Oliver and Alex had been in town only a few weeks and already they were hard at work with the Green Arrow and Queen Industries. Oliver was contributing to Martha Kent on her senate campaign while Alex was setting up business meetings and charity events. Things were getting interesting now that Green Arrow was on the radar of some of the newspapers.

Working at the desk, mixing and matching meetings with breathing time, Alex heard the elevator come up. He barely glanced at Oliver as he came in. "That was quick," he said, typing up a 'Thank You' to a few companies that had welcomed Oliver to Metropolis with gift baskets and the like. "Was Mrs. Kent not able to speak with you about the campaign?"

"I didn't even get in the front door," Oliver chuckled. "I dropped off the package, but a feisty brunette blocked the way. She thought I was the delivery guy, even gave me a tip." The blond dropped the few dollars down onto the desk in front of Alex.

"Shall I put it in the safe with the family jewels?" The boy asked as he glanced at the crumbled bills, then up at Oliver.

"I was thinking more along the lines of getting a coffee or tea or whatever you drink," Oliver said, bounding up the steps towards his bedroom. "I'm going to do my yoga. Why don't you take a break? It's a beautiful day outside. It's supposed to be like that all week. Maybe cure that excessive paleness you've got going on."

"It's genetics and I burn easily," Alex grumbled under his breath as he glared at the screen. Striking the keys a few more moments, he paused. Oliver was in his room changing to do his body bending fun and that left Alex with. . . about ten minutes to spare between the next task he had to tackle. Chewing his lip a moment, he picked up the cash and put it in his desk drawer. Maybe some decent tea would pick him up a bit. Tomorrow. It was a few minutes before Oliver came back out in his work out pants and had a yoga mat under his arm. Two, actually.

"Get over here. You need a break and some de-stressing. You're throwing your shakra off by sitting there and shuffling papers and staring at a computer screen all day." Oliver set up the mats, waiting on Alex before standing up and looking over at the other. "Hey, part of your job is to do what I tell you and right now I'm telling you to get over here and get bendy."

"What?" Alex said, turning in his seat and gave Oliver a confused look.

"I said get over here and do yoga with me. If you don't at least get up in the next ten seconds, I will break your precious work tablet into a tiny million pieces," Oliver threatened. Alex stayed in his seat, confused, for a few moments before getting up. His tablet held everything he needed and if Oliver broke it, then he just might curl into a ball and cry. "Good, now go put some clothes on you can work better in." Sighing in defeat, Alex nodded. He went to his room and quickly changed into a baggy t-shirt and work out shorts before coming back.

"There. I'm changed and ready to break my back," Alex said, walking out. Oliver was already sitting on his mat in the Lotus position waiting on him.

"You have really skinny legs," Oliver said, staring at the other man's legs. The hair was fine and light, almost non-existent. It was a weird fascinating sight to the older man.

"Thank you for noticing the obvious." Walking over, Alex took a seat across from Oliver, mimicking his position. "So, we're working on yoga?"

"Yep. You need to unwind before you pop a screw loose and go postal on the place." Every once in a while, Oliver would force Alex into yoga to make sure the young man was managing his work load. It made him feel better knowing that at least one of his employees knew he wasn't just the party playboy everyone thought of him. Besides, Alex was as close as family as he could get.

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me," Alex grumbled.

"No problem. Now, downward dog." Oliver easily stood with a small rock to get his moment going. Alex, on the other hand, had to unwind his legs and get up from his knees and pushed himself up with his hands. Slowly, the younger man got into the position. Putting his feet at shoulders width apart before bending over and attempting to make a tent shape with his body.

"Oh God, you're trying to kill me," Alex grunted, feeling the blood rush to his head as Oliver helped move his body a bit to make it easier.

"That's what you always say, yet here you are," Oliver chuckled. "Dolphin now." Alex whined before Oliver helped him keep the position as he shifted down to use his forearms as support while trying to keep his feet as flat as possible. "There you go. That's not so bad is it?"

"I hate you," Alex huffed, trying to breath correctly so he didn't pass out.

"Just a few more seconds and. . . There. Knees down so you don't fall," Oliver instructed as he helped Alex down, holding his sides. "Warrior pose then back bend and full boat, then I'll let you go. Do the warrior on your own and you can skip the last one." Alex thought about it a moment before letting his head fall down and admit defeat with a groan. "That's the spirit. Now, get up and get in position."

"How many women want to hear that from you?" Alex snorted as he stood up.

"All of them," Oliver smirked as Alex rolled his eyes. "Stop talking and start bending."

The next morning, Alex hardly felt the effects of the random and extreme yoga. Thankfully he was naturally flexible enough to not feel the aches and pains the day after. If all else failed, he kept a bottle of Tylenol in his desk drawer. There was a coffee shop just a block or so away, they were practically on every corner in Metropolis. For the business world, coffee was the petrol that the fueled the body. For Alex, his fuel was tea. It was more of the premium type. Better and healthier for the body and kept it running longer. The walk was a few minutes away and it was beautiful outside. Oliver had been right about that much. It was city air, but it still felt a bit nicer than indoor A/C. The brisk walk did him some good to perk up a bit before he went inside the coffee shop to wait in the surprisingly short line. Maybe today was supposed to be a good day for him.

Or fate had a different hand in mind for him. As Alex stepped up to give his order, some woman just shoved right in front of him. "Excuse me," he said, but she ignored him.

"I need the biggest gift basket you have. Load it up with extras if you gotta," she said. Alex just glared hard for a moment before tapping her rather hard on the shoulder. "What?" She spun on him like he was a menace.

"You can't just shove in front of the line, that's rude," he said, trying to be as assertive as possible. With his height and build, it was kind of hard at times.

"Well, I'm running late and I've got some major butt kissin' to do, so why don't you just chill it out for a second and I'll be in and out of here before you know it." Promptly, she turned and ignored him again. Alex stared at her with contempt, wishing something would drop on her as she shuffled to the side while waiting on her order. At least it was his turn.

"Earl Gray with a touch of milk, please." Giving his order, he went to the side where Rude Lady stood, tapping impatiently on the counter. If only he was able to speed things up. Karma was at least on his side a bit as his order came up before hers. "Thank you," he said giving the barista a small smile before turning to leave.

"Excuse me!" That horrible voiced barked before the woman shoved past him, spilling his precious beverage down the front of his shirt. Wonderful. Alex looked up to call after her, but she was already gone.

"Worst three dollars ever spent," he mumbled, sipping what was left of his drink before leaving. The walk was slower going back. Probably because he was in a worse mood than when he left the apartment. A cold, wet shirt soaked from his chest to his waist. Trying to soak up as much with a napkin, Alex stepped into the elevator and hit the floor button he wanted. It was a quick ride, thankfully. That small beam of hope for the rest of the day going better was shattered when he stepped out and heard the voice he wished to never hear again. Damn it.

"So, I came bearing gifts and humble pie," the woman said as she handed a half naked Oliver a gift basket. "I wanted to apologize for earlier today. I wasn't thinking and I thought maybe a gift basket might help. Mrs. Kent is really a good woman and with your support it would take her further onto greater things than just where she is now." The woman certainly had a way with words, Alex thought.

"Ms. Lane," Oliver said, ignoring his wet assistant for the moment. "I do appreciate the apology and the basket. I'll keep my contribution to Mrs. Kent's campaign. On one condition."

When the woman decided to ignore Alex's presence, he sighed and went to the changing partition. There was always a set of clean clothes there. Mostly Oliver's, but Alex had a few spares stashed back there.

"I want you to attend this up coming campaign party that Lionel Luther is holding for Mrs. Kent. As my date."

Sticking his head out from behind the partition, Alex gave Oliver a dirty look. He was supposed to go to that. Not this... this horrible excuse for a woman! It was rare that Alex got to do something fun like these parties. He was able to set his tablet, that was usually attached to his hand daily, down and be able to just relax and enjoy the food and drink and watching people. Now that dream was crushed.

"If you needed a date that badly, I'm sure there are other women to choose from," Ms. Lane scoffed before seeing Oliver give her a pointed look. "Or I could be your date."

"It's settled then," Oliver said, smiling triumphantly. Alex ducked back behind the partition and finished changing his shirt before coming back out. "I'll send a driver to pick you up at eight, Lois."

"Eight works perfectly," Lois said.

It was like Alex didn't even exist in their little conversation world. Walking over to the desk, he picked up his tablet and scheduled the driver. He'd been looking forward to that party and now he was stuck in the office. Alex felt tossed to the side a bit. Even at the last minute, Oliver didn't just leave him behind. His boss knew that he liked going to them and now he was out and this rude woman was in. Alex didn't let it show though. He was able to do that much.

"Did you get that, Alex?" Oliver called from his spot in front of Lois.

"Yes, sir. It's been scheduled and confirmed," Alex said, looking up as Lois and Oliver looked over. So maybe there was some silver lining. The look on Lois's face made him smile a bit, on the inside.

"You're the guy from the coffee place," Lois said, here eyes wide like a deer in headlights.

"And you're the woman that had some butt kissing to do," Alex said, calm and stoic. After all, he didn't get to be Oliver's assistant by getting emotional and throwing things in people's faces. "Everything is ready for this evening, sir." He looked up at Oliver, meeting his eyes for a moment before looking back at Lois. "Will you require any help with acquiring proper attire?"

"Uh, no. I think I can pull something out of my closet of wonders," Lois said, putting on a smile.

"Think that closet of wonders has anything for Boy Wonder over there?" Oliver asked, nodding his head to Alex. Alex could feel his face start to twitch, just the slightest. It was like there was this storm of rage building and the only thing between it and Oliver were those small muscle spasms.

"Maybe not in my closet, but a decent credit card and a day at Macy's and Express and maybe then Boy Wonder might get the look you want," Lois said, looking over at Alex who just stared back at the pair of them, hard.

"Maybe a hair cut or something so he doesn't look like a walking bush," Oliver said, ignoring the look as he was used to it by now.

"So when did I become your personal assistant?" Lois quipped.

"You're a stand in till mine looks like he didn't just wake up and put on his dad's clothes." Oliver nodded to Alex, who stood there trying to contain the redness of his face.

"I'm standing in the same room with you," Alex grumbled. That twitch was starting to get worse and he was sure that it would go into a full blown face contortion soon.

"Treat yourself to a nice lunch and make sure that he looks like a man instead of a 12 year old." Oliver turned around and walked over to a filing cabinet to pilfer through the top drawer before he found what he was looking for. "Here is that credit card and there is the assistant. I'm sure you could do wonders for him," he smirked. Alex rolled his eyes before going to the elevator with Lois to do their new task. The first few moment were quiet and slightly awkward before Lois spoke up.

"Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but maybe we could turn this hate into a partnership. I keep Oliver busy and you get to follow your dreams in that new found free time," Lois said as she stood on her side of the elevator while Alex stood on his trying to bridge the gap between them. Alex frowned, glancing at Lois from the corner of his eye. "What? You honestly can't tell me that your life long dream was to do Oliver Queen's dry cleaning."

"It's none of your business what my dreams and ambitions are." Alex felt he was in the right to be huffy. He'd been sent under a non-optional Extreme Make Over.

"Look, Hoity-Toity, I gotta do this for a friend. Your boss obviously cares enough to make sure you don't look like a total flop in front of every business associate that you meet. So suck it up and let him do something nice for you. Not all bosses are that kind." The silence in the elevator was deafening.

Alex never was a debater, even if he was in the right. He sighed in defeat. "Where's the first stop?"

"Clothes. There's a Men's Express a few block away. . . On second thought, maybe we should cut and color your hair first," Lois said, looking Alex up and down.

"Color?" This was sounding more and more like a giant project that would end him on a plastic surgeon's table.

"Well of course. Your color's borderline mayhem," she sighed, picking at a strand.

"What's wrong with my hair color?" Alex leaned away, taking the piece of hair out of her hand. He thought his hair was perfectly fine.

"It looks like bleach blond rolled in a dirty puddle. Needs to be shorter too. You look like a guy that doesn't care for his appearance a whole lot." Lois bit her lip as she studied Alex's face and body. "I'm thinking business/emo/rocker. A splash of dark colors and blacks for edge. Make you look older. Of course it'll have to be in your size. This whole comfy/frumpy thing has to go."

"I like comfy," Alex mumbled.

"Well, we'll compromise. You'll look half way decent and still be comfortable." As soon as the elevator opened, Lois grabbed Alex's hand. "Come on, we've got work to do." There was a quick ride in a taxi to a salon that Lois swore by and before Alex could even think of protesting, his dirty blond hair was gone.

"It's. . ."

"Yes?"

"It's. . ."

"Fabulous!" The hair dresser beamed.

"I feel like I should be in an emo band," Alex sighed.

"No, you'd need longer bangs," Lois smirked. "Besides, the black just makes you stand out more."

"Yes, because that's what I want to do." Reaching up and playing with his new fringed bangs, Alex scrunched up his nose. It felt weird. The hair dresser had buzzed his sides and back, razoring the top to keep some length without cutting it too terribly short.

"It's sexy and simple and easy to fix into business or play," the hair dresser piped in, obviously in love with his work.

"It won't be getting any play," Alex mumbled.

"So what do you really think?" Lois asked as the hair dresser cleaned Alex up.

"My ears look huge."

"You'll grow into them," she said, heading over to pay. Alex was quiet for a moment before looking up at the hair dresser.

"Thanks. . . For the sideburns."

"No problem, Honey," the hair dresser smiled and winked. "Always happy to help." After Lois came back, she dragged Alex back out into the streets and into a cab, paying a few extra dollars to get them to the nearest men's clothing store. There, Lois paved the way through all the sections and grabbed a bit of everything.

"Here. Take these, these, and this," Lois said, handing Alex several pairs of slacks, shirts, and ties. "Go to the changing room and try them on. There's different sizes to see exactly what you are."

"I know what I am. Miserable." Nevertheless, Alex took the clothes and shuffled into the changing room. Shedding his clothes he had on, he jumped and hopped into a pair of fitted slacks before picking up a white button up and slipping it on. The clothes fit him. After he did everything up and put on the tie, he looked like a whole new person. They fit his body and didn't make him look like he was wearing a tent. Huh. . . Maybe Lois was on to something.

"Get out here and show me what you've got," Lois called into the dressing rooms. "Or I could come in there."

"I'm on my way out!" Alex called, quickly putting his feet into a pair of slip on dress boots. Hurrying out before the forward Ms. Lane could come barging in, he came out and stood for her to see. "Is that okay?"

"Well," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Look what happened to Cinderella at the ball." Walking over to him, she circled him and nodded to herself. "I think we found your new look. Now, tell me the size and I'll go get you a whole new wardrobe. We'll get you a suit later. That's what tailors are for." Walking up behind him, she pulled out the pants from behind and looked at the tag.

"Lois!" He cried, jerking a bit.

"What? Just checking your size." Lois let go of his pants before standing behind him a moment, humming a moment.

"What now?" Alex groaned, scared of what else she'd pull on.

"For a skinny guy your size, your butt's pretty good looking. Usually a guy with your build wouldn't have a butt, but yours is all toned and perky." The woman was pretty sure that Alex was about to burst into flames, if his extremely red neck was any indication. "Alright, you keep that on, I'll grab you more shirts and ties and pants, go pick out a few jackets and blazers, then we're off to a late lunch!"

"Wonderful," Alex said as he went back into the changing room to grab his clothes.

"You know, if you hated it so much you would have left already," Lois sang behind him. God, she was right. Not that he would admit it. It wasn't very often he was the center of attention and not Oliver. It felt kinda nice actually.

Finally it was time to get some food. Alex was starving. Lunch was pleasant. While Alex sat quietly and enjoyed his meal of pasta and salad and soup while Lois continually talked about her life as a reporter and the articles and stories, not to mention her 'friend' Clark Kent. It just kept going and going and going, but Alex was starting to not mind. He liked hearing about other people. Their lives and everything that happened in it. He was a library of information about all of Oliver's business partners and associates as well as most of the workers that interacted with him daily, not to mention Oliver himself. "You know, you don't talk a whole lot," she finally said, pausing in her meal of a hoagie and fries.

"I'm a listener, I like to hear what people have to say about themselves and their lives. Everyone has got a story to tell and. . . Sometimes it's very interesting to hear," Alex said. He took a sip of his water as Lois just shook her head.

"You are every woman's dream," she said.

"Excuse me?" He said, frowning in confusion.

"You're a good listener, you say just. . . The way you say things is so, I don't know. That accent, even if your voice is kinda high for a boy, just makes girls go crazy. It's going to be easy to nab a girl after today."

"How do you know I don't already have a girlfriend?"

"Oh trust me, single white male was just wafting off of you when I saw you earlier today. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out," Lois chuckled.

"Wow, thanks for that insightfulness," he mumbled, rolling his eyes.

"What? I'm just saying." The problem Alex could already see was just that. Lois was always 'just saying.'

"Doesn't matter. What does matter is that I have to get back to finish up work I was supposed to be doing." Work was a very good excuse for Alex, even if it was very over used.

"Ah, I see. Workaholic." Lois finished off her drink before flagging down the waitress to hand her the poor, abused credit card. Alex was going to flinch when he added up the receipts, he just knew it. "Okay, let's get you back to your ball and chain."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Alex looked up at her confused.

"Your desk and work. That's what I mean," Lois said as she signed for the meal and stood up. "Come on, Pinocchio. It's time to show Oliver that you're a real boy now." Alex almost chortled at the irony of that statement. Almost. A few more extra dollars and they were back at the building before Alex knew it.

The ride up the elevator was making Alex nervous. It wasn't often he got nervous and this time he wasn't sure why. "Okay Alex, let's make a grand entrance," Lois said as the elevator stopped and she stepped in front of him. Opening the door she saw Oliver standing at the desk. "Ladies and gentlemen! I present the new and improved Alex!" She cried, standing aside while doing spirit fingers and mimicking fanfare. Stepping out, Alex raised an eyebrow at her before looking at Oliver. That look of just. . . Pure shock was something new. He'd never seen the older man make that face before.

"Wow, talk about an over haul," Oliver said, walking over to them.

"It took some time and effort, but I brought your boy back all squeaky clean and decent looking," Lois beamed as Oliver looked him over. Alex was still wearing the outfit Lois had him try on first, adding in vest on a whim. She said it gave him that 'hipster, but not hipster' look. Whatever that meant.

"What do you think, Alex?" Oliver asked the younger man.

"I. . . I think it will take some getting used to, but I will managed," Alex said, smoothing out the few wrinkles he had on his vest.

"Good. You look a hell of a lot better than before. I might actually admit you're my assistant." Wonderful, when Oliver was possibly starting to sound like a decent guy, he put his foot back in his mouth. Alex just rolled his eyes before stepping back into the elevator to start picking up and moving the massive amounts of store bags he and Lois had brought back.

"Was it something I said?"

"No, Oliver. I just have work to catch up on. So, I'll deposit my bags in my room and get back to it while you do your work and Ms. Lane is able to go get ready for the party tonight," Alex said, walking briskly back to his bedroom to drop off the bags. He'd unpack them later. Right then, he had to take care of other matters. Coming back out, he saw Oliver and Lois heading back with the rest of them. The irritation wore off a little from that small amount of kindness. "Thank you," he said as they came back out.

"Wouldn't want to keep you from work. Which, is where I should be heading if I want to go with Mr. Queen here, later tonight," Lois said.

"I will see you later tonight then," Oliver said, escorting Lois to the elevator. There were a few words in private that Alex didn't hear. Not that he was eavesdropping. Nope, it was work on the desk that he pulled up and started to rearrange. Apparently Oliver attempted to help a bit, but it turned out into more of a mess than help. When the elevator shut and Lois was gone, Oliver turned to Alex. "So, now you're all dressed up with no where to go. Anything you plan on doing with your fancy new duds?"

"I have something in mind, but after work," Alex said, fingers typing furiously.

"Good, because we've got a busy night ahead of us." Oliver tossed a few photographs in front of Alex to look at. "Mrs. Kent is wearing it tonight, on loan from Lionel Luthor."

"And you plan to make sure it goes to a better person?" Alex asked, looking over the pictures before pulling up plans of the building.

"Something like that." Oliver stood behind Alex, looking over the plans himself.

"You're daft, just so you know," the boy said, pausing to look over his shoulder at his boss.

"Of course, when have you known me not to be?" Oliver grinned.

"Never."

"Exactly."