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Disclaimer: I don't own them. Everybody knows NBC does.
Author's note: You find out who killed Thomas here even though I believe it wasn't him. I still think it was someone at the Centre.

This story is dedicated to Alieta, who gave me this story idea. Thanks.


Old Flame
By: Southernbelle



Miss Parker sat her desk when a tall man walked in. Parker took a whiff of the aroma that filled the air before looking up.

"Parker, you still look more beautiful than ever," he said smiling.

"Well, hello Bruce. I haven't seen you in a long time."

"It's been a very long time," he agreed.

"What brings you here? Please seat."

He took a seat. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I would stop by to say hi to my favorite girl."

"Oh really."

"Parker, you know that you were my favorite girl in school."

"Bruce, I really couldn't tell much back then."

"I guess not with all those guys hanging around you." He looked over at the pictures on the wall. "So is there anybody in your life?"

"No, not really. How about you?"

"No," he whispered. He jumped up from his seat and walked over to the window. "Parker..."

"Miss Parker! Miss Parker!" Broots yelled as he ran into her office. Stopping when he saw a man strange man standing there.

"What is it Broots?"

"This came from you." He handed her a package. Broots just stood there staring at the man.

"Is there anything else, Broots?"

"Uhh..no."

"Then bye!"

"Bye....uh...yeah." He walked out running into Sydney in the hallway. "Sydney, did you know that there is a strange man in Miss Parker's office?"

"No."

"Well...don't you want to know who he is?" He looked around to make sure no one was listening.

"It is really none of our business."

"Yeah but..."

"No buts, Broots. She will tell us if she wants us to know."

They walked into Broots' office.

******

"Bruce, you were saying....before we got interrupted."

"Oh yes. Parker, would you like to have dinner with me tonight...to catch up on old times?"

"Sure. I would love to."

"Good."

"What time?"

"Say 7:00 at Olive Garden."

"I'll meet you there."

******

Parker walked into Broots' office.

"Broots, see what you can find out about this." She threw the package that Jarod sent her at him.

"Sure." He just stared at her.

"Now Broots!" she shouted.

"Oh...yeah." Broots began typing at his keyboard to see if the address that Jarod left on the package gave him any clues. While he was doing that Sydney stood there very quite before saying, "Broots, tells me there was a strange man in your office today."

"Oh really!" She shot him a look.

Broots glanced up to see her watching him before he slumped lower into his chair.

"Miss Parker..."

"What?" she snarled.

"It's a dead end."

"I knew it."

"Miss Parker..."

"What?"

"What was in the package...." She glared at him. "maybe it could tell us something."

"Just some old newspaper clipping."

"What kind of newspaper clipping?"

"I don't know. They're not very readable."

"May I see them?"

She handed them to him, "I will check with you tomorrow and see what you have."

"Tomorrow?" Sydney quizzed.

"Yes. Tomorrow. I have somewhere to go."

"This....early?" Broots commented.

"Yes!" She walked out.

********

Parker met Bruce at the bar in the restaurant.

"You look beautiful."

"You look...nice." She smiled.

"I think our table is ready." He placed his hand on the small of her back and lead her to the table. Pulling the chair for her, he could smell the Chanel that she wore.

After he ordered their food and drinks, they talked, catching up on old times.

"What ever happen to Chris?" Parker asked.

"Chris. Chris. Oh yeah...Chris. He is married now and has a family."

"Oh. I haven't heard."

"Do you remember Paul James?"

"I think so. What did he look like?"

"Tall, skinny, dark hair."

"Did he wear glasses?"

"Maybe for a while."

"I think so why?"

"I heard he is working for a company outside of Atlanta."

"Really, that's good."

"So, do you hear from any of your old flames?"

"No." Parker answered as she glanced down at her empty wine glass.

"Oh, let me." Bruce filled her glass.

"What about you?" Parker asked.

"Me. No. I heard Cindy Hilton is married with four kids now."

"Oh. Tell me, what ever happened to Russ Taylor? He was so good looking in school."

"I think he got killed."

"No. Really? We went out a few times."

"Yeah, I remember."

"You do?"

"Yeah. Our third year in college."

"He always had the prettiest hazel eyes. I think that is what I fell in love with."

Bruce, getting a little nervous talking about old flames, looked up. "Look here comes our food."

After dinner Parker and Bruce took a walk on a clear night. Taking her hand, "How come you never went out with me? We would have made a good couple."

Parker pulled her hand back, "Because we were friends. I didn't want to ruin our friendship."

"Oh." He didn't say another word for a while. They stopped walking for a moment. 'Here's my chance' he thought as he leaned in to kiss her.

Parker pulled back, "Well, it's getting late. I better get going."

"Yeah. Talk to you tomorrow."

"Sure. Call me at work."

*******

The next morning Parker walked into Broots' office.

"Broots!"

He jumped, dropping some papers. "Miss Parker."

She stood there staring at him.

He sat there staring back, "Oh. Here is that newspaper article that you wanted."

"Thanks." She grabbed it from him.

"How was your date?"

She glared at him.

"I mean..."

Sydney walked in. "I see you are in early this morning."

Parker turned toward the chair in front of Broots' desk. "How did you get this to be legible?"

"Well, I made out the dates and pulled up the article on the Internet."

"Very good." She rose from her seat and walked out.

"Miss Parker, wait."

She turned.

"What does it all mean? Who was that guy?" P> She turned back around and walked off.

Broots looked at Sydney.

"I'll go talk to her." Sydney replied as he walked out.

Entering her office, "Parker, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You have Broots worried."

"He'll get over it."

She turned her chair around, not wanting to face Sydney.

"If you want to talk, you know where to find me."

As he turned to leave, "He was an old college friend."

"Which one?"

"Both. The guy from yesterday and the one from the paper."

"Oh. I see."

Parker turned back around and Sydney walked closer to her.

"I'm sorry. What do you think Jarod is trying to tell you?"

"I don't know but I plan on finding out."

*******

Broots and Sydney walk into an apartment. They looked around and couldn't believe what they saw.

"Look Syd, it's Miss Parker."

"I see Broots."

"She looks the same." Broots commented as he walked around the pictures on the wall.

"It looks like he was been following her since college."

"This is creepy."

Sydney paced with his hand over his chin staring at the pictures.

"Syd."

"Mmm."

"Can we leave?"

*******

They get back to the Centre and entered Broots' office again.

"Broots?" Sydney stood in front of Broots' desk.

"Yeah Syd."

"I think you should see this."

Broots came toward him for a closer look. He couldn't believe his eyes. He picked up a photo that was delivered earlier. "He has Debbie? Why?"

"I don't know Broots but we will get her back."

"We have too. She is all I have. She's my life."

"Calm down Broots. We'll get her. Come on let's tell Parker."

They go her office to find she is already gone.

*******

Parker stood next to the door pounding, "Bruce, open the door!"

Nobody answered so she continued pondering holding another newspaper article in her hand.

Bruce came around the corner, "Parker, what are you doing here?" He smiled, happy to see her.

"Bruce, I've been looking for you."

"You have."

"We need to talk."

"Yeah. Sure."

"Can we go in?"

"Oh....yeah." He unlocked the door and followed her in. "Have a seat."

"That's okay, I'll stand."

"Yeah. What did you want?"

"You haven't been honest with me."

"What do you mean?"

"I received this today." She handed him the article.

He took it and read over it. "I don't understand."

Parker paced the floor. "According to that Russ died shortly after we broke up."

"So."

"Well...how come I didn't know this until now?"

"I don't know." He turned his back on her.

As she continued to pace she noticed a picture of her on the back wall. She walked closer to the wall.

"You bastard." She stared at the pictures of her ranging from college years to present.

He turned to grab her. "Parker, it's not what it seems."

"Oh really. It doesn't look like it to me." She turned quickly to leave.

He grabbed her arm.

"Let go of me."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because I want you, Parker. I've always wanted you."

"I'm leaving!"

"No, you're not."

"Excuse me."

He handed her a photo of Debbie crying.

"You sick bastard. Where is she?"

"Well...let's see...are you willing to cooperate?"

"What do you want?"

"I told you, I want you."

"You can't have me."

"Then I guess this poor little girl can't have her daddy, either."

"You bastard."

"She is still crying for him. Well...I guess I will have to kill her like I did..."

"Like you did who?" Her voice deepen.

"What was his name.....Tho...."

"Thomas." She reared back to hit him when he grabbed her fist. "I'm going to kill you!" she shouted.

"Tisk tisk. Not so fast. I thought you wanted to help this little girl."

"I do."

"Then you will do what I say."

"What do you want?"

******

Sydney's cell phone rang, "Hello."

"Sydney."

"Jarod."

"Have you seen Miss Parker?"

"No. Jarod...."

"Sydney, Bruce is a killer. I'm worried about her."

"Me, too and we know. He has Debbie."

"Damn."

"Jarod, what are we going to do?"

"I don't know. Give me a few minutes and I'll call back." Jarod ended the call.

*******

Bruce and Parker entered an old abandoned apartment complex. Bruce had Parker's hands tied.

"Would you just tell me what it is you want?"

"I told you. I want you."

"I got that you moron. What exactly is it that you want from me?"

"You are going to marry me and bear my children."

Parker laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"Me...a mother. I don't think so and I'm certainly not going to be your wife."

He back handed her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that." He pushed the hair out of her face.

"If I marry you, will you let her go."

"Yes."

"How can I trust that you will?"

"I will. I promise."

"Then let her go, then I will marry you."

"No! You won't if I let her go first."

"Yes. I will. I guess you will have to trust me on this."

******

The phone rang again.

"Jarod."

"Sydney, listen I got word that there was a man taking a small child into the wrecking yard about five miles from you."

"Thanks Jarod."

"Sydney..."

"Yeah."

"I need something from you before you go."

"Anything. What is it?"

"Have Broots cross reference Bruce with any property in town."

"Okay, hang on."

As Broots typed on the keyboard he looked at the picture of Debbie that he taped on his monitor a few days ago. All he could think about was her.

"I got three," Broots answered.

"Where are they?"

"One is on the South end of town, one is two blocks from Main Street, and the other is two miles north of Blue Cove."

"Well, the one closest to Main Street is his apartment," Sydney commented.

"I bet he is south of town. I'll call you later."

"Jarod, be careful."

"You too, Sydney." Jarod hung up the phone.

******

Sydney and Broots got to the wrecking yard.

"Have you seen this girl?" Broots asked while showing Debbie's picture to a dirty, greasy man standing by the gate.

"No," he replied as he walked through the gate.

"Are you sure? It's important that we find her." Sydney responded.

"Check with the owner. He may have seen her." He pointed over the fork lift.

"Thanks mister," Broots said as he ran over there.

Broots waved his arms in the air to get the man's attention. He looked down at them standing there.

"Can I help you?"

"Yeah, have you seen this girl?" Broots asked again.

"I can't hear you," he shouted over the fork lift noise.

"Have...you...seen..this...little...girl?"

"Wait a minute." He shut off the machinery and climbed down.

"What did you say again?" he cupped his ears.

"I said..have you seen this little girl?"

"Oh. Let me see." He stared at the picture for a minute. "Yeah. I think I have."

"Good. When?" Sydney asked.

"This morning. A man came in with her asked for some part for a 68 Chevy truck. I pointed him to the right direction. You know come to think about it. I don't remember seeing her leaving with him."

"Where did you point him to?"

"Over there where we are crushing cars."

Broots and Sydney turned to each other before making a mad dash that direction. When Broots saw a man carrying a Chevy truck to the crusher he jumped in front of the crane.

The man looking down yelled, "What are you...crazy? I could have killed you!"

"Sir, have you seen this small child here?" He held up the photo of Debbie.

"No! Now get out of the way."

"No, you don't understand. I'm looking for her."

"And I said I haven't seen her. Now get out of the way."

"Not until you let us look around before you crush anything else."

"I have a deadline."

"It will only take a few minutes," Sydney responded.

The owner made his way to them. "It's okay. Let them look." He told the man in the crane.

"Fine but make it quick."

Sydney and Broots looked through the vehicles.

"Sydney, I don't see her." Broots panicked.

"Broots...shh. I hear something."

They could hear some whining and whimpering coming from the crusher. Sydney walked over to it. "Broots, over here."

Broots ran to the crusher and looked in. "Debbie!" he yelled.

"Daddy!" she cried.

"Sydney, help me."

They pulled on the door but it wouldn't give. Finally, the owner grabbed saw to cut through the door. They got it open after pulling for ten minutes.

"Debbie!" Broots grabbed his daughter and hugged her tight.

"Daddy, I was so scared."

"It's okay." Broots untied her hands and feet.

*******

Jarod stood outside the old abandoned apartment building just south of town. He looked through the broken window and could hear Bruce shouting at Parker. He found a way in.

Parker was tied in a chair staring at Bruce as he paced the floors. "Why did you do it?" Parker finally spoke.

"Do what?"

"Kill Thomas."

"I had to. He wasn't right for you."

"And I guess you are?" Parker said sarcastically.

"I'm better than he was. I know how to make you happy."

"He made me happy."

Bruce walked over to her, ran his hand down her face, and wiped the tears from her eyes. "No, I can make you happy."

Parker spit in his eyes. He slapped her across the face.

"Yeah, I can see that," Parker replied.

He wiped the spit off of him and turned around. "I would have killed your other boyfriend but he got away from me."

Parker looked confused. "What boyfriend?"

Jarod leaped out at Bruce knocking him down the ground. They exchanged punches. Bruce kicked Jarod off of him making him to fall next to where Parker sat. Bruce jumped toward Jarod causing them to knock Parker and the chair over. Jarod sat on Bruce hitting him across the face knocking him out for a few minutes.

Jarod went over to Parker, untied her.

"I thought I would never say this but I'm happy to see you," Parker said as Jarod helped her to her feet.

"It time we get even with Mr. Bruce." Jarod smiled.

When Bruce came to he was tied in the chair. "What's going on?"

"How does it feel?" Parker asked as she walked around the chair.

"You are going to tell us where we can find Debbie."

"You're to late. She dead by now."

Parker grabbed Bruce by the throat. "Where is she?"

"I told you. It's too late."

Parker squeezed harder.

"Okay. She is a wrecking yard not far from here. You will find her in a black 70 Chevy truck if it's not crushed by now." He smiled.

"You bastard." Parker doubled her fist.

Jarod grabbed it. "Wait. Parker."

"Jarod." She looked at him. He let go of her fist and she hit Bruce right in the nose. Blood ran down his face.

"You broke my nose, you bitch."

Jarod grabbed his collar. "Your lucky that's all she broke."

Jarod grabbed his phone and walked over to the corner of the room. He turned back to Parker and shook his head then came back to where they were.

"She's safe."

Parker looked down at Bruce, "You're lucky I don't kill you."

Jarod turned to Parker, "Let me take you home."

They walked out and Bruce screamed, "What about me?"

They continued walking like they didn't hear him.

As Jarod drove Parker home she asked, "How did you know about Bruce?"

"Well, I met Bruce some time back on one of my pretends. He acted like some nice guy but then you showed up just as I got away. Bruce saw you and thought we were a couple or something. He found me later and questioned me about it. When I told him he was crazy he pulled a knife. I got away before he could hurt me. Then I found out he was in Blue Cove."

Parker didn't say another word as they pulled up in her driveway. Jarod helped Parker to her room. She looked up at him as she laid in her bed, "Will you stay the night?"

Jarod looked down into her eyes. He couldn't resist those blue eyes. "Yeah, I'll stay," he whispered.

Parker moved over facing the wall when Jarod laid down beside her. He wrapped his arms around her, laying his head down on her shoulder. "Good night," he whispered in her ear as she closed her eyes knowing she was safe.

Jarod woke in the early morning hours to Parker's head resting on his chest. Her arms wrapped around him as his were around her. He eased out of bed and went to the door. He glanced back one more time for walking out.

******

The morning sun hit Parker's sleeping face, waking her. She stretched her arms over the direction that Jarod slept to find he was gone. She sat up in the bed and held the covers tight. She could smell his scent still there. She turned to leave the bed when she saw a note laying on the night stand.

Miss Parker,

I decided to leave before you
woke up. I think you can
understand why. Thank you for
showing me the vulnerable
side of you. Take care, I'm
around if you need me.

Jarod


Parker got up and headed into work. Broots and Sydney met her at her office door.

"We're glad you are safe."

"How's Debbie?" Parker asked as they entered through the door.

"She will be fine," Broots answered.

"And you?" Sydney asked.

"I'll be fine."

"And Jarod?"

"Gone, if that's want you want to know."

Parker went to her chair and sat down.

Sydney looked at Broots, "We have some work to do."

"Yeah," he answered as they could tell she wanted to be alone.

They left and her phone began to ring.

"What?"

"How are you feeling this morning, Miss Parker?"

"Fine and you?"

"The same. Did you get this mornings paper?"

"It's laying on my desk but I haven't had a chance to look at it. Why?"

"I think you will like this one." He hung up the phone.

She grabbed the paper and opened it to the front page. Big letters read... A man confessed to killing several men to get the woman of his dreams. Parker sighed. "Thank you Jarod."

Jarod closed the paper as he board the plane to his next destination. "You're welcome, Miss Parker," he said to himself as he stared out the window of the plane.

The End!


Please read the sequel: To Want Someone









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