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 ThingsChapter 9
By M. Rose
Pain and emptiness were constant companions in his life. He was young when he was ripped away from the warmth of a loving family. Perhaps had he been taken as an infant, he wouldn't have felt such a deep void of something he knew he was missing.
After his great escape from the Centre, he realized what that something was … love.
He was isolated for most of his life with the exception of Sydney and the occasional horrific visits from Raines. He had no idea there were other children at the Centre until he met little Miss Parker.
From the moment he felt the warmth of her hand radiate through the thick pane of glass, a connection was formed along with a rapid heartbeat whenever she was in his presence. The empty abyss he felt seemed to fill a little with each visit from his newfound "friend." He longed for her to show up unexpectedly and talk to him about her adventures on the outside or encounter one of their own within the Centre walls.
But then one day Mr. Parker sent his daughter away and the pang of emptiness returned.
She never knew that she was the seed in which ultimately strengthened his goal to escape from that prison.
And he never told her.
His thoughts were brought back to the present with the clinking sound of the mug as his father placed it in the sink.
"So, how much did you hear?"
He smirked when he realized his father knew he was there, but as his father turned to face his son, Jarod's features changed to one of uncertainty. "Dad, tell me honestly, do you think I'm a fool for trying so hard?" He had no intention of listening to their conversation, but he couldn't resist, especially when HE was the topic of discussion. When his father asked Parker if she loved him, he held his breath in anticipation, but his heart sank when she, in typical Parker fashion, avoided the question.
"I admit, I was extremely reluctant that she should be anywhere near us given her connection to the Centre, but …"
"But she's a lot more like her mother than she cares to admit." A small smile formed as he continued; "She hates it when I make her aware of that fact. It exposes her to a weakness she will never admit too, that she does care," he faced his father once again, "like her mother, Catherine did."
"That's not a weakness, Son. Catherine was a good woman."
"Yes, but Catherine was also killed because of it."
"You don't really believe that."
"No, I don't, but Parker does." He threw his hands up in the air in defeat, "It's completely irrational, but I can't seem to convince her otherwise and now with the attempt on her life …"
Jarod was so focused on his own feelings, he barely felt his father's hand on his shoulder, "Son, fear can be strong motivator." After a brief pause, his father continued, "But I think if anyone can get through to her, it's you."
There it was again, that pang digging a hole in his heart.
With his hand hovering over the doorknob, Jarod hesitated. He had no idea how she would react after his father's revelation to her. Parker had a tendency to go right into "ice queen" mode after exposing herself, so he took a deep breath as he braced himself for the harsh words that would soon follow.
He stepped onto the porch and rubbed his palms back and forth as a chilling breeze passed through him, a reminder that the temperatures were beginning drop as night was fast approaching. It suddenly occurred to him that if he was cold then Parker had to be freezing out here. He needed to get her inside where it was warm, whether she wanted to or not. However, he noticed no words of sarcasm or mocking, as he got closer to her, just silence.
He wondered if she heard him enter at all as she snuggled deeper into the quilt. He was about to suggest they go inside when Parker spoke. "Before you say anything, I … just wanted to," not looking in his direction, but out into the quickly darkening sky, she sighed, "I'm sorry … for the way I've been treating you all these years."
He stared at the woman before him with wide eyes and a gapping mouth.
She noticed his disbelieving look, "I know," she quickly pointed a finger at him and added in a harsh tone, "and I'll deny it if you ever tell anyone."
For fear of saying anything that might ruin this unexpected moment, he simply nodded and quietly sat down on an empty deck chair. He had a feeling she had more to say.
She looked away from his surprising stare and began talking again, "You know, I … I tried to see you once, when we were kids, after Daddy sent me away to boarding school. It was Christmas and instead of going home and wait for Daddy, I bullied the chauffeur into taking me to the Centre so I could surprise him. Instead of going straight to his office," eyes full sadness and regret bore into his, "I went to see my friend." His heart swelled at the word "friend." Not once in the past five years had she ever called him that, instead she denied it every time he mentioned their friendship.
She broke eye contact as she continued, "Anyway, I didn't that get far. Daddy found out I was there and immediately had a Sweeper bring me to his office. He was furious and when I told him how I only wanted to give you Christmas gift, he told me that it wasn't a good idea. I didn't understand why he was so angry, until he told me that you were showing signs of uncontrollable violent behavior. He must have seen my disbelief because he proceeded to show me footage of you in a considerable amount of rage. Whilst he told me how much he feared for my life."
Jarod sat, stunned at what Parker was confessing to him. His mind was racing, and then it hit him; she hadn't forgotten about him all those years she was away. She came back! The shock turned into simmering anger as he realized to what depths Mr. Parker went to not only prevent, but terrify his daughter into never wanting to see him again. No wonder she had so much hate for him when she was first assigned to capture him.
Something between a sigh and a laugh escaped her as she resumed, "Of course, now looking back, I realize it was a simulation, but back then I was given the illusion that you were not who you used to be. The friend I had known ceased to exist. I'd pretty much forgotten all about that incident … until now."
It was yet another ugly distortion of the truth. As a child he too believed everything that Sydney told him was the truth.
It was either now or never he thought as Jarod grasped her hand and confessed, "Parker, there's something I never told you, but I have to now. It was you who gave me the strength to leave the Centre."
Her eyes widened with shock, "What are you talking about?"
He noted she did not pull away.
"All those stories," he paused to gather his thoughts before continuing, "you would tell me about your life on the outside, with your mother, stayed with me long after you had left my life. It pushed me to see the wrongs I was doing at the Centre."
"But, but I thought … your parents was always what motivated you."
"It was … it's," he sighed, "it's hard to explain." He lowered his head, he was faltering.
She squeezed his hand and whispered, "Try."
Giving him the strength to continue, he fixed his eyes on hers, "I have been reflecting on my life since the day I escaped, those DSA's are … were a reminder of what my life or lack there of, was like. Even though you had been out of my life for a very long time, I never let go of the little girl, my best friend who taught me that there was something tangible outside of those Centre walls. My parents. The truth. You." He smiled sadly, "But this was something I only realized recently. Like you, I had forgotten."
Now it was Parker's turn to stare at him wide-eyed and gapping. As another icy cold gust of wind hit them, she let go of his grasp.
He immediately missed the warmth of her hand.
"We're quite a pair, huh?"
"Yes, we certainly are."
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm freezing out here."
A slight smile began to form on his features. They were finally on the road to friendship once again and it was the most precious gift he could have ever received. He stretched his hand out as an offer to help her up. "Lets go inside where it's warm and toasty." To his absolute delight, she slipped her hand into his.
The warmth he so desperately missed just a few moments ago was back.
A/N: I know it's been a very long time since my last chapter, so this is my holiday gift to you, a nice chapter ending without shocking suspense, but filled with toasty goodness. Oh, there's more, but I probably won't have another chapter up until after the New Year. Feedback would be a wonderful gift.:)
