Hey guys, don't worry we haven't forgotten about this fic.
Anyways, here's the next chapter, hope you guys like it...
~Kay ^_^
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Chapter Six:
The moment was ruined by the ringing of the telephone.
And it wasn’t the house phone.
Vaughn felt like hurling the cell phone that Peyton had given him out the window. He quickly went over to where he had carelessly left it on the table.
“You got a new phone?” Sydney asked surprised and a bit suspicious.
“Yeah… uh… I gotta take this.” He said, kissing her on the forehead. “I’ll be back soon and then you can tell me about all the wonderfully expensive things that you bought our child.” He said, trying to lighten up the suddenly dark mood that had enveloped the room.
He felt Sydney’s eyes following him as he walked outside.
“Hello?” He whispered, glancing back into the house tentatively. Sydney was sitting on the couch with her feet propped up on the coffee table, digging through one of her many shopping bags.
“We’ve got our first assignment.” Lauren said, sounding slightly frazzled.
“Are you sure this phone is safe?” Michael hissed. The last thing he needed was the CIA hearing his conversation with a known terrorist.
“Positive.” Lauren said. “Listen carefully. Be at the hotel by 3 tomorrow morning. There will be someone waiting in a silver Honda. He’ll take you to the plane; I’ll explain the details there.” Before he could respond, Lauren hung up.
Vaughn slumped down into the nearby chair. Glancing back at his beautiful Sydney, he made a decision. He wasn’t going to tell her. She had suffered enough; she didn’t need to add his infidelity to the list of betrayals she had experienced. He was going to do whatever they wanted and make this nightmare go away. Sighing, he went back into the house, acting happy as Sydney showed him the toys she had bought for their child.
An hour later, Sydney went to bed exhausted from shopping.
Michael stayed awake, too worried about what he was doing to rest. Around 1:30, he snuck back into their bedroom. He stood in the doorway, observing his wife for a moment before grabbing the duffel bag that he always had ready in case of an emergency.
He left a short note for Sydney on the counter, telling her that a contact of his had found a lead on Lauren’s whereabouts, and that he was going to investigate.
With a heavy heart, he drove to the now all too familiar hotel. After double backing a few times and stopping at the grocery store to throw off any pursuers, he pulled into the hotel’s parking lot.
The moonlight illuminated the car Lauren had sent for him, making it stand out in the night. He ran over and quickly slipped into the passenger’s seat, praying to God that no one had seen him.
After driving for an hour, the car stopped at a small, hidden air field. The man grunted and gestured for him to get out.
Climbing out of the car, Michael grabbed his bag and walked quickly to the awaiting plane.
Inside, Lauren was sitting, sipping some tea.
“Want some?” She asked pleasantly.
“Don’t try to get civil with me. Just cut the felgercarb and tell me what we’re doing.” Michael snapped.
Lauren sighed and put the cup down. She tossed him a folder and motioned for him to sit down next to her. Instead, he took the seat across from her, vowing to stay as far away from this woman as possible
“Peyton was able to locate a journal that we believe is Rambaldi’s. She wants us to get it.” Lauren said, passing him a photograph of a very tattered journal. “It’s being kept at the house of Emilio Aguinaldo, the first Philippine president. We’ll be attending the ball there. The document is on the 3rd floor of the house. I’ll create a distraction and you’ll go and get it.” Lauren said simply.
“That’s the plan?” Michael asked in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He muttered.
“What?” Lauren demanded.
“We’re going to get killed. It’s too vague. We need backup plans.” Michael said. “I’ve been doing this kind of thing a lot longer than you. I’ll give you the plan.” He said, beginning to describe what they were going to do.
Finally, when Michael was satisfied, he walked to the back of the plane and tried to get some sleep.
When they arrived in Manila, they took a jeepney to their hotel. Lauren had a short black wig on, large sunglasses, and a hat to help disguise her appearance.
“Please don’t tell me we only have one room.” Michael whispered as they walked into the hotel lobby.
“Relax, we have two.” Lauren said, sounding slightly disappointed.
“We’ve got an hour before we have to leave, you should get ready.” Lauren said, slipping into her room.
Michael nodded, and took a long shower. 30 minutes later, he put on his tux but was struggling with his bow tie when he heard her come in. She was wearing a short red strapless dress.
“Let me get that.” She said, reaching over and tying it expertly. “When we were married you always had trouble with these.” She mumbled softly.
“Do not ever refer to the time when I was stupid enough to be blinded by your lies and was married to you.” Michael spat. Lauren backed away, looking hurt.
“The car’s waiting.” She said before grabbing her purse and walking out the door.
Michael took one last look in the mirror before he left to join her.
The drive there was painfully silent and awkward. Michael made no attempt to socialize while Lauren tried to start a conversation. Finally Michael snapped.
“Lauren, I am not here to talk about the weather or anything else. I am here for one purpose only and that is to protect Sydney.” Michael said.
“Do you really think that you’re any better than me, Michael?” Lauren asked. “You’re just as bad. Look where we are, look at what we’re about to do. Don’t treat me like a criminal when you’re one too.” She flung the door open and walked away.
Michael slipped his comm. into his ear and waited a few seconds before following her.
He walked up the first flight of steps into the main dining room. He glanced around, taking in the magnificent art work in the room. Then he noticed Lauren in the corner, sipping a glass of champagne.
He turned his attention back to the mission. Quickly locating the stairs leading to the 3rd floor, he positioned himself near them, ready to move when Lauren created the distraction.
“Shoot.” Lauren muttered.
“What?” Michael asked.
“Jack’s here.” Lauren replied
“We’ll have to move fast then.” Michael said. “I’m going for the artifact.”
Michael slipped out of the room and ran quickly up to the 3rd floor.
“Michael, he’s coming your way!” Lauren whispered. “I couldn’t do anything without him identifying me.”
“Shoot.” Michael muttered. His heart pounded as he heard the footsteps becoming louder, coming closer to him. He looked around frantically, looking for a way out. But there was none. There were no other doors, not even a window.
He felt his chest tighten as his breathing began to spiral out of control. He didn't have time to panic, he needed to focus on getting out.
The floorboards by the door creaked slightly, warning Michael that his time was running out. The man who would destroy his life if he found out the truth was blocking off the only escape route in the room.
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