Note: Don't own anything you recognize except for my character...Enjoy!


"Did you find Angelo?" Miss Parker asked her techno-genius.

"No but I did find something else. Maybe I should let Syd show it to you. I'll go, grab a coffee or something."

"Broots," she warned.

"I was hitting a dead end so I helped myself to Raines' personal files again."

"Twice in three days," Miss Parker replied proudly.

"He found something you should see. You should sit," Sydney suggested.

"I'll stand. Play it."

The woman watched more of the surveillance footage following her birth. Her fingers pressed to her lips when she saw what they had wanted to show her. The baby boy that Raines had delivered after her hadn't been dead after all. She listened as the doctor called and mentioned NuGenesis.

"He was alive. I have a brother out there."

Miss Parker turned on her heel and hurried out of the room. Broots exchanged looks with Sydney but the older man shook his head. Broots had wanted to go after her, to help in whatever way possible but this was something she needed to do on her own.


Davy and I spent the day on my laptop. I had taken the boy outside and showed him several files on my computer. One of them was a recorded simulation I did with Margaret and Major Charles. He watched it and then asked why.

"Why I pretended to be someone else?"

"That and why even do it?"

"Have you ever played with your friends, been someone else? Maybe Cops and Robbers?"

"Sometimes but I like being me. Recess is the only time I can just let go, be a kid."

"And that's a good thing, Davy. Never change who you are deep down but when I became that other person, it let me see it through another set of eyes. I wasn't seeing it through Natasha Pine's eyes but through the eyes of a scared child. I was able to feel what she was feeling and it felt like I was her."

"Why did you want to become her?"

"So I could help her. She had been taken from her family by some bad men. Since I understood what she went through, I was able to help her through it all. She hadn't let anyone near her after they found her but as I talked, the armour she put up around herself slowly fell away."

"What happened?"

"She threw herself into my arms and wouldn't let go. I held her for nearly 24hours before she was able to talk about it. With my help, she knew she couldn't let it happen to someone else so she identified the men and they went to jail."

Davy sat there thinking about it until the lunch bell rang. I sat with the students in the lunch room and told them some cool facts. They would throw out a topic and I'd tell them all about it. They didn't want it to end so Ms. Markus gave us a bit more time in class to do it. If it had been an older class, I would have prepared for some demonstrations.

Timmy showed up at the end of the school day and talked with Ms. Markus a bit while I helped Davy pack up his school bag. She introduced us to Mr. Willard from Child Services who would be taking Davy home so he could speak to his foster parents.

"Can Natasha come with me? She's my friend," Davy asked.

"I don't think Ms. Pine will feel comfortable," his teacher tried.

"Actually the school that Mr. Willard wanted to talk to the Watanabes about was my idea. After yesterday, I knew that Davy needed something more challenging so I contacted Child Services and the school about him."

Ms. Markus gave us her goodbyes and we headed out to the car Timmy had rented. He had slipped me the keys so after making sure Davy was buckled up, I slid into the front seat and started the car. The boy gave me his address and asked Timmy questions during the drive there.

Mr. and Mrs. Watanabe were surprised at our visit.

"There is a man here from Child Placement. He was telling us that they found a permanent home for Davy."

I shared a look with Timmy and he stepped back. If someone was here from the Centre, they would recognize him on site and try to take them both in.

"Davy, why don't you go up to your room and pack a bag?"

Once he was out of earshot, I told the Watanabes the man was an imposter. I asked if he had shown them proper identification and they assured me he had. I caught a glimpse of the man, someone a bit older than me but had white hair. He was obviously a Sweeper.

"He isn't with Child Placement. Please call Child Services at this number and they will prove that."

I handed them a piece of paper with Jarod's phone number on it. He knew we might need some way to support our claim so I listened as Mrs. Watanabe spoke with Jarod. Davy came back with a bag and I sent him outside with Mr. Watanabe to Timmy. I stayed to talk with his foster mom and the guy from the Centre.

"Mr. Willard's colleague from Child Services backed up what you said. But if he isn't from Child Placement, then who is he?" she asked, thumbing back at the man.

"When I contacted Child Services about this school for Davy, they mentioned that there was a gentleman who was interested in Davy. I never asked what they meant but if Mr. Willard's tone was anything to go by, it's not good. I'm going to go in there and lie to him and hopefully he will leave. If he doesn't leave in two minutes, call the police and tell them he's here to kidnap Davy."

Mrs. Watanabe nodded and headed outside. I squared my shoulders and headed into the living room. It took a second for the man to notice my presence and gave me a professional smile. He was standing in such a way that I knew he had training even if I hadn't known who he was.

"I am Natasha Pine."

"Mr. Gar from Child Placement. I'm here to take Davy to his new home."

"Interesting because I'm from Child Services. Carol Watanabe called me when you showed up. We have no record of permanent placement for Davy in his file. I have instructed Carol to notify the police of your attempted abduction and they should be here momentarily."

Gar stalked over to me, trying to intimidate me but I straightened my back and stared into his eyes.

"Give me the boy and I won't kill you," he threatened.

I stepped closer and said, "Didn't the Centre teach you to shoot first and threaten later?"

I pivoted on my toes, slammed my elbow into his solar plexus, and grabbed his gun from the holster under his left arm. As he gasped for air, Gar still tried to attack me. I swept his legs out from under him and watched as he crumpled to the ground. I brought the gun down onto his temple and smirked as he blacked out.

After removing the magazine and the bullet in the chamber, I hid the weapon in my purse. I could hear sirens in the distance and while I wanted to bolt, I needed to make sure the police arrested Gar. Sure, the Centre would have him out and then he'd spill the beans about me but they would only have a fake name. I picked up a figurine from the coffee table and tapped Gar on the head again so they believed I used that to knock him out. As the police entered the house, I held my hands up and stepped back.

"Miss, are you alright?"

"He attacked me. When I told him he couldn't have Davy, he came at me. I just picked up the figurine and hit him."

One of the officers took my statement while an ambulance was called in for Gar. They had him handcuffed to the gurney and under police escort out to the rig. When I was allowed to leave, I expected one of the officers to offer me a ride home but they mentioned someone was here for me.

Timmy and Davy were already gone but Jarod was there talking to the Watanabes.

"Mr. Willard's supervisor has offered to take you to Davy before taking you home."

"Just like Jarod to do that. He'll know that I need to make sure Davy is safe. Thank you, Officer."

Jarod made it a block before he spoke. He wasn't completely angry but upset and worried. He understood why I put myself between Gar and Davy but berated me for provoking the Sweeper. I stayed silent until he was finished venting his frustration.

"Thank you."

"Thank you? For what, Katie? I basically told you that what you did was dangerous and stupid."

"That's why. You care for my wellbeing. I bet after Carol called you to verify why we were there, you got into the car and drove there. You were worried about what might happen. Deep down, you freaked out when they told you I took him out. Am I right?"

"Yes. I know what Sweepers are capable of and you were lucky to stand up to Gar without getting hurt. He wouldn't have thought twice about killing you to get at Davy."

"I would have done anything to keep Davy away from the Centre."

"Even if it was your own life?" he asked as the car came to a red light.

"Even if they took me instead."

"I would never let that happen," he promised before kissing me.

Timmy and Davy were at the cabin when we got there. Timmy was sitting at the piano playing for the boy who seemed to enjoy the music. Jarod introduced himself to Davy while I headed into the kitchen to make some sandwiches.

"Natasha, what is going on?"

I sat the plate of sandwiches on the coffee table and took a seat next to Davy.

"Do you remember that video I showed you? About how I became that girl and helped her?"

"Yes."

"There is a company who takes money to plan ways to do bad things and to hurt people. They use people like me to plan those bad things. They wanted you because you're like me."

"But I wouldn't do it."

"They pretend to be the good guys so you think you're helping but you're not," Jarod said.

He pulled out the DSA player and showed Davy an old simulation he did. Afterwards, he explained how the Centre took what he said and twisted it. It was from what he thought up that people were hurt or killed.

"But you didn't know. Were they really going to do that to me?"

"Yes but that's why we stopped them. That man at your house was going to take you to the company."

"Thank you for saving me."

Davy gave each of us a hug and when I heard a creaking floorboard, I pulled him behind me.

"Yes, Jarod. Thank you for saving him," Miss Parker drawled from her spot in the doorway with her gun pointing at us.

"Miss Parker."

"When I drove here, I never thought I would be finding Angelo too, let alone that bitch."

I stepped forward and she steadied her gun at me.

"There is a child in the room so I'd prefer if you kept that language to yourself."

"Going Mama Bear on us?"

"Yes. Davy deserves a mother who loves him and until we find him one, I'm more than happy to be her."

"How touching," she replied, with a touch of sarcasm lacing the words.

"Who's she?" Davy whispered, tugging on my hand.

Ignoring Miss Parker, I turned and crouched down to Davy's level.

"She works for that company we told you about. She's here because Jarod left and won't go back. It's her job to find him and take him in."

"You take people's money to hurt others. Why do you do it? Is it because your mom didn't love you enough? I've heard people say that people do bad things because they weren't loved as a child."

The gun in Miss Parker's hand wavered very briefly but she didn't lower it.

"No, Davy. Her mother loved her very much and tried to get Jarod and her out as children. Speaking of which, Miss Parker, we found something of yours at NuGenesis."

"What?"

"Your own red file. There weren't 7 red files, but 8. Timmy, can you grab those three off the ledge of the fireplace?"

Carefully, he picked up the files and handed them to Jarod. I nodded and sat Davy on the couch. Jarod should be the one to break the news to her since he has known her longest. Besides I don't think I could say it without throwing up.

"The Centre had your brother adopted through NuGenesis and when the time was right reclaimed him. You have met and worked side by side with your brother before."

"Enough of these games, Jarod. Who is my brother? Please tell me it's not you."

"No but it's between Timmy and a boy you knew as Bobby."

The arm with the gun in its hand lowered and she staggered back.

"Lyle? It's him or Lyle?"

"I'd wish Timmy any day over Lyle," I said shuddering.

"And what do you know about Lyle? There wouldn't have been time for you to have met him before you 'died'."

"I know what's he's capable of, more than you know. He's the reason I couldn't stick around longer."

Miss Parker stepped closer to Jarod and raised her gun again. I tucked Davy into my side and covered his face.

"Which of these idiots is my brother?" she hissed.

"Like Katie said, I would wish it was Angelo, ah Timmy, but that's not going to change it. Unfortunately Lyle is your brother," Jarod told her, handing her the two red files on top.

She snatched the files from his hands and looked through them as she paced the small room. Timmy had joined Davy and I on the couch with Jarod taking a standing position behind the couch, resting his hands on my shoulders. The room was silent except for the occasional creaking of the floorboards.

Davy and Timmy were enjoying a sandwich while Jarod and I watched Miss Parker as she paced. Once she was done reading through the files, she threw them against the wall and screamed. After it ended, my cell phone rang. She spun around and glared at it. She motioned with the gun for me to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Katie?"

It was Margaret. I couldn't let Miss Parker know it was her.

"Ah, Dr. Haring. Has NuGenesis gotten my lab work back yet?"

"Someone is there. Keep going."

"Oh. I guess Ethan and I will have to try again," I said, trying to look crestfallen. "I think we're going to take a small vacation first to try and relax. Did you know we went to this island on our honeymoon and it was perfect except for getting caught outside during a massive rainstorm?"

"I got it, Katie. When?"

"A few days at most, Dr. Haring. Then we'll visit when I'm at peak time for inception. Thank you for your help, Dr. Haring."

"Be safe, Katie."

I hung up the phone. I shrugged at Miss Parker and reached for a sandwich.

"I went undercover to get into NuGenesis and that made me submit to plenty of tests. He was calling about them. So what are you going to do, Miss Parker? True, you have a gun pointed at us but even if you manage to get a shot off, one of us would take you down."

"Not when I have a team of Sweepers coming."

"But you're bluffing, Miss Parker. I could imagine a team of Sweepers are on their way to the clinic but not here. Plus they would be working for Raines and not you."

"Why do you think that?"

"He sent Gar to pick Davy up. Instead of retrieving the boy, I had him knocked out and arrested so once the Centre has him cleared, they would be going to NuGenesis to look for clues on Jarod or I. There they might find something or not. They might even start the trace on your cell phone to find out where you are. How did you find us, Miss Parker?"

"A phone number to this lodge on Boy Wonder's desk."

The clock chimed and I shared a look with Timmy. It was time for his next dose of the treatment. The paper bag with the individual doses sat on the table so I reached out for them since I was closest. Miss Parker cocked her gun and pointed it at me again.

"It's only Timmy's treatments. I think it's time that the Centre lets Timmy be the person he was meant to be."

She let me hand over the bag to Timmy and I distracted Davy while the injection was done. There was only one more treatment and Timmy would be cured. A knock on the cabin door resonated through the room.

"Hey, Jarod. It's Louis. I found something I thought you might want."

Miss Parker motioned for Jarod to get the door. It was a brief conversation and when Jarod turned back around, he had a photo in his hand. Miss Parker snatched it from his hand but Jarod also used the chance to get her gun. It went off but it had been pointing at the floor when it did. He was able to get it from her.

"Timmy, find some rope. Katie, pack our stuff."

We did what he said and by the time I came out of the bedroom, Louis had joined us. He had heard the shot and came running back. Miss Parker was tied to a chair from the kitchen and glaring at Jarod. Timmy took Davy outside to the car after I promised him that I would be coming too.

"You're going to leave me tied up here until Raines' men find the cabin."

"Nah. We'll call in a tip. Might even call and say hi to Broots. He could always make me smile when I worked with him," I said. "Toodles, Miss Parker."

I left the cabin so Jarod could say his farewells to the woman. We would be taking Davy to his new family before heading off to meet up with Jarod's family. He came out of the cabin a few minutes later and said goodbye to Louis. As we left the cabin, Jarod called a family he knew who would take wonderful care of Davy.

Before stopping by their house, Jarod stopped in at a bank and withdrew a bunch of money. When we arrived at the Brewsters, Jarod talked with the husband and wife while I said goodbye to Davy.

"Why can't I stay with you?" he asked.

"Because you need a real family, Davy. A father and a mother. I might not even stay with Jarod after this so it won't be fair for you. The Brewsters are great. They've tried for years to have a child and now they get the best one."

"Will I ever see you again?"

"Maybe. Jarod is telling your new parents a way to contact us if they should ever need to. Listen to them. Stay safe and don't forget to be a boy every now and then."

"I won't. I'm going to miss you."

I hugged the boy and he went rushing off to the Brewsters. I waved as Jarod headed back to the car. He pulled away from the curb and started to take us towards the city limits. I had figured we could drive the entire way to Manhattan rather than flying to meet up with his parents. But first I would have to tell him that.

"So who wants to go an island?"

"Why an island, Katie?" Timmy questioned.

"Because that's where I told them we'd be in a few days."

"That wasn't Dr. Haring on the phone was it?"

"Nope. They spotted the ad, Jarod. You're finally going to meet your parents."

He pulled over as quickly as he could and stared at me.

"My parents?" he whispered.

"Yes. Your parents and maybe even Emily. You'll get to be a family again."

"We'll get to be a family, Katie," he replied, pulling me in for a kiss.

After numerous years of searching, Jarod was finally going to meet his family. I will be beside him the entire time and hope Margaret and Major Charles accept our relationship, especially since I'm carrying their first grandchild. With two Pretenders as its parents, this child is going to be very special. Very special indeed.