Smithsonian - 8:25pm

She walked into the museum and barely recognised it. It was full of important people, and perhaps some of them would love to see her head on a platter, but truth is she was irrecognizable. She was wearing a very provocative yet still elegant dress that fit her perfectly and was great to show her as a smart and seductive woman at the same time. It was red, as if it was a message of who had sent her. It was completely different from whatever Liz would wear, ever. But tonight she wasn't Liz. She was Dr. Elisa Montgomery, and she had to be the center of Hutcherson's attention, so she could find his office.

She takes a deep breath and walks into the venue observing and being observed. She notices some people look at her as if they wanted her, and she felt good. She was something like a spy, like her mother, and that is something she could never be as an FBI agent. She stops a waiter on her left and grabs a glass of champagne, and then swoons her way into the party, throwing some glances and smiles to those observing her, making herself noticed. And on the same time, targeting the host. She couldn't find him anywhere, so she starts to talk to people, investigate.

A few conversations later and people already know her name, and starts passing it on. But still no one has seen Craig Hutcherson. People talk about him as if he was some sort of legend, "a great man, indeed." She remembers the first party Nick Carraway attends at Gatsby's house, and smirks at the thought of having such a small pawn comparing himself to the Great American Novel.

Finally, the crowd opens in front of her to reveal her target. He's right there, and so is his office, attached to his hand. She curses that, knowing that whatever plans she had had were gone the minute she saw the briefcase cuffed to the man's wrist. She gulps the champagne, leaves the glass on the table and moves towards him, not even noticing the man on her left.

Smithsonian 8:45pm

"I'm here" says Ressler to the coms as he steps outside the cab in front of the Museum at the Smithsonian. A great number of people well dressed is at the door, drinking, talking, laughing, and he understands this party is not confined to the indoors. He pays the driver and starts walking towards the entrance while Jacob speaks to his ear. "Ok, handsome. Now go in and find whoever is envolved with the Cabal. I'm just around trying to find a way in myself."

Jacob was going to be around, to find a way to interrupt the party once the target had been identified. The problem was that Ressler had no idea how to do that. As they were working rogue, he couldn't check the lead on FBI database and as much as he knew Aram would love to help, he couldn't bring another one into this mess. Besides, the agent thought he was determined to bring Liz into custody, and not commit crimes to exonerate her, and he thought it was better this way, so no one else would know he would risk his job for her. it was still something he himself wanted to understand.

He walks into the room and finds it irrecognizable. The things that made it a museum had been taken out, and it looked more like a ball room in a castle. Whoever this man was, he had the power to change that, and it wasn't going to be easy.

A waiter comes and offers him a glass of champagne, and he takes it. He starts noticing the people around him, but goes unnoticed. He sees that people are looking at someone, maybe the host? he glances into the crowd to see the cause of curiosity and finds it in the center of the room. A man, with a briefcase cuffed to his wrist, is talking to a woman. a blond woman, wearing a provocative red dress. Her movements provoke a weird feeling in Donald, and he moves his attention to her neck, a beautifully drawn jawline revealed by the fact that her her is up on a bun. she moves her head to the left and his eyes can see her lips, bright red as her dress. he then looks up to her whole face, and chokes up on his champagne.

"what is it?" the voice in his ear seems to be as confused as he is.

"It's Liz!" Ressler says, and immediately regrets it. "she's here".

"She must be behind the same lead!" Jacob presumes, and something tells Donald he isn't as surprised as he wants to appear. "Just follow her, and maybe she'll take us to the man we're looking for."

Ressler moves on towards the man and Liz. "and Donnie, please don't make a fuss. We're not here to bring her in." "I know" Ressler speaks to himself, and keeps on moving.

Inside his head, a million thoughts, and his heart beats like crazy drums. Deep breaths aren't enough to calm the butterflies inside his stomach. "Don't run from me, Liz, not again. I'm here to help" he mutters, as he gets even closer to the woman.

"...and you see, I believe that the investment would be payed back with the amazing research they are doing, you would have no regrets" She's saying something, probably part of her cover, so he uses his training to create something that could bring him in the loop. Let's work together, approach and force her to accept him as her help.

"There you are, Doctor" he guesses, and the surprised look on her face makes him scared he got it wrong. They share looks and he tries to tell her that he's there to help, trust me. Her blue eyes soften, almost like they used to look when they were partners.

"And who is this, Dr. Montgomery?" Yes, he guessed it right. He turns his attention to the man with the briefcase and creates his own story on the spot. "Jacob Phelps, I'm Dr. Montgomery's assistant" Damn, of all the names! he hears the real Jacob phelps laughing out loud inside his ear, and hates himself for a moment, hiding it behind the gentle smile he uses to convince the man as they shake hands. He hears Liz swallow deep next to him, while she rests her hand on his shoulder. The contact makes him shiver.

"Yes, Mr. Phelps. I was just talking to Mr. Hutcherson here about our research."

"and Mr. Phelps would be one of the beneficiary? I'm sorry, but he doesn't seem very...scientific." Liz grunts, a clear sign that something in her plans were just crushed by him being there. He tries to help.

"No, I'm just an assistant, you see. My research is something completely different. Dr. Montgomery helps me with the right contacts, and I help her organize herself. You see, not the best at that" he tries to break the serious mood. it works, because Mr. Hutcherson smirks while taking a good look at Liz from head to toe.

"It's hard for me to think that such a woman would be disorganized. but I guess it's something of the smart ones. If you'll excuse me, I need to keep my party going. I look forward to meeting you again soon, Dr. Montgomery."

"Thank you for your attention, Mr. Hutcherson. It's a lovely party". They shake hands, the man ignores Ressler's and turns around. He then turns to see a very angry Liz in front of him.

"What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing!"

"Are you here to bring me in?"

At this moment, music starts to play, and people starts moving towards them, and dance. they were in the middle of the dancing area. Ressler offers his hand, and says.

"Care to dance, dr. Montgomery?"