By Cheri
E-mail: cheri_and_ty@yahoo.com
Rating: PG
Spoilers: I suppose up to Max In The City/Journey To New York
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the WB or Roswell in any way
Summary: Isabel is forced to make a decision about her future as Alex decides to finally let her go.
*****
He was sitting at the counter talking to his friends when she walked into the café. She noticed him immediately, but still crossed the room and sat at an empty booth.
Although he didn’t see her come through the door, he felt her pass behind him and suddenly his body tensed. She always had that effect on him. It didn’t seem to matter if they were on speaking terms or not, he would always respond to her presence.
She saw his body stiffen and knew it was because of her. This time however, she knew it wasn’t a good thing. They hadn’t spoken in a week and it was her fault. It seems that most of their arguments had been her fault since last spring.
She was the one who pushed him away, when she needed him the most. She was the one who told him she couldn’t get involved with anyone at the time, even though her heart ached for him. She was the one who felt an attraction to a certain geologist. She was the one who was discovering her former life and her predestined future. She was the one who started their latest argument.
She had been sitting on the grass at lunch, reading a book about different types of rocks, when he sat down beside her.
“Hey, Isabel. What’s so interesting?” He asked, lifting the front cover of the book to read the title. “A Beginner’s Guide To Geology. Hmm. I didn’t know you were taking Geology.”
“I’m not. It’s just something I’m interested in.” She stammered.
“Something you’re interested in. Yeah. Okay.”
“Alex, what are you getting at?”
“Nothing. It’s just that you’re obviously trying to learn more about what your new boyfriend does.”
“Is that what you think? Alex, I am interested in a lot of different things. And don’t call him that. He is not my boyfriend!”
“Fine. I think that it was a bad idea to come over here.”
“You know, Alex, you’re right.”
“I am?”
“Yeah. It was a bad idea for you to come over here. But, don’t leave on my account. I’ll leave instead!” She said, gathering her things and storming off.
She thought that he would’ve said hello to her by now, but he hadn’t. He hadn’t even acknowledged she was around, except for the tensing of his muscles. Other than that, he continued to ignore her.
Even now, in the same room together, he ignored her and continued the conversation he was having with Liz and Maria. Liz, always the polite one, came over and took her order and went back to her conversation with her friends. She looked over and smiled at Isabel, hoping to give her some encouragement.
She knew she would have some time before her order arrived (even though the café was nearly empty), so she opened her backpack and pulled out a hardback book, a spiral notebook and a pen. She opened the book and started jotting down notes.
The three friends at the counter were discussing The Whits' latest gig when she had walked in. The girls had noticed the change in their friends' demeanor immediately and noticed the tension in the air. They knew how much he was hurting on the inside.
“Why don’t you just go talk to her, Alex?” Liz asked him.
“It’s not that easy. Do you realize how much this whole situation sucks? Just look at us. You can’t be with Max for whatever reason only known to you. And Maria, you know want to be with Michael because of the whole Courtney thing. And me. I get pushed aside for a dirty, sweaty, smelly geologist. Are we pathetic or what?!”
“That was so eloquent. You really do have a way with words, Alex.” Maria said.
“I’m serious. You know I think I liked it better before we knew about their secret. I mean, I just admired for afar, knowing I really didn’t have a chance. Now, I feel so used. I’m tired of always being the ‘good friend’. The guy who would do anything for her.”
“Alex, where is this going?” Liz asked, having never seen Alex this way before.
“I think we should make a pact. We should just let them all go. Get them out of our lives, so to speak. Just be ‘friends’ and move on. Let them have their destinies.”
“Alex, you’re rambling.” Maria said as Liz went to take an order.
“Maria, think about what they’ve put all of us through this past year. What Michael had put you through.”
“Point taken.”
Liz walked back over and joined in the conversation asking, “How long has it been since you’ve talked to her?”
“A little over a week. Nine days, actually. Why?”
“Look at her. She looks so alone.” Liz said, giving a sympathetic smile to her.
“She had Grant-what’s-his-name.”
“I think she misses you, Alex.” Maria added.
“I know where this is going. Stop it. I’m not Alex ‘the good friend’ anymore. What’s she doing now?”
“It looks like she’s taking notes.”
Just then the doors to the café opened and two men came in. They scanned the room, obviously looking for someone. Their eyes locked on Isabel.
She was sitting in her booth, totally oblivious to the world around her, plotting star constellations in her notebook. She was planning on going out stargazing later on tonight, if the weather held.
Maria and Liz watched the men walk over to Isabel’s booth and sit down across from her, surprising her enough that she let out a shriek.
Alex turned to see the commotion and saw the scared look on her face and his heart dropped. He stood up, told Liz to call Max and Michael, and walked over to the booth.
“Well, Vilandra. It’s so nice to see you again.”
“You’ve mistaken me for someone else.” She lied.
“I don’t think so. I would know you anywhere.”
“Hey sweetie.” Alex said, sitting down next to her. “Something wrong?”
“Alex.” Isabel said, playing along. “No, why would you think that? These two gentlemen are trying to find someone and mistook me for her.”
Within minutes Max, Michael, Tess and Kyle all walked into the café just in time to see both men use their powers on Isabel, only to have Alex move in front of her. Using their combined energy they disintegrated the two men.
Kyle helped Isabel move Alex to the floor as Liz locked the café’s doors. Isabel tried to make the connection to Alex, but it wasn’t working.
“Max, help him. I can’t get through. I don’t know what I’d do without him in my life. Please.” She pleaded to her brother, crying.
Max kneeled down next to Alex and placed his hands on his chest. It took a lot of effort, but he managed to connect to him. He saw a flood of images before he could see where the injuries were.
//FLASH// The first time Alex saw Isabel.
//FLASH// Isabel at the Crash Festival last year.
//FLASH// His dream dance with Isabel.
//FLASH// Their first date at the Soap Factory.
//FLASH// Their first kiss.
//FLASH// His heart breaking as they said goodbye last spring.
//FLASH// His jealousy over Grant.
//FLASH// The striptease on her birthday.
//FLASH// Their fight last week.
//FLASH// His decision to give her up.
Max repaired the tissue and organ damage to his heart and lungs. Then, he reconstructed the six broken ribs he had discovered.
Meanwhile, Isabel looked on in disbelief. Only moments ago, Alex had been sitting at the counter ignoring her. Then, before she knew it, he had sat next to her and threw himself in front of her. And now, because of her, of who she used to be, he was lying on the floor, his life in her brother’s hands. She couldn’t even heal him herself.
When Alex inhaled his first breath since the attack, Isabel let out a sigh of relief. It was at that moment, she knew she had to tell him why she was behaving the way she was. She kneeled down beside him and put her arms around him and said, “Thank you for saving my life, Alex.”
Confused, Alex just replied, “You’re welcome.”
*****
An hour later, Alex and Isabel were sitting on top of her car at the quarry.
“Okay, what did you want to talk about?” he asked her.
“I need to explain my behavior. I’ve been such a hypocrite. And a lousy friend. You’re my best friend, Alex and I couldn’t even turn to you.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is. When I found out about my ‘destiny’ last spring, I shut myself off. I couldn’t process in my head what I know wasn’t true in my heart. Then, when Grant showed up, I suppose I became attracted to him because he wasn’t involved with everything. I didn’t have to let him in if I didn’t want to.”
“I understand.”
“When Congresswoman Whitaker and I had our confrontation, she told me things about myself- my former self, that made me shut down even more. Then, everything snowballed until today at the café. Alex, you could have died today and it would have been my fault.” She said with tears welling up in her eyes.
“It would have been worth it. Isabel, once, I told you that I would do anything to protect you and I meant every word I said.”
“Alex, the only reason I’ve been pushing you away is because I didn’t want to see you hurt. I love you too much, Alex. I’d die if anything happened to you.”
“Did you just say you loved me?”
“Yes, Alex. I love you. And I want us to be together again. I just need us to go slow. Are you willing?”
“Isabel, the only thing I have ever wanted was for you to let me in. Into you life, into your heart, into your soul. I love you, so much. If slow is how you want to take this, then slow we’ll go.”
“Alex, I don’t deserve you.”
“No, you don’t. But then again, I don’t deserve you either.” He said smiling.
She leaned in and kissed him. They remained so locked in their embrace, that they didn’t notice the sun setting against the horizon.
“Isabel, I’ve got to ask. What were you doing at the café?”
“I needed a quiet place to plot my next stargazing adventure. You know it is my number one interest. After you that is. Do you want to join me?” She asked mischievously.
“Do you even have to ask?” he said, laughing.
They didn’t know where their lives were going or what new danger lurks. All they cared about was being together.
The End