Morgan and Prentiss managed to keep hidden when Sloane walked past them. They looked back to see the man from the dock approaching two thugs. The agents crept closer to be able to hear their conversation.

"The boss said we will be getting her at the end of the party, so when we get the signal we move, got it? Quinn is back at the dock getting things ready. Now, let's get back to work, morons," the man commanded.

Prentiss turned to Morgan, "did we just hear that correctly? He's kidnapping someone at the gala."

"That's what it sounded like to me," Morgan agreed.

They both turned and looked at the parade of women who were entering the function.

"But how could we possibly narrow down who it will be?" Prentiss asked. "There are hundreds of women here."

"We better go fill in the team. Reid and Alex might have a better understanding of who he might be after."

Reid sauntered down the hallway then stopped in front of the hotel room door. After he knocked, he casually placed his hand in his pocket as he waited for an answer.

JJ opened the door wearing a navy blue dress and a wrap over her shoulders with wide blue and white stripes. She smiled as she looked him up and down. "Nautical looks good on you and so does this this do." She reached out to tussle his pompadour.

Reid flinched and recoiled, "ah, not the hair. I finally got the perfect height."

JJ grinned, "I am still getting used to super-model Reid."

"Oh, don't worry." He looked down as he lifted his pant legs to reveal one red sock and a blue sock with white anchors on it.

JJ put her arm through his, "There's my Spence."

Hotch escorted Alex out onto the crowded dancefloor. They stood face to face as they awkwardly reached for one another. He held her in his arms as they moved to the music.

"Loosen up, you're supposed to be head-over-heels in love with me," Alex snarked.

Hotch got into character and looked tenderly down upon her. "You're absolutely right, and just in time."

"Why?" Alex questioned.

"I just noticed that Sloane is staring at us."

The couple played up the romance as they continued their dance. "You know, you're actually quite good."

Hotch smirked, "thanks, I'm really surprised that I haven't stepped on your foot yet."

Alex noticed Prentiss sending her signals from the side of the room. "I think Emily has something for us," she shared.

Hotch took her hand as the two approached the hors d'oeuvres where Prentiss was quick to join them.

"Look, honey," Alex started, "all of the detail on these treats. Everything looks like its coral or mermaid fins, just exceptional work."

Prentiss looked around then leaned toward Alex and filled her in on what they witnessed. Alex nodded then picked up the cupcake with two Madeline cookies on top and a sugar pearl in between and took a bite.

Alex moved closer to Hotch and explained the situation then looked back up to Prentiss. "I have no clue what desert he would prefer, but when I have an idea, I will be sure to let you know."

Hotch and Alex studied the women's faces that filled the ballroom. "It could be anyone," Alex whispered.

"I suggest we see if there is someone in particular that he pays attention to throughout the evening," Hotch said. "I didn't see him with a date."

"Nether have I. However, he might be staying away, the authorities might be asking a lot of questions if people remember her being with him all evening," Alex countered.

"Unless the authorities were in his pocket," Hotch admitted as he looked at JJ and Reid dancing together.

JJ held onto Reid as they sashayed across the floor. "I can't get over how many 80's songs they are playing tonight," she remarked.

"It makes sense, mermaids were big in 80's pop culture because of movies like Splash and Little Mermaid," Reid educated.

"Mermaids with Cher came out in 1990, I guess that counts," JJ added with a snicker. "How are you holding up?" She asked, changing to a more serious tone.

"As well as can be expected," he replied.

"That's a safe answer," JJ responded.

"It's the only one that I can give you at this point."

"Well, I hope that if they do end up taking someone that we would be able to track them and figure out their operation."

Reid nodded, "I hope so, too."

Alex and Hotch were standing on the edge of the dancefloor, enjoying their cocktails together. Alex heard a familiar song start to play and was in a trance. Hotch instinctually took the drink from her hand as she turned toward the music.

As the rhythmic opening to Eternal Flame played, her heart was caught in her chest and had a lump in her throat as she searched the crowded room for Reid. The horde of couples cleared a path across the dancefloor as if carefully choreographed and there he was at the opposite end staring back at her.

Hotch tried to speak to her but she could only hear the song that possessed her soul. He watched as she had Reid in her sights and floated to meet him in the middle of the room. Reid beamed at her as he took her into his arms and they swayed to the tender melody.

"We shouldn't be dancing together," Alex confided.

"I couldn't resist not being with you when our song is playing, especially in this romantic setting," he pulled her tighter against his body.

She did as the song instructed and closed her eyes and for those few minutes they weren't undercover, on a mission, or anywhere else but with each other. They felt as though they were the only people in the room as the memories of the song flooded them.

Alex looked up to Reid and anticipated the kiss he was moving in for when she pulled back. "We can't."

Reid looked around and remembered where they were, what they were doing. "You're right." He continued to dance with her.

A pleased smirk crossed Hotch's face as he observed them together.

"I'd watch out if I were you," Sloane whispered in Hotch's ear. He, too, had been keeping an eye the couple.

"Excuse me?" Hotch played coy.

"I am referring to your girlfriend being in the arms of that man over there. They look very cozy together."

"It is just a dance," Hotch responded.

"I've seen that look on dancer's faces before."

"Oh?"

"Yes, but they were usually horizontal." Sloane slithered away as Hotch clenched his fist.

The couple regrettably separated as the song ended. Reid quickly moved on to another girl to keep up appearances as Alex returned to Hotch.

"It was good to see you enjoy yourself," Hotch complimented.

Alex's cheeks were rosy, "sorry, we couldn't help it, that is our song."

"I understand. Unfortunately, he took notice as well," Hotch whispered.

"Alex, you look radiant as ever," Sloane approached. He turned to face Hotch, "would you mind if I share a dance with this lovely lady?"

"That would be up to the lady," Hotch responded.

Alex grinned, "of course."

Hotch reluctantly backed away and then he met eyes with Reid who was also on the dancefloor.

"Are you having a pleasant evening?" She asked making small talk.

"I am now," he leered. "However, you and Aaron seem to have hit a bump in the road. I noticed some tension between you both earlier."

"Oh, you must have been mistaken, we are doing incredibly well," Alex smiled back confidently.

"I am relieved to hear it. You know, when I was watching you dance a bit ago I was reminded of that one time we danced together. Do you remember that?"

Alex thought for a moment of the joy of snapping his neck right then and there. "What are you doing, Julian?"

"Something like a cross between a rumba and a tango," he quipped.

Alex dropped the act, "What do you want from me?"

"I have a proposition for you."

"What kind of proposition?" She sneered back.

"All in good time," he beamed. "But first, I can't wait to finish this dance."