Crazyrussiangal- Mission accomplished. Your review made me feel so much better. Thank you for your words.

phi4858- Thanks for the review. As for Lyle not being able to retain Bobby's way of life, you'll like the next part in the Black Files story -Exodus-.

Pretender Fanatic- I completely emphasize with your computer trouble. This coming from the person who put her computer out of commission for two weeks. Stupid Panda antivirus. I'm still kicking myself in the ass for that one. And no Will and Alley aren't doing anything to Thomas. Will thinks he might have. I thought about having Will and Alley unconsciously push Mr. Parker into killing Thomas. But I think the kids have more than enough emotional baggage as it is. Yup ten new people in the next story, plus some I think. Don't worry there will be a list so that there won't be any confusion.


CHAPTER 43

LOYALTY


May 1, 1999

10:45pm

Blue Cove, Delaware

Home of Miss Parker

Sam wasn't all that surprised when he saw Jarod. The pretender had been standing outside of Parker's house for close to an hour by the time Sam had arrived after leaving the Centre. What surprised Sam the most was the fact that Jarod didn't try and run away after catching sight of Sam.

"How long have you been watching over her?" Sam asked Jarod.

"Since I was a boy," Jarod replied. "It's funny how loyal we remain to her even though she tries to push us away. It's as though her presence commands those around her to give her respect, loyalty, and love. And all of us are guilty of doing it. You, me, Sydney, and Broots, even Thomas was.

'It never matter that she tried to push us away if anything it makes us stand by her even more. She hunts me all over the globe and yet I do my best to make sure that she has some resemblance to a happy normal life.

'After her mother died she tried to push you way like she did with the rest of us. Yet it didn't work. You have given up your life to watch over hers. Sydney offers her moral support, and friendship. And though Parker rejects it Sydney always lets her know that her door is open in case one day she changes her mind and finds the urge to talk to him.

'Broots is viewed as a coward. People believe he only has a spine when it comes to the safety of his daughter. But it's not true. Broots possesses and undying loyalty for Parker that would rival yours. He would die for her. Any of us would really. And what makes it sad is that one man did. Only he didn't know the game he was playing. Hell, Thomas didn't even know he had become a pawn in the game." Jarod spoke.

"Are you certain that the Centre killed Thomas?" Sam asked the pretender.

"Aren't you?" Jarod asked. "Did you know that Mr. Parker tied to pay Thomas to leave. Thomas rejected the offer. He loved her that was his only crime and he payed the price. The Centre murdered Thomas because he loved Miss Parker and wanted for her to be happy. Go. Be with Parker. She needs you," Jarod said the pretender then melted in to the darkness.

Sam turned and entered Parker's house. She laid on the couch asleep in the fetal position holding one of Thomas's flannel shirts in a death grip. Sam closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It wasn't fair. She had finally found love after so long, and again it was ripped from her violently.

Sam sat down in the chair next to the couch. He brushed the hair from out of Parker's face and she stirred in her sleep. Her face was still wet with tears. "I'm so sorry Mor," Sam whispered.

"T-tommy," Parker whimpered, and Sam winced.

"No, Mor its me," Sam said. Parker's blue eyes opened and she saw Sam.

"Bring him back Sammy," Parker said her voice full of tears.

"I would if I could Mor. But I can't. He's gone Mor," Sam told her. Parker began to cry again and Sam pulled her into his arms as she sobbed. "I won't lie to you Mor. It's going to be along time before it gets better. You know that just as well as I do. But I swear to you that I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you."

Sam held her until she fell asleep. He then picked Parker up and carried her into her bedroom. Once Parker was tucked in for the night. Sam grabbed the chair and ottoman from Parker's den and placed them by her bed side. As Sam watched Parker sleep he went over the day's events.


Parker had called Sam shortly before she had been escorted to the police station, and Sam had met her there. The Detective in charge of the investigation had given Sam a quizzical look upon meeting the sweeper. Sam could tell that Detective Miller believed that Sam may have had a role to play in the murder of Thomas. Miller had even gone as far as questioning Sam. Sam knew that the Detective had no probable cause to interrogate him, but allowed it anyway. If it helped crack the case Sam would answer the Detective's questions.

"Please sate your name," Miller said hitting the record button on the tape player

"Samuel James Grey," Sam said.

"And your relation to the deceased?"

"Thomas is, was my sister's boyfriend. The two were moving to Oregon in a week or so."

"And, Miss Parker is your ... sister?" Miller said giving Sam a questioning glance.

"That's what I just said. Our mother adopted me shortly after my parents were murdered. Kept my parents' last name." Sam replied.

"You're Elizabeth and Allen Grey's boy?"

"Yes. Now can we get back to the questions pertaining to Thomas's murder?" Sam said between gritted teeth.

"Your parents murder was never solved. You were what seven when they were killed?"

"Six,"

"And I've read earlier that your adopted mother Catherine Parker committed suicide when you were a teen. Her death was always a bit odd. Who would think that she would abandon her children like that" Miller said. Sam grinded his teeth. "And this Thomas Gates. You said you knew him. It's funny Mr. Grey people you know seen to have a habit dying around you."

"Are you accusing me of murdering my parents? I was six years old when people broke into my parents house. I heard them murdered. I was the first one to see their bullet ridden corpses. I ran in two feet of snow barefoot to my mother's house. Read the transcript from when they interviewed me as a boy. Do you honestly think that I could have had anything, anything to do with the death of my parents?" Sam roared.

'I was ten years old when my Mother committed suicided. Do you know what that does to someone. To have the people you loved violently ripped away from you? And not only do you stand here and insinuate that I may have killed my parents but you accuse be of killing my sister's lover. Thomas was the best thing that has happened to her in decades! She loved him. Why would I want to hurt her by taking him away from her?"

"Sir I'm just doing my job," Miller told Sam.

"Than do it right," Sam barked.

"I will. In fact let me start now. I notice that your parents, and Mr. Gates also share one other common bond that also includes you and your... sister. The Centre."

"What about it?" Sam asked his heart skipped a beat. Sam knew that the Centre was behind his parents murders. But would they really kill Thomas to keep Parker from leaving?

"While Mr. Gates did not work at the Centre your sister did. It may just be coincidence but people with ties to the Centre have a tendency to vanish."

"Parker's father runs the Centre. It is an insult to me and the Parkers if your accusing the Centre of having any part in the death of Thomas, or my parents." Sam said evenly. "This interview is over."

"I'm sorry that I have insulted you Mr. Grey." Miller said as Sam got up from the table. Sam then left to find his sister.

He didn't have far to go, she was sitting outside of Miller's office. Sam could tell that it would take little effort to destroy to protective shell she had placed around her self.

"Mor," Sam said softly and her blue tear filled eyes looked up at him.

"He's gone Sammy," Parker said and Sam wrapped his arms around her.

"I know. I know." Sam said doing his best to comfort her. "Listen. Syd and Broots will be here shortly. When they get here I have to return to the Centre." Sam said hating to leave her in her hour of need but was afraid to leave his charges alone for too long. "I'll be back as soon as I can okay?"

"Kay," Parker replied, Sam could tell she was trying her hardest not to cry. An hour latter Sydney and Broots arrived. Sam asked them to keep a close eye on his sister. Both men swore on their lives that they would look after her.

Sam returned to the Centre and check on Will and the Black Files. By the time he was done tending to the children it was late. Sydney had informed Sam that Parker had been taken home. Once done with the children Sam sped off to Parker's.


Sam yawned. It was late and it had been a long day he knew that the next day would not be much better. Sam closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, prying that when he woke up the next morning he would discover that the whole ordeal had been nothing but a nightmare.


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Up Next: Parker discovers Gemini, and Alley discovers that though she has severed her bond with her brother she still shares a bond with someone else.