A/N: Sorry it took so long folks. Lack of time and a picky muse were the major culprits here. Let me know if it was worth the wait.;)

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own the Pretender, because if I did, things wouldn't have ended with an almost kiss! The point is, no profit is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.

The Evolution of Things

Chapter 5

By M. Rose


He drove through the darkened haze with only his headlights guiding his way. Watchful of any creatures suddenly leaping onto the constant twisting roads before him, he lowered his speed.

He did not want anything to delay his arrival.

Turning onto a long and narrow dirt road, he would have surely missed had he not been given explicit directions, a slight smile formed as a cabin came into view.

He cut the engine and quietly got out of the car. As he ascended the porch steps, he pulled out the gun he had tucked in the back of his jeans, cautiously approached the door and knocked. Lacking patience, he was about to knock again when the door suddenly swung open and he was greeted with a wide grin.

"Dad!"

Before Major Charles could even say a word, he was immediately engulfed in a tight hug. It had been a long time since he had seen his eldest son. He hated staying away, but both he and Jarod knew it was the only way to keep Jordan safe from the Centre's evil grip.

His thoughts turned to Jordan, his other son. He forever lost the chance to be reunited with Kyle and was constantly separated from Jarod. He had a lot of regrets in his life and one was that he never got a chance to see his sons grow up, but he now had a chance to reclaim a little of what he lost, with Jordan.

Jarod finally released his firm hold on him and guided his father into the cabin. "Thank you for coming so fast."

Major Charles took a good look at his son and immediately noticed the worry etched in his face. "Is everything okay? You look … exhausted."

Jarod ran his hand through his thick dark brown hair and began to pace nervously. "I'm sorry to take you away from Jordan." He stopped and faced his father, "I know how important it is for him to have some stability."

Major Charles placed his hand on his son's shoulder, "Right now, I need this time with you. Jordan understands, he wanted to come and help, of course, but he understands."

"I would have really liked to have seen him too, but I don't want to anything to endanger his life. I already feel guilty for calling you here."

"Nonsense! I'm glad to help. Besides, I think it'll be good for Jordan to spend some time with Ethan."

At the mention of the brother he shared with Miss Parker, Jarod's head snap up in attention, "Ethan?"

"He arrived shortly after you called and said that you needed me and that he would love to get to know Jordan better." Frankly, he was hesitant; he didn't know Ethan very well and even less about his special gift. Jarod had brought him over once for a long visit, just for that purpose. At first, Ethan kept to himself; no doubt a defense mechanism against Centre's evil treatments. Charles was certain Jarod had developed a way to protect himself too, but he dared not ask what that was. Still, he did not know how to approach Ethan in his introverted state. Jordan, however, had no problem coming up to the young man and in record time he had Ethan talking and laughing.

A slight smile formed on Jarod's face. He was apparently pleased at the fact that Ethan had wanted to become a part of his family. It sickened Charles when he thought of how Ethan's other family had treated him, like he was nothing but a lab rat … like they treated Jarod and Kyle.

"Can you excuse me for a moment? I have to check on something. Please, make yourself at home. I'll be right back."

Charles turned his attention towards the crackling and popping sounds emanating from the fireplace and made himself comfortable in one of the two big chairs that adorned the spacious living room. As he gazed at the fire, he wondered just what Jarod had gotten himself into.

He had a feeling it was going to be a long night.

Jarod was back a few minutes later with two steaming mugs of coffee. He handed one to Charles and sat in the chair adjacent to him. Charles took a sip of the inky black brew, "Excellent coffee." Jarod nodded in thanks. He cupped the mug in both hands, savoring the heat before speaking again. "Now, why don't you tell me what's going on. Is it the Centre?"

A sad smile fluttered across Jarod's face as he took a sip from his own mug, "Isn't it always?"

"Jarod, you're my son and I love you. I am here to help in any way I can."

"You may not want to when I tell you why I called you here."

"Why don't you let me be the judge of that?"

Jarod placed his mug on the coffee table.

"It's about Miss Parker."

The mention of Catherine's daughter got his full attention as his son went on to explain the events that brought him to a secluded cabin in the North Carolina Mountains.

Silence engulfed the cabin as Charles reflected on what his son had just told him. What stood out the most were his son's facial expressions every time he mentioned the woman in question. "Son, just how much do you care for Miss Parker?" The pained look on Jarod's face said everything he needed to know. Charles nodded in understanding. He didn't approve of his son being with anyone connected to the Centre, let alone the chairman's daughter, but he loved his son and would help him in any way he could.

"Okay." He stood with a now empty mug. "What do you need me to do?"

Jarod led his father into what was formerly a master bedroom; he stood in amazement as he scanned the room. It was an absolute replica of a typical hospital room with all the necessary equipment one would need for a patient down to the appropriate beeps and hums of the machines.

The focal point of the room was, of course, the subject on the bed. Jarod wanted to immerse himself into finding a cure for the poison that was given to Miss Parker, but he couldn't leave her alone, she already had one seizure on the trip to the cabin and he feared her heath deteriorating with each passing minute.

Jarod disappeared into the room next door and would stay there until an antidote was created.

Charles pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down. His mission was a relatively simple one, to care for someone who was the embodiment of everything his son was running from. Except, according to what Jarod had just told him, she wasn't the enemy anymore. They had joined forces to find the truth and with any luck, bring down the Centre. But he was concerned in his son's complete faith for a woman who had Raines's blood coursing through her veins.

He hoped to God Jarod was right.