Las Vegas, Tuesday evening

[izzyalienqueen]

"I'm telling you," Isabel said as she started the DVD player. "I have to watch it and the sequel for class. Do you really think I'd choose to watch over three hours of bad Eighties break dancing and cheesy subtext if I didn't have to?"

[For the visitor]

Comments

[mparkerceo]

Parker gave her an incredulous look and said, "I do not believe that for a second. Admit it. You saved the cheesiest ones for me." Then threw a taco chip at her.

[izzyalienqueen]

"No," Isabel laughed as she batted the chip away. "If I was doing that, I'd make you watch Chorus Girls. But I'm saving that for Wyatt."

[mparkerceo]

"And good luck with that. I bet you could set up a stripper pole in here with your powers and his. Easy," Parker said, picking up another chip and biting into it. She stretched out her legs and leaned back with a sigh. "This is nice. No offense to Peter and Zero, but Casa Swerval doesn't come with pool boys. You promised me those, right?"

[izzyalienqueen]

"Or I could just find a power drill. But since I haven't got time to sign up for the pole dancing class at the gym, I'll pass for now."

Isabel nodded as she stared at the opening credits in horror. "I did. I'll pick you up after class tomorrow and bring you over to the hotel pool. You'll have your pick of the pool boys."

[mparkerceo]

Parker was staring. And now throwing chips again. She might have seemed more relaxed than the last time Isabel had seen her by a significant margin.

"Yes. Cool. I'm very much in the mood for that." She put another chip in her mouth, and chewed before turning to look at Isabel. "So how many classes are you taking, again?"

[izzyalienqueen]

Parker's relaxation had been noted and would be commented on at the appropriate moment.

"Eighteen credits. But six of them, including the three for this class, are independent study," she replied. "I can't imagine sitting in a lecture hall watching this. My god, the clothes..."

[mparkerceo]

"My god, the hair. And the make-up," Parker said in tones of sheer horror. "Aqua eyeshadow, who the hell thought that was a good idea?" She shook her head, taking a sip of her drink, and pointed at Isabel. "But you're still working, too. How many hours a week?"

[izzyalienqueen]

Isabel shrugged. She hadn't counted recently, but the two to three days work she was supposed to be scheduled for was more often then not, four or five days. "Enough to pay my rent and keep me in coffee."

"Oh honey, the torn sweatshirt never looked good."

[mparkerceo]

"Showing off your shoulders requires Chanel, not shirt surgery," Parker told the screen, and then turned back to Isabel, one eyebrow up. "I call bullshit. I saw you when I got here. Do not learn the wrong lessons from my admittedly awesome example." She smirked.

[izzyalienqueen]

"It was a busy weekend," she countered. "Body builders everywhere. Besides, I don't drink and I don't smoke, so that's several points in my favor."

[mparkerceo]

"Still. Do you sleep?" Parker asked, giving her a careful look. "Because that's the killer, if you're not. If you are--" She held her hands up in a 'backing off' gesture. "I'll shut up. But I gotta ask. Friend code."

[izzyalienqueen]

"I sleep," Isabel promised. Probably not as much as she should, but she was getting by. "Since I've nagged you often enough, you're allowed to nag back once in a while. But I'm fine. I promise."

Fortunately the movie was a cheesy collection of cliches and it was easy enough to ignore it for a few moments without missing much.

"How about you? You're looking pretty calm, cool and collected. Not that I'm not happy to see it, but what gives? Inquiring minds want to know."

[mparkerceo]

"Let's see. Negotiated distribution deal for Zero's movie, getting her enough money over the next year to start her own company." Parker took another sip of her drink. "Got Rainbow from Burning Man to agree to consult on the financial end when I'm gone, so Zero gets to *keep* all her lovely money. Got Kyle the hell away from me, and oh yes, figured out the beginnings of a plan on how to deal with the Centre. Mostly due to Zero being a genius." She paused, thinking about it. "Not bad for a summer's work."

[izzyalienqueen]

Raising her glass of diet coke, Isabel tipped it towards Parker in salute. "You have been busy haven't you? Congratulations."

"Have you heard any more from the boy wonders? Do you think they're planning the takeover of a small country yet?"

[mparkerceo]

"Thanks. It's a relief." Parker sighed. "And I go back to Oxford in two weeks."

She made a face at the television screen as someone spun on their head. "God, I hope not. I wouldn't put it past them. I really wouldn't, but hopefully they're just... hijacking a cruise ship or something." She mused a moment and said, "The annoying part is I need them both out of jail for the plan to work. I so don't want to post bail for them. Or clean up a jailbreak."

[izzyalienqueen]

"Yes, the plan. Tell me about The Plan," she urged. "What are you going to do? And does it involve Mr. Raines, a bottle of honey and some fire ants?" Isabel had almost said 'your dad' but there was no sense in voicing her dislike of the elder Parker.