Redemption - The Beginning by jacci, admin

1. Chapter 1 by jacci

2. Chapter 2 by jacci

3. Chapter 3 by jacci

Chapter 1 by jacci
Disclaimer: Sigh Here we go... We do not own the Pretender, or any realted topic or cahracter... yada yada yada.

Authors note: This is co-written by Jaccione and Onisius. We hope you enjoy, and please leave a reveiw, we will give you some PEZ if you do :p

Chapter one...

Jarod was just exiting the chocolate shop, he had been delighted by what he had found inside. After spending a lot of the Centre's money on every type of chocolate he could find, he decided that the chocolate cherries were the best. Walking down the street, bags bulging with chocolates, he could not have been happier.

Biting into another cherry, he was thinking about the selection of chocolates that he might send to Miss Parker. He had finally made his mind up on a chocolate bunny, he only hoped it wouldn't melt before it got to her.

Miss Parker had flown to New York City to spend the weekend shopping. After all the false leads on boy-wonder, she thought that she deserved a break.

She had spent the last hour in a Versace store. She had seen this beautiful gown that she could wear to her father's annual Christmas ball at the end of the year. After she had finally finished in the Versace store, Miss Parker walked out only to duck back through the door as she saw the one and only pain the arse, franken boy, walk by with both hands filled with bags.

Once he had walked past, apparently unaware that he had been seen, Miss Parker slowly crept back onto the open street and discreetly followed him.

Jarod was enjoying the warmth of the sunshine and the bustle of the city. He didn't get to New York very often and he loved it.

Miss Parker, walked a good distance behind the man, his hand kept on dipping into one of the bags his other hand held and bringing out something that he would eat.

He made his way slowly through the crowds enjoying the window shopping, grabbing another cherry. What he really needed was a coffee to go with it. With that in mind, he decided to stop at a street stall and ordered himself a latté.

Miss Parker paused in an alley way between two tall buildings, watching Jarod order a coffee. She could go for a scotch right now but she stayed hidden until the pretender started to walk again.

The coffee vendor handed him the coffee, he shifted the now much emptier bag to his other hand and paid the man. He smiled as he thought how much pleasure he got out of spending Centre funds, and told the man to keep the change. It was a $50 note.

Miss Parker continued to walk behind Jarod as he took his coffee and headed further up the street.

Jarod grabbed the coffee and moved on. It was time he started moving. He had been here for almost a week, and as much as he loved it, the pretend was over and he had places to be.

He would retrieve his things from the hotel, and then make his way to Grand Central Station where the DSA player was safely ensconced in a locker, then he would catch the first interstate train he could find.

Miss Parker watched as Jarod entered a hotel. The doorman greeted him with a smile as he held the doors open for the guest. Miss Parker gasped slightly as she saw that it was the same god damn hotel she was staying at!! Since when does Jarod stay at $500 plus a night hotels?

Jarod made his way to the penthouse. It wasn't often he indulged like this. But the pretend had required him to exude a certain level of affluence, and it was nice to be spoiled. He would send a copy of the bill to the Centre, after he was gone of course.

The god damn penthouse?! Miss Parker had been furious when the stuttering clerk had informed her that the penthouse had been rented out, against her wishes to have it reserved for her. The lab rat had taken her room!

He threw himself onto the bed and pulled the tie off. He looked longingly at the Jacuzzi and debated whether he should indulge just one last time.

He finally decided that it was probably better to get going. There would be other times; he rather liked playing the rich socialite.

Miss Parker quickly made her way to her room to drop off her bags. She took a guess that Jarod would be in his room for at least an hour before he left finally, if he was going to leave for another pretend this soon. Grabbing a staff member, who seemed to be on his way to delivering food to another customer, on her way back to his room. She took him up to the penthouse and ordered him to knock on the door.

"Room service sir."

Jarod looked up from his packing, he hadn't ordered anything. He moved over to the door and opened it. Perhaps they wanted to clean, it was almost his checkout time.

The young man stood out side the room, holding the handle to a cart with sweets on it. "Sir. The manager has sent up complimentary sweets."

"Ahh, I didn't order anything, but... well, if that's the case, thank you."

Yes, he would have to live the high life more often; it sure beat sleeping in abandoned warehouses. He handed the man a $100 note as a tip and started feasting on some of the goodies. Jarod took the cart from the man, turning his back on the door, focused completely on the veritable treasure that was in front of him.

Just as the door was thrown shut, Miss Parker silently slipped into the room. Jarod had his back turned to her, starting to eat the food. She stood next to the door and quietly slid the lock into place, leaving Jarod no where to run.

He placed a liquor soaked strawberry into his mouth, it was sensational! Who would have ever thought of soaking fruit in liquor. Jarod was still amazed at the volume of things that he had not tried. He really should try a pretend as a dessert chef, there would be all kinds of delights he could discover.

Those strawberries looked delicious. She hadn't eaten since last night. Sneaking up behind the involved man, Miss Parker reached around him and stole a strawberry from the cart.

Jarod froze as he saw an arm come from behind him. He closed his eyes and breathed heavily of her perfume.

Bringing the fruit into her mouth, Miss Parker spoke around the delicious dessert. "You know Jarod, you shouldn't open the door unless you are expecting someone."

He turned around, a smile dying on his lips.

Miss Parker grabbed her gun from its holster and took off the safety aiming it at his heart.

He looked at her and watched as she pulled her gun, aiming it at his heart. He put his hand up, holding a strawberry and offered it to her. "C'mon Parker, we both know you are not going to use that in here, too much noise. Have a strawberry, they really are delicious. How did you find me?"

A cold dangerous smile covered her face slowly. Reaching into her jacket pocket, she pulled out a silencer and quickly screwed it on. "I came prepared this time rat."

Jarod blanched, but he still didn't think that she would do it. "We both know you aren't going to kill me. Why don't you just put it away and join me for dessert?" Jarod was trying to remain calm.

Over confident arsehole! Miss Parker ran the end of the silencer over his face, bringing it back slightly, she swung down, using the gun to collide with the side of his face. "Don't tell me what I will and won't do!"

His head swung to the side and he fell onto one knee, holding his face, as much in surprise and outrage than in hurt. "Miss Parker..."

That will teach him. Bringing out a pair of handcuffs, she threw them at his feet. "Cuff yourself."

He started to struggle to his feet, the gun was aimed at him again, but he froze as cuffs were thrown at his feet. He looked at them and then back at her. "No." He started to rise again.

"Excuse me?" Miss Parker said in surprise, "No?"

"No. I am not going back."

"Who said I was taking you back? Now cuff yourself."

"What?" He was really confused now. She looked as if she really wanted to kill him. He looked back down at the cuffs, genuinely afraid of her.

Seeing his hesitation, Miss Parker spoke again, "Don't make me tell you again, now cuff yourself."

He was thinking about if he could escape without hurting her when she spoke again. He picked them up and locked one bracelet around his left wrist. He had to make a move now.

"The other to the bed frame."

"What?"

"Hands over your head." Miss Parker ordered without lowering her aim.

He looked at the bed and then back to her, unsure of what he had heard.

"Do it!" Miss Parker raised her voice. "Now! To the bed, hands over your head. You're supposed to be a genius, what is there not to understand about the order?"

He got to his feet and moved over to the bed, not at all sure about what was going on here. Wiping blood from his lip, he sat down on the bed, looking at her.

Raising her gun to his head, Miss Parker just raised an eyebrow.

"Miss Parker. You don't want to do this. Please."

"Yes I do. Do it now, rat." I hate it when he begs.

Finally he laid himself down and placed his hands over his head, closing his eyes for what he knew was coming next.

"You can do it yourself wonder boy. Now reach over with your left hand and cuff your right wrist with the spare bracelet." I'm not getting close to him until he is secure.

For a brief moment he considered refusing to do it. He had nothing on him he could use to pick the locks. So he would be at her mercy, but when he opened his eyes and saw the look on her face, he thought he better not push her anymore. Instead he moved over to the edge of the bed, perhaps he might be able to reach something in the bedside table if he was given the chance.

"No franken-boy. In the middle. It's a big bed, wouldn't want you falling off of the edge and accidentally knocking things into your hands and remember, hands well and truly over your head."

Jarod sighed and shifted himself back into the centre of the bed. He gave her one last pleading look, but realized that she was in full ice-queen bitch mode. He raised his hands and locked the second cuff in place. The sound of the lock loud in the quiet room. He knew he was in big trouble now.

Slowly walking over to the bed, Miss Parker climbed on it and shifted towards the trapped rat. Without lowering the gun, she reached over with her left hands and tightened the cuffs until she heard it click into the next notch, cutting the tender flesh around the man's wrist. Moving to the other one, she did the same. When she was satisfied that he wasn't going to get out, she climbed back off of the king size bed.

Jarod closed his eyes. Damn, she locked the cuffs even tighter, there was no chance of him slipping out of them now.

With a smile on her face, Miss Parker ignored the cuffed man and made her way over to the sweets cart that the worker had with him when she dragged him up to get into the room.

"Miss Parker..."

Grabbing a strawberry, she bit into it savouring the taste. She ignored the man when he had said her name, just taking another bite of the fruit.

He raised his head, watching her eating his strawberries. Perhaps he could talk his way out of this. He knew somewhere deep down he could reach her.

"You know, these are quite nice. Too bad you're cuffed to the bed, otherwise you could have had some with me."

"Miss Parker... I bought you a present." He bit back the smartarse reply he wanted to make to that comment.

"I bet you did. What is it? Some gruesome secret about Lyle? Or maybe, another medical file about my mother being bashed, or maybe it could be another bout of the flu?"

"And you could bring me some, I am quite hungry." Jarod tried before responding to her remarks. "That's not fair. You know that I..."

"Sure. How about a strawberry?" Miss Parker asked kindly, interrupting his speech.

"That was a long time ago. I never meant..." He looked at her suspiciously, "Yes please."

Picking up the bowl of strawberries, Miss Parker placed the gun on the cart and walked over to him. Climbing onto the bed next to him, she took one between her fingers and held it just out of reach. "You know..." Miss Parker sat back away from him.

He tried to shift himself into a sitting position. Damn her... she was teasing him.

"I don't think you deserve these. Are you hungry enough to beg for some food?" She asked coldly. She was in the mood to play games with him this time.

Jarod watched her. Damn it! She was enjoying this but he was not going to give her the satisfaction. He turned his head away, not looking at her. "Why don't you just call the Centre and be done with it? I don't want to play your stupid games." He thought about the chocolate bunny sitting in the bag, thought about the look on her face when she opened it. Now he was wondering why he even bothered.

"And you think I wanted to play your games?" She hissed angrily.

The cuffs were starting to bite into his wrists, and he really just wanted to get out of here. "I never hurt you and I never lied to you. Painful as some of those revelations might have been, you deserved the truth. We have both been lied to, too many times."

"Since when do you know what I deserve? And you have hurt me to many times to count!" Placing the strawberries next to his legs, she got off of the bed in a fury. "Why couldn't you have left those secrets alone?! What made you think that I wanted to know what really happened to my mother? Or who my brother was or that I had a brother?! What gave you that right to dig it up?"

"The truth. We, you... you can't live your life clinging to lies."

"Why not? You did."

"What?" Jarod was really angry now. He hauled himself into a semi-sitting position. He wanted to get up and shake her, shake some sense into her.

"Your parents." Was all she said as she got her gun and went to leave the room.

He ignored the pain in his arms as he moved his body as far forward as the restraints allowed. He kept quiet. As much as he wanted to respond, if she left the room he might have half a chance to get out of these damned cuffs.

Walking into the impressive bathroom, Miss Parker slammed the door shut. She needed to think, what was she going to do? She couldn't keep him here, she would have to get him to the Centre soon. Her head shot up. Shit! She thought. It looked as if he was leaving today. That meant she only had half an hour to inform the hotel that she planned to keep this room another night. Getting up, she went back into the main room.

He looked at the slammed door. He tested the fittings on the bed, but the welds were solid, and it was too sturdy for him to snap. He twisted and used his foot to slide open the bedside table. He was trying to be quiet, but his foot located a pen and he was trying to grip it with his toes.

Miss Parker walked back into the room to see Jarod twisted in an unnatural looking way using his foot to try and pick up a pen. Walking over to him, she slammed the drawer shut hard on his bare foot.

Finally he got the pen and looked up with a guilty look as she walked back into the room. "Arhhh... You..." He was breathing heavy, his foot throbbing. He wanted desperately to reach down and rub some of the pain away.

Grabbing his already bruising foot, she swung his legs around and shut the drawer fully. "Don't try that again." She threatened as she continued toward the phone.

He turned his lip up at her in a snarl but as she moved to the phone, the anger turned to fear. "Just how do you think you are going to get me out of here, without people noticing?"

Ignoring his question, she picked up the phone and dialled a few numbers, waiting patiently for the other end to pick up.

"Miss Parker." He hated to beg, but he couldn't face going back. He always promised himself that he would never hurt her, but if he could get away, if he could just knock her out, without causing any real damage. He slipped into SIM mode, seeing if he could pretend a way out. If he could just get to his belt, perhaps he could undo the cuffs while she was on the phone, with her back turned.

Shooting a glance at the pretender, Miss Parker spoke when the phone picked up. "This is the penthouse. I would like to further our stay by two days, if not more. I will notify you when we are ready to leave. Another thing, have the concierge bring me a pair of pantyhose, any sort." With that she hung up and walked towards Jarod once more.

Jarod's heart sank at those words. He stopped in mid-motion as she approached. What the hell could she want with pantyhose?

Noticing that he was trying to get to his belt, she lent over and unclipped it, drawing it out of its place around his waist. Throwing it across the room, she grabbed a strawberry from the bowl that still rested by his legs.

"You planning to put a show on for me?"

"In your dreams rat boy." She hissed.

He sighed as his last chance went flying across the room.

Sitting next to the sad looking man, she bit into another strawberry, "You know these are really good."

"You know, it's polite to share, and this is MY room after all."

"Technically, it's whoever's room you are pretending to be, and you're not him, so it's not your room."

Perhaps if he appealed to her more playful side, he might have half a chance, somewhere underneath was his childhood friend. "Well, I could still pretend if you like. And it is my room until I leave, I am who I pretend to be."

"And who would that be this time? Does this pretend Jarod have a family he knows and sees?" She asked coldly.

Jarod shifted uncomfortably, jangling the chains between his wrists. "Are these really necessary?"

"Is the pope catholic?"

"Can't blame me for trying. No, he didn't have a family. He was a rich playboy... why do I even bother? It's not like you really care. Why don't you just call for the sweepers?"

"I want Sam. Might take a few days to get here, being on leave and all. But relax wonder boy. He will be called."

"What, no jet or helicopter? You can't just expect to keep me here for a few days!!!"

"Why not? I'm sure the Centre is funding this little trip of yours."

"How will you explain a man chained to the bed... well yes that's true, it's only fair that the Centre pay to help make up for the suffering it has caused."

With that, there was a knock on the door. Placing a hand over his mouth to prevent him from doing anything he would regret, Miss Parker called out to wait. With her hand still over the man's mouth, she searched the drawer until she found a pair of socks. Stuffing them into his mouth she used his discarded tie on the bed to secure the gag. Getting up she went to the door, hiding her gun on the other side of her.

Jarod's head swung around only to find his mouth stuffed with some cloth, and his own tie tied tightly around his head to keep it in place. He started bucking his body and pulling himself towards the bed head to try and get the gag out of his mouth.

He was having trouble breathing and as he contorted his body, his hands started working on the knot at the back of his head.

Miss Parker swung her head around at the noise, "Stop moving Jarod, or I swear to god I'll shoot you somewhere you really want left intact!"

But the silk was slippery and it was tied too tight. Instead he tried to pull it down away from his mouth, his arms were aching, but he stopped what he was doing at the sound of her voice. He forced himself to relax, breathing heavily through his nose, Sliding back down onto the bed in a more comfortable position for his arms.

Once he stilled somewhat, she opened the door and stuck her head out.

"Here is what you asked for ma'am." The young man poked his head around the corner of the door to see a man tied to the bed and gagged. Looking back at the woman in fear, Miss Parker tried to stay calm and not shoot him. Taking the pantyhose from him she tipped him and quickly explained.

"Hubby there has a fetish for being tied up. Don't ask me about it, I don't know what it does to get him off, but if it works, it's good for me." Parker winked at the bellboy and then she smiled one of her most charming smiles.

Jarod tried desperately to plead with the young man with his eyes, this could be his chance. But his heart plummeted to his feet with those words. He shot a look of pure hatred at her, trying to convey all the things he was unable to say.

The young man smiled slightly once he realized what was happening, looking Miss Parker up and down quickly, he flushed and turned to leave.

Slamming the door, Miss Parker locked it again, "I thought that he was going to jerk off right there." She growled.

Jarod tried to scream that he was a prisoner, he needed help, but nothing more than a muffled mmm got past the gag.

Opening the package of pantyhose, Miss Parker walked to the end of the bed and reached up for the pretender's legs.

He tried to back up, kicking out at her; there was no way this was happening.

Pulling him down hard until she saw his arms pulled taut, his muscles flexing in his arms at their treatment, Miss Parker managed to tie the kicking legs down. She made sure that the knots were tight and would not come undone, they were as tight as humanly possible, marking his ankles red around the bindings.

He was pleading around the gag. She could not do this to him. He struggled with everything he had, but soon he found that he could no longer move, his arms stretched tightly above him.

Miss Parker walked once again to the food cart, lifting up a lid on one of the plates she found chocolate devils cake. Taking a piece of the guilty looking cake, she went to sit beside the pretender again.

He looked at her anxiously, testing the ties on his legs while she wasn't watching.

Taking a bite, she picked up the strawberries that had spilled out of the bowl when Jarod decided to wrestle on the bed and placed them on the ground. Once she finished the cake and was finally full, she placed the plate next to the strawberries on the ground and lent closer to Jarod. "Do you want the gag out?"

He nodded.

"Will you behave and not yell or do anything so foolish?" She asked again with raised eyebrows.

He closed his eyes, and then opened them, meeting hers, and nodded again. Anything to get rid of the damned thing.

"Do you promise me Jarod?" She asked sweetly. She was enjoying the hell out of this.

He looked at her, trying to show her how he felt with his eyes, but finally he nodded again.

As much as she loved tormenting him with the freedom from the gag, she knew if she went on he was only going to get pissed off. Reaching over and behind his head, she struggled with the tight knot. Sighing when she realized she wasn't going to undo it, she got up and started to walk around the penthouse.

Jarod became frantic, struggling as much as he could with his ability to move so restricted. So she was just playing with him!!

Seeing another tie thrown over his open duffle bag, she grabbed it and placed it at the foot of the bed before walking off again.

His eyes followed her around the room, unsure at what she was up to now, but he knew it wouldn't be good for him. Real fear crept in. This was no game, and his freedom was at stake, perhaps even his life. He had to find some way to get out of this, but right now his options were very limited. He would have to let her think she had subdued him, lull her into a false sense of security. A couple of days, there would be an opportunity soon. She couldn't keep him tied to the bed the entire time. He would need the bathroom, and he would need to eat.

Miss Parker finally came back to the bed, holding a sharp hunting knife in her hand, raising her eyebrow again, she looked down at the man and asked, "Now why would you have this with you?"

TBC....
Chapter 2 by jacci
Disclaimer: Sigh Here we go... We do not own the Pretender, or any related topic or character... yada yada yada.

Authors note: This is co-written by Jaccione and Onisius. We hope you enjoy, and please leave a review, we will give you some PEZ if you do :p

Chapter two...

Jarod's heart stopped beating for a moment as he looked at the knife. She wouldn’t hurt him, not really hurt him. Would she? But if she could deliver him back to the Centre, knowing what they would do to him there, then really she would be capable of anything. He turned his eyes to hers, trying not to look at the knife, his fists clenching in the cuffs.

Seeing the tension, the fear, she realized that he hadn't clicked as to way she had found the knife and brought it back. Running the blade down his face and down his throat, Miss Parker never once took her eyes from his, enjoying seeing the emotions run across his face like a picture show.

Jarod froze as the knife trailed down his face. He stopped breathing for a moment, holding her eyes with his own. Please don’t do this, he was thinking. Please don’t... this isn’t you...

"Oh don’t wet your pants wonder boy." Miss Parker hissed cruelly as she quickly brought the blade back over to his cheek and slipped it under the tie, twisting it slightly, she pulled hard, cutting the tie from around his face.

Jarod sucked in a relieved breath through his nose and immediately started to push the gag out with his tongue.

Pulling the tie out from under his head, she waited until he worked the sock out from his mouth before she took them too and got off of the bed.

He finally spat the damned thing out, she could have helped me, he thought with disgust. He gasped for air and when he finally felt that he could breathe normally again he tried to ask for some water, but his mouth was so dry from the gag that only a croak came out. He tried to swallow, but found he had no saliva and tried to speak again.

"Water... I need water.”

"Water? You 'NEED' water?" She asked causally. "I could make you beg like I had to beg for all the information you dangled just out of my reach."

"You b..." But he bit back the insult at the last second, realizing that he was in no position to be aggravating her any further.

Shaking her head slightly, ignoring the insult, she walked over to the cart and searched until she found a few bottles of water and a few bottles of wine under it. Grabbing a bottle she unscrewed the cap and took it back to the bound man.

He tried to work up enough voice to try again. "I always gave you..." He licked his dry lips, eyeing the water. "I never made you beg."

"Only in your world lab rat." She said as she climbed back onto the bed. "Open your mouth," She ordered.

He wanted to tell her to go to hell, but he needed that water. His mouth felt like a desert. The sock had sopped up every single drop of moisture in his mouth He opened his mouth, worried that she now might try and drown him.

"That’s a good boy." She said, patronizing the man. Leaning over his body, Miss Parker slowly poured a small amount into his mouth. Only enough to wet his mouth, not even enough to wet his throat or quench his thirst.

He reached his head as forward as he could, chasing the water bottle, but she had only given him a dribble. He sucked it down, but needed more.

"Feel better?" She asked, knowing he was dying for more liquid.

He bit his bottom lip, knowing what she wanted, but he refused to beg, but he needed that water. Finally he decided on a compromise. "Yes."

"Would you like some more Jarod?" She asked sweetly, swallowing a mouthful of the water herself and licking her lips as some of the water spilled from the corner of her mouth.

He eyed the dribble down her chin and realized that he was going to have to play her game. He wouldn’t die of thirst, but he wanted it pretty badly, and it wasn’t worth his pride to lie here and suffer. "Yes please." He ground out, not looking at her.

"Yes please what, Jarod?" She pushed, she knew he was hating her, and she better pray to god that he didn’t get out of his bindings before she had a sweeper team here or she was going to pay hell for this.

He took a deep breath, trying to control his anger. He tested the cuffs again, and again, they weren’t going anywhere. "Please Miss Parker, may I have some water?" He kept his tone neutral, not wanting to push her any further.

Smiling a victory smile, she teased a bit more. "No. I don’t think you really need it. Do you?" Screwing on the cap, Miss Parker climbed off of the bed.

He looked at her smiling at him and bit down the comment that he wanted to throw at her and gasped out load as she got up from the bed. "Miss Parker... please!" He cried in a strangled tone.

She paused as she heard him almost beg her. Standing with her back to him, she waited to see if there was anything more to come.

He watched her stop. He would kill her for this. Did he really need it that bad? He was in no immediate danger, knowing that she wouldn’t go as far as killing him or letting him die, but was foolish pride worth it? "Please..." He said so quietly, he wasn’t sure if she would hear, and certain if she did, she would ignore him again.

That soft plea was enough to make Miss Parker realize how desperate he wanted the water. Her two personalities fought each other. The ice queen said no, let him go thirsty, he deserves it after all he has put you through. But the little Miss Parker, her soft side, that the man that was begging always tried to get too, said yes, don’t make him suffer like this. She stood still for a few more moments. She hadn't actually expected Jarod to give in and ask in that desperate, sad voice of his.

Jarod finally gave up. Well, if it was going to be like this, so be it. He was not going back, and he would do what he had to make sure of that. If it was war that she wanted, then he could play that too.

Miss Parker started to slowly turn around to face Jarod. She walked over to the bed and climbed back on. Unscrewing the cap, she placed her hand under his head and gently raised it. Miss Parker placed the open bottle of water to his lips, waiting for him to open his mouth.

He fought with himself for a brief moment. He was going to refuse it to prove a point. But good sense won out and he opened his mouth and waited to see if she would tease him again.

Miss Parker saw the fight that went on with him too. They were more alike than each of them would admit. She had what she wanted, he had begged for the water and she wouldn’t hold out on the 'reward'. Slowly, careful not to spill too much, she poured the chilled water into his mouth.

Jarod took a quick look at her and then gratefully started gulping the water down, but lying in the position he was, he started coughing and choking, spluttering water all over her suit.

That’s why I lifted your head you idiot! He isn’t getting past me. I knew why he did that! Miss Parker thought, Payback for holding out on the water, and now her suit was covered in water. Pulling away the bottle, she let go of his head, and got off of the bed, putting the bottle on the cart.

Jarod finally got his breath back and realized what he had done.

"No more water for that Jarod. I gave you what you wanted and you spit it on my suit! Never again am I doing something like that for you."

"I’m sorry, I didn't mean." He coughed again, expelling the last of the water from his lungs. "I couldn’t help it... if you let me sit up..."

"HA!" Miss Parker laughed. "Nice try. And to think, I actually thought that you needed that water, that I was helping you by giving it to you. All you wanted was to try and get away, to make me mad and to make a mistake. It isn't going to happen!" Parker tried to say angrily, but the hurt she felt showed through some.

"No, Miss Parker, I swear that’s not true. I did need that water. That damned sock you stuffed in my mouth..." He looked at her sullenly. "I'm not a liar. I have never lied to you."

"That’s not what it looks like to me." Miss Parker all but whispered as she walked over to the phone once more and picked it up, dialling a number, this time never taking her eyes off of the man.

"Who are you calling now? Daddy?" He spat the last word out, knowing how much she would hate having Raines be called her father. He knew it was stupid to antagonize her, but he couldn’t stop himself. They did seem to bring the worst out in each other.

"No. Sam." She spat back at him.

"Great." Jarod had many fond memories of Sam, and his ‘motivator’. "Why not call Lyle and we can make a party. Get him to bring his jumper cables."

Ignoring his last comment, Miss Parker picked up the phone, “Sam, get your team and an extra team of sweepers to New York City. Hilton hotel. I have the pretender. I want you here A.S.A.P. Am I understood? Then get Willie’s team up here if the others are out on re-con!" With that she hung up glaring at Jarod.

She had no intentions of actually making that call. She only wanted to tease him, scare him. Miss Parker so enjoyed seeing the all mighty and powerful, know it all pretender scared. She would prove to that sack of bones Raines, that she could do her job, and do it damn well. It would prove her point more if she brought him in by herself, while on her weekend off.

Jarod listened as he heard his freedom being taken away so casually. "This is wrong. You can’t do this."

"Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do rat."

"I am not a rat!"

"You’re a laboratory experiment, 90 of the times they are rats so that makes you one."

"No I'm not. I'm a person who deserves a life. I don’t belong to you!" He struggled against his restraints.

"No you belong to Mr Raines, but one day, yes you will belong to me rat." She hissed.

He needed to get out of here now. Now that the Centre knew where they were, it wouldn’t be long. "NO! You will have to kill me. I am not going back, I don't belong to anyone and I will scream bloody murder. Everyone in this hotel will know what’s happening."

Before Jarod could blink an eye or make do on his threat, Miss Parker reached over to the end of the bed and grabbed the tie she found earlier and the socks from the ground and moved to gag him again.

He bucked violently, shaking his head. She wasn’t going to get that back in his mouth.

Garbing the struggling man by his chin, daggling her fingers cruelly into the soft skin, Miss Parker threatened, "I hear anything over a soft talk, I will gag you and tie the tie so tight, they will never get it off. Do you want me to gag you rat?"

Jarod stilled his struggles, looking from her face to the gag, wincing at her fingers digging into his skin. He was trying to assess how serious she was. If he screamed now, would anyone hear him? He was in the penthouse, the only one on the top floor. He doubted that anyone would hear him, and he did not want to endanger anyone else. He didn’t want that gag back in, and he realised that she would make good with her threat. He might get another chance later, when room service came, or when they tried to move him, but for the moment, the sensible thing would be to agree with her.

"No, I don’t."

Miss Parker stayed over him, still digging her long nails into the already bleeding flesh. Did she really believe him? She moved to place the gag in his mouth anyway, trying to work out if he was telling the truth and just saying that so that he could call out later on.

He opened his mouth slightly, ignoring the stinging from her nails. He closed his eyes and forced himself to relax. Showing her that he wasn’t going to resist. She could do what she wanted, he was helpless to stop her anyway. He was conquered for the moment. Let her have her little victory.

Miss Parker saw him giving into her; that was a good enough answer for her. He wasn't going to scream out at the moment. She would just have to call the front desk and give strict orders to not let anyone on this floor unless they say they were sent. No staff, no guests. Parker slowly let go of the man’s face and sat back on her heels, watching his reaction.

When he felt her weight move on the bed, he opened his eyes. She was watching him closely. As much as he hated himself for doing it, he said it anyway, "Thank you."

"If I hear you raise your voice even the slightest, the gag will be in and won’t be removed until we get to the Centre. Am I understood?"

"Yes." He flushed with anger, but didn’t want to push her on this issue. Being tied was bad enough, but being gagged was a nightmare, not to mention dangerous, and he had no desire to die from a sock stuffed down his throat.

"Good." Was all she said as she got off the bed and went back to the cart, taking a mouthful of water from the bottle she had just tried to give to Jarod.

"Why does it always have to be like this between us?"

"Like what?" She hissed.

He was careful to keep his voice low, "We used to be friends."

Good boy. She thought when she heard his voice was just under a normal speaking level. "A very long time ago Jarod. Why do you have to always bring it up?"

"Because I never understood what I did to make you hate me so. How long until they get here?"

"The sweepers will be here in a few hours. The jet was all ready to go when I called."

"Can’t you just grant me this one thing then. Soon I will be back in that place..."

She knew she shouldn’t have given him that information, but he was sounding so sad and defeated.

"I won’t cooperate with them."

"Grant you what Jarod?" She asked ignoring the images she had of Jarod hanging from his wrists, being assaulted by the damn jumper cables after one of his refusals.

"Why do you hate me? Why do you do this? Why can’t you just let me go? Say I escaped, overpowered you?"

"It’s my work Jarod. You know yourself what happens when they have found out you have disobeyed them. And if they knew I just let you go, they will kill me, literally. Are you willing to have that on your conscious?"

"No, but you didn’t have to call them, you could have let me go before that." He was angry now, he could feel the minutes ticking by, each one bringing him closer to the Centre.

"If I had let you go before I called them, then you wouldn’t have paid! You have hurt me too many times for me to just feel sorry for you and let you go."

"This isn’t work. Normal people don’t go to work each day to hunt down innocent people."

"I’m not a normal person and you're damn well not innocent rat.”

"I have never tried to hurt you, I have only tried to help." A memory floated to the surface of his mind and he couldn’t help the smile. "Well, except maybe that time..."

"And have ended up ripping my soul apart, giving me an ulcer... killing my boyfriend!!"

"What?" He paled as she said that, "NO!"

"You heard me Franken boy. You killed him!"

"Your father killed Tommy." His voice was rising, "The Centre killed him. He was my friend."

"You killed him! You tried to 'help' and it got him killed! It was your fault that he was in Blue Cove, your fault that he got to meet me, your fault that they killed him! They killed him because they thought I was going soft! Losing focus! Not trying to catch you!" She cried out, "It was your fault!"

"No!" He shouted back, all reason gone now.

Before she could think, Miss Parker grabbed the sock and shoved it into his mouth. He had broken his word to keep his voice lowered.

Jarod knew the pain of guilt of Thomas' death. He was trying to defend himself when she jumped back on him and starting shoving the sock back in his mouth.

Quickly tying the tie, keeping the knot looser this time, Miss Parker gagged him before leaving the room.

He bucked wildly, fighting her all the way. But it was no use and he watched her back as she slammed the door.

Miss Parker sat in the bathroom, trying not to cry, but was unsuccessful. She didn’t blame the Centre for Tommy’s death. If only Jarod had kept his god damn nose out of her life, this loving, caring man wouldn’t have been 6 foot under. This was all his fault.

Tears started to trickle from his eyes. He knew that he bore some responsibility for Thomas. He could hear her crying in the bathroom and he wanted to apologise. But he had only wanted to make her happy. He knew that he never would be able to and he hated to see her so alone, in so much pain. Thomas was a good man and brought out the best in her, and that’s all he ever wanted. He never wanted it to end the way it did. Even after all his years at the Centre, he did not believe them capable of such a thing.

After half an hour, she wiped her eyes, and walked out. He was too quiet for her liking. He lay still on the bed, it looked as if he had been crying too. Why?

He tried again to free himself from the bindings. He rubbed the gag against his outstretched arm, but he couldn’t shift it. He watched her carefully as she emerged from the bathroom. She looked defeated and fragile.

Walking slowly over to Jarod, she stretched out and undid the knot, pulling the socks out of his mouth. "Why did you do it?" She asked in a tiny voice.

This was not the Parker he was so familiar with, this was a scared little girl. "Thank you." He stretched his jaw experimentally. "I was angry, I didn’t mean to raise my voice. It won’t happen again." He knew that was not what she meant, but he didn’t trust himself to speak at the moment.

Ignoring his apology, she asked again, "Why did you do it?"

He took a deep breath and looked at her. "I thought he could make you happy. You deserve to be happy."

"Why?" Walking over to the cart, she grabbed the water and brought it back to the bound man.

"Nothing else. It was not some kind of mind game."

Holding on to the water bottle tightly, she asked again, "Why did you want to make me happy?"

He looked at her. How could she not know? How could she not understand?

She could feel the tears growing again, she would not let him see her cry and blinked them back.

He watched her struggle with her emotions. He wished he could get up and put his arms around her. "I'm sorry. I never thought... I didn't want for it to end that way. I just... I couldn’t make you happy, and you need someone in your life. Life has to be more than just what the Centre has on offer. Can’t you see, they have stolen your life as much as they have mine? The only difference is I know it and you don’t."

"Why did you give me the greatest gift then take him away again? I loved him Jarod! God damn it! I loved him and you took him away!!!" She yelled. "You took him away from me Jarod! I loved him and you took him away!" Throwing the water bottle over the top of Jarod and into the wall on the opposite side of the room, she fell to the ground. "They took him away from me." She whispered.

He was desperate to go to her. The chain between the cuffs rattled as he tried once again to free himself. What could he say? He lifted his head and looked at her. "I'm sorry." It seemed so inadequate, but what else was there?

The words were so soft and quiet, Miss Parker thought she had imagined them. Looking up over the bed, she saw him straggling against his bindings to look down at her. Getting up, she walked over to the end of the bed and untied his legs. Walking back to the cart, she took a fresh bottle of water and unscrewed the cap, crawling onto the bed next to him.

Jarod looked up in surprised as she started to untie his legs. He felt it best to keep quiet for the moment, he did not want to upset her again but was disappointed when she made no moves to take the cuffs off.

Watching as Jarod lay still on the bed, he seemed almost afraid to sit up, as if she would rip his legs back down and re-tie them. "Would you like some water?" She asked softly. She was so tired.

"Yes please." It was little more than a whisper.

She waited, he made no move to sit up.

He was too afraid to move but he wanted to reach out and touch her face.

She wasn’t going to give him any if he stayed lying, she didn’t think her suit would handle another hit of water. "Jarod sit up." She ordered, somewhat softly still, but the ice queen was coming back.

Jarod pulled himself up awkwardly until his body was against the headboard.

Holding the bottle to his lips, she waited until he took the first sip.

He could see her facade slipping back into place, and he wanted to reach her somehow. He drank from the bottle, being very careful this time.

She pulled the water away after he had a few small mouthfuls.

"Better?" She asked, the ice queen was coming back fast.

"Yes, thank you." He ducked his head as he saw his last chances slipping away.

"Why do you try to help me Jarod? After all I have done to you?" She asked after a few moments of silence.

There had to be a way of reaching her. He shook his head. It was so simple Parker, how come she couldn’t see it. But he chose the safer path. "You were my friend." He smiled a crooked grin.

"But I’m not now. So why do you still help me, even if your methods are hurtful."

"I don’t mean to hurt you, but the truth is painful. Wouldn’t you rather know who you really are? Who your mother really was? Even the kind of man your father was? How could you have trusted him?"

"Because he was my father. All I could have done was trust him. And no, I would have rather lived the lie that was my life. It was less painful that way."

"But it wasn’t real."

"Neither was your life but I’m sure it was less painful most of the time."

"Less painful?" He couldn’t believe what she was saying. "Locked away, believing my parents were dead?"

"There is your lie Jarod."

"What?" He shook his head, not understanding.

“You’re a genius. You must have known, even at that age, that if the Centre eliminated your family you would have stayed longer and cooperated better. I’m sure you would have SIMed the possibility that your parents were alive and knew where you were. I know you would have. And yet you choose to ignore it and believe Sydney."

He couldn’t believe her. He backed away from her as far as the restraints would allow. He shook his head. "No, that’s not true. They told me they died and I believed them. They burned it into my brain for thirty years. How can you be so spiteful?"

"And you’re telling me that there wasn’t one small part of your brain that knew it was a lie? The truth hurts doesn’t it?"

"No, it’s not true. I only found out later." He wanted to scream at her, but his eyes flickered over to the tie that was by her side. "They never would have left me there."

"I know you SIMed it! Admit it, you liked living in their lies. You know they left you there."

"No!" He shook his head, tears brimming, remembering those long nights, alone in the cell when he wondered if they had left him there, or perhaps given him away.

"They tried once to rescue you, the Major knew where you were, and yet he never tried again!" She yelled. "I know you SIMed the possibility, I know you knew that it was the most likely scenario. You liked their lies too much to admit it." Parker hissed in a cold, dark, callous voice.

"No, I never knew Catherine, your mother, tried until later." Trying to defend his shattered emotions he hit back the only way he knew how.

"No you didn't, but you SIMed the possibility that they knew where you were and you still denied the facts to yourself! You’d rather believe that they died, than they left you there to rot!" Miss Parker yelled.

"She was ready to give up her life to help me, and now her daughter is trying to take me back. She would be proud of you." The second the words were out of his mouth, he knew he had made a fatal mistake.

She backed off the bed. That had hit her hard. "You bastard!!" She screamed as she pulled out her gun. Grabbing the gag, she wrestled the pretender to shove the sock in his mouth.

Jarod closed his eyes and waited. When the bullet never came, he opened his mouth to apologise only to find the sock shoved back in it.

She was successful, and not bothering to use the tie, she shot his thigh, the bullet leaving a flesh wound.
Chapter 3 by jacci
Disclaimer: Don’t own them, and if we did it would still be running new ep’s on T.V :p

Authors note: This is co-written by Jaccione and Onisius. Sorry for the beyond long delay, I don’t even have any excuses to offer other then I was to caught up in writing to edit and post. Sorry again.

Chapter three…

He screamed in shock as much as pain as the bullet ripped into his leg. Some sound escaped around the gag, but not much.

The cry brought Miss Parker back to reality. She looked at the gun still smoking in her hands to the blood seeping out of his wounded leg, to the tears that come to his eyes.

He looked at her in complete shock. He couldn’t believe it. He knew he had gone too far, but she shot him!

She had shot him. She had never hit him before. And in rage. She backed up slightly, her face paling. She had shot him.

The tears started to fall, more from the realisation of what he had done, what she had done, than from the pain. He was breathing heavily and his leg was burning. He moved his head towards his shackled hands and started to pull the gag out.

Looking at the gun, then back to the shocked man, she shook her head slightly before dropping the gun.

He had to stop the bleeding. The wound was not life threatening, but the blood loss could be dangerous.

Miss Parker stared wide eyed at the bleeding man struggling to pull the gag out of his mouth. She took another step back.

Finally the gag was out and he pleaded with her.

"I’m. I’m s-sorry.” She whispered as she fought back the tears.

"Miss Parker please... the cuffs... I need to stop the bleeding.” He rattled his chained hands. "I swear I won’t try to run."

Miss Parker shook her head again and whispered an apology. She didn’t even her his plea.

"Please.” He could tell she was in shock. He contorted on the bed again, trying to bring his leg up so he could apply some pressure to it.

"I’m s-sorry.” She whispered again.

The adrenalin was pumping now and he barely felt the pain, but the bleeding wasn’t stopping. "Parker! The cuffs!"

She took one more step back before hitting the door and falling to the ground. Bringing her hands over her ears, burying her head into her knees which were pushed against her chest. “I’m sorry... I’m sorry… I shot you I’m sorry." The yelling and screaming, the cruel words even she hadn’t meant to say, the sound of the bullet tearing through his flesh kept replaying. Never had she actually shot him. Never.

Jarod wanted to scream in frustration. Ignoring her, he ripped a pillowcase and tried to attach a tourniquet but he couldn’t shift himself to the right angle to get enough pressure.

She was deathly pale by now, shaking as well.

He could feel the effects of the adrenaline wearing off as the pain really started to kick in.

She had never shot him before. She had shot at him but always aimed slightly off so she would not harm him. She had shot him. In cold blood so to say, she shot him in anger. How would he ever forgiver her?

Jarod thought to himself what a fool he was. It always seemed that it came back to the same thing. Him accusing her of being like her father, wishing she was more like her mother. But he knew he had gone too far this time.

Looking at her now, he felt ashamed.

"I’m sorry.” She muttered again.

He hung his head and slump back down on the bed. The bleeding had slowed somewhat and it was wisest to try and limit his movements.

Miss Parker sat on the ground shaking. She had shot him. What had she done?

He heard her saying something but couldn’t make out the words.

"I’m sorry... I’m sorry. I shot you. I’m sorry. Jarod I’m sorry.” She cried softly. He would never forgive her. What had she done?

"Miss Parker, please.” He tried one more time. "It wasn’t your fault. I need help. I shouldn’t have said that. I have no right to judge you, but please, I need your help."

His pleas were slowly getting through to her. The shaking softened some what, and she removed her hands from her ears but didn’t not stop apologising. "I’m sorry."

"It's alright, please, just come over here. If you don’t want to unlock me, that’s fine, but I have to apply pressure to this wound. Please, I need you."

Something seemed to get through to her shaken from. "You need me?” She asked softly, looking up through red puffy eyes. He had never said that before.

"Yes, I need you now. I need you to help me. I need you to go to the bathroom and get some towels. Soak one of them and then bring them to me on the bed. That’s a good girl. Can you do that for me? Everything is going to be fine."

Miss Parker slowly nodded. Jarod had said he had needed her, needed her help. He had never before admitted that, at least not to her. Getting up, swaying slightly, she went to the bathroom and did as she was told. Bringing out a wet towel, and a few dry ones, she placed them on the bed next to the bleeding man and backed up. Seeing her gun she slowly picked it up and held it in her hand.

He froze as she picked up the gun. "No we don’t need that right now, maybe later. I need you to undo my jeans and pull them down." In another situation this would be everything he could have ever dreamt of. "Then get that wet towel and clean around the wound."

Miss Parker didn’t budge, she just stared at the gun, still warm in her hand. She had shot people dead before without blinking, but never Jarod. Some where deep inside her, she knew Jarod was still her friend and it disgusted her that she had shot him in rage.

He watched as she held the gun, it would be so much easier if she just un-cuffed him but he didn’t want to push his luck. "Parker."

Looking up when she heard her name, she looked at Jarod expecting him to yell at her. When nothing more come out of his mouth she looked back at the gun, a frown on her face.

"Parker, put that down, and come here, please. I cant do this by myself."

She stared at the gun a moment longer. Jarod’s pleas had started to sound desperate, slowly placing the gun on the food cart, she went to the wounded man and unbuttoned his jeans and pulled them down. Grabbing the wet towel she started to wipe the blood away roughly.

He closed his eyes in relief. "Thank you. Now take a clean one and put it on there and press down hard, that’s a good girl, you are doing fine."

Miss Parker followed his instructions. It wasn’t like she didn’t know how to treat a bullet wound, but her brain wasn’t working in the same way it normally was. She pressed down on the bleeding wound, pushing with all her weight behind her onto it.

Jarod grimaced and bit back the cry. He could feel the bullet still in there, but Parker was in no shape to take it out. But at least the blood had stopped flowing. He wasn’t sure if he should press her, but he figured it couldn’t get much worse than it already was. "Parker, that’s good. Thank you. But I need you to un-cuffed me please. I need to get the bullet out."

That seemed to snap Parker back to reality. Letting the towel go, she grabbed a clean one and ripped it in half. Wrapping half around the wound and the other half to tie it tightly around the coverage, sealing the wound with the dry towels and stopping all blood flow.

He saw her snap back to reality and felt the pressure on his leg as she tightened the towel. "Parker?"

"What!” She snapped.

He jangled his wrists again, in front of her, "Please." But he knew it was too late.

"No! I’m sorry I shot you.” She said softer as she moved to get her gun from the cart and hold on to it tightly.

"They are not necessary. I am not going anywhere like this. I couldn’t even make it off the bed."

"Don’t push your luck Jarod."

He stopped his reply before he got himself in more trouble. "Not as sorry as I am.” He mumbled under his breath.

Bringing her gun up to his chest, she loaded another bullet into the barrel. "Careful Jarod, I heard that."

His confidence evaporated. He had always believed that she didn’t have it in her to shoot him. But after that graphic and painful demonstration, he had to revise his game plan.

"Jarod?" Miss Parker asked as she lowered her gun and put the safety back on.

"What?” He snapped at her. The pain making him act foolishly.

"Forget it!” She snapped back. She went to go around the end to re-tie his legs, grabbing hold of the pantyhose.

"No, please."

"Lay down!” She ordered.

"Please don’t do that. I am sorry. I didn't mean it. I can't go anywhere like this. It’s not necessary."

Hearing Jarod plea hit at her heart. She had made him plead with her for not only his safety but so that he wouldn’t hurt any more. "Jarod?” She asked again.

"Yes?” He asked in a subdued tone.

“Why do you always have to bring my mother into it and insult her memory?” She asked softly coming around to sit on the bed beside him, the gun resting on her lap.

"How can I not. You have just shot me and have me chained to a bed. She would be appalled." Jarod knew that he should leave this alone, but he just could not keep his mouth shut. "And it is you who insult her memory,” He said in a low voice.

Standing from the bed, her movements were slow and predatory like. She held the gun to his chest, and glared fire at him.

Jarod shrank back under the glare. He knew he had said too much now.

She didn’t trust herself to speak, she would snap and kill him if she did.

"Parker...” He began.

She couldn’t force herself to pull the trigger, nor to look away. She was so furious! But her anger got the better of her, and she harshly backhanded him with the gun.

Jarod's head snapped, bouncing against the bed head, his lip bleeding. He looked at her and realised just how much he had hurt her by what he had said. "Parker, I... I didn't mean that.” He tried to apologise through a rapidly swelling lip. He knew that he was in deep trouble now.

Her hands trembled with her rage and she holstered her gun and went to the foot of the bed, grabbing one ankle she managed to get it tied before going after his other foot.

But the pain in his leg, and the fear of being returned to the Centre was making him angry as well. He kicked out against her. "No!" But the action sent a shooting pain from his gunshot wound. "How can you do this to me!” He yelled at her.

She ignored him, as she always did when she didn’t want to discuss the matter and finally managed to tie his other foot down, making sure he was pulled taut and the bindings were as tight as she could make them.

Jarod lay there, the pain throbbing in his leg, he struggled against the pantyhose, but he could not budge them. "She would hate to think that you were doing Raines' dirty work for him,” He spat out at her.

"Ohhh no...” She growled, her voice sound like that of an angry and hungry tiger, she stalked closer to him, climbing onto the bed and straddling his waist. "Now I'm doing MY dirty work. I should have brought you in long ago, instead of making it easy for you. But you're at my mercy now, and you will pay."

"Easy?” He scoffed. "You have got to be kidding me! Are you just going to let me bleed to death?” He finally asked, truly afraid now. He needed to calm her down.

"Your wound has been tied correctly. The only way you'll bleed to death is by your other wounds.” She hissed darkly.

Jarod struggled against his bindings "What other wounds?” He asked suspiciously. Getting more and more nervous by the second. He did not like the way she was looking at him.

"What? Are you admitting that your little 'adventure' was not easy?” She reached over to the floor where the hunting knife still lay.

He snarled at her, trying to shift her weight off him. "You people have made my life impossible."

Bringing it over to his chest, she sliced through his shirt, cutting a thin line down his chest. "Those wounds."

He closed his eyes as the knife bit into his chest. He could tell it was not a deep wound, just a stinging cut. He stilled his movements and drew in a long breath. "Please don’t do this Parker. This is not you... this is more like..." But he stopped himself before he pissed her off even more.

"More like what?” She asked angrily as she placed the knife on a fresh part of his chest.

He shook his head and hissed in a breath as she placed the knife on his chest again. "Please,” He whispered.

"More like what!” She growled loudly as she dig the tip in deeper.

He grimaced as she dug the tip in. "I'm sorry Parker.” He tried to appeal to her. "I never should have said what I said."

"No you shouldn’t. You are to leave my mother out of it. She’s dead. Gone. Don’t bring her up. She is MY mother, and mine alone. You have no right to talk about her!” She yelled, her hurt showing through despite her efforts.

Jarod could see how he had hurt her, and he had never wanted that. But he was glad that she had let the last statement go. He relaxed slightly, hoping that now she would get off him. "Yes, you are right."

"Damn straight I am!"

He nodded, his eyes not leaving the knife. "Please Parker."

She lifted it from the bleeding hole she had been working on and twirled it expertly in her hand. Just like she had seen Kyle do one time.

Jarod sucked in a breath as he was reminded of his brother, watching her twirl the knife like that. Resentment flowered in his chest over what these people had cost him. "Get off me,” He huffed at her.

"And are you going to make me rat?” She purred leaning in close to his face, running the knife down his cheek.

He turned his head away from the knife. How could she do this to him? What happened to his friend? How could she be so cruel? She was no better than her brother. "Don’t call me that."

"I thought we went over this when we first arrived. You are a rat. And soon will be MY rat."

"You are just as bad as Lyle,” He spat out at her. “I guess it runs in the family." Instantly regretting it.


This story archived at http://www.pretendercentre.com/missingpieces/viewstory.php?sid=1410