Leaning back in her chair, feet propped up onthe edge of her desk, Miss Parker slowly brushed the soft petals of therose against her lips. Her eyes were closed but in her mind's eye she couldsee the rose. She had committed to memory the number of leaves, the colorof the petals, white with a blush of pink. It had been three weeksand four days since she had captured Jarod in the Middle Eastern market.Three weeks and four days since she had given in to Sydney's pleas to takeJarod to the emergency room.

Really, it hadn't taken much for her to bow to Sydney's demand. Shehated to admit it even to herself, but Jarod looked terrible with a swollenface and he didn't make sense when he spoke. But it was just another pretend,he had escaped while the x-rays were being done. For three weeks and fourdays nothing , no smart ass phone calls, no surprise packages, just silence.But now that silence had been broken. She received a single rose with oneof his cryptic notes wrapped around the stem.

"Uhh, Miss Parker, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Broots. Why? " She was surprised at the softness of her words.She had been so deep in thought, she had let her guard down.

"Well, you ...it's just that, I mean it looked like you were tryingto empath and.."

"If its one thing I'm not, it's Angelo. Got it Broots?" Miss Parkerwas her old self once again. Opening her eyes, she could see Broots coweringand Sydney standing back, arms folded with an amused expression.

" If it hadn't been for you playing Mommy, Sydney, we would have hadJarod back in the Centre now. "

"You can't blame me for Jarod's escape. I saw the look on your face,you would have taken him for medical treatment even if I hadn't been there."Sydney remained calm and unwavering.

"Like hell I would have. He could have waited until we got him backto the Centre. I should never have listened to you, Syd." By now Miss Parkerwas standing, shaking the rose at Sydney. Broots bit his lower lip at thecomical scene. No one could affect Miss Parker the way Jarod could.

" I see Jarod has broken his silence. Strange..... one rose. Nothingelse, Parker?"

" Nothing but one of his usual cryptic messages. See what you can makeout of that, Mommy." She threw the now wadded piece of paper towards Sydney.Broots caught it and carefully unfolded it.

"It takes two to tango." Broots read out loud with his usual lost look."What does it mean?"

"You tell me. "

*****

They had struggled all day trying to decipher the simple note. Finallyher ulcer and patience both took their toll. Leaving earlier than usual,she was almost to her car when Broots came running after her carrying abox marked "Miss Parker", a single red rose on the top.

"This came right after you walked out, Miss Parker. I thought you'dwant to see it. Do you think it's from Jarod?"

"What the hell do you think?" She opened the trunk of her car , threwthe box in and slammed it shut. " It can wait. Jarod can wait. He can waittill hell freezes over for all I care. Good night, Broots."

The drive home had been one of curiosity mixed with anger. Now the boxsat on the table, waiting to be opened. Lighting her third cigarette, shefinally decided it was time to satisfy her curiosity. Carefully liftingthe lid revealed a red envelope taped in the center of white tissue paper.

The flyer inside the envelope was for a free tango lesson at the FantasyFactory Dance Studio for eight p.m. that evening. At the bottom of theflyer was a simple note in Jarod's writing, "Come alone tonight if youwant answers." She spread the tissue paper apart and pulled out a silkyblack dress. Holding the dress up to herself, she stared in the mirror.A calm outer appearance hid the battle raging inside.

"Why should I go and why should I trust you? " The battle raged as sheshowered and dressed.

****

The black dress fit her body perfectly. Long sleeves, low cut in thefront, the back plunging almost to her waist, the dress hugged her bodyshowing every curve, till it reached her hips. From there it began to flarewith an asymmetrical hemline to mid calf, the skirt moving fluidly withevery movement Miss Parker made.

Jarod was delighted , he had designed it and was pleased to see it methis expectations including the fact there was no place to hide her gun.He detected a shift in her body as she tensed, her eyes dilating as shecaught his reflection in the mirrors which lined the class room. For abrief moment her face was an open book and he could tell she liked whatshe saw.

Moving past the couple he had stood behind gave Miss Parker a clearview of him with his loose white shirt tucked into black pants and StacyAdams shoes.

"Well you look very lovely this evening, Miss Parker". He watched herface for any sign of her previous feelings, but knew full well that shewas a master at concealing them.

"Just what are you up to now, Jarod? And don't tell me I look lovely,I can pick out my own clothes and do a better job. Unlike you, I'm nota fashion moron. You said 'answers', answers to what?"

"You'll see. Just be patient." His attention was directed to the frontof the classroom where the instructor was standing. Six other couples werestanding in the large classroom lined on one side with full length mirrors.The wood floor reflected the over head lights and pictures of dancers hangingon the pink walls created a warm atmosphere.

"Hi, my name is Susan and I am glad you have taken this opportunityto learn more about this exciting dance form. The tango originated in BuenosAires and made its U S debut in the 1920's by Vernon and Irene Castle.."
 
 

Miss Parker had met her when she arrived at the studio. She had parkednext to a hot pink car that the five foot six inch brunette was standingby and one could easily tell she had the well maintained body of a dedicateddancer. The only fault Miss Parker had with Susan was that she possesseda personality that was bubblier than she liked.

".....a dance of passion and exaggeration. My sister Dee will be assistingyou individually." Miss Parker eyed the young woman. She wasn't as tallbut she too had the body and look that a dancer acquires after years ofdancing. Dee was as bubbly as her sister and her eyes gleamed with a hintof mischief every time she looked at Jarod and Miss Parker. 'I've beenset up again.' she thought as Dee winked at Jarod.

"And this is Yip, who will be my partner for tonight.." Miss Parkereyed the young man, taking inventory, his clothes fit his athletic bodyperfectly, his dark brown eyes contrasted with his light complexion, hislong black hair secured in a ponytail at the nape of his neck .

"Not bad, not bad at all." She said softly under her breath. Almostimmediately she felt Jarod move up close behind her, sliding his arm aroundher waist and pulling her firmly to him.

"He's only for demonstration, Miss Parker." The thought that Jarod couldbe jealous of her looking at someone else gave her a strange feeling. Shehad never considered the fact that he might even be capable of having suchfeelings. 'Stop this. Look who you are talking about. Jarod wouldn'tknow jealousy if it bit him on the ass. This isn't jealousy, it's morelike a wild animal laying claim to a piece of raw meat.' As usual whenit concerned Jarod, a battle raged within her.

"...Yip and I will demonstrate the step first and then we will try itas a group.

The instructor had begun with a series of steps that had looked simpleenough, but when executed by Miss Parker and Jarod, seemed more like sparingmovements. When Jarod tried to lead he was often met with a leg from MissParker which created another bruise for both of them. After only a fewtries both had sore feet, Jarod's from the spiky heel of Miss Parker'sshoes and Miss Parker from Jarod trying to follow the music and using hertoes as the floor. Each time they would stop and readjust themselves readyto begin again. Their diaphragms touching, heads held high, Miss Parkeroffset just a bit to his right side , and then again they would move tothe rhythm of the music. Several times Jarod was able to lead Miss Parkerthrough the first few steps. Back slow, back slow, back quick and closeto the side. Just as he thought they were beginning to move in time togethershe would forget he was leading and darken the bruises they both alreadyhad.

The instructor's sister Dee after watching them for a few minutes finallystepped in. "May I," she said as she cut in. She and Jarod took a few stepstogether to demonstrate how easy it was.

"See, all you have to do is relax and let him lead. I know you're worriedabout hitting other people but don't worry, your partner is steering youaround the floor, and he won't let you crash. Besides Jarod is great atthis, he's such a natural. He's a great partner for a beginner like you.Now just try it again." She pulled Miss Parker toward Jarod and pushedthem together.

"Just listen to the music."

'Great! I'm being compared to a car this moron is supposed to be driving.' Again her leg came up hitting his and then just as quickly it came downwrenching her heel into Jarod's foot. "Oh, sorry!"

"Come now Miss Parker," Jarod said through his teeth fighting the grimaceof pain that was creeping across his face, " I think that we are startingto get the hang of it."

"Alright, since we are all doing so well I think that its time we adda few more steps." The instructor and her partner demonstrated a side bendand a quick turn where one hand remained in her partners while his otherhand rested on her middle back.

"Just remember ladies, when your partners are turning you back in, makesure you are conscious of your left hand, bring it in a bit when you turnso it misses your partner."

The music began and the group started out with a few basic steps beforetrying the demonstrated turn. As Jarod's hand came to rest on her backthey were both suddenly conscious of him touching her bare skin.

"Trying to cop a feel are we?" And as she came turning back around caughtJarod upwards across his face catching his nose with the back of her hand.He quickly pushed her away and put his hand to his nose. He pulled hishand down to reveal a slight red smudge across his fingers.

"Oh my God! Are you okay?" The whole dance class stopped as the instructorhurried towards them. " You see ladies this is why you need to keep yourleft hand close to you. Jarod, are you alright?"

"Excuse me a moment." He hurried off toward the restroom.

Miss Parker hung toward the wall watching the other couples glide acrossthe floor until he returned. "Nothing broken I hope. I'd hate to have totake you to the hospital, again."

"No, Miss Parker, I'm quite alright. Shall we try again?"

After making it a few times round the dance floor without incident theinstructor again paused to introduce another step. This time it was a stepthat involved the man pulling away a bit, holding his partner firmly inplace, extending his right leg, guiding his partner over it first withher right foot and then back again leading with her left, until they steppedback together and closed to the side like they had done earlier.

"Remember Miss Parker, wait for me to guide you." He pulled her armstowards his right side and she pivoted on her right foot. But she wasn'tready for him to pull her back toward the front and as she tried to regainher balance with the step, lost her balance and went straight toward thefloor knees first.

As he tried help her up he said, " I think you waited too long."

"Shut up!" She snapped back and pushed his hand away. She pulled herselfup and once again let herself be lead back into position by him. "Let'stry that again wonder boy!"

They flowed through the step the next few times they tried it. New musicwas put on and they began to glide across the floor with the other couples.Miss Parker could feel Jarod's hand slide down a bit to the middle of herback where her dress came together and she stiffened up.

"Ready Miss Parker, let's try that step again." He pulled her acrosshis leg effortlessly but when he tried to pull her back across she froze.He pulled harder which caused her to once again lose her balance. Insteadof falling this time though she caught on to Jarod with both hands clawinghim through his shirt causing him to lose his balance also. Pushing herweight against him she was able to regain her balance just as he tumbledto the ground.

She smiled down at him. "Not so light on your feet after all, huh?"

He glared at her as he laid on the floor. He pulled himself up quicklyand pulled her to him. "I know we can do better than that."

She could see the stone set of his jaw and slightly smiled at the thoughtof him losing his temper. They began to dance around the room with theother couples. Each move they made was a fight between them, Jarod pushingharder and harder and Miss Parker pushing against him but letting him guidetheir way across the floor. She could tell that Jarod was trying hard tokeep himself in check and that only made it harder for her to resist smiling.

They were both in pain and determined not to back down to the other.And as the tempo of the music speed up so did their dancing. And the fasterthey moved, the rougher they moved, until finally as Jarod tried to followthrough with Miss Parker's pivot they both lost their balance and hit thefloor, Miss Parker slightly on top of him.

"Don't be so domineering, Miss Parker!" Jarod growled at her.

She took him by the collar and slightly pulled his head off the floor.Her eyes sparkled and she smiled and said through clenched teeth, "Justdress me in leather, give me a whip and call me mistress!"

******

When the lesson was over Miss Parker had accepted Jarod's offer to escorther to her car. Neither of them speaking or touching , not a romantic couplebut more like two prize fighters who had finally come to a draw and werelimping off to lick their wounds. Miss Parker felt exhausted and wonderedwhere the answers were he'd promised her. Hell, just what had the questionbeen to began with.

" Well at least we are limping in step with each other, Miss Parker."Jarod's comment betrayed him, he was as exhausted as she was. But he wasright, it was one of the few times that evening that they were in perfectrhythm .

"Tell me something, just what was tonight all about?" They had finallyreached her car and faced each other . Jarod slowly shook his head as ifhe was disappointed that she didn't already know. Unlocking the car, heopened the door, an aura of disappointment hanging in the air.
 
 

" I need to know what you meant by answers. Answers to what? Damn you, Jarod. I'm sick of your games. Just what the hell was this dance lessonall about!" The pain shooting through her body as she lowered her selfto the car seat helped her to hurl the words at him.

"You know the answer as well as the question. " He leaned against thecar, trying to hide his pain. "Think about tonight. The few times you stoppedfighting me to lead, we were in perfect rhythm, perfect sync. Some timesMiss Parker, you have to let someone else lead."

"Like hell I do. And if I did, it sure wouldn't be you."

He simply sighed as if he were too tired to deal with her any more.Bending down towards her, she thought he was going to kiss her on the lips,instead he kissed her forehead. 'You bastard, anything but that. A patronizinglittle kiss on the forehead, how could you, a hand shake would have beenbetter.' Her hand ran along the underside of the dash, coming to rest onher gun. The look in his eyes told her he knew about the gun.

"Sorry, Jarod. But its time to go back to the Centre. No more games."Her hand still rested on the gun in it's hiding place. They both knew itwas there, that was all that mattered.

"You will have to shoot me first. I'm not going back." His eyes showedmore expression than his voice. After a few moments of hesitation, shedrew her hand away from the gun.

"Well then, tonight must be your lucky night, slick. I'm too damn tiredto shoot you and have to drag your carcass back to the Centre. Besides,you're not worth the time it'd take to do the paper work."

Pulling her legs into the car took most of the strength she had left.Thank god, the door fell shut on it's own weight, going home to bed washer only thought at the moment.
 
 

The green pantsuit hid the bruises on her legs, the black flats shewas wearing instead of her usual heels felt like some medieval torturedevice. There wasn't a time she could remember when she felt so sore, somuch pain from dancing of all things. Having come to the conclusion longago that the pain killers the doctor had given her to keep from aggravatingher ulcer were worthless, she had searched through her prescription bottlecollection looking for something that would numb her aching body. The vicodinhad given her a rash the last time she had taken it.

Sydney had urged her to toss it, to take it again would be suicide,something which she had briefly contemplated. She didn't know which wasworse, her physical pain or her mental. At the back of the cabinet therehad been a bottle of Valium. Her vet had prescribed it for the cat shehad briefly owned six months ago. Of all the cats in the world, she hadto pick one with a 'nervous bladder'. At least the Valium had helped hermore than the cat, it let her sleep. But now at work she needed somethingthat wouldn't affect her alertness. Pulling a forbidden white bottle outof her desk drawer, she popped two pills in her mouth and quickly washedthem down with water.

She had spent a lot of time thinking about Jarod's words. He was right,when she did let him lead they flowed across the floor as one. She hadcaught their reflection in the class room mirror once and felt surpriseat what she saw. It was almost surreal, as if watching a dream. Sexy, seductiveand passionate ...

"Ibuprofen? You know that's not good for your ulcer." Sydney lookedat her with concern.

"Jarod's not good for my ulcer." The acid in her words matched the acidshe felt in her stomach.

"Would you like to talk about it, Miss Parker?" Predictable Syd. Alwaystrying to get her in touch with her feelings, especially when those feelingsconcerned Jarod.

"Do I look like I want to talk about it?"

Broots came to her rescue, carrying a red rose with a note tied aroundthe stem.

"Um, Miss Parker, this was just delivered. Its,....its for you!"

Grabbing the rose, she unwrapped the note and read it.

"Like hell I do and if I did, it wouldn't be you. This is reality nota fantasy."

Clearly in pain she pulled herself up and crushed the now beheaded rosebeneath her foot. She clutched the desk to steady herself and pulled openthe top right hand drawer. The now crumpled note was tossed in the backof the drawer where she kept a folder full of pictures of Jarod. As sheclutched the folder in her hand she snapped, "I'm going for a massage andafter that to the shooting range. Call me only if you get a lead on yourbrat!"

Sydney watched her limp in pain down the hall, wondering what conditionJarod must be in.

"Do you have the note Broots?"

" Yeah, it says, 'Sometimes in the dance of life Miss Parker, you haveto let someone else lead .' What does that mean Syd?"

Sydney just stood there watching Miss Parker. He hadn't seen her wearflats since she was a child. There were bruises on the back of her lefthand and more on her right wrist. It was clear she was in agony by theway she moved, but he refused to believe Jarod would intentionally inflictsuch pain on Miss Parker.

"I don't know. Only Jarod and Miss Parker can answer that, I'm afraid.I believe for once Mr. Broots, I'm as much in the dark as you."
 
 

End.

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