Title: Magic Mirrors

Author: MercuryPheonix (Your Angel of Music)

Fandom: EastEnders

Warnings: Some violent imagery, some sexual references

Spoilers: Begins in the period following Tamwar and Afia's wedding (early July, 2011).

Summary: In the midst of a turbulent period in Christian and Syed's relationship, a mysterious figure from Christian's past emerges with a revelation that rocks him to the core. In a world of uncertainly, there is only one thing that can be guaranteed: the couple's lives will never be the same again.

A/N: Thank you all for reading, commenting and putting this fic on alert. I don't know what I'd do without you. This one's a bit shorter and doesn't really progress the storyline or answer any questions, but I felt it was hightime Syed got some action; this fic has been very Christian-orientated thus far, for a very good reason, so it was about time we got into Syed's head a little bit. Not all the way, of course, or there'd be nothing left to delve into! I hope I've got him right. Once again, thanks to lady in waiting for patiently being my beta and making sure I treat these characters with the respect they deserve.

'Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future.'

~Gail Lumet Buckley

Chapter 3

"Sy!"

Syed turned away from the desk, his world spinning in a flurry of golden hair as Tanya bustled towards him, mobile phone in hand. There was a slightly harassed smile spread across her face; she was stressed, but clearly loving the action and fast-pace of their fledgling business. Normally, he'd have returned it – he'd missed all this during those long months of unemployment – but today he couldn't quite manage it.

"Mrs Carew's had to cancel her appointment at the last minute, so I've told her we can reschedule for next week some time, maybe even combine it with her monthly blue-rinse," Tanya tossed the phone onto the front desk, turning round so that she was leaning back and facing Syed with a breezy expression. "Although, when I find out whoever decided it would be a good idea to start handing over my mobile number to clients…"

There was a gentle cough from within the salon, as Jodie began to show a great deal more interest in her client's nails than the two of them had come to expect from her. Tanya sent a brief glare in her general direction – but very quickly her focus returned to Syed, who had twisted on his foot so that he could lean his weight onto the desk, fingers playing distractedly with the corner of the appointments book.

Tanya waited for a few seconds before cocking her head, twisting her neck as far as it would go so she could look Syed in the eye.

"Earth to Syed! That was your last appointment for today. You can go home early," she prodded him with a perfectly manicured nail. "Go home to your husband."

Syed exhaled suddenly, dropping the edge of the book and straightening his back to survey the salon.

"Nah, I think I'll stay," he rubbed the back of his neck, fingers tangling in the stray locks of hair that brushed against the top of his spine. "Someone else might walk in. Anyway, it wouldn't be fair to leave you to clear everything up by yourself."

"Syed," Tanya shadowed him, reaching out to rest a hand on the fading whiteness of his sleeve. "You've been here since the crack of dawn. I've got Jodie here, we can handle it…"

"I said I'd stay, alright?" the moment the words were out of his mouth Syed blanched, the abruptness of his tone sending waves of embarrassment shooting through him. "Sorry."

Tanya's hand moved up his arm, rubbing reassuring circles into his shoulder.

"Don't be, babe. It's fine. We're all allowed to have our moments," Syed flicked his head towards her as she spoke, a tiny, grateful smile flashing briefly across his features. She smiled back, an eyebrow raising as he ducked his head down and leant into her touch.

"So, you going to tell me what's wrong or am I going to have to start forcing bamboo under your nails?"

"Tan…really, I'm fine…"

"You do realise that, as your boss, I could actually order you home?"

The olive tan of Syed's skin paled further as he turned towards her, his eyes brimming with a desperation that would normally have embarrassed him – but, right now, there were more stringent emotions overcrowding his brain.

At least, he thought suddenly, it was only desperation that was filling his eyes. He hadn't shed any – well, not many – tears over the whole situation, and the last thing he wanted was for it to happen here.

"Don't make me go back, Tan. Not yet. I… need to be here. For now at least. As long as I'm not under your feet. Please."

Clearly something in his voice, his expression, maybe even his eyes – and he was certain that there weren't any tears – softened the enquiring, if well-meaning, curtain that had cloaked Tanya's features. He was reassured that the questions were going to stop. But he wasn't sure whether he preferred the inquisition to the sympathetic, almost pitying look he was now receiving.

He'd done a lot of things wrong in his life. He'd made a lot of mistakes. But the one thing he'd never wanted was pity. Understanding, forgiveness – but never pity.

"I'm sure we can make some use of you here," she patted him on the arm before returning to the desk. "But you're going to have to go home at some point. Whatever he's done, you've got yourself a man there who adores you. You gotta remember that, okay?"

"I know," Syed sighed, exhaling as he made his way around to the other side of the desk, returning to his tired flicking through the appointments book. His thumb carefully caressed the curling corner as he stared at the page, running the pad of his finger along the list of names. It took his attention, at least for now. But, very quickly, he ran out of names, the blank page glaring at him accusingly.

Don't you try and brush this off.

He sighed and looked up. Tanya was still staring at him affectionately. Something in her expression managed to inflict a tiny crack in his stoic wall.

"But sometimes…" he leant forward on his elbows, using the pages as a pillow. "…that's not enough, y'know? It's so hard – harder than I ever thought it would be. I thought that we could never top what it took for us to actually be a couple, but this…staying together…I don't…"

Tanya was nodding.

"It's not easy, babe. I know. Trust me I know. Unless you're perfect - and as gorgeous and lovely as you are, I've not met a perfect person yet – you're going to make mistakes, but you gotta work through them."

"But he…" Syed dropped his head and threaded his fingers through his hair. "…I mean, I…. "

"Just talk to him, babe. Even if it's not tonight, you gotta tell him how you're feeling and you gotta listen to how he's feeling. Secrets will destroy you. I'd say that I know that better than anyone else, but I'm pretty certain you're quite clued into that already. Am I right?"

There was a beat before Syed gave a tiny nod. Tanya cocked her head disapprovingly, reaching out and slapping him lightly on the arm.

"You gotta tell me I'm right," Syed rolled his eyes as she grinned. "Go on. And no crossed fingers: I'm watching you closely, mister!"

A tiny, yet genuine, smile spread uncontrollably across Syed's face as he met her eyes.

"Fine. Okay. You're right."

Her grin widened, but before she could open her mouth they were suddenly interrupted as a customer wandered through the door. Tanya immediately turned away from Syed, taking a quick, masterful look at the books, locating the name and heading over to greet their newest client.

Before she got there, however, she turned back with a kindly, yet serious expression; as if she couldn't quite let it go just yet.

"Promise me. No more secrets, even if you're trying to keep the peace?"

Syed bit his lip, smiling tightly as he crossed his arms protectively across his chest. A wave of uncertainty shot through him; but he held it back, restraining the nervous energy that was thrumming through him. Holding it back for another day. A part of him knew he probably should let it out - but he couldn't.

Not yet. Instead, he just nodded.

"No more secrets."

x
x

TBC...

Thank you so much!

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