Jarod stood at a standstill. Miss Parker held her hands, with her deep blue eyes, she starred at him as she awaited for his move.

"Cuff you? Cuff you? You expect me to handcuff you and take you as my prisoner? Have you lost your mind? Hey, why don't we just forget this game of ours, alright?"

Still, she stood with her outstretched arms towards him.

Jarod's temperature rose. "Parker, I mean it. Cut it out! Go play elsewhere! I'm not playing cops and robbers with you."

Yes, you're the cop and I'm the robber. So, go ahead, frisk me. "I dare you! I dare you to handcuff me. Punish me for all the shit I've done to you, tell me you haven't thought about it! This time you're the predator and I'm your prey."

"Don't get me pissed, Parker. You really wouldn't want me to be pissed off." Angrily, he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back into the cabin.

"Shit, labrat, what happened to that little boy I played with years ago? You're no fun!"

"Well shit, Parker!" He yelled.

She was taken aback by his chosen word of outburst.

"It's not pretty, is it, Miss Parker? Your mother raised you to be a lady, not a fouled-mouth sailor and I'm sick and tired of your name calling, "labrat", "ratboy, "wonderboy", oh my personal favorite, "pezhead". Why do you do it? Does ridiculing me make you feel superior? Have you ever stopped and listened to yourself? You think you're so high and mighty? Above everyone else? I mean, you even do it to poor Broots. And he's done nothing to you but, help you out on a million of your demands. He's gone out of his way on bended knees to please you. And you know why? It's because Debbie thinks the world of you. You've grown up to be a cold-hearted woman, wait let me rephrase that, you've grown up to be a heartless woman. It's a shame because you were once someone I really did care about. But, that was such a long time ago. I've forgotten how it feels to have you as my friend."

"I think I'd better leave now." Miss Parker's eyes teared. She turned to the door when he blocked her path. "Excuse me, please."

"No." Jarod guarded the front door.

"What did you say? Get out of my way, boy genius." She pushed him aside.

"I said no. And I know for a fact you never made a call to "daddy". There was only one call made and that was the one I made for you to call off your "flying monkeys". You'll stay here until you've learned some manners."

"So now you're Henry Higgins and I'm your Eliza Doolittle? Get out of my way, Jarod."

"Hey, you wanted to be kidnapped. You've got your wish."

He wanted to rip his heart out for what he felt for her at that moment. But yet, he questioned why was it still intact?

JMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMP

On her best behavior, Miss Parker surprised Jarod by her calmed demeanor towards him throughout the day. Although, by evening, her temper had finally erupted. The guest of honor walked out of the bathroom, her nude body wrapped with only a towel, slightly wet, she confronted her host.

"Damned you, Jarod! It's cold up here in the mountains and you used up all of the bloody hot water. I'm freezing my buns, here, among other things! Tomorrow night, I'll be the one jumping in that shower first, and if you're already in there before me, I'm jumping in with you! You got that? Whether you like it or not!"

I'd like that. He laughed. "So, is this how it would be like being married to you?" He yelled out as she headed back into the bathroom.

After several minutes, she walked out with an oversized shirt of his on her slender body. The glow of the fireplace illuminated the living room. She smiled slightly at him and held out her hands in front of the fire.

"It's the least I could do, since I did use up the hot water."

She rolled her eyes.

Jarod caught her facial expression. "Is it so hard for you to be nice? You know, Miss Parker, you're free to go in the morning. I'll bring your car back when I get up. But, you are welcomed here. I've heard sometimes victims get attached to their kidnappers. You don't want that to happen, do you?" He made a joke out of their situation, but, she didn't laugh.

"Look, Parker. It's late. Why don't you take the bedroom and I'll stay here."

Not a word had been said, Miss Parker quielty walked into the bedroom, then out again. She headed towards Jarod and caught him by surprise. She pecked him lightly on his cheek. "Goodnight, Jarod." Hurriedly, she headed back into the bedroom and closed the door. They were only separated by that door, the only object which stood in the way to each other.

Parker sat up in bed and waited. Jarod laid his hand on the knob and readied himself, but, slowly stepped back and turned away.

What the hell am I thinking of?

TBC - Chapter 4