Disclaimer: I do not own any rights associated with iZombie. This is purely for entertainment purposes.

'...girls, girls, girls... long legs, burgundy lips... girls, girls, girls... red lips, fingertips'

Sunrise wasn't really a thought when Imelda finally hit the button to stop the incessant beeping echoing from her phone, the time glowing back at her as she glared at the screen. She hadn't slept, not that she really needed to, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched - resulting in her spending the night upright in bed, hot-sauce laced coffee in her lap wishing she had just let Drake do his stupid sweet as the cop show re-runs kept rolling on. She fought her way out from under the thick burgundy blanket that had protected her from the slight chill that was lurking around her apartment, turning on the rest of the lights as she went. She padded into the kitchen, stretching out the uncomfortable knots in her shoulders, the sound of her coffee-machine filling the silence as the timer kicked in. Today was going to be hell. She could feel it. The sound of her phone beeping yet again had her running away from the sweet relief of her coffee back to the bedroom to grab the vibrating brick from the nightstand.

"Why are you calling me at 4am?" She demanded stomping her way back to the kitchen where the spicy smell of her coffee was there to embrace her.

Ruby laughed, "Is that really how you say good morning to your best friend nowadays?"

"Yes." She deadpanned as she clambered her way up onto the counter to grab the largest mug she could see, that she had of course stowed on the top shelf. "You better have a good reason for calling me Rube," She growled finally latching onto the handle before hopping back down, "I'm about to go crazy over a mug."

"Boss." Ruby spoke cautiously, "When was the last time you ate someone?"

She hummed as she poured the steaming coffee into her mug making the effort to pour some into the thermal mug she had set out for Drake, "I don't remember… Yesterday?" She guessed, "No… Tues- Mon… Monday! You brought me a smoothie on Monday mid-way through the clean…" She sighed running her hand over her face, "Sorry…"

"It's okay! Just do us both a favour and eat before the drop," Ruby pleaded, "Mr Boss is arguably already pissed with you, and by extension all of us and we don't need anything getting worse because you're a little hangry,"

Imelda could hear the smile in her voice, "I promise that as soon as you tell me why you've called, I will make myself a sludgy," She replied.

Ruby grimaced, "I don't understand why you still call it that, but anyway, I just wanted to make sure you weren't too rattled from last night - I can pick you up or call you a cab if you'd rather not drive yourself?"

"I'll be okay," Imelda lied swallowing her fear from the night before as she grabbed the clear container from the fridge, studying the seemingly harmless brain that Blaine had left her as she moved hesitantly towards the blender, "Blaine left a brain on my doorstep last night," She spoke as she sliced the brain in half dumping it into the blender.

Ruby choked, "He just left you a brain?"

Imeda hummed as she turned the blender on, "Consider this a sample, partner" She mimicked as she walked away from the whirring blades towards her bathroom, pausing for a second to look out at the lights that were beginning to pop up from the streets below as the Seattleites sadly started their day with her. "I don't even know who is in my blender."

"Gimme a second, I'm still trying to process all of this - DeBeers actually did something nice on his own?" Ruby pondered, "I'm sure it'll be fine - I don't think you can really afford to not eat it," She commented, "If it puts your mind at ease, I highly doubt that he was able to get his hands on a porn-star at such short notice."

Imelda snorted, "And just like that hangry sounds so much better," She laughed quietly, "Look I love you and all, but I have to get a move on - Otherwise, Boss is going to have my head."

Ruby laughed, "See you soon Boss!"

Imelda quickly rid herself of the oversized shirt that she had been calling her pyjamas before throwing herself under the streams of hot water, just enjoying a few moments of uninterrupted tranquillity before she made quick work of scrubbing her tired skin and lathering enough conditioner through her hair to make it manageable. She reluctantly stepped back out into the cold reaching for the closest towel as she made a mess of trying to multitask braiding her damp hair and brushing her teeth. Once she was somewhat satisfied with her attempts, she steered herself away from her work closet full of heels and bright colours to grab the closest outfit before dashing back into the kitchen.

"Crap..." She gagged as she chugged the remainder of her now cold coffee as she caught sight of the clock, the mug quickly ending up in pieces in her sink as she poured the greyish sludge into the travel shaker ready to run out the door, only to double back for a certain muscle's breakfast.

Thankfully, the Seattle traffic at 5am didn't even come close to a problem as Imelda skidded into the parking lot outside the club, she sympathetically patted the dashboard of her jeep which had undoubtedly seen better mornings than her unfocused attempt to get there on time. She glanced around counting only three other cars, which at least bought her some time considering Drake's car was nowhere to be seen, and knowing Boss - Drake would have been sent to chauffer the man around. She flipped the mirror above her head down inspecting the lack of effort from her escapades and made quick work of trying to tidy up the halo-braid that she had thought she had perfected before cracking out the 'emergency jeep' mascara.

"I actually look dead..." She chuckled under her breath taking in the deep purple bags under her eyes. She took a deep breath before downing a good portion of the sludge, a sense of relief washing over her. "I can do this." She took one last look in the mirror before flipping it back up, "It's just betraying Boss - nothing I haven't done before."

"Morning Boss!" Ruby's voice carried across the parking lot as she noticed the blonde finally step out of her car, "Oh! Okay! I see you, leather skirt!" She hollered appreciatively, "Someone means business at 5am!"

Imelda rolled her eyes as she watched the lights in her jeep fade "How bad do I actually look?" She questioned, "I can take it..."

Ruby paused turning the lock on the doors to look over her shoulder at her. She offered her a reassuring smile, "You look hot for an undead chick," She commented pointing to the off-shoulder sweater than she had lazily tucked into the waistband of her skirt, "You look like you for a change - All black is always a winner,"

"This is why you are undoubtedly my favourite," Imelda chuckled.

Both women made quick work of setting up the club for the drop, Ruby made sure to drop the alarm in the front as Imelda turned up the house lights, both turning with a start as the door swung open with a thud as the remainder of their Team-Z made an appearance, offering the women a tight-lipped smile as they set down a round of coffee.

"Morning Boss," They greeted as she passed by them to turn on the CCTV monitors for them to keep watch on the back.

"Good morning fellas," She smiled, "Everyone eaten?" They only offered a grunt in response as they congregated around the bar waiting for her, "In the spirit of drop-day, there has been a slight change in plans." The men turned suddenly opting to ask her everything all at once, "If I could actually explain? We're strapped for time so give me a second!" She spat, "We got a new player on the board coming for Boss, and they're going to be coordinating the show through us - You get the added muscle, and they get the information to take him off the board." She huffed, "We're going to have to intercept the supply before it leaves the club, think you can handle it?"

"You know we can Boss," They assured her.

"Thank God," Imelda noted, grateful that they didn't seem to want anything other than the bare-minimum, "Two on the door, two on the supply - at least 5K for our own boys and an additional 5K for the new player..."

"You said Blaine didn't ask for anything other than a cut of the profits?" Ruby interrupted.

Imelda growled under her breath as the men started to whine amongst themselves, Blaine hadn't exactly left the best impression with them. "Oi!" She snapped as her temper flared, "When I said we were strapped for time, I meant it." She was met with silence, "Yes. It's Blaine. Do I necessarily like it? No, but I sure as hell know that I would rather work with someone like Blaine than continue to work for Stacey Boss - Wouldn't you? He's offering protection and brains, so unless you would like to continue robbing graves then I would suggest you build some damn bridges," They stayed quiet, "In case you all forgot, you work for me. You've got 4 minutes before Mr Boss walks through that door to decide if you want to keep it that way," She watched them as they all opted to stay still, "I'm glad we had this little chat - Get back to work,"

The men nodded separating off to take their posts, none of them wanting to push her temper any further. She took the last gulp from her shaker as she watched Ruby cross her arms and huff at her. She rolled her eyes, "What?"

"Two - No... Three things." Ruby replied, "First thing, and quite a big thing, you just defended Blaine, which leads me onto point two, either you are extremely hungry or he's given you an easily provoked brain." She sighed, "Point three... I don't care if you want to stand there and lie to them about the 5K but I am the last person you should be lying to right now," She accused, "You told me last night that Blaine didn't ask for any drugs. So, unless I am missing something here, what changed?"

Imelda sighed, "I think someone broke in last night," She finally admitted as the red-head arched her brow, "Maybe I'm just being paranoid with the deal, but we need the extra muscle and we need it now - I can't protect everyone - These guys aren't loyal to us, they are loyal to a paycheck. I need people that I can trust to keep all of us safe,"

Ruby scoffed, "And you suddenly think the 'clown prince' of Seattle is that guy?" She asked, "What happened to 'I have no interest in Blaine'?"

"We really don't have time to have another Blaine-bashing session right now Ruby!" Imelda warned slamming her hands down onto the bar, the brain taking full effect over her temper. "This is my club, it's my call."

She raised her hands in surrender, "You're right Boss, it is your call." She replied, "Look, I'm with you regardless Boss, but next time you 'think' there is someone in your apartment, drop the tough-girl act and call someone - Yeah? I don't care who, but if Boss suspects anything you're first on the list-"

"You think I don't know that!" Imelda hissed cutting her off as the sound of car doors slamming closed caught their attention. "Great," She groaned smoothing down her skirt, "I'm going to need a large bottle of Tannat…"

Ruby frowned, "It's 5:30am El."

"That means it's 5:30pm somewhere Rube," She shot back, "I'm dead... Let me live a little huh?" She turned on her heels to greet the men that were funnelling in through the main door, all surrounding the city's favourite crime boss, "Gentlemen, how lovely for you to grace my humble establishment at this hellish hour. Is your boss in the middle of the big Girl Scout huddle of yours?" She quipped noticing as Mr Boss stepped out into view, "Good morning Stacey,"

"Imelda," He nodded, gesturing for the men to fan out through the premises as he joined her at the bar. "Shall we sit?"

"Sure," Imelda complied, locking eyes with Drake for a brief second as he stood perfectly still behind Boss, his arms folded. Mr Boss cleared his throat impatiently as he gestured for her to take up a bar-stool, "Is there a problem here Stacey?" She asked taking the large glass from Ruby as she slid another to him. "This is a lot more men than you would normally send my way on a Saturday night never mind a drop-meeting,"

"You tell me - Do we have a problem Imelda?" Mr Boss enquired, "You're a smart girl Miss Isley... Do you really think it's wise to cross me?"

"I don't think I quite understand the accusation here..." She lied with a small shrug as she took a sip.

"Oh - You don't understand the accusation," He mocked, "Why was Blaine here last night? I suggest you don't lie to me again."

"He just wanted to talk Boss," She replied.

"Oh really?" He mused, "Just wanted to talk?" She nodded, "I like you Imelda - You know I do - Such a promising business partner," He praised, "-but you are a bad liar."

"I don't know what else to tell you Stacey," She trailed off feigning innocence, "Security is all there, you can watch the tapes if you don't believe me. I didn't invite him here. He came in and wanted to have a little chat, so I took his smug ass and a good bottle of red into my office, and we 'caught-up,'" She smirked, "Although, I doubt you can see all the 'nitty-gritty' on those tapes sadly," She lied, "Is that what you wanted to hear?" Her eyes flicked cautiously to meet Drake who had been watching the men behind her that seemed hellbent on inching closer whilst her back was turned.

"Hey there fellas..." He called out catching Mr Boss' attention, "How about we back up a little? Give Miss Isley some room here..." His tone didn't leave much room for discussion as the men backed away slowly from her chair.

"I didn't take you for the second place kind of guy Drake," Mr Boss chuckled looking up at him with his brow raised, "You interested in that?" He asked jabbing his thumb back to Imelda as he stood up, "You don't want to get involved with that kid," He continued, "Did she promise you a little 'catch-up' on your cosy drive last night? Is that why you're suddenly so protective?"

Imelda stiffened in her chair, if they had followed them last night then she was willing to bet she was right about her apartment.

"She's nothing but a petty drug-dealer in a pretty dress," He sneered at her, "Consider this a history lesson for you Drake, Imelda here - Used to run drugs for me on the streets with her 'friend' Blaine. Good at it too - She was a very convincing sales girl, but when she wasn't busy taking cuts on my profits to fund her little strip club." He chuckled turning to the blonde, "Well - I imagine DeBeers was on you more than stray cat,"

Imelda huffed, "What? Jealous are we Boss?" She bit her tongue as he grabbed her chin forcefully, willing that she could hold her temper over the brain a little longer before she turned his head into mulch. "You know better than to touch me,"

"And you know better than to double cross me again - Don't want a replay of last time now do we?" Mr Boss warned, "He doesn't come back here without me knowing about it - Understood?" She nodded, "Now, be a good girl and keep them closed," He flashed her a smile as he let go of her chin. He pointed at Drake, "Unload the trucks' second place!"

Ruby hopped over the bar to get to the blonde's side as Boss' men filtered out of the club, "El, chill out, it's okay." She took hold of her shoulders watching her chest heave as her eyes turned red. "It's not worth ripping his head off right now, Imelda!" She could see the last of her resolve wavering as her eyes burned into the doors, "Imelda - I am about two seconds from knocking you flat, now would you calm down?"

"I am still your boss remember?" Imelda choked out a few moments later as she managed to place her hands over hers, "Why does he always call it a strip club?"

Ruby laughed, shaking her head as she handed the blonde the back-up smoothie she had brought, "To piss you off obviously," She reminded her, "I am surprised you didn't break his hand when he grabbed you... Although, I quite enjoyed the history lesson - Ow!" She whined rubbing her arm, "I'm just saying running drugs with you was the highlight for me before all this - undeadness…" Imelda rolled her eyes, "Are you sure you want to go through with this, it's been less than 12 hours and he's already pulling the alpha-card on you,"

"It's nothing he's never said before," She sighed, "It's sticks and stones,"

"El, there's sticks and stones," She held up one hand before gesturing with the other, "Then there's breaking and entering-" She paused watching over the blonde's shoulder as Drake strode back in through the door, "Oh..." She squeaked amused, "I think second place would like a chat..."

Imelda sighed looking over her shoulder at the unreadable look on the cop's face as the red-head made a quick getaway. She quickly downed the remainder of her wine before turning to face him holding her hands out in surrender, "Look, before you yell at me-"

"I'm not going to yell at you." He stated, "Hold still." She did as she was told as he took hold of her waist hoisting her up onto the bar, his hands still clasped around her waist tightly as he slipped between her legs. "Play along - He's got three sets of eyes on you," He explained, he brushed his hand over her cheek as he ducked down to be closer to her ear, "He's ordered for a detail to stake out your apartment, the club, any movement that you make - until this whole question of loyalty blows over"

She rolled her eyes, "Of course he has - Does that mean that he tapped my apartment yesterday?" He nodded, "Any reason you've got me pinned to the bar?"

Drake smirked, "Well I told him that I was quite happy bringing home the second-place ribbon,"

"You've got to be kidding me..." She groaned trying to tug her skirt down a little.

"Hey," He soothed cupping her cheek gently, "I'm going to tail you, personally, means the rest of them can back off and you can get on with this little plan of yours."

"Smart boy," Imelda approved, clasping her hands behind his neck spying Mr Boss eyeing them from the door. She smirked slyly as she looked up at him through her lashes. "Does this mean we're going to have sleepovers?"

Seemingly the hours in her day from Hell passed by in seconds and before she knew it, her day in isolation had turned into night, Imelda soon found herself tucked away in her office as the bass from the club bounced against the locked door. After the drop had been taken care of, she had grabbed the stack of paperwork and mail before locking herself away in the office, the stress from the meeting and the after-shock of Blaine's brain niggling away at her. She kicked her feet, now free from the knee-high boots, up onto her desk as she studied the two duffle bags of Lucky-U that had been left for her through blurred eyes, one bag ready to be carted off at the end of the night for their dealers and the other straight to Blaine. She took a tentative sip from her glass as she fumbled around with her phone. The little bit of pride that she had left from her day swung in the balance of the three bottles she had drank, only tempting her further into calling him. She sighed finishing off the glass in frustration. She didn't want to hear the cockiness in his voice when he realised it was her calling him so late for a change, but she found a part of herself craving the sound.

"Screw it..." She muttered to herself before hitting dial, wedging the phone between her shoulder and ear as she topped up her glass.

"Shady Plots Funeral Home... This is Blaine's phone,"

"Don-E?" She hiccuped, "Since when did you become Blaine's personal secretary?"

Don-E chuckled, "Better question El, since when did you start drunk-dialling Blaine?" He questioned, "Is this 2013 calling? Are things about to get all Ross and Rachel?"

"What is with all the poorly misused pop-culture references..." She whined, "No, not 2013 calling - I'd prefer to call it opportunity - I've got a bag of Lucky-U sat in front of me, with the street value of around 5K and I would love to speak to your boss about it please,"

"5K?" Don-E choked as she hummed, "Yes ma'am - Give me uh … Blaine!" Imelda smirked amused as she leisurely looked around her office listening to Don-E scramble around the funeral home in search of the blonde before suddenly unleashing his ramblings on his boss, "Imelda is on the phone... Yes - Yes that Imelda. She's on the phone - No I didn't call her? She called you man! She said 5K of U - What? How am I supposed to know? She called YOU! Is she on speak- Um, she's on speaker Boss..."

"El? Don-E said something about 5K of U?" Blaine suddenly questioned having snatched the phone as he shooed Don-E back down to the basement, only for him to turn and sit on the stairs to listen in. "Which believe me, is a very enticing topic of conversation but what I would love to know is why are you calling me so late?"

Imelda sighed, "To chat?"

"You never call to 'chat' El," Blaine replied with a smirk. "Now, correct me if I'm wrong - You're either on your third, probably fourth bottle of wine. Boss has paid you a visit and more than likely has called you something to the effect of a stripper - and this could be my bad here, but bad brain?"

"How about all three?" She huffed.

"Ouch... Tough break," Blaine agreed as he took a seat behind his own desk, kicking his feet up onto the mahogany in a similar fashion to her. "Let me guess, Boss wasn't too pleased that I stopped by Skye last night?"

"Of course he wasn't" She spat, "You knew he wouldn't be pleased before you stepped foot through the door! I had to sit through another lecture at 5:30 this morning on how I should know better."

"You didn't tell him..." He trailed off.

She scoffed, "Of course I didn't tell him! I value my undead life, and unfortunately your human one!" She took a sip, "I lied and told him we were screwing in my office."

Blaine chuckled, "And uh - he bought that?"

"Seemingly it's not that unbelievable," She shrugged as the dam she was holding back broke causing her thoughts to spew out, "It was strange this morning, it was as if he was planning a jump on me. One of the new guys interrupted him and of course Stacey doesn't like being interrupted, took it as I had screwed his bodyguard." She ranted. "Made a big song and a dance of my colour history as a 'petty drug-dealer in a pretty dress,' Oh! Here's the best bit… He reckons you've been on me more than a stray cat!"

"New guy huh?" Blaine hummed, "What's this one like?"

She paused, a bitter laugh escaping her. "You're joking right?" She asked. "That's all you are going to acknowledge out of everything?"

Blaine bit his tongue as he twirled his letter opener forming a small dent on the desk, he knew green wasn't his colour. "It's a genuine question."

She huffed, "Well, I'm changing the terms of the deal" She stated, "I give you the 5K and you get me protection from tomorrow morning - I don't care if you have to go out and scratch up a Frat House. He has people staking out my club, my h-" He frowned hearing the fear slip into her voice. "Every single move I make is being watched - because of you!"

"Consider it already done," Blaine sighed. "Anything else you want to add?" He listened to her sigh and arched his brow, "El?"

"And my apartment," She finally spoke.

"What about your apartment?" Blaine questioned stalling the assault on his desk.

She sighed, "Someone was in my apartment last night, no doubt setting up some sort of wire" She explained, "Boss works fast - He probably had them do it when you were still with me, his muscle warned me that they are going to stake out my apartment."

Blaine groaned rubbing his face, "I'll see to it myself that no one sets foot in that apartment uninvited again" He told her through grit teeth, "Is anyone going to come stay with you-"

She had to cut him off, "We're negotiating a business deal here Blaine." She lied, "You don't really need to pretend that you care about me anymore." She sighed and Blaine found himself wondering if that was the brain talking, or if she actually felt that way. "I'll drop the U off tomorrow night."

"Im-" Blaine tried only to be met with silence, "God damn it Ellie!" He hissed throwing the letter opener hurtling across the room as he saw she had hung up on him. "She's going to be the second death of me."

Don-E peaked his head out from the staircase to peer up at the letter opener that had ended up embedded in the wall just a few inches above his head, "Everything good Boss?"

"Get Chief, he's going on babysitting duty." He groaned scribbling down her address on the back of a business card, "You're going to be swinging by the Skye Club as and when I ask, I want five others there - No questions asked."

"You want me to hang around beautiful women with no questions asked?" Don-E asked grinning. "Not a problem," He took note of the address, and arched his brow. "This is El's address?"

"I'm aware." Blaine muttered, "I did write it…"

"She really asked you for help?" Don-E questioned as he set the letter opener cautiously back down on the blonde's desk. "Out of everyone?" He nodded, "And of course, you're helping her?" Blaine shot him a warning look. "I have to say Blaine, it's very noble of you - Aiding your ex-best-friend, turned ex-girlfriend, turned Zombie business partner that you are in no shape or form harbouring any deeply buried feelings for…"

"Don-E…" Blaine warned, his fingers inching towards the blade.

Don-E shrugged carelessly. "One would have to wonder if this whole deal was set just to get her close again and out of trouble…"

"I'm going to throw that letter opener at you next." Blaine promised.

He continued ignoring the threats from the blonde as he headed back to the stairs to go fetch Chief, "I believe a wise man once asked, 'Were they really on a break?'"