miss_parker

I'm not dead yet nor do I intend to be.

The battle was over. Damage was done. They took the vampire, the witch, and left a little of nothing in return.

We were sitting in the living room and everyone was arguing what to do next as Jarod patched us up. His doctor pretends came in handy.

I tuned everyone out as I thought back to something that was nagging at my thoughts during the fight.

Shouting, the distinct hollow sound of tranq guns firing, and the smell of blood in the air. It was not as fun as it sounds. It reminded me of one of the messier jobs from corporate.

I fired a few times, ignoring the fact that the sound from it would alert the neighbors. For every soldier we took down, a pair came out of the woodwork to drag them away. They weren’t leaving anyone behind. Either they were extremely loyal, or smart. By not leaving anyone behind, we’d have no one to question.

The werewolf and the Slayer were going at it, and that was when I noticed it. A lone figure in the same ops gear, just watching the entire battle.

Faith took out the wolf and the same soldier, the leader I believe, who had taken Willow away, grabbed her and fled. He had amazing strength to carry that heavy fur ball. He was fast too.

No one was near me as I reloaded my gun. My gaze was focused on our audience. Whoever it was had a sniper rifle trained on Faith.

We couldn’t have that. She was our tank. I aimed and fired.

The sniper dodged, but let out a loud cry of frustration. From where I was, I could see the sparks coming from their visor and headset. They ripped the mask and head gear off and stared at me briefly before fleeing, and following the others.

Then the gnawing at my mind began.

“Parker.”

I looked up as Jarod stared at me. I arched my brow. “What?”

Jarod rolled his eyes and spoke to me as if I were a child. “If you want me to bandage your arm, I need you to remove your jacket.”

I ripped my jacket off and ignored the minute pain. I’ve had worse. He cleaned my arm off, and I tried to listen to the others.

“What the hell are we supposed to do?” Xander exclaimed. “They took Wills, they had Tara working FOR them for god’s sake. We don’t have any leads!”

“And they know exactly where we are.” Gunn growled.

Anya wasn’t looking happy. “They probably knew all along.”

“But how did they get Tara to work for them?” Ryan asked.

Giles cleaned his glasses. “Mind control perhaps? This is obviously some form of a military operation, similar to the Initiative on some levels.”

“Perhaps we should ask someone who knows more then they’re telling.” Wesley announced. He turned to me and Jarod. I ignored him and reached for the files I had brought with me.

I wrenched my arm free of Jarod as soon as he finished and began flipping through the files.

“Parker?”

Keep looking, sweetie.

“What is she doing?”

Almost there.

“Damn it, if you know something, you sure as hell better tell us.”

I smiled when I opened another file. But as I read the name, it slid off my face quickly. “Fuck.” Before anyone could say anything, I started talking. “There was a sniper. They shot you, Xander.”

His hand went to his shoulder. “And?”

“I shot them when they were about to take out Faith.” I tossed the open file onto the coffee table for all to see. “It damaged their head gear and I got to see their face.”

“And that matters how?” Anya asked.

Giles was the first to pick up the file. “Good god.”

That got everyone’s attention.

Dawn looked worried. “What is it?”

“Tara isn’t the only one they control it seems.” He held up the file, showing them who it was.

Everyone stared at it and the photo of Buffy Summers stared right back.

With an inward curse, I scanned the room. The walking dead was nowhere in sight, Chase was out cold for some damn reason, which left only me an Gunn standing.

“Drop the girl.” I said coldly.

“I don’t think so.” The man in black pressed the gun harder to Fred’s temple, making her wince.

I moved my aim and put a bullet in the head of one of the soldiers closest to Cordelia. My gun was soon back aiming at the leader before the body hit the floor, and his posture had shifted slightly. He didn’t think I’d do that when he had a hostage.

He hadn’t done his homework.

“Do you think I give a fuck about that paper doll?” I snapped. “Shoot her, I shoot you. Or maybe I’ll shoot her first. Then you won’t have a hostage.” I smiled. “You don’t have much of one.”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Gunn hissed at me. “Are you crazy?”

I ignored him. “What’s it going to be, Mr. Black Ops?”

His gun wavered slightly and then static filled the room from his com link. “Captain, We have the vampire.” The Captain was probably grinning in accomplishment.

“Then let’s move. We’ll come back for Parker and the Seer later. They don’t have any protection now.” The Captain and his men headed for the door. As soon as their fearless leader reached it, he shoved Fred to the floor and dashed out the building.

“Fuck!” I swore. “Check, Chase!” I ordered at Gunn and ran towards the doors. I barely glanced at Fred when I saw a shining circle of light snap shut in the yard.

Portals. How the fuck do they have portals? I placed my gun back in it’s holster and turned to Fred who was looking completely shaken. I grabbed her arm and pulled her up. “Knock it off.”

“I didn’t see you being held at gun point.” She snapped. I arched my brow and she swallowed nervously and started shaking again.

“You get used to it.” I said coolly and headed for Gunn. “How’s she doing?”

“Still out.” He replied. “Looked like a vision.”

I nodded. “Fine. Grab some things and find Lord British. Ops was right. We aren’t safe here.”

“Where are we going?” Fred asked cautiously.

“We’re going to Sunnydale.” I said and gathered the files from the counter.

Gunn didn’t look happy. “What’s with this ‘we’ crap? Who said we’re going anywhere with you?”

“You want to stay here in the open until they come back?” I snapped. “Because they will be. They want Vision Girl. Without your pet vampire, you don’t stand a chance in hell by yourselves. You have no idea what the fuck you’re dealing with.”

“And you do?” Gunn narrowed his eyes. “It seems to me that you’re connected to a hell of a lot of the stuff that’s been happening lately.”

Oh I knew where this was heading. “Fine. Stay. I don’t give a fuck. I’m trying to save my ass as well as hers, but if you don’t want any help then you can go fuck yourselves. You’re already doing a damn good job of it.”

“STOP IT!”

Gunn and I turned to Fred. Gunn looked shocked and me? I was mildly amused. The girl had a backbone.

“Just stop it.” She said slowly. The waif took a deep breath. “I know I’m new and all, but what if she’s right? If they come back, how are we supposed to keep them from taking Cordelia? They held me hostage! They might not bother next time. You can’t fight bullets with.. With..” She waved a hand to the weapons cache. “Axes and swords!”

Gunn looked ready to argue, when Chase’s hand clamped down on his arm. She looked up at him weakly. “Sunnydale.” Then she flashed me a weak but knowing smile.

I frowned at her. What was she so cocky about? She obviously knew something I didn’t, and I really didn’t like it.

I pulled out my cell phone and phoned the Centre. “Broots.”

“Miss Parker?”

“Get me one of the private planes in L.A. I need to get to Sunnydale as soon as possible.”

The rain didn’t start until after I arrived in Los Angeles. Suffice to say, it pissed me off when I drove the rental to the Hyperion.

I sat in the now parked car and allowed myself to think. Things were getting complicated. Before, all I had to deal with was Jarod and the Centre. Then Norman and Sunnydale. Sunnydale. That brought back memories from Corporate that I really didn’t want coming to play. Especially not when someone seemed to be stalking my ass.

I glanced in the rearview mirror casually before opening my car door. The black sedan I’d noticed on the way from the airport was at the corner. I pulled my umbrella out and opened it before stepping out of the car.

As I walked around the car and to the hotel, I pressed the lock button on my key ring. A quick glance told me the sedan was still there.

With a casual stride I opened the doors of the hotel to see a waify girl sitting in the lobby. She looked nervous and gave me a weak smile. I gave her a look and her smile quickly faded.

“Where’s Angel?” I asked cooly. I snapped my umbrella shut and walked towards the front desk.

“I.. Uh.. I’m kind of waiting for him now.” The girl said in a stammering voice. Wonderful. She was like a young female version of Broots. “I’m Winifred Burkle, but everyone calls me Fred--”

I cut her off sharply and she winced. “Good for you. Be useful and find Angel.”

“I’m right here.”

We both looked up to see Angel and Gunn coming down the stairs. The souled one looked worried and tired.

Norman left a mark.

Vision girl having nightmares? Who doesn’t these days.

Angel gave Fred a soft smile. “Fred.”

Her face lit up instantly. She gave him a shy wave. “Hi. I was um.. Kinda wondering if you.. Were.. Um.. Hiring or something. I mean I’d really like to help out, I didn’t really belong home anymore so I thought I’d come see if you--”

The vampire held up a hand. “It’s all right. Cordelia told me. You’re more then welcome to stay and help.”

She beamed as if he just told her she was a princess. I think I was going to be sick. Not wanting to ruin my imported shoes, I interrupted their little happy. “If you’re done conducting this impromptu job interview, I’d like to have a word with you.”

Angel gave a low growl of annoyance.

Gunn merely tried to stare me down. I hated to break it to him, but nothing’s scarier then the Centre. “Another killer escape from your watch?”

I ignored his bitter tone. “Actually, I thought you’d want to see these.” I pulled out Umberlee’s files from my briefcase and tossed them on to the front desk. “Someone’s keeping tabs on us.”

Angel and Gunn shared a look, before Angel picked up the top file. His eyes widened. “Buffy.” He picked up another. “Cordelia?”

I tapped one. “And this one should really interest you.”

He flipped it open and was staring at his own face. He tensed up suddenly. “Gunn. Take Fred upstairs.”

I grabbed my glock from it’s holster just as the front doors burst open. Stupid, Parker. You let them get the jump. Fuck.

The men were dressed in black op gear and holding weapons of the automatic kind.

“Put the gun down, Miss Parker, and we’ll make this fast.” The leader ordered.

I gripped my gun tightly, aiming for his head. “I don’t think so.”

That was when the lights went out.

I heard Fred shriek and a gun fire. The next thing I knew I was knocked to the ground.

“Stay down.” Angel said in a harsh whisper. Then he was gone.

"BROOTS!"

Broots came running into my office like the puppy he was. "Yes, Miss Parker?"

I stood up from my desk with a glare. "Where the hell are those updates on Jarod at?”

“On your desk, Miss Parker.” He stammered.

I arched an eyebrow. “These are two weeks old.”

“They’re the most recent..” His voice trailed off as he swallowed nervously. “We haven’t had any sign of him.”

“Wonderful.” I muttered. My gaze fell onto the handful of files in my resident geek’s hands. “What the hell is that?”

Broots’s eyes lit up immediately. He rushed over and handed them to me. “I found these. They were on their way to Raines.”

I sat back down with the files. “'Found'?” At his sheepish but proud smile, I grinned mentally while keeping my face a cool mask. The stuttering nerd grew on you. Especially when he was useful.

My office door opened and Sydney joined us at my desk. “Broots wanted me.” He explained.

I nodded. “Fine. Where did these files come from?”

“Umberlee International.” Broots said. “It’s a family conglomerate that specializes in pharmaceuticals..”

“Oh really. Why would Raines be interested in that?” I asked with a bored tone.

“You'd better check the files.” Broots said nervously.

With a ‘look’, I did. The top file was of a blonde young woman who I recognized as the slayer of Sunnydale; Buffy Summers. It had virtually every bit of biological information you could think of. Stats of how many vampires she’s killed, blood type, estimated pounds she could lift.. Her file was listed as ‘Alpha’.

I frowned and went to the next one. It was of a red head I’d seen in my brief moments in Sunnydale. A Willow Rosenberg. It had the same kind of detail, only most described how skilled she was estimated to be in magic. She too was listed as an Alpha.

The following files were mostly unknowns, with a couple of faces I recognized from Sunnydale and Angel investigations. The boy with the red hair.. He was listed as a 'shifter: lupine'.

An electro girl.. Several girls with similar stats to Buffy’s but without the apparent strength.. And a girl I definitely recognized, Cordelia Chase. She was another Alpha.

“Vision girl.” I muttered.

Broots's voice urged me on. “You’d better check the last three.”

Jarod came next. Not much of a surprise there. It was looking as if anyone with some type of specialty was among these files and only a handful were marked as Alphas. Wonderboy just happened to be one of them.

A low growl escaped my throat at the next face I saw. My half brother Ethan was an Alpha. The one I just happened to share with Jarod. He was a gifted Pretender like his brother, but he also had the same inner sense that he inherited from my mother. That twisted bastard Raines had made him fear it and had almost driven him insane before Jarod and I got to him. I hadn’t seen him since.. God. Where the hell was he?

Safe.

I sighed. He’s safe. Of course. He’s as good as Jarod if he wants to be..

I opened the last file and I found myself staring at myself. “Son of a bitch.” I slammed the files onto my desk. “What the hell does a pharmaceutical company need with all this?”

Sydney picked up the files and began leafing through them as Broots tried to talk. “I’m not sure.. But I asked Harry in R&D, you know, he’s the one with the limp and the glass eye, and he said there were rumors about Umberlee doing genetics work.” He paused. “That’s not all..”

“What is it now?” I asked.

“The files were sent to Wolfram & Hart too.”

Now I was REALLY pissed. If that bitch Lilah was getting information like this before me, someone was going to end up with a fucking bullet in their head.

I stood up and stormed toward the door.

“Parker, where are you going?” Sydney asked.

“I have vacation time.” I snapped. “I’m thinking of doing some shopping in Los Angeles.”

Jarod and I had managed to find Norman's hideout. A small two story home in a nice neighborhood.

"Are you sure the Brady Bunch doesn't live here?" I muttered.

Jarod barely looked up from his book. "Somehow, Miss Parker, I doubt that a fictional family actually live here."

"Sarcasm, Jarod. Look it up."

"I have. You just aren't very good at it."

"Oh screw you, lab rat." I snapped and ignored the smirk I saw on his face. We sat in the driveway next door, hidden behind a large SUV. "Have you found anything useful?"

"Not yet."

That's when I heard a blood curdling scream. Hell.

Jarod's head flew up. "Someone's inside."

"Obviously." I checked my ammo. "I'm going in."

"Not a--"

"Find something useful in that book of yours." I told him. "Call me when you have something. I'll have the phone on vibrate." He gave me a look as if to argue and I silenced him with a cold stare. "I'll work faster if I'm alone."

Jarod didn't like it. But he let out a sigh. "Be careful, Parker."

"Always am. Watch your back out here." I said, reminding him of the corpses wandering the streets. With a cold smile I made my way to the house.

******

I slipped in through the back kitchen door. The room was semi dark, with only the small light above the stove flickering off and on. I held my gun ready as I walked slowly, examining every corner.

Nothing.

I moved on to the hallway and heard the scream again. Definitely female.

Cordelia.

Mama's voice echoed faintly. Almost as if she were having a bad connection. It's this place. Something worse then Norman was here.

Hurry, sweetheart.

I snuck up the nearby stairwell quickly and froze at the top stair. The screaming had stopped.

I kept my eyes on an open doorway, and watched as a young woman stepped out. She couldn't have been much older then twenty. She was smiling as she walked across the hall to another room and shut the door behind her.

Couldn't get a better opening then that. I quickly crept down the hallway and stopped just next to the open door that she'd come from. I could hear a terrified voice.

"Cordy? Cordy please wake up..." A girl said in a harsh whisper.

I stuck my head into the room. All that was in there was a teenage girl, tied up, and Cordelia, who I recognized from W&H's files, bound and laying in a puddle of blood.

"Fuck." I whispered and stepped into the room, my gun ready. I closed the door behind me as silently as I could. I looked around and grabbed a table chair and dragged it over in front of the doorknob, just in case.

The girl stared at me in bewilderment the entire time. "Who.. who are you?" Her eyes narrowed and she tried to put on a tough facade, "If you touch us, I swear my sister is going to kick your ass."

I kneeled down to Cordelia and checked for a pulse. Still strong. "I'm.. a friend."

"Sure you are. And I'm Xander's sex kitten."

I ignored her nonsense and walked over to her and quickly untied her. She stared at me carefully. I gave her a look. "Keep staring and I'll put a bullet in you, just for the hell of it."

I stood up and she rushed over to Cordelia. She tried to shake her awake, but nothing happened. So instead the girl turned her attention back on me.

"What are you doing here?"

"Norman has been a bad boy." I replied. The girl wasn't trusting me. I didn't blame her. So I toned down the ice. "Miss Parker."

She blinked at me. "Dawn." Dawn pointed to my gun. "That won't hurt him."

I nodded. "I know. I have a.. friend.. working on that." I glanced around the room. "Any way out of here?"

"Just the door."

I frowned. She was right. There weren't even any windows in the room. Hell, the only light came from the two floor lamps in opposite corners. "Wonderful."

HE'S COMING!

"Damn it." I aimed my gun at the door, just as a furious pounding errupted behind it.

Dawn let out a shriek and tried to wake Cordelia up again.

"Miss Parker... if you wanted to play, why didn't you just ask?" Norman called from the hallway.

"I don't like your rules." I called out to him. "You aren't nearly as amusing as Lyle is."

The pounding stopped.

"Take. That. Back." He growled.

Ooh. Struck a nerve did I? I smirked. "Your jokes are not only overrated, they're unoriginal. The punchlines don't leave anything but a bad after taste."

The pounding resumed, at a more furious pace. "SHUT UP!!!! You don't know the first thing about my art! You are NOTHING!!!"

I felt a tingling sensation in my pocket, wonderful. I switched to a one hand stance and answered my phone. "What!"

Jarod's voice was a slightly welcome relief. "Parker. It's done."

"You did it?"

"Whatever was protecting him should be disabled for now. You only have a few minutes."

"That's all I need." I muttered.

The door burst open and the chair went flying to the side. Norman stood there, a furious look in his crazed eyes and that mask in his hand.

"You want a punchline, I'll give you a punchline!" He shouted at me.

He was completely delusional.

"Here's your fucking punchline." I sneered and fired.

Norman's head snapped back and he stumbled against the doorframe as blood poured out of the hole in his head. He slumped to the floor, his hand still tightly clutching the mask, and somehow.. I have no idea how.. he managed some parting words.

"Good one..."

Dawn let out a cry of joy that quickly died as another figure stepped into the doorway. The woman stared at Norman's body and shook her head.

"What a waste." She stared at me and smiled. Then she flicked her wrist at me and I felt myself hitting the wall.

"Miss Parker!" I heard Dawn cry out in fear as my vision dimmed.

The last thing I heard was Jarod's voice from my phone...

"PARKER!! Miss Parker, answer me!!!"

And then it was dark....

I watched Jarod as he closed his book with a small smirk. The small crystal I was holding in my hand shattered and I swore as the dust flew onto my shirt.

"Damn it, wonder boy, this is custom made!"

Jarod stared at me with that boy scout look. "So sorry, Parker."

"I'll bet you are." I muttered.

After I had left my hotel, I had called Lindsey and followed my inner sense.

Fitting how it led me straight to this hell hole of Sunnydale, and straight into Jarod again.

If I didn't know any better, I'd think my mother wanted me to keep 'bumping' into him.

I'd arrived to the cemetery in time to see Norman singing. His voice wasn't much better then Jarod's. Nice to know singing isn't a common pretender skill.

I glanced at Jarod, who was shoving the small book into a pocket. "What was that anyway?"

"Since I found out about magic," Jarod replied calmly, "I picked up a few things."

"So I noticed. Now answer the question."

"Just a spell to take care of those.. "

"Zombies."

"As in the voodoo ritual?"

"As in Night of the Living Dead." I rolled my eyes at his blank look. "Watch a god damn horror movie for fucks sake."

"Why watch one when I lived it?"

"You lived science fiction. Not horror."

"That depends on which side of the door you were on, Miss Parker."

I ignored that and shook my head. "So that takes care of one cemetery."

Jarod blinked. "One?"

"Theres over a dozen."

"It should have taken care of all of them."

I pointed over his shoulder at the silhouettes slowly stumbling down the street. "Think again."

Jarod's brow scrunched up in frustration. "I only had one crystal."

"Then I guess we're shit out of luck--" I froze and narrowed my eyes as I spotted Norman running down the street, a red head in tow. "Well well, looks like I get to play after all."

I bolted, following the madman, leaving Jarod looking torn between following me and running to the kids in the graveyard.

******

They hadn't even reached the end of the block when I crouched low behind a parked car as Norman spun around.

"Miss Parker. I know you're there."

I swore but stood up and pointed my gun at him. "Hello, Norman." I flashed a cold smile. "Nice to finally meet you in person."

Norman smiled at me and I felt an involuntary shiver down my spine. "Did Mr. Raines enjoy my gifts?"

"He thought they were to die for." I said. His girlfriend moved as if to attack and I shifted my aim on her and fired into her leg.

She cried out in pain and fell to the ground. Ouch. Poor girl. Holy water must be doing it's job.

Red continued to shout. She's lucky that was just filled with holy water and not silver nitrate. She would have been a corpse for sure.

Maybe I was being lenient tonight. I know Sunnydale has a habit for having vampires with good intentions sprout up. Hence the lack of the silver nitrate.

Norman cast a glance at Red and turned back to me. He sighed and looked up. "You know.. I really liked her."

Red heard that and glared. "What the fuck are you talking about? I'm still here!"

He ignored her. "Ah well. I'll be going now, Miss Parker. I have an audience waiting for me."

Cordelia Chase.

Angel's link to the powers.

I narrowed my eyes at Norman, and I tried to ignore the zombies as their moans echoed off the streets. Bet those kids wished they had more firepower now. Hell, I was starting to wish for more. "What makes you think I'll let you go?"

He grinned. "You can't hurt me." He took a step forward.

I stood my ground and stared. "Over my dead body."

"Well.. Okay." Norman said with a laugh. "You'll be a great gift for the Centre!"

He strolled calmly towards me and he pulled out his mask.

I fired at him and the bullets bounced off a force field, much to my dismay. Norman laughed and I suddenly felt myself being tackled to the ground and out of Norman's reach.

I looked up into a familiar pair of eyes. "Jarod?!"

"We need to go, Parker. Now." He said and yanked me to my feet as he stood up. He began dragging me away from Norman as the killer laughed.

"See you soon, Miss Parker!!"

I glanced at him in time to see him disappearing into the shadows, Red in his arms. I forced Jarod to a stop and fired my gun into a nearby zombie's head in frustration.

"Damn it!" I cried out and glared at him. "What the hell were you doing?!"

Jarod ignored me and stared at the undead in shock. Wonderful. I watched him and I could see the wheels turning in his head about what to do.

"I don't have time for this shit." I muttered and blew the brains out of another zombie. "Close your mouth, wonder boy." I nodded to the kids exiting the cemetery and finding the streets filled with more zombies. "They need some help. Be a hero and provide them with it."

Jarod cast a withering glance at me and I smirked at that. "You're going after Norman."

I nodded curtly. "Bad dog needs to be put to sleep."

"You'll need help."

"What are you going to do, Jarod? Sim him?" I let out a bitter laugh as I switched ammo clips from vamp killing to normal. "The last thing I need is to have to put you down too."

"I never knew you cared, Parker." Jarod said with a wry smile.

"Shove it, lab rat." I glared and pointed down the street. "We're following laughing boy. Now get that book out and find something to take care of that damn shield he has." I shot another zombie that was getting awfully close to a dark haired young man among the kids. He toppled over, his brains no doubt staining the pavement.

The boy looked over at me with a curious look before pointing and saying something to the others.

The blonde, who looked to be their leader, stared at me, sizing me up.

I flashed a cold smile and started in the direction Norman had gone, with Jarod right behind me.

I sipped my vodka slowly as I flipped idly through the information I had gotten about Angel Investigations. I had the time, I might as well use it to learn about my new.. allies.

I smiled to myself as I read the files. These people managed to get under Wolfram & Hart's skin so quickly and easily.

God how I loved it.

What I wouldn't give to see them against the Centre. Now that would be fun to watch.

Poor Lyle...

I chuckled and heard a soft step.

I instantly whipped out my gun and aimed into the shadows of my hotel room. "Whoever you are, step the fuck out or you'll have be leaving one hell of a stain in the wall."

Jarod stepped out of the shadows and I let out a sigh and placed my gun on the table next to me. I gave him an annoyed glare. "What do you want?"

His dark eyes stared into mine as he sat down in the armchair across from me. "I'll share something if you will."

"More games?" I took another sip of my drink and stared at him. "If we must, then same rules apply..." I smirked. "With me... the men always go first."

Jarod's eyes flashed with confusion and I swallowed the urge to laugh. He shook the confusion off quickly. "A girl escaped Norman's hands."

"I've read about it." I said dryly and tapped another folder on the table. "Try again."

"I'm the one who took her statement." He smirked.

I sat up straighter and looked on with intrest. "Now that was left out of the report."

"Wolfram and Hart must not be as good as they like to think." Jarod said.

I nodded. "Everyone knows that but the fools that hire them."

"One could say the same about the Centre."

Another sip, another nod. "That's obvious."

"Disilusioned with home, Miss Parker?"

"None of your business."

"I gave you something now you give back."

I glared at him but he stared right back a me fiercly. "Fine." I took another drink. "I'm tired." I set my glass down and continued. "Your turn."

He opened his mouth to object and I shook my head. "You never said how much I had to give."

"Cheater." He smiled but accepted it. "After I took the girl's statement I followed her unspoken clues--"

"You pretended to be her."

Jarod nodded. "I tracked Norman's last hideout. He's good. Other then another 'gift', he was long gone."

"That fast?"

"That fast." He shook his head. "Another monster created by the Centre."

"It's more then that, Jarod." I said and stood up. "It's that mask. It has to get it's power from somewhere. Someone."

"If we cut that off, maybe we can catch him." Jarod said, catching on.

I nodded. "He's a monster, Jarod. Mama's been warning me. He doesn't just want Cordelia Chase."

Jarod's eyes narrowed. "He wants you too."

"Find out what you can about that mask, Jarod." I ordered and picked up my glock. "I'll be heading to see Lindsey and find out what they have hidden in the files about the damn thing."

"Working with me, Parker?" Jarod asked with a wry grin. "What would Daddy say?"

"Daddy's dead, and officially," I gave him a cold smile as I put my jacket on. "I haven't seen you."

Jarod grinned and followed me out the door.

We split up in the hallway and as the elevator doors closed I watched him take one last glance at me before heading down the stairs.

He was tall, good looking, in a rather stiff looking way. He reminded me of a Sweeper with his poise. He matched the photo that was in Lilah's file. The photo.. did not do him justice.

"Well Miss Parker, how can we help you?" Angel stared at me carefully. Sizing me up. Not a slacker. Good.

Trust them.

I nodded inwardly. I kept my smile cool and my face firm. "I'm looking for someone." I folded my arms across my chest, "Have you heard of the recent beheadings lately?"

That caught everyone's attention. The one with the glasses, Wesley if I remember, started. Gunn kept a cool face but he was curious. There was a girl sitting at a desk behind a computer screen, her face not even trying to hide the surprise. Interesting. She wasn't in the file. New player?

I caught movement from the corner of my eye and looked towards the stairway to see a young man with reddish hair coming down.

Well well, two that Wolfram & Hart didn't know about.

A british accent brought me back to my senses. "As a matter of fact, we have heard."

"Can't really miss it with it being all over." Gunn added.

I nodded. "Indeed. I work for a private firm and we're trying to put an end to this as quickly as possible."

Angel narrowed his eyes. "This wouldn't be Wolfram & Hart would it?"

"Believe me, I do not work for those incompetent fools." I allowed my cold smile to grow wider. "I can assure you, any help you give me will be fully compensated."

"If you can compensate us so well, why do you need our help?" Angel asked carefully.

Take the initiative sweetie.

I may have been trusting my inner sense more, but to play all my cards at once? I'm a Parker, not a fool.

"I've learned that help on matters like this tend to be profitiable for all involved." I explained.

I'm sure our conversation would have continued, but we were interupted by my phone. I pulled it out and I caught the others glance at each other at the site of my Browning. I had switched guns in the car. I turned away from them. "What?"

"Where are you?"

I let my smile fade. "Planning on paying me a visit Jarod?"

"This isn't a game, Parker. I'm not running and you aren't chasing."

"That's where you're wrong." I hissed. "It's always been that way and it always will."

Jarod's voice softened. "Not always.."

"Damn it Jarod, I don't have time for 'This is Your Life'. What do you want?"

"Leave. Get out of L.A. Let Lyle handle Norman."

I cast a glance at Angel, knowing full well he could hear every bit of this conversation. Damn. I'll have to give some explanation if I want their help now.

"I can't." I insisted.

"Why not?"

"Lyle is an idiot. He cares more about saving his own ass then trying to stop this."

"And you do?"

"I'm not as heartless as you think I am."

"I never thought you were." There was a pause. "He's useing something out of the ordinary."

"Like what? A spell? Demon?"

"You.. you know about that?"

I let out a dry laugh. "I worked corprate. I've known since I was 15 about the reality of the world."

Jarod took it well and moved on. "He's using something powerful. I've been doing some digging, and it looks like a mask."

"That would explain the faces." I muttered. "Enchanted?"

"Not sure. I'll let you know what I find."

I closed my eyes with a sigh. "Thank you Jarod."

"Be careful, Parker." He hung up.

I put away my phone and stared at Angel and his friends. "As I'm sure you heard all of that, Angel, I think it's time we play nice."

"Why should we trust you?" Angel asked. "Maybe you should just share what you know."

I pulled out my Browning and aimed it at him. "It's not nice to give without recieving."

Angel just stared, unmoving. "You won't."

I smirked. "Shows what you know. If you're worried about how my ammo won't hurt, think again. Hollow tips filled with holy water." His eyes widened. "And silver nitrate for good measure. Vampire or not, you won't survive it."

Look out.

I swung my left elbow back and felt it connect to someone's head and there was a thud as my attacker fell to the floor. I knew it was the boy from the stairs. I stepped backwards and over him to move from his reach.

"Now we do things my way or not at all." I said.

"Aiming a gun on us isn't a good way to earn our trust." Wesley said slowly.

I shrugged and slid the gun back in it's holster. "I don't give a fuck about trust." I sat down on the circular couch. "Either you work with me to put an end to this bastard.. or you watch Wolfram & Hart try and keep him for their own ends."

Angel helped the boy up from the floor and eyed me coldly. "What do you get out of it?"

"My employers made Norman the madman he is today. It's my job to catch him and bring him home. In cuffs or a body bag." I leaned back. "He escaped from our facilities and ended up locked up in a loony bin. He broke out and is sending us gifts."

"What kind of gifts?" The girl asked nervously as she joined us in the main hall.

"The missing heads." I replied. I watched her pale, but she stood strong. Interesting. "One of which was Nathan Reid's."

"Speaking of which, you act as if you know a lot about Wolfram & Hart." Wesley pointed out.

I stared at him cooly. "We practically own them."

"So you're an assasin." Gunn said.

"No." I snapped. "I am not. But Norman is too dangerous to take in alive. He's extremely intelligent and completely insane."

"We've got the insane part." Angel said dryly. "Why come to us?"

"Gut instinct. Besides, I found your file on Lilah Morgan's desk." I smiled. "Anyone who can stay out of their reach is worth my time."

I arrived in L.A alone. There was no reason to take Sydney or Broots. The last thing I wanted, hell, needed, was for either of them to end up dead because of our new psycho pretender.

Proof I do have a heart.

I didn't bother going to Wolfram & Hart. I needed my hotel. Not to mention a stiff drink.

Besides. They could wait until the morning.

We own them.

*******

After letting them sweat for a day, I finally found myself sitting in an empty office the following morning. Admitedly, it was a nice office, but it was still empty.

I started to wander the room, taking in everything until my eyes fell to a newspaper on the desk. An article lay circled in red, so I skimmed it.

Another one sweetheart...

I listened to my inner sense... my mother, with curiosity. "Why is he doing this, mother?"

Dark.. evil. He's dangerous. Power... Magic.

Magic? Fucking wonderful. I've known enough about the truth of the world that I was glad I was always assigned to Jarod. I didn't need, nor did I want, to deal with the supernatural as well.

I tended to fight with my inner sense... but as of late, I found it comforting. Especially with Jarod's annoying calls coming rarer and rarer.

My thoughts were interupted by my cell phone ringing. I pulled it out and answered with my usual, "What?"

"Why Miss Parker, unhappy to hear from me?"

"Jarod." Speak of the devil. I sat down in the chair behind the desk. "I haven't heard from you in awhile. Saving the little people again?"

"Why Parker, did you miss me?"

"Have you been dodging any bullets?" I countered.

Jarod chuckled, low and husky. "I guess you could say I'm.. checking in."

"What do you know about a pretender named Norman?" I asked suddenly.

There was silence n the other end before Jarod spoke. His voice was quiet. Serious. "They put you on it?"

"Of course."

"Stay away from him Parker."

"It's my job Jarod. I'll catch him. Then I'll catch you."

"He'll kill you." Jarod added, his voice even softer. "You don't know what he can do."

"And you do?" I exclaimed. "Damn it, lab rat, will you just tell me what you know?"

I found my reply in a dial tone. I swore and pocketed the phone. I looked up just in time to see the door swing open and two of my favorite lawyers strolling in. I flashed my best icy smile and and leaned back in the chair.

"Lindsey. Lilah."

Lilah glowered at me. "Making yourself comfortable I see."

I gave an amused look. "Why is this your office? I didn't realize."

"If you'd bothered to read the name plate, you'd know it."

I shrugged. "I never thought you'd move up on the ladder." I felt the surge of laughter in my chest as Lilah grew more irritated.

She wants to play domineering bitch around here, fine. But when I'm around...

I rule all.

She'd better hope I don't need to bare any fangs.

Behave yourself.

I smiled inwardly. Yes mama. I tapped the paper. "Have you found him yet?"

Lindsey sat down on one of the couches and looked comfortable. I liked him. He had his flaws, but he was a breath of fresh air compared to the likes of Lilah or Raines.

"Nothing yet. He seems to be pretty random with his victims." He said.

Lilah sneered at me. "Isn't it your job to find him?"

I shrugged. "I'm here as a.. Centre liason. My job is to bring him back.." I pulled out my Glock and and aimed it at Lilah's head with a cold, calculated grin. "Or put a bullet in his head." I replaced the gun in my holster after recieving Lilah's reaction.

Oh she didn't like me. But she was smart enough to be afraid of me too. My days as a Cleaner made me quite a reputation. She'd faced worse creatures then me, and yet she was afraid. Now that's just fun.

I continued talking as Lilah composed herself. "Either way works for me." My eyes fell on a manilla folder on the desk. "What's this?"

Lilah reached forward, and even Lindsey stood up as I opened it.

I kept my cool as read it. "Angel?"

Help.

"A vampire with a soul." I read on. "Angel Investigations." I finished reading it quickly and memorized the address before closing the file and tossing it at Lilah. "Whatever."

I stood up and headed for the door. "I have work to do."

Lilah sneered at me. "That's it? You kept us waiting for a five minute conversation?"

I shrugged at her. "You had nothing to give me." I smiled coldy. "Besides, some of us like to get our hands dirty."

I left the room and worked my way out of the building.

I had work to do alright.

Angel Investigations.

Time to pay a visit.