Fourth Floor Common Room, after classes

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Finishing dinner preparations had allowed Isabel a little time to process everything she'd learned during the day. Hopefully with the information she and Parker had given Professor Phale to be played out in a bit, he'd be able to stop Lana, Phoebe and Marie before they messed with anyone else's head.

But for now Isabel focused on dinner with friends and that meant cooking rice and setting out toppings to go with the huge pot of chili on the stove.

Comments

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'd put money on it," she nodded. "That's what got Parker and I talking, what she did to you? That's just not her. It didn't make sense."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack was silent for several minutes, returning to slicing the onions, absent and automatic. "There's something else that doesn't make sense," he finally said, not looking at Isabel. "I spoke to Lana - or whoever it was - this morning. She made me suspect--" He swallowed. "--that Sam and Cedric set me up. That Sunday was their fault."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

And that was almost enough to make Isabel forget any promises to let Mr. Phale handle it. "Damnit. Jack no way. She was screwing with your head. They'd never do that to you."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"That's what I keep telling myself," he said hoarsely. "They wouldn't do that, but it feels so real." He lifted his head to look at Isabel, all his doubt and confusion plain on his face. "It hurts, Izzy."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel forgot all about Lana and focused on Jack. "It's not real," she said quietly. "I promise you. It's not real. They love you. They're hurting for you."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He hung on her words, grasping after them like a lifeline. "I know. I think I know. I'm trying to believe it. I'm going to believe it," he said stubbornly.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I told you I'd never lie to you," Isabel reminded him. "Especially about something like this."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I know." He flattened his palms on the counter, took a deep breath, and nodded. "Right. It's not real. No matter how real it feels. I just have to remember that."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"You do. But I'll remind you if you need it," she promised. "And it'll all be over soon."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"It will?" he asked hopefully.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel nodded, reaching out and squeezing his hand, "Parker and I talked to Mr. Phale. He's going to stop it."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack nodded and closed his fingers around hers. "Okay. So we just hang on until then. I can do that."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'll help," she promised. "Especially in class tomorrow."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He'd forgotten Lana was in their class. "That," he paused, took a breath, "would be good. Because if she tries something, I'm not going to care that it's Lana's body."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"She won't. Not there, not with that many witnesses," Isabel said, hoping like hell she was right. "But if she does, I'll deal with her. She's hurt you enough."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Not if it means she hurts you instead," he said, almost glaring at her.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

She sighed, "Jack, I'm not going to just sit back and do nothing."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He looked mulish, but didn't say anything apart from, "We'll see what happens. And you should feed me now."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"That I can do," Isabel smiled as she fixed him up a plate. "Enjoy."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Thanks, Izzy." He took the plate, but set it aside long enough to step forward and pull her into a hug. "And not just for the food."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Anything for you," she said as she returned the hug, slipping her arms around his waist and holding on. "Now go eat."