Say hello to Thomas!

I apologize that his suit isn't very creative on my part, but I feel like it SUITS him, haha...ha...I'll leave.

A/N: I'm so ahead of things, I'm going to go ahead and post an extra chapter. Enjoy!

Fawn's POV

I blinked in surprise at the person standing in the doorway. He wore a large, damn near perfect, smile and he was about Alastor's age I'd say.

Maybe younger.

He took a few steps towards us, and I did a quick observation. His hair was pitch black, slicked back on his head neatly. The dark blue suit he wore was obviously expensive, matching the quality of the one Alastor was wearing.

Instead of a bow tie, he wore a silk black tie. His shoes were shined and as far as I can smell he doesn't reek of alcohol and cigar smoke, so that's a good sign.

He's also incredibly handsome, like incredibly handsome.

The closer he came, the more I realized that this guy is the real deal. This is a business man through and through.

Alastor had already snapped into his professional persona, the smile on his face no longer relaxed. He took a step forward to meet Thomas and both men extended their hands unprompted and joined in a firm handshake.

"Thomas, my good man! What a pleasure to meet you," Alastor said with a smile that could've knocked me off my feet had it been directed at me.

"You as well, fellow! Apologies for my late start on the job, I'm sure the whole place was just burning down around your feet without me here," he said with a smile, the tone of his voice being light and playful.

I kept a small smile on my face as I watched them interact, already liking Thomas a lot better than Henry.

So far he seems nice, and he's treating Alastor respectfully as well. Him and Al are about eye to eye, both of them wearing a large commercial-esque smile.

After a few more introductory words, Thomas's attention turned to me. He blinked in slight surprise and glanced at Alastor, "and who is this lovely lady?" He asked.

Slipping off the desk, I walked over and held my hand out to him, giving him a friendly smile, "Fawn, nice to meet you," I introduced myself.

Again Thomas seemed surprised, that smile on his face widening before he took my hand in his. He grasped my hand much more gently than he did Alastor's, giving me a soft squeeze before he brought my knuckles to his lips.

"Why hello! Such a pleasure to meet you, my name is Thomas!" He returned my introduction respectfully, immediately bumping him up a few notches in my good graces.

His lips against my knuckles was flattering, but I found that it didn't nearly have the same effect as when Alastor did it the first time I met him.

How odd.

Thomas took a brief glance at my outfit, intrigue crossing his features as he released my hand and stepped back slightly. He glanced at Alastor again before directing his attention back to me.

Uh oh, here we go...

"I've never met such a sharply dressed young woman! Are you his co-host?" He asked me, remaining respectful as his striking blue eyes locked on mine.

I was caught off guard, blinking in surprise that he didn't mock and or criticize me. He also isn't referring to Alastor when speaking about me...he's speaking directly to me.

Giving Alastor a quick 'are you hearing this?' glance I shook my head with a soft chuckle, "oh, no sir, I'm just his friend...I tag along sometimes to watch his broadcasts," I said, to which Thomas hummed.

"With a beautiful voice like that, you'd be lovely as a co-host! Perhaps if Alastor here is up for it, we could make that happen one day!" He suggested, looking towards the man in question. Alastor looked at me a moment as if sizing me up before he rubbed his chin and hummed.

"I dunno, Thomas...the little tartlet is awfully shy," he said teasingly, shooting me a wink. I lowered my eyelids in annoyance at his pestering.

"Oh, nonsense! Give her a script and I'm sure she'd do swimmingly! For another time, though...for now, I'd like to get to know my host a bit better!" Thomas said, fully facing Alastor. Alastor's sharp smile widened and he nodded.

"Of course!" He responded, then looked to me, "cher, I'm going to go walk with Thomas a moment...my morning broadcast begins in 20 minutes, you can meet me in the booth then, hm?" He said, his voice much softer now.

I nodded, "sure thing," I said with a smile, and he pet my head endearingly.

"Splendid, see you then my darling!" He said before turning to Thomas. The men started speaking together before disappearing deeper into the office. Their voices faded and so did my smile as I realized I'm all alone now for 20 minutes.

Sighing, I rounded his desk and observed all his knickknacks and whatnot that he kept neatly arranged atop the polished mahogany.

There was a stack of reports, neatly filed to the left. Sitting in an open box was a fountain pen, the interior of the box was black suede, holding the pen snug in place for its next use.

A shockingly real looking human skull sat near the right corner of the desk, immediately catching my eye. I went to touch it, then remembered who's desk I'm sitting at...and realized that very well could be a real human skull.

My hand retreated.

Next I opened the long drawer at the center of the desk and aside from a bunch of old reports and legal documents, there didn't seem to be anything interesting...

With a sigh, I went to close the drawer only to pause when I noticed something out of the ordinary. Reaching in, I grabbed the object, revealing a picture when I pulled it out from under the documents.

In this picture was the same woman from the picture in his room, smiling big at the camera. The image was slightly grainy and blurry, but it was still clear who it was.

Gently I placed the picture back where it belonged, smiling softly at the frozen memory.

"Mr. Alastor loves his momma very much," came a chipper voice directly next to me. I jumped and nearly screamed, slamming the drawer shut before I faced a smiling Niffty.

My hand was over my chest and I stared at her for a second.

Then she laughed, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you," Niffty said, narrowing her eyes slightly.

The one glass eye was looking right at me, seemingly through me.

I'm not sure how I'm being intimidated by someone so small, but she just has this vibe about her...sweet, sure, but also dangerous.

"Oh, it's alright," I said with a little chuckle, then I settled back into the cushy office chair, "did you ever get to meet her?" I asked the small woman, and she shook her head, her smile fading slightly.

"Not directly...no..." she nearly mumbled, then perked back up, "but I know she was a sweet lady! Alastor used to talk on and on and on about her and her cooking and her singing," she said, clasping her hands together and twirling.

She then batted her eyes dreamily and sighed, "Mr. Alastor sure is something..." she said, a blush dusting her pale, freckle covered nose, "handsome and tall...strong too!" She added with a swift nod.

A weird feeling tightened in my stomach and I had to force myself not to frown slightly at her obvious crush on him, "yea, he's alright..." I said with a shrug, "uh...h-how long have you known each other?" I asked.

Niffty looked up in thought, "well...he's been my boss for about 3 years...he started here as a reporter when he was 18, and I met him when he was 19, so about 6 years!" She said, her smile widening.

Oh, wow.

"Hm..." I said, trying to sound disinterested, "and uh...have you two...?" I made a motion with my hands that got the point across and her eyes widened.

"Oh! Heavens no, he's not my type," she giggled, "now that Thomas, that's my type," she said, her pupil constricting as her eyelids lowered.

A bit of me relaxed at that, although I'm not sure why I really cared so much in the first place.

Niffty kept talking, "honestly, I've never seen Mr. Alastor take to a woman before...he's had plenty of suitresses, many women in his postal begging for dates, but he always turns them down eventually. The only one he's ever really paid any attention to is you," she said and then shrugged, "and me, I guess, but I consider him more...family-like, if that makes sense," she finished sheepishly.

My eyes widened and I chuckled, waving my hands, "oh Niffty! I'm not a...suitress," I said nervously, my face heating up.

She cocked her head, raising an eyebrow, "but you two live together? You're not wooing him?" She asked innocently and I shook my head violently.

"Nononono!" I said quickly, "him and I are friends, and that's all we are," I finished with a stretched smile and pinched eyebrows.

Why is it so hot in this room suddenly?

Her smile turned into a smirk and she looked me up and down, "right...well, I'm off to clean!" She chirped before scuttling away.

I pulled at my collar, my face feeling like it's roasting after that conversation. Suddenly, the office door swung open and a tall slender woman entered.

She had foxy eyes and a heart shaped face, and honestly she was the most beautiful human being I've ever laid eyes on.

"Alasto– oh," her voice cut off, her sharp blue eyes meeting mine. Her heels clicked as she approached his desk, looking around slightly.

"Hello, do you know where Alastor is?" She asked me, and I pointed to the other door.

"He's back there with the new boss," I explained, "I'm not sure if he wants to be interrupted... whatcha got for him, I can give it to him," I offered with a friendly smile.

The smile she wore was overly sweet and her eyes narrowed just barely. I was getting an unwelcome feeling from her, although she hasn't done anything inherently rude. She seems to have a natural glare in her eye.

"Of course! I was just bringing in his newest reports..." she handed them to me slowly, her black stilettos looking almost deadly, "I don't think we've met...?" She said, expecting me to introduce myself.

"Oh! Fawn," I said, extending my hand, "I'm a friend of his."

She eyed my hand, almost looking disgusted before she masked it and her eyes squinted as her fake smile widened, "pleasure." She nearly purred, never taking my outstretched hand.

With that she turned and waltzed out of the office, her heels clicking loudly as she did. Slowly I lowered my hand, tilting an eyebrow at the strange encounter.

Then I just shrugged and sighed, checking the clock.

My eyes widened when I only had two minutes to make it to the recording booth and I stood up quickly.

"Shit!"

**

After Alastor's last broadcast, I was bored and hungry. He is fun to listen to, but there's only so many hours of news I can take before I start nodding off.

He signed off, sighing as he leaned back into his chair. His eyes shut and he just sat like that for a second, so I got an evil idea as I stood up slowly and crept over to his chair.

Curling my fingering into claws, I swiftly pinched his side.

"Boo!" I exclaimed earning a jump from him as his eyes shot wide open and he looked at me, startled.

"You scoundrel, don't you know when to let a man rest?" He chuckled, and I stood with a smug smile on my face at my triumph.

I didn't even bother to pay attention to the sound people that were watching the scene unfold, instead tugging at Alastor's shirt.

"Come on, I'm hungry," I said, and he sighed before nodding.

"Me too...alrighty," he pushed out of the chair with ease and stretched himself out, "let's get a move on!" He chirped.

We made our way out of the booth. On the outside Thomas was waiting for us, a gleeful smile on his face.

"You truly are all they say!" He praised, "exquisite delivery, and excellent pacing! Why, I don't even know why they need me here with a man such as yourself being the host," Thomas said, sounding genuinely impressed.

Alastor straightened his jacket, a smug smile resting on his face as he got his ego stroked, "why thank you, my good man!"

They then shook hands again, and Thomas turned to me, "good day, little miss! I hope to see you around some time again!" He said and I waved wearing a soft smile.

With that, we went our separate ways as Thomas went back to his private office and Alastor lead me back towards his private office.

"Were today's reports up to standard?" He asked me with a playful smile and I rolled my eyes.

"You know they were, egomaniac," I scoffed, "although, I think you do get a bit flat when you report the weather," I added.

He turned to me, "I do? How so," he asked me, and I shrugged.

"You just sound bored, almost—not like I blame you, but it clashes with the rest of the segment," I said, and he looked thoughtful.

I was hoping I didn't upset him, but I'm just being honest.

Then his smile widened, "thank you, sweetheart! I'll work on that...no one has ever really criticized my work before, so it's hard to get constructive feedback," he said and I chuckled.

"That's because everyone is terrified of you," I quipped before nudging him, "but maybe you could throw a few jokes into the weather segment, make it a bit more interesting...I know you have plenty of jokes," I said, looking up at him.

He nodded, "that sounds splendid! My, you're a little natural, perhaps you could help me as a co-host," he suggested, bringing that topic back up.

My face heated at his praise, and I looked away, shaking my head.

"N-no, I couldn't..." I dismissed the idea, a bit embarrassed just thinking about all those people hearing me talk.

"Oh come on!" He said, grabbing the reports that woman brought him off his desk, "you'd do great! Plus, like you said, they can't even see you!" He added, and turned to me.

His eyes softened and he tilted his head, "please?"

Oh...oh he wants me to?

I bit my lip, fidgeting slightly with my shirt as I thought it over. No, they can't see me, but it's live...what if I mess up? Ugh...but how cool would it be to do this with him, especially since it seems like an exclusive offer.

I relented, rolling my eyes, "oh, fine I'll do a stupid co-host thingy," I said as if the thought didn't excite me.

His eyes lit up immediately and he bounced on his heels, "oh, lovely!" He said happily, and then called out to Niffty.

"You may go home, Niffty!" He said, and then motioned me towards the door, "and we, my little darling, will be headed to get you some lunch," he said much quieter.

Somewhere farther in the office, Niffty could be heard confirming that she understood, and him and I exited.

Once again, the office was winding down. A few lights were off and some of the reporters were packing their things for the day.

I was holding Alastor's arm loosely, just out of habit at this point, when the woman from before stopped us just before the door.

"Oh, Alastor!" She called, her tone having turned sickeningly sweet. He paused, turning to her.

"Mindy, lovely to see you dear," he said politely, and Mindy blushed as if he'd just told her something naughty.

"Oh, you as well!" She said, walking over to us. When she spotted me her smile soured just barely before it perked back up and she looked up at Al.

"Beautiful report today as always," she said, batting her eyelashes, "how have you been?"

I tensed slightly.

Flirting. She is obviously flirting.

The stance, the voice, the fluttery eyelashes...and it's making my blood boil.

My grip tightened on Alastor's arm and I glared at her. She shot me a look and narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Oh, I'm dandy, darling, just dandy! And you?" He asked, his tone keeping its politeness and adding nothing more.

"I'm splendid!" She chirped with a giggle, showing off her perfect and pristine set of teeth. She took a small step closer, clasping her hands in front up her and ultimately pushing her cleavage up.

"I was actually wondering if maybe you'd like to join me tonight? For dinner perhaps?" She asked sweetly, batting her eyelashes as an innocent smile played on her lips.

My heart sank. There's no damn way he's going to resist that...no man on the planet could resist that.

Instinctively I looked up to see his reaction, prepared to see him utterly wooed by this gorgeous woman. However, I was surprised to see he held his usual calm demeanor.

Then, I was even more shocked when he shook his head.

"I'm afraid I must decline, Mindy...for one, workplace relationships are a no-go in my book...and secondly, I have plans for tonight!" He turned her down smoothly, "little Fawn and I actually had dinner plans ourselves...isn't that right, darling?" He turned to me and I read the look in his eyes loud and clear.

'Help me out.'

I smiled wider, immediately giving the bimbo a smug look, "oh yes he and I have plans for tonight, sorry," I said and squinted my eyes at her how she'd done to me.

Her lips pursed tightly and she glared at me, but kept her composure. She let out a ruffled sigh and put a smile back on her face.

"Of course...right, how unprofessional of me, forgive me," she relented, not sounding very sincere as she stepped back.

She and I shared one more harsh glare before she turned away and click-clacked back to her desk.

The feeling that had been brewing in my chest subsided, and Alastor led me towards the door, looking at me with a more genuine smile.

"Now then, let's get a move on, shall we?" He hummed down at me as he opened the door and ushered me out.

I hummed back at him, smiling.

"We shall."