8:35 P.M.

December 31, 2011

Leah walked off the dance floor with Spencer, his arm wrapped possessively around her waist. That had been amazing!

"You two were wonderful!" Seaver said, completely oblivious to Anderson's, her partner's, wry smile.

"Thanks." Leah replied, catching her breath.

"Hush you two," Kate admonished. "They're going to announce the winners."

Third place went to work partners from counter-terrorism. Spencer and Leah beamed when they were announced as having won second place. First place went to more work partners from white-collar.

So they hadn't actually won, and the only thing they did to Anderson was to get him to remember what he'd done and dwell on it. Nothing worse than the point of a time-out. But it still felt great.

9:10 P.M.

December 31, 2011

"What do you say we blow this Popsicle stand?" Rossi asked no one in general. "I spend too much time in this place as it is. Let's hit the bar."

"Speaking of bars, where's Morgan?" Jordan asked.

"And Garcia? I haven't seen her since we left my place." Leah pointed out.

"Lynch hasn't been around all night." Curtis added.

"I'm betting Morgan found a pretty little woman and went into temporary hiding." Elle volunteered. "Maybe Lynch and Garcia decided to see if they could get the baby to make an early appearance."

Rossi smirked. "And now I suddenly have a desperate desire for a scotch."

9:30 P.M.

December 31, 2011

Leah stood apprehensively in front of the bar, not really wanting to go inside.

Rossi came up beside her. "You've never been inside a bar in your life, have you, Bella?"

Leah shook her head.

"There's a first time for everything." He grasped her wrist and tugged.

"No." She didn't budge.

"Don't make me carry you."

"You couldn't even pick me up!"

But he could. He flung her over his shoulder and took all of a step before she, in the midst of a fit of giggles, yelled for Spencer and kicked Rossi in the thigh.

"Rossi," Spencer came to her rescue. "Don't do that. Don't you know how to treat a lady?" He took her from Rossi, she assumed he would put her down, but he didn't. Instead, he cradled her in his arms, flashing a horribly ornery grin. "You're supposed to hold her like this."

"Spencer," she yelped. "Put me down."

"Promise me you'll go in?"

"No."

"So you're telling me that you can dance a - what was it?"

"A jitterbug." She muttered, knowing that he knew full well what it had been.

"-A jitterbug in the middle of the BAU headquarters, but you can't go inside a bar?"

"Fine, I'll go."