Sue entered the ballroom on Reed's arm, gazing about at the decorations with wonder. The whole room looked like a cast underwater palace, complete with fake coral and seaweed dangling from the ceiling. Blue lights shimmered creating the sensation of flowing water. Obviously a lot of planning had gone into this.
Before she could say anything, though, Johnny was already making his way across the room, his eye having been caught by a bevy of model-like creatures. Ben, in contrast, had retreated to the wall, fingers nervously adjusting his bowtie as he went to see about getting a cup of the punch that seemed to be circulating around.
Sue sighed, gaze drifting back to the man at her side. "And then there were two."
"I don't mind," Reed shrugged. "Dancing with any more than one other person tends to get awkward anyway." He grinned, steering his lovely date towards the dance floor, stopping as the music likewise ended. "Damn," he muttered. "Well there goes that plan."
Sue chuckled, patting his arm. "Plenty of time to dance later. I think Mr. McKenzie is going to make a speech."
And, indeed, that did seem to be exactly what was going to happen. The crowd clapped politely as the man who had organized the evening made his way to a makeshift stage at the front of the room, looking very dashing in a tuxedo. A spotlight targeted him as he smiled, waiting for the applause to die down.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Namor began. "Thank you all for coming tonight and showing your support as we strive to fight water pollution. It's a cause very near and dear to my heart." Nearer and dearer than any of his guests probably expected. "I'm not a big fan of making speeches, so I'll just leave you with a few facts to think about. Facts that will hopefully help to loosen your purse strings a bit." Another charming smile as the crowd chuckled sycophantically. "One point two trillion gallons of untreated sewage, stormwater and industrial waste find their way into U.S. waters annually. In any given year, twenty-five percent of the beaches in the United States are under advisories or closed because of water pollution. And around eighty percent of the pollution in seas and oceans comes from land based activities." He paused a moment, letting the enormity of these sentences sink in on the crowd. "So, please, help us save our planet. Even the smallest contribution will be of great assistance. Thank you."
The crowd paused for a minute torn between whether they should clap or not. Which, they eventually did do. A few nods and another smile or two to the audience and he was off the stage and headed for Reed, his eye having apparently been caught by something…or someone.
"I'm honored you could make it, Mr. Richards," Namor smiled, holding out a hand.
"It's Doctor, actually," Reed corrected, shaking the hand politely. "And you did invite us."
If Namor felt any surprise at those words, it was quickly hidden. "Doctor, of course," he answered, attention turning towards Sue. "I just didn't expect your busy schedules would allow you to attend," he explained, lifting her hand and brushing it with his lips.
"It's a good cause," Sue answered, perhaps blushing a bit at the action. "We were glad to give our support."
The music started again as Namor flashed a grin at Sue. "Thank you, Ms. Storm," he answered. And, perhaps sensing Reed was about to take her away, he added, "I don't suppose I could have this dance? That is if your escort, doesn't mind." His gaze shifted to Reed, eyes completely innocent.
"Fiance," Reed answered evenly. Apparently the man could get nothing right.
"I'd love to," Sue answered, with a calming glance towards Reed. "In fact, I'd be honored."
"Wonderful," Namor McKenzie murmured, leading her away from Reed and twirling her out onto the dance floor. A glance to the bandleader, and the pace of the music quickened, turning into a tango. Sue was whirled out and then spun in again as Namor gripped her a bit more closely.
"I don't know how to dance the tango," she whispered, a bit embarrassed.
"Don't worry," he answered, dipping her quickly before he started guiding her across the floor. "If you mess up, it's my fault."
The other dancers quickly made a circle around them and Namor, deciding to either show off, or rub it in Reed's face, started making things a bit more complicated. Before Sue could even comprehend what was happening, his hand had her left leg pinned to his waist.
"Relax," he whispered as he dragged her along for a few steps, then stood her upright again. A few more traditional tango steps and the music came to an end, Namor dipping Sue and holding the position, heads close enough together for him to place a light kiss on either cheek.
She blushed ferociously as he stood her upright again, hand pressed to one cheek as he again kissed her other hand and twirled her one final time.
"Oh my," she managed to say, chest heaving from the exertion. "You're an excellent dancer," she complimented him.
"I had an excellent partner," he corrected with a grin. "Though I should probably make myself scarce. Your fiancé doesn't look too pleased with me."
And, indeed, Reed did not look too pleased as he made his way through the crowd. After all, why should he? He was supposed to be the one dancing with Sue, not this overgrown ape.
Namor flashed him a cocky smile, dropping a final kiss on Sue's cheek before he started to back away. "Thank you again, Ms. Storm. It was lovely dancing with you."
She nodded, smiling as she turned to face Reed. What? She'd just been dancing. That's not a crime, now, is it?
"Have fun?" Reed questioned tersely, arm winding possessively around her waist as he guided her to the edge of the dance floor.
"Reed," Sue sighed, a bit laughingly. "You're not jealous of him, are you? It was just a dance."
"A very sexual dance with a tall, dark, handsome, charismatic stranger," he added.
"Who isn't half as handsome as you," Sue assured him.
"Even if I'm broke?" Reed questioned, his other arm winding around her waist.
"Especially when you're broke," Sue assured him, her arms moving to hang from his neck. "And especially because –you- gave me this ring on my finger."
He nodded, with a soft smile. "I know I got jealous. I'm sorry." It was just the way McKenzie had gone about the whole thing, gosh darn it.
"Don 't be sorry," she answered. "It's kinda sexy, this whole overprotective side."
"Oh really?" Reed grinned. "I'll have to keep that in mind."
"Do," Sue nodded. "Do."
He chuckled as he started to sway to the music. "Yes ma'am."
