Jarod had just finished changing his clothes when the phone rang. "Jarod, it's Donovan. Frank's gone."

"What happened?" Donovan told him what he had seen, including the license plate. "They've got him at the Centre. Stay where you are, I'll be right there." Jarod grabbed his jacket and car keys then headed to the garage. Frank and Lyle. He only hoped that Frank knew to keep his sarcasm in check, as Lyle was not as 'forgiving' as Miss Parker was. He would make it personal after Seattle. It's a good thing he didn't know Frank was in Nebraska as well.

He saw Donovan pacing nervously outside the restaurant. He then pulled up to the curb and Donovan got in the car. "We've got to get him out before the learn the truth."

"Any idea how?" asked Donovan.

"Not a clue."

When they reached a stoplight, Jarod pulled out his phone and used speed dial.

"What?"

"Lyle has Frank. He took him to the Centre."

"How did he get him?"

"Grabbed him off the sidewalk. Donovan saw it."

"Great. Where are you?"

"On the way there."

"Don't you dare. I know what you're thinking. There is no way they'll let Frank go once they have you."

"Do you have any other ideas?"

"I thought I might just wing it." She shut off her phone.

Jarod handed his phone to Donovan who switched it off. "What's she going to do?"

" 'Wing it'."

"Can she carry it off?"

"I think so. No one else knows she's working with us."

"It doesn't sound like you're ready to believe it either."

"I knew she needed her own motivation. I guess Frank was it."

"Why Frank? I thought you said she had another half-brother."

"Maybe because, unlike Ethan, Frank is 'untainted' by the Centre. I think she wants to stop the Centre from claiming another victim."

"I hope she gets there quick enough."

Jarod didn't say a word, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.

*************************************************************************************************

Miss Parker pushed open the door to Lyle's office. She saw Frank sitting, arms bound to the chair, a line of blood trickling from his lip. "What's going on here?"

"Just renewing an old acquaintance," said Lyle. "You remember Mr. Parker from Seattle, don't you?"

Miss Parker looked at Frank as if he was something she'd scrape off the bottom of her shoe. "The Fed that was with Jarod," she sneered. "What is he doing here?"

"That's what we're trying to find out." Lyle looked at Frank. "However, he is making me lose my temper."

"You're in the habit of losing things, aren't you? I see you lost your thumb-again." Lyle raised his arm as if to backhand him and Frank just stared, daring him to do it.

"What is he doing here at the Centre?" she questioned. "The man is a government agent. Was he alone?"

"That doesn't matter," declared Mr. Raines with a wheeze as he entered the office. "I have learned-"

**Oh, Lord, he knows** thought Miss Parker. She didn't dare look at Frank.

"-that he has a high tolerance for pain. This interrogation is nothing for him." He looked at the two Sweepers who stood against the wall. "Take him down to SL23. We'll be able to do this properly down there."

Miss Parker watched as the two hulks lifted Frank's wiry frame from the chair and dragged him from the office. "If this is to trap Jarod, wouldn't it be better to have him someplace where Jarod can actually reach him?"

"If we make it too easy, Jarod will know," said Lyle. He looked at the closed door. "There's something about that guy that just bugs me."

"I know the feeling," Miss Parker muttered.

She watched as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Shall we?"

She really didn't want to witness the interrogation, but there might be a way for her to make it easier, so she followed. Lyle held the door open for Raines and his oxygen tank, "forgetting" to keep it open for her.

*************************************************************************************************

During the ride down in the elevator, Lyle told Raines about his previous meeting with the other Parker. "And, from what he said, I believe he was in Nebraska as well."

"So just because he's in Blue Cove you think Jarod is?" asked Miss Parker. "The people he meets do have their own lives."

He looked at her questioningly. **Ever since she returned from Scotland she's been acting differently, not at all like the sister I've come to know and tolerate. She's even been giving reasons for Jarod's behavior instead of being concerned with getting him. Could it be that she had something to do with this Parker's presence?** "That's just what he said."

"Could be it's true."

The doors to the elevator slid open. "Let's find out."

They entered the room to find Parker already strapped in the chair and hooked up to the machine. Lyle took position beside the main switch. "Are you comfortable?"

"As much as I can be." Since his head movement was restricted, the man cast his eyes about. "Oh, please, electric shock treatment? This is so passé."

"We have made a few improvements on the technique." He then noticed a bizarre tattoo on Parker's arm that looked like a bar code. What's this, a sell-by date?"

"As long as it's not my expiration date." A minor jolt raced through him.

"Just testing," said Lyle with a smirk.

"So, you ready to start?" he questioned.

"What are you, a masochist?" questioned Miss Parker.

"I just want him to quit fooling around and get down to it," he grunted through clenched teeth.

"Very well, then. Where's Jarod?"

"I don't know."

"Wrong answer." Lyle turned up the voltage a notch. "Let's try again. Where's Jarod?"

Parker looked past him, towards the wall. "Parker, Frank B., NSA, 923880305."

**Name, rank, and serial number. Damn military training.** He turned the voltage up even higher and tried again but got the same response. He didn't notice as Raines' face blanched at the name.

"I thought you said you made improvements," panted Parker.

Lyle took a deep breath to control his temper. This guy was really getting to him. Even Jarod didn't annoy him this much. He rubbed his hand where his thumb used to be, remembering that Jarod's interference caused its loss in the first place. He also wasn't about to let this unkempt ____ get the better of him again. He increased the power, ignoring the warning signals. Just as he was to hit the switch, Miss Parker held him back.

"If you do that, you'll kill him and you'll never have your information."

"What are you trying to do?"

She pulled him away from the chair and closer to Raines. "I heard once that sometimes the anticipation of pain is worse than the pain itself. You leave him alone in here and make him wonder what's going to happen next."

"You want us to leave him alone with Jarod out there?" questioned Raines.

"The shaft has been blocked off so there is no way in here other than the door which will be guarded." She smiled. "We know he has a high tolerance for physical pain, but we also know that he is paranoid. His own mind will do your work for you."

Lyle looked at his sister in admiration. "You are more devious then you let on." **That could be dangerous.**

"Maybe it's in the genes," she commented with a look at Raines.

They walked past Frank without a word and left him in the dark, literally.

*************************************************************************************************

Outside, Jarod squinted against the sun while Donovan had the binoculars trained on the roads in and out of the Centre. Apart from getting in the same way he always had, he had nothing planned. It would all depend on where Frank was, what they knew, and how well he was guarded. At least he knew Miss Parker was with them. Angelo would be willing to help as well. Slowly, an idea came to him. He played it through in his head and nodded. **Yes, that could work.**

"You have a plan, don't you?"

"It should get us to Frank. After that, we'll have to play it by ear."

"That's something anyway."

Jarod took him to the same entrance he used with Frank and gave him the same instructions. He headed to the sim lab knowing his chances of seeing someone there. He found the vent out of sight of the cameras and attempted to gain Sydney's attention. That accomplished, he led Donovan through the same shaft he had taken Frank.

Sydney was waiting for them. "Jarod, twice in as many days."

"This trip is not by choice. Lyle took Frank this morning."

"I know. Miss Parker told me. They have him down on SL23, the room where they had K--"

"Where they had Kyle." Jarod took a deep breath. "This is Donovan, Frank's friend. We need to get him a suit."

"What? No tailors in town?" All three turned to see Miss Parker in the doorway, Broots behind her.

"Didn't care to be left out?" asked Jarod.

"This is my brother we're talking about."

"Another one?" muttered Broots.

"You play a pivotal role in my plan," he smiled. "You've caught me."

Donovan stared at him as if he were mad. "What are you doing?"

Jarod ignored him and continued to explain. "With Donovan in a suit, he can pass as a Sweeper. We're all in the room and get Frank." He looked at them as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

The others were stunned. "It could work," said Miss Parker after a moment.

*************************************************************************************************

Back in his office, Lyle sat behind his desk, already impatient. When something was this close, waiting was not something he was good at.

He thought back on what Parker said under "interrogation". Name. Obvious. Rank. No actual rank inside the NSA so he just stated he was with them. Serial number. Again, another way to keep track of him.

Willie, Raines' personal Sweeper, knocked on the open door. "Jarod's been spotted in the sub-levels."

"He's heading for Parker! I want every available Sweeper down to SL23!" ordered Raines. "He is not to get anywhere near that room." Willie nodded and rushed off to carry out his orders.

Lyle opened his desk drawer and pulled out his automatic. Once he checked that the clip was full, he put it in his holster and headed out the door.

"Where are you off to?"

"After Jarod."

"You're coming with me to continue the 'interview' with our guest."

Lyle hesitated for a moment. He wanted-no, needed to go after Jarod, but this guy Frank was fast becoming a thorn in his side as well. Jarod is heading that way so I might as well be there to welcome him. He went with Raines.

When they arrived on SL23, there were now four guards on the door and every inch of the floor was being searched. "Anything?" Raines asked.

"No, sir. Nothing." The guard opened the door to the room.

Lyle stepped inside and switched on the light above Parker. The man squinted at the bright light and looked nowhere near broken.

"That was quick," he said glibly.

"Some new information has come to light," said Lyle.

"So you plan to start this over again?"

"If you answer my questions, there will be no need," said Raines, standing at the base of the chair.

"I told you I don't know where Jarod is."

"We already know he is here in the Centre, trying to rescue you apparently."

*************************************************************************************************

Frank closed his eyes. He couldn't believe that Jarod was risking his own freedom to get him out. Well, yes he could. This was Jarod after all.

"Don't hold any hope," said Lyle. "This sub-level has every available man just waiting for him to show his face."

"Then I guess I'm the lucky one."

Frank recognized Miss Parker's voice and knew that she had Jarod. He turned his head and saw as she pushed him into the room. Was that Donovan in a suit? He had to play along. "So much for the cavalry."

"Once we're done with your friend, Jarod, it'll be your turn. And I can honestly say I'm looking forward to it."

Raines ignored Lyle's boasting and stared at Frank. "When is your birthday?"

Frank looked at the walking cadaver and wondered if he suspected. This has to be the doctor who delivered me and sent me to the orphanage. That's why he needs to know my birthday. I can't very well lie. They can always pull up my file and see for themselves. "February 17, 1969."

"Your family?"

"I was raised in an orphanage in Philadelphia." **I can't believe I'm telling him this without coercion.**

Raines' gaze became more intent. "The name of the orphanage?"

"Frank, don't," he heard Jarod say.

He clammed up.

Raines glared at Jarod before continuing with Frank. "I don't know why you are stopping now. You've already opened up to us."

"Just confirming what you already know," said Frank. "Why don't you tell me the name of the orphanage you think I went to."

"St. ______ in Philadelphia."

"Give the man a cigar."

Lyle looked at the two of them. "What the hell is going on here?"

"You weren't the only stillborn Raines delivered," said Jarod, walking towards him. "This baby, a son, was taken to an orphanage and virtually forgotten. Except in Raines' memories." He stopped at the side of the chair and began to undo the straps that bound his arms.

"Do you always drive the opponent mad?" Frank hissed.

"Emotion will override logic. They'll make mistakes."

"So this irritating idiot is my brother?" questioned Lyle.

"Half-brother, thank God," muttered Frank as he sat up slowly.

Donovan came forward to help him stand. "Dismal doesn't do this place justice," he told his old friend.

Lyle saw this and took it as an act of treason. "What do you think you're doing?" Donovan ignored him and helped Frank to the door. "I'm talking to you!"

"I told you he might have a partner," Miss Parker said, covering him with her gun.

"I should have known you were with him," spat Mr. Raines.

"Frank is more like family to me than you two ever were." She slowly backed away to join them at the door.

Lyle smirked in confidence. "This floor is covered with Sweepers. There is no way you'll make it out."

"You're part right." Frank heard Jarod say as the door slid open for them. When it closed, Jarod wedged it tight with a ______. "That should hold them for a little bit. Watch where you step," he added lightly.

Frank looked down and saw the unconscious body of a Sweeper. "How?"

"Broots and Sydney sent knockout gas through the vents," Donovan answered. "We shouldn't have any trouble getting out."

"Let's get moving." Miss Parker led the way. They took the elevator to ground level and cautiously headed for the front door. They were almost there when they heard something that stopped them in their tracks.

"Just where do you think you're going?" asked a deep voice.

They turned and Jarod's eyes widened in shock. Miss Parker seemed even more stunned. "Daddy?"

*************************************************************************************************

She couldn't believe it. He looked a little older and a little thinner, but it was the man who had been her father. She shouldn't have been too surprised as the Parkers never seemed to stay dead. She lowered her gun. "But how?"

"You don't really need to hear all the details now, Angel. Suffice it to say, I'm back now."

"Good news because I may have just signed my own death warrant."

"I told you believing Jarod would lead to trouble!"

"At least I don't hide secrets from her," said Jarod, bristling.

"Daddy, Raines and Lyle were torturing an innocent man and were prepared to kill him."

"They must have had their reasons."

Jarod drew Frank and Donovan forward. "Take a closer look," he told Mr. Parker. "What do you see?"

Miss Parker watched as her "father" walked over to Frank and studied his face. Frank stood straighter, no longer leaning on the others, and stared right back at him. Not a word was uttered until Mr. Parker broke the silence.

"What's your name?"

"Frank Parker," he said with a lopsided grin.

Mr. Parker turned on Jarod. "What sort of sick joke is this? Have you tired with playing on my daughter's emotions that you now have to play with mine?"

"As we all thought you were dead, that wasn't the plan."

"My son died at birth!"

"Just like Mr. Lyle?"

"Daddy, please. We can talk about this somewhere else. Mr. Raines and Lyle-"

"Are on the way up," said Sydney as he and Broots joined them.

"Whoa, Mr. Parker, we all thought you were..." Broots let the sentence tail off.

"Yes, I know. I thought I was too." Mr. Parker looked at Sydney. "Do you know about this?"

"I saw the results of the DNA tests. It was a close match to your daughter's. When I learned his birthday, I knew."

Mr. Parker looked at Frank. "February 17, 1969." Frank nodded mutely.

Miss Parker then watched as he grabbed Frank in a bear hug and nearly squeezed the life out of him. She had never received a hug like that and now she understood why. He was never truly her father. He had only been acting the part, and poorly at that.

"What a touching reunion. Too bad we have to cut it short."

She turned to see Raines and Lyle standing in the hall, both with guns. "It's six against two," she said. "You can't get all of us before we get you."

*************************************************************************************************

The standoff was intense. Each person with a gun was just waiting for someone on the other side to make a move. Jarod knew they had to get away before the Sweepers came to, but he couldn't come up with a plan that didn't end without someone being shot. He heard a slight rustling from the vent above them and saw a shadow. Angelo! There had to be something he could do. Then he saw it: a sprinkler head within reach. His eyes darted between the two and Angelo nodded in understanding.

Jarod watched as Angelo worked a rolled-up piece of paper through the slats then lit it from a lighter in his other hand. He looked back at Raines and Lyle who were still watching the Parkers and Donovan and hoped that the water would provide enough of a distraction for them all to get away.

Frank and Miss Parker were the first to react. Frank rushed Lyle, knocking him to the floor and sending his gun across the room. Miss Parker wrestled Raines for the gun, pushing him away in disgust. Jarod could see her seething with anger.

Donovan slowly backed towards the door to make sure there were no surprises outside. Jarod motioned for Broots and Sydney to go next but the refused. Broots was probably worried about what they'd do to Debbie, and Sydney, well, this was practically his whole life. He nodded in understanding and headed for the door. Miss Parker and Frank also began to back away, pushing Mr. Parker back as they did so.

*************************************************************************************************

Mr. Parker stared at his brother and the man he had called son. He wanted to stay and turn the Centre into a more beneficial organization because he knew what lay ahead of them if they stayed on the same path. The scrolls told of Jarod and how his genius would lead to the rise of the Centre, but it also prophesied that he would be part of its downfall. Slowly, he was changing the ideals of employees-including his "daughter". He then thought of Frank, his one, true son, not one he claimed to father. His childhood may have been tough, but he looked like he came out okay. He couldn't let anything happen to him-or to his Angel. They had to get away.

He turned and pulled his children along with him. He had to get them to safety and he knew that Jarod would be their best hope to lose themselves in the world, give them new identities and lives to make it near impossible to be found. The only drawback would be that they couldn't be together.

His thoughts were so centered on the future that he didn't hear the movement from behind him until it was too late. The pain in his chest told him he had no future, only moments. It wasn't until they were outside that he staggered and fell.

*************************************************************************************************

Frank felt the weight difference as his new-found father fell to the ground. While he stood there, staring, Miss Parker dropped to his side. "Daddy?"

Frank saw the spreading stain on his back. There was no doubt that he had been shot by family. Now I am glad that I was raised in an orphanage. Unless he received immediate attention, he would die. But how? They couldn't wait for an ambulance and moving would surely kill him.

"Jarod, do something!"

Jarod rushed over but he saw the same thing Frank did. There was little chance of survival. "Miss Parker, I..."

"Angel, don't," Mr. Parker said with effort. "I knew I would meet a bad end." He tried to smile. "You have to leave the Centre. You have to keep Jarod from being taken."

"I don't understand. Why..?"

Jarod looked at her. "The scrolls. It must be something he read in the scrolls."

"What did they say, Daddy? What did the scrolls say?"

Mr. Parker looked up at Frank. "You'll help her, won't you?" He reached out his hand.

Frank knelt down beside his father and grasped his hand. "Help her what?"

"Lead a normal life.

**How can I show her a normal life when mine is far from normal?** He spared a glance at Miss Parker. "I'll do my best."

The hand he was holding loosened its grip and Frank knew he was dead. He knelt there, stunned, and heard Miss Parker's sobs. He couldn't cry now, but would he later?

Jarod took control of the situation. "We have to go now. Miss Parker, you had better collect what you want from your house. Donovan, you go with her while Frank and I get our stuff from the hotel. We'll meet up at that fruit stand just south of town." Miss Parker nodded as Donovan led her away.

*************************************************************************************************

Parker let Donovan take her to the car, too dazed to argue. She let him drive, thankful that he never spoke except to ask directions. She needed to think this over. Her father was dead. OK, he wasn't technically her father, but he raised her, gave her his name. Granted he had supposedly died before, but this time she knew it was real.

As a child she and loved and respected him, then, as she grew older, it was just respect. In the past few years, as she had learned of all the secrets he had hidden from her, it became hatred. But the moment he died, she was that little girl again. She took a deep breath. She had to keep her mind on the task at hand. Once she was out of Delaware, she should be able to take the time to grieve.

She was now well and truly free of the Centre's hold. The only reason she was going after Jarod was to obtain her release. Now that wasn't necessary. She only took a few bits of clothes and mementos, most importantly photos of her mother, father, and Tommy. As a sign of her leaving, she left behind her cell phone, beeper, and credit cards. There would be no way for them to trace her. "OK, I'm done here."

*************************************************************************************************

Once in the car, Frank tried to come to terms with what had happened. "I barely knew him ten minutes and now he's dead. I don't feel anything."

"When you have time to look back on this and what you missed out or what you might have had, you'll be able to mourn. There's no reason for you to feel guilty for not feeling the loss. Maybe if you have a chance to talk with Miss Parker, she can tell you about both your parents."

Frank knew Jarod was right. From what he understood from bits of previous conversations, the man had not been the best of fathers.

They cleared the hotel rooms of all evidence of their presence. Once complete, they drove to the rendezvous and didn't have long to wait for Donovan and Miss Parker.

"Now where?" she demanded. Frank could see she was barely holding on emotionally and hated the fact that she had to depend on someone else. The fact that the someone else was Jarod didn't help.

"We drive to D.C. or Baltimore," Frank answered before Jarod had a chance. "I'm sure Bradley will OK a flight for us." He thought on what Jarod had said about learning what his parents had been like.

"Frank, you can't be serious." Donovan looked at him in disbelief.

"Can you just imagine Ramsey's face?"

Donovan chuckled. "That would be something to see."

"Perfect," smiled Jarod.

"What are you talking about?"

"Since you've given up everything to help me, I feel it's my duty to help you. How do you feel about the desert?"
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