Disclaimer: see part one

Thanks to:

rev2004: This is just a little bit longer. I know that the chapters are never long enough and this is about average chapter length. I'll try to make them a bit longer but I don't promise anything. Thanks for reviewing and now enjoy part 6.

gemini006007: Aw, I would just love to know who you suspect #grins#. Someone close to Miss Parker and a trap for Jarod… looks like the Centre is involved but then again, aren't they always? LOL. Thanks for your review and now have fun with the next chapter.

pretender fan: Your wish is my command… read on and enjoy!

Jar-Par Fan: Well, I'm happy if you're happy and I'm happy that you like my stories so far. Thanks for that. Now to the story… YES, I got another one! LOL. Well, one never knows who really has the nerve to break into Parker's house and who – maybe surprisingly – doesn't have it. Confused or intrigued now? Good #chuckles#. Thanks for your review and now have fun with chapter 6.

Brandy: Sorry that you are still mourning "To End The Evil/Turn Evil Into Good" but I feel honoured that the story will forever be one of your favs… well, we'll still see about that (after all I have some more stories in the coming #lol#). Now back to "Shadows". As for the 'you're stuck with me and will always get reviews'… I'm counting on it!!! Thanks for your review and I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter now.

Leochick: No problem. Work seems to be getting the upper hand in my life as well at the moment #agh#. Well, as I told others before, I would just love to get to know who you are suspecting as our mysterious stalker. We'll see, maybe you'll tell me one day. Thanks for your review and now have fun with chapter 6.

Angelus Love: And someone else who has his/her own suspicions as to who the stalker is; and again I would just love to know who you suspect #grins#. Anyway, glad that you like the last chapters that much. Thanks for your review and now enjoy the next part!

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Shadows Part 6

Making plans

Miss Parker carefully walked into her house, one hand on her gun and ready to draw it if necessary. Inwardly she scolded herself for being that nervous but she just couldn't change the way she was feeling.

After switching on nearly every light in the house, she finally felt herself relaxing slightly.

There weren't any new packages and no messages on her answering machine.

Trying to divert her attention, she switched on the TV, only to zap through the channels randomly.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

She winced and looked up startled. Creeping over to the door with her gun drawn for real this time, she peered through the small hole. After seeing who stood in front of the door, she momentarily leaned her forehead against the wood and closed her eyes.

Taking a deep breath, she finally opened the door.

"Jarod," she tried to smile when she came face to face with him.

Jarod grimaced at the haunted look in her eyes. "Hello, Miss Parker. May I come in?" he asked carefully.

She took a step back and nodded, gesturing for him to come in.

Smiling, Jarod went past her and into the living room, placing a hand on her arm for a brief second.

When Miss Parker joined him in the living room, he was busy drawing the curtains in front of the windows. She watched him and frowned. "What are you doing?"

"I have the distinct feeling that your friend is somewhere close. I don't really want him to join this meeting," he smiled and tried to lighten her mood. "And not only him. I don't think it would be of advantage for both of us if a sweeper came by and saw us both together in your living room."

Miss Parker had smile at his comment. "No. Probably not."

Jarod cocked his head to the side and watched her for a second, trying to decide how to approach her. "Come here, Parker. You look completely worn out," Jarod said sympathetically and reached out a hand to her.

To his surprise, she took it. She was clearly tired. Normally, she would have snarled at him first for daring to say something like that and trying to reach out to her and make physical contact.

Miss Parker let herself be drawn into an embrace and sighed.

"When was the last time you slept properly?" Jarod asked her quietly.

"I don't know," she admitted.

"I'd like to get a look at what he sent you."

She just nodded against his chest and then extracted herself from him. "I'll get it."

Jarod smiled at her and nodded, watching her leave the room. When she came back, only minutes later, she carried two packages and handed them to him.

"He took a pullover from here about a week and a half ago. This package came about two days after I returned from New York. So that means it must be about four days back," she pointed to one of the packages.

Jarod opened it and drew out a pile of paper. Turning it around, he blinked when he saw the photos. Skipping through the pile, he looked up at her and swallowed.

Miss Parker's lips twitched and then she shrugged. "Just what I thought."

"He must have been following you from quite some time. These," he pointed on the pile of photos in his hands, "can't be made on one or two days."

Miss Parker merely nodded. That thought had already had occurred to her.

Jarod put the photos back into the package and took the other one Miss Parker had given him.

"That one came the evening you made contact. Yesterday," she said and then turned when Jarod opened the package.

He looked at this package's contents and his eyes narrowed. "I don't like this," he muttered and sat down on the couch.

"Neither do I," she snarled back tiredly, turning back to Jarod and giving him an angry stare.

"I'm gonna stay here. I don't want you to be alone now. Whoever sent these is clearly not all that sane; following you and sending you these things."

"That's reassuring," Miss Parker said sarcastically.

Jarod shrugged. "Sorry, but I can't tell you anything better."

"I know," she said and tiredly rubbed a hand over her eyes.

"Ok, then I will get my things and sleep on the couch," Jarod said, getting up from his seat. He quickly strode towards the door.

"No," Miss Parker shook her head.

Jarod stopped in his movements. He slowly turned back to her and frowned.

"I don't want to scare him away," Miss Parker said.

"Excuse me?" Jarod asked, clearly confused.

"If you stay here, I would probably be safe for the time being but, Jarod," she paused, "you can't stay close to me all the time."

"Throughout the day you would be safe in the Centre," Jarod replied as a matter of fact.

"Yes but… how long should that go on?" she asked in a forlorn voice.

"As long as it takes," Jarod stated firmly.

"Jarod, you can't stay here forever."

Jarod blinked but then nodded almost imperceptibly. "And what do you propose?"

"I want that person out of my hair for real. Perhaps a trap?" she suggested, somewhat hopeful that Jarod would have an idea.

Jarod rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, a frown on his face, trying to come up with something. "Yeah, maybe that will work."

"I want a permanent solution! There is no way I'm always wondering if he will be waiting for me behind the next corner. I won't forever look over my shoulder, trying to make sure that there is no one threatening me!"

Jarod gave her a pointed look.

Miss Parker grimaced when her own words registered. "I'm sorry, Jarod."

"No, it's ok. No harm done."

She gritted her teeth. "No, it's not ok. I'm sorry," she whispered again.

Jarod smiled slightly. "Ok," he shrugged off his feelings and his gaze fell upon the package with the photos. "Ha, maybe that's it!" he brightened.

Miss Parker followed his gaze and frowned. "What?"

"The photos," Jarod grinned. "Give him a taste of his own medicine. I could set up several photo traps with move detectors so that we will catch him once he crawls around here."

Her eyebrow rose. "You think that will work?"

"Why not? I used it once as an animal researcher. We tried to see if there were still crocodiles around a certain area. It worked."

"Yeah, but this time we are talking about a human being. And an intelligent one if I dare say. I know that you can disarm the alarm without even looking but you also know that it is not that bad a system. And he got the number to my office which is not that easy either," Miss Parker cautioned.

"Well, I still think that it should work but even if it doesn't, it wouldn't harm anyone to try," Jarod shrugged again.

"Ok," she agreed, rubbing a hand over her tired eyes.

"You certain that you want to stay here alone?"

Miss Parker nodded. "Yes, I told you so, didn't I?" she asked annoyed.

"Ok," Jarod surrendered. "I'll give you my number though. You can call me whenever you need help."

"I know that I'm repeating myself but… thank you, Jarod," Miss Parker said quietly.

Jarod smiled slightly. "You're welcome."

To be continued…