Sydney bent over and sobbed into the body of Miss Parker. And the clone smiled. Stepping out of the shadows, she knew she had won.

How does it feel to be betrayed by someone you love, Sydney?

The doctor turned his tear-streaked face to the clone, I killed her. She was a like a daughter to me, and I killed her.

It hurts doesn' it...and I wanted to hurt you. He looked at her in confusion, so she continued, You were the only parent I had, Sydney. You were the only one who showed me any tenderness. I trusted you, and you abandoned me. You left me with Raines. I was just some kind of science project to you.

That's not true. If I had known what he was going to do--

She pointed the gun in her hand at his forehead, --Please, spare me. You knew Raines couldn't be trusted.

His voice was barely a whisper, I didn't know what he was going to do...I swear I didn't.

She cocked the gun, Not good enough. You should have protected me. The fire wasn't an experiment gone bad, Sydney. Raines and Mr. Parker decided that I wasn't talented as a pretender. They said my DNA was faulty and not as pure as the original. Her voice began to shake with emotion, They said I was unstable. You left me with them, Sydney. And they tried to kill me.

Jarod's voice was smooth, How did you survive?

She looked at him, but kept the gun barrel against Syd's head, Angelo. He pulled me out of the cell and showed me the way out of the Centre.

Jarod answered, And you turned out to be a skilled pretender, so you were able to get by on the outside.

She smiled at him, Very good, monkey boy.

Sydney spoke again, And now you want revenge.

She looked at the still body of Miss Parker and smiled, I think I already have that, and in a moment, I'll have more.

In a smooth movement, Miss Parker sat up, pointing her gun at the clone, I think not. Put the gun down.

The clone shook her head at Parker, I should have known you would figure it out.

Parker cocked her weapon, Put the gun down. Now.

All I have to do is squeeze the trigger, Miss Parker, and Sydney's gone. And with him, any secrets to your past that he still might know.

Jarod's voice was calm, You're not going to kill Sydney.

The clone laughed, Oh really? And why's that, Jarod?

He's the only person who ever loved you, and he's the only one who can help you now.

The clone looked down at the doctor, He doesn't know how to love. You know that, Jarod, and so does Miss Parker. The clone glared at Miss Parker, You'd better put the gun down, or I'll blow a hole in his head.

Parker and Jarod exchanged a glance. The clone was just unstable enough to do it. Parker replaced the hammer and slowly set the gun on the floor.

Kick it over here.

Parker complied, and the clone shoved it further away. Her hand gripped her own gun tighter.

Any last words of wisdom, Sydney?

The chestnut eyes bore into her, Yes. I forgive you.

Her eyes grew wide with disbelief, You forgive me? Oh now, that is rich.

I did love you, lamb. Just as much as Jarod and Miss Parker.

Tears welled up in her eyes, No, you didn't. I was just a cheap imitation of the original to you.

I never treated you like that.

Her sadness ran down her cheeks and her voice shook with sadness, You left me with Raines.

His voice grew soft, I didn't. I was unaware of it.

He could see her resolve weakening. He swallowed hard, and slowly reached for the barrel of the gun. Their eyes locked. Sydney looked deeply into the grey sea that he knew so well. She wouldn't shoot him. She couldn't. Gently he gripped the end of the weapon and took it from her hand as he stood up. Miss Parker started angrily for the clone, but Sydney restrained her.

No, Parker.

The clone began weeping, sinking to the floor in a heap.

Parker's voice was filled with venom, She's a wacko, and needs to be locked up.

Sydney retorted, Hey....how about a little compassion? She's had a rough time, Parker. She doesn't deserve to be treated badly. She just needs help.

He bent down, and pulled the clone into his arms, Shhh, it's all right, darling.

Parker felt pure jealousy burning her cheeks as the clone wrapped her arms around Sydney, and he cradled her. Sydney looked at Miss Parker.

Parker, see if you can get Jarod out of the handcuffs....

She looked intensely into his eyes, anger permeating her own. Without a word, she turned away from him and went to Jarod. She glared at the pretender.

Don't say a word to me, Jarod. If you know what's good for you, just don't say a word.

The pretender looked at her. She pulled a bobby pin from her hair, and began picking the lock on the cuffs.

His voice was soft, You're angry with him.

You're damned right.

How can you be angry with him for loving somebody?

Don't be an idiot, Jarod. Sydney's incapable of love. He's only interested in saving his own hide.

Miss Parker--

--How can you defend him?

Jarod's eyes bore into her, How can you not?

Because every time I turn around, I uncover another lie.

She freed one hand, and began working on the other.

And you honestly believe that he lied to you for the fun of it?

Oh please.....you've been angry with him since you were old enough to realize his duplicity in all of this. And now you're sitting there trying to tell me it's okay?

Jarod looked over at Sydney, who was still holding the clone, No, it's not okay. And there are some things that I doubt I'll ever be able to forgive him for; but, I no longer question that he loves me. He loves both of us, Miss Parker. He hasn't always shown it, but can you honestly look at him now and disbelieve it?

Parker freed his other hand, and turned to look at Sydney. Part of her was angry that he would show such kindness to the clone. But another part of her realized he couldn't be any other way, and she wouldn't want him to be. She turned back to Jarod, who was standing beside her.

He shouldn't have lied.

The Centre is an impossible situation, Miss Parker. We might have wished that he'd handled things differently, but can you imagine your life without him in it?

Parker looked away, her voice a whisper,

Jarod smiled at her, Me either. He started away, Good-bye, Miss Parker.

She grabbed his arm, You're not going anywhere, Jarod. Her smile grew, I'm taking you back to the Centre.

He stared at her unbelievingly. After a moment, a small smile crept upon his lips.

That's going to be hard, Miss Parker, since you're unarmed.

She looked at him, Yes, that might be a problem if you resist, Jarod.

He took his hand in hers for a moment, and leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her cheek.

Until next time, Miss Parker.

Next time, I will take you in, Jarod. Make no mistake about that.

He smiled, Miss Parker.....where's Mr. Broots?

Parker's eyes grew wide, Oh damn... he's still in the closet.

Jarod watched Parker run up the stairs, and he smiled. He turned toward Sydney and the clone, placing a gentle hand on the doctor's shoulder.

You'll be all right, Sydney?

Yes. Everything will be fine. Take care of yourself, Jarod.

You too.

Sydney watched the pretender quietly slip up the stairs, and cuddling the clone close to him, he followed.

It's time to get you the help you need, lamb.

***********