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Chapter or StoryAuthor's Chapter Notes:
I'm sorry it has taken a while to get this chapter posted. It's another long one so that should count?? right? This story is much longer than I ever intended it to be, it has grown legs and is pretty much running on it's own. Thank you again to those wonderful people that keep the typo queen from running amuck.
THE HUMAN CONDITION
Chapter 10
S’il suffisait qu’on s’aime, s’il suffisait d’aimer
Si I’on pouvait changer les choses, et tout recommencer
S’il suffisait qu’on s’aime, s’il suffisait d’aimer
Nous ferions de ce reve un monde
S’il suffisait d’aimer
S’il Suffisait D’Aimer by Celine Dion
Translation:
If loving each other was enough, if loving was enough
If we could change things and start all over
If Loving each other was enough, if loving was enough
We would make a world of this dream
If loving was enough
The night was one without rest for any of the island inhabitants. The Major stood watching the two sitting close on the beach, the small pile of embers slowly going out in front of them as they huddled together under a shared blanket. To an outsider, they would have appeared to be nothing more than lovers relaxing in each other’s company. As he watched them, he couldn’t help wishing it were so.
A sound behind the Major tore him from his thoughts, he turned to find Jem’s catnap was over. The young man joined him to look down at the beach. “She’s going to leave isn’t she?”
The voice was deep with sleep and sadness, Jem’s eyes looked beseechingly at the Major.
“I believe that she will be asked to go back to the Centre to retrieve the information needed to rescue that baby, and finally bring the Centre down.” The Major’s large hand encircled the boy’s neck in massage to ease the tension they were all feeling. “If she is asked to go, what do you think she’ll do?”
The young man didn’t blink an eye, only his voice betrayed his emotion, “She’ll go.”
“Would you have it any other way, Jem?” They both looked down at the beach watching the two knowing they were probably having a similar discussion.
“No. I just wish…”
The Major tightened his arm around the boy. “I know. I do too. But there are times when we must do things to protect the ones we love. You know they both love you, and they will love that child. When this is over, I pray it will be worth it all.” He felt the head nod beside him.
“Do you trust this Colonel to take care of his side of things? Will he keep her… my mother, safe if she goes back to the Centre.”
It was still difficult to know how to refer to the people who have come to be family. They had not asked to be referred to in any terms. Jem wasn’t sure what was proper in this new world. He was, however, learning, how addicting it was to be near them.
The Major smiled softly when he realized the difficulty the boy was having when it came to referring to either Parker or Jarod. Parker showed the same reluctance each time she attempted to address him, opting to use his military rank rather than his name.
“Jem, the Colonel saved my life when I was a young man in the air force. I believe him to be a man of honor, or we would never have come to this island under his protection. Family is very important to me. I would not endanger any of you. I want nothing more than for you all to be happy”. He waited until the young man looked at him then smiled. “You know, somewhere, you have an Aunt Emily and a Grandmother that are going to love you to death. And, though, we both know I am your Grandfather, you don’t need to refer to me as such, until you are ready. I believe the same is true of your parents but, if you are unsure, talk to them about it. I think their answer will surprise you.”
The large dark eyes looked at him. “Can you explain to me how a family works?”
The Major looked down at the beach watching the parents of the boy, wishing they had the family life growing up that they are trying to make for Jem. I sadden and angered him to know that as children instead of love and security, they had lived with fear and cruelty. It would been easy for them to have fallen back on those experiences and continued the cycle with a new generation. Instead, they were determined to do the opposite. They wanted better for their children and he was determined to help them succeed.
Turning his attention back on his grandson, the Major described his life, as a young man. Though it hadn’t been perfect, he was sure it was closer to what Jarod and Miss Parker wanted for their new family.
***
“Jarod, you know I have to do this.”
“I know. The timing couldn’t be worse, yet, we wouldn’t be here together If it wasn’t for the Colonel. But, I’m telling you Cario, I am not convinced of this man’s abilities to keep you safe as my father seems to be. We are going to come up with our own plan.”
“Jarod, he has the back up we will never be able to mass together.”
“That’s part of my problem with it all. The more people involved the more likelihood the Centre knows what is happening. We need to formulate our own plan B.”
“Then we will, after we find out what he wants. Can we just sit here and enjoy the sunrise and each other’s company before all hell breaks loose?” She snuggled closer to him, smiling as she felt his arm around her shoulder tighten.
They continued to sit close and watched the sun break away from the water with a spectacular display of pink and orange. Up on the patio it may have looked like a couple lost in their love of each other, but for the two on the beach it was a bittersweet beginning. For the first time, they had a chance to fulfill their dream of a life away from the Centre’s enslavement. They had a chance at real freedom, love and a famiy together; but they knew it might come with a price.
***
Each one worked at one facet of getting breakfast ready; Jarod at the toaster while the Major mixied up his special omelets. Jem and Miss Parker brewed the coffee and poured juice at the places set at the table.
Miss Parker took every opportunity to touch and talk with the boy, trying to coax a smile from his somber expression.Finally, she took his hand and pulling him out the door on to the patio. His eyes were wide darting anxiously over his shoulder to the kitchen, where his father and grandfather remained.
Seeing she startled him, the brunette adopted a soft voice, “Listen, Jem. I know you are worried and I would do anything if I could work this out another way, but we need to find out what this Colonel knows and what he expects from us.”
He nodded, but said nothing.
Smiling sadly, Miss Parker lightly kissed his head then turned to look away. “One thing I’ve learned is that everything has a price. We have you, safe and away from that hell. I would pay anything – do anything – to keep you with us, but mostly, I want you away from there.” She turned to see a defeated expression on his face. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Jem nodded, “I think so.”
She smiled at him. “Then, all that’s left is to find out where we go from here.”
He nodded, but didn’t follow her when she stood at the door to the house. She turned back to him, “What? What is it Jem?”
“I guess I just don’t want this to end.” He spread his arms to encompass the area around him. When she followed his line of sight, then looked back into his eyes, he clarified his comment, “All of this. Us, together as a family, and the time we have here.”
“Listen to me. We need to finish this so that we can have our happily ever after, if there is such a thing. I grew up thinking it could never happen, but after my time with you, your father and grandfather, I have changed my mind. Believe me, there is nothing I’d like more than to pretend that nothing but this existed and live here on this island with you and your father in sweet oblivion.” She mimicked his gesture and motioned toward their surroundings, then let her arms drop and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. “I never really knew how much I missed having a real family until now. I promise, I have no intention of giving it up, but we need to take care of this business first. We need to get your little brother, or sister, away from the Centre.”
Straightening his stance, the boy took on a strong expression of determination and nodded.
“Watch as your father takes on this Colonel today. You speak up if you see a hole in the plans or the reasoning. Together we will work this out.”
“But your father… Mr. Parker, will he let you be with us? Won’t he…?”
Parker’s eyes narrowed, her mouth tightened, ”If my Father did what we think he has done, he will never see me again after this is over. I know where I belong now. I know where I want to be.”
This time Jem went into her arms and wrapped his own tightly around her waist, “We all belong together don’t we? We are like the pieces of a puzzle that was left over, that nobody wanted.”
He inhaled her scent, the smell of perfume and felt the warm softness of her as she returned his hug. So this is what boys who grew up outside of the Centre had, this is what had been missing from his life for all those years, having people who cared for him, who liked to affectionately touch and hug him. The Major, Jarod and Miss Parker had all shown affection for him in an open and caring way. It took a while for him to relax with this invasion into his private space, now he didn’t know how he could live without ever feeling it again.
“No Jem”, Parker interrupted his thoughts, “we are pieces of the same puzzle. Don’t you feel how well we all fit together? I never had that as a child. My mother was my only true connection and she left me in a way that allowed me to doubt it ever truly existed for me, or anyone else, until now. Don’t you ever doubt it. No matter what happens, I don’t want you to ever doubt that you belong to our puzzle, our family. Do you hear me.” He nodded still held within her embrace.
She was still holding him when the roar of the seaplane echoed above them. The Major and Jarod moved quickly out of the house toward the steps down leading to the pier and watched the plane slowly land on the water. Immediately the older man started down the steps, but Jarod turned to look back at the other two. Their words unspoken, he nodded, before following his father down to meet the man that held their future in his hands.
***
The tall older stranger stood silently at the edge of the patio staring at Miss Parker and the young man with her. Jarod and the Major came to a hesitant stop behind him before moving to his side.
Miss Parker mentally compared the two military men: both the Major and the Colonel were tall, both were aging gracefully, crinkles around the eyes and mouth, white or graying hair, bright intelligent eyes. The difference is that the Major’s eyes held warmth with intermingled with his intelligence; the Colonel’s eyes were more calculating. It was a look Parker found all to common in the Centre.
The Major stepped between them to begin his introductions but, before he could utter a word, the Colonel stopped him. “I would know this woman any where. This has to be the famous Miss Parker. I’m sure you know you are the spitting image of your mother.”
He put his hand out to shake hers. She hesitated for just a second. The look in his hazel eyes was straightforward and she knew instantly he would pull no punches. Her grasp was firm in his. He nodded his approval then faced the boy.
“Hello Jem, it’s good to see you again. You look more comfortable in your own skin then you did the last time we met. I suppose it takes a while to get one’s footing at being a free man doesn’t it?” His mustache twitched a bit before the smile actually landed on his lips. When Jem simply nodded in answer, the Colonel brought his gaze back to the adults. “Well, I take it you have all had time to read and come to some terms with the information I left behind. I’m sure you have many questions so let’s get down to it, shall we?”
“Let’s sit out here in the air Colonel. I’ll be back with some refreshments.” The Major turned and entered into the kitchen as the others took their seats around the table on the patio. The cooked breakfast was left on the table forgotten.
Jarod began opening the large umbrella over the table to offer shade from the morning sun. “Before we begin sir, I’d like to thank you for allowing us this place to stay while Miss Parker recovers and we gather our wits.” Jarod smiled when his chair scrapped against the patio stones as he moved in closer to the table and discreetly closer to Parker.
The Colonel nodded but continued his scrutiny of Parker. “This may not be the refuge you had hoped for when you landed. I have much to ask of you. However, in return I do offer you the freedom you never had before; the freedom that comes with peace of mind. You will never have to fear captivity nor the life of an indentured servant to the Centre. There will be no more looking over your shoulder for any of you.”
“Considering I was unconscious at the time, I had no such expectations Colonel. And the price for this freedom?” Parker didn’t smile as much as grimace at the Colonel. She was quickly growing weary of his scrutiny of her. The fact that the first words out of his mouth were those comparing her to her mother did nothing to put her at ease. She felt Jarod tense on one side of her as Jem fidgeted on her other side.
“Yes, you have learned your lessons well, there is indeed a price. However I don’t believe you will find it to be too much to ask for all that you get in return.”
The Major returned with a tray of cold drinks as well as a glass teapot with the infuser filled with a blend of tea. Parker sniffed the air, “Earl Grey?”
The Colonel’s shaggy white eyebrows rose and his lips pursed in a near smile of appreciation, “Yes, the Major knows my favorites. We have worked together many times over the years. Would you care for some?”
“No, no thank you. Colonel, I don’t mean to be rude, but you seem to be the one sitting with the entire anchor, and we are left tossing on the waves. Please put us out of our misery. If this has to do with me and my part in the Centre, then tell us what you came to say”. She spread her hands out to either side of her “It’s really not fair to hold everyone hostage if it is me that you have dealings with.”
He continued to scrutinize her for several moments before speaking, “Yes, this does have much to do with you, but not you alone, and not because of anything you may have been asked to do in the past. There are others concerned in not only your welfare but in this case. I need you all here.”
He poured his tea and sipped, watching the reactions while he did so. Parker knew the game; it was one she played several times when attempting to get information. The rules were simple - make them wait and sweat. But she was not going to sweat for this guy no matter what his rank. She discreetly nudged Jem with her foot as she reached for a cold drink.
Jem mimicked her action. Picking up a cold soda for himself, he then tossed one over her head to Jarod with a quick “Heads up” just as the Pretender snagged it in mid air. The three kept their attention on their visitor and sipped their drinks.
Berby smiled a genuine smile at Parker. “Miss Parker you live up to your reputation. You’re right, it is time to finally move things along.” His British accent became a bit more pronounced, as though he had decided to drop all facades and move out of the role his rank of colonel demanded, and into a more diplomatic position. “As you have most likely ascertained by now, we at the MI6 have been keeping an eye on the Centre’s operations. They are moving into a very dangerous position in their dealings with known terrorists. We have most of the information we need but, when I heard that you, Miss Parker, were here and the circumstances surrounding your arrival, it seemed the opportune time to share some of the data we’d compiled – data you needed to have.”
“Colonel, don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the information you provided. Regardless of what you may have heard, or thought, I am not privy to the highly classified information at the Centre – particularly when that information pertains to me. I have had to fight for every truth I have ever uncovered about my own life.” She reached over and took Jem’s hand.
“What, in this case pertains to us.” Jarod inserted with no small amount of authority. “We know there is more to come. I have received a rather cryptic message from a contact inside the Centre, which leads us to believe that there is more going on in respect to Miss Parker’s welfare under her father’s direction.”
“That is also the information we have. However, our mole, as good as he is, cannot get into a position to intervene if necessary without drawing attention to the fact that he is a government operative. The Centre maintains a very closed circle at the top. Miss Parker can be in that position with our help.”
“What exactly is that position? As you know Miss Parker is still recovering from a serious bullet wound. She is not mobile enough to be able to protect herself should that become necessary.”
“How long do you need before you are safely capable of going back?”
Jem suddenly stood up, knocking his chair over, “NO! They nearly killed her last time. You aren’t sending her back so they can get another chance. I just found my family. You aren’t taking them from me!”
“Wait Jem. “ Parker stood and wrapped her arms around the young man. “Nothing has been decided yet. I have a feeling the Colonel has more we need to hear, and then we will talk about it. All of us.”
She looked over to Jarod for his support, but the look on his face told her that so far he was totally on Jem’s side. His face was drawn tight, his lips pressed so firmly together to be nearly white but the Pretender moved to the boy’s side. Setting Jem’s chair upright and positioning it closer to Parker, he motioned for them to take their seats. Standing behind them, with his hands on his son’s shoulders, he glared at the older man. “Please enlighten us Colonel. Explain your plan.”
The Colonel had watched the whole emotional outburst and the parent’s reaction to it. He exchanged a long look with the Major before continuing. “You read the files. You know there is another child of your DNA makeup to be rescued before we bring down the Centre. But there are others that need to be out of harm’s way too. There are victims inside the Centre that need rescued, and there are people who need to be warned before our net closes and the Centre walls come tumbling down.”
Jarod and Parker both whispered “Angelo” at the same time in the same desperate tone.
“Angelo?”
“He is another child that was taken from his family. Angelo has been in the Centre as long as I have. We all grew up together. The problem is Angelo has been so damaged that he refuses to leave, he feels safe there.”
Jarod lowered his head feeling again the guilt that nagged at him every time he thought of his old friend running through the dark grimy air ducts as he lived and discovered a life outside in the sun. Jarod’s mind replaying the scene of Angelo in the hammock feeling the warm sunshine as they learned of the Centre’s games with Jarod’s family at Neugenesis.
“Angelo was his correct name? Could he have been younger than you?” The Colonel sat rigidly with his hands clenched on the table.
“His real first name was Timmy.” Parker looked at Jarod, “We never learned his last name. I don’t think he knew it. Angelo was the name Raines gave him after he…”
“Experimented on him and ruined his mental abilities.” Jarod finished. “None of us knew our last name or where we came from. I was told my parents died on the way to visit me. It was years later that I learned differently, after I escaped.” Knowing she still felt responsible for all that she later learned to be lies, he slid one hand from Jem’s shoulder to hers. “Timmy – Angelo – has no memory of his early childhood.”
The Colonel slumped back into his chair and closed his eyes. “What I’d like you to do is make a list of those still living within the Centre including those held within it’s satellites. I want to know everything you know about everyone taken from their families soon as you can provide it.”
“Colonel who in particular are you looking for on the lists of those held hostage?” Parker had watched his reaction and knew without a doubt that he was looking for his son. She needed a name, a description, a time period if there was a chance that either she or Jarod may have crossed paths with this person.
Berby looked at the Centre refugees sitting in front of him, watching him with interest, hope and sympathy.
“In 1968 my wife and son were in New York, we were going to meet to take Daniel to a specialist about his dyslexia. He was six. He was a bright lad. At one time he was way a head of others his age, but he had become sullen, and had just given up trying to keep up with his own age. We were to meet a doctor that specialized in working with children with learning disabilities. Daniel had to take an IQ test prior to his appointment. I was stationed in Washington DC at the time and was scheduled to fly to New York to go to the appointment with them after the test. By the time I got there, Daniel had disappeared. His mother had taken him to The Museum of Natural History and he just disappeared without a trace. We waited expecting a ransom or because I served with British Intel, some kind of trade off of information, but nothing ever came.”
Parker sat with her eyes closed for a few minutes. “Tell me Colonel, what hotel were they staying at in New York.”
Jarod knew the look in her eyes, she was on to something, he sat back trying to remember if this was something he had run across.
“The Hilton, Miss Parker do you have some information about my son?”
“Possibly. If he is who I think he is, Sydney removed him from Raines access and had him admitted to a state facility as his patient.” She paused, how do you tell a father that while his son is safe, he is damaged? How do you break a man’s heart?
“Colonel, the young man is alive but he did not escape without being scarred. When we found him he was living in a warehouse. Raines had used some of his experimental drugs on him and by the time we found him, they had affected Dannie profoundly. Sydney and another specialist have been working with him; I don’t know how well he is doing right now. I’m sure once Sydney learns that you are his father he would be more than happy to take you to him.”
“I need to know anything you can tell me about Daniel. Everything you know.”
“Okay, I’ll give you all that I remember, Sydney can update you on everything that has happened since. But, in exchange, I of information I need. I want any other children that may be ours before the Centre has a chance to hide them… and. .. “
She swallowed hard before continuing, “You apparently knew my mother well enough to make the comment that I looked like her. I want to know all that you know regarding her too.” Her eyebrows arched in question, Parker studied the man before her. “We make this a two way street, I am more than happy to help you find your son. I’ll do whatever I can to see that he is back with you. No one knows more than we do how important it is to find your children that have been stolen or hidden from you.” Her hand now rested easily on top of Jarod’s hand caressing Jem’s shoulder.
The Colonel nodded, “You have my word on it, although you were going to get the information regarding the children without making a bargain. We work together on all facets of this case and I will do all in my power to keep you and your families from any further dealings with both the Centre and the government’s investigation.”
Parker nodded, exchanged a long look with Jarod before caressing the back of Jem’s neck and settling down once again in her seat. “Raines was attacked in the parking lot at the Centre. I saw it happen; the attack was quick and precise. The assailant carved a room number into the old geezer’s arm with a knife then escaped before anyone could follow. When we checked into it, we found the room number identified where Raines had carried out his mad research.”
She paused to look at Jarod still hovering over Jem. He was close enough to her that she could feel the warmth from his breath on her head. The hand on Jem’s shoulder closest too her slipped to the right, include a slight touch on her arm. She acknowledged his encouragement.
The Colonel watched the interchange with interest. This was certainly not what he expected from the information he had been given concerning the Centre’s chairman’s daughter. “Do you have reason to believe this attacker was my son?”
“Raines sent Willie his henchman, to what we believed was an abandoned warehouse. We followed him and found Dannie inside, unharmed, but not before he attacked me.”
At this information the Colonel cleared his throat in an attempt to control his emotions. “You seem sure that it is my Daniel. How can you be so sure?”
“We found the name Einnad written all over the walls, we also found a medicine chest full of prescriptions that were written out to Daniel Hilton Minor. When we closed the door to the medicine cabinet the word Dannie was written backwards,” she told him. “Sydney took the drugs and learned that they’d originally been prescribed to treat minor depression, Raines, then operating under the name Dr. William increased the dosage to the point where the patient’s medical condition became amplified thus developing a multiple personality disorder.”
“You still haven’t explained why do you think this Dannie is my Daniel?”
“The time frame fits. The first record of him we found was in the late 60’s”, she replied. As we mentioned the Centre has a habit of not allowing the children they take to know their family name. The name Daniel Hilton Minor is probably taken from the Hilton Hotel, and the fact that Dannie was a minor; just as hospitals use John Doe, the Centre is notorious for the way they reconstruct people to suit their needs. Raines needed to move his medical experiments into a hospital setting after the fire in SL27 in the late 60’s. His patients would need to have a patient history to use a modern facility. Raines is not exactly creative enough to come up with something original. Including his disregard of medical ethics makes him resemble Dr. Frankenstein.”
Parker looked at the others around the table than again back at the Colonel. He was, once again studying her, analyzing her. He reminded her of a human lie detector. She held his gaze for a long moment, then swallowed a long drink of the cold water in front of her.
“Colonel when you are ready we will contact Sydney. We will get the name of the facility where Dannie was transferred. The Centre has no knowledge of Dannie’s existence since Syd intervened. Whenever you can make the arrangements to have him transferred, if you want him in hospital close to you, we can set that up immediately. I know Sydney would be only to happy to see at least one of these lost souls back with their family.”
He nodded. “We’ll make those arrangements as soon as we are done here.”
“Colonel, there are others that work at the Centre with no idea of the harm the place does,” she said. “The work a normal workweek and are innocent of the crimes that are endorsed and perpetuated by their employer. Will you take care of them too?”
Of course. We have people working on that now. I’m concerned abot those that the Centre may feel free to dispose of to mitigate their guilt; they will need to be removed first,” Berby explained. He was angry and it was evident that he was fighting to control it. “Once those are found that can literally tie the nose around the neck of those in charge, we will see to the safety of the innocent employees. As for those awaiting the noose we have a list that includes William Raines, as well as Mr. Lyle, and a few others. I guarantee you there is no chance in hell they will escape their deserved future.”
Jarod spoke up before anyone had a chance, “What do you know about the child? Before Parker or I, will intervene, I want to know where the child is and how it came to be. And, while you’re at it, I want to know how you plan on protecting Parker.”
Berby looked at the Pretender, wondering if it was his imagination or if the man was suddenly taller than he remembered. Jarod’s stature, the way he held himself, had changed drastically since the beginning of their conversation. It was obvious that he was feeling protective.
“I am sure you understand my reluctance to allow the mother of my children to be put back in with that nest of vipers. They nearly cost her her life more than once, “ Jarod stated firmly, “and she has not fully rcovered from her last experience.”
Berby looked at the group standing together, nodding he answered, “That is part of what we need Miss Parker to provide, Our information is sketchy regarding the – your - child. We know the project it is filed under is called ‘viable permaneo ’”.
Jarod angrily muttered, “’The last viable’. In other words they have used up all the ingredients they had to make more babies. “ He turned to Parker, “You were right. You are their Plan B. Knowing that, I think we need to find another way around it. We need to stack the cards in our favor.”
Parker stared at him, “How? I have access to Daddy, obviously. If you go Jarod, you not only run the chance of never seeing daylight again, but they will take what they need from you and look for another red file to use it on.”
“But don’t you see Cario, they want your abilities too!” She turned from him to watch the waves in the distance.
Berby cleared his throat to bring their attention back to him and the discussion. “Why do you suspect they may need another chance at this?”
Parker could feel the blush start at her neck and work its way to the roots of her hair. She glanced quickly at Jarod, to see him duck his head to hide his smirk. She discretely kicked him before beginning her somewhat altered explanation.
“Before my father re-married my team discovered that his fiancée. Bridgette was unable to get pregnant. We then found the doctor that she supposedly used was not a doctor registered in this country or any other country. Now that she is obviously well into her pregnancy, I have to question of how healthy is she really. What lengths did they go to to….”
The Colonel while looking amused at her discomfort was intrigued by the information. “Suppose you go back and act as midwife. We will train you in aiding in the health of the mother and the birthing of the child. It will put the child into your hands at birth, and give that child every possible way of succeeding at being born healthy and free. We have someone established within the Centre; you will promote him as your assistant. Keep him close, use your injury for an excuse. His job will be to protect you at all costs.”
While Jarod’s concern faded infinitesimally, Parker became more agitated. “No. I will not be the cause of another’s death. He will not be putting his life on the line for me.”
Berby’s tone was stern and allowed no question, “That is his job. We all do our job. Though I assure you that either his death, nor anyone else’s, is part of the end I’m anticipating Miss Parker. This will be gone over with a fine-toothed comb until there is no question as to its success. That is my job, and I’m damned good at what I do.”
The Colonel looked at the Major and his son, “How long before we can begin training for this operation?”
Parker fumed, “Excuse me, but isn’t that a question you NEED to direct to me?”
Jarod moved to her side and with hands on both of her shoulders, he held her in a firm grasp. “She needs rehab before we begin anything. Her wounds are just beginning to heal. I think another week before we begin to plan out any defined expectations. Then you will have to see if you can come to a reckoning with my patient.” He gently squeezed her good shoulder, knowing she was still fuming.
Jarod continued, “In the mean time let’s move this inside to the computer. You let me know what you want conveyed to Sydney through Angelo regarding your son. I believe it can be arranged to have your son moved to the islands if you prefer.”
The group entered the house and looked at the mess of the uneaten breakfast. “Why don’t you go in the living room and set up the computer Jarod. Jem, would you mind giving the old man a hand in cleaning things up a bit then, we’ll join them.”
Jem looked longingly at the other three and caught Parker’s eye, she gave a slight nod, and the young teen acknowledged it with a hesitant shrug and turned to the table and began gathering plates. The Major watched the three head down the hallway into the other room before he also began cleaning away the uneaten meal.
Jarod and the Colonel each sat on the sofa with the computer on the coffee table in front of them. Jarod typed his email to Angelo, then slid the computer in front of the Colonel to read it before sending. Out of the corner of his eye Jarod watched Parker pacing around the room like a caged tiger.
It was the middle of the afternoon and no one had eaten anything since their breakfast had been interrupted, Jarod knew she was feeling the pain from the shoulder and was growing irritated by her intolerance to that pain as well as the events.
“Will your friend know what you are asking? You said he had been injured mentally?” Berby’s voice was softer than it had been all day.
“Angelo may not be like you and I but he has some very special abilities, he may not understand the words, but he is capable of seeing beyond the words to the heart of the matter.”
Jarod looked up in surprise when Parker answered. She was the one that usually down played Angelo’s abilities. The woman amazed him; he could honestly say that he was never sure exactly what was going on in her head, or what would come out of her mouth at any given time.
Their time on the island opened his eyes to just how much he had underestimated her. Even now, when he thought he finally had understood her; Jarod realized he had a lot to learn yet. Whether it was her red file abilities or the fact that she had learned to mask her true self, she hid in her world to survive. Now for the first time since they were children he was learning about her again. Everything he was learning was just drawing him closer to her, filling his heart with more of her allure.
Jarod clicked on the send button and glanced over at Berby, “Sydney will understand. He understands Angelo better than anyone else at the Centre, right now.”
He smiled and looked over at Parker to find her staring at the Colonel. She was in full intimidation mode.
“Colonel, who is your plant at the Centre? I want to know before I agree to go back there, who it is I’m going to have to rely on.”
Berby studied her a long time allowing the silence to grow. Jarod was sure at any time Parker would either explode at him or start snapping her fingers. She didn’t. The Colonel and Parker seemed to be taking a full measure of each other - she in his withholding his information, and he in how long she was going to allow it.
Finally Berby smiled, “You don’t know him yet. He is working for the Centre in Africa. He is the one that gave us our information on your father and Raines. At Raines and Lyle’s request, he is being moved to Blue Cove and will be put on the pursuit team.”
Parker’s mouth opened in surprise. “You really do have them fooled don’t you? Are you sure of your man? Anyone that has both Raines and Lyle’s support is not someone I hold high on my list of trustworthy. Unless he is a number one ass kiss, then of course he’d be on both their lists.”
“My man is the best in what he does. I trained him myself. He has been in Cuba doing some work for us before this assignment. He has proved himself time and again. Trust me, Miss Parker, you will find he is useful in many ways. For instance, he is a trained doctor and will be particularly helpful when the child is born. You will know him as Mr. Cox.”
Jarod stood and looked down at the Colonel, “My family is at risk here. If ‘your’ man is not what you say I will not hesitate to take matters into my own hands, even if that means…”
“Jarod!” Turning the Pretender found his father and son standing at the edge of the room. The Major’s expression was stern and his tone controlled as he moved closer, carrying trays filled with lunch makings. “I’ve worked with the Colonel many times. I would not have involved him if I had any doubt about his abilities to help us. Would I have endangered you or my grandson and his mother?”
Jarod looked sheepish at his father’s chastising, but did not back away. “Dad, we have learned that there is very little we take on appearance or someone’s word. Now, there is just too much at stake for a miscue.”
“I promise you there is no miscue. It is all as I have stated, Jarod, Miss Parker.” The Colonel stood. “Do you want to continue with this or should we let it go as it is and we all go in our own direction.”
Jarod motioned Parker and Jem to follow him out on the patio to talk, leaving the two military men standing watching them leave.
“Any place that leaves that kind of a mark on so many people cannot be allowed to thrive.” The Major turned to the Colonel, “Can you still bring it down without them?”
“We can, but it will be much more difficult and the chance of collateral damage is high. I doubt that we wiould ever be able to identify the innocents let alone get to them in time, without the inside help Miss Parker’s cooperation alone allow us. She can get us access to information even she doesn’t know exists.” The Colonel looked from the hallway back to the Major, “I honestly don’t think for a second it’s going to be a problem. No matter how much Jarod and his son fights her, I think she will do it, because she understands more than they do about the Centre’s deception. Her father has seen to that.”
The Major agreed, “Then of course there is the unborn baby. My son will never allow another child of his to be born in there, and Miss Parker ….”
“Miss Parker will fight like a tigress for her cub. We saw a touch of that today haven’t we?” The Colonel reached down to sample a sandwich, “They need to come to an understanding. Then we need to get Miss Parker back into physical shape to deal with it mentally. She is going to need to get back into her Centre persona to pull this off. She cannot be weak or allow her facade to crack.”
“That is asking a lot of a woman who has only just been allowed to trust openly again.” The Major frowned as he watched his friend take a long drink of iced tea.
“She’ll have all the support she will need to get this over as quickly as possible, and from what I’ve seen here, she’ll be well supported and loved once it is over.”
“Providing things go as planned. The people she will be dealing with, her family, are the most treacherous. She’ll never be able to let her guard down.”
“Charles, I know some things about this woman you may not. She was tested for the Pretender gene. The only reason they never used her was her mother sabotaged the results.” Berby watched as wonder passed over his friends face. “Miss Parker finished what would have been a six year college course in over three years. At the age of twenty she had her degree and her father made sure she returned to a position under his thumb.”
“I shouldn’t be surprised. She has proved her self to be a remarkable woman in many ways. It would certainly explain Jarod’s infatuation with her.”
Berby grinned, “Not to mention hers with him. There is speculation that they underwent a sexuality experiment when they were very young. The attraction they demonstrated was fed subconsciously for a number of years. It is one of the reasons old man Parker needed her back in the fold, and why she was placed in the hunt for Jarod.” He picked up an orange and picking at the peel he continued, “There is a fable that when those with the genetic makeup of the ‘pretender’ class meet, they form a connection that cannot be broken. Doesn’t it seem to you to be odd that Jarod, Parker, this Angelo and my son, to some degree, have met and in very little time have developed this deep respect or deep feelings. It’s as though they speak a language known only to them. I watched their face as Parker described Daniel to me. All of them, including Jem, had a haunted hurt expression. as Parker finished each one of them looked relieved that Daniel may have found a home.”
“Colonel, perhaps what you saw was simply because they know, more than most, what it is like to be denied a home.”
“Perhaps, Charles, perhaps. But I think there is a lot more about the social aspects of the pretender gene that we have yet to learn. Just like the genius of the past, didn’t quite fit into society as was demanded of them. Today, it is easier to be different.”
“I doubt it. But it may explain why there is such empathy among them.”
Jarod and Jem watched as Parker paced across the front of the patio, stopping to look down at the beach briefly before continuing the steady movement from one end to the other. Finally she turned toward the men. “You know I have to do this. We have a baby to get out of there before Raines gets his twisted fingers on it. I want that child in my hands the moment it is born. Then we are out of there. Gone. Forever gone. These kids will never know what it is like to ….”
Jem moved in front of her at the first sight of a tear on her cheek, “You will take care of yourself. I will never know another mother if anything happens to you. You promised me I’d never have to know what that is like.”
His dark eyes looked up at her beseechingly, begging her for the chance to have that family she promised him.
“Sweetheart, I’ll do everything I can to be back here with you and your dad. We have a baby to take care of, and for some reason I think it’s going to take all of us to figure it out. Don’t you?” Parker smiled at his nod. “You know, if there was any other way we could do this and have the same percentage of things working out, I’d stay here or anywhere else with you two.”
She looked over at Jarod; the look in his eyes took her breath away. This was not easy, or fair.
Jarod stood behind Jem then with him in between them, wrapped his arms around both his son and Parker. Parker kissed Jem on the head and allowed a few more moments of the family togetherness before she stepped awa. Tugging the boys face up to hers she suggested he get something to eat while she talked to his father for a moment. Jem hung on for a few more seconds before relenting. As he backed up to leave, Jarod slid his arm around the boy; he pulled Jem to him whispering in his ear that he understood his feelings and they would talk later.
Parker and Jarod stood facing each other about three feet apart until the boy disappeared behind the screen door. Then without warning, Jarod closed the space between them. Remembering Parker’s injury he gently held her to him, one hand around the back of her head the other at the small of her back, as he slowly and methodically kissed her, reveling in her response.
“Cario, Cario.” He kissed every spot on her face as her eyes filled. “Cario.”
“Jarod, you said that.” Her smile allowed the tears to flow.
“Get used to it. You will never be Miss Parker or even Parker to me again.”
“I think when this is over I’ll change my last name. I want no part of the Centre, and I certainly don’t want to be branded with that name.”
“We can do it before you leave.”
She stopped returning his kisses and stepped back. “What? What are you talking about?”
“I’m tired of just referring to you as the mother of my children, I want a relationship that goes beyond that, one that actually involves a relationship between us.”
“Jarod, there is a relationship that involves us. In case you didn’t notice there is no one else out here kissing me. And for most people having children together is a very intimate relationship.” She was only half teasing, trying to cover the discomfort that was making the hairs on her neck stand up.
“Stop it Cario. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” The hand on the small of her back slid up to her good should and held it firmly. “Am I asking too much, is it more than you can give.”?
Again she was drawn to his eyes. The window to Jarod’s soul was always his eyes. She could get lost in them, the deep dark openness that was Jarod in so many ways. “Do we have to be married to love each other? I don’t have a lot of examples here to follow. The only one I had, may have been a sham.”
“Cario, can you love only me? As a man can you love only me? Do you want to spend your life with me trying to love me?” His voice was pleading.
“Jarod, it was never a question of can I love you. Don’t you see that? It’s a question of is my love enough. Hell is it enough for the children? I don’t know that I have what it takes to do what you want. It isn’t a question of do I want to. Can’t you see that?”
Her eyes were moist and her thoughts were swimming against the current of not knowing.
Jarod pulled her to him, “I don’t think I can live without you in my life. You have always been there, somewhere. You are my constant - if not in person then on the phone. I carry a picture of you and my family. You have always been with me. Isn’t this what people do, don’t they dedicate their lives to the making of a family?”
She kissed him again trying to put all her feelings for him in the kiss. When she ended it she looked up at him, “If I had a trusting loving family growing up, this wouldn’t be so difficult. I love you. I love that Jem is our son, and that we are going to rescue another child of our genes, God help them both. Jarod, can we please leave this decision until we are all together again when this is over? It’s not that I can’t say you are my husband, or that I’m your wife. Right now, there are so many things that could go wrong, I want all this over with and then I can deal with doing that job, that one important role as perfect as I can.”
Jarod looked at her with such wanting, that she wasn’t sure she would ever be able to live up to all that he needed from her. When he gathered her to him again, she gave as much as she could to make up for all that she was sure she lacked.
Neither seemed aware of the young man standing at the screen door with tears in his eyes.
***
Jarod and Parker found the living room pretty much as they had left it. The Major and the Colonel were sipping ice tea and talking. In the far corner of the room Jem sat alone and quiet. Parker went over to his chair and casually made her self comfortable on the thick padded edge. Sliding her arm around Jem’s neck, bringing him closer to her.
“What did we miss?” She whispered.
“Not much, they were waiting on you guys to return before getting into any details.”
Parker nodded, watching the adults from Jem’s view. “Guess we should finish this, I’d like to go down on the beach and spend sometime, maybe watch the sun set. What do you think?”
“Yea, I’d like that too.” He turned his head to look up at her, but the smile but it never touched his eyes.
Parker leaned toward him and stage whispered, “Then what do you say we find their chain and give it a yank.”
She gracefully moved across the room towing the youngster behind her, “Well gentlemen, let’s finish this. I have a sunset to catch with this handsome guy I found lurking in the corner, I don’t intend to leave him hanging.”
“Well, Miss Parker I believe the ball is in your court. Are you in?” Berby watched Parker’s face noting the mask was firmly in place, she gave nothing away, it pleased him that, despite being here and having been taken care of, she was still able to use her survival technique when required.
“I’m in but only until the child is in my hands. Once that happens, I’m out of there. I’ll play your game, but you damn well better have you pieces on the board and ready to go. If I’m the queen I want checkmate in as few of moves as possible. We need to get my child, Angelo, Broots, Sydney and any of the others out, or we will resort to Plan B.”
The Colonel’s shaggy eyebrows moved in surprise. To Parker they looked like two white mice resting above his eyes that finally woke up and didn’t know where they were.
“What exactly is Plan B?”
“That will be our extraction plan to get Parker , the child and anybody else out if you fail us.” Jarod’s tone was flat and allowed no space for further argument or discussion.
“You are certainly within your rights to have such a plan. I’m not sure under the same circumstances I wouldn’t have one myself. But I’m telling you that you will NOT need it. My team has spent many months working on getting our man planted, and working out the fine details. What I need from you within the next couple of days are the lists of others that need our attention. We also need the entire index of the Centre’s annex, to make sure that we have at least the same information you do. I suspect we have names and locations you are not aware of.” The Colonel stood. “I need to stretch my legs. I’ll be here on the island for a couple more hours. Hopefully we will hear from your Angelo in that time. I’m also expecting to be notified regarding one of our plants.”
The Major gave Jarod a sober look at he followed the Colonel out the patio door.
“Well, I guess it’s our turn to clean up.” Parker nudged Jarod to get his attention. He looked at her then at Jem.
“You’re right. I think Jem gets to sit this one out, since he was stuck the last time.” Jarod winked at his son.
“Yeah, but he eats first. Your son has skipped both meals today, he’s a growing boy and I expect he is hungry even if he doesn’t know it.” Parker held out a plate filled with sandwich making and other odds and ends left on the coffee table. She held it in such a way the young teen wasn’t about to risk her wrath by refusing. He had seen her challenge the Colonel when no one else did. His mother was courageous.
Jem took the plate into the kitchen to watch his parents as they cleaned up the lunch makings. He found it fascinating to watch them work together. They seemed to know what they other was thinking or about to do and reacted to each other as though it was all synchronized. The grace with which his mother moved, the way her eyes sparkled as she looked at his father or caught him staring at her was mesmerizing.
She loaded another plate of food and hide it in the cooling unit until they had everything else cleaned-up. Moving in front of Jarod she reached up with her right hand and pulled him down for a kiss. At his surprised expression she raised her eyebrows, “Just as I thought, you didn’t eat lunch either. Take a seat beside your son.”
Jarod sat beside Jem still looking a bit dumbfounded, as Parker placed the filled plate in front of him with a can of his favorite sugared soda. Jarod’s face lit up, he caught Parker’s hand before she moved from the table.
“Thank you Cario, but you need to eat too. I know you, you are running on adrenalin.” He watched as she snapped up an orange and began peeling it, then in one fluid movement spinning around to turn the burner up to heat water for tea.
Feeling Jarod’s attention, she faced him and smiled at the anxiety etched in his features. “This too shall pass. We could never live with ourselves if we didn’t take this opportunity. Could we?”
Jarod stared at her before looking over at Jem. Knowing the new dimension the boy brought to their lives, he had to admit that was no other way. “No, We’ve only been a family a shot time and already, I can’t imagine life without either one of you. It’s time we brought the baby of the family home.”
***
Angelo’s message came while the three were still in the kitchen. The laptop sounded from it’s place on the coffee table. Berby looked to the Major, who wasted no time in calling for Jarod.
The message read, “Sydney happy. Let know time.”
Berby scowled, “A man of few words.”
“Angelo knows how to get his message across without setting off alarms should the email be intercepted. Of course it never has been. Has it?” Jarod’s smirk answered Parker’s question. She looked at Berby, “He learned well from the master of disguise and cryptic messages.”
“So, I’ll set up the time and contact you,” Berby directed to the pretender, “you will pass it on. I should have my son in two days.” The man’s face did not allow for happiness or relief. In fact it appeared to be saddened and concerned.
“Colonel, I’ll go with you if you want. Or will you be taking Lilith?”
“Major, my wife is not interested in anything to do with me or my job. It will be up to me to handle Daniel’s return. If he is in the shape Miss Parker last saw him in, I will not be contacting her.”
Parker was in shock at his words. “I’m sorry Colonel, but if it were my son, I’d want him no matter what his condition. Nothing his father could have done would keep me from him. And should his father even attempt to keep me from him,” she paused a second but the fierceness in her voice left no doubt as to the price that would be exacted, “If anyone kept him from me there would be hell to pay.”
“I have no doubt Miss Parker. I wish Lilith had the same heart.” They walked with him down to the pier. “I will be in touch in a couple of days. Please start the rehab on the arm in the mean time. Major if you have any need to contact me you know how.”
He walked back to shake each hand. Parker’s was last. “Miss Parker it was a treat and a surprise. I wish you the best in your complete recovery. I think you will find that working on my team will be more effective than you think it could be.” He climbed into the plane and the Major closed the door behind him. The small family stood close as they watched the plane move away from the pier and pick up speed before lifting off and soaring out of sight.
Jarod had an arm around his son and Parker as they headed back to the house, Parker stopped him, “I thought we were watching the sunset from the beach tonight.”
Jarod grinned, “So we are. How about I go get some hot dogs and we have a campfire tonight. You guys pick a spot. I’ll be back in a few.”
They watched as he sprinted up the steps.
The evening went as planned, without incident or accident. The Major sat with his arm around his grandson as the sun had set completely and only the crackling of the dying embers joined the chorus of the waves. The family sat quietly thinking over the events of the day.
Finally Jarod broke the silence, “We have probably two weeks max before we split up to accomplish the Colonel’s plans. Tomorrow Cario and I will be up early to begin the rehab work out. Then after lunch let’s get together and see about a making our own Plan B. I never go into a pretend without a plan B, I rarely need it, but it’s always good to know you have it.”
“Son, I know you aren’t happy about this, and all of you have your suspicions but I’m telling you that the Colonel would never place you in harm’s way, especially after helping him to regain his son. I have every confidence in him.“ At seeing how little impact his words had on their expressions, the Major sighed, “But there is never anything wrong in having a plan B.”
Chapter End Notes:
Those of you that continue reading..Thank You, I hope I don't disappoint you.
