Disclaimer:  The characters are not my own, I'm only borrowing them to put them into situations of my own imagining.

Finding Family

Part Nineteen:  Epilog--Conversations

Rating: PG

Category: S

Timeline: Sometime in the middle of the series

Spoilers:  Donoterase, parts 1 and 2, well, actually the whole series!

Keywords: MPJF, JOF

Summary:  Miss Parker accidentally shoots Jarod, which forces her to confront her feelings towards him.  Meanwhile, a seriously injured Jarod has to learn to trust someone to help him and finds out a little about his family history.

This is it.  The absolute end.  Just tidying up a few loose ends.  I've been thinking of a new story for several months now but didn't want to even start for fear I'd never finish this one.  Honestly, I always imagined this one as an episode in the middle of the series.  I've decided it belongs just before the Donoterase trilogy at the end of season 3.  Anyway, enjoy.  Thanks again for all your support! 

I've decided to try a new style for this epilog and just write the paragraphs of phone dialog only.  You'll know who is talking. 

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

Tuesday Morning, 2:00 AM

What.

Will you have a bad scar?

No, actually the ER doc was pretty good.  How's your arm.

It's better.  I…

…(pause)

I wanted to tell/ I wanted to say

You first.

No, you first.

…(crackle)

You called me.  What do you want already?

You were magnificent when you defended Amanda and Dr. White against Raines and Lyle.

You where there!

Just keeping an eye on things.  So what was on that disc Raines took from you?

I wish I knew.  Do you?

Judging from the timing when Dr. White, or as she was originally known as Nurse Black first left the Centre, I'd guess it was about your…

…my mother.

…(static)

Thanks for helping Amanda find her mom.

Yeah, well, she was a nice kid and didn't deserve having the Centre mess up her life.

You mean like ours?

…(sigh)

Well, I wanted to say, thanks for rescuing me in the park.

It's the least I could do for a friend.

Friend?

I know you must have found my computer.  I meant what I said.  Always.

Jarod, I…

…(exhale)

…we don't have that option.  But if you hurry, you can still clean up your apartment.  I left everything there when Amanda and I flew to Houston.  I'll have to send a clean up crew at the end of the week to justify all my time away last week.

Don't get so distant and professional on me.

Humph!  Try to do someone a favor…

Will you just stop being the Chairman's daughter for a second?  I liked you better in the gardening shed when you had a concussion.

I'll bet you did!

Parker, please.

…(sniff)

Why'd you run from me?  I just wanted to talk to you.

Run?  Maybe you're right.  Maybe I'm conditioned to, but talk to me now.  Parker, the Centre isn't going to be in power forever.  Every day is a new day.  We could live our lives in a different way.

Parker?  Are you there?

It's not just about us.  There are other people and other issues that complicate everything.  Besides, the Centre's spider-like arms ensnare everything and whirlpool it into this hell hole!

You're too pessimistic.

Well, you're too damn optimistic!

We could meet in the middle.

What do you expect?  That I should fall in your arms with a kiss and because I've found Mr. Right, ride off in the sunset with you?

…(gasp)

What did you say?  Mr. Wright?

Honestly, Jarod, your naivete' gets to be annoying sometimes.

You knew…

What?

…all this time…

What?

…(click)

Jarod?  Jarod?  Damn!  I hate it when he hangs up on me like that!

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

Sunday Afternoon, 4 PM

Hello.

Mary?

Charles?  Is that you?

Yes.  I just got relayed your message.  Do you have any news?

I met him.  He's a fine young man, Charles.  You'd be proud.

Is he there?  Can I talk to him?

No, he left last Tuesday.  I woke up and he was gone.  Left me a note.  We kind of expected you to call last Sunday.

I've been following some interesting leads.  How did he find you?

Actually, it was totally by accident.  He bumped into my Emily in Houston and she took him in.  She was the one who made the connection actually.  You wouldn't believe how much he looks like your father!

Really?  I wish I could go see him right away.

Why don't you?  He's been looking for you for the last three years.

I have to meet a friend first.  He's expecting me and has some important information to pass along.  How do I find Jarod?

He left me with a note that gave an email address.  He said it would forward any messages on to him.  I'm not supposed to use it all, unless an emergency arises.

(Now boarding Alaskan Airlines Flight 1323 to Barrow)  Look, my flight is about to take off.  What's the address?

JRWright@aol.com

He knows his real name?

He does now.  I have to confess I told him a lot of stories about you and Margaret on the drive up here.  (chuckle) He couldn't get enough.

I wish I could have been there.  I'll find him soon.  Thanks for everything, Mary.  You remember what I said before?.  Be careful.  Lie low.

That's what Jarod said too.

(Last call for Flight 1323 to Barrow)  I'm sorry, Mary, I really have to go.  Take care.

You too.  Goodbye.

Well, dear readers, thanks again for your words of encouragement.  I shall endeavor to rustle up a new story for you.  So long, for now!