A/N: HEY! Congratulations! You stuck with it through another story arc. Thank you for reading.
A small comment on the last chapter.
There was a lot to that little 'talk' Ruth had with her former friend after the second attempt to execute poor Melanie. And I did actually make a chapter out of it. But the general gist of it was that Ruth was very much pressured into going along with what First Class wanted. And there's a lot to be said for 'peer pressure'. Or as close to 'peer' as Ruth gets with these people. She is not one of them, though she likes to think she is. She is as much a servant to them as they see everyone else on the train. But she wants to 'fit in'. Be one of them. And in order to do that, you don't rock the boat, as it were.
Did she want the execution? No. She had listened to Layton much earlier in this story and realized the train does still need Melanie. And without her they could all be in a lot of trouble one day.
Did she try to stop it? Yes, actually, she did.
Did she try reaaallllllllllly hard? Welll..., that's kind of why they had a little talk about it.
Chapter 21 - A NEW APPOINTMENT PART VI
Layton felt like he was just short of dragging Melanie to the council meeting that night.
"This is a waste of time." She stated as they walked through the hallways to the council chamber.
"That's not what you said last night." He commented, keeping his gaze fixed in front of him.
He knew how she got when she was nervous. She back pedaled like crazy, trying to get out of the position she was in and back to something more comfortable. The trick was to not feed into it or let her run. It was the one point in dealing with Melanie where he and Audrey were diametrically opposed. Audrey advised to give her space. If she needed to escape, let her. Layton was more inclined to make her face her fears than just keep running away from them.
"Well, I've had time to think about it, haven't I? And I think it's pointless, Layton. They're NOT going to support this."
"They supported you before. They chose not to let First Class execute you."
"That was stopping an atrocity from being committed and they knew it." She replied. "This is just a vote. No one dies if they turn their backs on it."
Layton finally turned to her as they walked on. "Why are you suddenly so opposed to this? I thought we were in agreement on this. What changed?"
"I told you. I had some time to think about it last night. I just think...," she paused for a moment. "I think you should choose someone else." She finally finished in a rush of words.
"I didn't just pull you off the wall because that's where the dart landed, Melanie." He told her. "I did actually put some thought into this."
"Then maybe you should put some more into it."
They had arrived at the door to the council chamber, where Layton stopped and turned her to him. "I am not changing my mind." He stated. "I chose you for this for a reason. Because you are the best suited person for the position. Now, the only way this works is if we are in it, for better or worse, together." He leaned down a little to look her directly in the eyes. "So, are you?"
He could see the battle she was fighting behind wide, frightened green eyes. But after a few moments, she closed her eyes and nodded.
"For better or worse." She answered as he pressed the mechanism and the door opened.
Entering first, Melanie fought the need to simply run for her chair while Layton entered behind her, keeping his eyes fixed on her. But once she took her seat, she turned her gaze to him and gave him a small nod.
For better or worse, she firmly told herself again, she would stand by him in this.
Layton sat in his chair and began speaking with those around him, waiting for everyone to arrive. But from time to time he would turn to her, giving her a small, reassuring smile.
When everyone had taken their seats, Layton gave Melanie one last look. Catching it, she gave him a small smile and one more nod.
Returning her smile, Layton called the meeting to order.
As the meeting went on, Layton kept checking back with Melanie. But for the most part she seemed to have relaxed into the meeting's progress, listening to reports and taking notes as she usually did.
After all the matters on the agenda seemed to have been covered, Layton finally got to his feet to address the governing body.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the council of Snowpiercer," he stated, "I know it's late and we're all tired. But I would asked you indulge me just a few more minutes, as I have one last item to present to the council."
The council members all turned to him.
"Tonight I am placing a vote before this council. I apologize for the short notice, but the matter only recently came to my attention. And I feel it is something we need to deal with and deal with it quickly."
Layton paused to make sure he had everyone's attention.
"Just a few short months ago, you voiced your approval that I take leadership of this train.
It is also not news to anyone sitting here that a few weeks ago, I fell ill, and could not run the train or make decisions any longer.
What you were not aware of was that for several days, the doctors taking care of me weren't sure I would survive. During that time, others tried to take control of the train. And we sat on the brink of falling into chaos again.
We all fought long and hard to get where we are. Snowpiercer is a democracy. And while it is slow and sometimes painful moving forward, it is working. Some of you still see First, Second, Third, and Tail as the classes on this train. I only see one class when I look at any person here. I see 'the train'. I see Snowpiercer.
I don't want to see our hard won fight crumble for any reason.
When I set up this council, I thought I covered everything. I had my governors, who are each of you. Under you, you were given authority to pick people you thought could also help guide the train. And a third group under them. And this system has been working well. But in all my plans, I failed to see one fundamental step. The simplest, but the most important. And I failed you in that, and jeopardized the train because of it. And so today I am going to correct that error.
Today, I am going to recommend my Second-in-command. The person who will take my position on the council as leader of the train if anything happens where I am unable to lead for any length of time.
But the person I have chosen I want to have the approval of this council. And so I am putting their appointment to a vote by the council.
I told you I have been running this train for several months now. And in that time, I have learned a great deal. But likely the most important lesson I have learned is that this job is not a popularity contest. It is hard. It is thankless. And sometimes decisions have to be made that are not even remotely favorable. When there is a problem with the food production, we cut the rations. When the train needs maintenance, or recharging of the batteries, we have to lower the output of the electricity and the heat.
No one likes going hungry. And no one likes being cold. But sometimes these things are necessary."
Layton pauses for a few moments as he looked around the table, making sure he had everyone's attention still.
"You may not like my choice for my Second-in-command. But know that I did not make this decision lightly. I thought long and hard about it. I wanted the person to have experience. I wanted to know they cared about this train and its people as much as I did. I wanted to know that they believed in our new ideals and governing system and the vision we have for our future. And mostly, I wanted to know I could trust them. Implicitly.
When you vote, I want you to remember what I have said here tonight. That this is not a popularity contest. Do not vote based on how much you like or dislike this person. Don't vote with your emotions. Vote with your mind. After everything is considered, do you feel that this person would give this train the same heart and care that I try to give it every day? That this person will give us our best chance at survival."
Layton paused again, once more looking about the table.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the council of Snowpiecer, I am recommending as my Second-in-command...Melanie Cavill."
Murmuring immediately began to circle around the table. Some louder than others as those present voiced their opinions to each other and to Layton of his choice.
The only two people who didn't say anything, were Melanie and Ruth, who simply sat in their chairs, staring at Layton. Melanie sat as rigidly as she usually did when placed in an uncomfortable position. She fell right back into her Hospitality persona and wrapped it about herself as tightly as she could. It was her shield. Her amour against a hostile setting.
Ruth simply sat staring at Layton, her mouth hanging open for a moment, until she seemed to realize it, the quickly snapped it shut again. Layton had told her he would be making an announcement at the meeting that night. But she had no idea it would be anything of this magnitude.
Melanie? Back in control of the train? It was like they were taking a giant step backwards. Back to the old ways. Back to her ruling without question or consequences.
But after a moment, she turned to the table, focusing instead on what Layton had said.
'Don't vote your emotions'.
She sighed quietly. If she did that, there was no doubt how she would vote. Her feelings towards her one time friend had mellowed a small bit, but the hurt was still there. The feeling of betrayal. She thought she could simply write the woman off. They could work together. As little as they saw each other, that wasn't much of a stretch. But if something happened to Layton, to have her directly back in control? Ruth wasn't sure she could deal with that.
Looking around the table she watched the others debate the suggestion, trying to get a feel for how the voting would go. Layton would give them a few minutes as he always did when placing a vote, to argue it out with each other. But this time there didn't seem to be a lot of discussion. Ruth figured the other council members minds were made up seconds after Layton placed the proposal on the table. Quite simply, you either accepted his argument or you didn't.
And Ruth had no delusions about her fellow council members. Despite what Layton asked for, feelings would still play a large part in how the others would vote.
"All right!" Layton called out after a few minutes past. "The proposal is on the table. It's time to take a vote."
Ruth froze in her chair. She thought she knew without question how she would to vote. She knew how she felt in her heart about his choice. But she tried to put that aside and think about the matter as Layton presented it.
Melanie had run the train for nearly seven years. While not always doing the best job, she did seem to do the best she could with the job.
Yes, she had lied to them all for those nearly seven years. Yes, people had been punished. Yes, the 'orders' from Mr. Wilford had not always been popular. But they had SURVIVED. She had kept and provided for First Class. She had maintained the order on the train for those nearly seven years.
'But she had lied', a small voice screamed at Ruth. And she had lied to HER. Her friend. Her confidant. She hadn't trusted her with her deepest secret.
Ruth sat stoically as she heard Layton call for the vote. She watched one hand after another go up around the council table, signifying approval of Layton's proposal. Mostly the Tailies, she thought ruefully. Why would they, of all people, side with Melanie? She had treated them the worst of any other group on the train.
But steadfastly, one after the other, the Tail's governing body raised their hands.
Most of the Tail sided with Layton on his choice. Well, really no surprise there, she told herself. Those were his people and he was still one of them. They were little more than sheep doing what their misguided shepherd told them to do.
Ruth looked over at Third Class. Only a few raised their hands. Most sat staring hard at Layton, signaling their disfavor at his choice.
Second Class was much the same. Only a few hands went up.
Ruth finally looked at her fellow First Class. None raised their hands here. Ruth watched the faces around her. All of them seemed to be watching her. Looking to her for guidance.
Ruth scanned around the table again, counting up the approvals. It was not going well for Layton's proposal. About two-thirds, including First Class, did not approve.
But then Ruth turned to the last person she thought she would care less about their feelings on the matter.
Melanie.
Her one time friend sat with her same ridged posture. Her expression almost desolate. But her focus was only on one person.
Layton.
Ruth watched her for a moment. Studying her face.
She wasn't upset they had rejected her. She wasn't disappointed they didn't want her back leading the train.
She was hurting for him.
They weren't just rejecting her. In her eyes, they were also rejecting him.
Ruth turned to Layton, who had caught Melanie's stare. He tried to give her a small smile, as if to say they had tried. It was just one battle lost, not the war for the hearts and minds of the people.
Turning back to her one time friend, Ruth saw Melanie simply close her eyes and lower her head.
Turning back to the table, Ruth gave the matter another hard look.
Layton had told her once that the train didn't need just him. That it needed Melanie also. That if something ever happened to the train, she was the only one who could fix it. And she had believed him. It was why she had pushed the others in first class to incarcerate Melanie, not kill her. She could sit in her cell, but still be the proverbial safety net for all of them if anything unforeseen were to happen to the train. But the others were hungry for blood. For someone to pay for all they had lost. So in the end, realizing that trying to fight them all was pointless, she had agreed to the execution.
And she was no fool. Knowing the two lived together, Ruth could see daily Melanie's influence on the man. But none of it bad. Over the months he had led the train, Layton had become a more confident and self-assured leader. Oh, he had led before. But that was the Tail. But as she placed them before, just a herd a sheep that did what they were told. Leading the whole train wasn't even remotely similar, she was sure. And it showed in him now, several months later. He wasn't second guessing himself all the time, or having a look in his eyes that he had just stepped into something he had no idea how to control. And Ruth knew a certain amount of that change in the man was due to Melanie's influence. She had the experience and the knowledge to run the train. And she had apparently been freely sharing it with her successor without malice or ulterior motives.
Maybe Layton was right. Maybe the train didn't need just one of them. Maybe it needed the two of them, working together.
Finally, as though having to force herself to do it, Ruth took one last look around the table, then slowly, and stoically, raised her hand.
There was a quiet murmuring among the First Class delegates as Ruth's hand finally made it's way into the air and she held it there resolutely. Quickly she turned a stern look to her other First Class counterparts on either side. After a few moments consideration, other hands slowly began to join her's. Ruth even gave a small smile as she watched several more hands join those in the air from Second and Third, seemingly on her vote. Or maybe just because they had had a few more moments to consider the matter.
Within a matter of minutes, well over half the hands of those around the table were now in the air, affirming Layton's proposal.
Layton turned to Ruth, giving her a small smile as he brought the gavel down on the table.
"The proposal is approved by the majority." He stated clearly. "Melanie Cavill will be Second-in-command of Snowpiercer."
After the meeting broke up and it was only the two of them left in the council room did Melanie let any of her exhaustion show over the matter. Hanging her head down, she wrapped her arms about herself as she stood facing the sole window in the room.
Layton stepped up behind her. "Hey." He coaxed her to turn around as he folded her carefully into his arms and hugged her tightly. "Small victory for our side, hmmmm?"
Melanie slipped her arms free and wrapped them around his sides and over his back as she allowed herself a small, tentative smile. "Yeah. One for your team.
Layton pulled her back, getting her to look up at him. "Not my team. OUR team." He reminded her. "We're playing on the same side now, remember?"
"For the good of the train." She repeated his popular phrase.
"For the good of the passengers." He added. "And this wasn't just for the good of the train, you know."
Melanie looked up at him.
"Think about it." He pointed out. "Now we have each others backs. You know as long as I'm in charge of the train, I'm going to protect you. And if anything happens to me, and you come into power, I would hope you would look out for me as well."
"You know I would."
"And as long as you're in control of the train, you're protected solely because you are in control again. Past that," Layton went on, "not only are we protecting each other, but we're protected against those who always seem to be wanting to cause some sort of trouble."
"How so?"
"Well, say someone one day thinks my falling off the train wouldn't be such a bad idea."
"Layton!" Melanie scolded him just for the thought.
"You think everyone on this train loves me? Even I'm not that naive. But just say someone thinks getting rid of me is a good idea. Who does that leave in charge?"
Melanie stared back at him in silence.
"Exactly." He answered her silent stare. "And as much as I hate to point this out to you, Ms. Cavill, but those that are not members of my fan club also do not subscribe to yours."
Melanie frowned at him this time. "Big surprise."
"So the ones who would plot to try and get rid of me, now have a major problem. If they get rid of me, they get you back in charge of the train, which they also don't want. So in a round about, but perfectly laid out plan, you, Ms. Cavill, are now protecting me."
"And you're protecting me." She answered in a quiet whisper.
Layton laid a light kiss on her forehead. "Always."
With a small smile, Melanie sank back into that protective embrace.
Just as he was about to suggest it was late and they still needed to get something to eat, the door behind them slid open.
Both of them turned to see Ruth standing in the doorway.
The Head of Hospitality looked like she couldn't have felt more embarrassed if she had opened the door and they had both been naked. "I...forgot my scarf." She stated in a nervous rush, walking briskly over to grab it off the back of the chair she had been sitting in. "Don't let me interrupt your little...celebration."
Layton immediately turned to her, releasing Melanie. "You weren't interrupting anything, Ruth." He stated.
But before he could explain any further, Melanie moved quickly to block Ruth's exit from the room.
"I'm glad you came back, Ruth." She stated quickly. "I wanted to...I want a chance to thank you...for supporting Layton. For...voting for the good of the train." She lowered her eyes from the other woman's hard stare. "I know it wasn't an easy decision for you."
Ruth paused as she studied the both of them for a moment.
"I wasn't going to vote in favor of Mr. Layton's proposal." She informed the other woman in a level tone. "But Mr. Layton made a good argument for your appointment. And in that light, I felt you would be the best person for the position." Ruth set her stare on Melanie, her tone softening just the slightest bit, although her hard set stare remained. "Don't make me regret that choice." She stated before wrapping her scarf in her hands and high-tailing it out the door again.
Layton walked up behind Melanie where she stood staring at the door, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"That woman is intense." He said.
Melanie turned briefly to him. "Try working with her for nearly seven years."
Layton gave her a soft chuckle. "No thanks. You're all I can handle right now. You ready to get some dinner, Ms. Cavill?"
Melanie half collapsed in his hold. "You may have to carry me there after today."
Layton released her. "OK. But you'll look a bit silly in a fireman's carry all the way back to the cabin."
"Never mind." She replied as he released her.
With another soft chuckle, Layton followed her out of the room.
Since Layton had insisted on cooking, Melanie sent him to bed with the promise to clean up. He had looked as tired as she felt all through dinner, and since they had opted for sandwiches that night, there wasn't really much to clean up.
Putting the last plate away, Melanie looked over the cabin one last time to make sure nothing else needed to be done before turning in herself for the night. She had promised Javi that before he left his shift in the morning that she would show him how to run several overnight tests that would save her time during the day. And that meant she had to be up and in the engine room before he completed his shift at 7AM the next day.
Walking into the bedroom, she frown slightly at the sight that greeted her.
Sitting up in the bed with several pillows stacked behind him, Layton had his laptop balanced on his knees as he worked on it.
"You should be asleep, mister." She stated, pointing a finger at him. "Not reviewing meeting notes."
"They're not meeting notes." He told her as she gathered her thermals and headed for the bathroom.
Melanie glanced at him as she walked past the end of the bed. "Well, when I get back there better not be anything more pertinent on that screen than a weather report."
Ten minutes later she was back in the bedroom, closing the door behind her and crawling in on her side of the bed.
"Well?" she asked.
Still staring at the screen in front of him, Layton continued typing.
"The weather report said it's going to be cold." He replied.
Melanie sighed as she rolled over in the bed. "Put it away, Layton."
"I just need a few more minutes."
Melanie pulled back over. While it wasn't unusual for her to take her laptop to bed, Layton rarely did.
"If you're going to stare at meeting notes all night, could you at least tell me if it's anything interesting?"
Layton kept typing. "I told you. It's not meeting notes."
"So what is it, if it's not too personal?"
"It's not personal at all. At least not between you and me."
Melanie propped herself up against a few pillows as she turned to him. "Meaning?"
Layton gave a small sigh as he looked over the screen before him. He had put a lot of thought into the action he had just taken. The past several days had shown him the need for it.
What would happen to him if he couldn't make decisions? Not just for the train, but for himself. Who would that duty fall to?
He wanted it to be someone who know him well. His personal wants and desires should a really hard decision have to be made. Turning to her, he knew there wasn't another person on that train he wanted to have that power more than the woman laying in the bed next to him.
"It's not meeting notes." He told her again. "It's my medical records." With another soft sigh he turned back to the screen before him. "Zarah had no right to ban you from seeing me when I was in the clinic. Honestly, I have more going on with you than I do with her right now. But I realized in the last several days that if anything were to happen to me, she's the one who would have the right to make decisions for me, right down to my ultimate fate if it came to that." He turned back to her. "I don't want her to be the one making those choices, Melanie." He stated, turning the laptop screen for her to see it. "I want that person to be you."
Melanie sat with her mouth open in stunned silence as she read over the document on the screen. "That's...the document for your health care surrogate." She whispered.
"And as you can see," he added, scrolling down slightly on the page, "I changed the name from Zarah's to yours."
Melanie turned to him. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Layton gave her a small but serious smile. "If I were laying in a bed, with no hope of recovery, hooked up to a bunch of machines keeping me alive, there's no one else I would want to make that decision."
Melanie paused for a moment, but her expression remained solemn. "And what decision should I make?" She asked.
Layton realized how seriously she was taking this as his smile slowly faded. "I wouldn't want to live like that." He told her.
Melanie turned back to the screen. "I hope I never have to make that decision for you, Layton."
He knew it wasn't his business to ask her, but he did anyway.
"Do you have someone on record to make those decisions for you?"
Melanie only nodded in response.
"Bennett?" He asked. But to his surprise, she shook her head.
"Bennett would be too sentimental." She replied. "He would never...pull the plug on me...so to speak."
Layton waited for her to saying anything more, but finally ask. "So who is it?"
Melanie turned back to him with the same somber expression. "You." She answered him. "I made the change to my records a while ago. Back...when I gave you my will."
Layton managed a small smile for her. "Well, let's hope neither of us ever has to make that decision."
Melanie returned the smile as she watched him shut off the laptop and placed it on his nightstand.
"Hope indeed." She whispered.
Scooting down in the bed, she turned over on her side to face him.
"Goodnight, Layton." she told him as she closed her eyes.
Layton gave her one last smile before shutting off the light and pulling himself down under the covers as well.
"Goodnight, Melanie."