Chapter 5

Vaughn felt his jaw drop. He had never considered the possibility that she would ever a problem again. Kelly Peyton.

"What the..." His voice trailed off as he whipped his head frantically around the room, hoping against hope that this was a joke. He never ever expected that something like this would happen.

"I need something from you, Mr. Vaughn." She said, sounding coy at being so smart at her own game. She climbed slowly off the bed. Vaughn started to reach for his gun that that was hidden in his jacket but she stopped him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"Why not?" He snarled, taunting her, hoping she would take the bait and lose her cool. He felt Lauren shrink back slightly at his harsh tone; it was harsher than the one that he had used with her. He felt his hands clench into fists and he struggled to control his temper. He was having a hard time keeping his emotions under control lately. "What do you want?"

"Well, as I don't have anybody capable enough, no one with the right qualifications, I need you two fine agents to fetch me the items I need to do finish Rambaldi's prophecy." She said, her words flowing like silk, not even flinching or looking surprised at his tone. She simply smiled and walked slowly around the room, Vaughn and Lauren watching her progress.

"I'll do anything, but when we are done, no one knows who helped you and we get the tape, with any copies you made." Vaughn said, with a tone of finality. He had long ago given up on believing that anything that Rambaldi said was true, so he figured that no harm would be done.

"Deal." She smirked slightly. "You always wanted to keep your relationship so sweet and keep your wife from knowing your other side didn't you." She threw a cell phone down on the table. "This is yours. Ms. Reed, you will answer me at any time I call and then call Mr. Vaughn. No deviating from this plan or your wife will get a copy of this tape and as well as your superiors, Mrs. Reed. Yes, I know who you are working for." Peyton added, looking smug at the look of surprise and shock on her face.

"If you give them that tape, they will kill me and Michael." She said, sounding hoarse and shocked.

"I know, funny how that works." She gave them another one of her famous smiles and sauntered over to the door. It slammed shut behind her and the two left behind were shocked into silence. They just stared at the door where they had last seen her.

"Michael. I'm sorry." Lauren whispered. Michael turned his fierce glare on her.

"Do you really expect me to believe that." He spat. "Who do you work for?" He demanded.

"I work for a emerging group that is being set up like the Covenant." She said, almost cringing at the name.

"Fine. I'm going home." He really meant to go home too. He started home, but ended up going to the hockey arena, the place where he had told his wife he was going to be. At least he wouldn't lie about that. He pulled out the bag of gear he kept in his trunk all the time and went out on the ice. He was so fed up with all this business. Why hadn't he just resisted her? Why couldn't he have just killed her on sight? He sighed and plopped down on the bleachers. He went and showered, trying not to cry.

Vaughn entered into his empty house, as Sydney and Nadia weren't back yet. He warmed up some of the leftover mashed potatoes and steak and sat watching an old King's game. About 10:00 he heard the key scratching in the door. He made up his mind to tell her, get it over with. Tell her about everything and then it wouldn't matter if he did what Peyton said. He would be able to live with her.

"Hey!" She said, a dimpled smile lit up her face. She smiled and hugged Vaughn as best as she could with the bump in the middle of her belly.

"So, how much money did you spend?" He asked, teasing her, giving her a small nudge.

"Dunno, probably $7000." Vaughn felt his jaw drop, but he saw the mischievous twinkle in her eyes and pretended to pout.

The moment was ruined by the ringing of the telephone.