Disclaimer: As always such activity is considered illegal by selfish ones =

BTW: I finally saw "Net Worth" the other night -- Woo Hoo, he is sooooo cute =

Centre Hallway

Miss Parker absently rubbed a fingertip across her lips as she didn't listen to Lyle blather on next to her. They were heading down to Medical to check on a reported security breach before she went into her office. Her head had been feeling muzzy lately and so it was even easier than normal to ignore the one-thumbed wonder. Besides, she had more important things on her mind. Things like how it felt to kiss Jarod. And why, curiously, it felt like this morning's kiss was the first one in a long, long time. The irritating whine that was Lyle's voice ceased and she could see his expectant expression from the corner of her eye. What had he said? She took a stab. "I don't know Lyle, I think you need to research that some more," she commented, easily falling into her slightly sarcastic tone. From the disappointed but not bewildered look on Lyle's face, she must have responded appropriately. She must remember to have Broots pull up the surveillance on the hallway and find out what Lyle was proposing.

She, once again, touched her lips, her attention returning to infinitely more important things as she thought back to earlier this morning.

Jarod's/Miss Parker's Quarters - Breakfast

Jarod glared and Lyle smirked.

Battle lines were drawn, territory divided and marked.

The borders, a bottle of ketchup, the salt and pepper duo and the napkin holder.

Jarod had been appalled when Lyle had shown up at the door to his . . . their quarters.

For breakfast.

As if it happened all the time.

Both men had treaded lightly in front of Miss Parker, Lyle behaved, concerned that her programming was too delicate to take an outright confrontation between Jarod and himself leading to, no doubt, airing of dirty linen that Miss Parker didn't need to be reminded of and Jarod behaved, still too unsure of her mental stability and afraid she was teetering on the edge of an emotional breakdown.

So Jarod glared and Lyle smirked and they both smiled whenever she turned to face them.

It was during her flipping blueberry pancakes for Jarod, who had to admit a dazed astonishment at her cooking skills, that the unmentionable happened. The two men were faced off at the table, both seething with different emotions, Jarod with anger and Lyle with sadistic glee, when Miss Parker made an innocent comment that cemented all of Jarod's resolve.

"Have you heard from Momma or Daddy, Lyle? Are they still having fun on their second honeymoon?"

Jarod had reeled from that statement, the horror of the manipulation almost unseating him and he sent such a look of disgusted hostility that even Lyle flinched.

"Yeah, Sis, they are still enjoying the cruise," Lyle had commented with a jovial voice and a glance of wary caution at Jarod.

"Parker, can I speak with you for a moment?" Jarod asked, tilting his head, dismissing Lyle.

========

"I'll wait outside," Lyle volunteered. "Don't be long," he had cautioned Miss Parker.

Jarod had waited for Lyle to leave and then had maneuvered Miss Parker over to a corner in the room between the bathroom and the living area. He had worked out the camera angles during his sleepless night and knew if he stood with his back to the living area, the only thing the camera would record would be part of his shoulder. "Listen, how about you come to the Sim Lab with me today?" he suggested, dropping his tone so that his words would not be clearly recorded.

"Why?" she looked surprised. "Has there been a security breach in the Sim Lab?" she asked with a frown.

Jarod was tempted but knew that without preparation he couldn't really lie about it. "No. I just want your company," he stalled. He tried to ignore the soft fragrance of her perfume, the softer scent of her and the feeling of her semi-pressed against him.

She smiled at him. "Hmm," she purred. "Maybe you won't be so tired tonight?" she offered, stroking a hand down his face.

He unconsciously leaned his cheek into her palm, his eyes closing as a flutter of wanting beat in his chest. "You won't come?" he tried again.

She shook her head, regretfully. "I can't. I have meetings scheduled all day." She tilted her mouth to press a kiss on his lips, a move he diverted by tilting his head up to kiss her on the tip of her nose, causing her lips to brush his chin.

Jarod fought his panic at the thought of Miss Parker in Lyle's presence all day but knew that, for the moment, he could do nothing else. He was now more determined than ever that he had to take Miss Parker with him when he left. That Lyle would lie to her about her parents was beyond reprehensible,
beyond cruel.

Miss Parker took advantage of Jarod's distraction, his highly vaunted cerebral cortex already working on the day's Sim and wrapped her hand around his neck, pulling his mouth to hers for the kiss she had been craving since last night. She had learned over time that sometimes you just had to grab hold of Jarod and show him what you wanted or just take it.