Disclaimer: The following story is based on characters from the Pretender series. No copy write infringement is meant and no money is being made.

Author's note: This is a short story—very short. I hope that all who do me the honor of reading this truly like it.

Opportunities

Chapter I

By Callisto

They were in the middle of an argument when she realized how much he had come to mean to her. His reappearance in her life was an unexpected shock. She had assumed that he would stay clear of her because of the Centre. He was still on the run from the powers that be who were eager to have him return to do their bidding. Abruptly, she paused and allowed him to continue debating unchallenged. It took him only a few seconds to realize he was pressing his point to a suspiciously quiet audience.

Looking up and giving her a curiously insouciant look, he asked, "What's the matter? You usually argue me into the ground and then resort to physical violence when you're on the verge of losing. I hope you're not giving up this easily."

"Oh right. I believe I've lost a total of 1 argument with you. The unprepared mind should never try to challenge a sharper wit.' That's a Parkerism given free of charge," she replied with a toothy, though genuine smile.

"I let you win those other times," he said laughingly. Sobering quickly at the distant look in her eyes, he continued, "What is it that has you so pensive?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all," said she trying to shake off her unintentional gravity. "Are you hungry? I brought a roast with you in mind."

Her companion continued to stare at her with deepening concern. He had taken care in insinuating himself back into her life. Before, they had been strangers, now they were much more than that but the look in her eyes signaled the return of her prior caution and her elaborate web of emotional defense mechanisms.

At his extended silence she looked over at him, he usually answered quickly when the question has anything to do with his stomach. Irritated impatience laced her voice once she spotted the look in his eye and she responded sharply, "Stop staring. You're acting like a 10-ton gorilla just walked into the room with my face on it." Realizing her sharp tone of voice, she silently kicked herself for wearing her feelings so openly and got up from her comfortable seat angrily, "I'll set the table." Pausing unexpectedly she looked at him and continued petulantly, "That is unless my pensiveness has ruined your appetite."

He narrowed his eyes at this barb, then continued to stare at her silently. After the long pause, he replied with a small smile, "I'm hungrier than you can imagine. I just hope you've made enough for two." She returned his smile and walked into the kitchen to finish preparing their dinner.

A few hours later, the two were relaxing in her living room, both satisfied with the dinner though to varying degrees. He was stuffed. As a rule, he enjoyed her dinners immensely and this time around, he could tell she put in extra care. The urge to belch appreciatively almost overwhelmed him. Instead, he controlled his emission and placing a stifling fist to his mouth, allowed the stomach gas leak from his mouth as the food settled more comfortably in his belly.

"I've never seen anyone eat like that. I have plenty you know, you didn't have to Hoover it like there would be no tomorrow," she said with an amused expression.

"With the way my life has been and with the Centre still looking for me, I've learned it's always best to take advantage of a good thing while it's sitting right in front of you. That was an excellent meal you know."

"Speaking of which, you're taking an awful chance coming here. I'm usually watched, though as of late, they've tried to become less predictable," she said softly. The silence of anticipation enveloped them as they found themselves staring at each other. When she realized the look he was giving her, she started laughing with sudden delight. "I'll pack up some of the roast for you to take with you, tonight."

"I can't stay? I was hoping after a meal like that, I would be allowed to hang out until morning," he complained. Frustrated at the whiny quality in his voice, he said, "Out with it. What is it you've wanted to say to me since you came home?"

"Finding a grown man camped out on my bed, remote in one hand and a Pepsi in the other, watching TV is still something I'm trying to adjust to."

"I've done it before and you've never complained about it. But that's not what you have to say. You want me to stop coming by, don't you?" he accused sadly.

Leaning forward, concern rimming her gray eyes, she replied, "They still want you, that hasn't changed. I think they know how I feel about you, they would be fools not to know. If Raines ever got his claws into you again, I would be forced to do something that would deprive you of yet another person in your life and I don't want that to happen either."

"You say that as though you don't really mind making the sacrifice. There is one thing I want to be clear about: I don't want you to do that. I love you. I'm not ashamed to say that. You're beautiful, brilliant and I'm comfortable around you. All I'm asking is that you keep me updated on when you'll be chasing after a false lead so I won't show up and almost get caught by some sweepers trying to re-bug your house."

"That's what I'm talking about. You have to be more careful and the best way for you to do that is to avoid me like the plague I am. I've already lost too many people in my life that I've learned to care about. I can't. No, I won't let that happen again."

"Sorry, but you're stuck with me," he replied stubbornly. At her defeated expression, he looked at her closed eyes and said, "Hey, blame yourself. Somehow you got me to like you. I still don't know how you managed that feat but I think it was a combination of your winning personality and ultra-comfortable bed."

The result was what he had been looking for: she opened her eyes. Shaking her head in disgust she stated, "Yeah, that's what I get for filling your stomach. Okay, wise-guy, you can spend the night but you had better be out of here by 7:00am. I'm going out of town early on one of those fruitless leads. I don't think we'll be back for a few days. And I had better not find all my food gone when I get back." His brilliant smile worked to remove another miniscule chunk of the glacier that protectively surrounded her heart.

Weller Foods' dilapidated warehouse - Several days later

Mason Hollow, MA

As he entered the warehouse, the sounds of someone whistling happily greeted him. It was a welcome sound that caused him to smile and hurry towards the source. Taking the stairs two at a time, he leapt up to the second floor to another of his senses being agreeably assaulted--food being expertly grilled made his mouth water. Without a word, Jarod walked over to the place where some of the prepared food was being packed up as if being readied for a picnic. He sampled a bite size morsel and groaned appreciatively.

"Hey, keep out of there. I'm preparing this meal special for a very hardworking lady you keep thwarting."

"So I see. She should be back in soon. Tenacious doesn't begin to describe her, though she's looking a bit more careworn as of late," he said amenably.

Ethan smiled to himself as he heard the admiration and hidden concern in his older brother's voice. He didn't need the voices to tell him that underneath it all, Jarod shared an unusual, personal connection with his huntress. For their own survival, each had sublimated their mutual attraction but the voices assured him that soon their defense mechanisms would no longer be needed. "Either she came close to catching you or you're slipping, which is it? How was she?"

"Neither, your Prickly Pear of a sister is just fine. I barely got out of Taos without her seeing me. That inner sense you two share will be the death of me yet," Jarod answered easily. His tone belied the seriousness of the situation while conveying to Ethan that Jarod was never in any imminent danger from his Centre executive sister. When his brother remained quiet, Jarod looked at Ethan and said, "You know it's dangerous for you to continue seeing her in Blue Cove. If Raines gets wind of it, he'll do whatever it takes to imprison you in the Centre."

"Don't worry big brother, I take precautions." At Jarod's skeptical glance, Ethan said, "For example, I never meet her outside. We're always inside." Jarod's doubtful expression remained fixed despite Ethan's assertions. The younger man laughed and stated, "Did you know she has a big screen TV in her bedroom? It's hidden in an armoire and gets the best reception. And that bed! I don't think I've ever been so comfortable in my life."

"The TV must be new," Jarod mumbled grudgingly. He had been in Parker's house and searched it numerous times and never found anything like that. In truth, Jarod was just a tad bit jealous of his younger brother. He had the type of access to Parker that he himself had been denied. It had been only recently when he realized that he wanted more from her, and that she had more to offer. The idea he might have a chance with her was a notion he had scarcely entertained before—before Carthis. Looking at what his younger brother was doing, Jarod asked, "What do you have planned for tonight?" He sincerely didn't want his doomed wishes to get in the way of Ethan's efforts to become closer to his half-sister. The twisted familial relationships they shared could only occur courtesy of the Centre. The fact that Jarod wasn't related to his half-brother's, half-sister remained confusing to the uninitiated.

With enthusiasm, Ethan said, "I have a sort of fondue type of set-up planned. For the first part, I want to test her taste buds to see if she can guess what it is she's eating. She claims to be an expert, well, we'll just have to see about that. I've spent some time thinking about this and I've thrown in a few curves for my own amusement."

"All she'll have to do is take a look at what's on her plate."

"Ah, she won't be able to do that while she's blind folded. I've got her cold and she'll have to concede defeat," Ethan said with fond smugness.

"Sounds like you've lost a few arguments," Jarod said sympathetically. "Mind if I watch? I promise to stay out of sight so she won't be distracted."

Ethan paused and turned to look at his half-brother. He had long accepted that what the voices in his head told him were always accurate. What surprised him now was to see their wisdom up close and without personal trauma. He nodded thoughtfully at his brother while he listened to the whispers in his mind.