A/N: Sorry forgot to post last weeks chapter! So you're getting two this week yay! Thanks for the comments! And Happy Bad Batch Finale Eve everyone! Xxxxxxxxxx

Cid didn't care that the kid in front of her was the reason why her best guys had suddenly dropped out on her (not that she would ever let them know they were her best). They said it was something about recusing their kid sister from their piece of shit mother (welcome to the club hun). Whatever. What Cid did care about was that this meant they were now working double shifts to help the kid, which in return meant more of Cid's jobs got done (not that she was knowingly giving them to extra work just because they needed it).

So when tall, dark and handsome had asked her to watch the kid for a couple of hours after school whilst they were out on a job for her, then it was simply mutually beneficial that she agreed to watch her. It wasn't because she actually liked the boys or that she felt bad for the kid. Of course not.

Cid glanced up from behind the bar to where Omega was currently hunched over one of the tables doing what was probably homework. It was three o'clock, at the exact middle between the lunch time rush and the evening crowd, so the only other people at the bar were the two regulars Bolo and Ketch who for some reason thought that Cid's bar was the best place to hash out plans for their upcoming wedding. Perhaps it was because the pair met at the bar. Not that Cid cared. She had only introduced the two of them to each other.

A loud smash from across the bar, startled Cid from her thoughts. She glanced up, worried she was going to miss a fight, when she spotted Omega. The girl had thrown her book across the table in a huff. Cid looked around but Bolo and Kesh were in the middle of an argument about what colour confetti they wanted and there was nobody else in the bar. Cid sighed.

Reluctantly, she got out from behind the bar, and made her way over to where the kid was seated in a booth against the wall. Cid slid into the chair besides her, close enough now to see the girl's lips pouted in an attempt at a frown. If Cid was made of softer stuff, she would have said it looked adorable.

"Alright kid, I'll bite. What's bothering you?"

"I'm not stupid, you know." Omega said, folding her arms across her chest. Cid bit back a well you could've fooled me. "I know that my brothers are only working double shifts because of me."

Cid resisted the urge to sigh again. She did not have a lot of experience with comforting people. Especially little kids. Plus, she had a reputation to keep.

"Your brothers just want the best for you." She told her. "That's why they're working even harder. You're lucky to have family who care about you enough to do that."

"I know." Omega replied in a much quieter voice than she had used moments ago, her folded arms now hugging her chest. Too late Cid remembered the piece of shit mother.

This time, Cid couldn't fight back another sigh. She wrapped an old wrinkled arm around the kid's shoulder's, waiting for a moment to let the kid push her away if she wanted to. When she didn't, Cid pulled her agaisnt side.

"Listen kid, your brothers love you. Its their job to take care of you. In return its your job to act like the kid you are. Trust me, you don't want to grow up too fast. Now act like the good kid you are and finish your homework."

"I've done it." Omega told her. Cid's eyes widened in disbelief. The kid had only been here half an hour there was no way she could have finished everything in that time. But when Cid looked at the open books strewn across the table, she could tell that the girl had completed everything, even the extension maths paper. The kid was a genius!

Cid looked up to see that Bolo and Ketch had taken a break from arguing about wedding planning to play a game of chess. Which of course had delved into another argument. The pair of them getting into a heated debate about rules that the other had made up. If someone didn't step in, the whole relationship would fall apart.

"Hey kid, do you know how to play chess?" Cid asked.

"Yeah." Omega replied in confusion.

"If you beat them, I'll give you a sticky toffee pudding on the house."

"What's a sticky toffee pudding?" She asked.

Cid told herself that the pang in her heart was from sneaking too many of the pub chips again.

"Win and you'll find out."

Two sticky toffee puddings, three glasses of pop and a plate of loaded chips later, Cid spotted tall dark and handsome arrive through the crowd that had started to gather around the little genius. She also spotted the disapproving look on his face. Thankfully the game had just finished, with Bolo consoling his partner at yet another loss. At least their relationship was on the mend once again.

"Alright that's the last match! Next person to order from the bar gets fifty percent off!" Cid yelled. She tried not to sorry for the new bartender Roland, who was immediately bombarded as customers scrambled over in a mad rush.

Once the crowd had parted, the kid spotted him too.

"Hunter!" She cried, jumping off the table. She barrelled into his legs, nearly toppling the poor guy over. Hunter's expression softened as he gazed down at his younger sister with a soft smile, ruffling her short blonde hair.

Cid shook her head. If only she were a couple (thirty) years younger. And was interested in men.

"Did she behave herself?" Hunter asked.

"She was no trouble at all. Surprisingly, considering the trouble you guys get me into on a daily basis." Cid said, holding out the kid's backpack.

As he took it off her, she could tell he was holding back the urge to roll his eyes.

"By the way, you might want to think of asking the kid's teacher for some harder work." Cid told him. "You've got a little genius there."

Cid hid her own smile well as Hunter looked back down at Omega with open pride. So this was what good parenting looked like.

"I will." Hunter said. His face contorted, as though unable to decide on something. After a moment, he appeared to come to a decision as he glanced back up to meet Cid's eyes.

"You know… me and the boys were going to get started on that extension for property three on Saturday. I don't suppose you would mind watching Omega again for us."

"Yeah sure, whatever." Cid replied off handily. She had to look away when Hunter's smile was turned on her. "Now get unless you're going to buy anything you can get out of my bar!"

She made her way back to the counter, telling herself it was to save Roland from the crowd.

She glanced over her shoulder as the pair left the bar, Omega swinging Hunter's arm backwards and forwards in excitement as she told him about her day. Spotting her looking, the kid gave her a little wave goodbye. Cid waved back. She was only being a good employer. Because Cid didn't care.

Oh well, maybe she did care.

Just a little.