Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: I'm back! And with a nice Florida tan, too. I hope everyone's enjoyed their past ten days. I have. Now on with the rest of the story! Enjoy.

Chapter 10: Fatherly Advice

"My god. Jarod? Is that really you?" Sydney asked, incredulous.

"Hi, Sydney. Did you miss me?" Jarod taunted.

"Jarod, I can't believe… it's really you. What can I help you with?" He was shocked Jarod had called. Though, Sydney had his suspicions that this wasn't a friendly call. Considering that Jarod was her husband, it had something to do with Miss Parker.

"Where is she, Sydney?" Jarod growled, his voice losing any cheerfulness that might have been laced around the edges. Jarod was all business.

"Who, Jarod? Who are you looking for?" Sydney played dumb.

"Don't play games with me, Sydney. You know damn well who I'm looking for. Andi. Or maybe you know her better as Miss Parker. Where is she?"

"Miss Parker? I don't know where she is. She might be spending the evening with her father." It was a bold-faced lie and both knew it. Sydney just wasn't ready to tell Jarod all he knew. Miss Parker had run away for a reason and Sydney was loath to jeopardize her mission. But, he knew the longer Jarod kept asking, the less likely he'd be able to keep it a secret. Maybe it would be best if Jarod knew so the couple could settle their differences.

"Damn it, Sydney. I know she was with you the other day and that she spent the night. Is she still with you?" Sydney started.

"How would you know that?" Jarod laughed.

"A little fly on the wall told me. Now, is she still with you or did the Centre put her up someplace?" Sydney decided to it would be best to surrender. He was too old to play games like this anymore.

"She's not here anymore. The Centre purchased an apartment for her on the outskirts of town. The complex is Holly Crossing and her number is 363. But, Jarod, don't do anything foolish." A sharp laugh cut off his next statement.

"Still trying to play my father, Sydney? Thanks for the fatherly advice, but you can stop with it. You know I was never a son, just a laboratory experiment. I don't need you to tell me how to handle Andi."

"Jarod, listen to me. She's not going to be happy to see you. She needs time to breathe and get used to her surroundings. This world is different from her own and you need to give her time." A pause on the other line told Sydney everything: Jarod had not been aware that Miss Parker confessed the alternate universe theory to Sydney. A sigh came over the phone

"Again, thanks for the advice. Don't worry; I won't be harsh with her. But I need to see her. She's not herself and I'm afraid of what the Centre will do to her."

"Jarod…" The line clicked off and was dead. Sydney hung up the phone and sat staring at his hands. Had he done right by telling Jarod where she was? Should he call Miss Parker and let her know a guest would be arriving soon? No, he couldn't do that. But what should he do?

Sydney sighed and looked out the window at the darkness. Clouds had come in from the west, obscuring the stars. Sydney wasn't sure what he should be doing anymore. These long years in search of Jarod and working on other projects had given him time to think about his past and what he had done. It was wrong to kidnap children and force them to do the will of others. Sydney saw that now. Jacob had been right. His brother was always right.

Thinking of his brother always made him want to go see him. Getting up, Sydney grabbed the car keys, turned out the lights, and locked the door. Hopefully a visit to his brother would clear his mind about everything.

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Raines smiled as he clicked stop on the tape recorder. Glancing over at Willy, he saw him nod to the unspoken question.

"We don't know when he'll go. Could be tonight. Could be tomorrow or in a week from now. But it's best to wait. She'll eventually lead us right to him. She loves her father and she'll do whatever he asks."

"Good. Good." Raines wheezed as he walked out of the office. "Everything is going perfectly. Better than anyone could have asked. And soon, everything will be set to rights and Jarod will come home. Willy, I want you to bug the house. I want to know everything that's said. And have a guard posted there."

"Who, sir?"

"Lyle."