It had been longer than 6 months. Things at the Centre had a habit of getting complicated though and any plan worth doing is worth doing well. Getting Broots and Debbie away had taken some work. Broots didn't want to leave but once she had explained the situation he had agreed. He and Debbie had made it to California. Sydney had been more difficult when she has SIM him it was apparent that he would never leave his work or the Centre. Unfortunately it called for desperate measures and Sydney was currently occupied and out of harm's way. Her "little brother" was more or less situated. And Ethan should be arriving at his destination any moment now.

The home phone rang and she smiled right on time more or less.

"What" she barked not wanting to disappoint.

"Miss Parker, how are you doing" Jarod said a smile in his voice, "Did you receive my latest gift I had it made especially for you and that special someone".

"It's late Lab Rat, go find yourself a life", she muttered in dark tones a smirk hovering on her lips as she thought about the his and hers body armor he had left her in his latest lair. She almost wished she could have been there to see the first hand reactions of the Sweepers she had had to settle for terrorizing them when they returned. The man could infuriate her to no end.

"Miss Parker, you have not been holding up your end of the bargain. I am running but I'm pretty sure you are not chasing. Or else Broots is losing his touch" Jarod said trying to draw her out.

"I'm fairly certain you are aware that Broots left the Center sometime back. And maybe I have found more interesting things to occupy my time" she said smartly pouring herself a drink.

"That seems to have left you at more of a disadvantage than it should have of course it could just be that you are slipping. How about I stand still for awhile and let you catch up" Jarod said trying to bait her only to feel baffled as he her snort of laughter over the line.

"I thought you were tired of the 'you run, I chase', Jarod. You haven't called in months I figured you didn't fancy me anymore"; she goaded softly as she grabbed the drink and then slammed it back.

"Come on Parker. That last pretend I could not have been any more obvious if I had shown up naked with a neon sign at the Centre." Jarod said not about to let her derail him. He smiled a second as he heard her choke. He waited a second and then said "Parker are you in trouble. I have heard what is going on with the Centre. I can help you..."

"Could you? Why would you want to?" She said as she poured another drink and briskly cut off Jarod. "Don't sweat it Lab Rat I don't need you here".

Jarod felt the sharp pain of yet another rejection from Miss Parker and lashed out. "No because you don't need anyone do you. If you love someone they leave. So you just push away everyone that might care about you. Even Broots and Sydney have left and you are all alone just the way you like it. You won't even try to see another way."

"Wow, with that type of deep insight your psychoanalyst gig must be going swimmingly. I'm surprised they are not pounding down your door as we speak." Parker said sarcasm dripping. "Wait maybe it is the rain that keeps them away, they are too depressed to even go out. Late fall in the Northwest has always felt dreary to me".

Jarod almost stopped breathing at the realization she knew where he was. He had not left any clues here it was a short pretend to gain skills and set up for the next one. How had she found him? At any moment she would be pounding at the door ready to take him in.

Wait. He had called her at home. She was not coming at all.

"What game are you playing Parker?" he snarled angrily as grabbed his bag and threw in a few essentials.

"A very deep, dark and hopeless one I'm afraid." she paused for a moment.

"Hey do you think that we would have been friends as kids. I mean without the Centre. Just as Parker and Jarod would we have picked each other or would we have still been alone", she said sadness in her voice.

"Parker, can we do this later. I'm a little busy at the moment you know running for my life and all" Jarod said his head spinning. He paused a moment as he heard feedback on the phone.

"We really can't but that's okay. And you are on a tight schedule Lyle bugged my phone. See you are not the only one who gets upset when I refuse to get on my wheel. ", she said with a feeble attempt at humor, "You have about 15 minutes".

"Parker…" Jarod said frustration evident in his voice.

"I win Genius you lose this time. I really loved playing and don't forget me. Time to run away now. I expect you will be very busy very soon." With that Parker started to hang up the phone.

"Wait" Jarod said "I would have wanted to be your friend no matter where we met. Your smile lit up the world.

Parker smiled as she heard the phone disconnect.