Fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own 'The Pretender' or any of its characters. They rightfully belong to NBC, MTM, TNT and Pretender Productions. Man this is getting depressing! I'm not doing this for the money, but for my sanity. Please don't sue. Thanks, Thunderchild.

  A Different Ending

by Thunderchild

Parker woke up when Tommy got out of bed. She lay on her back staring at the ceiling, smiling. For once in her life she was happy and soon she'll be free from The Centre and Jarod forever! But the strange thing is The Centre isn't putting up a fight about letting her go to Oregon. Maybe it's nothing, but just to be safe it might pay just to watch their backs.

Parker was snapped out of her dreamy state when she heard movement and people talking downstairs. She got out of bed, getting her gun, as she put on her dressing gown. She was now secretly grateful that Lyle had given the gun back to her.

Creeping through her house, she could hear voices out on the back porch. Parker tied her dressing gown around her as she went through the house. The front door was open. She slipped through it and started to creep around the side of the house.

When she got round the back of the house, she could see Brigitte holding a gun to Tommy's head. Brigitte was alone with him, but Parker knew there were sweepers on the way. From where she was Parker could faintly hear what Brigitte was saying to him. "I must give her this, she has good taste."

"Why are you people always hurting her?" Tommy asked. Ah, he was always wondering that. He didn't like to see Parker unhappy.

"She asked for it by not playing by the rules. And she's about to get another reminder that The Centre owns her." Brigitte armed her gun. CLICK-SNAP. Parker made her move. She spun round the corner, aimed at Brigitte's arm and fired. Brigitte shot Tommy it the arm as she spun round to see who shot her. He winced and held his arm, slipping down the wall.

"Drop the gun." Parker snarled at her, aiming at her head. Brigitte tossed it away, holding her arm. She knew she had to play it smart to survive this encounter and getting rid of her gun seemed like the smart thing to do. "Who sent you?"

"You'll have to kill me. Because I'm not telling you." Brigitte said to her smugly.

"I'm going to do that, but just not yet." Parker shot Brigitte in the leg.

"ARRGGHH!" Brigitte fell to the ground screaming.

"Go inside and press something onto your shoulder to stop the bleeding and call an ambulance." Parker said without taking her eyes off Brigitte. Tommy stood up weakly and walked passed her.

"Don't kill her, Parker." Tommy said gently.

"She was going to kill you!" Parker snarled. "Just do what I tell you please." Her eyes softened. Tommy nodded and walked inside. "Who sent you?" Parker growled.

"A Centre Official." Brigitte said smartly. Parker shot her other leg. "ARRGGHH!" She started screaming in agony once more.

"The sooner you tell me, the sooner I'll stop shooting at you. I have 7 bullets left." Parker snarled at her dangerously.

"So kill me. You'll never leave The Centre, there are sweepers coming here as we speak." Brigitte smiled at her weakly. Parker shot her other arm. "ARRGGHH." Brigitte was crying now. "So kill me...I'll never tell you."

"We'll see." Parker shot her in the lower left leg. She had shot Brigitte in her thighs first.

"ARRGGHH!" Brigitte fell back in agony.

"Tell me." Parker ordered calmly.

"No."

"TELL ME!" Parker growled at her angrily.

"It was..." Parker shot her right shin. "ARRGGHH. It was Matumbo and..."

"WHO?" Parker demanded.

"Mr Parker." Brigitte fell unconscious with the amount of blood she has lost during Parker's interrogation. Tommy came up behind her.

"The ambulance is coming, so are Sydney and the police." Tommy fell to the floor.

"No." Parker whimpered and dropped at his side. "Stay with me." Parker pressed the towel harder onto his right shoulder. He winced with the pain shooting across his shoulder.

"I don't feel good." Tommy whispered.

"Shh, it'll be OK." Parker stroked his head gently. "Don't talk anymore."

5 minutes later she heard Sydney call out to her. "Parker!"

"I'm back here!" Parker cried out. Sydney ran through the house and saw her kneeling beside Tommy, holding his head against her shoulder, crying.

"It's OK now Parker, the ambulance is here." Sydney said gently. Two men dressed in white suits came in behind Sydney with blue medical boxes.

"We'll take it from here Miss." One of the attendants helped her to stand. "Would you take her inside till we do our job?" The guy asked Sydney. Parker wouldn't move away from Tommy's side.

"Come on Parker, give them some room." Sydney put an arm around her shoulders and walked her away a little.

"I love you." Parker whispered. Tommy slowly lifted his head and looked at her with glassy eyes.

"I love you too." Tommy whispered.

"He's going to be OK." The other attendant said to her softly. She nodded and let Sydney walk her inside.

"How about you go and get dressed, so you can go to the hospital with him." Sydney suggested. She nodded again and walked upstairs to put on tracksuit pants, T-shirt, socks and joggers. Comfortable and quick to put on.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

BLUE COVE:

THE HOSPITAL:

ICU (INTENSIVE CARE UNIT):

8:45P.M.

When Tommy was stable they put him into the ambulance and took him to the hospital. Parker rode in the back with him and one of the attendants, whose name was Tony.

When they got to the hospital Tommy went straight into surgery and was in the OR for about 3 hours. Sydney stayed with Parker the entire time.

After surgery he was taken down to ICU, since they weren't exactly sure what the bullet could have hit in his shoulder, even after the surgery, close to his neck. There was so much blood before that you couldn't tell where the bullet had entered. But it was roughly below the ball of the shoulder.

Tommy was still sleeping and Parker wasn't going to leave him alone, she didn't want to leave his side. Parker was sleeping, leaning against the bed and holding his hand when Sydney came in to check on her. He left her alone with him to sleep. After all the activity and excitement today Parker was exhausted. But could anyone blame her? Sydney would stay around for her so she wouldn't be alone.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

12:30A.M.

Sydney was getting some coffee when a familiar voice spoke behind him. "I saw the report on the shooting, how are they?" Jarod asked gently.

"Thomas is sleeping. He hasn't woken up since he got here." Sydney let out a sigh. "Parker's a mess. She's sleeping in there with him. She hasn't spoken a word since it happened." They walked back to the room.

"I'll just see them for a minute." Jarod walked in quietly. He picked up Tommy's chart and read it. Parker stirred and lifted her head. She looked at him for a minute but just turned back to Tommy. "How is he?" Jarod came up behind her and touched her shoulder. She jumped and held Tommy's hand tightly.

"Why won't he wake up?" Parker whispered with a voice thick with tears.

"I don't know. Why don't you go home?" Jarod suggested.

"NO! They're going to finish the job when I turn my back." Parker started to cry, holding Tommy's hand in both of hers.

Jarod turned her chair around, knelt down in front of her and held her tightly. Parker leant against his shoulder and cried. "Shh, it'll be OK. He'll wake up soon, you'll see."

"They tried to kill him!"

"Shh, they won't get another chance. There's police outside. Curtsey of Sergeant Jarod Blaine." Jarod smiled.

"Thank you." Parker smiled.

"No problem. But if I can't help my friends who can I help?" Jarod smiled at her again. Parker smiled a little warmer.

"There we go. I better go and supervise my men. You don't need to worry there's a list of people that are allowed in here and only I know who's on it." Jarod let go of her.

"Thank you." Parker turned back to Tommy.

"They won't try anything because there's police all over the place." Parker nodded.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

THE HOSPITAL:

TOMMY'S ROOM:

5:30A.M.

When Jarod came back in about 3a.m. Parker was asleep again. Jarod carefully lifted her up, which she groaned when he moved her, and placed her on the other bed next to Tommy and covered her over. Jarod sat with Tommy while she slept.

Tommy was waking up at 5:32a.m. Jarod saw his fingers twitching and when he focused on that Tommy's eyes were opened. "Par..."

"What is it?" Jarod leant closer.

"Parker?" Tommy said stronger.

"It's Jarod. Do you know where you are?" Jarod asked gently.

"The hospital." Tommy turned his head and saw Parker next to him on the other bed. "What's happened?"

"Nothing, she's just sleeping. How's you're shoulder?" Jarod asked as he pressed the buzzer.

"Sore. Are you sure Parker's OK?"

"Yeah, apart for going off her head worrying about you." Jarod joked. "Do you want me to wake her?"

"No, let her sleep. She hasn't been sleeping last few nights. I don't know what's wrong with her. She's not sick and I haven't done anything, she's just different." Tommy said. The nurse came in before Jarod could reply.

"Is everything all right in here?" The nurse asked.

"Yes, page Dr Mitchells and tell him that Thomas Gates is awake." Jarod instructed.

"I've already paged him. He said when I got a buzz from this room to page him." The nurse told them. "Is she all right?" The nurse asked, looking at Parker.

"Just sleeping." Jarod said as Dr Mitchells walked in with a clipboard. He's only short, gray, thinning hair and about 60.

"How are you feeling?"

"All right." Dr Mitchells checked Tommy's vitals.

"How's the pain?" The doctor checked the wound.

"Not too bad, it's just throbbing a little."

"OK, half a milligram of morphine every five hours. If that doesn't help, bump up the dose to a milligram." Dr Mitchells wrote something on Tommy's chart. "You're a very lucky young man to be alive."

"I wouldn't be alive if she didn't come in time." Tommy indicated to Parker.

"Yes, I nearly had to tie her down when we got you settled in here, she wanted to get in here, but we wouldn't let her. Her father took care of her for about half an hour."

"That isn't her father. That's Sydney." Jarod corrected him.

"Oh, I assumed that he was her father." Dr Mitchells walked towards the door as the nurse came back with Tommy's morphine.

"No." Jarod said again.

"Oh, I'll let you get some sleep." Dr Mitchells left. The nurse left too after she injected the morphine into Tommy's drip.

"Her father wouldn't come here if his life depended on it. If he did, Parker would kill him." Jarod sat back down in the chair.

"Did you know she was capable of murder?" Tommy asked softly.

"You're talking about Brigitte." Tommy nodded. "She's always been pushing Parker. Just because she's killed someone don't hold that against her. It was self-defense. If Parker didn't come in time you wouldn't be alive now."

"I know that. I'm not going to hold it against her." Tommy looked over at her. She was lying on her back with her head turned down close to her shoulder. She looked so beautiful to him at that moment.

"Do you want me to wake her up for you?" Jarod asked again.

"No, but you could bring her over here." Tommy said, still looking at her. Jarod nodded and walked over to her. He gently picked her up. She started to groan again. When Jarod placed her on the bed next to Tommy, he rolled her onto her side a bit, resting her head on Tommy's shoulder. When Tommy started to stroke her head, she fell quiet. "That's my girl." Tommy kissed her forehead. Parker's hand moved up onto his shoulder, he flinched when she touched his wound. "No, not there, Honey." His left arm, which was around her, reached over and tried to pull her arm back, but he couldn't because Parker was resting her head on his shoulder and he could move his arm very well. Jarod stood up and moved her hand off his shoulder gently and put it next to her face. "Thanks." Tommy whispered.

"Do you want me to leave?" Jarod asked.

"No, I might need you to move her hand again. She has a habit of wrapping her arms around my neck while she sleeps." Tommy smiled down at her.

"She loves you. I don't think I've seen her this happy since we were kids." Jarod sat back in his chair, watching her.

"I know, but I think she's afraid to say it to me. She told me that she loves me earlier, but she thought I was dying." Tommy stroked her head gently. Parker started to whimper in her sleep. Tommy rubbed her back. "Baby, wake up." Tommy whispered to her, resting his hand on her hip. Parker tried to turn but she couldn't move, so she just cried out. "Parker, Baby wake up for me." Tommy said to her a little louder.

Parker jumped and opened her eyes. She looked around a little and saw Tommy lying next to her and he was awake. "Sorry." Parker burrowed deeper next to him. "I thought I was in the chair." Parker said confused.

"You were. But I moved you over to the other bed. Then after Thomas was awake, he wanted you next to him." Jarod said to her. "I'll leave you two alone." Jarod stood up and walked out.

"How are you feeling?" Parker propped herself up on her elbow, looking down at him.

"OK now, my shoulder just hurts a little. Nothing major. I'll live." Parker's eyes started to water at his last comment. "Hey, come here." Tommy wrapped his arm around her and pulled her down to him. She rested her head on his chest, under his chin and cried. "It's going to take more than Brigitte to kill me. I'm never going to leave you're side. And as soon as I'm able to get out of here we'll go to Oregon, how's that sound?" Tommy stroked her back then rested his hand on her hip. She nodded.

"But if I was a minute later she would have killed you..."

"No buts, ifs, maybes or anything else. You weren't any later. You're my little huntress and nothing's going to change that." Tommy kissed her head.

"You're right." Parker whispered and relaxed on his chest.

"Now from what I hear you've been a bad girl. You wouldn't let the doctors get me settled in here, is that true?" Tommy asked and tickled her. Parker started to giggle.

"Yeah, I was just worried about you." Parker said sleepily.

"It's all right, you go back to sleep. I'm all right now and we're safe here." Tommy kissed her head again.

"I love you so much." Parker said and tightened her grip around his middle.

"I know you do, Baby. You go to sleep, I'm not going anywhere." Tommy tightened his hold around her shoulders.

"Night Tommy." Parker fell asleep lying on his chest. Tommy stayed awake for awhile, just watching her sleep. Her steady breathing. Her stillness. Her warmth. Her scent. Tommy fell asleep with a smile on his face. He's not lucky to be alive. He's lucky to have someone like Parker that loves him and that killed for him.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

THE HOSPITAL:

8:30A.M.

Tommy had been awake for a little while. Parker was still sleeping in the same position she fell asleep in. Tommy was about to go back to sleep when Dr Mitchells came back with Jarod and Sydney. Dr Mitchells looked at Tommy's chart and was moving up along the side of the bed to check his vitals. The doctor smiled at Parker and leant over her. Suddenly her hand shot up and wrapped around his throat tightly. "Hey, hey, let him go, it's OK." Tommy said to her lovingly. "It's just the doctor, it's OK." Dr Mitchells was turning a bright shade of red when Parker let his throat go and shoved him back. Parker rested her head against Tommy's chest again. She did all of this SO calmly Sydney and Jarod couldn't help but laugh.

"I think you better leave." Dr Mitchells said hoarsely, rubbing his throat.

"Make me." Parker snarled and sat up. She wasn't in the mood to play with the doctor. Jarod saw that she wasn't playing and decided he better intervene.

"Come on Parker, we'll let him do his job." Jarod said softly.

Tommy rubbed her back. "It's OK, you go with Jarod." He said sweetly. Parker started to communicate with her eyes to him. "It's OK." Tommy put his hand behind her neck and pulled her down and kissed her sweetly.

Parker got off the bed and walked over to the doctor. "If you hurt ONE HAIR on his head, I'll blow you're fucking head off." Parker snarled at him coldly.

"It's OK Baby, you go with Jarod." Tommy said from the bed. Parker nodded and walked out the door with Jarod following her.

"God, she's dangerous." The doctor said to him shocked. "And talk about strong! She's got the grip of a bear." The doctor checked his vitals.

"She loves me. If you knew her like I do, she's a little angel." Tommy said defensively.

"I'd watch her son, she seems the jealous type." Dr Mitchells said as he walked over to the door.

"I wouldn't entirely ignore her threat about killing you." Tommy warned, deadly serious.

"Oh, she wouldn't kill me. If she's a 'little angel', she wouldn't hurt a fly." Dr Mitchells left the room.

"It's an attitude like that my friend that will get you into trouble." Tommy said quietly.

"He doesn't know how wrong he is about her." Sydney said, smiling.

"No...Sydney, I'd like to thank you for been here for Parker when she needed someone. Even thou she didn't talk to you, I'm sure she's glad that there was someone around for her." Tommy said.

"You don't have to thank me." Sydney smiled and shook his head. 

"No, I do. She mightn't say it but she really appreciates you been around for her." Parker walked back with Jarod and she looked absolutely pissed.

"That moron has a death wish." Parker snarled. She started to calm down when she came back into the room with Tommy.

"Come over here Baby." Tommy held his arm out for her. She walked over to him and slipped onto the bed next to him. Tommy wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. Parker yawned and started to fall asleep again. "My poor little girl." Tommy kissed her forehead. She smiled and snuggled closer to him.

Just before Parker was asleep Sydney broke the silence. "Ah, Parker, there's something you should see that's coming up the hall." Sydney said nervously.

"What?" Parker got up and walked over to the door. Coming up the hall quickly was Mr Parker. "Daddy! He's dead." Parker snarled.

"Parker." Tommy called to her but it was too late, she had already gone. "Jarod get her."

Mr Parker saw her running towards him and was ready to hug her. You can't imagine his surprise when he felt a fist in the jaw. "You fucking arsehole!" Parker snarls like a wild animal.

"Honey..." Mr Parker was too stunned to speak.

"Don't you dare! Come with me." Parker spat at him hatefully and turned around and started to walk away from him. Mr Parker had no choice but to follow her down to where ever she was leading him. "Explain that!" Parker pointed to Tommy in the bed.

"What happened?"

"Don't play dumb! Brigitte shot him! He would be dead if I didn't kill her!" Parker snarled at him dangerously. Sydney was grateful she didn't have her gun with her or she would kill him.

"But Honey I had nothing to do with it..." Parker slapped her father in the face.

"Don't you dare play that game! DON'T YOU DARE! He nearly died because of you, just because you don't want me to leave The Centre." Parker hissed.

"Will you stop hitting me and listen!" Mr Parker growled at her.

"Why don't you just drop dead!" Parker hissed at him coldly. Mr Parker went to hit her but she leant back just before he could impact. "Try again." Parker snarled at him. This just fueled her anger. Mr Parker knew it would be dangerous if he missed but he had to try and teach her to curve her tongue.

"Please, just listen..." Mr Parker tried a different approach.

"What?" Parker snarled and leant against the doorframe, glaring at him.

"I had nothing to do with Brigitte killing Thomas..."

"TRYING! The key word is TRYING and TRIED." Parker hissed at him coldly.

"OK, like I said, I had nothing to do with Brigitte TRYING to kill Thomas. The order must have come from Matumbo." Mr Parker said.

"I don't care if the order came from Jesus FUCKING Christ, no one has any right to kill someone without a reason. As far as I'm concerned you lot don't have a FUCKING LEG TO STAND ON." Parker growled. "You wouldn't be able to scratch yourself unless you got permission first." 

For the first time Mr Parker noticed that Jarod was standing in Thomas' room watching the show and thoroughly enjoying it. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm protecting some friends." Jarod said coldly.

"Aren't you going to take him back to The Centre?"

"No, I'm no longer working at The Centre so he's not my problem anymore. If you want him, you take him back. He's been good to me, you're the one who was lying, NOT HIM. I was too blind to see that for myself, and he deserves his freedom. No one controls him OR ME. We're not puppets, so just drop dead." Parker snarled when she knew that Jarod was going to back her up all the way.

"I'm you're father!" Mr Parker exclaimed.

"Since when? You only played the 'Good Old Daddy' card when you wanted something. You didn't raise me, Sydney did. As far as I'm concerned, he's my father! The only way you're my father is by blood. He's everything else. He listened to me when you wouldn't. He helped me when Momma died when you wouldn't and a billion and 1 other things that I can't remember now. No one wants you here so why don't you just leave?" Parker said angrily, but a little calmer now.

Mr Parker didn't have anything to say after that. He was too stunned, shocked and scared that she would lash out at him like that. He turned and retreated down to the elevator with his shoulders slumped and walked like all the life had been sucked out of him.

"Who let the tiger out?" Jarod laughed.

"I don't know, but I've locked it back up." Parker put on an innocent face and made a purring sound like a kitten. She walked back over to Tommy and sat on the bed. "Tommy." Parker purred, he seemed a little afraid

"Is this the same Parker?" Tommy smiled.

"Yep." Sydney and Jarod said from the door.

"I don't think 'tiger' was an understatement." Tommy gently touched her face.

"Just remember I won't turn on you." Parker smiled at him brightly.

"I'll remember." Parker curled up in his arms again to try and get some sleep.

"Make sure he doesn't come back. I'm ready for a rematch if he pops up again. I have plenty more to sling at him." Parker smiled and drifted off to sleep.

"OK, we'll go and make sure no one comes in." Jarod turned off the lights and shut the door. The room only had soft lighting, so Tommy wasn't sitting in the dark. But he to fell asleep a short time later.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

THE HOSPITAL:

1:30P.M.

Parker and Tommy had been sleeping constantly and the only reasons either of them got off the bed was to go to the bathroom.

Sydney rang Broots and told him what was going on and why neither him nor Parker were at The Centre. Broots said that he would come round and see them in a little while, when he was able to get away.

Jarod looked in a few times while they were sleeping but that was all, he stayed outside with Sydney and made sure that NO ONE went in there.

Parker woke up fully now, she didn't want to sleep any more. When she looked at Tommy he was still asleep, she didn't want to wake him so she stayed on the bed in his good arm. She hadn't realised how tired she was, but she felt a lot better now and things seemed clearer, instead of been all fuzzy and hazy.

Jarod opened the door and light flooded into the room. Parker turned around and looked at him. He was signaling her to come outside. She slowly got off the bed and turned back to Tommy. "I'll be back." And gently kissed him. Tommy stirred but didn't wake up. She walked over to the door and bent under Jarod's arm as he closed the door quietly behind her. "What's wrong?" Parker asked him.

"Nothing, I spoke to the doctor, the one that you choked, and he said that if Thomas progresses well, he'll be able to leave by Friday." Jarod told her.

"Good and on Saturday we will be NOWHERE to be found." Parker smiled.

"So you're still going to Oregon."

"Yeah, why shouldn't we?"

"No, it wasn't a question I was making a statement."

"Oh." She shook her head, trying to clear it. "But I'm thinking it isn't such a good idea now. They already tried to kill him and when we get to Oregon, I'm afraid they'll try again and kill me too." Parker sat down in a chair outside Tommy's room. Jarod knelt in front of her.

"I know you're going to kill me, but I'm still going to say it anyway, I could help hide you two. So well, they'd never find you." Jarod held her hands.

"I'm not going to kill you, but this is The Centre we're talking about, we find you where ever you go and the only reason we don't catch you is because you see us before we see you. Tommy and I don't want to spend our whole lives running." Parker said sadly.

"OK, let me think about what we're going to do. Don't worry, I'll think of something." Jarod kissed her hands. Broots and Sydney walked up to them.

"Hello Miss Parker." Broots said. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Hi, what are you doing here?" Parker let go of Jarod's hands and stood up.

"I just came to see how you and Thomas were."

"Tommy's doing better and I'm OK now." Parker said to him.

"That's good to hear. Oh, when I heard what happened I started to look around in The Centre Mainframe and I found these." Broots handed her two papers. Parker took them and started to read. Jarod read over her shoulder.

"You read this?" Parker asked looking up from the papers.

"Yes, but I don't believe it. It seems too twisted, even for The Centre." Broots answered.

"But if Matumbo ordered this then who killed him. With these times it looks like he ordered this and committed 'suicide'. If Tommy was going to be killed why did he take his own life? All his problems would be gone. It fits too well..." Parker turned to the other paper and swapped back and forth. "Daddy has some explaining to do, but only when Tommy's ready to get out of here. This can wait." Parker folded the papers and gave them back to Broots. "Keep them handy. You did well." She saw Lyle coming with Sam following him. "Oh Christ, is it open day or something?"

"Hi Sis, how's Thomas?" Lyle asked solemnly.

"Like you care. Why are you here? And why is Sam with you?" Parker snarled.

"Dad said for me to bring Sam here to protect you." Lyle answered.

"Don't play the 'Loving Daddy' card. Daddy's already been here and he's not my favourite person today, so tell me why you're REALLY here." Parker snarled.

"OK, OK, you win, it was me. I just wanted someone here to protect you, knowing that The Centre was behind the attempted murder of Thomas and knowing that they would have another go, I just wanted someone here to protect you. The first name that sprung to mind was Sam." Lyle saw Jarod, Broots and Sydney flanking her. "Even thou you might already have someone here, but they can take a break so Sam can take over during the night."

"Lyle, I'm not in the mood to play games so tell me why you're here before I get mad. And trust me, you don't want that."

"Miss Parker." She looked at Sam. "What Mr Lyle just told you is the truth. No tricks."

"What's the catch? You've never liked Tommy. As far as you're concerned he should be dead." Saying that hurt.

"Hey, truce. " Lyle held his hands up in surrender. "I had nothing to do with it. I was only been that way because Dad told me too. I like Thomas."

"No tricks?" Parker asked him.

"No tricks." Lyle answered. "Oh, we dropped by the police station and I picked up your gun." Lyle took the gun out of his pocket and handed it to her.

Parker took it and checked the clip. It was full. "New clip?" Parker asked.

"Yeah." Lyle nodded.

"Go outside and check it. Make sure it fires." Parker handed the gun to Jarod who started to check it as he walked away. "I'm just checking that you didn't doctor my gun." Parker smiling evilly at him.

"Of course. But the police didn't have the holster."

"That's because it's at my house. Did any one lock it up?"

"Yeah, I locked it up before I followed the ambulance. The alarm's on too." Sydney answered.

"Good." Parker relaxed. The door into Tommy's room opened and he stood there, squinting. He was dressed in grey tracksuit pants and no shirt because his arm was in a sling.

"Parker?" 

"You're not meant to be out of bed yet." Parker flew over to him.

"When I woke up you were gone." Tommy said as she put his arm around her shoulders.

"Jarod wanted me for a minute." Parker gently stroked his head. "You should really go back to bed."

"Yeah, but I just want to stand up for a while. I feel fine." Tommy said to her.

"Hello Thomas, how are you feeling?" Lyle asked him.

"Lyle?"

"Yeah."

"Like I've been shot." He turned to Parker. "What's he doing here?"

"It's OK, he only brought Sam to stand guard outside the door." Parker said to him.

"Did they try something again?" Tommy asked.

"No, just a precaution." Parker told him and stroked his face again.

"Where's Jarod?" Tommy asked as he looked around.

"Doing something for me. Are you sure you're all right?" Parker asked him.

"I'm fine, just a little sore. Don't worry." Tommy said as Dr Mitchells came down the hallway.

"What's going on here? Why are you out of bed?" Dr Mitchells asked angrily.

"Because he feels like it, now why don't you piss off?" Parker snarled at him.

"I'm his doctor, so when I tell him that he needs to go back to bed he does it." Dr Mitchells was starting to get a little annoyed at her attitude.

"You'll have to go through me first." Parker snarled and stepped up to him. Everyone knew all too well what was going to happen, so they stepped away, all except Tommy who stood near the door. Jarod was walking along the corridor with her gun.

"Didn't you learn you're lesson earlier?" Jarod asked as he gave her back her gun. She checked it again. CLICK-SNAP. She flicked the safety on and hung her hand at her side.

"I have a gun. You don't, who do think will win?" Parker snarled at him and walked back to Tommy, gently stroking his face.

"I...Ah...I just want what's best for my patient." The doctor growled when he found his voice.

"I want what's best for him. He's staying out of bed for a while. Now leave it." Parker snarled at him coldly.

"Yes, but..."

"She said leave it!" Lyle snarled. The doctor decided to leave because he was outnumbered and they all most probably have guns. Tommy wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her close.

"We're getting a little vex aren't we?" Tommy smiled.

"The bastard just needs to know who's boss. And it ain't him." Parker rested her hands on his arm that was around her neck. "All right Lyle. Sam can stay here and protect me, even thou I don't need it. Jarod's got about 15 police around."

"More like 20."

"Better still, but if it'll make you feel better Sam can make it 21."

"Yes, but do all of Jarod's men know what every single sweeper looks like?" Lyle asked.

"He has a point. Even with all your men outside, it would be very easy for a sweeper to slip through and get up here." Parker said to him.

"I know, but that's why I'm here. I know ALL the sweepers on a social basis." Jarod joked. Everyone started to laugh except Tommy.

"That one's gone over my head." Tommy whispered in her ear.

"Don't worry, I'll explain later." Parker tipped her head and looked at him. Tommy kissed her softly on the mouth. She rested her hand on his cheek. "Now I think you should really go back to bed. The bastard doctor has a point. But only the one."

"No, really I'm all right." Tommy held her tightly in the one arm. "But I'll go back in a little while."

"Another half an hour." Parker pushed.

"Deal." Tommy kissed her again.

"So, are we just going to stand around here or are we going to go somewhere?" Parker looked at Lyle.

"We could go outside. I've never liked hospitals much." Tommy suggested. Parker shot him a questioning look. "I'm fine! I can go outside."

"OK." Parker agreed, but reluctantly.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

THE HOSPITAL:

TOMMY'S ROOM:

1 WEEK LATER.

2:30P.M.

Tommy is been discharged today and aren't he and Parker pleased?

For the last week Jarod had been staying at the hospital and he still had his men but it dropped from 20 down to 10, since The Centre hadn't tried anything and they were wasting man-hours.

Sydney and Broots were working at The Centre and on their way home they would stop by and check how things were. 

Sam was taking a night shift of keeping watch for any sweepers that were incognito to try and finish the job that Brigitte started. But nothing happened. The first couple of nights when Parker would come out and see him sitting next to the door she would get nervous, she wasn't really comfortable with him been out there but she soon got used to the idea of him been there and relaxed. Sam was reporting in to Lyle everyday when he was knocking off for Jarod to take over during the day.

Mr Parker hasn't been back to see her for the whole week. But he would have to face Parker when she went back to The Centre for a little while to tell him off about what happened to Tommy.

Jarod went to Parker's to pick up some clothes for Tommy to change into, jeans and shirt. Parker was outside in the hallway with Lyle while he got changed. "What are you going to talk to Dad about?" Lyle asked her.

"I don't know yet. Probably a few blunt hints that the only reason he's alive is because Tommy only got shot in the shoulder. I haven't thought about it that much yet, I've just been focused on Tommy."

"That's understandable. But whatever direction you're going to take with him, just remember there are people who will back the whole way." Lyle smiled at her.

"Thanks." Parker smiled back as Tommy came back out.

"I think I need some help." Tommy had the jeans on but he was having some trouble with the shirt, since he had his arm in the sling, on the inside of the shirt, he couldn't do up the buttons.

"Come here." Parker held her hands up as he walked towards her and she started to do up the buttons on his shirt. "Is that all you wanted to tell me Lyle?"

"Mainly that there are people around that will back you 100%." Lyle said. "Yeah, that's it."

"Now if you don't mind me asking, why are you so concerned about what happens to me and Tommy?" Parker asked as she dropped her hands away from him.

"He makes you happy. Dad has no right to control you the way he does." Lyle answered.

"Isn't that nice?" Parker smiled at Tommy warmly.

"Yeah, at least you have one family member you can trust." Tommy put his good arm around her neck and held her to him.

"Let's get going. I wanna leave before that doctor shows up, I really do hate him." Parker started to walk away with Lyle walking behind her a little.

"You hate nearly everyone."

"And I have a reason EVERY TIME, but this time...I don't know, there's something about him I don't like. It's probably just because he's a doctor. They think they're so smug."

Jarod was down at the car in the parking lot. All of the police that he had around have gone back to the station. Lyle had his black BMW down next to Jarod's car. Jarod had a bright red Ford Falcon. "Would you be able to sit in the back by yourself? I need to talk with Jarod and it would be better if I was in the front so he doesn't have to split his attentions between the road and someone talking behind him." Parker gently stroked his face.

"That's fine." Tommy sat in the back. Jarod and Parker got into the front and Lyle followed in his car.

"What did you wanna talk about?"

"I just need to ask you're advice." Parker asked as she looked out the window.

"About?" He was very interested because she never asks for his advice. ON ANYTHING.

"I want to know if it would be a mistake if I went and confronted Daddy on this. I know I've already done it, but I just need to know why they wanted Tommy dead. I can't ask Lyle, but he said he'll back me all the way and I can't ask Tommy because he has no idea what I'm getting myself into when I start snooping round for answers." Parker still looked outside.

"If you want to ask him, you should. But take Lyle with you, just as a precaution. I don't know what I should tell you and I don't know what you want to hear. But what I do think is, that you should find the answers, otherwise it will keep eating away at you and you'll be forever looking over your shoulder, thinking that The Centre will be lurking ready to strike again." Jarod answered her.

"That's what I wanted to hear. Thanks." Parker turned round to look at Tommy. "Do you think you're up to an excursion tomorrow."

"Parker, you're not seriously thinking about taking him in with you!" Jarod exclaimed shocked.

"Yes!" Parker barked and looked at Tommy.

"Yeah, I suppose so. But why do you want me to come with you?"

"Let's just put it down to 'show and tell'." Parker smiled at him.

"I don't like the look in you're eyes. You're up to something." Tommy leant forward and touched her face.

"Don't worry, we'll get in and out in no time." Parker kissed him. "No one will touch you because they'll see that you're mine and back away."

"Parker, I really think you should reconsider." Jarod said to her, a little afraid. "They're going to go spare if you take an outsider in there."

"He won't see anything. Just some corridors and the elevator, big whoop! And what's he going to do? Run and tell someone? Who? Jarod you know me better than to take him somewhere it isn't safe."

"I hope you know what you're doing, cause if you don't there's going to be a lot of fur flying."

Parker nodded. "I know what I'm doing. I'm still Daddy's little girl and NO ONE will lay a finger on me or Tommy." Parker stroked his face. "You'll be OK, you're little huntress will take good care of you."

"I know." Tommy sat back against the seat.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

PARKER MANOR:

THE NEXT DAY:

8:35A.M.

Parker was dressed in a black leather pants and coat that went to her knees, black boots and white silk shirt. Tommy was wearing black jeans and Parker was just doing up the buttons of his white, collar-less shirt. "You sure I'm all right in this?" Tommy asked as she finished buttoning it and started to tuck it in.

"You look gorgeous." Parker smiled as she put her arms around him to tuck the shirt in the back. Tommy put his arm around her and pulled her close.

"Flatterer. You're the gorgeous one, I'm jealous that everyone sees you like that."

"Ah, don't be. I'm yours and I will be forever." Parker kissed him.

"Good." Tommy smiled and let go of her.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

THE CENTRE:

9:00A.M.

Parker hadn't called her father to tell him that she was coming in and Lyle hasn't told him anything. They agreed to meet in his office at 9a.m. Parker and Tommy were just making their way up to Lyle's office.

While walking through The Centre, Parker was holding Tommy's hand to show anyone that would stop him, that he was with her. On the way up to Lyle's office, Tommy was looking around in awe. "You work here?" Tommy whispered in her ear.

"Big isn't it? And there's more, but you won't get to see any of that." Parker said as they came to Lyle's office and walked in. "Ready?"

"I thought you were joking about bringing Thomas in with you."

"I don't joke!"

"I see that now, but how to you get him past the sweepers?" Lyle walked over to them.

"My property, hands off!" Parker held up their joined hands.

"Good plan. How are you feeling?"

"My shoulder's a little sore, but OK." Tommy looked around the office.

"Nice, isn't it?" Lyle looked around too.

"Yeah."

"OK, come on, we've got a surprise visit to make." Parker walked over to the door with Tommy walking next to her.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

MR PARKER'S OFFICE:

SAME TIME.

Mr Parker looked up in surprise to see her, as well as fear when he saw what she was leading into his office. "Hello Honey, I'm surprised to see you here. You said that you wouldn't step foot in here again."

"Let's say I've had a change of heart. Now down to the reason why I've come. You can sit down if you like." Parker indicated to the couch by the wall. Tommy nodded and walked over to it. "I will continue to work here on ONE condition."

"What is it?" Mr Parker asked as he looked at Thomas.

"Don't look at him! Look at me." Mr Parker looked at her. He really looked at her. He gasped in realisation. She was the spitting image of Catherine. If he wasn't so busy with pushing her away, he would've seen that earlier. "What?" Parker snarled at him.

"Nothing, what was that condition of yours Honey?"

"Thomas isn't to be touched. EVER. And if he gets hurt in anyway that doesn't square off with what he was doing I'm coming straight here. I won't be returning yet, I still have to take care of him, but he better not have any more 'accidents', because if he does you'll find out just how mean I can be!"

"Yes Honey. But I didn't have anything to do with Brigitte trying to shoot him last week." 

"I don't care! She worked here and as far as I'm concerned that order came from you and until I find out who ordered the murder of Tommy, you're my No. 1 suspect!" She snarled at him coldly.

"Yes Honey, is there anything I can do to help?"

"Leave us alone! I will return to the hunt, but only if you leave us alone. If you've EVER cared about me, know this, I'm happy. Because you haven't been a part of it, so just keep it that way and I might give you a second chance!"

"Yes Honey, I'll see if I can find out who ordered it."

"No! Like I said, leave us alone. I will find out who ordered it and he will pay." Parker leant on the desk and whispered coldly to him. "And if I find out that you were fucking around with me, that you had something to do with it, just have a look at Brigitte. That's what I'll do to you, but only 10 times worse!"

Mr Parker swallowed heavily and nodded. "Yes Honey, you have my word. You will be left alone."

"On Momma's name." Parker snarled at him.

He turned paler and nodded slowly. "On you're mother's name."

"SWEAR!"

"I swear on Catherine Parker's name." He started to tremble.

"Good. Just remember what you just said." Parker walked to the door and held her hand out to Tommy. He stood up and walked over to her, linking his hand around hers. "Or I won't be responsible for what may happen if you break that vow!" Then she was gone, with Lyle following. Mr Parker started to tremble uncontrollably.

"How do you know that he wasn't responsible?" Lyle asked. She stopped and turned to face.

"I don't, but those little threats that I gave him will teach him to think twice before he does something. It always helps to know what everyone is afraid of and use it against them."

"What are you afraid of?" Lyle asked her.

"Losing one of the things that I love as much as Momma." Parker looked at Tommy with warm eyes.

"Dumb question." Lyle smiled. "Come on, let's go down to Syd."

"Did you really mean that?" Tommy asked her.

"Ask me tonight." Parker purred and started to walk him down to the elevator. Lyle just followed, shaking his head and smiling. She really was happy and he was going to make sure it stays that way.

Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That’s how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me
Will you take the pain
I will give to you
Again and again
And will you return it

There’ll be times
When my crimes
Will seem almost unforgivable
I give in to sin
Because you have to make this life livable
But when you think I’ve had enough
From your sea of love
I’ll take more than another riverfull
Yes and I’ll make it all worth while
I‘ll make your heart smile

Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That’s how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me
Will you take the pain
I will give to you
Again and again
And will you return it

There’ll be days
When I’ll stray
I may appear to be constantly out of reach
I give in to sin
Because I like to practice what I preach
I’m not trying to say I’ll have it all my way
I’m always willing to learn
When you’ve got something to teach
Oh and I’ll make it all worthwhile
I’ll make your heart smile

Pain will you return it?
I’ll say it again - Pain

Pain will you return it
I won’t say it again

Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That’s how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me

- Depeche Mode’s ‘Strangelove’

The End of A Different Ending

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.

Feedback: devilish_princess698@yahoo.com.au