Further Experiments

By Danielle

Disclaimers: I don't own any of the Roswell characters. The WB people got to them first!

Notes: I rewatched "Sexual Healing" this past weekend, and I was struck by a comment Alex made when Isabel was walking away from his house after letting him kiss her. "I'm available for further experiments... or whatever." Isabel just smiled and kept walking. But it got me thinking... what if she decided to take him up on that offer?

Lunchtime at West Roswell high was always social hour. You could see it in the way the cheerleaders, the jocks, and the other popular people flitted from one table to another. And usually Isabel Evans was at the crux of things. But today was different. She looked on as her group of vapid friends gossiped about this person on that couple. Today she was in no mood for the social pressures of High School- she was restless.

Standing, she walked to the table where her brother sat with his arm around Liz. They were talking amongst themselves, their recent foray into unknown sexual territory having brought them undeniably closer. They looked up as she seated herself across the table from them. Max smiled. "Hey Is, what's going on?"

She frowned. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

Liz looked at her creased brow. "Isabel? Is something wrong?"

Isabel exhaled not sure how to answer. Because frankly, she wasn't sure what the problem was. "Did you ever have one of those days when nothing feels right- like you just want to do something fun and forget about everyday life?"

Max looked quizzically at his sister. "I guess so." Max wasn't known for his impulsiveness.

Liz however, shook her head vigorously. "I know what you mean. Sometimes life gets so, well, stale, that you just want to do something crazy."

Isabel nodded. "Yeah, that's it. So, are you guys doing anything tonight? I could use a little fun."

Max looked at Isabel sadly. "Sorry, Is, we made dinner plans.

Liz chimed in. "Yeah, it's my first night off from work since my parents decided Max and I could see each other again. We made reservations and everything."

She was disappointed. "Oh, well, no big deal." She sighed, but brightened as she saw Michael approaching. Maybe he was free.

"Hey guys," Michael greeted the three others at the table.

"Michael, do you want to go to the movies or something tonight? Maybe get some Chinese food and play pool?"

He opened his mouth to answer, but before he could speak, she heard Maria's voice behind her.

"Sorry, Is. Michael and I have plans tonight." She walked past Isabel and planted herself next to Michael, who threw an arm around her. Those two had also become sickeningly close of late. "Hey", Maria said to Michael as she seated herself.

"Hey, yourself." he replied, and kissed her quickly on the cheek. Isabel held back the urge to vomit, and simply rolled her eyes at them. "So what are these grand plans you two have?"

Maria looked at Michael and smiled, then replied. "Michael's coming to my house to spend some time getting to know my mom. You know, so we can convince her that he's not a criminal who's only after one thing."

He grimaced, hating that perception. "Yeah, well, it's going to be hard work, since I am only after one thing." He laughed at Maria's sharp intake of breath. She hit him in the arm playfully and laughed along with him.

Isabel shook her head and rolled her eyes. This whole couples deal was making her ill. She had to get out of there. She stood quickly, noting, "Okay, this little lovefest is making me sick. I'm out of here." She turned and walked away, leaving the 2 couples to their bliss.

ARRGHHH! She was just so mad, but she couldn't figure out why. Why did they have to flaunt their love lives in her face? Especially when they weren't even supposed to get involved with humans!

Stalking across the outdoor cafeteria she spotted Alex talking to one of his band mates. Well, there was at least one other person who wasn't deeply involved in some romantic entanglement. Suddenly a thought struck her- maybe that was the reason she was so pissed. Michael and Max had formed attachments- why was she still being so aloof? Walking with purpose, she headed toward the bass player.

Ignoring the nagging need for detachment, she grabbed Alex by the shirtfront without a word. As his friend looked on in awe, Alex tried to figure out what the heck was going on. "Um, Isabel? What are you doing?"

Without stopping her stride, she started to drag him back inside the school. "Remember how you said you were available if I wanted to, um, experiment? Well, I'm taking you up on the offer."

He gulped, almost afraid of her forcefulness. "You are?"

"I am." She stopped in front of the Eraser Room, and opened the door, practically throwing him inside.

He stumbled backward, practically tripping over a chair, but before he could respond, her lips were on his. She pressed him up against the back wall, trying to drown her loneliness in his kisses. Finally, Alex regained his composure enough to push her away. "Isabel! What's this all about?"

She glared at him. "You offered to experiment. And I decided I want to. Is that a problem?" She moved in to kiss him again, and was shocked as he moved away.

"Yeah, actually it is. Why are you doing this to me?"

"Doing what Alex? You're the one who offered."

"Yeah but you don't like me. You're just getting my hopes up, and then you're going to push me away again. I don't want to be used." He looked down at the floor, embarrassed at his declaration.

"Alex. I just... can't we..." She exhaled loudly, then timidly added, "I do like you Alex."

His head flew up and he looked her in the eye. "Can you repeat that?"

She cleared her throat. "I do like you Alex. It's just that we had the rule that we were going to try to stay away from close relationships with Humans. But since Max and Michael obviously decided to ignore that rule, I wondered why I'm still holding myself back from getting involved. There's just no reason to anymore. And... well..."

"What?" he asked almost breathless in his giddiness.

"I'm lonely, Alex. I want to be with someone, too. Someone who makes me feel special. And you make me feel special. You care about me even though I've been kind of rotten to you. And you're cute and sweet... and I..."

She was cut off by Alex pressing his lips to hers, his hands beginning to roam over her body. Smiling against her mouth, he whispered, "Well, then, I guess, I'm cool with this."

"Good", she whispered back. "Pick me up at 8 tonight, okay?"

"Sure. What are we going to do?"

"Well, I thought we could go to the movies, and then hang out or something... maybe experiment further?"

Alex smiled at Isabel, and she smiled back, pressing her forehead to his. He leaned in to kiss her neck, saying, "Yeah. That sounds good. Very good." Hearing her breath catch in her throat as he reached a sensitive spot, he added, "I am always available for further experiments."

"Good. Because I have a feeling I am going to want to do a lot of experimenting." He laughed, and they continued to utilize the Eraser Room for experimental purposes for the rest of the lunch period.

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