1) Paper Snowflakes (the original, isn't a sequel)
2) To Dance In An English Garden
3) A Night To Remember
4) The Trick Is To Keep Breathing
5) Life In A Heartbeart
6) With Me (the last in the series)

~~~~~~~~~
 
 

"Are you sure you have to leave so quickly?" Julia asked as they allsat around the table -sans Parker- drinking coffee about two hours later."We'd love to have you stay." Jarod nodded his agreement.

"It's a generous offer, but really, we must be heading back. Lyle'llbe at our throats if we don't catch that plane this afternoon."

"I think Parker will be glad to get back," she replied. "I've noticedshe doesn't seem too comfortable around here."

"It was just last night," Jarod said to comfort her. "It wasn't exactlya calm evening."

"Still, she just seems so defensive. I can't imagine why."

~~~~~~~~~

Parker stumbled from the bathroom, her head spinning. Her balance wascompletely askew, and she fell onto the bed more than actually sat down.A sudden, sharp pain shot through her chest, and only the pillow coveringher face kept Parker from letting out a surprised shout.

~~~~~~~~~

Upstairs, they continued to calmly stir their coffee and chat. Brootswas even getting comfortable enough with idea of talking with their prey,that he added a comment or two of his own.

"So," Syd spoke up, "how did you two happen to meet?"

With a slight blush, Julia glanced over at Jarod. "In Canada. My sisterLydia is the new nanny for a little girl, Samantha Lansing, living up there.I was visiting my sister, and Jarod was spending was time with the Lansings.Once thing led to another, and..." Again blushing, she moved her eyes downto her coffee.

"And what do you do?" Broots braved.

"I'm a nurse, down in Portland as a matter of fact. Although," witha look over at Jarod, "this place is growing on me." The pretender madeno comment.

Sensing that this topic was not one that Jarod was comfortable with,Sydney changed the subject. "The building was built rather well," he noted,looking around appreciatively. "The best of everything, and tight as aship."

"Yeah, it is great. They even soundproofed everything. That way, peoplecan feel comfortable having loud parties, without worrying about disturbingthe neighbors."

Syd nodded, then glanced at a clock on the nearby wall. "You know, Parker'sbeen gone for quite a bit. Maybe I should go check, make sure everything'sfine."

Truth be told, Jarod wanted to do the same, but leaving Julia alonewith two people she hardly knew wouldn't be fair. "Not a bad idea," heagreed. After a thought, he added, "And why don't you take some aspirinwith you? After everything that's been going on, I'd bet anything one ofher notorious migraines is on the rampage."

~~~~~~~~~

Parker stared up at the ceiling, thinking ruefully back to the dayswhen the biggest health problem she had was an ulcer, or maybe a migraine.Now, compared with what she was going through, a migraine seemed like child'splay.

Suddenly, a wretched sound blasted at her sensitive ears. At first guess,she would've bet anything that it was a jet engine warming up next to herbed. But, after a moment of trying to tune out the painful noise, Parkerrealized it was a knock at the front door. Too exhausted to get up, andhardly in the mood for company, she didn't even bother to answer it.

After a few more knocks, Syd tried the doorknob hesitantly; findingit unlocked, he walked in.

With a groan, Parker sat up in the bed. Someone was coming in, and thoughjust the thought of standing made the room spin 360 degrees, she had todo something to keep up appearances.

Sydney appeared a second later in the bedroom doorway, aspirin bottlein hand. He felt momentary shock at how pale she was, and the thin layerof perspiration on her forehead, but made no comment, just held up thebottle and said, "Jarod thought you may like this."

She knew the pills were useless, but managed a weak smile anyhow. "Thanks,Syd. I-I didn't hear you knock. I was in the...bathroom."

Catching himself staring at her in concern again, he visibly shook himself,and turned toward the kitchen. "I'll just get you some water."

While he was gone, Parker checked her jacket sleeve, to make sure theswelling wasn't evident. Luckily, there was no sign of her swollen arm.

Upon his return, she took the pills, then reached for the glass. Parkergulped once before taking it--at this point, even the idea of water inher system made her want to vomit.

Syd watched expectantly, waiting for her to down the meds in her usualfashion, but was surprised to see her hand suddenly break out into a violentshake, so bad that water spilled over the sides of the glass.

"Parker...?"

"It's n-nothing, Syd," she reassured him, setting the half-empty glassdown. "I'm fine."

Using a stern face to cover his concern, Sydney looked her straightin the eye and said, "I've known you since you were a child. I've seenyou at your worst, and this, Parker, is beyond that. Don't lie to me."

She studied him for a moment, not quite sure of what to say. She knewthat she couldn't keep this a secret for much longer, not without somehelp. And considering her options, Syd was looking like the best. Reluctantly,she pulled off her jacket, revealing her arm. Sydney's skin color quicklyneared her own paleness.

"This, Syd, is my big secret."

"Parker..." He shook his head in disbelief, unable to move his eyesfrom the sight.

She gave a small, weak, sad laugh. "You don't even realize what it is,do you?" He shook his head again. "I'll give you a hint. Stage one: large,swollen, painful area around point of injection, and slight nausea. Stagetwo: heightened nausea, uncontrolled shaking, and severe headaches anddizziness. Stage three: extreme, radiating pain, weakening eyesight andequilibrium."

"LS49," he murmured in realization and shock. "You've been injectedwith LS49." He struggled to keep his footing. "But how?"

"That freak last night," she replied, ignoring the fact that there werethree Sydneys in front of her now. "Last night, before Jarod reached us,he jabbed me with a syringe full of the stuff...His father was hired asan assassin for the C-Centre. He must've snuck a vial or two from the weaponsvault while picking his gun out, and somehow his son eventually got holdof it."

"Last night. But that would mean you only have..." He trailed off, realizingthe minutes ticking away.

She wanted to reassure him. "Syd, I'm...I'm fi--" Without another word,she collapsed on the bed, unconscious.
 
 
 
 

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Part 4