. But Walter is a good man and we love each other. I know he'll do the honorable thing. Since we live here in America, I really don't think it'll negatively affect daddy's reputation. Please say something."
"I really don't know what to say to ye. I…" the ringing doorbell interrupts Emily.
"Just, don't say anything to Daddy until I have the chance to talk to Walter." Mallory beseeches.
"Don't worry. I'll let ye tell your father." Emily promises.
"Walter, I'm so glad that you could join us for dinner before the ball. I would consider it an honor if you and Mallory would ride with us in the car Ireland Funds is sending." Davy greets.
"Sure, that sounds efficient." Walter agrees.
Mallory and Emily approach and Davy greets his wife and daughter each with a kiss, "Excellent news. Walter has graciously agreed to travel with us to dinner."
Mallory smiles, but releases a frustrated breathe, "Of course, he did."
Walter observes Mallory in her long sapphire evening gown with just enough of a split to tease. It occurred to him that she may be the second most beautiful girl on earth. He really cares about her and dreads the conversation they would be having later, he doesn't want to hurt her, "You look absolutely gorgeous."
"Not stunning?" Mallory flirts.
"Now Mallory, don't mince words." Davy cautions unaware of the inside joke.
"Oh Daddy, Walter knows I'm teasing," Mallory states.
"I must admit that I couldn't be more pleased you two are still together. I understand Mallory's long and sometimes unpredictable hours have driven away many potential mates." Davy states.
"Well, my hours can be long and unpredictable too, but we both love what we do so…" Walter begins.
"We make it work." Mallory finishes.
Throughout dinner, both Walter and Mallory tried to get the other alone. Walter needed to tell Mallory about the case as he knew she'd recognize the team at the event. However, each attempt was foiled by either her parents or the restaurant staff. Finally, standing outside the restaurant, a small window opened as her parents ran into a couple of friends in town for the charity ball.
"Listen Walter, we need to talk…" Mallory begins.
"I promise, we'll discuss whatever you want later, but now I need to tell you that I'll be working tonight." Walter interrupts.
"Wait, what? You're leaving?" Mallory asks.
"No, just… the team will be at the event tonight, undercover. I can't really explain. Just know that things are under control and don't acknowledge that you know them. Trust me." Walter clarifies.
"Always, I also have…" Mallory replies
"If ye two lovebirds can tear yourselves apart, I'd like ye to meet some dear friends of mine." Davy interjects.
Happy had left the house in a trench coat, so Toby hadn't seen her in uniform until she walks up to the bar with her first drink order and his eyes widen, "Well, hello Mrs. See-Quinn!"
"Shut it, bar keep." Happy replies with a slight smirk.
Entering, Davy flags down a waitress to get drinks. As Paige approaches, Walter's gaze is first drawn to her shoes, his brain instantly registering at least a half a foot height difference; from there his eyes slowly wander up her very long legs accentuated by the very short dress and freeze momentarily at her cleavage before he forces himself to look at her face, framed so nicely be the askew fascinator. Paige smiles to herself having caught Walter's ogling. There is a pause after Paige has taken the drink orders for Davy and Emily, Mallory declined.
"Sir, what can I get you to drink?" Paige asks Walter. He is looking at her, but there is no response.
"Sir?" Paige tries again.
"Walter, your drink order?" Davy nudges observing Walter is looking at the waitress, but clearly his thoughts are elsewhere.
Mallory places her hand on Walter's shoulder bringing him out of the trance, "Love, did you want to order a drink?"
"Oh sorry, no, nothing for me, thanks." Walter replies.
"Very well sir. I'll be back in a moment." Paige replies slightly annoyed at Mallory's use of a pet name.
"Thinking about work again?" Mallory asks, figuring Walter was focused on something related to the case he is working.
"Walter, boy, ye have my beautiful daughter at your side. Work should be the last thing on your mind." Davy interjects.
"Of course, you're right. It won't happen again." Walter assures.
The music begins to play, "Walter, let's dance." Mallory suggests.
"What about your drink?" Walter asks.
"I'm not drinking tonight either." Mallory replies.
They excuse themselves to the dance floor. He really does enjoy dancing with Mallory and hopes he doesn't break her heart later in the evening. He realizes she brings him a sense of comfort and familiarity. From the beginning their relationship has been natural, seamless; he's never had that before. His mind is alternating between these thoughts and staying alert to the case as he dances with Mallory for the next twenty minutes.
"Hey guys, I haven't seen any weapons or suspicious materials come through security. Have you picked up on anything?" Cabe asks over the coms.
"I'm not reading any anxiety or abnormal behavioral patterns." Toby chimes in.
"Yeah, I haven't heard or seen anything suspicious." Paige adds.
"Same here, Sly are the sensors picking anything up?" Happy asks.
"No, the sensors are not reading any deadly chemicals or explosive compounds." Sly confirms.
"If we knew what to look for, we could streamline this process." Walter adds frustrated at the vagueness of the intelligence.
"I know, but besides the when and where, Fuchs only confirmed that it would involve new undetectable tech before a sniper took him out." Cabe reminds.
"There is no such thing as undetectable tech." Walter states.
"Alright, well let's prove it." Cabe encourages.
"Ye know, I've known from the beginning that ye worked with two beautiful and smart women, but seeing them in those outfits tonight, I find myself a bit jealous." Mallory admits.
"Yes, well, jealousy is an unproductive emotion, but I…" Walter begins.
"Walter, they're playing our song." Mallory interrupts as "Precious and Few" begins to play.
"Actually, Malloy, I should tell you…" Walter begins, wanting to end the façade.
"I have something I need to tell you too, Walter. I was going to wait until we were alone tonight, but it seems so perfect to tell you during this song," Mallory interrupt, "Walter, I'm pregnant."
A crash is heard across the room as Paige drops a tray of drinks.
"Oh wow, two baby-daddy dilemmas in one week. Walter must get around," Toby says aloud in the coms without realizing it.
"Two?!" Paige fires back, very annoyed.
"How? I mean, we used protection?" Walter asked shocked; in reality he already knows the answer.
"Well, ye know it's not fool-proof, and if ye recall we got a wee bit carried away our first time." Mallory reminisces.
"Ah, yes. That was memorable." Walter recalls.
"Walter, I'm not the least bit worried about your EQ. You're going to be a wonderful father. I love ye and trust ye implicitly. I…" Mallory is interrupted as the Sweeney family is called up to the stage.
Mallory hesitates a moment, but Walter kisses her and encourages, "Go. You'll be an amazing mom, but right now, your father needs his adoring daughter."
As Mallory heads toward the stage, Paige comes up behind Walter and sadly says, "Well, so much for no matter what."
"Paige, I…" Walter begins.
"Uh guys, the video feed just showed a drone roll under the stage." Sly advises.
Alarms on Sly's equipment sounds as he shouts, "the explosive sensors are going crazy. There is a bomb under the stage!"
Walter looks up to see Mallory ascending the stage stairs, "No. No. No. No," he mutters as he takes off full speed towards her.
The explosion rocks the building as heat and flames shoot out from under the stage. Happy loses her footing as her polyethylene wedges melt from underneath her and she lands flat on her back. Walter watches helpless as the mother of his child is projected violently against the wall. As dust begins to settle in the smoke-filled room, screaming chaos ensues and most of the crowd rush to the exit while Walter fights his way the opposite direction toward the stage.
Sitting to pull Mallory onto his lap, "Mallory, stay with me," Walter urges.
"Walter, love…sorry… not meant to be," Mallory rasps getting weaker with each word, "Don't give up on love. I've seen the man behind the genius… worthy of love."
Choking back an unexpected sob, Walter gently kisses Mallory goodbye. Emily is overcome with grief having just watched her daughter die, she wails, "No, God, no! This is all me fault!"
Walter sees her snatch the gun from the holster of a passing security officer. He instantly realizes the faulty assumption she's made and rushes toward her, "Emily, Don't…"
His words fall short though, as she places the gun to her head and fires without hesitation. She drops instantly, but the fatal bullet passes through her skull at a trajectory aimed right toward Walter's chest. He sees it coming, but there is no time to react and Walter soon lands in a lump on the floor.
Having witnessed the entire tragic scene, Paige rushes to his side, "Walter… Walter… stay with me. No matter what, remember? Stay with me."