Sorry again that this chapter was late - I'm having terrible writer's block with this story! Let me know how I'm doing…

Enjoy =).

The doorbell rang, startling Skye from her position in front of her computer. Automatically, she assumed that it was Leo and that he had forgotten his key again. However, glancing at the clock in the corner of her screen, she ruled out that thought. It was much too early for him to be getting home from work.

Running her fingers quickly along the keyboard, she hid all her important documents that contained information about the mission and her search for the weapons dealers, just in case. Then, she ran down the stairs and to the door. A quick look through the peephole confirmed that it was Dean Ryder standing outside.

That's weird, she thought to herself, feeling her muscles tense up. He knows that Leo isn't here.

Cautiously, Skye flipped the lock and inched open the door and stood far enough back in the small opening that she was still able to slam the door on him if he proved dangerous.

"Dean," she greeted him with her best fake welcoming smile. "What are you doing here? Leo's at work."

Ryder smiled, a smile that didn't reach his cold, calculating eyes. "I thought I'd drop by for a chat with you."

"Oh, how nice," Skye gushed, unable to think of another appropriate response that wouldn't violate her cover.

Gesturing towards the open door, Ryder asked, "May I come in?"

"Yes, of course." Honestly, Skye didn't want this man in her house - he made her uneasy. But he gave her little choice. Stepping aside, she pulled the door open wide enough for him to enter.

"Do you like chocolate chip cookies?" she asked brightly as she led him down the hall to the couch in the family room. "I baked a large batch the other day and Leo and I just can't eat them all."

"No." The man shot her another tight-lipped smile. "I have to get back to the school soon."

"Then what can I do for you?" It felt awkward to just stand in the hallway with him cold and imposing next to her, but he seemed to be ignoring all her attempts to play the vacant housewife and follow social protocols.

"Well, Mrs. Smith," he sneered her last name, "I'm giving you a friendly warning. Keep your husband out of my business. Or things will get ugly for both of you."

Skye widened her eyes in real surprise, but not for the reason Ryder probably thought. Obviously, Leo had been digging into the school affairs, trying to locate the weapons. However, the part that made her nervous was that Ryder was onto him. That put Leo in danger.

Biting her lip, Skye lied, "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm sure you don't." His condescending tone made her blood boil. "But just pass my message along like a good little girl."

It's gonna feel so good to take you down, Skye thought, fighting the urge to punch the smirk right off his face. Out loud, she said, "I'll let him know. Thanks for stopping by, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I have a lot of work to do today."

"I'm sure you do." With a nod at her, Ryder headed towards the door. "I'll see myself out."

The second the door shut behind him, Skye rushed to it and engaged the deadbolt, then pressed herself up against the wall, still trembling with suppressed anger and anxiety.

…

"Skye? Are you okay?" The sound of Leo's worried voice penetrated Skye's concentration.

"Wha?" she looked up from her computer screen, feeling disoriented from the interruption. "Oh, Leo. Hi. I didn't hear you come in."

Relaxing now that Skye was acting like a normal person, Leo smiled and held up a small gold key. "Remembered it today."

"That's a first."

He chuckled and came to stand behind her chair, one hand resting lightly on her shoulder. The contact felt familiar and comforting. "What're you so focused on?"

The swivel chair squeaked as she stood up to face him, a proud smile gracing her features. "I've got them - the people 'sponsoring' the school. Almost all of them have rap sheets, so I'm pretty sure I've got the right guys."

"So," an equally large smile spread across his face, "all we need now is proof that they are making and marketing the weapons, and then we've got them?"

"Yep." Then Skye's smile fell. "There's one catch, though."

Immediately, Leo's eyes displayed concern. "Skye, what happened?"

She took a deep breath, not wanting to upset him, but not able to keep Ryder's visit a secret either. "Ryder came over today and told me to pass a message onto you." She paused, watching as his face hardened. "He told you to stop meddling in his business." After a second's deliberation, she decided not to mention the vague threat that had gone along with the warning. She didn't want him worrying about her unnecessarily.

"That's not good," Leo sighed heavily, brushing a hand across his face. "He didn't say anything else? Like why he was suspicious?"

Skye shook her head. "Nothing. And I wasn't exactly going to break my cover and ask." Then, impulsively, she put her hand on his arm. "So be careful, okay?"
"I will," he promised. "Especially because I managed to contact Sam and set up another meeting with him tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to convince him to tell me more about what's going on."

Skye chose her words carefully, because she could tell that Leo was excited about his success with Sam and she didn't want to burst his bubble, but she was also worried about Ryder. "That's great, Leo, but do you think it's a smart move, with Ryder onto us?"

He shrugged. "We'll be fine."

"But-"

"Skye, it's okay." He looked her deep in the eyes. "I have to do this; there aren't any other leads."

She knew he was right, but that didn't do much to calm her worries. Leo was rapidly becoming more important to her than the mission, and she didn't know what she would do if Ryder carried through on his threats.

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