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: Feedback is always appreciated.

Spoilers: None really.  Now and forever: No Spuffy!

Summary: The Centre wants Willow.  Will Jarod be able to save her?

Rating: PG-13

Note: Two more parts to write, and then I am free! Will try very to get it up sometime this week. But no promises.  I have two tests in the next 3 days.

 

    "You're ready for this?"  Jarod asked.  Willow leaned against the side of a building, a few blocks away from the Magic Box.

 

    Willow nodded. "I'm ready as I'll ever be.  You?"

 

    "I'm ready."  He sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. From this point, everything depended of Lyle being predictable.  He knew that things could turn badly very quickly.  If things went wrong, the plan would be shot.   If they went really wrongly, he might die.  But he was pretty sure that wouldn't happen.

 

      "Okay, I'll see you soon."  Jarod bent down and placed a kiss on Willow's lips.  With that, he walked around the corner and down the street.

 

    A call had been placed to Lyle earlier that evening.  He had agreed to meet Jarod outside of the shop at 9:00.  It was almost that time now.  Jarod could see a figure down the road.  He assumed that it was Lyle. The streets were otherwise empty.

 

    "Hello, Jarod."  Lyle grinned confidently at the approaching Pretender. "Nice to see you again."

 

    "Lyle," Jarod gave a quick nod of his head.

 

    "So.  What did I do to deserve the honor of this meeting?"

 

    "I want to make a deal," Jarod explained.

 

    Lyle raised an eyebrow. "A deal, huh?  What exactly did you have in mind?"

 

    "You leave Willow Rosenberg alone, and I come with you willingly."

 

    Lyle smiled.  "You're not serious."

 

    Jarod crossed her arms over his chest. "I'm perfectly serious.  Leave her alone.  Leave Sunnydale now.  And I'll come with you.  No strings attached.  I'm yours.  I'll go peacefully back to the Centre, and you get all the credit."

 

    "Oh, I think I'm going to get part of the credit."

 

    Jarod and Lyle both turned to see Miss Parker stepping out of the shadows.

 

    "Do you really think I wasn't keeping tabs on you, Lyle?  After all, your family; I like to keep you close."

 

    Jarod cursed softly under his breath.  He didn't like surprises. They might still be able to pull off their plan, but it just got a little bit more difficult.  Jarod hoped that Willow was the type to be able to handle surprises.

 

    Lyle plastered on a fake smile. "Hello, Sis. How nice to see you again.  But Jarod's making the deal with me.  I don't' care to share credit on this one."

 

    "I don't care how you two deal with it." Jarod interrupted. "I just want assurance that Willow will be safe.  Once I have that, I'll go with you willingly."

 

    Lyle reached into his suit jacket.  "Oh, I think you'll come with us now,"  he pulled out a gun, and leveled it at Jarod.

 

    "Robert!"  Willow's voice traveled down the street.  Lyle and Miss Parker both looked up in surprise, giving Jarod time to make his move.  He grabbed Lyle's arm, fighting for the gun.  Miss Parker stood back, not sure who she favored in the fight.

 

    "Robert, no!" 

 

    Willow was a few yards in front of them now. She could clearly see what was happening.  She watched in horror as Jarod seemed to gain the upper hand.  Energy crackled at her fingertips.  Her eyes and hair faded from their usual bright color into a dark black.  She muttered a few words, and held out her hand.  And energy bolt shot from it, connecting with Jarod's chest.  The Pretender collapsed to the ground without a word.

 

    Lyle ran to Willow while Miss Parker rushed to Jarod's fallen body.  Willow was on her knees.  She looked blankly up at Robert, ashen faced.  Slowly her hair started to return to it's normal color.  Lyle put his hands on her shoulders.

 

    "What did you do?  What happened?"

 

    Willow looked at him, not knowing what to say.  "I...I was just coming to the Magic Box to pick up some things.  I heard you talking, and then I saw the gun get pulled. Oh, god.  Robert, I thought he was going to kill you!"  Willow threw herself into his arms, sobbing.

 

    Lyle slowly stroked her hair.  Apparently his plan to get her to fall in love with him had worked even better than he'd thought.  He had driven her to violence, something he knew was not natural for her. 

    "Lyle, we have a problem," Miss Parker called out.

 

    He turned and looked behind him.  He saw his sister crouched over Jarod's body, an unreadable expression on her face.

 

    "What's wrong?"  he asked.

 

    "He's dead," Miss Parker replied.  "Jarod is dead."

 

 

TBC