Life Or Death
By Samantha
Part 20: Bring Me to Life
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Author's Note: How have you guys been? Did you like that last chapter? Did it seem too rushed? I need feedback, because it was my first real attempt at suspenseful-action-y kind of. . .thing. Well, I don't know about you, but I want to see how it all turns out. ( ~~Bethe
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"Lyle!" Parker cried out, tears flowing freely down her face. Hearing his name being called, Lyle lowered his gun and ran to his sister's side. She was pressing her hands hard to Jarod's middle, trying desperately to slow the bleeding. "We've got less than five minutes," she said with a calm that she didn't feel. Lyle looked at her.
"Take off your jacket." She did as she was told, and then Lyle took it and wrapped it around Jarod's midsection as a temporary tourniquet. "I'll take him; you lead the way. We need to alert everyone about the bomb." With that, he hefted the unconscious man into his arms and stood up.
Parker wiped her face before opening the door. She held up her gun and headed for the nearest exit. "Everyone out!" she shouted. "There's a bomb in the building! You have less than four minutes before it blows!"
Naturally, when one cries "bomb", the people go a running. This situation was no different. People scattered everywhere. It looked like a drug bust gone bad. Parker's shoulder repeatedly jammed into members of the fleeing mass, each impact causing her to dread the following day--if there would be one.
Within a minute that seemed like hours, the three reached the doors. Lyle went into a sprint, an amazing feat for someone holding a man who was heavier than he. Parker followed closely behind, taking heaving breaths.
Suddenly, the air became deadly still. Time seemed to stop. Then, the force of the blast sent Lyle and Parker flying through the air.
She landed with a grunt, her hand immediately going to her abdomen. She heard Lyle hit a few seconds later with a similar grunt. Parker sat up, slightly dazed. She knew her hair had been singed, because she could smell it.
"Lyle? You okay?" she called out. A few moments went by.
"Yeah," he groaned. Parker got up almost drunkenly, her equilibrium somewhat off, and staggered to where he was. She dropped to her knees beside the still form of her love. She sat back on her heels as reality rushed back to her.
"Oh, God. Syd. . .and-and Broots. . .and Angelo--they--"
"Are right here," Sydney finished behind her. She jumped at the sound of his voice, then turned and looked up at him. She stood, then touched his face, as if she needed verification that he was real. Then, she wrapped her arms around him. Sydney returned the hug, looking to Lyle with worry-filled eyes.
"He's losing a lot of blood, Syd," Lyle remarked, the same worry etched on his face.
"We gotta go," Broots murmured anxiously. "The cops are coming."
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Parker awoke to soft sunlight on her face. She stretched, then winced as she felt her shoulder pull. She slowly sat up and took in her surroundings. She was in her room, in Oregon. She would have thought it all to be a dream had she not felt the pain in her shoulder just moments earlier.
"Lyle!" she called as she got out of bed and walked to the door. "Sydney! Broots!" She made her way downstairs and followed her nose into the kitchen, where some glorious smells were drifting from.
"Hey. Good morning, sunshine," Lyle remarked.
"If I'm sunshine, you're the tooth fairy," she grumbled. "Where's the coffee?" Broots pointed and hid a smile.
"How are you feeling, Parker?"
"Every time I move my shoulder, I feel like I've been hit by a Mack truck. Other than that, I'm just a little bit sore everywhere." A look entered her eyes. "How's Jarod?" she whispered, her tone unsure. The three men looked at each other before Sydney answered.
"He's alive, but barely. He lost a lot of blood. I can' really say what the outcome will be, but he's fighting. I think if he makes it through the next 48 hours, he should recover." Parker nodded.
"I'm going to see him."
"He's not awake, Sis," Lyle put in.
"It doesn't matter," she replied calmly.
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Parker sighed as she let her tears fall unchecked. He looked so small, so helpless. So dead.
She shivered at the thought, then shoved it out of her mind. She covered one of his hands with her own, then rested her head right next to it.
"What do I do now?" she whispered chokingly. Suddenly, a feeling of déjà vu washed over her. She remembered back to a time, in the great state of Montana, where she had rested her head on Jarod's bed and cried. Then, he had woken up. She didn't dare hope for the same result this time. She knew better.
"Jarod," she whispered as she looked at his beautiful face, "you have to get better. You can't leave me alone. Not now. I love you. I need you. The baby. . ." her voice faltered. "The baby needs you. You can't die like everyone else I've loved. You're the exception." She clenched his hand in her fist and dropped her head to the sheets. She sobbed mournfully.
Angelo watched from the doorway, tears in his own eyes. He moved forward and placed his hands on Parker's shoulders. He began to sob as well, for the amount of sorrow she held was too great for him to contain.
Parker then turned and embraced her childhood friend, and they cried together.
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"Sis," Lyle addressed her. It was just the two of them in the den.
"Yeah." She looked him in the eyes. He shifted uncomfortably.
"Wow, this is difficult for me," he whispered, his eyes downcast. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for all the hell I've put you through over the years. And, I'm sorry that it took me this long to start acting civilly towards you." He forced his eyes to meet hers. Parker simply nodded.
"Thank you," she whispered. Then she added, "I'm sorry I never gave you a chance." She stood up and pulled her brother into her arms. For a moment, he stood stiff with surprise. Then he wrapped his arms around her as well. They stood that way for a long time, both crying.
"Isn't this a wonderful sight," Sydney commented from the doorway, causing both of them to pull apart and hastily wipe at their eyes. "It warms my heart to see the two of you working together, instead of against each other."
Parker sniffed, then nodded. She murmured, "Excuse me," and walked out of the room.
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Two days later, Parker was walking out of her obstetrician's office. She had just had her regular check-up, and everything was going along fine. In fact, the doctor could already tell what sex the baby was. However, Parker didn't want to know. She wanted it to be a surprise.
Even though she was happy that the baby was okay, especially after what happened a few days ago, she was still in a somber mood. Today she would know whether the man she loved would live or die.
Throughout the drive back home, thoughts of gloom and doom prevailed her awareness. She drove on autopilot, her mind not really paying attention. She reached the house and walked in the doorway.
She knew that if Jarod died, she would spend the rest of her life alone. She loved only one man, and he was unconscious upstairs.
Parker dropped her purse and keys in the kitchen. She could hear movement in the den, so that's where she went.
What she saw caused her to stop breathing completely.
Her heart resumed it's beating as her mind comprehended the sight in front of her. Gripping tightly to the arm of a chair was Jarod. He was still pale and weak, but he was standing. And awake!
A trembling hand went to her mouth and her knees began to shake.
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Jarod smiled as wide as he could manage. Just the sight of her caused his heart to pump dangerously fast.
"Jarod," she whispered finally. She walked toward him and embraced him fiercely. He caught his balance and wrapped his arms around her as well. He held the back of her head with one hand. He closed his eyes as he inhaled her warm and inviting scent. Neither said anything for a long time. Then Jarod pulled away slightly so he could look into her eyes. He framed her face with both of his hands while drawing her closer until their lips met. Parker returned the kiss. Then they broke it, and she sighed gently. Jarod tilted his head, memorizing every shade of blue in her eyes.
"I love you," he whispered while touching the tip of her nose.
"Oh, Jarod," she whispered back, tears streaming down her face. "I love you, too."
A wave of dizziness then passed over Jarod. Parker led him to the couch and helped him sit.
"What are you doing out of bed?" she asked quietly with a chiding tone to her words. Jarod smiled sheepishly.
"I've been awake for a few hours, and my limbs have been cramping."
"Does Syd know you're up and about?" she asked.
"No. They all went out to eat tonight. Only Angelo is here, but he's asleep."
"Not sleep more," came a voice from the doorway, startling them both. There stood Angelo with rumpled hair and a grin as big as Texas. "Angelo happy!" He walked over and gave Jarod a huge hug. Jarod grimaced in pain, but laughed as well. He patted the boyish-man on the back.
"Thanks, Angelo." Angelo then pulled back and became serious. He took one of Jarod's hands and one of Parker's and put them together.
"Marry. Must marry." Then he placed his other hand on Parker's abdomen while looking at Jarod. "Care your baby." Jarod nodded.
"Yes, I will take care of the baby like it were my own." Angelo frowned and shook his head.
"Understand," he said more deliberately, "care *your* baby." Jarod and Parker looked at each other. Surprisingly, they both smiled, then laughed. Parker hugged Angelo tightly.
"Is it really ours?" she asked, barely containing her joy.
"Jarod Daddy," Angelo replied. Jarod let out a whoop and would have gotten up and danced around had he not had the pesky hindrance of recently receiving a bullet to the stomach.
"What's all the ruckus?" came Lyle's voice from the foyer. The three men stopped in the den doorway at the sight of Jarod on the couch.
"You should be in bed," reprimanded Sydney, a stern look on his face.
"Oh, worry about that later, Freud," Parker giggled. "We just got the best news."
"What news?" asked Broots. Parker and Jarod looked at each other.
"I'm going to have a baby," Jarod blurted out, a silly grin on his face.
"Don't tell me the Centre gave you a uterus and inseminated you too?" asked Lyle sarcastically.
"No," Jarod replied. Then he looked at the woman seated next to him with a look of nothing other than pure, unadulterated love. "Parker's carrying my child."
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The ceremony was simple. The bride, of course, was stunning and breathtaking. The groom could only think of how beautiful she was. All who were in attendance could plainly see that they were in love.
As the day wore on, Jarod couldn't help but think that this day wouldn't have been possible without the help of two very important people. Then an idea popped into his head; an idea that he wouldn't act on right away. His family needed to be found first.
To Be Continued. . .
By Samantha
Part 20: Bring Me to Life
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Author's Note: How have you guys been? Did you like that last chapter? Did it seem too rushed? I need feedback, because it was my first real attempt at suspenseful-action-y kind of. . .thing. Well, I don't know about you, but I want to see how it all turns out. ( ~~Bethe
----------
"Lyle!" Parker cried out, tears flowing freely down her face. Hearing his name being called, Lyle lowered his gun and ran to his sister's side. She was pressing her hands hard to Jarod's middle, trying desperately to slow the bleeding. "We've got less than five minutes," she said with a calm that she didn't feel. Lyle looked at her.
"Take off your jacket." She did as she was told, and then Lyle took it and wrapped it around Jarod's midsection as a temporary tourniquet. "I'll take him; you lead the way. We need to alert everyone about the bomb." With that, he hefted the unconscious man into his arms and stood up.
Parker wiped her face before opening the door. She held up her gun and headed for the nearest exit. "Everyone out!" she shouted. "There's a bomb in the building! You have less than four minutes before it blows!"
Naturally, when one cries "bomb", the people go a running. This situation was no different. People scattered everywhere. It looked like a drug bust gone bad. Parker's shoulder repeatedly jammed into members of the fleeing mass, each impact causing her to dread the following day--if there would be one.
Within a minute that seemed like hours, the three reached the doors. Lyle went into a sprint, an amazing feat for someone holding a man who was heavier than he. Parker followed closely behind, taking heaving breaths.
Suddenly, the air became deadly still. Time seemed to stop. Then, the force of the blast sent Lyle and Parker flying through the air.
She landed with a grunt, her hand immediately going to her abdomen. She heard Lyle hit a few seconds later with a similar grunt. Parker sat up, slightly dazed. She knew her hair had been singed, because she could smell it.
"Lyle? You okay?" she called out. A few moments went by.
"Yeah," he groaned. Parker got up almost drunkenly, her equilibrium somewhat off, and staggered to where he was. She dropped to her knees beside the still form of her love. She sat back on her heels as reality rushed back to her.
"Oh, God. Syd. . .and-and Broots. . .and Angelo--they--"
"Are right here," Sydney finished behind her. She jumped at the sound of his voice, then turned and looked up at him. She stood, then touched his face, as if she needed verification that he was real. Then, she wrapped her arms around him. Sydney returned the hug, looking to Lyle with worry-filled eyes.
"He's losing a lot of blood, Syd," Lyle remarked, the same worry etched on his face.
"We gotta go," Broots murmured anxiously. "The cops are coming."
----------
Parker awoke to soft sunlight on her face. She stretched, then winced as she felt her shoulder pull. She slowly sat up and took in her surroundings. She was in her room, in Oregon. She would have thought it all to be a dream had she not felt the pain in her shoulder just moments earlier.
"Lyle!" she called as she got out of bed and walked to the door. "Sydney! Broots!" She made her way downstairs and followed her nose into the kitchen, where some glorious smells were drifting from.
"Hey. Good morning, sunshine," Lyle remarked.
"If I'm sunshine, you're the tooth fairy," she grumbled. "Where's the coffee?" Broots pointed and hid a smile.
"How are you feeling, Parker?"
"Every time I move my shoulder, I feel like I've been hit by a Mack truck. Other than that, I'm just a little bit sore everywhere." A look entered her eyes. "How's Jarod?" she whispered, her tone unsure. The three men looked at each other before Sydney answered.
"He's alive, but barely. He lost a lot of blood. I can' really say what the outcome will be, but he's fighting. I think if he makes it through the next 48 hours, he should recover." Parker nodded.
"I'm going to see him."
"He's not awake, Sis," Lyle put in.
"It doesn't matter," she replied calmly.
----------
Parker sighed as she let her tears fall unchecked. He looked so small, so helpless. So dead.
She shivered at the thought, then shoved it out of her mind. She covered one of his hands with her own, then rested her head right next to it.
"What do I do now?" she whispered chokingly. Suddenly, a feeling of déjà vu washed over her. She remembered back to a time, in the great state of Montana, where she had rested her head on Jarod's bed and cried. Then, he had woken up. She didn't dare hope for the same result this time. She knew better.
"Jarod," she whispered as she looked at his beautiful face, "you have to get better. You can't leave me alone. Not now. I love you. I need you. The baby. . ." her voice faltered. "The baby needs you. You can't die like everyone else I've loved. You're the exception." She clenched his hand in her fist and dropped her head to the sheets. She sobbed mournfully.
Angelo watched from the doorway, tears in his own eyes. He moved forward and placed his hands on Parker's shoulders. He began to sob as well, for the amount of sorrow she held was too great for him to contain.
Parker then turned and embraced her childhood friend, and they cried together.
----------
"Sis," Lyle addressed her. It was just the two of them in the den.
"Yeah." She looked him in the eyes. He shifted uncomfortably.
"Wow, this is difficult for me," he whispered, his eyes downcast. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for all the hell I've put you through over the years. And, I'm sorry that it took me this long to start acting civilly towards you." He forced his eyes to meet hers. Parker simply nodded.
"Thank you," she whispered. Then she added, "I'm sorry I never gave you a chance." She stood up and pulled her brother into her arms. For a moment, he stood stiff with surprise. Then he wrapped his arms around her as well. They stood that way for a long time, both crying.
"Isn't this a wonderful sight," Sydney commented from the doorway, causing both of them to pull apart and hastily wipe at their eyes. "It warms my heart to see the two of you working together, instead of against each other."
Parker sniffed, then nodded. She murmured, "Excuse me," and walked out of the room.
----------
Two days later, Parker was walking out of her obstetrician's office. She had just had her regular check-up, and everything was going along fine. In fact, the doctor could already tell what sex the baby was. However, Parker didn't want to know. She wanted it to be a surprise.
Even though she was happy that the baby was okay, especially after what happened a few days ago, she was still in a somber mood. Today she would know whether the man she loved would live or die.
Throughout the drive back home, thoughts of gloom and doom prevailed her awareness. She drove on autopilot, her mind not really paying attention. She reached the house and walked in the doorway.
She knew that if Jarod died, she would spend the rest of her life alone. She loved only one man, and he was unconscious upstairs.
Parker dropped her purse and keys in the kitchen. She could hear movement in the den, so that's where she went.
What she saw caused her to stop breathing completely.
Her heart resumed it's beating as her mind comprehended the sight in front of her. Gripping tightly to the arm of a chair was Jarod. He was still pale and weak, but he was standing. And awake!
A trembling hand went to her mouth and her knees began to shake.
----------
Jarod smiled as wide as he could manage. Just the sight of her caused his heart to pump dangerously fast.
"Jarod," she whispered finally. She walked toward him and embraced him fiercely. He caught his balance and wrapped his arms around her as well. He held the back of her head with one hand. He closed his eyes as he inhaled her warm and inviting scent. Neither said anything for a long time. Then Jarod pulled away slightly so he could look into her eyes. He framed her face with both of his hands while drawing her closer until their lips met. Parker returned the kiss. Then they broke it, and she sighed gently. Jarod tilted his head, memorizing every shade of blue in her eyes.
"I love you," he whispered while touching the tip of her nose.
"Oh, Jarod," she whispered back, tears streaming down her face. "I love you, too."
A wave of dizziness then passed over Jarod. Parker led him to the couch and helped him sit.
"What are you doing out of bed?" she asked quietly with a chiding tone to her words. Jarod smiled sheepishly.
"I've been awake for a few hours, and my limbs have been cramping."
"Does Syd know you're up and about?" she asked.
"No. They all went out to eat tonight. Only Angelo is here, but he's asleep."
"Not sleep more," came a voice from the doorway, startling them both. There stood Angelo with rumpled hair and a grin as big as Texas. "Angelo happy!" He walked over and gave Jarod a huge hug. Jarod grimaced in pain, but laughed as well. He patted the boyish-man on the back.
"Thanks, Angelo." Angelo then pulled back and became serious. He took one of Jarod's hands and one of Parker's and put them together.
"Marry. Must marry." Then he placed his other hand on Parker's abdomen while looking at Jarod. "Care your baby." Jarod nodded.
"Yes, I will take care of the baby like it were my own." Angelo frowned and shook his head.
"Understand," he said more deliberately, "care *your* baby." Jarod and Parker looked at each other. Surprisingly, they both smiled, then laughed. Parker hugged Angelo tightly.
"Is it really ours?" she asked, barely containing her joy.
"Jarod Daddy," Angelo replied. Jarod let out a whoop and would have gotten up and danced around had he not had the pesky hindrance of recently receiving a bullet to the stomach.
"What's all the ruckus?" came Lyle's voice from the foyer. The three men stopped in the den doorway at the sight of Jarod on the couch.
"You should be in bed," reprimanded Sydney, a stern look on his face.
"Oh, worry about that later, Freud," Parker giggled. "We just got the best news."
"What news?" asked Broots. Parker and Jarod looked at each other.
"I'm going to have a baby," Jarod blurted out, a silly grin on his face.
"Don't tell me the Centre gave you a uterus and inseminated you too?" asked Lyle sarcastically.
"No," Jarod replied. Then he looked at the woman seated next to him with a look of nothing other than pure, unadulterated love. "Parker's carrying my child."
----------
The ceremony was simple. The bride, of course, was stunning and breathtaking. The groom could only think of how beautiful she was. All who were in attendance could plainly see that they were in love.
As the day wore on, Jarod couldn't help but think that this day wouldn't have been possible without the help of two very important people. Then an idea popped into his head; an idea that he wouldn't act on right away. His family needed to be found first.
To Be Continued. . .