A/N: To my anonymous reviewer Michelle - Thanks for your line!

She's finally found what she's looking for...HIM. Miss Parker watched Jarod until he simply disappeared out of her sight. Getting into her car, she gripped the steering wheel as tightly as she could, then leaned her head forward on it. She felt her tears drip onto her thighs and run down her long legs. Feeling lost, she didn't know where to turn to or let alone what to do. She sat in her car for about twenty minutes before she decided to head for the nearest bar.

Miss Parker felt lonely, unwanted and pathetic. "Vodka and soda and keep it coming," she growled at the bartender.

She gulped down her first drink, then second and a third, as a fourth one was being poured, a hand covered the glass.

"She's had too many already."

Miss Parker turned and saw a disgusted look on Jarod's face.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He spoke sternly at her.

"Having a drink," she replied inebriated, holding up an empty glass to him.

"More like several drinks," he lashed out at her.

"You wanted nothing more to do with me, why do you care?" she snapped.

"It doesn't mean you have to drink your sorrows away!"

Parker whimpered and pulled onto the neck of his shirt. "I just wanted you to love me, was it so hard to ask?" She slurred.

Jarod gently pulled away from her. "Cut it out, Parker, cut it out."

She cried loud enough for other patrons to turn, their eyes glued on them. "Love me, Jarod! Why can't you just love me? And I don't mean like when we were kids! I want you to love me like how a man loves a woman!"

Embarrassed, Jarod shoved his hand in the pocket of his pants, pulled out some cash and threw it on the counter. "Keep the change!"

He helped Miss Parker out of her chair and held on to her as they walked out of the bar. He dug into her handbag and searched for her car keys.

"I'll take you home. I can pick my car up sometime later."

She leaned her head on his shoulder as he drove and soon feel asleep. Jarod pulled up in front of her house and lightly shook her.

"Hey, we're home. Come on, Parker, I'll help you inside." Jarod opened her door and took hold of her arm, but she shoved him aside.

"I can make it up by myself. I don't need you."

She stepped out of the car and nearly lost her balance. He swore under his breath. "I heard that!" Miss Parker hissed.

Jarod carried her over his shoulders to the front door, stuck her house key in, then kicked the door wide open. He put her down and laid his hands on her shoulders.

"You made a spectacle out of yourself, Miss Parker. Let me rephrase that! You made a spectacle out of us."

"I bloody really don't care. I've never seen those people before in my life," she seethed as she ran her fingers through her dark hair and cocked her head.

"Why don't you go take a shower, while I make you some coffee."

"I'm fine, I'm fine." She assured him, then flopped herself right onto the floor.

"Parker!" Jarod yelled and helped her up. "Get in there and take a shower! It'll sober you up!"

She crossed her arms in front of her chest and dared him. "Make me!"

"Fine! Get over here!" He dragged her into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, lifted her up and placed her under the sprays of the water.

Miss Parker screamed and leaned back against the tile wall. "It's cold! Damn you!"

"Good! It'll wake you up!" Jarod hollered as he adjusted the temperature. "Better?"

Miss Parker just nodded and stood there fully clothed as he watched her for a moment then left.

After about twenty-five minutes, she came out dressed in sweats with a towel in her hands drying her wet hair. Jarod took precaution in taking steps towards her as he handed her a cup of black coffee, thinking at some point Miss Parker would have the bright idea of hurling the java right at him.

"Thank you," was all she could muster feeling ashamed for her actions.

Jarod joined her as they sat quietly drinking their coffee on the dining room table.

He broke the silence. "Same old Parker. Three o'clock in the afternoon and I find you in a bar. A little too early to be drinking, isn't it?"

She looked away, then turned back, her icy blue eyes glared at him. "So, what's your excuse?"

"Just felt like I needed a drink."

There was sarcasm in her voice. "Disappointed I beat you to it?" She asked as she drummed her fingers on the table.

"Yes, something like that. Look, being that you're feeling better, I'd better head off."

"You can stay a little longer, can't you?" Her demeanor changed unpredictably like the weather.

"This is not a social call, Parker. I just wanted to make sure you got home safely."

"Why?" She asked almost child-like.

The sound of her voice melted Jarod's heart, but he was not about to reveal his feelings to her. He's been hurt so many times and the wounds were still fresh.

She stared at him waiting for an answer as tears slipped out of the corners of her eyes.

"Don't do that. I hate it when you cry." Jarod got up and headed to the door.

"Please. Stay here. Stay with me," she begged.

Suddenly, he burst into anger. "What the hell do you want from me, Parker? You want to know if I love you? Is that it? I told you earlier, it wouldn't work out for us. What part did you not understand?"

"Then tell me to my face that you don't love me. Tell me you don't think of me, especially on cold nights, yearning for my warm body cuddled next to yours, imagining the feel of my hands exploring every inch of you. Tell me!" She yelled grabbing onto his arm.

"Stay the hell away from me," he yelled jerking his arm away from her.

Miss Parker lowered her voice. "I lay awake at nights pinning for you, waiting for you to love me, waiting for the day you'll make love to me. How about you?"

Jarod felt as if he was backed into a corner of a wall. His voice softened. "Stop it, Parker. You're making it very hard for me to leave." Unaware, he ran his fingers through her damped hair, rested his hand on the back of her neck, but suddenly dropped it down when he caught himself.

Miss Parker could feel her heart racing, but slowed it with her prayanama technique she learned in only one session of a yoga class she attended, thinking it was a waste of her valuable time. She could tell he was trying to look for a way out, at least she thought he wanted to.

"Jarod?"

"What?"

"I love you."

He stood speechless for several seconds, let out a soft sigh, then surrendered and spoke the words he told himself he'd never say, those words she'd been longing to hear.

"I love you, Parker."

TBC - Chapter 5

Merry Christmas!