izzyalienqueen | Room 406, early Thursday morning

Isabel moved through her room, adding the last few things to her bag, the phone held against her ear.

"I'm glad you called. But you shouldn't have gotten up so early."

	"Please. My internal clock is constantly thwarted by morning birds here. If I don't close the window, I get a sunrise concert." Parker sighed. "I really can't talk you out of this, can I?"
	"It's still better then a blaring alarm clock," she pointed out. "And no, you can't."
	Parker sighed, and settled back into the pillows of her bed. "You promise, you swear, that you're going to let me know how this comes out? Whatever happens?"
	"One way or another, you'll know," Isabel promised. "I'll call, or email. Or Maria will call. You'll know."
	Parker stared at the ceiling, trying to think of something profound or comforting or persuasive to say. Unfortunately, she'd used up most of that back in March. "Be careful. So, so, so careful. And you can always, always change your mind, Isabel. No matter what. I'm only a phone call away."
	"And if I call we'll run off to the beach in Tahiti? With the cute men?" For a brief moment she was so tempted.
	"Yes! Totally! It'll be fun, we can just goof off, you can relax, they'll get in contact when they can, Isabel...."
	"Tempting. But they won't know to call Tahiti. It has to be this way." Isabel looked at her watch and then at the cat. "I need to go now if I'm going to get to the airport in time."
	"Okay. Okay." Parker swallowed. "Good luck, whatever else happens. And love you." She hated having to say that. But if not now, when?
	Isabel took a breath because those weren't words she was used to hearing from Parker. "Love you to babe. Take care okay?"
	"Always," Parker promised. Then cut the connection before she started saying anything about Max, or Khivar, or Isabel deserving a life away from Antar, and spoiled the good-bye. She held the phone tightly in her grasp, hard enough that if it had been Isabel's hand, she would have had bruises on her fingers.

After hanging up the phone, Isabel stuck it in her purse, then eyed Annie. "Okay, I hate to do this to you. But you're going to have to go in the carrier now. It's almost time to go."

	Peter came knocking. "Isabel?"
	"Lucky you," Isabel said to the cat. "You get a reprieve for a minute." "Hi," she said, opening the door. "You're up early."
	"Or in denial about what time it is," Peter replied. He raked a hand through his hair. "I, uh, wanted to see you."
	"Think of it this way, it's lunchtime already in Europe," she pointed out. "Pretend you're on that trip to France after all." Rambling was easier then thinking. "I'm glad you came by." Stepping back from the door, Isabel motioned him in. "I have to wrestle the cat now."
	Peter came in. "Where's she going?"
	"Into there," Isabel said, pointing at the cat travel bag on the bed. "I'm bringing her back with me. My friend at home will take her if I go." "How hard can it be?"
	"Shall I put that under 'famous last words'?" Peter asked.
	"Probably," she nodded. "Can you hold it open? And I'll try to stuff her in there?"
	"Sure you don't want to switch?" Peter teased.
	"She's used to me. Which I'm hoping will work in my favor," Isabel shrugged. "I'm the keeper of the kibble after all." Annie just kept watching them.
	"I'll make sure that goes on your tombstone," Peter replied.
	"Now that would be ironic. Here lies Isabel. She was supposed to help save a planet. Instead? She was killed by her cat," she said dryly. Scooping up Annie just like she'd done a million times before, Isabel scratched behind her ears. "Just be a good girl. This is going to be fun." Lightening quick she placed her into the carrier and pulled her hands out even as the cat tried to escape.
	Peter tried to close the door to the carrier before Annie could escape.
	And suddenly there was one very unhappy, trapped cat. "That went much better then I expected. Thanks," Isabel smiled. "I don't think I could have done it on my own."
	"Would this be a bad time to ask why you didn't use your powers?" Peter asked.
	"Huh...Because I didn't think of it?" she admitted sheepishly. "My brain's a little scattered at the moment."
	"Anything I can do help?" Peter asked.
	Isabel gestured towards her bag. "If you feel like taking a walk? I could use some help getting my stuff to the car." Okay, she could probably TK it all there with a minimum of effort. It was really all about the company.
	"Just tell me what to carry," Peter said.
	"There's just the duffle bag, my laptop and the cat," she told him. "I think you could handle the cat easily enough?"
	"Sure." Peter got a better grip on the carrier. "Me an' Annie are old pals now."
	"You've had a lifetime of bonding in the last five minutes?" Isabel smiled. She settled the laptop bag on her shoulder and took one last look around the room before reaching for the duffle. "I'd offer to buy you coffee on the way but we're both lacking in the necessary additional arms."
	"Careful," Peter said. "With Umbridge around that could come true.
	"What happened? She called you down the other day didn't she? Why?" she asked.
	"No idea," Peter admitted. "Being a student while she was in charge? She's insane."
	"I'm getting that impression," Isabel said, worried about everyone that was going to be stuck dealing with her. "Did she give you detention?"
	"No, leeks."
	"Leeks?" Unable to help herself, Isabel stared.
	"In my ears," Peter said.
	"..." "I'd ask why but that sort of insanity doesn't usually have answers," she told him. "Still I'm glad to see you back to your usual handsome self."
	That got a smile out of him. "You think I'm handsome?"
	"You probably even made the leeks look good," Isabel smiled, a bit flummoxed to be having this conversation at this particular time.
	"Can't say I took a picture," Peter admitted. He gave her a little smile.
	"Well I've got pictures from New York," she said, ducking her head for a moment.
	"Luckily without vegetables," Peter said. "Otherwise Ma would kill me."
	"As opposed to killing you for playing soccer with the dinosaurs?" Isabel teased. "Next time? You'll stay inside right?"
	"Sure, spoil all my fun," Peter said.
	"Sorry," she said, reluctantly looking at her watch. "I really need to get going."
	Peter got more serious. "I wish I could go with you."
	"You can. At least as far as the causeway." It was a lame answer and Isabel knew it. But she's had this conversation too many times. "It's our fight. Not yours and I wouldn't ask you to take the risk."
	"You wouldn't have to ask," Peter told her.
	"I know," she said quietly, thinking of might have beens. Dropping the laptop bag, Isabel reached out, took the cat carrier out of his hands, and set it on the floor. There was something she wanted to do before she left.
	"I mean it," Peter said.
	"I know," Isabel repeated. "Just...be quiet for minute." Gently sliding her hand up against his cheek, Isabel leaned in to give him a soft kiss.
	Peter was surprised, but not unhappy. He kissed Isabel back.
	All too aware of the time, Isabel reluctantly stepped back. "So..." she said. "That was nice."
	"Yeah," Peter said. "It was."
	"And now it's time to go." She reached for her bags and flashed him a small smile. "I might still come back."
	"At this rate, you'd better," Peter said.
	"We'll see," Isabel said, not willing to make any promises. A wave of her hand opened the door. "After you, kind sir."
	Peter picked up Annie's carrier again, then followed Isabel out the door.