The Unexpected Guest

Chapter 18

Rated: PG

Spoilers: Season 4

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

 

 

The Unexpected Guest

By Nicky

 

Chapter 18

 

 

 

"Are you trying to say that you're . . . ."

 

"Having Jarod's baby.  That's right, Daddy.  Remember that time in Philadelphia last month?  Remember when I was snowed in?  Well, Jarod was there too. There wasn't much else to do to stay warm.  One thing led to another and then . . . you know.  I don't really have to draw you a picture, do I?"

 

"You had him in your bed, but couldn't bring him in?" her father accuses.

 

"He was gone when by the time I got up.  Not exactly a gentleman," she says with a frown.  She looks at her father and sees that he's still a bit skeptical.  She had to step up the drama a notch.  Because this was it.  Her only chance to get out of there.  She just hoped any pretending skills she had laying dormant in her would awaken now and help her with the next part of her plan. 

 

"We're of course going to need some tests.  First, a test to verify that you really are pregnant.  And then another to see if the baby is Jarod's," her father explains.  "I'll schedule a full medical exam later this afternoon for you.  Until then, you stay here and let me think about the impact this child will have on our research."

 

"Daddy!  I can't wait until this afternoon.  I'm really not feeling well," she cries, managing to squeeze out a few fake tears.  "I think you should take me now.  Before I . . ."  She stops her words midsentence and starts to sway before finally allowing her knees to give way.  She plans it perfectly and falls right into her father's arms.

 

"Angel!  Angel, answer me!" He says frantically.  If she was pregnant and if the baby was Jarod's, then he couldn't risk her losing it.  He calls for the sweepers to come in and help him.  Together, they lift her and rush her down to the medical wing.  He leaves her with the nurses with the initial instructions to get her changed into a gown and to get some blood drawn.  In light of everything that's just happened, he had some plans to make.  The possibility of a super pretender baby  pleased him to no end.  He had a hard time keeping the huge grin off of his face as he practically skipped back to his office.

 

 

Miss Parker waits until the room is quiet before she opens her eyes.  Her little fainting trick worked perfectly.  She was out of that tiny little room and someplace else in the Centre where her chances of escaping were greater.  It wouldn't take long for her father to get the results of her blood test.  And once he did, she was sure he'd kill her for lying to him.  She had to get out now.  While she had a chance.

 

She spies her clothes piled up in a chair on the other side of the room.  She rushes over there to put them on, all the while looking for ways out of there.  She peeks out of the door, but sees that there are too many Centre staff wandering about.  And a pair of her very own sweepers posted at the end of the hall by the elevators.  She should have figured she wouldn't have been able to just waltz out of there.  She'd have to come up with another plan.

 

Plan B comes to her as her eyes scan the room again.  The airvents!  They worked for Jarod, she should give them a try too.  She moves quickly under where the vents are.  With some prying, the screws come loose and the cover to the vent came off.  She manages to pull her way inside and loosely replace the cover.  After several minutes of crawling through the dark, the vents turn into tunnels and she's able to almost stand up.

 

After an hour of wandering through the dark tunnels, she feels like giving up.  There was no way she was getting out.  And she knew that any minute, they'd discover she was missing.  Her time was running out.  She closes here eyes and leans against the wall as a few tears of frustration begin to run down her face.  A strange hand reaches up to her face to dry the tears and also to cover her mouth as she's about to let out a scream of surprise.

 

"Shh!  Help Daughter," a voice attached to the hand whispers.

 

"Angelo?"  She smiles when he steps closer and she can see his face.  "Can you get me out of here?"

 

He smiles back at her and takes her hand.  Leading her quickly through the dark tunnels.  In a matter of minutes, they reach a grate that he pulls open for her.

 

"You coming with me, Angelo?" she offers.  Nobody should have to stay in this place, she thinks to herself.

 

"Centre my home," Angelo says.  "Can't go."

 

She sighs and gives him a big hug before crawling through the last hole and to her freedom.

 

 

Jarod stands by the back door, staring out at the setting sun.  Another day was ending.  Another day gone by without his love by his side.  He heaves a heavy sigh, causing the sleeping baby to stir a little in his arms.  But, he starts a gentle rocking motion which settles her right back down before she wakes.

 

"You're good at that," Lyle says, startling Jarod.  He walks out on the back porch and takes a seat on the swing.

 

"Lot's of practice," Jarod tells him.  "It took me awhile to figure out what kinds of things keep her calm.  But not your sister.  She's a natural.  She and Kara have this special bond.  Even I don't understand it sometimes."  Jarod hugs the little girl closer to his body, feeling her tiny heart beat against his chest.  It gave him comfort to hold his daughter, but it also made him miss his wife even more.

 

"She's going to be alright," Lyle assures him.  "Parker is a survivor.  Plus, from what I can tell, she has so much to come home for.  She's not going to give up."

 

"It's like she knew," Jarod whispers.  "She knew something was going to happen.  Those dreams really scared her, but somehow she knew. You know, she made me promise that if anything ever happened to her, I'd make sure Kara was safe.  No matter what happened.  And now, they have her.  Because they want me.  But I don't think I can just walk away and pretend like nothing has happened."

 

"Jarod, I don't mean to be nosey, but what exactly is going on with you and my sister?"

 

"That's a long and complicated story.  And until recently, the story had a happy ending.  To put it simply, we're a family.  Me, her, and Kara.  But really, it all started a long, long time ago.  It seems like forever."  Jarod pauses a moment and remembers the first time he ever saw Miss Parker. 

 

"She was so beautiful," he continues.  "She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.  I remember just wanting to run my fingers through her hair.  Touch her skin because it looked like silk.  And one day, my wish came true.  One day my life was changed.  Because she kissed me.  And I was never the same again.  For the first time since I could remember, I was happy.  I didn't care that I was in the Centre anymore because she was there.  I knew that I loved her before I even knew what love was.  She was my everything.

 

"But then, just as suddenly as she came into my life, she was gone.  I didn't see or hear from her for years.  And when I did finally see her, she was different.  Things were different.  It killed me that she hated me, because even though we spent those years apart, I still loved her.  I loved her when she ignored me.  I loved her when she ridiculed me.  I even loved her when she chased me.  I didn't give up on that love. And it paid off.  Because somewhere in the middle of all that, she remembered that love we once shared when we were children.  And we were able to find our way back to each other."

 

"My sister's lucky," Lyle says when Jarod's done.  "To have someone who loves her like that.  Despite all the obstacles, you loved her.  I think that's the only reason she's survived the Centre all these years.  And I'm lucky too.  Because you didn't give up on her, something inside her was able to reach something inside me that I didn't even know existed.  Something that's making me feel things now.  Things I've never felt before.  Like guilt.  For all the evil things I've done.  And shame.  For how I ruined so many lives.  But mostly pain.  I never knew being without her could hurt so much," Lyle sighs.

 

"That just means you love her," Jarod explains.  "Sometimes love hurts.  That's the danger.  But it's worth it.  Because it can also bring immeasurable joy."

 

"I hope I get the chance to tell her that one day.  Tell her that I love her.  I know I'm going to have to earn her love and respect in return, but I'm up for it," Lyle says with a smile.

 

"I can see you've changed already, Lyle," Jarod admits.  "I'm sure she could see it in you, too.  Don't give up on love.  We'll get her back soon. And then you'll be able to tell her . . ."  Jarod's voice trails off. 

 

"What is it?" Lyle asks when he notices a strange look come over Jarod's face.

 

"Here.  Take Kara in the house for me.  I think I heard something in the bushes," he whispers.  He hands the baby to Lyle and waits until they're inside before going to investigate.

 

His investigation takes him to the woods behind the house where he heard the noises before.  He shines the light in the direction of the rustling and is shocked to see a figure step into the light.  She looked like an angel and it took him a second to realize that it was an angel.  His angel.

 

 

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