Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I'm simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD's get released.

Tomorrow's Yet to Come

Chapter Thirty - Five Isabel the Spy

"Isadra, a word if you please," the instructor said, as the students filed out of the class. "I'm very pleased with the progress you have made here. Your diplomatic skills are very developed. You seem to have an insightful grasp of our diplomatic process. I'd like to recommend you for an apprenticeship with the diplomatic corp."

"Oh, I, um, what would it involve?" Isabel asked. "I mean, I'm flattered that you thought of me, but I'm not sure I'm ready."

"Believe me, Isadra, if I say you're ready, then you are ready. You will observe at first, and possibly run errands for the ambassadors, but as I said, your main task will be to observe. Learn how things are done. Are you interested?"

"Yes, yes, I guess I am," said Isabel."

"Excellent," said the instructor. "The diplomatic consul will come in to interview you later today, and if you meet with his approval, two days a week, you will observe the meetings at the palace."

"Th- the palace?" asked Isabel, her voice trembling. "I don't know, I mean, the palace, I'm not sure."

The instructor looked at her curiously. "Of course the palace, Isadra. Where else would the diplomatic corp be housed? You will of course, continue studying here, and be housed here as well, but as I said, two days a week, you will be allowed to travel to the palace. It is an honor for a first year student to be chosen for this task."

Isabel struggled to compose herself. The thought of entering the royal palace was unnerving, and the thought of possibly seeing Kivar, scared her to death. "Thank you," she said to the instructor. What time will the interview be held?"

"Directly after the midday meal. Report to this room, and you will be taken to the interview. Now, go, you have another class I believe. Relax, Isadra, I would not have recommended you for this position if I thought you would not be successful."

"Thank you," said Isabel. "I will do my best to make you proud." She quickly gathered up her belongings, and rushed to her next class, all the while, thinking about her upcoming interview. She pulled the Antarian version of a notebook and pencil out of her pouch, and made a list of all the benefits of doing well on the interview. Then, she made a list of all the cons.

God, this is not helping, Isabel thought to herself. I wish I could talk to Alex, or Max, or God help me, even Michael or Kyle. If it were night, I could dream walk one of them, but I don't have the luxury of waiting for bedtime.

Suddenly, Isabel sat up straight, as an idea took form in her mind. She surreptitiously took off the locket she was wearing and opened it to reveal a picture of Alex on one side, and Max on the other. She placed a finger on each picture and concentrated, allowing herself to slip into the dream state that would connect her with Max and Alex.

We need to talk, her dream self said to the two images that appeared before her. I need to see both of you. It's urgent. Meet me at lunch in the, she stopped, unsure of what to call their new meeting place. Meet me in the eraser room. She broke the connection and allowed herself a small smile. She wasn't sure if she was successful, but she had made an attempt, and that alone made her feel a bit better.

"Isabel, what is it, what's wrong?" Alex practically shouted when she walked through the door. "Are you okay?"

"Alex, I'm fine," she said. "I'm sorry if I scared you, but I needed to talk to you and Max, and it had to be now. It's important, but no, I'm not hurt or anything."

"Isabel?" Max shouted, running through the door. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Isabel rolled her eyes skyward, at Max's entrance. "Yes, I'm fine," she said. "Do I look hurt?"

"Excuse me, but I was in the middle of weapons training, when all of a sudden, you appeared in my head, demanding a meeting. What was I to think? Of course I thought that something was wrong," Max said.

"Can we all just calm down for a second," said Alex. "Max, Isabel obviously has something important to say, or else she wouldn't have risked scaring us half to death to get us down here," Alex's voice rose slightly.

"Okay, listen, I'm sorry about that, but I don't have much time. I was selected to be a part of some diplomatic apprenticeship program, and I'm being interviewed right after lunch. I wasn't sure if you thought I should go through with it, or purposely tank on the interview," she explained.

"Well, what is it going to involve?" asked Max.

Isabel paced nervously around the small room, anxiously rubbing her hands together. "Well, mostly just observing, and playing gopher from the sounds of it," she began.

"Well it sounds great," interrupted Alex.

"Two days a week, at the palace," Isabel said over Alex's voice.

"It's a shame you won't be able to do it," Alex continued without missing a beat. "There is no way in hell, you are going anywhere near that palace without me! Right, Max?"

"You can't make this decision for me, Alex," Isabel said.

"No, well, then Max can. Tell her, Max," said Alex.

"I don't like it Isabel. It's too dangerous. Besides, you don't know how being back there is going to make you feel," said Max.

"Right, because being on Antar has elicited so many deep feelings already," snapped Isabel.

"Okay, fine, your right, being here hasn't really effected any of us, but Isabel, what happens when you see Kivar?" asked Max. "Have you thought about that?"

"That's the one thing that's keeping me from doing it," said Isabel. "But think about it, both of you really think about it. How can I not put myself in that position. The information I gain may be very helpful to us."

"I still don't like it," Alex said, flatly. "But I'm also not stupid. I can't tell you what to do, Isabel, but I can tell you to be careful. Don't take any unnecessary risks."

"Right, Alex, I'll try to stop myself from blowing that bastard up the second I see him," snapped Isabel. "Max," she said, turning to her brother. "Go away. I need to speak with my husband."

"Good luck," Max said to Alex. "And go easy on him," he said to Isabel. "Liz will hurt you if you do anything to messy to him."

"Good bye, Max," Alex and Isabel said together. They watched as he walked out the door, then Alex pulled Isabel into his arms and held her tightly.

"You do know how much I absolutely hate the idea of this," he said to her.

"And you know why I have to do it," she replied.

"That doesn't mean I have to like it," Alex said. "In fact, I despise the thought of it. But yes, I understand why you have to do it. But Isabel, I want to see you every night when you get back. I need to know that you're safe. Agreed?"

"Of course," Isabel answered. "Alex, if you really hate the idea, I won't do it."

"Of course you will," said Alex, "And you're going to be great. You Isabel Amanda Evans Whitman, are capable of anything, and I think you are going to make one world class spy."

"Thank you, Alex. Thank you for understanding why I need to do this."

"Isabel, I love you. I love everything about you, and part of that everything has to do with what's going on here. You're a part of it; I'm a part of it. We all are a part of it. I'm not going to stand in your way, but I'm also going to worry like hell every second you're in the palace."

"I love you, Alex," Isabel whispered. She pressed her lips against his, marveling in the passion that flowed between them. All too soon, their kiss ended, as Isabel pulled away, regretfully. "I'm sorry, I have to go. I have to go do that interview."

"Be careful, Isabel, and if you need me, now you know how to contact me. I'll get to you somehow," said Alex. He watched as Isabel gathered up her belongings and rushed out the door. "Be safe, my love," he said to the empty room.