Room 406, Late Afternoon, early evening

[izzyalienqueen]

Isabel's spent the afternoon in the common room kitchen handwavily cooking dinner. Now everything is carefully arranged on covered plates, ready to be reheated at the appropriate time. There's a blanket and candles set up picnic style on the floor. But for now, Isabel's playing solitare on the laptop while she waits for Greg to arrive.

When her email blinked, she smiled when she saw the message.


[Door's closed, but feel free to knock!]

Comments

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"It's open," Isabel called out as she scrolled through the playlist on her iPod.

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

Greg snuck in, keeping his hand behind his back. "Hi!"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Hi yourself," she smiled as she placed the iPod in the speakers and started it. "Long time no see."

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

Greg moved behind her and pulled his hand out from behind his back to present a small bunch of wildflowers (http://www.hatcherflorist.com/ver6/usrimage/small%20bouquet%20asfb.jpg) in front of her. "Brought you these."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel took the flowers and sniffed at them delicately before turning around and thanking Greg properly. "They're beautiful," she said as she hugged him.

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

"And they're not at all because I ran around diving into bushes today and don't want you to be upset with me," Greg told her, kissing her cheek.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I heard about that," she admitted. "But I'm not upset in the least. Impressed is more like it. Making you bait was inspired revenge."

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

"I managed to escape from almost everyone," he told her proudly.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Congratulations," Isabel smiled. "I'm impressed. Does that mean you worked up an appetite?"

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

"Yes, yes I did," Greg said happily. He glanced at the floor. "You have candles!"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I do," she said seriously. "We have to be prepared for any random power outages."

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

"It could happen at any time," he agreed solemnly, nodding. "Best to be prepared."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"It has nothing to do with quiet dinners for two," Isabel said, blushing slightly. "Not at all."

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

"No, of course not," he said, smiling at her. "That's a silly thing to even suggest."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Of course. And we're much to practical to ever consider it," she said even as she held out her hand and lit them.

"So you said you were hungry?"

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

"Starved," he confessed, peering at the plates on the floor. "But I can wait if you're not hungry or whatever."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I can't have you starving on me," Isabel laughed. "I need to feed you and build up your strength. Sit down and relax," she told him as she took her own seat on the floor and took the covers off the plates. A moment's concentration and everything was the perfect temperature once more.

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

Greg smiled as he sat down. "You made this yourself?" he asked, sniffing appreciatively. "It smells great."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I told you I could cook," she said. "I have many, many talents. There's tomato and mozzarella in that dish. This is chicken marsala of course. And make sure you save room for dessert. There's chocolate torte. But I cheated. That's from J,GoB."

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

"It's okay that you cheated," he said, smiling and leaning over to kiss her. "You didn't have to go to this kind of effort at all."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"But I wanted to," Isabel said after she returned the kiss. "It's a minor celebration."

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

"Of my living in spite of tormenting Callisto?" Greg wondered.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"No." Isabel blushed and busied herself spooning food onto plates. "It's just been a good month. I realized that the other day. And I know it's silly to keep track like that, but this...I'm...just happy. So thank you."

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

Greg gave her a small smile. "I'm telling you right now, I'm horrible with anniversaries," he said. "But I'm glad you're happy. Happy Isabels make for happy Gregs."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Honestly I didn't even think about it until Walter asked how long we'd been seeing each other," she said. "So yay! We can be happy together."