And there they entered.

Prentiss looked around. Something about this room was familiar. There was a glass chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling. The ceiling was painted with an incredible frieze depicting the history of Georgetown. Where the ceiling ended, it met with sparkling gold trim with spirals and swirls. This trim led into a giant, round room painted with pure white walls.

Prentiss looked down. At the top of the stairs, a long red carpet began, and ran all the way down the stairs. At the far end of the room, tables were set up, presumably for dinner. They all pointed to the head table, where Prentiss would end up for dinner. She always hated being the center of attention at these events. All eyes would be on her while she was sitting at the table. All eyes were on her, in fact, as she entered…

All eyes on me? She panicked. She nearly turned around to leave. But Reid gave her hand another squeeze. She looked at him, and saw strength in his eyes. His face softened into a gentle smile. In return, Prentiss offered a weak smile and turned to walk down the stairs.

God, she looks gorgeous, Reid thought. She just shines in this light. And those pearls. Those pearls! My mother was so right… intuition, he smiled.

Prentiss put her foot on the first step. Then the second. And then the third. Eventually, she got into a rhythm with the steps. Step, step, breathe in. Step, step, breathe out. By the time she reached the bottom, she felt confident, beautiful-

"Emily!" her mother's shrill voice burst Prentiss' confidence. "Emily! How lovely to see you!" Ambassador Prentiss leaned toward Prentiss and kissed her first on the right cheek, and then on the left cheek. Emily rolled her eyes mentally. This was her mother. Never a hair out of place, never not courteous, prim, proper.

"Hi, Mom. This, uh, is-"

"Dr. Reid! Yes, yes, of course." Prentiss the elder extended her hand to Reid. "You spoke here last year at our symposium on The Psychological Effects of Technology."

"Yes," Reid nodded. "Yes, I did. It's a pleasure to speak with you, Ambassador Prentiss. And congratulations on this event! It's quite an honor."

"Why thank you, Dr. Reid. Come in, come in, both of you! I want you to meet some of my dearest friends." And she dragged them further onto the floor.

"But of course," Emily muttered.

"Huh?" Reid whispered.

"Her closest friends. They're all two-faced snobs who have no real opinions and way too much money. But put on a smile anyway," Prentiss shot back.

Reid was not in a position to ignore what Prentiss was saying.

"Emily, Dr. Reid, I'd like you to meet Senator Gregory McAllister, and his wife, Cynthia. Gregory, Cynthia, this is my daughter, Emily, and her escort, Dr. Spencer Reid. They both work in the FBI."

"How do you do, Senator, Mrs. McAllister." Prentiss extended her hand for a handshake.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Reid offered.

"So nice to meet the two of you!" Senator McAllister had a booming, stentorian voice. "So nice to meet two agents here! And one the daughter of our esteemed honoree. Excellent. Just excellent!"

Mrs. McAllister didn't say anything. She was gorgeous, blond, probably just a trophy wife. She just smiled at Prentiss and Reid. Better that she doesn't talk, Prentiss thought. I don't feel like making small talk with people tonight. I don't really feel like talking at all, in fact. Except to Reid… she looked up at him. He was already deep in conversation with Senator McAllister, talking about the Bureau, about psychology, about statistics… Statistics? Oh no, she thought. I'd better stop him.

"Reid," she interrupted. "Do you want to get a drink?"

"Uhh, sure, Prentiss. It was a pleasure meeting you both." Prentiss pulled him away. "What was that for?" Reid whispered.

"Look," Prentiss responded. "I know the type. They aren't really interested in what you're saying. He just blankly nods at what you're saying. And statistics? Come on, Reid."

"What?" His voice got very high all of a sudden. "I can't use statistics?"

"They don't make for good conversation." Reid looked hurt and annoyed. Damn it, Prentiss, she thought. Now look at what you've done. You've just isolated the only person here who you would actually enjoy talking to. "Look, Reid." She took a deep breath. "Spencer- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell. It's just- it's just I'm so uncomfortable here. I'm so out of my element. I feel like crap. I'm always so awkward at these things. And I'm just on edge."

Damn it, girl! she thought. Now you've just told him every negative thing about yourself to scare him off.

"Em, I totally get it. I didn't mean to snap back. I just want you to relax. This is your night to have a good time. You look like a princess. So you should feel like one."

Prentiss so badly wanted to kiss him, right then, right there. But it would make a scene, she knew. And the last thing she wanted to do was embarrass her mother again. "Thanks, Reid. I'm sorry. I just-"

She was interrupted by a soft touch to her shoulder. It sent chills down her spine and butterflies into her stomach. Reid had placed his hand on her shoulder and was drawing it down her arm, tracing her curves. Prentiss' heart stopped for a moment. She bit her lip. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you."

They stood there in silence. But this time, it wasn't a silence of awkwardness. It was a silence of adoration, of appreciation, of giddiness, of… of love?

"Emily! Emily!" Her mother's shrill shriek interrupted her fantasy. Perfect timing as usual, Prentiss sarcastically thought. "EMILY!"

"What?" Emily cried.

"Emily, dear! No need to yell at me!" Emily clenched her jaw. "Your father is over there by the bartender talking to the President of the College. You should probably go make an entrance."

Prentiss laughed. "Are you ready to meet my father?"

Reid laughed along with her, but his had a faint touch of nervousness. "Should I be worried?"

"No! No, not at all. My dad is easy to get a long with. Especially after he's had a few drinks. Come on, I'll introduce you." She smiled, and her fingers crept alongside his. They wove their way in between his. Reid's and Prentiss' hearts skipped the same beat, and they began walking in sync toward the bartender.