This is just a short story with Miss Parker and Jarod as children. I 
always wondered how things changed between them. How one minute 
they seemed to be the best of friends and now they barely speak. So I 
decided to dream up an answer to my questions <g>.In this story Miss 
Parker and Jarod start off at about 13ish...just in case anyone was 
wondering :pThe pretender and all related elements belong to NBC etc. 
etc....you know the story.

Changing Tides
Nirvana Kliese <trihaven@squirrel.com.au>

Miss Parker looked around her empty room and smiled. She was alone 
now. She got to her feet and tip toed down the long hall. She wasn't 
quite sure where Jarod was today, but it wouldn't take her long to find 
him. She had this way of knowing where he was.

The sterile halls were silent except for the soft sounds of her footsteps, 
and her only joy that showed itself was that coming from her heart as 
she set out to find her best friend, her only friend. She had been a quiet 
child since her mother died, and it didn't help when she knew that 
somewhere beneath what she said lay a secret that she couldn't tell. 
Even if she wasn't quite sure of it herself. Jarod didn't mind when she 
was quiet though, often he was too. He could tell what she was 
thinking, and even if they just sat there together something out being 
with each other made everything seem OK for awhile.

She stopped walking as she came to a closed white door. Her hand 
grasped the handle and she turned it slowly, hoping he was alone. The 
room inside was dark except for a light on the far side of the room. She 
took a deep breath as she entered, overwhelmed by the soft scent of the 
many flowers littered around the room. She began to walk in the 
partial darkness, her aim, the small boy that sat quietly beneath the 
light, stroking a daffodil as if it was the most beautiful thing he had 
ever seen, mesmerized by its soft petals and feminine scent.

As she neared him he seemed to feel her presence. He turned to her, 
his face lighting up with a joyful smile. "You came."  He said quietly, 
moving over on the seat to give her room. She smiled softly and 
nodded. "Of course I came." She said in a small voice. He turned to her 
and handed her the bright yellow daffodil. She wrapped her fingers 
around its gentle green stem and grinned. "Why all the flowers?" She 
asked looking back up at him. He rose from the chair and brought a 
bunch more off the floor. "An experiment," He began, the words not 
surprising her. "They wanted to see if the feel and scent of nature can 
change your mood." She nodded. Jarod seemed to always be doing 
experiments, and it in a way they scared her. She couldn't understand 
why they made him do them. She frowned at him, having to ask. 
"Why do they keep doing these experiments Jarod?" She queried softly. 

He shrugged sitting back down on the hard wooden bench. "I don't 
know. They never answer me."  He smiled with an idea. "Could you 
ask for me?" His voice was hopeful. She shook her head quickly, worry 
clouding her bright eyes. "No. I can't let them know that I come here." 
He struggled not to show his disappointment, nodding in 
understanding.  She searched her brain for something to say to make 
him feel better. "We met each  other because of one of them." She 
finally managed. His face brightened at the memory.  He grinned 
happily. "True."

They sat in silence for a few moments before she began to pluck the 
petals off one of the flowers. "What are you doing?" Jarod asked 
thoroughly confused. She picked up a pink rose and passed it to him. 
"I'll show you in a minute. You do this one." She smiled. Hey did as he 
was told, removing the petals one by one. Finally they lay in two piles 
beside each other on the table. "OK now what?" He queried.  She 
pushed them to opposite sides of the bench, one pile for her and one 
for  him. She then lifted the naked stems and laid them over one 
another, adding two more so that they formed a cross with a square in 
the middle. "It's called tic tactoe." She grinned placing a yellow petal in 
the center of the cross. Jarod tilted his head to the side. "What do I have 
to do?" "You have to make a line of one color." She explained taking 
the petal from him and placing it in a spot beside hers. He smiled in 
understanding as the piles of petals became smaller. They played for 
hours that night, enjoying being alone with each other. Enjoying the 
scarce opportunity they had to play.

* * * * 

She dug her toes into the warm sand at the beach, ignoring the 
watchful eyes that never left her from the large building at the edge of 
the shore.  She kicked a pebble across the sandy beach, smiling as it fell 
into the cool water. She chased after it, recovering it from the water. 
She stroked it with her thumb, observing the soft indent the tides had 
made on it. The tides had power. They could move things and changes 
things. Even something as invulnerable as stone could be worn away 
by the gentle lapping of that great power. She slipped the stone in her 
pocket and brushed the small grains of sand off her feet. She had to 
give someone something. 

* * * * 

Later that night when she knew Jarod would be alone again, she made 
her way to his room. "I brought you something." She lifted his hand 
and placed the smooth stone in his palm. He studied it intently, 
running his fingers over its smooth surface and worn down edges. "It's 
smooth." he commented, a smile creeping across his lips. She nodded. 
"Why is it like that?" He asked curiously.  When she had first met 
Jarod his questions had seemed odd, but she had come to realize that 
she had as many questions as he did. The only difference was that he 
asked them. "The water makes then that way," She explained. "It's 
because of the tide." He nodded. "The tide means change doesn't it? It 
wants everything to go with it, this way and that, and it has that power 
doesn't it." He asked. She nodded. "It can break down any barriers, any 
strengths, and not matter how hard they fight, the tides will still win 
one day." Tears began to well up in the corners of her eyes. They both 
knew they were talking about a greater power than that of the mighty 
ocean. He wrapped his arms around her in a reassuring hug which she 
gratefully returned. "Never stop fighting." He whispered softly. She 
burrowed her head into his shoulder. "I won't."

* * * * 

A year passed, with their friendship strong. They had made a promise 
so long ago, and they knew whatever happened it would be all right. 
They where truly in love with who each of they where, they loved the 
way they felt when they where together and they loved the knowing 
that no matter what, they would be friends, forever.

* * * * 

Jarod walked down the hall toward her room unnoticed. He had to ask 
her to do something for him.  He pushed open her door to find her 
laying on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She grinned when she saw 
him, sitting up and swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "Hi." He 
greeted her, his voice growing deeper. He sat down beside her, 
wriggling uncomfortably. "What is it?" She asked squeezing his hand. 
He turned to face her. "I want to see the ocean." He blurted out. "I 
know it's dangerous, and we're risking it going out there together but I 
want to see the sand, I want to feel the water, I want..." His voice faded 
out as she kissed him gently. She pulled back slowly, meeting his starry 
gaze with her own. Her eyes began to glimmer with mischief. "Come 
on!" She said motioning for him to follow her.

* * * 

He climbed over the short brown fence and ran to the beach, only 
inches behind her. He fell to the sand laughing at the new texture. She 
looked down at him for a moment before collapsing on the warm 
beach with him, staring up at the clear sky.  "Let's build a sand castle!" 
She exclaimed after a moment.  He sat up and began filling his hands 
with sand. "How?" He asked, his excitement never fading. She laughed 
at him good naturedly as she began the small structure. He soon joined 
in and it wasn't long before they were buried up to their waists in the 
warm grains of beach. 

He turned toward the water lapping against the shore. "I want see the 
tide." He said softly. She smiled, pulling him out of his sandy trap. She 
lead him to the water and began to wade in it, enjoying the coolness 
against her feet. He looked at it cautiously for a moment before she 
pulled him in to get him to join her. He let out a gasp as the cool water 
wet his sandy pants. He filled his hands with water and threw it at her,   
beginning a full fledged water fight. She let out a shriek as the water-
soaked her T shirt, kicking another spray his way. He ducked mist of 
the water, bending down and hurling another lot at her. They laughed 
merrily in the cool water, forgetting about the Center and their lives.   
Jarod finally got close enough to grab the bottom of her shirt pulling 
her to him abruptly. She stood, inches from him, their bubbly laugher 
fading out as they looked into each others eyes. Slowly he kissed her. 
She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled against his lips. "I'll 
always love you Jarod." She whispered. He pulled away enough to look 
at her, his eyes clouding with worry. "What if the tides change?" He 
asked, knowing the incredible power that everyone had over them, if 
anyone made them do something they had to do it, choice wasn't an 
option here.  "Don't worry," She kissed him again. "The tides can't 
change that much." 

* * * * 

Mr. Parker glanced out the window onto the shore. His eyes grew wide 
with anger. There stood her daughter in the arms of one of the Centers 
children, kissing him. This could never happen. He told himself, 
fighting the anger inside him that grew more vicious by the minute. 
He had always tried to make sure that his only daughter wouldn't turn 
out like her mother, that she wouldn't even converse with the Centers 
children, let alone this. He made his way to the buzzer on his desk 
quickly. "Sydney!" He hissed angrily. "Meet me at the front door now, 
and bring the sweepers!" He shouted, taking one last look at that horrid 
sight before hurrying towards the exit.

* * * * 

The sound of alarm bells shattered the fragile silence and rushing 
footsteps roused the two teenagers from the kiss.  They turned to the 
large building, terror overwhelming them when they saw 10 men in 
black suits, heading their way, their guns raised. "Jarod?" Miss Parker 
whimpered looking at him for reassurance. He shrugged helplessly, 
holding her tighter as the men grew closer. They knew they couldn't 
run, there was nowhere they could go. They could only stay where they 
where and hope, hope that everything would be OK. Miss Parker closed 
her eyes tightly, clinging to Jarod for support as then men grew nearer. 
Jarod opened his eyes fearfully as the men approached. "Sydney?!" He 
called, his voice broken with fear.

Miss Parker let out a protesting scream as she was dragged from Jared's 
arms by one of the men. "No!" He called struggling to get  free from his 
own captives grasp. He turned to take a fleeting look at who was 
holding him. His face fell when he saw it was Sydney. "Sydney let me 
go!" He screamed, as he and Miss Parker were pulled further away 
from each other. Miss Parker searched for a familiar face in her captors. 
Finally she saw her father, looking quite calm at the sudden 
commotion. "Daddy help me!" She shouted, her eyes pleading. He 
shook his head at her, taking a long drawl of his cigar. She turned back 
to her fellow captive. "Jarod!" She screamed fearfully, the distance 
between them growing. "Miss Parker!" He screamed back tears now 
streaming down his face as he was pulled further and further towards 
the familiar prison he called home. He struggled to escape Sydney's 
grasp, fighting as hard as he could for his freedom. 

* * * * 

Miss Parker fought angrily as she was dragged into her fathers office. 
"Jarod!?" she screamed through her tears one last time as the door 
closed, praying that he'd help her somehow. The men finally let her go 
and she collapsed to the floor sobbing softly. Her father motioned for 
the men to leave, sitting her back up on the wooden chair. "How could 
you do that?" She whispered, not daring to look up at him. "I don't 
want you to ever see him again." Mr. Parker hissed angrily.  She looked 
up at him, her cheeks streaked with tears. "You can't stop me." She 
stated through her fear. 

"Jarod," He began tensely "Is not someone you need ever see again." 
She took a deep shaky breath. "I love him Daddy!" She shouted 
bravely, her feelings taking control of her words.  Mr. Parker stopped 
for a moment and closed his eyes, struggling to take in the nightmarish 
words he had just heard.  "What did you just say?" He asked, his voice 
sounding as if it were ready to explode with rage.  She swallowed hard, 
Jarod's words bouncing in her head, "Never stop fighting...". She 
looked back up at him defiantly. "I said I love him, and nothing will 
ever change that."

He turned to her briskly and slapped her hard across the face. "Oh." He 
raised his eyebrows at her, "We'll see about that."

* * * *

Jarod threw himself down on his bed and burrowed his head into his 
pillow. The remains of their sand castle on his pants left a sandy trail 
across his bed. He barely noticed though. He was way past that. "How 
could you do that!" He screamed at Sydney without looking up.  "How 
could I?" Sydney quizzed. "You where the one kissing Miss Parker." 
Jarod looked up at him incredulously, half not believing what he was 
hearing. "I didn't do anything wrong Sydney." He said softly, tears 
welling up in his eyes again. "I didn't..." 

Sydney's tone softened. "I know Jarod." He nodded. "But sometimes 
things don't work the way we want them to." He said softly. "No 
matter how much that hurts." 

Jarod turned away, studying the wall intently. "I love her Sydney." He 
whispered through soft tears. 

Sydney took a deep breath. He had known about Miss Parker visiting 
Jarod when she thought he was alone, he had known about their 
growing friendship, about their feelings, or so he thought, but now he 
felt as though he had known nothing. "Jarod," He paused. "you can't."

Jarod frowned up at him. "But I do, nothing can change that." He 
explained sadly.

Sydney nodded. "Things change Jarod." He said softly, patting him on 
the back and rising to his feet. Jarod turned to him and shook his head. 
"This won't change till the tides do." He whispered determinedly, 
laying down on his bed. Sydney frowned at his last statement, trying to 
make sense of it. Finally he just sighed. "What ever you say Jarod, 
whatever you say." 

* * * * 

Miss Parker clutched at her suitcase protectively as she walked out into 
her new school grounds. She looked around at all the children walking 
grimly with a heavy heart. She could never fit in here. She turned her 
gaze to the welcome sign. "Welcome to Pennsylvania Girls School." 
She turned away taking a deep breath. She was here to be strong, she 
was here to be a fighter, she was here to forget about Jarod. The last one 
was something she convinced herself she could never do.

* * * * 

Three Years later. The Centre.

Miss Parker stepped out of the car and began to walk towards the 
building she knew so long ago. She held her head high, barely noticing 
anything around her. She had closed herself off to the world. She had 
to. She walked briskly through the door and towards her fathers office. 
She didn't want to see him, she didn't want to see anyone, but she 
didn't care anymore. "Miss?" The guard by the door called, running to 
catch up to her. She stopped in her tracks and turned towards him 
slowly. "Is there a problem?" She hissed as coldly as she could. She had 
put on this new image as something to hide behind but now it seemed 
to have taken over her personality. The man seemed nervous at her 
tone, stuttering slightly. "N, no it, it's just that you didn't show me 
your ID." He finally managed. "Oh." She looked over her glasses at 
him condescendingly. "And is that a problem for you?" She asked 
angrily.  He stepped back from her, almost frightened at her strong 
manner. "No ma'am." He shook his head making his way back to the 
door. "No problem at all."

She pushed the door of her fathers office open and made her way 
inside. "Daddy?" She called, struggling to see in the dimly lit room. A 
male figure emerged from near the filing cabinet. "My little girl?" He 
greeted warmly. "Is that you?" He seemed delighted at her grown up 
outfits and style. "It is now." She said without emotion. "Honey!" He 
threw his arms around her in a short hug. "I'm very proud of you." He 
complimented. He had always wanted her to be like him, cold and 
strong, and to his delight that was just what she had became. Not a 
trace of the girl she was when she left. Not a trace of her mother.

* * * * 

Jarod walked down the halls absent-mindedly. He had a moment 
between simulations to be alone. He stepped onto the elevator, taking 
little notice of the young woman at the back of it. "Which floor?" He 
asked turning to her, his hand perched over the buttons. His jaw 
dropped when he saw her. She had changed so much. "Miss Parker?" 
He gasped at her, her suit was pressed neatly and her whole body stiff. 
"What?" She hissed irritably, only now realizing who she was talking 
to. She took off her sunglasses to look at him. "Jarod," She nodded. 
"You got me into quite a mess." He stood silent, still in shock of seeing 
her again. "I guess I should thank you though, thanks to you I realize 
that it doesn't pay to get involved with science experiments." Her 
words stung him hard. "Miss Parker, I, I don't believe it's..." "What?" 
She asked. "You don't believe it's me? Well this is me. People change." 
She said sternly. "You gave in to them." He whispered, his voice full of 
emotion. "You gave in to the tides." She gave an unamused laugh. 
"Oh so now we're talking about the big blue sea. I can tell why they 
keep you people locked up." She grumbled, willing the elevator to stop. 
"You don't remember do you?" He asked softly. "Remember what?" 
She asked coldly. "This." He said reaching into his pocket and pulling 
out a small worn down stone. He placed it in her hand. "You were 
right, you know." He laughed sadly. "The tides will always get their 
way." 

She stared down at the stone in her hand and passed it back to him. 
"The tides don't leave us much choice." She said coldly, disappearing 
through the doors. And as she walked Jarod could swear he could hear 
the sound of someone laughing.

THE END :)