by ID Johnson
"That's too bad," Eli replied. "But our Cadence never was one to take the path of least resistance. She'll figure it out, Lizzy."
"I hope so," a worried mother admitted. "Something tells me she's headed for heartache, and I don't know how to prevent it."
"You can't, honey," her father stated. "It's part of life."
"Well, I wish it didn't have to be. But that boy's trouble with a capital T."
***
"You're late," Sydney said as she whipped Kash's front door open. Seeing Aaron standing behind Cadence, she quickly added, "You're forgiven."
"I'm sorry," Cadence said as they entered the living room. "I lost track of time and there was a little bit of traffic..."
"And your lipstick is smudged," Sydney replied, watching Cadence swipe at her mouth, embarrassed. "Okay, it's not really, but that answers that question." Turning back to Aaron she said, "We're so glad you could make it!"
The rest of the gang also shouted their hellos, Kash walking over to take a drink order as Cadence and Aaron made themselves comfortable on the sofa, Sydney insisting on sitting on Aaron's other side. Though he was slightly uncomfortable, he knew she was harmless. There were two over-sized chairs, and Cadence immediately noticed that Taylor and Jon were sitting in one of them together.
"When did this happen?" she asked, a bit shocked, but also very happy.
"Oh, a few weeks ago," Taylor explained. "We were waiting for a good time to tell you, but well, it never came up."
"Congratulations," Cadence said smiling. "I always thought you two would be good together." Kash had returned with the drinks and sat down in the other chair. "So, I take it the two of you are not dating, then," she asked, gesturing at Kash and Sydney.
"Uh, no," Kash said as Sydney shook her head in confirmation. "I've been seeing a girl at school. . ."
"And I've been trying to steal your boyfriend," Sydney chimed in. "I'm kidding. . . sort of."
Cadence laughed and Aaron turned a bit red. "It's fine Syd. And we're not. . . he's not my boyfriend. Just my boss."
"That you kiss in the car on the way to your friend's house," Sydney said snidely.
"So, what are we watching?" Aaron asked, obviously very uncomfortable.
"Well, we have a choice," Taylor began, leaning forward to access several DVDs spread out on the coffee table. "Since Kash's mom hasn't sprung for a Blu-ray yet. . ."
"My mom drives a car that is old as I am. Are we surprised at this?" Kash interrupted, sarcastically.
"Sydney wants to watch a Christmas movie. I was thinking romantic comedy and Jon said horror, but I am so not in the move for that," Taylor continued, ignoring Kash's comment.
Spying Bram Stoker's Dracula on the table, which had been one of Jack's favorite movies, Cadence insisted, "No horror, please. The last thing I want to do is watch a bloody movie this close to Christmas."
"Christmas Vacation!" Sydney insisted, raising her hands in the air.
"Does that work for everyone?" Taylor asked. There were no objections, so she went to put the movie into the DVD player and flipped off the lights.
"It's not a true story," Aaron said through the IAC to Cadence, who had turned hers back on in the car on the way over.
"You've apparently never seen my dad hang Christmas lights," she replied sarcastically. Despite the poorly lit room, she could see he was doing his best to hold back a chuckle, which would have blended in just fine with the movie anyway.
Sliding his fingers through hers between them on the couch, he clarified. "Dracula. Not true."
"Oh, I guess you would know since you were alive back then," she replied, welcoming the feel of his hand in hers.
"When Dracula was born? I'm not that old. Or did you mean when the movie was made? Yes, I was alive in 1992."
"I wasn't," she reminded him.
"God, how is that possible," he muttered, a comment that would have been under his breath if it hadn't been through IAC.
"I meant at the turn of the 20th Century, when most of the book was set. You were alive then, right?" Cadence clarified.
"I was. And I knew Mr. Stocker," he added, glancing in her direction. She looked a bit shocked. "He needed some information for his book. Though, he didn't quite stay true to what we explained to him, he got most of it right."
"Wow," Cadence exclaimed. "That's amazing. Who's 'we'?"
"The group I was working with then. It was well before LIGHTS and the organization we have today," he said.
"What about Mary Shelly? Did you know her?" she asked, jokingly.
"How old do you think I am?" He glanced over at her in the dark and could see a smile on her face. "Seriously, that book was written in 1818. I'm not that old."
"Okay, okay. Just curious. You know, you look pretty good for your age, I might add," she said, still smiling.
"Thanks. I work out," he replied, sarcastically.
Cadence was tempted to rest her head on his shoulder, but even in the dark, she didn't know if it would bother him. She decided to try to watch the movie, despite the hyper-awareness that she was holding his hand. Her mind began to wander, and she was having a really hard time even token laughing at the humorous parts of the movie.
About three-quarters of the way through the movie, Aaron's demeanor changed. She knew he was fielding messages constantly, as always, but this seemed a bit different. She looked at him questioningly and then waited a few seconds for a response.
"Laura is awake and she's asking for me," he explained. "I really hate to make you leave in the middle of your movie."
"It's okay. Just go, and I'll find a ride home," Cadence replied, disappointed that he had to go but completely understanding.
"Are you sure?" he asked, the guilt of having to run out the door evident in his tone, even through the IAC.
"Of course, I'm sure," she assured him. "I'm honestly surprised you've been able to maintain 'normal' for this long."
"I'm really sorry," he said, glancing in her direction. She patted his hand gently with her free hand. "Elliott's going to call me so it looks legitimate."
A few seconds later, his phone rang and he excused himself to take the call, leaving her literally empty-handed. Sydney watched him walk out of the room and then looked at Cadence, who shrugged, as if to say she wasn't surprised that work was calling.
Aaron hung up with Elliott and came back in the room, stooping next to Cadence by the side of the couch, "I'll send someone back to get you, okay?"
"That's fine. Let me know how it's going, all right?" she asked.
"Are you leaving?" Sydney asked, surprise and disappointment in her voice,
"Yes, I'm sorry. Something's come up with a client, and I've got to go," Aaron explained, walking behind the couch and towards the exit.
The rest of the groups said a quick good-bye and Kash walked him out. The second they heard the Lamborghini pull away, Taylor paused the movie and flipped on the table lamp next to her. "Okay, Cadence, spill. What's going on?" she demanded, an expression of curiosity, concern, and delight taking over her pretty face.
Cadence looked around the room at the expectant expressions of her friends. "There's really nothing to tell," she began, realizing fairly quickly that they were not going to buy that excuse.
"Oh, come on, Cadence. Earlier today you were basically saying he was cheating on you with an ex-girlfriend and/or he was gay. Then, he shows up with you here, everything is hunky-dory, and now he's running out the door again. Who is this guy?" Jon was usually the sarcastic member of the group, but he had suddenly taken on a big-brother-like quality that Cadence found both curious and a bit insulting.
Cadence took a deep breath and tried to collect her thoughts. Finally, she said, "Listen guys, I wish I could answer your questions but I can't. We are not dating. We've discussed it and decided it's not a good idea because he is my boss. Do I like him? Of course, I do. Do I think he likes me? Not sure, maybe. I will admit that we have kissed a few times, but that's it. I'm not sleeping with him;
we are not a couple. That's it. Now, will you all please just drop it?"
"And what about Dr. Sanderson?" Taylor asked. "What's going on there?'
"Elliott?" Cadence asked, making sure she was on the same page. "Nothing. We are just friends. For sure."
"Wait a minute!" Sydney declared, jumping up of the couch a bit as she spoke. "It's like this Hallmark movie I saw today! This Christmas one! This girl's boyfriend always passes everything off on his assistant and then she ends up dumping that guy for the assistant guy. That's what's going to happen with you and Elliott!" she exclaimed, pointing at Cadence.
Before Cadence could respond, Taylor chimed in. "I've seen that one! Oh, yeah, what if that happens? See, Cadence, you are going to end up with Elliott!"
"Oh, my God, people! Can we please just get back to the Grizwolds? I need to know if anyone catches the squirrel!"
"You've seen this a million times. You know that Elaine Benes catches the squirrel," Jon chimed in.
"Fine, fine," Sydney agreed. "But if Aaron sends Elliott to get you, I'm placing a $100 bet on you becoming Mrs. Dr. Elliott Sanderson!"
"Place it," Cadence dared her. "That's not happening."
"Okay, mark my word," Sydney said, pointing around the room at all of her witnesses.
"Can we get back to the movie now?" Kash, who had been quiet the entire time, finally asked.
Taylor turned the movie back on and the light off, and the group got back to their movie, though Cadence was having a very hard time shaking off their comments. It didn't help when she got a message on her IAC from Elliott wondering what time the movie might be over. "Are you coming to get me?" she asked, praying he was just curious.
"That okay?" he shot back to her.
"Of course," she replied. "My friends already told me they knew you were. It should be over in about fifteen minutes."
"All righty then, on my way. Unless you'd rather I sent Christian," he responded.
"See you in a few," she replied.
The knock on the door a few minutes later came to no surprise to Cadence, and Kash went to answer it while the credits rolled and Jon and Taylor discussed the role of the best boy grip.
"Look who it is," Kash announced, leading Elliott into the living room. "Our old friend, Dr. Sanderson."
"Hello, everyone," Elliott said, an air of caution in his voice. "How was the movie?"
"Hilarious," Jon offered, getting up to shake his hand.
"Ah, yes, Christmas Vacation. Love that movie," Elliott replied, recognizing the song. "You ready to go, Ms. Cadence?"
"I am," she replied, standing and sliding into her coat. "Sorry I can't stay and chat, guys. I'm just really tired."
"When are you leaving to go back to KC?" Sydney asked, bouncing off of the couch and stepping towards her friend.
Cadence glanced at Elliott, whose expression told her it would be soon. "I think tomorrow," Cadence replied, hearing a groan in response. "But I should be back at the end of next week for Christmas." She wasn't sure whether she was coming back for Christmas or not at this point, but she didn't think it would hurt to say so.
"Well, be careful," Sydney advised, giving her a hug.
Cadence said good-bye to the rest of her friends and then followed Elliott out to the Enclave. "Wouldn't let you drive the fancy care this time, huh?" she asked.
"Oh, that things a bit of a tight squeeze for me," he explained. "You wanna run over and see everyone or do you want me to take you home?"
Cadence considered the options for a moment before finally saying, "I'd like to see everyone," so Elliott aimed the car in the appropriate direction. The hotel wasn't that far away, and they spent the short trip discussing how the movie had gone and Laura's progress. Pulling the car into a parking spot, Elliott ran around and opened the door for her, making her laugh and roll her eyes. No wonder everyone thought they were a couple.
The team had rented three hotel rooms, though they had spent most of the evening in the room where Laura was recovering. When Cadence arrived, she went into the adjoining room where most of the team had assembled since Laura had asked to speak to Aaron in private. Jamie was in the third room sleeping and recovering from the physical drain it took to heal Laura. Eliza, Laney, and Hannah were sitting on the bed, deep in conversation, and Christian was sitting on the couch watching an episode of COPS.
"Hey, guys," Cadence said quietly, not wanting to interrupt. Hannah stood and walked over to hug her. Laney smiled at her, as if to say, I recognize you, but I don't know you, and Eliza barely glanced in her direction, an indication to Cadence that she was pissed off about something.
Christian also stood and gave her a quick hug before returning to the couch, deciding to let the ladies talk. Elliott sat down at the other end of the couch and Christian caught him up as to what this particular shirtless drunk guy had done wrong.
"How are you doing?" Hannah asked Cadence, a sympathetic, yet clinical expression on her face.
"I'm okay," Cadence admitted. "It's definitely been a crazy day. But I'd rather have a Resurrected Jack than no Jack at all, I guess."
"Possibly," Hannah said thoughtfully. "It all depends on whether or not he decides to come in and get trained. "
"Oh, absolutely," Cadence agreed. "He will, though. I know he will. Jack is. . . he's not the sort to disobey rules. No, Jack will come in."
"Don't be so sure about that," Laney said dryly from her position at the foot of the bed.
Cadence walked over to where she was sitting. "What do you mean?" she asked, trying to keep any defensiveness out of her voice but not doing a particularly good job of it.
"I've seen Giovani ruin a lot of lives over the years," she explained. "I know Jack was an upstanding citizen, a great guy. But Giovani makes it a priority to corrupt everyone he works with--and corrupt them absolutely."
Cadence glanced back at Hannah, whose expression echoed Laney's concern. "I just can't see that happening with Jack," Cadence repeated.
"I hope not," Laney agreed. "I'm just saying, we need to hope for the best and prepare for the worst."
Considering that for a second, Cadence quickly pushed it out of her head. She couldn't even give vocalization to the worst, couldn't even think it. "I think we can bring Jack in and destroy Giovani at the same time," Cadence explained. "And I definitely want your help, and Laura's, in doing so. Do you think there's any chance she'll consent to working with us?"
"I don't know," Laney admitted. "But the fact that the first person she asked for, after being out for over five hours, was Aaron, makes me hopeful."
***
The conversation with Laura had been long, exhausting, and ultimately ended in a rather intense disagreement, which was no surprise to Aaron going in. Why would 15 years of silence change the fact that the two of them were unable to talk about much of anything without getting into an argument?
She had started off with sweet sentiment, thanking him for helping her escape the situation with Giovani and allowing Jamie to heal her. He had said it was no big deal, of course. He was just glad that she was okay. They had spent a few minutes exchanging pleasantries, discussing other team members, mutual friends, etc., before the conversation inevitably turned to the new plan for taking Jack in and destroying Giovani.
"Laney and I are fully capable of getting Giovani on our own, without your help, or the help of the rest of the LIGHTS team," Laura had insisted, her voice firm, despite the exhaustion she was feeling.
"If that were the case," Aaron replied as politely as he could, "you would have destroyed him a long time ago, and he wouldn't be involved with Jack now. There's no question at this point that LIGHTS is involved, and will stay involved, until Jack is brought in, and in the process, Giovani will meet his demise."
Laura had sighed, trying to hold back the years of frustration that were surfacing. "You have no idea what we've been up against all of these years. Don't presume that we haven't gotten rid of Giovani because we are not capable of doing so."
&nbs
p; "Laura, look, you're not feeling well, and I don't want to argue with you. Not right now, anyway," Aaron said, dismissively. "Let's wait until you are back on your feet, and then we'll talk about it in a day or two."
"We aren't going to be sticking around that long," Laura replied tartly.
"What do you mean?" Aaron asked. "You can't expect to go off on your own again, not right now. After an injury like that, you may need another session or two with Jamie.
"Will, that won't be happening. I'm fine," Laura said nonchalantly, as if she got shot every day of the week.
"Seriously, Laura?" Aaron asked, no longer able to completely fight back his frustration. "The two of you need to stick around for a while so we can figure this out. You're not the only one who is vested in this situation right now, you know?"
"Oh, you mean your new girlfriend?" Laura asked, rolling her eyes.
"She's not my girlfriend," Aaron said, sharply. "And, yes. Those of us who knew Jack before the conversion are all concerned about him. We all want to see him brought in and trained properly."
"Oh, please," Laura responded, the disgust obvious in her voice. "Everybody knows that, if it had been anyone else's ex, you would have destroyed both of those Vampires the second you had the opportunity to do so. We all know Jack has already killed at least two innocent people. Since when do you give second, second chances?"
"We're not going to discuss the nature of my relationship with Cadence right now," Aaron replied in his authoritative tone. "We are going to discuss the fact that you do not have permission to hunt Jack Cook in any way, shape, or form, without my consent. And that includes hunting down the Vampire he is currently affiliated with." He was up out of his chair and pacing at the foot of her bed now, pausing to look at her after each statement, making sure she understood the importance of what he was saying.
"That's bullshit!" Laura interrupted. "You can't order me not to track down Giovani!"
"Yes, I can because I'm the Guardian Leader. It's part of my job to decide what other Guardians, such as yourself, can and cannot do. If you don't like it, then I suggest you call for a vote of no confidence. Oh, but that's right, you've already done that, several times, and had absolutely no luck replacing me, right, Laura?"