AN: I am very happy to see that you all are enjoying the sequel so far! It seems like the gears are turning to figure out what's going on- good!
Imag1ne: I am flattered- thank you!
Phi4568: I love that you so many questions- a lot were raise in the last chapter weren't they? I promise to answer them all in due time. We will see what was so disturbing to Lyle at his wedding in flashbacks. As for Sierra and Kip- they really are what they seem to be: two typical college kids about to get into a whole heap of trouble!
Wondergirl: Hey! It's great to hear from you again. Thank you for the kind words.
Leochick: I got your review for Tourniquet and it made me blush- I really appreciate you reviewing and am happy to see you enjoyed it so much. Yeah, Lyle getting married- heh, poor guy. I wonder what his sister will have to say about that? Hmm…
Gemini-M: While we won't see Lyle's wedding as it happens, we will see it from his and his bride POV in detail later on. I know, I know, it's kind of lousy to do it that way- but it just works out better. I don't want to say much else and give anything way, but I will say one thing: Nice observations;)
Rev2004: We can't forget Miss Parker can we? She plays a significant role for sure; it's just that she'll be entering in a little later on- these initial chapters are setting up for the big story.
Just a brief note to clarify when this story is occurring: This chapter is set fourth season just prior to and during "Rules of Engagement". The rest of the story will be spread out of the rest of the fourth season up to at least the first Pretender movie (still working out the details as where I'm ending it). I will always let you know what episode is involved, especially if I deal with any scene directly from an episode. Hopefully, that will all make sense later on.
These first few chapters are setting up the primary conflicts that are at the heart of the story, so Jarod may not be putting in many appearances right away. But don't worry, our Pretender won't stay away for long…
Lyrics by Shakira. (Ojos Asi- Eyes Like Yours)
Chapter 2: Ojos Asi
"I thought I told you that I didn't want to be disturbed." She was greatly agitated, but he also caught the tiredness that seeped into her words.
"I know, Miss Parker," Broots was incredibly grateful that he wasn't in the same room with her. "But I found something I though you should know about."
Parker switched the receiver to the other ear. "Go on."
"I was following Cox again like you asked. I really wish you wouldn't make me do this. I mean, the guy freaks me out even worse than Raines and he's pretty-"
"Broots!" A hand went to her head and she held her temples tightly between her thumb and forefinger trying to stop the throbbing than had been troubling her for the better part of an hour. "I am really not in the mood for a diatribe."
"S-sorry, Miss Parker," Broots gulped. "Anyway, it seems that Cox and Raines are pretty tight these days."
"What a merry little trio that must be," Parker replied wryly. "The Ghoul, the Undertaker, and the Boogeyman."
"Oh, no, Miss Parker, Lyle isn't a part of this."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, it seems more and more like Cox is working for Raines- Lyle's been practically shut out. But that's not what I called you about."
"What then?"
"Well, Cox and Raines have been having these meeting for the past couple of weeks that last for hours. I saw them come out of one those meetings just about twenty minutes ago."
"And?"
"And Willie was carrying a really big stack of files and he dropped a paper from one of them."
Parker sat up, suddenly very interested. "What's it about?"
"Not sure," Broots replied. "It was just a corner of a larger document. It was splattered in a red substance and said ARES on it."
"Great, another murder mystery," Parker muttered. "Broots, find out what the red stuff is and everything you can about this ARES thing."
"Oh," Broots sounded disheartened. "Oh, okay."
Parker replaced the receiver on its base and leaned back in her chair. She wasn't so sure she really wanted to know what ARES was- there were enough unanswered questions drifting about; she certainly didn't need anymore.
Her gaze wandered from the photograph of her mother to one of her father. Inhaling deeply, Parker closed her eyes and tried to focus her clouded thoughts.
Where are you, Daddy?
Two weeks had passed since his surprise wedding and Lyle was just as malcontented with the entire situation as he had been fourteen days earlier. He was still feeling rather ill over the whole circumstance. The image of Raines with his cat-that-ate-the-canary grin was seared into his memory much to his chagrin and it did not aid his recovery any. He turned in chair slightly and stared at the phone that was ringing insistently. He left hand sweated in its leather encasing and his third finger itched under the weight of it platinum manacle.
"This is Lyle."
"Have you found her yet, Mr. Lyle?"
The sound of Cox's voice caused him to ground his teeth together. "Not yet."
"Then I suggest you get out of your office and look for her."
"I was just reviewing possible location that she might be," he offered lamely in explanation.
There was a pause, before an unsatisfied Cox responded. "Perhaps a little active searching would yield better results."
"I'm sure it would and I am working on it."
"You'd better be, Mr. Lyle. It will go much better for you both if you are the one to bring her back."
Oh, you know I have seen a sky without sun, a man with no nation…
She was regarding Sierra with a confused countenance as though she did not understand the acidic words that were coming out of her mouth. She certainly did not understand why the girl was making fun of her.
Kip's arms instinctively went encircled the mystery girl's shoulders in a protective manner. His handsome face was clouded with anger. "Shut up, Sierra!" he scolded. The sudden spike in his volume startled the girl in his arms. He glared at Sierra while trying to calm his rattled girl.
"What's going on here?"
The crowd's attention shifted to the new player in the drama who suddenly made his presence known. Sierra, Kip, and the girl all followed their gaze.
The man who strode through the center of the throng was tall and slim. He looked like a diplomat whose life was consumed by difficult, demanding situations. His black collar was buttoned down and his cuffs were held by gold links. His tie was dark hunter green- a tie that boasted of his importance. He repeated his query quietly and Kip noticed how sharp and crisp his diction was. Though visibly impressed by the man, Kip was also overcome with worry.
Tightening his hold on the girl, he leveled his gaze with the man's. "The young lady," he was very careful about his phrasing, "seems to be having some difficulty with her memory."
The man stared at Kip, his composure shaken. Slowly, he returned his gaze to the girl. "Amelia, what is he talking about?"
Saints captive in chains, a song with no name for lack of imagination…
Kip couldn't deny that the drama was becoming even more interesting now that this elegant man had something to with his girl. And Kip was elated that his girl now had a name, but he was disappointed that his turn as hero was over. He was also sick that this man might take her away from him, as he wasn't quite sure how this act would end.
The girl did not react to the man's question or the mention of her name.
Kip ripped his eyes away from the man and turned to her. "Amelia?"
Amelia did not respond. Her anxiety moved to a new level.
Amelia, thought Sierra huffily. What an uptown name. Her gaze slipped over to Kip and she hoped that the man would take Amelia away.
The girl swept that sunset fire hair off of her face, hanging onto to the hair as she stood up. She felt Kip move with her, but she was oblivious to him. Remaining silent, she miserably shook her head.
The man looked at her for a very long time. Even though he wasn't looking at Kip, the young man began sweat under the scrutiny and shifted nervously. As he did, his arm fell off of the girl's shoulder and down around her waist where he let it stay. Unfortunately, the movement brought Kip under the man's scrutiny. Ever so slightly, the man frowned.
"This," he said pointedly to Kip without actually looking at him, "is my wife."
Oh, you know I seen a woman of means in rags and begging for pleasure… Crossed a river of salt just after I rode a ship that's sunk in the desert…
His wife? Kip stared incredulously. He must have misunderstood- she couldn't be married! No, she had to be this man's sister, cousin, anything else. Kip could not accept that the girl of his dreams was a married woman.
"Come on, Amelia," her husband said, reaching for her. "We'll go inside and talk about this." He took her by the arm, but she jerked free as though she had been burned.
Smothering a yelp, she backed up, pressing against Kip's broad chest. It was then that Kip saw the most condemning piece of evidence supporting the man's claim: the massive, at least 4-carat, princess- cut platinum engagement ring and matching band on her left ring finger. His heart sank. Feeling ill, Kip forced himself to look for a similar band on the man's left hand, but the hand was concealed in a pocket.
The ever-growing crowd, initially enthralled by the turn of events, was now prepared to protect the girl if this man attempted to harm her. Most were still uncertain if the man, the girl, and the entire scene could be taken at face value- some wondered if this wasn't all for a movie or a publicity stunt.
"I don't know what's happened to me," her voice gurgled as she was near tears. "If you are my husband I don't remember you!"
… And I have seen darker than ebony…
It was then that husband became aware of the people who had congregated to watch. He shifted, uncomfortable with the attention, and restricted his already controlled features so his thoughts were not perceivable by the onlookers.
"Amelia, this has gone too far." There was a hint of a sigh in his voice. "Was it really necessary to do this to me in public?"
The girl shuddered in a completely authentic response. Her husband was not moved.
"I don't know what you hope to get from this," he continued. "But you can discuss it with your doctor tomorrow. Right now we have to get back. There are a lot of people worried about you- we've spent hours searching for you!"
"But I don't know you!" she cried in a sudden outburst. Absently, she twisted the rings that seemed to bear no significance to her.
Sierra could feel the man's repugnance of the openness of the situation. He clearly hated being entertainment for the crowd.
"My wife is simply making a scene," he explained quietly to the spectators. "I thank you all for your concern. However, I regret to inform you that my wife is a spoiled child who cannot go a day without drama. Although," his voice broke here, "I never expected her to claim amnesia and put on such a display for you all."
Sierra was amazed by the man's ability to control the people without looking at them; how he hooked them on his every word. Sierra was mesmerized by the man and shocked by the immaturity of his wife. What kind of nasty little family do these people have? Even Kip baulked she saw. Good, maybe now he'll fall out of love with Miss Amnesia!
And now it seems that I without your eyes could never be: my one desire, all I aspire is in your eyes forever to live… traveled all over the seven oceans there is nothing that I wouldn't give…
The husband's attention shifted back to his wife. "Where's your purse, Amelia?"
She looked at him blankly and Kip stepped in. He was still suspicious of the man.
"She lost it," he said.
The man arched an eyebrow. "How do you know?"
"She told me so."
The husband tightened his lips; he obviously did not care for Kip.
"Kip Buchanan," Kip introduced himself, extending his hand.
The man ignored him and turned to Amelia. "Let's go home and figure this out- the car's waiting."
Amelia did not move and Kip was barely able to contain himself. He afraid to let go of Amelia, but he was also afraid of the man whom he was beginning to suspect was quite powerful. Kip remained between the two, keeping Amelia in his custody. In an attempt to take control of the scene from the man, Kip inhaled deeply and locked gazes with the other player.
"What is your name, sir?"
The man stared at him as though shocked by the audacity of the question. Obviously, he did not consider Kip important enough to give his name to. Kip tried another tactic. He was as tall as the man and much stronger. He took a chest expanding breath to demonstrate that truth to his rival.
"I wonder if we could see some proof of your relationship to the young lady, sir."
The man was incredulous with Kip's brazenness. If he was stunned to find his wife pretending to have amnesia, he was truly shocked that some muscle-bound college punk was demanding proof of his identity. He gave Kip the reprimanding look that parents give to their children when they exhibit bad manners. He did not so much as give Kip a glimpse of a wedding band- his left hand remained firmly in his pocket.
"You've been extremely kind to my wife," he said, placing heavy emphasis on the last word. His tone was manifestly grimmer. With one lingering dark look in Kip's direction, he looked back at his wife and extended his right hand to her. The instant she lifted a hesitant hand, he enveloped it in his and led her to a waiting black limousine. The girl said nothing to Kip as she docilely followed her spouse; she did not even look back at him.
The crowd, satisfied with the ending, dispersed leaving a heartbroken Kip and pessimistic Sierra behind. Anthony watched his friends, happy not to have been involved in the soap opera.
Sierra sighed and huffed her heavy bangs out of her eyes, feeling a bit out of sorts after that surreal scene. It made sense, oddly enough, that a girl that beautiful would be wealthy. And it made sense that a man like that would be her husband- distinguished, worldly, older. She sighed again, wondering if she would ever live among the elite. Turning back to her job at the concession cart, Sierra's heart sank when she saw Kip bemoaning the loss of his dream girl to Anthony. She would give anything to trade places with the girl- waiting for Kip was pointless.
Came from Bahrain, got to Beirut looking for someone comparing to you- tearing down windows and doors and I could not find eyes like yours…
Inside the luxury car, Amelia sat stiffly besides her husband. She could feel his humiliation, his anguish. It shamed her to look at him and see the tiredness in his features. His cool demeanor was gone replace by weariness and frustration. He stretched out his long frame haphazardly discarding his suit jacket across the seat nearby.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was about you, Mia?" he asked quietly.
She almost didn't realize he was speaking to her. Mia? Mia must be a nickname…?
"What if they had found you first?" he swore under breath. "What a mess that would have been!"
She said nothing; she just sat there dumbly with her hand clasped in her lap. She felt incredibly guilty about all the grief she had caused him. Like a tempest, her thoughts churned in her head making feeble attempts to make sense of everything. But she could get nothing out of it. She could connect nothing together.
Staring at her folded hands, she finally managed to make a sound. "Are you really my husband?"
He gave her a sidelong look before sighing. He pulled his left hand out of his pocket and stretched it out to her. She caught a glimpse of platinum metal in her periphery vision, but her mind did not register the ring on his finger. She looked up and caught his gaze with a worried expression.
"What happened to your thumb?"
Chapter 3 Preview-
While Amelia struggles to remember the past, Jarod encounters an enterprising youth with a dangerous plan.