Night had fallen. Jarod stole softly down the street. He had gone to the records hall and discovered from a city employee there that there indeed were a network of unmapped tunnels beneath the city. The rest of the day he had spent planning an underground excursion. There were several likely access points to the tunnels, but Jarod wasn't quite sure what to look for this time. He liked to be prepared. His instincts told him that all the answers lay with Diana Bennett. Tonight, the Pretender was tailing the elusive Detective Bennett. She had been up ahead of him a moment ago, but now she had disappeared from sight. Jarod moved forward slowly, stopping every few steps to listen for any sign of Diana. He decided when she appeared once more he would confront her. He had spent too much time on this Pretend. There was no telling now when the Centre would catch up with him. And he never left a Pretend unfinished.

Diana stepped from the shaded corner of a brick building and faced him. Her wiry tall frame was hidden in her long coat. Her long red hair was pulled back into a pony tail. "I need to talk to you, Jarod."

She had beat him to the punch. Jarod stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jacket. "What about?"

"The little boy you're trying so hard to find. Why?"

"It's my job." Jarod's answer was evasive.

"It's personal to you, Jarod. Why is it so personal to you?" Diana took a few steps forward. She had the advantage now. "You feel alone. Displaced. You've lost something. A home. Family."

Jarod gave her a surprised look.

"That's my job," Diana said, steadily. She paced in a circle around him. "I look at fragments. Pieces. Rearranging them until I get a clear picture. Sometimes...I get inside people's heads. In order to figure something out, I..." She came to a halt as Jarod's voice finished the thought for her.

"Become someone else." Jarod's brown eyes were sad for a moment. "Yes. I understand." He shook off the mood and continued, "But what I don't understand is why you are hiding what you know. Who do you think you're protecting?"

"Why are you pretending to be a detective?" probed Diana. She gave him a point blank stare. "Look. I don't know who you are. But what you're doing. It has to stop, Jarod. Because people will get hurt." Like Jacob. Like Father. Like all those who lived Below. Like Vincent!

Jarod frowned. "I am someone trying to save the life of a little boy. Someone who knows you're hiding the truth." He took a deep breath in frustration. "His father wasn't able to take care of him properly, but the young Michael Bradley Crafton still has a mother who loves him. He's just a boy. He still deserves a chance at a good life. Why do you keep impeding my investigation?" Diana Bennett struck him as someone who hated lies as much as he did. Yet, she seemed to block his efforts in finding the little boy at every turn.

"So what if I am?" Diana shot back. Something clicked and whirred in Diana's brain but it did not yet touch her conscious mind. She was losing her patience. As lengthy as it was the cord had been stretched taut. This match had to finish and so far they had tied. She intended to hold onto the win with all her might. If it had to end, she would end it. "Sometimes it is better to let truth remain hidden. Do you want me to tell Joe the truth about you? I'm guessing you know the penalty for impersonating an officer of the law. Then, what would happen to your investigation?" Move for move. Match for match. For every point made there was a counterpoint.

A buzzing sound came from Diana's pocket. She pulled out her cellular phone, glanced at Jarod, and answered it. "Yes? Where? Alright. Got it." A Helper had just informed her that those strangers in black had been spotted in the area. The choice was now hers alone. "I'll explain, Jarod. But you have to come with me. Please."

CENTRAL PARK

New York, NY

The two had only just entered the park when they were spotted. Jarod was instantly alert. Sweepers? Here? How could they have located him so quickly? Diana rushed into some of the foliage and motioned for him to follow swiftly. Footsteps ran toward them. In another second, the sweeper team would be upon them. Have them surrounded. Jarod's mouth went dry. He couldn't believe this was happening to him. Had Diana discovered about him more than she had let on? Had she lured him into this trap?

He ran after her, but could no longer see her. The moonlight could not penetrate through the trees clearly here. He had lost her. She had deserted him to the sweeper team. There was no chance for escape. Not now. He could hear them coming. Surrounding. Closing in on him. The hunted man dived into some bushes and lay where he fell. Jarod held his breath and hoped they wouldn't see him.

A flashlight beam illuminated Jarod suddenly. The sweeper opened his mouth to call out.

"ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!" the nightmarish roar ripped through the shadows of the night and the darkness seemed to leap to life. The scream of a wild cat accompanied the action of the tangible shadow as the flashlight flew through the air and crashed against the tree. The bulb shattered and the cloak of darkness returned.

Jarod closed his eyes, trying to place the roar that seemed to come from all directions. The ground was damp beneath him. He heard the sound of footsteps again. Then, silence. The sweepers were fleeing. The motor of a car started somewhere in the distance, then sped away. Unseen by him now, the occupants of the car were shaking in their shoes and Miss Parker was snapping, "Can't you imbeciles tell the difference between an escaped lion and Boy Wonder?"

The strange terrifying noises had ceased in Central Park. Jarod still lay beneath the bushes on the ground. Wondering. Dazed. His head ached slightly from where he had hit it during the dive for cover.

"Is this he?" a velvety voice came from the shadows.

Jarod looked upwards to see that Diana had returned. She was standing over him. She nodded to the voice and he followed the gesture to note a shadowy figure.

The shadow spoke again. "Do not be alarmed. You are quite safe. I have been waiting to meet you. I understand that you had a question as to what had happened to a missing baby. Catherine Chandler's son."

At the mention of the baby, Jarod got to his knees and then stood up. His heart was still pounding like a hammer. "Who are you?" Jarod asked the shadow. He turned to Diana. "What was that?" he demanded. He turned again to the shadow. "That roar?"

As tempting as it was, Diana had not been able to betray him. She had brought help to save Jarod from the strangers that pursued him. Sometimes you have to take risks, Diana thought. Like trusting someone. "You wanted to know what happened to the baby. This is his father. Vincent."

The shadow moved. A tall cloaked figure stepped from the shadows to where the moonlight illuminated some of his features. Jarod's mouth opened. He was stunned. A massive man stood there. A thick blond mane could be glimpsed under the hood of his cloak and blue eyes watched him. Human eyes staring from the face of a beast.

Then, Jarod closed his mouth and held out his hand. Vincent took it and they shook hands. "Thank you for your help," Jarod breathed. "Meeting you...is an experience. I never would have thought that...Wow!"

Before Jarod could continue, Vincent said, "For some things, there are no words." Vincent looked back over his shoulder, listening intently. "You can come out," Vincent called. From the bushes, a young boy walked forward. "This is my son," Vincent introduced. "Jacob."

"Jacob. That's a wondeful name." Jarod knelt down to the boy's level. "Hi, Jacob," he smiled. "You can call me, Jarod."

Just Jarod, Diana noted. She knew Holmes was an alias. Now, she understood. Jarod hadn't wanted his strange pursuers to find him. Yet, he was willing to take the risks of lingering in the city as they closed in upon him. He honestly had wanted to help find the lost little boy.

"Hi Jarod," Jacob replied. He glanced at Diana. "That's why I couldn't go Above." Jacob laughed softly. "Because he was looking for me?" This was undoubtedly a normal eight-year old boy who was well-cared for and filled with the simple joy of living. "Well, you found me."

Jarod smiled back at Jacob. "I found you," he repeated in a playful tone. "I never met your mother, but I've seen pictures. You look very much like her."

"Thank you," Jacob chirped.

Jarod stood up again and remembered Diana. "You really don't know where Mikey is. That is not at all what you were hiding." He was sorry he had ever believed that of her. She was not merely another corrupt detective who needed to be taught a lesson. She was a woman who would keep a secret to protect her friends. His questions about the ironic nature of her character had been answered.

The thought that had been wavering just beyond Diana's reach suddenly took a flying leap. "I don't know why I didn't catch it before!" Diana exclaimed. Her eyes grew very wide. "Jarod! Do you still have that photo of Mikey?"

"Yes," Jarod drew the photograph from his jacket and handed it to her.

"What is it, Diana?" Vincent asked, noting her unusually strange excitement.

"A man on the run," Diana stated, ever the detective. "With a boy everyone was looking for. There is a strong possibility that he would change the child's name to avoid detection. Try to erase the child's past identity. Vincent--you said there were no Mikes or Mikey's taking refuge in the tunnels."

"Yes," Vincent agreed.

Diana held out the photograph to him. "Do you recognize this face?"

Vincent took the photo from her. "Why! This is..."

"Bradley," said Vincent and Diana together.

"Yes, Bradley," Diana repeated. She turned to Jarod. "You told me that Michael B. Crafton had a son named Mikey. Michael Bradley Crafton. His son was his namesake." Her mind went back to when she had been Below with Vincent and Jacob. They had mentioned a Bradley then. "He has been in the tunnels all along. I just didn't realize it until now."

"Mikey's been with you?" Jarod questioned Vincent. He raised his eyebrows. His Pretend had not failed then. He had been right.

"Yes. One of our Helpers found him near the old mansion. He was lost and fearful and in need of help. He brought him into the tunnels and he's been quite safe ever since. He told us his name was Bradley, but was still too frightened to tell us much else. Come Jacob, let us go and tell him. He'll be going home to his mother." Vincent looked at Jarod. "Your mystery is solved. I scared your uninvited guests, but they escaped unharmed. Do you think they'll be back?"

"Did they see you?" Jarod asked.

"No," Vincent replied, pulling the hood of his cloak and shading his face once more. "I made certain."

"Then, no," Jarod replied. "My mystery is solved. They won't be back. I'll...make sure." There were a thousand questions he would have liked to have asked but somehow they weren't important. Jarod saw Vincent looking at him as if he understood his feelings and perhaps he did. It was comforting. Jarod felt a sense of calm settling upon him. A lost child had been found. Things were right once more.

Vincent tilted his head graciously. "Good-bye Jarod."

"Good-bye Vincent."

Vincent turned to Jacob and put his arm around his son's shoulders. They walked off together into the night.

"Jarod," Diana began.

Jarod turned from looking in awe after the departing forms that faded into the shadows. "I'll keep this a secret. I'm very good with secrets," he assured her.

Diana was solemn. She, too, watched the departing figures. Vincent, Jacob and the rest who dwelled Below were safe. Suddenly, her face broke into a smile. "At first sight, he doesn't look it but he's really a very caring and loving man."

Jarod nodded. "And the man that you love," he added.

Diana didn't know what to say. "He...d-doesn't know that," she stumbled.

Jarod gave her a knowing smile. "I think he does."

D.A's Office

"Well, what d'ya know." Joe dropped the report he had finished on his desk and nodded to Diana in approval. "This is good work, Bennett. Very impressive. I'm surprised Holmes didn't stick around to share some of the glory."

Diana smiled. "He was anxious to get back to work on another assignment."

"Yeah, yeah." Joe said, crossing his arms and, leaning back in his seat. "You detective types. As soon as you finish one case, you start in on another. Well, that about wraps things up here. I suppose you'll be headed out too--once all official business is finished." He folded his hands and leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. His face was like an open book. "Unless, of course, you decide to stick around for awhile."

Diana stood up to go, as she reached the door and opened it, she turned to Joe and promised, "Think about it."

This time she was not surprised to find Vincent up on her roof. When she reached home and came into the loft, she almost expected him to be there, expected him to be wondering the same thing that Joe had wondered. Now that she was here, would she stay? In her heart, she could not say for certain. She knew that she loved. But was she loved? What if--And yet, Jarod's knowing smile stayed in her mind with the reassuring words. I think he does. It gave her a reason to hope. When the familiar rap came on her window pane, she didn't hesitate but went out at once.

He stood there, gazing out at the lights of the city, like one might stand at the railing of a ship and say farewell to the shore at the beginning of a cruise. His long golden mane blew in the wind about his shoulders. It was in this quiet posture that Diana found Vincent waiting for her.

At her step, Vincent turned his gaze towards her and smiled. And with the sight of that tender smile, Diana's heart beat more quickly.

"Vincent," Diana began. "There's something I have to explain to you. I never told you why I left like I did."

"No explanation is required, Diana. You, as a crime investigator, are a lover of truth. I was so absorbed in my own concerns and in watching Jacob grow. I did not understand the burden you carried. I always thought perhaps if I had listened to you more closely I would have discovered how unhappy you were…"

"No, Vincent! Don't blame yourself. It wasn't your secret that burdened me. It was my own. I would have told you it, but I was afraid. You'd gotten your life back and you needed time to rebuild it. You had Jacob to care for and you loved Catherine so much. I didn't want to interfere. I didn't want to spoil our friendship."

"So, you left thinking to protect something that was precious to you and by that very act, lost it."

Diana was silent a moment. She sighed. "I would rather lose you, Vincent, than have you resent me or worse, pity me for my feelings."

"What did you feel, Diana? What did you feel so strongly that could drive you away from the very ones who cared so much for you?"

The look in his eyes was so tender that tears sprang to her eyes and drew out a confession. "I loved you. But I knew you would always love Catherine. That you would never think of me that way, so I--"

Vincent raised his head. "You are right. I will always love Catherine. The bond that we shared--there is nothing else like it in this world."

Diana nodded with understanding. Perhaps she had been mistaken moments before. Perhaps Jarod had been wrong. Vincent would only ever see her as a friend.

Vincent continued. "I have Jacob now. I have my son because of your friendship. You kept me from staying in the darkness. You taught me to hope." His hand stroked her cheek brushing away her tears. "I could not help but think highly of you. You saved Jacob and Father. You saved my world. You helped me through my grief and my pain. You were there for me so much and when you left so suddenly, I found myself missing you. When you went away, you left an emptiness behind you. I did not know, until then, how much I had grown to love you."

Diana's heart beat with joy at this revelation. She looked up into his eyes and saw the truth of his words, reflecting back at her. For the moment, all her scruples and uncertainties were carried away with the wind. She knew that she loved and was beloved.

A new journey was about to start.

The End

Hope you enjoyed this melding of two worlds! There's much more Miss Parker in my other stories, and you are invited to read and review those as well. Once again I appreciate your insightful reviews and thank you for reading.