Sam sighed as he sank into his office chair early in the morning, coffee in his hand as he wished he could slouch into oblivion. He had dark bags under his eyes and his movements were sluggish, having spent the night watching Quorra sleep. Her nightmare had frightened him more than it seemed to affect her but he was determined to make sure she slept peacefully. He prayed her nightmares weren't going to be routine for her sake—and his.

Alan walked in with a bright and cheery smile, carrying a newspaper under his arm. He adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his thin nose, looking to Sam. "Um, son?"

Sam's upper lip curled into a mid-snarl, his gaze shifting up to Alan's face instead of his desk. "Uh?" He grunted for it was all he could manage.

Alan smirked, licking his lips, "You okay?"

"Peachy," Sam grumbled, only moving enough to take a long drink of coffee, finishing it off.

Alan took the liberty of sitting on the side of Sam's desk, careful not to crush any papers. He cleared his throat, "What happened to you?"

"I was up all night.." He muttered, leaning his head back and violently shaking the mug to squeeze out the last drops of his caffeine with no avail.

"Doing what?"

He sighed, shifting forward to set his coffee on his coaster in defeat. Sam rested his elbows on the desk, rubbing his temples slowly. "It's nothing, Alan…"

Alan frowned but didn't pry, sighing. He turned to the wide office window in front of him, lost in thought. Sam turned to him, asking, "How's everything? Stock market crash over night?"

Alan shook his head, chuckling, "Please don't even joke about that.. But no. We're fine."

"Sales are up and everything even though OS 12 is free?"

"Surprisingly yes.. You know what?"

"What?"

"Trying to figure out how to make functional, quality software free to the public is a lot harder than it looks."

Sam nodded, "I know, Alan. And I've been thinking too.. I know the answer lies in The Grid somewhere. But I don't know how wise it is to dive into that.. With me being the new kid and all."

Alan smiled, turning to face Sam instead of the window. "I know, Sam. It's a lot to adjust to. And for what it's worth, I think you're doing a decent job."

Sam snorted, "I'm overwhelmed and confused. I have no idea what should go first. Then on top of that, I've got Quorra." He admitted to Alan, biting his lip and chewing a bit on the dead skin. "It's all wonderful, and I'm not complaining.. I just have so much to deal with."

Alan smirked wickedly, "You think so?"

Sam raised an eyebrow, slightly irritated, "No, Alan." He said sarcastically, "I just made all that up."

Alan still smirked, calling out softly, "Clare, dear?"

Soon, a tall young woman with soft sunshine blonde hair and pale blue eyes walked in. "Yes Alan?" She asked politely.

He smiled at Sam, his hand gesturing to the business lady before them. "Do you remember my assistant Carol?"

Sam nodded, "Yeah. She helped Dad out too."

Alan beamed, "Well, when Carol retired, her daughter Clare took over her position."

Clare smiled softly, nodding in agreement.

Sam sighed, "What's this got to do with anything?"

"I would like you to put her to work. You need the assistance more than I do," he teased lightly.

Clare smirked, "I was the person who made sure your shopping bags got to your house last week."

Sam laughed lightly, "Oh yeah? Appreciate that. Motorcycle's kinda lacking in trunk space."

Alan laughed as well, "See? She's already helping you and you had no idea. She's my gift to you."

Sam gave Alan a look, thinking that statement slightly inappropriate but didn't say anything. He reluctantly left his large leather chair, walking over and shaking her hand. "Hi, I'm Sam. Just wanted to officially introduce myself."

Clare nodded and shook his hand back, "It's a pleasure to meet you. Clare Wallace at your service."

Alan smiled, patting Sam on the back, "Now, don't you abuse your assistant." He then turned to Clare, "Don't put up with anything more than what I would've given you."

Clare giggled slightly, "Yes sir."

Sam merely rolled his eyes, feeling like he was in the sandbox once more and Alan was the parent that insisted that he make his friends for him. "Welp, thanks Alan." He gave him a bit of a look that said 'you-can-leave-now'.

Alan smiled, noticing but not caring. He looked at his clock, "Well, it's about time to work on some spread sheets. I'll catch up with you kids later." He nodded to the both of them, walking out.

He sighed, muttering under his breath, "I hate morning people.."

Clare watched Alan go, then smiled back at Sam, "So if you don't mind, I'd like to write your daily routine down in my agenda so I know how to be of best service to you."

Sam nodded, sitting on the front of his desk, twiddling his thumbs. "Um, well, I get up at sunrise to make sure I'm here on time. Doesn't always happen that way, but I try."

Clare nodded, jotting it down, "Go on."

"I work in here from start to close. I hate to stay late so I try to avoid that at all costs."

"At all costs. Got it," she repeated back, writing with furious speed. "How do you like your coffee?"

"Black. No creamer or sugar."

"Newspaper in the morning?"

"No ma'am."

"Hobbies? Interests?"

"Cars, motorcycles. About anything with an engine. Classic rock, 80's music. Arcade games," he smirked some, knowing he developed all of those from his father.

"Spouse? Girlfriend? Significant other?"

He smirked, "No girlfriend and definitely no significant other. But I do have a roommate. Her name is Quorra."

Clare nodded, writing that down as well. "I already have your cell phone number and here is mine, along with email and fax." She took out a snappy little business card with her information neatly printed. "Please, call me for anything. I'm available at all times. It's my job," she assured, knowing sometimes clients didn't want to be a burden. But then again, there were some who did ask for more than she could give.

Sam smiled and took her card gently, placing it in his wallet to make sure it was kept safe.

She smiled at him as well, "Okay, Sam. What is it that you need assistance with today?"

He smirked, "Staying awake."

She chuckled, "More coffee?"

Sam beamed, reaching behind him and handing her the mug. "Thank you."

Clare nodded, taking it gently and stepping out of his office. Sam sighed after her, turning around to gaze out his window. He smiled to himself, thinking of Quorra when he saw the sun. She was probably on top of his flat, watching the sky as he was. Now that he had Alan watching his back and Clare was there to keep him sane, maybe this CEO thing wouldn't be so bad after all, he thought.