TITLE: Don’t Wake Me Up
AUTHOR: Raquel
SPOILERS: none
KEYWORDS: J/MP Romance
SUMMARY: Jarod wakes up in a dream. ( I know that’s a contradiction, but hey!)
DISCLAIMER: "You know the drill.....none of the Characters in this story belong to me. Please, please, don’t sue. Thank you. E-Mail comments to: Kool_fish@hotmail.com

"Don’t wake me up"

Jarod woke to the uneasy feeling of being misplaced. He tried to open his eyes but the bright sunshine that pierced the window caused him to squint. Nothing was familiar about where he was or the surroundings. The pillow that he was hugging smelled of sweet perfume. "What is going on here? Where am I", he thought. As his eyes got accustomed to the light, he surveyed the room. It had a feeling of ...home...not like that at the Centre, but the kind that he had seen in old family TV shows. The curtains were floor-length and it had a pattern that matched the sheets on the bed. The walls were white and the furniture looked like it’s been around for years, but well taken care of. He noticed suitcases on the corner by the bed and something on a chair that made him do a double take. Somehow his eyes won’t focus no matter how much he tried to widen them...That can’t be what I think it is...there were women’s clothes and undergarments carefully hanging on it. "That hit I got on the head must have been worse that I thought!.. ..I’m dreaming. That’s got to be it. I’m dreaming!.. ..I sure would like to know what I’m dreaming about."

He swung his legs over the bed and planted his feet on the floor. "Well, my legs still work."

He walked over to the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. "I still look like me and I’ve got a big gash on my head." He looked around and saw his shaving bag and a woman’s makeup case. He closed his eyes and shook his head, trying to recollect the events of the night before and could not remember a thing except that he got hit on the head by a man who is now just a blur.

Jarod took a deep breath and decided to go with it...dream and all.

He walked back out to the room and opened his clothes bag and took out a short-sleeved button up shirt and a pair of shorts. He didn’t bother to button his shirt.

He walked over to the chair with the women’s clothing and fought with himself whether to touch them or not. He decided not to, just in case it might take him back to reality if he did.

He slowly opened the door and was taken back by the smell of something baking, causing his mouth to water and his body to jolt. Recovering from the initial shock, he proceeded down the stairs very quietly. He could hear some childish babble from the television and some banging and clanging from another room. There was no sense of any kind of danger or uncertainty, just curiosity.

Just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, he saw a little boy, about 3 years old, sitting in front of the TV. The little boy looked up and saw him. Jarod froze hoping that the little boy would not be frightened.

"Hi Uncle Jarod!" the boy greeted.

"Uncle Jarod?" he asked himself.

Jarod sat down on the floor next to the boy and watched with him, wondering how he’s going to ask the boy’s name and where he is without sounding foolish. Jarod decided to wait until the show was over before he asked the boy questions.

But he didn’t have to wait, the boy looked at him with his eyes narrowed and his nose scrunched.

"How did you get that owie?" the boy asked.

"I got hit with a very sharp object. You know, this owie made me forget some things. So what’s my name again?" Jarod tried to sound playful.

"You’re Uncle Jarod."

"And what’s your name?"

"Timmy."

"Timmy what?"

"Timothy Jason Broots."

The mention of the last name made Jarod gasp.

"Do you have a sister?"

"Debbie"

"What’s your dad’s name?"

"John, and my mommy’s name is Emily"

"Whose house is this?"

"Grama and Grampa’s"

"Why are we here?"

"We’re visiting. We got here first. We beat you and Aunt Michele. You ask a lot of questions. Are we done yet?"

"Yeah, sure." And the little boy scurried away to another room leaving Jarod more confused than ever. "Who is Aunt Michele?" he questioned.

And then the front door flew open and a woman carrying a load of groceries burst in through the door. Jarod stood up from the floor and was speechless. He didn’t recognize the woman but he had a sense of familiarity with her.

"Hey big bro. Good to see you among the living." Before Jarod could utter a word, she was gone into the other room. "Emily." Jarod whispered. Now his heart raced and his mind was unfocused. Before he knew it, Emily was back in the room with him and stood in front of him inspecting the gash on his head. All Jarod could do was take her in his arms and bury his face in her hair. The joy he felt was overwhelming. "Are you okay, bro? I know you’re glad to see me, but you’re acting like you haven’t seen me in years." If she only knew. "How’s the head? Your wound looks like it’s healing quite nicely."

"I’m f-f-fine."

"Are you sure you’re alright? You’re acting a little strange."

"I’m sure."

"Well, then, why don’t you go help your wife carry in some groceries?" And with that, Emily was gone into the other room again.

"My wife? This is getting too much." Then it hit him. "Michele!", he muttered silently. "This can’t be happening. Could it be? No. Yes? Parker?" Then Jarod nervously went outside to meet his 'wife.'

As he looked over to the car, he saw her. She was reaching for something in the back seat so Jarod was only able to see her legs. 'It is Parker, I know those legs from anywhere.' Jarod grinned. He then carefully approached her and frantically searched for words to say to her. "H-Hi" was all that came out of his mouth.

Parker looked over to him and smiled.

"Hi, handsome. Good to see you up and moving." Parker stood in front of him, stroked his face, and gave him a light kiss on the lips. Jarod felt weak. Shivers were doing laps from his fingers to his toes, his heart was skipping beats and his breathing was labored..if he was breathing at all.

Before he could respond, Parker placed several bags of groceries in his arms and was leading him into the house.

"Just put those on the table, dear," Jarod heard an elderly woman say. "We need to get going." Jarod tried to act calmly and controlled so not to give away his disorientation, but his insides were screaming with excitement, joy, nerves, anxiety, and love for the people that were gathered around in the room. 'Mom, Dad', he recognized silently. He looked at each one as they busily scampered around the room. Jarod watched as Broots talked with Sydney while holding Emily’s hand. He watched his mother take pies from the oven and hand them to his father. He watched Debbie put shoes on little Timmy. Angelo was also there trying to get a finger on the pies and receiving a gentle slap on the hand and a smile from 'Mom'. And he watched Miss Parker put away the groceries. Jarod was speechless and immobile. All he wanted to do was gather all of them in his arms and hold on to them forever. He didn’t even care why he was here and why they were all together. He was just overwhelmed that they were together...as a big family and he felt loved.

"Son," he heard his father say.

"Yeah, Dad?" Jarod responded timidly. Dad, a word he has wanted to say all his life. It felt good to say it.

"Will you help me take these to the car?"

"Sure." He didn’t want to leave the room but felt he’d better.

"You alright, son? You look like a lost little boy. Are you up to going with us?"

"Where are we going, anyway? I’m sure I’ve been told, but my head’s kind of fuzzy right now. But I feel fine."

"To the County Fair. Your mother is entering her famous pies at the contest. Mmmmm, she makes the best pies. And your sister is entering one of her beautiful quilts. If you’d rather stay home and rest, we’d understand. You’ve had a rough couple of days."

"I wouldn’t miss this for the world." Jarod so desperately wanted to know what happened to him, but decided to let it go for now. Maybe he’ll remember on his own.

As they entered the house again, Miss Parker took him by the arm and started buttoning up his shirt telling him something about other women lusting. Jarod didn’t really hear all she was saying. He was too mesmerized by how beautiful she was and too preoccupied by the fact that he was married to her.

"Jarod!"

"Wh-What did you say?"

"I said, You’d better tuck in your shirt. Or do you want me to have the pleasure?" she whispered, her seductive smile causing his face to feel hot and flushed.

"I think I can handle it. Thank you." Jarod went around the corner so he’s not seen by anyone. 'I think I can handle it, thank you? What kind of response was that?' Jarod scolded himself. 'I’m gonna go for it, I’m gonna take the initiative. Besides, she’s my wife, isn’t she? I can kiss her if I want to. She’s not going to think it’s bad or wrong or dumb, is she? I hope not.'

"Hurry up, Jarod! We’re the last ones out!" Miss Parker peered around the corner.

"Come here a second, Mi...Michelle," Jarod almost called her Miss Parker.

"You need help with something?" Miss Parker smiling an amused smile.

"No, I just needed to do this." With that, Jarod pulled her to him and gave her a very deep kiss, causing her to moan in his mouth.

"Wow, what was that for?"

"I just felt like doing it. Was that okay?" Jarod said nervously, hoping not to get a negative reaction from her. Miss Parker put her arms around his neck and smiled bewilderedly and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"It’s more than okay. I just hope you saved some for later." Miss Parker cooed, raising an eyebrow at him. "Now let’s get going before your dad comes back in and yells at us." Jarod smiled at her and took her hand and led her out the door.

The family enjoyed a day at the Fair. But no one enjoyed it more that Jarod. The whole day, he held on to Miss Parker’s hand, occasionally wrapping his arm around her waist and stealing kisses. He talked to Sydney and Broots like they’ve known each other forever. No one mentioned the Centre. Jarod felt so free. He didn’t want to wake up.

THAT EVENING
BACK AT THE HOUSE

The women sat in the living room with their feet up on the coffee table while all the men ate the blue ribbon pies in the kitchen, laughing and joking with each other. Then a dreadful thought popped into Jarod’s head and he excused himself from the men’s company. He headed quickly out through the living room, out of the house, and sat on the first step of the front porch. The women questioningly looked at each other when Jarod passed through without even looking at them.

He sat there on the step staring out into the night. He heard the door open and in moments he was embraced with loving arms from behind. Miss Parker knelt behind him and just held him. "What’s wrong, Jarod?"

"I’m afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

"I’m afraid to wake up. This is all a dream-- you, my family, all the love, it’s just a dream. I’ll wake up tomorrow and live in a constant nightmare again."

"Jarod, what are you talking about?" Miss Parker got up from behind Jarod and sat next to him, not taking her hand from his shoulders. She took his face with other hand and made him look at her. She saw so much pain and sadness that it worried her. She felt his pain, she felt his sadness and her eyes began to sting with tears.

"I love you, Jarod. Nothing can and will ever change that. We’ve been through so much. The past three years we’ve been married have been the happiest years of my life."

"And that’s the problem, Parker! I don’t remember! I don’t remember who I am. I don’t remember anything about how we got together. I don’t remember being with you for the past three years! I-just-can’t remember."

Miss Parker felt a surge of sadness at the mention of her former name. "You promised you’d never call me that again."

Jarod buried his face in his hands. "I’m sorry."

Miss Parker lifted his face up again and kissed him softly on the lips. "It’s okay."

Jarod stood and leaned back on the post that supported the porch. Miss Parker stood in front of him and took his hands in hers.

Jarod looked into her beautiful but troubled eyes.

"This morning I woke up to this wonderful dream. I have never felt so much love in my whole life. I love you so much. I have loved you for so long. But here, you love me in return. Now I’m afraid, I’m afraid I’m going to wake up tomorrow and be back to that hell where you hunt me down like an animal. I don’t want to go back there, Michele, I don’t want to go back there."

"Listen to me, Jarod. YOU belong with ME. It doesn’t matter if it’s in this reality or in that other one. If I’m there and you’re there, we belong together. Do you hear me? No matter where I am, I need you and I’m going to love you. We are made to be together. If you find yourself it that nightmare again, make it happen, Jarod. Make me realize that I love you...just like you did years ago when you rescued me from my hell."

Jarod wrapped his arms around Miss Parker’s shoulders and held her tightly. Miss Parker buried her face in his chest and securely wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I love you so much."

"And I love you will all my heart, Jarod."

They stood there holding and comforting each other for a long time. No words were needed to be said. They kissed, softly and tenderly at first, then their passion and hunger for each other overtook them. Breathing hard, Miss Parker broke the kiss. "We better take this to our room."

"Are you sure about this?"

Miss Parker looked at him and was amused by his reaction. She couldn’t hold in a chuckle.

"What’s so funny?"

"You have that same look on your face the night we first made love. I don’t know whether to worry or look forward to the rest of the evening."

"What do you mean?"

"That night was one of the most wonderful love-making I have ever experienced. You were nervous, so I got to be in control. Then all of a sudden, you turned expert on me and taught me a few things. It was quite terrific."

"Oh."

They went back into the house smiling at the last bit of conversation they had and headed upstairs to their room saying a quick goodnight to everyone.

After a while, Miss Parker fell asleep in Jarod’s arms. But Jarod refused to close his eyes, refused to give in to his fatigue because of the fear of returning to his other 'reality.' But his tiredness gnawed at him and he held on to Miss Parker tighter. He reasoned that if he held her, hung on to her, she could keep him from going back. He closed his eyes and hoped it would work.

THE NEXT MORNING

Jarod jolted up from his sleep fearing the worst. He looked around the dark room and saw no sign of life, no sign of love, no sign of hope.

"Nooooooooo!!!....Micheeeeele!!...Nooooooo!!" Jarod rolled himself into a ball on the bed and sobbed uncontrollably. There’s no one to comfort him, no one love him. He was alone again.

BLUE COVE
MISS PARKER’S HOUSE
THAT SAME MORNING

Miss Parker sat on the bed hugging her knees, tears falling endlessly from her eyes.

"Oh, Jarod, where are you? I need you. I shouldn’t have fallen asleep. I knew I’d wake up in this hell again. Why did I have to fall asleep?" Her cries of pain and anguish went on unheard and uncomforted.

After hours have passed, she finally got control of her emotions and started to get ready for work. "It was just a dream, Parker, just a stupid dream," she tried to convince herself.

Then a smile appeared on her face as she envisioned her dream. What a wonderful dream it was. She could still feel the warmth, the love, the passion. It seemed so real.

She shook her head to clear it. "What am I thinking? It could never be. I work for the Centre. I need to bring Jarod in so I can be free."

THE CENTRE
MISS PARKER’S OFFICE

Miss Parker sat at her desk. Her mind kept drifting back to that dream and how she can’t shake him off her thoughts. She looked down on the paper she’s been absentmindedly scribbling on and saw that she had outlined the letter J over and over again.

Sydney and Broots came into her office and she didn’t notice.

"M-Miss Parker?" Broots nervously asked. Miss Parker looked up at him dream-like, which made Broots even more nervous, and said nothing. "Wh-what’s on the agenda today, Miss Parker?"

"Huh?"

"Are you okay?"

"I’m fine. Anything on.... Jarod?"

Sydney looked at her questionably. There was something different about her today. He noticed something odd about her when she mentioned Jarod’s name.

"No, nothing."

"Then go find something. I have work to do."

Part 2