"Oh, of course." Lindsay replied.

"You will need to go to school, after all." he reasoned.

"But we'll worry about that when the time comes." he told her.

"In the meantime, you worry about keeping yourself warm and fed while here." he said.

"I'M going to see about getting you some proper clothing, and make it so the spare room is a proper room for you." he continued. "And getting the necessary papers and such filled out." he then went on, before pausing.

"Ah, yes, after breakfast, you should probably have a bath or shower." he then added.

"I'm sure it's been a while since you last had?" he assumed.

"See, that's not good." Lindsay responded.

"After breakfast, go take a shower." he told her.

"I'll make sure you have towels and such." he went on. "And... hmmm... you can bundle up in one of my bathrobes, but it'll swim on you." he chuckled. "Like a blanket wrapped around you." he laughed further.

"And feel free to take as much time as you'd like in the bath... or shower... whichever you prefer." he then said. "I'm not strapped for budget on hydro."

"You're welcome." Lindsay replied.

-About a half-hour later-

Kalin was in the bathroom, getting ready to clean up, while Lindsay was sitting at the kitchen table, looking at his cell phone.

"....hm." he mumbled.

"I suppose the best way to do this would be to ask her directly." he said to himself.

"But can I just get an audience with her, just like that?" he wondered. "She's very busy, and I only ever see her when she needs me." he continued, before looking in the direction of the bathroom.

"...suppose I should get some clothing for her, though." he then reasoned.

After about 45 minutes or so, Kalin had cleaned herself up, draped herself in the large bathrobe, and had stepped out of the bathroom. When she did, she heard Lindsay talking to someone. Due to her not hearing the other party, she assumed it was over the phone, but Lindsay sounded a little exasperated.

"...but I just... it was only last ni-" he went on, before sighing.

"Yes, I KNOW what the contract says, I negotiated it myself, but why does it have to be so close?" he then asked. There was silence once more, and she heard him grown.

"Fine. Fine, I understand. Tonight." he said.

"Yes. I'll be there. Yes, I know. Look, I get it. I'll be there. I'm hanging up now." he finished.

"...UGH!" he then exclaimed, it being clear he'd ended the call.

Lindsay looked to be exasperated and frustrated, but it seemed to disappear when he saw her.

"Oh, hey Kalin." he greeted her.

"Did you hear that conversation?" he asked, seemingly a bit nervous.

Kalin responded with what she heard, which caused Lindsay to sigh a little, possibly in relief, but it was hard to tell.

"Yeah, I'm fine." he told her.

"Just... my night job. Sometimes the hours aren't as nice as I would like them, and I don't have the necessary time to recuperate, you could say." he explained.

"Oh, by the way, I quickly popped out and grabbed some clothing for you to wear around the house." he then said. "I hope they fit."

Lindsay just shook his head.

"That's sweet of you to offer, but no, there isn't." he told her.

"It's just something I need to ride out until I'm done school." he said.

"But good to hear on the clothing." he then commented.

"I'll make sure there's some food ready for you tonight, as I'll be gone for a good portion of it." he sighed, shaking his head a little.

"Anything you think you'll want for dinner?" he asked.

Lindsay nodded in response.

"All right. I'll make sure there's plenty in the fridge and cupboards." he told her.

"Oh yeah, I suppose I should show you where everything IS in the kitchen." he then realized.

"Like, where the dishes are and such." he clarified.

"Feel better after a shower?" he then asked.

"Right, this way, then." Lindsay responded, getting up and heading to the kitchen.

After most of the day had passed, Lindsay had managed to show Kalin where everything was in the kitchen, and give her a small tour of the place. She'd put on some of the clothes he'd gotten her, and he said he'd get her more when she was legally his ward.

But he looked at the clock, and sighed.

"Guess it's time for me to go." he said, grabbing a duffel bag that he had prepared earlier.

"Feel free to watch TV, browse the internet, or whatever." he told her.

"Just be very careful about using the oven." he warned. "I know you know how to work one, but still." he added.

Lindsay looked at the clock for a moment.

"Hmmm..." he mumbled.

"Hour or so... then immediate prep..." he mumbled further.

"Odds are I'll be back around 11pm or so." he told her.

"Maybe later. Depends." he continued.

Lindsay just chuckled in response.

"Feel free to." he told her.

"Whatever catches your interest." he said.

"Anyway, I have to go now." he went on.

"If you're asleep by the time I get back, I'll try to be quiet." he promised her.

"For now, see you later." he finished, making his way to the door and putting his shoes on.

When Lindsay returned, Kalin saw that he was looking rather frazzled and tired. His hair was a little matted down and wet, even though it hadn't been raining.

He was still carrying the duffel bag, and sighed a little, before finding Kalin.

"Hey." he greeted her.

"I see you've chosen a book to read." he commented, looking at the cover.

"...interesting choice." he then said, rolling his shoulder and wincing a bit.

"You truly ARE advanced for your age."