She's so secure. She knows Chandler will call her, she knows. I don't know how she knows, but she knows. She's sitting and popping her gum, and it's all I can do not to call the whole mission off. But I have to know one thing. "Why didn't you tell him who you were?"

She doesn't give a direct answer.

When does she ever?

I don't know what I was expecting… perhaps I thought she might say "Because I couldn't bear the thought of being with anyone but you." But no. Only that she needed a new dress. She doesn't need clothes to charm, she is beautiful enough as she is.

* * * *

"Ask him about the trip." Yes. Ask him about the trip, let him tell you his secret, let him tell you what he does so that I do not have to lie to you again. But of course he doesn't, and it's another day of games for you and me.

* * * *

The party. I can't stop staring at you from across the room, you are so beautiful. Even with your hair drawn back so severely for the mission, you are still so beautiful, I cannot keep my eyes off you. Surely it will blow my cover, both our covers, but no… everyone is staring at you.

When you take the tracker from my hand, I want to grab your wrist and pull you close to me, whisper for you to be careful. But you are already gone by the time I move to do it.

Late, now, when we leave… you, standing by his side like the beautiful hostess, do you know how you look by his side? A diamond in darkness, you sparkle next to his filth.

* * * *

You come home too drunk to see anything… have you slept with him? Any means necessary, but did it take that? But no… of course you didn't sleep with him. You don't reek of his cheap cologne. "Get rid of the cat," I say, but only because you didn't notice me as you always do. The music… oh, listen to it flow, watch you move to it. Turn it off… not here, not now, but later, soon, I promise you the music.

* * * *

"If it concerns Alec Chandler, then it concerns me."

"By all means." Yes. Come. Talk to this Skyler. See what your Alec does to get his money, see how fake his charm is.

* * * *

Holding you in my arms that brief moment, holding your arms to your side, before gently pushing you out the door… I know you are in pain and I hate myself for this but I feel such a sense of vindication now, he is the bad guy and I am not. Whatever lies or games I played with you are for the moment eclipsed by the hatred of him you hold now and it feeds me.

* * * *

Finally he and I are face to face… I will not give him what he wants. The children, I know she will hate me if I let the children come to harm…they are nothing but innocents in this, they have no idea of the war that is being waged before them. For them, for her, for the safety of the world.

Roaring flames engulf him as she roars in behind him… the lighter falls and the chemicals ignite. A pyre to the heavens, as I swing into the seat and move the truck, have to move the children out of here. In the rearview mirror I see her, flames reflecting on her face, over her hair.

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