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 6
Another Clue
Broots had been working at the Centre for a while now. When he had gotten the job there, he had been amazed. He had known the Centre was on the upscale end of technology and never believed they'd hire him. When they did, he assumed he would be doing mindless typing and program writing. Instead, he had hacked into nearly every secret and elite organization, changed government records, altered surveilance footage, and done an endless number of other illegal things. The problem was, once he found out what he was really doing, he couldn't quit. People who quit the Centre…died.
The Centre trusted no one and if anyone were to leak information to the government, they knew the entire Centre would cease to exist. He couldn't risk his death because he didn't want anything bad to happen to his daughter Debbie. So, he was stuck at the Centre.
He didn't mind it too much though, if he didn't think about what he was doing he was just fine. Syd treated him well too. So, at least he wasn't treated poorly…except maybe by Ms. Parker.
Ms. Parker just had this power over him. Whenever she came into a room, he was a bumbling stuttering fool…or maybe he was always like that and she just brought it out more. He knew he had a pension for rambling. In any case, Ms. Parker was usually rude and abrasive to him. Sometimes she was nice, but usually she just barked at him. Maybe it was some inferiority complex he had, but he never felt he did his job exactly how Ms. Parker wanted it. However, he sometimes thought she had a superioriy complex.
Oh well. He just always went along with what she said and everything seemed to work out okay…usually.
****
Broots Desk on the Computer Tech Floor
Broots was tapping away at his keyboard when a member of the Centre's security staff dropped off a large wooden box, another clue from Jarod. He had the man move it into the room where Sydney, Ms. Parker, and he usually did their work. Then, he went to Sydney's office to tell him about the new arrival.
He opened the door and found Ms. Parker already inside, speaking in a low voice to Sydney. Stopping, she turned an angry face at Broots.
"Speak up or get out Broots."
"I jus-just thought y-you'd like to know…."
"Spit it out Broots."
"…Jarod sent us another clue," Broots finally finished.
"Okay Broots, thanks," Ms Parker said mildly sarcastic before turning back to Sydney.
"I'll just go and…wait then," Broots let himself out of the office.
As Broots returned to his desk, he thought, "Why do I annoy her so much? And what was she talking to Sydney about in secret?" he sighed, "Why don't you just give up Broots, no one will ever treat you better than second class, especially Ms. Parker."
Just then, Broots' phone rang. His daughter, Debbie, needed to be picked up from school, she wasn't feeling well. After he hung up, Broots made an awkward half smile. "You'll always be a hero to her," he thought, "what does it matter what Ms. Parker thinks anyway? She's got far too many problems of her own to deal with." Feeling better, Broots left to go pick up his daughter.
****
Sydney, Ms. Parker, and Broots' Work Room
When Ms. Parker and Sydney were done with their talk, they went to look at Jarod's latest delivery. Sydney was a little out of sorts after what Ms. Parker told him. She had finally explained what had happened out on the island…even what happened with Jarod.
The relationship with Jarod made sense though. He knew from the first time they met in the sim lab that Jarod and Ms. Parker shared something special. Mr. Parker had been their only hinderence…and then Ms. Parker had lost her mother. But, now the anger that Mr. Parker had groomed in his daughter seemed to be disipating…and it was because of Jarod, and the power of the truths Ms. Parker was discovering.
No, the relationship with Jarod was not surprising, it was expected even. After all, he was the only man who never lied to her. What threw him the most was the fact that Ms. Parker's dream was a part of her Inner Sense.
He was worried wbout what might happen if the Centre discovered her abilities were stronger. They already knew about the dream and the medication he had put her on. Apparently, talking about all of it made it easier for her, but now he was weighted down with even more worries.
If anyone at the Centre found out about a relationship with Jarod, they would kill her…but they'd probably also kill her if she learned what her mother had from her Inner Sense.
Sydney was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts when Ms. Parker started banging on the wooden box Jarod had sent with a hammer.
"Let's see what mystery Jarod's cooked up today," she said bluntly.
The wooden crate split open and inside they found a box wrapped in shiny gold paper. A note attached to the top said:
I'm close. Very close, without being inside the Centre itself. Catch me if you can, but remember, I may not run, even if you chase.
There was also another box, with no note.
"I take it this has a double meaning," Sydney said, remembering what she had told him about her last phone call with Jarod. The specific phrase, "You run, I chase, just like aways," echoed in his head.
Ms. Parker nodded. "Then I suggest you keep it with you. I don't know who's watching right now," Sydney warned.
The inside of the golden box was empty. The other box contained a copy of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.
"Great, Houdini's on a dead English poet kick," Ms. Parker said sarcastically
"I wonder what it's supposed to mean," Sydney said, "I'll have to examine it to see if somethings hidden inside of the box itself. I'll tell Raines what we've found, minus the note, keep the book with you…Jarod might call and talk about it with you…I have a feeling it's meant only for you. Good luck Parker," Sydney said as he squeezed her arm and then left.