Conspiracy

by Roz1013

Jarod is back at the Centre voluntarily, roaming the halls and looking for answers to his and Miss Parker's pasts

Conspiracy by Zanna


Okay, first the disclaimer. Oh Boy! The Pretender and
all characters associated with it belongs to NBC and 20th Century Fox. I'm not
making any money out of this and no infringement is intended.
The second part of this party is for those of you who like having a line of logic to begin with.
This story is set approx. seven years after the series started. I'm only
approaching the end of season two on my telly but that hasn't stopped me. Thanks
to Tuna or Duncan or whatever he is these days and Yip for helping me when the
going got tuff and all my beta readers. Yes, you may distribute it, just tell me
where it's going first and keep my name and e-mail addy on it Flames and
comments welcome

Zanna

zannamjs@yahoo.com

Conspiracy (1 / ?)


*** The Centre Blue Cove, Delaware ***


"What ?" Miss Parker stood up.


Shock was displayed over her face.


"I said that the Triumvirate requested a meeting with you. Apparently Jarod is with them."


Sydney calmly relayed the news and placed a mental bet over whether or not she would explode.
Miss Parker opened her mouth but no sound came out. She opened and closed her
mouth several times but shock kept her from saying anything. Sydney lost the
bet. When she finally regained her composure she calmly walked out of the
office. Sydney could have sworn he heard her say something.


*What the hell is Jarod doing with the Triumvirate? Why wasn't he locked up? More
importantly, why isn't bound and gagged and rotting in his cell?*


So deep was she in thought that she never noticed the strange looks that the rest of the Centre
staff gave her, nor did she notice Brigitte's self-satisfied smirk. When she
approached the Tower elevator she noticed the sweeper that waited for her in the
elevator. Standard Tower policy, to ensure that a lunatic didn't accidentally
access the Tower. As she stepped into the elevator she couldn't help but notice
the bullet hole that still adorned the wall. A painful reminder to everyone here
to never ever cross the Triumvirate. She gulped and prayed (well, as near as
Miss Parker could come to praying) that she would never meet her end that way.
The walls of the elevator was void of any buttons and marks (with the exception
of the bullet hole) it was all pre-programmed just in case you had the sudden
urge to go to any other place than the Tower.


The elevator was as slow as always and on the way up she mentally counted the
times that she had encountered the Triumvirate. The first time was for her
interview when she decided to officially join the Centre. The second was when
Jarod escaped and she was ordered to capture him - preferably alive. And the
third was when she was summoned before the T-board. She still shuddered about
that episode. So why did they want to see her? With Jarod of all people? These
thoughts kept company during the entire way up. At last the elevator opened and
the doors slowly slid on their well greased tracks.


The room she stepped into was dark and gloomy, the only light came from slits in
the walls to let sun in only at certain strategic points. There was also a
couple of lights but the impending sense of doom would remain in the room even
if they painted it pink and named it the new maternity ward. It was actually a
large hall with doors leading to adjoining rooms that housed who knew how may
horrors. In front of the wall that faced the elevator stood three chairs,
slightly raised above the floor, all presently occupied. They were lighted from
the back so that all you saw of the chair and its occupant was their silhouette.
The room was filled with different layers but they were all alike in the shadows.
This room was identical to the one they used with T-board sessions with the
exception that this room wasn't bugged. What ever happened here would be denied
and the accuser would find no damning evidence of any kind and sometimes even the
existence of the room was denied.


The ever present midget was there, taking notes that would be dissected by the
Triumvirate for later reference. Psych teams would pore over it for weeks,
studying all her responses so that they could gain some insight into her psyche,
and more importantly, to reveal her weaknesses.


As she walked closer to Triumvirate, she noticed a table had been placed in
front of their chairs. Two chairs waited or her, but the one on her left was
already filled with the form of Jarod. God, it had been a long time since she
last saw him. His very essence still had the ability to raise her pulse, but
unlike her younger self, she had no need to take it further that that. He was
almost a poster boy, an ad for a freedom that could have been hers so long ago.
But even with the price tag attached to working at the Centre, it was kind of fun to chase him.
Hell, she got to see America the fun way, chasing a gorgeous man.


The sweeper that came with her on the elevator joined his buddies at another
wall. They were all visibly armed and they were definitely hired for their
muscle, not brains. She ignored them, and instead focused on the people in front
of her. The female member sat in her rocking chair, slowly moving back and
forth. The other two male members sat silently in their respected places. The
nearer Miss Parker came to them, the tenser they got. Clearly she had interrupted
an argument of some sorts.


When she made her final approach to the table, she could feel all three members'
eyes on her. Accusing her, ridiculing her because they had been humiliated to
bargain with one of their own creations. Miss Parker looked at Jarod. His face
was locked in quiet determination laced with a slight tinge of exasperation. In
front of him lay a couple of documents with four signatures. Something was very
wrong here. The Triumvirate never signed anything. Jarod must have really
twisted their arms. Before anyone could say anything Jarod leaned in and
whispered conspiratorially:


"At least some things haven't changed in Mr. Lyle's purges."


She resisted the temptation to ask him exactly what he meant by that when one of
the members of the Triumvirate cleared his throat. It was only then that Miss
Parker noticed the middleman between them and the Triumvirate. He wore an
unnoticeable suit and had a bland enough face with no recognizable features. His
voice was equally bland and it was a fight not to fall asleep immediately.

"Nice of you to join us, Miss Parker. The reason we asked you here is that Jarod has made
some rather interesting comments that we would like to run by you. You will
listen with your complete attention and only comment when we ask you to."

*Yeah right I'm gonna be allowed to comment* she thought

"Jarod has made an agreement with us that we think will be mutually beneficial.
He will come back to the Centre, but only on a part time basis. He will continue on the
Pretender project and help to teach some of the Pretenders here. However, no projects that
involve the harming nor taking of children will be assigned to him. This may mean that he will
sometimes be working on hostage negotiations but those are pretty rare at
Centre. He has also shown us some rather large flaws in the Pretender project as
well as how to remedy them. In exchange for these duties he will live outside
Centre jurisdiction and we have no say in the rest of his life. We have agreed
on a monthly salary and his proposed project. This project is a response team
that will handle all Centre emergencies or any other project we deem fit. He
will become part of your team, Miss Parker as well as Angelo."


"Cousin It ?" Miss Parker's face showed her revulsion.


She reached for her cigarette case.


"No smoking" The man grinned and a smile formed, showing his
nicotine stained teeth.


"Well obviously all the decisions has already been made. So why am I here ?"

She asked while putting her cigarette case away. The man answered again with an almost amused
grin that spoke volumes despite its size.


"One of Jarod's many demands was that we inform you ourselves. Apparently he
thought that you wouldn't believe him if he told you. We also don't want your
father involved in any of this. When you step out of that door everything about
this project is classified and only the members of your team and ourselves will
be able to access your files."


"Why leave my father out of this? I thought he was head of operations in the Centre?"


" Your father is getting old, Miss Parker. Besides, this is above his clearance. Jarod, all the
other aspects of your demands have been agreed to and the information will be available to you
shortly."


Jarod stood up and reached for the papers. The man made a move to stop him but
female member of the Triumvirate just shook her head. The meaning was clear. Let
him take the papers. Jarod held out his hand and said:


"Thank you. Miss Parker, after you?"


Miss Parker stood up with out a sound but her eyes showed the fury
that boiled there. As they walked out of the room she could feel the eyes of the
Triumvirate behind her and she heard one of the members whispering to her:


"Play nice."


A sweeper followed them to elevator and clearly made his point that he was going
to join them for the road down when the man who spoke to them called him over.
That in itself was unusual. Letting them ride down without an escort was almost
unheard of. Silently they stood as they waited for the elevator, neither saying
a word. When the doors finally opened up and they stepped inside Miss Parker
waited five seconds until she opened her mouth to demand what was going on but
Jarod grabbed her arm and held his finger to his lips and pointed to the walls
and the pulled on his ears. She nodded to show she understood and together they
rode down in silence.


Miss Parker was so lost in thought that when the elevator finally came a jarring
halt she jumped. Jarod quickly stifled a grin. The door slid open. When they
stepped out of the elevator everyone tried to look as they weren't looking.
Nobody did a good job. The hunter and the hunted. But the question was, which
was which? They stepped into her office.


"Would you mind telling me what's going on?"


Miss Parker asked while lighting a cigarette.


"Don't worry -it's secure. Broots sweeps it twice a day."


"I wouldn't bet on it. This is the Centre you know."


" Oh ha ha. So what's this all about ? I thought I would have to drag you
back here and yet you came voluntarily. "


"Let's just say you are right about my ulterior motives. But let's not go into that, shall we?
How about we get the rest of our merry band together and start working on a gameplan and then
I'll take you to my place for dinner where I will explain everything."


"Do you really think I am going to go to your place and eat your food and act as if we are the
best of friends?"


"We were once."


"That was a long time ago. Fine, I'll get Doctor Freud and Geekboy while you go get cousin It."


"Cousin It?"


"Angelo. While you're at it, why don't you go and explain to that walking corpse Mr. Raines
that his prize student won't be joining him in the interrogation chamber tonight."


"So that you can have the satisfaction of what?"


"The satisfaction of having to watch his face as you tell him the good news."


"If you don't mind, I'd like to come along when you talk to Sydney. Speaking of Raines I see
him right now, so why don't we get this over with?"


"After you JungleBoy."


***


His wheels squeaking as usual Mr. Raines moved among the people hurrying about
the hallway, trying to look busy and hoping that he didn't want to talk to them.
He was surprisingly enough in a good mood, thinking of a new way to work with
Angelo and thinking of the pleasure he'd get when Angelo would fail. He grinned.
His path was suddenly blocked by someone tall wearing a black leather jacket.
How dare that person block his path? He looked up to yell at that person when he
suddenly turned ash white.


"Good morning, Mr. Raines."


It was Jarod, wearing a smile as big as the Miami coastline and Miss Parker standing next
to him carrying a big smirk.


"Bragging Miss Parker?"


"Actually I came here of my own free will." Jarod said.


"Got tired of the good old life outside? Or did you miss your girl?" He glared at Miss
Parker.


"Watch it Raines."


Miss Parker glared back.


"Well, the real reason for this pleasant meeting is to inform you that Angelo is no longer
under your jurisdiction."


"What?"


Jarod continued as if Raines never interrupted him.


"All files on him will be transferred to my office and you will sever all contact
with him. If you have a problem with that, take it to the Triumvirate."


The more Jarod said, the more Raines' face fell, the bigger Miss Parker's smile got.
Brigitte's eavesdropping was by now so obvious that Jarod spoke the last part
directly to her.


"Oh and I wouldn't complain to hard, you never know on whose toes you might step, luv."


***


Sydney was staring hard at the chessboard. He finally figured out how to counter
the move. Before Jarod left they had been busy with a chess game. He had left
with a move that was almost impossible to counter without putting yourself into
checkmate. Sydney picked up the piece and slowly deposited it onto the board. As
fast as a snake a hand appeared and just as quickly deposited another a piece
that effectively put Sydney into checkmate. Sydney said nothing, instead staring
at the hand. The hand bore some scars and it showed that it knew the meaning of
honest labour. Sydney slowly looked up with shock displayed on his face. He
would recognize that hand anywhere and he had even anticipated that he would have
to identify its owner in a morgue. Jarod picked up another piece and said:


"Checkmate."


Sydney gaped at Jarod.


"What, don't you have anything to say the prodigal son?"


Sydney jumped up and grasped Jarod into a fatherly bearhug.


"Where on earth have you been? Who brought you in?"


"Don't worry Sydney, Miss Parker will explain everything. In the meantime I've got to go visit
an old friend. "


"But these last five years, what have you been doing all this time? I
had thought you were dead."


"Not yet, Sydney although there are a couple of people who wouldn't mind that at all." he
turned to Miss Parker.


"Where will we meet?"


"We can meet at your old simlab. As far as I know it hasn't been used by
anyone except by us and it is supposed to be secure"


"It isn't like the Centre to waste space like that. "


"Well, I suppose someone had a hand in that." Miss Parker looked at Sydney.


Five minutes later they were all assembled. Jarod looked around. The simlab was
almost spooky without the comforting presence of furniture except for a bare
table and a couple of chairs, abandoned during the years. Angelo nervously
looked around, expecting the trap to close at any minute. Broots kept on
scanning the doors, a habit he had picked from the Centre. Miss Parker was
smoking another cigarette and Sydney was busy dusting off the old table.


"Can I have your attention please?"


Everyone focused their attention to Jarod except Broots who kept on scanning the doorways.


"You too Broots. No one will be disturbing us."


Jarod quickly stepped into his command persona that he had perfected this last of couple of
years. He had found out during his time away exactly how to handle a crowd and more importantly
how to give orders that didn't reveal anything about the master plan.


"Now, you are all here because of a proposal I had put through to the Triumvirate which they
accepted. They are the only people with exception of ourselves who have the
clearance to know about us and to access our files. As of tomorrow, Angelo will
have been transferred to this team and will no longer be under Mr. Raines. We
will take orders only from the Triumvirate. I'll be your middleman between us
and them. Also, I am back at the Centre but I will be left alone and will only be working here
part time. The rest of our duties will be laid out to you as the team progresses. Any questions?"


"Yeah, will these duties be any different from that which we did before?" Broots
nervously asked.


"Apart from the fact that you won't be chasing me? Not very.
You'll get your new assignments tomorrow. Anything else?"

No response.


Miss Parker took a long drag from her cigarette.


"Good, we'll reconvene again here tomorrow at 08:30. Go home, get some rest. Tomorrow, we
train."


"Well, that was a very revealing briefing." Miss Parker said as everyone filed out.


"Yeah, I know. So I'll pick you up at eight?"


"Just give me the address Jarod. I can drive you know."


"I know you can. However you might get . . . lost."


"Lost? A woman's direction sense is much better than a man's Jarod. Besides, I never get
lost."


"Whatever you say Miss Parker. Here's the address. If you do get lost -
don't hesitate to call. Oh and be there by eight otherwise I'm going to report
you as lost."


"Fine." Miss Parker began to walk out of the room.


"And dress casual! No jeans, no entry. And no heels!" he called after her but she just
waved her hand.


*** Jarod's House 20 miles north from the Centre ***


After searching for his house for nearly an hour Miss Parker pulled up into Jarod's driveway.
She was glad that she had decided to come early, but she always left a margin for error.
She had to admit the place was beautiful. The house was next to the beach and
she could hear the waves crashing against the rocks. At precisely eight-o'-one
she rang the doorbell and waited all of two seconds until he opened the door.


"I said casual Miss Parker."


He shook his head ruefully


"What's wrong with this?" She pointed to her outfit.


As Jarod had asked she did wear jeans but that is where the casual bit ended. She wore a
see-through black top who's sleeves flared and wore her trademark stilettos


"It's all right for when you're meeting with clients but for a stroll on the beach?"


"Aren't you going to let me in?"


"Oh, sorry. Make yourself at home. I just have to finish the pasta and then I'll
get you something to drink."


He stepped out of the way to let her in and she gasped with surprise. It was a
spacious place, decorated in a very basic style - all whites and creams - to
make the place look bigger. On one wall was a giant painting of a nature scene,
a panther stalking another. The painting was beautiful and terrifying at the
same time. Miss Parker had a hard time pulling her eyes away from it.


In front of it was a black leather couch with a couple of pillows thrown on for
comfort. In the corner stood the TV coupled up to a very impressive sound
centre. On the desk at the other wall stood the DSA reader. But it was the wall
that the desk faced that surprised her.


It was covered with pencil sketches - all of them framed and with Jarod's name
in the bottom right corner. The first one that caught her eye was of Sydney
laughing. He looked completely relaxed and his expression was unguarded. Another
one was of Broots and Debbie in a park. They were completely oblivious to the
rest of the world and the look of sheer happiness on Debbie's face made Miss
Parker's heart ache with happiness. There was also a picture of Jarod's mother,
beautifully done and another of Jarod and Kyle, both grown up. But it was the
picture on eye level with the desk that made her gasp. It was a picture of her,
or rather several pictures of her. It was a huge sheet of paper filled with
images of her in different poses showing a different emotion each time. One of
the poses was her standing with her hands on her hips, a cigarette dangling from
her lips. Another was of her hugging Debbie, but you only saw Miss Parker's
face. There were two different sketches of when she was younger and another one
when she was in high school. She had to admit, if only to herself, that it was
beautifully done.


She turned around to find her way towards the kitchen but in the hall she found
another sketch. This one had obviously taken a lot of time. It was huge and
every minute detail was drawn in. It was one of her and Jarod when they were
kids, probably just after her mother's death. They were having a heated
discussion. Her hands were in the air, demonstrating her point to Jarod who was
wearing that grin that said he knew he was right no matter how much evidence you
brought him.


"Remember that argument?"


Miss Parker jumped and tried to get at least some resemblance of control before turning to
face Jarod. She gratefully accepted the drink he offered her.


"Something about emotions I think"


" We were arguing if a person could put aside his personal feelings to accomplish a goal.
You took the side of not being able to."


"I did huh? Did you freeze a frame of a DSA for the picture?"


"How'd you guess? I don't know, it just seemed like a character sketch of who we were and what
we had become."


They stood in silence for a while each lost in their own thoughts. A loud *ding* from the kitchen
broke their reverie.


"Dinner's ready"


Dinner was exquisite but it was after Jarod showed her the rest of the house
that she dropped the bomb.


"Jarod, I can't do this. I can't go from being your sworn enemy to being your best friend
just like that. There's just too much between us."


Jarod said nothing for a long time and the suddenly broke into a
smile.


"Then let's start over. Hi, my name is Jarod Blank. My surname is Blank
'cause it might change from time to time."


He held out his hand


"Andrea Parker. How do you do Jarod?"


She shook his hand with a look of complete surprise.


"Well, I just had dinner with a gorgeous lady and we had a pretty good time so
I'd say life is good."


"I'm glad to hear that Jarod. So tell me about yourself."


"Let's see, I got stalked by this incredibly hot chick for about five years,
then I worked as a consultant for VICAP at the FBI and then I came to work for
this secret agency that I'm not allowed to talk about. How about you?"


"Um, I followed a dangerous criminal for about five years, threw myself into
business politics with the Yakuza and various other companies all while working
for a secret agency which I'm also not allowed to talk about."


"Well, maybe we both joined the same agency. That would great huh?"


" I can tell you one thing about my life, it sure isn't boring."


Jarod sobered up after that sentence.


"And isn't about to. During my stint at the FBI, I did some private searches on
my parents as well as yours. Do you know you have a FBI file? Anyway, what I
found is quite surprising. Neither your parents nor my parents exist according
to their files. Nobody of the old regime in the Centre does. Not even our dear
friend Mr. Raines.


"Huh, what a surprise. But why stop at the old regime? Why not include us?"


"This is where our lives are going to get interesting. Someone in the Centre moonlighted
as a double agent. My guess is that that person is either dead or . . ."


"... someone is setting us up." Miss Parker finished the sentence for him


Conspiracy II by Zanna


Oh Boy! Time sure does crawl when you have writer's block.
The disclaimer's in the first part. Thanx goes to the usual bunch of idiots.
And yes, I know that the actress who plays Miss Parker is Andrea Parker, I just couldn't
find a better name to go with that face.
Flames and comments welcome.

Zanna

zannamjs@yahoo.com


"This is where our lives are going to get interesting. Someone in the Centre moonlighted as
a double agent. My guess is that that person is either dead or . . ."

"... someone is setting us up." Miss Parker finished the sentence for him


Conspiracy ( 2 / ?)


"Exactly. Now I've done all I could but I couldn't find any data on that person but there
was nothing to go on. But I'm betting the Centre knows who it is or was. So one
of my many deals with the Triumvirate was the complete and total access to all
the files of the Centre. What they know, I know. Effective from midnight my
laptop can access all Centre files."


"But doesn't that give them enough time to delete certain files ?"


"Oh, they won't do that. They know what I'm capable of and they definitely don't want
the government to become officially aware of them, considering that two of the three members
are rather high up in the chain of command."


Miss Parker laughed


"Good luck to anyone who crosses you're path. So, I've got FBI file ? What does
it say ? That I sleep in the nude ? That I smoke herbal cigarettes ? Or that I
really, really want to kill Mr Raines ?"


"Something like that. But more in line of what kind of gun you prefer and how deadly you
are with it. You may not know this but you've come into contact with several agents these
last couple of years. Some doubled as sweepers and others you literally bumped into. Anyway,
those didn't run away screaming for their teddy's got T-shirts that say ..."


Jarod deepened his voice for dramatic effect


" I survived Miss Parker !"


"At least it keeps them on their toes." She muttered and searched for her
cigarettes.


" No smoking in the house. Tell you what, walk with me and you'll
have company while you kill yourself."


"Deal."


The beach was incredibly peaceful this time of night. The tide was out and the moon played with
the waves. Jarod had convinced Miss Parker to join him in walking barefoot. The
feeling of the sand between her toes gave her infinite pleasure. They talked
about nothing and everything and by the evening's end they felt like the old
friends that they were. They were about twenty meters away from the house when
Jarod asked:


"Andrea ?"


The use of her first name immediately caught her attention.


"I want to ask you something. It may take me a while to get there so
just stick with me okay ? In all the time that I've known you I've noticed a
couple of things. Like the fact that you almost never show emotion in public or that
you hate being called my your first name. I thought I had it all figured out but
then I realized something. Where do I fit into this equation you call a life ? I
was your best friend then an annoyance and later your sworn enemy. Another time
I was your lover and the next the person that you had sworn you life to kill. We
don't have a life that can be considered as normal, hell we never even had a
normal experience but we always had each other. So I've got to ask you, where do
I fit into your life ?"


" I don't know Jarod. I honestly don't know."


*** Simlab 12, The Centre, Blue Cove, Delaware. ***


"All right ! Listen up people! For the next two weeks I am going to put you through sims
that are either going to make you or break you. I will use versions of certain events from
your past, place you in it and see what happens. This is the only way to leave the past
behind. I will also use certain situations that will cater for our clients. But
first the basics."


Jarod held up a couple of files.


"These are your files."


He smacked them on the table.


"Read them. By the end of the day you will know everything of your fellow teammates.
We'll break for lunch at one. After that it's the shooting range."


There was a mad dash for the files. Broots grabbed Miss Parker's and Angelo got Broots'.
Sydney took Angelo's and Miss Parker wound up with Jarod's, which left Jarod with Sydney's.
The files weren't very flattering. It neatly outlined the subject's life but didn't explain
the motives and effects of some the events in that person's life. For a long while the only
sound was of paper rustling and Angelo asking Jarod about certain events. Miss
Parker took out a cigarette and was just about to light it when Jarod took it
and neatly snapped in half.


"Hey !"


"Healthy mind, healthy body." he taunted her.


Since Jarod already knew everything about everybody he had begun planning
the sims.


"Broots."


Broots looked up nervously.


"Wha .. what ?" he looked like a nervous wreck. He had just finished Jarod's file and was
feeling a little bit queasy.


"Can you take Debbie out of school for a few days ?"


"What do you need Debbie for Jarod ?" Sydney asked before Broots could say a word.


"I'm going to need her for a couple sims."


"What's wrong with the children here ?"


"We are going to need a child that we all know and care about. Since Broots is the only
one here with a child, it's a logical choice. Also, we might have to look into
the possibility that someone is going to try and use her against us. We have to
assume that everyone is our enemy. I just want to prepare for that eventuality."


"Why would anyone want to hurt Debbie ?" Broots looked confused.


"Because you're her father, Broots !" Sydney said softly.


"Jarod's right. I'll bet they've already got five different scenarios to get her. Besides,
I know what these people are capable of. They tried to use me."


"All right! You've convinced me. It's spring break anyway. She has the next two weeks off.


"Good, bring her with you tomorrow. Miss Parker, you'll spend every second tomorrow with Debbie.
You will teach her to use a gun, to look after it and when you think she's good
enough after these two weeks, give her own Centre issue."


Objections came from all corners. The others let Broots go first since he was the father.


"Jarod, I don't want my baby girl involved in the Centre. I want to keep her way from all
of this."


"I know Broots and I understand, but this is important. How old is Debbie ?"


"She's fifteen. What's that got to do with anything ?"


"If she's fifteen then she's probably nagging to you about self defense classes and you're
worried sick every time she goes out. This is the perfect opportunity for her to
learn how to defend herself and it isn't going to hurt her in any way. At least
this way you know she's learning from the best."


"Don't worry Broots. When I'm done with her she can walk through Brooklyn at night and
she'll come out without a hair out of place."


"That's what I'm worried about." he mumbled.


The rest of the day was spent at the shooting range where Jarod gave Miss Parker a run for
her money. Angelo, however was the surprise of the day. His scores was higher
that any of the sweepers that practiced with them and it was difficult to tell
who was more surprised: Miss Parker or the sweepers. When Mr. Lyle and his
cronies arrived Jarod decided to call it a day.


*** Broots' House, Blue Cove, Delaware. ***


"Dad! I don't want to go. I was going to the mall with Meaghan tomorrow."


"I don't care. A very important person wanted you there and I'm not going to argue with him.
You're going and that's final !" Debbie ran to her room and slammed the door.
Loud music escaped from the cracks under the door. Broots
sighed. This was a bad idea, a very bad idea.


Broots woke up at his customary 6:30 and went down to make breakfast. He found Debbie,
drinking her usual black, unsweetened coffee. She was dressed in military pants that she
got from a second hand shop and was wearing a top that barely covered the necessary.


"What are you wearing ?" he sputtered.


"Clothes. If I'm going, I going in clothes I feel comfortable with. It's either this or
forget it."


*** Simlab 12 The Centre, Blue Cove, Delaware. ***


Jarod whistled silently. Debbie had really filled out these last couple of years.
She was turning into a beautiful woman, if you could look past the scowl. Debbie had to be
dragged into the simlab by Broots. Miss Parker was going to love her outfit.


"Speak of the Devil." he murmured to himself when Miss Parker appeared. She was dressed almost
identically to Debbie except her shirt covered more flesh and she wore a pair of
don't-mess-with-me boots.


"Miss Parker !" Debbie gave her a bear hug.


"Glad you got my message. I missed you kiddo." Miss Parker stroked Debbie's back and if
Jarod didn't know any better he would have sworn she was Miss Parker's child.


"Who's the hunk ?" she whispered and giggled.


Miss Parker motioned for Jarod to come over. He walked up to them and held out his hand.


"My name is Jarod, who are you lovely ladies ?" he asked and winked at Miss Parker.
Debbie shook his hand.


"My name is Debbie and this is my friend, Miss Parker."


"Miss Parker ? Don't you have a first name?"


Sydney guffawed.


"I do but I only tell it to really close friends."


"Well, I hope I can become one." he held her hand just a touch longer than he
should have and then told everyone to get a seat.


"All right. Everyone, this is Debbie. Debbie, the only way that you'll be allowed to work
with us is if you promise to never discuss anything that we do with anyone except the people
in this room. You've already met Miss Parker and myself and of course you know
Broots. The other people are Sydney ..." Sydney gave a tiny wave " ... and
Angelo. Debbie, confidentiality is going to be vital for our survival. Do you
think you are up to it ?"


"Sure."


"Good. Miss Parker is going to teach you the basics of self defense. You will learn how to
shoot and handle a gun as well as how to react in certain situations. If you pay attention
and remember what she teaches you, you just might live longer. Please remember that this is
not a joke. This is for your own good. In exchange you will help me in constructing
the sims and the execution of them. Miss Parker, the gym has been cleared for
your use. Please leave now so that we can begin."


Miss Parker and Debbie stood up, and they chattered all the way out the door.


"Nice kid Broots. All right gentlemen. Today's sim will focus on Angelo. Angelo, you are a
prisoner, Sydney is your cellmate and I'll play warden. You have to get out. You can use
anything around you, even Sydney. You have ten hours. When you get out, I want
you to join Miss Parker in the gym. Let's get started."


*** James Buchanen High, Blue Cove, Delaware. ***


She was so beautiful. All he thought about was her. He wanted to be with her all day, everyday.
He stared at the wall that was covered with pictures of her. His need, his naked hunger for her
was eating him alive. He had to be with her soon. He brushed his fingers for the last time
over the thousands of pictures of Debbie Broots and mouthed a silent oath.


"If I can't have you, no one will."


His laughter echoed down the hall.


Conspiracy III by Zanna


Ah, the joys of manipulating characters that aren't yours. The
disclaimer is in the first part but if you're too lazy to read it, it goes
something like this: These characters aren't mine, I'm not making any money out
of this so please don't sue me. Anyway, yes, you may distribute it. Just tell
me where it's headed and all will be right in my little universe. Comments will
be appreciated, flames will be used to light Miss Parker's cigarettes. This one
is for my beta readers, Ellie and Yip, who sometimes had to wade through the
most vile of plots and the most terrifying of grammar.


Zanna

zannamjs@yahoo.com


Simlab 12 The Centre Blue Cove, Delaware ***


The sim was not going well. Angelo was not reacting in a positive way to get out. Sydney
watched him from his cot in the cell. He had to give it to Jarod, he could
construct sims as well as he could act in them. But within his admiration for
Jarod was his question of why Jarod would return to the Centre, voluntarily no
less. Sydney focused his attention on Angelo again. He was pacing the cell,
looking like a predator that was trapped in the most hideous ways of capture.
His eyes were roving over the room, desperate for any means of escape. He was
sweating, his shirt already damp and his hands were never still as they studied
the firmness of the bars, or the hardness of the walls or the feeling of the
cracks in the cement floor. There was a vent in the room, under Sydney's bed,
but it was so small that only a rat could access it. Jarod walked past the cell
every twenty minutes and he looked every bit the part of a warden, hell bent on
stopping anyone that wanted to escape.


When they approached the ninth hour Jarod gave a glance to Sydney which conveyed how worried
he was. Why hadn't Angelo escaped yet ? Dinner had been served and Angelo had made no effort to
overpower Jarod and escape. Sydney shook his head. Perhaps Miss Parker was
having more luck.


*** Centre gym Sublevel 3 ***


"Debbie, you have to start paying attention !"


Miss Parker was exasperated. Debbie was not paying any attention to her and she would not let
Jarod have the satisfaction of having her show up after a day of hard work and not have
anything to show for it. So far, the only thing that had been able to catch Debbie's attention
was one of the younger Pretenders, one slightly older than Debbie that was exercising with
them. Miss Parker racked her brain for his name. Oh yes, his name was Steven and
according to the Centre, he was one of their very best. There was a rumor that
he nearly broke Jarod's record score of 63 000 but it was unconfirmed and
besides, no one could ever beat Jarod. Well, there was different ways to
motivate people and if Miss Parker couldn't get Debbie to learn, maybe Steven
could. She grabbed Debbie and made her way over to him and his mentor, Jonathan
somebody or another.


"Good Morning gentlemen. Jonathan, I was wondering if I could borrow Steven for a while ?"


Debbie giggled when Steven began staring in obvious admiration.


"Er... um... Miss Parker we are on a tight schedule and any break from it ..." Jonathan was
scared stiff. This was not supposed to happen !


"Please, Jonathan. We can make it up tonight, I promise and I won't even
complain." Steven butted in, never taking his eyes of Debbie.


"With an offer like that how can you refuse ? Don't worry, we won't harm him and if you have a
problem, just take it up with the Tower." Miss Parker glared at the frightened
mentor and he slowly nodded his head and disappeared


"Thanks Miss P." Debbie whispered and giggled.


" Oh, don't thank me yet. You just might regret it."


Miss Parker smiled and explained to Steven exactly what she wanted him to do.


"I want you to pretend that you are one of Raines' henchmen. Your orders are to kidnap
Debbie. When I shout the word 'Refuge' you'll cease your actions and stand still
on the spot. Do you understand me ?"


"Yes Miss Parker." Debbie slowly tugged on Miss Parker's shirt and whispered in a scared voice:


"He has to attack me ? What am I suppose to do ?"


Miss Parker snapped back. "If you paid attention earlier, you would know what to do. Now begin!"


Steven grabbed her from behind. Debbie did what anyone would do in her situation: she tried to
wriggle out of his grasp while trying to hit him on some vital spot. With seemingly no effort
whatsoever he maneuvered her on to the floor in a seemingly inescapable position. Debbie
kept on struggling for a while, but when she realized that it was making no
effect at all on her attacker she stopped and sighed and looked at Miss Parker
with a resigned expression.


"Fine, you made your point." Miss Parker smirked.


"Refuge."


Steven let her go immediately and stood relaxed and bent down to help
Debbie up with a grin.


"Nice job Steven. Think the two of us can teach her how to fight ?" Miss Parker asked Steven
and his grin grew bigger with every word.


*** Simlab 12 ***


Nine hours, forty-five minutes. Sydney looked at Angelo and wondered when he was going to
escape. Jarod had just finished his rounds and had come to fetch their plates. Nothing had been
taken from it, bar the food and Angelo had made no attempt to overpower Jarod. Sydney had by
now given up any thought of escape and was surprised when he saw Angelo suddenly produce the
keys and unlock the gate.


"Sydney ...come?"


Angelo gestured to the open door and they both slid out of the cage as silently as thieves in
the night.


*** Centre Gym ***


Many bumps and scrapes later Miss Parker had to call a halt to their lesson.
Their time was up and besides she was exhausted. They (Steven and Miss Parker)
had taught Debbie the basic moves for defending herself but she still didn't
have the motions down to pat and they hadn't even started on handguns. Steven,
noticing that Miss Parker's patience was running short after Debbie failed for
the fifth time in a row to block an ordinary punch, decided to try and prevent a
bloodshed while creating an excuse for him to more around other people,
specifically this girl.


"Um ... Miss Parker ? If I can make a suggestion ?"


"What ?" Miss Parker had a rather intense craving for a cigarette but
unfortunately for Debbie and Steven she had left it at her office.


"Well, how about I teach Debbie self-defense, the hand to hand type I mean, until she's got
it right ? I have a lot of time on my hands and I'm sure Jonathan won't object,
well, not much. That will give enough time to finish your other projects
wouldn't it ?"


Steven was sure she could see right through him but when she considered the alternative and
the fact that Debbie would learn much faster with Steven she agreed.


"Fine. I'll arrange it with Jonathan. Meet us here tomorrow at about 09h00. Jarod will of
course have to come along just to make certain that you will teach her something useful but
I doubt he'll have any complaints."


Debbie and Steven shared a smile and for just an instant they reminded Miss
Parker of two children who also grew up in the Centre who was never allowed the
opportunities that these two had.


"Come along, Debbie. You've got some convincing to do." Miss Parker grinned and had to
practically drag Debbie out of the room.


"I'll see you then! " Steven called after them and went back to his exercises.


*** Sub-level 14 Jonathan Midea's office ***


He looked around nervously. This was not part of the plan. Hell, it wasn't even considered a
possibility. But it had happened and he had to inform them. They wouldn't be
pleased but it wasn't his fault. He picked up the phone and dialed an eight
digit code. For about ten seconds nothing happened until a voice said:


"Authorization ?"


"Code Bravo, Alpha, Delta."


"Confirm ?"


" Ten, Delta, Romeo."


"Channel ?"


"Scramble 64." The man looked around him again. If anybody caught him, he would be dead within
the hour. It was just a question of who got to him first.


"Senator Whitehead speaking."


" We have a problem."


"Jonathan ! It's so nice to hear from you again !"


*** Sublevel 12 The Simlab ***


One of the most enjoyable pieces of simulating any type of person in security is the
doughnuts. Or at least that's what Jarod thought. Just as he was about to take
another big bite of the Manhattan Delight he held, a hand lightly tapped him on
his shoulder at the exact time that the timer on his watch told him the ten
hours was over.


"Ahem." Syndey cleared his throat and with the usual sparkle in his eye said:


"I see we made it in the nick of time as usual, Angelo."


Jarod spun around with a huge grin on his face.


"What took you so long ? I thought that I would have to help you break out."


" Help would be ... cheating." Angelo said and grabbed a doughnut out of the box. The enjoyment of this treat was
prominently displayed on his face.


"I see teatime started without us Debbie. I think we're insulted Jarod." Miss Parker said while she grabbed her own
doughnut.


"It's not my fault you didn't come back sooner. Debbie, why don't you
go get your father so that we can have a update ? Just grab a doughnut before
you go, because we won't be responsible if there's nothing left."


"In that case I better grab two. See ya!" And with that she disappeared.


Everyone that remained behind assembled around the table, munching doughnuts and drinking
coffee.


"Are you sure this is coffee and not pigslop ?" Miss Parker said after
taking her first sip.


"Positive. Besides pigslop isn't such a lovely colour." Jarod teased.


"Undoubtedly, pigslop would taste better." Sydney chipped in.


"Hey! If you don't like my coffee, then make your own." Broots said when he finally
walked into the lab with Debbie.


"No thanks. Besides, Miss Parker's coffee is lethal !" Jarod cracked again


"You weren't complaining last time !"


"The fact that I was ..."


"What do you mean last time Jarod ?" Sydney asked.


Miss Parker and Jarod uncomfortably looked at each other, both grateful that Sydney had
reminded them that they had an audience.


"Nothing Syd. Nothing to worry about."


Jarod said and gulped down the last of the coffee.


"Okay, status report. Broots, let's begin with you."


"Well, I've started a search on that string you gave me and I couldn't find anything, however,
the code was something else. You were right that someone in the Centre is sending
out classified information via the net, it's just that the code is a tad bit
more complicated."


"Have you find out where the source is located."


"That's just the thing. The code automatically hides the source, by jumping around every five
minutes."


"In English Broots." Miss Parker said while she walked towards the percolator.


"It means that every five minutes the source comes from a different
place. It never even starts at the same place."


"So how did you know it was a leak ?"


"It just seemed unusual for a lot of servers to be active for only five
minutes. From there I backtracked it."


"How long until you crack it ?" Jarod asked, absentmindedly tapping his fingers against
his chin.


"A couple of days, but it'll go faster with Angelo's help."


"Done. Miss Parker ?" Jarod turned towards her.


"We've made some progress. While we were practicing when a young Pretender named
Steven helped Debbie with a bit more success though. Which leads me to something
that Debbie will want to explain."


Debbie, who had until then looked rather confident was beginning to look as if it was the
end of the world. She swallowed her nervousness and with the slogan 'nothing ventured,
nothing gained' ringing through her mind she began her argument:


"Well, Jarod, it's like this. Steven and I work really well together and he offered to
teach me so that Miss Parker can continue with her other projects and it would really mean
a lot to me and wouldn't it be better if Miss Parker could help you more and he's
really a good teacher and ..." at that point Debbie ran out of breath and Jarod help up his
hand to indicate that she should stop.


"I'll tell you what. I'll come with you to practice tomorrow to see how good he really is.
If he's good enough, he can teach you, but I will want something in exchange. Deal ?"


"Deal." Debbie grinned from ear to ear.


"Jarod, there is also going to be the matter of his mentor." Sydney reminded him.


"A real baffoon if you ask me. His name is Jonathan, as
quiet as a church mouse and as nervous as an opening batsman." Miss Parker
snorted into her coffee.


" Just leave that to me. Now tomorrow we'll focus on
different subject which I will discuss tomorrow. In the meantime, shooting range
for the next hour and I'll see you tomorrow at 08h30."


*** West side Park, Baltimore ***


The two men greeted each other silently. The area around them
was deathly quiet. It seemed fitting to Jonathan that in his betrayal he had to
meet a man that was not only betraying his oath of office but was also doing it
in his own town, the place that he was chosen to represent.


"So what was so important that couldn't be said over the phone, a secured phone for
crying out loud !"


Senator Whitehead was an old man, too old for this kind of version of
cloak and dagger. But it sure made him feel years younger


"It is the Centre. Everyone is always watched by everyone." Jonathan shrugged.


"Who do you want me to eliminate ?" The senator hunched his back, trying to dig himself
deeper into his jacket. Jonathan handed him two photographs.


"I like the lady. She's real pretty, too bad she's going to end up like that. Oh ho! And
who is this arrogant bastard ? I'm going to enjoy putting my dogs on him." The senator grinned.
Few people knew his favorite pastime and with good reason.


" Both of them work at the Centre. I want them eliminated by the end of the month, do you
hear me ? They are getting uncomfortable close to us. If they find out about our mission
we are going to wish that they killed us. The woman's name is Parker and the man
goes by the name Jarod. No last name."


"Convenient." The senator frowned.


"Are they any good ?"


"Sir, if they were any better we'd be dead by now."


"Fine. It'll be done before the end of the week." He longing stroked the picture of
Miss Parker and sighed. He was going to enjoy this one. He was sure of it.


Conspiracy IV

by Zanna

Happy New Year everybody!!! Wow, part 4. This is getting REALLY interesting, but first
I suppose I should apologize to Yip for that baffoon remark. Nothing intended man !
Yip's Note: None taken.
Nosy readers should infer nothing : ) Feedback, as always, will be appreciated. Compliments
will be repeated in front of the mirror and flames will be used to light Miss
Parker's cigarettes.
Hint: The more flames, the more Miss Parker smokes 8=)
Oh yeah, most of my beta readers advised me to slap a PG-13 sign on this for
violence. It's not really gruesome but it may be a bit too much for sensitive
readers.

Zanna
zannamjs@yahoo.com


Conspiracy 4/?


Two weeks later The Centre Blue Cove, Delaware ***


"I did it !" Broots shouted triumphantly.


Although there was no one there to share his elation he felt himself blush with
pride and mentally patted himself on the back and decided that this triumph
deserved some celebratory Cheese Puffs. It was 02h00 in the morning. Debbie had
spent the last couple of nights at Miss Parker's since Broots was working late
so often. School was back in full swing and with promises of balanced meals and
a 22h00 curfew he had relaxed. Jarod had made him promise to call him as soon as
he found something, but he was hesitant to wake him up at such an early hour.
What the heck, he did make him promise. Broots picked up the phone and dialed.


He let the phone ring for a couple of times but nobody answered. For some
inexplicable reason he dialed Miss Parker's number. After two rings the phone
was answered.


"Wha ...?"


"Um... Miss Parker ?" Broots asked hesitantly, wondering to whom the muffled voice could
belong.


"What is it Broots ?" Jarod patiently asked. He had spent the last couple of nights in
Miss Parker's bed. Nothing happened, it was just that the two of them slept better when they
felt a warm body next to them. For years Miss Parker and Jarod had suffered from Night
Terrors until on one of his pretends he learned that when there is someone else
with the victim in bed that it could reduce the attacks. But Broots could be
forgiven for getting the wrong impression.


"What..what are you doing at Miss Parker's ?" Broots sputtered.


"Who is it Jarod ?" Miss Parker stirred next to him, her arm still casually draped over his
middle. Jarod held on to the receiver so that Broots couldn't hear their conversation.


"It's Broots. I want you to go check on Debbie. It might calm him down"


Miss Parker grumbled as she got out of bed and dragged herself to Debbie's room.
Jarod grinned and turned his attention back to Broots.


"Just crashed here for the night. So, what's up ?"


"Well, you said you wanted to know when I got a lead and I kinda got a lead.


"You broke the Code ? I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Oh and Broots ?"


"Yeah ?"


"Good Job." Jarod put the phone and dragged his pants towards him. He didn't
look up when Miss Parker entered the room.


"Broots broke the code, I'm going over."


He looked up at her and was surprised to see Debbie with her, arms wrapped around Miss Parker.
In her hand Miss Parker held a piece of paper. Without a word she held it out to him.
It was a photo of Debbie. She was completely unaware of the photographer. She talking with a
young boy, but it was the markings on the photo that disturbed Jarod. Someone had taken a
Magic Marker and slit the boys throat, and over Debbie's face the words
YOU BELONG TO ME was written in a childish scrawl.


"Jarod ?" Jarod looked at Debbie. Her face was ash white and it looked like she was crying.


"He isn't going to hurt me, is he ?" She looked so scared, so fragile that at that moment
he shared Broots' feeling that she was still little girl, not someone that was
the focus of a madman.


"Not with me around. Besides, you've got all that stuff that Miss Parker and Steven taught you.
Why don't you sleep here with Miss Parker while I go to Centre ?"


Miss Parker shook her head.


"The message was found on the dresser. That means that he entered the house without setting off
the alarms. This guy is good Jarod. We'll have to move camp for a while. In the
meantime we'll go with you to the Centre, just for a sense of security."


Debbie sniffled her approval. Jarod glanced between them and the bedside clock.
He was caught between rock and a hard place. He reviewed his options and came
out with a plan that would keep Debbie completely safe, but which would put him
in the most danger.


"Get dressed, both of you. We're going to the Centre where we can discuss this with Broots."


Debbie cringed when she heard Broots's name.


"Debbie, we have to tell him. He has a right to know, after all he is your
father." She slowly nodded and went off to her room to change.


"Poor kid." Miss Parker said and grabbed a pair of jeans. Ever since Jarod had come back, her
dress style was more comfortable and more relaxed. Jarod was as good as his
word and within 15 minutes all three of them walked into the tech room. Broots
was at the coffee station, getting another refill but when he saw Debbie he
nearly spilled coffee all over himself.


"Debbie ! What are you doing here ?"


"Relax Broots. We'll get to that in a minute, but first show me that code."


Broots relaxed. Here was something he understood, something that he could
control and something completely opposite from his life.


"Well, I could go into the whole exciting tale but I don't want to put you back to sleep, so
I'll just get to the point. The signal is coming from somewhere in Sub-level 14 and the
destination is in Washington. A Senator's office. Senator ..." Broots scrambled
for a piece of paper on his desk. When he found it, he let out a whoop of
triumph and turned back to his audience.


"Boys and girls, say hello to Senator Whitehead. I ran his name against the Centre's mainframe
and bingo! He was an instructor on assassinations and covert operations. He left the Centre
just after you arrived Jarod, so I doubt that you ever heard about him. He's been in
Public Office ever since, however he never broke his ties with the Centre."


"What do you mean ?" Miss Parker asked and lit up a cigarette.


"He still gets the odd assignment from the Centre and it isn't always to his disadvantage.
There has been rumors that he killed his opponent after the polls showed that
he, that's his opponent, was more likely to get elected." Broots looked very
pleased with himself. Miss Parker sighed.


"You still haven't told us who the mole is."


She crushed her cigarette butt under foot. Broots' face fell.


"That was the only snag. It's an open terminal meaning that it's in a shared office.
The user doesn't have to log on in his own name. So, I checked the records and
the office belongs to Jonathan Midea, Marco Vasquez and Linda Montrose. I even
went so far as to check the camera records and the office doesn't even have a
camera."


"What ?" Miss Parker's mouth hung open. "Are you sure ? This is the
Centre, Broots. Everything is recorded."


"I'm positive. So um... why is Debbie here ?


Miss Parker took out the photo and threw on Broots' work table.


"Debbie's got an admirer."


Broots gasped when he saw the picture.


"Oh my God ! Who would do such a thing ? And why?"


Miss Parker saw Debbie getting upset and ushered her into her office. She took out the blanket
that she kept there for those all-nighters that were a regular when she was still chasing
after Jarod. When she returned a couple of minutes later she said softly to Jarod:


"She was exhausted. This is really taking everything out of her, we've got to make a
plan."


Broots looked up surprised. Miss Parker, acting maternal ? This was too
weird, even for him.


"On one of my pretends I was a stalker." Jarod began slowly, as if searching for a hidden
memory. "That's what made me so successful at the VCS. I was the only one there who had
experienced the feelings and motions that those that we were commissioned to catch had. I can
tell you now that it is everything about control. Whatever this person ever felt for Debbie
has long since evaporated into obsession. He may think he loves her but it
probably stopped when she rejected him. He'll stay in the shadows, never leaving
it's safety until she does something that's sets him off and when he explodes
..." Jarod paused, gathering his breath. "It won't be pretty. My advice to you
Broots is get her out of harm's way but also allow her to keep on with her
regular activities. When he realizes that she's changing her routine to
accommodate him, he'll sense it, and he'll gain a little bit more of control and
he'll begin to get more daring, more deliberate. The only thing that you can do
Broots is move her to a safe location after school. He won't touch her at
school, it's too public but when she's at home ..."


Miss Parker chipped in. "... she'll be more vulnerable. Broots, there is only place where I
can guarantee he won't get to her. But you won't like it. There is only one place with that
kind of security and as an added bonus, the Centre doesn't know about it."


"Does such a place exist ?" Broots asked, combing through his hair.


"Oh yes, it does. And to make it better the Centre has sworn a blood oath to never come
near it. My house is the only place where I can promise you she'll be totally safe." Jarod
said.


Miss Parker lit up another cigarette and went to check on Debbie.


"But what about me ? No offense Jarod, but I'd feel better if Debbie were with me."


"If you really want to you can stay with us. I don't have that many rooms, so
you'll have to sleep on the couch."


"That's okay. I know it's non of my business, but why were you at Miss Parker's house ?"


Jarod opened his mouth to explain but Miss Parker butted in.


"You're right Broots, it is non of your business. Listen Jarod, how 'bout starting the day
later. We're all tired and I know I'll appreciate sleeping on a bed."


"Fine, we'll go back to your place for the rest of the morning. Broots, leave a message for
Sydney. Tell him we'll all meet in the simlab at noon."


"That late ?" "Well, apart from sleeping, we have to move your and Debbie's stuff."


"Oh yeah, I forgot."


"Take Debbie home Broots. We'll come and pick you up at ten. Goodnight." Before Broots could
protest they were gone.


*** Parker residence***


They flopped into bed together. For the umpteenth time Jarod wondered how she could fit so
perfectly in his arms. Their bodies molded together, Jarod was lulled into sleep by Miss
Parker's heartbeat when she suddenly spoke.


"Jarod, was it really wise to send Debbie home ?"


"He made his point. Don't worry, she'll be fine."


"What's it like ?" Jarod, accepting the fact that he won't be allowed to sleep until the
issue was resolved, turned around so that he lay on his back and gathered her in his arms.


"What's what like ?"


"To control someone with you actions. You know, like the stalker ?"

Jarod chuckled "Funny you should ask that."


"Why ?"


"Considering you stalked me for all those years."


"I didn't stalk you !" "Well, not in the traditional sense, but in the end it was still
stalking."


"You mean the stalker is feeling helpless and desperate and extremely aroused ?"


Miss Parker asked, trailing kisses down his shirt.


"I don't know about him, but it is possible. Aroused ?"


He asked, planting a kiss on her head.


"Yeah. I don't want to be a spoilsport, but if I don't go to sleep now, you'll have a very
grumpy stalker in the morning." Jarod laughed and pulled the covers over them.


*** James Buchanen High***


The elation. He pressed his nose against the fabric of the
small t-shirt that he stole from her room. To think that it actually touched her
skin. When he watched her sleep he just wanted to touch her. If that woman
hadn't come in when she had, he would've. He would've touched her, all of her
and she would've loved him back just as much as he loved her.


*** Bob's Basement Blowouts Washington D.C. ***


He had everything he needed. No matter what people said you could never quench the
bloodlust of a true warrior. He tested the strength of the crossbow. Sturdy, but not
exactly his style. He shrugged. The man would die a bloody and painful death but the
woman ... He had something special for her. A drug that paralyzed the body, but kept
the victim aware. First he would enjoy the pleasures of her flesh and then ... he licked
his lips.
Then he would slit her throat so that she could stare at him while her life bled
away. The man loved to see them realize that they were dying. He walked around
the store with a new spring to his step.


Conspiracy V by Zanna


Oops ! I realized that in the last couple of chapters I didn't put in a disclaimer. I
sincerely apologize and hope that Steve and everybody else at NBC will accept
this apology and don't sue me. I also declare that for all chapters past,
present and future that the disclaimer is in the first chapter. LET ME REPEAT
THAT. THE DISCLAIMER IS IN THE FIRST CHAPTER. Also, this chapter is kinda an
apology for the violence in the previous chapter. (Violence, what violence?)


Zanna

zannamjs@yahoo.com


Conspiracy 5/?

*** Parker Residence Blue Cove, Delaware ***


They awoke slowly, each becoming more and more aware of the other's biorhythms.
Jarod opened one eye and glanced at the scene in front of him. He should be used to
it by now, but waking up with Miss Parker snuggled up in his arms just didn't seem normal.
Jarod mentally reviewed what had transpired these last couple of weeks that had
led them to sharing a bed. He had found out about her sleeping problems a couple
of weeks ago, when they had to pull an all-nighter at the Centre...


*** One week ago***


They had finished their assignment at about three in the morning and they
were both too tired to drive home, so they decided to sleep at the Centre. Miss
Parker took the couch in her office and Jarod took the cot that stood in the
Simlab. It wasn't long until he heard a muffled cry from her office. He stormed
in, expecting an attack only to see Miss Parker caught in the grip of a
terrifying nightmare and she was trying to push away her imaginary assailant.
Tears were streaming down her face and she was trying to choke down her sobs. He
made crooning noises and tried to grab her hands before she hurt herself, and
then bundled her into his arms. Her first reaction was to stiffen but she
gradually relaxed into his arms. He recognized the symptoms of Night Terrors and
knew the treatment by heart. He grinned, knowing what Miss Parker would think of
it, but it was the only way the two of them would be able to get any sleep.


Keeping her close to him he laid down on the couch, putting her wiry frame in
front of him. He neatly molded her body to his but she stiffened again. Pulling
a blanket closer he covered them both. Her body warming up, Miss Parker's
breathing slowed down and she fell into a deep sleep in a matter of minutes.
That's how Sydney found them the next morning.


During the short time that they had slept Miss Parker had shifted in her sleep and was now
facing Jarod, her face buried in his chest. Sydney smiled and righted the blanket that had
fallen off. They both stirred but thankfully neither woke up. He closed the door and
walked towards the simlab. From the amount of work that was strewn over the
table, Sydney gathered that they had worked into the early morning and had
decided to sleep at the Centre. The cot in the simlab was ruffled, someone had
definitely slept here during the night. But that still didn't explain the two of
them together on that couch, indeed it made the mystery even more confusing. He
shrugged. It was bound to have happened anyway. For years he had watched the two
of them circle each other, almost like two suns. If they came too close to one
another, they would rip each other apart. But if there was too much distance
they would both float away into the abyss that was life.


The mutual attraction wasn't always there, but somewhere on the chase his Pretender had tamed
tigress's heart. Miss Parker didn't want the compliant friend or the knight in
white armor. She wanted an equal, someone who could challenge her, but most
important of all, she wanted someone who understood her heart and who loved her
for what she truly was: an ordinary person who had taken what life had thrown at
her and made herself better for it. When Broots arrived, full apologies for
being late, Sydney told him that they were in a meeting and could not be
disturbed. It was just as well because just after ten Sydney heard a loud thump
and a despairing groan from her office that was followed by curse that would
have made a sailor blush. Sydney tried to keep the grin from forming and with
two cups of coffee precariously balanced in one hand he knocked on the door.


"Go away !"


Miss Parker glared at Jarod. She had awoken first, wondering why she
had this wonderfully warm pillow. Well, at least until she opened her eyes and,
in a typical knee-jerk reaction, pushed Jarod off the couch. Sydney ignored her
warning and strode into the room with a disgustingly cheerful face. Miss Parker
hated morning persons. She glared at Jarod whose back was against the couch. Her
eyes clearly stated that he got them into this mess, so he could get them out.
Jarod looked sheepishly at Sydney and held his hand out for the coffee.


"Late night ?" Sydney asked handing them their coffee.


"More like an early morning. Thanks, Syd." Jarod held the coffee in mock salute


"Sleep well ?" Sydney asked raising his eyebrow.


*** Present Time***


"Sleep well ?" A voice asked near his ears


"Mph ?"


"I said did you sleep well ?" She was right, Miss Parker was definitely not a morning person.


"Good enough, you ?"


"As well as could be expected." She pushed back the covers.


"No one else would understand this, would they ?" Jarod put his hands behind his neck and
stretched.


"You mean our sleeping arrangement? Probably not. But then again, most people don't have the
problems that we do or have had the experiences that we had. It shouldn't bother
them anyway, besides, Sydney and Debbie are the only people who actually know of
this arrangement. You wouldn't be afraid for your reputation would you ? Kick
ass Miss Parker is sleeping with a Pretender to keep the Night Demons away."


Miss Parker shook her head.


"It's not the reputation that I'm afraid of Jarod,
it's just that if the wrong kind of people found out about they could
misinterpret it and try to use it against us."


"For what ?"


"Jarod, I've been in a blackmail situation before. Hell, I even orchestrated a few. Even if
we don't mind the information leaking out, these people will find other things to hurt
the people closest to you. And right now that little circle consists of you,
Debbie, Sydney and Broots. As far as I'm concerned my father and that walking
psycho that he refers to as my brother can burn in hell for all I care. But I do
care if these people are going my friends, my family." My adopted family she
silently added.


Her tirade seemingly over she padded over to the kitchen.
Jarod stared after her for a while and then stood up and grabbed her in a
bearhug from behind. He softly whispered in her ears with more conviction that
she had ever heard in his voice:


"If half the people in the world had a fraction of the love, the compassion that you have
for those that are close to you, it would be a much better place. If circumstances were
different nothing would have stopped you from showing that love, but they are. I am proud of
you, do you hear me ? I am proud of you for giving others every scrap of love that you have.
Your mother would've been proud Andy, and nothing, nothing that anyone can say will
diminish that love."


*** Cafeteria, James Buchanen High, Blue Cove, Delaware***


"So Debbie, what did you do on Spring Break ?" Valerie asked and plopped her
tray on the table. Debbie was so engrossed in her Jello that Valerie had to
repeat her question twice.


"Deb ? You okay ?"


"I'm fine, just a little tired. What was the question ?"


"Pass the salt would you ? Thanks. I said, what did you in Break ?"


"Oh, that. Well ..." Debbie thought about how much she could tell
her friend and still not break her promise to Jarod. "... I spent it with my Dad
and some of the people that he works with."


"That sounds so boring !" "Well I did mean someone nice ..."


The camera clicked every .5 seconds. Every frame was filled with Debbie telling her best
friend about a boy named Steven that worked at her dad's company. He paused when more of
her friends joined her. Such beauty, such pure, unaltered beauty. He patted the developed
photos in his backpack, as if to assure himself that they were still there. He had to hurry
if he wanted to put them in her locker before break ended.


"Morning Mr. Willis." He jumped. He hurriedly put his camera away and turned to the smiling
girl in front of him. Meaghan, he thought, one of her friends. He smiled.


*** Broots' apartment, Blue Cove, Delaware***


Jarod slammed the boot shut. Between Broots's, Debbie's and Miss Parker's stuff, his Jeep
hardly had enough space for it's two passengers.


"You sure that's it Broots ?"


"Yup. I can't thank you enough Jarod."


"It's okay. Why don't you go back to the Centre and see if you can unearth more
of dear friend the Senator."


"If you're sure ..." Broots eyed the baggage wearily. He didn't realize that it was that much.


"Yes, I'm sure. Now scat !"


Broots grinned at Jarod's choice of words and headed off to his old Chevy. Jarod
let go of the breath that he hadn't been aware that he was holding. He was glad
to have some piece and quiet, since he had a feeling that in the upcoming weeks
it would be a scarce commodity. Even though his and Miss Parker's nightmares had
subsided, she was still a demanding bed partner. Not in the sexual sense, it was
just that she was a restless sleeper. He lightly fingered the latest bruise that
Miss Parker had given him the previous night. The deep purple blotch on his
shoulder itched like crazy, somewhere during the night she must've hit him with
her lethal hands. Company helped to diminish Night Terrors however, it didn't
make it disappear. But he was determined. In the future both of them would be
able to sleep one night without waking up or hurting someone or having a
nightmare. He climbed into his Jeep and with this new problem on his mind, sped
away.


*** Mr. Parker's Office, The Centre, Blue Cove, Delaware***


"But Daddy, if you let me explain ..." Mr. Parker held up his finger.


"Not another word Angel. At least my son ..." he put a hand on Lyle's shoulder. "...keeps me
involved in his life. The least you could do is tell me what's going on in yours !"


Lyle smirked.


"Yeah Sis, tell our old man what you're up to these days."


Truth be told he was just as curious as his father. Miss Parker sighed. She was
down to her last line of defense and she was going to hate herself in the
morning but the slide down was going to be fun !


"All right, let's see... I'm involved in a Centre project way above your security levels
combined, I stole Angelo from Raines and I'm sleeping with Jarod. Now if that's all I've got
work to do."


She stood up, taking in their astonished faces and left without another
word. Only when she was safely out of range did she crack a thin-lipped smile.


"Do you think it's true ?" Mr. Parker demanded from Lyle.


"Do I think what is true ?" Miss Parker had dropped so many bombs he wasn't sure which one
the old fart was referring to.

"The part of her having a higher security clearance than
the two of us !"

"Of course." Lyle murmured, trying to picture Jarod and Miss
Parker together. He succeeded only too well and could feel the blush crawling up
his neck.


"If that's all ..." Lyle began, heading towards the exit. He really
hated family conferences.


"Oh and Bobby ? Try to find out if it's true about her
and Jarod." Lyle smiled, he was going to enjoy this.


Conspiracy VI by Zanna


Six ?! Good heavens, time flies! This one is for my friends who have patiently endured
having to decipher my handwritten scrawls thrust at them at the most inopportune moments
during the day. Sorry guys, but even I know you can't wait for the next part.
Slight alteration in classification. This one is a PG-13 for some mild swearing. Global
Wrapps is T, R and c by the Global Wrapps Corporation (ZA) Just think of this as free
advertising. Copy it, print it, throw it down the Empire State Building for all
I care. Just keep my name and addy on and I'm happy.

Zanna

zannamjs@yahoo.com


Conspiracy 6/?

***Saturday morning Jarod's house***


Debbie crept into Jarod's room. She giggled, her father was still asleep on the couch,
snoring in ear-deafening tones. She tiptoed to Jarod's side of the bed and wasn't surprised
to see Miss Parker lying half on top of Jarod. She took out the feather that she
had found on the beach and lightly ran it over Jarod's face. He twitched. She
lightly tickled Miss Parker's ear. Miss Parker tried to slap away the annoyance
but ended up hitting Jarod on the nose. He groaned and mumbled something about
moving to a monastery. Miss Parker slowly opened one eye and glared at Debbie.


"Morning! " Debbie chirped


"G'way." Miss Parker pulled the covers over her head.


"What time is it ?" Jarod asked, grasping for the bedside clock.


"It's just past seven. Dad's still asleep and I was wondering if you guys won't mind if I
go out today ?"


"Debbie, it's seven o'clock on a Saturday morning. You are asking this
why ?" Miss Parker spit back.

Jarod tried to pull the covers off Miss Parker which resulted in a whack on the head with
the nearest pillow.


"She's got a point Deb." Jarod said and started to tickle Miss Parker's feet in revenge for
the pillow. She hit back by grabbing his neck and lightly stroking the soft skin
on the base.


"I just wanted to know if it would be, y'know, safe."


Miss Parker pushed Jarod off the bed put he saw it coming and dragged her down with him.



"I've got a solution but I'll only give it to you on one condition."


"What's that ?"


"I take my coffee with cream and two sugars and Miss Parker takes it black with one sugar."


"Oh man !" she groaned and stomped off to the kitchen. As
soon as she stepped out of the room Jarod grabbed the nearest pillow and gave
Miss Parker a solid *whack* in the face.


"Why you little ... !" Miss Parker grabbed her own pillow and in a seconds World War 3
broke out.


*** Five Minutes Later ***


"Uncle, I yield !" Miss Parker said and collapsed on the bed. Jarod grinned


"Who is this ... Uncle ?"


"It's just an expression, Jarod."


"Coffee's ready !" Debbie yelled from the kitchen. Jarod and Miss Parker tried
to navigate through the living room without waking Broots up. He had said
something about an all-night scare-a-thon that he planned to watch and from the
looks of it, he did. Empty pizza boxes and used wine glasses littered the floor
along with some couch pillows that had somehow found their way inside one of the
numerous pizza boxes. Ever since they had moved in, Jarod's house felt more like
a home to Miss Parker. It had that lived in feeling, a quality that Miss Parker
had tried very hard to incorporate into her own apartment, but compared to this
house, she had failed miserably.


The three of them sat together at the kitchen table, content to just sip their coffee.

Miss Parker looked out from the enormous window just above the sink that looked out on to the
beach. It looked beautiful as always, and despite her hate for cold water, she promised
herself a pre-breakfast swim.


"So ?" Debbie prompted, breaking Miss Parker's train of thought.


"Oh, the solution. Well, it's quite simple actually. Do you remember that I pointed out a
couple of flaws in the Pretender project ? One of them is the lack of social interaction with
all walks of life. All I ever saw was Sydney, Miss Parker and every now and then, Angelo. If a
Pretender can properly grasp the emotions and responses of the general public, he can react
more accurately in the simulations"


"What has that to do with me ?" Debbie asked


"I thought it might be nice if Steven could go with you." Jarod smirked.


"Steven ! But he has no fashion sense !" Debbie squeaked.


"So, I'll take him to the shops. What time do you have to be where ?"


"Noon, at the Waterfront in front of Global Wrapps. " she said despairingly.


"Fine, we'll meet you there. Miss Parker, you want to join me in some illegal activities ? "


"Always."


"Bring the party kit with you when you drop off Debbie. Now if you girls will excuse me,
I've got to go and play Fashion Police."


*** 11h00***

Broots woke up to an empty house and one helluva hangover.


"Deb ?" he groaned and promptly fell asleep.


*** The Waterfront, Blue Cove, Delaware 12h01


" He's late." Miss Parker glanced at her watch. She was trying to ignore six screaming teenage
girls who greeted each other like they haven't seen each other for at least two days.
At her side was what Jarod called their 'party kit', everything and anything that you would
ever need to break into place that's as well guarded as Fort Knox. What he wanted
with it though, was the $64 000 question, but she had a vague enough idea. Two
of the girls that Debbie was talking to had brought along their boyfriends and
were eagerly showing off their heart's only desire. She lit up a cigarette.



"How many times do I have to tell you that those things are bad for you !" Jarod
scolded. Miss Parker put out the cigarette.


"You're late."


"I would've been here sooner but ..." Jarod pointed towards Steven. He was surrounded by female
admirers but Debbie had an aura that clearly stated ' look, but don't touch '.
Steven had a huge grin on his face as he assimilated the new world in front of
him. He was dressed at the height of fashion, hair slicked back with one errant
lock dangling in front of his eyes, T-shirt with an insulting message, and
baggie boardshorts with the obligatory chain attached. In his one arm, he
carried a skateboard that Jarod had taught him to use a scant half hour
previously. Jarod beckoned Steven and Debbie over and they came over obligingly.



"Here's a couple of bucks, it's enough Steven, for you and Debbie to
participate in most of the activities. Be back before 10h30 and you might spend
the night outside the Centre." Steven's eyes lit up at the last comment and
Jarod started shelling out a couple of bucks. Debbie dragged Steven back towards
the group and Jarod faced Miss Parker while grabbed the party kit.


"After you, M'lady."


*** The Centre Blue Cove, Delaware. Sub-level 8***


" Jarod, what exactly are we doing ?" Miss Parker whispered


" Only one more to go" he softly grunted in response. They were moving downwards through the
airducts and none of Miss Parker's badgering could get him to tell her the plan. They finally
stopped at a vent which was connected to one of the holding cells. It looked slightly
familiar until it hit her that all the cells in the Centre were identical. Jarod
unscrewed the vent and in one fluid movement, slipped into the cell. Without
delay, he shut down the security cameras and proceeded to crouch near the bed.
Miss Parker joined him two seconds later and saw how he tapped the sides of the
bed with a practiced urgency. His hands slid under the bed and he let out a sigh
of relief. He carefully drew out a thin blue file and without a word headed back
towards the vent. Miss Parker fumed silently beside him. This is why she had
to tag along for ? She was a woman of action and damnit! she was going to get
some. She pulled out her Centre issue 9mm Smith & Wesson and cocked it into
action. Jarod heard the chamber load and rolled his eyes.


"Can you please put that away ?" he grunted and pulled himself into the vent again.


"Give me one good reason."


"One, I don't plan on getting shot anytime soon. Two, I don't want anybody else getting shot.
And three, the disabling sequence on the camera will stop working in a couple of seconds,
so would please climb in here ?" Miss Parker glanced at the camera. Indeed, the red light on
the camera was slowly getting brighter, signifying that the camera was warming up. Her eyes
flitted between the door, the vent and Jarod.


"We can argue about this in the vent, let's go !" he said more forcefully.


"Fine !" she snapped back and refused his helping hand. They made it into the vent just in
time.


"What was that all about ?" Jarod asked angrily


"I want to know why you don't trust me, I also want to know why I had to tag along for this
little excursion. This is stupid Jarod ! I am not going to settle for being the damsel in
distress." She hissed


"You ? Damsel in distress ?"


"Don't look so shocked Jarod, because that's the way you've been treating me ever since you
walked back into the Centre. You expect me to look pretty and be there when you need some
support, but never to give any input. Well, I'm sick of it ! I am going back to my place and
I am going to sleep in my bed and I am going to do it all alone !" She turned her back to him
and started crawling towards the exit. He grabbed her arm and spun her around.



"This isn't about you anymore ! I thought you had changed from that bitter,
spoilt bitch that you were, but it looks to me that some things never change." he almost
shouted.


They were both so caught up in their argument that neither noticed Angelo
appearing beside them. He had heard movement in the vents and had decided to
investigate and had in the process, stumbled into their argument.


"You're a fine one talking Mr. Vengeance 'R' Us ! Did you ever stop and think of all the lives
you ruined with your damn quests ? How many families you destroyed ? Well, I've
got news for you Saint Jarod, I saw it. I saw it all. I saw how those people had
to pick up the pieces that you had left behind after you had finished playing
with their lives. Look at yourself first Jarod, before you start judging others !" she spat
at him and then disappeared around the corner.


Jarod almost went after her, but a faint sound stopped him. It was Angelo, softly rocking
himself and crooning for comfort. All the agitation and hurt and rage was playing havoc
with his empathic abilities.


"Oh shit!" Jarod slammed his fist into the wall, trying to relieve some of the rage that he
felt, but the only thing that he gained was a sore wrist. Jarod lowered his voice and softly
spoke to Angelo in the tone that he usually used on small children and hurt animals.


"I'm sorry Angelo, we both are. Do you want to get out of here ? We have to look over that
blue file, remember ?"


No response.


*** Parker residence, Blue Cove, Delaware***


She was shaking all over. Just the task of lighting a cigarette was turning into
a trial. It finally lit, and after taking a satisfactory drag, she checked the
security system again. It was just a feeling, but over the years she had learned
to trust her gut. Someone was watching her. She took a long, satisfying drag and
felt the poison enter her lungs. Because that's what it was - a poison.
Something to end this miserable life of hers. She was tired of fighting all the
time. Fighting with a father who didn't love her, a mother who would haunt her
daughter till death, and a human chameleon whose greatest pretend was duping her
into loving him. Just the thought of Jarod raised her pulse. Damn him! she
thought and flopped in front of the television. She stubbed out her cigarette
and quickly lit another one. With every drag she took, she calmed down until
something in her apartment reminded her of Jarod and it was back to square one.


"To hell with all of this !" she stormed out of her house and went to the
informal shooting range that stood in her back yard. She imagined the target was
Jarod and later it turned into her father and somewhere during the course of the
first clip, the target turned into herself. She was shooting herself. With every
squeeze of the trigger more tears fell and the more she shook until she had to
stop shooting since she couldn't see the target anymore.


He put down the binocs. He never really liked to see a grown woman cry, but
whatever demons she had, she had to fight them on her own. He glanced at his
watch again. It was getting late and he had to be back in Washington before
five.


Conspiracy VII

by Zanna

Seven ! Lucky for some, but not for our characters. I followed the basic rules for plots,
namely introduce them, put them in the worst possible situation ever and then get them out
of it. I even tried guy meets girl, guy sleeps with girl, guy nearly gets shot by girl.
So please don't flame me for killing the (odd) character now and then.
(don't worry Yip !) Major angst ahead for all you shippers and the first person who catches
the 1013 references will get their names mentioned in the next intro in a really
nice way. Anyways ....


Zanna

zannamjs@yahoo.com


Conspiracy 7/? Simlab 12 The Centre Blue Cove, Delaware, Early Evening***


His tie was loose and his hair was in complete disarray but Sydney didn't care.
He had received a page five minutes earlier which had only contained one message
911
He didn't know why, he couldn't even explain it if he wanted to, but
he had instinctively known that it had come from Jarod and that something bad
had happened. When he finally stormed into the lab he quickly took stock of his
surroundings. Angelo was lying on the cot, curled into a fetal ball and
murmuring something to himself. He looked more carefully at the room, trying to
spot Jarod. He took in the tense air in without a second thought and narrowed
his eyes to slits. He finally spotted Jarod when a sliver of light played across
Jarod's face and revealed a man tortured by his actions.
Sydney was frightened by the dark, brooding look on his friend's face


"How is he ?"


"He has collapsed into himself and he doesn't respond to stimuli
of any kind. Maybe something we said or did triggered a memory."


"We ?" Sydney looked up in surprise. He didn't ask why Jarod was here on a Saturday,
but to bring a companion ?


"Miss Parker and I. We had a fight, a rather ... impressive fight ." Suddenly it made sense
it made sense. He knew that when the two of them would fight it would be something spectacular.
It was also long overdue. He had seen the two of them bottle up their emotions and this had
been the only to release the tension. The squabble had probably been over something silly that
had been blown out of proportion.


"It wasn't pretty. She had a valid point but still . . ." The young man trailed off as if he
had lost interest in the subject. Sydney was silent, knowing better than to interrupt Jarod's
train of thought. He had let Broots do some research into Jarod's past of the last four
years, or more specifically, his time as an FBI profiler. Special Agent Jarod
Chasseur had established himself a force to be reckoned with in his first three
months at the Behavioral Science Unit's department Violent Criminal Apprehension
Program (VICAP). He jumpstarted his career by catching 'the Fisherman', a serial
killer that had terrified New York for close to two years. It was Jarod and
another profiler, whose nickname was Spooky for some insane reason, who had
caught the link between the Boston Strangler and the Yorkshire Ripper. Once he
had consulted with a certain Laura Means which had led to a relationship. They
broke up after a couple of months and Jarod's performance was considerably less
than acceptable a few weeks after that.


Sydney sighed and walked over to Angelo. He brought his hand to Angelo's forehead to get a
temperature and was rewarded with a flinch and a whimper. He sighed and sat down on the
cot and made soothing motions with his hand on Angelo's back.


*** Parker residence***


The scotch wasn't doing it's job anymore. The demons kept coming and Miss Parker was
tired of fighting. She was dressed in an oversized T-shirt and a pair of shorts
that Jarod had left behind. Even the pillows smelled like him she realized when
she lay her head on him. A musky, earthy, innocent smell that she loved. She
closed her eyes and imagined them a few days earlier, relaxed in front of the TV
and utterly content. She tried to light another cigarette but she was shaking so
hard that it was impossible. Puffy, red eyes glared at the figure in the mirror.
She was a grown woman for crying out loud! Not a moody teenager who had been
rejected by her crush. Get a grip Parker! She sat down in front of the mirror
and tried to smooth her expression. In a couple of seconds her face was the apex
of calm and to reinforce the effect, she lit another cigarette.


The facade seemed to work. Her hands had stopped trembling and the face in front of her was
cool and impassive. Miss Parker could feel the familiar anger and self-determination build
up inside her and she allowed it to take control - just like when she was trying to catch
Jarod. The phone rang.


*** The Waterfront, Blue Cove, Delaware***


"Pick up, pick up. Please pick up !" Debbie was nearing hysteria. Steven covered her back
at the pay phone, but even he was a little jumpy.


"What !" came the tinny voice. Debbie nearly cried with relief.


"Miss ... Miss Parker ." Debbie let out a heartbreaking sob. She was so scared.


"Debbie, what's wrong honey ?" Miss Parker could feel the facade crumbling again.


"He's here."


"Who is there, honey ?"


"Him. Please come pick us up. I'm just so scared, please hurry."


"Honey, I need you to calm down and let me talk to Steven."


"Okay." she sniffled again.


"Steven ?"


"I'm here Miss Parker. Debbie has a point, I can feel his eyes. I also saw Mr. Lyle tailing
us a while back there."


"Lyle ? Steven, are you packing ?"


"Always."


"Good. Go to the main entrance, I'll pick you up in ten minutes."


"Okay, Miss Parker."


"And Steven, be careful."


He wanted to assure her that he would but all he heard was the dial tone. He
felt the gun pressing against the small of his back, since his clothes didn't
allow for the cover of a shoulder holster. It was a regular Smith and Wesson
nine millimeter and he had been certified with it at expert level a couple of
years back. Keeping Debbie near him, he wove through the crowds expertly and
Lyle nearly lost him twice.


Lyle was seething. How dare they let a Pretender out of the Centre! After he had left his
father's office he had tried to access Miss Parker's file and was told, in no uncertain
terms, to buzz off. The same thing happened with Jarod, Sydney and Broots' file. He correctly
interpreted this that Miss Parker wasn't lying about the security clearances. After that he
had tailed Parker to find out about her and Jarod but had instead found this
Pretender in public. Damn ! They had disappeared again. He heard tires squealing
and watched as Steven and Debbie jumped into the car. Miss Parker saw him and
with a grin on her face, threw him the finger and sped away.


***Simlab 12 The Cen ... I don't have to type this everytime do I ?


"What do you mean Jarod ?"


"What do they want from us ? You try to protect them and they call you sexist.
Let her fend for herself and you're an un-evolved pig. You can't win !


"Ah, but you see Jarod, there's a delicate balance between the two."


"But the two contradict themselves. A balance is impossible !" Sydney grinned at the young
man's frustration.


"I take it this was the subject of your argument ?"


"She called me sexist me Sydney! Me! She accused me as typecasting her as the damsel
in distress, as a pretty wallflower only to appear at the most opportune
moments!"


"Well, even I can't see her as such." Jarod was pacing the room now,
waving his arms to put more focus and understanding in his argument. As sudden
as the storm started it stopped. Jarod stopped pacing and looked at Sydney with
a clear expression on his face.


"Why didn't we ever have this conversation ?"


"You never asked. Besides, from what I hear some of your lady friends were a lot
worse than Miss Parker."


"You mean Lara. How'd you find out about her ?"


"Does it matter ?"


"She was something else Syd. She had her own gift which she used in
her own way, but she was so much like me. I just don't want her to get hurt."


"Do you still love her ?"


"In my own way, I will always. I still carry her picture with me. She once saved my life in
a stakeout gone wrong and ever since then she's been my guardian Angel. We lost touch though,
after the Virus in Seattle."


"Can I see her ?" Jarod took out his wallet and Sydney was surprised
by the collection of photo's inside. A picture of Jarod and Kyle was first
followed by his mother. The picture of Lara was next, which was surprisingly
next to one of Miss Parker's. The picture of Miss Parker was obviously taken
from a distance but it had captured the true essence of her. She was in an
alleyway, gun at her side and stalking towards the photographer. He realised
that Jarod was waiting for his reaction towards Lara and quickly focused on her.
The photo had been taken inside someone's home during Christmas. It was
basically a group photo of Jarod, Lara and a wrinkled man with a small girl.
They were all smiling and he saw the way Jarod hanged onto Lara and could almost
see the link between them.


"Who are they ?" he pointed towards the man and the girl.


"It's one of the profilers who often consulted with VICAP and his little girl. His wife died
because of the Virus. The three of us were unstoppable Syd. The little girl's name is Jordan.
The next time I go visit I'll bring a more recent picture."


The door burst open and Jarod automatically went for his
weapon. When he saw Miss Parker he relaxed but just in case, kept his weapon
within arm's reach. She had Debbie and Steven and tow and they were struggling to
keep up with her demanding strides. She walked up to him, looked him in the eye
and put down her cellphone on the table with a neatly controlled slap.


"Debbie, tell your dad I want him over here in five minutes. We've got a problem."
Debbie picked up Miss Parker's cell phone and dialed. Hearing the phone ring on the
other end she moved away from the crowd for some privacy.


"Steven, get dressed in something proper and get back here in five minutes.
The Centre Special Ops is going to have a meeting."


"Yes, Miss Parker." Steven sped off.


He had heard about this mood of hers, but had never believed it. She used her anger to
control her actions. Her very controlled, very precise actions. Without a word
she lit up a cigarette and started towards the white board, reviewing their
plans.


"Parker ?" Jarod asked and walked up towards her.


"Yeah, what ?" "About this afternoon ..."


"Forget it, I needed a wake up call anyway."



Conspiracy VIII

by Zanna


Every time I type one of these intro's I wonder if
people it read at all, and for those four who do, if they enjoy it. Just about
when I'm about to give up on all this, I remember the enjoyment I get from
reading other authors intro's, so why deny you yours ? Intro's are a funny
thing, they can either reveal the author's personality completely or can fog it
up even more between the anonymity of the net. I know that it's been a while
since my last post, but we've been having technical difficulties here at
Madhouse Central so my apologies. And the lucky winner to that 1013 competition
is ... Lexie ! Congrats and continue reading. For those of you who missed the
clues completely, there were exactly three 1013 references and no, I am not
going to name them.

Zanna

zannamjs@yahoo.com


Conspiracy 8/?


***Reynard's Bench coffee house Washington D.C.***


Senator Whitehead usually came here in the evenings, but tonight he derived no pleasure
from it at all. Tonight he was meeting HIM. The coordinator. The bell tingled
and Whitehead glanced up to see and elderly gentleman walk towards him.


"Where is Midea ?" the old man wheezed


"Joining us soon, would you like to sit down ?"


The old man complied and the Senator hastily ordered another refill before his
guest could protest about his drink of choice. When the waitress brought his
Mochachinno over, the old man ordered his usual scotch on the rocks. Before she
could protest about the lack of a liquor license, the old man slipped her a
twenty and she murmured something about five minutes. The bell tingled again
and Jonathan Midea entered the shop cautiously.


"You certainly took your time." the old man glared accusingly.


"So you would prefer that I be followed rather than be late ?"


"Who was the tail ?" Whitehead asked.


"That idiot Sam. Lost him five miles outside of Blue Cove. Where's my cup ?"


Whitehead sighed and signaled the waitress for another cup. The three men remained silent until both the
coffee and scotch had been served and the perky waitress disappeared behind the
till.


"Midea, why did you call this meeting ?" Whitehead began. The sooner
they started, the sooner he could get out of here.


"That Pretender and Parker woman, it's worse than we thought. They have taken my Pretender
and placed him under Sydney's care. They have formed their own Special Operations Group and
they've got a hunting license to boot. They have discovered the virus and ..."


"Calm down, what do you mean they have discovered the virus ? I thought it was
untraceable."


"It is, I mean they still think it's a worm and they have no idea
what it's capable of but ..."


"So why are you worried ?"


"Jarod had a hunch that that wasn't all that it was programmed to do, so he set Broots on
the damn thing to figure out all there is to know. One of the flaws of the worm is that it
remembers where and when it was activated. From then on it's child's play to
trace it back to us."


"What about the boy ? Will Sydney's teachings hinder the project ?"


"Unless he instills values that directly contradicts us, no. If they
were to analyze his blood however, they would instantly recognize the gene and
this will only add fuel to their fire."


"The Red Files were dicey enough son, but how certain are you that they will work ?"


"You're looking at living proof sir. Besides. your daughter qualifies as a purple file,
since she is a mixture of both projects."


"I'll leave it in your capable hands then Whitehead. Midea, do you think that Steven could
surpass Jarod's potential ?"


"Easily."


"Sir, about the termination order ..."


"It's still a go. But I want it done in ways that doesn't make it look too unnatural. The last
thing we need is another Pretender out for revenge."


Whitehead grinned in anticipation. He was so looking forward to getting his hands on his
employer's daughter. To watch her squirm under his hands, making her beg for him to fill her
and then to finally slit her throat. Whitehead was having a hard time keeping his expression
cool. Mr. Parker stood up and swallowed the last of his scotch.


"Good evening gentlemen." and walked out into the night


***Simlab 12 The Centre Blue Cove, Delaware***


Broots arrived five minutes later; hair wet, clothes in disarray and a steaming paper
cup of coffee in one hand and his laptop in the other. He was waiting for the
usual teasing greeting but the somber atmosphere quickly made him realize that
this wasn't an ordinary meeting.


Like Sydney earlier, Broots detected the tension between Jarod and Miss Parker
but thought nothing of it. He had seen plenty of weird things in Jarod's house
and it had been a toss up between the fact that they had been sleeping together
or Jarod's weird taste in art that had creeped him out. It did make a great
ambiance for watching horror movies though. Broots didn't see Steven and thought
that he had gone back to Dr. Midea, but as soon as Broots formed the thought,
Steven appeared and walked towards Debbie. Broots no longer questioned Debbie's
presence in the Special Ops Group, having long ago come to the conclusion that
she was a valuable member of the team. He gently placed his coffee on the table
and (not so gently) his laptop. Sydney and Angelo was absent from the table but
Broots didn't worry about that. He was however puzzled by the seating
arrangements. Jarod sitting at one end of the table and Miss Parker at the
other. Debbie and Steven sitting on one side and he, alone, on the other. Miss
Parker was lighting up a cigarette and Broots nervously looked at Jarod for his
reaction.


There was no reaction. It was as if they were ignoring each other.


"Let's begin." Miss Parker barked


"Why don't you fill Broots in then ?" Jarod shot back and stood up, walking towards the dark
corner. For the first time Broots noticed Sydney and Angelo.


"Broots! Over here." Miss Parker snapped her fingers


"I am going to give you the abbreviated version of what happened so pay attention.
Firstly, we have Lyle on our sorry asses. It's not that big a problem since I
know what he's after, but he saw Steven outside the Centre and the Triumvirate
will want to know why. We will need to think up some really convincing reason
other than the fact that he was out with your daughter."


"What ?"


"Dad, didn't you listen when I told you this morning ?"


"Secondly," Miss Parker continued "Jarod and I have a hit out on us. Someone is paying a lot
of money to observe and neutralize. As of this moment we are on code blue alert. Suspect
anything and everyone that hasn't to do with this team directly."


"Finally, we haven't seen that last of Raines's hobbies. How much do you know of the Blue
Files ?"


"Blue files ? I thought there were only Red ones."


Jarod stepped back into the light and chipped in.


"Blue Files was a project opened by Raines between Prodigy projects. The earliest one that
we know of dates back almost fifty years and the most recent, five . The project involves
destroying certain parts of the brain, while enhancing others." Miss Parker cut in again.


"From what we could piece together, the area that it enhances is the part where targeting,
manipulation and deceit lies. The part that it destroys are those of self-doubt and
passiveness. Most of the subjects are avid hunters and very little can restrain
them from their prey. In one of the files that we found, a candidate waited for
nearly six years until he murdered his antagonist."


"Where did you guys get this information ? And why does it concern us ?"


"Where we got the information is not important, what matters is our mission."


"What is our mission Jarod ?"


Miss Parker hissed and lit up another cigarette.


"Um ... before you guys get into that, I have something you should see." Broots piped up.
He turned his laptop's display screen towards the others. It clearly showed a clock ticking
off seconds, minutes and days. According to the clock, it had slightly less that
seven days left until zero.


"This clock is ticking off the time until a virus is let loose on the Centre's
mainframe. Because all the computers of the Centre and all it's field offices
are connected to the mainframe, it'll spread like a brushfire. The virus will be
delete everything. Every file, every command and every job or project that the
Centre has had in it's entire existence will be deleted."


"Where did it come from ?" Steven asked curiously.


"Remember that flaw that I tracked to an open terminal a while back ? I believe your old
mentor was one of the suspects. Anyway, what was a flaw was actually a dataworm."


"Dataworm ?" Sydney asked


"A dataworm is almost like a courier who works for the underground. It goes into
hostile territory, grabs the information it needs and then gets out of the
system masked as something else, usually as an e-mail. Now a courier can take
information as well as leave information behind."


"In this case the virus" Jarod said.


"Exactly ! The trick is just how to delete it without it destroying the
Centre."


"Isn't that just a little bit melodramatic ?"


"No, the Centre is a covert organization who deals with information. If you delete
everything that the Centre did for the last sixty years, an unimaginable amount of information
will be lost. We'll have to start over."


"Giving a wide enough gap for our competitors to take over the market. Son of a bitch !"
Miss Parker started pacing.


"I've got a question. What's stopping us from deleting the virus ?"
Sydney asked.


"If you attempt to delete either the dataworm or the virus, the
virus will automatically start deleting the files. Who ever created this sucker
sure knew what he was doing."


"Where is it hiding ?"


"In the main .exe files. The reason why we haven't detected the virus so far is because
it's been hitching rides by using inter-office e-mail."



"I know how to stop it." Steven chipped in.


"What ?!" "Jonathan asked me to create a virus exactly like that a couple of months ago
for a sim. What he didn't know is that I always put in a fail-safe.
The only problem is that I will have to work for at least 36 hours non-stop to hack into
the Centre mainframe from the outside. I'm not sure, but I think that you can only deactivate
the virus five minutes before it activates. "


"Why do you have to break in from the outside ?"


"It's kind of a private joke. My bargaining chip if you will. I knew
that at some point someone would want to activate the virus so I figured that I
could use it to get out of the Centre."


"Well, here's you chance to prove it. " Sydney gently laid his hand on Steven's shoulder.


Conspiracy IX
by Zanna


I am not going to even try to type an intro for this one folks, since I found a
quote that neatly summons up future events in this realm. Oh yeah, sensitive
readers should scram, especially if you don't like violence,


"We all have a darkside, it's bullshit to say that we don't. At some point we are going to
have to face that." - Sarah McLachlan


Zanna

zannamjs@yahoo.com

Conspiracy 9/12


***Jarod's house Blue Cove, Delaware.***


Broots and Steven had completely taken over Jarod's dining room. Computers,
printers and display screens were everywhere and the delivery menu of the
nearest pizza parlor was firmly fastened next to the phone. They had been at it
for nearly 18 hours and with Broots helping Steven with the more difficult parts
of hacking into the Centre, they had cut the time with nearly an eighth. Steven
had told Broots that the five minute thing was only a fluke and the virus was
actually set to activate five hours before zero hour.



They had approximately 145 hours of five days left so Broots wasn't worried.
Debbie was back at school and that weirdo that had been stalking her had
apparently decided to disappear for a while. Jarod and Miss Parker was at the
Centre, trying to follow up at all the people who were possibly connected to the
Blue Files. Sydney and Angelo had moved into the loft. Broots grinned. He had
never thought that Jarod's house would be able to house seven people. Jarod and
Miss Parker was still civil with each other, maybe a little friendly, but it
looked like their days of bunking together were over. The doorbell rang. Broots
made certain that he carried the panic button that Jarod had made him and Debbie
wear in case of an emergency.


"Pizza, dude." The young punk at the door said.


"But we ..."


"Don't worry Broots, I ordered on-line." Steven shouted.


"In that case, thanks." Slamming the door shut behind him, Broots opened the lid to check
out the toppings.


"Pineapple and banana ?"


"It's delicious, you should try it sometime. What time is Debbie coming home ?"


"About three. Whose credit card did you use ?"


"Jonathan's. He won't know what hit him until it's too late."


*** James Buchanen High School, In the lovely town called, you guessed it, Blue Cove***



"What do you think was the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia after his
parents declared him mad ?"


The teacher asked with boundless enthusiasm. Debbie was astounded how someone could remain so
excited about a subject which had been picked apart five years in a row. Debbie had long since
decided that English was to be her homework period and since the class was usually one of the
first that she had every day, so much the better. It wasn't that she didn't like Hamlet,
nor Shakespeare for that matter, it's just that she didn't want to mess up her
ideas and visions of what happened to Hamlet and the rest of his tragic tale.


"Miss Broots, would you like to comment ?"

Oh shit.


"Oh um, well I think that Ophelia knew that Hamlet was only pretending ..." somehow that word
had taken on an entirely different meaning "... and that she had wanted to help him with
whatever he had planned."


"In that case do you think that she ever truly loved Hamlet ? Or was she just in love with
his crown, his image that he presented of himself ?"


"She was in love with *him* because when her father ordered her to stay away from Hamlet,
she was more upset over the prospect of not seeing him than breaking up their relationship.
Remember, she also went mad when Hamlet rejected her at the start of his 'madness'."


"Thank you, Miss Broots. Mr. Lange, what was the repercussions on Hamlet after Ophelia's death ?"
Debbie started tuning out again and focused on her math homework. Steven might be a genius
with math, but he couldn't explain even if his life depended on it. Strangely enough,
it had been Miss Parker who had sat with her until the wee hours of the morning
explaining everything until Debbie would be able to do the work at three a.m.
Debbie's attention wandered from her algebra to the stalker who had surprisingly
calmed down these last couple of days. It didn't mean he was gone though,
because somehow she could still feel his eyes on her.


*** The Centre***


"Okay, let's recap. In the past fifty years an experiment and later standard Centre
procedure for all assassins was called the Revelations project, aka the Blue
files. From what we can gather our dear friend Senator Whitehead was one of the
first candidates to ever undergo the procedure. Later the Pretender or NuGenesis
project was merged into the Revelations project, giving birth to Purple files or
the Omega group." Jarod put his face into his hands and started to massage his
temples. "So, what you are telling me is that we have Pretenders who are the
elite of the Assassins guild and the Centre denies their existence ?"


"That's about it. My supposedly unlimited access isn't that unlimited after all. I keep
banging my head against this Triumvirate password."


"How many characters ?"


"Two."

"Oh, that's easy. "


Miss Parker typed in two numbers and the computer beeped its approval.


" 28 ?"


"The Centre was established on the 12th of March, 1957. Do you know how numerology works ?"

"Yeah, you take numbers and add them together until you get one number."


"Right, but for a bit more excitement they made it two. So take the numerical values of the
date ..."


"1957-03-12"


" ... add them together and you get ..."


"...twenty-eight. I can't believe I missed that !"


"Yeah, and you're supposed to be the genius." Miss Parker smirked. There was a knock on the
door.


"Come !"


Enter Jonathan Midea with a sportsbag stuffed to the gills.


"Since you have taken Steven over I suppose it's only fitting that
you take his stuff." He slammed the bag on the worktable and turned around to
leave.


"Midea, wait." Jarod stood up.


"What ? Do you also want his bedsheets ?"


"Just a little bit of information. The only thing it'll cost you is that your
very cooperative tongue of yours keep wagging for a while."


Jarod forced Jonathan to sit in the chair and locked the door. Miss Parker saw what Jarod had
in mind and pulled out her gun.


"Now, what do you know of the Revelations project ?"


"I don't know what you are talking about." Miss Parker gently caressed his hairline with
the barrel of her gun.


"Really ? That's not what our source says. And does our source lie ?"


"Never Miss Parker." Jarod struggled to keep his laughter contained. He never tired to see
her interrogate someone, to see her scare the shit out of them. She leaned forward and the
gun started to drift downwards. She moved towards his left ear, and almost seductively, started
talking.


"You know Midea, I really don't like it when people lie to me. I really
don't. I mean, I understand why you are doing it, but it REALLY pisses me off."


With the last couple of words she jammed the gun into his crotch.


"So unless you want to keep what you don't use anyway, you had better start talking."


Jarod could see Midea's eyes sweep the room, looking for means of escape and finding
none, looking for a way to outsmart his captors. Jarod mentally wished the man
luck, knowing how long Miss Parker's stamina could last and her enjoyment of
tasks like interrogation. When he looked into her eyes he could see the
bloodlust threatening to overwhelm her. His blood boiled behind his eyes, he
could feel the lustful call of the violent acts that they were about to perform.
In his mind, he could already feel the exquisite pain the Midea would feel and
the sadistic pleasure of Miss Parker applying years of experience in the torture
department to certain nerve endings. Miss Parker cocked the weapon and moved the
nozzle towards his kneecaps.


"I think I'll start here. Now Midea, assume I know nothing, so why don't you start with what
the Blue Files is ?"


"I'm telling you. I don't know what you are talking about !"


Miss Parker shot his left kneecap.


His pitiful screams echoed across the Simlab and the people who walked past the
lab thought nothing of it. As Miss Parker said earlier: This is the Centre and
the day that people don't hear screams of pain or anguish echoing through the
halls was the day that they knew that they were dead.


"I think Miss Parker was very generous, don't you Midea ? After all, she could have blown
your balls off." Midea nodded, in too much pain to think straight.


"Don't worry Jarod, I'll be there as soon as I run out of joints to shoot. Shall we try again
Jonathan ?"


'Oh hell' thought Midea 'I'm a dead man already, what does it matter if the
bitch kills me after I give her the info ?'


"What do you want to know ?"


"Absolutely everything."


Conspiracy X by Zanna


When reading episode reviews of the third season I noticed that Miss Parker's bloodthirst,
the 'thing' that made her such a wonderful transitional character (i.e. her ability to go from
bad guy to good to bad again in a heartbeat) was being toned down. I have
nothing against Catherine Parker, but I see no reason to change a perfectly
strong female lead like Miss Parker into the angelic Catherine. In my humble
opinion Catherine Parker died before Miss Parker could spot her mother's flaws
and had in the process chosen a role model that not only did not exist, but was
impossible to equal. Things are going to get pretty hairy folks, so all of you
who have weak stomachs or are to young to stay up and watch 'Highlander' scat !!


Zanna

zannamjs@yahoo.com


Conspiracy 10/12 '


The most disturbing thing of this whole experience ' Midea thought 'is the way that he is
edging her on.'


Indeed, Jarod was having a good ( if not better ) time than Miss Parker. Halfway
into the confession, Midea had gotten a second wind of bravado and only after
Miss Parker had shot his other knee and one thigh, had Jonathan started to talk
again. Every time Miss Parker shot him or insulted him or even threatened him,
Jarod had moved closer to Parker until he was right behind her. Sensing his
presence, she had leaned back into him and ground her hips against his. Jonathan
saw how Jarod's pupils dilated and how the blood vanished from his face. It
was amazing to Midea how two people who had so much unresolved issues and anger
inside of them, could only release their demons with the extreme pain of
another. Midea had no doubt that after his death, the two would act on their
animalistic impulses and finally relieve themselves of the exquisite tension
between them. He saw their attention wane and decided that it was time to throw
the grenade.


"I never knew you were a Blue File too Jarod. From Miss Parker's
nature it's easy to see that she is one, but you had hid your ability very well
until now."


"What ?!" Jarod tore his gaze from Miss Parker's oh so inviting neck
to look at Midea.


"You should be please to know there exists only four Blue
Files in the world still alive. Well, only one pure Blue File, but the rest are
all mixtures of the Revelations and NuGenesis projects."


"Explain." Miss Parker hissed when Jarod returned his lips to the nape of her neck.


"Senator Whitehead is the only pure Blue File left. He is in fact the one that Daddy hired
to kill you. The other three are, as I said earlier, part Blue File, part Red. It's you
Miss Parker, Jarod and ..."


"Steven." Jarod finished for him.


"How did you know ?"


"Just logical deductions. You are the only mentor who knew about the Blue
Files and Steven was placed under your care."


" You know Midea, with all this knowledge that you've been spouting, you never did tell us
what the Blue Files were for."


"As I said before, the candidates for the Blue Files are all natural
predators who have the ability to restrain themselves. Which neatly explains why
you never brought Jarod in Miss Parker. You knew that when you had brought him
in that you would no longer receive any information about the hidden projects of
the Centre. It was never about information about your mother's death, hell, even
as a child you knew that it was your father that had shot her."


Miss Parker hit him across the jaw with her gun. Midea spat out some blood and glared at her.


"Is the truth too uncomfortable Miss Parker ? Your weakness isn't your mother,
but it's you failure to live up to your self-made image of her. Your mother was
an adulterous bitch who was married to your father only in name. Do you know ho
she persuaded Jacob to help her with the children ? She slept with him, Miss
Parker, they had an affair that had lasted nearly five years. Before that, she
had Ben too and that had lasted till her death. Your father didn't kill her about
the children, he killed her because he couldn't take the shame of being with a
woman who had only used him to gain a position of power and wealth."


Midea spit in her face.


"Either you pull that trigger or let Jarod do it, but I am not leaving this room alive."


"Damn straight you aren't !" Miss Parker held the gun against Midea's forehead and squeezed
the trigger, gore flew across the room as Jonathan Midea's head exploded. While the deafening
silence flowed over them, Jarod reached for Miss Parker and was answered by a long, hard kiss.
Instinct took over and the very thought of taking things slow, of savoring the pleasure,
was banished into the furthest corners of their minds They never made it home
that night.


*** Jarod's house 4:45 a.m.***


"I'm in !!" came the triumphant yell from Steven. Broots scurried over to peer over Steven
shoulder. It had taken Steven slightly less that 36 hours, but he had successfully hacked
into the Centre mainframe.


"You are logging on as Mr. Lyle ?"


"Call it a fulfillment of a rather twisted fantasy."


"I won't even ask. Now, the virus was last detected at this terminal here."
Broots pointed to an icon on the bottom left corner of the
screen.


"When was this ?"


"About two days ago."


"That means that the virus should be ..." Steven bit down on his lip, doing the calculations


" ...at this one here."


"Mr. Parker's ?"


"It was designed to look as if the head of the facility was the one who activated the virus.
Of course, only I knew that, but it should make some interesting waves in office politics."


Debbie placed a cup of coffee in front of Steven.


"So what are you waiting for, deactivate it !"


"Debbie, Steven hasn't slept in two days. Give him a break, huh ?"


"Actually, I've gone without sleep for nearly a week for a sim, so this is nothing Mr.
Broots. But believe me, lots of coffee and a steady stream of pizza and I'll be
fine."


*** The Centre, Dawn***


Mr. Lyle stormed into Mr. Parker's office.


"We have a problem ."


"And ... ?"


"There is a hacker in the system and he's using MY password !"


"Well get Mr. Broots, he can easily get rid of that scum."


*** Jarod's House***

Broots' cellular phone chirped angrily under the pile of laundry
in his room. On the fifteenth ring Broots finally located it and wondered who
had the patience to let a phone ring for so much time.


"Broots."


"Mr. Broots, I hope I didn't interrupt anything."


Oh shit, Lyle.


"No, no you didn't. What is the problem ?"


"It seems that the Centre has attracted the attention of a hacker. I want you to get over
here and flush that rat out."


"Yes Mr. Lyle. Um ... I'll be there as ..."


Broots heard the dial tone and angrily threw down the phone.


"I hate it when they do that !" Broots scurried over towards the hall
where his jacket and car keys lay.


"Steven, you had better do what you do a bit more discreetly. The Centre is on to you.


"What do you mean ?"


"It means that I just got a call informing me that there is an evil hacker in the
mainframe and that I have to kick him out."


"Poor you."


*** The Centre Simlab 12***


"I suppose we'll have to clean up this mess soon." Miss Parker took a long drag
from her cigarette. If anyone had walked in five minutes earlier, they wouldn't
have believed that it was the same Miss Parker and Jarod. Not a hair out of
place and as composed as ever, Miss Parker tried to suppress the shudder of
pleasure that Jarod's hands evoked.


Neither had slept much during the night and were both pleasantly stiff from the previous
night's activities.


"Why should we ? That's what the janitorial staff is for, isn't it ?"


"You want them to clean up the body of a mentor that we shot point blank in the head ?"


"It was self defense. Poor man, he just came in here and started waving his gun around and
we had no choice than to shoot back." Footsteps echoed in the hallway.


"Looks like that will have to be our story. Someone is coming."


"Angel, are you in here ?"



"Daddy."

"Oh my god, what happened here ?" Jarod stepped forward and lightly
covered the body with Midea's coat.


"It was self defense sir, he had tried to kill us."


"Have you called someone to clean up this mess ? " Parker asked his daughter, completely
ignoring Jarod.


"We were about to."


"Good, good." Mr. Parker moved towards the door.


"Daddy ?"


"Yes, Angel ?"


"Why are you here ?" Miss Parker moved towards him.


"There has been a security breach and I er... was looking for Broots."


Alarms started blaring



Conspiracy XI
by Zanna


Paranoia is only heightened awareness - or so they say. In the small amount of
time that I have been on this earth I have realized that most people, if not
all, are really out to get you. And so, as a defense mechanism, paranoia was
developed and is an aspect of human nature that is gleefully embraced by people
like me. However, I find it shocking that people like Jarod and Miss Parker who
GREW UP IN THE CENTRE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD can't even spot a conspiracy a mile
away. Poem used without permission from Jen Bakht from her fanfic called Jade.
For some really excellent Mara Jade fanfic mail mail her at JadedMara@aol.com


Zanna

zannamjs@yahoo.com

Conspiracy 11/12


Lost in a maze
Of memories
Twisting, screeching,
All around me.
Now I understand the evil that I have wrought.


Foolish me.
A mere child,
Blind with power.


* ~ *

Broots had just made it to his terminal when the emergency lockdown was initiated. Chills
came over him as he remembered the last time it had happened. It had been one the few
times that Miss Parker had been shot and he had never forgotten how forlorn she
had looked in that elevator. The scar had remained on Miss Parker's arm, but she
had chosen to think of it as a reminder that everyone, if you give them enough
time, was a traitor. She had been rather touchy after that incident for days.
Lyle was waiting for him and Broots wondered whether Lyle was the one who had
initiated the lockdown.


"About time Mr. Broots." Lyle hissed.


"Sorry Sir."


"Just find that scumbag and get him put of the system."


"Yes Sir." Broots detected Steven far too easily and tried to give him a warning
*kick* but before he could start the action, Steven disappeared. A five seconds later Broots
discovered him again and the same thing happened.


"Damn ! He's good." Broots muttered and he stopped holding back. It was almost as if Steven was
challenging him. Pretty soon it was an outright war between Broots and Steven, seeing who could
trap who and how fast they could follow the trapper. All the while Lyle was pacing behind
him, every once in a while looking over Broots' shoulder and just generally
being very irritating.


"Mr. Lyle, um ... Sir. I can't work like this. Why don't you chill and see what's going on the lockdown ?"


"Chill ?! You want me to chill ? In case you haven't noticed Broots, this isn't a high school. That damn
alarm isn't helping my headache, I'll be right back." With a huff, Lyle exited the
room, leaving behind Broots gleefully pursuing Steven.


*** Simlab 12***


Mr. Parker glanced in horror at the now locked door in front of him and he
definitely didn't like the look in his daughter's eye . Besides, he wasn't
blind. Any idiot could see that Midea's head had been blown off at point blank
range and the amount of bloody flesh where his knees and feet should have been
told a completely different story than his daughter had told him.


"I'll ask again Daddy, why are you here ?" Miss Parker's voice grew even more colder , if
it was possible.


"I told you Broots ..."


"Don't lie to me !" Mr. Parker began to sweat and Jarod, watching from the shadows, had a hard time trying
to contain himself. The son of a bitch who had made his and Andy's life a living hell was
right in front of him and Jarod knew that he could kill the old man without a
second thought. Jarod grinned. If Sydney knew his present state of mind he
wouldn't have recognized him. Gone was the valiant, naive Jarod who thought that
he could right the world's wrongs and in his place was the bitter, cynical Jarod
who could kill without remorse. He turned his attention back to Miss Parker and
was surprised to see that during his introspection , Mr. Parker had backed
against the door in fear and his daughter, his 'Angel', was pointing a gun at
him.


"You know Daddy, there is only one thing that I hate more than being lied to.
And that ..." Mr. Parker gulped. "... is being held for a fool. "


Jarod took this as his cue and held the chair for Mr. Parker.


"You look tired Mr. Parker, why don't you sit down ?"


"No, thank you. I'm fine."


"Oh, but I must insist. Besides, we are in the middle of a lockdown. Where would you go ? It might be a
long time before they let us out. "


"Yes Daddy. " Miss Parker spat out the word "Take a seat."


"If you insist ..."


"Oh, but we do."


Mr. Parker took one look at the gun still pointed at his chest and sat down. Miss Parker stood closer and
lit up a cigarette. The alarms ominously quieted down.


"Would you like some coffee Daddy ?" Something in Miss Parker's eye warned him of the danger of
saying no.


"White, 2 sugar. "


"How about you Jarod ?"


"I'd love some, thank you. " Jarod grinned. he knew exactly where she was going with this.


"In that case why don't you make sure our 'guest' is comfortable while I make the coffee."

"My pleasure." Miss Parker gestured for him to come closer to her and with her gun
still pointed at her father's chest, she kissed Jarod. Not the ol' peck on the
cheek at family reunions kiss but the full-blown homemade porn-movie kind. The
kiss and the offer of coffee did exactly what it was supposed to do. It threw
Mr. Parker off track and broke down his mental barriers. Her gun never wavering
she broke the kiss and walked towards the coffee station. A tense silence
descended on the three people while they waited for the water to boil. Every
couple of seconds, Mr. Parker glanced at the body of Midea and wondered what his
employee had revealed to these mavericks. Mr. Parker knew why Jarod had been
granted his request for a special team - it had been the only way that they
could gather all the mavericks together and let them keep themselves under
control. To Mr. Parker, mavericks were the most dangerous type of person at the
Centre. They didn't follow procedure and threw themselves into their work with
complete abandon, not caring about the effect on themselves or on those around
them. But these mavericks were the best that the Centre had and if they decided
one morning that they wanted to have all Centre personnel dye their hair pink,
so be it.


Miss Parker placed the coffee in front of him and he carefully took
the mug and sipped. Jarod and Miss Parker moved together, projecting an united
front and Mr. Parker pitied anyone who stood against these two. Well, he was
nothing but a survivor and he prepared himself for their worst.


*** Jarod's house***


"Debbie, your father is an unappreciated man." Steven grinned and took
another sip of cola from his mug.


Jarod abhorred drinking out of cans and using polystyrene containers for fast food and as a
result, each member of the team had gotten a mug which they could decorate themselves.
Jarod had a Calvin and Hobbs cartoon and Miss Parker a dainty ballerina.


"I know, but the important thing is that he knows that he is important to the Centre, so he's happy.
Even Miss Parker knows his worth."


Silence for a couple of minutes, then "Steven, I had a really great time Saturday."


"Yeah, me too."


"When all this is over, think we can do it again ?" Steven stopped typing and looked at Debbie.


"More than anything." Debbie grinned and lightly put her hand on Steven's shoulder.


The computer beeped, indicating an incoming message.


"What now ?" The message came up and Debbie quickly read it, before Steven could stop her.


HA! HA! GOTCHA! THINGS ARE STARTING TO GET HOT IN HERE, STAY AT HOUSE AND DON'T EVEN THINK OF
USING MY VISA CARD FOR PIZZA. B.


"So ...?"


"I think the shit just hit the fan."


*** Centre Parking Lot Blue Cove, Delaware***


Incredible. What was the odds of coming back to the Centre to destroy their elite after leaving the
Centre for the exact same reason ? Whitehead rechecked his Glock and made
certain that he had at least three extra clips on his person. Unseen, he slipped
into the lobby and looking like a man on a mission, stalked towards the
elevators. With no change in expression , he walked over to the button for SL- 5
and made certain that no one would be joining him for the ride down.


*** Sublevel 5, Simlab 12, The Centre.***


Like panthers they stalked towards him, patient yet ruthless. Jarod didn't pity the old man in front of him,
in fact, he had to stop himself from strangling the bastard. Face composed, Mr. Parker put
down the mug and looked expectantly at his would-be tormentors. The bell from
the elevator echoed down the hall. Mr. Parker smiled smugly. Company.


"Jarod."


Miss Parker looked at Jarod and jerked her head towards her father. He nodded
once and she moved towards the dark corner, gun in hand. Picking up her cue,
Jarod taped Mr. Parker's mouth shut and shoved him in Miss Parker's direction.
That done, he took out his gun and stood directly under the remaining light,
causing his face to be scarred with shadows - unrecognizable. Standing
absolutely still, his body humming with restrained energy and his gun at his
side, he waited for the intruder to make his entrance.


Conspiracy XII
by
Zanna



And here we approach the end of Conspiracy. Strange, it's almost like
raising a child and I am having Empty Nest Syndrome. Not that I would know, mind
you. A thousand thank you's belong to Yip for editing this piece, correcting my
typos and then redoing it in HTML. Words cannot describe my feeling of
gratitude. For my very own FanGirl, ANISA2, virtual chocolates and every other
naughty gift imaginable for kicking me in the cajones when I was too tired to
type and for the reminding me why I do this in the first place. Lastly, I must
thank all you, my readers. For without you, my story would've been another waste
of bytes and valuable internet time. Before you all flood my e-mail box, no,
there will not be a sequel. Conspiracy is done and no more can be done to tell
the tale. I won't stop you if you want to write one, just let me know. Contained
in this posting is also the epilogue, for those of you who would want some
closure.


Zanna
zannamjs@yahoo.com


Conspiracy 12/12


He liked to work in absolute quiet. That way he could hear
every sound that his victims made. Every squeal, every grunt, every cry of pain.
In absolute silence he made his way towards the Simlab. Strange that he didn't
hear a sound from there either but if they weren't in there he would wait. A
lone light was on in the lab and it took a while for Whitehead to realize that a
man stood under it. With the light playing on the man's face, it looked like he
didn't have any eyes and when Whitehead squinted, it looked like a skull. The
shadow spoke.


"Senator Whitehead I presume."


"But of course. You must be Jarod."


Jarod slightly tilted his head for confirmation.


"I want you to know that after I'm done with you I am going to kill her. After I sampled the
pleasures of her flesh, of course." Jarod made no move and his face showed no reaction to
Whitehead's provoking.


"She really is lovely, isn't she Jarod ? Just like her mother although, I will have to do a more
detailed examination before make that comparison. Both of your deaths will give me enough pleasure to
last for years, but I will relieve this unpleasant urges of mine first. I wonder if she will
protest so much as Catherine."


"So you killed Catherine Parker." A statement, not a question.


"Yes, I did. After I raped her, but that wasn't in my original
orders - just think of it as a bonus. One of the perks of the job, so to speak."


"Who ordered her death ?"


"Why, Mr. Parker of course. Just as he ordered the death of his little girl. I don't know a lot about Mr. Parker,
but he sure knows when to cut his losses."


"Why ?"


"You were becoming a bother, both of you. Trying to right wrongs that were never meant to be corrected. You can
ask her darling Daddy, he'll deny it at first but in the end he will cave in."
Whitehead glanced around the room, his eyes by now accustomed to the gloom
around him.


"Poor Midea, I suppose he had it coming after all these years."


Whitehead started to walk towards the body. Faster than the blink of an eye,
Jarod's gun was aimed at his head.


"Don't move. Parker ?" With a determined stride, Miss Parker stood next to him.


"Search him, and you're sure that he's clean, let him join Mr. Parker."


With Jarod's gun still pointed at him,
Whitehead endured Miss Parker's hands traveling over his body, enjoying this
search for weapons.


"Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me ?" Miss Parker asked when her hands strayed over his Glock.


Taking it out of his pocket and throwing the gun and spare clips to Jarod, she purred at
Whitehead while prodding him towards a sidedoor.


"All of that, just for me ?"


She batted her eyelashes and opened the door. The yawning jaw of the boiler
shaft grinned at him.


"Say hi to Daddy for me !" With the last word accentuated
with a grunt, she pushed into the shaft and his yell of despair grew fainter
with each passing second. A loud thud echoed in the shaft an eternity later.
Miss Parker spat down the shaft.


"Is your father ...?"


"I couldn't take his lies anymore Jarod. I can't take any more of their lies. Even if we kept him alive,
he would've left us with more questions and even more doubts. I just want some
closure, Jarod. Rather let the prick die than allowing him to screw up my life
further. "


She shut the hatch firmly and closed her eyes while leaning against
the cool steel of the door.


"Sometimes it's better to not to know the truth."


Feeling her knees knock under her she grabbed Jarod for support. He encircled
her in his arms and as soon as she knew that he wouldn't let her go, big fat
sobs escaped her, shaking her body with rage and hurt.


***


As soon as the lockdown had lifted, Broots had made his way towards the Simlab - thinking that
unarmed backup was better than no backup at all. When the elevator doors finally
opened, Broots could hear crying. Soft at first, but growing more desperate with
each wretched cry and in the background, the soft murmurings of a friend, trying
to support and comfort a broken soul. Broots knew that it was over without even
looking in the room. Knew that whatever held Parker here was gone.


*** 12 hours later, Dawn. The Beach outside Jarod's house.***


They sat there, in each other's arms, lending comfort and sharing heat while they waited for the sun to
rise. Miss Parker, dressed in a pair of old slacks and a borrowed shirt from
Jarod, was tired but for the first time she was truly free. Her eyes were still
red and puffy and every time that she dropped her guard, sobs were wracking her
body once more. And through it all, Jarod was with her. Supporting her choices,
battling her fears with her and making sure that she knew she didn't have to
face her demons alone. A sudden chill coursed through her, and Jarod wrapped
his arms tighter around her, pulling her closer to him.


"Andy ?" Jarod's voice cracked with disuse.


"Yeah ?"


"It will get better - in the end. You may not believe it, but in time your wounds will heal.
You just have to learn to let go. You have already done the first step by refusing to learn more of the
past. You may think it to be a weakness when you cry or when you get close to somebody,
but it isn't. Remember what I told you when all this started ?" Miss Parker
nodded.


"You told me that you were proud of me. Proud of what I've become and
how I turned out. But Jarod, when I look in the mirror, I don't see that person.
I see a bitter woman, haunted by her past. I see a murderer, a cold heartless
bitch and no matter how hard I try, I can't see that person you described."


Her voice was wavering again. With a burst of brightness the sun rose and the new
day began.


"What about the Blue Files ? Aren't you just a tad bit curious ?"


"I meant what I said Jarod. I don't want to know. I'm tired of fighting for
answers. I don't want to know what the Centre did anymore, It's a part of my
life that I am going to leave behind."


"You're leaving ?"


"Yes. I've got a ton of backpay and a nice quiet ranch in the middle of nowhere where I will
occasionally water a cactus when my soft side makes its appearance."


"You'll be bored stiff." came the warning tone.


"Maybe that's what I need in my life - a little boredom. "


"Never thought I'd hear you say that Parker."


Sydney's voice drifted over to them. Miss Parker's body tensed, but relaxed when she recognized
his voice.


"I've come to tell you that Angelo has recovered. I still don't know
what caused the catatonia, but I am grateful that he is responsive again."


"Syd, what will happen to him ?" Sydney sat down next to them and stared at the ocean.


"I don't know Parker. My retirement is long overdue and I would like to start it
before I find myself in a car accident or something else that will force me to
retire. Since you are leaving, I assume that Jarod will too. Broots has handed
in his resignation and has accepted some job in a mega corporation in Silicon
Valley. There will be an investigation about Mr. Parker's death, but the general
feeling is that it was a suicide. A missing persons report was handed in on
Senator Whitehead, but I doubt if he will ever be found."


"You didn't answer the question." Jarod's voice rumbled.


"Jarod, despite what the Centre had done to you and to all the children and people inside it, I still
believe that it is the best place for people with Angelo's abilities."


"You are going to leave him."


"Miss Parker, I was going to leave him anyway. Whether through death or by
retiring, in the end I was going to leave him."


To Jarod, Sydney sounded old and very, very tired.


" I suppose I could do the noble thing and take him with me, but I won't. You are right Syd. As hard as it
is for me to admit this, the Centre is the only place for him. No matter how the rest of us may feel about
the place, the Centre is his home. I won't be that cruel and take it away from
him." Jarod sighed and buried his face in Miss Parker's hair.


"What about Debbie's stalker ?"


"I have this suspicion that he won't move to Silicon Valley. In less than a week, we will all be scattered in
the four directions of the wind. It will finally be over."


*** Epilogue.***


Jarod returned to VICAP and continued to work as a profiler for another eight years until he was promoted to
section chief of VICAP. Under his hand solvency rate of Behavioral Crimes rose
to nearly 85%. Miss Parker moved to her ranch and was bored for exactly three
minutes until she started planning fund-raisers for a children's hospital. The
child oncology ward is now called the Andrea Parker wing and she has been known
to help patients with insufficient funds.


Miss Parker and Jarod saw each other regularly for five years until Sydney's death. Sydney died in his cabin at
Whitecloud in his sleep while Jarod and Miss Parker were visiting. He was buried
next to his brother, Jacob, and in his will Sydney left the cabin to Jarod.
Overwhelmed with grief and the fear of losing everyone dear to him, Jarod
proposed to Miss Parker who accepted. They now live in Quantico, Maryland where
Miss Parker still keeps tabs on the hospital and is the chairwoman over a number
of charities for gifted children. They have adopted three children, with the
fear on continuing the Pretender bloodline.



Angelo did remain at the Centre and happily used his gift as an empath for six more months until he was killed
by a stray bullet from a gunfight in the halls. He was buried as Timmy 'Angelo'
DeSalvo at the local cemetery and it was rumored that Raines visited his grave
everyday until his own death.


Broots and Debbie did move to Silicon Valley where Broots made his first million within ten months. The lessons
that he learned at the Centre allowed him to start his own business and it was rumored
that he would create the next Microsoft empire. The Stalker stayed behind in
Blue Cove and Debbie went on to study at Oxford and later became the Press
Officer for Miss Parker's charities.


Steven stayed with Jarod for nearly two years until he decided to pursue a career as an actor. He's currently living
in Los Angeles and hacks into government mainframes in his sparetime.


Lyle went on to become head of the Centre and his first executive decision was to kill off
the Triumvirate. Under his expert leading, the Centre nearly went bankrupt
shortly afterwards. He was filed missing a couple of days later.


As for the Blue Files ? Well ... it seems that Midea was less than trustworthy in that
department. Currently there are 45 Blue Files in the USA alone with six of them
being Purple Files. And they are all busy trying to replenish their numbers.


***


"I know it doesn't give you the sense of closure that you wanted, but
it has more than some of our other cases." Dana Scully to Jose Chung in 'Jose
Chung's From Outer Space'