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"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."

"Easy enough to check," she said, opening up her browser and googling. Two clicks later, Isabel nodded. "You're right. Sunday afternoon. Shall I get tickets?"

"Against the Cardinals, huh?" Anders grimaced. "Any other year I'd say that could be kind of painful, but the Cards kinda suck this year, so it should be interesting. Yeah, let's definitely go."

"Good. It'll be fun," Isabel told him, bumping against his shoulder. She clicked her way through the screens and printed out the two tickets. "And we're all set. I can already taste the Crackerjacks."

"The smell of fresh-cut grass," Anders added, nudging her back. "The sound of the organ, everything."

Isabel slipped her arm around his waist and leaned. "It'll be fun. And you'll get to ride in my car. We can even put the top down."

Anders leaned his head against hers and smiled hopefully. "Yeah? I get to ride in the car? This gets better all the time."

"Only the best for you," she promised. "Otherwise Parker will yell."

"Can't have that, can we?" asked Anders with amusement, and no small trace of affection. "She's gonna make someone look after me while you're gone, you know."

"Of course she will," Isabel nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. "It's cause she cares."

"I'm damn lucky to have friends like you guys," he said, hugging her. "Bel and Phoebe will look after me . . . at least until they have to leave. And Bridge always does. And I'm getting better at looking after myself. You don't have to worry about me, you know."

She returned the hug and really didn't show any signs of letting go. Life had been singularly lacking in hugs lately. "I don't have to. I want to. If that makes sense."

Anders was fine with the not letting go, as he wasn't feeling particularly inclined to do so either. And as far as he was concerned, there was always room for more hugs. "That makes sense. All of you guys are way more capable of taking care of yourselves than I am of me, and I worry about all of you just because I love you guys."

"You're just as capable," she said quietly. "You just haven't had to prove it yet. And I'm glad. It means things are going well for you." Tipping her head up Isabel kissed his cheek. "And I love you to."

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