"Now, now my little assistant, could you be a dear and help me check these over?" Theo mused before picking up around half the documents off his desk and transferring them onto Isabel's, using the lengths of his forearms to keep the sheets in place.

"Oh lovely, there is nothing more I enjoy then checking ordinary reaper's reaping reports..." Isabel stated sarcastically

"Well, isn't it just your lucky day~ you get transferred to work under such a distinguished figure like myself and you get to complete my overview of your most favourite type of paperwork~ Do try and desist from dying of this sudden avalanche of excitement and joy~" he teased with a playful grin

"I'm not sure I can promise that, I might just explode from all the joy you have presented me with. Oh how I'm humbled by your limitless generosity, oh-so-obviously-sanity-challenged boss man"

Theo chuckled warmly before "See, isn't this so much better then being stuck with Will 'Thoroughly boring and stoic' Spears?"

"I suppose it is moderately better then being forced to endure, the Mr Monotones mind-numbingly monotonous monologue about the importance of following rules to the letter"

"Has anyone ever told you that you are dead cute when you're annoyed?"

"You most probably have, once, twice or nine times... I mean jeez man, your age is no excuse for allowing your mind decay to that of a mildly attentive squirrel"

"You're so cruel Issy~" he whined softly before dejectedly returning to his desk, giving her a sad look from across the room, which he persisted to do every time he had to look up from his work.

Theo replaced his quill back in his ink pot, stretching lightly "I do believe it is about time for a break, my throat is positively bone dry~ Could you be a doll and go gets some tea and maybe something to eat if you would be so kind~" he called over to his darling new assistant.

Isabel just sighed before finishing the page she was on and getting to her feet "Do you always attach terms of endearment onto your request to your assistants or am I just one of the privileged few?"

"I just don't feel like just ordering you around since you are my friend Issy and I respect you, so I'm being the benevolent boss and giving you pleasantly worded but similarly unquestionable requests." he mused thoughtfully

Tilting her head slightly to the left, looking at him "you really are a peculiar man..." she stated simply before going back to business "And what is it you would be wanting to dine on?"

"Just something simple, like soup or sandwiches, I'm not greatly fond of complicated cosine, and something sweet for afterwards, if you would~"

"Coming right up"

"Do hurry back m'dear~" he chimed after her, leaning back in his high backed chair as he watched her leave the room.

Theo found himself greatly enjoying this newly sorted working environment, to took of the tediousness of the long and laborious day that he was forced to complete due to his ranking of a manager. Especial the playful banter that they exchange between their tasks, her quick wit and lavish use of sarcasm never failed to bring a smile to his face... but also invoked curiosity deep within him in whether or not just being friends is all that they could be...

He let out a exasperated sigh as he combed his hair back of his face, closing his eyes taking a deep breath and trying to formulate a plan a way to find out which of the above it is. He had got to around 6 viable options when he was interrupted by Isabel's return, the softly clinking crockery alerted him her presence.

Isabel slide the tray onto the coffee table in front of the sofa in the corner of the office "I picked up a selection of sandwiches and a small serving pot of tomato soup since I know very little about your preference when it comes to savour dishes, and there is chocolate cheesecake for afters."

"Wise decision m'dear~" Theo mused before coming over and sitting down beside her on the sofa "So what sandwiches have you collected?"

"There is cucumber, ham and cheese and some kind of pate" she replied, not making much effort to look enthusiastic about the drab choice in lunch options.

He chuckled at the look on her face "The cafeteria really isn't pushing the boat out when it comes to imaginative choices with their sandwich fillings, are they?"

"It goes with everything else round here then" Isabel grumbled, picking up a cucumber sandwich and taking a bite.

"Agreed, it's about time someone shook up this place, it's been stuck in this medieval rut for centuries..." Theo concurred, tucking into a ham and cheese sandwich.

"That can only be obtained by new leadership and I doubt the old farts at the top are going to retire their seats any time soon, I mean these are the same people who where in charge last time I was here... and that has to be at least 400 years ago" She speculated with a sigh, making herself feel really old.

"I'm surprise that you haven't retired, for if I had personally gone through what you did in Verona... I would have hung up my reaping gear and settled down in the mortal realm" he admitted, leaning back into the sofa,

Sighing lightly "I suppose that is where you and I differ, for I could never simply retire after what happened, I doubt I could even attempt to try and live a normal mortal life, I've seen far too much that I can't erase from my mind, I'll mostly die on duty then retire." she admitted honestly, "What about you? Do you think you will ever retire?"

"Maybe at some point in the future when I finally grow weary of this lifestyle, but I don't see that being any time soon..."

"I suppose the ideal situation would be finding someone to retire with, so you can get each other through everything that comes with leaving active duty, build a normal life and spend the rest of your days together" Isabel mused thoughtfully as she lounged back on the sofa...

"Have you ever had that kind of person in your life?" he asked trying to sound nonchalant as he scoped out information that could help him determine what plan would be most successful.

"Well lets say there have been a few along the way, the most recent of which ending the most disastrously, the rest where mere passing affections, most being one sided or never lasting all that long." She answered, keeping everything rather vague, out of preference "How about you? What's your relationship recorded like?"

Theo shrugged slightly "not really here or there, sure I've had a good few relationships but nothing all that noteworthy"

"Maybe you just need to find the right kind of woman" Isabel replied with a half shrug

"Possibly" Theo muttered

"Damn I wish I made a copy of Will's key... now I can't pick pocket him..." Isabel grumbled , random staying her musings out loud, getting bored of filling out forms.

"Why do you want William's key anyway?"

"so I can break into his office or, and apartment, mess around with his furniture and rearrange his things just to screw with his mind..."

"Well ain't you just the mischievous one~" Theo chuckled "and I do believe I can help you out with that m'dear" he added pulling out a key from the bottom of his desk draws."But there is a catch to it, I'll only exchange it for one thing"

"And what would that be?"

"Come here" he bid, with a roll of his forefinger,

Isabel got to her feet walking over to his side, taking a perch on the edge of his desk "What is the conditions?"

"You must submit a payment of sorts every time you wish to borrow the key, it always has to be paid up front, upon request, no I owe yours or a tab of any kind"

"What is the payment? All I say it best not be anything weird..."

"It's simple, all I ask for is a kiss"

She just watched him unblinkingly for several moment taking to determine if he was joking or not, but it became obvious at his lack of expression change he was being serious "Deals off..." she stated curtly before heading back to her seat.

"Why? Is kissing me that much of a unthinkable act you wouldn't even consider exchange it for something you want?"

"It's highly unprofessional, and if we even happen to get caught, it's going to taint both our reputations, yours especially, since it'll be known that you were the one who hired me and then had me transferred, assumptions will be made about your motives."

Pulling a face, he replied with "I never thought you'd be so uptight about this kind of thing..."

"I'm only thinking of you Theo, for I know what happens when situations like this occurs and you will always come off worse then I will, you being the higher ranked in this organisation. I've gotten burned by this before and it doesn't end well, the last time I got a pay cut and over time but he ended up being taken off active duty and forced to do a good six months cleaning up after the other reapers of his rank."

"Even under that threat it doesn't stop me asking for such a payment, I doubt anything would"

"Just trying to ward you off from offering such proposals in office hours, that's all" she stated slyly, before going back to work, glancing up momentarily to gage his reaction.

He tilted his head as his eyes widened, "hand on one minute... so your saying that if I proposed this at any other time you would have agreed?" he questioned trying to determine her meaning.

"Perhaps~" she replied with a devious smile.

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A/n I'm so glad I decided to carry on with this, it's been so fun to write so far~

so what do you think? a good or bad decision?