Parker woke up and Thomas wasn't beside her. She got out of bed, putting on Tommy's red flannel shirt and stood at the window, looking out at everything illuminated by the early risen sun. She smiled to herself. She was just about to have a new life with the man she loves and no one was going to stop her. Daddy gave her his blessing and gave her, her wings. She was free to go and do as she pleases without wondering what her father would say. Even Lyle has been supportive, probably when she's out of the picture he'll be going after the inheritance. She didn't mind. Everything she ever wanted was in the bathroom, or was he?
Parker walked over to the bathroom and pressed her ear against the door. She could hear the shower running. She smiled again and went in. She looked at her reflection in the foggy mirror. She looked younger than she did before she met Tommy. She hasn't had as many problems with her ulcer. The doctor said that it was actually getting better and if she kept up with what she was doing it would subside completely and only flare up occasionally. "I'm glad we're going to Oregon tomorrow." She said as she brushed her hair. "It'll do us good to be away from all of my problems and demons here. But before we go, I wanna stop at Momma's grave and say goodbye, that all right?" There was no answer from Thomas. "Tommy?" Parker opened the shower curtain but there was no one there, the water was running yes, but no one under the shower.
Walking through her house, it was so quiet you could hear a needle falling. Parker didn't like the way this was looking. "Tommy?" Parker whimpered pleadingly. "Honey?" She walked over to the opened front door and opened it wider. She could see a few spots of blood on the step. "Tommy!" Parker screamed and ran round the house.
She found him round the back, with blood surrounding him. His arms hanging lifelessly at his sides. "Tommy!" She screamed and ran over to him. She checked his pulse. There was none. "No!" She held his head where all the blood was coming from and started to cry.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Parker sat up in bed screaming her lungs out. Tommy was jerked out of his sleep when he heard her scream. He knelt in front of her. Her face was covered in sweat and she was trembling uncontrollably. "Hey, shh. What's wrong?" Tommy gently touched her face. She started to cry. "This is the fifth nightmare this week, what's wrong?"
"Hold me." She whimpered. He pulled her into a tight hug. She was absolutely petrified.
"What's wrong with my little girl?" He whispered next to her ear.
"I don't want you to leave me. EVER!" She cried.
"Shh, I'm not going anywhere." Tommy kissed her head. He started to gently rock her from side to side. But she wouldn't stop trembling.
"You love me don't you?"
"With all my heart and soul." He answered her, still continuing his gentle swaying.
"And we're going to Oregon soon?"
"We'll be leaving the day after tomorrow. What's getting you so upset? It isn't like you to cry and whimper." Tommy kissed her neck softly.
"They're going to...I'm going to find...I don't wanna think about it!" She shook her head violently. He held her head against his shoulder to stop it from shaking.
"OK, OK, don't think about it. If you don't wanna tell me, I don't wanna know." She moved her arms so that her hands were resting on his shoulders and her forearms were running down his chest. She still had her head buried against his neck.
He went to lay her down but she started to whimper. "Don't leave me!"
"Shh, I just want to lie down." He lay on his back and held her on his chest. She was still whimpering. "Come here." He moved her so that she was lying on top of him.
Parker was still trembling, with her head resting next to his. "I don't want them to take you away from me." She whispered as she started to fall asleep again.
"I'm not going anywhere, so go back to sleep." Tommy kissed the top of her head. She moved her head closer to his and fell asleep. Tommy was just thinking. What would scare her so much that she would talk about him not leaving her? He thought it would be best if he rang Jarod in the morning to come and see her. He knows her better than anyone and he'd know what to do.
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PARKER MANOR:
10:35A.M.
Parker started to whimper again around 8a.m. Tommy woke her up and told her to go and have a shower and come downstairs. She reluctantly did what he said. She hadn't spoken a word but she would just whimper when she got upset. Tommy had rang Jarod and told him what was going on with Parker. Jarod told him to stay with her and he'd be there a little before 11.
Parker was lying on the couch staring into the flames, while Tommy was sitting next to her on the floor and stroking her head gently. She was holding his other hand in the two of hers. She just got to sleep when there was a knock at the door. Tommy carefully got his hand out of hers and walked over to the door. Jarod was standing there. "She just fallen asleep. When she wakes up you'll see something that's VERY distressing." Tommy shut the door quietly after Jarod had walked inside.
"Did she tell you want the dream was?" Jarod asked as he walked over and looked down on her. She seemed peaceful enough. But looks can be deceiving.
"Not much. She was just asking me do I love her and if we're going to Oregon. Then she went on about they're going to do something and she's going to find out. She couldn't tell me, so I didn't ask. But if it's upsetting her this much it must be bad."
"If you called me round to check on her and if you're this worried, something is wrong. But I'll find out, if I can't we'll have to get Sydney. He knows how to get her to open up and she's trusts him." Jarod sat down in the armchair while Tommy sat on the floor next to her head like before and started to stroke her head.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Jarod was only there for 5 minutes when she started to wake up. When she opened her eyes she was crying. Tommy wasn't overreacting, to see Parker crying was distressing. Jarod got up and walked over to her. He gently stroked her head but she wouldn't stop crying. "What's wrong Angel?" She started to tremble and whimper.
"Shh." Tommy lifted her up gently into a sitting position and held her.
"I think I better ring Syd. This is serious." Jarod pulled out his cell and pressed speed dial.
"This is Sydney."
"Syd, you better get over to Parker's. Something seriously wrong."
"What is it?"
"We don't know. According to Thomas she had another nightmare last night and now she's just shattered. Can you get round here? I don't know what to do."
"I'll be right there, try and get her to open up." Sydney said and hung up.
Jarod close his cell and sat on the armrest next to Parker. "Parker." He gently stroked her back. She didn't listen, but she seemed to calm down a little with his gentle touch. "Can you tell me what's wrong?" She shook her head. "Please?" She shook her head again.
"Can't." She said in a small voice, thick with tears.
"Please? I can't help if you don't tell me." Jarod said to her gently.
"Can't. I don't wanna think about it." She started to shake her head violently.
"OK, shh." Tommy held her head. "Will you tell me what's wrong. I might be able to fix it." He leant back and smiled at her warmly. Tears trickled down her face. "Hey, shh, can you please tell us? We're worried about you."
"I don't wanna talk about it. It might come true." She whimpered.
"Did something happen to Thomas?"
"I DON'T WANNA TALK ABOUT IT!" She cried and covered her face.
"OK, don't tell us. But if it's making you this upset you'll have to tell someone sooner or later." Jarod said gently.
"I don't want them to take Tommy." She whimpered.
"No one will take him. He's your property." Tommy looked strangely at Jarod but he just shook his head, signaling that he'd explain later.
"But they're still going to take him away from me." Tommy pulled her down onto his shoulder.
"How about if I hang round till you go to Oregon just to make sure nothing happens." Jarod suggested.
"Then they'll kill him and take you back to The Centre. I wouldn't have anyone!" She cried out. Tommy looked up at Jarod.
"Did they kill me?" He asked gently.
"Oh God!" Parker tried to stand up but Tommy held her down. "It's going to happen now!"
"Hey, I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to stay with you." He gently stroked her face.
"I don't want you to leave me." She whispered.
"I'm not going anywhere. Either is Jarod." He wiped a tear off her cheek. "OK?"
She nodded. "OK." She smiled gently.
"That's my girl."
"But I don't want you to die and that is what's going to happen." She whimpered.
"No one is going to do any dying." Jarod told her softly.
"How can you be so sure?" Parker looked up at him with teary eyes.
"Stand up for me." She shook her head and held Tommy's hand tightly.
"It's OK, just stand up for him." Tommy kissed her hand. She reluctantly stood up.
Jarod pulled her to him and hugged her tightly. She rested her head under his chin. "Now, nothing is going to happen. Thomas is here with you and you have you're gun. I'll be around till you go to Oregon and then I'll be stopping by to check on you." She could feel the vibration in his chest as he spoke. It was comforting. She nodded and leant against him.
Jarod looked up at Tommy who was nodding his. He mouthed 'thank you'. Jarod nodded back. "Now someone is worried about you." Jarod gently pushed her away and looked at her. Her eyes had changed, the fear was still there but caution and contentment was mixed in.
She looked at Tommy. He smiled and opened his arms for her. She walked over and wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. He closed his arms around her and pulled her close. "I'm sorry if I scared you."
"Don't worry Baby, I'm just glad that you're OK." He gently kissed her neck. She smiled and snuggled closer to him.
"Everything's going to be OK from now on." Jarod said quietly. She looked at him and smiled.
KNOCK. KNOCK.
"What?" She snarled.
"Shh, it'll be Sydney." Tommy gently kissed her forehead. Jarod walked over and looked through the peephole. It was Sydney. He opened the door.
"How is she?" Sydney asked him.
"OK now." Jarod let him in. Parker was standing over in front of Tommy, resting her head on his shoulder looking at him. Tommy was resting his hands on her hips.
"How are you feeling?" Sydney asked her.
"Fine." She moved her head so it was more comfortable on his shoulder.
"What was the problem?" Sydney asked. When he moved closer to Tommy and Parker, she started to tense up and move closer to him.
"Shh, it's only Sydney." Tommy put his arms around her and held her tightly.
"What's wrong Parker?" He asked her. She shook her head and buried her face in Tommy's shoulder.
"The nightmare she had last night, Thomas was murdered." Jarod said gently. "She's just getting overprotective now."
"I don't know who killed him." She mumbled.
"No one has killed me." Tommy gently kissed her neck. She moved her head under his chin so she was more comfortable and put her arms round his chest, linking her hands behind his back. "That's a good girl."
KNOCK. KNOCK.
"Who'd you tell that you were coming here?" She snarled at him.
"No one." Sydney told her truthfully.
"You're either lying or someone knows what's going on!" She walked over to the cupboard and got out her spare gun and checked the clip. She looked at Jarod who walked into the kitchen. She waited till he was out of sight before she opened the door. It was Lyle. "What do you want?" She snarled at him.
Lyle saw the gun in her hand at her side. "Getting a little jumpy aren't we?"
"Only when I get unwelcome visitors." She snarled. "Why are you here?"
"I came to check on you."
"Why? How?" She growled at him.
"Oh, you mean how'd I know there was something wrong?" Lyle asked as she let him in the front door. 'That's an improvement.' He thought.
"No, I was wondering why you are here and been nice, OF COURSE HOW YOU KNEW!" She snarled at him dangerously.
"I've kinda got your phone tapped and heard Thomas' conversation" Lyle said quietly and prepared himself to be killed. Her eyes started to burn brightly. "But it was for your own protection till you left to go to Oregon. I just want to make sure you'll be safe."
"And why would you care? If something happened to me you'd get the inheritance without any problems with me popping up! And you've never like Thomas!" She snarled at him coldly.
"Now just hang on a minute! I have never done anything to you or him. I was only like that because Dad told me to be that way! I don't give a shit about the inheritance, if I did the old man would be dead by now!" He snarled at her, his tone matching hers. He walked a little closer to Tommy.
"Get away from him!" She snarled and held the gun at his head.
"We are on edge." Lyle smiled and stepped away from him. He slowly put his hand in inside his coat.
"No you don't! You move your hand anymore I'm going to blow your head RIGHT OFF." She told him slowly, deadly serious.
"OK, you can take it out then." Lyle opened his coat and pointed at his gun that was on his ribs.
She tensed up. "You do it." She said coolly. Lyle carefully took the gun out of the holster and took the clip out. He walked over and put the gun and clip on the mantelpiece above the fire. He walked back over to her, taking off his jacket.
"See? I'm unarmed, so there's no need to hold the gun on me. I just want to talk." He said to her in a gentle tone. She slowly let her guard down. "That's all. I just want to talk." She let relaxed and took the clip out of the gun. She put it on the mantelpiece next to his.
"So talk. I'm listening." She said gently. All hostilities have gone. They're talking civilly with each other. She walked back over to Tommy and leant against his chest. He closed his arms around her tightly.
"I'm not the one you should be watching. It's Dad. He told me that he doesn't want you to leave. He doesn't want to be away from his Angel." He told her.
"Like he'd care! He just can't bear that someone else is coming first on my loyalty list. The same thing happened when I was little, I was getting to close to Jarod and he sent me to boarding school. He's never cared about me so why should I stay?"
"Me." He said softly. "I want to get to know my sister and my Mom, you're the only one who can tell me what I want to know."
"Tommy's job is in Oregon. If he goes I go! No buts about it." She stood her ground.
"We would be coming back. It's only a six month thing." Tommy whispered in her ear. She nodded. She held his arms around her tightly.
"Daddy could burn in hell for all I care! All he wants from me is someone to do his dirty work. He only called on me when he wanted something. I'm sick and tired of been pushed around. I don't care if you tell him that or not. I'm leaving and that's final!" She gently undid Tommy's grasp and walked over to Lyle and whispered in his ear. "If you lay one finger on him, I'll blow your fucking head off, clear?"
"As crystal." Lyle nodded. "But I'm not going to do anything to him or you. I just want you to be happy." He gently touched her face but she slapped his hand away angrily.
"Don't!" She walked back over to Tommy and leant on his chest again. And like before he wrapped his arms around her protectively. "I don't like anyone touching me but Tommy!"
"But I'm not going to hurt you. I'm watching your back until you go to Oregon."
"And why would you do something like that? You couldn't give a shit about me!"
"But you're wrong." Lyle walked closer to her. She backed up closer to Tommy. "I wanna take care of you from now on. I don't want to see anything happen to you or Thomas."
Parker started to make a growling noise in her throat. "Since when have you cared?"
"I'm starting to care now!"
"Hooray!" She snarled at him coldly. Jarod and Sydney were just watching, and in Jarod's case listening, quietly, they were letting Lyle and Parker get all this hostility out in the open, otherwise they'll be walking time-bombs.
"Why do you find it hard to believe that I care about you?" He asked her gently.
"Do you want me to tell you?" She snarled and walked away from Tommy. Lyle started to back away.
"Yes."
"OK then, now shut up and listen." Her eyes started to flame up. "You're just like Daddy. All you care about is The Centre. You have NEVER acknowledged me as been your sister, and if you have it was only for your own purposes, so why should I even believe you? You're just going to stab me in the back like Daddy!"
"OK, I can see where you're coming from but you don't understand..."
"I understand plenty!" She cut him off.
"You don't understand me! You like to think that you know everyone in the first 5 minutes you spend with them. It doesn't work that way!" Lyle snarled at her.
"What makes you think you can understand me?" She demanded.
"I understand a lot more than you give me credit for. You're looking for the family that you were denied. You're trying to find someone who you can trust with your soul. You just want security."
"Don't try and get into my head. Leave that for Jarod!" She snarled at him.
"Oh yeah that reminds me, Jarod you can come out of the kitchen, I know you're here." Lyle said. Jarod reluctantly came out. "Now we're one big family..."
Parker grabbed his throat and held tightly. "I'm not your family! You might be my brother by blood but that's as far as it goes!" He was coughing and turning red. She pushed him back his throat and stood there calmly, just looking at him. "You don't get it do?"
"No." He said hoarsely, rubbing his throat. Her hand has left big red marks on his neck.
"I don't wanna trust you, I don't even like you. I've hated you the first moment I saw you. You're just weaseling into a family that doesn't even want you, you're one of Momma's biggest mistakes." She snarled at him. Everyone flinched at that comment. She had gone too far.
"If I wasn't born you wouldn't be here either!" He snarled at her, trying to hide the pain she had inflicted.
"I wish I had never had a brother! I wish you died!" She yelled at him.
"OK Honey, that's enough." Tommy said gently. She turned and looked at him, her blue eyes burning like flames. "Your words are stinging ME, so just calm down, OK Sweetie?" She walked over to him and rested her head under his chin. When he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, he could feel that she was trembling. She has had enough with fighting. When she gets worked up or agitated she starts to tremble.
Lyle didn't have anything else to say to her comments. While she was quiet and under control he walked over to the mantelpiece and got his gun. He quietly put the clip back in and put the gun in it's holster on his ribcage. He collected his coat as he walked to the door. Jarod walked out with him. "Lyle." He stopped but didn't turn around. "She didn't mean what she said. She's angry and scared something will happen to Thomas. She was fighting you so hard because you are right. She was trying to find someone she can trust with her soul. Thomas has her heart and soul in the palm of his hand and she's scared that he'll leave her like Catherine did."
"I know but it still hurt. She said that she wishes I was dead." Lyle said sadly.
"She didn't know what she was saying. This whole situation frightens her and when she gets scared her first instinct is to attack anything threatening." Jarod said quietly. "Why don't you come back later tonight. She'll be better when Thomas and I calm her down. She's still trying to put the nightmare out of her mind."
"What was that about?" Lyle turned to face him.
"Someone killed Thomas and she found him. Shot in the head. She'll be OK tonight, she's just frightened now."
"But she will be OK?"
"Yeah, she'll be just fine when they go to Oregon. Did you mean what you said about watching her back?"
"Yeah, Dad's going to try something and I just wanted to warn her." He shook his head. "And look where it got me."
"Don't worry about what she said to you. She'll apologise to you tonight. She didn't mean it."
"But it still hurt." Lyle walked away and down to his car. Jarod watched him drive away. Lyle really did mean what he said and Parker was wrong about saying those horrible things to him. But like he told Lyle she's frightened. Jarod shook his head to try and clear it and walked back inside.
Parker was still in Tommy's arms and he was swaying her from side to side gently. He slowly closed his eyes and then nodded down at Parker with his chin, signaling she was nearly asleep. Jarod nodded. "Baby?"
"Umm?" She purred softly.
"Do you want me to take you up to bed?"
"No." She mumbled. "I wanna stay with you...You'll be down here with Syd and J...I don't wanna leave you."
"OK, I've got a better idea." Tommy carefully lifted her into his arms and walked over to the couch. He placed her down and covered her with the afghan. "You can sleep there and we'll be over here, OK?" She nodded and turned over on her side so she was looking at the back of the couch. "We'll be just over here, so if you want me just call." He gently stroked her head. She was asleep.
"You're good with her."
"Yeah." They sat down at the table. "What are we going to do about Parker and Lyle? The things she said to him stung, I can't imagine what it was doing to the poor guy that it was directed at."
"It hurt him as well. We're probably gonna have to tell her that he was telling the truth and try and bring her round. Lyle really does care about her, but after what happened last night, she's more cautious than ever." Jarod said quietly.
"But with just cause." Sydney added. "It's easy for us because we can see both sides. Parker only has her side and Lyle has his side. That's the way it stays."
"We're gonna have to make Parker see both sides of the story, but with Mr Parker always hurting her she doesn't let many people get close to her." Jarod sat back in the chair. "We're lucky she trusts us. She's very loyal and you'll find that out soon enough." He looked at Tommy.
"I already know. What did you mean by that I'm her property?"
"Just a way for her to understand while she was like that. She gets very protective and I just brought it to her attention that you are hers and no one will take you away."
"Oh." Tommy nodded and sat back in his chair.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
PARKER MANOR:
6:45P.M.
Parker slept soundly and without any nightmares. Sydney went back to The Centre around 4, but Jarod hung around so he could talk with her about what happened with Lyle. Parker opened her eyes and looked around. The living room was lit with soft lighting from the lamps on the table over near the doorway. She sat up and looked around. She couldn't see anyone. "Tommy? Jarod? Syd?" She got up slowly. "Tommy?" She whimpered, pleadingly. She walked into the kitchen and couldn't see anyone. "Jarod!" She called out. She was losing her mind. As she ran through the house and past Catherine's sunroom, two arms encircled her from behind. "Get off!"
"Hey, it's me, take it easy." Tommy whispered next to her ear.
"Tommy." She started to cry and collapsed against him.
"Shh, I'm here." He turned her around and held her tightly.
"I woke up and you were gone, I called out but you didn't answer." She nuzzled her head under his chin.
"I'm sorry, but I had to use the phone so I went outside, so I didn't wake you, I'm sorry Baby." He held her tightly.
"Don't scare me like that again." She whimpered.
"I won't." He kissed her neck, still holding her tightly. Jarod came back in and saw her trembling against Tommy.
"What's happened?"
"She's just had a little fright. She woke up and I wasn't where she could see me." Tommy gently swayed her in his arms.
"When you're up to it I want to talk with you." Jarod said to her gently.
"About?" She looked at him with watery blue eyes.
"You don't have to worry about that now, I'll tell you later." He smiled at her warmly. She nuzzled back into Tommy's shoulder, clutching him tightly.
"I'm not going anywhere, Baby." Tommy gently kissed her neck and shoulder. She let go of him slightly, but still kept her body pressed against his.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
PARKER MANOR:
8:30P.M.
Tommy was sitting on the couch with Parker stretched out along side of him, resting her head on his shoulder, while his arms were wrapped around her protectively. She felt safe sitting like that and even safer with Jarod sitting in the armchair across from them.
When Tommy started to kiss her neck softly she started to purr like a kitten. Jarod took this opportunity, while she was out of it, to talk to her about what happened with Lyle. "Parker?"
"Umm?"
"Why did you say what you did to Lyle? He didn't mean to be threatening, he only came to warn you to watch your father." Jarod said gently.
She suddenly stopped purring and glared at him coldly. "What?" She tried to sit up but Tommy held her down. She hated that! "You better let go of me RIGHT NOW!" She snarled at him dangerously. He let her go. He saw a look in her eyes he didn't like. "What were you saying?" She snarled at him.
"I was saying that." Her eyes started flaming. 'You started it, you finish it.' Jarod's little voice said. "Lyle was only looking out for Thomas."
"Like I said, he couldn't care less if Tommy was murdered!" She snarled.
"Why is it so hard for you to believe him?" Jarod demanded.
"I don't trust him! He works for Daddy therefore he's a two-faced arsehole!" She snarled, getting angrier with him.
"Maybe he isn't! And maybe, just maybe he's right!"
"Why are you taking his side? He killed Kyle or did you just forget that part?" She snarled. She hit him where it hurts. Tommy could see it in his eyes.
Jarod stepped closer to her. "I haven't forgotten that part." Then he whispered in her ear. "Just so you know how it feels I hope someone does kill him, then he wouldn't have to put up with you." She stepped back and punched him in the mouth.
"OK, OK, this has gone far enough." Tommy pulled Parker back, but she wasn't coming willingly. "Parker! Behave!" Tommy ordered angrily. She stopped and came back with him. "Now just behave, OK?" She was silent. "Jarod?" He didn't say anything, but they were shooting flames at each other. "Will you listen to me?"
"Maybe." She snarled, still glaring at Jarod.
He turned her around to face him, holding her face in his hands. "Lyle only wanted to warn us. Just relax and think about the way your father's been acting." Her eyes softened. "If you don't trust Lyle, trust Jarod. I don't want to see you lose a friend over this. He has never lied to you and wouldn't have anything to gain by lying now." She nodded, slowly. "I know you're afraid that something might happen, but you shouldn't go attacking people that only want to help." He let go of her. She slowly leant forward and rested her forehead against his shoulder.
"I just want the nightmare to be over."
"I know Honey." He closed his arms around her tightly. When he looked at Jarod, he looked like a deer caught in car headlights. Someone just tamed the tiger. Tommy smiled and rested his chin on Parker's head lightly.
Jarod mouthed. 'How'd you do that?' Tommy just smiled and shrugged. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and relaxed.
"I think you owe someone an apology." Tommy whispered in her ear. She nodded and lifted her head. She turned round and looked at Jarod, but still staying close to Tommy. "He won't bite."
"I wouldn't be so sure. After the way he just exploded." Parker smiled. When she looked into Jarod's eyes, they were normal. Chocolate, puppy dog eyes. She walked over to him cautiously.
"Come here." Jarod said gently. She walked up to him, still cautiously. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. She smiled and relaxed.
"Good, now don't let me catch you ripping each other's heads off again!"
"No Tommy." She whispered softly.
"Jarod?"
"No, no more fights." Jarod gently rested his chin on her head.
"Good." Tommy smiled at her warmly.
KNOCK. KNOCK.
Parker pulled away from Jarod and looked at the door warily. "I'll get it." Tommy said and started to make his way to the door.
"Wait!" He stopped and looked at her. She walked over to the mantelpiece and got her gun, expertly putting the clip in and arming the gun. She walked up to Tommy and opened the door. Lyle was standing there. Sydney was still coming up the path. She relaxed and walked away. "Is she OK now?" Lyle asked as he walked in.
"Yeah, we've just had a slight explosion. But Jarod and I have made it perfectly clear that you aren't the enemy at the moment." Tommy explained as he shut the door behind Sydney.
"Good." Lyle smiled warmly at her as she walked next to Jarod and stood next to him, looking at Lyle with cautious eyes.
"Was she hard to handle Thomas?" Sydney asked him quietly.
"A bit, it took a while to get through to her but we seemed to be able to make her see the truth." Tommy led Sydney into the living room. "But Jarod didn't make it easy." He said loud enough for Jarod to hear.
"Hey, if you're going to place the blame give some to your little angel." Jarod joked. She smiled and shoved him back. He fell over the arm of the couch. He leant back on his elbows looking up at her.
"Bastard!" She growled and walked over to Tommy, resting against his chest.
"Parker." Lyle said gently. She looked at him cautiously. "I meant what I said before, about warning you that Dad's up to something."
"I know, I'm sorry about what I said." She said softly. Tommy smiled and wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"I'm sorry too." Lyle walked closer to her, but she stiffened and stepped closer to Thomas. "OK, I won't pressure you, take your time." Lyle stepped away from them and sat down in the armchair.
"Do you know what Daddy might do?" Parker asked as she started to relax.
"No, all I know is that he's going to try something. What, I don't know. When, I don't know but probably soon." She stiffened in Tommy's arms.
"Shh, no one will get anywhere near us. We've got Jarod here and now we've got Lyle. Everything will be just fine." He whispered in her ear softly. She held his arms around her tightly. He thought the closer he was too her, it might seem to her that nothing will separate them. Not even death. He rested his chin on the top of her head gently. "Everything will be OK." He kissed her head gently. She turned her head to the side and rested her cheek against his shoulder.
"It's OK Parker, you'll be away from The Centre day after tomorrow." Jarod said gently, seeing the way she was getting close to Tommy, trying to have every part of her in contact with him and having his arms around her tightly, not wanting to let him go, even slightly for fear that he'll leave her.
"It won't be OK. They always get what they want." She murmured sadly.
"They won't get this." Lyle said softly and stepped closer to her. She didn't notice. "Parker?" Her head slowly turned to look at him, there were tears in her eyes. "I won't let them. Do you trust me?" She shook her head. He had a hurt look cross his face.
"I don't trust anyone." She whispered and held Tommy's arms around her tighter. "My whole life I've learnt to be independent, now this is happening my whole world is just crumbling. The only person who has been loyal has been myself." She pried Tommy's away and walked outside, onto the back porch.
"Ouch." Lyle said truthfully, watching where she went.
"It's true. Her whole world is crashing down just because someone wants to kill Thomas. She was able to make adjustments for him. She even made adjustments to trust me since I'm a friend of Thomas'. She thought, 'OK no problem'. But now all her hard work at keeping herself protected is slowly coming undone. She's venerable and doesn't know how to react to it. She doesn't know what the threat is so she's just shutting down, keeping everything away. All except Thomas." Jarod explained carefully and quietly so Parker didn't hear.
"Shouldn't someone go out there and talk to her?" Lyle asked.
"Normally I would say yes. But she was close to Thomas and then just left. She wants to be alone to think." Sydney said softly.
"How come you two know so much about her, while I'm struggling to stay alive?" Lyle asked.
"We know her. I watched her grow up and Jarod grew up with her. We know what she's like. We know what tactics she uses to protect herself. Jarod's right but she didn't let Thomas in that easily. She was slow and cautious." Sydney explained softly as they all sat down.
"And don't I know it." Tommy smiled remembering the fits of rage Parker would have when they first met.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
PARKER MANOR:
8:20P.M.
The four men were just talking quietly when Parker came back in. She seemed to a bit calmer. Tommy looked up at her from where he was sitting at the table. She sat down on his lap, resting her head on his shoulder. She moved her mouth closer to his ear and whispered. "I love you."
He smiled and held her tightly. "I love you too." She kissed his ear and pillowed her head on his shoulder. Sydney and Jarod shared a look.
"She's calming down." Jarod whispered to Sydney and Lyle.
"How about you go and sit next to Lyle?"
"No. Not yet."
"OK, but go over when your ready." Tommy gently kissed her neck.
She let out a breath and lifted her head. "Why doesn't Daddy want me to leave? I thought he liked Tommy."
"I don't know. But what I do know is that everything was an act. He thinks Thomas isn't good enough for you."
She let out a growl. "Hey, don't shoot the messenger." Tommy said gently.
"I won't." She ran her fingers through his hair. "What do you think? Or don't you?"
"He makes you happy. Dad can't change that. He has no power over you and that's making him angry."
"He has to learn he can't control everything. Isn't that what you've been telling me?" She asked Tommy with a smile.
"Yes." He kissed her jaw gently. "I think it's beginning to sink in. Finally."
"Hey, been in control has kept me alive Mister." She snapped.
"Lucky me." He kissed her jaw again.
"Parker?" Lyle asked gently. She pulled away from Tommy and looked at him.
"Yeah?"
"Tell me about Mom. You're the only one who can tell me what I wanna know and that won't lie about anything."
"Like what?"
"What was she like?" He asked.
"Caring. Gentle. Wanting to change The Centre. I can't remember much. Just sounds, smells, sights. Little things." She smiled softly and turned her back on Tommy, leaning back against his chest. He closed his arms around her tightly. "I remember a pendant she had. It had a small blue crystal on the finest gold chain you'd ever seen. I looked for it but I couldn't find it. I guess Daddy got rid of it when he was putting her stuff away."
For the rest of the night they talked about what they've done. Their friends and family. Tommy took this opportunity to let everyone else get to know him, mainly Lyle. But mainly just a cozy talk between a slow bonding family.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
PARKER MANOR:
2 DAYS LATER:
8A.M.
The last two days nothing had happened. Parker was getting more and more on edge as the departure got closer. Lyle was reporting in on the happenings at The Centre like he promised. Jarod was hanging round the house, calming her down. So now it's finally time to leave to Oregon, with Tommy.
Sydney, Broots and Lyle were here with them this morning to say goodbye before they go to work.
Lyle handed her a small box. It was silver wrapping paper with a red bow on the lid. "What's this?"
"Open it." He smiled.
She removed the lid. She gasped. "I...Where'd you find it?" She took out the pendant. It was the same one she described.
"I know someone who makes jewelry and I asked him to make it." He gave Jarod a quick glance. He nodded discretely.
"It's beautiful. Just like Momma's." Tears were glistening in her eyes.
"Something to remember Mom and a little going away present." She stepped up and hugged him tightly. "Hey, not too tight." He held her, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Also to remind you that you have family here."
She pulled away and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
"Does this mean we can start behaving like brother and sister?" He smiled.
"Yeah. Would you put it on?" She held it out to him. He took it from her hand and undid the small clasp. She turned around and held her hair away from her neck.
He put it on. "There. Just where it belongs." He ran his hand over her back.
"We'll stay in touch. But only to you four." She smiled and stepped back over to Tommy.
"Good." Jarod smiled.
"We better get going or we'll miss our plane." Tommy said gently.
She nodded. "I don't know who to say goodbye to first." She shrugged. She stepped up to Sydney and hugged him. He smiled and held her tightly.
"You take care Parker."
"You to Syd." He kissed her forehead. She hugged Jarod next.
"You better take care of my Huntress or I'll have to hurt you." He joked looking at Tommy.
"And why would I do a stupid thing like that? I don't wanna get shot." He laughed.
"You will if you don't stop been such a jerk." She snarled playfully. "Now I expect you to go away from The Centre while I'm gone. They're gonna bring out some people that won't let you get away."
"You let me get away?"
"Maybe." She pulled away and looked at Broots. "Broots." She purred. He went red. Everyone started laughing. "Come here." She stepped up and hugged him. He looked like he was about to have a heart attack.
Tommy laughed. "She won't bite."
She pulled away and looked at him. "That's what you think." She smiled evilly. Jarod cleared his throat attracting her attention.
"If I could just interrupt your warped version of foreplay, your gonna miss your flight."
She looked at her watch. "If we didn't have to go I'd whip your arse over that foreplay remark!"
"I know, do it later."
"Lyle, I want you to baby-sit the house and make sure Daddy doesn't come snooping." She directed as she put on her coat. Tommy walked to the door.
"No one will be here but me."
"Don't go to the extreme of moving in thou."
"OK." He nodded.
"Good, now we gotta go." She ran out the door.
"I'm beginning to think this is gonna be my first mistake." Tommy joked.
"YOU COMING OR NOT?" She called back.
"You'll be seeing another side of her away from her father."
"I know." He left.
"Do you think she knows it was you that made the pendant?" Lyle asked Jarod.
"No, but we aren't going to tell her are we?"
"No." They all agreed. Lyle walked to the window and watched their car drive away.
"Do you think they'll make it to Oregon in one piece?" Lyle asked as the car disappeared.
"They'll be fine. I've got some people on the same flight as them as well as some other people at the airport waiting for them. Police kinda people."
"She's gonna freak when she senses she's been followed."
"Thomas knows about them." Jarod replied, setting Lyle's mind at ease.
"Good. Well we better go our different ways now. They've gone and we have to get back to work. I better tell Sam that Parker's gone away for a while."
"She will be coming back won't she?" Broots asked.
"I don't know. She didn't tell us anything about coming back or staying away."
"We'll have to be on our toes just in case someone wants to step in and stuff everything up." Lyle said as he walked to the door.
"I better get going as well before I get sighted." Jarod went out the backdoor.
"She'll be all right Broots. Jarod's gonna be hanging around near by so he'll be able to move them when trouble comes to town." Lyle said as he opened the door.
"I know." They left.
Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I closed my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face
With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Well I don't know if I'm ready
To be the man I have to be
I'll take a breath, take her by my side
We stand in awe, we've created life
With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
If I had just one wish
Only one demand
I hope he's not like me
I hope he understands
That he can take this life
And hold it by the hand
And he can greet the world
With arms wide open...
With Arms Wide Open by Creed***
The End of Ties That Bind
Will Parker come back? Will Tommy stay alive? YGIAGAM. I might write a Sequel. Maybe :) Gimme, gimme, gimme feedback, I need it to survive cause I gotta feed regularly :) Feedback please:
devilish_princess698@yahoo.com.au