i_run_you_chase | simulation 002; voice

That was about a year ago for me. Give or take.

Jesus Christ. [A bitter laugh.]

So who do they have chasing you now?

[A pause and a question that she's been really wanting to ask.]

Did they hurt Sydney or Broots after I..?

No one, Miss Parker.

[not going to mess with her on this one] Like I said, some things don't change. They're as safe as if you were still with them.

What?

I said some things change.

Were you at the Centre before you came here, Jarod?

[quiet for a moment]

My Dad got away.

That's not what I asked.

[A paused and she audibly swallows.]

I wouldn't have shown up if Raines wasn't going to shoot my father. You know that, right? I didn't... try to screw this up.

[and another long pause]

Do you think I blame you?

Do you?

If I hadn't stayed on the ground with you, Raines would've stopped my Dad from taking off. It was worth it.

[Parker sighs audibly, and she flicks on the video function on her communicator. One hand rests against the side of her face for a moment before she speaks, looking directly into the camera. Clearly, she had been asleep, she's sitting in bed wearing pajamas with a pillow behind her and her hair is mussed. She looks a little sad and it leeches into her tone.]

So Brigitte got you?

[Jarod does the same. He, however, has obviously not been sleeping. A variety of manuals are stacked up near him as he lays in bed.]

Lyle took over my rehabilitation. He wanted to break me. He wanted to make sure Sydney watched.

[Seeing that he wasn't sleeping, Parker scowled. Bastard with his phone calls. She grabbed a cigarette from the pack next to her bed and lit it quickly. Her eyes went wide when he said that Lyle took over his rehabilitation. Her voice was harsh, but the harshness wasn't for him, not really.]

Good to know that they're as safe they would have been if I was there.

I said he wanted to, not that he did.

You know me well, Miss Parker. Do you really think someone like Lyle could break me?

[She looked away for a moment, and then focused on the camera.]

No.

Though he did try his best. I particularly liked the ice cold water and freezing rooms.

[sets his jaw as this memory hits him] I could feel how much he enjoyed it.

[Parker frowned. Hard.]

I honestly do not know how he can be related to me.

You have more of your mother in you.

So I hear.

[he nods and looks away, then reaches out and picks up one of his pez dispensers. Like Miss Parker with her cigarettes, he takes a bite of one to cool down]

If you make a bargain, Miss Parker...

Make it for your life. For her sake.

[She looks away quickly, and then she looks back, and she just looks sad.]

If I make one, it'll be for his life. Not mine, not hers, his.

For Thomas.

Yes.

[Parker looked down quickly, and then flicked off the camera. He doesn't get to see her tear up, damn it.]

Jarod looked at the blank video screen for a few moments, and then at the door. He flipped off his communicator. Exactly 67 seconds later, Miss Parker will hear a knock at her door.

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