fandomhigh | Library

Isabel had been staring off into space, replaying the dream one more time. She blinked for a moment, using the time to focus back on what was happening around her. "Oh Jack. Hi."

Jack blinked once in surprise then leaned his elbows on the desk and gazed up at her. "I bring you not only a small feast, but my own wonderful self, and all I get is an 'Oh Jack hi.'" He shook his head sadly, but his eyes were twinkling with mirth. "I can't help but feel a little rejected."

"Sorry," she said, forcing a weak smile. "Just thinking. It looks wonderful. Thank you."

"My pleasure," he replied automatically, staring at her with concern. "Something going on with you?" He smiled and touched her chin with one finger. "Want to share?"

"Just things on my mind," Isabel said, shrugging a shoulder. Picking up the coffee, she took a sip. "This is good."

That...wasn't exactly reassuring, but Jack wasn't going to push. Yet. "Not fun things, I'm guessing," he said, but he left it at that. "Of course it's good. You really think I'd bring you something that wasn't good?"

"No, not fun," Isabel said quietly. I think my evil alter-ego is coming out. But she couldn't admit that. At least not yet. Pushing the muffin towards him, she tried to smile. "Share?"

"I was hoping you'd say that." Jack grinned and popped a piece of muffin in his mouth, chewing it and making ridiculously exaggerated happy faces in the hopes of making her smile. "It's even better than the coffee."

That earned him a tiny smile. "I wouldn't go that far. The coffee is wonderful. And yay! Caffeine."

Jack said, "Well, no one's offered me any, so I'm just guessing," then was quiet for a moment, looking down at the desk, and when he looked back up, it was with a very gentle smile. "If I ask you what's bothering you, are you going to tell me? Or would I just be wasting my time?"

"What the hell," Isabel said, pushing the cup towards him. "It's not like you're going to give me cooties." She looked down at the muffin, pulling a piece off and breaking it into smaller pieces without eating a bite. "I need to get it straight in my head first, than maybe I can talk about it."

He sipped thoughtfully at the coffee, then pushed it back across the desk. "If I was going to give you cooties, it would have happened already," he laughed. "And on that note, can I offer you something even more wonderful than caffeine, guaranteed to make you feel better or your money back?"

"True, besides, Jack cooties are probably fun." Isabel looked up, finally meeting his gaze directly. "That sounds like an offer I really can't turn down. Even if I don't know what it is."

"Me, of course," he told her as he walked around behind the desk and held out his arms. "But I should warn you, I've been told I'm highly addictive."

Isabel didn't need anymore encouragement, sliding off the stool and wrapping her arms around him. "Thanks," she whispered, holding on just a little more tightly and a little longer then she usually would.

He folded his arms around Isabel, holding her close while she - and his mind couldn't go past the word clung - to him. Something was definitely up with her. "This I can always do. Anytime, day or night." Jack kissed the top of her head, then rested his chin on it, absently stroking her back. "No talking required."

Reluctantly Isabel finally let go and stepped back. "I'll take you up on it. Just give me a little time. Please?"

"Of course. Now," he jumped up to sit on the desk, flashing her a cheeky grin, "drink your coffee, eat your muffin and tell me what you've been up to? Apart from not seeing enough of me."

She took a sip of the coffee but only toyed with the muffin. "Not much really, just trying to keep up with my reading for classes. I've been rather lame and sticking to my room the last few days."

Jack looked at her sharply, but quickly covered it with another grin. "If you get bored of that, you can come and hang out in my room and read to me. I'll even let you feed me grapes, if you want."

"I'll keep that in mind," Isabel promised. "But for now I'd better get back to work."

"Yeah, okay." Jack knew when he was wasting his time, and making Isabel laugh wasn't going to happen. He slid off the desk. "I can tell when I'm not wanted," he teased. "Not that it happens very often. I'll see you later, Isabel." An astute listener might have picked up the hint of warning in those words -- for the moment he wouldn't push, but his restraint wasn't going to last forever.

Isabel sighed and offered him a half-hearted smile, more then aware that she'd only bought herself a little bit of time. "I'll see you Jack.

As he walked backwards towards the door, he smiled and said, "Anytime, Isabel. And I mean that," before turning and leaving the library.

For one brief moment Isabel thought about calling him back but then she turned back to the desk and tried to focus on her work. That lasted about two minutes and then she was staring into space again.

Library - 11/7

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