Room 406, Late Monday Afternoon

[izzyalienqueen]

After Interstellar Relations, Isabel returned to her room, booted up the laptop and started to surf through political blogs in preparation for Wednesday's Political Campaigning class. Occasionally she needed to move Annie when she tried to curl up on the laptop keyboard.

The door was open.

Comments

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"He didn't tell you? Well that was rude," Isabel said, trying to keep her voice light. "He'd better come back with flowers, chocolates and a damn good reason."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Assuming he comes back." Parker sat up, eyes closed, shaking her head. "Forget I said that. I'm being alarmist."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel hasn't had the same thought, really. Especially after last week's conversation. "You are. I'm sure there's a logical reason for it. And he'll tell you when you get back."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"I just wish he'd call back," Parker said quietly, finally looking at Isabel. "I would even promise not to yell for taking off without telling me. I just want to know he's okay. That he's not in jail or the hospital or... something."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

She's spent more time then she likes to think about worrying about Michael when he's gone off on one of his quests for the truth so Isabel understands exactly how Parker feels. "I know. It's the not knowing that's the worse."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker got up to pace, then scooped up Annie, smiling, albeit not convincingly. "He'll be fine. It'll be okay. He's a genius. Whatever he's doing, he'll figure it out, and come back with a story to tell." She snuggled Annie, and the cat batted at her earrings. "And then I get to kill him."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Exactly," Isabel nodded. "And I'll thwap him afterwards. He's going to be fine Parker."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Yeah." Very quietly. Parker wander back over to the bed, holding Annie up over her head for a moment, dangling and mewing. "So, congrats on StuCo, which can't be crazier than class was today, give it that. How's your crazy boyfriend?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel smiled ruefully, recognizing Parker's desire for distraction. She'd done it herself often enough. "Thanks, I think it's going to fun. Although I have to figure out what we're going to do this semester. Maybe another game night. But I'm not sure I'm up for that kind of insanity." She looked down and smiled fondly. "And the crazy boyfriend is crazy as always. He gave Luke a faux mohawk the other day. Can I ask you something?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker snickered at *that* mental image, and said, "Sure. What?" Annie was allowed to reassume paws-on-the-coverlet position, and Parker leaned back again, watching her wash her front leg.

NFB please

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"You realize it'll be four months this weekend?" Isabel asked, focusing on Annie.

Re: NFB please

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"For you and Greg?" Parker grinned, pushing thoughts of six months aside. "Cool. And you were worried it wouldn't go any further."

Re: NFB please

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Yup," she smiled and then blushed. "See that's the thing, now I'm thinking about going further."

Re: NFB please

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Ohhhh." Parker gave Isabel a bright-eyed look. "Really. How much further are we talking about taking your Volkswagen?"

Re: NFB please

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"A test drive," she said meekly, looking everywhere but at Parker.

Re: NFB please

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker grinned, but managed not to snicker. "I see. Sooo. Got any particular destination in mind? Or length of drive?" She batted one foot at Isabel, and her voice softened a bit. "Laid in supplies? But most importantly, are you sure?"

Re: NFB please

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel took a deep breath and forced herself to meet Parker's gaze. "Multiple laps and I suppose the final destination would be the winner's circle. But is there a winner's circle in car racing or is that only horse racing? In which case I'm seriously mixing my metaphors." She smiled slightly, "As for laying in supplies, this is all still a theoretical exercise at the moment. I don't know what he thinks. Maybe he's not ready."

Re: NFB please

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"There's always a winner's circle. With trophies." Parker grinned a little. "And yeah, talking before you're kissing and cuddling is a good idea. Both of you on opposite sides of the room. That way neither of you thinks that there's subtle signals or come-ons happening just by talking about it." She cocked her head. "The good thing is, of course, you don't have to head for the winner's circle your first time out. And Greg's a good guy. There's a lot of things you *won't* have to worry about with him. But talking about all of it first will at least guarantee that even just the embarassing or awkward stuff is minimized."

Re: NFB please

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"With trophies?" she laughed. "Somehow I don't think I'll be displaying those particular trophies out on my shelf." Crossing her legs she made herself more comfortable. "Talking is probably a good start. It should be interesting. And possibly flaily. How do I start? Gee sweetie, you know how you said no pressure. And that baby steps were fine. Well that doesn't work so well anymore. I'm getting frustrated!" Isabel grabbed her pillow and buried her face in it. "Oh my god, I'm going to die of embarassment."

Re: NFB please

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Okay, Parker *had* to laugh at that, because the irony was killing her. "Considering that was the *exact* same conversation I was having with Jarod about five or six months ago, just without the flailing?" She giggled, then took a breath. "Look, it's about you, and him, together. It's not about the sex as thing on its own. This is--" Parker paused, trying to think of a way to say it that wouldn't have both Isabel and Greg dying of mortification. "A way of being closer. Of finding out more about someone. And yeah, it's private. And kind of nerve-wracking. Which is why people take it slow. To get used to each other." She was quiet a second, then said, "You're beautiful, sweet, and sexy, Isabel. You don't have to worry about him rejecting you. If he's not ready-- and that does happen, for a lot of reasons-- then you both need to figure out what needs to happen for it to be okay. That's all. I doubt anything he wants is going to be as drastic as marriage or an engagement. You both deserve to know what happens next, though."

Re: NFB please

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel had to laughed, amused that self-assured, in control Parker could be in the same situation. "I get what you're saying. And this was never an issue in the summer because I wasn't sure if he was going to stay or if it was just going to be a summer romance thing. But he stayed. And it's not just casual anymore. I love him. And he loves me," she smiled. "I think it would be nice to take things further, but if he's not ready, it's not the end of the world. Things are good now. Waiting a while longer won't change that."

Re: NFB please

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Nope. Or easing into it. Base by base. Or pit-stop by pit-stop," Parker teased her. "That can be fun too, and can take a while."

Re: NFB please

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Well we have been easing into, hence the frustration. And damnit, this conversation needs chocolate." Isabel held out her hand and concentrated, smiling as the desk drawer opened and a bag of Dove Chocolates floated over. "What did you think? We were playing rummy in here at night?"

Re: NFB please

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker actually giggled this time, and took a chocolate. "Hardly. So it's just the Winner's Circle left, then? No more laps? Don't need to see any more scenery?" She popped one in her mouth, looking bright-eyed and amused.

Re: NFB please

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel's face was scarlet. "There might be a scenic detour of two left. But you know me, I like to plan things ahead. And this is such a big step...Besides, at least talking to you I can try and get my thoughts in order. In theory it'll help minimize the flailing. But seriously? Who am I kidding. There will be lots and lots for flailing." Chuckling at herself, she nibbled on a chocolate.