Room 406, Later Saturday Evening

[izzyalienqueen]

After cheerleading practice, Isabel returned to her room and resumed making phone calls about Fourth of July. It looked like she might be able to pull off fireworks after all.

Eventually Greg got bored of listening to her harass vendors and nudged her until she promised to pay attention to him. After a few minutes of hedgehog charades, they managed to agree on watching the first season of Buddies.

The laptop's on a chair next to the bed, Isabel is comfortably sprawled across the bed, and Greg is curled in a ball on his pillow next to her.

The door is open.

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Just to be difficult, Jack added tabasco to another spoon of ice cream before handing the bottle back. "But I don't mind answering questions, and it would be a hell of a conversation starter."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

She snickered, "I can so see you taking the sweet and spicy thing and just running with it. You should ask Cedric what he thinks of it."

Isabel reached over to pet Greg again and stopped, drawing back her hand when she realized he'd gone to sleep. "Guess we have to keep it down now."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, it's best to let sleeping hedgehogs lie, or something." Considering his spoon, Jack said, "Sweet and spicy actually sums Cedric up pretty well." His shoulders drooped slightly, only noticeable if you were looking closely, as he ate his ice cream. "Mostly."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel has gotten pretty good at picking up the nuances of Jack moods and body language. "What's wrong? Did he hear from home?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"No, not yet." Technically, that's not a lie. "I'm just...worried about him." He shrugged, smiling at her. "It's a new thing, so I'm still working the kinks out."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Damn," she said quietly. "It's been almost two months. That's a long time. But why are you worried? Did he say something?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I know. I hope it's just the mail, because if they're just not writing to him..." Lips tight and angry, he said, "I'm not going to hope that something bad happens to them, because that would devastate Cedric, but I wish I could."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"No, I get that. But I'm sure they have a reason." Isabel sighed, leaned over and slipped an arm around Jack's waist. "He's going to be okay."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

For just a second, Jack leaned into her, closing his eyes. "I hope so," he said quietly. "I really, really hope so." Opening his eyes, reaching for another spoonful of ice cream, he smiled at her. "Maybe we can get him some ice cream?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel was pretty certain there was more going on then Jack was telling her, but she let it slide for now. "He's got friends here. We'll look out for him." Giving Jack a small smile, she took her own spoonful of ice cream. "Not just ice cream. I think we need a sundae party."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Now that's a good idea. Get him somewhere with a bunch of people and get him buzzed on sugar. It's bound to help. I'd take him drinking, but somehow I don't see that as being his thing."

Jack stuck his spoon in the ice cream, and reached for her hand. "I know you're not doing it for me, but thank you for being there for him. Because when it comes to providing emotional support, I'm not sure I'm the best person for the job. Not had a lot of practice."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"He told me that he's never drank anything alcoholic before. Just the butterbeer, but apparently it's not the same." Isabel shrugged. "Depending on what kind of a response he gets, maybe a night out drowning his sorrows wouldn't be such a bad thing. But in the meanwhile we can plan for the sugar buzz."

She took his hand and rested her head against his shoulder. "Don't give me too much credit. I'm pretty new at this whole letting people in thing myself."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Okay, explain to me how I'm involved with someone who's never even had a drink before?" Jack laughed, squeezing her hand. "I may have to rectify that." He tipped his head against hers. "It was easier when it was just me, you know."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"His world sounds very different. More innocent in some ways. Mostly," she said thinking of what he'd told her about the evil wizard possibly coming back. Isabel sighed, then forced a laugh, "You should. And if he gets drunk and tries to maul you at least you'll be able to say yes."

"I know," she admitted. "It used to just be me, Max and Michael. We kept to ourselves and the hell with anyone else. Now? The list is longer but I wouldn't change it. Each person on it has given me something that I didn't realize I was missing."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"In a lot of ways, he is an innocent. And in a lot of ways he's not, so a mauling might not be out of the question," he laughed. "And it was easier. Much esier. But I think I like it better this way."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I bet he'd like it," she chuckled. "And easier isn't always better."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I think I'm hitting on a plan here - take Cedric out, get him drunk for the first time. It could be interesting." Jack snagged the ice cream and scooped out a spoonful. "I've never been a fan of easy. Easy isn't a challenge," he said as he licked the spoon. "So this whole having people thing? In a weird way, I'm kind of enjoying it."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Just tell me when you're planning on doing this so I can make sure to wander by the next morning with asprin and bacon for his hangover," Isabel laughed as she took a spoonful of ice cream. "You should. People aren't meant to be alone. You're finding out what you've been missing all along."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Bacon is a hangover cure?" Jack stared at her. "That's a new one on me. But I'll look after him, don't worry." Smiling smugly, he tapped her nose. "And I was almost never alone, Izzy. I'll have you know my company was in high demand."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"So I've heard," she replied. "Some of the football players back home used to swear by it after their post-game drunken binges."

Isabel smiled a bit sadly, "You might never have lacked for company, but you can still be in a room full of people and feel alone."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Is that what it was like for you back home?" he asked, slipping his arm around her shoulders.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes," she shrugged. "But I had Max and Michael, my parents, even if they didn't know the truth. That made up for it somewhat."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Good. I hate to to think of you feeling lonely. And things are different here, right?" Jack looked down at her and grinned. "I think this place does weird things to people."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"You don't think I haven't thought the same thing about you? After what you told me?" Isabel asked, her head tilted as she studied him. "It is different here. But what happens when we leave?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I can honestly tell you that I don't remember ever feeling lonely, if that make you feel better," he offered. "You don't have to worry about me. I always fall on my feet. And I will, even after I leave." He leaned into her, grin fading. "But it won't be the same after being here. I think I'm going to miss it, miss the people. Miss you," he added, meeting her eyes.