Disclaimer: I don't own Alias...
Previously on Why Can't I?...
"Who are you?"
Vaughn turned to the living room and saw a figure clad in black with numerous tattoos. "Sorry?"
The figure approached him, replacing the guitar they were carrying with a chopping board and knife. "Who are you? And what are you doing in my house?"
Chapter 13
"Your house? Isn't this my house?" Vaughn stopped short.
"Who are you?" The figure repeated, walking to in front of Vaughn.
"I'm Mi," Vaughn stopped. "My name is Des Hunt," he corrected.
"Des? Des! Hey man, you look so different! Did you get a haircut or something?" The figure walked to the sink and placed the chopping board and knife in the sink. "I just remember you differently, that's all."
"Yeah…" Vaughn said, realising what was happening. Knowing full well that the figure was an agent, undercover as his housemate, Michael somehow had to find out who this guy was. "And you are my party hard flattie."
"Too right! But party-hard –soon-to-be-huge-rock-star-and-household-name flattie Harry Houdini." Seemingly relieved, the shoulders of the figure noticeably lowered.
"Well, if all else fails at least you'll always know you're a household name in this house," Vaughn said with a smile and a wink.
"I'll just pretend that you meant that in a nice way," 'Harry' said with a laugh.
"You do that." Vaughn winked at Harry, and then headed off into an adjacent room to the kitchen.
Obviously his room, the wall was plastered with literary authors as well as classic movie posters, and was reasonable neater than the rest of the house. Opening a cupboard door, Vaughn was greeted with a moderately empty wardrobe filled with clothes similar to what he was wearing.
"Oi Des!"
Vaughn heard Harry call his name. "Yeah?"
"You wanna do something that will make you feel like you've accomplished a huge feat?"
"Yeah… Just as long as it doesn't involve drugs or alcohol," Vaughn answered, walking out of his room into the kitchen.
"It doesn't…" Harry said, hiding two cans of rum and coke behind his back. "Well, it doesn't have too…"
Laughing, Vaughn grabbed a can and cracked it open. "So what is this feat we're about to perform?"
"See that pile of dishes on the sink? It's calling us."
"It is?" Vaughn asked, turning to see the pile. "Whoa, it really is."
"Well, be a mate and grab a tea towel. Don't just stand there! Brace yourself though, this is going to be a long tiresome job."
"I'm thinking it will be too," Vaughn said, grimacing as he edged closer to the pile, catching a whiff of the dishes. "Oh god!"
---
"Emily!" Kate called, leaning over the library counter trying to catch sight of the older woman. "Em-ily!"
"Yes dear," Emily said with a smile, appearing at the doorway to the room behind the counter. "Has your story telling session finished? What did the kids think of it?"
"Yeah, it finished a few minutes ago. About that though, are we able to make the sessions a little longer? Maybe instead of two chapters we can read three or four… The kids really enjoy it, and it's not like I have anything else to do."
"Uh," Emily said, a hint of unsure-ness in her voice. "I'll have to check with Arvin…"
"I understand," Kate said, taking a seat at the counter. "So, what have you been up to?"
"Well, Tracey and I just finished a job interview and we were just discussing what we're going to do."
"Really? So there are some job openings here at the moment?" Kate asked.
"No," Emily replied, taking a seat opposite the young woman. "There was just someone who approached me about working here before and there was something about the person that made me want him part of the staff right then and there."
"What was it?" the girl asked, leaning closer.
"His beliefs? Integrity? Honesty? Approach on life? I'm not too sure what it was ab-"
"Maybe his green eyes? Or his handsome youthful face?" Tracey scornfully said, appearing behind Emily.
"Sorry?" Kate and Emily asked in unison.
Tracey scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Are you saying it had nothing to do with his toned body and tight clothing that attracted you to him?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Emily rose from where she sat. "What are you suggesting?"
"Nothing…" Tracey brushed the question off with a flick of her hair and walked out from behind the counter.
"I don't think she meant it like that," Kate whispered to Emily, placing her hand over the older woman's.
"Oh I did," Tracey called, overhearing the comment. "And Emily? I'm just heading up to Arvin's office now to him the tape of the interview so he can analyse this so-called 'Des Hunt'. I wonder what he'll think of it…"
Emily started after Tracey but stopped when Kate held her back. "Don't worry about her; she's just trying to fire you up."
"And she's doing a very good job."
"So, about this 'Des' guy," Kate smiled. "Was he really that handsome?"
A/N: Hope you liked the latest!
Next time: Will Vaughn blow his cover!