Disclaimer: Pretender = not mine. The characters aren't mine, the actors aren't mine, the title isn't mine, the sets aren't mine, the production companies aren't mine, anything having to do with the show is not mine. Sigh…tell me if there's something else that I don't own because I'm feeling really sad and that will just be the final nail in the coffin. Maybe someday, I'll buy the show and then it really will be mine…someday.
Summary: Jarod decides to end the chase, but he and Ms. Parker end up locked inside of a warehouse and…well, there's some arguing, some anger, and maybe something more.
Author's Note: Hey, thanks for all the great ideas! I'm definitely gonna use some of them. Watch closely to see if yours comes up… in other words, the identity of CJP
Trapped In A Box
By Bec-Bec
Chapter 7
Parker and Pez Head
"W-what was that noise?" Broots jumped at the beep of Jarod's laptop.
"My laptop, I was sent an e-mail and it's been decrypting it." Jarod's face had clouded over at the thought that he had willingly entered a Centre facility without knowing it. He had walked into a trap…and now Ms. Parker was caught in it too.
"Thank god. I though it was some sort of bomb or something."
"If it was a bomb you'd be dead already. How do you know this building is owned by the Centre?" Ms. Parker bit out with equal parts of anger and shock present in her voice. Her grasp around Jarod had tightened and she could feel how his muscles tensed at the thought of the Centre. They'd kill her for sure if they found out she was sleeping with their prized lab rat…especially without her father around to stop them, not that he would have…he probably cared more about Jarod than her. If you could call what he felt for Jarod caring, it was more like protecting an investment.
"We found a letterhead printed with this address and the Centre logo on it in the security office," Sydney answered.
"Bastards," Ms. Parker muttered under her breath, then she turned a harsh tone back to Sydney, "What else did you find? Why have they locked us in here? What's their big deluded idea this time?"
"Broots couldn't find anything. Though, we were also sent an e-mail, that's how we found you. Unfortunately, it also got all of us locked in here, we can't go back the way we came, the doors only unlock from one side."
"How completely covertly like the Centre; lock us in without an escape and wait until we all go stark raving mad." Ms. Parker said coldly.
"You don't look stark raving mad to me. In fact, you're practically glowing." Sydney replied calmly.
Ms. Parker's cheeks colored faintly, "Certain things will do that to you."
"So, I take it you haven't actually investigated if there was another way to get out of here or not."
"Some of us were a bit more…occupied." Ms. Parker stated bluntly.
"More occupied than finding out how to get out of a lockbox? It doesn't sound much like you Ms. Parker," Broots averted his eyes, expecting Ms. Parker to yell angrily at him.
"Well, Broots, there's a hell of a lot about me that you don't know," There was not one hint of anger in her voice and Broots looked even more shocked. What had happened to the Parker he knew? What happened to "shooting the Pretender's genius ass?" It was almost too shocking of a change for him to believe it even happened…maybe he was actually unconscious in the hallway because a grizzly bear had whacked him upside the head…no, that was even more absurd. Just to make sure, he pinched himself…yep, he was definitely awake, and now he was in pain too.
"Broots, if you're wincing at the thought of me and Jarod, I suggest you have your eyes permanently blinded because he's not going anywhere and as long as we're stuck in here, I'm not leaving his side."
"A-actually, I was just pinching myself t-to…" he stopped because Ms. Parker was giving him a look that could kill, "make sure I was awake," he finished, mumbling quietly.
Jarod grabbed one of Ms. Parker's hands from around his chest and got up off of the bed, pulling her up with him, "Let's read the e-mail. Maybe whoever helped you two get in here will help all of us get out…before the Centre does any bloodshedding…" he finished bitterly.
Ms. Parker and Jarod held hands as they walked over to the laptop. Sydney noticed how they wouldn't let go of each other. It showed the fear that still lingered in each of them regarding the abandonment they'd felt for most of their lives. He was going to warn them that such attachments weren't safe and had serious psychological implications, but his old romantic heart melted at the sight. If only he had gotten to have that with Michelle…if only…
Sydney and Broots followed Jarod and Ms. Parker to the laptop. Jarod pulled up the e-mail. They all leaned in to read it:
Trapped in a box, with unconventional locks, the normal are driven to madness.
The truest hearts fear, but the lovers don't hear, they're too lost in each other.
Who locked the box? Have you heard the talks? It's all part of the plan.
Listen closely to the voices, It's time to make your choices, does it end or begin?
Love or power? Now's not the time to cower, Does it end or begin?
CJP
"CJP, that's the same person that sent us the e-mail that got us in here." Broots told Jarod and Ms. Parker, "Do you know who it is?"
"Those are my mother's initials," Ms. Parker stated awkwardly, "How's that possible?"
"It's not likely. Besides, CJ is Angelo's screen name." Jarod answered her.
"But what's the P for?"
"Pal? Panda? Pork? Pigeon? Pie?" Broots began rambling of words that started with P.
As usual, Sydney cut him off, "I don't think it's so important as to who sent it but more what it is that it says."
They all examined it again. Jarod interpreted it quickly, "We're all trapped in this warehouse, but the locks aren't the usual kind, they're sealed doors. Lovers would imply…" he took a little gulp of air and glanced at Parker, who stared gravely back at him, then continued, "Talks must be the plans for locking us in here, whoever sent this is telling us that they overheard people talking about it. Voices must mean Parker's Inner Sense."
"But, what's the nonsense about does it end or begin?" Broots asked.
"I don't know," Jarod answered with a sigh.
"I do," Ms. Parker answered, "It's meant for me. Does it end or begin…CJP wants to know if I'm going to pick Jarod or the Centre."
"Picked," Jarod corrected. Parker had already made the choice.
She bit her lip and smiled at him at the same time, then repeated what he'd said, "Picked."
Sydney's eyes lit up, "Did you really?"
"What'd you think Syd? I was gonna stay in that madhouse for the rest of my life?"
"Yes." Sydney stated a bit to quickly. He covered it just as quickly though, "I didn't want you to, but it certainly seemed…"
"Appearances can be deceiving," Ms. Parker answered.
"Apparently," Broots mumbled. He was obviously still appalled at the idea of Jarod and Ms. Parker.
"You'll get over it Broots," she then leaned over and kissed Jarod softly.
"Oh, I don't want to see you do that," Broots turned his head away and Ms. Parker and Jarod laughed at him.
"Don't worry Broots, you won't have to be around us," Jarod told him
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it's getting late and I should assume you'd like to get some sleep," he turned his glance toward Parker and smiled slyly, "I know I would." Then he turned his attention back to Broots and Sydney, "Follow me, I did investigate enough to find two other suitable sleeping places in the building." He was climbing up the stairs when he stopped, "Wait, I suppose we should eat first, I'm ravenous."
There were two boxes of Macaroni and cheese in the cupboard that had previously housed the soup, so that's what they ate. The milk in the fridge had come in handy after all. However, there was no butter, so the meal was a bit bland, until Jarod pulled out his can of spray cheese and covered the noodles in it.
"Ugh, how can you eat that?" Ms. Parker laughed at the mess.
"Like this," he took a huge mouthful and smiled happily as he chewed.
"Whatever."
"Really, try it," Jarod said and sprayed the artificial cheese on her bowl of noodles before she could answer.
"Jarod!" she whimpered.
He just stared at her. Finally, she gave in and took a bite meekly. She tried to conceal a small grin, it actually wasn't that bad.
"Ah hah! I was right, admit it!" he saw right through Ms. Parker's cover.
"Fine, you were right."
They smiled at each other.
Sydney just watched contentedly, sitting at a table together eating, they felt like a real family.
Broots tapped Jarod on the shoulder, interrupting his little staring contest with Ms. Parker. "Jarod, could I have some?"
"Oh, sure," he handed Broots the bottle and returned to staring at Ms. Parker while gulping down his pasta.
When they had finished, they put the dishes in the sink. Everyone was too tired to bother with washing them. Jarod took Sydney and Broots to their accommodations, a room which appeared to have been an infirmary for the workers. The beds were poorly padded, but Broots and Sydney were too wiped out to mind. Jarod wished them pleasant dreams and left them after pointing out where the infirmary's bathroom was.
Ms. Parker had tagged along at first, but then stepped into another room without anyone noticing. Jarod realized she wasn't there and went back down to their bed, assuming that's probably where she had gone to. He didn't see her, so he went to the kitchen, perhaps she had decided to do the dishes after all…though, dishes were a very un-Parker-like activity. She wasn't in the kitchen. He wondered where she'd gone to. Then he saw her standing in front of the stairwell in a red satin dress. It was tightly fitted and accentuated every curve of her body. Her hair was tied up in chopsticks.
"Look what I found," she smiled softly, "This must be what they shipped."
"Parker, you're incredible," Jarod said as he walked toward her.
"Not so fast Wonder Boy, here," she tossed him a tuxedo she'd found. It even had a little bowtie.
"Parker, what's this for?"
"A proper lady deserves to be escorted by a proper gentleman."
"Escorted where?"
"Here," she walked backwards toward an open space on the warehouse floor, never breaking eye contact with him, "Come dance with me."
Jarod narrowed his eyes, considering it. It didn't take him long, why on earth wouldn't he want to dance with Parker? He put the tuxedo on hastily over his boxers after he'd pulled his shirt off, and walked over to Parker. "May I have this dance?"
"I don't know, sailor, what are your intentions?" Ms. Parker said, acting coquettish
"The worst kind," he shook his head sadly.
"Sounds okay to me," she whispered seductively, losing her whole naivete act.
He took her hand and pulled her close, sliding his other arm around her waste.
"You know, we're not wearing any shoes," Jarod commented
They both looked down and Jarod noticed how beautifully slender her feet were and how nice the red polish on her toes brought out the paleness of her skin.
"Doesn't matter to me," she replied.
They stared back up and into each other's eyes. Then, Jarod suddenly spun her out and pulled her back to him. Several wisps of her hair fell out of the chopsticks. "What was that for?" her pulse raced a little.
"You're even prettier when you're a little flushed," he answered, his own pulse racing at the sight of her, slightly disheveled.
She leaned forward and met him in a passionate kiss.
They pulled back and Jarod dropped the hand that he was holding, and moved his fingers over to her throat to feel her pulse.
She did the same with her free hand.
Jarod started backing them over toward the bed in little waltzing circles.
When they were closer, the arm around her waste slid up her back and tugged lightly on the dress' zipper, he slid it all the way down and his hand moved onto her warm flesh.
"Jarod," Ms. Parker whispered in his ear, "Broots and Sydney are upstairs."
"Do you want to stop?"
"Mmm, no," she answered as his hand caressed her back, "but…"
"Don't worry, their room is far away, they have their own bathroom and everything. Besides, they haven't slept since you got here, they're wiped out."
"Mmm…okay." She slid his tuxedo jacket off, letting it fall to the floor. They twirled over it as Jarod led them in another waltzing circle. She kissed his ear as she unbuttoned the shirt, and untied the bowtie.
They had made it to the bed, and Jarod pulled lightly on the front of Ms. Parker's dress, it slid off easily. His pants and boxers followed it to the floor.
Jarod reached up and pulled the chopsticks out of Ms. Parker's hair, it spilled down in waves around her shoulders.
He lowered them to the bed and Ms. Parker whispered to him, "Jarod, there's this song with a line in it that says, '…baby kiss me like a drug, like a respirator…' would you kiss me that way?"
He answered by kissing her long and hard, causing her pulse to race even faster, her toes curled as the lack of oxygen swept through her. And then, he released her.
"That's…just…like it." She managed to get out softly. They were both breathing ragged, and lay there staring at each other.
After Jarod caught his breath a little, he spoke, "Would you kiss me like there's no tomorrow?"
"Oh, but there is tomorrow…and the day after…and the day after."
Tomorrow and forever, really. But, they already knew that. They could feel it; it was a part of them. It raced through their blood like drugs and oxygen, feeding their hearts and bodies. Drugs and oxygen…that's what they were for each other.
They made love silently as their hearts beat fast enough to purr. And, again, they slept close together in each other's arms, Pez Head and Parker.
****
The Next Morning
Broots tossed in his sleep and suddenly woke up. He rubbed his eyes, trying to figure out where he was before realizing he was in the hard metal bed of the infirmary of the warehouse. He groaned as he pulled himself up; he felt like he'd slept on a rock. It felt like his spine was curled into the shape of a shrimp…did shrimp have spines?…No, he remembered that shrimps had exoskeletons. Then he was really sad for a moment, who really wanted to remember that? He'd really have to find a new hobby…perhaps fishing would be good…though he was currently having sympathy pains for the little curled fishes.
Sydney interrupted his thoughts as he stepped out of the bathroom, "Good morning, Broots. Did you sleep well?"
"How can you sleep well when you've been layed out on a stone slab?" Broots asked rhetorically.
"That bad?"
"What, your bed was more comfortable?"
"I've gotten used to sleeping on hard surfaces…it comes with the territory, there's nothing soft and cushy at the Centre."
"Yah, it wouldn't hurt them to have a soft couch or something. Have you sat on that couch of yours? It feels like a board."
"Hmm, actually, I've slept quite well on that couch."
Broots shrugged at the older man, "If you ask me, it's not something I'd like to get accustomed to."
"Understandable," Ms. Parker said from the doorway.
She and Jarod had woken up earlier so they could get dressed before they got caught by Sydney and Broots. She was currently wearing a plain navy blue T-shirt and a pair of jeans she had found last night with the dress and tuxedo.
"M-Ms. Parker, I've never seen you in jeans before," Broots was shocked by how layed back it made her look.
"Don't get used to it, I'm not a jeans kind of girl. Jeans don't show enough cuves."
"Oh, I don't know, I think they show planty of…curves," Jarod said as he came up behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"What do you know?" Ms. Parker said smugly, with an undertone of laughter
"Haven't you heard, Parker? I'm a genius, I know everything."
"I vaguely remember hearing that…what's your name again?"
"I believe my name, currently, is Pez Head."
"Pez Head," she mocked him, and then laughed, pulling his hands down from her shoulders and wrapping his arms around her.
Broots just shook his head and turned away from them, fumbling his way toward the bathroom.
Sydney moved out of Broots' way and toward Ms. Parker and Jarod, "What's the plan now?"
Jarod pulled his eyes from Parker's and looked over at Sydney, "We search every inch of this place and find a way to get out…before the Centre comes."
"The Centre's already here," Lyle's voice sounded from a few feet down the hallway, "Congratulations on getting caught, it makes it so much easier to hall your asses back to the Centre."
Author's Note: The line "…baby kiss me like a drug, like a respirator…" is from Aimee Mann's "It's Not" which really has very little to do with Parker and Jarod in many ways…but so much in others…though, technically, fitting to this time frame, the song hadn't been recorded yet. It's really not important except that I think the line is extremely romantic. But, that's just me and I'm crazy.
Okay, I swear, I'm gonna get to the story of why they're in here soon…I just keep getting sidetracked because Parker and Jarod are so sweet together. Thanks for all of the suggestions, everybody! I think you can tell I decided CJP was Angelo, so thanks to Phenyx, Nans, and Pez7701 for the idea…what does the P stand for? That's my little mystery now…I'm deciding. Besides, did you notice that J and P is Jarod and Parker, so maybe what I'm really looking for is: what does C stand for? Any ideas are greatly appreciated, so send them right along. Oh, hey, while I'm at it, another question from IOTH, when they're reading over the scrolls at the end and it gets to "a boy named Jarod," did you notice how his name is followed by a w? What does it say? My best guess is that it says, "a boy named Jarod will…" What do you guys think? Please Review!!! More soon. Luv Ya All! Buh Bye!