Miss Parker stood outside the door of the apartment which had been an absolute bastard to find. It was an old converted warehouse, on the outskirts of Manhattan, and it hadn’t been easy following Sydney’s directions to the place he now called home, he had said, after retiring from the Centre.

On the door was an envelope, addressed to her. Tearing it open, she pulled out the note which had been placed inside, reading the note to herself, which basically said that he’d be home at about midnight, make herself comfortable, and the pin number to the door was her birth date. Miss Parker looked up, noticing for the first time that the lock on the door was a key pad lock. Sydney’s getting into security, she mused to herself, punching in the pin and pushing open the door.

Carefully closing the door behind her, she glanced around the airy room quickly before making a beeline for the sofa, awkwardly sinking into it and putting her feet up on the coffee table. Seven months pregnant with twins was not the time to be on your feet for long periods of time, she thought ruefully to herself, looking down at her huge belly. But her doctor in Paris said she was very healthy, which was wonderful, her time spent in the hospital in Delaware had been a very close call.

Miss Parker settled down amongst too many cushions and looked around the room, taking in details for the first time. The walls were painted in strong colours of earthy reds and sky blues, and stunning framed black and white photographs decorated the walls, as well as what looked like a few fairly dark abstract paintings, that looked like they were originals. Probably painted by Sydney, Miss Parker noted, spying an easel, some oil paints spread across the floor, next to some blank canvases.

A gorgeous Chinese screen partially blocked a futon bed from view, a stainless steel kitchen looked incredibly efficient, and book shelves lined one wall, filled with everything from Karma Sutra to War and Peace. The windows were made with glass bricks, and a fire roared in the fire place in front of her, and tribal carvings were littered around the room. Sydney’s taste has changed, mused Parker.

Miss Parker thought back on her life, remembering how Sydney had been more of a father to her than her real father had been. Parker watched the fire, watched the leaping flames, letting it calm her, until eventually, surrounded by warmth and comfort, she fell asleep.

Jarod entered his apartment quietly, took a few deep breaths and prepared himself for a confrontation. It had easy enough to forge Sydney’s handwriting, and a friend in Paris had informed him of her presence there. What Jarod regretted was the long months he had spent searching for her in the USA, never for a minute suspecting that she would leave the country.

It had taken too long for him to find her and it wasn’t until his Parisian friend had hacked into some French government records and found a likely alias that he knew her exact location. He needed to find her, to tell her how sorry he was, how he still loved her and wanted to be with her. The guilt of causing the miscarriage with his anger had almost drove him insane, and he needed to at least try and gain her forgiveness, if not for her sake than for his own. He had made so many mistakes when it came to Parker, but now was the time to fix them.

Now he could just see the top of her dark head from where he stood at the door, behind the sofa. She was leaning against some cushions, and he rightly assumed she was asleep, it must have been a long and tiring flight from France, no wonder she was tired.

Walking around sofa with a gentle smile on his face, he froze when he saw her. She was very obviously, overwhelmingly pregnant. She never miscarried, the thought ran through his head, making him wonder what else she had lied about. Was the child his after all? But no, the pregnancy looked way too advanced for that, she looked like she was easily eight or nine months, not the seven moths pregnant if the child had been his. All these thoughts raced through Jarod’s head, the logical side of him coming up with these questions and answers. But the currently very emotional side of him was screaming inside, out of anger, that she had lied to him. Happiness, that she had not miscarried, and general confusion which was asking what the hell was going on?

Jarod suddenly noticed that Miss Parker had begun to stir slightly, and he sat down next to her quickly, taking deep breaths to try and calm himself.

"Sydney is that you?" she mumbled, without opening her eyes.

"It’s not Sydney Miss Parker," he said quietly, his voice laced with anger. Miss Parker shot up in the seat, backing up as quickly as her encumbered body could manage, eyes wide with shock.

"Jarod! What the hell are you doing here? Where’s Sydney?" she asked quickly in a panicked tone. Jarod smiled evilly, advancing up the sofa towards her, as she pressed herself against the arm.

"Sydney didn’t ask you here Miss Parker… I did," He smiled at her, and it was not the smile of a happy man, "What I was not expecting was to find you in your current state. I believe the term is *knocked up*? But the funny thing is…I could’ve sworn you told me you lost the child…"

"Children, twins." She corrected automatically, not thinking about who it was she was talking to. She realised her mistake as Jarod suddenly looked more intrigued.

"And just how pregnant are you my dear Miss Parker?" he asked in a tone that made her tremble. When she didn’t answer, he practically snarled at her, "How many months pregnant are you Parker?!? Who’s children are they?!? Or don’t you know? Have there been so many you can’t recall their names any more?"

"They’re yours Jarod!" she yelled back, tears streaming down her face, "I’m seven months pregnant and you’re the father Jarod!"

Jarod sat quietly for a moment, trying to take in the information that the love of his life had not only lied to him about losing the babies, she had lied to him about the identity of the father. Standing without a word, he gave her a look of utter contempt before slamming out the door, leaving Miss Parker alone in her misery.

Jarod tiredly opened the door to his apartment, scratching his chin, which needed a shave. He had been out all night, working through his feelings, yet inside he still didn’t feel completely resolved. He just couldn’t come to terms with the extent of Miss Parker’s deceit. But he still loved her. God knew he still loved her, with every fibre of his being, but now he just wasn’t sure if it would be enough.

Spying Parker asleep in his bed, he had no doubt that she had finally fallen asleep after trying to find a way out of here for hours, but he had already changed the pin on the door, and the only phone around was his cell phone, which he had taken with him. Jarod could not help but feel a moment of tenderness towards her as he watched her sleep, she was obviously exhausted, and lines of strain were showing on her face.

For the first time Jarod admitted to himself how hard it must have been on her to leave the country, alone and pregnant, struggling to figure out what to do with her life. Jarod felt regret that she had felt she had not been able to turn to him for help, because at a word from her he would have created a heaven on earth especially for her. Exhausted, but knowing he would not be able to sleep, Jarod walked to where he had set up his paints and easel, and using a fresh canvas, started to paint.

When Miss Parker awoke, she saw the canvas facing her, once blank but now an abstract form of the feelings from the night before. She rose, a bit unsteadily, and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders, heading into the designer kitchen. On the bench was a vase containing two dozen red roses, a note in Jarod’s handwriting propped against it. It read, quite simply:

I’m sorry. Jarod.

Touched, Parker looked around the spacious apartment, but assumed he must have left again, for there was no sign of him. Deciding that a nice hot shower was in order, she grabbed the bag containing a few of her things and headed for the bathroom, running the hot water, adjusting the temperature then shedding her clothes and stepping in. Enjoying the hot water, she shampooed and conditioned her hair, then grabbed the soap, intending to wash what she could reach, as her pregnancy made it hard to get everywhere.

"Allow me," came a husky male voice, and she turned to see Jarod, naked, standing behind her, watching her tensely, expecting rejection, but not being able to help himself. Mutely staring back at him, she handed over the soap, allowing herself to shiver with delight as he gently washed her. It had been far too long without him, seven long months where all she could think about was him. Carefully he turned off the water, stepping out of the shower and tugging her out as well by the hand. He then grabbed a huge white bath towel, wrapping it around them both, kissing her nose as he dried them both off.

"You’re so beautiful," he whispered hoarsely.

"You ain’t so bad yourself," she whispered back, a smile touching her lips.

"Nothings changed… we still need to talk" he said, caressing her face with his hand.

"I know Jarod," she replied, then leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Let’s got to bed Jarod." She whispered, taking his hand and leading him there.

When Miss Parker awoke for the second time that morning, it was to see Jarod painting again.

"Don’t move a muscle Parker!" hollered Jarod as she went to sit up. "How am I meant to paint you if you move?!?" he asked in a more reasonable tone.

"You’re supposed to have a photographic memory, Boy Wonder, why don’t you use that?" she grumbled, dragging her self out of bed, despite his complaints. "And why are you painting me anyway?"

"Couldn’t help myself," he grinned, then resumed painting, his eyes glazing over slightly as he recalled the exact way she had been on the bed.

Miss Parker wandered into the kitchen, banging her way through the cupboards, finding a cup, some sugar and some tea so she could make a drink, not bothering to ask Jarod if he wanted one. Only when she was sipping on the hot beverage did she see what Jarod’s painting actually looked like. She had been expecting something abstract like all the others, a contorted face something like a Picasso, so she wasn’t prepared for the work he had actually done.

It was beautiful, the colours he had chosen bringing it to life, and it was a perfect example of good use of light and shadows, giving her an ethereal beauty. Somehow he had taken her, asleep in the bed, and made it something astonishingly gorgeous, something that bought tears to her eyes.

"Jarod that’s amazing." She murmured, coming to stand next to him.

"It’s how I see you Parker." He said quietly, not looking at her. Suddenly he pulled away violently, grabbing his leather jacket quickly and heading for the door. "I’ve gotta go, Parker, promised I’d meet someone, make your self comfortable, I’ll be home tonight." He tossed over his shoulder, before the door slammed closed, leaving Miss Parker wondering if the tenderness he’d shown her this morning had been real.

Jarod stared into his cup of coffee, ignoring the voluptuous Bonnie, who was on the other side of the counter. She was standing in front of him and trying to be discreet about the fact that she very obviously wanted him on the counter, preferably naked, not sitting behind it.

"Jarod? Jarod! My god, I can’t believe you’re here!" came a voice from behind him, and Jarod turned slowly, not in the least surprised to see Sydney standing there.

"Sydney," replied Jarod, giving the older man an affectionate hug, "it’s good to see you again….. but I must confess I knew you were going to be here, I had a friend find out your favourite haunts, and I had to come see you." Sydney looked at Jarod in surprise, inviting him to continue.

"I found Parker…. Why didn’t you tell me Sydney? You of all people should know how important something like that would be to me!"

"I’m sorry Jarod… but she made me promise, practically on threat of death!" said Sydney, trying to inject some humour into the conversation, but knew he had failed miserably. "Where is she?"

"She’s at my apartment. I’m not going to let her go again until we have a few things sorted out."

"You’re holding her captive? Excuse me for saying so Jarod, but isn’t that what got her pregnant in the first place? And how long do you expect to be able to hold her for? Until the twins are born?" asked Sydney, sure that his young protégé had finally lost it.

"I will hold onto her as long as it’s necessary Sydney, I have no intention of letting her walk out of my life, especially not now that I know about the twins!" Jarod exclaimed, fresh anger at all the deceit that had been going on around him boiling to the surface. Sydney sighed in defeat, knowing that Jarod would not give up.

"Will you take me to see her?" he asked, relieved when Jarod nodded his assent.

Miss Parker was bored. She had tried reading a few of the books which lined the shelves, but nothing seemed to appeal to her restless mind. Instead she turned to studying the carvings around the big room, but found that that too bored her after a while. She could understand why Jarod had chosen this place, though. The big open room was the perfect antidote to his fear of confined spaces, and the tasteful, if not out-there, décor reflected Jarod’s personality.

Hearing the door open, she turned, ready for another showdown with Jarod. He pushed open the heavy wood door, and watched her for a moment with thoughtful eyes, before stepping aside to reveal Sydney, making Miss Parker give a cry of delight. She rushed over to her old friend, hugging him as Jarod pushed closed the door and stalked into the kitchen.

"Sydney! What are you doing here? Did Wonderboy over here dig you up all by himself?" she questioned, pulling him towards the sofa and seating him beside her.

"Yes Jarod found me Parker. You look wonderful… pregnancy suits you my dear." Said Sydney affectionately, and a moment later Jarod joined them, bringing a drink for each.

For the next hour Miss Parker and Sydney talked happily, catching up on the months they had been apart. Miss Parker discovered that Sydney had not actually retired, but had lessened his workload from the Centre, and was currently on vacation.

Mr Parker had finally ended the search for his daughter, having never known of her pregnancy, the search for Jarod continued, but it was not nearly as conclusive as when Miss Parker had run it, and she laughed at this. Broots had finally quit after being reassigned to Lyle, taking himself and his daughter beyond the Centre’s reach.

The whole time Sydney and Parker talked, Jarod sat quietly, watching the two of them. The happy reunion of the two people he cared the most for, yet had hurt him the most with their lies, he thought bitterly. But that didn’t mean he would stop caring for them…. he just needed some time to adjust. He watched Parker laughing and smiling with Sydney, remembering the time spent in Nevada with Mulder and Scully, remembered the playful banter they had shared then, when this whole thing had started. But no, he was wrong. This thing between them had started the very first time they had met, he had been intrigued with her even then, and he had never stopped being intrigued with her, even though that basic feeling had grown to love.

Several hours later Sydney had to make his apologies and leave, a look from Jarod warning Miss Parker not to try to get Sydney to take her with him. The ensuing silence left both feeling uncomfortable, both trying to think of something to say to one another to relieve the tension.

Suddenly Miss Parker jumped slightly, giving a soft cry and holding her hand to her belly.

"What is it? What's wrong?" asked Jarod, shifting closer, concern for her and the twins written all over his face, making Parker laugh.

"Jarod nothing's wrong. It's just the twins having a fist fight," she smiled at him, his confused expression making her continue. "Their kicking Jarod, and it feels strange. Here, feel!" she said, guiding his hand across her stomach, smiling again at his expression of wonderment as he felt the movement under his hand.

"Do you know their gender's?" he asked quietly, almost shyly, still not removing his hand.

"Female, they're identical. I found out at one of the ultrasound's." she replied, then winced at Jarod's look of pain, knowing that he felt that was one of the things he should have been there for.

"What will you call them?" he whispered, not looking her in the eyes.

"Catherine and Faith." She replied, thinking sadly of both the mother and sister she had lost, even though she hadn't known Faith for long, and had only found out that she was her adopted sister when it was too late. She quickly brushed the away the tears which had gathered in her eyes, hoping that Jarod would not see them. She knew it was too late, though, when he gently pulled her into his arms. Miss Parker could not help the tears that flowed freely now, and as Jarod held her, she remembered the family she had lost, and the pain of knowing that, if not for the Centre, her life could have been very different.

Jarod watched her sleep, a soft, melancholy, smile gracing his lips. Memories of her flashed through his mind, of when they were children, the trembling eagerness to see each other. Of them as adults, the games they had played, small ways of denying the truth of their feelings for each other. Their love. He loved her so much, and that should be enough. Was it enough? Through this whole ordeal, he had never felt that he hadn’t loved her. There had never been the slightest doubt in his mind, and he had held onto that through the long, lonely months. It had helped him find her, the reason he had not given up.

And yet, when he had found her, had found out about the twins, he had been so angry, had felt so betrayed that she would do something like take his children away from him. But he had not felt angry enough, betrayed enough, to send her away. And not just because of the tiny lives that she carried, but because of her. He needed her, needed her smile, her laughter, her tears. Every part of her was like a breath of fresh air to him, she was his life force, and he longed to see the happiness in her eyes. He longed to be the happiness in her eyes.

Jarod pulled her closer, he had brought her over to the bed earlier, after she had fallen asleep in his arms, all tears that would come having been shed. He breathed in the feel of her, enjoying the warmth, relishing the freedom of being able to hold her, to look at her, to drink in every detail. And he realised, in that moment, that he wanted it for the rest of his life. He wanted moments like these, the moonlight shining down on her perfection, for the rest of his life. It no longer mattered about the betrayal both of them had been involved in, because she was the most important thing to him in the world. And he loved her. And he wanted to have the rest of their lives together, with their two children, hell, with more than two children. Because he loved her.

Jarod, feeling more free than he had ever felt, nestled down beside her, the smile still playing his lips. And he slept, with beautiful dreams, achingly sweet, of the only woman he had, and ever would, love. He slept, and it was by far the best he had ever slept in his life.

Miss Parker slowly began to wake up, not wanting to leave the cocoon of warmth she was wrapped in. For a moment, not remembering where she was, she looked around in confusion. This was not her house in Delaware. Looking down, she noticed she seemed to have a small blimp growing out of her stomach. And why the hell was Jarod in bed with her? Wondering about these things, it took her groggy mind a few minutes to remember the events of the last few months, that the blimp attached to her was not some project of the Centre’s, but her children growing like small parasites inside her. And Jarod was in bed with her because it was his apartment. And they loved each other.

She loved him. Still. The only question was weather he loved her back. God knew she had lied to him enough to give him grounds for hating her. But that didn’t explain the events of the morning before, how tenderly he had made love to her. And at one time there she had felt fear from his wrath, but she could be pretty terrifying herself. From now on there would be no more fear or betrayal between them, Miss Parker decided.

Trying to get comfortable while feeling lumpy and fat, she wiggled around, waking Jarod. She smiled sheepishly as he propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at her cheerfully.

"Marry me." He whispered, and she gaped for a moment, before smiling broadly.

"Yes." Was all she said as he leaned down, kissing her passionately.

Mr Parker walked into his office and began collecting his things. The last few months had been incredibly tiring, today especially. Officially he had stopped the search for his daughter, but unofficially he continued to search for her both night and day. Also in the last three months there had been no sightings of Jarod, and so basically, everything was going to hell.

Collecting some papers from his desk, he noticed a brown package addressed to him, something that hadn’t been there in the morning. Unwrapping it carefully, he found unmarked videotape, which he took over to his television and VCR to watch. Hitting the play button, he sat down in his desk chair, but shot up as the screen was filled with an image of Jarod.

"Hello Mr Parker, Miss Parker and I have a little present for you, just to assure you that we’re both doing fine." Said the recording of Jarod, and the screen went blank for a few moments. Then the screen lit up with a vision of a small church, decorated with beautiful flower’s, and his daughter and Jarod standing at the altar. Mr Parker sat back in amazement as the two emotional people exchanged their vows, love showing on both their faces. The time and date at the bottom of the screen read that this had been filmed only a little over a month ago, and Mr Parker wondered what had occurred during the months Miss Parker had been gone before this marriage had taken place. His question was answered a few moments later as the view changed again, the date reading just a week ago. Jarod was obviously the one holding the camera as it panned to Miss Parker, sitting on the floor, holding two small babies.

"Hello Daddy" said the recording, "I’d like you to meet some people. These are your grandchildren, Daddy, Catherine and Faith. They’re mine and Jarod’s children, Daddy, and I hope that some day you’ll be able to meet them."

Mr Parker sat and watched the rest of the video, which was mostly comprised of close ups of the two children, his very happy daughter laughing and smiling as Jarod put down the camera, still focused on them, and took one of the small bundles, making it smile and gurgle with delight as he brushed his hands gently across it’s face.

A long time after the screen went blank, Mr Parker sat in the darkness, not bothering to try and stop the tears that flowed from his eyes… because his only daughter had never looked more happy. Because of the grandchildren he hadn’t known about. Because Jarod was the father, and he obviously loved his daughter so much, and she loved him back. Mr Parker sat there for a long time, quietly weeping, until there were no more tears left to shed. And in the darkness of that office, he made a promise to himself. He vowed that he would find his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren if it were the last thing he ever did. For in the shadows of the heart that he had thought empty since Catherine died, he felt love stirring.

Mandy.

Jarods_gurl@yahoo.com

Back.

Home.