Old People

"I. Hate. Men!" Casey stressed her growl. She paraded down the bustling New York street with Travis following close behind her and a dark-haired woman. "Like, really hate them!"

Chuckling, Nikki moves her hazel eyes to her dirty-blonde partner and nods. "So I've come to discover! We knew this already though, I thought?"

Casey perches her lips thinking about it before nodding in agreement. Nikki laughs charmingly at Casey. Travis blows air passed his lips and slumps his shoulders, "So where are we going now then?"

"To Howie's thingy…" Casey replies.

"No, to Howie's…" Nikki couldn't put a word to it. Casey stares smugly at her. Nikki nods, defeated, "thingy…!" Casey smiles with a slight chuckle while Nikki scowls at her.

"Yeah, that sums it up a lot… thanks!" Travis growls shaking his head.

"Anything we can do to help!" Casey replied patting his shoulder.

Walking around a corner, the three then pause while they stare up at a large, domed building. Encased in lights, the domed roof appeared to be glowing as if it was on fire. The ceramic columns holding up the roof were twenty feet in diameter. Tapestries interlaid with gold trim hung in front of the main entrance. It was a gorgeously glorious building.

"Whoa…" Travis gaped, eyes wide and mouth dropped open. "I think I'm gonna like New York!"

"Come on, we can't be late!" Casey exasperated, "she'll kill me…"

Nikki chuckles following. "As if she isn't already going to already."

"What'd you say?" Casey demanded.

"Howie's waiting, let's go." Nikki quickly urged pushing Travis.

"Yeah, you better run…" Casey growled following.

Walking around dozens of highly priced automobiles, the three make their way up the red carpeted stairs to the main doors. Looking at all the finely dressed people, Travis then looks at himself in his old jeans and t-shirt under the hoodie-jacket, then he looks at Casey and Nikki's simple attire. He gulps nervously and looks around as the disapproving glares start. He followed Nikki closely as she in turn followed Casey's lead.

Walking down the long line, passing many grumbling people, Casey abruptly stops when a Hulk of a man stepped in front of her path. She waited for thirty seconds before glaring at his face. "Hey. King Kong. Either move on or move outta the way." Her voice wasn't loud but several people turn their heads in dismay.

"Invitations…" He demands.

Travis leans forward, whispering, "Do we have those?" Nikki shrugs, shaking her head. He nods than sighs stepping back again. "Awesome... this is gonna be fun!"

"We don't have paper invitations. My sister invited us. It's her show they're putting on here and we're her guests of honor." Casey states looking from the big man to Nikki and Travis. They nod. Casey turns back to the big man.

"I don't care who your sister is, you aren't getting in without an invitation. So either 'move on or move outta the way'..." Travis and Nikki stare in shock at the man who just mocked Casey. They both simultaneously look to Casey. He motions behind them, "There are other people, people actually invited that need to get in."

Inhaling a deep breath, Casey perched her lips as she stares at the man. "Look, asshat… my sister is the designer that this whole big and glamorous party is for so if you'd like to call her up and tell her that you refused to let in her honored guests, be my guest... she's not too happy at the moment though, most likely fuming, so you go ahead and tell her that you refused to let me, her little sister, in. You might be lucky and just lose your job. I, personally, would rip your limbs off and beat you to death with them!"

Casey was abruptly pulled away from the big man by Travis as Nikki quickly stepped forward. The large man looked furious. Just like Casey did. Nikki smiles with a nervous chuckle, "Hi, Mr. Big-and-Broody… Tabitha Carter called us last-minute to have us come so that's why we don't have paper invitations. Maybe you could just call on up there, wherever she is and ask her? It can't hurt, right? Just to be sure?"

"No invitation, no entry!" The man snaps shaking his head.

Inhaling a breath, Casey bobbed her head with perched lips. Wiggling out of Travis' grip, Casey was ready to start on the man again when out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of a familiar face. The man from the street just earlier that day - the victim of Casey's anger before Dean - came walking up through the crowd of people, smile on his handsome face.

Casey exhales and nods slowly. "You, huh? What, you gonna run me over again?"

Looking at Casey, he chuckles then turns to the big man, "Neil, I just wanted to let you know that the man over in the striped suit has felt the need to not relinquish his gun to Steve so you might want to leave these women and boy and go help Steve."

"Right away Mr. Queen!" The man nods and swiftly walks away.

The blond man smiles and turns to Casey. Casey stared at him, somewhat annoyed that she now was in his debt for aiding them.

"Queen…?!" Travis gasps, wide-eyed and smiling.

"What, you know him?" Casey turns to Travis, motioning toward the man when Travis scoffs.

"Know him!? He's just a multibillionaire… I've heard of him, read about him in the news almost everywhere but I've never actually had the privilege of meeting him before… well, besides earlier, I guess!" Travis chuckles slightly and clears his throat awkwardly.

"Oh is this the guy that Casey bumped into then threatened to kill?" Nikki nods.

"One of the many!" Travis lightly remarks as Casey gave him a look.

Looking between the three, Oliver Queen smiles, "Yes, well, would you like to come in or wait to wrestle with Neil again when he comes back?"

"What you're going to help us sneak in?" Travis asked.

"No. I own the place."

"Shit…" Casey grumbles. More like in his pocket now!

"Oh sure, so you threatened the man that's hot, a multibillionaire and holding Howie's party?" Nikki exasperated glaring at Casey as they followed Oliver into the building. "Way to go Casey! Is there anything you won't threaten or assault!?"

Casey scoffs looking at her, "Okay, at the time, he wasn't hot, nor was he a multibillionaire, and he wasn't holding Howie's party!"

"Coming…?" Oliver calls back to them, peering backwards.

"I'll follow you to the ends of the earth!" Nikki whispers dreamily only to get smacked by Casey. "Ow! What, you would too!"

Following Oliver into the building, Travis glanced back at Casey and Nikki. "So why are you helping us?"

Oliver waited for them to catch up. He starts walking beside Nikki with Casey opposite her and Travis bringing up the rear. He looks at Nikki, "So while you were about to assault my employee I couldn't help but overhear that you guys are friends of the designer Howie..."

"So what's the catch here?" Casey suspiciously remarks.

"There isn't a catch." Oliver shakes his head, sliding his hands in his pockets. He shrugs staring at Casey oddly, "Sometimes people just do things to help each other." Oliver stated looking back at Casey.

Casey scoffs with a weak smile. She glances around, taking in her surroundings. "That hasn't always been my experience... In fact, it's never been my experience." She exhales and glances back toward the entrance of the building.

Staring at Casey, Oliver perches his lips and shakes his head. "I can assure you that I'm not much different from you. I can guarantee our life experiences have been different but not as different as you'd think."

Casey scoffs, "Wanna bet? Let's compare checks." She groans weakly as Nikki elbowed her in the side roughly. Travis chuckled behind them.

Smiling gently, Oliver looks at Casey, "So are you really the little sister?"

"What makes you think I'm the little sister?" Casey asks.

"Just a guess... Designer Howie dedicated several outfits to you." Oliver nods making Casey shut up quick.

"She did…?"

"She did... Some pretty curious ones too, to say the least." Oliver remarks curiously.

"What, not good enough for you?" Casey wondered coldly.

Travis spied a gorgeous porcelain vase. He gulped and rubbed his hands together. "Here we go!"

"Don't touch it!" Nikki threatens when Travis swallows and smiles nervously.

"I just looked-"

"I saw the look!" Nikki points at him.

"Fine…!"

"So do you just hate the dresses because they were made for me or do you just hate the dresses because they're not your rich-ass style?" Casey remarked playfully.

"Casey!" Nikki gasps.

Stopping in front of two large doors, Oliver turned to look at Casey. "To be perfectly honest, this 'rich-ass' has only seen a couple of the designer Howie's pieces, she keeps her work very hush-hush and all her designs close to her... but the pieces i was privy to see were a little more extravagant than my taste. But then that opinion was made of your sister's line before I even had the misfortune of being trampled earlier so that opinion has nothing to do with you whatsoever." Nikki and Travis look matter-of-factly at Casey.

Casey exhales heavily and nods. "I have the tendency to get a little angry."

"More like catastrophic!" Nikki corrected in a whisper.

"So I've noticed." Oliver assures pushing the doors open.

"So are you gonna be our official, uh, whatever those people are called?" Nikki inquired hopefully.

"What, like a chauffeur? What are you nuts!? He's a multibillionaire!" Travis exasperated.

"So where's my sister then?" Casey interrupted.

"Couldn't tell you. I haven't even had the pleasure of meeting her yet." Oliver replied.

"Dude, you're missing out! Howie is awesome!" Travis declares with a scoff.

"Well then, let's find Howie…" Casey sighs walking into the room.

"Oh no!" Nikki moaned, "Casey's loose in an expensive building, Travis is eyeballing the expensive stuff… I'm gonna end up in jail next to some fat old man!"

As the three walked in with Oliver not too far behind, they suddenly became the attention of the entire room. Stopping when two women stepped in front of them, Casey's exasperated growl signified her growing frustration.

"Well, hello …" Jessie cooed smugly. Her green eyes glaring angrily at Casey.

Jessie's sister, Katie, steps around her taller sister to scowl at Casey and Nikki. "What are you guys doing here?"

"None of your business." Casey quickly snapped, cutting Nikki off.

"Unnecessary ruthfulness there…?" Oliver wonders staring at Casey surprised at her behavior toward what he thought to be a stranger, unaware of their past.

"I like it! It isn't Casey unless she's biting someone's head off, swearing vulgarly or speeding down the highway flipping some poor shmuck off!" Travis rattles off with a pleased expression and satisfied smile.

"Who are your guys' new friends?" Katie questioned. "You guys have upgraded since we last ran into each other." Her giggle was spiteful.

"Screw that, who is this one?" Jessie corrected pointing at Oliver.

Oliver steps forward about to introduce himself. Casey quickly interrupts, "Just a guy. One that you aren't going to meet…" Pushing Oliver away, Casey patted his shoulder, "trust me you don't want to meet them!"

"That was very rude…" Oliver remarks.

"It's what I do." Casey retorted.

"So are we going to find Howie now or what?" Travis asks following Casey and Nikki away from Jessie and Katie. Oliver walked by Casey.

Casey walked a few more feet before stopping and turning to stare at Oliver. "Alright wise guy, where are all the people prepping for the show?"

Oliver shrugs playfully, "Well, i would assume they're prepping for the show in the prep area...?"

Casey glares stone-faced at Oliver. "You think you're real funny, don't you, Chuckles...?" Her tone was flat and irritable.

Smiling, Oliver glanced to his side as an older man grabs his shoulder. Wincing at the sight of the wrinkly man, Casey rolled up her lips and made a gagging expression. Speaking with the older man, Oliver froze as he saw Casey making faces at the old man. Patting the old man's shoulder, Oliver turned him toward Casey who quickly froze.

"Mr. Petty… have you had the pleasure of meeting the younger sister of the designer Howie?" Oliver smiled as Casey stares almost petrified at the old man. "She's, in fact, the very sister that several of the pieces were dedicated to."

"Is that so? Well young lady, I must say that you'd be a perfectly beautiful model for your sister's line!" The old man chuckles loudly, smiling like a goon.

Lifting his hand to his mouth, Oliver kept a chuckle in as he patted the older man's shoulder, "Contain yourself Mr. Petty… Your wife wouldn't be too pleased if she should see you hitting on the younger women at the party."

"My wife's nearly blind, Ollie! Besides, you know I'm a rebel... there's plenty to go around!" The old man stated as Casey and Oliver both gag.

Smiling nervously, Oliver pushed Mr. Petty toward the nearest crowd, "I bet. Now i know there are some other people waiting to speak to

Casey cleared her throat and glares at Oliver. "So... Ollie..." Pure disdain was clearly evident in her tone and face.

Turning around to see Casey with her arms crossed over her chest, Oliver smiled teasingly, "Ms. Carter, it seems you have your first admirer!"

"Oh real funny!" Casey growled, "He's five times my age with rotten teeth, can barely walk and he smells like an old person!"

"Perhaps it's because he is old...?" Oliver offers then smiles. "And you don't have to worry about rotten teeth… he has none."

Staring at Oliver, Casey shook her head groaning. "You can stop talking now!"

Oliver perched his lips tauntingly, "As if I ever would do what you asked me to?" Glancing around the room, Oliver looked back toward Casey as Nikki and Travis walked up. "I have some people to greet now. Enjoy yourselves and try not to break anything, remember this is my building and most of this stuff was very expensive. And if you'd indulge me?"

"Ask and I'll do my best...!" Nikki smiles sweetly. Casey glares annoyed at her.

"I'm sure you would…" Casey growled.

"Try to stay away from the older folks? I would rather not have to call an ambulance... or the Police?" Oliver nods before turning to walk across the room.

"Damn Casey…" Nikki gasped smacking Casey's shoulder, "how could you have run into him and threaten him when he is drop dead gorgeous!?"

"So he's hot… so what?" Casey replies with a simple shrug. "Besides, when I was knocked to the ground then threatening his life I didn't notice that he was hot!"

"Only Nikki would have noticed something like that!" Travis chuckles to get hit by Nikki, "Owww!"

"Okay enough. We've got a mission to do..." Casey stated glancing around the room. "Dodge the old people, tackle the buffet and find How-"

"Hey… I found Howie!" Travis interrupts excitedly and pointed.

"Where!?" Casey glanced around the room.

"Over there in that sassy, salsa dress!" Travis exasperated raising an eyebrow.

"Dude, keep it in your pants..." Casey orders staring flatly at Travis, "that's my sister!"

"Eww, sick thought! I wasn't even thinking about that!" Travis grimaces shaking his head. "I just don't see you guys in dresses often- Well... you, more of..." He trailed off, stopping to think before glancing at Casey. Casey nods, signaling it was a good idea to stop. He nods, looking forward again, "right...!"

Standing in front of a mannequin wearing one of the dress designs, Oliver gave his critical opinion of the dress. Rubbing her fingers along her lips, Tabitha listened attentively as Travis trotted up.

"Howie!" Travis smiles when Tabitha smiles at the men's confused faces.

Chuckling nervously, Tabitha motions for Oliver and the men to hold on before she grabs Travis' arm and steps away. She looks at Travis' baffled expression before smiling, "As happy as I am to see you sweetie, I'm gonna have to ask you to just tone it down a bit. No 'Howie'... I'm Tabitha to these people here."

Travis stared at Tabitha. He shrugs, "I don't understand. What's wrong with going by Howie? Your designer tag is Howie...?"

"Right, sweetie, but that's different. They're under the impression it's just a name for my line, not a nickname that I often go by. These are very important and richly notorious people... I need them backing my line or I don't have a line. Okay?" Tabitha smiles at Travis when he nodded slowly. "I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be mean but in this world you have to play a part and play along. Casey is Queen Bitch of all Mercenaries, Assassins, Hitmen, Killers Anonymous, and whatever other possible scary, highly trained killer groups there are out there," Travis listened and thought then nods thinking about Casey. Tabitha sighs lightly, "but I'm the Queen in this world, she can't touch me here!"

"Alright. I gotcha. I'll relay the message…" Travis turned to prepare to walk away when Tabitha grabs his arm to stop him abruptly. He looks startled at Tabitha.

Tabitha thought for seconds. She looks at Travis and leans in so no one else could hear. "Don't tell her I said all that about her not being able to touch me here… tell her to behave and that I need these people's supports, but not the other part!" Tabitha nodded. Travis smiles and nods. She patted his shoulder and turned back to Oliver and the other men.

Approaching the crowd, Casey smiled. "Hey. How-" She was abruptly cut off as Travis' hand smacked against her face, covering her mouth.

Travis chuckles nervously, seeing Tabitha's nervous face. Oliver and the men stare confused again. Travis smiles and motions to one of the gowns on a mannequin. "Anyone like this design? 'Cause I really do! Its like the whole Star Wars era…!" Travis stares worried at Tabitha. He slowly turns and stares frightened at Casey's face beneath his hand. She was staring directly at him and there was a look on her face that could melt... well, it could melt something unmeltable.

"What are you doing!?" Nikki exasperated staring at Travis, she looks at Casey's face then back to Travis. "Are you insane!? I had just gotten her calmed down from the old man hitting on her!"

"We have to play a part! We need to call her Tabitha not Howie. She says-" Travis stopped and looked at Casey. He clears his throat and shakes his head, "It's not important what she said! All you guys need to know is that this is very important to her and these men are very powerful when it comes to the fashion world so Howie needs us to follow her lead and listen to her. His hand was suddenly smacked off Casey's face. "Oh, sorry!"

"Yeah, you're gonna be!" Casey growls angrily.

Looking at the pheasant-like gown being displayed, Tabitha nodded her head as another person described the dress. "So, Mrs. Montgomery, you're saying that this dress can't be appreciated... why?"

"It just seems too extreme for my tastes!" She responds. Casey and the two move closer.

Casey stares as the older woman continued to rant about the dress. She scoffs, getting everyone to look at her. Tabitha grimaces, closing her eyes tightly. Travis not-so-nonchalantly smacks Casey's arm several times, trying to get her to stop. Casey stares sternly at the old woman, "Well I'd say it's a good thing no one really cares what your opinion is... we can see that your tastes are in desperate need of improvement. You can't appreciate something like this because its clear you have no imagination. But that's alright, it's something I can expect from people like you!"

"Oh no… not again!" Travis groaned.

"Young lady, I'll have you know that our taste is impeccable!" The old lady to her left stated.

"That's why you're dressed like a prude?" Casey responds without skipping a beat. Tabitha rubs her forehead, groaning. "And you, Mr. Queen? I'm sure that you can appreciate this work… right?"

Smiling, Oliver looks at the dress then to Tabitha and finally to Casey. "It's definitely unique… It's something that I could have never imagined…?" He nodded with a shrug, he chuckles and swiftly takes a drink of his champagne.

"And there goes the imagination problem again..." Casey remarks.

"But…" Oliver interrupts, "just because it doesn't appeal to me doesn't make it a bad dress!"

"Well spoken by the rich playboy!" Casey smiles to get glared at by Tabitha. "These dresses may be 'unique', as Mr. Queen put it. but who wants to come to a runway to see simple things?" Watching the old people move on to the next design, Casey whacked Oliver in the arm. "You primped and primed jerk!"

Oliver stares shocked at Casey's stern face. He grabs his arm and rubs, "That was unnecessary I think!"

"Yeah, well, you hurt my feelings when you picked on my sister's designs!" Casey snaps watching Oliver lower his hand and stare at her curiously. She sighs and shakes her head, "Okay so you didn't hurt my feelings but still... you're making fun of my sister's work and I don't take lightly to things like that Queen... and I'm not a person you wanna mess with..."

Travis quickly shakes his head. "She's really not!"

"I wasn't making fun of her dresses." Oliver sighs. he turns to Tabitha, "I promise you, I was not making fun of your work... I am merely stating that I have different tastes and although this might not be up my alley it's still very captivating work!" He nods staring at Tabitha when she smiles and nodded.

"I know what you mean, Mr. Queen. Please, don't worry." Tabitha nods as Oliver smiles handsomely. She suddenly glares at Casey's grinning face. Casey's grin fades. Tabitha exhales deeply, irritably. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Mr. Queen... I have something I need to do!" She storms away with Casey at her side, they were whispering harshly and heatedly, as Nikki and Travis followed closely.