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. Sunday July 1st 2001.

Author's Note: Thank you Vania for beta-reading this Fic for me. Greatly appreciated! TC

My Sweet Parker

Part 1

by Thunderchild

PARKER MANOR:

10P.M.

Thomas opened the front door. "Parker?" He called out. He was answered by silence. "Honey?" He walked into the gently lit living room. He found her sleeping on the couch holding a small rosary in her hand.

"My poor baby girl." He gently stroked her head. She slept on.

When Sydney rang him a few days ago to say Parker was in the hospital with a ruptured ulcer he went off his head with worry. He tried to get away from his job but the jerk in charge wouldn't let him go. He then tried to get information from the hospital but the nurse he got on the phone was going on about 'patient confidentiality' and 'you're not family so I can't divulge any information on her condition'. He was going crazy. He wanted to know something but the stupid morons weren't telling him anything.

What helped a little was that Sydney said he would ring if there was any change good, bad or otherwise. And he kept his word because at 8a.m. that morning he got a phone call from Sydney saying Parker was coming home today. Tommy made up his mind that he was coming back to Blue Cove and everyone else be damned!

So here he was watching his sleeping angel. He had nearly lost her. He made a vow to himself that he would tell Jarod where to go. He would tell him the next time he rang and, from what he learned about Jarod, he would be ringing today.

Parker's stirring brought him out of his deep thinking. Her eyes fluttered open. Oh God how he loved her yes. A person could just lose themselves in their depth. "Tommy…" She breathed.

"I'm here Baby. I tried to get away from my job but the jerk I called my boss wouldn't let me come. Then when I found out you were coming home today I told him to cram it."

"What about your job?"

"I'll get another one. But I can't let my pet project die on me, can I?" He cocked his head to one side and smiled.

She held his hand and brought it close to her face. "I'm too stubborn to die."

"Just don't scare me like that again." He kissed her forehead. "Now what did the doctor say?"

"Take it easy for a week. No stress. No alcohol and keep up my medication."

"What heading do I come under?" He gently touched her face.

"Medication." She smiled and slowly sat up.

"Why don't you stay there? I don't want any problems."

"I know, but I'm OK. If I move round slowly it doesn't hurt much." She gently touched his face. "You were really worried?"

"Hell yes! You know you're my life Parker." He carefully put his arms around her.

"That's so sweet. I'm gonna have a warm shower then go to bed, I'm exhausted." He helped her to stand when he saw her wince.

"Parker?"

"I'm OK. Just a little sore." She saw his worried face. "I'm all right Tommy. The doctor said this might happen occasionally." She slowly walked to the stairs. "I want you next to me then maybe I'll get some sleep. I've missed you." She flashed him a warm smile and walked up the stairs.

A few minutes later he heard running water.

RING. RING.

"Hello?"

"Thomas?"

"Jarod, I was waiting for your call." He said coldly.

"How's Parker? I heard what happened."

"I don't think that's really any of your business." He growled.

"Who the Hell do you think…"

"Shut up! You're the reason she nearly died. You're the reason I nearly lost her. If you care about her at all you'll leave Parker to me. Stop ringing her at 3a.m. Stop giving her bombshells about her past. After she's spoken with you or gotten one of your 'gifts' I can't get her to sleep. The way you're going with her will be on your conscience when, not if, she dies!"

"Who the fuck do you think you are telling me anything about Parker? You've known her what? 3 weeks? Just because you sleep with her doesn't mean she belongs to you!"

"I know her better than you do! And if you don't take my threats seriously I will personally make sure she catches you!"

Jarod starts laughing. "How could you find me? She can't and she's got an army with her as well as the best technology!"

"I have connections Jarod. A few phone calls and I can hand you over on a silver platter!" Jarod stopped laughing. "What's this? Not so much fun now that you're playing on even terms, is it?"

"You wouldn't."

"Just try me. Leave Parker to me. She's not your responsibility."  Tommy growled and hung up.

"Tommy?"

"What is it Honey?" He turned to see her standing at the door in his red flannel shirt. *I wonder where she hides that?* He thought.

"Did you mean that?" She asked as she slowly walked towards him.

"Yes." He put his arms around her.

"Even about the 'connections'?"

"Yes. I know a lot of people that owe me favours."

"Good." She rested her head against his shoulder. He rested his jaw on the top of her head, holding her tightly but carefully.

"Come on. I'll take you up to bed." He carefully lifted her up and started to walk towards the stairs.

"I've had enough of his games." She murmured as he placed her on the bed and covered her over.

"I know, I'll just have a quick shower and then come to bed, OK?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Go to sleep if you want." He gently stroked her head. Her eyes fluttered close. He smiled and got the pajama pants and T-shirt that he always leaves there and walked into the bathroom.

When he came back out and got into bed next to her. She snuggled closer to him. A small, content smile gracing her lips. He wrapped his arms around her protectively. He was amazed at how she fitted in his arms. He slowly drifted off to sleep with that last thought buzzing through his mind.

# * ~ # * ~ # * ~ # * ~ # * ~ #

THE CENTRE:

SAME TIME.

Mr. Parker was sitting in his office listening to the phone conversation that he had recorded from Parker's phone. He sat back with a smile at what he heard. "He might be useful."

# * ~ # * ~ # * ~ # * ~ # * ~ #

PARKER MANOR:

10A.M.

Tommy was walking through the living room when there was a knock at the door. He walked over and opened it. Mr. Parker was standing on the step, alone. "Good morning Sir, Parker's in the shower at the moment."

"I've actually come to see you."

"Come in then. But I don't know what I can do for you. But if you're trying to rid of me again you're wasting your time." Tommy said as they walked into the living room.

"No, no nothing like that. I heard that you walked away from a job to be here with my daughter."

"Yes, would you like a seat?"

"Thank you." Mr. Parker sat down on the couch while Tommy sat in the armchair. "Do you have any other job on the horizon?"

"Well, not at the moment. It might be a while but I'll probably go back to my old boss and kiss butt. No offence."

"None taken. But that…"

"Tommy, who…Daddy."

"Hello Angel." He got up and walked over to her and hugged her carefully. "You all right now Sweetheart?"

"I'm getting better."

"Good, I don't like to see my Little Princess not well." They sat down on the couch.

"Feeling better now?" Tommy asked.

"The shower helped."

"What's wrong?" Daddy gently touched her arm.

"My ulcer's just hurting a little, no biggy." She rested her hand on his. "Why are you here Daddy? I thought you'd be at The Centre."

"Well I just came around to talk with Thomas, but now that you're here I can get on with it. I had a bug placed on your phone just in case Jarod rings and stays on long enough to get a trace and just to make sure you're all right. Anyway, Thomas spoke with Jarod last night and he said that he could track Jarod down with a few phone calls…"

"The point Daddy." She cut him off. "Your point not your life story."

"I'm offering Thomas a job with you on the hunt."

She groaned painfully and leant over. "Parker, Baby, just relax." Tommy flew over and knelt in front of her. "Just relax."

"Can't relax. Taking soul." She moaned, painfully.

"Just breathe and try to relax." He instructed as he made her sit back carefully, then gently rubbing her stomach.

"I'm sorry Angel, I should've waited till you were better." Mr Parker gently touched her face.

Parker slowly started to relax when the pain began to subside. "It's all right Daddy." She held his hand tightly. "Why do you want Tommy at The Centre?"

"The wheezing bastard Raines has his evil sight on Thomas for some reason. I just want you both where I can watch you and him."

"I won't be coming in for a week. I'll give you our answer on the day before I come back. I need to talk with Tommy."

"All right, Angel." He gently kissed her temple and stood up. He walked to the door.

"Daddy." He turned to face her. "I WILL think about it."

"I know you will, Angel." He left.

"Come here." She patted the couch. Tommy stood up and sat next to her. She moved closer and leant against him. He wrapped his arms around her tightly. "You need to understand some things before you say yes."

"All right." He rested his chin on her shoulder.

"If you say yes, you won't be able to back out. Once you're in, that's it, you stay there. That's the most important thing you understand. The only way you would leave is in a body bag." She shuddered.

"It'll be OK."

"And a difficult thing for you is you'll need to wear a suit."

"Hey, I've worn suits before."

"How long ago?" She laughed gently.

He started to kiss her neck. "I think you should know that I'm keeping count on how many times I need to get you back when you're better."

"Ah, my boy wants revenge." She purred.

"Yes, anything else?"

"If you come to work at The Centre you won't be able to restore any more houses. I know you love to do that but…"

"Shh, I'll give up anything as long as I can keep you."

"Are you trying to seduce me, Mr. Gates?" She smiled.

"Not at the moment."

"Damn." She hissed. "Now with all that taken into account what do you wanna do?"

"Come with you." She slowly sat forward so she could look at him. Her eyes were fearful. She moved so she was sitting on his lap, putting her arms around his neck.

"I won't let anyone hurt you. They'll have to go through me first." He looked deeply into her eyes. He could see she was going to get protective.

"I know." She rested her head on his shoulder.

"If I lost you I don't know what I'd do." She whispered and tightened her grip around his neck. "I love you so much it hurts."

"I love you too. Don't worry, we'll be all right." He held her tightly and rested his head on her shoulder.

TBC. . .

Whatcha think? Good? Bad? Should I steal Miss Parker's gun and shoot myself? Umm...Maybe not. You know the drill. I don't care what you hafta say just send me some feedback! Gimme, gimme, gimme feedback, I need it to survive.

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