Title: In Pieces; Spoils of War Series
Disclaimer: The characters of "Roswell" belong to Jason Katims, Melinda Metz, and 20th Century Fox. Lyrics to Pieces belong to Red.
Pairings: In Crowder; Isabel/Kyle
Rating: Mature
Summary: While in transit to a safe house, Isabel and Kyle get separated from the envoy during an ambush and go on the run with Nicholas and his squadron in hot pursuit. Trying to keep one step ahead of the enemy, they are forced to rely on each other and to face their growing feelings. The fifth part of the Spoils series

Story Notes: This story will be spanning a few days in actual time, but will cover a six-month period that happens just after Michael's Coronation Ball in flashbacks. In the time line, the official coronation takes place about six to seven months after Max's death. Michael pushed back the ceremony as long as he could because it allowed him to keep Tess and Isabel under his protection as once Tess officially passed the crown to Michael, her and Isabel's family intended to send them to a secluded safe house so they would be out of the line of fire.

AN: I know, I'm evil, but you don't get to learn Liz's fate yet. ducks You will learn a little more in the next installment. Keep in mind, this story will unravel in pieces for the first few stories and will jump all over the place in time. It won't be linear. Also, the first stories are heavy in relationship development as once I get to the final piece, I won't be focusing on them outside of the Rath/Liz/Michael triangle, which was the original basis of this series. They will be established relationships. Sorry this has taken so long in coming but a lot has been happening in my personal life, which has left me scrambling to keep up with the fics, not to mention NaNo took time away as well.

AN2: To understand some of the references in this fic, I highly suggest you read the other stories in this series: Shattered, Stand By You, On the Run, and Bridges as well as the drabble/vignette series All's Fair in Love and War to fill in the gaps.

I'm here again
A thousand miles away from you

Heart pounding in her ears, Isabel froze in the shadows, closing her eyes briefly and pricking her ears, focusing her senses, pushing them out into the cold, silent night and desperately quelling her deep rasping pants. Sinking deeper into the shadows, she opened her eyes, quickly scanning the unfamiliar forest terrain, her muscles tense and poised for either attacking or drawing her hunter deeper into the dense foliage and away from the man who had stolen her heart over the years.

Pushing through the brush silently, she precisely placed her feet, aware that any slight sound could be her downfall when it came to the man only moments behind her, and just barely managed to hold back a nervous, slightly hysterical giggle. If only her friends and family could see her now, so far removed from the perfectly coiffed and pampered princess she'd portrayed in high school.

Freezing once more, she cocked her head as her ear caught the faint rustle of leaves, giving her pause as he heart sped up and adrenaline spilled into her veins, burning a path through her body as she drew a steadying breath, her back coiling as she glanced over her shoulder apprehensively. Swallowing thickly, she licked parched lips and relaxed her stance minutely as she realized it was just a faint, arid breeze stirring the canopy above.

Recommencing her stealthy trek, she wished the bastard that had been tracking her and Kyle for the past five months would just get on with it and end this exhausting game of cat and mouse. Not that she was surprised that the man wanted to draw this out as long as possible. Everything she remembered about Nicholas, or Nikolaas as he was known then, said he was a sadistic, perverse bastard that enjoyed playing games and making his victims sweat; he fed on their fear and uncertainty.

He was trying to get her to break, to lose herself in the fear, hoping that if he waited her out long enough, she would slip up or give herself away, fall into compliance as she did on Antar when she watched her husband cut down before her eyes, ending her will to live. He wanted her to beg his forgiveness for ending their relationship all those years ago when she met and fell in love with Rath, to beg for his mercy, to spare the man she had come to love in this lifetime equally.

But he'd have to wait for a cold day in hell before she broke.

If nothing else, her harrowing time on the run had been good for her strength, confidence and resolve, reinforcing her steel backbone and enforcing a stubborn will to survive and blast the little psycho back to hell where he belonged. Instead of inspiring fear and uncertainty, all he had managed to do was piss her off royally.

The trees creaked above her, drawing her out of her momentary distraction and she cursed under her breath, thankful her brief lapse hadn't cost her the advantage, and she slipped through the darkness silently, seeking a place to hole up for the night, knowing that continuing while fatigued would be detrimental.

Flicking her eyes over some rock formations, she headed toward them swiftly, knowing them to be riddled with caves that she could get lost in for the rest of the night. Wrapping her jacket closer to her body, she picked up a couple of logs and twigs on the way; fire was necessary to survive the cold, Northern New Mexico nights. Her stomach rumbled, protesting noisily over the fact that it had been two days since she last ate, but she didn't have time to hunt or fish tonight.

Nicholas was far too close for comfort. She'd just have to rely on finding something edible in the morning light while she tried to put as much distance between her and Kyle as possible. Inhaling sharply, her heart panged when she thought of the quiet man and opened the connection that had developed over the past couple of months, a warm glow filling when she felt his frustration and relief whip down it.

'Great Buddha, where the hell are you Isabel?' he groused, annoyance and panic coloring his mental tone, along with love and a profound relief that she was still alive. She couldn't help a small grin as he cursed in his head and tried to soothe his temper slightly with a cool wash of energy, slightly hurt when he brushed it off.

She couldn't blame him though since she hadn't given a say in her decision, leaving him on the pretense of washing up, but instead formulating a plan to draw Nicholas away from him. She couldn't live with herself if Nicholas had succeeded in killing him like…well, she couldn't let it happen. 'I'm fine, that's all you need to know.'

'To hell with that,' Kyle cursed softly, his impatience trickling through their connection, followed by an almost overwhelming surge of fierce protectiveness and she swallowed thickly, trying to push past the lump that had lodged in her throat and steeled her spine. Nicholas was going to pay for this. 'Tell me where you are!'

'I can't,' she replied sadly, her words tinged with regret and she drew a deep breath, sorrow welling in her heart as she continued her pace towards the caves, her stomach churning slightly as she began to shut down their connection, whispering, 'I'm sorry.'

'Isabel!' he managed to cry, frustration lacing his tone before the rest of his thoughts were cut off, a shudder running over her body as the emptiness filled her once more, resounding hollowly through the whole of her and she bit back a small noise of discontent. She was doing the right thing. She couldn't have another Alex on her conscience.

Sliding into a slight, almost unseen fissure in the rocks, she quickly built a fire with her powers and drew off her jacket, laying it on the floor near the flickering flames, warding the cave so she'd know if Nicholas approached before sinking back onto her makeshift bed. Staring at the ceiling wearily, she ignored the continued pang in her stomach, having grown used to lean times, and lost herself in thoughts of the past, wondering if she'd ever see her loved ones again.

~...~

Hovering near Kyle, she exchanged an amused glance with him as they turned and avidly watched Liz and Michael walk out of the royal box, her heart swelling with happiness and a little bit of regret that Michael had found a match in the pretty brunette. Not that either of them would admit to it; they were both stubbornly resisting their pull to one another and she had decided to give them a nudge in the right direction.

Or, really give Michael a nudge in the right direction by dressing Liz up in his family colors, knowing the impact it would have him and those attending the ball. Eyes misting slightly, she vaguely recalled wearing those colors herself at one time, remembered the appreciation that lit Rath's eyes when they fell on her and the pleased, possessive flash that spread through his body as he wrapped his arms around her. She had no doubt it would spark the same reaction in Michael this time around.

Taking a deep breath, she shook off the memory, her heart filling with a bittersweet longing, not because she wished to claim Michael in this lifetime. That ship had passed and was best left in her past life, not to mention that it was the quiet man at her side that had stolen her heart this time around. She didn't begrudge Liz for stealing her former betrothed's heart, nor was she jealous that Michael had sought out someone other than her. But she was just a tad envious of the obvious love Liz had inspired in her stoic friend.

She'd give anything to have that kind of love once more.

Smiling, she watched as Liz slid off her cloak, handing it to a servant and completely missed the flash of recognition and pleased shock that flashed through Michael's eyes as his reverent gaze slid over the petite girl, his mouth gaping just the slightest, although it wouldn't have been obvious to anyone outside their circle. But she knew him and loved him in two life times, even if the love she felt had changed in this one.

As the future royal couple descended the stairs, Liz looked up and met her eyes, smiling sweetly before turning her attention back to Michael as he lead her down the curving steps, completely captivated in her, although he was trying to resist the temptation to blatantly stare. Giggling at his unsuccessful attempts, she turned back to the man at her side and she dabbed at her eyes, her smile warming under his quiet contemplation, her heart swelling as he lifted a hand and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"Why the tears?" he asked quietly, stroking his thumb over the crest of her cheek to wipe the moisture away as he watched her with concern, his heart panging at the thought that she might still be wrapped up in Michael. Biting back a sigh, he was startled when those fathomless dark eyes warmed, burning with a content light and his breath hitched, mind whirling in confusion as she squared her shoulders, her next words filling him with hope.

"Letting go of a part of my past," she nodded decisively, meeting faintly bewildered blue eyes for a moment before ducking her head shyly at the quiet intensity shining in their depths, her breath stuttering at the way they always affected her. Brushing a self-conscious hand over her deep red dress, shot through with gold threads, comfortable in her family colors for once as she faced a lightly conversing Michael and Liz. "They're good tears. I'm happy for him. She's good for him, challenges him and yet calms him in ways Maria never could."

"Now I can face the future in peace and find out what's in store for me," she whispered to herself, missing the flash of hope and understanding in her sandy-haired companion's gaze and the small smile quirking his lips. Turning back to Kyle, she flashed him a bright smile, slipping a hand onto his arm and dragged him into the fray, snickering at his pained glance as she headed towards the nearest group of people. "Come on, it's time to do our duty and let the masses fawn over us. Smile and pretend you want to be here."

...

"May I have this dance, your highness?" Michael intoned, holding out his hand to her formally, making her lips twitch with amusement as it looked like this was the last thing he really wanted to be doing, but was forcing himself into it as etiquette dictated. Eyes sparkling, she regarded his hand warily, arching a well-manicured brow and gave into her laughter as he smirked at her ruefully.

"I don't know," she pondered aloud, one finger tapping her lips thoughtfully, her eyes twinkling with mirth as he flashed her an exasperated expression and she rested a hand on her hip as she looked down at his feet with a playful grimace, before flicking them back to him contemplatively. "Are my feet safe?"

"Probably not," he snorted, recalling his dance with Liz and how he nearly sent them tumbling to the ground because of his large, clumsy feet. He really hated dancing and would rather get his teeth pulled one by one than mingle and listen to a load of pointless small talk, but being king meant sometimes doing things one didn't particularly like. Like trying to convince smart-ass princesses to dance because the Council said it's expected.

"Hmmmm…" she hummed, her lips twitching as she watched the annoyance build in his eyes, her own traveling over him in assessment before averting as she were giving it serious thought. She had every intention of dancing with him, if for no other reason than to probe him about his reaction to Liz and her creation, but couldn't resist teasing him a bit.

"Are you going to dance with me or not?" he grunted impatiently, rolling his eyes when she chuckled softly and exchanged a glance with the midget. Flashing a look at his second-in-command, he sighed when Kyle shrugged his shoulders and grinned as he fixed a disgruntled look back onto the woman at Kyle's side. "If not, I'd like to get back to my date before some overzealous vulture tries to drag her away."

"Okay, okay," Isabel placated, her voice laced with humor as she slid her hand into his and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor, her heart panging when a haunting melody filled the room. This had been a favorite of hers in her past life and she'd danced with Rath, who, unlike Michael, had been an excellent dancer and loved the activity, many a time to it. Yet one more difference between the men. "Jeez, no sense of humor."

Smiling as Michael pulled her into his arms awkwardly, obviously uncomfortable with the whole dancing concept, she followed him into a dance with minimal steps, him trying to be conscious of her sandal-clad feet, ever thoughtful in his own way. It had always been one of his most overlooked traits when they were younger, when silly teenage girls got caught up in grand gestures and couldn't appreciate the small, often more meaningful overtures.

"So, Liz looks great tonight, doesn't she?" she prodded gently, looking up at Michael as he tried to pretend his eyes weren't riveted on the pretty girl in question, standing in the middle of a circle of admirers. Biting back a snort when he scowled as one of the men led Liz onto the dance floor, she quirked an inquisitive brow at him when her words jolted his attention back to her.

"She does," he agreed quietly, cocking his own brow at her as contemplative whiskey irises flicked over her upturned face, the corner of his mouth quirking with amusement but refusing to give into her blatant fishing, waiting to see how far she'd take this ploy.

"I like that color combination on her," she tried again, looking over at the brunette, smirking as she recalled the hours before the ball, when she had descended on an unsuspecting Liz, working her best Nazi magic onto the girl that had become a sister to her over the years. "It suits her."

"About that," he drawled, pinning the beautiful blond with a knowing look and smirked when she squirmed slightly, flushing under his intense gaze. Looking over her shoulder, his eyes were instantly drawn to a laughing brunette, his brow pinched and he frowned as the soldier he'd pulled her away from earlier fawned over her once more, asking absently. "Why?"

"Because you needed a wake up call," Isabel replied seriously as she watched his reaction and nodded her head, knowing that she'd made the right decision. It was time for those two to stop dancing around each other and fighting what they were feeling out of some misguided notion of honoring previous attachments that hadn't been there in years. "And it worked, didn't it?

Michael turned his head away from the sight, grunting at her assessment, and barely quelled the urge to head over to the other dancing couple and rip them apart, dragging her out the door to his suite. Nearly groaning at that thought, he shook his head at his far too obvious actions that night and tried to focus on what Isabel had been trying to say.

"Don't wait, Michael, life is too short for that," she said, averting her eyes as they misted for the second time that night. God, she was starting to become a fountain. Drawing a deep breath, she continued, her voice thick with emotion as she met his concerned gaze with a sad smile. "With Alex…I waited until it was almost too late and…I regret that."

"She probably doesn't feel the same," Michael replied quietly, his face blanking as he stared over her shoulder, shifting uncomfortably under her far too knowing expression and licking suddenly dry lips, his eyes trailing over their topic of interest covetously, his lips curving when she turned her head and smiled at him.

"I don't know about that," Isabel murmured, observing the girl in question and catching the hint of longing in her eyes when Michael turned away before she too turned back to her dance partner, sharing her thoughts quietly. "I see a woman very much in love, but too scared to do anything about it because she's been burned so many times in her life."

Studying Michael carefully, she bit back a smirk as his eyes flew back to Liz, hope and the faintest hint of fear flitting through his eyes as he studied the woman in turn. Cupping his cheek, she turned his gaze back to her, cocking an amused brow, as a slow smile spread across her face as she queried, "Sound familiar?"

...

She walked through the halls distractedly, eyes trained on the floor as she mulled the night over in her head, her stomach curling in dread of what the next morning would bring when her family would force her from the only family she recalled. It wasn't fair. She had lost her brother just six months before and now she was expected to leave behind everything familiar, her life here at the citadel, her friends, Liz, Michael…Kyle.

He had been confusing her the past year and she wasn't really sure what she was feeling for Michael's best friend, and now second-in-command. They had become close friends and confidants over the years and he'd been her support system when Alex had been killed, always there to be a shoulder to cry or lean on. She'd always felt a great deal of respect and camaraderie for the often too quiet, serious man, but lately, she'd been looking at him differently, realizing that her feelings had deepened beyond that simple friendship.

She couldn't quite figure out when she had fallen in love with him, but she suspected it had been happening all along, every smile, every touch, every shared laugh and confession cementing their bond. It hadn't struck like a bolt of lightening out of the blue as seen in movies or books, but somehow, the fact that it grew naturally out of a strong, abiding friendship made it all the more meaningful.

Sighing wearily, her heart panged at the idea of leaving him behind. Part of her wanted to beg Kyle to stay with them when they reached the safe house, to protect them and in a way, to protect him, as she would then be assured he hadn't fallen, but she knew it wasn't possible. Michael trusted him like few others in the stronghold and needed him to return, was relying on his council with bringing this war to a final end. But her heart ached at the idea of being without him for so long when she had just finally started accepted him as a permanent part of her life. She couldn't lose him.

Swiping her hand over her hair to smooth it, she startled when someone stepped out of the shadows in front over her, her heart pounding as cool blue-eyes met hers and she sagged slightly in relief as the man in question's face popped into view. Licking her lips, she glanced away nervously as she recalled their interrupted kiss on the dance floor and drew a deep breath, squaring her shoulders as she flicked her gaze back to where he was leaning, one shoulder propped against the wall.

Swallowing thickly as he shoved off and walked towards her slowly, she fidgeted slightly and buried her fingers into the fabric of her skirt, clutching the silky material in her hands as he came to a standstill before her, eyes sliding over her with quiet intensity. Sinking his hands in his pockets, he rocked on his heels as he looked over her shoulder for a moment as if composing his thoughts before meeting her hesitant gaze once more, rasping, a tinge of disappointment lacing his words. "I thought we were going to talk?"

"We were but…" she trailed off hesitantly, looking down as she unclenched her hands from the delicate material and clasped them together nervously, twisting them absently as she frantically searched for any reason to stall, to not face this conversation here. It was one thing for her to admit her feelings to herself and entertain the notion that he might feel the same, and quite another to have verbal confirmation.

"But what?" he queried, the slightest hint of impatience darkening his tone as he continued to study her quietly, his heart hammering against his chest and his stomach clenching at the idea that he might have misread her actions and feelings earlier. Averting his eyes, he drew a deep breath and pressed his lips together, shifting nervously on his feet before he fixed with a hurt moue. "Why are you avoiding me?"

"Kyle, this isn't a good idea…what if…" she stammered, her brow pinching as she stared down the hall, trying to brush past him, a tremble running through her body when he stepped in front of her, blocking her escape. Looking down into his face, she nearly gave a nervous laugh at the stubborn fire, flickering in typically placid irises and replied quietly. "I leave tomorrow for the safe house. We may never see each other again."

"Do you honestly think I care?" he whispered, determination ringing through the hall as their gazes locked and her heart skipped a beat as he stepped closer, crowding her until there was less than an inch between them. "If there is anything I've learned in this war, it's there are no guarantees in life and I would rather have one night with you, than to never know what it's like to be loved by you."

"I'm not ready for that…" she stammered, pulling back nervously as a ripple of heat shot through her body, her cheeks flushing and breath growing thready at his bluntly spoken words. Spinning around she crossed to a nearby window, heart hammering as she stared out into the night and fidgeted as cool moonlight spilled over her head and shoulders, her mind swimming with confusion at his declaration. "I want to, but I'm not…"

"That's not what I'm talking about," he chided softly, crossing the distance between them and placing a hand on the sill next to hers as the as they faced each other, fear, expectation and a little awe sliding over their faces. She turned, about to make another escape, but was halted by his other hand resting on the wall beside her, caging her against the sill. "Just one night Isa; all I want is one night to hold you in my arms."

Breath erratic, her heart sped up as he closed the distance between them, licking her lips nervously as their lips hovered just inches apart, their eyes anchored to one another, their bodies brushing together softly. God did he have any idea what he was doing to her? How hard he was making it to resist him?

"I know you feel the same and I know you're scared," he murmured, cupping her cheek softly, smirking just the slightest as he knew exactly how hard he was making this on her, but that was the point. It was high time they stopped this dance. "And I can't promise that nothing will happen to me, but if we let them stop us, then they've already won."

"One night," she murmured, her resolve weakening as his fingers stroked her cheek, sliding over the curve of her neck to settle against her rapidly thrumming pulse and her breath hitched as his lips brushed hers softly, eliciting a low, soft moan past her lips as he pulled back with a smug grin. "No promises."

"No promises, except one," he refuted, drawing back to study her features seriously, and sighed when her arms wrapped around his neck, his eyes softening with love, and the slightest touch of apprehension, as he laid his heart on the line. "No matter where you are, no matter what happens, I will love you for the rest of my life."

"Kyle, I…" she stammered, the air ripping from her lungs at his words, a sweet, happy ache spreading through her body and yet, she couldn't help that slight niggling of fear and trepidation that she would end up being his downfall. She didn't know if she could deal with it if she lost him like Alex.

"I know you're not ready to say it," he whispered, pressing his fingers to her lips to quell her stumbling words, tracing the soft flesh slowly, the corner of his mouth quirking as a little puff of breath tumbled over her lips at his touch. Drawing a deep breath, he drew her closer to him, meeting her scared gaze unflinchingly as he pressed their brows together. "But I want it out there on the table."

"One night…" she murmured sadly, sinking into his chest as she tightened her arms around his neck and laid her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Pressing his lips to her temple, he stroked her back and stared out the window, scared of what the next morning might bring, but knowing it was worth it as she asked. "What if…what if it's not enough? What of I want more?"

"Let's just start with this one night," he replied softly, threading his fingers through her hair, stroking the silky, golden strands, tangling them around his fingers as he tipped her head back and smiled, brushing his lips over hers, whispering before he sealed their lips together in a gentle kiss. "And we'll take the rest as it comes."

~...~

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she turned over onto her side, staring at the flames quietly as she touched the small charm lying at the hollow of her throat, desperately wishing that Kyle were there to wrap his arms around her. She always felt so secure and cherished when he held her; nothing seemed wrong when he was by her side. But leaving him behind had been necessary. Nicholas wanted her at all costs and it was only by separating that she was able to keep him safe.

Sighing, she closed her eyes wearily, burying her face into her jacket, picking up the lingering traces of his scent embedded into the material and slid into slumber, a smile curving her lips as she felt warm, electric glow of Kyle's presence slipping around her.