A/N: Sorry that this chapter is coming pretty late; I've been busy with school starting up again and unpacking and everything. Anyway, enjoy!

Skye woke up happy, feeling both refreshed and excited to face the day ahead of her. The sunlight streaming in through the bedroom window matched her mood exactly.

Leo had finally kissed her.

It had been a surprise, if she was being honest with herself, but a welcome surprise. Until his lips met hers, she hadn't realized how badly she had wanted him. How badly she had needed him. And now, now there was something there between them. Something magical and exciting and new.

Pushing back the covers, Skye climbed out of bed and stretched luxuriously, trying to force herself to take her time and get ready for the morning instead of rushing out to see Leo. It was a struggle, but she used the en suite bathroom to brush her teeth and tie her hair up into a simple ponytail before she finally granted herself permission to go find him.

Padding barefoot down the stairs, Skye tried to keep her excitement contained. She knew that she was acting like a schoolgirl with a crush, but she couldn't help herself. Something about this relationship just felt so easy and right, a way it never had with Miles or with her brief infatuation with Ward.

"Leo?" Her call echoed through the house, but there was no response. Her heart sank slightly. A part of her had known that he might have already left for work, but she had hoped that he would have stayed long enough to at least wish her a good morning.

Flicking the overhead light on, Skye entered the kitchen. If she couldn't have Leo, at least she could have food. To her surprise, on the table was a deep red rose with a small white card leaning against the stem.

Picking up the card, she read:

Skye,

I had to leave for work early today. Sorry about that. Anyway, I wanted to tell you that you're beautiful and that kissing you was the best decision I could have made.

~Leo

The note was simple, but sweet, and Skye found herself smiling while she read it. Sometimes she was convinced that Leo was the most thoughtful man she had ever met.

Carefully folding the note back up, she left it where she had found it, resolving to put it somewhere safe after she ate breakfast.

Just as she was about to open the fridge, a knock sounded at the door. "Coming," she yelled, glancing regretfully at the fridge. Eating was apparently going to have to wait.

There was a small shoe rack beside the door. Leo had brought it home after Ryder had threatened her and had stashed a night-night gun in the bottom, hidden by a pair of her heels. The gesture showing his concern for her safety had touched Skye, but she had thought it silly at the time. Now, however, she was glad for the precaution, especially since the only people other than Leo who knew where she lived were both potentially dangerous: Ryder and Sam.

The gun felt heavy in her hands. She didn't want to hurt anyone, but she certainly wasn't going to answer the door unarmed and unprotected. However, on the off chance it was a neighbour, she didn't want to scare them, so she tucked the gun under the waistbelt of her jeans and arranged her baggy shirt over it so that there would be no sign of the weapon.

The knock sounded again, startling Skye. Slowly, she crept to the door and peered out the peephole. Ryder. Her suspicions confirmed, she took a deep, calming breath. She couldn't ignore him - their cover stories were too important to risk coming off as rude. It was too out of character for Skye Smith. So, she twisted the lock and opened the door just wide enough to see out of.

"Dean," she greeted him with false enthusiasm. "Now's a bad time. Could you come back later?" And by later, she meant never, but she couldn't say that. However, if she bought some time, she could get cameras set up and backup in place just in case he let something slip.

"I don't know what you think you are doing, little girl," he hissed, his face displaying thinly-veiled rage as he pushed against the door, forcing Skye back, "but you are messing with forces far beyond your capabilities."

Gritting her teeth with the effort, Skye desperately tried to stop him from entering, but it was no use. He was far too much stronger than she was. Now she regretted opening the door. "You're scaring me." It was the truth, but it was also a statement designed to keep her cover safe.

Finally succeeding, Ryder slid into the house and grabbed her wrist in an iron grip, not even flinching as the door slammed shut behind him. "I don't think that you're actually scared," he sneered at her, a knowing look in his eyes. "Government agents are pretty brave, I hear."

Skye's blood ran cold. He knew. "Then you know you're making a huge mistake." If she was hoping to scare him, she would be disappointed. This was not the sort of man that could be intimidated.

"Oh well," he shrugged, not appearing affected by her vague threat. "I'm pretty sure I can handle it."

"Leo won't abandon me."

Ryder shrugged again, a cold smile forming on his lips. "I'm counting on it." He pulled a gun out of his pocket with his spare hand and pointed it at her head. "That way I'll be able to take care of both of you at once. Terribly convenient that way."

Skye scowled at him, but she had no response that would help matters at all, so she stayed silent. She refused to give him the satisfaction of an argument.

"Now, move," he ordered, gesturing with the gun towards the door.

She didn't ask where; she just did as she was ordered and opened the door, stepping outside onto the front mat. An idea formed in her mind as she did so. It was a pathetic thought, but it was the only way she could think of to warn Leo that she hadn't left of her own free will.

She left the door unlocked.

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