For Disclaimer see Part 1.
The songs are "Home" by 12 Stones and "Aerials" by System of a Down. The bands own the music, I just love the songs.
Narcissus in Chains belongs to Laurell K. Hamilton, I just love the book. And if forgot to mention anything else I don't own, I'm sorry and don't sue!
P.S. Later on I wrote a flash back (You'll know when) and I'm not sure about what year I should've set it at, so if I messed up somehow, sorry.
Helpless
(Part 2 of 2)
Three weeks later
Thursday, 1:55 p.m.
It had been three weeks since Miss Parker had gotten the feeling back in her legs. Since then, she had started doing therapy, and was getting stronger everyday. Sydney and Broots had visited a few times since they heard the news. They also informed her that everyone at the Centre thought that she was dead. That didn't bother her one bit.
It was a blessing to her, actually. She got to enjoy her freedom. It left her to deal with important things in her life. Like figuring out what things Jarod still hadn't discovered and most importantly, loving him. Life was good.
She was sitting atop a padded table, her hair up in a high ponytail, and a white towel wrapped around her body. Jarod entered the room and smiled at her.
"You ready?" he asked.
She nodded and moved her legs onto the tabletop and laid on her stomach. The man walked over to her and paused.
"Do you want any scented oil?" he asked teasingly.
"You can save that for later." She replied with a grin.
Chuckling, Jarod began to massage her legs. Parker moaned quietly and closed her eyes. She was drifting to sleep, when the doorbell rang. The Pretender stopped his work and went to the door, despite the brunette's disappointed groan. He opened the door and smiled at the visitors.
"Hello Sydney, Broots." He greeted them.
"Hello Jarod." Replied his mentor.
The Pretender gestured for them to enter, which they did.
"How's Miss Parker?" asked Broots.
"Good. I was just massaging her legs. It helps for when her leg muscles cramp up."
He led his guests into the other room. Parker was still lying on the table, waiting patiently for him to return. The woman, eyes still closed, smiled.
"Hello Syd, Broots." She said.
Sydney and Jarod smiled while Broots was confused.
"How did you know?" he asked her.
"My Inner Sense told me you were coming. Plus you're the only people that visit."
The Pretender and his mentor chuckled while the techie just smiled. Jarod returned to massaging her legs.
"How are you, Parker?" asked Sydney.
"I'm good. I can feel. I'm working on walking. I'm in love. Life is good."
Sydney smiled, happy for her both on her therapy and her finally finding love. The group talked for a while until Jarod finished massaging her legs and the moved into another room, then they continued talking.
"How is it like at the Centre now that Raines is in charge and I'm 'dead'?" asked Parker.
"Lot's more security. The hunt for Jarod is low key. Lyle is leading the search and he's turned into Raines's right hand man."
The woman snorted. "That isn't surprising. Is the lobby fixed yet?"
"No, not yet. The workers are slow." He looked at Jarod, "Did you have anything to do with that?"
The man smiled. "Maybe."
6:40 pm
Jarod and Parker had finished eating dinner and were upstairs in his bedroom, lying on the bed. Her head rested on his chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat. She smiled and ran her fingers up and down his chest, slowly, leisurely. She was happy that she and Jarod were together and that their relationship wasn't based on sex, like it was with basically all of her ex- boyfriends. The only other boyfriend she had that loved her for her and not for sex was Thomas.
She snuggled closer to him, wondering what it would be like with him. They agreed that they would have sex when she was at full strength. Jarod craned his neck down and kissed the top of her head. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Jarod looked down at the sleeping woman in his arms and smiled. This had to be the best thing in his life. He had a true love and was happy. Yep, life was good. He closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.
Friday, 12:56 p.m.
"Where are you taking me?" Parker asked from her place in the passenger seat of Jarod's car.
"It's a surprise." Answered the Pretender with a smile.
"Tell me." she said with a pout.
"No."
She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed. She then leaned over and turned on the radio. Once again, rock music filled the car.
You are there
When I need you
Sew me up
When I bleed through
The endless cloth of lies
Surrounding me
Everything that I am
You have given me
The lesson that I learned
Are bringing me home
It's everything that I need
It's all the truth that I believe
Right where I need to be
Just bring me home
Parker drifted off to sleep while listening to the music. Jarod smiled. He had just gotten a video message from his father, Major Charles. The Major had some good news and refused to tell Jarod over the V.M. So the Pretender had to go to see his father, who had bought a house out in Michigan. He had a long drive ahead of them.
6:21 p.m.
Traverse City, Michigan
Jarod pulled up into the rocky driveway up to his dad's house. He glanced over at his passenger, who still slept undisturbed. Shaking his head, he stopped the car, and unbuckled his seatbelt before he shook Parker gently.
"Wake up, Michealina." He said, "We're here."
The woman groaned and opened her eyes, looking out the car window. "Where in the hell is 'here'?"
"Traverse City."
"Where?"
"It's by Lake Michigan."
"We're in Michigan and I slept all of the way here?!"
"Yup." He answered getting out of the car and walking over to her side of the car.
Jarod opened the door and helped her out of the car. Parker looked out at the large two-story cabin style house. She, arm in arm with Jarod, walked up to the door, all the while wondering why they were there. At the door, the Pretender knocked loudly. They waited about five-point-two seconds before someone opened the door.
She was shocked to see Major Charles in the doorframe. He was just as shocked to see her.
"What is she doing here?" his voice held no threatening tone, just curiosity.
"She's been living with me for a month and three plus weeks." Jarod told him.
The Major looked slightly puzzled.
"It's an interesting story." His son told him.
At his side, Parker began sway slightly. Jarod's father immediately noticed and moved out of the doorframe and allowed them to enter. The couple walked through the foyer and made their way into the living room. Once inside, Parker sat down on a plush, comfortable, white couch. Jarod sat down beside her and wrapped his arm around her waist.
"So what is this all about?" Jarod asked Major Charles.
"You'll see." He told his son with a smile, "Now what is going on with you and her?"
"It started with the Centre lobby being blown up. And Parker was buried in the ruins. I found her and took her with me." Jarod started, "I did some tests on her and discovered that she was temporarily paralyzed in her legs. She didn't take it well, but she was strong and dealt with it."
"Then a month later, I got the feeling back in my legs and then I started with therapy." Parker concluded, "And we're in love." She smiled at Jarod.
The Major smiled. "I'm happy for you two." He said.
There was a sound of footsteps coming from upstairs and loud rock music began to play. The older man smiled and shook his head.
"Joshua loves rock music."
"So does Jarod." Said Parker.
The music got louder and the three could now make out the words.
Life is a waterfall
We're one in the river
And one again after the fall
Swimming through the void
We hear the word
We lost ourselves
But we find it all…
Suddenly the rock music stopped and three sets of footsteps could be heard coming in their direction. They all looked towards the staircase to see Joshua, Jarod's sister Emily, and a woman with scarlet hair coming down the stairs. Jarod's eyes went wide and he stood up.
"Mom?" he said.
Margaret nodded and went to her son, hugging him tightly as her body would let her. Jarod hugged her back and let tears of happiness fall down his cheeks. Parker watched the scene playing out in front of her and couldn't help but feel the happiness for Jarod. He had finally had his family. And they were all together.
Parker felt a tiny sting of envy also. She wished that her family could've been closer. But obviously, work at the Centre ruled their lives. She smiled, still very happy for Jarod and his family. She watched as Jarod parted from the embrace and wiped his eyes.
Margaret looked at her and smiled warmly. There was a spark of reflectance in her eyes.
"You look more and more like your mother." She said her voice was soft spoken.
Parker smiled back. "That's what everyone tells me."
She studied the woman. The woman with scarlet hair looked much more livelier since she had saw her. Margaret's hair was down and curled. Her skin was pale and flawless and her arms had healed. Jarod's mother looked up at her and smiled a bit sadly.
"I wish you could've known your mother better. She was a great woman." She told her.
"Do you think you could tell me about my mother?" Parker asked.
"Of course, my dear." Margaret led the younger woman out of the living room and through the kitchen, out to the patio.
The women sat down in comfortable patio chairs.
"I was in Blue Cove when I met your mother." The woman with scarlet hair started, "I had just gotten a tip on where Jarod was when your mother approached me. She said she could help me get Jarod back."
The Centre 1967
Catherine Parker stood beside Margaret and watched as the woman with scarlet hair stared sadly at her son through the plexiglass. On the other side of the glass, Jarod sat with Miss Parker. They were talking on the staircase and smiling at each other. The young girl said something and the young boy smiled and held her hand. Catherine's expression was also sad as she watched her daughter.
The two mother's had a lot in common. They both wished they could be with their children, but sadly due to the Centre, they couldn't be. Margaret placed her hand on the glass and sighed softly. Catherine placed a hand on her shoulder. The other woman looked at her, tears in her eyes.
"We need to go." Mrs. Parker said softly.
The woman with scarlet hair nodded and wiped away her tears. Together they left the Centre.
"After that, your mother and I met again a few times. The last time we met, she told me never give up my search for Jarod and the truth. And to go through with the plan." Concluded Margaret.
"What was the plan?"
The woman with scarlet hair smiled. "The plan your mother had for you is already beginning to unfold."
Parker smiled and the woman grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. Jarod came out onto the patio and smiled. He sat down beside Parker. She had never seen him so happy. Her heart melted.
So this is what true love is like. She thought as Jarod began talking to his mother.
10:46 p.m.
Parker and Jarod decided to stay the night. They settled in the guest room. The brunette smiled at her boyfriend, who seemed to be glowing. She chuckled.
"I finally have a family!" the Pretender said happily, collapsing on the bed beside her.
"I'm so happy for you, Jarod." Parker said kissing him.
He kissed her back. They broke apart and smiled. Jarod stretched out beside her. Parker reached over on the end table and grabbed the TV remote. Turning on the TV, she began to channel surf.
She finally stopped on Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Kosener. Jarod's like Robin Hood. She mused as she began to drift off to sleep; He takes money from the Centre and gives it to those in need.
Saturday, 12:32 p.m.
Parker, Jarod, Joshua, and Emily had decided to go to Lake Michigan. It was a beautiful day, ninety-two degrees and not a cloud in the sky. They stood on the beach of Platt River, which flowed into Lake Michigan. The second they found a place to put the blanket; Joshua took off his shirt and ran into the river and went under. Parker chuckled and sat down on the large blanket.
She took off her shirt and shorts and stretched out. I need the color. She thought closing her eyes. She heard Emily tell Jarod that she was going to take a walk along the beach. Parker felt Jarod's presence beside her. She opened her eyes and looked over at Jarod.
He looked back at her and grinned devilishly. I don't like that look on his face. She thought. Suddenly, Jarod was picking her up and carrying her.
"Put me down!" she cried, then she looked down and saw that he was standing in the river, "Don't put me down!"
Laughing, he replied, "Make up your mind."
He continued to carry her through the river and to the sand bar on the other side that led to Lake Michigan. Instantly, Parker realized his "evil" plan.
"Don't you dare!" she told him.
"Do what?" he asked innocently, he then grinning and shifted his hold on her, "This?"
With saying that, he threw her into the ice-cold lake. Parker screamed before she went under. When she resurfaced, Jarod was laughing at her. She growled at him, which made him laugh even harder. She stood and grabbed him.
"You're mine, genius!" she said as she pushed him into the water.
Unfortunately, Jarod, in one quick movement, grabbed her and brought her down with him. They surfaced and laughed happily. They got out of the freezing water and walked along the sandbar. The couple walked until they saw a two people attempting to play volleyball. The players were a man and a woman.
When the woman spotted them, she walked over to them. She had jet-black hair with lilac highlights that went down to her waist. Her skin was naturally tan. Her eyes were the color of her highlights. She appeared to be at least five-three. She also had a tattoo on her upper left arm.
"Hi." She said, "I'm Hope. Wanna play volleyball with us?"
"Do you make it a habit to talk to strangers?" asked Parker.
"Sure. It's a great way to meet new people." Answered the woman, "Do you wanna play?"
"Sure." Jarod said.
"Coolio!" said Hope happily, "It's men against women."
"Yeah." Her male companion said, "And the men will win!"
Parker turned to Hope, "Is he always this cocky?"
The other woman shrugged, "Sometimes. But he's a great guy."
"I'm Michealina, by the way." Said the brunette, "And my companion is Jarod."
"Do you have a last name?" asked Hope.
"Parker. Everyone calls me that anyways."
The raven-haired woman smiled. "My guy is Ryan. He's such a jock."
"And you're not?"
"Nope." Hope grinned, "I'm a rocker."
"Hey!" Ryan said loudly, "Are you two finished with your little girl talk?"
"Bite me!" replied his girlfriend, she then turned to Parker, "You ready to play?"
"Yup." Answered the brunette.
1:17 p.m.
The woman had won the game by ten points. Ryan showed his sportsmanship by picking up Hope and tossing her into the lake. The raven-haired woman laughed it off and then surprised Jarod and Parker by picking Ryan up and tossing him in the water. Off the looks on Parker and Jarod's faces, Hope shrugged.
"I may be short, but I'm strong." She grinned.
The couple laughed as Ryan made his way over to them.
"Hey, guys!" Joshua said coming over to them, "Emily is taking me to go get some ice cream, wanna come?"
Parker and Jarod looked at each other. The woman knew ice cream was one of Jarod's weaknesses.
"Sure." Said the Pretender.
"Okay!" Josh said going back to where Emily was.
Parker turned to Hope and grinned. "It was nice meeting you."
"Nice meeting you, too." Agreed the raven haired woman, "But before you go…" she trailed off as she went to her blanket and got a pen and a piece of paper out her bag and wrote something on it, then went back to the group, "Here. It's my home and cell numbers. If you ever want to get in touch, you can."
Parker was very touched by the gesture. She didn't really have a lot of friends.
"Thank you." She said to Hope, "I really mean it."
Hope smiled. "You're welcome."
Jarod and Parker walked away towards where Emily and Joshua were waiting. Then the group left the beach, packed the car, and drove to a Dairy Queen. Joshua got a chocolate dipped vanilla cone while Emily got a blizzard with peanut butter cups. Jarod and Parker decided to get a hot fudge sundae and split it. The group found a picnic table and sat down, enjoying their ice cream.
3:30 p.m.
The nice, hot sunny day took a surprising turn by becoming dark and rainy. The group had returned to the house before the rain had started. Parker and Jarod sat in the living room, looking out the big picture window. The woman got the sudden urge to go out into the rain. It was something she had been denied as a child, but always wanted to do.
She looked at Jarod and grinned. She stood up and reached for him. The Pretender looked mildly confused.
"Come outside with me." She said.
"It's raining, Parker!" objected Jarod.
"So what? I've always wanted to play in the rain. I know you haven't played in the rain either. It'll be a first for the both of us."
"I don't know…"
"Come on," she pouted, "Please…"
"All right." He gave in.
"Yay." Said Parker, grabbing his hand and leading him out of the living room.
They went outside. The woman let go of Jarod's hand and spun on her heel, laughing. The Pretender grabbed her and spun her around. They danced together, swaying slowly back and forth. They danced until they saw lightning, then went into the house. Margaret stood in the foyer and handed them towels, then walked away shaking her head and smiling.
Parker and Jarod went upstairs to the guestroom to get changed. Inside the room, Jarod shut the door behind them. Parker unzipped her shorts and peeled them off, then tossing them into the bathroom. Jarod removed his shirt and tossed it into the bathroom. Parker found it hard to keep her eyes off of Jarod and she ended up meeting his gaze.
They moved towards each other and wrapped their arms around each other. The woman kissed him passionately. Returning the kiss, Jarod began to untie her bathing suit top.
"Are you sure?" he asked when they parted.
"I've never been so sure of anything in my life." Answered Parker, "I love you, Jarod."
"I love you, too Michealina."
They kissed again…
5:15 p.m.
Parker lay in Jarod's arms. She drew the sheet up around her naked body. Sighing contentedly, she closed her eyes. Her lover kissed her forehead and smiled at her. He held her tightly.
"Michealina?" he said.
"Hmmm?"
"I have a question for you."
"Spit it out." She said lazily.
"Are you ready for a life with me?"
She opened her eyes and looked into his dark gaze. "You had to ask?"
"Is that a 'yes'?'
"That was a: 'if you are a genius and you know me better than I know myself, why did you have to ask such a ridiculous question when you know I'm going to say 'of course'?"
Chuckling, Jarod murmured, "I'm glad we got that all figured out." Then kissed her on the lips.
The Next Day
Jarod and Parker had returned to his house and while the Pretender searched the internet, his lover was enjoying a nice bubble bath, while reading a book called Narcissus in Chains. Towards the end of her bubble bath, Jarod entered the bathroom.
"Are you ready?" he asked her.
She raised an eyebrow and tossing the book to the floor. "For what?"
"Our first pretend."
The End