Almost everyone noticed there was a difference in Isabel lately, for one she actually very nearly greeted most of them normally, they received a nod reply instead of the usual annoyed glare whenever they chirped "Good morning" at her.

She walked into the office to find William sat at the chair waiting for her arrival,

"You're late" he said shortly no pleasantries as usual

"You sure you're not early?" Isabel asked with a smile

"you are supposed to be here at 9am sharp" he said before pulling out at pocket watch to check how late she was, just so he could get down the second "it is now 12:35 and 36 seconds making you 3 hours and 35 minutes late"

"You forgot the 36 seconds"

"That is excusable, but the rest isn't"

"We've been through this William, I prefer less conventional hours, I like late mornings and after office hours, I like the peace that night brings. And I prefer to spend as little time with the monkeys outside as physically possible." Isabel stated with a deep sigh.

"Well it isn't about what you prefer is it Miss Winters, those are the rules, and they are to be followed to the later without exception!" William retorted sharply as he adjusted his glasses, not of habit not necessarily.

"I do not see why you can't simply allow me a little leeway, considering how I conduct myself doesn't affect others in any way, the work is always done by the deadline and is of the highest quality as standard. I could understand your reluctance if this wasn't the case, but why do you insist on doing nothing but quote rules, criticise and grumble at every turn? " Isabel reasoned, providing what was, in her opinion, a reasonable argument but William just seemed to be getting more and more infuriated by the moment. "I'm never going to please you am I? I'm supposed to be your assistant and you treat me like trash! Can't you see that there has to be a reason I was given this position?"

"Rules are put in place to be followed, not bent or broken! If you can not see that, then you are unworthy of the title you've been given! Oh and I know exactly why you were given this position, because my old mentor finds watching me squirm amusing! It had nothing to do with your abilities!"

Isabel tried her hardest to control her temper, but she was reaching breaking point, 'how dare he!' she growled as she walked out the room before she did something she would regret later. She was walking through the main office where everyone was working when Will being the complete idiot he was, decided to pursue her.

"Where do you think you're going? I haven't done talking to you" William called after her "Do I have to add rude to you list of questionable qualities?"

Isabel froze mid step, her temper coming up to boiling point… she slowly turned to face him her eyes growing with anger "You better mind you manners little boy, I refuse to be talk down to by the likes of you! I sick and tired of having to listen to the mind numbing shit that comes spewing from your face every time you open your mouth! Yes I know the fucking rules, I knew most of the sodding people that wrote the god damn things, so stop fucking quoting them like some brain dead parrot!" she growled, finally letting lose all the frustration that that been building up over the past month "further more, news flash the only reason you still in his shitty position is down to your own doing, you refuse to use your initiative, you relay on your precious rules to much... leader have to stand out as something more then just the common paperwork totting, rule worshipping death lackey."

"What gives you the right to talk to me like that? I should have you fired and sent back to where you come from…" William exclaimed the vein on his forehead starting to noticeable pulsate as he was starting to truly loose his cool.

Isabel grabbed his tie, yanking him forward, staring into his eyes "What gives me the right? You are fucking talking to the Ex-leader of the Verona Dispatch headquarters, I stood beside my friends as we fought against an army of demons, I watched as my friends were slaughtered and I almost died from that attack! I sacrificed everything to save my subordinates and our realm, locking the demons back out again, and securing our vault of souls. So don't you dare question my worth, you condescending, uptight, inexperienced, snot nosed, know it all! I've been a leader long before you were even a thought in your fathers head!" she hissed, shoving him back "go on have me fired, and sent back, if that makes you feel better, you fucking petty child! At least then I be free from ass holes like you!" she added before storming out the room.

William was positively stunned by her words; he just stood there with his mouth a gap for several moments before he hastily tried to recover his composition and returning to his office.

Isabel walked down to café, desperately in the need for tea and ridiculously sugary substances to calm herself down after having lost her cool when she was forced to deal with that moron. She sat down at a table in the far corner away from every one else, as she ate her triple chocolate cake a.k.a heart attack on a plate.

"So, I heard your little tiff with William a short while ago" Theo interjected sternly taking an seat opposite.

She looked up, having not noticed his approach, either by his stealthy ways or her own distracted state of mind "Yea, fine... I got a bit loud, so sue me..." she grumbled looking back down at the remainder of her cake "when you have to repeat the same argument regular basis you tend to get increasingly weary and I finally lost my composure..."

"Easy there Isabel, I didn't come over to scold you for disturbing the peace... despite the fact that I heard you going at it on the floor up... but that is beside the point" Theo countered calmly, leaning back in the chair "I just wanted to check if you were okay?"

Isabel nodded slowly "Like I said, the man had been wearing me down for quite some time and I finally just lost it, and ended up blowing up at him" she sighed deeply, looking off into the distance thoughtfully.

"Alright" he breathed, "can I ask you something? Was what you said about what happened in Verona true?"

"Unfortunately, it was... although it has featured so frequently in my nightmares that I often wish it could just melt away just like a bad dream in the bright sunlight" she muttered moodily staring into the depths of her cup, as if searching for answers in the drag and loose tea leaves."

Theo suppressed the deep urge to reach out and reassure her... it was a far too public place for such a action "When did all this happen?"

"Five months ago"

"I'm so sorry Isabel… I can't even begin to image what it's like to go through something like that…"

"And I pray that you never do, it was hell… I still have nightmares about that time… those are two days I will never forget even if I live to see a two thousand…" Isabel replied softly.

"Issy…" he breathed, not knowing what to say

"Either way... I'm leaving tomorrow, I refuse to allow him to treat me like I'm a sodding criminal just because I prefer not to follow his beloved rules to the letter" Isabel declared pointedly.

Theo hurriedly through a mental list of possible ways of convince her to stay, when he stumbled upon the perfect solution "Why don't you come work for me instead? I need a new assistant, I've been struggling alone up to now, having yet to find a reasonable replacement after the last one quit. You are the perfect candidate, you are more then capable, you have tons of experience, plus I enjoy your company so working may even become enjoyable with you around the office." he suggested with a half smile, mentally patting himself on the back.

Isabel sat weighing up her options, "What's the catch?" she questioned, tilting her head as she cast him a curious look.

"There isn't one, you want a new job, and I need a new assistant, that's all there is to it, I'm simply being a good friend, I don't want you to leave so I'm offering to help you out."

"Under one condition no weird errands, like laundry, having to deal with the girlfriend or lover or anything else that is not in the job description." she stated sharply pointing a accusing finger at him "I had enough of having to deal with shit like that to last me several life times"

"What do you take me for Isabel? I'm nothing if not profession, I promise there will not be anything think but work related errands."

"Alright, I'll do it" Isabel nodded, not looking up

"So what we going to do about Will? You may have to deal with him so leaving it like this may be troublesome"

"I'll have to go have a chat with him" Isabel mused thoughtfully, looking up at him "Are you busy right now?"

"No really, most my work comes in later on in the day, why?"

"Would you accompany me? I could use someone to referee so I don't do something rash, if he starts sniping again"

"Sure thing, but you know I can't let it seem like I'm there for you, I have to remain unbiased"

"I understand that Theo, as will I, otherwise it would seem that I am turning you against him and that is hardly going to help the situation."

"Good, shall we go get this over with?"

Isabel nodded before downing the rest of her tea and eating the last bit of cake, before standing up and following him out of the café back up to the office.