Room 406, early evening

[izzyalienqueen]

So the week hadn't been going too badly. Isabel had spent time with Cedric and Jack, contemplated a career as a jewel thief with Parker, signed a petition, hunted zombies and played at angels and demons.

Then she had a conversationIsabel sighed and stared at her phone. Talking to Greg only reminded her that she had yet to call her parents or

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[mparkerceo]

Parker came by a little later, dolled up for dancing, and knocked on the door. "Hey, you. Up for a night on the town?"

[izzyalienqueen]

Any other night Isabel probably would have agreed, but between last night's nightmares, and today's conversation with Greg, Isabel decided it was better to stay in. "I think I'll pass. I need to be mellow for a while."

[mparkerceo]

"Ah. Too bad. What's been going on?" Parker asked, wandering into the room, and pausing to tickle Annie.

[izzyalienqueen]

"Nothing much," she said. "Just going to classes and hanging out here mostly."

[mparkerceo]

"Mmmm." That didn't jibe with needing to be mellow, but if Isabel wasn't up for chatting about it, pushing her would be a mistake. "Jarod hacked my computer. I spent most of Forensics yesterday learning how to build a better firewall. Which just means a better toy for him, next time."

[izzyalienqueen]

"Why would Jarod hack your computer? Did he find out what we did?" she asked. "Or is he looking to see what your next step is?"

[mparkerceo]

Parker started to pace restlessly, stretching out her arms. "Both. Angelo tipped him off that... well." She took a breath. "That I was going to confront Rumor on Sunday. So, yes. He's planning the next step now. And he's saying there's no part for me in it."

[izzyalienqueen]

Isabel sat back and blinked, trying to process Parker's words with memories from six months earlier. "You went. Did you bring back-up?"

As she glared at Parker, Isabel wondered exactly what Jarod was planning. She had a sneaking suspicion she knew who was helping him.

[mparkerceo]

Parker sighed, and managed, after the practice she'd had with the guys, to at least meet Isabel's eyes. "No. I was -- slightly too over-focused to think of that. And possibly arrogant. I didn't think I needed any."

[izzyalienqueen]

"Dumbass," Isabel replied, letting her exasperation show. "You could have been arrested, or killed, or God only knows. I'm glad Jarod's not letting you being involved. It'll serve you right to sit here and fret!"

[mparkerceo]

Parker folded her arms and pouted. "It isn't at all serving me right! I set all of this up, I was willing to take responsibility...." She sighed, puhing a hand through her hair. "I was obsessed, okay? I know. I know."

[izzyalienqueen]

"You were," she nodded. "Thank god you didn't go through with it. What made you change your mind?"

[mparkerceo]

"Weiss tackling me in the lobby." Parker rolled her eyes. "Well, more grabbing me than tackling, but still. He followed me to Baltimore, then stepped in when he saw who I was following."

[izzyalienqueen]

"Good. Remind me to buy him a drink the next time I see him." Isabel shook her head, "And give Angelo my email address. The next time you need rescuing he can cc me as well."

[mparkerceo]

Parker made a face, then nodded grudgingly. "I'm sorry. If I'd been thinking straight-- well, I wouldn't have done it at all but if I'd been thinking *more* straight, I would have asked you along." She sighed. "Thus, dancing. Jack and Jarod are planning the alternative tonight, and if I think about it too much, I'll crash the party and demand to be included."

[izzyalienqueen]

"I'm not mad that you didn't ask me," she replied. "It's more that you didn't take any back-up." Isabel nodded to herself, hearing Parker confirm what she suspected. "I'd love to. And by rights I should be doing the dance of the single girl, but I just don't have the heart for it."