CHAPTER 14

A PROMISE MADE

February 27, 2003

10:30am

Blue Cove, Delaware

The Centre

"I don't believe it" She ranted. "A month he's been gone, one whole month. And just out of no where." Sam, Sydney, Broots, and the children looked up as Parker stormed into the Sim Lab. Her heels clicking angry on the linoleum floor. Broots went back to his work trying to avoid her wrath. Sam and the children looked at her with slight amusement. Sydney eyes were filled with concern. He was about to speak but Parker cut him off. "Not now Syd. You five in my office now!" she snapped.

William stood up immediately, walking quickly in to Parker's office. Whereas the other three took their time, almost strutting to Parker's office as if they owned the Centre. "Come on you three." Sam said nudging the Triplets. The five entered Parker's office. Grins were still on the children's' face. Sam closed the door behind them.

"What are you four smiling about."

"It's just you."

"Looked so funny."

"When you came stormin' in." the triplets chirped, bursting into a fit of giggles along with William. Parker and Sam began to laugh as well.

"I did look kind of funny didn't I?" She said, after the laughter subsided still smiling. "Come here William. We haven't been properly introduced. As you know by now I'm Miss Parker. My father," she said sarcastically "is the chairman. I know that he seemed a bit scary in there. But just remember as long as the two of us don't have any problems, you won't have any problems with him."

"Yes mama." He said.

"Don't call me mama William. It makes me feel old." He smiled at her comment. "That goes for you three as well." She said to the youngest members of the room.

"What don't call you mama?" Aaron said smartly

"Or don't give you any grief?" Andros asked

"Lovely a bunch of smart Alecs."

"We are smart Miss Parker and though our names do start with an A neither my name nor my brothers name is Alec. And we already know his name is William."

"What I meant was," Parker began to explain but then stopped when she noticed the children grinning. "You know for a group of kids who were supposedly isolated for the outside world you four sure seem to know a lot about it."

"Who said we've never been out side?" Aaron asked raising an eyebrow

"Nice." She began to mutter. "I got Pezhead on the outside annoying me. And now I have four junior pretender -who appear to take great pleasure in tormenting me-, working along side of me"

"Maybe you should get some stock in Pepto-Bismol?" Andros suggested. "I'm quite sure I could help you out."

Parker sat on her desk and sighed. "Be nice" Sam scolded the triplets.

"You look like an angel. The name your father calls you suites you" Will said in a uncharacteristic outburst. He then began to study his shoes suddenly aware that he had spoken out loud.

"Thank you William, or do you prefer Will?"

"What ever you prefer Miss. Parker." Still looking at his shoes.

"Will don't look down when you speak. You have such beautiful eyes, don't hide them." She said as she lifted his chin so that he was looking at her.

"Yes Miss. Parker." He said smiling.

"Oh and Will, contrary to popular belief, flattery will get you any where." Sam chortled at Parker's comment

"Now as for you three." Parker said directing her attention to the triplets. "Where are your other halves?"

"Cameras Miss. Parker.'

"It's alright Aaron, I've had Broots' disable them."

"Wow! You're good. It's not often someone can tell us apart. How did you know?"

"You always talk first and you always stand to the left of Alex." She answered.

"She is good." Andros said in disbelief.

"Miss Parker you said that the cameras here have been disabled."

"That's correct Will."

"So we can talk freely?"

"Yes you may.'

"Good. I need to tell you three something." He said turning to the triplets.

"We already know big brother." Alex said.

"You did? How?"

"Unlike you we hide our gifts."

"Then you-you hear the voices too?"

"Yeah" Andros said quietly. He then cast his gaze to Parker and same aware that he had just revealed something he more than likely shouldn't have,

"I didn't hear that" Sam said, "As far as I'm concerned you three are just pretenders."

"There's something else. Our parents..." Will began

"Are alive? We know." Alex said

"Jake found our real files a while ago." Arron spoke

"But the files don't say who our parent's are." Said Andros

"And the voices won't tell us." Alex finished

"Why don't you to appear to shocked by what we are saying?" Will asked the adults.

"For one it's quite obvious the four of you are related. After all I did tell Will about the three of you." Sam said

"Why didn't you tell us about Will?" Arron asked.

"Because I know the three of you. Family is the most important thing to you three. You don't always think things though clearly. You all would have gone looking for Will and gotten yourselves killed."

"Why aren't you going to tell Mr. Raines and his lackeys what we said?" Andros asked Sam.

"I'm surprised you four always seam to know everything." The children looked at him inquisitively. "If you must know I too am product of the Centre. When I was a boy the Centre killed my parents and brought me here. There is no love lost between the Centre and I."

"That's why you told us to hide our gifts." Alex said

"Yes, that correct."

"Gee Sam, and we thought we knew you." Arron spoke in awe of the sweeper.

"So I take it you all have an inner sense too?" Parker asked the kids.

"Too?" The children echoed.

Parker tapped her temple with her finger. "Welcome to the club."

"Makes sense. That's why they say trust her." Will muttered, no one else hearing him

"I have a question. Why did you all feel free to talk about this in fort of me?" Parker asked.

"The voices said we could trust you." Will said simply. "They also said that your gonna help get us out." He said once again unsure of him self

"Is that true Miss. Parker?" Alex asked so quietly that it was almost a whisper. Parker was taken aback by the child's sudden question. She studied the children. As she did images of Jarod being tortured as a child flooded he head. As well as the photograph of Will bruised and battered. It was the voice that inside of her that prompted her to responded. The voice of her mother that whispered. "Protect them. Save them."

Parker crouched down to Alex's eye level. "Yes Alex it is true. I'm going to get you all out of here. I promise." She said with a smile.

Author's Note: Let Me Know What You Think Of This Chapter. Sooner I get reviews. The Sooner I Post