fandomhigh | Library

Anders snorted. "No, but that's nothing new. I stay away from that fandom. It terrifies me. Also, I don't like the books much."

"The books are pretty good. The fandom is batshit, but they're good for amusement," she shrugged. "So what brings you by? Not that I don't love your company. And actually I do need to talk to you."

"I didn't do it," Anders said automatically. "I honestly have no idea why I dropped by. Maybe just a change of pace? Maybe I had some unexplained instinct that said you needed to talk to me. Okay, actually I was hoping I'd feel guilty about playing computer games in the library and kick the addiction to Zuma while hanging out with my big sis."

"Game addiction? What game? I need something new. I've been playing sudoku and Statetris (http://www.mapmsg.com/games/statetris/usa/). I could use something new." Putting off talking about the bad stuff? Never.

Anders scrunched up his nose and looked sheepish ~~once his player finally stopped playing Statetris, OMG I hate you now~~. "Two words. PopCap Games. Stay away from that website, it's like a crack den."

He set his laptop down and eyed her thoughtfully. "You cannot possibly have been wanting to talk to me about computer games, can you?"

"I'll keep that in mind," Isabel laughed. "At least Statetris is sort of educational. It's like Geography 101."

"Would you believe me if I said yes?"

"I only know the states that have baseball teams," Anders informed her. Arching an eyebrow, he added slowly, "Would you be sorry if I answered no?"

[OOC: And now I'm going to have "Wakko's America" stuck in my head ALL DAY.]

"No. Because I will tell you the truth," she said quietly. "This is pretty important."

Anders set the laptop aside and leaned forward on his forearms, looking at her intently. "What's going on, then?" he asked. He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to know, but he had to ask.

Isabel leaned onto the counter as well. "I never told you much about my trip back to Antar did I?" She sighed, tracing her finger over the grain of the wood. "At first it was too hard, and later, it was just easier not to think. I was gone longer then a few days. It was about six months for me."

Anders grimaced. "I hate dimensional travel. At least it wasn't years, I guess."

"Yeah, it would suck to be a 30 year old high school student," she said with a weak laugh. "The thing is, it's been six months since I came back. That means that time here, has caught up with time there. I need to go back."

He sagged visibly. "Aw, no . . . do you have to? Please say you're coming back, at least. I don't want to lose any more people than I'm already going to."

"I don't know," Isabel admitted, reaching for his hand. "I'm not even a hundred percent sure I'll be able to make contact. If I don't? I guess I'll be back. If I do? I don't know."

Anders didn't realize exactly how hard he was squeezing her hand when he took it -- not crushing, maybe just hard enough to make fingers tingle after a few moments. "I don't want to lose any more friends, big sis."

Isabel was doing a little squeezing of her own. "I know. I'm sorry. It's just...they're my brothers. I can't let them do this on their own. I have to try to help."

"Yeah." Anders tried, with minimal success, for a smile. "I understand. You have to do it. But I'll miss you."

He should be used to this by now -- people having to leave -- but that didn't mean he had to like it.

"I'll miss you to," she told him. "But let's see what happens. It could be a wasted trip."

Anders bit his lip. "Could you . . . would it be too much to ask if you'll promise to stay safe?"

"I'll do my best," Isabel promised, squeezing his hand again. "And I'll email or I'll have a friend email. Just so you know what happened."

"That'd be good, at least," he said shakily. "I can deal with you having to go away, but not knowing would hurt a hell of a lot."

"Yeah, I get that," she said softly. "But we've still go some time. I don't leave till next week. So if Bel and Phoebe can spare you a bit, we can hang out. Maybe go catch a game?"

Anders laughed softly. "Yeah, I think that's doable. It's been forever since we went to a game together, hasn't it? I'll clear my calendar for you."

"Well how about you come over here and we'll look online?" Isabel asked, pointing towards the computer. "See what works?"

"I think the Nats might be playing at home this weekend," Anders mused as he headed around the counter. "I was messing with my fantasy baseball roster and I'm pretty sure that's what I saw, but I could be wrong."

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