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: Italics will be used to represent thoughts… nothing else to add.

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.

-x-x-x-

While she didn't have a pile of paperwork awaiting her, Amy still arrived early to the office. Of course, that was mostly because she was trying to avoid her room-mates.. And more specifically, she was trying to avoid Dawn. Amy knew that Dawn would have questions.. Especially since she hadn't answered the many phone calls from the brunette last night. Really, it wasn't Amy's fault that the cell phone had either been left in the car or turned off.. She just wanted some peace. And really, the redhead hadn't gotten back that late…but that hadn't been her fault either. One game of pool had turned into three, followed by a trip to the bowling alley and finally a trip to Serendipity 3. The car had refused to start when they were done at the cafe.. John calling Tyson first, before he called for a tow truck. That had somehow resulted in the redhead assisting John and Tyson with some much needed cleaning in their apartment, Amy calling a cab when she realized how late it was getting. And that was why she found herself seated behind her desk, with nothing to do at 8:00 a.m. Idly she hoped that Maria wouldn't call in sick today, the redhead also hoping there would be no phone calls from anyone at Evolution Inc.

"Ames?" Lisa's voice beckoned from the hallway, "Amy Dumas.. Are you there?"

"It's open Lise.." Amy pushed back from her desk, thankful both for the distraction and that it wasn't Dawn. "Surprisingly, I have no paperwork or emergency memo's from Stephanie."

Lisa smirked, settling in one of the chairs in front of the desk. "You might wish for it then.. Dawn's looking for you."

The redhead rolled her eyes, "I can't say I'm surprised by that. I'm also surprised that she isn't here right now to start twenty never ending questions."

"She will be," the dark haired woman promised with a smile. "Especially since you didn't answer any of her calls last night.." An eyebrow raised then, "where were you anyway? I know you went back to the apartment at some point because your car was there but--"

Amy shrugged, keeping her reply vague for the time being. "I was out.."

"That much is obvious," Lisa quipped somewhat dryly. "I'd like to know where.. And you know I won't go running to find Dawn to tell her so.."

Amy nodded easily, "Like I said.. I was out. I met up with an old friend, we went to Central Park, one of the pool halls in the Village, one of the bowling alleys and then we hit Serendipity 3."

"Sounds busy," the raven haired woman stated first, "what time did you get back to the apartment?"

"A little after 1:00, I think.." Amy fiddled with one of the pens on her desk. "So I didn't get back too late, but--"

"A little after 1:00?" Lisa shook her head, "Dawn's really gonna be grilling you about this.. Trish will probably be there with her."

Amy half shrugged, "I wouldn't expect any less."

Lisa rolled her eyes, "Well it's just how they are I guess.. You've got that business dinner tonight, right?"

"Yup, the five members of T.I.R.A.C, Mr. McMahon, Shane, Stephanie and myself." Amy sighed slightly, "I almost don't want to go but.. It's a free meal at one of the best places in the City." An eyebrow raised in curiosity, "you wanna come with me?"

Lisa blinked, "What for? You're the one who's going to be heading up the company, not me."

"Why not?" Amy set down the pen in her hand. "I mean, yeah.. I will be heading it, but the trips I have to make.. Stephanie recommended that I take at least one other person with me and a minimum of two contractors."

"Wouldn't it be last minute though?" Lisa sat back in the chair she was occupying, "I just don't want to put any type of inconvenience on Mr. McMahon."

Amy rolled her eyes, "Trust me Lise.. It wouldn't be an inconvenience. Mr. McMahon has a reserved table at this place. All I would have to do is talk to Stephanie and it's settled."

The raven haired woman nodded, "I guess it'd be interesting.. I haven't been on one of these business dinners, but from what I've heard.. They're either really boring or really.."

"Strange," the redhead finished wryly. "I've seen both types. The corporate sponsored parties, gallery openings and stuff like that are a lot more fun, but.. The business dinners aren't all that bad. Especially the introductory ones."

Lisa groaned softly, "Have you seen the event schedule for the rest of the year? Lillian got a sneak peek at it thanks to her secretary and I'm telling you, it's brutal."

Amy bit her lower lip, "Do you think we'll still have the same schedule even though we're not in the main company? Sure, we're a branch but.. That doesn't necessarily mean we have to be there, right? The schedule for the branch is already busy."

An eyebrow quirked, "How so? I figured we would be busy enough planning for the congressional hearing and all that."

"Trade shows, training courses, conventions.. Visits to potential locations." Amy frowned thoughtfully, "I'm sure there's a lot more planned…much like the regular event schedule that's not directly related to the business, but.. There's a lot going on."

Lisa made a face, "If you can get me a copy of that schedule, I'd really appreciate it. I don't know how many of these trips or whatever that I'll be going on, but I'd rather be prepared."

Amy nodded, "Like I mentioned earlier, Stephanie is recommending that I take at least one other person on the five person chair, plus two contractors for each trip, trade show and convention.. Dawn was the first suggestion, but I don't see why you wouldn't be able to come too…if you want anyway."

Lisa sent her a questioning look, "What's the list of locations like?"

Amy shrugged, "Trade shows and conventions could be anywhere, same for the training courses… but the locations for other stuff are nice places like Hawaii, Central America, Australia, testing cruise lines.." she trailed off with a gesture of her hand. "Exotic locations that are perfect for a resort or a much needed vacation, in addition to top tourist destinations around the world.. Expenses fully paid by McMahon Corp.."

Lisa grinned, "Count me in.. if you want me to come anyway."

Amy rolled her eyes, "I wouldn't have asked otherwise, Lise." Hazel eyes glanced quickly to the clock, "but.. I should probably start looking busy or get my butt to Stephanie's office.."

-x-x-x-

Lisa nodded in turn, wishing the redhead luck where it concerned avoiding Dawn for the day before she left the office for her own. And just before Amy was making her way out of her office to head upstairs to see Stephanie, she received a phone call from Maria. The blonde secretary calling to inform the redhead that she was still sick, but hopefully she'd be in tomorrow. It was on that note, that Amy left the sanctuary of her office…dashing quickly to the elevator to avoid any contact with Dawn or Trish. Fortunately, that plan worked.. Though it did garner a few curious looks from the numerous office workers who were just arriving for the day. But, it had gotten Amy to her chosen destination… Stephanie more than a little surprised to see the redhead without having requested her presence. Quickly, Amy explained why she was there.. Stephanie easily agreeing to having Lisa coming along for the business dinner that night. The brunette also provided Amy with the master schedule of events for the branch company, the redhead tucking that under her arm before she left the office.

"Okay," Amy spoke to herself, "I've got to make a copy of this for Trish, Lil, Dawn, Lise…and T.I.R.A.C." She reached for her planner, "no meetings today, but I do have to be at the building site later--" The redhead cut herself off as the phone beckoned, Amy reaching hesitantly for it. "McMahon Corp., Amy Dumas speaking.."

"Hey Amy.."

The redhead relaxed in her chair, "Hey John.. What's up?"

He chuckled softly, "Well.. There's someone from the City here, who says we don't have the right permit. Or something like that.. .Kurt's dealing with him right now, but Chris suggested we give you a call and see if you can't set this dude straight."

"I went down to City hall personally to get that permit…and I had Dawn with me to make sure it was the right kind." Amy let out a sigh. "The permit should be up to date and should cover everything that it needs to cover."

"That's what Kurt is trying to tell this guy but, he's not buying it." John glanced over to Kurt and the City worker. "This guy refuses to leave until he speaks to someone else."

Amy rolled her eyes at the wall, "I have to be down there this afternoon anyway so.. You're lucky I don't have any meetings for today.. I'll be down there in a bit. I just need to do some last minute things and--"

"There's no rush here.. Of course, the longer this guy stays the more behind we get on our schedule so--"

"Give me an hour at most," Amy interrupted shortly. "I can't afford for anything to mess up the deadline, because if this project goes over it's time limit, that potentially screws up the rest of the massive schedule ahead."

John nodded at the open space before him, "Ty and I were wondering.. This dinner tonight, how formal is it?"

"Well, the restaurant is in Trump Tower," Amy bit her lower lip, "so suits are one of those necessary things." She paused, wincing slightly: "You two both own suits, right?"

John shrugged, "I think I have one somewhere in the back of the closet…at my mom's house. I can't speak for Tyson though."

"Lovely," Amy muttered dryly, "then over lunch.. I'm taking the two of you suit shopping. Don't even think about arguing with me about it, because believe me.. It's important. Mr. McMahon wouldn't accept anything less."

"I'll let Ty know then," John flicked a glance over to Kurt and the City worker. "Look, I should probably tell this dude that you're on your way.. Otherwise, Kurt's gonna lose his cool and that just isn't pretty."

Amy nodded, "Got it.. I'll be there in an hour at most." She hung up after she heard the dial tone, her attention drawn to the door soon after.

"Ames?" Lisa beckoned, "it's just me.. Dawn's in and out of meetings all day.. Same with Trish."

"It's open Lise.." the redhead glanced at the schedule in front of her, an eyebrow raising slightly at the list of locations. "And I've got the schedule for the branch company. My guess is that we'll be scouting places, companies to contract with.. And we'll be hiring trained travel agents."

Lisa shrugged, "I can deal with that.. I guess we'll be having a call center or something built for the agents.. Plus an office area."

Amy nodded absently, "That's what Stephanie was planning on.." She grimaced slightly, "and speaking of that building.. I'm heading there in a bit. Something about the permit being wrong."

"You want some company?" Lisa flopped down on the leather couch in the office. "My meetings have been canceled so I have nothing to do.. I was going to just call it an early day but.."

"Actually," Amy pushed back from the desk, the schedule in hand. "I have to take Tyson and John suit shopping for the business dinner.. Normally, I'd think that Trish or Dawn would be better suited for that type of thing.. No pun intended."

Lisa nodded easily, "Anything is better than just sitting around the office playing trashcan basketball."

Amy rolled her eyes, "With the upcoming schedule we have? You'll be longing for those days.. Some months, we're on never ending business trips for trade shows, conventions and training courses.. And other months we're either visiting resorts, going on sponsored trips or on a cruise ship."

Lisa shrugged, following after the redhead as Amy exited the office. "So, what did Steph have to say about the business dinner?"

Amy grinned, "You're more than welcomed to come with us. Stephanie also wanted me to tell you that, she commends you for showing initiative."

At that, Lisa could only shrug, the two stopping by one of the copy machines to make the necessary copies before heading to the inter-office mail room. And once the copies were dropped off, they exited the building for the parking garage…taking separate cars to the building site. Just as John had stated, a city worker was outside.. Arguing with Jason and Kurt. It took a moment before Amy reached the three, the redhead taking over the situation for the two members of T.I.R.A.C. It took longer than a moment for Amy to get everything straightened out.. But once she had accomplished that, the city worker was on his way. Lisa and Amy then went inside to meet with the rest of the members of T.I.R.A.C, the redhead quickly explaining that Lisa had the afternoon free.