Disclaimer: Do not own 'em. Damn.
Authors note: Sorry sorry sorry. It's been a big wait I know. I am in charge of editing and posting, and well, between the move and school and work, I just couldnt get myself to do it. But here it is. Chapter 1!
For those who don't know. Jaccione and I- Onisius- wrote 'At what price' and mentioned about an alternative ending to it. Well here it is, am very very curious to see what you lot think of these chapters and I will kick myself into gear and get one out every week atleast. promise!
Chapter one...
Jarod was bone tired as they finally finished up the preliminary rounds. He had been right about everything and now they now had enough information to prevent the terrorist attack. Teams were already on their way to secure the biological weapon and by tonight it should be all over. Silent as they made their way back up to the command level, Jarod wanted nothing more than a nice hot shower and to get a couple of hours of sleep. There was still much work to be done, tying up all the loose ends and making sure everything was accounted for; he figured that would probably take another few days. The crisis though seemed to be over. Despite his exhaustion, he felt good, knowing he had made a real difference.
When they opened the door, Lyle walked in with Jarod. "Shower then eat, you need to get back to work." Lyle ordered, not even allowing Jarod a couple of hours of rest after the gruelling interrogations he had preformed for OHS.
"I know what I need to do." Jarod sighed, too tired to argue with him now.
"Mind your manners. Now shower, do not make me wait." Lyle ordered him, having left him just after the start of the interrogations to get some rest. Jarod had been doing it all day, all night and now it was just after 5 am, and the pretender still hadn't slept.
Climbing into the shower wearily, Jarod didn't waste any time. Despite the leash that Byrnes had Lyle on now, he was still causing trouble. It was a good feeling though, and he knew that no matter what, they couldn't take from him what he had done here today.
While Jarod was in the shower, Lyle ordered his breakfast up here so he could eat before getting back to work. With any luck, at the end of today, they could go back. This had gone on far too long now, much longer than the agreed upon original deal. But now it was basically over, so Lyle could get the rat back home where he belonged.
Emerging to the smell of food, Jarod dressed quickly. It would only be another day or two before things were finished here and he didn't want to go back. He would make an appeal to Byrnes to see if some kind of deal could be struck. Lyle was going to make him pay for everything and he couldn't count on Parker for protection.
When Jarod came back out, Lyle pointed to the meal on the table. All of his meals were either chicken or beef fillet with hot vegetables, always as plain and simple as possible. Lyle refused to let them give Jarod anything else. "Eat so we can go."
Jarod scoffed it down quickly, glad for even this change in his menu. It was hardly breakfast food, although he didn't care. It was hot, tasty and filled him up.
"We will, with any luck, be going home tonight Jarod. I do hope to see you on your best behaviour." Lyle warned.
Rolling his eyes at him, Jarod finished off his meal and got up, stretching. He really needed some sleep, but he guessed that was going to have to wait.
Narrowing his eyes at Jarod, Lyle left thigns alone for now, not willing to jeopardise anything right now, just bidding his time until the pretender was back in his cage, then Jarod would be sorry. A well-known smirk came to Lyle's face, as he imagined his time alone with a restrained pretender and looped camera. Opening the door, Lyle looked at Jarod, "Get going. I do not want to be here a minute longer than needed."
Moving out into the main area, Jarod did his best to ignore him, which wasn't always that easy. Still, there was work to get done, and he just simply focused on that.
Pulling the chair out for Jarod, he ordered him to get to work and waited until he was. With Jarod working away productively, Lyle moved towards an agent he'd had his eye on since the start and moved over to her with his most disarming, charming smile.
Diving back into the seemingly endless mountain of data, Jarod involved himself in the files, just glad Lyle was gone. He knew it wouldn't be long now before they didn't need him anymore and he was not looking forward to that at all. Although this had been no holiday here, and he was just as trapped, just as much of a prisoner, this was infinitely preferable to going back to the Centre.
Natasha had gotten there a little earlier today, being called up last night by another agent saying that they thought it might be almost over. Eager to work and finish this assignment up, Tash walked into the command room and saw Jarod already there. Plastering on a bright smile, she moved over to Jarod and sat down, "Good morning sunshine." She said cheerfully.
"Morning," Jarod smiled at her. He liked her a lot, in fact he liked everyone here. They were all dedicated hard workers and they treated him with respect.
"You look completely buggered Jarod." She said with worry before beaming brightly at him again, "Did you hear? The breakthrough with the suspects has worked out."
"It did?" Jarod smiled knowingly. "That's great," He nodded. "Really great."
"It is, it's just fantastic. We have all been working so hard on this. And Jarod," Natasha took his hands and looked into his eyes, "We couldn't have done this without you. I don't know who you are, and I'm damn curious, but this moved along so quickly once you started working with us."
"Only because of all the hard work and background research that had already been completed." Jarod smiled, glad that he had managed to actually pull it off. It felt so good to really be part of a team and valued as such.
"Want a coffee?" She asked, getting up without waiting. Grabbing two coffees, making sure Jarod's was extra, extra sweet, not knowing how he could drink it like that. Bringing it back, Tasha sat down and handed it to him. "Extra sweet with half a tonne of sugar in it."
"Thanks, you are a godsend." Jarod said, taking a long sip and savouring it. "It was a very long night."
"How come?" She asked him gently, having a look over his notes, making a few little corrections. His notes were always so complex and detailed, every single variable always accounted for and Tash just loved getting this insight into his mind.
"I interrogated them, took all day and all night, but I think we have what we need now." He looked up at her. "I hope."
Tash slapped his arm affectionately, "So you already knew the breakthrough with them worked out? We got what we needed." She gave him a teasing smile, while holding eye contact that lingered just that extra second that re-affirmed her interest in him.
"Not for certain, but I thought it probably would." Jarod finished his coffee.
"Have you gone to bed at all then Jarod?" She asked in worry over him. "You can't keep pushing yourself like this. All the extra long days and nights, it's going to get too much for you."
"No," He said dismissively. "Don't worry about it, there is still much to be done, it is not over yet."
"No, but you're no good to anyone if you don't sleep Jarod. Your mind and body will start going crazy on you Jarod, you'll shut down. I don't want you to get sick Jarod, just because you're not sleeping."
"You really don't need to worry about me. I know what my body can handle. I can easily go a few days without sleep, that is actually normal for me." He was tired, but not so tired that he couldn't function or concentrate, especially now the bulk of intense integration of multiple variables including the interrogations were completed.
"Jarod," Natasha scolded him, as if he were a little boy. "Sleep is the most important thing for everyone, including you."
"Not for me, I don't sleep well. Don't worry Natasha, I am used to it. I can function 3 or 4 days without sleep before my concentration starts to wane."
"Haven't you ever heard of sleep deprivation? It's more than concentration that suffers." She told him off. "Come on, if you won't sleep, you can relax. Let's go." Tash got up, grabbing his hand and pulling him to his feet.
"There really is a lot I need to get through." He said as she dragged him to his feet.
"It can wait half an hour while. You need a break. You know we did survive by ourselves before you came along. They can keep surviving with out you for another half hour Jarod."
"To do what?" Jarod asked, wondering what she had in mind. This entire place was geared to work and he knew there was recreation areas on other floors, but they were floors he didn't have permission to enter. For the most part, Jarod rarely gave in to self- pity anymore, but he couldn't help but feel at times like this that it seemed like it's always restrictions, never normalcy for him and for no reason other than having been born intelligent.
"Walk? Talk? Even a jog down the hallways." She suggested.
He had to refocus on his company, "A walk might feel good; I could do with a stretch." Jarod agreed, glad to have a chance to work some kinks out. He'd been stationary for much longer than he cared for. He felt best, when he was fit and knew it gave him an edge in dealing with the Centre and life in general.
"Come on then." She walked him out. "This should be over soon Jarod."
"Very soon," He agreed softly. That meant very different things for them though and he wished for the millionth time that he was living somebody else's life.
"I can't wait, then we can finally all relax for a while. Well, until the next national crisis. I hope you are coming to the party tonight, to celebrate." It seemed like there was always some danger, some national crisis or imminent conflict that needed to be resolved and prevented. It was just one big never-ending cycle. Stop one before the next one came along to be dealt with next, over and over again. But then again, that was what they signed up for and thrived on for many reasons.
"Party?" Jarod asked turning towards her. "What party?"
"Tonight, down the hall. To celebrate the capture of our suspects, and that we are out of danger, it's basically over. For now."
"Sounds like fun." Jarod told her. He couldn't see Lyle letting him go without crying to Byrnes though, that he had to get his pretender back to the Centre immediately.
"Great, I hope I will see you there about 8?" Tash asked hopefully, already thinking about what to wear to the party to impress Jarod.
"Sure, about 8." Jarod nodded as he stretched his muscles in the slow walk.
"It will be great Jarod, good for everyone to wind down from this."
"I imagine it has been a very long and difficult time for everyone."
"It has. It will be wonderful tonight though Jarod, get drunk, have some great party food, pig out and dance. Just completely relax for once."
Jarod wondered what it would feel like to completely relax, to be able to turn his mind off for just a moment and find some peace. He didn't share that though with her though. "It sounds great, can't hardly wait."
"Feeling a bit better now after our little walk?" Tasha asked, knowing they had to get back to work and finish this up.
"Yes, thank you, it was good to stretch a little." Jarod nodded, not really wanting to go back right now. She was pleasant company and it was nice to have a normal conversation with someone, just two co-workers.
"Do you get to stay here after this is finished Jarod?" She asked him softly, not wanting him to go.
"No, I am sure there will be another job to move onto." Jarod told her, not exactly lying. There would be another job, another SIM, there always was.
"That's too bad Jarod, really it is. I wish you could stay here. You're such good company and I really love spending time with you. Not to mention you're a great worker."
"Me too, but this was only a consult." Jarod told her as they made their way back to his desk.
Nodding a little, Natasha took his hand and gave it a little squeeze.
Jarod looked into her eyes and smiled before pulling his hand away. She was a nice girl, so young and eager to serve her country, do the right thing. He felt bad about lying to her, to all of them.
"If you need any help, more coffee or snacks or anything Jarod, I'm right over here." She looked at her empty hand and sighed softly before turning away to do her own work.
"I appreciate that." Jarod said warmly and turned back to his work.
Natasha had done herself up for the party, knowing everyone else would as well. Her normally softly curled hair was straightened, slightly heavier eye makeup on, a sexy little black dress and gorgeous heels. Getting there at 8:30 pm, she looked around and didn't see Jarod there yet. So she got a drink and started talking to some of her other friends.
"Let's go Jarod," Lyle ordered, very annoyed he needed to wait until later tonight to take Jarod home. But at least at this 'party' he had a real chance to talk to everyone, more so the women. A few he had his eye on and was hoping to get to know them better.
"I am coming." Jarod grumbled, his bid with Byrnes had failed and he would be going back to the Centre. Byrnes had compromised and allowed him to stay for the party, not that he was in much of a mood for it now. Still, these people deserved it, so he would do what he did best, he would pretend.
When Lyle and Jarod walked in, Tash grabbed another two drinks and headed over to Jarod, "Hey, you made it."
"Yes I did. You look lovely." Jarod smiled, taking one from her.
Plastering on the smile, trying to hide the hurt and disappointment that all he thought she was lovely. Natasha had quite a crush on Jarod, knowing it was silly, but couldn't help it. She had dressed to impress, and by the way Lyle was looking at her it had worked. But apparently not well enough for Jarod. Maybe he was gay or something. Natasha knew she wasn't beautiful like a supermodel, but she knew for a fact she looked god damn hot tonight and Jarod had barely even noticed her.
"Cheers," Jarod said, lifting his drink and smiling at her, trying to have a good time, despite everything.
"Cheers," Tasha said and swallowed the drink all at once. "You look 'lovely' as well Jarod." She commented.
"Thanks." He chuckled as he watched her, just sipping on his. He doubted he did though, he must have looked like a man who had been working very long hours and hadn't had anywhere near enough sleep. He knew the look well between nightmares, running from the Centre or being in the Centre or trying to escape from the Centre, he always ran on a sleep deficit.
Lyle was bored with looking at the lab-rat, not knowing when a woman had dressed to impress for him and turned to find someone who was more interesting.
Walking away, Tash went to get another drink, very disappointed, not knowing why she even bothered.
Jarod looked at her and frowned in confusion, then followed her. "Natasha, what is wrong?" He asked, concerned about her reaction.
Taking a sip of her drink, she smiled tightly at him, "Nothing, nothing at all. What could possibly be wrong?"
"Well, it is clear something is." Jarod told her, not understanding at all.
Shaking her head at him, "It doesn't matter Jarod. We are here for a good night."
"Was it something I said?" He worried that he had somehow offended her. She always seemed so relaxed and friendly and now she was being very cool towards him.
"No Jarod, just my own stupidity." Tasha smiled for him. "Drink up, time for relaxation and fun."
"I don't follow," Jarod told her, completely perplexed now.
"You don't need to. Come, I want to show you something." She walked off to the food table, waiting for him. Most men normally didn't follow anyway, so really he was no different from all the other guys she knew.
"All right," He said, although he knew something was up. Whatever it was though, it was clear she didn't want to talk about it and he wondered what had happened.
When they got to the table, she smiled at him, lifting the flap on the cardboard box, there were a bunch of donuts. "From Miami, you said you loved them. Everyone thought it was a nice little thank you to you."
"Ohh," Jarod flushed with surprise and pleasure. "That is… oh that is just wonderful, thank you so much." He smiled at her.
"You're most welcome." Tasha grinned back, taking one and munching on it, "These are very good aren't they?"
"They are very good," He nodded enthusiastically as he took a bite and sighed happily.
When they finished the donuts, Tasha looked up at him. She had had just enough to drink to make her slightly tipsy and a bit braver, and if Jarod was going home, she wanted to do this now. Hesitantly, she reached up to give him a soft kiss.
Jarod froze in surprise for a moment and then kissed her back tenderly, holding her for a long moment. It had been a long time since he had been touched with tenderness. Let alone kissed by a beautiful woman.
When Jarod kissed her back, it surprised Natasha quite a bit, having expected him to push her away. Melting into him, she kissed him gently, her hands resting on his chest softly. He felt so good, even though he was pretty skinny.
When they finally parted, Jarod looked at her with surprise and warmth, smiling softly as he touched her face gently. "Thank you," He whispered.
Laughing a little, leaning into his hand, "Thankyou isn't the normal response people get after kissing someone you know."
"I meant for the donuts," He teased her a little.
"Oh," The smile fell from her face, her eyes going to her hands still on his chest and stubbornly refused to move them. "We had them shipped all the way up here, just for you. I hope we got ones you like, since no knew really what sort you ate."
"They are all great," He said, wondering at her strange reaction again. "I am not very good at this am I?"
"No, you're not." But that made her smile brilliantly at him.
"And that pleases you?" He asked, getting even more confused now.
"No," Tash laughed softly.
"I don't understand." He said, grabbing some more food, far more interested in that than the drinks.
"You're no different from all the other males. Dense." Tash laughed softly and shook her head at him in amusement.
Jarod looked around at the gathering. "You have some of the finest analysts in the country here." Nothing about this conversation or her behaviour was making any sense to him at all.
Rolling her eyes, Tash just leant up and kissed him again, a little more courage this time.
Jarod let her kiss him, exploring her mouth gently, revelling in the intimacy, longing for it, knowing it couldn't be his.
When she pulled back, Tash tugged on his hand. "Come to one of the rooms with me?" She asked in a nervous whisper.
"Why?" Jarod asked, just as nervously.
"Privacy?" Natasha asked him with a smirk. Why else would they go to one of the rooms? Privacy was not something normally found in the building and what she hoped would happen needed privacy.
"Natasha," Jarod said in a whisper, fearfully looking around.
"Come on, bring the donuts if you like." She tugged on his hand again.
"I don't want the donuts," He whispered hoarsely.
"What do you want then?" Natasha asked mischievously as she managed to get Jarod moving.
"I don't know." Jarod whispered.
Dragging him out of the room, seeing no one really noticed them disappearing, Natasha led him back to one of the spare rooms on the level. "Natasha," She said as she scanned her hands, seeing the door open. Walking in, she shut the door and looked around. "A bit bland this room is isn't it?"
"What?" He asked, looking around at it wondering if that was important.
"Bland, boring, no taste." She shook her head at him. "They don't put much efforts into decorating them. But I guess no one really ever uses these rooms."
"What are they for?" Jarod asked, still not following her at all.
"When we have people like you or Lyle here, ones that aren't our agents and can't see the rest of the building." She pulled Jarod down onto the bed and gently kissed him again.
"Oh, I see," He said, not resisting her, although knowing he should, knowing this was not right.
Pulling back, Tash frowned a little at him. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing," Jarod said in a whisper.
"Jarod?" She asked again, concern written on her face.
"I will never see you again Natasha, are you sure you want to do this?" He whispered softly. He may be a little bit dense when it came to the romance department, but he wasn't that dense.
Nodding, that was why she wanted to do it. "I really like you Jarod, and if I am never going to see you again, I want something to remember you by. Not just work."
"But I cannot make a commitment to you." He said, looking into her eyes, touching her face gently once again. Jarod was not the kind of man who went for frivolous sex.
"I know Jarod, I understand. This is a one night stand really. But please, don't think you have to Jarod. I want you, have since I first saw you, really like you but I will understand if you don't feel the same way about me. I'm not really such a good person to like considering all those other women out in the world."
"I don't know many other women," Jarod confessed. "I like you just fine Natasha, just fine." He reached out and kissed the palm of her hand. Telling himself not to start this, he knew he shouldn't. He also knew he wanted to, needed to. Craving some form of intimacy with someone who actually wanted to be with him.
"You just haven't shown any interest other than me being someone you work with Jarod. Really it's fine if you don't want to be with me tonight." She whispered sadly as he kissed her palm, getting tingles through her. Natasha wouldn't ever push him into something the man didn't want to do.
"I am here to work Natasha, I have been concentrating on that, and I assumed workplace relationships would be frowned upon." He could feel the one drink loosening him up just a little, mostly though he was drunk on the tenderness, the real human contact.
"I just don't want to force you into anything you don't want to do. I would never want to do that to anyone." Natasha whispered, touching his face.
"You are so beautiful," Jarod whispered, just touching her face gently. He barely knew her, but knew her enough to know she was a good person, a caring person and she would be hurt when he left.
That was much better than being called lovely. Her hands moved to his chest and slowly began to unbutton his shirt. "You're not too bad yourself." Tasha joked.
Jarod grabbed both her wrists gently. "I can't offer you anything beyond this." He whispered hoarsely.
"I know." Natasha whispered, looking into his beautiful eyes. "I understand."
"I wish..." Jarod trailed off, kissing the wrist he was holding.
"You wish what Jarod?" She asked gently.
"I wish I had more time," He mumbled, working his way up her arm.
Shivering from his gentle kisses. "I wish you could just stay here and work longer Jarod." She agreed, her free hand sliding under his shirt to touch his chest.
Jarod wasn't listening to her any longer though, just concentrating on the sensations, butterfly kissing her all the way up to her neck, working slowly, as if he had all the time in the world.
Titling her neck to let him have more access, Natasha used her now free hand to help him out of his shirt. Pushing him gently on the bed, she straddled his waist and started to kiss his chest and stomach, her hands gently caressing him where her mouth wasn't.
Working his hands gently over her body, anywhere he could touch, Jarod let himself go, gave into his feelings and just let it happen.
Shifting down, Tash undid his pants and gently pulled them off, then his boxers and looked him up and down, "You look lovely," She giggled a little.
"Should I be upset by that?" He asked, remembering her reaction to his compliment.
"No, you shouldn't." Natasha whispered honestly, leaning over him to give him a deep kiss. Pulling back, she stood up again and undid her dress, letting it fall to the ground and pool around her ankles. Standing in front of him in her high heels, boy leg panties and her bra, she waited anxiously to see what Jarod thought of her. She wasn't skinny like those super models were, she had curves to her. Nice hips, actually had a butt unlike half those models did and her breast were full and natural. She hoped Jarod wouldn't be disappointed in her.
Jarod let his eyes run over her hungrily and he reached out to touch her silken skin with a hand that was trembling slightly. It had been so very long since he had touched a woman like this before. His sexual experience was very limited, but that only made a difference in anticipation, when he kept thinking about it. Intellectually, Jarod knew that once he could let go, relax and allow his own instincts to take over, it would be easier to let his mind take the night off. Easier said than done. So far, he was still nervous. Everything else came so easy for him but with sex and intimacy, he felt like he was on his own without a net. It wasn't so much the mechanics, he knew what went where and what felt good to both genders. He didn't know how he felt about casual sex, the one night stand he'd heard about. He didn't want to hurt Tash, but she seemed to want to go ahead. He figured he did too; he was so desperate to be held and touched gently for a change.
Seeing him trembling a little, Natasha looked at him in worry, "Jarod, what's wrong, are you ok?" She whispered. She liked Jarod, knew him, but not well enough to guess if something was wrong, or this was how he always acted.
"You are so beautiful," He whispered, touching her as if she might break.
Smiling softly, she came to kneel over Jarod's legs now he was sitting up. Undoing her bra, she tossed it aside and gently ran her fingers over Jarod's shoulders, wanting to touch him, feel him.
Jarod moved to cup her breast in his mouth, closing his eyes as his hands worked her skin very gently.
Moaning, she arched her back. Her hands moved into his hair and started to rub his scalp gently.
They had spent... Tash realised she didn't even know how long, but they had spent a long time just discovering each others bodies. Touching and kissing and feeling one another. The sex had been soft and gentle, very tender and could see how much Jarod loved it, how desperate he was for a gentle touch. When she came strongly, feeling Jarod had come as well, she looked up at him with a silly smile.
Jarod grinned back at her, crookedly and pulled her close to him, needing the feel of her, wanting to lose himself in her for as long as possible. He craved intimacy and gentleness like some people craved caffeine or cigarettes.
Holding him tightly, Tash kissed his neck tenderly. "That was wonderful Jarod."
"Yes," He agreed, not knowing how to let her go now.
"I could go with you." Tash whispered, holding Jarod tightly. This only made Natasha want to be with this incredibly beautiful man even more than before.
"No Tash, don't say that." He kissed her gently to silence her.
When the kiss was broken, she looked at him, "Why?"
"You have a good life here, you make a difference." The thought of exposing her to the life he lived was intolerable.
"But Jarod, it's so lonely." She whispered, her head on his chest now. Natasha had her friends, and the very few occasional boyfriends. But with her job, not being able to talk about it, it always caused stress and drove any boyfriend or friend away. The only people she could be friends with were here doing this job, and they were always so busy as well.
"It won't always be this way, you will find someone to make you happy." Jarod predicted.
"I doubt that. With the stress of this job, not being able to speak about it or tell them what I do, it does not bode well for a happy relationship. Trust me, I know."
"I am sure you do." Jarod kissed her gently once more. "We should..." He looked at the door reluctantly.
"No Jarod, not yet. Please, just a little while longer?" She pleaded with him. She hadn't had someone hold her, want her for so long now, she had missed it terribly.
"Alright," Jarod agreed, pulling her close to him. He wanted to hold her forever, forgetting about his life and what waited for him outside of that room.
"I wish you didn't have to go Jarod." Natasha whispered, holding him tightly, relishing in the feel of his arms around her.
"Shhh," Jarod soothed her, feeling her heartbeat against his own chest.
Nodding, Natasha breathed deeply of him and kissed him deeply before settling down on his chest and closing her eyes.
Jarod wished he could stay here forever. He knew it was a fantasy though, and that was something he couldn't afford to indulge in. He held her though, not letting her know anything was wrong, just soaking it all up and storing it all away, every moment of it.
Lyle finally found where Jarod was hiding and opened the door. Looking at the naked pretender and girl on the bed, who seemed to be in deep sleep, he looked back to Jarod, eyeing his naked body up and down. "Seems you know how to use that piece of equipment after all." Lyle chuckled in amusement.
Jarod jerked, tightening his arms protectively around her when he saw Lyle. This was the very last thing he wanted him seeing, knowing he would turn it into something cheap and tawdry.
"Found yourself a nice piece of meat to play with it seems," Lyle eyed the sleeping woman off, realising it was Natasha.
"You are despicable," Jarod said softly.
"And you have no right to be screwing anyone. You are our property, and no one gave you permission." Lyle scolded him.
Jarod glared at him hatefully, praying Natasha stayed asleep.
"Get your pathetic arse off that bed. We are going home now." Lyle ordered eyeing the woman up and down. Not really his tastes, but she would have done him quite well if he had been forced to here any longer.
Jarod nodded to himself and took a deep breath. "If you would give us a minute, I will be right out Lyle."
"It's Mr Lyle to you. Now do it!" He ordered, folding his arms, his eyes roaming over her. Anything to further taunt Jarod.
"If you don't want to make this take any longer, Mr Lyle, you will allow me to say goodbye." Jarod warned. Lyle had pushed him about as far as he was going to be able to tolerate.
"Goodbye?" Lyle scoffed, "Not likely. Get out, get dressed before I call those guards in to do it for you. And what a lovely parting scene that will be for her. The last time she sees you will be you being dragged off by the guards."
"Just give me a few minutes Lyle, we can avoid a long drawn out scene, which I can assume you do not want."
Walking to the door, he opened it to see the two guards waiting, "Get him off that bed and out of this room now and ready him for transport." Lyle ordered, watching them advance on Jarod.
"Belay that order." Byrnes said, moving into the room. "Out, all of you, now!" Byrnes snapped, doing his best not to notice their state of undress.
Natasha stirred as she heard the voices and slowly opened her eyes, curling more into Jarod before she realised that Mr Lyle and Agent Byrnes were there too. "Get out!" She shrieked, fumbling to find the covers to hide herself, but they both were laying on top of them.
"Now Mr Lyle!" Byrnes barked at him, ready to forcibly drag him out
Yanking his arm away, "Don't you touch me." He seethed at the man.
Picking the pillows up, she threw them at Lyle and Byrnes, "OUT! NOW! GET OUT!!" She screamed at both men, her face bright red. "And don't just lay there Jarod, get them the hell out!" She shoved at Jarod, completely humiliated and shocked. The very last thing she had wanted was her boss and Mr Lyle, the guards as well seeing her butt naked with a very naked Jarod.
Byrnes nodded to his guards and stepped back
Lyle was hit in the head with a pillow and smiled easily at her, "You're sexy when you're angry." He complimented and stepped out the room a little. It was something he had always told his sister, and it was very true. A lot of women were incredibly sexy when they got angry.
Jarod was trying desperately to get something to cover her with and finally managed to yank the blanket out enough to wrap around her. Deeply mortified, he shifted his weight so his body would shield hers.
Seeing Lyle leave, Natasha threw the last pillow at Byrnes, "GET OUT!" She shouted as he trailed out behind Lyle.
"I am so sorry," Jarod whispered to her as the door finally shut.
Calming her breathing down, feeling her face was bright red, Tash looked at Jarod. "It's not your fault."
"Here," Jarod handed her clothes back to her, and quickly dressed himself, knowing Lyle would be chomping at the bit to get back in here. When she was dressed again, he kissed her very tenderly, all the longing and feeling he had went into that kiss.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Tash melted into the kiss, her eyes closing. Pulling back after a long time, she rested her head against him. "I wish you didn't need to go back to your other work Jarod. I am going to miss you."
"I am going to miss you too," He said, barely breathing at the pain of parting. He smiled at her though and then touched her face once again, very gently, memorising her features. He knew now why he had never let himself get involved again. It was just too hard to say goodbye and he wasn't the type to go for something casual.
Closing her eyes at his soft hands, leaning into the touch. "Maybe we will need your help again soon. There is always some danger looming that needs to be prevented."
"Let's hope for a national disaster to loom then." Jarod smiled and took her hand, kissing her fingertips. "I won't forget you, I promise."
"You better bloody not." Tash grinned up at him, kissing his lips gently. "See, wasn't it better to have this one night than nothing at all? Something to look back on and smile?" Tash firmly believed the very old quote, 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all' and that's what's happened here."
"You take care of yourself Tash, promise me."
"I promise." She smiled sadly at him. "You too Jarod, don't work yourself this hard again, don't give me a reason to worry over you for years to come."
"I won't," He lied with warm smile and kissed her once again, deeply and with longing before he pulled away from her. "Tash?"
"Yeah Jarod?" She asked her fingers gently caressing his cheek.
"You looked spectacular in that dress." He smiled as he turned away, realising now that she had been disappointed with his reaction. He moved to the door, knowing if he didn't Lyle would barge in. At least this way he could maintain the illusion that he was nothing more than he appeared to be, a special consultant.
Smiling broadly at that, she watched Jarod walk away sadly. One night was better than nothing she reminded herself.
When Jarod was outside, Lyle grabbed him roughly. "Get moving rat, time to go home." He growled angrily and frustrated. If they had been at the Centre, Jarod would have had no choice but to have done what he had said. Lyle couldn't wait to get back home.
"I'm coming," Jarod mumbled. The place was practically empty now, the party must have wound down and they had mostly all gone home he supposed. He looked at Byrnes who dropped his eyes and seemed to find anything else more interesting.
Walking him to the door that left the building, Lyle grabbed the cuffs from one of the guards and snapped them on behind Jarod's back tightly. "Shackle him." Lyle ordered, watching as they did so.
"We will transport you both back to the Centre and I will have a meeting tomorrow with Miss Parker to finalise the payment and compensation for the extra days." Byrnes told them, wishing it didn't have to be this way. He hated this but had been blocked at every turn in trying to secure Jarod into their custody.
"I am sure she will be just as glad as I am to get the pretender back in his cell." Lyle slipped the hood over Jarod and tied it tightly around his neck. It was lose enough to allow air in, but it was a lot tighter than necessary around his neck. True to form, Lyle just wanted to prove a point and re-enforce his dominant position over Jarod.
Jarod fought the panic, and managed not to embarrass himself this time, thinking about Natasha's pretty face, her eyes, the sound of her voice and he used that to calm himself as he waited.
"Well Mr Lyle, I bet you will be glad to be out of here too." Byrnes said, handing him a hood as well.
Taking it, willing to wear it if it got them out of here, "Yes I am. I have a lot of 'work' to catch up back at the Centre, don't I Jarod?" He smiled at the hooded man.
Jarod didn't bother answering, just standing there, focusing on what he had done here, the friends he had made, mostly through Natasha.
Lyle slipped the hood over his own head, "Let's go, I want to get back to the Centre."
"I will be in touch." Byrnes promised him. He had provided Mr Lyle with some security enhancements, which they would install tomorrow for them, as part of the compensation package.
"I am sure you will be. Goodnight Agent Byrnes." Lyle said and felt the guards walking them out, glad to be going back.
Byrnes watched them both go sadly and vowed he would lobby the congress and senators that knew about this to get Jarod released into their custody, give the poor man some chance at half a life, which he bet was much better than the pretender would be facing in a few short hours.