Vanished

By Gemini-M

Chapter 7

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Author's Note: Thanks for the wonderful reviews to rev2004, phi4858,
sirus183, NYT, pretender fan, and Nans. Hope that you guys don't mind the long
chapters. This little adventure is almost over and even though this chapter is
about inner battles, I promise the chapters ahead will have a lot of action and
surprises. Thanks again and enjoy.

"You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment
if you do not trust enough." Frank Crane

Miss Parker's home

As Parker re-entered the guest room, she noticed that it was too quiet.
Very slowly she placed her jacket and the plastic bag on a chair and moved
toward the bed. When she got closer, she could not control the smile that came
to her lips. Jarod had managed to wrap himself with the bedcover with his cuffed
arm stretched above his face, while he lay on his side. It didn't look very
comfortable, but somehow he had managed to doze off. 'Leave it to boy genius to
always find a solution to every problem.' Parker thought to herself.

Regretfully, she put down her warm cup of coffee on the night table and
proceeded to wake up the sleepy pretender. "Jarod, wake-up" Parker called
as she tapped him on the shoulder gently. Jarod woke with a start and gasped as
the sudden movement punished his ribs again. When he turned over and saw Parker
so close, his heart almost jumped out of his chest.

They stared at each other for a moment and then she broke the silence with
a very non-Parker soothing voice, "Jarod, try to sit up so you can take
something for the pain, plus we need to put some tape on those
ribs."

With his heart still racing, Jarod just nodded in understanding and slowly
moved the covers away. As he pushed himself to a sitting position, he stared at
Parker with shock and distrust. 'Why is she being so nice to me now?'
Jarod thought with dread. 'Maybe while I was asleep, she called a sweeper
team to take me back to the Centre?' Not being able to stand the suspense
any longer, Jarod took a deep breath and asked his huntress in a subdued voice,
"Are you taking me back to the Centre?"

"Not at the moment." Parker said dryly as she handed Jarod the
aspirin and the bottle of water. "You better take a few of those before we
start taping your ribs."

Jarod decided not to push his luck and complied with her orders, plus he
really needed the pain medication. With any luck, as soon as he felt a little
stronger, he would start looking for an opportunity to escape. He had to get
away from here to help Sydney and at the same time keep Parker safe. Jarod knew
that he was also a target and staying near Parker was making it easier for the
person behind this hit. As long as Miss Parker had Sam with her, she would be
safe, but her stubbornness to do things her way could have deadly consequences
for Sydney and all those around her. Whoever was behind this twisted little game
was out for blood and it wouldn't be long before he made his next move.

Lost in his thought, Jarod didn't notice when Miss Parker approached him
and reached for the handcuffs. When he felt her hand against his wrist, Jarod
was jolted from his reverie.

Jarod frowned at Miss Parker, but before he was able to question her
actions, she interrupted him, "This is only temporary Jarod. I'm declaring a
truce until we find Sydney, but after that, it's back to You Run and I Chase,
and Jarod don't try anything stupid because I will not hesitate to shoot you;
UNDERSTOOD?"

"Perfectly." Jarod replied seriously.

"Okay, get up and take off your jacket and shirt so we can tape your
ribs." Parker said sharply as she went to get the medical supplies out of
the bag.

Trying to avoid putting more strain on his sore ribs, Jarod moved very
slowly to the edge of the bed and sat there for a moment as the room began to
spin once more. He closed his eyes and carefully removed his jacket, hoping that
the wave of dizziness would pass, but it was useless, he was back on that darn
merry-go-round. When Jarod reopened his eyes, he blinked trying to focus on her
face. Parker stood in front of him, arms cross at her chest with a questionable
look on her face. 'She really was stunning, but very unpredictable.'
Jarod mused as he stared in awe at the somewhat blurred but very beautiful
image of this woman.

"Well?...We don't have all night Jarod. Stand up!" Parker demanded
avoiding his eyes and completely unaware that most of the color had drained from
his face.

Not wanting to anger the demanding woman, Jarod obeyed and pushed himself
up from the bed, but immediately swayed to one side uncontrollably. When Parker
saw the pretender loosing his balance, she dashed forward and tried to hold him
up by wrapping her arms around his waist, but he was too heavy for her and they
both crashed to the floor cursing and groaning.

"I'm sorry Miss Parker." Jarod cried out. "I...I didn't mean
to..."

"OH, JUST SHUT UP JAROD AND GET OFF OF ME!" Parker growled at the
man holding her and practically lying on top of her.

"So...sorry Miss Parker. I...I got really dizzy and..." In the
panic he could not even think straight, much less speak. Jarod released the
infuriated woman from his arms and scooted away from her before she decided to
pull out her gun and shoot him right there. In a state of shock, he stared at
the retreating figure as he sat on the floor leaning against the bed panting and
holding his repeatedly bruised ribs.

Angry and embarrassed at the whole situation, Parker jumped to her feet
and rushed into the restroom slamming the door behind her. She just needed to
get away from him and get a hold on her emotions. The feelings that had
assaulted her body and mind during that awkward moment had her shaking and she
knew that sooner or later she would have to face those feelings and come to a
decision. Parker looked at her tired eyes in the mirror and whispered,
"Jarod, I guess you are not the only one running away." Trancelike, she
turned on the faucet and splashed her face with cold water. She had to control
her emotions, she was a Parker and all her life she had been taught to hide her
feelings behind that mask, but she was tired of the lies, the pain and the
loneliness. Without warning, her mind wondered off and was invaded by his
torturing questions and revelations, "How did we end-up like this? Alone and
searching. It's Ironic, because we both want the same things. Someone to care
about ; someone to care about us." She was trying to be strong, but she
could feel her throat tightening and the tears streaming down her face. "Do
you think we will ever find that kind of Love in our Lives?"

Parker covered her ears with both hands and screamed inwardly,"JAROD
STOP PLEASE!" Emotionally exhausted she leaned against the bathroom
wall and slid down to the floor. She just sat there with her arms wrapped around
her knees and her head lowered, waiting for her heart and breathing to slow down
and the tears to stop. She could not let Jarod see her like this.

"WHY DO I ALWAYS LET HER DO THIS TO ME?" Jarod scolded himself as
the torturing thoughts pounded inside his aching head. 'One look, one touch
and I forget all the times she had hurt me and rejected me. Why do I allow all
those suppressed feelings to come rushing back like a broken dam?' "SHE
HATES ME!...WHY CAN'T I SEE THAT? But she has made it very clear this time. We
will find Sydney and then it's back to the Hunt." He ran his shakyhands
through his hair as he shook his head in disbelief. Finally he closed his eyes
and leaned back against the side of the bed trying to slow down his heart and
ease the pain and anger he felt inside. But he could not stop the tears from
welling in his eyes nor the feelings of desire for her that burned a hole
through his heart. Jarod wiped his eyes dry, and vowed silently to himself with
determination, "Well, you're wrong Miss Parker. This time the game is over.
Is time for me to say goodbye and vanish." He stoppedfor a moment taking a
deep breath. "Maybe someday I'll find someone who will love me
unconditionally and will help me forget the nightmares, the pain, and
You."

"WHERE IS MISS PARKER?" Sam's angry voice snapped Jarod from his
emotional torment.

When Jarod looked up with wide-eyed shock, he came face to face with Sam
and his 9mm revolver. Immediately, Jarod raised his hand in the air and tried to
calm the agitated and vindictive sweeper before he decided to take matters into
his own hands. "WAIT SAM! CALM DOWN! SHE'S IN THE RESTROOM." Jarod said
pointing at the closed door. "Don't worry Sam, I'm not going
anywhere."

"I'll make sure of that genius." Sam spat back gritting his teeth.

After a few minutes of nerve wracking silence, Jarod locked eyes with the
distrustful man and asked in a very low voice, "Sam, can I ask you a
favor?"

"You're not in a position to be asking for favors Jarod." Sam said
dryly.

"The favor is not for me."

"What do you want?" Sam asked suspiciously.

"Sam, don't let Miss Parker out of your sight whatever you do."
Jarod looked at the restroom door before continuing. "She is in grave
danger. Whoever killed Mr. Raines and Lyle will come after her as
well."

"How do you know this?"

"I just know. Trust me."

When Sam didn't reply, Jarod looked into his cold and unmoving gaze and
pleaded with concern in his voice, "SAM PLEASE!"

After contemplating the pretender's request for a moment and seeing the
despair in his eyes, Sam nodded in agreement. "Don't worry genius, I know how
to do my job, and as long as I'm Miss Parker's personal sweeper, no harm will
come to her."

"Thank you Sam." Jarod said and sighed relieved, without noticing
the questionable look of the man pointing the gun at his heart.

Sam smiled inwardly at his new discovery, 'Looks like Mr. Broots was
right after all. The great pretender had feelings for the indomitable Miss
Parker.'

Curiosity was just eating him alive, and when Sam was about to ask the
pretender about his forewarning and the reasons for his concerns about his
huntress' wellbeing, the restroom door flew open and Miss Parker stalked into
the room.

"SAM, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Parker asked surprised, finding her
sweeper pointing his gun at Jarod.

"Miss Parker, I heard a loud noise coming from the room and I thought
you needed help." Sam said still holding the gun on Jarod.

Parker glanced over at Jarod, who was still sitting on the floor like an
idiot and then replied with annoyance, "Okay Sam, never mind that; help Jarod
off the floor."

Sam obediently returned the gun back to its holster on his belt and
complied with Parker's orders without question. Still watching the pretender
like a hawk, Sam approached his boss and whispered, "Miss Parker do you want
me to stay and watch Jarod, since he has no restraints at the
moment?"

"No Sam, that's not necessary. Go back to the living room."

"Okay Miss Parker. Do you need anything else?"

"Oh yes, bring me some more coffee."

"Yes ma' am, right away."

As soon as Sam left the room, Parker grabbed the plastic bag with the
medical supplies and approached Jarod on the bed. The pretender just sat there
silently staring at the floor and ignoring her every move. Miss Parker found his
behavior very strange, since Jarod usually acted very cocky and enjoyed teasing
her to a point of desperation. This was not the Jarod she knew. He was like in a
daze and his eyes held so much sorrow it bothered her in a way she didn't
expect, but once again she swallowed her feelings and hid behind her ice queen
mask.

"Well, are you just going to sit there and stare at the floor boards
all night?" Parker said irritated, but when Jarod did not respond to her
harsh words, she continued in a less heated tone. "Jarod stand up and take
off your shirt so we can tape your ribs."

Without looking at the woman standing next to him, Jarod stood very
cautiously, removed his black T-shirt and simply dropped it on the floor. When
Parker looked at his side, she gasped with shock. Jarod's complete left side of
his ribcage was covered by an ugly deep purple contusion. Just looking at the
injury made her nauseous, and she wondered how he could still move around in
that condition. Parker took a deep breath, pulled out the roll of medical tape
and said with apprehension, "Jarod, I'm going to need your guidance here. I'm
no doctor."

"Okay Miss Parker." Jarod answered almost inaudibly. "Just wrap
my entire ribcage, but not too tight, so that it won't hinder my
breathing."

When Parker touched his side slightly to start wrapping his ribs, Jarod
flinched in pain but he did not complain aloud.

"Sorry." Parker said but avoided looking at his face.

Jarod closed his eyes and took slow breaths as Parker started to tape his
ribs with a lot more caution and gentleness that he expected. She never ceased
to amaze him. One minute she was threatening to put a bullet in him and now she
was trying to fix his injuries. Due to her closeness and uncommon tenderness,
Jarod found himself fighting those feelings for her again. But it was useless,
Parker was so close that he could smell the floral scent of her hair as if
brushed pass his face, and it was driving him crazy. This was pure torture and
she was probably enjoying it. After all, in the past he had played quite a few
nasty tricks on her which had put her into very uncomfortable situations. Jarod
sighed heavily and hoped that she would finish soon.

"Are you alright?" Parker asked with concern.

"Yeah fine, just tired."

When Sam returned to the room with Miss Parker's coffee, he looked over at
the scene before him and frowned. It was quite ironic, Miss Parker playing nurse
and caring for the man she had threaten to shoot earlier. She was really
unpredictable and Jarod had no idea how lucky he was.

"Miss Parker here is your coffee." Sam announced. "Do you need
any help?"

"No thanks, I'm almost done here." Parker answered without raising
her eyes from her job. "Did Broots find anything?"

"Well, I'm not sure."

"WHAT?... What did Broots find?"

"It was some newspaper article that was sent to Sydney's e-mail about
the death of a young woman in a car accident."

"WHAT?" Jarod asked in sudden panic. "Did...did it give you a
name or a picture?"

"No name, only a picture." Sam continued. "White female, maybe
early thirties, red ha..." Before Sam had a chance to finish the sentence,
Jarod had pulled away from Parker and was headed for the door.

"JAROD STOP!" Parker yelled.

Alarmed by Parker's raised voice, Sam drew his weapon and pointed it at
the tall man, blocking his exit. "AND WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?"

Jarod froze on the spot and locked eyes with Sam's fierce stare. He had to
see that picture right now. Something inside told him that another innocent
victim had fallen because of him. Jarod could feel the panic rising inside and
his stomach was all tied up in knots. He looked at Sam with fear in his eyes.

"SAM PLEASE! I NEED TO SEE THAT PICTURE." Jarod begged. "I MIGHT
KNOW THIS PERSON."

Parker came from behind and grabbed Jarod by the arm, trying to guide him
back to the bed, but the pretender was too agitated to reason with anybody.
Jarod continued to stand up to the armed sweeper, determined to leave the room.
Parker knew that she had to think of something quick, because Jarod was acting
irrational and she didn't want to see him get hurt any further. In a swift move,
Parker grabbed his arm and spun him around to make him look at her face. Jarod
flinched from the sudden jerking motion, but his attention was immediately
captured by the concern in Parker's deep blue orbs.

"Jarod listen to me." Parker said in a soothing voice.
"You will see the picture, but first let me finish taping your
ribs."

Once again, Jarod was surprised by Parker's gentleness, and after a moment
of hesitation he sighed with defeat and nodded in agreement. As Parker guided
Jarod back to the bed, she looked at Sam, who was still holding the gun on the
pretender and with a quick glance signaled the sweeper to leave the
room.

Without further resistance, Jarod walked back to the bed and sat down
heavily. Visibly distressed, he closed his eyes and ran his hands through his
hair. He had to think of a plan to put an end to this nightmare, but first he
had to escape from here, before the madman behind this diabolical plan claimed
more victims.

Parker kept a wary eye on the distraught man while she finished putting
the last pieces of tape around his torso. From the look on his face, she could
tell that Jarod was mentally and physically exhausted, but at the same time he
was already planning his next move. 'Jarod I can read you like a book.'
Parker thought and smiled inwardly.

"There, all done." Parker said with pride. "How does it
feel?"

"Fine...Thanks." Jarod said dryly.

When Parker grabbed his T-shirt from the floor, she noticed that it was
soaking wet. "Jarod this shirt is all wet!" Parker said with concern and
anger. "Why didn't you tell me your clothes were drenched? You idiot, do you
want to catch pneumonia?"

"Since when do you care?"

Parker stared at him menacingly but decided to ignore his hurtful words.
She really didn't want to start a fight with Jarod right now. They needed each
other and had to get alone for Sydney's sake, but after this crisis was over she
was going to kick his ass all the way back to the Centre at the first chance.

Without looking at him she said with irritation, "I'll get you some dry
clothes."

Parker walked over to the small armoire and slowly opened its door, as if
she was entering a sacred place. There she kept some of Thomas' clothes.
Something she would always treasure, because they represented a very short time
in her life when she had found true love. Slowly she reached in and ran her
fingers along the fabric of the shirt that hung in front of her. As soon as her
fingers touched the red flannel shirt, the memories of Thomas flooded her mind
like a raging river. Their first meeting, their time together, their fights
about the Centre, all their future plans and his tragic death. "I miss you so
much Tommy." Parker murmured to herself. For a few minutes, Parker stood
frozen trying to control the pain and the emotions that had assaulted her so
cruelly the moment she touched Thomas' clothes and inhaled the slight traces of
his scent that still lingered. She didn't want Jarod to see her like this,
struggling with his memories and the pain, but Jarod had already noticed the
change in her posture when her hands had touched the clothing and the way she
held them close to her heart like a treasure no one was meant to see or
touch.

After what seemed like an eternity, Parker finally turned around and
walked towards Jarod. Keeping her eyes lowered, she placed on his lap a pair of
blue jeans and a white long sleeved shirt.

"Here you can use these clothes. I think they will fit
you."

When Parker was turning away, Jarod reached and grabbed her hand. The
surprised woman turned around and gave him a look of pure shock, but she did not
pull away. Jarod's eyes held her for a moment and then he said gently,
"I'm sorry about what I said before."

Before she had a chance to reply, Jarod released her hand, stood and
headed for the restroom to change his clothes. A few minutes later, Jarod exited
the restroom wearing his late friend's clothes. Jarod felt kind of uncomfortable
wearing Thomas' clothes because he had seen the pain in her eyes and he knew
that he would never be able to take that pain away. Astounded, Parker stared at
the pretender as a chilling sensation ran down her spine. The clothes fit Jarod
perfectly, and once again the memories of Thomas assaulted every fiber of her
being mercilessly.

"Miss Parker are you alright? Jarod's voice abruptly pulled her
from her thoughts.

"I'm fine." Parker said and quickly turned away, avoiding his
eyes.

"Miss Parker, where should I put my clothes?" Jarod asked as he
turned toward the restroom to gather his clothes.

"Leave them there. I'll take care of that later." Parker said as
she walked over to the chair and grabbed her jacket. Carefully, she reached into
the pocket of her jacket and took out the origami figure.

"Jarod can you explain the meaning of this?"

"WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?" Jarod asked surprised.

"I found it in Mr. Raines' house, right next to his body."

Immediately, Jarod recognized the origami figure and he knew what Parker
was thinking. He looked at Parker with hurt in his eyes, begging for her trust.
"Do you think that I killed Mr. Raines and Lyle?"

Parker looked deeply into his dark eyes and finally lowering her eyes
said, "No...I don't think you killed them."

"Thank you." Jarod sighed relieved. He was glad that Parker
believed him, but now he had a bigger problem. He knew the monster that was
behind Sydney's disappearance and the murders. Already Jarod could feel the hate
and panic rising in him as he clearly remembered Alex's last twisted message
about how his killings would affect someone important to his world. Alex
was back, but this time he was going to end this. He might already be too late
to save Sydney, but he was going to do everything in his power to save Parker.

"Jarod, do you know who left this origami behind?" Parker asked as
her eyes bore into him.

Unyieldingly, Jarod looked deeply into her hypnotic gaze and answered,
"I don't know Miss Parker." He hated lying to her, but he
had no choice. He had to keep her away from that Sociopath at all cost.

"But I remember finding one just like this in your..."

"Miss Parker I really need to see the picture Broots found in Sydney's
e-mail." Jarod interrupted her questions with a look of despair in his eyes.
"Please."

"Alright, lets go see what Broots found for us."

Ignoring the pain on his side, Jarod turned and hurried to the door,
leaving a very annoyed Miss Parker staring at his back. A second later, Parker
dashed after the tall man and jerked him to a stop, "Do you want Sam to shoot
you on sight?"

"No." Jarod winced in pain and then continued, "Even though
nothing would give Sam more pleasure."

Parker pulled out her gun and said, "Walk next to me and don't get any
ideas Jarod. Truce or not, I can still shoot you. Remember that."

Jarod looked at the gun and simply nodded his agreement. With her ice
queen demeanour back in place, Parker grabbed Jarod by the arm and pulled him
forward. When Parker and Jarod entered the living room, they were greeted with
looks of pure surprise from both men, who exchanged glances with each other and
then stared at the Pretender with curiosity.

"WHAT?" Parker asked in exasperation.

"Oh no...nothing M...Miss Parker, is just that..." Broots stuttered
nervously.

"Mr. Broots, Sam told us that you found something in Sydney's e-mail?"
Jarod interrupted getting Broots out of the spot. "Can you please show me
the message?"

"Sure Jarod, it's a newspaper article about an accident." Broots
answered amiably then froze and looked at Parker hesitantly, "Is that okay
Miss Parker?"

"Yes Broots, show him the message." Parker said as she faced her
sweeper. "Watch Jarod, I'm going to get more coffee."

"Yes ma' am." Sam replied and moved to stand by the couch were
Jarod was already sitting next to Broots with his eyes fixed on the small
screen.

Just as Miss Parker was about to pour herself another cup of coffee, all
hell broke loose in the living room. There was a loud crashing sound and then
she heard Sam's angry voice shouting Jarod's name.

"NOW WHAT?" Parker said furiously, as she dropped her coffee mug
and ran back to the living room. When she entered the living room she saw pieces
of glass all over the floor and Sam with his gun drawn and pointing at the
visibly upset pretender.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?" Parker growled.

"He just went nuts after he saw the picture." Sam replied as he
continued to aim his gun at the distraught man.

Parker glanced at Jarod for a moment and then looked over at Broots, who
was frozen in place by the front door with a look of panic in his face. She gave
the paranoid techie a stern look and waved at him to approach. Slowly, Broots
left the safety of the entryway and walked towards Miss Parker keeping a wary
eye on the troubled man by the fireplace.

"Broots what happened?"

"I showed Jarod the message in Sydney's e-mail and when he saw the
picture of the girl he freaked-out." Broots whispered.

"Did he tell you anything about this girl?"

"No, all he said was Zoe, and then he got really upset."

"Okay Broots take the laptop to the kitchen and continue the
search."

Keeping his eyes fixed on the distressed pretender, Broots very cautiously
took the laptop from the coffee table and scurried into the kitchen to continue
his search.

Parker waved at Sam to lower his weapon while she kept her eyes focused on
the agitated pretender. Jarod was still pacing in front of the fireplace with
his arms wrapped around his ribs. He looked disturbed, but his eyes held so much
sorrow it made her heart ache. Parker took a deep breath and slowly started to
move towards Jarod, but Sam stepped in and blocked her way.

"WHAT?" Parker glared at the burly sweeper.

"Miss Parker I don't think it's a good idea to approach him right now."
Sam said with concern. "He might get violent again."

"Don't worry Sam; I know what I'm doing." Parker replied seriously
and walked around the sweeper. "Leave us alone."

"But Miss Parker" Sam argued.

"NOW!" Parker harsh words made the ill-tempered sweeper storm out
of the room.

Parker approached Jarod and stood a few feet away while he continued to
pace. She could almost sense the anguish that was so visible in his face and she
wondered who this woman was that had caused such a reaction in Jarod. She must
have been someone very close to him because he was obviously devastated by the
news. His reaction to this woman's death made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.
'Was there someone else in Jarod's life that she didn't know about?'
Parker wondered. 'Was she the reason behind Jarod's long silence and
disappearance?' This realization had brought out feelings she never expected
to have towards Jarod. Parker quickly pushed these feelings aside and approached
the tall man who had sent her life into a whirlwind from the moment she had
accepted the assignment to capture him.

"Jarod, what happened?" Parker asked almost inaudibly.

At the sound of her voice, Jarod stopped pacing and stood facing the
fireplace, while he ran his hands through his disheveled hair nervously. After a
few minutes of silence he replied in a wounded voice, "He killed her for no
reason at all."

"Jarod, who was that girl? Who killed her?"

"He just killed her to get my attention." Jarod's voice broke.
"She was my friend. Her name was Zoe."

"I'm sorry Jarod." Parker said as she stood next to him. "Jarod,
do you know who killed your friend?"

"It's my fault. I should have warned her."

In a daze, Jarod walked over to the couch and slowly sat down with his
eyes cast downward. When he finally gazed at Parker, his eyes were filled with
sadness as he fought back the tears, "She didn't have to die Parker." He
whispered as he covered his face with his hands and wept silently for his
friend.

Parker didn't want to accept the fact that Jarod's anguish affected her in
such a way, but she could feel the burning of tears in her throat. She fought to
control her emotions, but once again her inner sense told her to go to him. He
needed her right now. Jarod had always been there for her during the most
difficult moments in her life and all he had asked from her in return was her
trust. Parker walked over to Jarod and knelt in front of him. Slowly she reached
out and removed his hands from his face. When Jarod felt her touch, he flinched
with surprised, but he didn't look up or pull away. Instead, he just sat there
with his eyes lowered staring at their intertwined fingers. The mere touch of
his hands had sent her heart racing and she could feel her lungs constricting.
Parker took a deep breath to calm her nerves, and then she called him softly,
"Jarod listen to me. This accident was not your fault."

"You're wrong Parker." Jarod argued softly. "He killed her
because of me."

"Jarod, do you know who is doing this?" Parker asked
alarmed.

"I don't know Parker." Jarod pulled his hands from hers and rubbed
his eyes tiredly.

Very gently Parker grasped his chin between her fingers and lifted his
face so he would look into her eyes. "Jarod, please don't lie to me."
Parker asked with sadness in her voice. "We need to trust each other to
find Sydney."

For a moment, Jarod was mesmerized by her deep blue eyes and the sadness
within that was so painfully visible. Unable to answer her pleas, he lowered his
gaze again. He felt so tired and lost he didn't know if he had the strength to
finish what this madman had started, but there was something different this
time. Parker was here with him sharing his pain and trying to console him. This
was not the cold-hearted huntress that wanted to lock him away in the bowels of
the Centre, but his old friend, the one he thought he had lost forever. Jarod
thought about her words. "We need to trust each other..." Maybe she had
finally taken that turning point, but at the same time he was still puzzled by
her actions.

"Jarod please talk to me." Parker's words jerked him from his
reverie.

After a long pause, Jarod blinked back the new tears that had formed in
his eyes and slowly reached and grasped Parker's hands. Keeping his eyes lowered
he explained, "Miss Parker, all I know is that this person wants to hurt the
people who are important to me." Jarod whispered, his voice shaking with
fear, "Miss Parker if anything happens to...you." He choked on his words,
"I could never..."

"Jarod, nothing is going to happen to me," Parker squeezed his
hands in reassurance. "and we are going to find Sydney...Please trust
me."

Jarod sighed somewhat relieved and nodded in agreement. He had to be
optimistic for her sake and Sydney's. Slowly, Jarod stood from the couch and
helped Parker up from where she had been kneeling in front of him all this time.
A long uncomfortable silence engulfed the room as Parker and Jarod stood frozen
staring at each other. Just as he was about to move away, Parker grabbed his arm
and gave him a gentle squeeze as she whispered, "Thanks for caring."

Jarod gave Parker a sad smile in return and then looked away nervously,
"Sorry about the vase."

"It's okay, I hated that vase anyways." Parker's lips curled into a
very brief smile and then she said seriously, "Jarod, have you checked your
e-mail for any new messages from the kidnapper?"

"No, I was going to, but when Broots showed me the picture, I..."

"I know, but now we have to think about finding Sydney."Parker
quickly interrupted trying to deflect the painful memories of his friend. "Jarod
lets go check and pray there is some news."

"Yes." Was his only reply, before Jarod dashed towards the kitchen,
forgetting about the delicate condition of his ribs and his concussion. By the
time he reached the kitchen, Jarod was gasping for breath and holding onto the
door frame for balance. Parker, who was a few steps behind, quickly grabbed his
arm to steady the tall man.

"Jarod, are you alright?" Parker asked concern.

"Yeah, just a little dizzy." Jarod said between gasps of breath.
"I'll be fine."

"Well you look like hell Jarod."

Jarod gave Parker a confused look, but remained silent. When she noticed
that Jarod had steadied himself, she pushed the kitchen door open and proceeded
ahead of him. From the moment Parker entered the kitchen, she started giving
orders to the two stunned men who kept a vigilant eye on the pale pretender
standing next to Miss Parker.

"Broots, give the laptop to Jarod. He needs to check his
e-mail."

"Okay Miss Parker." Broots complied immediately, springing out of
the chair and allowing Jarod to take his place at the table.

"Thank you, Mr. Broots." Jarod said quietly as he took the chair
vacated by the nervous techie and speedily started to access his account.

"Sam, call the Centre and tell them to send a Clean-up team to Mr.
Raines' home."

"Yes ma'am." Sam replied and walked out of the kitchen. Once in the
living room, he reached into his breast pocket to retrieve his cell phone. This
was a Clean-up call he didn't mind making at all. In fact, it was a pleasure.
Finally the Centre and Miss Parker would be free of that fiend.

After a few minutes of tense silence, Parker approached Jarod and leaned
over his shoulder to see what he had found. Jarod was so focused in his task
that didn't notice Parker until she spoke.

"Did you receive any new messages?" Parker asked with
dread.

"Nothing." Jarod said plainly.

"What are we going to do Jarod?" Parker paced the small kitchen
frantically. "We have no idea where to start looking."

"I don't know Miss Parker."

"You and Broots keep searching; I need to talk to Sam." Saying
that, Parker exited the kitchen in a hurry.

As soon as Parker left the room, Broots approached the table cautiously
and sat next to Jarod. The pretender had his eyes fixed on the small screen and
continued to type feverishly. Broots stared at the fugitive, who he now
considered a friend and finally gathered up the courage to ask, "Are you Okay
Jarod?"

"I've been better, but I'll survive." Jarod answered
candidly.

"Jarod, I'm sorry about your friend." Broots whispered keeping his
eyes on the kitchen door.

"Thanks, Mr. Broots." Jarod replied softly while he continued his
typing. After a few minutes of silence, Jarod's dark eyes looked up and stared
with determination at a very spooked techie.

"What's wrong?" Broots asked curiously.

"Mr. Broots, you're going to help me escape."

"WHAT?...J...Jarod...I...can't...d...do...that"

"Mr. Broots, if you don't help me Miss Parker and Sydney will die."
Jarod typed a few commands on the laptop and turned the screen towards
Broots. "This is the list of the people marked for death by this sociopath."
Jarod closed his eyes trying to control his rage. "He has Sydney, and
wants to meet with me later tonight."

"OH MY GOD!" Broots' face blanched in terror as he read the list
and listened to Jarod's words. "Why didn't you share this information with
Miss Parker?"

"I can't Mr. Broots. I have to keep her out of this for her own sake.
She is too stubborn and won't listen to me." Jarod looked at Broots with
desperation. "Please Mr. Broots."

No matter how frightened he was, he could not ignore the anguish and
concern in Jarod's eyes for the safety of his friends. This mysterious and
sometimes dangerous man had saved his life and had brought his little girl back
into his life. He owed him big time, and now it was his turn to return the
favor. Broots closed his eyes, took a deep breath and swallowed his
fear.

"Alright Jarod, I'll help you." Broots nodded nervously.

"Thank you, Mr. Broots." Jarod replied sincerely.

"And then afterwards, Miss Parker will probably shoot me." Broots
murmured with fear.

"You and me both, Mr. Broots." Jarod replied with a sigh.

When Jarod looked at the techie's face again, it was even paler. He gave
him a sad smile and said, "Mr. Broots, don't worry about Miss Parker; her
bark is meaner than her bite."

Jarod quickly closed his Refuge account and started explaining the details
of his escape plan to his new accomplice.

TBC