Summary: Sequel to Soon Enough It Comes. Vaughn made the decision not to tell Summer the truth about her mother, but what will the consequences be when she discovers that all is not what it seems?
A/N: Well, I'm back and I have to say that I had an absolutely amazing time. I actaully got to experiece snow for the first time! The only thing now is that I am struggling with this Melbourne having just returned from the freezing temperatures of Russia. Oh well, on to the important stuff- this fic. I felt at the end of Soon Enough It Comes that the story was far from over and actually started writing this one straight away. So, I can only hope that you will all enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Alias. The title of this story comes from the song 'Dirty Little Secret' by Sarah McLachlan (doesn't it make you want to cry just thinking about it?). The title of this chapter comes from the song 'Coming Down' by Trickside.
On A Roller Coaster Ride, Soaring To The Sky
"Hello V.O.J Insurance. This is Summer."
"I wanted to look into your travel deals," the voice on the other end of the phone replied.
Summer sat up slightly in her seat. "Travel deals, yes. Where in particular are you travelling?"
"Spain seems nice at this time of the year."
"Yes it is. Have you already booked your holiday, sir?"
"No- time just seems to elude me. Perhaps I should contact you when I am more organised?"
"That will be fine. Have a good day."
With a press of a button Summer terminated the call. Her first one. Turning to face her computer, she quickly typed an email.
Contact made. Package is still yet to be acquired. Next transmission expected in two days.
After re-reading it to check that the information was entirely correct, Summer hit send. There, done and not nearly as exciting as she had been anticipating.
Leaning back in her seat, Summer tried not to smile. Her best friend, Mitch, had laughed out loud when she had told her that she was taking a job at the insurance company on campus.
"Sum, are you serious? Do you know what kind of drones sell insurance? What on Earth have you been smoking…you are going to be bored out of your brain!"
If only Mitch knew what she was really up to. Summer could hardly believe when, about a month ago, the tall and elegant woman had approached her…
xxxxx
"Summer Vaughn?"
Summer stopped writing and look up. "Yes…" she said warily. The woman standing there was not a familiar member of the faculty and she looked completely out of place in the student lounge.
The woman broke into a warm smile. "I'm Thea Emery," she said, holding out a hand. "Agent Thea Emery."
Summer accepted the handshake. "Agent? Do you…"
Thea nodded, sitting down opposite her at the table. "Yes, I work at the Agency with your father and stepmother."
"Is everything ok?" Summer asked, suddenly worried. "Nothing has happened to them, has it?"
"Of course not," Thea replied soothingly. "Your parents are fine. I'm actually here to speak to you."
"Me? Why?"
"Now, do you really have to ask that question? Surely you would realize that the Agency would be looking to recruit you one day."
"Really?" Summer was truly stunned. "But dad never said anything—"
"He was not classified to," Thea explained. "After all, you are still just a citizen- nobody within the Agency is permitted to discuss anything with you."
"So this is legit?" Summer asked, as the feeling of…anticipation started to form in the pit of her stomach. "The CIA wants me to join?"
"Well, the Agency wants to put you through a series of tests to determine whether you have what it takes to be an agent. But, given your genes, I don't doubt that you posses whatever it is you need." Thea paused and then handed over a card with a number printed on it. "Think about it for a few days and then call me."
Summer gave a nod. "Ok."
Thea stood from the table. "Oh, and Summer."
"Yeah?"
"Until you reach your decision and have another face to face meeting with me, you are not to mention this conversation to anybody- that includes your parents. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal…but why? Dad and Sydney have worked at the CIA for years. Why can't I talk to them?"
"The security measures that the Agency has in place may seem excessive and even unnecessary to a point, but they are there for a reason. And things run a lot more smoothly if everybody follows the rules."
"Got it," Summer said. "This stays between the two of us."
"Good," Thea replied as she turned to walk away. "I hope to be hearing from you soon."
xxxxx
The insurance company was one of the CIA's many front businesses, Summer had been told, and was the place where she would go through the initial and most basic stages of training. She had to prove her analytical skills if she were to progress to the more physical field training.
Biting back another smile, Summer turned to the paperwork in front of her. She couldn't help but think that she had stepped onto the ride of her life.
Loud music assaulted Summer's ears as she made her way into the family home later that afternoon, its source the spacious living room where her brother and his friends were spread out, with the stereo and video games blaring.
"Hey Sum!" At fifteen Liam was four years younger than Summer, however the two of them usually got on very well.
"Hey," Summer replied as she dropped her bag. "Are dad and Syd home?"
"Mum's working late, but I think that dad is in the kitchen."
"Alright." With a small wave Summer turned and headed down the hallway. "Dad?" she said, stopping in the kitchen doorway.
"Here," Vaughn replied, his head popping up from behind the fridge door. "How was your first day at work?"
"It was ok," Summer replied nonchalantly.
Her father broke out into a chuckle. "You know, I think I have to agree with Mitch on this whole insurance thing."
"Dad, don't start. It's a job, it's on campus so I don't have to go out of my way to get there and it pays well. It will serve just fine until I graduate." She paused, a grin on her face. "Not all of us are adrenaline junkies."
Vaughn pointed a finger to his chest. "Moi?" he asked innocently.
"Vous," Summer shot back. "Espionage and all that. I am quite happy for a desk job at the moment."
"Let me hear you say that after three months of working in insurance."
"Dad!"
"Ok, I'm sorry," Vaughn said, holding up his hands in mock-defence. "I wouldn't want to bother my favourite child, after all."
Summer's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What do you want?"
"Sydney has left orders for a grocery shop. Wanna give me some company?"
"Why me?"
"Liam is otherwise occupied and I don't want to have go alone. How boring will that be?" he added. "So please, do this for your old dad."
"Fine," Summer sighed. "But I get free reign when we hit the ice cream."
Vaughn smiled, shaking his head slightly. "Sydney has taught you well."
"Hey Summer, can you grab…" Vaughn trailed off as he spotted somebody up ahead.
Summer watched her father curiously. His expression had turned completely blank and he slowed to a stop. Following his eyes she saw who it was he was staring at. A woman, the same one—
"Dr Emery?" Vaughn finally spoke up.
Summer's ears pricked. Hang on a sec- Dr Emery? Wasn't this woman an—
"Agent Vaughn," Thea stepped forward, her face showing no recognition towards Summer. "It has been a long time."
Vaughn glanced at Summer. "Nineteen years."
Summer's brow furrowed. There was something extremely odd about this situation. When she had first encountered Thea she had been given the assumption that this woman worked in some capacity with her parents. But now…
"Dad?" Summer said quietly, hoping to get some clarification.
"Oh sorry," Vaughn said. "Sum, this is Dr Emery. She is the doctor who cared for your mother and delivered you."
Summer looked directly at Thea. "Really?" Something was definitely not right. Not right at all…
xxxxx
"I cannot tell you how pleased the Agency is," Thea said. "You have made the right choice by accepting our offer."
"So what happens now?" Summer asked.
"You will be assigned to one of our front companies where you will start the analytical component of your training. After approximately six months we will determine whether you should continue to the next step," Thea explained as she stood up. "You should be contacted shortly telling you exactly where you need to report for training."
Summer nodded. "Ok then. Thank you."
"And Summer, along the lines that we were discussing the other day?"
Summer knew exactly what Thea was talking about. "What about it?"
"Your training is to remain confidential until completed."
Summer frowned. "But surely I can just tell—"
"Your parents are exemplary agents," Thea cut in. "We cannot have then influencing you in anyway that could give you a slight advantage over our other trainees. We need to see what you, and you alone, are capable of."
Summer paused. What Thea was saying made perfect sense. So, until all of this was over, it would remain her secret.
xxxxx
So why was her dad making out that Thea was a doctor? Was it some security thing? But then Thea had referred to him as Agent Vaughn…
"I should go," Thea was saying to Vaughn.
He nodded. "See you."
Summer watched as Thea walked away. She would certainly be raising some questions when she walked into work the next day.
Outside of the supermarket Thea grabbed her mobile, hitting on of the speed dials. The other party answered only after one ring.
"What is it?"
"We have a problem I just ran into Summer. She was with her father. He recognized me."
"He spoke to you?"
"Yes. The girl is more than well aware that something doesn't add up," Thea said.
"This is not a huge issue. We'll just have to move onto the next stage earlier than anticipated. Do you have all the necessary documents?"
"Putting on the final touches."
"Have them completed first thing. We'll be speaking to Summer tomorrow morning."