Esteban just then noticed the a portrait with a sheet covering it. "What is that?" He asked, not knowing who she would want to cover up in her office. He then turned back toward her thinking about how it was best to phrase this.

He wasn't even sure what was going on anymore, everything was different now, and in such a short time. "First off, I'm sorry I was gone for so long." He couldn't even remember how long it had been. So much had changed in the few weeks, months...well what ever it was.

"My wife and I are expecting a child." He said with not as much excitement as he should have, the joy of becoming a parent was masked by everything else that was going on. "Jen and I took so time off to be with our families, and she has..." Oh boy, Esteban wasn't really sure how to finish this. "To stay with them for the time being." He was giving his life story to his boss, but it was the only way to explain his lack of work over the past days.

"But I'm back, and ready to jump to." He added with a smile.

"Congratulations," she said clapping, "Children are such blessings, and don't worry about your time off, I'm glad you are ready to jump in. We'll be starting our strike soon! I hope to see you on that picket line."

Esteban had almost forgotten about what was going on at the Ministry. HE had too much other things to worry about that Lord what's his name taking of the ministry. He stood up and look at his boss. He was glad she was so understanding about his situation. "Thank you," He said in her response to her congratulations.

He turned to go, "Let me know if you need me to organize anything." He added with a smile. He would always be there to help Gina out.

It was only her second day at work, and already Nikki was confused.

Yesterday while making a cup of coffee in the break room, she had overheard a few employees talking about a a strike involving the minster. At first she had ignored it, presuming that it was just new employees trying to start some rumors. But as the day went went on it didn't seem like some silly, little rumor. She wondered why the employees would want to start such a commotion until she took a glance at her list of tasks.

Make robes for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?! She had thought to herself. What do we look like? Madame Malkins Robe Shop?! And that wasn't all.

Deliver cookies to his office--explains why he's so round--and then go pick out a rug for him? And did he really refer to their Department Head as 'The Old Woman'?

Nikki had decided that she would have to ask 'The Old Woman' about a few things to clear things up. Besides, it also gave her the chance to introduce herself. So, with her steaming cup of coffee in one hand, Nikki knocked on the door three times, and waited for a response.

Gina walked out of her office and affixed the sign to her door:

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...298/STOP-1.jpg
Stop by the sign making station and make a sign, write a motto, then join us on the picket line!

"Oh my, Nikki! I'm sorry, but I'm on my way to the Strike! Come join me and we can discuss things on the picket line!" Gina said and hurried off.

Turning at the sound of Gina's voice, Gavin entered the office. "No, thank you, I've just eaten lunch myself." he said in reply. Though the Lobster Bisque did look and smell wonderful! Waiting for Katrina to reply he looked around the office with his eyes, taking it all in. He hadn't been in there yet, that he could remember anyway. He'd moved from level 9 to level 5 from one office to the other.

"We were a little concerned that we'd not seen you since the strike." he said turning back to his department head. "Everything alright?"

Katrina stood next to Gavin as he looked around the office. If she hadn't already eaten that lobster bisque would being eating at her insides.

She nodded at Gavin's concern. "It was like you disappeared."

She sat at her desk and moved her soup and baguette to the side. "I'm sorry you won't be able to partake, but I must say, I'm glad... more for me." She giggled. She listened to her employees and smiled. "I have been out a sick. My little dip in the fountain didn't do anything good for my joints and I caught a cold." She said nodding. "It's sweet you both noticed. But I'm here and fine now."

A smile flickered across his face as she giggled saying more for her. Though she gave an explanation he still showed concern in his face. The fountain hadn't been good for her at all, and he had wished she'd gone home to recover but knew nothing would have stopped his department head from standing by her employees side at the picket line. Smiling he nodded.

"We got word from Perry in France that a group has been selling fake portkeys." Gavin began regarding their true reason for being there. "He's asked for my help particularly since I've helped in the past with busting these false sales. Miss Windsor-Beaumont here and I have some ideas of how to go about trying to bust this wide open."

A dip in the fountain? Katrina's eyes widened. She had missed that part. She was only able to be at the picket line a little bit, due to her having to get her siblings and the dance and orchestra concert. Her schedule had been jammed pack that entire time, so it was a little hard to protest with everyone else. No matter how much she wished she could have.

She listened as Gavin started talking. Cringing at 'Miss Windsor-Beaumont' (mental note: tell him to never call her that), she continued with what he was saying. "We were thinking," she started. "That we could pretend to be a married couple with children and wanted to go on a family vacation." There, that sounded well put together, hopefully.

"Are you two not on a first name basis? Katrina. Call her Katrina." She turned to the woman and said "Right? I mean it's silly for such formalities in this office when I ask everyone to call me Gina." She said.

...

"With children?" She asked and blinked. "Uhmmm... I would rather not risk something to happen to someone's kids." She giggled, "Is this a way to get an all expense paid vacation?"

He saw the cringe and winced as he did. He hadn't meant to make her cringe, but didn't know if Gina would have approved otherwise. Then when Gina spoke, he winced again, ok maybe that was alright then. He'd apologize later to Katrina, he'd just wanted to keep it businesslike...

Nodding at Katrina's addition to what he'd said he turned back to Gina. Shaking his head quickly he spoke up "No, not at all. I'd never want to risk the children in any possible dangerous situation!" Smiling at her joke about expenses paid vacation he shook his head again. "Our plan was...is to go down to France and work with Perry to set this up. We'd go posing as a couple to purchase some portkeys to take our children on a vacation with."

"If they ask about the children, we're planning on having a picture done with Ms...Katrina's youngest siblings and ourselves." It sounded about right didn't it? Glancing over at Katrina he added "If all goes well we should be able to catch a few of those that are in this business quickly. If not..."

Katrina smiled and blushed ever so slightly at Gina's comment. She noded her head at Gina's comment. "'Miss Windsor-Beaumont' just doesn't fit me very well." she said. 'Windsor' was just a ridiculous part of her name anyway.

"Absolutely not!" she exclaimed. "I could never do that." Especially to her own siblings. "We figured a picture would be more reliable than just stating that we had children. Anyone could just say they have kids." she said gesturing with her arms as she spoke.

"Alright then." She said and ate a little soup. "You all go... but be careful, I would hate for something to happen to you. Oh, and be sure to show me that picture! How cute would you two be as a couple!" They weren't... were they?

Sighing inwardly in relief when Gina approved their plan. He nodded "I wi...we will." If he had the power he would do all he could to protect Katrina without hesitation. But he wouldn't be stupid about it either. Smiling as she asked them to show her the picture his eyes widened at the last bit of sentence though. Did she already know??? Trying to keep his face neutral he wasn't doing all that great of a job, his face having flushed a bit as he glanced over at Katrina.

"We'll make sure to bring you the picture to see." he said trying to keep his voice steady.

Katrina's eyes widened ever so slightly at Gina's comment. Had she figured it out already? She glanced over at Gavin to see that he glanced at her and she blushe as well. He was trying to keep his face and voice steady. Their reactions probably gave away an answer to her comment.

"Thank you Gina. We will go and not keep you from your lunch." She said standing up and smiling at her boss.

"Be careful my dears, and write me up a report of what you've done!" She said excitedly.

He'd noticed Katrina's eyes when Gina spoke and her glance at him. Well, they hadn't agreed or denied it, so as long as Gina didn't ask directly, they would leave it at that. Well they hadn't really done anything, they'd not even talked about it. They'd gone on one date and that was it, and really was it a date? They'd just gone to lunch during work...

His gaze went quickly back to his department head as she spoke. "We will keep you posted. We have a bit left to do, but should be on our way within a few days." Looking at Katrina again as he rose from his seat, "Anything else to add?"

Katrina stood behind her chair and waited for Gavin. Smiling at Gina she said, "I think everything has been covered." She just hoped the plan worked and that they fell for the family act. Glancing quickly at her watch, she noticed that she had to go get her siblings. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but I do have to go. Thank you for listening, Gina." She smiled and looked at Gavin.

Lola awkwardly stumbled into the office of her Dept. Head. Lola had been absorbed in another fantasy and had been paying little attention, other than the general direction in which she was headed. Oh darn! Should have knocked. Too late for that now. Waiting Area! There was a waiting area! Lola, why can't you be normal, stop having daydreams and don't lose your job! "Hello." Lola managed awkwardly whilst scratching her head. "Sorry, I uh -" don't tell her you spend your life daydreaming- she's your boss! Stupid Lola. "Sorry, I should have knocked." she pointed to the door apologetically.

Looked like she'd been accepted into the right department. The head seemed nice enough at least. "Sorry ma'am I just thought I'd introduce myself, I'm Lola Golightly. And I'm new here, and I just thought I might say that I'm very proud to have joined this department." Lola said nervously.

"Right, I was the one who hired you." She said opening her arms greeting her. "Welcome Lola, welcome." She said and then shook her hand. "You let me know if you need anything."

Lola shook her hand. "Thanks. Is there anything I can do for you?" Lola asked.