Title - Saying The Words (10/?) Author - Nicky Rating - PG Category - JMPR Summary - Jarod tries to say good-bye, but ends up coming back to rescue Miss Parker and finds her in a surprising predicament. Disclaimer - The characters aren't mine. I'm just using them for my own entertainment purposes. * * * * * * * * * * Savannah, GA Two days later The drive back east had taken a couple of days, leaving both Jarod and Miss Parker exhausted. Most of the time was spent in silence, Miss Parker inwardly contemplating her situation and Jarod outwardly worrying about her withdrawal. Ever since the tests confirmed her pregnancy, she's barely said two words to him and won't let him touch her at all. When they finally reach the house Jarod set up for them, he has to practically shake her to wake her from the daze she'd been in. They exit the car and Jarod takes the bags of groceries from the trunk before finally leading her towards the house. He fumbles with the packages in his hands while trying to open the door at the same time. After an unsuccessful attempt, Miss Parker finally sees his troubles and takes the keys from his hands to unlock the door. "Thanks," he says, flashing her a tentative smile. He wasn't expecting this sudden show of awareness on her part. "This is nice," she says, surprising him further with her comments. He didn't even think she'd notice the nice house he managed to procure for them. "Thanks," he says again, this time with a bigger smile. He's glad that something finally captured her attention and he starts to babble, eager to keep her interest. "You know, when most people think of Savannah, they think of all the touristy stuff downtown. But there are these areas on the outskirts of town that have been developed the last few years as housing areas." "Oh. I see. Well, I like it here. I like being near the water," she says, glancing out the back window and seeing the river behind the house. Looking back to Jarod, she sees that he's still loaded down and holds out her hands for a few of the packages. "Let me help you with those." "Thanks, but I got them," he smiles. "Why don't you take a look around the house and tell me if there's anything you need. We might be here for a while and I want you to be comfortable." "No, put them down for a second," she says quietly. "I want to talk to you." He complies and follows her to the sofa in the living room. They sit quietly for a couple of moments before she finally says anything. "I want to apologize to you, Jarod," she starts. "Miss Parker, you aren't to blame for anything. I understand how this . . . " "Let me finish," she interrupts, lifting her fingers to gently still his lips. "I realize I'm not to blame for this. But neither are you. They did this. My brother and my father decided to create this child for their own purposes. The very thought of them taking that much control . . ." she pauses and closes her eyes tightly. Jarod can see her trembling and he takes a hold of her hand. Instantly she calms down and opens her eyes, giving him a look of gratitude. She squeezes his hand and continues. "I had a hard time dealing with that. I still do. I'm hurting, Jarod. But I realize that I'm not hurting alone. I can see how much you're hurting too." "I hate seeing what this is doing to you, Miss Parker," he says sadly, a few tears falling down his face. "I'm hurting for you." "I know," she smiles painfully through her own tears. She lifts her free hand to dry his face. "And I'm sorry I shut you out. But I had to go inside myself for awhile and work through all of this." "You didn't have to do it alone," he tells her. "I told you, I'm here for you. Whatever decision you make. Whatever you want to do. I'll be here for you." "Just like always," she whispers, continuing to stroke his face even though the tears are long gone. She runs her thumb across his bottom lip a few times, watching him close his eyes in relaxation and enjoy her gentle touches. After a few soothing minutes, she forcibly tears herself from him and goes to stand by the doors leading to the back deck. "I've been thinking," she says with her back to him, looking out at the river bordering the back of the house. "To my brother and father, this child is just an experiment. But to me it's a child. It's *my* child. And I think I want to . . . " She opens and closes her mouth a few times before sighing in frustration. "Nevermind." "You want to keep it," he realizes. He follows her across the room and stands behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "That's okay. I told you whatever you decide is fine. We'll make it work." "You're not going to try to talk me out of this?" she asks, surprised at his assurances. She spins around to face him, staring directly into his eyes. "Jarod, it's highly likely this is your child too. You have some say in this matter. If you don't think I should . . . carry it to term, then I'd understand. I think of all the things they did to you at the Centre. What if they wanted this child for those same reasons? How can I justify bringing a child in this world with that risk? How am I going to protect it? Am I being selfish?" "If you are, then I am too," he smiles. "I've always wanted a family. I grew up without one, so the first thing I wanted to do when I escaped was to find my parents and to settle down with a wife and kids. But as the years passed, I realized that was an impossible dream at best. Because I couldn't find my parents. And the one person I wanted to be the mother of my children was the one person I had to run from." "What are you saying?" she asks, tears filling her eyes. "I'm saying that although this is not the way I planned it, this is what I've always dreamed." He lifts her hands to his lips and places a light kiss on the back of both of them. "Just imagine it. A little girl with your eyes, my nose and your smile." "Or a little boy with your eyes. Your smile. And maybe even this mole," she smiles, tracing the mark under his eye with her fingers. "It seems like we've been having the same dreams." "And the same fears. I understand why you'd think I'd be apprehensive. But we can do this. We'll just have to be extra careful now. We can protect him, Miss Parker. Or her," he adds with a smile. "We?" "We have to be in this together," he insists. "I know I said this was your decision, but you can't shut me out. Promise me that," he begs her. "Once again you're going against the norm," she smiles, falling into his arms. "Most guys would pray to be let off the hook in this situation." She pulls back for a moment and stares directly into his eyes with all seriousness. "But you aren't like most guys at all, are you? You're sweet, kind, noble, and loyal. I know you're going to do your best to take care of us. And I promise not to shut you out anymore. I'd really appreciate you sticking with me for as long as you can put up with me. For how ever long that will be. I know I'm not exactly a pleasant person to deal with." "True," he says, laughing when she cuts her eyes at him. "You're one to talk," she says, poking him playfully in his chest. "Okay, okay. I admit it. I'm not always Mr. Congeniality. I can be a bit irritating and . . . smugly overconfident." "Smugly overconfident? I think 'cocky' is a more accurate description, Jarod," she laughs. "Okay, I guess you can call it cockiness. And maybe at times I can also be . . . " "Insufferable? Annoying? Childish?" she supplies. "Whatever happened to sweet and kind?" he pouts. "Awww, did I hurt the poor baby's feeling?" she mocks him. She leans closer to him and whispers seductively into his ear. "Okay, I'm sorry. How can I make it all better?" "You can stop teasing," he whispers breathlessly. His hands drift towards her and land on her hips, pulling her body closer to his without him even realizing it. The feeling of her body pressed against his and her warm breath on his neck was starting to cloud his senses and affect his heart rate. He closes his eyes and enjoys the tingling sensation her presence was creating. "Who says I was teasing?" she purrs, knowing he wasn't talking about the name calling. She can feel his heart pounding in his chest and knew her own was matching it beat for beat. They both were aroused and excited and teasing him was the last thing on his mind. His eyes pop open in shock when she says that, as does his mouth. But before he can utter a word, she wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer and slides her lips ever so gently across his. A giggle she can't stop rises up when she notices him trembling. "You okay?" "Better than okay," he whispers, grinning mischievously. He follows her lead and brushes his mouth past hers. This time she's the one left trembling. "I guess we're even now. Oh, I'm sorry. I guess that was kind of cocky of me," he says sarcastically. "Just a little . . . smugly overconfident," she pants as his lips next find a sensitive spot on her neck. "But with a mouth like that, I think you deserve to be." She grabs onto his head, effectively stilling the ministrations of his tongue as it slides along her clavicle, and positions him level with her. She crushes her mouth to his, nothing like the gentle brush from before. Soon they're both battling for control in a passionate kiss that takes their breath away. They eventually settle into a compromising dance of give and take, both getting as much pleasure as they were offering. "Wow," she gasps when they break the kiss. "That was . . . " "Amazing." He leans his forehead against hers and is content with breathing in her breath. "Makes me wish I had caught up with you years ago," she giggles. "I can't believe I've been missing out on this all this time." She pulls him closer and ravishes his mouth again. "Unfortunately I don't think your brother wants to make out with me as much as you do," he frowns. He pulls away and rises to his feet, helping her up as well. "If he catches up with me, lets just say that he'll have less amorous intentions." "For a second, I forgot about him," she sighs, closing her eyes and falling into his arms. "You think he was in on this with Daddy?" "I talked to Sydney earlier," he tells her. "Your father and Lyle are in this together. And they're so confident about this plan that they only want you back. I'll be too much trouble and your father has given Lyle permission to . . . do with me as he pleases." "Then we have to stay one step ahead of them," she mumbles into his chest. "No, the baby has to. No matter what, we can't let the Centre get to him. And since the baby is in you, then you have to steer clear as well. But it might be too dangerous with me with you. I won't let anything happen to either of you. Even if it means . . . " "Don't say it," she says, tears starting to fill her eyes. "You promised we were going to get through this together. You made me promise not to shut you out. You have to do the same, Jarod. Don't start pulling away now. As long as we stay together, they can't touch us." "I hope you're right," he says, pulling her into a hug. But he wasn't so convinced of that. He had a feeling that someday, he'd have to leave. Not because he wanted to, but for her own safety. And the safety of her child. To be continued . . .