Title: Towers
Author: maestra
Chapter 16: Snapshots
Jarod dressed in sweats stood at Tara's open bedroom door, watching her as she slept curled up on her side. And with only a second's thought, like a big kid, he ran and threw himself onto the bed beside her. The sudden bouncing of her bed brought her awake immediately, and she rolled over to find the Pretender lying there calmly his hand propping up his head as he looked down at her.
"So sister of my heart, what are we going to do today?" Jarod asked like a five year old looking forward to being entertained.
She smiled slowly at him now that she saw there was no real danger. "I don't know what do you have planned?"
"There is plenty of time for us to work that out Tara. This morning let's do something just for us. What do you think we should do?"
"I think we get cleaned up and should go to get something to eat for breakfast. Then maybe wander about the city a little bit? I want to just take a day and "play hooky". Know what I mean?"
"Do stuff for fun when you are supposed to be somewhere else, doing something more important. Like I could be looking for a job, but I would rather wander the streets of New York with you."
"Ah, I get the idea," Jarod smiled in reply as the concept became clear to him. "How fast can you get ready? I'm starving. "
"Fifteen minutes?" Tara laughed as she threw back the covers and shooed him from the room from the room and started digging through her closet for something to wear.
A half hour later Tara and Jarod exited a bakery, with cups of hot coffee and scones in their hands. Tara nibbled on her scone and sipped at her coffee as Jarod entertained her as they walked with a story of how he had given Miss Parker the flu virus once. His eyes lit up as he told her about creating a giant roach motel out of his hotel room in which to trap Miss Parker. And he told Tara about sending a friend he had made during a pretend to a gas station he knew she frequented. Just so they could meet. Miss Parker and Tommy had been happy together, until someone at the Centre had ended Tommy's life on Miss Parker's front porch. As he finished the story Tara could see shadows in his brown eyes.
"Putting them together was the best thing I had done for her."
"You loved her enough to set her free. To give her up to someone else, who didn't have to be afraid of what the Centre could do to him. Or his family."
"Yes." Jarod whispered, but then stronger continued, "I was wrong when I thought Tommy was safe from the Centre. I never thought they would kill him just to keep her there. I under estimated them. I won't do that again. That is why I want to keep you well away from them. I don't want to lose another friend."
"I can take care of myself, don't you worry about me." Tara shook her head as she finished her scone and threw away the wrapper in a trash container nearby. And then followed it quickly with her empty coffee cup. "Hey, let's go to Central Park," Tara's enthusiasm was contagious.
"Whatever you want Tara," Jarod laughed then proceeded to flag down a taxi for them after he too disposed of his cup and scone wrapper. He held the door open to the back seat of the taxi while Tara climbed in and slid over behind the driver.
"Where to, Mister?"
"Central Park South, please."
The car pulled out from the curb and into traffic at a breakneck speed that even caught Tara by surprise. The quick take off threw her against the rear passenger door and she rubbed her elbow where it collided with it.
As the driver dove in and out of the different traffic lanes Jarod caught his Italian last name from his license and smiled, "Are you related to the Andretti's?"
"No," the dark haired driver replied with a puzzled frown.
Jarod helped Tara slide over away from the door and more into the center of the car, then put an arm around her shoulders and held her close, so that she wouldn't get injured again.
"Just wondered," Jarod laughed softly as he caught the twinkle in Tara's eyes, "Your driving reminds me of some advice Mario gave me once."
Tara giggled but the driver just shrugged and switched lanes again.
Finally they arrived at Central Park, and as Jarod paid the driver, Tara got out slowly and without waiting for him to join her, wandered over to the carriages and started talking to one of the drivers after asking her permission to pet the large white horse that drew the carriage.
"Do you want to go for a carriage ride Tara?" Jarod asked willing to indulge this wish of hers.
"Sure," Tara replied with a quick smile, "I'd love to!"
Jarod spoke briefly to the driver then helped Tara into the carriage and sat down beside her, a moment later the beautiful carriage began to slowly move forward, to start its leisurely journey through Central Park.
"I've always wanted to do this!" Tara smiled excitedly up at Jarod seated next to her.
"You've lived in New York City for a few years, why haven't you?"
"Oh I am not sure. I guess I just never had someone I wanted to do these things with before. I don't know why," She frowned slightly. "I just thought of all my friends, you would understand this part of me. The part that longs to do cool, spontaneous maybe a little romantic things. Even if I don't have a 'significant other' doesn't mean that I don't like to do those types of things."
"I understand Tara," Jarod nodded.
"I knew you would," Tara sat back with a satisfied smile on her face. "I brought my digital camera. Maybe we can take a few pictures today? Driver," Tara said raising her voice slightly "Is it possible we could stop to take a couple photos at Bethesda Terrace?"
The driver looked at her watch quickly, "I suppose we have time for a few."
"Thank you," Tara smiled her delight and pulled the digital camera from her purse.
They paused momentarily by The Falconer, a hunter in Elizabethan dress, with a majestic falcon on his arm. Jarod stood up in the carriage and assumed the same position, as if waiting for a bird to alight on his outstretched left arm. Tara quickly snapped a picture before the moment was lost, and they moved on to Bethesda Terrace.
Here they exited the carriage and Tara hurried down to the Angel of the Waters fountain. Jarod followed along at a slower pace behind her. "The Bethesda Angel it is said holds a lily in her hand, and the 4 figures below her are supposed to signify, Peace, Health, Purity and Temperance," Tara informed him. "Hey," she said to him, "Will you take my picture Jarod?"
"I'd be happy to." Jarod replied as he lined up the shot Tara sat down on the stone rim around the fountain and continued with her information.
"It was supposedly named for a pool in Jerusalem which it was said had healing powers. I guess they thought the Angel of the Waters had some healing powers too." A serene smile graced her lips, and turned to the side slightly and trailed her fingers in the water. Jarod snapped the picture and Tara looked up in surprise.
"Sorry, didn't know you were ready," Tara apologized.
"It's ok, it was a good shot. And I was a baby and a fashion photographer once."
"Is there anything you haven't done Jarod?"
"Oh there might be a few things I haven't tried yet," Jarod chuckled as he caught her answering grin and snapped three or four pictures.
"Now your turn," she said as she approached and took the camera from him. Directing him to the area where she had been sitting. She snapped a few pictures of him, standing and sitting in front of the fountain, and at the edge of the terrace sitting on the railing overlooking the pond. And before they moved on she even got a young girl to take a picture of the two of them together, the Angel of the Waters in the background.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him along determined to not keep the driver waiting longer than necessary. And there was still so much left for Jarod to see, and she wanted to show it all to him. If only they had more time..
They continued the ride and stopped again at Strawberry Fields. Jarod asked why it had been named that, as he didn't see any rows of strawberry plants about, which sent Tara into gales of laughter. When she was able to catch her breath she told him how it had been named for a Beatles song, "Strawberry Fields Forever."
"Ah, I think I have heard of them. But, you know I didn't get to hear the popular music of the 60's, 70's or 80's. They weren't big on developing popular culture tastes at the Centre."
"Understandable, you might learn what you were missing and want to escape."
"You've got a point there," Jarod nodded.
The carriage driver came to a stop near the black and white mosaic in the path. "This is another popular place to take photos Ma'am," the driver mentioned, "If you would like to I can spare the time."
"Oh, that would be great! Come on Jarod!" In a flash Tara was out of the carriage again and checking out the mosaic.
"Imagine?"
"A song by John Lennon, he was one of the Beatles. This is a tribute to him placed here as a memorial to him. It's a beautiful song."
"I don't think I am familiar with it," Jarod replied.
And so she sang it for him standing there, with only the sounds of the city as her accompaniment. And when she came to the last verse, she took his hand in hers and let the emotion of the song fill her voice.
"You may say, I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one, I hope some day you'll join us, and the world will live as one."
"Wow," was all Jarod said when she was done. At least until the few other people in that area started clapping at her impromptu concert. Embarrassed she hid her head against Jarod's shoulder as her face turned red.
"Oh God," she groaned, "I'm so embarrassed."
"Why?"
"I sort of forgot there were other people here!" She honestly didn't know what had gotten into her.
"Well, I think they enjoyed it," he laughed at her embarrassment. He took her chin in his hand and raised her face up to look her in the eye. "I know I did. It was sweet."
"Excuse me," he asked a young woman who had been pushing a baby in a stroller along the path but had stopped to listen to Tara's singing, "Would you be so kind as to take our picture?"
"Ok." She replied as he gave her the same swift directions that Tara had given him. Tara and Jarod stood on the edge of the mosaic his arm about her shoulders, as the woman snapped the picture. She returned the camera to him and he took one of Tara alone there. Then she bade him to kneel by the mosaic as well.
Tara quickly snapped a few pictures of Jarod and then they returned to the waiting carriage. A few minutes later the driver dropped them back off where they had caught the carriage and picked up her next fare.
Tara then grabbed Jarod's hand, and pulled him off to the side, "I have an idea."
"Ok, what is it?"
"Come on," Tara still holding his hand heads off in an easterly direction through the Park.
"Tara," Jarod laughed as she marched on, "Where are we going?"
"Ah Jarod," she smirked, "Where is your sense of adventure?"
"Well.."
"Have I steered you wrong yet?"
"No."
"Then come along now," she sighed and rolled her eyes at him as if she was a child.
Jarod couldn't help it, he let a loud guffaw slip and Tara stopped and turned to look at him in surprise. She tilted her head to look at him quizzically, and a moment later she crossed her arms over her chest in irritation which only made Jarod laugh harder.
"What's so funny?"
"You," Jarod chuckled, "You are acting like an irritated sister I think. Not that I have had much of a chance to be with Emily, but this must be what it would like for siblings."
Tara's look of irritation vanished and a smile took over its place on her face. She took Jarod's arm and wrapped her's through it and started walking with him at her side. "I told you, you're my brother of the heart. If that means telling you stuff you need to hear but don't want to hear, I am going to tell you anyway. It's my duty as your sister of the heart. And I hope you would do the same for me."
With his right hand he lightly tapped her nose once as they walked along. "I will," he promised as his eyes sparkled with his smile.
They were still in a light-hearted mood when a half hour later Tara talked him into renting a model sailboat for them to sail in the conservatory waters. Tara suggested a remote control boat, though she had made her preference for the clean lines of the wind powered sloops clear. Still she walked proudly to the edge of the pond and bent carefully down and placed the radio-controlled sailboat upon the water. Jarod stood behind her the remote control device in his hands.
"I always wanted to do this."
"Aren't you going to christen her?" Jarod asked with a raised eyebrow coming to stand beside her at the water's edge.
Tara looked at him and after raising an eyebrow of her own piped up with, "I christen thee, Jarod's Refuge." She flicked the small boat with her finger and set it bobbing a foot or so from the shore. Jarod took a few minutes familiarizing himself with the remote controls. It had been awhile since he had used them in a couple of his pretends. Then again, when he had used remote control operated cars, and the wheels had been completely different than trying to figure out the sailboat and the vagaries of the gentle wind.
Tara watched peacefully at his side as he sailed the boat out into the middle of the pond. She smiled as he tacked a couple times into the gentle breeze that was winding its way through the park that day.
After awhile Jarod looked over towards Tara who had sat down near his feet and was watching their boat sail lazily about on the pond with a dreamy look upon her face.
"Hey your turn," he said turning towards her the remote in hand and disturbing her reverie.
"That's ok Jarod, I would probably sink our ship," Tara laughed up at him.
"No you won't, come on, I will help you. This is your day remember? We're playing hooky. Doing the things you have wanted to do. You wanted to do this, and it isn't that hard to pick up. I'll be right behind you in case something goes wrong. Don't worry."
So Tara took the controls and 15 minutes later she had it slipping through the water near them though not with the finesse that Jarod has showed.
"See, I told you that you wouldn't sink it."
"Hey, it isn't out of the water yet," she remarked offhandedly over her shoulder at him.
"Now Tara, I have every faith that you can do anything you set your mind to," Jarod chided gently.
Tara just laughed, "Hey, I'm not good at everything like you are Jarod."
"Perhaps you aren't good at everything. I didn't say I was good at everything either. But, I'm working on it. We all have strengths and weaknesses Tara. It just so happens my strengths were determined at a young age and then highly developed by the Centre. My weaknesses they tried to counteract with additional training."
"But the weaknesses - they couldn't completely obliterate your compassion and empathy for others."
"Yes," he admitted, "but they know my weaknesses almost as well as I do myself. And they will use them against me. They will threaten those I care about and use those I care about against me."
"Like Miss Parker," Tara chimed in. "They knew you had a soft-spot for her. They introduced you for just that purpose, so you would form an attachment for her. One that they decided to use again when you escaped, to keep you tied to the Centre."
"Right," Jarod admitted sadly. "But they've managed to find out about others I have become close to since my escape too, like Zoë."
"Zoë?"
"Yeah, I met her not long ago and we hit it off. She was this really exuberant girl, full of life, but she was dying of cancer. I enjoyed being with Zoë, and I think in her own way, she loved me."
"I sense a 'but', coming up here, am I right Jarod? What happened to her?"
"Yeah," he sighed, "I had to leave, I was afraid the Centre would find her. So I left."
"And?"
"And a little while later Zoë contacted me and said she needed to see me. She wanted to tell me in person she was in remission. Though we had a few hours of happiness together, I got called away by my father, and it ultimately led me to find my half-brother Ethan. In the meantime, while I was dealing with trying to save Ethan, Lyle and his minions captured Zoë and demanded I meet them instead of save my brother. My father saved Zoë in the end, but Zoë couldn't live like that. I wouldn't want her to anyway. Nobody should have to fear for their life because they have known me. I don't want the Centre to hurt you either Tara."
Tara moved the little sailboat slowly towards them until it stood in the shallow water within arms reach of the edge of Conservatory Pond as Jarod talked. She turned to him with a determined look in her eye, "It's going to be okay Jarod. You have to stop worrying about the Centre finding me. I am just one girl in a city of millions. I am going to be okay, you are going to be okay. We have to have faith that it will work out for the best." With her free arm she reached over and quickly hugged the solemn Pretender. Then she handed him the remote.
"Here, let's return this and get going. I don't know about you, but I am starting to get hungry again."
"Me too," Jarod admitted sheepishly.
"Of course," Tara teased as she fished the boat from the water, "you're a bottomless pit. Hey, look Jarod, our ship's come in!"
They both laughed as they returned the boat and headed out of Central Park, Jarod managing to flag down a cab within a few minutes and headed downtown again.
"So Jarod," Tara sighed as she sank back onto the seat of the cab, her purse tucked between her and the wall of the cab this time to act as a cushion. "What is your plan now? How are we going to get in touch with Sydney without Miss Parker finding out?"
"Well, Tara dear, that is where your sisterly duties come in."
Tara threw him a puzzled look before it dawned on her, "I'm part of your plan. You want me to contact Sydney!"
"Well yes, in a matter of speaking," Jarod admitted softly. "I have written a letter to Sydney," he stated as he pulled a folded note from his pocket. "Letting him know I am uninjured and not to worry about me any longer. I have arranged for them to think that Debbie, Broots' daughter wants her father to bring her a souvenir from New York City. And for their hotel to recommend the South Street Seaport for a suitable gift. I actually told their front desk clerk I was playing a joke on my father by sending them there and they would reunite a family."
"Whoa," Tara whispered impressed, "that took a lot of guts. But you know, it is sort of true in a way."
"I am going to point them out to you. You are going to look for a chance to speak to Sydney alone. If you can't speak to Sydney alone I will have to make other arrangements, perhaps we can leave it at his hotel or the airplane ticket counter. Maybe that would be a better idea anyway than putting you in danger Tara."
"Give it to me," she shook her head irritated at him, "I can do this. I want to do it for you. Speak to Sydney alone. How tough can that be?"
"Harder than one would think, they're inseparable sometimes."
"The Three Musketeers?" Tara questioned.
"I was thinking more like the 3 Stooges. But yeah, something like that," Jarod grinned.
Chapter 16: Snapshots
Jarod dressed in sweats stood at Tara's open bedroom door, watching her as she slept curled up on her side. And with only a second's thought, like a big kid, he ran and threw himself onto the bed beside her. The sudden bouncing of her bed brought her awake immediately, and she rolled over to find the Pretender lying there calmly his hand propping up his head as he looked down at her.
"So sister of my heart, what are we going to do today?" Jarod asked like a five year old looking forward to being entertained.
She smiled slowly at him now that she saw there was no real danger. "I don't know what do you have planned?"
"There is plenty of time for us to work that out Tara. This morning let's do something just for us. What do you think we should do?"
"I think we get cleaned up and should go to get something to eat for breakfast. Then maybe wander about the city a little bit? I want to just take a day and "play hooky". Know what I mean?"
"Do stuff for fun when you are supposed to be somewhere else, doing something more important. Like I could be looking for a job, but I would rather wander the streets of New York with you."
"Ah, I get the idea," Jarod smiled in reply as the concept became clear to him. "How fast can you get ready? I'm starving. "
"Fifteen minutes?" Tara laughed as she threw back the covers and shooed him from the room from the room and started digging through her closet for something to wear.
A half hour later Tara and Jarod exited a bakery, with cups of hot coffee and scones in their hands. Tara nibbled on her scone and sipped at her coffee as Jarod entertained her as they walked with a story of how he had given Miss Parker the flu virus once. His eyes lit up as he told her about creating a giant roach motel out of his hotel room in which to trap Miss Parker. And he told Tara about sending a friend he had made during a pretend to a gas station he knew she frequented. Just so they could meet. Miss Parker and Tommy had been happy together, until someone at the Centre had ended Tommy's life on Miss Parker's front porch. As he finished the story Tara could see shadows in his brown eyes.
"Putting them together was the best thing I had done for her."
"You loved her enough to set her free. To give her up to someone else, who didn't have to be afraid of what the Centre could do to him. Or his family."
"Yes." Jarod whispered, but then stronger continued, "I was wrong when I thought Tommy was safe from the Centre. I never thought they would kill him just to keep her there. I under estimated them. I won't do that again. That is why I want to keep you well away from them. I don't want to lose another friend."
"I can take care of myself, don't you worry about me." Tara shook her head as she finished her scone and threw away the wrapper in a trash container nearby. And then followed it quickly with her empty coffee cup. "Hey, let's go to Central Park," Tara's enthusiasm was contagious.
"Whatever you want Tara," Jarod laughed then proceeded to flag down a taxi for them after he too disposed of his cup and scone wrapper. He held the door open to the back seat of the taxi while Tara climbed in and slid over behind the driver.
"Where to, Mister?"
"Central Park South, please."
The car pulled out from the curb and into traffic at a breakneck speed that even caught Tara by surprise. The quick take off threw her against the rear passenger door and she rubbed her elbow where it collided with it.
As the driver dove in and out of the different traffic lanes Jarod caught his Italian last name from his license and smiled, "Are you related to the Andretti's?"
"No," the dark haired driver replied with a puzzled frown.
Jarod helped Tara slide over away from the door and more into the center of the car, then put an arm around her shoulders and held her close, so that she wouldn't get injured again.
"Just wondered," Jarod laughed softly as he caught the twinkle in Tara's eyes, "Your driving reminds me of some advice Mario gave me once."
Tara giggled but the driver just shrugged and switched lanes again.
Finally they arrived at Central Park, and as Jarod paid the driver, Tara got out slowly and without waiting for him to join her, wandered over to the carriages and started talking to one of the drivers after asking her permission to pet the large white horse that drew the carriage.
"Do you want to go for a carriage ride Tara?" Jarod asked willing to indulge this wish of hers.
"Sure," Tara replied with a quick smile, "I'd love to!"
Jarod spoke briefly to the driver then helped Tara into the carriage and sat down beside her, a moment later the beautiful carriage began to slowly move forward, to start its leisurely journey through Central Park.
"I've always wanted to do this!" Tara smiled excitedly up at Jarod seated next to her.
"You've lived in New York City for a few years, why haven't you?"
"Oh I am not sure. I guess I just never had someone I wanted to do these things with before. I don't know why," She frowned slightly. "I just thought of all my friends, you would understand this part of me. The part that longs to do cool, spontaneous maybe a little romantic things. Even if I don't have a 'significant other' doesn't mean that I don't like to do those types of things."
"I understand Tara," Jarod nodded.
"I knew you would," Tara sat back with a satisfied smile on her face. "I brought my digital camera. Maybe we can take a few pictures today? Driver," Tara said raising her voice slightly "Is it possible we could stop to take a couple photos at Bethesda Terrace?"
The driver looked at her watch quickly, "I suppose we have time for a few."
"Thank you," Tara smiled her delight and pulled the digital camera from her purse.
They paused momentarily by The Falconer, a hunter in Elizabethan dress, with a majestic falcon on his arm. Jarod stood up in the carriage and assumed the same position, as if waiting for a bird to alight on his outstretched left arm. Tara quickly snapped a picture before the moment was lost, and they moved on to Bethesda Terrace.
Here they exited the carriage and Tara hurried down to the Angel of the Waters fountain. Jarod followed along at a slower pace behind her. "The Bethesda Angel it is said holds a lily in her hand, and the 4 figures below her are supposed to signify, Peace, Health, Purity and Temperance," Tara informed him. "Hey," she said to him, "Will you take my picture Jarod?"
"I'd be happy to." Jarod replied as he lined up the shot Tara sat down on the stone rim around the fountain and continued with her information.
"It was supposedly named for a pool in Jerusalem which it was said had healing powers. I guess they thought the Angel of the Waters had some healing powers too." A serene smile graced her lips, and turned to the side slightly and trailed her fingers in the water. Jarod snapped the picture and Tara looked up in surprise.
"Sorry, didn't know you were ready," Tara apologized.
"It's ok, it was a good shot. And I was a baby and a fashion photographer once."
"Is there anything you haven't done Jarod?"
"Oh there might be a few things I haven't tried yet," Jarod chuckled as he caught her answering grin and snapped three or four pictures.
"Now your turn," she said as she approached and took the camera from him. Directing him to the area where she had been sitting. She snapped a few pictures of him, standing and sitting in front of the fountain, and at the edge of the terrace sitting on the railing overlooking the pond. And before they moved on she even got a young girl to take a picture of the two of them together, the Angel of the Waters in the background.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him along determined to not keep the driver waiting longer than necessary. And there was still so much left for Jarod to see, and she wanted to show it all to him. If only they had more time..
They continued the ride and stopped again at Strawberry Fields. Jarod asked why it had been named that, as he didn't see any rows of strawberry plants about, which sent Tara into gales of laughter. When she was able to catch her breath she told him how it had been named for a Beatles song, "Strawberry Fields Forever."
"Ah, I think I have heard of them. But, you know I didn't get to hear the popular music of the 60's, 70's or 80's. They weren't big on developing popular culture tastes at the Centre."
"Understandable, you might learn what you were missing and want to escape."
"You've got a point there," Jarod nodded.
The carriage driver came to a stop near the black and white mosaic in the path. "This is another popular place to take photos Ma'am," the driver mentioned, "If you would like to I can spare the time."
"Oh, that would be great! Come on Jarod!" In a flash Tara was out of the carriage again and checking out the mosaic.
"Imagine?"
"A song by John Lennon, he was one of the Beatles. This is a tribute to him placed here as a memorial to him. It's a beautiful song."
"I don't think I am familiar with it," Jarod replied.
And so she sang it for him standing there, with only the sounds of the city as her accompaniment. And when she came to the last verse, she took his hand in hers and let the emotion of the song fill her voice.
"You may say, I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one, I hope some day you'll join us, and the world will live as one."
"Wow," was all Jarod said when she was done. At least until the few other people in that area started clapping at her impromptu concert. Embarrassed she hid her head against Jarod's shoulder as her face turned red.
"Oh God," she groaned, "I'm so embarrassed."
"Why?"
"I sort of forgot there were other people here!" She honestly didn't know what had gotten into her.
"Well, I think they enjoyed it," he laughed at her embarrassment. He took her chin in his hand and raised her face up to look her in the eye. "I know I did. It was sweet."
"Excuse me," he asked a young woman who had been pushing a baby in a stroller along the path but had stopped to listen to Tara's singing, "Would you be so kind as to take our picture?"
"Ok." She replied as he gave her the same swift directions that Tara had given him. Tara and Jarod stood on the edge of the mosaic his arm about her shoulders, as the woman snapped the picture. She returned the camera to him and he took one of Tara alone there. Then she bade him to kneel by the mosaic as well.
Tara quickly snapped a few pictures of Jarod and then they returned to the waiting carriage. A few minutes later the driver dropped them back off where they had caught the carriage and picked up her next fare.
Tara then grabbed Jarod's hand, and pulled him off to the side, "I have an idea."
"Ok, what is it?"
"Come on," Tara still holding his hand heads off in an easterly direction through the Park.
"Tara," Jarod laughed as she marched on, "Where are we going?"
"Ah Jarod," she smirked, "Where is your sense of adventure?"
"Well.."
"Have I steered you wrong yet?"
"No."
"Then come along now," she sighed and rolled her eyes at him as if she was a child.
Jarod couldn't help it, he let a loud guffaw slip and Tara stopped and turned to look at him in surprise. She tilted her head to look at him quizzically, and a moment later she crossed her arms over her chest in irritation which only made Jarod laugh harder.
"What's so funny?"
"You," Jarod chuckled, "You are acting like an irritated sister I think. Not that I have had much of a chance to be with Emily, but this must be what it would like for siblings."
Tara's look of irritation vanished and a smile took over its place on her face. She took Jarod's arm and wrapped her's through it and started walking with him at her side. "I told you, you're my brother of the heart. If that means telling you stuff you need to hear but don't want to hear, I am going to tell you anyway. It's my duty as your sister of the heart. And I hope you would do the same for me."
With his right hand he lightly tapped her nose once as they walked along. "I will," he promised as his eyes sparkled with his smile.
They were still in a light-hearted mood when a half hour later Tara talked him into renting a model sailboat for them to sail in the conservatory waters. Tara suggested a remote control boat, though she had made her preference for the clean lines of the wind powered sloops clear. Still she walked proudly to the edge of the pond and bent carefully down and placed the radio-controlled sailboat upon the water. Jarod stood behind her the remote control device in his hands.
"I always wanted to do this."
"Aren't you going to christen her?" Jarod asked with a raised eyebrow coming to stand beside her at the water's edge.
Tara looked at him and after raising an eyebrow of her own piped up with, "I christen thee, Jarod's Refuge." She flicked the small boat with her finger and set it bobbing a foot or so from the shore. Jarod took a few minutes familiarizing himself with the remote controls. It had been awhile since he had used them in a couple of his pretends. Then again, when he had used remote control operated cars, and the wheels had been completely different than trying to figure out the sailboat and the vagaries of the gentle wind.
Tara watched peacefully at his side as he sailed the boat out into the middle of the pond. She smiled as he tacked a couple times into the gentle breeze that was winding its way through the park that day.
After awhile Jarod looked over towards Tara who had sat down near his feet and was watching their boat sail lazily about on the pond with a dreamy look upon her face.
"Hey your turn," he said turning towards her the remote in hand and disturbing her reverie.
"That's ok Jarod, I would probably sink our ship," Tara laughed up at him.
"No you won't, come on, I will help you. This is your day remember? We're playing hooky. Doing the things you have wanted to do. You wanted to do this, and it isn't that hard to pick up. I'll be right behind you in case something goes wrong. Don't worry."
So Tara took the controls and 15 minutes later she had it slipping through the water near them though not with the finesse that Jarod has showed.
"See, I told you that you wouldn't sink it."
"Hey, it isn't out of the water yet," she remarked offhandedly over her shoulder at him.
"Now Tara, I have every faith that you can do anything you set your mind to," Jarod chided gently.
Tara just laughed, "Hey, I'm not good at everything like you are Jarod."
"Perhaps you aren't good at everything. I didn't say I was good at everything either. But, I'm working on it. We all have strengths and weaknesses Tara. It just so happens my strengths were determined at a young age and then highly developed by the Centre. My weaknesses they tried to counteract with additional training."
"But the weaknesses - they couldn't completely obliterate your compassion and empathy for others."
"Yes," he admitted, "but they know my weaknesses almost as well as I do myself. And they will use them against me. They will threaten those I care about and use those I care about against me."
"Like Miss Parker," Tara chimed in. "They knew you had a soft-spot for her. They introduced you for just that purpose, so you would form an attachment for her. One that they decided to use again when you escaped, to keep you tied to the Centre."
"Right," Jarod admitted sadly. "But they've managed to find out about others I have become close to since my escape too, like Zoë."
"Zoë?"
"Yeah, I met her not long ago and we hit it off. She was this really exuberant girl, full of life, but she was dying of cancer. I enjoyed being with Zoë, and I think in her own way, she loved me."
"I sense a 'but', coming up here, am I right Jarod? What happened to her?"
"Yeah," he sighed, "I had to leave, I was afraid the Centre would find her. So I left."
"And?"
"And a little while later Zoë contacted me and said she needed to see me. She wanted to tell me in person she was in remission. Though we had a few hours of happiness together, I got called away by my father, and it ultimately led me to find my half-brother Ethan. In the meantime, while I was dealing with trying to save Ethan, Lyle and his minions captured Zoë and demanded I meet them instead of save my brother. My father saved Zoë in the end, but Zoë couldn't live like that. I wouldn't want her to anyway. Nobody should have to fear for their life because they have known me. I don't want the Centre to hurt you either Tara."
Tara moved the little sailboat slowly towards them until it stood in the shallow water within arms reach of the edge of Conservatory Pond as Jarod talked. She turned to him with a determined look in her eye, "It's going to be okay Jarod. You have to stop worrying about the Centre finding me. I am just one girl in a city of millions. I am going to be okay, you are going to be okay. We have to have faith that it will work out for the best." With her free arm she reached over and quickly hugged the solemn Pretender. Then she handed him the remote.
"Here, let's return this and get going. I don't know about you, but I am starting to get hungry again."
"Me too," Jarod admitted sheepishly.
"Of course," Tara teased as she fished the boat from the water, "you're a bottomless pit. Hey, look Jarod, our ship's come in!"
They both laughed as they returned the boat and headed out of Central Park, Jarod managing to flag down a cab within a few minutes and headed downtown again.
"So Jarod," Tara sighed as she sank back onto the seat of the cab, her purse tucked between her and the wall of the cab this time to act as a cushion. "What is your plan now? How are we going to get in touch with Sydney without Miss Parker finding out?"
"Well, Tara dear, that is where your sisterly duties come in."
Tara threw him a puzzled look before it dawned on her, "I'm part of your plan. You want me to contact Sydney!"
"Well yes, in a matter of speaking," Jarod admitted softly. "I have written a letter to Sydney," he stated as he pulled a folded note from his pocket. "Letting him know I am uninjured and not to worry about me any longer. I have arranged for them to think that Debbie, Broots' daughter wants her father to bring her a souvenir from New York City. And for their hotel to recommend the South Street Seaport for a suitable gift. I actually told their front desk clerk I was playing a joke on my father by sending them there and they would reunite a family."
"Whoa," Tara whispered impressed, "that took a lot of guts. But you know, it is sort of true in a way."
"I am going to point them out to you. You are going to look for a chance to speak to Sydney alone. If you can't speak to Sydney alone I will have to make other arrangements, perhaps we can leave it at his hotel or the airplane ticket counter. Maybe that would be a better idea anyway than putting you in danger Tara."
"Give it to me," she shook her head irritated at him, "I can do this. I want to do it for you. Speak to Sydney alone. How tough can that be?"
"Harder than one would think, they're inseparable sometimes."
"The Three Musketeers?" Tara questioned.
"I was thinking more like the 3 Stooges. But yeah, something like that," Jarod grinned.
