#anatsabel

Chapter 4: The Hayes Estate

Isobel Evans clearly did well for herself, if her house was anything to go by.

It wasn’t nearly as huge as Anatsa’s place, but it was definitely airy. Sunset light filtering in through large windows picked up the warm gold undertone in the walls. It was tastefully decorated, rustic oak furniture and leather side chairs serving as a nice counterpoint to the deep green velvet couch and southwestern rug that defined the sitting area.

A tortiseshell cat meowed loudly, running down a hallway to greet Isobel almost before they were in the door. Isobel stopped for a moment to skritch behind its ears before kicking her shoes off, carelessly, sighing in evident relief as she did. Anatsa didn’t blame her. Running in those heels couldn’t have been fun.

“So. Your place is um… unique.”  

“That is realtor speak for unsellable, isn’t it?” Anatsa groaned, taking a moment to get her own shoes off, both out of politeness and because she wouldn’t mind relaxing a little, either. The hardwood floor cool under her socks as they headed into the kitchen. Isobel chuckled softly. “I would never admit defeat like that, please. Although we clearly need some sort of plan of attack before we throw it on the open market.”

Case #X-08212014-5: Bradshaw Ranch Abduction Notes

Isobel shifted in her seat, settling back comfortably and taking a drink of her beer. A cool breeze blew by, ruffling her hair and she closed her eyes. Enjoying the music playing from the speakers of the outdoor bar she was sitting in and the sound of other people around her. There was something comforting about being in a crowd, enjoying the day – a little warm, but under the trees and umbrellas, with a slight breeze, it felt perfect. 

Isobel felt relaxed. For the first time in a while. Comfortable. Like she could breathe, she realized. Like she’d been breathing. Leia sniffled at her feet and brushed her head against her leg. She laughed softly, reaching to pat her. 

When she’d moved to Albuquerque, she’d had one real goal. Sweeping up the shattered pieces of her life and putting them back together. It could be nothing else. Isobel was too angry to do anything but move forward, one foot in front of the other. Fuck Noah. 

Fuck him. 

Since Isobel had moved here, she’d started slowly to build a new life. Brunches with Maria and Liz, movie night with Liz and Kyle. 

The one person she’d spent little time with at all was Alex. But she had plans to change that, eventually.

Maybe she was just slipping into Michael’s life, an interloper of sorts, but they had been nothing but warm and inviting. Treated her like family. Pushed her to stand on her own two feet. It was a refreshing change, not being treated like she was made out of glass, liable to shatter at any minute.

Co-written with @ladynox

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“Your dog is adorable,” a voice broke into her concentration. Accented, feminine. Isobel swallowed hurriedly, turning to look at the owner.  

The woman sitting next to her. Smooth dark skin and long braids cascading down her slim shoulders. Coal lined eyes bright and red lips smiling at Isobel. 

Oh wow, Isobel thought, she’s pretty.

“Can I pet her?” the woman asked and it took Isobel’s brain a moment to get her brain working.

“Oh yes! Of course!” 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Anatsa and Iz on a DATE looking DORABLE, Iz's hair in those stupid cute high back pigtails.... and then the sky LIGHTING up and the rain pouring down and aaaargh

And then, and THEN

"Please, step away from the story."

Iz incepting Anatsa? Begging her to leave the story? Trying to get her to stop investigating something that will lead her into danger? Trying to keep someone she loves from being hurt?!

Babe you should know your girlfriend is an Intrepid Reporter, that Will Not work.

(Okay but please let Anatsa get read in because if Iz can't push her away from this story she could KEEP HER SAFE BY TELLING HER)