Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Still don't own The Pretender and still not making any money off of this.

Sorry it took so long to update…. Hope y'all enjoy. R&R.

Miss Parker walked down the hallway to her office feeling better than she had in almost four months, because last night she had her first restful night of sleep in the past four months. No tossing, turning, or insomnia, just ten hours of peaceful uninterrupted sleep. Of course the peaceful night of sleep had nothing to do with the little radio stunt Jarod had pulled yesterday. And the four months of tossing, turning, and insomnia had nothing to do with the lack of contact with Jarod, because Parker never let anyone have that kind of affect on her, most certainty not the Centre's prized lab-rat. Miss Parker should have known that there was bound to be something to ruin her good mood, because there's always something to ruin her good mood or happiness. But Parker was oblivious to the bomb that was waiting to be dropped on her when she walked into her office, and Sydney was not happy about being the one to drop it, but Syd had lost the coin toss with Broot's as to who was going to tell her this news. Sydney could hear the clicking of her stiletto heels getting closer. He took a deep breath and pushed down the feeling of dread for what was about to happen. Parker walked into her office, surprised that Sydney and Broots where there waiting on her. She did not let her surprise show as she looked at them. She noticed that Broots wouldn't meet her eyes and Syd had a terrible look on his face, Parker knew this wasn't going to be good.

"Freud, Broots what are you doing in my office? Shouldn't you be working on finding wonder boy?" Miss Parker said with putting the emphasis on my office.

"Well, Parker I… um have some… news to tell you." Sydney started.

'Oh no, Sydney's accent is really thick, this is going to be bad' Parker thought. "Well just spit it out already Syd, no sense in beating around the bush."

"Well…"

"Well…" Lyle said cutting off Sydney as he entered Parker's office, "It's that "Daddy's" body finally washed up on shore, or what was left of it to be more precise. You know the parts that didn't become fish food. Unfortunately he did not still possess the scrolls. What kind of a moron jumps…" Lyle was cut off by Miss Parker slamming him against the wall and shoving her Smith & Wesson into his mouth.

"Don't you dare say one more thing about my father. Do you hear me? Because I have no problem blowing your god damn head off Lyle. I shot you once before and I can certainly do it again." Parker growled out.

"Parker calm down. Lyle is not worth your energy." Syndey said as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Parker shrugged off Sydney's hand and shoved Lyle into the wall once again for good measure and the walked out of her office towards the elevator. No one said a word. All three men knew where she was headed, down to the Centre morgue to see the remains of her father for herself. She had been lead to believe people had died and have them return too many times by the Centre to believe that her father was dead until she saw it with her own eyes. She paused briefly and steeled herself before pushing open the double doors. The man sitting at the desk looked up and with out saying a word new why she was here and what she wanted to see, so the young man started to walk down the isle before stopping and pulling out the slab.

"Um… I'll give you a few minutes to yourself" and with that said the man returned to the front.

Parker stared down at the plastic sheet that was covering the body for a few moments. Then in Parker like fashion she tore off the sheet to reveal her father or parts of him to be exact. Lyle hadn't been kidding when he said he had been fish food. His right eye was missing as well as some flesh. She felt like she was going to throw up, but that would be a sign of weakness and Parker's weren't weak so she held it in. She put back the sheet and pushed the slab back in. Parker then proceeded to the morgue, then the sub levels then the Centre all together never bothering to stop or acknowledge anyone until she reached the bar.

Parker sat at a table in the back where it was dark as not to be disturbed. She told the waiter to bring her a scotch on the rocks and to keep them coming. Any man that even started to approach her got shot one of her famous Ice Queen stares, and the men quickly returned from whatever table or stool they came from. She was going to drink until she was completely numb and could not feel the pain or until she pasted out whichever one came first. She had no idea how long she had been drinking before he showed up but by looking out the window and seeing how dark it was, she guessed a while since it was still light out when she got there. He slowly sat across from her. He just sat there for a while not saying anything.

Then finally he said "You know drinking like this isn't good for your ulcer, and it won't solve your problems or take away the pain, it can only mask them."

"Look rat if you came her to lecture me on my drinking habits just leave because I am not in the mood." Parker tiredly sighed out.

"Look I'm sorry; I did not come here to lecture you. I came here to be your friend." Jarod said while looking her in the eye.

Parker started to open her mouth do no doubt make some comment about them not being friends and her not needing anyone but he beat her to it.

"Look everyone needs a friend sometime. Even a strong person like you needs a friend every once in a while and now would be a good time to have a friend there for you. We were friends once and you were there for me when I was feeling lonely and alone. I'm just returning the favor. Plus I made a promise and I plan to keep it." Jarod said as his eyes drifted down to the table from her eyes.

Parker got a confused look on her face as she tried to think of what promise he was talking about. But thinking was not going very well for her because of all the alcohol. She gave up on trying to remember and starting taking a good look at the prized pretender in front of her. 'God he looks hot with the two day stubble on his face. Wait where did that thought come from? Why does he always do this to me? He distracts me be looking so good in that black t-shirt and jeans until I can't cons… damn he looks good in those jeans.' Just then she realized Jarod was snapping his fingers to bring her out of her thoughts.

"Are you alright Parker?" Jarod asked with a concerned look on his face.

"I'm fine." She snapped. The she abruptly got up and started to stagger to the exit.

"Where are you going Miss Parker?" Jarod asked with his brow furrowed.

"I'm going to Disneyland! Where the fuck do you think I am going? I am going home." Parker sarcastically replied.

"You're in no condition to walk let alone drive home. You'll end up killing yourself and possibly someone else if you got behind the wheel." Jarod chastised.

Parker rolled her eyes and then said "What are you going to do about it huh? Are you going to drive me home?"

"If that's what it takes to keep you safe then yes, I'll drive you home." Jarod answered with a very serious look. She hadn't really thought he would say yes. She was just being smart. She looked at him shocked. She noted the seriousness in his eyes and posture. Then she noted again just how good he looked. 'Well if mister hot pants wants to drive me home…' She turned and started to exit once again, while walking she tossed the keys to her car over her shoulder to Jarod and kept walking. Once she realized he wasn't following her she turned around and looked at him.

"Well come on I thought you were going to drive me home." Parker said while smirking at him.

Jarod got over his shock of her actually letting him take her home and started to follow her out to the car.

What will happen when they get there and who will be waiting for them? R&R please.