THE CENTRE.
Parker crept nervously into Daddy's office. Tears had built up in her eyes. 'It's now or never.' She thought.
"Angel? What's wrong?" He walked round the desk to her. When he went to touch her she stepped away. Hurt crossed his face. "Honey?"
"Daddy I have something to tell you. I've been putting it off for weeks and I can't any longer!" The tears were close to falling.
"Yes Angel?"
"I...I...I'm pregnant!" She stepped away from him quickly.
"Yes and who's the father?" He asked gently, seeing that she was now afraid of him, which hurt but he understood why she was so afraid.
"Tommy." She whispered, still shrinking away from him.
"Are you sure?" He wanted to reach out to her but he knew she would just pull away.
"Yes. I haven't been with anyone since he died two months ago."
"Do you want the baby Angel?"
"I knew you'd ask me that. I've tried to bring myself to think that I'll have to have an abortion but I can't! This is a part of Tommy that survived and can't bring myself to do it!" She cried as the tears fell.
"It's OK Honey." He pulled her close and held her tightly.
"I know you don't approve and I know you'll disinherit me and the baby, but Daddy I want this baby. I know you are disappointed in me but I'm so SORRY!" She cried into his shoulder.
"It's all right Angel. I won't disinherit you or the baby. It might be nice to have a little Parker running round the place, after what happened to Brigitte with the miscarriage. Now stop crying Honey." He gently stroked her head. 'What would make her this afraid to tell me? What has this place done to my little girl to turn her against me? What lies has Jarod been spreading?' He thought angrily.
"I'm sorry Daddy."
"It's all right Sweetheart, now stop crying." She lifted her head away from his shoulder and wiped the tears away from her eyes. "I'll protect you and the baby. Now how far gone are you?"
"10 weeks." She lowered her head. "I wanted to tell you sooner but I knew you'd be angry, so I tried to put it off but I couldn't."
He kissed her forehead softly. "I'm just sorry you didn't come to me sooner. Will you trust me now? You won't keep anything else from me?"
"No. That's all I needed to tell you. I'm just sorry your grandchild is going to be illegitimate."
"Don't worry Angel. Thomas was a good man, I wouldn't ask for anyone better than him for my Angel." He gently touched her arm.
"Thank you Daddy."
"I'll send you somewhere safe in a couple of months, before you start to show too much."
"Thank you Daddy." She kissed his cheek and walked out. Her mood a little lighter.
He watched her leave. Then, said. "When I find the son of a bitch to turn my little girl against me they're going to learn not to cross the Parker family!"
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
THE CENTRE: TWO MONTHS LATER.
Lyle ran into Daddy's office. "Parker's gone! No one's seen her since last night!"
"I know." Daddy said calmly.
"What do you mean 'you know'? What have you done with her?" Lyle demanded angrily.
"And why are you so concerned about your sister's welfare or whereabouts? Why are you showing any concern now she's 'missing'?" Daddy growled accusingly.
"Don't try and push this onto me! Where have you done to her?"
"Nothing. I've just put her somewhere safe until the baby's born."
"Baby? She pregnant?" Lyle cried out.
"Yes. She kept it to herself and I advise you do the same thing. She doesn't want anyone to know so if you tell ANYONE you'll have to deal with her and ME. I will not let you jeopardise the safety of the child!"
"Wow, hey, I'm not gonna do jack to them. I was just worried." Lyle stepped back with his hands raised. "Sydney and Broots are just worried about her that's all."
"Don't tell them. WE KNOW NOTHING!" Daddy growled at him.
"Fine." Lyle walked to the door.
"Lyle." He turned around. "Work with them and keep them away from finding out anything on her whereabouts."
"Fine."
"You won't have to do it long, I'll make up some fake information about her been taken or something."
"Right." Lyle walks out, leaving him to do the paperwork.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
THE CENTRE: 3 YEARS LATER: 8:30A.M.
Sydney and Broots were in the tech room working. "I don't know how much longer I can put up with Lyle. A few weeks was OK but when Mr Parker said he would be working on the hunt permanently I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."
"I know Broots. Keep looking for Parker, she still might be alive."
"It's been over three years." Broots said, sadly.
"We'll find her. Jarod's helping as well." A small girl walked to the door. She had short black hair, pulled back into a ponytail. She was wearing a sky blue tracksuit. Sydney walked over to her. She was only small, so he knew she wasn't very old. "Hello little one, where'd you come from?" He asked in a gentle voice.
"Mummy said I wasn't to talk with strangers." She said in a small child voice. She might be young but she knows what she's talking about.
"Wise mother. Where is your..." Sydney stopped short when he saw and heard something familiar and deeply missed.
"Why don't you crawl back under your rock and die?" Parker yelled at them. Most probably Lyle.
"My God! Parker!" Sydney whispered.
"Yes Syd." She smiled at him.
"We didn't know what happened to you. You just disappeared, we thought you were dead."
"Daddy just sent me somewhere safe to..."
"Mummy can I introduce myself to him?" The little girl looked up at Parker.
She looked at their shocked faces. "I think they all ready know, but go ahead Baby." She smiled warmly at the little girl.
She walked over to Sydney and held out her small hand. Sydney knelt down and took it. "I'm Enya Holly Parker. Mummy calls me Angel a lot."
"Nice to meet you Enya. I'm Sydney, I'm a good friend of your mother's."
"Grandpa Sydney." Parker said from behind them. Enya smiled and hugged Sydney. He looked up and smiled at Parker. She smiled back at him. "OK little one, run over and say hello to your Uncle Broots."
Enya let go of Sydney and ran over to Broots, jumping up on his lap. "Hello."
"Mummy says Daddy is an angel who has wings." Enya said to Broots.
Sydney looked at Parker, who stepped up next to him. "Thomas?" She nodded. "I'm sorry Parker." She smiled sadly.
"Mummy what's wrong?" Enya asked from where she was sitting on Broots' lap.
"Nothing Baby, do you wanna go and meet your other Grandpa?"
"Yeah!" Enya ran over to Parker eagerly. She lifted Enya into her arms.
"Come on, kiss Grandpa Sydney goodbye." Enya leant across Parker and linked her arms around Sydney's neck and kissed him on the cheek.
"Goodbye Grandpa Sydney."
"Goodbye Enya, you coming back to visit?" Sydney asked.
"Mummy?" She looked at her mother.
"Maybe later. We have to spend a little time with Grandpa otherwise he might be upset." Parker said and gently touched her head softly.
"I don't want that." Enya shrank into Parker's arms, linking her little arms around her mother's neck.
"I know Sweetie. You know where to find me if you get a hit."
"We know, go spend some time with your father." She smiled and left.
"Sydney?" Broots whispered.
"I'm shocked as well, why didn't she tell us?"
"Maybe it's the way she wanted it to be. She might have thought we would have mothered her a bit."
"That's probably why."
"Is Enya, Thomas'?"
"Yeah." Sydney walked back over to the workstation that was set up in the middle of the room.
"Poor Parker, she'll have to raise Enya alone."
"We're here. I don't know who it's harder on, mother or daughter?"
"Both. Child wanting to know and mother having to answer." Broots said, trying to focus on the computer monitor.
"But we're here and we'll help her."
"That's if she takes it that way instead of meddling." Sydney nodded in agreement.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Hello Daddy."
"My little Angel!" He smiled and came round the desk. "And her little Angel." Parker rested Enya on her feet and whispered in her ear.
"OK Mummy." She walked over to Daddy. "Hello Grandpa, I'm Enya Holly Parker." She held out her little hand.
Daddy lifted the little girl into his arms, smiling warmly. "Brave little one, aren't you?"
"Mummy said not to talk with strangers unless she's with me." Enya said, linking her arms around his neck.
"You should listen to your mother, she knows what she's talking about. You don't know what kind of people are around."
She tightened her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. "Mummy said to give you the hug but I thought I'd give you a kiss." She whispered in his ear. He started to laugh and rested her back on her feet.
"What's so funny?" Parker asked but couldn't help smiling. 'I don't know why I was so afraid, he's getting along with her.'
They shared a look. "Private joke Mummy." She giggled and ran over to her mother.
"So how's my Angel?" Daddy asked as he walked over to her and hugged her tightly.
"Better now. I'm just glad to be back home." She whispered and kissed his cheek tenderly. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Letting me have Enya."
"That's all right Honey. Lord knows you deserve some happiness. Thomas was a good man." They felt a little arm wrap round their legs.
"You knew my Daddy?" They looked down to see up little face peering up at them, waiting for a reply.
"Yes I did." Daddy let go of Parker. She bent down and picked up Enya, bring her to eye level.
"What was my Daddy like?" She rested a hand on his shoulder, while the other one was around Parker's neck.
"Kind. Sharing. Patient. Loving."
"And Mummy loved him very much?"
"Very much. I'm only sorry you didn't have a chance to know your father." Daddy said thoughtfully.
"But Mummy says Daddy would take better care of us as in angel in heaven." He saw the pleading look in his daughter's eyes saying 'please play along.'
"That's right. But you have a lot of family here that love you and will protect you." He gently kissed her forehead.
"OK, you go wait by the door I have to talk with Grandpa." Parker rested Enya back on her feet.
"Yes Mummy." She walked over to the door.
"Daddy I don't want Enya to know what happened to Tommy. I've only lied to protect her. I hate to think what would happen if she knew the truth." She said in a low voice so Enya didn't hear them.
"What have you told her?"
"Only that Daddy was very sick and had to leave us. He thought he would take better care of us if he wouldn't get sick anymore. Something very simple and easy for her that wouldn't make her upset."
"It's the only thing..."
"Mummy!" Enya screamed and ran back to Parker, hiding behind her leg, clutching the coat tightly.
"Lyle!" She growled dangerously.
"Sis, I just wanted to say hello to my niece. I wouldn't hurt her."
"I wouldn't put it past you!" She hissed.
"Now Honey, Lyle wouldn't harm her." Daddy tried to soothe her.
"Like Hell he wouldn't! Just a warning if you lay one FINGER on my daughter they'll have to mop your remains up with a sponge!" She growled angrily. "Come on Baby." She held Enya's hand and made her walk in front of her then she lifted her up and sat her on her hip. She glared coldly at Lyle, making ice glaciers seem like a furnace.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
THE CENTRE: 5:30P.M.
Parker walks into Daddy's office with Enya in her arms. "Daddy would you be able to do something?"
"Yes Angel?"
"I hate to do this but I have to go to Boston after Lab Rat and I was..."
"Wondering if I was able to baby-sit." He finished for her.
"Yeah, I know you've got work to do but Sydney and Broots and Sam are coming with me. She wouldn't be any trouble."
"I think it would be a good opportunity to get to know each other better." He smiled and stood up, waking round the desk.
"Thank you Daddy. Now you'll be good for Grandpa won't you?" She looked at her daughter.
"I will Mummy." She placed Enya on her feet. She ran over to Daddy who caught her and picked her up.
"You go Angel, we'll be all right, won't we?"
"Yes Grandpa."
"OK, now you be good or Grandpa won't baby-sit again."
"I'll be on my best..." She stopped and thought. Daddy whispered in her ear. "Behaviour." She smiled at Parker warmly.
"Good." Parker left quickly.
"What do we do, Grandpa?" She linked her arms around his neck.
"Get to know each other." He walked back over to the desk and sat down in his chair, holding Enya in his lap. "Now..."
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
THE CENTRE: 9:10P.M.
Parker walked back into her father's office only to see Cox with Enya on the couch. She seemed all right. Daddy was sitting up at his desk doing paperwork. "Mummy!" Enya screamed excitedly and ran over to her mother. Parker bent down and caught her, glaring coldly at Cox. "Mummy, what's wrong?"
"Nothing Honey, you all right?"
"Yeah, Grandpa had to do work and he didn't want me to get bored so her called Uncle Dan to come up. I know you said not to talk with strangers but Uncle Dan seems nice."
"Everyone seems nice Baby, you ready to go home?"
"Yeah."
"OK, go say goodnight to Grandpa while I talk with 'Uncle Dan'."
"OK." She put Enya's feet back on the ground and she took off towards Daddy. Parker walked over to Cox, who stood up and stepped away from the couch. She loosely put her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear so not to scare Enya.
"If you ever harm my daughter I'll rip your THROAT OUT. I'll let you get away with it this time but if I find out you are EVER alone with her I'll kill you like you were a bug!" She let go of him and stepped back. He nodded. "Good." She looked over at Enya on her father's knee. She was falling asleep. She walked over to the chair and knelt down. "Come on Baby, I'll take you home." Enya stirred and looked at her.
"Will you tell me a story?" She asked as she leant forward.
"Yeah." Parker lifted her up and closed her arms around her tightly.
"About Daddy?"
"About Daddy." She whispered softly. Daddy stood up and kissed his daughter and granddaughter gently. "She's had a long day, I'll just take her home and put her to bed." Enya had her head resting on Parker's shoulder and Daddy could see she was asleep.
"That's all right Honey."
She walked to the door. "Just remember what I said." She glared at Cox and left.
"She's overprotective. I wouldn't hurt her little girl."
"She's just been cautious she doesn't want anyone here to hurt Enya. And I want YOU to make sure NO ONE comes near them, mainly that wheezing bastard Raines." He ordered as he sat down in his chair.
"If he gets within 10 feet of them I'll sick the dogs on him."
"I don't want anyone to hurt Enya."
"Understood." Cox walked out of the office to go and tell his two loyal sweepers their new assignment.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
PARKER MANOR: 9:45P.M.
Parker walked inside with Enya sleeping in her arms. She didn't bother to turn on the lights she just walked through and headed for the stairs. She laid Enya down on her bed. She opened her eyes and looked at Parker. "Mummy?"
"Yes Baby?" Parker sat her up and took her tracksuit top off, putting her pajama top on instead.
"You don't like Uncle Dan very much do you?" She asked softly.
"I don't know. He's acted a way around me that I find threatening and I act cold towards him to keep you and me safe. Can you stand up for me?" She stood up and pulled down her tracksuit pants.
"I'll just sleep like this, I get too hot otherwise." Enya said as she ducked under the covers.
"OK." Parker gently stroked her head.
"Mummy?"
"Umm?"
"Do you miss Daddy?"
"All the time."
"What would he think of me?"
"How do you mean Angel?"
"Would he like me?"
"He would LOVE you. He would treat you like a little princess."
"Like he treated you?"
"Yeah." She gently kissed her forehead. "What were you doing with Uncle Dan?"
"We were just talking quietly. He just asked my how old I am, do I miss my Daddy. Then we stayed on that subject, I thought he might have known something, but he didn't. He was treating me like I was made of porcelain"
"You just let me know if anyone hurts you or scares you." She stood up, turning the lamp lower.
"I don't like Uncle Lyle. Something inside me was telling me bad man, bad man. Was that right to run away?"
"You did the right thing Sweetie." Parker walked to the door.
"Mummy?" She turned back to look at her. "Love you."
"Love you more." She smiled and shut the door slightly, walking down the hall to her room to have a shower.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
PARKER MANOR: 1:03A.M.
Parker was in her room sleeping when Enya's small form appeared at the door. "Mummy?"
Parker jerked out of her sleep when she heard the small, whimpering plea from Enya. "Baby, what's wrong?"
"Can I sleep with you?" She asked in a small voice. She'd been crying.
Parker pulled the covers back. Enya ran over and buried herself against Parker. "Baby what's happened?" She held Enya tightly.
"I had a nightmare about Daddy. He was dead and everything was all red!"
"Shh, it's all right, Daddy can't get hurt anymore." Parker gently stroked her head.
"It was SO SCARY!" She cried out.
"I know Baby." She curled up protectively around Enya's shivering form. "You can go back to sleep, Mummy will keep any demons away." Enya hugged the little blue rabbit she brought with her, tightly. With Parker's gentle, soothing touch on her head, Enya soon fell asleep.
Both people on the bed were unaware of the two figures standing in the corner, watching. "Why did you have to do that? She's just a child."
"We have to warn my daughter that Enya has the gifts."
"Couldn't we have done it another way?" Tommy asked, looking at the sleeping forms on the bed.
"No, the dream had to be about you but different to what she normally has." He nodded. He understood this had to be done, even if he doesn't approve.
"I just wish I could help raise my child with the woman I love." Tommy whispered.
"You can and will."
"How?" Tommy looked at Catherine with wide eyes.
"I'll explain later, we'll leave since they're sleeping." They disappeared to leave mother and daughter to sleep.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
THE CENTRE: 9A.M.
Parker was in her office and Enya is sleeping on her lap. She was gently stroking her head and humming. Sydney walked in quietly. Parker's head shot up but when she only saw Sydney she focused on the sleeping form in her arms. "What's happened?"
"She knows how Tommy was killed."
"How?" Sydney sat on the corner of her desk.
"She had a nightmare. Tommy was dead and everything was covered in blood."
"Do you want me to have a little talk with her?"
"I don't know, but I'd like to know how she knows."
"I'll talk with her."
"It can wait till she's awake. She didn't get much sleep last night."
"When you're ready just come down to my office."
"I will." She smiled at him. Daddy comes in.
"I'll go." Sydney stood up and left. Daddy walks over to her and sits on the corner of the desk.
"You look like your mother."
"She had a really bad night last night. I'm just letting her have a nap now."
"What was wrong?" He asked softly.
"She had a nightmare. Daddy, she knows how Tommy was killed."
"I didn't tell her and either did Cox. No one else has been near her to tell her."
"I know you didn't" She gently touched the small fist that was clutching her jacket. "You've been getting on well with her. I'm proud of you Daddy."
"Well I thought I should make an effort since she needs a male figure head now." He gently held her hand.
"Sis..." He stopped when he saw the sleeping form on Parker's lap. He had a really uncomfortable look on his face as he walked up to the desk quietly. "Sorry."
"Go away." She hissed softly.
"I just wanted to talk with you..."
"Daddy!"
"Lyle, now's not the time. Leave it till later." Daddy puts a hand on Lyle's shoulder and walks him out of the office.
Parker let out a sigh and looked at the small face that was looking up at her. {Protect her Angel.}
"I will Momma." She whispered and gently touched Enya's forehead.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
PARKER'S OFFICE: 10:45A.M.
Enya started to wake up. She opened her eyes and looked up at her mother. "Feeling better?"
"Yes Mummy." She sat up and stretched, getting off Parker's lap.
"When you're awake Grandpa Sydney wants to have a little talk with you."
"Have I done anything?"
"No Honey, he just wants to talk with you." Parker gently touches her head.
"We can now, if you want. I'm awake."
"OK." Parker stood up. "Do you want me to carry you or do you wanna walk?"
"I'll walk." Enya ran over to the door.
"Walk not run Sweetheart."
"Sorry Mummy." She stopped at the door.
Walking through the corridors people were saying 'good morning Miss Parker.' But she just ignored them like usual. Enya looked over her shoulder and smiled at them. They smiled back.
They walked into Sydney's office. "Grandpa!" Enya ran over to him. He picked her up and sat her on his lap.
"Hello, have a good sleep?"
"Yeah. Mummy said you wanted to talk with me?" Parker sat down in the chair in front of the desk.
"Yes. Your mother said that you had a bad dream last night."
She lowered her eyes. "It was about Daddy."
"Do you want to tell me about it?"
She rested her head on his shoulder, wrapping her small arms around his neck. "Everything was all red. I think he was on the back porch at our house. He was leaning against the wall. His eyes..." She got off Sydney and ran over to Parker, jumping up on her lap, crying into her shoulder. "I don't want to think about it Mummy, please don't make me!"
"All right Angel, don't think about it." She held her arms around her tightly. She looked at Sydney. He nodded in agreement.
He didn't need to ask anymore questions. He knew everything he needed to. Enya did see Tommy after he was killed. But how was still bugging Sydney. No one told her, she didn't see any pictures of it. Parker wouldn't have told her about it. He had an idea why and it was right in front of him, but he couldn't think of it. Why did Enya focus on his eyes?
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
PARKER MANOR: 8:40P.M.
Parker and Enya were sitting on the couch in front of the fire.
RING. RING.
Enya moved and got the phone, handing it to Parker, then curling up against her. "What?"
"I'm glad to hear you're all right."
"Jarod, pleasure as always." She said acidly.
"Now, Parker you know I care about you. I was looking for you when you went missing." He said hurt.
"I really couldn't care less Lab Rat."
"Parker, you have to hold you tongue now. You have young audience."
"You leave her alone! You lay one finger on her I'll ring your neck!" She growled. Enya snuggled up against Parker, wrapping her little arms around Parker's waist.
"Ouch! Is Mummy getting a little protective?"
"You know damn well!" She growled at him angrily.
"I'm not the enemy Parker. The Centre is." He said gently.
"Frankly I don't trust you much, either."
"OK Parker. Take care." Then he hung up.
"God!" She growled, but quickly calmed down since she didn't want to scare Enya.
"It's all right Sweet Parker." Enya said with her small child voice. Parker looked at her with fearful eyes. Only one other person called her that.
"Baby, why did you call Mummy that?"
"The man told me too." Fear filled her small crystal blue eyes. "He said he was Daddy and that I was to tell you that." Tears were building up in her eyes.
Parker wrapped her arms around her and pulled her on to her lap. "What else did the man say?"
"That I shouldn't be afraid of his voice. Mummy is that Daddy?" She looked at Parker.
"Yes Baby."
"Can you hear him too?"
"No, but that's what Daddy called me. No one else called me that and if you can hear him in your head then it is Daddy. I'm sorry I scared you Baby, but I hadn't heard that name in a long time."
"Before I was born?"
"Long before you were born." Parker kissed Enya's temple. "Now you listen to Daddy and if he ever tells you to run you run. You must do what he tells you."
"Why?"
"Because he's your guardian angel."
"But he was yours."
"Only while he was alive. Now that he's in heaven as an angel, he's yours since you're his little princess." She hugged her. "Now you have to promise Mummy that you'll never ever tell anyone that you hear Daddy, because there's some people that would want to hurt you and other people might think your lying just to get SPECIAL attention."
"I promise, but how come you believe me?"
"Because I have my own guardian angel that talks to me."
"Who?"
"My mother. Now you do upstairs and get ready for bed I'll be up in a minute." Enya kissed Parker's cheek and got off the couch. Parker watched her climb the stairs. She stood up and looked around. She could sense something. She smiled. "Thank you Tommy."
Tommy and Catherine were standing in the corner watching. "She knows we're here, well she knows your here." Catherine smiled at her.
"I thought Enya would've freaked when she saw the look in Hannah's eyes."
"No, Hannah explained everything very well. There won't be any problems. You have to watch her while she's in that horrible place. You can see trouble coming before Hannah will even know, so you'll have to tell Enya to tell Hannah. That way NO ONE will sneak up on them."
"So now there won't be any problem with talking to Enya and scaring her?"
"None. She'll tell Hannah when she hears something, giving them both enough time to react." Catherine explained as Parker walked up the stairs.
"Can we sense if people mean them harm?"
"Yes."
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
THE CENTRE: NEXT DAY.
"Parker can I talk with you for a minute?"
"What is it Sydney?" She and Enya were just about to go into her office.
"It's important that I speak with you in private." He looked down at Enya, dawdling next to Parker.
"Honey, how about you go inside and wait for me?" Parker asked her as she opened the door.
"Can I sit in your chair?"
"Yeah, just don't touch anything."
"I won't." Enya disappeared into her office.
"What?"
"You know how Enya had that dream about Thomas' murder?" He asked in a lowered voice.
"What about it?"
"I've been thinking. No one told her what happened so how did she know?"
"I'm listening."
"You have the Inner Sense, so maybe she inherited that from you and..."
"She did. I have NEVER told anyone this but Tommy had pretender eyes. He was able to read me like a book, just like Jarod can. What do you say about that?" She asked him.
"I thought it was something like that. But you know what they'll do to her if they find out."
"That's why we're not going to tell anyone, are we Sydney?"
"No."
"Good." Sydney walked away. Parker went into her office. No one saw Raines at the end of the corridor listening.
"Time to take in a new generation of pretenders." He smiled evilly and walked away.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
PARKER MANOR: 2 DAYS LATER: 8:30A.M.
Parker walked down the stairs. "Enya, time to go Angel."
"Mummy!" She heard her scream
She ran into the living room. There were two men in black were standing next to Enya. "What the..." She didn't see another man came up behind her and hit her in the back of the head, knocking her unconscious.
"Mummy!" She screamed again as she watched her mother fall to the floor, not moving.
"Let's get outta here!" One of them said. "Get that damn kid!" They ordered as Enya ran towards Parker.
One of them got Enya and carried her as they ran out the door. "MUMMY!" She screamed again and started crying at the top of her lungs. "I WANT MY MUMMY!"
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * 10 MINUTES LATER.
Daddy and Cox ran in. "Angel!" Cox ran over to her and gently rolled her onto her back, checking her pulse.
"She's alive."
"My God, we're too late." He said when he couldn't see Enya. "Enya! Angel, its Grandpa, if you're here come out!"
Parker groaned and slowly opened her eyes. She saw Cox leaning over her. Anger burned up inside her. "You bastard!" She lunged at him and pinned him down by his throat. His hands closed around her wrists trying to get them off, but she was too strong.
"Angel! Let him up. He didn't do it! Raines took Enya." Daddy told her. She slowly let him go and sat down on the floor, letting what he told her sink in.
"How?"
"Mr Cox heard Raines talking with his sweepers."
"Bastard!" She got up and ran to the door. Daddy grabbed her arm. "Let go of me! That fucking bastard has my daughter!"
"Angel, I know your worried about her but I've all ready got Mr Broots looking into places he could've have taken her. We're all ready hunting him down."
"Why would Raines want her?" Cox asked.
"She's like her parents." Parker said sadly.
"What do you mean Angel?"
"I have the Inner Sense and both Tommy and I are pretenders!" She yelled at him.
"Angel..."
"Don't Angel me! Enya is a pretender, probably stronger than Jarod! How do you think she knew to run away from Lyle? Her Inner Sense told her 'bad man, bad man'. Tommy is her Inner Sense!" She screamed.
"Take it easy Honey, we'll get her back." He hugged her tightly.
She put her arms around his neck and cried into the hollow of his neck. "He's gonna hurt her like he did with Jarod and I can't do anything to stop it!"
"We'll find him soon. I promise." He gently stroked her head.
She pulled away. She had a sad smile. "I've wet your shirt." She whimpered as she brushed the tears off the shirt.
"Don't worry Angel, it'll dry. Now how about we go back and see what we can find out?" She nodded. "All right, now stop crying." She sniffed and wiped the tears from under her eyes.
"It'll be OK Parker." Cox said gently from behind her. She nodded.
"Mr Cox's right. Everything will turn out OK. We'll find her and you can deal with him." She nodded again. He walked her out the door. Cox stayed behind and locked up.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
THE CENTRE: 9A.M.
"We'll leave you alone for a little while Angel, then when you're up to it we'll be down in the tech room." She nodded and walked into her office.
The door closed behind her. She walked over to her desk and sat down. She leant forward, resting her elbows on the desk. "You were meant to protect her!"
{We know Angel Girl, but it was unavoidable.}
"Don't give me that fucking shit! Why is it so necessary that he takes Enya?" She hissed at the voice.
{To prove that he would still take children and...}
"And what? That he'd kill them? This is my daughter so don't fuck with me!" She snarled.
{And to prove that your father and Mr Cox are safe enough. They won't hurt Enya.}
"Well you tell Tommy to take care of her and if he doesn't, when I die I'm gonna beat his skull to a pulp!"
{He knows.}
"He better." Parker stood up and walked out of her office.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * She stormed into the tech room. Cox, Daddy, Sydney and Broots were there. "Parker, we're sorry."
"Save it!" She growled at them. "Any news?"
"None. But Jarod called."
"I'm not chasing him today. If he calls again tell him to shove it!" She walked round the desk and glared at Broots. "Preferably so far up it kills him!"
"There's no lead on Raines..." She let out a growl. "But there are MANY places he could be, I'm still searching."
"Have you checked his house in the woods?"
"First place I checked. Nothing. But he's got so many places he could have gone to track him it will take time."
"Well stop procrastinating and find him! If he hurts Enya it'll be on your head!" She hissed.
"Angel!"
"What?"
"Its not they're fault. They're helping." He told her gently. She left with an annoyed snarl.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
UNKNOWN LOCATION: SAME TIME.
Raines just walked into the room where he had Enya. The two sweepers were squinting with the horrible sound of her screams. "Enya."
She stopped and looked at him. Her face was all read and tears were streaming down her cheeks. "I WANT MY MUMMY!" She started screaming again.
"Will you be quiet!" Raines yelled at her.
She stopped screaming and just cried. "I want Mummy."
"You can't have her. I'm taking care of you from now on. Just forget about your mother. She doesn't want you."
"She does so. She loves me!"
"No she doesn't." Raines wheezed at her.
[Baby, don't listen to him. Listen to me. Mummy loves you with all her heart. She's looking for you now. And I'm with you.] She heard Tommy say in her head.
"Mummy loves me and she'll come after me."
"She won't." She started screaming again. Raines stepped up and backhanded her. That just made her cry even louder. "Try and shut her up." He ordered the sweeper.
"Yes sir." Raines left. The sweeper knelt in front of her. "Please don't cry, I can't take it any more. My head hurts."
"I want Mummy!" She wailed.
"Please, be quiet. If you don't I'm gonna get the beatings." He gently touched her back. She got up and ran over into the corner.
[Be strong my little angel, Mummy's coming soon. Just hang on. Don't let them break you.]
"I can't, he hurt."
[Shh, it'll be all right. Just stay in your corner and no one and get at you.]
"OK Daddy."
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
THE CENTRE: THE NEXT DAY.
"What do you mean, nothing?" She yelled at Broots.
"I can't find him."
"My butt you can't find him!"
"But I can't find him. I've checked everywhere."
"Check again!"
"But..."
"DO IT!"
"Yes Miss Parker." Broots left.
Parker slowly sat down in her chair and turned her back to the door. "Oh God."
{Angel, we'll find her.}
"Get outta my head!" She screamed. She covered her mouth and started to cry. "Get outta my head." She said in a small voice.
WHOOSH!
"Parker?"
"Go away!"
"No, I found her!" She spun round and looked at Cox.
"What?"
"I've found her. I've got three sweeper teams ready." She got up and ran over to the door.
"I'm gonna rip his throat out!" She hissed and ran down to the elevator, Cox right behind her.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
UNKNOWN LOCATION: SAME TIME.
"She hasn't eaten anything since yesterday. She just sits in the corner, crying."
"I see she hasn't inherited the Parker spirit. That's what happens when you spoil perfect breeding with an outsider. A WEAK pretender." Raines shook his head. "If you can't get her to eat, put a drip in her arm." He walked away.
"Yes Mr Raines." The sweeper shook his head and shut the door.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
20 MINUTES LATER.
Sam kicked the door in with his gun drawn. Parker, Cox and the three sweeper teams behind them. All guns were drawn.
Three of Raines' sweepers ran into the room. Four sweepers behind Parker and Cox opened fire, killing them instantly. "Spread out and find Enya." Parker ordered. The sweepers ran everywhere, kicking in doors and shooting sweepers.
Parker and Cox ran upstairs followed by Sam and four other sweepers. Parker opened a door quickly, only to reveal an empty bedroom.
"Miss Parker!" Sam yelled. Parker ran down to the door where Sam was. Inside a small, simple bedroom, Enya was cowering in the corner, rocking back and forth, her arms hugging her knees to her chest and crying softly.
The sight ripped Parker's heart out. She put her gun in the waistband of her pants and walked into the room. "Baby." She knelt down.
[Angel, look.]
Her head slowly lifted. There was a bruise on the left side of her face. Hot, burning anger swelled up inside of Parker. "Mummy!" Enya got up and ran to her, stumbling as she reached her. Parker caught her and held her tightly as Enya wrapped her arms around her neck. "Oh Mummy it was horrible! The bad man hit me! Daddy was telling me to be strong and not let him break me! Not to let him win, to keep fighting! I didn't want too! I just wanted you!" She cried into Parker's shoulder.
"It's all right Baby." Parker stood up strongly, taking Enya's small form in her arms. "Find the bastard!" Sam nodded and ran out of the room.
Cox stepped up next to her and moved the hair away from Enya's bruised face. "Poor Baby." He gently kissed her forehead.
"Uncle Dan!" She cried out. He held her little hand.
"It's all right." Cox said gently.
"Come on Baby." Parker said softly. Cox put Enya's hand around Parker's neck and gently stroked her head. They walked back downstairs. Two sweeper teams had Raines surrounded and held at gunpoint. The other team was outside. "Cox, take her outside. Don't let ANYONE near her."
"I won't. Come along little one." He lifted her out of Parker's arms and held her tightly. She rested his head on his shoulder, closing her arms around his neck and burying her face in his neck. He walked outside.
Parker walked over to Raines. The sweepers parted for her. She didn't say anything just backhanded him in the mouth. His mouth started to bleed. "She's just a child! Which one of you smacked her around?"
"I did." Raines smiled at her.
"Fuckhead!" She took a step back, pulling out her gun. "Say night, night." She put a bullet between his eyes. THUMP. She smiled softly. All the sweepers were suddenly afraid. They didn't like the look in her in eyes. "Get a clean up crew here now."
"Yes Miss Parker." Sam said, pulling out his cell.
She walked outside and saw Cox leaning against the car, in the sun, holding Enya. She seemed to be asleep. She quietly walked over to them. "She needs a father figure now. Tommy got her through this, but she needs someone to hold her like a father." She said as she gently stroked her head.
"But she's got a special Mum." They shared a look.
"It's not the same." She moved the hair, from around her neck, so it was all on her back. Enya was crying softly in her sleep. "If the bastard wasn't all ready dead I'd beat his brains out for hurting her."
"He probably didn't hurt her that much. She's probably just afraid." Cox said as he slowly rocked her from side to side, soothingly.
"Miss Parker." She turned to face Sam. "Is she all right?"
"We don't know yet. Get the teams together and let's go."
"Yes Miss Parker." He walked back into the house.
"Do you want to take her?" Cox asked.
She shook her head. "She's OK with you."
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
THE CENTRE.
Parker and Cox pulled up in the garage. Enya was sitting in Cox's lap, holding his hand and looking out the window. Parker got out and walked round to open the door. Enya got out of the car slowly, standing close to the car. "I don't want to be here Mummy."
"It's all right Angel. The bad man isn't here." Parker knelt down in front of her, hugging her. "Is Daddy telling you 'bad man'?"
"No." Enya locked her arms around Parker's neck. Cox locked the car and stood near them.
"Do you want Uncle Dan to carry you?" Enya lifted her head away from her shoulder. "It's OK." She nodded. Parker let go of her and stood up. She walked over to Cox and held her arms up.
Cox lifted her up and gently touched her face. "Does it still hurt?"
"Not as much. Only when I move my jaw." She rested her head on his shoulder. Parker smiled and started to walk away. Cox followed closely.
They walked in Daddy's office. "Angel! Enya!" He ran over to them. When he got close to Enya she shrank against Cox's shoulder and made a soft growling noise in her throat.
"It's all right little one." Cox said softly.
"It's Grandpa Enya, I won't hurt you." He said gently. She let go of Cox as he placed her on the ground. She cautiously walked over to him. He saw her face. "Did the bad man do this to you?" He knelt down to her level. She nodded slowly.
"I've all ready 'dealt' with him." Parker said to him. 'What has that bastard done to my little girl?' She thought angrily. Cox gently touched her arm from behind.
Lyle walked in. Enya ran behind Parker and hid behind her leg, wrapping her arms around her mother's leg. "Hello Sis, Dad, Cox..." He knelt down a few feet away from them. "And Enya."
"Don't you DARE talk to her!" Parker hissed at him.
"Now Sis." He stood up. "You have to believe I had NOTHING to do with Raines taking Enya."
"I don't HAVE TO BELIEVE ANYTHING you say!"
"Sis..." He walked closer to her. Cox stepped up behind her. "Oh, I see you've got another guard dog." He smiled at Cox. "But you'll find out she's not your type."
She went to step up but she remembered Enya behind her leg. "Go before I kill you!"
"Enya will prove to be your weakness." She gently touched her head. Enya let go of her. When Parker stepped away, she felt alone and venerable. She felt someone step behind her. When she looked up she saw Cox smiling down at her. She would smile back if it didn't hurt her face. He rested a hand on her head.
Parker grabbed Lyle's throat and held it tightly. "If you go after my daughter OR EVEN look at her the wrong way, I'll swoop down on you so fast it'll make your head spin."
"Now, now, no need to get overprotective. After all we're all family here."
"She's not your family and either am I!" She shoved him away angrily. "Cox." He picked Enya up and walked to the door. She was resting against his shoulder again, opening and closing her fingers against her palm, waving to Daddy. He smiled back at her. She rested her face against Cox's neck. "I'm someone you don't wanna mess with." She growled. They left.
"What did I do?" He looked at his father.
"She doesn't trust you. I can see where she's coming from too." He said and walked back to his desk. Lyle left in a huff.
Cox and Parker just walked into the tech room. "Parker, is she all right?" Sydney asked, looking up from the computer.
"I think so." She looked at Enya's small form against Cox's chest and shoulder. Sleeping. "Anything on Lab Rat?"
"Nothing. I think he might be keeping his distance for a while."
"OK. I'm gonna take her home. It's getting late and she just wants to crash."
"And what about you?"
"My mind's all ready crashed. I have to catch up with it." She smiled.
"OK, we won't call unless it's urgent."
"Good." Cox and Parker left.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
PARKER MANOR: 8P.M.
Parker unlocked the door. Cox was carrying Enya's sleeping form in his arms. Parker turned a few of the lamps on and dropped her keys on the table. She walked back over to Cox. "Sweetie, wake up for me." She stirred and opened her eyes. "Do you wanna go get ready for your bath?" She nodded. "OK, you go get your clothes ready and I'll go run it."
"I want Uncle Dan to carry me upstairs."
"He's been carrying you all day."
"He's strong enough. He could carry you around all day if he wanted." Parker smiled.
"OK, you show Uncle Dan the way to your room."
"Yay, the stairs are over there." She pointed across the room.
"I think I need to change my occupation." Cox smiled as he walked away. Parker smiled and locked the door, turning the parameter alarm on. She walked up the stairs after them, going into the bathroom.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
20 MINUTES LATER.
Parker just came downstairs to where Cox was standing in the living room, in front of the fire. "I've left her floating round the bath." She said as she came closer.
"Sweet kid. Pity Raines got his dirty paws on her."
"Yeah, want some coffee?"
"Sure, are you gonna have some?"
"I'm wired up enough as it is." She smiled and walked into the kitchen.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Depends." She said as she put some water on to boil. "Sure."
"Did Thomas know, before he died that you were, you know, pregnant?"
"Yeah. I just wish she could have known him."
"She'll know him. With you talking about him, she'll get to know him."
"Yeah, but it's not the same."
"I know, I don't know why I even said that."
"No, you're right. It helps. I'm just a bit tired. That makes my reasonable thinking go down the drain. I seem to say the first think that pops into my head."
"I think we all get like that." She started to make the coffee. "Can I ask you something else?"
"Maybe."
"If Thomas was a pretender, why did they kill him? Pretenders are a rare breed so why kill a golden goose?" She stopped and thought.
"I don't know. Maybe they didn't know."
"And maybe, you weren't the only ones knowing that you were pregnant."
"Yeah. But there's too much that doesn't fit. Like why did they let me go underground? If they wanted Enya why didn't they hold me somewhere till she was born?"
"Fear of miscarriage?"
"Let's change the topic. I don't like this one. What..."
"Mummy?"
"I'll be back in a minute." She left the kitchen. Cox finished making the coffee.
When she came downstairs a few minutes later, she had a smile on her face. "You wouldn't believe what she asked?"
"What?" Cox couldn't help smiling as well.
"She said and I quote 'are you and Uncle Dan behaving yourselves?'" She sat down on the couch, picking up a mug of coffee.
"Are we?"
"Hell yes!" She smiled and took a sip of the coffee, then putting the mug back on the table. "I think this is the first time I've relaxed for the last couple of days." She wriggled down into the cushions.
"That's what happens when Raines sticks his nose into something that isn't his business." Cox said gently, watching her.
A few minutes later she was asleep. Cox was putting the afghan over her as Enya came downstairs in red cotton pajamas. "Mummy?"
"Shh, she's just sleeping." Cox walked back over to the armchair and sat down. Enya walked over and climbed up on his lap.
"Do you think I could stay down here with you and Mummy? I don't wanna be alone." She whispered.
"I couldn't see why not. Your mother's in no condition to argue anyway." Enya started giggling. "Shh, you don't wanna wake her." She put both her hands over her mouth, making a quiet CLAP.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
PARKER MANOR: 12:30A.M.
Parker slowly woke up but she remembered Enya. She sat up quickly. Cox was sitting in the armchair across from her with Enya's sleeping form in his arms. He seemed to be sleeping as well.
She quietly got up and walked to the cupboard, getting a blanket out. She walked back over to them and placed it over and Enya and Cox. She went back to the couch and laid back, curling up in the afghan. 'Just this once won't hurt.' She thought as she fell asleep.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
PARKER MANOR: 7:40A.M.
Parker woke up quickly. "Shh, don't get up." Cox had just placed the afghan over her since it had fallen off through the night.
"What's the time."
"20 to 8."
"Shit, I gotta get to work and get Enya ready." Cox held her down.
"I spoke with your father and he said that you don't have to come in today. Enya's upstairs sleeping. I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's tempting but I can't go to sleep, I have to watch Enya."
He gently stroked her head. "Don't worry, I'll watch her, go back to sleep." Her eyes slowly closed. 'She's easy to put to sleep. But she's still outta it so it doesn't count.' He thought as he sat in the armchair.
After about half an hour Cox pulled out his phone and dialed Daddy's number. "Yes?"
"I was able to get her to stay asleep." Cox said in a lowered voice.
"Good. Stay there and watch them. They are BOTH under your care now. If anything happens to them it'll be on your head." Daddy growled.
"I know. I'm gonna take good care of your girls."
"You better or I won't be forgiving." Daddy hung up.
Cox pocketed his cell phone. "But you don't know how close I want to get to them." He smiled softly and watched Parker sleep.
The End of Welcome To The Centre.
Whatcha think? Good? Bad? Should I steal Miss Parker's gun and shoot myself? Umm...Maybe not. You know the drill. Gimme, gimme, gimme feedback, I need it to survive.
devilish_princess698@yahoo.com.au