The Unexpected Guest

Chapter 4

Rated: PG

Date: January 19, 2000

Spoilers: Season 4

Disclaimer: These characters aren't mine. You know the drill.

 

 

The Unexpected Guest

By Nicky

 

Chapter 4

 

 

 

"Where are we going, Jarod?"  Miss Parker looks out of the car window at the passing scenery.  They hadn't been driving for very long, but she was anxious to get as far away from the Centre as possible.

 

"Not very far.  At least, not right now," he adds when she suddenly whips her head around to stare at him. 

 

"What do you mean, 'not very far'?  Jarod, we've got to get away.  If they find out about the baby . . ."

 

"Didn't you say you trusted me?  I'm not going to let anything happen to either of you.  And I mean that.  But it wouldn't be smart right now for you to just run away."

 

"Because they'd come looking for me," she realizes.  "But what am I going to do now?  Waltz into to the Centre and just hand the baby over to them?"

 

"In a way, yes," he replies cryptically.  He turns his attention back to the road and begins to slow down.  He suddenly turns down a little lane completely obscured by the darkness and overgrown bushes.  One would have missed it if one didn't know they were looking for it.

 

They drive down the lane silently for a few minutes before it opens up a bit and reveals a little cottage tucked away in a curve.  Jarod stops in front of the house and turns the car off.

 

"Here we are.  Home sweet home.  At least, for tonight anyway."  He looks at her for some sign of approval.  When he doesn't get any, he gets out of the car to go open the front door, chuckling to himself the whole way.

 

"What's so funny?" she asks, somewhat annoyed by his amusement. 

 

"Nothing.  The look on you face was just classic.  I know it doesn't look like much, but you and the baby will be safe here for the time being.  How is she doing, anyway?"  He looks at the little bundle in Miss Parker's arms and can't help smiling at the sight.

 

"Okay, now what are you grinning at?" she snaps.

 

"You.  You seem to be a natural at this mothering thing.  It suits you."  He smiles again before turning to open the door for them.  "You go in.  I have some things to get from the car.

 

She walks into the little house and sees that it's not as bad as she had anticipated. It was small, but comfortable somehow.  She could feel Jarod's presence in the air and that gave the place more charm.

 

Jarod comes back from the car with his arms loaded with all sorts of baby stuff.  Diapers, bottles, formulas, clothes.  Pretty much anything he imagined the baby would need. 

 

"Stocking up for a holocaust?" Miss Parker stares at him with all the baby stuff and giggles.  It was as if Jarod didn't know what to get, so he just bought a whole bunch of everything.

 

"I wasn't sure what she'd need," he blushes.

 

"You're so cute," Miss Parker smiles.  "Come on.  Let's put this stuff away so we can get the baby settled.

 

 

Two hours later, they both sink onto the couch, completely exhausted.  All the baby stuff was still piled up by the front door.  After changing the baby, feeding the baby, dressing the baby, and changing the baby again, they had no energy to do anything else.

 

"Still think I'm a natural at this?  Because I don't feel like a natural.  She's a little baby.  Why is she being so difficult?" 

 

"You were great," he reassures.  "It's just going to take some practice.  We'll get the hang of it."

 

"We?" she asks, raising her eyebrow slightly in surprise.

 

"I mean, if that's what you want," he adds quickly.  "I told you that I wasn't going to let anything happen to either of you.  It'll be easier to do that if I were with you.  But if that's not what you want, then . . ."

 

"That's fine for now," she interrupts.  "I don't think I could do this alone.  I know I don't want to do it alone."

 

"Then I'll be here for you.  For as long as you need me."  He reaches over and grabs her hand, stroking it gently before raising it to his lips and placing a gentle kiss on it.

 

"So, what do we do now?  You started talking about your plan earlier.  You're definitely going to have to explain the part about me walking in there and handing the baby over to them."

 

"I don't have all the details worked out yet," he admits.  "But I have a start.  Tomorrow, you're going to go and give your father this."  He reluctantly lets her hand go and gets off the couch, walking towards the pile of stuff by the front door.  He digs around for a few minutes before pulling out a small box, shaped and decorated much like a music box, but hollow on the inside.

 

"What's this supposed to be?" she asks.

 

"The baby," he whispers.  

 

"I don't get it," she admits.

 

"From what I read into the situation, the baby is the only thing that can cause you any danger at the Centre.  But, your father is the key to them finding out about the baby.  You'd be at his mercy for the rest of your life.  So, just take the baby out of the situation.  Take the power away from your father.  And you'll be safe again."

 

"I think I'm starting to understand," she says.  "I give my father this box.  And say that I had the baby cremated and that this contained her ashes.  That way, he'll think the baby's dead.  There won't be any need for the sweepers to . . . dispose of me."

 

"Exactly.  Things can go back to how they were before.  And you can be sure that you father will want that baby kept a secret between just the two of you.  There wouldn't be any benefit to him if that got out."

 

"One question, Jarod.  I'm sure he's going to want some verification that the baby is dead. How are we going to pull that off?"

 

"You leave that to me.  I'll create a plausible story and make it so that Broots 'stumbles' upon the information and gives it to your father.  Like I said before, he's not going to want too many people knowing about the baby, so he won't do much digging."

 

"Okay.  This sounds like a good plan," she says.  "When do we do this?"

 

"As soon as possible.  Tomorrow.  You don't want your father to send anyone looking for you."

 

"Tomorrow it is," she whispers, not wanting him to hear to fear in her voice.  But she melts anyway when she suddenly feels his arms around her.  Offering her strength and protection that she was growing to depend on.

 

"Tell me everything is going to be okay, Jarod," she pleads, burying her head into his chest.

 

"I wish I could, Allie," he whispers back.  "I really wish I could."  He pulls her closer and gently strokes her back until he hears her breathing become deep and regular.  Only after he's sure she's asleep does he close his own eyes.  Tomorrow was going to be a long day.  They were both going to need their strength.

 

 

Previous Chapter           HOME               Next Chapter