A/N: Just a quick thankyou to those who reviewed and my eternal gratitude to Ms Fi for making sure this story makes sense - thankyou gorgeous. On with the update then..

Leon adjusted the towel around his waist and shifted, then reached over Cade's head to tear open the potato chip packet for him. Instantly his hands were pushed out of the way by enthusiastic little fingers. Leon completely understood. He was always starving himself after swimming.

Cade stuffed his mouth full of food and looked up at his daddy. " -'ere's 'uby?"

Leon looked around, seeing if he could spot the eccentric young woman. She had met them everyday for the past two weeks to give Cade swimming lessons and in the process, Cade had grown rather attached. Not one to admit it – so had Leon. He couldn't see her anywhere. Glancing at his watch, he noted it was nearing three in the afternoon.

"I'm not sure," his brow furrowed. She would have called him if she was working. "Maybe she's not feeling well and decided not to come?"

He'd barely even finished his sentence when a bright flurry of colours appeared around the corner. She was barefoot and carrying her bag, this time in a bright green bikini and a long white skirt, tiered with sections of gold and sky blue chiffon. He smiled. She was always wearing skirts that were a touch too long so the bottom would drag on the ground as she walked. Well, she usually walked. This time she was running. Her jewellery sparkled in the afternoon sun and her face was pink.

"I'm sorry I'm late! I had to walk half way and I forgot my phone and I kicked my toe on the gutter and It hurt!"

Cade was immediately concerned about her poor toe, but Leon was more concerned with her walking there.

"What happened to your car?"

She huffed and dropped onto the bench beside him, helping herself to his plate of fries.

"It died." She mumbled around the food, "Choked, made a scary sound and died."

He frowned. "Well what was wrong with it?"

She blinked at him. "It died."

Cade piped in from beside him. "Daddy's a 'chanic."

"Really?" She turned to look at Leon who was suddenly extremely interested in his plate of fries. "You're a mechanic? You never told me that."

He picked up a fry, popping into his mouth. "I'm a painter. I do mechanics when I have no jobs." He slapped her hand as it went to snatch another fry. "Don't do that!"

Ruby pouted, holding the abused hand to her chest. "That's abuse! I'm reporting you for abuse."

He shrugged. "You do that."

Ruby glared at him for a moment then shrugged. She stood up and took her purse from her bag.

"Come for a walk to get me some grub, Cade?" she held her hand out to him. She raised her eyebrow at Leon. "Would you like to come too, precious?"

He shook his head and lay it down on his arms. "I'll wait here."

"Suit yourself – don't talk to strangers."

Leon snorted, closing his eyes. "Yes, mother." His eyes cracked open when he heard their feet slapping on the concrete, walking away. He watched Ruby talking to Cade as they walked, his little hand firmly held in hers. He was getting along so well with Ruby now – opening up and at times even wanting to call and talk to her before bed. He was growing up so fast. Leon could still remember the day the doctors told him he could bring him home with him. Everything had been so scary – so new. But he'd managed. Even without any help – lord knows he had offers left, right and centre – he had done it alone. It felt odd to be sharing his little boy's attention now.

"Excuse me? Hey! Hey you – your phone is ringing!"

Leon blinked, glancing toward the teen who had called out to him then at his phone.

"Thanks." He mumbled, picking up the small silver phone. He looked at the display and stared for a moment. 'Vince' the blue lit screen read. He let it ring for a while longer and then finally it stopped. He knew sooner or later Vince was going to get tired of him ignoring his calls, after all he had said he would call every now and then and as yet he was yet to talk to Vince while he was in Miami. His face ached at the memory of Vince's left hook. He just knew he would become familiar with it again soon if he didn't at least call once. Still – he would try to avoid it as long as possible. Rory's birthday, he thought, I'll call for Rory's birthday.

The phone beeped in his hand, telling him he had yet another voicemail. That bumped the grand total up to fifty seven in the past two weeks. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Vince was really going to knock him down when he saw him.

A hand slid across his shoulder and he jumped, spinning around, his heart in his throat. Ruby stepped back, holding her hands up in the air. Leon blinked rapidly, trying to calm himself. Had he been so deep in thought he hadn't heard them return? The scent of chicken wafted toward his nostrils and he looked at the table. She had put her food down right next to him, then touched him.

"Shit." He muttered, rubbing his face.

"Leon how long since you've slept?" She asked, her hands moving back to his shoulders. She sounded concerned.

He grunted, tensing at her touch. He honestly didn't remember the answer to that. "Couple of days." He lied. Reluctantly he started to relax under her ministrations, her hands rubbing and kneading at the sore, stiff muscles. An involuntary moan slipped from his mouth and he tensed again. He lifted a hand to stop her, gently easing her away from him.

"I'll be fine."

Ruby looked at him, then slowly nodded. "Alright." She sat down beside him and looked at her food, quiet. Leon watched her out of the corner of his eye and caught Cade glaring at him.

"What!"

Cade snuggled into Ruby's side. "Upset Ruby."

She stroked his head, not looking at Leon. "No, no it's ok, sweetie. If daddy doesn't want me to touch him I wont."

Leon swallowed thickly at her quiet response. The Ruby he had gotten to know over the past couple of weeks was rarely that quiet. He'd hurt her feelings.

"Shit," he swore softly, tentatively putting his hand on her back. "I'm sorry, Rubes.." When she didn't reply he sighed and dropped his hand.

Cade wasn't glaring any more. He knew his daddy had said sorry. "We go swim now?"

Leon looked at Ruby for a moment. "Ruby?"

She turned to him and smiled. "I'll be in once I finish this, precious." She motioned to her chicken. "Give me about ten minutes."

"Do you want us to wait?"

"No," she gave Cade an adoring smile, "-little man here wants to swim. I'll be out there with you soon."

Leon helped Cade down from the bench and nudged him ahead of him. He went to comment on her silence, noting she was doing just what he always did, then thought better of it. He hated it when someone psychoanalysed him so he knew she wouldn't like it either.

He tried again. "Are – are you angry at me?"

Concern flooded her features. "Of course I'm not! What makes you think that?"

"Nothing." Leon started after Cade. "Forget it."