Present Time:

Jarod grabbed the stack of papers piled on his desk and shoved them into his briefcase. He was already late leaving work and he still had to prep for that dinner date he committed to with Chloe who taught English down the hall. It was nice to go out and not have to be concerned with who he had to watch or if he was letting the sweepers get to close. Besides Chloe was drop dead gorgeous and had a brilliant mind to go along with the body. Jarod paused long enough to lock his class room door and then rushed down the hall. He noticed a petite woman with long brown hair approaching him and moved aside to give her space. He was surprised when she stopped and gazed at him.

"Would you happen to be Jarod Smith? I was told that his class was down here and he hadn't left yet…"

Jarod gave her one of his winning smiles. "In fact I am. How can I help you?" Even though he was already late he didn't want to offend her by passing her off for a later time.

"Oh, thank goodness! I was worried I wouldn't catch you in time. I am a friend of Chloe's. She's had an emergency and asked me to find you and let you know that your plans for tonight will have to wait. She feels awful about it though."

Jarod tried not to look disappointed by the cancelled date as Chloe had a good excuse. "Thank you. I really appreciate your coming to tell me Miss…."

"Oh, how silly of me not to introduce myself. It's Miss White."

Jarod took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. He stood there a minute and then finally blurted out, "Well I have dinner reservations and all for Lagardo's and it seems like such a waste… You wouldn't happen to… I mean would you be interested… I'm sorry I am being forward."

She laughed. 'Not at all Mr. Smith. I have no plans and I would be delighted for some company."

Jarod smiled and relaxed. "Call me Jarod." He walked her down the hall and felt a thrill of excitement.

"Nice to meet you Jarod. Shyla." She said as she followed him out to his car.

1 year ago:

She was chasing him down a hallway. Shyla marveled at her luck, she had caught up to him in some rinky-dinky run down hotel and had managed to corner him on the third floor. All of the exits and elevators were covered by her sweeper team. She gloated inside knowing that it would piss Parker off to find out that she had been upped one by Lyle's crazed induced assassin. Parker and her were destined to be mortal enemies as they both seeked the same prize and both were painfully aware that only one would get the credit for Jarod's capture.

One by one Shyla kicked her way into every room trying to locate her missing Pretender. It wasn't until she reached room 315 that she was rewarded for all of her hard work. Jarod stood in the center of the room looking at her. He knew he was trapped, she could see the desperation in his eyes. "So we finally meet." Shyla laughed out. And then out of nowhere a young boy rushed into the room and threw himself against Jarod.

"Don't hurt him, please! You don't understand… He's done so much, he saved our lives." The boy cried as he turned to face her.

"Out of the way kid." She demanded pointing her weapon at him. The child who was around 13 didn't budge. "We're at an impasse here. See there's two ways this can end. Either you come along with me or I spill the kids blood all over this nice clean carpet."

Jarod watched her obviously trying to gauge whether or not she was bluffing. Jarod stepped around the boy and walked in front of Shyla, hands out. Shyla roughly turned him around and placed handcuffs on him, "Smart choice." she mocked.

"Get your filthy hands off him!" This again from the kid.

Jarod gave the kid a piercing gaze. "Max, back down, This is for my own good as much as it's for yours."

Shyla dragged Jarod out of the room and spun around as she heard yelling and running feet. Max came at her with a baseball bat in his hands. Shyla raised her weapon again and fired a single shot. Jarod moaned and fell to his knees as tears sprang out of his eyes. Max lay about five feet in front of them motionless with a pool of red blood spilling out of the wound in his head.

"Why?" Jarod croaked out.

"He had his chance and then made the wrong choice." Shyla dragged him back to his feet and shoved him down the hallway. "Move it."

Shyla smiled as the images faded once the virtual reality goggles were removed from her face. "Well?" she inquired.

"Exquisite my dear. Flawless if I do say so myself." She smiled again and felt herself blush at the praise. Lyle left the room and returned to his other work. It wasn't everyday that Lyle was happy with the outcome of her tests.