Previously on Why Can't I?

"Who are you?" The figure repeated, walking to in front of Vaughn.

"I'm Mi," Vaughn stopped. "My name is Des Hunt," he corrected. "And you are my party hard flattie."

"Too right! But party-hard –soon-to-be-huge-rock-star-and-household-name flattie Harry Houdini."

"Oh I did," Tracey called, overhearing the comment. "And Emily? I'm just heading up to Arvin's office now to give 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?"

"Was he handsome?" Catching Kate's eye, Emily's cheeks reddened. "And a little bit more! But it wasn't like that. To be honest with you, I think this guy is perfect for you. He was smart, handsome and so so kind – you just have to meet him."

"So does that mean you're hiring him?"

"I want to. He'll just be re-stacking the shelves and helping people with the computer system and all that, so he'll lighten my load." Emily looked wistfully at the staircase up which Tracey disappeared just moments before. "Hopefully Arvin'll understand."

Placing a hand over Emily's, Kate smiled. "I'm sure he will."

"Base to Boy Scout, do you copy?"

"Copy." Vaughn answered, holding his ear."

"Head to the specified office location immediately."

Dropping the tea towel, Vaughn looked up at Harry. "Uh, sorry mate but I have to go now."

"I know. I'm coming with you. Base just contacted me too."

"What?" Vaughn asked in disbelief as Harry grabbed hold of his arm. "What's happening?"

"I seriously have no idea. But I've been warned that as safe as this house may be, there are still chances of intrusion. So I'm guessing that this is probably not the place for us to discuss stuff. We'd better get out of here… like now"

The Director of the taskforce met Vaughn and Harry in the hallway of the building they were reported to go. "Thank you for gracing us with your presence Agents Weiss and Vaughn. Next time, a little hustle would be appreciated. When we say head to the office immediately, we mean head to the office immediately. Understood?"

Weiss and Vaughn raised their downcast eyes to meet the Director's hard stare. "Yes sir," they both mumbled.

"Good. Now, I'm not sure whether you two understand the extremities of this mission, but we can't miss out on this chance to gather valuable intel on Arvin Sloane. This is crucial to the task force. Sloane is a terrorist and we want… sorry, we NEED to know his endgame. And as good as this agency is, the collection of this intelligence has been left in the hands of two relatively new," the Director paused and pursed his lips, "and might I add, inexperienced agents."

Weiss and Vaughn shifted uncomfortably.

"Now Mr Vaughn, did it ever occur to you that Sloane has planted cameras and listening devices throughout his library set-up?" the Director asked.

Vaughn coloured. "Ah, yes sir."

"So, knowing this, you proceeded to converse… hysterically might I add, with your handler? Not only did this stupid outburst put your life in jeopardy, but now the life of your handler, their friends and family, as well as the reputation of this taskforce."

"I'm s-sorry," Vaughn stuttered. "It slipped my mind."

"Sorry? That slip of your mind could have cost the agency this mission!"

"Could have?" Vaughn asked.

"Yes, could have. We had an agent go to the library and destroy the devices."

"Thank you sir."

The Director narrowed his eyes. "With an error like this, you two – yes you as well Agent Weiss – should be pulled from this case. Except your handler Agent Bristow believes you Agent Vaughn, have gathered some promising leads of which is so valuable you are going to first pursue them by yourself rather than putting at risk the lives of other agents. Is that correct?"

"Yes it is," Vaughm replied, perhaps too quickly.

"Good. Now Agent Weiss, you're most likely wondering why you are under the firing line at the moment too, but in case you didn't gather – you two are partners. It is necessary for both of you to keep tabs on each other… and keep each other safe."

"Yes sir."

"Well, I believe your handlers wish to speak to both of you. And remember, stay alert – keep us posted. Intel, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you, may solve this ridiculous puzzle the analysts have been trying to solve."

"Whoa," Harry said when Vaughn followed him out of the building. "That was intense."

"Talk about it." Vaughn kicked at a pebble on the ground. "Kinda scary too."

"I'm with you there. Boy and that was after a tiny mishap, god I don't want to think what would happen if a mission is a failure!"

"Now that would be scary!"

"Like I-want-to-run-away-and-go-into-hiding kinda scary."

Vaughn smiled at his new partner. "Yeah, but don't jinx us."

With a playful punch at Vaughn's shoulder, Harry/Weiss stole the keys out of from Vaughn and ran to the driver side of the car. "By the way, I shottie driving!"

"Thanks for asking!" Vaughn said sarcastically. "Just drive according to the road rules please, because I would like to return home in one piece!"

Harry/Weiss looked at Vaughn and smiled. "Well in that case, buckle up!"

Next Chapter: Does Vaughn pass Sloane's screening process? And what promising leads have Agent Bristow and Vaughn gathered?