Pairing: (W/Mr. Lyle, W/Jarod)

Disclaimer:  I, of course, own nothing.  BtVS belongs to Joss, ME, ect. I'm not sure who owns The Pretender, but it sure isn't me. *sigh*

Distribution: Just tell me if you want to take it.

Feedback: PLEASE!  Must know if this is a story I should continue. Malana@mac.com

Spoilers:  Umm...well, I don't know.  Let's see Tara isn't dead, but she and Willow are broken up. (Sorry Tara fans, I loved her with Will, but I need to sacrifice her for the sake of the x-over.)

Summary: The Centre wants Willow; will Jarod be able to save her?

 

 

BLUE COVE, DELEWARE---THE CENTRE

 

    Mr. Lyle tossed the file on the table.

 

    "She's not really my type."  He said, looking up at Mr. Raines and Mr. Parker.

 

    Raines glared at him, "I don't care if she's your type or not.  We need her.  But she has to aid us willingly. We can't make her do it if she doesn't want to.  She's too powerful for that."

 

    Mr. Parker leaned across the table and took a photo out of the file.  "You can be a charming man, Son.  Use that charm on her." He held up the picture for emphasis.  "Seduce her, date her.  And when the time is right, convince her to help us out."

 

    Mr. Lyle sighed. He knew he didn't have a choice.  And he did have to admit that the young woman was very attractive.  The job would certainly have its perks.  He picked the file back up, and stood. "Well, I guess I'm off to California.

 

 

A few hours later--Miss Parker's Office

 

    Miss Parker sat at her desk.  She was pissed. She had just gotten back from Florida on another failed attempt to get Jarod.  They had missed him by only a few minutes according to the manager of the motel that Jarod had been staying at.  He had been posing as a dentist, trying to catch a killer.  He had, of course, succeeded.  He always did. Just as Ms. Parker, Sydney and Broots always managed to fail.  But still, she was confident that they would catch the wayward Pretender eventually.

 

    Just then Broots entered the room.  He looked anxious, as usual. "Um... Miss Parker?"

   

    "What is it, Broots?"

   

     "You asked me to keep an eye on Mr. Lyle.  And I've found something interesting." Broots was always nervous when giving information to Miss Parker.  He never knew how she would react to things. Parker sat up straight, suddenly very alert. "Spill it."

 

    "He's leaving for a while, at least a few months it looks like. He's going to some place named Sunnydale, it's in California."

 

    Miss Parker raised an eyebrow.  "What is my brother up to now?"

 

 

Two Weeks Later--Sunnydale, California

 

    Willow Rosenberg let out a sigh.  She sat by herself at a small corner table at Electric Brew, a coffee shop that had just opened last month.  The place was swarming with people. Every table was full.

 

    Willow was lonely.  She wished that there were someone she could call up.  But Buffy was out on a date, Xander was spending time with Anya, and Tara...well, Tara wasn't exactly an option anymore.  She really missed Tara.  She had loved her, but she knew in her heart that the relationship simply wasn't meant to be.  She had spilt up with Tara two months ago.  It had been a mutual thing, but it had still been quite painful.  Tara still helped out the Scooby gang when they really needed it, but other than that, the group hardly ever saw her.

 

    Sipping her latte, Willow let out another sigh.

 

    "Excuse me."

 

    Willow was startled by a male voice.  A voice that sent a shiver down her spine, even though it had only spoken two words.  She looked up to see a handsome dark-haired man standing in front of her.

   

   "Can I help you?" She asked, when she finally found her voice.

 

   "I'm sorry, but all of the tables are taken, and I was wondering if I might join you."  The man smiled and Willow felt her heart melt.

 

    "Of course, please have a seat."  Willow gestured to the seat across from her.

 

    "Thank you." The man said, seating down.  "I'm Robert Lyle by the way."  He extended his hand across the table.

 

    "Nice to meet you, I'm Willow Rosenberg."

 

    They shook hands for longer than necessary.  Their eyes met and Willow smiled shyly.

 

    Lyle grinned sexily.  "So, Willow Rosenberg.  Tell me about yourself."