Title: Ultimate Betrayal
Author: Rose, rosenfairy@hotmail.com
Rating: G
Keywords: MPJR
Timeline: About five months after 'wake up', but nothing that happened on the show after wake up happened in this fic.
Author's note: This one is based on Mickey's 'Jarod Picture Challenge' which can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PretenderChallenges/ in msg 6.
I have another challenge for all you Pretender fans. This one may not be as simple as my other's but it is definitely more interesting. PLUS now non- shippers (if there are any) can take part for once. Here are the ideas.
1) Jarod is sitting outside Miss. Parker's house. This is where you guys come in. Why is he sitting outside her house? Is he waiting for her to get home? Is he waiting for her to make a choice? Is he waiting for her to finish packing so they can run off together? You tell me. Just write a story about it. Doesn't have to have be a JMP romance but it would be nice.
2) Jarod is doing some thinking. Where is he? What is he thinking? Is he talking to someone? Is someone there with him? Is he staring at someone or just off into space? You tell me. Just write a story about it. AGAIN this doesn't have to have be a JMP romance.
3) CREATE YOUR OWN STORY IDEA
Thanks for the brilliant challenges Mickey. Thanks also to Sahiti, Bron and Lisa who read this so many times without complaint and always gave the most amazing feedback and encouraged me continue and finally finish it. Thanks guys. Standard severe crappiness warnings apply.
Disclaimer: I find the idea of these ludicrous, I mean really why are we saying something to protect ourselves from litigation when we are simply names and e-mail addresses in a medium where staying incognito is easy. no one can sue me if they only know my e-mail address. I doubt a summons filled out to rosenfairy@hotmail.com would make it far. But just in case they don't belong to me, if they did they'd still be on TV, in new shows, not reruns. All blame and thus ownership can be given to TNT, and the writers.
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The sounds coming from inside the house were not normal, not what you expect from a women her age, her beauty, her position. Most people would look at her jealously, look at her, see what she had with her and imagine all she had that they couldn't see and be jealous. They'd see the Porsche, the designer clothes, the perfect make-up and the legs that go forever and just imagine that her life is perfect. That she either has a perfect husband truly besotted with her, or any number of amazing guys to choose from. They would imagine the loving rich family, you know the way it is, the rich beautiful people, who exude a confidence like her are the kind of people who you imagine would have perfect lives. But here, from this seat on the porch of her house, you can see it's a very different picture. I was here when she arrived home; I listened as she changed into those pajamas of hers, the ones that could probably hold three of her. I listened as she went through her messages, all impersonal work related calls, and then as she sank into the window seat, opened a bottle of vodka and settled down to read the article I had left her about the center's latest betrayal. I listen as she begins to react to it, as the document reveals to her all she had feared, I listen as she breaks down, as here, alone, in the privacy of her own house she finally lets it all get to her. I hear the bottle open again, I hear her try and drown the tears, drown the sorrow in alcohol, all the while knowing it will only numb, and never extinguish the pain, or its source. And I fight the urge to go to her, to open the door, walk in and hold her, to make it all better, to make the little girl who once took my pain and breathed life into a empty soul once again see the beauty in life. But I know the news I have is only going to make things worse. It holds the power to make her happy, to bring her joy and fill a void left in her empty life, but first it will only bring hurt and anger.
I aim to walk in there tonight, to bring her an awful and yet wonderful truth and also to ask for her love. I know the chances are against me, I'm going to make her aware of the ultimate betrayal by the centre. I'm going to then ask her to love me, to join with me while standing only meters from the very place that the last man to ask her that was taken from her, by them. I can see it from here, the small spot where you can tell new paint has been added, work done to cover the ever painful memory of the bullet that took away the only part of her life she had ever felt she could control. The only thing that had ever given her the courage and desire to take a stand and leave. I plan on asking her to do just that tonight, I am hoping beyond hope that somewhere, somewhere amongst feelings she has bottled so deeply inside her, somewhere there is something similar to the amazing depth of love I have for her. I fought to stop it, fought to love someone else, there was Nia, and Zoe and others between, all women who I felt for, all women who I could have fun with, and genuinely care about, but never love, not like I love her. I guess when your world is dark, all hope lost and one beautiful ember of light manages to come in and turn it all around. When they give you a reason to live and to hope, the spirit of that person is forever burned into your heart and mind and love for them is not something you feel, but something you are. Anyway, here I sit, leaning casually against a supporting beam on her porch, knowing that should she be under surveillance at all I have not a chance of escape. But there was no other way; something like the truth I must tell her tonight could only come from me, and only in person. I had to risk it, she couldn't not know any longer, and she is going to need someone to catch her from the fall that this will no doubt cause.
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He listened, as the alcohol no longer drowned the tears, as sobs wracked her body, then settled into resigned and pained waves of tears. Her mind filled with knowledge, knowledge that was new and terrifying, but at the same time not unexpected. In the back of both of their minds it had always been a distinct possibility, but then evil doings of the kind the centre specialized in were often the kind you knew were a possibility but pushed to the rear of the mind out of simple denial. Out of an inability to believe that humanity could allow such evil to become an expectation. She could be heard now, as she sat and contemplated what it all meant, and what to do. It could be heard from her erratic and shuddering intakes of breath that she was still crying, no violent sobs, no angry tears, but the silent painful tears of her heart breaking and every ounce of trust it ever held leaking away from her. And with that he rose to his feet and headed to the door, he would not allow her to go through this alone, not this time and never again. Reaching the door, he inhaled deeply, trying desperately to hide some of the obvious worry and shared pain displayed on his face, knowing that she would see it as pity and he never wanted her to think he pitied her, only loved her. With that, he pushed the door open and slowly stepped into her view.
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The broken form of the woman before him briefly stunned Jarod as he stepped inside and turned towards her. This was not the Miss Parker he knew, the ice maiden, the powerful huntress, no, the woman in front of him was a mere shell of the woman who had entered the house, a broken and pain filled shell. It had pained him before, when all he could hear was her tears and anguish, it hurt him to know that he came not to clarify news already learned, but to drop any even bigger bomb on a woman who's world had already been rocked. Normally he would have waited for her to notice him, waited for her to make her first violent move and then defended himself by restraining her, but tonight that would not be the case. Instead he moved quickly forward, not close enough to touch her, or to hold her but close enough to be of some support, he would give her nothing else until it was asked for, he would not violate her personal space without permission.
"Parker" He whispered, his voice conveying his joint disgust and shock at the center's latest act.
Her head shot up in response, her body tensing as if she was preparing to attempt a capture, and then she relaxed again, her body went limp and her head resumed its lowered sorrowful position.
"They're going to use him Jarod. They can't even be bothered waiting to see if he is useful as a pretender, they plan on giving him to Raines and letting him turn him into a soulless killer". She whispered to him, her voice losing its pained, betrayed tone as she went and becoming a harsh, disgusted and angry cry. "He's a baby, just a baby" she whispered again, her voice once again breaking with tears.
Jarod remained quiet, simply nodding along with her and showing his mutual anger, she needed to rant now, then he would tell her the rest, and then they would end it all, or at least take what was theirs and leave.
"I'm the only one who loves him, you know. I spend every moment they'll let me with him, which isn't often. He's five months old and no one gives a damn about him, not my father, no one. He's the final part to Daddy's sick little puzzle, the heir to a throne he had to be born for Daddy to reclaim, but he's not, he's just a baby, just a baby." With that final word she raised her head, the tears that once stained her cheeks now gone, and a look of fierce determination replacing them. She strode towards him, her hand pushing him from her way as she walked to cupboard nearby, opening it and disappearing briefly before returning with her gun, several spare clips and a look so focussed and determined it froze Jarod in his place.
"I'm going to get him, I don't care if you come or not. Just don't get in my way, and don't try to stop me, if you do I simply add one to tomorrow's body count". Her words were hard now, no emotion contained in them, no sign of the broken woman who had sat before him only moments before, she was out for vengeance now, and he had to stop her before it was too late.
"Parker, I am not opposed to you getting him out, believe me I will help you any way I can, but there are some things you need to know first. There are things about this little boy that will change our lives forever."
"Fine and you can tell me when he's out. I go now Jarod, you're either with me on this, or I could simply swap you for him either way I get what I want".
"Madeline" he spoke forcefully, watching the way the name caused her spine to tense, watching as it then fell and turned her once again into the broken woman from before, and then again as she regained her control and turned back into the formidable Miss Parker. "Madeline" He whispered this time, his hand coming to rest on her elbow as he said it. "Maddie, I want to help you, I do, and when I tell you more you'll know why you have to let me. But nothing will happen to him tonight, he's safe tonight, we need to talk first."
"What could WE need to talk about Jarod? I get my little brother out, and then I disappear, ok, if you're not coming I guess this is goodbye." She replied, her body remaining turned from him, and her voice still hard but her willingness to at least listen to a little of his speech was indicated by her placing the gun down, and crossing her arms over her chest.
Noting this, Jarod took his hand from her elbow and began his explanation, he had intended on beginning slowly, he had intended to slowly build up to his declaration of love. Instead the image of her sitting broken and crying on the couch assailed his mind, the image of her looking every bit the little girl who he had held when Faith died. The simple image of her defying all and proving that her heart was not only present but only too easily and often wounded. His declaration was, as a result the only thing on his mind, and his first words were the last thing he had planned on opening with.
"We could talk about how much I love you, Maddie", as soon as he said he regretted it, mentally kicking himself for the up front approach, she wasn't one to take that approach well. Holding his breath he waited for her reply. She remained silent for quite some time, her shoulders sinking slightly and her sharp intake indicating that she too was holding her breath.
"You love me?" She whispered with her back still turned to him, her voice soft and almost begging. Jarod stepped forward to reply, his hand finding its way to rest on her arm, something he regretted instantly. Brushing it off furiously Parker spun and faced him, her arms gesticulating widely, flying in all directions as she spoke. "You love me? Do you even know what love is, Labrat? Of course you don't. How would you? Then again, how would I? I mean really, neither of us have ever really had it, have we? You Love Me. What you think that's gonna make it all different, you think I'll fall into your arms and run away with you? It'll never happen Jarod. No matter how much we want it. Now matter how hard we try, they'll always be there to take it off us. Always."
"I do love you" He found himself biting back in anger, "I may not have grown up around it, I may not have been in love before, or seen it much, but I know what love is Parker. I know that the reason I've never had love, or been in love before is because I've always loved you, no one could ever replace you in my heart. I know that every time I see you, every time I hear you my heart speeds up. I get nervous little butterflies in my stomach when I know you're near, I call you so often because just hearing your voice can make the world make sense again. I know...." He broke off there, his mind had been skimming back through everything she had said, skimming over it and hoping to find something he could use to defend himself to let her know he did understand and mean it, when he hit this No matter how much we want it.... We, We want it. She has told him the deepest secret of her heart and never even noticed. "Did you say 'we'?" He asked, "No matter how much WE want it" Looking up he saw the stunned, almost terrified look on her face and he knew he was right. "You did! You do want this too."
She opened her mouth slightly, then closed it, opened it again and once again closed it as if she had no idea how to respond. "Parker, you know I realized I loved you that day on the air strip, I saw you shot, and who cares about my family. All I could think of was saving you, if I lost you all the family in the world would mean nothing because I would have no one to look forward to sharing my life with. I realized then and there I loved you, I would do anything in my power to save you, to keep you safe forever. I still will Parker, I'll always be here for you, and I'll keep us safe, they won't take this off us, I won't let them."
Looking in her eyes he found them to be moist with tears, tears of happiness though, not the usual sadness or betrayal, but happiness. Behind those tears he found another emotion, an emotion he had almost begun to worry that her eyes would never show again, Love. "You don't have to say anything Parker, you may not be able to open the vault and say it, but your eyes were never able to lie, and they tell me the truth now, you do love me."
Her teary, soft expression switched to one of wry laughter. "Of course I do Jarod. Really, you may think you're above us center folk, that it's simply your brains that keep you out there. But if I wanted you back in the center, you'd be there. Make no mistake. I've known your every move for the last few years; I know where you are without even trying. Its like something in my head is keeping me up to date with your movements should I ever choose to join you. I do love you Jarod, always have, but acknowledging it has always meant both of us throwing in the search, acknowledging it meant me risking your life, and I wasn't game to do that, not for my happiness."
"How bout for our son's?" he replied, stepping forward as he did to grasp her arms and pull her to him, knowing that this knowledge would cause yet more pain to a mind, body and soul that had suffered enough tonight.
"Our son's?" she whispered in shocked, low voice, her mind already knowing the answers to the many questions contained in those two words, but still too afraid to acknowledge them. Then he watched as her old survival technique kicked in, the old evasion tactic, if the news, the emotions, the reactions are filtered quickly, filtered along a barricaded path in the mind and locked deep within the conscious they need not be felt, nor experienced. This was what she was doing now, he could see as her mind flicked the switch that would filter all she had learned and she knew she would learn. Ice began to once again form on her features and she looked at him with eyes that displayed disbelief and mocking rather than the emotion filled orbs from earlier. He couldn't blame her, he really couldn't, years of training had taught her not to face emotion. From a young age she had been taught and shown that being emotionless and rigid was the correct way to be and a child perceives everything from the perspective she is given throughout her life. He couldn't blame her for retreating this way; it was all she had been shown, all she had been taught, her mind had long ago noticed that pain was not pain if the mind refused to feel it. Thus he could not blame her for her reaction to his comment.
"Our Son's" She said again, her voice now mocking, superior almost. "I see now you've been wasting your time on the outside. What I admit I felt something for you once, suddenly we have a kid, what all these years on the outside and you never once came across a book on biology, labrat?" Her voice was the same tone it had been every time she had spoken to him since his escape, and usually he could sense that it was all a cover for her feelings, tonight it provided no cover. Her tone was unusually high pitched, breaking slightly as she spoke and gaining a slightly hysterical edge to it as she continued. Her breathing had quickened, and her eyes were now panicked, scared and oh so defeated as she came to grips with the final betrayal, the ultimate betrayal. Then as if all the fight had died from her, she stopped, her face flushed and her breathing erratic, and suddenly she gasped, her hand moving quickly to rub her lobes, covering her face and staying there for many moments as she appeared to fight an inner battle. In reality it was the voices, her mother's voice telling her to listen, to just listen, telling her that the time had come for her to remove her trust from those who held it undeservedly, and move it to he, who had protected and deserved it his whole life. Nodding slowly, she raised her head, her eyes peaking up at Jarod, the blue orbs rimmed with red and still blinking slightly as they filled with a never ending stream of tears.
"Our Son?" she asked, begging him to explain it all, begging him to tell her what she feared wasn't true, and yet knowing it was.
"Maddie" he whispered, moving forward and grasping her upper arms in his hands, wanting nothing more than to pull her into his embrace but fearing her reaction if he did. To his surprise the choice was not left to him to make. Just feeling the heat emanating from him and strength his grasp on her provided Parker's body reacted of its own accord and leant into him, her upper body finding its resting spot against his chest and her face nuzzled into his shoulder. Shock momentarily coursed through him as she did this, his body tensing against her and pulling back just slightly. But as her body followed him and she once again leant on him for support he found his body relaxing and his arms moving of their own accord to wrap around her waist and pull her closer still.
"That little boy, the one you delivered, who you've found yourself drawn to and loving since his birth is ours Maddie. They played god again, their little way of ensuring that should I never be returned and should Gemini never be found they would always have a little pretender. The extra incentive here being that he will have your Inner Sense; he's what they always dreamt of. He was why your father married Brigitte, why he showed no remorse at her death. They faked the medical report for you so you'd believe Daddy didn't want an heir, and then he began pressuring her for a child. But he knew she couldn't bear a child of her own, she couldn't become pregnant naturally, so he arranged for In vitro fertilization, she never knew the baby wasn't hers. But he wasn't, he's ours, our little boy. And we are going to get him out, and give him the family that we always dreamed of as children, I promise you Maddie. I won't let him grow up there, and I won't let him grow up without either of us. I love you, I know you love me, and we are both going to love him. I'll make it work I promise. Our baby will have a family who loves him."
She was silent as he finished, her tears having quieted down to the occasional sniffle, or small sob, her eyes hidden from his view at the base of his neck. Her arms were now clinging so tightly to his waist he could almost swear he would lose feeling in his legs soon. She nodded her head slightly, silent acquiescence to his proposal, it was all she was capable of now, tears having left her incapable of talking, and the emotional upheaval she had just experienced sapping her body of all available energy reserves. Her arms slowly slackened off from around his waist, her head leaning more heavily on his shoulder with every passing second, until at last her legs gave out and she began to slip down his body. It was at this point that he knew she had finally given in, finally fallen asleep, here... In his arms, she had drifted off and he couldn't have asked for a greater sign than that of her love and trust in him. She had, through her ability to drift of, to relax so completely in his arms and to trust him implicitly with keeping her safe, given him all the hope he needed that this would work. Soon he, Parker and their little boy would be away from here, together and safe forever.
Lifting her gently he carried her through the house to her bedroom, placing her gently down he pulled the blankets to her chin and as an afterthought placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Sweet dreams Parker" He whispered, "Tomorrow this will all be over". Fighting the urge to lay down beside her, he turned and moved toward the door. Almost there, he turned once more to look down on her sleeping form, she was an angel as she slept, he dark lashes resting on the pale skin of her cheeks, her hair creating a halo around her head and her face so soft and peaceful. With one last loving glance he turned to leave and was almost to the door when he heard it, or he thought he did, the voice was so soft, so sleep filled, soft and beautiful he was almost sure he had imagined it. But turning once more to her, he realized he hadn't. She was lying there, staring up at him with half open sleepy eyes, her lips twisted into a small smile as she continued to stare.
"Jarod" she whispered again.
"Yeah Parker" he replied, walking closer and sitting on the bed beside her, his hand reaching out to brush her cheek as he did, his mind cheering in delight as she leant into it. She then captured the hand in her own, turned his palm to her face and placed a sweet kiss in the center of it.
"Jarod, our little boy doesn't have a name. We can't rescue him without a name."
"Well what do you suggest?" he asked in reply, his whole being reacting to the joy of doing something so normal as picking his child's name.
"How bout Kyle?" she asked, the name seemed perfect to her, Kyle had lost his life to the center, they had stolen his innocence and then his life, it would be fitting to name the little boy they planned on rescuing and on preserving the innocence of, Kyle.
Jarod sat back suddenly, his mind reeling with the idea, not the idea of naming their little man Kyle, he loved that, he was touched by it, and that was what shocked him. That she would do that for him, that she would name their little boy after the brother he known for so little time, but would love forever.
"He died saving my life Jarod, he shouldn't have had to, but he did. And after all I'd done to him, and you. Let's name our baby after a hero."
He didn't know what came over him at that point, this was a woman to whom he had claimed his love, and yet never kissed or held or had any contact with beyond childhood and of course tonight, but suddenly it felt so right. Leaning down quickly and with such speed he caught her by surprise Jarod leant in a captured her lips with his. Kissing her for every moment they had missed growing up, kissing her with every ounce of love he felt for her, and for that final suggestion. Pulling away slightly but leaving his face so close to hers he could still feel her slightly ragged breath on his lips, he smiled down at her, then leant in and gave her one more quick chaste innocent kiss, before even attempting to reply.
"I would love.... That's..thank.." He tried replying, but his voice had been taken by amazement and joy at her suggestion. "Kyle" he whispered, his voice giving the word finality, indicating both his thanks and his agreement. Their little boy, Kyle.
"Kyle Thomas?" she asked, voice and her eyes asking for his approval, asking so hesitantly if he minded her naming their little boy after an old lover.
"Kyle Thomas" he replied his voice filled with approval and his face overcome by a huge smile as he slowly repeated the name over and over. "Kyle Thomas... My little boy" he whispered.
Then leaning in a bestowing her with one more quick kiss he rose from the bed and walked quickly to the door. "Sleep" He ordered, "You are going to need it if we're gonna rescue our little man."
"Jarod" she called after him.
Sticking his head back in the door, he scolded her gently "No Parker, Sleep"
Looking up at him with a face that resembled that of a scolded puppy, her eyes sad, her lips pouting, and both combining to make him think he would give her anything she desired if it would just take the sadness from her eyes.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Hold me" she replied, "Please, just hold me".
Well, he thought, I did say I would do anything, and if that's what its gonna take, that's what it's gonna take.
Walking over to the bed he quickly shed his shoes, jeans and shirt, then climbed into the bed as she scooted over to make room for him. Pulling the covers to his chin, he settled down onto his back pulling her gently to him and snaking his arms around her waist as she settled her upper body on his chest, nuzzled her nose into the crook of his neck and began to drift off.
"Night" she whispered sleepily.
"Night Parker, sweet dreams" he replied, leaning his head down he placed one more kiss on her cheek and then settled back against the pillows, closing his eyes and reveling in the feel of having her with him finally.
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Parker couldn't remember ever having woken up on a pillow that smelt so damn good, or felt so good, she thought as she nuzzled her nose into the warmth it provided and began to drift off again. Or at least she did, until her pillow began to move, or maybe it had always been moving, a steady up down rhythm, reminiscent of breathing. Breathing. And that's when it all came flying back to her, images began assailing her mind showing her once again the horror contained in the document Jarod had left her. The pleasant surprise of him actually voicing his feelings, she'd always known they were there but having them spoken had made them real, the accidental and yet oh so right feeling of her expressing hers and then the painful and yet wonderful knowledge that little Kyle was hers. 'Kyle' naming her little man would always remain in her memories, not so much for the absolute normality of naming him and the feeling of pure bliss obtained from it, but for the look in Jarod's eyes when she had suggested it. They had ignited; the usually calm brown pools raging with fire, happiness, sheer overpowering pride in the knowledge that his little brother had been seen as such a hero, and last but not least, love. The kiss had come as a surprise, a shock, but a welcome and wonderful shock. The sort she hoped to be experiencing a lot more frequently from now on. And now here he was, lying in bed with her, his arms so tightly around her waist and face turned slightly so it hugged her face into his neck, unconsciously holding her as close as he possibly could. That had been the best part, falling asleep feeling safe for the first time in almost a lifetime and having dreams invade her sleep that left her with only happiness and not the usual overpowering fear. She knew she should fear today, today they would rescue Kyle and then they would run, never to look back on the horror that had surrounded them here, but she felt no fear only safety, happiness and a unwavering knowledge that they would succeed. Her thoughts were interrupted then as her pillow began to stir and she was faced with the simple knowledge that as soon as he woke the plan would be in motion, right now waiting for him to wake they were in limbo. No planning, no executing, nothing but the simple peace of being here together, finally together and finally looking forward to the future. Now, as he woke, it would all begin. One chapter would close, and if closed successfully another happier one open.
"Morning" she whispered as his eyes finally fluttered open and the momentary confusion of waking in a strange place passed. Leaning up she placed a gentle kiss on his forehead and felt his arms tighten around her waist, as if he were reassuring himself of the fact that this were not a dream, not part of subconscious bringing his sweetest dreams to life in three dimensional beauty but actually real.
"Morning" he replied, his voice gruff and hoarse from one of the best nights sleep he'd ever had, and yet also filled with wonder and joy, a sound so reminiscent of a small child on Christmas Day upon discovering that 'Santa' had fulfilled one of their biggest wishes. It was a tone that assured that both of them were painfully aware of just how much this resembled everything they had wished for over the years, a sign of happiness now and yet when reflected on, a symbol of incredible pain. While their minds could easily encompass the joy that had been gained from waking and discovering the fulfillment of a dream, a very simple dream and yet a dream that had waited a lifetime to be acted out. They were also being reminded of life's true pain and emptiness as the reality hit them that this, this act of normalcy, this waking up in the arms of a loved one was something that had been denied them by the very people who claimed to care. Dwelling on it was simply focussing on how painful life had been, how painful life had been to make it so that something so normal, something most people would do everyday and never notice was the highlight thus far in the lives of the two. Thus the two would not focus on it, not sit and dwell on the ending of the pain, for dwelling on the ending would only remind them of it and tarnish the start of something new with something neither wished to recall. That and this was not over, for the dream to be fulfilled and for this to all be ending happily they would be away, unable to be found or touched by the horror of the past. A little boy would be lying here with them, and they would not have the knowledge that in just a few hours they would have to risk their lives to save their own child. They would also not be pained by the knowledge that they would then have to leave those who had been a family to them, in a world where the definition of family was so skewed as to give it little or no meaning, behind. Of course both knew they wouldn't leave them for good, as soon as the situation allowed and safe passage could be arranged those they loved would join them.
So instead of talking, instead of discussing what they knew would be in the forefront of both minds, they simply lay there, for just a few moments longer enjoying the peace offered and preparing them for what was to follow.
It was Parker that moved first, pulling away from him she sat up and looked down at him, her expression fixed and resolute. Her eyes shone with determination, a fire and a passion that had been lost years before had now returned, a fire and passion that had not been there since the death of her mother. It was a sign that a spirit crushed had been reborn and was now ready to fight.
"Much as I would love to stay here, like this" she told him, "If I'm late they'll send someone looking for me, we can't risk that, and we have a lot of planning to do before I go".
"Actually, I don't think there is much to plan" He replied, his standard 'gotcha' grin in full display. "I found out about Kyle through Angelo, he knows we are coming and he knows we have to do this in a way that no one will suspect or notice till long after we are gone. I think he has it all planned, when I check my e-mail this morning I am pretty sure I'll find his plan." He couldn't help but notice the huge grin that overcame her face at the mention of the name they had chosen, and he was sure from the pain now obvious in his cheek muscles his face held one very similar.
"Kyle" she whispered, her voice laden with awe and emotion at his simple use of their little boys name and the meaning of it, the meaning it had for them and the rest of their lives. Leaning forward she captured his lips with hers, a sweet short kiss, nothing that would start anything they didn't have time to start this morning, but a promise. A promise that once they held their little boy it would all be over, the world would be reborn and they would strive to achieve everything they had ever dreamed of. The kiss was a promise that all they ever dreamed of would be theirs. Pulling back, she rested her forehead against his and staring into the pools of emotion that were his eyes she whispered it again, the word, the name this time a promise of a better life. A promise that though neither had had a family of their own they would ensure together that Kyle's life was everything they had ever dreamed theirs would be and more.
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Jarod was sent to prepare breakfast, while Parker showered and prepared herself both physically and mentally for what would be her last day in the hell she had called work or home for most of her life. The preparation centered not on a need to prepare herself for any painful, or heart wrenching goodbye, for she knew she wouldn't miss the place, the preparation was more the need to regain the shell she had carried with her her whole life. Somehow after finally finding all she ever dreamed of. After finally being handed the key to a new life, a life that contained love, family and best of all hope, she somehow now had to rebuild and maintain the persona that years of unhappiness and pain had built around her. But she would do it, the simple knowledge that should she not be able to pull this off, her newfound joy and hope would be taken from her and used as yet another stone in the wall they had been building around her since childhood ensured that. It was not so much the day at work that worried her though, it was convincing Jarod that no matter how much he wanted too, and no matter how much she wanted to, walking in there guns blazing to retrieve their son would only end in more heartache for both. No, they must do it in a way in which both of them would walk away, it was essential to get little Kyle out of there, but getting him out wouldn't mean anything if his rescue meant that he would have to spend life without his parents. She hoped Jarod would be convinced to go nowhere near the place, if Angelo could get Kyle and meet her somewhere they could get him out of the centre unnoticed and then leave to start a new life before they even noticed him gone. If done properly, both her and her son could get away and join his father safely, then all of them could simply disappear, never to seen or heard from again.
Stepping from the shower with this plan firmly in mind she quickly dressed, applied the usual ice-queen mask and walked towards the kitchen, her mind already made up, she would not leave this morning till he agreed not to come anywhere near the place. Hell, if he wanted he could stay here and pack for her, she wouldn't mind him doing that at all, but he was not to come near the center. There was no way her newly found peace and inner happiness was going to be ruined by his little 'make the bad guy pay' routine.
Walking into the kitchen she found him standing back to her busily working on breakfast, still clad only in his boxers, and despite the menial and boring everyday nature of the task he was performing she couldn't help but think this was the stuff dreams were made of. After pausing a moment to just stare, she walked forward and stopped behind him wrapping her arms around his middle and placing her cheek against his shoulder as she soaked up the moment, the normalcy of it all and the promise of a million more mornings like it to follow. He relaxed back against her as she pressed into him, the two of them balancing on each other, using only themselves to hold the other up, both relaxing into and reveling in the moment, while silently noting the incredible symbol the position signified. A symbol of a future in which the only people they could lean on was each other, a symbol of how after years of leaning only on themselves they finally had a pillar of strength on which to depend.
"Morning" he said as he turned in her embrace and faced her, his lips instantly seeking hers as his body continued to melt into her.
"Hey" she replied as she pulled away, pressing herself even closer to him and wrapping her arms tighter around his waist as she peered over his shoulder to examine just what he had been doing to her stove. "Whatcha cooking?"
"Pancakes" he replied, his tone playful and almost begging her to respond, he knew she wouldn't like something so unhealthy for breakfast, although he did feel it was more nutritious than her usual black coffee. "But if that's not enough I brought some pop tarts with me too".
Jumping away from her quickly, and just avoiding the swat she had directed at his ass, he ran quickly across to the other end of the table to where his computer sat. Reaching it just as it chimed and informed him that he had received e-mail. Opening it quickly, he noted who it was from and began to download the plan that had been set for them, it was difficult to follow and written in broken thoughts and small pictures but it quickly became clear to him exactly how Angelo would help them rescue Kyle. Looking up he was met by Parker's insistent glare, her face screaming for him to let her know whom it was from and what it said.
"It's Angelo" he answered her silent question, "It's his plan, judging by this our little boy is going to safe with us by this afternoon" he continued, his face breaking into a huge triumphant grin at the mention of their son. Returning his grin Parker quickly headed over to the computer, hoping to see for herself what exactly Angelo had said. But upon reaching him, and leaning over his shoulder to read she was playfully pushed away as his voice rose to a the sort of level normally associated with unimaginable tragedy as his hands motioned towards the stove and he screamed, "Parker, No, the pancakes". Glancing over she noticed them starting to burn and quickly headed over to them, smirking slightly as she did and replying in an equally playful tone.
"Oh and forgive me for thinking that rescuing our son might come ahead of pancakes in the Jarod list of what's important".
Stepping up behind her, he placed his arms around her, turned off the stove, tipped the pancakes onto a plate and grabbed the syrup, before he whispering in her ear, "Parker, nothing comes before pancakes." Then grabbing her hand he pulled her into the living room, where he collapsed onto the couch, pulling her into his lap and placing the plate on hers. Then pouring syrup liberally onto the pancakes, tearing one in half and stuffing it into this mouth, he got down to business.
"So, here's the plan".
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"You're not going" She told him forcefully, her body moving as far from his as possible, while her eyes bore into his daring him to challenge her and yet also threatening him if he did. "I don't care what the plan you two have come up with is, but you are not going into that hell hole to rescue him."
"Park...." he began, but as she cut him off violently as she jumped from his lap to begin pacing in front of him, her arms gesticulating wildly as she walked, swinging in front of her and almost taking Jarod's head off in the process.
"No!" She screamed; her voice tinged with anger, however that was simply the stronger emotion used to hide those weaker, disallowed emotions. But it was of no use, no matter how much anger showed it could never hide the pain, and fear in her voice. It cracked as she spoke, her fear for his safety and the thought of what would happen if he were caught almost bringing her to tears. Only minutes ago the image of a perfect family had crowded her mind, of her, Jarod and little Kyle, maybe even a brother or sister in the future. Now it was replaced by one of her and Jarod, trapped in matching his and hers cells on sub level 27, forced to watch their little boy being subjected to incredible torture and pain at the hands of her own family. Not exactly the sort of image that made you want to visit. The very kind of image that meant she had to stop him, had to convince him she could do it alone, if they wanted to have a life together, and free, he couldn't be involved. "You aren't going anywhere near the place" she whispered now, her voice having finally giving up the lame attempt to hide emotion and now overflowing with it. Every word now accented by a tiny, vulnerable waver that prompted him to reach out to her, to try and hold her and make it all better.
"Maddie, I'm not.." he started again, his arms reaching out for her and grabbing her hands as she strode past. Holding them gently and rubbing them ever so slightly with his thumbs he tried in vain to calm her, but she was having none of it.
"No!" she cut him off, "Jarod I don't care what the plan is. I can do this. I can save him, I can bring him back here, and we can leave. You are not leaving this house." Her voice had been full of determination during this speech, the kind of tone that he would have to have been insane to argue with, but then as she continued to became soft, scared and so very fragile. "I can see you don't want to, I know you want to follow what ever the plan is, but I just got you back Jarod. I finally faced a lifetime of suppressed emotion and you want to ask me to risk losing it all so you can play hero. I won't, and I don't think you should even be asking me to. I can save him myself; I can, but if you come in and get caught, what does it matter that I've saved him if I've lost you. I won't raise our son alone. I won't risk one person I love to gain another, when losing one would overshadow the joy of having either."
"Parker" he whispered reassuringly, his tone encompassing so many different emotions she was momentarily silenced by a need to separate and catalogue them in an attempt to work out how he was reacting to her words. Walking up he grabbed both her hands again, lifting one to his face and placing a gentle kiss on the back of it, partly to reassure her and partly to determine just how mad and unwilling to be comforted she really was. Noting the way in which she allowed the kiss, and the way her body seemed to pull towards his slightly he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in close to him. As her head found a resting place on his shoulder, and the tears he hadn't noticed she'd been crying began to mix in his hair, he leant down placing his lips near her ear and pulling her closer still he whispered, "I'm not going anywhere."
"You're not?" she asked, her voice timid and unbelieving, so very similar to the voice he had heard so many times from her as a child. It was a voice that begged for reassurance, and the simple fact that it was making reappearance gave him hope. It was a voice that she had used often as a child, mainly to her father, a voice that begged him to show her he did love her. A voice that begged him to let her know she was wanted and needed and that despite her mother being gone someone did still care for her. A voice that after many years of being ignored, after many years of being punished as a weakness rather than a sign of her commitment and love for them by those who supposedly loved her had been thrown aside, hidden behind a façade of bitterness and cruelty. Not gone, but hidden, simply because she had been led to believe that while it was bad enough to have emotions, it was deadly to let people see them.
"No, the plan says I stay here and do your packing for you so we can leave as soon as our little man gets here". He replied, grinning as he did, he was sure she would love the idea of not having to pack and besides if he let her pack it would be all suits and business outfits, there really would be no use for that now.
"I like that plan" she answered him, he could feel her smiling now against his neck, the tears were gone and her whole being radiated a willingness to get on with the plan now. "So tell me the rest of this plan".
Pulling her back to the couch, he sat down quickly, pulling her once more into his lap and placing the plate of pancakes on her lap as he continued to eat.
"In a second, they aren't as good when they're cold" he replied as his trademark smartass grin emerged.
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It was almost two hours later that Parker finally made it to the center, she was mildly late, but that was not her fault. Jarod's pancakes comment had earned him a fight, which had meant they both ended up covered in the incredible amount of syrup he believed was needed to eat pancakes. Thus she had had to shower, change and then listen to him bitch about her waste of such a valuable and precious commodity as pancakes before getting down to the plan. She now had about 9 hours till the plan went into effect, and already the suspense and anticipation was weighing on her mind. Nine hours from now she would be holding her little boy and her and Jarod would be on their way to a better life. Right now Jarod was finishing her plans, plans she had been making for years, plans that allowed that should she ever disappear Broots, Sydney, Angelo and Sam would have the means, money and safe passage to begin another life, one free from the hell that was the center. They would become aware of the plans only after she left, and the means by which to escape would be given to each at a different time and in a different way, thus ensuring none were able to be linked and no one should be held to blame for them. But right now, she had done enough thinking it was time to get in and make sure the last day she ever spent in this hellhole was spent in such a way as to ensure no one suspected anything. She would love to be able to show some emotion, to say a heart felt good bye to the men who had supported her and been friends to her through thick and thin for so many years now, but she couldn't. If they suspected anything, or if anyone else did, she risked both their safety and the safety of her newfound family, a risk she was not willing to take. Besides it wouldn't be long before they all joined her anyway.
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It was a largely uneventful day at the center, almost as if they were giving her one last nice day, a send off almost, and yet no one knew she going. No leads had arrived on Jarod, Lyle was off doing.well something and Parker had long ago learnt that wasting too much time thinking about Lyle's extra curricular activities usually contributed to a serious waste of breakfast. Her father was away on business, and Raines was busying himself down on one of the sublevels, so all she had to do all day was paperwork. Well that and of course hurling a regular threat at Broots about his inability to locate Jarod, and directing some misplaced and rather childlike comments at her own Doctor Spock, you know just to maintain appearances. The rude comments and her usual bitchy attitude were made easier to maintain by the way in which the day simply crawled past, granted she had never had such a reason to look forward to leaving, but still no day had ever passed so slowly. The paperwork she held was merely there for appearances, she scrawled and planned, she typed and she abused, but not once did her eyes stray to somewhere where a clock could not be easily viewed. Not once did the thought of what would take place that afternoon and what it would mean for the rest of her life leave her mind.
Early in the afternoon she had noticed Broots studying the clock, and following her rather rude and brusque questioning he admitted that Debbie was appearing in a play that afternoon but he hadn't wanted to ask for the night off and had planned instead to go on the weekend. His shock, but also relief and thanks, had been very evident when she had told him to get his ass out of the office and down to watch it right then. Masking it as genuine affection for little Debbie and not wanting her to be upset that Daddy missed the first night worked for all of them, they all knew that try as she might to deny it Little Miss Broots had definitely won a place in her heart. That and it got Broots out of her way, now she only had to get rid of Sydney and she was home free. Several hours later, almost at the time when she was supposed to be enacting her part of the plan she began to wince slightly, one hand moving down to hold her stomach, while the other moved slightly to hide the wincing from Sydney. He would not accept her being open with her pain, this way she was doing a normal Miss Parker grin and bare it act, and he had been trained to watch for these little acts, to watch for the ways in which she moved to hide her pain. And he did notice, he became a worrying, hovering old man, trying to assure himself his little girl was ok, and to see if he could help. The reaction worked perfectly for Parker, who cursed him for worrying and told him she had to get away from his hovering and suffocating presence before grabbing a few items and storming from the room.
From here the plan was easy, both her and Jarod had acknowledged that they themselves could do nothing too obvious to rescue little Kyle. Any changes to the video would require Broots help, any getting out of the center without anyone noticing her and a baby would require Sydney or maybe Sam's help and she couldn't risk them, or Kyle in that way. It seems Angelo had seen this problem himself, for his plan involved her leaving the center, just hopping in her car and driving away, leaving little Kyle there, leaving Broots and Sydney there and just going. She was to drive to a point not far from the center where Angelo would meet her with Kyle and from there she would drive to meet Jarod and they would leave. It wasn't the greatest, bravest way of leaving, she would of loved to blow the place up, to go in gun loaded and let all who stood between her and her little boy pay. But she had others to think of now, and if the simplest way worked best and endangered them the least it would have to do. Angelo frequently went in to the children's rooms in the center, to chat or play, Kyle knew him about as well as he knew Parker and wouldn't mind being taken by him. Angelo also possessed the ability to alter the cameras, meaning he could take Kyle and not be seen, while ensuring the boy could be missing for hours before anyone noticed. Angelo would then use the same path he had escaped through before and meet Parker at this spot, the spot where one of the ventilation shafts met the air, inside the center perimeter, but outside the security zones and video surveillance. So now as she parked nearby all she could do was wait for Angelo's signal that he was at the opening and pray. But she wasn't nervous, she should have been terrified, but something wouldn't allow her to be.
Her mother's voice whispered in her mind that all would be fine, that she would not allow Kyle to be hurt, that it was time her little girl left and found the life she had always dreamed of for her. As a result a weird sense of calm came over her, and despite the fact that everything she knew was ending today she felt no ending only a beginning. Something positive from something terrible and she knew fate would not allow anything to go wrong today, this was what everything in her life was leading her to, and nothing would go wrong. At that thought she found her eyes drifting closed, not in sleep, she doubted she could have been anymore awake right then, but simply so she could await Angelo's signal while allowing visions of her little boy and his dad's first meeting to play through her mind. She knew that reality would play out its own way, and the details she imagined would not occur exactly. However, the main attraction of the images floating through her mind was the absolute joy, pride and love displayed on Jarod's face, and she knew no matter how the meeting took place that would be a part of it. The images then went on, flew forward through time images of major moments in their and their son's life, the one constant through which was that look on his face. The irony almost had her in giggles, only yesterday her main aim in life had been to capture him and return him to a life of pain and today her aim was to ensure she spent the rest of her life seeing that pure glee in his eyes.
Hearing a small sound from beside her she opened her eyes quickly and found herself reaching for her 9mm as she turned suddenly to the passenger seat and began to search for the disturbance. It didn't take her long to find the cause of the noise, and it definitely wasn't made by anyone who would ever have the luck of seeing her 9mm in action. There lying on the seat beside her was a little boy she would know anywhere, and even though his contact with her had been limited he knew who she was. It was Kyle, lying there in her car, his arms stretched out towards her, as he kicked his legs in the air and smiled up at her, his mouth making the cutest little gurgling noises in his effort to gain attention. Averting her eyes out the window and towards the air vents she watched as Angelo disappeared. His face turned towards her at the last second, staying visible just long enough for her to catch his eyes and mouth thankyou, to which he replied with a wide grin and a thrown arm indicating that she should leave, and then he was gone.
Turning back to her little boy, she finally rewarded him with what he had been asking for and picked him up, cuddling him close to her as she smothered his tiny little face in kisses.
"Hello" She whispered, her voice taking on that funny mother's voice she had heard used so often and always wanted to kill the user of, "How's my little man huh? My little Kyle." She watched as he responded to her voice, as his little face broke out in a grin so large she had the feeling he was gonna pay for it later, and his little hands reached out for her, grabbing her hair, her nose and tracing her cheeks. "Let's go meet your Daddy hey? Wanna go see Daddy?"
At that she watched as he slowly relaxed in her arms, as his hands dropped to her chest, as he snuggled deep into her neck and fell asleep. Acknowledging that she would have to, for their safety, be leaving as soon as possible she raised herself out of the car and went to place him in the car seat that had somehow appeared in her car during the day. It hurt to place him in it, to have him out of her arms after only having been in them for such a short period of time, but the sooner they reached Jarod and got away, the sooner he would be able to be their always. Looking down once more on his angelic little face she closed the door and raced around to her side, quickly jumping in and driving off towards the hotel where she knew Jarod and the articles he had packed would be waiting. There a change of clothes for both her and Kyle, as well as a change of cars would take place and they would be off to start a new existence, in a new town, with new names and new jobs, a whole new life.
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The motel Jarod had picked for them to meet up was almost an hours drive away, but that was fine Parker loved driving, it was lonely yes, but she was in control, the power was hers. She could go where she liked, how she liked, and a vehicle was one thing that would do what she asked, when she asked. Of course another thing to love about it was the look of absolute terror she could bring to Broots face by dropping a quick 360 on the freeway. Normally the radio would be cranked, the speed limit would be a forgotten memory and the curves that were marked as being dangerous would be the ones she took faster just to make it more thrilling, but not today, and never again. Today the only music she could hear was the deep, gentle breathing of her son in his carrier behind her, and the speed was slow and steady enough to ensure the precious little boy wasn't awakened by the vehicles movements. After all he needed all the energy he could muster for his meeting soon with the daddy he had never seen. A Daddy who loved him already and who was currently waiting impatiently for the arrival of the little boy who had been created to hurt him by fulfilling their desires and cementing their power over him. The little boy who was everything but, he stood as the only beauty, only happiness ever given to him by the centre, a symbol of the perfect life and love he'd always dreamed of.
Stopping briefly at some lights, she turned slightly to breathe in the image that lay behind her, her little boy curled up so peacefully in his carrier. His little eyes were scrunched tightly as he curled his face into the blanket that had bunched beside him as he gripped the edges of it with both hands. Just the sight of that warmed her, the blanket was one she had brought with her, a small, soft throw blanket that had been used as a decoration on her couch this morning as she and Jarod had sat wrapped around each other going over the plan. It now held the scent of both of them, and thanks to Jarod maple syrup, the way he was clutching it to him and softly rubbing his cheek into the fabric made it seem as if he almost knew instinctively who they were and just how much they cherished him. Noting the light was now green, from the honking of drivers behind her she turned back to the road and continued on the journey to finally introduce the two men she loved and begin forming the family unit she had always dreamed of.
************************************************************************ Jarod meanwhile was pacing, his mind was racing with evil possibilities and he couldn't seem to slow down the erratic beating of his heart, or control his breathing. It seemed to him that someone, somewhere or something somewhere was always out to make him suffer. Now as his life finally seemed to be finding a footing, as everything seemed perfect he couldn't help but think that just like it had a thousand times before the rug would disappear from under him and he would be taken from the great heights these last two days had carried him too and fall once again to a seemingly inescapable low. His mind was wandering through all sorts of ludicrous paths following this fear, only moments ago he had found himself wondering if he had warned her about the possibility of ice on the roads and that she should drive carefully because of that possibility. The fact that it was summer barely even registering in his wildly careering mind. The two people that could bring him true happiness were only minutes away and he was terrified of never attaining them. The escaping and surviving once they were here was not a worry, not an issue; it was the waiting that was a problem.
Anyone outside would of thought him insane, he had stood beside the window, peering out but never fully opening the curtain for hours now. Every time a car pulled into the motel complex he would once again race to the window and look out expectantly, only to turn away dejected when he realized it was someone else. And yet just now as he once again heard a car enter the archway over the gates and pull into the parking lot he once again raced to the window and peered out. His hopeful and excited face clearly visible to those outside, but the sheer excitement of meeting his little boy had driven all thought of hiding from his mind. But just as his face began to sink even without really looking, as his mind began to tell him it wouldn't be what he wanted, he realized it was. And despite the fact that he knew she could have been followed, he knew someone could be waiting to see who she was taking the child to before pouncing, he could not remove his eyes from the scene playing out before him.
He watched as Parker stepped gracefully from the car, to anyone else she would seem just any women, it would seem nothing was different, but as he watched Jarod could detect a world of change in her. Her movements had slowed, become more graceful and so reminiscent of her mother, it was as if the need to hurry, the need for brash movements and little thought was driven from her and she was for once seeing all the beauty of everything around her. He caught her eyes as she raised them toward him, a huge beautiful and oh so bright smile lighting up both her face and his world as she took him in. He guessed from the laugh that graced her eyes that he must look something akin to a child excitedly awaiting Christmas morn at that moment. Seeing that she held both his eyes and her laugh for only a second before turning to the door behind her and reaching in to release the little boy for whom he waited. He watched as she gathered the little boy into her arms, as she tucked the blanket gently over his face to stop the sun shining into his eyes, as she smiled down on him and hugged him closer still. Then finally as she kicked the door closed behind her and taking one final nervous glance around her she began walking to the door, his heartbeat rising incrementally with ever step she took. Until he heard the key he had had delivered to her that morning slide home into the lock and the one moment he had waited his whole life for and yet never been aware of was finally here.
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Parker walked slowly through the door, kicking it closed behind her and placing her handbag on the bed in front of her, before turning to face him. Her face was not yet showing a smile, not yet expressing the joy she was obviously feeling so vividly as that, but to him, the man who knew her best it was obvious she had never been happier. Her eyes glowed with emotion he had believed long since driven from them, her face radiated joy and inner peace while conveying a look of hope and anticipation as she waited to introduce her two favorite men. Stepping toward him slightly she looked down once more at the now awake but drowsy little boy held in her arms, noting for the first time the incredible likeness he held to his daddy. Raising her now grinning face to Jarod she stepped forward again, turning herself so he could see his child and whispered, "Here he is Kyle, this is your Daddy".
Jarod couldn't recall starting crying, but at those words he felt the tears now running freely down his face begin to pool in the neckline of his shirt. He was almost afraid to speak right then, his voice had left him along with every memory of pain or sadness he had ever felt, and now as he took in the gentle, tiny face of his child he felt for the first time true and unimaginable happiness. Reaching out he traced his hands down the little boy's cheek, cupping slightly for a moment as he stared into Kyle's beautiful blue eyes, his mother's eyes. Reaching his hand out to her then, the gently placed it on her cheek under her eyes and whispered in an emotion filled voice, "He has your eyes. He's so beautiful Maddie". Smiling up at him through the tears that had begun streaming down her own face Parker nodded her head slightly, opening her mouth and exhaling as if to speak and then realizing she couldn't quickly closing her mouth and merely nodding at him. Then she moved closer, transferring the little boy from her arms into his, she could feel as his arms shook momentarily and as he struggled to fight the emotional wave he was on while balancing his son. Cuddling him close, he looked down at the little boy moving again to brush his hand along his face but being stopped as Kyle grabbed his finger and pulled it into his mouth. Laughing out loud at this Jarod quickly lowered his face to the boy's, so close their noses were almost touching as he whispered in awe filled voice. "Hello Kyle, I'm your daddy." He looked up at Parker smiling, and found her smiling back at him, but smiling through an amazing flood of tears as she watched them. Holding her gaze he added quietly, "I love you", looking back to his little boy half way through and indicating its meaning for both the woman beside him and the little boy he held. Then as if a sudden wave of thought had passed over him he straightened quickly, and looking alternatively at both Parker and Kyle he tried to put words to the thought.
"I imagined, I dreamt of, I've seen myself meeting my family a million times, a million different ways, holding them, being with them so many times, this.... This wasn't an option, this wasn't something I ever dreamed of, this 'family' its outside everything I could of imagined and yet.... It feels..right, like it's the only way it could or should have ever happened."
Smiling at that, and finding herself to be once again incapable of putting words to her feelings Parker simply moved in, placing herself in front of him, with their child between them and simply wrapped herself around the two of them. Both knew that in only a few moments they would have to leave, Jarod would have to dispose of the car and they would run, but not for good. He had been working on his escape plan, in a little place hidden away in a tiny town far from Delaware. The sort of place where, if alibi's and false identities were clung to adamantly, people were laid back and friendly enough to not even try and see a falsehood. The sort of town where a whole family consisting of both his and her parents and siblings would be seen as a welcome blessing, thus the search for Jarod's parents would go on, and plans would be enacted to bring Broots, Debbie, Sydney and Angelo out to be near them. They knew it was a long path to go, and that no matter where they traveled they would never be completely safe until the center was destroyed, but standing there right now they had all the time in the world, and the very people they wanted to spend it with.
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Ugh, I know sappy ending, but that's the way it wrote itself. Thanks for reading, hope it wasn't too awful.
Author: Rose, rosenfairy@hotmail.com
Rating: G
Keywords: MPJR
Timeline: About five months after 'wake up', but nothing that happened on the show after wake up happened in this fic.
Author's note: This one is based on Mickey's 'Jarod Picture Challenge' which can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PretenderChallenges/ in msg 6.
I have another challenge for all you Pretender fans. This one may not be as simple as my other's but it is definitely more interesting. PLUS now non- shippers (if there are any) can take part for once. Here are the ideas.
1) Jarod is sitting outside Miss. Parker's house. This is where you guys come in. Why is he sitting outside her house? Is he waiting for her to get home? Is he waiting for her to make a choice? Is he waiting for her to finish packing so they can run off together? You tell me. Just write a story about it. Doesn't have to have be a JMP romance but it would be nice.
2) Jarod is doing some thinking. Where is he? What is he thinking? Is he talking to someone? Is someone there with him? Is he staring at someone or just off into space? You tell me. Just write a story about it. AGAIN this doesn't have to have be a JMP romance.
3) CREATE YOUR OWN STORY IDEA
Thanks for the brilliant challenges Mickey. Thanks also to Sahiti, Bron and Lisa who read this so many times without complaint and always gave the most amazing feedback and encouraged me continue and finally finish it. Thanks guys. Standard severe crappiness warnings apply.
Disclaimer: I find the idea of these ludicrous, I mean really why are we saying something to protect ourselves from litigation when we are simply names and e-mail addresses in a medium where staying incognito is easy. no one can sue me if they only know my e-mail address. I doubt a summons filled out to rosenfairy@hotmail.com would make it far. But just in case they don't belong to me, if they did they'd still be on TV, in new shows, not reruns. All blame and thus ownership can be given to TNT, and the writers.
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The sounds coming from inside the house were not normal, not what you expect from a women her age, her beauty, her position. Most people would look at her jealously, look at her, see what she had with her and imagine all she had that they couldn't see and be jealous. They'd see the Porsche, the designer clothes, the perfect make-up and the legs that go forever and just imagine that her life is perfect. That she either has a perfect husband truly besotted with her, or any number of amazing guys to choose from. They would imagine the loving rich family, you know the way it is, the rich beautiful people, who exude a confidence like her are the kind of people who you imagine would have perfect lives. But here, from this seat on the porch of her house, you can see it's a very different picture. I was here when she arrived home; I listened as she changed into those pajamas of hers, the ones that could probably hold three of her. I listened as she went through her messages, all impersonal work related calls, and then as she sank into the window seat, opened a bottle of vodka and settled down to read the article I had left her about the center's latest betrayal. I listen as she begins to react to it, as the document reveals to her all she had feared, I listen as she breaks down, as here, alone, in the privacy of her own house she finally lets it all get to her. I hear the bottle open again, I hear her try and drown the tears, drown the sorrow in alcohol, all the while knowing it will only numb, and never extinguish the pain, or its source. And I fight the urge to go to her, to open the door, walk in and hold her, to make it all better, to make the little girl who once took my pain and breathed life into a empty soul once again see the beauty in life. But I know the news I have is only going to make things worse. It holds the power to make her happy, to bring her joy and fill a void left in her empty life, but first it will only bring hurt and anger.
I aim to walk in there tonight, to bring her an awful and yet wonderful truth and also to ask for her love. I know the chances are against me, I'm going to make her aware of the ultimate betrayal by the centre. I'm going to then ask her to love me, to join with me while standing only meters from the very place that the last man to ask her that was taken from her, by them. I can see it from here, the small spot where you can tell new paint has been added, work done to cover the ever painful memory of the bullet that took away the only part of her life she had ever felt she could control. The only thing that had ever given her the courage and desire to take a stand and leave. I plan on asking her to do just that tonight, I am hoping beyond hope that somewhere, somewhere amongst feelings she has bottled so deeply inside her, somewhere there is something similar to the amazing depth of love I have for her. I fought to stop it, fought to love someone else, there was Nia, and Zoe and others between, all women who I felt for, all women who I could have fun with, and genuinely care about, but never love, not like I love her. I guess when your world is dark, all hope lost and one beautiful ember of light manages to come in and turn it all around. When they give you a reason to live and to hope, the spirit of that person is forever burned into your heart and mind and love for them is not something you feel, but something you are. Anyway, here I sit, leaning casually against a supporting beam on her porch, knowing that should she be under surveillance at all I have not a chance of escape. But there was no other way; something like the truth I must tell her tonight could only come from me, and only in person. I had to risk it, she couldn't not know any longer, and she is going to need someone to catch her from the fall that this will no doubt cause.
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He listened, as the alcohol no longer drowned the tears, as sobs wracked her body, then settled into resigned and pained waves of tears. Her mind filled with knowledge, knowledge that was new and terrifying, but at the same time not unexpected. In the back of both of their minds it had always been a distinct possibility, but then evil doings of the kind the centre specialized in were often the kind you knew were a possibility but pushed to the rear of the mind out of simple denial. Out of an inability to believe that humanity could allow such evil to become an expectation. She could be heard now, as she sat and contemplated what it all meant, and what to do. It could be heard from her erratic and shuddering intakes of breath that she was still crying, no violent sobs, no angry tears, but the silent painful tears of her heart breaking and every ounce of trust it ever held leaking away from her. And with that he rose to his feet and headed to the door, he would not allow her to go through this alone, not this time and never again. Reaching the door, he inhaled deeply, trying desperately to hide some of the obvious worry and shared pain displayed on his face, knowing that she would see it as pity and he never wanted her to think he pitied her, only loved her. With that, he pushed the door open and slowly stepped into her view.
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The broken form of the woman before him briefly stunned Jarod as he stepped inside and turned towards her. This was not the Miss Parker he knew, the ice maiden, the powerful huntress, no, the woman in front of him was a mere shell of the woman who had entered the house, a broken and pain filled shell. It had pained him before, when all he could hear was her tears and anguish, it hurt him to know that he came not to clarify news already learned, but to drop any even bigger bomb on a woman who's world had already been rocked. Normally he would have waited for her to notice him, waited for her to make her first violent move and then defended himself by restraining her, but tonight that would not be the case. Instead he moved quickly forward, not close enough to touch her, or to hold her but close enough to be of some support, he would give her nothing else until it was asked for, he would not violate her personal space without permission.
"Parker" He whispered, his voice conveying his joint disgust and shock at the center's latest act.
Her head shot up in response, her body tensing as if she was preparing to attempt a capture, and then she relaxed again, her body went limp and her head resumed its lowered sorrowful position.
"They're going to use him Jarod. They can't even be bothered waiting to see if he is useful as a pretender, they plan on giving him to Raines and letting him turn him into a soulless killer". She whispered to him, her voice losing its pained, betrayed tone as she went and becoming a harsh, disgusted and angry cry. "He's a baby, just a baby" she whispered again, her voice once again breaking with tears.
Jarod remained quiet, simply nodding along with her and showing his mutual anger, she needed to rant now, then he would tell her the rest, and then they would end it all, or at least take what was theirs and leave.
"I'm the only one who loves him, you know. I spend every moment they'll let me with him, which isn't often. He's five months old and no one gives a damn about him, not my father, no one. He's the final part to Daddy's sick little puzzle, the heir to a throne he had to be born for Daddy to reclaim, but he's not, he's just a baby, just a baby." With that final word she raised her head, the tears that once stained her cheeks now gone, and a look of fierce determination replacing them. She strode towards him, her hand pushing him from her way as she walked to cupboard nearby, opening it and disappearing briefly before returning with her gun, several spare clips and a look so focussed and determined it froze Jarod in his place.
"I'm going to get him, I don't care if you come or not. Just don't get in my way, and don't try to stop me, if you do I simply add one to tomorrow's body count". Her words were hard now, no emotion contained in them, no sign of the broken woman who had sat before him only moments before, she was out for vengeance now, and he had to stop her before it was too late.
"Parker, I am not opposed to you getting him out, believe me I will help you any way I can, but there are some things you need to know first. There are things about this little boy that will change our lives forever."
"Fine and you can tell me when he's out. I go now Jarod, you're either with me on this, or I could simply swap you for him either way I get what I want".
"Madeline" he spoke forcefully, watching the way the name caused her spine to tense, watching as it then fell and turned her once again into the broken woman from before, and then again as she regained her control and turned back into the formidable Miss Parker. "Madeline" He whispered this time, his hand coming to rest on her elbow as he said it. "Maddie, I want to help you, I do, and when I tell you more you'll know why you have to let me. But nothing will happen to him tonight, he's safe tonight, we need to talk first."
"What could WE need to talk about Jarod? I get my little brother out, and then I disappear, ok, if you're not coming I guess this is goodbye." She replied, her body remaining turned from him, and her voice still hard but her willingness to at least listen to a little of his speech was indicated by her placing the gun down, and crossing her arms over her chest.
Noting this, Jarod took his hand from her elbow and began his explanation, he had intended on beginning slowly, he had intended to slowly build up to his declaration of love. Instead the image of her sitting broken and crying on the couch assailed his mind, the image of her looking every bit the little girl who he had held when Faith died. The simple image of her defying all and proving that her heart was not only present but only too easily and often wounded. His declaration was, as a result the only thing on his mind, and his first words were the last thing he had planned on opening with.
"We could talk about how much I love you, Maddie", as soon as he said he regretted it, mentally kicking himself for the up front approach, she wasn't one to take that approach well. Holding his breath he waited for her reply. She remained silent for quite some time, her shoulders sinking slightly and her sharp intake indicating that she too was holding her breath.
"You love me?" She whispered with her back still turned to him, her voice soft and almost begging. Jarod stepped forward to reply, his hand finding its way to rest on her arm, something he regretted instantly. Brushing it off furiously Parker spun and faced him, her arms gesticulating widely, flying in all directions as she spoke. "You love me? Do you even know what love is, Labrat? Of course you don't. How would you? Then again, how would I? I mean really, neither of us have ever really had it, have we? You Love Me. What you think that's gonna make it all different, you think I'll fall into your arms and run away with you? It'll never happen Jarod. No matter how much we want it. Now matter how hard we try, they'll always be there to take it off us. Always."
"I do love you" He found himself biting back in anger, "I may not have grown up around it, I may not have been in love before, or seen it much, but I know what love is Parker. I know that the reason I've never had love, or been in love before is because I've always loved you, no one could ever replace you in my heart. I know that every time I see you, every time I hear you my heart speeds up. I get nervous little butterflies in my stomach when I know you're near, I call you so often because just hearing your voice can make the world make sense again. I know...." He broke off there, his mind had been skimming back through everything she had said, skimming over it and hoping to find something he could use to defend himself to let her know he did understand and mean it, when he hit this No matter how much we want it.... We, We want it. She has told him the deepest secret of her heart and never even noticed. "Did you say 'we'?" He asked, "No matter how much WE want it" Looking up he saw the stunned, almost terrified look on her face and he knew he was right. "You did! You do want this too."
She opened her mouth slightly, then closed it, opened it again and once again closed it as if she had no idea how to respond. "Parker, you know I realized I loved you that day on the air strip, I saw you shot, and who cares about my family. All I could think of was saving you, if I lost you all the family in the world would mean nothing because I would have no one to look forward to sharing my life with. I realized then and there I loved you, I would do anything in my power to save you, to keep you safe forever. I still will Parker, I'll always be here for you, and I'll keep us safe, they won't take this off us, I won't let them."
Looking in her eyes he found them to be moist with tears, tears of happiness though, not the usual sadness or betrayal, but happiness. Behind those tears he found another emotion, an emotion he had almost begun to worry that her eyes would never show again, Love. "You don't have to say anything Parker, you may not be able to open the vault and say it, but your eyes were never able to lie, and they tell me the truth now, you do love me."
Her teary, soft expression switched to one of wry laughter. "Of course I do Jarod. Really, you may think you're above us center folk, that it's simply your brains that keep you out there. But if I wanted you back in the center, you'd be there. Make no mistake. I've known your every move for the last few years; I know where you are without even trying. Its like something in my head is keeping me up to date with your movements should I ever choose to join you. I do love you Jarod, always have, but acknowledging it has always meant both of us throwing in the search, acknowledging it meant me risking your life, and I wasn't game to do that, not for my happiness."
"How bout for our son's?" he replied, stepping forward as he did to grasp her arms and pull her to him, knowing that this knowledge would cause yet more pain to a mind, body and soul that had suffered enough tonight.
"Our son's?" she whispered in shocked, low voice, her mind already knowing the answers to the many questions contained in those two words, but still too afraid to acknowledge them. Then he watched as her old survival technique kicked in, the old evasion tactic, if the news, the emotions, the reactions are filtered quickly, filtered along a barricaded path in the mind and locked deep within the conscious they need not be felt, nor experienced. This was what she was doing now, he could see as her mind flicked the switch that would filter all she had learned and she knew she would learn. Ice began to once again form on her features and she looked at him with eyes that displayed disbelief and mocking rather than the emotion filled orbs from earlier. He couldn't blame her, he really couldn't, years of training had taught her not to face emotion. From a young age she had been taught and shown that being emotionless and rigid was the correct way to be and a child perceives everything from the perspective she is given throughout her life. He couldn't blame her for retreating this way; it was all she had been shown, all she had been taught, her mind had long ago noticed that pain was not pain if the mind refused to feel it. Thus he could not blame her for her reaction to his comment.
"Our Son's" She said again, her voice now mocking, superior almost. "I see now you've been wasting your time on the outside. What I admit I felt something for you once, suddenly we have a kid, what all these years on the outside and you never once came across a book on biology, labrat?" Her voice was the same tone it had been every time she had spoken to him since his escape, and usually he could sense that it was all a cover for her feelings, tonight it provided no cover. Her tone was unusually high pitched, breaking slightly as she spoke and gaining a slightly hysterical edge to it as she continued. Her breathing had quickened, and her eyes were now panicked, scared and oh so defeated as she came to grips with the final betrayal, the ultimate betrayal. Then as if all the fight had died from her, she stopped, her face flushed and her breathing erratic, and suddenly she gasped, her hand moving quickly to rub her lobes, covering her face and staying there for many moments as she appeared to fight an inner battle. In reality it was the voices, her mother's voice telling her to listen, to just listen, telling her that the time had come for her to remove her trust from those who held it undeservedly, and move it to he, who had protected and deserved it his whole life. Nodding slowly, she raised her head, her eyes peaking up at Jarod, the blue orbs rimmed with red and still blinking slightly as they filled with a never ending stream of tears.
"Our Son?" she asked, begging him to explain it all, begging him to tell her what she feared wasn't true, and yet knowing it was.
"Maddie" he whispered, moving forward and grasping her upper arms in his hands, wanting nothing more than to pull her into his embrace but fearing her reaction if he did. To his surprise the choice was not left to him to make. Just feeling the heat emanating from him and strength his grasp on her provided Parker's body reacted of its own accord and leant into him, her upper body finding its resting spot against his chest and her face nuzzled into his shoulder. Shock momentarily coursed through him as she did this, his body tensing against her and pulling back just slightly. But as her body followed him and she once again leant on him for support he found his body relaxing and his arms moving of their own accord to wrap around her waist and pull her closer still.
"That little boy, the one you delivered, who you've found yourself drawn to and loving since his birth is ours Maddie. They played god again, their little way of ensuring that should I never be returned and should Gemini never be found they would always have a little pretender. The extra incentive here being that he will have your Inner Sense; he's what they always dreamt of. He was why your father married Brigitte, why he showed no remorse at her death. They faked the medical report for you so you'd believe Daddy didn't want an heir, and then he began pressuring her for a child. But he knew she couldn't bear a child of her own, she couldn't become pregnant naturally, so he arranged for In vitro fertilization, she never knew the baby wasn't hers. But he wasn't, he's ours, our little boy. And we are going to get him out, and give him the family that we always dreamed of as children, I promise you Maddie. I won't let him grow up there, and I won't let him grow up without either of us. I love you, I know you love me, and we are both going to love him. I'll make it work I promise. Our baby will have a family who loves him."
She was silent as he finished, her tears having quieted down to the occasional sniffle, or small sob, her eyes hidden from his view at the base of his neck. Her arms were now clinging so tightly to his waist he could almost swear he would lose feeling in his legs soon. She nodded her head slightly, silent acquiescence to his proposal, it was all she was capable of now, tears having left her incapable of talking, and the emotional upheaval she had just experienced sapping her body of all available energy reserves. Her arms slowly slackened off from around his waist, her head leaning more heavily on his shoulder with every passing second, until at last her legs gave out and she began to slip down his body. It was at this point that he knew she had finally given in, finally fallen asleep, here... In his arms, she had drifted off and he couldn't have asked for a greater sign than that of her love and trust in him. She had, through her ability to drift of, to relax so completely in his arms and to trust him implicitly with keeping her safe, given him all the hope he needed that this would work. Soon he, Parker and their little boy would be away from here, together and safe forever.
Lifting her gently he carried her through the house to her bedroom, placing her gently down he pulled the blankets to her chin and as an afterthought placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Sweet dreams Parker" He whispered, "Tomorrow this will all be over". Fighting the urge to lay down beside her, he turned and moved toward the door. Almost there, he turned once more to look down on her sleeping form, she was an angel as she slept, he dark lashes resting on the pale skin of her cheeks, her hair creating a halo around her head and her face so soft and peaceful. With one last loving glance he turned to leave and was almost to the door when he heard it, or he thought he did, the voice was so soft, so sleep filled, soft and beautiful he was almost sure he had imagined it. But turning once more to her, he realized he hadn't. She was lying there, staring up at him with half open sleepy eyes, her lips twisted into a small smile as she continued to stare.
"Jarod" she whispered again.
"Yeah Parker" he replied, walking closer and sitting on the bed beside her, his hand reaching out to brush her cheek as he did, his mind cheering in delight as she leant into it. She then captured the hand in her own, turned his palm to her face and placed a sweet kiss in the center of it.
"Jarod, our little boy doesn't have a name. We can't rescue him without a name."
"Well what do you suggest?" he asked in reply, his whole being reacting to the joy of doing something so normal as picking his child's name.
"How bout Kyle?" she asked, the name seemed perfect to her, Kyle had lost his life to the center, they had stolen his innocence and then his life, it would be fitting to name the little boy they planned on rescuing and on preserving the innocence of, Kyle.
Jarod sat back suddenly, his mind reeling with the idea, not the idea of naming their little man Kyle, he loved that, he was touched by it, and that was what shocked him. That she would do that for him, that she would name their little boy after the brother he known for so little time, but would love forever.
"He died saving my life Jarod, he shouldn't have had to, but he did. And after all I'd done to him, and you. Let's name our baby after a hero."
He didn't know what came over him at that point, this was a woman to whom he had claimed his love, and yet never kissed or held or had any contact with beyond childhood and of course tonight, but suddenly it felt so right. Leaning down quickly and with such speed he caught her by surprise Jarod leant in a captured her lips with his. Kissing her for every moment they had missed growing up, kissing her with every ounce of love he felt for her, and for that final suggestion. Pulling away slightly but leaving his face so close to hers he could still feel her slightly ragged breath on his lips, he smiled down at her, then leant in and gave her one more quick chaste innocent kiss, before even attempting to reply.
"I would love.... That's..thank.." He tried replying, but his voice had been taken by amazement and joy at her suggestion. "Kyle" he whispered, his voice giving the word finality, indicating both his thanks and his agreement. Their little boy, Kyle.
"Kyle Thomas?" she asked, voice and her eyes asking for his approval, asking so hesitantly if he minded her naming their little boy after an old lover.
"Kyle Thomas" he replied his voice filled with approval and his face overcome by a huge smile as he slowly repeated the name over and over. "Kyle Thomas... My little boy" he whispered.
Then leaning in a bestowing her with one more quick kiss he rose from the bed and walked quickly to the door. "Sleep" He ordered, "You are going to need it if we're gonna rescue our little man."
"Jarod" she called after him.
Sticking his head back in the door, he scolded her gently "No Parker, Sleep"
Looking up at him with a face that resembled that of a scolded puppy, her eyes sad, her lips pouting, and both combining to make him think he would give her anything she desired if it would just take the sadness from her eyes.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Hold me" she replied, "Please, just hold me".
Well, he thought, I did say I would do anything, and if that's what its gonna take, that's what it's gonna take.
Walking over to the bed he quickly shed his shoes, jeans and shirt, then climbed into the bed as she scooted over to make room for him. Pulling the covers to his chin, he settled down onto his back pulling her gently to him and snaking his arms around her waist as she settled her upper body on his chest, nuzzled her nose into the crook of his neck and began to drift off.
"Night" she whispered sleepily.
"Night Parker, sweet dreams" he replied, leaning his head down he placed one more kiss on her cheek and then settled back against the pillows, closing his eyes and reveling in the feel of having her with him finally.
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Parker couldn't remember ever having woken up on a pillow that smelt so damn good, or felt so good, she thought as she nuzzled her nose into the warmth it provided and began to drift off again. Or at least she did, until her pillow began to move, or maybe it had always been moving, a steady up down rhythm, reminiscent of breathing. Breathing. And that's when it all came flying back to her, images began assailing her mind showing her once again the horror contained in the document Jarod had left her. The pleasant surprise of him actually voicing his feelings, she'd always known they were there but having them spoken had made them real, the accidental and yet oh so right feeling of her expressing hers and then the painful and yet wonderful knowledge that little Kyle was hers. 'Kyle' naming her little man would always remain in her memories, not so much for the absolute normality of naming him and the feeling of pure bliss obtained from it, but for the look in Jarod's eyes when she had suggested it. They had ignited; the usually calm brown pools raging with fire, happiness, sheer overpowering pride in the knowledge that his little brother had been seen as such a hero, and last but not least, love. The kiss had come as a surprise, a shock, but a welcome and wonderful shock. The sort she hoped to be experiencing a lot more frequently from now on. And now here he was, lying in bed with her, his arms so tightly around her waist and face turned slightly so it hugged her face into his neck, unconsciously holding her as close as he possibly could. That had been the best part, falling asleep feeling safe for the first time in almost a lifetime and having dreams invade her sleep that left her with only happiness and not the usual overpowering fear. She knew she should fear today, today they would rescue Kyle and then they would run, never to look back on the horror that had surrounded them here, but she felt no fear only safety, happiness and a unwavering knowledge that they would succeed. Her thoughts were interrupted then as her pillow began to stir and she was faced with the simple knowledge that as soon as he woke the plan would be in motion, right now waiting for him to wake they were in limbo. No planning, no executing, nothing but the simple peace of being here together, finally together and finally looking forward to the future. Now, as he woke, it would all begin. One chapter would close, and if closed successfully another happier one open.
"Morning" she whispered as his eyes finally fluttered open and the momentary confusion of waking in a strange place passed. Leaning up she placed a gentle kiss on his forehead and felt his arms tighten around her waist, as if he were reassuring himself of the fact that this were not a dream, not part of subconscious bringing his sweetest dreams to life in three dimensional beauty but actually real.
"Morning" he replied, his voice gruff and hoarse from one of the best nights sleep he'd ever had, and yet also filled with wonder and joy, a sound so reminiscent of a small child on Christmas Day upon discovering that 'Santa' had fulfilled one of their biggest wishes. It was a tone that assured that both of them were painfully aware of just how much this resembled everything they had wished for over the years, a sign of happiness now and yet when reflected on, a symbol of incredible pain. While their minds could easily encompass the joy that had been gained from waking and discovering the fulfillment of a dream, a very simple dream and yet a dream that had waited a lifetime to be acted out. They were also being reminded of life's true pain and emptiness as the reality hit them that this, this act of normalcy, this waking up in the arms of a loved one was something that had been denied them by the very people who claimed to care. Dwelling on it was simply focussing on how painful life had been, how painful life had been to make it so that something so normal, something most people would do everyday and never notice was the highlight thus far in the lives of the two. Thus the two would not focus on it, not sit and dwell on the ending of the pain, for dwelling on the ending would only remind them of it and tarnish the start of something new with something neither wished to recall. That and this was not over, for the dream to be fulfilled and for this to all be ending happily they would be away, unable to be found or touched by the horror of the past. A little boy would be lying here with them, and they would not have the knowledge that in just a few hours they would have to risk their lives to save their own child. They would also not be pained by the knowledge that they would then have to leave those who had been a family to them, in a world where the definition of family was so skewed as to give it little or no meaning, behind. Of course both knew they wouldn't leave them for good, as soon as the situation allowed and safe passage could be arranged those they loved would join them.
So instead of talking, instead of discussing what they knew would be in the forefront of both minds, they simply lay there, for just a few moments longer enjoying the peace offered and preparing them for what was to follow.
It was Parker that moved first, pulling away from him she sat up and looked down at him, her expression fixed and resolute. Her eyes shone with determination, a fire and a passion that had been lost years before had now returned, a fire and passion that had not been there since the death of her mother. It was a sign that a spirit crushed had been reborn and was now ready to fight.
"Much as I would love to stay here, like this" she told him, "If I'm late they'll send someone looking for me, we can't risk that, and we have a lot of planning to do before I go".
"Actually, I don't think there is much to plan" He replied, his standard 'gotcha' grin in full display. "I found out about Kyle through Angelo, he knows we are coming and he knows we have to do this in a way that no one will suspect or notice till long after we are gone. I think he has it all planned, when I check my e-mail this morning I am pretty sure I'll find his plan." He couldn't help but notice the huge grin that overcame her face at the mention of the name they had chosen, and he was sure from the pain now obvious in his cheek muscles his face held one very similar.
"Kyle" she whispered, her voice laden with awe and emotion at his simple use of their little boys name and the meaning of it, the meaning it had for them and the rest of their lives. Leaning forward she captured his lips with hers, a sweet short kiss, nothing that would start anything they didn't have time to start this morning, but a promise. A promise that once they held their little boy it would all be over, the world would be reborn and they would strive to achieve everything they had ever dreamed of. The kiss was a promise that all they ever dreamed of would be theirs. Pulling back, she rested her forehead against his and staring into the pools of emotion that were his eyes she whispered it again, the word, the name this time a promise of a better life. A promise that though neither had had a family of their own they would ensure together that Kyle's life was everything they had ever dreamed theirs would be and more.
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Jarod was sent to prepare breakfast, while Parker showered and prepared herself both physically and mentally for what would be her last day in the hell she had called work or home for most of her life. The preparation centered not on a need to prepare herself for any painful, or heart wrenching goodbye, for she knew she wouldn't miss the place, the preparation was more the need to regain the shell she had carried with her her whole life. Somehow after finally finding all she ever dreamed of. After finally being handed the key to a new life, a life that contained love, family and best of all hope, she somehow now had to rebuild and maintain the persona that years of unhappiness and pain had built around her. But she would do it, the simple knowledge that should she not be able to pull this off, her newfound joy and hope would be taken from her and used as yet another stone in the wall they had been building around her since childhood ensured that. It was not so much the day at work that worried her though, it was convincing Jarod that no matter how much he wanted too, and no matter how much she wanted to, walking in there guns blazing to retrieve their son would only end in more heartache for both. No, they must do it in a way in which both of them would walk away, it was essential to get little Kyle out of there, but getting him out wouldn't mean anything if his rescue meant that he would have to spend life without his parents. She hoped Jarod would be convinced to go nowhere near the place, if Angelo could get Kyle and meet her somewhere they could get him out of the centre unnoticed and then leave to start a new life before they even noticed him gone. If done properly, both her and her son could get away and join his father safely, then all of them could simply disappear, never to seen or heard from again.
Stepping from the shower with this plan firmly in mind she quickly dressed, applied the usual ice-queen mask and walked towards the kitchen, her mind already made up, she would not leave this morning till he agreed not to come anywhere near the place. Hell, if he wanted he could stay here and pack for her, she wouldn't mind him doing that at all, but he was not to come near the center. There was no way her newly found peace and inner happiness was going to be ruined by his little 'make the bad guy pay' routine.
Walking into the kitchen she found him standing back to her busily working on breakfast, still clad only in his boxers, and despite the menial and boring everyday nature of the task he was performing she couldn't help but think this was the stuff dreams were made of. After pausing a moment to just stare, she walked forward and stopped behind him wrapping her arms around his middle and placing her cheek against his shoulder as she soaked up the moment, the normalcy of it all and the promise of a million more mornings like it to follow. He relaxed back against her as she pressed into him, the two of them balancing on each other, using only themselves to hold the other up, both relaxing into and reveling in the moment, while silently noting the incredible symbol the position signified. A symbol of a future in which the only people they could lean on was each other, a symbol of how after years of leaning only on themselves they finally had a pillar of strength on which to depend.
"Morning" he said as he turned in her embrace and faced her, his lips instantly seeking hers as his body continued to melt into her.
"Hey" she replied as she pulled away, pressing herself even closer to him and wrapping her arms tighter around his waist as she peered over his shoulder to examine just what he had been doing to her stove. "Whatcha cooking?"
"Pancakes" he replied, his tone playful and almost begging her to respond, he knew she wouldn't like something so unhealthy for breakfast, although he did feel it was more nutritious than her usual black coffee. "But if that's not enough I brought some pop tarts with me too".
Jumping away from her quickly, and just avoiding the swat she had directed at his ass, he ran quickly across to the other end of the table to where his computer sat. Reaching it just as it chimed and informed him that he had received e-mail. Opening it quickly, he noted who it was from and began to download the plan that had been set for them, it was difficult to follow and written in broken thoughts and small pictures but it quickly became clear to him exactly how Angelo would help them rescue Kyle. Looking up he was met by Parker's insistent glare, her face screaming for him to let her know whom it was from and what it said.
"It's Angelo" he answered her silent question, "It's his plan, judging by this our little boy is going to safe with us by this afternoon" he continued, his face breaking into a huge triumphant grin at the mention of their son. Returning his grin Parker quickly headed over to the computer, hoping to see for herself what exactly Angelo had said. But upon reaching him, and leaning over his shoulder to read she was playfully pushed away as his voice rose to a the sort of level normally associated with unimaginable tragedy as his hands motioned towards the stove and he screamed, "Parker, No, the pancakes". Glancing over she noticed them starting to burn and quickly headed over to them, smirking slightly as she did and replying in an equally playful tone.
"Oh and forgive me for thinking that rescuing our son might come ahead of pancakes in the Jarod list of what's important".
Stepping up behind her, he placed his arms around her, turned off the stove, tipped the pancakes onto a plate and grabbed the syrup, before he whispering in her ear, "Parker, nothing comes before pancakes." Then grabbing her hand he pulled her into the living room, where he collapsed onto the couch, pulling her into his lap and placing the plate on hers. Then pouring syrup liberally onto the pancakes, tearing one in half and stuffing it into this mouth, he got down to business.
"So, here's the plan".
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"You're not going" She told him forcefully, her body moving as far from his as possible, while her eyes bore into his daring him to challenge her and yet also threatening him if he did. "I don't care what the plan you two have come up with is, but you are not going into that hell hole to rescue him."
"Park...." he began, but as she cut him off violently as she jumped from his lap to begin pacing in front of him, her arms gesticulating wildly as she walked, swinging in front of her and almost taking Jarod's head off in the process.
"No!" She screamed; her voice tinged with anger, however that was simply the stronger emotion used to hide those weaker, disallowed emotions. But it was of no use, no matter how much anger showed it could never hide the pain, and fear in her voice. It cracked as she spoke, her fear for his safety and the thought of what would happen if he were caught almost bringing her to tears. Only minutes ago the image of a perfect family had crowded her mind, of her, Jarod and little Kyle, maybe even a brother or sister in the future. Now it was replaced by one of her and Jarod, trapped in matching his and hers cells on sub level 27, forced to watch their little boy being subjected to incredible torture and pain at the hands of her own family. Not exactly the sort of image that made you want to visit. The very kind of image that meant she had to stop him, had to convince him she could do it alone, if they wanted to have a life together, and free, he couldn't be involved. "You aren't going anywhere near the place" she whispered now, her voice having finally giving up the lame attempt to hide emotion and now overflowing with it. Every word now accented by a tiny, vulnerable waver that prompted him to reach out to her, to try and hold her and make it all better.
"Maddie, I'm not.." he started again, his arms reaching out for her and grabbing her hands as she strode past. Holding them gently and rubbing them ever so slightly with his thumbs he tried in vain to calm her, but she was having none of it.
"No!" she cut him off, "Jarod I don't care what the plan is. I can do this. I can save him, I can bring him back here, and we can leave. You are not leaving this house." Her voice had been full of determination during this speech, the kind of tone that he would have to have been insane to argue with, but then as she continued to became soft, scared and so very fragile. "I can see you don't want to, I know you want to follow what ever the plan is, but I just got you back Jarod. I finally faced a lifetime of suppressed emotion and you want to ask me to risk losing it all so you can play hero. I won't, and I don't think you should even be asking me to. I can save him myself; I can, but if you come in and get caught, what does it matter that I've saved him if I've lost you. I won't raise our son alone. I won't risk one person I love to gain another, when losing one would overshadow the joy of having either."
"Parker" he whispered reassuringly, his tone encompassing so many different emotions she was momentarily silenced by a need to separate and catalogue them in an attempt to work out how he was reacting to her words. Walking up he grabbed both her hands again, lifting one to his face and placing a gentle kiss on the back of it, partly to reassure her and partly to determine just how mad and unwilling to be comforted she really was. Noting the way in which she allowed the kiss, and the way her body seemed to pull towards his slightly he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in close to him. As her head found a resting place on his shoulder, and the tears he hadn't noticed she'd been crying began to mix in his hair, he leant down placing his lips near her ear and pulling her closer still he whispered, "I'm not going anywhere."
"You're not?" she asked, her voice timid and unbelieving, so very similar to the voice he had heard so many times from her as a child. It was a voice that begged for reassurance, and the simple fact that it was making reappearance gave him hope. It was a voice that she had used often as a child, mainly to her father, a voice that begged him to show her he did love her. A voice that begged him to let her know she was wanted and needed and that despite her mother being gone someone did still care for her. A voice that after many years of being ignored, after many years of being punished as a weakness rather than a sign of her commitment and love for them by those who supposedly loved her had been thrown aside, hidden behind a façade of bitterness and cruelty. Not gone, but hidden, simply because she had been led to believe that while it was bad enough to have emotions, it was deadly to let people see them.
"No, the plan says I stay here and do your packing for you so we can leave as soon as our little man gets here". He replied, grinning as he did, he was sure she would love the idea of not having to pack and besides if he let her pack it would be all suits and business outfits, there really would be no use for that now.
"I like that plan" she answered him, he could feel her smiling now against his neck, the tears were gone and her whole being radiated a willingness to get on with the plan now. "So tell me the rest of this plan".
Pulling her back to the couch, he sat down quickly, pulling her once more into his lap and placing the plate of pancakes on her lap as he continued to eat.
"In a second, they aren't as good when they're cold" he replied as his trademark smartass grin emerged.
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It was almost two hours later that Parker finally made it to the center, she was mildly late, but that was not her fault. Jarod's pancakes comment had earned him a fight, which had meant they both ended up covered in the incredible amount of syrup he believed was needed to eat pancakes. Thus she had had to shower, change and then listen to him bitch about her waste of such a valuable and precious commodity as pancakes before getting down to the plan. She now had about 9 hours till the plan went into effect, and already the suspense and anticipation was weighing on her mind. Nine hours from now she would be holding her little boy and her and Jarod would be on their way to a better life. Right now Jarod was finishing her plans, plans she had been making for years, plans that allowed that should she ever disappear Broots, Sydney, Angelo and Sam would have the means, money and safe passage to begin another life, one free from the hell that was the center. They would become aware of the plans only after she left, and the means by which to escape would be given to each at a different time and in a different way, thus ensuring none were able to be linked and no one should be held to blame for them. But right now, she had done enough thinking it was time to get in and make sure the last day she ever spent in this hellhole was spent in such a way as to ensure no one suspected anything. She would love to be able to show some emotion, to say a heart felt good bye to the men who had supported her and been friends to her through thick and thin for so many years now, but she couldn't. If they suspected anything, or if anyone else did, she risked both their safety and the safety of her newfound family, a risk she was not willing to take. Besides it wouldn't be long before they all joined her anyway.
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It was a largely uneventful day at the center, almost as if they were giving her one last nice day, a send off almost, and yet no one knew she going. No leads had arrived on Jarod, Lyle was off doing.well something and Parker had long ago learnt that wasting too much time thinking about Lyle's extra curricular activities usually contributed to a serious waste of breakfast. Her father was away on business, and Raines was busying himself down on one of the sublevels, so all she had to do all day was paperwork. Well that and of course hurling a regular threat at Broots about his inability to locate Jarod, and directing some misplaced and rather childlike comments at her own Doctor Spock, you know just to maintain appearances. The rude comments and her usual bitchy attitude were made easier to maintain by the way in which the day simply crawled past, granted she had never had such a reason to look forward to leaving, but still no day had ever passed so slowly. The paperwork she held was merely there for appearances, she scrawled and planned, she typed and she abused, but not once did her eyes stray to somewhere where a clock could not be easily viewed. Not once did the thought of what would take place that afternoon and what it would mean for the rest of her life leave her mind.
Early in the afternoon she had noticed Broots studying the clock, and following her rather rude and brusque questioning he admitted that Debbie was appearing in a play that afternoon but he hadn't wanted to ask for the night off and had planned instead to go on the weekend. His shock, but also relief and thanks, had been very evident when she had told him to get his ass out of the office and down to watch it right then. Masking it as genuine affection for little Debbie and not wanting her to be upset that Daddy missed the first night worked for all of them, they all knew that try as she might to deny it Little Miss Broots had definitely won a place in her heart. That and it got Broots out of her way, now she only had to get rid of Sydney and she was home free. Several hours later, almost at the time when she was supposed to be enacting her part of the plan she began to wince slightly, one hand moving down to hold her stomach, while the other moved slightly to hide the wincing from Sydney. He would not accept her being open with her pain, this way she was doing a normal Miss Parker grin and bare it act, and he had been trained to watch for these little acts, to watch for the ways in which she moved to hide her pain. And he did notice, he became a worrying, hovering old man, trying to assure himself his little girl was ok, and to see if he could help. The reaction worked perfectly for Parker, who cursed him for worrying and told him she had to get away from his hovering and suffocating presence before grabbing a few items and storming from the room.
From here the plan was easy, both her and Jarod had acknowledged that they themselves could do nothing too obvious to rescue little Kyle. Any changes to the video would require Broots help, any getting out of the center without anyone noticing her and a baby would require Sydney or maybe Sam's help and she couldn't risk them, or Kyle in that way. It seems Angelo had seen this problem himself, for his plan involved her leaving the center, just hopping in her car and driving away, leaving little Kyle there, leaving Broots and Sydney there and just going. She was to drive to a point not far from the center where Angelo would meet her with Kyle and from there she would drive to meet Jarod and they would leave. It wasn't the greatest, bravest way of leaving, she would of loved to blow the place up, to go in gun loaded and let all who stood between her and her little boy pay. But she had others to think of now, and if the simplest way worked best and endangered them the least it would have to do. Angelo frequently went in to the children's rooms in the center, to chat or play, Kyle knew him about as well as he knew Parker and wouldn't mind being taken by him. Angelo also possessed the ability to alter the cameras, meaning he could take Kyle and not be seen, while ensuring the boy could be missing for hours before anyone noticed. Angelo would then use the same path he had escaped through before and meet Parker at this spot, the spot where one of the ventilation shafts met the air, inside the center perimeter, but outside the security zones and video surveillance. So now as she parked nearby all she could do was wait for Angelo's signal that he was at the opening and pray. But she wasn't nervous, she should have been terrified, but something wouldn't allow her to be.
Her mother's voice whispered in her mind that all would be fine, that she would not allow Kyle to be hurt, that it was time her little girl left and found the life she had always dreamed of for her. As a result a weird sense of calm came over her, and despite the fact that everything she knew was ending today she felt no ending only a beginning. Something positive from something terrible and she knew fate would not allow anything to go wrong today, this was what everything in her life was leading her to, and nothing would go wrong. At that thought she found her eyes drifting closed, not in sleep, she doubted she could have been anymore awake right then, but simply so she could await Angelo's signal while allowing visions of her little boy and his dad's first meeting to play through her mind. She knew that reality would play out its own way, and the details she imagined would not occur exactly. However, the main attraction of the images floating through her mind was the absolute joy, pride and love displayed on Jarod's face, and she knew no matter how the meeting took place that would be a part of it. The images then went on, flew forward through time images of major moments in their and their son's life, the one constant through which was that look on his face. The irony almost had her in giggles, only yesterday her main aim in life had been to capture him and return him to a life of pain and today her aim was to ensure she spent the rest of her life seeing that pure glee in his eyes.
Hearing a small sound from beside her she opened her eyes quickly and found herself reaching for her 9mm as she turned suddenly to the passenger seat and began to search for the disturbance. It didn't take her long to find the cause of the noise, and it definitely wasn't made by anyone who would ever have the luck of seeing her 9mm in action. There lying on the seat beside her was a little boy she would know anywhere, and even though his contact with her had been limited he knew who she was. It was Kyle, lying there in her car, his arms stretched out towards her, as he kicked his legs in the air and smiled up at her, his mouth making the cutest little gurgling noises in his effort to gain attention. Averting her eyes out the window and towards the air vents she watched as Angelo disappeared. His face turned towards her at the last second, staying visible just long enough for her to catch his eyes and mouth thankyou, to which he replied with a wide grin and a thrown arm indicating that she should leave, and then he was gone.
Turning back to her little boy, she finally rewarded him with what he had been asking for and picked him up, cuddling him close to her as she smothered his tiny little face in kisses.
"Hello" She whispered, her voice taking on that funny mother's voice she had heard used so often and always wanted to kill the user of, "How's my little man huh? My little Kyle." She watched as he responded to her voice, as his little face broke out in a grin so large she had the feeling he was gonna pay for it later, and his little hands reached out for her, grabbing her hair, her nose and tracing her cheeks. "Let's go meet your Daddy hey? Wanna go see Daddy?"
At that she watched as he slowly relaxed in her arms, as his hands dropped to her chest, as he snuggled deep into her neck and fell asleep. Acknowledging that she would have to, for their safety, be leaving as soon as possible she raised herself out of the car and went to place him in the car seat that had somehow appeared in her car during the day. It hurt to place him in it, to have him out of her arms after only having been in them for such a short period of time, but the sooner they reached Jarod and got away, the sooner he would be able to be their always. Looking down once more on his angelic little face she closed the door and raced around to her side, quickly jumping in and driving off towards the hotel where she knew Jarod and the articles he had packed would be waiting. There a change of clothes for both her and Kyle, as well as a change of cars would take place and they would be off to start a new existence, in a new town, with new names and new jobs, a whole new life.
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The motel Jarod had picked for them to meet up was almost an hours drive away, but that was fine Parker loved driving, it was lonely yes, but she was in control, the power was hers. She could go where she liked, how she liked, and a vehicle was one thing that would do what she asked, when she asked. Of course another thing to love about it was the look of absolute terror she could bring to Broots face by dropping a quick 360 on the freeway. Normally the radio would be cranked, the speed limit would be a forgotten memory and the curves that were marked as being dangerous would be the ones she took faster just to make it more thrilling, but not today, and never again. Today the only music she could hear was the deep, gentle breathing of her son in his carrier behind her, and the speed was slow and steady enough to ensure the precious little boy wasn't awakened by the vehicles movements. After all he needed all the energy he could muster for his meeting soon with the daddy he had never seen. A Daddy who loved him already and who was currently waiting impatiently for the arrival of the little boy who had been created to hurt him by fulfilling their desires and cementing their power over him. The little boy who was everything but, he stood as the only beauty, only happiness ever given to him by the centre, a symbol of the perfect life and love he'd always dreamed of.
Stopping briefly at some lights, she turned slightly to breathe in the image that lay behind her, her little boy curled up so peacefully in his carrier. His little eyes were scrunched tightly as he curled his face into the blanket that had bunched beside him as he gripped the edges of it with both hands. Just the sight of that warmed her, the blanket was one she had brought with her, a small, soft throw blanket that had been used as a decoration on her couch this morning as she and Jarod had sat wrapped around each other going over the plan. It now held the scent of both of them, and thanks to Jarod maple syrup, the way he was clutching it to him and softly rubbing his cheek into the fabric made it seem as if he almost knew instinctively who they were and just how much they cherished him. Noting the light was now green, from the honking of drivers behind her she turned back to the road and continued on the journey to finally introduce the two men she loved and begin forming the family unit she had always dreamed of.
************************************************************************ Jarod meanwhile was pacing, his mind was racing with evil possibilities and he couldn't seem to slow down the erratic beating of his heart, or control his breathing. It seemed to him that someone, somewhere or something somewhere was always out to make him suffer. Now as his life finally seemed to be finding a footing, as everything seemed perfect he couldn't help but think that just like it had a thousand times before the rug would disappear from under him and he would be taken from the great heights these last two days had carried him too and fall once again to a seemingly inescapable low. His mind was wandering through all sorts of ludicrous paths following this fear, only moments ago he had found himself wondering if he had warned her about the possibility of ice on the roads and that she should drive carefully because of that possibility. The fact that it was summer barely even registering in his wildly careering mind. The two people that could bring him true happiness were only minutes away and he was terrified of never attaining them. The escaping and surviving once they were here was not a worry, not an issue; it was the waiting that was a problem.
Anyone outside would of thought him insane, he had stood beside the window, peering out but never fully opening the curtain for hours now. Every time a car pulled into the motel complex he would once again race to the window and look out expectantly, only to turn away dejected when he realized it was someone else. And yet just now as he once again heard a car enter the archway over the gates and pull into the parking lot he once again raced to the window and peered out. His hopeful and excited face clearly visible to those outside, but the sheer excitement of meeting his little boy had driven all thought of hiding from his mind. But just as his face began to sink even without really looking, as his mind began to tell him it wouldn't be what he wanted, he realized it was. And despite the fact that he knew she could have been followed, he knew someone could be waiting to see who she was taking the child to before pouncing, he could not remove his eyes from the scene playing out before him.
He watched as Parker stepped gracefully from the car, to anyone else she would seem just any women, it would seem nothing was different, but as he watched Jarod could detect a world of change in her. Her movements had slowed, become more graceful and so reminiscent of her mother, it was as if the need to hurry, the need for brash movements and little thought was driven from her and she was for once seeing all the beauty of everything around her. He caught her eyes as she raised them toward him, a huge beautiful and oh so bright smile lighting up both her face and his world as she took him in. He guessed from the laugh that graced her eyes that he must look something akin to a child excitedly awaiting Christmas morn at that moment. Seeing that she held both his eyes and her laugh for only a second before turning to the door behind her and reaching in to release the little boy for whom he waited. He watched as she gathered the little boy into her arms, as she tucked the blanket gently over his face to stop the sun shining into his eyes, as she smiled down on him and hugged him closer still. Then finally as she kicked the door closed behind her and taking one final nervous glance around her she began walking to the door, his heartbeat rising incrementally with ever step she took. Until he heard the key he had had delivered to her that morning slide home into the lock and the one moment he had waited his whole life for and yet never been aware of was finally here.
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Parker walked slowly through the door, kicking it closed behind her and placing her handbag on the bed in front of her, before turning to face him. Her face was not yet showing a smile, not yet expressing the joy she was obviously feeling so vividly as that, but to him, the man who knew her best it was obvious she had never been happier. Her eyes glowed with emotion he had believed long since driven from them, her face radiated joy and inner peace while conveying a look of hope and anticipation as she waited to introduce her two favorite men. Stepping toward him slightly she looked down once more at the now awake but drowsy little boy held in her arms, noting for the first time the incredible likeness he held to his daddy. Raising her now grinning face to Jarod she stepped forward again, turning herself so he could see his child and whispered, "Here he is Kyle, this is your Daddy".
Jarod couldn't recall starting crying, but at those words he felt the tears now running freely down his face begin to pool in the neckline of his shirt. He was almost afraid to speak right then, his voice had left him along with every memory of pain or sadness he had ever felt, and now as he took in the gentle, tiny face of his child he felt for the first time true and unimaginable happiness. Reaching out he traced his hands down the little boy's cheek, cupping slightly for a moment as he stared into Kyle's beautiful blue eyes, his mother's eyes. Reaching his hand out to her then, the gently placed it on her cheek under her eyes and whispered in an emotion filled voice, "He has your eyes. He's so beautiful Maddie". Smiling up at him through the tears that had begun streaming down her own face Parker nodded her head slightly, opening her mouth and exhaling as if to speak and then realizing she couldn't quickly closing her mouth and merely nodding at him. Then she moved closer, transferring the little boy from her arms into his, she could feel as his arms shook momentarily and as he struggled to fight the emotional wave he was on while balancing his son. Cuddling him close, he looked down at the little boy moving again to brush his hand along his face but being stopped as Kyle grabbed his finger and pulled it into his mouth. Laughing out loud at this Jarod quickly lowered his face to the boy's, so close their noses were almost touching as he whispered in awe filled voice. "Hello Kyle, I'm your daddy." He looked up at Parker smiling, and found her smiling back at him, but smiling through an amazing flood of tears as she watched them. Holding her gaze he added quietly, "I love you", looking back to his little boy half way through and indicating its meaning for both the woman beside him and the little boy he held. Then as if a sudden wave of thought had passed over him he straightened quickly, and looking alternatively at both Parker and Kyle he tried to put words to the thought.
"I imagined, I dreamt of, I've seen myself meeting my family a million times, a million different ways, holding them, being with them so many times, this.... This wasn't an option, this wasn't something I ever dreamed of, this 'family' its outside everything I could of imagined and yet.... It feels..right, like it's the only way it could or should have ever happened."
Smiling at that, and finding herself to be once again incapable of putting words to her feelings Parker simply moved in, placing herself in front of him, with their child between them and simply wrapped herself around the two of them. Both knew that in only a few moments they would have to leave, Jarod would have to dispose of the car and they would run, but not for good. He had been working on his escape plan, in a little place hidden away in a tiny town far from Delaware. The sort of place where, if alibi's and false identities were clung to adamantly, people were laid back and friendly enough to not even try and see a falsehood. The sort of town where a whole family consisting of both his and her parents and siblings would be seen as a welcome blessing, thus the search for Jarod's parents would go on, and plans would be enacted to bring Broots, Debbie, Sydney and Angelo out to be near them. They knew it was a long path to go, and that no matter where they traveled they would never be completely safe until the center was destroyed, but standing there right now they had all the time in the world, and the very people they wanted to spend it with.
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Ugh, I know sappy ending, but that's the way it wrote itself. Thanks for reading, hope it wasn't too awful.