DISCLAIMER: in the first chapter...
A/N: I feel like I should apologize for taking so long to update, but I have good reason. My computer and me had a falling out and he got mad at me and refused to log in on So I felt uninspired to write more. Don't worry though, I been revisited by the muse and unless my computer decides to rebel again, I'll keep posting.
Now, for those who still read this little piece of mine, THANK YOU for the reviews and the patience. I am posting these two chapters together, because it just felt wrong to post them apart. Hope you like chap 10, cause it is one of my "own" favorite moments.
Special thanks to those who took the time to leave me a little note: Gemini-M, leochick, Sammie, Eden, MissEdythe, youte, driel, Teddy78...
NOW, enjoy and don't forget... REVIEWS!
Chapter 9: SEEKING UNDERSTANDING
Sydney could wait…
Awhile, at least…Parker, on the other hand, could not.
Steps filled with determination and grace, the huntress went behind her desk, withdrawing a hidden Halliburton case from the shadows. Placing the silver case on the glass top of her desk, she opened the latch and slipped the disc inside. Everything had been done so swiftly, that Sydney and Broots were barely able to register her movements before she pressed play.
Again, the psychiatrist and the tech watched the scene play out. They were, however, much more interested in the live version of Miss Parker than her younger counterpart. Because, it was the huntress, not the girl, who held all the answers. Or so they thought…
The frown and intrigued look of her pale grey eyes as she recognized herself on the grainy, black and white recording, was enough to shed doubt on both men. Maybe she didn't remember. Or worse, maybe she did. Sydney was unable to tell.
When the screen faded to black, Parker turned towards them, finally focusing her attention on Sydney and Broots. She asked, in a forceful tone, what had been Angelo's exact words. Seemingly transformed back into the Ice Queen so many knew and feared, they noticed the ever-constant scowl, as it reclaimed her features. Nervously, the tech recited, to the best of his abilities, the empath's bizarre speech. He told her about his suspicion that Angelo had been channeling two different people and watched as Parker nodded, clinging to his every word.
The psychiatrist studied her, trying to decipher the mysterious woman before him. Proud of her strength and concerned for her sanity, he yearned to understand the different facets she had within her. There was so much more than met the eye. So much hidden from everyone's casual glances and protected from anyone's careful scrutiny.
Patiently, both men waited for Parker's delayed reaction. For an outburst of anger or another wall crumbling as the little faith she still possessed in her life faded away with another cruel revelation. Nothing. She remained impartial. Her face unreadable as she asked them to leave her be. When they both failed to move, still staring at her, like a specimen under the microscope, the Ice Queen came to the surface. Turning on her heels, she faced them, hands on her waist and eyes burning with unbearable cold.
" Broots, you don't get paid to stand around all day doing nothing. Find Jarod!" Parker paid little attention to the tech as he scurried away, his fear of her momentarily greater than his present concern for a friend. Her eyes were burning holes in Sydney, instead.
" Don't you have some lab rat who is in great need of psychiatric observation, doctor Frankenstein?" Her words to Broots had been spoken with authority, demanding to be obeyed. But the way she spoke to Sydney, left the man feeling hurt and even more worried. There was malice and distrust dripping from her every word, as she crossed her arms, like a protective shield around her heart.
The little doubt he had of her not remembering that day on the DSA soon turned to dust. She remembered, all right. Her whole attitude was like warning signals on a rocky road. And Sydney refused to let it go so easily. Taking a step forward, he reached his right hand and tried placing it on her shoulder… But, she moved away, turned her back to the hurt psychiatrist and repeated her demand. Her voice still unwavering, her back straight.
" Parker, please… I know there is something going on. And I can tell you remembered what you saw on that DSA. I'm worried about you. Please… Please, Parker, let me help you." The sincerity in his voice did little to appease the terrible distrust, which hung between them. Sydney didn't know what to do. He called her name again. Same reaction. Leave, Syd. And against his own will, he did, defeated feet dragging him away…
As soon as the door clicked shut behind the old man, Parker's shoulder's hunched, a sigh escaping her lips. Turning towards the camera, she wiped her cheeks dry, making sure not to smudge her waterproof make-up. In a few seconds, all traces of her weakness had been erased. A millisecond after that, the red light of the surveillance device came back to life. Parker pretended not to notice…
She was so good at that…
Sitting behind her desk, she slowly crossed her legs, copiously removed the DSA from the Halliburton case and put both the player and the disc away. Turning back to her unfinished work, she continued her day as if nothing important had happened. Another boring day at the Center with no clues to the whereabouts of their elusive pretender and nowhere to start looking.
With her head still bent down, seemingly reading the useless piece of paper before her, Miss Parker cast a glance in the direction of the vent shaft, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. There were still holes in her memories, which she could not account for, but she remembered enough… Enough to start digging the past and finally find the one answer she had never thought to look for before.
Until now…
