Room 406, evening

[izzyalienqueen]

The trip home to Roswell had quite possibly been even longer and more emotional then Isabel thought it would be. But she'd gotten through it and answered questions as best she could. Despite the worry that had Liz pale and silent and Maria frantic with panic, Isabel was still grateful that for once there were no more secrets. Her parents hadn't let her out of there sight for the day, they'd been upset by the years of deception, but in the end they'd understood that they were only trying to keep them safe.

They hadn't wanted her to come back to school though. It took a lot of talking and Isabel nearly breaking down before they'd finally agreed. Even then, she wasn't certain that believed all her reasons for wanting to go back. Apparently it was one thing to believe in aliens, but demons, wizards and time travellers were another story entirely. Fortunately that was when Bel turned up to bring her home. Isabel didn't think she'd ever forget the shocked expression on her mother's face as Bel took her hand and they started to shimmer away.

They reappeared in her room and Isabel let go of Bel's hand to collapse on her bed, worn out by the day.

[ooc: Post is open! Bel modded with permission]

Comments

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel shrugged one shoulder. "It hurt him when I left. And when I came back I asked for time. I just didn't want to worry about being a good girlfriend. Not when I still was having a hard time believing I was really here, that it wasn't just another mindfuck." Unconsciously her body tensed, remembering how hard everything had been. "And then the more I thought about it, the more I realized how unfair it would be to him, to try and make thing work when I was only planning on leaving again."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He smoothed his hands down her back, trying to soothe away the tension. "That makes sense, Isabel," he said and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry you had to make that choice, but you needed to do what was right for you."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"What was right for him," she corrected. "I love him and I didn't want to hurt him again." But even as she said the words, she realized that it was a different kind of love, not longer the bright shining spark that made her eager to spend time with him, but a fond affection for what they had shared, something she wouldn't forget.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack smiled and traced the line of her spine, up and down. "Does this mean I'll be the only cabana boy when you and Cedric run away to Mexico?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel laughed, and if her eyes glittered with tears a bit, hopefully Jack wouldn't notice as she buried her face in his shoulder. "I think so. I hope he'll share in that case."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack noticed. He always noticed. But he could pretend he didn't, and if he was holding her a bit more tightly, one hand gently stroking her hair, it was just because he could. "He promised he'd look after you when I'm gone. Now I'm doubly glad."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"And I'll look out for him, as long as I can," she whispered. The tears were falling faster now, silent but steady. If Jack asked, she wouldn't be able to tell him why. Just that it was finally all too much.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

His chest was getting wet, and he hurt, watching her cry, but Jack knew she needed it, so he just hung onto her, telling her she was safe, that he had her, that it would be okay.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

It took a long time for the tears to stop, and when they did, Isabel was limp with exhaustion. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"No, don't be, Isabel." He just kept stroking her back, hoping that maybe, after that, she'd be able to sleep. "Never apologise for that, it's part of what I'm here for," he said, tipping her chin up and brushing his thumb across her cheeks, wiping away tears. "What can I get you?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

She studied him for a long moment, her face unreadable, before finally closing her eyes and moving away. "Some water maybe?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"That I can do." He carefully slid out from under her, resting one hand on her hair for a minute before disappearing into the bathroom and coming back with a glass of water and a box of tissues. "Here," he said, handing her the glass before ducking back under the covers. The tissues he set on the bed.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel sat up, wiped her eyes and blew her nose, then took a long drink of water. Setting the glass on the shelf next to the bed, she slid back down against Jack, curling into his side. "Thank you."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You're welcome," he said quietly, tucking her against his side as he curved around her. "It will get better, I promise."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Holding out a hand, Isabel turned the room light off, leaving them bathed in the dim glow from the star lamp. "I hope so. Although looking ahead at the next few months, I don't see how."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Because I'm still going to be around," he said firmly. "And where there's a Jack there's good times, at least for the chosen few." He ruffled his fingers through her hair, smiling teasingly at her. "As you should know by now."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I do," she said, turning her head pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "We'll have fun, for as long as we can." Isabel yawned then, and closed her eyes. "I love you."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I love you, too, Isabel." He kissed the top of her head, then closed his own eyes, settling back. "Now try and get some sleep."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

For the first time in too many months, Isabel felt like she might actually have a peaceful night's sleep. She caught Jack's hand and held on as she drifted off to sleep.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack held onto her hand, listening to the sound of her breathing, and it was a long time before he finally fell asleep.