Title: Towers
Author: maestra
Chapter 14: Facades
Miss Parker's alarm went off and she batted at it with her hand as she was awakened from the only restful sleep she had really had all night. 2 and 1/2 hours sleep was not enough and she longed to rollover and indulge herself in another 3 hours at least. But Syd and Broots would not have been up all night and she wasn't going to delay their trip to Jarod's former hotel to speak with the receptionist just because she didn't get her beauty sleep. So she threw back the covers and sat up. With the quick movement her head began to pound. She got slowly and carefully to her feet and crossed the room with one hand to her head. When she got to the sink she poured herself a glass of cold water, and drank from it thirstily. 'Parker,' she chastised herself, 'It feels like something crawled into your mouth and died.' She shook her head a couple of times as if to clear it then headed for the shower to get cleaned up to meet Sydney and Broots.
An hour later Parker showed up in the lobby ready to take up the hunt for Jarod again. Her crisp white blouse set off her short black leather skirt and matching jacket. Her demeanor once more that of the cool and in control Ice Queen.
"Good morning Miss Parker," Broots smiled in welcome as his boss joined them. Her short black leather skirt and tall boots made her look even leggier than normal. She was a bit of a distraction with those big blue eyes and those great long legs, of course, he wasn't going to complain.
"Did you find Jarod?"
"No, not yet Miss Parker," he replied.
"Then what is so good about it?"
"Miss Parker," Syd said as he approached the two of them in the lobby, "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Peachy", she replied snidely.
Sydney simply raised an eyebrow and turned to Broots instead. "How are you this morning Mr. Broots, any news on Jarod's whereabouts?"
"I'm fine Syd. But no news to report on Jarod's location. But I have transportation back to his hotel for the meeting with the desk clerk. Shall we go?"
"By all means, let's get the show on the road", Miss Parker sighed.
************* ************** ********
Jarod woke up early and after rummaging around in the refrigerator made breakfast for Tara and brought it in to her room on a tray, he carefully placed it on the floor beside her bed and sat down on the edge of her bed.
Tara lay curled up on her side. Her blonde hair slightly tousled from sleep she looked younger and more relaxed than he had seen her in days. He hated to wake her but he put his hand on her shoulder and tapped her a few times.
Tara awakened to the smell of French toast in the air and Jarod sitting on the edge of her bed, she just couldn't help herself she had to smile. It spread across her face slowly from a sleepy grin to a bright smile that nearly matched those thousand watt ones that Jarod was capable of.
"Good morning Tara," Jarod returned her smile with a thousand watt one of his own.
"Good morning Jarod, how are you this morning?"
"Good, I have made you some French toast for breakfast. I hope that is ok. I wanted to thank you for all the ways you have taken care of me. You've been there for me when I needed a friend, and I am not going to forget that, ever."
Tara sat up, revealing the pink t-shirt and shorts she slept in, and embraced Jarod. "Same here, my brother of the heart. I will always treasure these days we have spent together."
Jarod returned her hug then bent down and placed the tray upon her lap on the bed, "Eat up, I have to go back to the fire station in an hour. And haven't you promised to volunteer again today?"
"Yes, I have. You're right. Mmm, " Tara sniffed appreciatively at the French toast, she smiled, "I smell Vanilla and cinnamon."
Jarod nodded, "And a hint of nutmeg."
She cut off a bite with the fork and popped it into her mouth.
"Delicious." she grinned at him. "You're going to get the hang of comfort food yet."
Jarod chuckled softly, "Thanks. Well I am off to the shower while you eat."
Tara started to eat her breakfast, and as she heard the shower turn on she thought, 'Wish I could wake up like this every morning.' She giggled a little quietly to herself, finished her breakfast quickly and set about laying out her clothes for the day.
*********** ******** ***********
Sydney approached the front desk of Jarod's former hotel.
"Excuse me Miss, would you happen to be Portia?"
"Yes sir, how can I be of assistance?" the clerk replied.
"I was wondering if you could help me locate my son," Sydney said pulling out a photo of Jarod, "I believe he was registered here on September 11th . Please check for me, his name is Jarod Birmingham, and I was told he checked out shortly after the tragedies occurred. Do you remember him?"
"Well he does seem familiar, let me think a minute, " she took the photo from Sydney's hand and looked it over closely. "Yes he was here that morning."
A genuine smile spread over Sydney's face. The first one in quite some time.
"Hm, let me see. He asked where the closest fire station was I think. I gave him directions and he left."
"Thank you, can you direct me to fire station as well?"
************* ***************** *********************
Sydney walked into the fire station, the picture of Jarod clenched in his hand. Miss Parker and Broots waited in the car. He was concerned about her; she looked like she had had a hard night after he left her. She looked pale and since the tragedy had happened there had been no sparkle in her eyes. She might complain and call him names, but to the observant eye of someone who had known her since she was a child, Sydney knew it was all show.
Her worry over Jarod was making her sick. He could tell. She tried gallantly to hide it, to put up a brave front. But he knew a front was all it was.
"Excuse me," Sydney said as he walked up to a fireman storing gear in locker, "Have you seen this man? I was told he came here on September 11th."
The young blonde man looked briefly at the photo and shook his head, "Sorry I don't know him. Did you ask Joe?"
"No I can you direct me to him?"
"Uh sure, just a second," the young man said as he closed the locker and then turned back to Sydney, "Follow me."
He led Sydney down a long hallway and back to the kitchen area, "Joe, this guy is looking for someone can you help him?" The young man grabbed a couple of cookies from the plate on the kitchen table and started munching on one.
Joe walked up the elderly man that had accompanied young Roger into the kitchen. "Can I help you sir?"
"I hope so, my name is Dr. Sydney Green," Sydney sighed handing Joe the photo of Jarod, "Have you seen this man? I believe that he showed up here on September 11th?"
"Why yes, I know him, that is Jarod. Why are you looking for him?"
"I raised him."
"He is your son?"
"Yes." Sydney sighed slightly irritated.
"Well Jarod isn't here. I sent him down to Ground Zero the moment he arrived. But the odd thing is Dr. Green, Jarod told me he had no family. He listed no next of kin on his application."
"Well our relationship has been strained at best over the last 6 years or so, I must admit we haven't seen much of each other for years. I'm in New York to try to rectify that. I really need to find him." Sydney asked with concern.
"I wish you luck," Joe replied slowly, still distrustful.
"Thank you."
Joe stared after Sydney with a slight frown on his forehead. 'Well he doesn't look much like Jarod, and Jarod did say he had no family to call. I better see if I can get a message to him.', he thought as he hurried down the corridor to his office to see if he could reach Jarod.
He dialed Tara's apartment, but there was no answer. He tried Tara's cell phone and got her on the 5th ring.
"Hello Tara, it's Joe. You said I could call you incase I needed Jarod in an emergency?"
"Yes Joe?" Tara asked while visions of Jarod hurt or missing flashed through her head. "Is Jarod okay? He hasn't been hurt has he?"
"No Tara, to my knowledge he is fine. But I can't reach him at Ground Zero. Can you go down there and let him know that a Dr. Sydney Green was just here looking for him? He said he was Jarod's father. But I don't think so. Jarod had told me he had no family. One of them must be lying."
"Well Jarod's father is not Sydney, though he did help raise him. I guess you could say they've been estranged for the last few years."
"Yeah that is sort of what Dr. Green said."
"Don't worry Joe. I will try to get the message to Jarod. Thanks for calling and letting me know."
Tara flipped her cell phone closed and stuck it in her pocket. She grabbed her sweater and headed for the volunteer coordinator to ask for a replacement. Jarod needed to be warned, and she was going to do her best to see that he remained free from the Centre.
About 15 minutes later Tara approached the site of the former World Trade Center. Her heart heavy at finally seeing what had become of the shining star of New York City's skyline, and the loss of life that had resulted when the towers fell. She shoved her grief to the side for the moment. 'You're here to save Jarod. Not to grieve over what has happened here. Just to prevent more tragedies, now get going!' she told herself. She plunked the heavy construction hat on her head that was needed and with a handkerchief over her mouth against the smoke and smell she searched for her dear friend, Jarod.
She located Jarod's fellow fireman Pete a few minutes later, "I have to talk to Jarod, have you seen him? I have an urgent message!"
"I just sent him up to arrange some different equipment for us. Stan is up there with him. I just sent them up there 5 minutes ago." Pete pointed in the direction he had sent his co-workers.
"Thanks Pete," Tara called as she hurried off in that direction.
A minute later Jarod and Stan were walking back when Tara suddenly rushed up to them.
"Tara!" Jarod expressed his surprise, "what are you doing here?"
"Jarod I have an urgent message for you."
"You do?"
"Yes. Hi Stan." Tara nodded at the other firefighter she had become close to in Joe's unit.
"What is it?" Jarod asked.
"Sydney was at the fire station looking for you this morning, and he knows you are here."
"Oh God." Jarod sighed.
"Well I doubt they can get through the security, but he did say he was going to call you later at the station," Tara replied.
"Who is Sydney? If you are playing with our Tara's emotions Jarod while you have some other woman on the string.... She is one of a kind; any guy would be lucky to have her. If you hurt her...."
"Stan!", Tara laughed and felt herself blush, "It isn't like that. Jarod has been completely above board with me. A perfect gentleman I assure you. We're close friends but that is all. Besides Sydney is...."
"The man who raised me." Jarod answered honestly, "And I am sure he is concerned about me."
"Don't worry," Jarod said to Tara as he hugged her quickly, "It will be ok. I will be ok. I appreciate your letting me know. How did you get down here anyway? I thought you had to have special clearance."
"Well I always say, it isn't always what you know Jarod, usually it is who.", she smiled and leaving Jarod's embrace hugged a surprised Stan too.
"Thanks for being concerned about me Stan."
Stan blushed pink to his ears, "Tara, you've been like a ray of sunshine to the guys, we appreciate all you have done for us."
"Aw, it was nothing," Tara smiled. "Catch you two later!" And her message delivered, she hurried off with a smile on her face.
*********** ***************** ******************
Miss Parker, Broots and Sydney were dropped off by the limo driver as close to Ground Zero as they could get. Even this many days later the air was thick in this area, and smoke continued to cast its pall over the area.
"How are we going to get past the National Guard?" Broots asked with a frown as he saw a couple National Guardsmen checking ID before letting people past into the restricted zone.
"Don't pull your hair out Broots," Parker remarked snidely, "we'll think of something."
"Press maybe?", Broots asked cautiously.
"Broots hand me your palm pilot," Miss Parker said with a cat got the cream smile. She slipped out of her leather coat and handed it to Broots. She flicked the collar up of her white blouse and then unbuttoned the first few buttons of her blouse until the lace of her bra peeked through. Then she leaned over at the waist and quickly tousled her hair before standing up again and she smiled again as she caught the look on Broots' face.
"Catching flies Broots?" Miss Parker laughed at his open mouthed surprise.
He snapped his mouth shut quickly without saying a word. He might have had his fantasies about Miss Parker but he had never seen her start to act them out on a public street before. He quickly averted his eyes as he handed over his palm pilot to her.
She shot a quick glance over to Sydney to see what he thought of the transformation. He stood there with his arms folded, a sardonic smile gracing his lips. 'Now I know where Jarod gets that look,' she thought, 'he learned it from Sydney.' She just laughed up at him.
"Hold down the fort boys, I'll be back", Miss Parker shot over her shoulder as she picked out a National Guardsman to be her next victim.
Miss Parker strode over to the younger of the two National Guardsmen, who she noted as she approached, did not have a ring on his left hand. A smile spread slowly across her face as she approached the man.
"Hi," Miss Parker smiled.
"Hello ma'am."
"I was wondering if you could help me with a small problem", Miss Parker looked down shyly.
"Well you see," she smiled at him again as she stepped closer to him and angled her body towards his and touching his arm, "I am afraid I am going to lose my job."
"You are?"
"Yes, I am from a small newspaper in Delaware, and I promised my editor I would get a story about what it was like to work this close to Ground Zero. Well, I can't find anyone to let me interview him or her." Miss Parker arranged her bottom lip into a pretty little pout for his benefit.
"Wait," Miss Parker cocked her head to the side and looked at him from the corner of her eye, "Oh, do you think I could interview you? Oh, please?" Her empty hand now fluttered to her chest attracting his glance. She waited until his eyes were again on her face and then looked up at him while licking her bottom lip.
She noticed his answering smile, and the fact that he suddenly seemed a bit uncomfortable, and his respiration seemed to have picked up a little.
"They call me Angel, what's your name?" She leaned close to him and asked him huskily near his ear.
"Uh, Brendan, Brendan Rogers." He choked out.
'He's even easier to fluster than Broots,' Miss Parker thought with a smile.
"Brendan, would you let me interview you later, please? I would be so grateful." she eyed him carefully trying to judge what his response was going to be. "You will help me. Right? Now you don't want little old' Angel to lose her job now do you?"
"No, that would be a real shame," he replied with a big grin, "Sure Angel I will let you interview me. I get relieved at 6 p.m."
"Great," Miss Parker replied with a slow suggestive smile she put her hand on his arm and leaned in close to murmur, "I will meet you here then. And we can plan our evening. Now in the meantime, would it be ok if I went to the Press area, so I can check in with my colleagues at the Post and see what kind of articles they are working on?"
"Sure Angel, go on through," he chuckled as he patted her hand. Then handed her a piece of paper.
"Thanks so much Brendan, I'll see you later!" She spun around and happily passed through the checkpoint and headed even closer to Ground Zero. But the minute she was past the checkpoint the fake smile slipped from her lips to be replaced with a frown. How was she going to find one Pretender in all this mess?
She buttoned her blouse again, and followed a man ahead of her with a camera. She noticed some men in suits talking to some of the volunteers. Other volunteers offering bottled water to the men.
'What will you do if you can find no trace of Jarod? He may take this opportunity to completely vanish. If he were still alive, it would be easy to escape, to cover his tracks. A perfect time to fade into oblivion. Thousands of people had died on this ground, many of which might never be identified. What if one of those people who lost their lives here was Jarod? After her mother's supposed death he had been the one person she could count on. He had been her very best friend. And how had she repaid him for that kindness? By hunting him down like some kind of animal to try to return him to the place that had stolen both their childhoods.' Parker's tortured stomach flip-flopped uneasily at the thought.
She approached the Press area slowly. Joining the photographers and reporters there with Broots' Palm Pilot in her hand. She slipped between a couple photographers and looked out over the scene of devastation before her. Her eyes searching hungrily for the dark hair and chocolate eyes of one the man she knew in all this destruction. She hoped was not buried in the rubble, or if he had died, that it had been a quick death. For a brief moment she longed for just one more 2 a.m. phone call to wake her from her slumbers. One more real chance to say 'Goodbye'. Hot tears slipped from her blue eyes and rolled slowly down her cheeks. First she lost her mother, then Tommy, and now Jarod. How much more loss was she supposed to bear?
Jarod watched Miss Parker from behind the edge of a television broadcast van nearby, he watched her as big tears welled up in her beautiful blue eyes, eyes that had haunted him for years. His heart yearned to go to her as they slide slowly down her sweet face. Finally, the Ice Queen façade seemed to have melted. Did he dare go to her now? Did he dare come out of hiding and confess to her that he was still alive, and worse yet, right under her very nose?
"Oh God, Jarod." He saw her mouth silently from his hiding spot several feet away, thankful he had taken lip reading lessons years before. He actually took a step towards her before he remembered that revealing himself at this time might put Tara in danger. He stepped back into the shadows. If the Centre found out about her they would use her against him. He couldn't stand to have Lyle or Raines get their hands on Tara. She was a bright spot in his world, just as Stan had said. He couldn't stand to see the darkness of the Centre shadow her lovely eyes. So though his heart told him to go to Parker take her in his arms and kiss away her tears, he held his place. He couldn't sacrifice Tara just to comfort Parker.
A photographer next to Parker handed her a Kleenex. From his vantage point he could see the man had said, "It affects us all like that the first time." Miss Parker took it and dabbed underneath her eyes. No need to let Sydney know she had shed tears over Jarod again.
*********************************
To Be Continued...
Author: maestra
Chapter 14: Facades
Miss Parker's alarm went off and she batted at it with her hand as she was awakened from the only restful sleep she had really had all night. 2 and 1/2 hours sleep was not enough and she longed to rollover and indulge herself in another 3 hours at least. But Syd and Broots would not have been up all night and she wasn't going to delay their trip to Jarod's former hotel to speak with the receptionist just because she didn't get her beauty sleep. So she threw back the covers and sat up. With the quick movement her head began to pound. She got slowly and carefully to her feet and crossed the room with one hand to her head. When she got to the sink she poured herself a glass of cold water, and drank from it thirstily. 'Parker,' she chastised herself, 'It feels like something crawled into your mouth and died.' She shook her head a couple of times as if to clear it then headed for the shower to get cleaned up to meet Sydney and Broots.
An hour later Parker showed up in the lobby ready to take up the hunt for Jarod again. Her crisp white blouse set off her short black leather skirt and matching jacket. Her demeanor once more that of the cool and in control Ice Queen.
"Good morning Miss Parker," Broots smiled in welcome as his boss joined them. Her short black leather skirt and tall boots made her look even leggier than normal. She was a bit of a distraction with those big blue eyes and those great long legs, of course, he wasn't going to complain.
"Did you find Jarod?"
"No, not yet Miss Parker," he replied.
"Then what is so good about it?"
"Miss Parker," Syd said as he approached the two of them in the lobby, "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Peachy", she replied snidely.
Sydney simply raised an eyebrow and turned to Broots instead. "How are you this morning Mr. Broots, any news on Jarod's whereabouts?"
"I'm fine Syd. But no news to report on Jarod's location. But I have transportation back to his hotel for the meeting with the desk clerk. Shall we go?"
"By all means, let's get the show on the road", Miss Parker sighed.
************* ************** ********
Jarod woke up early and after rummaging around in the refrigerator made breakfast for Tara and brought it in to her room on a tray, he carefully placed it on the floor beside her bed and sat down on the edge of her bed.
Tara lay curled up on her side. Her blonde hair slightly tousled from sleep she looked younger and more relaxed than he had seen her in days. He hated to wake her but he put his hand on her shoulder and tapped her a few times.
Tara awakened to the smell of French toast in the air and Jarod sitting on the edge of her bed, she just couldn't help herself she had to smile. It spread across her face slowly from a sleepy grin to a bright smile that nearly matched those thousand watt ones that Jarod was capable of.
"Good morning Tara," Jarod returned her smile with a thousand watt one of his own.
"Good morning Jarod, how are you this morning?"
"Good, I have made you some French toast for breakfast. I hope that is ok. I wanted to thank you for all the ways you have taken care of me. You've been there for me when I needed a friend, and I am not going to forget that, ever."
Tara sat up, revealing the pink t-shirt and shorts she slept in, and embraced Jarod. "Same here, my brother of the heart. I will always treasure these days we have spent together."
Jarod returned her hug then bent down and placed the tray upon her lap on the bed, "Eat up, I have to go back to the fire station in an hour. And haven't you promised to volunteer again today?"
"Yes, I have. You're right. Mmm, " Tara sniffed appreciatively at the French toast, she smiled, "I smell Vanilla and cinnamon."
Jarod nodded, "And a hint of nutmeg."
She cut off a bite with the fork and popped it into her mouth.
"Delicious." she grinned at him. "You're going to get the hang of comfort food yet."
Jarod chuckled softly, "Thanks. Well I am off to the shower while you eat."
Tara started to eat her breakfast, and as she heard the shower turn on she thought, 'Wish I could wake up like this every morning.' She giggled a little quietly to herself, finished her breakfast quickly and set about laying out her clothes for the day.
*********** ******** ***********
Sydney approached the front desk of Jarod's former hotel.
"Excuse me Miss, would you happen to be Portia?"
"Yes sir, how can I be of assistance?" the clerk replied.
"I was wondering if you could help me locate my son," Sydney said pulling out a photo of Jarod, "I believe he was registered here on September 11th . Please check for me, his name is Jarod Birmingham, and I was told he checked out shortly after the tragedies occurred. Do you remember him?"
"Well he does seem familiar, let me think a minute, " she took the photo from Sydney's hand and looked it over closely. "Yes he was here that morning."
A genuine smile spread over Sydney's face. The first one in quite some time.
"Hm, let me see. He asked where the closest fire station was I think. I gave him directions and he left."
"Thank you, can you direct me to fire station as well?"
************* ***************** *********************
Sydney walked into the fire station, the picture of Jarod clenched in his hand. Miss Parker and Broots waited in the car. He was concerned about her; she looked like she had had a hard night after he left her. She looked pale and since the tragedy had happened there had been no sparkle in her eyes. She might complain and call him names, but to the observant eye of someone who had known her since she was a child, Sydney knew it was all show.
Her worry over Jarod was making her sick. He could tell. She tried gallantly to hide it, to put up a brave front. But he knew a front was all it was.
"Excuse me," Sydney said as he walked up to a fireman storing gear in locker, "Have you seen this man? I was told he came here on September 11th."
The young blonde man looked briefly at the photo and shook his head, "Sorry I don't know him. Did you ask Joe?"
"No I can you direct me to him?"
"Uh sure, just a second," the young man said as he closed the locker and then turned back to Sydney, "Follow me."
He led Sydney down a long hallway and back to the kitchen area, "Joe, this guy is looking for someone can you help him?" The young man grabbed a couple of cookies from the plate on the kitchen table and started munching on one.
Joe walked up the elderly man that had accompanied young Roger into the kitchen. "Can I help you sir?"
"I hope so, my name is Dr. Sydney Green," Sydney sighed handing Joe the photo of Jarod, "Have you seen this man? I believe that he showed up here on September 11th?"
"Why yes, I know him, that is Jarod. Why are you looking for him?"
"I raised him."
"He is your son?"
"Yes." Sydney sighed slightly irritated.
"Well Jarod isn't here. I sent him down to Ground Zero the moment he arrived. But the odd thing is Dr. Green, Jarod told me he had no family. He listed no next of kin on his application."
"Well our relationship has been strained at best over the last 6 years or so, I must admit we haven't seen much of each other for years. I'm in New York to try to rectify that. I really need to find him." Sydney asked with concern.
"I wish you luck," Joe replied slowly, still distrustful.
"Thank you."
Joe stared after Sydney with a slight frown on his forehead. 'Well he doesn't look much like Jarod, and Jarod did say he had no family to call. I better see if I can get a message to him.', he thought as he hurried down the corridor to his office to see if he could reach Jarod.
He dialed Tara's apartment, but there was no answer. He tried Tara's cell phone and got her on the 5th ring.
"Hello Tara, it's Joe. You said I could call you incase I needed Jarod in an emergency?"
"Yes Joe?" Tara asked while visions of Jarod hurt or missing flashed through her head. "Is Jarod okay? He hasn't been hurt has he?"
"No Tara, to my knowledge he is fine. But I can't reach him at Ground Zero. Can you go down there and let him know that a Dr. Sydney Green was just here looking for him? He said he was Jarod's father. But I don't think so. Jarod had told me he had no family. One of them must be lying."
"Well Jarod's father is not Sydney, though he did help raise him. I guess you could say they've been estranged for the last few years."
"Yeah that is sort of what Dr. Green said."
"Don't worry Joe. I will try to get the message to Jarod. Thanks for calling and letting me know."
Tara flipped her cell phone closed and stuck it in her pocket. She grabbed her sweater and headed for the volunteer coordinator to ask for a replacement. Jarod needed to be warned, and she was going to do her best to see that he remained free from the Centre.
About 15 minutes later Tara approached the site of the former World Trade Center. Her heart heavy at finally seeing what had become of the shining star of New York City's skyline, and the loss of life that had resulted when the towers fell. She shoved her grief to the side for the moment. 'You're here to save Jarod. Not to grieve over what has happened here. Just to prevent more tragedies, now get going!' she told herself. She plunked the heavy construction hat on her head that was needed and with a handkerchief over her mouth against the smoke and smell she searched for her dear friend, Jarod.
She located Jarod's fellow fireman Pete a few minutes later, "I have to talk to Jarod, have you seen him? I have an urgent message!"
"I just sent him up to arrange some different equipment for us. Stan is up there with him. I just sent them up there 5 minutes ago." Pete pointed in the direction he had sent his co-workers.
"Thanks Pete," Tara called as she hurried off in that direction.
A minute later Jarod and Stan were walking back when Tara suddenly rushed up to them.
"Tara!" Jarod expressed his surprise, "what are you doing here?"
"Jarod I have an urgent message for you."
"You do?"
"Yes. Hi Stan." Tara nodded at the other firefighter she had become close to in Joe's unit.
"What is it?" Jarod asked.
"Sydney was at the fire station looking for you this morning, and he knows you are here."
"Oh God." Jarod sighed.
"Well I doubt they can get through the security, but he did say he was going to call you later at the station," Tara replied.
"Who is Sydney? If you are playing with our Tara's emotions Jarod while you have some other woman on the string.... She is one of a kind; any guy would be lucky to have her. If you hurt her...."
"Stan!", Tara laughed and felt herself blush, "It isn't like that. Jarod has been completely above board with me. A perfect gentleman I assure you. We're close friends but that is all. Besides Sydney is...."
"The man who raised me." Jarod answered honestly, "And I am sure he is concerned about me."
"Don't worry," Jarod said to Tara as he hugged her quickly, "It will be ok. I will be ok. I appreciate your letting me know. How did you get down here anyway? I thought you had to have special clearance."
"Well I always say, it isn't always what you know Jarod, usually it is who.", she smiled and leaving Jarod's embrace hugged a surprised Stan too.
"Thanks for being concerned about me Stan."
Stan blushed pink to his ears, "Tara, you've been like a ray of sunshine to the guys, we appreciate all you have done for us."
"Aw, it was nothing," Tara smiled. "Catch you two later!" And her message delivered, she hurried off with a smile on her face.
*********** ***************** ******************
Miss Parker, Broots and Sydney were dropped off by the limo driver as close to Ground Zero as they could get. Even this many days later the air was thick in this area, and smoke continued to cast its pall over the area.
"How are we going to get past the National Guard?" Broots asked with a frown as he saw a couple National Guardsmen checking ID before letting people past into the restricted zone.
"Don't pull your hair out Broots," Parker remarked snidely, "we'll think of something."
"Press maybe?", Broots asked cautiously.
"Broots hand me your palm pilot," Miss Parker said with a cat got the cream smile. She slipped out of her leather coat and handed it to Broots. She flicked the collar up of her white blouse and then unbuttoned the first few buttons of her blouse until the lace of her bra peeked through. Then she leaned over at the waist and quickly tousled her hair before standing up again and she smiled again as she caught the look on Broots' face.
"Catching flies Broots?" Miss Parker laughed at his open mouthed surprise.
He snapped his mouth shut quickly without saying a word. He might have had his fantasies about Miss Parker but he had never seen her start to act them out on a public street before. He quickly averted his eyes as he handed over his palm pilot to her.
She shot a quick glance over to Sydney to see what he thought of the transformation. He stood there with his arms folded, a sardonic smile gracing his lips. 'Now I know where Jarod gets that look,' she thought, 'he learned it from Sydney.' She just laughed up at him.
"Hold down the fort boys, I'll be back", Miss Parker shot over her shoulder as she picked out a National Guardsman to be her next victim.
Miss Parker strode over to the younger of the two National Guardsmen, who she noted as she approached, did not have a ring on his left hand. A smile spread slowly across her face as she approached the man.
"Hi," Miss Parker smiled.
"Hello ma'am."
"I was wondering if you could help me with a small problem", Miss Parker looked down shyly.
"Well you see," she smiled at him again as she stepped closer to him and angled her body towards his and touching his arm, "I am afraid I am going to lose my job."
"You are?"
"Yes, I am from a small newspaper in Delaware, and I promised my editor I would get a story about what it was like to work this close to Ground Zero. Well, I can't find anyone to let me interview him or her." Miss Parker arranged her bottom lip into a pretty little pout for his benefit.
"Wait," Miss Parker cocked her head to the side and looked at him from the corner of her eye, "Oh, do you think I could interview you? Oh, please?" Her empty hand now fluttered to her chest attracting his glance. She waited until his eyes were again on her face and then looked up at him while licking her bottom lip.
She noticed his answering smile, and the fact that he suddenly seemed a bit uncomfortable, and his respiration seemed to have picked up a little.
"They call me Angel, what's your name?" She leaned close to him and asked him huskily near his ear.
"Uh, Brendan, Brendan Rogers." He choked out.
'He's even easier to fluster than Broots,' Miss Parker thought with a smile.
"Brendan, would you let me interview you later, please? I would be so grateful." she eyed him carefully trying to judge what his response was going to be. "You will help me. Right? Now you don't want little old' Angel to lose her job now do you?"
"No, that would be a real shame," he replied with a big grin, "Sure Angel I will let you interview me. I get relieved at 6 p.m."
"Great," Miss Parker replied with a slow suggestive smile she put her hand on his arm and leaned in close to murmur, "I will meet you here then. And we can plan our evening. Now in the meantime, would it be ok if I went to the Press area, so I can check in with my colleagues at the Post and see what kind of articles they are working on?"
"Sure Angel, go on through," he chuckled as he patted her hand. Then handed her a piece of paper.
"Thanks so much Brendan, I'll see you later!" She spun around and happily passed through the checkpoint and headed even closer to Ground Zero. But the minute she was past the checkpoint the fake smile slipped from her lips to be replaced with a frown. How was she going to find one Pretender in all this mess?
She buttoned her blouse again, and followed a man ahead of her with a camera. She noticed some men in suits talking to some of the volunteers. Other volunteers offering bottled water to the men.
'What will you do if you can find no trace of Jarod? He may take this opportunity to completely vanish. If he were still alive, it would be easy to escape, to cover his tracks. A perfect time to fade into oblivion. Thousands of people had died on this ground, many of which might never be identified. What if one of those people who lost their lives here was Jarod? After her mother's supposed death he had been the one person she could count on. He had been her very best friend. And how had she repaid him for that kindness? By hunting him down like some kind of animal to try to return him to the place that had stolen both their childhoods.' Parker's tortured stomach flip-flopped uneasily at the thought.
She approached the Press area slowly. Joining the photographers and reporters there with Broots' Palm Pilot in her hand. She slipped between a couple photographers and looked out over the scene of devastation before her. Her eyes searching hungrily for the dark hair and chocolate eyes of one the man she knew in all this destruction. She hoped was not buried in the rubble, or if he had died, that it had been a quick death. For a brief moment she longed for just one more 2 a.m. phone call to wake her from her slumbers. One more real chance to say 'Goodbye'. Hot tears slipped from her blue eyes and rolled slowly down her cheeks. First she lost her mother, then Tommy, and now Jarod. How much more loss was she supposed to bear?
Jarod watched Miss Parker from behind the edge of a television broadcast van nearby, he watched her as big tears welled up in her beautiful blue eyes, eyes that had haunted him for years. His heart yearned to go to her as they slide slowly down her sweet face. Finally, the Ice Queen façade seemed to have melted. Did he dare go to her now? Did he dare come out of hiding and confess to her that he was still alive, and worse yet, right under her very nose?
"Oh God, Jarod." He saw her mouth silently from his hiding spot several feet away, thankful he had taken lip reading lessons years before. He actually took a step towards her before he remembered that revealing himself at this time might put Tara in danger. He stepped back into the shadows. If the Centre found out about her they would use her against him. He couldn't stand to have Lyle or Raines get their hands on Tara. She was a bright spot in his world, just as Stan had said. He couldn't stand to see the darkness of the Centre shadow her lovely eyes. So though his heart told him to go to Parker take her in his arms and kiss away her tears, he held his place. He couldn't sacrifice Tara just to comfort Parker.
A photographer next to Parker handed her a Kleenex. From his vantage point he could see the man had said, "It affects us all like that the first time." Miss Parker took it and dabbed underneath her eyes. No need to let Sydney know she had shed tears over Jarod again.
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To Be Continued...
