A/N: Those you know belong to those you know. I own the rest, including the dead bodies. No profits for me. This is AU, but I might pull stuff from any season, including 4. So be warned. Please R&R. Thanks.

A special thanks to my faithful reviewer, TenFour. Hope this fills your fix.


The dance lounge was loud with lights flashing everywhere. Annabel squinted and looked around. At least they weren't the oldest people there. Rochelle tugged at her and pointed at the bartenders in the corner. The one looked like George Michael from his Wham! years and the other looked like she was channeling Cyndi Lauper.

Rochelle spotted a table not too far off the dance floor and the led the group over. With the music regular conversation wasn't possible, but it wasn't so loud that you had to shout at your tablemates to be heard. Marc collected drink orders and went to the bar to pick them up. Rochelle sat on the edge of her seat waiting for him to come back. As soon as he had, she drug him out to the dance floor. Annabel sat back in her chair, crossed her legs under the table and her arms over her chest and looked at Rochelle and Marc. Horatio alternated between watching them and looking over at Annabel. After a bit, she had relaxed a little and her foot was tapping to the music. Horatio leaned over to talk to her.

"You could go out and dance."

She shook her head. "No thanks. I don't want to."

"Then why is your foot moving so much."

Annabel scowled at him and held still. She couldn't keep the ruse up for very long though. Her foot started swinging again.

Horatio leaned over again. "Quit being so stubborn, Annabel."

"Someone has to stay with our stuff."

"I can keep track of it." Annabel shook her head. "Then consider it a rescue mission. Marc looks like he's going to drop."

Annabel gave him a nasty look. "Fine, but don't get all bent if someone else starts dancing with me." She pushed herself out of the chair and headed for the dance floor. Annabel joined Marc and Rochelle. Ro greeted her warmly. Marc slipped away as soon as he could.

Marc sat down hard next to Horatio and took a long pull on his beer. "Thanks for finally getting Annabel out there. Ro wasn't going to let me go until she came."

"Not a problem." Horatio watched Annabel dance. She started out stiffly, still not willing to enjoy herself. Gradually, she got more into the music. Her eyes closed and her body moved with the beat. Horatio had to admit she was pretty good. He also noticed that he wasn't the only one who thought so.

Several men tried to split the two women up, but neither would go.

Another song started. Annabel ducked her head and shook it. She started to leave the dance floor. Rochelle grabbed her wrist and shook her head. She said something in Annabel's ear. Annabel looked over at Horatio and flashed him a wicked smile. She closed her eyes again and felt music move through her. Suddenly, Horatio knew what the look was about. He listened to the words to the B-52s "Love Shack" and watched Annabel dancing. There was little doubt to what she was thinking as she sang along to the words. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

The song ended and the DJ shifted into a slow song. Annabel started follow Rochelle off the floor. A tall, blond guy snagged her hand. He leaned in and said something to Annabel. She shook her head. He tried to pull her back onto the floor. Annabel pulled her hand free. The guy leaned down and said something else to her. Annabel hauled off and slapped the guy across the face. She watched him melt back into the crowded bar. Annabel turned around and crashed right into Horatio. He helped steady her.

"I'm fine." she mouthed.

Horatio leaned down. "I see. Remind me not to tick you off." Annabel smile and started to leave the dance floor. Horatio shook his head. "Dance with me." Annabel shook her head. She looked up at the table. Rochelle was leaning against Marc. Rochelle smiled at Annabel and indicated she should dance with Horatio. Annabel shook her head. Rochelle nodded hers vigorously. Annabel sighed, took Horatio's hand and led him out a little into the crowd. Horatio placed his hand on Annabel's waist and took her other one in his. Annabel rested her hand lightly on Horatio's shoulder. They started to move easily to the music, Horatio guiding Annabel. He leaned down.

"You really shouldn't have hit that guy."

"You didn't hear what he called me."

"Point taken. But I'd hate to have to take you in for assault."

"He deserved what he got. Maybe he'll have learned some manners." Horatio straightened. His hand slid from Annabel's hip to further around her back. Annabel looked up at Horatio and raised her eyebrows. Horatio just raised his eyebrows back. Annabel rolled her eyes, shook her head and smiled deeply.

Horatio leaned in again. "How come you didn't want to dance? You aren't bad."

Annabel blushed. "Thank you. Actually, I love to dance."

"Then why were you so against dancing?"

"I have a tendency to forget where I am when I'm dancing."

"Ah. It's a control thing."

"Not exactly. It's a 'I don't like to be scrutinized thing.' And when you dance in public people watch you. Draw assumptions from how you move. Like that guy."

"Mmm. I didn't draw any assumptions."

"You know me."

"I keep finding out new things."

Annabel smiled. "Isn't that the point?"

"Mmm." The song they were dancing to ended and another started. Horatio kept moving Annabel around the floor. Annabel started singing along to the song. Horatio smiled and drew her closer.

Marc glanced over at Rochelle. She was smiling smugly.

"You'd better wipe that look off your face before she looks up here," he said giving his wife a squeeze.

Rochelle's grin broadened. "Annie isn't paying any attention to us at all."

"So you hope. You'd better be careful where you stick your nose, Ro."

Rochelle shook her head. "I'm not doing anything. They're doing it all themselves."

"With a great big shove from you."

"No. Annie was interested in Horatio before we even met."

"You still are pushing."

"Well, if Annie was let alone she'd just..."

"It's her life, Ro."

"And she deserves to be happy in it."

"Probably a good thing that those two are down here and you're headed back home to Chicago."

"Why?"

"You'd be planning their wedding already."

Rochelle gave Marc a playful push. "I am not. You just remember who you get to go home with before you keep picking on me."

Marc kissed Ro's hair. "Oh, I remember. I wouldn't pick if I didn't love you."

Rochelle smiled at him and snuggled closer.