Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. They are owned by NBC. I do, however, own Simone. I created her.
Summary: Parker finds a replacement for her job so she can live out the rest of her life with Jarod in Jamaica.

It has been two days since Parker has seen Simone. She gets ready for work leaving Jarod in bed.

"I'll see you later." she says as she bends down to kiss Jarod's lips.

"I love you."

"I love you too." He watches her walk out.

Parker arrives at work as Simone's helicopter lands on the rooftop helipad.

"How was your flight?" Parker asks as Simone walks up to her.

"Fine."

They enter the building and go into Parker's office. Broots follows them in a moment later.

"Hello. Simone."

"Well, hello Mr. Broots. I see you haven't forgot me."

"How could I?" he asks, smiling shyly.

"Broots, can I help you with something?" Parker asks.

"Oh, no. I just came by to say hi," he replies, keeping his eyes fixed on Simone.

"Don't you have work to do?"

"No." He notices Parker looking at him. "Oh, yeah. I have to finish up that report you wanted." He turns to Simone. "See you later."

"Okay, Mr. Broots." She watches him walk out.

"Simone."

"Yeah?" She turns to face Parker.

"What can I do for you?"

"Well, I thought you could show me some of the things you have done."

"Sure." They walk out and wander around the Centre. "Here's where Jarod spends two days a week with some of the children needing special attention. I asked him to come more often but he won't. I guess I can't really blame him. I enjoy working him, but he would rather stay home with the kids."

"I can't say I blame him either." Simone looks around. "What is down there?"

"Oh, that is Raines' old playground. We sealed it off some time ago."

After a busy day, Parker takes Simone home with her. As they walk in the door Jarod has dinner sitting on the table waiting for them.

"Hi, honey."

"Hey. I missed you," she answers with a kiss.

"How was your day?"

"Good."

"Hello Simone."

"Jarod."

"Simone is going to stay with us while she is here."

Catherine comes running into the kitchen. "Mommy, you're home."

Parker bends down to hug her. "I just got here."

"Who is that?"

"This is Simone. She is going to stay with us a few days."

"Oh. She can have my room."

"That is sweet of you. Have you been good today?"

"Always," she answers and runs off.

"Get ready for dinner!" Jarod yells after her from the kitchen.

"How was your day?" Parker asks him.

"Fine." He goes out to bring in Simone's bags.

They sit down and enjoy the meal has Jarod prepared. When they finish, Jarod takes his time cleaning up so Parker can visit with Simone, then joins them for coffee in the living room.

"Parker, I have to say you have three beautiful children."

"Thank you."

Jarod sits down beside Parker and she takes his hand.

Simone says, "Have you thought about what we discussed?"

Parker looks up at Jarod and answers, "Yes, I have."

"Well, what have you decided?"

Jarod gets up. "I am going to check the kids." He leaves the women alone.

Parker pauses. She hasn't discussed it with Jarod. "I'm going to stay on."

He overhears her answer and isn't sure what she's actually talking about, but knows it isn't good.

He comes back in a few minutes later. "Catherine wants you."

"Excuse me." She gets up from the couch and Jarod walks past Simone.

"Jarod?"

He turns around.

"I'm sorry. I guess Parker hasn't talked to you about it."

"No. She hasn't."

"I'm really sorry. I could tell the way she looked at you, you didn't know."

"How could you tell what she is thinking?"

"I can read people pretty well. Parker is a little harder to read because of the wall she has built to keep people out. You are one of the lucky ones."

"Yeah. I am." He smiles and walks into the kitchen.

Parker comes back. "The kids are in bed."

"Well, I think I am going to turn in, myself," he mumbles, heading for the bedroom.

Simone says, "Yeah. me too. It has been a busy day."

"Okay, I'll see you in the morning." Parker checks the doors then joins Jarod in bed where he has his back toward her.

"When were you going to tell me?"

"Jarod, you're mad aren't you?"

"I'm not mad at you."

"Yes you are."

"No, I'm not."

"Then turn around."

Jarod doesn't move.

"Turn around."

He sighs and rolls over to face her.

"You're mad. Tell me what's bothering you."

"Nothing."

"Jarod."

He recognizes the warning tone in her voice.

"Okay, what is this job you and Simone have worked out?"

"She wants me to stay on as Head Chairman."

"And you are." It's a statement, not a question.

"Yes. I have been thinking about it for a while."

"When were you going to tell me? After we got back to Jamaica and you had to fly back for a meeting."

"No."

"Then when?"

"I don't know. I didn't know how to tell you."

"Why couldn't you just come out and tell me?"

"I don't want to fight. I'm sorry. If you don't want me to I won't stay on."

"I don't care if you stay on. It's just you didn't talk to me about it. I thought we discussed everything."

"We do."

He cupped her face in his hand. "I love you. I don't want to fight. I'm not mad at you."

"Well, I don't believe you."

He moves closer and leans in to kiss her. "Let me prove to you that I'm not mad at you."

"You'd better," she answers as he holds her tight in his arms.

**********

At work the next morning, Simone says, "Parker, I am really impressed with what you have done here and I'll take the job."

Parker was is excited. "Thank you. When do you want to start?"

"I need to finish up things in Arizona. Say two weeks. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes! That will give me time to finish things here and pack. Simone, you can stay in my house as long as you want, that way you don't have to be in any hurry about finding your own right away."

"Thanks. I really appreciate it."

"I know you leave today but what do you say about calling a meeting so you can meet everyone?"

"Perfect."

Parker calls a meeting and everyone is there but her brother.

"Where is Lyle?"

"I don't know. I'll go see." Broots leaves. It isn't long until Broots returns with Lyle.

"What kind of stupid meeting have you called this time?"

"Well, Lyle, if you read your memo you might know."

He sees Simone and saunters over to her. "Well, what do we have here?" He reaches for her hand and Parker clears her throat. Lyle glances up toward her then quickly finds his seat.

"Now, in case some of you haven't heard. I am leaving."

Lyle looks up at the ceiling. "Yes!" he says to himself.

Parker over hearing his little remark adds, "I know some of you will be happy about this. I would like to introduce you to your new boss, Simone."

"What?!" Lyle yells. "I don't think so."

"Lyle, the last time I checked I was boss around here. Not you!"

"Yeah, but if you are leaving then that makes me boss."

"No, it doesn't. I'm still boss. Simone is just taking over for me."

"What? You're the boss, but you 're leaving?"

"I'm not stepping down from Head Chairman. Simone is just going to be the one in charge."

"This is ridiculous. I'm not staying for the rest of this meeting." He storms out.

Parker finishes up the meeting and Simone leaves. Later in the afternoon, Lyle runs into Parker in the hall.

"I'm not going to let you do this."

"Lyle, you are not going to do anything. There is nothing to do. I make the final decisions. Besides, you are just mad at me for what Jarod and I did to you."

"Well, what did you expect?"

"Lyle, I won't put up with this anymore. Daddy and Raines are gone. I want the Centre to be the way is should be not what they made it. And I won't let you change it back. I have worked hard to get it the way I want it." He watches her as she speaks. He wanted so bad to get even with her for what she had done to him.

He turns to walk away. "You want get away with this." He walks off, leaving her standing there.

*********

Two weeks later, Simone returns and Parker meets her at the Centre. "Are you ready to leave?" she asks.

"Yeah, all packed."

Sam comes up to Parker in the hall way. "Parker."

"Yes?" she says as she turns to face him.

"I can't believe you're leaving."

"I have to."

"I know. You and Jarod will be happier there."

"Sam, promise me you will come to visit."

"I will." He turns to walk away, then, quickly turns backs. "Don't worry about things here. I will watch over Simone. I won't let Lyle try anything."

"Thanks, Sam." She watches him turn and walk away, knowing it was the last she would see him in this hallway.

She walks into her office and takes a look around. There's a knock on the door. "Are you ready to leave? We have a plane to catch."

She turns around to Broots.

"You know, I don't think I am going to miss this place."

"I know I'm not." They walk out for the last time.

Parker drives home to pick up her family. She yells as she walks in but nobody answers. She goes into Catherine's empty room and paces the floor, looking around. She can feel her mother's presence. Jarod comes in, places a hand on her shoulder.

"We are ready when you are."

She turns to face him. "Let's go."

Jarod drives them to the airport. They meet Debbie, Broots, and Angelo at the gate. Jarod goes to check them in and goes back with some news.

"Honey."

"Yeah."

"There's a small problem."

"What kind of problem?"

"The flight is over booked. Two of us has to catch the next flight."

Broots over hearing the news says, "I'll wait."

Jarod glances at his wife. "I'll wait with Broots."

Parker grabs his arm. "Jarod, I don't like this."

"Everything is going to be okay. I'll wait with Broots and we will join you soon. Besides, I am free from the Centre. Thanks to you." He kisses her cheek.

"I still don't like this."

"Don't worry. I will be there shortly after you. You will have Angelo to help with the kids."

She gives him a look he remembers so well. "Yeah. Angelo. He is like a fourth child."

He puts his arm around her. "Everything is going to be okay." He hugs her tight.

"Look mommy. Our plane." Catherine points out the window.

Jarod gives his children a hug. "Watch after mommy. I will join you soon."

He takes Parker into his arms again. "I will be fine. I love you." He gives her a kiss.

"I love you too," she whispers in his ear.

Broots and Jarod watch the plane take off down the run way. "Now what?" Broots asks.

Jarod sees a bar across from the gate. "What do you say?"

"Okay." They walk over and sit down. After a while Jarod says, "I'll be back."

Broots sees Jarod going into the restroom. He kicks back and waits for him.

Jarod zips up his jeans. He washes his hands and turns to walk out when three men dressed in black walk in.

"Excuse me," Jarod says, walking by them.

One man stops him. "Where do you think you are going?"

"Out."

"I don't think so," another man answers.

Jarod goes for the door again when one man hits him.

"What did you do that for?"

"Our boss wants to talk to you."

"Well, I know don't know who you are and I don't have time to talk to your boss. I have a plane to catch. So, if you will excuse me I was just leaving."

The man hits him again. "You are going with us."

Jarod wipes the blood from his mouth. "Now move it." They shove him out the door. Broots glances up to see Jarod leaving with three men.

"I know them." he says to himself. He saw them coming out of Lyle's office a few days ago. Broots follows them out, arriving in time to see them get in a car and drive off.

Broots flags down a taxi. "Follow that car."

"I have been waiting for someone to say that," the taxi driver answers.

They follow them to an old building outside of town. Jarod gets out and the men follow him in.

Broots pays the fare and sneaks up to where he can see.

The men push Jarod into a chair as Lyle comes out of the shadows.

"Jarod...Jarod...Jarod."

"Lyle. I should have known."

"You shouldn't have helped my sister with that phony information."

"It wasn't phony."

"I believe it was."

"Whatever Lyle. I have a plane to catch can we hurry this up."

"Oh, we will hurry this up but you are not getting on a plane."

"Yes, I am."

"I don't think so." He hits Jarod across the face. Jarod tries to stand when one man holds him down.

"I should have known you can only fight when the other person is helpless."

Lyle steams. "Get up!"

Jarod gets up and Lyle rears back his fist. Jarod blocks it but Lyle managed to get another hit in across his face.

Broots gets out his phone and begins to dial.

Lyle goes for Jarod again knocking him down. Jarod hits his head on the concrete floor and staggers up before Lyle punches him again.

Broots moves closer when he knocks something over. Lyle points at two men to check it out.

While they are gone, Jarod and Lyle continue fighting. Lyle knocks Jarod to the ground. Jarod grabs his foot and he falls down next to Jarod then Lyle jumps him. The two men bring Broots in. Broots goes to help Jarod when one man hits him. Another man hold him back as Lyle and Jarod throw punches. Lyle gets up and starts to kick Jarod in the abdominal region. Jarod, holding his head, looks up at Lyle. He can't see straight due to the blow to the head, began swinging his arms toward Lyle's direction. They hear a car pull up and everybody scatters.

Sam and Simone come running in. "What happen?" she asks.

Broots standing over Jarod says, "Call 911."

Sam answers, "Already done."

An ambulance pulls up and carries Jarod off.

"Someone needs to call Parker." Simone says as they watch the ambulance fade down the highway.

"I'll do it." Sam answers.

Meanwhile, Parker and kids have made it to Jamaica. She stands in her home tapping her foot against the floor. She paces back and forth. "Where are they? Jarod should have called by now for me to pick him up," she says to herself.

Catherine watches her mother. "Mommy, daddy will be here soon."

Parker realizing how obvious it looks, tries to be positive. "I'm sure your right. The flight was probably late." She sits down on the couch and watches her daughter play with her siblings.

Five minutes later, the phone rings. "Jarod!"

"No, Parker it's Sam."

"Sam, what's wrong?"

"Who says something could be wrong?"

"Sam, I know you would be calling me if something wasn't."

"Well, actually...it's Jarod."

"I knew it. What?"

"He was in an accident. Broots is with him at the hospital."

"What kind of accident?"

"Just an accident." Sam didn't want to worry her more.

"How is he?"

"I don't know yet."

"I'm on the next flight."

"Simone has the Centre jet already on it's way."

"How long?"

"It should be there within the next hour."

"See you soon." She disconnects the call and bends down to Catherine. "Honey, I have to go back."

"Why?"

"Your father has been in an accident. I have to go back. You will be okay here with Debbie and Angelo."

"What about my dad?" Debbie asks.

"He's fine. He's with Jarod."

"Is daddy going to be okay?" Catherine asks.

"Yeah. He is going to be fine." Parker answers not knowing what to expect when she returns. "Promise me you will be good. Uncle Broots will be here soon."

Parker gives her children a kiss and gathers her bag as she heads. It wasn't long until the jet arrived.

**********

Sam meets her at the airport with a car waiting.

"How is he?"

Sam looks away.

"Sam, give it to me."

"Parker, it doesn't look good."

Parker stares out the window of the car as they drive to the hospital. Tears were already falling down her face and she hadn't even seen him yet. They pull up and Sam takes her to the waiting area. She sees Simone sitting in a chair. Broots is pacing the floor.

"Broots!"

"Oh, Parker. I'm sorry."

"Broots, how is he?"

"I don't know. They won't tell me anything."

"Where is he?"

"In there." He points toward a room.

She goes to the door. "You can't go in."

"Like hell I can't, that's my husband." She opens the door and sees Jarod laying in the bed with tubes running everywhere. Her hands go to her mouth as she begins to vomit. Simone hands her a trash can just in time.

The doctor standing by his bed says, "You must be his wife." Parker shakes her head yes.

"Mrs. Russell, when you have calmed down I need to talk to you."

Simone takes her out in the hall. They hurry to a restroom where Parker vomits again. She washes her face and pulls herself together then Simone walks her back to Jarod's room. Parker walks in and sits down beside the bed and gently takes his hand.

The doctors says, "He has suffered from an enlarged spleen which we had to remove. He has lost a lot of blood. He has a few broken ribs along with cuts and bruises."

"He is going to be okay," she comments softly without removing her eyes from him.

"The next 24 hours is going to be critical considering what he has been through it is going to hard to tell. He has a serious blow to his head which explains his unconciousness. I will let you have some time alone." The doctor walks out.

Parker stares at Jarod. "Listen to me, you are not going to die on me. Do you understand?"

She squeezes his hand tight. She sits in there for a while when the heart monitor beeps. The doctor and two nurse come running in.

"You need to wait outside."

"No."

The doctor points at a nurse who helps Parker outside. She stands out in the hall as the door shuts in front of her.

Broots walks up. "I'm sure he is going to be okay."

"Who did this?"

Broots doesn't say a word.

"Lyle." She turns to Broots. "Stay here, if anything changes call me."

"Where are you going?" he shouts as she takes off down the hall.

Sam sees her leave and follows. "Parker, wait."

"Don't try to stop me."

"I'm not. You don't need to drive like this. Let me drive you."

They get in the car. When they reach the Centre, Parker storms into Lyle's office like a tornado.

"Parker, I thought you would be gone by now."

Parker picks Lyle up by the shirt collar. "Why did you do it?"

"Do what? I don't know what you are talking about."

"If he dies, you do too. Or maybe I should just kill you now and not worry about it later."

"Parker, I don't know what you are talking about."

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not."

"Then where did you get the black eye?"

"Oh that. I ran into a door."

"Yeah, right." Parker pulls out her gun, cocks it and points it at Lyle's head.

"Parker, please, I don't know what you are talking about."

"Lyle, I'm not going to ask you again. Why did you do it?" The gun moves closer to his head.

"Okay, Okay. I thought I would get even with you for what you did to me."

"Why Jarod? You could have just taken me."

"You'll suffer longer if Jarod dies."

"So you wanted to get even with me by letting our children be without a father."

Lyle doesn't speak. "Answer me!"

"Yeah, I guess."

"You know I should just kill you right here."

"Parker, please. I swear I didn't mean to."

"Why don't I believe you?"

"Parker, you have to."

"I don't believe you Lyle. I won't ever believe you." She pulls back on the trigger.

Lyle is beginning to sweat. "Parker, I swear. I didn't mean it to go that far."

Parker lets go of her gun and whispers, "You not worth the bullet." She turns around to walk out when she hears a gun cock. She spins around to see Lyle pointing a gun at her. She fires and he falls to the floor. She walks over to him and kicks the gun out of hand. "Get up!" she yells.

Lyle looks up at her. She bends down and pulls him up, then pushes him out the door. Sam drives them back to the hospital.

While they are on there way back, Jarod has flashbacks. He sees his wife standing before him in a cream color dress. Then he sees his daughter's birth. Then calls out, "Melissa." as he sees Lyle pointing a gun toward her. The doctor wipes his forehead with a wet cloth.

"Run, Melissa," he mumbles, before falling in a deep sleep.

"Wait here with Lyle. I don't want him lose again." she tells Sam. She walks down the hall to Jarod's room. Broots sees her coming. She has blood on her shirt.

"Parker, are you okay?"

"It's Lyle's," she says as she goes to the door and opens it.

"Lyle's." Broots whispers. "Is he...?"

"He's alive. It was just a flesh wound." She sits down at Jarod's bedside, takes his hand again. "Jarod, I know you can hear me. I love you. Please come back to me."

Broots stands there and sees her at Jarod's side. He walks up behind her and places his hand on her shoulder. "Parker, are you sure you are going to be okay?"

"Yes. Broots."

"If you want to talk I will be outside."

"Thanks."

He turns around and walks out.

Parker sits there all night, not leaving his side. She bows her head to say a prayer. She hasn't talked to God since her mother died, but something was telling her it was time to talk to Him again. Then she falls asleep. She wakes to a touch on her face. She raises up to see Jarod reaching for her.

"Jarod!"

"Melissa."

"I'm so glad you are okay."

"I couldn't leave you."

"Damn straight."

"Besides you wouldn't let me."

"I knew you were listening."

"To every word." He sees the blood on her blouse. "What happen?"

"It's Lyle's."

"Lyle's. What did you do?"

"I went to get answers."

"Did you find them?"

"Yeah."

"You didn't..."

"No, he's alive."

"Then..."

"He went for his gun. It was either him or me and I was going to let you lose me." She gives him a kiss on the lips. "I missed you. I love you so much. I don't know what I would have done if you..."

"Shh..." he replies putting his fingers over her lips. "I love you too."

The doctor and a nurse came in. They looked Jarod over while Parker waited outside.

********

Jarod's condition begins to stabilize. Broots returns to Jamaica to take care of the kids until Parker and Jarod can make it. Lyle managed to escape again from the ER while Parker was busy with Jarod.

"Parker, I know he is here somewhere." Sam tells her.

"Well, it really doesn't matter right now. All I care about is getting Jarod home safely." she anwsers him before hanging up the phone.

"What is it?" Jarod asks.

"Lyle. He got away."

"I don't care about him as long as I can hold you in my arms and we return home safely. I have I told you how much I love you." Jarod glances over to his wife.

She took his hand. "Yes, you have but I would like to hear it again."

"I love you."

"I love you too." She kisses his lips.

The jet lands in Jamaica and Broots picks them up and they drive home. Jarod holds his family in his arms when he gets home. He missed them so much. After the day they had, they all decide to turn in early.

Parker enters the bedroom after tucking the kids in.

"Come over here and let me hold you."

Parker sits down on the bed. "Jarod, I want you to get plenty of rest."

"I will." He holds her tight then, lets out a laugh.

"What?"

"I remember saying that same thing to you when you had Sydney."

"Well, the only difference is you will do what I say, not what I did."

"Well, I will if you tell me how you plan on keeping me in bed."

She kissed his lips. "I can do that." Her hands run down his chest.

"You will have to do more than that, I'm afraid."

"I'm not finished." She gazes into his eyes. He knew what was coming next. They hold each other tight for the rest of the night, thankful he was okay.

The End!

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