Title: Midgame
Rating: PG-13/R
Category: M/L, M/M, Kyle/Isabel
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Roswell characters. They belong to Melinda Metz, Jason Katims, etc. However I do claim Nikolai, Tristan, Erik, Liam, Serena, and Christiana as mine. Except for Serena's name...Anyway, don't sue me, you wouldn't win much anyway.
Summary: Second in the Battlefield Antar series, sequel to King's Opening, and I recommend you read that first. The crew moves to Skyview Castle. Kivar gets pissed because his plan to kill Max didn't work. Isabel and Kyle get closer. The Resistance gains ground.
Chapter 2 – All Hail the Decorator Nazi
Max, Michael, and Kyle were putting up the last sections of the wallpaper border when Liz entered the room 45 minutes after Isabel left.
"Hey guys," she said with a smile. "You don't mind helping me move the furniture around a little, do you?"
Max jumped down off his ladder and kissed Liz quickly. "Of course not. You asked nicely."
Liz smiled. "Izzy is kind of in a Nazi mode, isn't she?"
Michael snorted. "Just a little. Even Kyle admits it, and he's head over heels in love with her."
Kyle colored. "Michael..."
Liz laughed lightly and patted Kyle's cheek. "It's okay, Kyle. I already knew."
"I'm that transparent?"
"Yes," Liz answered. She kissed his cheek. "But you're loveable. Now I want the couch over there..."
In another part of the Royal wing, Isabel was taking a break and sipping tea with Serena, Christiana, and Maria.
"So, chica," Maria began. "Tell me all about Kyle."
Isabel tried for a wide-eyed, innocent look. "What about Kyle?"
"Oh, come on Izzy, we all saw you kiss him when we got here yesterday."
Isabel blushed. "I...it's too soon to analyze anything, Maria. Besides, isn't that more of a you and Liz thing anyway?"
"Oh, Christy and I do it too," Serena put in. "So it's not just Ria and Liz."
"Thanks," Isabel said dryly.
"For instance," Serena continued, "Christiana should tell us all about Tristan."
Christiana blushed. "What?"
"Tristan's been in love with Christiana for years," Serena informed Maria and Isabel. "She's been in love with him forever as well, she just won't admit it."
"That's not true!" Christiana protested.
"Oh but it is," Serena said with a laugh.
"Well at least Kyle and Izzy are doing something about their infatuations," Maria said with a grin. "You know, we could probably set something up..."
"You wouldn't!" Christiana exclaimed. Maria only grinned.
"I think you need it," Serena commented.
"I think you should give her time," Isabel said, thinking of all her relationships and the decisions she'd had to make.
"Don't listen to her," Maria stage-whispered to Serena. "Let's come up with a plan."
Isabel and Christiana sighed.
Kivar was in his quarters, nervously pacing his chambers. He'd been taking a mid-afternoon nap, but had been plagued with dreams about Vilandra-Isabel. Sometimes she came to him, enticed him. Sometimes she rejected him. Sometimes she didn't even acknowledge his existence and he saw her in the arms of a golden-haired man.
"She will come to me," he murmured desperately. "She will." He crossed the room and gazed into a mirror. He still looked and felt as young and handsome as he had fifty years ago, thanks to the wonders of technology. It was as if those fifty years had never passed. That, he figured, was in his favor.
He pictured Vilandra standing beside him as she had been fifty years ago. Beautiful and trusting, then vulnerable, then aching and unbelieving as she watched him murder her family.
He pictured Isabel, with her flowing blonde hair. He was glad she'd grown it back out and let it return to its original color. He'd seen her shorter cut and darker color as some kind of rebellion against who she was and who she belonged to. And he still believed that she belonged to him. No golden-haired mystery man was going to take her away. It wouldn't be right.
Kivar stepped away from the mirror and shook off the visions. He needed to plan. He needed a way to get Isabel away from her family and friends. Striding quickly across the room, he picked up a phone and barked an order into it. Then he walked quickly out of his chambers to the war room. It was time for a strategy meeting.
Liz, hands on her hips, gazed around the room speculatively. Then she smiled. "Perfect," she announced.
"Great," Michael whined. "Now the Decorator Nazi will come back."
Max walked over to Liz and slid his arms around her waist. He gave her his best puppy-dog look. "Are you sure you're done?"
Liz pursed her lips and pretended to consider. "No, I'm definitely done," she announced. "But if you run away to hang out with the rest of the guys, I won't tell Isabel where you've gone."
Michael and Kyle let out happy shouts and Max give Liz a hearty kiss.
"Liz, you are my hero," Michael said with a smile.
"Let's make a run for it," Kyle added. The guys nodded. Max kissed Liz one more time then headed out the door. Michael and Kyle followed, each kissing one of Liz's cheeks at the same time. Liz laughed happily.
A few minutes later Isabel came into the room.
"Where are the guys?" she asked Liz suspiciously.
"I, uh, I don't know, Izzy. I said I was done and they just bolted."
Liz could see the fire rising in Isabel's eyes. "Now, Izzy, don't worry, we've got plenty of time to finish. Besides, we have powers too."
Isabel sighed. "I know. It's just so much fun to boss them around."
Liz laughed. "Yes, it is. But they do deserve a little fun today."
A/N – I'm sorry that there's more time between updates now, but I am going to college, running two websites, helping moderate one message board, and acting as a reporter for another. I'll update as often as I can though, so don't give up on me, please. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you liked the first chapter. Please continue to review, you know how much I love it...oh, and this will remain Max/Liz, Michael/Maria, and Kyle/Isabel.