ISecretary

Fred Benson stood as still as he could for the photo. Strangely enough this photo-shoot for 'Forbes' reminded him of his family photos. His mother insisted he hold perfectly still, smiling like a good little boy. It drove him nuts. Yet, here he was, decades later, the same little boy.

But now he was a man. That was the cover article, 'The Main Man of Madness; Business in the Benson Boom.' He was being grilled over his company's recent controversial actions. 'Overlord' had treaded on half a dozen human rights issues and countless Federal laws. The journalist interviewing him was a specialist in ethics, and thus had demanded to know why no government had taken action against Overlord. Freddie did not have an answer because he did not care.

It was painfully obvious that his computer company was covering its tracks. All he decided to say is, "I guess people don't care. I'm not sure I do either."

It was a total bust. He was flown home.

Fred Benson stepped out of the vehicle, thanked his pilot, and headed to the elevator. He swiped his executive card and headed to the dark top of 'Overlord Towers.' The bell dinged, letting him know he had reached the top, but being at the top did not make him any happier. He cracked his neck, knowing that tomorrow he would fuel a dozen different charities out of guilt, not passion.

He had no passion anymore. He had left that behind when ICarly had ended. He sighed, and pressed his 'Overlord Watch 200' the pinnacle of his companies' technology. It controlled everything, and had successfully replaced the smartphone, wallets, and keys. It was his greatest achievement.

He could not care less. Freddie Benson did only two things; work, and mourn what he had lost. A holograph receptor in the watch activated, giving him a list of options. Suicide was not one of them. He scrolled through the list until he found something that would cheer him up. A two dimensional hologram rose from the floor. It was an old video of his high school graduation.

Sam was there, as was Carly. Spencer was working the camera. It sent a pang through Freddie. Spencer could not afford insurance, and artists historically did not live very long…

There had been a series of funerals; Mrs. Benson, Spencer, then… Sam.

She was cheering on the video, louder than anyone. It was simply unbelievable that she had made the grade, or that in two years, a car accident would take her life.

The elevator dinged again. This time a group of foreign models exited, and headed for the bedroom opposite Freddie's.

"Now see, ladies, try and control yourselves. Overlord cannot replicate hot young women… yet."

The only male to disembark paused in front of Freddie's desk to glare at him condescendingly.

"You know, you are the one that people are supposed to like, and yet you can't even take Forbes? Freddie, I'm your best friend, and I've got to say… that's sad."

Freddie managed to get up enough ilk to growl out a, 'thanks.'

"Goodnight Freddie, I know it will be for me!" The co-owner of Overlord crowed as he opened the double doors to his spacious and occupied bedroom.

Once the doors slammed shut, Freddie mustered up the energy to say, "Good night, Nevel."

A.N. Yes, this will be 'Creddie'. I'm not trying to slam on Seddie, I just don't like bullies. And that's what Sam is, a bully. Honestly, she's a lot of fun, but I wish Fred had gotten an actual chance with Carly, not just because he followed her around.

Chapter Two

A pretty young brunette uncrossed and crossed her legs for the twenty-third time. She had been here for an hour, and baby-sitters were difficult to get. She sighed, focusing on her inner over-achiever.
Her high school grades were excellent, as were the first two years of college. There was no time now to debate how she could have changed her past. What was done was done, and now she had a beautiful baby girl. Sarah was now five years old.

Carly straightened her skirt, praying to whichever god was in charge of fashion that she looked like a sensible, reliable young lady, because, honestly, she needed the money.

And it was always about money these days. Back in college, her second year, she had met Dustin Smith, an artist. He was… amazing. Cute, loveable, and deep, Dustin had been her soul-mate… in college. Then he had left, and she went with him. They started a family together, but artists were not very reliable. Spencer had just died and in her grief she had left college to stay with Dustin. That had been… a misstep. He had been a father to her child until he left them both without any support. Carly Smith had been so used to being an adult when she was a child that she suddenly wished she was a little girl in her big brother's arms.

But she was not a little girl anymore. Someone had to provide, and Carly had went job hunting with a fury. After a few temp jobs that had bolstered her résumé, she had heard of an opening for an executive assistant. Overlord was a horrible company with the conscience of a hungry shark, but it paid really well and had amazing benefits. Her clothes were a bit worn, and she had to go very, very light on the make-up. There was not enough money in the monthly budget for such frivolities.

If she got this job, Sarah would have nothing to worry about at all. Carly absolutely had to get this job.

Her name was called, and suddenly, her mind went blank. All of the qualifiers Carly possessed flew from her consciousness leaving only her flaws and faults. She was a single mother with no money, half a college education, and no real goals in life besides raise her child right.

She uncrossed her legs and walked into the interview room.

There was a time in her life when Carly thought she might own a company like this. She was an ambitious little girl. Her mother and father, both in the military had hoped she would have followed their path. They were convinced she would have done well in any walk of life she chose. Any bright, young girl seems to be capable of anything. Then life gets in the way.

The interview was halted a quarter of the way through. The person conducting it had just finished explaining all of the benefits of their education program when her watch buzzed.

At first, the employee, a Latina named Victoria had chuckled nervously. Then her eyes had gone wide, and she explained that someone in management would be overseeing her.

Seconds ticked by as Carly crossed and uncrossed her legs. A message dinged on the employee's watch, but whatever it was, it was bad news. Tori's eyes rolled back and forth like a zombie on acid. Her breathing was erratic, and she fidgeted more than the woman she was interviewing.

When the door rattled, no one moved. The door clicked open and a single figure walked in and plopped himself down in a large chair behind Tori.

"Just go from where you were."

Chapter Three

Carly swallowed hard. Overlord was run by two people; one of them was incredibly smart, caring, and compassionate, the other was a foul, onerous, and horrible person that apparently knew she was going to be interviewed today.

"Hello Carly Shay," He grumbled out in his Nevel way. Tori apparently recognized the name, because she gasped, a little too loudly because it drew her boss' attention, "Shouldn't you be working right now?" He snapped.

She shook her head so hard it looked like she might have sprained her neck. Tori shuffled her papers and swallowed hard.

"Carly…" She began, only to be interrupted.

"What! The two of you are on a first name basis?" Her boss shrieked. She flinched at his voice, and shrunk down into her seat.

"M-M-Mrs. Smith…" She stuttered out.

"Ms. Smith, please," Carly managed to get out. Whatever fear she had about this interview evaporated when she realized that Nevel was still a bully. She knew this system- knew how it worked. It was just like ICarly, and she was confident in her abilities again. Carly rattled off her qualifications in seconds, keeping her posture perfect and her tone level. It was just like the old days, and back then she was the countess of confidence.

It put Tori at ease too. Even though her boss' boss' boss' boss' boss' boss' boss was there with an attitude problem, the tension between the two evaporated. It was like they were childhood friends, grown up and happened to meet at the company.

"…So I think very much I'll enjoy working for Overlord corporation." Carly finished with a dazzling smile. About halfway through, she noticed that 'good' things were generally marked on the right side of the paper, and bad things on the left. Tori smiled as her interviewee finished and scribbled her pen down the right side. Carly smirked inwardly.

"Lies!" Declared the man in the back, interrupting the process once more, "You won't enjoy working for me! I told you that you would rue the day, Carly Shay! You are nothing now! I am a power C.E.O. and I am telling you that you don't get this job, and that you have amounted to absolutely nothing in this life."

His explosion upset both women. He kicked Carly out, and had security throw her things outside. The guards were not too careful with her and they ripped her last nice blouse. Carly hit the pavement with a 'thud' and rolled to a stop. Her hair unkempt, her eyes blazing hatred she struggled to her feet. Why the chiz had she worn a tight skirt that came down to her knees? She should have known she would find an enemy here.

He laughed at her glare, the guards joining in when she tried to cover herself. Her cheeks lighted with embarrassment. How did she run into him here? This was a small subsidiary corporation that had been taken over and gutted by Overlord Corporation. Yet somehow he knew she would be applying and flew in.

Carly took a settling breath to keep the tears out of her eyes while hunched over. At least she had not cried when Nevel was there. That she could not have stood.

"Excuse me, miss?" A familiar voice questioned. Carly sniffled back her tears and straightened her dress. Turning around she found a very sorrowful looking Tori.

"Um, if you want, you can have my jacket," A security guard grunted. Tori jumped back as the guard growled something about 'orders'. Carly declined the gracious offer. It was nice to have a nice little cry ever now and then, but tears would not help Sarah. She packed up her things.

Carly knew she must look like a total mess. Her clothes were torn and covered in mud, her make-up was ruined and the contents of her purse were strewn across the sidewalk.

"Carly?"

She froze, bent over a step reaching for a tube of lipstick. She slowly turned, knowing who it was.

He was darker now, she could feel it. His black suit with gray shirt gave that much away, while his designer watch and Italian shoes told her just how far from her former Prince Charming this man was.

"Freddie?"

Chapter Four

Victoria Vega was having a rough day. Her music company had been bought by the fourth most unethical corporation on the planet. Friends she had known from high school were fired. Here she was trying to interview dozens of applicants for a single, cushy job, when a call came in that someone from way up the ladder was coming in to 'evaluate' her. That had put her on edge.
Carly Shay, from one of her favorite shows growing up was sitting across from her. Tori had kind of wanted an autograph. Then Nevel had butted in, turning her music company into a tool for revenge. Her watch beeped as another executive message came through. This one was from the nicer co-owner, explaining that she would be taking on his old secretary as he had just found a replacement.

Tori sighed tiredly. In high school, she thought she would be a pop star, but once she reached college she realized she just liked artists. At 'Make It Shine' Incorporated, she could help small time people keep their heads above water. On one level, she hated Overlord Corp. for robbing her of her dream. On the other, it represented a bright new future.

Of course, no one had asked her what she thought.

So, she decided to make her own employee perk and watch what was happening between Carly and Fred.

They stood there in silence, both limp. Fred twitched. 'Okay, this is boring,' Tori thought to herself.

He held out his hand to her. 'Oh! Never mind that boring thing!' Carly, leapt into his arms, hugging him tightly. Her torn shirt not lost on Freddie.

They both laughed and spun around. When they stopped, they spoke in low voices, too mushy to be understood. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her.
They were acting like middle school children. Where was the unbridled romantic tension? Where were the hurt feelings bursting forth? Why were neither of them making unrequited declarations of love?

His chauffer pulled up in a freaking helicopter, and they got in together. Tori sighed. This was going to be a lot harder than she thought. And Nevel was likely inside firing more of her friends.

Chapter 4

Overlord Towers was the most impressive place Carly had ever been in her life. Freddie, or, as he liked to be known as to his workers, 'Mr. Benson' had used a prototype for the next generation of helicopter to transport the two of them from the studio in L.A. to his offices in Never Live C.A. The company had created the town pretty much by itself.
Nevel ran it like it was a coal mining operation from 1930's West Virginia. Freddie used innovation and compromise to keep the people content in their situation. It was a beautiful area regardless. Carly was told to show up at work at eight A.M. There would be facilities available for her child.

Freddie dismissed her.

"Alright, see you later!" Carly chirped. Something felt wrong. She turned to see displeasure written all over his face, "I mean… I will see you in the morning, sir, Mr. Benson, sir." She saluted. His eyes rolled, and, for the first time in months, smiled, "Ha! I got you to smile… sir, Mr. Benson, sir!"

Sarah was ecstatic over her new surroundings. The ride here was her favorite part, but there was a beach, and a candy store on every corner, and new friends, and a boy had told her she was pretty. Carly's nose flared indignantly at that last part

"There's more to life than being pretty," And now she felt like some frothy-mouthed feminazi, "I mean, honey, it's nice that boy said that to you."

She petted her daughter's head. The neighbors came over and welcomed the two. Sarah's eyes grew wide as a plate of brownies was presented to her. It took her thirty seconds to embarrass her mother. Carly was speaking to her new neighbors when she turned around to find her daughter in an undignified position eating frosting off the ground, with her tongue.

"Sometimes I think she's part dog," Carly insisted with a nervous chuckle, adding, "On her father's side."

To her good fortune, Sarah made a new friend, Kara, a vicious brown-eyed blonde with a criminal side. (Well, as criminal as a five year old gets.) The two were soon best friends. Carly could barely stand to see the two together, too many memories. When they started dancing, somewhat randomly, she pulled her daughter inside and insisted they needed their sleep. They ate dinner together, alternating turns speaking.

Her daughter was adorable, and that was not just Carly's opinion. Her round face from her mother, and sparkling brown eyes from her father were perfect together. She kissed her mother good-night, brushed her teeth, and went to bed.

Carly took the time to shower, brush her hair, and dressed into her flannel pajamas. The thought of working for someone who used to be a little nerd was annoying, but that was the way of the world. The thought of Nevel sent a chill down her spine. A package was laid out on her bed.

Carly felt a bit of apprehension opening it. Inside was a new silk blouse and note. She did not need to read the note to know it was from Freddie, or wonder how he had gotten her measurements so fast. The boy had always been…. observant.

'Whoa, girl, slow down. He's your boss now. It's not cool.'

Besides which, he and Sam had been together, off and on for years; until her death, of course.

Carly curled up, alone in her bed thinking back to that night. Seeing Sarah and Kara had brought back unpleasant memories. Sam had been in a street race/demolition derby when an accident set either her meth lab or moonshine brew aflame. The fire had reached her nitro tanks in seconds, and boom, instant metal coffin.

It had been so ridiculous, but so Sam…

Carly fell asleep very, very alone.

She was unaware of just how much the employees in the town were being monitored…