Blaine arrived and closed the office door behind him. He turned to Chase who's face told him he wasn't there to get lucky. Sitting across from Chase, he watched as the man pushed a file over to him. "Congratulations, you're a father." Blaine's eyes went wide. What the fuck was Chase talking about? "Foster father," Chase corrected himself.

"I don't follow," Blaine replied.

"In this file is a profile of a six-year-old girl, who you're going to look after."

"And why exactly would I do that?"

"Because I'm asking you too," Chase replied, he smiled. Blaine sighed. He was giving him 'that smile.'

"Still not seeing what's in it for me," Blaine said, resisting.

"Well I'm doing it. I've made arrangements for the children to be friends, meaning that when we meet-up and you come over it can be labelled a play-date."

"Sneaky, I'm still not saying yes. How did you come across two children in need of care, exactly?" Chase sighed and explained how the children came to be in the meeting room downstairs. Blaine listened intently. "You know I had the world's shittiest father, right? The man hired a woman and then openly ignored her abusing me."

"Just because you had a bad experience growing up doesn't mean you'll be terrible yourself."

It was Blaine's turn to sigh. He picked up the file and opened it. "Marlee Thomas. Age six. What's all this?"

"We had the kids put together profiles for their carers to read. You know where the couch is, get comfy, school lets out at 3:30."

"And if she's leaving at the same time as me, how am I gonna set her up somewhere to stay?"

Chase eyed him. "If you're not here by 4:30 I'm bringing her to you."

"Understood," Blaine said closing the file. Chase held something out. "What's that?"

"The company are comping basics for the kids, furniture for their rooms, bedding, clothes etc. This is to pay for it. Hence the files. There's a list of basics in the back." Blaine took the card and tucked it in his jeans. "See you at pick-up?"

"See you then," Blaine nodded.

Blaine sat in his car reading through the list. How was he supposed to pick stuff out for a six-year-old girl he'd never met? And what exactly was going through Chase's head when he came up with this plan? He went to the recommended stores and put in orders for furniture, a bed, chest of draws, his spare room had a build in closet, so no need to worry about that. Using the sizes listed in the file he picked up some basic neutral clothes, he'd bring her shopping to choose things she liked on an evening once she was settled.

He assembled the furniture and checked it was stable. Satisfied, he got back in his car, it was almost pick-up time. Blaine waited outside the classroom with a lot of Fillmore-Graves employees. He almost felt out of place considering most of them were in uniform. The children were being introduced one by one to their new foster-families. They all looked nervous. He didn't blame them. He wasn't surprised when he was the last person called forward. Inside the classroom there were several children remaining. A woman led a small girl forwards. "Marlee, this is Mr. Blaine DeBeers, he's going to look after you." She said soothingly. The girl nodded and looked up at him. She was so small. He didn't remember ever being so small. He knelt and held out his hand.

"Hey there, why don't you call me Blaine?" He said softly. Shyly she shook his hand. "Let's get you home, I'll bet you've had a long day." She nodded taking his hand as he led her away. He strapped her into his car, wondering if he should have picked up a car seat? He could cover that tomorrow. Marlee watched blankly out of the window as he drove back to his apartment building.

They walked in together and he let them in, giving her a quick tour. "And this is your room. I just picked up basics today, we can go shopping together after you've been to school or at the weekend to pick up some things you like, OK?" She nodded. "Any homework?" Marlee shook her head. "OK," he quickly realised she wasn't going to speak, which again he couldn't blame her for. "How about dinner, have you had a brain tube today?" He hoped she had, the words felt foreign in his mouth as he never ate them and therefore had none. Zombies under 16 weren't meant to eat whole-brain as you never knew how people had died or what they had seen. Marlee nodded. 'Thank God.' "Pizza then?" More nodding. "OK," he opened his laptop and sat it on the coffee table. "Here's my Netflix. Pick a movie while I order it." He watched as she sat on the floor and scrolled through the children's selection. After calling for the pizza, from a specialized Zombie take-away, Blaine called Chase.

"I'm not saying this is a good idea, but the kid's adorable and how exactly does playing family allow us to, and I'm paraphrasing here, 'spend more time together'?"

"Because the little girl in my lounge is best friends with the little girl at your place. They have a playdate and so do we," Chase replied, Blaine could hear the smug look on Chase's face.

"So eloquently put, look I can't promise I'm going to be any good at looking after her, but I'm gonna try."

"That's all I'm asking. Give it a shot."

"Alright, I gotta go, our pizza should be on its way."

"OK, well, remember, if you get stuck, just ask."

"Since when are you a parenting expert?"

"Well if you must know I did most of the raising of my brother. Considering how busy our parents were and how successful he was before he died I'd say I did an alright job."

"Fair enough. Bye." Blaine hung up, mentally giving himself a telling off. He was getting in a little deep here. He'd taken in a child for crying out loud! Before he could dwell on it too much a small voice brought him from his musings.

"Mr. Blaine?" He turned to see Marlee. "Could I please have something to drink?"

"Sure, milk OK?" She nodded again. He poured her a glass and set it down as she climbed onto one of the stools. He made a mental note to pick up plastic beakers for if she was sticking around. She drank her milk, thanked him and went back into the lounge. Blaine exhaled and rinsed the glass. He was saved from dwelling on anything by the arrival of their pizza, setting it on the coffee table, he joined her as she watched an animated series, though he wasn't sure what it was. Whatever it was, it had her smiling, which was a relief.

At seven he put her to bed as she could barely keep her eyes open. He let her change into some pjs he'd bought and tucked her in. "Goodnight. I'm right across the hall if you need anything, OK?"

"OK," she said softly. "Goodnight Mr. Blaine." He smiled and switched on the nightlight – as specified in her profile – before turning off the overhead lights. Leaving the door ajar he cleaned up his apartment and text his workers to find out how is businesses were handling the evening.

Half an hour later, still talking with Tanner at the Scratching Post he felt like he was being watched. Turning he saw two small, tired eyes. "Tanner I'll call you back," he hung up, "everything OK?"

"I can't sleep," Marlee mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "My bear got lost in the fire," she added. He cursed having not thought of getting her something like a bear or a toy, but what was done was done. Shopping looked like a job for to bed done sooner rather than later. Chase had told him there wouldn't be any school for a week while they got the classroom set up, so that would get done tomorrow.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, I never thought to pick one up earlier, how about I come sit with you? Read you a story?" He said walking over to her. She nodded and raised her arms. He assumed, correctly, that she wanted carrying and scooped her into his arms. He was surprising himself at how naturally this was to him, but he wasn't about to tell anyone that. Sitting Marlee back in her bed, Blaine returned to his room and pulled a book for fairy-tales out of his closet. "When I was younger my grandfather used to read this to me, let's find one you might like," he said sitting on top of the covers and opening it to the contents. He read her the titles of the stories until she chose one she liked the sound of and read it to her. Gently manoeuvring her, he tucked her back into bed and shut off the light again. Checking his phone, he sighed, it was getting late, so he headed to bed himself.

Blaine didn't sleep much that night. The smallest sounds seemed to catch his attention. He quickly realised he was checking, subconsciously, to see if the sounds were coming from Marlee across the hall. He hoped he'd sleep better once she was settled or he was going to kill Chase himself. Early the next morning, realising he wasn't going back to sleep, he showered and made his coffee. Peeping in on Marlee he was relieved to find her still sleeping. He switched on the news, watching it as he sat on his couch. He'd just about managed to nod off when a sound startled him awake. Hearing a knock on the door, he answered hastily, before it could wake Marlee. A Fillmore-Graves soldier stood there with a box. "Can I help you?" Blaine asked.

"Mr Graves said you would require tubes for your guest," he handed the box over.

"Yes, thank you," Blaine took the box, he'd forgotten to send Chase a message and ask the night before. Chase must have realised. Closing the door, he turned to find Marlee wandering out of her room. "Morning, you hungry?" She turned, rubbing her eye to see him. She noticed thee box in his hand. Recognising the box as brain tube packaging she nodded. "How do you like your brains?"

"Miss Maddison used to make it for us on toast," she told him.

"That sounds like something I can do, let's go make some." Marlee followed him to the kitchen, he changed the channel to something child-friendly and put bread in the toaster. "So, do these go in the fridge or can they be left out?" He asked turning a tube in his hands.

"In the fridge," she told him, "could I please have some juice?" She asked as he emptied the tubes into one of the draws in the bottom of the fridge.

"I don't have any juice, we'll have to pick some up later, but there's more milk?" He offered. Marlee nodded. He poured the milk and the toast popped, a nice golden-brown. "Colour OK?" She nodded once more and watched him spread the brains over the crunchy surface. Licking her lips, she thanked him and dug into her breakfast. "Can the rest be used later?" He asked. She nodded.

"We used to have them on toast in a morning and sandwiches at lunch." Nodding, Blaine put the remainder of the tube in the fridge.

"Alright, I figured today we could go shopping, get you everything you need, more clothes, a new bear? Some toys and things for your room. Sound good?"

Marlee nodded, "when does school start again? Miss Maddison said they had to get new things."

"I don't know, but I can ask, anything you wanna do while you aren't in school?"

"Could I see Kenzie? We could ask Miss Madison where she is," she asked hopeful.

"Of course, you can see Kenzie," he told her, "eat up, then go find some clothes and we'll go shopping," Marlee nodded and ate her toast. She picked clothes from what Blaine had bought the day before, he tied her shoes and they set off in the car. He reminded himself to check whether he needed a car-seat for her. Before climbing in himself he pulled out his phone, shutting the door after helping her secure her seatbelt. "Hey Siri, what's the age limit for not needing a car-seat in Seattle?"

"Children should use a car-seat until they reach the age of 8, or when they are 4'9" tall." Nodding to himself he pocketed his phone, deciding his first stop. Parking his car, Blaine let Marlee out, turning to the toy store. Card Chase had given him for essentials in his pocket, he took her hand until they were out of the parking lot. Marlee stood close, her fingers closing around his jacket when she saw the crowd of people. Placing a hand on her shoulder to reassure her, Blaine placed her hands on the bar of the shopping cart, stood behind her and pushed a shopping cart into the store.

"Alright, first we gotta find you a car-seat, then we'll pick some toys, then we'll get clothes. Sound good?" Marlee nodded, not taking her eyes off the path ahead. The backwall held an array of different car-seats. Blaine, not knowing what he was even looking for, found a member of staff. "Hi there, I need a-"

"Car-seat? I know, around 12 zombies have come in today needing one, let's see, how old are you?" The man asked, crouching by Marlee.

"Six," she mumbled.

"I think we can work with that, right this way," he said to Blaine. "OK, from these to these," he pointed to a range of seats, "are the ones for her age. They're all made by the same company, the specs are on the system," he showed Blaine how to select models using the iPad built into the wall.

Quickly they selected one, the man told Blaine it would be waiting at the check-out under his name for them. Blaine thanked him and he and Marlee began to wander the store. His first stop was to the stuffed animal isle. "Alright, why don't you pick some out while I make a call, alright?" Marlee nodded, already scanning the shelves for some new companions. Blaine meanwhile, called Chase. "Would I be correct thinking your child is called Kenzie?" He asked when Chase answered.

"You would, why, what's up?"

"Marlee wanted to know if they could see each other while they aren't in school. Any day work better for you?"

"Well as far as work goes I have no meetings tomorrow. I can take a few hours off. That work for you?"

"That works. My place or yours?"

"Come by the house, 2:30?"

"We'll see you then." Blaine hung up and put his phone back in his pocket. Marlee had chosen some soft toys, insisting she carry her new bear, she was calling Rocky 3. She picked a few more toys and they picked up some colouring books and drawing pads with markers and crayons, along with under the bed storage. They also chose a desk to go in her room, along with a desk lamp that clipped on the edge. After he had paid an employee showed him how to fit the car-seat and fasten her in.

Clothes shopping came next. He let her choose things she liked, including a few different types of shoes and hair accessories. He also picked up some towels and other things from the list in the file for her, like child friendly shampoo and soaps.

Marlee fell asleep in the back of the car as he drove to some on his businesses. He started at Shady Plots, leaving her asleep, it was a private parking lot out back, she would be safe there while he checked on the harvesting. Next, he checked the restaurant, with the same pattern. The Scratching Post however, was a different story. He parked out front and lifted her out of the car-seat, being gentle enough so she could remain asleep. She would wake soon, but he suspected like him, she didn't sleep well the previous night. Letting himself in, he avoided most employees. Don-E was in the bar, talking to Tanner who was cleaning glasses.

"Blaine- what's that?" He asked, enthusiasm turning to confusion as he laid eyes on the small girl.

"I'll explain later," he said laying her in a booth, "how'd we do last night and what brains do we have in? Also, who did I eat at the restaurant the other night?"

"I think the profile said just some guy with like a million kids or something."

"That explains a lot. Do we have any more?"

"I can check, why? And again, what's with the kid?" Don-E asked.

"Did you see the news? Dead Enders torched some house, turns out there was a whole class of six and seven-year olds living there, Fillmore-Graves decided to have zombies take them in, hence, kid." He said, leaving out the part about why he, in particular, had Marlee. "The brain explains why it's coming to me so easily," he added. "Don-E, office for our meeting, Tanner, if she wakes tell her I'll be back soon, give her juice, no brains, understand?"

"Juice yes, brains no."

"Good." Blaine ascended the stairs to his office, Don-E following.

Tanner kept an eye on the sleeping girl as he polished the glasses. He moved onto restocking the bar from the back room. He turned to see the girl sitting up, looking around confused. "Hey," he said, making her jump, "sorry to scare you there, Blaine's in a meeting, he said you can have juice if you're thirsty," he told her. She eyed him before looking around the bar.

"Where am I?"

"It's called The Scratching Post, it's a bar, Blaine runs it." She continued looking, from where she was sat. "Well, let me know if you'd like a drink, I have to get back to work." She said nothing, so he went back to stocking the bar.

In the office, Blaine explained to Don-E exactly the circumstances leading to him looking after Marlee.

"So, let me get this straight, you fucked Chase Graves and now you have a kid…? That's wacko man," Don-E said.

"Maybe, but it's what happened. Don-E, you can't tell anyone. You know that, don't you?"

"I get it, you don't want anyone to know. I won't tell anyone." Don-E said sincerely. Blaine nodded.

"Look, you've been my man since the start, right?"

"Damn straight."

"I want you to be her uncle."

"Blaine, the fuck is up with you?"

"Hmm?"

"I think this brain you're on is making you all sentimental and weird."

"No, I mean it, I don't know that many zombies I trust. I trust you. Look, basically just remember her birthday, Christmas and 'sit a few times." Blaine said, he agreed, maybe, he was being sentimental, but that didn't make it any less true. He was sure he could trust Don-E with Marlee.

"You know what? Fine, you're gonna forget about it, probably, so why not? You got yourself an uncle for the kid. So, now what?"

"Now I track down the rest of this brain. I put it aside at the restaurant, people want exotic brains, not daddy brains. OK, let's introduce you guys then I can take her home," Blaine said pushing himself out of his chair. Marlee was sat on a stool in the bar, sipping juice through a straw. Tanner had started the iPod playing in their absence. "Marlee," Blaine said as he got close, "I wanna introduce Don-E, he's my best friend and your kind-of uncle. So, he might be looking after you sometimes, alright?" Marlee nodded, looking at Don-E who waved his hand. "Now, however, we have to get home, we need to order some groceries." He turned to Don-E, "let me know how we do tonight, Human-Zombie night has been our best night for weeks."

"You got it, boss-man." Blaine picked up Marlee once she had finished her juice, carrying her out to the car. Once back at the apartment they unpacked Marlee's new things and she found places for everything in her room. While Blaine built her desk, Marlee held panels and brought tools. Eventually she had it the way she wanted.

"OK, we need to go shopping," her face fell, "I know, shopping is boring, but I don't know what you like to eat. The quicker we get it done the quicker you get to play with all your new stuff." Marlee sighed, Blaine felt for her, they had been shopping all day.

"Can I have the rest of the brain tube before we go?" She asked, trying to stall, but also getting hungry.

Blaine checked his watch, it was past lunch. "Sure, how do you want it?" He made toast for her again, she ate quickly with water to drink. He drove to the closest store, picked a cart and started pushing it around. "OK, what do you like?" The cart filled with a balance healthy balance of options, 'dad brain' really knew how to feed kids and Marlee seemed to have a healthy palette.

Blaine put away the groceries while Marlee played in her room. He could hear her talking to her soft toys, he smiled as she told them jokes. His phone buzzed on the counter, "Blaine here."

"It's Chase, how're you holding up?"

"Well, she's still alive, you?"

"Kenzie's good. I'm having Major look into some leads in the brain shortages. Also wanted to know if you wanted to turn tomorrow's playdate into a sleepover," Blaine almost laughed. Chase was very good at subtlety, he was choosing to be obvious.

"Well, I'll ask her and let you know, hold on," Blaine walked through the apartment, "Marlee, how'd you like your playdate tomorrow to be a sleepover instead?" Her eyes brightened and she nodded.

"Could we!"

"That's a yes," he said down the phone.

"Great, see you then. Hold on, is it OK if Kenzie and she talk? Kenzie's at my side giving me puppy-eyes," Chase chuckled.

"Sure," he held out the phone, "it's Kenzie," Marlee stood from her toys and took the phone. "I'm gonna start dinner," he told her.