Aja drove like a maniac back to Arcadia. Not that Aja didn't always drive a little bit fast, but she was now completely freaked out by what had just occurred in the annex.

She threw the truck into park and shut it off. Then ran full speed into Parker's office and made for the stairs, her heart pounding as she vaulted the stairs two at a time. As she entered Parker's kitchen area, she looked around and saw him no where around.

"Damn it, Parker. Of all the nights to actually be able to sleep ya pick this one!" she sighed as she went forward into his house. Through the living room towards his bedroom only to have it open before she got there.

Parker's ancient eyes took in the sight of Aja's expression and motioned for her to take a seat silently even though he knew too well she wouldn't sit down now.

"I'm making tea."

"Make yer tea...I'm gonna be over here, ya know, freakin out." she said pacing around the living room.

"That will be fine." Parker sensed that scolding Aja now would not be a good idea.

"Good. Cause I don't think ya can talk me out of it." Aja ran her hand through her hair. "Parker...do ya remember a man. He was like yay tall....and kinda freaky lookin wearing a black robe. And he went through that camp determining which girls would have babies..."

"Yes. I remember that man." Parker said as he started the tea kettle watching her from the kitchen.

"I'm not hallucinating?" She stopped and asked.

"No." Parker reassured her standing in the door way.

"Imagining it?" she stopped and looked at Parker perplexed.

"No."

"He was there?"

"Yes."

"What in da name ?" Aja ran a hand through her hair. "Why the hell ...it just came back ta me." Aja looked at Parker confused..."I was in the Annex. I was talking to Misty about a hover car and watching Sarah with her cat....and there was this man...this perfectly lovely man who is so charming to children...ta Maggie, you know Maggie...ball of energy Maggie..anyway, and he was..doing this thing ta Rachael...he was saying there was room for a baby...Rachael laughed..not like she doesn't laugh ever. Rachael laughs. Did you know that' She laughs!" Aja got sidetracked as Parker knew she was wont to do every now and again, but he hadn't seen her this wound up in a while. "Which could be a sign of the apocalypse...Rachael laughing."

Aja laughed at her own joke, Parker cracked a smile at it. His young protege had an interesting sense of humor.

"And Angel fish is an idiot...just so ya know." And there was her tangent trip, she'd come back to the part with the man in a moment he knew. He'd seen this before, But not in years.

"We are upset with Neo again?" Parker asked while taking the tea kettle off just as it started to whistle.

"We were still upset with him, but we were starting to let the ice melt. But he just had to go and be a jerk to a perfectly nice lady. Least I think she is...jury is still out."

Parker just nodded to that last statement. Aja took forever with some people to determine whether or not she trusted them. This had to be one of those. Although, he knew that she was sending a man from the yards by to check on someone.

He poured two cups of tea and took them into the living room, setting the cups down on the coffee table while he settle into his chair. Taking his, he sat patiently watching Aja as she paced back and forth.

"So." she stopped and looked at him. "I am remembering this guy right?" "You are." "Why haven't I thought about him before?" "That, I do not know, my Dear. Your brain works in interesting ways." "Of that, I am sure." Aja half laughed. "Like a jacked up goldfish on crack." "You are far more intelligent than a goldfish." "I should hope so." Aja said and then flopped into a chair near Parker. "I almost shot da guy." "The man with Miss Rachael?" "Yeah." Aja said simply. "He started in my direction and something just snapped." "I take it you refrained from such drastic actions?" "I did, but barely." Aja looked at Parker. "Got pretty twitchy." "Aja." Parker started carefully. "You have lived through much in your life. Not all of it was good. But you have made more progress than anyone I've ever known overcoming your past. I know that was not easy for you to do." "Eh." she waved a hand. "It wasn't brain surgery, Parker. It was jist life. Ya deal with what is, not what ya wish it could be." "Even still. Progress in the face of unbelievable odds." "Yer fault." Aja grinned. "Yers and Tanner's. Ya raised me this way." "We did." "I probably scared da guy." Aja thought for a moment. She knew she had startled Misty. "Likely." "Gah. It jist popped up from nowhere, Parker. Absolutely nowhere." "Memories are like that." he leaned forward and nudged the tea cup towards her. "I ain't drinkin that, ya put something in it." "Why do you think that?" "Cause it's what ya do, ya sneaky neenja mage." she gave him a pout and then sighed. "I have to apologize ta dat poor man." "It would be the polite thing to do." Parker said. "I know that." Aja said with a wrinkle of her nose. "How da ya go to someone and go "Hey, sorry I almost shot ya...but I had trauma" anyway?" "I believe a simple I'm sorry will suffice, Aja." "Suure, if ya wanna go and make it simple." Aja grinned at Parker than patted his hand lovingly. "Sorry I woke you up." "Anytime you have need of my council, I am here for you." he relied as he took her hand into his. She squeezed it and smiled at him. "Love ya, Parker." "And I love you too." he kissed her cheek. "Please go get some sleep. It will all look better in the morning." "I really hope so." Aja sighed and got up. "See you tomorrow." she said and headed out the door.

Parker sat silently for a very long time, considering his young protege and her life. It was a miracle she turned out not only half way sane but with a heart that cared for people.

He went back to bed then. Hoping that tomorrow, she would be alright.