Trying to make this a long one but its boring. So I'm *trying* to spice it up. Decided to play with the times.



Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the television show "The Pretender." They belong to Steve Long Mitchell, Craig W. Sickel, and TNT.

Warning: If you like Zoe or Thomas. Don't Read!! Because this only gets worse.

Where my pretty one lies.. Part 42

Dream

Raines's Summer Home Blue Cove 4:30 P.M.

"They're on their way," says Lyle to the group before him. The man sitting in front of him nods his head as he wheezes; the woman sitting on the couch tries to smoothes out her skirt with one hand. She looks almost as good as Miss Parker, it took hours to get her to look like that. 'Bet it doesn't take her that long.'

"Good it will be nice to have the whole family here," wheezes Raines. The group hears a town car approach, the doors open and close. Two different footsteps approach the house. Sam opens the door for Miss Parker to walk in.

Looking around the room, Miss Parker notices Zoe sitting next to Lyle. Sam takes a stance at the door; Miss Parker sits in the chair closest to the door. "Going Sci-Fi are we?"

"What?" a confused Zoe asks. Gesturing toward her new attached hand "New?"

"Oh, yes." Zoe says blushing pride, "Lyle got it for me." Zoe leans in and kiss Lyle on the cheek, Miss Parker strives to not gag. 'Where?' Looking at her Miss Parker realizes Zoe is dressed like her. 'Sick but at lest he's playing with her.'

"What do you want Raines?" getting to the point of this family reunion. She watches as he smiles at her, her stomach tightens uncontrollable. 'If I have to stay here for long I think I'll throw up.'

"Well, we're celebrating." Watching her raise an eyebrow at him, "Zoe here is going to usher in the new generation."

"Really, I thought baby Parker did that."

"Baby Parker, is sadly not longer among us," Lyle smirks.

"What?" Miss Parker hisses causing Lyle to back away from her.

"The boy died, Miss Parker do to influenza. There was nothing to be done," wheezes Raines, h watches her facile expressions first distrust, then go blank. 'Good.' "And its high time you started calling me dad." Her face is a complete blank; she doesn't even acknowledge his last statement.

"Is there anything else?" Miss Parker asks as she prepares to get up to leave. Zoe gets up and walks around heading mostly toward Miss Parker.

"Yes," says Zoe, "Lyle has asked me to marry him," Zoe turns to Lyle, "I have agreed. We're going to be sisters." She squeaks at Miss Parker as she runs up to her and hugs her.



New York City 4:45 P.M.

"Of all the stupid stunts to pull," she curses "he decides to glue me to the floor and RUIN my new shoes." Stomping down the street, she opens a department store door walks in.

"Excuse me, lady, you can't come in here without shoes." Ignoring the annoying women's voice, Ms. Jones continues to walk throw the department store. "Excuse me, lady!" Spying the shoe department, she stalks in.

"I want a pair of Air Kantara's size 8 and a half," Ms. Jones demands slamming her hands down on the corner. The two sales persons jumps to do her bidding as the annoying lady who was trying unsuccessfully to get her attention comes charging into the store.

Grabbing Ms. Jones's arm the woman hiss "Now look here you're not ."

Ms. Jones dislodges the woman's grip and glares at her. The woman backs away in fear, "You look here, if you ever touch me again, I'll snap your bloody neck! Will someone remove this annoying thing from my sight," snaps Ms. Jones.

Watching the woman scramble out of the store, Ms. Jones returns to shoes shopping.



The Bronx New York City 5 P.M.

Glancing out the window Alex watches and waits not so patiently for Jarod to show up. 'He has to have gotten my message by now.' Pacing around the room, 'he just toying with me, but he would never put a kids life in danger.' Glaring at the kid, Alex notices that he seems to have fallen asleep. 'Bet it's that Bitch Parker that's keeping him, he'll be here.'

He doesn't hear the man hiding in the shadows, watching like a hawk. Didn't see him glower at him as he walked toward the sleeping boy. Moving quietly, stalking his prey the man advances toward Alex, when he's right behind him only an arm's length away the sleeping boy wakes up.

As the boy's eyes widen as he takes in the scene before him, Alex dimly becomes aware that he's not alone with the boy any longer. Whirling about, his eyes widen as he realizes who is behind him, "Grim! It can't be," Alex chokes out, as his world slowly faded into oblivion.

Raines's Summer Home Blue Cove 7:15 P.M.

Washing her hands in the sink, 'God when will this end' Miss Parker tries to think of a plausible excuse to leave. When no good excuse comes to mind, Miss Parker reliantly leaves the bathroom.

Stepping out into the hall, Miss Parker could hear Raines on the phone with a sweeper back at the Centre. "What! When? Damn it. I'll be right there."

'Wonder what Jarod has delivered now' Raines slams down the phone. "Willie get the car, I have to return to the Centre."

'Well one down, only two more to go' walking back into the living room Miss Parker sees Sam standing still at the door. His glower goes back to a blank look when she enters the room 'what a pit bull.' Looking around, Miss Parker notices Lyle has gone alone with Zoe.

"Do I even want to know where Lyle and Zoe are?" asks Miss Parker to Sam, Raines chooses this moment to enter the room.

"They are upstairs, Miss Parker. You have upset Zoe with your actions today," wheeze Raines, "I want you to make good with her, and she's soon to be your new sister." Going to the door, Raines pauses "So check on her, before you leave. If she loses this baby you'll lose a lot more."

Watching him leave, Miss Parker sighs in relief. "Almost over. Let's check on the psycho bitch and beat feet," Miss Parker followed by Sam head upstairs towards Zoe's new room.

Going upstairs Miss Parker hears moans coming from Zoe, "I don't think she likes me."

"That's okay I like you," says Lyle, more strange noises come from within the room. "You look like Angel, my Angel," he says Miss Parker involuntary shivers. A loud thump, "Oche."

"I know you want her," Zoe purrs "that's ok, cuz I want Junior. Together we'll get what we want."

'Wanting and getting are two different things, bitch' grabbing the doorknob, Miss Parker turns the handle.

Stuyvesant Plaza New York City 7:45 P.M.

Holding three shopping bags filled to the rim, Ms. Jones sips her coffee inside Starbucks, watching shoppers stroll down the street. Letting herself relax, she takes a deep breath. An over excitable boy runs pass the window, 'he looks familiar' getting up she sees Jarod and family walk right by her. 'Shit.'

Whipping out her cell, she hits the speed dial.

FBI building New York City 5:30 P.M.

The elevator dings, a little kid walks off. He goes up to one of the agents, "Excuse me, but I'm looking for my mom."

"Who's your ." looking at the kid the FBI agent stops "Malone! It's him, the little kid who's missing!" shouts the agent as he picks the kid up like a football. The agent takes the kid to his mother who was in Malone's office.

"How did you get away? Where is the man that had you?" the agent try to get him to answer.

"Mom, I'm ok. Someone named Grim he came and got me. He said that he couldn't stay and see me re-united with my family" shrugs his shoulder "said he had a date. As to the man, I think he's dead."

"What makes you think that?" Malone quietly questions him.

"Because Grim he put the man in a coffin and sent him back to hell."



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