Disclaimer I don't own but sure do lov em

I am writing this one because it has been screaming in my head to be let out so here goes.

One Man's Dream

by DIZZYDAME1211

Standing on the porch I stared out at the night and finished the coffee I had made myself earlier. I craved something stronger but I had gotten rid of all the alcohol in the house. The temptation and numbness it offered were just too comforting. I had gone down that road in the beginning losing myself in countless bottles, most of what I did at the time I didn't even remember, some of it came back though in my nightmares. I knew I wasn't a very decent person, or even a nice one but sometimes I wondered if the price I was paying and what I had already paid was really worth it. Shutting out my fears I knew I had to stay strong and keep my faith. I knew I couldn't let the blackness inside of me take over, it's what they wanted. I had shown them what I was capable of in my darker moments and know my family was paying for it. No, I wouldn't go down that road or any other dark roads. I also knew that I had done some horrible things in my life, truly horrible things, and I take all the blame for them, but like I thought earlier how much could I be expected to pay for what they made me. Turning from the railing I looked at the sky one more time and sent out a silent plea, please God let them be all right and help me survive long enough to make sure they stay all right.

Somewhere in Europe same night.

I could feel the loneliness and pain, it was so like my own that I could feel myself slip out of bed and to the floor and start to cry. Hearing the voice in my head I knew as Vince I waited for him to say something else.

"I feel it too V, I don't know who it is but their hurting."

"What if we can feel this person because we know him?"

"Then who would he be to us, they said our parents are gone. Their dead V. there's nothing more, don't you think if we had other family we would have went to them, instead of this hell hole, no he's nothing to us V. we only have each other and frankly I like it like that. Go back to bed, tomorrow is going to the roughest day yet "

"We should at least try to reach out to him what if he can help?"

"Help with what V. no one can help us, if there was someone who could have helped us don't you think they could have at some earlier point in our lives. For God sakes were seventeen now, don't you think it's time to let go of the fantasy and except our fate. Be real V, were are stuck here, the people that raised us are all we have. Just go to bed!"

Knowing that I had put V. into her place and also hurt her feelings I pulled the thin covers around my body. God I hated to see her hoping and just begging for another heart break. She had to be real, all we knew was this place and that's all we would ever know. Sure I felt what she felt, I wanted to explore that more, but honestly if we had some kind of family then where the hell were they, why hadn't they rescued us by now or before. No, there was no one, just some go throwing out random emotions that V. was sensitive enough to pick up on. Putting my head on my knees I forgot all about the voice I heard and just tried to sleep.

***

Back at Deleware

Bloting into a sitting posistion I turned the lamp on quickly expecting to see my little girl standing there calling for me, but what I saw wasn't my daughter, there was nothing but my empty bedroom. God now I was loosing my mind, I could have sworn I heard Veatrice calling for me, calling Daddy. Turning into my pillow I let the tears fall freely. " Oh Madaline how I failed our whole family.

Hearing the silent pray and later the sobs that came from the man I once called my husband I once again faced the fact that I couldn't help those that I loved. I couldn't help Robert and I most definitely couldn't help my almost grown children. I may not have been able to help in a physical sense but I wasn't going to let them suffer not tonight. First I sent my presence to my children. My daughter so beautiful, so frightened and yet so hopeful that there was someone out there that loved her and maybe hurt for her. Next I went to my son and the twin to the girl two floors down. Those monsters thought that keeping them separate kept them from knowing the other. True they had no idea what the other looked like, but they knew they were brother and sister, and that kept my troubled son going. I could sense the physical pain he had hidden from his sister and I knew that if not for her he would have given up a long time ago. Soothing the pain I entered his dreams and saw the nightmare images he lived with. God if he only knew how like his father he really was in almost every way even down to the point of fighting the evil corruption the forced on him. Only I knew how close my son was to taking that last step to loosing his soul to that darkness. I wasn't going to let that happen! I may be dead but I knew that I had some pull where it mattered the most. I may not be a very effective angel, but I sure as *hell*,.. whoops I know that type of language wouldn't help but I most defiantly was going to be the best mother I could be, even if it was only in a spiritual sense. Seeking out my Robbie I transported my essence to his side. Knowing that he had left the house we shared to escape the memories and pain I understood. Looking to him I saw him sitting at the table with his hand on a gun. Quickly knowing what he intended, I gasped, if an Angel could gasp I suppose. Quickly centering all that I was I knew he would feel me and in that way I could stop him from taking away the last hope our children had as well as there father. Focusing on the radio I knew he would hear the song that I pulled up on the radio and stop and think before he did something he might not live to regret. The song had played in the street market the day we met, the day his and my life had changed. Later in our relationship Robbie confided in me that he was there to catch someone and take them back to the people he worked for. Robbie was always evasive but eventually he told me about his life before me. On that day he said that the music was having a strange effect on him, like a balm to his demons. Then he saw me and I him and then the song became our heart song as the rain began to pour down and we both got soaked standing there looking at and into each other. Remembering the day our lives began together I smiled. Putting the volume up so he wouldn't miss it I let it play.

Oh God I really was loosing my mind, forgetting for a minute that I had made my choice, I listened to my stereo play the one song I had never wanted to hear again. Putting my head on the table I let the memories wash over me. The street market I had tracked Emily Jarod's sister was where I had first heard that song, then I turned and she was there like some gift or one man's dreams, mine. Madeline was there and she was my better half, the soul I had given up for lost. We stood at that market and let the rain pour down on us and stood there staring into each other. God it was the first time in my life I didn't feel as if my dark past, and present mattered. It didn't matter if Emily or Jarod or any of the other hundreds of Centre things had gone straight to hell. Madeline had taken my hand and we both ran through the rain to her apartment where we stood at first laughing, next thing I knew we were kissing and the passion just took over. That first night we made love I knew that I had been changed forever and that I could never loose the one person in my life that didn't fear me or want to use me for the things I could do. Madeline had loved me like I had never been loved and when we laid spent in each others arms I told her what I had been doing in the street market. She didn't pull away from me out of fear or disgust, instead she pulled me into her arms and held on to me as if I was important and deserving of that kind of gentleness. When I pulled back I could see that she wasn't like all the people in my life, the ones who hurt me, the ones who hated me and most of all the ones who knew what I was capable of and used it to there advantage. I knew that I had no right to this gift that she given me, that a lot of the pain that was caused had been my fault, that I had caused that pain. None of that mattered to Madeline, nothing but loving each other was important. As I left her apartment three days after we met, three wonderful days of the best love making because it wasn't sex, I knew that just like I knew that Madeline had saved me that first day. I loved her I knew it and it gave me hope. I left Madeline's and had no idea if I would ever get to see her again. I knew that the Centre wouldn't let this latest failure go so easily, especially since I had basically ignored my cell phone and pager while at Maddy's. But I had my memories and hope. I was two months before I was able to get away long enough to go to Maddy's place. I met her at the door before she could open it and she smiled and kissed me as if it been two years instead of months. I couldn't say who made the first move to the bedroom but again it was a magical experience. Maddy had asked why hadn't I called or returned sooner and I told her about the Centre and my life there. When it was all over I held her as she cried for the little boy that had been abused and corrupted. She also told me that she saw something entirely different when she looked at me. Of course I didn't believe her but soon enough I started to want to be what she saw, a man that she could love. I knew I should have thought more on protecting Maddy but honestly I didn't think the Centre carried who I had relationships with so I didn't care what they thought. When Maddy told me she was pregnant I couldn't say if I laughed or just cried in her arms. I knew what was inside me I knew what the Centre had made me, I was Mr. Lyle. I knew that I had capabilities that should have frightened Maddy like the fact that I could revert into my Lyle persona and become dark and violent. Maddy said she feared that one day Robbie would never come out again if I kept living this double life but again I didn't believe her. I took the fact that she carried my child to heart and again worked on reconciling my two lives. I didn't want to be a Centre hitman any more or the dark demented psycho path that lived inside of me. I wanted to be Robert or Robbie as Maddy called me all the time. I did take precautions though to protect that life and Maddy, hell the only people at our wedding were the judge and his wife. Our life together was heaven I never knew life could be so good. I had made a deal with Maddy that once she gave birth we would disappear and I would leave behind the specter of my past and the Centre. The time came and I knew I had to keep my end of the bargain, but then Jarod was captured again and Parker had been shot and lay closer to death then ever. I couldn't leave not then and Maddy understood that I couldn't leave. I hid my family, but not well enough. Too soon it all came crashing in and Raines sought the one thing to control me, to keep me under there thumbs. The words he used to describe the woman I loved with everything inside me almost pushed me over the edge. He called Maddy such ugly things that I could feel the part of me that I had been systematically burying come back to life. Mr. Lyle was rising from the cold grave I had started to bury him in. When I fought back I knew that's what he wanted. He wanted me to show how important they had become to me. When he came to stand in front of me he told me to never forget what and who I was a killer, who had been well trained and had been disobedient to long and now needed to be punished. I couldn't believe that one person was so evil, but then I should have known that I would never be able to reconcile my life. The memories of the happiness made me smile knowing that Maddy had loved being a mother to our twins, she absolutely doted on them. I knew what other memories I had, that last night I had come home the same one that Raines had told me I was going to be punished. She knew I was angry, and so close to killing that walking corpse that, she laid her hand over my heart and pleaded for me to come back. I knew that I would never be able to bury Lyle I was what Raines said a killer that had hurt more people then I could remember. Maddy saw that I was loosing to those monsters as she called them and she took me to our children's room and told me to think about what our children were created from, two loving people. That night we made love, and I felt as if my heart was breaking because I felt the urgency in our touches as if this was the last time we would hold each other that way. How did I know how true it would become? An hour later I woke to a gun in my face and Raines smiling as they held me away from Maddy as some nameless sweeper violated her in the worst way possible. Raines laughed and said that I was finally waking up and coming back to where I belonged, when the sweeper pulled away from Maddy I vowed to watch the man die at my hands. Raines saw the hate in my eyes and just smiled and encouraged the hate filling me. The last thing I saw was that same sweeper pulling the trigger on his gun, and killing Maddy. At first I thought I was the one who had been shot, because I felt the pain and burning. Then, I lost it and he did die at my hands and then I was knocked out. Holding back a sob at that memory, I raised my head and felt the calmness around me that for some reason pulled Maddy's name from my lips. Focusing on the song again I knew it was a message and that she was here somehow.

"Oh God Maddy I'm sorry I let them hurt you and take you away from the twins, and I'm so sorry I wasn't strong enough to leave when you asked me too.

"Speaking to the empty room I was sure I was indeed insane. Hugging myself I listened to the words and felt as if I could just disappear it would be all right. The song played again and I heard the opening sounds and I went to turn off the radio what I found was the picture of Maddy and the twins sitting right on top of the stereo. Looking back at the table and the gun that sat on top of it I slumped to the floor with the picture in my hands and just cried.

"Maddy, Maddy if you can hear me help me, stop the pain" The song played and I listened begging with my heart that whatever God there was would do as the song said.

Deliver me out of my sadness
Deliver me from all of the madness
Deliver me courage to guide me
Deliver me strength from inside me
All of my life I've been in hiding,
wishing there was someone just like you
Now that your here, now that I've found you
I know that your the one to pull me through.

Deliver me loving and caring
Deliver me giving and sharing
Deliver me cross that I'm bearing.

Deliver me, Deliver me oh Deliver me.

Feeling the pain subside a little I laid on the floor and closed my eyes, I didn't intend to sleep but I feel into a sleep that I knew I wouldn't have if I hadn't felt Maddy and her hand on my chest covering my heart. The dream I had felt so real that I didn't consider that I was dreaming. I saw Maddy standing on a beach in a white dress and a tall dark man with her. At first I was jealous but then she turned and I saw the love she had for me and no one else. The man still stood there but now I ignored him and focused on the one person I loved more then life itself. Hearing her speak and call me Robbie brought tears to my eyes.

"Robbie I love you, please don't hurt yourself, don't take away the only parent the twins have left. You have to stay strong Robbie, my Robbie our children need you. They always needed you, don't let those monsters win. Listen to your heart Robbie and hear her, hear Veatrice calling to you. Call back, reach for her Robbie reach for them both. Let them in, Jarod can help. Find him and tell him you need his help Robbie tell him that you are sorry. Jarod can get them out Robbie, don't let those monsters destroy you my love, fight for them and for yourself. I believe in you follow your heart, and let the light come back in."

Knowing that I would promise my very soul to just stay like that I held her against me and never wanter it to end.

"Wake up Robbie, it's time to claim your life back."

Hearing the ring of the phone in the distance I tried to hold on to the dream longer but the phone kept ringing. Opening my eyes I got up from the floor and worked out some sore muscles and reached for my cell phone.

"This better be a matter of life and death, if it isn't I make sure it's your death that happens,"

"Ugh, sorry to disturb you Mr. Lyle I... I just wanted to let you know we found

Jarod. Sydney said I should call you and let you know immediately."

Jarod, found, hadn't Maddy said that I needed to find him, because he could get the twins out from where ever the Centre had shipped them off to. Fifteen years, fifteen years and I hadn't been able to find where the Centre had sent them or more to the point where Raines had sent them. He knew I would do whatever I was told to do I would never go against them. To do so meant that my children would get punished. I wasn't going to let that happen no matter what. So I did what they ordered, I buried Robert Evan Burke and became Mr. Lyle the Centre's killing machine and executioner all in the hopes of protecting them. What else had Maddy said to reach for them, to hear our daughter to let them in. Sitting on the couch with the picture I had fallen asleep with I focused my mental energy and pushed out with everything I had in me.

"Veatrice, baby can you hear me, oh God please hear me,"

"Vince, what's wrong why did you call me are you hurt, Vince can you hear me?"

"V, whuz up I didn't call you. I'm fine the sweepers just left."

"Your not okay I can feel you exhaustion and pain, but if you didn't call then who did?"

"I have no idea, maybe these freaks are playing games and set up some
kind of recording device in your room to spook you or something."

"No that's wasn't it, listen Vince, please listen with me."

"I'll listen but I don't think it's anything, you should forget it and get ready. I heard the other guy talking about using you next in the test."

"Oh Vince, was it that bad?"

"No, I told you I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me Vince, even to protect me."

"What do you want me to say V, that I hurt, that it hurt so much that I wish I was dead instead of here."

"Oh Vince!"

"It's okay V. I just need to sleep and try to forget for now. So you want to try and hear something okay I'm all ears."

Feeling a flicker at my call I focused more on the task at hand. Calling out louder I hoped and prayed that Maddy was right.

"Did you hear that Vince?"

"Hum, oh yeah I heard it."

"Vince stay with me please I'm so afraid."

"I'm here V. but I'm so tired right now."

Ohgodohgodohgod I was so afraid that I was losing the only person I loved and had a connection with Vince sounded so weak. I couldn't lose him too please God. Dropping to my knees I laid my head on the bed and cried and prayed.

"Mom, dad whoever can hear please help me. Please mom and dad I know
your up in heaven but please help Vince, please mommy, daddy."

Hearing the tearful plea, I pulled on all I had and spoke back to the voice, I heard.

"I'm here honey. Vincent will be okay trust me okay."

At her surprise hearing me I knew we had connected. I could feel everything she felt. Her fear for her brother was the strongest, among her fear of what they were going to do to her next. She was also afraid to believe that someone had heard and was answering.

"Who ... who are you?"

"I'm your ... your father."

"Daddy, no your dead, they said that you died with mom in an accident."

"No, honey that was a lie, I'm alive. I have been trying to find you and your bother for so long."

"No, it's some kind of trick, Vince is right there trying to freak me
out before they  do to me what they did to him."

"No honey, it's not a trick. Your full name is Veatrice Amanda Burke, your brother's is Vincent Antonio Burke."

"Any idiot could know those things!"

"The night they took you from me you were dressed in pink footsie pj's Vincent had on blue one's."

Knowing that my daughter was letting the fear overcome her I tried to think of something anything to get her to listen to me. Remembering the times I walked in on Maddy singing the twins to sleep I decided that I would try that.

"Hush little baby don't you cry, mommas gonna sing you a lullaby. If that lullaby don't work mammas gonna bye you a mocking bird and if that mocking bird don't sing mamma's gonna buy you a diamond ring."

Hearing the lullaby I could barely remember I knew that it was true, he was our father and he was alive.

"Daddy! Oh God your alive, they told us you were dead like mom."

"They lied honey, your mom is gone, but I've been alive and searching for both of you for fifteen long years. They told me that I would never see the two of you again if I didn't do what they wanted. I have a picture of you when you were a little younger. It's the only thing I have of you and your brother. I have never stopped looking and loving both of you."

"Daddy we need you, Vince is hurt and I don't know how to help him and I know they want me to go through the same thing he did what if I'm not as strong as Vince?"

"Sweetheart don't. Your strong enough, you have your mother's strength inside of you so does Vince, you'll both be okay I promise. I have a way to get to the two of you. it's going to take a little time and help, but I won't leave you two there much longer. Just stay strong honey and hold on I'll be there soon and I'll bring both of you back home."

Soothing my daughter I tried to split the connection and reach for my son. When I felt the wave of exhaustion I knew I needed to rest. Going back to Veatrice I told her that I was going to see if I could reach Vincent. Focusing on my son I tried to reach him only to be reminded what a novice I was in using my dormant abilities of telepathic communication. I knew I had it I just hid it and never used it to protect myself I guess. If the Centre knew I had this ability. Realizing that I would be well treated like Jarod had been treated I shuddered. Focusing again, I could feel my son and I could feel the pain he was in. I knew time was short and that Vince would probably not make it through the next experiment. I spoke to him as he slept. When my cell phone rang I jumped and let the connection go.

"What is it!"

"Mr.... Mr. Lyle I was just calling to say that we are waiting downstairs in the car for you."

"What the hell for!"

"Jarod sir, the lead on him. I called earlier."

"Never mind your bumbling explanations Broots I'm on my way down."

Leaving the house I got into the car and waited while we rode to the air strip.

"Are you all right Mr. Lyle?"

"Just dandy Sydney."

"If you want to talk about, what ever it is."

"Mind your business Doctor Greene."

Seeing the private jet sitting on the tarmac, brought back some memories I could live without. Walking to the plane I got on board and waited. Letting my mind wonder I thought about the fact that I had connected to at least one of my children and for now she was okay. I turned my mind to how was going to get the Pretender to help me free my children. Hell I wouldn't give him a choice, he either helped or I would personally make sure his return to the Centre was the most painful experience in his life.

"Daddy, what's a Pretender and why do you want to hurt it."

Jumping I looked around and saw Sydney staring in my direction. At first I thought he had heard Veatrice, but the I realized he was looking at me because I had jumped and looked shocked for a second.

"Daddy?"

"Mr. Lyle, are you okay?"

"Just fine."

Turning to the window I focussed my thoughts and shoved the ones that my seventeen year old had no right to see into that place inside of myself that held so much of the real me.

"Next time, be a little more subtle, honey."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude."
"You didn't Veatrice, it's just I've had to hide that I could do this kind of talking with my mind for a very long time, and now it's just a little bizarre to hear you inside my head, that's all."

"They don't know me and Vince can do it either."

"Good, don't let them. Have you seen or heard from him?"

"Yes, a little while ago, he said that he felt a little better, I told him about you. He stopped talking to me all together and now he doesn't answer me. You never answered my question."

"A Pretender is a person and I don't really want to hurt him, because he's the one that's going to help me get both of you back. I'll talk to your brother later for now I want you to get some rest young lady."

"Okay daddy, luv you."

Smiling when my daughter yawned on her last words, I went back to my own thoughts.

"See what I mean, he's been acting weird all day, like something is going on. He's even smiling now. Lyle smiling is not something I want to see. Whatever is going on Syd, it's not good."

Folding up my thoughts I put them away and turned away from the window,
focusing on my son I tried to reach him again, I pushed a little harder.

"What! what do you want?"

"To know your okay, Veatrice said you stopped talking to her."

"Oh please this false concern you got going is good, but you don't fool me."

"I don't understand Vincent."

"Stop acting like you care."

"I do care, Vincent your my son I love both of you."

"Cut it out! You don't care, if you did you wouldn't let them take us, you would have found us sooner. Your a liar just like the rest of the people around us liars all of you!"

Feeling the connection brutally cut I snapped my head back into the back rest. God he was so angry. I knew him hell I was him. I knew I couldn't get through to him until I held them in my arms so I concentrated on other things. like how was going to get Jarod to help me free the twins.
 
 

Downtown New York City

Hanging up the phone I made my way from my office and walked towards my superiors desk.

"Find anything?"

"No, but I wanted to be sure I didn't leave anything to chance. The clean up is going to take longer than anticipated but at least I don't feel as if I'm sitting back doing nothing."

"Nothing! Have you inhaled some kind of fumes man?"

"Fumes, no one told me about fumes, shouldn't we call Hazmat or something I mean we can't risk all these people."

"It's an expression, it means that maybe you have been sniffing something that has clouded your mind. You know J. R.  for someone with your talent and skill in this field I often feel as if you grew up on some other planet or something."

"Or something, I guess I should really get back to work."

"Yeah sure."

Walking back into my small office I sat down and looked out the window. Feeling sadness and pain take over I looked at the place where the World Trade Center once stood. I know I made it a habit to never return to a city I had already been in, but I couldn't stay away. New York City, the city that
never sleeps from what I heard, was now in the throes of trying to set itself to rights. Two months had passed since the attack had taken place. All that wasted life, all those innocent people the one's in the building's and on the planes. Quickly standing I thought I had better go outside before I let this rage and anger over take me. For the first time in my life I couldn't push
the anger away or get rid of it. Every time I thought about the attacks I wanted to go hurt the people that did this senseless thing. Of course in there minds it wasn't senseless it was there belief. I couldn't escape the fact that belief or not they destroyed life and I knew that I had to stay in
NYC longer then any of my other pretends to help as much as I could. So many people were doing so much and helping that I felt for the first time in a long time that I wasn't alone in the world and that I wasn't the only one out there trying to put right some of the evil things that happened in today's world. Closing the door to the office I occupied I looked at the name on the door J. R.  Barbosa. The Centre would never think that I would change or shorten my name. Of course the Centre would never think to look up anyone with that last name either. Remembering the last time I was in NY and the woman I met I knew that the Centre wouldn't find me, but I was still cautious I didn't want D. getting hurt because of me. Smiling to myself while I walked down the street I thought about the fact that she refused to let me call her by her full name, sprouting off that she didn't want me to mispronounce it. Of course me being a genius made that little occurrence impossible but I accepted that she wanted me to call her by her initial only. She was the one that told me that I could use J. R.  and her last name. D was, well I guess she was D. I had met her the night I was working in hospital to bring down a doctor who was operating a black market organ ring. I had just finished up my shift and was leaving when I heard someone crying. I followed the sound and found her sitting on the steps outside crying and rocking herself. Sitting down next to her I gave her my handkerchief and asked if she was okay. She quickly wiped her eyes and nose and shook her head yes. When she got up to leave I asked her why she was so upset. She told me that her mother had had a massive stroke and that the doctor's said that she wouldn't make it through. She also said that she couldn't cry in front of her family that she had to be strong and show that she could handle it. D and I became good friends and I hated having to leave her when the time came especially knowing that she would continue hiding herself and her emotions making herself all the more invisible to her family and everyone else. Sometimes I wondered if people knew what a gift having a family really was, having brother's and sisters so close at hand to talk to. D. was right though even if I didn't understand, some families weren't good for or too each other and being invisible sometimes saved you. Being so lost in my thoughts and of D. didn't see the danger that was around me till it was too late.

"Don't move Jarod.I know exactly where to put the bullet to make sure you never walk again."

Standing with my hands at my sides I quickly assessed that I had walked towards D's favorite bookstore and thus put myself underneath a construction bulkhead where no one could see me or Lyle behind me holding the gun. Great I had walked about twenty blocks from any one who could possible help.

"Don't you think shooting a man in the back is a little repetitive, I mean you did kill my brother that way. I thought doing it again was beneath you, maybe I was wrong."

Surpressing the urge I had to flat out run from Lyle and the memories of the last time we were with in shouting distance of each other, I thought about my options.

"Don't try to run Jarod, I will shoot you. Turn around, slowly."

"I see that you have moved up to some kind of honorable act, I take comfort in the fact that you want to see my face before you shoot me. You got to be sniffing fumes though to think I'm going to let you take me anywhere especially the Centre."

Good keep him talking, I knew if I kept the arrogant son of a bitch talking I could figure a way out. Lyle's weakness was always his vanity, he was always sure of himself to the point of arrogance.

"Haven't you learned by now that it doesn't matter what you want, your needs and wants have no place at the Centre or any where else."

Trying to see past my temper and past the Lyle training and directives that had become ingrained into my psyche I put the safety back on, but still held the gun at the ready.

"That's were we differ I guess because I've learned that in this world needs and wants keep people going, it's what makes them human. A state of existence you will never achieve."

Trying frantically to figure how I could make good on my escape without being shot I tried to think more clearly. Way to go keep insulting the man Jarod, he won't even bother to help you if he does shoot you. He might just let you bleed to death. No, Lyle wouldn't kill me, the Centre wanted me alive, and there retriever here wouldn't shoot to kill, but he would shoot to damage, then I would never get away. Come on Jarod think, stop focusing on the terror he instills, and think.

"You know nothing about me. You always perceived one thing Jarod and in this life that's dangerous I'm surprised it hasn't gotten you killed."

"I perceive little, but then again the Centre made sure of that didn't they. They made sure I had no real personality to base anything on. Some would even say it's amazing that I turned into such a good hearted person, after everything you and the Centre has done to me and my family."

Standing there I thought about what he said and that it was exactly that good heartedness I was counting on to save my children. I knew time was short. Sydney and Broots would soon find us. Forcing the anger that was roiling inside of me I thought quickly.

"I'm sorry."

Doing what Maddy had told me I apologized. She told me in my dream that I had to apologize and fight for my children and myself. Hopefully it was enough.

"I guess this is where you say your sorry to have to shoot me but I don't buy it. Shoot go ahead because I'm not going back I won't let you torture me again. Your going to have to kill me first!"

"Would you shut up for a second! You would think for a genius you would know not to antagonize a man holding a gun on you, I am not apologizing because I'm going to shoot you. I don't have time to go into it or any of this right now but I need your help."

"You are out of your mind I would never help you!"

"Fine, I don't care, but you are going to help them."
Walking towards Jarod I could see the brief spark of fear in his eyes before
he hid it under his hate. Shoving the picture into his hands I pulled back.

"The number on the back is to a private line. Be sure to call me by tonight, by the way tell Ethan and the woman who's last name your using I said hello."

Putting the gun back in it's holster I turned my back on Jarod and walked away. Oh God, Maddy please be right. Please let him call. Walking to where I had sent Broots and Sydney searching for Jarod I told them I found nothing and that the trip was a waste of time. I even threatened Broots for effect, good let them think this trip was a failure. They would never know that I had seen Jarod.

"Let's go I have things to do back at the office."

"But Mr. Lyle we didn't even check."

"Are you questioning my authority Broots because if you are then there's a nice spot in the renewal wing for you."

"N.. No sir I just, never mind."

Shit how did Lyle find out about Ethan and D, I knew I didn't leave any traces back to either of them, but Lyle knew about them and that wasn't good. I had to warn them and make sure they went to ground. I wouldn't take any chances, Lyle was dangerous. Looking at what he shoved into my hands I saw two children both looked the same. Realizing that they were twins and had to be at least sixteen years old in this picture I wondered what the hell Lyle had to do with them and who they were. Looking on the back I saw the number and the call by tonight on the back. Whatever Lyle was up to I couldn't give in. This picture was a trap, I knew Lyle and I knew there wasn't a level he wouldn't sink to. Walking away I knew I had to get to Ethan and D. Catching a cab I pulled out my cell phone and called the apartment. D. would be sitting at the computer right now working, Ethan was probably hanging over her shoulder. I had a feeling that something was going on between those two. Ethan was never much for conversation or even physical contact but D. seemed to know how to get him to open up, he had even been smiling and laughing when I saw him.

"Hello."

"D. it's me, how are you?"

"As good as can be expected I guess."

"How's your mother?"

"Different, did you call for Ethan?"
"Actually I called for both of you I'm on my way to your place now, we need to talk."

"Fine, we'll be waiting."

***

Blue Cove
The Centre

Grabbing my briefcase off my desk, I decided to go home after the supposed failure to capture Jarod. I hoped he would call, no I prayed he would.

"I hear you didn't capture the lab rat, if I told you once I told you a million times never underestimate him."

"Nice to see you Parker, now get out! I have things to do."

"Our father is fine. I just thought that you wanted to know seeing since you have taken over his office and his job."

"What did you expect he's a vegetable, he can't run this place and someone should."

"Oh yeah and your doing such a great job at it."

Fighting not to say or do something completely dark and demented to Parker because she was making me angry I pulled aback my temper and thought about the fact that Veatrice had the same blue eyes. Waiting for her to say something else I thought again please let him call. When the scream echoed in my head I dropped my case I grabbed my head. Doubling over I tried to block out what I heard and what I felt. Staggering to my couch I sat down and closed my eyes as well as my mind.

"Why the hell are you holding your head like that, jezz Lyle you really are demented."

Trying to pull myself away from building my shields I focused on Parker. Pulling on my game face I dropped my arms and stood up, grabbing my briefcase I pushed past Parker.

"Whatever leave me alone."

Walking quickly to my car I waited a minute or two before I started the car. I needed some place quite and where there weren't any prying eyes, before I lowered my shields again. The pain that came at me was too much it was worse then I could imagine, and the screams that I heard were something I would have nightmares about for the rest of my life. Seeing the house up ahead I went into the garage and into the house itself, dropping my briefcase I focussed on the shields and pulling them down. What I heard and felt was almost too much to bare. Taking a deep breath I reached out.

***

New York City

"Whatever Lyle's up to I don't trust him one bit, I've known him too long and been on the receiving end of, never mind I don't trust him this is a trap. He always loved playing games."

"What if it isn't a game, what if he really needs your help?"

"The only thing Lyle needs help with is a hand down into hell. You know what a psychopath he is Ethan, he was Raines pet project."

Seeing the glazed look that Ethan took on I felt like shit, I couldn't seem to stop myself when it came to Lyle.

"I'm sorry Ethan I didn't mean to remind you about."

"I know you didn't Jarod I know that Lyle hurt you and our family."

"Dinner's ready, I made your favorite Ethan."

"Your favorite, I didn't know you had a favorite type of food, maybe I should introduce you to poptarts then."

"He's already tasted them, he likes the chocolate marshmallow ones best, but this is food. Come you guys before it gets cold."

Smiling at the fact that Ethan was at least learning to open up and give his opinions on what he liked and didn't like I felt slightly better. I still didn't trust Lyle. Watching Ethan sit next to D, I was right there was definitely something going on.

"Thanks you didn't have to cook."

"I don't mind I miss it in fact I usually eat something simple and fast to cook, but I like cooking and feeding friends when I get the chance"

"I know you two have become fast friends and I think that's great, it will make what I have to say easier."

"What is it Jarod?"

"I want both of you to disappear."

"What, no."

"I can't!"

"I'm not leaving you Jarod."

"I can't leave my mother, you of all people know how important family is. I can't leave her."

"Listen I know you both have reasons to stay but Lyle knows your with me Ethan and he knows I used your last name D., he also knows that you two are together. I won't have him using the two of you to get to me. It won't be for long just until I can figure out what his game is I promise."

"I'm not leaving you in fact I can probably help."

"So can I."

"I don't want either of you involved in this, whatever is between Lyle and me is just that I don't want him getting near either of you."

"For now let's eat then decide what to do after."

***

Blue Cove

Fighting the dizzy spell that washed over me I pushed harder past the protective shields my daughter had raised around herself. She was trying to block out the pain and aftermath of the experiment she had been subjected to, she wasn't even responding to her brother who I had reached first." So this is what you mean by taking care of us, V. can't even hear me calling to her. Some father you are. If you cared about us you would have saved us a long time ago."

Pushing out the painful words my son threw at me I retracted my focus from him and put it all on Veatrice. Splintering my focus wasn't helping it was making me feel nauseous and sick. I knew that in time it wouldn't be for now I needed to keep my focus and mental energy on one of them. Talking to V. through our telepathic link I tried to soothe her the best way I could. I knew I was failing not only her but Maddy I couldn't help her I couldn't help myself. Feeling more tired then I thought possible I felt that I couldn't keep expending energy that way. I could feel my consciousness slipping away. Calling on Maddy and whatever God available for strength and help I let myself black out. Seconds later I could feel the energy flowing back and renewing itself. Pulling it into myself and my heart I reached farther to my daughter and finally got past her shields.

"Sweetheart talk to me, are you okay?"

"Yeah dad that's a great question."

Hearing my son in my head I knew that he had no problems splitting his telepathic energy to speak with me and his sister. God they were amazing.

"Veatrice come on talk to me."

"D...Daddy, ohooooo it hurts it hurts so bad. I'm so scared."

"I know V. just think of something else anything else it will go away."

"Vince where's daddy?"

"Never mind him V. just listen to me, listen to my voice."

"No, I want Dad."

"I'm here sweetheart right here, Vincent is just worried about you expending too much energy talking to both of us."

"Can't you talk to both of us daddy, can't you be the one that puts the link out."

"I've tried to honey but I can't focus on both of you without being drained or sick. I haven't gotten proficient at using my telepathy that way yet."

"Figures! V. listen to me, I'm right here I can hear you and feel you. Forget him, think about something else."

"Stop it both of you, he's our father Vince. He loves us."

Feeling that I had been hit with a sharp piece of glass, I felt Maddy. Veatrice sounded just like her mother. Feeling the wave of pain and exhaustion on my daughter I focused on her again.

"Veatrice rest now, you need to sleep and rest. I won't leave you I promise."

***

New York City

"Give me the picture Jarod"

"No way Ethan, I won't let you call that psychopath."

"Just give me the picture, D. hasn't found anything on the computer. Let me try something."

Getting the picture I gave it to Ethan and waited. I knew Ethan had other talents, that's why Raines wanted him and kept him screwed up. His other gifts would have been invaluable to the Centre especially with me out. Watching him look at the picture for a minute then get a glazed look in his eyes I waited. When he slumped in the chair I ran to his side.

"It's not a trap. Call him."

Pulling back I pulled the picture from Ethan's hands.

"No, I won't call Lyle."

"It's not a trap, the kids in the picture are ... are like us."

"What do you mean like us, what are you talking about."

"It's jumbled and confused but.."

Watching Ethan rub his temples I wondered what he was hearing. I knew he heard the inner voices and that they led to us trusting each other, but what were they telling him now.

"Wait I remember, those kids are like us they have special talents, they are pretenders like you and other things. I heard Raines talking about a set of twins that he had some doctor working with. He also said that as long as they had them where he couldn't find them he could control him."

"Who is him? And what other talents do they have."

"Mr. Lyle, the twins in the picture mean everything to him, I got his feelings of that picture."

"You empathed him, Ethan that's dangerous. Lyle is demented, you can't control what he felt or the sick feelings he has toward those children."

"No sick feelings, he doesn't have sick feelings towards them, he has paternal feelings towards them. He's their father Jarod, and he's conflicted, I got to sides of him. I don't think Lyle had choices Jarod I think that the Centre did something horrible to him and now they make him do horrible things."

"Right, so underneath it all his a victim like you and me right Ethan. I'll believe that like I believe in the Easter bunny!"

"I'm not saying he's blameless I'm just saying that he may have had no choice. Call him Jarod."

"I.."

"Please."

Taking out my cell phone I dialed the number on the back of the picture, when I got no response I hung up.

"No answer, which is great."

"Try again later."

"No, I don't think that would be a good idea."

"You are going to call later or I will."

"Fine, shouldn't you be hanging over D. or something."

Watching Ethan leave the room I thought about all that I had learned from him. Lyle had children. More importantly, the Centre had his children. God could Ethan be right, he was not fully responsible for his actions. No, Lyle was Lyle, he hurt and destroyed people. He was responsible for his actions. Hell I still had nightmares from some of those actions. I couldn't ignore what else Ethan said, they were pretenders as well as having other gifts, the Centre was exploiting them like they did me and Ethan and Kyle, I couldn't let them suffer the way we all did, but I couldn't trust Lyle either. Picking up my cell phone I debated for a second and then speed dialed a number that I was sure to get an answer to.

"This is Sydney."

"Hey Syd, how's tricks."

"Jarod, how are you. I see you still take joy in leading us on wild goose chases."

"Wild goose chases, Syd?"

"We visited New York recently, you weren't there. Mr. Lyle nearly blew a gasket having wasted a trip out there."

"Um, so the trip was uneventful huh, well at least it got you out of the Centre. I have a question for you though."

"I will answer if I can"

"If someone asks you for help, but you know this person isn't exactly an upstanding citizen, but wants to help someone who is innocent what do you do?"

"I guess it depends on the person willing to help. I may not trust the person asking for help but if it is legitimate I would do my best to help."

"Then why didn't you ever help me Syd, I asked dozen of times why?"

"Jarod you know I couldn't, not without putting you in danger."

"Right, follow the party line Syd if it helps you sleep at night."

Hanging up the phone I thought about all the information that I had gotten tonight, I also thought about what I was hearing. Ethan and D. were talking and laughing with each other. Syd and Ethan were right I had to help those kids, now helping Lyle was something all together different. Knowing that I was going to get them out I thought about what I would have to do. Walking
into the living room where they were sitting in front of the computer I cleared my throat.

"You've made a decision then?"

"I will get them out, then figure how to get them to safety."

"What about Lyle."

"What about him?"

"The twins are his children Jarod, they belong with him."

"No, they don't. Lyle is an evil demented murderer, who doesn't deserve those kids. He'll exploit them like the Centre is and then kill them."

"Come on you don't believe that do you. Those are his children Jarod that means something. We have no right to keep them apart, just think about how you feel because the Centre keeps you and your family apart. We can't do that, we don't have that right."

"You don't understand Ethan."

"I found something. Come over here both of you."

"What did you find?"
"Something that might make the choice easier to make. Look at this, I took the number on that picture and did a search. The number is listed to a house on the outskirts of Delaware to a Mr. Burke. The house was listed as bought and sold thirteen years ago. I did a search on Mr. Burke and found this it's an obituary for both a Mr. and Mrs.here's the picture that came along with it. I also looked up the article in the newspaper. The Burkes were murdered by an unidentified assailant that broke into the house raped and killed a Madeline Burke, and when the husband interfered and tried to catch the guygot shot and died. The article mentioned that a baby room was found but no babies. The case remains open and is seventeen years old. I'll print out the picture. The husband's name was Robert Evan Burke."

Looking at the grainy picture I could see Lyle staring back at me a younger Lyle but Lyle all the same. I didn't want to think about what Ethan had said earlier that he may have not had a choice in the evil things he did. But then again Lyle could have set the whole thing up knowing that he would have to get rid of the woman to take the children.

"I found the marriage license, it seems Mr. Burke took on his wife's last name. The marriage license says that they were married in a civil ceremony in a small no name town. The house they died in is listed as sold to someone else."

So Lyle found someone to marry, impregnate then murder all for the sake of that hell called the Centre. Picking up my cell phone I dialed the number on the back of the picture.

***

Blue Cove

Hearing the phone ring off in a distance I pulled myself back to myself and slowly got up to get the phone. I felt dizzy and sick as well as exhausted but I knew it would be Jarod. Picking up the phone I waited.

"You haven't destroyed enough lives Lyle you had to destroy an innocent woman's life. Why'd you marry her huh Lyle, why not just sleep with her, get her pregnant then kidnap the kids? Did she realize that you could never love anyone or thing but the Centre? Is that it Lyle, did she wise up to your plans and try to stop you!"

Hearing the accusations in the pretender's voice I tried to gather my thoughts. God I was exhausted, more then ever I didn't want to have this conversation and I definitely didn't want him bad mouthing Maddy or our relationship.

"My past is none of you business, Jarod."

"The hell it isn't. I am not going to risk my neck and my life to get them out, to have you exploit them like the Centre."

Feeling my temper rise at his crass accusations I pulled the framed picture to my chest and thought about what I had to say to convince him.

"I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you, I'm sorry that we keep taking your family away from you. I'm so sorry that I especially hurt you" Swallowing back the tears that threatened I went on

"Maddy was everything to me, she saw something in me that no one ever saw. She gave me hope that one day I could actually bury who I was and be the man she loved. We were married for two years before those bastards took her away. It was a long time ago, I was leaving the Centre I wasn't going to be there assassin anymore. Raines knew I had pretender capabilities. He knew that I..."

"Go on, I'm waiting."

"He knew that I wasn't loyal to them anymore. Maddy made me see that I could be someone decent, good and possibly normal. She loved me unconditionally like what I did before didn't matter. She always said that it isn't what you do back then, it's what you do now that makes the difference. I'm not saying that I haven't hurt people and killed them but she forgave me. I loved her more then my own life itself. I didn't think the Centre cared who I had relationships with I was wrong."

"Did you have her killed, then fake your own death?"

"Are who fucking out of your mind! I loved her I still do I would never have hurt her, never. Maddy was everything to me, everything. Then we had the twins. I had a life and a family for two years Jarod, then they took it away. I didn't fake anything, Robert Burke died that night. If I ever showed any hints to be anything other then the Centre's loyal servant my children suffered. I wasn't going to loose them the way I lost Maddy, no matter what I had to do. I don't excuse myself for the things I've done to you or other's but my children need to be free and safe. I won't let the Centre hurt them anymore."

"That's what I needed to hear for now, but Lyle if your lying I'll make sure you go down and never see your children again."

"I don't care! As long as they are away from the Centre I don't care what happens to me."

"I call you back at this number with the plan, for now act normal, well as normal for you."

Hanging up the phone I looked at Ethan and D. Ethan was right he did love his children. Thinking that maybe Lyle had another side a side that Raines and the Centre destroyed made me think. Lyle was a prisoner just like we were. He was trapped, by the fact that he loved someone and they suffered for that love. Could Lyle actually have had become a good person at some point in his life. If the Centre had never got involved could he have become a good man? Having heard the pain behind the accusation I made about him killing his wife I knew there was pain still there. Once again the Centre had taken a family and destroyed them.

"You believe him, don't you?"

"Yes, Ethan I do, I just don't believe I can forgive him for all the pain he's caused."

***

Blue Cove

Laying down on the couch I let myself drift I knew I needed sleep, but I also knew I wasn't going to get it. Jarod had agreed to help free the twins, now all I had to do was make them believe it. Pulling whatever strength I could muster together I reached out to my son. He was so angry and distant that for a minute I didn't think I could reach him.

"Stop trying to reach me, your exhausted just like V. is. I'll keep the connection going."

"Thank you Vincent."

"Vince, no one but those goons call me by my full name. Just like V. doesn't like being called Veatrice."

"Is she all right?"

"As far as I can tell yes, she made it through. They'll leave us alone for a while, till they know we've recuperated."

"How long is that."

"A couple of days at the most."

"They don't leave us alone for too long, they think it gives us time to think of ways to escape."

"Have you tried to."

"Yes, but they caught me. That was before I knew V. was here. Now I won't leave without her."

Stifling a yawn I tried to think what other information I should get that might be useful.

"What was our mother like?"

"Um, wonderful, beautiful, gentle, funny. Here I'm going to look at a picture and project it to you let me know if you see it."

Picking up the picture I had before I memorized the photo, it was of the day we brought the twins home. Maddy had on the biggest smile. The picture was already part of me but I knew I couldn't do the projection without looking at a real picture. My mind was to tired.

"So you were happy when we were born?"

"The happiest, we both loved you very much, more then anything."

"How did she die. I don't believe that she died in an accident. Something inside me tells me different."

"Trying to hide the images his innocent question brought up I knew I was unsuccessful a minute later.

"Those bastards! I'll kill them, I'll kill of them."

"No! Vince listen to me, they want that. It's what they want, they use people, they use emotions. Don't ever let those emotions control you, it's how they get inside of you. How they make you believe that they know what's best for you. It's how they take away your soul. Please son listen to me."

"Is that what they did to you?"

"Yes, but it wasn't very hard in the beginning."

"Why?"

"After your mother died and they took you I wanted to die too, and I tried several ways to achieve that goal. In the end I realized that I had to stop grieving and put your mother in my heart and never let her out again and stay alive for you and your sister. I changed and they took advantage of that. After that they used you and your sister to make me do what they wanted. I never stopped looking for you. I thought if I did what they wanted you would be safe."

"They lied."

"Yes, son they did, they always do. I prayed that one day I would find a way to save you and your sister and bring you home."

"What's changed?"

"Me, I guess I'm not the person your mother fell in love with. I'm not even a good person I'm what they wanted more or less."

"Are you going to try and save us?"

"Yes,"

"Then your not what they made you, your my dad, your our dad and right now that's all that matters."

"Thank you."
 

Feed back please let me know if I should go on.    DIZZYDAME1211@aol.com