Angel Sight: Eyes on the Prize
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor claim to own The Pretender or any characters mentioned herein the plot is all I can claim, no infringement is intended, and no money will be made.
Author's Note: It's my contention that Miss Parker has always had some version of the Inner Sense but in the form of visions. I think we saw it in the episode, 'Toy Surprise' when she asked her mother to help her find a way out of the Sim Lab and then she had a memory of giving Angelo his first box of Cracker Jack. And again in 'Wake Up' when Tommy died, in Miss Parker's dream conversation with her mother as he was being murdered. But I'm not saying anymore. You will see more of this as the story goes on.
Timeline: This takes place shortly after Island of the Haunted.
Spoilers: Countdown, Ranger Jarod
His scent was the first thing she smelled when she entered the Summer House. After years of entering even some of the most disgusting places, she grown accustomed to Jarod's scent. Or maybe it wasn't his scent. She would know when he was in a room or if had ever had been there somehow. If it wasn't her Centre training then perhaps it was her Inner Sense.
Ever since their adventure on Carthis, it had heightened more and more. Dreams, even waking dreams were becoming frequent. None of them ever made any sense just jumbled pictures of the past. Some were nightmares that threw her out of bed at night and into a scotch bottle and an aching head and ulcer the next morning. Of course Sydney had to have his say about how she took care of herself.
'Damn it, Parker!' he'd said, 'If you don't want to take of yourself for you then do it for those around you! There are others who care for you! Other people besides Mr. Parker!'
Sydney's outburst left her thinking. She hadn't even realized that she was grieving for Mr. Parker. When she'd gotten back to the Centre from Scotland, Raines had her jumping through hoops every free moment that she wasn't chasing Jarod all over the country. All the while, Lyle who had proven his loyalty to the new Chairman and wannabe Parker matriarch by giving up a minor body part was hobnobbing with Triumvirate visitors and riding her for results.
Miss Parker headed for the Christmas tree, knowing it had to be a gift. 'I guess I better see what the Genius left me this time.'
Her years as a cleaner had made her extremely to things out of place. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the small rabbit ornament which she had left lying on its side to dry but which was now sitting on top of the "Ghost of Christmas Future."
"Is this where I'm supposed to change my evil ways, Jarod?"
She sat on the sofa, picked up the file, and opened it to find the Last Will and Testament of Mr. Parker. She gasped.
While scanning the words, her phone rang. Ms. Parker shook her head and answered with an amused, "Yes?"
"God bless us everyone! It does seem like even the hardest of individuals can do the right thing. Daddy left you quite a tidy sum."
"My ears must be deceiving me. You're softening on, Da-ddy?"
"I wouldn't go that far!" He complained. "But there's no doubt he loved you."
Parker was speechless. She knew it took a lot for Jarod to give even an inch on how he felt about her father after all the evil he'd done to him. She hated to owe Jarod anything. "Thank you for this, Jarod. I was getting nowhere trying to… You have no idea how frustrating…" Miss Parker's voice broke off while she tried to find the words.
"Don't mention it. I know how Centre plays games. I am a Centre Lab Rat, y'know!"
Miss Parker almost felt bad for calling him that all these years until she realized that Jarod had taken it on as a term of endearment. "And Merry Christmas to you, Lab Rat. I feel bad that I didn't get you anything." She joked.
"You got me more than you realize, Miss Parker. Perhaps we should start a tradition, you and I. I can send you an ornament every Christmas, one for every good memory. Kind of like that twelve days of Christmas song."
"You mean, 'My True Love Sent to Me'?"
"Well, I'm not sure I can find any Lords a Leaping but I can try."
Miss Parker knew she had to shut this down before they veered into dangerous territory. "I…I should go."
She could feel Jarod smirk through the phone. "Yes, I suppose you should. You know you could have just hung up like you always do. But you didn't. I think I'm finally making progress. That gives me hope for the future, Miss Parker. Goodbye."
Parker was thrilled and upset with herself at the same time. She mockingly berated herself. "How could you be so stupid? What part of the phrase, 'he runs, you chase' did you not understand?"
The Centre Lobby – Blue Cove Delaware
Lyle stands with members of Triumvirate and holding a very entertaining conversation. From across the lobby Mr. Raines looks on and Willie is not far behind him.
"I'm beginning to regret that I've given him the position I have. At least I can count on Miss Parker to be dark and morose."
Lyle sees his 'biological father' and waves cheerfully. Raines rolls his eyes and wheels his way into his new office.
Sim Lab
Miss Parker dressed to kill walks into the lab finds Sydney and Broots with Angelo. Sydney is handing Angelo an assortment of odd items on from a table. Angelo concentrates on them one by one.
"Trying to get the winning Lotto numbers from Miss Cleo, Syd?"
Miss Parker nods at Angelo when she sees him tense him up. He immediately relaxes feeling nothing but warmth from an old friend.
"We're simply trying an old technique, examining some items from Jarod's recent lairs, hoping to anticipate his movements with Angelo's gift."
Miss Parker frowned. "C'mon, Syd, we've been down this road before. That technique gets us nowhere. Anyway, we don't need to run off onto dead-ends this close to the holidays. You all have families to be with, don't you?"
They both nodded and Broots answered first. "Debbie volunteered to cook this year. She's been watching the Food Network for two weeks now. I'm just afraid we're going to be eating this holiday dinner for six months."
Everyone laughed.
"Michelle has invited me to have dinner with her and Nicholas. It seems he has a certain young lady coming home with him."
"That's wonderful, Syd" Miss Parker said shyly.
"Come with me, Parker. Don't be alone this Christmas!" urged Sydney.
"I won't be. Nothing is more important than family." She said cryptically.
"Please say you're not spending Christmas with Mr. Lyle!" Broots groaned.
"Oh, as if!" She winced, "Lyle's good at carving but turkey ain't his expertise. I told you I won't be alone for Christmas. I have plans. Now let's just wrap all this up."
"Anyone special?" Sydney asked curiously.
"Very."
"But Miss Parker," Broots interrupted, "considering the way Mr. Lyle is been riding your ….umm …backside shouldn't we be trying everything we can to get something?"
"I'll worry about my backside, thanks."
From the entrance of the Sim Lab, Mr. Lyle had heard Broots comment and replied. "If I were you, I would try anything and everything to get results, considering the half assed attempts you've made to capture Jarod lately."
Miss Parker refused to miss a beat. "Meaning?"
"How many more years are you going to allow Jarod to slip through your fingers, Sis?" Lyle walked up to his sister until they were eye to eye. Sydney and Broots could only stand back to watch the deadly rivalry.
"Is that what I'm doing?" she spat.
"I have wondered."
"Don't you have a Triumvirate goon to suck up to today?"
Lyle laughed. "Jealousy doesn't become you, Miss Parker. Now Dior on the other hand…What would you like better for Christmas…"
"Save your gifts for our new daddy. Is he really buying your routine yet?"
Lyle smirked again. It amused him so much this verbal dance with his twin. Some day they were going to have to take this much further. He really looked forward to that. "Oh right, that brings me back to the reason for my visit. You're shutting down early to have turkey and mistletoe, while Jarod skips around free as a bird? I think your priorities are out of whack again."
Suddenly, Miss Parker was transported back in time. Flashes of memory assaulting her.
Mr. Raines had sneaked into her office as she ogled a nude picture that Thomas took of himself and put in her date book.
A necessary evil considering your ongoing lack of success.
Your work has become unfocused. Perhaps you're too distracted with personal affairs?
Priorities, Miss Parker! Priorities, Miss Parker!
"What the hell is wrong with you! Are you even listening to me!" Lyle shouted at her.
As smoothly as possible Parker came back to the present and stood up to him. "Yes, you were saying?"
Lyle was incensed at her ignoring him and got into her face and whispered. "Priorities, Parker!"
"I know what mine are, Lyle."
"I'm betting you're thinking that the number one priority is family." Lyle smiled. It was the same smile he had when thought of his prey at his mercy. It made Parker's skin crawl.
He came closer so as not to let the two other men hear and whispered to her. "I wanted you to know that your access to our little brother is denied until further notice. So in case you thought you were spending Christmas with him. Forget it!"
Lyle turned to leave the lab. Clearly taken aback, Parker was not letting him leave on that note. She had ammunition to fight with thanks to Jarod! Out of earshot of the two below, Sydney and Broots witness Miss Parker throw her twin against the wall.
"You don't have the right to keep me from him, Lyle! According to Daddy's will, I'm his legal guardian!" She threatened.
"I'll just bet you got a copy of Mr. Parker's will from a certain Pretender that we all know! Which make me wonder whose side you are playing on?"
"You don't want to play games with me, Lyle. I'm Tommy's guardian."
"I still can't believe you named him after your dead carpenter."
"I think four months is enough time for a child to go without a name! Anyway I thought it the best revenge since Brigitte was the one who pulled the trigger!"
"The boy has a name, Master Parker. All Parkers are addressed by their surname. Except by their family. By the way, Sis, you never did tell me your first name."
"If I ever tell you it'll be last thing you ever say!"
"Oh well. Anyway access is still denied. I've got attorneys too. Attorneys that could challenge the boy's paternity. We both know that Mr. Parker was incapable of fathering any offspring. Brigitte and I … Well I don't have to draw you a map."
"You son of a …"
"Careful you don't want to insult Mom! Even if you had a mind to take this to court, which you'd be fool to do. No one would give you custody of a child. You are totally unfit."
"Me?"
"With your lifestyle? You travel constantly. Carry a weapon. The way that you drink! You have chronic health problems. You've never had any lasting relationships. And you'd never pass a psych exam! Any therapist can see you're still affected by our mother's death. You're a mess! Now take me. I'm a much more stable influence."
"You're a psychotic serial-killing cannibal!"
"But can you prove it?"
Not able to take it anymore, Miss Parker went for Mr. Lyle's throat. Sydney and Broots saw her actions and ran up the steel stairs to pull her off Lyle.
All this time Lyle did nothing but laugh at his twin's frustration and anger.
Angelo couldn't help but hone in on the emotional turmoil in Miss Parker and the darkness coming from Mr. Lyle. "Dark Twin," He said to himself as he watched. "Mr. Lyle, Dark Twin."
Knowing she'd keep this secret torture to herself, Lyle drew himself as though nothing had happened. "Keep your eyes on the prize, Parker. Let's see some progress by New Year's and perhaps, just perhaps things may change for you." Just before he left wistfulness crept over him. "Like I said before you are beautiful when you're angry."
In the hall outside, Lyle's cell phone rang. He took it out and swiftly ducked into abandoned corridor. He looked around to see that he was alone, knowing who it would be.
"I'm ready to begin my plan to bring Jarod in. Yes. Just remember our deal. I bring you Jarod, I run the Centre. No more Raines and no more Miss Parker! Then everybody's happy!"
Hanging up his phone, Lyle walks away.
Parker was still shaking with anger when Sydney put her into his office chair. Angelo followed closely behind the three.
"Mr. Lyle, Dark Twin" he mumbled again.
"Yes, Angelo. His heart is blacker than the dark side of the moon!" She roared.
Sydney brought her a cup of water. "Drink this Parker."
"I'm fine."
"Drink it, Parker!" He said forcefully.
She took it obediently as Sydney turned to Broots. "Broots why don't you take Angelo back to his space?"
Knowing what was coming Parker tried to head it off, "I'm not in the mood for a session on your couch, Freud!"
Broots took Angelo by the arm and led him out, getting while the getting was good.
Sydney pulled up a chair in front of Miss Parker.
"I don't want to talk about Lyle, Syd!"
Sydney merely nodded his head in agreement, sat back, and crossed his arms. "Alright."
Parker knew that was too easy.
"Why don't you tell me about the waking dream you experienced a few minutes ago?"
Her heart sank. She knew Sydney had been watching her and had been concerned. Until now he'd never questioned her about her recent lapses.
"You've had them before Parker. Right in front of us. You seem to be go blank for seconds to minutes at a time. Where do you go? What do you see?"
"Sydney, it's nothing!" Parker set the cup down and put her head in her hands.
"Parker, this isn't 'nothing'. This is your gift, Inner Sense. You've always had this! It's just…returning."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I guess I can tell you now that your father is no longer here to threaten me. Mr. Parker once asked me to treat you as a patient."
Her head snapped up at that. "What?"
Sydney put his hand up to calm her reactions. "Let me start at the beginning. I'll tell you all I know."
"You'd better!"
Sydney got up and went to his filing cabinet and pulled out small folder. "I was never allowed to collect much data on you, Miss Parker. But what was done is mostly in here."
Miss Parker's brow furrowed in confusion. "But you never knew I was Red File. Did you, Sydney?"
"No. Most of this I gathered over the years. Conversations that I had with your parents that made me question Catherine's denials about you."
"What conversations?"
"When you were about three years old, Catherine was worried that you were going into short trances. You had nightmares, waking dreams. She thought you might be signs of autism. She wanted me to examine you, secretly. Mr. Parker had already told her it was nothing to worry about. He was convinced that you had a talent like hers, the Inner Sense. But your mother was certain that it was something quite peculiar. And that Mr. Parker had "expected it of you." Did you know how you got the nickname, Angel?"
"Yes, Daddy told me because I saw him about to fall off a ladder."
"Parker, you saw him fall off the ladder in one of your waking dreams. Then you rushed to warn him."
"Sydney, are you saying I'm some sort of seer? That's not possible!"
"You believed it when you saw your mother in that burning subway tunnel."
At this Miss Parker said nothing. She remembered how vividly that vision had become a premonition of Ethan coming to save her. "So Daddy knew I had this?"
"Yes. Looking back now it seemed he was developing it all along."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember the sexuality experiment when you and Jarod first met?"
"Of course."
"I remember thinking how odd it was that Mr. Parker had invited all those members of the Triumvirate to see a boy get his first glimpse at a girl, even if he was a pretender and she was most enchanting."
Miss Parker thought back to that time.
A boy was stuck behind glass looking at her with curious but delighted eyes. She was frightened and shy but with false bravado made her way to the plexiglass as she'd been instructed to do. There were so many people in the room. Daddy hadn't said there'd be so many people. She wished her mother was there. But Daddy had said it was their secret. Something fun for just them. But it didn't feel like fun.
The boy put his hand to the glass in expectation. The monitors screamed the racing rhythm of his heart. She could feel every beat. She could feel every heart in the room. Her own heart was exploding out of her chest. She could feel everyone's eyes peer right through her.
'I can't do it this way. I can't do it this way, Daddy.'
She looked at her father standing at the far door. Maybe he'd come and rescue her. But he simply nodded for her to proceed.
'I've got to try.'
She looked at the boy's hand. It was small like her own. Not so big. She could focus on the lines and indentures. But nothing happened.
'This isn't going to work. I can't do it this way. I can't do it this way!' she screamed in her head as she lifted her hand to the boy's.
"You're a girl." the boy said.
She nodded dumbly. Not knowing what to do or say but, just focused on his hand.
"My name is Jarod. What's your name?
'Please don't ask that!' She thought in fear. Her father had made it clear to everyone at the Centre that they should address her as Miss Parker. Now even adults seemed afraid to talk to the Chairman's daughter. Even to say good morning. This made her loneliest person ever.
Looking at her father, she hoped against hope he'd allow this one person to be her friend. Instead he shook his head. She could almost see her father shouting at her to focus on the task at hand.
"Miss Parker." she replied sadly. She tried to focus again. Tried to make it happen. Nothing.
'I can't do it. I'm sorry, Daddy. I'm so sorry...' she thought.
"Parker? Parker? Can you hear me?"
Miss Parker looked up and realized she was standing at the window in Sydney's office. Her hand placed on the pane as it had been in her memory. She quickly took her hand away from the glass.
"I was out again?"
"Afraid so. But I'm glad. It gives me some insight. You were speaking aloud this time. Your father and by extension the Triumvirate were there to test you that day, not Jarod."
Not used to being in such a vulnerable state Miss Parker was not ready to take Jarod's place as Centre Lab Rat. "Even if I have this gift to the extent you say, Sydney, I was only there that day to read Rat Boy's tea leaves. The Triumvirate just wanted to know how rich Jarod was going to make them. Only problem was, I choked."
"Your kind of gift can't be performed on demand, Parker. Your father should have known that. Probably like Angelo, you need some sort of tactile sensation."
Miss Parker was incensed at being compared to Angelo and told Sydney just what she thought of that bogus theory! "I don't think so, Sydney! I went down to the lab the next day. When I touched Jarod's hand there were no visions!"
"Purely a biological reaction, Miss Parker?" He smiled at her as she glared at him. "Anyway we can disagree about the objective of that day but not about the aftermath. I also know that your parents had a fight that night."
Miss Parker immediately tensed and tried to walk away from him but Sydney blocked her.
"Catherine found out about what happened. She knew you were upset that you hadn't performed as your father expected. She threatened to leave your father and take you away from the Centre forever."
"Oh God! I probably signed her death warrant right then and there!" She fell back into Sydney's chair.
"Stop it, Parker! You weren't responsible for Catherine's death! But your early life has been quite traumatic! It has deeply affected you! That's why after your mother's death, your father came to see me and asked me to help you."
"Because the trauma of witnessing Mom's so called death in the elevator had affected my gift?" she said sarcastically.
"He said so but…"
"But? You're holding back. Don't spare me just because he's dead, Sydney. I want the good, the bad, and the ugly!"
Sydney looked at her thoughtfully. At times he had thought she was so much like Catherine but she was so much more. She had steel in her that Catherine didn't have. At times Miss Parker seemed impervious. That was what kept her alive.
"Mr. Parker wanted to know if you were repressing any memories of anything Catherine might have told you. He wanted me to feel you out for… But he would never be specific. I told him I couldn't help him. That it was best to let you recover on your own or more damage could be done to your psyche."
Turning away ashamed. "I have experienced some repressed memories surfacing. Things about the past. At the time, I wasn't quite sure at first what was happening to me."
"It can be a terrifying experience."
"No more than the memories."
"Parker, if Catherine left information for you about your brother Ethan and your Inner Sense in Jarod's memory, isn't it just as likely that her plan for destroying the Centre might be inside you?"
Miss Parker looked at him questioningly and then determination appeared over her features. "Will you help me Sydney? If I can find my mother's plan or use anything to get rid of Lyle and Raines…"
"I'll help you, Miss Parker. But only so far as no harm comes to you. Are we agreed?"
"Do I have a choice?" She said wryly and crossed her arms across her chest.
Sydney smiled broadly and said in his best continental accent, "Not really."
