Roswell Fanatics

~~~~~ISABEL~~~~~
“It means that I was so close to avoiding that question,” she sighs.

“Sure, we don’t get to see you as much as we use to but Izzy, you love your job and that’s great. And we will have all the time in the world to hang out when we old and in a retirement home or something.”

In other words, 'Is you spend too much time working but Im being polite and dont want you to hate me'

"Right" I say quietly. I look at the floor. Maybe they are right. Its just...I dont know...I dont feel so...included anymore, and I dont know how to get back to them.

"So you coming to the club?" I ask.

TESS

“Izzy,” I say softly as I loop one my arms with hers. I don’t think she liked my answer and I don’t want her feeling crappy or anything. “I can’t speak for anyone else but I think its okay that you love your job and that you want to be the best you can be. And you’ll not the only one who has been caught up with work. Maria’s on her business trip, Max is always working on a case, Zan spends about 95% of his time at the hospital or studying, Serena is busy with the club…”

I leave my sentence hanging when I realize that I’ve mentioned everyone in the group apart from myself. God, now I really do feel lazy. Actually, I don’t think lazy really covers it. My lack of ambition has never bothered me much until now and I have to admit that I feel slightly jealous of my friends.

“…what I’m trying to say,” I begin even though I’m not too sure what I’m going to say. I’m just winging it here. “is that you’re not the only one who has been out of the loop with the gang and you shouldn’t be feeling bad because you’re doing something you love.”

And now that I’ve said that I add with a cheeky smile, “Of course, I’m going to be at the club tonight. I’ve got a new pair of jeans that make my ass look amazing, there’s a new cute bartender and I happen to know the owner and fully intend on using my connections to bum free drinks all night. You know tonight is going to be awesome, right? We will be all together for the first time in ages and we can reconnect.”

~~~~~ISABEL~~~~~
“Izzy,” she says looping my arm.

“I can’t speak for anyone else but I think its okay that you love your job and that you want to be the best you can be. And you’ll not the only one who has been caught up with work. Maria’s on her business trip, Max is always working on a case, Zan spends about 95% of his time at the hospital or studying, Serena is busy with the club……what I’m trying to say, is that you’re not the only one who has been out of the loop with the gang and you shouldn’t be feeling bad because you’re doing something you love.”

I sigh. I know shes right but...I dont know.

And then she smiles.
“Of course, I’m going to be at the club tonight. I’ve got a new pair of jeans that make my ass look amazing, there’s a new cute bartender and I happen to know the owner and fully intend on using my connections to bum free drinks all night. You know tonight is going to be awesome, right? We will be all together for the first time in ages and we can reconnect.”

I grin. "Sounds great Tess"

I wish Alex was coming...
Whoa...where did that thought come from.

"So Alex is nice" I say before I can stop myself.
Idiot. Now what!
"I was such an idiot back there...I didnt realise about his wife..."
I look at my feet. "Im such an idiot. I just figured a sweet guy like him with a wonderful kid like that..."

~Michael~

"We are now through the turbulence and preparing to land at the airport. Would everyone please fasten their seatbelts and thank you for flying International Airs." I didn't bother with checking my seatbelt since it had remained on the entire flight but I watched as Maria checked hers, when she looked at me with that smile I couldn't help but feel as though she were an angel.

"I for one am glad we're going to be on solid ground soon," She leans over me and I can smell the scent of a very light perfume and her shampoo mixing with a scent that I know is all feminine. She's got a boyfriend, Michael. Don't even consider it. Remember your motto. I tell myself as she speaks again, "Home sweet home."

The rest of the flight I can't seem to get the scent of her out of my mind and when we've disembarked I am completely ready to get as far away from the temptation as I can. Well, part of me is anyway. With my baggage collected, I'm about to bid Maria farewell, but she stops suddenly, good thing I wasn't directly behind her or paying more attention to her rear then I was otherwise I would have crashed into her.

"Coffee." She sighs and then turns to grin at me, "You want to grab a cup? It's the least I could do for you after helping me through my 'near death' experience." I can't help but laugh at the quotations she placed with her fingers.

"Why not? But, I'm not letting you pay for mine, Maria. Let's just enjoy a cup so you can get all your bearings." I give her a smile as I decide to ask, "Is someone supposed to be picking you up? Or do you have a car in the lot?" Maybe I could help her in another way. If she had no other transportation other then a taxi, I'd offer her a ride since all I had to do was call one of my assistants and have them send the car. We had one limo available specifically for our high faced clients but from time to time I used it in order to help close those rich deals. They liked a touch of class and were more likely to welcome a sale by someone else that appeared to be in their same class.

I'm actually surprised she's not wanting to rush home to be with her boyfriend, but then again she had said she hadn't been in love. She's still off the market, Michael. I say to myself, trying not to even think about it. After all, I'd probably never see her again after today. A cup of coffee together couldn't hurt.

~Max~

"I don't mind." Liz shrugs and even that movement seems so elegant. I really need to stop thinking about this. Maybe I shouldn't tag along. It wouldn't be the best idea. Maria will be home soon and I should let her find me at home instead of the office or off hanging out with others.

Tess grins with the idea and I shake my head with a laugh. "In fact, I insist that you do." Liz says, seeming more relaxed.
"I'd actually like to pick your brain if you don't mind."

"Hmm, saying that to a lawyer. Sounds like you've got guts. Picking the brains of someone in the law profession can be a tough job." I say, unable to stop myself from laughing.

“That’s all settled then.” Tess says looking at us. “But can we talk and walk people. I’m really hungry, I think I could eat a horse.”

Tess goes about teasing Serena and my brother and I simply watch, shaking my head before we all head out. Tess of course taking point, “Okay, people. Let’s go. Max and Liz you can talk about whatever you’re talking about.” Then she and Isabel end up taking lead on the walk and begin talking amongst themselves.

I look at Liz as I begin walking, holding my arm out in a gentlemanly manner, "So, Liz... let's see how much of this brain picking you can handle." I told her with a laugh.

Great parts everyone,

TESS

"So Alex is nice. I was such an idiot back there...I didn’t realize about his wife..." She says looking at her feet. “I’m such an idiot. I just figured a sweet guy like him with a wonderful kid like that..."

Wow, Isabel is really beating herself up today. Mental note: buy Isabel a pound of chocolate. Or a even better idea, get her a dozen tequila shots at the club tonight. It might do her the world of good to let go for one night and just completely relax. Dancing, tequila and hot guys never fail to make me feel better.

“Yeah, it sucks what happened to his wife.” I say, although I doubt that sucks is really the right word to use to describe the horrible tragedy that had happened to Alex and his son. “I’m pretty sure that I would have come to the same conclusion as you though if I hadn’t of been filled in on the details by Serena. I mean, he is still wearing his wedding ring after all. But yeah, he seemed really nice and Seth was so cute. Actually, Alex was kind of cute, don’t you think?”

~~~~~ISABEL~~~~~
“Yeah, it sucks what happened to his wife. I’m pretty sure that I would have come to the same conclusion as you though if I hadn’t of been filled in on the details by Serena. I mean, he is still wearing his wedding ring after all. But yeah, he seemed really nice and Seth was so cute. Actually, Alex was kind of cute, don’t you think?”

I start fiddling with the strap of my handbag. Cute....definitely. But I cant say that! Its so...awful of me. Besides he just went through a tragedy and all. He's a sweet a guy and doesnt a busy stupid working girl like me.

"Yeah I guess so" I say.
Ok I need a change of subject now before Tess carries on about Alex...
"Erm...so.....hows.....things?"
That was even more lame than I thought possible.

TESS

Isabel begins to fiddle with the strap of her purse when I mention Alex’s cuteness. Interesting. Could it be possible that our Izzy has finally noticed a guy as a human being instead of a piece of art that needs to be captured on film? Maybe I should subtly let Serena know that she won’t have to look too far if she is planning on playing Miss. Match.

“Things are going amazing.” I say with a easy grin. “Work sucks but everything else is great. Well, not everything. I mean, hello, I’m still single but that really doesn’t bother me as much as it should. Its just the sex that I miss. Hot, dirty, sweaty sex. But otherwise, everything is amazing. What about you? How is life treating, Miss. Evans?”

~~~~~ISABEL~~~~~
“Things are going amazing. Work sucks but everything else is great. Well, not everything. I mean, hello, I’m still single but that really doesn’t bother me as much as it should. Its just the sex that I miss. Hot, dirty, sweaty sex. But otherwise, everything is amazing. What about you? How is life treating, Miss. Evans?”

I shrug. "Busy I guess. You know...work."
God I sound so BORING! And I really want to ask Tess to help me be more...I don't know...fun.
But if I do that...Id never hear the end of it.
But I need something to talk about.

"So is there anything else I really need to know that I don't? No more skeletons in anyones cupboards?" I ask.

TESS

"Busy I guess. You know...work."

I roll my eyes. When did all of my friends become such…grown ups? I mean, come on. We are all extremely good looking 20 some things, living in the greatest city on the planet. Its sheer madness to be so caught up in work and all the small things. In about ten years, we going to be so old and we will have nothing better to do but work and slave for nothing.

"So is there anything else I really need to know that I don't? No more skeletons in anyones cupboards?"

I tap my chin playfully as I pretend to give some serious thought to her question. Ah, there so many different and equally amusing answers to that question. I suppose the most obvious would be to out Zan but mocking him is more fun when he’s here. Eh, I guess I might as well answer this question seriously for a change, well half seriously that is.

“I think that everyone’s closets are pretty much skeleton free apart from the fact that Maria is a shoe thief.” I say, smiling at Isabel. I wonder if now would be too soon to ask about her interest in Serena’s cousin. I grin mischievously at her, “What about your closet, Izzy? Is there anything you want bought into the light?”