Unexplained

Chapter Six

Trust

Los Angeles, California

Sydney talked Jack Bristow and Kendall into allowing her to bring Sark to a safehouse that would be guarded. He would be under constant surveillance by herself and Jarod, so there would be no possible way he could escape. The minute they got into the private room, Sydney handed Sark her cell phone. She shot him a pointed look. "For some unknown reason, I'm trusting you to make the phone call without tipping off our whereabouts or our intent. The minute you breathe wrong, I'll take you back in to your favorite cell."

Sark nodded solemnly. "Don't worry. It's not like I'm actually fond of my dad. Mummy despised him. She said the only good thing that came from him was-"

Sark stopped as if suddenly realizing he was sharing a little more information with Sydney than he wanted to. He turned away from her and nimbly dialed the digits into the cell phone. His father's hitched breathing was the first thing Sark heard. "Mr. Raines."

"Hello, Father."

"Sark? Is that you?"

"Yes."

"I thought you'd been captured by the CIA."

"I was. I simply escaped. You know how idiotic this government's workers can be. They probably don't even know I'm gone yet."

"That's my boy."

Sark felt the familiar twinge of hope when Mr. Raines said that. He still wanted Mr. Raines' acceptance, even though he hated Raines. Raines finally permitted him to address him as Father. To a six-year-old boy, that was a wonderful prize. Then he'd been shipped off to a special boarding school, where he met Allison and Irina.

"Where is Sloane?"

"In Nairobi, assembling the Heptagon. Do you think you'll be able to force Sydney Bristow to go?"

"I do. And you won't believe it. I've found Jarod, too."

Jarod flinched, disbelieving. He really didn't think Sark would betray him. How wrong he had been! He'd be forced to run before it was time. Sark shook his head, trying to find a way to make Jarod understand. He was turning Jarod in, simply helping his case.

"You found the Pretender?"

"Yes. He was working as one of the CIA agents."

"Did he recognize you?"

"We only met that one time, Father. I seriously doubt Jarod remembers me."

"Pretenders have excellent memories. I wouldn't be so sure of yourself."

"It's what you taught me."

Silence over the end of the phone.

"You've done good work as an assassin and spy. We trained you well. Use your knowledge to get Sydney to Nairobi. And see if you can fool Jarod into going as well. All that's left is for me to bring Miss Parker and she's missing at the moment."

"I'm sure she'll show up."

"Yes. Good bye, Sark."

"Good bye, Father."

Sark disconnected the phone call before handing the cell over to Sydney. A barrage of questions flew from Jarod's mouth.

"Why on Earth did you tell Raines I was there? Did you find out where Mr. Sloane is? "

"Yes. Sloane is in Nairobi. A small town on the outskirts of the capital. And I told Father you were undercover, because I know you'll be accompanying Sydney and I to Africa. He had to be aware that I knew where you were so it didn't come as a suspicious surprise."

Jarod nodded, accepting the explanation.

Sydney finally asked softly, "How do I know you won't betray us the minute we step foot in Nairobi? The information is from your man, it'll only be the three of us going without informing the CIA. You could have it set up for me to be killed or captured."

"I could. It's very probable. All that could have been some kind of code set up with my father to help me escape. But I think you trust me, whether you want to or not. If you didn't, you wouldn't have let me have a phone call without listening in on the other end."

Sydney opened her mouth to protest, then shut it again. Sark did have a point. She met his dark blue eyes and could feel herself falling into the depths. Something was hidden beneath the surface, something he would never let her see. She understood it. It was almost like she could see the goodness in him, just as he could see the darkness in herself. The part the other didn't want to see was what was visible to them the most. She finally shrugged her shoulders, ending her line of thought. Jarod checked his watch before grinning. "I'm scheduled for an appointment. I suggest you two come with me. And Sydney?"

"Mhm?"

"Bring a gun. We might need it. With her, you never know."

"Right. Wait, with who?"

Jarod waved the inquiry off by shutting the door to his van. Sark climbed in the other side and Sydney stopped to inform the guard that Sark had to meet with a contact to get the intelligence needed.

Miss Parker sighed in disgust as she put her heeled feet on the tarmac. She despised commercial airlines. That was exactly why she always used the Centre jet. No screaming babies, no nosy women, and no loud talkers on the jet. She'd just sat through eight hours of a cross-country flight to show up where Jarod had sent her. She had even been forced to hand in her gun when she passed a security check point. It didn't matter she had a license for it. She took off the sunglasses and tossed them in her bag. Broots and Syd flagged either side of her, each carrying their own baggage. Miss Parker called a cab and the three took their seats. The cabbie sped off towards the Lighthouse Inn.

Miss Parker surveyed the room she'd been taken to. The receptionist had been ecstatic when she'd given her name. He'd quickly pulled the key to room five and brought the small group to the second floor with exclamations such as, "Mr. Masters will be so happy to see you. He's been expecting you!" The room was covered in flowers and lighthouses. It was quite sickening. Even the bedspread was decorated with the buildings. Other than that, nothing. Not a single sign of Jarod. So she'd have to wait it out with Chuckles and Dr. Freud. Syd had taken to going through the drawers and Broots was already setting up his laptop on a corner table. Miss Parker groaned and threw herself onto the bed. This was going to be one long day. A sharp knock came from the door and she perked up. Maybe it wouldn't be so long. She swung the door open and low and behold, Wonder Boy and his side kicks. She cocked the gun, training it on the blond haired man, as opposed to Jarod. She was surprised when the brown-haired girl whipped out her gun, leveling it on Parker, before knocking the gun out of her hand. Miss Parker stepped back in surprise, shaking her hand from the pain the move had caused. She heard Broots laughing quietly behind her, so she turned her icy glare on him, causing him to shut up instantly.

"Jarod. I never thought I'd get a personal visit. If I'd known, I would have brought a few more friends. I know Lyle is going to be sorry he missed this."

"Oh, I don't doubt it, but Africa keeps him busy."

"All the same, I never expected you on my doorstep. Syd, I thought you said Wonder Boy here was a genius."

"I never said that." Sydney replied cautiously, wondering how this woman knew her name. Jarod let out an outrageous laugh, that surprised everyone.

He explained quietly to Sydney, "Uh, that's the Syd she was talking to. His name is Sydney. And your name is Sydney. I hadn't even thought about that."

"That could be confusing."

"Yeah." Turning his attention back on Parker, he asked slyly, "Aren't you going to invite us in?"

She stepped aside, not replying. Broots was behind her now, studying the new couple with Jarod. The entire situation seemed totally surreal. Jarod was making himself comfortable in a wing back chair while a girl named Sydney stole Miss Parker's gun.

Jarod smiled at Parker. "I supposed I should make introductions. Sydney Bristow, this is Dr. Sydney, Miss Parker, and Broots. Guys, this is Sydney Bristow and, uh, Mr. Sark."

Syd smiled warmly at the new man and woman. "Pleasure to meet you."

Sydney tilted her head before replying, "Enchante, Monsieur Sydney."

"Tu parles francais?"

"Oui."

He was instantly warming up to her.

Broots cut in the French exchange, "It's good to meet you. I recognize you from something. I mean, I was just exploring Mr. Raines database, which I'm not supposed to do, but that's how I find things out for Miss Parker and I'm going to stop talking now."

Sydney stifled a giggle, amazed at how much this man reminded her of Marshall.

Jarod continued, "I think we'll call Sydney Bristow, Sydney and Sydney the doctor, Syd. That way we can keep you two straight."

The two Sydneys agreed.

"Who are these people, Jarod? I hope you didn't drag me out to Los Angeles to meet your new buddies. I would love to just drag you back to Blue Cove and be done with you."

"No, you wouldn't. You love the game as much as I do. Besides, you don't even have a gun. Sydney took care of that."

"Why'd you bring me here?"

"I thought you should meet Mr. Sark."

Sark stepped forward, studying Miss Parker. She was tall, with black hair and blue eyes.

"Miss Parker." He said it solemnly as he realized he was talking to his sister. She cocked her head and shook the thoughts away as she remembered.

The Centre

April 28, 1976

"Psstt...Jaroooood! Come here!" Little Miss Parker stood on her tiptoes, peering into the room Jarod was being held in. Angelo stood beside her, waiting just as impatiently as the girl. Jarod peeked through the bars, shaking his head. "I can't come. I'm doing a simulation."

"That's no fun. Please. I heard that a new boy moved here. He's staying here for a couple of months. I want to go meet him."

"Miss Parker, I can't."

"Plllllleeeeeeeaaaaassssssseeeeeeee!!!!!"

Jarod shifted his weight before giving in. He hated it when Miss Parker begged him to do something. It always got him in trouble with Sydney. But he'd do it anyways. He looked both ways before opening the door and disappearing into the fans with Miss Parker and Angelo. A little boy with blond hair was running around a room, looking behind him every few minutes. He started to shout something in Italian, surprising Jarod. Was this boy Italian? Miss Parker leaned her head out. "Hey! What are you doing?"

The boy stopped a looked up at the voice. "I'm practicing. Father told me to do this. He said it's good to do this with the language aid. Get used to shouting orders or something like that."

Miss Parker hopped down off the fan, Jarod following, Angelo last.

"Hey! It's Angelo!"

Angelo smiled sweetly and waved.

Miss Parker stopped in front of the boy.

"What's your name?"

"Andrew. What's yours?"

"Miss Parker."

"Miss Parker. You don't have a first name?"

"I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you."

He chuckled. "You sould like a spy."

"I do! Hey, Jarod! I sound like a spy!"

"Yeah. Being a spy isn't always fun, though."

"I'd spy on Russia. Wouldn't you, Jarod?"

"I guess."

Andrew asked finally. "Your name is Jarod?"

"Yep. I work here, too. Dr. Sydney is the one in charge of me. What about you?'

"Dr. Raines."

Andrew didn't feel like volunteering his last name yet.

"I saw you two a few weeks ago. You were crying and he was trying to get to you."

Miss Parker looked at her feet and Jarod shook his head, trying to send a message to Andrew. Finally, Jarod mouthed, "Her mother died."

Andrew nodded carefully. "My Mummy died, too. Only a month ago. She didn't like Mr. Raines, but I had to come to him after she went away. I know you're sad, Miss Parker, but it gets better."

Miss Parker looked up, tears watering her eyes. The little boy stood in earnest in front of her, wishing he could make her feel better. Miss Parker hugged him tightly and he let her.*

Miss Parker whispered, "Andrew?"

And he smiled, one of the rare, genuine smiles. "Yeah. I don't suppose you'd tell me what your real name is."

"I would, but then I'd have to kill you." She replied evenly, recalling her words as a child.

"I'd say you sound like a spy, but you know, they never really say that. At least I never have. You, Sydney?"

"Um, no, Andrew."

"You let one of my big secrets out, Miss Parker. Sydney doesn't know my real name."

"Did you know you're my brother?"

Broots dropped the glass he was holding, definitely not expecting that.

"Yeah. Jarod told me."

"Your name is Andrew Parker?" Sydney questioned.

"No."

"But she's Miss Parker."

Miss Parker shot her look heavenwards. "That's one of the longest stories and we don't have any time for it. Is this why you had me come here, Jarod?"

"That and the Heptagon."

"You know what it is."

"Of course."

"What is it?"

"Rambaldi is the man who wrote the scrolls. In them, it details a heptagon of people, all that would come around the same time. When the heptagon is together, with the device made of artifacts Rambaldi produced, something apocalyptic would occur. After the apocalypse-like event, Sloane and Raines can take over the world, the Centre rising. You, me, Sark, Sydney, Ethan, Lyle, and Angelo are part of the Heptagon. It's up to Sydney and I to stop it. It's in the prophecy. But the thought is, Sydney will turn evil at the sight of the device and help destroy the world as we know it. But if I can get her to stay on our side, we can end that, end Sloane, and end the Centre, and inevitably write the end to the story we've been waiting so long to do."

Miss Parker felt the base of those words hit her like a fist. He was mentioning the end of their story again. He loved to torment her. But when she stared into his face, he looked so sincere and gentle, it was almost hard to stay angry at him. Almost. "What do you propose we do?"

"The four of us will go to Nairobi. In the meantime, Syd and Broots will gather any pertinent information that might incriminate you three in any wrong doing, pack up Debbie, and meet us on Carthis. I'll leave an anonymous tip to the CIA and FBI about the Centre being an existing branch of the Alliance and have it taken down."

Jarod scanned the room for any signs of approval.

"That's sounds good on paper, Jarod, but have you thought this through?" Syd asked gently.

"Yes. In my mind and several others."

That caused the elder doctor to chuckle lightly.

"I'll agree to it. Broots?"

"Fine."

"You'll have to keep in contact with Miss Parker, because I don't want you two to be caught at the Centre when it's taken down."

Broots nodded.

"Parker?"

"What if I don't want to take the Centre down?"

Jarod just shot her a look.

"All right."

"Sydney, Sark?"

"I'm up for any kind of action."

"He is that desperate." Sydney finished.

"It's very dangerous."

"I've done dangerous before, Jarod." Sydney said.

"Okay. One more thing, Parker, from what I gathered from Sark's conversation with Daddy Dearest, you need to go back to Blue Cove and have him take you to Nairobi."

"Great. I can even travel with the Ghoul on Wheels."

Jarod smiled. "No word of this to him, right?"

"Afraid I'll betray you?"

"You would."

"Then, you'd leave me in a roach motel stuck in their reproductive fluids."

Jarod laughed. "That was one of my better things."

"I liked the Wizard of Oz one, Jarod."

Jarod turned at the sound of Broots timid voice and nearly laughed again as he cowered when Miss Parker glared at him.

"We should go. The CIA will be wondering where their prisoner is."

"Prisoner?"

"That'd be me. I'm kind of a wanted terrorist. I killed a few people..."

"A few?" Sydney added in wryly.

"Okay, a lot. And sort of helped Sloane, and Irina and well, it's another long story."

"I'm glad I saw you again, Andrew." Miss Parker said in an unusual moment of kindness.

"Me, too, Little Miss Parker."

She turned towards Freud and Chuckles, instead of watching the three leave.

"Oh! Can I please have my gun back?"

Sydney tossed it inside the room. "Sorry about the whole kick thing. I don't enjoy having a gun pointed at me when the door opens."

"Me, either."

The girls shared a moment of understanding that was broken when Jarod called for her to come on. Sydney hurried on to get in the van, leaving a shell shocked Parker, a relieved Broots, and a proud Dr. Sydney.