izzyalienqueen | Room 406, Friday night (Reply)

Too bleary to even imagine trying to make her way back to Meerkat even with Jack’s help, Isabel led the way on the much shorter path to the dorms.

The lock to her room kept moving, but after three tries, she managed to unlock it. One arm hooked around Jack's waist - so he didn't fall down, he'd been drinking, she'd seen him, and he'd had a lot more than she had. If she didn't hang onto him he might tip over - she led him into her room.

"Thanks." Her head was fuzzy so she rested it against his shoulder. "For getting me back."

Jack sighed, torn between hilarity and worry. He'd never seen anything so simultaneously disturbing and amusing as Isabel hugging everyone and proclaiming her love for them. She was normally so controlled; it hadn't taken long to figure out what had happened.

"You weren't kidding about one sip of alcohol getting you hammered," he muttered, arm around her waist, one hand grasping hers, trying to guide her forward. She was showing a tendency to want to wander in circles.

"Stupid metabolism," she muttered. Oh look! Bed! Still dragging Jack, she sat down. It didn't do much to stop the vague spinney feeling in her head, but she still felt less likely to fall over. Isabel sat quietly for a minute, gathering both energy and enthusiasm for the next task, getting changed. She might have been drunk, but she was still aware enough to realize that spending the night in clothes she'd worn out to a club would not be comfortable. "S'okay, gonna get changed now," she said as she pushed herself to her feet, pouting lightly at the loss of the warm body against her side.

Hand resting on the dresser for balance, Isabel rummaged through the drawer, smiling lopsidedly when she found what she was looking for. Weaving slightly, she went into the bathroom, stopping for a moment in the doorway. "Stay there. I'll be right out."

"I'll be here." Like he was going to leave her alone in this condition. It had been a very long time since Jack's first drink, but he remembered what it had felt like, that weird, crazy, confused euphoria. Sighing, he raked his fingers through his hair and shrugged off his jacket, tossing it over a nearby chair. He crossed the room to tap on the bathroom door. "Izzy? Are you okay?"

Comfortable now in a simple camisole and boxers, Isabel opened the door. "I'm fine. Things are just moving a bit." Leaning against the frame she smiled at him. "Were you worried about me?"

Jack's eyes widened slightly at the lack of clothes, but it wasn't important. "Yeah." He stepped closer, one hand lifting her chin as he peered into her eyes. "How many of me do you see?"

Pretty was the first thought that crossed Isabel's mind; that and a sudden memory of the kiss Jack had given her at his birthday party. Reaching up, she took the hand holding her chin and pulled it down, twining her fingers with his. "Only one," she said as she stepped closer.

Jack smiled gently at her when she took his hand. "That's a good sign." She was swaying slightly as she looked up at him, and he sighed again. "Come here," he said as he reached out and tucked her under his arm. "All right, let's see if we can get you into bed." And hopefully she wouldn't have the mother of all hangovers in the morning.

Wrapping her arm around his waist once again, she let Jack lead her across the room. "You're going to take me to bed?" Isabel asked with a half-smile as they reached the bed. She pulled away, catching Jack by surprise and pushing him until he was sitting on the bed. An instant later, she straddled his lap, draped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

And suddenly he had a lap full of Izzy. Warm, half naked Izzy. Warm, half naked, kissing him Izzy and he responded automatically, pulling her tight against him and kissing her back, before his brain kicked in and he pulled away.

Isabel followed, nipping at his throat as she reached down and tugged his t-shirt up. His skin was warm as her hands slid up his back.

"Whoa! Isabel." Jack reached around, grabbing for her hands. "What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" she asked, giggling as he caught her hands. "I'm kissing you." Leaning in, she bit his earlobe lightly. "Don't you want me to kiss you?"

"Not like this, no." Anyone else would have found themselves unceremoniously dumped on the bed - situations where he wasn't willing to kiss someone weren't common, but they did happen - but this was Isabel. Jack twisted his head away and shifted both of her hands to one of his, then reached up to catch her face with the other, holding it very gently. "I know you don't want to do this."

Somewhat immobilized, Isabel pouted. "Do to. You feel nice."

Relaxing now that she was still, he sighed heavily. "Not really, no." Hands at her waist, he lifted her off him, moving her so she was kneeling on the bed and not across his lap.

Moving her meant that her hands were freed. Warm skin was called for once again. As soon as she sort of regained her balance, Isabel reached for his shirt, pulling it up and half over his head. Leaving it to Jack to finish the job of removing it, her hands reached for him, skimming along the waistband of his pants as she leaned down to press kisses on the exposed skin.

He was half blind, stuck in a t-shirt, and this was rapidly getting out of hand. He stripped it off and grabbed her, pinning her hands by her side. "No."

Jack's firm reluctance finally started to break through the pleasant haze that had surrounded her since she first mistakenly took the drink. Eyes wide, she stopped and stared at him. "No?" she asked quietly.

"No," he said gently. "I know that sounds strange coming from me but..." He was reluctant to let her go, in case it started all over again. "Isabel, you're pretty out of it, not that it's your fault. I promise, if you ask me tomorrow, you'll get a very different answer." He cautiously released her hands. "But for right now? No."

There was a part of her brain that was indignant, like a child denied a shiny new toy. Another part half remembered laughing and turning him down with a quiet explanation of a desire for hearts and flowers. But mostly she was tired, the happy enthusiasm of earlier replaced by a quiet lassitude that slowly spread through her body. Isabel yawned and leaned her head against his chest.

Jack felt her relax with a sense of profound relief. He gathered her onto his lap and brushed her hair out of her face, gently stroking her back while she snuggled closer. "Definitely no more drinking for you," he said quietly.

Warm, extremely comfortable and very sleepy, Isabel nodded. "S'prolly not a good idea. 'M tired…"

"I bet you are," he said with a soft chuckle. "Let's see if we can actually get you into bed this time." He stood, bringing Isabel with him, arms wrapped tight around her to keep her secure, then turned to set her down on the end of the bed. He quickly pulled the covers down, than held out his hand. "Come on."

She hesitated for a moment, eyes flicking rapidly between Jack and the bed. But she was tired, and the tiny part of her brain that was finally coming out of the alcohol induced haze realized that Jack had stopped her from making a mistake that she would have regretted. Isabel reached out and took his hand.

Jack's sharp eyes caught the momentary hesitation. Now she was worried about what he might do? Bemused, he wrapped his fingers around hers, tugging her forward and pushing her gently down. "You need to sleep. You'll feel better in the morning." Probably.

Still holding onto Jack's hand, Isabel slipped under the blankets and shivered as she felt the cool sheets again her skin. She tugged, trying to draw him nearer. "Stay?" she mumbled sleepily.

Damn. There really wasn't anything in him to resist that, even though he probably should. "Don't want to be alone, huh?" he asked as he stroked her hair.

"No," she said quietly, smiling at the feel of his hand on her hair. "Cold. Lonely."

Jack didn't melt. It just wasn't in his nature. But this was probably as close as he was ever going to get. "Okay." He pulled his hands away and sat on the edge of the bed to pull off his shoes and socks. "Move over, will you," he said as he lifted the edge of the blankets and slid in next to her. "Give a guy some room."

She slid over enough to give him the majority of the space on the bed, but immediately moved back once he was settled. Wiggling, she maneuvered until she was resting against Jack's side, head pillowed on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around her. Isabel smiled and pressed a quick kiss to the warm skin. "Night."

"Good night, Isabel," he said softly, tightening his arm around her, but he knew from her breathing that she was almost asleep. He closed his eyes, rapidly on his way to joining her, his last thought that tomorrow morning was going to be interesting.

[ooc: Pre-written with