The New Co-Host (closed for TannedBabe)

marauder13

a lecherous old bastard
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Mar 8, 2009
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Kenneth Thompson walked into the studios of "In Politics Tonight" with a spring in his step. His weekend had been a good one, one he shared with a young makeup girl named Tracey. They had spent only a few hours outside of the bedroom, only one hour of that was preparing food to be taken back into the bedroom. The other time out of the bedroom was spent 'christening' other rooms.

Before he had a chance to enter his room, Toni Jones, his producer, called him into her office. Ken smiled broadly as he approached the rather attractive middle aged brunette.

"Good Morning, Toni," he beamed as he sat down in the chair in front of her desk.

"Who was it this time?"

"You jealous?" He chuckled at her look, "Tracey from makeup. That girl's got stamina, and a healthy desire too."

Toni shook her head, trying to banish the thoughts of Ken and Tracey in action together. Those thought were replaced by Ken and her in action. That got her body reacting ever so slightly.

"The reason I called you in here is because you'll be getting a new co-host today. Permanently."

"What happened to the Ice Queen?"

"Patricia has retired. She gave notice, and asked that no one be told until after the event. She's out due to personal health reasons."

Ken knew that those words normally meant something fatal had come up. He was distressed that Patricia Keltain was dying. Though they had not been friends, they worked together and respected each other professionally and he wouldn't wish anything bad on he ex co-host.

"Well, I hope it's not too bad, or drastic. That, and she's doing well."

"Well, that's all we can all hope for," Toni answered. "But, your new offsider will be Zara Millar."

Ken smiled. "Excellent. That's a good choice, Toni. I'll have to reward you later for that." He gave her a leering look.

"That's fine, Ken. I'll be fine."

"Oh, I insist," he said as he got out of his chair and walked around to where she sat. Toni had turned to keep him in line of sight. Ken reached out and grabbed hold of the chair's armrests. He leaned down and planted a kiss on her neck, following up with a light nip. Toni's eyes closed, and she let out a lengthy sigh. "So, eight O'clock at your place?"

"One of these days, I will say no to you," she breathed.

"Just wait in your bedroom in your blue teddy, OK?"

"Uh-huh."

Ken was smiling as he made his way to his room, thinking of his new, young co-host. And all the fun they were going to have together.
 
Zara had been up for about two hours and although she had been a quick jog, was showered and her make up done she was no where near ready and she had to be at the BBC building by 10am and it was 8.30 now. She stood in font of the full length mirror in her bedroom of her trendy loft apartment in Soho. Holding up different outfits in front of her body, that was clad only in white lace underwear. The few outfits she had tried on lay crumpled on the floor.

She had defiantly undermined the transition from reporter to presenter, as a political reporter she had a camera in front of her for a few minutes at a time- not sitting on a sofa with everything on display, not that, that was a huge problem for Zara, she worked pretty hard on her experience, going to the gym a few times a week, yoga once a week and 20 minute jog most mornings. Not to mention the money she spent on hair, makeup and of course clothes.

Finally deciding on a tight white blouse and tucked it into an equally tight black designer skirt, an outfit that clung to all the right places. Zara grabbed a pair of Jimmy Choo stilettos, her Fendi handbag and was ready to go.

When she reached the BBC she was directed to a car park at the west side of the building where she quickly found a space near the entrance. Getting out of her little Audi TT Zara stood up, she was just above average height, standing at about five foot seven, she could feel the breeze whipping through her long brown hair, putting her large DVB sunglasses on her head Zara stepped into the building. She was instantly greeted by a young girl who directed her straight to Toni Jones office.
 
Ken had just reached his office when he got a call from Toni to go back to her office. Ken wandered back, whistling to himself as he went. He arrived at Toni's office to see who he suspected to be his new hosting partner.

He was greeted with a reasonably tall brunette, even taking away her stilettos. Even from behind, he could see that her white blouse would be showing off her assets nicely, as well as pointing out what curves she had where. Added to that was the black skirt that did a similar job for her lower half. He was sure that she would be a good offsider, someone to enjoy watching when 'making eye contact'. But he also knew that like Patricia, Zara knew what she was talking about. He enjoyed the lively talks he had with Pat. Sometimes they agreed, other times they didn't. But they sure as hell respected the other's opinion.

"You rang," Ken said in a near perfect imitation of Lurch from The Adam's Family series. He looked over at Zara, smiling in a friendly manner. He had seen enough footage of her to know she looked good, but seeing her in the flesh, so to speak, was a totally different thing.

"Zara, this is Kenneth Thompson. Ken, meet your new partner, Zara Millar." Zara offered her hand, and gave it a shake, then he leaned in and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek. "Welcome aboard, Zara. I wish it was under better circumstances, but I am really looking forward to working with you. I have been impressed with the stories you've reported while you've been here. You really know your stuff, and we need that with the anchors."
 
Zara gave a slight start when she heard the strange voice behind her, she turned round to see the familiar face of Kenneth Thompson, he certainly made the sometimes trying politics show worth watching.

“Nice to meet you Mr Thompson,” She said shaking his and turning her cheek to meet his lips. “Yes, under better circumstances would have been nice however the show must go on.” In all honesty Zara wasn’t too bothered what had happened to the old dear- people come and go under whatever circumstances and this time around it had benefited her, with a better job and a much better pay package.

Zara turned her attention back to the producer, who she guessed must have a good 6 years on Zara, maybe more. “So what’s the set up for today? Are we filming or am I just getting my bearings?”
 
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Kenneth Thompson was one of those lucky men that got distinguished as he got older. He had dark brown hair that bordered on black, expect for a patch of gray at the temples. His hair was cut conservatively short, in keeping with the business executive look. His eyes were brown, but had a tinting to them that sometimes made them look hazel in the right light. His skin was lightly tanned, enough to not make it look pasty white. He stood an 6" tall, with a solid build that was starting to loose ground to middle aged spread, but you had to look really hard to see it. He was dressed in a conservative navy three piece suit.

When Zara turned her attention back to Toni, Ken took a good look at the backs of Zara's legs, pursing his lips as he continued his inspection. Toni did her best to ignore him as she concentrated on the new co anchor.

"You'll be filming today. This is day one, and you're going live. Don't worry, Ken will look after you."

"Yes, just leave her in my safe hands, I'll see she's well taken care of." He turned to Zara, "Now that we're working together, call me Ken. I'll show you to your office and save Toni the hassle." He led her through the cubicle country that was Zara's home until the Friday before, until they got to the hall on the other side. A short walk, and he stopped outside a frosted glass door. "Here it is, you're new 'home'."

He opened the door to display two desks, looking identical in their layout of computers, writing implements and other associated items. Ken walked over to the desk on their left, sitting himself down. "That's yours over there. Nothing has really been set up for you yet, apart from the login on the computer. Everything else is waiting for you to put how every you want.

"Now, we'll be meeting with Toni at 10:30 to go over the topics for today's show. We'll be filming at 1:00, and if all goes well, we'll be out the door by 3:00.

"Any questions?"
 
Zara concentrated on what Toni was saying, however between the way the producer kept glancing back and the feeling of eyes burning into her back, “Sorry Toni,” She said- cutting her off in mid sentence and glancing back at Kenneth. “Is there a problem? AND why are we live? This show is called ‘Politics Tonight’ is it not? Live in the morning doesn’t make any sense.”

Kenneth led the way down the hallway, walking behind him Zara couldn’t help but give him the once over. Not bad for an older boy she smiled to herself.

She entered the room, it was a decent size with everything pretty much anything she needed. “So are we just like puppets, the give us a script to read off what’s happened today and that’s that or do we actually get to put some input in?” She said, looking around, noticing that Kenneth’s desk was slightly bigger than hers.

Zara tossed her Fendi hand bag on the desk, and looked at her watch, it had been a present from her ex. An international cricket player and although neither were anywhere near being big tabloid names there was still the odd snippet in a few newspapers- which wasn’t too pleasant an experience. Although all that had been a couple of months ago now. “Well that’s almost 10.30 now; I suppose we better just head back, yeh?”
 
Ken leaned back and listened to Zara's complaint about what she was going to do. He liked her a little more hearing the fire in her.

"Oh, we get to have input. There will be a list of topics that will be relevant, people get to hash out how much time to devote to each topic. Then we get to waffle on about it, unless there is something specific they want us to ask or talk about. Most of it is off the top of the head, back by whatever research we get to do.

"Oh, and on a final note, we doing early work because of you, my dear. Being the new kid and all. The higher ups want to have a nice buffer in case they need to fiddle with things. Once you've had time to settle, say a fortnight, then we'll get shunted back to doing the show 'live', not taped." He held up both hands in a surrender pose. "Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger. Well, the blabber mouth in this case."

He stood up, using the opportunity to give her a look over from her feet to her eyes. He even managed to not linger too long on the obvious stretching of her blouse as it coped with her bust line.

"Yes, we should go. It wouldn't do us any good to be late one your first day. People might think I was molesting you or something." He held the door open for her, staring at her arse as she led the way over to Toni's office.
 
“Molesting me?” Zara gave him a look of contempt, and walked back to the producer’s office. This Ken guy was already getting on her nerves, she could feel his eyes on her again and stopped walking, turning round to face him in one swift motion, “Ken! Stop staring at my arse, please. I just want to get this down today and feeling you perv over me doesn’t help!” Damn she thought to herself, she hated being nervous- it brought out the worst in her and being a complete bitch to her co host on her first day was not a good start.

She turned back round, not even waiting for an answer- she just walked on to the office, the door was already open so Zara walked straight in. “So what are we covering today?” She said, rather hastily before Kenneth could make any comment to Toni about what had just been said.
 
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Ken followed Zara into Toni's office, wiping the smile off his face as he sat down. By the time he was settled, he was in his professional mode.

“So what are we covering today?”

Toni looked at Ken, who was looking back at her. "Well, we have the latest news out of Brussels concerning the EU's newest batch of regulations on trade with non EU European states. There are some rather nasty little catches in there that will hit the UK rather hard. What's more, or representatives over there are happily supporting the bill.

"Then there's the Foreign Minister who's got some looming problems. His son is dating the Italian Ambassador's PA, and there has been some questionable activities concerning Anglo-Italian diplomatic moves coinciding with the period of the international affair.

"Those would be my input."

Toni took frantic notes, smiling at Ken's choices. "What about you, Zara? I know you're being dropped into the middle of it, but if you have any ideas, let's hear them."
 
As Zara stepped into the office she was sure there was some sort of tension and even though she had only been here for under an hour she could guess what type of tension. She moved to a chair beside Ken, across from Toni’s desk and crossed her legs, her black skirt riding up her tanned thigh.

She listened to Ken’s points about EU regulations, and the foreign minister’s son. Oh my God! She thought to herself, Ken was suddenly so professional and the points he made were pretty good.

"What about you, Zara? I know you're being dropped into the middle of it, but if you have any ideas, let's hear them."

“Well the points Kenneth makes are very good but I think I’ll go another way- sticking with British politics, I mean there’s just so much going in just outside our front door.

“There’s the British National Party posing a major threat to Labour in the upcoming European elections.”

“All the over expenditure of MPs, there now being told that they have to sell there second home, third cars and other purchases that some may see as… too lavish for this current economic climate.”

“Shadow chancellor George Osborne has just made a speech last night about how Britain are in need of smaller banks. He said something about creating larger institutions could encourage more risk.”

“I think that’s enough to be getting on with just now isn’t it?” She took a breath, looking ever so slightly pleased with herself.
 
Ken and Toni exchanged a look that also carried a conversation between them. Ken looked over at Zara, with a smile.

"I think you have chosen quite well, Zara," Toni said. "I like the topics you've chosen. They'll work well with Ken's topics. Now, I'll get onto the archivist, and see what footage we have about these, and let you have a look and choose what to run with.

"Ken, you know the drill, can you help Zara with the nuts and bolts of it all?"

"Sure, I'll help Zara if she needs it." Ken nodded, and gave Zara a supportive smile.

"Well, off you go. Remember, we'll be taping at 1:30 today."

Ken stood up, and headed out of Toni's office, with Zara following. If she wanted to eye him off, he didn't care. Somehow, he thought she wouldn't. Still, this way he couldn't be yelled at for perving on her again. That thought made him smile a little.

He sat at his desk, and turned to Zara when she sat down.

"I am impressed with your choice of topics, Zara. I have watched your work while you've been a reporter, and you have shown your knowledge for the field quite a lot. When I was told you'd be the new anchor, I was delighted. You're a bit lit Patricia. She knew a lot about politics too, and I always enjoyed talking to her about the various things that had been occurring. I can see us doing the same too. I hope that we can.

"Now, about my perving," his voice changed from professional manner to a more natural one, "it would be almost criminal for me not to stare at your arse when it is presented in such a delightful manner. You have a great arse, and that dress shows it off beautifully.

"Now, if you want to dress in a manner that shows off what your body has, then you had best be prepared for me to admire it. You are a very attractive woman, Zara. I am also happy that I will have not only an intelligent co host, but a good looking one as well. Both of those makes the time flow faster and makes the job easier."

Ken turned back to his computer, turning it on and logging into the system. "Seriously, Zara, welcome aboard. I look forward to us having a fruitful working relationship."
 
"I think you have chosen quite well, Zara," "Well thanks Toni, that means a lot," Zara smiled.

Zara greeted Kenneths supportive smile with a nod, before looking away from him and getting up. She murmoured a thanks to Ken as he opened the door for her. "Right so, we give Toni our suggestions and if her and her team like them they air them. While we are getting prepared they go through the newsteams I presume and find as much footage as possible? But if thats the case what happens when someones watched the news and then clicks onto Politics Tonight?" Zara was on a high, the producer had seemed to like her ideas a lot and she now about to film her first show.

"You're a bit like Patricia" "Erm thast Ken but are you saying I'm like a 50-odd year old woman?" Her question was quickly answered when he went on to talk about her body. "Look, I take good care of my body and why should I hide it under baggy clothes and such just because a man can't keep his eyes on my face?" She asked and raised a perfectly waxed eyebrow- waiting for an answer.

She copied him and turned on her laptop, using the login that had been writen on a post-it and stuck to the screen. "Well thanks, I'm sure I'll enjoy it here."
 
"Well, we normally have time to do a little research on what topics come up. Toni values my opinion on what we should run with, and she did the same with Patricia as well. From the looks of it, she'll do the same with you too.

"No, someone in archives will be finding suitable material for us to use. It might be a little dated, but that's not an issue. And later in the week, we'll be working with some of the reporters and their stories. There's a bit of an ebb and flow in that regard.

"Erm thast Ken but are you saying I'm like a 50-odd year old woman?"

"No, I'm saying that you have the same outlook, approach and intellect of a well respected coworker who's opinion I valued when it came to the matters of this show. Which is to say, I feel that you are going to be a good person to work beside as you will have an opinion, along with the fact to back that opinion up."

"Look, I take good care of my body and why should I hide it under baggy clothes and such just because a man can't keep his eyes on my face?"

Ken smiled as she arched her eyebrow in readiness. He was going to like working with Zara. She was smart, had her opinions was wasn't shy about them, and she was also very good looking. He rarely found all of that in one person these days. all she needed was a good sense of fun and be a great lay and she'd be perfect.

"Look, Zara, I'll be honest with you. I like how you look. You are fabulous. But I wont sneak peeks or pretend to be something I'm not. I like what I see, and if you dress to show it off, then I will openly admire what you have. Does it lessen what I think of you as a person? Not at all. I know you've got brains, and that you use them. I know you have thoughts, feelings and all those other things that a person has. I'll talk to you as a person, and a peer in the industry too. Hopefully, we can even be friends outside of work." He shrugged. "But I'm not going to be something I'm not, the same as you're not going to pretend either."

Ken's computer beeped, and a small warning box appeared. "Well, look at that, Reg from archives has managed to find some tape of The Foreign minister's boy and his girlfriend. Hmmm... what to say about this..." He opened up a document, and started typing out his script with a flurry of keystrokes.
 
....someone in archives will be finding suitable material for us to use.

"Awrite, that sounds fair enough, you know to get more up to date footage you should go through the unedited tapes from the journalists and reporters, tit might take a little longer to trail through and make sure we aren't using." Zara shrugged, "Wonder why I was never got to put any input into the show?"

"Look, Zara, I'll be honest with you. I like how you look. You are fabulous."

Zara tried not to smile but couldn't help it, he was a sucker for compliments. "Ok Ok, enough of the flattery you think I'm hot, I get it." She gave him a cheeky skile before looking back at her laptop. "Right ok, but pleeease please don't 'admire' me while we are filming, I'll probably start stuttering or whatever."

By the time Ken was finished talking Zara was pretty sure she was blushing. She twisted round in her chair, uncrossed her legs and walked over to Kens desk. She stood behind him and looked at the stills. "Oh thats a good one," She bent over the back of his chair, he could probably feel her warm breath on his neck as she pointed to a particular piture of the couple.
 
"Zara, all footage, unedited or not, goes straight into the 'archives', or the video collection vault as it's proper name is. It is the first thing that the camera crews do when they got back. Where do you think the bulk of the editing gets done?"

Ken liked that Zara took his outlook in good grace. As she said, she was hot, and he fully agreed. And it was more than just her physical appearance, it was her belief and acceptance that made her that way. He had seen plenty of physically beautiful woman that were shy, or didn't believe they were attractive. It really took a lot of the shine off them.

"Zara, when we are working in front of the camera, you will find me to be quite polite, professional and not a perv. We both need to look our best, and causing you to blush or stammer from my leering at you would not go over well at all. I'll save that for here in our office, or any social events we attend."

He turned his focus to the images that the archives team found, some of which should be sent to the tabloids, others lacked a certain something that the piece needed.

Zara came over to look at the images, and she bent down to get a clearer look. He perfume was well chosen, and he liked the smell of it. He also started getting good goosebumps from the feel of her breath flowing along the skin of his neck. He took a deep breath, again getting more of her perfume, and turned his attention to the picture she had pointed out.

The young couple, and they were quite an attractive couple too, were walking down one of London's inner city streets, arm in arm. The young woman had just planted a kiss on his cheek. A warm, loving gesture. And the young man was just starting to smile. A surprise kiss form the girl, which he obviously liked.

"Zara, thank you. You have just found the picture that will best fir the piece I'm going with." He turned enough to look at her face, giving her a congratulatory smile. One professional to another. "Now, if you don't mind, I would like to get the rest of my thoughts down before you manage to drive them away with your proximity."
 
Zara looked at the picture of the young couple arm in arm and couldn’t help feel a little sorry for them. “You know these kids didn’t choose to be in the media. It’s not like they have gone and flashed at a random camera man or ‘accidently’ released a sex tape. However, I guess viewer would rather hear about this than anything else we have to say!” Zara was still a little bitter her break up had been in any tabloids.


“….drive them away with your proximity.” Zara stepped back holding her hands up, palms facing him. “Sorry! I thought-“ Zara stopped herself from saying confrontational “Ok, whatever,” She walked back round to her desk and sat back down, crossing her legs and leaned over her key board. She decided to start with the over expenditure of MPs and MSPs, the latest one being the a Sarah Copper having claimed for four family holidays, a second home in the country and, the least expensive but most scandalous, two porno films.

Zara printed out what she had just typed out, it mounted up to a little over and A4 page. She looked over at Ken who was still busy typing and actually did look hard at work. She raised herself out of her chair and went to collect the sheet from the printer. She put on her YSL glasses and scanned over the sheet, jotting down a few notes before correcting the mistake on the screen.
 
The rest of the show's preparation went well, as the two of them focused on their stories, getting everything sorted out for the taping. Then was a quick lunch, followed by the last minute meeting to ensure that everyone was on the same page. Finally, off to makeup to get ready for the show itself.

Ken could not have been more pleased with his new co-host. She made one mistake, right at the start of the taping. A simple error, she forget that she was hosting, no longer reporting, and when she finished her piece, she cut with "back to the studio", instead of cuing Ken. Zara looked mildly surprised that no one roused her for the error, not even a dirty look.

"Well, Zara, congratulations once more on becoming the latest co-host of 'In Politics Tonight'. I'm sure you'll have a solid run on the show." He paused to allow Zara to reply. Ken turned back to the camera, "I'm Kenneth Thompson, and on behalf of the 'In Politics Tonight' team, thank you and good night."

"... and that's it! Cut. Thanks everyone."

Ken and Zara sat still while sound engineers came over to remove their microphones and earphones.

"For a first timer in the hot seat, Zara, you have done excellently. I think Toni will be having us going live by the end of the week, and things will be back to their more normal schedule, which I think you will find more to your liking."

"Your good to go, Zara, Ken," the floor manager said to them.

"Thanks, Dave." Ken stood up, and offered his hand to Zara. "If I may?"
 
"... and that's it! Cut. Thanks everyone."

Zara breathed a sigh of releif, "That was good!" She smiled over at Ken and then looked around the studio watching the camera crew clearing away their gear and rolling up cables.

When the engineers removed her mic and ear piece Zara gave her head a little shake, causing some of her long brown hair to fall down over her face. As she brushed it away she thanked Ken, "....I can't beleive how nervous I got though, just sitting there infront of camera for forty-five minutes."

She had another look around the studio watching everyone bustle about. When she looked back to Ken she saw his outstretched hand infront of her, "You may." Zara slipped her hand into his open palm and raised herself from the sofa.

"So is it down to Toni's office again?" Zara smoothed down her skirt at the back and adjusted her suit jacket.
 
"Yes, it is a bit nerve wracking the first few times you do it, but after a while, it's just like when you're reporting in the field." Rather than having Zara wondering if he was visually groping her again, Ken led the way to Toni's office, allowing Zara to enter first.

"So, Toni, what did you think?" Ken asked as he closed the door.

Toni waited for them both to sit down before she spoke. "You two will be great together once you get settled in with each other. Zara, for a first time go at hosting, that was excellent. One mistake, plus you never missed your cues and kept good camera contact. Keep up the good work, and we'll be going live next week. Then you'll really get to show your journalistic worth.

"Do you have anything to add, Ken?" She looked at him carefully, knowing that he had made less than professional comments about other staffers under similar situations.

"No. Apart from I fully agree with everything you have already mentioned. I felt comfortable with her by the time we finished the taping session, and yes, I think once we have had a chance to work together more, we will make a good team.

"Oh, yes, there was something I wanted to add," Ken said as he saw Toni tense ever so marginally. "Zara was able to assist me with the Foreign Minister's son's affair story. Her insights prompted some thoughts and directions that I had not thought of. I feel that she is an invaluable addition to the team."

Toni noticeably relaxed at Ken's professional comments. "OK, down to makeup with the pair of you, and I'll see you both together again tomorrow. Once more, well done. Welcome aboard, Zara."

Ken led the way out of Toni's office, waiting for Zara to catchup with him. "So, Zara, how about a drink or two at the local to celebrate an excellent start to you hosting spot? You certainly deserve it."
 
"Zara, for a first time go at hosting, that was excellent."

"Aw thanks very much Toni," Zara beamed, "Live next week sounds great."

Zara stood up looking a little puzzeled, "Erm why do we have to go to make up?" She wasn't too keen on the idea of having to leave the office with no make up on and plus the girl Stacey, or Tracey was it, had done a pretty good job.

As they headed out the office Zara caught up with Ken, "This show is played tonight isn't it?"

"So, Zara, how about a drink or two at the local to celebrate an excellent start to you hosting spot? You certainly deserve it."

"Eh Ken," She Zara began, running a hand through her long brown hair, feeling a little bit uncomfortable. "I don't think so, thanks anyway, and I've made some plans with a few friends to go out later on tonight. Another time maybe?"
 
"Well, Zara, if you're happy with Stacey's work, then skip going down to makeup. It's that standard part of the post shoot routine. I'm sure that if you tell Stacey, she'd love to hear that you liked her work."

They threaded their way back through the cubicle country of the reporters. "Yes, it will go to air at the normal time tonight, so you'll be able to tape it." He laughed.

Luckily for Ken, he was behind her when she replied to his offer for a drink or two. She could have slapped his face and got less of a surprised reaction from him. But, being the 'professional' he was, he recovered quickly before she had a chance to see his expression.

"OK. No, that's fine. I thought it would be a nice way to cap off your first day, that's all. But since you have made other plans... Well, I'm off to makeup. Once more, well done, Zara. I'll see you tomorrow."

Ken walked off, a slight frown on his face. He really did want to have a drink or two with her to celebrate, as he would be in bed with Toni tonight. Still, she turned him down. This had him deep in thought throughout the makeup removal, and the rest of his post production routine.

The next three weeks settled into a good routine between Ken and Zara. On a professional level, they work well together both on camera and off camera. They seemed to split their focus into National and Local for Zara and International politics that impacted the UK for Ken. They traded ideas, critiqued each other's work and general got on well as a team by the end of the third week.

On the personal front, Zara got used to Ken's 'perving', not matter how often she asked him to stop. Also, any attempts to get her out for any social outing, even just a drink over lunch with some of the others from the office were kindly turned down. Ken was starting to wonder if Zara was a lesbian. No one had held out that long before.

But on the Tuesday morning, there had been an announcement that the office would be holding a party to celebrate the news that Patricia's cancer scare had been just that, a scare. That Friday afternoon, the production team would close down early, and there would be a celebration at the local starting at 7PM.

"So, Zara," Ken said to her after she had a chance to settle down at her desk that morning, "you're going the office party of Friday, aren't you? It wouldn't look good for you to skip it."
 
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"Its alright, I'm sure Stacey gets complimented on her work enough as it is," She said flatly, giving Ken a bemused look. All the girl had spoken about, when doing Zara's make up was how lucky she was to be working with Ken and didn't she think he was handsome and distinguished.

"Tape myself? Please Ken I'll only watch it once and then maybe again on iplayer," She joked, truth was she wasn't going out to a friends but round to one of their houses, to watch 'Politics Tonight'.

The next three weeks had been great, Zara had settled right in to the show and had finally remebered everyones names and rolls around the show. She was getting on well with Toni, which was a very good thing and was settling into Ken's 'way', she had got used to the fact she couldn't bend down to get something from the photocopier or lean over her desk to get something from the shelf without his eyes burning into her. Sometimes she was half expecting him to come over and spank her, although luckily for him he hadn't!

Zara groaned as Ken reminded her of the 'celebration'. "Yes yes of course I'll be there." She said as she checked her appearance in her compact. "Couldn't possible miss a knees up in the local hovel for the old bird could I?" Zara had met Patrica twic and neither time had gone very well, it seemed she was a bit miffed as to why she couldn't walk straight back into the hot seat now that she was in better health.
 
Ken couldn't help but chuckle at Zara's response.

"My goodness, Zara, if I didn't know you any better I'd say you were jealous." The look he got back form her was pure gold as far as he was concerned. There were so many different ways to take that line, and he was sure that she'd go for the wrong one.

"I think I have finally figured out why you're so catty towards Patricia. You two are almost the same in personality, professional outlook and ambition. You'll go places, Zara, without have to do anyone on the way either. I know I'm going to look back on these days fondly while you're making a big name for yourself."

Ken took a look at his screen, sighed, and went back to work. "I envy you, Zara. At least you're on your way up."
 
"I'm not jealous!" Zara snapped, glaring at Ken, "I just don't appreciate the old crow thinking she can brush me aside and spending a Friday night in her honor seems a little bit of a waste wouldn't you say?"

"Ken," Zara began and looked up from her laptop screen, "If we are so similar in ambition why am I starting hear and this is where she finished hardly making it big is it?!"

Zara watched Kens shoulders fall as he went back to his computer, trying her very hardest not to smile. She liked Ken but didn't really trust him that much. "Whats this? A new a pitty sex tactic?"
 
"I'm not jealous!" Zara snapped, glaring at Ken, "I just don't appreciate the old crow thinking she can brush me aside and spending a Friday night in her honor seems a little bit of a waste wouldn't you say?"

"My God, Zara, listen to yourself. If that's you not being jealous, then I can't wait until you are jealous. It should be quite a show. Anyway, she's not coming back. She's retired now.

"And having a party for a woman that I respect professionally, and that I like asa friend is not a waste in my eyes. You'll find most of the staffers here think the same way about her. Keep this up, you'll find yourself on the outer PDQ."

"Ken," Zara began and looked up from her laptop screen, "If we are so similar in ambition why am I starting hear and this is where she finished hardly making it big is it?!"

Ken looked over at Zara, a look of surprise on his face. "You don't know how the system works, do you? Some day, when you stop being such a bitch about it, have a look at where Pat has been before she turned up here. After you've done that, I can fill in some of the gaps. But, she was a very ambitious woman in her day. She got places on pure talent and stubbornness. But she was at the end of her presenter life span, which is why she turned up here."

"Whats this? A new a pitty sex tactic?"

"No, my dear, it's not. You're young, very attractive and from a professional presenter point of view, very talented. You play your cards right, you'll front some of the most high profile shows within a decade. You have options, chances, scope to go places. Does it surprise you that I am envious of someone who has all of that?

"Anyway, I have more than enough 'petty sex tactics' to roll out yet before trying something as corny as that. But, I'm not sure that you'd be worth the effort."
 
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