New Years Resolution (Layla)

[Cadan Ashdown]

Persephone City, Persephone; December 31st 2522


Cadan had been making plans for there New years eve for a while now Since their Christmas trip he had decided it was his turn to surprise her. He wanted to make it memorable so he had done some research to figure out the perfect spot to see the fireworks from. They always put on quite the show here on Persephone. One of the best shows in the verse in his opinion.

He had found just the right building to watch from the rooftop it would put them at the right height, close enough to see them but just far enough away that the bust of the fireworks wouldn't be over the top. The problem was the build was a 29 floor secure building. To high to climb the fire escapes so he had to get entry in to the place. The day before he had set up an appointment to meet with a financial consultant, to gain access. After he had gotten in to the building he went straight to the roof to set things up. After leaving he contacted the person and told him he was sorry he missed the appointment and set one up a new appointment for just before they closed.

Everything was ready for them. He had laid a blanket out on the roof and again brought stuff for them to have a bit of a picnic like on their first date or whatever you would call that first night. Now he was waiting in front of the building for Layla to show up so he could surprise her with everything. He was pacing back and forth as he waited for her he was there nearly an hour earlier then he had told her to show up.

He was a little nervous about seeing her this time the last few days had been rough on him with all that had happened with the Duke. He had tried to get out of the job he was doing for him. He didn't like the idea of what the Duke was doing to her brothers crew. It didn't turn out the way he wanted it to though the Duke had threatened Layla, after he had apparently been keeping tabs on Cadan this whole time.

If the process of all that the Duke had reviled somethings about Layla that Cadan could hardly believe, like that Layla was a doxy back on Paquin, and if he didn't do what the Duke wanted he would send word of where she was to the people looking to find her again. At first Cadan was infuriated by it all. How could she not have told him about this, being a Doxy.

After cooling off a bit Cadan though over the information and did a bit of research about it himself. He had his own contacts with their ways of finding information. He found out that her past wasn't something of choice. Still he wished she had told him about it and he wanted to confront her on it, he just wasnt sure how to do that.

He was in love with Layla and that kind of question could send her running. She never mentioned it and Cadan figured it was because it was something she didn't want to talk about. For now it would be best it all to himself. This wuld be the first time he saw her since learning the information though and he just wanted to forget what he had learned and pretend everything was how it was before. Just do the job and spend time with her. He could deal with how to approch things with her and with the Duke later.

[Layla Disanto]

Christmas had been wonderful, perfect even. Layla couldn't have imagined it going as good as it had. The last couple days had been busy, she had spent most of the time with James. There hadn't been any time for her to see Cadan, he seemed to have been busy as well. Tonight was the eve of the new year though and they were going to spend it together. She had no idea what they were going to do though, Cadan had just asked her to meet him somewhere.

Layla was excited, he'd given her no clues about how their evening would go. The building he asked her to meet him had held no real significance as far as she could tell. She hadn't eaten in case there was food involved and if there wasn't she would just have to deal with it, but normally they ate together so there wasn't too much for her to worry about.

As she came closer to the building she saw her Romeo, a wide smile crossed her lips. She'd missed him the last couple days, very much. Something felt off though, Cadan seemed to be upset maybe? Nervous? Definitely not what she had expected. Layla didn't let her smile falter though as she approached him. "Hey handsome..are you alright?" There was some worry in her voice, she couldn't imagine what could be wrong. She had no idea that he had found out about her past, that he'd been angry about it. Perhaps she should have told him, but there was a deep shame in her about those four years of her life. James was the only one close to her that knew, and that was only because he'd found her and saved her. Otherwise she would still be stuck there, in that hell.

-----------------
Outfit

[Cadan Ashdown]

Finally she had arrived, with her friendly and comforting smile that she had since the day they had met. It seemed there was never a time she didn't have that smile on her face, but as she talked he could hear the concern in her voice. Was something wrong, yes there was something wrong, but at the same time nothing was wrong. He wanted to talk, to yell about it all but at the same time he just wanted to make it all better too.

Everything was upside down in Cadans world, everything was so perfect yet so wrong all at once, but he had to push past it all. "'ey love, nah nuffin's wrong just been a busy few days and I 'ave missed ya." He said as he walked over to her and took both her hands in to his and gave her a kiss before wrapping his arms around her. His mind raced as he thought about her passed. There was a psrt of him that wanted to find those responcable for what happened to her. He wanted to make them pay for it all. His rage had fallen to them completely the second he saw her again. He didn;t have it in him to see any fault in her, no she was still perfect to him and there wasn't anything that would change that, at least that is the way he wanted it to be.

"Shall we go get our seats for the sha?" He asked as he held out his arm for her to take before walking her in to the building. He quickly showed his ID to the security officer at the front desk. After the man waved them in he went to the elevator and pushed the botton, with in seconds they were on board and on their way to the top floor. From there it would be a simple climb to the roof access and they wuld be there. "Ever seen the fireworks 'ere on Persephone. I 'ear they're the best in the verse." He asked as they made there way up.

When they got to the door to go out on the roof he gave her another kiss then blind folded her, like she had done to him. The walked her out on to the roof and to the blanket. Before letting her sit he light a few candles. "Just a lil' bit longer love." As soon as everyone was perfect he removed the blind fold.

Everything was set up just a few feet from the edge of the building on the back side. Looking down over the edge you could see a vast park, on of the few in the city, and the loction of where the fireworks were set to go off from. They would be only a few hundred yards from them and they should only be just higher then the building they were on when they went off. "Welcome ter the roof top cafe love, i'll be your host for the night." He sad to her jokingly waiting to see how she reacted to it all.

This was what they needed a good relaxing and enjoyable evening together, no matter what happened before he still loved Layla and that was what he wanted to focus on. He had to focus on it, everyone has there pass, good or bad, after all. Even he had his bad moments in his past. Things that she should have been told about too. He had plenty to be ashamed of himself. He was raised by criminals, got in trouble many times as a kid. Even when he tried to change his path and join the Alliance Navy he went about it the wrong way and landed himself in Prison for 2 years. Now he works for the Duke doing all the wrong things. Yeah that would all go over well with her.

[Layla Disanto]

He said nothing was wrong, but Layla still had the feeling there was something. She pushed it aside for now though and returned his embrace. "I've missed you too." She whispered into his ear while he held her, refusing to let go of him for an extra moment.

Confusion crossed her face as she took his arm, "What show?" They walked into the building and through a lobby, she nodded at the security man at the desk as they passed. Into the elevator, Layla was still a little confused, the surprise hadn't been revealed yet other than some sort of show. However at the mention of fireworks her smile perked up, "Can't say that I have! I don't remember the last time I saw any at all really." There was some clarity on the evening, the excitement returned.

Layla held onto Cadan tightly as he led her around, now she knew how he must have felt when she did this to him. She smiled when he reassured her nervousness. As the blindfold came off her eyes widened at the view. It was magnificent! Absolutely fabulous, she couldn't contain the excitement. She let out a gasp mixed with a squeal of happiness as she wrapped herself in Cadan. "It's beautiful, it's perfect! I love it! I love you! You're so amazing, thank you!" In the excitement which was clear in her voice but the words came out so quickly it didn't even seem like she had taken a breath.

She pulled him to the blanket and had him sit down so that she could sit in front of him and continue to cling to him. Layla was happiest when she was in his arms, like nothing could ruin what they had together.

[Cadan Ashdown]

Layla's reaction was wonderful, he seemed to have done good. When she pulled him to the blanket he gladly sat down with her and wrapped his arms around her. I love you too. I'm glad ya loike it, wasn't sure wot ya would fin'k." Al his worries began to fade away as he sat there with her waiting for the fireworks.

It was silent for a moment as they waited and it was still a little bit longer till the fireworks would begin. The sun had just crested the horizon when they were on their way up to the top of the building and as the last few rays of light began to fade they could see the people in the park below rushing around getting things set up as onlooks below got their lower real estate staked out for the show.

As it drew closer the late december weather began to cool to a chill. Cadan grabbed the extra blanket he had brought up and pulled her back against his chest then wrapped the blanket around the two of them. He had done his best to think everything out. "'ope your warm enough love." just after he spoke they culd hear the first boom of the firework and the tail of it rasing in the air till it burst in to spectacular color.

As he watched he realized how incredibly happy he was, even faced with everything he had learned. Now all he had to do was figure out what he would do from here. He couldn't stay here on Persephone any longer. She would be leaving soon too. It was only 2 weeks till the Trinity arrived and then James would be leaving with the crew, and with that Layla would be heading home. The problem was home wasn;t safe for her anymore, not with the Duke breathing down his neck. If he ever decided to change his mind about working for him she would be in danger.

He had to leave here and take her with him. He had mentioned before the idea of them going with the Trinity. If they did that he could cut ties with the Duke after this job. He would have to finish this job or the Duke would spare no expense tacking them down, but maybe with this one complete he would cut his loses. He had bigger things to attend to if this job went the way he planned.

"Trinity's garn ter be 'ere in a few weeks and James will be gone. wot do ya fin' 'appens ter us then layla?" There was some definate concern in his voice, not to much but it was noticeable. He didn't like the idea of not seeing her anymore or the idea of him being stuck working for the duke. A month ago though he didn't care. He was fine working for the Duke with no regrets about what he was doing. He had changed alot recently and he had her to thank for that. The real question was could he make up for a lifetime of bd choices and mistakes.

[Layla Disanto]

Layla smiled warmly when Cadan wrapped a blanket around them both, "As long as I'm right here with you I am." The first fireworks began to go off, it startled her just a bit, jumping minorly. She watched the colors and designs, smiling happily. It might all end soon though, all this happiness. The idea of her moving to Persephone had been a long shot, she knew that from the beginning. Too much illegal activity going on here, raised the chances of her being recognized. While Bernadette had it's own criminal underworld, it wasn't as large spread as on Persephone.

As if Cadan was reading her mind he asked the question that related to her own thoughts. She could hear the tone in his voice, only just. Layla leaned her cheek against his, no longer smiling, she was concerned too. "I..I don't know..would you want to live on Bernadette? I mean, I know Persephone is your home an' all..but you could make a home there too you think?" She hated asking him to move, to up-root everything he had here. He'd expressed his love for the planet several times and here she was asking him to give it all up for her. She felt horrible about that, but at the same time she couldn't bear the thought of losing him.

If anything perhaps in a few years she wouldn't have to look over her shoulder and worry about someone finding her..maybe then she could move to Persephone and be with Cadan. Would he wait that long though? She wasn't the only girl in the world after-all.

[Cadan Ashdown]

Layla's responce throw him in to a tail spine of thoughts. He could care less about staying on Persephone, infact he would love to be rid of the place. There were many things he loved about it here but there was far more would bidding fairwell to. Most importantly to him though was making sure they didn't part ways.

Sure he could go with her to Bernadette but that would only last for a while eventually the Duke would track him down and at her place there it wouldn't take long. Cadan was sure by now the Duke had people brake in to her place and learn more about her. He was going to try and use her as a tool to get to him anyway so it only made sence.

If he stayed here and did as the Duke wanted then he would be stuck with whatever he decided to do with him. Sure he would have a chance from time to time that he could go to Bernadette but that would only be a few weeks at a time and only when he wasn't tied up with something else.

Then again they could just run for the rim and try to hide out there. They do that though and not only would the Duke be looking to kill Cadan so would James. Between the two of them they really wouldn't have much of a chance either, and where would they go anyway. Not to mention Layla seemed set on returning to Bernadette to please her brother, and without good cause she wasn't gonig to change her mind it seemed.

How to explain it all to her anyway. How was he to let her know that He was helping to set her brother and his ship up. Explain to her that he knows her past or what he really does for the Duke. Cadan was stuck with on way out of the mess without confessing something though. No he had to choice between telling her something to keep them together or tell he some of the secrets and risk losing her.

"I would love ter move ter bernadette wif ya but...." He paused to think it over a bit before going on. "Layla if I tell ya sumtin' I need ya ter accept it as sumtin' of me past. not 'oo I am na." Oh yeah thats the way to put it. whats she going to think of that "Oh great a stalker or a murderer or something of the like'

He paused again wondering how he was going to recover from this as the fireworks continued to burst. The smile dropped from his face and it was time for him to face his demons. "If I leef i'l'." He paused again. "The bleedin' Duke, 'e.. if I stopped workin' for 'im it would be sumtin' that could cause me, us anyone I kna heart ache" He pressed his head face down on her shoulder. He couldnn't look her in the eyes.

His heart was racing again but this time it wasn't a good thing. "Workin' for 'im ain't really a choice." He knew what he was saying would only raise more questions Questions he might not be able to or want to answer. Questions that if answered could lead to this being the last time he saw her but he had to explain it to her or their time together was sure to end. At least this way there might be a chance. "I'm done workin' for 'im but I just 'ave ter find aahhht 'a ter do it. 'a ter tell 'im ."

[Layla Disanto]

There was a slight worry that crossed her face as she waited for Cadan to respond to her words. Was he trying to think of a way to turn her down in a nice way? Maybe he was pondering the thought of actually going with her. Part of her hoped that was the case. When he first began to speak the happiness in her rose, until he spoke the word 'but.' Then he hesitated, if he could see her face it was full of worry. She was suddenly thankful he couldn't.

While the words that followed didn't calm her fears she totally understood where he was coming from. She had a past too, an unpleasant one. He was being brave and telling her though, something she wasn't brave enough to do for him. Regret and shame washed over the worry in her emotions. "We all have something in our past we'd rather forget and not be judged by love..." Her voice was soft, a whisper and the shame and sadness could be heard in every syllable.

Layla hugged his arms tighter against her, hopefully a reassurance or comfort to him. If he only knew, she was certainly in no place to judge anyone on their past deeds. She listened silently while he attempted to explain, though it didn't make very much sense to her. When he leaned his head on her shoulder she leaned hers into his in return. "It's not my place to pass judgment on you Cadan I can assure you of that. How is the Duke forcing you to work for him? Surely we can find a way out of it yeah?" She tried to sound positive, but really she had no idea the circumstances. Layla knew all about not having a choice, but her brother had rescued her despite the odds. Perhaps it was her turn to do the same for Cadan, her penance for her own misdeeds?

[Cadan Ashdown]

Cadan felt a little more at easy with Layla's reassurances though she had no clue what she was accepting. Cadan's passed was troubled to say the least. "I guess I should just start from the beginin'." He had already started down the path to explaining things he might as well let her understand it all a bit better.

Maybe just maby if she understood how it all started then she would understand where he is today. Why he allowed himself to end up like this. "I started workin' for 'im wen I was 15. Everyone else in me family did." He continued with his head still on her shoulder. "I got in alot of trouble back then. Eventually I joined the bleedin' alliance nay ter get aahhht of there."

This was one of the more embarrising parts of his life, and something that would turn most people away from him he thought. "Well I lied on me paperwork and they caught it, so I spent two of years in jail for it." He pushed his head further in to her shoulder and squeezed his arms tighter around her. Maybe to comfort himself but then again maybe to keep her from running he wasn't to sure.

He let out a big sigh, This was something he tried not to talk about really. His family knew about it all and of course the Duke but outside of that it was something he kept to himself. "'e also got me dad put in prison for treason. Not that we were close but 'e's there for life 'cause of me. 'e didn't do it but that doesn't matter I guess. " Yeah had he not left he would still be out and free.

"That's when I came back ta work for him. na if I leef again I am worried 'e would come for ya. 'e would find a way ter 'urt me through ya." So not only had he hurt his family he has not put Layla in a position to be hurt too. SHe was bound to leave and mever look back now. It was great while it lasted he though to himself, but like all good things there was A time for it all to end.

[Layla Disanto]

Layla kissed his head as Cadan said he would start from the beginning. That would help her understand exactly what was going on. She listened quietly as he spoke, taking it all in. There were surprises in his story, the Alliance had jailed him for in-accurate paperwork? That was one of the most ridiculous things she'd ever heard of.

The Duke might come after her? Well as far as either of them new she was Layla Clark, just a missing girl that her family still believed was missing. Not much to threaten her with, tell her family she's not missing? If her and Cadan couldn't be found the man couldn't really do any physical harm to her. So she would be safe on that front. Surely he couldn't find out about her time on Paquin right?

Something inside her went cold. The Duke was obviously a criminal, what if he did have ties to the slaver groups in the 'verse? Maybe he could find out the truth about Layla. Then Cadan wouldn't want her anymore, if he found out she was just a whore who had run away from those who said they owned her. That had her more afraid of anything else that the Duke could threaten her with. "Well..he can't hurt either of us if he can't find us? We could just disappear?" Despite his fears she wasn't going anywhere unless he wanted her to.

[Cadan Ashdown]

Cadan finally raised his head from her shoulder at her comment. Though he his nerves felt like they were going to fry at the topic of discussion he put on a smile. He had reason to be happy after all. She had not run away after all. For a moment he just looked up at the fireworks with her last comment.

That was exactly what they needed to do just run away and never look back. "If we run away I daan't kna if we would ever be able ter come back. 'e will put everythin' in ter findin' us, findin' our weaknesses. 'e will kna us better then we kna ourselves." He decided not to come out right and say he knew her past instead opting for her knowing the DUke would find out, of course he already had.

Cadan kissed her on the neck then smiled at her. "I konw I said it before but lets do it. we'll run away together. Just kna that nah matter wot 'appens. or 'as ever 'appened I will be at your side." He wanted her to know that he would be there and that someday she would be able to tell him. Now it was time to figure out how they would move forward from here. How they would make sure they found a way out.

Even with deciding to leave thoug he couldn't disclose the whole of the job. He had to finish it in hopes that the Duke would forget about him and let him walk away this time. Maybe if the job got done and he got what he wanted out of it then he may forget about them. They were but two unimportant people in the grand scheme of the DUkes world.

[Layla Disanto]

Layla smiled at him, the man she loved. She didn't say anything though, just sat there for a moment to think. There was the sudden ping in her telling her that she should explain her own history with Cadan. He deserved to know, he'd entrusted her with his story, surely she could do the same. Right? Her smile faded, the look of sadness fell into her eyes. He had probably expected her to end things right then and there after hearing the situation he was in.

She sunk down a little so that he couldn't see her face anymore, if she was going to say these things out-loud she couldn't look at him. A deep sigh left her before the whisper of her voice came, "There's stuff you should probably know about me too Cadan...Just give me a minute before you go saying anything okay?" Already there were tears building up in her eyes, she continued as the first drop fell down her cheek. "I haven't been Layla Clark since I was sixteen..that girl went missing, and as far as anyone who isn't James is concerned..well she'll always be lost."

Layla took another deep sigh, 'just do it Lay, just get it all out and let it be done,' an attempt at a pep talk of sorts. More tears and even more fears. "I went to Sihnon to study at one of the Buddhist temples - after a few weeks something happened..I uh..I was taken off planet by some men. An' well...turns out they were in the business of slavery. To make a long horrible story short, they sold me off to someone on Paquin...to a doxy house..." She couldn't finish that part, it was hard enough for Layla to get that far; she was a mess of emotions. She pushed herself forward, from being held by Cadan, she hugged her knees. One of her hands went to her ankle where her lifelong reminder was, Cadan had never seen it, she'd been extra careful about it. "James found me by some chance an' uh he got me out of there...I'm sure they ain't going to give up that easily though.....but yeah, since we're having a share time..."

[Cadan Ashdown]

Cadan remained completely silent as she had asked him to when she began to talk. He was surprised that she was coming forward with the details of her past. THough he couldn't see her face he could see the tears fall from her chin as she spoke. Cadan could tell this was a painful topic for her and understandable so.

He wanted to keep holding her, shielding her from the pain but she pulled herself away and thee wasn't anything he could do to shield her from the past. All he could do now was be there for her and offer himself to her. He had been angry with her when he found out the news, now he was ashamed of himself for that. He had already come to the realization of that, that she was the victim not the cause. It seemed though deep down in her she had yet to realize that face.

As she finished up her story he could feel the anger rising to the surface again but it wasn't with her it was with wh had done this to her. Hetook a deep breath trying to calm himself, his anger wouldn't help her right now she needed acceptance on vengance.

Cadan leaned forward so he was just behind her again, but making sure not to touch her yet. It wasn't that he didn't want to touch her but he wanted to offer her the space and she could close the rest of the gap when she was ready. He slide his left hand up beside hers resting it openly on the ground, inviting her to place her hand on his. "I will still be 'ere at your side Layla. I love you. We'll find a place they can't find." His voice was sencere. Every word was spoken with pure truth. He love her to much to let her go, to let anything happen to her.

[Layla Disanto]

Layla was having a hard time keeping herself together now, even with what little she'd really said it was rough. Hopefully Cadan could put together the rest of the pieces because she couldn't do it for him. She'd been lucky to have made it through what she did.

Her breathing was short and rough, the tears continued to fall. She knew Cadan had moved to close some of the distance she'd taken, but he hadn't made the move to touch her again. Layla was a little glad for that fact, she felt dirty. Part of her wanted to run away and hide in her home, just cry the rest of the night away. That wouldn't solve nor help anything though. Not that much would do either of those things, but being with Cadan was much better than being alone.

His hand was there next to her, but she hesitated. Just sat and stared for a few moments. Layla had heard his words, he meant them. It made her happy, despite her being upset as well. All a mix of emotions in her, turmoil. She couldn't say anything, but she moved her hand to interlock with Cadan's.

[Cadan Ashdown]

Cadan could tell she was having a hard time with it all, keeping it together and everything. He could understand facing ones past can prove to be the hardest challange of ones future, and she had alot of personal trama to face. Cadan wanted nothing more then to find a way to make everything better for her but for that to happen it wouldn't be him who could fix it. It would take time on her part to confront her demons. All he could do was be there to offer a shoulder for her to cry on when she needed it, to offer support when she wanted it.

Cadan looked out over the now dark sky where the fireworks were going off. "We 'ave our whole lives ahead of us. we'll 'ave plenty of time ter face our pasts anovver day." He began to say finally braking the silence. "Tonight though, 'old your 'ead up, enjoy the sha and accept the fact that your still me Juliet." He wanted so badly to find the right word. some miracle phares that would make her happy, make everything better.

Cadan let out a deep sigh. He hadn't wanted to make her feel so sad. He wanted her to know the truth about him so that he could save it from being something she found out on her own. He had already found out her secret but to come forward and tell her that might make her feel even worse. He looked up as the fireworks kept going. In another hour or so now it would be midnight and time to commit to a new year. After a few mintues Cadan spoke up again trying to find a lighter subject for her. Something that might help calm her donw. "So what's your resolution?"