Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize.

Spoilers: Ha! A/U baby.

Summary: She was always strictly business, but what happens when her seemingly perfect world is turned upside down?

Notes: Nothing new to add.. Just keep watching this little section for any pertinent information.

My thanks and gratitude as always to those of you that leave me a review.. Even if it's a just a few words, it still means the world to me.

………….

By the time Amy had finished her phone calls, she had an afternoon meeting scheduled with the five members of T. I. R. A. C. Both to draw up the official contract and to set up a tentative schedule for the test project. Of course, the redheaded C.E.O. did have to explain why the project was being moved up…Chris also requesting a formal meeting with Amy and the four tentative 'heads' of the branch company for McMahon Corp. needless to say, what had started as a relatively calm and free week was now turning into a week filled with late nights at the office and countless business meetings. Thankfully, however, none of those business meetings would involve any member or soon to be member of Evolution Inc. That at least brought some relief to the redheaded C.E.O. and at this point, she was willing to take what she could get. Her entire schedule for what appeared to be the next two months, was somehow cramped into one month. One week had also been set aside as blank space, marked only by the initials E.I. Maria had taken care of most of the phone calls, the blonde woman dutifully re-organizing the C.E.O.'s calendar first in pencil before inputting it into a database. The two had figured out that method the hard way… after Maria's first day on the job when she had accidentally deleted two weeks worth of projects, deadlines and business meetings from the master database. A heavy sigh escaped the redhead as she pushed back from her desk, the day wasn't even over yet and she already wanted to go home.

"Maria.." Amy began as she stepped out of the office, "I'm having lunch downtown with Trish, Lisa, Dawn and Lillian.. In the event that anyone calls, just direct it to my voicemail."

The blonde secretary nodded, "Will do, Ms. Dumas!"

Amy nodded in turn, briefcase in hand as she made her way down the hallway. "Too many meetings.." she uttered to herself, "Way too many meetings.."

"Ames?" Trish questioned as she stepped into the hallway, "What's up?"

The redhead rolled her eyes out of habit, "My schedule for the next two months has been completely re-arranged thanks to Evolution Inc."

Trish raised an eyebrow, "And just how did that happen?"

Amy pinched the bridge of her nose, "I'll explain over lunch.. I don't want to think about it right now."

"Lise, Dawn and Lil are meeting us down in the lobby so.." the blonde woman smiled comfortingly, "Let's get a move on."

A silent elevator trip later, found the two women meeting up with Dawn, Lisa and Lillian in the lobby.. The five then making their way outside to make use of one of the company limos.

"Ya know.. We'll have to remember this day.." Lisa smirked, "Ames is actually leaving the office for lunch."

"I leave the office," Amy protested weakly. "Just not that often.."

Dawn rolled her eyes good naturedly, "Business meetings don't count, Ames.. I mean, aside from Stephanie and Shane, you're probably the only person who doesn't leave the office building for lunch."

The redhead shrugged, "I can't help that. I have a lot of paperwork that I have to get through during the day and it looks like I'll have more."

Lillian sent her a questioning look, "From what you've told me, your schedule was already pretty cramped…"

Amy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Well.. There are a few new projects on the horizon for McMahon Corp.. specifically, these projects are for the branch company." She folded her hands in her lap, "And since I'm heading up the branch company, I have to prepare a lot of the official and un-official paperwork."

Dawn shook her head, "Or the five of us can do it.. I mean, if we're going to be helping you out on this Ames.. it's the least we can do."

"Exactly," Trish nodded her agreement, "We'll all draw up the paperwork, work out the details and do whatever else needs to be done."

Amy grinned, "I appreciate it .. There's also a schedule of trade shows, conferences and stuff that I have to attend.. But some of them overlap and--"

"Then one of us can go," Lisa interrupted with a smile. "If it's for the branch company then it's really not a big deal."

The redhead nodded, "I'll go over this in more detail over lunch. The rest of my hectic scheduling problems, I really have no control over so.."

Lillian smiled, "Just let us know when you need something and if one of us can do it, we will."

Dawn nodded, "We know that you're the one who's going to be in charge and whatever.. But that doesn't mean we can't help."

"I got it.." Amy held up her hands in mock defense, "I'll probably need you guys later anyway.." She paused as the limo came to a stop. "I've set up a meeting with T. I. R. A. C for later today."

"About what?" Trish questioned first, the five taking their time to exit the vehicle. "I thought it was only going to be you working with them to start.."

"Not exactly.." the redhead waited until they were all situated on the sidewalk. "Thanks to all of the changes in deadlines and such, the test project timeline for T. I. R. A. C has been altered."

Lisa nodded slowly, "And you'd need us there why?"

Amy smiled, "The test project involves the renovation of a building that will house the branch company. Having you four there for the meeting will allow the members of T. I. R. A. C some more insight."

"Makes sense then," Lillian reasoned with a small smile of her own. "Has Stephanie given you more details on the branch company?"

……

Amy nodded in reply, the five women entering the upscale restaurant to begin their 'lunch' meeting. As planned, Amy filled the other four in on the details of the branch company.. Trish and Dawn both expressing an interest in branching out into the fashion design realm. Of course, Amy reminded them both, any expansion of the branch company would depend on the first quarter earning reports of said branch company. To that, both Trish and Dawn had rolled their eyes, the two still set on starting a fashion design branch. Other company projects not related to the branch company were also discussed, the five soon realizing that they would be staying late at the office nearly every day of the week for the next three weeks at minimum. Lunch seemed to pass all too quickly, the five reluctantly paying for their respective meals before they filed back into the limo. And no sooner had they stepped foot inside the McMahon Corp. building, did Shane and Stephanie intercept them in the lobby.

"Slight change of plans.." Shane informed them first, "Evolution Inc. has requested a joint business meeting with the five of you as soon as possible."

Dawn raised an eyebrow, "Concerning what? I thought we weren't supposed to be meeting with them until the congressional hearings."

Stephanie pinched the bridge of her nose, "To discuss the joint company.. If Amy hasn't filled you in already, I can send out a detailed memo."

Lillian cleared her throat, "I can't speak for everyone else, of course, but my schedule this week is already packed.. Did they name a specific day or time?"

Shane shook his head, "Unfortunately, they did not. Mr. Helmsley was quite vague on the specifics of this meeting."

"I have to get one of the small conference rooms ready," Amy stated with a force sense of calm. "The five members of T. I. R. A. C are scheduled to be here in forty five minutes."

"They might be needed for this meeting," Stephanie mentioned with a slight sigh. "I'm not sure if this meeting with Evolution Inc. is about the joint company or if it's about the congressional hearing.."

The redhead nodded, "I'll be sure to mention it to them.." She paused to tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear, "Will it be the four current chief staff members of Evolution Inc. or will all five be present?"

"Mr. Helmsley alluded to all five.." Shane clasped his hands behind his back. "From what I understand, this fifth man is supposed to be one of the best in the business."

Amy forced a smile, "In that case, I look forward to meeting him.. But if you all would excuse me, I have a few things I need to gather for this meeting with T. I. R. A. C."

Dawn watched as the redhead quite hurried out of the lobby, dark eyes turning back to the siblings McMahon. "I need to see if my team has the files I requested earlier.. Both for the congressional hearing and for other projects."

Lillian offered an apologetic smile. "I'll see if I can re-schedule any of my upcoming meetings.."

Stephanie smiled shortly. "We'll have the secretaries get to work on it.. I've got to get back to my office, anyway.. See if anything new has come up in regards to the joint company."

Those remaining in the lobby soon dispersed; Lillian, Dawn and Amy already upstairs on the executive floor.

"Ms. Dumas?" Maria's voice rang clear over the phone system. "Your 2:00 is here to see you."

"Show them to conference room three, Maria.. I'll be there shortly."

Jason whistled low as they settled into the appointed conference room. "Wow.. I hope they aren't expecting this for the test project."

Kurt rolled his shoulders, "We'll find out soon enough, I guess. One thing's for sure though, this project is going to be our most time consuming and ambitious to date."

Tyson snorted in slight annoyance, "Not to mention the most cramped deadline ever."

"Which I apologize for.." Amy spoke up from the doorway, "But it was out of my control." Smiling slightly, she added: "Trish, Lillian, Dawn and Lisa should be here momentarily."

Chris sent her a questioning look, "Why was the deadline moved up?"

The redhead smiled patiently as she made her way to the head of the table, "Evolution Inc. Due to a few upcoming projects that will involve that company, our schedules have changed."

"Patronizing jerk.." Dawn muttered under her breath as she made her way into the conference room, "Thinks he knows what's best for our company, huh?"

Lisa grimaced as she followed behind the disgruntled brunette, "Sorry about that.. We just done with a conference call.. Mr. Layfield and Mr. Jordan."

"I can't say I envy you," Amy replied sardonically, "Unfortunately it's only the beginning."

A heavy sigh heralded the arrival of Trish, "I'd like to know how half of the people working there got their jobs."

Lillian shook her head, an apologetic smile sent to the awaiting members of T. I. R. A. C. "Conference call.."

Chris waved it off nonchalantly, "So.. Now that we're all here.."

Amy nodded, standing then to address them all. "The purpose of this meeting today, is to discuss the particulars of the test project and the outcomes of said project. Meeting points will include design details, financial limitations and contracts." Clearing her throat, she continued: "First things first, the deadline has been moved up--"

"Amy?" Stephanie poked her head in, "Shane and I need you a. s. a.. p. for a conference call in my office."

The redhead raised an eyebrow, "But I'm in the midst of a business meeting.."

The brunette nodded, "As I'm aware, but this is concerning the joint company.. There's been another slight change in plans, which we can't approve or discuss without your presence."

Amy sighed, "Lisa? My notes are all in this file.. I'll return as soon as I can."

Stephanie smiled apologetically as Amy stepped into the hallway. "I'm really sorry but, this is a very important matter."

"I understand," the redhead stated with a small nod. "I'm going to take a guess and say that it's Helmsley or Bischoff on the phone.."

"Both," Stephanie confirmed with a grimace. "It's about the joint company.. The proposal was accepted by for a joint buy out and now we move into the planning stages."

Amy could only nod at that, the two falling silent for the duration of the elevator ride to Stephanie's office. And it wasn't that Amy didn't have a major problem working that closely with Evolution Inc.. just that starting two companies at roughly the same time wasn't a prospect she was looking forward to. Added to that, she wasn't quite sure if she would be able to handle the amount of work required for two companies. It was painfully apparent, however, that she really wouldn't have a choice in the matter. The proposal had gone through, contracts needed to be signed to make it all official and then it would begin. Whether she would be prepared for that…Amy really didn't know.