Room 406, evening

[izzyalienqueen]

After hanging out in the common room and then saying good-bye, Isabel returned to her room and curled up on her bed, thinking about good-byes and the people she missed.

It never got easier.

[Expecting one, but open for all]

Comments

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

He gave her a tiny smile. "Certain very possessive people aren't around to make sure nobody tries to make off with what belongs to them?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"If anyone tries to carry you off, the fierce and protective big sister will look out for you," Isabel promised. "So that the very possessive person doesn't come kick her ass."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders wrapped an arm around her shoulders for a hug. "They totally asked you to look out for me, didn't they." It wasn't a question; he knew they would.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"It might have been mentioned." No point lying about it. "They weren't the only ones. Parker worries about you to."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"Of course she does." Someone else he missed a lot. "She was never all that thrilled by my relationship with them, but I know she was just concerned."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"The whole Bel wanting to kill us might have skewed her POV," Isabel pointed out. "She just wants you to be happy."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"I know. Not to mention everything I went through with . . . yeah." Anders looked down at his hands, absently rubbing a smudge of dirt off his knuckles. "I'm learning how to take care of myself. I can do it."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"So I heard," she smiled. "You saved Bel on your adventure to the Underworld?" Then her voice got a little bit firmer. "And just what where you thinking going there with him?"

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"I was thinking that I didn't want him going alone if he was supposed to be dead," Anders answered firmly. "I couldn't talk him out of it, so I was going to go with him whether he wanted me to or not."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel really couldn't fault that argument. But for one tiny little point. "You couldn't take five minutes and call for back-up? It would have taken me a minute and a half to get up the stairs."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"The only way I could get him to take me along was by jumping his shimmer when he started to go," Anders objected. "There wasn't any time to call for backup!"

Okay, there had been, and he sagged. "Or maybe we just didn't think about it. I know. Phoebe gave us an earful."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure she did. So just pretend I'm repeating it now," she told him. "It's too late to get cranky now."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders bowed his head and looked penitent. "I consider myself appropriately scolded."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Then my work is done."

Isabel raised an eyebrow at the movie. "Okay, this looks amusing. I've got ice cream for later. There's comfy pillows. All good?"

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"As good as things're gonna get," Anders said, cracking a smile at the TV. "Thanks again, big sis. I really needed this."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Glad I could help," she said, turning her head and dropping a kiss on the top of his head. "Now relax and watch the movie as I go collapse into bed."