Sydney sat with his arms crossed in front of him in the rigid chair by her bed, keeping vigil over her. It was the only thing still left for him to do. He watched the steady rise and fall of her chest with each breath that she took, and his mind recalled watching another...
He watched from a safe distance, carefully keeping an eye on her, but cautious not to be noticed by those who would report him to Mr. Parker. To the unobservant eye, Sydney was merely checking on his own patients in the Centre infirmary, but he could watch her from across the ward, noting any changes in her condition. Her husband had gone too far this time; actually, in Sydney's mind, the man had gone too far the first time. And still Catherine would say nothing. She would do nothing. Sydney couldn't understand it. He looked at his watch, it was getting late, soon most of the employees of the infirmary would be gone for the night, and he would easily be able to distract the night nurse with an errand, and he would have his chance. He simply had to exercise patience, something for which he had never had abundance.
His eyes refocused on the present as Miss Parker turned in her sleep. He gently reached out a soft hand, placing it on her arm as she slept, in a gesture of comfort seen only by the eyes of the camera in the room - and any eyes watching. That thought made Sydney shiver. He had been watched his entire life. From the time he was young in a Nazi camp, through his years working at the Centre, he had been observed. Well, let them see. He no longer cared. The jig was up in any case, there was nothing further to be gained by hiding how much he loved the young woman asleep on the bed, and he refused to deny at least this part of it all any longer...
He watched as the nurse left to speak to maintenance about the climate control as Sydney had asked her to do, and he quickly made his way over to Catherine Parker's bed. He gently shook her arm.
Catherine? Catherine, wake up. It's me, it's Sydney.
The deep grey eyes slowly opened, pushing against the swelling holding them closed. He sat down on the edge of her bed. How are you feeling?My little girl...how is my little girl? Is she all right? Sydney, where is she?
He rubbed a soft hand against her arm. Shhh, don't worry, she's fine.You promised me, Sydney. You promised you would never let anything happen to her.And I won't.Did you read the file?
Sydney looked away. he answered softly, yes I did.Then you know why you must protect her.I would have done so anyway, Catherine. Besides, we don't even know if it's the truth.How can you look at all the physical evidence and doubt it?
Sydney stood and began pacing. It's impossible, Catherine. It's just impossible.You know that Mr. Raines has been experimenting in this area.Yes, but his experiments have not included the kind of parameters the report outlines.We don't know that for certain.
Sydney sat back down on the bed beside her, taking her hands in his own. And we'll never know the truth for certain. Not here. Not from the Centre. My brother Jacob was right: what goes on here is immoral and we shouldn't be involved in it.What are you saying, that you'll just walk away? Sydney, what will happen to my little girl if something happens to me and you're not here to protect her? Please Sydney, you promised me...Sydney... Syd... His eyes focused back on Miss Parker, and she continued. What's the matter?The matter? Nothing.
She frowned at him, and he realized that tears had covered his cheeks, and embarrassed, he wiped them away with his hand. I'm sorry, Parker.Where were you just now?Right here.Your ass may have been in that chair, Freud, but you were a million miles away.
He looked down and brushed her hand with his own. I was thinking about your mother.
Parker wasn't expecting that answer, and for a moment, she could say nothing.
He looked up at her. You do remind me so much of her sometimes.
Parker frowned. What is it, Sydney? What have you been hiding?
He shook his head. When you were a very little girl, you couldn't have been more than four or five, your mother and I took you to the zoo.
Parker's brows knitted together. You never went with us, I only--... wait, wait, there was one time...my father had been promising to take me, but he was always too busy, so my mother decided we should go anyway. A smile turned her lips as she remembered. Mama was terrified of tigers and lions, and didn't want to see the exhibit. You took me by the hand and we went while she looked around the gift shop.
His voice was soft like a breath of air, Yes. What else do you remember?
Parker shrugged. Nothing. Just that I had fun that day, and wished that my fath-- She looked away, and the soft hand touching hers brought her attention back to him. I remember wishing that my father would spend time with me the way you did.
Sydney smiled at her. There was a woman in the lion exhibit, she was there with her family. She walked over to me while you were looking at the animals, and she told me what a lovely daughter I had. Dark chestnut looked deeply into sea-grey. I didn't tell her that you weren't my daughter. For the next ten minutes, while the woman and her family were still there, I let myself pretend that you really were mine.
She looked at him, amusement filling her eyes. Those were ten of the best minutes of my life, Parker. For a few brief moments, you were mine to cherish, to hold and be proud of, and I wouldn't have missed it.
Parker's eyes began to sting with tears. Don't get maudlin on me, Sydney. The last thing I need right now is some big sappy display.No displays. I just want you to know that you have meant a great deal to me, Parker. You're a big part of my life, and I wanted to say it, just once. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. You get some more rest. When the time comes, you'll need to be ready.My father would never have allowed it to come to this you know.
A strange look came over his face, one that Parker couldn't place, and his tone was slightly brittle when he answered. No, I'm sure your father wouldn't have...
Sydney stood and walked away from the bed, his back to her. She watched him stand there as still as a statue until her eyelids became heavy. And momentarily, Miss Parker was asleep, no longer thinking about the mysteries of her life, nor the outcome of her fate.
