The End, hell yeah!

Warring: This is *confusing* if you skip parts!!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the television show "The Pretender." They belong to Steve Long Mitchell, Craig W. Sickel, and TNT.

Haunted Epilogue

McGregurer's Castle Ireland

Sitting down on the couch Catherine ponders the event that happen almost a year ago today. 'Wonder were Jarod is right now.' Thinking back to the incident on the stairs a ghost of a smile forms on Catherine's face.

Flash back: The Stairwell

Hearing pounding feet coming closer to them, Catherine turns toward Wild.

"What on earth," says Catherine as she looks toward the commotion.

"Catherine Parker," shouts Jarod "I dare you to stand there and face me." Pausing for Jarod to catch up to her, she stands on the stairs glaring at him.

"Well," Catherine snaps as Wild goes up the stairs. Catherine crosses her arms in front of her, as Jarod gets closer to her.

"Look here Catherine Parker," says Jarod as he gasps for breath "I love you, alright. We can work through anything, as long as we're together."

"Together," questions Catherine raising an eyebrow.

"Yes together," repeats Jarod wrapping his arms around her body Jarod pulls her closer to him. Hearing the rest of the family closing in on them, Catherine tries to pull away "I'm never letting you go."

"Catherine Parker," gasps Margaret "You have a lot of explaining to do."

"Look Jarod," starts Catherine "there are things about me you don't know."

"So what," replies Jarod "there are things about me, you don't know about. I'm still not letting you go."

"Really," sneers Wild, "What are ya planning ta do? Jarod, lock her in a room."

"No," snaps Jarod "I plan on marrying her."

"About damn time if ya ask me," snaps Wild everyone as they give her this look of 'what.'

"If ya going ta be explaining everything ya might want to be comfortable," suggests Wild "Do come up and meet the rest of the family." Opening up the seventh floor door, Emily's happy voice along with Debbie's laughter floats toward them.

Smirking Wild waits for everyone to start up the stairs "Are ya waiting for a golden invitation?"

Pulling Jarod by the arm "come on she gets worst," pointing to Wild "when people don't do as they are told. The first time."

Ethan looks at his sister quizzingly, "How would you know?"

"Cuz we cosins," snaps Wild as she back hands Ethan as he passes her "and she told ya to watch ya mouth, didn't she?"

Rubbing the back of his head "yeah."



Present Day

The crackling of the fire, snaps her out of her daydream. Signing deeply 'if only things didn't go downward from there.' Stretching, she looked over the seventh floor room 'so much has changed in a years time' noting the two baby's cribs. 'At lest I regained my figure.'

"Ya not pinning away," demands Wild as she sits down in one of the many chairs in the room "are ya?"

Starring directly into her eyes, "Not really," looking around the room "It could have gone better."

Groaning "not this again," sighing in frustration "it had ta be done that way."

"I know, I know I just wish it didn't go down hill so fast." Both women stare off into space remembering.

Flashback:

The group goes upstairs find Chloe sitting on Lyle's lap; Debbie and Emily are sitting together across from Lyle. Major Charles rushes toward Lyle his hands out in attack mode when is stopped short by Seamus floating upward form the floor.

"Prob," growls Seamus who glares at a gapping Major Charles. Soft gasps fill the room as the new comers realize that Seamus looks just like Lyle. Seamus just floated between Major Charles and Bobbie.

"The idiots are here," announces Wild as she enters the room "where's dead boy?"

"Dead boy," asks Margaret, Wild just waves her question away as she looks around the room.

Groaning Bobbie runs a hand down his face "Yes, and its cuz of her," pointing to Wild "he probably thinks I did something underhanded to his daughter."

Seamus turns, glares at Bobbie "ya deserve it, if she give it." Sinking slowly throw the floor.

Laughter floats toward them from a side room as Kyle emerges "underhanded is an understatement if I've ever heard one." Margaret gasps swaying on her feet, Kyle rushes to her side catching her right before she passes out. Major Charles flops down on the nearest chair, as Jarod gapes at Kyle who is carrying their mother.

"See I told ya," snickers Wild "Ya ugly." Moving in the room, a chair moves on its own toward her, placing her next to Robbie. Sitting down Wild crosses her legs and smirks at the group.

"How," croaks out Jarod as he points to Kyle, glancing back and forth between him and Catherine.

Kyle puts his mother next to Emily after Debbie gets up "Ask Catherine."

Glaring at Catherine, "you knew and didn't tell me."

Catherine glares right back at him "Not really." Letting go of his hand she makes her way toward Robbie. Another chair moves from the sidewall placing her next to Wild sideways to Robbie. Sitting down, Catherine smirks at Jarod.



Present Day

"Do ya remember how mad Jarod was," comments Wild.

Groaning "Mad, that's the understatement of the decade. He was positively livid." Squeaking a trolley carrying a silver tea set makes its way slowly toward the woman "Thanks Stephie." Picking up the teakettle Wild plays mother to Catherine.

Holding her cup in her hand "I remember you," pointing to Wild "getting so pissed off, then telling Jarod to..."



Miss Parker's Flashback

"Better yet," snaps Wild, "just leave," uncrossing her legs "and take that," gesturing to his family, "with ya." Coldly glaring at Jarod daring him to challenge her.

Giggling floats toward them, as Molly runs into the room from a sidewall "can Debbie come out an play," she whispers from behind Robbie, "and maybe Ryan?"

Twitching "Molly why did Caleb stop," demands Wild.

Molly smiles as she walks behind Ethan, doing a little peek a boo with Wild "he says he got bored," pouting, "they were too easy."

Groaning her frustration "damn." Molly laughs as she tickles Ethan who jumps away from her in freight "Ethan," snaps Wild "behave or be dead."

Present Day

Laughing, "You were so mean to them," putting her empty cup on the table.

"Na," dismisses Wild "mean ta none." Sitting back, Wild smirks "member when Ethan asked about the living and dead."

"Remember," pausing "Nonnie was the best though."

"Yeah," laughs Wild "Nonnie is always cool ta way."

Walking into the room, Chloe sighs, "I can't believe the arrogance in that family," sitting down opposite of Catherine and next to Wild "come on, did Margaret think she knew Kyle better then me?"

Wild's flashback:

Swallowing hard, Ethan asks, "How many people live here?"

"Six people," states Catherine "but at last count twelve ghosts." Swirling white mist materializes covering the floor.

Looking at her "twelve ghosts."

Sydney shakes his head, "do you really expect us to believe that?" The white mist, centers itself behind Catherine, slowly it forms a woman. Shocked the group looks on as it comes into focus.

"Greets Nonnie," snickers Catherine not even bothering to look behind her "Yes, Syd I expect you to believe me."

"What's up beautiful," flirts Kyle.

"Itz a good thing she's dead," comments Wild "otherwise ya'd be, Dead boy."

"Stop harassing my son," snaps Margaret as she glares at Wild.

Leaning forward Wild devilishly smirks in Margaret's face "some'tin ya need ta know, Nonnie," nodding her head toward the ghostly woman "Caleb's wife," a full wide smile flashes across her face "as for Dead Boy, his alive cuz I let him."

Seeing his mother getting ready to pounce "mother," whispers Kyle "this," pointing to Wild "is her house, these ghosts are her family members," looking directly at Jarod "in case you've failed to notice they are extremely proactive bunch."

"I still don't see why she," pointing to Catherine "didn't tell me that you are alive," shouts Jarod as Major Charles pulls him down on to a chair next to him.

Present Day

"Still poor Jarod," snickers Chloe "he looked like he was sucker punched when Wild lit into him."

"When I lit into him," laughs Wild as she stares at Chloe "what about when Liam got to him?"

Chloe's flashback:

"Ah, what's the matter," condescends Wild "Mister Omniscient didn't get the memo?" pouting at him "too bad." Catherine and Chloe laugh as Nonnie tisks her.

"I'm' not Omniscient," growls Jarod as he leaps up and makes his way toward Catherine. BANG! Startling everyone as the door hits the wall, a 'Lyle ghost' walks in. "Think twice smart ass," growls the ghost as he strides up to Nonnie "mother."

"No," snaps Catherine "Jarod, you just act like it."

"Hel'o Liam," whispers Nonnie "it's not going well, better tell Caleb to come up here."

Nodding to her, "yes mother, Wild," pausing to get her attention "need ya help in the ward."

"What," pouts Catherine "why does she get to have all the fun," crossing her arms across her chest Catherine gives Liam her best-wounded puppy look. 'Besides Jarod really doesn't want me here anyways.'

"Fine," growls Liam "come with."

Smiling Catherine and Wild rise from their seats as Jarod jumps up shouting in fear "No." Standing between her and the door "your not leaving my sight." Jarod glances around nervously for a way to prevent her from leaving him. Reaching out with shaking hands he grips Catherine's hands in his. Jarod whispers to Catherine "please don't leave me."

Snickering Liam moves Jarod without touching him "really," purrs Liam "I would love ta see ya stop her." Jarod's hands still hold Catherine's. Looking directly into Jarod's eyes, Catherine sighs. 'Maybe he does really care.' Catherine's eyes widen as Jarod's grip tightens almost painfully, she notices that his breathing is ragged.

"Liam," snaps Nonnie "behave they are guests until Caleb says otherwise." A Liam growl but compiles with his mothers wishes as he stops moving Jarod around.

"If Jarod wants to came with," sneers Liam "he can," seeing Wild's shocked expression "but don't be expecting me to protect him."

"Fine," laughs Nonnie "Jarod you can go with the girls."

Waving her hand "no way," snaps Wild "I'm not having Mister Goodie two shoes around the ward!" Glaring at Nonnie, Wild puts her hands on her hips "he's the one who brought that piece of shi..."

"Wild," barks Caleb from the doorframe, "That's enough. Now Lizzy what's the problem?"

Smiling Nonnie looks at Caleb "I told Jarod, he could go to the ward with the girls."

Waling into the room, Caleb heads toward his wife. Upon reaching her, he kisses her check before looking at the group before him. Shaking his head, "Have they straightened everything out," when confused and guilty looks flashed before him "Wild go with Liam. Debbie and Ryan go play pool with Molly. Syd and Broots if ya can't be supportive to me family go with the youngsters. Everyone else will stay."

Smiling reassuringly at Jarod, Catherine gestures for Jarod to sit down in Wild's abandoned seat, next to her. Jarod doesn't let go of her hand as he sits down next to her. Nonnie smiles when she notices that they are still handing hands.



Present Day

Molly's loud giggles, followed by footsteps broke into the women's thoughts. Hearing some of the people they were reminiscing about approaching the room, Wild smiles "lest some good came out of it."

Laughter from Chloe and Catherine filled the room "some good! You," pointing to Wild "got to beat the shit out of Zoe before you set her up the river for killing Rains."

Waving a dismissing hand "that's nothing compared ta what Seamus did the Centre goons," pondering for a bit, "although that's nothing ya should have seen what Liam did ta the Triumvirate members he had in the ward."

"Yep," laughs Catherine "I'll never forget how badly Liam didn't want me or anyone else near the ward because of that," looking over the pictures on the fireplace mantel. Family photos adorned it, large and small alike. Smiling softly at the new baby pictures Catherine counts her blessings.

"Still," interrupts Bobbie from the doorframe, "it could have gone worst. If it weren't for Caleb ordering everyone around for three hours after Wild left an understanding wouldn't have been reached."

"Understanding," disgusted Wild scrunches up her face "why the hell should we be explaining ourselves," snapping her fingers angrierly "they should have been grateful. Not prats!"

"Prats," smiles Chloe "I don't know why you're still upset about their reaction, when yours equally bad when you got back from the ward."

"Yeah," laughs Bobbie "the first question out of your mouth was 'when is the wedding' when Jarod couldn't supply the answer fast enough," laughter from Chloe and Catherine joins Bobbie's "You almost went ballistic."

Glaring at Bobbie "don't know what ya complaining about ya sister got married from here," as Catherine holds up her wedding rings "she didn't even have ta tell Jarod about the babe."

"Yes, our baby Cat got the wedding she wanted," says Nonnie as she floats into the room "plus she was confident before hand that Jarod does indeed love her."

"Sucks ta be ya," snickers Wild as she swipes the last cookie that Bobbie was reaching for.

"I pity your poor husband," state Bobbie as he pulls Chloe onto his lap.

Throwing him a look "I pity ya'r wife."

"Now," growls Chloe poking Bobbie "behave. You know she wasn't stable when she wasn't pregnant," looking over to Wild "and that goes for you too." Laughing as Wild sticks her tongue out at her.

"Yes," laughs Catherine evilly "think all those lovely hormones," pausing then adds "and her uncontrollable temper." Bobbie groans "and that fact that she has yet to forgive you for your first mistake."

"Don't let that bother ya," states Liam as he stalks into the room "Wild ya'r blasted husband decided to 'fix up' the basement! Ta's me and Seamus's place."

Smirking at him "he's just putting in light switches Liam," shaking her head "and painting the walls a nice shade of white along with putting the torture tools in a safe location," snickering at him "you're the one that said the McGregurer's were a dyeing breed."

"ya're the one who wants the kids to go downstairs and play with ya." Rubbing a hand over her still flat stomach "by the by how is Dead boy."

Snickering Liam winks at her "ya'r husband is good, now that he and his kin have no fear of the Centre." Looking around the room for some assistance, "Chloe, Cat please for the love of God, help me here."

"No can do," laughs Jarod as he walks in cuddling his baby "if you want the children to go downstairs and play with you, you need to make the rooms child safe."

"Child safe," growls Liam "I'll have ya know that Cat, Bobbie and Wild never got hurt down there."

"Really," purrs Catherine as Liam has the grace to flush "remember the time.."



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Dream Well what do you think?