Miss Parker stepped out of the door of the private jet, and stood at the top of the set of stairs that led to the ground.  She looked over the top of her sunglasses, surveying the area around her.  Sunnydale, California.  The Hellmouth.  She sighed.  The place sure looked like Hell to her.  She'd much rather be back in Delaware.  But she had a job to do.

 

     That morning Broots had come bursting into her office, looking both excited and nervous.  He had located Jarod.  Apparently the Centre's wayward Pretender had found out about Mr. Lyle's recent activities there. Within an hour of Broots' announcement he, Miss Parker, and Sydney were on a flight to the other side of the country.

 

     Miss Parker wondered if her brother was aware that Jarod was in town. If he was, there would be some pissed of people at the Centre.  He should have reported it as soon as he found out.  She wasn't sure if Lyle was interested in making the capture himself, or if he didn't know yet. Either way, it didn't speak to highly of his intelligence.  He wasn't normally this stupid, things with this Rosenberg girl must have been keeping him busy.

 

     For all of their research, they still hadn't been able to find out the exact reason the Centre wanted the witch.  Despite all of the pressure Miss Parker was putting on Broots, he hadn't been able to find anything. All they knew was that it was something about a spell, and that it probably wouldn't stop there. The Centre would love to get their hands on a Witch, to be able to experiment on one.

 

     Miss Parker had no illusions about her work.  In the years since Jarod had escaped she had learned more about the Centre than she ever wanted to know. There were some things she just wasn't just going to sit back and let happen.  The exploitation, and possible kidnapping of an innocent young woman was one of those things.  After all, it was the type of thing her mother would have tried to stop.

 

     Besides, not only did this Sunnydale trip mean a chance to do her mother's memory proud, but it offered a chance to capture Jarod.  If she could bring Jarod back to the Centre, she could get out.  She could finally leave the Centre peacefully.  And if anytime during this trip she got the opportunity to screw over her brother, well, that would just be an added bonus.

 

    Parker walked down the stairs to join Broots and Sydney on the ground.

 

    "I suppose we should start by checking out the area hotels, see if we can locate Jarod," Sydney suggested as they headed for their rental car.

 

    "Then I want to track down my bastard of a brother."  Miss Parker ran a hand through her hair. "I think it's time we had a family chat."

 

 

 *Meanwhile*

 

    Lyle sat in the coffee shop, tapping his fingers impatiently on the table. He watched the door, a frown on his face. Finally the door opened, and Willow stepped inside.  He smiled and stood up.

 

    "Willow!"

 

    "Robert!"  Willow forced a smile on her face as she walked over to greet her 'boyfriend."  She couldn't believe she was about to do this.  She hoped she could be convincing.  She wasn’t the greatest liar under the best on circumstances. She didn't know if she could really hide the utter hatred she felt for the man standing before her.  Steeling herself, she reached out and pulled Lyle toward her. Wrapping her arms around his neck she planted a kiss on his lips.

 

    "I'm so glad to see you," Willow began as they sat down at the table. "I was so worried."

 

    Lyle feigned concern. "What's wrong, sweetheart."

 

    Willow shook her head. "It was terrible. Jarod.  Jarod came to talk to me."

 

 

TBC