A/N: Alright - I'm a bit wary posting this chapter on its own as it's a sort of filler type chapter, but what the hell - you'll get a proper one next time. Big thankyou to Ms Fi, betty-boo, Dani and leslienicolespeaks for reviewing the last chapter!

Cade's tiny fingers tangled in the rows of glass beads around Ruby's neck, sparkling and shining in the sunlight. There was every colour under the sun on the string – it had been a gift from Cade for Christmas. Apparently Bethany had helped him make her some little beaded necklets and necklaces. That morning when she'd walked out wearing them the smile that lit up his face had been bright enough to light up even the darkest depths of the ocean. It was blinding almost. The sheer joy on his face had been enough to keep her going for the rest of the day.

It was just past new years and as Leon was looking for work, part time at least, he'd left Cade in Ruby's care for the day and they'd embarked on a long day out around town and to the park. She was still on leave from work for another week.

Ruby was flopped on the grass, her arms stretched out on either side of her while Cade's head lay against her breast, fingers still playing with the colourful beads against her throat. She'd long since kicked her shoes off and they lay nearby with her bag and Cade's shoes as well. Her black velvet baby doll dress shone in the muted sunlight, torn and faded blue jeans covering her legs. She'd let Cade pick her clothes for the day and not surprisingly the little boy had chosen a dress that felt 'pretty' to him. Something he liked to cuddle and snuggle against. It hadn't been a big surprise at all that he'd insisted on being carried and was always touching her somehow at all times. Originally when he'd begun that kind of behaviour she'd just assumed that he was a naturally affectionate child, but when Leon had told her that he didn't usually take to anyone at all she'd been floored. She'd fallen in love with him instantly and apparently, the feeling was mutual.

"Miss Ruby?"

She lifted her head to look down at Cade, green eyes meeting big, dark selkie brown ones. He was a beautiful child, he truly was. He had so much of his father in him, yet so much of his mother that it was incredible. Her bejewelled hand came up to push his hair out of his eyes.

"Yes, handsome?" her tone was affectionate and warm, bringing a dimpled grin to the boy's face. His little palm pushed against her as he sat upright, then crawled over her belly and dropped himself on top of her giggling. Her breath whooshed out of her lungs and she coughed lightly, smiling at his childish laughter.

"'M hungry." He told her matter-o-factly, giving a slight nod as well. He squealed with laughter as Ruby's fingers gently dug into his sides and tickled, lifting him high over her in the air. His dark hair hung down around his face and his little round cheeks were dimpled in an almost permanent grin as he looked down at her. Ruby lowered him down to lay over her chest, his chin resting on his hands that laid across the swell of her cleavage. It was a position Leon favoured as well. She could almost see his father in his eyes and had the distinct feeling as he grew, Cade would mature to look more like Leon, just a darker version.

"Alright then, sweetheart – what would you like?" She glanced at her watch as he umm-ed and ahh-ed and was startled to see that it was almost one pm already. No wonder he was hungry! He'd not eaten since seven thirty that morning when Leon had plopped him in front of the television with a glass of milk and a bowl of dry cereal. She felt herself warm at the memory of the two of them watching early morning cartoons and eating their cereal, both mussed from bed and in their boxers. Yes, Cade even had little boxer shorts just so he could be like daddy. The little boy had a serious case of hero worship there.

Cade tapped lightly against her cheek with the palm of his hand, nudging her slightly. "Have 'cided." He informed her. There was a moment where Ruby was once again winded but then Cade was off her and standing patiently beside her waiting to put his shoes back on.

"Well then, little man – what's for lunch?" She asked him as he stepped into his miniature sneaker, hand braced on Ruby's shoulder as she tied the laces. One that was done she watched him point over the road toward the shopping complex.

"Want noodles, please."

Ruby grinned, slipping her feet into her sandals before standing up. "Chinese?"

Cade's hair flopped into his eyes as he nodded enthusiastically. "Noodles." He was almost bouncing on the spot and could barely contain himself even when she took his hand to lead him across the street. She was barely able to refrain from laughing as he tugged her insistently toward the food court, jabbering on about noodles and spring rolls.

He was happily perched on her hip, head on her shoulder as he watched their food being placed onto plates and a tray.

"Miss Ruby – some for daddy too." He pointed to what he knew as his fathers favourite dish, Kung Po Chicken and gave Ruby the biggest puppy eyes. "Daddy wont eaten."

Nodding, Ruby ordered a large serve of the chicken for Leon as she knew Cade was right. He would have been so busy wound up in knots all day about his job interviews that he'd have skipped lunch, and a hungry Leon was an unhappy Leon. If he wasn't fed at least four times a day he was miserable – and if Le was miserable then everyone around him was miserable.

Carefully balancing the tray in one hand and Cade in the other, Ruby navigated her way toward an empty table and first sat down the food, then her little charge. He waited patiently, eyeing his little plate full of noodles and mini spring rolls as Ruby carefully opened the dipping sauce and set it down in front of him. As soon as that was done he was contently crunching into the first spring roll. She'd just sat down herself and had only just picked up her chopsticks when her cell rang, the display reading 'Leon'. As soon as she answered;

"Where are you?" He sounded tired, but not annoyed. Her heart went out to him when she heard the exhaustion in his voice. It had been a few months since he'd worked and as he'd told her that morning, he'd never been good at job interviews.

"We're at the mall having lunch– just across from the park." She caught Cade motioning to her and rolled her eyes, "It's daddy." She told him, not even bothering to cover the mouthpiece.

Leon sighed and she could hear the rev of his engine over the line. "I'll be there in about five or ten minutes, Gemstone."

"Ok, precious," she mopped up a dollop of sweet and sour sauce from Cade's chin, "-drive careful."

Ruby shook her head at the empty container on the table, marvelling at the amount Leon could eat. He'd finished what she and Cade had gotten him, eaten what Cade couldn't eat and was presently lined up waiting to grab something else. A burger this time.

Cade had been right in assuming Leon hadn't eaten. He looked a right mess when he'd walked up to them upon arrival. His hair was mussed from running his fingers through it, he looked tired and he had that distinctly 'hungry' look to him. He'd tried to pick at her plate until she shoved the takeaway container at him instead and his eyes had lit up. Both she and Cade had gotten kisses for their efforts.

Smiling, Ruby waved to Angie as she saw her approaching. "Hi, Angie." She chirped, motioning for the motherly woman to sit. She did so and looked around, noting to two extra chairs still sitting out in the aisle. Ruby pointed toward the Burger King across the court and Angie rolled her eyes.

"I don't know how you feed him when he's at your place," she scoffed, "-he eats like a horse."

"Doesn't he." Ruby grinned over her shoulder, watching Leon make his way back as Cade chattered to his father animatedly about their day so far. This afternoon she was taking him to the movies while Le went on for yet another interview. She could tell just by his languid pace that he wasn't looking forward to it. He had five job interviews over the course of the entire day and had two left to go. One at a local towing company and automotive garage, and one for sign writing – designing decals and such for stores, cars etc.

She wasn't sure which one she hoped he got, but she knew those two were the ones he was hoping to get a look into.

He gave Angie a soft smile, helping Cade back up onto his seat. "Hi, Angie." He even sounded exhausted.

"Hey sweetie, how goes it?"

Leon's big hand was slowly stroking over Cade's hair as he crouched in front of him, his head resting against the little boys chest. He sighed, cuddling his son. You could always tell when Leon was a bit down. He would just pick Cade up for no good reason and cuddle him, not saying a word, even after putting him back down.

"Not too good so far – fingers crossed though." He pecked Cade on the forehead briefly before standing and edging around the table, his hand tangling in the fiery strands of Ruby's hair, tilting her head back. "I need to get moving." He muttered, slanting his mouth across hers.

Ruby's eyes fluttered shut. His mouth tasted sweet against hers, his tongue swiping across the roof of her mouth briefly before he drew back, pressing yet another kiss to her lips.

Ruby couldn't help the smile that crept across her lips, Leon's responding in kind and doing the same as he began to draw back.

His thumb swiped across her cheek before he straightened and retrieved the paper bag containing his burger from the table.

"I'll see you guys later." He gave Angie a slight nod before ducking between two tables and heading for the exit, Ruby's eyes on his back the whole way. It wasn't until she turned back to face Cade and Angie that she saw the knowing grin on the older woman's face.

Feeling her cheeks heat, Ruby ducked her head slightly. "What?"

"I was wondering how long that would take."