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 5 – The Game of Love
"Eight ball, corner pocket." Kyle leaned over the pool table and carefully lined up his shot, then sent the eight ball rolling straight into the pocket he'd called. He flashed a grin over at Nikolai. "My game. You played well, though."
Tristan, Erik, and Liam immediately started ribbing Nikolai.
"Look at you, beaten at your own game!" Liam said in a mock-derisive tone.
"Geez, Nik! You let him take your girl, your game, what's next?" Tristan added.
Kyle shot an inquisitive glance between Tristan and Nikolai. "His girl?" he asked mildly.
"Simmer down, pool shark." Nikolai leaned relaxed against his pool cue. "I briefly entertained the idea of going for Isabel, but clearly there's something between the two of you. Therefore I abandoned the idea, but the guys aren't finished making fun of me for it."
Kyle nodded. "I see."
Nikolai grinned. "Two out of three?"
"For the game, not for the girl."
"Deal," Nikolai replied as the three other men burst out laughing.
Isabel didn't usually take naps, but after her vision of Alex, she thought it was best. Curled comfortably in bed, she drifted in dreams.
***Begin Dream***
She wandered aimlessly through the gardens of Skyview Castle. Suddenly, she heard a voice call her name.
"Isabel..."
"Who's there?"
"Isabel..."
"Kyle? Is that you? Where are you?" All she ever heard in response was her name, but she followed the voice for what seemed like forever. She stopped in a clearing and realized with a touch of fear the she had wandered off of the castle grounds.
"Kyle?" she ventured softly.
"Vilandra," said a deep voice behind her. She whirled and gasped.
"You!"
"You were expecting someone else? Kyle? Kivar? You have a thing for men with "K" names, don't you, Vilandra?" Nicholas grinned. "Or did you not expect to see me all grown up? Like what you see?" He stepped closer, and Isabel realized he had a good two inches on her, and she was tall.
"Get out of my dream!" she exclaimed, jumping away.
Nicholas sighed. "Just like the old days. You never wanted me. It was just 'take me to Kivar, Nicholas, I don't want to talk to you.'"
"I don't know what you are talking about!"
Nicholas stepped closer again. "I can help you remember. Remember the old days, when you were young and in love."
"I am young. And I've been in love. I don't need you to help me remember."
"But you want to remember." He reached out and touched her hair. "Kivar wants you back, Vilandra."
"My name is Isabel."
"Vilandra is inside you, Isabel. She wants to come out and play. Kivar can help you."
"Kivar can go to hell. And so can you."
"Sassy. Kivar likes that. Makes the game more challenging. We will meet again, Vilandra."
Nicholas vanished, and Isabel was alone in the castle gardens.
***End Dream***
Isabel sat straight up in bed, her breathing uneven and her heartbeat fast.
"Oh, God." She sat in silence for a few more moments, and then she got out of bed and meticulously made the bed. "No more naps for Isabel."
Meanwhile, Max and Liz were still examining the map in the library.
"How can this castle possibly be this big?" Liz murmured.
"I can't believe it," Max said in agreement.
"Oh my God, Max, I think I found it!"
Max rushed to Liz's side. "What? Where?"
Liz pointed to a small room in the middle of a lower level. "Right there. 'Records Room.' That could be it, Max."
"It's our best bet at the moment." He glanced at his watch. "Damn, it's lunch time."
"We could skip..." Liz began, then cut herself off. "No, we planned to eat with the gang today, didn't we? Can't skip lunch."
"Meetings are important."
"I hope this doesn't turn into a meeting," Liz murmured softly.
Max reached out and touched Liz's cheek, his eyes full of sympathy and sorrow. "I hope so too."
They both knew that chances were something would have happened to someone and it would have to be reported. At least they weren't reporting anything yet. Maybe that meant they'd get by for one day. One day without a crisis. One lunch where they could focus on mundane things like the favorite room in the castle or the favorite part of the gardens.
Max wrapped his arm around Liz's waist and they made their way toward the informal dining room.
A/N – Well, this update came a little more quickly. Happy...Liz-had-nothing-to-do Day, lol...Hope you like it!