I Just Want To Be Normal

It took a moment of filtering through the events of that last day in Fandom before Isabel remembered what Anders had told her. "I did. Good. How's he doing?"

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Parker's lips quirked. "I haven't seen him yet, but by all reports, very well. Thriving." She smirked a little. "Celebrating with Phoebe."

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"I can only imagine. Although probably not. Way too much TMI there," she snickered. "How about you? How's Weiss? What have you been up to?"

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"Weiss is good, we had a picnic the day you left, before you told me what was happening." Parker shrugged. "And, well, not much else. It's only been a few days." She grinned, suddenly. "You don't have to go back, do you? You're here to stay?"

[back in 1 hour!]

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Isabel looked down quickly, "Yeah, it just seemed longer I guess. As for going back, no. Not at the moment."

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There was something off in the way she'd said that, avoiding looking at them, but he ignored it in favour of something more important. "No," he said, tugging gently on her hand. "You're ours, you have to stay."

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"I want to stay," she murmured, leaning against him. "I missed you guys. A lot."

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"Missed you, too," he said and slipped his arm around her waist. There were so many things he wanted to tell her, but they could wait.

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Parker had picked up on Isabel's tension too, and remembered the look Captain Jack had given her when he'd said, take care of her. But she was willing to play along for now. "And I'm glad we won't have to for any longer." She patted Isabel's arm, then took a step back, asking, "So. Want to stay in today, or go out and party?"

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"If you don't mind, I'd just as soon pass on the party today." Isabel shrugged a shoulder, "I'm tired. Give me a day or two to catch up on my sleep and then we can talk.""

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"We could leave you alone, if you want. You do look pretty travel-lagged," Parker said, keeping her voice light.

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Jack looked up at that. "We could?"

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"If you don't mind? I had a shower in Cardiff, but I'd like another one and my own clothes," she said quietly, picking at the borrowed sweater.

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"Of course." Parker stepped forward and gave Isabel a more careful, quiet hug and then said softly, "Take all the time you need. We'll be here."

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"Thanks," Isabel said, returning the hug. "I just need to get settled a bit. It was different."

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"But you're back, and we'll be here." Once Parker was finished, Jack pulled Isabel into a tight embrace. "And not just us. Many, many people missed you." One person in particular, and he glanced up at Parker. "You have to call Cedric, he needs to know."

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"Definitely," Parker whipped out her phone and made a quick call, then turned back to Isabel. "I know some people didn't know that you were gone, but the ones that did, will probably start knocking at your door. Get some rest, so you're ready for it."

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Isabel looked from Jack, to Parker and her phone and wondered what she'd missed. "I'm looking forward to it. I really, really missed you guys."

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Jack made absolutely no move to get up and leave, and he was looking more than a little mulish as he said, "If you missed us, maybe we should stay here."

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Parker rolled her eyes, and hooked her arm through Jack's. "Jack? She's exhausted. It's still very early. And she's not going anywhere, I swear," her voice gentled. "C'mon."

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"I won't," she promised, bumping his shoulder. "I just need a shower and some time."

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Jack looked back and forth between them, then sighed and let Parker pull him to his feet. "All right," he said, touching her face. "I am so glad you're back."

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Leaning into his hand, Isabel closed her eyes for a moment. "I'm very glad to be back. Trust me."

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Parker gave them a moment, then tugged on Jack's arm again. "Let's go. Call us when you're ready to catch up, Isabel." She brushed Isabel's hair out of your face. "And we're out of here."

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