A Walk in the Dark
Part 3
Disclaimer and rest in Part 1
=====
Three minutes and we can get this party started. By now the people who monitored the cameras should have been taken out, but I don't really want to chance it if they haven't, so I don't let on that all hell is about to break loose. "C'mon Gabe," I whisper out load, willing him to come while pacing the floor, my back to the vent.
"You're wish is my command." Came a familiar deep voice from behind me followed by the clank the vent made as it hit the floor. I spin around to see my partner hop out of the vent a smirk playing on his lips. I break into a smile and walk over to him, though right now I want to hug the bastard.
"Just couldn't stand being away from me could you?" I smile up at him.
"Actually I just wanted to shoot someone," he shrugged, "coming here gives me that opportunity."
I roll my eyes, men and their toys. "Did you bring the stuff?"
"Never leave home without it." He smiled as he pulled my handgun from the bag. A beautiful piece of work and I can feel my hands ache to hold it again, and as I feel the cold steel in my hands a shiver of ecstasy washes over me. It's a 4053TSW Smith and Wesson forty caliber. At twenty six ounces it weighs just a little more than Gabe's, something I find great pleasure in teasing him about, and the small three and a half inch barrel packs one hell of a punch. But the best part of this gun is the way the satin stainless steel finish feels against the skin of my lower back. I come back to reality when I see Gabe staring at my glazed over eyes. Gathering my senses I put the gun in the waist of my Centre issued pants and start to get in the air vent.
"Wait, don't you want the clothes I brought?"
"Huh?" I ask, momentarily confused. Gabe grabbed clothes from my house?
"I figured you couldn't work with out your jeans and t-shirt." He smiles at me holding out the clothes. My favorite pair of worn jeans, with the holes in the knees, and the tank top I wore on almost every mission. I considered it my 'lucky' outfit, but the fact that Gabe remembered was almost earth shattering. He wasn't one to dwell on the meaningless details.
"I'm surprised you remembered, hell yeah I want them!!"
"I'm trained to notice things Lor." He said handing me the clothes. I grab them and turn my back, quickly donning the outfit and turn back sliding the gun into the waist line of my jeans. Perfect.
"Okay, let's get this show on the road." I climb in to the vent where Angelo has been patiently waiting for the last three minutes, and now holding the hard drives I had hidden earlier. After I managed to hoist myself with little trouble considering my ribs were still aching from Lyle's assault, Gabe followed and we were on our way to Raines' office.
We came to a junction in the vent and I paused, causing Gabe to pull to a halt, and after realizing I had stopped, Angelo turned around as well. "What's up?" Gabe asked from behind me.
"We have to get out of here as soon as possible, the cameramen are out but there's no telling if someone will go up there and check it out. I think we should split up." I sit back on my haunches to look at both men. "Here's the plan. I want you, Angelo, to take Gabe to go get Parker and Company. I'm gunna head to Raines' office and get what we need. Then we can meet back here."
"I don't know about that, Lor, what if."
"Gabe if we don't split up all of us are in for a world of hurt. This way, if one person isn't back here we can sneak up and make sure the other is okay."
Gabe looked at her, still undecided about her decision, but after an encouraging nod from Angelo he relented. "Okay, but if your not."
"Yeah, yeah. You'll walk in like the macho man you wish you were."
"Hey I could kick your ass."
"Big man, beating on a girl." I say as I start crawling in the opposite direction.
"You're not a girl Lor," He paused and I knew what was coming, "you're CIA super-secret operative."
I chuckle to myself as I crawl through the vents. Ever since we started working together, about two years ago, we had this Mission Impossible thing about being 'super-secret' agents. Our boss got kinda pissed off when we walked down the hallways of our sector holding guns, unloaded with the safety on of course, and sang our theme song to pass the time. I couldn't help but giggle when he was yelling us, asking what kind of rinky-dink agency we thought this was, "This isn't some kid's game, it's serious business." I felt like I was a little six year old being yelled at for picking up daddy's power drill or something.
I'm ripped out of my revere when I realize that I'm at the duct leading to Raines' office. "Score," I mumble to myself as I check to make sure no one is there. Grinning I carefully remove the vent and climb out. I rub my hands together and get to work on picking the lock on his desk.
====
Lyle had been staying late, looking over some files that had been left on his desk concerning his latest endeavor, and he was, to say the least, a little worried. According to the files this Lorrie wasn't at all who she pretended to be. However, it was near impossible to believe what the files said. A CIA agent? The Centre had had the CIA in their pocket for years, there was no way they would send in an operative.unless of course they had gotten brave and decided to try and figure out the inner workings of the Centre so they could enact a take over. Well, that was going to happen over his dead body. There was no way he was going to just hand over his family's legacy to some do-nothing, pussy footed government agency.
Walking up to the room marked Surveillance he swiped an unmarked card and waited for the green light. Mere seconds later he entered the room only to find the two sweepers, who were supposed to be watching the camera's, unconscious. "Son of a bitch, what the hell is going on?" Lyle shouted as though the two men could answer him. Stepping over one man, unconcerned with the state of his mortality, he inspected each camera, looking for the rogue agent he knew would be missing from her room. Indeed she was, but she wasn't on any of the other cameras, either. He was about to turn and call a team of Cleaners when a movement on the camera caught his eye. "Jackpot," he said, grinning evilly as he turned and exited the room.
====
Gabe followed the other man cautiously as he scurried through the vents wishing that he knew a little more about the layout and schedule of the people that occupied the building. He had no idea who was here, when the shift changes occurred in the Surveillance room, or the prevention measures implemented when an infiltration was detected. For all he knew machine guns would be opened up on them.
Finally they came to a halt in front of a vent, Angelo grinning broadly, obviously proud. Gabe listened carefully and could hear the voices of the people that occupied the room.
"Where is he Broots?" A female voice demanded. Through the cracks in the grate he could see the leggy brunette, Miss Parker, was standing behind the ectomorphic looking man.
"I don't see him in his office.let me do another search, the camera's.." Gabe tuned out the conversation as he looked for the other man that should be in the room, when Gabe didn't see him he decided that now would be the time to get them; dealing with two people was a lot easier than three. Careful he removed the grate, and with the stealth of a cat burglar, jumped gracefully to the floor, grabbing his gun as he did so.
Parker was caught off guard by the quite thump from behind her, and turned quickly, reaching for her gun. "Uh-uh-uh," Gabe chided, clicking his tongue in disapproval. "I'm not great with introductions, so here's the deal. You two come with me, we get the quack, and we get the hell outta here. Get it?"
"And why the hell would I go with you?" Parker demanded, giving him a look that could castrate a man. Gabe, however, just raised an eyebrow and spoke to her condescendingly.
"You'll come with me because, A, I have a gun pointed at your pretty little head, one that I would hate to have to put a hole in, and B, because Lorrie sent me to fetch you. So you either come with me the easy way and don't get hurt, or you get to stay here and play with the Centre personal after they find out that you knew about Lorrie all along."
"Uh, Miss Parker?" Asked Broots from his terminal. "I'm voting we go with him."
"Smart man, they should have put you in charge." Parker looked back at Broots like she wanted to beat him to a pulp, but turned back to Gabe.
"Fine. Go get Freud." She demanded with a snap of her fingers. Broots jumped up from his chair, but paused when Gabe yelled out a warning.
"If you're not back here in five minutes, you'll have to find someone else to play the leading role in your wet dreams." Broots blushed slightly, hung his head, and nodded. Parker just glared at the man before her.
"Where's Lorrie?"
Gabe shook his head. "You and Jarod have this problem with hostage etiquette. See no asking questions of the man with the gun, and," he dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, indicating the camera with a sweep of his gun hand, "There are ears and eyes all over this place."
Parker shut her mouth, pursing her lips into a tight line not liking the fact that he was right, but realizing it all the same. She stood, her arms crossed, while she waited for Broots to return with the doctor. Finally Broots came in with Sydney following close behind. "Good, everyone's here, let's go." Gabe pointed to the vent and indicated that the others should enter.
"Oh hell no, there's no way I am ruining a seven hundred dollar suit and a pair of high heels to crawl through a vent when I am quite capable of walking out of here." Parker refused to move, and the other two men stood behind her, unwilling to leave her side.
Just then something caught Broots' eye on the computer screen. "Uh, Miss Parker, I just found Lyle."
====
It had only taken me a couple seconds to pick the rather simple lock that Raines relied on to protect his files. The hard part was that Raines didn't believe in the ancient art of alphabetical filing, or filing in any sort of order. After about ten minutes of searching I had only recovered two of the four files that I was looking for. I sighed heavily as I pulled the drawer out further and put the pen light in my mouth. Finally, I open the drawer above it and dump its contents on the floor; the only other place I can think of the files being is in a secret compartment. My hypothesis is proven correct when I pry off the false bottom of the drawer. Within it lie the two other files that I was looking for causing me to smile around the flashlight. My smile faded, however, when the door was kicked open.
Still crouched behind Raines' desk, I pull my gun and look through the hole provided for foot room and see a pair of dress shoes standing by the door. "Come out come out, wherever you are." Came Lyle's mocking tone as I see the feet start walking toward me. Damn!! And things were going so well.
"Ollie, Ollie, Oxen free." I say, standing with my gun pointed at his head.
"I see you've managed to acquire some new clothing and a weapon. Very nice, so who are you working with."
"Nice try Lyle, but I'm not an idiot. For all you know I could have killed the person in the Laundry facility and taken the clothes. As for the weapon, they aren't exactly a rare commodity here."
"Touché. But what I do know is that you, Lorrie, are not who you seem to be."
I roll my eyes at him. "Wow, you were president of the State-the-Obvious club in high school, weren't you? No shit Sherlock."
Lyle tries hard to ignore my insults and stay on topic, but I can see his rage and know he's loosing control. I just have to play it out a little longer. "Why did the CIA send you?"
I laugh loudly at him, stopping only to choke out a response. "You think the CIA sent me? No wonder you weren't trained as a Pretender, you're intellect is about as abstract as that of a small rock. Who would have me come here and steal out of Raines' office? Who is the only one who could train me to pass Sydney's examination? Think Lyle, I know it's hard, but you can do it."
"Jarod." The man actually sounds shocked.
"Give the kid a cookie, he got one right."
"But why?"
"Good Lord, I cannot believe they find you to be an asset here. Do I have to spell everything out? I'm stealing information for him." Lyle has moved further into the room, stepping closer to me. I stay where I am, using the big desk as a barrier.
"Well," a wicked grin spreads across his hansom face. I can almost see the wheels turning in his head, "it looks like I have myself Pretender bait."
====
"Where is he?" Gabe demands, keeping his gun trained on the trio, but glancing at the computer screen.
"Oh dear, this isn't good. He, uh..."
"For God's sake spit it out!! Where is *he*?" Gabe demanding, swinging his gun to point it at the man.
Broots looked over at him, a frown and a look of concern coloring his features. "He just entered Mr. Raines' office."
"Shit!!" The man yelled, letting his gun swing down to his side as he ran the other through his hair. "I *knew* I shouldn't have let her go." Bringing his gun back up at the others he looked up to see Angelo in the vent. "Go wait at the junction; I'm going in head on. Fucking bastard, if he so much as scratches her I'll have him eating his own balls."
The trio looked at him, Parker and Sydney's faces not betraying any sort of emotion, but Broots looked like he might faint. Gabe tucked his gun back in the waist of his pants and turned to the three people before him. "Let's go." Surprisingly, Miss Parker said nothing. She just turned on her heel and led the way. "Hey Parker," she stopped when she heard his voice. "Can you take off the shoes? Everyone in the damn state knows our position."
"Fine." She said, the hostility obvious in her voice, but she complied and kept walking. It didn't take long before they reached the office. They stopped just around the corner and Parker turned to the younger man. "What's your game plan Robin?"
"Uh, kill him, duh." He said, glancing around the corner and mentally measuring the distance to the door.
"It's not that easy, I've tried, twice. He's still alive."
Gabe looked back at her, giving her a once over. "Well, let's hope I'm a better shot then, huh?" Thinking for a second, a grin that made Broots and Sydney a little nervous came over him. "On second thought, it'll be more fun in the long run if we keep him alive. To bad. Just wait here, if I whistle or you hear a gunshot, come armed and ready. Until then, keep watch."
Parker and the others had no choice but to agree when he left them standing against the wall. Making sure she still had her gun, Parker watched for any obstacle.
====
Uh-oh, Lyle's planning something, so not good. "What are you gunna do Lyle? Shoot me and try to offer up dead meat to the man? Because you're going to have to kill me before I'll cooperate."
He's still smiling wickedly at me. "No, there are much easier ways to deal with people like you. Just drug you up, keeping you alive long enough to get Jarod back here. Hmmm, I wonder how much the CIA would offer to have you back."
"CIA? Why Lyle, I think you just might be delusional." The whole CIA thing was to discredit Lyle, the last thing I needed was them getting my admission on tape. If the CIA were to see it they would deny it till the end of time.
"Don't give me that bull." THWAK!! Lyle's sentence is cut off when Gabe kicks his legs out from under him and he hits the floor hard. "What the fu." Once again Lyle's sentence is cut off when Gabe kicks him hard in the ribs.
"No swearing in front of the woman-folk." He says, smiling at me from where he was towering over a now very sore Lyle. Slowly he begins to stand, ready to face off the new intruder.
"She's not a woman, she's a bitch." For a second I see something flicker in Gabe's eyes, but it's to fast to tell what it is, his next move, however, gives me a clue as to what it might have been.
Gabe pulled his gun before Lyle could move any further and put it to Lyle's temple, and got in his face, his eyes barring into the other man's. "There are a few things that you never to say to the people that hold your meaningless existence in their hands, and one of them is to never *ever* call them names that could be interpreted as an insult. Get it?"
I smile as he uses his little 'I mean business' catch phrase. Lyle, on the other hand, finds no humor in it and gulps visibly. "Got it."
"Good." He stays in the man's face a little longer, deliberately invading his space in order to intimidate. Then he backs off, a cruel smile replacing the hard look that he wore before. "Now that we have an understanding, it's time to get down to business. We are leaving, and you my friend, are going to be here waiting when the infamous Mr. Raines comes in to find he's been robbed. Won't that be fun?"
"Not really, but if want to stay your more than welcome," Lyle said as he caught Gabe's gun arm and hit it hard, causing him to loose his grip and momentarily disorienting him. He quickly regains his bearings, but now it's Lyle who has his gun on Gabe. "Seems the fuck up fairy has visited us again, see, there's a rule that I like to follow."
I walk up behind Lyle, who in his haste seems to have forgotten all about little ol' me, a huge mistake on his part. I calmly tap him on the shoulder, causing him to spin and take his attention off Gabe. "Forgetting someone?" I ask before landing a right hook on his left cheek, below him Gabe grabs his gun hand and wretches it hard, bringing Lyle to the ground. "Now, will you just please cooperate with us, this game of 'who's got the big mean gun' is getting tiring, and I'll win in the end, so let's move on shall we? Now, get your skanky ass in that chair so that I can tie you up," I pause and look at Gabe, who is looking like he would take great pleasure in putting an extra hole in Lyle's derrière. I smirk menacingly and look down at the man. "Or, I can let Gabe here have his way and shoot you in that sickeningly cute ass and then make you sit on the chair," I shrug nonchalantly, "your choice."
After considering for a moment if I would follow through with my threats, and then seeing the look in Gabe's eye, he crawls over the chair and sits. "Good boy," Gabe says as he walks over and pats the man on the head like one would a puppy. "Hey Lor, get me the rope from the bag, will you?"
"Sure thing." I walk over to where he left the bag and grab the rope. I bring it over to him and hand it off when I hear a gunshot.
====
Parker was standing guard watching one hallway while Broots and Sydney watched the other. It had been a good five minutes and there had been some yelling coming form the room that she feared would draw attention. A little on edge Miss Parker was a little startled when she saw someone coming. Hissing a warning to Broots and Syd around the corner, she cut off the Sweeper. "What are you doing here?"
"Came to put some files on Mr. Raines' desk."
"I'll take those." Parker said, sticking out a well manicured hand.
The man looked at it for a moment and shook his head. "Sorry Miss Parker, but these are confidential. I can't let you have them."
Miss Parker's eyes decreased in size until they were only slits. "I think if you want to live to see another day you will."
The Sweeper, braver than most, still refused and kept walking, moving past her. Pulling her gun, Parker pointed the weapon at him and once again ground out her warning. Still taking no heed and ignoring the gun, he kept walking. Just as he was about to pass her she shot. The man's eyes got big as he felt the bullet enter, never being able to hear the sound. He fell to the ground with a thump, while Miss Parker replaced her gun. Looking at Broots and Syd she motioned for them to get into the office. After dragging the body around the corner and using the man's jacket to wipe up the blood, she followed suit.
====
"What the hell was that?" I ask as when the trio enters. Lyle was still seated, and was now bound quiet tightly. He had stopped struggling only after Gabe had hit him across the face.
"Sweeper didn't want to play nice." Parker said, wiping her hands on Lyle's suit, trying to get the blood off while giving him a tight, cold grin.
"Well now that you've killed a guard we have no choice but to use the vents, and don't argue, I lack the patients." Gabe said, pushing the desk over to the air vent.
Not putting up a fight Miss Parker, Broots and Sydney all climbed in to the vent, following me to the junction. Gabe climbed in last, and after a final wave to a very agitated Lyle, followed as well.
After reaching the junction, a very happy and anxious Angelo led us to our exit point. Crawling out of same ventilation duct that Jarod had used some five years ago, we piled out only to be met by a screaming alarm and flood lights sweeping the area. "Shit." I say, staying low. "What now?"
"Now we run like hell. Follow me!" Gabe said, getting up from his crouched position and running hunched over across the field. Motioning for Parker and company to follow, I brought up the rear, sweeping the area with my gun, ready to fire. I was worried about leaving Angelo behind, but there was still a lot that had to be done. The papers I had given Lyle had to be destroyed and the desk moved back in place. I just hope that he's okay.
My concerns are overridden my more pressing matters as a Sweeper clad in the required black suit came running across the field. I see him raise his gun and watch his mouth move. I quickly pull the trigger, hitting him in his shooting arm. I don't want to kill the guy, just incapacitate him. He falls to the ground clutching his arm. I turn and run after my fellow escapees and almost run into one of the short trees that line the field. Ducking a branch, I turn to look behind us, nothing, but I can hear voices yelling and footsteps. Apparently Gabe hears them as well because he makes a sharp turn into the woods that lines the field and continues to zigzag through them. Parker, still barefoot, is making good time, as is Broots. But I think in his case it's more a matter of adrenalin and fear than being in shape. Sydney, however, is having trouble and is breathing really hard. I come up next to him and put one arm around his waist. "You okay?"
"Just," he pauses to breath, "a little out of shape."
"Don't worry, we'll take out time." I say as I begin to walk with him, keeping my voice low and ears open, listening for any sound indicated someone might be closing in.
"You," he pauses again, "don't know where the car is."
"With all of them running there's bound to be a trail, just look for broken branches." I say supporting him as I push to walk a little faster. I don't like being in the woods without being able to lend all of my attention. We walk for another hundred feet when I hear a noise behind us. I put a finger to my lips, indicating to Sydney that I heard someone behind us. I help him lean against a tree and turn, expecting to see a Sweeper. Instead Gabe comes face to face with the business end of my gun.
"I've seen your gun before, Lor, now put it away. It's not time for show and tell." He said grinning. "What's the hold up?" He whispers.
Just as quietly I reply, "Syd's been having some problems breathing. He isn't exactly in shape or youthful."
"We only have like another hundred feet. I guess those Sweepers or whatever aren't very good at tracking. We left one hell of a trail."
"Yeah well, I don't think they are hired based on IQ." I say as we walk back to Sydney. We both take a side and begin to walk. We make it to the edge of the woods, and the car is immediately on the other side. Putting Syd in back with the others, I climb into the passenger seat while Gabe climbs into the driver's side.
"Buckle up everyone." He says as he throws the car into gear and hits the gas peddle. I can only assume that we are headed back to Jarod's. Everyone in the car stays silent, no one quite sure what to talk about.
I steal a look over at Gabe and see that his lips are pursed into a straight line, his brow furrowed, and he looks angry. I'm not quite sure why until I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I have a huge bruise that covers a good portion of the left side of my face and my eyes are sunken in a little from stress. I gently reach up and touch the bruise, wincing at the pain. Bringing my hand down I now know why he's so mad. He's all ways been my protector and this time he couldn't be there to make sure nothing happened. He felt like he failed me, I can tell by the he's holding himself. I start to feel more than a little guilty for making him worry about me, for not telling him, but I knew this was risky, that I could get hurt, and that's why I didn't want him to know. I wouldn't have been able to do my job if he were stepping in to protect me. At least he waited for my signal.
I gently reach over and put a hand on his leg, just above the knee, and give it a gentle squeeze. He looks over at me out of the corner of his eye, but I kept my eyes straight forward. He knows what I'm thinking, and showing it would start something I'm not sure I can or want to finish. I slowly remove my hand and adjust the mirror to look in the back. Parker is sitting ramrod straight looking out the side window, her thoughts obviously elsewhere. Broots is shifting uncomfortably in his chair and that's when I remember his daughter. "Where's your daughter?" I ask him, looking in his eyes through the mirror.
"At her Grandma's in eastern Washington." He said, twisting his hands nervously. He's obviously worried about her and rightfully so. Digging through the bag at my feet I pull out Gabe's cell and hand it to him.
"Call her, tell her to get on the move until we can arrange to get them to you." Nodding his thanks, Broots quickly dials the number, but my attention is drawn to Sydney who is sitting by the other window. He has a small smile playing on his lips and I know he's thinking about Jarod, and I also know that he's worried about seeing him again, of what Jarod will think of him after all he's done. I may not know Sydney well, but I do know a decent amount about Jarod and I can tell you this, Jarod can't wait to see this man again.
We hit a bump in the road as we leave pavement and start traveling on a gravel road. Minutes later we pull up to a cabin and Gabe pulls to a halt. Everyone piles out. Sydney and Miss Parker are absentmindedly fiddling with straightening their suites, and Broots is looking about curiously. I smirk a little and follow a still tight lipped Gabe to the door of the cabin. I put out a hand and gently touch his back, letting him know that it's okay, and not to blame Jarod. I can tell that he blames him, but without Jarod I would have been dead the first day I was there. I feel him stiffen a little at my brush of a touch, and then relax. He opens the door and I hear Jarod inside. "I was starting to get worried. It's been almost three hours."
I hear his sharp intake of breath when I enter. "Lorrie, what happened?" He takes a step closer, but is stopped when Miss Parker enters. "Pa.parker? Wha?" Turning to Gabe a look of fury comes over the man's face. Stepping closer he comes eye to eye with my unblinking partner. "You went in after them and you didn't tell me??!! What the hell is wrong with you, any number of things could have gone wrong and you wouldn't have had any back up!! I know that place."
"No Jarod," came his calm reply, calmer than he felt I'm sure. "If you had gone in you would have gone on emotions, not on the mission. Lyle and his little friends where trying to lure you in and they would have used your sense of duty against you, and you would have let them. I wasn't willing to risk the lives of four people just so you could play hero." Gabe kept eye contact with the other man until Jarod was forced to look away.
Angrily, Jarod stomped off into the bedroom and shut the door. Ushering everyone inside I indicated that they should get comfortable. "Sorry about that guys, I know you were looking forward to a nice welcome party," I see Miss Parker roll her eyes, "but it seems that Jarod's in a rather foul mood."
"Can we leave? I have places to be, people to avoid, the usual." Parker asked, annoyed that she was stuck at 'Wonder boy's' home.
"We need to wait and talk to Jarod." I say as convincingly and conversationally as I can. I look over at Gabe who seems unconcerned.
"Well I'm not willing to waste my time while Jarod mopes about over something that is over and done with." Standing Parker walks up to the bedroom and slams open the door. "If you don't get your ass out here in two second I'm leaving." And with that she returns to the couch. Seconds later Jarod was also standing in the living room, taking center stage in the armchair that sat at the front of the room.
Avoiding Gabe's stare, Jarod paid special attention to the three that sat on the couch. "I know your wondering why you're here, especially with me, the one person that you've been trained to capture," a knowing look passes between both Parker and Jarod, and I can't help but feel a small spark of electricity. After a second he continues. "But I have good reason. As you know I sent Lorrie into the Centre, there she retrieved some information for me, information vital in bringing down the Centre and giving Miss Parker and I the answers that we have both been looking for. I wanted the three of you safe before I made any move. I would have no one to blame but myself if something happened to any of you," he pauses, making eye contact with all three. "So that's why you're here."
Sydney just looks at his protégé with a proud smile, Broots looks more confused then ever, and Miss Parker looks torn between angry and appreciative. "So what do we do know?" Broots asks, voicing his concern.
"Well I can make up identities and passports for all of you and you can decide from there." Jarod raises his arms, palms up. "I can't make any of you stay," he looks pointedly at Parker, though I'm sure it's not a conscious act, "but I won't argue if you want to help me implement my plan to take down the Centre. It'll take a while, but it'll be well worth it."
All three look like this is the biggest decision of their lives. "I.I'll stay." Broots was the first to speak, but after the words left his lips he looked a lot more confident and smiled. "I am definitely in."
"Good to hear Mr. Broots." Jarod reached over and clapped the man on the back, smiling at him. He turned to the other two and raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not willing to leave without spending a little time with the man I consider a son, and I wouldn't mind enacting some revenge for the life I helped steal along the way." Smiling sorrowfully the older man walked over to Jarod and clasped his hand in his. "Thank you Jarod."
Jarod stood quickly and embraced the older man. "No, thank you Sydney." He said, hugging the man tightly to him. He finally let go and looked at the other man like a small child you have just been rewarded for his good behavior.
Miss Parker was still sitting on the couch. "I'm not hugging you Wonder boy, and there won't be any mush, but I want to get those bastards and find out the truth about me, about my mom, and my parentage."
"You're in?" He asked like a small boy not daring to believe that it was true.
With an exasperated sigh, Miss Parker nodded. Jarod smiled and picked her up off the couch and hugged her. "Thank you Parker, that means everything to me." Miss Parker didn't return the hug, but I saw her relax in his arms and I know that it's only a matter of time before something serious starts between those two. I smile slightly and look at Gabe. I see him smiling as well. He slowly turns his head and we lock eyes, speaking a million words in that fraction of a second. My smile grows brighter, and he nods slightly. I think we're like Parker and Jarod in a way, trapped in circumstances that don't allow you to feel for someone else without it being used to hurt you, the only difference is that we're on the same side.
I turn my attention back to the trio and stand. "Here are the hard drives and files," I say, handing them over after retrieving them from the bag. "I hope you find what you're looking for." I say, looking him hard in the eye, getting my true point across in few words.
"Wait, where are you going?" He asks, concerned.
Gabe walks up to stand directly behind me. Close enough to feel, but not to touch. "Places to be, corporations to infiltrate, bad guys to catch." He says on a monotone.
"But I never." He started, and I hold up my hand to stop him.
"No need Jarod, just doing what's right. Besides our staying here won't help you. By now the CIA knows what we've done, and our staying here will only hamper your plans. We gotta jet out of here, being a rogue agent means a life on the run, but," I nod my head back indicating Gabe, "I have travel companion. Besides, we'll be around to help when the time comes." I look at him and the others. "Good luck." And with that I turn, walking out the door with Gabe picking up our bag and following before the others can speak.
Together we begin walking down the dark road. Standing close to him but keeping my head up, matching his confident stride as we, two people on the run, walking together through the darkness, and heading toward the unknown.
=====
Three minutes and we can get this party started. By now the people who monitored the cameras should have been taken out, but I don't really want to chance it if they haven't, so I don't let on that all hell is about to break loose. "C'mon Gabe," I whisper out load, willing him to come while pacing the floor, my back to the vent.
"You're wish is my command." Came a familiar deep voice from behind me followed by the clank the vent made as it hit the floor. I spin around to see my partner hop out of the vent a smirk playing on his lips. I break into a smile and walk over to him, though right now I want to hug the bastard.
"Just couldn't stand being away from me could you?" I smile up at him.
"Actually I just wanted to shoot someone," he shrugged, "coming here gives me that opportunity."
I roll my eyes, men and their toys. "Did you bring the stuff?"
"Never leave home without it." He smiled as he pulled my handgun from the bag. A beautiful piece of work and I can feel my hands ache to hold it again, and as I feel the cold steel in my hands a shiver of ecstasy washes over me. It's a 4053TSW Smith and Wesson forty caliber. At twenty six ounces it weighs just a little more than Gabe's, something I find great pleasure in teasing him about, and the small three and a half inch barrel packs one hell of a punch. But the best part of this gun is the way the satin stainless steel finish feels against the skin of my lower back. I come back to reality when I see Gabe staring at my glazed over eyes. Gathering my senses I put the gun in the waist of my Centre issued pants and start to get in the air vent.
"Wait, don't you want the clothes I brought?"
"Huh?" I ask, momentarily confused. Gabe grabbed clothes from my house?
"I figured you couldn't work with out your jeans and t-shirt." He smiles at me holding out the clothes. My favorite pair of worn jeans, with the holes in the knees, and the tank top I wore on almost every mission. I considered it my 'lucky' outfit, but the fact that Gabe remembered was almost earth shattering. He wasn't one to dwell on the meaningless details.
"I'm surprised you remembered, hell yeah I want them!!"
"I'm trained to notice things Lor." He said handing me the clothes. I grab them and turn my back, quickly donning the outfit and turn back sliding the gun into the waist line of my jeans. Perfect.
"Okay, let's get this show on the road." I climb in to the vent where Angelo has been patiently waiting for the last three minutes, and now holding the hard drives I had hidden earlier. After I managed to hoist myself with little trouble considering my ribs were still aching from Lyle's assault, Gabe followed and we were on our way to Raines' office.
We came to a junction in the vent and I paused, causing Gabe to pull to a halt, and after realizing I had stopped, Angelo turned around as well. "What's up?" Gabe asked from behind me.
"We have to get out of here as soon as possible, the cameramen are out but there's no telling if someone will go up there and check it out. I think we should split up." I sit back on my haunches to look at both men. "Here's the plan. I want you, Angelo, to take Gabe to go get Parker and Company. I'm gunna head to Raines' office and get what we need. Then we can meet back here."
"I don't know about that, Lor, what if."
"Gabe if we don't split up all of us are in for a world of hurt. This way, if one person isn't back here we can sneak up and make sure the other is okay."
Gabe looked at her, still undecided about her decision, but after an encouraging nod from Angelo he relented. "Okay, but if your not."
"Yeah, yeah. You'll walk in like the macho man you wish you were."
"Hey I could kick your ass."
"Big man, beating on a girl." I say as I start crawling in the opposite direction.
"You're not a girl Lor," He paused and I knew what was coming, "you're CIA super-secret operative."
I chuckle to myself as I crawl through the vents. Ever since we started working together, about two years ago, we had this Mission Impossible thing about being 'super-secret' agents. Our boss got kinda pissed off when we walked down the hallways of our sector holding guns, unloaded with the safety on of course, and sang our theme song to pass the time. I couldn't help but giggle when he was yelling us, asking what kind of rinky-dink agency we thought this was, "This isn't some kid's game, it's serious business." I felt like I was a little six year old being yelled at for picking up daddy's power drill or something.
I'm ripped out of my revere when I realize that I'm at the duct leading to Raines' office. "Score," I mumble to myself as I check to make sure no one is there. Grinning I carefully remove the vent and climb out. I rub my hands together and get to work on picking the lock on his desk.
====
Lyle had been staying late, looking over some files that had been left on his desk concerning his latest endeavor, and he was, to say the least, a little worried. According to the files this Lorrie wasn't at all who she pretended to be. However, it was near impossible to believe what the files said. A CIA agent? The Centre had had the CIA in their pocket for years, there was no way they would send in an operative.unless of course they had gotten brave and decided to try and figure out the inner workings of the Centre so they could enact a take over. Well, that was going to happen over his dead body. There was no way he was going to just hand over his family's legacy to some do-nothing, pussy footed government agency.
Walking up to the room marked Surveillance he swiped an unmarked card and waited for the green light. Mere seconds later he entered the room only to find the two sweepers, who were supposed to be watching the camera's, unconscious. "Son of a bitch, what the hell is going on?" Lyle shouted as though the two men could answer him. Stepping over one man, unconcerned with the state of his mortality, he inspected each camera, looking for the rogue agent he knew would be missing from her room. Indeed she was, but she wasn't on any of the other cameras, either. He was about to turn and call a team of Cleaners when a movement on the camera caught his eye. "Jackpot," he said, grinning evilly as he turned and exited the room.
====
Gabe followed the other man cautiously as he scurried through the vents wishing that he knew a little more about the layout and schedule of the people that occupied the building. He had no idea who was here, when the shift changes occurred in the Surveillance room, or the prevention measures implemented when an infiltration was detected. For all he knew machine guns would be opened up on them.
Finally they came to a halt in front of a vent, Angelo grinning broadly, obviously proud. Gabe listened carefully and could hear the voices of the people that occupied the room.
"Where is he Broots?" A female voice demanded. Through the cracks in the grate he could see the leggy brunette, Miss Parker, was standing behind the ectomorphic looking man.
"I don't see him in his office.let me do another search, the camera's.." Gabe tuned out the conversation as he looked for the other man that should be in the room, when Gabe didn't see him he decided that now would be the time to get them; dealing with two people was a lot easier than three. Careful he removed the grate, and with the stealth of a cat burglar, jumped gracefully to the floor, grabbing his gun as he did so.
Parker was caught off guard by the quite thump from behind her, and turned quickly, reaching for her gun. "Uh-uh-uh," Gabe chided, clicking his tongue in disapproval. "I'm not great with introductions, so here's the deal. You two come with me, we get the quack, and we get the hell outta here. Get it?"
"And why the hell would I go with you?" Parker demanded, giving him a look that could castrate a man. Gabe, however, just raised an eyebrow and spoke to her condescendingly.
"You'll come with me because, A, I have a gun pointed at your pretty little head, one that I would hate to have to put a hole in, and B, because Lorrie sent me to fetch you. So you either come with me the easy way and don't get hurt, or you get to stay here and play with the Centre personal after they find out that you knew about Lorrie all along."
"Uh, Miss Parker?" Asked Broots from his terminal. "I'm voting we go with him."
"Smart man, they should have put you in charge." Parker looked back at Broots like she wanted to beat him to a pulp, but turned back to Gabe.
"Fine. Go get Freud." She demanded with a snap of her fingers. Broots jumped up from his chair, but paused when Gabe yelled out a warning.
"If you're not back here in five minutes, you'll have to find someone else to play the leading role in your wet dreams." Broots blushed slightly, hung his head, and nodded. Parker just glared at the man before her.
"Where's Lorrie?"
Gabe shook his head. "You and Jarod have this problem with hostage etiquette. See no asking questions of the man with the gun, and," he dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, indicating the camera with a sweep of his gun hand, "There are ears and eyes all over this place."
Parker shut her mouth, pursing her lips into a tight line not liking the fact that he was right, but realizing it all the same. She stood, her arms crossed, while she waited for Broots to return with the doctor. Finally Broots came in with Sydney following close behind. "Good, everyone's here, let's go." Gabe pointed to the vent and indicated that the others should enter.
"Oh hell no, there's no way I am ruining a seven hundred dollar suit and a pair of high heels to crawl through a vent when I am quite capable of walking out of here." Parker refused to move, and the other two men stood behind her, unwilling to leave her side.
Just then something caught Broots' eye on the computer screen. "Uh, Miss Parker, I just found Lyle."
====
It had only taken me a couple seconds to pick the rather simple lock that Raines relied on to protect his files. The hard part was that Raines didn't believe in the ancient art of alphabetical filing, or filing in any sort of order. After about ten minutes of searching I had only recovered two of the four files that I was looking for. I sighed heavily as I pulled the drawer out further and put the pen light in my mouth. Finally, I open the drawer above it and dump its contents on the floor; the only other place I can think of the files being is in a secret compartment. My hypothesis is proven correct when I pry off the false bottom of the drawer. Within it lie the two other files that I was looking for causing me to smile around the flashlight. My smile faded, however, when the door was kicked open.
Still crouched behind Raines' desk, I pull my gun and look through the hole provided for foot room and see a pair of dress shoes standing by the door. "Come out come out, wherever you are." Came Lyle's mocking tone as I see the feet start walking toward me. Damn!! And things were going so well.
"Ollie, Ollie, Oxen free." I say, standing with my gun pointed at his head.
"I see you've managed to acquire some new clothing and a weapon. Very nice, so who are you working with."
"Nice try Lyle, but I'm not an idiot. For all you know I could have killed the person in the Laundry facility and taken the clothes. As for the weapon, they aren't exactly a rare commodity here."
"Touché. But what I do know is that you, Lorrie, are not who you seem to be."
I roll my eyes at him. "Wow, you were president of the State-the-Obvious club in high school, weren't you? No shit Sherlock."
Lyle tries hard to ignore my insults and stay on topic, but I can see his rage and know he's loosing control. I just have to play it out a little longer. "Why did the CIA send you?"
I laugh loudly at him, stopping only to choke out a response. "You think the CIA sent me? No wonder you weren't trained as a Pretender, you're intellect is about as abstract as that of a small rock. Who would have me come here and steal out of Raines' office? Who is the only one who could train me to pass Sydney's examination? Think Lyle, I know it's hard, but you can do it."
"Jarod." The man actually sounds shocked.
"Give the kid a cookie, he got one right."
"But why?"
"Good Lord, I cannot believe they find you to be an asset here. Do I have to spell everything out? I'm stealing information for him." Lyle has moved further into the room, stepping closer to me. I stay where I am, using the big desk as a barrier.
"Well," a wicked grin spreads across his hansom face. I can almost see the wheels turning in his head, "it looks like I have myself Pretender bait."
====
"Where is he?" Gabe demands, keeping his gun trained on the trio, but glancing at the computer screen.
"Oh dear, this isn't good. He, uh..."
"For God's sake spit it out!! Where is *he*?" Gabe demanding, swinging his gun to point it at the man.
Broots looked over at him, a frown and a look of concern coloring his features. "He just entered Mr. Raines' office."
"Shit!!" The man yelled, letting his gun swing down to his side as he ran the other through his hair. "I *knew* I shouldn't have let her go." Bringing his gun back up at the others he looked up to see Angelo in the vent. "Go wait at the junction; I'm going in head on. Fucking bastard, if he so much as scratches her I'll have him eating his own balls."
The trio looked at him, Parker and Sydney's faces not betraying any sort of emotion, but Broots looked like he might faint. Gabe tucked his gun back in the waist of his pants and turned to the three people before him. "Let's go." Surprisingly, Miss Parker said nothing. She just turned on her heel and led the way. "Hey Parker," she stopped when she heard his voice. "Can you take off the shoes? Everyone in the damn state knows our position."
"Fine." She said, the hostility obvious in her voice, but she complied and kept walking. It didn't take long before they reached the office. They stopped just around the corner and Parker turned to the younger man. "What's your game plan Robin?"
"Uh, kill him, duh." He said, glancing around the corner and mentally measuring the distance to the door.
"It's not that easy, I've tried, twice. He's still alive."
Gabe looked back at her, giving her a once over. "Well, let's hope I'm a better shot then, huh?" Thinking for a second, a grin that made Broots and Sydney a little nervous came over him. "On second thought, it'll be more fun in the long run if we keep him alive. To bad. Just wait here, if I whistle or you hear a gunshot, come armed and ready. Until then, keep watch."
Parker and the others had no choice but to agree when he left them standing against the wall. Making sure she still had her gun, Parker watched for any obstacle.
====
Uh-oh, Lyle's planning something, so not good. "What are you gunna do Lyle? Shoot me and try to offer up dead meat to the man? Because you're going to have to kill me before I'll cooperate."
He's still smiling wickedly at me. "No, there are much easier ways to deal with people like you. Just drug you up, keeping you alive long enough to get Jarod back here. Hmmm, I wonder how much the CIA would offer to have you back."
"CIA? Why Lyle, I think you just might be delusional." The whole CIA thing was to discredit Lyle, the last thing I needed was them getting my admission on tape. If the CIA were to see it they would deny it till the end of time.
"Don't give me that bull." THWAK!! Lyle's sentence is cut off when Gabe kicks his legs out from under him and he hits the floor hard. "What the fu." Once again Lyle's sentence is cut off when Gabe kicks him hard in the ribs.
"No swearing in front of the woman-folk." He says, smiling at me from where he was towering over a now very sore Lyle. Slowly he begins to stand, ready to face off the new intruder.
"She's not a woman, she's a bitch." For a second I see something flicker in Gabe's eyes, but it's to fast to tell what it is, his next move, however, gives me a clue as to what it might have been.
Gabe pulled his gun before Lyle could move any further and put it to Lyle's temple, and got in his face, his eyes barring into the other man's. "There are a few things that you never to say to the people that hold your meaningless existence in their hands, and one of them is to never *ever* call them names that could be interpreted as an insult. Get it?"
I smile as he uses his little 'I mean business' catch phrase. Lyle, on the other hand, finds no humor in it and gulps visibly. "Got it."
"Good." He stays in the man's face a little longer, deliberately invading his space in order to intimidate. Then he backs off, a cruel smile replacing the hard look that he wore before. "Now that we have an understanding, it's time to get down to business. We are leaving, and you my friend, are going to be here waiting when the infamous Mr. Raines comes in to find he's been robbed. Won't that be fun?"
"Not really, but if want to stay your more than welcome," Lyle said as he caught Gabe's gun arm and hit it hard, causing him to loose his grip and momentarily disorienting him. He quickly regains his bearings, but now it's Lyle who has his gun on Gabe. "Seems the fuck up fairy has visited us again, see, there's a rule that I like to follow."
I walk up behind Lyle, who in his haste seems to have forgotten all about little ol' me, a huge mistake on his part. I calmly tap him on the shoulder, causing him to spin and take his attention off Gabe. "Forgetting someone?" I ask before landing a right hook on his left cheek, below him Gabe grabs his gun hand and wretches it hard, bringing Lyle to the ground. "Now, will you just please cooperate with us, this game of 'who's got the big mean gun' is getting tiring, and I'll win in the end, so let's move on shall we? Now, get your skanky ass in that chair so that I can tie you up," I pause and look at Gabe, who is looking like he would take great pleasure in putting an extra hole in Lyle's derrière. I smirk menacingly and look down at the man. "Or, I can let Gabe here have his way and shoot you in that sickeningly cute ass and then make you sit on the chair," I shrug nonchalantly, "your choice."
After considering for a moment if I would follow through with my threats, and then seeing the look in Gabe's eye, he crawls over the chair and sits. "Good boy," Gabe says as he walks over and pats the man on the head like one would a puppy. "Hey Lor, get me the rope from the bag, will you?"
"Sure thing." I walk over to where he left the bag and grab the rope. I bring it over to him and hand it off when I hear a gunshot.
====
Parker was standing guard watching one hallway while Broots and Sydney watched the other. It had been a good five minutes and there had been some yelling coming form the room that she feared would draw attention. A little on edge Miss Parker was a little startled when she saw someone coming. Hissing a warning to Broots and Syd around the corner, she cut off the Sweeper. "What are you doing here?"
"Came to put some files on Mr. Raines' desk."
"I'll take those." Parker said, sticking out a well manicured hand.
The man looked at it for a moment and shook his head. "Sorry Miss Parker, but these are confidential. I can't let you have them."
Miss Parker's eyes decreased in size until they were only slits. "I think if you want to live to see another day you will."
The Sweeper, braver than most, still refused and kept walking, moving past her. Pulling her gun, Parker pointed the weapon at him and once again ground out her warning. Still taking no heed and ignoring the gun, he kept walking. Just as he was about to pass her she shot. The man's eyes got big as he felt the bullet enter, never being able to hear the sound. He fell to the ground with a thump, while Miss Parker replaced her gun. Looking at Broots and Syd she motioned for them to get into the office. After dragging the body around the corner and using the man's jacket to wipe up the blood, she followed suit.
====
"What the hell was that?" I ask as when the trio enters. Lyle was still seated, and was now bound quiet tightly. He had stopped struggling only after Gabe had hit him across the face.
"Sweeper didn't want to play nice." Parker said, wiping her hands on Lyle's suit, trying to get the blood off while giving him a tight, cold grin.
"Well now that you've killed a guard we have no choice but to use the vents, and don't argue, I lack the patients." Gabe said, pushing the desk over to the air vent.
Not putting up a fight Miss Parker, Broots and Sydney all climbed in to the vent, following me to the junction. Gabe climbed in last, and after a final wave to a very agitated Lyle, followed as well.
After reaching the junction, a very happy and anxious Angelo led us to our exit point. Crawling out of same ventilation duct that Jarod had used some five years ago, we piled out only to be met by a screaming alarm and flood lights sweeping the area. "Shit." I say, staying low. "What now?"
"Now we run like hell. Follow me!" Gabe said, getting up from his crouched position and running hunched over across the field. Motioning for Parker and company to follow, I brought up the rear, sweeping the area with my gun, ready to fire. I was worried about leaving Angelo behind, but there was still a lot that had to be done. The papers I had given Lyle had to be destroyed and the desk moved back in place. I just hope that he's okay.
My concerns are overridden my more pressing matters as a Sweeper clad in the required black suit came running across the field. I see him raise his gun and watch his mouth move. I quickly pull the trigger, hitting him in his shooting arm. I don't want to kill the guy, just incapacitate him. He falls to the ground clutching his arm. I turn and run after my fellow escapees and almost run into one of the short trees that line the field. Ducking a branch, I turn to look behind us, nothing, but I can hear voices yelling and footsteps. Apparently Gabe hears them as well because he makes a sharp turn into the woods that lines the field and continues to zigzag through them. Parker, still barefoot, is making good time, as is Broots. But I think in his case it's more a matter of adrenalin and fear than being in shape. Sydney, however, is having trouble and is breathing really hard. I come up next to him and put one arm around his waist. "You okay?"
"Just," he pauses to breath, "a little out of shape."
"Don't worry, we'll take out time." I say as I begin to walk with him, keeping my voice low and ears open, listening for any sound indicated someone might be closing in.
"You," he pauses again, "don't know where the car is."
"With all of them running there's bound to be a trail, just look for broken branches." I say supporting him as I push to walk a little faster. I don't like being in the woods without being able to lend all of my attention. We walk for another hundred feet when I hear a noise behind us. I put a finger to my lips, indicating to Sydney that I heard someone behind us. I help him lean against a tree and turn, expecting to see a Sweeper. Instead Gabe comes face to face with the business end of my gun.
"I've seen your gun before, Lor, now put it away. It's not time for show and tell." He said grinning. "What's the hold up?" He whispers.
Just as quietly I reply, "Syd's been having some problems breathing. He isn't exactly in shape or youthful."
"We only have like another hundred feet. I guess those Sweepers or whatever aren't very good at tracking. We left one hell of a trail."
"Yeah well, I don't think they are hired based on IQ." I say as we walk back to Sydney. We both take a side and begin to walk. We make it to the edge of the woods, and the car is immediately on the other side. Putting Syd in back with the others, I climb into the passenger seat while Gabe climbs into the driver's side.
"Buckle up everyone." He says as he throws the car into gear and hits the gas peddle. I can only assume that we are headed back to Jarod's. Everyone in the car stays silent, no one quite sure what to talk about.
I steal a look over at Gabe and see that his lips are pursed into a straight line, his brow furrowed, and he looks angry. I'm not quite sure why until I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I have a huge bruise that covers a good portion of the left side of my face and my eyes are sunken in a little from stress. I gently reach up and touch the bruise, wincing at the pain. Bringing my hand down I now know why he's so mad. He's all ways been my protector and this time he couldn't be there to make sure nothing happened. He felt like he failed me, I can tell by the he's holding himself. I start to feel more than a little guilty for making him worry about me, for not telling him, but I knew this was risky, that I could get hurt, and that's why I didn't want him to know. I wouldn't have been able to do my job if he were stepping in to protect me. At least he waited for my signal.
I gently reach over and put a hand on his leg, just above the knee, and give it a gentle squeeze. He looks over at me out of the corner of his eye, but I kept my eyes straight forward. He knows what I'm thinking, and showing it would start something I'm not sure I can or want to finish. I slowly remove my hand and adjust the mirror to look in the back. Parker is sitting ramrod straight looking out the side window, her thoughts obviously elsewhere. Broots is shifting uncomfortably in his chair and that's when I remember his daughter. "Where's your daughter?" I ask him, looking in his eyes through the mirror.
"At her Grandma's in eastern Washington." He said, twisting his hands nervously. He's obviously worried about her and rightfully so. Digging through the bag at my feet I pull out Gabe's cell and hand it to him.
"Call her, tell her to get on the move until we can arrange to get them to you." Nodding his thanks, Broots quickly dials the number, but my attention is drawn to Sydney who is sitting by the other window. He has a small smile playing on his lips and I know he's thinking about Jarod, and I also know that he's worried about seeing him again, of what Jarod will think of him after all he's done. I may not know Sydney well, but I do know a decent amount about Jarod and I can tell you this, Jarod can't wait to see this man again.
We hit a bump in the road as we leave pavement and start traveling on a gravel road. Minutes later we pull up to a cabin and Gabe pulls to a halt. Everyone piles out. Sydney and Miss Parker are absentmindedly fiddling with straightening their suites, and Broots is looking about curiously. I smirk a little and follow a still tight lipped Gabe to the door of the cabin. I put out a hand and gently touch his back, letting him know that it's okay, and not to blame Jarod. I can tell that he blames him, but without Jarod I would have been dead the first day I was there. I feel him stiffen a little at my brush of a touch, and then relax. He opens the door and I hear Jarod inside. "I was starting to get worried. It's been almost three hours."
I hear his sharp intake of breath when I enter. "Lorrie, what happened?" He takes a step closer, but is stopped when Miss Parker enters. "Pa.parker? Wha?" Turning to Gabe a look of fury comes over the man's face. Stepping closer he comes eye to eye with my unblinking partner. "You went in after them and you didn't tell me??!! What the hell is wrong with you, any number of things could have gone wrong and you wouldn't have had any back up!! I know that place."
"No Jarod," came his calm reply, calmer than he felt I'm sure. "If you had gone in you would have gone on emotions, not on the mission. Lyle and his little friends where trying to lure you in and they would have used your sense of duty against you, and you would have let them. I wasn't willing to risk the lives of four people just so you could play hero." Gabe kept eye contact with the other man until Jarod was forced to look away.
Angrily, Jarod stomped off into the bedroom and shut the door. Ushering everyone inside I indicated that they should get comfortable. "Sorry about that guys, I know you were looking forward to a nice welcome party," I see Miss Parker roll her eyes, "but it seems that Jarod's in a rather foul mood."
"Can we leave? I have places to be, people to avoid, the usual." Parker asked, annoyed that she was stuck at 'Wonder boy's' home.
"We need to wait and talk to Jarod." I say as convincingly and conversationally as I can. I look over at Gabe who seems unconcerned.
"Well I'm not willing to waste my time while Jarod mopes about over something that is over and done with." Standing Parker walks up to the bedroom and slams open the door. "If you don't get your ass out here in two second I'm leaving." And with that she returns to the couch. Seconds later Jarod was also standing in the living room, taking center stage in the armchair that sat at the front of the room.
Avoiding Gabe's stare, Jarod paid special attention to the three that sat on the couch. "I know your wondering why you're here, especially with me, the one person that you've been trained to capture," a knowing look passes between both Parker and Jarod, and I can't help but feel a small spark of electricity. After a second he continues. "But I have good reason. As you know I sent Lorrie into the Centre, there she retrieved some information for me, information vital in bringing down the Centre and giving Miss Parker and I the answers that we have both been looking for. I wanted the three of you safe before I made any move. I would have no one to blame but myself if something happened to any of you," he pauses, making eye contact with all three. "So that's why you're here."
Sydney just looks at his protégé with a proud smile, Broots looks more confused then ever, and Miss Parker looks torn between angry and appreciative. "So what do we do know?" Broots asks, voicing his concern.
"Well I can make up identities and passports for all of you and you can decide from there." Jarod raises his arms, palms up. "I can't make any of you stay," he looks pointedly at Parker, though I'm sure it's not a conscious act, "but I won't argue if you want to help me implement my plan to take down the Centre. It'll take a while, but it'll be well worth it."
All three look like this is the biggest decision of their lives. "I.I'll stay." Broots was the first to speak, but after the words left his lips he looked a lot more confident and smiled. "I am definitely in."
"Good to hear Mr. Broots." Jarod reached over and clapped the man on the back, smiling at him. He turned to the other two and raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not willing to leave without spending a little time with the man I consider a son, and I wouldn't mind enacting some revenge for the life I helped steal along the way." Smiling sorrowfully the older man walked over to Jarod and clasped his hand in his. "Thank you Jarod."
Jarod stood quickly and embraced the older man. "No, thank you Sydney." He said, hugging the man tightly to him. He finally let go and looked at the other man like a small child you have just been rewarded for his good behavior.
Miss Parker was still sitting on the couch. "I'm not hugging you Wonder boy, and there won't be any mush, but I want to get those bastards and find out the truth about me, about my mom, and my parentage."
"You're in?" He asked like a small boy not daring to believe that it was true.
With an exasperated sigh, Miss Parker nodded. Jarod smiled and picked her up off the couch and hugged her. "Thank you Parker, that means everything to me." Miss Parker didn't return the hug, but I saw her relax in his arms and I know that it's only a matter of time before something serious starts between those two. I smile slightly and look at Gabe. I see him smiling as well. He slowly turns his head and we lock eyes, speaking a million words in that fraction of a second. My smile grows brighter, and he nods slightly. I think we're like Parker and Jarod in a way, trapped in circumstances that don't allow you to feel for someone else without it being used to hurt you, the only difference is that we're on the same side.
I turn my attention back to the trio and stand. "Here are the hard drives and files," I say, handing them over after retrieving them from the bag. "I hope you find what you're looking for." I say, looking him hard in the eye, getting my true point across in few words.
"Wait, where are you going?" He asks, concerned.
Gabe walks up to stand directly behind me. Close enough to feel, but not to touch. "Places to be, corporations to infiltrate, bad guys to catch." He says on a monotone.
"But I never." He started, and I hold up my hand to stop him.
"No need Jarod, just doing what's right. Besides our staying here won't help you. By now the CIA knows what we've done, and our staying here will only hamper your plans. We gotta jet out of here, being a rogue agent means a life on the run, but," I nod my head back indicating Gabe, "I have travel companion. Besides, we'll be around to help when the time comes." I look at him and the others. "Good luck." And with that I turn, walking out the door with Gabe picking up our bag and following before the others can speak.
Together we begin walking down the dark road. Standing close to him but keeping my head up, matching his confident stride as we, two people on the run, walking together through the darkness, and heading toward the unknown.