Suite 518/520, Monday morning

[demonbelthazor]

Despite not having class until fourth period, Bel was up earlier, waiting for Isabel to come by. He'd fed the cats, made breakfast, and was now lounging on the couch, flipping through the channels on the TV until he found Enchanted reruns. The fact that it was the vampire episode didn't influence his decision to stay on that channel, not at all.

[For izzyalienqueen, but open.]

Comments

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"He probably did," Isabel agreed, but at the same time grateful that everything happened before she warned him. Because she'd have to kill him. "Just like you probably knew better when you first fell for Phoebe. Did that stop you? No."

[demonbelthazor]

"She didn't have a boyfriend or anyone claiming her," Bel said. "Especially not someone who was supposed to be a friend." He faltered a bit on the last word, because he wasn't entirely sure what he and Anders were.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"And again I'll remind you, master manipulator." She knew it was kind of a low blow, but she couldn't help adding, "Pretty much just like the Source was. I'm willing to bet she played on every feeling he has for both of you until the poor guy didn't know which way was up."

[demonbelthazor]

Bel did flinch at the mention of the Source. "I'm sure he was thinking of me the entire time," he said flatly. "He knew I'd be pissed. I told him it wasn't gonna happen again."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"You might have said that, but again, head games. He got played." Isabel shook her head, fairly certain they could argue all day and not really resolve anything. "Look, yell all you want. But don't hurt him. I think he'll be hurt enough after all, once again, he's the one that's left alone."

[demonbelthazor]

Bel tried to ignore the twinges of guilt he was feeling, that ultimately this was all his fault and he probably deserved it. "I can't trust him," he said gruffly.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Which is completely understandable and something the two of you are going to have to deal with," she nodded, patting his arm. "But it's kind of hard to do that if you kill him."

[demonbelthazor]

"I won't kill him," Bel admitted with a sigh. "But I'm not going to do nothing about it, either. He knew damn well what he was doing was wrong and did it anyway."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

It was about the best Isabel could hope for, given the situaion. "Okay. That's all I can ask. Now I guess it's time to get his show on the road," she said, her face going pale.

[demonbelthazor]

Bel didn't fail to notice that. "What's going on?" he said. "Are you okay?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I told you how I went back to Antar," Isabel said, walking over to stare out the window. "It wasn't a good trip. The only reason I'm back is because I got incredibly lucky. I've been home almost a month now, but I haven't called my parents because I didn't know what to say. They finally realized I was home and called me this weekend. They've got lots of questions. And I don't think they're going to like my answers."

[demonbelthazor]

"You sure you want to go there alone?" Bel asked. "Do you need me to stand by for emergency evacuation again?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I have to. Anyone else that turns up with me is going to get interrogated as well and I don't want to put anyone through that," she replied, fairly certain the Bel glowering at anyone giving her a hard time would not go over well. "Can you come get me tonight? Around seven? I'm pretty sure I can cope if I know what time the calvary's coming."

[demonbelthazor]

"Sure, no problem," Bel said, almost disappointed because he could glower so well. "And you have my cell if you need to get out of there sooner. I don't have any plans for the day other than my class fourth period, but I can even shimmer out of that if you need me."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you," Isabel said, taking a deep breath and walking back to stand beside him. "So how does this work? Same as the last time?"

[demonbelthazor]

"It's mostly the same," Bel said. "But a little different. Whatever power I absorbed in the Wastelands wasn't quite the same as my old power, but it still has the same results." He held out his hand to Isabel.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel took his hand, nerves making her hang on tightly. "Just don't turn me into a water cooler."

[demonbelthazor]

Bel smirked a little at that. "I save that for special people," he said. Then he summoned his power and willed them to teleport from the school to Roswell. It felt mostly the same as shimmering with him before had felt, but if Isabel looked down at herself or watched Bel while he did it, it seemed like their forms blurred, a faint yellow-gold glow around them. Also, the sound effect sounded a little different.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'm still glad I skipped breakfast this morning," Isabel said once they were finally in Roswell. She stared at the home she hadn't seen in over a year if she counted her time on Antar.

The front door open and her mother's voice called out. "Isabel?"

Giving Bel's hand one last squeeze, she closed her eyes. "Tonight at seven?"

[demonbelthazor]

"I'll meet you right here," Bel said, squeezing her hand back. "Sooner if you need me, just give me a call."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Okay," she replied, letting go of his hand and starting up the walk as both of her parents rushed out the door to meet her.

[demonbelthazor]

Bel lingered a few minutes to make sure everything looked like it was going okay, then shimmered back to school.