Disclaimer: Sigh…Sadly, I do not own the characters of The Pretender. I in no way wish to defame any of its affiliates nor NBC or TNT. That's it.Read it now!

Summary: Clues to the past bring Ms. Parker and Jarod back together again. Very involved in IOTH, but you can understand it without having seen it. Ties up most story lines. Mostly from Ms. Parker's point of view. Chapters are short.

The Truth Is Waiting

By Bec-Bec

Chapter 3

Lavender, Gift Boxes, and Strangers in the Night

Ms. Parker had a slight headache when she woke up in the morning. The effects of the drugs made her dizzy, and the room spun a little when she lifted her head. Becoming more aware, she could smell a gentle scent.

"Lavender," she breathed softly.

She turned toward her night table and saw the candle burning low. Realizing she hadn't left the candle there, she sat bolt upright in bed, causing the room to spin some more. She pulled herself together and grabbed for the gun she kept under her pillow.

"Someone's been in my house and if it's a rat from the Centre, I'm going shooting today."

Standing up, she pointed the gun towards her bedroom door and walked out, ignoring the slight quiver the room made when she stood up. She investigated the entire house but found nothing.

"Great, now I'm going insane, there probably wasn't even a candle there."

Just to make sure, she went back to her room. The candle was about to go out.

"Okay, at least I'm not crazy. Oh, but I do have a hangover."

She grabbed for her door frame as the room did a little dance. She made her way over to the couch in her living room and sat down. She rubbed her temples. And closed her eyes.

"I have to remember to ask Syd if the side effect of this medication is having to watch your furniture do a ballet."

She sat still a few seconds more before deciding she desperately needed some coffee.

Opening her eyes slowly, she noticed Jarod's gift for the first time. She picked up the box and the note and recognized Jarod's handwriting on the note. Realizing he was the one who had been in her house, she slammed the box back down.

"How dare he come in my house while I'm asleep. What gives him the right to intrude? I'm sure he'd never do anything, but still, it pisses me off. Why doesn't Wonder Boy get a life?"

Then it hit her, he had no life because she had helped to keep him from one. Hunting him down kept him from ever settling in and having a family. Not wanting to think about Jarod's situation anymore, she let curiosity get the better of her and picked the box up again. Never one to enjoy suspense, unless she was creating it, she decided to open the box before she read the note. She untied the bow and opened the little box. Inside was a small bunch of lavender. Not understanding what it meant, she picked up the note.

"Ms. Parker," she read, "I hope the lavender soothed you. Jarod. Hmm…short…and cute," she said sarcastically. She thought for a moment. "I hope the lavender soothed you," she repeated to herself. She stood up angrily. "He's been watching me! How else could he know I wasn't sleeping well?! I don't need him feeling sorry for me. I hate that! God!" She stalked to her back door, ignoring how her vision blurred. She had to see if she could find whre he had been watching her from. When she got there, she noticed that the alarm had been set. "I didn't set the alarm," she thought, "Why would he set my alarm? He'd already broken in." Her anger began to fade away. "He's making sure I'm safe. Damn it Jarod," she laughed, "Why do you have to be so sweet? It annoys the hell out of me!"