Just an hour. One hour then back to work.
Phineas hated this. Hated every insipid wine sipping gilded moron in this room, they had no idea -NO idea- the sacrifices he and the Captain had made. He could avoid these high society parties if he wished. Long ago they brought him joy but now he was reminded of days gone, half a life spent in self imposed exile. The price on his head was an unfortunate byproduct. He would have left with or without it.
Do it for her. Do it for her. Do it for her. Do it for her. The words rang in his head like a mantra as his fingers worked the silk tie. He was in such a rush that he finished making himself presentable on the elevator and realized he was breathing heavily. Calm. Slow deep breaths. The door opened. Decades of life on the run made him feel like he was walking into a mantiqueen's den but nobody seemed to notice. Then the whispers.
Dr. Welles! It's Dr. Welles! Were uttered behind glasses of whiskey and wine. Of course they remembered his face from the wanted posters.
Blend in.
Snatching a glass of whiskey off a tray carried by a passing waiter, Phineas bolted it. Normally he didn't drink, it dulled the senses but right now he was desperate. Dull, no he wanted to pummel his senses into oblivion. The rising panic ebbed somewhat. Alcohol when he was six inches from a panic attack was probably not the best idea.
The music was lovely, though. An orchestra tucked away in one corner of the hall drew out dancers, brightly dressed whirling round and round. But where was…
There she is.
Outfitted in dark blue chased with gold she fit in with Byzantium's high society, but it was undeniably her. The gentleman she was dancing with wore green and every now and then one of them would speak into the other's ear. One comment sent her into gales of laughter that was barely drowned out by the music. Ditching the glass on another passing waiter's tray he made a beeline for them.
Pushing through the crowd he got closer and when he was in arm's reach he tapped the man on the shoulder.
"Excuse me, may I cut in?"
Vicar Max turned toward him brow furrowed. Then his expression brightened in recognition. "Dr. Welles! I thought you couldn't make it."
The captain's eyes lit up too. "Looking sharp, Doc! I thought you weren't going to waste your time."
He knew they were teasing but he could feel his jaw clench at the barbs all the same. Phineas held out his hand and Vicar Max placed the Captain's in it. "I wouldn't grant the privilege to anyone else." He left them to it and was almost instantly waved down by a circle of Byzantines.
She looked at him a little confused, probably thought the cutting in comment was hyperbole. But nope. The music started up again, slow but sweet and the Captain laughed in delight as they glided across the floor. "Gladys said you were a good dancer, I thought she was yanking my chain!"
"You'll find I'm full of surprises, my dear. It has been a long time but I still remember."
He led and she followed. Counting the steps of the waltz was relaxing, gave him something to focus on. Plus the Captain's astonishment was amusing.
"What made you change your mind?"
"I thought I'd see the new world we will create. Seems the same."
"Well you can't expect them to change overnight. These stuffed shirts are in for a rude awakening. " Leaning in, she whispered in mock scandal. "Most of them will have to start working for a living."
He rolled his eyes and she laughed. "You and the vicar seem to be getting on. Seemed like oil and water to me."
"Oh, Max? He's fine. I think we got off on the wrong foot- why, is he staring at us like we need to make room for the Architect?"
Pretty soon they were the center of attention. People wanted to meet Phineas, talk to him. The Captain never left his side, her arm through his. They were joined by the vicar again and she said "Well aren't I lucky, flanked by two handsome men." giggling at their bashful expressions.
The vicar was a nice looking fellow though, hilariously oblivious to the overt flirtations of some of the ladies. The Captain however was up to her neck in company, be it women asking questions or complimenting her attire to men doing the latter with their eyes everywhere but her face and begging her for a dance. A few times she obliged and came back to Phineas grimacing and shaking out feet that had undoubtedly been stepped upon.
No one tired of hearing about how Dr. Welles saved the Captain. It was almost universally agreed a serial should be made of their exploits but Phineas tried not to show that he didn't approve of them making light of the situation. Why Vicar Max was there Phineas had forgotten in his desperation to keep his composure, something about the OSI oh well he could ask the Captain again later. Max had made a hasty retreat leaving Phineas as the sole buffer between the Captain and a curious throng.
He danced with other ladies, shook hands with people but mostly he stood and listened. So much time lost. He'd been lost in time the same as the Captain, almost. If she was uncomfortable she didn't show it but she never went long without contact with him, be it from linking her arm with his or when she partnered with him for a dance.
A few others were milling about on the balcony smoking and chatting. The Captain watched the night sky alive with freighters and cruisers, mere specks on the stellar tapestry that stretched out before them.
"Do you miss it?" She asked.
Phineas followed her gaze wondering what drew her eyes skyward. "Gatherings like this, no not really. Just an endless parade of 'look at me I'm filthy rich.'"
Then she did that look. The look where her left eyebrow went down and the right one went up and her grin was lopsided. He knew that look- it prefaced a real zinger, usually. Or some insufferably painful pun. "Which is why you've been here for three whole hours."
Three hours. Somehow Phineas had lost track of time. But it was time well spent. "That long?" He tried to sound casual as possible. "I should probably be going."
"I'm about to head out myself. Getting tired. Do you wanna maybe have one last dance?"
Phineas smiled tiredly "I'm all danced out I'm afraid. But I can escort you to your ship, your domicile, wherever you're laying your head."
They headed into the night and whenever one of the ad drones zipped by the Captain recited the ad in an increasingly irritated voice. Chairman Rockwell, the slimy bastard, had put the Captain up in some fancy penthouse so the Unreliable could undergo some maintenance in the morning.
"Rockwell certainly is desperate to stay on your good side." Phineas observed.
"He's more of an idiot than pure evil. He knows what side his bread is buttered on. Plus Clarke is watching him. If he so much blinks in a way that's not to our liking I'll know."
"You're keeping him on a tight leash."
"A short, tight leash. With a shock collar."
They shared a laugh, though brief.
"I think that's the first time I ever heard you laugh."
Phineas' smile wilted a little. "Not much to laugh about nowadays."
She hummed in agreement, inserting a key card into the slot beside the door of some fancy Byzantium flat, gesturing for him to enter but he insisted ladies first. There was a brief standoff of 'no I insist' before they both made it across the threshold. Her cringe at the opulent surroundings was palpable. Gilded walls and shining marble floors in a vulgar display of wealth.
"Eugh. You'd think these people could afford taste. All this luxury really isn't my style. I came from the working class, pretty much never throw anything away. Drove the crew nuts. Well here we are. It's late, you can crash in one of the guest rooms if you want and head out in the morning."
Phineas waved both hands. "Not necessary. I appreciate the offer."
The Captain smiled at him. "I'm glad you came. I almost lost it back there if not for you and Max."
"I actually had a lot of fun. Let's never do it again."
They laughed, more out of relief than mirth. The sound echoed off the marble and when it ceased there was a comfortable lull. Then the Captain did something Phineas did not expect. She hugged him. "From register to receptions. Who knew. I think I lost part of myself after all that time and I've been looking for it. I still wonder if you're right, that I can lead the colony. I don't know if I can."
A wave of melancholy swept over him but he held her. His last hope. "I have no doubt you can. You have Minister Clarke and the ear of the Board."
Leaning back she smiled at him. "And I've got you."
"Me," Phineas said dismissively. "I'm a scientist not a politician."
"You're the best."
Patting her on the back briefly he drew away. "Well I must be going. Good night."
"Can you find your way back okay?"
"I'll be fine."
A smirk tugged at her lips."Still only trust me 23.7 percent?"
Phineas put his fists on his hips. "Reading my messages." He accused but couldn't hide the amusement in his voice.
Chuckling briefly she then did the strangest thing she'd done all night. And this was the Captain he was talking about. She pecked him on the cheek. He must have blushed for she hid a smile with her hand.
Phineas shook his head and chuckled softly. "Good night."