John stepped in time with the music, one hand on the hip of the most gorgeous woman in the room. His other hand was in hers which he raised high so she could twist beneath it. The edge of her black and deep purple dress brushed against his trousers as she turned. The lighting in the ballroom was perfect, as expected from the old English mansion. Penelope would never throw an event that didn't pass muster. All his family was somewhere nearby, either dancing with guests or snatching up as many of the canapés as they could. For once, John was able to enjoy the evening, with Selene he could happily dance the night away, avoiding small talk with most of the guests. The last time he'd been forced to come he'd been told the life stories of seven different people with no interest placed on his own. Though John should have expected to have a rival for his wife's attention. So far he'd managed to steer clear of him, but as the pool of women he hadn't danced with reduced, it was only a matter of time. John let his eyes dart around the room, scouting him out.

"Who are you looking for?"

John gave Selene a guilty grin; she knew him too well. Before he could answer a hand fell on John's leg. His rival didn't even reach his hip and dressed in a slightly ruffled black suit, he seemed irresistible to women. With his sparkling blue eyes and dimples, he was a favourite at the party.

"My turn. Dance with me, Selene!"

John glanced down at his nephew. Scott, as Selene's best friend, could wrangle many favours out of her, but his son was twice as bad.

"I'm dancing with Selene right now"

Those blue eyes turned to glare at him.

"No, it's my turn."

The little hand started to push on John's leg. Did the child really think he could push his way between him and Selene? John turned to Selene, who was smirking at the situation. Thankfully, she held her ground.

"I'm dancing with John right now. I'll dance with you later."

That little lip puckered even more.

"No."

Suddenly the pressure on John's leg was gone and the child was in the air.

"I told you to leave them alone."

Scott held the mini-version of himself to his face. In matching suits no one could doubt who the child's father was.

"My turn to dance with Selene."

"And she said not now."

The boy struggled in his father's arms, obviously wanting to be put down so he could continue his attempt to barge between his aunt and uncle.

"Come on, I don't think you've danced with Mrs Langley yet and she's free."

Scott carried the child away with a hand waving toward a friendly older lady that often frequented Lady Penelope's balls. If John remembered correctly she had two sons who were both married but had no grandchildren. She would fall head over heels for the youngest Tracy.

"You'll have to let him dance with me at some point."

John gazed into his wife's eyes as they started to move around the floor again. He wouldn't have minded giving the boy a dance, if dancing with Selene wasn't the best part of being at the event.

"All I have to do is delay it long enough for him to get tired and go to bed."

John slipped his hand around her waist and stepped in closer. His heart rate increased at the contact and a sly grin crossed his face. Selene grinned as their eyes locked.

"I know exactly what you're thinking."

They pressed their lips together, a little longer than appropriate for the setting, but John was past caring. They stayed close for the next dance, energy buzzing between their bodies. Only twenty three minutes until it would be socially acceptable to leave. Penelope had offered them a guest room but they had declined, preferring to head back to London and Selene's cosy little flat. Her car was outside and John had stayed away from the champagne that floated around the room in the hands of the most experienced wait staff. All he had to do was wait.

"I need a drink."

Selene kissed John's cheek before she twisted and sauntered away. Hastening after her, John scouted the room for his nephew. He stood beside Selene as she leant on the bar, asking for her favourite cocktail.

"Oh, you must be John Tracy."

John turned slowly, plastering a smile on his face instead of groaning. The speaker was a tall beanpole of a man, with neat silver hair and a thin hand outstretched. Respecting social convention, John shook the offered hand.

"I am indeed, and you are?"

"Sir Henry Tumblewood."

"Pleasant to meet you, Sir Tumblewood. Have you met my wife, Selene, yet?"

John twisted so his back was against the bar, revealing Selene and bringing her into the conversation.

"Hello fair lady, pleasure to meet you. I am Sir Henry Tumblewood."

John caught Selene's eyes flick at him as she fought a laugh. It appeared Sir Tumblewood would have fitted in well a few hundred years ago. Selene smiled as she took the man's hand to shake it, however Sir Tumblewood twisted it and started to bow down, lips pursed. Thankfully the man's grip on Selene wasn't too strong as she whipped her hand away, shaking it slightly before her fingers wrapped around the glass again. Sir Tumblewood rose with elegance while his previously soft eyes gave Selene a stern gaze. The witch just raised an eyebrow in challenge as she sipped her drink. The aristocrat appeared only slightly disgruntled at her response, making John suspect she wasn't the first to decline his graces. Unfortunately for John, the man turned straight back to him.

"You were just the Tracy I was hoping to meet. You see, I've always had a passion for the sky; you should see my collection of vintage meteorology instruments. I have the most wonderful selection of barometers and a few very unique pyranometers, but I digress. While I have been enjoying my retirement, I need a little something to keep myself busy. I'd like to study the mesosphere, and maybe branch a little into the thermosphere, and seeing as you probably know a lot about that area, I thought you'd be the right person to ask for advice."

"I don't agree with your logic there, though studying the mesosphere and thermosphere are tricky and would require significant funds."

"Do not worry yourself about funds, my dear boy, I have more than enough. Despite coming from old money, I made some good investments in my early years which has allowed that wealth to increase significantly."

John wanted to finish the conversation and his eyes glanced at his wife and her drink, which was still half full. A dance had just started so he might be able to convince her to join the next one. John just had to find a way to politely excuse himself.

"Well, I do know of a few companies who are…"

"I don't want to invest in companies! I've done enough of that. I want to build a rocket that will take the equipment up into the mesosphere."

Sir Tumblewood's voice had sharpened and he was clearly offended at John's most reasonable suggestion. Did this man not know of the many rules and regulations there were regarding research into that part of the atmosphere? A rocket or significant vessel, as he was suggesting, would need so many permissions and inspections before being allowed to launch. Despite his frustrations, John put on his best tone to try and calm the man.

"Sir, I didn't mean to offend you, however the legislation around sending rockets and similar devices up into the mesosphere would make it extremely difficult for you…"

"I have a friend who has done it. He's already advised me on the licences I will require and even allowed me to survey his previous designs..."

John didn't like being interrupted, particularly by someone who wanted his help but didn't respect his opinion when it was given. He could already tell this conversation was going to go nowhere. John was only half listening to Sir Tumblewood's drabbles as he turned to Selene. His heart dropped as a small figure raced towards them.

"Selene!"

The cry made everyone around them turn, and even Sir Tumblewood paused, as his nephew flung himself into Selene's legs. That small face gazed up, surrounded by the fabric of her dress with sparkling hopeful eyes.

"Dance with me, Selene."

Scott appeared, having briskly followed after the boy.

"Oh my, isn't he just the most handsome little thing!"

A well dressed lady had appeared on Sir Tumblewood's arm, her pleasant weathered face betraying her age.

"Please, Selene."

John gazed down at the boy, knowing he was about to watch his wife be led onto the dancefloor, leaving him to converse with Sir Tumblewood without backup. Both Selene and Scott were about to speak when the lady beat them to it.

"Go on, dear, give the lad a dance. He's smitten with you."

"It's actually getting close to his bedtime."

Scott tried to explain, crouching down to his son's level. John's brother placed his hand on the child's shoulder, bringing himself into the child's focus.

"It's bedtime."

"Noooo!"

A small lip puckered as fists clenched the fabric of Selene's dress.

"Come on."

His nephew shook his head and pressed his little body into Selene's legs. Scott gently encouraged he's son to let go, though it wasn't having much effect. Selene's cocktail was suddenly being held before him, and John just took it. There was only one way out of the situation without causing a scene.

"One last dance with Auntie Selene, okay? Then Daddy's going to take you upstairs to bed."

A wide dimpled grin radiated up at her and a hand stretched out asking for hers. Selene accepted the small hand in hers and was slowly led away. Scott stood and took Selene's place beside John as the pair started to dance before them.

"Isn't that just the sweetest thing?"

John caught Scott shaking his head out the corner of his eye, the man's gaze firmly on his child. Selene had to bend over so she could hold her nephew's hands, and John couldn't help but smile as the pair grinned at each other. The boy bounced around, forcing Selene to turn in circles, though he started to slow down very quickly.

"Now, Mr John Tracy, we were discussing the project and the legislation around it. Like I said, my friend has informed me of the licenses I will require and I was wondering if you could offer some suggestions on the matter of design. I've seen a few of my friend's, and they are extravagant to say the least, however they did pass muster and showed some success…"

John forced himself to listen, keeping one eye on the dancing pair. It appeared the night really was catching up with his nephew. After his pace had slowed, Selene had scooped him up and danced with him in her arms. They pair swayed together happily while Sir Tumblewood babbled on at John.

"Excuse me for barging in," Scott's voice was full of authority, though John hadn't realised he was listening, "this friend of yours sounds a lot like Langstrom Fischler."

"You know Mr Fischler?"

Sir Tumblewood brightened up at the mention of the name. It appeared Scott was on the money.

"I do, in a professional manner. That man's designs are world renowned for being poorly designed and a safety risk to anyone onboard or in the vicinity. If you are unwilling to listen to my brother, and prefer Mr Fischler's guidance, then I can assure you your endeavours will be in vain."

"I beg your pardon! Mr Fischler is the son of a good friend of mine, a friend whose reputation is infallible."

"I'm sure your friend has a spotless reputation, but I am informing you that his son does not share that reputation."

Selene returned with a content young man in her arms. Their nephew's head was resting against her shoulder, the late evening obviously catching up with him.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to tend to my son."

Scott held out his arms to his child, who turned back to Selene and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Love you, Selene."

"I love you too, sweetie."

A hug later and the boy was in his father's arms, displaying his teeth with the biggest yawn John had ever seen him do. John checked his watch as he passed Selene her cocktail back. She sipped it gratefully. John slid his hand behind her so it was on the small of her back.

"Have you enough energy for one last dance before I chauffeur you back to London?"

"I do."

John kissed her, before turning back to Sir Tumblewood.

"You'll have to excuse me, Sir, my presence is required on the dancefloor. Have a pleasant rest of the evening."

Selene slid her empty glass onto the bar before looping her arm in John's. Just ahead of them Scott turned.

"See you two back at the island. Have fun."

His brother gave them a cheeky grin and a wink, which John let slide as a small hand waved goodbye.

"Bye, bye."

Scott headed over to the mirrored wall where Penelope and Gordon were standing, deep in conversation with some of the other attendees. It would be rude to leave without thanking the host, and John would be doing just the same in a few minutes. As they stepped into the dancers, the music slowed and gave time for people to change partners before the next dance began. They didn't go too far onto the floor before turning to face each other. John guided Selene in close, stealing a kiss before the dance started. They swayed slowly, eyes on each other, enjoying the moment but also eager to head back to Camden for some privacy.