This is from Christian's POV. It's the day Syed comes back from his honymoon. Remember Leyton? Yeah... *rollseyes*

~c~s~

'Peep-o!'

Bugger. Having been caught out, I have no choice but to get up from my hiding place behind the bar and face the music.

'Leyton,' I say. 'What are you doing here?'

'What do you mean am I doing here? Coming to see you of course. Now give me a kiss silly,' Leyton says. He leans in over the bar and puckers his lips to underline his demand for a kiss.

'You know what, I'd rather not,' I say, looking at him coolly. Bloody hell, why doesn't he just take the fucking hint and sod off?

'Ooooh, that's not what you said last night now was it!' Leyton says with a chuckle. He turns to Chelsea while continuing: 'Snuggled up to me like a big giant cat he was, purring even. He's so big and muscly and all that, but underneath he's just adorable isn't he?'

He looks at me with big gooey eyes and I just want to slap him. I've told him it was just a one off, I've told him I don't fancy him, hell, don't even like him, but he just doesn't seem to actually hear me.

'Look,' I say, interrupting him before he can tell anyone any other little embarrassing details, 'can't you see I'm kind of busy here? I don't have time to talk right now, alright? Besides, I've said all I wanted to say. Now just… find some other bloke to harass yeah?'

The smile never wavers. Does he not hear me when I say these things?

'Never mind gorgeous. I'll just hang around here for a while, chatting to your friends until you're done for the night. Fancy going for a curry later? I just love Indian food, I do. Sweet and spicy, just like you'.

He gives me a big wink and starts chattering on to Masood about his favourite curry. I heave a huge sigh and turn to the next customer. Perhaps if I ignore him for long enough, he'll get bored and just go away… Yeah right, fat chance of that happening any time soon!

What the hell was I thinking? Seriously? I've seen Leyton around plenty of times. He's always tried to latch on to me, but like hell I was I ever going to go there. Until last night apparently… Damn those Tequila Slammers, they're fucking lethal! When will I learn? I shake my head at my own stupidity.

I've been trying to drown out his words, trying to pretend he's not even here, when I suddenly hear: '… and he can get a bit wild, he can, let me tell you! I was almost asleep when he suddenly started groping me again, and…'

'Right, that's me done for the night,' I proclaim loudly, interrupting the horrific stream of words. 'Come on Leyton, time to say goodbye!'

I mouth a quick "sorry" to Chelsea and lead him out the pub doors as quick as I can. As soon as we're outside I try to get rid of him again.

'Look I really don't appreciate you telling Chelsea that I snore,' I say, making my annoyance clear. But of course he doesn't respond to it.

'Purring I said! Like a big old cat,' he says cheerily. He links his arm with mine and prattles on: 'How about a nice bottle of wine to share over for dinner? To pay you back for letting me stay last night'.

'No!' I cry out.

But it doesn't make a blind bit of difference. He just says: 'Two ticks', pats me on the chest and runs off to get his wine.

'Look, what don't you get?' I call after him in exasperation. 'It was a one night stand!'

Ugh, I give up. Can this night get any worse?

'Syed…'

Oh no. Oh no no no no no… I know that whiny voice. And I know the man she's talking to before I look up and see them for myself.

Fuck. It's the Happy Couple. Just what I needed. I should have hidden out at the flat the minute Masood told me they'd be back sometime today. But oh no, I'd decided I'd moved on and could deal with seeing him again. With her… God I'm such a fool…

I'm one big bundle of galloping emotions. My heart is aching with happiness to see him again. After all that's happened, I still just want to run over to him and pull him into my arms, never letting go. My heart is pounding in my chest and I'm panicking.

I can hear him say something about a taxi and realise they're coming my way. I've been standing there, nailed to the floor like some fucking idiot. I have to get out of here, now. I turn on my heels and try and make a quick escape in the semi-darkness of the city night.

'Christian! We're back!' comes Amira's overly cheery voice.

Too late. Shit.

I turn back to face her and try to feign some cheerfulness.

'Yeah!' I say, answering her hug cautiously. 'I can see that'.

But all I really see is him. I look over her shoulder and watch... He looks… I don't know. Not happy. He's wearing jeans and the leather jacket I love so much. My eyes hungrily drink in every inch of him. God, it's been too long… He's still so beautiful… So beautiful, but not mine. Never mine…

He doesn't really look at me. He looks away as Amira babbles on about their honeymoon and how they didn't leave the room most of the time. This is like Chinese water torture and he can't even be bothered to bloody well look at me!. He can't get away from me quickly enough apparently. Forgotten all about me already looks like… I feel hurt and angry and want desperately to hurt him back.

'Sorry I took so long. Red or white, red or rosé, I'm hopeless'.

Fantastic. Leyton is back.

'Hello…' Amira says, eyeing him up and down speculatively.

'Hi,' Leyton says, looking at both Amira and Syed.

Hang on… That seems to have got Syed's attention. Finally, his eyes rest on me, if only for a moment. It feels strangely satisfying. I decide not to question it, but go with it instead.

'Amira,' Syed says impatiently, suddenly seeming even more anxious than before to get the hell away from me.

'Ehm… Aren't you going to introduce us?' Amira enquires.

I hesitate for only a second before saying: 'Sorry. This is… Leyton. My boyfriend'.

Those last two words I say while staring directly at Syed. Yes, I think. Now how do you feel about that one Sy?

He looks shocked and I revel in the sight. I vaguely know I'm going to regret this later, but right now, it feels bloody damn good.

~c~s~

So. Me and Leyton. Boyfriends… God, what was I thinking? Why do I keep doing these things?

Leyton is driving me insane. He's been following me around like a little puppy lost. I wish to hell that I could just tell him to bugger off already, but I can't now can I… Not after that little display I put on in front of Syed, almost a week ago now. I'll have to stick it out for a little while longer at least. So I try and avoid Leyton as much as I can, ignore him when I can't, and postpone the inevitable for just a little bit longer.

Roxy has been teasing me mercilessly all day. She knows my so-called relationship is a load of crap, but of course she has no idea why I'm playing along.

I heave a sigh of relief as I step through the Vic doors to enjoy my break and some fresh air. It's a bit nippy out, so I pull on my jacket. And then I see him.

It's the first time I've seen him since he's been back. And nothing has changed. Nothing. I still want him. I still love him. But I've made up my mind.

The last days have been horrible, and not just because of this… thing, this disaster that is my "relationship" with Leyton. It's been awful, knowing Syed was on his honeymoon. But at least I didn't have to see it. And now…

I have to let it go. Like, really let it go. Let him go. No more excuses. No more stalling. He's moved on, and it's time I did the same. So without another thought, I run after him.

'Hey,' I say.

He doesn't say hello. He mumbles something about getting menus. Whatever.

'I'm on a break,' I tell him. I brave myself to ask the next question. 'So honeymoon was good?'

I hold my breath as I wait for his answer.

'It was brilliant,' he says.

I cringe. That hurt.

'Really?' I can't stop myself asking.

'Yeah perfect,' he says. Just like that.

'I'm glad,' I lie.

'And you're with er…'

'Leyton,' I finish his sentence.

'Great'.

'Yeah'.

God this is awkward. I know he isn't as happy about all this as he pretends to be. I know it. I know him. But it still hurts me to hear him say it. I quickly look around, place my hand on his back and lead him to a somewhat quieter corner of the market.

'Look, I would really like to draw a line under this whole thing,' I tell him sincerely.

'Yeah definitely,' he says. 'That was what I wanted to say'.

I nod, not quite believing him.

'Me and Amira, we really want to make our marriage work,' he continues.

'I know,' I acknowledge. And I do. Doesn't make it hurt any less though…

'And we can, I know we can. I'm really gonna… try,' he finishes lamely.

Oh God, I actually start to feel sorry for him. He looks so desperate right now. Like he's trying to convince himself instead of me. But this is the path he's chosen, and I'll just have to let him walk away. No matter how much of a mistake I think he's making… It will never work, this marriage of his, him pretending to be something he's not… But that's something he'll have to figure out by himself. Eventually.

'I wish you all the best,' I say honestly.

'Thanks,' he says, and walks away.

I spend the rest of my break walking the streets, pondering my thoughts. Alright. So I've said what I needed to say. It's over now. We're done.

I fight back tears as I feel desperation try and get its claws into me. But I won't give in. I won't. I'll get through this. I will. It's time to move on and take control of my life.

I know just what I have to do to get on the right track again. Before the night is through, I'm finally freeing myself of Leyton, once and for all.

I sigh deeply and shove my hands in my pockets. I don't know what's around the corner for me, but I'll survive. Because that's what I do. I survive. Always.

~c~s~

Reviews still very much welcome :-)