Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Pretender characters. They belong to MTM, NBC and TNT. No money was involved and no infringements intended. The only characters that I have soul right to is Catherine (which has nothing to do with Parker's mother), the fake parent Jessica.

THE NEW PRETENDER

Chapter 9:

That afternoon at the Russell household...

Jarod, his father, his mother, sister and Catherine were at the house. Jarod was pacing while the rest of the family and Catherine were sitting on the sofas and chairs. It was quiet in the house but there was also tension in the room.

Finally Margaret spoke, "So, Catherine. Why did you run away?" Catherine didn't say a word.

"My wife asked you a question, Catherine." Major Charles said in a stern voice.

Catherine finally looked up but had no expression on her face. "I don't know why. I guess I'm afraid of meeting my real parents. I've only known the other family."

"But, that doesn't make it right to just run off." Jarod said.

"Jarod you and your family don't understand how this makes me feel." snapped Catherine.

"How what makes you feel?" asked Jarod.

"Having a nice family and a great home." said Catherine.

Jarod stood in front of her, "But that still doesn't answer my first question."

Catherine looked deep in Jarod's eyes and spoke, "Jarod, your life at the Centre was a lot better than mine."

"How so?" asked Jarod.

"Mr. Raines and Mr. Lyle might have done things to you...but they never beat you." Jarod and his family looked at her. "You don't know how it feels to do something right and not get rewarded for it...just get thrown back into the cell. Or do something wrong and get beaten because of it." Catherine stopped to struggle with the tears that so desperatly wanted to come out. "And besides, I got beaten cause I didn't kill Miss Parker. But the thing is...I didn't want to kill her. I like her." Everyone looked at Catherine with strange looks.

Jarod spoke, "But, she is hunting you and trying to bring you back to the Centre...along with me."

"I understand that...but when she came into my room at the Centre and comforted me I knew that she has a good heart." Everyone was speechless when Catherine said that.

Back at the Centre in Broots office...

Broots was on his computer while Miss Parker was sitting in a chair pouting and Sydney was walking around with his cellphone in his hand.

Miss Parker broke the silence, "I can't believe that I lost her."

"Don't worry, Parker. She'll come back." said Sydney.

Miss Parker looked at him with a mean look in her eyes, "What do you mean? She won't come back for anything."

"Are you so sure?" asked Sydney.

Miss Parker turned her back on him and then looked at him again. This time she really looked in his eyes, "What are you getting at Sydney?"

"Just think about it? She may not come for any reason. But if something happened to you...that might change it." She was a little surprised from what Sydney said. She turned around again slowly and walked away.

Then she turned around and spoke, "Syd, I thought you didn't want her to stay in the Centre?"

"Parker, I know how close you are to Catherine. And I do know that she would do anything if something happened to you." said Sydney.

"So, what, you want me to stage my death?" asked Miss Parker.

"Yea. You do want to see her again, don't you?" asked Sydney smiling.

"Yea I do. But I don't want her to have to get the treatment she was getting while staying here. And I know for a fact she will hate you for the rest of her life." she said.

"I don't want that little girl to have the same treatment either but seeing you here moaping around and pouting I figured that is the only other thing." said Sydney.

"Unless I find her and see her once more." she said.

"Of course, you'll probably see Jarod there. What will you do if you see him, Parker?" He said as she looked at him in his eyes.

Back at the Russell house...

Major Charles and Margaret were packing some things for Catherine that Margaret gave to her that used to be Emily's. They put the suitcases in the trunk and shut it. They both looked over at Catherine who was wearing a very pretty white blouse with a pretty pink bow in the middle and a light blue skirt that came to her knees. She walked hand in hand with Jarod to his parents. She stopped as he tried to get her in the car.

Tears started forming in her eyes, "Please, don't make me go to them. I want to stay with you. I won't be any trouble. Please." She was begging which was hard for Jarod.

He knelt down to Catherine. "Honey, you can't stay here. You need to go to school and I don't want anyone to find you here cause then I'll get caught. So, please just come with us."

"I don't even know them. They are complete strangers. My parents taught me never to talk to strangers." said Catherine.

Margaret walked past Jarod and came by Catherine, "Baby, don't worry. I'll keep in touch with you. If you want to talk you have my phone number." Margaret took her hand and started to walk with her when she pulled her hand out of Margaret's hand.

They all looked at her but then Jarod gave her a mean look, "Get in the car!" She was terrified then she did what he said. She got in the back seat along with Jarod and they drove away.

Back at the Centre in Broots' office...

Miss Parker walked over to Broots who was still on the computer. "Broots I want you to look for Catherine's family. I want to know where they live." Broots started typing and after a few minutes he found a file.

He opened it and found Catherine's parents. He called her over to him and she took a piece of paper and a pen and wrote down the address...1957 Court Centre Rd. Denver, CO. "Good. I think I'll pay them a visit when Catherine gets there. I know everyone will be surprised to see me." She then turned around and ran out of the room.

Broots looked over at Sydney and spoke, "Well, Miss Parker is going to Colorado. I don't even know if this is Catherine's real family."

"Why do you say that, Broots?" asked Sydney.

"Well, her father did time in prison for 3 years for highjacking a car. And his wife was in jail for stealing. And look at this." Then he showed Sydney the last name. It was not Alexander.

"What? The last name is not the same as Catherine's." said Sydney.

"No. So, the people Miss Parker, Jarod and Catherine are going to meet are criminals." Sydney, picked up his phone and dialed Jarod's phone number. "Oh and Syd, they never had a child."

In Major Charles car driving to the airport...

Jarod's phone rings, he picks it up, "Jarod."

"Jarod, good to get you. You must not bring Catherine to the Alexander family." said Sydney.

"Why not?" asked Jarod.

"Cause Broots just checked in his computer and found out that the man changed his name recently cause he and his wife are criminals." Sydney said.

"Well, don't worry about this...I've got everything under control." Jarod said.

"Well, you may not have everything under control. Cause Miss. Parker will be meeting you there as well." Jarod looked stunned when he heard this.

Back at the Centre in Broots' office...

Sydney was trying to get Jarod to understand what is going on. But Jarod won't listen to him. Jarod got so frustrated with Sydney that he hung up the phone.

Sydney looked at Broots and said, "I've got to get Miss Parker away from them." Then he turned around and ran out of the door leaving Broots sitting at his desk by his computer looking at an image of Catherine's fake parents and noticing something else that really disturbs him.

At the Delaware airport...

Major Charles walked up to the ticket counter with the rest of the bunch. He talked to the ticket agent about going to Denver, Colorado for 4 people. She looked it up and gave him the price. He paid in cash and they showed their IDs except for Catherine. They got their boarding passes and started walking to the gates. They all sat down and waited for the gate agent to announce to start boarding.

About 6 minutes later...the gate agent opened the jetway and announced by seat row and everyone got up. Their seat numbers were called and they boarded the flight. They got in their seats and buckled themselves up. They were all sitting side by side on the plane ready to finally meet Catherine's parents in Colorado. Jarod knew that it was ready for take off cause he heard the engines start up and then they felt the jolt and the plane took off. Soon they were flying in the air towards Colorado.

2 hours later...

Catherine's party finally arrived at Denver International Airport. They rented a vehicle and drove to the address that Jarod had found. It took them about an hour to find the home. They sat in the car and then they all got out and looked at the house. Jarod walked around to the other side of the car and took Catherine's hand and walked up to the front door. Jarod pushed the doorbell and waited.

Then a young woman came to the front door, she asked, "May I help you?"

"Yes, my name is Jarod Dominick. I think you are the parents of Catherine." Then he pulled Catherine from behind him so that both girls could look at them.

Then the woman screamed, "Oh, my god. You found her. Oh, my poor baby, are you ok?" Then she got out of the house and walked over to Catherine hugged and kissed her. She brought Catherine inside the house and thanked Jarod. She closed the door and Jarod walked back to the car. His parents knew that he wasn't too happy about what he did.

Back at Broots' office...

Broots is looking at the picture and then notices the part of the bio for what and where the people worked. He noticed it said that they work at a top secret building in Delaware. So, he looked further in the bio and found out that the people that is supposed to be Catherine's parents are in fact employees of The Centre. They were put there as stand-ins for Catherine's parents so that The Centre can finally get her back. He doesn't like this so he calls Sydney. He tells Sydney about the fake parents and that they are employed with The Centre. Sydney told Broots that he will call Jarod and if Broots could call Miss Parker and tell her what is going on.

In the Russell rental car...

Jarod was looking out the window while his parents were sitting in the front seat. There was silence in the car. Jarod kept thinking about Catherine and how much fun he had with her and how disappointed his clone will be when Catherine doesn't come home with them. Just as he was about to doze off his cellphone rang. His mom looked over her shoulder and he smiled.

He picked up his phone and spoke, "Jarod."

"Jarod, good. I just got off the phone with Broots. Where is Catherine?" Sydney asked.

"Well, I just brought her over to her parents house. Why, Syd?" asked Jarod concerned.

"Because Broots just found out that those people are employed with The Centre. Her parents were infact dead. Those people are imposters. And you gave them Catherine which is what they wanted." Jarod looked out the window and was silent for a minute.

"Are you sure about this?" Jarod asked.

"I'm very sure. Broots would never lie to me about anything. And the worst thing is that Broots is trying to get a hold of Miss Parker." Jarod thanked Sydney and then put his phone down.

He sighed and then told his dad to turn the car around and go back to the house. So his dad turned the car around and drove back. Jarod jumped out of the car and ran to the front door. The door was locked so he broke a small window and opened the lock. He walked inside and noticed there was no furniture. He looked around and found a note on the floor. He went over to the note and picked it up. It had his name on it. So, he opened it and it said:

Jarod,

851216 135! 2085 351420185 919 21891479147 135 21311!

913 7159147 2015 114 16124 121144151454 23118581521195

1452420 2015 2085 16124 19161149198 38211838.

251521 1185 2085 15141225 16518191514 9 2018211920.

Catherine

Jarod just stared at the note and tried to figure out what all the numbers meant. So, he left the house and walked down by his parents still waiting in the car. He got in and his mom and dad turned around.

Margaret spoke, "Honey what is it?"

"Well, I just found this note sitting on the floor. It's for me. But I'm trying to figure out what all of these numbers mean." His mom looked at it and she was clueless so she handed the note to Major Charles and he couldn't figure it out.

Then he handed it back to Jarod. "Well maybe I'll figure it out soon." Then his dad drove away. Then he remembered that he has his laptop with him. So, he was writing on the computer and messaging someone. Then his clone's screen name popped up. He was trying to ask his clone what all of the numbers meant. So, he put in all the numbers as it shows on the note. And he added the exclamation points and periods in the same places. There was no word from his clone for a while. Then he got a message. It was a picture/voice message. He clicked it and his clones picture popped up.

"Hey, Jarod what do you make out of that?" asked Jarod.

"Well, from what I noticed it looks like the alphabet." he said.

The older Jarod just looked at him and then said, "What do you mean, the alphabet?"

"Well, just look. I found that the numbers 135 make the word "me" and it appears twice in the note." So, after the clone gave Jarod the idea he said goodbye and then started putting everything together. Here is what he came up with:

Jarod,

Help Me! The Centre is bringing me back!

I'm going to an old abandoned warehouse

next to the old Spanish church.

You are the only person I trust.

Catherine

He couldn't believe what he saw. Now he knows where they have taken Catherine. He tells his dad to turn the car around again and find the old Spanish church.

Back at the employed Centre house...

Miss Parker parked her car on the driveway and got out slowly scanning everywhere and everything. She took her gun out and cocked it too. She walked over to the front door and opened it up. She looked around and noticed that all the furniture was taken out of the house in a hurry. Then she noticed something on the floor. It was an envelope and it had "Jarod" written on the front. She looked around and couldn't find anything showing that Jarod had been at the house. So, she walked back outside and into her car. Then she pulled out and drove away...not noticing that someone was looking out the upstairs window overlooking the road.

Back in the Russell rental car...

Major Charles finally found the old Spanish church, stopped the car and sat there.

Then Jarod opened the door and was about to get out when his mother stopped him, "Son, why do you have to do this? Let your father do it."

"Mom, if I let dad do this, Catherine will be killed and I don't want to do that. Besides Miss Parker would really have my head if anything should happen to Catherine." Both his parents looked at each other and then back at him then they remembered what Catherine said back at their house.

He got out and closed the door. He told them that if he is not out in an hour to leave. His father wouldn't hear of it...so Jarod left it at that. Then he turned his back and walked toward the church. His parents watched as he walked away and his mom started getting tears in her eyes. So, Major Charles comforted her. They watched as he opened the doors and walked into the church.

Inside the old church...

Jarod walked inside and he could smell that there has been no one in the church. There were cobwebs everywhere. Dust was hanging and sitting on everything. The stained glass was broken and pigeons where flying around. He looked up and saw a hole in the ceiling. He stopped and looked around. Everything was quiet. Just then he spotted Catherine's sweater that she was wearing. He grabbed it and walked through a doorway.

He stopped and called out, "Catherine!" He waited. No answer. "Catherine! It's me Jarod." He waited again and still nothing. Then he said the name, "Morgandy!" Then someone fired at him but missed.

It hit right behind him. He ducked out and looked to see where the shot came from. He could just make out someone walking away with a rifle in their hands. He slowly got up when all of a sudden another shot right above his head. "What is it with you? I'm here for Catherine!" yelled Jarod.

"Well, I'm after you, Jarod!" a female voice called out. He didn't even lift his head and then another shot rang out above his head.

"Who are you and what do you want with me!" called Jarod.

"Oh, come on, Jarod! You're smarter than that! You know what I'm after!" yelled the female voice.

"You want me!" called Jarod.

"That is the whole idea!" yelled the female.

"Well, then let the girl go and you can have me!" He waited but nothing.

"You want to know who I am!" yelled the female.

"Well, I would like to know!" called Jarod.

"My name is Jessica and I was hired for The Centre! I was supposed to be the huntress looking for you...but miss goody too shoes ended up getting it." yelled Jessica.

"Miss Parker!" he called shocked.

"Yep. That bitch was not supposed to have my job. I did better than her and her father favored me over her anyway!" yelled Jessica laughing.

"But you got caught stealing! Mr. Parker needed someone who could take the job!" called Jarod.

"Well, it shouldn't have been her. She couldn't catch a fly even if it landed on her nose!" called Jessica.

"Now I know Miss Parker can be mean at times but she is a good person!" called Jarod.

"Good person! She is a daddy's girl!" Jessica said.

"Come on, Jessica! We can't stay like this forever!" called Jarod.

"Maybe you can't but I can! Besides I already called The Centre. They're coming over right now to pick you up!" Jarod sat back and was a little frightened. He didn't want to go back to the Centre. He already found his family and the last thing he wants is to go back.

All of a sudden he felt a hand on his back and turned around to see his father. "What are you doing here?" He whispered.

"I'm here helping you." Said his dad. "Where is Catherine?"

"I don't know. The woman named Jessica has her hidden somewhere. But I think there's more than just Jessica." said Jarod.

Major Charles sighed and said, "Well, I'll go search for Catherine. You stay here and deal with Jessica."

Jarod nodded and watched his dad leave quietly.

Outside the church...

Miss Parker was driving when she spotted a car that looked familiar. She peered inside and saw that it was Margaret. Bingo! So, she turned into a parking space and parked the car. Then she got out and started walking toward the church. Margaret saw her and was a little scared but also relieved. Miss Parker walked into the front door and looked around. She took her gun out and cocked it. As she was walking she heard voices in another room. The voices grew louder as she walked through a doorway. She peered inside and saw Jarod in front of her and across the room was the fake parent. Jarod looked over at her. She pointed the gun at him. He looked at her and mouthed for her to go find Catherine. She understood what he wanted her to do. She moved back and went searching for Catherine. She started searching each and every room looking for Catherine when all of a sudden she came face to face with Major Charles. She pointed her gun at him and he just stood there.

"Well, I finally got you and Jarod." said Miss Parker.

"Miss Parker, right now is NOT the time to catch either one of us. I'm looking for Catherine." Major Charles said.

"Well, so am I. But, I'm looking for her alone. You will be sitting here tied up so that I can bring you back to the Centre with me." she said smiling.

"I know about you and Catherine." Major Charles said.

"Like what?" She said as she looked for some rope or cords.

"She told me how you have comforted her when she needed it being that no one would have done that." said Major Charles.

"Well, at least I showed her something. All you and Jarod wanted was to capture her." Miss Parker said snarling.

"We showed comfort to her. That is why she is able to be with us. Why can't we just talk about this face to face?" Then all of a sudden he heard some movement and he looked up to see Jessica standing up with the rifle resting on her arm. He got up also and looked at her noticing she didn't see them.

Inside one of the room in the church...

Miss Parker was still looking for some rope or cords and Major Charles was talking. After a while she got fed up with him and said that she will make peace only to look for Catherine. After that she will be hunting for them. He made the deal with her. They both started looking through the different doorways. There must be at least 30 doorways in this old church. They decided to separate which would be easier to find her. As they were searching for Catherine they heard 2 shots ring out in one of the rooms and then a scream came from another room. They both looked at each other but couldn't figure out which to go to first. They decided to go to the room with Jarod. They reached the room but no one was there. They searched and found a puddle of blood by a doorway. Whose blood is that? Jarod's, Jessica's, or Catherine's?

To be continued...