Shaddyr's Eclectic Collection > Pretender Fanfiction > Trading Places
Trading Places
Part 3, by Ce'Nedra
Disclaimer: "The Pretender" and all that goes with it do not belong to me but to NBC. So don’t go calling a lawyer to sue me ‘cause I got no money. I use the characters for plain and simple entertainment.
"Well, well...what have I here?"
Mariska turned around at the sound of his voice, always cool 'n calm, sending familiar chills of dread down her spine.
"Parker," was the only thing she could say.
Jarod watched as she summed up her situation almost hearing the gears working in her head. He smiled taking delight in her realization of being cornered.
"No where to go lab rat. High walls on both sides. Razor wire behind you. . So why don't you just come with me so I don't mess up the suite."
He tugged at the lapels, straightening the jacket on his shoulders then with a finger flicked away and imaginary piece of lint taking pride in his new Armani. Mariska saw her chance and took it.
Jarod never saw her hand behind her leg because he was too caught up in the thrill of finding her. Without warning the 2x4 came swinging towards him. Jarod got his hand up quick enough to protect his head but the force of the blow sent him crashing into some crates behind him. Mariska didn’t stay to see if he was okay. Survival was foremost in her mind right now - she'd call him later to see if he was okay.
"Shit!!!"
And a long string of other expletives escaped Parker's mouth as he got up to pursue the pretender. He picked up the 2x4 and ran after her.
Mariska's lungs were burning of exertion. She knew that Parker was fit and he would catch up to her soon.
I was so stupid to think he would not find me she mentally berated herself.
Turning a corner, she raced down the street. Behind her, she could hear him yelling her name, his expensive shoes hitting the asphalt hard as he ran. Unexpectedly, a sharp pain burst through her ankle as the 2x4 hit her. She was not prepared for the fall and crashed hard, ripping her jeans, scrapping her knees and wrists, then the side of her face against the ground.
Parker stopped beside the fallen pretender and laughed. Mariska heard him and tried to get up again but Parker kicked her legs out from beneath her sending her crashing on her backside.
"Down girl" he said in a mocking voice
Laying on her back, she squinting up at him. She felt a warm trickle, and brought her fingers tips up to her cheek to find it covered with blood."Oh, you're bleeding," he mocked sarcastically. He reached into his jacket pocket and took out a handkerchief, but instead of handing it to her, he wiped his brow and replaced it.
"Now be a good labrat and lie still while I call the car." He took out the cellular and called his assigned sweeper. "Sam we are at 2nd and Torando. Bring the car." Replacing the phone, he knelt down beside her.
"Tell me, why do you keep running from me?""The further I am from you the better, Jarod."
"You must like my name to use it so much," he said and smiled.
"There is nothing about you I like, so stop smiling," she spat.
"Hmmm, liar liar."
The grin on his face was distracting her so she looked away not wanting to keep eye contact with him.
"Tell me, Mariska... what did I do to make you hate me this much?""Well... besides breathing Jarod, you happen to work for the Center."
"Yes... a job I enjoy."
She sat up and their eyes were level.
"Now who's the liar? How can you even go there, knowing all the things they done to me, to Angelo... to your mother... to you and yet you still stay. Daddy's boy through and through."
He stood up and looked down at her coldly."What is your fixation with my mother? You mention her a lot."
"I can't believe that your mother's memory means nothing to you."
Mariska was startled when he bent down and grabbed her by the front of her shirt. Effortlessly, he pulled her up from the ground, her feet almost dangling in the air.
"Don't let me hear you say that ever again."
His voice was threatening and his eyes blazed with unleashed anger. She looked at him and smiled.
"Did I hit too close to home Jarod?""You know nothing of losing a mother."
"Oh really?” she shot back angrily. “Think, Parker."
He was about to say something when the car pulled up. Sam got out and retrieved Mariska from Jarod.
"One more thing, lab rat"
She turn to face him but was met by back of his hand across her face. The blow rendered her unconscious and Sam caught her just in time.
"What did you do that for sir?""You questioning me Sam?"
"No sir... It's just that..."
"What?"
"Well.... she is a woman."
Jarod laughed. "Believe me Sam, she has taken worse. Get in the car."
*************
The Center
Mariska woke cuffed to a chair. She opened he eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the dim light. She felt the dried blood against her face and at her nose. She whipped her head back trying to get her hair out of her face.
"Ah... At last she awakes."
Mariska shook her head at the sound of Raines wheezing voice. She saw him fill a syringe and she started pulling on her cuffs.
"No." She said with a dry voice."Yes. You're back where you belong and,” he paused as he replaced the vial, and turned towards her, “it's time for re-education... the hard way."
"No! You are not going to do this to me again!"
The doors opened to admit Sydney. "Raines! What are you doing?""Sydney! Help me please!" Mariska shouted.
"Sydney, you are not allowed to be here."
"Leave her alone Raines." Sydney warned him.
Jarod and Sam walked in and Sydney turned to Jarod. "Parker please help her." Sydney begged.Jarod looked to him then to Mariska then back to Sydney. "Raines, continue as directed."
"Parker please." Sydney pleaded.
"Sam escort Sydney back to his office. Make sure he stays there"
Raines ripped Mariska's sleeve and stabbed the needle in her arm.
"Jarod you son-of-a-bitch!"
He walked to her and tilted her face up to him holding her chin. "Oh come on Mariska. I thought you held my mom in such high regard." Removing his hand, he walked out of the room laughing.
***************
Parker woke in the chair. Her hand moved to her gun and her eyes took in each dark corner of the room. Satisfied that everything was ok, she lay her head back pinching her bridge.
"I hate this."
Taking her gun, she got up and walked to her room. She undressed, put on her sleep shirt and got into bed. The phone rang. Knowing it was Jarod, she took a deep breath and picked up.
"What?""You missed me again."
"Your day will come."
"Not if I can help it."
"Jarod, you like making a fool out of me, don't you?"
"No I don't."
"Then why don't you just stop it?"
"I don't have the power to do that Parker. You do."
Her voice was hardly a whisper. "I don't have the strength."
"Parker, are you okay?"Her heart softened at the genuine concern she heard in his voice. "It's nothing I can't handle Jarod."
"Parker if there’s something wrong, let Sydney help you. You know he will."
"No Jarod, this is something I need to work through on my own."
She could here the frustration in his voice as he spoke. "Not everything can be done alone. It's not a bad thing to ask for help."
"Look Jarod. I do things my way. You should know that by now."
"...Whatever you say Parker... Till next time?"
"Sure Jarod... Next time."