NOTE: This is my very first Pretender Fan Fiction.  This was something I wrote in November of 2001, before Island of the Haunted came out.  It was actually inspired by the piece in the commercial where Jarod is holding Parker's hands.  I don't own the Pretender, etc.  I am a fan.  Please R/R!  Thank You.

After All This Time

Jarod waited at the airport.  His five years on the run from the Centre were over.  Miss Parker was taking him back to the Centre.  But there were so many unspoken words between the two of them.  He couldn't just let them part without saying something.

Miss Parker looked at him and Jarod knew she was feeling just what he was as well.  He needed to say something.  To get rid of this void between them, "I always knew there was more to our lives than just I run and you chase," He said taking her hands.

Miss Parker looked down at her hand in his.  Jarod's hands were handcuffed and it broke her heart to see it.  She looked back at him.  She remembered everything that had happened to them in the past five years, in their childhood.

Miss Parker's eyes welled with tears as she choked, "Jarod."

Jarod didn't wait for her to speak, he just kissed her.  He felt Miss Parker's slender hands run up his face and her tears hit his lips.

When they broke apart they were both crying.

Someone cleared their throat.  They both looked up.  Lyle.  Lyle was here to take Jarod away.  Miss Parker pursed her lips, just how long had he been there?

Lyle hauled Jarod up and began to escort him away.  Miss Parker was not surprised when he did not resist.  Jarod looked back, for perhaps the final time at someone who had suddenly become so important to him.

Miss Parker's eyes met his own.  "Wait!"  She called.  Lyle turned, he was impatient.

Miss Parker ran to Jarod and threw her arms around his neck.  She never wanted to let him go.  She just wanted to feel his arms around her, again.  Jarod buried his face in her hair and Miss Parker began to cry again.  She pressed her lips feverishly against Jarod's.

But this time when they broke apart she had something to say.  With their foreheads pressed together Miss Parker whispered, "I love you."

Jarod was surprised.  Miss Parker never spoke the word love unless it was with sarcasm, "I love you."  He whispered.

The two embraced once more before Lyle took Jarod away.