Pretending to be Wesley

By Eva McGregor And Teri

Part 1- by Eva

Jarod walked out of the candy store at a leisurely pace three new Pez dispensers in his hand. He by passed a young man with striking hazel eyes hurried into a small market. People seemed to be in a hurry a lot around here especially when it was closed to sun down. He had seen that a lot in these California towns, as if the citizens knew something about the dark no one else knew.

Yet no one talked about it. It was the big secret only the privileged could know.

He wouldn't worry about it. He had more pressing business on Oxnard that concerned him.

Jarod had gotten an E-mail from Sydney two days ago about a young man the Center was hunting. Sid had said it was imperative neither the Center nor a group called the Watchers found the young man either. Sydney didn't know where the young man was but he said there was a contact on Oxnard and had given the description of the pendant always around his neck.

So he started at the mans last known location and drove in the most likely route the young man would have taken. It wasn't a direct route but it was just the type of route Jarod would have gone if he didn't want to be found.

Maybe he should get some real food for the long drive ahead.

Jarod turned to walk back to the small market he had passed only to run into the same young man that had nearly knocked him over before. People here really were in a hurry.

"Hey sorry my fault." Jarod said to the hazel eyed brunette offering a hand to help him from the ground.

"its ok, I was kinda not paying attention." The young man said leaning over to brush off his jeans giving Jarod his first glimpse of the pendant he was looking for.

"That's an interesting pendant you got there." Jarod said casually.

The young man smiled a little tucking the pendent in his shirt looking around nervously. He bent down to pick up his bag that contained mostly first-aid supplies. Then Jarod noticed what looked like fresh blood on the boy's shirt hidden by his jacket.

"You know you should get that looked at." Jarod continued conversationally. "I could if you want, I'm a doctor."

The boy stared at him suspiciously clutching the bag tightly slowly backing up. Jarod made a move to ease the boy's nerves. It was all the boy needed as he turned and ran nearly being hit by a car as he raced across the street.

'Well if this ain't who I'm lookin' for he has a lot of explaining to do.' Jarod thought with a sigh and took off running after him.

They played 'cat and mouse' for a few blocks ducking in and out of alleys unnoticed by the people around them. Until the boy dodged into one last alley and found himself at a dead end. It didn't faze him in the least as he picked up a bored aiming to stand off against the Pretender.

"Now, now..." Jarod said calmly holding his hands out in front of him. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"Who are you? What do you want?" the boy demanded keeping his distance.

"My name is Jarod and I was sent to find the owner of that pendant, because he's in a lot of danger." The Pretender walked slowly toward the weary boy noting him sway a little in his weakened state.

"Tell your masters I don't know where he is and leave me alone." The boy growled.

'Answer to one question.' Jarod stated calm still moving forward. "I'm not your enemy. I'm here to protect you and your friend from those other guys." The boy still eyed him but the board was drooping in his hands. "What's your name?"

the boy took a deep breath. "Xander..." he said slowly then fainted.

Jarod caught the boy before he hit the ground and checked his vitals. The pulse was weak, but steady; his breathing that of someone sleeping. The blood loss had taken its toll and only bed rest long enough for his heart to replenish the lost blood would help him.

Careful the Pretender lifted the boy in his arms making his way back to his car just as the sun was in its final stages of dusk. No one seemed to notice the black clad man carrying a younger man in his arms. No one noticed the man putting his burden in the back seat of his car and drive off into the night.

California towns were strange.

TBC...with part 2 by Teri

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