Disclaimer- Miss Parker, Jarod, Sydney, Broots, Sam the Sweeper, Willie, (Whew! Am I done yet?!?) Raines, Lyle, Mr. Parker, Brigitte, and Mrs. Catherine Parker do not belong to me...that was depressing. They belong to NBC and now, maybe, TNT. No infringement intended so please don't sue me. On the other hand any other characters you run across and don't sound familiar are probably mine so you can sue all you want about them, but you won't see a penny.
Note: This idea kept coming back to me and I had to write it down. So I went to my computer and ended up writing 50 pages in two hours! This story is dedicated to Cate aka Tigress Parker and all my fanfic friends (you know I love ya!). J I would love feedback. Thanx! ~Jackie




Survivor
Part 1
By Jaclyn Parker

“The past lies
like a nightmare
upon the present.”
~Karl Marx
********************************************************************


They had been coming more frequently now, than ever before, the nightmares. Almost every night since the confrontation with the pretender named Alex. Or Alex the Asshole as she tended to refer to him. But on one cold night in late February, a nightmare started earlier than usual.

There was the single shot, the men rushing around her, and her young screams echoing in the dark hallways. As always, she fought against the men in dark suits with no faces; desperately trying to reach where her mother had been. She finally broke free and raced over to stand in front of the elevator doors, only to draw back in horror at the sight of her mother’s lifeless body.

From nowhere comes a man who thinks he has the authority to take her away from her mother. She fights against him more than she did with the others, now more out of a fear for her mother. She shouldn’t be alone, her young mind races. She needs me. It is then that she realizes the man who is holding her is also holding her gift. How dare he touch her present? She tears it away from him in the midst of her struggle and although she is crying out and still wriggling to be free, she realizes in the back of her mind that she is moving farther away from her mother. With tears streaming down her ten year old face and her voice becoming hoarse with her pleas of fright and desperation, she tries once more to reach her mother.

“Mama, no! Mama, please. No, Mama, no!” her cry echoes once more, only to reach deaf ears of hardened men and a young boy who feels his friend’s pain, but is also being held back.

**********************************************************************

Miss Parker bolted up straight in her bed; sweat making her satin pajamas stick to her in every place imaginable. Her throat was raw from screaming the words in her dream aloud and the ache in heart was more painful than ever before. But even as she sat there trying to catch her breath she knew that something was different this time.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat there, trying in vain to calm herself down. The fear was beginning to disappear, but as she lovingly stroked the picture of her mother by her bedside, she felt that the hurt would last forever. She knew now that her mother didn’t really die in that elevator and she turned her gaze to one of the other photographs on the night table.

Ethan’s young face and slight smile looked back at her and she couldn’t help but smile herself when she thought of the man with whom she has an undeniable bond. He was gone now, disappeared right after the encounter with Alex. She missed him, which seemed strange to her for she never really knew him to begin with. Without Jarod’s help she would have never known he existed and without Jarod she wouldn’t have the picture she looked at now. Disgusted that the lab rat’s name entered her mind at three o clock in the morning, without him calling her, she looked away from the picture.

Miss Parker got out of the bed and when she stood the air around her gave her a chill, making her shiver. She padded across the room to the bathroom and although it was too early to get ready for work, she decided to take a shower. It would help clear her head and while in there she would try and pin point what exactly was wrong in her nightmare.

**********************************************************************

Four and a half hours later, she was on her way to the Centre and as confused as ever. Miss Parker entered the Centre and walked briskly up to her office, foregoing the elevator for obvious reasons. On her way she passed the tech lab and Sydney’s office, noting that she was the first of the three to arrive. Of course at eight o’ clock in the morning she wasn’t surprised. It would take Moron and Freud another hour to wander in. She left messages on both desks to come and see her as soon as they got in and continued on her way.

Miss Parker dropped her coat and briefcase on her own desk and immediately poured herself a glass of scotch from the small mini bar in the corner of her office. Before she drank the amber liquid she stared at it through the tiny shot glass, swirling it slightly. She wondered when she had begun to drink first thing in the morning to take some of the ache away. Shrugging, Miss Parker downed the shot and placed the glass back from where it came. She settled into her chair and folded her hands under her chin thinking. She brought one hand down and opened the top right drawer, then hesitated before reaching in and pulling out the printed photograph.

Her mother and Jarod’s mother’s faces stared back at her and she tried desperately to listen to the thousand of little voices that had started chattering in her mind. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem to get the hang of her inner sense. She had asked Sydney once more to help her and he had avoided answering her as best he could. There was something he was not telling her and she was determined to find out what it was.

She had barely put the photo back in the drawer when the door to her office opened and Broots ambled in trailed by a smiling Sydney.

“Good morning, Parker.” Sydney said his voice chipper and very irritatingly happy.

She looked up and glared at him. “What’s with you?” she asked giving him a frosty look.

“He went out with Michele again last night.” Broots said grinning at his friend and waggled his eyebrows.

Miss Parker shot him a nasty look as well and Broots immediately stopped. She was happy for Sydney too, but she was also a little envious. Although she would choke on the words rather than admit it to his face. It was kind of like her not wanting to admit that she had been incredibly relieved when Broots had stumbled into her office about a week after everything had gone down. He had hitchhiked back and was tired and confused, but no worse for the wear.

“Okay boys, let’s get our libidos and brains back on track. We still have a lab rat to catch.” she growled and pulled out the notes on Jarod’s last lair.

Sydney and Broots gave each other a knowing look. She was in one of her moods and they knew better than to push her. So they just shrugged, and then helped her in reassessing what the initial reports said.

**********************************************************************

It was around six o’ clock and they were just beginning to see a pattern when Miss Parker’s phone rang, interrupting them.

“What?” Miss Parker barked into the phone. “I see. Just a second.” She looked at Broots and covered the mouthpiece of the phone. “You had the switchboard transfer your calls to my office because...?” she trailed off icily.

“Well...in case I...wasn’t in my office...and something was...wrong…with D...D...Debbie.” Broots stammered out finally, not liking the look in his boss’s eyes. She sighed, still glaring, and handed him the phone silently. Broots took it with a shaking hand and held it up to his own ear.

“Hello? Yes, this is he. Oh God, is she all right? Uh-huh. I see. Yes, I can pick her up in about 20 minutes. Okay, thank you very much. Bye.” Broots hung up the phone and stood up.

“Is everything okay, Broots?” Sydney asked kindly, folding his hands into his lap.

“Debbie was at school play practice and it seems she felt really sick. They took her to the nurse’s office at the school and it appears Debbie has a very high fever and her glands are swollen. The nurse thinks it’s bronchitis. I need to take her to the doctor’s immediately.” Broots said obviously worried about his daughter. He turned to look at Miss Parker who was staring out her office window. “Miss Parker?” he asked softly.

She nodded and he moved towards the door. “Broots?” Miss Parker’s voice stopped him in his tracks. He turned around and waited. “Tell her I hope she gets well soon.” Miss Parker said and turned to look at him with a soft smile on her lips.

“I will, Miss Parker.” Broots said and left quietly.

Miss Parker turned back to look out the window again and Sydney took this opportunity to study her. Although she had seemed her snappish, irritable self today, there was something different. There had been something different since she, Jarod, Mr. Parker and the pretender named Alex had been trapped in the warehouse. He knew that Alex had told her that Mr. Parker wasn’t really her father and cursed the young man every time he saw her look at the picture on her desk of Mr. Parker and her together. Her face briefly reflected the inner pain he knew she was feeling only to fade into the mask of cold impassiveness once more.

“Is there something you want to talk about, Miss Parker?” Sydney asked her gently hoping she would open up just a little.

“Syd, did you ever feel like there was something you knew, but couldn’t quite grasp in your mind? Something so important that it consumes your every waking moment, but no matter how hard you try, you just can’t remember?” she said softly, watching the birds flutter around on the beach.

“Yes, I have.” Sydney said almost to himself more than to her.

She looked at him with an almost wistful gaze. “Did you ever remember it?” she asked him, her voice sounding like a child asking for reassurance.

“Yes, I did. After a while.” He told her and couldn’t resist going further. “Is there something specific you need help remembering?”

She seemed to snap out of her daze at the question and threw him a look. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Freud.” she said using her most common nickname for him, but her eyes softening the insult.

He took the name in stride, then nodded and glanced at his watch. “Miss Parker, I hate to say this, but it’s almost six-thirty and I have to pick up Michele in an hour. Maybe you should call it an early night too and go home. You look tired.”

He glanced over at her and noticed she was looking out the window again. She seemed almost to be searching for something. He wasn’t sure she had even heard him until she gave him a glance and said, “Maybe you’re right. I haven’t been getting that much sleep lately.”

Sydney stood up and walked over to where she was standing and placed his hand on her shoulder. Squeezing slightly, he whispered, “I hope you find what you are searching for.”

Miss Parker looked up into Sydney’s kind face and wished with all her heart that he were her father. She didn’t voice that aloud; she didn’t dare. Instead Miss Parker just smiled at him softly and nodded. “Thank you, Sydney. Have fun tonight.”

He took that as his cue to leave and within seconds of him cleaning up his share of the papers strewn around the office, she found herself alone by the window. Miss Parker watched the sun begin to set and sighed. She glanced on her desk and walked over to lift the picture of her mother holding her as a baby. With it in her hands, Miss Parker wandered over to the black leather couch on the side of the room, then settled herself into the cushions. Her eyes closed and she took deep breaths, trying to see if her inner voice would speak to her. Instead of hearing the voices, Miss Parker fell asleep and soon a dream began.

**********************************************************************

Catherine Parker held her newborn son, Ethan, in her arms and felt the tears well up in her eyes. She would have to leave him just as she had left her young daughter, his older sister, only months before.

She spoke soft words to him and told him that she loved him. She told him to tell his sister to finish what she had started. Then the wooden doors opened, as if in slow motion. Raines appeared with a nurse by his side, who in turn took Catherine’s small son from her arms. She wandered to the side of the room and Catherine looked up, knowing what was in store for her. A gun was shown, a shot was fired, and it was over. The wound on the side Catherine Parker’s forehead was clearly visible and then all went black.

**********************************************************************

Once again Miss Parker woke with a sheen of sweat covering her face and parts of her body, hidden by her clothing. She had watched the DSA only twice, yet the images reverberated in her mind constantly. She had watched her mother die, not only once but twice, and could do nothing about it either times.

Blinking in the harsh lights of her office, she quickly remembered where she was. Glancing at the clock on the wall opposite her sofa, she realized that she had been asleep for almost two hours. She stood and on shaky legs stumbled over to her desk. She opened up the same drawer she had earlier and pulled out the picture again. Something had drawn her to it and she studied the picture intently. She honed in on the bushes in the background and a suddenly the voices began talking a mile a minute. Miss Parker shook her head and tried to single one out and make sense of what they were saying.

“White aster?” she murmured and the instant the words came out of her mouth, the voices stopped. She was confused for a split second, but didn’t have time to dwell on it, for her mind suddenly flashed back to the elevator dream.

She saw her younger self taking the present from the man and the wrapping paper stood out boldly. There were tiny white flowers all over the paper and as soon as she realized they were asters, her mind seemed to flash forward to her other nightmare. Outside the window where her mother had lain on the table was bush and on that bush grew, none other then, white asters.

The flashes stopped at that thought and Miss Parker had to sit down. She dropped the photo on the desk and dropped into her chair, hard. She placed her pounding head in her hands and felt the wetness of tears on her cheeks. She hadn’t even realized she was crying and truth be told, she really didn’t know why.

The ringing of her cell phone interrupted her thought and completely drained of emotion she answered it with a soft “What?” instead of her normal Ice Queen tone.

“Miss Parker?” Jarod’s voice floated over the phone line. “Are you all right?”

“Have you found Ethan?” she asked ignoring his question.

“No,” Jarod said softly, knowing she was as worried as he was about Ethan. “I haven’t, but I also haven’t given up hope. If he was...” Jarod trailed off not even wanting to say it.

“I know.” Miss Parker said, letting him off the hook. “My inner sense would have told me.”

“Right.” Jarod said nodding even though she obviously couldn’t see him.

After a few moments of silence, Miss Parker grew uneasy. “What is it that you wanted, Jarod?” she asked running her finger along the edge of the photograph that she still held in her hand.

“Just to see if you knew anything about Ethan.” Jarod said simply. “Or anything more about my parents.”

Miss Parker knew he was lying; she could sense it. However, she didn’t call him on it. There was more that he wasn’t telling her over the phone. She could only assume that it wasn’t a secure connection and that what he had to say was extremely important. “Well, now you know. Can I go home now?” she asked him trying to sound disinterested.

Jarod knew she had understood his game and played along. “Yes, you can, Miss Parker. Sleep well.” With that he hung up and left Miss Parker to ponder what he had to tell her. Instead of shoving the picture in the drawer again, she placed it into her briefcase and stood up. She cleaned off some of the clutter on her desk, then sighed and decided to forget it. It was useless information anyway. She now knew where Jarod was and it was not in Hopetown, Nevada. She instinctively knew that she was going to get a late night visit from her number one lab rat. Realizing what she had just thought, a frown appeared on his lips. Since when was he her lab rat?

Miss Parker grabbed her jacket and briefcase, flicked off her office light, and locked her office door behind her. Walking to the stairs, she noticed Lyle’s office light was still on and she heard a woman’s giggle through the door. Just as she was considering interrupting his dinner plans the woman burst out of his office, still giggling. She was young and Asian and wore a very gorgeous red and black kimono. The girl hurried to the elevator and as soon as it opened she jumped in.

Miss Parker couldn’t resist any longer and opened Lyle’s door, without knocking. When she stuck her head in she saw him sitting on the couch facing the door. He was frowning and watching it as though expecting it to reopen. His face lit up until he realized it was his sister and not the pretty young secretary.

“Lose your dinner date, Lyle? Poor baby.” she said sarcastically.

“Yeah, looks that way.” Lyle said and gave her a hungry look that made her blood run cold. “You want to join me instead?” He made a biting motion with his mouth and caused a chill to run down Miss Parker’s spine.

Resisting the urge to gag, she glared at him. In an icy tone she said, “Sorry, but I don’t dine with things that slither or crawl.” With that she withdrew her head and closed the door behind her. She briefly pressed her hand to her stomach and took a deep breath.

Moving on she made her way to the infirmary to look in on the man she couldn’t help but still call her father. Old habits die-hard was her only excuse and it was a lame one. The doctor told her there was no change in his condition and she felt a twinge of sorrow. Not for him, but because he had so many answers to the questions she held in her head and her heart. It looked like he was not going to be able to tell her anytime soon. Continuing her way to the garage, she made one last stop to the nursery and looked in on her baby brother, Gabriel.

He lay in his crib, sleeping soundly and hugging a soft blue rabbit to his tiny body. After whispering goodnight to him and kissing his soft cheek, she watched him sleep for a few minutes. It was such a shame that he had to be here. Maybe she could talk the doctors into letting him come live with her until her “father” was out of danger. She brushed a finger over his soft baby hair covered head and left the nursery quietly, then finally made it to the garage and her car.

Disclaimer- Miss Parker, Jarod, Sydney, Broots, Sam the Sweeper, Willie, (Whew! Am I done yet?!?) Raines, Lyle, Mr. Parker, Brigitte, and Mrs. Catherine Parker do not belong to me...that was depressing. They belong to NBC and now, maybe, TNT. No infringement intended so please don't sue me. On the other hand any other characters you run across and don't sound familiar are probably mine so you can sue all you want about them, but you won't see a penny.
Note: This idea kept coming back to me and I had to write it down. So I went to my computer and ended up writing 50 pages in two hours! J I would love feedback. Thanx! ~Jackie





Survivor
Part 2
By Jaclyn Parker

“The past lies
like a nightmare
upon the present.”
~Karl Marx
********************************************************************


Miss Parker kept the radio off the entire ride home and was happy to be in silence. She reached her house around eight-forty and placed her briefcase down by the door and her jacket on the hook. She looked over into the living room and thought about the snow covered ground outside. Although it wasn’t the usual frigid temperature outside, it was still February and cold enough that they had gotten a couple inches of snow. Without giving it a second thought, Miss Parker went over and placed four logs in the fireplace. She grabbed the old dry newspaper that she kept nearby and with a long match, lit a fire. After watching it grow for a minute, she became extremely warm in her dark red suit. Miss Parker ambled into the bedroom and quickly changed into a pair of soft gray pajama pants. With a fast glance at the picture of her and Tommy on her nightstand, she grabbed one of his flannel shirts to throw on over top of a white tank top. Pulling her hair up into a ponytail, she passed her bedroom vanity and chuckled at her appearance in the mirror. She could almost pass for a normal woman coming home from a normal day at work. The irony was that nothing in her life was what people would call normal.

Miss Parker padded into the kitchen in socked feet and opened up the fridge to get the bottle of wine that Sydney had recently given her to try. It was a very old bottle of French wine that had been part of his mother’s favorite collection and she had felt extremely honored to be the one to receive it. She poured herself a glass and then went into the living room. She settled herself onto her sofa and stared at the flickering fire, feeling a calm sweep over her.

Hearing a soft noise in the kitchen, she closed her eyes and sighed deeply. “Pour yourself a glass of wine, Jarod. It’s excellent.”

Jarod smiled to himself at her words, not at all surprised that she knew he was there. He did as she said and walking into the living room, he sat down in the armchair adjacent to the sofa. Jarod watched her while sipping the wine and smiled again when, without opening her eyes, she brought her own glass to her lips and drank.

“Did you do a sweep of the house?” she asked quietly, finally opening her eyes to pierce him with her crystal blue gaze.

His deep brown eyes met hers and he nodded. “Not a sweeper in sight nor were there any bugs or cameras.”

“That’s a first,” she said chuckling, a sound without any humor in it.

“Hmmm,” was his reply as he drank again.

“So, Jarod.” Miss Parker said, getting down to business. “What was it that you had to tell me? It must be very important for you to risk coming here and taking the chance I would bring you back.”

“You wouldn’t.” Jarod stated simply, shaking his head to emphasize his words.

“Oh?” she asked amused. “Why not?”

“Because of Ethan. He might contact me and you wouldn’t risk him getting brought back to the Centre again.” Jarod said and looked at her.

Miss Parker took a sip of wine. “Well, what do you want?” she asked sharply, irritated by the fact that he was right.

Jarod took a deep breath and with shaky hands, placed the glass onto the coffee table in front of him. He looked at her and she was surprised at the mixture of fear and happiness in his gaze. “I found my mother.”

Miss Parker felt her heart jump, happiness for him overwhelming but confusing as well. She let her face show none of her emotions as she said, “So?”

“My father, my sister Emily, Jay, and I are going to see her.”

“Jay?” Miss Parker asked.

“It’s the name Gemini chose to be called. It’s short for Jacob in honor of Sydney’s twin.” Jarod explained.

“That was nice of him.” She said sincerely, remembering the scared young boy she had grown so fond of in the very brief period she had know him.

“He chose Thomas as his middle name.” Jarod said softly, not knowing why he wanted her to know that.

Miss Parker’s eyes grew shiny and she pulled the shirt around her more tightly. She nodded and swallowed the lump in her throat to ask him, “Why are you telling me all this, Jarod? Why would you risk coming here to tell me this?”

“I am telling you this because...” Jarod trailed off and drew up his courage, “...I want you to come with us. I want you to be there when I meet my mother.”

**********************************************************************

After Miss Parker had stopped choking on her sip of wine, she shook her head and closed her eyes, trying to stop the ringing that was going on in her head. She couldn't believe she was hearing him right. “What did you just say?”

“I want you to come with us.” Jarod repeated and she shook her head.

“That’s what I thought you said.” Miss Parker told him in disbelief. “You’ve lost your fucking mind, haven’t you?”

“No, Miss Parker.” Jarod said simply and sighed.

“Jarod, I am not going to lie to you...” Miss Parker said and ignored the “for once” that Jarod muttered. “I am very happy for you. Really, I am. But why in the hell would you want me to go with you?” Miss Parker asked and rose to pace in front of the fireplace.

“Miss Parker, she has the answers to both of our pasts and in light of what has happened recently I can’t deny you yours, without betraying everything I have believed in for almost 5 years.” Jarod said and stood as well.

“Jarod, your family won’t understand my going with you,” she said shaking her head.

“They already know and they do understand. Especially my father. And Jay is really excited to see you again. My sister, Emily, thinks he is more excited to see you than me.” Jarod said smiling at the thought of the boy he considered his little brother and not his clone.

Miss Parker was about to respond, when the voices began again, incessantly whispering in her head. She walked back over to the couch and sat down, trying to focus. Jarod saw this and quickly sat beside her.

“Miss Parker? What’s wrong?” Jarod asked her, his voice laced with concern.

“The voices...” she said and trailed off, beginning to make sense of what they were saying.

“Your inner sense? What is telling you?” he asked her, unconsciously taking one of her hands that were folded in her lap.

The voices stopped and she looked up at him with shocked eyes. “They say to go with you. That my answers lie in the ‘white aster’.”

“What’s the ‘white aster’?” Jarod asked confused.

“I don’t know, but I think I need to go with you.” she said and he nodded. It was then that they noticed he was still holding her hand.

He let go, like it was burning him and jumped up. “Flight leaves at 7:00 tomorrow night. Here’s what I suggest we do.”

Desperately trying to ignore the heat that had consumed her body when she had realized that Jarod had been holding her hand, Miss Parker took a long sip of wine and listened to Jarod explain what he had come up with. She nodded along with him, until he had finished.

“Okay, let me see if I have it all.” she said and he sat down again, but this time in the armchair. “I go to the Centre, like normal. Work all day, like normal. Only I leave early, around five, with an incredible headache. On my way home, instead of taking exit 6, I take exit 4A? That will take me to a car rental service where you will be waiting and then from there we head to the airport?”

Jarod nodded and finished off his glass of wine. “That’s about it. Simple.”

“Uh-huh, that part. But what about when we are gone and I don’t show up at work the next day or don’t answer my phone?” Miss Parker asked also finishing her glass. She took his glass and hers and took them into the kitchen to put them in the dishwasher.

“I have set up a trail that should take them about three weeks to pinpoint a location and even then it will be the wrong one.” He told her loud enough that she could hear him in the kitchen.

She came back out and gave him look. “I guess you have thought of everything.”

“I guess so.” Jarod said, suddenly uncomfortable.

Miss Parker studied him for a moment, and then sighed loudly. “Well, I guess we should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow.” she said and Jarod nodded.

“Good idea. You know what to do and what to tell Sydney, so he doesn’t worry.” Jarod said as he rose to leave.

“Yes. Jarod...” she began, intent on thanking him for the opportunity and then stopped. He looked at her quizzically and she shook her head. “Never mind.”

He nodded and started to leave once more. He was almost out the door, when she remembered something.

“Jarod,” she called and he turned to face her. “Where are we going? You didn’t say where you had found her.”

“Oh, wow. I can’t believe I forgot that part. She’s in London, England. We’re going to Europe.” Jarod told her and then disappeared into the night.

“Well, Mom,” Miss Parker said to the empty house. “I'm finally going. After three decades I am going to the place you thought we’d be safe. Except, only now, I'm going without you.” She chuckled at the irony and decided to take her own advice and try and get some sleep.

**********************************************************************

Miss Parker showed up at work at around nine-thirty, not caring that she was later than usual. Sleep had come to her last night after Jarod had left and for the first time in a long time, it was nightmare less. Her stiletto heels clicked along the cold floor of the Centre as she walked from the garage area to the elevator. Instead of going straight up to her office she headed to the nursery to look in on Gabe.

The baby was now a healthy 10 months old and a very intelligent little boy. He had crawled at 7 months and begun walking steadily by 9 months. When Miss Parker arrived he had apparently just finished breakfast and the nurse was wiping down the highchair while Gabriel toddled around the floor. He looked up as she came in and his chubby angelic face lit up. He wobbled over at his top speed and when he reached where she stood, he pulled on her pants leg.

“Down!” he demanded, making his brow furrow in his displeasure at the height difference.

Miss Parker laughed and obeyed the tiny command, crouching down to his level. He wrapped his arms around her neck and she enclosed him into a huge hug.

“Miss.” he said making a sad face. To anyone else, it would seem that he was calling her by the name he had heard her referred to by, but Miss Parker understood him. At ten months most babies couldn’t even say “dada”. Gabe had a rather extensive vocabulary, even if most of them were only one-syllable words.

“I missed you too, Sweetie,” she said, smiling as he played in her hair.

“Play now?” he asked pointing to the alphabet blocks in the corner. She hesitated, thinking about how late she was already. Gabe sensed it immediately and pressed his chubby little hands on her cheeks. He leaned in, so his face was inches from hers and batted his eyelashes.

“Pwease?” he pleaded and kissed the tip of her nose.

She caved in immediately and allowed him to lead her over to where the blocks were. A half an hour later, the door to the nursery opened and a young girl, who looked no more than 10 years old, entered the room. Gabe looked up, as did Miss Parker, to see whom the newcomer was. Miss Parker was confused, but Gabe’s face lit up just like it had when he had seen Miss Parker.

“Amie!” Gabe cried joyously and the young girl grinned at the child. Ignoring Miss Parker completely, she ran over to where the baby stood with his arms outstretched.

“Hi, Baby!” She cooed as she lifted him into her arms. “How’s my boy?” She twirled around, with Gabe laughing and clapping his hands in delight in her arms. He obviously trusted this girl completely and was enjoying himself.

Miss Parker rose from her position on the ground by the forgotten blocks and studied the girl who held Gabriel closely in her arms, while whispering things that made him giggle in happiness.

Amie had straight brown hair that reached just below her shoulder blades and eyes that seemed to shift from a brown to blue and then back again. She was long and lean with a dancer’s graceful gait. When she smiled at Gabe there was genuine love in her eyes for the baby, unlike the normal nurses who took care of her little brother. There was something familiar about her, but Miss Parker was sure she had never met the girl before.

Amie suddenly looked over at Miss Parker and smiled shyly, reminding Miss Parker of Broots’s daughter Debbie. “I'm sorry. I didn’t realize you were still here. You sure look a lot different from those other old battle-axes that usually watch Gabe.” the young girl said to her.

Miss Parker raised an eyebrow and said, “That’s because I am not one of those ‘old battle-axes’. I am Gabriel’s sister.”

Amie’s mouth dropped open and she took a step back, as though Miss Parker was going to bite her. “You’re Miss Parker?” she asked in disbelief.

“Yes.” Miss Parker said back, amused by the girl’s reaction to her.

Amie seemed to sense that she was amused and took the step forward again, then kept going until she was about a foot from Miss Parker. Shifting Gabe to one arm like an expert, she stuck out her other hand and said boldly, “Hi, I'm Amie. I watch Gabe most days from 10:00 to about 5:00. That’s when Mr. Jones comes take me back to my quarters.”

“Your quarters?” Miss Parker asked confused.

“Yes, I live here. Don’t you?” Amie asked as if it were a normal question.

“No, I don’t.” Miss Parker said, trying to understand what the girl meant. “Do you mean to say you live in the Centre?”

“Uh-huh.” Amie said and shifted Gabriel again, who had laid his head on her shoulder and was studying the interaction between the two females.

“Where are your parents?” Miss Parker asked softly.

“I don’t have any. They didn’t want me or at least that’s what Mr. Jones told me. He came to the orphanage one day and brought me here to live.” Amie said all this in such a matter-of-fact way that Miss Parker was surprised.

“I see.” she told the young girl, when in fact she was more confused than ever. She had never heard of a Mr. Jones and she never knew that there were children who lived at the Centre. At least not since the pretender project was shut down a year ago. “Are you the only child?”

“Now, yeah. There were three others. I was the oldest. I am going to be eleven in four months.” she said proudly and Miss Parker couldn’t help a small smile. Amie’s face grew very sad and she hugged Gabriel tighter to her body.

“Where are the others?” Miss Parker asked softly.

“Dead.” Amie said stolidly, but a lone tear that slid down her cheek gave away her true emotions. Realizing she had let her happy facade slip, she wiped the tear away brusquely and lifted her chin up as if to say: I am strong and I won’t cry. “I’ve been the only child since then. Well, except for Gabe here.” Amie said and kissed the top of Gabriel’s head. Now that she was closer to Miss Parker, she saw the girl had a sprinkle of light freckles across her nose and the brilliant light most children have in their eyes when they are young. The only difference between her and them was that her eyes also held traces of past horrors and were wiser than her young years.

Miss Parker watched her and wondered what had happened to the other children. She was going to have to look further into this Mr. Jones and his project, although she had a feeling that she wasn’t going to like what she found. Those poor children, she thought to herself and felt her heart ache for Amie. She must have felt so alone. Miss Parker glanced at her watch and sighed. They would all be wondering where she was by now and if she didn’t want to throw any suspicion on her about her plans, she would have to leave now.

“I have to get to work.” Miss Parker said and although it disappeared almost as fast as it came, she didn’t miss look of disappointment on Amie’s face.

“Say good-bye to your sister, Gabe.” Amie said, smiling at him and putting forth an act of bravado that Miss Parker knew all too well. Miss Parker reached for the baby, but Gabe clung tighter to Amie and shook his head. “Gabriel!” Amie admonished him, but he still refused to go to Miss Parker.

Miss Parker was a little hurt and confused, until Gabe looked up at her and smiled. “Luv you.” he said chortled happily and blew her a kiss.

“Love you too, Gabriel.” she said and thought about how hard it was going to be to go with Jarod later and leave him for such a long time. In fact, she was almost rethinking her decision.

Suddenly and with a fierce determination, Gabe shook his head and frowned. “Go.” he said simply and looked straight into Miss Parker’s eyes.

She looked at him almost in shock, but Amie’s tugging on her sleeve, brought her back. Miss Parker looked at the girl and Amie smiled. “You’d better go.”

Miss Parker nodded and began to walk out of the room. Suddenly Amie called out her name and Miss Parker turned to face the young girl.

“Good luck.” was all she said and she and Gabe waved at her.

“Thank you, Amie.” Miss Parker said, albeit she was very confused at her words, and shut the nursery door behind her. She passed the glass window on the way to the elevator and glanced in for one last look. Amie was hugging Gabe to her and they both had sad expressions on their faces. She couldn’t help but think that Gabe was in the best hands, by being with Amie while she was away and she suddenly felt a calm sweep over her.

Miss Parker smiled at their image and kept on walking. When she hit the elevator button to go to her floor, she couldn’t help but think of both children’s responses to her having to leave. It was almost as if they knew what she was going to do. But that was impossible. Wasn’t it?

Disclaimer- Miss Parker, Jarod, Sydney, Broots, Sam the Sweeper, Willie, (Whew! Am I done yet?!?) Raines, Lyle, Mr. Parker, Brigitte, and Mrs. Catherine Parker do not belong to me...that was depressing. They belong to NBC and now, maybe, TNT. No infringement intended so please don't sue me. On the other hand any other characters you run across and don't sound familiar are probably mine so you can sue all you want about them, but you won't see a penny.
Note: Sorry this one is really short, but they go back to being longer as the story goes on. Also there is a The X-Files reference in this part. The first person to find it, will get their name put in the next part of the story in a nice way and the next part sooner than anyone else. J Happy reading!




Survivor
Part 3
By Jaclyn Parker

If that plane leaves the
ground and you’re not
with him, you’ll regret it.
Maybe not today,
maybe not tomorrow,
but soon and for the
rest of your life.
~the screenplay for Casablanca
********************************************************************

A very cross and impatient Lyle was waiting in Miss Parker’s office along with Sydney and Broots when she arrived. The second she walked in he demanded to know where she had been and Miss Parker told him it was none of his damn business, but that she wasn't feeling very well. He shut up about her being late when she pierced him with a death glare and he changed the subject over to Jarod. She answered his questions about his last lair and finally he left, wiggling his fingers good bye as if reminding her about Raines’s thumb once again. As soon as the door shut with him on the other side, she shuddered and focused her attention on Sydney and Broots.

“Are you feeling any better now, Miss Parker?” Broots asked her stepping aside as she moved to sit at her desk.

“A little, Broots. How’s Debbie?” she asked sincerely concerned for the girl.

“She is okay. She didn’t have bronchitis like we thought. She only has a mild case of the flu. The inflamed throat was brought on by all the singing she was doing, but she is sleeping now and I have a neighbor watching her for me. The doctor said she should be okay by tomorrow evening.” Broots said obviously relieved that his daughter was okay.

Miss Parker nodded and glanced casually at the clock. She still had over six hours to go until she could set the plan in motion. Sighing greatly she motioned for them to have a seat. “We have a lot of work to do and I am not up to a lot of discussion, so why don't we just work quietly for today? Can we do that, boys?” she asked icily, her voice leaving no room for argument. They just nodded their agreement and she smiled coldly. “Good. Then let’s get started shall we? Our little Monkey Boy won’t catch himself!”

The day passed too slowly for Miss Parker, but finally at around 4:45 she decided it was time to start the best acting job she would ever have. She began to rub her temples and then when she knew that Broots and Sydney were watching her, she softly began to moan in mock pain.

Sydney got up and went to her side immediately, leaning over her. “Are you all right, Parker?” he asked, concerned.

“My head, Sydney. It’s throbbing. It started this morning, but it’s just grown, not gone away.” Miss Parker lied very convincingly.

“Do you want to go to the infirmary?” Broots asked concerned as well.

“No.” She said and looked up. “I might just go home. It gets better if I rest in a completely dark setting with no noise.”

Sydney nodded and so did Broots. “Don’t call me.” she said and stood to leave. She wobbled when she stood and seemed like she was going to faint. Sydney caught her and while he held her, she whispered in his ear, “I’ll be at a safe refuge.”

He pulled back as he let her go and she looked deep into his eyes, and he knew what she meant. He nodded and said, “If he should ask, I’ll tell Lyle that you went home sick, Miss Parker.”

Miss Parker nodded and stood up straighter. She moved to the door and Broots called out, just as she was leaving, “Feel better, Miss Parker.”

She turned around and smiled at him softly, surprising him. “I hope to, Broots. Thank you.” She looked at Sydney once more, wishing he were coming with her. He smiled at her and nodded. She lifted her chin and turned away again, this time not looking back for anything or anyone.

Miss Parker was on the road within minutes; with two suitcases of clothing she had packed the night before in the trunk and a new cell phone that Jarod had left on her doorstep this morning. She drove with soft music the only other sound in the car, other than her breath. Miss Parker was anxious to get to where Jarod was waiting for her, but the reason why eluded her.

She pulled off the highway at the exit she and Jarod had discussed and sure enough not more than 20 miles later a car rental place appeared out of nowhere. Pulling into the parking lot, she noticed Jarod standing out front, talking to a short bald man.

She parked and slowly got out of the car. Jarod turned his head and gave her a small smile. She was surprised and what shocked both of them was the fact that she smiled in return. Given it was a small one, more out of confusion than anything else, but it was a smile, nonetheless.

“Is this your little lady?” the man said with a slight southern accent, when Miss Parker approached the two of them.

Jarod took Miss Parker by the elbow, holding her back from hurting the man. “This is Parker. Parker, this is Mr. Marshall Sims. He owns the place and has given us a very good deal on a car.”

“That’s me. Ol’ Honest Marshall Sims. The best deals in town.” Marshall crooned and waggled his eyebrows at Miss Parker.

Jarod rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Okay, let’s just get the car and we’ll be out of here. We are kind of in a hurry.”

Yes, Siree. No problemo.” Marshall said and this time it was Miss Parker who rolled her eyes. She told Jarod she was going to get her stuff and he told her that when she was done to wait for him here and he would pull the new car around.

Parker did as he said and about five minutes later, he pulled up in a brand-new 2001 Corvette convertible in cherry red. She whistled appreciatively and he grinned at her. She put her stuff in the trunk and then climbed into the passenger seat next to him.

“Let’s go.” he said and she nodded. They each took a deep breath and then Jarod put the little car into drive and left the rental place behind in a cloud of dust.

Disclaimer- Miss Parker, Jarod, Sydney, Broots, Sam the Sweeper, Willie, (Whew! Am I done yet?!?) Raines, Lyle, Mr. Parker, Brigitte, and Mrs. Catherine Parker do not belong to me...that was depressing. They belong to NBC and now, maybe, TNT. No infringement intended so please don't sue me. On the other hand any other characters you run across and don't sound familiar are probably mine so you can sue all you want about them, but you won't see a penny.
Author’s Note: Congratulations to Christine for finding the X-Files reference in part 3. J Okay guys…enjoy part 4 and feedback will determine the release of part 5! Thanx! ~Jackie

Survivor
Part 4
By Jaclyn Parker





FAMILY
**********************************************************************

Jarod stretched and glanced over at Miss Parker who was sleeping soundly in the seat next to him and then sighed. He looked past her sleeping form, out the plane window at the passing clouds, but it was getting too dark to see anything other than the night sky and occasionally a star or two. All of a sudden, Parker made a noise in her sleep and shifted in the seat. Her head lolled towards him and it soon found its way to his shoulder. Freezing in his seat he looked at the woman, who now smiled slightly in her comfortable position. He thought back to the hour-long car ride and how close they had seemed in the tiny vehicle. Her perfume had overpowered him and every look she gave him, seemed to pierce his very soul. It was just eerie, if you asked him.

The plane had been delayed and not taken off until close to 8:00PM. Miss Parker had fallen asleep about an hour into the flight and knowing she had not been sleeping well lately, he tried to stay as quiet as possible. It was now nine-thirty and he decided to follow her lead and try to get some sleep. He raised his left arm so that she slumped under it and wrapped it around her shoulders. He put up the armrest that was between them, for it was getting uncomfortable. By doing this, she unconsciously snuggled closer to him and laid her head on his chest. Jarod’s eyes widened and he looked down at the sleeping brunette. She must really be out, he thought to himself. Shaking his head and shrugging, he just pulled her closer and closed his own eyes. Minutes later, he was asleep too.

The stewardess, Christine, began walking up and down the aisles, asking if anyone wanted a blanket or pillow. When she came to the sleeping couple in seats F-11 and F-12, she smiled. They really were a beautiful couple. Christine had enjoyed the way they had bickered about who got the window seat until finally the man, exasperated, had given in. The triumphant look in the pretty woman’s blue eyes had made Christine giggle and think about her and her own husband. The young man, who had made several of the other female stewardesses grin when he had come aboard, had seen it too, but instead of calling her on it he had just smiled at her when she wasn’t looking. Christine had then realized he had only argued with her to get the woman riled up and that had made her laugh out loud, making some of the passengers and her coworkers look at her oddly. She had given the woman, who she had heard the man call Parker, a blanket earlier, but it had fallen to the floor when she shifted to sleep on the man.

Christine leaned over them, replaced the blanket around both of them, and smiled. They seemed so tense around each other when they had first come on, despite the banter between them. That all seemed to disappear in their sleep, where they naturally gravitated towards each other.

A passenger, three rows up, hit his call button and Christine left the sleeping couple to get their rest. She had an instinctive feeling that they needed it.

***********************************************************************

Miss Parker woke first, around 5:30 AM, London time as she had set her watch to earlier before falling asleep. She blinked a few times and tried to move. When she didn’t succeed, she quickly realized that she was lying against Jarod’s chest, with his arm draped over her shoulder holding her close. Her mind rapidly processed this information and she quickly realized that it felt safe.

Shaking those thoughts off immediately, she slipped out from under his arm and brought the armrest back down between them. Miss Parker took this opportunity to study Jarod; her long sought prey that had this time had sought her out. He was sleeping soundly and a lock of hair had fallen over his eyes. She thanked God that he had cut his hair from the hideous look he had been sporting only mere months before, but had kept it a little long. Before she realized what she was doing, she reached her hand up and brushed the stray lock of hair back from his forehead and smiled slightly. He had always been a good-looking man, but when he slept he had almost a boyish look to him. Miss Parker stood and stretched, then carefully edged past him to go to the bathroom. Since there was a slight line, when she returned to her seat Jarod was now awake and reading one of the magazines that were in the pocket in the back of the seat in front of them.

“Oh, you’re up.” she said and squeezed by him to sit down again.

“Yeah. The stewardesses are coming around with coffee. I asked one of them to come back when you did. They also informed me that we are going to be landing in about an hour.” said and pressed the call button. A couple of minutes later, Christine arrived with the coffee cart and handed each of them a cup. After handing them cream containers and sugar packets, she offered them a choice of muffins. Jarod took the double chocolate chip one, while Miss Parker shook her head at him and took a banana nut. Christine smiled and handed them their choices, then moved on.

The hour passed by quickly and before either of them knew it, the plane was landing and it was time to get off. Jarod helped Miss Parker with her two bags that she had carried on the plane, rather than have them in the cargo hold and Jarod grabbed his two and the DSA player. They shuffled into the line of people waiting to get off and just as Miss Parker was about to lose patience, they stepped onto the walkway. Jarod led her over to an empty waiting area and pulled out his cell phone. Dialing a number, he motioned for her to sit. She shook her head and he frowned.

“I’ve been sitting down for over 6 straight hours in an upright position. I want to stand for a bit,” she said glaring at him. He held up at a hand in a “sorry” motion and was about to say something when he heard a voice on the other line.

“Dad?” Jarod said smiling.

“Jarod?” Major Charles’s voice asked happily.

“Yeah, it’s me. We just got in. I'm gonna head to the hotel and get us settled in. Do you want to meet us there?” Jarod said, excited at the thought of seeing his family again.

“Jarod,” Major scolded him gently. “Don’t you think Miss Parker would like to rest a little bit or maybe change first?”

“Oh, yeah.” Jarod said looking at her sheepishly. “Well, what time do you want to meet?”

“Get settled first and call me back. You’re staying at the London Marriott, right?” Major Charles asked his son.

“Yeah.” Jarod answered him and noticed Miss Parker shift one of her bags to the other shoulder. He motioned for Miss Parker to give him one of her bags to carry. Although she looked exhausted, Miss Parker adamantly refused and gave him another glare. He rolled his eyes at the stubborn woman and then motioned for her to follow him.

“Okay, then. When you are ready, ring room 5507.” Major Charles said, the smile on his face coming across on the phone in his voice.

“You’re staying there too?” Jarod exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. He was now outside the airport, with Miss Parker by his side. He gave her a card to give to the car rental desk and she looked from him to the card, then back to him. He waved his hand towards the rental desk and with a loud sigh she dropped her bags on the ground and went to go get the keys to their rental car. Coming back, with them jangling in her hand, she gave him side-glance and then handed him the car ID number.

“Why didn’t you tell me about that?” Jarod asked his father happily, after taking the keys and ID from Miss Parker.

“It was meant to be a surprise. But don’t even think of ringing us until you let that young woman rest! I have seen her tired and it is not a pretty sight.” Major Charles said, making Jarod laugh.

“I won’t, Dad. I promise. I have to go, but I'll see you soon.” Jarod said, making his way to the rental lot, with Miss Parker at his heels. Finding their silver sedan, Jarod gave the key to Miss Parker so she could unlock the trunk.

“Okay, Son. We’ll be waiting for you. I love you.”

“Love you too, Dad. Tell Em and Jay hi for me.” Jarod said and after his father agreed, he hung up the phone. Grabbing his bags from the ground, he threw them in the trunk of the car along with Miss Parker’s bags. Keeping the DSA player with him, he slid into the driver’s seat of the car and placed it in the back seat.

“I reserved us a room with a king-sized bed.” Jarod said and started up the car. She gave him a funny look and he sighed. “It goes with our cover or else I would have gotten two rooms.”

Miss Parker sighed this time and looked out the window, making Jarod frown. It wasn't like her to not rip him up for something like this.

“Are you okay, Miss Parker?”

“I'm fine, Jarod.” She said in a monotone voice. “I'm just tired.”

Jarod studied her for a moment, then accepting the fact that she wasn’t saying anything more he began to drive to the hotel.

They arrived in a mere ten minutes and Jarod insisted that they let the bellboy handle their bags. She fought with him for a few minutes, but being exhausted she eventually gave in and stalked inside. Jarod sighed, hopeful that as soon as she rested, she would become a little more pleasant. Although as he watched her yell at the wide-eyed bellboy for almost dropping one of her 25 pound bags, he sort of doubted it.

Jarod went to the front desk and got their room key while Miss Parker stood by the elevator with the bellboy, who was now trembling and shooting her scared looks every few seconds. After they got settled into the room, Miss Parker flopped onto the bed in a very ungraceful movement. Jarod chuckled and went to unpack. She watched him, with a unreadable expression for about five minutes and then got up and walked past him, into the bathroom. He heard the water start in the shower and she appeared again, going to her own bags.

She pulled out a pair of black satin pajamas, a bottle of shower gel, and a bottle of lotion then walked back into the bathroom, this time closing the door behind her. By the time Jarod had finished unpacking, the shower shut off and he looked expectantly at the bathroom door. It opened and Jarod felt the heat from the room wash over him. Miss Parker appeared moments later, in the pajamas, with her work attire folded in her arms. He let his eyes sweep over her as she passed, taking in every detail from the waves in her damp hair to the way the satin material clung to some damp parts of her back and legs to the bright red nail polish on her toenails. She looked at him and caught him staring at her. He quickly looked away, missing the brief smile that flashed on her face. Miss Parker cleared her throat and he looked her way.

“You can use the shower now. I'm going to try and get some more sleep.” With that she placed her clothes in a drawer and settled herself onto one side of the bed. She closed her eyes and minutes later she was asleep.

Jarod had been in a mild state of shock the whole time after she came out of the bathroom and now snapped out of it. He watched her sleep for a few seconds then decided to take her advice and take a shower. Taking out a pair of blue flannel pajama pants and white muscle shirt, he went into the bathroom and started the water. He came out into the bedroom, fifteen minutes later, feeling much more relaxed. He placed his folded clothes in a drawer and sat down on the other side of the bed. He looked over at Miss Parker and smiled.

In her sleep, her hair fanned out from her face and she look so much younger. As if she had no worries in the world and all was peaceful. He laughed at the ridiculous thought that the world they lived in was peaceful. It never would be until the Centre had been taken down. Jarod yawned and all thoughts dissipated when he laid his head down on the pillow. Soon, Jarod was snoring softly and a smile was on his face as he dreamed of how it would be when he finally met his mother.

**********************************************************************

Jarod awoke around half past noon and after yawning and rubbing his eyes, he looked over at where Miss Parker was sleeping only to find her side of the bed empty. He sat straight up in the bed and looked around anxiously. He needn’t have worried though for he quickly spotted her putting the rest of her clothes in the closet. Miss Parker had changed from her pajamas into a soft white cashmere sweater and a pair of blue jeans. She wore socks only and he wondered if it was out of concern that she didn’t wake him.

“Hi.” he said and she turned to face him. “What are you doing??”

“You’re the genius, remember? What do you think I am doing?” she scoffed at him and hung up the final piece of clothing: a short and slinky gray dress. It was one of her favorites and she remembered that one of the last times she had worn it, Jarod had sent her the other ballerina to her mother’s music box. That was the day she had found the picture of her mother and Ben Miller, holding her as a baby. Alex’s words suddenly came into her head, taunting her about her true parentage. Ignoring where those thoughts were leading, she walked over to the table by the window and put on her white sneakers.

“How long have you been up?” Jarod asked her, still laying in the bed.

She looked up and stared at him. “Long enough. I had some things to get in the hotel stores.” That was all she said and he knew that he would get no more information out of her, so he didn’t bother to ask. Jarod got out of the bed and then after standing still for a few seconds sat on the edge of the bed, stupefied.

Miss Parker finished tying her shoelaces and looked at him strangely. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked him.

“I don’t know what to wear. I am meeting my mother for the first time in over 35 years and I don’t know what to wear.” Jarod said shaking.

Miss Parker looked at him and felt a wave of sympathy wash over her. Without giving it a second thought, she rose and walked over to his drawers. He watched her sift though his clothing and his heart leaped. Maybe the little girl he had once known wasn’t dead and buried. She stopped rifling and pulled out a burgundy colored cotton shirt and black pants. Miss Parker walked over to where he sat in his pajamas and placed them in his lap.

“I suggest you wear your black leather jacket over top. You’ll look fine.” She shooed a dazed Jarod into the bathroom and shut the door. Jarod dressed hurriedly and when he appeared he put on his leather jacket as she had suggested. She gave him a once over and nodded. “Told you,” was all she said.

Jarod smiled at her. “Thank you, Miss Parker.”

“Everyone deserves to look good for their mother.” she said softly and Jarod felt a pang of guilt.

He opened his mouth to apologize, but she shook her head. He nodded and turned to the phone. “I'm going to call my dad.”

Miss Parker nodded and turned to rifle though one of the drawers she had claimed as her own. Bringing out a makeup bag and silver-backed brush, she went over to the full-length mirror. Jarod watched her apply her make-up, then brush her hair for a few seconds before he picked up the room phone and rung the room number his dad had given him.

“Hello?” a young boy’s voice answered the phone.

“Jay?” Jarod asked grinning at Miss Parker, who had turned around at the name.

“Jarod! Are you here? Is Miss Parker there too?” Jay asked excitedly.

“Yes, it’s me and yes, she’s here too.” Jarod said laughing at the boy’s exuberance.

“Who is it, Jay?” Jarod heard his father ask in the background.

“It’s Jarod, Dad! They're ready! Can we see them now? Please? You said to wait until they were ready and they are!” Jay cried loudly forgetting that Jarod was on the other end. Jarod heard a small chuckle from behind him and knew that Miss Parker had heard Jay’s loud plea.

“Jay, put Dad on.” Jarod told him and with an exaggerated sigh, the boy did as he was told.

“Jarod, are you ready?” Major Charles asked as excited as Jay and Emily, who were beside him, grinning from ear to ear.

“Yeah, Dad. As ready as I'll ever be. We’ll meet you in the lobby in about five minutes, okay?” Jarod said, with a questioning look at Miss Parker. She nodded that the time frame was fine for her and grabbed her denim jacket from where it lay on the bed.

“That’s fine, son. Five minutes.” Major Charles hung up and so did Jarod.

“Let’s go, Wonder Boy.” Miss Parker said, but with a gentle undertone.

He nodded and followed her out of the room, making sure he had the car keys and his wallet with the room key in it, and then shut the door behind him.

They were silent in the elevator ride down to the lobby and Jarod rocked on the balls of his feet in uncontainable excitement. The doors opened and stepping out of the elevator, he found himself staring at his father, sister, and little “brother”.

Jay was the first to move and ran over to where Jarod stood. He threw himself onto Jarod and squeezed his waist tightly.

“I missed you!” Jay exclaimed and looked up into Jarod’s face.

“I missed you too, Jay!” Jarod said and hugged the boy back. Jay looked over at where Miss Parker stood and grinned at her.

“Miss Parker!” he said happily and switched his embrace from Jarod to her. Miss Parker looked stunned for a moment and then gave in to the impulse to hug the boy back.

“I'm glad you came.” Jay said finally letting go and letting Miss Parker get some air back into her lungs.

“So am I, Jay.” Miss Parker told him and found herself believing the words.

“Jarod!” came his father’s voice and Jarod felt his eyes tear up.

“Dad!” Jarod echoed and found himself wrapped in a big bear hug from his father. “Dad, I missed you so much.”

“I know, Son. I missed you too.” Major Charles said, his voice deep with emotion.

Jarod pulled back and saw Emily standing to the right of their father, waiting for her turn. His father stepped back and let Emily step closer. Jarod placed his hand on his young sister’s face and she placed her hand over his.

“Emily. I’ve missed your face, little sister.” Jarod said the love for his sister and joy at seeing her healthy overflowing.

“Oh, Jarod.” was all she got out before the tears and emotion overtook her. She leaned into his hug and wrapped her arms around him tightly. “Thank God.”

Jarod rocked side to side slightly with her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. “Shhh," he soothed. “We’re together again.”

Emily pulled back and he wiped the tears from her face with the pad of his thumb. “Don’t cry, Em. Save the tears for when we see Mom.” She laughed, the sound like tiny bells and he grinned.

Jay couldn’t stand it any more and pulled Miss Parker over by the hand to where the rest of his family stood. Major Charles smiled at her warmly and reached out his hand.

“Welcome, Miss Parker. I'm glad you came.” he said and she placed her hand in his.

“Thank you.” she replied and he covered their hands with his other one.

Jarod turned to her and said, “This is my sister, Emily.” He then turned to Emily and said, “Em, this is Miss Parker.”

“I'm glad to finally meet you, Miss Parker.” Emily said smiling as warmly as her father had.

“I'm glad to meet you, too and I am sorry that it was under these circumstances.” Miss Parker said, taking a liking to the young woman. She reminded her a little bit of an older version of Amie. Thinking of the girl that was back home with Gabe, made Miss Parker feel a little sad and Emily noticed the faraway look on her face.

“Is something wrong, Miss Parker?” Emily asked concerned.

Miss Parker shook her head and pushed the thoughts away. “No, I'm okay. Just thinking of someone back home.”

Jarod looked at her trying to figure out who could be the source for her homesickness. Certainly not Lyle or her “father”. Maybe it was Sydney? Broots?!? Or perhaps her little brother, Gabriel? His father's words knocked any thought out of his head.

“So, gang. What do you say we go see a very special lady?” He asked and everyone laughed, including Miss Parker, when Jay let out a loud cheer.

Jarod said that he and Miss Parker would follow them in their rental car and Major Charles nodded his agreement. They each went to the garage and got into their respective cars. Jarod sat in the driver’s seat for a moment and took a deep breath. Miss Parker couldn’t help it. She placed her hand over his, where it rested on the gearshift. Squeezing it, she looked into his face.

“It’ll be okay.” she said and then looked out the window like nothing ever happened. Jarod nodded and started the car, then followed his father out of garage and onto the road.