Disclaimer: I do not own any part of The Pretender, unless you count all the DVD's I paid for ;) because if I did we would all have the proper ending we deserve. The characters and some situations named or implied belong to Craig W. Van Sickle, Steven Long Mitchell, NBC, and TNT. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: My first Pretender fanfiction was back in 2006 and I honestly, while happy with the basic premise of my story, was quite unsatisfied with my end result. This time I decided to delve into what I would like to have happened after Island of the Haunted, though I guess the only two people who really know aren't telling (how very much like their Centre counterparts they are ;)) Anyway, hope you enjoy!
"Hi Jarod, I'm Sydney and I'll be taking care of you for a while."
Jarod stared off into the blank space just left of the label that read 'Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup' consumed by the thoughts that had been plaguing him since returning from the island. So many images and words occupied his mind that he longed to be able to turn it off, as he had seen others do before him. He wondered about the scrolls, their origin, importance, and if the power they possessed was God given, or man made. He feared for the safety of his family, and was especially curious as to the location and determination of his mother. He fretted over the Centre's new regime and how it would affect those he held close to his heart. He was curious as to Zoe's whereabouts and safety, as well as uncertain about his feelings surrounding her, something that seemed only too clear a few months ago. He hoped and prayed for Sydney's safety and peace of mind. But most of the time one image kept replaying itself over and over in his mind, and as much as he wanted to press the stop or pause button, a part of him wanted to relive the moment in order to dissect and decipher it. He could see so clearly her cerulean blue eyes boring holes into his chocolate brown ones, feel the hitch of her breathe as their faces drew closer, even smell the sharp scent of lavender and ginseng emitting from her skin. He smirked when considering how that moment was like living out his deepest, most joyful desire mixed with his most feared nightmare.
"Jarod. JAROD, your food is here." Melinda, the pretty blonde waitress he knew called out , jarring him from his thoughts.
"Oh, sorry, thank you very much." He smiled at her.
"Anytime, Jarod, and this time it's on the house. It's the least I can do after all you've done for my family."
"I'm sorry, what is on the house?" Jarod questioned glancing around genuinely confused. He felt as though he had heard it before, but his mind was too full to attempt to decipher exactly where.
"It's just a saying, Jarod. And thanks again." She smiled taking his hand before disappearing into the crowd of customers clamoring for their orders.
"No problem, it's kind of what I do." He whispered to nobody in-particular, taking a red notebook out of his jacket pocket and laying it on the table. No doubt Sydney, Miss Parker, and Broots would be here soon to find it.
(Sometime later back at the Centre)
*ring, ring, ring*
"Sydney here." He answered taking a seat at his desk and smiling as he put two Father's Day cards side by side. The one Jarod had given him as a child, and the one Nicholas had sent a few days ago.
"Do you think I will ever find out the truth about who I am, where I come from, and what exactly I mean to the Centre?" Jarod sighed.
Sydney hated to hear the sadness and conflict in his voice. A voice Sydney may not want to admit, but sorely missed hearing every day at the Centre. He knew now though that Jarod was much better off out there in the world, helping the helpless, but he couldn't help feeling utterly and completely alone at times.
"I honestly don't know, Jarod. I would like to think you will find out all the answers to your questions. I would like to think that the horrors of our pasts don't haunt us forever and that one day we will all find the peace and understanding of a future free of pain, and guilt."
Jarod sighed, he hoped Sydney was right, but sometimes it felt as though he'd never be free until he knew all the answers, maybe even to questions he wasn't sure how to ask yet. "I don't know if I believe there is such a future for people like us, Sydney. We have so much innocent blood on our hands, so many unanswered questions that plague our existence, so much sadness."
"Jarod we must never give up! You must never give up! There is a life out there for you, a family. One day you will find happiness, if I've ever met anyone who deserves it, it's you."
Jarod smiled, calling his mentor always managed to cheer him up, even if he wasn't sure he believed the words he spoke. "Well Sydney, I do believe we all get what we deserve in the end."
"Jarod, I hope you do believe me when I say how sorry I still am for everything that happened to you, my guilt will never alleviate, I just hope you can one day be happy enough for the both of us."
"I told you a long time ago that I could never forgive you for what you had done and that was wrong of me. That's a guilt I have to bear. Sydney, you were the ONLY person in that place that I trusted completely. Twisted, strange, and whatever else the Centre may be, when I was there I found my sanctuary in you. I guess it sounds funny after all these years of hatred and lies, but the Centre did accomplish at least one good thing in the midst of all the evil ones, it gave me you." Jarod felt a little ridiculous bearing his soul like that on a telephone and suddenly flashed back to a thrown away Father's Day card all those years ago.
"Where will you go now?" Sydney managed to choke out, hoping a change in conversation would help him disguise the tears now rolling down his cheeks.
Jarod laughed, tears welling in his eyes as he heard the ones in his mentors. "Always the constant professional, huh? Well I have no doubt you will figure it out, sooner or later…though I'd be willing to bet on later."
"I'm not sure I'd take that bet, seems the odds are stacked against me on this one." Sydney laughed, maybe one day he would be able to tell Jarod the few secrets he possessed, but until then he only hoped he wouldn't get into too much trouble.
"Well Sydney my train is almost here, and then I have a little...hiking to do."
"Hiking? Guess your money isn't holding up too well then? Must not have been a power player on your latest pretend?"
"Well you know what they say? Pretending can be such a thankless profession."
"Ha, be careful though Jarod, I think I'm right to assume that the path you are on now is the most dangerous one yet. And I fear in light of certain discoveries the Centre is now more determined than ever to bring you back."
"And I'm more determined than ever to stay out. I will find my family Sydney, and I will find out exactly why the Centre wants me so bad, I promise you that." Jarod half spoke, half spit.
"And when you do, what will you do next?"
"I'll make sure whatever it is they want me for, never comes to pass. Got to jet, and Sydney be careful yourself, I don't trust anyone anymore, with all the changes at the Centre nobody is safe. Oh and Happy Father's Day."
"Thanks…" Sydney began but then heard a beep. God did he hate his propensity for hanging up in the middle of a conversation. Please be careful, Jarod. It's a mad world out there, especially for you, now. Sydney thought looking out the window and up at the sky filled with dark clouds and an ominous air. Sydney only wished his heart didn't feel as much like impending doom was coming as these clouds looked. Something was changing, and Sydney would be damned if he didn't find out what it was this time, and protect Jarod from it.
Okay so that is Chapter 1. I'm not too thrilled with it, but I think it will get better as the story goes on. If you enjoyed I'd love to hear it 3