Room 406, after Jack's room

[izzyalienqueen]

Isabel had reluctantly left Jack in his room with Cedric. She'd wanted to stay, afraid his return was just a dream, but she knew that both Jack and Cedric needed to talk. Besides, she had to make a call.

After much squeeing, and a little bit of worrying, Isabel hung up the phone and stared at the ceiling, thinking over the last few days. The barbeque for the Fourth had been a blast. Goofing in the water with Cedric was fun, and it seemed like Karal enjoyed learning to swim. It was good to spend time with Aeryn since there was so little time left. Isabel was glad to hear that her advice to Dick had helped, and even more glad that Bridge would talk to Steve Peter. Then, there were fireworks. They were mostly literal, but still very enjoyable.

The door was open.

Comments

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

It was late, after Caritas, that Johnny wandered down the hall of the fourth floor. It was evident that he had been drinking, but he wasn't drunk. Just feeling pretty good.

He stopped at Isabel's room and leaned a shoulder against the door frame, "Hey..."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel had been looking through some pictures from the last year, it took her a moment to focus on the door. "Oh, hey. Hi. What's up?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Nothing. Just...headed to bed." His eyes moved over her not in a 'I want to rip your clothes off before I do it,' manner. Just in a casual glance wondering what she was doing.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Alone? And no, that's not an offer," she said quickly, with a smile to show she was teasing. "I'm just killing time. I'm half afraid to go to sleep tonight. So I'm just going through some pictures form last year."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He smirked, "Yeah, alone. Unfortunately," he said with a touch of a whine at her teasing. "Why are you afraid to go to sleep?" He moved into her room and sat himself down next to her. Yes, totally uninvited.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Univited entering means no vampire. That's always a good thing.

"I might have a spare teddy bear if you want to borrow him," Isabel offered. Teasing Johnny was a great distraction from everything else on her mind. "Because I'm afraid when I wake up, this will have been an elaborate dream. Jack's back."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny could totally play one though if it meant getting to suck on someone's neck.

The teddy bear remark got his finger poking into her side, "Not nice." But he grinned and nudged her gently with his shoulder. Her next words almost sobered him completely, "Jack? As in the Jack you have told me about?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel still has a stake her old roommate gave her.

"What? I'm trying to be nice?" she laughed, flipping a page in the album to the pictures from this year's prom. "Yeah. That's him. The Prom King."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny looked down at the picture and frowned. Jack was nice looking. Goodlooking even. Okay, Jack was hot.

"Why did he come back?" No. He was not feeling pangs of jealousy dammit.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"He got hurt," Isabel said. "And needed a place to rest up. So he came home." Because Fandom, with the people that loved him, was home. "I never thought I'd see him again. So you understand how I think this is all a dream?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny had to nod even though he didn't get it. "You...are you guys...like...you know...a couple?"

(headed to bed! sp is love!)

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Jack and I? A couple?" That was enough to make her forget her worries and laugh out loud. "No. He was one of my best friends. That's all." Of course it was more complicated then that, but it was too hard to put into words.

[*joins you shortly* SP is love!]

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny felt relief wash over him and he wasn't sure why. It's not like he and Isabel had anything going - they didn't. It's just...hell, he didn't know. It was weird and right now he wished he would have drank more tequila.

"Cool. Best friends that are guys are cool, Isabel."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"They are," Isabel said, still smiling at the picture and beyond glad that he was back. "It's weird, but not I guess. I've got more real friends now, then I ever had back in Roswell."

"But enough about me? How are you? Is that eau de tequila?" she asked, elbowing him lighty. "Were you out at Caritas?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny nodded, still thinking about Jack. He wanted to meet Jack, so asked her, "Can I meet him, you think?"

He nodded again, giving her a shy sort of grin, "Yeah, went over to Caritas with a new guy who wanted to see the zombies for himself."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

She laughed at the grin, "Enjoying not being the newbie anymore are you? How badly did you break his brain?"

"As for meeting Jack? I'm sure you will, he just needs a day or two to rest up and get a little TLC." Isabel put her head down and started to laugh, picturing that meeting. Jack would definitely appreciate Johnny's good looks.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"No brain breakage from me. Actually I think he might have broken mine. He's seems a very energetic fellow and he got up and sang. First night there, drunk on Coke, and got up and sang," Johnny said, shaking his head slightly.

"How did he get hurt? And badly? I know for a fact there are some healing people around here."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Singing? Gah! That's one thing I've never done," she snickered. "I prefer to do all my singing in the shower. Who's the newbie? I wonder if I've met him yet."

"He had a busted up hand. But Cedric fixed it. That's when I left. The two of them needed the time alone." And hopefully things were still going well after an uncomfortable start.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"His name's Troy, can't remember his last name right now. And yeah, man, I won't even sing. Not even in the shower. Maybe once or twice but that's it."

"Ouch, that had to hurt." He looked at her. "Jack and...Cedric?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Maybe. But the good thing about fifty-first century medicine is that they were able to block the pain for him." Isabel grabbed one of her pillows and arranged it behind her back so that she was leaning comfortably against the wall, then offered one to Johnny. "Here get comfy while I explain."

"The thing about Jack is that he's a flirt. A huge flirt. With anyone, male or female, and given some of the stories he's told me, possibly aliens of entirely new genders." She chuckled a bit, thinking of some of those stories. "But last year, Jack and Cedric, as well as Jack and Sam, girl Sam if you listen to the old radio broadcasts, they had this thing that worked. And no, before you say anything, it wasn't some kinky threesome. They just both loved him, and knew the other made him happy. So they didn't make him choose."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Oh, Johnny got comfy all right. He shoved her pillow behind him and sort of half-leaned up against her, against the wall. "Good for Jack then, eh?" Johnny really did want to meet him. Honest.

Through her description so far of Jack, Johnny wondered what he would think of being flirted with. Would he react to it? He knew he reacted to Ronan but he was not willing to admit to that. Not yet. He wasn't even sure he wanted to think about it. And he hasn't spoken to Ronan since Ronan smacked him in the head that afternoon.

"So, are you telling me Jack is a player? Or just loves people in general?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Don't get too comfy," Isabel laughed, leaning back just a bit. "I'd hate to have to wake you up to leave."

That question required thought. "Jack loves people. And all the fun things that they can do together. So I suppose you can say he's a player. But at the same time? He's not obnoxious about it. Jack just has a way of making you feel special, like at that moment, you're the most important thing in the world to him." Her soft smile should make it apparent that he's made her feel special many, many times. "I guess I should warn you that there's a very good chance he's going to flirt with you when he meets you."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Nah, I'm not that bad off," he teased, winking up at her. "You just smell nice."

Jack and Isabel. Johnny tried to picture it but it was hard since he didn't know Jack. And meeting him would better give thought and image to what Isabel was telling him. For now, Johnny nodded and said easily, "I can handle it. The flirting." He might actually like it. Who knows?

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Why thank you." Isabel tipped her head and sniffed at him, smiling at she did so. "You're not so bad yourself. Although that faint undertone of zombie is a bit much."

This was nice, and comfortable and oddly enough, reminded her of the many times she and Jack spent together, just sitting.

"Can you? He can be over the top."

She knew it would be pushing, but she had to ask. "What's up with Ronan? I actually finally talked to him the other day."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Uhg. I do not smell like zombie and I'm just too lazy to shower before bed. Maan!"

Johnny gave her a look, "Over the top how exactly?"

Ronan. Why did Ronan have to be discussed? "Is something supposed to be up with Ronan and I just don't know it yet? And...what did you talk to him about?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Then it's a good thing you're going home alone tonight. Although I suppose the teddy bear won't mind," she teased. "Anyone would be having nightmares of zombies wanting to eat their brains."

"It's hard to explain. He has a way of just being in your space. With a touch, a look. He makes you want him there. I guess you have to see him in action," Isabel shrugged. "Then you'll understand it." Of course under that charm she knew there was steel.

"No. I just wanted to meet him. And mostly we discussed magical means of transport."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He smacked his hands over his ears, "Stop it! Stop it! Ew!" There were just some images Johnny didn't want to have before he went to bed at night.

"I guess I will totally have to see Jack in action." Johnny reached out and poked her hand gently. What? He could be an in your space kind of guy too.

"What did you think of him?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Awww, you don't like bad horror movies?" she snickered, turning her hand over and spreading her fingers in invitation.

"Ronan? He seemed nice. He offered to help me with some of the stuff I've got to deal with. Which was surprising. But appreciated. Too bad there's nothing he can do."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Yes?" Johnny said cause he didn't want to sound wimpy. Really, he didn't mind them. Just after seeing the real thing, well, it sort of put bad horror movies into perspective for him.

Skipping over Ronan, he asked her, "What stuff? Can I help? Cause I can help before he can, promise."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Awww, I can protect you from the scary rubber monster," Isabel promised, patting his leg. "Of course if it's one of the creepy ones that more psychological then guts and gore? I'll be a freaked out as you are."

Her smile faded and she looked away. "Unfortunately there's not much anyone can do here. I'm going to have to handle it on my own."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"If you are not careful, I am going to strip naked and crawl in your bed and stay there all night long, sleeping away these awful icky images you are putting in my head." He would do it too. No scary rubber monster. He could handle the psychological just fine.

Well, he was concerned now, but didn't pester her. "All right, Isabel."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

It was a tempting threat, but remembering the dinner she had planned with Peter for Friday night, Isabel just smiled and shook her head.

"Don't think I didn't notice the subject change. What do you think of Ronan?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"You are too smart for me," he said, touching the tip of her nose. "What are you doing with a guy like me?" Grinning, cause he loved teasing her, Johnny slouched back against his pillow and thought about how to answer her.

Simply by saying, "He's pretty cool."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"You're very pretty arm candy," she laughed, wrinkling her nose at him.

"He seems to be. Cute too. So why the flailing?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny shot out a bark of laughter, "Well, thank you. I think."

"I'm not flailing. Do you see me flailing. I'm not flailing. Maaan!"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"It was a compliment," Isabel promised. "But if you want more...you're also sweet and make me laugh. So I suppose I'll keep you around."

"You're not flailing now. But you weren't happy with radio."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Just marry me now and have my babies." He grinned cheekily. "You are good for me, yes you are."

Johnny turned his good-humored attention from her and stared across the room, all broody now. "That's cause radio didn't know what it was talking about."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

She reached for his hand, teasing forgotten. Broody she could deal with. It was like spending time with Max and Michael. "I've found that that's sort of true. But at the same time, there's usually some tiny kernal of truth hidden down deep in the innuendo."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"I don't want to admit to it, Isabel." He said softly and held her hand, tracing the lines and planes on the back of it with his thumb.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"But you're going to hurt yourself if you keep denying it," Isabel replied. "Ronan to probably. Is that what you want?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"I'm not having this conversation. He...smacked me!"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Why?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Although from his reaction, she had a pretty good idea.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Because of the stupid radio, I guess." Johnny knew why but he didn't want to get into it.

"I don't like guys. I don't."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Okay." She'd let it drop, but hopefully Johnny knew enough that if he did want to talk, he'd remember she'd listen. "Do you like movies?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He knew it and he was glad for it.

"Yeah, I like movies. Why?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Feel like sitting and watching something cheesy and action filled with me?" Not that Isabel truly prefered action movies, but she had a few because they reminded her of Michael, and she was fairly certain Johnny would like one of those more then any sappy romance."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, put something in, but if I fall asleep, it's your fault." He said, winking at her.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'll wake you and point your sleepy self towards the door," she promised as she popped the DVD for Ranger Guy Commando into the player and turned on the TV. Jack's TV, she realized. But that was something she'd deal with tomorrow.

Dropping back onto the bed, Isabel fluffed the pillow and set it back against the wall. "Come on, let's see if we can keep a body count."

Sadly, as the movie went on, they lost count. But they did laugh a lot over the cheesy dialogue and the overdone explosions and generally enjoyed themselves.

And when the movie was over, Johnny did go back to his own room.