406, after classes

[izzyalienqueen]

After spending the day harassing vendors while on library duty and then going to Hunting, Isabel returned to her room to relax for a while before figuring what to do for the evening.

The door was open.

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack had his arms full of TV and DVD player, and he stood in the doorway of Isabel's room. "Little help?" he asked, not sure whether she'd spoken to Sam yet.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Be glad you said that," Isabel said, hurrying over and taking the DVD player. "If you'd said I need a hand, I would have applauded for you."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack rolled his eyes and set the TV on the floor, standing a little uncertainly. "Bad joke, Isabel. Very bad joke."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, you're right," she agreed, placing the DVD player on her desk then walking over to hug him tightly.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

That answered his question. "I usually am," he said as he hugged her back, holding her tightly as he pressed his cheek against her hair.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"How are you doing?" Isabel asked, not ready to let go just yet.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack had no intention of letting go until she made him. "I'm okay," he said quietly. "I guess you talked to Sam."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I did," she nodded, waving a hand at the door to shut it before gently tugging Jack over to sit on the bed and slipping an arm around him. "She told me, then she let me blow things up."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"She didn't let me blow things up," he grumbled, leaning into her.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I bet she would if you asked her," Isabel smiled. "Maybe we should make a day of it. Take over the danger shop and have a little explosive therapy." She ran her hand up and down his back, trying to soothe. "Can I do anything for you?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"This is good," he told her. "But I'm okay, really. It's been, what, three days?" He made himself smile, because he didn't want to worry Isabel. "I bounce back from everything."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Considering how much faking it Isabel's been doing herself lately, she recognized what Jack was trying to do and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure," she muttered, ruffling his hair. "You don't have to lie to me. It's okay to still be upset."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I'm not lying," he said, smiled fading. "It's just easier this way." He pressed his head against her hand. "If I don't think about it."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel nodded and smiled wryly. "It's fun out here on the River Denial isn't it?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I'm thinking of buying a luxury cruiser and offering tours," he said wryly. "I'm pretty sure I'd never run out of customers."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Not around here you won't," she said. "But denial only works for so long. If, when you want to talk, you know I'll listen."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I know." He kissed her cheek and slipped an arm around her waist. "I can always count on you."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"It's mutual," Isabel smiled, leaning close. "So what's with the TV? Are you moving in?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Yup." He grinned and stretched out on the bed, covering as much of it as he could and nudging her gently towards the edge. "I've decided to take over your room and make it my own."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Okay," she shrugged, letting herself be pushed off the bed and dropping to the floor. "I'll just go take over your old room. I like the hammock and the plant."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You weren't supposed to fall off," he told her, reaching a hand out to pull her back up. "The plant's coming to live with me, but I guess you can keep the hammock."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Oh? I was supposed to fight for space?" Isabel grinned, taking a seat and hip checking him to get more room on the bed.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack grinned and let her shove him over. "Absolutely," he said, throwing one leg over hers. "You've got to fight for the good spaces."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I don't see why we have to fight," she mock pouted, happy to see Jack happy, even if it was just for a few moments. "I don't mind sharing."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Oh, don't do that," he said, flopping down next to her, laughing a little, knowing this was only temporary. "That's cheating. You can keep your room."