Disclaimer: All characters belong to NBC and the creators of "The Pretender". Any coincidences in this story are just that: coincidences. Author's note: I started watching "The Pretender" in March of the first season. I wrote this before I caught a lot of the reruns from the beginning of the season. So if the characters seem a bit not like themselves like they are on the show, it's because I didn't know as much about them as I do now. I'm too lazy to go back and change any of it, except easy stuff like spelling. Enjoy! Comments @ JBBDad@aol.com. ***** Close Danelle drove quickly from the city. Her heart was beating rapidly. She had thought about doing this for a long time, and finally she had summoned up the nerve to do it. She was running away. From what? A life of disaster, tragedy, and evil. The headlights of her car broke the sheet of darkness on the small highway. The few things Danelle brought with her were in the car: a couple of bags, a sleeping bag, and a pillow. She was on her way. Good-bye Denver. ***** Jarod kept his eye on the rearview as he sped away from his pursuers. Miss Parker, Sydney, and other Centre personnel scrambled to their cars to follow him. At the rate he was going, and the time it would take them to catch up, he had probably a minute and a half. Jarod didn't see this coming. He was just in town to help out and see more of the country, and somehow the Centre had found him. Maybe they put out some sort of ad or 'wanted' sign. Probably not, he thought. Light reflected off the mirror and hit his eyes. He squinted and pressed the gas pedal down harder. They made better time than he estimated. Now he was being hunted and he still didn't have a real firm idea of where to go. He caught sight of a sign for a highway to Denver. Sure, why not? He forked off the road and onto the highway. Two cars followed him. Two things bothered him as he raced to get to Denver and avoid Miss Parker. One he wasn't sure of, and the other was that he left before he finished helping David and Angela. They lived outside of Denver, managing a small shop. They were going through some hard times, financially, and someone was trying to take advantage of what they had earned. He hoped it worked out. He did all he could, but closure would have set him at ease. An awful sound of crunching metal made Jarod swerve on the road. That, and the force of Miss Parker ramming into him. He glared at the rearview. Don't even think about it, he warned her silently. He sped along steadily while reaching behind his seat to find something. His fingers felt the small box. He grabbed it and opened the sun roof. He felt a few drops of water on his arm. Without another thought, he threw the box out the roof, back at the hunters. ***** "What's he doing?" Miss Parker asked aloud. Sydney narrowed his eyes in thought. "What's that in his hand?" They found out as a shower of metal came pouring on their car. The driver slammed on the brakes as they all heard a loud pop. "Nails!" raged Miss Parker. The car swerved and screeched to a stop. The other car stopped to help. ***** Jarod smiled to himself as he surveyed the damage behind him. He reached up and held the button for the sun roof and it closed just before a downpour of rain drenched the surroundings. Which also meant Miss Parker. He never slowed down. The other car might be okay, and they'll keep following. The speedometer read 119 mph. The road was getting slick. A small rabbit ventured out on the road as the rain slowed to a stop. It sat to rest on the road. Jarod's headlights lit up the rabbit. Its eyes widened in fear. Jarod saw it just in time and slammed on the brakes. The rabbit quickly moved, but the car hit a bump in the road. It sent Jarod and the car flying. The car touched down twenty-five feet away. Jarod heard another crash as the car rolled on its side and slide another twenty feet. It rolled again and gravity kicked in as Jarod lost consciousness. ***** Danelle heard the crash before she saw it. She slowed her car down. A dark car was upside down on the shoulder of the road. Glass was everywhere, shattered from the windows. She stopped her car. She reached for the glove compartment and removed a small flashlight. Cautiously she got out to examine the wreck. She didn't hear anything, no person crying out in pain. The night was silent just as it was seconds before. The glass crunched against the pavement under her shoes. The light from the flashlight shone on passenger side. She couldn't see anyone. She crouched down for a better look. Danelle could someone in the driver's seat. Maybe hanging from the driver's seat is a better description. She went to the other side. "Hello?" she asked nervously. She shined the light on the person. It was a man. Streams of blood ran from his head. She winced at the sight. "Sir?" The man's eyes fluttered open. Danelle jumped back, afraid. She got a hold of herself and tried again. "Can you hear me?" The man groaned. He found her with his eyes. He nodded the best he could while being upside down. He tried his voice. "Yeah." His voice was kind of raspy. He reached for the seat belt release and pushed it before Danelle could stop him. ***** Oww! Jarod thought. He groaned out loud as he hit the roof of the car. He heard a voice again. "Careful! Here." She grabbed his shirt and guided him out of the car. He laid on the ground as she hovered over him. "Are you all right?" He started to nod as she examined him. His left wrist was swollen. She touched it. "Ow!" he cried out. Her eyes widened. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" she exclaimed. Jarod saw the panic. "It's okay." He tried to sit up. "Um, I don't think that's a good idea," she muttered anxiously. He laid back down as a wave of nausea and dizziness washed over him. "Maybe you're right. . ." She stood up and disappeared from his sight. Moments later she returned with a small plastic box. She kneeled down beside him and opened it up. He could feel himself slipping away but fought to stay awake. "This might sting a bit," she warned him. He watched her move for his head with a white gauze, probably soaked with an antiseptic. He breathed in sharply as he felt the sting. "How long have I been out?" he asked, thinking about Miss Parker and the Centre. "A few minutes." Too long, he thought. He tried again to get up. "Thank you, but I've got to go. They'll be right behind me," he mumbled. The girl looked confused. "But you're hurt. Wait, don't get up!" She sprung to her feet and caught him before he fell again. "You should wait here until help comes." He shook his head vigorously. "No, there's no time." He stopped. How do I get out of here? His car was wrecked. The Centre would be here soon, and this girl was trying to.... His eyes fell on her car. He stumbled toward it. "Can you get me out of here?" ***** Danelle was puzzled. Maybe he's in shock. He's hurt and help would take awhile. She sighed and helped him to her car. "Hold this to that cut," she instructed. He obeyed. He cradled his left arm in his lap. "I think you dislocated or sprained your wrist." He nodded. As she drove back to Denver, she watched him. He put down the red gauze and turned his attention to his wrist. He gingerly felt it with his other hand. He winced. "I dislocated it." His face tensed up as he placed his hand on the injured wrist. Danelle watched him, confused. "What are you-" There was a loud popping noise, followed by both their screams. Danelle struggled to keep driving and not throw up because of what he'd just done. The man heaved as he leaned over the arm in pain. "Sorry," he said in between gasps. Danelle's eyes were still wide in disgust. "You. . . you just- I mean.." "I relocated it." The words brought on a second desire to throw up her dinner. ***** "It's Jarod's car, Miss Parker," Sydney said. He was afraid of what happened to him. The car stopped. They got out to examine the sight. Miss Parker rushed to the driver's side, fearing the worst, that he could be dead. Her emotions flared to anger. "He's not in here!" she exploded. Her eyes followed a line of red. Sydney came up behind her. "He's injured." Next both saw the white first aid kit. "But someone was here. Whoever it was got him out and treated him. Let's move!" Miss Parker ordered. Sydney followed. "Where?" Miss Parker rolled her eyes. "If he's injured, he'll need to get better. Hospital." ***** "The hospital is a few minutes away," the girl said. Jarod opened his mouth, then shut it. He tried again. "Actually, I'm fine now. You can let me-" The girl laughed. "You're bleeding, a lot. You dislocated your wrist-" "I relocated it-" "But it could be worse. You need someone to look at it," she insisted. "But I'm fine. I just need-" "A doctor. And there's plenty at a hospital." Jarod bit his lip. "I don't need anything. I'll be fine so if-" She cut in again. "Are you a doctor? Because if so I might consider believing you, but if not then we're going to a hospital." Jarod hesitated. "Actually I am a doctor. Occasionally." She looked at him. "Occasionally?" she mocked. "It's a long story-" "Which you can tell me in the emergency room," she added. He sighed. "Is this the closest hospital?" "Yes," she replied. "At least take me to one further away," he asked. She looked confused. "Why? There's one right there," she said, pointing. "I'm agreeing to go, just not that one," Jarod said, his voice escalating. The girl shrugged. "Okay." ***** Jarod pressed the gauze against his head. His head was throbbing. He followed the girl into the emergency room. She motioned for him to come to the desk where she stopped. A nurse gave Jarod a quick look. "He can wait a bit 'til a doctor is available. Name?" No one answered. The girl and the nurse looked at him expectantly. "Oh," he said, a bit embarrassed. "Jarod Fuller." The nurse scribbled the name on a form. She asked him a few more questions, a few whose answers he made up. "Wait over there." Jarod nodded and sat down. The girl sat across from him. "So what happened?" she asked. Jarod looked up from the floor. "I was going a little fast. A rabbit was in the road and I tried not to hit it." She nodded, sort of understanding what caused the crash. "What's your name?" he asked. She hesitated slightly. "Danelle Mariner. But I go by Dana." He repeated the name and nodded. "Thank you, for your help." She looked at the floor. "No problem." "I'm sorry I was a bit difficult." She laughed. "Don't worry about it. I'm just glad I could help," she said. Her tone was softer. She almost looked sad. Jarod's curiosity kicked in. "What's the matter? You look kind of. . .sad." She looked up. His eyes, though kind of weird in the way they looked at her, seemed kind and soft. Once he got cleaned up he could be sort of good looking. "It's nothing." Before he could ask anymore, he heard his name. A doctor looked for him in the waiting crowd. Jarod stood up as did Dana. "Will you wait?" he asked. Various thoughts went through her head. "Sure," she answered. ***** "Well, I'm sorry ma'am but there's a lot of Jarods in Denver." Miss Parker's temper started to rise. Sydney put his hand on her shoulder, and took over. "Have you seen this man here?" he asked as he showed the nurse Jarod's photo. The woman sighed impatiently. "I'm sorry. I haven't seen that man. Now if you'll excuse me. . ." "Of course." Sydney led Miss Parker out of the hospital. "He probably went to another hospital, thinking ahead of us. He probably knew we would look here," he concluded. "Then let's go to the next one." ***** "Miss Mariner?" a voice inquired. Dana looked up at the doctor. "Yes?" "Your friend is getting dressed. He's okay. We've bandaged his wrist and cleaned the cuts. His head will hurt for awhile, but no permanent damage." "Great." "May I ask what happened?" "Car accident." He nodded. "There's a police officer around here. I'll go get him." The doctor started. "Uh, it was only my car, doctor," Jarod said trotting over to them. He had a small gauze over the gash on his head and a brace on his wrist. He put on his black leather jacket. "There were no other cars." The doctor looked suspicious, like they were trying to pull off some sort of scam or get away with something. "Let me get him anyway. Your car may need a tow," he said, starting off to find him. "All right. Let's go," Jarod said. Dana was confused. "But aren't you-" "There's not enough time. Come on," he said leading her toward the exit. "Jarod!" He stopped. She looked confused, and rather ticked off. "Hang on." He walked away from her and to the desk. "Yes?" the nurse asked. "How much do I owe you?" Jarod asked. The nurse looked perplexed. "We usually bill you-" "Yeah, but I'll just pay you now." He reached for his wallet. "Sir, that's not how we-" Jarod tuned her out. Down the hall he could see the doctor coming with a police officer. He didn't have anything to hide from the police, but there wasn't enough time. He looked down at his wallet and pulled out a couple of bills. "Here." The nurse's eyes widened at the sight of the faces on the bills. Jarod grabbed Dana's arm and exited the hospital. "What are you doing!" Dana exclaimed. "I don't have time for this. I need to get out of here now before-" "Jarod!!" He knew who it was before he turned around. Miss Parker. Dana watched his face change to horror and anger at the sight of the woman. "Thanks for everything, Dana. Good luck in life. Bye," he said hurriedly. He turned and ran. Dana whirled around to see the woman's reaction. The woman got into a black car, and it quickly followed him. He's in trouble. ***** Jarod ran away from the hospital. His head was throbbing and his vision was bouncing. He tried to ignore it. The Centre wasn't far behind. He was heading down a street. Miss Parker would easily spot him out there. He found a little alley and ducked into it. Just then it started to rain again, first sprinkling, then another downpour. ***** "Look in alleys. He knows a street is too open. He'll be hiding." ***** Why does every alley have a fence? Jarod seemed to run into this problem frequently, and he didn't know why he kept doing the same thing over and over again. He heard a car approaching the alley. He panicked. ***** "It looks empty," Sydney observed. Miss Parker was silent. The car started to continue and pass the alley. "Stop." She got out and drew her gun. The rain drenched her suit over again, but she didn't care. She was close; Jarod was close. She walked past a garbage dump. She quickly looked in and continued down the alley. Sydney watched her from the car. Silently, he wished that Jarod wasn't there. Miss Parker carefully sneaked up on a secluded cove in the alley. It was dark. She could almost feel him near. She was engrossed in the cove, but quickly gave it up when she heard rushed footsteps. Jarod appeared out of a corner and was climbing the fence. She heard him cry out loud. He forced himself over the fence and collapsed on the other side, cradling his left arm. "Jarod!" she yelled. He was hurt, she could see. Her yell alerted the Centre personnel, who readily started down the alley toward the escapee. Miss Parker started on the fence. ***** Jarod's chest heaved. He was tired of this but he couldn't give up now and risk the fate the Centre had in store for him. He glanced at the fence. Miss Parker was about to jump off the top and over to him. He groaned as he pulled himself up and started running again. He could hear her heels chasing after him. She was close. He felt her touch on his shoulder. She was trying to grab him. He shrugged her off and tried to run faster. The alley was intersected by another, so Jarod changed course. He could see a main road ahead. He could escape there. His plans were ruined with the appearance of the black car. It was Sydney. The car stopped there, waiting for him. With Miss Parker behind him, he was running out of options. Another car screeched to a stop in between Sydney and him. He recognized it. The passenger door opened. "Get in!!" Dana ordered from behind the wheel. He didn't hesitate to obey. Miss Parker scream in rage. The car sped away, leaving the Centre behind. ***** "Thanks," Jarod said, looking behind them to see they weren't being followed. "Who were they, Jarod? Why were they chasing you?" she demanded. Jarod hesitated. "I can stop here until they catch up with us." "Okay, okay. Look, it's better if you don't know anymore. They're dangerous," he started. "Oh really? I didn't guess that yet," she said sarcastically. Jarod sighed. "You can leave me at the corner." Dana glared at him, but gave in. "Fine. Where do you need to go?" ***** They'd been driving for some hours. Dana stopped outside of Denver at someone's house so Jarod could retrieve some silver briefcase. Now they were headed to Atlanta, Georgia. "So why did you leave Denver?" Jarod asked. Dana was silent for a bit. "I needed to get out, start fresh somewhere else." There was a hint of touchiness on the subject. "Does it bother you if I ask why?" he tried cautiously. She laughed at this, and softened. "I guess not," she replied. "I've faced some problems in Denver. That's where I grew up. I'm tired of it so I left." Jarod smiled. She's lying. "Is that it?" Her jaw tightened. "Man, you don't give up." He laughed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't pry." Both fell silent. Dana debated whether to tell him or not. "My parents were killed about a year ago. Since then I've been on my own.... There were some problems, debts unpaid, my dad's company.... All I have is pain there." Jarod listened intently. He felt sorry for her, like he had for himself so many times. But something bothered him. She looked young, not old enough to be out on her own. "How old are you?" "I turned 19 a week ago. I look young, but I'm older than you would think." He nodded. "But to be out in the world alone. . ." She rolled her eyes. "I take care of myself anyway. What about you? You seem to be out on your own." "Yeah, but I'm older." "So? It doesn't mean you have more experience." The comment was true and it struck him as odd. It was as if she knew his life, what he'd been, or hadn't been through. "How old are you, anyway?" Dana asked. Jarod started to feel uncomfortable. "Uh, I'm . . ." Dana laughed. "Come on. Don't you know your age?" Jarod went silent. "Not precisely." She gave him a strange look. "I was separated from my parents when I was young. I don't know when I was born. I think I'm in my thirties, though." She nodded. Two thoughts went through her head: Thirty was a lot older than she was, and his story was sad, melancholy. "Have you not talked to them, your parents?" He shook his head. "I've been looking for them, but no luck." Now she was the one who was feeling sorry for him. "What about those people? What'd they want?" She saw his eyes narrow, as if he was angry. "It's a long story," he mumbled darkly. She changed the subject. "So's mine. My parents were involved in something they shouldn't have been. I don't think their death was an accident either." He watched her. "Supposedly it was a car wreck. But the people they dealt with are responsible, I know it. I just can't prove it. "My parents left behind some documents. I found them. That's how I found out about what they were mixed up in." Her voice was shaking. Jarod reached to her and put his hand on her shoulder. "It's okay." She laughed, in a mocking manner. "No. Being part of a conspiracy to get money off of killing innocent people is not okay." His jaw dropped. His mind flooded with thoughts. Why would anyone do that? There was a lot he didn't understand. "The documents don't prove anything?" he asked. "They do. They prove enough. But that's why I left. I can't use them." Jarod started to understand. "They know, don't they? So they've threatened you," he concluded. She nodded. It made him angry. What was this world, anyway? Day after day he started to prefer the ignorance he had in the Centre. Out here, he saw what really happened. But he remembered the joy, satisfaction from helping someone out. "It doesn't matter anymore. Denver is in the past now," Dana consoled. "Why don't we rest?" she said as turned onto an exit and to a hotel. ***** "Her name is Danelle Mariner. Nineteen, Denver plates and residency. Parents died last year," Broots filled in Miss Parker. "How'd she get involved?" "It doesn't matter. She knows where Jarod is. She's probably with him." That thought stirred up anger in Miss Parker. She wasn't sure why, but it did. "Well, I hacked into some credit card companies. I got a location, some hotel in Little Rock." Miss Parker was out of the room before he could say any more. ***** He closed up the briefcase with the DSAs as he heard a knock at the door. He got up and opened it. Dana was there. She looked beautiful. She was wearing a pair of khaki cargo pants and a black tank top, with a white button-down over it. "Are you ready?" she asked. He was still admiring her. "Uh, yeah. Let me grab my things." ***** "Do you mind if we stop at a mall?" he asked. She looked puzzled. "I need to get some new clothes." "Okay," she said slowly. He had good taste, Dana had to admit. After a couple of stops he had a pair of fashionable pants, a suit, and a couple of collared pull over shirts. He wore the pants (brown) and a white shirt. He's incredibly good-looking. They left the mall, and continued their way to Atlanta. ***** "Broots." "Miss Parker?" "Keep monitoring the credit cards. They've left Little Rock," Miss Parker instructed. "Ye-yes," he replied nervously. She always made him nervous. ***** "Do you want me to drive?" Jarod asked. Dana yawned. "Yeah." She pulled over and they switched places. It took a good number of hours until Jarod saw the sign for Atlanta. Both were tired of driving. "Where are you going to stay?" Jarod asked. Dana shrugged. "A hotel until I find some place. I don't know. What about you?" "I'll stay a couple of days," he replied. ***** "Miss Parker, they've stopped for gas a few times. It looks like they're heading to Atlanta." "Good. Call me as soon as you get a location," she said. ***** "Well, it's big," commented Jarod. They were heading to a part of the metropolis, Peachtree area. "It's nice." Everywhere they looked it was green. They chose a hotel, a bit outside the Peachtree area. The city was plush, clean and nice. Jarod rather liked it. ***** "Talk, Broots," Miss Parker ordered. "They are in Atlanta. Some hotel around the area." "What's the address?" ***** "It looks like rain," Dana commented. Jarod looked at the sky. "I think you're right." The night sky was getting cloudy. The air was humid. Jarod didn't like that. Jarod couldn't stop thinking about Dana's problem in Denver. He wanted to help, revenge her pain. But she wanted to forget it. "What are you thinking about?" Dana asked. Jarod snapped out of his thoughts. "You." He didn't mean it to sound like a come-on, but it came out that way. Not that he didn't car for her. She was young, but yet so much like him. "I mean, um , what you-" She stopped him. She looked into his brown eyes as they stood outside the hotel. Jarod didn't know why, but he leaned toward her. She did the same. They kissed. Nothing passionate, but mysterious. He had no idea why. But Dana thought she knew. ***** Miss Parker's emotions started to swell inside of her. Sydney enjoyed watching her in this turmoil. It was funny to him. A flash of lightning and a clap of thunder forewarned the rain that fell two minutes later. Jarod and the girl didn't seem to notice. ***** Heavy raindrops fell on the couple. Jarod pulled away. He looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry," he apologized. Dana blushed. "It's raining," she commented, trying to lessen the awkward silence. He nodded. He felt.... He couldn't even classify it. He liked her, but she was young and more like an understanding friend, not a love interest. "Do you want to walk around?" he asked. "In the rain?" Dana asked. "Sure." She laughed and the tension eased up. ***** "I think I'm going to be sick," Miss Parker said. "It's fascinating. He's developing a relationship with the girl, one he probably hasn't experienced before," Sydney said. Miss Parker rolled her eyes. "Let's go." She relayed orders over her radio. ***** They walked behind the hotel into some wooded area. The tall trees sheltered them a bit from the pouring rain. It was peaceful; the sound of the rain, the street being far away. . . They stopped, looking at the surroundings. Or at least Jarod was. "You're odd, Jarod," Dana commented, in a halfway joking manner. Jarod smiled. "It's nice, this," he said, gesturing to the surroundings. There was a moment of silence. "Um, Dana. I didn't mean to. . . I guess, kiss you. I didn't realize-" "It's okay. I didn't mind." She said it softly, her tone explaining how she really felt. She was in love with him. Jarod realized it. A look of surprise surfaced on his face. He tried to cover it up, but it was too late. She knew he didn't feel the same way. The damage was done. ***** She turned and started back the way they'd came. "Dana!" Jarod called after her, but she hurried away. He closed his eyes and scolded himself for his insensitivity. He was starting to feel the rain and its wetness. He slowly walked further throught the woods, thinking about the whole ordeal. He was thinking how he could apologize. He hadn't encountered this exact type of relationship. He stopped. Something isn't right, he thought. He felt like he was being watched. He turned around, looking side to side, in front and behind him. Then he saw them. A man in a dark suit was peering at him from behind a bush. Jarod turned and ran. Chaos followed. Suddenly he heard the snapping of twigs and branches as the hunters started after him. He had no idea where he was going. His logic was that they were at the hotel and near the streets were cars. They couldn't follow him quickly on land. Thunder shook the ground. Jarod could hear the rain being dumped on the earth. He heard something else. Water. Ahead of him was a bit of a clearing. There was a river. It had a weak current but the water was rising because of the rain. He stopped at its edge. He looked back. Five, six men, seven... He was definitely outnumbered. He heard Miss Parker's voice. Jarod turned back to the river and took a deep breath. "Here goes nothing," he mumbled. He waded in. The water was cold, too cold for the time of year. Jarod ignored it and started across the water. It got deeper towards the middle. Jarod swam hard. His wrist still hurt. It slowed him down. The cold was making his head hurt again. But he was halfway across. ***** "Sydney, he's coming to you," Miss Parker said gleefully. Sydney heard it through the radio and his spirits fell. He continued with the Centre's reinforcements to the river. ***** Jarod started to feel the ground beneath him. He was almost to the other side. He quickly looked back. Miss Parker stood at the river's edge, just watching him. Watching. They're not coming after me. He whirled back around. Sydney emerged from the trees in front of him, along with four men. He started to feel desperate. He was trapped. Jarod turned back and waded into the river. The current was slow, but it'd get him out of his trap. Suddenly he heard gunfire. A tiny splash erupted right next to him. He stopped. "Jarod!!" Miss Parker. "Stay where you are. I'll shoot, and I won't miss." She had to yell for him to hear, but he got the message. ***** Sydney didn't realize his chest was heaving. It was the run through the woods, but also the emotion. Jarod was trapped, caught. It didn't look like he even had a chance to escape this time. Guilt filled Sydney. He hated to see this. ***** Miss Parker ordered him out of the water, slowly. Jarod, his arms behind his head as instructed, obeyed. He was scared. One of Sydney's men started to him. He stayed still, standing on the river bank trapped like a criminal. There's no way I'm going back to the Centre, he thought. As the man reached for him, Jarod quickly surprised him with a couple of hits to the abdomen and face. The man went down and Jarod dove for the water. He heard a shot, and felt the bullet tear his flesh. The force sent him falling back. He saw the water around him turn red and faintly heard the voices as he lost consciousness. ***** "Miss Parker!!" Sydney exclaimed. Her jaw was set. "I'm tired of this. He'll live. Get him and let's go." ***** Dana had calmed down a bit. She paced her room, waiting for him to come up. She listened for any noise from his room, but heard nothing. Suddenly she heard voices. They were faint and coming from outside. She ran to the window. A crowd of men in wet, dark suits were guarding someone in the side parking lot where she and Jarod had walked. A woman was among them. Dana looked at her. The woman from the hospital! She watched in horror as she realized the person being guarded was Jarod. He was being lifted and put into a van. The party got in different vehicles and left, with Jarod as their cargo. She felt frightened, scared at what would happen to him. They were gone before she could leave her room. He was gone. ***** "How could you shoot him like that!" Sydney scolded. Jarod was passed out on the van's floor. One of the Centre's men was a medic and was looking him over. The bullet had hit the pretender in the left shoulder. Miss Parker looked at him. "He'll be fine. He was going to run again." "So you shot him!" "Don't have a coronary, Sydney. It's not like I wanted to shoot him," Miss Parker said coolly. Actually, she felt guilty. It hurt her; he was lying there, bleeding from a hole she put in his shoulder. She thought it over. She had a hunch she actually pulled the trigger because of jealousy, but she pushed the thought aside. Jarod had hurt the girl. He didn't love her. That was a relief to Miss Parker. She questioned why she cared. The corporate jet was waiting for them at Hartsfield International Airport. The Centre personnel loaded the plane with their precious cargo. The plane quickly took off and headed back to the Centre. ***** Jarod heard voices around him. He struggled to open his eyes. When he succeeded he saw Sydney. "He's lost a lot of blood, Miss Parker. How do you know . . ." He realized he was caught as he passed out again. ***** Miss Parker opened the glass doors and walked confidently into her father's office. "Darling! You did it! I'm so proud of you," her father exclaimed. She smiled. "He had nowhere else to go." "Where is he? Is he still in surgery?" Miss Parker nodded. "They're finishing up on him." She paused, thinking over a matter. "What's going to happen to him now?" Mr. Parker looked at his daughter. "What does it matter?" Miss Parker sighed impatiently. "I want to know," she demanded sternly. "Simulations. We'll study him, just like before." His eyes were uneasy, like he wasn't telling the truth. Miss Parker saw it. She dropped her voice to a low, yet threatening tone. "Promise me this: promise me he won't get hurt." Her father laughed. "You're the one who shot him, dear." Her voice rose. "Promise me!! He will not get killed." She glared at her father for a few moments, then turned and briskly walked out of the room. ***** "Jarod." His eyes fluttered open. He looked around. "How are you feeling?" Sydney. "Great," he mumbled groggily. "I like simulating bullet wounds better than the real thing." Sydney bore his sad smile. His eyes were depressed, guilty. "Was it Miss Parker?" Jarod asked. Sydney nodded. "Thank her for me." "You can thank her yourself. She'll be here soon." "Wonderful." He dreaded the meet. He could see Miss Parker gloating, rubbing it in his face that he was back at the Centre. I probably deserve it, after all the pranks I've pulled on her. His mind drifted to other things. He was in the Centre. They caught him. He probably was heavily guarded. It wouldn't be easy to escape. Dana. "Is Dana. . ." Sydney shook his head. "We don't need the girl. She went back to the hotel." She probably thought he left her, went on his way without even apologizing. But at least she's safe. The doors of the medical facility opened. Miss Parker walked in. She looked stunning. A business suit as usual, but it looked great on her. Anything did. "Hello, Miss Parker," Jarod said in his playful, sarcastic way. "Jarod," she greeted with a nod. She noticed the five o'clock shadow on his face. She turned to Sydney. "How is he?" "Oh, after a gunshot wound, I'm fine. My usual chipper self," Jarod answered for him. "Chipper? Where'd you pick up that word?" Miss Parker mocked back. "I was just telling Sydney to thank you for the experience. It's a lot different from the simulations." He smiled, but inside he was angry, in fact furious. "You didn't listen to me, Jarod." She was getting tired of this already. "Do I ever?" She glared at him. "Make sure he gets a shave, Sydney." With that, she turned on one heel and left. "Maybe this will be fun, Sydney," Jarod said. Sydney gave him a look as he left the room. Jarod relaxed; he was starting to get a headache and the numb feeling in his shoulder started turning to pain. ***** "How is Jarod," Mr. Parker asked. Miss Parker rolled her eyes. "It's been a week now. His shoulder is healing, and his attitude and remarks are getting annoying." "He's caged up. He has to get his energy out somehow." Miss Parker clenched her fists. "Why doesn't he bang himself over the head a couple of times everyday?" ***** Jarod was moved to a different cell since his shoulder was better. It wasn't exactly luxurious. Bare gray cement walls, a cot. . . Just like before when he was first brought here. Except this cell had tighter security. There was a guard posted outside his door, and the door had two locks, one which had only one key. That key was in Mr. Parker's possession. So far nothing major had happened. The first three days Jarod rested. After that there were usual visitors. Sydney came daily, and Miss Parker came every other day. Miss Parker. He rather enjoyed frustrating her. But it was better when he was out in the world and she was chasing. Here she could do anything to him. Here, she called the shots. Jarod snapped his attention to the door. He heard someone coming in. "Good morning Jarod," the visitor greeted. He was older, white thinning hair and a business suit. Jarod didn't reply. "Come now, how are you?" "Who are you?" he asked shortly. "Mr. Parker." Jarod's eyes narrowed. The genius behind the creation of Miss Parker. "We have a couple of tasks for you to do, if you don't mind." "Bull." Mr. Parker looked taken aback. "I beg your pardon?" Jarod explained. "You guys aren't stupid enough to believe I'll do your simulations correctly." "Who said they were simulations?" Mr. Parker countered without any variation in his voice. He motioned to someone, guards who entered the cell and led Jarod out of it. He wore no restraints or handcuffs, probably because of his injuries. But the guards escorted him at gun point. Mr. Parker walked behind them, enjoying the scene. People looked, watched. The infamous Jarod, though hardly anyone knew what he really was, was quite a sight being walked through the Centre at gun point, wounded and at everyone's mercy. Jarod hated this. He was also nervous. He hid it, but inside he wondered what was going to happen. What he said was true; the Centre couldn't use him anymore for simulations. Jarod could only think of one thing that would happen to him- but then killing him wouldn't make sense after they took care of his wounds and after what Mr. Parker said. Then again, Mr. Parker could be lying. ***** He was escorted through a pair of automatic doors. The room was dark, which didn't surprise Jarod. There were three people in the room: Miss Parker, Sydney, and a sickly looking Mr. Raines. He was in a wheel chair, breathing even more loudly now then before because of the incident in Boston. The guards stayed. Mr. Parker did also. "Jarod," Mr. Raines hissed. Jarod didn't respond. He bit his tongue to keep from releasing all the hate aimed at the man. Man. After what Mr. Raines did to his family, he was hardly that. Jarod looked at Sydney. "Is there a reason I'm here?" he said, ignoring the other three. "We would like to know more about you, Jarod. You've experienced so much that has affected you. We want to learn." "You want to learn, Sydney. What do these vultures want?" he said with hostility and a nod at the Parkers and Mr. Raines. Sydney was silent as he looked to Mr. Raines. "What we want from you is to track down other pretenders," the wheezing man said harshly. Jarod was silent for a moment as it sunk in. Then he laughed. "And what makes you think I would actually do that?" Mr. Raines smiled as did Mr. Parker. "Mutual friends, Jarod." With that, Mr. Parker walked over to a computer and hit a key. On its screen came a face he recognized. Dana. Another hit of the key and a face he knew well came on. His mother. Jarod's jaw was clenched tightly. The heat was starting to rise, his temper. "There's more, Jarod," Mr. Raines said in an almost laughing manner. Mr. Parker hit another key. There was no picture. Mr. Parker read the words by the blank spot. "'Emily'. Your sister, I believe." Jarod lunged for the man. Instantly two guards suppressed him. One hit him hard in the back. Jarod groaned and fell to the ground. "Careful!" Sydney cried. Guns were aimed at the pretender. He found his breath and looked up from the floor. "Leave my family alone." His tone was low but cold and harsh. He was serious. Mr. Raines stared into Jarod's eyes. "Then find the other pretenders." ***** He was taken back to his cell where he was left to think about his assignment. He laid down on the cot. His back and shoulder hurt. He stared at the low ceiling. I will never help them. He knew that if any other pretenders were captured, they'd rather be dead. No one would want a life in a cage. Plus the evil that was required to be done here. . . No one would do it. They had a conscience. And they were free. And they will stay free. ***** "What's he been doing?" Miss Parker asked a guard monitoring the camera in Jarod's cell. The guard looked up from his stale coffee. "He's been sitting, laying, and pacing." Miss Parker glared at the man's shortness. He didn't notice. She heard someone come up behind her. "Miss Parker, a moment please," Sydney asked. She nodded and followed him. He led her to a corner. "Are Mr. Raines and your father really intent on Jarod doing this?" Miss Parker thought. "I guess. He won't do simulations anymore. Getting more pretenders would be better." "Yes, but why more pretenders? They probably won't do the simulations either. They've been out in the open too long." She shrugged. "I don't know." She turned to leave. Sydney stopped her. "Miss Parker. I want you to find out what is to be done with the pretenders." She looked at him skeptically. "Please." She paused, then nodded. ***** She got out of the cab, looking cautiously around. He saw her and his heart filled up with hope. "Mom?" he shouted. She turned and saw him. She broke out into a wide smile. Tears started to fall from her eyes. It was her! His mom, after all these years, he'd found her! He started walking, almost running, to her. He saw something out of the corner of his eye. Jarod stopped short. Mr. Raines stood across the street, a gun aimed at her. "No!!" he yelled. The shot was fired before he could reach her. She fell. His throat rose up. Blood was trickling on the sidewalk like a river. Emily was in the cab. She was screaming. Another shot was fired and there was silence. Jarod watched in horror as she slumped down in the cab. Her blood started adding to her mother's. He heard footsteps coming to him, but he ignored it. The sight in front of him made him sick, weak. "NOO!!!" Jarod sat up straight in the cot. He was sweating, gasping. He looked around him. Gray walls. He closed his eyes. A dream. He got up and walked to the metal sink. The cold water soothed his face. I can't let them die. ***** "Good morning, Jarod. Are you ready to begin," Mr. Parker said. It wasn't a question, but an assumption. Jarod kept his eyes on the floor as he got up and walked with the armed escort. He was led to the same room as the day before. Inside Mr. Raines waited with boxes of files around him. "I trust you're ready to start?" he asked, knowing the answer. Jarod ignored it. "Where's Miss Parker and Sydney?" "They'll be here any minute," Mr. Parker replied. ***** "Before we go in, Miss Parker, did you learn anything?" Sydney asked. She hesitated. "Nothing concrete. My father is stonewalling me. It doesn't seem good." Sydney sighed. Nothing in this place is. ***** The glass doors opened automatically with Miss Parker's and Sydney's entrance. Jarod was seated at a table covered in files. They were files on other pretenders, leads. Miss Parker saw the files and her heart started beating faster. They could have information on my mother. "Good morning, Jarod," Sydney greeted somberly. Jarod nodded in reply. "Sydney." Mr. Raines interrupted. "This is all the information on past pretenders. Look through it, find out where they've been, and where they are," he instructed. Miss Parker casually walked over to the table by Jarod, sneaking a look at the feast of information. "Miss Parker. Let's go," Mr. Raines glowered. She glared back at him. "I want to stay." "Honey, let's go get some coffee," Mr. Parker stepped in. She gave him the same look. "Actually, I wouldn't mind if Miss Parker stayed," Jarod pitched in. She gaped at him. Mr. Raines and Parker stared at him incredulously, not understanding his full intentions. "Miss Parker is leaving," Raines said forcefully. Jarod raised his eyebrows. "Okay. But if you don't mind-" Suddenly he stood up and got behind Miss Parker. He revealed a gun and held it to her head. "-I'm going with her." The guards tensed up. One reached for his gun. It wasn't there. Jarod smiled. "I liked being a pick pocket." "Let her go, Jarod!" Mr. Parker demanded. Jarod watched them all attentively. "I don't think so. Clear the way. I'm leaving, and if you stop me, Miss Parker is going to get paid back for the other day at the river." No one moved. "Okay," he said, cocking the gun, "suit yourselves." His finger tightened on the trigger. "Wait!" Mr. Parker shouted at the last moment. He signaled to the guards who stepped aside. "I want the way out of here cleared- no guns or guards." Mr. Parker picked up a radio and reluctantly relayed the demands. Jarod started walking to the doors, with Miss Parker at his mercy. His shoulder was sore, and holding her in a choke hold wasn't helping. They slowly walked through the Centre. All personnel was moved away. Jarod was edgy. His eyes flickered from corner to corner, side to side. Mr. Parker and the guards followed him through. "Back off, Parker," he warned, pressing the tip of the gun harder against Miss Parker. They stopped. Jarod moved on with his hostage. "This was unexpected, even from you," she whispered violently. "Shut up. Don't give me any trouble," he mumbled back. He kept his eye out for an ambush. "How do I get out of here?" He didn't realize he said it aloud and Miss Parker snorted. "You don't know?" He quickly glared at her. "This isn't the way I normally go out." He spotted a sign for a stairwell. He glared at Mr. Parker and the others one last time before pushing Miss Parker through the door for the stairs. He quickly shut it and whirled around in time to avoid a blow from his hostage. He blocked it and shoved her against the wall. She cried out. "Don't! It's not worth it," he warned her. He looked around the stairwell. It was clear. "Come on. Walk ahead of me, slowly." She obliged, reluctantly. ***** Mr. Parker watched them cautiously leave out the front door of the Centre. Jarod had his arm draped firmly under his daughter's chin. The gun was still drawn. They disappeared from his view and into a car Jarod promptly stole. "Find them!!" he roared. ***** "Pull over here," Jarod ordered. Miss Parker obeyed. "Get out." Jarod got out with her. He walked around to the driver's side. "What are you doing?" she asked. He came up behind her. "Put your hands behind your head. Good." He nudged her to the passenger seat with the gun. "Get in," he ordered. She did so, and he pulled out a pair of handcuffs. "Where'd you get those?" He smiled as he put one bracelet on her wrist. "One of the guards. Same as the gun." He pulled her arm behind her head and wrapped the chain of the cuffs around the head rest's support. He reached for her other hand and fastened the cuff around it. He shut the door and walked back around to the driver's seat. She wouldn't be able to give him any trouble. "This isn't funny, Jarod," Miss Parker grumbled. He laughed as they drove off. "Yes, it is." ***** They drove for five hours, stopping once for gas. Miss Parker's arms were more than tired. "What do you intend to do?" she demanded impatiently. Jarod didn't answer right away. "I don't know. It kind of depends on you." She was confused. "What do you mean?" He shrugged, then winced. "I get the impression you're not exactly torn up about leaving the Centre." "Well, I haven't exactly thought about it. I've been chained to this seat at gun point by a lunatic," she countered. "Is that any way to refer to your first love?" She almost choked. "Excuse me?!" Jarod smiled playfully. "Come on, don't tell me you don't remember." She recovered. "If you are referring to that silly kiss you gave me when you were ten, then-" "I believe you were the one who kissed me, and it's not just that." She looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?" He smiled, incredulous at her denial. "I mean for the past year you've become attracted to me." Her jaw dropped. For a person with little experience in life, let alone love, he sure was perceptive. She quickly objected. "I have not-" "You won't give up, will you? You have got to be the most stubborn person I know. Admit it; even all my jokes and goose-chases have given you a good laugh, and you've steadily started to like me more and more." "Oh, please!" she moaned. "And I'm willing to bet you were watching and glad when I told Dana I didn't feel the same way about her as she did for me." He paused, and saw the effect his words had on Miss Parker. She was quiet. "That's why you pulled the trigger on the river. It was jealousy, wasn't it?" She turned her head and glared at Jarod. "If you think that's it, then you're severely mistaken." He raised an eyebrow. "Whatever you say," he said. He pulled to the side of the road and got out. Miss Parker was yet again confused. She watched him walk over to her side of the car. He opened the door. He knelt down and watched her. She stared back at him. He smiled and looked at the ground. When he looked up again, he felt something, an impulse. He stood up, then bent toward her. She could feel him leaning in. She closed her eyes as his lips brushed hers. He kissed her; a deep, strange yet perfect kiss, passionate. She didn't object. He pulled away, slowly, letting the moment linger. He smiled coyly as he pulled out a small key. "You sure I'm mistaken?" He dropped the handcuff key on the ground, just out of her reach. She watched, dazed and baffled, as he walked down the highway. He heard her yell his name in frustration. But he could tell there was a difference in her tone. Jarod could hear a vehicle coming. He turned. It was a semi-truck. He stuck out his thumb. The truck stopped and he got in. As it started on its way again, Jarod looked in the side mirror. He could see Miss Parker in the car. He smiled. He was right. ***** "Anything on Miss Parker, Sydney?" Broots asked. Sydney tried to keep a straight face. "She's being flown back now." Broots looked curious. "Where was she?" Sydney smiled. "In the car Jarod stole. Handcuffed to the headrest. I heard it took her three hours until someone stopped and got her free." Broots burst out laughing. "Three hours?" ***** Miss Parker walked into the room. She glared at Broots and Sydney. "Not a word." They kept straight faces. Their lives depended on it. ***** Dana had an envelope waiting for her when she got back to the hotel. It was marked with her name, but no deliverer or return address was on it. She opened it up. Inside was a letter and a newspaper. She opened the letter. ***** Dana- I wanted you to know I was okay. I ran into some trouble but I'm fine now. I'm sorry for the pain I might have caused, but I hope I've made it up to you. You ought to go back to Denver for awhile. Problems in life shouldn't keep you away from the happiness you spent there. Good luck in all that you do. I won't forget you. Jarod P.S. Thanks for keeping my briefcase. I got it now. ***** She was perplexed. The briefcase in her room was gone. He must have gotten it. . . somehow. She turned her attention to the newspaper. It was from Denver. On the front page was an interesting headline: Conspiracy Connected to Death of Two Denver Residents. She read it. The murder of her parents was exposed, and though it discredited their names, she was glad. Their associates were caught, and she no longer had to fear them. Thank you, Jarod. ***** Jarod looked up at her window from within the rental car in the parking lot. He couldn't see her, but he knew she was happy. He smiled to himself as he put on a pair of sunglasses and drove off. ***** "This just came for you," Broots said as he hurried in with a package. It was a manila envelope addressed to Miss Parker. She took it and opened it as she leaned back in a chair. Sydney watched with curiosity. She pulled out a white sheet of paper and a little box. The paper was a letter. She read it. ***** Miss Parker- I must admit I enjoyed our little journey together. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I hope it didn't take long for you to get free, but I couldn't have you following me. I know you understand. I don't know what will happen next, if you'll keep chasing me, or if you'll give up. Actually, I think I know the answer to that. But the next time we come face to face, I wonder what will happen. In the past two weeks, we've been through a lot together. I think what's happened has changed the way we think of each other. It will affect your performance as the hunter, and me as the hunted. Or maybe not. But whatever happens, I know we have shared a special moment together, different from the usual chase and determination. Before Kyle was taken from my parents, my dad gave him a flying cross. He kept it while he was at the Centre. When we were separated, as friends, he left it for me. I gave it back to him recently when I learned the truth, that he was my brother. But the FBI was after him, and before he died, he gave it to me. It's special to me. I look forward to the future, no matter what it holds for me. Or us. Jarod ***** Miss Parker blushed. Sydney and Broots noticed. She folded up the letter and opened up the box. She gasped softly at its content. She held it up. Sydney recognized the item, but Broots was confused as she held up the metal links. From the necklace hung a flying cross. End