TWO HOURS LATER
BLUE COVE HOSPITAL
Broots and Jarod have just been checked out by a doctor when Sydney and Mr. Parker come through the hospital doors. Broots glances at the door to Miss Parker's and Lyle's room anxiously. Just when Mr. Parker and Sydney spots him and walks up to him, Jarod walks out of the room. Mr. Parker grabs his arm before he has a chance to run off. Jarod desperately tries to break free.
"I'll make you a deal. I won't take you back to the Centre as long as my daughter and son is in the hospital. My daughter needs you," Mr. Parker says and let the shocked pretender go. Sydney gives Mr. Parker a strange look, but decides to be quiet. Just then the doctor comes up to them.
"Mr. Parker I assume?" he says as he eyes the four men.
"That would be me. Will my daughter be alright?" Mr. Parker asks anxiously.
"First of all I'm Miss Parker's and Mr. Lyle's doctor. My name is Dr. Price. Miss Parker is doing just fine; she broke her left leg and fractured two ribs. It's your son we're the most worried about, as I understand he was on the passenger side where the two cars collided?" Jarod and Broots nods affirmatively and the doctor writes something in his notes.
"Okay. We're worried that he might slip into a coma. I'm sorry sir. I will come and check up on them soon, you can visit them if you like. We put them in the same room. Just be quiet Miss Parker needs her rest. If you need anything just call for a nurse," Dr. Price says and leaves. Mr. Parker looks shocked and stares at the others.
"How did this happen?" he asks.
"I was driving and suddenly another car sided over to my side of the road, I tried to get out of the way but it was too late and we crashed," Jarod explains afraid that he will be dragged back to the Centre. Mr. Parker wasn't exactly on the top of his 'people-I-trust' list. Mr. Parker nods and walks through the door to his children's room. Sydney, Jarod and Broots follow him.
They can hear Mr. Parker gasp as he sees his son and daughter. Lyle is deadly pale and has tubes and wires everywhere. Miss Parker isn't as pale as her brother but is also covered with wires and tubes. Mr. Parker carefully puts his hand over his sons and notices how cold it feels. He swallows loudly and turns to his daughter. He takes his free hand and places it over hers; her skin is warmer than Lyle's. She opens her eyes and looks at the people around her. It's when her eyes locks with Broots she remembers the accident. She gasps and searches frantically around her to find her brother. She sees Jarod and is momentarily distracted.
"Jarod? What are you doing here?" she asks in a slightly cracked voice as she searches her fathers face. He smiles at her.
"We have a temporary truce. He is free to be here as long as you and Lyle are in here," Mr. Parker explains. He sees the worry in her eyes at the mention of Lyle.
"Lyle is right next to you Parker. It doesn't look good," Jarod warns her. Mr. Parker moves out of her line of vision so she can see him. He doesn't let go of either of his children. Miss Parker looks at her brother warily. Her eyes fills up with tears she refuses to let run down her face. Jarod walks up to her, holding her free hand. She looks at him.
"It's okay to cry Parker. The Centre isn't here," he says soothingly. She looks at her father uncertain. He let's go of his son to turn all of his attention to his daughter.
"Nothing that happens within these hospital walls is going to the Centre," he promises and orders at the same time. Broots and Sydney agree silently to not intrude. Miss Parker is slowly letting her tears down her face. Sydney and Broots smiles slightly, but soon remembers why she is crying and stops. They silently leave the room to give them some privacy. Jarod sees them and thanks them in his mind. Jarod and Mr. Parker soothe her until she finally falls asleep. Mr. Parker gives Jarod a smile to thank him. He turns his head to his son and sighs as he knows there's no change. He grabs his sons hand again and settles in more comfortable in his chair. Jarod watches the older man slowly fall asleep. He smiles and gets up to walk out the door to talk to Sydney. Just as he opens the door Sydney and Broots shoves him back inside. Startled Jarod almost falls, but Broots has a firm grip on his arm. As Jarod finds his balance Broots lets go. Sydney walks over to Mr. Parker and cautiously wakes him up.
"What's wrong?" Jarod whispers not wanting to wake Parker.
"Raines is here and won't leave until he gets to talk to you," Sydney whispers to Mr. Parker. Mr. Parker growls and gets up; he gives his children a last look before he goes out the door.
"You stay in here until I get back," he says to Jarod.
OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL ROOM
"What is it Raines?" Mr. Parker says tiredly. Raines gives him a disgusted look.
"I want to know when you, Miss Parker and Mr. Lyle are coming back."
"As soon as possible. It might take awhile Lyle might slip into a coma. I'll go there tomorrow," he answers starting to walk away.
"You care. Don't you? I thought Catherine's death took care of that, well maybe I'll just have to come up with another plan to have you and your so called family removed from the Centre," he mumbles to himself just low enough so Mr. Parker can't hear. Raines leaves to go take care of some things in the Centre.